Book Reviews – Page 45

* Review * PREGNANT PRINCESS IN MANHATTAN by Clare Connelly

November 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PREGNANT PRINCESS IN MANHATTAN by Clare Connelly

Pregnant Princess in Manhattan by Clare Connelly
Published by Harlequin Presents on November 29, 2022
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Expecting the royal heir

Expected to wed the billionaire!

Escaping the oppressive control of her protection detail leads Princess Charlotte Rothsberg to the New York penthouse of sinfully attractive Rocco Santinova. But this one rebellious night leaves innocent Charlotte pregnant with Rocco’s baby…

Rocco’s self-made reputation is the stuff of Manhattan legend. But discarded and disowned by his own father, he has no intention of letting history repeat itself. So he makes Charlotte a proposal she can’t refuse—he’ll save her from royal disgrace…as long as she agrees to be his Christmas bride!

A delectably tempting royal romance! This sizzling romance is sure to please with a surprise baby trope pairing with royal drama as Princess Charlotte escapes her guards for a passionate night with a stranger and winds up knee deep in turmoil. I loved their story!

Charlotte is sweet and understandably feeling stifled just as she’s about to be betrothed in an arranged engagement. I enjoyed seeing her get to spread her wings a bit and eventually get to choose her own happiness.

Rocco is suave and successful, but he carries his own share of family burden on his shoulders. Charlotte brings out a warmer side of him that I really enjoyed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a royal romance with lots of passion and a sincere likeability to the characters that make them easy to root for.

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* Review * PETS OF PARK AVENUE by Stefanie London

November 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PETS OF PARK AVENUE by Stefanie London

Pets of Park Avenue by Stefanie London
Series: Paws in the City #2
Published by HQN Books on December 6, 2022
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What do you do when The One is also the one who broke your heart?

Self-proclaimed hot mess Scout Myers is determined to prove she’s finally got her act together. Raised by grandparents who saw her as her wayward mother’s wayward daughter, Scout’s used to being written off. So when the opportunity for a promotion arises at Paws in the City, the talent agency where she works, Scout is desperate to rise to the occasion. With shared custody of her little sister also on the line, Scout can’t afford a single mistake…like suddenly needing a canine stand-in for an important photoshoot. Luckily (or not) she knows the owner of the perfect pup replacement: the estranged husband she walked out on years ago.

On the surface, it appears Lane Halliday’s life has been blissfully drama free without Scout, but she suspects her handsome-as-ever not-quite-ex-husband doth protest too much. Working together even feels like old times—except for all that lingering, unresolved tension. But Scout’s not sure she’s ready to confront the reasons she left Lane, and when their plans to finalize the divorce become very real, Scout starts to wonder whether second chances might be worth a little hot mess.

London excels at rom-com with a healthy side of emotional healing! With the second book in the Paws in the City series we get BFF Scout’s story. Fans from Isla’s book will recognize her and be able to jump into the heart of their biz quickly. The adorable animals are still front and center in this book, but there’s a strong emotional tie in with this book to both Scout’s estranged husband and the family that turned their back on her. I really enjoyed seeing her grow in her ability to love herself and reach for all that she deserved in life. Great characters, humor and happily ever afters!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a good bit of humor with their romance.

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* Review * DOWN IN FLAMES by Kate Meader

November 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DOWN IN FLAMES by Kate Meader

Down in Flames by Kate Meader
Series: Hot in Chicago Rookies #2
Published by Kate Meader LLC on December 6, 2022
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A steamy and emotional standalone MM firefighter-hockey player romance …

It was supposed to be a random hookup.

At a crossroads, my life a hot mess, I swiped right on the guy with the washboard abs and the tree-trunk thighs. His handle was Holt (yeah, really) but as soon as he opened the door, I recognized him: Hudson Grey, the hottest prospect in pro-hockey and apparently, secretly playing for my team. Not mind-blowing enough? He needed someone to punch his V-card, and I was only too happy to volunteer as tribute . . .

Then he ghosted me when it got to be too much.

A year later, my life is back on track and I’m a candidate firefighter at legendary Engine 6. While I might be new to the Chicago Fire Department, I’m a veteran in the game of steamy hookups. My No. 1 rule? No newbies. Except now Hudson has been traded to my hometown team, the Chicago Rebels, and he’s out, proud, and ready to date. And he wants my help introducing him to the local gay scene.

My messy past means I’m the worst guy to be mentoring the shy, sexy jock. But neither can I stand by and watch while others touch the man who already feels like mine.

I might have been his first, but I’m about to learn that the new guy has even more to teach me about hunger, hope, and falling hard . . .

Includes: First times, hot firefighters, sexy hockey players, mini-golf shenanigans, meddling friends, and fighting like hell for the love of a lifetime.

Sizzling, heartfelt goodness! When two of Kate Meader’s franchises collide, her readers are in for a deliciously sexy M/M gay romance filled with snarky wit, tender connections and more drama than they will know what to do with. I adored every single minute of Hudson and Jude’s story!

Hockey star Hudson starts the book out as secretly gay and inexperienced but with a trusting soul and a socially awkward adorableness that quickly stole my heart.

Bartender turned rookie firefighter Jude is out and proud and finally getting his head on straight after a youthful recklessness that fractured his life a bit. His genuine kindness endeared him to me and as his story unraveled, I only grew to love him more.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a gentle anthem in the beauty of letting your light shine bright even in the darkest moments. Fans of Meader’s Chicago firefighters and hockey players will delight in the sighting of some fan favorites throughout.

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* Review * ONE CHRISTMAS NIGHT by Jules Bennett

November 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * ONE CHRISTMAS NIGHT by Jules Bennett

One Christmas Night by Jules Bennett
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals #8
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 29, 2022
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They’re in for a little holiday surprise…

Morgan Grandin has bickered with Ryan Carter for years…until one night of passion changes everything. Now she’s having his baby! The wealthy rancher insists on preserving his family legacy by proposing marriage, but can Morgan trust that their sizzle will last? Ryan is a rival she can’t resist, especially when he challenges her to live on his ranch for one month—where he will do everything he can to convince her to say yes. As sparks fly and Christmas approaches, will he give Morgan the gift she wants most of all?

Pure perfection! The next installment of the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals series has Jules Bennett taking her reader along for the ride on an enemies to lovers turned surprise baby trope that will delight all. The characters are easy to like, their banter is amusing and their passion is spell binding. I enjoyed their story so much!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a whole lot of drama mixed into loving families as crisis after crisis comes into play and has to be handled as one sibling after another finds their true love.

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* Review * THE GIRL IN THE RIVER by Rita Herron

November 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THE GIRL IN THE RIVER by Rita Herron

The Girl in the River by Rita Herron
Series: Detective Ellie Reeves #7
Published by Bookouture on December 6, 2022
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The body lay in the river, arms outstretched. Long brown hair swirled in all directions, flowing with the current of the water. Her eyes were wide open in death, pale pink lips parted in a scream.

Detective Ellie Reeves should be enjoying the wedding of her dear friend Mia Norman. But instead of celebrating, she is frantically searching for the missing bride. Something is terribly wrong—just hours ago, Mia was blissfully happy. Why would she suddenly vanish?

Bursting through the dressing room, Ellie finds it in disarray—chairs overturned, a perfume bottle shattered. Hiding in the bathroom is Mia’s six-year-old daughter Pixie, curled in a ball and sobbing her heart out. The little girl says she was locked inside when she heard a man’s voice, and her mother crying. “I just want my mommy back,” she pleads. Ellie vows to make that happen.

Turning the venue upside down, Ellie’s blood turns to ice when she reaches the riverbank. Someone is dead in the rippling water, floating beside a white veil. Ellie holds her breath as she turns the body over. It belongs to Tori, Mia’s bridesmaid, a gunshot wound in her back. Near the murder scene, Ellie discovers a button from a man’s shirt, and her friend’s engagement ring. The race is on to find Mia—before it’s too late.

When forensics come back, the investigation takes a dark turn. DNA proves that Mia was actually Jesse Habersham, a woman who went missing five years ago. Ellie is certain that Mia was running from someone. Did her past finally catch up with her?

Facing the most complex case of her career, Ellie is in a race against time. Can she uncover the truth before her friend is brutally killed? And when the murderer comes after innocent little Pixie, will Ellie save her from the clutches of death?

Rita Herron always delivers on a Detective Ellie Reeves mystery! Exhilarating secrets are uncovered as Ellie dives into the middle of a missing persons/murder case when attending a friend’s wedding. Danger is lurking around every corner and lies are uncovered time and again in this action packed mystery. Fast paced, addictive and high octane!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a small town thriller with a cast of returning characters trying to solve crime after crime as life’s drama wraps around them time and again and makes for a relatable story.

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* Review * STARLIGHT AND THE CHRISTMAS DARE by Michelle Major

November 17, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * STARLIGHT AND THE CHRISTMAS DARE by Michelle Major

Starlight and the Christmas Dare by Michelle Major
Series: Welcome to Starlight #7
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on November 29, 2022
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She isn’t the only one looking for a fresh start…

Guardian of his teenaged half sister, glassblower Chase Kent is determined to steer his sibling onto the right path. But volunteer counselor Madison Maurer knew that he was missing that path by a long shot. So when Chase is injured in an accident right before Christmas, Madi opens her home to both brother and sister. She finds herself falling for Chase—and hoping he might open his heart, if only to discover the family he didn't know he was missing…

An emotionally heart wrenching return to Starlight! Michelle Major wraps a small town around her readers’ heart easily time and again but this story brings even more angst and family turmoil than normal to her plot and it was handled well. Strong characters with compelling back stories and a whole lot of drama to overcome in their path to forever.

Madison and her surly grumpiness has been a mainstay in this series as she slowly lets people of the town into her heart and learns to ease up on herself. It’s really sincere to see her move forward from her past and find happiness.

Chase is a complex character. He’s a sincerely nice guy, but he doubts himself and believes so poorly of the influence he can have that he does more harm than good in come circumstances.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a small town filled with good hearted folks and loads of drama along the way to happily ever after.

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* Review * CHRISTMAS RANSOM by B.J. Daniels

November 16, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * CHRISTMAS RANSOM by B.J. Daniels

Christmas Ransom by B.J. Daniels
Series: A Colt Brothers Investigation #3
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on November 29, 2022
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Could a second chance at forever become a ransom demand?

Former rodeo star Davy Colt traded his competition spurs for a PI license. But even after years away, he never stopped loving hometown sweetheart Carla Richmond. A robbery and hostage situation at the Lonesome bank leaves the loan officer injured and shattered. With the escaped culprit still at large, Davy will ransom his heart to the hilt to avert a deadly Christmas for Carla and their long-overdue reunion.

Non-stop action will delight intrigue fans! The third book in the Colt Brothers Investigation series brings rodeo star brother Davy back home to reunite with his former love when a bank robbery leaves her injured and in danger. The plot is thick with mystery and the characters past is bringing tension to the surface quickly when they reconnect to catch the culprit.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fast paced dive into danger and intrigue with lots of drama and family bonding mixed in.

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* Review * A VALENTINE FOR CHRISTMAS by Reese Ryan

November 16, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * A VALENTINE FOR CHRISTMAS by Reese Ryan

A Valentine for Christmas by Reese Ryan
Series: Valentine Vineyards #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 29, 2022
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A red-hot romance between a career-focused woman and a determined younger man?

Doctor’s orders!

Dr. Julian Brandon is too charming, too sexy and too young for Chandra Valentine. But after the successful bachelor rescues her—twice—she owes him. Still reeling from life-changing family revelations, Chandra somehow agrees to pose as Julian’s girlfriend. And now the irresistible Julian has plans that start with seduction under the mistletoe and end with their fake relationship erupting into a scorching affair. Now Chandra’s questioning everything she believed about love…

I’m so excited for this series! Reese Ryan is spinning off her ever popular Bourbon Brothers series when a newly found family member and his fam begin to bring Valentine Vineyards to life. There are several characters to keep track of in the unraveling of this new family, but the familiar faces of a few from King’s Finest made it feel like a visit with old friends. Attention grabbing characters, family drama galore and the ever promised hope of romance have me diving in head first for more in the series!

Chandra Valentine has an adorable and dramatic meet cute with the man of her dreams just as she’s embarking on a roller coaster ride of family expectations and life drama. I loved her spunky attitude and all around accomplished outlook.

Julian Brandon is kindhearted and sincere but he’s dreading the obligation he has hanging over his head more than he can stay. I enjoyed seeing him make peace with past hurt and disappointment to walk proudly into his future.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a close knit family with lots of drama and clashing personalities joining forces to conquer the world and love, one sibling at a time.

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* Review * THE TWIN SECRET SHE MUST REVEAL by Joss Wood

November 16, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THE TWIN SECRET SHE MUST REVEAL by Joss Wood

The Twin Secret She Must Reveal by Joss Wood
Series: Scandals of the Le Roux Wedding #3
Published by Harlequin Presents on November 29, 2022
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She has a confession:

Her sons are also his!

Thadie Le Roux has not one but two reminders of those incredible hours in Angus Docherty’s arms. But unable to contact her twins’ elusive father, the society heiress decides she has to move on. Until she’s caught in a paparazzi frenzy and the security expert who rescues her is Angus himself!

Learning he’s a father changes everything for lone-wolf Angus—except the dizzying desire he feels for Thadie. So when she escapes to a private Seychelles island, Angus will accompany her. And he will discover what this means for their future…

So much more than I expected! There’s a bit of a disconnect between the story we thought we were in for with Thadie in the final book of the Scandals of the Le Roux Wedding series by Joss Wood and what it actually turns into, but I loved Thadie and Angus so much that I couldn’t find myself caring that Clyde was all but shoved under the rug! Great characters, fast paced angst and a sizzling connection to keep us on our toes.

Thadie is an attention grabbing character. She’s beloved by her brothers and is raising a set of equally precocious twins, but finds herself alone in the times when she wants someone meaningful by her side.

Angus lives in a world all his own, but once he finds Thadie again and realizes he has a family he didn’t know about, he’s all in to figure out how they fit together.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a huge amount of family drama mixed into a close knit group of siblings who are each pairing off with their forever love.

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* Review * WYOMING CHRISTMAS REUNION by Melinda Curtis

November 15, 2022 Leave a Comment

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* Review * WYOMING CHRISTMAS REUNION by Melinda Curtis

Wyoming Christmas Reunion by Melinda Curtis
Series: The Blackwells of Eagle Springs #5
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on November 29, 2022
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A love that never died…

Could be rekindled this Christmas

Helen Blackwell never stopped loving horse trainer Nash…even when she divorced him. When the stoic cowboy bets the ranch on her winning a cutting horse competition—and she’s terrified to ride—she wonders if there’s any hope for them. Renewing the love between them may take more than a moment under the mistletoe. But working together could heal past hurts and give their five-year-old son his Christmas wish!

The epitome of saving the best for last! I’m a big fan of the Blackwell family, so every story in The Blackwells of Eagle Springs has been sweet, sentimental and endearing but there’s just something special about seeing Nash and Helen reunite that ties it all together beautifully. The characters are fast to hook you, the romantic tension is fast paced and sincere and the family drama happening behind the scenes keeps you turning page after page. I loved this series and hope we haven’t seen the last of the Blackwells!

Nash is kindhearted and sincere and the tarnish of his past heartache and sins is just light enough to make him easily redeemable and to have the reader pulling for him from start to finish.

Helen is really easy to sympathize with and she proves time and again why she’s the ideal person to lasso a man like Nash.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a small town romance filled with a close knit group of family and friends who stick beside each other come what may as happily ever afters come knocking whether they are ready for them or not.

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