Find Love With These 2 Romance Novels

by Donna Huber

I don't read a lot of romance novels these days but in my early days of review I did enjoy reading rom-coms and I tried out some of the books in the new genre New Adult. In my early days of reviewing, I also had trouble knowing how many books I could read and so I still have a few books from those early days. Now that my library offers Hoopla I have access to some of these books as audiobooks. Here are two romance novels I've recently listened to.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Dog Day Wedding by Rich Amooi

January 2015; Season Publishing; 978-1507717691
audio, ebook, print (296 pages); romantic comedy

Giovanni Roma was jilted at the altar. Twice. Meeting Natalie is an enchanting distraction—too bad she’s engaged to another man. To top it off, Giovanni’s mother has a mouth with no filter and is obsessed with finding her son a suitable baby-maker.

I'm not sure if I have ever read a rom-com so focused on the male character. I felt kind of sorry for Giovanni - he's been jilted twice and his mom is pretty overbearing. The reason he was jilted is because of his mother and I kept thinking "you're a grown man take control of your relationship".

Speaking of Giovanni's mother... At first she provided some comedy to the rom-com but soon her behavior went over the top and the story felt like it was quickly becoming a farce.

I liked Natalie but I didn't have much respect for her. She is engaged yet she keeps leading Giovanni on. I get being confused about your feelings but figure it out and either end your engagement or set boundaries with Giovanni. She is definitely emotionally cheating with Giovanni.

It is a short book and there is a cute dog. It's a quick read so you don't have to agonize too long over what Natalie is going to decide.

Buy Dog Day Wedding at Amazon

Torn by K. A. Robinson

September 2023; Atria; 978-1476752136
audio, ebook, print (272 pages); new adult romance

Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past.

I now remember why I don't read New Adult romance. It is too much fantasy and not enough reality and it is thinly veiled porn. 

It's not often that I can't find some redeemable quality in a book but there was nothing I enjoyed about Torn. The characters are shallow and immature and pretty flat. There is no measurable character growth for any of them.

There wasn't much of a plot. Chloe is torn between two guys - one is supposedly her best friend yet she doesn't care much about his feelings. Love triangles are my least favorite kind of romance.

It is definitely a fantasy - there was hardly anything realistic about the story. Chloe has a an drug-addicted, abusive mother is rarely. Yet Chloe can afford a tuition, books, and a college dorm? Even if she got financial aid to cover tuition and books, there still her car and other living expenses, but she is never concerned about money. And how does Drake afford a house without roommates? How many people have goose-feathered filled pillows anymore? The pillow fight between college roommates read like it came straight from a porn movie. There is little description of Chloe but it is pointed out that she wears a 36D bra - that girl is definitely have back problems in her future!

The books sort of on a cliff hanger but I'm not tempted at all to continue this series. I can't believe 4 more books in this series was published.

If you looking for a sexual fantasy to read then you will probably enjoy this book.

Buy Torn at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour. 

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