Tag:

Julie Olivia

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

by Jill September 26, 2024

written by Jill

Book Review:
If It Makes You Happy

Julie Olivia

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

have you ever been giddy over a crush?
that’s how this whole book felt to me.
Cliff & Michelle had me kicking my feet and squealing at how cute they were as they got to know each other, and fell in love 🥹

⭐️ rating: ♾
🌶️: open door, slow burn to a few scenes

💭 overall thoughts:
this book was everything I thought it would be, and more.
I’m such a huge Julie Olivia fan, and this definitely did not disappoint!

I took my time with this one – it felt… slow. And I mean that in a very good way. It was the type of story I didn’t want to rush, but savor.
I felt at home with Michelle (& Rocket 🐾), Cliff, the Burkes & all of Copper Run, and didn’t want to leave 🥰

I loved remembering a simpler time, before cell phones and internet & social media. This book feels innocent in that way (but with spice 😉).

read if you love:
🍁 autumn 1997 nostalgia
🏠 neighbours + close proximity
🧁 single dad baker + temporary inn keeper who are total opposites
❤️‍🩹 finding friendship & love after divorce
🌳 small town Stars Hollow energy
📼 90s romcom vibes
🐾 an expressive pup who’s part of the family
💞 dual 1st person pov

Thank you to Julie Olivia & PenPal PR for an advanced copy.
All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy or read on Kindle Unlimited:
AMAZON

September 26, 2024 0 comments

Book Lists

Top 23 Romance Books of 2023

by Jill January 2, 2024

written by Jill

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Since it’s absolutely impossible to pick a favourite book of the year when you’ve read around 250 books, I went with a top 23 of 2023!

I mostly read contemporary romance, so these all fall under that category.

Caught Up by Liz Tomforde

I’m completely obsessed with this book. I was so incredibly invested in both Miller & Kai, I loved their dynamic and their individual healing journies.

Caught Up is book 3 in the Windy City series, and is a romance between single dad & pro baseball player Kai & his nanny, Miller, a pastry chef who happens to be his coach’s daughter.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde

I LOVE a roommates romance! Throw in fake dating & sports, and I’m super happy.

The Right Move is a grumpy sunshine/forced proximity romance between flight attendant Indy Ivers & her best friend’s brother, pro basketball player Ryan Shay.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Space Between by Sarah Ready

This was an incredibly emotional journey that sucked me in from the first pages! I tandem read this one on ebook and audio, and Sarah Ready is incredible at choosing her narrators.

The Space Between is a book about soulmates from different worlds finding their way back to each other, while so many forces are tearing them apart.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Because of Us by Nina Arada

I read this one in January 2023 and it’s still on my mind.

Because of Us is a second chance romance between Josie & her brother’s best friend, Wes. Told through dual timeline, we see what broke them apart, and how they find their way back to each other.

Links:
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young

Mattheus Tito-Jones is probably my top book boyfriend of the year. He’s incredibly sweet, just an all-around good guy. Lane is super relatable to me as well, and the anxiety rep is spot on.

Next to You is book 2 in the Next series (following Next of Kin), and is a friends to lovers, opposites attract romance.

Links:

Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently only on pre-order since new covers are coming!)

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

I’ve loved mixing it up a bit this year with sci-fi elements/magical realism in some books.

The Seven Year Slip is about a magical apartment where inhabitants can slip 7 years in the past or future. This is a beautiful forced proximity time travel romance.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart

This was my first Livy Hart book, and definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait to read more from her in 2024. I was smiling throughout this entire book.

Mia & Alex are enemies(ish) who end up in a forbidden, secret relationship, where they really don’t WANT to like each other, but can’t help it!

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

When I finished reading this one, I declared it my favorite Christina Lauren book – I’m not sure if it’s because it’s my most recent, but it’s definitely in my top 5! They are my absolute favorite duo, and I really loved this one.

Both Fizzy & Connor are loveable characters, though total opposites, who fall for each other slowly with the BEST chemistry! They have complete open and honest communication which is super refreshing.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score

This is my favorite Lucy Score book I’ve read so far! I found the characters super relatable in that even though they are in their late 30s, they (and I) really have no clue how to really be an adult 😂.

Marley returns to her hometown and gets a job teaching & coaching at the local high school, and reconnects with Jake, fellow teacher & coach who broke her heart as teens.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

This was probably my most surprising read of the year! I grabbed an arc off NetGalley based on the cover alone, and the story completely blew me away. It’s shocking that this was a debut for Julie Soto, and I can’t wait to get my hands on her 2024 release.

Forget Me Not is a second chance romance between sunshiney wedding planner Ama & grumpy florist Elliot, who are forced into proximity by working together on a celebrity wedding.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Powerless by Elsie Silver

I think everyone has a different fav in Chestnut Springs, and this is mine. I’m definitely a sucker for childhood friends to lovers, which I think is what pushes this one to the top spot for me. The entire series has been 5 star reads, so I highly recommend them all!

Powerless is a spicy, childhood friends to lovers between hockey player Jasper & ballerina Sloane, where they head on out on a road trip and finally give in to their feelings for one another.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Their Freefall at Last by Julie Olivia

I’m honestly emotional while typing this, as this book tore me apart and (thankfully) put me back together!

This is book 4 in the Honeywood series, and really shouldn’t be read as a standalone. We get bits and pieces of Ruby & Bennett in the previous books, and in this one we finally get these best friends to become so much more.

Links:
Review of Their Freefall at Last
Review of the Honeywood series
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

Roommates is one of my absolute favorite tropes, and this book made me so happy! I related a lot to Tara, and was rooting for her to get her happily ever after.

Exes and O’s is a forced proximity, slow burn, friends to lovers romance between nure/bookstagrammer Tara & firefighter & reformed playboy Trevor.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

I’m currently doing a reread of this one on audiobook as I write this, and it’s reminding me why this book is on this list.

This is a really special one. Don’t let “accidental pregnancy” deter you, it’s done in such an incredibly beautiful way.

Wyn & Bo meet at a Halloween party, and after the most phenomenal night of their lives, end up having a baby together. They are one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever read, as they navigate this huge change in their lives.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer

I knew from the first chapter that this one would be a fav for me.

The history & chemistry between Rory and Hazel was PERFECTION. I loved how he had been pining for her since FOREVER, and how cute and patient he was.

The Fake Out is a fake dating, he falls first romance between pro hockey player Rory and physiotherapist & yoga teacher, Hazel.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Play with Me by Becka Mack

Garrett Anderson is another top tier book boyfriend for me, and I absolutely adored Jennie too!

This is book 2 in the Playing for Keeps series, and I’d definitely read book 1 (Consider Me) first.

Jennie is Carter’s (from Consider Me) little sister, and Garrett is his (hockey) teammate and best friend. They become neighbors, which leads to a friends with benefits situation, which leads to so much more.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn

Book 3 in the Cane brothers series, and my absolute favorite – possibly my favorite Meghan Quinn I’ve read so far!

Breaker Cane is amazing, a humble billionaire and the perfect best friend for Lia. They meet in college and have an incredible dynamic. Lia being engaged to someone else is the catalyst they need to realize how much more they mean to one another.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison

I’m torn whether this or book 1 (Lovelight Farms) is my favorite in the series – I love both so much!

In Mixed Signals, Caleb has had a crush on Layla for forever, finding excuses to frequently visit her bakery to see her. They end up sorta fake dating – or more like temporarily dating – which slowly turns into more.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Caught on Camera by Chelsea Curto

Shawn Holmes sets such a high standard for fictional men! This is one of my favorite best friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. Something I loved about it was that they their feelings developed during the story, instead of one pining secretly for the other – they just naturally fell in love with the person that was perfect for them.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Tempting the Player by Rebecca Jenshak

This one is book 4 in the Campus Wallflowers series, which I highly recommend – it’s a lot of fun! College sports romances where the mmc is an athlete and the fmc is somewhat of a shy wallflower.

This one is my favorite mostly because I was waiting for Jane’s story, and also because Hendrick is the sweetest protective mmc. His brothers as side characters are such a fun addition to the story!

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

First Down by Grace Reilly

Bex needs someone to help her get rid of her pushy ex (by fake dating), and James desperately needs a tutor to pass his writing class. Neither is looking for a relationship, since their main focus is on their goals – without distractions. Obviously, they quickly become that for one another, as their chemistry is undeniable.

First Down is book 1 in the Beyond the Play series, and I’ve loved the rest too!

Links:

Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Gahhh Best friends to lovers is such an auto-buy trope for me!

I love the dynamic and mutual pining between Bree & Nathan.

Yes, another fake dating sports romance – but it’s just so so good! The mental health rep is so well portrayed, showing behind the scenes of panic attacks.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

This book had me smiling throughout the whole story! I LOVE texting banter, and Lynn Painter is seriously the banter queen.

Also, Jack & Hallie are one of my favorite couples ever. After a one night stand, they reconnect and become best friends, and support each other in their quests to find “the one.” But duh, they’re obviously meant to be!

Links:

Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Did you enjoy this list? Let me know in the comments & pin the image to save for later! 📌

January 2, 2024 0 comments

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Off the Hook

by Jill October 27, 2023

written by Jill

I need a nanny, but I may need her more.

I know about my reputation as Never Harbor’s secluded single dad. But I have everything I need: my imaginative son, my dog, and our remodeled cottage by the sea.

That is, until my nanny quits.

My brother’s ex-fiancee, Wendy Darling, is an elementary school teacher with a free summer. The last thing I need is to get tangled in his mess, but my family thinks she’s a perfect fit for the job. Turns out, she fits in better than I could have imagined.

Wendy is nothing like I expected. She’s kind and adventurous, with a beautiful laugh that washes my worst nightmares away. She pushes past my silence and sees more of my true self than anyone has in years. And my six-year-old son is falling for her just as quickly.

Being with Wendy can never happen. Not when my younger brother is her ex-fiance. Not when she’s so close to our family. Not when our small coastal town gossips the way that it does.

But after so long in the dark, Wendy makes me feel something. Falling for her feels a lot like flying instead.

I know happy endings only belong in fairy tales, but I’m close to stealing one for myself.

Source: Goodreads

Book Review:
Off the Hook

Julie Olivia

Series: Yes
Book 1 in Never Harbor

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

My gosh I just feel so hard and fast for Jasper & Wendy! There was so much I loved about this book, and I didn’t want to stop reading 🥰 I’m so glad it’s just the beginning of a series, because I need so much more!

Wendy needed someone to put her first, as she deserves… Jasper needed someone to love him unconditionally.
This made them the perfect fit.

I love a lot of the tropes in this book, and reading them in a Julie way? Just perfect.

All the Peter Pan references were so fun, and done in a modern way that completely made sense for the book and setting.

Gah I love texting in books! Between Jasper & Wendy, and among the Davies siblings – it was all wonderful. I love how we got to know the siblings, and I’m excited for their books too.

Tropes + topics:
🏴‍☠️ Single Dad & Nanny
🪝 Ex fiancé’s brother
🏴‍☠️ Age gap
🪝Grumpy sunshine
🏴‍☠️ Found family
🪝 Coastal small town
🏴‍☠️ Wendy & Hook inspired
🪝Never Harbor series book 1
🏴‍☠️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to Good Girls PR & author Julia Olivia for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

For more of my Julie Olivia reviews, click HERE.

Note: Edit is mine, photos are not. Photos found on Pinterest. If there are any issues with any of the photos being posted, please email me and let me know at hello@readinginpjsblog.com

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

October 27, 2023 0 comments

Honeywood Series by Julie Olivia - Romance Book review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Series Review: Honeywood Series by Julie Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

Book Series Review: Honeywood Series

Julie Olivia

This series has my heart, and I’ll never stop sharing about it 🙃

I found Julie Olivia last December when I was looking for Christmas novellas to read – I HIGHLY recommend the Fake Santa Apology Tour! It’s hilarious and different and I loved it.

Soon after she had a form open for an arc of Our Ride to Forever, and I jumped at the chance – even though I hadn’t read the series. I read it, fell in love with the entire crew, and went back for more 🐝

This series is now complete – definitely recommend reading it all, from the start.

The Honeywood series follows a group of 5 friends that work together at a theme park. They are a fun mix of personalities, and enjoy their weekly trivia night. Slowly, they each find their “person”, and more join their group. These books will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love, over and over again.

Click on the titles to see full reviews for each book:

💛 ALL DOWNHILL WITH YOU 💛
Lorelei & Emory fall for each other in this enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, small town romance!

💖 THE FICTION BETWEEN U S 💖
Grumpy Quinn tries to resist falling for her best friend’s brother, Sunshine Landon, in this fake dating romance!

💜 OUR RIDE TO FOREVER 💜
Orson & Theo start with a marriage of convenience and turned into friends with benefits in this forced proximity romance!

💙 THEIR FREEFALL AT LAST 💙
Ruby & Bennett – what can I say? This book takes us through a journey of these childhood best friends to lovers, as they find their way to happily ever after.

On top of the books being AMAZING, Julie also designed the covers herself, and there’s a rollercoaster across them!

July 15, 2023 0 comments

Their Freefall at Last by Julie Olivia - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Review: Their Freefall at Last by Julie Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

It’s the day of Bennett’s wedding, and it’s NOT Ruby he’s marrying. But she’ll always be there for him, no matter what he needs. They’re best friends, forever and always.

We flash back to 7 year old Bennett & Ruby, and see how they meet, become best friends, grow together, and fall apart. So many beautiful moments over the years for these two.

Book Review:
Their Freefall at Last

Julie Olivia

Series: Yes (4/4)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆∞ 5/5 (fav!)

Spice: 1/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

I have no words to say how much I loved this book!
What a perfect end to a series that will forever hold a place in my heart 💙
I laughed, I sobbed – a lot. I’m sad to say goodbye to Honeywood, but looking forward to your next series Julie!

Ruby + Bennett 💙💙💙

I KNEW Julie promised an HEA, but it was a *rollercoaster* (pun definitely intended) to get there. The middle of this book literally had me sobbing and shaking. I’m so attached to these characters!

I don’t want to say too much, because you just need to go along for the ride (another pun for you). This is the 4th book in the Honeywood series, and you definitely should read the others first, to fall in love with Ruby & Bennett even more 🥰

Read if you enjoy:
💙 Childhood best friends to lovers
💙 Soulmates
💙 IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU
💙 Found family
💙 Small town
💙 Only one bed
💙 Short chapters
💙 Laughs & tears
💙 4th & final in series
💙 Dual POV/first person

Thank you SO MUCH to author Julie Olivia for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 15, 2023 1 comment

Our Ride to Forever by Julia Olivia - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Review: Our Ride to Forever by Julia Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

Orson and Theo start out as no commitment – just two friends, who are attracted to each other, having a little fun. Neither wanted anything more, and especially not to be in a relationship.

When Theo needs insurance, and Orson is looking for a tax break, they decide to get married, in secret. Their friends are not in the loop on this one!

They end up as roommates, and as they get to know each other better, outside of their physical relationship, they can’t help but fall for each other.

Book Review:
Our Ride to Forever

author

Series: Yes (3/4)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Do you ever read a book and think – wow, I could totally be bff with this author??
That’s Julie Olivia for me.

This was my 2nd read of hers (my first was the Fake Santa Apology Tour), and I immediately went back and read the rest of this series. For all her books I just felt like the way she writes just makes sense to me! The humor, the references, the dialogue, everything.

Theo & Orson – seriously, so darn cute & fun to watch their relationship develop! Two humans looking for fun & non-commitment, who just happen to be absolutely perfect for one another.
There were so many parts to this book that I just loved so much – I was smiling through a lot! The steam was also perfection 👌🏼

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Marriage of convenience
⭐️ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐️ Roommates/forced proximity
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Friends with Benefits to more
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you SO MUCH to Julie Olivia for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 15, 2023 0 comments

Julie Olivia The Fiction Between Us - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Review: The Fiction Between Us by Julie Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

Quinn plays Queen Bee (the character/mascot) at Honeywood theme park. When her best friend’s twin brother, Landon, and high school bully, gets hired to work at Honeywood, she’s less than pleased.

During one of their shows, Landon falls on stage and the park guests fall for him – and want him to be the next Ranger Randy, Queen Bee’s love interest.

For the sake of the public, this leads to the pair fake dating as their characters. But is it all for show?

Book Review:
The Fiction Between Us

author

Series: Yes (2/4)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 1/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

I love books set in small towns, and generally want to move to them – but add in a theme park? Sign me up!

Landon is definitely my top book boyfriend at Honeywood. I love how he describes his feelings for Quinn, how he challenges her yet adores her for who she is. Their dynamic and banter is perfect!

The addition of the infamous Honey Pleasure in this book works so well with both characters. Who doesn’t love a blunt older woman?

This is book 2 (of 4) in the Honeywood series. I definitely recommend reading them in order, but they can all be read as standalones.

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Best friend’s brother
⭐️ Miscommunication from the past
⭐️ Found family
⭐️ Fake Dating
⭐️ Romcom/awesome banter
⭐️ Grumpy/Sunshine (her/him)
⭐️ Small town
⭐️ Theme park
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Tw: mental health (depression), bullying (in high school)

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 15, 2023 0 comments

Julie Olivia - All Downhill with You - Romance book review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Review: All Downhill With You by Julie Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

The story takes place in a small town, and at Honeywood theme park, where Lorelai works. Emory is a rollercoaster designer/engineer brought in to figure out where one of his went wrong (and left Lorelai injured).

The last person Lorelei Arden should be falling for is the son of the CEO of the company she’s suing.
The last person Emory Dawson should be kissing is the woman who’s life was ruined by a mistake made by his company, and potentially himself.

But their chemistry is undeniable, and they ultimately bring out the best in each other. They help one another realize what they’re truly meant to do & who they’re meant to be.

Book Review:
All Downhill With You

Julie Olivia

Series: Yes (1/4)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 1/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

All Downhill with You is an enemies to lovers, forbidden romance (they work together!), with a grumpy hero (Emory) and sunshine heroine (Lorelai).

I love the whole friend group in this series! There’s really a “found family” element there, with them feeling like siblings more than friends.

This is book 1 (of 4) in the Honeywood series. I read them out of order since I had an arc of Our Ride to Forever. I LOVED that book so much I went back to the start of the series. While they can be read as standalone novels, you’ll want to know all their stories!

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Enemies to lovers
⭐️ Theme park
⭐️ Grumpy Sunshine
⭐️ Friends like family
⭐️ Forbidden romance
⭐️ Small town
⭐️ Dual POV/first person
⭐️ Short chapters (I love this in a book!)

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 15, 2023 0 comments

Julie Olivia

Book Review: If It Makes You Happy

Julie Olivia

Book Review: Off the Hook

Julie Olivia

Book Series Review: Honeywood Series

Julie Olivia

Book Review: Their Freefall at Last

Julie Olivia

Book Review: Our Ride to Forever

author

Book Review: The Fiction Between Us

author

Book Review: All Downhill With You

Julie Olivia

Book Review:
If It Makes You Happy

Book Review:
Off the Hook

Book Review:
Their Freefall at Last

Book Review:
Our Ride to Forever

Book Review:
The Fiction Between Us

Book Review:
All Downhill With You