Babes in Bookland

This week on the podcast, we have our last bonus episode of the year! And our last movie deep dive bonus episode... forever? I enjoy doing them so much, but I'm changing up the Bonus Episode format next year so yes... maybe forever.
We're diving into The Holiday! The 2006 cozy rom com starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black. And I truly loooooove me a good romcom, but I do tend to be a bit picky. I hate romances that overutilize the miscommunication trope. The writing needs to be witty and the story have some unpredictable or at least, fun, moments to break out the monotony of the formula we all know.
Here are my star reviews (on a scale of 1-5) for the romances I read this year!
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - 5 stars

is this one technically a romance, as much as it's also a coming of age story? I don't care, I LOVED it and wanted to share it lol
Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane - 5 stars
Mhairi can do no wrong. Her characters are smart, the writing is sharp. Love love love
It's a Love Story - Annabel Monaghan - 5 stars
simply adored, plus I'm a sucker for anything set in the entertainment industry
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren - 5 stars
LOVED! A fun, sexy read
An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating - 4.5 stars
this was soooo close to a 5 star read and actually surprised me with how much I adored it, but a few cheesy lines kept it from being perfect
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - 4 stars
cute story, super likeable FMC, but wasn't quite a five star read
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia - 4 stars
a little too "Hallmarky", but still really enjoyable and I loved the cozy fall vibe
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez - 4 stars
I love Abby Jiminez, I do, but I read romances to escape a little bit, and I think she went too far with the sad on this one
When in Rome by Sarah Adams - 4 stars
This story was lovely and I liked both MCs
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams - 4 stars
This Sarah Adams was a bit better, but some of her lines make me roll my eyes. Do people really think/talk/behave like that?
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
Parts were cute, parts were not my jam
The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
the FMC was... okay, a little immature
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
the FMC's self doubt got super old real quick
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore - 3 stars
this book series is super cheesy, but still enjoyable. The MMC wasn't my favorite
The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods - 3 stars
this book was simultaneously lovely and disappointing. The writing was mostly meh but, little lines of genius shone through
Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren - 3 stars
I liked the chemistry of the main characters, but the story dragged for me and I found myself skimming pages to get through it
What was your favorite romance read this year? I'm always looking for a new author with a loooong backlist ;)

For the Love of the Rom Com

is this one technically a romance, as much as it's also a coming of age story? I don't care, I LOVED it and wanted to share it lol
Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane - 5 stars
Mhairi can do no wrong. Her characters are smart, the writing is sharp. Love love love
It's a Love Story - Annabel Monaghan - 5 stars
simply adored, plus I'm a sucker for anything set in the entertainment industry
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren - 5 stars
LOVED! A fun, sexy read
An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating - 4.5 stars
this was soooo close to a 5 star read and actually surprised me with how much I adored it, but a few cheesy lines kept it from being perfect
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - 4 stars
cute story, super likeable FMC, but wasn't quite a five star read
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia - 4 stars
a little too "Hallmarky", but still really enjoyable and I loved the cozy fall vibe
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez - 4 stars
I love Abby Jiminez, I do, but I read romances to escape a little bit, and I think she went too far with the sad on this one
When in Rome by Sarah Adams - 4 stars
This story was lovely and I liked both MCs
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams - 4 stars
This Sarah Adams was a bit better, but some of her lines make me roll my eyes. Do people really think/talk/behave like that?
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
Parts were cute, parts were not my jam
The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
the FMC was... okay, a little immature
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams - 3 stars
the FMC's self doubt got super old real quick
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore - 3 stars
this book series is super cheesy, but still enjoyable. The MMC wasn't my favorite
The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods - 3 stars
this book was simultaneously lovely and disappointing. The writing was mostly meh but, little lines of genius shone through
Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren - 3 stars
I liked the chemistry of the main characters, but the story dragged for me and I found myself skimming pages to get through it
What was your favorite romance read this year? I'm always looking for a new author with a loooong backlist ;)