Barbara Rachel's Reviews

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer My rating: 5 of 5 stars First of all, I love a second chance romance — this was one of the best I’ve read as far as tension and chemistry between the main characters. I loved the Jewish representation in this book — it was there without being overly explained. It was very much normalized and diffused throughout the book in a completely natural way. Last note… Jared Sparks was hilarious and was totally giving Russell Brand, Get Them To The Greek. That movie might not have aged well, but Russel Brand was still hilarious in it. What I didn’t love… Did Evelyn need to tell us in her head how much she hated her ex ad nauseum? It was as if she lacked insight into any of her own mistakes and it made her kind of unlikable in my mind. In comparison to David’s introspection it made her seem Regina Jones-ish and not in an ironic, funny way. Tropes: Second chance romance. He falls first. Grumpy-Sunshine. Forced p...

For the Fans by Nyla K. My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book... LOVED. Admittedly, this was a wild ride. I have now read the ebook, paperback and listened to the audiobook. The audiobook is fire. The 2 voice actors are top-notch amazing. No notes. RE: the book/story... These two boys are a mess and I am here for it. Yes, the book is long. I wouldn't change one second of it.. If you are not into super steamy MM romance... this book is not for you. Trigger warnings: off the page childhood sexual abuse that is described (religious associated). Some parents that don't parent/suck. Could not put this down. Have read it 3 times now. Highly recommend. View all my reviews

I loved this book. ⭐️ Overall Impression ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ 🔍 ADD Ease Of Focus: 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🌶️ Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️  🌶️ 🖤 Darkness Level: 0/5 🎤 Audio Quality 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤  📝My review: Ethan and Taylor have immediate chemistry complicated by forced proximity, forbidden romance and both MC’s have a background of hurt, Ethan from losing his marriage to his ex’s career ambitions and Taylor from neglectful parents.  What I ❤️ This is such a sweet romance, the chemistry between the 2 MC’s is off the chain. It was spicier than expected and most surprising was the adult ADD rep. It was so on point and accurate — especially behaviors that in the past were attributed to being space or unfocused.  What I 💔👎🏻 The narration on the audio was a little too fast. Had to re-listen to most chapters. 📗 📗 🏷️ Tropes: Forced Proximity, Forbidden Romance, Love at First Sight, Age Gap 📗 📗 #IAmAnUnapologeticNerd #ADDFriendlyBookReviews #BookLoverAndReviewer #ADDisMySuperpowe...

In Brief:  funny and cozy but spicy hockey romance. I definitely recommend this book! 📗 📗 ⭐️ Overall Impression ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 🔍 ADD Ease Of Focus: 🔍 🔍 🔍  Random side characters with storylines that went nowhere… And 2 people have names that are almost the same. Maeve and Fable. First of all. WTF are these names. No One Uses These Names. And I say that as a Barbara. WTF. Also too many characters… Needed to have a boss and an above boss? Why?  🌶️ Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ Just Wow. 🎤 Audio Quality: 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤 🎤  The audible was excellent: loved the detail of dual narrators even within conversations.  🖤 Darkness Level 🖤 1 for surprising dirty talk. And also, MMC was a little bit of a stalker. ⚠️ Trigger Potential:  Terrible Parents. Near Fatal Car Accident. Living with Scars 📗 📗 📝My review What I ❤️ I really enjoyed this, even more than the 1st book in the series. This was touching, funny and SPICY. Loved the hockey rep, as always. Anyone ...

Enemies of the State by Tal Bauer My rating: 5 of 5 stars The first of a series, this is the unlikely and rule breaking romance between the US President and the head of his secret service detail. This is an incredible book. First of all, the descriptions of the DC area are spot on, I know well from living here. Tal Bauer is able to intertwine a complex political thriller with a steamy romance like no one else I have ever read. The challenges and journey facing Jack and Ethan had me biting my nails. Listened to the entire story in two days because I could not stop. The reader, John Solo, was incredible at the voices and the international cast of accents. Cannot wait for the next in the series. 5/5 stars! Highly recommend!

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid My rating: 5 of 5 stars Introverted goaltender Landon gets called up to the NHL for a temporary assignment and is set upon by the team's party boy, Casey, who is trying to help Landon feel at home. Underneath it all, Landon seems to be hiding something that's keeping him isolated while Casey gives a vibe of someone that can't stand their own company. Put them together and they become unlikely friends and maybe something more. I loved this book. I read a few other reviews and I wish I hadn't. Neither Landon or Casey are perfect. But maybe they are perfect for each other. There were some moments that were hilarious. Other moments were cringe inducing fumbles that were so human and relatable. I adored this story and the characters and I cannot wait to read it again and again, like I do with all of Rachel Reid's books. 5/5 stars.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin My rating: 4 of 5 stars Coco is having to flee London for her parents' home in Paris with almost no money, her career in tatters and a sulky teenaged daughter with whom she now has to share a bedroom. Broken hearted and fleeing scandal, she is having to cope with her daughter's grief and being removed from her home and friends as well as her own. Thank you to Net Galley, Boldwood Books and the author for the ARC. The opinions here are my own. This was a well crafted story with vivid descriptions that brought Paris to life. Most of the story centers takes place in this quirky and incredible sounding bookshop. The characters were well rounded and their intersecting storylines made me not want to put it down, once I got going. The interactions with Coco and her teenaged daughter will likely be relatable for anyone that is trying to navigate that. Found it a bit slow at first, but...

Generally speaking, I am a person of caution.  I plan, I schedule, I research.  Sure, I ride the occasional roller coaster, but I don't throw caution to the wind. Yet, that is what I've done by writing a book and asking for feedback. Promoting a book while juggling a full-time career, staying present for my family, and writing a second book has been a life-changing experience. I don't know how well I'm executing it all--but I'm trying.  Here's the thing about this. The late nights. The research. Chasing down feedback from others over email. The --just-one-more-part-and-I-will-go-to-sleep--all of that goes into the book. And I still forget to dot an "i" or cross a "t." I forget the end of sentence punctuation. I've been through that first novel dozens and dozens of times looking for errors. At some point I had to draw the line and decide that enough was going to have to be enough. Let it go. Then there are the reviews. Most reviews have be...

Light It Up by Evie Blum My rating: 5 of 5 stars In a few words: Loved and surprised by the spice level. Please note, I did receive this ARC for free; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book. So, Gabby and Ben are lifelong friends and right off the bat sex complicates everything. I loved how Gabby is not a swooning, weak willed heroine: she is sassy, sometimes in the wrong, stubborn and lives out loud. I enjoyed cheering her on. I felt the story was as much about figuring out if two people are any good for each other let alone going to get that happily ever after. There are no guarantees here—anything goes—and I really enjoyed that about this story. It was a roller coaster and I was totally here for it. I loved the Jewish and Israeli representation. It was timely, current, with some real poignant moments. I will say I was surprised by the spice level — ju...

  In a word: cute My review… Rosie is secretly a best-selling romance writer who has had a celebrity crush on her best friend‘s cousin. Suddenly she’s in a position of forced proximity with said cousin, Lucas, a professional surfer with a secret of his own. The thing is, I have a hard time with the slow burn. I know some people really enjoy them, but I want to hurry it up and get to the meat and potatoes. And without giving anything away, some of the instances that prevent sparks igniting just seem a bit much and annoying to me, but I think it’s because I really don’t like a slow burn. I’m ready for the fire. There’s plenty of that towards the end of the book And I really did like the ending and how everything came together and played out. So in addition to forced proximity, we have secret crush, an adorable pet, family, drama, fake dating. One thing that I didn’t particularly like was how the best friend/cousin was a foil to the development of a relationship. Her reasoning didn’t ...

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace My rating: 5 of 5 stars really enjoyed I really liked reading this book—it was highly entertaining with tons of humor, had hockey, steamy romance, what more could I want?  It was very spicy so if that’s not your thing, this book is probably not for you, but I really enjoyed it. The struggles that each of the main characters went through was really engaging. One thing I didn’t like was that Robbie and Bobby had such similar names — I would get confused as to who we were talking about. But maybe that was just me. Otherwise— loved it.  One trigger warning: body dysmorphia and body shaming. Also to know: it is the 1st in a 3 book series. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🏒 #sportyRomCom #CharactersThatNeedThearpy #ContemporaryRomance #HockeyRomance

Wildfire by Hannah Grace My rating: 5 of 5 stars   First of all I really liked the entire series. I actually surprised myself by how quickly I could digest each book. This book, the second in the series, is a sweet story about a young man with multiple issues stemming from a family in turmoil due to his parents’ secrets and the girl that not only turns his head but wins his heart. TBH, for me, this was a real page turner due to the character development and the overall story arc. The female MC has her own daddy issues and is trying to learn that to trust another as well as herself is a bigger challenge than she might have imagined. The internal battles each MC has to face and overcome for their own growth, let alone to be in a relationship were the best parts of the story. Overall, the book felt as much about each character’s own personal journey as it was about the potential romance between two people. I really enjoyed this book! Highly recommend! Plus I am ...

 I loved this series. I had read Conventionally Yours and I remembered I really enjoyed reading it but I forgot how addictive Annabeth Albert’s writing is! She writes so seamlessly—all I can say is #goals to that. These MM military romances are not for those that like a modest story — these books have an extra spicy 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ content level. I read a book a day until I was done with the entire series and if you enjoy MM romance, I highly recommend these books. Each book touches on issues with sensitive topics including PTSD, so be sure to read the content warnings in the introductions. #🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈  I read the entire series in a few days. 🌶️  — 5 alarm spice — do not read if you do not enjoy explicit intimacy  🏷️ trigger warning: PTSD #ContemporaryRomance #romcom #ExMilitaryRomance #LGBTQ+ #ExtraSpicyRomCom

An Unorthodox Match by Naomi Ragen My rating: 5 of 5 stars Okay. I needed a minute to approach this review.  The easy part first: Loved the book. Could not put it down. It was giving beshert will find beshert the whole time. Did I mention I could not put it down? It was not spicy at all but it was so intriguing that I did not care. Loved it.  If you are here just for a book review, I recommended you move on. But I have something else to say about what happened to me while reading this book.  This book killed me. Just gripped the sorrow right out of me.  So backstory of the part of the book I am referencing: the FMC was born Jewish and is, as an adult, choosing a frum or religiously observant Jewish life, after a lifetime of being secular. Part of her is doing this to feel safe and found. She assumes these two things are not asking too much. She assumes wrong.  I don’t know Naomi Ragen’s story but when I say that the writer nailed the...

  This was my first novel by Nicholas Sparks but I have seen a few of the movies and he certainly has a formula. While I really enjoyed the story and the especially the outcome, it was more of a slow burn than I usually like, with most of the action saved for the end—a blueprint that is common enough but it seemed to take a long tome to get to the payoff. I really liked the characters, especially the teenaged daughter. The older man, Jasper, had a bit more tragedy than I thought was necessary though. Please note, I did receive this ARC for free; I have written an honest review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley and the author as well as the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. ⏰ I read it in a few days. 🌶️ it is low spice —mild 🏷️ trigger warning: parent that lost children #ContemporaryRomance #womensromance #NicholasSparks #SecondChanceAtLove #NetGalley #bookstagram 

  OK, first of all what I liked: I appreciated the characters and their depth, including the villains—with a few exceptions most of the characters were very multifaceted. The story itself was super engaging and a real page-turner.   What I didn’t like:    some parts seemed underdeveloped and rushed, particularly transitions in relationships. Also, unless I was missing some deeper nuances, it seemed a missed opportunity to pull in the themes of some of the banned books into the storyline.  Overall, I really liked the story—it was intriguing. I just wish some parts of it were fleshed out more. And that there was more of a point to the banned books component of the story other than to illustrate the main    female character’s strength and personality. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and MIRA for the opportunity to review this ARC. I was given this ARC free of charge, but the review opinions I express here are my own. ⏰ I read it in a few days 🌶️intima...

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews Okay, there is so much I loved about this book... But, some of the dialogue was eye roll inducing. So much of this story was smart, funny and touching. And then... there times the conversation fell flat, did not support the story or was just cringe inducing - not because of the alpha male and the age difference... not issues for me. I mean if you are coming to a Tessa Bailey Party, don't expect anything less. I am here for all that. Just sometimes, maybe in an effort to make Burgess out to be a meat head, the conversation just seemed needlessly uninspired. Sorry Tessa Bailey - not that you will ever read this - I am a huge fan and just bought a pile of your books - I am here for the long haul. I just expected a little more.  The audio book was well read and produced. I purchased it through Barnes and Noble. The actor was wonderful and took you right ...

Love and Other Risky Business by Sarah Brenton My rating: 4 of 5 stars A stunt man and seamstress consider taking their friendship to the next level in this romantic comedy. The male MC is bisexual, and does represent that clearly, not as a work in which I feel I am seeing over done in contemporary romcoms lately. In addition to friends to lovers, we have forced proximity. This story was interesting as disaster strikes fairly early in the plot and I was wondering where we would go from there but it kept a great pace and storyline throughout. I was not wild about the MC best friend. He was kind of annoying. But that's okay, I don't have to like everyone. I loved the mother of the male MC -- she was by far my favorite character and the only one that felt truly ship-worthy. But overall, really enjoyed it, it took some original plot twists and turns. This was steamy, so if explicit intimacy is not your thing -- not for you. Thank you so mu...

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a rollercoaster. Loved it and loved the playlist. I forgot how much I like Paramore. There will be tears, but the destination was worth it. It was over the top but still worked. #ContemporaryRomance #ExtraSpicy #RomCom #LoveAfterGrief

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Loved. View all my reviews Loved. Like a spicy Taming of the Shrew. Tessa Bailey has my attention, that is for sure.