Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
I can't believe this was a debut! Everything about this--the writing, the character, the banter!-- was so good. I was immediately drawn into the story. I loved our two main characters so much. Sloane was very detail-oriented and always had a plan of action, whereas Wes was a wildcard with a flirty streak. I loved the way they balanced each other out. I also loved getting to know Wes and discovering that he isn't as reckless as he seems. The way he cared for Sloane and had pined after her for years was everything. He's definitely a top contender for one of my favorite book boyfriends. I was slightly worried that the plot would feel repetitive, as it mainly involves them traveling from place to place chasing storms, but that wasn't the case. I liked the added competition element with the magazine cover. If you like the movie Twister, then I think this would be a fun read for you.
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| Pub Date: 6-23-26 Adult - Romance |
Chase Me If You Can- Heather Frances: Being a wedding photographer pays Sloane Michaels' bills, but her real passion is storm chasing. She lives for the few weeks out of the year she can set aside her responsibilities and photograph tornadoes instead. When Sloane gets the opportunity to enter a cover contest for the prestigious magazine Nature Shots, she knows this is her chance to establish herself as a landscape photographer. The last thing Sloane needs is a distraction, but along comes "Wild Wes" Talbot. Wes is a legend among storm chasers for his reckless behavior, and he and Sloane have been sniping at each other for years. But after an accident derails his season, Sloane reluctantly offers to team up. As the pair chase storm after storm, Sloane begins to see Wes in a different light, and the chemistry between them gets too hard to ignore.
I can't believe this was a debut! Everything about this--the writing, the character, the banter!-- was so good. I was immediately drawn into the story. I loved our two main characters so much. Sloane was very detail-oriented and always had a plan of action, whereas Wes was a wildcard with a flirty streak. I loved the way they balanced each other out. I also loved getting to know Wes and discovering that he isn't as reckless as he seems. The way he cared for Sloane and had pined after her for years was everything. He's definitely a top contender for one of my favorite book boyfriends. I was slightly worried that the plot would feel repetitive, as it mainly involves them traveling from place to place chasing storms, but that wasn't the case. I liked the added competition element with the magazine cover. If you like the movie Twister, then I think this would be a fun read for you.
Rating: 4.5/5
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| Pub Date: 5-26-26 Adult - Romance |
Dolly All the Time- Annabel Monaghan: Dolly has been taking care of her family ever since her mom left them when she was twelve, so it's second nature for her to drop everything and move with her young son back to her childhood home in Rhode Island when a crisis strikes. But this problem comes with a price tag Dolly can't afford. Dolly is a helper to her core, so she doesn't think twice about stopping to help Stewart Whitfield, the handsome son of the wealthiest family in town, change a flat tire, but then her face ends up in the gossip section of the newspaper, and Stewart proposes a ludicrous plan: he'll pay her to pretend to be his new girlfriend after being publicly humiliated by his ex. Desperate to save her family's home, Dolly agrees, but soon their arrangement turns into something neither was expecting.
I've only read two other books by Monaghan, but this is easily my favorite of them. I love how her characters tend to be a little older and mature. Dolly won me over immediately, and I just wanted to give her a hug. She's the epitome of an eldest daughter, shouldering every responsibility whether asked or not. On one hand, I admired how she stepped up for her family, but on the other, I wished she would allow others to help more. It was so satisfying watching her open up to Stewart and finally realize she doesn't have to do everything alone. I loved their chemistry, and props to Monaghan for making 'Stewart' an attractive name. I'm with the majority in that I think he needed to grovel a bit more after the third act conflict, but overall, I enjoyed this one a lot.
I've only read two other books by Monaghan, but this is easily my favorite of them. I love how her characters tend to be a little older and mature. Dolly won me over immediately, and I just wanted to give her a hug. She's the epitome of an eldest daughter, shouldering every responsibility whether asked or not. On one hand, I admired how she stepped up for her family, but on the other, I wished she would allow others to help more. It was so satisfying watching her open up to Stewart and finally realize she doesn't have to do everything alone. I loved their chemistry, and props to Monaghan for making 'Stewart' an attractive name. I'm with the majority in that I think he needed to grovel a bit more after the third act conflict, but overall, I enjoyed this one a lot.
Rating: 4/5
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| Pub Date: 7-7-26 Adult - Romance |
Summer People- Sally Blakely: After graduation, Sutton and her four best friends make a pact to spend a week at the same beach house every summer. They also make a pact to never date each other. This rule should be simple enough, except that Sutton and Everett have already broken it before their little tradition even began. What started as a fling at a party soon turned into something more, and neither is willing to give the other up, but then everything fell apart. Five years later, Sutton has no desire to see Everett ever again, but her best friend, Laurel, needs an escape from her recent divorce and asks them all to go back to the beach house. Sutton was expecting stilted conversations and awkward encounters, but instead, she's hit with all the feelings she thought she had grown out of, leaving her to wonder if their relationship is worth the risk.
I was looking forward to this one, but I found it a bit disappointing. The beginning started strong, and I enjoyed getting glimpses into past summers and watching Sutton and Everett fall for one another. However, I grew increasingly annoyed with the plot as the story progressed. The friend group, especially Laurel, sucked, and all the drama that came along with them was so frustrating. Sutton is constantly putting her wants for Everett aside to avoid causing a rift between the friend group, and it's like, girl, you are a grown adult and can date whoever you want. The whole conflict surrounding Sutton and Everett was wild and so unnecessary. I liked their flirty banter and how easy Blakely's writing was to fly through, and would still recommend it if you're looking for a quick beach read, but the drama was a little too much for me.
I was looking forward to this one, but I found it a bit disappointing. The beginning started strong, and I enjoyed getting glimpses into past summers and watching Sutton and Everett fall for one another. However, I grew increasingly annoyed with the plot as the story progressed. The friend group, especially Laurel, sucked, and all the drama that came along with them was so frustrating. Sutton is constantly putting her wants for Everett aside to avoid causing a rift between the friend group, and it's like, girl, you are a grown adult and can date whoever you want. The whole conflict surrounding Sutton and Everett was wild and so unnecessary. I liked their flirty banter and how easy Blakely's writing was to fly through, and would still recommend it if you're looking for a quick beach read, but the drama was a little too much for me.
Rating: 2/5
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