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.

⭐⭐⭐☆

For My Finale by Sienna Waters

⭐⭐★

Sienna Waters has long been a strictly romcom writer. One doesn't expect any particular depth of either characterization or plot from her. But this one is a little short on both the anchor fronts of her books — romance and comedy.

On the night of winning an Oscar, Lilah Paxton's acceptance speech begins with, "I quit". After that, with no plan in mind, she ends up at an English, Bankton. The plot relies heavily on her unsuitability for living in the largely rural village. Comedy comes only from there — especially the slapstick kind.

Blossom Baker, the owner of the local café, The Bankton Bean, was a teen fangirl with a crush on Lilah Paxton. She's also Lilah's new neighbour. Blossom's cheerfulness, brightness and overall lovability remains more tell than show. 

Lilah's agent, Margot is constantly offering Lilah great opportunities that Lilah refuses — even when she'd going utterly crazy with boredom. The villagers treat Lilah with a certain unsettling and unwarranted condescension, showing some weird kind of reverse superiority.

The MCs have very little chemistry until almost a third (or slightly over a third) of the book and then it's just suddenly there all the time. That was pretty abrupt and unconvincing. 

Waters' ability to write good humour and comedy shine in Chapter 2. That is a delightful scene in which she introduces all the major characters with drama. 

The second moment that was enjoyable was Lilah lying down on her back and screaming her boredom in wordless yells at the sky. While this could've been a serious moment, Waters' makes it light enough to be enjoyable, while still conveying Lilah's emotion.

But that is about it.  

On the whole, I didn't start this book with any expectations, but realised there must've been some when it failed even on the minimum. 

This is not a book I'd recommend on any level — but wouldn't actively dissuade anyone looking for a light, essentially uninvolving read. It's just there. 

⭐⭐★

#CassiNova by Lori G. Matthews

⭐⭐⭐☆

This one is a sitcom that doesn’t aim at being anything other than broadstrokes funny.

Samantha Cassidy is a popular, closeted TV actress with an Emmy under her belt and a dream of winning an Oscar. Alex Novato is a landscaper in her day job, but an aspiring author with a dream of getting published. As a creative outlet, Alex writes a fanfic shipping Sam’s character with that played by another actress, Emma, on the show. Sam and her manager, Jade, are impressed with the fanfic and decide to have a looksee at the author. It just so happens that Sam is in dire need of an overhaul of the outdoor areas of her new house and Alex is hired.

There is not much of a story. In fact, the story is only an excuse for comedic scenes. This book was originally a Clexa fanfic on AO3 and in the lack of plot, the fanfic origins show. However, it was hilarious as fanfic and it is hilarious in the book form too. 

Sam and Alex are very likeable. We particularly liked that Alex doesn’t put pressure on Sam to come out before she is ready. 

Since this is good old plain comedy, there is no reason the analyse characters or situations – just enjoy the lightness and at many times, the howlariousness of the on-going madness. 

⭐⭐⭐☆

Accidental Honeymoon by Miranda Macleod

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

A thoroughly enjoyable romcom with very appealing leading ladies.

Monica Panagiotopoulos is an Instagram influencer with a nightmare ex trying to make Monica homeless. Part of the ex’s plan to render Monica homeless is get some work done to attract a higher rate for the house. Enter Ray, the hot ‘handy ma’am’. Despite immediate attraction between the two, the sparks flying are passionate alright, but not of the delicious kind. They are judgemental about each other, cutting and entirely not liking who the other is. 

That is the start. But circumstances, inopportune arrival of Monica’s parents and a conditional bequeath by Monica’s grandmom conspire to turn them into a ‘couple’ for the inheritance. And the, Monica’s followers make the ‘couple’ a thing and their ‘relationship’ becomes a public property. 

This is an exceptionally entertaining rich (maybe not so rich initially)-girl-poor-girl fauxmance. Monica and Ray are extremely likeable and all the factors pushing them together and forcing them to stay together are hilarious. The conflict was a little convoluted but the cliax following it was pure romcom awesomeness. 

A book to totally love.  

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

The Holiday Treatment by Elle Spencer

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

This is a light, fluffy, feel-good, delightfully cheesy romcom. 

Holly (Holiday – yes, that’s her name. isn’t it terribly cute?) is the writer of super-successful Christmas romances set in the fictional town, Evermore, for Wifetime Channel. While her movies are madly popular. Holly’s dearest wish is to write a gay Christmas romance. Something that she’d have liked t see while growing up. Her idea is shot down repeatedly and she’s determined not to sign up for a new Evermore romance unless she can also get the greenlight for her gay romance.

Despite writing the popular Christmas romances, Holly personally is not into the holiday. She prefers to spend it by herself in Hawaii each year. Serendipitously, this time, her office crush, Meredith Drake is also in Hawaii, in the same resort at the same time. Meredith was supposed to be hosting a bachelorette for her sister who has seemingly flaked out and informed everyone else in the party, sans Meredith. 

Holly and Meredith spend time together and have what could be a holiday fling. Except it isn’t with Meredith asking to date Holly when they get back to their real life. Holly is more than happy to agree. 

But things aren’t smooth sailing for the couple when they return. Meredith is promoted and has to adhere to newly put-in-place strict workplace relationships. 

This is assuredly a romance with romance being the driver of the story. However, it reads like Holly’s story. Meredith has probably as much page time as Holly’s quirky group of friends. So it’s safe to say that this is a story around one central character, Holly. And Holly is undoubtedly a delightful central character. She is utterly and completely adorable. Meredith, as a foil romantic interest is also quite charming. The assorted supporting characters are also totally fun. 

There is some angst, but it doesn’t weigh down the light, peppy proceedings of the narrative. We absolutely love the unexpected celebrity status Holly has in her hometown and having a day named after her – the cherry on top of the cheesiness!

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Lost in the Starlight by Kiki Archer

 

⭐⭐⭐

This is a celebrity-journalist romcom that leans into the com aspect so hard that almost all characters are stereotypical caricatures. 

Honey Diamond is a mega-pop star. She is incredibly talented, famous and good looking. (Hello Taylor Swift). Her mother was also famous and she’d brought up Honey in a protected bubble. Margaret (Meg) Rutherton is a kind of a journalist who runs a trashy and frankly, salacious website SelebSecrets which seems to have a single aim of being nasty to celebrities. 

Honey isn’t exactly in the closet but has never discussed her sexuality in public. Meg (on whom she has a crush for like forever), via SelebSecrets, is determined to ‘expose’ Honey as a lesbian. Because of some unseemly and underserved gossip, Honey writes a song about her sexuality and insists that it should be a part of her new album. This is against the advice of her mother and manager. She also (against advice) decides to give an interview about the song and about her sexuality. It just so happens that the selected magazine has recruited Meg to replace their erstwhile correspondent, Margaret, and Meg turns up for the interview. 

Like we said, this book is filled with over-the-top caricaturised comedic characters and moments. Not that this detracts from the fun and funny parts. All characters except the two MCs are caricatures. Initially, Honey is also made out of the Disney Princess template but as the book progresses, she somehow makes her way into your heart with is purity.

Honey is naïve, innocent, positive, playful, honest, open, vulnerable and totally loveable. Meg, initially is not likeable. As we move into the second half and spend more time in Meg’s head, she moves from ‘not likeable’ to ‘dislikeable’ to ‘ohmygod, she’s quite terrible’. There is absolutely nothing to make Meg anywhere near a good match for Honey. So, while Honey kept us engaged and rooting or her happy ending, Meg made us want to DNF. We hate it when one of MCs is awesome and the other is awful. While we want awesome to find love we want that love to be the awful – so the HEA doesn’t make us feel completely good. 

We want to give Honey a 5+ rating but Meg goes into the negative on the scale. So we’ll have to settle with saying this book is okay. 

⭐⭐⭐

Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Misanthropic Reese Walker hasn’t left her apartment for 272 days. Her job as an audio book narrator of lesbian romances (mostly) allows her to work from home and that suits her just fine. Her biggest problem is her aggressively nice and kind neighbour, Judith. Her entire social life consists of her sister, lo, who is currently in rehab for alcoholism, and an old friend, David. 

When she is forced to answer an unexpected and unwelcome knock on her door, she receives a bill from the rehab of a large amount of money. Fiercely protective, Reese knows she needs to somehow raise the money for Lo. Via David she receives and offer to read a book that may just help her earn the required money. The catch is that she needs to leave her house and record it in a studio in New York under the supervision of the author, Arden Abbot.

Hot, sexy, successful Arden turns out to be something of a micromanager picking on Reese’s pronunciations of words like ‘Sarah’ and ‘and’. Reese is neither happy with Arden’s ‘helpful’ suggestions nor with the fact that Arden is impossibly sweet and attractive. Reese mentally rages against Arden till she realises that Arden is fighting battles of her own. 

The story is narrated entirely from Reese’s point of view so we are privy to all her thoughts, feelings and emotions. She is not awfully likeable or dislikeable. Mainly, she is funny in her extreme reactions to ‘people’ and ‘outside’. At some point, we also realise that besides being misanthropic, Reese is also an introvert and cannot handle being around people too much. 

Arden is a lovely, lovely lady. In fact, the whole relationship growth between Arden and Reese is skewed in the beginning with Arden making all the effort in both, their professional and personal interactions. 

These are two women dealing with their own demons and trying to handle their own imperfections while making the effort to grow and let another person in. That is so heartwarming. We loved that the conflict is totally organic and completely in keeping with the characterisations. It is a situation where, very interestingly, both are right in their actions and expectations and both are wrong in dealing with the other.  

But what really makes this book a highly engaging read is the humour. The writing is awesome (though there are a few regrettable typos – but nothing too bad). 

This one is a perfectly lovely read with a cast full of likeable characters.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mutual Benefits by HP Munroe

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Hannah Melville has always felt like the odd one out in her family. While the rest of her family (parents, twin siblings – sister and brother) are all into science one way or another, Hannah is a dress designer. She is successful enough but still feels defensive. As the oldest child, she’s also been something of a conformist and is chafing a bit under always being responsible and predictable. At a family dinner with her parents, when her mother turns the conversation towards Hannah’s love life – again, she decides rock the boat and announces she is gay. Only, instead of the shock and negative reaction that she anticipated her parents celebrate her “coming out” saying they suspected it all along. And the next thing Hannah knows is that her mother has set her up on a blind date – with a woman. 

Ashley West is a firefighter – a hot firefighter. She is out but not interested in a relationship. She’s been rather badly burnt by a relationship in the past with a girl who claimed to be straight but also insisted she loved Ashley. The ex could never come to terms with her own sexuality and Ashley suffered greatly in the situation. Now Ashley is not ready for a relationship and definitely more than a little leery about having anything to do with straight girls and their experimentation. 

But Hannah is the exact opposite of Ashley’s ex. Ashley’s ex claimed to be straight while having an affair with Ashley and Hannah is out as gay to the world and insists she is straight in private.

To keep their mothers of their backs, Hannah and Ashley agree to pretend to be in a relationship for the world.

Hannah and Ashley are both extremely appealing. The dialogue is sharp and the relationship is really sweet. Munroe takes time in developing the relationship over a period of time and offers plenty of insight into both, Hannah’s and Ashley’s minds and emotions. We loved their interaction, their banter, their caring for each other and the whole relationship.

The secondary characters provide excellent context and are all extremely likeable. We loved the little scene where Hannah’s best friend points out that Hannah hasn’t really been seeing or appreciating the support she receives from her parents and sister because she is so busy feeling like she doesn’t belong. This is absolutely true – completely missing out what is there because you’ve decided something and colour everything with the strokes of that prejudice. 

This is a delightful romcom with great humour and a decent dose of emotions in which everything (including justifiable not-forced-or-drawn-out conflict) just right. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Now and Again by Natasha West

 

⭐⭐⭐☆

This is a second chances book but not entirely, because the first time around, the relationship was abbreviated and nixed before it could develop. 

Juliet Sullivan is a nanny. She works with wealthy families looking after their kids with immense love and patience – because Juliet loves kids and she loves her job. When her current employer gets a promotion at work and is scheduled to move to Canada, Juliet finds a new job in the Powell household consisting of an irritable man of the house, a harassed and harried mom, an unmanageable little girl – and Riley Powell.

Riley and Juliet were together in high school where Riley was the all-round popular girl, who was also a good person and did well in her studies, while Juliet was the outcast (because she wasn’t as rich as the others). Riley’s best friend India particularly delighted in picking on Juliet. Despite their differences, Riley and Juliet shared one kiss and that could’ve developed further given that they both were crushing on the other. But India’s machinations ended that possibility. 

Now, Riley had been evicted from the rental house she was living in and is crashing at her father’s with his second family. Riley has no love lost for her dad and can’t wait to get away. When Juliet is added into the mix, things get more complicated because both women still harbour feelings for each other. 

Riley and Juliet are both very appealing women and the attraction that they feel for the other is inescapable. West writes good background about them both and explores their thoughts enough to make their actions understandable. This story is entirely built on non-communication, mis-communication and jumping to conclusions, which is somehow made understandable from the characters’ points of view. We admit that we feel more sorry for than angry with the bad guy, India, because all her actions arise from her own struggles.

This is meant to be a light entertainer and does that job really well. Particularly the scene towards the end where all Powells descend on Juliet. That was pure romcom climax which was thoroughly enjoyable. 

This one is quite a good read. 

⭐⭐⭐☆

The Setup by T. B. Markinson

 

⭐⭐⭐☆

Review-lite

…because…not a lot of story in this one

• The whole story happens in one single day that the two mains are ‘setup’ by a mutual friend 
• Good dialogue
• Markinson manages to give enough background about both leads (especially Imogen)
• The day seemed just too long – and for just one day (or less) it felt too much emotionally and the sheer number of incident-wise 
• This one could’ve well been spread over a few days and been called a novel instead of a novella
• Once again – great dialogue

⭐⭐⭐☆

Pitifully Ugly by Robin Alexander

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review-lite

…because…Robin Alexander

• Robin Alexander humour and hilarity all the way
• The dildo mishap scene? Totally ROFL
• More feinting by MCs than expected
• Really liked both the ladies….but Hailey a tad more

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heart of Ice by T. B. Markinson and Miranda Macleod

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Laurie Emerson is codenamed Laurie the Hatchet in the world of finance for her notorious ruthlessness. Laurie and her wife Bonnie were co-founders of one of the topmost financial advisory firms and their shared office was called the Shark Tank. When Bonnie's tumour was diagnosed with inoperable, she booked Laurie for a year in a high-end resort and handed the reins of the company to her son, Toby.

Laurie returns a little under a year during which the company has been nosediving under mismanagement. But Laurie has a lead that could completely turn the company around and make it a top player again. The lead is inside information that Silvio Othonos, an elusive Greek billionaire, is looking for a firm to manage his investments. Laurie's vigour is roadblocked by Toby who has jetted off across the Atlantic trying to jump the gun and meet with Othonos without a plan in place.

Undeterred, Laurie decides to make a team out of the available resources and create a solid proposal for the billionaire.

Jacqueline (Jack) Kennedy is a hardworking portfolio manager with Emersons. As a woman in a man's world she is overlooked and on the receiving end of entitled masculine behaviour. Not being an Ivy Leaguer also puts her on something of a back foot. Having joined after Laurie had left for her sabbatical, Jack knows Laurie only by reputation. So, when she is the only portfolio manager on the floor and becomes part of Laurie's team, she's quite pleased and is looking forward to the meeting the next day.

A snowed in evening, an Irish pub, a hot woman and amazing sex -- only to realise that the hot woman of the previous evening was Laurie / Jack i.e. boss / subordinate. Both decide to forget their evening together and keep it professional. Except that the chemistry keeps boiling over throwing emotions all over the map.

Laurie and Jack are superbly crafted characters. Laurie does keep slipping into being a version of Miranda Priestly but is also not Miranda Priestly often enough. Come to think of it, such fluctuations would actually leave a person with whiplash. But Jack works with her mercurial boss with fortitude. Realistically, Jack does have misgivings about working with Laurie and her impossible behaviour. 

Though older than Jack by 20 years, Laurie is clearly the immature one between the two. Jack is never without spine. Yes, Laurie is demanding and impossible but Jack never comes across as a doormat or pushover.

Jack's kooky mother and her story is a smile inducing twist.

The chemistry between Jack and Laurie is fantastic. And the grand-gesture love confession is perfect for die-hard romantics. 

The book captures you from the very start and keeps you totally engrossed for its entirety. Markinson and Macleod are a winning combination. Their collaboration brings to us the most romantic and adorable book.

Definitely recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Bet Against Me by Fiona Riley

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Who knew that the world of luxury realty was so intensely competitive?

Trina Lee is a rockstar realtor who outperforms all others in the industry and has developed a reputation of being cutthroat and ruthless. She’s been featured in a magazine’s list of 30 under 30 and as the cherry on top of her cake of a great year professionally, she’s a hairsbreadth from winning the coveted Realtor of the Year award. Except that she’s pipped to the post by a Jane-come-yesterday, Kendall Yates. The two work in rival companies and there’s no love lost between their bosses. Post the award presentation, as Trina is attacking Kendall with all she’s got and Kendall is pulling no punches in trading insult with insult, their bosses come up with a ‘friendly’ (but not really) competition between their star performers – to outsell the other in one particular upcoming development.

Trina and Kendall get down to it, never missing an opportunity to bring out those deadly claws and sharp tongues to deliver scathing insults. But that much passion spills into unexpected channels and their whole relationship does a 180 degree.

Trina Lee is one livewire of a character. Sassy, sarcastic, sharp and competitive, she is also borderline arrogant and cocky but tempered down with her sweetness and loyalty right from the beginning. Though she comes across as the more abrasive and antagonistic of the two initially, her character is so well rounded by her other relationships that she is never dislikeable. Kendall has a past that she’s trying to outpace. She cuts a more sympathetic figure at start. Also she’s not the one itching to fight all the time. However, Riley does a great job of making both women equally appealing. More to her credit, Riley somehow manages to give a flavour of I-like-her-therefore-I’ll-pull-her-pigtails-to-get-her-attention to the whole animosity.

The chemistry between the two leads is sizzling. And par for the course, as with all Riley’s books, the heat-o-meter is set at burn. The book has a great balance between romance and sex.

We sorely missed an epilogue in this one. We’re sure that Trina and Kendall will be happy together for life, but we’d have definitely liked to know what Kendall does professionally and how she fares after all the evil-dad-interfering-in-her-life drama. (BTW, this dad-villain bit added to the rather farfetched premise makes this one more a romcom than a contemporary romance. But in no way does it detract from the fact this is a hugely entertaining book with great chemistry and amazingly good sex).

Definitely recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

What Happened in Vegas? By Claire Highton-Stevenson

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

This one is a super-cute romcom that made us want our life to be a romcom too – especially since the dedication of the book is: For everyone trying. You will get there.

Molly Day, a coffee chop owner in LA, is sent off on a holiday by her staff because she’s working too hard. She also recently found her partner cheating on her – so the need to recharge and regroup is rather high. But instead of a relaxing beach, Molly goes to Vegas for a week and decides to embrace whatever Sin City throws her way. And what Sin City throws her way si super-hot Anna Garcia, a location hunter with one of the Hollywood dream makers. There is a instant spark, and well, it is Sin City best known for marriages-by-mistake – which is exactly where Molly and Anna find themselves after 12 hours of fun, drinks and sex --- so much sex. Naturally, they decide to get the marriage annulled but discover thatthey need a divorce, not just an annulment. Molly actually considers staying married, but Anna, carrying some baggage of a past relationship that went right up to a marriage license (but not further) and of her extremely Catholic mom freaks and disappears on Molly.

But they’re both in LA and though difficult, it’s not impossible to find the other. Which is how Anna finds her ‘wife’ with a proposal of giving it a go. But Molly is having none of it.

Molly Day is an instantly appealing character. Cocky Anna grows on you as the story progresses. The chemistry between them is good and the sexy times are beyond good. There is lots and lots of sex, but the book doesn’t spillover into erotica because there is plenty of drama also going on. Plus plenty of romance and enough of angsty conflict before the happy ending. A complete romcom package, this.

This book is light, fluffy and very entertaining.

(Note that despite the subhead labelling it a second chances romance, this is a first try contemporary romance…ummm…romcom).

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Hopeless Romantic by Georgia Beers

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

A wedding planner who doesn't believe in marriage and a divorce lawyer who had unshakable faith in marriage. A marriage-shy divorcee who knows how to be in a relationship and handle the rough parts with maturity and a marriage-keen romantic who is rather clueless about how to deal with the uncomfortable moments of disagreement in a relationship. Very interesting character contexts in this one.

Theodora (Teddi) Baker is possibly the best wedding planner in town. She's built up an enviable reputation and a successful business, Hopeless Romantic, ground-up. She used to be even more successful with three storefronts instead of the current single one. She had to close two of them to pay alimony when she got divorced. Naturally, Teddi has low interest in relationships and no interest in getting married again.

Leah Scott is s successful divorce lawyer with a not-so-secret craze for romcoms looking for her own happily ever after. 

Leah's little sister, Kelly, is getting married. Kelly chooses Teddi as her wedding planner. Teddi and Leah have sparks and electricity right away but first past history and then personality differences rock the boat.

Teddi and Leah are instantly likeable. The chemistry between them is rocking. The progression of their relationship is so much sweetness. The conflict is not contrived (hallelujah) -- in fact, it is practically written into the narrative right from the beginning so you understand both of them but totally want them to work it out.

The supporting cast of free ends, mama Scott and Kelly are also very likeable. The relationship between Leah and Kelly is totally endearing. 

This is a sweet, easy, feel good read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐★

Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Friends-to-enemies (sorta)-to-friends-to-lovers. This one covers a wide range in the relationship of the two leading ladies with excellence.

Megan Harris and Scarlett Andrews used to be inseparable in school. But that ended when Scarlett ditched Megan in college. They were supposed to go together but at the last minute Scarlett decided to go a more prestigious college elsewhere. Then when one tried to reach out to the other they were ghosted. Now they don’t have anything to do with one another though they live in the same town. Their school group used to be a trio with Juliet completing the triumvirate till she moved to Quebec. Now Juliet is getting married and would really like her two best friends to be there. So with all sorts of reservations, Megan and Scarlett decide to make a road trip from Florida to Quebec, together.

As they start travelling together, they rediscover each other. Learn things about the other that they didn’t imagine. Gain insights and understanding about their own and the other person’s behaviour.

Megan and Scarlett are everyday women written with such depth and detail that they become real. Their fears and anxieties resonate. Their hopes and dreams are tangible. Their disappointments and self-doubts are empathise-able. The attraction between them is believable. Particularly the back history when one had an unspoken crush on the other and the other had a feeling that she didn’t recognise because she was unaware of her sexuality.

Initially there is quite a bit of what each found wrong in the other when they were friends. While this sounds like they didn’t really like each other, it is something that is so, so real. When we’ve split from someone it is easier to focus and remember what we didn’t like about them rather than all the great things about them that leave us pining for what is not.

The only thing that was not quite easy to swallow was the easy nudity and un-understandable comfort with masturbating in the other’s presence. That didn’t flow too well with the otherwise perfect narrative of re-finding their old friendship.

As always, we have a soft spot for the person who is braver about going out on a limb with their emotions, so Scarlett wins for us. Not only for her bravery towards the end but her vulnerability throughout, for her honesty and for the way she puts Megan first.

This one was a lovely read which we completely recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Captive Hearts by Natasha West

⭐⭐⭐☆★

This book has Natasha West taking baby steps out of her comfort zone with excellent results.

Ashley Quick is a TV reporter with an ambition to do investigative stories for the biggest channels. But she is stuck in a small-time local channel for three years with little hope and possibility of making a big jump. Intense and Type A, she is rather bereft of social filters and emotional niceties. She knows her personality failings and also realises that they are stopping her from realising her ambition. But she is who she is. No camera operator lasts with her because of her rather abrasive behaviour. When the latest camera o quits, her boss reaches out to Gina Tucker, a totally chill and laid back cam op who just happens to be in-between jobs. Regular pay, and good pay at that, makes Gina agree to work with the reporter no one else is willing to work with.

Off on their first story -- a thrilling bring-and-buy sale in the local church -- Ashley catches hint of a real story happening somewhere in town. She manages to convince Gina and they rush away from the church to a closed pizza place with police cars standing in front of it. When she tries to find out what's happening, she's brusquely shooed away. But Ashley is not faint hearted and hangs around long enough to find out that there's a hostage situation inside. She's excited. Being the only news people around, this could well become her big break into national television. But that hope doesn't last too long as the police cordon off the area and the two are sent packing away beyond the cordon.

After hanging around a while, when it seems that there is no possibility of getting a piece of the action, Ashley is about to do her concluding piece to camera when things change. The police come to them and say that the man holding hostages is willing to release one but only if the news people are around and will interview him. 

But things change entirely again when instead of an interview, the perpetrator releases one hostage but takes Ashley and Gina as hostages.

Unwittingly, Ashley becomes the point of contact with the police and finds herself handling the borderline crazy man trying to get more and more hostages released.

While West is undoubtedly good at romcom, in this one she creates an unusual circumstance which she spices up with her fun dialogues and whimsical characters, but is at heart a more serious and layered book than usual.

Ashley and Gina are appealing right from the start. Despite her single-minded ambition and social ineptitude, there is something heartrendingly fragile and delicate about Ashley. Gina is the perfect support for her. 

Initially both find the other attractive but there's no common ground between them. Their relationship really develops in the heightened intensity of the situation. The surreal circumstance also speeds up revelations and observations about each other's true characters which makes the fact that they choose each other completely convincing despite the short period that they've known each other.

The villain is rather an over the top caricaturish character but that helps is keeping the story light enough. There is a whole cast of people and West's talent shows in the fact she manages to create personalities for most of them in their very brief appearances. 

The fast moving, easy-to-read book is still in the realm of romcom but a few inches closer to the serious fiction line than most of West's books and thoroughly entertains.

⭐⭐⭐☆★

Reaping the Benefits by E.J. Noyes

⭐⭐⭐

 

After the intense Ask,Tell; the singular Alone and the character driven romantic Gold, E. J. Noyes shakes it all up (including our expectations) with this paranormal romcom.

Morgan Ashworth owns a very successful data storage and security company and Jane Smith heads the technology side of the business. Both the women have been silently lusting after each other for years but stick to safe boss-employee zone convinced that the other cannot be similarly interested. Well, at least that is Jane's feeling. For Morgan it is a little more complicated. She is Death's Head Minion which means she is in charge of all other Minions and of late, she also has to tak care of the Americas since the Minion in charge of that geography has left (yes, the Minions have a choice).

The job of th Minions is to administer afterlife packages which are essentially a long list of questions so that each person is assigned an afterlife as per their personality. Receiving an afterlife package to fill doesn't mean that the human's days are numbered, though. They could have days, weeks, months or even years ahead of them. 

Morgan is assigned to administer an afterlife package to Jane. Getting this one done would mean that Morgan would still be eligible for the Minion of the Year award -- an award she's won consistently over years and just may lose this year. Except that Jane cottons on to how important it is to Morgan that Jane completes her package and bargains for fulfilment of her bucket list before signing that package.

Cici (Death), Morgan's boss encourages Morgan to not only accept Jane's terms but also accompany Jane around the world as the bucket list items get ticked off. 

The circumstances and the context of the story are fabulously implausible and Noyes balances that implausibility superbly with very empathiseable characters. As soon as #12 of the bucket list (Sleep with the boss) appears, both women are quite open about their attraction to each other. 

However, as their feelings deepen, Morgan started getting on our nerves with her feinting, blowing hot blowing cold, flirt and flight, and the most unforgivable of all -- complete lack of communication about her feelings for Jane or sharing of her fears. By around the 75% mark we couldn't stand Morgan anymore. Her behaviour of running away but making certain gestures and just giving enough to keep Jane hooked to her is a kind or psychological problem (we think it's a kind of dysfunctional behaviour displayed by narcissistic personalities). 

By the time we reached the point where Cici offers to 'save' Jane (i.e. give Jane many more years of life -- which seemed like at least 50 to 60 additional years) or make Jane the Minion for Americas thus granting the couple (Morgan and Jane) an eternity together -- and Morgan rejects both possibilities unilaterally, we were completely done with her and her self pity and self-preservation. We lost what little understanding we had held on for her up to this point.

Cici and Jane are lovely, very lovely, ladies, though.

While our extreme frustration with Morgan doesn't allow us to give this one an unmixed, ringing endorsement and recommendation, it is still well written plus it is a paranormal fantasy romcom by Noyes, so maybe worth a shot.

⭐⭐⭐