Reviewer: @tanith_justanotherchapter (Instagram)
The Front Runner by Elsie Silver
What to expect:
- Small town romance
- Dual POV
- He falls first
- Dislike (enemies) to Lovers
- Fake/secretly dating
“I would walk through fire for you any day. Over and over again.”
The Front Runner is book 3 in the Gold Rush Ranch series – which is a series of interconnected standalones. I do recommend reading these in order to really appreciate the story and the characters. Personally, this is my favourite of the series.
“There’s something about a woman who wields her brain like a weapon and her tongue like a whip that makes me want to worship at her feet.”
Stefan Dalca has to be one of the most underrated and underappreciated men in the ElsieVerse. His actions. His words. *internally screams* I’m sure if my review was just quotes of his that that alone would convince you to read this.
The things this man says. The tension between him and Mira. They’re one of my favourite Elsie couples! The chemistry between the two of them is palpable. You get to see how their relationship grows and develops – how they actually SEE each other.. not just surface level – Mira isn’t cold as people think she is and Stefan isn’t the villain people make him out to be.
They’re both such complex characters on the surface but really, they’re just misunderstood. Mira’s relationship with her family was heartwarming but so was Stefan’s relationship with his sister.
I loved how Elsie made you feel Mira’s inner conflict about her feelings for Stefan vs her loyalty towards her friends. You want her to be happy. You want everyone to see Stefan the way she does and we do.
Elsie proves why she’s my autobuy author and my go to for small town romance. She has a way of writing characters we relate to, love reading about, love seeing fall in love. Not to mention, she always adds a found family element which somehow works seamlessly.
“This isn’t one for the record books. This is the record book.”
Reviewer: @beccas_books_and_bakes (Instagram)
BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK:
While We’re Young by K. L. Walther
Rating: 4/5 stars
Admittedly, I struggled to get into this book, and I was considering DNF-ing it, but as I kept reading, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it!
It was a really sweet story about healing friendships, admitting to mutual feelings, and also about making the most of life while you’re still young.
It had me cackling many times, and it may have made me cry like one or two times…
I do wish there had been more on Isa and her family, as well as Everett. Did Isa tell her mom about her father’s affair?
Did Ev talk to his mom about new medication?
I realise that it’s mainly Grace’s story, but it would have been nice to have had those cleared up too.
Overall, I would definitely recommend giving While We’re Young a shot!
On that note, will I be watching ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’? OH ABSOLUTELY.
Reviewer: @readingpapillon (Instagram)
Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for a copy of this book.
This book had me messed up. When I started it , the prologue looked promising, but then chapter one just seemed like I wasn’t interested, so I put the book down and read something else.
After picking it up again I got back into it and then I started asking a lot of questions because what was actually going on?
So many RED FLAGS from Matthew and Emma didn’t see any of them. She sees him as a textbook boyfriend – which should be a red flag. I started to get really intrigued around chapter 19 when things started heating up. Nothing seemed to make sense. Unexplainable things were happening and it made Emma look like she was going mad. Matthew made her feel like she was losing it, I wanted to smack him.
Emma struggles with her friendships. Matthew seems to be the only one “listening” to her. Her friends are worried and see the red flags but Emma refuses to listen to them. Things get tense.
Chapter 28 – WHAT????
Chapter 40 – Now it looks like revenge.
Chapter 42 – is Matthew finally seeing what is really going on???????
Chapter 46 – things are falling into place.
Although it was a slow start, I quite enjoyed this book. I found myself screaming at Emma to open her eyes. And at Matthew for making her feel like she’s a psycho. I kept going back rereading previous chapters to see if I’ve missed something. Like I said the book had me messed up.
Words/phrases that I thought of while reading this are: friendship, money, jealousy, stalking, deceit and resentment for a stranger who is rich. Mental health issues. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. The things people do for money.
This book reminded me to be careful of who I meet and to listen to my friends when they are worried. There are some really sick people in the world.
It was my first from this author and I think I may pick up another book of hers.
I gave this book 4.25 stars
Reviewer: @just_reading_no_thandolwethu (Instagram)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Pace: Balanced pacing. The book flows at just the right pace. With the parts that require
a more in-depth outlook dragging longer and those that can be made without going in
depth being brief and to the point. Overall, the book gets to the point at just the right time
and gives the reader just enough information at the different points/sections of the book.
There is a good mix between creating a scene supported by data and sharing the crucks
of the findings and points of action.
Main theme: As the title suggests, this book is mainly about providing tips and tricks on
how to navigate dating/mjolo and love. It provides in-depth research on the factors that
affect ones dating life, partner choices and maintaining relationships.
Reflections: In a world where “knowing ones worth” seems to be top of mind. This book
is highly relevant. Like the book suggests a lot of people have lost great partners due to
their preconceived beliefs, their background and traumas and the mostly irrelevant advice
they receive from friends and family. This book serves as a guide to help people do better
when forming new relationships and potentially maintaining them.
Things I loved about the book:
- The introduction. It gave the reader such a good outline of what the book is about and the message it seeks to share.
- I loved that the introduction also gave us some information about who the author is which I felt was necessary to make the next chapters easier to read and more palatable as it made me feel like I was chatting with an older sister.
- The “Self-reflection exercises” were good for reflection not only on the set chapter but also on one’s life, both past and present.
- I loved the case study’s which referred to popular movies/ TV series which made them more relatable.
- I appreciated the authors straight forward and humorous writing style which made a sometimes different to have conversation light and sometimes funny.
My favourite quote:
“Both genders tend to give up on each other too quickly, forgetting that worthwhile relationships require time, effort and a mutual investment in growth and understanding.”
Recommendations:
I would recommend this book mostly to single ladies, but I believe that single men and people who are already in relationships would also stand to benefit from this one.
Reviewer: @adeela_books (Instagram)
DREAM GIRL DRAMA BY TESSA BAILEY
3.6 stars ⭐️
✨️Tropes:
• sports/hockey romance
• forbidden romance
• spice
• fighting their attraction/pinning
• overprotective mmc
• insta love
🎀🏒
Dream Girl Drama is book 3 in an interconnected standalone series called The Big Shots by Tessa Bailey. It’s accompanied by a super cute cartoon/illustrated cover.
DGD made for a pretty enjoyable read, it had insta love so I wasn’t sure if it was going to be executed tastefully but surprisingly it was. Tessa did a good job incorporating these tropes despite me not normally picking up books that have 1 or 2 of these in them however I’m glad I read it.
There were a lot of good moments written in. The twist at the end I did not see that coming though I’m glad it transpired in that manner & that was the direction the author went for.
Sig was one of the most whipped book boyfriends ever and I loved that so much. The way he supported her every step of the way was heartwarming. The man was sat and ready to worship Chloe at every chance he got. Did someone say dedication?👏
Chloe as an fmc was fun to read about. The tension & pinning between Sig & Chloe kept the story interesting and I wanted to know how they ultimately get together in the end.
The push and pull between them made me sympathize for the MCs for they kept fighting their attraction as much as they could despite being smitten with each other but simultaneously I was like “walk away while you’ll still can” 😂
I really liked Mailer & Corrigan the humour they brought made the book even better. At one point they had me grinning with laughter. I would love to read their stories if Tessa decides to write for them which I assume she will.
The sports romance premise was set well. Ultimately found it to be a nice read with tension & chemistry.
Not forgetting we got some great love,humor and friendship. There were cameos from the characters in The Au Pair Affair as well. If you are a fan of the tropes listed and Tessa Bailey then I recommend.
• Thank you JBP for the gifted review copy •
