Author: Rese

Another extraordinary masterpiece by Amy Daws!! Her books transcend the typical rom-com, delving deep into the hearts of truly relatable characters. In Seven Year Itch and Nine Month Contract, we meet plus-size women who are so beautifully complex. I adore how each character, despite feeling a tad shy about their bodies, radiates an empowering confidence and undeniable allure, especially in this thrilling narrative. Dakota courageously ends a marriage with a man who cruelly judges her weight, blaming it for his dwindling interest in their intimacy—a staggering display of body shaming. Yet, triumphantly, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, rediscovering her confidence alongside a man who cherishes her for exactly who she is, reigniting her sense of sexy and self-worth. I was utterly captivated by the story and the powerful message it imparts! Being sexy isn’t confined to a specific size. It’s such an uplifting theme woven through a tale rich with delightful humor. This book is an absolute must-read!

BOOK 135 OF 2025📚

SEVEN YEAR ITCH

By: Amy Daws

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I have found myself in a frustrating reading slump lately, leaving me utterly perplexed. In my quest for a solution, I decided to dive into a genre that doesn’t require intense brainpower. Let me be clear, I hold the romance genre in high regard; it simply flows with a beautiful ease that differs from the complexities of mysteries or fantasy. This time, I ventured into the enchanting realm crafted by a new author for me, Amy Daws, and her mesmerizing book, Nine Month Contract. What an exhilarating journey it turned out to be! Sure, it may have had its predictability, but aren’t most romance novels beautifully rooted in that comforting rhythm? It delivered an uplifting experience, brimming with delightful banter that ignited happiness within me. The yearning and slow-burning romance swept me off my feet. The profound development of both the main characters and the intriguing side characters ignited a longing for more, teasing the promise of captivating stories yet to be told. Amy Daws may have just pulled me out of my slump!

BOOK 134 OF 2025📚

NINE MONTH CONTRACT

By: Amy Daws

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Have you ever experienced that tumultuous love-hate relationship with a book? That’s exactly how I feel about The Dead Men Walking Duet. I was shocked that it didn’t receive more buzz; it’s set in the same universe as the Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep, a series I adore! Yet, I sense that those who’ve read it may be hesitant to recommend it—or perhaps they share my conflicting emotions. The other works I’ve devoured by the Twisted Sisters, Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, revolved around relationships marred by bullying and explored polyamorous dynamics, showcasing characters who were beautifully broken, allowing us to witness their growth. But in this duet, the characters are, for lack of a better term, utterly insane! They are crazed, psychotic killers, yet somehow, you find yourself drawn to them, even able to unravel the main character’s frenzied ramblings. Still, there were countless moments when I wanted to throw in the towel and DNF the whole thing! It took me ages to slog through because I just couldn’t fully immerse myself, often finding myself setting it aside. Yet, the thought of abandoning a book—especially one penned by Peckham and Valenti—was unbearable, so I dug deep and pushed through. Ultimately, the narrative does gain momentum toward the end of the second book, which is why I awarded it the rating I did. But my review? Well, I’m still wrestling with my thoughts on it. All I can confidently say is to give it a shot! You might find yourself enamored, or like me, left in a delightful daze of confusion. Haha!

BOOK 132 TO 133 OF 2025📚

DEAD MEN WALKING DUET

By: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I just wrapped up the last book in the Flame Cursed Fae Series by Eliza Raine last night and wanted to take a sec to process my thoughts before rating each book. Since they all got the same rating, I figured I’d review them as a series to avoid repeating myself. There are three books: Of Blades and Wings, Of Frost and Feather, and Of Ash and Iron. Each book was on the shorter side for fantasy reads, and I kind of felt like it could’ve been squished down into a duology. It took me about three days to read the whole series since I’m a slow reader and didn’t have much time to chill with a book. The story’s concept was pretty cool. The main character, Maddy, gets picked to train at Featherblade to become a Valkyrie, much to her royal parents’ shock and disapproval. They’ve got a secret about her that you’ll need to dive in to find out—no spoilers from me! While at Featherblade, Maddy tries to keep her secret under wraps, cope with feeling lonely, train to become a Valkyrie, and deal with her feelings on Kain, whose touch is pretty deadly. Will they figure it out? So many questions! Plus, there’s a big plot twist. Seriously, you’ve got to check it out. Overall, I gave it 3 stars. It had a lot of great stuff, but something felt off. It got a bit dull at times and didn’t really pick up until the final book. Maybe I was expecting too much from it after reading a bunch of romance novels. I wanted to get lost in a fantasy world filled with adventure, but this one didn’t quite do it for me.

BOOK 129 TO 131 OF 2025📚

FLAME CURSED FAE SERIES

By: Eliza Raine

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Once again, Laurie Gilmore has delivered a heartwarming love story from Dream Harbor, and it’s the enchanting tale we’ve all been eagerly anticipating. I’ll admit, in the earlier stories, I found myself somewhat annoyed by Mac, envisioning him as a grumpy, older gentleman—no idea why my mind leapt to that! But in The Gingerbread Bakery, we finally get to experience the beautiful journey of Annie and Mac. To my surprise, Mac transformed into my absolute favorite character in Dream Harbor. I’ve never been more invested in two people finding their happily-ever-after! Prepare yourself for moments of laughter, tears, and an electrifying adventure that will leave you spellbound as you delve into this captivating story.

BOOK 128 OF 2025📚

THE GINGERBREAD BAKERY

By: Laurie Gilmore

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Elsie Silver, you’ve done it yet again! What an absolute masterpiece this is! With each book in the Rose Hill Series, I find myself saying it’s the best, but Wild Card has truly captured my heart like no other. Bash embodies the ideal blend of protector and lover, infused with just the right touch of vulnerability. The love story between him and Gwen is a breathtaking journey of discovering love against all odds. I laughed, I wept, and I sat on the edge of my seat—this book had it all! Please tell me we’ll get to savor more of their beautiful story in future books!

BOOK 127 OF 2025📚

WILD CARD

By: Elsie Silver

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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OMG, Katherine Center, how have I just uncovered the brilliance of your writing? The Rom-Commers was an exhilarating delight! What a charming tale! The witty banter sparkled, and the yearning was simply exquisite. Honestly, this book is entirely PG—there’s not a steamy scene in sight, if you catch my drift. Yet, who needs that when the writing is this phenomenal? I laughed, I wept—so many emotions flooded me. If you’re on the hunt for a refreshingly delightful romantic comedy, you cannot go wrong with this gem! Now, I’m absolutely eager to dive into more of her works!

BOOK 126 OF 2025📚

THE ROM-COMMERS

By: Katherine Center

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Let me begin by ardently professing my profound desire to love this book! Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube was raved about by not one, but two of my cherished friends—kindred spirits in the realm of literature who share my thirst for an unforgettable reading adventure. They’ve guided me to literary treasures before, but this time, I find myself grappling with doubt! Haha! The writing, unfortunately, left me yearning for more, at times thrusting me into the unexpected role of editor and proofreader. And then there’s the FMC, Tem. Regrettably, her character development felt stuck; instead of maturing, she resembled a middle schooler—unsure and flitting about, her love and loyalty wavering like a leaf in the breeze. There were instances when I nearly hurled the book across the room and even pondered DNFing it, but my passion for literature is unyielding; I’m a glutton for punishment! Nevertheless, the book sparkles with brilliant ideas! The mesmerizing world of the basilisk and their vibrant culture utterly enthralled me. So many intricate details enriched the narrative: the training, the claws, the gold, the rituals, the cresting, and yes, the fiery love scenes… the list is boundless! I was completely spellbound. And when it comes to book boyfriends, you can never go wrong with Caspen! Yet, it ultimately circles back to Tem and the writing. Will I eagerly devour the second book upon its release? Without a doubt! I’m far too invested to look back now!

BOOK 125 OF 2025📚

KISS OF THE BASILISK

By: Lindsay Straube

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️

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Ali Hazelwood has once again crafted a breathtaking masterpiece. Problematic Summer Romance may very well claim its place among my top 5 favorite books of 2025, perhaps even rising to the pinnacle of my all-time favorites for the year. As a dazzling follow-up to Not in Love, the narrative sweeps us into the lives of Maya, Eli’s sister, and Connor, his best friend and business partner. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Eli and Rue’s wedding in Italy, this love story sparkles with freshness, immersing us in the passionate yearning, witty banter, deep friendship, and heart-wrenching moments that unfold between Connor and Maya as they navigate their 15-year age gap while balancing the delicate line between cherished friendship and longing for so much more. A five-star read that unequivocally affirms that love can conquer all!

BOOK 124 OF 2025📚

PROBLEMATIC SUMMER ROMANCE

By: Ali Hazelwood

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese