Posts

Showing posts from April, 2024

Everytime I go on Vacation by Catherine Mack

 💖💖💖💖 /5 Everytime I go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack, book one in the Vacation Mystery series, is a semi-lighthearted mystery, sprinkled with romance. Eleanor Dash, a bestselling author of nine murder mysteries, is plotting out the tenth, and she hopes, the final book in the series. Her publisher has sent her on a ten day promotional tour through Italy for her latest work; the journey takes an unexpected turn into a real-life murder mystery.  An enjoyable story that weaves together charm, intrigue, humor and a little romance, resulting in an engaging read. If you appreciate self-reflexive storytelling and cozy mysteries set against the picturesque Italian landscape, this book is worth adding to your reading list. #NetGalley #stmartinspress 

Effie Olsen's Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow

Image
💖💖💖💖 /5   Effie Olsen's Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow, is a second chance, friends-to-lovers story that takes the reader on an emotional and heartwarming roller coaster ride.   Effie and Ernie, childhood and best friends, were attached at the hip until their graduation when after a serious talk Effie then left town and started on her dreams. Ernie stayed in the small town with his dad. So much happened during the sixteen years she was gone; only now she’s back for the summer. These two are perfect for each other despite being scared to do anything for fear of losing their friendship.   It was wonderful to see these two reconnect and become friends again. Their bucket list dates are pure genius.   I enjoyed the small town vibe and the secondary characters that kept the story light and fun.   #NetGalley #Berkley 

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

Image
💖💖💖💖 /5 Happy Medium by Sarah Adler was the perfect mix of heartwarming, and comedy, sentimentality, and supernatural elements. Gretchen Acorn, a fake spirit medium, faces an unusual challenge when her wealthiest client asks her help to explore the mysterious happenings at a troubled goat farm. While Gretchen knows she is a fraud, she does encounter an authentic spirit named Everett, who has been present at Gilded Creek since the 1920s. Everett tells her that Charlie Waybill, the owner of the farm, cannot sell his property or he will be cursed. Of course, Charlie does not believe Gretchen, let alone her psychic abilities. Somehow she needs to convince Charlie she is telling the truth. There are comedic elements and emotional depth, depicting Gretchen's adjustment to her new duties and requirements as a medium, the implications of a family curse, and her evolving romantic feelings towards Charlie. Everett was a charming presence in the story and his wit added humor and depth to

Always a Bridemaid by Marina Adair

Image
  💖💖💖💖💖 /5 Always a Bridemaid by Marina Adair, book one in A Revved-Up Romance series, is a delightful, love at first sight love story between Henry Norris, a World Formula 1 Champion race car driver, and Jane Pearce, co-owner of Bride Buddies, a company that provides bridesmaids for hire. She is contracted by Sarah to take the place of one of her bridesmaids who betrayed Sarah just before the wedding. Sarah insists that Jane sign an NDA so that no one, including her brother Henry, will know Jane isn’t really Sarah’s longtime friend and socialite Elle. Unfortunately, while at the airport, prior to check-in, Jane accidentally bumps into Henry, literally; a situation that didn’t go well.   Jane can’t help being herself around Henry. As they continue to spend time together Jane reveals to Henry real life events in her life and not in Elle’s life. Although he is suspicious of people’s motives, due to being hurt in the past, he can’t help dropping his barriers and falling for her t

The Backup Bride Proposal by Jaci Burt - A Fun Read

  💖💖💖💖 /5 The Backup Bride Proposal by Jaci Burton, book four in the Boots and Bouquets series, is a wonderful addition to this series; bringing Hollywood to the Bellini’s Red Moss Vineyards as it becomes the production location for a movie. Actor Kane August struggles to charm wedding planner Mae Wallace when she ousts him from a wedding, but Kane is captivated by this snarky and interesting woman. When she is asked to stand in for the lead actress who is late to filming, Mae is annoyed to spend more time with the handsome, overconfident, annoyingly charming actor. The more time they spend together, Mae realizes Kane’s gentle manner and kind soul just might make her fall in love. #netgalley #Berkley

The Stranger I Wed by Harper St. George - Marriage of Convenience

💖💖💖💖 /5 The Stranger I Wed by Harper St. George, book one in The Doves of New York series, focusing on three Dove siblings in London; an entertaining fake relation that is absolutely delightful. Cora Dove and her two sisters are the illegitimate daughters of a man from one of New York’s wealthiest and founding families. When her birth-grandmother (her father’s mother) passes away, the will states that she regrets the ways Cora and her sisters were treated and wanted to do right by giving them all inheritances; except they must marry English noblemen to receive their inheritance. Not one for sentimentality, Cora makes a careful plan, and with her sisters and mother travel from New York to London with a clear goal: find a husband and then convince him to divorce her so she can keep her independence. Enter Leopold Brendon, the Earl of Devonworth, who needs her wealth to save his estate and fund his efforts in Parliament to establish clean water for the working class. Leo and Cora’s

COVER REVEAL - One More Truth by Stina Lindenblat

Image
  One More Truth Stina Lindenblatt Release Date: May 30   Jessica and Troy’s gripping story concludes with the third book of the HIDDEN SECRETS TRILOGY as passion and danger collide . . .   After everything she’s been through over the past ten years, Jess should be focusing on her healing. She should be figuring out where her future will take her. And she should be finding herself after her abusive husband ripped away her identity.   Too bad someone else has different plans.   After a national newspaper article reveals to everyone in Maple Ridge about her past and her shame, Jess’s life and plans are put in jeopardy. Prejudices in the town run strong against her—prejudices because of where she spent the last five years.   But it’s not only her life that is at risk. Everything that matters to Troy, the man she’s falling in love with, will be ruined…unless she finds a way to stop it all from crumbling before it’s too late.   Stop it before the truth destroys J

Funny Story by Emily Henry - A Wonderful Story

  💖💖💖💖💖 /5 Funny Story by Emily Henry is a romance, somewhat comedic story about overcoming heartbreak, feeling lost, and finding answers when one least expects it.   There are themes of opposites attract, roommates turned best friends to lovers, and pretending to dating/fake dating, within this story.   Daphne Vincent, children’s librarian and Miles Nowak is an easy-going bartender with like three other side jobs, join forces when her fiancé Peter leaves her for his best friend and girlfriend of Miles, Petra. Daphne needs to move out of Peter’s home but has nowhere to go. Ironically, she turns to Petra’s ex-boyfriend Miles. He offers her a spare bedroom and the two become roommates, forming a friendship over their equally broken hearts. After receiving invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding, Daphne and Miles decide to pretend they are in a relationship; in order to rub it in their exes' faces. Exploring the town and area around, Daphne learns there is so much more

Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman

Image
 💖💖💖💖 /5 Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman, book two in the Once Upon the East End series, is a reimagining of the story of Snow White, except the main characters, Solomon and Hannah, are Jewish . Different aspects of the Jewish community, during the Regency era, are showcased from the treatment of Ashkenazi Jewish people, to the class system, to the use of Yiddish. Solomon Weiss was raised by his older brother Frederick, who was only a teen himself when he was forced to care for Solomon. Frederick, now an adult, is an influential man and intends to marry soon. He’s asked Solomon to be on his best behavior and focus on the bank work, perhaps do an errand or two for him. Of course Solomon will do whatever his brother asks. One night, Solomon is attacked in an unsafe neighborhood and Hannah Moses comes to his rescue. Hannah is poor and takes jobs that may not be exactly legal. She doesn’t see herself worthy of love and being older she’s no longer naive. Solomon is drawn t

Weekends with You by Alexandra Paige

Image
💖💖💖💖 /5   Weekends with You by Alexandra Paige is a beautiful story about friendship, found family and star-crossed love that sees two friends with undeniable chemistry never being able to figure out how to be together in the same city and still pursue the careers they are both passionate about. Lucy, a florist in London, moves into a warehouse flat with seven other roommates; quickly falling for one of the roommates. Henry is a traveling photographer, only in London one weekend a month, which makes having a relationship quite difficult. Each chapter is a weekend in the roommates’ lives. I enjoyed the friendships between roommates and found those relationships and storylines to be more enjoyable than the romance between Lucy and Henry. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read with a bit of chaos and romance. #Avon #NetGalley 

Finally Found My Cowboy

Image
💖💖💖💖 /5   Beth and Eli’s story in Finally Found My Cowboy by A.J. Pine, book two in The Murphys of Meadow Valley series, is an emotional, heartwarming and moving tale about healing. Eli’s wife passed away in an accident a few years before and his introverted nature has led him to a self- imposed seclusion, holding himself responsible for the death of his wife and her beloved horse. Beth, a dancer recovering from surgery after a possible career-ending injury, is tricked by her sister to come help while she heals. Beth and Eli were perfect together: Eli needed someone to get him out of the funk he had found himself in, while Beth needed someone to support her and believe in her dreams. As these two are forced together in circumstances they both resist, the sizzling chemistry and magnetic connection grows, creating unexpected feelings.   Ms. Pine wrote a wonderful, emotional, and enjoyable story that is not to be missed. She provided a second chance tale for Eli and Beth; fill

Summer Camp Secret by Kait Nolan

Image
 💖💖💖💖💖 /5 Summer Camp Secret by Kait Nolan, book two in the Summer Fling series, is about learning to live with grief, to live your life to the fullest, and taking a chance on love despite not knowing how much time you will have with them.   Brooks Hennessey, a well known hockey player, has just lost his Mom. She was his rock and losing her without much of a warning, has sent him spiraling downhill into a world of grief. Realizing he needs a change to recharge, two of his buddies book him a cabin at Camp Firefly Falls. Aspen Fairchild lost her mom ten years ago, while still in high school. Since then, she has felt responsible of taking care of her Dad, adopting a healthy lifestyle and always doing the right thing. When a possible diagnosis could change her life, she decides to live whatever time she has having an adventure. Unknown to Brooks, Aspen is also heading to Camp Firefly Falls. A media campaign announcing their “engagement” and having them sharing a cabin, along with

Because You Love Me by Elena Aitken

Image
 💖💖💖💖💖/5 I loved Asher and Noa in Because You Loved Me by Elena Aitken, book four in her Trickle Creek series featuring the Carlson siblings; an emotional, heartwarming story, sizzling with chemistry along with a runaway bride. This time the focus is on Asher, the workaholic who took over the family business.   Asher, the CEO of the Carlson Corporation, is the latest Carlson sibling to receive his father's instructions; he learns that he has to give up his job and penthouse for six months. Asher is a workaholic and having his father wanting him to take a leave of absence stunned him; leaving him directionless and homeless. Asher then learns that he was also left a remote cabin no one in the family knew about. Noa's family has gone through a difficult time, losing her brother and his wife a few years ago. Believing it would cheer up their parents, Noa and Ryan, her brother's brother in law and good friend for years, decided to get married; despite not being in lo

Only and Forever by Chloe Liese

Image
 💖💖💖💖💖 /5 I enjoyed Viggo and Tallulah's love story in Only and Forever by Chloe Liese, book seven in the Bergman Brothers series; a wonderful ending to the Bergman brothers series. Viggo Bergman is the family romantic. He loves anything related to historical romance and is the first one to support his siblings' relationships. Viggo has yet to find his one true love, hoping that one day soon his happily ever after will show up and change his world. Unexpectedly, his love turned up to be his grumpy ex-classmate, Tallulah. Tallulah is the exact opposite of Viggo, which is what made their journey much more special. While Viggo is the romantic, Tallulah is a thriller author, whose experiences with love included growing up with toxic parents who constantly got married and divorced just to repeat the cycle and her own relationships that have gone south when she wasn't able to commit beyond a physical relationship. These two reconnect at a time where they need support, Vi

The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati

Image
💖💖💖💖💖 /5   The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati takes the reader on a journey with Carrie Ballentyne, a young midwife who travels from New York City to Santa Fe in 1857. The story follows Carrie’s courageous trek across the country, highlighting the challenges she faces and the friendships she forms along the way. The Sweet Blue Distance” is a compelling read that offers a blend of adventure, romance, and historical insight. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction and those interested in stories of pioneering women. Ms. Donati wrote a novel that is both informative and captivating, making it well worth reading.  

COVER REVEAL - Pieces of Me by Carrie Ann Ryan

Image
PIECES OF ME (The Wilder Brothers Book 9)⁠releases Feb 24th, 2025⁠ in eBook, Paperback, Audio, and a Special Edition Paperback.  The Store Exclusive Cover is coming soon! The next stand alone in The Wilder Brother series. A rockstar meets small town romance! ⁠  

A Simple Seduction by Janna MacGregor

Image
💖💖💖💖💖 /5 A Simple Seduction by Janna MacGregor, book one in her Millionaires of Mayfair series, is full of drama, sadness, love, chemistry, hurt, action, secrets, adventure, history, family issues and the Ton. Lady Honoria “Noria” Ardeerton, the eldest sister of the Duke of Pelham, sneaks into her brother’s masquerade to experience one night of pleasure. Noria meets Marcus; never expecting him to be her brother’s best friend or for them to be caught in a compromising position. Marcus Kirkland, the Earl of Trafford, is looking for a wife who can help him with his charity; never expecting to find his ideal bride at his best friend’s annual masquerade. Marcus is convinced Noria is perfect for him, but she insists she just wants a night of pleasure. Together they share a kiss and decide to spend time together. After a night together, he asks her to marry him but she refuses. When her brother, Dane, catches them together, Marcus again asks her to marry him to save both of their rep

Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele

Image
 💖💖💖💖💖 /5 Simon and Stella’s story in Courting an Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele, book four in The Heart of the Amish series, is a reminder that love will find you, even if you weren’t looking or expecting to ever find it. Amish Bishop Simon Graber, became a bishop much younger than most men. A widower, he is focused on two things: taking care of his Cherry Grove community and his sixteen year old son, Michael. During a bad outbreak of the flu Simon travels to Walnut Ridge to get help from the local doctor. Stella Schmucker is a healer, a ‘dokter’, whose life centers around her ability to heal naturally. Her earlier life and growing-up years were not easy. The only love and acceptance she received was from her grandparents, whose home she now resides in. Stella, unaware that Simon is the bishop of Cherry Grove and always one to put others before her own needs, is happy to help and goes with Simon to treat his son, Michael first before seeing to the rest of the sick in the commun