Archives for August 13, 2023

* Review * THE TROUBLE WITH LITTLE SECRETS by Joss Wood

August 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE TROUBLE WITH LITTLE SECRETS by Joss Wood

The Trouble with Little Secrets by Joss Wood
Series: Dynasties: Calcott Manor #3
Published by Harlequin Desire on August 22, 2023
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Their one-night stand was off-the-charts… Now she must reveal the consequences.

Fearing his powerful grandmother, Peyton Caron has concealed her baby son from hotel magnate Jack Grantham. Their single spectacular night was unforgettable, but Peyton kept her distance because Jack’s grandmother blamed Peyton for the death of his late brother. Now rumors have forced Peyton to reveal Jack’s identity as her baby’s father.

Because of blackmail and newly unearthed family secrets, Jack’s life is complicated, so he’s wary of Peyton’s revelation. But the raging desire they felt two years ago has only grown. Jack wants Peyton and his son in his life, but he doesn’t believe in love. And with all that stands between them, Peyton won’t settle for anything less.

A deliciously scandalous addition to the Dynasties: Calcott Manor series by Joss Wood! Secrets are unraveling quickly as each book in this series unfolds. I highly recommend you read the books in order because you get a much deeper connection with the family if you are already familiar with the previous aspects when coming into this one. The characters are easy to like, the drama is riveting and the romance is heartfelt. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Peyton is a fulfilling character. She has kept secrets, but she did them for the right reasons.

Jack is really sincere. He wants answers for the secrets surrounding his family, but he also doesn’t want to damage the core of who they are.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a fast paced romance backed by scandal and drama.

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* Review * WEDDING DATE WITH HER BEST FRIEND by Susan Carlisle

August 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WEDDING DATE WITH HER BEST FRIEND by Susan Carlisle

Wedding Date with Her Best Friend by Susan Carlisle
Series: Atlanta Children's Hospital
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on August 22, 2023
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Who knew a second chance…

was right in front of them!

Anesthesiologist Val agrees to be the wedding date for her best friend, widower Owen, to stop his overprotective family fussing. It should be a breeze—except Val has long harbored a secret crush on Owen! As long as she maintains some boundaries, she should be fine, right? Yet when fake dates lead to an unexpected kiss, Val knows they’ve crossed a line…but will they want to go back?

Heartfelt and emotional! Susan Carlisle continues the Atlanta Children’s Hospital series for Harlequin Medical Romance with a great friends to lovers addition. This story shines with an older aged couple who show that a second chance on that forever love can be just as gorgeous as the first. I whole-heartedly loved Valerie and Owen and their dance towards forever but found the ending to be a bit abrupt and underdeveloped. Overall a really great story!

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a fast paced medical setting where romance blooms and forever is extra special.

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* Review * ONE SUMMER OF LOVE by Reese Ryan

August 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONE SUMMER OF LOVE by Reese Ryan

One Summer of Love by Reese Ryan
Series: Valentine Vineyards #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on August 22, 2023
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She’s beautiful, competent…and wreaking havoc on his self-control!

Brains and beauty? Scientist Delaney Carlisle challenges all of CFO Nolan Valentine’s professional boundaries—and inspires a passion unlike any other. Their chemistry is as intoxicating as the wine they’re creating. But she’s an employee. She’s off-limits. Not to mention, the determined single mom is only in town for the summer to help turn Valentine Vineyards into a success. Then she’s off to a full-time job and stability. Yet when Nolan finally rebels thanks to Delaney’s irresistible charms, he’ll have to choose between listening to his head and following his heart…

Electrifying chemistry! Reese Ryan is on point with the instant connection between her latest pair in the second book in her Valentine Vineyards series. The sexual tension is on fire, and the emotional depth that each character puts into their fast paced relationship is really heartwarming. I enjoyed every minute of Laney and Nolan, I only wish we had seen a tad more of his additional siblings to give that familial connection a stronger zing. Overall a very solid read and a great stepping stone in the series.

Nolan has no intention of stumbling upon the woman of his dreams when he undertakes his new position at Valentine Vineyards, but happenstance can be a powerful thing. Watching him fall hard for Laney is exciting.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that loves a high powered family as the background of a series as each sibling stumbles upon their happily ever after.

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* Review * FUN HOUSE by Lani Lynn Vale

August 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Fun House by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Welcome to the Circus #1
on August 15, 2023
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Sometimes you need to crash a funeral to experience happiness.

At least, Kissimmee Singh, aerial artist for Singh Circus, the most sought-after traveling circus of all time, keeps telling herself that’s why she crashes funerals.

In reality, she’s lost and confused. Sometimes it’s nice to experience other people’s grief and be reminded that life isn’t as bad as it could be.

Though attending the funeral of some random old man that died of cancer wasn’t supposed to change her life completely. It does.

With one look at the grieving man and woman, she realizes that this was one funeral she probably should’ve stayed away from.

He’s in a black suit, black undershirt, black gloves, and black shoes. He looks like the devil himself.

When she tries to make a run for it, he follows and demands to know why she’s there.

If she’d known he was going to be trouble, she’d have stayed away. If she’d known that he’d follow her to their next stop, she might’ve tried a little harder to hide who she was. What she was.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she gave him everything in one single night. And will live to regret it.

Highly entertaining and addictive! The first book in the brand new Welcome to the Circus series from Lani Lynn Vale does not disappoint! We have circus antics, romance, drama and even a bit of mystery to delight us as this family begins to wrap themselves around our hearts in just the first book of the series. I can’t wait for more!

Kissimmee is a sweetheart and I really enjoyed her as the first member of the Singh family to find their happily ever after. She was authentic and down to earth, and her connection with Coffey was sizzling.

Coffey is just a doll. He had me from hello! He’s sincere, he’s carrying heartache that needs soothing and he’s just a nice guy all the way around.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fast paced romance with lots of humor and drama mixed in as danger comes knocking close to home and loved once have to rally around in times of need.

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* Review * BENEATH DARK WATERS by Karen Rose

August 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BENEATH DARK WATERS by Karen Rose

Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose
Series: New Orleans #2
Published by Berkley on August 15, 2023
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There’s no safe place for a child to hide when danger comes from every direction.

Public prosecutor J.P. “Kaj” Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he’s already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that’s made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.

A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why—Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart. Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy—and his handsome father.

But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they’re all left scrambling for safety…

Addictive drama and bone chilling danger come knocking in the latest from thriller queen Karen Rose! The very beginning is a tad slow while we get the lay of who the characters are and what’s truly going down, but once you get a tight grasp on all of the players this book is highly entertaining and unputdownable! The characters are complicated as the familiar faced saviors are always likable, but there’s some complexity to the bad guys here that have even some of them winning us over before the end. I loved every minute and can’t wait to see more of these familiar white knights in books to come from Rose!

Val was by far my favorite character. She has a past of her own that makes her relatable and sensitive to those around her, and the drama her family brings to the storyline adds a level of humanity that levels out the starkness of some of the background of crimes.

I highly recommend this read to anyone that enjoys a thriller/mystery that will have you guessing from beginning to end as to who all of the bad guys are.

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* Review * RESTLESS ROCKSTAR by Gina Azzi

August 13, 2023 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * RESTLESS ROCKSTAR by Gina Azzi

Restless Rockstar by Gina Azzi
Series: The Burnt Clovers Trilogy #3
Published by Three Cities Publishing LLC on August 17, 2023
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Derek Reiner is an epic, consuming, forever, kind of love.

He’s also at the center of my deepest heartache.

While he focuses on his personal growth, I figure out my future.

As much as I want him in it, I won't choose Derek at the expense of myself.

Not anymore.

My rockstar may be desperate and restless, but I’m calm and decisive.

Some epic loves burn out before they have the chance to blaze.

Sometimes, it’s for the best.

A worthy conclusion to the Burnt Clovers Trilogy! We’ve been all in for Derek and Allegra, and this is their happily ever after. The characters are endearing, the camaraderie of the band behind them is super sweet and their growth as people and as a couple is warming. I wanted a little more overall from this final chapter considering all of the drama they’ve had going on, but overall the story as a whole was rewarding.

Derek has been an attention grabbing character since the very beginning and to see him actually put in the work to better himself is heartwarming.

Allegra had a lot of growing up to do, and she managed to accomplish a good bit towards that goal.

I recommend this book as well as the rest of the trilogy to anyone that enjoys a subtle rockstar romance with a good bit of a family saga feel to it and tight friendships as a backdrop. You must read all three in order to get a full enjoyment out of the story.

Filed Under: Book Reviews