Cutie and the Beast

de M. E. Carter (2020) SmartyPants Romance

Résumé : Living with her mother seemed like a good idea at the time. But Elliott Donovan’s living arrangements are not working for her anymore. Desperate to get back on her financial feet after a divorce and out from under her mother’s thumb, Elliott takes a job in the child care center at Weight Expectations, a local gym.

It has everything she needs – family friendly hours, more pay than she expected, and a super cute trainer who just happens to have part of his house for rent.

Abel DiSoto was living the good life until his wife walked out taking half of the family income with her. The blow to his ego was bad enough, but after a fire at the gym scattered Abel’s clients, and consequently his commissions, he’s stuck figuring out how to make ends meet, too. Renting out the master suite of his house to his new co-worker seems like an easy solution. They’re both mature adults, they both have eight-year-old daughters, and their work schedules coordinate so they can lend each other a helping hand to ease the burden of single parenthood.

The only downside? Living like a blended family when you’re not actually a family can present some challenges.


Dans un monde de romance où les héros ont entre 20 et 25 ans, qu'est-ce que ça fait du bien d'en avoir une avec une héroïne qui en a 42 et un héros à 36 (je sais plus combien exactement mais il a pas encore passer la barre des 40 ^^), chacun divorcé avec un enfant. Des héros qui ont donc déjà vécu une première vie et qui ont plus vraiment l'illusion du grand amour.

L'arrangement de collocation chez Abel, tombe à pic pour lui et Elliott : déjà pour leur finances, ensuite comme ils ont tous les deux une filles du même âge et qu'ils travaillent au même endroit, ils s'entraide aussi pour l’organisation domestique. Leurs filles sont les meilleures amies du monde, ils ne manquent pas de réaliser (chacun de leur côté) que leur fonctionnement ressemble quand même à celui d'une famille... et à partir de Elliott et Abel ne peuvent s'empêcher l'un à l'autre ^^

Malheureusement, si l'histoire poursuivait comme ça serait trop simple et pas vraiment intéressant à lire... Ils ont tous les deux des ex qui leur facilitent pas les choses, et surtout vis-à-vis de leur enfant respectif. Les deux petites filles vont pas vivre l'histoire d'Abel et Elliott de la même façon.

J'ai bien aimé ce roman parce que les héros sont plus proches de moi en âge et pour le traitement de la famille recomposée et les challenges que cela crée au quotidien.

autre détail que j'ai apprécié : aucune scène de sex ! elle est suggérée, ça s'arrête à des bisous torrides mais après pouf ellipse au lendemain ^^ . je le mentionne car le bouquin lu juste avant en avait beaucoup à mon goût xD

In a world of romance where the heroes are between 20 and 25 years old, it is great to have one with a heroine who is 42 and a hero who is 36 (I don't know how many exactly but he has not yet passed the bar of 40 ^^), each divorced with a child. Heroes who therefore already lived a life and who no longer have the illusion of True Love.

The roommate arrangement at Abel's house, is timely for him and Elliott : for their finances, then since they both have a daughter of the same age and they work in the same place, they also help each other for the domestic organization. Their daughters are the best friends, they quickly realize (each one on their side) that their functioning resembles that of a family... and from then Elliott and Abel can not help thinking about the other "that way" ^^

Unfortunately, if the story continued like this would be too simple and not really interesting to read... They both have ex-es who do not make things easy for them, and especially for their respective children. The two little girls will not react to Abel and Elliott's growing feelings in the same way.

I liked this novel because the heroes are closer to me in age and how the blended family is treated with the challenges that it creates on a daily basis.

another detail that I appreciated: no sex scene ! it is suggested, it stops at hot kisses but after we have an ellipse to the next day ^^. I mention it because the book I read just before had too much of it for my taste xD


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The Treble With Men

de Piper Sheldon (2020) - Smartypants Romance

Résumé : As far as Green Valley is concerned, Kim Dae disappeared into the Wraiths a decade ago. They were sort of right. Kim has spent her life since Jethro fighting her curious nature and trying to blend into the background. Unfortunately for her, a mysterious Maestro comes to town and takes quick notice of her for reasons unknown to anybody.

The masked conductor, known simply as Devlin, was already a source of much gossip thanks to his reputation for getting fired. Now, his sudden interest in the quiet fourth chair cellist has added fuel to the rumor fire. The new conductor of the symphony needs to learn to control his temper and finish his latest musical masterpiece and only the reluctant star of his symphony can help him do that. If Devlin can’t convince Kim to help to finish his latest composition he’ll lose everything.

Can Devlin and Kim compose without losing composure ?

Gros gros coup de coeur pour cette romance. Le premier tome de cette série, toujours de Piper Sheldon, m'avait aussi beaucoup plu, donc j'avais de bons espoirs pour celui-ci, j'ai pas été déçue. Le tome 1 s'inspirait de "My Fair Lady", ce tome 2 s'inspire lui du "Fantôme de l'Opéra" (que je n'ai pas vu, je sais, honte à moi etc).

Pour rappel les Scorned Women Society sont les ex-copines de Jethro Winston, elles donc toutes plus ou moins eu de embrouilles avec les bikers. Dans ce tome-là, Kim a eu une brève histoire avec Jethro à l'adolescence, a touché aux drogues assez pour se faire envoyée en cure de désintoxication. Adulte, Kim vit toujours chez ses parents, toujours assez fragile, elle n'a de contacts amicaux qu'avec un tout petit nombre de gens et se consacre entièrement à la musique : elle joue du violoncelle dans l'orchestre de la ville. Elle n'est le violoncelle principal donc ça lui va bien, elle est dans le fond, se fond dans la masse et personne ne la remarque... ah oui et accessoirement elle utilise un pseudonyme.

Sauf que non, il y a un qui la remarque : le chef d'orchestre. Arrivé fraîchement, Devlin the Symphony Devil, a pas la meilleure réputation qui soit. Il porte un masque qui couvre tout le bas de son visage et un chapeau tout le temps, on dit de lui qu'il ne maîtrise pas ses colères. Un soir, il pense que tous les musiciens sont partis, mais Kim est restée pour jouer toute seule, là bam The Révélation. Non seulement Kim joue beaucoup mieux que ce qu'elle fait en répétition, mais sa façon de jouer l'inspire tout d'un coup pour une composition originale... ah oui et accessoirement il la reconnait, parce que tous les deux ils se sont déjà croisé ^^

Devlin arrive à convaincre Kim de travailler avec lui sur sa composition, et là les choses sérieuses commencent ! La romance se construit doucement entre deux partitions, chacun revenant de loin, blessé mais ensemble très complémentaire. On apprend aussi pour quoi Devlin se cache le visage, pourquoi Kim se cache tout court...

Si je pouvais dire une seule critique ce serait sur le personnage du connard de service (je sais même plus son nom xD) qui ajoute certes un obstacle dans l'intrigue, mais franchement j'avais juste envie de l'éclater contre à mur à chaque fois qu'il débarquait xD

Very big crush for this romance. I also liked the book 1 of this series, still by Piper Sheldon, so I had good hopes for this one and I was not disappointed. Book 1 was inspired by "My Fair Lady", this book 2 is inspired by "Phantom of the Opera" (which I have not seen, I know, shame on me).

As a reminder, the Scorned Women Society are the ex-girlfriends of Jethro Winston, so they all more or less got into trouble with the bikers. In this book, Kim had a brief liaison with Jethro when tey were teenagers, she did drugs enough to be sent to rehab. As an adult, Kim still lives with her parents, always quite fragile, she only has friendly contacts with a very small number of people and devotes herself entirely to music : she plays the cello in the city orchestra. She is not the main cello so it suits her, she is in the background, blends in with the crowd and nobody notices her... Also she uses a pseudonym.

Except that there is one guy who notices her : the Maestro. Freshly arrived, Devlin the Symphony Devil, doesn't have the best reputation there is. He wears a mask that covers the bottom of his face and a hat all times, it is said that he does not control his anger. One evening, he thinks that all the musicians are gone, but Kim stayed to play alone, then bam Revelation ! Not only does Kim plays much better than what she does in rehearsal, but her way of playing suddenly inspires him for an original composition... Also he recognizes her, because their paths have already crossed ^^

Devlin manages to convince Kim to work with him on his composition, and the serious things begin ! The romance is slow burn between two partitions, each coming from afar, wounded but together very complementary. We also learn why Devlin hides his face, why Kim hides himself...

If I could say only one criticism it would be on the asshole on duty (I don't even remember his name xD) which certainly adds an obstacle in the plot, but frankly I just wanted to explode his face against the wall at every time he was here xD

Oh and Jethro's little cameo is just perfect ♥


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Been There Done That

de Hope Ellis (2020) - Smartypants Romance

Résumé : ZORA LEFFERSBEE’S once perfect life is no longer perfect. Her tenure at the University is in question, funding for her employees uncertain, and her faux-fiancé, Jackson James’s unpredictability is wearing on her last nerve. Just when Zora is convinced things can’t get more complicated, life proves her wrong.

What the heck is he doing here?

NICK ROSSI’s complicated life is still extremely complicated. He’s used to fighting for everything he has, but he’s also used to winning. Now a man of power and influence, his return to Green Valley after so many years hasn’t gone according to plan, especially with the woman he’s always wanted.

She can’t know why I left, or why I’m back.

A powerful woman intent on righting the wrongs of the world, Zora doesn’t have time or energy to deal with the man who broke her young heart.

A powerful man intent on righting the wrongs of the past, Nick can’t help wanting to protect Zora, even if his devotion is unrequited.


Le résumé n'est pas très précis, mais pour bien comprendre ce qui passe : Zora est docteur en communication et travaille dans un hôpital sur le lien patient/médecin. Comme tout universitaire, la vie est pas facile entre les recherches et les demandes de financements... Et la famille qui essaie de la voir casée. Nick débarque tout d'un coup, il a fondé une société qui des développe des applications en lien avec la médecine. Ah oui, Nick c'est aussi le grand amour de jeunesse de Zora, ils avaient prévu de faire leur vie ensemble mais Nick a dû partir, laissant Zora sans aucune explication. Ca c'était il y a 12 ans.

Evidemment, quand ils se retrouvent face à face tous les sentiments refoulés pendant des années remontent à la surface. Nick doit faire face aux évènements passés qui l'ont légèrement traumatisé et trouver le courage de tout expliquer à Zora. De son côté, comprendre les raisons de Nick va nécessiter une petite remise en question.

J'ai bien aimé cette histoire car on sait dès le départ que Zora et Nick sont fait l'un pour l'autre et l'auteur nous titille en faisant durer le plaisir du moment où ils vont enfin se sauter dessus. Cependant, j'aurais apprécié que Nick parle à Zora plus tôt dans l'histoire, il y a eu au moins 2 occassions où c'était possible, donc au bout d'un moment j'avais envie de le secouer xD.

Hope Ellis arrive très bien à montrer que des adultes peuvent avoir du mal à se détacher des erreurs d'ados, que certains évènements marquent une personnalité et que c'est pas simple de s'en défaire. Plusieurs fois il m'est arrivé de lire des romances où les héros trainent leurs problèmes comme un boulet en me demandant pourquoi ils vivaient toujours dans le passé (ça peut énerver xD), ici je n'ai pas trop eu cette impression c'est un peu plus subtile.

Les personnages secondaires promettent des choses intéressantes pour les prochains tomes de cette série. Mention spéciale pour Jackson James, hâte de lire son tome à lui, depuis le temps qu'on le connaît ^^

The summary is not very precise, here is what the book is about : Zora is a PhD in communication and works in a hospital on the patient/doctor relationship. Like all academics, life is not easy between research and requests for grants... And her family wants to see her married. Nick suddenly arrives, he founded a company that develops applications related to medicine. And yes, Nick is also Zora's childhood only love, they had planned to live together but Nick had left, leaving Zora without any explanation. It was 12 years ago.

Obviously, when they reunited without warning, all the repressed feelings come to the surface. Nick has to face past events that have slightly traumatized him and find the courage to explain everything to Zora. For her, understanding Nick's reasons will require a little reassessment.

I liked this story because we know from the start that Zora and Nick are made for each other and the author tickles us by drawing out the pleasure as long as possible for when they finally jumping each other. However, I would have appreciated that Nick spoke to Zora earlier in the story, there have been at least 2 occassions where it was possible, so after a while I wanted to shake him xD.

Hope Ellis is very good at showing that adults can find it difficult to detach themselves from teenage mistakes, that certain events mark a personality and that it's not easy to get rid of them. Many times I have read romances where the heroes drag their problems like a canonball making me cringe on why they still lived in the past (it can annoy me xD), here I did not have that impression too much, it was a little more subtle.

The secondary characters promise interesting things for the next books in this series. Special mention for Jackson James, I'm eager to read his volume, since we know him from some time now ^^


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