* Review * FRAGILE SANCTUARY by Catherine Cowles

* Review * FRAGILE SANCTUARY by Catherine CowlesFragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
Series: Sparrow Falls #1
Published by PageSmith LLC, The on May 16, 2024
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Goodreads
five-stars

The scowl should've been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he's my brother's best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he's the new contractor working on my house.

He's everything I'm not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn't matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won't crack.

Until he sees me shatter.

Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it's Anson who steps in to keep me safe.

As he does, I can't help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both.

But Anson's a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they're revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed...

 

The ultimate in “found” family! I was hooked on Rhodes and her back story right from the start and it didn’t take long for the connection between she and Anson to steal the show and keep the pages turning, but the ultimate thing that hooked me on this series is her amazing family. This story delivers on angst, romance, humor and heart and there’s an intrigue throughout that takes a very surprising twist that is attention grabbing as well. I loved the main characters as well as the supporting cast and cannot wait to see each sibling get their own story as the series continues. I wish they would adopt me! Great plot, such addictive characters and enough angst to keep me pinned to my seat until the end. Highly recommend!

five-stars

* Release Blitz/ Review * ONLY FOR HIM by Natasha Madison

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/ Review * ONLY FOR HIM by Natasha MadisonOnly For Him by Natasha Madison
Series: Only For #3
on March 13, 2026
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four-half-stars

Kylie

I learned early in life that love isn’t just given, it’s earned.

Now I’ve decided love isn’t worth it.

At least that type of love.

Until him.

He was broken.

It was safe.

But then I went and did the unexpected.

I fell in love with him, knowing he would never love me back.

Knox

I thought I had it all.

I was playing hockey in the NHL.

Three beautiful kids and a wife who loved me.

Until I walked in on her in bed with my brother-in-law.

Everything I thought I had was a lie.

She was everything I thought I didn’t want, and when I least expected it.

I just hope when I finally figure it out, I haven’t lost her for good.

 

The next book in Natasha Madison’s Only For Series is sure to please with an enemies to lovers/teammate’s little sister trope and angsty drama galore! We are familiar with both of the main characters from previous books in the series, but if you’re not reading in order, it’s no biggie and you’ll be able to pick up who is who and the past details fairly quickly. Knox is picking up the pieces of his family after his marriage splitting up and Kylie is settling in to help Kirby and Lexi run their brand new foundation. A snarly meet-cute flames the drama quickly and has Knox and Kylie simmering for each other from the start. I enjoyed both characters a lot and felt they were fairly well developed. With her, I wanted a bit more back story to fill in the pieces of what made her leery of love and with him, well, his family was just atrocious and that was very disappointing.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with equal parts team camaraderie and game action with passion and drama as one teammate after another finds their forever love. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series!

 

 

 

Blurb:

Nothing could prepare them for what was to come.

Kylie
I learned early in life that love isn’t just given, it’s earned.
Now I’ve decided love isn’t worth it.
At least that type of love.
Until him.
He was broken.
It was safe.
But then I went and did the unexpected.
I fell in love with him, knowing he would never love me back.

Knox
I thought I had it all.
I was playing hockey in the NHL.
Three beautiful kids and a wife who loved me.
Until I walked in on her in bed with my brother-in-law.
Everything I thought I had was a lie.
She was everything I thought I didn’t want, and when I least expected it.
I just hope when I finally figure it out, I haven’t lost her for good.

Purchase Link:
https://books2read.com/Only4HimNM

Available in KU

 

Meet Natasha Madison:

https://linktr.ee/natashamauthor

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the
kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring
kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do
what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

four-half-stars

* Review * LOVE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES ANTHOLOGY by Lori Foster and Maisey Yates

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * LOVE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES ANTHOLOGY by Lori Foster and Maisey YatesLove Comes in Small Packages by Lori Foster, Maisey Yates
Published by Kensington Books on March 31, 2026
four-half-stars

A heartwarming duo of tales about unexpected love and family, from the bonds of sisterhood to the magic of friends to lovers, and the joys of infants and fur babies, plus all the surprises romance has to offer, even amid life’s missteps . . .

A portion of proceeds from this book support AAF, Animal Adoption Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter.
aafpets.org

THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE * LORI FOSTER
Compared to her smart, responsible twin, Laylee has always been labeled the party girl sister. Now she’s really screwed up by finding herself possibly accidentally pregnant, and definitely not in love. With her sister away on her honeymoon, Laylee’s only confidant is her guy friend Knox. There’s mutual attraction there, yet they’ve been tiptoeing around it. But telling Knox everything may change . . . well, everything. Especially amid a comedy of pregnancy test errors, a robbery, a cat rescue mission—and the realization that Knox sees her as so much more than a pretty face . . . .

THE RANCHER’S UNEXPECTED FAMILY * MAISEY YATES
Ellie Parks helplessly watched her beloved sister, Melanie, spiral into addiction in high school, thanks to her toxic relationship with Ty Porter. Ellie, now a teacher, hasn’t seen Melanie in over a year when she gets a call from Child Protective Services that Melanie has a baby—and she’s surrendered her parental rights. Ellie races to the hospital, but someone’s beat her to it: rodeo champion Clark Porter, the baby’s uncle. Clark’s a good man and he’ll be damned if his niece grows up without him. Until they find a custody solution, Ellie will just have to move into his ranch house. Temporarily. Obviously. Except that they’re attracted to each other. Risking the unconventional family they’re creating is the last thing they need. Then again, if what they feel is deeper than attraction, it may be what they need most . . .

* THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE by Lori Foster *

4 1/2 STARS!

Fast paced and endearing with a Maybelline and Tank cameo! Lori Foster’s yearly benefit book to bring funds and awareness to her favorite animal charity is sure to please her regular readers because it brings us back into the world of friends Knox, Marcus, Bray and Ford for a quick catch up on their lives and a romance for Knox. It’s always fun to visit old friends and feel like we’re having a family reunion of sorts with these characters that steal our hearts over time. This was novella length, so not a great depth of development to Knox and Laylee’s relationship or past, but their friendship and secret attraction to each other spoke to me from the very first page and I delighted in watching them develop into a relationship. I loved them together!

 

* THE RANCHER’S UNEXPECTED FAMILY by Maisey Yates *

4 1/2 STARS!

Really sweet and emotional! Ellie and Clark each love their sibling and have tried for years to support their addiction and toxic relationship before having to distance themselves from the destruction. The last thing either of them expect is a call stating there is a newborn who needs them. I liked both characters a lot. They each have loved and supported their sibling through a lot, and still are willing to step up when their niece needs them. The connection they forge over the love of this baby is really sweet. I admired their ability to have an open dialogue and forgive each other for their part in previous conflict. This was a novella, so not a lot of time for huge development of the past or their relationship, but I left feeling fulfilled with their love and loved getting to see a glimpse into how the future worked out.

four-half-stars

* Review * FEARLESS by K E Osborn

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FEARLESS by K E OsbornFearless by K E Osborn
Series: Las Vegas Defiance MC #2
on March 16, 2026
Buy on Amazon
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five-stars

Three identities. One man. Zero truth.

As Vice President of Las Vegas Defiance MC, I’ve spent years keeping my worlds separate—the biker who protects his brothers, the Uber driver who craves normalcy, and the secret billionaire who resents his fortune. I’ve worked too damn hard to keep these identities from colliding.

Then she climbs into my backseat on the worst night of her life, mascara running, heart shattered by an asshole who never deserved her. Marley Wren. A voluptuous firecracker with red hair and vintage band tees, who tips me twenty dollars for restoring her faith in decent humans.

I should keep my distance. Stay in my lane and let her heal.
But she’s pure sunshine wrapped in curves I can’t stop thinking about, and when her ex publicly humiliates her, I offer the one thing I shouldn’t—a fake boyfriend to make him regret ever letting her go. One night at a gala, pretending we’re in love. Simple. Except nothing with Marley is simple.

One wrong move and I lose her trust.
One right move and I might lose myself to her instead.
Some lies are meant to protect. Some loves are worth the truth.
But with Marley, I’m risking it all.

 

Quite the endearing man for an MC VP! We see many of the key players for the motorcycle club throughout the book, but this particular one centers more on Nitro’s outside life than on the MC inner workings. We get a background into him and what made him who he is today, the doll that is his grandma Queenie and the adorable meet cute that brings Marley into his life. I adored their story from start to finish … though there was a section where I wanted to wring Marley’s neck for a time. I can’t help that I’m protective of my sweet Nitro! The characters are both attention grabbing, their past is well developed and their instant connection is really sweet and addictive. I was rooting for them from the start.

I highly recommend this book as well as the prior book in the series to anyone who enjoys an MC that has a whole lot of heart … not just among members, but for their significant others too. I can’t wait for the next book!

five-stars

* Review * FAMILY LIES by Karen Rose

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FAMILY LIES by Karen RoseFamily Lies by Karen Rose
Series: The San Diego Case Files #4
Published by Berkley on March 31, 2026
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four-half-stars

The fourth nerve-shattering installment of the San Diego Case Files from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose sees Kit McKittrick’s sister caught in a maelstrom of deadly family secrets.

As an infant, Kit McKittrick’s foster sister Akiko was abandoned at a firehouse. Now 32, Akiko has received an unsettling phone call from a woman who says that she knew her birth mother but refuses to divulge any details except in person. Akiko is nervous but also thrilled at the prospect of finally learning about her blood relations.

Kit has a bad feeling about this and insists on accompanying Akiko to meet the woman. Sure enough, as they stand on Mary Sherman’s doorstep, shots are fired and Kit is hit...and inside the house is a corpse: Mary Sherman herself.

Although she’s on medical leave and forbidden to work the case, Kit cannot rest. With police psychologist Sam Reeves, she undertakes a covert investigation into the mysterious Mary Sherman. Was she Akiko’s birth mother? Why did she reach out after all these years? And who had a motive to kill her?

As more bodies pile up, Kit starts to put together the pieces of the frightening puzzle that is Akiko’s birth family, and she’ll come to wonder whether some secrets should stay buried after all.

 

Karen Rose delivers non-stop turmoil and angst in this action packed continuation of The San Diego Case Files series! Readers familiar with the series will be able to dive back into the McKittrick family very quickly as Kit continues to want answers about Wren’s disappearance during their youth and steps up to help Akiko finds answers when she’s contacted by someone out of the blue about her bio family. We’re taken on quite a ride as pieces begin to fall into place as danger lurks around every corner and secret after secret is revealed. There are many key players coming to the forefront, so you really have to stay on your toes to keep them straight, but the mystery was really interesting and held my attention throughout. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series, seeing Kit and Sam continue to develop their relationship and seeing her finally get some real answers about Wren.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a found family of adoptive parents and all of the fosters they took in and brought into the fold of their life throughout the years. There’s lots of love and emotion surrounding this fam, and Kit’s job always brings the drama and mystery.

four-half-stars

* Release Blitz/Review * NOT A SIDE CHICK by Lani Lynn Vale

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * NOT A SIDE CHICK by Lani Lynn ValeNot A Side Chick by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Don't Date Him #3
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Edith “Eddy” Wheeler was having a bad day.

A no good, very bad day.

It’s understandable, really. I mean, there didn’t seem to be anything worse than walking in on your elderly parents doing things no child should ever see. Add into that their proclivities, and Eddy is disgusted and disturbed.

So of course, after seeing the atrocious things her parents—the pastor and pastor’s wife that are supposed to be holy and a teacher of faith—are into, she makes it her life goal to expose them to their masses. The cult-like following her father has will see him for the man he is—an abuser who gets a sick thrill at seeing his girls suffer.

She will no longer allow the people of Sawtooth, Montana, to think that they’re safe when they’re anything but.

That’s where Weaver Grant comes in.

A sexy lineman who climbs poles for a living, has forearms that can break a woman in mind, body, and soul, and a smile that does things deep inside of her that she refuses to acknowledge just yet.

She has a plan.

A really good one, too.

But that plan dies a thousand deaths when she’s attacked by a bear on a hike that she was using to cleanse her soul. She thought she was supposed to be afraid of men, but that rabid bear showed her a new side of herself.

She spends weeks in the hospital, and a certain hot lineman takes it upon himself to see her healthy again. He never leaves her side. He solves all her problems. And he shows her how a real man treats a woman.

But once she’s healed and her world is once again righted, will he have a reason to stay since she no longer needs saving?

 

Vale’s characters always draw you in quickly and take you on the ride of a lifetime! The next book in the Don’t Date Him series brings us Eddy and Weaver. She’s a soccer coach/teacher and he’s a lineman/electrician. He is another of the escaped/thought to be dead convicts and has quite the back story. She’s stumbled across a horror she needs help uncovering. Both characters are very likable and the connection they get upon meeting is instant and sweet. His back story was very emotional and I loved seeing him get to have his life back again. Her drama plays out throughout the book and is very addictive. Well developed characters, lots of angst and so much love and passion.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a redemption story with a guy who deserved better than he got and is making his way into a new life that plans on delivering just that. The storylines are gritty, emotional and heartfelt. Looking forward to more to come in the series!

 

 

 

 

Title: Not A Side Chick
Series: Don’t Date Him #3
Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Grumpy (Her) / Sunshine (Him)
Forced Proximity, Who Hurt You, Small Town
Release Date: March 10, 2026
BLURB

 

Edith “Eddy” Wheeler was having a bad day.

 

A no good, very bad day.
It’s understandable, really. I mean, there didn’t seem to be anything worse than walking in on your elderly parents doing things no child should ever see. Add into that their proclivities, and Eddy is disgusted and disturbed.
So of course, after seeing the atrocious things her parents—the pastor and pastor’s wife that are supposed to be holy and a teacher of faith—are into, she makes it her life goal to expose them to their masses. The cult-like following her father has will see him for the man he is—an abuser who gets a sick thrill at seeing his girls suffer.
She will no longer allow the people of Sawtooth, Montana, to think that they’re safe when they’re anything but.
That’s where Weaver Grant comes in.
A sexy lineman who climbs poles for a living, has forearms that can break a woman in mind, body, and soul, and a smile that does things deep inside of her that she refuses to acknowledge just yet.
She has a plan.
A really good one, too.
But that plan dies a thousand deaths when she’s attacked by a bear on a hike that she was using to cleanse her soul. She thought she was supposed to be afraid of men, but that rabid bear showed her a new side of herself.
She spends weeks in the hospital, and a certain hot lineman takes it upon himself to see her healthy again. He never leaves her side. He solves all her problems. And he shows her how a real man treats a woman.
But once she’s healed and her world is once again righted, will he have a reason to stay since she no longer needs saving?

 

 
 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
 

 

ALSO AVAILABLE

 

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

COMING SOON
Releasing April 14
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

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.
AUTHOR LINKS
FACEBOOK
five-stars

* Review * ONE QUICK OBSESSION by Carrie Ann Ryan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ONE QUICK OBSESSION by Carrie Ann RyanOne Quick Obsession by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Cage Family #4
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on March 9, 2026
Buy on Amazon
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four-half-stars

“Who Hurt You?”

When Hudson Cage asked those words, I shut him out just as I did the rest of those who cared for me. It’s been a year since I made one of the worst choices of my life but now I am stronger and following the path I’ve carved myself.

As manager of the Cage Resort, I want to bring the company into a new era and show the larger than life family that I worth so much more than what my father and ex said I was.

Only to do that, I have to deal with Hudson. The man I can’t get off my mind.

And my neighbor in this small town of ours.

We fight more than we speak to one another, and his over protectiveness is starting to become far too attractive. He holds secrets within those stormy eyes and the part of me that knows it’s a mistake wants to dive deep and know more.

When one lack of control turns to another, there’s no turning back from what we could have. Yet the darkness on each of our paths are closing in.

I don’t want to love Hudson Cage, but if we don’t give in and learn to trust, we both could risk losing it all before we even have a chance.

**One Quick Obsession is an enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, small town romance featuring Hudson and Scarlett. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!**

 

I’m loving this family more with every book! The fourth book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Cage Family series is centering on Hudson and his enemy turned lover Scarlett. I love the closeness this fam is starting to show with every interconnection with both groups of siblings. They are growing and supporting and just making for a very happy setting for us to join in on like we are one of the fam. This particular book had a lot of emotion with both of their back stories and with things going on in both families currently as well. I loved the connection they grew to have once they let their guards down and truly got to know each other. The family is big, but getting more familiar with each siblings book, and the closeness they are achieving against all the odds they were given is really heartwarming. Great characters, lots of turmoil to work through and a sexy happily ever after. The flash to set up the next book has me super anxious for that one to come!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a heartwarming family backdrop as each sibling sets out on finding their happily ever after. They started out estranged and unknown to each other, but they are becoming one big caring unit that I’m loving spending time with!

four-half-stars

* Release Blitz/Review * ALMOST RUINED by Abby Millsaps

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * ALMOST RUINED by Abby MillsapsAlmost Ruined by Abby Millsaps
Series: Men of Evercrisp Orchard #3
on February 25, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

I told Mercer I’d never forgive him, and I meant every word of that promise.

He hurt Tytus in the most awful, deleterious way while Noah just stood by and let it happen.

All three men in my life have contributed to the toxic, unnecessary agony of our collective heartache, but I’m the one who brought them together. This is all my fault. Everything is ruined, and I have no one to blame but myself.

I almost captured that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and I was lucky enough to experience it three times over. But almost has never been enough.

I’ll miss Mercer’s bold, dominant attentiveness just as much as I’ll yearn for Noah’s sweet, gentle brand of care. I’ll spend the rest of my life craving Ty’s intense possessiveness.

It all ends now.

I refuse to choose between them, so I’m opting out entirely. I’d rather break my own heart and mourn the loss of them for the rest of my life than let them hurt each other ever again.

 

The highly anticipated conclusion to the Men of Evercrisp Orchard trilogy is addictive and attention grabbing for sure! We are quickly thrust back into the turmoil from the cliffhanger of book two and taken on a roller coaster ride for the first couple of chapters to see what the outcome for Tytus is going to be. Sawyer quickly disappointed me and buried her head in the sand and went back to her wild ways to cope with the trauma of the time. I really thought she had grown during her time with Mercer and Noah, but the communication they had instilled in her quickly crumbled. That part of the book in and of itself tainted my enjoyment, and unfortunately she didn’t redeem herself much at all. I loved the connection that Noah manages to forge with Tytus and feel like if the development of the entire story had stayed on that same wavelength it would have flowed much better. Instead, we had a whole lot of her desperation, too much physical emphasis being put forward in the story instead of giving it the depth it needed with some true communication and spoken affirmation of what everyone was feeling, wanting and deserving. Some true therapy needed to be happening here. Overall, I enjoyed the trilogy and was truly hooked throughout to see what was going to happen, but this conclusion needed more depth and growth to make me walk away feeling fulfilled with what this relationship is truly going to be moving forward. I’m walking away with some disappointment.

 

 

 

Almost Ruined by Abby Millsaps is now live!

Mutual destruction makes way for hope and healing in Almost Ruined, the third and final book in the new dark, why choose, college hockey romance series from bestselling author Abby Millsaps.

I told Mercer I’d never forgive him, and I meant every word of that promise.

He hurt Tytus in the most awful, deleterious way while Noah just stood by and let it happen.

All three men in my life have contributed to the toxic, unnecessary agony of our collective heartache, but I’m the one who brought them together. This is all my fault. Everything is ruined, and I have no one to blame but myself.

I almost captured that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and I was lucky enough to experience it three times over. But almost has never been enough.

I’ll miss Mercer’s bold, dominant attentiveness just as much as I’ll yearn for Noah’s sweet, gentle brand of care. I’ll spend the rest of my life craving Ty’s intense possessiveness.

It all ends now.

I refuse to choose between them, so I’m opting out entirely. I’d rather break my own heart and mourn the loss of them for the rest of my life than let them hurt each other ever again.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/4nBzkn4

Start reading Almost Ravaged, book 1 in the Men of Evercrisp Orchard series!

https://geni.us/AlmostRavaged

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Lt48ZL

four-stars

* Review * BLOODLUST by Sandra Brown

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BLOODLUST by Sandra BrownBloodlust by Sandra Brown
Published by Grand Central Publishing on March 17, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Two years ago, Detective Mitch Haskell lost his wife to a vicious act of retribution, and has since attributed her murder to two men: Roland Malone and the unidentified mastermind of the crime known only as Oz. Malone, a ruthless executioner and drug dealer who fronts as a restaurant owner, neutralizes so cleanly that he doesn’t leave a trace. And he performs his handiwork at the biddings of Oz, the faceless kingpin of a drug trafficking operation whose name alone evokes terror.

Obsessively vowing to avenge his late wife’s murder, Mitch has been on a downward spiral, jeopardizing his closest relationships and drinking excessively to numb his pain. After going one step too far, Detective John Bowie, his former best friend and now his boss, has forced Mitch to get therapy to sort himself out.

Dr. Dylan Reede is immediately empathetic to the pain she senses beneath Mitch’s cavalier attitude and wisecracking. She’s determined to make the most of his mandated sessions. But from the moment Mitch breezes into her office, Dylan finds it a struggle to maintain the professional and personal boundaries that keep her own tragic past at a safe distance.

As Mitch begins to close in on Oz and Malone’s operation, they’re prepared to stop him by any means necessary. And when it’s revealed that Dylan might hold the key to bringing them to justice, Mitch and Dylan’s irresistible attraction to each other may not only compromise both of them professionally, but place them in Oz’s bullseye.

 

Action packed and heartfelt! I was quickly hooked as we are thrust into Detective Mitch Haskell’s life of him still trying to pick up the pieces after his wife’s death. The book was a little unorthodox as it let us in on some tidbits of what really happened and of the inner workings of one of the perpetrators right from the start and throughout the majority of the book instead of keeping us totally in the dark as is often the case. It was interesting and added angst to the story. I was intrigued from start to finish and felt like the characters were attention grabbing and the plot set up well. I felt like his friendship with John added a lot to the story and made him feel approachable. I wanted a bit more at the end where it felt abrupt and up in the air a bit, but overall really enjoyed the book.

four-half-stars

* Review * DUKE by Jessica Peterson

* Review * DUKE by Jessica PetersonDuke by Jessica Peterson
Series: Lucky River Ranch #4
Published by Peterson Paperbacks, LLC on December 2, 2025
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

One chance meeting on a Texas ranch.

One wild, too-charming cowboy.

One snowed-in night that changes everything.

Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance—she’s come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers—resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame—sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.

Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.

But passion brings complications—and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.

Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each other’s arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?

 

Just when I thought I had found my favorite Rivers brother in Sawyer, along comes cinnamon roll Duke who falls hard and fast for love when he least expects it. He had me from hello!

Wheeler is a doll. She’s hardworking, supportive and intent to make her dreams come true. She has a troubled family life that makes it difficult for her to believe in happily ever after, but Duke slowly eases his way under her skin and has her second guessing her attitude. When life hits her with yet another roadblock, she has to dig deep and let Duke support her enough to be able to find her way through the turmoil to be able to see a forever. There is a touchy topic in play during a good bit of this book that might trigger some.

Highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a close knit family of cowboy brothers who work, play and love hard. Each brother is finding their forever and bringing them into the Rivers fold and it’s absolutely heartwarming to spend time with them.

five-stars