Archives for June 2022

* Review * THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP by Susan Mallery

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP by Susan MalleryThe Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery
Published by MIRA on May 31, 2022
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five-stars

When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it's a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are…not.

Bree, wounded by brilliant but cold parents and her late husband's ultimate betrayal, has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley's brother, a writer and adventurer who has inspired millions. He's the first man to see past Bree's barricades to her true self, which terrifies her. Mikki has this divorce thing all figured out—somehow, she's stayed friends with her ex and her in-laws…until a new man changes how everyone looks at her, and how she sees herself. Meanwhile, Ashley discovers that the love of her life never intends to marry. Can she live without being a wife if it means she can have everything else she's ever wanted?

At sunset every Friday on the beach in front of the Boardwalk Bookshop, the three friends share a champagne toast. As their bond grows closer, they challenge one another to become the best versions of themselves in this heartachingly beautiful story of friendship, sisterhood and the transformative power of love.

 

The complexities of love and friendship are beautifully interwoven! THE BOARDWALK BOOKSHOP brings together three women and their separate businesses into one beachfront store in the heart of California and shines a light on the growth of a friendship that supports each of them as life brings them love, turmoil and happily ever afters. The characters are intriguing, each of their lives bring a totally different aspect of love to the forefront and the strength of their friendship grows to support them when they need it most.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys drama, friendship and happy endings.

five-stars

* Review * BOYFRIEND LESSONS by Sophia Singh Sasson

* Review * BOYFRIEND LESSONS by Sophia Singh SassonBoyfriend Lessons by Sophia Singh Sasson
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Ranchers and Rivals #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 24, 2022
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three-half-stars

Her cardinal rule for learning the ropes of romance?

Don’t fall for the teacher!

Shy Lone Star heiress Caitlyn Lattimore is eager to ditch her wallflower status. So when her best friend playfully suggests she practice dating, Caitlyn goes one further. She asks friend of a friend Dev Mallik to give her boyfriend lessons. The spark between them soon turns fun into fire. But is Caitlyn setting herself up for heartbreak? Because Dev’s exacting parents want just the right woman for their son—and they aren’t so sure she’s the one…

 

Sizzling love at first sight! The second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals series starts out a tad confusing with a lot of characters mentioned without full disclosure of who is who, but it quickly leveled out into an enjoyable meet cute for Caitlyn and Dev. Their timeline until “I love you” was extremely rushed, but I enjoyed the characters as a whole and found them relatable.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys love when it’s least expected between a man of the world and a refreshingly naive heroine.

three-half-stars

* Review * UNBRIDLED COWBOY by Maisey Yates

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * UNBRIDLED COWBOY by Maisey YatesUnbridled Cowboy by Maisey Yates
Series: Four Corners Ranch #1
Published by HQN Books on May 24, 2022
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four-stars

Welcome to Four Corners Ranch, where the West is still wild…and when a cowboy needs a wife, he decides to find her the old-fashioned way.

Cowboy Sawyer Garrett has no intention of settling down. But when he becomes a single dad to tiny baby June, stepping up to the responsibility is nonnegotiable. And so is finding a woman to be a mother to his infant daughter. So he decides to do it the way the pioneers did: by putting out an ad for a mail-order bride.

Evelyn Moore can’t believe she’s agreed to uproot her city life to marry a stranger in Oregon. But having escaped one near-disastrous marriage, she’s desperate for change. Her love for baby June is instant. Her feelings for Sawyer are…more complicated. Her gruff cowboy husband ignites thrilling desire in her, but Sawyer is determined to keep their marriage all about the baby. But what happens if Evelyn wants it all?

 

A dynamic duo to kick off the brand new Four Corners Ranch series! Maisey Yates is queen of small town cowboys, so it’s no surprise that she sets up a great four family grouping to start this series out strong with the drama yet to come. There are many characters to keep track of, but it didn’t feel overwhelming, just slightly long-winded with introspect on occasion. I enjoyed Sawyer and Evelyn a lot and look forward to lots more to come in the series.

Sawyer might be closed off and distant, but he has an earnest, caring heart and shines bright as he begins to let love in.

Evelyn jumped from one dicey situation to another, but her ability to go all in was heartwarming when it came to baby June.

I recommend this story to anyone that enjoys a working ranch family that doesn’t have much time for love until it suddenly knocks them over the head.

four-stars