Archives for June 12, 2023

* Review * THE SWEETHEART LIST by Jill Shalvis

June 12, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE SWEETHEART LIST by Jill Shalvis

The Sweetheart List by Jill Shalvis
Series: Sunrise Cove #4
Published by Avon on June 13, 2023
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What makes life sweet?

Freshly baked bread
A cool lake on a hot summer day
The comfort of a cozy bookstore
Second chances and new beginnings

When Harper Shaw’s life falls apart, she knows it’s time for a change. She removes everything that doesn’t spark joy—from her soul-sucking job to eating kale to making lists—and sets off for the last place she was happy, Lake Tahoe (who wouldn’t feel good there, right?) to fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery.

With her Sugar Pine Bakery in between a tavern, owned by sexy, grumpy Bodie Campbell, and a bookstore, run by her new BFF, she feels a peace she’s never experienced since…well, forever.. Then she meets Ivy, a teenage runaway, who barrels into her heart. She sees a lot of herself in Ivy and takes her under her wing, but the teenager has secrets…

When those secrets explode, it changes Harper’s new world, and she’ll learn, it’s never too late to start over, it’s never too late to figure out your life, and best of all, it’s never too late to let yourself believe in love.

Shalvis always delivers heartfelt characters, loveable backdrops and humor just when we need it! The fourth book in her decadent Sunrise Cove series was quick to hook me and keep me turning page after page to inhale all of the angsty goodness!

Harper is a character who it’s hard not to like because she’s just so down-to-earth and real. She’s got her list of problems, but she tackles them with an upbeat attitude and still always has a helping hand for others. I really enjoyed her … snark and all!

Bodie was my favorite! He’s a sweet at heart grump and I adored every minute with him.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a romance filled with warmth and humor in a gorgeous setting and with relatable characters.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * BRAY by Lori Foster

June 12, 2023 Leave a Comment

Bray by Lori Foster
Series: Ultimate Series #5
Published by Canary Street Press on June 1, 2023
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She’s turned him down every time.

But this fighter is determined to win her over.

Bray Barlow is a simple guy. A light heavyweight MMA fighter, he trains, keeps his weight for fights and is known to blow off steam with willing women—especially when he’s frustrated. He’s frustrated a lot lately because deep down, he knows Karen is the one for him. But every time he asks out the mysterious dark-haired woman with the bluest eyes, she politely declines. Every. Single. Time.

For Karen Hall, Bray is extra. The brown-eyed and very ripped MMA fighter is extra hot, extra nice, extra tempting—and totally off-limits. Karen moved here and changed her name to disappear. She’s worked hard to keep her distance from people, especially from Bray. When a car runs off the road, she knows it’s no accident and that her past has finally found her. The instinct is to run, but her heart is telling her to take a chance and turn to the one person who can help her. Bray.

Check out the other titles in the Ultimate series, including Fighting Dirty where we first meet Bray!

Foster delivers a dose of angsty goodness with a dip back into a fan favorite series! With her annual benefit novella, Lori Foster lends a hand to an animal rescue near and dear to her heart as she brings a familiar face into the spotlight with a brand new novella reviving the Ultimate Series. Longtime fans of the series will be delighted with a cameo by legendary Armie when his mentee Bray needs a nudge in the right direction. The characters and drama are quick to catch a reader’s attention, and the non-stop heart will keep you addicted page after page. I loved every minute!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire Ultimate Series to anyone that enjoys MMA romance filled with a group of kind-hearted, alpha males who have each other’s backs and relish the day they each find their forever.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * ROCK BOTTOM by Kat Mizera

June 12, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Rock Bottom by Kat Mizera
Series: Rock Harder #1
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My family calls me Zeke. But the music industry refers to me as Big Z… and women everywhere know why.

Being lead guitarist for the hottest band in the world should be enough. But it’s not. Nothing ever is. And I don’t know why.

Money. Fame. Girls. I’m drowning in all three. But it’s the sweet, spunky college girl offering up her virginity in exchange for an interview that I can’t get out of my head. And I wish I knew why.

But Presley’s been keeping a secret that changes everything. She becomes my lifeline. And instead of pushing her away, I should’ve held on tighter.

Because the whole band is on a downward spiral, out of control… and none of us knew what was coming.

Kat Mizera can always be counted on to deliver a gritty, raw hero who manages to melt our heart in no time! This kick off to a brand new Rock Harder rockstar series delivers on more levels than I expected when we get an unexpected tender connection right off the bat. The storyline delivers highs and lows along the way towards heartache and pain but in the end love and brotherhood leads the way. Great characters, endearing angst and all the feels!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys seeing a highly successful hero show his softer side when he meets his match in a sweet, down-to-earth way. I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE CAFE AT BEACH END by RaeAnne Thayne

June 12, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE CAFE AT BEACH END by RaeAnne Thayne

The Cafe at Beach End by RaeAnne Thayne
Series: Cape Sanctuary #5
Published by Canary Street Press on June 13, 2023
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When Meredith Collins was a child, the little beach town of Cape Sanctuary lived up to its name. Spending summers there with her grandmother, Meredith finally felt safe and loved.

Now she’s returning in disgrace. Her late ex-husband swindled investors out of millions of dollars and made Meredith a figure of scorn—though she knew nothing about his scheme. But she still has the beach cottage she inherited from her grandmother and half ownership of the local café. It’s a place to work and earn a little money. That’s if her cousin, Tori, will let her through the door. Once, Tori and Meredith were as close as sisters—until Meredith chose her neglectful parents’ expectations over their bond. Now widowed with a teenage daughter, Tori isn’t setting out a welcome mat for the woman who let her down so badly.

While Meredith tries to make a fresh start, she is drawn to a mysterious writer renting the cottage next door. Liam Byrne’s kindness is a balm, though she worries he might not be so friendly if he knew who she was. But Liam has his own secret and a mission that will help Meredith confront her past—and maybe, claim a surprising future…

RaeAnne Thayne always delivers an addictive plot with endearing characters and lots of heartfelt emotion! The next book in her Cape Sanctuary series brings drama and rediscovery to an all time high as estranged family reconnects and healing begins to offer new life to old souls.

Meredith was a character that was really easy to feel compassion for. She carries the weight of her secrets on her shoulders and never once fails to take accountability for her actions and choices.

Tori was a bit of a tougher nut to crack and at times comes across as sanctimonious and harsh. She redeems herself a bit, but I felt the lack of a true healing for the past with the cousins.

I wanted a little more development in the ending which seems too abrupt, but overall I highly enjoyed my return trip to Cape Sanctuary and recommend this book as well as the entire series to all fans of small town romance with strong family and friend connections as a backdrop.

Filed Under: Book Reviews