My “Gateway” Book
Let me tell you about the book that turned me into a rom com/romance addict. (I’m talking closed door/fade to black sweet romances - I don’t read spicy- not my thing.)
Until the last couple years I have mostly been reading classic literature, biographies or historical fiction. I THOUGHT that was all I liked. I never really branched out much. I subscribed to bookbub one day and that is where I found my ‘gateway book’ into the world of romance.
“Check Mate'' by @LeahBrunner was featured in the BookBub email. It has a different cover that was fun and illustrative- something I enjoy if you didn’t already know that. 😉 And the description of the book sounded like a fun little read. A vacation to Machu Picchu, pranks, a spunky lead and her grumpy counterpart. Why not?
Little did I know this book would make me an addict. Go to my goodreads page and within the last year or so I’d say about 80% if not more of my reads are sweet romances. I. CAN’T. HELP. MYSELF. They are just so fun. I can read them in about 2-4 days depending on what I put on the backburner. ;)
David and Isa’s story was just adorable. As I’ve said before I am a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine trope- this is it. Isa is spunky and determined. I loved that about her. And to be honest I probably related to David in some ways. He’s quiet and reserved and doesn’t really like people.(I feel that more often than I don’t.😬 harsh truth but there ya go) I guess considering that Check Mate is also an opposites attract trope as well it fits.
They are neighbors and do NOT get along. He’s too uptight she’s more free spirited. David has a love/hate relationship for her cat. The banter between David and Isa turns into a pranking war that had me giggling.
Somehow (with a bet and other motives) David and Isa end up on the same adventure trip to hike up to see Machu Picchu.
My favorite part of the book is the setting of the trip to Peru. Long have I had that on my bucket list. And the idea of camping along the trail to see it sounds awesome! And to read a sweet romance while in that setting? Chef kiss 🤌🏻
I also loved that the Machu Picchu trip isn’t the whole book. They go back to real life and figure out what that means from there. But suffice to say after reading Check Mate I was hooked. I needed more of these books.
I had no idea that it was a thing to have these romances be a “stand alone” within a series about a group of friends or a family or a team or whatever. Well, did I go down that rabbit hole, and now I can’t stop. Once I found out that this was only number 3 of 4 books in the “under the Kansas skies” series I was on a mission to read all of the companion books. And they did not disappoint.
The series follows the siblings in the Windell Siblines. “Running Mate” is about their oldest brother Madden who is running for senate and needs Odette to help him in a marriage of convenience story line. “House Mate” is a favorite as well. Single parents, Drew and Sophie, proximity and somewhat boss/off limits relationship. It’s really sweet. And “Cabin Mate” is the youngest brother, Brooks, story. He’s had feelings for his best friend, Molly, for years but they are business partners. Can that relationship change? They are all so good. I’ve read them multiple times.
As you can tell I am a little bit obsessed about these books. They are only the beginning of my foray into the excessive number of romance books I’ve read since about mid 2023. I don’t think it’ll stop anytime soon. (Sorry not sorry)
I still love classic literature and I totally geek out on non fiction about animals or a great biography. But lately I’ve been binging all the romances.
Moral of the story: Give that book with a cute cover or a different genre a try. You never know what will be your next favorite read.