Barbara Rachel's Reviews

Sweetest in the Gale by Olivia Dade My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love all three short stories included in this book. My only complaint is that I wanted each story to be longer. As always, I love the characters, their development and the diversity rep in Dade’s books! Another winner! ⏰ I read it in a few days. 🌶️ very spicy/mature/adult #ShortStoryCollection #ContemporaryRomance #RomCom #BodyDiversity #spicy🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ #womenwhowerentbornyesterday #iFeelSeen

A few pre-spoiler notes: Read. This. Book.  Loved it. I love everything Olivia Dade writes, even her newsletter emails because she makes me smile and I need more of that, believe me.  It takes place on the eastern shore so - that was so fun for all of us that live or have lived locally in D.C., as I do. This is bodice ripping spicy 🌶️ so if that is not your cup of tea, best move on. It is a slow burn but it gets there. Several times.  There is a rather unusual fetish of some adjacent characters, but it leads to so much hilarity, bring it on I say.  Okay I never do spoilers but this book had my favorite line of the year so far, and it is kind of a big reveal line so if you do not want a spoiler. Stop. Don’t read further. ⚠️ ______________ A for sale sign that reads. “1 Broken 🖤. No need to buy. It’s always been yours. I’m so sorry.”  Come on Olivia Dade?!? How is one supposed to continue read the remaining 20 odd pages through never ending tears? Okay this is m...

I loved this book.  Everly is our hero in this story of a young woman set to be featured in a reality TV makeover show geared toward plus-sized participants. Prior to this, she has been trying to hide herself for so long that she has procrastinated    pursuing any of her dreams.  As her story unfolds she begins to face challenges - some from unexpected places - as her character grows and changes. This was funny and entertaining but also a really worthwhile read. Initially, I expected the plot to be fairly straightforward, but there are some surprising twists and turns afterall. What I liked most about this story was the development of Everly‘s gumption.    I laughed, I gasped and cried my way through this book.  This is another book that I’m reading this year that features a female main character who becomes her own hero and really rescues herself. As far as the intimacy level, it was more implied than explicit, which is fine and left plenty to the ima...

Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews Delilah Green is a photographer working hard to make it on her own in NYC when she is given a chance to return home and photograph her step-sister’s society wedding in the Pacific Northwest. She could use the money but it will be at the cost of her peace of mind as her hometown, step sister and step mother are all places and people she would rather leave behind.  What she never would expect is to fall into a romantic entanglement with one of her step-sisters best friends as they all are thrown together the week leading up to the wedding.  The result is a spicy, hilarious and at times heartfelt journey into what it means to come home and what success really amounts to.  I had read these books out of order, because..well it was an accident. So I knew the outcome before I picked up the book but I still loved it. Ashley Herring ...

 Search no further, this is the best of both worlds as a romance and a fantasy.  From start to finish, I was loathe to put this book down. I felt drawn to learn the fate of our main characters and felt invested in Nora and her path from the beginning. Her internal and external challenges and insecurities were so palpable and relateable. Overall, the depth of development of the characters was remarkable. Also, I loved the hints of possible plot twists and turns throughout. I was really impressed by the descriptions of the fae world - I felt I could easily see it all in my minds eye. The romance was full of passion and hit all the breathtaking notes without being crass. It was adult level, to be sure.  Overall, I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one!  Please note, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #romancefantasy #fantasyromance #bodydiversity #faehumanromance #darkfantasyromance #readyfornextbookplease