Book review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It’s my mistake for picking up a book with this kind of snippet. I don't know what I’m looking for, but I know I’m not looking for an Alpha-Douchebag hero like Braden. He’s arrogant, and not in a charming way but in an irritating one. Then he gives her the 'look'. What? That's all it takes, apparently.

The language of the book is sometimes "???" that kept me on edge as well. Then this guy, Braden. He completely disregards Joss' boundaries. His behavior is both annoying and abusive. How can anyone romanticize him?

In short, this book is not my cup of tea. I didn’t finish it. I stopped halfway, hoping to find a storyline somewhere. But I guess halfway is enough to decide I can’t do this. I think I'll go back to cute contemporaries for now.

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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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