[49] Natural Selection: A Short Story by Elin Hilderbrand
Free on Amazon First Reads, Kindle

Synopsis: Sophia and her boyfriend are going on a trip to the Galapagos Islands when he gets an urgent call right as they’re boarding the plane and has to leave, telling Sophia to go on the trip on her own.

Review: This book was SO obvious, and therefore, mostly boring. Sophia was pretty unlikeable too, so that didn’t help.

Recommend: No

[50] One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin
Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, saw in MKE airport, Audio

Synopsis: Natalie and Rob’s best friends marry each other, and at first the two of them kinda get along, until Natalie writes a book and realizes Rob wrote a one-star review of it. They connect with each other throughout the years through events circling around their friends.

Review: Natalie’s selfish, possessive, immature character ruins most of this book. I actually agree with Rob and why he was upset about the book Natalie wrote. The premise of this book is interesting, checking in on them at significant life events for their friends, and there were some interesting plot points and diversions, but Natalie just freaking ruined it. Ugh.

Recommend: No

[51] Flawless (Chestnut Springs #1) by Elsie Silver
Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, saw on Kindle Unlimited, Kindle

Synopsis: Summer works for her dad’s talent agency, and has been assigned with babysitting bull rider Rhett to keep him out of trouble while the agency tries to fix his public image. Summer had a poster of Rhett on her wall growing up, but pushes that crush aside and tries to keep it professional, especially since Rhett seems to think she is uptight and no fun.

Review: This was a fun (of course, unrealistic) story that checked a lot of romance tropes, sort of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, shared bed, etc. etc. And there was some serious drama going on with Summer and her family. Whoa. I enjoyed it and will read more of the series. It helped that Summer and Rhett were actually likeable after the last two books I read. (Random: I was cautious about reading this book because of the bull riding stuff and me being an animal rights vegan and all that. Thankfully, it didn’t get too into it, and I skimmed a few sections.)

Recommend? Yes