Scarlet and Shane spent one magical summer together before their senior year of high school, but then he broke her heart and she left town. Now, 12 years later, she's back and living next door to her former flame. Can they overcome their past and his current situation to find love again? I enjoyed this book because of how real it felt. I sympathized with Scarlet and how she wrestled with her attraction to Shane and the hurt feelings from her past. I liked the addition of Shane being a father and how they had to navigate the complicated relationship with his ex. It felt so true to life. Tucker's writing is just so good - it's so readable and I felt swept up in the story, wanting to know how it would end for the characters. I did have a couple issues, though - I didn't like the way Shane blamed Scarlet for their issues years earlier, and the storyline with Scarlet's mother felt a little out place and had such a strange ending. But overall, a sweet and steamy second-chance romance! 4 stars
Shipped by Angie Hockman (2021)
Henley is totally focused on her career as a marketing manager for a cruise line and she's ecstatic to find out she's been shortlisted for a promotion - until she finds out her competition is her workplace nemesis Graeme and they'll both be going on a cruise to the Galapagos Islands in order to put together their proposals on how to boost bookings. What will Henley do when she realizes she's been wrong about Graeme all along? I really enjoyed this story, although honestly, the romance took a backseat for me when compared to all the other themes of the book. I liked that Henley saw a different side to Graeme once she met him in person and he was so sweet to her, considering they were in competition with each other. But more than that, I loved being able to travel to the Galapagos Islands (or at least, an area inspired by them). The cruise itself sounded amazing! I liked watching Henley form her eco-tourism proposal and the realizations she came to about her career. Plus, she was super proactive when faced with some serious workplace issues, and I really admired her for that. 4 stars
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I really liked Shipped. I loved the setting too and when I read it during the winter, it was a nice escape! I'm glad you enjoyed it too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christina! It was nice to "travel" for a bit!
DeleteShipped was definitely about more than the romance. The destinations we visited in this book was fantastic, and though I could have done without all the workplace drama, I loved that merry band that assembled to fight the man.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like when my romances bring a little extra to the table!
DeleteShipped sounds really good and what a cover! I love the Galapagos too as a setting.
ReplyDeleteIt sounded so beautiful!
DeleteThe Player Next Door sounds good to me. I just finally got caught up on The Simple Wild series so I may have to check this one out as well. Shipped is also on my TBR so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. That cruise to the Galapagos is a big draw for me since I've not read any books with a setting like that before.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy both of these, Suzanne!
DeleteAs I as I adore K.A. Tucker I have yet to pick up The Player Next Door. Seeing your review has put it back on my radar!
ReplyDelete*As much as*
DeleteYay, hope you enjoy it, Tanya!
DeleteShipped sounds fantastic! I love the setting and the premise. I will have to add it to my list! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome, hope you enjoy it!
DeleteGlad to hear you liked Shipped, it was one of my favorite reads of the year, loved the Galapagos setting! And that K.A. Tucker book also sounds great!
ReplyDeleteBoth great reads!
DeleteI think Shipped might be more to my liking -- and it defnitely has my attention if the romance takes a back seat to all the other goodness in it.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a well-rounded book!
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