Scan barcode
chai_and_books's reviews
129 reviews
Rival Hearts by Maggie Rawdon
fast-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? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would honestly. It had lots of drama and angst with the second chance, rival families thing. I feel like their issues were wrapped up quite quickly though, Quentin just explained his situation and Madison was just ok with it. Him glossing over that fact that she had a boyfriend (even if it was fake) and actively pursuing her was icky though. The confrontation between Quentin's ex best friends and him could have been developed better- they were pretty chill with each other after 10 years of miscommunication and no contact. Good for them. I did like that Quentin waited for Madison- you don't see that in a lot of second chance stories.
I loved the bond between the three siblings, they were adorable together. I would recommend reading the prequel and Madison's brother's stories to get a little more context about the family and their dynamics because there wasn't a lot of groundwork laid in this book. But regardless, it was a fun read.
I loved the bond between the three siblings, they were adorable together. I would recommend reading the prequel and Madison's brother's stories to get a little more context about the family and their dynamics because there wasn't a lot of groundwork laid in this book. But regardless, it was a fun read.
- sports romance
- second chance
- rival families
- boy obsessed
- forced proximity
- dual pov
Say Yes to the Boss by Olivia Hayle
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was giving Marriage For One x The Fine Print but it was cute. I loved Cecelia as a character she was so bubbly I just wanted to give her a hug. Victor had his moments. Sweet rom-com energy.
- workplace romance
- marriage of convenience
- grumpy x sunshine
- forced proximity
- she takes care of him when he's sick
- dual pov
If You Give a Billionaire a Bride by Ann Einerson
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I don't know how I feel about this book. Like it was cheesy and trope-y but it felt like it was doing too much at times. And it needed to do too much the main characters had like no personality outside of like one trait- for Everly it was work and for Cash it was not being taken seriously? idk. Cash's scar did TRY to give the story depth but I felt it was too simplified with my girl Everly going like you're beautiful and him being like omg I'm over my insecurity now thanks girl. ALSO THE BEGINNING. I get Cash's ex was a terrible person but Everly just shitting on her??? Both of them gave me the ick at the start. Their story started and wrapped up really quickly. The emphasis on open toed heeled shoes was starting to get weird towards the end. But the main characters had their cute moments, so there's that.
- billionaire romance
- small town
- accidental marriage
- friends to lovers
- marriage pact
- pining
- brother's best friend
Drunk on You by Nikki Ash
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
this was one of the goofiest fake engagement stories I have ever read. like the way these characters found themselves in the situation that they were was so out of pocket to me. anyway, it was love at first sight, it was complicated until it wasn't and it was dramatic to no end. the pranks were stupid but alas I powered through them. I didn't like the dad (or any man in this book for that matter) but adding his pov was an interesting touch- I haven't ever seen that before. And usually with fake dating the parents finding out but knowing it was fake all along is a whole ordeal towards the end but it was nice to see her dad caught on pretty quick. anastasia and julian were both annoying (made for each other)- regardless I think this could make a quick, low stakes read
- fake engagment
- secret identities
- workplace romance
- age gap
- insta love
The Arrangement by Adriana Locke
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Fast. Light hearted. Trope-y romcom. Everything one needs to get out of a slump. A quick read with cute silly characters and even sillier situations. Honestly with the bet trope usually the fmc doesn't know about it and then she finds out two-thirds into the book and drama ensues but with this, Chloe knowing and willingly helping Jason out was so funny to me so that's something different
sidenote: The name 'Jason' always reminds me of this guy on Instagram who makes skits about being a French exchange student whose biggest opp is Jason- so yeah.
sidenote: The name 'Jason' always reminds me of this guy on Instagram who makes skits about being a French exchange student whose biggest opp is Jason- so yeah.
- marriage of convenience
- workplace romance
- friends to lovers
- age gap
- forced proximity
Best Enemies Forever by Olivia Hayle
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
fast paced. over the top. dramatic. got me out of a slump. i ate it up.
tropes:
- childhood enemies to lovers
- rival businesses
- marriage in vegas
- forced proximity
- one bed
- boy obsessed
- billionaire romance
tropes:
- childhood enemies to lovers
- rival businesses
- marriage in vegas
- forced proximity
- one bed
- boy obsessed
- billionaire romance
Spur of the Moment by Karley Brenna
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
it was okay
Feel It All by Mollie Goins
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
This could've been 3 stars if the writing was better. It felt a little choppy and the dialogue was unnatural at times which made it hard to imagine the characters. And it was a lot of tell and less show. But otherwise it was a cute, fast paced romance story which does handle a few serious subject matters (please check tws). I think if you enjoy Catherine Cowles stories, you'd like this book.
tropes:
tropes:
- small town
- insta love
- neighbors
- boss' daughter
- drama with exes
Maya's Laws of Love by Alina Khawaja
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
As a Pakistani girl who has consumed so much American media I really wanted this to be good. I wanted it to do justice to the representation us desi girls deserve. But it just flopped. Let me explain.
So you know that joke Taylor Tomlinson did about being a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'- I think that describes Maya perfectly. Like this girl keeps self-sabotaging and she has the worst luck in this universe. Anyways, the first few chapters I found her really relatable but once she reaches the airport I was like nope-
Ok so when it comes to representation, I understand you cannot cover base for every Pakistani/ Muslim girl experience- but there is a certain generalization one can make that would apply to at least 50% of your target audience. And again, when it comes to religion, you have a spectrum of followers. Contrary to popular belief, at least the upper class In Pakistan has evolved to grow accepting of dating and kids choosing their own matches for marriage.So I'm okay the hand holding and sticking together in Switzerland. I didn't personally agree with the sharing clothes and sharing a bed thing, but again that is a personal preference. But the cheating- Are you kidding me? Maya is not a good person. I was not rooting for her. I wanted to sympathize with her. Her situation was a reality many women can relate to. Being promised ‘freedom’ at the cost of marriage- which is inherently ironic. But she was also luckier than a lot of women who are in this predicament. She knew the person she was about to marry and while he wasn’t a romance novel hero, he wasn’t too bad either. The engagement was a commitment. So her kissing someone days before her wedding, not planning on telling her fiancé, and justifying it with ‘oh I’m never going to see you again so it’s okay’. No, it’s not.
So you know that joke Taylor Tomlinson did about being a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'- I think that describes Maya perfectly. Like this girl keeps self-sabotaging and she has the worst luck in this universe. Anyways, the first few chapters I found her really relatable but once she reaches the airport I was like nope-
Ok so when it comes to representation, I understand you cannot cover base for every Pakistani/ Muslim girl experience- but there is a certain generalization one can make that would apply to at least 50% of your target audience. And again, when it comes to religion, you have a spectrum of followers. Contrary to popular belief, at least the upper class In Pakistan has evolved to grow accepting of dating and kids choosing their own matches for marriage.
I didn’t care for Sarfraz. Like him being Muslim and half-Pakistani added nothing to his character except that he spoke Urdu. But you can do that even if you’re not Pakistani. Also I found him to be too hot and cold with Maya- arguing one second, helping her the next. His character was confusing to me.
Back to the representation. ARY News. Getting robbed in Karachi. Meeting nice hosts. Wedding functions. Are you kidding me? She was in Switzerland and not one Dilwale Dhulania Lejaye Ge? It felt too surface level to me. And the henna thing. Girl, stop- Ok also I get Pakistan and its products are far from perfect but why was she trashing on everything? Like stop hating on Jinnah Air or whatever the airline was that was so mean :( and when they kiss at a PUBLIC BUS STAND IN KARACHI. The one time the people of Pakistan would actually be shocked to witness something is glossed over by the book. Nice.
I think one way to approach this book could have been Maya navigating life after an arranged marriage with someone she doesn’t quite know. Again, a reality for a lot of women. I would’ve appreciated the book maybe giving us hope about how that doesn’t always have to end up bad. Like you can learn to grow and understand each other after marriage. You hear so many horror stories in regards arranged marriages in the desi community, a happy escape could be fun. That would also solve the ‘halal romance’ issue many people had with the book.
Anyway, if you want to read about Pakistani weddings, family drama and an independent fmc, save your time and just read Unmarriageable instead.
Reckless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Tangled x Rio 1
(they almost drown in a cave, he cuts off her braid, they're chained at the ankle)
I will say I enjoyed this more than the first book only because I did not care about the world building or the plot I was just there for the KaiPae moments which delivered for the most part so- it did get repetitive at times and some of the dialogue was giving Instagram couple reels
I legit skimmed Kitt's chapters. I do not care about that man. I don't know if we're supposed to hate him or feel bad for him. Anyways, he's irrelevant in my mind.
The I hate you but will also keep making out you thing will only take us so far but, oh well, on to the next
I will say I enjoyed this more than the first book only because I did not care about the world building or the plot I was just there for the KaiPae moments which delivered for the most part so- it did get repetitive at times and some of the dialogue was giving Instagram couple reels
I legit skimmed Kitt's chapters. I do not care about that man. I don't know if we're supposed to hate him or feel bad for him. Anyways, he's irrelevant in my mind.
The I hate you but will also keep making out you thing will only take us so far but, oh well, on to the next