Champagne Kisses by MJ Duncan

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

The author says this is a trope filled book —14, as per her. But this book is all the tropes done beautifully right. This book is pure romantic escapism in the best possible way — the kind of story that sweeps you up from the very first page and draws you in further with every page.

Aubrey Gill rolls into Whistler for her cousin's New Year's Eve wedding. She's not particularly looking forward to it since she's had a recent break up (but isn't particularly heartbroken) and single. She's not told anyone, so she'd pretty much dreading questions around her single status. 

Enter Beau Demers, Aubrey literally runs into Beau and there's a classic coffee drop moment. (Not a trope, but could probably be counted as one... since it's such a favourite amongst romance writers. Maybe coffee-shop and coffee-spill should be counted as tropes).

Beau Demers is charming; a burst of sunshine with irresistible warmth and sincerity. 

There's instant connection and somehow, Beau becomes Aubrey's fake date for the wedding. 

Through the pre-wedding shenanigans, Beau proceeds to capture everyone's hearts. 

I particularly loved Sam's dialogue about Beau... the one where she says, "It's a good ting you don't have Beau's game..."

The chemistry between Aubrey is crackling and ever present. Loved that. 

There is no angst but excellent pace. 

Aubrey Gill and Beau Demers are superb individually and irresistible together. 

This is a total romantic's romance. *chef's kiss*

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

In Walked Trouble by Dana Hawkins

 

⭐⭐⭐☆

This is a well-written light romcom. Though it can be called enemies-to-lovers, it's not exactly that. The rivalry is new and brief. So romcom is the best fit.

We have Remi James, a seasoned bartender with a chip on her shoulder, and Maya Marek, her new, annoyingly perfect and entitled (in Remi's opinion) surprise competition. Remi's prickly exterior hides a deep-seated vulnerability tied to her relentless ambition, while Maya's bright and cheerful demeanor conceals her own quiet struggles. 

There's a promised (hefty) bonus awaiting for one of them (depending on criteria set by the owner of the bar) at the end of a specified time period. Hawkins sets this part up really well — why the money is important to each of them. 

The other part really well done is the chemistry. It's no-so-slow burn, but not hurried either — though there's insta attraction. In addition to the chemistry, there's enough talking and sharing and baring (past traumas) to give convincing groundwork of more-than-just-lust.

As the story progresses, family emergencies and painful pasts come to light, serving as the catalysts for the relationship to move beyond simple rivalry. 

There is the prefinal act conflict here. While Hawkins takes pains to describe what is driving Remi's asshat behaviour... well, it remains asshat behaviour. Which Maya addresses (while Remi wallows). 

While the ending is satisfying, I felt like I wanted a bit more from the final act. I definitely need an epilogue, because as things stand, I feel that Maya is going to bear the entire emotional burden of their relationship going forward. That kind of imbalance always makes me uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, it's fun enough and light enough to live firmly in the I-don't-exactly-regret-reading-this reads shelf.

⭐⭐⭐☆

My Heart is Beating for You by særling

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★

This is a completely unique idea inasmuch the writer særling is also a singer/musician and has written this novella based on her song My Heart is Beating for You.

The story follows Elena, a literature professor in a small coastal town, whose life is defined by the aching absence of Leah, a wandering musician. The narrative weaves between the present, where Elena moves through her days in a haze of quiet grief, and the past, where we witness the electric, soul-deep connection that blossomed between her and Leah. 

The writing is competent, and even lyrical in places. In less than a hundred pages, særling writes a complete story — a first meeting, attraction and sparks, building memories together, physical intimacy, parting, distance, longing and aching, and a final reunion — engagingly and engrossingly. 

This isn’t a loud, drama-packed romance. It’s softer, more poetic. There's an emotional honesty in both MCs and særling effectively writes with affection. 

But what truly raises this novella from a four plus to a 5+, is the 5+ rating for the song. The song My Heart is Beating for You is haunting, sensual and sensuous — reminiscent of One Night  by The Corrs (an all-time personal favourite).

This is a quick, flowing read. Plus, the song is outstanding. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★

Sing With Me by Bette Hawkins

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Sing With Me is an enemies-to-lovers story about two successful musicians. And it is so good. 

Georgia (Gigi) Lark is a popstar with one prestigious Vangaurd award under her belt. She's also recently had her heartbroken via a toxic ex-wife and facing a writer's block. Like this isn't bad enough, her latest release is something of a wash-out.

Ashley Archer is Georgia's contemporary, but a musician taken more seriously than pop. Her star's on the rise at this time. 

Despite never having met, the two have been positioned as rivals by the media and also by their mutual label. And things would remain status quo but for a reclusive, legendary producer, Johnny Rail, wanting to work with the two of them—together. Sequestered in his ranch. 

This one is slow burn, done really well. Both the MCs are well characterized and likeable. Since they're both equally successful, neither needs to really bend backwards to accommodate the other's insecurities around fame (this kind of equality where on MCs doesn't carry the entire emotional burden of the relationship is always a plus). 

The author gives them immediate mutual attraction and high lust-quotient but takes her time building their relationship. They grow into one another, spend a lot of time together, so by the time they actually kiss, it is like a a moment that we've been waiting for. 

This is also a no angst story. That is good because oftentimes conflict gets forced in to maintain an expected pattern. 

Sing With Me is a simple story, told engagingly and with heart. 

About the cover: I don't see either of the leading ladies in the lady on the cover, but she is what their daughter would look like 😆

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

The Paradise Charade by T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod

 

⭐⭐⭐

Markinson and MacLeod are solid authors with a huge number of books to their credit. So you can be assured that their books are mostly fine — 'mostly' and 'fine' are the key words.

This one is a one-night-stand-to-forever story. While helping her to shift, still-closeted Savannah Strauss becomes an involuntary and unwilling witness to an especially cruel break-up engineered by her cousin. At that same time, she also finds a flyer to a lesbian gig and quietly attends. She has an unforgettable one-night-stand — with a woman who turns out to be the one her cousin broke up with — Brooklyn Mathers.

Seven years thence, Savannah is a school teacher. Brooklyn is a management consultant trying to land a client who is her hope for keeping her fledgling company alive. For reasons (best read in the book itself) Brooklyn seeks Savannah out for help. Savannah agrees and the charade spirals and takes shape of something far more complicated.

The main leads are likeable enough, chemistry's good, the conversations are fine, the island backdrop gives the story an escapist glow. On the other hand, The Paradise Charade doesn’t always rise above its predictability. The fake-dating premise, though fun, unfolds along a path that feels easy to anticipate, leaving little surprise in how events develop. The story entertains but rarely challenges or complicates the tropes it plays with. There is some real vulnerability, ensuring the relationship develops beyond surface-level attraction and long-held idealization.

What I liked the most is that it steered clear of the forced misunderstanding/break-up third act. It wasn't necessary in this and thankfully, the authors left it out too. 

This book succeeds as a cheerful distraction. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, the novel delivers exactly what it promises: a feel-good romance with with steady pacing.

Standout part of this book: Emoji texts from Savannah's mom. They truly shone.

About the cover: It's so generic that I can easily be used on any book that has a tropical holiday in it.

⭐⭐⭐