• Home
  • Book Review
  • Contest
  • Blog Tour
  • Sneak Peek
  • About

Romantic Reads and Such

~ thoughts on romances

Romantic Reads and Such

Tag Archives: Olivia Dade

Book Review – Hidden Hearts

20 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Hidden Hearts, Lovestruck Librarians series, Olivia Dade

Hidden Hearts

by Olivia Dade

AN ADMIRER WITH A SECRET . . .

Mary Higgs could be the poster girl for the buttoned-up librarian. She follows the rules. Stays ʼtil closing. Her kindness and dedication to her patrons is legendary. But those patrons have no idea what she’s typing to the mysterious shut-in who emailed the library needing a library card three months ago . . .

When the elusive Miles O’Connor shows up, he’s no invalid. A year ago, he was the gleaming, ab-sational star of the small screen. Then came the accident. Now he’s a wounded recluse with a pizza habit and fears so unshakable that only the thought of losing Mary to an online date could lure him out of his cabin.

Soon their email rapport has turned into weekends on the couch, watching tearjerkers and driving each other insane with red-hot makeout sessions. But as the desire grows and their horizons expand, the life that brought them together might not be enough for either of them . . .

“Love is never out of reach for the librarians of the Nice County Library System . . . Sarah’s charm and humor are perfectly suited to a beach read.” —Publishers Weekly on Ready to Fall

I absolutely LOVE the way that Dade handles Miles and his issues.  There’s a lot of understanding there for what he is going thru, has gone thru, and will face in his future.  She gave me a lot to think about and I think that is always a sign of a well-done book.  I also think that she gave Mary and her problems a fair shake as well.  Her’s may not have been as dramatic as Miles’s but they are just as impactful and she needs to address them before she can make a life she truly enjoys.

The romance between the two is super sweet and relatively low key.  There’s very little angst there, instead it is humorous and touching and expands slowly as they two get to know each other.  My only complaint, and it is because I really enjoyed these two so much, is that the ending was a little abrupt.  I would really have liked to have an epilogue or one more chapter just so I could have gotten a touch more of their HEA 🙂

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Book Review – Ready to Fall

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Lovestruck Librarians series, Olivia Dade, Ready to Fall

Ready To FallReady to Fall

Lovestruck Librarians series

by Olivia Dade

Elementary school teacher and part-time librarian Sarah Mayhew has the perfect plan: show off her cycling skills at her school’s bike retreat and attract her oblivious coworker in the process. Her end game? Fall in love. Only one problem: she needs to find someone to teach her how to ride a bike pronto. But when she catches sight of Chris Dean’s gorgeous physique, her best laid plans are about to go off track . . .

Chris is not looking for a girlfriend. He’s getting over his last one by focusing on his bike repair business. So when a feisty, sexy schoolteacher urges him to help improve her cycling skills, he does it strictly for the money. He vows he won’t repeat history, even for a blonde bombshell like Sarah. But when the two find themselves alone on the road, they can’t help taking a detour straight into each other’s arms . . .

I have to admit that Sarah is a hoot and a half.  She’s funny, sassy, cute and fun.  She runs her mouth but never in a mean spirited way and she just cracks me up.  But I also love how much Chris understands her and sees why she says & does these things … although that doesn’t stop him from having his own issues that cloud their interactions occasionally.  He was burned horribly by his last relationship and he’s a little hesitant to get involved again, especially with someone who is up front about the fact that she’s trying to win another guy.

There’s confusion and a little heartache though I like that Dade doesn’t focus on it.  The story is about these two spending time together and falling for each other, but their hang-ups cause for a few misunderstandings and hesitation along the way.  And while the romance between the two happens a little fast, Ready to Fall is vastly fun and entertaining.  I had a ton of fun reading Mayday and this one, so I’m definitely putting Dade on my go-to author list.

(Oh, and in case you are a returning reader we have seen this one before.)

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Spotlight – Ready to Fall

21 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Lovestruck Librarians series, Olivia Dade, Ready to Fall

Just last month we say another of Dades Lovestruck Librarians in Mayday and after enjoying that one so much I’m definitely ready to get my hands on this one!

*****

Ready To FallReady to Fall

Lovestruck Librarians series

by Olivia Dade

Blurb:

Elementary school teacher and part-time librarian Sarah Mayhew has the perfect plan: show off her cycling skills at her school’s bike retreat and attract her oblivious coworker in the process. Her end game? Fall in love. Only one problem: she needs to find someone to teach her how to ride a bike pronto. But when she catches sight of Chris Dean’s gorgeous physique, her best laid plans are about to go off track . . .

Chris is not looking for a girlfriend. He’s getting over his last one by focusing on his bike repair business. So when a feisty, sexy schoolteacher urges him to help improve her cycling skills, he does it strictly for the money. He vows he won’t repeat history, even for a blond bombshell like Sarah. But when the two find themselves alone on the road, they can’t help taking a detour straight into each other’s arms . . .

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Fall-Lovestruck-Librarians-Olivia-ebook/dp/B015VA3MQC

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ready-to-fall-olivia-dade/1122713762?ean=9781616509408

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Olivia_Dade_Ready_to_Fall?id=siSeCgAAQBAJ

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ready-Fall/Olivia-Dade/Q396449332?id=6300597355308

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ready-to-fall/id1052731132?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/ready-to-fall-3

*****

Excerpt:

Sarah had been talking nonstop for at least twenty minutes. Chris hadn’t said much in response, but she didn’t seem offended. From what he could tell, she didn’t require much in the way of audience participation.

“I figure there’s about a fifty-fifty chance I’ll die along that canal.” Tilting her head in thought, she drummed her fingers along the edge of the table. “If I do, please attend my funeral. Tell the crowd I died doing what I loved most—chasing after an eligible guy. Of course, I’ll also have died doing what I hated most. Namely, riding an accursed form of transportation in sweaty clothes while fighting that [w]itch Mother Nature.”

Good thing she was hilarious. If she wasn’t, he’d probably have donned his safety headphones about fifteen minutes ago.

She pointed an admonishing finger his way. “At the service, don’t tell my dad you’re the one who taught me to ride. He might blame you for my untimely demise, especially if he sees this shop. My guess? He’ll assume you tampered with my bike. Largely because your front room looks like the hideout of a crazed loner.”

He bit back yet another grin and snuck a glance at her, marveling once again at how relaxed she seemed. As soon as he’d brought her back to his workroom, she’d boosted herself up onto one of his work benches and sat to watch him adjust her bike. Her natural, open smile had returned. And then she’d started talking. And talking. And talking.

For some reason, she looked completely comfortable up on that bench. Almost as if the two of them had spent pleasant evenings here dozens of times before.

To his surprise, he was enjoying himself too. More than he had in months. Maybe years.

It was all very odd. The sight and sound of her in this room—a place he’d used for solitude since first opening the shop—should bother him. Should make him regret bringing her here. And on some level, he was bothered. On some level, he did regret bringing her here.

Not because he wanted her gone. Because he didn’t.

*****

Olivia Dade author photoAuthor Info:

While I was growing up, my mother kept a stack of books hidden in her closet. She told me I couldn’t read them. So, naturally, whenever she left me alone for any length of time, I took them out and flipped through them. Those books raised quite a few questions in my prepubescent brain. Namely: 1) Why were there so many pirates? 2) Where did all the throbbing come from? 3) What was a “manhood”? 4) And why did the hero and heroine seem overcome by images of waves and fireworks every few pages, especially after an episode of mysterious throbbing in the hero’s manhood?

Thirty or so years later, I have a few answers. 1) Because my mom apparently fancied pirates at that time. Now she hoards romances involving cowboys and babies. If a book cover features a shirtless man in a Stetson cradling an infant, her ovaries basically explode and her credit card emerges. I have a similar reaction to romances involving spinsters, governesses, and librarians. 2) His manhood. Also, her womanhood. 3) It’s his “hard length,” sometimes compared in terms of rigidity to iron. I prefer to use other names for it in my own writing. However, I am not picky when it comes to descriptions of iron-hard lengths. At least in romances. 4) Because explaining how an orgasm feels can prove difficult. Or maybe the couples all had sex on New Year’s Eve at Cancun.

During those thirty years, I accomplished a few things. I graduated from Wake Forest University and earned my M.A. in American History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked at a variety of jobs that required me to bury my bawdiness and potty mouth under a demure exterior: costumed interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, high school teacher, and librarian. But I always, always read romances. Funny, filthy, sweet–it didn’t matter. I loved them all.

Now I’m writing my own romances with the encouragement of my husband and daughter. I found a kick-ass agent: Jessica Alvarez from Bookends, LLC. I have my own stack of books in my closet that I’d rather my daughter not read, at least not for a few years. I can swear whenever I want, except around said daughter. And I get to spend all day writing about love and iron-hard lengths.

So thank you, Mom, for perving so hard on pirates during my childhood. I owe you.

Kensington website: http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/33043

Author website: http://oliviadade.com/

Twitter: twitter.com/OliviaWrites (@OliviaWrites)

Facebook: facebook.com/OliviaDade

*****

Giveaway:

ebook Ready To Fall

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e4be888279/

*****

ReadyToFallTour copy

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Book Review – Mayday

10 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Lovestruck Librarians series, Mayday, Olivia Dade

After this, I’m so ready to move to a small town to be their librarian … I can only hope I have such fantastic stories to tell 🙂

*****

Mayday_hiresMayday

Lovestruck Librarians series

by Olivia Dade

Blurb:

Helen Murphy loves her supportive family, her close-knit circle of friends, and her part-time job at the library. What she doesn’t love: the fact that she’s a thirty-six-year-old near-virgin who lives in her parents’ house. Eager to move out and reclaim her independence at long last, she’s determined to get the library’s new Community Outreach Coordinator position. Even if that means working side-by-side with the one man she desperately wants to avoid—Niceville’s ambitious mayor Wes Ramirez, who happens to be her only previous lover, and the source of her greatest humiliation…

Wes needs to make up for his disastrous one-night—actually, make that one-hour—stand with deliciously nerdy librarian Helen. As they plan the city’s upcoming May Day celebrations together, he’ll try to prove he can do better, in bed and out. It may take every bit of his creativity and determination, but their budding romance has already gone down in flames once . . . and he’ll be damned if he’ll let Helen go a second time.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mayday-Lovestruck-Librarians-Book-2-ebook/dp/B013ZNGZW0

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mayday-olivia-dade/1122536585?ean=9781616509378

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Olivia_Dade_Mayday?id=Ld5fCgAAQBAJ

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Mayday/Olivia-Dade/Q672234296?id=6300597355308

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mayday/id1039679614?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/mayday-17

The Kensington website: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32306

*****

Excerpt:

“I see that the library sent a representative to discuss the history and symbolism of May Day, but I never got a message confirming the name,” Wes said. “So if anyone’s here from the library, please feel free to come to the front and make your presentation.”

That Helen rose from her seat didn’t come as a shock to him. Given her lack of willingness even to look his way, he didn’t think anything other than professional necessity would have driven her within fifty feet of him. She made her way to the front, her eyes focused on the podium rather than him. Only when she arrived and he failed to move out of her way did she raise her gaze.

“Excuse me, Mayor Ramirez,” she said, her voice firm.

He couldn’t locate a single iota of warmth in her tone. Certainly not the kind of heat he felt standing only inches away from her.

“Wes,” he said.

“Excuse me,” she repeated. “I need to get to the podium.”

He didn’t budge. “Please call me Wes, Helen.”

Now he could feel heat emanating from her, all right. But not the heat of affection or desire. No, the heat he sensed came from fiery rage.

Her soft lips firmed, and she flicked a dismissive glance at the microphone he was blocking with his body. Rather than pushing past him or calling him by his first name, she instead turned to face the crowd from where she stood. “Good evening!” she shouted. “I’m Helen Murphy, and I’m a part-time adult reference librarian at the Downtown Niceville Library!”

He turned away before she could see the grin he couldn’t stifle. What a firebrand. He was pretty sure if he read her mind right about now, he’d hear something along the lines of, Screw your microphone, Mayor Ramirez. And screw you too.

Once he had his face under control, he turned back to her. “Here,” he said, interrupting her introduction and moving away from the podium.

“Why don’t you use the microphone?”

“Thank you, Mayor Ramirez,” she said.

“You’re welcome, Helen,” he answered, and then took a seat directly in front of her.

*****

Review:

It’s going to sound like I didn’t like this book, but that is SO far from the truth 🙂  Dade delivers a sweet, small-town romance with great characters, entertaining interactions, and an easy-to-read voice.

A couple of things did bother me, though.  I think that Helen’s expectations of her initial hookup with Wes are a little unrealistic.  Luckily Dade has her recognize this and it helps to make her a little more normal.  She seems to think that it is the start of something grand but she has a 5 minute conversation in a bar (with a man that doesn’t even know her name) and then they are off to bed.  It is hurtful when things go sour so quickly but it isn’t all that unexpected.  Wes does recognize that he messes up and tries to make up for it, but only after he’s got himself straightened out, which I think is admirable.

At that point, they are thrown together to work on a project and Wes wants to have another chance.  Unfortunately for him, Helen is hurt and not willing to risk her heart again.  Luckily for him, though, he’s able to charm her into trying to be friends.  Here’s my other complaint – I really wish we’d been given a glimpse of their interactions during those 2 months.  There are a few references but I feel like I missed out on something by not seeing that part.  They develop a deepening relationship that we don’t get to experience and their interactions we do get are so much fun that I want even more.  I want to be there for the funny stories and the charming moments, getting a chance to see them fall for each other.

Having said that, the rest of Mayday really made me happy.  I like that Wes took his time to woo her, even if Helen didn’t realize that was what he was doing.  I also like how real the characters felt – with insecurities and difficulties that made them even more human.  We get their disastrous first encounter, followed by a not much better re-introduction, and then the struggle to figure out if they can make their lives somehow fit together.  It’s totally a real life thing – two people who have feelings for each other but with their own hopes, dreams, & baggage.  Is it possible to make them work or are they fated to part ways?

(Even though this is the third book in the series, this one can stand on its own … although, with a few hints here, I’m definitely curious what trouble the other librarians got into while falling in love.)

*****

Olivia Dade author photoAuthor Info:

Olivia Dade grew up an undeniable nerd, prone to ignoring the world around her as she read any book she could find. Her favorite stories, though, were always romances. As an adult, she earned an M.A. in American history and worked in a variety of jobs that required her to hide her bawdy interior under a demure exterior: Colonial Williamsburg interpreter, high school teacher, academic tutor, and (of course) librarian. Finally, though, she realized the call of the hussy could no longer be denied. So now she writes contemporary romantic comedy with plenty of sex, banter, and nerdery. When not writing, she cooks alongside her husband, dabbles in photography, and tries to hide her collection of throbbing-intensive romances from her curious daughter.

http://oliviadade.com/books/

*****

Giveaway:

ebook copy of Mayday

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e4be888272/

*****

MaydayTour copy

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Recent Posts

  • Spotlight – Deep River Promise
  • Spotlight – Twin Games in Music City
  • Spotlight – Summertime Guests
  • Spotlight – Warm Nights in Magnolia Bay
  • Spotlight – My True Love
  • Spotlight – Give Love a Chai
  • Spotlight – Mad About Ewe
  • Spotlight – The Bookstore on the Beach

 

 

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Romantic Reads and Such on WordPress.com

Facebook

Facebook

Twitter

Follow @romanticread

Email me

romanticread@gmail.com

Goodreads

 

 

Deep River Promise

Twin Games in Music City

Summertime Guests

Warm Nights in Magnolia Bay

My True Love

Give Love a Chai

Mad About Ewe

The Bookstore on the Beach

Always

The Trouble with Picket Fences

Weights of Wrath

Under Pressure

The Path to Sunshine Cove

Someone to Trust

The Setup

Heart Smart

Street Smart

Meant to Be

Summer by the River

Mr Right Across the Street

The One That I Want

Yes & I Love You

Stalked by Secrets

Eye Candy

Dewey Belong Together

To Catch a Dream

Four Weddings And A Swamp Boat Tour

The Surprise Bollywood Baby

Tru Blue

Archives

  • April 2021 (7)
  • March 2021 (21)
  • February 2021 (11)
  • January 2021 (14)
  • December 2020 (13)
  • November 2020 (13)
  • October 2020 (13)
  • September 2020 (5)
  • August 2020 (10)
  • July 2020 (4)
  • June 2020 (13)
  • May 2020 (11)
  • April 2020 (12)
  • March 2020 (14)
  • February 2020 (11)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (10)
  • October 2019 (12)
  • September 2019 (14)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (13)
  • June 2019 (18)
  • May 2019 (13)
  • April 2019 (16)
  • March 2019 (20)
  • February 2019 (19)
  • January 2019 (14)
  • December 2018 (12)
  • November 2018 (18)
  • October 2018 (22)
  • September 2018 (20)
  • August 2018 (17)
  • July 2018 (15)
  • June 2018 (21)
  • May 2018 (16)
  • April 2018 (21)
  • March 2018 (20)
  • February 2018 (21)
  • January 2018 (22)
  • December 2017 (21)
  • November 2017 (19)
  • October 2017 (25)
  • September 2017 (22)
  • August 2017 (21)
  • July 2017 (21)
  • June 2017 (29)
  • May 2017 (29)
  • April 2017 (23)
  • March 2017 (25)
  • February 2017 (23)
  • January 2017 (22)
  • December 2016 (22)
  • November 2016 (27)
  • October 2016 (28)
  • September 2016 (20)
  • August 2016 (23)
  • July 2016 (21)
  • June 2016 (24)
  • May 2016 (26)
  • April 2016 (25)
  • March 2016 (24)
  • February 2016 (39)
  • January 2016 (24)
  • December 2015 (25)
  • November 2015 (27)
  • October 2015 (27)
  • September 2015 (27)
  • August 2015 (36)
  • July 2015 (31)
  • June 2015 (21)
  • May 2015 (24)
  • April 2015 (30)
  • March 2015 (30)
  • February 2015 (26)
  • January 2015 (22)
  • December 2014 (21)
  • November 2014 (32)
  • October 2014 (34)
  • September 2014 (28)
  • August 2014 (34)
  • July 2014 (45)
  • June 2014 (44)
  • May 2014 (44)
  • April 2014 (38)
  • March 2014 (42)
  • February 2014 (38)
  • January 2014 (36)
  • December 2013 (32)
  • November 2013 (35)
  • October 2013 (33)
  • September 2013 (24)
  • August 2013 (19)
  • July 2013 (20)
  • June 2013 (18)
  • May 2013 (19)
  • April 2013 (19)
  • March 2013 (22)
  • February 2013 (14)
  • January 2013 (17)
  • December 2012 (8)
  • November 2012 (16)
  • October 2012 (12)
  • September 2012 (11)
  • August 2012 (13)
  • July 2012 (3)

 

 

NetGalley Professional Reader

Professional Reader

NetGalley Top Reviewer

Reviews Published

NetGalley 80% Feedback

80%

NetGalley Frequently Auto-Approved

Frequently Auto-Approved

NetGalley 500 Book Reviews

500 Book Reviews

NetGalley Challenge 2016

2016 NetGalley Challenge

NetGalley Challenge 2015

Challenge Participant

 

 

sign up to have great new reads sent right to your email

Pump Up Your Book
Book Unleashed

Featured Book Reviewer

FTC Disclaimer

I have received ARCs of books free from BookTrib.com to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any posts.

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    <span>%d</span> bloggers like this: