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Mini Indie Romance Book Reviews

Mini Indie Romance Book Reviews

February 16, 2023 Posted by angelreads Book Reviews, Mini Reviews No Comments

I haven’t shared some mini reviews in quite some time, so I thought now would be a perfect time. What I have been reading so far this year is all over the place but it has been all indie romance. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone. And today I’m sharing my thoughts on three of the books that I have read so far this year. 

Overall I really liked all three of these books for different reasons, so let’s get into it. The books that I am sharing my thoughts on today are The Wrong Bride (The Windsors #1) by Catharina Maura, Where Good Girls Go To Die (Good Girls #1) by Holly Renee and Sticks and Stone by Grace McGinty. Let’s Go.

The Wrong Bride (The Windsors #1) by Catharina Maura.

This book has been popping up all over my social media lately and the next thing I knew I was reading it and I am so glad that I did.

It’s a romance that is messy and angsty but works oh so well. When Raven’s sister doesn’t show up for her wedding, Raven has no choice and takes her sister’s place. One major issue, Raven has always loved Ares.

The Wrong Bride is full of so many ups and downs. not only between Raven and Ares but family situations. If you don’t like drama then this book may not be for you.

However, there are also many sweet parts, sexy parts and parts where you don’t want to stop reading. it’s one of those books that you are either going to love or hate.

 

Where Good Girls Go To Die (Good Girls #1) by Holly Renee.

This second-chance romance is sexy and gritty. Where Good Girls Go to Die follows Parker and Olivia as they are bought together again after years of being apart.

It’s angsty to the tea and that is why I loved it so much. There is so much history between the pair and the attraction is there even after all this time.

Holly Renee knows how to create characters that are real and flawed, but you cannot but love.

If you are looking for a steamy, second-chance romance that is messy then this is the book for you

Sticks and Stone by Grace McGinty.

Grace McGinty has been on my tbr for a while now but I’ve never known which book to pick up. But her newest release caught my eye right away. A why choose ice hockey romance? Umm yes, please!

And while I didn’t love it, I still ended up really enjoying it. It’s complicated, heartwarming and sexy all at the same time. 

Nova has been through some shit, and when life throws even more at her she knows she needs to stand up and take it in full force. But she isn’t doing it alone, now that River, Devan and Rigby are in her life. 

Overall, the writing was okay, there were a few things that didn’t stand out to me. But I did have a fantastic time reading it and looking forward to reading more books from Grace McGinty soon. 

 

And there we go. Those are some mini indie romance reviews. I enjoyed each of these books or different reasons and I am so excited to read more from each author. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Let’s chat! 

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📚15/150

I have a love-hate relationship with this series. I have a love-hate relationship with this series. But I ended up really enjoying this one. It’s best friends to fake dating to-lovers. It’s always been you, bad-boy/good-girl, and I loved that. While Save Your Breath has quite a few tropes, it really leads itself to it, and it works. 

Aleks and Mia have known each other for years now. Since they were teenagers, that angst has been building up this whole time. And you can tell right from the get-go, it’s fantastic. I even wanted more of it, because I love pain. When Aleks went to live with Mia’s family as a teenager, sparks flew, but for many reasons, they both put their feelings aside. And well, now they are not only going to be fake-dating, but they might as well be engaged, too. 

I really enjoyed seeing how both Aleks and Mia both tried to hide how they were feeling throughout the whole ‘fake-dating’ situation, but anyone could see it. They know each other as no one else does. Aleks has a lot going on, and while I do think this was brushed over a little too much, Mia is his centre. Mia is a massive music star and is a female in the industry, so yeah, people don’t respect her. Obvsiouly because why couldn’t a female star be badass and write about the things that she has gone through? Aleks and Mia get each other, and that is very clear from the start; they are both just trying to squash everything. We get to see them slowly start to show how they feel, and well, one night it all explodes. 

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot; it’s not my favourite of the series, but I had a great time reading it. I liked Aleks and Mia a lot as characeters and while I think the mental health aspect could have been explored a whole lot more, I can see why it wasn’t. The romance was slow and spicy, the angst was great, and the payoff for these two was what they needed. 

Tropes
🏒Sports/Hockey Romance
🎤Fake Dating/Engagement
🏒Childhood Friends to Lovers
🎤Forced Proximity
🏒Athlete x Pop Star 
🎤Angsty Slow Burn 

Content Warnings
Mental Health Struggles 
Suicide Intention 
Family Deaths 
Alcohol Consumption
Violence on Ice

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #bookreview
Well February wasn’t the best reading month. I onl Well February wasn’t the best reading month. I only ended up reading 3 books in. 3 pretty fun books but one of my slowest readings months in a while. 

And I’m going to be honest here it’s because I’ve been constantly reading Heated Rivalry fanfics. 🤷‍♀️ I’m having the best time though. 

How was your reading in February? Any 5  star reads? 

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #februarywrapup
January was a really solid reading month. I read s January was a really solid reading month. I read some books that had been on my tbr for some time, reread a few things that peaked my interest. I also started a few new series. And just had a good time!

I just had a really good start to the year. While February is a little slow so far I’m looking forward to what I can pick up.

What did you read in January? Any 5-star reads? Let’s chat! 

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #januarywrapup
Can you believe that it’s already February? I know Can you believe that it’s already February? I know I can’t. But that means it’s a new month with more releases coming out! And that makes me excited. Some fantastic titles releasing this month and I cannot wait to read them. 📚

A couple of these are on my TBR already and some have just caught my eye and that makes me super excited to pick them up. 🖤

What are you looking forward to reading this month? Let’s chat! ✨

🏷️ 
#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #Februaryreleases2026
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