Thank you @GalleryBooks for the free book!
🐦⬛🪺🐦⬛🪺🐦⬛🪺🐦⬛🪺🐦⬛
🪺Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb 🪺
- One-word review: Relatable
- Emojis:🫥 🫠😶🌫️
- Rating: 4🌟s
My thoughts:
Bird watching and romance? Definitely! But you do not need to be a bird enthusiast to enjoy this book. The author cleverly weaves in the hobby of birding, using it as an impetus for the characters’ journeys and the beauty they discover in unexpected places. I know little about birds, but that did not impede my reading enjoyment. It made me want to take a moment and notice the beauty of nature in my everyday surroundings.
One of the most endearing aspects of this book is the relatability of the characters’ transitional periods. Life is full of unexpected changes, and the author skillfully captures these moments – from navigating the complexities of single life in your 40s, to the joys and challenges of new motherhood, to the daunting task of career change in your 40s, and even the bittersweet transition of a teen’s senior year and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
The first half of this book may have been a bit slow, but it was merely setting the stage for the unexpected turn of events. Once the flirting and the romance kicked in, the pace picks up and the story becomes unexpectedly spicy – quite a surprise! The romance between Celeste and John was a slow burn, but their chemistry was undeniable, drawing you in with their opposites attract dynamic.
This was a great debut, and I recommend it if you love – well – love! The author’s writing style is engaging and the narrative approach is a mix of introspection and dialogue, which adds depth to the characters and their relationships.
Thank you @WednesdayBooks for the free digital book!
🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷
🌷Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio🌷
- One-word review: Entertaining
- Emojis: 😂😅🥰
- Rating: 4🌟s
My thoughts:
Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio is a delightful romcom, set in a reality competition game reminiscent of Survivor, but with a unique speed dating-type vibe. It’s a perfect blend of romance and comedy that kept me entertained from start to finish.
Orie Lenox is an AcroYoga Influencer with her sister Lark, who keeps getting increasingly frustrated because Orie cannot make any decisions independently. She doesn’t even live independently, choosing to live in her parent’s basement. Orie doesn’t love her boyfriend, who she’s been with since she was a teen, but she can’t even decide to end that relationship. When things spiral out of control, Orie sends her try-out tape to Survivor to prove that she can act independently. And the rest is just pure entertainment.
The story, while engaging, could have benefited from some trimming. The detailed narrative, while adding depth, at times felt excessive, making the reading experience a bit lengthy.
But it is so much fun! The relationships are messy. The challenges are compelling. The strategies are inherently flawed. And even the bad guys are charming. So, so messy! And I loved that!
Thank you @stmartinspress for the free book!
🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷🌸🌷
🌷The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center 🌷
- One-word review: Perfection
- Emojis: 🥹😭🥰
- Rating: 5🌟s
My thoughts:
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is not just a rom-com about writing rom-coms. It’s a deeply emotional and character-driven story that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately, feel completely satisfied. The emotional journey of the characters, the twists and turns of the plot, and the satisfying conclusion all contribute to a story that left a lasting impression on me.
The emotional depth of ‘The Rom-Commers’ is what truly sets it apart. It’s not just a light and fluffy rom-com; it’s a story that took me on a profound emotional journey, leaving a lasting impression on on my heart and mind.
The characters in The Rom-Commers brought me great joy – alone and together. Emma, a talented writer, has put her career on hold to care for her father, who was in an accident and then diagnosed with a disorder that requires around-the-clock care. Her decision to work with a famous screenwriter, Charlie Yates, is driven by her passion for writing and the push that she gets from her father and sister, who insist everything will be fine in her absence. Conversely, Charlie is a grumpy and renowned screenwriter who is initially resistant to the idea of writing a rom-com, a genre that’s clearly outside his comfort zone. However, their collaboration proves to be pure magic, with each complementing the other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Rom-Commers is a full-bodied romantic comedy that brought me immense joy and left me emotionally spent. The story, the characters, and the emotional depth of the book all combined to create a reading experience that I can’t wait for others to enjoy.
5 responses to “Three Beach Reads for Hot Summer Days #BookReviews #RomComs”
All three of these sound like perfect summer reads. And I’m super intrigued by the birding aspects of Birding with Benefits – that’s something not featured often (ever?), especially in romances, and I like the idea 🙂
So many summer reads!! Birding with Benefits caught my eye! We have a this neat acrylic Bird feeder (Thanks, Target!) that attaches to our window. We have loved seeing all the birds come hang out in the little house and eat. I guess, I’m into birds now? haha. Great reviews!! I struggled a little more with The Rom-Commers. I must be in a mood and should stay away from romances for a bit. lol
I just got Birding with Benefits! You already know my love for The Rom-Commers😏 Excellent reviews, Tessa💜
As someone who’s watched every season of Survivor, Attached at the Hip sounds like a hoot. I’ve never seen a contestant like that on the island, lol. Sounds like you’ve had some great beach reads, Tessa.
I’m sure I’ll enjoy all of these especially that attached at hips and birding one.