Trouble With the Guy Next Door by Holly Renee

Update: As of 4/6/2021 I have changed my rating to 5-stars!

🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

After finishing Bad Boy Best Friend and feeling unsettled with my reading experience, I went for another similar read with Holly Renee's Trouble With the Guy Next Door. Little did I realize this wasn't quite as quick as a read as expected. I'm not complaining. As a side note, I have listed under the new title and cover, but when it was originally published in 2017, it was under the name Bottoms Up. This is the first in her Rock Bottom series.

I absolutely loved this book and plan to at the very least read the rest of this series. This evolves around new neighbors Tucker and Kennedy. Tucker and his friend Liam move in next door to Kennedy and her best friend (really chosen family) Brooke. Tucker and Kennedy kind of hit it off right away and start dancing around each other. She's more denying her attraction to him (at least more verbally) and tries to be enemies and then friends. I loved Tucker. He really saw Kennedy for who she was and knew exactly how to read her. Oh, the swoony feelings I got when with one glance he knew something was wrong despite her brave face. 

The reason I went 4-stars instead of five is the third act conflict. First off, I knew immediately that the girl that he was with was his sister. When Kennedy sees this though, she's reeling from her horrible family and runs. Then she decides to hurt Tucker in return instead of being an adult and communicating with him. I feel like it they confronted each other pretty quickly, but I didn't like how long their separation lasted, especially with them obviously pining after each other. Kennedy was very relatable and I loved that she was a plus-sized character. She had insecurities, but it was so well written that they weren't specifically on her weight, but more that and everything else she was and not feeling good enough to her family. I also loved the smattering of humor spread throughout the book. Holly Renee really hit a good balance of humor, steaminess, angst and cozy feelings for me. 

I'm also super intrigued by the next couple books, which will focus on Tucker's sister and his friend Jase and then Brooke and Liam. I hope the fourth friend in his group gets a book too. Maybe with Chloe? Even though I was knee deep in fantasy romance for FaRoFeb, I really enjoyed this sojourn into contemporary and can't wait to get to the rest of the series soon! Plus I really enjoy the look of the covers. The font is so gorgeous.

Have you read Trouble With the Guy Next Door?

Bookishly Yours, 

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: Trouble With the Guy Next Door, Holly Renee, 5-stars, 2 days, eBook, 304 pages, published 2017

Bad Boy Best Friend by Hope Ford

🍎🍎🍎

After reading Fluff a few days before, I was in the mood for something similarly sweet, steamy and quick. Looking for another friends-to-lovers book that fit that need, I picked up Hope Ford's Bad Boy Best Friend. This is the first book I've read by Hope Ford.

While quick and cutesy, it just didn't quite hit the mark. The steam and chemistry between the two was decent. We have Laney, who just moved back to her parents house in her small town. Austin owns the local mechanic shop and they've been best friends forever. I feel like a big part of me not enjoying this one as much, is I was more told they were best friends than shown. It just didn't quite seem as believable sometimes. I also found it weird that her parents knew "all along" they were going to get together. And while Fluff was a little unbelievable with both being virgins, this was a little too much the other way. Austin was a complete "bad boy" that never had a real relationship and Laney had a failed engagement.

Once again I didn't quite like the "3rd act" conflict, although it's hard to call it a 3rd act when these books are so short. While it didn't quite hit the spot, I did enjoy Hope Fords writing and will definitely try her books again. I just wanted either more character development between the two, or have them both more fleshed out to begin with. This was kind of in the middle with trying to show the development, but not getting quite all the way there. Like I said, it was fine.

Have you read Bad Boy Best Friend?

Bookishly Yours, 

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: Bad Boy Best Friend, Hope Ford, 3-stars, 0 days, eBook, 138 pages, published 2020

Tempest by Beverly Jenkins

🍎🍎🍎🍎

As mentioned in previous posts, I absolutely adore the Smart Women Read Romance Podcast. I am a patron and participate in their monthly live reviews. For February, the book chosen under the historical prompt was Tempest by Beverly Jenkins. This is the third book in her Old West series, although it seems most of her series are in the same world and connect via various characters.

This was my first Beverly Jenkins, and I'm happy to finally get to one of them. If I wasn't knee deep in fantasy romance due to FaRoFeb, I would've read the whole series. Most of the time (95%) I prefer to read things in order, even if it's not necessary. Unfortunately I didn't relegate enough time to read the first two books before Tempest. This book focuses on Regan, a mail-order bride moving to Wyoming to marry the local Doctor Colton. He is looking for a wife mainly for his daughter Anna. The relationship between Regan and Anna is what made this a 4-star and not 3-star for me. The way that Regan takes shy Anna under her wing and naturally helps her grow confidence in herself and allows her to be a child. 

What I wasn't as fond of is the romance between the two. Yes there were some steamy moments, but I didn't like how sudden the attraction felt and how Colton kind of fought against it. It was written like he was fighting falling for Regan, however I didn't actually feel like he was falling for her. More intrigued since she was so different than any other woman he knows (outside of his awesome-sauce sister). I also didn't like how he kept saying that "good women" did do this or act like that. Oh, and that a good woman just lifted her skirts to lie with a man and that was it. Nobody getting naked and both finding pleasure. Like, you're a doctor dude! He should've been more knowledgeable and known better. Especially with how good of a relationship he supposedly had with his wife. I also though the main conflict was a little cliché, but it fit the western feel and I'm glad it was more external. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book and will definitely pick up more Beverly Jenkins. I'm super interested in his sister's book, but I guess it's actually in the Woman Who Dare series (from what I heard). Excited to finally get to a Beverly Jenkins and I definitely get the hype about her books. I just feel like this one didn't quite hit steaminess and "great love story" that I was expected.

Have your read Tempest?

Bookishly Yours, 

Stasi🍎

STATISTICS: Tempest, Beverly Jenkins, 4-stars, 1 day, eBook, 384 pages, published in 2018

February Wrap Up

 February is over, which means FaRoFeb has also come to an end. Most of my reads last month were fantasy romance for the readathon, however I did get in some others for the Lunar New Year Readathon as well as some book club books. I also read quite a few contemporary, which isn't a genre I usually gravitate too, especially not as many in a row. 

As always, I have linked reviews that are posted and will update as the rest post. Being that the last weekend I binged 6 books, it might take a week or two to get everything posted. It's fine though in case things slow down and I need to stretch things out to keep posting regularly. Without more ramble from me, lets get into February 2021's reading statistics! **I have also updated to add some of the charts from my spreadsheet!

FEBRUARY 2021

27 books read for 6,230 pages (Listed in order read below)

💗 I averaged 0.85 books a day
💗 The average page count per book is 230.74
💗 The book page ranges are 3 in 0-99, 9 in the 100s, 5 in the 200s, 9 in the 300s and 1 in the 400
💗 24 of the books were for clubs or readathons and none were re-reads

💗 11 of my books had diversity!

💗 I read 10 new authors

💗 I already owned 3 of the books and added 18 to my wish-list!

💗 2 of the books I read were in paperback, the rest were eBook

💗 The most popular decade was 2010s with 15, 2020s had 10, 2000s 1 and 1980s 1

💗 My average rating was 4.15
🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - 9 books
🍎🍎🍎🍎 - 14 books
🍎🍎🍎 - 3 books
🍎🍎 - 1 book

💗 17 books were fantasy romance with 5 each of historical and contemporary romance

1. The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne 🍎🍎🍎🍎

2. His Mistress by Morning by Elizabeth Boyle 🍎🍎🍎

3. Fae King by Milla Taiden 🍎🍎🍎

4. Radiance by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

5. The Beast of Blackmoor by Milla Vane 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

6. A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

7. Night Tide by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

8. Lover of Thorns and Holy Gods by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

9. Eidolon by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

10. The Duchess War by Courtney Milan 🍎🍎🍎🍎

11. Steele Your Soul by Decadent Kane 🍎🍎

12. A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year by Jackie Lau 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

13. A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day by Jackie Lau 🍎🍎🍎🍎

14. Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey 🍎🍎🍎🍎

15. In the Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

16. The Ippos King by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

17. A Wilderness of Glass by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

18. Fluff by Jenika Snow 🍎🍎🍎🍎

19. Tempest by Beverly Jenkins 🍎🍎🍎🍎

20. Bad Boy Best Friend by Hope Ford 🍎🍎🍎

21. Trouble With the Guy Next Door by Holly Renee 🍎🍎🍎🍎

22. Heart of Fire by Bec McMasters 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

23. Asterion by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

24. Medusa by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

25. Hades by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

26. Hermes by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎

27. Soulfire by Juliette Cross 🍎🍎🍎🍎

💗 It's hard to pick a favorite of the month, but if I had to choose it would have to be the Wraith Kings series by Grace Draven or Trouble With the Guy Next Door. Although, I also enjoy and love Jackie Lau too. It's so hard to choose, especially with all the great fantasy romance I read this month. The most disappointing was His Mistress by Morning. While I did have a 2-star read, my expectations weren't quite as high for it. 💗

How was your February reading? Did you join in FaRoFeb and have fantasy romance dominate your statistics as well? I can't wait to see what March brings and am guessing things will be a little more varied.

Bookishly Yours,

Stasi🍎

Ratings

Genres

Decade Published

Page Spreads

FaRoFeb Wrap Up

 Happy March!!

I had such a fun time reading Fantasy Romance throughout February for FaRoFeb! It's one of my favorite genres and I absolutely loved all the fun events, posts on instagram and the perfect chance to get to some series on my tbr! I almost had too many plans though, especially with the surprise Lunar New Year Readathon and book club books. 

Below are my two bingo books, and I was definitely happy to slam out a few more books this last weekend. I ended up reading 18 books! As before, I'll list my books in reading order below with their ratings and links to reviews. If the review isn't posted yet, keep an eye on the blog for when it is. I'll also add links once they're posted.

I ended up with a black out on Bingo Board 1! The only one I missed on bingo board 2 is reverse harem, which I'm not a fan of. Not too bad, plus I didn't have to double up books for prompts and had some extras! I do feel a little silly for only having a few authors despite how many books I read though.

1. His Mistress by Morning by Elizabeth Boyle 🍎🍎🍎 - Buddy Read

2. Fae King by Milly Taiden 🍎🍎🍎 - Indie Author

3. Radiance by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - Favorite Trope

4. The Beast of Blackmoor by Milla Vane 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - FaRoFeb Author

5. A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - High Fantasy

6. Night Tide by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎 - Love Triangle

7. Lover of Thorns and Holy Gods by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

8. Eidolon by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - New Magic System

9. Steele Your Soul by Decadent Kane 🍎🍎 - New Author

10. In the Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎 - FaRoFeb Author

11. The Ippos King by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎

12. A Wilderness of Glass by Grace Draven 🍎🍎🍎🍎 - Love the Cover

13. Heart of Fire by Bec McMasters 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

14. Asterion by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - Low Fantasy

15. Medusa by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

16. Hades by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 - Angels or Gods

17. Hermes by Alessa Thorn 🍎🍎🍎🍎 - New Release

18. Soulfire by Juliette Cross 🍎🍎🍎🍎 - Been on TBR a while

I found several new authors that I love and am happy that I enjoyed most of them. I ended up with eight 5-stars, seven 4-stars, two 3-stars and one 2-star. I really enjoyed this month long readathon and can't wait until next year. There were a couple series I was hoping to get too, but I ended up adding several books to my February reading plans that weren't fantasy, but for various book clubs. 

Did you participate in FaRoFeb? If so, how did your reading for the month go?

Bookishly Yours, 

Stasi🍎