Romance Roundup: June Edition

Welcome to “Romance Roundup” where I share mini-reviews of 3-4 romance novels that I’ve read recently. This month’s edition includes two unlikely dance partners that team up for a project, a fake dating scheme, and a story full of heartbreak and healing.

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Then There Was You by Mona Shroff (2021)

As a helicopter medic, Daniel Bliant saves other people’s lives. He’s cool under pressure, a calm presence for trauma victims on the worst day of their lives. So why can’t he heal himself? When he answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months ago and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. But even though Annika is intelligent, lively, and gorgeous, he knows he should forget her. He hasn’t worked through his own trauma after the incident that left him shattered, so how can he possibly think about love?
 
Annika Mehta loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the low pay means she has a side gig tending bar at Phil’s. She may be reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she knows she’s resilient. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way, but somehow, she can’t let him go. 

Review: I remember picking up this book earlier this year because I was intrigued by the cover art and synopsis. However, while I do remember it being described as an angst romance I didn’t realize just how heavy of a book it would be. For some, this book would definitely be a tear-jerker and I would say for other readers to be aware of the fact that there are a lot of trigger warnings for this novel including death, miscarriage, racism, and school shootings. It’s a lot to take in as a reader, but I think Shroff writes it in such a delicate way while opening up the conversation surrounding important topics.

Both of the main characters have suffered a lot in their pasts and find each other through their own process of healing. I appreciated that love doesn’t solve everything and that they as individuals still have work to do even after the story ends. I appreciated the conversation surrounding how we grieve differently and ways to move on from past trauma. On top of that, I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads and I thought the romance was sweet while being very realistic.

Final Verdict:

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Swept Off My Feet by Ines Bautista-Yao (2017)

Why my life sucks
by Geri Lazaro

1. My dad left when I was a kid.
2. My mom is in love (insert eye roll).
3. With a guy who is like 10 years younger than her!
4. My friends think he’s hot. (Gross)
5. I love ballet but our dance studio has a leak and we have to dance in this smelly studio that doubles as an aikido dojo.
6. There’s this Dojo guy who thinks the studio belongs to him.
7. Friends think Dojo guy is cute. (Ew.) (Okay, objectively maybe but still, ew.)
8. I’m failing algebra.
9. Need to quit either basketball or ballet. Or both.
10. Dojo guy keeps showing up! (Fine, he does aikido in the same building but whatever.)
11. Dojo guy is asking me to dance with him. And maybe he is as cute as my friends say.
12. I don’t know what to do anymore!

Review: Swept Off My Feet is a romance novel that brings a karate student and ballet student together for a special project and love blossoms between the two of them. For the most part, this novel is fun and lighthearted with the witty banter between the couple and the cuter moments where they spend time one-on-one. The story also showcases some themes of self-discovery where Geri and the male lead grapple with their futures and also discuss their pasts with their dads. There’s a small bit of angst as Geri questions why her dad left and also trying to cope with her mom’s boyfriend who she feels is not right for her mom.

I thought this novel is sweet and a lot of fun! It has some good discussions surrounding parental figures and also believing in yourself. It’s fast-paced and a quick read while being entertaining. I’d love to check out more works from this author since this book was recommended by fellow bookstagrammers.

Final Verdict:

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Make a Scene by Mimi Grace (2020)

Faking this relationship should be a piece of cake.

Retta Majors is having a bad day. But that’s to be expected when your ex gets engaged to your cousin. Instead of (totally) freaking out, Retta decides to attend the wedding with her amazing, faithful, and handsome boyfriend.

One problem.

He doesn’t exist.

Duncan Gilmore is living his dream. His boxing gym is open for business, and he’s focused on success. The last thing on his mind is a relationship. That is until the beautiful baker next door makes him an offer so bizarre, he can’t refuse. One weekend of pretending to be Retta’s boyfriend should be easy.

However, shared kisses and some flirting start to blur the lines in their fake relationship. When their performance draws to a close, will they go their separate ways or return for an encore?

Review: After I read Grace’s debut novel, Along for The Ride, I was excited to delve into Make a Scene, which can also be read as a standalone novel. Duncan and Rhetta enter into a fake dating scene and soon they start to fall in love as the trope goes. Though this novel can be predictable at some parts it’s such a feel-good romance that I enjoyed it thoroughly and has equal parts steamy romance scenes. Both Duncan and Rhetta have been unlucky in love and it was sweet to see them grow into a potential couple despite their dating scheme.

Grace’s romances are like comfort reads to me and her novels have elements that are entertaining, comical, and lovey-dovey. The characters she creates feel real and relatable to a wide audience and they leave a memorable impression on you even after you finish the book. I especially love the interactions with Rhetta and her sassy Grandman who is her biggest supporter. I can’t wait to see what this author will write next!

Final Verdict:

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What romance novels have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations feel free to share those as well.