Enemies to Lovers | Review: The Crimson Moth / Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

I’m not usually a fantasy reader, but I’ve been giving the genre a try after enjoying Divine Rivals and What the River Knows. In September, our book club decided to read Kristen Ciccarelli’s Heartless Hunter, which also goes by The Crimson Moth. It’s a fantasy romance duology inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, about a witch and a witch hunter that makes for a captivating read. 

Rune Winters has been secretly helping witches like her escape capture and persecution ever since the New Republic ended the Reign of Witches. She evades suspicion while putting on a facade as a socialite, while hiding her true identity as a vigilante known as the Crimson Moth. After an attempted rescue goes wrong, she catches the attention of notorious witch hunter, Gideon Sharpe. He suspects Rune to be the Moth, while at the same time, she needs information from him to rescue a powerful witch. In their attempts to thwart the other, the two pretend to be courting. The closer they get however, the more it entangles them in a dangerous game that will put their loyalties into question and their hearts on the line.

This is how you do enemies to lovers. For a book that is considered YA, it is steaming with tension, both in romance and plot, with an ending that has me anxiously waiting for the next book. Rune and Gideon really are enemies and their motives for what they do are valid the more we get to know them. And yet, their undeniable attraction and the genuine connection that forms are what makes their relationship simmer until it boils over.

The writing is good as is the world building. There are grand balls, spells cast, surprising character reveals, and life threatening incidents that raise the stakes. The only part I got confused by is why there was a revolt against the witches before the start of the book. It begins to make sense as information is revealed, but I wish Ciccarelli delved into it some more. 

Right now, this is my favorite romantasy. It’s a fast paced read that is well balanced between story and the enemies to lovers romance. And look at how gorgeous this edition is from Fairyloot. I’m obsessed!

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Saddle Up | The Chestnut Springs Series by Elsie Silver

The other day, I finally finished reading Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs series and I AM OBSESSED! These books were so fun to read back to back this month that I wish I had read them sooner after I finished the first book earlier this year. Who would have thought I would be into cowboy romances?  

My Chestnut Springs Ranking: 

1. Reckless 

2. Heartless 

3. Hopeless 

4. Flawless 

5. Powerless 

All the books are great in their own way, but my favorite has to be Reckless. Everyone was right when they said it’s the best one in the series (“Te vivo”). Heartless and Hopeless are also in my top 3 for the story and chemistry. I like Flawless and Powerless too, with Flawless being a good introduction to the series and the characters.

FLAWLESS

This is a great introduction to the series beginning with bull rider, Rhett Eaton, and his boss’s daughter, Summer Hamilton. It started off a little slow for me before it gets going, but nonetheless I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the ones that appear in the next books.

HEARTLESS

Cade Eaton. That’s it, that’s the review. No but seriously, I can see why so many people love this book. I went into it a little apprehensive because I was worried I might not like Willa, but ended up adoring her. She’s so honestly funny and down to earth, and her chemistry with Cade and his son, Luke, are what made this book special. Sometimes single dad romances are a hit or miss for me, and here it's definitely a hit. The story also gradually builds and takes its time to breathe before major events happen. 

POWERLESS

This takes a different route in comparison to the first two as it follows hockey player and honorary Eaton brother, Jasper Gervais, and childhood friend, Sloan Winthrop, who is a cousin of the Eatons. Their story feels a little out of place for me in the series, however, I do like how Jasper and Sloane go on a road trip together through the Canadian Rocky Mountains as they contend with their pent up feelings for each other. There is also a nice epilogue for Eaton patriarch, Harvey.

RECKLESS

Everyone was right - this is the best one of the series! Bull rider Theo Silva stole my heart just as much as he did Winter Hamilton’s. This was actually the first book I read with a surprise pregnancy trope, which I didn’t expect this to have, and it's handled so well. I like how Theo and Winter start off on the wrong foot but with an attraction that leads into an unforgettable night. It's then followed by a small time jump that has them picking up where they left off. The character development and well-rounded story also add on to why this is my favorite of the series. Te vivo! 

HOPELESS

Just when I thought it couldn’t get better after Reckless, in comes Beau Eaton’s own romance. Beau was the brother that I was the most curious about throughout the series, but worried what his story would be after his appearance in Reckless. Here, a sensitive side to him is shown as he decides to help bartender and town outcast, Bailey Jansen, by pretending they are engaged. They are both outsiders in their own way and there’s a deeper kind of love that’s shown rather than said. The story is more centered on them with less cameos from the Eatons, which I think works, along with the epilogue, in concluding the series.

Have you read the Chestnut Springs series? Do you have a favorite?

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Main Character Energy | Review: Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

Dawson’s Creek was one of my favorite shows as a tween (Team Pacey always), as well as the movie Pleasantville. So, when I found out that Kate Robb’s Prime Time Romance is a fun combination of both, I just had to read it. 

Brynn Smothers is recently divorced and still reeling from the end of her marriage. Her source of escape is her favorite show Carson’s Cove, a teen drama with a will-they-or-won’t-they romance that never got resolved due to the show’s abrupt cancellation. Meanwhile, her roommate and local bartender, Josh Bishop, is dealing with his own regret over the sale of his father’s bar he once ran. 

After Brynn makes a wish on a mysterious birthday cake she receives, she and Josh are transported into the world of Carson’s Cove. However, they are not there as themselves, but as the characters from the show: Brynn as girl next door Sloan and Josh as town bad boy Fletch. It’s up to them to finally give the series the happy ending it deserves and maybe find their own in the process.

I came into this book with a few expectations, but by the end had a great time reading it. I love all the Easter eggs to various TV shows, Dawson’s Creek especially, and how Kate Robb plays around with the soapy teen drama tropes while still paying homage to it. Beneath the fun, I also like the deeper themes regarding Brynn and Josh that relate back to the idea of rewatching a favorite series. 

Brynn sees Carson’s Cove as her comfort show because after each episode’s dilemma, it all turns out alright in the end. She wants that for herself too, but may have stopped believing in it since her divorce. As Sloan, she begins to see that just as these characters find a way forward, so can she. The same goes for Josh while being Fletch. As he runs Fletch’s bar, he starts to reconcile with his own self-doubts. 

The romance could have been built up more as there is something missing before it gets there. I will say though that I really like their chemistry. It’s like what Joey Potter said on Dawson’s Creek: “You got to learn to read between the banter.” 

Thank you so much NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC!

Pub Date: September 3, 2024 - Out now

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A Summer Place | Review: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

If I had to pick a book that encapsulated my summer, it would be This Summer Will Be Different. It’s a book I fittingly read while visiting Prince Edward Island, where the book is set, and it’s a book that brought me to joining my first book club. It’s also the first book I read by Carley Fortune that now makes me want to go back and read her backlist.

Lucy and Felix met summers ago on Prince Edward Island. Their first meeting was ignited by an attraction and inexplicable draw that leads into an unforgettable night. That all changes however, when they learn the next morning that Felix is the brother of Lucy’s best friend, Bridget, and that Lucy swore to never fall in love with him. In the summers that pass, Lucy and Felix try to control their feelings for one another for Bridget’s sake and their own hearts as well. Yet, each summer as all three of them grow and change as they get older, it becomes harder to deny what has always been there.

I love everything about this book. It has a dreamy summer vibe to it with Anne of Green Gables undertones. It’s a romance, but it’s also about friendship and life’s bittersweet moments. The flashbacks juxtaposed with the present add on to this nostalgia, while also showing Lucy and Felix’s relationship grow and progress. Their relationship may have started hot and fast, but what is revealed overtime is a vulnerability that the two share and an openness that feels like coming home. It makes the ending even more rewarding because of what they must do before they could be together than just each other’s escape.

Lucy’s friendship with Bridget meanwhile is held dearly with love. While my Capricorn side found it a little too close for comfort at times, I still got it. They are more than just tight knit friends - they’re bonded for life. It’s hard to explain, but when you read it you’ll see it.

I can’t say enough how much Carley Fortune perfectly captures PEI. I have a whole post on Instagram of the places she mentions that I got to visit. If you ever considered visiting PEI, especially after reading this book - you absolutely must! 

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A Different Kind of Romance | Review: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood has been an auto-buy author for me since her first book, The Love Hypothesis. Her romances are mostly set in STEM and sometimes have a standard formula. Lately though, I love how she’s been expanding her range with books like Check & Mate and the paranormal romance Bride. Not in Love is another example of this that leans more into a different genre: erotic romance. 

Rue Siebert is a biotech engineer working in food preservation under the tutelage of Florence Kline. When Florence’s company is about to undergo a hostile takeover, Rue is reunited with Eli Killgore. Rue and Eli met on an online dating site, specifically for seeking intimacy. The takeover is personal for both of them, but neither cannot deny the attraction and connection they share, complicating matters of the mind and heart.

Not in Love is not a romcom. It’s an angsty and mature romance of its kind that’s emotionally raw and lives up to what Ali Hazelwood explains in her Author’s Note. I couldn’t put it down and consider it my favorite of her books so far. I think knowing that this wasn’t a typical romance prepared me for what to expect (or not to expect). 

Rue and Eli have been through some difficult stuff in their lives that have greatly affected them. Intimacy is their way of communicating or expressing all those complicated feelings they have kept within them. To be honest, while the intimate scenes were descriptive, it didn’t feel completely salacious in that they were just spicy scenes. It added another layer to understanding how they felt and why they are both so guarded, but could also trust each other. The scenes showed more than they tell about Rue and Eli, and it is where I thought Ali Hazelwood had significantly changed as a writer. She handles those story beats and character developments well, tied with the corporate takeover, and carries it throughout the entire book. 

I’ve always liked Ali Hazelwood’s books, but this is one I really love because it felt real. It also seems like she’s having more fun and freedom in writing whatever she wants no matter how different, which has made me look forward to what else she has to share.

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"I Can't Give You Anything But Love" | Review: Wild Life by Opal Wei

“April showers bring May flowers.” I was thinking about this the other day, even though May is almost over, and I remembered this photo and this book that I read earlier this year.

Inspired by the film Bringing Up Baby starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, Wild Life follows Zoey Fong, a cancer researcher, who ends up stuck on a private island animal sanctuary in Vancouver with Davy Hsieh, a former C-Pop star, and his pet cougar, Baby. 

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A Valentine's Day to Remember | Review: The No-Show by Beth O'Leary

If you’re looking for a book to buddy read with a friend that has romance and is most wholeheartedly about love, then I would recommend Beth O’Leary’s The No-Show.

While I suggest going into The No-Show blind, its basic premise is that it follows three women, Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane, who have each been stood up by the same man on Valentine’s Day. As we get to know each of them and their relationship with him, it is gradually revealed how they are all connected and that there is so much more to the person they have been falling in love with.

This was actually the first Beth O’Leary book I read and it was a good one to start with. When I read it with Mel @bruhasbookshelf earlier this year, we had a lot of fun theorizing and sending each other gift wrapped messages that hid potential spoilers as we tried to figure out where the story was going. 

With that in mind, this is a book where you have to let the story unfold as much as you want answers. It starts off a little slow, but in no way is it dull, especially as we learn more about Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane, and all the pieces start to come together. I really love getting to know them and found their characters to be very well developed alongside their relationship with the man they’ve been seeing. The story is more about them before it’s about him.

It’s a lovely and tender novel, which makes the ending all the more beautiful that Mel and I were left in tears (I say this hopefully without spoiling too much). I’ve actually considered rereading it again in a different way to see if there was anything I missed or to see the story in a new light. I read the physical copy of the book, but near the end I listened to the audiobook as soon as Mel told me it was narrated by multiple people, including Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood herself) and Luke Thompson (Mr. Benedict Bridgerton, I swoon!). 

💭 Have you read any of Beth O’Leary’s books? Which one would you recommend to read next?

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Rewriting a New Ending | Review: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

I love this book so much.

How to End a Love Story was my most highly anticipated read this year. It’s a romance that features an Asian FMC, which I always love, and it’s written by the very talented Yulin Kuang, who is also adapting Emily Henry’s Beach Read into a movie. After finishing it and taking a few days to process it, I can confidently say that it is my favorite romance and one of my new favorite books.

Helen Zhang is a best-selling author whose YA books are about to be adapted for TV. When she arrives in Hollywood to work with the showrunner and screenwriters, she is unexpectedly reunited with Grant Shepard - a popular classmate she went to high school with, who was involved in the tragic car accident that resulted in her sister’s intentional death. Helen wants nothing to do with Grant, while he hopes for them to at least work amicably together. As they get to know each other over time, growing close and reflecting on the past and their shared grief, there’s a chance and risk that they could be something more.

Grief is complicated, especially when it’s intertwined with love and accepting it back. The writing brings this through and handles it with as much care and honesty, as well as looking at all its intricacies through Helen and Grant. Both of them are bound by tragedy and are still trying to heal and mourn while reconciling with their own guilt. What’s unexpected is the love and trust that forms between them. Seeing how it plays out is the book's biggest strength with their chemistry being the best part of it. 

Their first meeting is met with ambivalence, but with curiosity. Then, as soon as they gradually become friends, reminiscing about high school (because how could you not after all these years) - all bets are off! It’s endearing, nostalgic and gets quite spicy though I can’t complain. 😏

With Helen, I found myself relating to her a lot and knowing what it means to be the eldest daughter. It bears a heavy weight alongside being the “good girl” or the responsible one, especially in an immigrant family. Much of my annotations for her were “this is me coded.” It’s also interesting in comparison to Grant, who is always held with such high regard because of his genuine charm, when he actually feels he doesn’t deserve it. He has his own pain and doubts apart from how people see him. I think it’s why he and Helen can read each other so well.

Every time I come across this book, I can’t help but harken back to everything I felt reading it. It had me head over heels to literally sobbing (more like ugly crying over Ch. 32 😖). After rereading it, I’m still not over it nor do I want to be. It’s too good to let go.

- A Couple of Favorite Quotes -

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Lassoed and Wooed | Review: Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

Maybe it’s Beyoncé or maybe it’s all the rage. Either way, I finally caved and entered my cowboy romance era.

I recently read Done and Dusted last month and really enjoyed it. Although the brother’s best friend trope is not my favorite, I liked how the two main characters, Emmy Ryder and Luke Brooks, had a lot of love for each other. What I liked the most though was how authentic the book felt in depicting ranch life, rodeos, and capturing the beauty of Wyoming. So, once I got a copy of the second book, Swift and Saddled, I immediately read it and ended up loving it even more. Right now it’s my favorite of Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series.

Swift and Saddled follows Wes Ryder and Ada Hart. Wes is the brother of Gus and Emmy Ryder and has hired Ada for a renovation project on his family’s ranch. Ada has just recently gotten out of a bad marriage that affected her self-esteem and is not at all interested in starting a new romance, especially not with the man who hired her despite how attracted she is to him.

The chemistry between Wes and Ada pulled me in and kept me hooked. Their first meeting was already sizzling. Apart from that, the best moments were how they got to know each other, from the little quirks they noticed to the personal details they shared. They’re both dealing with mental health and find themselves opening up and trusting one another more than any other person could have. 

Ada is guarded and never really had any close friends. So, I loved how the Ryder family welcomed her in as if they had known her for years. She becomes an audience surrogate in a way as I got to know more about the Ryders and some of the other characters mentioned in Done and Dusted. Wes meanwhile is so sweet and attentive. I felt how much he cared about Ada, but the ways he showed it had me completely swooning. I’ve got the quotes to prove it 😉

Also, I have to praise Lyla Sage’s writing. You can tell how much she’s grown as a writer in this one.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like reading cowboy romances (I prefer the billionaires, but that’s the Capricorn side of me). I guess you can say I’ve been lassoed and wooed.

The Wes Ryder Quotes

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Mindful Book Buying - And These 3 Were Worth It!

I’ve been trying to be mindful about how many books I buy this year, and have to say that these three were worth the purchase. 

I recently read Lang Leav’s Others Were Emeralds on Libby while on vacation and I was so completely absorbed by the writing and the story that I’m still thinking about it. I immediately bought a physical copy (thank you to my cousin for the birthday gift card!) so I could properly tab and annotate some pages. *Full review to come*

And since I still had some leftover birthday money, I also bought Ticket to You by Florence Fields. This is an indie pub that has been on my radar, and is said to be perfect for fans of Emily Henry, about a fashion journalist and a photojournalist who end up traveling to Europe together to save their careers.

Lastly, I came across Wild Life by Opal Wei at an airport bookstore and @ambershelf’s review convinced me to pick it up. I immediately started reading it and am really enjoying it. Some reviewers have likened it to the Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn screwball comedy, Bringing Up Baby, so that’ll be fun to read the more I get into it.

What is a book you recently bought and read?

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King of My Heart | Review: King of Wrath by Ana Huang

The way that I’m still giddy about this book just shows. 

Throw in a ruthless CEO and a humble jewelry heiress brought together by an arranged marriage, mix in a bit of “fake dating/engagement” that ends up eliciting some seriously fiery chemistry and “touch her and you die” vibes, and you’ve got Ana Huang’s King of Wrath

I really enjoyed this book! It’s funny how much I have been fangirling about it and want to read all of Ana Huang’s books now. You know how a romance book is so good that you’re giggling, kicking your feet up in the air, or “kilig” about it? Yup, that’s me right now - even after I finished it.

Dante Russo and Vivian Lau’s relationship made this book peak romance perfection. There’s a depth and vulnerability to Dante behind his stern alpha-male exterior that Vivian is able to bring out. At the same time, while Vivian tries to live up to her parents’ expectations, Dante sees the real her and encourages her to be herself towards them. They both develop an empathetic understanding about each other, bringing out the best in one another.

I also got a sense of undertones about Asian identity, which I personally appreciated, and that internalized struggle of perfection or of wanting to be seen more than that through success and achievement. This comes through in Vivian’s character, but more so especially in understanding her parents and their handling of their status as “new money” and her father’s ambitions. 

I will admit that at times the story can get a little fan-fiction-y where there’s no real information about Dante’s company, or how he’s blackmailed into marrying Vivian by her father is a little exaggerated for drama, but the writing does not fault this. Ana Huang writes very well, showcasing her characters, their flaws and their growth, with an emphasis on the romance that builds their relationship.

Ana Huang may just be one of my new favorite romance authors and I will certainly be checking out her other books and continuing her King of Sins series. If Kai and Isabella’s relationship is just as enticing as what was previewed in King of Wrath, then I’m already eager to dive into King of Pride.

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Currently Reading

Books I’m currently reading and books I keep close by to read next

📖 Currently reading:
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
Never by Jessa Hastings
A Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton (short story ebook)

📚 Next Reads:
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

I need to give a spotlight though to King of Wrath. I started it sometime last year when I had Kindle Unlimited, but never got to finish it and forgot about the story when my Kindle Unlimited free trial expired 🙆🏻‍♀️ So, now I’m reading it again and I. Am. LOVING IT! Dante and Vivian 😮‍💨 Fire. Just fire. I think I’m a pretty calm reader, but this book has me legitimately giggling, kicking my feet in the air, and as Filipinos know, “kilig” - major “kilig” 🫠

💭 What is everyone else reading? 

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Where Time Knows No Bounds | Review: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

“The apartment always drew us together when we were at crossroads, and oh, were we at so many - in our careers, in our personal lives, in our friendships. We helped each other. We were the only ones who could.”

I buddy read this with booksta pal @booksnbistros a while ago, but haven’t written a review for it until now. The Seven Year Slip is one of my new favorite books this year that is a 5 stars, 10/10 read - and sure, throw in 3 Michelin stars too for Iwan’s cooking prowess.

Clementine West was always told by her aunt, Analea, how her apartment was magical. In many ways it was, just not in the literal sense Clementine expected. Since Analea’s sudden death, Clementine has been grieving over her loss and living in the apartment left to her. To her surprise, she finds a kind aspiring chef named Iwan suddenly living in her apartment. They form a close bond, until Clementine realizes Iwan is actually from seven years in the past. Despite time separating them, they manage to help each other through their own personal griefs and struggles, while also reminding each other of the person they were and where life can lead them now. 

Ashley Poston has a way of presenting us stories that deliver on romance, but are poignantly told with deeper themes for anyone who has ever loved and lost, or are still figuring themselves out, know and understand full heartedly well. In The Seven Year Slip, we get all of this through Clementine and Iwan. I love how their relationship develops between the past and present and how everything intersects and ultimately comes together. I don’t think I have ever swooned so much by the way these two take care of each other. The romance was perfect regardless of how time and life tried to get in the way.

On a personal level, like The Dead Romantics, The Seven Year Slip came to me at a time I needed it, reminding me to live fully and take more chances, especially as I get older. 

“You only live once, and if you do it right, once is all you need.”

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Getting Out of Your Comfort Zones | Review: The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead

When it comes to romance, the ones I really fall head over heels for are the ones with depth and a lot of heart that become more than just a romance, but about a genuine connection between two people who help each other grow while also exploring their own personal journeys. Ashley Winstead’s The Boyfriend Candidate has all of this and then some. On the surface it has a fake dating, opposites attract trope. The bigger story however that makes this romance soar is its main character, who finds her voice as she begins to get out of her shell, while also fake dating a politician. 

Alexis Stone is a shy librarian who decides to have a one night stand with a stranger after her boyfriend breaks up with her for being too timid in bed. At a hotel bar, she meets handsome and outspoken Logan. They hit it off and just before things are about to heat up, the fire alarm goes off and the two quickly evacuate with Logan valiantly carrying Alexis out of the building. A photo of them is taken and Logan abruptly leaves, leaving Alexis a little disheartened. It turns out Logan is actually Logan Arthur, a young up-and-coming political candidate running for governor of Texas. To avoid a scandal, the two decide to pretend to be in a relationship. 

I LOVE this book! It’s one of my new favorite romances alongside How to Fake It in Hollywood and The Heart Principle. It’s a slow burn, but oh does it burn. The romantic undertones and the chemistry that builds between Alexis and Logan had me swooning in knots. At the same time, I also really like how the election campaign plays a crucial role in the story and with Alexis rediscovering herself as she stands up for causes she believes in. She gradually develops from a quiet and humble school librarian to a person finding her confidence and strength. And just as Logan makes an impact on her, so does she on him.

The Boyfriend Candidate is a well-written, top tier romance. It’s sweet, funny, and grounded that makes me want to go back and read the first book, Fool Me Once, as well as Ashley Winstead’s other books outside of these two.

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A Steamy Romance With Potential | The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

This single dad romance has a lot of spice and a central premise that is different from what I have read before in other romances. 

Cassie Evans needs a new job after being let go from her last one. She once had an Only Fans account but shut it down after a subscriber whom she became very close with disappeared. When she comes across an ad looking for a live-in nanny, she immediately applies. Aiden Reid meanwhile is a busy chef who needs help taking care of his nine-year-old daughter, Sophie, after her mother passed away so suddenly. As soon as Aiden and Cassie meet there is an instant attraction. Although Cassie tries to put aside her feelings for Aiden, she soon realizes that she recognizes him as the man she communicated with on OF.

The Nanny is a well-written romance by Lana Ferguson, with dual POVs and a lot of spice that lives up to the fiery chemistry between its two main characters. The other characters as well, such as Sophie and Cassie’s older friend, Wanda, are standouts that get moments where they shine (I petition Wanda gets her own book/prequel). Although this was a fun buddy read with Mel @bruhasbookshelf, I didn’t really love the book and we agreed that it’s mostly because there was something missing between Cassie and Aiden’s relationship.

From their first meeting, Cassie and Aiden are mutually attracted to each other, but apart from that and as it progressed, I couldn’t understand why they were together. I kept wondering - to quote Prince Derek from The Swan Princess - “what else is there?” There is a lot of steam and good banter, but not enough to show us why they were so drawn to each other on a personal level. When me and Mel were talking about it, she made a good point about how maybe if we got more from their OF chats showing why they connected, then maybe it would have helped. It should also be worth noting by the way that the OF plot line is actually more in the background that is referenced to, but not focused on as it happened before the events of the main story.

Although The Nanny wasn’t for me, I still would like to read more books by Lana Ferguson as I liked her writing. Thanks again to Mel for reading this with me 🫶💕

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Another Beginning | Happy Place by Emily Henry

It’s been a while since I last read a book by Emily Henry - and gosh did this pack a punch! I had forgotten how well she writes such raw emotions with underlying themes that go alongside the main story and its characters. Happy Place may be considered a second-chance romance on the surface, but it felt so much more than that. This was all about friendship, love, and what (or who) makes you happy. 

Happy Place follows Harriet and Wyn and their tight-knit group of friends, Cleo, Sabrina, Parth, and Kimmy. Harriet and Wyn have been together since college and have loved each other since then, until they decided recently to break up, ending their engagement. As a tradition for the past several years, Harriet and Wyn and their friends gathered together at Sabrina's family cottage in Knotts Harbor, Maine. This year however, turns out to be the last time they will spend at the cottage. Not wanting to reunion this time together, Harriet and Wyn agree to hide their break up from the group and pretend that they are still together until the week is over. The more they spend time together and reflect back on their relationship, those feelings they thought had been gone or tried to suppress may still be there - or maybe had never even left.

Before I gush about this book, I want to mention first that out of all the Emily Henry’s books I’ve read, Beach Read is my favorite (People We Meet on Vacation is second and I have yet to read Book Lovers). It was the first book of hers I read that blew me away because of its emotional depth on grief and loneliness that coincided with the romance. I say all of this because while I was reading Happy Place, it reminded me of why I loved Beach Read and why Emily Henry has become an author I will often go back to. 

What she does with Happy Place is a perfect balance between looking into what makes you happy and changes that come as we get older, whether it’s our relationship with our friends, our partner, or even ourselves. Apart from Harriet and Wyn, the rest of their friends felt so distinctive and very much a part of the central story. The dynamic between the group also makes you understand why Harriet considers them as family and why there is a lot to lose if everything isn’t perfect during this pivotal week in Maine. Friendships change as we get older. Everyone has their own lives, and everyone grows a little distant with time, making you long for how it was before. A happy time, a happy place.

Wyn is every part of Harriet’s happy place. There is an overwhelming love she will always feel for him that although it ended, simple brushes of intimacy whether physical or emotional is like Darcy’s hand flex in Pride and Prejudice. As a second-chance romance, it felt realistic. The pining and tension are there, but I didn’t connect with Harriet and Wyn compared to Emily Henry’s characters from her previous books. It’s likely because I was more focused on the bigger story than the romance. 

I love Happy Place for all it gives that will surely resonate, and I’m so glad I got to buddy read it with @kaysnovels.

Additional Thoughts:

• There are too many great quotes to mention, but two of my favorites are 
• "'End of an era,' I say. 'Nah.' His eyes slices sideways. 'Another beginning.'" 
• "Everything is changing. It has to. You can't stop time. All you can do is point yourself in a direction and hope the wind will let you get there."
• Near the end, I would have liked if Emily Henry went into more detail about Harriet's relationship with her parents and sister, Eloise. However, I understand that this story is more about Harriet, Wyn, and their friends. I think in Book Lovers she goes into sibling relationships, so I am more than eager to read it now.
• There is a reference to Beach Read in Happy Place that I love and makes me want to go back and revisit the connection. 

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Happy Place Movie Recommendations

There are so many movies that come to mind when I think about Happy Place. Most of these films are about friendship, especially as you get older, and others reflected Harriet and Wyn in some way or other another.

Movies About Friendships, Reunions, and Life's Changes

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Directed by Sanaa Hamri

Starring Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel

One of the themes that resonated with me in Happy Place was how as we get older friendships change and that it won't always be like how it used to be. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 touches on this as we watch Carmen (America Ferrera), Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), and Bridget (Blake Lively) grow and tackle adulthood, while slowly drifting apart, similar to what Harriet, Cleo, and Sabrina have to grapple with.

Miss You Already (2015)

Photo courtesy of Entertainment One

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke

Starring Toni Collette, Drew Barrymore, Dominic Cooper, Paddy Considine

If Happy Place hit you emotionally just by the friendship alone, then Miss You Already will hit you just as hard. The movie follows best friends, Milly (Toni Collette) and Jess (Drew Barrymore), who have always been there for each other since they were kids. Now, after Milly has been diagnosed with breast cancer, they will have to come to terms with what they have each been dealing with and a possible future without one another.

One Day (2011)

Photo courtesy of Focus Features and Universal Pictures

Directed by Lone Scherfig

Starring Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson

In Happy Place, when Harriet looks back  on her memories to when she was truly happy, she savored those early days between her friends and Wyn before life got so complicated. One Day also evokes those similar feelings through friends, Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess). Despite all the highs and lows of adulthood and the mistakes they make throughout the passing years, they often find themselves drawn back to each other as their lifeline.

Indian Summer (1993)

Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures and Buena Vista Pictures

Directed by Mike Binder

Starring Diane Lane, Bill Paxton, Elizabeth Perkins, Alan Arkin

This is the first movie that came to mind when I started reading Happy Place. The film focuses on a group of former campers who are invited to return to the summer camp they attended decades ago before it officially closes. While there, they reminisce on the summers they spent, that include reliving some of the camp activities. Throughout the reunion, they all end up thinking about the past, their lives now, and where they go from here.

The Big Chill (1983)

Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Directed by Lawrence Kasdan

Starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline

Although Happy Place is about a group of millennial friends, The Big Chill is not too far off in following a group of "baby boomers" who reflect on their current lives after being a part of the political activism of the 1960s. The tone is a little different from Happy Place, but it highlights moments when the friends are together like no time has passed, such as a famous scene featuring them dancing in the kitchen.

The Romantics (2010)

Photo courtesy of Paramount Famous Productions

Directed by Galt Niederhoffer

Starring Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Malin Akerman, Adam Brody, Diana Agron, Jeremy Strong

Based on the novel of the same name, The Romantics is about seven college friends who reunite  when two of them are about to get married, despite some complicated feelings surrounding the nuptials. Although, there is a romantic entanglement featured here as opposed to in Happy Place, the friendship dynamic and camaraderie within the group reminded me of Harriet’s interactions with her friends.

Movies That Reminded Me of Harriet and Wyn

The Parent Trap (1998)

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Directed by Nancy Meyers

Starring Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson

I'm pretty sure this is everyone's comfort movie (it's Nancy Meyers after all). Apart from Hallie and Annie (Lindsay Lohan) twin-swapping in order to get their parents back together, it is also at its heart a second chance romance like Happy Place. There are moments between Nick Parker (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth James (Natasha Richardson) that exude the longing and love they always had for each other that never went away.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures and Buena Vista Pictures

Directed by Andy Tennant

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Candice Bergen, Jean Smart

Sweet Home Alabama is a quintessential 2000s romcom that is also a second chance romance film of its era. Melanie (Reese Witherspoon), who has tried to move away from her southern roots, returns to her hometown seeking a divorce from her estranged husband, Jake (Josh Lucas),  before she marries the wealthy son (Patrick Dempsey) of the Mayor of New York City. Instead, she comes to not only accept where she came from, but rediscover the love she left behind.

The Longest Ride (2015)

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Directed by George Tillman Jr.

Starring Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood, Jack Huston, Oona Chaplin, Alan Alda

This movie is not just here because I imagined Scott Eastwood as Wyn. Two relationships are told in this Nicholas Sparks adaptation, between art student, Sophia (Britt Robertson), and bull rider, Luke (Scott Eastwood), with flashbacks to the past recounting the marriage of Ruth (Oona Chaplin) and Ira Levinson (Jack Huston/Alan Alda). Both relationships have their hurdles, but despite the odds they often find a way back to each other.

The Story of Us (1999)

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures

Directed by Rob Reiner

Starring Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer

Throughout Happy Place we go back and forth between the past and present seeing Harriet and Wyn's relationship span from their first meeting in college, followed by their years together as a couple, and what lead to their breakup. The Story of Us does something similar (in a format harkening back to When Harry Met Sally...) as it looks back on Ben (Bruce Willis) and Katie's (Michelle Pfeiffer) fifteen years of marriage during a trial separation, while their kids are away at camp.

The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Directed by Robin Swicord

Starring Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace, Hugh Dancy

This adaptation of the Karen Joy Fowler novel is about a book club who get together to read Jane Austen. Amongst each of the characters' individual stories tied back to Austen's books, Prudie (Emily Blunt) and Dean's (Marc Blucas) relationship is a reflection of Persuasion, a classic second chance romance. There is one line Prudie delivers to Dean about Persuasion in particular that carry undertones of wanting to save their marriage, much like how Harriet still loved Wyn and never wanted to let him go.

The Five-Year Engagement (2012)

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

Directed by Nicholas Stoller

Starring Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Rhys Ifans, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie

The tagline for this movie, "The journey between popping the question and tying the knot," made me think of Harriet and Wyn. This comedy is about a happy couple who get engaged, but postpone their wedding multiple times due to various unforeseen circumstances. It's a fun movie that looks at a relationship as a whole, from the good, the bad, to the sacrifices and compromises in between, becoming a true test to how it will last through it all.

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Home Again | All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

I always love how bookstagram has a way of introducing you to books and authors you never thought to pick up. All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata is one of those books. 

I had stumbled upon it a few times, but never thought to read it until I saw how much @bruhasbookshelf and @_reedfish really loved it and more so when I saw @allysbookshoparoundthecorner included it in a post casting Pedro Pascal in books (if that was not enticing enough 😏). Now having read it, I know it will be a book I’ll look back on and recommend. It's partly a romance, but at the heart of it all is a well developed story about finding yourself and home again.

Aurora De La Torre has decided to return to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It was a place she once called home many years ago before her mom disappeared while hiking, and where she hopes to start anew following her divorce from a famous musician. Never did she expect however, that in this small community she would have a new found family, let alone find love by way of a game warden named Tobias Rhodes.

At first, I worried that this was going to be too lengthy at 500+ pages, but as the story got going I didn’t mind it. I noticed how much Mariana Zapata takes the time to really develop and flesh out her characters realistically without it feeling like it dragged on. I got to know who Aurora was and saw her growth throughout. Her hiking trips were not only a way for her to feel close to her mom, but were also a reflection of her own self-journey to who she once was and towards who she is now. I also loved how she reconnected with her old friend, Clara, while forming new friendships with Amos, Jackie, and Rhodes.

I think what I loved most though, was how Mariana Zapata gradually builds Rhodes and Aurora’s relationship. There is a trust that forms naturally before they fall for each other, that takes its time to breathe without forcing it or speeding it up too quickly. It's a slow burn to say the least, but the development is worth it because in that time you feel a genuine connection between them.

After enjoying this so much, I’m already looking forward to reading the rest of Mariana Zapata’s books, but All Rhodes Lead Here will probably still be my favorite.

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A Grounded and Mature Romance That Takes the Cake | Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

After I shared that I was reading Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory, I ended up talking to a fellow bookstagrammer, @kaysnovels, about it. She mentioned how she loved this book and how the relationship in it was so mature and genuine - and I completely agree! This was such a good romance filled with endearing moments, a classic meet-cute, and that overall felt so grounded and realistic. 

I think what I liked most about this book was that it was less about any outside drama affecting the characters, which some romances tend to lean on, and was more focused on the development and burgeoning relationship between Olivia Monroe and Max Powell. Max is a senator and Olivia is a lawyer who has just started her own law firm in LA. He’s more of an extrovert ready to jump all in, while she’s more cautious. And yet, they understand each other so well, gradually learning to trust and open themselves to one another while taking into consideration their careers and life positions. The fact that they communicated their feelings rather than let any miscommunication get in between was a highlight for me. 

I will admit, there were times I was frustrated whenever Olivia second-guessed or doubted Max and what they had, but at the same time I understood how she felt. Max is earnestly kind and charming - how can you not worry if it’s too good to be true and be expected to let your guard down? Also, considering his very public career and what that entails, I thought all her worries were valid. The same goes for Max, who may not be as cautious as Olivia, but believes in their relationship as much as he wants it to all work out seamlessly. I thought Guillory did a great job in showing all of this and how Max and Olivia were different, but so similar as they both did really care about each other and were patient in building their relationship. 

Party of Two was undeniably sweet and romantic featuring two characters you can easily connect with. This was also my first Jasmine Guillory book after wanting to read her books for so long, and it won’t certainly be the last.

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The Ultimate Romance Queen | Exes and O's by Amy Lea

Exes and O's by Amy Lea is my first favorite read of 2023. I told you all before I read it that it was going to be five stars, and it still is now that I’ve finished it. Just as much as I enjoyed Set On You, the first standalone in Lea’s Influencer series, Exes and O’s was made for book lovers and us bookstagrammers that love reading romance. 

Tara Chen and Trevor Metcalfe were the main reasons I loved this book. Going in, I knew it was going to be a “room-ance” (a romance between two roommates) and friends to lovers, but I didn’t expect how much more we were going to get as Lea took the time to flesh them out and build their friendship. I thought it was done so well that I had a great time reading their banter as friends before it even got romantic. I think it was only once it started to get intimate on an emotional and personal level, as both Tara and especially Trevor began to let their guard down, that I was patiently waiting and anticipating for them to become more than friends. That whole build up between them tied in with Tara meeting her exes to see if there was a possibility of a second chance romance with any of them, made this book fun, as any rom com would, but also heartfelt.

I also really liked how Lea was able to play with and explore this idea about tropes and stereotypes, similar to what she had done in Set On You. Tara has such a kind heart and a beautiful personality. She was never annoying or self-righteous and just always saw the good in people. The way some of her exes claimed that her clinginess or how she acted was “crazy” bothered me because they failed to truly see and accept her as she is. Trevor meanwhile may seem like a flirt, but he’s actually quite sensitive and guarded for deeper reasons. Tara and Trevor aren’t your average grumpy-sunshine or room-ance trope, they have sincere qualities beyond what may be initially perceived.

I could go on and gush about all my favorite moments (ch. 26 had me swooning!), but I will just leave you to read it and enjoy it yourself. I can’t wait for Mel’s book that was previewed at the end. Anything Amy Lea writes, I will read it - she is the ultimate romance queen.

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Who Are You Gonna Call? | Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Funny, relatable, and could definitely see this as a movie. 

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto was a good book to start off the new year with. Prior to now, it had been lingering on my shelf for almost two years and I figured it was about time I read it.

Just in the first few chapters, I easily connected with Meddy. Apart from how she tends to overthink when she gets worried (which is totally me), her close relationship with her mother and her aunties was familiar. There is this sense for some, especially in Asian households like mine, where you feel obligated to your family because of your relationship, tradition, or culture. So, a lot of your decisions tend to sway towards wanting to please them and be there for them, but also feeling like you have to hold back your true self. I felt this through Meddy and why she made the decisions she made. I kind of wished Sutanto delved into it a little bit more than a few quick interludes in between the humor and action of the story to fully acknowledge it or spend time to reflect on it. However, I liked how this book was never meant to be that heavy, but fun and light despite the whole dead body situation of course.

The central plot itself, surrounding Meddy and her family trying to deal with the man she accidentally killed on a date with the night prior, while at the same time catering a client’s wedding, was hilarious. A true bonding moment, if you will 😂. I laughed so many times and even the slight twists and turns related to the actual wedding had me surprised and amused. It almost felt like a romcom from the 2000s, especially with the return of Meddy’s ex-boyfriend, Nathan, getting involved in the madness. He doesn’t get enough credit for being a total book boyfriend.

I really enjoyed this one a lot and I can’t wait to see how Netflix adapts this into a film. I’m also looking forward to reading Four Aunties and a Wedding now.

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