Archives for May 30, 2023

* Review * THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP by Lori Foster

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

The Little Flower Shop by Lori Foster
Published by Canary Street Press on May 9, 2023
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How did her love life become a community affair?

Since her divorce, Emily Lucretia—affectionately known as the flower lady to the people of Cemetery, Indiana—has been focused on her flower shop and taking care of her aging aunt and uncle. Her love life is hardly the centerpiece of her busy days.

Saul Culver, the town’s favorite bachelor and owner of the local barbecue joint, has been interested in Emily for a while. But as much as Emily knows about flowers, she can be a little oblivious to her own appeal. Saul is determined to show her just how special she is.

Saul isn’t the only one trying to get Emily out of her shell. Well-meaning locals have started tagging photos of Emily with #theflowerlady on social media—and now the entire town is involved in finding her Mr. Right. Saul won't give up easily. He’s finally caught her attention, and he's determined to convince Emily—and the town—that this is the real deal and not just some passing trend.

Heart, humor and angsty goodness are always guaranteed with a Lori Foster novel! The second book in her Indiana Summers series is here and brings a delightfully endearing heroine to the forefront with Emily AKA The Flower Lady. She’s sincere and has a heart of gold, but seems unknowing of how much she’s adored and why. I loved every minute of watching her get her happily ever after with Saul and her close relationship with Gentry was super sweet. Fans of Foster’s quirky Kathleen “character” from the earlier book in the series will be delighted with her hilarious sightings in this book as well.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a small town romance filled with a cast of characters in a town filled with drama that will have you feeling like family in no time.

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* Review * REBELLIOUS ROCKSTAR by Gina Azzi

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * REBELLIOUS ROCKSTAR by Gina Azzi

Rebellious Rockstar by Gina Azzi
Series: The Burnt Clovers Trilogy #1
Published by Three Cities Publishing LLC on June 1, 2023
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One summer, one rebellious rockstar, and a love that won’t quit — even when it hurts.

Four years ago, Derek “Reign” Reiner gave me my first kiss and flipped my world upside down. Then, my brother’s bandmate catapulted to stardom, becoming a veritable rock god, while I moved across the country.

The last thing Derek expects is me on his band’s doorstep. Yet, here I am. Lost, uncertain about my future, and desperate to feel a connection — to my family, to my brother, to him.

I’m in Boston for one summer, hoping to find my path and discover if there’s something between Derek and me.

And, oh, there is.

Our attraction is intense and heady, fueled by a reckless need. Our chemistry is electric, brimming with a desperate passion neither of us can control.

And our relationship? Well, that’s complicated. Tumultuous.

Derek Reiner may be my brother’s best friend, an international heartthrob, and a musical genius. But he’s also mine.

Even if he breaks my heart.

A delectable kick-off to a brand new rockstar trilogy from Gina Azzi! As a superfan of her hockey hunks, I was ALL IN for some rockstars, and there’s no denying that I was hooked from start to finish and am there for the next two books even with annoying cliffhangers … but I had so much dislike for how Allegra was treated from both Derek and her brother throughout the entire book. It’s angsty, but it’s also sad and hurtful, but I’m hooked and will undoubtedly see it through and hope against hope that these guys will somehow make themselves redeemable. Azzi has her work cut out for her!

Cliffhangers, so must be read in order.

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* Review * A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE by Kristan Higgins

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE by Kristan Higgins

A Little Ray of Sunshine by Kristan Higgins
Published by Berkley on June 6, 2023
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A kid walks into your bookstore and… Guess what? He’s your son. The one you put up for adoption eighteen years ago. The one you never told anyone about. Surprise!

And a huge surprise it is.

It’s a huge surprise to his adoptive mother, Monica, who thought she had a close relationship with Matthew, her nearly adult son. But apparently, he felt the need to secretly arrange a vacation to Cape Cod for the summer so he could meet his birth mother…without a word to either her or his dad.

It’s also a surprise— to say the least—to Harlow, the woman who secretly placed her baby for adoption so many years ago. She’s spent the years since then building a quiet life. She runs a bookstore with her grandfather, hangs out with her four younger siblings and is more or less happily single, though she can’t help gravitating toward Grady Byrne, her old friend from high school. He’s moved back to town, three-year-old daughter in tow, no wife in the picture. But she’s always figured her life had to be child-free, so that complicates things.

When Matthew walks into Harlow’s store, she faints. Monica panics. And all their assumptions—about what being a parent really means—explode. This summer will be full of more surprises as both their families are redefined…and as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love.

Higgins is pulling on our heartstrings with this highly emotional, riveting delight! I was hooked from the very first page of this coming of age enlightenment with the various players making strong points in this multifaceted situation of love, sacrifice and greater good. Cynthia kind of felt like a stray character who didn’t really add a lot to the story, but created distraction that I could have lived without; however, every other aspect of the book worked really well for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a women’s fiction novel filled to the brim with heart, sacrifice and happily ever afters here and there.

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* Review * WIDOW LAKE by Rita Herron

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Widow Lake by Rita Herron
Series: Detective Ellie Reeves #8
Published by Bookouture on May 31, 2023
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“Help,” a tiny voice cried out into the darkness. Little Betsy trembled, praying someone would hear her, save her. “Please,” she whimpered. “I’m scared.”

On the hottest day of the year, as a heatwave takes hold of the Appalachian Mountains, a five-year-old girl goes missing. Just as the sun is setting, a family vacation becomes a worst nightmare—Betsy, with her green eyes, ponytail and rainbow t-shirt—disappears in the woods by Widow Lake. Detective Ellie Reeves is straight on the scene, promising Betsy’s heartbroken parents that she will stop at nothing to find their precious daughter.

Hours later, Ellie is called back to the lake. One of her team have discovered some remains near where Betsy disappeared. The bones belong to a local girl, Amy Dean, who vanished ten years ago to the day, along with her two-year-old baby girl Paisley. But why was Paisley never reported missing? And could she still be alive?

Ellie is suddenly up against the toughest case of her career. Her instincts tell her that the two cases are somehow connected, and she works day and night to uncover the link. When she comes across some little graves beside the water’s edge, she knows she needs to stop the evil lurking around this tranquil lake.

When Ellie discovers a notebook scrawled with the handwriting of a little girl, it could be the breakthrough she needs. Can she unravel a decades-old mystery, and stop the monster claiming innocent lives?

Captivating and emotional throughout! With the eighth book in her always addictive Detective Ellie Reeves series Rita Herron takes her readers along for the ride on another case that only Ellie can solve. She’s always hardcore and will stop at nothing to get answers and justice to those wronged in and around her town. The characters are intriguing and the emotions are high. I really am getting a tad tired of the cat and mouse game of Ellie, Derrick and Cord though and would like to see some finality there soon. Overall a highly addictive read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes.

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* Review * IDENTITY by Nora Roberts

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Identity by Nora Roberts
Published by St. Martin's Press on May 23, 2023
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Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan's job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party—attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who'd been chatting her up at the bar—her carefully built world is shattered. The back door glass is broken, cash and jewelry are missing, her car is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.

Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. "Luke" is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.

What the FBI tells Morgan is beyond chilling. Nina wasn't his type. Morgan is. Nina was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Morgan's nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother's home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn't flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn't forgotten the one who got away.

A highly addictive race against time! Nora Roberts can always be counted on for a book to steal you away from reality and take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion, wit and satisfaction. With her latest, she spins the tale of a popular bartender who befriends a new guy and has her world turned upside down in the blink of an eye because of it. The characters are intriguing, the danger is exhilarating and the warmth of the family and friends she has surrounding her brings a whole lot to the story. I loved every minute!

Highly recommend to anyone that enjoys romance mixed into their suspense and danger.

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* Review * RAGS TO RICHES REUNION by Yvonne Lindsay

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

Rags to Riches Reunion by Yvonne Lindsay
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 23, 2023
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He made a promise to never date his best friend’s sister. But after all these years…the temptation to succumb is nearly irresistible.

Drummond “Drum” Keyes was the kid from the wrong side of town, while Hyacinth “Cin” Sanderton was high-society’s princess, his first love…and his best friend’s sister. He vowed never to date her and risk breaking her heart. Now the tides have turned, and Drum is the one offering down-on-her-luck Hyacinth a job at his multimillion-dollar company. When Cin learns exactly why Drum has kept his distance, will she teach him that breaking the rules can be oh so good?

What an exhilarating ride! I was captivated by the main characters very quickly and loved getting to know their story. I wanted a bit more development on Drum’s fam and background, but overall I was hooked and didn’t want to put the book down until I reached that happily ever after. There was a bit more intrigue and danger than we usually get in a Harlequin Desire and I for one loved every minute of it! Highly recommend to anyone that loves a romance with loads of drama mixed in.

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* Review * KIDNAPPED FOR THE ACOSTA HEIR by Susan Stephens

May 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

Kidnapped for the Acosta Heir by Susan Stephens
Series: The Acostas! #11
Published by Harlequin Presents on May 23, 2023
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Alejandro Acosta:
Billionaire, enigma…father?

The death of her beloved brother was the first of three shocks for singer Sienna Slater. The second was inheriting his half of a Spanish island…and the last was discovering her brother’s best friend, Alejandro, owns the other half!

Sparks fly as their worlds collide, until one unforgettable night leaves Sienna carrying a nine-month secret. But before she has the chance to confess to Alejandro, he discovers the truth and swiftly steals her

Captivatingly alluring! The next book in Susan Stephens Acostas! series centers around Alejandro Acosta and his best friends sister. The characters are easy to like, the setting and backstory is powerful, and their attraction and sizzling sex appeal is on point. I wanted a bit more development to their relationships overall and some straight answers about Tom rather than subterfuge, but overall it was an enjoyable addition to the series.

Filed Under: Book Reviews