Isn't It Romantic?

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All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on September 24, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

Bitter exes. Professional rivals. Just one bed. What could go wrong?

Jessica Carrington always wanted her own happily ever after. But, until that happens, she spends her days as a small-time romance writer, penning satisfying Happily Ever Afters to soothe the heartache left by her ex-boyfriend Nick Matthews, a fellow romance writer and now her biggest rival, who has found success writing love stories without happy endings. It's clearly what he's good at, after all . . .

So, when their professional obligations find them snowed in - and forced to share a room! - at the same remote inn a few days before Christmas, Jess and Nick are both fuming. But what's more fitting for two romantic writers in a slump? And when they realise the friction between them might be the only cure for their writer's block, they decide to turn their frustration into fiction . . . and the pages start flying.

Jess can't shake the feeling that Nick is the last guy on earth she should be falling for (again), but, as they both finally get back in their flow, is he actually all she wants for Christmas?

It had been been five years since he broke her heart, and now, Jess found herself reunited with Nick when she was asked to present an award to celebrate his success.

I am such a HUGE Falon Ballard fan, and All I Want Is You is a perfect example of why. This story hooked me from the very first page, and I was fully invested in seeing this couple get their HEA.

I think I was supposed to hate Nick (at first), but I never could. I KNEW there was more to the story than met the eye, and I was right. This was a man who had regretted his choice to break it off with Jess every day for the past five years, and this resulted in him being a romance author who could not write a happy ending. I was pleased that fate forced these two together, giving them an opportunity to address their breakup because it was easy to see they had something worth saving.

Aside from adoring both Jess and Nick, I also loved the premise. Two romance authors who were getting their second chance. Needless to say, I was excited that this book featured one of my favorite tropes, but we also had a storm and only one bed. It was fun seeing all the tropes come into play, but even more fun because the authors were so aware of them.

The Christmas flashbacks did a great job of allowing me to see what a beautiful relationship Nick and Jess shared in the past. But, it was the last few chapters that made me declare my love for this book. I was shedding the happy tears and *this* close to sobbing because what transpired was simply perfection. It caused my heart to grow two sizes while a big stupid grin split my face in two. It was so wonderful and heartwarming and just perfect for Jess and Nick. In a nutshell, I had such a wonderful time reading this book, and I hope others will, too.

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Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on September 24, 2024
Age/Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: strong-willed girl-next-door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off to UCLA to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.

Flash forward months and months later and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.

Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with the rom-com worthy big gestures she loves. Only…Liz will have none of it. Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend…a guy friend.

Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.

Shortly after arriving at UCLA, Wes' life imploded. Now, two years later, he was getting his second chance. His second chance to go to college, play ball, and to win Liz's heart.

It goes without saying that these after the HEA stories are never easy on my emotions, but I put my trust and faith in Painter to do right by them, and *whew*, she did. There was so much that happened, and so much that had changed, and now it was time to see if these older and world weary versions of Wes and Liz were still meant for each other.

OMG! Lynn Painter I have no idea why you did this to Wes, but I adored his journey. He had the bottom fall out of his life, and he really had to shift gears from an incoming hot-shot freshman ballplayer, to someone who had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. I cannot say he handled it all well, but he got through it and was so deserving of the second chances he received.

Liz also changed A LOT from her breakup, and it was up to Wes to get to know this new version of Liz. She was not going to be easy on him, but he was a determined man. It was really touch and go at times, but in my heart, I never stopped believing in the power of love that existed between these two.

I sound so dramatic and parts of this book really were, but it was also a lot of fun. Liz had a great group of friends, and there was even a lot of overlap between her and Wes' friend groups since she worked with the student athletes. I was especially fond of the baseball boys bromance and was so happy Wes had them after sort of being on his own for the past few years.

Though I wish we could have jumped forward a bit more at the end, I am grateful that Painter revisited this couple. My heart ached for them, but I was so happy to get a chance to see them grow and spend more time in their world. There were ups and downs, but this story ultimately filled my rom-com loving heart with joy.

*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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