Archives for May 21, 2024

* Review * SWAP AND SMELL THE ROSES by Karen Booth

May 21, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SWAP AND SMELL THE ROSES by Karen Booth

Swap and Smell the Roses by Karen Booth
Series: The Swap #1
Published by Afterglow Books by Harlequin on May 21, 2024
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In this deliciously tender, steamy romance, a burned-out musician swaps city life for cottage country only to find that slowing down means a racing heart, thanks to the grumpy guy next door…

When Willow Moore’s lifelong dream of music stardom goes bust, she’s burned out enough to need drastic change. As in, she’s trading her Brooklyn apartment for two months in the Connecticut countryside. Soon she’s baking bread, spending Saturdays at the farmer’s market and stopping to smell the roses, but some things in her new #cottagecore life aren’t so pleasant. Like her landlord, former chef Reid Harrell. As grouchy and reserved as Willow is chatty and outgoing, Reid is an annoyingly sexy keep-out sign. If only Willow was good at staying away.

Something about Reid, a sliver of pain poking through that flinty facade, makes her wonder if they’re more alike than she thought. Reid once chased success, too, and found it—at a price. Now all he wants is to be left alone to garden, but Willow's not giving up so quick, especially when one of their heated arguments sparks an idea for a song. Her renewed creativity awakens them both, hurling them into a passionate vortex neither expects.

As the summer winds down, Willow is forced to confront her needs, wants and desires, not to mention Reid, the hardest puzzle of all to figure out. Maybe it’s time for the city girl to stop dwelling on dreams dashed and start following her heart—no matter where it might take her…

Heartfelt and inspiring! I didn’t get a huge romantic comedy vibe out of this storyline, but I got a whole lot of healing and rediscovery and I loved every single minute of it! Willow and Reid were super cute. He was grumpy and she was sort of supposed to be perceived as sunshine but since she was dealing with her own upheaval of life it was more like she brought heart and just genuine kindness to the picture. Very easy to like them both, really quaint take on falling for a summer fling and I loved the town as a whole. I’m looking forward to Bailey’s story … but she has some redeeming to do because I sort of don’t like her already.

Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read that pulls at your heartstrings and brings a satisfying happily ever after in the end.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * LIAR’S POINT by Laura Griffin

May 21, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * LIAR’S POINT by Laura Griffin

Liar's Point by Laura Griffin
Series: The Texas Murder Files #5
Published by Berkley on May 21, 2024
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Two homicide detectives must separate the puzzling truth from a growing web of lies while investigating a murder victim’s friends and lovers in Lost Beach, Texas.

Detective Nicole Lawson is fed up with her job and nonexistent love life. Her first date in months gets cut short by an urgent call from the chief of police. A body has been discovered at Lighthouse Point, and the medical examiner finds an array of strange clues. When the death is ruled a homicide, the news quickly reverberates through Nicole’s beachside hometown.

The Lost Beach police department swings into high gear. Leading the investigation is Emmet Davis, a veteran detective who is Nicole’s fiercest rival at work and also the man she has secretly harbored feelings toward for years. With Emmet calling the shots, Nicole sets out to search for leads, starting with the enigmatic yoga instructor who first discovered the body. Nicole is certain the witness knows more than she’s revealing and may even hold the key to unlocking the case.

When another person turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Nicole sees a bizarre pattern, but no one believes her theory. Under the gun to solve the case, Nicole must put aside her tumultuous feelings and work closely with Emmet to figure out who is targeting her beloved hometown . . . before she becomes a target herself.

Fast paced and entertaining! Laura Griffin’s Texas Murder Files series is a little looser than some in bringing the past couple’s back into the forefront as this police force works crime together, but we often hear mention of several of them. With this particular case, a slow burn romance is teasing beneath the surface for Detectives Nicole Lawson and Emmet Davis, so that’s a highpoint that keeps the angst high as we meander through the daily lives of the Lost Beach Police Department. The characters are easy to like, the mystery playing out throughout is very interesting and the camaraderie between these coworkers really warms the scene. I felt like the completion of the case was a tad weak, but I was really invested in it throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good mystery but also enjoys a common cast to get to know along the way of solving the crimes.

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* Review * ROCK ON by Kat Mizera

May 21, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Rock On by Kat Mizera
Series: Rock Harder #4
on May 21, 2024
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She was the one who got away.

Slipped right through my fingers.

My crush, my muse, my wife.

When she asked for a divorce, I had no choice but to let her go, but my heart would never comply.

Not even after the shocking revelation that rocked me to my core.

I’ll never stop loving her, but I don’t know if I can ever forgive her.

Seeing her again brings memories crashing to the surface, feelings I’d rather stay buried.

Now I’m torn between the love we shared and the hate I’m desperate to feel for her.

It would make everything so much easier.

What happens when lightning strikes twice?

I have no idea.

But, we’re about to find out.

Fast paced and oh so addictive! Anyone who has been enjoying Kat Mizera’s Rock Harder series alongside me has known since the very start that Tommy’s book was going to be dramatic, but the honesty and effort they put into healing for this reunion with Harley is even more gut wrenching than I was expecting. I adored them together! I felt like it was a little rushed. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of them living their life together, but overall it was a sensational addition to the series. Bravo on putting prioritizing their mental health in the spotlight!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a good rocker romance with lots of heart and emotion bubbling over in every book. I do feel like this is one of those series that works better if read in order because there’s a whole lot learned about each other as the band takes their turn in the spotlight one by one to find their forever.

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* Review * FOSTER by Sawyer Bennett

May 21, 2024 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Foster by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #13
Published by Big Dog Books, LLC on May 21, 2024
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When Foster McInnis’ ex-wife flakes and he finds himself with full custody of his daughter, the nanny he hires brings a new complication—an attraction he can’t ignore, no matter how hard he tries.

I love being on the ice and am grateful for my hockey career, but the off season is my favorite time of the year because it brings me my one true love—my daughter, Bowie Jane. Between my job and my ex-wife living across the country, the time I get to spend face-to-face with my kiddo is limited, though we make up for it with summers full of fun adventures. We’re thick as thieves and take full advantage of our time together, but the distance away from her is killing me.

My fortunes change when my ex walks away and I find myself with full custody. But with the hockey season looming, I know I’m going to need help taking care of Bowie Jane. Enter Mary Elizabeth Archer—otherwise known as Mazzy. Highly recommended to me through the Titans’ network, Mazzy crashes into our life like a hurricane. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met and to say I’m intrigued is an understatement. But no matter how attractive she is, no matter how I crave to know everything about her, I can’t go there. It’s inappropriate. Just wrong, wrong, wrong, even though she might be the most right thing I’ve ever known.

Being the indescribable force she is, there is soon no corner of our lives that Mazzy hasn’t impacted in a positive way. And my desire for more with her becomes far stronger than my misguided idea that I could ever resist this woman. Our attraction burns hot and keeping our eyes, hands and mouths off one another gets harder by the minute. It doesn’t take long for me to know that I’m all in with Mazzy. She’s my end game and, lucky for me, winning is my specialty.

Adorable attention grabbing sexy goodness from start to finish! I love all of Sawyer Bennett’s hockey hunks, but the dad’s she brings to life just have an even more special place in my heart. Great character development, all the feels plus so much adorable cuteness in his daughter’s character and such a satisfying happily ever after. I wanted a bit more at the end because it felt really abrupt during the drop-off after the drama that occurs, but overall I adored this book and loved every minute of Foster, Mazzy and Bowie Jane!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a sexy romance revolving around the game of hockey withs lots of laughs, emotional pulls and heart rolled into the mix towards that happily ever after.

Filed Under: Book Reviews