This Is How You Steal My Heart
Sweet Memory (The Painted Daisies, book 1)
When I am having trouble finding the words to encapsulate how profoundly a book hits me, that’s a phenomenal book. I already know LJ Evans doesn't simply write stories—she paints them with an intensity that engulfs your senses and immerses you in the characters lives and emotions—but sitting down to read Sweet Memory was a soul stirring experience I cannot wait to repeat. Because this is a book I will read over and over again.
Springing from Evans’s Branded by a Song and Tripped by Love novels, Sweet Memory is a deeply poignant and emotional journey through heartache and grief, but also a tale of renewal and intimacy that surpasses expectations of a simple love story. Angsty isn't even a good enough word for the turmoil the main characters Paisley and Jonas endure. But the intensity of the slow burn in their story is breathtaking. And their HEA is so much deeper and impassioned because of everything they endure to get there.
Evans effortlessly weaves in the lives and connections of a multitude of side characters, expertly interconnecting backstories as she goes. The characters truly come to life as they develop on the pages, to the point where I can practically hear their voices in my head as I read. And I felt every emotion as the story played out. The characters’ personalities shine through on so many levels, it’s easy to believe they are in your head telling you their truths.
Not only is Sweet Memories a beautiful story of love and connection, it’s fraught with elements of heart pounding suspense. Take the mystery of the best whodunit, pair it with the complex web of overlapping and interwoven relationships between family members, friends, and lovers, and wrap it up in emotionally evocative language, and you’ll understand why Sweet Memory enraptures its readers. Then listen to the playlist. I dare you to make it through that without a whirlwind of emotions, or a box of tissues.
Sweet Memories is book one of the Painted Daisies series, complete with its own HEA but encompassing an overarching plot of intrigue and mystery. Evans has laid a spectacular foundation for a series I will spend a glorious amount of time reading. I already cannot wait to see how everyone finds their own HEA (and with whom), and how Evans brings all the pieces together to heal hearts and provide closure for the characters and the readers.
Snark with Heart & Heat
Fourth and Long (Part of the Accidentally Yours collection)
Snarky humor? Check. Curvy heroine? Check. Second chance romance? Check. All the feels and a heart-melting HEA? Bring it! And Noelle O’Ryan brought it in Fourth and Long, book 5 in her Accidentally Yours series.
Noelle has a really fantastic way of creating realistic, likable characters, and Andi and Jett are another set of perfectly wonderful opposites that I couldn’t help but fall in love with. Told from Andi’s point of view, her story has beautiful elements of heart, longing, independence, acceptance, and enough self-consciousness to keep her real and relatable. Seeing Jett through Andi’s eyes helps paint a picture of who he is, who he was, and who they really could be together without losing sight of how his actions shaped her life and her feelings toward him.
Noelle keeps the story light and fast paced with her on-point use of sarcasm and a sharp wit, but brings the reader into their feels with tender moments of reflection, acceptance, and want. And the steam is really perfect. Jett’s a dirty talker who knows what he wants, isn’t afraid to ask for it, and brings out the best in Andi, even when she tries to hide it based on her own insecurities.
Fourth and Long is a wonderfully quick read that packs a bit of an emotional punch. It is easily read as a standalone novel, preferably in a comfy chair with a snack and a guilty pleasures drink.
Small-town Synergy and Steam
One Look (The Sullivan Family, book 1)
It’s hard to find a small-town romance with a unique premise and all the feels, but Lena Hendrix always finds a way to do just that. And as long as she keeps writing them, I will keep reading them. Moving on to a new small town with her Sullivan Family series, Hendrix starts her next series off strong with Wyatt and Lark’s story, One Look.
One Look definitely drew me in from the very beginning. I was hooked from the very first line. The sarcasm and sharp wit woven into the characters’ personalities creates perfectly timed and placed humor. Authentic dialogue alongside deeply personal situations and connections build Hendrix’s characters, making them relatable and genuine. I felt like I really knew these characters from the beginning. And while Lark and Wyatt are the story’s focus, Wyatt’s daughter Penny does a pretty good job of stealing a little of the show, all while giving Lark and Wyatt an important foundation to bond over.
Lark and Wyatt are fantastic in their own rights, but together they’re perfect. They’re so delightfully different, but complement each other beautifully. Oh, and the steam. Yeah, definitely steamy. Lark and Wyatt’s relationship is full of tension and intensity, but also passion and depth and understanding.
Hendrix does a fantastic job of blending multiple plot lines together seamlessly with excellent pacing and well-placed backstory. And the town they live in, quirky Outtatowner, provides the perfect environment for Lark and Wyatt’s relationship to grow while also offering a wonderful setting to get to know a host of supporting characters. It also provides the ideal backdrop for their own personal reflections and individual soul searching that lead to a truly heartfelt HEA.
One Look begins another wonderful binge that’s sure to provide more book boyfriends to swoon over, more family secrets to dive into, and more relationships to embrace. I am really looking forward to seeing where Hendrix takes the rest of the Sullivan family.
Heartfelt & Steamy, Low-Angst Love Story
An Unexpected Chance (InstaSpark Book 6)
After reading several seriously angsty, often heartbreaking novels, settling in to read a book that is neither of those things, but still packs a serious amount of steam into a seriously sweet romance, is one of life’s simple pleasures. An Unexpected Chance by Melanie Moreland brought a perfectly timed chance to read something that warmed my heart and steamed up my glasses.
Moreland builds the slightest touch of angst into the beginning of the story, providing a quick and touching resolution to that element of Simon and Amy’s relationship, but then balances it beautifully with a well-placed & relevant external conflict that builds their relationship into something truly deep and beautiful. That conflict also brings a lovely element of closure to Simon and little Mia’s lives, while paving the way for Simon, Amy, and Mia to become the wonderful family they are meant to be.
I love how Moreland focuses on the love story between her main characters, and how it becomes a recovery and rebirth of sorts for both Amy and Simon. Inserting well-loved characters from prior stories in her InstaSpark series, and adding some new faces to mix, Moreland creates the perfect backdrop and community for an instalove HEA story full of tenderness, warmth, laughter, and heart.
An Unexpected Chance reads perfectly as a standalone, but also gives some lovely encouragement to read prior stories in the series.
Powerful and Soul-stirring
Meet Me in the Blue (Hemlock Harbor Book 1)
When a story transcends the words and becomes part of your heart, with characters you want to embrace and become besties with, and language that flows and resonates with the most deeply powerful emotions in your soul, you sink into that story and love it hard. Meet Me in the Blue by A.M. Johnson is a truly stunning example of one of those books. From the cover through the epilogue, the intensity and depth of the story is powerful and soul-stirring.
Rook and Luka’s story grabbed me from the very first words and pulled me into their world, their lives, their emotions. Johnson does an extraordinary job of bringing the reader into her characters’ minds, painting a portrait of their fears, joys, loves, losses, and struggles that makes you feel like you’ve known these characters your entire life. Her language goes beyond poetic, it’s limitless and expressive and visceral and incredibly effective. Rook and Luka’s journey speaks to my heart and soul on a profound level of comfort and affection, but also turmoil and uncertainty as they navigate not just their relationship, but their lives and emotions. They have been intertwined for so long, traveling disparate roads to each other, and Johnson nourishes that and paints such a vivid picture of their struggles and victories it becomes part of the reader’s memory, as if they were there for all of it.
If you love truly and beautifully deep relationships, you are going to love this book. Just be prepared to be completely immersed in your emotions, because this one will stick with you for a very long time.
Smexy, Intense, Suspenseful, and so Worth Waiting For
Defensive Alliance (Alaskan Security- Team Rogue, Book 9)
Jemma Westbrook has given readers another fantastic addition to the Alaskan Security family and series with Defensive Alliance. I love this take on an amnesia love story, and the way it allows the characters to move through their uncertainties to develop a really incredible relationship. Jamison and Sadie are two characters perfectly made for each other. Their raw and honest emotions, coupled with fantastic humor (including snark and sarcasm galore), paint a picture of two characters with hidden depths to their personalities, beautifully brought out by each other.
Jamison is serious book boyfriend material- a sexy dirty talker with a hidden heart of gold and strengths that reach far beyond his physical attributes. And Sadie is a fierce badass who knows how to play the game, but also leaves room to become invested in the relationship she knows she deserves and wants. I love when a character thinks they know what they want, but then they meet someone who turns that expectation on its head and shows them just how great they are together.
The suspense in Alliance is on point. Intense from page one, the mystery surrounding Sadie’s circumstances, and the impact it has on the entire Alaskan Security team, builds consistently throughout the book, culminating in an edge-of-your-seat conclusion readers will truly love.
Westbrook's Team Intel girlgang returns with their signature brand of acceptance, enthusiasm, intelligence, and camaraderie. And the men of Team Rogue show up in a big way for the newest member of their found family.
Alaskan Security continues to be one of my favorite series. I cannot wait to see what Westbrook has in store for us next!
Suspenseful Second Chance Romance
Marked as Queen of Hearts (Rolling Brook Series, book 5)
There’s no question about it, I am a romantic suspense junkie. And when a romantic suspense novel is paired with a solid second chance romance, I am definitely here for it. Blye Donovan’s Marked as Queen of Hearts ticks both of those boxes beautifully.
Donovan does a wonderful job of spinning a fast-paced story with a nice level of spice that doesn’t overwhelm the suspense and thriller elements of the storyline. Paired with well-developed characters in Rafe and Tori, and some well-placed misdirection, Queen of Hearts kept me immersed and invested from the get go.
I love how Donovan focuses on rebuilding the relationship between the characters, not rehashing their past. It brings a level of maturity to the story and the characters, keeping the angst light and the intrigue heavy. There’s no question Rafe is a protective hero with a ton of guilt to work through, but not just about how their relationship ended the first time. And Tori is a strong, independent heroine with several goals in mind, who also has a sense of vulnerability that keeps her grounded and relatable. Their intentions are woven into multiple layers throughout the book, and neither the characters nor the plot are shallow and one-dimensional.
While Marked as Queen of Hearts is part of the Rolling Brook series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. But it does have some wonderful cameos by characters from an earlier novel to bring in that series binge feeling.
Intense, Steamy, and Incredibly Satisfying
Savage Secrets (Bale’s Villainous Tales, Book 2)
Slamming my Kindle cover shut and staring into space, trying to reconcile the whiplash of emotions I feel after reading a Sarah Bale book is one of the most amazingly intense expressions of bookish joy I can render. It has taken me three days to collect my thoughts to write this review because my feelings are still all over the place and the hangover just won’t subside. Savage Secrets. Holy. Wow!
I knew from Savage Sins that Malik Jafar was going to be a heartbreaker and an epic book boyfriend. And I knew Ellie was going to prove to be so much more than what she seemed. And that the gratification upon resolution, aka the ultimate revenge, was going to be beyond sinister and sweet. And was it ever! Bale tore through my expectations like they were cotton candy, and at the same time managed to weave a heart pounding, pulse racing, hot-flash inducing tale I couldn’t put down.
Yes, Secrets is dark. So dark. It has elements of cheating, violence, secrets, and so much steam. But it all plays beautifully into a love story that was meant to be, and delves deep into what a man will do to prove his love to the one woman his heart needs to be complete. And Ellie, oh, Ellie, what a beautiful example of a heroine who finally finds her voice, her worth, and her strength—elements that were always there, but so repressed and hidden—when presented with the proper motivation and the right partner in her corner and by her side.
Since no love worth having in Bale’s world is ever easy, there are side trips and detours, and supporting characters who enhance and amplify the intensity of the journey. Some wonderful familiar faces are back. And at least one new addition will give you pause and hope before Bale breaks your heart—No, not like that. I asked, and we’ll see him again. And I can’t wait. Betcha want to read it now, right?
Savage Secrets is part two of a duet with Savage Sins, and begin a new series (Bale’s Villainous Tales) in Sarah’s mafia world that brought us Hook and Company, Midas, and Beast. You will definitely want to read Sins before Secrets, and reading Bale’s Bedtime Stories isn’t a bad idea either. You don’t need the Bedtime Stories to understand and enjoy the Villainous Tales, but they’re fantastic for setting the stage and the mood.
Smexy and Fun Novella
Tumbling Head Over Heels
Novellas are quickly becoming my go-to source for rainy day pick-me-ups, and when the novella is a romcom it’s even better. I tucked into Tumbling Head Over Heels by Kacie West when the wind started blowing and the sky got dark and I needed a feel good story with some of my favorite tropes. Fake romance? Check. Forced Proximity. Check. Age gap. Check. Perfectly fun story with a tiny bit of angst and a wonderful “aaaawww” HEA. Check.
The heroine in Tumbling is a familiar face to readers who know AJ Ranney’s Half Moon Lake series. A minor character there, Kelly takes the reins in her own tale under West’s pen. She’s quirky and delightfully real, and so much more than who she appears to be on the surface. And Jack, oh Jack, he needed her to be his heroine. He may be 10 years older than her, but she definitely displays some serious wisdom in her youth when she shows him what he’s been missing and what’s truly important, just by being herself.
There’s so much to love in this story. The premise is fun and well executed. The main characters are likable and surrounded by a cast of well placed, yet not overwhelming, supporting characters. And the pacing is perfect for a fun, light read with emotional depth and ample steam.
While Kelly is a character from another series, Tumbling is one hundred percent standalone readable. I’m looking forward to seeing what West brings us next. Hopefully one of the newly introduced characters in this book will get her own HEA soon, too.
A Sure Bet 5-star Read
No Small Bet
Samantha Christy knows how to write an amazing redemption story. It’s one thing to take a broken character and make them whole, it’s another to take a character you’ve already been conditioned to dislike and make him into a character who steals your heart, invades your soul, and makes you believe that anyone can change.
No Small Bet is a beautiful story of unlikely love, and the power it has to redeem even the most lost of souls. It’s steamy and emotional, but it’s so much more. It’s funny and deep and wonderfully surprising, and truly exemplifies how the right person can change it all, even amidst sketchy motivations.
Beautifully developed characters build this story into something beyond your typical opposites attract romance. Hawk is that character you hate to hate but come to love as Christy immerses you in his journey of self discovery. And Addy is that character you love and want to hug because of everything she's been through, and how she can see others through a different lens because of her journey. Together, they're an incredible wildfire of angst and steam and opposition and passion. And it's truly wonderful.
I love the subtle buildup and change in Hawk, leading to that moment when he finally accepts what he's known since Addy entered his life. And the strength and resilience in Addy to know what she wants and find who she is is inspiring. And that external source pushing them together, perfection! There's something truly beautiful about characters who teach each other how to allow themselves to live and love despite the expectations of others. Christy uses that push and pull (rather than give and take) of the relationship dynamic to build angst, intensity, and a brilliant HEA.
No Small Bet is a perfect series starter for the McQuaid brothers. It is standalone readable, and I absolutely cannot wait to get Hunter and Hudson's stories as well.
Powerfully Emotional Story, Full of Surprises
Love is Surprising (Finding You Again book 2)
I am a glutton for a story about characters who think they’re too damaged for love finding their forever HEA. And Callie Sutcliffe delivers one of those stories in Love is Surprising, bringing Jake and Katy together in an engaging tale of second chances, strength, and perseverance.
Katy and Jake pulled me into their personal histories, struggles, and strengths immediately. Sutcliffe does a wonderful job of developing them both as deeply complex characters, surrounding them with supporting characters who bring out the best in them, and the rest in them. Watching their friends and family navigate the joys of happy small town life, Katy and Jake finally find what they’ve been missing, stop merely going through the motions of survival, and embrace what they’ve been yearning for in each other’s arms and acceptance.
Yes, there is angst—Katy and Jake both have a lot to work through together and on their own before they can truly accept themselves and believe they’re worthy of happiness together. Yes, there is steam—Jake is book boyfriend goals on so many levels, and he’s more than happy to introduce Katy to all of them. But woven through it all is powerful emotional intensity, deep elements of self-sacrifice, and ultimately an HEA that is both meaningful and captivating.
Love is Surprising is a beautiful follow-up novel to Sutcliffe’s Love is Messy, bringing back the comfort of familiar, lovable characters and building upon their relationships with each other. While it can be read as a standalone, it will be much more enjoyable within the context and order of Sutcliffe’s Find You Again series.
Sinfully Wonderful Love Story
Storm of Sin
I 100% chose Storm of Sin by Patricia D Eddy because of the book cover and the narrators for the audiobook. And it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. The storyline is gripping and fast paced, the characters are amazing, and the narrators are beyond perfect.
Eddy created a love story with solid elements of suspense and an unusual take on a second chance romance. It’s PNR (paranormal romance) as PNR is meant to be—perfectly balanced on the line of reality and "the other", with serious steam, deep emotional connections, and well-timed and intentional humor. The tension created as Zoe and Sin navigate their feelings for each other is rich and impassioned, showcasing their strong, independent characteristics as well as their desires to work together for a common cause.
Zoe and Sin are developed as much through their own actions as their interactions with each other and a well-thought-out cast of supporting characters. Eddy’s side characters drew me in and beautifully enhanced the nuances of the MCs personalities. I love two of them so much, I grabbed Wicked Omens before I had even finished Storm of Sin.
As for the audiobook, it is wickedly intense and enthralling. Jason Clarke and Maxine Mitchell bring Sin and Zoe to breathtaking life with flawless timing, fantastic inflection, and a talent for voicing side characters (and the other main character) that left me wondering if it was actually them at all. This is an audiobook I will definitely listen to again. And probably again again.
Heartfelt and Humorous Second Chance Romance
Homecoming King (Small-Town Royalty, book 1)
Homecoming King by Jami Albright was exactly the story I needed. This low angst, feel good, second chance romcom brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face and made me want to dive right back in right after I finished it.
Albright brings truly loveable character development front and center in Cash and Tiger’s story. I love the journey both characters travel as they learn about each other and finally realize they’re each so much more than what they seem. Albright infuses their love story with really wonderful banter and a nice level of steam, balancing it with humor and depth.
The supporting characters really allow the main characters to shine, giving even more insight into who Cash and Tiger are and what matters to them. And there are so many great aaaawww moments to go along with the laugh out loud situations and even some tears. This is definitely a great standalone story with a fantastic HEA and some really wonderful lessons about life, love, and looking beyond preconceptions to find your perfect person.
I’m Not Ready to Let Go
Reactivated: Aidan (Project Phoenix, book 7)
Series finale novels always come with such mixed emotions. I love to see how an author wraps everything up, but it’s so freaking hard to say goodbye to characters you love so much. Reactivated: Aiden by Charissa Gracyk was the series finale I wanted, I needed, and I couldn’t get enough of. I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to the team, but I have been waiting for Aidan’s book since he first appeared in Reactivated: Oz (Project Phoenix book 1), and Gracyk did not disappoint when she brought Aidan’s story to life.
There’s always that feeling of angst about whether a book will actually live up to the build up. And Aidan’s story absolutely did. Not only do readers get fantastic insight into an enigmatic character, they also get a steamy, intense, edge-of-your-seat action packed story about love, loss, and redemption. Aidan’s story is more than a tale of defeating the enemy you can see (Project Phoenix), it’s about fighting deep-seated personal demons, finding your way out of turmoil and chaos, and learning that the light you thought was extinguished long ago has simply been dormant, waiting for the right person to rekindle that flame. Aidan will forever be one of my all-time favorite book boyfriends. Just the right amount of mystery with beautiful depth, intensely passionate about the ones he loves, and yes hot as hell.
Kennedy is Aidan’s perfect HEA: a character with demons of her own, who is already working to exorcize them, and recognizes the ability in him to do the same. She’s smart, driven, feisty, and dedicated to helping Aidan understand he’s so much more than he believes himself to be. I love when characters become fierce protectors of each other, forging a bond that proves they are meant to be, fated to live their lives as a team, stronger together than they ever were as individuals, but at the same time are so incredibly strong in their own rights that they challenge and embolden each other to take risks and find their forever. Gracyk brings all the feels in the relationship between Aidan and Kennedy, and I was literally laughing one minute and crying the next. Some of the language and scenes gave me goosebumps, reaching levels of intensity that left me catching my breath and reaching for tissues.
Beyond bringing Aidan his HEA, Gracyk brings Project Phoenix to an exhilarating and decisive conclusion, infused with elements of suspense, intrigue, and heart-racing action. This is a ‘read late into the night, don’t want to put it down, what the he11 is going to happen next’ book. And the ending is truly incredible, wrapping up not just the lives of the evil individuals behind the chaos brought to Blue Squadron, but the lives of those men affected and their fierce and feisty HEAs. Watching not just the characters grow through the seven books of Project Phoenix, but experiencing the growth of Gracyk as a storyteller was truly wonderful. I’m looking forward to rereading this series again and again.
Angsty Second Chance Romance
Till this night
I love an intense, heartfelt, intimate, love story with wonderful humor and a little bit of heat. And Till this night by Koko Heart definitely lives up to that standard. It’s a beautiful tale of growing up, facing demons, finding yourself, and allowing yourself to become who you were meant to be.
Heart has created two perfectly imperfect characters who are struggling to accept their fate and flaws. Readers are pulled into their journey through a huge range of emotions as the characters navigate life and longing, love and lessons, and ultimately recognize that their HEA, the perfect someone who sees the best in them even when they can't see it in themselves, was there all along.
I love that I got to read an imperfect female main character in this novel and was given permission to be angry with her and still be happy she got her happily ever after. It’s a lovely reminder that people can be messy and still be loved. Reading a deeply flawed female character, understanding the reasons for their behavior, disliking the behavior, but still embracing the person and wanting them to be happy is something we don’t often get in romance novels. Juliet reminds us that nothing is perfect and everyone has demons. And that's beautifully ok. And Connor, with his own demons to slay, is a wonderful example of fighting for what you want, recognizing your worth, and ultimately understanding that nothing is easy, but the best things are worth the wait and the fight.
Heart has created truly incredible side characters who support her main characters’ journey in the best way. Marcus will not only steal the show, he’ll steal your heart. Will presents a lovely voice of reason. And the Cooper sisters, well, they are a bunch. Seeing their individual personalities begin to flourish and shine, reveling in their love for each other, and appreciating their support and tough love for Juliet is part of what makes this story truly shine. This family, both found and familial, is here for each other through it all. And that is exactly what the characters need.
Heart blends elements of each sister’s life into Juliet and Connor’s story, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Both to see how Cleo finally accepts her HEA, and to visit with Juliet, Connor, and the entire Cooper Crew again.
A Book Hangover to Bask In
Unfurl
Unfurl by Elodie Hart is luxurious and decadent and steamy and alloverbodyshivers tantalizing. And I just cannot get enough of Rafe and Belle or their story. It’s as much a journey for the reader as it is for the author & characters. Brimming with deep truths, it is an intense, thought-provoking narrative that challenges tenets and raises heart rates.
Hart infuses wonderful elements of opposites attract and soulmates in Rafe and Belle’s relationship. There is a beautiful sense of give and take as they get to know each other, and ultimately themselves. Plus, their honesty and love evokes a deep awareness of the beautiful strengths they each own and share.
Thank dog for a man who knows who he is and what he wants, and takes it, putting others who try to dissuade him in their places and accepting he's perfectly capable of knowing his own mind and acting on it. Rafe is both the perfect counterbalance for Belle’s vulnerabilities, as well as the ideal person to fortify and enhance her strengths. And Belle is an incredible portrayal of someone both innocent and emboldened in her choices and desires. The growth both main characters experience through their story is truly wonderful.
I love that there is very low to no angst between the characters, allowing readers to truly see them within their relationship and watch it bloom and unfurl gloriously. They support each other as they discover what they truly want, what they've been missing, and how they find & nurture it in each other. The angst and conflict is well laid out as internal to themselves, not between them. And when they are faced with an external conflict, one that is truly essential to the plot, they face it together.
Hart also does a fantastic job of introducing interesting and engaging supporting characters in Belle and Rafe’s closest friends. They enhance the plot and provide additional insights into the main characters perfectly. Readers get just enough to love them and look forward to their own story. Except for Belle’s parents. They provide the ideal opposition for the MCs, culminating in a chance for Rafe to show his glorious true colors and prove he is seriously top notch book boyfriend material.
Unfurl skirts the edges of erotica, but fully maintains the depth and intimacy of Belle and Rafe’s love story throughout. Readers should be warned, this story presents some hard truths about religious doctrine and may not be for everyone. A standalone novel, I truly hope Rafe and Belle’s friends find their own HEAs in future installments of Elodie Hart’s writing.
A Perfect Knockout Read
Things We Never Got Over
There is no way to dive into a Lucy Score novel without a smile on your face. I have loved everything she has ever written. And Things We Never Got Over (TWNGO) definitely continues that streak of joy and laughter and even tears. Oh, and steam. Let’s not forget steam. Because Knox and Naomi are an incendiary blend of intensity and intimacy and obstinacy and fervor, and they have an entire town happy to be along for the ride.
Score infuses the absolute perfect balance of humor, heart, and heat in the first Knockemout book. Building on a base of solid character development, she creates deep emotional connections between the characters in the story that effortlessly pull readers into their lives and longings, their fears and dreams, and their thoughts and actions. There are enough twists and turns to keep it interesting, but not so many that it becomes confusing and overly convoluted. And it didn’t take me long to know I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended, but I was fully invested in the journey to get there.
At its heart, TWNGO is a story about people, with main characters you'll love and a supporting cast worthy of getting to know, love, and lean into. Like old friends you've just met and can't wait to spend a lifetime with. And even with a large cast of supporting characters, they are woven together so seamlessly, they bring a wonderful array of insights that enhance a reader’s understanding of who Knox and Naomi really are, what’s best for them, and why they do what they do to evade it for so long.
This book is nearly 600 pages of life lessons imparted in perfect harmony with the humor and hometown hilarity of a Lucy Score book. Yes, there are the quirky characters, the unusual names, the whimsical heroine and her equally, if not more, whimsical parents and best friend, and a standoffish, stubborn, loner of a hero, but there’s also a perfect reflection of how real life can be chaotic and unexpected and intense, and it’s the people you’re surrounded by who make all the difference in how you come through it all. And how they come through it makes for a pretty spectacular HEA with a bit of suspense and a lot of excitement built in.
Plus, there are enough loose ends left over that make the second book in the series a definite must read. This is a perfect series starter, and sure it can be read as a standalone because of that, but what comes next for this town will most certainly be worth even more tired days at work after being up all night reading.
Perfect Prequel Novella
Cowboy Seeking a City Girl
Sometimes you need to go way back to the beginning to get the story of the couple who started it all. And in Janice Whiteaker’s Cowboy Seeking a City Girl, the author does just that. Readers of Whiteaker’s Cowboys of Moss Creek series are quite familiar with the wisdom and advice of Maryann and Billy Pace, but getting to read their HEA created the perfect backdrop for how everything else came to be.
City Girl is both heartfelt and steamy, with just the right amount of angst. It’s an emotional and intimate look into their meet-cute and whirlwind courtship, but also some lovely insight into who they are. And while I loved them as solid supporting characters in every other book, I love them even more now.
This is a great story for those who have already read the Moss Creek books as well as those getting ready to dive in. Plus, it stands wonderfully on its own, too.
Bacon Boy Gets His Perfect HEA
No Coming Back
No Coming Back is quite possibly the perfect cowboy romance. Janice Whiteaker has the most amazing way of taking beautifully created characters through their ideal journey to find their true happily ever after, infusing steam and swoon that will keep readers up way past their bedtime. Because this book is seriously too good to put down. Troy (Bacon Boy) and Amelie are scorching from the very beginning, and their fire never wanes, making this one seriously steamy, emotional, and even a little angsty read.
True to her strengths as a writer, Whiteaker’s strong yet vulnerable characters fall as much under the spell of each other as the found family they’re surrounded by. Tried and treasured themes of perseverance, pride, and trust bond together to help characters bent on creating their own way find their true selves and their true loves. And that found family element creates some beautifully heightened emotions and builds strong connections not just between the characters, but between the characters and the reader.
Troy is quite possibly one of the most perfect book boyfriends. Not only is he gorgeous and quite capable, but Whiteaker imbues him with elements of longing and consideration that truly make him a multilayered, complex, yet sensitive soul. And Amelie is the perfect spitfire vision of independence, while also maintaining beautiful elements of vulnerability and sensitivity that make her an ideal friend, companion, and soulmate. Plus, Whiteaker’s signature girl gang is in full effect, and not just amongst Amelie and her friends. Muriel, Amelie’s grandmother, is one of the most complete—not to mention amusing, irreverent, and adorable—minor characters I’ve ever encountered in a romance novel.
While No Coming Back is part of the Cowboys of Moss Creek series, this steamy yet emotional tale can definitely be read as a standalone. But once you fall under the spell of Whiteakers humor and heartfelt happenings, you will want to dive in from the very beginning.
Chemistry, Fate, and a Whole Lot of Steam
Starting Back
I love seeing a minor character in a book I love get their own HEA, and Stephanie Rose does Kristina’s (An Unexpected Turn) HEA justice in Starting Back. Plus she brings the steam and all the feels to do it.
Rose builds the perfect story around Kristina and Leo. Their chemistry is beautiful and genuine, igniting quickly and creating a deep sense of connection that carries through the entire novel. And there’s just enough angst to keep it real but not have you screaming at the characters. Because the characters are wonderfully authentic, easy to fall in love with, and absolutely perfect in their imperfections.
Starting Back infuses multiple themes and layers of starting over, living for yourself, and finding your soulmate. The messages of understanding who you are, knowing your worth, and overcoming your vulnerabilities rings true and clear through both Leo and Kristina’s individual stories and histories as well as within their connection with each other. I love seeing two people recognize how amazing they are on their own, but how much better they are with the right person by their side.
While readers first meet Kristina in An Unexpected Turn, Starting Back is truly a standalone love story for Kristina and Leo. But once you’ve met Kristina’s family, chances are you’ll want to read An Unexpected Turn as well. And I am definitely holding out hope for another minor character in Starting Back to get their own HEA soon as well.
Steamy Series Finale
The Specialist
Series finales are always a double edged sword for me. On one hand, getting that finality and saying goodbye is necessary but never easy. But on the other hand, getting that finality and seeing the ultimate resolution is also incredibly satisfying. The Specialist by Melanie Moreland accomplished all of those objectives.
The Specialist, the final chapter in the Men of Hidden Justice series, is a steamy story of love and longing. Of finding the right person and fighting for them with everything you have. Moreland infuses the novel with a great balance of steam and suspense, resulting in the perfect culmination of a series that explores just how far someone will go to protect those they love.
Egan and Sophia are the perfect balance of softness and strength, developed well through their connection with each other and their encounters with others. Moreland utilizes their connection to build the suspense and intensity resulting in a powerful finale. Readers are left with a feeling of closure, not just for the main characters, but for the series itself. While The Specialist can be read as a standalone, it is best enjoyed within the progression of the series.
Absolutely Not A Secret: This is One Truly Amazing Story
One Little Secret
You may finish this book, but you'll never be truly done with Ashton and Nova.
One Little Secret by Avery Maxwell is a book to savor. Sure, you may read it in one sitting the first time because you absolutely have to know what’s going to happen next, but you will go back and really read it again and again for the emotional depth and incredible energy within the story.
Maxwell's words have a way of spilling from the page directly into my heart. The imagery, foreshadowing, descriptive language, authentic dialogue, and beautiful character insights are simply the start. The banter is exceptional and the dialogue flows effortlessly, incorporating humor and infusing depth to every character in the novel. Readers who have been waiting for this story will relish the interactions between every character in the story, and how the entire Westbrook family fulfills an essential element of the healing and momentum present throughout the book. GG's wisdom is woven in with her witchery and wisecracks, Sadie Sunshine brings a level of purity and insight that enhances the already rich tone of the story, and the chaos surrounding Ashton and Nova in the form of the Westbrook framily provides a level of engagement and support that truly speaks to the strength and depth of love with all of its repercussions, consequences, and triumphs.
Maxwell builds two beautifully solid characters in Ashton and Nova, both of whom are hiding secrets from the world that keep them in their shells, forced to follow a life they feel they "deserve", and reluctant to admit they're worth more. Unlike previous books in the series, One Little Secret incorporates some dark undertones inherent to Ashton’s life and story, but Maxwell builds the dark element perfectly, and it's well balanced within the series as well as within this book itself. The angst in this book is multilayered, built around not just Nova and Ashton’s relationship, but their lives as well. Maxwell is not trying to sell One Little Secret as "dark" or gray, she's deconstructing and rebuilding the lives of two incredibly profound souls and bringing her readers along for their journey, and that's why the angst and the intensity works so well.
One Little Secret is truly a culmination of so many stories, and it is definitely best read and enjoyed within the sequence and knowledge of the Westbrook series. I encourage every reader to set aside time to truly dive into and enjoy this read. It is not fluff, it is not easy, it is not simple. It is exceptionally beautiful in its language, its tone, and its message. And it is truly one of my absolute favorite books. Ever.
Dark and Devious and Ultimately Captivating
Savage Sins
Sarah Bale has a knack for twisting your favorite fairy tales just enough to bring the perfect reimagining to darkness and life. Blending Aladdin with Cinderella, Savage Sins pairs the ultimate villain with the quintessential princess, then turns the entire sordid tale on its ever-loving head.
Whether you see him as a villain, an anti-hero, or the ultimate book boyfriend, Malik Jafar resonates with power, deception, and sensuality that will make every bad girl sit up and take notice, and every good girl long to be bad. And good girl Ellie is the perfect amount of damaged innocence no bad boy can resist. Throw in a mix of cruel stepsisters, jealous and angry best friends, a spoiled and greedy wife, and an undercurrent of the darkest souls Manhattan has to offer, and yeah, you’ll be up all night biting your nails, cursing the characters—and maybe even the author a time or two—and falling in love with two people who ultimately want what they can never have.
Their tale is emotionally deep, heartbreaking, and gut wrenching in a way that makes you crave their HEA. An HEA that readers will be forced to wait for, since Savage Sins is part one of a duet and Sarah Bale excels at torturing not only her characters, but her readers as well. And in the end, both Jafar and Ellie’s HEA and the reader’s triumphant appeasement will all be worth it. Because the best loves are never without tribulation and always worth the wait.
Beautiful and Heartfelt
Pining
Stephanie Rose has a way of hitting your heart with the right amount of angst to create a beautiful story of romance and redemption. And she hits that mark perfectly in Pining,
I absolutely love the buildup to Anthony and Victoria’s relationship and the vulnerabilities Rose infuses into each character. Their narrative is honest and raw and leads to a deep appreciation of the characters’ fears and expectations. Pining resonates with the depth of recovery and trust both characters crave. Rose uses the perfect amount of intimacy and steam to pull the characters together, entwine their lives and longings, tear them apart, and stitch their hearts and souls back together for their perfect HEA.
Woven within the story is a beautiful message of acceptance. Both main characters learn they have to go through the storm to find the peace they deserve and accept who they’re meant to be, but they don’t have to do it alone. Rose builds in a wonderful supporting cast of characters who help Anthony and Victoria along their journey while also enhancing the reader’s understanding and insight of the main characters.
This is a perfect standalone romance when you want a little heartbreak, a little heat, a little humor, and a lot of heart.
Solidly Sweet & Steamy Holiday Read
Bidding on Noelle (A “Colorado Christmas” Book)
Ember Davis’s holiday novellas are quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday traditions. And Bidding on Noelle is just one more reason to love her stories. I’ve actually been looking forward to Callum’s story since I read Davis’s A Very Pierced Christmas novella last year. And his HEA with Noelle did not disappoint. They bring the steam, the heart, and even the humor I was hoping for in a one-sitting holiday read.
Davis does a great job of developing Noelle and Callum as the perfect opposites attract who are exactly what each other needs. The set-up is brilliant, and not at all what you might expect from the title, leading to a relatable and realistic storyline. Noelle’s strengths and vulnerabilities bring wonderful depth to her character, and Callum’s book boyfriend credibility is balanced by his golden retriever energy tempered by a calming and grounding presence that helps him be exactly who Noelle needs.
As always, Davis infuses characters from her other series in a way that enhances Noelle and Callum’s relationship without being confusing or distracting. And if you’ve not read the other books those characters come from, this book will definitely have you adding those to your TBR. Although Bidding on Noelle is part of a multi-author holiday series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone story.
Steamy, Growly, Goodness
Two Pink Lines for Christmas (A “The Naughty List” Book)
I love when an author can tell a complete story, and get me reaching for the tissues, in a steamy holiday novella. And Ember Davis is a master at that craft. Two Pink Lines for Christmas was the perfect holiday week read, complete with a solid storyline, relatable characters, and all the feels.
This is a best friends to lovers book that really works. It has the perfect amount of angst, and the characters’ imperfections are raw and honest and real. Justice and Corbin quickly worked their way into my heart. They’re beautifully written honest characters. I love the way they go for what they want, but also recognize, eventually, that what they need can change everything. And once they truly understand and accept what they need for their HEA, their transformations are heartwarming and wonderful.
Plus, Davis serves up some serious steam in this one! And the supporting characters are well placed, well written, and make me want to dive into each of their individual stories without making me feel like I’m missing something. Two Pink Lines for Christmas is the perfect one-sitting read for the holidays that just may lead to your next author backlist book binge.
Nailed It
Nailed (A “The Naughty List” Book)
Steamy holiday romances are a staple of my kindle tbr every winter, and Claire Wilder’s Nailed definitely hit the spot. This age gap, workplace, small town romance covers a lot of ground in a well-written, emotional novella. Wilder pulls from her newest series, Quince Valley, to give Jamie Reilley the HEA he truly needs and deserves.
Pairing him with Sarah Cooper, a smart, accomplished, talented, younger woman, who also happens to be his employee, sets the perfect scene for him to recognize what he really wants, and how she’s the perfect person to share it with. Jamie is pure silver fox perfection. Yep- all growly, surly, and cinnamon-rolly. And seriously hot as hell. But this is no grumpy-sunshine story. Both characters have heavy histories and vulnerabilities that make them relatable and pull on a reader’s heartstrings, but also exhibit the type of strength and resolve that build that perfect amount of novella-length angst.
Nailed is a standalone romance, but definitely builds enough interest and curiosity about minor characters to want their stories too. And it’s the perfect length for a great holiday read that will make your eyes misty and your heart happy.
A Steamy Journey to a Beautiful HEA
The Target (Redemption Ranch Book 4)
Some stories pull you through with anticipation, emotion, and the perfect amount of angst. The Target by Lena Hendrix is one of them. Blending elements of age gap, best friend's sister, and second chance romance into romantic suspense, Hendrix brings readers along for the perfect journey to Gemma and Scott's HEA.
Hendrix is known for her small town vibes and steamy scenes, and she brings it all in The Target. The dynamic built between Gemma and Scott begs for an explosive relationship, and Hendrix does not disappoint, building their personalities around well defined and established needs as well as elements of self-discovery. Scott is serious book boyfriend material (if you like them growly, protective, and determined to meet your every need) and Gemma brings amazing layers of growth, strength, bravery, and determination well beyond her years.
The journey itself is up-past-bedtime, mute-calls, don't-bother-me-I'm-reading level of immersion. So grab a cold glass of water and settle in for multiple twists and turns leading to an HEA worth waiting for and worth fighting for.
Although part of the Redemption Ranch series, Hendrix builds in the perfect level of backstory and detail to enable readers to jump right in to The Target as a standalone. But all of those little tidbits definitely build interest in heading back to the beginning to take in and lose yourself in each character’s tale.
Edge of Your Seat Inferno
Reactivated: Deacon (Project Phoenix Book 6)
After the emotional deep dive of Reactivated: Cassian, Charissa Gracyk brought the fast paced, high energy roller coaster experience to Reactivated: Deacon. I flew through this book because I could not put it down! The suspense, the action, and the heat—all off the charts.
Deacon is a sleeper character that readers will absolutely fall in love with. The “quiet” team member, he is anything but dull and subtle when his childhood crush re-enters his life. Deacon is an inferno, in more ways than one. And Adri is his perfect match—with a quiet confidence, open mindset, and caring nature that brings out the absolute best in Deacon.
Gracyk puts Deacon and Adri through the wringer from page one, driving the plot through multiple twists and turns that test the characters’ strengths, but never their relationship. Deacon and Adri are a true team, and they have the support and presence of the entire blue squadron pirates family behind and surrounding them.
Reactivated: Deacon will elevate your heart rate and keep you up way past your bedtime. And it is 100% worth it. The penultimate book in the Project Phoenix series, it sets the stage perfectly for the final showdown, and if the energy in this book is any indication, the final story is going to be pretty epic!
Absolutely, Positively, Perfect Pippa
Rich In Your Love
I fell down the Tickled Pink rabbit hole with book 1—The One Who Loves You (TOWLY)—and anxiously awaited book 2—Rich In Your Love (RIYL)—because I just couldn’t get enough of the quirky town, the perfectly Pippa plotline, and the depth and richness of the characters she created. And Tavi and Dylan definitely did not disappoint.
RIYL is definitely a little different from most of Pippa’s books, and that is not a bad thing. In this case, different is wonderful. The character development is truly beautiful, with richness and depth built into the characters’ quirks. The level of personal introspection from Tavi and Dylan carries the plot and elevates it beyond simple quirks and surface level reflection. And while the heat is slow burn, it’s no less intense and passionate. Dylan and Tavi are an explosive match, and 100% worth the wait.
I have always appreciated the way Grant works character growth and reflection into her stories, using humor and hijinks to edge her characters closer and closer to their ultimate self actualization. And she absolutely nailed it in RIYL. The demons Dylan and Tavi struggle with, and overcome, both individually and together, are well developed, relevant, and relatable. And a beautiful reminder that what you see is not always what you get. And a perfect example of you never truly know the battles someone is facing. Lessons of acceptance, false perfection, and moving on run as rampant as Teague’s goats, and while they create just as much chaos and humor, ultimately they result in a perfectly beautiful HEA.
I am truly excited about the direction Grant has taken in Tickled Pink. The small town, quirky, opposites attract, we’re-all-in-this-together vibe works. And the characters carry it and own it. I know both books one and two will be on deck for rereads as I anticipate book 3 with the glee of a kid on a 5 day chocolate bender.
Suspense, Intrigue, Heat, and Another Book Hangover
Disavow
Willa Jade definitely doubled down on the heat and heartrate acceleration in Disavow. Beck and Madison are an incendiary match-up, and their personal intensity rivals the sparks flying in the circumstances around them.
Building on the mystery and intrigue surrounding the men of The Association in Judgment, Jade immerses readers in Madison and Beck’s story. The action begins from page one and never slows down. Surrounded by secrets, uncertainty, desire, and power, Beck and Madison forge a bond of trust, passion, and loyalty that captivates the reader’s mind and heart.
Madison is every bit the confident, independent, take charge best friend we saw in Judgement, but the vulnerability, care, and sensitivity Jade infuses her with in Disavow elevates her to top tier girlgang status. And Beck is the book boyfriend everyone craves: dark, broody, intense, but completely dedicated to Madison, his cause, and those in his care and protection. The world Jade drops them into provides a stunning level of twists and turns—for both their lives and their hearts.
I cannot wait to see where Jade takes this series. Between the strong girl power vibes, the cinnamon roll growly protector nature of Beck and Andre’s family, and the intensity of the situations they face, these will be up all night, can’t put it down reads I will savor each and every time.
Heartfelt, Steamy, Bookhangover Material
Love is Messy
Some stories hit you right in the heart, making you laugh, and think, and cry, and even rage a little. And Love is Messy by Callie Sutcliffe is one of those stories. It’s an angsty, heart-felt, deep journey of self discovery where nothing is perfect and the HEA feels so much stronger after the tidal wave of emotions experienced.
Sutcliffe does a wonderful job of weaving intense emotions into her characters, creating a rich and beautiful web of connections, bringing families and lives together. Themes of healing and recovery permeate the narrative creating a sense of depth and authenticity in the characters’ actions and interactions. And within all that is light, and joy, and humor and a true sense of kindred spirits, highlighting the bonds of found family and friendship.
Sutcliffe also builds a beautiful foundation for a series of books centered on a core group of friends, their struggles and triumphs, and their togetherness on a journey through love and life. I cannot wait to read Love is Messy again, and to dive into the stories Sutcliffe brings us next.
Hits Hard, Hits Fast, Hits Good
Making It Country
Some books should come with a “make sure you have a cold glass of water with lots of ice” warning, and Making it Country by Alexandra Hale is definitely one of those books. More than your typical small town, opposites attract romance, Country is a whirlwind journey through the damaged hearts and souls of two people who find home in each other. And their chemistry is pure incendiary magic.
Hale does a wonderful job of building Hank and Isla’s backstories, creating an intense element of yin and yang that fit perfectly together. Their instalust story hits early and hits hard, ramping up the steam and keeping it hot throughout the story. But the emotions hit just as hard. Hale does not scrimp on the inner turmoil, illustrating how deeply held secrets and best laid intentions can lead to anguish and isolation. Both Hank and Isla have things to work through, and strongly held opinions of what they think they want and need. But once they recognize what they really need, their HEA is 100% worth fighting for.
Hale doesn’t stop pulling you in with her damaged MCs, however. Throw in a little suspense, family antics, fast and fierce friendships, and yep- you guessed it- reader catnip! Making it Country is book 2 in Hale’s Clementine Creek series, and for the full effect of the town and family dynamics, I highly recommend beginning your reader journey with book 1, Back in the Country.
Heat, Heart, and a Well-Fought HEA
Impossibly Yours
After reading AJ Ranney’s debut novel, Always Yours, I was waiting not so patiently for Ashley and Jackson’s story. And Ranney did not disappoint. Combining brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers, secret romance, and workplace romance into one big ball of angsty heat, Ranney does the fiery Ashley and cocky Jackson right in Impossibly Yours.
Perfect pacing, serious steam, and fierce energy propel the plot forward, bringing readers along for an angsty ride that kept me turning pages long past my bedtime. Ranney does a fantastic job of elevating the couples’ personal and professional relationship while developing characters readers will relate to and respond to. Well placed supporting characters help build the story, providing great insight into the main characters’ motives and inspirations, which are much deeper than either character imagined in the other.
Impossibly Yours is a perfect follow-up to Always Yours, but can be read as a standalone. However, readers will appreciate it even more within the context of the series, as glimpses of Ashley and Jackson in book one will make their HEA even more validating.
Angsty Suspenseful Treat- With Amazing Heat!
Texas Orchids
One of the beautiful things about getting to know the kids in a series is seeing them all grown up and getting their own HEAs. And in Texas Orchids, Samantha Christy brings Maddox McBride (next gen from The Mitchell Sisters series) his perfect HEA while also setting up a fantastic new series to fall in love with.
The very first Samantha Christy book I ever read was Purple Orchids, the love story of Gavin and Baylor McBride, and I fell down a wonderful rabbit hole with that book. So, getting to fall in love with another incredible Christy series through their son Maddox and his heroine, equine vet Andie Shaw, was a true treasure. True to form, Christy made me smile, laugh, cry, and scream at her characters and all of the trials and tribulations they go through to achieve their perfect happy ending. All of the angst, the suspense, the tension—100% worth it!
Christy does a fantastic job of infusing characters from Purple Orchids to build the setting and situation around Maddox and Andie, building on tensions readers are already heightened to, while creating a completely new set of circumstances for the family, and the main characters, to face. Add in an entirely new set of twists and turns for readers to sink their teeth into, and this is a fast-paced, edge of your seat, steamy romance that sets the stage for the new generation of Mitchell Sisters kids to find their romantic footing.
Texas Orchids can be read as a standalone novel, but also serves as the perfect starter for a new series.
Powerful, Passionate, & Incredibly Intense
The Image of You
Holy feck! At half-way through this book I felt like Melanie Moreland was trying to rip my heart out and pound it against my ribcage in the process. The incredibly intense narrative of the love between two people brought together by fate, need, and desire had me hooked, riveted, and unable to sleep until I knew it was all going to be okay.
And of course, because it’s Melanie Moreland, it was.
But the journey to get there was a powerful deep dive into the things people will do for love, money, control, and retribution.
The Image of You is a full circle expedition about how chance encounters can bring the most amazing sense of permanence. It’s a story of fate and love, of soulmates, and of resilience—the resilience of love found, lost, regained, and made everlasting.
Focusing mainly on principal characters Adam and Ally, Moreland creates a backdrop of situations and circumstances that build emotional depth within and around their story. The insights to their thoughts, dreams, fears, and actions propels the tale forward at lightning speed, leaving little room for readers to catch their breath or slow their heart rate. And not that you’d want to anyway. When a story leaves you that breathless, it never truly leaves you.
The Image of You is a novel I will come back to often. It is a perfect standalone for those times when you need to feel the connection between the characters in every fiber of your being and know that even in the toughest of situations, there is always an HEA around the bend.
Just Right for the Holidays
Goldilocks and the Grumpy Bear
Goldilocks and the Grumpy Bear bring together all the best things in a grumpy/sunshiny, forced proximity romcom including great characters with great chemistry, light steam, humor, and heart to create a perfect holiday novella.
Coming together to co-write as Kacie West, AJ Ranney and Jenni Bara have written a light hearted story with relatable characters, excellent pacing, and a sweet message about how opposites can bring out the best in each other. Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and they use it to its full advantage, complete with an adorable meet-cute, and a scenario many travelers have probably worried about more than they’d like to admit. Plus a little angst and a grand gesture leading to a swoony HEA always hits the right spot.
I love turning to novellas as the winter holidays approach to restore my joy and lift my heart. And Goldilocks and the Grumpy Bear has definitely done that. I’m looking forward to reading more by these authors. And excited to jump into their backlists as well.
Perfection in a Page Turner
Tempt
Every time I read a new book by Melanie Harlow, I swear it’s her best one yet. And Tempt is no different. It is truly my favorite novel by Harlow ever. The intensity, passion, steam, and connection in this story is truly incredible. The heat and spice between Zach and Millie is intense from the get-go, so grab a cold glass of water and settle in for the ride.
Building on the age gap premise, the twist thrown in the mix builds a beautiful level of angst that rivals the chemistry between Millie and Zach. Harlow engages readers from the very start, painting her characters as driven and confident, yet vulnerable and guarded, both with very concrete ideas of who they are and what they want. Until they collide with each other and begin to question how much they’re willing to give, take, and change as individuals to have what they truly want and need together.
But this story is so much more than their physical connection. Their emotional attachment drives the plot, creating depth to their relationship while building characters readers will love and connect with. True swoony book boyfriend material, Zach is a conflicted hero with both tender and dominant sides that blend perfectly together. And Millie is a determined and motivated force who also has a soft side that makes her sensitive and attuned to everyone around her- sometimes to her own detriment in relationships. Watching them move past their apprehensions to grab their HEA, sheer bliss.
While Tempt is book 4 in the Cloverleigh Farms Next Generation, it can definitely be read as a standalone, but will be truly enjoyed and appreciated within the backdrop of the series.
Passionate and Powerful
Promised Love
Promised Love is my favorite book by Vikki Jay yet, and Lukas is serious top tier book boyfriend material. Jay does a beautiful job of blending an arranged marriage, age gap, small town romance into an emotional deep dive and powerful journey of two hearts destined to love each other.
Jay uses wonderfully intimate moments and interactions to create a relationship based on fear and expectations, as well as strength and self-discovery, as Lukas and Autumn learn about themselves and each other. Readers familiar with Jay’s other books will appreciate the same elements of fun and quirky meddling family members, but will cherish the intimacy between the main characters even more.
While there are lovely moments of levity and humor, the true pull in this novel is the heartfelt and passionate intensity between Lukas and Autumn. And the steam and spice is just as intense as the emotional depth. This story brings all the feels, and will seriously leave readers breathless.
Grumpy, Grinchy Goodness
How the Grump Saved Christmas
We all have our favorite holiday movies: It’s a Wonderful Life, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Die Hard…. You know, the one you reach for before all the others to help kickstart your holiday season. Well, now I have that book. How the Grump Saved Christmas by Claire Kingsley was exactly the story I needed to jump start my holiday spirit and the holiday season.
A true standalone set within the Bailey Brothers backdrop, Grump brings all the elements of a holiday classic with the perfect blend of spice and sass. I love the little homages Kingsley blends in to classics like A Christmas Carol, weaving in elements of second chances and soul mates. Even the squirrels have their say in delightful little cameos leading Elias down some pretty interesting paths on his way to Isabella and their HEA.
Regular readers of Kingsley’s books will enjoy their trip back to Tilikum and the little reunions with familiar characters, and new readers will get a fun, heartfelt nudge to learn even more about the town a series built. Kingsley’s character development is perfectly balanced, building Isabelle into Elias as the model Christmas miracle couple while surrounding them with supporting characters just as easy to fall in love with.
The pacing is perfect and effortless, guiding the reader through a range of emotions that will engage and enthrall your heart and your Christmas spirit. This is definitely a story that will stay with me and I will reread often, probably even during the same year when I need those little reminders that not all are lost, and people truly can change. So if you’re feeling a little grumpy, grab a copy. You may just find your heart growing a few sizes by the end.
All the Feels, All the Heat, All the Heart
Off the Mark
Mr Rogers may have asked if you wanted to be part of his neighborhood, but Kathryn Nolan makes you feel like you already live there. Once again, Nolan creates characters so real, they don't just jump off the page, they slide right into your heart. Her words drop you right into the story, bringing a unique realness and authenticity to her books.
Off the Mark is a stellar example of a fake relationship that’s anything but fake. Deeply emotional, and full of intimacy, sensuality, and steam, the plot never feels contrived or manufactured. Marked by low angst and high energy, the emotional intensity of the connection between Charlie and Rowan is palpable. And the sexual tension builds to a compelling crescendo of raw need and genuine desire that perfectly exemplifies the soul and depth of the characters and their circumstances.
Beyond the romance elements, the blending of Rowan and Charlie’s stories is as honest and integral as the harmony they seek in their daily lives, needs, and relationships. Their determination to prove themselves beyond their wounded and difficult histories creates deep vulnerabilities that humanize them and intensify their bonds with their families and friends, and ultimately each other.
Nolan infuses wonderful elements of humor and sensitivity throughout the plot, weaving encounters, interactions, and conversations with supporting characters into Charlie and Rowan’s lives, further enhancing their development as complex characters bringing far more to the page than surface banter. Charlie and Rowan build as their story does, strong yet vulnerable, with their own heartaches to bear, and a realness they reveal to each other long before they reveal it to themselves. That passion and energy moves the plot along swiftly and seamlessly. And it was over far too soon for my heart. I will be recovering from this book hangover for days.
Simply Stunning, and Grab the Tissues
Untaken Twin
Just when I thought those Calloway brothers couldn’t do any more beautiful damage to my heart, Samantha Christy brings out the rollercoaster of emotions in Untaken Twin. And even though I knew this was going to be intense and heartrending, I was not prepared for the incredible twists and revelations embedded in Chaz, Cooper, and Serenity’s story.
Untaken Twin is a journey through guilt and forgiveness, grief and acceptance, rage and recovery, but also so much about closure and new beginnings. Christy builds in beautiful elements of family ties and treasures as she weaves a tale of secrets and lies that ultimately culminate in an unexpected but incredible HEA.
Even the plot twists in this story have plot twists. And through them, Christy brings to life not just the characters involved, but their anguish and ultimately their peace of heart, soul, and mind. Questions about events alluded to in the previous two books in the Calloway Creek series are answered, raising even more questions, and bringing the characters and readers some pretty incredible “shut the front door” (or Kindle) moments.
Cooper’s story has tugged at my heartstrings since Tag’s book, and even though I knew it was going to be an emotional read, I still wasn’t prepared for just how deeply powerful his story would be. And Serenity is a beautiful force to be reckoned with, a passionate soul, and a strong catalyst for the recovery both she and Cooper need, right when they need it.
Although Untaken Twin can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading it in order within the three book Calloway brothers saga. Because although it is the story of Cooper and Serenity’s HEA, it’s also the ultimate expression of closure for the entire family as well as readers who have traveled this path with them.
Exactly the Story I Needed
The Boy I Shouldn’t Want
Sometimes, the best book is that steamy, heartfelt, fun, low angst novella that brings the feels and squeals, but also the aaaws and eeeps your heart needs. And The Boy I Shouldn’t Want by Stephanie Rose is definitely that book.
I dove into this story on audiobook, and it was truly a fantastic decision. Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter are absolute perfection. Their chemistry absolutely leaps from the pages, their inflection and tone stellar.
Rose creates characters who resonate with readers, and from page one I felt like I knew these characters. They are authentic, likable, and genuine, wonderfully created through on-point dialogue, inner musings, and character observations. The narrative is perfectly paced, turning this instalust and instalove novel into an instafave for me.
Oh, and one of the best lines I've ever heard Jason Clarke read is in chapter 3 (you’re welcome).
Fun and Flirty, Short But Not (that kind of) Sweet
Meet Me in Los Feliz
They say you should write the book you want to read, and Kelly Reynolds has done that and at the same time has written a story everyone else should read. Meet Me in Los Feliz is a fun, flirty, adorable holiday story with all the feels, squeals, and real deals I crave in a novella.
With fun flashes of humor and heat, this story is dear, but it's definitely not sweet. Reynolds beautifully develops her main characters through wonderful interactions, quick and witty dialogue, and emotional introspection that will make so many readers feel seen. I love that her characters live outside the “typical” romance box, but fill the space in my mind with relatable energy and emotions.
I fell for the main characters quickly, admiring them (and the author) for their unique and individual authenticity, but also treasuring their connections with each other and their supporting cast of characters. The pacing was flawless, and even the angst was engaging and genuine. I cannot wait to see what Reynolds has in store for them all in the next installment of what will hopefully be a series of treasured favorites.
I’m All In!
I’m all yours
Koko Heart knows how to bring all the feels to her characters’ stories, and I’m All Yours, book 1 in her Cooper Sisters series, is an amazing testament to that talent. Nell and William face hardships and heartbreak that will tear you apart and put you back together, culminating in a truly beautiful HEA worthy of a Shakespearean love story.
Heart pulls the reader through so many incredible emotions as she builds a story rich in passion and intensity. Both Nell and William have their demons to face, their insecurities to move past, and Heart pulls the reader into their journey with heartfelt humor and genuine connections. The authentic dialogue and deep inner musings, the banter between the characters, the joys and conflicts they share and struggle with, all pull the reader deeper into the story and the characters’ lives.
I’m All Yours is more than just a love story, it’s a brilliant series starter that immerses readers in the lives of all of Heart’s characters through the warmth and fire of Nell’s relationship with each other as well as those of their families and friends. Beyond featuring heavily in the story through their guidance and interactions with Nell and William, the supporting cast begins to build their own stories and interwoven tales that enhance the plot and leave the reader pining for the next installment in the series.
The book hangover I’m All Yours left me with was completely worth it, and I cannot wait to experience that joy, humor, heartbreak, and heat again with the other books in this developing series.
Slowburn to Wildfire Romance Gold
Until You Can’t
Brittney Sahin is one of those authors I come back to over and over again. The emotional depth and intrigue in her stories make them favorite reads and rereads, and Until You Can’t is no exception.
Sahin does an incredible job of building two complex, determined characters who face obstacles that build the tension and connection between them, culminating in a powerful and heartfelt HEA. Ryan and Natalia’s story ignites around their intense, emotional chemistry and these two light up the page with their strength and passion.
Sahin creates a fantastic cast of supporting characters who advance the plot, build the suspense, and ultimately bring Ryan and Natalia to the inevitable conclusion that they are truly meant to be together. The twists and turns don’t stop until the very end and will likely cause some late nights for readers who won’t be able to sleep until they know exactly what happens, and that everything will in fact be okay. (And it will be, I promise).
In addition to a brand new set of characters, Until You Can’t is a wonderful example of a true standalone that incorporates characters from another Sahin series- Stealth Ops. Readers who are familiar with their stories will appreciate and enjoy their inclusion, while readers unfamiliar with those characters will have several reasons to sink into that series binge so they can get to know those characters as well.
Whether you are a new reader to Sahin’s books or a seasoned series enthusiast, Until You Can’t will hit all the right notes, elevate your heart rate, and bring out all the feels.
Family Reunion Feels with a Twist
The Addendum: A multi-generational romance (The Contract Series Book 4)
Reading The Addendum by Melanie Moreland is like attending a family reunion in the absolutely best possible way. It has all the elements of family dynamics and drama that bring all the feels and leave you with a warm feeling of completeness and joy. But you don’t get there without a major plot twist that turns just about everything the reader knows about RVR on its head.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Contract series novel without the VanRyan family facing heartbreaking hardships together, getting support from the BAM and ABC crew, working through it, and coming out stronger and more amazing on the other end. I loved revisiting with all my favorite characters from multiple series and watching them interact and embrace who they are and how far they’ve come, individually and together.
Told from multiple points of view, Moreland combines heartfelt interactions with humor and heat to immerse readers in the lives of several characters as they all come to terms with how the past can resurface, providing some gentle- and not so gentle- reminders of who they were before they became who they are, and a look into who they truly want to be. The importance of found family connections and how much they mean is beautifully on display as Moreland provides character and readers with a portrait of how the right person can change someone’s life, and how in turn they can affect the lives of others.
I loved the sense of closure created when RVR confronts and accepts his past, and reconciles it with his present and future, all while surrounded by the very people who made him who he is. The entire journey through this series is truly amazing.
So Worth Waiting For!
Charlie (Book 3 in the Big Northwest Series)
When the next book in a series hits, and it hits hard, you know the book hangover will be epic and totally worth the wait. For Janice Whiteaker readers, waiting two years for Charlie—book 3 in her Big NW series—was 100% that book.
Whiteaker wastes no time building the chemistry between Charlie and Adam, infusing her characters with needs and desires that extend beyond their physical attraction and heighten the passion in their relationship. Whiteaker does a beautiful job of building two wonderfully complex characters, each searching for ways to move past their personal trauma. And I love how they find that in each other. Surrounded by blood and found family, Charlie and Adam navigate their opposites attract relationship with confidence within their insecurities, helping themselves and those around them understand and recognize exactly how perfect they are for each other.
Whiteaker builds in her signature element of suspense mixed with well developed, yet subtle, pnr to create a fast paced, intricate story responsible for keeping this reader awake well past her bedtime. The banter between Charlie and Adam is as rich and genuine as their discussions of discovery and growth. And the conflict and harmony between the two result in beautiful elements of us against the world, only increasing the connection the reader sees in them and feels toward them.
This is a story worth reading and rereading in a series worth binging. It can be read as an interconnected standalone, but will be much better enjoyed and understood when read within the context of the Big Northwest series, and following a binge of Whiteaker’s Secrets of Mountain Men series. Both series have a paranormal (PNR) factor, but it’s subtle and well-written, and actually a really good series for readers interested in PNR but not ready to jump into a PNR heavy book or series.
Serious Book Hangover Material
Beautiful Beast
Beautiful Beast by Olivia Peters is the fairytale retelling everyone needs to read. It’s intense, and emotional, and powerful, and heart wrenching, and absolutely amazing! From the subtle details Peters weaves into the tale (pay attention to both Adam and Belle’s best friends’ names) to the throwback homages to the classic fairytale (think roses and libraries), this story nuances out all the feels. The steam level- off the charts! The characters- beautifully created and developed throughout the story, ringing true to the Belle and Beast we all know, but upping the ante in a modern world of haves and have nots. The tension between the characters builds upon their own inner struggles to break boundaries and build bonds worthy of a stunning HEA. This story is serious book hangover material. Be prepared to stay up all night finishing this book, I know I did. And I’ll do it again.
Perfectly Amazing Series Finale
10-Code (Rock Point Series, Book 4)
The hardest thing about reading a series is saying goodbye to the characters. But it also comes with the best part of romance- everyone getting their HEA. And 10-Code by Freya Barker brings her Rock Point series to the most amazing, but emotional, close.
10-Code brings all of the suspense, heat, and heart readers have come to expect and love from Barker. It also brings Dylan and Marya, and their boys, the most amazing closure. But the journey there is not easy. Barker builds incredible depth into edge-of-your-seat action that will both warm your heart and raise your heart rate, providing multiple twists and turns that immerse the reader in the characters’ lives, including their biggest hopes and their worst fears.
Marya has been due her HEA since book one in the series, and this age gap, single parent(s) romance gives the single mom the spotlight she deserves. Marya is the friend every woman wants, the hot mess we all know we are and identify with, and the strong independent momma bear every reader will love. And Dylan is quite simply her perfect match. He’s successful, protective, and swoony, but also flawed and imperfect in a way that makes him both real and relatable. Their chemistry is natural, authentic, and off the freaking charts.
Barker creates an incredible sense of involvement and connection with the minor characters in this book as well. Dylan and Marya’s families are essential elements of plot development, and readers will embrace them as completely and deeply as they do Dylan and Marya.
The other beautiful thing about this series, besides everyone getting their perfect HEA and the bad guys getting exactly what they deserve, is the wonderful sense of community and family woven within and throughout the books in the series. The entire team has a space and a place in Marya and Dylan’s story, and it creates a natural flow of dialogue and interaction that propels the action and plot forward without creative overwhelm or character confusion. This book is definitely best read as part of the series, and the characters who don’t get their HEA within this series are provided their own HEAs through Barker’s many crossover series.
Own What You Love
Irrestible Trouble (Copper Valley Fireballs, Book 4)
I debated back and forth on the title for my review of Irresistible Trouble by Pippa Grant. Ultimately I went with “Own What You Love” rather than “Resistance is Futile, And Way Less Fun” because it was shorter. Because, ultimately, resisting reading this book is futile, and everyone needs the kind of fun this book brings in their lives, and there is no better way to own what you love than to dive into a book that makes you feel amazing about everything you read.
Readers familiar with Pippa Grant and her interconnected series that include the Copper Valley Fireballs are all too familiar with the struggles Pippa had getting Cooper’s story from him, but holy fireballs, was it worth the wait. The Golden Retriever energy in this book, from both Cooper and Waverly is incredible. It not only carries the humor and heart in the book, it carries the chaos and challenges as well. From the hijinks and pranks to the emotion and introspection, Irresistible Trouble brings connections and expectations to glorious heights, and a really spectacular HEA.
I love the themes of self worth and fulfillment woven throughout the storyline. The ways Waverly and Cooper find each other, find themselves, and ultimately find what they want by giving themselves, and each other, permission to take it, is a lesson most of us can take to heart. Building in much loved characters from prior books establishes a foundation of family and support that rings authentic even through the outlandishness Pippa surrounds her characters with.
Even though this is a second chance romance, I love the low angst element enhanced by the external conflict that brings Cooper and Waverly closer together while their separate lives try to keep them apart. And the visuals Pippa creates to build their characters and lead them through their relations are really phenomenal. From fake eyelashes and glitter eye shadow, to baby diaper explosions, to ice sculptures, Pippa’s language will put you smack dab in the middle of the scene, etching them into your permanent memory in some cases. Let’s just say I will never look at a double swan ice sculpture the same way- and it has very little to do with the sculpture itself and everything to do with the events and interactions around it.
If you are a fan of rom-coms with high energy, larger-than-life characters, unbelievable situations that seem all-to-real, and HEAs that defy all the odds, you are going to love Irresistible Trouble.
Oh, The Swoon! Luna & Ouray are Amazing Together!
HWY 550 (Rock Point series, Book 3)
Wow! Just wow! Hwy 550, the third book in Freya Barker’s Rock Point series is definitely one of the best romantic suspense books I have ever read. It may have something to do with the main characters, because Luna and Ouray are not just amazing in their own rights, but as a couple they are a live wire of intensity and emotion, spark and flame, damage and determination.
Luna is every bit the sprite Ouray calls her, and I absolutely love how Barker incorporates Luna’s vulnerabilities into her strengths, building her the HEA she absolutely deserves and works for. And Ouray, yeah, he’s top 5 book boyfriend material. Gruff and growly, with a deep sense of responsibility, he is most definitely a cinnamon roll, even if he would never admit it. And thank you again to Freya Barker for recognizing how amazing life can be nearing and after age 40. Barker’s characters exemplify the notion that it’s never too late to learn, grow, adapt, and live the life you want and merit.
Barker does an exceptional job of working multiple plot lines together to create a cohesive, fast paced story, layered with intrigue, compassion, and transformation. She blends the main characters’ stories seamlessly with each other, as well as the side characters working both with and against them. While HWY 550 is part of the Rock Point series, Barker builds a beautiful community within the Arrow’s Edge MC that begs readers to seek out those supporting characters’ books as well. This book is also a fantastic bridge between Arrow’s Edge and the FBI family Barker has developed within the Rock Point series.
Hwy 550 can be read as a standalone, but would be enjoyed and appreciated even more within the series as readers meet and see the beginnings of Luna and Ouray’s characters and relationship from book 1, Keeping 6.
I See It & I Love It! And I Need More!
The Rebel (A Redemption Ranch Novel)
What a beautiful introduction to a new-to-me author. Lena Hendrix pulled me into her newest novel, The Rebel, from page one and never ever let go. The steamy opposites attract, small town romance blends intrigue, humor, heat, and heart into a story I absolutely could not put down.
Not only is the plot and pacing perfection, the imagery created through Hendrix’s vivid narrative and authentic dialogue immerse the reader in the lives of the characters and situations they move through. Effie’s story and struggles will resonate with anyone who has ever had to hide their true self, keeping up appearance, until they find the one. And Josh is perfect in his imperfections. Hendrix deals with sensitive issues without sensationalizing them, which makes them even more essential elements of the characters and plot without being overwhelming or excessive.
The plot and characters are developed beautifully through keen emotional connections, and the steam between Effie and Josh is intense and passionate. I love the deeper connections and themes of acceptance and understanding Hendrix incorporates into their story, keeping The Rebel from becoming just another play on the starlet and the cowboy trope.
The Rebel is the third book in the Redemption Ranch series, but this book is absolutely standalone readable. It is actually the first book I have read by this author, and I am kicking myself for waiting so long. I have already grabbed the other books in the series and cannot wait for the next one. And I have a feeling I will be rereading this one regularly. Much like Redemption Ranch, it is an absolutely incredible place to get lost in.
Steamy, Sassy, & A Lot Bada$$y
Operation: Light Storm (Slater Security Book 3)
What do you get when you combine an opposites attract, workplace romance with suspense, humor, and a whole lot of action? When Charissa Gracyk is the creative mind behind the tale, you get a Light Storm.
Readers familiar with Gracyk’s Slater Security series have seen glimpses of the tension and draw between Sailor and Maddox from book one, and now they finally get their chance at romance in Operation: Light Storm. Honestly, they are my favorite couple yet! Maddox is so much more than just the gruff muscle everyone thinks he is. Call him a cinnamon-roll, toasted marshmallow, whatever- he is the perfect match for Sailor’s flirty and fun personality that shines within her reputation as a kick-butt heroine.
Not only does Gracyk turn up the heat within the plot, sending Sailor and Maddox down a twisty-turny path of intrigue and danger, but these two are seriously steamy together. Their playful banter hits perfectly, even amidst the intensity and chaos of their journey to save the world. And the rollercoaster of emotions creates perfect pacing throughout the book.
Watching Sailor and Maddox find and embrace their HEA in this story is truly enhanced by how they find it. Not just through the trials they face and the emotions they force them to confront, but through their recognition of how someone can be so much more than what they seem.
Even though we’ve had glimpses of their relationship in prior books, Operation: Light Storm truly stands on its own as a fully-developed interconnected standalone. At the same time, it gives a fantastic glimpse into other characters that will make readers want to binge the series. And creates the ideal level of expectation for Dash’s book. Until then, I am going to revel in the perfect outcome to the story Gracyk has been expertly cultivating between her bada$$ beauty and her smitten kitten beast and sit in this lovely Light Storm hangover for just a while longer.
Shenanigans Done Right
The Glow Up (Franklin U Book 5)
The Glow Up is absolutely everything I adore about A.M. Johnson’s stories. Her poetic language and beautifully developed characters come together in a low-angst love story that will find a permanent place in your heart and captivate your soul.
Chris and Aiden, both old souls in their own unique ways, instantly grabbed my attention. From two seemingly opposite spheres of life, they are the quintessential yin and yang. They balance each other so perfectly, and in that balance is a stunning narrative of two individuals discovering themselves and each other.
Johnson immerses her readers in a world of support, insecurity, yearning, and exploration that brings The Glow Up to life through humor and tenderness. A beautiful blend of narrative and dialogue pulls readers into Chris and Aiden’s insecurities and aspirations, their hopes and hang-ups, and their struggles and triumphs.
Johnson does an extraordinary job of painting a picture of the characters, their relationships, their desires and dreams, and even their intimacy. Surrounding them with colorful and creative supporting characters, readers truly get to see Chris and Aiden for the deep and complex characters they are. There is nothing one dimensional about them, or their relationship.
The Glow Up is part of the Shenanigans series world, but it is 100% standalone readable. Although having experienced this world through the eyes and lives of Chris and Aiden, I definitely want to venture into the other books for those authors’ amazing tales as well.
Sweet & Spicy In All The Best Ways
Dash: Rushing the Play
Kayley Loring and Connor Crais scored major points with DASH: Rushing the Play. It’s sweet (but not ‘that’ kind of sweet), and spicy, and seriously wonderful in so many amazing ways. Woven in with the beauty and the beast trope, there are elements of second chances, unexpected pregnancy, and above all a story of growth and understanding for each of the characters separately, and both of them together.
I think I fell in love with Charlie & Dash before they fell in love with each other. And for all the best reasons. Yes, they both aspire to, and ultimately succeed in, careers most “normal” people will never experience, but they are far from caricatures of real life people or situations typical in a sports rom-com. They feel like people you know, or want to know. And when they struggled, I just wanted to put my arms around them and hug them back together.
The comedy is seriously en pointe (iykyk), but not in a spit-take hilarity way. Think: giggle behind the book cover rather than bathe the Kindle in tea. And it 100% fits the characters and their stories. Loring and Crais build Charlie and Dash’s relationship around a solid plot with excellent pacing. And yes, there will be tears and laughter, and tears of laughter, and laughter within the tears. Let’s just say, emotionally, it’s kinda all in there. But readers will smile more than frown, laugh more than cry, and absolutely rejoice in their ultimate HEA.
Loring and Crais use a fantastic balance of authentic dialogue and narrative to build their characters within the readers’ minds. Amusing and interesting side characters add to the plot without becoming overwhelming, and truly give the story and main characters more depth. And even though some of the characters are from book 1 in the Boston Tomcats football romance series, Dash & Charlie’s story truly does stand alone.
Lightning strikes again
The Watcher (Men of Hidden Justice Book 4)
Melanie Moreland has another wonderful story of suspense and instalove in The Watcher, her newest addition to the Men of Hidden Justice series. Although this installment in the series is not nearly as Canadian Gray as The Boss, it still exudes elements of intensity, control, and power. And readers can sink into the steam and seduction Moreland does so well.
Built on a solid premise and theme in the romantic suspense genre, Moreland blends great pacing with solid character development to bring readers into Damien and Raven’s hearts and minds as they build their relationship in the face of danger. The twists and turns are all there, along with some interesting breadcrumbs, but that final twist- Wow!
Beyond the levels of intrigue and uncertainty in their lives, watching Damien and Raven go from instant attraction to true love, and a beautiful HEA, is a journey worth taking. Moreland infuses the story with cameos and appearances by beloved characters from earlier books in the series as well, creating a continuity in the found family theme developed through the Hidden Justice books. I truly hope this isn’t the last we see of these characters, though. Because those additional breadcrumbs for Egan’s story definitely have me intrigued and excited for the next installment.
Remember to Breathe
The Last One You Loved
Between your tears, laughter, and all the feels, remember to breathe. The Last One You Loved by LJ Evans will have your heart racing and your breath catching for the entire incredible ride. Because sometimes losing everything you want gives you everything you need. But the journey to claim it, well, that’s not always an easy ride. But it makes for an incredible read.
Evans has woven a tale of second chances that extends beyond the book's primary relationship, encompassing a family who's hugs you'll feel through the words on the page clear to the depth of your heart and soul. While the steam and connection between Maddox and McKenna steal your breath, Mila will steal your heart with her very presence.
Maddox and McKenna (M&M) are beautifully developed, perfectly imperfect characters whose intricate backstories are only enhanced and deepened by the characters surrounding them. And yes, readers will want to embrace some and loathe others, but more than anything will appreciate how everything that happens leads to an incredibly heart-felt HEA. And there's a very healthy element of just desserts. In more ways than one.
Evans’s language is poetic and intense, building suspense throughout the plot, entwining multiple story arcs all seamlessly connected within and around McKenna, Maddox, and Mila. Every twist, turn, trial and tribulation created new ways to connect with the characters and their story.
This is the book I couldn't put down, but never wanted to end. I can only hope, dream, and anticipate that Evans will bring us back to Willow Creek and the Hatleys in future novels, because this is one book that has ‘series starter’ written all over it. And book hangover inscribed on every page.
Swoon and Strength, The Perfect Match!
Cabin 12
I love it when two minor characters I fell for in one book get their own HEA, together, in another book. And Freya Barker delivers on that in amazing fashion with book 2 in her Rock Point series: Cabin 12. This book brings serious steam, suspense, and intensity together through a multitude of twists and turns that will elevate the reader’s heart rate again and again.
The tension between Jasper and Bella ignites spectacularly when they are thrown together and forced to confront not only their feelings for each other, but an intense external struggle that brings them even closer. The boss’s little sister element has a really solid brother’s best friend vibe, but with an added element of workplace drama that enhances the plot and the angst just enough to make things really interesting. Plus, the huge difference in Bella & Jasper’s family dynamics create wonderful opportunities for them to connect while exploring what they both truly want and need from a partner, advocate, and lover.
Barker creates really strong, intense, independent, yet vulnerable characters that readers can’t help but fall in love with, and both Jasper and Bella exude every one of those characteristics with their own individual flair. Jasper is 100% top tier book boyfriend material, strong, confident, trustworthy, with just enough demons in his background to make him self-conscious and endearing without being an overconfident jerk. And Bella is the friend I want at my side whether I’m laughing, crying, or staring down a mountain lion (or an overbearing mom). Her strength amidst her internal struggles is inspirational, and Barker handles what is often the very difficult topic of depression with grace, respect, and thoughtfulness, making it part of the character and plot, without making it the character’s one defining factor.
And if you are an audiobook fan, this audiobook, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Cynthia Farrell, is truly fantastic. I’m not sure there could be a better set of voices for these characters. They truly brought the story to life.
Cabin 12 is a fantastic interconnected standalone, but truly shines within the context of the series, where readers can appreciate the characters’ interactions and growth, as well as the overarching connections between the characters and the community.
A Dark Romance You Can Sink Your Heart Into
Judgment
Captivating, breathtaking, exhilarating, intense, emotional, and holy wow, what did I just read? Judgment by Willa Jade, is absolutely everything I love in a dark romance, and to be honest, in a romance in general. From the characters, to the language, to the plot, it is all just exquisite.
Jade does an exceptional job of building characters her readers will fall in love with, as the characters fall in love with each other. Strength and independence are perfectly tempered with vulnerability, creating a storyline that grows and changes as the characters do. I was instantly drawn to Paisley, her resilience and tenacity alongside her insecurities only enhancing her appeal in the wake of everything she faces. The situations and experiences Jade leads her through, coupled with the background she so intricately weaves into the story, create the perfect foundation for the person Paisley is destined to become. And Andre is- wow- he is intense, and dark, and impassioned- he is a storm unto himself; dark, brooding, and dominant. But as with every storm, there is an underlying current of energy that craves focus and direction. Together, Paisley and Andre are a force to be reckoned with, but one that develops in a most unexpected and dynamic way.
The story itself seems to be a tale as old as time, but it is distinguished by multiple emotional twists that further not just the plot line for a developing series, but the characters’ development and growth as well. Everything from the premise to the setting to the final incredible HEA flow through every level of emotion available, drawing out every reaction from indignation, to sympathy, to rage, to solace, and even joy. And the rollercoaster of this journey is so worth it.
Jade does a truly wonderful job of creating a world around her characters that’s fit for a well-developed and engaging series. From the engaging supporting characters who enhance the plot and main character development, to a villain who is so deserving of his ultimate destruction, every element of the novel’s denizens create a purpose and picture the mind will eagerly consume without feeling overwhelmed.
This book stands alone with its own HEA, but leaves the reader with so much promise, and a need, for more. And not just from Paisley and Andre, but from those who seem destined for their own books in the series, and maybe even some on the periphery (I’m looking at you, Victor) who this reader hopes also gets their perfect HEA.
A Little Heat, A Lot of Heart, A Solid Debut Novel
Always Yours
Diving into an author’s debut novel is always a treat. Seeing the first words they ever put on a page, connecting with their characters, escaping into the emotions of the story, it’s special. And A.J. Ranney’s debut novel Always Yours is no exception.
Ranney brings a ton of heart to her characters’ lives and tales. The second chance, friends to lovers, best friend’s brother elements in Always Yours blend seamlessly, weaving Rhett and Bella’s lives and their love together beautifully. Ranney’s characters are realistic, sympathetic, and likable, even when you do what to wrap one (or all) of them in a big hug and tell them you love them, but they need to get their ish together. The conflicts Ranney’s characters face are intense, poignant, and emotional, but lead to a well-deserved and captivating HEA. Plus a little steam and heat along the way.
In addition to telling Bella and Rhett’s story, Ranney has created a charming and intricate family dynamic that sets the tone and stage for a wonderful series. I am looking forward to getting to know all of the Williams siblings better as the series continues.
A Heartfelt and Tender Love Story
Saving Vienna
Vikki Jay has created another beautiful and heartfelt love story in Saving Vienna. Much as I thought he would be, Zane is definitely my favorite Teager brother, and Vienna is truly a perfect match for him. Jay brings a ton of feels to their story, playing beautifully off the fake relationship trope, but with a twist that will tug on every reader’s heartstrings.
The beauty of Zane and Vienna’s story is in the relationship itself. Jay has created two beautiful and vulnerable characters who complement each other in so many perfect ways from their pets to their personalities. Their journey together is not without angst or trepidation, but it is also brimming with passion and joy.
Readers of Jay’s prior books in The Teager Family series will delight in the runion with Zander and Rose, Zach and Hope, and the extended and found family they’ve gathered around them. Even though Saving Vienna is part of the series, and it can be read as a standalone, Zane is definitely best appreciated within the context of his family’s history.
A Book That Will Begin a Serious Series Binge
Keeping 6
This is how you start a series! Keeping 6 by Freya Barker absolutely grabbed my attention and just would not let go. Between the beautifully depicted setting of Durango, the expertly built elements of suspense, the perfectly depicted characters, and the solid level of steam, Keeping 6 has everything I love in a romance novel.
Barker does an exceptional job of developing her characters as intense individuals, as well as a complete and balanced couple. Her supporting cast of characters blend beautifully to create intrigue and anticipation within the storyline, without overshadowing main characters Kerry and Damian. Watching the characters grow in their relationship as the plot intrigue deepened created the perfect level of angst and excitement on all levels.
Barker builds in enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing the entire way, without making the story too convoluted to follow and enjoy. Her characters are likable, relatable, which makes cheering for their HEA as well as their triumph over the bad guys that much more enjoyable. Plus, the foundation created with the supporting characters has me wanting to read the entire series, because they all really need their HEAs and I need to be there to see them find them.
Feels Like Finding Home
An Unexpected Turn
Books that take you to unexpected places are a beautiful element of any reader’s journey. When that unexpected place is emotional, rather than geographical, you’re entering a layer of book bliss beautifully established in a story like An Unexpected Turn by Stephanie Rose. A creative take on the brother’s best friend trope, the low angst, slow burn, age gap intensity of Rose’s newest novel captures a reader’s heart, without elevating their blood pressure or creating unnecessary emotional chaos.
Rose builds the focus of the relationship between main characters Peyton and Jake by expanding beyond the typical angsty breakdowns and break-ups common to the story’s tropes. Bringing in wonderfully developed and deeply involved supporting characters creates a full-fledged picture of who Peyton and Jake are, both individually and together. And their story of coming together is even more relatable and relevant because of their individual histories and interconnected relationships.
An Unexpected Turn was the perfect dive in and get comfy read for me. This was the love story I needed, with just enough of the right kind of tension to move the story along and the characters together. It hit so many emotions, the pacing was perfect, and I absolutely fell in love with all of the main characters. And yes, even though the love story was Jake and Peyton’s, their story and the journey itself belonged as much to them and the reader as it belonged to Mike, Uncle Keith and Maya, and Donna. Weaving them in so integrally created so much depth and resonance, bringing the true connections home in a truly beautiful way.
Suspense & Steam!
The Seal and The Singer
The Seal and the Singer by Jesse Slade is a solid debut novel in the romantic suspense realm. Stocked with swoony heroes, a strong, independent heroine, and serious steam, this is a definite page turner. Slade does an excellent job of tempering heavy themes with humor, balancing the characters’ trauma and recovery without trivializing it.
The relationship between her characters is intense, moving the plot forward swiftly, and keeping the reader interested and intrigued. And the chemistry between Cole and Alex is off the charts, emotionally and physically. But just when you think all is well and Cole and Alex have their HEA well in hand, Slade throws another twist in their direction.
Beyond the relationship between the main characters, Slade builds a well-grounded supporting cast of teammates and found family around and within Cole and Alex’s lives. Slade definitely caught my attention with Cole and Alex’s story, and I am absolutely looking forward to the rest of the team’s stories.
Dark & Edgy, with a Solid Hook
Losing Neverland
It's time to leave the childhood fairytale behind. And if you're game for a new look at Peter and Wendy's classic story, this is the path to take. Dark & edgy, Losing Neverland by Evelyn Montgomery puts new eyes on the couple and their lives in and beyond Neverland. In a genre with so many fairytale retellings, it’s always interesting to see the twist an author puts on the traditional story of Peter Pan. And Losing Neverland has more twists and turns than its namesake dark ride at that fa”mouse” theme park in Florida.
Spanning several years, decades actually, the multiple points of view and flashbacks bring the reader along for a wickedly dark ride, and trust me, you have never seen Peter, Hook, Wendy, Tink, or Tiger Lily like this. Nor are you likely to look at them the same way ever again. The frenetic and energetic pace, heat, and intensity of the storyline create quite the page turner, so leave plenty of time to settle in for this one. You’re likely to be just as irritated and vexed by interruptions as Pan himself.
This was the first book I’ve read by Evelyn Montgomery, but based on this experience, it will definitely not be the last. Montgomery’s writing style is unique, refreshing, and engaging. I felt her character’s emotions through their interactions, their inner musings, their actions, and their dialogue. Dark is not for everyone, so please check the warnings in the book before reading. And definitely prepare for the book hangover this experience will leave you with.
Sunshine & Swoon!
Sunshine & Sammy
Melanie Moreland has another beautiful, and spicy, love story to share within the pages of Sunshine & Sammy. Pairing a grumpy cowboy with a sunshiny city girl may seem like a cliche, but not in Moreland’s hands. Instead, readers get serious steam between two beautifully developed characters, and an HEA worth chasing after.
Readers will fall in love with Luke despite his growly, short-tempered, bearish behavior, or maybe because of it. Who doesn’t love a man fighting his own emotions, and his past, who wants to do all the right things even though he’s terrified to try? And Sammy is the friend everyone wants in their corner; caring, smart, creative, independent, and not afraid to go after what she really wants. Moreland does a wonderful job of revealing their true personalities, needs, and desires to each other, the readers, and ultimately themselves. And it all comes together perfectly.
If you’re a reader looking for fireworks between the characters, tears between the laughter, and a reason to stay up reading late into the night, Sunshine & Sammy.
Stunning Debut Novel
The Weight of Our Hearts
A debut novel with intensity, strength, heart, and heat, that brings tears of sorrow, joy, and rage is a rare gift. And when I read The Weight of Our Hearts by Nina Bloom, I received that gift. This is more than an enemies to lovers, brothers best friend, age gap trope. This is a heartfelt deep dive into the demons that color our image of ourselves, the devils who put them there, and the angels who bring us back from the brink with love and compassion and understanding.
Bloom brings her characters to life in vivid detail through the single point of view of Lucy, a true curvy girl, who has deep seated issues she battles daily. Bloom’s honest and realistic depiction of her heroine will endear her to readers craving that candid and genuine introspection, without sensationalizing or embellishing the issues she faces. Surrounding Lucy with beautifully crafted supporting characters only enhances the contrast between the angels and demons she embraces and battles.
Seeing Marco only through Lucy’s eyes gives the reader a unique perspective into his character in general, and how the assumptions people make about others are colored by experience and expectations. Following the relationship journey through Lucy’s eyes, mind, and emotions brings the reader directly to the source, feeding the emotions of the story, and bringing the reader along for the ride.
Bloom pulled me in, not only with the story, but how she tells it. Entwining humor with heartbreak, raw and powerful feelings, and engaging dialogue, I heard Lucy’s voice as much as I felt her intensity and fire. The language is both elegant and rough, descriptive and immersive, poetic and raw. And the emotional rollercoaster is 100% worth it for the transformation both main characters experience.
The Weight of Our Hearts will leave you with a massive book hangover, and a willingness to sit through another one to get even more. More of Lucy & Marco’s story, and more of the stories of the amazing characters in their lives. Bloom clearly writes from the heart and soul, bringing a sense of depth and clarity to subjects difficult to approach and explain. And that depth and clarity make the slow burn to complete ignition of this book impossible to forget.
Emotional and Unexpected
Unfinished Ex
Samantha Christy delivers another emotional one-click tear-jerker with Unfinished Ex. This second chance romance pulls on every single heartstring, and delivers a truly beautiful HEA. Admittedly, I am a sucker for misunderstanding being made right, and this one hit home on so many levels.
I was not prepared for the twists and turns Christy built into Jaxon and Nicky’s story. Readers think they have the inside edge from breadcrumbs dropped in Unlikely Date, but don’t ever believe you know the full story until you read the very last word on the very last page. Chisty weaves so many elements of love, longing, and life choices into this book. And as much as some characters begged to be disliked, I just couldn’t. Christy excels at bringing that unlikeable character into your heart, building their backstory with brutal honesty and creating an emotional investment in the reader’s mind.
I particularly appreciated how Christy didn’t gloss over or hide her characters’ flaws, their fears, or their inner turmoil. It made what could have seemed comic and far-fetched more brutally honest and compelling. As usual, her characters are very well developed, with authentic and engaging dialogue, amusing and impassioned interactions, and honest and raw internal contemplation that ultimately leads to a beautiful HEA built on a foundation of fate, true love, and acceptance.
There are so many layers to this second chance, surprise pregnancy novel, that will leave the reader fighting through tears, laughter, and maybe even some righteous indignation. Although Unfinished Ex can be read as a standalone, reading Unlikely Date will definitely build a higher level of anticipation for Jaxon and Nicky’s HEA. I can’t wait to see what Christy has in store for the last Calloway brother.
Captivating and Intense with a Healthy Helping of Suspense
Reactivated: Cassian (Project Phoenix: Book 5)
Known for her fast-paced, action-packed, romantic suspense novels, Charissa Gracyk brought an entirely new level of emotional depth to book five in her Project Phoenix series with Reactivated: Cassian.
There is still plenty of action surrounding Cassian and Hailey’s journey, both in and out of the bedroom (and bathroom), but the true story is in the deep dive through Cassian’s recovery and ultimate vindication (retribution??) against the evil witch behind Project Phoenix. Gracyk has crafted a compelling tale of found family, absolution, and renewal that brings the reader through every possible emotion from joy to anger to fear and back again.
Aided in his recovery by a strong, yet vulnerable, heroine, and a sweet and adorable four-legged friend, Cassian ultimately prevails through powerful elements of friendship and forgiveness. And the journey is beautiful, and steamy, and intense. Throw in a climax that will have you peeking through your fingers while you read, and this book will keep you captivated until the absolute last word.
There are so many stories out there about the broken hero being put back together by a caring heroine, but knowing Cassian’s history from the prior books in the series makes this one hit differently. The narrative Gracyk weaves around Cassian and Hailey builds a bond between not only her characters, but between her characters and her readers. This story captures the reader’s heart and satisfies their craving for redemption and vengeance.
And the saga is not over yet. Cassian’s story is a pivotal point in the team’s narrative, but Gracyk has provided just enough to make the reader wonder what she’s got up her sleeve for them next. Her leave no man (or woman) behind mantra is more than just a simple slogan. It’s the basis for an incredible series that keeps the reader craving more.
Without A Doubt, Amazing!
Without a Hitch
Everytime I think Avery Maxwell has created her most amazing characters, and deepest storyline, she goes ahead and throws some serious competition their way! Without a Hitch (WoAH) is without a doubt one of my favorite novels, ever! Not only does Maxwell bring life to her characters and their situations, she does it with humor, intensity, emotion, and serious steam. Seen through the eyes, mind, and actions of Tilly and Lochlan, this story is beautifully crafted, and book hangover heaven!
Maxwell does a truly wonderful job of developing not only her main characters, Tilly and Lochlan, but building a solid foundation of supporting characters who bring their true nature to life in the most engaging way. The banter in this novel is fantastic! And holy hotness- the steam is insane! In the most amazing way. Tilly and Loch are full ignition from first glance. But the emotional depth Maxwell explores only heightens the reader’s appreciation for the struggles they face individually and together.
Sticking to what she knows and does best, the theme and foundation of found family runs deep and strong in WoAH. Readers of her Westbrooks series will love the cameos and mentions of their favorite characters, and while there are tie-ins, this book truly is a standalone novel. If this is your first Maxwell read, you will want to go and grab everything she’s written once you finish so you can dig into those cameo characters one by one as well.
While there is more of a rom-com theme and feel to this book, WoAH does not skimp on the profound concepts of finding out who you really are, where you really belong, and how the way people see you affects and impacts what you do. There is something about being seen for who you really can be that resonates so deeply in most romance reader’s minds. That idea of being your true self around certain people, allowing yourself to really let go and trust, is an element Maxwell incorporates into so many of her stories. And she definitely brought that to life with Tilly and Lochlan. There is so much going on that it’s hard to say it’s just a simple love story. There’s a wonderful grumpy/ sunshine trope established, but it’s so much more than that. It’s acceptance, and compromise, and recovery, and retribution all without losing who you really are.
Without giving too much away, cancel your plans for the day, send your family on a long excursion, grab a tall glass of your favorite cold beverage and a bag of skittles, and find a very comfy place to settle. Because once you dive into Without A Hitch, you are not going to want to stop reading until the very. Last. Word.
An HEA Worth Waiting For
Life in the Limelight (Dalton Skies Book 3)
Dede Ramey’s Life in the Limelight is a wonderful edition to her Dalton Skies series, with a solid storyline featuring well developed characters, solid pacing, and emotional depth. I was excited to see that Brant, a character introduced in a not-so-flattering manner in 24 to Life (book 1 of the series), was finally getting his HEA. There is something about a broken, misunderstood character with a heart of gold that absolutely pulls me into their story. Pair him with a strong yet vulnerable heroine who both supports and challenges his protector instincts, and consider me hooked.
Limelight has a sound foundation in suspense and intrigue, and although light on steam, hits heavy on the emotions. Ramey creates the perfect storm for Brant and Bekah to weather together and navigate through. Plus, the additional element of little Maizy builds in consistent opportunities for every character to show their true personalities, weaving their feelings into their actions, and enhancing the reader's understanding of their motivations.
With its twists and turns, heartaches and revelations, Brant and Bekah’s story culminates in a beautiful HEA that brings the vindication, and happiness, the characters deserve and readers will celebrate.
You’re Not Seeing Double… This is the Audiobook Review :-)
Good Vibrations
This audiobook is everything. Honestly. The voices are stellar, the story is amazing, the experience (and make no mistake, this audiobook is an experience) was incredible. Does that sound fangirlish and over-the-top? Maybe. Do I care? Not even a little bit. Because I snortlaughed, giggled, sighed, swooned, and even sniffled my way through this one.
From the very first line of the prologue, I was 1000% hooked. Jason Clarke is the perfect Miles Brodie. And Mackenzie Cartwright is the perfect Aria Cross. Bring them together with the Brodie family cast of characters, their extended families, and a host of both old and new friends brought to life by featured narrators Teddy Hamilton, Zachary Webber, Emma Wilder, Connor Crais, Emily Woo Zeller, and you have an absolutely captivating and enchanting adventure.
Kayley Loring is a genius writer, and her collaborations with her narrator cast through this entire series has been truly top notch. The full cast, duet narration style truly brings the characters and story to life in the best possible way. The flow is dynamic, the dialogue seamless, and the emotions truly come through in the narrators’ delivery. I’m so glad I have this one in my library. It is definitely going to be a regular listen for me.
Breathtaking Debut Novel
mine, always
Debut novels can be a tricky thing. Diving into a book without knowing anything about the author has its risks. And Mine, always by brand new author Koko Heart was no exception. The risk here, however, involved losing my whole heart to two characters and their amazing story. Mine, always is an emotional experience, pulling the reader in and holding on until the very last page.
Darcie and Denny seem to be the perfect opposites attract couple. She’s beautifully inexperienced, but just worldly enough to resonate with the reader as real and likable and endearing. And Denny is a wonderfully developed, conflicted, but captivating hero. And together they are magic! Heart throws everything she can at her characters and guides them through it all with grace, intensity, and humor. The banter between Darcie and Denny is authentic and deep, while shedding as much light on their individual character as their passionately emotional interactions do.
The characters face several emotionally deep and mentally challenging situations, and Heart handles them all with respect and care. Plus, the family she builds around Darcie and Denny creates the perfect support system for the characters and their story. Not only will readers fall in love with the main characters, but the littles Darcie is tasked to care for shine in their ability to make everyone smile, and bring everyone together.
Mine, always has certainly created a buzz around Koko Heart and her writing, leaving this reader with a massive book hangover and a craving for more.
Emotional Intense and Intensely Beautiful
Fall For Me
Claire Wilder brings a beautifully emotional and heartfelt love story to the pages of Fall For Me. This brother's best friend story is so much more than the angst of that simple trope. Wilder’s words bring the reader along for a deep dive into what brings people together, threatens to pull them apart, and what ultimately forms timeless bonds of love and friendship.
Solid character development fueled by actions and inner monologue, along with beautiful insights by supporting characters, builds a foundation for both Seamus and Chelsea as complex yet incomplete souls. Wilder's words paint an emotional story, bringing the main characters' pain over a shared event, as well as separate past traumas, into focus as they fight their own insecurities while fighting their desires and needs to be with each other. While the brother's best friend trope provides fuel for the fire, it is not the main conflict, rather an extension of each character needing to accept their own scars In order to move on together.
Fall for Me is an emotionally immersive read with excellent pacing and vivid detail. The second book in the Kelly family series, it includes wonderful glimpses into the lives of the family readers fell in love with in Level with Me. Following their family dynamic brings an additional layer of depth to the relationships between all of the characters, not just the main couple. And the steam factor in Fall for Me reflects perfectly on the fiery and intense personalities of Seamus and Chelsea.
Seamus and Chelsea both struggle to confront their emotions based on current and past traumas, but ultimately find kindred spirits in their understanding of what the other was battling. There’s no question about if they will get their happily ever after, but the trials they go through to get there make their HEA that much more intense and rewarding.
Snark, Heart, Sass, and Steam!
Third Wheel: Accidentally Yours Book 4
Noelle O’Ryan continues to bring the snark and sass, with the snortlaughs and steam, in Third Wheel, the fourth installment in her Accidentally Yours series. Don’t be fooled by the humor Noelle is known for, though. This book is heartfelt and emotionally intense as well. Plus, awesome aging German Shepherd, Sarge.
O’Ryan has a wonderful knack for creating heroines readers will want to hug, hang out with, and stand up for. Strong and independent, but with a penchant for self-deprecating humor and situationally relevant insecurities, Baby is a beautiful example of how a well-developed character can quickly work their way into a reader’s heart. And Stone, well, he’s the cinnamon roll hero every romance reader loves to love. Together, they’re the perfect age gap romance in a small town that thinks they know it all, but really doesn’t know much of anything.
O’Ryan’s pacing is perfect, engaging the reader and bringing them along for the ride through Baby’s POV, employing beautifully descriptive phrasing and authentic dialogue to set the scene and immerse the reader in the action and emotions of the story. And when that twist hits, yeah, it hits hard.
Third Wheel can definitely be read as a standalone, but works beautifully within the series as well. And the little hints at a future book for two of the minor characters have me excited for more glimpses into Baby and Stone’s life together as well as the lives of their friends and family.
Oh My Oprah, This Was So Good!
The One Who Loves You (Tickled Pink Book 1)
Peculiar and eccentric characters? Check! Quirky little town? Check! Adorable and loveable family members who bring out the best (and the rest) in everyone around them? Check! An HEA with heart and tears, humor and insight, grand gestures and inner truths? Check Check and Check! And this is why Pippa Grant continues to be one of my absolute favorite authors.
The One Who Loves You (Book 1 in Grant’s new Tickled Pink series) is a beautiful introduction to a brand new cast of characters, in a wonderfully placed little town, with all the joy of a Pippa Grant rom-com. I love the little twists and turns Grant puts her characters through to get what they want, but more importantly what they need. It’s not the slapstick, spit-take, literally laugh out loud snort-laughs that drew me into this book and kept me reading, although there are plenty of them. It was the constant building of change and recognition that the characters were so much more than fancy suits and gruff charm.
TOWLY is a novel readers can truly get lost in. And in that, they may also find a bit of themselves- in the characters, in their feelings, and in those beautiful little moments of being seen. Grant has definitely set Tickled Pink up as a place I will gladly return to over and over again. Both through future books in the series, and through a revisit with Phoebe and Teague.
From Secret Codes to Soul Mates
Tease
Diving into a Melanie Harlow book is like coming home for a family reunion. Especially with her next generation books like Ignite, Taste, and Tease. And of the three so far, Tease is definitely my favorite. The combination of best friends to lovers and a fake relationship, with some forced proximity thrown in there is reader catnip. Felicity and Hutton are wonderfully relatable characters. And yes, the billionaire element of it plays a big role in parts of their story, but not in the typical billionaire romance novel way. There is definitely a fairytale element, but in the best possible way.
Beyond the storyline of best friends falling in love, there is a wonderful element of realism anyone who was seen as odd or quirky or peculiar when they were in school will recognize. And if you were the student who suffered through some mean girl situations, or tried desperately to find yourself through your struggles with anxiety, and found comfort in a best friend who really got you: you will feel seen.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, who is also raising someone with anxiety, I will say this: the care and approach Harlow took with general anxiety disorder in this novel is stellar. There is no attempt to shoebox the main characters into mainstream anxiety traits, and the development of the characters with anxiety, and their relationship, is organic and authentic.
Woven into the beautiful plotlines leading Felicity and Hutton to their HEA, brought to fruition with a truly fantastic grand gesture, is the heart and heat of a beautiful love story. The pacing is perfection, the supporting characters are a marvelous mix of familiar and new personalities, and the emotions are real and strong and engaging. Tease captured my romantic heart and my anxious soul and is definitely a book I will read over and over again.
Craving 100% Satisfied!
Crave: Midas and His Princess Part 2
Crave: Midas and His Princess, Part 2 is yet another incredible example of why Sarah Bale is my favorite dark romance author. Picking up where Touch left off, the intensity and emotions only get deeper. The twists and turns will keep readers guessing and, if they’re like me, reading late into the night, way past a reasonable bedtime. I love how Bale’s character development creates tension and intrigue while building the perfect book boyfriends. And while I was hesitant to like Winter in book 1 of this duet, I quickly fell in love with her in book 2.
Bale continues to build a world replete with deliciously dark alliances and storylines. Along with reunions and interactions with characters from books 1 and 2 in her “Bale’s Bedtime Stories” series, the author sets the groundwork for future tales in her Chicago setting, as well as perhaps a new spin-off in New York. The characters are all rich in intrigue and mystery, and work beautifully together to weave and build the tale around Winter, Midas, Doc, Huntsman, and… well… no spoilers.
This is definitely a series worth reading, and absolutely best read in order. The only thing more difficult than waiting for the next installment is figuring out which book boyfriend to claim.
Intense, Intricate, and Inspiring
The Guarded One
Brittney Sahin amps up the suspense, intrigue, and heat in The Guarded One. Turning the tables on the typical operator status, The Guarded One places Sydney Archer front and center as the boss of bravery, and growly Beckett Hawkins steps up to be the cinnamon roll hero readers have been craving.
The action is non-stop, constantly pulling the reader through levels of intrigue and suspense that will keep your heartrate up and your mind racing. Sahin does an expert level job of creating the perfect storm for Beckett, Sydney, and the Falcon Falls Security team to work through, and in the process find the love and relationship neither main character ever thought they could have.
Sahin constantly surprises me with her ability to tease out the intimate and intricate details that make a reader fall head over heels for her characters. Beckett has been on my radar since he first appeared in Chasing Daylight. The broody, single dad sheriff definitely had a hidden depth to his emotions, and they are revealed beautifully in Guarded. And I am reveling in it. But Sydney, there’s a character every woman reading will root for: strong single mom, confident and fierce operator, but also a vulnerable human with walls she hides behind and hidden hurts she struggles to move past.
Sahin does a masterful job of weaving in the Falcon Falls team, as well as some other surprises her readers will love. The Guarded One can definitely be read as a standalone, but will be truly appreciated and enjoyed when read in series order.
When Tied Down Meets Tumbleweed, It’s Magical
Maggie Moves On
Maggie Moves On is yet one more reason Lucy Freaking Score is one of the top selling, and most amazingly talented, authors out there. Her ability to infuse humor and fun with insight and depth, levity with love, and elements of intrigue and mystery within a solid rom-com storyline shines in this novel.
This book is so much more than an opposites attract, small town romance. Of course it has its share of quirky characters, one-liners, and steamy bedroom (and not-in-the-bedroom) scenes. But it’s also brimming with beautifully deep philosophical truths couched in a strongly developed romance between two characters (Maggie and Silas) who seem both too good to be true, and like the most down to earth best friends anyone could have.
Perfectly placed supporting characters add even more depth and breadth to the story and the developing relationship of the main characters. Authentic and engaging dialogue and interactions bring Silas and Maggie’s personalities into even greater clarity and foster amazing connections between them and the book’s cast of characters, as well as the reader.
Throw in an adorable animal sidekick (or three), excellent pacing, and a few plot twists, and this is an incredibly engaging novel that I will read over and over again.
Dangerously Addictive
Dangerous Proximity (Alaskan Security-Team Rogue Book 8)
The Alaskan Security series by Jemma Westbrook is definitely one of my favorite binge reads, and Dangerous Proximity is another fantastic book in an already amazing set. Tyson and Naomi are beautifully developed characters who will quickly work their way into your heart. Their vulnerabilities and strengths are conveyed well through both their inner thoughts and their interactions with the other characters in the story. The banter between Naomi and Tyson, as well as between them and the other characters throughout the book will make you smile, and the steam between Tyson and Naomi will leave you reaching for a very cold drink.
Westbrook has built an immersive world of supporting characters throughout these novels, and the Girl Gang is in full effect as they help Naomi navigate her life and relationship with Tyson. Strong elements of found family, as well as love, loss, and heartbreak, pull the reader into the characters’ emotional struggles. And Emmett and Snax are so heartwarming and wonderful, they balance the heavier elements of the novel perfectly.
The suspense in this novel creeps up on you, planting little seeds of doubt as to who the baddy is, and yeah, there is definitely a little twist in there. And just when you think you know what’s going on, Westbrook throws another twist that will have you reaching for the next novel in the series immediately. If the next one’s not out yet, perfect opportunity to re-bingeread the entire series. These books get better and better every time I read them.
Quirky and Emotional Slow Burn
Marrying Hope: (The Teager Family Book 3)
Marrying Hope by Vikki Jay is another beautiful love story full of emotional twists and turns, culminating in a sweet and heartfelt HEA. Following in the footsteps of her first 3 novels, Jay brings together loveable and quirky characters in unique situations all in the pursuit of true love. The spin on the marriage of convenience trope, and how it developed Zach as a character, definitely grabbed my attention and created a great basis for the slow burn intimacy between Zach and Hope. Add in the delightfully adorable Ray, a cast of charming relatives and found family, a bit of external conflict, and a whole lot of internal angst, and this novel will have you smiling and sniffling throughout your read.
Marrying Hope is best enjoyed read in order within the Teager Family series and I definitely recommend reading it before reading Second True Love, even though it was published after. The family relationships built and explained through the series are truly wonderful and each new book sheds new light on the characters’ pasts, making their futures even more emotionally captivating
Just Try to Catch Your Breath!
Operation: Shadow Catcher (Slater Security Book 2)
I absolutely love a fast-paced, action-heavy romance novel fueled by a solid storyline that brings the steam from the very start. And Operation: Shadow Catcher by Charissa Gracyk definitely brings it! Even more, I love that the badass in this novel is not relegated to the hero. Gracyk has written another fantastic book in her Slater Security series that brings the power and intensity of the heroine front and center. I loved getting to know Eden’s backstory and seeing her kick ass in her career with her Slater Security team. And Colt is her perfect match- swoony with a touch of arrogance, and even some cinnamon roll in his suave.
Gracyk weaves amazing chemistry between the characters seamlessly with steamy love scenes and heart pounding suspense. The banter between main characters Eden & Colt, as well as the entire Slater Security crew, is engaging and brings the reader closer to the characters, giving a wonderful glimpse of that found family theme featured throughout Gracyk’s novels.
Gracyk’s screenwriter background definitely shines through in this book. Just when you think you have a minute to catch your breath, the chase is on again. And you may want to grab a glass of ice water before you start reading. And have a fan nearby. Eden and Colt are seriously hot together from the very beginning.
Gracyk does a wonderful job continuing to build her newest series, with more hints at what's to come with Sailor & Maddox, a deeper glimpse into Dash Slater, and even some cameos from the Project Phoenix guys. Shadow Catcher can be read as a standalone, but it truly shines within the Slater Security series as a whole.
Emotional and Steamy? Yes, Please!
Shifting Gears (Reynolds Restorations Book 3)
Settling into a series you already love is such a wonderful feeling. And diving into that next book is always met with a sense of excitement. But when the heat hits you from page one? WOW! I always knew Brett and Kelly’s story would have a hair-trigger ignition switch, but Shifting Gears still blew me away!
Melanie Moreland has created a wonderful sense of found family with her Reynolds Restorations crew, and she really brought it home in this story. Not only do we get a deeply emotional look into Kelly and Brett’s relationship, but this tale brings together even more loose ends. All of the characters I loved in books 1 and 2 are back, and are given a bit more of a spotlight, as Moreland weaves together the pieces of Kelly and Brett’s life.
Moreland makes wonderful use of the sexual tension between Kelly and Brett to amp up the heat between them and build a solid, beautiful love story around both of their needs, fears, and histories. Readers also get even more insight into the friendships, relationships, and camaraderie of the Reynolds Restorations men’s families, bringing that found family connection even closer and more relevant to all of them. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. I have a feeling Chase’s story is going to blow us all away.
Hilarity with Heat and Heart
Good Vibrations (The Brodie Brothers Book 3)
A former model, a single dad, and a grumpy lawyer finally get their book… they’re all Miles Brodie… and they were so freaking worth waiting for! Kayley Loring knows her characters, and in Good Vibrations she brings out their beautiful voices and personalities, in more ways than one. If you’ve read the first two books in the Brodie Brothers series, you’ll likely expect this book to have epic group texts, a tiny bit of angst, precocious and endearing characters, and a well-earned HEA. And you would be correct. But you’re also going to get a beautiful look into the depth of what makes Loring a true one-click wonder.
Loring’s character development is incredibly strong in Good Vibrations. It’s not just the words and actions surrounding them, it’s the way she uses internal monologue to build and define Miles and Aria. It’s the subtle shift in their tones and language and they grow and develop through the story. It’s the authentic and honest dialogue between not just Miles and Aria, but the other characters in their world as well. Yes, this is a rom-com, but it also has beautifully deep elements of acceptance and personal acknowledgement that will have you wanting to hug, smack, and be part of the cast with Miles, Aria, and even Macy.
And, oh yeah, it’s definitely a rom-com. A snort-laugh, fan yourself, steamy gigglefest that brings the heat, heart, and plenty of ha-has. I honestly scared the dog awake several times laughing (thanks Mama Brodie!), and I was smiling so much while reading I believe The Hubster has added this one to his Kindle list as well.
As of the date I’m writing this, the audiobook hasn’t been released yet. But that absolutely did not stop me from hearing Jason Clarke in my head while I was reading the book. That’s how ingrained and authentic this book is to Miles Brodie’s character from the past 2 books. And I can’t wait to hear Aria in Mackenzie Cartwright’s voice, bringing this wonderful story to life in my mind again. If you haven’t read the first 2 books in the Brodie Brothers series yet, I highly recommend doing that before diving into Good Vibrations. For 1, they’re incredibly hilarious in their own rights. But even more so, having even that little glimpse into Miles Brodie from those 2 books will make Good Vibrations even more meaningful, enjoyable, and hilarious.
The only thing I’m sad about is saying goodbye to these wonderful characters now that all 3 brothers have their stories told. Well, I guess that’s what re-reads and audiobook binges are for. And I will be re-reading and listening to them often, because they are exactly the perfectly amusingly amazing books for when I need spit-take level hilarity with read-in-front-of-an-open-freezer level heat, and I’m-not-sniffling- you’re-sniffling heart.
The Perfect Rivalry, The Best Book Hangover
Rival Radio
I never thought Kathryn Nolan could write a better enemies-to-lovers novel than Out of the Blue. Then she wrote Rival Radio. And I am absolutely blown away by Daria, Theo, the rest of the K-SUN FM family, and Nolan’s ability to pull me so deeply into a book that I feel completely lost without more from those characters.
Kathryn knows how to bring the heat and steam in her books, and she definitely brought it once again, but Rival Radio brought so much more of everything as well. Honestly, it's one of the most honestly beautiful & introspective books I've read in a very long time. Using Theo and Daria’s viewpoints to build their characters, Kathryn also creates a sense of belonging within her readers. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of love and relationships, you will feel seen through their words and actions. And let’s talk about Kathryn’s beautiful integration of minor characters who really don’t feel all that minor at all. They are catalysts, and mirrors, moving the pace of the plot along, creating opportunities for every character to grow, and becoming fully engaged in the outcome of the main characters along with the reader. And yes, there is a beautiful HEA complete with a grand gesture, but in typical Kathryn Nolan fashion there’s nothing typical about it.
I love highlighting unique, fun, and memorable passages on my Kindle. In a typical book, I highlight maybe 1 or 2 passages every 3 or 4 chapters. In Rival Radio, I have multiple highlights in every chapter. There is so much delightful witty banter between the characters. But mixed in with that banter are beautifully deep observations about life and love in general, bolstering the developing relationship between the characters in the book, and creating so many “wow” moments that I want to remember them all.
This was a book I wanted to stay up late to read, but at the same time I wanted to stretch out over as many days as possible to savor the time with the characters and their words.
They say the perfect person comes along at exactly the perfect time, if you’re open to accepting their part in your life. I can say the same about this book. It was an unexpected ARC that arrived at exactly the time I needed this story, these characters, and this immersion in their lives.
Suspense, Serious Steam & the Perfect Second Chance
Perfect Cowboy ((Game Changer Book 3)
She did it again. Olivia Peters brought the angst, heartbreak, suspense, and serious heat, and their names are Gavin and Ashley. Perfect Cowboy is the perfect second chance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rip your heart out and then stitch it back together, solution if you are ready for a super steamy up-all-night romance with so many twists and turns you’ll be clutching the tissues and catching your breath from page one to the end of the epilogue.
Peters builds a strong story around two beautiful characters who travel a road of reunion, recognition, and vengeance along with multiple minor characters you will love, hate, and want to tear a new one. The steam- off the charts! Gavin is the dirty talker of dirty talkers. Whew! That man! And Ashley, oh Ashley. I alternated between wanting to hug her, high five her, and tell her to snap out of it. These characters bring out so many emotions, it’s really the perfect fuel for the fire of their story.
I definitely recognized the hurt in the characters and it made me root for their relationship to succeed throughout. There’s something about first loves and true love reconnecting, seeing how they're stronger together than apart, that brings a reality and authenticity to Peters’s characters. Watching them learn from past actions and mistakes, and experiencing the depths of what people will do for who they love sets a perfect premise for everything they go through.
Make no mistake, Peters will rip your heart out in the most brutal and unexpected way, fueling the fire to see things made right. And by right, I mean a serious need for revenge and vengeance. But all of those twists, including the final plot twist, will bring the characters to their perfect HEA.
Sweet and Steamy Debut Novel
Back in the Country (A Clementine Creek Novel Book 1)
Alexandra Hale sets a beautiful base for a coming home story and series in her debut novel Back in the Country. Hale has a wonderful eye for detail, creating characters and settings that put me right in the middle of it all. Country has a sweet nostalgic feeling, full of genuine banter and heartfelt emotions, but don’t let that fool you; this story has serious heat, too. Elements of second chance, age gap, and brother’s best friend move the story forward, while main characters Marlee and Waylon work to overcome their inner struggles and conflicts while sorting out their emotions around their relationship. Low on angst until almost the end of the novel, the confrontation between them is emotional and pivotal. Enmeshed with their relationship conflict is the subplot of Marlee’s brother and Waylon’s best friend, Sorren, returning home, introducing yet another conflict point between them. The resolution there is both heartwarming and heart wrenching. There’s definitely more to Sorren’s story, and I am definitely looking forward to it. Hale plants tiny seeds and glimmers into each character’s part of the web of Marlee and Waylon’s lives, and I sincerely hope their stories are as engaging as the characters are likeable.
Emotional & Heartwarming Story of Piecing Back Forever
The Story of Who I Am
R.T. Fritz has my attention. Her debut novel, The Story of Who I Am brought a ton of emotions, including tears and laughter, along with multiple plot twists and turns, and built a beautify story of love, loss, and reunion. Fritz captivates her readers with characters who resonate as real, genuine and authentic. We either know someone like them, or want to. And their interactions throughout the story bring us closer to knowing them. The dialogue is well developed, the inner musings are insightful, and the banter will bring a smile to your tears. I appreciated the level and honest approach Fritz brought to the narrative. I never felt the topic of amnesia was sensationalized or over the top. Overall, a very solid foray into the romance genre, and I am definitely looking forward to her next book.
Maybe Leopards Can Change Their Spots
Unlikely Date
You know those characters you really want to hate, but you know there has to be something more to them, so you sit with that anger toward them until they show their true colors. And when they finally become who they’re supposed to be, those colors are wonderful and brilliant, and so much more than you expected? Tag Calloway is that character. And Samantha Christy creates the perfect story and match for him in Unlikely Date.
Maddie Foster is really one of those perfect match characters. She's the girl every romance reader wants to be friends with. She's real, and a bit chaotic, and overprotective, and tragic, and a little broken. And all I wanted to do the entire story was hug her and have coffee with her. Christy has a way of building beautiful love stories around authentic characters that you really feel like you know. And you love them. Even when you want to grab them by the shoulders, give them a little shake, and help all of their broken pieces fall into place. And of course, you will cry. Because that's what a Samantha Christy novel does so well- it brings all the feels- and Unlikely Date is no exception. You'll cry, and you'll laugh, and you'll get angry, not necessarily in that order, but it will be a wonderful reminder of how human her characters are, and how real our emotions toward them are as well.
And you’re not going to get away with just loving Tag and Maddie. Nope, you’re going to love Gigi and Patrick, too; supporting characters who capture your heart really are the best kinds, too. Plus, you’ll get a wonderful sneak peak at what is likely on the way for even more Calloway characters.
Another wonderful thing about Unlikely Date is that it’s a new standalone (hopefully leading into a new series), so you can sink right into it, even if it’s your first foray into Christy’s writing. Characters from a prior series are incorporated seamlessly, bringing familiarity and a sweet smile to those who have read Texas Roses, but enough backstory is written in that makes Unlikely Date readable as a series starter or (interconnected) standalone.
Bottom line: grab some tissues, a snack, maybe some tea, and settle in for a steamy story, with some angst, tension, tears, and of course a beautiful HEA.
A Total Blast All the Way Around
Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past
Riley Thorn is back with her unfiltered, uninhibited, unbelievably awesome crew of misfit toys. And with her, Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past is another instant one-click book from Lucy Score. I love the little peeks into Nick’s growly protective side, interspersed with Kellen’s stick-in-the-mud persona. But drunk Kellen is really so wonderful, I think he may be my new favorite side character. And Burt *boof*! I love when the pet becomes a true focal character. Riley and team truly do have the best adventures, and Score’s portrayal of their actions and interactions create a fast paced romp in hilarity and suspense. Score’s character development is on point as always. Not only do we get more insight into characters already known and loved, but the new arrivals are wonderfully quirky, and if not loveable at least love-to-hateable. I truly do love this entire series. It brings the perfect amount of levity with insight, action with humor, and personality in droves.
Simply and Spectacularly Perfect
Forever, Con Amor (For Him Book 4)
Forever, Con Amor by A.M. Johnson is a beautiful story of Love, Home, Respect, and Family. And yes, I capitalized those words for a reason; they represent so much more than “things”, they are relevant representations of characters that live in my head and heart, brought beautifully to life through Marcos and Chance.
Johnson infuses her novel and characters with incredibly deep emotional value. They are intense, amusing, genuinely wonderful incarnations of Love, Home, Respect, and Family. I have always appreciated Johnson’s stories for their authentic dialog, poetic prose, and the intrinsically powerful relationships between not just her characters within their stories, but also the bonds forged between the reader and the characters.
Watching these characters grow through the previous books in Johnson’s For Him series brings an even greater relevance to their closure in Marcos and Chance’s story. It’s a sense of becoming, of being, of living, and of loving with your whole heart. This is definitely a book and series I will read over and over, my heart and mind craving the connections these characters have secured in my bookish soul.
Vividly Emotional, Suspenseful, Slow Burn
Disguised as Love (The Anchor Suspense Novels Book 3)
Some authors bring everything to the slow burn table and leave you breathless and hungover at the end. LJ Evans is most definitely one of those authors. Disguised as Love hits all the right notes in this slow burn, romantic suspense, emotional waltz. But don’t take that word “waltz” the wrong way. There is nothing easy, or old, or routine about this story.
The chemistry between Raisa and Cruz is intense and fiery, as the opposites in them find a beautifully powerful attraction that neither is willing to ignore, even though everything within them says they must. These are two wonderfully developed characters, whose depth is enhanced by their interactions with the minor characters Evans seamlessly weaves into their lives and their circumstances.
I love the poetic flow and cadence of Evans’s writing, as it combines solid pacing with vivid imagery of not just the scene she’s setting but the characters’ emotions as well. The tension built by the author through her characters and their actions was fantastic. I will admit to holding my breath for the twist I knew had to be coming, but yeah, it was not what I expected. It was so much better!
While Disguised as Love is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I have not read the other books in the Anchor Suspense series, and I did not at any point feel I was missing information I needed to follow the plot or fall in love with the characters. I will, however be heading back to read the other novels so I can experience their stories as well.
One other thing I want to mention is how absolutely perfect the cover for this novel is. It embodies and expresses the beauty and intensity of the story so completely, I kept coming back to it every time I started reading again because of the visual reminder of the emotions within the story itself.
Most Definitely a Hit!
Hit or Miss (Scandal in Sweet Side Book 3)
When I need a book that has all the character depth I love, along with laugh-out-loud humor, crazy-fun supporting characters, unexpected animal interference, and that cozy romcom feel I crave, I turn to Josie Watts. And once again she hit all the marks with Hit or Miss! Watts incorporates the fake relationship with forced proximity tropes I love seamlessly, and ties them together with humor and building intensity that makes her books unique and 1-clickable.
What pulled me in even more was the way she uses main characters Helen and Gabriel’s needs for approval to build the deeper connections between those two kindred spirits recognizing each other’s needs for what they really are. Creating even more depth happens organically as the main characters discover even more layers to people they thought they already knew so well. And the revelations they grow through are beautiful reflections of relationships the readers will likely recognize and connect to as well. Watts expands the characters’ minds and lives by building on the theme of letting others in to care for you, and I think many readers will relate to the emotions experienced by the characters as well.
Beyond the tension built within and surrounding the relationships in the story, Watts enhances the pace and tension in the book with her signature cozy twist. And the suspense wasn’t just built because I knew something was coming, it was enhanced by the feeling that it could be acted on by 1 of 2 characters. Or maybe both working together. I read through yet another bedtime alarm because I needed closure! I needed to see Helen and Gabriel’s HEA. I needed to see the bad guy(s) pay. I needed to see the resolutions within the family dynamics. And I needed to see Helen and Gabriel realize their dreams. And I did get most of it. I have a feeling Josie is setting up one character for the ultimate comeuppance in a future novel. And I am so here for that, too!
Adorably Swoony and Perfectly Hilarious
Attachment Theory (The Brodie Brothers Book 2)
Kayley Loring knows how to do several things incredibly well, and she’s brought them together again in Attachment Theory. For one, she knows how to create the most amazing spit-take moments. Those laugh out loud, I just bathed my kindle in tea, moments flow freely through this book. She’s also back on point with the group family texts, fart jokes, and character interplay that rings as both authentic and over-the-top. And that’s pretty damn impressive. Add in an adorable, if not pushy, kiddo, a kitten named Mr. Noodles, moms that bring all the wisdom (and several of the laughs), and main characters Scarlett and Dylan have everything they need to find their perfect HEA.
Loring knows how to create some pretty memorable book boyfriends, and these younger Brodie Brothers are seriously fun book boyfriend material. What’s even more impressive and wonderful is how beautifully unexpected her characters are. Yes, it’s a RomCom. Yes, you’re going to risk breaking a rib from laughing so hard. But for me, it’s those “aaawww” moments that show what’s beneath the characters’ pretty and humorous packaging that really pulls it all together. I love Scarlett’s style as a no-nonsense, mildly overwhelmed, lost in her history single mom. And Dylan is truly well place and written as the character everyone underestimates but in actuality understands things way better than anyone gives him credit for. Separately they’re amusing and loveable. Together, their tension reveals how truly lost they are without each other and why they’re so perfectly matched.
The banter we’ve all grown to love in a Kayley Loring book is still there, along with the steam. Plus, we get a glimpse into what’s coming up for Miles. And I gotta say, I am intrigued. Grumpy Gus Miles may just be my fave and his book’s not even written yet (well, not at the time of me writing this review anyway). Oh, and if you get the ebook, be sure to scroll past the epilogues and experience the Garcon commercial. It’s a minute and 7 seconds of awesome!
I experienced Attachment Theory as an audiobook before reading the Kindle version. Because when you have Zachary Webber and Emily Woo Zeller narrating duet style with featured narrators Jason Clarke, Teddy Hamilton, Mackenzie Cartwright, Connor Crais, and Emma Wilder, you’d be crazy not to listen to it. The dialogue is exceptional. And the prose has perfect inflection and really captures the characters’ personalities. Plus, experiencing the group texts through the narration is hilariously wonderful.
A Beautiful First Day of Forever
Back to You (Romance in New Orleans Book 3)
Katherine L Evans’s books bring all the feels, and Back to You is no exception. Continuing with the theme of found family and HEA from heartbreak, Back to You brings Luke front and center and it’s emotional, and angsty, and incredibly beautiful. I love the way Evans tackles Chloe’s broken life, painting a picture of strength and need, friendship and maternal love, and vulnerability while learning to trust. Paired with Luke, their history and future are beautifully developed through humor, tears, and mutual goal of being better people so they can be there for others. Watching their growth and transformations through Evans words is poetic and heart wrenching.
I love characters who are so much more than they appear. And not only did Luke surprise me, I think he surprised himself. Luke is that unlikely hero we all love - the crass, scrappy, diamond in the rough. The one who rarely shows who he is beneath the surface, but when that protective, loyal, defender comes out, it is glorious and strong and so freaking lovable.
Evans employs characters from her prior novels in this series to help advance not only Luke and Chloe’s story, but the overarching thread connecting the characters to each other and their combined tales. The interactions between and among Evans characters are authentic, intriguing, and build solid tension as well as harmony. This is a book to be savored, with true depth and intensity. And the breadcrumbs Evans continues to leave have me craving more of her NOLA family.
The One Where Peter Pan Becomes the Thupahero
One Little Kiss (The Westbrooks: Family Ties Book 3)
My favorite authors have a remarkable way of pulling you into their characters' worlds and making you feel part of it, rather than some outsider looking in. One Little Kiss by Avery Maxwell does just that and it is intense, and steamy, and beautiful, and everything I was hoping it would be. And more. I've been waiting for Colton’s true self to be revealed for a while, and he did not disappoint! Who knew the jokester, the forever-fratboy, the Peter Pan of the family would turn out to be the true thupahero? Not just for his family, but for his perfect match. And he has definitely met his match (in more ways than one) with Winnie. She’s smart, and independent, and fiercely protective and absolutely everything Colton wants and needs.
Maxwell weaves together themes of found family and disguised motivations to dig through the many layers of Colton Westbrook, creating a deeply developed character who has always been so much more than what he allows others to see, he was just waiting for the right person to reveal his true character to. And Maxwell peels back even more layers of expectations to reveal that his “Wendy” is so more than the “broken girl with trust issues” she sees herself as. Together, they reveal the best in each other, and themselves.
But Kiss is not just a simple love story. It’s also the penultimate novel in Maxwell’s Family Ties series, building tension within the family leading to the ultimate showdown with a long-time adversary. Colton, Winnie, and little Weston’s story brings together the full force of the Westbrook chaos and propels the underlying internal and external conflicts in the series forward, resolving some conflicts, and ultimately setting the scene for the series finale.
Watching this series and its characters develop and grow, find their forevers, and leave difficult pasts behind has been both exhilarating and cathartic.Maxwell’s blend of emotions and details has created some of the most vivid characters and memorable storylines I have ever been immersed in. While I am looking forward to Ashton’s story, I’m also going to be sad to see this series come to a close. Fortunately, both this series and Maxwell’s original series (The Westbrooks: Broken Hearts) have beautiful depth to them and are some of my favorite re-reads.Never having to say goodbye to characters I love is one of the most amazing things, and I will love reacquainting myself with every character in every Avery Maxwell book as I reread both series in the future.
Snow White Meets the Mafia, but No Dwarves
Touch: Midas and His Princess Part 1 (Bale's Bedtime Stories Book 3)
Sarah Bale, the Queen of the Cliffhanger, has done it again! Think Snow White reimagined complete with the man with the golden touch (or is it?), the Hunstman (yes! THAT Huntsman), and an unexpected interpretation of Doc (hint: there are no dwarves, this IS NOT The Mouse’s version) in Bale’s Mafia-centric Chicago we’ve come to love from Hook’s story. That’s Touch. The character development in this story, carried forward from Captive and Hooked, is incredible. If you crave strong female heroines & damaged heroes both fleeing from their pasts, coupled with suspense & intrigue infused with intensity & steam, you are going to love this story. And yeah, you think you know who to root for, but do you really? I couldn't put this book down! I knew Touch was going to be a cliffhanger going in since it’s book 1 of Midas and His Princess (Book 3 in Bale's Bedtime Stories), but I wasn't expecting how it was going to be one. It’s not your typical “oh no, will he live or die” plunge off the cliff, nope…. Plot twist! And I can’t wait to see where Bale takes the characters, and the reader, with book 2.
Heat meets Geek and it’s Gloriously Steamy
Operation: Dead Drop (Slater Security Book 1)
Operation: Dead Drop is a fantastic start to Charissa Gracyk’s newest series. Readers of Gracyk’s Project Phoenix series have already gotten a bit of a glimpse into the world of Slater Security, and now we get the chance to see them all in action. Perfectly placed as a standalone as well as a series debut novel, Dead Drop dives right in with an unexpected and adorkable geeky hero (Ryan aka Binary Guy) and a bada$$ heroine who brings the sass in a big way. I love the banter, intensity, vulnerability, and elements of self-discovery of both Fallon and Ryan, individually and together. Gracyk creates the perfect pacing with fantastic dialog and well-timed, heart racing action sequences. If you’re looking for humor, steam, and suspense with your HEA, this is the perfect book. I cannot wait to see where Gracyk and the Slater Security team take us next!
Get "Operation: Dead Drop" On Amazon
Quirky and Emotional with a Dash of Suspense
Second True Love
Second True Love by Vikki Jay is a delightful tale of two people trying to find their own way in the world, who wind up finding that way to and with each other. I love the variation on the grumpy one is soft for the sunshiny one, coupled with an age gap romance that brings Clem and Keith’s tale to life. Clem is a truly lovely heroine, whimsical and quirky, who really is so much more than she initially appears to be- to the reader and the other characters in the novel. Keith is the quintessential grump, lost in a maze of emotions created by a devastating loss. But this romance is driven by multiple forces beyond what Clem and Keith bring to the table. Jay throws in a bit of suspense, some family drama, and a twist at the end that brought serious chills and left me reaching for the box of tissues. I’m definitely excited to see where The Hawthorne, Teager, and Kings Security families take us next.
Instalust Emotional Slow Burn With Humor, Heat, and Heart
Breaking the Speed Limit (Reynolds Restorations Book 2)
What do you get when you challenge a cinnamon roll hero with a scarred and independent heroine who’s always looking over her shoulder? Well, if you’re a Melanie Moreland fan, you get an instalust, emotional slow burn romance with humor, heat, and heart. But Breaking the Speed Limit isn’t all about Stefano and Gabby. Nope, you also get a very adorable little man (Theo), an Italian nonna (Rosa), and a reunion with Maxx and Charly, all of whom add to the emotional depth of Stefano and Gabby’s story. Moreland interlaces steam and sentiment with an underlying tone of intrigue and suspense that will keep you reading way past your bedtime. And try not to drink anything when Theo is even remotely in the scene. His antics will have you giggling and snortlaughing one second, and sniffling over his adorable honesty the next. This is a beautiful addition to the Reynolds Restoration world, and I cannot wait to see what comes next for this wonderful found family.
Intense, Angsty, and Seriously Steamy
Perfect Player (Game Changer Book 2)
If you’re looking for an intense, angsty, fake relationship romance with serious steam, you’re looking for Perfect Player by Olivia Peters. This book had me swearing at the characters one minute and refilling my ice water while turning the fan up higher the next. Peters takes her characters and her readers on a tense emotional rollercoaster, leaving everyone involved waiting for the next twist and turn, anxious and on edge the entire way. There were moments during this read that I had to remind myself that Peters never leaves her audience, or her characters without an HEA, but those characters are going to work really freaking hard to get there. I love the strength and vulnerability both Savanna and Bobby finally gave into, all the while fighting themselves, each other, and multiple external forces. Peters does a beautiful job of incorporating supporting characters into the narrative, too. I feel so invested in this series and these characters, and I cannot wait to see who Peters brings into Gavin’s life next.
Steam, Snarcasm & Snortlaughs
Second Chances (Accidentally Yours Book 3)
Noelle O’Ryan is the new author you definitely should be reading. Unless, of course, you don’t like smart, talented, sarcastic, independent women and the men who recognize their strengths and weaknesses and love them for it. Noelle infuses her characters with humor and honesty that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, and unappreciated until they met Their One. And she’s brought all of that plus all the feels to Second Chances. With solid character development and authentic dialog, O’Ryan pulls you into Harley & Chance’s lives, leaving you rooting for their HEA. And the journey is a great one, full of snortlaughs, steam, and even some righteous indignation (from both the reader and the characters). I absolutely love this book and the cast of characters O’Ryan brings to life within its pages.
This Book is Kind of a Big Deal
The Amendment (The Contract Series Book 3)
The Amendment by Melanie Moreland takes you through the wringer of every emotion, and leaves you beautifully book hungover and happy on the other side. The beauty of this book is in the journey. It's Melanie Moreland, so you know it's going to have that coveted HEA, but getting there is a voyage on an emotional rollercoaster that leaves your heart pounding, the tears falling, and laughter pulling on the widest smile. Fans of Richard and Katy will experience a jarring view of how the best things can be tested, and how the true bonds of friendship and found family build the strongest relationships, capable of surviving any test. If you have read The Contract and The Baby Clause, you absolutely must read this novel. After all, RvR is kind of a big deal.
Solid Foundation to a New Series
Level With Me
Level With Me is a beautiful foundation to Claire Wilder’s newest series. Let’s just say Cassandra and Blake’s meet not-so-cute is pretty awesome and sets the stage for this well-paced, steamy, slightly angsty enemies-to-lovers story really well. Wilder’s excellent character introductions develop into a beautiful picture of two people with some pretty intense family dynamics and personal losses that build the tension and intensity throughout the novel. The supporting characters provide wonderful insights and depth to Cassandra and Blake’s personalities and relationship, while also establishing their own identities as main players in future books within the series. Wilder slides a little bit of intrigue into the story as well, and I am really looking forward to seeing how that element of mystery continues to play out in the rest of the series and the characters’ lives.
Endearing, Adorable, and Really Freaking Funny
Funny Business: The Brodie Brothers, Book 1 (An Audiobook Review)
I enjoyed the audiobook of Kayley Loring and Connor Crais’s A Very Vegas St. Patrick’s Day so much I decided to grab as many Kayley Loring audiobooks as I could during a recent Audible sale. And I am so freaking glad I did. I jumped right into Loring’s Funny Business and it is fantastic. Narrated duet style by Teddy Hamilton and Emma Wilder (2 of my faves), it also features Zachary Webber, Jason Clarke, Mackenzie Cartwright and Connor Crais as a number of the side characters. Talk about a book coming to life! Wilder is perfect as the snarky, sarcastic (is snarkastic a word? It needs to be) Frankie Hogan- a struggling comedian with a soft spot for a sweet kiddo and yeah, his dad, too. And Hamilton is the perfect slightly arrogant, successful stand up comic, jaded single dad, with a heart of gold who really just wants the whole family thing to work out with his perfect foil. The humor is on-point, with excellent delivery, from not just Hamilton & Wilder, but the entire cast of featured narrators. The timing is perfect, the inflection and innuendo divine. Try not to be driving during the group text scenes. And probably best not to consume any liquids while listening. Unless you’re aiming for an epic spit-take. Then, yeah, definitely drink and listen. Overall another winner from Kayley and the cast. I can’t wait to listen to the next one.
Serious Book Hangover Material
Beautiful Beast (part of the Once Upon a Broken Crown Anthology)
Beautiful Beast by Olivia Peters is the fairytale retelling everyone needs to read. It’s intense, and emotional, and powerful, and heart wrenching, and absolutely amazing! From the subtle details Peters weaves into the tale (pay attention to both Adam and Belle’s best friends’ names) to the throwback homages to the classic fairytale (think roses and libraries), this story nuances out all the feels. The steam level- off the charts! The characters- beautifully created and developed throughout the story, ringing true to the Belle and Beast we all know, but upping the ante in a modern world of haves and have nots. The tension between the characters builds upon their own inner struggles to break boundaries and build bonds worthy of a stunning HEA. This story is serious book hangover material. Be prepared to stay up all night finishing this book, I know I did. And I’ll do it again.
Dark, Swoonworthy, Poetic, and Hot!
Belladonna’s Ransom (part of the Once Upon a Broken Crown Anthology)
Belladonna’s Ransom by Katherine L Evans is everything a modern romantic reimagining of Sleeping Beauty should be. It’s dark, and swoonworthy, and poetic, and incredibly hot! Evans has brought the classic fairytale into the deeply intense world of NYC’s dark mafia families, and it works! Feuding families, a hidden princess, fate, destiny, true love- it’s all entwined in the world around Bella & Dominic. There’s even the most wonderful homage to some of my favorite characters in Bella’s adorable, protective, and loveable aunties. What I love the most though, is the beautifully emotional connection between the main characters from the very start. Add in smartly developed side characters who move the story forward without being overwhelming, and the plot develops and churns naturally through their gritty lives and interactions. Oh, and chapter 15- pure poetry; dark, expressive, emotional poetry that will pull on every single heartstring you have. This is another up-all-night read from Katherine, and I cannot wait to read it again!
Just Right…
Gilded (part of the Once Upon a Broken Crown Anthology)
Sarah Bale takes the Goldilocks and the Three Bears fairy tale and turns it into a darkly suspenseful, reverse harem, modern reimagining in Gilded, a novella that’s just right. In typically wonderful Bale fashion, the pacing is perfect, and the reverse harem steam is divine. Her nod to the original tale is fun and irreverent, building a story around the three very different Behr brothers and their unintended interloper, Goldie. If you’re a fan of Bale’s Bedtime Stories (Captive, Hook, etc) you’ll appreciate the way she weaves the Behr brothers story into that world. If you’re looking for a heroine with a sense of adventure that matches her snarky sense of humor, swoony heroes who know what they want and how to get it, and a nice twist to bring it all together, this is your book. Get "Once Upon a Broken Crown" On Amazon
Simply Incredible Series Finale
Rewriting the Stars (The Bailey Brothers Book 6)
There's something about the anticipation of a specific book's release being shared by thousands of readers that makes just getting that book into your hands feel special & sublime. And when reading that book elevates those feelings through intrigue and emotional intensity, to the point where you feel fully immersed & invested in the very progression and outcome of the events leading to the characters’ ultimate HEA, that is romantic perfection. Claire Kingsley’s Rewriting the Stars is one of those books.
There’s always a bit of sadness when a beloved book series ends, and while I felt that sense of impending loss going into reading this book I wound up coming out of it with a renewed sense of joy and excitement.
So many things make this book a perfect series finale. Kingsley brought so much more clarity to many of her characters, most of all the silently stoic Levi Bailey and enigmatic Annika Haven, but also to Annika’s band of overprotective brothers, doting parents, and adorable son. The interconnected relationships built beautifully through the words and actions of the characters, leading to a climax and conclusion steeped in intrigue, suspense, and excitement. Kingsley never ever disappoints in the steam department, and this was no exception. I wasn’t quite sure what I was expecting from Levi Bailey going into this book, as a character or a book boyfriend, but Kingsley blew any expectations I did have out of the water.
Another beautiful thing about this story is how Kingsley interweaves homages to her other series and brings the reader back to the joys of Jetty Beach and Salishan Winery through the journey of Levi and Annika. And her nod to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays had my English Teacher brain squealing and sighing in delight (yes, it’s more than just nicknames and THIS story has a pretty epic HEA).
Readers who have followed the entire series will appreciate the pranks and everlasting loyalty of the Bailey brothers, love being immersed in the bonds of kinship and friendship, and will revel in the strong independent women who are always capable of seeing the bigger picture and helping everyone else see it with full focus and clarity.
Rewriting the Stars was a story worth waiting for. I have no doubt it is one I will reread often, savoring and reliving the emotions, humor, and adventure inherent in a small town overrun with scheming squirrels, feuding families, and characters who continue to surprise and entertain me in the best possible ways.
Hedgehog Socks & Serious Steam
Taste
Melanie Harlow brings three of my favorite tropes together in Taste to create a fantastic enemies to lovers, workplace romance, forced proximity story with an added surprise that ups the angsty ante to beautiful heights. The chemistry between the characters is truly wonderful. Their fun banter and introspective inner thoughts bring them to life on the page and in the reader’s mind. And the steam level will definitely get your heart racing. I love the way Harlow weaves the theme that sometimes what you plan isn't what you want, or need, and that life has a way of smacking you in the face when you least expect it, throughout the novel. Have some tissues ready for the subtle but heartfelt grand gesture, followed by a second aaawww inducing grand gesture truly worthy of a Harlow HEA. I also predict an uptick in the sales of hedgehog socks thanks to this novel.
Romantic Hilarity and So Much More
A Very Vegas St. Patrick’s Day (An audiobook review)
There are not enough happy and laughing face emojis to describe how amazing the audiobook of A Very Vegas St Patrick’s Day is. Authors Kayley Loring and Connor Crais provide the perfect canvas for narrators Mackenzie Cartwright and Connon Crais to stage the most epic eargasm imaginable. Connor’s incredibly delicious Irish accent and vocal range for multiple characters, Mackenzie’s crazy impressive range of inflection (from sultry to mom-voice and everything in-between), and the duet format performance bring this novel to life in an audiobook I could (and will) listen to over and over again. The humor infused throughout the story is literal laugh-out-loud, spit-take inducing hilarity. And yes, I did actually pull off to the side of the road during one scene so I didn’t run off the road laughing. There are also some wonderfully tender moments through the story as well, and the HEA inducing grand gesture is truly awesome on many levels. I loved listening to this while several friends did as well (and some read the book while we listened) because sharing the hilarity made it even more fun to experience. I’ve read the other 2 books in this series, and now I own the audiobooks, because this type of joy is exactly what I need more of in my world.
Another Perfectly Pippa Experience
The Last Eligible Billionaire
Once again, Pippa Grant does what she does best, and it is absolutely glorious! The Last Eligible Billionaire (TLEB) takes the common grumpy sunshine trope and creates a fun, unique, enjoyable, laugh-out-loud reading experience. Main characters Hayes and Begonia are perfectly imperfect in the best ways. Add in a loveable but unruly sidekick in the form of an adorable pup, and the hilarity and aaawww factor skyrockets. And of course there are the side characters you want to punch and the ones you want to hug, all coming together to help Hayes & Begonia understand how exceptionally perfect they are for each other. I love the way Pippa weaves deeper themes of self-acceptance and finding your own way into the story as well. It’s not all fluff, and I found myself highlighting many passages in the story because of those deeper meanings. TLEB is a beautiful standalone in the Pippaverse, and would be a perfect novel to jump into whether you’ve read some, all, or none of her other novels.
Swoonworthy Second Chance
Crossing the Line (Cross Creek Ranch Book 1)
Janice Whiteaker’s Crossing the Line is a wonderful second chance love story with heart & depth. A solid kick off to her spin-off series Cross Creek Ranch, Crossing the Line continues to build the bridges created between the families in Whiteaker’s Cowboy Classified series with Cross Creek owner Liza Cross & her head ranch hand Ben Chamberlain. I love the way Janice develops both Ben & Liza’s histories as separate but intertwined backstories, moving their relationship forward with rich emotions and details. The theme of Found Family is solidly embedded in this novel, as is Whiteaker’s signature Girl Gang, who play a vital role in Ben & Liza’s discovery of who they are as individuals as well as how strong they are together. Add in some intriguing new faces, a bit of suspense, some incredible heat, and this is a serious late night into the wee hours of the morning can’t put it down read! Crossing the Line was everything I was hoping for and more. Now I can’t wait to see how that story blends and weaves into the rest of this series.
Beautiful Tearjerker
Loving Rose: The Teager Family Book 2
Author Vikki Jay absolutely upped her game adding elements of intrigue and mystery to a wonderful love story, and bringing Rose's lost childhood some beautiful closure in Loving Rose. The love story of Rose and Zander intensifies through greater insight into both characters’ personalities and their blossoming relationship. Elements of fate, coincidence, and destiny coalesce into shocking revelations that bring clarity for the characters and the reader. It also brought the tears, so bring some tissues with you when you read this one. This novel is beautifully paced, interlaced with drama, humor, and steam. The ending was absolutely perfect! Talk about a full-circle HEA, yep, this book has it. I’m excited to read the next book as I’ve grown pretty attached to all of the characters in this series.
Fiery and Suspenseful
Small Town Frame-up: Book Three of the Rolling Brook Series
Small Town Frame-Up by Blye Donovan is a suspenseful and fiery love story that gripped me pretty much from the get-go. Donovan blends the best friend’s sister and childhood crush tropes beautifully into the story, building the suspense of the plot along with James and Daisy’s relationship. I love that Daisy is a strong independent heroine, while James is a conflicted protector hero. I’m reluctant to label this story brother’s best friend because the hang-up is clearly all with James in this one (hence the best friend’s sister label). Daisy knows what she wants and I love that she defies and denies the traditional “brother’s best friend equals off limits” manta. Donovan builds the story with good pacing, great character development, a nice level of suspense, and while there’s not a lot of spicy time, what there is- yeah, it’s hot! I did want a little more on the suspense front. I needed more of the villain’s motives and backstory. However, I came into the series in this book, so now I want to go back and read books 1 and 2 since there are multiple hints in this novel that they may bring me more villain closure.
Sweet, Steamy, and Oh So Perfect
To Whom It May Concern: A For Him Novella
To Whom It May Concern (TWIMC) by A.M. Johnson is yet another wonderful example of why Johnson is one of my absolute favorite authors. TWIMC is a beautifully written and genuine portrayal of characters and their relationships. I truly love the way Johnson continues to create characters with depth and intensity, who develop authentically through layers of narrative prose and dialogue. I enjoyed getting to know Clay and Syrus as much from their own inner musings and actions as from other characters' interactions with and descriptions of them. TWIMC works beautifully within the For Him series, while also setting things up for a new spin-off series, intertwining characters I already adore with new characters I cannot wait to see more of.
Intense on All Levels
Reactivated: Max (Project Phoenix Book 4)
Building on the suspense created through the first three books in her Project Phoenix series, Charissa Gracyk brings the heat and ups the intensity in “Reactivated: Max.” Max and Shay are beautifully written characters, with well-developed backstories, who pull the reader into their lives and plight, leaving you rooting for their inevitable HEA. Gracyk weaves in the entire team, creating a beautiful sense of found family, something Shay desperately desires, but is too scared to hope for. Max is the perfect complement to her hesitance, helping her recognize that her past does not determine her future and she can have all the good things she’s always wanted if she’ll just give herself the chance to claim them. Their journey to their HEA is not without its pitfalls, though, and that suspense is gloriously interwoven through and because of their love story. This book left me cheering for more than one reason, but also left me really anxious for the next story in the series.
Absolutely Unputdownable
A Very Friendly Valentine's Day (Very Holiday Book 2)
A Very Friendly Valentine’s Day by Kayley Loring is absolutely unputdownable. I don’t even care that I just made up a word for this review. It is 100% accurate. I honestly got mad at people when they interrupted me while I was reading. Actually, the only times I wanted to stop reading were when I was sending a book bestie screenshots of the chapter titles, favorite scenes, and hilarious text conversations between the characters. It’s always more fun to laugh with a friend, and I did a serious amount of laughing while reading this book. And I lied, I also stopped reading for frequent bathroom breaks so I didn’t pee myself laughing. Yes, this book is that funny. But it really was more than just funny. It was adorable, and cute, and steamy, and wonderfully free of angst. I am so grateful it was chosen as a book club read. It’s the absolutely perfect Valentine’s Day story. Actually, it’s a perfect love story for any time I need a pick-me-up.
Completely Hooked
Hooked: Hook and His Darling, Part 2
You ever read one of those books where you want to throw your Kindle against the wall and scream, “WHY???,” then 20 pages later you’re hugging your Kindle and sitting with all of your feelings? This is that book.
Hooked: Hook and His Darling Part 2 is author Sarah Bale’s conclusion to her book Captive. And wow, it’s a gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, nail-biting conclusion to Amelia, Hook, Smee, Ronan, and Ivan’s story. This book is billed as a dark mafia romance, and it lives up to that promise. I devoured this book in 2 days. I couldn’t stop reading! Bale builds on the suspense from book 1, then throws every emotion possible into bringing the reader into the hearts, minds, and actions of the characters.
There is an HEA, and I hate putting spoilers out there, but that HEA doesn’t include everyone. It does however, add a touch of realism to the dark lives the characters lead. I am not an angst lover, but it was worth it for this story. Be sure to read Part 1 first. This is a duet series and both books must be read in order to understand, appreciate, and enjoy Part 2.
Heartwarming, Panty-melting Perfection
Just One Favor
Just One Favor by Stephanie Rose is heartwarming, panty-melting perfection. I love the way Rose developed her main characters, Olivia and Tyler, both as individuals and as a couple. Seeing inside their minds through the first person POV gave a beautifully intimate look into their thoughts and feelings, both about themselves and each other. The character and story development are perfectly paced. And the steam is well, let’s say it’s as spicy and intense as the characters; yeah, it’s got a perfect flashpoint.
My Kindle copy is peppered with highlights of witty banter, introspective thoughts by the main characters, and observations and quotes by the minor characters as well. Rose does a truly beautiful job of developing those minor characters as major factors and influences in the character’s lives. The “wisdom of the elders” infused throughout the novel creates interactions that feel like home; they are real, authentic, and comforting for the characters and the reader. Plus, every character in this novel is memorable and delightful, there are no superfluous or unnecessary people in Tyler and Olivia’s story.
If you absolutely must have some angst in your romance novel, Rose has some of that for you, too. And you may just want to have some tissues handy for the last 20% of the book. Just One Favor is a standalone novel, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more of the characters in the story.
Absolutely Captivating
Captive: Hook and His Darling Part 1
“Captive: Hook and His Darling Part 1” is my first experience with author Sarah Bale’s writing. And I am 100% hooked! (pun intended) Pay attention to that Part 1 bit of information. This is a duet with “Hooked: Hook and His Darling Part 2.”. I do not handle angst and cliffhangers well, so I waited for both novels to be released before reading Captive. And even with the wait, I had to give myself a day to get over the book hangover from Book 1 before jumping into Book 2.
Captive is a dark romance that kept me absolutely captive-ated. This engaging re-imagining of Peter Pan has delicious elements of mafia and poly/reverse-harem woven through its tale. The engaging and conflicted personalities create an intriguing twist, with serious steam, solid heat, and the perfectly elevated level of angst I was hoping for. The characters are beautifully developed, building and blending through their interactions and internal musings.
I cannot wait to jump into Hooked (after a short book hangover recovery period) because I am craving more of these characters, and need a resolution to the drama in book 1. Together, Captive and Hooked make up the first two books in Sarah Bale’s new series Bale’s Bedtime Stories, and based on my experience with just the first book, I am really looking forward to devouring the rest of this series.
Intensely Unique and Beautiful
Shades of Lust (The Carnal Tower Book 1)
Shades of Lust is the first book I’ve read by E.M. Lindsey, and I was absolutely blown away. I was entranced by the story, the characters, the language, and the premise. Lindsey created two intensely beautiful characters in Stone and August, placing them in a unique but perfect setting for their story to grow as their understanding of themselves and each other does. By trying to make sense of what they each truly want, they find what they both truly need.
Lindsey’s language is powerful, striking, and expressive, creating characters as intricately woven pictures, much as I suspect one of August's canvases would look. Stone’s backstory plays beautifully into the narrative, and paints him as a complex and compassionate individual, exactly what August needs. The depiction of August’s anxiety is authentic and intense without being exaggerated. It is not what defines him, but what brings him to need what Stone can provide.
Much like the Sins in the book, the storyline itself kept defying expectations. It was profound in its message, but often light and poetic in its language, while still being deep and expressive in its tone and plot. This is a book you should take your time reading; there are so many layers to absorb, and they’re all worth it.
Complex, Compelling, and Commanding
The Commander (Men of Hidden Justice Book 3)
Once again, Melanie Moreland made me stay up way past my bedtime to finish one of her amazing books. The Commander is the third book in the Men of Hidden Justice series, and while it follows the storyline of Julian, one of the minor characters in the prior two books, it differs quite a bit in tone from the first two books in the series. The Commander is less dark than the The Boss and Second in Command, and has more of a BAM/ Vested Interest feel to it. And trust me, I am not complaining. One of the things I love the most about Melanie is her ability to interweave her characters and series, bringing the best story to light without falling into a predictable formula, and without trying to shove a round story into a square hole. Once again, Melanie has created characters that are complex, well-developed, and easy to fall in love with. The storyline is emotional and well-paced. Although there is a timeline shift within the plot, it is smooth and seamless, creating a complete and compelling picture of Julian & Tally’s relationship, with a truly beautiful HEA. I’m not quite ready to let go of the Men of Hidden Justice yet, and after reading this book I’m pulling for either a spin-off series or another installment featuring a specific side character.
A Sweet, but Spicy, Second Chance Romance
Valentine Veto (A Man of the Month Club Novella)
Valentine Veto by Claire Wilder is a second chance romance novella with beautifully developed characters, a wonderful storyline, and an HEA that will have you lovingly sighing into your hot cocoa. Wilder perfectly blends Nick and Callie’s backstories into the present narrative, providing the reader glimpses into their personal history while also allowing their current relationship to evolve without confusing or unnecessary flashbacks. The storyline is well-paced and did not feel rushed or contrived. It’s actually quite authentic, which is often difficult to achieve in a novella. The steam level is perfectly balanced with the emotional intensity of the story and the development of the plot. Valentine Veto is a delightful and engaging novella; a perfect love story for Valentine’s Day, or any day really.
Get "Valentine Veto" On Amazon
First Rate Found Family with a Twist
Texas Roses (Devil’s Horn Ranch series Book 3)
Samantha Christy’s “Texas Roses” is a beautifully written story with incredibly likeable characters, solid plot development, and serious steam. Quinn & Amber recognize in each other what they’ve been missing and never knew they truly wanted- in their own lives or from anyone else. Christy interweaves themes of redemption and found family together with a familiar trope that I won’t even hint at because it’s serious spoiler material. And it’s a pivotal and unexpected event that brings both Quinn & Amber’s histories front and center in the development of their relationship. Within that twist they find that found family becomes true family. What I truly appreciated about this story is that the development of Quinn & Amber’s relationship felt natural, I never felt like the author was forcing the situations or events, or changing the characters from who they really were. There is a lot of heat between these two, as well as some well-placed angst, but ultimately, their HEA is exactly what they each needed. While “Texas Roses” can be read as a standalone, it definitely made me want to go back and read the other interconnected books.
The Best Way to Increase Your Heartrate
The Broken One (Falcon Falls Security Book 2)
Brittney Sahin’s newest novel in her Falcon Falls Security Series, “The Broken One,” broke my heart, then gathered up all the pieces and put them back together again, all while taking my mind on an adrenaline-filled journey through suspense and intrigue that Brittney is so well known for. The fully and deeply developed, well thought out storyline and characters create an incredibly suspenseful plot with serious steam and solid emotional intensity between main characters Jesse and Ella. Sahin weaves an emotional tapestry around her full range of characters, including the entire Falcon Falls team and Jesse and Ella’s families. The emotional connection between the readers and the characters becomes even stronger because of the build up to their story in prior books. Apparently Jesse's looks are not all that make him lethal, and Ella Mae’s sass and strength are everything readers have come to expect from a Sahin heroine. Readers have been pulling for Jesse and Ella Mae to wind up together since they first hit the pages of Sahin’s books in “Chasing Daylight,” and “The Broken One” absolutely did their story justice. Living in the Falcon Falls Security world was pure joy and heartache of the best kind. I cannot wait for the next novel in this series.
Some Second Chances Come From Saving Each Other
Saving What’s Mine (Lost Boys Book 6)
“Saving What’s Mine” by Janice Whiteaker is a powerful ride, ranging so many emotions, and bringing all the feels. Whitaker infuses a solid plot with beautifully developed, deep characters with flaws and a resilience that make them easy to love and root for. Niko and Hope pull you into their fears, uncertainty, and reluctance as they explore each other’s histories, attempting to find and create joy and trust in a relationship based on mutual needs and an understanding of where they both came from. With a little help from the Lost Boys found family, they each discover and begin to understand it’s ok to move on and be happy. And while that happy looks and develops differently for each of them, they learn they are both essential to each other’s future. Whiteaker wonderfully employs the innocence and trust of children to help both main characters recognize where happiness comes from, cementing the theme she has built throughout the series that who you were and where you started does not dictate who you'll always be or where you'll wind up. Witnessing Niko & Hope discovering the value in themselves when others provided them each the freedom to be their own person was really powerful. This is an incredible slow burn book, creating an emotional investment by the reader in not just Niko and Hope, but in every character interwoven in their lives. “Saving What’s Mine” can be read as a standalone, but will truly be enjoyed to its fullest as part of the interconnected Lost Boys series.
Outside of the story itself, what I have enjoyed the most is experiencing Whiteaker’s growth as a writer and storyteller throughout the Lost Boys series. Her plots have become much more character focused with incredible emotional depth. Her prose has become more fluid, her details more substantial, and her overarching theme more significant. As readers progress through the series they will become increasingly more invested in the characters and their relationships not only with their significant other, but with the others in the found family she has built around them. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series, excited to see how and where the author continues to build onto this beautiful foundation of love, trust, and emotional recovery.
This Story Will Melt Your Kindle and Your Heart
Perfect Alpha (Game Changer Book 1)
"Perfect Alpha" By Olivia Peters will melt your Kindle and your heart. Bringing together a second chance, best friend’s brother, enemies(ish) to lovers trifecta, Peters amps up the heat with a crazy-sexy, dirty talking hero and a strong, feisty, assertive heroine. It’s clear that Cade and Victory are meant to be together, but their HEA is derailed over and over by assumptions and misinformation, as well as a little immaturity and a lot of hurt feelings. It takes a tragedy for them to finally put everything else behind them and recognize what’s really important and just how perfect they are for each other. And that tragedy, yeah, grab a huge box of tissues to work through that. Peters shatters her characters’ and the reader’s hearts, but expertly rebuilds Cade and Victory’s relationship, culminating in a hard-fought, but beautifully won HEA the reader can find comfort in. While most of the story focuses on the main characters and their interactions with each other, the side characters are ever present and essential to the story as well, building a basis for future books in the series. “Perfect Alpha” sets the perfect tone for this series, and I have no doubt the rest of The Game Changer series books will be just as spicy and intense.
Beauty, Balance, and Belonging
Tripped by Love (An Anchor Novel Book 6)
“Tripped by Love” by LJ Evans is the beautifully written story of Cassidy and Marco, two wonderfully developed characters with complicated pasts that define who they are and seem to keep them from discovering who they could be for another person. Evans’s elegant storytelling infuses emotion and intensity to bring the reader into her characters’ lives; there is no way to avoid becoming invested in Cassidy and Marco’s HEA. Tripped is low on steam but high on intimacy, embracing an expressive tone that perfectly showcases the spirit of the characters. Solid pacing builds with strength and emotions as the characters confront their own internal struggles and help each other find balance, eventually facing an external conflict together that truly solidifies their relationship with each other. Evans does an excellent job of interweaving characters from the prior book and a future series to create a blending of found and biological families. I am definitely hooked on this series, this author, and cannot wait to read what she has in store next.
Successful, Suspenseful Debut Novel
24 to Life (Dalton Skies: Book 1)
“24 to Life” is a solid debut novel for DeDe Ramey. Ramey sets the scene perfectly and wastes no time diving into the suspense of the story. Excellent pacing builds the intensity between and around the characters throughout, culminating in a reveal that plays perfectly into the tone of the story. And that reveal is not nearly the full story. For those angst-lovers out there, the last several chapters are for you. There are some beautifully intimate moments between Cody & Jenna, but the steam level is relatively low. This is definitely a novel built around the story, not the steam, so if the more graphic scenes are not your thing, you’re safe. Excellent use of minor characters helps develop main characters Cody and Jenna, without overwhelming the reader with too many names to keep up with. Cody and Jenna are wonderfully relatable and likeable characters, who pull the reader into the success of their relationship. You will absolutely root for their HEA. Plus, there is definitely a solid set-up for book two with side characters Joe & April. “24 to Life” speaks well for the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Delightful Debut Novel
Beautiful Rose: Tortured Teager Series Book 1
“Beautiful Rose” by Vikki Jay is a lovely debut novel about two “broken” people with difficult pasts who confront their histories and find comfort and their HEA by rebuilding each other and themselves. A slow burn novel, the plot develops with good pacing and excellent character development. The moderate steam level is a good match for the characters and their storyline. Interesting and likeable minor characters help progress the storyline and give relevant insights to the lives and personalities of main characters Rose and Zander. Multiple sensitive personality and emotional situations are handled and illustrated with care, honesty, and respect. Jay provides a beautiful HEA for Rose and Zander, but left so much room for more of their story, and I am looking forward to visiting with them again in her future novels.
Brilliant Beginning to a New Series
Finding Layla: McIntyre Security Protectors - Book 1
“Finding Layla” by April Wilson is a brand new spin-off series from her McIntyre Security Bodyguard series. And what a beautiful way to begin the McIntyre Security Protectors stories. “Finding Layla” is a slow burn love story, but the intimacy is intense. An excellent storyteller, Wilson builds the story with and around the characters, pulling the reader in and making them feel completely invested in this couple’s HEA. I appreciate the way the author respects the delicate topics of mental health, healthy boundaries, and respect of power positions, weaving them in as crucial elements of the story and the characters’ interactions. Rather than feeling heavy and preachy, those elements become intricate plot points that move the story forward, cementing the relationship between the characters and reassuring the reader that Layla and Jason are meant to be together. Although characters from Wilson’s other series are essential to the plot, “Finding Layla” can be read as a standalone. Based on this novel, I cannot wait to see what Wilson has in store for the rest of the Protector team.
Suspense, Sarcasm, and Serious Chemistry
First Impressions (Accidentally Yours Book 2)
“First Impressions” is the second book in Noelle O’Ryan’s Accidentally Yours series. A solid addition to the series, “First Impressions” grabbed me right away and held me captivated with excellent pacing and a well-developed, suspenseful plot. As with her first novel, “Accidentally on Purpose,” O’Ryan uses excellent banter, sarcasm, snark, and honestly emotional, authentic dialog to develop her characters and immerse the reader in their lives. This second chance romance incorporates multiple conflicts to ultimately bring the characters to an inevitable HEA, complete with a grand gesture that beautifully breaks the typical romance stereotype. I absolutely love Cassidy, a quirky, strong, sarcastic, independent single mom who brings both humor and intensity to the story. She’s the powerhouse, but is perfectly balanced by Dalton’s quiet intensity. Characters from book 1 seamlessly combine with new voices to help advance the plot and relationship. And based on the preview at the end, I have no doubt book 3 will continue to ramp up the suspense and connections I’ve come to expect in this series.
Color and Song in a Mesmerizing Story
Branded by a Song (An Anchor Novel Book 5)
“Branded by a Song” by LJ Evans is not only a beautifully woven tale of love, loss, and life, but also a testament to finding out where the heart and home truly lie. Tristan and Brady navigate both internal and external conflicts that intertwine to define their characters, culminating in new beginnings built on common threads of artistry, family, and love. Evans does an incredible job of immersing her readers in not only her characters’ lives, but also their inner emotional battles. In a story where their connections to others lead to deeper connections between themselves, readers are guided through the perfect balance of angst and emotion. Beautifully well-developed minor characters (and I hesitate to even call them “minor”) enhance the relationships and intensity within the story. I dare anyone to make it through this book without considering there are really 3 main characters, as little Hannah certainly plays a pivotal and essential role in everything that plays out through the book. Evans’s artistry is not only evident in the characters' stories, but in the words used to tell it. Branded is not the steamiest story I’ve read, in fact the steam level is fairly low, but the incredibly deep focus on the storyline completely pulled me in and keep me invested throughout. It’s certainly slow burn, not no-burn, and the building of intimacy though the story in solid and well-written. This was the first novel I’ve read by Evans, but based on this experience I will be making her backlist and future books a priority on my To-Be-Read list.
The Best Kind of Second Chances
The Beat of My Heart (The Westbrooks: Broken Hearts Book 2)
Avery Maxwell’s “The Beat of My Heart” builds on the found family relationships introduced in “Cross My Heart” but delves even deeper into the circumstances that bring them all together. Maxwell does an excellent job of weaving suspense and intrigue throughout the story, building even more depth to her continuing journey through the lives of childhood friends Dex, Tevor, Preston, and Loki. Book 2 focuses on Julia and Trevor, two beautifully developed characters who draw the reader into not only their relationship with each other, but their connections with their closest friends as well. The story begins before the events of book 1, progresses through concurrent events in Dex and Laney’s story (book 1), and brings the events forward as well. And it is written seamlessly, with excellent pacing, keeping me completely enthralled throughout. Maxwell’s approach is masterful, providing the reader with a completely new story that enables readers to relive elements of book 1 without excessive repetition, revel in the chaos of Trevor and Julia’s relationship, but also gain an even better understanding of the relationships between Julia and Laney as well as Trevor and Dex. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, pulling the reader through scenes of intense passion, powerful intimacy, and compelling heartache.
What’s So Good About this Book? Primarily: Everything!
Claiming What’s Mine (Lost Boys Book 5)
“Claiming What’s Mine” pretty well claimed by entire damn heart, and every bit of my attention from the cover to the very last word. I have been looking forward to Moon’s book for a while, and the wait was oh so worth it. Not only does Janice Whiteaker create the ultimate Book Boyfriend in Moon, but she pairs him with the most perfect heroine to bring out his true protective nature and reveal what he’s been missing to help him move on from his past and become the true protector he’s meant to be. And, wow, is there a lot of unpacking done in the book- for Moon as well as Josie. Having resolved the main conflict for the Lost Boys in “Protecting What’s Mine,” Whiteaker maintains the overall themes of unexpected connections, fierce friendships, and found family, constructing a suspenseful and intense conflict that brings Moon and Josie together. Plus, Whiteaker builds in deeply emotional internal conflicts for each of them that ultimately make them an even stronger couple. There is so much to love in this book. Not only are the main characters strong, but the supporting characters are every bit as developed and essential in the story, especially 8-year old Clara. She brings out even more depth in Moon’s character as the story and their relationship develops. Pacing wise, there is absolutely no lag in the plot. It starts strong, stays strong, and ends strong. And while “Claiming” has a self-contained plot, there definitely seems to be something lurking in the background ready to be tackled in book 6.
Protector Romance Catnip!
Janice Whiteaker's Lost Boys Series (Books 1-4)
Book 1: Finding What’s Mine
“Finding What’s Mine” is a fast paced, solid start to the Lost Boys series by Janice Whiteaker. Whiteaker sets the stage with some serious steam before Chapter One even ends. Paired with good character development and elements of suspense and intrigue, Whiteaker builds the reader’s interest in both her characters and their situation. While Tracker is definitely a dominant hero that romance readers will love, Kerri reinforces the strong female lead theme Whiteaker’s readers crave and look forward to.
Book 2: Taming What’s Mine
“Taming What’s Mine” builds on the overarching plot Janice Whiteaker established in her first Lost Boys book: “Finding What’s Mine.” Whiteaker introduces another great hero in Hawk, and begins to grow another incredible girl gang with the introduction of feisty heroine Shelly. “Taming What’s Mine” is a fast paced, suspenseful ride that continues to move the series forward. Readers get a chance to catch up with characters from the first Lost Boys book and get a closer look at the other members of the group sure to become more important as the on-going underlying storyline develops. Whiteaker does an excellent job of laying additional groundwork for the next book and the rest of the series as well, while still developing a solid, suspenseful story for Hawk and Shelly.
Book 3: Catching What’s Mine
Book 3 of Janice Whiteaker’s Lost Boys series,“Catching What’s Mine,” is a solid hit for me, with my favorite heroine of the series so far. Painted as persona non grata in books one and two, Felicity comes into her own in book 3. Whiteaker builds and unravels a backstory for Felicity that explains so much about her prior actions, and creates a deep character who ultimately proves to be needed by the girl gang just as much as she needs them. Gypsy continues the theme of seriously protective males who build up and support the women who compliment their personalities and needs. Whiteaker continues to progress the overall plot toward what will undoubtedly be an intense conclusion, while simultaneously building up additional strong characters and her signature girl gang.
Book 4: Protecting What’s Mine
“Protecting What’s Mine” brings some closure to the overarching Lost Boys storyline, while simultaneously bringing a new adventure to the Lost Boys and the girl gang they have built. Cook and Carly develop their relationship thanks to a twist I never saw coming and a resolution that left me cheering. Janice Whiteaker once again uses solid character development and a suspenseful plot line to bring her characters together. She also introduces another girl gang that strengthens her signature theme of strong women working together to protect and help each other. “Protecting” is a fast-paced story that pulls the reader in quickly and decisively, ties up lose ends, and still leaves you craving more time with the heroes and heroines Whiteaker has created. Good thing she’s not done with the series, because I cannot wait for the next one.
The Chemistry and Conflict Combust, and It’s Fantastic!
Reactivated: Jericho (Project Phoenix Book 3)
Charissa Gracyk kicks up the action and the heat in “Reactivated: Jericho”, book 3 in her Project Phoenix series. Building on the story developed in books 1 & 2, Gracyk ups the stakes in the team’s efforts to bring Project Phoenix to an end once and for all. The chemistry between Jericho and Sydney ignites quickly and creates a tone and pace of intensity that pulls the reader into the story and the characters’ lives. Gracyk keeps the angst in the plot rather than between the characters, who face an external struggle together, rather than fighting each other. And I love that. No spoiler here in that readers will love this HEA, but don’t think it’s conflict free, either. The well-developed storyline includes all of the team members from books 1 & 2, and gives even more insight into characters Aidan and Cassian, but the spotlight still shining predominantly on Jericho and Sydney- an unlikely couple who couldn’t be more perfect for each other. The tension at the end of this book is high for more than one reason, and I am looking forward to book 4 with serious excitement and anticipation.
Love has no Schedule
Christmas Sugar (InstaSpark Book 2)
The beauty of romance novels is a reader’s willingness to embrace what others say is impossible. And apparently I love the impossible, because I truly believe in love at first sight. Melanie Moreland’s “Christmas Sugar,” part of her InstaSpark collection, is love story perfection. A novella that wastes no time getting to the good stuff, “Christmas Sugar” brings together instalove, forced proximity, and the grumpy one falls for the sunshiny one tropes and blends them into a heartwarming, tear-jerking, panty melting love story perfect for the holiday time or, really anytime. Moreland uses solid banter between Dylan and Alex to fully develop them as strong individual characters, and build their relationship based on the strength they show to and because of each other. In addition to creating deeply emotional and well developed characters in Dylan and Alex, she introduces solid supporting characters who help guide the story and further develop the reader’s connection with every character in the book. And as much as this is a story about Dylan & Alex, little Noelle truly steals the show and becomes a main character in her own right. She is impossible not to love. Although it’s part of the InstaSpark Collection, Sugar is a complete standalone. It’s also going to be a regular part of my annual Christmastime reading tradition.
5 Golden Rings
A Very Pierced Christmas (12 Days of Kissmas Book 1)
Ok, this was a very unexpectedly delightfully wonderful read. I usually stray from novellas because unless you’re a really good storyteller, a novella will leave me wanting a ton of details I don’t get. Ember is a really good storyteller. This was the first thing I ever read from her, and I am really sad I waited so long. I love her voice! “A Very Pierced Christmas” was heartfelt, fun, well written, and perfectly performed in 9 chapters. Plus 2 Epilogues. I loved the characters. Levi and Rowan were well-developed and really likeable. It helped that there was the grumpy one-sunshiny one trope going, because that’s always a great theme for Christmas stories. But Davis really put a lot of effort into letting the reader get to know them throughout the story rather than trying to frontload a bunch of details because she only had 9 chapters to do it all. The compressed time frame is perfect, so I didn’t feel like I was missing a ton of time. Yep- Instalust/ Instalove is a thing, and it is perfect for this book. There’s even a short angsty section for those conflict lovers. And rather than frustrate me with a lack of background info, Davis’s inclusion of characters from her other books just encouraged me to move her books up in my TBR. So, I will be reading for Ember Davis. Soon. Very very soon.
Second Chances for the Holidays
Finding His Cheer: A Small Town Single Dad Holiday Romance
“Finding His Cheer” is a wonderful tale of second chances and finding love after tragedy. Claire Wilder builds a beautiful story around Morgan, Heath, and Heath’s young daughter Ruby and manages to do something I usually miss in a novella: she created deeply developed characters, with solid backstories, who have serious emotional depth. Well-placed and relevant side characters help build the story without taking over or derailing the main plot. And even though the steam level is low, it’s well-timed in a novella that’s more about the story than the heat. Although this book reads perfectly as a standalone, mentions and appearances of characters from Wilder’s other books makes me want to read the rest of the books in the series. I will definitely be dipping deeper into the Jewel Lakes series and Wilder’s backlist.
Real Love That Moves Beyond Pure Luck
Luck of the Draw: Romance in New Orleans: A Small Town Southern Romance Series Book 2
Luck of the Draw is the perfect follow-up to Katherine L Evans’s My Favorite Mistake. As in Mistake, Evans brings out all of the emotions and leads her readers through a journey of fate, destiny, and yes, even luck. More than just a tale of opposites attracting, Luck of the Draw is a beautiful example of how two people who seem so different can share the same pain, needs, and desires. Luck is also far more than a simple romance novel. Evans intertwines her tale of reluctant love with intrigue, mystery, and even elements of dark undercurrents present in most cities. And those undercurrents serve as the ultimate backdrop for Brennan and Skye realizing just how alike they are and how well they complete each other. Brennan is a wonderfully multilayered character who truly is the perfect personality to free Skye from the demons of her past. Familiar faces from My Favorite Mistake play important roles in Brennan and Skye’s story, and reuniting with them felt like a homecoming for me. Seeing the next chapter in Connor and Liza’s story interwoven with Brennan’s brought some beautiful completion to B & L’s bond. If you’re looking for a deeply emotional, powerful, and intensely moving story, this is it. But be ready to sit with your angsty self for a while, because Evans will deliver you to that promised and desired HEA you’ll crave, but she’s going to make you work through all the feels to get there.
Solid Story with Serious Heat
Return All: Rebirth, Book 2
This is the first book I’ve read by Eve Dangerfield, and I am now adding the other books in her backlist to my TBR. Although the story started slow for me, and it took me some time to see where it was going, once the underlying plot kicked in the intent was beautifully clear. Part of what threw me off was the many side characters working for the main character Mara. It just got confusing about who they were and why they were relevant. It gelled nicely later in the plot, but created a bit of a lag in the development of the main characters: Mara and Derek. The absolute best side character: Beth. She set a wonderful voice-of-reason tone and moved the plot forward more in one of the final chapters than most of the characters did in the first half of the book. I think readers will take to Derek quickly; even though he comes across as a bit of an ass, that character flaw resolves rapidly to reveal another bad boy who really just needed to be understood and recognized for everything he dealt with below the surface. The internal conflict developed between and within the MCs as the plot develops is stellar. I appreciated that the author made sure the BDSM element was relevant to character development, and not just a shock value element; scenes were not over the top but had incredibly high steam value. Overall, I think developing Derek as the more sympathetic character than Mara for most of the book made the big reveal about her background more impactful. By the end of the book, I was a huge fan of both main characters, and am looking forward to future books where they (hopefully) make some cameo or recurring appearaces.
Hits all the Right Buttons
Concealed (An Everyday Heroes World Novel)
I love when a book from a new-to-me author hits every single check box on my romantic suspense list. Characters developed beautifully through description as well dialogue and interactions with other characters: check. A fast paced main storyline that builds the suspense but doesn’t feel rushed, plus a subplot that enhances my understanding of the characters: check. A broken but spirited heroine determined to be her own savior and an intense, imperfect, dirty talking hero resolved on helping her heal without being an overbearing alphahole: check. Plus, heavy subject matter handled beautifully without sounding self-righteous or preachy: double check! Olivia Peters hits all the right notes in Concealed, including the perfect amount of angst revolving around a well-developed external conflict that culminates in the anticipated and coveted HEA I craved. Even though this story is part of K. Bromberg's Everyday Heroes World I did not in any way feel I was missing out on details relevant to the characters or storyline. This is a perfectly crafted standalone with the ideal amount of heat and intensity, plus a serious book boyfriend contender and an engaging and sympathetic heroine.
Samantha Christy’s The Mitchell Sister Series
Grab the Tissues, Snuggle In, and Prepare for a Beautifully Angsty and Emotional Mini-binge
Book 1: Purple Orchids
Flowers, French Fries, and First Loves
You know when something is going too well, and you know something (or someone) is lurking in the shadows ready to throw kerosene on flame? Then you know the angst and intensity of Samantha Christy’s Purple Orchids, book 1 in the Mitchell Sisters series. I loved the pacing in this book. It practically mirrors the tone and energy of the action, starting smooth and accelerating to a dramatic and heartbreaking climax. Christy creates the perfect storm of heat and heart, developing characters you will love to love, and love to hate. Seamless transitions between the past and present build a solid story steeped in memories the reader lives along with main characters Gavin and Baylor. Christy will rip your heart out, leave you speechless, and then have you hugging your Kindle before the end. Because while the kerosene may be poured by one character, when another one ignites that flame, the result is the outcome every romance reader will cheer for.
Book 2: White Lilies
Fate, Faith, and Family
Following my angsty introduction to Samantha Christy through her first Mitchell Sisters novel, Purple Orchids, I wasted no time diving into book two in the series: White Lilies. Christy upped her angst game in book two with an unconventional love story that fully and unapologetically gripped my heart and shattered it. Trusting the promised HEA would be worth it, I eagerly yet anxiously navigated through the tale of three deeply connected souls bound by friendship and fate, destined to learn the connections between falling in love and finding your soulmate. Christy brings her beautifully developed characters through guilt, anger, and loss to finally recognize that the ultimate goal is not always the obvious one, and love has many intentions and variations beyond what we may recognize at first glance. And the reader has no choice but to negotiate the depths of emotions with those characters, traversing the joys and sorrows right along with them. Lilies may make you question the Universe’s motives, but it will never leave you guessing what the ultimate goal is: building a beautiful life even when things seem to be falling apart. White Lilies can be read as a standalone, but the interactions and relationships between characters are best appreciated once you’ve experienced Purple Orchids.
Book 3: Black Roses
Building a Life Together from Very Broken Pieces
I didn’t read any reviews going into this book. I knew it was going to tear my heart out just based on the little information I had from the prior 2 books in the Mitchell Sisters series. And tear my heart out it certainly did. But in true romance fashion, Samantha Christy mended all the shattered pieces for a heartwarming and beautifully orchestrated HEA. Black Roses is an intense journey through the memories and emotions of two beautifully developed characters (Piper & Mason) with the help of multiple beloved characters from the prior two books in the series. But what is really stunning is how Piper and Mason heal themselves while they heal each other. There are no gratuitous and unnecessary emotional outbursts, just genuinely impassioned and powerful connections and conflicts that move the story forward and create a compelling bond that brings the entire series to a poignant and heartmending close. The Mitchell Sisters is the perfect emotional minibinge, and I definitely recommend reading them in order rather than as standalones. Grab lots of tissues, and prepare for your own intense reactions to the characters and their stories. They are all too real and wonderfully written.
Charissa Gracyk’s Project Phoenix Series
Diving Deeper into Project Phoenix
Reactivated: Dom (Project Phoenix Book 2)
What a fantastic way to build on a solid series debut. Charissa Gracyk wastes no time re-immersing the reader in the suspense of Project Phoenix in her second book in the series: “Reactivated Dom.” Bringing the reader deeper into the backstory of her characters and their ordeal, Gracyk creates a deeper connection between the reader and her characters. Then she turns up the heat with Dom and Emilie’s relationship, creating beautiful moments of depth, emotion, and even humor. Plus, the effortless banter between the Project Phoenix teammates reveals even more about their bonds with each other. I even found myself smirking along with Emilie at some of Dom’s antics. The story of Project Phoenix is enhanced, nuanced further through greater character development of both the villain and the emergence of Dom & Oz’s teammates’ powers. Gracyk has definitely piqued my curiosity to see what comes next. And I have a feeling I will not be disappointed.
Military Suspense with a Touch of Sci-Fi
Reactivated: Oz (Project Phoenix Book 1)
When a new romance author sticks their toe into the military suspense waters I am instantly intrigued. When they add an unexpected element of sci-fi, consider me fascinated. Charissa Gracyk is new to the romantic suspense genre, but her first novel, Reactivated: Oz is an impactful introduction to her “Project Phoenix” series. Gracyk sets a solid tone of strength and passion for her hero and heroine, and does a great job of introducing supporting characters who will receive their own books in the future as well. The plot is well-developed and builds a sense of suspense from the beginning with solid pacing, authentic dialogue, and intense character interactions. That sci-fi twist, yeah it was unexpected- in the best kind of way- setting Project Phoenix and Gracyk apart from typical romantic military suspense novels. I would love to have had a more in-depth look into the backstory on the characters’ time before they left the military, and for that reason this is a 4.5 star book for me. I have a feeling that history will be forthcoming in the next installment as the details of Project Phoenix continue to come to light. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and getting to know all of Project Phoenix’s heroes down the line.
Steam & Spark!
Ignite (A Grumpy Single Dad Romance)
Through a beautifully told age gap, grumpy-single-dad-next-door tale, Melanie Harlow’s Ignite brings readers back to the Leelenau Peninsula to reunite with the next generation of Cloverleigh Farms families. Mack and Frannie’s middle daughter Winnie is all grown up and ready for own HEA. But how far will divorced and jaded Dex go to prove it shouldn’t be with him? Dex and Winnie are both well-developed, likeable, and relatable characters, with personalities that both connect and collide throughout the book. Ignite definitely brings the steam with the spark, both in and out of the bedroom as Dex’s temper contrasts beautifully with Winnie’s optimism and youthful joy. And I am a sucker for a Grumpy One Loves the Sunshiny One book, so Ignite definitely kept me turning pages. Appearances by well-loved characters from the original Cloverleigh Farms books are accented by new minor characters, building a family of personalities that are more than just fluff and play an essential role in Dex and Winnie’s storyline, building toward another cohesive series established on a solid foundation in Ignite. Plus, Hallie and Luna’s antics amped up the adorableness of everything in the book. Harlow’s well-paced narration and fluid dialogue builds a cohesive, easy to read story, blending the lives of the characters with realistic and engaging encounters. There is also a well-established distinction in tone between the characters that makes each chapter really stand out. There was never a question of whether I was reading a chapter from Dex or Winnie’s point of view, which made the first person shifts easy to navigate and created an effortless continuity for the story as well. If you crave a grand gesture, you won’t be disappointed: the ogre and the princess do get their HEA; one that will warm your heart and delight your sense of humor in the process.
Tearjerker with Serious Heart, and an Amazing HEA
My Favorite Mistake (Romance in New Orleans: A Small Town Southern Romance Series Book 1)
Not everything in life can be sunshine and roses. But that doesn’t mean things can’t wind up being beautiful and amazing. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in “My Favorite Mistake” by Katherine L Evans. This book is a journey, and it will absolutely put you through the wringer emotionally, but it’s all worth it for the HEA awaiting the characters and readers at the end. Going through hell and back proves to be exactly what main characters Connor and Liza need for their second chance to become their HEA. “Mistake” has a wonderfully authentic cadence, the dialogue is on-point, and the emotions are solid. Evans’ deep character development is also a huge plus. Not only does the reader get to know Connor & Liza well through their interactions with each other, they also get insight into their lives and personalities, their fears and dreams, through delightfully developed side characters Brennan, Jimmy, Scott, and Ophelia. The secondary plot surrounding musician Oscar Quinn Washington does not take away or overshadow the main story of Connor & Liza, but rather is woven in neatly to advance and accentuate their relationship and its development. Fair warning, Oscar’s story is heartbreaking, but a true example of the soul of New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina.
“Mistake” is a second chance novel, not just for the characters but for the author as well. And it’s absolutely stunning because of it. Evans opted to pull, update, re-edit, and enhance her “Romance in New Orleans” series, relaunching it late in 2021, to give readers a more solid and immersive experience with her characters, plots, and settings. I would call “Mistake” a success in that endeavor. And based on what I read in this book, I am completely enthralled with her characters. After getting to know him in “Mistake,” I’m definitely looking forward to Brennan’s story next.
Melanie Moreland’s Men of Hidden Justice Series
Grab Happiness and Celebrate the Second Chance You Were Given
Second-In-Command (Men of Hidden Justice Book 2)
Venturing a little deeper into the realm of dark romance, Melanie Moreland brings heightened intensity to both her story and characters as she delves deeper into the world of the Men of Hidden Justice with her second book in the series, “Second in Command.” Marcus and Missy’s story has a darker overall feeling than her first book in the series, “The Boss,” employing striking visuals and the characters’ inner dialogue to render a full picture of the horrors both Marcus and Missy are privy to. Marcus is the perfect growly alpha, and he has definitely met his match in Missy; she is no passive victim, and has a beautiful stubborn streak. Moreland creates engaging and complex characters who feed off each other and grow throughout the book, developing into their perfect selves as individuals and as a couple. I love how this novel focuses on creating the story around the characters’ experiences and relationship. Moreland intertwines both subplots seamlessly, creating an emotional connection for the characters, while guiding the readers through the maze of a very sinister underworld, culminating in the ultimate standoff with a villain who’s end you’ll cheer for. Although Second in Command is part of the Men of Hidden Justice series, it can be read as a standalone. But “The Boss” is definitely worth the read, and from all current signs, “The Commander” will be as must read book as well.
Not All Darkness is Without Light
The Boss (Men of Hidden Justice Book 1)
There is nothing typical about Melanie Moreland’s new novel The Boss. Not the characters, not the story, not the intense reaction it drew from me. Matteo and Evie’s story absolutely enthralled me. Moreland took the shotgun wedding trope and turned it on its ear. And by doing so she created a deeply passionate, wickedly enticing story about two people who were destined to be each other’s forever. Their yin and yang. Their dark and light. And holy hell is it hot! The plot advances swiftly with strong character interaction, suspense, and even beautifully infused humor. Matteo is the man every woman secretly wishes really existed but would have no idea what to do with if he barged into their lives. And Evie pulls every HEA heartstring in my body. I wanted all the good and amazing things for her, because she deserves them. Moreland sets a tone that kept me peeking around every corner. I knew there had to be more lurking, and then, BAM (no, not that BAM)! There it was! Do not let your guard down, dear reader. I finished the book already greedy and eager for the next installment in the series, and not because I need more Matteo and Evie (although that would be wonderful), but because of the connections I already feel to the other characters in the book who I can’t wait to visit with on an even deeper level. This book is seriously high on heat and heartrate elevation. Prepare for the hangover, and hold on tight!
The Right People always show up. Especially in a Westbrook book.
Friendly Fire (Alaskan Security-Team Rogue Book 7)
One again, Jemma Westbrook has elevated her Romantic Suspense game, bringing heat, humor, and intimacy to a new level in “Friendly Fire.” The author includes a warning at the beginning that this story contains elements of self-harm, so please be aware of that. What I love is how she handled the topic within the story with respect, making it essential to the characters and their developing relationship, but not gratuitous, glamourous, or overly stereotypical. Through incredibly quotable dialogue and character interactions, Westbrook builds a relationship not just between her main characters, Abe and Elise, but solidifies the friendships and connections between and among her characters from the prior novels in the Alaskan Security Series. I fell in love with Elise in “Advance by Bounds.” Her snark, sarcasm, and fierce loyalty to her friends almost made her seem untamable. But all she needed was a heart and mind able to break down her walls and see her for the fragile but determined spirit she is. Elisa and Abe are a perfect match: an age gap romance with a much deeper layer of intimacy than one might expect. “Friendly Fire” has all the classic Westbrook elements that make her books so strong. The Girl Gang is in full effect. Team Rogue has their hands full with a new situation, creating all sorts of havoc for Alaskan Security. And Abe and Elise’s story becomes the critical element that ties them all together, rather than a side note in the on-going situation plaguing the company they work for. I definitely recommend reading this series in order, as it will give you a much better understanding of the characters and how they work together.
What Happens When You Stop Allowing Fear to Ruin Your Future
One Little Lie (The Westbrooks: Family Ties Book 2)
One Little Lie is definitely Avery Maxwell’s hottest book yet! Not only does the chemistry between Halton & Rylan ignite from the first chapter, but it builds within a deeply emotional story of love built, shattered, and refound. In addition to a fast paced, thoroughly developed plot, Maxwell employs intensely beautiful language to illustrate the intentions, obstructions, and ultimately the interventions that guide Hatty and Rylan to their fated HEA. The story builds as readers begin to understand the lengths one will go to in order to protect themselves and others. And while many questions about the Westbrooks and their extended family are answered, others are developed even more deeply, paving the road for the next books in the series. One Little Lie does a lot to test and fortify the bonds between the Westbrooks and their extended family, but once again their love for each other conquers all. That chaos the Westbrooks are famous for is the ultimate testament to loyalty, love, and lifelong happiness. I appreciate Maxwell’s measured and respectful approach to the mental health and anxiety elements of the story. While an integral part of the characters’ development, they are not stereotyped or glossed over as a weakness or an overly dramatic character flaw. Rather, what might be seen as character flaws are fundamental elements that create and build connections among the characters, as well as between the characters and the reader.
Because Everyone is More than Just Their Past
Reid: Vested Interest #4
I did not think it would be possible for Melanie Moreland to top the original BAM boys’ stories, but I think I was wrong. REID. WOW! What a beautifully crafted story about being seen, moving forward, and not only finding, but accepting you’re worthy of your future. Reid is more than just that adorable nerdy tech guy with a sad sob story background. He’s a complex character struggling to accept his self-worth and find his place in a world reluctant to give him a second chance. Fortunately, those BAM boys understand what family really is. And even more-so, so does Becca. And I absolutely love Becca! She’s bold, confident, intelligent, and emotionally invested in an HEA for her and Reid. Laced with humor (first instance of snarfing water through my nose was before I finished the first chapter), heat (holy wow is this couple fiery!), friction (within and among the characters), and depth (the emotions in this one are intense), Reid kept me turning the pages long after I was supposed to be asleep. Yet another book hangover I will treasure, because it means I got to experience another beautifully engaging, enthralling, and immersive story within the “Vested Interest” universe.
Small Town Love that Truly Warms the Heart
Safeguard
Safeguard by Stephanie Rose was exactly the story I needed, exactly when I needed it. I’ve always been a sucker for an awesome singe dad story. And I also really love a good tale about a young woman getting back on her feet after a bad break-up. And Safeguard blended both of those tropes beautifully, bringing in all the feels, with minimal angst and a cast of really loveable characters. I love the second chance feel of this entire story. Two beautiful souls finding each other while still dealing with fallout from past relationships, and finally getting their much deserved HEA- yeah, I’m 100% on board for this. Throw in the small town feel, an adorably precocious little girl, and wonderful supporting characters who all guide the story without distracting from the overall plot, and Rose has created a book with depth, emotion, and elegant flow. I felt immersed and engaged throughout, and even the angsty parts were comforting rather than stressful (which is wonderful, because I really don’t do angst well). Even though Safeguard is part of the “Speakeasy” series, it is completely perfect as a standalone book and can be read independently of the series.
The HEA We’ve All Been Waiting For
The Hunted One (A Falcon Falls Security Novel)
Much like the military men she writes about, Brittney Sahin never leaves a man, or in this case a woman, behind. For years we’ve been waiting for Savanna’s story, and it’s finally, beautifully, heart-stoppingly here. In the first installment of her “Falcon Falls Security” series, Sahin brings Savanna’s story front and center and gives her the HEA every reader has been anxious for. Of course, it’s not an easy road, and readers will be grateful for that as it gives the author’s talent a chance to truly shine. Packed with intense emotional interactions, plot twists and turns, familiar and new characters, and exhilarating suspense, The Hunted One definitely does not disappoint. Sassy Savanna and Growly Griffin go through so much to earn their well-deserved HEA, and I appreciate the way Sahin honors Marcus throughout the story, even along their journey to their new forever. The chemistry between Savanna and Griffin is absolutely electric. I’ve read everything Brittney Sahin has written and she just keeps pulling out all the stops for her storylines and characters. As amazing as all of her books are, this book blew my ever-loving mind.
A Dynamic Tale of Personal Awakening
On the Ropes
On the Ropes is exactly the feel-good story I needed, but there is nothing shallow or simple in its execution or effect. Kathryn Nolan pours her hometown heart onto the page and creates a panorama of love, community, and family. As in Out of the Blue, Nolan tackles an often hidden societal issue- this time the long term effects of concussions on boxers’ health. But she adds an extra layer of social consciousness with the plight of Dean and Tabitha’s community. And the two elements blend and weave together into a seamless love story that immerses the reader in the lives of not just her main characters, but embeds you in their community and the lives of their neighbors and families. The interactions, dialogue, and descriptions are so intense and descriptive, as a reader I had no choice but to hear the characters’ voices in my head, feel the strength of their relationships, and experience the power of their emotions. And there were definitely a lot of emotions to experience. The love story of Tabitha and Dean is fueled by an even more dynamic tale of personal awakening, and it is truly enlightening to experience. On the Ropes is a beautiful stand-alone experience that delivers on the heat, the joy, and the love.
Chemistry off the Charts
Search and Rescue (McIntyre Security Search and Rescue - Book 1)
Some authors have a way of immersing you in a story so you never want it to end. April Wilson is one of those authors. As a fan of her McIntyre Security Bodyguard series, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this spin-off series centering on Hannah McIntyre and Killian Devereaux’s inevitable relationship. The chemistry Wilson built in her other books definitely did not go to waste. Because when Hannah & Killian’s worlds collide, they come together in the most perfect storm. A fast paced plot and well-developed characters held my attention, and had me holding my breath, throughout the story. Add in a late plot twist, and Wilson had me captivated until the very end. Not only did I fall hard for Killian and Hannah, but through artful glimpses at her minor characters, Wilson has me sitting here not so patiently waiting for Owen and Maggie’s story as well.