Tag: sa readers

Recommended Reads: Books to Read if You Enjoyed The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

It’s been way too long since I did a recommended reads post and since I just watched “The Hating Game”, here are my recommendations for fans who are looking for something similar. Note- the links listed below are affiliate links which mean I earn a small commission when you purchase using those links.

1) The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: Sworn enemies Olive and Ethan are forced to pretend to be newlyweds when their siblings get food poisoning and have to forfeit their all-expenses paid vacation. From the first page I was hooked on this novel. The enemies-to-lovers plot is fairly similar to “The Hating Game” and the chemistry between the two main characters is amazing.

2) The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: Similar to “The Hating Game”, this novel has a pretend relationship in order for one of the main characters to save face at a wedding. There’s always amazing chemistry and once again enemies-to-lovers (so apparently I have a type when it comes to my romance novels?)

3) The Flatshare by Beth O’ Leary: “The Flatshare” doesn’t have any of the same themes as “The Hating Game” however somehow it just conveys the same flawless chemistry and romantic energy.

4) You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle: A quirky lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, “You Deserve Each Other” is another gem that is a quick, easy-to-read with a really cute couple.

Is there any books that you think I missed? Let me know below

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received an unsolicited copy of this book for review and it was such a pleasant surprise. Look at that cover!
Lila Reyes loses her grandmother, her best friend and her boyfriend in a short period of time. When it is clear that Lila is unable to cope with her grief, her parents send her away to England for 3 months.
I remember hearing someone on BookTube mention once that kids who are forced to go on vacation and hate it, are plot devices that make no sense. In this case however, I really did feel for Lila.
It is clear that she has suffered tremendously and she is genuinely hurt.
Like Lila, from the get-go, I wanted her back home with her family.
Orion took a painfully long time to appear. Orion has some family issues of his own but when he meets Lila he offers to be her tour guide.
It isn’t long between something starts to build between them (and I mean it really isn’t long. From their first few meetings, these two have an instant connection. IT’S ADORABLE!)
In terms of plot I feel like this was a story that we have seen before. But I loved it nonetheless. I enjoyed every second of this book and even took it with me to work so that I didn’t miss out on any reading time.

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A co-worker lent me this book and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it (actually I am still surprised since it has been a while since I enjoyed a book that wasn’t a romance).
“Norse Mythology is a collection of stories about the Norse Gods and their lives. I went in just for Thor and Loki however this isn’t the story that I knew (i.e Marvel).
In fact the first few pages were tough on me because my mind kept disagreeing with Gaiman’s series of events and I desperately wanted to follow along the way I would have if this was following the characters we knew from Marvel.
Once I managed to shut my brain off however, I enjoyed this book immensely. It moves quickly and you finish a story without even realizing it.
I devoured this book in one sitting and it was such an amazing experience. If you are a fan of fantasy or mythology, GIVE THIS A GO!



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Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

The Spanish Love Deception

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Spanish Love Deception tells the story of Catalina Martín who is forced to take her work nemesis, Aaron Blackford to her sister’s wedding as a date.
Cat lied to her parents that she was in a relationship and now, desperate to not have her family look at her with pity (and left with no other choice), Aaron is her only choice.
At the surface this seems like such a cliche trope. But the book makes it clear why Catalina lied, why her family is so worried about her and why she cannot take anyone else but Aaron to this wedding.
Catalina is against the idea 110% but, left with no other option, takes Aaron to meet her family.
This book was incredibly well-written and gave me all the feels. I thought Aaron was insufferable but did eventually grow to like him.
This was a wonderful and heartwarming read that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a romance novel.

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Bad Cruz by L.J Shen

Bad Cruz

Bad Cruz by L.J. Shen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I made the mistake of reading other reviews before posting mine just so I could get the female main character’s name right and now I have mixed feelings about my review. I see the obvious problems pointed out by other readers but for me personally I loved this book.
This was a light read that I did not take too seriously which is probably why I cannot personally find faults with it.
I did hate how the cruel people went along with life as normal because it just felt like everyone was a a##hole to Tenesse.
“Bad Cruz” is the story of Tenesse, who is the town’s bad girl simply because she made the mistake of getting pregnant at 16 (Did she make the child on her own???).
Tenesse’s sister is getting married to the brother of the town’s golden boy (and Tenesse’s enemy) Dr Cruz Costello.
The families are getting together to go on a cruise before the wedding but due to a mix-up, Dr Cruz Costello and Tenesse end up together on the wrong cruise ship.
I liked this book because I felt like it was a fun read. The relationship between Cruz and Tenesse was cute and I was rooting for them the entire way.
My only issue was that I wished that they had just left their entire ridiculous small town and moved away

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Stanislaski Brothers by Nora Roberts

The Stanislaski Brothers by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoy Nora Roberts’ books especially when stories from the same universe or timeline are packaged together.
The Stanislaski Brothers follow the two men in the Stanislaski family. I remember reading Taming Natasha long ago and while I do not remember much of the book, I do remember that I enjoyed it immensely.
This book was no different.
I loved getting another look at the Stanislaskis. This family is colorful like all of Nora Roberts’ families however each and every individual has their own personality which is fleshed out fully in each novel.
The Stanislaski Brothers is incredibly well-written with clear chemistry between both pairings. The plot is pretty predictable but I am reading these books for comfort and not mind-boggling plot twists.
If you are looking for a romance read, I always suggest Nora Roberts because her style of writing is like that of a friend reciting a story.
Just maybe, give the entire series a try for this kooky family

Fiction Friday: Book Review- In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Dannie is on her way to her dream job and her dream life. After she aces an interview for a job that she has been eyeing for a while, her boyfriend proposes to her. Dannie is ecstatic knowing that everything in her life is going exactly how it she planned.
But then she goes to sleep and wakes up in a different apartment, with a different man and according to the TV, five years in the future.
Dannie goes to sleep again and wakes up back in 2020 as she is supposed to be. As time goes on, Dannie passes off this odd event as an unusual dream.
But four-and-a-half years later, she meets the man from her strange dream and her world is turned upside down.
I do not know how I heard of this book but once I purchased a copy I finished it in one go.
This book was gripping, emotional and heart-breaking. I couldn’t read fast enough.
If you are looking for a book that just grabs you and makes you forget you are reading, this is the book to try!

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Last Girl by Goldy Moldavsky

The Last Girl

The Last Girl by Goldy Moldavsky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a copy of this book in exchange for a free review. I originally was attacted to this book because of the cover and the title reminded me of “Final Girl” (the film). The synopsis caught me attention and I knew this was a must-read.
It did take me a few weeks to get to it because of life but I loved every second of it and sped through the book.
“The Last Girl” tells the story of Rachel Chavez, a traumatized female who moves to a new school and is struggling to fit in. She stumbles upon the “Mary Shelley“ club, a small but elite club of students from different backgrounds who all share the same love for horror movies and indulge in pranks inspired by urban legends.
But as time goes on, the pranks start to take a dangerous turn and Rachel realizes that it might not be that easy for her to start a new life.
I found the first chapter woefully cliché with the whole new girl who doesn’t fit in trope but after that the book picked up speed.
This was a really well-written book. The plot was kind of cliché but it was a great comfort read. I loved the references to horror movies and saw some of my favorites mentioned in this book.
Basically this book gave me the same level of comfort that horror movies gave to Rachel.
If you are looking for a thrilling read, I strongly suggest this one.




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Fiction Friday: Book Review- Christmas Fairytales by Nora Roberts

Christmas Fairytales (The MacGregors, #7)

Christmas Fairytales by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Meddling Daniel MacGregor has grown tired of waiting for his grand-daughters to marry and give him great-grandbabies. So he cooks up a plot and finds nice healthy males from “nice healthy stock” (his words not mine) for all three of them.
It’s hard not to admire Daniel and his schemes. He carries them off SO WELL!
I loved that each character in this book was so different and you could really see how their background and family shaped them.
I have been following this series from the very beginning and it was so good to see characters from the earlier books pop up again.
I flew through these stories and really enjoyed myself.
If you’re interested in a light read I definitely recommend this book.



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Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don’t care how much of a book slump I am in. I am always down for a Kate Bateman book. “A Reckless Match” follows two feuding families.
The reasons why they’re feuding are not really clear but their dislike has been passed down to the kids and that’s where the story begins.
Maddie and Gryff show up for their families annual “pledge of goodwill” meeting. The two of them have been enemies since they were kids and that hasn’t changed.
Until they uncover a smuggling plot and team up to stop the smugglers. Soon the two enemies are sharing passionate kisses and spending nights together- all to bring the bad guys to justice of course.
Kate Bateman writes books with strong-willed heroines, swoon-worthy heros and a plot that just drives you to know more. This book is no different.
I enjoyed “A Reckless Match” immensely and cannot wait to read more about this feuding family.



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