Book review: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I went into "Beautiful Bastard" thinking it would be a hot and heavy romance with some good storylines. Boy, was I wrong. Instead, it turned out to be degrading porn without any real plot. I struggled to find any connection with the characters, and their interactions felt flat and meaningless.

I was really hoping for some steamy scenes mixed with a genuine romantic plot, but what I got was just a string of explicit encounters that didn't go anywhere. By the time I got halfway through the third chapter, I had to stop. It felt like a total waste of time and space.

Overall, "Beautiful Bastard" was a huge letdown for me, and I can't recommend it to anyone looking for a decent romance novel. This one gets 1 star from me.

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Book review: Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, I immediately thought, "Oh yes, this girl is me." Liz is a rom-com movie buff waiting for her romantic hero, and her journey felt so relatable. Initially, I didn't want her to go for Michael, but soon it became clear that the trope was enemies to lovers with Wesley. Oh god, Wesley! He is funny, and so is Liz. My favorite laugh-out-loud moment was when Liz texted Michael from Wesley's phone about his hair. I couldn't stop laughing!

Wesley is so charming, and I'm falling for this guy just like Liz. But most of all, I connect with this hopeless romantic girl looking for the love she saw in movies. I was really hoping she'd pull her head out of her ass and see that Wesley is the one!

I found myself crying over the bond between Liz and Helena. Liz embracing the woman she thought was replacing the memories of her mom and finding a dependable friend in her is so touching. Helena reminds me of a practical and clear friend I have, yet she's soft and emotional.

This was a great book. It had everything: relatable characters, angst, confusion, and a happily ever after at the very end. Liz accepting Michael's promposal felt a bit stupid, and Wes making her go up to the piano room after that moment wasn't the best decision either. But this book made me cry, and that's always been a sign of a 5-star rating of the highest kind for me.

Long live romances with build-up and PG-13 content!

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Book Review: Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I recently read "Hook, Line, and Sinker" and found Hannah to be quite relatable, which was something I missed in the last book. Her character resonated with me in a way that felt genuine and grounded.

However, Fox was another story. He is such a hard head. I understand that sometimes it's difficult to break free from the notions you've set for yourself, and it's natural to need some help from others to figure it out. But Fox just keeps going back and forth on the same thing. It was frustrating to see him struggle so much with whether he wanted to shed his carefree image or not.

The only saving grace for me was the relatability with Hannah. Beyond that, the book felt dragged out and didn't hold my interest as much as I hoped.

Done and dusted. Not worth going back to it.
3 stars

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Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was cute. Sweet.
The parts where Brenden was involved were intense, I don't think of any other word when he was involved. I understood the part why and how Piper started falling for him, but his side was not too convincing. Just that? He hadn't seen a girl/woman in 7 years and now this beautiful out of townie made him suddenly see 'new things'. Him falling for her wasn't lead-on properly or maybe because I kept picturing Alexis from Schitts creek here, I wasn't convinced. I don't know, I feel a bit cynical here. Piper was let down by a lot of people in her life, and Brenden doing the same kinda was a turn off. He went all huff and puff after all the build up of 'I'll be there for you' 'You depend on me'.
At the same time I too would give everything I have for a person like him to forgive and go back to, I guess.
The build up for Hannah and Fox seemed cute too. I might give it a go, or maybe not.
The steamy part didn't disappoint at all. That part was GOOOOD! I personally couldn't connect with Piper because of her initial nonchalance, ambition lessness and airheaded-ness (She was!). I could connect to her feeling of being categorised as 'incompetent' by everyone and being questioned if she was capable of doing stuff at all. That part was heartbreaking, when she thought everyone cancelled upon her and she was not worth giving the chance. At that part I wanted this Rom com steamy book to turn into a feminist rant of how she will gain her confidence back and give a finger to everyone who ever doubted her. But anyway. Ending with the mixed feelings about this book.

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