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Welcome back to Mes Curls Reads!
October has been an exciting month so far, filled with fantastic ARCs that took me on a wild ride from magical towns to small islands and even through the complexities of love in all its forms, even the darkest ones.
In today’s post, I’m sharing my thoughts on the ARCs I read during the first half of October'24. Get comfy, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your vibe), and let’s dive in!
Operation Mae Day
Rating: 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Let’s kick things off with Operation Mae Day by Lola Kate Bolen, a heartwarming small-town romance that had me laughing out loud. Tenn, the grumpy new fire chief, and Mae, the quirky baker with pastel-coloured hair, are complete opposites. Tenn's awkward attempts to woo Mae—helped along by the entire town—were hilarious and so endearing.
Mae’s whimsical personality, with her pastel hair and floral tattoos, paired perfectly with Tenn’s by-the-book approach to life. And his cat, Oscar? Adorable. I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between these two, even though I would’ve loved more of Tenn’s backstory earlier on. The vibrant island setting of Chinook and its quirky residents added so much charm. A solid 4-star read!
Tropes You’ll Love:
Before You
Rating: 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Before You by Amber Hart took me on an emotional rollercoaster with its enemies-to-lovers storyline. Faith Watters and Diego Alvarez have an undeniable chemistry that had me hooked from the start. Faith seems to have the perfect life, but underneath, she’s hiding her pain. Diego, on the other hand, is running from his dark past. The intensity between them made their romance all the more captivating.
What stood out to me was how the story explores love, loss, and redemption, with both characters carrying heavy emotional baggage. As Faith and Diego slowly reveal their secrets to each other, their connection deepens, and the emotional tension just keeps building. Diego’s protectiveness and Faith’s resilience really stood out, and I couldn’t help but root for them to heal and find love together.
Overall, this was a powerful story of trauma and healing that I couldn’t put down. The balance between emotional depth and romance was just perfect!
Tropes You’ll Love:
Courting Wildfire
Rating: 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Talk about a fiery romance! Courting Wildfire by B.A. Chayut hooked me from page one, and I couldn’t put it down. Tyler and Quinton’s chemistry is explosive—literally. The heat between these two characters was next level, and I loved how the author balanced action with romance. Tyler is a fierce, badass heroine, but Quinton stole the show for me. He’s protective, obsessed (in the best way), and the kind of man every woman dreams of meeting.
And let’s not forget the twist! No spoilers, but it left me gasping. This is one of those books that has it all—romance, suspense, action, and characters that feel so real. A perfect 5-star read for me.
Tropes You’ll Love:
Fate of the Holiday Hex
Rating: 4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Fate of the Holiday Hex by Chelsie Lynn is such a magical ride! The dynamic of the three sisters—Callie, plus her triplet siblings—is incredible. Each of them has a unique personality, yet they complement each other perfectly. Callie’s bond with Weston was my favourite part of the book. Weston is the ultimate lovesick puppy, and their relationship had me rooting for them from start to finish.
The fantasy world that Chelsie has created is both whimsical and immersive. The holiday hex adds a fun, unexpected twist that kept me turning pages. Every element was perfectly described, making me feel like I was right there in All Hallow’s Grove. If you love fantasy mixed with romance and a dash of mystery, this one’s for you!
Tropes You’ll Love:
The Thorne at My Side
Rating: 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes & Microtropes You’ll Love:
Wicked Obsidian
Rating: 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes You’ll Love:
That’s my ARC roundup for the first half of Oct'24! Each book had its own unique flavour, and I can’t wait to dive into even more great reads this month. Let me know which one caught your eye or if you’ve read any of these already!
Don’t forget to follow me on Mes Curls Reads for all the latest updates and bookish fun!
Until next time, happy reading! 📚✨