Bite Size Reviews-August

August is Romance Readers Month but here at Living in  Libros reading romance is year round! And I dove feet first into a billionaire romance series. Some I enjoyed more than others! But in total I managed to read 5 novels for August. So let me tell you all about them.

I also spent the later half of August listening to Sabrina’s new album Short and Sweet. And the song on repeat for August was Taste!

Most Eligible Billionaire by Anika Martin

Series: Billionaires of Manhattan

Genre: Romance, contemporary

CW: Sexual content, sexism, past Kidnapping and Sexual assault, panic disorders

Vicky sells dog apparel accessories and walks her elderly neighbor’s dog, Smucker. But when Smucker’s owner passes away, she leaves her seat at a billionaire dollar company to her beloved pet and she leaves the dog in Vicky’s care. This upsets the board members of the company including Henry Locke the heir and Ceo. Vicky has no interest in helping run the company and is ready to sign over her portion to Henry- that is until the other members piss her off.

This was such a sweet and silly read. But this story did pack a punch when it came to Vicky’s traumatic past. I really enjoyed this story, and it was my favorite from this series.

The Billionaire’s Wake-up Call Girl by Annika Martin

Genre: Romance, contemporary

Series: Billionaires of Manhattan

CW: Sexual Content, Car accident, Death of parent, gun violence

Lizzie ends up giving her boss Theo personal wake- up calls after multiple companies refuse to take him on as a client. Lizzie is anything but unprofessional during these calls and yet Theo loves it and will do anything to find out the identity of his wake-up girl.

This sequel was silly and featured a billionaire scientist. I liked Lizzie as a protagonist as she had the funniest inner monologues. I did wish that this story hadn’t resolved Lizzie’s conflictwith Theo’s money but that was my biggest complaint with this story.

Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules by Annika Martin

Genre: Romance, contemporary

Series: Billionaires of Manhattan

CW: Sexual content, mentions of toxic relationships

Mia’s a struggling actress who delivers food in a cat costume. But when she ends up delivering to her ex-boyfriend, Max, her friends convince her she has the perfect opportunity to enact revenge for all of them. 

Max gained his wealth by writing a self-help dating book and unfortunately many of Mia’s friends fell into toxic relationships because of it. I did not like this plot point, but it did make Max the perfect enemy and I was really curious to see how he’d redeem himself. I was satisfied with Max’s conclusion, but I did think Mia forgave him too easily. But that was partly due to the fact that Mia never really stopped loving Max.

The Billionaire’s fake Fiancée by Annika Martin

Genre: Romance, contemporary

Series: Billionaires of Manhattan

CW: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cursing, alcoholic parents

Rex needs the perfect fiancée to land a big client, and his secretary knows just the perfect woman for the job, Tabitha, Rex’s hairdresser. Tabitha is more than content to play the part and earn a fat paycheck while doing so. But Tabitha senses something off about Rex’s client and she can’t help but to pull Rex into the mystery too.

I read through this story a bit slower than the others. I think I hit my billionaire genre burn out here. I thought this addition was cute and while not my favorite I enjoyed the mystery element to this book. I also enjoyed seeing Rex and Tabitha come together despite having opposite interests and personalities.

Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood

Genre: Romance, Short Story, Stem

Series: no. Interconnected Novella collection

This is a collection of short stories by the STEM Romance queen Ali Hazelwood. 

CW: Sexual Content, Sexism

Under one Roof

Mara’s mentor leaves her home to Mara when she passes on, but the home was also left to her nephew Liam. Mara cannot stand Liam, a corporate lawyer who often works against Mara’s own beliefs as an environmentalist. But they slowly bridge the gap between enemies and friends and eventually lovers.

This short story was great. Another fantastic story from the wonderful Ali Hazelwood

Stuck With You 

Sadie’s trapped in an elevator with Erik, the cute coffee guy that inevitably works in her building. But after spending the night together Sadie learns Erik betrayed her and decides to give him no chance for explanation.

I loved the concept of this story and the way Hazelwood emphasized the height difference between Sadie and Erik. Shout out to Reylo (Adam Driver + Daisy Ridley) and the elevator scene from The Last Jedi for giving us this nugget.

Below Zero

Hannah interviewed Ian briefly about his work at Nasa when she was still in grad school. And the two keep it friendly when they both end up working at Nasa but when Hannah is denied funding for a big project, she learns Ian was the reason. Hannah’s furious but ends up stranded while researching in Svalbard and Ian’s the only one brave enough to save her.

This one was my favorite from the collection, and I loved that this story ties all the others together and readers get a snippet of all the hero and heroines meeting.

My edition of this collection also included epilogues for all the stories. And the epilogues are all so sweet! Cw: for pregnancy

Thank you for reading until my next post you’ll find me living in libros,

Gabriela

Check out more reviews from me

Bite-sized Reviews: July

Hello book lovers! Since returning to this blog I’ve wanted to switch things up and one thing I’ve decided to do is post mini reviews for books I’ve read that month. So first let me start with a song I have been listening on repeat for a…

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Would you marry Lowe at first sight? I would

Hola libritos, It has been quite some time without a new post, I’ve had a challenging year, but I finally returned with a review of Bride. And all I have to say is Ali Hazelwood has done it again! I am so sorry to the non-Ali Hazelwood…

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So, she has not been living in libros

Hi book lovers, It’s been months since my last blog post and my goodness so much has happened since. I have previously mentioned (at least I think I did) a few posts ago, that I had a family member in poor health. And as result of this…

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The Hurricane Wars is a Must Read!!

Hey book lovers! I am so excited to share my most anticipated novel of the year-The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon. This debut novel is the first installment in an epic romance fantasy trilogy. And after devouring this novel, I can say it’s a treat for enemies to lovers, and fans of arranged marriages. If you’re interested in this novel well you can now purchase your own copy because it is officially out!

Disclaimer: A big thank you to Netgalley for the Arc of the Hurricane Wars! All opinions are my own.

Continue reading “The Hurricane Wars is a Must Read!!”

2023 Latine Heritage month booklist!

Feliz dia de Herencia Latina! Happy Latine/x Heritage month!

Latinx Heritage Month, also known as Hispanic heritage Month, celebrates the independence and culture of Latin American countries. Latine heritage month began in 1968 as a weeklong celebration under President Johnson. Then in 1988 President Reagan established “Hispanic Heritage” month beginning September 15 and ending October 15th. But why does this celebration begin in the middle of the month? September 15th is the day multiple latin countries such as: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence!

While some prefer to call this celebration Hispanic Heritage Month and others prefer Latinx/e heritage month to encompass the indigenous communities, this month-long celebration is a great time to educate yourself on Latin history and to pick up novels by some fabulous authors.

Without further ado, here are the books I’ll be reading this month. If you would like more recommendations, check out my recs from previous years.

Continue reading “2023 Latine Heritage month booklist!”

I loved Kiss me, Catalina more than West Side Love Story

Hey booklovers, I interrupt our Lunar Chronicles review for some contemporary romance reviews just in time for Valentine’s Day. But not to worry, I will return to my review of Cress and Winter in March.

Priscella Olvieras has done it again! The queen of latine rom com has released the sequel to West Side love story, a mariachi Romeo and Juliet retelling. Kiss me, Catalina, the sequel, is just as explosive, but this time Oliveras has taken inspiration from Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” 

But don’t write this one off if you hated that particular Shakespeare play, Kiss Me, Catalina is a loser interpretation.

Continue reading “I loved Kiss me, Catalina more than West Side Love Story”

Love in the Time of Serial Killers: A soft romance for True Crime lovers!

Love in the Time of Serial killers by Alicia Thompson has the cutest cover and a curious plot! It immediately caught my attention, and I needed to add it to my Libby queue asap. So, I did.

If you know a few things about serial killers and true crime cases, you will probably enjoy this novel. Not just because our protagonist, Phobe, knows a lot about these cases but because she’s writing a dissertation on the True Crime genre. I found that really interesting! 

Although this novel has a boy-next-door type of romance and a cute stray black cat, I really loved that it explores sibling relationships, friendships, and grief too!

Continue reading “Love in the Time of Serial Killers: A soft romance for True Crime lovers!”

Don’t be scared and read Mexican Gothic!

Mexican Gothic is a New York Times Bestseller: It’s another Silvia Moreno classic! Despite my love for Silvia Moreno Garcia’s writing, I hesitated to read this novel despite adding it to my tbr every year since its publication.

But the open chapter convinced me to continue this story. Noemí’s father sends her to check in on her cousin after receiving a distressing letter from her. Catalina takes on an older sister role, so Noemí fights for both their lives. I have a similar relationship with my cousin, and I too would set a house on fire to save our lives.

Continue reading “Don’t be scared and read Mexican Gothic!”

Twice a Quinceañera is a perfect love letter to your thirties

Hello Readers! Latinx/e heritage month is upon us! And while I have many great recommendations from years past, I’ve also had the pleasure of reading some newly released romance novels with Latina authors this year. And the one I want to highlight first is Yamile Saied Méndez Twice a Quinceañera.

Twice a Quinceañera is a contemporary romance novel featuring the ultimate revenge and self-love journey. Told through dual pov of both Nadia and Marcus, this story is a great weekend read.

Continue reading “Twice a Quinceañera is a perfect love letter to your thirties”

Dragonblood ring

If you have not read Amparo Ortiz’s Blazewrath Games, I am insisting you add it to your Tbr (To be Read) pile right now. This young adult fantasy series takes readers to the Blazewrath Games and Dragonblood ring; and is one of diverse magic users, dragons, and friendship. This series also has a diverse cast of characters and an incredible magic system.

In the first novel, Lana Torres joins the tournament as part of team Puerto Rico, and she loves it. However, a previous competitor cursed his dragon, the Sire, and now that dragon threatens to end the games and take over the world. 

Continue reading “Dragonblood ring”

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