Archives for December 10, 2023

* Review * THE BRIGHT SPOT by Jill Shalvis

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE BRIGHT SPOT by Jill ShalvisThe Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis
Series: The Sunrise Cove Series #5
Published by Avon on January 16, 2024
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five-stars

Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting isn’t on the list. However, she’s a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Adopted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, she’s created her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm.

With a farm-to-table café as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (complete with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stash of decidedly not organic potato chips), it’s the best home she’s ever known. But when the owner Silas, who they secretly call The Grinch, passes away, Luna discovers the farm is now under control of his investment manager, the enigmatic Jameson Hayes….and her. And that Silas had many, many secrets.

Now Luna’s carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and she—along with some help from her friends—has to dig deep to find true strength and the real meaning of love and family.

 

Shalvis always brightens my day when I dive into a new group of snarky characters who delight my soul with humor and smartassisms on their way towards happily ever after!

Sunrise Cove never fails to deliver on realistic characters with past hang-ups that haunt them as they try to connect with the life they have been handed. I love the way Shalvis creates a family out of mismatched strays and warms a readers heart along the way. Always looking forward to more in this series!

five-stars

* Review * UPSIDE DOWN by Danielle Steel

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * UPSIDE DOWN by Danielle SteelUpside Down by Danielle Steel
Published by Dell on January 2, 2024
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five-stars

Oscar-winning actress Ardith Law is a Hollywood icon. Radiant at sixty-two, she is the epitome of glamour and a highly respected artist. But her success has come at a price: She has a strained relationship with her daughter, Morgan, who at thirty-eight still blames Ardith for putting her career before being a mother. Morgan is a successful plastic surgeon in New York City—and the distance from Ardith’s Bel Air mansion is not lost on either of them.

Ardith became a single mother when Morgan was seven, after her unfaithful husband died in a helicopter accident. In recent years, she has found amiable companionship with fellow actor Bill West. But Ardith’s comfortable world is turned upside down when she hires a temporary personal assistant, Josh Gray, while Bill is away filming in London. Josh’s rough-around-the-edges persona is the opposite of what Ardith is used to, but an unexpected tragedy brings them closer, stirring up conflicting feelings in her for this younger man.

In New York, Morgan is swept off her feet by world-renowned TV anchorman Ben Ryan. Though more than two decades her senior, Ben is handsome, charismatic, and just as smitten as Morgan. But when a blackmail scheme puts his career—and their relationship—on the line, Morgan doesn’t know where to turn. Perhaps . . . to her mother? As each woman navigates an unconventional romance, they cautiously approach each other on new terms and attempt to put aside their past for a new future.

 

Another page turner that kept me captivated from start to finish! Steel brings a touch of Hollywood to life when detailing the down to earth nature of an aging Hollywood starlet and the pitfalls of getting older and being alone. I really enjoyed Ardith’s personality and outlook on life as she nurtured a relationship with a newfound friend. There are twists in the storyline that keep things exciting along the way. Another branch of the story revolves around the daughter that has never forgiven her for choosing work over motherhood and who still resents her regardless of the success she’s seen in her own life. I highly enjoyed getting to know both mother and daughter and seeing their stories play out.

five-stars

* Review * IN BED WITH HER BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD by Pippa Roscoe

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IN BED WITH HER BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD by Pippa RoscoeIn Bed with Her Billionaire Bodyguard by Pippa Roscoe
Series: Hot Winter Escapes #8
Published by Harlequin Presents on December 26, 2023
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five-stars

His heiress is off-limits…
Their attraction is out of control!

Visiting an Austrian ski resort is the first step in Hope Harcourt’s plan to take back her family’s luxury empire. Having the infuriatingly gorgeous security magnate Luca Calvino follow her every move isn’t! Especially when their relationship begins to cross a line…

Protecting Hope from her unscrupulous rivals means doing the one thing Luca has spent a lifetime avoiding: allowing someone to slip beneath his defenses. Having let Hope in, can Luca bear the thought of ever letting his forbidden heiress go?

 

Delectably tempting! Pippa Roscoe’s offering in the Hot Winter Escapes series for Harlequin Presents is fast paced and highly satisfying! A subterfuge hides Luca’s true intentions from Hope as she sets out to rescue her family empire from a takeover, but all bets are off when he has to bite the bullet and tell her his true identity and trust that she will let him help her when she needs it. I quite liked the simplicity of their relationship as key parts were happening in the background that were stirring up their emotions and leading them into each others arms. Highly enjoyable read!

five-stars

* Review * SECOND CHANCE FOR THE HEART DOCTOR by Susan Carlisle

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SECOND CHANCE FOR THE HEART DOCTOR by Susan CarlisleSecond Chance for the Heart Doctor by Susan Carlisle
Series: Atlanta Children's Hospital
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on December 26, 2023
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five-stars

Risking his locked-away heart…

After his ex ran off with his best friend, cardiologist Jenson’s sole focus is his small patients. But the fireworks that erupt when he meets dedicated nurse Bayley are too powerful to ignore… Both are determined to put their jobs ahead of romance, but beautiful Bayley continues to captivate him. Is the guarded doctor ready to embrace a second chance?

 

A heartwarming second chance at love! I highly enjoyed meeting Bayley and Jenson and watching their working friendship quickly bud into attraction. They each had responsibilities and baggage to carry around yet found a way to support each other and prosper throughout. I enjoyed the fast paced yet sincere atmosphere around them as they fell in love when they least expected it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a medical backdrop with their romance.

five-stars

* Review * HOLIDAY SHOT by Kat Mizera

* Review * HOLIDAY SHOT by Kat MizeraHoliday Shot by Kat Mizera
Series: Lauderdale Knights Holiday Novella
on December 5, 2023
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five-stars

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale... where the days are hot and the Knights are hotter!

Divorced at forty was never in my game plan. Neither was being a long-distance dad. But when the chance to coach the Lauderdale Knights hockey team came knocking, I couldn't resist.

I was so focused on the major changes right in front of me, I never saw Autumn Nicholls coming. Blindsided by a whirlwind romance with a woman much younger than me, I’m torn between making her mine and letting her go.

She's young, beautiful, and just starting out in life, she doesn’t need me or my baggage. But that doesn’t stop her from taking her shot.

The ice may be cold, but our passion is red-hot.

And this Christmas, she's going to be the gift I give myself.

 

This holiday novella is sure to please! Kat Mizera is pouring on the feels when she delivers just the holiday delight we needed as part of her Lauderdale Knights hockey series. The characters were quick to steal my heart and though it was novella length, I didn’t feel like the story left me feeling like I missed out on their happily ever after even one bit which is always a bit challenging to pull off in this length of book. I highly enjoyed Henrik and Autumn! Great characters, steamy chemistry and a sweet love story!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to hockey romance fans that enjoy a camaraderie between team members who behave like one happy family rooting for each other through life’s ups and downs.

five-stars