What I've Been Reading
Hello everyone! As summer comes to a close, I'm due for another What I've Been Reading post. In case you're new, these posts are where I write mini-reviews for books where I don't think I could churn out a full-length review. I've read quite a few books since adopting my kitten that I simply haven't had time to sit down and do a long-form review for. So let's get into it...
Disclaimer: This blog post will contain affiliate and referral links. I may earn a small commission to feed my book hoarding tendencies if you use these links to make a purchase. This in no way impacts my opinions of the books listed - they are all my own.
Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, LGBTQ+
Description: First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
Rating:★★★★★ (5/5)
I had been putting off reading Red, White & Royal Blue for longer than I care to admit. It took a friend of mine on bookstagram suggesting a group buddy read that finally kicked me into gear. And I'm so happy they did.
Red, White & Royal is a rom-com that is as emotional as it is humorous. The book is simultaneously the funniest book I've read and the one that made me cry the most. It may have had less to do with the amount of heart-wrenching scenes, all of which were perfectly written, and more to do with seeing characters like myself - gay - living a life as grand as the one shown.
If you're on the fence about reading it, I will strongly encourage you to do so as I wave my rainbow flag.
Title: The Legacy
Author: Dylan Allen
Genre: Romance
Description: He just won control of his legacy. Loving her could cost him everything.
Billionaire Hayes Rivers came into my life like a hurricane...
Heir to an oil empire, he was sexy and seductive, controlling and scorching hot. I craved every touch, every filthy promise that fell from his beautiful mouth, knowing he could break me. My past had left me battered and bruised, with scars he was determined to heal.
Loving him was like drowning—he consumed me, body and soul.
But Hayes has secrets of his own. And nothing could prepare me for the shocking pieces of our pasts that threaten to rip us apart.
When the truth is revealed will our love be enough to shelter the storm?
Rating:★★(2/5)
Okay, I will full-heartedly admit that I dnfed The Legacy by Dylan Allen at 25%. I tried my best to finish it, and there are some redeeming qualities about the book. The issue was the undeniable cringe of the characters, dialogue, and situations. The book was embarrassing even when it wasn't meant to be. Oddly I found the scenes actually meant to be 'embarrassing' or 'awkward' to be the most tolerable.
As a side note, I'd like to add that the author seems to jest about being poor in a weird way that makes it a joke to the rich characters of the story.
Title: Undeniable Fascination
Author: Scarlett Avery
Genre: Romance
Description: A sassy curvy girl who lost herself.
A possessive billionaire who’s used to getting what he wants.
She’s his new obsession…
When billionaire Max Keller catches sight of Candy’s luscious curves… all bets are off.
He’s drawn to her like a magnet.
Is this lust at first sight?
He can’t quite explain it…
But their first encounter flares his feral nature.
Candy believes love will always elude her.
After all, she’s had her fair share of failed relationship as proof.
She never imagined bumping into a sexy stranger…
Twice.
Little does she know the debonair and possessive billionaire is about to turn her world upside down.
Can she handle the heat?
You’ll love this passion-filled page-turner, because there’s nothing like a heartwarming billionaire romance to make you believe again.
Rating:★★★★(4/5)
I may be slightly too generous with this rating but I have been denied of a plus-size romance novel for far too long and damnit I'll enjoy it. This book was a great billionaire romance similarly to many I've read. The real standout was the fat representation that was so well written. The main character is a great plus-sized character who feels real in the struggles we face on the daily - in a slightly exaggerated setting because who doesn't want a billionaire thrown into the mix.
If you're interested in these titles or others be sure to check out Book Depository .
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