#Romace Novels

[viscountessevie]

An Upper West Side Story [ARC Review]

Release Date: 6th July 2023  Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ [3½ Stars] Drama Level: 🌶️🌶️

[I apologise for the low-res cover; this is the clearest one I could find online!] 

My Review: 

Contrary to the reference it's title, An Upper West Side Story by Rachel Cullen isn't a dramatic tragedy. It's a lighthearted read you can breeze through in a couple of days.

Jump back in time to 2004 with Jess, Tory, Robin and Zach on the Upper West Side.

Jessica Barlowe had plans to move in with her boyfriend until he completely blows up their lives. With her current roommate moving out in anticipation of Jess' move, she is left stranded on her own.

Tory Wallace's home life had always been difficult. Between her parents' fighting matches and her father's constant put downs, it all comes to a head. Tory has to escape and forge her own independent path.

Robin Cromwell is left with the perfect apartment. It's a classic six - which includes two bedrooms, two & a half bathrooms (what in the world is a half bathroom??) and a kitchen - in a prime location. With her roommate and best friend moving out for her residency, Robin has to comb through all the Craigslist creeps to find the perfect roommate.

Zach Sullivan is a tech executive who owns his own apartment on the Upper West Side. He has always been reserved. But when he crosses paths with someone he can't seem to stop thinking about, he impulsively ends up renting out his spare room.

***

This book was honestly a mixed bag for me. It was very easy to read and I flew through it in a couple of days. I also think Rachel had an interesting set of characters with a lot of potential.

That being said, while all the characters had the ingredients of standing out from one another, all their 'voices' in their respective POV felt very similar. This is most likely due to Rachel's writing style coming through. I definitely think the girls could had more of a distinct tone to set them apart. I was slowly able to differentiate them by Act 2.

Jess, Tory and Zach had all heartfelt backstories and trauma they had to resolve and it was done very well. I am especially a fan of how Tory's arc and storyline unfolded. Her family history was interesting to read about.

However, I felt that Robin wasn't done justice. While the trio I mentioned had backstories that added depth to their characters and raised the stakes for them, Robin's issues about dating and her career felt like small potatoes. The book could have used at least a 100 more pages fleshing out Robin who was a lovely character to read about.

All in all, the way all these characters intersected and how each of them impacted different arcs was cool to read about. Another thing that could have been done better is the conflict and pivotal moments. I felt that a lot of important scenes that should have unfolded on the page happened off-screen. I felt cheated out of getting those POVs at times. As for the conflicts, a lot of it fell under the miscommunication trope. It felt like watching a 90s sitcom episode without it being funny, I was just very frustrated with the characters at that point.

The ending was really sweet and gave me the fuzzies. All that's said and done, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted read where you don't need to think much and can read it quickly in a day.

Thank you to Lime Street Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

[thebarontheabyss]

we can romance all of the ros at once, right? a big happy polycule at the end of the afterlife, right?? ;; v ;;

Almost! 👀

Death, The Witch, and The Devil will happily join your afterlife polycule - while Hastur, Peisinoe, and He Without Name are only available for a monogamous relationship. There are... reasons for each to refuse a poly relationship.

But also, if you date half your staff, Yaga will be extremely annoyed with you.

[thesugarhole]

[annadittmann]

An illustration to accompany Lina Deranor's latest book 'Les chroniques oubliées d’Hypérion'. The fourth and final book of the Hypérion series features Arsène and Maxine, always a pleasure to work with these characters :)

annadittmann.com

[the-ren-and-stimpy-fan-club]

[thatoneandlonelyemo2005]

I just love Flipper okay, and man's might not been known so well, he's just spinning in my head along with Bumlets okay, there brothers, he just a small boy who found comfort in Bumlets okay just-

[drish1121]

I wanted to be an extra in his tale, perhaps a chapter but he made me his Epilogue.

[asalanaknox]

Wattpad Series!

Aelanor's prior life was marred by a devastating error, leaving her burdened with guilt and regret. However, when an arcane light grants her a chance to rewrite her destiny, she is thrust back in time to the pivotal moment when she is about to embark upon her higher education in Hawaii. In this journey, Aelanor finds herself ensnared in a perplexing love triangle, torn between the allure of a boy she is undeniably attracted to and the profound affections that have quietly bloomed for her friend, Kalena. As Aelanor grapples with her emotions, trying to deny her feelings for Kalena. Initially, upon encountering Kalena in Hawaii, Aelanor faces a chilly reception, as Kalena harbors resentment towards her. Their relationship takes a tumultuous start, but as they gradually spend more time together, their friendship slowly takes flight. Despite their rocky beginnings, Aelanor and Kalena's bond strengthens over time, transforming from cold indifference to a blossoming connection!! https://www.wattpad.com/story/375371621-blooming-towards-you

[lost-hourss]

I know I've asked this before, but why do so many x readers talk like that...?

[baphithegoat]

Estoy aburrida así que,voy a escribir un corto sobre una novela que estoy escribiendo

La muerte caminaba tranquila por las calles oscuras de Alemania,no teniendo rumbo alguno más que relajar su mente,su presencia oscurecia cada cosa a su paso,aunque su apariencia es una de inocencia y dulzura para aquel hombre que la observaba no tenía un pensamiento sobre quien podría ser aquella mujer que era la muerte misma vestida con belleza y delicadeza....El hombre que se hacia llamar Adal la seguía por las sombras esperando el momento para verla a todo su resplandor buscando alguna entrada a la mirada ambarina de ella el cae ante los pies de ella como un copo de nieve adorando cada paso cada pequeño click que hacian esos tacones al tocar la fría calle...Está historia se escribió por las manos hermosamente mortiferas de ella....narrando como fue que la muerte se enamoro de un mortal...un mortal que cayo ante ella sin siquiera pensarlo,sin pensar el riesgo que corria al hacerlo... simplemente...Adorarla como su mujer

[seahdalune]

god i love you Captain RomAc. please do not read Romantically Apocalyptic btw.

[thebarontheabyss]

Oh no... the ROs can break up with us?! How can we avoid this tragedy?!!! I am way too in love with Death to let go! 😭

Also if we can have some fluff, how would the ROs react if we peppers their face with a kiss? Thanks!

Haha, don't worry; as long as you won't act like a massive jerk to them, there's no need to worry about it. (and if you will, well... you died already, so you don't have to worry about dying alone!)

AND NOW FOR SOME FLUFF

Death reaction depends on where you stand in a relationship with them - so let's say you are already together. Still, they would be utterly flustered, and a deep blush would spread across their face. "Oh, um, that's... really nice, actually," they'd stammer, their awkward charm only endearing them more to you. They might even try to pepper you back, kissing you on the nose and saying, "Is that how you do it?"

Lilith/Damien responds to your kisses with... well, a devilish gleam in their eyes. Their reaction is immediate and intense; they see it as an unmistakable invitation. Before you know it, they're playfully tugging at your clothes, always ready to escalate a moment of affection into a fiery encounter.

Morgan/Morgana would beat you to the punch, peppering your face with kisses before you even have the chance. Their laughter rings through the air, a sound as spontaneous and lively as their actions. As always, they're often one step ahead!

And here are some bonuses for upcoming later-stage romances. Which I guess is my way to announce that more romances will be added in the future!

Hastur is initially surprised by the sudden shower of kisses, a rare moment that catches him off guard. For a brief second, he's frozen, but then the corners of his mouth curve into a genuine, albeit rare, smile. Without warning, his strong arms encircle you, lifting you effortlessly into the air. He then plants a firm, heartfelt kiss in return. It's a clear, wordless statement from Hastur: he's as capable of giving love as he is of protecting it.

Peisinoe initially reacts with a dramatic gasp, “Oh! You’ll mess up my makeup!” Their voice is playful, tinged with mock indignation. But then, almost immediately, their demeanor softens into a wide, beaming smile. They pull you into a warm, loving embrace, a gesture that speaks louder than words - or songs.

He Without Name (Yes! I listen to the poll results! DEMENTED as they might be!) moves with a subtle shift in the air, a gentle swirl of the abyssal mist around you. "I... Feel..." they will whisper. You can almost see a blush forming inside their black void.

[hannaedits]

Book Review: All I Survive (All's Fair #3) by Abrianna Denae

Read my reviews of previous books in the All’s Fair series: All I Want (#1) | All I Fear (#2) Love is not necessarily a stagnant thing, and I have so much respect for storytellers who don’t freeze their characters in amber at the moment of a previous “happily ever after.” Denae has crafted such complicated and intricate characters for this series that bucking the status quo feels more like a…

[yeong-yeong]

Hello,

I'm working on an artbook for a novel I'll be writing soon. Once I get all the artwork made for the artbook, I'll publish the first few chapters of the novel.

Vows of Retribution, Ophelia Windermere

[mllove]

Untitled in Suffering

“I have no more to give - only you. Let the world jeer and mock me, I care not, for you are my only solace. My soul hungers for you, and if I do not find nourishment in your love, it will take its vengeance upon me, a cruel retribution of suffering.” -ML Love, Untitled

[2soulscollide]

my favorite free tools for writers

hello, hello! hope you're doing well.

today i am bringing you another list with my top 3 favorite (free!) tools that I find helpful for each phase of writing a novel.

brainstorming phase

Fantasy Names Generator - not only for fantasy (you can also generate real names). this website is just... amazing! it helps you come up with names for characters, places and locations, descriptions, generate traits, outfits (yes, outfits!!), and probably something else you could ever think of.

The Story's Hack - this one is so cool! you can generate names for everything, create your own generator, and practice writing through writing exercises! plus, you can save your generated names to see later, and you earn coins for each idea generated (you can later buy themes - dark, snow, forest, etc)

RanGen - my last favorite generator on this list is RanGen! you can generate plots, appearances, archetypes, love interests, cities, worlds, items, and more.

developing the idea phase

Bryn Donovan - in this blog you can find master lists under the tag "master lists for writers". it is so helpful when you first start developing the characters and need to find the right words to describe them and to find some quirks and flaws!

Writers Write (350 character traits) - again, this is so helpful!

Story Planner - ah, the number of times I've talked about this website... please, PLEASE take a look at it, you won't regret it. this website has literally everything you need to fully develop your idea with outlines for you to fill in step by step.

writing phase

Colleen Houck (80+ barriers to love) - need more romace conflict? there you go!

Cheat Sheets for Writing Body Language - so, you know how your character's feeling, but don't know how he'd physically act? check out this list!

Describing Words - honestly, this is a lifesaver. don't you struggle to find the right word to describe something? well, with this website all you have to do is to type the object you're trying to describe and see which description fits better to you!

revising phase

Language Tool for Google Docs - i know we all have heard about google docs before, but the truth is, it's almost impossible to find free softwares to check grammar and spelling. so, google docs is useful, because it automatically revises it for us, and it's completely free. plus, you can add adds-on, such as "language tool".

Unfortunately, there's only one (free) tool that I actually enjoy for the revising phase. if you know some others, please let me know so that I can try them out and feature in this list.

exporting phase

Google Docs - i find google docs very easy to format and export to .epub, so i'd recommend using it as a free tool.

Reedsy - this is also a free tool available online. all you have to do is to write down each chapter (copy and paste) or import your word document. it will format the document to your liking and export it to pdf, epub and mobi.

that's everything for now! i hope this post was somehow helpful or inspiring!

if you want to see more master lists full of resources, check these:

WEBSITES FOR WRITERS {masterpost}

BEST accounts to follow as a writer

BEST SITES & SOFTWARES TO WRITE FICTION

DIALOGUE IDEAS TO GET RID OF THAT WRITING BLOCK (masterpost)

Useful Resources & Tips for Writers

also, if you are a notion lover just like me, check the free template I just released with everything you need to develop and write your novel!

thank you so much for reading! hope to see you around, and have a nice day <3