Archives for October 22, 2023

* Review * WORKING WITH HER CRUSH by Reese Ryan

October 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

Working with Her Crush by Reese Ryan
Series: Dynasties: Willowvale #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on October 24, 2023
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An inheritance stirs up old resentments…

And revives undeniable sparks.

Dray Walker is devastated when tech entrepreneur Kahlil Anderson inherits the horse ranch she’s managed for years. Her friend (and secret crush) left town decades ago without looking back, and now Kahlil, whose tech skills do not apply to thoroughbreds, needs her help.

Delectable characters with addictive backstories! Loving this premise already! Reese Ryan is kicking off a four book Desire series with fellow author Jules Bennett with the first book in Dynasties: Willowvale and I’m exciting to see what the series holds. Andraya and Kahlil had my interest peaked quickly and as secrets are uncovered and trust pushed to the limit, we get to the heart of the story and all it entails. I loved the characters, their connection and their love story as it all played out. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

Dray is a sweetheart, and the hurt she feels from both her former best friend and the father figure she has respected for all of these years sets the story on a path of healing.

Kahlil is a little less straightforward as he keeps secrets and isn’t as forthcoming as Dray, but I liked his character none-the-less.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a drama filled romance with attention grabbing characters who instantly have us hooked on how their story is going to play out.

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* Review * HIRED FOR THE BILLIONAIRE’S SECRET SON by Joss Wood

October 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIRED FOR THE BILLIONAIRE’S SECRET SON by Joss Wood

Hired for the Billionaire's Secret Son by Joss Wood
Published by Harlequin Presents on October 24, 2023
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Her job is temporary!
Is their connection permanent?

When world-renowned yacht designer Bo Sørenson is named guardian to the son he never knew existed, he needs help—fast. Anticipating the relentless demands of his clients he can do. But a baby? The scars of his own childhood have left him clueless.

Haunted by the shadows of her last assignment, this summer in Denmark is Olivia Cooper’s last as a nanny. She can’t allow herself to get too close to Bo or his child, which should make it easier to ignore the billionaire’s heated gaze… But it only makes it harder!

Quickly hooked and loved every minute! Joss Wood is great at painting a vivid image of a foreign city so her reader feels like they can visualize just where her characters are at the time. With Olivia and Bo, the chemistry is instant and forbidden. I loved seeing them let their guard down with each other and grow close. The plot was easy to follow, the pace was quick but thorough and the characters were really addictive. I loved their story!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a forbidden boss romance with a whole lot of heart and drama mixed into the chemistry as they find their way towards forever.

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* Review * SHOW OFF by Lani Lynn Vale

October 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Show Off by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Welcome to the Circus #3
on October 24, 2023
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Seventy shades of messed up.

That was what she’d been told about herself for nearly her entire life.

From a young age, she knew what it was like to be hated. To be loathed so much by a person that they literally resented the air you breathed.

For her entire childhood, she fought to live, despite her father’s constant effort to make her life a living hell.
Her sisters and brother have no clue what kind of closet psychopath their father really was, and she’ll die before she ruins their picture-perfect view of him.

Why? Because she’s already broken. There’s no fixing this kind of damaged. But there’s no reason everyone else needs to suffer, too.

***

From the moment Hannibal Peters laid eyes on Hades Singh, he knew she was the one.
That was why he ran.

That was why, when he saw her suffering, he couldn’t stay away.

Talk about a glorious redemption! WOW! Hades was not what I was expecting at all after the previous books in the series, but I absolutely love that Vale managed to redeem her so beautifully that we managed to overlook our preconceived thoughts about her by the end and be able to truly see her for the person that she is. Powerful story with lots of heart and emotion as well as a wicked sexy love story. Loving this series!

I loved Hannibal and his instant connection to Hades and ability to love her regardless of her hang ups and secrets. Seeing him help her heal by showing her the first true love she’s ever known was beautiful.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a family saga romance that showcases each sibling finding their happily ever after as family drama ensues and real life comes to a head time and time again.

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* Review * AN OFF-LIMITS MERGER by Naima Simone

October 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * AN OFF-LIMITS MERGER by Naima Simone

An Off-Limits Merger by Naima Simone
Published by Harlequin Desire on October 24, 2023
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To seal the deal, it’s hands off the CEO’s daughter…

Motorcycle exec Bran Holleran is a heartbeat away from turning his company into a household name—if he can keep his hands off the daughter of his most important investor. An ill-fated affair could destroy everything, but how can he resist?

After a betrayal on the eve of her wedding, Boston socialite Tatum Haas is through trusting men. Love is for fairy tales, and Tatum wants her career, nothing more. But her family’s new business partner is shattering her resolve just as explosive revelations put everything on the line…

I was swooning for Bran from start to finish! While this isn’t listed as a series/duet, fans of Simone will recognize the heroine’s BFF Nore from a previous Desire book (Her Best Kept Secret) and already know a bit of the back story of the magical brooch. I found Tatum and Bran really entertaining and easy to like and was pulling for them to make it work right from the start because of how much I liked them. The only thing I found lacking in this book was the quick ending with the lack of drama that comes out amidst the family scandal. I wanted more … c’mon, I know I’m not the only one that wanted that screaming, knock down hissy fit that was more than justly deserved! Loved it as a whole though!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fast paced romance filled with accomplished characters who fall hard and join their lives together no matter the drama.

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* Review * THE CHRISTMAS CABIN by Michelle Major

October 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE CHRISTMAS CABIN by Michelle Major

The Christmas Cabin by Michelle Major
Series: The Carolina Girls #6
Published by Canary Street Press on October 24, 2023
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There’s no place like home for the holidays…

As a girl, single mom Lauren Maxwell hated Magnolia, North Carolina. And she thought she’d left her hometown in the rearview mirror years ago, but a message from her beloved baby brother, Brody, changes all that. He’s getting married on Christmas Eve. So a holiday at Camp Blossom, the rustic sleepaway camp that had been a haven during her growing-up years, it is. Lauren won’t even have to see her dictatorial father. Or her ex-husband, Ben…

When Ben greets her at the surprisingly decrepit cabin, he’s just as stubborn—and as irresistible—as ever. And when she discovers he’s working with her estranged father to buy the campgrounds and rebuild them as luxury housing, Lauren is furious. She won’t let the man who broke her heart win. So she and her daughter stay in town to block the sale.

But the magic of the Christmas season brings back memories Lauren tried so hard to forget: his crooked smile, their daughter’s laughter at the breakfast table, the feel of her hand in his. As the spark between them rekindles, Lauren realizes that second chances are real. And they’re worth fighting for.

Heartfelt holiday goodness! If you’re anything like me, you’re always game for a return trip to Michelle Major’s beloved Magnolia, North Carolina where love seems to find them when they are least looking … and what better time than for a magical holiday wedding? The drama is high, the characters are easy to relate to and the turmoil will keep you turning page after page. I enjoyed my trip to Magnolia as always!

Laurel and Ben were easy to like and their friction was entertaining. I especially liked his kind heart and willingness to put it all on the line for those he loved.

Kayla and Scott were also fun to get to know. I felt for her quite a bit for how she had to try to fit into the family as a step-daughter/sister and once Scott came into the fold and turned her head, it was great to see her shine.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a small town holiday romance filled with strife and family interaction with a whole lot of heart thrown in the mix.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MISTLETOE MAGIC IN TAHITI by Kandy Shepherd

October 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MISTLETOE MAGIC IN TAHITI by Kandy Shepherd

Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti by Kandy Shepherd
Series: The Christmas Pact #1
Published by Harlequin Romance on October 24, 2023
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Healed…

by a mistletoe kiss?

After a bitter divorce, Sienna is spending Christmas on a Tahitian beach! First stop on her "new me" journey? Surf lessons with blazing-hot water-sports magnate Kai—and quickly adding fling to her itinerary! But Sienna hadn’t factored in falling headfirst for the cautious single dad and his adorable daughter. She knows she can’t stay, but will she walk away from a magical future—together?

This delightful meet-cute is sure to please! The first book in The Christmas Pact trilogy introduces us to the Kendall sisters who find themselves striking out for a holiday on their own chosen by the other two siblings. I was quickly hooked on the premise of the story and once Kai came onto the scene to interact with Sienna, I was sold. Their chemistry is adorable and their fast paced, endearing story held my attention throughout. I can’t wait for Thea and Eliza’s stories!

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a destination story that showcases the beauty of an exotic location as a vacation fling simmers and leads to true love.

Filed Under: Book Reviews