Isn't It Romantic?

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Unromance by Erin Connor
Published by Forever on January 14, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

Sawyer Greene knows romance. She’s a bestselling author of the genre—or she was, until her ex left her with nothing but writer’s block and a broken heart. But when she gets stuck in the elevator with a handsome stranger, she sees their meet cute for what it is: just a one-night stand. It might have worked, too, if they could stop running into each other.

Actor Mason West sees Sawyer’s reappearance in his life as a sign. Obviously, they’re meant to cure each other. Him of the hopeless romanticism that only ends in heartbreak—and tabloid trainwrecks—and Sawyer of her writer’s block. Their agreement is simple: 1. No (more) sex, and 2. No matter how swoony the circumstances, absolutely no falling in love.

It’s a foolproof plan–until Sawyer and Mason find that, once set in motion, some plots can't be stopped—and that they might be hurtling towards a happy ending...

A romance author with writer's block and a Hollywood heartthrob trying to keep a low profile following his breakup, agree to help each other with their professional problems. Mason, the hopeless romantic, promises inspiration for Sawyer, while she sets out to ruin romance for him - one trope at a time.

I knew early on I was going to fall hard for this book. The elevator meet-cute was fun, flirty, and filled with great banter. Not only was I instantly hooked by this tale, but I was instantly hooked on this couple.

Both had baggage from previous relationships and their pasts. Sawyer was still struggling the loss of her college girlfriend. Because of this breakup, she intentionally kept people at arm's length, never allowing herself to form a deep relationship or fall in love. This behavior was taking its toll on her personal and professional life.

Mason was always being left by his partners though he never understood why. He loved hard and wore his heart on his sleeve, but his relationships were failures. I won't lie. I adored Mason. He was so sweet and had this HUGE heart, but his career presented many challenges to him. Though he fell hard for his partners, he still had to keep this barrier up to protect his private life from his public life.

Together, Mason and Sawyer were able to be themselves. There was a comfort they enjoyed in each others presence, and I loved that they could be real with one another. As much I adored them both, I found myself connecting more with Mason. He said this one thing that really resonated with me and even had me shedding some tears, but I am going to keep that to myself. 

I would say there was more laughter than tears as I read. Part of the unromance plan was going on these rom-com type outings. They were so much fun, and I loved how Connor leaned into the romance tropes. It was a delight to see pieces of famous rom-coms play out, but mostly, it was wonderful to see the bond between Sawyer and Mason grow, to see Sawyer find her spark again, and to watch them both embracing positive changes in their lives.

I previously mentioned that I knew this was going to be a hit for me. As I read, I kept thinking 4.5 stars, but then the last few chapters happened. OMG! My heart exploded and my face cracked in half from my HUGE smile. It was rom-com perfection. I got teary-eyed and was filled with so much happiness and joy. It was a true treat.

I would love a chance to return to this world, but no matter what Connor has planned for the future, I know I will be reading whatever she writes.

*ARC PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
Published by Avon on January 21, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

A swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum—a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist—realize they are the perfect match. Equal parts nerdy banter and fiery tension, it’s perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Tessa Bailey.

Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals. Especially her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and nerdy astronomy ties.

. . . Not that she’s spent much time noticing any of those things.

Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need anything more on his plate. Millie literally stumbling into him with her bright smile and sunny optimism, is the last thing he needs.

They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart.

Millie was ready to take her shot at securing her dream job, and she wasn't going to let grumpy Finn get in her way.

I do not recall seeing this book around when it first came out, but I am so happy it is getting a new release because it was such a wonderful book!

The story starts out with many rom-com moments between Millie and her co-worker Finn. I almost started feeling bad for Finn, but I was too delighted by their rapport and snappy banter for any negative feelings. These two made me smile and laugh, and once I learned more about Finn's life outside of work, my heart was officially all in on this couple.

There were a lot of subplots that brought big emotions, but my enjoyment of this book was largely due to how much I cared for all the major players. I loved seeing Finn with his nieces because it put his big heart and tender side on display, and I adored the way Millie fit perfectly into their world. I also thought Millie's family and friends were phenomenal. The Oak family group chat was a hoot, and all the love and affection they showed to each other and those they claimed as their own made my heart burst.

I feel like I could have just read a story about these people without any of the dramatic subplots. That shows how much I adored them all, though the dramatic parts did gave me something to rage about and just made me feel even more invested in the outcome.

Overall, this book was an amazing surprise, and it truly had it all. It was sweet, heartwarming, fun, touching, charming, [insert positive adjective] -- I LOVED IT! And I am excited it is part of a series because I cannot wait to return to this world.

Favorite romance trope?
Let us know in the comments!