Archives for July 1, 2025

* Review * ENEMIES TO LOVERS by Lani Lynn Vale

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ENEMIES TO LOVERS by Lani Lynn ValeEnemies to Lovers by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Content Advisory #3
on July 8, 2025
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five-stars

Baker Ritter knew how to pick them.

She met the man she thought she was going to marry in middle school, gave him some of the best years of her life, for him to leave her pregnant and alone hours before she’s due to have his baby.

To make matters worse, he brings his side chick to the birth, and she’s left with a decision—fight for what she wants, or cut her losses.

What she should’ve done was cut her losses. What she does instead is take him back and experiences what it’s like to live in hell.

When she’s at the lowest of the low, she calls her dad, an ex-con, who sends the one person he knows that can fix it all.
Copper Clayborne.

***

Copper Clayborne has no time for nonsense—that nonsense being a woman and a baby.

But that woman’s dad saved his life in prison and kept saving it until he was strong enough to save himself.

He owes everything to Baker’s dad, so of course he says yes when he asks to let Baker move in with him.

That doesn’t mean that he has to have anything to do with her.

He’s got a business to fix—then bring down in the most fantastic, public way possible.

He’s also got years of celibacy to make up for.

He doesn’t have time to fall for the woman and her kid.

He certainly doesn’t have the mental headspace to deal with her drama.

He gives it his all, but Baker wiggles into his cracked and bleeding heart, and makes herself right at home. Whether he wants her there or not.

 

Highly emotional and super satisfying! The third book in Lani Lynn Vale’s Content Advisory series is the Clayborne we’ve all been waiting for … Copper is re-establishing his life after prison and finds love when he least expects it … or wants it! Baker is a new mom, suffering a life of hell and just so happens to be the daughter of the man who continually kept Copper safe in prison. He might not be emotionally ready to have a weary woman thrust upon him, but there’s no way he can turn his back when his friend needs his help. Meant to be a temporary reprieve for a broken heart and body, his house turns into a home when Baker and her son Holt breathe life into it. Their story is filled with emotion, danger and intrigue as they fight their way towards forever with each other. I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series!

five-stars

* Review * ILLICIT ITALIAN NIGHTS by Melanie Milburne

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ILLICIT ITALIAN NIGHTS by Melanie MilburneIllicit Italian Nights by Melanie Milburne
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2025
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five-stars

She’s off-limits…
And the Italian is unraveling!

When her baby niece needs her, Addison Featherstone has no choice but to turn to Ludovic Jacobetti for help. Not only is he the infant’s godfather; his private jet can take them to Italy. There’s just one complication: playboy Vic has long been the object of innocent Addie’s deepest desires…

As his friend’s sister, Addie is entirely forbidden to Vic. Yet when they're alone in Lake Como, he’s forced to acknowledge she’s more alluring than he’s ever allowed himself to notice… And once the sun sets, their chemistry doesn’t simply become intoxicating—it’s irresistible!

 

Fast paced and addictive! I was quickly hooked on Addie and Vic’s love story. They were introduced by the marriage of their siblings to each other and then reunited when a travel snafu leaves their adorable toddler niece needing them to fill in quickly until her parents can make it home. Addie is shy and awkward but crushing on him, so when opportunity knocks she agrees to a fling … only close quarters allow her love to blossom and she must quickly end their interlude or risk embarrassing herself. I loved their connection with each other and how much they enjoyed their time with their niece. Their storyline moved quickly and in reality we didn’t get nearly enough time with them as a couple, but they were so intriguing that I simply loved them anyway.

five-stars

* Review * THE COWBOY’S BABY SURPRISE by Lisa Childs

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE COWBOY’S BABY SURPRISE by Lisa ChildsThe Cowboy's Baby Surprise by Lisa Childs
Series: Bachelor Cowboys #1
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 1, 2025
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five-stars

A baby found in the barn means…

An instant cowboy dad!

When a baby is abandoned on the Four Corners Ranch, CPS investigator Elise Shaw drops everything to find the parents. She can’t understand why Liam Lemmon, the bachelor cowboy who found the child, first denies being her father, then claims her as his own! Elise visits the Wyoming ranch regularly to check up on them and soon starts to feel like part of the family. But her heart is getting too involved with the case…and with Liam. And when she learns the cowboy’s secret, will she be forced to take away the child they’ve both come to love?

 

Adorably sweet and filled with emotion! Lisa Childs is kicking off a brand new Bachelor Cowboys series with a bang as hunky Liam Lemmon finds himself falling hard for the baby he finds abandoned in the barn on his family ranch. When CPS investigator Elise Shaw steps into the picture she’s drawn to this mysterious cowboy who denied paternity but then stepped up and let this sweet baby girl wrap him around her finger. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well developed and easy to like. I was rooting for them to get together from the start and once the baby drama plays out, I’m thrilled with the outcome. Great story!

five-stars

* Review * QUEEN BY ROYAL COMMAND by Annie West

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * QUEEN BY ROYAL COMMAND by Annie WestQueen by Royal Command by Annie West
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2025
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five-stars

When duty to his kingdom…
meets desire for his enemy!

Newly crowned King Benedikt is on a mission to prove he’s nothing like his corrupt father—despite what Princess Annalena believes… Their rival aristocratic families have a long, bitter history, so when Annalena presents proof that the throne is rightfully hers, he counters—with a royal wedding demand!

Orphaned as a child, Annalena longs for love, not a marriage contract. But if becoming Benedikt’s queen is what it takes to ensure the country thrives, she’ll meet him at the altar. She won’t allow her attraction to the infuriating royal to derail her!

 

Attention grabbing and delightful right from the start! This modern day royal romance with a twist on an enemies to lovers trope is fast paced and quick to bring drama to the forefront. Each character is laid out well with their royal background before the fireworks Princess Annalena is bringing to the table is exposed. I liked each of them in their own right and once they came to an agreement to wed and finally let their steamy connection loose, they were quite an enthralling pair. I loved the twist on the throne quite a lot. Great characters, entertaining plot and a sexy yet sweet love story. Highly recommend!

five-stars

* Review * MONTANA JUSTICE by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MONTANA JUSTICE by Josie Jade and Janie CrouchMontana Justice by Josie Jade, Janie Crouch
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on July 1, 2025
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four-stars

She ran to save her life.
Now the man she once betrayed is her only hope.

Home to both the Resting Warrior Ranch and Pawsitive Connections, Garnet Bend, Montana is a small town full of big heroes. Anyone would want to live there.

Anybody but Piper Matthews.

She swore she’d never come back after what her father did to the town and what she did to Sheriff Lachlan Calloway. But desperation has a way of rewriting promises. With a baby in her arms and nowhere left to run, Piper returns to the only place that ever felt like home.

Lachlan never expected to see Piper again—especially not with a child that has his eyes. The woman who once disappeared without a word is now sleeping under his roof, guarding more secrets than she’s willing to share.

She says she’s done running. But Piper’s past is closing in fast—and it’s darker, more dangerous, and more tangled up in Lachlan’s world than he could ever imagine.

In a town built on quiet loyalty and buried lies, the truth is about to break everything wide open.

 

Drama filled and action packed! The next book in the Resting Warrior Ranch series centers around Sheriff Lachlan. There wasn’t a lot to be seen in any great degree of the Resting Warrior folks this time, but the story was enthralling enough all on it’s own to hold my attention. I liked Lachlan and Piper both and was rooting for them from the start, but she was a a bit of a hard pill to swallow once we learn the true depth of her secrets. There were several holes in the plot that would have made for a more fulfilling story had they been developed on (such as where was her mom? what was his background? what was program that is mentioned at the end of the story?), but overall I enjoyed them. Lots of suspense, danger and treachery to sink your teeth into.

I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone that enjoys former military/law enforcement guys that form a bond with each other and set out to keep their loved ones and the town they settled in safe.

four-stars

* Review * NEED by Chelle Bliss

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * NEED by Chelle BlissNeed by Chelle Bliss
Series: Men of Inked Sinners #3
Published by Bliss Ink LLC on July 1, 2025
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four-stars

Can a chance encounter with a bossy, tattooed hunk turn into a happily ever after?

Lulu Gallo doesn’t spend time daydreaming about romance, she's too busy becoming a self-made woman. But on the way to meeting with a new client, a pothole takes out her tire, sending her on a path she never saw coming.

Oliver has always been a loner. He prefers spending his days getting his hands dirty and helping strangers in need. But what started out as a normal call, has Oliver saving the life of a beautiful stranger and changing his destiny forever.

But when someone threatens Lulu and the ones she loves, Oliver will do anything to protect her even if it means giving up his freedom and their happily ever after.

 

I never get tired of the Gallo family! Chelle Bliss continues to delight her fans with their favorite family as each cousin/sibling finds their true love in emotional, dramatic ways that could only happen to the Gallos. I loved Lou and Oli and enjoyed their love story very much. I felt like this particular book fell a little short in the Gallo’ness though. I wanted more background, more family interaction, more relationship development. The characters were solid and grabbed my attention quickly and kept me entrenched in their story easily, but I wanted the depth of the fam that is usually there. I loved them regardless and can’t wait fore more to come in the series.

I highly recommend the entire series as well as the Gallos that came prior to anyone that enjoys a close knit family with lives filled with chaos and drama but who love hard when they find their forever.

four-stars