Sunday Book Club – The Office Black Girl

Sunday Book Club: Until I Get You By Claire Contreras

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With the best intentions of being productive, I started to frame the works of this post earlier this week. I even scheduled a social media post. But as I laid in bed enjoying the benefits of Instacart, being off, and my latest Kindle read (Reverse Pass by Maggie Rawdon), I lost track of time.

But I am working on my follow-through and thought this post would be better late than never, right?

This week, I wanted to feature a story that I have actually gone back and read a few times (or at least the second act of it). Despite reading my fair share of college athlete novels, at 35 years old, I usually prefer older characters. I get this is a fantasy, but I am always amused at how the male lead characters are always very generous to their partners despite being manwhores and are very mindful of condoms.

I slept with my share of college athletes, and most were selfish and disappointing in the sack. On top of trying to slip it in without strapping it up.

With that being said, I still had to recommend this book. Until I Get You does start off in a college setting, and the storyline is a bit on the darker side (so please read triggers/tropes). But the second half of the book is post-college (and the part that keeps me going back).

Lachlan, who is the male main character, is a star hockey player and (shocker) a manwhore. His attention is drawn to Lyla at a party, and eventually, a relationship blooms. Unfortunately, their relationship must remain in the shadows due to darker forces that haunt Lyla’s past and present.

When Lachlan and Lyla are forced to go their separate ways (the post-college portion), that is where the book has a hold on me. In real life, I am not much for the idea of my husband turning into some possessive/obsessive asshole. But book boyfriends are a bit of another story…

In a fantasy world, there is something appealing about a man who gives up his career to find you. The sprinkle in that you both have this all-consuming magnetism for each other even when you straddle the thin line of love and hate at any given moment. *chef’s kiss*

Until I Get You delivers spice and a plot line that is rememberable beyond a sexy, possessive athlete. I have read my share of hockey-themed romance books, and this one delivers something different than your typical formula: fake dating, friends to lovers, etc. It was also refreshing to see a little more diversity in the character pool, with Lyla’s character being of Dominican descent.

If you are into darker-themed romances (which seems to be my current obsession), I would highly recommend this book.

Order Your Copy Today
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3S4M7lS
Kindle/KU: https://amzn.to/46CUb1N
Audible: https://amzn.to/3Qaw5nZ

Interested in trying out Kindle Unlimited? Check it out for free for 30 days: https://amzn.to/3Feveh0

Sunday Book Club: Pen Pal By J.T. Geissinger

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Over the last year, I have done a LOT of reading. Between pay-to-read and Kindle, I have read close to 100 books/stories this year. Most of the stories have been romance/spicy reads, but my goal is to eventually get back to the other side of the fictional book world…..eventually.

With that being said, I thought I would start a series featuring books that I have read or even started to read (I usually finish within a couple of days). If you are looking for something to add to your book collection, maybe my little makeshift book club will help you out. Feel free to share recommendations in the comments below.

To kick off my series, I want to share the last book I finished: Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger. This book has been sitting in my KU library since August, and I must admit, I wasn’t ready.

I am not a book reviewer. Mainly because I have not crafted the skill of reviewing a book without giving away too much. But I wanted to share what I can manage.

This book was recommended many times in a Facebook group that I am in. The group is dedicated to spicy reads, and I have filled up my list of future reads because of this group. When I initially saw the recommendations in post comments, people gave it high praise. The only comments I caught was that the female lead’s husband dies, and suddenly she has a prison pen pal…who eventually shows up at her door.

When I began to read about Kayla (the female lead) and her relationship with a sexy roofer, I immediately became confused. Then I felt a weird sense of loyalty to Aiden (the roofer) because I thought he was eventually going to be replaced by the pen pal.

I went back and checked out the Facebook posts in the group and almost regretted it. Most of the posts in the group stated that the book “fucked” them up. Post after post about the twists and mixed feelings about the end had me slowing down my usual speed reading pace.

While I have definitely read some darker stories lately, I haven’t been that invested in a character since my first readings of Harry Potter and Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (I’m sure there have been others, but I am drawing a blank). So I didn’t know if I was ready for too much of a twist or “fuckery” with a book other than a good spicy scene.

Needless to say, I understand why so many women recommended Pen Pal. It is a good, spicy read with a well-developed plot line. And in the end…it was definitely worth pushing through for. If you are a person who needs a happily ever after ending, this has it, but with an unexpected twist.

I highly suggest adding this to your weekend read, and I would love to know your thoughts in the comments (no spoilers).

Order Your Copy Today
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3rXtKo7
Kindle/KU: https://amzn.to/3FiraMI
Audible: https://amzn.to/45zCpuR

Interested in trying out Kindle Unlimited? Check it out for free for 30 days: https://amzn.to/3Feveh0