Scan barcode
freyafaithfull's reviews
382 reviews
Melody of the Snow by Blake Allwood
3.0
Melody of the Snow by Blake Allwood ⭐⭐⭐.5
Hunter’s trying to forge a new path in his life after being unfairly fired from his job as a deputy. This leads him to working a job for his Aunt in the mountains as a ski patroller and to meeting Cam, whom he had a previous one night stand with.
As their lives change and progress over the winter and spring seasons, they find themselves drawn back to each other and start a long distance relationship.
Despite Hunters job and family commitments and Cams burgeoning new career and inheritance worries, they still manage to keep their relationship alive and eventually find their way back home to each other.
This book was a middle of the road read for me. At some points it felt like there was almost too much packed into the story. Cam has a music degree but also a nursing qualification and after leaving his job as a nurse, becomes a successful singer whilst also inheriting a ski resort and mansion, which he then wants to turn into a museum with all the expensive art he also inherits.
Having so much going on made the story a little muddled and confusing at times, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the book. At times it felt like less of a romance novel and more the story of Cam's career.
Overall, however, I did enjoy Hunter and Cam's story. It was a low angst, easy read with plenty of love and snow.
CW: Racism
Hunter’s trying to forge a new path in his life after being unfairly fired from his job as a deputy. This leads him to working a job for his Aunt in the mountains as a ski patroller and to meeting Cam, whom he had a previous one night stand with.
As their lives change and progress over the winter and spring seasons, they find themselves drawn back to each other and start a long distance relationship.
Despite Hunters job and family commitments and Cams burgeoning new career and inheritance worries, they still manage to keep their relationship alive and eventually find their way back home to each other.
This book was a middle of the road read for me. At some points it felt like there was almost too much packed into the story. Cam has a music degree but also a nursing qualification and after leaving his job as a nurse, becomes a successful singer whilst also inheriting a ski resort and mansion, which he then wants to turn into a museum with all the expensive art he also inherits.
Having so much going on made the story a little muddled and confusing at times, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the book. At times it felt like less of a romance novel and more the story of Cam's career.
Overall, however, I did enjoy Hunter and Cam's story. It was a low angst, easy read with plenty of love and snow.
CW: Racism
The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert
4.0
The Geek who saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paul Frost and Gideon Snow are the epitome of grumpy and sunshine. Paul lives a solitary life with his dog Jim, focusing on work and staying away from anything too social or festive. Gideon is a social bunny, constantly involved with neighbourhood events and loves everything about Christmas and the holidays.
When Gideon offers to help Paul decorate his house for his brother's last minute visit, they both start to realise how each other differs from their original preconceptions. As they both connect over nostalgic memories from their childhoods and decorating for the holidays, they grow closer and the lines of neighbours or more start to blur.
Although the book started a little slow, after a few chapters it was easy to get invested in the characters. I loved how joyful this book was, packed with lots of Christmas cheer, childhood nostalgia and plenty of snow.
If you're looking for a low angst, sweet, holiday romance then The Geek who saved Christmas is for you.
Paul Frost and Gideon Snow are the epitome of grumpy and sunshine. Paul lives a solitary life with his dog Jim, focusing on work and staying away from anything too social or festive. Gideon is a social bunny, constantly involved with neighbourhood events and loves everything about Christmas and the holidays.
When Gideon offers to help Paul decorate his house for his brother's last minute visit, they both start to realise how each other differs from their original preconceptions. As they both connect over nostalgic memories from their childhoods and decorating for the holidays, they grow closer and the lines of neighbours or more start to blur.
Although the book started a little slow, after a few chapters it was easy to get invested in the characters. I loved how joyful this book was, packed with lots of Christmas cheer, childhood nostalgia and plenty of snow.
If you're looking for a low angst, sweet, holiday romance then The Geek who saved Christmas is for you.
Winning the Season by Beth Bolden
4.0
Winning the season by Beth Bolden ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A story of second chance love. Scott and Asa have been friends for over twenty years. After realising his feelings for Scott go far beyond friendship, Asa confesses, only to be left with a broken heart.
After seven years apart, Scott and Asa are brought back together again and neither can deny that their connection and love for each other are as strong as they ever were.
Once Asa manages to get past his anger at Scott from what happened seven years ago, and embraces his feelings, they fall seamlessly into a relationship and start to believe they can have everything they both ever wanted together.
I found Winning the Season to be quite sports heavy compared to other books in the same genre. You don't necessarily need to know much about football as the author does a good job of explaining everything, however there is a lot of emphasis on the sport and I did find it detracted slightly from their relationship.
Although this is book 4 in the series and does feature cameos from the mc's of previous books, it can still be read easily as a standalone.
Overall, Winning the Season is a sweet sports romance, interspersed with Christmas cheer and a very satisfying HEA.
CW: homophobia (referenced)
A story of second chance love. Scott and Asa have been friends for over twenty years. After realising his feelings for Scott go far beyond friendship, Asa confesses, only to be left with a broken heart.
After seven years apart, Scott and Asa are brought back together again and neither can deny that their connection and love for each other are as strong as they ever were.
Once Asa manages to get past his anger at Scott from what happened seven years ago, and embraces his feelings, they fall seamlessly into a relationship and start to believe they can have everything they both ever wanted together.
I found Winning the Season to be quite sports heavy compared to other books in the same genre. You don't necessarily need to know much about football as the author does a good job of explaining everything, however there is a lot of emphasis on the sport and I did find it detracted slightly from their relationship.
Although this is book 4 in the series and does feature cameos from the mc's of previous books, it can still be read easily as a standalone.
Overall, Winning the Season is a sweet sports romance, interspersed with Christmas cheer and a very satisfying HEA.
CW: homophobia (referenced)
Drama! by A.J. Truman
4.0
Drama! (South Rock High Book 2) by A.J. Truman ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Everett is a sassy, fun and feisty drama teacher with a grudge against the football department and its coach, Raleigh.
After getting a wedding invite to his college friends' nuptials, Everett goes in search of a plus one and ends up having to ask Raleigh.
Raleigh enjoys getting a rise out of Everett and may act like the typical jock, but beneath the surface he is a complete sweetheart.
Everett and Raleigh attempt to put their bickering aside and start spending more time together, pretending to be in a relationship. It becomes easy to convince everyone else that they're falling in love, even as they try to convince themselves they aren't.
The real Raleigh was so different from the guy we caught glimpses of in Ancient History and I loved how he helped Everett to realise his true worth.
The characters in this book were well fleshed out and it really showed throughout the story.
Seeing Hutch and Amos still thriving together really added to the story and I can't wait for Julian's book to come next!
Everett is a sassy, fun and feisty drama teacher with a grudge against the football department and its coach, Raleigh.
After getting a wedding invite to his college friends' nuptials, Everett goes in search of a plus one and ends up having to ask Raleigh.
Raleigh enjoys getting a rise out of Everett and may act like the typical jock, but beneath the surface he is a complete sweetheart.
Everett and Raleigh attempt to put their bickering aside and start spending more time together, pretending to be in a relationship. It becomes easy to convince everyone else that they're falling in love, even as they try to convince themselves they aren't.
The real Raleigh was so different from the guy we caught glimpses of in Ancient History and I loved how he helped Everett to realise his true worth.
The characters in this book were well fleshed out and it really showed throughout the story.
Seeing Hutch and Amos still thriving together really added to the story and I can't wait for Julian's book to come next!
Mistle-Joe Kisses by DJ Jamison
4.0
Mistle-Joe Kisses by DJ Jamison ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A sugar sweet opposites attract, workplace holiday romance set in the Games we Play universe
A sugar sweet opposites attract, workplace holiday romance set in the Games we Play universe
Emery by Cora Rose
5.0
Emery (Unexpected book 3) by Cora Rose ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Emery is definitely one of my favourite characters. He's like an excitable puppy, candy loving kid, pouty teenager and rambunctious sex fiend all rolled into one. His skittish brain and wild thoughts are so entertaining and he's got a huge sweet tooth, always wandering around with a lollipop in his mouth.
Unlike Emery who is impulsive, his stepbrother August is reserved and tends to overthink things. I really wanted August to sort himself out much sooner and found him incredibly frustrating at times. At the same time though, I couldn't help but adore the way he cared for Emery and became the support system that Emery so desperately needed. He accepted Emery for who he was, and truly loved all aspects of him.
This book deals with a lot of darker themes but somehow still manages to be heartwarming and humorous throughout. Emery's past is so heartbreaking and even with this current struggles he somehow still manages to be this endearing, sweet guy who just wants to be accepted and loved. I'm so glad that Emery got his happy ending, he more than deserved it.
CW: child abuse and neglect, PTSD and other mental health issues, addiction, brief mention of suicide of a parent, brief mention of childhood sexual abuse
Emery is definitely one of my favourite characters. He's like an excitable puppy, candy loving kid, pouty teenager and rambunctious sex fiend all rolled into one. His skittish brain and wild thoughts are so entertaining and he's got a huge sweet tooth, always wandering around with a lollipop in his mouth.
Unlike Emery who is impulsive, his stepbrother August is reserved and tends to overthink things. I really wanted August to sort himself out much sooner and found him incredibly frustrating at times. At the same time though, I couldn't help but adore the way he cared for Emery and became the support system that Emery so desperately needed. He accepted Emery for who he was, and truly loved all aspects of him.
This book deals with a lot of darker themes but somehow still manages to be heartwarming and humorous throughout. Emery's past is so heartbreaking and even with this current struggles he somehow still manages to be this endearing, sweet guy who just wants to be accepted and loved. I'm so glad that Emery got his happy ending, he more than deserved it.
CW: child abuse and neglect, PTSD and other mental health issues, addiction, brief mention of suicide of a parent, brief mention of childhood sexual abuse
Cross the Line by Becca Steele
5.0
Cross the Line by Becca Steele ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
⚽ The golden boy and the delinquent ⚽
After acting out to try and gain his parents attention, Kian is suspended from the football team and risks losing his spot to new student Preston. This starts Kian's one sided rivalry against Preston, as he can't let go of the idea that he is being replaced. Preston however, is only interested in gaining more of Kian's attention, whether in the form of irrational arguments or heated moments that he hopes will eventually lead to more.
Kian had his walls built high, being used to constant disappointment from his absent parents. Deep down, he just wanted someone to see him and love him for who he truly was and luckily for him Preston saw through his mask and embraced him wholly.
Despite their rocky start, once they both give in to their feelings, their relationship soon blossoms and they find comfort and happiness within each other.
Kian and Preston complement each other perfectly. Kian encourages Preston to let go and have fun whilst Preston helps Kian believe he's worthy of love and affection. I love this pairing so much and was so happy to see their cameo later in Blindsided!
CW: violence, brief mention of childhood abuse
⚽ The golden boy and the delinquent ⚽
After acting out to try and gain his parents attention, Kian is suspended from the football team and risks losing his spot to new student Preston. This starts Kian's one sided rivalry against Preston, as he can't let go of the idea that he is being replaced. Preston however, is only interested in gaining more of Kian's attention, whether in the form of irrational arguments or heated moments that he hopes will eventually lead to more.
Kian had his walls built high, being used to constant disappointment from his absent parents. Deep down, he just wanted someone to see him and love him for who he truly was and luckily for him Preston saw through his mask and embraced him wholly.
Despite their rocky start, once they both give in to their feelings, their relationship soon blossoms and they find comfort and happiness within each other.
Kian and Preston complement each other perfectly. Kian encourages Preston to let go and have fun whilst Preston helps Kian believe he's worthy of love and affection. I love this pairing so much and was so happy to see their cameo later in Blindsided!
CW: violence, brief mention of childhood abuse