Romance Roundup: December Edition

Welcome to “Romance Roundup” where I share mini reviews of  3-4 romance novels that I’ve read recently. This month’s edition includes a friends to lovers tale, a highlander warrior, and a run-in with a pirate from the past.

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Fake it Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen (2019)

Synopsis: Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together.

After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve have had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time—and then they’ll be free.

The only problem is, maybe Jake and Mia don’t hate each other as much as they once thought… 

Review: I always enjoy a good a good, fluffy friends-to-lovers romance and was excited to read this because I enjoyed Nguyen’s debut novel. She’s a fan of K-Dramas and this one definitely had some similar aspects that gave me the K-Drama feels. Mia and Jake concoct a fake dating scheme to get their moms to stop their matchmaking antics. What ensues is an adorable blooming romance between two friends that realize they can make a cute couple.

Though it can be predictable at moments it’s a lighthearted cozy romance read. It had me smiling at the cute moments: sneaking a glance when no one’s looking, buying each other’s favorite snacks, and their witty banter. I enjoyed the smooth transition of them realizing their own feelings and how they encourage each other to follow their dreams.

Final Verdict:

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The Highlander’s Promise by Lynsay Sands (2018)

Synopsis: Aulay Buchanan has retreated to his clan’s hunting lodge for a few days of relaxation. But the raven-haired beauty he pulls from the ocean puts an end to any chance of rest. Though he christens her Jetta, she knows nothing of her real identity, save that someone is trying to kill her. As she recovers, it will not be easy for Aulay to protect her and keep her honor intact when she mistakenly believes they are man and wife.

Jetta sees beyond Aulay’s scars to the brave, loyal warrior she’s proud to call her own. But as the attempts on her life grow more brazen, Jetta realizes that not all is as she believes. And if Aulay is not her husband, can she trust the desire flaring in his eyes, or his promise to defend her with his life?

Review: When it comes to Historical Romances Sands never lets me down with a good story and a romance that make me swoon. This is the fourth Highlander novel I’ve read by her and I liked the elements of suspense within the plot. The amnesiac heroine is a common trope but in this one there was an interesting mystery surrounding the main character and it was interesting to see how everything unraveled in the end.

One of my favorite parts about this novel was the Buchanan clan and the family scenes. They were such lively characters and it really added to the entertainment factor of the novel. The romance moves very fast, but I thought the lead couple made a cute match. They were the missing pieces they needed in each other’s lives.

Final Verdict:

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The Pirate & I by Katherine Ashe (2017)

Synopsis: Years ago, Miss Esme Astell fell hopelessly in love with Charles Brittle, an unassuming and highly respectable London bookmaker.

Then he disappeared without a word.

The last thing Esme ever dreamed was to meet Charlie again—

In a dark alleyway—

In a drenching rain—

In a chase with the police—

In Scotland.

Can she resist falling again, this time for the dangerous scoundrel he’s become?

Review: This was a fun and short Romance novella read. It’s a second chance story in which the main characters, Esme and Charles, reunite years later in a sudden instant. Everything moves pretty fast due to the page length, but I never felt that the story was rushed. I liked that the leads were able to pick up where they left off in their relationship and resolve some misunderstandings.

There was also a fun element of suspense within the story, and I liked the addition of the rag-tag group of young pirate trainees to help solve the quest Charles was on. I’d like to try reading some more Katherine Ashe books in the future.

Final Verdict:

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What romance novels have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations feel free (particularly #ownvoices novels) to share those as well.