What I've Been Reading
Updated: Oct 20, 2020
Hello everyone! So with the craziness that has been COVID-19 I think that we've all had a little more time to read or we're making more time for escapism. Today I'm going to be talking about all the books I've read recently that are mainly romance because that's the realist I want to move to. Without further ado, here we go...
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Title: I Hate You
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Genre: Romance
Description: I want you . . . even when I hate you. Blaze Townsend: I hate you. Charisma Rossi: I hate you more. She’s been expecting this ever since their latest showdown. She had good reason. Hottest guy she’s ever seen. Former fling. Dumped her in front of all her friends. At her own party. So no, she’s not about to forgive and forget just because he sits next to her in class. He thinks all he has to do is turn on those baby blues, and she’ll melt right back into his arms. Please.She’d be crazy to let this cocky player affect her again. (Tell that to her body.) Charisma Rossi. Brainy girl with a dash of bad. The one who got under his skin. The one he cut loose. Blaze knows she’s the riskiest prospect at Waylon University, but none of the interchangeable girls he hooks up with have ever made him feel the way she did. There’s absolutely no way he can have the girl and the game. So why can’t he stop trying to win her back? Can this wide receiver score the girl or will he make the biggest fumble of his life?
Rating: ★★★★(4/5)
I Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills was a romance I picked up quickly in between tbr reads. This one very much follows the formula of Hot Jock + Nerdy Girl with Sass + Angst = Shenanigans. If you're looking for something different than that combo I can't say you'll love it.
I personally really enjoyed I Hate You even if it was a little unmemorable later on, as in very few of the details stuck with me past reading about them. But, at the time of reading it, I tore through it eagerly so I will give it a good rating. I'd definitely go into this expecting the typical new adult romance of every other story though.
Title: Sparrow
Author: LJ Shen
Genre: Romance
Description: Troy Brennan Every southie in Boston knows that name. The son of a dead mobster. The heart throb with steel blue eyes. "The Fixer" who can make or break you in this city. Oh, and my new husband. Sparrow Raynes That's me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life. But then he caged me. Kidnapped me. And killed every chance I had to runaway from the place where we grew up. Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings. I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he'd ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he'd decided to take me as his wife. But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all.
Rating: ★★★★★(5/5)
I have read my fair share of LJ Shen books. The author is a godsend from Kindle Unlimited. Her books are probably some of my most read. I've loved every book by LJ Shen that I've read and Sparrow was no different.
Sparrow had everything I wanted it to have going into it. A Cold Billionaire, A Headstrong Main Character, and plenty of angst to go around. While this combination is fairly typical in the genre, this story had so many amazing moments that made itself unique. I will admit that I'm someone who loves this trope filled combination but Sparrow really stood out to me.
I can't recommend this one enough if the description intrigues you.
Purchase Links: Book Depository
Title: Fallen Too Far
Author: Abbi Glines
Genre: Romance
Description: To want what you’re not supposed to have… She is only nineteen. She is his new stepfather’s daughter. She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no. Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that… Blaire just may have fallen too far.
Rating: ★★★★★(5/5)
The Fallen Too Far series is one I've read countless times before. I probably read it for the first time when I was way too young and it's still one I find myself returning to. This book is every good quality of a traditional romance rolled into one. Abbi Glines is a romance pro at this point.
The layout of a forbidden romance with characters that possess a magnetism is incomparable. Fallen Too Far is very much a love story built on long held secrets that are constantly rocking the narrative at the most unexpected of times. This one has all the drama you could ever want while also balancing the intimacy of a relationship between the love interests.
Purchase Links: Book Depository
Title: Midnight Blue
Author: LJ Shen
Genre: Romance
Description: It should have been easy. I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death. I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent. The worst part is that I should have known better.
Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes. “Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.” Guess what? I didn’t listen.
I signed the contract.
World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows. My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.
Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too. Then he took my heart. Then he took my all.
Rating: ★★★★(4/5)
Trigger Warnings: Drug Use
Midnight Blue is another book by the author LJ Shen whose books I usually love, as stated above. We all know of the classic rock star romance trope but Midnight Blue adds so much depth to what can seem like a superficial premise. It takes the hand its dealt to create a darker and grittier tale, much like the rest of LJ Shen books.
The main character, Indigo, is a blue haired fiery match for the choice Rockstar Alex Winslow. Their dynamic isn't sweet or compassionate at first but it slowly descends into an explosive romance that will have you on the edge of your seat. The conflicts feel oh-so real and don't attempt to play down the real struggle these characters face, which is what makes it great.
If you're interested in these titles or others be sure to check out Book Depository
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