Review: Learning Curve by Max Monroe*

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.

Title: Learning Curve
Author: Max Monroe
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings:  Narcissistic Partner, Gaslighting, References To Domestic Abuse, References To Abusive Parents, References To Neglect Due To Parental Alcoholism, References To Parental Alcoholism, References To Parental Abandonment

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Explicit Open Door)   

She’s the virginal cheerleader, and he’s the tortured bad boy. Their worlds are different, but college life at Dickson University brings them together in a passionate, angsty, fiery collision.

Finn Hayes is what girls my age would call “stupid hot.” He’s handsome, has brown eyes that remind me of warm chocolate chip cookies, and a tall, muscular build that makes marble sculptures jealous.

Green flag, right?

Wrong.

He’s also broody, closed off, and so complex that it feels like I need a decoder to crack him.

He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met and fights like he came out of the womb swinging, taking down both my ex-boyfriend and an ex-UFC fighter with ease.

But the underground society at our college known as Double C has nothing on him in the secrets department, and it’s that mysterious edge that keeps me coming back for more.

This is more than the story of how Finn and I fell in love.

This is proof that love has a learning curve. Sometimes you succeed, and sometimes…it destroys you.

Learning Curve is the latest book from author Max Monroe and the first instalment of their new Dickson University series. This is a truly brilliant college romance which is packed full of emotion, drama, angst and so many twists and turns alongside all of the steam, swoons and sweet moments you’d expect from a romance story. Scottie and Finn’s story will capture your whole heart and soul and you truly won’t be able to put it down.

Our story is told through a dual POV narrative, sharing the perspectives of both Scottie and Finn, and this worked so beautifully to tell the story. I truly fell completely in love with both of them over the course of the story and getting insight into both of their perspectives really aided that.

Finn was a brilliant MMC who you will just love if you like a broody male love interest who will (quite literally) fight for his girl. Did I squeal every time he referred to Scottie as “my girl”? Yep. Is he a sure candidate for book boyfriend of the year 2024? Double yep. He was definitely one of the most complex MMCs I’ve met in a romance book and he was extremely well-written in this way. His back story was well thought out, as was the impact it would have on his character which was consistently demonstrated throughout the book, such as how quickly he could get defensive.  One of my favourite things about Finn though what his character growth over the course of the story to someone who says “I’m not only worthy of love; I’m capable of giving it”. It was truly beautiful to read.

Scottie was also a brilliant FMC who equally goes on such a journey throughout the book. I want to avoid spoilers in my reviews wherever possible so don’t want to go into too much depth about Scottie’s character journey but one of the biggest twists of the story focuses on her character – which, side note, came completely unexpectedly so props to Max Monroe – and her growth following this was a great read.

The characters were all brilliant and their behaviours felt age-appropriate and realistic as college-aged young adults. As well as two brilliant protagonists, the supporting characters were all amazing and felt equally as complex and three-dimensional. Whilst still being mindful of avoiding spoilers, there’s also a lovely found family element to the story which was a great addition to the book.

Scottie and Finn had electric chemistry and great banter. I loved how the book navigated the first time Scottie and Finn had sex, especially with Scottie being a virgin and Finn being more experienced. The focus on communication and consent was brilliant to see portrayed in a romance novel, as how respectful Finn was towards Scottie.

At nearly 500 pages this is definitely a longer romance read but I loved that this meant that the book had the page space to carry on after they became a couple. Being a longer read also allows the book to delve into serious topics you wouldn’t typically expect to see from a standard romance novel, such as having an alcoholic parent and domestic abuse.

This book works brilliantly as a standalone book but many of the featured characters are from Max Monroe’s previous books within their Winslow Brothers series and Billionaire Bad Boys series. I hadn’t read either series prior to starting Learning Curve but it has definitely made me keen to read them. 

Overall, Learning Curve has been one of my standout reads of 2024 and is one of the books I'll be recommending to anyone who will listen. It was my introduction to the incredible writing duo that is Max Monroe and what an introduction it was, I'm now totally hooked on their books!

Review: Confessions Of A Virgin On A Dating App by Sydney Wilder

 *I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.

Title: Confessions Of A Virgin On A Dating App
Author: Sydney Wilder
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings:  Attempted Sexual Assault, Religious Trauma, Stalking, Drug Scars, Mentions Of Past Drug Use, Mentions Of Alcoholism, Divorce, Sexual Shame/Stigma, STDs, Miscarriage, Mentions Of Self Harm, Pressure To Have Sex, References To Purity/Abstinence Culture

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door)  

Sex.

Everyone's concerned with whether or not to have it.
But what happens when you can’t?

Avery Murphy has a problem. Ever since she tried losing her virginity to her college boyfriend, she’s been physically unable to have sex. It’s just too painful. When her failed promiscuity gets her kicked out of bible college and ostracized by her religious family, Avery packs up and moves halfway across the state of Florida in search of a new life.

Now five years later, Avery is happy and comfortable in Orlando, with a job she loves and cute townhouse to call home. She spends most of her free time at a gaming shop, where she enjoys tabletop gaming with a wonderful group of friends - including Devin Lancaster, the shop’s snarky owner. But as her 27th birthday approaches, she longs for a partner to share it all with. She turns to online dating, eager to find a match… but who wants to be with a woman who can’t have sex?

Through a series of dating mishaps and awkward romances, Avery goes on a painful yet eye-opening journey to unravel the cause of her condition. And when one night changes everything, Avery realizes her sexual dysfunction may be caused by much bigger health issues… and that love can often be found when - and where - you least expect it.

Confessions Of A Virgin On A Dating App is the latest novel from author Sydney Wilder. This is a brilliant age gap friends to lovers romance which also features important topics such as endometriosis, sexual dysfunction and religious trauma.

Sydney Wilder perfectly nailed the blend of romance, humour and more serious representation. The book is well paced and a compelling read.

It is truly brilliant to see an underrepresented topic like endometriosis represented within romance fiction, particularly in such depth. We follow Avery’s journey towards getting a diagnosis and her journey towards starting to overcome the sexual dysfunction that has been caused by her condition.

The book also explores abstinence/purity culture and religious trauma. These serious topics were all handled well and explored in the depth they deserved which was brilliant to see.

Avery was a brilliant FMC who felt really relatable. We also had a fantastic MMC in Devin who was so sweet and thoughtful. This is an age gap romance but both of them are adults and Avery as the younger of the two of them is in her late twenties. Avery and Devin had brilliant chemistry and it was amazing to see how supportive and respectful Devin was towards Avery’s health issues and resulting sexual dysfunction.

This book is very heavy on the gaming content with many chapters set in the gaming store and, as someone who isn’t a gamer, these sections did unfortunately start to drag after a while. But I’m sure if you’re into RPGs then you’ll enjoy this aspect of the book. 

Overall, this is a sweet and important romance read covering topics it's truly brilliant to see represented within the genre.

Review: My Kind of Trouble by L.A. Schwartz*

 *I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.

Title: My Kind Of Trouble
Author: L.A. Schwartz
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings:  References To A Fatal Car Accident, References To Parental Loss, References To Parental Abandonment, References To Alcoholism, Bullying Of Autistic Characters (By Parents, Schoolmates and Community Members), ABA Therapy (References To MMC Having It In The Past), Assault, Parental and Societal Homophobia, Moralistic Food Talk, Fat Phobia, References To Church Abuse Of Minors

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door)  

 Conwoman Harmony Hale has sold lies up and down California for years, never looking back at her crafty scams or one-night stands. Now she’s come to Brookville, California, with her sights set on its wealthy mayor—the man who stole her father’s music-streaming algorithm and ruined his life. Harmony is finally ready to take him down, with her trusty con of selling a nonexistent music festival. All she needs is the cooperation of the man who owns the potential festival site.

Autistic librarian and piano teacher Preston Jones spends his days fighting book challengers trying to shut down his library programs. He’s responsible for raising his selectively nonspeaking little sister and needs to focus on keeping his job. He doesn’t have time for a romance like the ones in his books—and certainly none for the brassy festival promoter who wants to use his land for her “Coachella North.” Preston sees things in black and white, and he sees Harmony—amazing curves, flashy smile, and all—as nothing but trouble.

But when Harmony promises to help him win the public over and save his youth programs, Preston finds himself wondering if this hustler with a heart of gold might be the someone he’s been waiting for. Soon things are getting steamy in the stacks, and with her con coming to a crescendo, Harmony needs to choose: revenge and running again or the happy ending she never saw coming.

My Kind of Trouble is the debut romance novel from author L.A. Schwartz. This is a steamy bookish enemies to lovers rom com which is a gender-swapped homage to The Music Man. Add in some truly brilliant autism rep, healthy relationships and a confident plus-sized FMC and you have My Kind of Trouble, an absolute must-read addition to the romance genre.

This is a truly captivating story, with the perfect amount of humour, sweet moments and steam. The novel is perfectly paced and I was so hooked that I read the entire thing in nearly a single sitting.

Harmony and Preston had brilliant chemistry and a really healthy relationship which we love to see. I’m a sucker for the ‘he falls first and harder’ trope and this was so well written. There is a third act breakup, which is to be expected given the plot point of Harmony’s hidden identity as a conwoman but there is a quick resolution. The spice was well written, well placed within the plot and felt really realistic.

Harmony was a cracker of a FMC. She was a confident and sure of herself force of nature who experiences such character growth over the course of the story. The way she finds both a family and a home in Brookville was beautiful. I loved that she was a confident, plus-sized FMC and that she’s a bit of a brilliant Robin Hood type character in the way she cons people who deserve it but makes sure to pay back anyone who is innocently caught up in her schemes.

As an autistic person who also finds solace in books, I absolutely adored Preston as a MMC and the authentic autism rep we had through both his character and the character of his younger sister Lacey was the highlight of the book for me.

Just how authentic the autism rep would be became clear in only the second chapter. Throughout the book we see stimming, hyper-focusing, sensory needs regarding food, references to autistic burnout, references to meltdowns, noise sensitivity, recovery from overstimulation and difficulties with change. It’s honestly some of the best autistic rep I’ve ever seen in a book of any genre.

There are references to ABA therapy, with it suggested to Preston for his younger autistic sister Lacey but this is firmly rejected immediately. The topic is also featured later in the book with Preston discussing his own experiences of it, but again this is portrayed in a rightfully negative light.

I loved the way Harmony researched autism to know how to best support her prospective partner. This total acceptance was so heartwarming to see as an autistic adult.

Overall, I just absolutely adored this book. It has been one of my standout reads of 2024 and is a truly brilliant debut novel from L.A. Schwartz. I’d highly recommend it to all fans of a good rom-com novel and anyone who likes to see really authentic autism rep in their books.

Review: Kindling by Bonnie Woods*

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.

Title: Kindling
Author: Bonnie Woods
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings:  References To Parental Abandonment, References To Domestic Abuse, Absent Parent

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Explicit Open Door)  

Sparks will fly, even without firewood… 🍂🍁🍂

A cosy autumnal retreat in the Scottish Highlands is the perfect escape for city girl, Harper… Until she is stranded in the forest with nowhere to stay.

Fraser, a gruff local woodcutter, reluctantly offers her his lumberjack’s cabin on one condition – she mustn’t distract him from his duties.

But Fraser is finding his beautiful guest annoyingly hard to ignore. And the way he chops firewood – dogged, powerful and precise – is distracting Harper too. Soon, as the flame-red leaves fall overhead, Harper and Fraser are both forced to wonder: Am I falling faster?

Kindling is a new autumnal romance from author Bonnie Woods. This is a cosy yet spicy grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity romance set against the backdrop of the beautiful rural Scottish highlands in all of their autumnal beauty. It’s the only book you need to read over the autumn months and will most definitely leave you feeling all fuzzy inside and desperate to book an autumnal getaway to Scotland.

I utterly adored this book and it’s one of my standout reads of all time, let alone just this year. The Scottish Highlands was the most perfect setting for this autumnal romance. The narrative was perfectly paced and I flew through the book as I simply couldn’t put it down.

Harper was a brilliant FMC who felt relatable. I absolutely loved the portrayal of Harper as a curvy FMC, particularly with the way that Fraser adored her curves. The way she is described in his POV was EVERYTHING. And the moment where he kisses her stretch marks? PERFECT.

Fraser is our ruggedly handsome MMC who is a definite contender for 2024’s book boyfriend of the year. Seriously, if you looked up the phrase swoon-worthy in a dictionary, you’d find a giant picture of Fraser. It’s almost like Bonnie Woods has seen how many lumberjack videos I’ve liked on TikTok!

Harper and Fraser had electric chemistry and really brought out the best in each other. Their flirting had me practically kicking my feet and giggling away and the way they pined for each other was EVERYTHING. This was also one of my favourite portrayals of the grumpy x sunshine trope I’ve ever read. Harper and Fraser were the definition of opposites attract: Harper is bubbly and truly sunshine personified whilst Fraser is brooding and mysterious, it worked beautifully. There was lots of spice and it was both fantastically written and fantastically placed throughout the narrative.

One of my favourite things about this book is how inclusive it is; there is just so much fabulous queer representation. There’s particularly amazing bisexual rep as our female protagonist Harper is bi. I loved the exploration of societal attitudes towards bisexuality, it’s such an important topic which was really well written. We also have brilliant lesbian and non-binary rep through some of the supporting characters and autism rep through Fraser’s nephew Sky.

Overall, Kindling is the only book you need to read over the autumn months. It’s one of my standout reads of 2024 and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Bonnie Woods.

Review: Don't You Want Me Baby? by Rachel Dove*

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the Don't You Want Me Baby? blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: Don't You Want Me Baby?
Author: Rachel Dove
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings:  Cheating/Affair

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door) 

Amber Fitzpatrick is about to hit thirty and has achieved none of the things she hoped to have done by now. Her dreams of owning her own business seem out of reach. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and now her biological clock is clanging in her head.

But maybe Amber doesn’t need a man for the next stage of her life? Maybe as an independent woman she can have a baby all by herself?

There’s only one problem. Handsome but excruciatingly annoying best friend Tyler Williams. Tyler thinks Amber’s motherhood plans are plain crazy! She just needs to wait for Mr. Right to come along…and maybe he’s closer than she thinks?

But with Amber hellbent on doing it alone, Tyler sets out to prove to her that being her best friend could also come with excellent benefits…if only she's brave enough to take the chance.

A grumpy sunshine, best friends to lovers romance, perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Laura Carter and Phoebe MacLeod.

Don't You Want Me Baby is the latest fun romance from author Rachel Dove. Fans of a good friends to lovers romance, this one is for you! Add in a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a slow burn romance and a hell of a lot of push and pull and you have this perfect easy read.

This was my first time reading anything from Rachel Dove but I instantly connected with her engaging writing style and well-paced narrative. Don't You Want Me Baby was a really easy read which I more or less read in a single sitting. I particularly loved the setting of the pub, which felt perfectly British and exactly what you’d want from your local.

Amber was a great protagonist who I warmed to very quickly. Some of her decision making and reluctance to open her heart to Tyler was frustrating but felt fitting given her backstory and the way she was treated by her ex-boyfriend. Her choice and confidence to have a baby as a single woman felt really empowering too, as did her status as a real boss babe with dreams of running her own pub. Tyler was a brilliant MMC who I had a real soft spot for instantly. If you’re a fan of the MMC giving a big impassioned speech where he confesses his love then you will LOVE Tyler.

Amber and Tyler had great chemistry and I was practically screaming at them to sort themselves out and get together. They both felt real and mature as characters in their 30s which felt important given the focus the plot had on choosing to start a family. This book is perfect if you’re after something with a dash of open-door spice and these scenes were both well written and well placed within the narrative.

Overall, Don't You Want Me Baby is perfect if you want a quick and easy read which is still packed full of your favourite romance tropes.

Review: Someone Like You by Sandy Barker*

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the Someone Like You blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: Someone Like You
Author: Sandy Barker
Genre: Romance

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (Closed Door)  

What do you do when you realise you've fallen for your best friend, but he sees you as the sister he never had? And to make things worse, you're stuck in the middle of a matchmaking scheme to find him someone else!

Best friends Gaby and Raff are inseparable and know each other inside out. But with Raff's string of disastrous relationships and his newfound fame as Britain’s Best Baker, it's time to enlist the Ever After Agency to help him find true love.

At first, Gaby is all in – Raff is a catch, after all. But as she secretly helps to find his perfect match, she’s hit with unexpected pangs of jealousy. And before she can act on her feelings, Raff falls for one of his dates.

Can Gaby keep her emotions in check, or will she risk ruining their friendship to find out if Raff feels the same way?

Set in London and Seattle, this romantic and festive romcom is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Mhairi McFarlane and Lindsey Kelk.

Someone Like You is the latest feel-good laugh-out-loud romance from author Sandy Barker. Fans of a good friends to lovers romance, this one is for you! Add in brilliant festive vibes and some of your favourite romance tropes (including matchmaking, forced proximity, found family and only one bed) and you have this perfect cute and cosy read, which feels like a Hallmark movie in book form.

This is the fourth instalment of the Ever After Agency series, all focused around the work of the matchmaking agency. This was my introduction to the series, and to Sandy Barker’s books in general, but I loved the premise of the agency. Seeing them orchestrate meet cutes in their efforts to find Raff a match was so fun. It’s made me so excited to read the rest of the books in the series!

Gaby and Raff were the textbook definition of the ‘everybody can see it but them’ trope and I couldn’t get enough of it. This is a real slow burn, perfect for fans of the trope who really have some serious patience as it’s probably the slowest slow burn I’ve ever read. But I promise the pay out is definitely worth it! There is no spice (although there are some references which sit it as more of a closed-door book than an only-kisses book) and this only helped it to feel even more sweet.

Gaby was a brilliant protagonist who felt really relatable. Her POV frames most of the narrative but we also get to see the perspective of some of the matchmaking team which was a nice addition. Raff was a total sweetheart and definitely in the rankings for book boyfriend of 2024. I fell in love with him the second he got an SOS call from one of his female best friends and turned up with food and drink for every eventuality.

The second half of the book was my favourite, with Raff spending Christmas with Gaby in Seattle. This half had lovely festive vibes and we got to see the playout of two of my favourite tropes: only one bed and forced proximity. I loved Gaby’s family and the plot point of the Christmas Eve wedding, it made the book feel even cosier.

This is a really easy read. I also partially listened to the audiobook which was also a really easy listen which was really nicely narrated. The entire narrative is really well paced which had me engrossed from cover to cover in what just felt like a big cosy hug.

Overall, Someone Like You is a brilliant cosy romance read perfect for the upcoming festive season.

Review: The Viscount And The Thief by Emma Orchard*

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the The Viscount And The Thief blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Viscount And The Thief
Author: Emma Orchard
Genre: Historical Romance

Trigger warnings:  References To Suicide

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Explicit Open Door)  

Spring, 1811... A stranger arrives at Wyverne Hall

Sophie Delavallois is the new companion to the ageing Dowager Marchioness, but she also has another reason for coming to the infamous Wyverne mansion, one that will shake the family to their core.

Lord Drake left his childhood home many years ago, and only returns now to see his beloved grandmother. He takes little interest in the goings on of the house, until the arrival of Mademoiselle Delavallois. There’s something about her that he can’t put his finger on; it's as if he’s seen her before, but surely, that is not possible…

Sophie is also drawn to Drake, but he is a Wyverne, and she cannot allow herself to fall for him, because her intentions towards the family are resolute – revenge. But inside the walls of Wyverne Hall, she discovers the rumours about the family barely scratch the surface, and she can’t escape the dangerous allure of the Viscount.

Once her plans are set in motion, will he be her saviour or her ruin?

The Viscount And The Thief is the latest compelling regency romance from author Emma Orchard. Emma Orchard has very quickly become one of my standout authors within the regency romance genre so I was highly anticipating the release of The Viscount And The Thief and it certainly did not disappoint.

One of the things which I think really sets Emma Orchard apart from other regency romance authors is what an incredible storyteller and wordsmith she is. Her compelling writing immerses you in the setting of Wyverne Hall and the narrative was perfectly paced, leaving the reader hooked from cover to cover.

The focus of the narrative is shared between the blossoming romance between Sophie and Rafe and Sophie’s plans to steal back her family heirloom, driven by a desire for revenge against Rafe’s father. This second aspect to the plot really added something different to a genre which more typically focuses on the world of debutantes and balls. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Sophie would succeed in her revenge and if Rafe would be a useful ally or her ruin.

Emma Orchard writes strong female protagonists beautifully and Sophie was no exception. She was feisty, headstrong and far from the typical wallflower you often see in a regency romance. Our handsome MMC is Rafe, Lord Drake. He initially appeared as your typically brooding regency hero but had a beautiful sweet side to him under the surface. The way he talked to and about Sophie just warmed my heart.

Sophie and Rafe had brilliant chemistry and the sexual tension between the two of them was palpable, particularly in the earlier chapters when they are trying to resist their mutual attraction. The spicy scenes were well written, varied and well placed throughout the plot.

In terms of supporting characters, I really warmed to the Dowager who is both Rafe’s grandmother and the woman Sophie becomes the companion to as her way of getting access to the house to enact her revenge plot. Despite her being elderly she was very quick-witted and became a great ally to Sophie. The antagonists were brilliantly written too and both Lord and Lady Wyverne made my skin crawl. 

Overall, The Viscount And The Thief is another fantastic steamy regency romp from Emma Orchard, perfect if you like a crime element to your books and a good long-overdue revenge plot against someone who most definitely deserved it.

Review: The Girl With The Red Ribbon by Carly Schabowski*

 *I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the The Girl With The Red Ribbon blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Girl With The Red Ribbon
Author: Carly Schabowski
Genre: Historical Fiction

Trigger warnings:  War, Bombs, Guns, Antisemitism, Vague References To Rape, References To Mental Health Hospitals, References To Death In Childbirth

Rating:   

1939, Poland. An extraordinary young woman vows revenge on the Nazis after her family are murdered…

Ania hears the explosion of gunshots before she sees the Nazi soldiers approach her beloved home. Her family don’t have time to run, but she does. Hiding nearby, she listens to her sister’s screams and – stroking the red ribbon she keeps tied around her wrist – she begins to plot her revenge…

Taunted her whole life for being smarter than anyone else in the village, now living in war-torn Poland, being governed by Nazis who think Poles are subhuman and women only good for one thing… Ania now only has her wits to rely on, if she's going to survive.

But then she comes across a group of misfits all rejected by the resistance movement for bringing too much risk with them – a scarred Jewish man, a madwoman, a gypsy, and a quiet, handsome Russian soldier. And Ania realizes she alone has the power to unite them. Together, they will destroy each and every one of the people who took everything from her.

The Nazis have no idea what – or who – they are up against. And they’re about to discover that no one should cross a woman who has nothing to lose…

Inspired by an incredible true story from the author’s own family, comes an absolutely gripping story about courage and sacrifice in the darkest days of war.

The Girl With The Red Ribbon is the latest novel from historical fiction author Carly Schabowski. This is an incredibly powerful story exploring themes of courage, found family, resilience and survival.

This was my first time reading anything from Carly Schabowski but she is a truly marvellous storyteller and incredibly talented wordsmith. Symbolism is used throughout the book in a really powerful way and I particularly liked the focus on wind being something which brings life but also takes it away.

This is an incredibly emotional read. We get a brief sense of what is to come, particularly for Ania, through the early chapter sharing Benjamin’s perspective in 1969, but the rest of the story takes the reader on an emotional and at times tear-jerking journey. Carly Schabowski’s compelling writing style had me hooked from cover to cover and I was completely captivated by the story.

Our story is told through a dual-POV narrative which worked really well and allowed us to see things from not only Ania’s perspective but also Benjamin’s. His POV is structured around his much older self looking back on his wartime experiences so we have occasional chapters set in 1969 as well as the main 1939-1943 timeline and this was really powerful.

Ania was a brilliant and really complex protagonist. Very early on in the book it became clear to me that Ania was autistic – albeit it is not identified as such in the book and she is merely labelled as ‘different’. The chapters focusing on Ania’s perspective were very cleverly crafted to feel authentic to the typical autistic experience of the world, evidenced by how quickly I – as an autistic woman myself – identified that Ania would today be considered autistic and began to immediately resonate with her experiences. Ania goes on a brilliant journey throughout the book, finding a real purpose in her resistance work and seeking revenge against the Nazis for all they’ve done to her and her family. Her emotional detachment to her experiences doesn’t always make for an easy read but it is definitely an impactful one.

There’s a beautiful found family element to the story, with this gang of people who were outcasted by society for different reasons finding a home with each other. Similarly to Ania, all of these four characters were complex, multi-dimensional and really well written. It was brilliant following them trying to survive in war-torn Poland and gradually starting to complete resistance activities against their Nazi occupiers. I loved the way that Wanda, Gosia and Aleksi, and particularly Benjamin, treated Ania and didn’t see her as less than because of her neurodivergence. This was a refreshing read particularly after the way the earlier chapters focused on Ania being seen as less-than and challenging by her family, who simply saw her differences as something which needed to be fixed.

Overall, The Girl With The Red Ribbon is a beautifully written and powerful piece of historical fiction which is a must-read for fans of the genre, particularly those who are neurodivergent or ‘different’ in some way themselves.

Review: The Island Girls by Rachel Sweasey*

 *I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the The Island Girls blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Island Girls
Author: Rachel Sweasey
Genre: Historical Fiction

Trigger warnings:  War, Bombs, Guns, Death Of A Spouse, Death Of A Child, References To Rape, References To Domestic Abuse/Violence, References To Cancer

Rating:  

1941: For the townspeople of Poole on the Dorset coast, the war feels like it's right on their doorstep. And with more and more men leaving to fight, one fisherman’s daughter is determined to do whatever she can to help. Peggy volunteers to use her skills on the water to work with the flying boats alongside the RAF based in the harbour. But when she is asked to undertake a special mission, she will have to make a terrible choice – between her duty to her country and her only chance of happiness.

1998: Rebekah has travelled halfway around the world to take up a role on Brownsea Island. This tiny island off the coast of England is a treasure trove of natural wonder, but it still carries the scars of fighting. And when Rebekah discovers a lost letter from the war, hidden all this time, she becomes determined to deliver it, fifty years later.

But the idyllic Dorset harbour hides many more secrets, and Rebekah’s search for the truth will change her life in ways she never imagined possible…

The Island Girls is the latest compelling historical fiction novel from author Rachel Sweasey. This is a beautiful story exploring themes of love, sacrifice, secrets and fresh starts, all set against the backdrop of Dorset in both wartime and the 1990s.

Our narrative is made up of multiple timelines sharing the stories of multiple people, all of which interweave. It was fun to try and piece the stories together gradually as the novel progresses, predicting how the different individuals we meet were connected. The story does primarily focus on two women: Peggy – in 1941 – and Rebekah – in 1998. They were brilliant strong female characters and both women have a romantic arc to their individual stories which was a really nice addition.  

This was my first time reading anything from Rachel Sweasey but her engaging writing style had me hooked from the prologue and now I’m looking forward to reading her other books. The narrative was well paced and the split between the different timelines was perfect. The history was all well-researched and provided a really interesting insight into the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and the work they did during the war.

The Island Girls does generally feel more light-hearted than other World War Two historical fiction works of a similar nature. Whilst there are still lots of gripping moments and touches of darker topics – outlined in the content warnings at the beginning of my review – the setting of the home front and multi-timeline aspect means that this is ideal for historical fiction readers who want a refreshing break from reading harder-hitting novels in the genre, whilst not sacrificing the compelling writing style and history-packed narrative we love the genre for.

Rachel Sweasey’s love for her hometown of Poole was clear through her vivid setting descriptions of the beautiful landscape of the Dorset coast, particularly around Brownsea Island.  Similarly to Dorset (where the majority of the narrative is set) the other settings we visit – Rotterdam and Brisbane respectively – were also described in a truly beautiful way which made each setting come alive on the page.

Overall, The Island Girls is a brilliant addition to the historical fiction genre. This beautiful story, spanning multiple decades and continents, is a must-read and one which will stay with readers for some time. 


Review: The One That Got Away by Olivia Spring*

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the The One That Got Away blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The One That Got Away
Author: Olivia Spring
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings:  References to Death Of A Parent

Rating: 

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Explicit Open Door) 

What if the one who got away is really the one?

When Stella finds herself back home with a string of disastrous dates under her belt, she's certain she’s hit rock bottom. Until she discovers her mother has signed her up to The Love Hotel: a luxury matchmaking service where a perfect love match is guaranteed! Stella is adamant she'll have nothing to do with this nonsense! But then a match is found faster than she can say 'Not.A.Chance!' So, how bad can two weeks in the scorching Spanish sunshine be?

Very bad, actually. Because when Stella arrives, she’s mortified to learn her date is no perfect stranger. In fact she knows him a little too well. Because Max is the childhood sweetheart who broke her heart, who her heart remembers and who is more gorgeous than ever.

With no refunds, Stella reluctantly decides to stay and enjoy the holiday - all she has to do is keep Max at an arm’s length...right? Easier said than done when Max is impossible to ignore. And as the Love Hotel begins to work its matchmaking magic, Stella can't deny that the sparks still sizzle between them. And maybe, the experts were right afterall...

The One That Got Away is the latest romantic comedy from author Olivia Spring. Fans of a second chance romance this one is for you! Add in many of your other favourite romance tropes including forced proximity, only one bed (or villa in this case) and friends with benefits, all set in the beautiful Spanish sunshine and you have The One That Got Away: the perfect beach read.

I’ll admit that prior to reading The One That Got Away, second chance romance was one of my least favourite romance tropes but Olivia Spring has successfully convinced otherwise. I really enjoyed the concept of Stella and Max being each other’s first loves and (to quote the book’s title) the one that got away, who fate decides to reconnect several years down the line.

This story is told through a dual POV first person narrative and this worked absolutely beautifully. The chapters were short and snappy, with a single scene often taking place across multiple chapters which alternated between Stella and Max’s POVs. I loved getting to see both of their perspectives on a single moment, it suited the plot perfectly. This was a really quick read which I flew through in a single sitting, no doubt thanks to Oliva Spring’s engaging writing style and loveable characters.

Stella was an absolutely brilliant FMC and I warmed to her instantly, particularly when she shared her love of steamy romances. Max was the perfect MMC: gorgeous, charismatic, a gentleman and a total sweetheart. If you’re a sucker for a MMC who makes kind gestures – both smaller and grand gestures – you will adore him just as much as I did.

Stella and Max had fantastic chemistry and the flirting was off the charts. There was many a spicy scene, which were all excellent and I adored the fact that the dual POV narrative allowed us to see these scenes from both perspectives. The way Max talked about Stella in these moments – and throughout the entire novel to be honest – was truly beautiful. It was also brilliant to see aftercare represented following the spicier scenes rather than the chapter ending when the sex does.

The Love Hotel was a brilliant premise, perfect for fans of the First Dates Hotel TV show. The eccentric job titles for the staff working at the hotel had me giggling throughout, with a particular shoutout going to ‘suitcase superintendent’. I also really liked their ‘Love Alchemist’ (aka their own person cupid) Jasmine and the way she created opportunities for Stella and Max’s relationship to blossom.

Overall, The One That Got Away is absolutely perfect if you’re after an easy and quick read which is packed full of your favourite romance tropes and a whole lot of spice. It will make the perfect beach read so is a must-have in your next holiday suitcase.




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