Book Review: The Distraction by Morgan Elizabeth

Title: The Distraction

Author: Morgan Elizabeth

Series/Standalone: Springbrook Hills Series (Book # 1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Pages: 309

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"The last thing he needs is a distraction

Hunter Hutchin's success is due to one thing and one thing only: his unerring focus on Beaten Path, the outdoor recreation company eh built from the ground up after his first business was an utter failure. 

When his dad gets sick, Hunter is forced to go back to his hometown and prove once and for all that his father's belief in him wasn't for nothing. With illness looming, distractions are unacceptable.

Staying with his sister, he meets Hannah, the sexy nanny who has had his head in a frenzy since they met.

When Hunter's dad gets sick, he's forced to leave the city and move back into the small town he grew up in at his sister's house. Ever since he watched Hannah dance into his life, he's finding himself drifting from his goal and purpose- or is he drifting closer to them?

She refuses to make the same mistakes as her mother.

Hannah Keller grew up watching what happens when a family falls apart and lived through those consequences. When it's time, she won't make the same mistake by settling for anyone.

But when the uncle of the kids she nannies comes to stay for the summer, she can't help but find herself drawn to the handsome, standoffish man who is definitely not for her.

Can she get through the summer while protecting her heart? Or will he break through and leave her broken?"

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was a fun little contemporary romance read. The smut was fantastically written, the plot on the other hand was not all I hoped for. I did appreciate Hannah, as a character because I can relate to her a lot. I did appreciate that Hunter has his own issues, but the lack of communication from Hunter to his family members drives me insane. Miscommunication on this level is hard for me to read because I find it drags on for far too long.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Maybe in Another Life

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 342

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby's guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she's ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she's found him."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was not what I expected when I picked this one up. Taylor Jenkin Reid does a great job of creating the main characters that you root for. Hannah is no different in that regard. I obviously haven't read all of her backlog (I'm working on it). That being said, I found that there were portions of this book where the plot was a little over the top. The well-thought-out changes between the universes were incredible. The friendships we see in both timelines were excellent and overall I really enjoyed my read of it. 

Which book of hers should I read next?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

Title: A Photo Finish

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch Series (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, 

Pages: 420

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"I've seen every square inch of Wiolet Eaton's delectable body and she has no idea who I am.

Until now.

What happened between us online, in our chats, was meant to stay anonymous and in the past.

Until it didn't.

It's a small world, but Ruby Creek is even smaller. When I move to the tiny town, the grumpy, facade I've created slips when we're forced to live under the same roof.

Every flush of her cheeks, every time her eyes flare with what, every time she begs me not to stop, the ice I've encased myself in melts. She has me wanting things I can't want. Things I've been dreaming about since I first laid eyes on her two years ago- things I don't deserve.

But my invisible wounds have the power to ruin us both. As a former soldier, I should have the discipline to walk away, but the more I open up to Violet, the more I want to keep her.

I came back from the war a different man, but my scars are older and deeper than anyone knows- and I planned to keep it that way. I planned to keep my secrets hidden.

Until her."

My Rating: 5/5

This has been my favourite so far. Could it be the grumpy sunshine trope, could it be Elsie Silver's ability to tie together relationships from the current books with previous books, or even other series, or is it because this romance was too damn good. The long-term yearning was excellently written and the characters were unique in a way that wasn't unsettling, but also distinguishable. I look forward to continuing the series soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny