buffyreads's reviews
189 reviews

2 ⭐️ they need one night of couples counseling | tropes: one nightstand, marriage of convenience, accidental pregnancy | high steam | audio 

Overall Thoughts 💭:

First, I have to say that I usually enjoy all the tropes in this book and expected to love it! I liked both Nic and Lexy separately and felt their physical chemistry was undeniable. However, the whole plot hinging on them being able to have one mature conversation about what's upsetting both of them made my eye roll at times. And when they finally do talk about it he believes she's lying even though he think it doesn't make sense for her character. Lexy's reasoning for believing he didn't want to see her made way more sense then him creating the idea she's a liar and choose to suffer because she's petty? I just wish the conflict was more external because the miscommunication and misunderstandings dampened the whole story. These people have spent more time believing each other is a terrible person than actually loving each other and their only connection is their attraction to each other and I wanted more from their relationship. 

5⭐️ This was so good!!! The yearning, the longing, he wanted her so bad!! | tropes: forbidden love, fake dating, secrets | medium steam | digital 

🖤 I loved Declan and Grace! Both of their characters were so different yet very much the same. They compliment each other very well and had chemistry that was off the charts! 

🖤 I loved Grace's story and how she was strong in so many ways but craved being safe and secure. I loved how smart she was but how she at times put what she felt was right over what was good for her. 

🖤 I liked the commentary about how Chinese and English culture were different but neither was necessarily better. Grace went from struggling as an orphan and treated poorly because of her biracial identity in China to being rich and still treated poorly because of her biracial identity in England. Both places she had to deal with the worst of men and plot and outsmart in order to survive. 

🖤 I loved Declan's journey to standing up for self and understanding his rage instead of fearing it. His childhood and his mother's treatment of him made clear why he was so scared of his own feelings.  Seeing Grace understand him and be able to calm him through simply explaining and defusing simple situations was amazing.

🖤 I also loved that their differences in society and the many hurdles they would have to face weren't brushed over. They acknowledged it would be hard and their children might never be truly accepted but the love they share and will share for their children would be enough. Especially since England is not the whole world. 

3⭐️ | mommy kink ON TOP! | tropes: older woman/younger man, femdom, trans mmc | high steam | digital 

4⭐️ OUCH but I loved it! | tropes: road trips, werewolves, trans mmc | medium steam | digital 

Robin and Dusty were both lovable characters that I felt so much empathy for. Dusty feels like his old age and lycanthropy prevent him from becoming too attached. Robin is desperately trying to get to Seattle but constantly having to deal with violence because of he's trans and asian. The violence in this shocked me but added much needed tension and stakes to the story. It was very emotional that I was

a bit scared towards the end but rest assured this is a romance book.

The pair also had great chemistry. There was a great balance between steamy and romantic moments. 

3⭐️ y'know what... Hell yeah! |

tropes: MMMF, black fmc, accidental summoning | high steam | digital 

This book was short and fun! Melody quits her job and decides to have a relaxing night using some new toys and three creatures are summoned to her place. A fae, a tentacle type hybrid monster and a werewolf. I loved the trio's dynamic and how much they cared for each other and how that made their quad-chemistry even better!

4⭐️ This was 50 pages of excellence! | tropes: alien romance, forbidden love, royalty | high steam | digital 

Ixi and Shallon are queens of warring alien races who were taught that each other are monsters. However they have fostered a love that allows them to defy the forces that keep them apart. The lore in this novella was really interesting! So much so that I wish it had been a full length book. I really enjoyed the bond between Ixi and Shallon and just how much they loved each other. 

He gave her a nickname immediately and the nickname was bean... dpmo

4⭐️ one night stand pregnancy trope >>> | tropes: one night stand, east asian mcs, accidental pregnancy | high steam | audio 

I need some good rom-com goodness as I felt a slump coming up and knew I needed to read more from Jackie Lau! I loved the main characters! Marissa is level headed and confident in herself and Vince is a sweet playboy looking for a purpose in life. I like when modern accidental pregnancy book discuss choice and don't demonize abortion. Marissa knew she could have one, has had one, but makes the choice to keep the baby because she truly wants to be a mother. The exploration of grief was done well too. I got a little frustrated with Marissa at times but I also understood her. She had a lot of apprehension about Vince as a father and a partner but slowly realized his true heart. 

5⭐️ usually angst and avoidance pissing me off... this was DELICIOUS! | tropes: marriage of convenience, MMF, angst | high steam | digital 

🩶 Stella is so kind and vulnerable I loved her character so much and I loved seeing her come into her own and take what she wanted. 

🩶 Remy is a menace in all meanings of the word and I loved him. He is manipulative and so afraid of being vulnerable while also so desperate to scheme his way into claiming those he loves.

🩶 Ben is conflicted. He has feelings for Stella and Remy but doesn't want to abandon his family to join a new family where is position is unstable. 

🖤 I loved how the relationship between all three of them developed. They all wanted each other so bad but also had to play this game of give and take with one another. 

🖤 The plot with the fae and gaining the trust of the territory was actually interesting.  There was just enough of it to add tension and stakes but not so much that it distracts from the romance.

🖤 I LOVED the angst!!! It was done so well. They were all desperate for each other but also wanted to protect their hearts from more pain. Even when I was pissed a character I understood them and why they behaved the way they did and felt so much empathy for each of them. I loved their love and the growth they all went through throughout this book and I cried at the end because I really felt like they deserved to be loved and cared for.