{Review} Girls Weekend (Girls Weekend #1) by C.M. Nascosta

 

Page count: 180

Publisher: Meduas Editoriale

Published on: February 4, 2021

Genres: adult cozy monster fantasy romance

Format: eBook (personally purchased)

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 5/5 ✨

Spice: 4/5 🌶️

- shifts POVs between the 3 FMCs

- vacation romance to a nudist community

- short & spicy

- orcs & elves

Synopsis:

A weekend with friends, fun in the sun, and huge, naked orcs. What could be better?

That’s what three suburban elves think when they book a trip to an orc nudist resort, well known for its libidinous residents and hedonistic parties. Ris, Lurielle, and Silva arrive with plans to sample the DTF locals and work on their tans, not catch feelings.

When Lurielle meets a syrupy-voiced gentleman who seems interested in more than just a weekend fling, she finds sticking to the plan is easier said than done. From a public bathhouse to a back alley pub, the trip has unintended consequences on the lives of the three work friends and the orcs they meet.

Can a weekend of no-strings sex actually end in love?

Review:

[Check out my Instagram review here!]

This was just so much fun to read. I had the best time reading these elf girls’ stories and I can’t wait to dive into Parties once I get through my ARCs.

I really love how each girl had their part of the story and how their experiences throughout their vacations helped them become better versions of themselves. I also just really loved the MMCs too. They were so dreamy and I am so eager to get to know them better in Parties.

Nascosta’s writing style is so addicting and the romance storylines they create are just too fun. If you’re looking for spicy low-stakes fantasy, this is for you. Even if this wasn’t monster romance, I think Nascosta would be known for their excellent storytelling and style. The romances are the perfect blend of soft & sweet and spicy & hotttt.

I cannot wait to keep making my way through CM Nascosta’s work this year. I read Morning Glory & Mabon Fest last year and really had a good time, so I know I’m going to just have the best time this year.

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

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{Review} She-Hulk: Jen Again by Rainbow Rowell, Luca Maresca, Rico Renzi, and Rogê Antônio

 

Page count: 120

Publisher: Marvel

Published on: October 4, 2022 

Genres:

Format: ebook personally purchased

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

The best character ever is back in her own series and about to glam up the whole Marvel Universe! Jennifer Walters, the Sensational She-Hulk, is no longer savage - and now she needs to put her life back together. She's got a legal career to rebuild, friends to reacquaint herself with (and maybe represent in a court of law), and enemies to... well, she may not want to connect with them, but they are definitely going to connect with her. And Jen is about to be sent down a road she's never travelled - one that will shake up her life... and possibly the whole Marvel Universe! 

~ ~ ~

I don’t know what’s in the water, but I have just been consuming only 4.5-5 star reads so far this year. What a blessing!

I finally picked up this gorgeous comic book because it was blessedly only $2.99. For a grad student, that’s practically free — well not really, but I could afford it and that’s important to me. Anyway, I knew I would love this going into it because I know that this story only gets 10 issues. I’m not sure what’s up with my brain, but longer comic runs do not get finished — at least for me. I don’t manage to finish them. I’m pretty sure that will change this year because I’ve really gotten into following the weekly/bi-weekly journeys of certain manga series, but I digress.

She-Hulk is a new favorite character. I already know I’ll be searching out more content and more world lore because I’ve genuinely never consumed She-Hulk specific Marvel content. After reading this, I’m mad that I haven’t! I don’t know what brought these fascinating characters to where they are in this volume, but I’m involved now! I need backstory! I want more Jack of Hearts! I need more domestic interactions between the heroes! It’s great!

If you’ve been thinking of diving into She-Hulk, specifically Rainbow Rowell’s go at it- do it! I loved her Runaways issues, so it’s not surprising that I loved this.

‼️ The .5 stars I docked off is easily remedied and reflects on my reading experience. I just don’t know the history so that took me out of it. That part of the rating does not reflect on the story itself. It’s merely my experience.

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

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{Review} Built to Last by Erin Hahn

 

Page count: 336

Publisher: Macmillan

Published on: October 18, 2022 

Genres: Adult contemporary romance

Format: ARC from Macmillan

[Purchase Here]

Tropes: best friends to lovers, childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance

Spice: 🌶/5

Rating: 4 stars

~ HGTV home reno vibes, formerly famous main characters, former child stars ~

Goodreads synopsis:

Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past. As a former child star and lack luster pop star, it's difficult to move on from her widely documented and public meltdown and incredibly humiliating public break up with her former co-star, Lyle.

When Shelby is asked to be the star of a home renovation show, she can't help but accept. Especially if her other co-star and first love, Cameron, is involved.

This book was so adorable! I can't thank Macmillan enough for sending this my way. Shelby and Cameron were so so sweet and their love story was so much fun to read. I'm always searching for a delightful second chance romance storyline and this definitely scratched the itch.

Cameron has made a name for himself as a widely popular nature documentary videographer. When he's asked to co-star in a home renovation show with his former best friend and first love, Shelby, he can't refuse.

~~~

Thank you for the ARC, Macmillan!

** All thoughts are my own and I have received no financial compensation for my honest review **

    Shelby (27) has lived a quiet, secluded life away from the spotlight since she left L.A. She's created her own business where she refurbishes and restores furniture and works with her father to flip houses in the community. She's found purpose and peace since her wild child days in L.A. I absolutely loved seeing Shelby's growth throughout this book. Her journey to love herself isn't easy, and forgiving herself and moving past her mistakes is just as hard of a task. I was so invested in her journey and I loved the HEA that resulted. The chemistry between Shelby and Cam is undeniable. Their friendship is so so sweet and I honestly loved the minor miscommunication that aided them in admitting their feelings for one another. It was realistic and really really cute. I loved the themes throughout this book, particularly the focus on personal change and growth. Humans are meant to evolve with their experiences and I felt like Hahn represented humanity and their tenacious spirit through her characters. It was absolutely fantastic and I definitely teared up a little when I got to the end of the book. The payoff is so worth it to me. Cameron (28) is one of the sweetest fictional men. I loved his perspectives throughout because he was just sooo smitten with Shelby. I loved seeing him get to grow as a person and actually pursue his passions despite the hardships that arose. His relationship with Shelby's dad was so wonderful and I loved how he fell for not just Shelby, but the life she's created and a livelihood that he finds fulfillment. One thing that I missed in this book was flashbacks. Cam and Shelby's relationship was believable, but their chemistry kind of lacking sometimes. I felt like there should have been a few more flashbacks to really solidify their backstory. I really wanted more from their past and I felt like it would have filled in the holes where the story lacked. If there had been more, I think that S&C's development, growth, and romantic chemistry would have felt even more believable. The events of the past just seemed so incredibly important to the characters, but we only got a glimpse of how they actively affected their lives. It was talked about, but there wasn't enough showing for my taste. Overall, this was so much fun to read. I can't wait to shove this into the hands of my romance-loving friends. They're going to love this so so much.

I definitely recommend this one! Snag your copy now!

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

Liv the Book Nerd

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