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The BookShelf
Romance books and anything in between. Ratings, reviews & recommendations.
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╰┈➤ Reviews
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Earl Crush by; Alexandra Vasti
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I absolutely adore this book! Get ready, because I have plenty to share.
Earl Crush tells the enchanting tale of a Scottish earl and a wealthy London heiress. For three years, Lydia Hope-Wallace has been crafting bold political pamphlets under the alias 'H,' distributing them anonymously through the Belvoir library. It’s the second pamphlet that catches the attention of the Earl of Strathrannoch, sparking a lively exchange of letters filled with their differing political views. When Lydia discovers the earl is facing financial difficulties, she decides to travel to Scotland with a surprising proposal of marriage. To her shock, the Earl of Strathrannoch has no clue who she is.
Arthur Baird, the Fifth Earl of Strathrannoch, is taken aback when a fiery redhead proposes to him. After realizing that his brother, Davis Baird, has been corresponding with Lydia under Arthur's name, he’s furious and enlists her help to track him down.
Lydia is quite the character—shy and easily flustered, she often finds herself fainting or feeling nauseous when put in the spotlight. Writing anonymously is her way of expressing herself without the anxiety. But don’t let her shyness fool you; Lydia is incredibly intelligent, kind-hearted, organized, and brave. She’s determined and relentless in her pursuits.
Arthur, on the other hand, is more reserved and has a penchant for loving things that are hard to love. From the moment he sees Lydia, he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Even though he feels he has little to offer—perhaps just a crumbling castle—he’s ready to give her his heart. His biggest fear is that he won’t be enough for her. Honestly, this guy is so smitten with Lydia, it’s almost comical. All he wants is for someone to choose him for a change.
This story is a rollercoaster of emotions, from hearty laughs to a few tearful moments. The developing romance between Lydia and Arthur is truly heartwarming. I especially enjoyed how each chapter begins with letters exchanged between the characters, adding a unique touch to their story. The characters in this story are wonderfully developed, each bringing their own unique flair to the narrative. The steamy scenes are perfectly timed, adding just the right amount of spice. I was genuinely surprised by the plot twists, especially regarding the mystery surrounding Davis. I found myself completely absorbed in this tale. Overall, I absolutely adored this historical romance and will definitely be on the lookout for more from Ms. Vasti.
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of historical romance, intrigue, political drama, and a charming Scottish Earl.
Bride by; Ali Hazelwood
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Another amazing book from Ali Hazelwood! Bride turned out to be way more than I expected, especially with the whole vampire and werewolf angle. You know how it is. But once again, Ali Hazelwood has managed to surprise me.
The mix of romance, mystery, politics, and just the right amount of spice was really well done. I did struggle a bit with the first few chapters since they felt a bit slow, but before long, I was all in, loving every moment with Misery Lark and Lowe Moreland.
Misery was such a great character! She was hilarious, sassy, and had that vulnerable side that made her relatable. And Lowe? Total heartthrob! There was a moment I wanted to throw him across the room, but that's a whole other story. The romance was on point, especially with how each chapter kicks off with Lowe's inner thoughts. And can we talk about the epilogue?
Bride by Ali Hazelwood is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good mix of vampires, werewolves, romance, and a dash of political intrigue and mystery.
Love Vs The Ooze Monster [Frightful Loves, #1] by; Cassandra Gannon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I’d trade my kidneys for another legendary duo like Mabel Harrison and Boyd Cassiday; they are "IT" couple. Seriously, Cassandra Gannon, I’d even consider selling my imaginary firstborn just to witness another couple like them. Buckle up because I’ve got a lot to share about this book.
Love vs The Ooze Monster kicks off the Frightful Loves series, and I’m super pumped to dive into a new series! The story is set in Nevermore County, a charming little town where folks believe in everything from supernatural beings to vampires. It’s the 1920s, a time when society was in full swing, much to the chagrin of the older crowd. Women rocked short dresses and even shorter hair, while men in fedoras were getting rich through some shady dealings. Old traditions were tossed aside, crime was on the rise, and technology was speeding everything up.
The plot centers around Mabel Harrison, a bookkeeper for one of the town’s notorious bootleggers, Boyd Cassiday. From the moment Boyd laid eyes on Mabel, he was smitten. He’s captivated not just by her looks but also by her sharp mind. But things take a dark turn when a brutal murder occurs at a speakeasy, and the whole place is mysteriously covered in a strange orange ooze that melts everything it touches.
Now, I’m not usually into historical romances, but this book had me hanging on every word. I even highlighted so many parts! You can really feel the chemistry between Mabel and Boyd; if you catch my drift. The writing is top-notch—the romance, the steamy scenes, the characters—everything just clicks. I love that both main characters know their worth and aren’t afraid to chase what they want. The balance between the plot and romance is spot on.
In short, Love vs The Ooze Monster is a must-read for anyone who enjoys vibrant covers and high-concept horror stories with a spicy romantic twist.
Faking With Benefits by; Lily Gold
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Faking with Benefits by Lily Gold is a contemporary why choose romance, centering on Layla Thompson, who owns a lingerie brand called Her Treat. She's got beauty, brains, and a thriving business, but when it comes to dating, she just can't catch a break. After yet another disastrous date (this one being her 120th), she finds herself venting to her best friend, Zack Harding. Zack hosts a podcast called 'Three Single Guys' with his buddies Luke Martins and Joshua Tran, who happen to be Layla's neighbors. They dish out relationship advice on the show.
Zack, a former rugby player, Luke Martins—who once taught Layla in high school—and Joshua Tran, who had the brilliant idea to start the podcast in the first place. When they hear about Layla's dating woes, they decide to step in and give her a crash course in romance. Their solution? Fake dating, of course! But as the plot thickens, so do the feelings, and things inevitably spiral into chaos.
I could see the third-act breakup coming from a mile away, and honestly, Josh was the only guy who caught my interest. Zack and Luke just didn’t do it for me, makes me think that Layla deserves better. I enjoyed the last few chapters mainly because of Layla's character. The chemistry was decent at first, but the story felt a bit stretched out.
That said, if you’re into drama, steamy scenes, a bit of an age gap, friends-to-lovers vibes, and the "why choose" angle, then Faking with Benefits might just be your jam.
Secrets Kill [Avenge Her, #1] by; Laurel Night
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Let’s kick things off by saying that the cover is absolutely stunning! I mean, I’m a total sucker for a gorgeous cover—anyone who claims you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover is just trying to hide their bad taste!
Now, let’s dive into Secrets Kill, the first installment in the Avenge Her series by Laurel Night. We follow Kate, a CSI officer, who gets called to a murder scene. Now, keep in mind that Kate was adopted and was an only child [as far as she knew]. She arrives at the scene with her CSI partner Preston and Detective Royce, only to be greeted by the shocking sight of her own lifeless face. Turns out she had a sister named Autumn she never knew existed. Talk about family reunion gone wrong!
In court, they present the evidence along with the five murderers, but to Kate’s horror, the judge lets them walk free. This ignites a dark urge within her to take justice into her own hands and avenge her sister. Things escalate when girls start turning up dead after the Miami Five are released, and Kate is convinced these guys are up to no good again. Enter the twins Miguel and Diego Vasquez, Autumn’s roommates, and of course, Preston, Kate’s trusty CSI sidekick.
The mystery was the only okay part, especially that cliffhanger that left me hanging like a piñata at a kid's party. However, that’s about where my enjoyment ended. The chemistry? Nonexistent. The smut? Let’s just say it was more “meh” than “wow.” I didn’t get those butterflies or the urge to throw the book across the room when the main characters interacted. Sure, there was a smidgen of chemistry between Miguel and Kate, but it was like finding a single french fry at the bottom of the bag—nice, but not enough to satisfy.
Still, if you’re a fan of Dexter with a twist of “why choose” and you’re in it for the mystery, Secrets Kill might just be your cup of tea!
Love, Theoretically by; Ali Hazelwood
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood is a contemporary romance that introduces us to Elsie Hannaway, a theoretical physicist who’s juggling more than just equations. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, scraping by on a salary that’s about as substantial as a particle in a vacuum. But when the sun sets, she transforms into a professional fake girlfriend, because who needs a side hustle when you can have a side romance? Just when she thinks she’s got her life all figured out, she collides with Jack Smith, the older brother of the boyfriend she’s pretending to date. Oh, the irony!
But wait, there’s more! Jack isn’t just any ordinary guy; he’s an experimental physicist, which means he’s basically the rival of Elsie’s theoretical world. And if that wasn’t enough to make her head spin faster than a particle in a collider, he’s also the reason her mentor’s career went down the tubes. To add a cherry on top of this academic sundae, he’s on the hiring committee at MIT, the very place where Elsie dreams of landing her dream job. Talk about a cosmic collision!
Elsie has a knack for sizing people up and giving them the version of herself they want to see, a strategy she employs to avoid emotional wreckage. But Jack? He’s like a quantum mystery wrapped in an enigma, and she can’t quite figure him out, which drives her absolutely bonkers. Meanwhile, Jack has been secretly crushing on her since the moment his brother introduced her to the family, and thus begins their hilariously complicated saga: colleagues by day, rivals by nature, and potential lovers by sheer force of awkwardness.
This book is a delightful concoction of academic rivalry, unconventional fake dating, and personal growth that’s as satisfying as finding an extra fry at the bottom of the bag. Watching Elsie learn to advocate for herself is like watching a superhero discover their powers. The slow-burn romance, the tension, and the steamy moments are all crafted with care. I was bracing myself for the dreaded 'third act breakup,' but fear not Ali Hazelwood knows her stuff. Love, Theoretically was an instant five-star read the moment the witty banter between Elsie and Jack kicked off.
P.S. Can't forget Cece and Millicent. Also, loved the dad jokes and puns.
Review List
── .✦ Standalones
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Faking with Benefits by Lily Gold
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
── .✦ Series
Secrets Kill [Avenge Her, #1] by Laurel Night
── .✦ Part of a series, but can be read as standalones
Love Vs The Ooze Monster [Frightful Loves, #1] by Cassandra Gannon