![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
— - — - — - — -
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.
When Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.
Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms. Even worse, she’s starting to think she doesn’t want to...
[CWS: explicit sex, alcohol use, death of a parent (off page), emotional abuse, childhood neglect, cheating, toxic relationship]
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the hell out of this book. I love a good thrown-together-by-circumstance wedding adjacent romance any day, and this one has the added elements of a secret relationship with a sibling's best friend (executed to perfection, I might add). I'm also a sucker for a good complicated damaged-but-hopeful sibling dynamic, so Delilah's relationship with her sister really kept me rapt. The fact that both characters are hurting so much, and yet despite all the years of being frankly awful to each other, I'm able to root for the hope that they'll find some common ground... Honestly, that's some incredible character work, especially considering one of the sisters is never a POV of her own. Delilah and Claire were a delight to spend time with, and I recommend this book enthusiastically.
- — - — - — - — -
Breaking Character by Lee Winter
Life has become a farcical mess for icy British A-lister Elizabeth Thornton. America’s most-hated villain stars in a top-rated TV medical drama that she hates. Now, she’s been romantically linked to her perky, new co-star, Summer, due to the young woman’s clumsiness. As a closeted actress, that’s the last thing Elizabeth needs. If she could just get her dream movie role, life would be so much better. The only problem is that the eccentric French film-maker offering it insists on meeting her “girlfriend”, Summer, first.
Summer Hayes is devastated when her co-star shuns her for accidentally sparking rumors they’re lovers. Now the so-called British Bitch has the audacity to ask Summer to pretend to be her girlfriend to get her a role? Elizabeth doesn’t even like Summer! Oh, how she’d love to tell her no. And Summer definitely would if it wasn’t for the fact she’s maybe a tiny bit in love with the impossible woman.
Why you should read it: This book is such a breath of fresh air, oh my god, what a treat! The grump/sunshine dynamic is written so beautifully, with characters I adored. The supporting cast members were delightful (except the ones who were awful by design, and then they were brilliantly awful). I don't want to give spoilers, but there were so many narrative choices made in this book that were EXACTLY what I crave as a reader, and usually even excellent romance novels don't give me quite what I want. Yes, I'm being deliberately cryptic. This book felt very subversive in some lovely ways, and I don't want to over-explain those ways when you will enjoy them so much more reading them for yourself.
- — - — - — - — -
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole
While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy—so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.
When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.
Why you should read it: What a wonderful novella, holy hell. Charming characters, terrific dialog, and I'm so impressed at the way this second-chance-romance storyline fits into such a short space without ever feeling like I'm missing part of the story. I enjoyed the dual timelines and the chance to see past and present in the characters' conflicting POVs. The chemistry was delightful and the payout felt like exactly the happy ending these women deserved. Beautiful story all around.
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.
When Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.
Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms. Even worse, she’s starting to think she doesn’t want to...
[CWS: explicit sex, alcohol use, death of a parent (off page), emotional abuse, childhood neglect, cheating, toxic relationship]
Why you should read it: I enjoyed the hell out of this book. I love a good thrown-together-by-circumstance wedding adjacent romance any day, and this one has the added elements of a secret relationship with a sibling's best friend (executed to perfection, I might add). I'm also a sucker for a good complicated damaged-but-hopeful sibling dynamic, so Delilah's relationship with her sister really kept me rapt. The fact that both characters are hurting so much, and yet despite all the years of being frankly awful to each other, I'm able to root for the hope that they'll find some common ground... Honestly, that's some incredible character work, especially considering one of the sisters is never a POV of her own. Delilah and Claire were a delight to spend time with, and I recommend this book enthusiastically.
- — - — - — - — -
Breaking Character by Lee Winter
Life has become a farcical mess for icy British A-lister Elizabeth Thornton. America’s most-hated villain stars in a top-rated TV medical drama that she hates. Now, she’s been romantically linked to her perky, new co-star, Summer, due to the young woman’s clumsiness. As a closeted actress, that’s the last thing Elizabeth needs. If she could just get her dream movie role, life would be so much better. The only problem is that the eccentric French film-maker offering it insists on meeting her “girlfriend”, Summer, first.
Summer Hayes is devastated when her co-star shuns her for accidentally sparking rumors they’re lovers. Now the so-called British Bitch has the audacity to ask Summer to pretend to be her girlfriend to get her a role? Elizabeth doesn’t even like Summer! Oh, how she’d love to tell her no. And Summer definitely would if it wasn’t for the fact she’s maybe a tiny bit in love with the impossible woman.
Why you should read it: This book is such a breath of fresh air, oh my god, what a treat! The grump/sunshine dynamic is written so beautifully, with characters I adored. The supporting cast members were delightful (except the ones who were awful by design, and then they were brilliantly awful). I don't want to give spoilers, but there were so many narrative choices made in this book that were EXACTLY what I crave as a reader, and usually even excellent romance novels don't give me quite what I want. Yes, I'm being deliberately cryptic. This book felt very subversive in some lovely ways, and I don't want to over-explain those ways when you will enjoy them so much more reading them for yourself.
- — - — - — - — -
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole
While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy—so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.
When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.
Why you should read it: What a wonderful novella, holy hell. Charming characters, terrific dialog, and I'm so impressed at the way this second-chance-romance storyline fits into such a short space without ever feeling like I'm missing part of the story. I enjoyed the dual timelines and the chance to see past and present in the characters' conflicting POVs. The chemistry was delightful and the payout felt like exactly the happy ending these women deserved. Beautiful story all around.
Tags:
