June 2024 Mini Reviews | Part 2

Savour It by Tarah DeWitt

Published: 21st May 2024 by Piatkus

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

I had heard of Tarah and some of her books before this latest one, and knew she was highly regarded within the Romance world, and now I know why! I loved the small-town setting of this, as always, and how the whole town managed to meddle in their budding relationship, but only because they wanted the best for them! I really liked that Fisher was brought into Sage's life to help her from being embarrassed about the ending of her previous relationship, and how he helped to boost her confidence back up, while Sage helped bring Fisher down to earth and build up his own confidence in being a parent figure for the first time. This felt more emotional than your average romance novel, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it, as it felt authentic that Fisher and Sage's respective circumstances led to a strong connection and reliance on one another. The pacing of this did run a bit slow for me at times, but overall I really enjoyed it.

3.5 stars

Fake Flame by Adele Buck

First Responders #1

Published: 23rd May 2024 by Afterglow Books

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

This just sounded like such a fun concept, as I haven't read a romance centred around a first responder before, and that aspect of it certainly was. I liked that there was more to Sean than you might first expect, but I do think his perfection was a bit on-the-nose and cliche at times, more than I find with some other romances. I really felt for Eva and her situation with her shitty ex, and was glad to see how she handled it throughout the book, not standing down at any point and eventually getting the justice that she deserved. I didn't love why Eva and Sean broke up, however, and how it led to him not being there for her in her worst moments - it just didn't feel realistic compared to the rest of their relationship, and it felt like a bit of a lazy third-act breakup. I'm intrigued about the next book in this series, so I'll give it a go and see how it compares!

3 stars

The Backup Bride Proposal by Jaci Burton

Boots and Bouquets #4

Published: 23rd April 2024 by Headline Eternal

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

This book had such strong potential for me in the beginning, but unfortunately fell flat in the end. I really liked Mae, I thought she had a good head on her shoulders and kept her relationship with Kane realistic, but there was something about the two of them together that didn't quite work for me. Maybe it was the mismatch between his lack of communication and reassurance, and her needing that validation. I don't think her previous relationship was explored enough to explain why Mae was the way she was, and I found Kane to be immature in his handling of his feelings. I just wasn't dying to read this or for them to get their happy ever after, but it wasn't badly written by any means - just not my favourite couple!

3 stars

Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo

Published: 3rd June 2021 by Virago

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

This book was such a refreshing surprise - I hadn't heard anything about it until I decided to pick it up, but I'm so glad I did. Chibundu's writing gripped me from the very first chapter, as I felt the fragility of Anna at a heartbreaking time in her life, losing her mother and reckoning with the separation of her and her husband, while trying to put on a strong front for her daughter - feeling at a loss, and in an attempt to try and control some aspect of her life, finds herself on this whirlwind of familial discovery to Bamana in West Africa, a place from where she descends but has never called home. Anna frustrated me at times with her constant downplaying of events and never putting herself first, but I understood why she was the way she was and just wanted the best for her. The ending felt a touch predictable, and lacked the shock factor, or a last-minute twist to the story, but overall this was such a strong story.

4 stars