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rileys417's reviews
719 reviews
The Quarterback by Tal Bauer
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Love this book/duet, author. I love how heart wrenching the third act breakups are. It’s so emotional and passionate.
My only downside of this book is the bi-awakening lacked something. I don’t know what, but there was just something lack luster about it and their budding relationship.
I liked the passion and the pining. How they kind of just fell into each other and the relationship. Once they realized what was going on it was hot and heavy!
Colton is a sweet heart of a golden retriever. He was so romantic and considerate when pining for Nick
My only downside of this book is the bi-awakening lacked something. I don’t know what, but there was just something lack luster about it and their budding relationship.
I liked the passion and the pining. How they kind of just fell into each other and the relationship. Once they realized what was going on it was hot and heavy!
Colton is a sweet heart of a golden retriever. He was so romantic and considerate when pining for Nick
The Jock by Tal Bauer
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely loved this and couldn’t put it down. I wish I had more. An extra epilogue, something!!!!
We’ve seen football and sports romances all before but this one felt new. It felt fresh and different and I loved that.
Wes is a quiet, soft spoken gentle giant. He is a cowboy, plays football and is becoming the schools star and “it guy” but in the closet.
Justin is a dancer, out, and wants a break from Texas and cowboys. So naturally he meets a Texas cowboy during a learning exchange program in Paris. One that goes to his exact school.
The two quickly fall into a summer insta love romance. They are all in when they get to campus, but need to keep it secret since Wes isn’t out.
It was a wonderful love story of opposites, sports romance, summer love, and second chances.
I just FELT so much reading this. I felt like I was inside of this story and that’s one of the things with TB’s writing I love.
We’ve seen football and sports romances all before but this one felt new. It felt fresh and different and I loved that.
Wes is a quiet, soft spoken gentle giant. He is a cowboy, plays football and is becoming the schools star and “it guy” but in the closet.
Justin is a dancer, out, and wants a break from Texas and cowboys. So naturally he meets a Texas cowboy during a learning exchange program in Paris. One that goes to his exact school.
The two quickly fall into a summer insta love romance. They are all in when they get to campus, but need to keep it secret since Wes isn’t out.
It was a wonderful love story of opposites, sports romance, summer love, and second chances.
I just FELT so much reading this. I felt like I was inside of this story and that’s one of the things with TB’s writing I love.
Catered All the Way by Annabeth Albert
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It was ok, and it was sweet, but also a little boring.
Both MC’s were cute and overall harmless. Very little angst or drama.
Overall just mid
Both MC’s were cute and overall harmless. Very little angst or drama.
Overall just mid
The Glow Up by A.M. Johnson
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Everything about this was mid. Nothing spectacular happened and overall just meh
Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was fun and light hearted despite it being a “suspenseful romance”. There really was only one chapter that focused on the suspense part, so hesitant to even call it that at all.
Grant was generally unproblematic. Said all the right things. Was the right kind of flirty with a smirk, and a take what he wants kind of guy.
Laney came into town to keep herself safe. Kind of like WITSEC but not officially. The connection between her handler and the Foxx family was an odd surprise.
Laney was the classic cool girl, took no shit, but still a girls girl.
Mostly plot driven and not a ton of character development. It was a good time but overall I will not remember this one
Grant was generally unproblematic. Said all the right things. Was the right kind of flirty with a smirk, and a take what he wants kind of guy.
Laney came into town to keep herself safe. Kind of like WITSEC but not officially. The connection between her handler and the Foxx family was an odd surprise.
Laney was the classic cool girl, took no shit, but still a girls girl.
Mostly plot driven and not a ton of character development. It was a good time but overall I will not remember this one
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“You fucking dazzle me, Landon.”
So cute!!!! I love how this author writes opposite MC’s. like both Casey and Landon had such different personalities, vibes, and physical appearance. But when they came together it was chefs kiss.
Casey loved people, always chatty? And Landon was quiet and didn’t like to be touched. But even though Casey was a touchy feely guy, he immediately saw that unspoken boundary. The two MC’s immediately just GOT the other person. I loved it.
I loved that it was spicy without actual full on sex. There was like all the foreplay and various jobs, but they found ways to be sexual and intimate without the actual penetration of it. And Casey was a reformed bi player versus Landon being a virgin unsure of his sexuality label. They just kind of went with what felt right and I loved that
Cute winter hockey holiday sports MM romance
“Did you fly across the country specifically to bully me? Because I’m kind of into it, not gonna lie.”
So cute!!!! I love how this author writes opposite MC’s. like both Casey and Landon had such different personalities, vibes, and physical appearance. But when they came together it was chefs kiss.
Casey loved people, always chatty? And Landon was quiet and didn’t like to be touched. But even though Casey was a touchy feely guy, he immediately saw that unspoken boundary. The two MC’s immediately just GOT the other person. I loved it.
I loved that it was spicy without actual full on sex. There was like all the foreplay and various jobs, but they found ways to be sexual and intimate without the actual penetration of it. And Casey was a reformed bi player versus Landon being a virgin unsure of his sexuality label. They just kind of went with what felt right and I loved that
Cute winter hockey holiday sports MM romance
“Did you fly across the country specifically to bully me? Because I’m kind of into it, not gonna lie.”
The Sinner's Sanctuary by August Jones
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
While I did really enjoy this, by the last like 30% I was over it. The ending dragged, and like there was sooooo much sex. I was like how can there be more 💀
The beginning was so so good. And as a whole I enjoy this series but this third one wasn’t for me
The beginning was so so good. And as a whole I enjoy this series but this third one wasn’t for me
Bet You by Neve Wilder
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Overall it was good but i had mixed feelings. Some parts were really fun and others felt out of place. But I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
Cory was fun and flirty, very charming. Doesn’t back down from a challenge. Total playboy.
Spencer immediately judged Cory based on the playboy thing and the money he seemed to have/flaunt occasionally.
After Cory parked in his spot and he blew up, the two kind of circled around each other from there. Cory was determined to win over Spencer. Spencer wasn’t interested in backing down.
I thought they had good chemistry and banter once Spencer got over himself and his prejudices
The book was called the bet but we heard very little about said bet.
10/10 grand gesture moment
Cory was fun and flirty, very charming. Doesn’t back down from a challenge. Total playboy.
Spencer immediately judged Cory based on the playboy thing and the money he seemed to have/flaunt occasionally.
After Cory parked in his spot and he blew up, the two kind of circled around each other from there. Cory was determined to win over Spencer. Spencer wasn’t interested in backing down.
I thought they had good chemistry and banter once Spencer got over himself and his prejudices
The book was called the bet but we heard very little about said bet.
10/10 grand gesture moment
Until It Was Love by Pippa Grant
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was grumpy x sunshine in the best way. It was done so well!!! I loved the banter, and how they could just rib each other back and forth all in good fun. The small but grand gestures to show they are observant and listening.
Fletcher fell SO HARD for Goldie. And little sweet pea!!! Fletcher was a ridiculously loving dog dad but it was so funny.
Fletcher fell SO HARD for Goldie. And little sweet pea!!! Fletcher was a ridiculously loving dog dad but it was so funny.
Mr. Romance by Louisa Masters
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was cute, and Charlie was the ultimate himbo golden retriever.
I needed more romance for Mr. Romance himself! He got like one grand gesture (and lots of random sandwiches) but a date or two would have been appreciated.
Liam and Charlie was super cute together. The short gymnastics king gets the hot guy everyone wants to date (and assumed they already were)
It was fun and I had a good time.
I needed more romance for Mr. Romance himself! He got like one grand gesture (and lots of random sandwiches) but a date or two would have been appreciated.
Liam and Charlie was super cute together. The short gymnastics king gets the hot guy everyone wants to date (and assumed they already were)
It was fun and I had a good time.