Overall: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 👰🏼♀️🔥🦙😨🫣🥰
~QD STORY DETAILS~
Shelves: Contemporary romance, small town, hidden identity, jilted bride, vacation fling
Location: California, Alondra Valley (wine country)
Female Lead: Penelope (Penny) Glass (25yo)
Male Lead: Liam Beaudin (33yo)
Tear jerker: No
HEA: Yes
~QD BOOK INFO~
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Paperback page count: 378 pages
Publisher: Self published
Audible: No
Series: Alondra Valley
1. Feels Like Love – released 08/25/21 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
2. Love Like No Other – released 08/24/22 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~QD 🔥~
Sex/kink type: manual, oral, penetrative
Possible triggers: jilted bride, hidden identity, mention of suicide, medical condition (IBS)
~REVIEW🖋~
The Quick and Dirty: Two romance authors fall in love in a romance novel (but with small time vibes and some hidden identity angst.)
Penny is left at the altar by a man she’s been with for years and seeking an escape, runs into Liam (who we met in Feels Like Love). After several rounds of truth or drink, their chemistry turns into what was supposed to be a one-night stand. While reluctant at first, Penny can’t resist the connection she shares with Liam and agrees to spend what would have been her honeymoon in the Alondra Valley, with him. She’s also hoping to catch a glimpse of her idol and fellow romance author, Meghan Hart. Little does she know, they’re one and the same.
There’s so many things to love about this book:
– Adorable small town setting
– Strong female lead; she’s self-made, resourceful and lives her life fearlessly despite her chronic condition (IBS).
– Charming male lead; we didn’t see Liam at his best in Feels Like Love but we’re seeing a different side to him in this book (while it still feeling quintessentially Liam) and I loved seeing his growth
– Ride-or-Die friendships; Something I love about Jenna’s books is she almost always has a ride-or-die bestie that lends so much texture to her chapters and this book is no exception. Love me some Ink + Pen.
– Meta! I loved the concept of romance authors falling in love in a romance novel. It’s like an ode to romance.
– BTS: Because both characters are romance authors, we get a little bit of the behind-the-scenes on plotting, writing processes, book conventions etc, that as a reader I found to be really cool.
– Steam that wasn’t just gratuitous. I loved that the scenes weren’t just about lust but connection and that Penny and Liam’s bond could be felt outside of the bedroom; that they encouraged each other to grow as people.
I have always loved Jenna’s books but I feel like this one has something special. The story arc by itself is interesting but the characters have been fleshed out a bit more, the descriptions of the town really paint a vivid mental image and there wasn’t just drama for drama’s sake. Nothing feels too rushed or too slow and the characters’ responses are organic. You really feel like you’ve been sucked into Penny and Liam’s world and you get to revisit some of your old friends too (like those from the Love in LA series). So much good stuff! Can’t wait to see what happens next with Tristan and Asher!
**I was a Beta Reader for this book but provided this review voluntarily and am giving honest feedback. **
~BLURB~
I’m secretly falling for Penny, but she has no idea who I really am.
She came to my small town to get married and to be closer to her idol—her fellow romance author, Meghan Hart.
But when Penny’s fiancé left her at the altar, she needed an escape. One I was more than willing to provide.
It was supposed to be for one night, but it turned into something more.
The problem?
I’m Meghan Hart.
Now I have to decide whether to trust Penny with my secret or let her go for good.
~LINKS~
FEELS LIKE LOVE
GOODREADS
AMAZON
LOVE LIKE NO OTHER:
GOODREADS
AMAZON
~AUTHOR INFO~
JENNA HARTLEY
Contemporary romance author, Jenna Hartley writes about strong, independent women and the men who dare to love them. Her characters aren’t perfect; they’re authentic. Her passion is to make their stories feel as real for readers as they do to her, infusing each one with sexy, sweet, and laughable moments that reflect real love.
When she’s not writing, Jenna spends her days chasing after a hilarious and imaginative toddler, as well as hunting down new allergy-friendly recipes for them to cook together. She lives in Texas with her family and loves nothing more than a good book, good chocolate, and Topo Chico.
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