Showing posts with label Alisha Rai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alisha Rai. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Review: Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense 
Partners in Crime cover
ISBN: 9780063119468
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Mira Patel’s got a solid accounting career, good friends, and a whole lot of distance between her and her dysfunctional family. All that’s missing is a stable romantic relationship. Armed with a spreadsheet and professional help, she sets out to find her partner in only legal activities, but much to her matchmaker’s dismay, no one is quite right.

Including Naveen Desai, the very first match she unceremoniously rejected.

Lately Naveen’s been too focused on keeping his sick grandfather’s law firm afloat to think about love, and he’s stunned when Mira walks back into his life to settle her aunt’s affairs. He’s determined to keep things professional…though it’s impossible not to be intrigued by all of the secrets piling up around Mira.

If getting back together with an ex is a bad idea, getting kidnapped with one is even worse.

Suddenly, Naveen and Mira find themselves in a mad dash through Las Vegas to escape jewel thieves, evade crime bosses, and follow the clues to untangle the mess her family left behind. As her past comes back to haunt her, Mira despairs of ever finding someone who might understand her…but maybe, over the course of one wild night, she’ll find that he’s right by her side.

What should have been a simple matter of settling family affairs becomes complicated when Mira’s ex turns out to be her late aunt’s lawyer…and that’s before the not-so-tiny complication of them being kidnapped and taken to Vegas. It’s just your average reunion with the ex-boyfriend you never stopped having feelings for…plus stolen jewels, hackers, crime bosses, and a mad dash through Sin City. Part rom-com, part romantic suspense, Partners in Crime is fast-paced and fun with energy to spare.

Mira is the kind of heroine I love. She’s smart, successful, and confident, but she has a vulnerable center she lets few see. Mira also happens to be angering her matchmaker by not making the staid and stable match she wants. Enter her ex, Naveen. The handsome lawyer is just as irresistible as she remembers, but the thought of getting close to him again makes Mira anxious. When they’re kidnapped together, however, the way the two of them click is just too apparent to ignore. Naveen is charming and smart, but like Mira he has ghosts in his past he doesn’t want to talk about. If Naveen and Mira want to make their second chance at happily ever after work, they’re going to have to open up, trust each other, and work for a future together…if they can survive the criminals hot on their tails, that is.

The action tends to overtake the romance in Partners in Crime, which is a bit of a pity because Mira and Naveen are such an engaging couple that I wish a slight bit more focus had been on the love story. Both of them have complicated relationships with their siblings I enjoyed learning more about and pasts neither is quick to open up about. Every time we got to the emotional center of these characters the story shone, more so than when the focus was on the danger and action. Their Vegas escapade is entertaining though, and author Alisha Rai keeps the story moving at a quick clip. Things did get a little overblown for my taste at the climax of the story, but whether or not readers agree will depend on personal preference in crime capers. Overall, I had a good time reading Partners in Crime. Alisha Rai’s writing is as entertaining as always, the characters are engaging, and the plot is flashy and fun.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Review: First Comes Like by Alisha Rai

First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
Series: Modern Love, Book 3
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
First Comes Like cover
ISBN: 9780062878151
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Beauty expert and influencer Jia Ahmed has her eye on the prize: conquering the internet today, the entire makeup industry tomorrow, and finally, finally proving herself to her big opinionated family. She has little time for love, and even less time for the men in her private messages—until the day a certain international superstar slides into her DMs, and she falls hard and fast.

There’s just one wrinkle: he has no idea who she is.

The son of a powerful Bollywood family, soap opera star Dev Dixit is used to drama, but a strange woman who accuses him of wooing her online, well, that’s a new one. As much as he’d like to focus on his Hollywood fresh start, he can’t get Jia out of his head. Especially once he starts to suspect who might have used his famous name to catfish her…

When paparazzi blast their private business into the public eye, Dev is happy to engage in some friendly fake dating to calm the gossips and to dazzle her family. But as the whole world swoons over their relationship, Jia can’t help but wonder: Can an online romance-turned-offline-fauxmance ever become love in real life?

Can catfishing lead to love? It can when in the hands of talented author Alisha Rai. First Comes Like starts off with a modern problem and turns it into a sweet romance. Dev and Jia’s story is an excellent blend of modern and traditional that shines thanks to its incredibly charming leads.

Jia is easy to adore. She’s a social media influencer and beauty expert working toward getting her own makeup line one day. Jia’s family may say she’s “too much” but she’s exactly right as-is. Jia has a bright personality, a kind heart, and a quick mind – she’s a true triple threat you’d absolutely want as a friend in real life. When she learns she’s been catfished by someone using soap opera star Dev Dixit’s social media account she’s mortified. Between worrying what her family will say when they find out the truth and the paparazzi sticking their cameras into her business, Jia needs a quick fix and it’s Dev to the rescue.

Dev is a total sweetheart. He’s got a heart of gold and a sweet, protective, and supportive nature. Dev is raising his niece in the wake of his brother’s death and it was lovely to watch him with his family. Dev isn’t perfect but he tries so hard to do what’s best for the people he loves. It’s a testament to Rai’s talent that he doesn’t come across as too perfect. If a fake romance is what it will take to solve Jia’s problems than Dev is happy to help. And the more time they spend together the clearer it is that the two of them are simply meant to be.

Because Jia and Dev are such likeable characters it’s easy to fall into their romance. There’s an easy chemistry to them that makes the pages of the story whizz by. I liked how they simply clicked on every level, appreciating and supporting each other at every turn. There’s not much drama and very little angst in First Comes Like and that was fine by me for the most part. I do wish there had been more to the story at the end to see Jia and Dev grow more as a couple. Things felt left up in the air with their lives and professions – likely by design – but even with this issue I was still confident Jia and Dev would be able to navigate whatever obstacles came their way.

First Comes Like is the third book in Alisha Rai’s Modern Love series but it can easily be read as a standalone. I was delighted to revisit Rhiannon and Katrina and the strong female friendships in this book made my heart sing. I also adored Jia and Dev’s families. The dynamics can be messy, but there is love there that radiates off the page. And it would be remiss of me to talk about this book and not note that Rai treats Jia and Dev’s religions, cultures, and traditions with respect, making the characters and the world they inhabit feel all the more real. I’ve adored every book in the Modern Love series and First Comes Like is no exception.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Review: Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai

Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
Series: Modern Love, Book 2
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780062878137
Release Date: April 21, 2020
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

OMG! Wouldn’t it be adorable if he’s her soulmate???

I don’t see any wedding rings < eyes emoji >

Breaking: #CafeBae and #CuteCafeGirl went to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME!!!


One minute, Katrina King’s enjoying an innocent conversation with a random guy at a coffee shop; the next, a stranger has live-tweeted the entire encounter with a romantic meet-cute spin and #CafeBae has the world swooning. Going viral isn't easy for anyone, but Katrina has painstakingly built a private world for herself, far from her traumatic past. Besides, everyone has it all wrong...that #CafeBae bro? He isn't the man she's hungry for.

He's got a < peach emoji > to die for.

With the internet on the hunt for the identity of #CuteCafeGirl, Jas Singh, bodyguard and possessor of the most beautiful eyebrows Katrina's ever seen, offers his family's farm as a refuge. Alone with her unrequited crush feels like a recipe for hopeless longing, but Katrina craves the escape. She's resigned to being just friends with Jas--until they share a single electrifying kiss. Now she can't help but wonder if her crush may not be so unrequited after all…

Girl Gone Viral is a genuinely sweet romance with two protagonists so kind and giving that you can’t help but be swept into their love story. The beginning of this book is familiar if you remember the “Plane Bae” viral phenomenon in 2018, where someone grossly violated the privacy of her neighbors on a plane by tweeting out their interactions, reporting on what they said, speculating on their actions, and generally weaving a story without their knowledge or consent and feeding it to Twitter. In Girl Gone Viral a similar situations happens to former model Katrina King and it’s horrible. Katrina has anxiety and a panic disorder and she’s worked hard to build a life where she feels safe going to even a few places without worry. She guards her privacy and with good reason, so it was even more heartbreaking to watch that privacy be violated when she speaks to a handsome stranger in a cafĆ©. After someone live tweets the interaction (and makes up some things to go along with it) and it goes viral, Katrina feels the need to get away. Her bodyguard (and longtime crush with amazing eyebrows), Jas Singh, sweeps Katrina off to his family farm in Northern California… And that’s where things get really interesting.

Katrina and Jas are so kind and self-sacrificing that they trip over themselves trying to give the other what they want. It’s incredibly sweet, but their wariness and caution have also kept each from revealing their true feelings to the other. Getting out of their normal routine may just be the push these two cinnamon rolls need to take a risk and let their feelings show. Author Alisha Rai takes what would otherwise be a fairly straightforward romance and gives it depth and breadth by introducing real-world issues into the story. As previously mentioned, Katrina has a panic disorder. I love that she’s so matter-of-fact in how she copes and how Jas interacts with her in the midst of an attack. Mental health problems can’t be cured, only managed and I appreciated that it wasn’t sensationalized but that we see how Katrina builds her world around her to accommodate her needs without shame. Jas also has very real-world issues to face in this story. The military veteran suffers from PTSD and he struggles with communicating and asking for what he needs, even when he’s among those who love and care for him. Add in family drama for both heroes and you have a very full story, but Ms. Rai weaves everything together effortlessly.

From the start of Girl Gone Viral it’s clear that Jas and Katrina are in love with each other, but their actual romance is slow to burn. I do wish I had seen more of them together once they were romantically linked, but it wasn’t too big an issue for me because they operated as a team so well from the start of the book. I really enjoyed Jas and Katrina’s romance and I know I keep using the word “sweet” but it fits them perfectly (even when things get spicy). Girl Gone Viral feels modern in every way, but there’s a timeless quality to the gentleness and quiet strength of Jas and Katrina’s characters that means this book will be enjoyable for years to come.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Best Books of 2019

2020 is here and I cannot wait to see what the next decade brings! Before I dive into the new year and all the books it has to offer, it’s time to take a look back at my favorite books of 2019. I read 127 books last year, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 32 new (to me) authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my tenth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my top ten reads of 2019. All of the books on this list were first time reads because re-reads are generally books that are already favorites of mine. I decided not to include my top re-reads of this year because it was a lot of the same (it’s safe to assume re-reads of at least two Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb titles would make the list every year).


My Top Ten Books of 2019

Note: My picks weren’t all published in 2019, but all were new-to-me reads for the year.
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author as I love them all equally.


1. Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, Book 3.5) by Ilona Andrews
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible






2. Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
My Review

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3. The Engagement Gift (The Gift, Book 1) by Lauren Blakely
Amazon | B&N | Audible






4. Getting Schooled (Getting Some, Book 1) by Emma Chase
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5. Say No to the Duke (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 4) by Eloisa James
My Review

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6. The Harp of Kings (Warrior Bards, Book 1) by Juliet Marillier
My Review

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7. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
My Review

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8. The Right Swipe (Modern Love, Book 1) by Alisha Rai
My Review

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9. The Last Wish (The Witcher, Book 0.5) by Andrzej Sapkowski
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10. Three For All (Comes in Threes, Book 3) by Elia Winters
My Review

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Sunday, August 4, 2019

Review: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
Series: Modern Love, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9780062878090
Release Date: August 6, 2019
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Rhiannon Hunter may have revolutionized romance in the digital world, but in real life she only swipes right on her career—and the occasional hookup. The cynical dating app creator controls her love life with a few key rules:

- Nude pics are by invitation only

- If someone stands you up, block them with extreme prejudice

- Protect your heart

Only there aren't any rules to govern her attraction to her newest match, former pro-football player Samson Lima. The sexy and seemingly sweet hunk woos her one magical night... and disappears.

Rhi thought she'd buried her hurt over Samson ghosting her, until he suddenly surfaces months later, still big, still beautiful—and in league with a business rival. He says he won't fumble their second chance, but she's wary. A temporary physical partnership is one thing, but a merger of hearts? Surely that’s too high a risk…

The Right Swipe is a fantastically fun, sexy, uplifting story of finding love in the modern age. Alisha Rai knocks it out of the park with her first Modern Love book, balancing flirty fantasy with deeply emotional, very real world issues.

Rhi is my favorite kind of heroine. She’s intelligent, strong, successful in her career, and has a huge heart. She’s worked hard to make her dating app one of the most successful in the country and to make her company the best and most diverse. This is no easy feat for a black woman in a white male-dominated field. Rhi’s had to work ten times harder than her rivals and I was cheering for her professional success. I loved Crush – heck, I want to work there. I was also rooting for Rhi to find love with Samson. But she has been badly burned personally and professionally by someone she trusted and because of this she has built walls to protect herself. It’s not easy for Samson to get her to give him a second chance after he ghosted her (for reasons which make sense) but Samson is pretty impossible to resist. The former linebacker is a total swoon-worthy sweetheart. Kind, sexy, handsome, and not always smooth – how could I not be charmed? He’s a good man to the core, one willing to walk away from a stellar career in defense of a friend, a man who drops everything to care for a loved one…he’s the picture perfect example of a hero without being cardboard perfect. Samson and Rhi have fantastic chemistry. They made me smile, sigh, and cheer for them every step of the way. Though they plan on keeping things strictly physical, it’s clear to all that they’re a perfect match in bed and out. And as a side note, if anyone thinks explicit consent can’t be sexy, they absolutely need to read this book.

The Right Swipe dazzles with the chemistry between its leads and a diverse, wonderfully endearing supporting cast, all of whom I would love to read about more. But this bright and charming tale also features very real issues. Rhi faces both overt and subtle sexism and racism in the workplace. She has also been traumatized by a predator in more ways than one and this book addresses sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement. Samson’s storyline shines a light on CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in the NFL in a very heartbreaking way. Ms. Rai treats these subjects with the honesty and respect they deserve, weaving them into the story in an organic way and adding depth to the story and its characters.

The Right Swipe is a modern romance in every sense of the word. I absolutely adored the characters, banter, romance, the gentle good humor, and the edge of realism woven into the fantasy. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next Modern Love book!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.