Review: How to Love Your Neighbor

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan
RATING: 2 STARS
DNF: 43%
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I can see the real appeal of “How to Love Your Neighbor” and why so many readers were drawn to it but it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

For starters, the characters were a big no-no. Noah, the leading hero, whole personality was his wealth, making everyone say ‘Yes' to him, whiny and immature behavior. He also belittled the heroine on multiple occasions, and always ended up saying sorry with gifts whenever Grace catches onto his BS. And time and time again, she forgives him. There was nothing compelling about his character and I find it hard to believe Grace would fall for someone like him.

Aside from the characters, the enemies turned lovers were poorly executed by the author. I found it funny that throughout the book, a good amount of characters kept mentioning how much ‘chemistry’ Noah and Grace had. Insert confused Pikachu face. What chemistry?! There was none whatsoever. The chemistry, tension, build-up between the characters were non-existent. Everything about their relationship was so quick—from being enemies (eyeroll), flirty neighbors and then falling madly in love all in the first quarter of the book.

The dual perspective writing style wasn’t doing the book any favors either and it’s bluntly obvious the dialogue was poorly written. It just felt like I was reading fanfic off Wattpad or something. There was no substance to this complementary romance and was overall an uninteresting romance I didn’t care to finish.

Review: Wildfire

Wildfire by Hannah Grace
RATING: 2 STARS
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"I have come to the conclusion that Hannah Grace is not the author for me. I had enough trouble with wrapping up “Icebreaker” which was an absolute snoozefest and it was evident that “Wildfire ' fell in the same category.

The writing style nearly put me to sleep, the characters weren’t anything spectacular, the romance was iffy and the chemistry was MIA, there was lack of character development and too many daddy issues. And like “Heartbreaker”—the side characters were far more entertaining and engaging than the main couple.

Sadly, we just not vibing and I plan on skipping on anything this author puts out in the future.

Review: Love, Naturally

Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan
RATING: 2 STARS
DNF: 55%
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“Love, Naturally" is as cliché and cringy as they come. Presley and Beckett were too perfect and too boring. The book dragged on and on, and I wasn't able to engage with the storyline and the instant love connection was an instant kill.

I was surprised by how quickly the lead characters found themselves in a relationship 2-3 into Presley's 10 day vacation. Cue the shocked Pikachu face.

Not for me. But would be ideal for those looking for instant love, slow AF pacing, cringeworthy romance.

Review: Do Your Worst

Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
RATING: 2 STARS
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"Folks, "Do Your Worst" just wasn't for me. The premise was there—American curse breaker and English archaeologist enemies with benefits working together in figuring out the mystery behind the Scottish castle—but I wasn't able to connect to the characters and storyline.

Riley and Clark, the main characters, were downright mean to each other which I get—hence the whole enemies with benefits BS but a lot of it was unnecessary and oftentimes than not, it became hard to remember that they were well into their thirties instead of the immature late teens/early twenties leads that they portrayed. With their immaturity and teenage hormonal urges, it felt more like a Tween/New Adult romance novel I was reading.

Personally, Riley and Clark didn't fit. I couldn't envision them together based on their personalities and background. A total oddball couple that I was not able to resonate with which prevented me from enjoying this far more than other readers. I don't see them working out long-term and with what I gathered from not skimming, their relationship was motivated by lust and they quickly fell in the instant love category. In my opinion, an instant kill for any romance book.

In regards to the storyline/plot, I did enjoy the curse breaker and archaeology elements but there wasn't much substance to it and the slow parts diminish my reading experience. Also can't fail to mention the details surrounding Scotland, unlike Philadelphia, was half ass and it's quite evident that the author did a quick Google search for details.

Unfortunately I was not the intended audience for "Do Your Worst" but based on the premise and a few smutty scenes, I am positive this will be popular on BookTok.

Review: The Fake Mate

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
RATING: 4 STARS
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"The Fake Mate" has been one of the most enjoyable omegaverse wolf shifter romances I have read in a long long time. It has reignited my love for the genre and all the great qualities that make an omegaverse/shifter subgenre a great alternative for those who are looking to dive more into the supernatural universe.

Lana Ferguson, a new to me author, had an uncanny ability to immerse me into the world she created by introducing our grumpy alpha, Noah, and sunshine omega, Mackenzie.

What really won me over were the superb leading characters. Mackenzie was a funny, witty, and strong likable female lead. Mack wasn't afraid to voice her wants, desires, and call out Noah's BS (you’ll understand more once you get a little more towards the end) . She was the perfect "fake" mate to the local hospital grouch and seeing their interactions and banter became the highlight of my read. The building chemistry was sizzling hot and the author didn't hold back with the knotty encounters—Yes! You have read that right! Encounters. Plural, my friend, plural—our dynamic duo had.

And we can't forget our grumpiest grump, Noah. His deadpan responses and brutal honesty was a favorite. It was refreshing to come across a mature character that was driven, smart, honest with his feelings and knew where his heart lay. He didn’t play around nor toy with Mack’s emotions and was so attentive and patient with her. Seriously, where can I find my own grump?! Noah fell hard and fast, and it was a pleasant surprise to see the man pursue the female lead wholeheartedly. Honestly, Noah is the ultimate book boyfriend. I don't care what anyone has to say.

Additionally, the side characters; Parker, the infamous Jessica, the "in-laws" were a great add-on and helped bring humor to the "fake mate" and am I falling for my "mate"? dilemma.

Besides the fantastic characters, the storyline was engaging enough to have me finish this in one sitting and though the pacing was damn near perfect for the first 70ish%, the pacing did derail for a brief moment and it just felt like I was at a standstill. I understand that the author slowed down the pacing to create a dramatic effect and to showcase the raw emotions of Noah/Mack’s turmoil—it just didn’t fit with the rest of the novel. Thankfully the book Gods were able to help the author redeem herself and the pacing picked up after 85-90%. To add-on, the build up to the whole Dennis/Noah animosity was anticlimactic. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

On a whole, the author was able to perfectly capture the complicated, chaotic relationship between an Alpha and Omega, and wasn’t afraid to touch on the stereotypes and flaws of each shifter species. With outdated stigmas surrounding unmated alphas and omegas, it was a refreshing take to the genre.

“The Fake Mate” had the perfect blend of humor, witty banter, shameless flirting, constant toe curling sizzling chemistry between the characters that was everything I could ever wish for, captivating plot with solid characters, and smutty goodness.

Fingers crossed we get another omegaverse shifter romance from this author in the near future. I would love to see Liam or Noah’s cousin, Hunter (I love me a good Alpha), get their own book.