These are the books that I decided not to finish this past month. I’ve noticed also that when I have a full review schedule, and things get busy, I have more DNFs as I don’t have time to struggle through books that aren’t grabbing me. I feel like I had a ton this month with 6!!
Snow is Falling, Cocoa is Calling! (The Coffee Loft: Fall Collection) by Kimberley Montpetit
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Snow Is Falling, Cocoa Is Calling! by Kimberley Montpetit Series: The Coffee Loft: Fall Collection
Published by Spellbound Books on October 15, 2024
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Pages: 252
Source: the author
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
Welcome back to The Coffee Loft Fall Season, where a new round of stories has been brewed especially for you.
Those of you stopping by to visit again, we’ve missed you. The feeling of home is the same that you loved before. If it’s your first time, prepare to be swept off your feet.
While our menu hasn’t changed, we think you’ll be pleased with the fall favorites we’ve added. Fans of pumpkin-spiced lattes, peppermint mochas, and rich, chocolaty cocoas will not be disappointed. This multi-author collection of stand-alone sweet romcoms is filled to the brim with the swoons you love and adore.
From sweet kisses to grand gestures and matchmaking surprises, each mug and story will be filled with everything you crave. So come on in and let us serve you with that Happy Ever After you’ve come to expect.
Mark your calendars—Cover Reveals begin this Fall - and they are going to be gorgeous and super fun and romantic - of course!
Don't miss the first season of The Coffee Loft. Available now right here on Amazon!
My thoughts:
So I have enjoyed most of the books in this series, including the one by this same author in the last group of releases. Unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me. While several of the stories in the series have simpler writing, this one had that, as well as just some things that were kind of abrupt or seemed out of place at times. And really the story was kind of boring for me. Which is sad because I loved the YA books this author wrote that were my first books of hers. I DNFed at 33%.
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino Narrator: Elizabeth Robbins
Published by Listening Library on July 11, 2023
Genres: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 09:24
Source: the library
Format: Audiobook
My Rating:
Goodreads
A girl finds a community--and love--over the course of one summer in this joyful, wholesome YA romance that celebrates Deaf pride. Think CODA meets Jenny Han!
Lilah is tired of being stuck in the middle. At least, that's what having a hearing loss seems like sometimes--when you don't feel "deaf enough" to identify as Deaf or hearing enough to meet the world's expectations.
Ready for a change, Lilah becomes a counselor at a summer camp for the deaf and blind, where she plans to brush up on her ASL. There, she also finds a community. There are British lifeguards, who are very cute and very hard to understand; a YouTuber, who's just a bit desperate for clout; the campers Lilah's responsible for (and maybe a bit overwhelmed by)--and there's Isaac, the dreamy Deaf counselor who volunteers to help Lilah with her signing.
Romance was never on the agenda, and Lilah's not positive Isaac likes her that way. But all signs seem to point to love--unless Lilah's reading them wrong? One thing's for sure: Lilah wanted change, and things here . . . they're definitely different than she's used to.
My thoughts:
I didn’t DNF because it wasn’t a good book. It was just a little slow for me, and I kind of had an idea I knew basically the storyline and what would be happening. I did like the way the author had the character who could somewhat hear with hearing aids. Then how she didn’t quite fit in with either hearing people or deaf people. So that gave a lot of different feelings to learn and follow her in the story with. I just knew I had a lot of other books still to read for the Gateway nominee list, and figured I knew enough about this one I could move on. I will still recommend it as a good book about disabilities for a romance, one that would be good for students to read. I DNFed at 16%.
Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts Published by Alcove Press on October 8, 2024
Genres: Adult Holiday Romance
Pages: 304
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
A dashing ghost hunter and the bookseller who made up the ghosts he’s chasing wind up entangled in more ways than one in this steamy contemporary romance from the author of Text Appeal, perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Chloe Liese.
Homebody Lex McCall loves her sleepy Vermont town and quiet bookstore job. After her family, friends, and exes all moved away to seek futures elsewhere, Lex set one rule: no dating tourists, newcomers, or anyone else who is bound to leave her behind. When the bookshop owner, eager to offload the supposedly haunted building, offers to sell the store to Lex at an unbeatable price, Lex jumps at the chance to further put down roots.
Then handsome stranger James stops by the bookstore. Lex assumes he’s just another tourist passing through, but it turns out he’s part of a ghost-hunting documentary crew that’s looking into the many “verified” ghost stories in town. Lex can’t resist getting involved—especially because these so-called ghosts are actually made up stories from Haunted Happenings, her hobby vlog from a decade prior. Worried her ghost-faking secret will get out and ruin her chance to buy the store, she tampers with the ghosthunters' research and skews the results. After all, James’s stay is only temporary and her career dreams come first.
But as they spend more time together, Lex realizes she’s falling for James. Worse, there’s more at stake than her simply being found out and losing his affection: his mission isn’t as frivolous as it seems, and her interference may cost him much more than a spooky story. This not-quite-ghost-story is sure to delight Gilmore Girls fans and anyone who loves flirty romances with a little extra spirit.
My thoughts:
I was disappointed in this one. I kept going till about 34% because I really wanted to like it. I loved the cover and the synopsis. Unfortunately it didn’t quite live up to it. Now to be fair, I didn’t finish it, but from what I could tell, and the other reviews I read on Goodreads, I don’t think there was any actual paranormal or ghosts. Which could be okay, but for me didn’t work. I didn’t like that she kept her faking/making up stories a secret as long as she did. And I don’t know, I get that it is more accepted to talk about being bisexual and pansexual, and I have no problems with that. But sometimes it makes it hard for me to see the connection right away in cases like this. The writing was good, and I did like the whole bookstore part of the storyline. Anyway, others might enjoy it, but I just wasn’t, and since I was behind on some review books, I moved on.
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens Published by St. Martin's Griffin on October 15, 2024
Genres: Adult Paranormal Romance
Pages: 320
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
An enemies to lovers romance with a spooky twist where two feuding writers end up on a writers retreat together at a haunted castle in Scotland
It's been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she’s a publishing pariah and hasn’t been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true.
Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,” as Pen called it. All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her.
But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they’re stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and… maybe they shouldn’t have been enemies at all? But if they can’t stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out.
Full of spooky chills and even more sexy thrills, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is the funny, fast-paced romp romance readers have been waiting for!
My thoughts:
Boy, the more Halloween themed books just did not work for me this month! Or I should say the books I thought would be more what I wanted to read for this holiday were not what I hoped or was led to believe by covers and their blurbs. I love the cover of this one soooooo much. But just could not get into it. I didn’t quite get the hatred, even though I understood what the author was trying to say was the reason for it. And I wanted to give it more of a try just for the setting being in Scotland, but I just couldn’t go on. I’ve got to stop taking so many review books for sure. Of course with the number of DNFs I’ve had from some major publishers lately, they may stop offering them or letting me have them. I only got to 22% of this one.
Wild Goose Chase (Green Valley Heroes #8) by Kilby Blades
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wild Goose Chase by Kilby Blades Series: Green Valley Heroes #8
Published by Smartypants Romance on October 24, 2024
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Pages: 326
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
Chase Greenleaf made a that he'd always take care of his best friend's widow. And he's kept it in the years since Todd's death. He quit his job as a firefighter, gave Violet a plum job on his peach farm; and plays super-dad to her two kids.
Nevermind the small matter of being in love with her. Coveting Violet is a shame he'll take to his grave. So he'll be her shoulder to cry on; her cool, quirky boss; her always-there-but-totally platonic friend.
But when Violet tenders her resignation for reasons she won't explain and new revelations come out about the fire that killed Todd, Chase's world is upended. Joining the investigation may help Violet win her battle against Todd’s insurance company but it will trigger Chase’s PTSD.
He’ll stop at nothing to find justice for Todd, but can he stop the woman he loves from leaving? And will he risk everything to tell her the real reason why he can’t let her go?
‘Wild Goose Chase’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #8 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
My Thoughts:
Sadly I just wasn’t in the mood for this one either. I’ve enjoyed the other books in the SmartyPants Romance world from this author, so assumed I would with this too. But I think I was just in a bit of a book slump and I was irritated with the obviousness of the two main characters, or should I say obliviousness on how they should be with each other but neither would really accept it or do anything about it. I only got to 18%. To be fair I DNFed another book the same day.
Pity Present (Pity #5) by Whitney Dineen
I received this book for free from Wildfire Marketing PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Pity Present by Whitney Dineen Series: Pity #5
Published by 33 Partners Publishing on October 24, 2024
Genres: Adult Holiday Romance
Pages: 280
Source: Wildfire Marketing PR
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
MollyI haven’t beeninterested in dating since my ex dumped me for a new girl at his law office. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into my work as a hotel gift shop designer. While being single isn’t what I expected, there’s truth to that old saying, “Once bitten, twice shy.” And the bite of a cheater stays with you.
Christmas can be a particularly vulnerable time, which is why I accepted a job right before the holidays. I had no idea the lodge that hired me was also hosting a singles' event. Imagine my surprise when they had a last-minute cancellation and asked me if I wanted to join them.
BlakeWhen I left LA for my dream job in Chicago, I never dreamed by first assignment would be spending two weeks in Elk Lake, Wisconsin, covering the Midwestern Matchmaker’s new venture to set up Chicagoland singles. I’m a sports journalist for Pete's sake, not some airheaded twit who writes about the lovelorn.
Unfortunately, the job I transferred for isn’t open yet, so here I am. In Wisconsin. Living my worst nightmare. There is no way anybody is going to find love at this thing. No way.
So, imagine my surprise when the most awkward woman in the world trips over me …
My thoughts:
So, yeah, I really really liked the two books by this author that I got to read earlier this year, for my first time by this author. For some reason I just could not get into this one. I think it was again I was just so annoyed with some of the protestations the characters made that I couldn’t go on. It’s possible I had too many romances in a row (believe it or not since I read mostly romance) and I just needed to pick up a different genre to get back into reading. I did get at least 34% before I gave up though.
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Well at least you didn’t spend days with each one trying to force yourself to just read it, which I have done somethimes.
Yeah, I’m at the point I just don’t do that anymore. I did try with one or two to give them lots of chances, but even with that, I had to move on.
That’s too bad about that Coffee Loft book not working for you. I have Give Me a Sign for review as well, I hope I’ll enjoy it more. I do udnerstand what you’re saying about kinda knowing were the book will go and not being as interested sometimes to continue because of that. I agree the cover for If I Stop Haunting You looks great and had me curious about it, too bad it didn’t work for you. I had a whole bunch of DNF’s this month as well, I think 5 or so, but didn’t really write any reviews for them so no DNF review post for me as they were all very short one lines as I didn’t have the motivation to write more.
I mean, it wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy Give Me a Sign, I just wasn’t hooked that I couldn’t put it down, so I moved on. I think it was probably still a good book if I wasn’t in any kind of rush. Maybe it was a bad month for reading for everyone?
I know what you mean, in some moods when I know a book isn’t going to be a 4 star or higher I just DNF it as I want something that really hooks me. It certainly felt like a not so good reading month for me, so many DNF’s, but luckily a few really good ones too.
I did have a few really good ones too, so that makes up for the DNFs like you say.
Life is too short to waste on a book you’re not enjoying. I’ve been requesting way less which has alleviated a lot of stress for me and I’m able to fit in other books besides ARCs. It’s been nice!
That’s pretty much the way I feel these days. I’ve told myself to stop signing up for as many tours, but I keep doing it! Trying to get better. Maybe next year will be the year! lol
I was interested in Haunt Your Heart Out but no paranormal? How is that right? I also would love to give If I Stopped Haunting You a try but now, after seeing your DNF, it might get pushed lower into the stack. At least you didn’t waste more time trying to make these work. I had a book in October I wouldn’t give up on and probably should. It seemed to suck a lot of time out of my reading.
Yeah, it wasn’t what I thought it would be, and from the reviews of people who did finish, I guess it was the same all the way through. I might go back and continue If I Stopped Haunting You at some point, but at the moment it just didn’t work with the book slump I was in. I had to move on or I would never have finished any other books I think, and I was still late getting one done!
Sounds like you hit a disappointing book and it snowballed. I wonder if you may have enjoyed a one of those books if it wasn’t in the middle of so many DNFs? But at least you didn’t waste time reading something you aren’t enjoy. Good for you! I have a tough time DNFing STILL! You think I’d be better at it by now.
Yeah, I think that’s what happened. I had a really good book, then one that didn’t work, and I just couldn’t seem to get back into any for a while till there was something different. Yeah, I am going to try one of them again this week that is a Christmas one. I debate a lot about DNFs and feel guilty, but then remember it’s okay, I won’t be talking bad about it, it’s just not for me.