mv_reads's reviews
343 reviews

Dead Rinker by Ruth Stilling was a fantastic addition to the Seattle Scorpions series, and I was so excited to follow JJ and Kate, especially with all their sizzling tension! As always, the chemistry was electric, and the spice was on point, keeping me hooked from start to finish. I was a bit thrown off by one of the trigger warnings—I wish it had clarified that it involved a past event for a side character, as it kept me anxious for Kate and Luna. Still, this was a steamy, unputdownable romance that left me wanting more of these characters!

Naughty or Nice by Sophie Snow is another win! Rora, a Christmas-hater returning to her festive hometown, and Henry, her best friend’s much older (and hot!) uncle, make for a fun and spicy pairing. I loved that Rora knew what she wanted, and Henry was all in, making the nearly 20-year age gap work in a way that felt natural. With Sophie’s signature spice, this book was both steamy and captivating—perfect for the holidays!

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Sophie snow for providing an ARC for review. 

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst was such an enjoyable read! Although the fake dating trope faded quickly, I loved the mix of a romance-skeptical MMC and a writer’s block-stricken FMC. The beachy vibes, charming side characters, and intriguing plot kept me hooked—I just wish I could dive into Aspen’s books myself!

I received an ARC to review. 

Double Apex by Josie Juniper was a bit of a mixed experience for me, and I struggled to connect with the main characters. They both felt somewhat flat, and the chemistry between them came across as forced, even bordering on uncomfortable at times. I enjoyed MacKenzie Cartwright’s narration, which brought some life to the story, but Jonathan Lake's portrayal of Cosmin felt awkward and cringey—it might have been a choice to fit Cosmin's character, but it didn’t land for me. Phaedra’s relationship with her supposed best friend was confusing as well; she was inexplicably rude to her, making it hard to see why they were even friends. Despite these issues, the story did have some intriguing moments, and I appreciated the unique concept Juniper was trying to bring to life. Ultimately, though, the execution left me wanting a bit more depth and clarity in the character dynamics.

I received an ALC from the publisher for review. 

I was a bit unsure at first when Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn opened with a long explanation about a fish called Musky, but I ended up loving this book! The fishing aspect was woven in seamlessly, and Maren and Joe’s chemistry was perfection. The way they built their relationship, especially with Joe’s kids, was truly heartwarming. I wish I could spend my summers at Cole's Landing with all of them!

I loved the premise of Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands by Bella Osborne, but it didn’t quite capture me as I’d hoped. While the main characters were great, many of the side characters felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the story. It felt like there was just too much going on, and as a result, the plot fell a bit flat.

I received an ARC for review. 

I listened to the audiobook of How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn, and absolutely loved the duet style narration—it adds so much to the story! With a full cast, the listening experience was pure perfection. Set in a town where it's always Christmas, this book delivers a fun Kringle competition, some very naughty moments with a candy cane (whew!), and plenty of spice. Meghan Quinn does it again, weaving in Easter eggs from her previous books, making it a must-listen for any fan!

I received an ALC for review.