Tag: Romance

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Kiss Me, Catalina by Priscilla Oliveras

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Kiss Me, Catalina by Priscilla Oliveras

I read the first book in this series (West Side Love Story) earlier this year and thought it was really well written with lots to enjoy. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this second novel by Priscilla Oliveras. New readers do not need to read the first book, West Side Love Story, to enjoy this latest book though. It works well as a standalone novel and you will not feel lost with in the story or characters at all as this book has it’s own set of independent characters and it’s own plot.

The thing that caught my eye about this one (besides having read the first book and the author) was of course the beautiful cover and the promise of a unique and untold story. I love that Mariachi plays a big part in these books. It feels like something new and different with a lot of cultural flavor and I loved the sound of a romance formed on the road as part of a Marachi tour.

This is my second book by Oliveras and I was not disappointed. I am eager to pick up other books by this author but this series has been a real delight to read. I know she has written some other standalone novels, a couple of which have been on my radar for quite some time, all of which have been fan hits so if you are looking for your next read you might want to check her out as well as this book, because I liked this one even better than West Side Love Story!

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Review: The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch

I love all the 1990s nostalgia that is going on right now. Dr Martens are making a come back (glad I kept my pair from high school!), the Boo Pails are back at McDonalds, flare jeans and baby doll dresses with a white tee are back with a vengeance! YEAH flare jeans! My 1990s kid heart is so happy and I am just loving it! I love seeing remakes of some of my favorite 1990s films—the remakes aren’t great (looking at you Baywatch!) but it’s fun to see people trying to introduce them to as new audience! And I have seen a number of books thick with 1990s nostalgia and I am absolutely here for it!

That was the number one reason I wanted to read this book—-1990s nostalgia. Well that and it had romance so you know I am all over that! I am not a fan of second chance romances though so I was a little hesitant to read this one based on the fact that the characters already had a complex history, but the promise of a Y2K filled book of nostalgia, I couldn’t pass it up!

This book is definitely not the fluffy romance I was expecting, but it was a lot of fun to read and I love discovering new to me authors. I am excited to read more books by Allison Winn Scotch. I haven’t read anything else by her but after reading this one I am excited to read some of her others. As we start to get into the holiday season, this book might be a great option as it has a strong holiday influence so keep that in mind as you are lining up your holiday reading. If you are a 1990s kid, you will find a lot to enjoy in this one!

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Special Feature/Excerpt: Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature/Excerpt: Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

When I first was pitched this book, I didn’t have room on my review schedule for it so I opted for a feature instead. However, I am fully regretting that decision and I need this book! It sounds insanely good and I have seen it on a number of ‘must read’ books/romances/mystery lists for the fall! I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this book and start reading it! I haven’t read anything by Laura Griffin before but I do know she’s a seasoned writer with a number of book series under her belt! But this one sounds perfect for fall!

I love books that are set in National Parks since I am a National Parks geek, and I am just so excited to read a little murder mystery with some romance all set in one of our beautiful National Parks! The more I think about this one the more I know I need it! I personally find that there are few well written romantic suspense novels on the market. It’s not really a cross over genre that many people think of but one that I personally love! I often find that it’s either mystery or romance rarely a mix of both which is what makes me so excited for this one!

Griffin also has a big fan follow out in the reading world with all her other series and I have been reading early reviews of this book and so many people have been commenting on the setting and how well done it is. I cannot wait for that reason alone not to mention the romance! I cannot wait to get me hands on this one and fortunately this book is out now so do not wait, pick this one up today especially if you love the romantic suspense genre as much as I do! And as a special treat for everyone, I have an excerpt for you guys to read today! If the book is half as good as the excerpt then I am even more excited!

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Review: A Lot Like Adios (Primas of Power #2) by Alexis Daria

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Lot Like Adios (Primas of Power #2) by Alexis Daria

After reading YOU HAD ME AT HOLA, I liked it enough to download the second book in the series. It showed promise and had strong characters that I felt brought flavor and excitement to the story. Plus I was on the hunt for another romance novel that was equal parts fluffy and entertaining. I have to admit, I liked this one WAY better than the first book. In fact, I feel like this should have been the first book in the series. Michelle’s character was complex in an unexpected way and I think a lot of women can relate to her.

If you are a fan of romance novels, especially modern romances, this book will likely catch your eye and offer you something new. I like that Michelle is a working professional female with her own baggage to unpack, I think this describes so many women today who are trying to do it all—-work, stay fit, climb the corporate ladder, juggle family, their sexuality, and of course find love. Plus this book has the added layer of culture and representation which I thought really made this book relevant and exciting.

Now that I have read this one, I am even more excited to read the next book that will no doubt be coming out soon. If you haven’t discovered this series yet, it should be. You can certainly read the books out of order, I could easily have picked this book up and not been lost at all, so do not let the fact that this is a series detour you from reading a fun, second chance, spicy romance with a lot to enjoy. This one left me satisfied and eager for more of the Primas of Power!

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Review: The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London #2) by Mimi Matthews

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London #2) by Mimi Matthews

It’s no secret that I have been a long time Mimi Matthews fan. I have loved all of her books but of course some more than others. Over the years I have seen her move from a smaller publisher company to the big time with Berkley publishing. It’s been so exciting to see her grow as an author and or course see other new readers discover her and see how amazing she really is as a writer! I read the first book in this series and liked it quite a bit but this was the story I was most eager to explore since meeting these characters in the first book.

Matthews writes wonderful romances that are more on the sweet side than the spicy side and I am absolutely ok with that. There is something more sensual and romantic about the sweet side of romance and she has a great way of hinting at simmering physical attraction between the characters without being crass. When I picked this book up I couldn’t put it down! I also took it with me on my trip to Cabo and basically read it in a day. I was absolutely hooked on the characters and loved my time with Jasper and Julia.

Personally I think this series should have started with this book and then went on to Evelyn’s story. I thought the chemistry and story of Julia was much better—-and that’s saying something because I loved Evelyn’s story too! But now that I have read this one, I feel like I would probably rate this one higher than the first on (Evelyn’s story). In this book Julia and Jasper had so much more chemistry and I just loved how their story came together, especially Jasper’s backstory!

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