Book Review: Fangirl Down

In “Fangirl Down,” Tessa Bailey spins a delightful tale of love blossoming on the golf course between Josephine and Wells. Despite Wells’ rough patch in his career, Josephine remains his steadfast supporter, proving that true love knows no bounds.

Let me start by saying that “Fangirl Down” surpassed my expectations after my initial encounter with Tessa Bailey’s work in “Unfortunately Yours.” I found a stronger connection to the characters in this book, and both Josephine and Wells underwent commendable character development. Josephine’s sunny disposition is infectious, and Wells makes for a perfect book boyfriend with his unwavering consistency and directness, which I find refreshing in a romance novel.

The witty banter exchanged between Josephine and Wells, as well as the supporting characters, added an extra layer of charm to the story. Tessa nailed it with the dialogue!

My only minor gripe lies in the abundance of explicit scenes, which may be a bit too descriptive for some readers’ tastes. However, if this doesn’t bother you, then it won’t detract from your enjoyment of the book. I simply felt that fewer pages devoted to these scenes would have sufficed, considering they don’t significantly impact the plot. But hey, if you’re all for steamy romance, then you’re in for a treat.

On another note, I noticed a discrepancy in Burgess’ daughter’s name, switching from “Fallon” to “Lissa” between chapters. I’m curious to know if this is a typo error, especially since I’m reading an advanced copy. Can’t wait for clarification before diving into Book 2 of the Big Shots series, “The Au Pair Affair.”

Overall, “Fangirl Down” was a thoroughly enjoyable read, despite my reservations about the explicit scenes. The engaging plot even piqued my interest in learning more about golf. Now, I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series and hoping it lives up to the charm of this one. Cheers to Tessa Bailey for crafting such a delightful romance!

Book Review: Wreck the Halls

Beat and Melody, born to a once-famous ’90s female duo, faced a daunting task three decades later: to reunite their estranged mothers for a Christmas Eve concert at the Rockefeller Center. The promise of a million-dollar reward for each was the bait. Would this bring their feuding mothers back together, or would it lead to unexpected romantic entanglements for the Beat and Melody?

I found myself grappling with three significant reasons why “Wreck the Halls” landed a two-star rating instead of a ‘Did Not Finish’ label.

Firstly, my self-imposed commitment to finish books I start kept me persevering through this read. Sadly, it lacked the compelling quality to keep me engaged. The book wasn’t the type that compelled me to continue eagerly; rather, it was a struggle to pick up and resume reading each time I put it down. However, I persisted, and by the end, I stumbled upon the second reason for the two-star rating.

The book’s final moments contained a flicker of warmth. It touched upon the profound notion that genuine love is anchored in trust, emphasizing the necessity of trust in a loving relationship. This concluding note resonated, adding a modest redeeming quality to an otherwise lackluster tale.

On a brighter note, Melody’s character was a highlight. Her journey from an insecure past to a present of humor, reliability, kindness, and resilience made her a standout in an otherwise mediocre narrative.

Regrettably, these positives were overshadowed by various shortcomings. The protagonists, though described as thirty-year-olds, lacked the maturity and comportment expected at their age. Their actions seemed more fitting for individuals significantly younger, driven by impulsiveness rather than considered responses to situations, particularly in their interactions with each other.

Furthermore, the promised Christmas essence was virtually absent. Despite the December setting and the impending reunion, the book failed to encapsulate the enchanting holiday spirit typical of Christmas-themed stories. Instead, it delved into Beat’s personal struggles, notably his recurrent habit of pushing Melody away during trying times, sidelining the anticipated festive elements.

This being my second encounter with Tessa Bailey’s writing, I’m disheartened to find it falling short yet again. Perhaps exploring her earlier works might shed light on the acclaimed aspects of her writing. However, for now, I might postpone further exploration of her works.

Book Review: Unfortunately Yours

I would like to share my thoughts on “Unfortunately Yours” by Tessa Bailey, and I will do my best to express my disappointment while avoiding spoilers. Regrettably, this book fell short of my expectations, resulting in a significant loss of interest and making it difficult for me to finish. However, I made a personal commitment to myself not to abandon books without finishing them, which kept me going.

The story revolves around August and Natalie, who enter into a marriage of convenience with Natalie hoping to access her trust fund and August seeking another chance for his bank loan approval.

In my opinion, the book could have been significantly shorter for two reasons. First, there were numerous explicit scenes that made me question the boundary between romance and pornography. Second, the main conflict was resolved too early in the story, leaving the remaining pages filled with minor subplots that didn’t add much value to “Unfortunately Yours.”

I was disappointed because I had come across several positive reviews of Tessa Bailey’s works. I understand that every author may have weaker works among their successful books, and I wondered if “Unfortunately Yours” might fall into that category for Tessa Bailey.

Natalie’s character had the potential to make this story memorable, but unfortunately, it felt overshadowed by August’s behavior, which often came across as cringeworthy, focusing heavily on his desire for Natalie and lacking substantial conversations that didn’t involve sex. As a result, August fell short of being a strong male character and came across more like a pervert in a teddy bear fleece pajama.

While there were some positive aspects in this novel that could have made it a great read, I felt that Tessa Bailey missed the opportunity to fully utilize them, prioritizing spicy and explicit content over a solid plotline. Will I give another Tessa Bailey novel a chance in the future? Yes, I am open to exploring her other works, as I believe “Unfortunately Yours” may simply be a bump in the road.