This week I did a wee binge of a NA series(minus the last book). So I ended up reading four books. All of them being e-books.
The Year We Fell Down(The Ivy Years #1) by Sarina Bowen ***
The Year We Fell Down(The Ivy Years #1) by Sarina Bowen ***
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a hockey filled romance. And well hockey is there, it's not really prominent. Corey and Hartley do form a connection through hockey which was cute. I was really able to relate to Corey because of her sports injury. Although mine was nowhere as critical as hers it still stopped my playing career. Hartley I wasn't the biggest fan of. His need to prove himself through having a really superficial girlfriend was unappealing. Add in his cheesy nicknames for her and I was to busy rolling my eyes to really care. I did like his relationship with Corey(for the most part). The writing is more towards the cheesy side, which makes it a fun read.
The Year We Hid Away(The Ivy Years #2) by Sarina Bowen ***.5
This book is definitely a step up from The Year We Fell Down. Bridger and Scarlet's connection was really cute. For the most part I thoroughly enjoyed their romance. Bridger was a great character and that really came down to his love for his younger sister. He was so genuine and admiral. My biggest annoyance was that this book had another one of my most hated tropes; secret keeping breaking up to protect you shit. I. Hate. Them. Why must so romance books have one of those breakups? It just shows so much immaturity.
The Understatement of the Year(The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen ****
I think Bowen should write a lot more M/M romances as they are easily her best work. She's really good at creating the attraction between two jocks. There were definitely similarities to Him(a book she co-authored) were one guy is out and the other isn't but has fallen for his friend. But here it's a little more unsure as Graham has a past and fear of what his family will think if he is seen in a relationship with Rikker. I really adored both guys. Graham's confusion is relatable. Well Rikker is strong and patient. Just a really strong romance novel with a good bunch of hockey thrown in.
The Shameless Hour(The Ivy Years #4) by Sarina Bowen **
This series was getting better as it went on. And I thought Bella would be a character that I would love. That was not the case. Firstly the writing is so super cheesy and lacking any personality. And secondly the two MC's are boring. Bella was seemed so spunky and confident in the previous book. I thought this was going to a great role reversal where we have the women who likes sex and let's the shaming roll off of her. And a guy who is the "virgin". And yea we got that, but also not really. Bella is so quick to get her back up for anything and everything. She doesn't like when people judge her for her lifestyle yet she is quick to shame them for wanting a relationship. Rafe had his moments; he was sweet and genuine but his personality really took a back seat to Bella's problems. You guys know I hate the word baby as a term of endearment, well I find something I hate even more; hottie. What is that? It's so ugh. The Shameless Hour had it's moments but really it was a whole bunch of disappointment. I expected much better.
The Understatement of the Year(The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen ****
I think Bowen should write a lot more M/M romances as they are easily her best work. She's really good at creating the attraction between two jocks. There were definitely similarities to Him(a book she co-authored) were one guy is out and the other isn't but has fallen for his friend. But here it's a little more unsure as Graham has a past and fear of what his family will think if he is seen in a relationship with Rikker. I really adored both guys. Graham's confusion is relatable. Well Rikker is strong and patient. Just a really strong romance novel with a good bunch of hockey thrown in.
The Shameless Hour(The Ivy Years #4) by Sarina Bowen **
This series was getting better as it went on. And I thought Bella would be a character that I would love. That was not the case. Firstly the writing is so super cheesy and lacking any personality. And secondly the two MC's are boring. Bella was seemed so spunky and confident in the previous book. I thought this was going to a great role reversal where we have the women who likes sex and let's the shaming roll off of her. And a guy who is the "virgin". And yea we got that, but also not really. Bella is so quick to get her back up for anything and everything. She doesn't like when people judge her for her lifestyle yet she is quick to shame them for wanting a relationship. Rafe had his moments; he was sweet and genuine but his personality really took a back seat to Bella's problems. You guys know I hate the word baby as a term of endearment, well I find something I hate even more; hottie. What is that? It's so ugh. The Shameless Hour had it's moments but really it was a whole bunch of disappointment. I expected much better.
What did you guys read this week?
Happy reading!
Brittany
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