Review: Accidental Attachment (Max Monroe)

Accidental Attachment
Authors: Max Monroe
Publication Date: April 30, 2023
Publisher: Max Monroe LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

A successful writer accidentally sends her new (and super-dreamy) editor the wrong manuscript. Instead of the full-length paranormal novel she promised Longstrand Publishing, she sends the fan fiction she’s written about her crush…on him—including every detail of the hot, steamy “physical activity” she’s fantasized about happening between them.

And Chase Dawson may be the hottest man alive and a super-talented editor to boot, but he’s completely oblivious that he’s the star of the manuscript he just convinced his boss to green-light.

Brooke Baker has been through a lot in her thirty-one years of life.

A divorce.
A career change.
A move to New York City from “small-town” Ohio.
Not to mention, she has a bit of a medical condition that involves occasional fainting spells, mild embarrassment, and the companionship of her adorable service dog and canine sidekick, Benji.

But none of it has prepared her for this.

None of it prepared her for Chase Dawson.

Strong jaw, blue eyes, cut muscles, and a perfect swoop of superhero-worthy black hair, Chase’s features are those of a book boyfriend and then some. Obviously, Brooke would know—she literally filled an entire manuscript with it.

A manuscript no one was ever supposed to see.

Will she survive two months of revising and editing the sizzling romance she imagined with Chase in extremely close quarters with him? Or will the constant white lies and overwhelming attraction make her spontaneously combust?


I’m always excited to read a new Max Monroe romantic comedy and Accidental Attachment did not disappoint. The blurb makes it sound as fun and awkward as it was. The author duo was back with laughs, a swoony romance, way too many awkward moments, and a dog in superhero outfits.

Brooke was… I honestly don’t even know how to describe her. In her own mind, she’s awkward and constantly embarrasses herself. Probably because a lot of what she was thinking was NSFW. She didn’t come across that way to others. She was witty and charming. I had a love-hate relationship with her vasovagal syncope diagnosis. I liked that vasovagal syncope was spotlighted because I think I’ve only seen it in one other book, but I didn’t always love how it was used in a comedic light. That’s probably just because I have the same diagnosis (completely different triggers and luckily mine is not as prevalent as Brooke’s). I think most of my discomfort revolved around the peeing thing because I haven’t heard of anyone with the diagnosis having that, but then again, I only know of a few people personally who have it.

Chase was supposed to be the perfect guy according to Brooke, and he came across that way to me as well. He was such a nice guy. Even his flaws weren’t bad ones. I liked how he didn’t realize the book was about him and how hard he fought for it to be a success. I also loved how he reacted to Brooke and also her dog.

I loved the background of Brooke and Chase’s romance. They went a book tour road trip together in a motorhome along with Brooke’s service dog. I loved reading about their adventures together and how they got to know each other better. There were so many fun and hilarious moments for them to experience. I also loved how their feelings for each other built and how their chemistry couldn’t be denied.

There were some great side characters who joined Brooke and Chase for the ride. Benji, Brooke’s service dog was a great character all on his own in his superhero getup. Her family also made some fun appearances. I’m really excited to read her sister Sammy’s book. And Chase’s sister and husband were great as well. My favorite might have been Brooke’s agent, Wilson Phillips. Yes, Wilson Phillips. Imagine what Max and Monroe did with that name…

This book had almost everything I’ve come to love from a Max Monroe rom com. That being said, it felt like a little something was missing from what I would normally take away from one of their books. The only thing that I can pick out is that at 581 pages it might have been too much of a slow burn for me. There’s so much pining on both Brooke and Chase’s parts that I wanted to yell, “Just do it already!”. Give me a kiss or something. Anything. I still enjoyed this book a whole heck of a lot. Like I said before, I’m excited to read Sammy’s book. The extended epilogue for this book made sure of that.

Top Ten Tuesday: Animalistic Book Titles

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is:

Titles with Animals In Them and/or Covers with Animals on Them
(submitted by Rachel @ Sunny Side)

Here are some titles with names of animals in them.

Animalistic Book Titles

1. BUTTERFLY Bayou
2. The SWAN and the JACKAL
3. WildCAT
4. SPIDERS in the Grove
5. CANARY
6. Stone Cold FOX
7. Goldilocks and the Grumpy BEAR
8. The Bold & the BULLheaded
9. NIGHTINGALE: An Anthology for Ukraine
10. A PARTRIDGE and a Pregnancy

Review: The Last Eligible Billionaire (Pippa Grant)

The Last Eligible Billionaire
Author: Pippa Grant

Publication Date: March 3, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis: 

Emotionally unavailable doesn’t even begin to describe my new fake boyfriend. He’s cold. He’s distant. He has more defenses than a nuclear missile silo. And he’s the ultimate catch of the century. At least, according to his bank statement.

My job’s simple: Keep Hayes Rutherford’s matchmaking relatives and all interested ladies away from the cranky, grumpy, walled-off heir to my favorite movie empire, and in return, he won’t ruin my life over a teensy, tiny little misunderstanding.

But the more I sneak past Hayes’s walls and fences, the more I realize that while we might be from different worlds, we have more in common than either of us expected. The man under all the glitz, glamour, and dollar signs could be the real love of my life.

But you know what they say about fake dating a billionaire—it’s all fun and games until the scandals start.

The Last Eligible Billionaire is a swoony, laugh-out-loud romance featuring a botched wax job, a woman in over her head, a man in over his heart, and the sweetest misguided dog to ever play matchmaker…or at least make sure these two anti-love birds never have clothes when they get out of the shower.

A new stand alone romantic comedy from Pippa Grant.


I have come to look forward to each new Pippa Grant release because I know I’m going to be entertained. Her romantic comedies make me laugh. I adored The Last Eligible Billionaire and here is why.

  • It started off hilariously and never quit with the humor.
  • A great fake relationship romance.
  • Begonia was exactly the over-the-top character I’ve come to expect from Pippa Grant. Her nuttiness brought joy to the book.
  • Hayes Rutherford was slightly stuffy and repressed and I loved seeing him come undone the more he interacted with Begonia. It was especially pleasing learning his history.
  • Begonia and Hayes were a perfect match.
  • Marshmallow. I could say all the things about this dog. He was quite the character. I adored his interactions with Hayes.
  • Begonia has a twin sister and the two of them together were sweet and hilarious when they are together.
  • Hayes’s family were surprisingly endearing even when I expected to hate some of them.
  • I loved Begonia’s conversations with the women that were being pushed at Hayes.
  • The big dramatic thing that happens in all romance novels was done well and wasn’t too angsty.
  • This entire book was a fun read that kept me entertained.

Honestly, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book. If you’re looking for a fun escape from the real world this would be a great book to do that with.

Review: The Last Carolina Sister (Michelle Major)

The Last Carolina Sister
Series: Magnolia Sisters, #3
Author: Michelle Major
Publication Date: March 30, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

In Magnolia, North Carolina, love might be waiting right next door…

Meredith Ventner knows a wounded creature when she sees one. Though her temporary new neighbor may be—on the surface at least—a successful, drop-dead gorgeous doctor, she recognizes the deep hurt Ryan Sorensen is carrying, and it’s catnip to her soul. But even though Meredith is the youngest, scrappiest and single-est of Magnolia’s most famous sisters, she’s committed to expanding the animal shelter on her newly inherited farm. She can’t waste her energy on a man who’s only passing through town.

Ryan is hoping that after a month of small-town living he’ll be healed enough to return to his busy ER. His injured leg isn’t half as painful as his guilt from the tragedy he’s trying to forget. Yet somehow, helping feisty, tenderhearted Meredith care for her menagerie is making him question his career-first priorities. Here in this quirky small town another future is coming into view, but can he change his life, and open his heart, to claim it?


It’s been a while since I read a book by Michelle Major. The Last Carolina Sister was a nice reintroduction to her writing. Despite being the third book in the series, it was easy to jump right in. There was just enough background information given about Meredith and her sisters for their relationships and the story to make sense. It was also given in a way that didn’t feel like information dumping or cause a break in the story. My only complaint about the writing would be the switch between Meredith and Ryan’s POVs. It was a small change in font rather than a new chapter or heading with their names to discern when things changed between the two. That made it feel more abrupt when it changed and took me a while to get used to.

As for the story and characters, I liked them both. Meredith was dealing with who she was after finding out her father was not her biological sister, that she had sisters, and that she was the only one of them still single. She also was trying to expand her animal shelter. Ryan was dealing with a tragic shooting that left him injured, mourning a friend, and on a “vacation” from his job as an ER doctor. The more time Meredith and Ryan spent together, the more I loved them together. Meredith was a little insecure, but also determined. Ryan was grumpy and trying to wallow in his pain. I enjoyed how Meredith’s animal rescue brought them together. Helping out at the rescue and falling for Meredith became part of what helped Ryan heal, and in turn he helped Meredith heal. I loved the emotional journey they took together and love they built. The whole animal aspect just added such a special connection.

The Last Carolina Sister was a sweet, well written love story. I’m looking forward to going back and reading Meredith’s sisters’ stories.

Review: Must Love Dogs…and Hockey (Kelly Jamieson)

Must Love Dogs…and Hockey
Series: Bears Hockey, #1
Author: Kelly Jamieson
Publication Date: September 8, 2020
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Lilly:  My life is like the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire right now. I’ve been canned, my professional reputation is shredded, and now I’m walking dogs to make ends meet.
But I still believe everything will work out. Somehow.
Then a dog at the park attacks my friend’s dog. At first, I’m ready to give the owner hell—but it turns out he’s in desperate need of doggie daycare. I figure, why not? I love dogs and I need the cash.
Too bad his cocky bad boy attitude annoys me. He’s too damn cute for his own good. And I’m not talking about the dog.

Easton: My coach is riding my ass and I’m not handling it well. When I’m saddled with an abandoned pooch, my teammate thinks a dog will keep my temper in check. I think I have enough problems already.
But when my new dog gets into a tussle that leads me to meet a smoking hot chick who knows how to handle the rascal, I start to think pet ownership isn’t all bad. At least it gives me an excuse to see Lilly again. . . .
Neither of us are interested in a relationship. First they steal your bed, then they steal your heart. And I’m not talking about the dog.


Before I start my review, I just have to say I’m really digging this cover. With so many authors going illustrated covers, this cover made me want more like. I absolutely love the couple loving on the dog. Plus, the green props. A+ cover in my book.

As for the story, it was as cute as the cover. I adored the way Easton became a dog owner. The way Otis wrapped his legs and heart around Easton made me so happy. Everything involving that dog was magic. I loved that Otis was responsible for Easton meeting Lilly and, therefore, what came after.

Lilly and Easton were both interesting characters, mostly due to their pasts. Those pasts weighed them down a lot. I liked how they reminded me and seemed to be based off a couple of real-life events. That could have made the feel to this story on the angst-ridden side, but it didn’t. I liked how light the story still felt despite what the characters were dealing with. Lilly and Easton’s romance had this nice, natural feel to it. Everything seemed to happen just as it should, in a cute way. When things went wrong (because you know they do at some point in a romance usually), I felt their heart ache, but I still felt happy because I knew good things were to come. The romance between them was so cute and well written.

I did have a few of things I wanted more of from this book. The first was regarding everything that went down inside the hockey organization. That was such a big deal, and I think I wanted to feel the explosiveness of the situation rather than just be told how it all went down in the end. Same with Lilly’s court case. Maybe that would have made this book heavier than I wanted, though. I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to feel more in touch with those two events. Oh! I also wanted to know what was up with Lilly’s freaking dad. That kind of resolved, but we never got to know the why of it all. That was frustrating.

That being said, this truly was a fun, new hockey romance series from Jamieson. I like how it started, and I can’t wait to find out what’s coming next in it. I’m guessing a certain someone’s book who was mentioned at the end. I am loving that idea. I also very much want a Cookie book. How could I not with a hockey player nicknamed Cookie. Makes me think of a giant teddy bear.

Review: The Trouble with Mistletoe (Jill Shalvis)

The Trouble with Mistletoe
Series: Heartbreaker Bay, #2
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

If she has her way …

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her …

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him …

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice …

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work …


The Trouble with Mistletoe is a Christmas romance set in Jill Shalvis’ new Heartbreak Bay series. It’s almost a second chance romance. The characters, Willa and Keane, went to the same high school. When they run into each other in Willa’s pet shop, sparks fly. Neither are looking for a relationship, but they can’t deny their connection.

If you’re a contemporary romance fan and haven’t read one of Jill Shalvis’ novels or are looking to start reading adult contemporary romances, I would highly suggest starting with this author. Her stories are fun, witty and filled with quirky characters. Her books always make me smile and laugh.

The Trouble with Mistletoe did both of those things. Willa was a character who something funny or crazy was always happening to. It was hard not to laugh at the situations she found herself in. She was always trying to save others — people and animals — but she usually ended up being the one who needed saving. Willa had such a big heart. Keane was a lot more reserved than Willa. He tried to avoid love. Keane had a wall built around his heart due that only Willa and Petunia seemed to be able to crack.

The characters who really stole the show in The Trouble with Mistletoe were the animals. They all had such big personalities and created such mischief! I loved that the author included them in this story. It reminded me of her Animal Magnetism series, which I loved.

The only thing I felt The Trouble with Mistletoe was lacking was maybe a bigger conflict. I was waiting for a big something between Keane and Willa. Their conflict was relatable but didn’t stand out that much. In a way I liked that since it was a Christmas story, but I also wanted something a little more dramatic.

Overall, The Trouble with Mistletoe was a really fun Christmas-time romance. I would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a fun and light holiday read.