Isn't It Romantic?

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Will They or Won't They by Ava Wilder
Published by Dell on June 27, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

On screen, they're in love. Off screen, they can't stand each other. Two co-stars with a complex history reunite to film the final season of a beloved paranormal drama in this tension-filled will they won't they romance from the author of How to Fake It in Hollywood.

Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy are madly in love— at least, their characters are. As the stars of the hit paranormal TV show Intangible, they spent years pining for each other on-screen… until Lilah ditched the show at the end of season five in hopes of becoming a film star. With no such luck, she’s back to film the much-hyped ninth and final season, in which their characters will get together at last.

But coming back means facing one of the biggest reasons she left: Shane. Ever since their secret behind-the-scenes fling imploded at the end of the first season, the two of them have despised each other.

Now back on set together for the first time in years, with the world’s eyes on them and their post-show careers on the line, they’ll have to grit their teeth and play nice. But under pressure to give Intangible’s fans the happy ending they’ve been waiting for, Lilah and Shane are forced to get closer than ever. And if they’re not careful, they just might get blindsided by one final twist: a real-life happy ending of their own.

I was chomping at the bit to read Wilder's follow up to How to Fake It in Hollywood because I knew she would take me on an amazing journey. Once again, Wilder pulled me behind the scenes with Lilah returning to the show (and the man) she left several years ago. Years may have passed, but the flame these two had for each other still burned.

It was so easy to root for this couple. They had chemistry for days, but there was a lot more to their relationship than even they recognized. This duo had an easy way with each other that was special. There was a lot of humor in the early part of the book where Lilah and Shane were sparring, but as they spent more time together, it was obvious that there were a lot of unresolved emotions involved as they slowly recognized how much the other person meant to them.

I really appreciated their journey. I am also the sappiest sap, and the idea that they weren't ready for each other but maybe they were now is something I adored. I love the idea that the universe brought them back together after they had time to grow. What an amazing opportunity! Legit - there are tears of joy in my eyes as I write this review. Great banter, layered characters, a fun friend group, a touch of Hollywood drama, and a very satisfying ending made this a solid hit for me.

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Play for Me by Libby Hubscher
Published by Berkley on June 20, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she's surprised to find her roommates are all men - including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules.

Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she's forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.

Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she's used to. She wasn't expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own--Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn't want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.

With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she's growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.

This is my new favorite from Hubscher!

After her professional and personal life crumbled, Sophie fled to a New Hampshire boarding school, taking a position as an athletic trainer. Though it was supposed to be a place for her to lie low, it ended up being "home", a place where she felt loved, welcomed, needed. Sophie was able to find her way through the rubble of her life, but most importantly, she found love.

Sophie and Jonas had some serious tension from the start. I adored their sparring, but I loved the genuine friendship that grow between them even more. Jonas was quite an enigma. He kept everything close to the vest. He was gruff, but underneath all that bluster was a kind and generous man with a heart of gold. Learning about his past and what he lost made my heart ache, but that was why his union with Sophie was so special. And he was swoony in the most low key way. Actions always seem more special when they are done without grand announcements. To me, they appear to be more real, and that was how Jonas operated. Definitely a man after my own heart.

Yes, it was lovely the way Sophie and Jonas had each other, but they also had a wonderful troop to support them as well. The roommates, Sophie's dad, and her best friend were all such amazing supporting characters. I have to mention the students and the ways Sophie became part of their community as well. Fun events and bonding were a regular occurrence. These auxiliary characters provided something special to this story, and I adored them all!

Overall: A warm and wonderful grumpy-sunshine romance with a ton of heart.

*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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