Thursday, March 14, 2024

Julie's Review: In a Not So Perfect World

Author: Neely Tubati Alexander
Series: None
Publication Date:  March 19, 2024
Publisher: Harper Perennial 
Pages: 328
Obtained: publisher via NetGalley
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: Find someone who pushes you
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway. Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer. Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Besides, he’s trying to win back his true love. Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings? The zombie apocalypse would be easier to solve—at least she’s prepared for that. ~amazon.com

Review: It is rare that I get time to myself but I had that after dropping my daughter back at college after Spring Break and in that time I finished this absolutely delightful book. Love Buzz was a favorite in 2023 and In a Not So Perfect World is in no way a Sophomore slump by Ms. Alexander. The characters in this book are just delightful but not without their share of foibles. Sloane has always loved playing video games and is now poised to get her big break at the biggest gaming company. Coming off a pretty bad break up, she doesn't even flinch when the 3 men ask her to basically devote herself to the company and stay single. Yes, it's all kind of illegal but I get the feeling this isn't uncommon in these types of companies. Enter, Charlie, the hot neighbor guy she kissed at the bar the other day and his offer for a paid vacation after his horrible break up. 

Sloane thinks that she can use the vacation to work on her game demo for her final interview without interruptions but her best friend, Tess knows that she's going with the biggest distraction there could be, Charlie. While he is a distraction, he's also encouraging to Sloane and understands how much this interview and job mean to her. He even plays her games.

Of course it's not without misunderstandings and wrong turns and silence. Both Charlie and Sloane have baggage and Sloane has some control issues she needs to deal with as well. I did love the ending to this book and hope that they both get their happily ever after. 



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Sunday, March 10, 2024

Sunday Skim




Week of 2/25/2024 and 3/3/2024:

Finished:










Currently Reading:




Looking Forward To:




Wow, it's amazing what you can read in a couple weeks! It was a great mix of audio and paper/egalley; plus genres! What have you read lately?


Friday, March 8, 2024

Review Quickies

I haven't been the best lately at writing reviews of all the books I've read/listened to, so I decided to do quick reviews for some of them. Let me know if this is something I should do from time to time. 



I do not have any clue about F1 driving, nor is it something I'm likely to start watching. If there was any book that might change my mind it's this one by Carly Robyn. I loved the characters in this book and well the heat/spice is definitely there. It is a slow burn enemies to lovers. I can't wait for the other novels in the series. 








Miscommunication? Enemies to Lovers? Sign me up. I loved the setting of this novel and it made me want to go find a B&B to stay at for a weekend. Emmy is a delight and well who doesn't want to look at a Grayson?! What's a little friends with benefits while filming a movie or what could go wrong with that arrangement?






I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but wow was it an emotional punch. I'm still thinking about it weeks later. Mr. Quick is seemingly a master at shedding light on mental health issues and in We Are the Light he shines it on PTSD. It is also about community and being there to help others after tragedy. This won't be one I will soon forget. Highly recommend. 







This is by far my favorite of Ms. Serle's books. It is my pick for February and I highly recommend it. It's is a big whimsy and magical while dealing with some real life issues. This book broke my heart and then put it back together by the end. It really will make you believe in love. 









No one writes historical fiction like Beatriz Williams and her 2023 release keeps her books being auto buys for me. I loved the espionage storyline and the appearance of Sumner Fox from Our Woman in Moscow. Her books are always woven together either by a place or person. I really liked Cricket and how she was trying to find her own way in the world when it really wasn't what women did. 







There is much more to this book than just a sweet let's get married if we are still single at 35 novel. It's about choosing your own path even if it means leaving something you've always wanted behind. I loved Maggie and had a hard time figuring out if Garrett or Asher was the right choice for her. Or is it neither of them.





I have read all of Ms. Lawhon's books and this is definitely my favorite! It is the perfect read for Women's History Month. Martha Ballard is a woman who didn't back down from her beliefs and convictions. It's an interesting look at the judicial system at the birth of our country. 






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Sunday, February 25, 2024

Sunday Skim





Week of 2/11/2024 and 2/18/2024

Finished:












Currently Reading:



Did Not Finish:


Looking Forward To:



The Improbable Meet-Cute short stories were just what I needed. They are fun and definitely cute. Some I liked more than others but they were all entertaining. I really loved Drive Me Crazy & Right on Cue. Yes they are spicy but they also deal with issues like insecurity and anxiety; which I love that authors are starting to write characters that deal with real life issues. Unfortunately, not every book speaks to every reader and for me that was The Book of Love. Just way too much going on, too many subplots and characters. 


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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Sunday Skim





Week of 1/28/2024:







Currently Reading:






Looking Forward To:




I am sad that Martha Waters' Regency Vows series is over and highly recommend it to anyone who is missing Bridgerton.





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