Mini Thoughts

Hello, all!

Pub Date: 7-28-26
Adult - Romance

Wild Goose Chase- Sarah Adler: Callahan Leitner is co-owner of an antique store and is very by the book. He would never do anything to jeopardize his life, but when he accidentally agrees to take an illegally taxidermied goose, Cal does just that. When his ex-girlfriend called needing his help, he thought it was for research purposes, but now Cal is stuck with this goose and needs to get rid of it ASAP. Annie O’Neill is bubbly, charming, and everything Cal isn't. She was happy to fill in for her Uncle at his antique store to learn more before she opens her own shop, but Cal quickly has her rethinking her decision, until she stumbles upon his waterfowl contraband. But when the goose goes missing, it puts both their professional reputations on the line, and the pair must team up to track it down.

 I've read and enjoyed Adler's previous books, so I went into this with high expectations. It was cute, but something was missing for me. I liked the characters well enough, but didn't connect with them. I did enjoy how opposite they both were. Annie was quirky and charming, while Cal was more reserved and introspective. There's also a bit of a story within a story going on, where we get to see the origins of the goose. I didn't always care about that timeline, but it helped to give context to the story. The romance aspect was fine, but felt quite insta-lovey, which doesn't always work for me. I still enjoyed the writing and flew through this, but it's not my favorite of Adler's.

Rating: 3/5
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*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 7-28-26
Adult - Romance

Fossil Feud- Maggie North: After her ex-boyfriend stole her work and passed it off as his own, paleontologist Ripley Adams left academia behind and became a private fossil collector. She's so close to unearthing a find that would completely change her life and restore her credibility, but then her funding gets pulled. When Professor James Smithson crashes Ripley's dig site, she's quick to chase him off, but realizes he's her only option. The pair strikes a bargain: Ripley will help James prove that a newly discovered fossil is a fraud, and James will secure the money Ripley needs to continue her work. Ripley and James couldn't be more different, but as they begin working closely together, the attraction between them becomes undeniable.

The premise of this immediately intrigued me, so I knew I had to pick it up. There are many STEM romance books available lately, but North managed to make this one seem fresh. I've never read a romance following a paleontologist before, so it made the story stand out. It was cute, but I wish I liked it more. Everything felt very surface-level. I did like our two main characters, but there wasn't much to them, especially James. You could've replaced him with a cardboard cutout, and I don't think I would've noticed. It was cute how flustered he got over Ripley's untied shoelaces, though. They both had issues they were dealing with, but I never felt emotionally invested in the outcome. While it's not a new favorite for me, I can see the appeal and would still recommend it to those looking for a fun summer read.

Rating: 3/5
GoodReads | Bookshop.org

*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Pub Date: 2-14-25
Adult - Romance

Slap Shot- Chelsea Curto: Madeline Galloway has recently lost her position as an executive chef in a trendy Vegas restaurant and is now scrambling to make a new plan for her and her young daughter, Lucy. After finding a business card for a reporter for the D.C. Stars hockey team, Madeline figures she has nothing to lose and reaches out. Lucky for her, Hudson Hayes, the Stars' defenseman, has been looking for a private chef for months. The pair hit it off, and soon Madeline and Lucy find themselves living with Hudson. Madeline isn't one for relationships after her marriage ended in heartbreak, and Hudson is the type who prefers relationships, but the pair can't deny the attraction between them. But with every sweet gesture from Hudson--including learning ASL for Lucy--Madeline falls further, leaving her to wonder if maybe she should give love another chance.

This is becoming my go-to series lately when I don't want to think too hard about what I'm reading. I like how Curto manages to balance both the steamy and emotional moments so well. I've loved getting glimpses of Hudson in the previous books, so I was excited to see his story play out. He's such a sweetheart, and I just wanted to hug him. He's the definition of 'If he wanted to, he would.' Watching him open his heart and his home to Madeline and Lucy was adorable. Madeline has been burned in the past, and it was lovely seeing her let down her defenses and grow closer to Hudson. The forced proximity aspect of their relationship was top-notch. It really helped ramp up the tension. My only gripe with not just this book but the series as a whole so far is that the books are way too long. There isn't enough plot to justify these being over 500 pages. But will I continue to eat them up because I'm hooked? You betcha.

Rating: 3/5
GoodReads | Bookshop.org

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