Bright Falls

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date | Book Review

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About The Book
Iris Kelly is a romance author with no interest in love and a serious case of writer’s block. After a disastrous one-night stand, she tries out for a local queer play and runs into her hookup, Stevie. When Stevie asks Iris to pretend to be her girlfriend to save face, Iris agrees, seeing a chance to fuel her novel. But as they grow closer, both women must decide if they’re ready to take a chance on love.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4mYXZ65

My Rating

This is the third and final book in the Bright Falls series, and as someone who adored the first two, I went into this one with high hopes. The story follows Iris, one of Astrid Parker’s closest friends—a bold, proudly bisexual artist turned author who has always made it clear she doesn’t want kids or marriage. I was excited to finally get Iris’s story, especially since she’s been such a vibrant presence in the previous books. Unfortunately, I didn’t love this romance quite as much as the others, but I still appreciated getting a deeper look at Iris as a character.

The story begins when Iris has an almost one-night stand with Stevie, a community theater actress who is basically her opposite in every way. Stevie is anxious, unsure of herself, and nowhere near as bold as Iris. But soon after their disastrous night together, the two end up cast in the same play and agree to a fake relationship that, of course, starts to feel a little too real.

I’ll be honest, I don’t usually love the “one of them is a writer” storyline because it’s starting to feel a little overdone. That said, I still enjoyed it here because Ashley Herring Blake’s writing is just that good. I also really liked Stevie as a character and appreciated that she had her own circle of friends outside of the main cast.

“Romance was nothing but brain chemicals and some pretty words, a nice setting. That’s all it was. A fiction brains told to hearts.”

One thing I really loved about this book was how much emotional depth it had. Iris, despite her confident exterior, is dealing with loneliness and pressure from her well-meaning but pushy family. Her character arc felt heartfelt and relatable, especially as she watched her close friends settle down and started feeling like the odd one out. Stevie’s growth was just as compelling. I enjoyed watching her learn to speak up for herself and make it clear that she wasn’t weak or in need of constant protection.

Even though this was the most emotional book in the series for me, I have to admit the pacing felt a little slow at times. It just didn’t stick with me quite like Delilah’s or Astrid’s stories did. But the ending? Absolutely perfect. It brought all the characters’ journeys to a close in a way that felt warm, satisfying, and full of hope. It was exactly what I wanted from the final book in a series.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for a heartfelt story about finding love, learning to be vulnerable, and letting go of fear, this one is worth picking up. Just a heads up: like the first two books, this is very much an open-door romance, so expect a few steamy scenes. If that’s not your thing, you might want to pass on this series or avoid those scenes.

If you enjoyed this review, please take a moment to like, comment, and share this post because it really helps spread the word about my blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book or any recommendations you have for me. And if you want to stay up to date with all my latest reviews and bookish content, be sure to sign up for my mailing list.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail | Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
Astrid Parker is determined to turn the Everwood Inn renovation, set to be featured on Innside America, into a career-making success. She didn’t expect to clash with the lead carpenter, Jordan, over her designs. The showrunners encourage the on-screen tension. But as they grow closer, Astrid begins to question what success really means—and whether she even wants the life she’s been chasing.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Zooo2W

My Rating

This is the second book in the Bright Falls series, and I was so excited to get Astrid’s story after loving her in Delilah Greene Doesn’t Care. Astrid, Delilah’s stepsister, is exactly the kind of grumpy character with a heart of gold that I adore. In this book, she’s trying to save her interior design career by managing the remodel of the Everwood Inn, which is not only her biggest project yet but also the focus of a home renovation show called Innside America.

Astrid’s drive to be perfect because failure isn’t an option really stood out, and I loved watching her character grow and discover her sexuality. It’s such a refreshing take to see an adult character experiencing a sexual awakening since, let’s be honest, those realizations can happen at any age.

Jordan, Astrid’s love interest, is a carpenter and the granddaughter of the Everwood Inn’s owner. Their frenemies-to-lovers romance was super adorable and felt so real. Jordan’s messy life and struggle to rebuild after her ex-wife left added depth to her character, and I really enjoyed seeing her find her strength and stand up for herself. And, her and Astrid’s connection felt very authentic and heartfelt.

“Happiness was about purpose, it was about self-awareness and acceptance.”

The pacing of this book was just right. The romance wasn’t exactly a slow burn, but it didn’t happen instantly either. It felt like such a natural progression, and I was fully entertained watching their relationship develop. Another thing I loved was the strong friendship dynamics. Astrid’s relationship with her stepsister Delilah has grown so much since the first book, and we also get to see more of Astrid’s bond with her best friends Claire and Iris. Plus, Jordan’s brother brought a great sibling energy to the story that added that extra something to the book.

Overall, I couldn’t put this book down, it was such a quick, enjoyable read. The characters were likable, and the love story had me fully invested. I genuinely wanted everything to work out for Astrid and Jordan, and the book delivered. Just a heads-up for anyone who would rather avoid spicy scenes—like the first book, this is definitely an open-door romance. If spice isn’t your thing, you might want to skip those chapters or look them up first.

In the comments, let me know if you have started this romance companion series yet. Did you enjoy Astrid and Jordan’s story? Before you go, consider sharing and liking this post. Also, you can sign up for my mailing list. It’s completely free and helps my blog grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
For Delilah Green, Bright Falls is full of unhappy memories and somewhere she never planned to return. However, a large paycheck convinces her to photograph her stepsister Astrid’s wedding. Once home, Delilah sees Astrid’s friend Claire as an opportunity for revenge and fun. As wedding events bring them together, real feelings unexpectedly ignite.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4kqzPzt

My Rating

This sapphic romance follows the connection between Delilah and single-mom Claire, who also happens to be one of Delilah’s stepsister’s best friends. From the start, Delilah presents herself as strong and emotionally untouchable. She really gives off that “I don’t give a damn” energy. But as the story goes on, it was so satisfying to see those hard layers start to crack and her vulnerability peek through. That character growth was one of the most rewarding parts of the book for me.

That said, Delilah wasn’t always the most self-aware character. She had a tendency to view situations only from her perspective, rarely stopping to think about how her actions affected those around her. But considering her backstory of losing both parents, and always feeling like an outsider with her stepmother and stepsister, it made sense. It didn’t excuse her behavior, but it added a layer of understanding to it.

Claire’s character was a lovely balance to Delilah’s guardedness. She was so sweet and genuine, and her love for her daughter and friends really stood out. Her dynamic with her daughter’s father added another layer to her story, and while I do wish we’d seen her warm up to him a little more, I also get that you can’t undo years of hurt overnight. Their complicated history felt real and honest.

“If eyes were the window into the soul, Delilah’s had long been shuttered.”

I absolutely adored the relationship between Claire and Delilah. They were so cute together, and the chemistry was undeniable from the start. Watching them both open up was honestly such a joy. Delilah found a home in someone, and Claire learned to trust again. I’m not usually a fan of the third act breakup trope, but it worked here. Their relationship being a secret added believable tension, and it made sense when things came to a head.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, the romance, and the writing. It was such a satisfying, emotional, and entertaining read all-around. Oh, and let’s not forget the spice because yes, this one is open-door, and it brings the heat! The spicy moments were very present and very well done, but if that’s not your thing, this might not be the book for you.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve started the Bright Falls series. Also, giving this post a like and sharing it would really help my blog grow. And consider signing up for my mailing list so you never miss a new post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny