Bernadette Marie

Another winner for Hazelwood

Revisado: 12-15-23

This was a fresh take on an Ali Hazelwood story. Though not steeped in academia, like we are used to getting from her, this story is still rich with intelligence and characters, who might in other books by other authors, be overlooked. Mallory, who is younger than most leading ladies, is unapologetically herself. Like many of Hazelwood‘s characters, Mallory is smart, perhaps a little self-absorbed, fearless, and a trait, that I love that Hazelwood adds to many of her main and secondary characters, openly bisexual. An unrealized chess, genius, on the ask from a best friend, she re-enters the world of competitive chess where she meets Nolan, the current world champion. Like many of Hazelwood‘s leading men, he is a wall of muscle, towering over Mallory. And, like Hazelwood‘s leading men in her books, he’s patient, a little broody, and swoon worthy. A change from other Hazelwood books, this one is closed door, and absolutely delightful. I highly recommend it.

Noteworthy too, is the narration. The narrator has a plethora of characters, and accents, which she masterfully executes.

Again, a fantastic story and a recommended listen.

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Oh, I love it so much! So much!!

Revisado: 10-13-22

The reason I purchased the title was because I’m a huge Julia Whelan fan! I mean huge! If she narrates it, it’s gold. But to have a title that she also wrote? I was very sure I couldn’t go wrong. Thank You for Listening went straight to the top of my of Top 10 Favorite books of 2022. In fact, it’s sitting at the top of my all time favorites too. It’s just gold!

Whelan has well developed characters. I mean, the main character is physically flawed and so amazing that you wonder how you manage day to day without any physical / noticeable flaws. There are at least 3-4 plot lines going at any time, and yet they are seamless. The number of characters she keeps track of, and narrates in the audio book, only brings the knowledge of the level of this woman’s talent to the forefront even more.

This book circles around the narration business and the love/hate relationship with being a romance narrator. Being a romance author with books in audio, I thought the behind the scenes look was mesmerizing, but you don’t have to be an author to appreciate it.

Aside from the fact that the opening scene of this book had me laughing out loud, literally, it just got better with each moment. I cannot recommend this book enough. Again, I wasn’t wrong when I figured this would be an epic story. I do recommend listening to it, because if you’re not familiar with Whelan’s narrative style, you will quickly become a fan. She’s all that! Consider this a review that should have many, many more stars than just five.

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Another STEM romance that I LOVED!

Revisado: 10-04-22

To say that I’ve become a huge Ali Hazelwood fan is an understatement. I do not live in the world of STEM or academia. Who would have known that settings like NASA or JPL would ever give to Romances? I mean, sure, some great SciFi, but romance? This is where Ms. Hazelwood shines. She makes it work, and work big time! Her female characters are smart and quirky. They go against the norm of the heroine in romances, and it makes it fresh and fun! The men, they’re all super smart and HUGE. Tall, brawny, and more. Though many of her stories seem to have similarities, and this just might be the STEM and life in academia, but it works. Love on the Brain flew to the top of my 2022 top 10! Romance among those working behind the scenes with astronauts was a welcome change to the norm.

Bee, the purple haired, Marie Curie obsessed, neuroengineer just landed a job at NASA with her archnemesis Levi Ward. Oh, Levi is all that and a few bags of chips, but wherever he is, nothing but misery lies for Bee. However, she has an internet ally that keeps her calm when everything at work goes astray. But there’s a lot to unpack, while her work life unravels and she starts to have feelings for one Levi Ward. Often is the question, What would Marie Curie do? And sometimes, when Bee asks, the answers come to her.

I highly recommend this book! It’s well written, has great subplots, is HOT, and fun!

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The Perfect Fake Fiancee Story!

Revisado: 09-20-22

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐁𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐒
by Amalie Howard @amaliehoward

I’m not a reader of historical romance and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Now I can say I was grateful to have read this book and delved into something outside my norm.

This book is compared to Pretty Woman meets the Bridgertons, and the premise works and is very well done. Lord Lysander Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix, is a ruthless businessman who has no time for relationships. Upon the accidental meeting with ballerina Genevieve Valery, he propositions her to be his fake fiancee to help him establish the right image for a seller who questions his authenticity.

Genevieve is in it for the money, Lysander for the opportunity it will give him, but neither are prepared for the feelings that blossom.

This is a beautiful love story where the heart of the grumpy duke is softened, and the ballerina, whose life had been turned upside down, gets a shiny HEA.

Ms. Howard created loveable characters, and a strong woman who wasn’t annoying in the least. I look forward to reading more of her books, and to diving into a subgenre that I’m not too familiar with.

Well done!

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Who doesn't love the down to earth millionaire?

Revisado: 08-02-22

London Spark has been rather focused on helping her sisters build up their family business, Spark House. However, her love is in the creative aspect, and not the business end. This is evident by the number of paper stars London has made in the past two books. Her nervous habit has her carrying strips of paper in her purse so that she can make the stars any time. (I’ve given it a try, and I have to say, they’re not so easy. But I think I need different paper.) Just recently single, London finds it necessary to focus on her work, and even turns down an invite from a stranger at a bar.

Jackson Holt is a media mogul, and a young and attractive millionaire, looking to work with other small companies. Luckily his company is expanding to have an office in Denver, and just by chance, the woman who turned him down at the bar is part owner in a prospective partnering business.

The trope of we can’t work together and see each other works well in the second Spark House book. Everyone understands the need to separate work and pleasure, but as the reader, the attraction is there and we’re cheering, “Just do it!”

London and her sisters, and Jackson and his entourage, are fun characters. Ms. Hunting always does a wonderful job of making you feel for them.

If you love contemporary romances with characters who feel for those around them, as well as budding romance, you’ll love this book.

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I’m always a sucker for friends to lovers romance

Revisado: 07-25-22

I love a book set in Colorado! The Spark sisters, and their event center, offer the perfect backdrop for romantic possibilities.

Avery Spark is all business. Her goal is the make the Spark House, the business which has been in her family for generations, an even bigger success. She doesn't have much time for more than her sisters and her business. However, her roommate Declan McCormick, and their friends from college, make time to kick back and relax together.

Declan, a known ladies man, has a hard time covering up his soft side for Avery. When she's in a horrific car accident, and unable to do much for herself, he steps in to be her caretaker, while her sisters run the business.

But, we all know that forced proximity is a formula for good romance! Enter the best friend who promises to take care of the other, and "Sparks Fly!"

The characters are wonderful and the pace is good. I was more than excited to see Declan get his chance with Avery while he helped her heal. The trust Avery puts in him is refreshing.

I recommend getting to know the Spark sisters. This is book one in the trilogy.

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Can't Get Enough of Wes and Liz!

Revisado: 07-08-22

I had fallen in love with Mr. Wrong Number, so when I finished it, I went searching for another Lynn Painter masterpiece. There it was, a Rom Com loving novel and I pushed buy! I didn’t read the blurb. I didn’t look to see anything about it. Into the first chapter I find out it’s YA, and admittedly, I don’t ready YA, and I considered not continuing. Can I tell you I would have missed out on something special. OMG, I am in love with Wes and Liz. This book is on the top of my 2022 favorites list. It’s the one I go back to to read or listen to quotes. It’s the one that flashes in my mind most often. This glorious enemies to lovers romance has all the feels. YA or not, you simply won’t walk away from this not wanting more. (And if you watch Ms. Painter’s site, you might just get more.) Yes, the quest for more Wes and Liz is huge and she accommodates.

Liz is a rom com loving teenager who’s constant battle with the next door neighbor puts her in a hard place when she has to ask him to help her get noticed by the boy she has a crush on. Of course, as it would happen, spending time with one guy to make the other see her has its consequences. There might just be too many feelings for the boy next door, whom she was sure hated her, but she just might be wrong.

Again, you can’t go wrong with this one. I can’t recommend it enough. As of June 2022, it’s my most favorite book of the year!

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I love the depth of this female lead!

Revisado: 07-08-22

I do love an Ali Hazelwood book. Hannah has her dream job at NASA, and the eye of sexy Ian. Below Zero is the final in the STEM trilogy, and I love Hazelwood’s angle of smart, educated women who have amazing jobs. This book is written in present and in recalls, but done so well. Added are the sexy details, and Hannah is a modern woman, unashamed of being forward, and excited by the prospects of not only her career, but relationships between men or women. It was refreshing!

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I love these STEM Romances

Revisado: 07-08-22

I have recently become an Ali Hazelwood fan. Her STEM trilogy has been fun, but this specific book fell a little short for me. The book is written in alternating past and present, and is done extremely well. I love the academia and STEM that is included in Hazelwood’s books. I didn’t fall in love with these two characters as much as I have with her other books, but it won’t detour me from reading her further.

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Fantastic Characters

Revisado: 07-08-22

Opposites attract and sparks will fly! It Happened One Summer follows the LA elite Bellinger sisters from LA to Washington when they are “grounded” to the small fishing town where they’d been born. Piper Bellinger, rich girl, social media magnet, pulls a few too many “look at me” stunts and her step-father sends her to Washington, cut off for three months, to prove to the world that she can make it without daddy’s credit card. Her sisters dutifully follows. While there, Piper falls in love with crab boat captain Brendan. In a story of, can the outgoing Piper bring out the softer side of the grouchy Brenden, and can Brenden offer Piper happiness in a life that is nothing like her life in Beverly Hills?

The characters in this book are so well developed. You know them, you feel them, you love them. Ms. Bailey is fantastic in giving those details to build the most delectable cast.

The only part of this book that skewed me from 5 stars to 4 is the hot and heavy sex scenes. They are WELL done, don’t get me. wrong. However, after the amazing character development, in the bedroom (or elsewhere), our characters absolutely turn the tables. Sure, behind closed doors, people are different, but I just felt that in intimate situations the character differences between caring lovers to wild and dirty just didn’t hit the mark. All parts are done well, but the transition just missed the mark for me.

I loved this book and would recommend it, and it’s seaqual.

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