Category: Rom-Com

Posted in books, favorites, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: Love on the Brain

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview with some quick and easy no-bake energy balls that are Levi and Bee approved. Now that the Love on the Brain fever has died a but down, I’m sharing Chocolate and Peanut butter energy balls along with my review.

“Levi packs snacks. He brings them to work for himself, but he’s lousy at gauging portions and always makes too much… I roll my eyes and sigh heavily, but I comply. Because today he made dark chocolate and peanut butter energy balls, and they were life-shatteringly good.”

“She’s everything I ever wanted and I want to inject her into my veins and also to never see her again. There’s nothing like her and these feelings, they are fucking intolerable. They were half-asleep while she was gone, but now she’s here and my body thinks it’s a fucking teenager and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do. There is nothing I can do, so I’ll just . . . not.”

Summary:

Bee Königswasser’s dream just became a reality: leading a team at NASA on a neuroengineering project. Until her dream becomes a nightmare when she finds out her co-lead is her former grad school archenemy, Levi Ward. But, is her really? When things aren’t going well, she starts seeing Levi as an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas… devouring her with those eyes. Which is making her very confused and wondering what her role model, Marie Curie would do.

My thoughts:

⁃ I enjoyed the science side of the story, it was interesting the mix of engineering and neuroscience

⁃ The burn and the eventual steam was perfect 🔥 I didn’t have to wait until the very end (I’m looking at you TLH) and definitely more than her prior book.

⁃ I thought that the conflict of the story was well done. I loved seeing how Bee’s feelings evolved and that even though there are many miscommunications, they are clarified along the way. Even though I knew a HEA was coming was still anxious and stressed for the characters.

⁃ I loved the secret Twitter identity twist to the story.

⁃ There are some things that have become a bit repetitive in the authors books that I don’t love, like how she likes her men big (they’re all tall and towering and ummm 🍆); and her female characters are always petite and quirky. And no one ever seems to have condoms in hand, the truat me I’m clean is getting old. I hope she starts moving away from this in her next books.

⁃ This one exceeded my expectations and the audiobook narration was great.

Have you read this one?
What did you think?

Posted in books, favorites, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: A Proposal they can’t refuse

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview with a fun twist on a well loved cocktail. I’m sharing my Whiskey Colada recipe and reviewing A Proposal they can’t refuse to kick off my Hispanic / Latinx Heritage month series of book recommendations.

“I named this whiskey Coquí, because, like the goddess to her love, my heart has always called for you.”

It’s hard not to love this Puerto Rican born drink. It immediately makes me recall wonderful days spent catching the sun and listening to the waves of the sea. As I was listening to this book, with all the foodie references from Kamilah’s delicious cooking to Liam’s amazing descriptions of his whiskey, I knew I had to make this drink.

Former BFs Kamilah and Liam find themselves in a trap. Their meddling grandfathers force them to agree to get engaged, or they risk losing everything both of them have worked so hard for. Kamilah, her family’s Boricua restaurant; Liam, his grandfather’s Irish whiskey distillery. Can they stand to be near each other long enough to get what they both want?

My thoughts:

– Give me all the food! Don’t read this book hungry, everything described sounded so delicious.

– Tropes: I’m not a fan of force tropes, but in this one the forced engagement worked so well. I wouldn’t call this Enemies to lovers as in reality the MCC is already in love, but his distance was believable.

– The one bed trope and the steam: one bed trope had a poor excuse and never addressed further, however the steam was just right for me, right towards the middle so I was not left waiting forever. Open door but not too explicit. I felt the development of their relationship was well done. Both characters had good depth and personality growth and the conflict and how it was resolved played well within the story.

– I wished the conflict with the BFF had also had some resolution, but this is a series, so it may be addressed in future books.

– The author delp perfectly with tough topics such as family trauma, the expectations of children of immigrants and the problems that arise with gentrification.

– Last but not least, the meddling grandfathers. I absolutely loved Papo and Killian. So much so that I named my cocktail for them. These 2 where a hoot and I really enjoyed their shenanigans.

This rom-com was definitely a breath of fresh air and I loved it.

Have you tried a Piña Colada? Do you like them? Have you read this book? What did you think?

And for the bonus, my Homemade Pineapple soda. This is delicious and refreshing. Very easy to make. You can control the amount of sugar you add by adding more or less simple syrup and club soda to the mix.

Enjoy!

Posted in books, favorites, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: The Beach Trap

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Saturday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview this time with Lemon Rosemary Chicken and The Beach Trap.

“Something smells good,” I say, giving my mom a kiss on the cheek. “It’s rosemary lemon chicken,” she says, and waves of love and loss swell inside me. “Dad’s favorite,” I say. She turns and gives me a shaky smile, and I realize beneath her smiling exterior, my mom is still grieving.

This was fun and perfect for the summer debut. I was inspired to make this dish after it is mentioned that it was made by the MCs dad and it’s a favorite for them.
It’s a great savory choice for a summer get together meal. We had it with a side of green beans and it was delicious.

“Your father left half of the house to you, and the other half” – he pauses -“to your half sister.” My stomach twists in a giant knot at his words. Blake may be my father’s daughter, but she’s not my sister – half or otherwise.

After finding out they inherited a run down beach house, Kat and Blake decide that the best way to never see each other again is to fix it up and for Blake to sell her half to Kat. After all, the half sisters have a lot of baggage after years of being appart they rather not deal with.

My thoughts:

This was a heart warming story. There is a lot of miscommunication between the sisters that at some points get to be tiresome, but it goes with the plot of the suspicion and mistrust between them. I loved how they work it out as the story progresses, as they come to terms with the mistakes their father made, and ultimately lead to them forming a stronger bond.

I wouldn’t call this a romance per se, but both MCs have their side romances. I felt that Henry and Kat get a little less page time than Noah and Blake. But both have some good open door but not explicit steam. And as a side note, I ❤️ Noah 😍

The house transformation, the small town beach setting, the lovable dog all round up the story for a feel good summer read to take and enjoy on your beach vacation.

The audiobook narration was great. I always enjoy having two narrators do each of the characters POV.

Have you read this one?
What did you think?

Posted in books, favorites, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: Something Wilder

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview this time with a camping ready casserole and Something Wilder.

“The first time I had sex with someone after you,” he said breezily, interrupting her, “I asked her to call me ‘cowboy.’ ” In spite of the situation, she burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, what?” Behind her, he nodded. “We were… you know, and it wasn’t working for me for obvious reasons.” “Which were?” A cord of jealousy threaded through her rib cage. “She wasn’t you?” he said, a grin in his voice. “I felt guilty and awful and sad, and I just blurted it out. ‘Call me cowboy!’ ” Lily bent forward, cackling, surprising herself. “I never even called you cowboy.”

The “Call me cowboy” line in this book was just so hilarious for me, I decided I must have something cowboy as my recipe partner for this book.

“When a husky laugh echoed behind her, Lily’s stomach absolutely fell to her feet. She knew how a rattlesnake sounded in the brittlebush on the ranch and the raspy croak of a passing raven. She knew the trickling of water in a spring and the impatient huff of Bonnie when she was done for the day. And Lily knew—even after all this time—the deep, vibrating sound of Leo Grady’s voice in the morning, the way it warmed up slowly, from rocks to gravel to a smooth, polished stone.”

This Casserole is great to make ahead and heat up by a cozy fire during an adventure trip. It’s also just a delicious neal on its own, even if you don’t go on said trip.

If you like cornbread, but aren’t too keen on the filling, go ahead and use this recipe to make it plain, it’s absolutely delicious and easy to make.

My thoughts:

Something Wilder was such a fun ride of a book. As someone who enjoys camping and hiking trails, the parks in Utah, specially around the Moab region are top in my bucket list.

I loved the setting, I really imagined myself there, by the fire and under the starry sky. I loved the second chance romance between Leo and Lilly. How the misunderstanding trope was resolved early and we get to see them come together and work together through the rest of the book.

What got me the most was the twists the story takes, there were completely unexpected. The puzzles and treasure hunt were a fun addition, as was the unexpected action parts of the book. It was just a really fun book.

The audiobook narration was absolutely fantastic. I love having 2 narrators do each of the characters POV.

Have you read this one?
What did you think?

Posted in books, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: One Night on the Island

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview this time with a rich and moist Guinness Beer Bread and One Night on the Island.

“Every now and then, in just the right light at just the right nanosecond, you can capture the entire essence of a person in a single frame. This is one of those magic moments. I can hear her carefree laugh; I can see her innate goodness. If you didn’t know the person in this photograph, you’d want to. You’d look into her eyes for a while and you’d know that she’s someone who leaves a bright trail of starlight behind her, guiding lights for lost souls on the darkest of nights.”

As I listened to this surprisingly wonderful book, I started trying to decide what recipe I should pair it with. I live making quick breads, and they are a favorite in our house specially for breakfast to accompany our morning café con leche. I’ve made beer bread before, and sice Guiness was the brink of choice in Salvation Island, it was an easy choice.

Ingredients

I went into this book blind, and I didn’t regret it for a second.

After getting double booked on the same remote island cottage, Cleo, a dating columnist set to “self-couple” and Mack, a photographer looking for his family roots and escaping the heartbreak of separation end up having to share it. Queue the one bed trope, but alas, Cleo choses to sleep on the couch.

My thoughts:

This was surprisingly heart warming. I loved Cleo, and her growth through the story as she accepts herself and being single and decides to make changes in her life looking to achieve her long forgotten dreams. Her relationship with Mack I think is more secondary, I wouldn’t call this a romance per se, since there is so much more going on, but the love story that develops between them is sweet and well paced, with a little heat to satisfy our romance craving hearts.

I loved the side characters, maybe typical quircky small town ones, but they thgged at my heartstrings non the less.

Mack made for a great LI, I would have preferred he not start that hung up on his soon to be ex, I felt it would have been more believable when he developed feeling for Cleo. I enjoyed having his POV in the story as well and how he goes through accepting the end of his marriage and opening up to Cleo.

Have you read this one?
What did you think?

Posted in books, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: The Spanish Love Deception

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview for a delicious Summer Sangria and a Spanish Love Deception!

“Because when I finally take those lips in mine, it will be the furthest thing from pretending. I will not be showing you what it would be like if you were mine. I’ll show you what it is. And I sure as hell won’t be showing how good I could make you feel if you called me yours. You’ll already know that I am.”

(If you make it or share it please tag me 🤩)

Admit it, when you think of Spain you can’t help but imagine savoring a deliciously refreshing Sangria.
I’ve tried many versions of this wonderful drink, sadly, haven’t done it IN Spain but hope to do so someday. However, I do think I’ve been able to perfect one that is very delicious.

Ingredientes

Fair warning: This is an unpopular opinion post.

My thoughts:

  • The travel romance: Spain is on the top of my bucket list, so I was really looking forward to the setting. I was dissapointed they barely spend time there, and there is little to no descriptions of any interesting locations. It was so generically described it could have taken place at the corner bar.
  • Enemies to lovers: I’m sorry but I didn’t buy it. The opening argument was so long, I almost DNF just in the first chapter. They barely speak or spend time together. The date at the dog shelter was a missed opportunity, could have had them spend time together there. Adam is mostly mute, that is until they’re hooking up and then he is very vocal about things. I didn’t buy it that they were in love; chemistry probably, lust definitely. They could have just decided to hook up and explore the relationship further, but love? I don’t they they were there yet.
  • The one bed trope and the steam: that was probably the best part of the book.
  • The realities of women in STEM and workplace discrimination: I think that part was well done, and Lina’s indecision about her relationship and how it made her look at work felt very real.
  • I know the author first published independently and then it got picked up by a major publisher, kudos to her. I think this could have been better with an editor working on it. So even though I didn’t think it lived up to the hype I’ll be reading her next novel.

Have you read this one?
What did you think?

Posted in books, recipe, recipe and review, reviews, Rom-Com

Recipe and a Review: Book Lovers

Posted on by ALSanchezBooks

Happy Friday!

It’s time for another #RecipeandaReview with one that’s all over: Book Lovers.

“It’s never taken effort—that’s what made me fall in love with reading: the instant floating sensation, the dissolution of real-world problems, every worry suddenly safely on the other side of some metaphysical surface.”

If you’ve already read this book you’ll get why I picked a Goat Cheese salad. I thought I’d share with y’all my own recipe as this is one I love to eat as well.

This one is so easy to make and really delicious. I know not everyone is a fan of goat cheese, but I find the garlic and herb version to be very savory and an easier intro to those unfamiliar with the taste.

(If you make it or share the recipe please tag me 🤩)

Now, about that book: I absolutely loved it! It’s probably my favorite of her most recent 3. I was lucky enough to snag a turn on release day of the audiobook and since listened to it twice and then went over the ebook to highlight all my favorite lines.

This books just turn the small town romance trope on its head. Throwing two city people in the middle, and instead of having the MCs fall for the handsome small town carpenter… well. It was just sweet and funny and made me justfeel good! Had the perfect mix of rom-com that I’ve read of late. I think this is one of those I’ll keep coming back to.

What I loved:

– I love a book about books, this one focused on agents and editors was different but I loved their perspective. How they also contribute in the creative process to make a book so much better.

– I loved the chemistry between the MCs. I wouldn’t call this an enemies-to-lovers, because aside from the first uncomfortable meeting between them, you can really sense these two have a lot of attraction. The characters were so well written, their arcs and their histories made sense and you truly believe they are meant to be together. They were both dealing with prior traumas of their own. I appreciated how Nora’s anxiety and need for control were protrayed. That being said, the steam scenes throughout were just the perfect teasing. This is probably the more descriptive of the 3 books but so well done and I loved it.

– The sister relationship. I loved how Nora and Libby’s relationship is presented throughout the book. Noras protectiveness, Libbys desire for independence. It was just a wonderful protrail of imperfect but loving.

⁃ All the book love. So much of this book revolves around the love of books and reading. It’s almost like a love letter to all us book lovers out there. The author even plugged in a plea to help small independent book stores in there.

⁃ The easter eggs! 🥚 If you found them please DM me! I was so excited to find references to one of her prior books MCs.

– The audiobook narration was stellar. Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators and she did such a fantastic job with this one. It added an extra layer to the story.

What I didn’t love:

– Nothing. This book exceeded all my expectations. Solid 5🌟 from me!

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find the Easter eggs?