The Write Escape by Charish Reid ARC Review

The Write Escape Charish Reid
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Take one heartbroken Chicago girl

Literary editor Antonia Harper had it all—the career, the man, the future. That was then. Now Antonia is jobless, alone and at a crossroads. What better time to travel the world? A solo honeymoon on the Emerald Isle will be like hitting the reset button. No distractions, no drama.

Add some luck o’ the Irish

Aiden Byrnes may be a literature professor, but words fail him when he meets the woman staying in the cottage next door. Tully Cross is meant to be a sleepy little village, and he’s meant to be on a working holiday—not a vacation, and most definitely not with his beautiful neighbor.

And you get some mighty good craic

They say laughter is the best medicine—and as it turns out, superhot sex isn’t so bad either. Antonia and Aiden’s spark quickly grows into what could be something special, if they’re willing to take the leap. Ending up an ocean apart is unthinkable, and when real life comes calling, there’s no ignoring that leap anymore… 

I need to read more mature romances. I hate to classify it as such but the truth is the truth, let it settle where it may. 

Antonia and Aiden are the type of couple that I aspire to be with my loved one, one day—making mistakes, figuring things out messily, but coming together at the end. 

Antonia is engaged to be married, and she’s kind of unhappy; she just doesn’t know it. She works for a publisher while daydreaming of being a writer. A broken engagement, a broken heart, and a pre-planned honeymoon find her in Ireland. It’s there she meets Aiden; another wandering soul, trying to figure things out.

I really enjoyed the romance in this story. It was slow going, but not so slow that you’re ready to call it quits before it happens. It wasn’t slow burn either; it came on naturally. It was very; I like you, you like me, maybe? But, let’s not just jump in the bed so quickly, okay?

Reid took the time to build up the story, and most importantly, their back story. You can sometimes forget in the rush for the coming together part, how important it is to get to know the characters. Reid was very good at the developing part. So, by the time I got to the sexy parts, I was fully invested and thoroughly rooting for the couple, passionately. 

I loved the beginning to end of each character separately and together. It was all so mature. Even the big climactic scene didn’t dwell forever; drowning us in a sea of over-dramatics. 

And Aiden, Aiden is the perfect white hero. I know, it’s not always about race, but when we’re talking about an interracial couple; race is bound to come into play. Though the races of the characters differed; he was white, and she was black.

The author took care to allow them to explore their differences, without allowing it to overwhelm them; and without harping on it until her readers were drunk on their racial disparities. Thanks for that, Charish.

Aiden was attentive, compassionate and woke. He was white woke. His eyes and ears were open, and that’s more than anyone could ever ask for.

It’s a lovely love story; one I’d like to revisit when it tickles my fancy. It had heart, sass, passion, and it didn’t lack in sexy.

It’s definitely one of the better romances I’ve read. I would match it up with Therese Beharrie if I were looking to compare. A stunning debut, for me, and not the last time I’ll be reading her stuff.

In Tune by JN Welsh

In Tune by JN Welsh
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Blurb:

A tour manager determined to revitalize her career.

The client she can’t stop thinking about.

Workplace romance hits the road in this enemies-to-lovers romance from JN Welsh.

Luke Anderson needs a manager—fast. His last one quit, leaving his tour and his future in jeopardy. Now instead of focusing on his career, he’s forced to concentrate on damage control. Powerhouse manager Leona Sable is the full package—smart and talented, not to mention sexy as hell—but her past makes her impossible to trust.

When opportunity knocks in the form of talented EDM DJ Luke “The Musical Prophet” Anderson, Leona is ready to answer. But salvation doesn’t come cheap. Luke won’t sign until Leona agrees to his outrageous terms—including a no-sex-while-on-tour clause.

Dictating what she does in her personal life crosses a line. But Leona’s never been one to back down from a challenge.

One thing is for sure: if she has to suffer, so will he.

Let the tour begin...

Review 
5 out of 5 stars

In Tune totally enraptured this reader with its romance that seared every single page, the music that felt like a beat in my blood--and the writing that kept me engaged enough to almost miss my train stop twice--on two different occasions.

I'm not much of a music novel fan. They tend to lack the pizazz needed to really pull it off. It's often so heavy laden with lackluster romance, clinging to the normal new adult ideals, and music that does little to pull me in.

In Tune was NONE of that. It was well written. The pacing was torturingly sweet--and so perfectly timed. The only times I found myself rushing it along--was in my own greedy impatience.

The characters practically leaped off the page and grabbed me in a chokehold until they were done with me.

Luke is this dream music GOD--and as someone who is not much of a house music fan, I'd pay dollars to see him perform if he were real.

His love of music--his lofty goals, his oversized heart--all made him a character I easily fell in love with. Leona was no different. I admired her hard work, dedication and the sass she brought to the novel.

I admired her fight--and the dedication she had to her craft. Passion always makes me a happy reader--even in the many forms, it comes in.

This novel is absolutely outstanding, in romance, in content, in writing style--and in overall goodness.

I'm impressed and aching for more.