What I Read This Week: February 6, 2022
Hello and welcome to the first weekend in February. Where did January go?!
I finished four excellent books this week, including my first five-star novel of the year!
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Contemporary romance
If you loved The Hating Game, you will eat this book up, like I did! This is a wonderfully done rivals to lovers story with fake dating and some other yummy tropes. Lina is desperate for a date to her sister’s wedding and her grumpy work nemesis offers to go with her. At first it’s just an arrangement to placate her family but things get real, really fast. I absolutely loved Lina and Aaron together. As separate characters they were interesting as well, and their individual personal journeys were fun to watch. They have great chemistry and sexual tension. When we finally get some sexy times, the steam level is high. Their relationship is also very sweet and tender at times. The only thing keeping me from giving this five stars is the writing, particularly the dialogue. It was weak and cheesy at times when it’s obvious the author could have made it stronger. I highly recommend this one for romance readers.
Too Good to be True by Carola Lovering
Thriller/Audiobook
Oh this book was a delicious treat! I listened to the audiobook and it was like watching a slow motion train wreck. I could see all the terrible things coming but I couldn’t stop listening, and I was dying to know how it all turned out. Plus, the narration is top notch which added to the mystery and emotion. I don’t want to give away much of the plot because experiencing it without expectation was part of what made it so good. I’ll just say we get the story from three different perspectives that eventually overlap. It’s a dramatic and compelling story from start to finish. I highly recommend it for readers of thrillers and audiobook listeners.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Historical fiction/mythology
My first five-star novel of the year! I was expecting this to be dry historical text, but it isn’t at all. It’s a beautifully told novelization of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. The story is told from Patroclus’ point of view and there’s a love story as well. The writing is stunning and flows well. It’s a compelling emotional read all the way through. I highly recommend it for reader of Greek mythology and historical fiction.
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria
Contemporary romance
This was a really fun read that explores the importance of familial expectations and the meaning of home. Second chance romance is my jam and it’s done so well here. Gabe cut Michelle off when he left home but now he’s back and realizes how wrong he was. They have great chemistry and it was joy to watch them find their way back together. Each character has their own story arc and personal journey outside the relationship, which I always love in a romance novel. There’s great humor here plus hot sex scenes. I highly recommend this one for readers of romance.
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