A Book Review: The Bully by Willa Nash

The Bully (Calamity, Montanta #4)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: Digital
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: March 3, 2022

Date Read: 

Synopsis:

Nellie Rivera is trading traffic for tranquility. When the quiet streets of small-town Montana beckon, she leaves Denver behind and moves to Calamity. It would be the perfect adventure if not for Cal Stark. When her archnemesis dares to show his face one Saturday morning, declaring he is moving there too, she vows to make his life a misery. The town isn’t big enough for the both of them and besides . . .

She was here first.

Cal has been a thorn in her side since high school. He might have bullied her back then, but she’s not a modest teenager anymore and has learned a few plays of her own. If all goes to plan, she’ll run the former pro quarterback out of town within a month.

There’s only one problem. Cal has the same plan. He wants Calamity bad enough to pull out all the stops. And after one kiss, she realizes that he doesn’t play fair.

Another great #EnemiesToLovers book. The feuding between Nelly and Cal is comical at times and I'm here for it.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

My Rating:

A Review: The Brazen

The Brazen (Calamity, Montana #3)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: Digital
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publication Date: July 15, 2021

Date Read: July 21, 2023

Synopsis:

Kerrigan Hale’s personal life is about as exciting as a bucket of tar. With hard work and hustle as her steadfast companions, who needs romance or adventure? Her empire in Calamity, Montana, isn’t going to build itself.

For years, her mentor—and investor—helped make her dreams come true. Until his unexpected death put her fate in his grandson’s hands. A brazen billionaire, he seems intent on ruining Kerrigan’s life.

But if Pierce Sullivan thinks she’ll go down without a fight, he’s sorely mistaken. Pushed to the extreme, she drives to his ritzy mountain lodge to force the arrogant You Can Call Me Mr. Sullivan to hear her out.

No sooner does she arrive than a snowstorm traps her with Pierce. Stranded together for days, she’s in for the battle of her life. Pierce is nearly irresistible by candlelight. Without his suits and fancy cars, he’s almost human.

Except only a fool would let down her guard. And Kerrigan can’t risk her future. Not when she doesn’t know if he’s out to pilfer her dreams . . . or to steal her heart.

I loved the characters in this book. Kerrigan Hale is kickass and knows what she wants in life until Pierce Sullivan shows up and knocks her world askew. This book was such a quick, easy read that will make you want to read the rest of the series as fast as you can.

 
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

My Rating:

A Book Review: In the Likely Event

In The Likely Event
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Format: Digital
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publication Date: August 1, 2023

Date Read: July 18, 2023

Synopsis:

When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful.

Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.

Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.

Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.

Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.

He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.

I was happy to see this as an Amazon First Reads days after I read Fourth Wing. If Fourth Wing is my favorite for the year, it would be so easy to say this is probably my 2nd favorite. There's just something about Rebecca Yarros' writing that makes it easy to get lost in. The slow burn of the story makes you root for the couple and yearn for the chance for their relationship to actually come together.

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

My Rating:

A Review: The Bluff

The Bluff (Calamity, Montana #2)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: E-book
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: November 11, 2021

Synopsis:

As Calamity’s newest resident, Everly Christian thought life in small-town Montana would be dull and tame—and she needs a little mundane after the last few chaotic years. But one night, boredom drives her to the local bar, where she finds herself sitting beside a handsome and mysterious artist.

The man is anything but dull and tame, especially in the bedroom, and when she steps out of his shower and overhears his conversation, life gets interesting again.

Reese Huxley needs a wife.

And why shouldn’t Everly be the bride?

She’s got her reasons for agreeing to the hasty nuptials—reasons she’s keeping to herself. As long as she can stop herself from falling in love with her husband, she’ll make it out of this sham marriage in one piece. But Everly has a weakness for wayward men, and the more Hux pushes her away, the more she realizes this bluff is anything but a lie.

I'm always a sucker for a marriage of convenience story. I love the fact that Everly & Hux are complete opposites of each other, this combo always makes for a good read!

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

My Rating:

A Review: The Bribe

The Bribe (Calamity, Montana #1)
Author: Willa Nash
Format: E-book
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: November 11, 2021

Synopsis:

Duke Evans didn’t expect to interrupt a beautiful woman in a staring contest with a bison on his favorite hiking trail. He also didn’t expect to see her again after rescuing her from the surly beast. As the sheriff in Calamity, Montana, he’s had his fair share of surprises but none as pleasant as pulling over a shiny black car and finding his mysterious hiking companion behind the wheel.

Only, she lied to Duke. She gave him a name as fake as her hair color. According to her driver’s license, her real name is Lucy Ross, the famous country music singer whose sudden disappearance has been a hot topic in the media over the past two weeks.

He’s not sure why Lucy lied about her identity or why she’s in Calamity. And she’s not talking. Instead, she offers him a bribe to keep her secret.

But Duke doesn’t want her money. He wants to know why this woman is on the run. And as long as the star shines on his badge, he’s going to find out.

This is my first Devney Perry book and I absolutely loved it. This book introduces Calamity, Montana as a picturesque small town which made me miss my own small town that I grew up in. Lucy and Duke are so cute and even though I'm usually an enemies to lovers, I really enjoyed their sweet story.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

My Rating:

WWW Wednesday 7/23/14

This weekly meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? 
• What did you recently finish reading? 
• What do you think you’ll read next?


My answers:

What are you currently reading? Torch Song by Shelley Singer. I had a busy weekend so wasn't able to really crack into this book. Just started yesterday and really liking it so far. No bad-assery going on yet but we'll see how it goes.

What did you recently finish reading? Book 2 of the Paranormals series by JL Bryan, "Johnny Nightmare". The 2nd book was almost as good as the first. It seemed to really creep by a lot slower, though. I couldn't get into it as much as Jenny Pox but I had to stick it out to the end to see what happened. Bryan left it with a cliffhanger so I guess I'll have to get book 3 before I go crazy.

What do you think you’ll read next? I have tons of new books in my kindle queue that I have to get through. So I'm thinking about starting From the Wreckage by Michele G. Miller.


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own WWW Wednesdays post, or share your answers in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog).

The Practice Proposal (Suddenly Smitten #1) by Tracy March

Synopsis:

Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Publication Date: March 11, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is.
Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked. 

 When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?

Review: 

I am not really a baseball type of person but something while reading the synopsis hit me and said I had to read this. 

Liza has been hurting for the last 2 years since the of death of her fiance. She has found that it is easier to be alone and sad than put herself back out there. Her meddling mom has other ideas though. She enters Liza into the drawing for a charity-auction date and tough luck for Liza, she won. 

The charity-auction date just so happens to be with bad boy Cole Collins who she used to have a huge crush on as a teenager. She knows his past and holds it against him at any chance she gets. 

She prides herself on being independent but when things fall through with other investors and she needs money fast for their baseball camps, Frank (Cole's agent) makes a deal she just can't refuse. With Liza and Cole both having hidden agendas for this relationship to work, the book has a humor type of appeal because you know what they are hiding, you just wish they would hurry up and figure it out.

I gave it 3 bookmarks because of the slow build up that I felt but this was a very cute, light read. A good change of pace from the young adult books I've been reading but not quite what I refer to as a 'mommy book' in the Adult Romance category. (Something I would never pass on to my teen/young adult.)  

Happy Reading,

Steph