Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 4-11-23
Adult - Contemporary

If Only You- Chloe Liese: Ziggy Bergman is through with being overlooked. As the youngest player on the National Soccer team and the baby of her family, she's gotten used to being underestimated, but Ziggy has finally decided to take the matter into her own hands. She wants to be recognized for her talents and strengths, so she decides to reinvent herself, and she has the perfect person in mind to help her. Sebastian Gauthier has a reputation for being the bad boy of hockey, and his career is suffering for it. When Ziggy approaches him with the wild idea of rehabbing both their personas by pretending to be friends, he reluctantly agrees. But the more time Sebastian spends around Ziggy, the more he can't help feeling like he does want to change so he can be worthy of her for real.

I adore this series, and I've always had a soft spot for Ziggy, so I've been eagerly awaiting her book. I love a friends-to-lovers trope, and who doesn't love a bad-boy-falls-for-the-good-girl trope? I was sold from the get-go. Ziggy and Sebastian's relationship was adorable. I loved watching them bicker. They brought out the best in one another, which was so sweet. I loved seeing Ziggy become more confident and sure of herself, and Sebastian learns to be tender and vulnerable. As always, I love how much representation there was. Both our main characters are queer, one has autism, and the other has celiac disease. No matter who or what you are, you can always feel seen in Liese's books. If you enjoy more of a slow-burn romance, I'd recommend picking this one up.

Rating: 4/5

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 7-12-22
Adult - Historical Fiction

Groupies- Sarah Priscus: It's 1977, and until now, Faun Novak has lived a pretty sheltered life. When her strict mother passes away leaving her alone, Faun decides to pack up her little belongings and move across the country to LA. Here she reconnects with her best friend, Josie, who is now an up-and-coming model and dating the frontman of one of the hottest rock bands on the strip. Faun is immediately swept away by the sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle and joins Josie and the band's pack of groupies, documenting everything on her Polaroid as she goes. It doesn't take long before Faun becomes too reckless and realizes that everything that glitters isn't always gold.

Do you remember in the early 2000's MTV tried to be edgy with shows like Undressed but ended up being pretty cheesy instead? That was this book. I wanted the grit and grime of the 1970s rock scene, but what I got was a watered-down PBS version. Sure, it had all the sex and drugs you'd expect, but it was all so tame. It was unbuttered toast. There was little to no plot. Not one of the characters was likable, and they all began to blur together because none stood out. It's not even that long of a book, but it was such a chore to get through because it was that boring. If you're looking for a book about the music/groupie scene during this time, others do it way better.

Rating: 2/5

Pub Date: 8-2-22
Adult - Contemporary

Just Another Love Song- Kerry Winfrey: When Sandy Macintosh was in high school, she thought the whole world was at her fingertips. She was going to leave her small town, go to art school, and marry her high school sweetheart, Hank Tillman. Unfortunately, her plans fell through, and Sandy stayed in their hometown while Hank went off to pursue his music dreams. They promised to stay together, but then that plan fell through also. Now, fifteen years later, Sandy runs a successful greenhouse and is content(ish) still living in the same small town. But then Hank comes back, a famous alt-country singer with a son in tow. Sandy always believed she was over Hank and their relationship, but seeing him again after so many years, has her rethinking everything. When the pair get thrown together to work on the town's annual street fair, Sandy thinks it's the perfect opportunity to get the second chance she's always dreamed of.

I really enjoy Winfrey's writing style. I can always count on it to be light and breezy. I always end up finishing her books in one sitting because I never want to put them down. I'm happy to report that this was no exception. I don't read many small-town romances, but whenever I do I remember how much I enjoy that trope. I love seeing all the townspeople in each other's businesses, especially when it comes to matchmaking. Sandy and Hank had such an adorable romance. It was sweet and heartwarming. Everything Sandy did when they were teens made so much sense in the grand scheme of things, so I understood why she broke it off when she did. I loved watching them rekindle the spark that was always present between them despite the years apart. It was also cute seeing her and Hank's son together. If you enjoy second-chance romances and a more light-hearted romance, I suggest checking it out.

Rating: 4/5

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