Tag: holiday romance

Two Stars for ‘Mint to Be’ by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn CoziesLeave a comment

I loved this author’s previous book, Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice, but this one just didn’t really sing to my peppermint mocha-loving soul. It’s a cute story about a teenage couple who grew up together and eventually… what do the kids say these days? Oh yes, they caught feelings for each other—yet were incapable of saying the words out loud. Ugh. Not to go off on a tangent here, but this might be the main reason I don’t love romance. These reasonably intelligent people are always jumping to conclusions and suffering in silence when all their problems could be solved with a single conversation!

Sorry, I digressed. So yeah, this is a case of “it is what it is.” I can’t get too upset with a book that follows the same old romance tropes: miscommunication, friends-to-lovers, annoying internal tantrums, passive-aggressive behaviors, etcetera, etcetera. I think this book could have been exponentially improved with a subplot outside of the romance. It needs a mystery to solve, or a mom-and-pop store to be saved, or perhaps a big peppermint mocha barista challenge in the town square! I just needed something else to move the story along.

Also, I’m just wondering why these two think they could ever make it work. Our protagonist, Emma, has a zest for travel and adventure. She can’t get out of that small town fast enough and yearns to attend a college as far away as possible. Aiden, on the other hand, loves his life in Briar Glen and has no desire to move—which is TOTALLY FAIR! I don’t know if the moral of the story is to accept change and leave everything that makes you happy just for the sake of progress. But I don’t think these two should be together. As the kids say, that’s my “hot take.”

Maybe I’m just not a big Emma fan. She brought her new boyfriend to her hometown without even giving Aiden a heads-up? I mean… who does that? Rude. It would be best for everyone if she went back to her fancy boarding school and pursued her path so Aiden can live his best life in Briar Glen.

Although I didn’t love the romance, I did enjoy the Christmassy sights of Briar Glen and the little cameos from characters in the previous book. I would love another book about the coffee shop. Just putting that out there, Miss Katie Cicatelli-Kuc!

My Book Boyfriend: Rafe Bowman from A Wallflower Christmas

On By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies7 Comments


Meow! What could be more fun than pairing a literary hottie with a swoon-worthy celebrity? When I saw this meme, hosted by the Unread Reader,I couldn’t resist joining in on the fun! And it just so happens I just polished off A Wallflower Christmas, a historical romance featuring a dashing rogue named Rafe Bowman. I’ve got to hand it to Lisa Kleypas – that’s a great name for a hot male lead. While reading this book, I kept picturing Julian McMahon (also a hottie name!) from Nip Tuck. You might also remember him as that yummy district attorney boyfriend in Charmed.

About Rafe:

Tall, dark and ill-mannered, this sexy rake is known for his wild American ways. With his chiseled good looks and imposing physique, he shouldn’t have any trouble in the love department. Yet when he arrives in London to court his high society bride, his plans get derailed when he meets the sweet and strong-willed Hannah Appleton.

Accustomed to getting everything he wants, Rafe is intrigued by Hannah’s constant rejections. Hannah is determined to resist his persistent flirtations…at least at first. Soon sparks fly, witty banter ensues, a stolen kiss happens and Rafe’s cold, cynical heart melts into butter!

Drool-Worthy Quotes:

“Then I will have to show you what happens to women who stand in my way.” Before she could comprehend what was happening, one powerful arm had brought her against his hard masculine body. With his other hand, he grasped the nape of her neck, and tilted her head backward. And his mouth took hers.”

 “If only I could visit you as a foreigner goes into a new country, learn the language of you, wander past all borders into every private and secret place, I would stay forever. I would become a citizen of you.”

 “You would say it’s too soon to feel this way. You would ask how I could be so certain. But some things can’t be measured by time. Ask me an hour from now. Ask me a month from now. A year, ten years, a lifetime. The way I love you will outlast every calendar, clock, and every toll of every bell that will ever be cast.”
 
This is how we court girls in America. We grab them and kiss them. And if they don’t like it, we do it again, harder and longer, until they surrender. It saves us hours of witty repartee.

What do you think? Is this how you pictured Rafe Bowman? Who’s your favorite literary hottie? For more details about My Book Boyfriend, visit the Unread Reader.