Book Reviews – Page 58

* Review * JESSIE’S GIRL by Naima Simone

May 24, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * JESSIE’S GIRL by Naima Simone

Jessie's Girl by Naima Simone
Series: The Trapper Keeper Diaries #1
Published by Oliver Heber Books on May 24, 2022
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You’ve been his for years, and I respected it. Maintained my distance.

Kept my silence. My secret.

Until that night you came to me, disillusioned, angry and hurt. God helps us both, but I crossed my carefully drawn line before you left, disappeared.

Now, you’re back, and my need for you is a beast that hasn’t been fed and has grown hungrier in the years since I’ve seen you. I remind myself we can’t be more than friends, that you’re off-limits to me. But it doesn’t stop me from secretly craving what can never be mine.

You.

My fantasy. My sin.

My joy. My regret.

My best friend’s woman.

Jessie’s girl.

Fast paced, endearing and oh so sensual! I dare you to read this book and not be humming the old 80’s tune in your head at least once! Unrequited love with a twist that turns hot, hot, hot when opportunity knocks and willpower is thrown out the door.

This book is a quick read and will have your glasses steaming up in no time! I highly enjoyed Asa and India’s story and was rooting for them from start to finish. I think some follow through in the ending to develop their relationship and the fall out from it would have made for a more rounded story, but I loved them regardless.

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* Review * MILLION-DOLLAR CONSEQUENCES by Jessica Lemmon

May 24, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MILLION-DOLLAR CONSEQUENCES by Jessica Lemmon

Million-Dollar Consequences by Jessica Lemmon
Series: The Dunn Brothers #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 24, 2022
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From pretense to pregnancy…

things just got real!

Scoring an interview with actor Isaac Dunn is a dream come true for podcaster Meghan Squire. But when he asks her to be his pretend girlfriend, she has to pinch herself to see if she’s dreaming! The arrangement is just for a while. Just to keep the press at bay. Easy enough. At least until their attraction proves anything but fake and results in a pregnancy. Suddenly the million-dollar question is if they’re ready to make a real commitment…

Make-believe becomes all too real in the conclusion of The Dunn Brothers duet! I highly recommend you read the first book in the series before reading this one so you will get the full enjoyment of Isaac’s story. The storyline picks up soon after his twin Max’s story MILLION-DOLLAR MIX-UP and is fast paced and enjoyable from start to finish.

Isaac is endearing now that we know the history of he and Max and watching him reconnect and begin to enjoy the family side of life again is heartwarming.

Meghan is fresh and fun and really added a lot to the feel of the story.

I highly recommend this book as well as the other book in the duet to anyone who enjoys family drama mixed in with a highly addictive romance and storyline as a set of twin brothers find their forever.

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* Review * THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE by Lori Foster

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE by Lori Foster

The Honeymoon Cottage by Lori Foster
Published by HQN Books on May 24, 2022
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She was fine arranging other people’s weddings… But life had other plans.

When it comes to creating the perfect happily-ever-after, Yardley Belanger is a bona fide miracle worker. From bridal bouquets to matching cowboy boots, the quirky wedding planner’s country-chic affairs have caused quite a stir in the small town of Cemetery. But when it comes to her own love life? She’s clueless.

Completely clueless.

Perhaps it’s for the best. The thirty-one-year-old has poured her heart and soul into her business and doesn’t have time for anything—or anyone—else. And that’s something not even the gorgeous older brother of her newest client can change…right?

All Travis Long wanted was to give his little sister, Sheena, the wedding of her dreams. Ever since the tragic death of their parents, he’s done everything he can to make her feel loved and give her everything she needs. Still…a country wedding? In a place called Cemetery? But Yardley seems to know exactly what to do and how to do it—and Travis finds himself falling for her a little more each day.

Soon Yardley and Travis find themselves being nudged together by well-meaning locals who want to see the town’s favorite wedding planner get her own happy ending.

Lori Foster does whimsical and quirky like a champ! I will be the first to admit that I love Foster’s alpha, hunky men who take charge and ask questions later the best of all, but in The Honeymoon Cottage it’s easy to fall for tenderhearted Travis who makes going with the flow and making dreams come true look easy. I highly enjoyed watching multiple happily ever afters collide and shine throughout the pages. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of a slow burn romance with a quirky town as the setting and zany characters including the town mannequin stealing the spotlight. Loads of love, heart and humor ensue!

Yardley is a sweetheart who makes brides dreams come true with the weddings she plans on a daily basis, but the life she was born into leaves something to be desired. She takes it all into stride and continues to deliver time after time, so watching her finally get the love she deserves is so satisfying.

Amelia is Yardley’s BFF and delivers the sassy side of their friendship with delight when she sees her friend being treated in a way she doesn’t appreciate. She has a new baby at home and a loving husband, but the spark just isn’t twitching anymore so she’s planning to turn up the heat!

Sheena is Travis’s beloved little sister and is planning the cozy wedding she wants to enjoy with her overworked love Todd, but getting Travis on the same side to see what she sees in the guy she plans to spend her life with is important to her as well.

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* Review * THE SECRET HEIR RETURNS by Joss Wood

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE SECRET HEIR RETURNS by Joss Wood

The Secret Heir Returns by Joss Wood
Series: Dynasties: DNA Dilemma #4
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 24, 2022
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Will a surprise inheritance lead to not one

but two found families for this secret son?

Rejected by his birth family, author and finance whiz Sutton Marchant made his own way in the world. Now he’s back to fulfill the terms of his birth father’s will, which means staying with Lowrie Lewis, the irresistible manager of the Rossi Inn. The last thing he needs is a distraction like her and her son, but he’s floored by their fierce attraction. Sutton came to claim what’s his, but will Lowrie lead him to the biggest prize of all?

This series wrap up is filled with heart as secrets unravel, families reunite and love outshines all! In the fourth book of the Dynasties: DNA Dilemma series we finally get to the heart of all of the unknown bits of the family tree and it’s both heartwarming and satisfying. I enjoyed this series a lot!

Sutton is an endearing character. He isn’t all that interested in reuniting with the family that abandoned him, but he also isn’t sure he fits in with the family who chose him. Seeing him put all of the pieces together and understand how loved he truly is was really heartwarming.

Lowrie is a sweetheart who hasn’t had an easy go of life but still had a warm heart and gentle spirit to welcome all who enter her life.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys family drama mixed with steamy romance and feel good moments.

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* Review * THE VET’S UNEXPECTED HOUSEGUEST by Juliette Hyland

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

The Vet's Unexpected Houseguest by Juliette Hyland
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on May 24, 2022
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Her new colleague
……is also her new roommate!

Widowed workaholic Kit has dedicated her life to her patients. She’s determined to be the best vet in town and prove herself to those who’ve doubted her. But when Dr. August—aka her boss’s prodigal son—returns to help at the clinic, she’s faced with an unexpected and irresistible houseguest! August is a distraction Kit doesn’t need. Although he’s certainly one she wants! Can Kit take a risk on a rebel?

This second chance at love is sure to please! Strong characters with emotional backstories collide to bring on the feels in the latest from Juliette Hyland. Each character has a strong draw to this small town in Tennessee but aren’t exactly sure where they fit in, but drama, love and adorable animals help soothe the way toward forever.

August is easy to love and wears his heart on his sleeve to all but his curmudgeon father. He’s come home in support, but he doesn’t think he’ll be welcome to stay for long.

Kit is a sweetheart and loved by the town, but baggage past and present holds her back from achieving the dream she’s always had. I enjoyed seeing her get to be herself under the love of August.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a setting of sweet animals as warmhearted characters find their forever love amidst drama and goodness.

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* Review * IT’S A WIDOW THING by Karen Booth

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IT’S A WIDOW THING by Karen Booth

It's a Widow Thing by Karen Booth
Series: Never Too Late #3
on May 23, 2022
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He’s on the fast-track to serious, and she’s hitting the brakes.

When cosmetics entrepreneur Sabrina Kelly waited until she was thirty-eight to marry, she never thought she’d be widowed by forty. Now, two years later, she’s ready for a dip in the dating pool. And Michael, the merciless flirt who lives down the hall, seems like a fun way to get wet. He has “player” written all over him, but Sabrina’s not looking for a love connection. Her heart can’t take more than a fling.

Wall Street mogul Michael Wright has ignored his mom’s pressure to marry for years. But it’s not until he has a health scare that he finally takes stock of his life. If he’s going to settle down, only one woman comes to mind… his gorgeous, whip-smart neighbor, Sabrina. Their chemistry is off the charts. The banter? So. Hot. But while he’s working overtime to woo her, she’s holding back. Can two people running at different speeds get to happily-ever-after together?

Proof once-in-a-lifetime love can happen twice! With the final book in the Never Too Late series we meet cosmetic entrepreneur Sabrina and her temptingly lush neighbor Michael who is beginning to turn on the charm on this lonely, widowed heart. The characters are interesting and the story was both sweet and sassy when their love affair heats up.

Sabrina believes she had her grand love story and life going forward is going to be what she makes it alone, but when her delightful neighbor makes it clear the attraction she feels around him is very mutual, things have the potential to change … but is she ready for that?

Michael is a sweetheart. He’s a workaholic and it shows in his current lifestyle, but he’s goodhearted and loves his family dearly. Watching him back up and enjoy life more while wooing Sabrina is really special.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a mature romance with more depth than you might get from a perky twenty-something first love story. This series is proof that life happens, and we have to pick up the pieces and deal in order to find joy again.

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* Review * FLASH POINT by Tracey Devlyn

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Flash Point by Tracey Devlyn
Series: Steele Ridge: The Blackwells #1
Published by Steele Ridge Publishing on May 23, 2022
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A treasure hunter thought he had everything in his life firmly in hand until a chance encounter with a mysterious redhead tests the limits of his self-control.

When FBI Special Agent Olivia Westcott’s boss hands over her next assignment, she has an opportunity to retrieve a priceless artifact and shut down a high-profile drug scheme in one fell swoop. All Liv has to do is work with the lead recovery agent of Blackwell Asset Recovery Services—with whom she’d had a passionate one-night stand two weeks prior—and not let her feelings compromise the case.

Zeke Blackwell still struggles with running the family business after his older brother unexpectedly left him in charge. Now he has the added responsibility of keeping drugs off the streets of small towns across Western North Carolina and keeping his hands off the too-enticing special agent while they’re planning the joint operation. As if that’s not enough to keep him up at night, he’s also searching for a centuries-old treasure that could change the course of his and his family’s lives.

But what starts as a high-value asset recovery spirals out of control when their enemies force Liv and Zeke to stay one step ahead of danger. Is their attraction worth the risk? Or will they find themselves playing a game too dangerous to survive?

This dive back into Steele Ridge brings non-stop mystery! While there were many characters and several irons in different fires to keep track of, The Blackwell brothers came in strong and packed a punch. The plot was interesting, the characters were bewitching and the familial love and angst was spot on. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series, hopefully with a bit more Steele interaction.

Zeke is brusque and all business, but he’s got a heart of gold and an expectation upon himself that puts the weight of the world on his shoulders. I enjoyed seeing him accept love and seeing him thrive when he lets his brothers into his inner circle was heartwarming.

Olivia is a dynamo. Single mom, wrapped in grief, yet open to whatever this relationship may become right from the start. I liked her a lot.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a high action story filled with danger, family camaraderie and a sexy flirt of love and romance.

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* Review * RELUCTANT ROOMMATES by Tara Taylor Quinn

May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Reluctant Roommates by Tara Taylor Quinn
Series: Sierra's Web #2
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on April 26, 2022
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He just inherited his family estate.

So did she.

Living with a total stranger for twelve months is the only way Weston Thomas can claim possession of his Georgia family mansion. If not, the place goes to the dogs—seven rescue pups being looked after by Paige Martinson, his co-owner, to be exact. West’s instant, unexpected attraction to the free-spirited ghostwriter comes with rules of engagement. But when chemistry deepens into more powerful emotions, is the accountant willing to bank on a future that was never in his long-term plans?

Highly emotional and addictive! The second book in the Sierra’s Web series brings a heart full of rescue dogs to the forefront and they are so sweet and add a poignant touch to the storyline. The characters meet in an unorthodox way and in the beginning we don’t think they are going to connect, but the story weaves emotion and angst around our hearts as they grow closer with each moment they share. I really loved their story!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys emotional moments mixed into your romance. The back story of Sierra hasn’t been strongly brought to the forefront that connects all of these books yet, but I assume we will hear more of the story as the series plays out. I’m enjoying it!

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* Review * HARD PASS by Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera

May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Hard Pass by Brenda Rothert, Kat Mizera
Series: St. Louis Mavericks #3
Published by Silver Sky Publishing, Inc. on May 17, 2022
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Sariah

Ever meant to text your ex, but accidentally messaged a stranger instead? I did, and that mistake started a friendship that became important to me as I navigated a move and a new job with the St. Louis Mavericks. I’m crushing life as a strong, single woman until I discover the truth. That stranger I’m crushing on? He’s actually not a stranger at all.

Nash

Giving a fake name to the woman who accidentally texted me seemed like a good idea at the time. As a pro hockey player, my real name tends to draw out puck bunnies and fame seekers. But when the woman who thinks I’m “Rob” starts working for the Mavericks, I find myself in a jam. How do I tell her the man she thinks she’s falling for is actually the somewhat arrogant (though charming) hockey player she can’t stand?

This meet-cute is EVERYTHING! I have really been enjoying the St. Louis Mavericks series by Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera and HARD PASS once again grabbed me from start to finish. The characters were each compelling all on their own and together they were adorable and such good hearted folks. I can’t wait for more in the series!

Sariah is easy to like and easy to sympathize with.

I loved everything about Nash … even if he was fibbing half the book.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with equal parts team camaraderie, steamy interactions and heartfelt affection.

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* Review * RACING TO YOU by Susan Carlisle

May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Racing to You by Susan Carlisle
Series: Love in the Air #1
on April 5, 2022
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The last person she wanted to ask for help is the man who destroyed her father’s life.

Hot air balloon pilot Emily Kerr needs to enter a coast-to-coast race across America to raise funds and start her own ballooning business. Her only obstacle is finding a sponsor.

Reid Martin is an industrial textile manufacturer who has developed a promising high-tech material, but he needs to test it in a practical setting before selling it to the Department of Defense. With a government contract in hand, Reid can take his family company public, saving it from bankruptcy.

Despite her reservations, Emily offers Reid an enticing opportunity to get a first-hand look at what his fabric can do. He agrees to help the intriguing woman but with two stipulations:

1. She must use the balloon he constructs
2. He will accompany her on the three-week trip

While floating across the sky, Emily reluctantly accepts the appealing man’s presence while vowing not to let him touch her heart. Will Reid risk everything—including Emily’s dream and his hope of winning her love—to save his future?

A delightful bit of escapism! With solid characters and an interesting subject that we don’t hear much about, RACING TO YOU was a refreshing bit of sweetness for this reader. Not only do we get a taste of the ballooning industry, but we get a fresh take on an enemies to lovers trope and a rewarding happily ever after. Highly enjoyed!

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