Book Reviews – Page 12

* Release Blitz/Review * RULEBREAKER by Elise Faber and Kat Mizera

August 25, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * RULEBREAKER by Elise Faber and Kat Mizera

Rulebreaker by Elise Faber, Kat Mizera
Series: Gamebreakers #4
on August 25, 2025
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She’s everything I shouldn’t want.

But that’s never stopped me before.

I didn’t become a billionaire before the age of thirty by playing it safe. I’m a risk-taker…except when it comes to matters of the heart.

Until Lily.

The pop phenom is all legs and curves, with a boisterous laugh and a wicked sense of humor—everything that drives me crazy. She drives me crazy.

But the more we butt heads, the more I crave the sound of her voice…the feel of her body against mine.

Except I’m positive she’s hiding something from me. Something big.

I let someone else keep secrets once—I won’t allow that again.

She’s mine.

And I won’t stop until she knows it.

The epitome of he falls first … and in such an adorably awkward way! We’ve known since day 1 of meeting the Gamebreaker series core crew that Atlas was going to be extra, and man did his story NOT disappoint! Elise Faber and Kat Mizera have woven the perfect college friend group and their plus ones are adding so much to the party. Atlas and Lily are both great characters who each have their own success as a backdrop and them together is a mixture of sweet and sassy combusting on the regular. The characters are fairly well developed, the plot flows smoothly and the happily ever after is sublime. There’s a big twist at the end that is going to change everyone’s lives …. the final book in this series is coming soon and it’s gonna leave a mark! I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a group of successful friends who cherish the family they’ve made with each other through the years and can always be counted on to rally around through the ups and downs of life as one after another finds their true love.

RULEBREAKER

Kat Mizera & Elise Faber

Release Date: August 25

She’s everything I shouldn’t want. But that’s never stopped me before. I didn’t become a billionaire before the age of thirty by playing it safe. I’m a risk-taker…except when it comes to matters of the heart. Until Lily. The pop phenom is all legs and curves, with a boisterous laugh and a wicked sense of humor—everything that drives me crazy. She drives me crazy. But the more we butt heads, the more I crave the sound of her voice…the feel of her body against mine. Except I’m positive she’s hiding something from me. Something big. I let someone else keep secrets once—I won’t allow that again. She’s mine. And I won’t stop until she knows it. Grab Your Copy! https://geni.us/RulebreakerEFKM

Meet Kat Mizera: USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach. Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart. To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/ Connect with Kat Mizera: https://katmizera.com/pages/contact-kat Meet Elise Faber: USA TODAY bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys. She lives in Northern California. To find out about Elise Faber’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here For more information on Elise Faber and her books visit: https://www.elisefaber.com/ Connect with Elise Faber: https://www.elisefaber.com/contact

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* Review * THREE GIRLS GONE by Carolyn Arnold

August 21, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #14
Published by Bookouture on August 27, 2025
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The girl in the ballerina dress lies still on the carousel with her face toward the blue sky. In her tutu and slippers, she’s ready for her next performance. But as the morning sun shines down upon her, she no longer feels its warmth on her cheeks. Her bright light is gone forever.

When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. Could the killer have been close to her?

As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation.

But she’s soon warned off when a threatening note is found in the hem of Hailey’s dress. “This girl’s your fault. Stop looking or there will be more.”

With boxes of evidence files and potential leads, Amanda knows that Katherine must have been getting close, but when a third girl is taken soon after, the clock starts ticking again. There’s no way Amanda will let another child suffer at the hands of this twisted killer. But how much will the team be prepared to sacrifice, and can they save this girl before it’s too late?

Nonstop suspense and action is synonymous with Carolyn Arnold’s Detective Amanda Steel series! The fourteenth book in the series is no less a hit than all of the rest as Amanda races against time to find a killer who is hunting little girls. The plot is well detailed and developed and brings a familiar face back into the team fold as Katherine Graves tries to help put the case that haunted her back in NYC to rest. Action packed and easy to follow, I was hooked from start to finish. I love this series so much … I only wish Amanda and Trent would stop fighting their feelings for each other already! Highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a crime filled plot with dedicated cops on the case that don’t give up until they catch their bad guy!

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* Review * CRIME LAB COLD CASE by Carol Ericson

August 21, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Crime Lab Cold Case by Carol Ericson
Series: Pacific Northwest Forensics #2
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on August 26, 2025
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Her latest corruption investigation

is the key to catching the culprit

FBI agent Natalie Brunetti’s best friend disappeared fourteen years ago and no suspect was found. Now investigating past evidence tampering at the forensics lab—and contending with current lab manager and widowed single dad Michael Wilder—she vows to solve both mysteries. Michael, accused and cleared of his ex-wife’s cold case murder, doesn’t trust the nosy investigator. Until he realizes the evidence in his ex’s case might have also been compromised. But someone wants to keep the lab’s secrets and is willing to stop Natalie and Michael by any means necessary…

Intense suspense with danger lurking around every corner! Ericson is bringing the drama with the second book in her Pacific Northwest Forensics series with Harlequin Intrigue and I loved every minute of it. The characters both have very interesting backstories and reason to be drawn to each other. I enjoyed the twists throughout that had us suspecting different characters before the big reveal showing us who they’ve been looking for. The plot and characters overall were well developed, but I wanted a tad more to tie the ending up a little stronger. Overall a great book with a really interesting plot. Highly recommend!

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* Review * MANHUNT IN THE NARROWS by Nichole Severn

August 21, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Manhunt in the Narrows by Nichole Severn
Series: Red Rock Murders #1
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on August 26, 2025
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He needs her to catch a murderer.

She needs him to heal her heart.

On the trail of a serial killer, FBI agent Elias Broyles had enlisted the help of park ranger Sayles Green to track his suspect deep into Zion National Park. Despite their constant clashing, Elias discovered Sayles was tremendously skilled and tremendously guarded. When flash flooding caused their manhunt to become a fight for their own lives, the determined agent realized he’d started to care more about Sayles than finding the killer. Elias had brought an untrained woman on a deadly mission. He’d do anything to make sure she got out alive.

Exhilarating kickoff to a brand new series! Nichole Severn is delighting her readers with the first book in her Red Rock Murders series for Harlequin Intrigue and it starts off with quite the bang. It’s action packed and exciting every step of the way and begins with a couple of interesting main characters with back stories that are well developed and explosive. I wanted more from the ending as it was rather abrupt with not a lot of relationship development being done, but I left satisfied with the story overall and am looking forward to the series continuing. Recommend if you’re looking for fast paced and filled with drama!

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* Review * FALLING FOR HIS NASHVILLE NURSE by Janice Lynn

August 21, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Falling for His Nashville Nurse by Janice Lynn
Published by Harlequin Medical Romance on August 26, 2025
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FROM A FLING…TO FOREVER?

Dr. Wryn appears happy-go-lucky, but past pain bubbles beneath the surface. So it’s a surprise when Nashville Medical Clinic’s captivating new nurse, Everleigh, has his traitorous heart racing…which only worsens as he gets to know the single mom and her adorable son. Wryn should keep his distance—Everleigh swore off romance following her divorce. But when she admits to feeling the same, his restraint shatters. If a fling is all they can have, he’ll treasure every moment. Falling for Everleigh was never part of the plan…

Sweet and heartfelt! An office romance quickly flares between a doctor and nurse practitioner in a Nashville clinic in Janice Lynn’s latest Harlequin Medical Romance and it was quick to catch my attention. I loved both Wryn and Everleigh and was rooting for them right from the start. When a secret is unraveled that pushes her buttons too drastically to continue the relationship, they go their separate ways, but soon find their way back to each other when love prevails. The storyline was well developed and fast paced and easy to get lost in. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, medical centric romance!

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* Review * FAKE ENGAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT by Melanie Milburne

August 21, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Fake Engagement Arrangement by Melanie Milburne
Series: Wilde Billionaire Brothers #1
Published by Harlequin Presents on August 26, 2025
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An engagement for show...
A chemistry they can't fake!

Since being jilted on the eve of his wedding, tycoon Jago Wilde won't entertain marriage or commitment. Except he'll do anything for his ailing grandmother, who believes he's still engaged to Mollie Cassidy. Even temporarily reclaim his runaway bride!

Leaving Jago devastated Mollie, but her family situation left her no choice. And to save her brother once again, she must accept Jago's outrageous offer: his billions in exchange for agreeing to his ring ruse! It's nothing more than a charade...so why can't she fight the intense craving reigniting between them?

Fast paced and addictive! With the first book in the Wilde Billionaire Brothers series for Harlequin Presents, Melanie Milburne brings us a reunion story/fake relationship mix up with loads of drama and tension. I liked both of the main characters very much and could relate with them easily. I felt like the storyline was a bit rushed and not fully fleshed out in spots, but overall was a solid read and left me looking forward to Jack and Jonas in future books!

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* Review * WINNING MATCH by Gina Azzi

August 15, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Winning Match by Gina Azzi
Series: League Valencia #1
Published by Three Cities Publishing LLC on August 15, 2025
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He’s Spain’s hottest bachelor, a soccer sensation—and now, my fake boyfriend.

Hours after landing in Valencia, Spain, I’m newly single, tipsy, and stranded at a bar with three declined credit cards.

Enter Ale: a local with a smirk that should be illegal and dance moves that leave me breathless. He covers my tab, takes me to dinner, and somewhere between cocktails and a reckless kiss, I forget about the awful start to my trip.

By the following morning, we’re trending on social media.

Turns out, Ale isn’t just a charming stranger. He’s a European soccer star with a major PR problem.

So, we strike a deal: a fake relationship to rehab his playboy image while I use his connections to expand my family’s business.

The lines blur when kisses stop feeling staged and late-night talks hit too deep. I’m falling for him. For real.

But how do I trust a relationship that's built on a lie?

Gina Azzi’s fresh new soccer series is cozy, sweet and sincere with passion igniting the way! I couldn’t have loved Marlowe and Alejandro more. She’s a sweetheart and stranded in a horrible way when they first meet after a shock no one is ever ready for. He’s a heartthrob but deeply kind and approaches her with only goodness in his heart from the very start. I loved that there was noticeable attraction there from the first second they laid eyes on each other, but a friendship was what they leaned on first as their beneficial fake arrangement began. Both of their back stories were developed fairly well without actually meeting all of the siblings, etc. and the plot was attention grabbing and played out well.

I highly recommend this book to sports fans who love a fake relationship that takes on a life of it’s own as happily ever after comes knocking! The details of the sport are light, but the camaraderie with his teammates is a nice back drop.

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* Review * THE GRAVEYARD GIRLS by Rita Herron

August 15, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Graveyard Girls by Rita Herron
Series: Detective Ellie Reeves #11
Published by Bookouture on August 14, 2025
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When the skeletal remains of a teenage girl are discovered buried in a deserted graveyard it’s a chilling case for Detective Ellie Reeves. Her heart catches with emotion as she examines the grave for clues and uncovers a haunting detail. One red shoe lies in the dirt, just like the one sixteen-year-old Ruth Higgins was wearing when she disappeared years earlier. Everyone in the town mourned beautiful golden girl Ruth, but her suspected killer, gravedigger Earl Bramble, escaped from police custody and hasn’t been seen since.

Ellie knows she must work fast, and then a call comes in that turns the blood in her veins to ice. Another teenage girl, a recent runaway, has been found buried with one red shoe. The evidence suggests that Earl must be back. But when Ellie goes to the old clapboard house where Earl’s daughters still live, they claim to know nothing about their father…

Ellie needs her team on side to help her solve this shocking case. But just as she begins to make headway, she discovers a connection from the past between one of her most trusted colleagues and the gravedigger’s daughters that throws everything she thought into disarray. With parents terrified, girls in danger and a cold-hearted killer stealing innocent lives, can Ellie find him, and make him pay, before it is too late?

Captivating characters headline this suspenseful series! The eleventh book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series begins with a bang when a murder starts leading investigators on a chase against time to find out who is taking these teen girls and how they’ve missed it for so long! This series has been great from the very first book, but I feel like the deeper we get into it, the less the core background is retold so it’s making it hard to be considered a stand-alone story at this point without going back and reading every book in order. I think some basics need to be updated as a minimum like the history of Ellie, her parents, the sheriff, Cord and Derrick, her half sis, etc., in order for someone to be able to pick up a new book and not feel like they are missing a part of the story. That said, this book had a very interesting concept and had twists that kept me guessing. I did enjoy finally having a bit of the Ellie/Cord/Derrick situation finally locked in and even seeing more future happiness on the horizon with how this book played out. Overall I love Ellie and can’t wait to continue her saga!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a police intense case that always plays out with suspense and danger. I do recommend reading in order at this point in order to get the full enjoyment out of each character and especially keeping up on Ellie’s background story.

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* Review * THAT SUMMER FESTIVAL by Gillian Archer

August 15, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

That Summer Festival by Gillian Archer
Series: A Holiday Mode Novella
on August 14, 2025
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Every girl deserves a fairytale. I just didn’t expect mine to happen at that summer festival and definitely not with a rock star.

My life hasn’t turned out the way I’d hoped.
My wonderful dad died and left everything to my wicked stepmother.
Now I’m working endless shifts at his old diner and living above her garage.
And when she makes me work instead of going to that summer festival, I think my dreams can’t get any further away.
But then I meet a charming guy who is so into me.
He whisks me away to the music festival, and I have the time of my life.
Only when midnight strikes, my mystery man takes to the stage to perform.
Holy sh!t, he’s really a rock star.
And clearly I never knew him at all.

Insta-love flares fast in this modern day Cinderella story! I really enjoyed both main characters in this Holiday Mode novella from Gillian Archer. It’s short, and takes place mostly over a one day period, so there’s not a lot of deep development of either the characters or their relationship, but it’s fun and it’s exhilarating and there’s a good bone structure to a relationship by the end. I recommend this story to anyone who wants a quick read that will nab your attention quickly and have you turning page after page to see how it’s all going to play out. Sweet, sexy and sinful!

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* Review * OTHER WOMAN DRAMA by Lani Lynn Vale

August 12, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Other Woman Drama by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Content Advisory #4
on August 12, 2025
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Piers “Webber” Webb knew two things for certain.

One, he needed to stay the hell away from Silver Donahue. Two, he didn’t think there was a chance in hell that he could.

He tries, though.

For a solid year, he does his best to be dismissive to the point where he appears cold and threatening.

But when Silver finds herself in danger, he forgets why he was giving her the cold shoulder to begin with.

The thing is, Silver didn’t forget.

***

Silver Donahue was so deeply in love with Piers Webb it was disheartening. Especially knowing he didn’t like her back.
She’s determined to live her life, but with Webber always on the edge of her existence, she knows it’s futile.

But she tries.

The thing is, there’s no way you can ignore Piers Webb when he’s aiming that dark and deadly gaze your way.

She’s determined to keep him at a distance, until one night she has to pick him up on the side of a deserted road in the middle of nowhere. That one moment of need on his end is all she needs to realize a few things.

He’s as scary as he wants her to believe, and killing a man and disposing of a body is a daily practice for him.

She should run so far in the opposite direction, because he has so many red flags, even a toddler wouldn’t be able to ignore them.

But she’s always proven she makes bad decisions.

But Piers Webb is going to be the best bad decision she’s ever made.

A drama filled delight! Vale always hooks her readers with heartfelt characters and out there histrionics and book four in her Content Advisory series is no different. Great characters, lots of spice and action and a happily ever after that warms the heart. This book pulled us in several different directions and some of the situations could have used a bit more fleshing out to paint a full and stable picture, but overall the book was a really fun read and an easy connection was made with the key players. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series. Highly recommend the series as a whole!

Silver was easily my favorite character. She was really kindhearted and looking for the love that life has denied her, but she was never bitter over the misfortune she was handed. I felt she was inspiring and really enjoyed seeing her get a happily ever after.

Title: Other Woman Drama

Series: Content Advisory #4

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Mafia Romance

Tropes: One Bed/Enemies to Lovers

Other Woman Drama/Single Dad

Grumpy x Sunshine

Release Date: August 12, 2025

BLURB

Piers “Webber” Webb knew two things for certain.

One, he needed to stay the hell away from Silver Donahue. Two, he didn’t think there was a chance in hell that he could.

He tries, though.

For a solid year, he does his best to be dismissive to the point where he appears cold and threatening.

But when Silver finds herself in danger, he forgets why he was giving her the cold shoulder to begin with.

The thing is, Silver didn’t forget.

***

Silver Donahue was so deeply in love with Piers Webb it was disheartening. Especially knowing he didn’t like her back.

She’s determined to live her life, but with Webber always on the edge of her existence, she knows it’s futile.

But she tries.

The thing is, there’s no way you can ignore Piers Webb when he’s aiming that dark and deadly gaze your way.

She’s determined to keep him at a distance, until one night she has to pick him up on the side of a deserted road in the middle of nowhere. That one moment of need on his end is all she needs to realize a few things.

He’s as scary as he wants her to believe, and killing a man and disposing of a body is a daily practice for him.

She should run so far in the opposite direction, because he has so many red flags, even a toddler wouldn’t be able to ignore them.

But she’s always proven she makes bad decisions.

But Piers Webb is going to be the best bad decision she’s ever made.

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AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

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