Review: Dolly All the Time

 

Dolly has been taking care of her family for years. She stepped up when her mom left. She stepped up when her boyfriend decided he didn't want a child. Now she's stepping up when her Dad needs help for the summer. As a teacher, it's easy for her to travel home for the summer.

She helps out in the fish shop, since help is unreliable. On a delivery, she meets Stewart Whitfield. He's the wealthy son of the Whitfield family. He's having a bad day. His car has a flat tire and he has no cell service. Plus, his finance was seen on Page 6 with another man. Dolly changes his tire for him and goes on her way.

She's unprepared for what happens the next day. Stewart calls to tell her their picture is in the paper. They've been linked together and Stewart's people made it seem like he's the one with the knowledge on how to change a tire. Dolly's amused. Stewart admits that he would like to fake date her for the summer as it's a tough time for him at work. She agrees but only because her dad's house needs a new roof. 

Their time together begins to make Dolly relax and live a little. Can she learn to lean on someone else?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I felt badly for Dolly as she had the world on her shoulders. She just kept helping everyone around her and forgetting to take care of herself. I enjoyed her exploring her hometown again after years away. I loved the ending - and all the moments between her and her family members. Gus was charming and sweet. I love how Stewart and Dolly began to relax and get more of the life/work balance. I loved Busy - I wish she would have her own book. A companion novel.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have romance for your public library's collection

Review: The Bodyguard Affair

 

In her spare time, Andi writes romance novels. Three years ago, she and her boyfriend broke up. Her best friend starts dating him. Andi meets a guy at a bar and they have the best night together. He encourages her with her writing.

Now she's working as an assistant to the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada. She barely has time to write anymore. The Prime Minister and his wife Gretchen are having a rocky time. After a dinner that doesn't happen, pictures come out of Andi and her boss's husband. Rumors swirl that they're having an affair. Even though she writes under a pen name, it isn't long before people connect Andi to her pen name. She insists she didn't write the books.

The only person who knows the truth about Andi and the books just happens to be the Prime Minster's new bodyguard. Andi makes him swear up and down that he won't tell anyone. She's worried that Gretchen will fire her. But after Gretchen catches her talking to Nolan, Gretchen gets the wrong idea. An idea that Andi runs with leading her to fake date Nolan for the summer.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this romance. I enjoy the fake dating trope. I love how Andi started the novel not wanting anyone to know she wrote romance novels because everyone around her thought they were trashy. I love how she became proud of her writing and the romance genre. I felt terrible for Nolan and his family life, but I love how he struck around during the summer to help, to learn, and to grow. I loved his moments with Cody. This is my first Amy Lea book, but it won't be my last. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun romance for your public library collection

Review: All Paths Lead to Paris

 

Aurie is a fashion designer trying to graduate college and figure out her life. She's fake dating her best friend, a musician on the rise. While fleeing the paparazzi, she meets a boy. They have a photo of them snapped together and it's blowing up their social media. Her manager decides to do damage control. It turns out Kylian is good at math.

Math is something that Aurie struggles with, but she'll have to pass a math test in order to graduate high school. Kylian agrees to tutor Aurie in math and Remy in English. With all the rumors about the trio swirling, Aurie and Remy can't afford to make any more mistakes. 

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - but I had a hard time getting over the fact that paparazzi cared about a fashion influencer. I loved the tropes: fake dating, best friend, and love triangle. I really loved the behind-the-scenes moments of being an influencer and what that meant for Aurie and her future. I loved the moments in the bakery and the moments with Aurie's siblings. I'm so looking forward to the author's next book - what city are we going to explore next?

Why I Read This Book: I loved the author's previous book plus Paris!

Tropes: Fake Dating

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library's collection. 

Hand this to readers: fake dating trope, Paris, and influencers 

* Come back tomorrow for the mood board!

Review: Bingsu for Two

 

River had himself a heck of a 24-hour period. 

1. He dumped his girlfriend

2. He walked out of the SATs

3. He dumped coffee beans over a customer

4. He quit his job

5. And he begs for a job at a rival coffee shop

* He learns that the girl (Sarang) he dumped coffee beans over works at that rival coffee shop

** A video he makes the first day of work goes viral and forces himself into a fake relationship with Sarang

*** His ex-girlfriend blackmails him

My Thoughts:

I really loved this book (minus the blackmail part). I loved the viral videos. I loved the fake dating. I loved River and his brother. I loved the mom-and-pop coffee shop and how River found himself there. I love how everyone who worked there was a family. His ex-girlfriend was the worst. The coffee shop would be a place I would visit (even though I don't drink coffee.)

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public library collection