Blog Break + July Quick Reviews

Just a quick note that I'll be taking a brief break from the blog next week!  Now, onto this week's reviews!

A Thousand Letters by Staci Hart (2017)

High school sweethearts Elliot and Wade broke up when he enlisted in the Army and she refused to follow him.  Now, 7 years later, the two have to face their unresolved feelings for each other when Wade returns home to help his father after a terminal diagnosis.

I've read a couple books by Staci Hart now, and this one felt like such a departure.  Unlike her rom-coms, this story is somber and full of angst.  There's the element of Wade's father discovering he has terminal brain cancer and how the other characters react to it; this part was heartbreaking and felt so real.  However, I really didn't enjoy the Elliot-Wade relationship drama.  Neither has moved on in 7 years; there is such a frustrating lack of communication between them, both then and now.  I couldn't help but roll my eyes at how many times each assumed they knew what the other was thinking, and they were completely wrong.  Elliot is a huge doormat for all the other characters, when she's not fading into the background altogether.  And way too much repetitive purple prose!  2.5 stars

The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter by Mimi Matthews (2018)

Valentine March is a lady's companion; Tristan, Viscount St. Ashton, is a notorious rake who has hit rock bottom.  When they meet, it's love at first sight, but will their pasts stand in their way?

This was a sweet Victorian romance.  My favorite thing about this novella was Tristan; even though he has quite a scandalous past, the moment he meets Valentine, he's a changed man.  He wants to prove himself worthy of her.  Valentine, though, is unsure, because she has secrets of her own.  The relationship moved quickly, especially on Tristan's part, but I don't think that was necessarily out of place for the time period.  I enjoyed Matthews' writing, and I just wish the story had been longer!  4 stars

Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley (2015)

An actor and a teen author fall for each other but find it difficult to navigate a relationship in the spotlight in this adorable YA romance.

Although there were parts of this book that have to be taken with a grain of salt, I still really enjoyed it.  Teddy is an up-and-coming actor who gets hired for his dream job; the movie is based on the wildly successful series by teen author Bennett Campbell.  Although I enjoyed Bennett's drive and realism, Teddy was the star of this show.  I loved that he wasn't the typical perfect YA boyfriend.  He has flaws, doesn't take himself too seriously, and is kind to everyone.  The writing is very readable, and I breezed through the story in a day.  The movie set setting was really fun, and there are plenty of amazing side characters as well.  4 stars