Tag Archives: Contemporary

Contemporary books are ones where the events take place at or near the time the book was written.

Review: More Than Protect You

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Review: More Than Protect YouMore Than Protect You (More Than Words, #6.5) by Shayla Black
Series: More Than Words #6.5
Published by Dark Nights on October 6, 2020
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 152
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: For such a short story, this packs a lot of character and relationship building in. I enjoyed this very much as Tanner and Mandy have an instant attraction, but takes time for them to get to know one another. Much of the story is told in a quick fashion, but I liked these two together.

THE STORY: Readers of the series know about Barclay Reed, the father of several main characters in the series. Barclay Reed managed to father various illegitimate children by taking advantage of women in his employ. Amanda Lund is the daughter of one of Barclay’s friend and is also the father of her one-year-old son. Even though Barclay is dead, his legacy lives on as someone is threatening Mandy. Enter Tanner Kirk, who agrees to be her bodyguard.

OPINION: I enjoyed this story, perhaps because it feels like a landing spot for the series meaning that we get to see all the couples and get updates. I enjoyed the relationship between Tanner and Mandy. The whole situation between them is not really complicated even though Amanda has a difficult past. Everything seems clear and straightforward so I am happy to just get to concentrate on all the character relationships.

I just really liked Tanner and Amanda who both are people who have made mistakes and are interested in moving forward together. I liked their conversations which seemed mature and designed to really understand one another.  I thought their romance was nicely paced, giving them time to get to know one another. Then the story gets hot!

The story is an easy read and because the length is short, it was a particularly enjoyable short read.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a novella-length story with a nice bunch of updates about the couples so far in the series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MORE THAN PROTECT YOU is book 6.5 in the More Than Words series. The romance here is self-contained and this can certainly be read as a standalone. However, characters from the series make appearances, and reading in order gives a fuller understanding of the whole storyline.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

 

four-stars

Review: More Than Pleasure You

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Review: More Than Pleasure YouMore Than Pleasure You (More Than Words, #5.5) by Shayla Black
Series: More Than Words #5.5
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated on November 12, 2019
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 127
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: This was an enjoyable read especially right now when I wanted something easy to read. Concise and fast-paced, I breezed through this one.

THE STORY: Stephen Lund arrives in Maui seeking distance from his father. At his rental, he meets Skye Ingram who is the caretaker. Skye is having a crisis. Her ex is getting married and she needs a pretend fiance to attend the wedding with her. Overhearing, Stephen offers to fill the role.

OPINION: I liked how these two worked together, and I’m always a sucker for the fake engagement trope.  I really did love the relationship between Stephen and Skye which is funny and sexy. The story has some obvious turns and reveals, but that made this a comforting read. The complexity is in the relationship between the characters in the story — not only Stephen and Skye but also the supporting characters. Characters have deep and sometimes contradictory motives. What could have been formulaic villains end up being complicated — even if not always likable.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a novella told in alternating first person.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU is book 5.5 in the More Than Words series. While it is not necessary to read the other books in the series since this book gives you the essential conflict, it does help to be familiar with the characters in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

 

four-stars

Review: Three Little Mistakes

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Review: Three Little MistakesThree Little Mistakes (Blindfold Club, #3) by Nikki Sloane
Series: Blindfold Club #3
Published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on August 1, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica
Pages: 240
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable book with plenty of hot sex and little angst. There is a “secret” that Joseph keeps from “M” that causes problem and that was a bit of a thin plot.

THE STORY: Joseph Monsato, at thirty eight, is the owner of a club and sees a young woman who he believes is underage and thus a threat to his business. When the young woman is an unintended victim in a “bar fight” Joseph comes to her rescue. The woman won’t give him her name but instead insists on “M”. She isn’t underage but rather is twenty-three and agrees to have Joseph take her home. The chemistry between the two is intense. But “M” has secrets that might threaten Joseph in another way.

OPINION: I thought this book was interested because the relationship between Joseph and “M” is one where “M” is more powerful than in many of typical books of this type. Although she is younger, less experienced, and submissive, she is strong and makes her needs known. I really felt that this journey was mutual and Joseph has vulnerabilities as well which are developed as the book progresses.

The negative of this book for me was the secret keeping, which is okay in the plot but a bit annoying as the main conflict.

I enjoyed the book, but it is definitely an erotic romance and heavy on the sex which is an important part of the book.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book has a group sex scene.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THREE LITTLE MISTAKES is the third book in the Blindfold Club series. This book can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the other books in the series and didn’t feel that I missed anything. Characters from prior books appear, but I got all the info I needed in this book to understand the relationships involved.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

 

three-half-stars

Review: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors

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Review: Pride, Prejudice, and Other FlavorsPride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes, #1) by Sonali Dev
Series: The Rajes #1
Published by William Morrow Paperbacks on May 7, 2019
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 512
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: Straddling the line between women’s fiction and romance, this book doesn’t always comfortably satisfy either genre. I liked the book, but didn’t find the romance here as compelling as prior Dev books.

THE STORY: Dr. Trisha Raje is a celebrated neurosurgeon who has a difficult relationship with her family but even while she complains about them, she longs for something more with them. As would be expected in a Pride and Prejudice retelling, on the night that she is attempting to bridge the gap between them at a party, she meets DJ, a chef who is cooking for her family’s event. DJ finds Trisha stuck up and unlikable on their first meeting and judges her accordingly. Trisha, however, is DJ’s sister’s neurosurgeon so they are bound to meet again.

OPINION: I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. Therefore, any book that so closely depends so much on that book is already a problem for me. I liked the family dynamics at play here, but I think that trying to shoehorn some of these things into the original Pride and Prejudice template doesn’t always work as well here — especially the Wickham story.

I thought that both the main characters were well conceived. Trisha isn’t the easiest character to identify with but women characters often face more criticism for being successful, determined and unemotional. I really felt her mistakes and her inability to express herself as she wants. She also learns a lot through the book.

DJ is adorable but also a jerk in how he quickly judges Trisha. He is a caring brother who is struggling with his sister’s illness and how to allow her to make decisions in her life that are not the ones he would make.

The family drama was the weakest part for me as it seemed to overwhelm the romance at times. It also felt that this book, as the first in the series, was attempted to introduce everyone and do a lot of work that didn’t feel natural.

I wanted more romance and Trisha and DJ didn’t spend enough time together for my tastes. That being said, I liked the book and it was worth reading.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is a gender role reversal version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

CONNECTED BOOKS: PRIDE, PREJUDICE, AND OTHER FLAVORS is the first book in the Rajes series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

UPDATE: 4/3/2022: I’ve increased the rating on this one to 4 stars. The book does somewhat suffer from being the first book in the series and having to introduce all the family characters. I increased the rating because I really did like Trisha and DJ and think that at least some of my negative feelings the first time were because of my expectations of the book. I really did enjoy this book and upon second reading will continue with the series.

four-stars

Review: Texas! Chase

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Review: Texas! ChaseTexas! Chase (Texas! Tyler Family Saga, #2) by Sandra Brown
Series: Texas! Tyler Family Saga #2
Published by Bantam on July 1, 1991
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

FINAL DECISION: A blast from the past. This 1990’s contemporary novel reads more like a historical at times, but I love the characters and this book is one of the early damaged hero stories I read.

THE STORY: Marcie John has been in love with Chase Tyler since childhood. When his beloved wife is killed by a teen driver while a passenger in Marcie’s car, Chase falls apart. When Marcie sees him again, she rescues him and in order to save the family’s business, she proposes a marriage of convenience. She gets a husband who will help her own business (although she is secretly in love with him) and Chase will get money to protect the family legacy. At the same time, Marcie has a stalker who is making obscene phone calls to her and has become more threatening.

OPINION: This is one of my old-time favorites. The story was shocking to my expectations years ago. Chase’s beloved wife is killed in the beginning of the book, and he becomes a mess afterwards. Broken, aimless, drunk most of the time, Chase is hardly the type of hero that I expected. Marcie rescues him from his circumstances and whisks him away to safety.

Marcie is put together, successful but haunted by the accident that took Chase’s wife’s life and also continues to pine after Chase. I loved that these two struggle to build a relationship together which has problems and fits and starts. As deep and complicated as more recent books would be expected to be? No, but this book blazed a trail that those books got to follow.

My recent re-read was comforting and completely satisfying. Marcie might be in love with Chase, but she doesn’t put up with his self-pity or his lashing out in his pain.

This was one of those books I remember from years ago that still worked for me.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book was written in the early 1990’s and thus readers should be aware that situations, themes and characters are set in that time and may be jarring for modern readers.

CONNECTED BOOKS: Texas! Chase is the second book in the Texas! Tyler Family Saga. The romance here is self-contained and the book can be read as a standalone although characters from the other two books in the series appear.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

five-stars

Review: The Worst Best Man

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Review: The Worst Best ManThe Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
Published by Avon on February 4, 2020
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 368
Goodreads
three-stars

FINAL DECISION: I really liked the characters in this one, but I found the story slow and uninteresting. There wasn’t really any tension in this one and everything moved so slowly that made it worse. Good moments, but not a re-read for me.

THE STORY: Lina Santos is jilted at the altar by her groom who leaves his younger brother Drew to break the news. A text from her groom on the run to Drew says that what he said convinced the groom to cancel the wedding — the problem is that Drew, recovering from a hangover, doesn’t remember what he said. Years later, Lina is competing for a prime opportunity to help her business as a wedding planner — the hitch, she has to work with Drew in order to have a chance.

OPINION: I was disappointed by this book. The concept was great, the characters I really liked, and the beginning of the book was amazing. The book just went downhill from there for me. Once Max and Lina got together, the book lacked any drive towards the ending. There seemed no drama or tension once the story got started. I was very disappointed and struggled to get through the book. Then the real issues that arise in the book are not actually solved in the end. There is a big gesture, but nothing is actually resolved which was bothersome.

I gave this book 3 stars because I really liked the characters and I enjoyed the way the two talked through their relationship. But the book really needed outside tension because the two are pretty adult and reasonable in their relationship.

Lina is funny and clever and I laughed out loud at some of what she put Max through as they met up again. Max is sweet and very supportive of Lina and does his work without wanting to take over.

I just wanted more than I got here. It was an okay one time read, but I won’t think about picking it up again.

WORTH MENTIONING: The book is often categorized as enemies to lovers. Honestly, this book lacks the tension and drama needed for a good enemies to lovers story. The beginning of the book is amazing towards that but when Lina and Max meet again, the enemy part so quickly dissolves that I don’t think enemies to lovers really describes this book at all.

CONNECTED BOOKS: This book is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

three-stars

Review: One Perfect Summer

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Review: One Perfect SummerOne Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak
Published by MIRA on April 7, 2020
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 400
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: A solid summer read. This book has plenty of self-discovery and relationship building between the newly discovered sisters. I enjoyed this, but women’s fiction is not my favorite.

THE STORY: When using a DNA test, Serenity Alston discovers two half sisters. As three meet for the first time, each of them is facing a crisis in their lives. Serenity has testified against her own husbands for crimes he committed which has caused conflicts in her family along with her questioning her own judgment.  Lorelei’s marriage has crumbled when her husband had an affair with her best friend. Reagan has had an affair with a married co-worker. Each of these women is struggling even as they are trying to see what relationship they can have with their newly discovered biological half-sisters.

OPINION: I liked this book as these three women try to create a relationship between them as their lives are complicated by men and children. There is quite a bit of drama and an attempt at an overarching mystery of how these three ended up related.  That part of the book didn’t work for me as well as the relationship building between these characters. The ending of the book really seemed to switch the mood of the story.

For me, the best part of the relationship between these sisters is how they come to accept one another. None of them is perfect and the acceptance is important to the story.

There is a lot of issues with men in this book and at times I just wanted to say — figure out your own life and worry about men later. I prefer romances and even though I knew that this was women’s fiction, I enjoy the author so I gave this one a chance. It was certainly a good and different read that is a perfect summer beach read.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a woman’s fiction book not a romance even though relationships with men are involved in the book.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ONE PERFECT SUMMER is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Taking the Heat

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Review: Taking the HeatTaking the Heat (Jackson: Girls' Night Out, #3) by Victoria Dahl
Series: Jackson: Girls' Night Out #3
Published by HQN Books on July 28, 2015
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Supersexy male librarian — I don’t think there is anything else to say.

THE STORY: Veronica Chandler feels like she is a pretender is her own life. She is seen as a sophisticated city girl when she knows that she has come to Jackson because she couldn’t make it in New York. She writes an advice column but knows that people think her more experienced and knowledgeable than she really is. She ends up meeting the new librarian, Gabe MacKenzie, and a ill advised number of margaritas ends up with her confessing her darkest secrets to him. The irony, he is more interested in the real her than her fake facade.

OPINION: I really liked Veronica in this one. As the book begins, she is uncertain and lacks self-confidence. She is a woman who is too much in her own head which keeps her from living in her present life and enjoying her sexual experiences. She also struggles against her own mental expectations of herself which makes her feel like a faker in her own life.

Gabe is a beta hero but is simply adorable. He is also struggling with expectations and trying to be the perfect son and a problem solver. He is so supportive of Veronica and respectful of her that I just loved him. I would have liked more library or reading time though!

This book really worked for me. It was comforting and the focus on the relationship between these two just made me happy in these difficult times. There are some misunderstandings and some problems that arise from failures to communicate, but that felt real here. I don’t think that people who are just getting to know one another are likely to tell everything about their lives to one another. That causes problems in real life just as it does in this book.

I really enjoyed how things turn in this book and Veronica leverages her strengths to demand what she deserves and being willing to call out the truth to Gabe even if it damages their relationship — because a true relationship must be based on truth. I loved how adult this book ends up being.

WORTH MENTIONING: My only negative is that this book ends up being a happy for now ending. I wanted and needed more for this to be a 5 star read. The ending might not bother some readers, but I felt cheated a bit at the end.

CONNECTED BOOKS: TAKING THE HEAT is the third book in the Jackson: Girls’ Night Out series. I haven’t read the other books in the series and didn’t feel that I missed anything so this book can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING I give this book 4.5 stars.

four-half-stars

Review: Wicked Ever After

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Review: Wicked Ever AfterWicked Ever After (One-Mile and Brea, part two) (Wicked & Devoted #2) by Shayla Black
Series: Wicked & Devoted #2
Published by Shelley Bradley, LLC on April 7, 2020
Genres: Contemporary
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Loved this conclusion to Brea and (Pierce) One-Mile’s story. I worried that the first book raised expectations that wouldn’t be met in the finale, but this one was great and hit all the right notes — passion, angst, drama, romance, action and plenty of sexy times.

THE STORY: At the end of the first part of Brea and One-Mile’s story, the two have fallen in love, but One-Mile’s job is dangerous and the people he interact with a threat to Brea. At the same time, Brea is uncertain about One-Mile’s feelings and intentions. Misunderstandings abound as these two try and navigate their emotions amid the expectations of those around them.

OPINION: This second part of Brea and One-Mile’s story begins with a misunderstanding which sets up the conflict in the story as the players react and set up new situations that the characters need to navigate. I’m not a real fan of misunderstanding conflicts — especially because this misunderstanding seems to easy to fix. But thankfully, the misunderstanding is resolved and the characters go on to resolve the problem situations they find themselves in.

The story goes really fast and the pacing just compels the readers to gobble the book up quickly.

One thing I really liked is how Pierce is such a tough guy but who is sensitive and haunted by his past. He doesn’t really believe that he is good enough for Brea. He has masked his insecurities and self-loathing by his outer toughness and anti-social rudeness. I really love when an alpha hero is just completely undone by a sweet gentle heroine. I like that Brea has morals and convictions but she is not judgmental or unforgiving. She also is certainly willing to go all in when she falls in love.

The prior book had a bit more action, but this part felt more emotional.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book completes Brea and One-Mile’s story, but there is an epilogue that sets up the next book in the series. That epilogue leaves the book with a cliffhanger for the next story, but does not disturb the HEA for Brea and One-Mile.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WICKED AFTER EVER is the second part of the story of Brea and One-Mile. The first book, WICKED AS SIN, should be read first. This book also overlaps in time with DEVOTED TO PLEASURE but that book doesn’t have to be read to enjoy this one.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via the author. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

four-half-stars

Review: Asking for Trouble

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Review: Asking for TroubleAsking for Trouble (Line of Duty, #4) by Tessa Bailey
Series: Line of Duty #4
Published by Entangled: Brazen on November 25, 2013
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 250
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: Hot, hot, hot. I really enjoyed this story of two opposites. An enemies to lovers story, the only negative is the plot regarding Hayden’s family which I wasn’t interested in at all. More Hayden and Brent on the page!

THE STORY: Brent Mason and Hayden Winstead are unfortunately friends of two people who are crazy in love. It is unfortunate because Brent and Hayden can’t stand one another. Brent is an explosives expert cop and Hayden is a rich society girl. The rub one another completely wrong until they rub one another completely right. Hayden is also on the edge of being forced into a marriage of convenience to save her family’s fortune.

OPINION: I enjoyed this book as the heat between Brent and Hayden was sexy and really, really hot. At the same time, I really liked these characters which had angst and drama but also a great deal of humor.

Brent and Hayden flirt and tempt one another through their initial animosity. The book begins long after their adversarial relationship has been established and Hayden has decided that she is going to finally win whatever is between them. But instead things blaze like crazy between them. Super hot and super sexy. I loved this scene which seemed to be almost perfect even though the characters are only just introduced on the page.

This moment is a breakthrough of the two them to begin seeing on another beyond their stereotypes. Brent is more than the “ape” cop and Hayden is much more complex than the “society girl”. Both of these characters care deeply and through the story, they begin to see one another more clearly.

I really enjoyed this book except for the silly marriage of convenience plot which I found a throwaway except for the great dramatic moment at the end which was over the top and just amazing.

WORTH MENTIONING: The dirty talk in this book was amazing.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ASKING FOR TROUBLE is the fourth book in the Lind of Duty series. The romance here is self-contained and can be read as a standalone. The couple here does have a close relationship with the couple from OFFICER OFF LIMITS (Book #3). This book can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read OFFICER OFF LIMITS and didn’t feel I missed anything.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars