Book Review: Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau

Title: Time Loops & Meet Cutes
Author:  Jackie Lau
Genre: Romance; Science Fiction
Publication Date: May 6th, 2025
Publisher: Atria Books

Noelle Tom really shouldn’t have eaten those dumplings at the night market. But the old lady at the stall said they’d give her what she needed most, and what Noelle desperately needed after another long workweek was food.

Except now she’s reliving the same Friday over and over. Every morning her alarm goes off at 6:45 no matter what, the Wordle answer is always “happy,” and she watches a silly squirrel video go viral day after day. And no matter how much she works on the same proposal, it’s always erased when she wakes up. It seems Monday will never come in this workaholic’s worst nightmare.

Noelle has no idea how being trapped in a time loop is the “thing she needed most,” especially now that everything seems meaningless. Sure, three fancy meals in a row is a fun treat, but it’s getting repetitive. Noelle’s not sure what lesson the old lady was trying to impart. Even a trip to the dumpling stall doesn’t help…because there’s no sign of it.

But then she meets a young woman who also ate the dumplings, and good-looking Cam, who appears in multiple places on her Friday. While he seems to have no memory of their encounters, there are signs he might be the key to getting un-stuck. But Noelle will have to put work aside and live a little in order to make him notice her. As their flirtation progresses, Noelle begins to worry that if she ever gets to turn the calendar page, Cam won’t know who she is and her life may never return to what it was before that fateful Friday…

Rating

* I received this digitally for free and I am voluntarily leaving this review for free*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I knew I wanted to read more science fiction this year, but little did I know that one would be a Rom-Com about being stuck in a time loop. Of course, Jackie Lau would be the author to pull it off. Lau is just about to take any trope from different genres, and reinvent them into something unique and enjoyable, and boy, did I enjoy this book. Noelle is your typical boring overworked main character who needs a bit of a shake up in life, this shake up comes in the form of magical dumplings causing her to continuously live June 20th over and over again.

Soon, Noelle starts to live, finding friendship and love while also realizing that her familial relationships also need some work. I enjoyed reading about Noelle's growth and struggles as she lives through the same day and realizes that no matter what she does, no one remembers he actions except her. You can feel her hopelessness and desperation, especially when it came to Cam. I know that I am not as resilient as Noelle, as I think I would have gone completely insane. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more of Lau's work. 

 

Book Review: A Properly Conducted Sham by Ally Hudson

Title: A Properly Conducted Sham
Series: Most Imprudent Matches #5
Author: Ally Hudson
Genre: Historical; Retelling; Romance
Publication Date: February 4th, 2025
Trigger Warning: PTSD, Marital Rape (not described but implied)

A ruined reputation, a monstrous secret, and a love story as old as time…

Gossip is one of Charlotte’s favorite pastimes—until she finds herself its target. Nearly a year into widowhood and newly with child, Lady Charlotte James finds herself rejected by her lover. She must find a new husband or face ruin.

Leopold Bennet, Earl of Champaign, shuns society and his own reflection. Hidden away in the country, he is free to spend countless hours in his observatory with the stars. They don’t judge him for the occasional, all-consuming attacks, nor do they stare in horror at his scarred face.

But, the anonymity of a masquerade proves too tempting, and Lee braves the crush. With golden curls and a quick wit, Charlotte instantly captivates him. But the midnight unmasking sends him fleeing back to the shadows.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Charlotte presents Lee with a scandalous proposition. To her astonishment, he agrees with a caveat of his own—one year in the country in exchange for the protection of his name.

Rating

 * I received this book digitally for free and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

While A Properly Conducted Sham is book five in the 'Most Imprudent Matches' series you can read this as a standalone which is exactly what I did. However, I may have to go read the other books in this series because I enjoyed this book. A retelling of sorts of 'Beauty and the Beast' Lee 'the Beast' a disfigured man who lost his wife in a terrible accident, is such a sweet and precious cinnamon roll and I am so glad Charlotte, the Beauty, realized this. A widow who needs to get married, Charlotte started a little uptight, but I love how she was with Lee, She didn't care about his disfigurement, instead opening her heart and allowing this both to heal from past atrocities and grow into their marriage. Marriage of convenience isn't a trope I read often but I may need to pick up a couple of books because I always enjoy them.

While Lee and Charlotte's chemistry was more restrained than in most books, it was undeniable, and their love felt realistic. I was a little hesitant about the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, but Hudson handled the sensitive topics well. 

Overall, I enjoyed this romance, and I will be looking for more of Hudson's Books. 

Book Review: The Taming of the Duke by Emily Royal

Title: The Taming of the Duke
Series: Misfits of the Ton #3.5
Author: Emily Royal
Genre: Historical; Retelling; Romance
Publication Date: December 16, 2023

Who will be tamed—the shrew, or the rake?

Lord Baptiste Parville longed for a male heir, but instead, his late wives burdened him with two daughters—Catherine and Blanche. Catherine, known as the Spinster Shrew, is of such a sour disposition, that Lord Parville, desperate to rid himself of her, declares that no man may court Blanche until Catherine is off his hands.

Lord Lucian Horton, Blanche’s would-be suitor, is in despair. Until a wager is made. Enter Daxton Hawke, Duke of Petrush, committed bachelor and rake, who agrees to pretend to woo the waspish Catherine so Lucian can court the delightful Blanche.

Having had her heart broken, Catherine Parville resolves never to marry. But, out of loyalty to her younger sister, who has fallen in love with Lord Horton, she accepts the advances of the rakish duke. Catherine has no intention of making life easy for her suitor, but despite her increasingly acerbic comments, Daxton thrives on her shrewish nature, indulging in a few barbs of his own.

With the tenacity of a seasoned warrior and a skillful touch that sends Catherine’s senses ablaze, Daxton may yet emerge victorious.

But Daxton soon learns that he’s met his match—and it is the duke, not the shrew, who might perhaps be tamed.

Rating

 Hello Fellow Readers,

My favorite retelling from Shakespeare is The Taming of the Shrew and I love when authors decide to take it and mix it up. The title intrigued me, so I picked it up on Kindle Unlimited and immediately started to read. Unfortunately, this has one of my least favorite things in romances, instant love, or at least that is how it felt, with under 100 pages this could have benefitted from a chapter or two devoted to their interactions so this wouldn't have seemed so rushed. I didn't feel the chemistry between Daxton and Catherine and I didn't get enough interaction with them to connect, I actually didn't like any of the characters in this. One minute I felt like they hated each other, then wanted each other, then conflict then love again. I think my neck may have gotten whiplash after reading it. The writing wasn't bad at all and had Royal given her leads enough time to simmer, I could have really enjoyed this book.

Overall, not my cup of tea. 

Manga Review: Fall in Love, You False Angels by Coco Uzuki

 

Title: Fall In Love, You False Angels #1
Author: Coco Uzuki
Genre: Graphic Novel, Manga; Romance
Publication Date: February 11th, 2025
Publisher: Kodansha Comics

All sugar, no spice, and everything nice...that's the impression the beautiful first-year high schooler and class president Otogi gives to those around her. One look from the school's "heartthrob angel" is all it takes to sweep countless admirers off their feet. But the real Otogi Katsura is no angel: She's calculating, ruthless, and sharp-tongued. When Otogi slips up and exposes her inner baddie in front of the class's other paragon, Toki, he counters by revealing an unexpected side of his own and declaring her his "partner in crime." With cupid's arrow at her back, can the "heartthrob angel" maintain her perfect act and regain the upper hand, or will she be the one swept off her feet by a fellow false angel?!

Rating

*I have received this book digitally for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

Fall in Love, You False Angels is about two 'perfect' high schoolers who have been pretending to be cute & innocent but actually have a bit of a wilder side to them. This mostly means they are not as sweet and perfect as their schoolmates like to think and will calculate, swear, and have a temper. Both Otogi and Toki have adopted personas at school, which leads them to be the envy of their classmates but one slips up and they both show their true selves to each other. They start to get close because they are the only two people at school who know how the other actually is.  This is a cute story and I really enjoyed it, this does have the potential to lead into some funny high jinks, so I can't wait to see where Uzuki takes the story. 

Book Review: The Duke's Spinster by Eliana Piers

Title: The Duke's Spinster
Series: Duke Dare #1
Author: Eliana Piers
Genre: Historical; Romance
Publication Date: January 23, 2025
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing

When a spinster’s bet and a duke’s dare collide, sparks fly.

Lady Boudicca is a spinster. And she’s quite happy with her future plans for independence until her sisters dare each other to marry dukes. She’ll go along with the dare just to prove to them that she’s not made for love. But when she bumps into a handsome—albeit arrogant—duke and ends up dancing with him, she doesn’t expect him to show up at her house the next day. And the next. And the next. Why won’t he just go away?

Wesley, Duke of Baskim, rejects every woman he’s crossed paths with. But then his friends take charge of his love life in one of their notorious bets. So when he bumps into a gorgeous—albeit strong-willed—woman at a ball, he has to follow through on the bet. Despite how difficult she’s being, he has to win this bet.

The dare threatens her independence. The bet challenges his every notion of love. But it’s nothing a little courting, a little fencing, and a little secret disguise can’t blossom into true love.

Rating

*I have received this book digitally for free and have voluntarily decided to leave an honest review*

 Hello Fellow Readers,

I am not going to lie, I devoured this book. It had everything I love, a strong female main character, Chemistry between the two leads, and spicy goodness. Boudicca is such a great character, she knows what she wants, and no one will get in the way of that. She was logical and outgoing but also had a vulnerability that she showed with her family. She's what I wish more FMC are like in historical romances. I didn't think that I would like Wesley, but I did. Part of this was that we get to see things from his POV, I also like that he didn't try to change Boudicca or make her submit to him. Instead, he accepts who she is and even asks her for help. Boudicca is a woman and a warrior and I am glad that at the end of The Duke's Spinster she stayed one. I think while I wait for the next installment of the 'Duke Dare' series I will have to check out Piers other books. 

Overall, a great romance. 

Graphic Novel Review: The Kiss Bet by Ingrid Ochoa

 

Title: The Kiss Bet
Author: Ingrid Ochoa
Genre: Graphic Novel; Romance; Young Adult
Publication Date: February 25th, 2025
Publisher: Webtoon

It’s senior year and Sara Lin just turned eighteen. She’s got great friends, a cool dad (or so he thinks), and a whole lot ahead of her. The last thing she needs is to worry about having her first kiss.

But that’s all about to change because her good pal Patrick just challenged her to a bet that will either lead to love, heartbreak, or embarrassment…or maybe all three.

Sara Lin understands that her first kiss is a rite of passage, one that she takes very seriously, even if everyone around her doesn’t. She wants it to be special–true love’s kiss–and wants to fall for someone she really cares about, not just get it over with.

Along the way, as Sarah explores her relationship options with three different boys, she discovers that life isn't a fairytale and romance is inherently complex. It's messy and complicated, but boy, it sure can be fun.

Rating

* I received this book digitally for free and I am reviewing this voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Reader,

Based on a Webtoon, The Kiss Bet is a cute story about Sara Lin, an 18-year-old high school senior who has never been kissed. This leads her friend Patrick (Potential love interest #1) to make a bet to ask a random boy they see on the subway for a kiss. This ends badly, and this boy turns out to be Oliver (potential love interest #2), a junior at her school, her new calculus tutor, and the brother of her crush Joe (potential love interest #3). 

Sara is a bit immature and forgetful, she can also seem very selfish which makes her somewhat unlikable. Oliver seems like he has a couple of issues regarding relationships, especially with his family, he's a grumpy goose who gets on Sara's bad side. I feel like I was more interested in the side characters like Sara's cool dad, her cousin, and a couple of others, so I hope eventually the comic fleshes them out more. 

Overall, a fun high school comic. 

Book Review: My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein

 

Title: My Big Fate Fake Marriage
Author: Charlotte Stein
Genre: Romance
Publication Date: March 25th, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Something has to give... Could it be her heart?

Connie has always distrusted nice guys. In her experience, they’re just waiting to reveal some horrible secret. And then she meets big, adorable, Henry Samuel Beckett—editor extraordinaire, lover of bow ties, sweet and so cheery she struggles to believe he’s real.

Until Henry Samuel Beckett—or Beck, as he’s known to most—tells her the secret underneath his sunny surface: He’s been single all his life. But in a moment of panic, he’s told everyone at his publishing house that he’s married. And when Connie, an aspiring writer herself, can’t help defending him, she ends up being the fake wife he doesn’t actually have.

When they head off on a writing retreat, surrounded by people convinced this must be a ruse, both of them can't help but agree. Until they share their first kiss, their first touch, their first time in only one bed. Side by side, every night, as the simmering tension builds…Connie starts to wonder if this might be real after all.

 Rating

*I received this book digitally for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

This is my first read of 2025, and it's a five-star? How delightful. I hope this sets the reading tone for this year because I am ready for more great reads. The main female character, Hazel, was amazing. At a glance, you may think she is self-confident, but it becomes fairly obvious that her self-confidence needs a pick-me-up. From an overly critical mother to very, very, very awful ex-boyfriends, Hazel needs someone to love her and understand that she can be successful and loved.

In comes Beck, the nerdy, inexperienced teddy bear of a man, who has made up a wife because he didn't want Doug (screw you Doug) to tease him. Hazel steps up thinking she could put Doug (screw you Doug) in his place, not realizing that this will unlock exactly what she needs. Beck and Hazel's chemistry is off the charts and the spice is *Chef's Kiss*. Beck may just be the fake book husband of my dreams and I feel sorry for any book MMC love interest that has to compare. 

Overall, a delightfully hot read in my favorite trope. 

Manga Review: Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell Volume 1 by unfins

Title: Love Advice from the Great Duke Of Hell #1
Author: unfins
Genre: Fantasy; Graphic Novel; Humor; Manga; Romance
Publication Date: November 5th, 2024
Publisher: WEBTOON unscrolled

The girl of your dreams barely knows you exist. Your friends can’t help. Your family is clueless. So where do you turn for love advice? Who can provide you with that essential assistance for the lovelorn? If you’re an average everyday teenager like Paul, you summon a powerful demon from the deep recesses of Hell, and frankly, hope for the best.
The demon in question is the Great Duke Astaroth, ruler of thirty legions of bloodthirsty hell creatures, powerful enough to raze cities to the ground. And now he finds himself on the mortal plane, compelled…to give a hapless kid dating advice?

In summoning Astaroth, Paul has set off a chaotic series of events. The Great Duke of Hell stands ready to claim Paul’s soul in less than a week, no matter how silly their bargain. Paul’s magic accidentally alerted the agents of the Holy Order, a group dedicated to protecting the world from the forces of evil, that something infernal is afoot. Paul’s sister Juliet, flabbergasted to find a demon in her home, has run away to hire an exorcist.

Plus, Paul’s dad is hiding something. And so is Elena, the object of all of Paul’s affection and the reason for all his complicated scheming.

But who ever said true love was easy?

Rating

*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*


Hello Fellow Readers,

This book was a rollercoaster of ridiculousness and I enjoyed every minute. It's been much too long since I've laughed out loud, much less smiled at something I've read, but Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell was hilarious. The title alone should give you a clue as to the wackiness that will ensue throughout this graphic novel. There's just something inherently fun about watching each and every single character misunderstand each other and do the complete opposite of what is expected. There isn't one character who knows what is going on, and it just makes this a perfect quick read for me.

Overall, a fun series I cannot wait to keep reading.

 

Book Review: What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd

 

Title: What We Sacrifice For Magic
Author: Andrea Jo DeWerd
Genre: Fantasy; Historical Fiction; Witches; 
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Alcove Press

It’s 1968, and the Watry-Ridder family is feared and respected in equal measure. The local farmers seek out their water charms, and the teenagers, their love spells. The family’s charms and spells, passed down through generations of witches descending from the Black Forest, have long served the small town of Friedrich, Minnesota.

Eldest daughter Elisabeth has just graduated high school—she is expected to hone her supernatural abilities to take over for her grandmother, the indomitable Madga. She’s also expected to marry her high school sweetheart and live the rest of her life in Friedrich. But all she can ask is, why her? Why is her path set in stone, and what else might be out there for her?

She soon discovers that magic isn’t the only thing inherited in her family. That magic also comes with a great price—and a big family secret. The more she digs, the more questions she has, and the less she trusts the grandmother she thought she knew. Who is Elisabeth without her family? She must ultimately decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for her family, for their secrets and their magic, or risk it all to pave her own way.

Navigating the bittersweet tension between self-discovery and living up to familial expectations, What We Sacrifice for Magic is a touching look at coming into one’s own.

Rating

*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers

What We Sacrifice for Magic was an interesting read. The Premise was intriguing and more enjoyable than I thought. The family dynamics were interesting and it made Elisabeth's journey of self-discovery and coming of age all the more important. It was a bumpy ride at first as it just started slow and it took a while for the story to pick up. My main issues were the characters, most felt stilted and awkward, and Elisabeth herself was hard to like. I do understand that she is flawed and quite young and in some ways very strong as well, but there were certain instances where I found her extremely unlikable. Magda was also a bit of a disappointment, and I didn't like the direction DeWerd took her.

Overall, an interesting coming-of-age story. 

Manga Review: Snow & Ink #1 by Miyuki Unohana

Title: Snow and Ink #1
Author Miyuki Unohana
Genre: Fantasy; Historical; Manga; Romance
Publication Date: November 5th, 2024
Publisher: Kodansha Comics

The manga about a dangerous love between killer and heiress that went viral in Japan! A condemned criminal and a wounded, wealthy daughter are lost somewhere between an unchangeable past and an uncertain future in Snow & Ink, a mysterious human drama that combines the melancholy atmosphere of My Happy Marriage with a historical flavor and a journey full of twists.

Sentenced to death for the crime of sadistically killing his entire village, Neneo is all but ready to accept his unfortunate fate when he is mysteriously bought and saved by the wealthy heiress Freya. Emotionless and numb to the world, Freya is also an outcast, hiding deep wounds of her own. Unfazed by the tales of Neneo's crimes, she enlists him to accompany her in her exile to the far north. As this unlikely pair, both shunned by a cold world, venture together into the deep snow, they begin to find warmth in each other. But the past won't let itself be so easily forgotten...

Rating

* I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Readers,

It took absolutely no time at all for me to read this, the story is fast-paced and interesting. The characters are also very engaging, and I kept rooting for them. I do like the two leads, Freya and Neneo and I can't wait to see how their relationship develops with the twists and turns that are bound to come with this story. I also really liked Halvard's character and hope he stays a central character in the story. The romance does seem rushed, I felt like I blinked and suddenly the characters were utterly devoted to each other (a bit like Insta-love). The romance would benefit more if it slowed down and allowed the smaller details to shine through. 

Overall, an interesting start that can benefit from slowing down.