Barbara Rachel's Reviews

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

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 Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey My rating: 4 of 5 stars View all my reviews I really enjoyed this book — a marriage on the rocks, this is a highly relatable subject to anyone that has been married more than a minute — although this couple is in an extreme case to be sure. Fair warning — this is not only extra spicy but this couple is definitely into a vibe that many people may find antiquated or a bit too caveman. There were parts that I thought were a bit much, to be sure, but overall, I appreciated the story. I also really liked the incorporation of the love languages into the story — I find that subject fascinating and it was really different to see these built into the story. If you enjoy reading about spicy alpha males, this book may be right up your alley. Trigger warning: Veteran associated PTSD ExtraSpicy

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Loved this! Georgie, our main character, grows and develops in part because of the work she puts in on herself and the chances she takes — not just because she may (or may not) fall in love.  The fact that she was a clown was a bit off-putting to me, but only on the surface and actually, it truly worked for the story, so I let it go. What I did not like at all was her brother Stephen and his weird relationship with his wife. It was like I missed a book/back story on them — they felt underdeveloped and at least two times their behavior was so odd — I did not get it. (If I did miss a prequel let me know — that would be so me). But I loved the rest of it so much, I still gave all the stars.  On a big Tessa Bailey binge right now and this was not a disappointment at all. ⏰ I read it in a few days. 🌶️ it is Tessa Bailey — 5 alarm spice — do not read if you do not enjoy explicit intimacy...

My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey My rating: 4 of 5 stars A second grade teacher takes a vacation at the beach with her brother and there is a dead body in their rental. Enter a bounty hunter who is ex-police and some fairly primal chemistry between teacher and hunter and a mystery to be solved in the background… I really enjoyed this. Read it in a day and a half. It was funny, very very spicy - as expected from Tessa Bailey.  Okay so this book seems to have Bailey’s fans divided. I was actually surprised by some of the negative reviews. To me it was just a Tessa Bailey with some Ali Hazelwood elements thrown in - without the STEM. Some people found the age gap and class difference “cringe.” Whatever - it was fun to read a romcom mystery. I enjoyed it. So I guess if you don’t want your goodie-two-shoes teacher attracted to danger and you want your male lead clean cut and not 9 years older than your female lead - don’t read this book. Or be prepared to ...

Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey My rating: 5 of 5 stars When a broken down has-been pro golfer teams with his biggest (and only) fan whose life is a total disaster, true love may be on the horizon. While it sounds like such a far-fetched concept — it really works. Fan Girl Down was a super fun read. Tessa Bailey truly is a master at what she does. If you are not familiar with her work, she is so talented at creating characters that I am absolutely cheering for. There are a bunch of classic romcom tropes here including grumpy-cheerful, edgy-innocent, forced proximity.  It is importantly to note that her books are definitely for readers comfortable with explicit material. This particular book also works in some really heavy themes such chronic illness, lack of health insurance, childhood neglect, alcohol abuse, medication rationing. And yet the book was entertaining and engaging. I really loved this book. If you do not mind extra spicy intimacy...

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...

 Loved this audiobook! Fun characters, could not “put it down.” I definitely want to read more from Sarah Adams. #SmallTownRomance #HurtPeopleFindingTheirWay #CharactersThatNeedTherapy #AudioBook #FakeDatingTrope

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...

  Olivia Taylor returns home to the Hamptons to sell off her family home and take stock of her life after finding out her husband was having an affair. And of course the one that got away is front and center in her home town . This was book was delightful! Embarrassing side note - I was 60% in when I realized this was a Persuassion retelling. It was so richly developed and stretched the formula so much I was not convinced how it would work out for our heroine until the end, even knowing Persuassion well. Summer After Summer was incredibly satisfying: engrossing plot lines, very spicy romance and characters with depth and layers. I absolutely enjoyed this book and could not put it down. I look forward to see what the author produces next. Please note, I did receive this ARC for free; I am writing this honest review voluntarily ⏰ I read it in a week 🌶️🌶️🌶️ The intimacy scenes are very spicy. Nothing over the top, by my standards, but I will not be recommendinnng this to my young ...

Beach Read by Emily Henry My rating: 5 of 5 stars So I had to give this one 5 stars. Emily Henry, once again, wrote a book that blew me away.  I love a romance, and I love a hard won romance at that: whether it is that the characters have to overcome obstacles around them or those within, I am drawn to tales of angst - love that is not easy.  So this book has the forced proximity and opposites attract tropes, but it is so much more than that. Devastated by events beyond their control, the main characters are forced, as we all are, to look the truth about trusting another person head on - that it is fraught with uncertainty - and either take the leap, or not. Speaking for myself, I am one of those that would rather have a sure thing, but have enough in my past, like our male MC, that makes me wary of having faith in anyone. Ever.  So this book was a complete rollercoaster for me and I was here for every second of it. If I could su...

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey My rating: 4 of 5 stars Tessa Bailey is, hands down, the Queen of Dirty Talk and this book gives multiple opportunities for one to blush and feel uncomfortable if anyone else is in the room. Honestly this book seemed next level spicy to me, even for T.B. A follow up to  Secretly Yours , this MF enemies to lovers romance centers on wayward daughter of a prominent family, Natalie, who has a penchant for sabotaging her own life, and her accidental romance with an ex-Navy seal, August. This involves both the fake romance and, subsequently, the forced proximity tropes. This book had multiple comedic moments, particularly centered around the MC’s disdain for one another. Not to mention some real laugh out loud moments involving the rescued cat, Menace.  TBH, what did not thrill me was the portrayal of August as a stereotypical meat-head ex solider. That felt unnecessary and a bit flat for me. Also it seem...

I loved this book! This was a series I read out of order, which was fine. Here we have Rosaline who is looking for an escape from her financial challenges but on her way finds romance and then love and most of all her voice. The love in question led to my favorite line, as she found “someone who cared about who she was rather than who she should be.”  I absolutely recommend this book. There were so many hilarious moments that had me replaying the audible to listen through it again. There were, as I have come to expect from Alexis Hall, some quite serious moments as well. All in all, it was funny, heartwarming and thought provoking.  The audible was ready by Fiona Hardingham, who was fantastic. ⏰ listened to in 1 week but also kept replaying parts i enjoyed (which was multiple) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ fairly explicit. At first basic sex but also some more authentic moments of intimacy. Well written for sure. It was a fair amount but not unpleasant, except the scene described below.  ...

Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall My rating: 5 of 5 stars So this will tell you more about me and about some of the people in my life, but I really loved this book. Paris presents as a whiny prat as he is full of anxiety. Or more like ANXIETY. I see him. I get it. I also see why some reviewers found this book exhausting and Paris unbearable as a MC but as someone with ADHD and Anxiety, among other things, I was just wondering how Alexis Hall saw into my teenage/20 something brain. In fairness, it may be exhausting to read about but it is more exhausting to live with it for sure. The self doubt, the anxieties, the what if’s, the imposter syndrome, not getting social cues, the inability to communicate in a way that makes relationships work and healthy. I felt all of it as someone who has lived all of it.  From this perspective I found this book so relatable, and I laughed out loud so many times. Mostly because I have learned to...

The Emma Project by Sonali Dev My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews The last of the Rajes books (#4) and….I loved this book. Here again we have a Jane Austen retelling, this time of Emma, and rather than an enemies to lovers story, we have a friends to friends-with-benefits to....maybe-we-are-something-more. This book ticked all the boxes for me. Once again, Dev brings back characters from other books but seen through the eyes of the featured characters, and not always in the most flattering light.  In an overarching way, putting all the books characters together, it is interesting to see the real-life difference between how I may see and experience the world around me from my own perspective compared to how others may see and perceive me. Going back to this particular story, I will not say it is the truest to the original Austen retelling, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It went from slow burn to extra spicy about m...