Chelsea M. CameronBesprekingen

I didn't feel like I got to know the love interest, he didn't have defining characteristics.

Well, this is certainly a book people are going to come into with preconceptions.

As for me, I’m not queer—I do think there should be a gender-neutral word which means gay or lesbian, etc—but I’m also not a specialist. I mean, if you read my catalog, you might think I was a Regency landowner or something, which would almost be weird, you know. (I’m actually just a straight guy, which of course means I have a deep and abiding hatred for all women, lol.) Chelsea here is also, judging from her other books, also probably more of an ally than a queer person, (*) you know—which is a magnet, I suppose, for, I don’t know. You know how there’s that popular Spencer biographer who wrote the non-technical medieval history overview, A World Lit Only By Fire, which I’d like to read some day, or something like it; but the specialists flamed it; they’re like the nativists of intellectualia, they meet the immigrants at the border with sticks and broken bottles and start building a wall. “We’re going to build the wall, and Barnes & Noble is going to pay for it.”

(*) Actually, it turns out, she (she/they!) is queer herself (themself).

I don’t know; I’m straight, but I’d like to get over myself, and see queer people as just like the person next door, the cute and wholesome romance instead of the weirdo or the person who doesn’t exist, but…. But, you know, other people, theoretically, could get over themselves too. Like when Tony Soprano got shot and he saw the Indian saying on the wall, Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the while a great wind carries me across the sky, and it helps him, but then he gets out of the hospital and he starts carrying on and haranguing his criminal associates about how a great wind is carrying them across the sky. That’s what I am—not a great wind, but Tony Soprano. After all, we’re both straight guys, even if he’s a little more excellent in his straightness than me, lol.

…. It’s very pretty, it’s achingly sincere romantic drama, and I’m already regretting not getting it in its e-reader version: hmm, not here. Walk walk walk. Walk walk walk. *looks around*

[Incidentally, where I live I didn’t have that reaction reading the Gita—I live in NJ, albeit in what I think is a light red county. Once I was at the mall and this guy in a Star Wars stormtrooper costume helmet was I guess trying to get attention and failing, and he asked me what I was reading so I just showed him the cover of the Gita edition I was reading and went right back and he didn’t say anything. At the time I didn’t believe in engaging the popular culture—I don’t know how I’d handle it now, but I Really don’t know how I’d handle harassment even one time (better at the mall than by people you know) about reading a lesbian novel. What am I supposed to say—it’s June? People aren’t homophile for thirty days every June; that’s a polite fiction. Like this! Lol. It’s a very polite novel. I mean, Chelsea has her say, Aww that’s a fucking shame, very occasionally, but other than that it seems all shy love. Much better behaved than many contemporary romances or even this girl’s other books…. I guess they’re still trying to get them over, you know, the gay couple that doesn’t have sex in public (they own an art gallery, for God’s sake) “doesn’t know that they’re gay”—but I don’t want to tell you who said that. I don’t work for the Stasi; I just want my “imported” West German consumer goods lol.]

…. I’m a lot more like the femme. Do I always let fear dictate my life? Of course not. I only fear two things—death, and life. Most people fear lots of things. My fears are very abstract, so they’re fewer.

…. The quiet desperation of small town life. You think of the New Englanders as all being little Emerson boys and Thoreau girls, but. “I never got out of the fishbowl.”

…. They also seems like they’re just poor and sad enough to be relatable, while also kinda contented and local, you know. I guess that would set some people off, but I’m basically the person who benefits, lol.

…. Eventually I started reading it at home.

Readable but semi-ridiculous. Lots of telling, less showing. Dude-pro was too perfectly understanding and the chick-pro was abusive. If the roles had been reversed, dude would have been put in jail for all the physical violence. Understandably, the chick had lots of issues, but still, NOT OKAY. The verbal abuse was pretty bad too.

The writing itself was uneven but not offensively bad, though there were some rookie mistakes (to instead of too, frex). The sex scenes were SO BORING, which was especially disappointing considering that they don't even start until 75% through.

I need to stop reading self-pubbed New Adult, but [b:Easy|13548456|Easy|Tammara Webber|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1342983117s/13548456.jpg|19113823] makes me keep trying. Thank baby jesus for Amazon loans.

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Taylor Caldwell is surprised her sophomore year of college by the addition of her fourth roommate. Not the fact that she has to share her room with someone, but that it turns out to be a guy. If you'd never believed in love at first sight, you will after reading this book. There is so much undeniable chemistry between these two that you can't miss it. This book is 200 pages of sexual tension as Taylor comes to terms with her attraction to Hunter. They have a bet, will she love him, or will she hate him when this is all over? Guess you better read it and find out!

Totally fine, but I’m glad I borrowed it on Hoopla instead of buying.

CW for past partner death.

***WHO SUCKED ME IN***
The youtuber perpetualpages in their Top E-Books To Read video published on 29 nov. 2017
The words: ''... and it uses one of my favorite tropes, which is the geek and the jock fall in love.'' were enough to add this one.

Favorite Quote:
“His talking voice was amazing, but his singing was like honey and smoke had hooked up in the back of a van at a rock concert and had a love child. Smooth and rough at the same time.” (loc. 1283)

I remember liking some of this book, but I had issues with Taylor’s willingness to lash out physically against Hunter. She punches him in the face when she first meets him. Then, when she has a meltdown later, she blacks his eye! Hello! Abuse can go both ways! No one seems to bat an eye at her actions, but if it had been him this would have been a totally different story.

I read this in a day or two and now can barely remember what Taylor’s big secret was. I remember Hunter’s – I guess it was more memorable to me. Taylor is seeing a counselor, but she never talks about hitting Hunter, or her anger issues. Everyone is so protective of Taylor, and treats Hunter like he’ll deliberately hurt her. For all his issues, he’s actually well-adjusted.

I am curious about the next book in the series. I’m not sure how it’s related to this one, maybe just the setting. I’ll be looking for more character growth and fewer red flags. Hope it’s better!

I found the writing in this book intolerable, and couldn't read past the second chapter.

Note to self: always check the full extent of the shelves which a book has been assigned to before reading. I found this book very 'sweet' and I don't really do sweet. I also don't do 'college romance' books very much...because they're generally sweet.

Taylor Caldwell isn't happy but she's come to terms with the state of her life as it is when the book opens. She's in shared housing with 2 other girls and just waiting for their fourth housemate to arrive when he does. Just a tad unexpected.

Taylor has mega anger issues and boy does Hunter Zaccadelli enjoy pushing her buttons. He is constantly winding her up. There's one particular scene where Taylor tells Hunter that she'll help him do the dishes if he's "not an ass for the rest of the day". When the housemates are told about it their reaction is, "Is that even possible?" Yeah.. despite the amazing physical attraction between them both it just doesn't work for me.

So, some other bits that annoyed me. Taylor had a bit of a traumatic incident in her past (which is alluded to very frequently until it's revealed) which is one of the reasons for her anger and firm decision to not trust men. She finally tells Hunter about it and abracadabra the trauma is erased never to affect her again.

Seriously?!?

All I can say is I'm glad I didn't pay money for this one so I don't need to keep it. Not my thing at all.

This was fine. I have some thoughts. RTC hopefully?

It was a little slow to get going, but it was definitely a HEA that you can just read and enjoy. I would love to be a part of a friend group like theirs.

This was my first truly ff romance book ever. I didn't know what to expect, so my bar was pretty low. I liked book, even though it had a simple premise and execution.

I didn't really like audiobook unfortunately - production quality was low and I didn't like narrator. So I'd recommend picking up physical copy.

Also since I read mostly mf and mm romances it was intresting dynamic to read about, and as bi woman myself it was pretty accurate rep of constant question - do I wanna be with her (as a friend???!??!)and what she thinks about our relationship??!?

For now it's only 3 stars, and I want to read novellea series by miss Cameron, so I hope I give it higher rating

Eh. I guess this author just isn't for me

I really wish I had liked this more than I did. After all, it's set in Maine/Mass., two of my favorite places to read about.

But, say it with me now. Lesbian. Les-b-ian. Lesbian. This is a lesbian romance, so, the two characters who are in it, are lesbians. They never call themselves anything but women, and so, they're not Queer, they're lesbians. LESBIANS. It's a lesbian romance, not a queer one.

Needless to say, the fact that every single time it should have said lesbian it instead read queer drove me up a wall. Queer books have their place. This wasn't one of them, but, then again, I shouldn't be surprised I guess. This is published by a big publisher (Harlequin, their new LGBT press, which, after I finish my final Netgalley from them, I'm gonna stay away from it I think), and not a publisher that actually has been publishing Lesbian Fiction for years and years (*cough BSB, Bella, Ylva, Riptide, and so many more *cough*)

The bummer is that the underlying story was actually pretty good. It's about Jude and Iris. They grew up in the same town in Maine, both got out, and both are back. They also both have issues to overcome, which makes it a bit twisty for sure.

The secondary characters (yay a librarian) were interesting too. Although here and there the characters didn't quite seem their ages.

But, having queer things shoved down my throat was unrelenting. It honestly sometimes felt like someone went through and Find/Replaced all the places where it had said lesbian and put queer instead.

From the start I was worried about reading an adult lesbian romance from a big publisher. (like the whole Jodi Picoult book about lesbians, oof). I just didn't guess what the exact problem would be. Ah well. Good story, too much libfem word usage.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Harlequin - Carina Press

I'm 29 years old and a couple of months ago I came out to my mom, she still loves me but she didn't like it and she said some hurtful things. So, when I read the acknowledgments I started to cry. It made me feel not alone and that I can find true love and be happy.

I know that I didn't like the book but the acknowledgments were the best part.

"I wrote this book for me. I wrote this book for the girl who thought she was straight for 29 years. I wrote it for the girl who couldn't seem to find the right boy. The girl who was so deep in denial, she was drowning in it. The girls who, at last, figured out her own truth."

okay this sounds awesome and that cover is beautiful, thank you Xan West for putting it on my radar!

A great collection of diverse romance with activists and finding love.

Fake marriage as a path to real love. Always a fun premise for some engaging fluff. And fun fluff is exactly what this book is.

Read full review @https://www.bestlesficreviews.com/2019/01/marriage-of-unconvenience-by-chelsea-m.html

4.5
Definitely a great read I just loved how Lottie spoke up and said what she really felt (much to her brothers embarrassment).

There was a lot of drama of course but the development between Lottie and Zan (who is super adorable) was lovely it didn't feel rushed and their problems from the last weren't just glossed over.

Overall a great read with great relationships (friends and siblings as well)

Good fairly light and fluffy NA romance. It hit the spot after my last dark paranormal read.

I wanted to LOVE this book. I love how unique and different Trish and Max are. However, it comes across as a bit like a hipster joke. You know, I was _______ before it was cool. Trish's backstory is super sad and you feel for her. But, I also struggled with how she never let anyone in. How she expected to have a relationship with Max when she wouldn't tell him a single thing? And to be honest, she was kind of a bitch frequently. So, why 3 stars?
1. I love the supporting characters that you have gotten to know in the previous books.
2. Trish was a very broken character that you felt for
3. Max is the most amazing person in the world.

What I didn't really like
1. Geez the angst is a bit much (and I don't typically mind angst!)
2. Trish's treatment of Max was difficult to read. She was so closed off and it really felt like she was stringing him along because she wouldn't tell him WHY she was the way she was.
3. Did I mention the angst? It bears mentioning again.

I love Chelsea's writing. If you are looking for a super angsty YA/NA read that isn't all about sex, you will like this book. Perhaps my rating would be different if I was more in the mood for an angsty read?? This might be one I revisit later with that thought in mind.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Heat: 1.5

When LGBTQ Reads posted the "cover reveal" for Marriage of Unconvenience, I knew I would have to at least try the sample: I love romance novels with fake-dating/marriage of convenience plots, and this one has that plus the main characters are both women.

This is definitely that plot. The convenience part is because best friends Lo and Cara live in Boston and could really use some income of any kind - and, actually, Lo has an entire trust waiting to disperse once she marries. It's just that the women are only 24 and Lo has never really had any interest in marrying anyone yet and Cara is straight, so making use of the trust fund for the two of them wasn't something they thought about until suddenly it did. Since the two women are already basically family, and both of them need money, why not get a quickie marriage, become reasonably wealthy, and then annul the whole thing once their finances are straightened out? Yeah, about that annulment...

Chelsea Cameron takes the plot through all the typical things - mystery Feelings, hiding those feelings, lying to friends rather than admit the truth, accidental kissing, etc. It also really revels in the details of the wedding, originally planned as a get-in-get-out fast affair at the courthouse but then there's dresses and music and a reception. It felt a little like Cameron was using the book mostly as a way to comment on her favorite wedding-themed tv shows, but I'll be the first to admit that I don't care at all about those things and I didn't have the same kind of investment. Other readers, like my mom, probably will enjoy those parts more.

The narrative is very heavily flavored by both Lo and Cara being 24, fairly recently out of college (actually, Cara is still a student in between degrees), and part of the digital, social media world. I don't think the word "millennial" is ever used to describe them, but at least one joke was made about avocado (I think it was a sly joke, anyway) and the narration is peppered with topics common to "millennial" thinkpieces. After all, Lo is the "I" in this narrative and these are things she worries about. She also curses plenty and isn't always charitable in the way she thinks of others.

I mostly enjoyed the book. I like the plot, of course, and didn't mind all the wedding stuff. The two main characters are nice and lovely people, though not particularly memorable. Cara, of course, turns out to not be completely straight, and her arc is a nice way of exploring it - but I almost would have preferred the story to be from her point of view to do more with it. Lo is a great narrator, especially since it's her money and she's the one who gets the plot going, but it's Cara who really pulls the strings and makes their marriage "real". (I suppose keeping the narrative with Lo does help with the surprise and emotional impact, but it's always a toss-up which half has the better storyline in these plots.)

If there's anything that I really didn't like about Marriage of Unconvenience, it's Cameron's writing style. It's a little bit clunky and wordy and I wasn't always sure if she could hear the character voices in her head or not. She uses a lot of "that" clauses, not really a bad thing, but it started to be noticeable fairly early on and made me want to blue pen some of the phrases for more elegant, less repetitive sentence construction. Because it did get repetitive, and it caused some of the descriptive details to feel tacked on instead of genuinely adding to the setting or characterization. Even then, this is hardly the worst I've read recently, and the bones of the storytelling are sound.

I have regretted some Amazon Digital Services self-published books that I tried out based on reviews recently. The plots and characters and basic things were so awful that I couldn't even look past the bad writing styles. But while this one has some faults, none of them were so bad I wanted my money back, and in fact I ended up mostly enjoying the reading experience. Readers who really like wedding reality shows will probably enjoy this one a lot more than I did.½

One would think a story about a girl trying to lose her virginity would be plain and simple. But in this story, it isn't. Shannon's friends are determined to force her to find someone to lose her virginity to. Shannon is determined to get them off of her back. Enter Jett. They both want everyone off their back when it comes to relationships. Now you get the big fake relationship, with rules and all.
Pretty simple? Well, no. Obviously these two are already attracted to one another. They obviously grow feelings for one another. The lines get blurred. Things start to turn real....
I liked this book. It was just the right length for the story. It wasn't too long making it boring, and it wasn't too short making sit there feeling cheated! Everything happens as it should. There is no under describing or over describing the details in the book.
The characters are well developed. Their relationship gradually blooms. There isn't an instant complete bond. Their affection for one another is endearing. The ease with which they interact is refreshing. Shannon slowly learns to not be such a doormat when it comes to others, mainly her friends. Jett learns that opening up to others can be good for him.
Overall, this is a cute and easy read. It isn't a long book, so it will take no time to read. If you are looking for something quick and cute to read, this is the book for you.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I kept going back and forth. At some points, I liked it. Then others, not so much.

I had a hard time connecting with these characters. Blair is very immature and fake. Declan is the typical brooding rich guy who likes to hold secrets. These two just didn't do it for me.

The premise of the book is unique in that she is a writer, not wanting people to find out what she does on the side. But it just seems weird. Her character acts like her secret writing could be the end of the world if anyone found out. She is overly dramatic over everything.

There are parts that had me wanting to keep reading. However, just when I started to get into the story, it would flip and go the opposite direction.

I am disappointed that I'm not over the moon with this book. Chelsea is a very talented writer. She usually writes well. This, however, it's one of her best works. Now, with that, it isn't the worst book either. It is a good book. I have seen five star reviews. So others obviously don't feel the same as I do. I just think it could have been better. Maybe make the characters more real and believable.

Novellas are the hardest to review. They are so short. Sometimes they are packed with too much information, sometimes not enough information and sometimes just right. I can't make up my mind which this episode falls under.
We are left in episode one with Fin walking out on Marisol yet again... All because she wasn't able to follow one order.
Now we are left to try to keep up with these two. Hot and cold. Back and forth. It's like watching a tennis match, but in kind-of slow motion.
Now, I am sure the story, once it is complete, as a whole will be pretty good. However getting bits and pieces at a time, it is hard to stay focused on the story.
I am used to Chelsea's other books My Favorite Mistake series and For Real. This is nothing along those lines. I am not sure that I see that as a good thing. I liked Chelsea's books. They were sweet and moving. This story is not that. It is not necessarily "Chelsea".
We do learn more information in this episode than we did in the first, but it still isn't quite vibing for me. Maybe I need to just tough it out. At this point, I think that the next episode or two will either make the book sink or swim. I am keeping my fingers that is swims.