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Summer Fire (The Lake House, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Jar O' Marbles in return for a fair and honest review.

This is a short contemporary romance that nevertheless manages to convey the whole build up to the romance plus the anguish that Jack has lived through. There is depth to this novella which usually is missing due to the nature of the book. Somehow, Kate Austin has managed to give you their backstory, and how their relationship developed, plus Jack's history, all in a few short pages. This made the story all the more enjoyable.

If I had one complaint, it would be that you didn't find out anything really about Kara's creepy ex-fiance and family but that isn't really relevant anyway. That's just me being nosy.

Thoroughly enjoy this novella and although this story was wrapped up exceedingly well, was left wanting more from The Lake House. Highly recommended.

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Yeah... I wasnt impressed with this at all but i persevered and finished it.

The family unit was just...strange--at least Alex's parent's were anyway. Do people really react like that? Her sisters were okay but also a little wooden. The secondary characters also didn't really sit well with me.

It could all do with the fact that I'm really into reading my urban fantasy/paranormal romance books right now and deviated off track since I'm starting to run low, but i just don't think I was in the right headspace for contemporary romances.

It didn't draw me in and i was continually bored throughout.
  
A(
Ash (Hive Trilogy, #1)
Jaymin Eve | 2015
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
So I finished an awesome paranormal two books so far series, [b:Captive|30830592|Captive|Jex Lane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467474117s/30830592.jpg|51425133] and [b:Sire|32721063|Sire|Jex Lane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1477076298s/32721063.jpg|52587454] and hunted for something to read similar and noticed that pretty much all my kindle books were contemporary romances. Then I decided to scour Amazon for new paranormal reads and this was a freebie!!

I am so glad I downloaded it! I loved pretty much everything about it. It had vampires, romance, action, sexual tension... and then a little shocker at the end!

I really need to read the rest of this trilogy!
  
The Art of French Kissing
The Art of French Kissing
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of those perfect love/hate relationships that is believable and fun to read. Carter and Reid are at each other throats from the beginning and the way the relationship works out is swoon worthy. The competition isn't all it seems and the ending is perfect. I could not ask for a better contemporary food loving romance.
The only thing that would make this book better is a recipe guide so I can cook the food because it all sounds fantastic and I am hungry after reading this!
Last thing I want to throw in this; thank you for all of the nerdy references they were perfect and my fangirl heart enjoyed it immensely!
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Oct 19, 2021  
Stopping by my blog today is author Tari Faris who shares her top 5 favorite romance tropes. Be sure to check it out, and enter the giveaway to win all three books in her Christian contemporary romance series Restoring Heritage, a bookish sticker pack, and a $10 Starbucks gift card.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/10/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-since-youve.html

**BOOK 3 SYNOPSIS**
 With her vision and his know-how, this thing just might work . . .

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah's past difficult, but he also seems determined to complicate her present as well.

In order to avoid forcing a buyout of Leah's building, Jon will have to strike a compromise. Can the two of them work together? Or will their troubled past set the tone for their future?
     
My Night at Maud's (1969)
My Night at Maud's (1969)
1969 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Eric Rohmer may be underrated as a director. His films are rightly known for their endless talking, and for their intricate, ambiguity-filled exploration of contemporary romance and relationships. Yet he is also a precise and inventive director. His deceptively straightforward films are rich and cinematic: every cut, every decision to shoot in long shot or shot–reverse shot, and every object, costume, and piece of furniture reveals something about the emotional and intellectual subtext. Filmed in lush, crisp black and white, during a snowy Parisian winter, by the great Nestor Almendros, this is the most beautiful of Rohmer’s films. And the good news is that in order to obtain this film, you’ll have to get the astonishing box set Six Moral Tales."

Source
  
All Laced Up (All Laced Up, #1)
All Laced Up (All Laced Up, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
*I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars

This was cute but I missed out on the details in some of the ice scenes. The dance moves so I could look them up, the plays in hockey so I could do the same. We had a few mentioned during practise but I missed the thrill of competition, the build up to a win. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book.

The romance was sweet, a sort of not-spoken-despite-going-to-same-school-for-years to having to work together and slowly falling for each other. I liked it despite me being used to more steamy romances.

A great book if you like gentle, contemporary, young adult romances.
  
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Bai Ling recommended Red Corner (1997) in Movies (curated)

 
Red Corner (1997)
Red Corner (1997)
1997 | Action, Drama, Mystery
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I’d like to pick Red Corner, because Bai Ling’s in it. [Laughs] Actually, I choose it because out of all the movies that have Asian leading characters, it’s the first to have the most feminine — the most brilliant, modern, intelligent, female character ever in a Hollywood film that portrayed Asian characters. In all other films, it’s a mystery, romance, or kung fu; but here, I played a lawyer, a contemporary woman. And she has a romance with this sex symbol — Richard Gere. That combination is really rare on the silver screen, in Hollywood. I play a lawyer and I fall in love; I’m under a Communist government and helping a foreign man. There’s also a lot of unspoken love underneath. I would sacrifice my life for him. She gives on many, many levels; she’s not only tough and sexy, but there’s intelligence behind it, and a total giving of unconditional love for this man for whom she would die and do anything for. There’s a beauty to her giving up everything for a man whom she’s helping while she’s under danger and pressure from the government — choosing between a country’s love, and being in danger of being destroyed and never seeing this lover that she would do anything for. It’s extremely beautiful and romantic to my heart and my soul, and I have a fantastic and beautiful relationship with my co-star, Richard Gere. So that’s one of my favorite movies forever, because I’m so close to it. These two [characters] are giving their lives to each other, and that love must remain hidden on the surface of the court system; the modern world is harsh. I like that under the harshness there’s a romance, and that romance is so free and so true."

Source
  
Just the Way You Are is more than just a good book. It is a modern day fairytale filled with redemption and grace that will capture your heart from the first moment. Within the pages of this book you will find real people, with real life issues. This story will sweep you off your feet and drag you into a world that is every nerd girl's fantasy and you will soon find yourself consumed with researching history, "treasure" hunting, chocolate, British accents, Appalachia, AND.........Kisses.

Chocolate kisses, closet kisses, abandoned tower kisses, leave you senseless kisses...This book is PACKED with such romance that you may need to take precautionary actions to prevent injury from fainting! (such as a fainting couch, fan, smelling salts, etc.)

Don't let the passion fool you though. Pepper writes such sweet, unadulterated romance coupled with complete and total redemption. It blows my mind every single time I read one of her books. Just the Way You Are is the first contemporary novel I have read of Pepper's, and this easily makes it to the top of my favorite Rom Com stories EVER. I wish to see this in movie form so badly! "Ghirardelli in human form"...yes please! Haha!
 
The adventure, the romance, the grace...all woven together creates a beautiful masterpiece.
 
I received a complimentary copy of Just the Way You Are. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
Jace's Trial
Jace's Trial
J.M. Wolf | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Jace's Trial by JM Wolf is a M/M Contemporary Romance with a May / December Romance element. JM is a new to me author as this is the first of his books that I've read. What I will say is that I was not disappointed in the least. Normally, I'm a bit more leery of first person point of views because I have a harder time being drawn into the book as opposed to third person. Jace's Trial was one of those books that I absolutely loved. Not only did it draw me in completely but it pulled at all my 'feels'. It had me crying more than once. Not just sniffling but 'ugly crying'. When you read this definitely make sure you have the tissues ready.

The story was fast paced and a roller coaster ride that I didn't want to get off of. The character development was amazing. The world development was perfect as well. The Happily Ever After at the end was sweet and perfect. Jace's trial had it all. Love, hurt, angst and loss. I definitely will be reading more from this author.

Pick up this book today and give it a try.