YOURS CHLOE

Review: The Prince and the Player by Nora Phoenix*

*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 Prince and the Player blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Prince and the Player
Author: Nora Phoenix
Genre: LGBTQIA+ Romance

Trigger warnings: References to death of a parent, References to a car accident, References to drink driving, Brief references to a guy trying to take advantage of an intoxicated girl

Rating: ★★★★

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

I’m determined to win over the one guy who hates me…but I never expected to fall for him

Being a prince may seem like a fairytale, but to me, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. That’s why I’m excited when I get permission from my uncle—the king of Norway—to go undercover as a student at an American college for a year. And I’m even more ecstatic to be selected for their football team. Soccer, I mean. The only problem? Farron, the team captain, dislikes me on sight. Determined to win him over, I start a charm offensive, but nothing works. He only hates me more.

Until the animosity comes to an explosive release…and we end up kissing each other. How did that happen when neither of us has ever been attracted to a guy before? Farron wants to let it run its course and get it out of our system, but I doubt that’ll work. I’m falling for him hard, but he has no idea who I really am. I fear that if he finds out, he’ll never speak to me again…

The Prince and the Player is the first book in the Prince Pact series and features an undercover, sunshiney prince and a grumpy, handsome soccer captain, two guys who mistake hate for attraction, a double bi-awakening, and two opposites who attract each other like magnets.

The royally romantic, enemies-to-lovers college romance for fans of Casey McQuiston, Alexis Hall and Jax Calder.

The Prince and the Player is the latest steamy M/M romance from author Nora Phoenix. This is an enemies to lovers, opposites attract, double bi-awakening royal romance set against the backdrop of college football/soccer.

This was my first time reading anything from Nora Phoenix but I was quickly hooked by her engaging storytelling and fast-paced narrative.

Farron and Tore had a fantastic grumpy x sunshine dynamic. Their enemies to lovers romance was brilliantly crafted, best summed up with the line “I don’t like you. But for some reason, I do like kissing you.” I couldn’t get enough of the story and was glued to my kindle throughout the book as the initial tension between the two of them quickly progressed into sexual tension. The way their relationship evolved was beautifully written and felt really real, which was great to see.

This bi-awakening romance is packed full of spice, which again was really well written. The way they gradually worked their way up through the different intimate acts felt authentic to people exploring their sexuality for the first time, which I really liked. The coming out scenes were heartwarming and beautifully crafted, particularly (*mild spoiler alert*) when they come out to the rest of their football team and receive a response quite different from the toxic masculinity fuelled response you might stereotypically expect to see from a sports team, particularly in a sport where there’s still so few openly queer professional players.

The college setting worked really well for the story, as did the chapters we had in Farron and Tore’s respective hometowns which allowed us (and them) to really get to know the both of them on a deeper level. Both of our protagonists were well crafted complex characters, particularly Farron who had a really interesting backstory with him becoming a father figure and having to provide for his siblings from a young age.

Overall, this is a brilliant royal M/M romance, which is full of heart. It’s one of my favourite bi-awakening stories I’ve ever read, particularly with it being a double awakening which was really well developed.

Review: I Knew You Were Trouble by Sandy Barker*

*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 I Knew You Were Trouble blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: I Knew You Were Trouble
Author: Sandy Barker
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings: Cheating/Affair

Rating: ★★★★

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (Closed Door)

Don’t get mad. Get even.

Kate Whitaker has always believed in love, but when a stranger named Willem shows up on her doorstep, the news he has to share isn’t as exciting as his god-like looks might suggest. He’s come to tell her that Kate’s fiancé is also engaged to his sister.

Kate doesn't know how she didn’t see the red flags: Jon’s work as an airline pilot having him flying around the globe, the postponed dates, the huge rock of an engagement ring that isn’t her style at all.

Overcome with fury – and entranced by the Nordic god’s piercing blue eyes and quiet allure – Kate agrees to accompany Willem to his hometown of Amsterdam to help break the news to his sister. Yet what begins as a simple gesture of support soon twists into a deliciously devious plan to get back at Jon.

Kate is drawn into a world of retribution, revenge and – unexpectedly – romance. Because sometimes the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else…

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about broken trust, sweet revenge, and the surprising places we find love. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Emily Henry.

I Knew You Were Trouble is the latest fun romance from author Sandy Barker. This book follows a duped fiancée as she plots revenge against her cheating fiancé whilst finding herself finding love in a very unexpected place. We get to return to the Ever After Agency in this fifth instalment of the series, reuniting with some of the much-loved characters from earlier books as they help Kate with her revenge plot but can’t resist doing a bit of matchmaking for her along the way.

This is a very easy read you could easily get through in a single sitting. Sandy Barker nailed the blend of romance and the revenge plot point and the whole narrative was really well paced.

Whilst the book is mainly set in London, Kate does travel across Europe to find out the truth about her fiancé. Sandy Barker’s brilliant storytelling really immerses you in the settings and I particularly enjoyed the chapters set in Amsterdam as someone who visited recently.

Kate and Willem had great chemistry. Theirs is very much a slow-burn will they, won’t they romance with lots of yearning which was all really well written. There was a great forced proximity element to the story but I particularly loved the bit of meddling from the other characters which gave us a brilliant only one bed moment. This is a closed door romance but it doesn’t completely shy away from any spicier references, it’s more of a fade to black which worked well.

There’s also some brilliant supporting characters. If you like strong female characters you’ll love this book as there’s a brilliant girl power aspect as they seek revenge on the man who wronged them. Margot in particular had a brilliant personality and I’d love to return to her story in some capacity later in the series.

Overall, this is a fun and easy read and a great new addition to the Ever After Agency series.

Review: The Girl From Sicily by Siobhan Daiko*

*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 From Sicily blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Girl From Sicily
Author: Siobhan Daiko
Genre: Historical Fiction

Trigger warnings: War, Guns, Violence, Mafia, Death Threats

Rating: ★★★★

Lucia loved her brother Dinu to the depths of her soul, but she also worried about him. He was intelligent yet ambitious, resilient yet hot-headed, and there was a dark side to him that could lead him into terrible trouble one day.

Sicily, 1943: Lucia and her twin brother Dinu have always been inseparable, but their bond is threatened when Gero, the son of close family friends in America, arrives in their village. Although she finds herself developing feelings for him, Lucia worries about Gero’s dangerous connections and their influence on her brother.

As the chaos of World War II closes in, Lucia must navigate love and loyalty to make a difficult choice. Will she risk that the consequences of her decision could bring untold horrors and affect her family for decades to come?

2005: When Jess inherits a baglio, an ancient feudal farmhouse in Sicily, from the grandmother she never knew, she’s determined to uncover the truth about her family’s hidden past. Following the death of her parents and on the brink of divorce, Jess travels to the island alone. There, with the help of a charming Sicilian, she embarks on a quest to unearth a web of long-buried secrets.

But answers come at a price, and Jess must decide if she’s ready to confront a truth that could change everything…

The Girl From Sicily is the latest fascinating historical fiction novel from author Siobhan Daiko. This is a compelling and easy read exploring themes of secrets, family relationships, history and romance set against the beautiful and mysterious backdrop of Sicily during the second world war, post-war and in the early 21^st century.

When I started this book, I was expecting something similar to Siobhan Daiko’s previous books focusing on the Italian resistance but the story unfolded into a heart-wrenching tale about multiple generations of a family torn apart by the Sicilian mafia. I was captivated by the mysteries of the story as Jess tries to uncover her family history, a difficult task when up against the strict rules regarding secrets practised by Sicilian society.

Our story is told through a carefully constructed multi-POV narrative, primarily focusing on the perspectives of Lucia and her granddaughter Jess but we also get to see the perspectives of Lucia’s twin brother Dinu and her daughter Carula too. I loved the use of a dual-timeline, particularly the way subtle parallels between the two timelines were woven into the story.

Siobhan Daiko is one of my must-read historical fiction authors so I was very excited to be able to take part in the blog tour for The Girl From Sicily and it certainly did not disappoint. I have reviewed three of her previous novels here on Yours, Chloe - The Tuscan Orphan, The Girl From Venice and Daughters of Tuscany – and I will link them at the end of the post.

When you read a book by Siobhan Daiko, you’re almost guaranteed to find beautifully written strong female characters and Lucia and Jess in The Girl From Sicily are certainly no exception. I particularly found the exploration of Lucia’s relationship and bond with her twin brother Dinu to be fascinating, especially as it would play such a key role in the plot of the story. The romance subplots in both timelines were also well written and a nice inclusion.

Overall, this is a really interesting and easy read for fans of World War Two and 20^th century historical fiction, especially those with a key interest in Sicilian history.

Click here to read my review of The Tuscan Orphan by Siobhan Daiko.

Click here to read my review of The Girl From Venice by Siobhan Daiko.

Click here to read my review of Daughters of Tuscany by Siobhan Daiko

Review: What Happens in Paradise 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 What Happens In Paradise blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: What Happens In Paradise
Author: Olivia Spring
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings: References To Death Of A Parent, References To Death Of A Partner

Rating: ★★★★

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

What happens in paradise… stays in paradise!

Hotel guest relations manager Jasmine, also known as a Love Alchemist, adores her job at the exclusive Spanish Love Hotel. She prides herself on helping guests meet their perfect match. But matchmaking is absolutely forbidden between staff. And so Jasmine must resist the attraction she feels every time she’s around delectable sous-chef, Alejandro. The problem is, she knows the feeling is mutual. But she cannot jeopardise her job or break the rules.

Because all her hard work is about to be recognized when she’s asked to set up the new branch of the hotel in Jamaica. With an ocean between her and temptation, Jasmine is ecstatic. This is just the distance she needs to keep her feelings under control. But there is one kink in her plan… Alejandro has been asked to join her. For two whole weeks!

Under the sultry Jamaican sun, keeping it strictly professional becomes impossible when romance is literally all around them! So they agree a (secret) holiday fling may help satisfy their desires and then they can move on. After all, what happens in paradise stays in paradise… right?

What Happens in Paradise is the latest romantic comedy from author Olivia Spring and the second instalment of her ‘The Love Hotel’ series. This is a fun and spicy romance which blends the workplace romance and forbidden romance tropes perfectly, set against the beautiful backdrops of sunny Spain and Jamaica. Add in a reverse age gap (she’s older, he’s younger), the only one bed trope and a whole lot of forced proximity and you have this brilliant romance which will make the perfect beach-read for 2025.

I took part in the blog tour for the first book in the series ‘The One That Got Away’ last year (click here to read my review) and fell in love with the premise of the matchmaking hotel so I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book and it certainly did not disappoint.

This is a really easy quick read with short and snappy chapters and a perfectly paced narrative. We have a dual POV first person narrative and this worked perfectly for the story. I particularly loved the Jamaican setting and Olivia Spring’s vivid descriptions of the beautiful landscape instantly transported me there.

So many of our beloved romance tropes have been packed into this story and they all worked perfectly. I’ve not read too many reverse age-gap books (where the FMC is older – in this case in her late 30s - and the MMC younger – in this case in his late 20s) but this worked really well. The combination of it being a forbidden romance but there being such an intense forced proximity element with them having to attend romantic excursions together created such a brilliant plot that I just couldn’t get enough of.

There’s palpable sexual tension between Jasmine and Alejandro which was so perfectly crafted and had me absolutely hooked. And the ‘fuck it’ moment we finally got was so worth it, as was the brilliant spice in the chapters which followed. Their chemistry was electric and the romantic scenes between them – both spicy and just sweet – were really well written.

Olivia Spring writes thoroughly loveable characters and Jasmine and Alejandro were no exception. They both felt really real and relatable. Through each of them we explore the concept of starting a new chapter in their lives and learning to love again following divorce and the death of a partner respectively and this was really well written, particularly Alejandro’s grief.

Overall, What Happens In Paradise is another fun and spicy read from Olivia Spring. It’s perfect if you want something you can read in a single sitting as you lounge by the pool somewhere sunny with a cocktail in hand (bonus points if it’s rum based as that’s so on theme with this book).

Review: The Confessions of a Lady by Darcy McGuire*

*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 Confessions Of A Lady blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Confessions Of A Lady
Author: Darcy McGuire
Genre: Historical Romance

Trigger warnings: References To Physical Abuse By A Parent, References To Alcoholism, Violence, Assault, Drugging, Kidnap, Guns, References To Sex Trafficking

Rating: ★★★★★

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

Dare she risk her secrets?

In the world of upstairs/downstairs, Housemaid Penny Smith anticipates her employer’s needs and blends into the background making her the perfect spy for the prime minister against a suspected member of the Devil’s Sons. There’s only one problem. When she meets the guilty marquess, his actions don’t match the evidence against him. Lord William Renquist defies her every expectation and sets her traitorous heart racing.

Lord William Renquist, Marquess of Stoneway and secret spy to Queen Victoria, must infiltrate the Devil’s Sons, tearing the brotherhood apart from the inside. His mission – to bring evil men to justice while atoning for the sins of his family, proving honour is stronger than tainted blood. There’s only one problem. A canny maid who is always in the right place at the wrong time and who deliciously challenges his every order.

Liam and Penny are unknowingly playing a dangerous game from opposite sides of justice. And at a masked ball, forbidden attraction burns into something far more complex as their secrets spin into daring confessions. This battle against their enemy will only be won if Penny and Liam can work together. But can a maid from downstairs ever trust an upstairs marquess?

The Confessions Of A Lady is the latest historical romance from author Darcy McGuire and the third instalment of her series The Queen's Deadly Damsels. This is another brilliant spicy Victorian romance with a fantastic crime element to it too.

Darcy McGuire has quickly become one of my favourite historical fiction authors as she has an incredible storytelling ability and always crafts a perfectly paced narrative which beautifully blends romantic moments with the high tension crime elements that are also central to the plot.

At the heart of this series is really strong female characters and Penny was no exception. She was a total badass and I really liked the choice to make her illiterate because she was really smart and this really showed that there’s so much more to intelligence than literacy. The scene where Penny demands that Liam treat her as his equal – far from the norm in Victorian society – was particularly impactful and showed beautifully how much she grew in the novel into an even stronger woman who really understood her own value.

I’ve said it before but the absolute feminist icon that is Lady Philippa Winterbourne, the mentor to all of the Queen’s deadly damsels, is one of my favourite strong female characters to have ever graced the pages of a historical fiction novel. I didn’t think it was possible but I fell in love with her even more in this novel. Although this book works well as a standalone story, I’d recommend also reading the rest of the The Queen's Deadly Damsels series as the protagonists from both earlier books feature heavily within this one and I personally really enjoyed being familiar with them prior to reading this book.

Liam was also a brilliant MMC, who I challenge any reader not to fall completely in love with particularly if you’re a fellow sucker for the ‘touch her and you die’ trope.

Penny and Liam had brilliant chemistry and there was a great dynamic between the two of them. I’ve not read anything focusing on this upstairs/downstairs trope before but found it really interesting and it worked really well in the context of this book.

We have several brilliant spicy scenes and they navigated the contrast of experience between Penny as a virgin FMC and Liam as a more experienced and older MMC very well. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on consent, which was great to see within a historical romance and very important given the power imbalance that naturally existed with Liam being Penny’s employer.

Overall, this is yet another incredible historical romance novel from Darcy McGuire and a must read for fans of the historical romance and historical crime genres alike, particularly if you’re after something with an overall really feminist feel.

Review: The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner*

*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 Paris Dancer blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: The Paris Dancer
Author: Nicola Rayner
Genre: Historical Fiction

Trigger warnings: War, The Holocaust, Antisemitism, Guns, Homophobic Violence, Murder Of Children

Rating: ★★★★

A heart-wrenching and unforgettable story of courage, friendship and resistance, inspired by the incredible true story of a Jewish ballroom dancer in Paris during WWII, perfect for fans of The Paris Library.

Paris, 1938. Annie Mayer arrives in France with dreams of becoming a ballerina. But when the war reaches Paris, she's forced to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. Then a fellow dancer offers her a lifeline: a ballroom partnership that gives her a new identity. Together, Annie and her partner captivate audiences across occupied Europe, using her newfound fame and alias to aid the Resistance.

New York, 2012. Miriam, haunted by her past, travels from London to New York to settle her great-aunt Esther’s estate. Among Esther’s belongings, she discovers notebooks detailing a secret family history and the story of a brave dancer who risked everything to help Jewish families during the war.

As Miriam uncovers Esther’s life in Europe, she realises the story has been left for her to finish. Grappling with loss and the possibility of new love, Miriam must find the strength to reconcile her past and embrace her future.

The Paris Dancer is the latest novel from author Nicola Rayner and her debut venture into the wonderful genre that is historical fiction. This is a beautiful story of sisterhood, love and loss, set between Nazi-occupied Paris and New York in 2012.

Nicola Rayner has crafted a fantastic multi-layered story through a dual-timeline narrative. The parallels between the two timelines were well written and really added to the story. I really enjoyed joining Mim in her journey to discover more about her great aunt’s life during the war, gradually piecing together the clues we’re given through her chapters.

There’s a powerful exploration of grief throughout the book, in both timelines. Mim’s grief was particularly well written and I loved following her story of life after loss, as she navigates both her grief and the guilt she feels regarding it.

A passion for dance permeates through the story and this was truly beautiful, really setting The Paris Dancer apart from other stories set in occupied France. I really enjoyed getting to explore a range of beautiful dance styles through Mim’s story as Lucky introduces her to them to find the one which resonates with her.

Overall this is a fantastic piece of World War Two historical fiction and perfect for those with a love of dance.

Review: Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen*

*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 Best Mistake Ever blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

Title: Best Mistake Ever
Author: Christy McKellen
Genre: Romance

Trigger warnings: Alcohol Abuse, Brief References To Past Drug Abuse

Rating: ★★★★

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door)

Some mistakes are worth making

Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her - she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.

Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he's watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade. Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sister’s boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!

Best Mistake Ever is the latest sweet and sexy romance from author Christy McKellen. This is a quick and easy read which fans of the mistaken identity trope and a good workplace romance will absolutely love. Add in a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, lovely spring vibes and a sprinkle of spice and you have Best Mistake Ever.

This was my first time reading anything from Christy McKellen but I quickly sank into her easy-to-read writing style and read the book in a single sitting. Our story is told through a dual POV narrative and I loved the way this allowed us to get to know both Bea and Jonah on a deeper level.

The setting of the country hotel was really cute and worked well in the story. I particularly loved the quirky festival and the way it started to really bring Bea and Jonah together.

Bea is our FMC and I warmed to her immediately, she was the type of protagonist I just want to be friends with. Bea really comes into her own over the course of the story, really finding her purpose whilst working at the hotel, which was brilliant to see.

Our MMC is Jonah, a grumpy retired rockstar turned hotelier. I loved the character growth that Jonah had over the course of the story, even if it did require a kick in the right direction from both Bea and Delilah. The way he talked about Bea in his POV chapters made me beam from ear to ear, he was such a sweetheart.

The little hints towards Delilah’s story definitely intrigued me and made me wonder if we can expect to see another book following her in an overlapping timeline to this one. I know I’d definitely like to see it!

This is a very fast burn story, with their relationship blossoming over the course of a matter of weeks, but there was still a good amount of relationship building scenes. Bea and Jonah had great chemistry and brilliant banter. We did have a sprinkling of spice here and there and one full open-door scene which was well written and fitted well within the story.

Overall, this is a really cute feel-good romance which is packed full of charisma and a blend of some much-loved tropes. It’s perfect if you’re looking for an easy read you can devour over a spring weekend.

Review: Learning Curve by Max Monroe*

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

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*

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.

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