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juliereadsromance's reviews
517 reviews
The Earl Was Wrong by Britt Belle
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
The plot of this book is equal parts original and bananas.
This book had a lot of potential, and I could easily see this author writing better and better books as she moves forward.
Kudos for a very original plot, but it was too high on the bananas scale for me. The MMC is very rigid about morals, particularly around sex, because his parents were basically sex addicts who couldn’t stop touching each other in public. This brought shame and embarrassment to their children.
While I appreciated the originality of that plot (can’t say I’ve read it in any other historical romance), it also felt totally not believable and anachronistic. It was simply odd the degree to which his parents couldn’t stop touching each other and having public sex.
I recommend the book because it’s enjoyable to read and, like I said, the plot is totally wackadoodle original.
The plot of this book is equal parts original and bananas.
This book had a lot of potential, and I could easily see this author writing better and better books as she moves forward.
Kudos for a very original plot, but it was too high on the bananas scale for me. The MMC is very rigid about morals, particularly around sex, because his parents were basically sex addicts who couldn’t stop touching each other in public. This brought shame and embarrassment to their children.
While I appreciated the originality of that plot (can’t say I’ve read it in any other historical romance), it also felt totally not believable and anachronistic. It was simply odd the degree to which his parents couldn’t stop touching each other and having public sex.
I recommend the book because it’s enjoyable to read and, like I said, the plot is totally wackadoodle original.
Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
~~ REVIEW ~~
𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵
𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sometimes you read a book and it makes you wonder about the architecture of a story. As I read 𝘉𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩, I thought about all the little facets of this plot that combined into a gorgeous whole. Like one of those houses built so well into the natural landscape that it’s as though the landscape chose the house and not the other way around.
Meredith Duran is brilliant. This is a medium angst (which given MD’s baseline, makes it low angst for her), Regency England, FIVE STAR romance 🥰 .
𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵
𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sometimes you read a book and it makes you wonder about the architecture of a story. As I read 𝘉𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩, I thought about all the little facets of this plot that combined into a gorgeous whole. Like one of those houses built so well into the natural landscape that it’s as though the landscape chose the house and not the other way around.
Meredith Duran is brilliant. This is a medium angst (which given MD’s baseline, makes it low angst for her), Regency England, FIVE STAR romance 🥰 .
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🤔 How come nobody told me that I have to read The Roommate by Rosie Danon? Have other people read this? It’s the perfect, most wonderful book. Not only is it simply a great contemporary romance- well written, charming characters, good pacing of plot and character development - but it also has SUCH important messages in it - clarifying the the fight that women have to wage in order to demand $exual pleasure in our society and encouraging them to do so. Meanwhile, it’s a great romance and so fun!! And Josh, the MC, is simply edible 🍪
@juliereadsromance
🤔 How come nobody told me that I have to read The Roommate by Rosie Danon? Have other people read this? It’s the perfect, most wonderful book. Not only is it simply a great contemporary romance- well written, charming characters, good pacing of plot and character development - but it also has SUCH important messages in it - clarifying the the fight that women have to wage in order to demand $exual pleasure in our society and encouraging them to do so. Meanwhile, it’s a great romance and so fun!! And Josh, the MC, is simply edible 🍪
@juliereadsromance
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
DNF at 35%. I think my brain has adopted the ways of the 2020s and just can’t wait patiently for the plot to unfold. Also, I think Johanna Lindsey books may just not be my thing. But I also did think the book was cute. I just was really not invested. It had a rom com feel but was a historical with a somewhat serious plot, if u think about it. So those two things felt at odds Sometimes.
Her Adventures in Temptation by Megan Frampton
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a delight of a historical romance. FMC is odd, maybe neurodiverse in today’s parlance. Really, she’s just a lovely girl who is good at math and sometimes doesn’t filter her comments as much in social settings as many other girls in her position.
MMC is an artist and described as basically the most handsome man that has ever lived.
This is a really lovely historical romance with a good pace for both plot and character development.
Low angst, but not rom-commy or superficial. The characters are great. The book is well written. And, it doesn’t feel like your “typical” historical romsnce.
I highly recommend it!
MMC is an artist and described as basically the most handsome man that has ever lived.
This is a really lovely historical romance with a good pace for both plot and character development.
Low angst, but not rom-commy or superficial. The characters are great. The book is well written. And, it doesn’t feel like your “typical” historical romsnce.
I highly recommend it!
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
DNF. I’m not sure why I can’t get in to any Liz Tomforde books. I know so many people love them 🤷🏻♀️
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Rom-Commers
By Katherine Center
Easily five stars. This book is as moving as it is funny.
There were scenes that were so funny (one in particular with a country line dancing instructor) that I really had to wonder whether this had happened to the author in real life. Because, you just can’t make up some of the hilarious situations in the book.
I cried at one point and told my husband he needed to understand that I was going through a really emotional part of the book and wouldn’t be back to myself for a while.
I really love these characters. They took up residence in my heart and haven’t left yet.
My only gripe is that book is not spicy. Closed door. But that’s my preference and not a shortcoming of the book. I would have really loved to see Charlie and Emma get it on, but maybe some reader will produce some fan fic to fill that gap :) [no pun intended]
I give this book my highest recommendation for readers who want a contemporary rom com with depth and heart. It stands out as a perfectly executed romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Say It's Mine by Elena Ireland
4.25
~ REVIEW ~ 👇
𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲
𝘉𝘺 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘐𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very Solid 4 out of 5
Insta love between a rock star and an unassuming girl is a plot that’s been done again and again, which makes it an even bigger achievement that this author wrote a such a full-bodied story that feels fresh and engaging.
The story is largely about the emotional experience of these two particular people, rather than simply the shock and awe value of sex, drugs, and rock and roll (though that’s in there, too!)
The sex scenes were on point. 🔥 [NOTE title of book, which figures into sex scenes *hot*hot*hot* ]
The FMC has a chronic health condition, which is well-depicted with nuance and candor here. A much needed addition of representation in the romance canon.
I also appreciate seeing male characters who are feminist, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁, and (mostly) emotionally mature.
I finished this book in a day, and def recommend it!
* I would caution to check out trigger warnings prior to jumping in, though. There is a lot of substance use.