Romance Roundup: March 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 stories two passionate musicians, a rockstar, and an omega werewolf.
“Sweet Thing” by Renee Carlino (2013)
Synopsis: Mia Kelly thinks she has it all figured out. She’s an Ivy League graduate, a classically trained pianist, and the beloved daughter of a sensible mother and offbeat father. Yet Mia has been stalling since graduation, torn between putting her business degree to use and exploring music, her true love.
When her father unexpectedly dies, she decides to pick up the threads of his life while she figures out her own. Uprooting herself from Ann Arbor to New York City, Mia takes over her father’s cafe, a treasured neighborhood institution that plays host to undiscovered musicians and artists. She’s denied herself the thrilling and unpredictable life of a musician, but a chance encounter with Will, a sweet, gorgeous, and charming guitarist, offers her a glimpse of what could be. When Will becomes her friend and then her roommate, she does everything in her power to suppress her passions—for him, for music—but her father’s legacy slowly opens her heart to the possibility of something more.(description from Goodreads)
Review:
This a music romance book, but with more serious narrative. It’s not only about a romance that blooms, but is also a story about grief, healing, self-discovery, and angst. Even though the subject matter was heavy at times, it’s still filled with light-hearted moments where the characters have impromptu jam sessions and make you laugh out loud with their goofy antics.
Mia and Will are both full of passion, the readers see that in their work and music (both are serious about writing and sharing their songs with the world). Mia was a frustrating main character, she kept everyone at a distance so much so that it heavily strained her relationships with family and friends. She gets better throughout the novel, but it was hard to connect to her character in the beginning. Liked the romance development, which was a slow burn/heated romance that starts out as friendship and turns into something deeper.
The story was very real and heartbreaking in some moments, but I liked seeing how Mia overcame each obstacle. I liked how she honored her dad’s legacy at the cafe and how she finds her path of what to do in life.
Final Verdict:
“Cry Wolf” (Alpha & Omega #1) by Patricia Briggs (2008) (Romanceopoly-Fated Mates)
Synopsis: Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack… and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.
Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna’s inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack. (description from Goodreads)
I have been meaning to read Briggs work for the longest time! And I’m glad I did! I never read any Mercy Thompson books prior to reading Cry Wolf, but I was able to read this book as a standalone from the main series even though I missed a few character/event references from time to time.
While this story circled about Anna and Charles’ relationship, I felt that this book was more than just romance. While it was part of the story it was overwhelmingly a fantasy novel, but that’s what made the story so entertaining and immersive.
The main character, Anna has been mentally and physically abused (trigger warning), but she still perseveres through those times and they never broke her spirit. Starting her new life with Charles (as a mate) is an opportunity for a fresh start for the both of them.Anna has a warm environment to look after her, Charles helps her to trust others again. Charles is stoic and keeps to himself, as people fear him as an alpha, but Anna is able to break down his walls.
This book was action packed, liked the world-building, and definitely going to read the rest of the series. Briggs has a way with getting the reader hooked from page one.
Final Verdict:
“Tempt Me Like This” (The Morrisons #2) by Bella Andre (2015) (Romanceopoly-Downtown Subway)
Synopsis:
As one of the biggest rock stars in the business, Drew Morrison can have anything—and anyone—he wants. Only Ashley Emmit, who has joined his tour to work on a college research project, is completely off-limits. Drew promised her father that, once the tour was over, he would send her home pure and untouched by the rock ’n’ roll world. But he has never been so tempted by anyone in his entire life. How is he going to make it through this tour without giving in to the urge to drag her into his arms and kiss her breathless?
Ashley has always lived by the rules. But from the moment she meets Drew, none of those rules make sense anymore. Not only does Drew’s music affect her deeply…but she’s never wanted to kiss anyone so badly. Not that a magnetic star like Drew would ever feel the same way about a brainiac like her, of course. And even if he did, she knows from painful experience that two people as different as they are simply don’t belong together.
But when the attraction between Drew and Ashley burns hotter every moment they’re together on the tour bus—and they begin to share their deeply hidden and emotional secrets—will either of them be able to resist temptation? Or could giving in to their feelings lead them straight toward a love they never saw coming…(description from Goodreads)
Review:
It’s been a while since I read a Rock Star romance, but this one was pretty solid. I liked getting a behind-the scenes look of a music tour in this book and seeing how passionate Drew is about making good music for himself and his fans. Ashley sees that passion in Drew and that’s the key that sparks their relationship into something more.
This romance is very sweet, but also sexy at the same time. The most entertaining part of the book was seeing all of the live shows, trips between tour tops and most of all, the music! Drew and Ashley have such good chemistry with each other which added to the romance aspect. Even though they come from two different worlds, they connect on the same wavelength.
I may have to consider revisiting this series in the future!
Final Verdict:
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. 
Interesting books! I’m going to add Sweet Thing to my TBR list. The romances I like best are the ones that don’t focus too heavily on the romance.
I hope you enjoy the book when you read it! 🙂