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Love and Other Tropes #1
Love & Other Tropes
A summer romance. A mistaken identity. An awkward problem.
On the upcoming anniversary of a career-ending accident, Illiana Hastings, a formerly gifted ballerina is encouraged by her best friend to join her on vacation to the west coast. Upon arriving, Illiana meets Emmett King and feels an instant attraction through banter about romance books and their tropes.
As Emmett and Illiana begin seeing each other, they agree it’s just for the summer, but shortly after Emmett realizes a fling is not enough—and he’s pretty sure he’s falling in love with her.
To make matters worse, he realizes they made an error with a miscommunicated identity, and it begins to affect some of his closest relationships.
All the while, Illiana is struggling, because she’s not supposed to stay, and she never meant to fall in love.
On the upcoming anniversary of a career-ending accident, Illiana Hastings, a formerly gifted ballerina is encouraged by her best friend to join her on vacation to the west coast. Upon arriving, Illiana meets Emmett King and feels an instant attraction through banter about romance books and their tropes.
As Emmett and Illiana begin seeing each other, they agree it’s just for the summer, but shortly after Emmett realizes a fling is not enough—and he’s pretty sure he’s falling in love with her.
To make matters worse, he realizes they made an error with a miscommunicated identity, and it begins to affect some of his closest relationships.
All the while, Illiana is struggling, because she’s not supposed to stay, and she never meant to fall in love.
- GenresRomance
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
11 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 7, 2024
Thank you so much, Kayla, for allowing me to read the arc of this book!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Where is my Emmett?? Life is so unfair, the fact that he is fictional and not a real man? JAIL. Kayla, you have raised my standards and I thank you for that because every woman deserves a man like Emmett. And Illiana is so strong. I loved seeing her grow. They are perfect for each other. I want to cry. Also I’m just gonna say this, Nate gave me the ick during that ONE SCENE. IYKYK😅 I’m sorry okay! I can’t help it. But I am really hoping that the next book will be about Mina and YOU KNOW WHO!! Anyway, I’m gonna go cry now since Emmett isn’t real😭
Please check TW/CW!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Where is my Emmett?? Life is so unfair, the fact that he is fictional and not a real man? JAIL. Kayla, you have raised my standards and I thank you for that because every woman deserves a man like Emmett. And Illiana is so strong. I loved seeing her grow. They are perfect for each other. I want to cry. Also I’m just gonna say this, Nate gave me the ick during that ONE SCENE. IYKYK😅 I’m sorry okay! I can’t help it. But I am really hoping that the next book will be about Mina and YOU KNOW WHO!! Anyway, I’m gonna go cry now since Emmett isn’t real😭
Please check TW/CW!!
May 13, 2024
I pretty much never rate dnfs but since you can’t sort for no rating reviews I am giving it 1 star so it can be found by those who need it easier.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
DNF technically page 11 but really page 1.
I was really excited for this book, it sounded amazing and had so many tropes I love. But I started reading to decide if I wanted to read this or something else next only to be met with the word “crippling” on the first page in the FMC’s internal monologue in reference to the FMC’s foot. I am chronically ill and disabled and to see this word used with no warning of ableist language or something similar was shocking. From the bit of research(looking through her instagram briefly) I did, I couldn’t find if the author was disabled and if she is, honestly there still should have been a context warning ableist language as it could be triggering for a lot of people. Any words that come from crippled should really not be used by able bodied people as well as other slurs relating to disabled people.
I am not saying authors need to tell their audience that they have a chronic illness or disabled as it is extremely personal. But in that case maybe avoid using slurs related to disabled people especially as there are many other words that don’t have a history of being used in a harmful way that can be used.
Even when disabled authors use this word or similar ones which truly is rare, I look to see if they condemn the word through other means so it still portrays that the word can be harmful whether it is directly a character speaking up against the word or a character showing signs of understanding their internalized ableism or something else entirely. So I did read a few more pages to see if there was any sign of the word being condemned and I didn’t see anything. I just saw continued internalized ableism which is okay since this was an injury that caused the FMC to be disabled and unable to do ballet but there also should have been a content warning for that. I am not continuing with this book so if she does eventually work on the internalized ableism I don’t know but it not being listed as a content warning could really hurt chronically ill people who are avoiding that.
At this time I haven’t reached out to the author as I don’t have headspace to educate someone right now. I had to pick between writing this or contacting the author and I decided I would rather help other disabled and or chronically ill people feel safe or prepared for the material in this book since there were no other reviews mentioning this. I personally don’t think the author meant any harm when using this word but I wanted to prepare others for its presence and what that may mean for the rest of the book.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
DNF technically page 11 but really page 1.
I was really excited for this book, it sounded amazing and had so many tropes I love. But I started reading to decide if I wanted to read this or something else next only to be met with the word “crippling” on the first page in the FMC’s internal monologue in reference to the FMC’s foot. I am chronically ill and disabled and to see this word used with no warning of ableist language or something similar was shocking. From the bit of research(looking through her instagram briefly) I did, I couldn’t find if the author was disabled and if she is, honestly there still should have been a context warning ableist language as it could be triggering for a lot of people. Any words that come from crippled should really not be used by able bodied people as well as other slurs relating to disabled people.
I am not saying authors need to tell their audience that they have a chronic illness or disabled as it is extremely personal. But in that case maybe avoid using slurs related to disabled people especially as there are many other words that don’t have a history of being used in a harmful way that can be used.
Even when disabled authors use this word or similar ones which truly is rare, I look to see if they condemn the word through other means so it still portrays that the word can be harmful whether it is directly a character speaking up against the word or a character showing signs of understanding their internalized ableism or something else entirely. So I did read a few more pages to see if there was any sign of the word being condemned and I didn’t see anything. I just saw continued internalized ableism which is okay since this was an injury that caused the FMC to be disabled and unable to do ballet but there also should have been a content warning for that. I am not continuing with this book so if she does eventually work on the internalized ableism I don’t know but it not being listed as a content warning could really hurt chronically ill people who are avoiding that.
At this time I haven’t reached out to the author as I don’t have headspace to educate someone right now. I had to pick between writing this or contacting the author and I decided I would rather help other disabled and or chronically ill people feel safe or prepared for the material in this book since there were no other reviews mentioning this. I personally don’t think the author meant any harm when using this word but I wanted to prepare others for its presence and what that may mean for the rest of the book.
July 21, 2024
I enjoyed the writing but this was way too insta love for my taste!
June 24, 2024
Love and Other Tropes was a delightful romance with an amazing cast of characters, the best banter, and lots of spice ❤️🔥 Emmett and Illiana are everything and I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a book with the best summer vibes!
May 26, 2024
I received an ARC of this in exchange for a honest review - thank you so much!
This was my first book by the author and I knew I had to read it once I discovered it on Instagram, saw the gorgeous cover and heard that it features a ballerina, mental health rep and a shared love for romance books between the two MCs - and I was not disappointed!
When starting the book, I already noticed how easy the writing style was to read, and I went through this book SO quickly! It is written in dual POV but in 3rd person, and though I would have preferred it to be in 1st person, I got used to it very quickly!
I adored all of the characters in this book - I really felt for Illiana, whose career as a ballerina was ended by an accident and who suffers from disordered eating, as well as a toxic ex and toxic parents. I loved to see how she didn't give up and fought to get her life back on track. However I do wish that there had been more of a focus on ballet and also on her recovery (both from her ED and from her accident), since I found these topics very interesting. However, if you are not sure if you want to read this book because you are not interested in ballet (maybe some people aren't), I can assure you that it plays such a small part in the story that you will still enjoy it a lot!
Now lets talk about the love interest, Emmett. I found his background to be very interesting, with his grandpa suffering in a residential school in Canada, which was talked about at multiple points of the book, and it was something I have never read about in a romance book. Also, Emmett is just the perfect book boyfriend - calls his friends out on sexist behavior, loves romance books, treats her like a princess, what else do you want? I really fell in love with him and he had me swooning all the time!
I thought their romance was so sweet and I really felt the chemistry between them. Although the book is quite short (around 300 pages), I didn't feel like anything was underdeveloped. I also really enjoyed the side characters and I would love to read more about them in future books!
Overall, a big recommendation, especially for the summer since this book is the perfect summer romance!
This was my first book by the author and I knew I had to read it once I discovered it on Instagram, saw the gorgeous cover and heard that it features a ballerina, mental health rep and a shared love for romance books between the two MCs - and I was not disappointed!
When starting the book, I already noticed how easy the writing style was to read, and I went through this book SO quickly! It is written in dual POV but in 3rd person, and though I would have preferred it to be in 1st person, I got used to it very quickly!
I adored all of the characters in this book - I really felt for Illiana, whose career as a ballerina was ended by an accident and who suffers from disordered eating, as well as a toxic ex and toxic parents. I loved to see how she didn't give up and fought to get her life back on track. However I do wish that there had been more of a focus on ballet and also on her recovery (both from her ED and from her accident), since I found these topics very interesting. However, if you are not sure if you want to read this book because you are not interested in ballet (maybe some people aren't), I can assure you that it plays such a small part in the story that you will still enjoy it a lot!
Now lets talk about the love interest, Emmett. I found his background to be very interesting, with his grandpa suffering in a residential school in Canada, which was talked about at multiple points of the book, and it was something I have never read about in a romance book. Also, Emmett is just the perfect book boyfriend - calls his friends out on sexist behavior, loves romance books, treats her like a princess, what else do you want? I really fell in love with him and he had me swooning all the time!
I thought their romance was so sweet and I really felt the chemistry between them. Although the book is quite short (around 300 pages), I didn't feel like anything was underdeveloped. I also really enjoyed the side characters and I would love to read more about them in future books!
Overall, a big recommendation, especially for the summer since this book is the perfect summer romance!
November 10, 2024
I devoured this book in one sitting and I’m in love. The characters, the back story, the banter, the men who understand emotions and communication and can do so without being forced. Yes. All of it.
If you liked The Bromance Book Club this gives very similar vibes
If you liked The Bromance Book Club this gives very similar vibes
September 19, 2025
The first thing I did when I finished this book was order the next one.
If you're looking for the perfect sexy summer read, this is it. (Honestly read it any month, we don't care).
It had all around healthy friendships, a love that made you want to fall head over heels, a plot twist that makes you cringe (in a good way!) and the spice was spicing 👌🏻
A fast, feel good, sexy read. This checked so many boxes I didn't even know I needed checked. Can't wait for the next one.
If you're looking for the perfect sexy summer read, this is it. (Honestly read it any month, we don't care).
It had all around healthy friendships, a love that made you want to fall head over heels, a plot twist that makes you cringe (in a good way!) and the spice was spicing 👌🏻
A fast, feel good, sexy read. This checked so many boxes I didn't even know I needed checked. Can't wait for the next one.
May 24, 2024
A sugary sweet refreshment 💕
July 3, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This book was so cute!! Emmett and Iliana were just meant to be 🥹
This book was so cute!! Emmett and Iliana were just meant to be 🥹
April 26, 2024
Okay, is it possible that Kayla wrote the perfect man? Not only is he clearly very attractive, but he's so in tune with himself that he's not afraid to talk about his emotions, read romance books, and use cute terms of endearment for his best friends 🥹.
Illiana, this poor girl was put through the ringer, but I loved reading about her story and watching her slowly grow and heal !
The main twist/hiccup in their story was truly an adventure. Being able to know something that the main characters were so oblivious to certainly hand me face calming a few times lol 🤦♀️.
Now the second twist I did not see coming, but it was so necessary for Illiana to get her HEA.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a cute, quick, HEA summer romance read 🫶.
*** Please note, although I received this ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own ! ***
Illiana, this poor girl was put through the ringer, but I loved reading about her story and watching her slowly grow and heal !
The main twist/hiccup in their story was truly an adventure. Being able to know something that the main characters were so oblivious to certainly hand me face calming a few times lol 🤦♀️.
Now the second twist I did not see coming, but it was so necessary for Illiana to get her HEA.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a cute, quick, HEA summer romance read 🫶.
*** Please note, although I received this ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own ! ***
May 13, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Are you sure you're real?" she whispered."You feel too good to be true."
"I was thinking the same thing."
Love & Other Tropes is the first novel the adult contemporary romance series by the same name. Each book with be set in the same world but follow different characters. In the debut of this series we follow Illiana and Emmett. Illiana has spent the last year recovering from an accident that ended her career and she is feeling the pressure. When her best friends invites her to spend the summer on the west coast she sees it as an opportunity to finally take a break. What she did not expecte was meeting Emmett who immediately drew her in with talk of romance books and their tropes. They start off as a summer fling...but what happens when they want more...and what happens if their pasts and misunderstood identity threaten the chances? Neither were looking for love but maybe some tropes will guide them along?
This book is adorable and cosy and exactly what I needed after ready my last book.
Illiana is a woman struggling to really get a sense of her future and I admired seeing her finding her way. Her family struggles, close friendships, and mental health rounded her out for me and made the effortlessness of her falling in make sense for me. I felt she was easy to connect with and I enjoyed her journey.
Emmett is an absolutely sweetheart. He isn't afraid to be vulnerable and embraces a non-toxic form of masculinity that I felt actually made him more endearing. I enjoyed watching him fall him love. I also appreciated his backstory that really highlighted some things in Canada. I will note he struggles with sharing the truth at times :P
In terms of spice, this book is about a 3.5 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper. Spice begins around the 35% mark and continues on and off. It is fun, explorative, and all about the consent (can we give another point for Emmett here). I enjoyed how the spice was varied and marked progression in their relationship. It showed up when things became more serious and how vulnerable these two would be.
"You see a lot, don't you?" she asked.
"I see you."
The story itself is light and easy. There is family drama, SO MUCH SITUATIONAL IRONY that had me pausing in between reading to cope, mental health struggles, and summer fun. I loved how much time we got with the characters just being but also how their stories and journeys were shared. These are all character that are mature and not looking to create drama and this made the story feel real and more gripping for me. The ending is an adorable HEA.
Overall, Kayla has showed us a beautiful romance with real characters who want to work together and take accountability. It allowed for a romance that has you smiling and feeling so much for their characters as they grow into what they want to be.
Thank you for the arc!
"Are you sure you're real?" she whispered."You feel too good to be true."
"I was thinking the same thing."
Love & Other Tropes is the first novel the adult contemporary romance series by the same name. Each book with be set in the same world but follow different characters. In the debut of this series we follow Illiana and Emmett. Illiana has spent the last year recovering from an accident that ended her career and she is feeling the pressure. When her best friends invites her to spend the summer on the west coast she sees it as an opportunity to finally take a break. What she did not expecte was meeting Emmett who immediately drew her in with talk of romance books and their tropes. They start off as a summer fling...but what happens when they want more...and what happens if their pasts and misunderstood identity threaten the chances? Neither were looking for love but maybe some tropes will guide them along?
This book is adorable and cosy and exactly what I needed after ready my last book.
Illiana is a woman struggling to really get a sense of her future and I admired seeing her finding her way. Her family struggles, close friendships, and mental health rounded her out for me and made the effortlessness of her falling in make sense for me. I felt she was easy to connect with and I enjoyed her journey.
Emmett is an absolutely sweetheart. He isn't afraid to be vulnerable and embraces a non-toxic form of masculinity that I felt actually made him more endearing. I enjoyed watching him fall him love. I also appreciated his backstory that really highlighted some things in Canada. I will note he struggles with sharing the truth at times :P
In terms of spice, this book is about a 3.5 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper. Spice begins around the 35% mark and continues on and off. It is fun, explorative, and all about the consent (can we give another point for Emmett here). I enjoyed how the spice was varied and marked progression in their relationship. It showed up when things became more serious and how vulnerable these two would be.
"You see a lot, don't you?" she asked.
"I see you."
The story itself is light and easy. There is family drama, SO MUCH SITUATIONAL IRONY that had me pausing in between reading to cope, mental health struggles, and summer fun. I loved how much time we got with the characters just being but also how their stories and journeys were shared. These are all character that are mature and not looking to create drama and this made the story feel real and more gripping for me. The ending is an adorable HEA.
Overall, Kayla has showed us a beautiful romance with real characters who want to work together and take accountability. It allowed for a romance that has you smiling and feeling so much for their characters as they grow into what they want to be.
Thank you for the arc!
May 30, 2024
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 5 stars
“She was all his. He was all hers. He was utterly and completely in love with Illiana Hastings.”
╰┈➤ A summer romance. A mistaken identity. An awkward problem. On the upcoming anniversary of a career-ending accident, Illiana Hastings, a formerly gifted ballerina is encouraged by her best friend to join her on vacation to the west coast. Upon arriving, Illiana meets Emmett King and feels an instant attraction through banter about romance books and their tropes. As Emmett and Illiana begin seeing each other, they agree it’s just for the summer, but shortly after Emmett realizes a fling is not enough—and he’s pretty sure he’s falling in love with her. To make matters worse, he realizes they made an error with a miscommunicated identity, and it begins to affect some of his closest relationships. All the while, Illiana is struggling, because she’s not supposed to stay, and she never meant to fall in love.
Tropes:
❥ spicy
❥ insta-love
❥ found family
❥ mistaken identity
“He wanted to bottle it up and have it every day.”
✩ Illiana: as the reader, we follow illiana through her journey where she explores her future, which she eventually finds at the end. She’s sweet, caring, funny, relatable, and overall a really easy character to connect with.
“In a perfect world, she’d see herself as he saw her.”
✩ Emmett: EMMET HAS MY HEART!! hes compassionate, and not afraid to show his feelings which I feel as though isn’t often written. He checks all the boxes for the perfect boyfriend - romantic, dreamy and caring!! his character was really well written, and his backstory provided depth to him in general.
“I’m a man of many talents.”
╰┈➤ Overall review: i absolutely adored this book!! it is written in third person, so it was a little difficult for me to get into (as someone who primarily reads first person), but nevertheless, i absolutely loved this book!! the characters were easy to love and the plot was interesting - definitely a page turner! if you’re looking for an easy, fast paced romance read, then i highly recommend this!!
“What I saw was him politely engaging in a topic he enjoys but not being able to take his eyes off you.”
“Oh, sweetheart, our story isn’t over yet, no need to rush.”
April 24, 2024
🏖️ !! arc review !! 🏖️
5 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶️ releases may 21st!
oh gosh, this book was so beautiful, i ate it up in one day, it was so easy to read!
it’s such a beautiful summer story, and like the summer „fling“ but then not really being one, ugh so cute 😭🫶🏼
i really liked the love story, it’s so beautiful and raw.
the found family aspect is the most emotional thing and I LOVED it!
can we talk about emmet for a second like DAMN, he is on my top 10 book boyfriends rn. he truly is amazing. i want boy like that for myself. 🤭
how he treated illiana was just so sweet and caring.
really it was so sweet.
and his friendship with his friends was really cute to read about.
illiana, I love you, she is so sweet and like such a cute girl. HER AND MINA‘S friendship 😭🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 one of my favorite‘s, for sure.
and her whole story, you could really feel it.
also how she didn’t deny it that dreams could change and that okay.
i just love her so much, she is kind of relatable if i‘m being honest, idk 🫣
how she stood up for herself was really truly amazing 🫶🏼
now onto illiana and emmet together.
the are so so cute and good together, if i‘m being honest, I didn’t think it was to fast, not for THEM, kind of felt like they didn’t need it to be sooo long and the pace was perfectly fine, FOR ME! it can be different for you!
I really liked how they respect each other and didn’t throw a tantrum when one didn’t tell the other something exactly at the start.
overall the story was really beautiful and is such a perfect story for the summer! definitely a recommendation! 🏖️🫶🏼
5 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶️ releases may 21st!
oh gosh, this book was so beautiful, i ate it up in one day, it was so easy to read!
it’s such a beautiful summer story, and like the summer „fling“ but then not really being one, ugh so cute 😭🫶🏼
i really liked the love story, it’s so beautiful and raw.
the found family aspect is the most emotional thing and I LOVED it!
can we talk about emmet for a second like DAMN, he is on my top 10 book boyfriends rn. he truly is amazing. i want boy like that for myself. 🤭
how he treated illiana was just so sweet and caring.
really it was so sweet.
and his friendship with his friends was really cute to read about.
illiana, I love you, she is so sweet and like such a cute girl. HER AND MINA‘S friendship 😭🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 one of my favorite‘s, for sure.
and her whole story, you could really feel it.
also how she didn’t deny it that dreams could change and that okay.
i just love her so much, she is kind of relatable if i‘m being honest, idk 🫣
how she stood up for herself was really truly amazing 🫶🏼
now onto illiana and emmet together.
the are so so cute and good together, if i‘m being honest, I didn’t think it was to fast, not for THEM, kind of felt like they didn’t need it to be sooo long and the pace was perfectly fine, FOR ME! it can be different for you!
I really liked how they respect each other and didn’t throw a tantrum when one didn’t tell the other something exactly at the start.
overall the story was really beautiful and is such a perfect story for the summer! definitely a recommendation! 🏖️🫶🏼
August 22, 2025
𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
📕Love and Other Tropes
✍️Kayla McGrath @kaylamcgrathbooks
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ .5 // 🌶️🌶️🌶️
📚 Tropes: Summer Love, Love at First Site, secret relationship
💿 Album: Lover 💖🏹
🎶 Swiftie Feels: “And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer just to seal my fate” Cruel Summer
👵 Description for My Mother: An Ex-Ballerina agrees to leave Toronto to go to Vancouver Islands with her bestie for the summer, where she meets a mysterious man at the bar.
👯♀️ Description for my Bestie: Anna (pronounced with an ‘on’) goes with her bestie to Vancouver Island with the plans of having a summer fling. In the bar she meets a mysterious man who acts like every MMC in her favourite romance books (and he’s even a fan of said romance books!). The lucky girl gets to live out all of our fantasies all summer long, recreating every swoon worthy book moment and trope.
🕐It Will Make Sense Later: *in a hermione voice* it’s pronounced Ill-ee-On-ah, not Ill-ee-an-ah”
🍆 The Book Boyfriend: Emmett is literally every great contemporary romance books boyfriend rolled into one. The best part is- he’s even a fan of those romance books. He was raised by women, owns his own business (and house) and is a total dog dad.
🎬Final thoughts: honestly, the PERFECT summer read. Started reading it on the plane and didn’t want to put it down. It’s supper fast paced and sometimes I really wanted it to be slowed down (cause I didn’t want it to end). Super predictable, but super fun! Will probably reread it next summer!
📕Love and Other Tropes
✍️Kayla McGrath @kaylamcgrathbooks
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ .5 // 🌶️🌶️🌶️
📚 Tropes: Summer Love, Love at First Site, secret relationship
💿 Album: Lover 💖🏹
🎶 Swiftie Feels: “And I snuck in through the garden gate
Every night that summer just to seal my fate” Cruel Summer
👵 Description for My Mother: An Ex-Ballerina agrees to leave Toronto to go to Vancouver Islands with her bestie for the summer, where she meets a mysterious man at the bar.
👯♀️ Description for my Bestie: Anna (pronounced with an ‘on’) goes with her bestie to Vancouver Island with the plans of having a summer fling. In the bar she meets a mysterious man who acts like every MMC in her favourite romance books (and he’s even a fan of said romance books!). The lucky girl gets to live out all of our fantasies all summer long, recreating every swoon worthy book moment and trope.
🕐It Will Make Sense Later: *in a hermione voice* it’s pronounced Ill-ee-On-ah, not Ill-ee-an-ah”
🍆 The Book Boyfriend: Emmett is literally every great contemporary romance books boyfriend rolled into one. The best part is- he’s even a fan of those romance books. He was raised by women, owns his own business (and house) and is a total dog dad.
🎬Final thoughts: honestly, the PERFECT summer read. Started reading it on the plane and didn’t want to put it down. It’s supper fast paced and sometimes I really wanted it to be slowed down (cause I didn’t want it to end). Super predictable, but super fun! Will probably reread it next summer!
May 5, 2024
This is truly a celebration of green flag men.
Emmett gives off cozy romance vibes….. but also his mouth 👄 can we normalize emotionally regulated hot nerds with filthy mouths, who are also dog dads and live in small towns. When I finished this book I instantly wanted more of Ana and Emmett. Their conversation and relationship is just so easy to digest, it just made me giddy in the best way.
Now don’t get me wrong, as much as this book had me happily turning pages enjoying this love story, there were moments where I was like WHAT IS HAPPENING! The placement of anxiety inducing moments was perfect and I did not see it coming at all. Bravo.
While Ana is a ballerina and I have absolutely NO rhythm I still found this book extremely relatable in the best way where I was like 👀 are you stalking me 😂
This book takes place in Canada - like a bunch of other people in the world I was born in Canada… BUT Emmett went to BCIT and my mom went to BCIT when I was little and I attended their preschool so technically I “attended” BCIT. He has a lab, I also have labs (show and train them competitively). Ana loves Bridgerton, chocolate croissants, seafood fettuccine, and Taylor Swift….i would be friends with both of them.
5 stars. The perfect summer time read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emmett gives off cozy romance vibes….. but also his mouth 👄 can we normalize emotionally regulated hot nerds with filthy mouths, who are also dog dads and live in small towns. When I finished this book I instantly wanted more of Ana and Emmett. Their conversation and relationship is just so easy to digest, it just made me giddy in the best way.
Now don’t get me wrong, as much as this book had me happily turning pages enjoying this love story, there were moments where I was like WHAT IS HAPPENING! The placement of anxiety inducing moments was perfect and I did not see it coming at all. Bravo.
While Ana is a ballerina and I have absolutely NO rhythm I still found this book extremely relatable in the best way where I was like 👀 are you stalking me 😂
This book takes place in Canada - like a bunch of other people in the world I was born in Canada… BUT Emmett went to BCIT and my mom went to BCIT when I was little and I attended their preschool so technically I “attended” BCIT. He has a lab, I also have labs (show and train them competitively). Ana loves Bridgerton, chocolate croissants, seafood fettuccine, and Taylor Swift….i would be friends with both of them.
5 stars. The perfect summer time read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 19, 2024
Oh my gosh Illiana and Emmett are so cute together. I absolutely loved Kayla McGrath's use of the tropes to develop a relationship!
A year after an accident that left Illiana unable to dance, left by her partner, and disowned by her parents, her best friend convinces her to go cross country with her to help her healing. With an open mind Illiana follows her friend and meets tall dark and handsome in a bar over a discussion of books. As they navigate their relationship, they connect through the good tropes, while staying away from the not so good tropes.
What a strong FMC Illiana is! She went through an amazing character development, was not whiny despite what she went through, and tried even when it was hard. Emmett is literally the perfect man. He took his time with Illiana, supported her and stood by her. I absolutely loved both of them individually and as a couple!
Love and other tropes is for anyone who wants a sweet quick read with lots of laughs and banter and where the MMC is super supportive and the FMC is strong.
A year after an accident that left Illiana unable to dance, left by her partner, and disowned by her parents, her best friend convinces her to go cross country with her to help her healing. With an open mind Illiana follows her friend and meets tall dark and handsome in a bar over a discussion of books. As they navigate their relationship, they connect through the good tropes, while staying away from the not so good tropes.
What a strong FMC Illiana is! She went through an amazing character development, was not whiny despite what she went through, and tried even when it was hard. Emmett is literally the perfect man. He took his time with Illiana, supported her and stood by her. I absolutely loved both of them individually and as a couple!
Love and other tropes is for anyone who wants a sweet quick read with lots of laughs and banter and where the MMC is super supportive and the FMC is strong.
May 23, 2024
Thank you to the author for the eARC
I apparently need to bring a book to a bar so I can meet an Emmett too
Emmett is a unicorn. Seriously a guy like him is one in a million.
Illiana, I understand ehy she goes mostly by Ana. That is one tough name. Her insecurities is so raw and her struggle is heartbreaking. I really hate her mom and exboyfriend. I’m glade she got her happy ending
Nate is more in love of the idea than the girl and I could tell from the beginning he was gonna get his heart broken. I suspected pretty early that the party was the same party and when the moms were talking about inviting him too. Oh man I knew there was gonna be drama. Did not expect the way it happened or how good he was being afterwards. That could have turned toxic
The guy friends are very non-toxic besides from that one guy.
I hope to see more of Mina and Graham. “Jasmina” 🥰 as he calls her.
I only gave it 4 star because the whole thing was a little to sugarsweet for me. Apparently I like my book boyfriends darker
I apparently need to bring a book to a bar so I can meet an Emmett too
Emmett is a unicorn. Seriously a guy like him is one in a million.
Illiana, I understand ehy she goes mostly by Ana. That is one tough name. Her insecurities is so raw and her struggle is heartbreaking. I really hate her mom and exboyfriend. I’m glade she got her happy ending
Nate is more in love of the idea than the girl and I could tell from the beginning he was gonna get his heart broken. I suspected pretty early that the party was the same party and when the moms were talking about inviting him too. Oh man I knew there was gonna be drama. Did not expect the way it happened or how good he was being afterwards. That could have turned toxic
The guy friends are very non-toxic besides from that one guy.
I hope to see more of Mina and Graham. “Jasmina” 🥰 as he calls her.
I only gave it 4 star because the whole thing was a little to sugarsweet for me. Apparently I like my book boyfriends darker
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2024
Summer love is in season!
Illiana is a ballerina, but after a horrible accident she is mourning the life she lost. It’s almost been a year and she’s not quite ready to fully let got of her dream. Going on a summer long vacation to her best friend’s hometown is just what Iliana needs. She just needs to get away from the city, her toxic parents and her ex.
Emmett is looking for something more in his life. He wants a relationship, companionship and to start a family. He was so close to that once. So when he meets a girl in a bar, who just happens to be reading a romance novel, he feels an immediate connection.
Emmett and Illiana were so cute and I loved their meet cute. Also, bonus points to Emmett because I too have a dog named Gimli. (Swipe to see his sassiness)
Tropes:
🩰Banter
🩰Mistaken Identity
🩰Summer Vibes
🩰"Just for the Summer"
🩰Healthy Male Friendships
🩰Supportive Female Friendships
Illiana is a ballerina, but after a horrible accident she is mourning the life she lost. It’s almost been a year and she’s not quite ready to fully let got of her dream. Going on a summer long vacation to her best friend’s hometown is just what Iliana needs. She just needs to get away from the city, her toxic parents and her ex.
Emmett is looking for something more in his life. He wants a relationship, companionship and to start a family. He was so close to that once. So when he meets a girl in a bar, who just happens to be reading a romance novel, he feels an immediate connection.
Emmett and Illiana were so cute and I loved their meet cute. Also, bonus points to Emmett because I too have a dog named Gimli. (Swipe to see his sassiness)
Tropes:
🩰Banter
🩰Mistaken Identity
🩰Summer Vibes
🩰"Just for the Summer"
🩰Healthy Male Friendships
🩰Supportive Female Friendships
May 24, 2024
3.5 stars!!
This book was such an easy and fun read, the couple were really cute and I definitely believed their chemistry despite the insta love connection (I know a lot of people aren't a fan but I enjoy it okay!!). I liked the regular banter about tropes and that the storyline was predictable so it was all low stakes and quite tongue in cheek.
I do wish their was more character building, especially of our main couple, although we knew their interests and their background I would have loved to see it all more fleshed out, as I felt some aspects were brushed over too quickly, such as Ana's food issues and trauma surrounding her injury. I can see future books in the series definitely building up the upcoming main pairings more as this book has served as in intro to them, so I think that is going to be great!
Thank you to Kayla McGrath for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.
This book was such an easy and fun read, the couple were really cute and I definitely believed their chemistry despite the insta love connection (I know a lot of people aren't a fan but I enjoy it okay!!). I liked the regular banter about tropes and that the storyline was predictable so it was all low stakes and quite tongue in cheek.
I do wish their was more character building, especially of our main couple, although we knew their interests and their background I would have loved to see it all more fleshed out, as I felt some aspects were brushed over too quickly, such as Ana's food issues and trauma surrounding her injury. I can see future books in the series definitely building up the upcoming main pairings more as this book has served as in intro to them, so I think that is going to be great!
Thank you to Kayla McGrath for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.
May 18, 2024
This was a lovely book! The characters were wonderful (a group of non toxic men who call each other babe) with a lovely friendship!
Illiana is a former ballerina who meets Emmett during a summer trip with her bff. Their love story was cute but I loved all of the romance books tropes that were discussed in this book (I’m a big fan of romance books discussing romance books).
When I was a kid, I loved I Love Lucy but I used to turn it off halfway because I hated seeing her get caught in her hijinx. I wanted to quit this book after the big miscommunication near the middle (not really, but it did make me so anxious!). I’m glad it worked out 😇
This was a cute love story about a girl finding a new path in life and realizing what she deserves.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Illiana is a former ballerina who meets Emmett during a summer trip with her bff. Their love story was cute but I loved all of the romance books tropes that were discussed in this book (I’m a big fan of romance books discussing romance books).
When I was a kid, I loved I Love Lucy but I used to turn it off halfway because I hated seeing her get caught in her hijinx. I wanted to quit this book after the big miscommunication near the middle (not really, but it did make me so anxious!). I’m glad it worked out 😇
This was a cute love story about a girl finding a new path in life and realizing what she deserves.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
May 19, 2024
Super cute and endearing romance novel ✨️ With a good writing on top of it and a set of well written characters with good relationships to back it 🤚🏽
Emmett and Illiana are just so cute together 👌 The chemistry was already there upon first meet, and their exchange was just fun ♥️
Other than that, the characters were also amazing, I love how they feel home towards Illiana, even though there's someone there who's an ass, I love that they don't take bullshit from him.
This novel also tackles disorder and parent neglect, so be mindful of that when reading this book.
Overall, this was good 👌 I'm excited to read from this author ♥️
° smut 🌶🌶🌶
° insta attraction
° found family
° ballerina fmc
° friendship bond
~thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity~
Emmett and Illiana are just so cute together 👌 The chemistry was already there upon first meet, and their exchange was just fun ♥️
Other than that, the characters were also amazing, I love how they feel home towards Illiana, even though there's someone there who's an ass, I love that they don't take bullshit from him.
This novel also tackles disorder and parent neglect, so be mindful of that when reading this book.
Overall, this was good 👌 I'm excited to read from this author ♥️
° smut 🌶🌶🌶
° insta attraction
° found family
° ballerina fmc
° friendship bond
~thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity~
April 19, 2024
This book was so good! The two main characters were amazing together! Their banter was always on point. I was literally just smiling down at my kindle while reading their back and forth. And the chemistry between them is there from their first interaction.
The side characters were amazing too! I loved the friendships so much. And I can't wait to read more about the side characters and their own stories.
I will say that the relationship is a little bit insta love but it's done really well. Insta love can be a turn off for me but I didn't mind it in this book.
And last but not least there is no 3rd act break up! That always makes me love a book even more.
The side characters were amazing too! I loved the friendships so much. And I can't wait to read more about the side characters and their own stories.
I will say that the relationship is a little bit insta love but it's done really well. Insta love can be a turn off for me but I didn't mind it in this book.
And last but not least there is no 3rd act break up! That always makes me love a book even more.
May 18, 2024
*ARC REVIEW*
OMG!!! What is going on???!!! I completely devoured this book! It was so cute! We love a couple that has good communication, please authors!!! Illiana was so cute, so gentle, i’ll remember her! Emmett was like the perfect guy hello??? So loving, so in touch with his emotions and feelings, seriously, being razed by women makes you a different kind of person…
Really Kayla, thank you for writing this and given me the opportunity to read in advance! I will recommend this book a lot, for sure!
I would like however…to see a book about Mina’s story, she was a crucial character in this book for me and i would love to see more of her…❤️
My rating is 4.5⭐️!!!
Leitores portugueses!!! Leiam este livro por favor! Dêm uma oportunidade a novos autores talvez não tão conhecidos! Juro! É tão fixe!!
OMG!!! What is going on???!!! I completely devoured this book! It was so cute! We love a couple that has good communication, please authors!!! Illiana was so cute, so gentle, i’ll remember her! Emmett was like the perfect guy hello??? So loving, so in touch with his emotions and feelings, seriously, being razed by women makes you a different kind of person…
Really Kayla, thank you for writing this and given me the opportunity to read in advance! I will recommend this book a lot, for sure!
I would like however…to see a book about Mina’s story, she was a crucial character in this book for me and i would love to see more of her…❤️
My rating is 4.5⭐️!!!
Leitores portugueses!!! Leiam este livro por favor! Dêm uma oportunidade a novos autores talvez não tão conhecidos! Juro! É tão fixe!!
May 21, 2024
I read this book in 2 days. At the end of the school year, while sick, with 2 young kids. That's how good this was.
Illiana & Emmett are perfect. Emmett is a walking green flag. In touch with his emotions, loves books, loves his moms, takes care of you, it's all perfect. Illiana works through a lot of struggles and Kayla handles them beautifully in her writing.
The spice is spicing in this book, the banter is top tier, and the discussion of tropes is hilarious and wonderful.
This group of friends is amazing and i can't wait to read more (hoping for an enemies to lovers with our favorite bestie 👀)
Illiana & Emmett are perfect. Emmett is a walking green flag. In touch with his emotions, loves books, loves his moms, takes care of you, it's all perfect. Illiana works through a lot of struggles and Kayla handles them beautifully in her writing.
The spice is spicing in this book, the banter is top tier, and the discussion of tropes is hilarious and wonderful.
This group of friends is amazing and i can't wait to read more (hoping for an enemies to lovers with our favorite bestie 👀)
May 27, 2024
This book personally wasn't my cup of tea I think.
Love and other tropes felt like checklist of how many tropes can be used in a single book because I felt like nearly any trope I can think of was in here. The story was nice at the start but them became a little bit harder to follow as we kept going.
I felt the characters also lacked depth in terms of their emotional range and also their personalities. They were definitely cute together but apart from that I just had no interest in learning about either of them as they were a bit boring.
Though this book was not for me I would still recommend others to read it and form their own opinions.
Love and other tropes felt like checklist of how many tropes can be used in a single book because I felt like nearly any trope I can think of was in here. The story was nice at the start but them became a little bit harder to follow as we kept going.
I felt the characters also lacked depth in terms of their emotional range and also their personalities. They were definitely cute together but apart from that I just had no interest in learning about either of them as they were a bit boring.
Though this book was not for me I would still recommend others to read it and form their own opinions.
April 27, 2024
I loved the idea of the book centering around all the classic tropes we know and love. It was a much-needed palette cleanser with its witty banter and heartwarming storyline. The banter throughout the book brought a smile to my face. This is one of those easy, cliche reads that you can’t help but love. Illiana and Emmett’s relationship with each other was so sweet. I love the dynamics with the other characters and the found family aspect of that too. This is the perfect addition to your summer reading list.
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2024
This is a perfect book for romance readers because oh my god the literal trope references and Emmett is the perfect book boyfriend. He is sweet and knows how to treat his woman (in every way 😉) this is a small town insta love romance and a perfect break for readers from heavy read.
Tropes you will find:
🤍 Banter
🤍 Spice
🤍 Mistaken Identity
🤍 Summer Vibes
🤍 “Just for the Summer”
🤍 Healthy Male Friendships
🤍 Supportive Female Friendships
🤍 No 3rd Act Breakup
🤍 No Miscommunication
🤍 No OWD
Tropes you will find:
🤍 Banter
🤍 Spice
🤍 Mistaken Identity
🤍 Summer Vibes
🤍 “Just for the Summer”
🤍 Healthy Male Friendships
🤍 Supportive Female Friendships
🤍 No 3rd Act Breakup
🤍 No Miscommunication
🤍 No OWD
May 21, 2024
i received an e-arc for this book in exchange for my honest review!!!
i absolutely adored this book. emmett is about as perfect as a man can get. i loved the dynamic between him and his friends as well, they’re all so cute!! his love with illiana though…they’re just meant to be. him talking to her about romance books in the bar?! and them talking about tropes?! i ate it UP. it was perfectly cute, romantic AND spicy 💕
thank you again for the arc, i really appreciate it!! 🩷
i absolutely adored this book. emmett is about as perfect as a man can get. i loved the dynamic between him and his friends as well, they’re all so cute!! his love with illiana though…they’re just meant to be. him talking to her about romance books in the bar?! and them talking about tropes?! i ate it UP. it was perfectly cute, romantic AND spicy 💕
thank you again for the arc, i really appreciate it!! 🩷
May 28, 2024
3.5
Narrative viewpoint writing is always a little difficult for me. It makes the characters feel a little flat, and it's harder for me to get more emotionally involved.
Overall, the story was sweet and fun with a side of spice. There were a few issues presented in the book with care and delicacy, which was nice. The story idea was great, just for me, lacked on some of the execution.
Narrative viewpoint writing is always a little difficult for me. It makes the characters feel a little flat, and it's harder for me to get more emotionally involved.
Overall, the story was sweet and fun with a side of spice. There were a few issues presented in the book with care and delicacy, which was nice. The story idea was great, just for me, lacked on some of the execution.
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