This is the second book in the Lake Starlight series. It reads ok as a standalone.
Brin is from a huge family and that family 4 Brinley and Van Stars
This is the second book in the Lake Starlight series. It reads ok as a standalone.
Brin is from a huge family and that family are very protective of her. She is a young widow. She married at twenty and after about a year her husband died unexpectedly. Since then every one treats her like glass. Van Adler is new in town and has no intention of staying for long. I liked the way they met and ultimately Van ends up renting a room in her apartment for his brief stay but lines get blurred and before long their chemistry is practically pulsating off the walls.
I liked Brin as a heroine - she is sweet but I was glad she had a strong will that came through. Van is a gorgeous Hero and I enjoyed how his story developed through the story.
I am not normally a fan of romances where there is a dead ex but I had no issue with this one. It is really well written and I never felt Van was not enough.
Some hot scenes. Lots of chemistry. Small town romance I read on ebook (Kindle Unlimited) and listened on Audiobook. 4 Star **** Narration by Connor Crais and Melissa Moran with listening time 6h 22m.
This is book 4 in the Last Refuge Protectors Series and things are starting to take darker and more disturbing turns. Yo3-4 River and Charlotte Stars
This is book 4 in the Last Refuge Protectors Series and things are starting to take darker and more disturbing turns. You need to have read the other books in the series before this one.
River 'Rubicon' Kwon is an ex Navy Seal , CIA and is now a hacker. We had some details about his past but I found I still had questions about him. During their childhood , River and Charlotte were thrown together every Summer as their parents were friends. They did not get on - rather they pushed each others buttons and were really competitive. The issue I had was that in adulthood, Charlotte was engaged to River's younger brother. I usually actively avoid any books where the H or h have been with the love interest's sibling but I was invested in this series and these books need to be read in order. In fairness , the author writes this well and it did feel as though it should always have been River and Charlotte. There are no scenes from the other relationship at all and in fact I completely forgot about the younger brother for a good portion of the book!
The reason I deliberated between 3 and 4 stars is that I struggled with Charlotte's character at times and found her hard to warm up to. She is a Lieutenant Governor (I am not American so I had to look this up) and she often seemed to wrestle with which side of her character was coming to the fore. From a suspense and intrigue point of view alone , this is a 5 star. It's got me hooked.
HEA? More HFN but these two are forever. Cheating? No. ...more
I am so invested in this series and I had high expectations going into Book 3 which focuses on the Hartley Sheriff , Owen D5 Genevieve and Owen Stars
I am so invested in this series and I had high expectations going into Book 3 which focuses on the Hartley Sheriff , Owen Douglas, and an investigative journalist, Genevieve Blake.
This book definitely delivered and it's exciting to read about life in Hartley as the story arc that runs through each novel gets more and more twisted and dark.
I have been smitten with Owen (32) , since book one - Hard Knock Hero. He is the Sheriff , a former Marine and all round good guy. He has his hands full with all the strange goings on in Hartley. He is a little on the periphery of his local friend group because some of the Last Refuge Protectors activities are not strictly legal. Romantically , he never meets local women to date as he cannot afford professional complications. The night before he is due to reluctantly meet and be interviewed by Genevieve Blake he stops off in a nearby town on his way home. His friend Dean works at the bar and it's there that he meets Jen (Genevieve). Neither realises who the other is. Owen is also known as Tex by those closest to him.
"Tex?" I asked. "That fits." Mr Handsome has a soft drawl to his speech and some country boy swagger. The best I could tell as a certified city girl, anyway. He laughed. "My old call sign. Dean here is an old buddy from the Marines, and I couldn't get rid of him. The man followed me here."
This book definitely clouds the waters of where Owen walks the line of legal and bending the rules. He is a very easy to love Hero. It took me a little longer to warm up to Gen but I did like her. She is a little aloof but with good reason.
The chemistry is pulsating between these two. There is some push and pull but the heart wants what it wants, and Gen and Owen want each other.
[image]
I pushed my nose into her blond locks and inhaled. She smelled like red wine, black pepper, and the best worst decision.
This is novel is very tense in places and it feels like each book goes a bit darker. The underlying story has my attention and I need to know more about Stillwater. Plus this one features a hot Sheriff who is an ex marine ... that's my romance catnip.
[image]
You could read this as a standalone but I think you would miss some of the finer plot points that thread in from the previous books. Available on Kindle Unlimited, I read (320 pages) and listened. Good narration by Finnley Cole and Isabelle Turner with a listening time of 10 hours 2 mins.
HEA? More HFN but Gen and Owen are forever. Cheating? No...more
The original Until Series is an all time favourite of mine with Until November being one of my most frequent re reads. This seri3 Bax and Olivia Stars
The original Until Series is an all time favourite of mine with Until November being one of my most frequent re reads. This series is the second generation of the original Mayson brothers - Bax is the son of Nico and Sophie (Until Nico. Olivia is the little sister of Bax's best friend , Liam. If you enjoy that trope , along with some suspense and a passionate connection , then this book has all those things. Bax definitely hooked up with a lot of people before Olivia but once he lays eyes on her after a few years , all bets are off and he is definitely a smitten kitten. Danger is lurking and there were a couple of twists I did not see coming.
I liked the secondary characters and the story kept me interested , plus I loved catching up with some of the Mayson clan.
HEA? Yes with a lovely epilogue Cheating? No ...more
Life is uncertain, Arya. Love is not. Love is the concrete beneath your feet. It’s the anchor when you’re in the eye of 5 Arya and Christian Stars
Life is uncertain, Arya. Love is not. Love is the concrete beneath your feet. It’s the anchor when you’re in the eye of a storm
I really enjoyed this angsty romance. It has all the hallmarks of an L.J.Shen book and I liked it as much as Sparrow and Vicious but The Kiss Thief is still my favourite of hers...but I digress...
Arya (31) is from a rich family with a controlling father that only she sees as a hero. Nicholai is the son of 'the help'. Neither of them have a 'normal' childhood and despite Nicholai's initial resentment of her when they first meet as children , they form a strange alliance that blooms into something more until , as teenagers, everything is abruptly and cruelly ended.
I really liked both their characters. My heart ached for Nicholai and I admired his steadfast determination to make something of himself. He becomes Christian Miller (33ish) , a driven and talented attorney. He changes like a chameleon , shedding the metaphorical (and literal) rags and becoming a member of New York's elite in the highest echelons of society.
[image]
I was no longer Nicholai Ivanov, the bastard son of Ruslana Ivanova. I was brand new, shiny and reborn. Clad in Tom Ford suits, a cunning smile, and well-practiced trust fund–baby mannerisms.
Arya is endearing and it was sad to see her illusion of her father shatter completely. On the other hand , her relationship with her mother was quite fascinating . Despite the passage of time , she still very much held her childhood love close to her heart.
His eyes were his best feature, though. The exact, astonishing color of blue topaz. He was tall, smooth, and lithe, and above all, he had that quality that couldn’t be named. The badassness of a kid who knew how to fend for himself. How to fight for his survival.
Arya could have been a bit of a beige character but something happens that evokes her emotions and I loved reading that - she is a character that develops well through the novel. The chemistry between Christian and Arya is intense and practically pulsates off the pages.
[image]
Christian's two friends , Arsene and Riggs , are entertaining and I will be reading their stories. There is just enough OW drama with Christian's colleague and regular hook up, Claire. Lots of other people in this book that you love to hate , plus a few that restore your faith in humanity.
This was such an enjoyable ice hockey romance. I started reading it , thinking that something was very famili4 Joe Lupo and Mabel Jane Buckley Stars.
This was such an enjoyable ice hockey romance. I started reading it , thinking that something was very familiar about Mabel. I then thought to look back and sure enough I had read about her in one of her big brothers books - Runaway Love , back in June 2023, which actually kicks off this Cherry Tree Harbour series. The perils of being a bookworm are that I loved that book and had every intention of reading the next one, Hideaway Heart , but somehow got swept up in other books and missed it. Mabel's novel caught my eye as I love unexpected pregnancy and sports romances , so I dived straight in but I will be going back to read the other Buckley siblings books.
Joe's family also have previous books as his mum and dad are the subject of Forked and his older brother Gianni is the Hero in Taste.
Do any of you get that delighted feeling when you see a character from another series appear in a different one? It feels like being at a social gathering and suddenly bumping into someone you know well from somewhere else - you feel like you share a history that the others there don't know about. I love that feeling.
[image]
Anyway, I digress so back to Mabel and Joe.
Joe is a successful hot shot ice hockey player and when flying home for a wedding, he is seated next to Mabel who is not a good flyer and when turbulence hits , she starts to catastrophise everything.
"Everything is going to be okay." "It's not. Human beings are not meant to be in the air. We are ground dwelling creatures. And now the gods are punishing us for our hubris." "What's your name?" "Mabel Jane Buckley." He tried not to smile, which resulted in a crooked half grin. "Mabel Jane Buckley , my name is Joe Lupo. It's nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you too....I wish we didn't have to die so soon after getting acquainted."
[image]
As the plane drops sharply , Mabel panics even more...
"And there's so much I didn't get to do" I wailed. "I never got married. I never had kids. I never had a one night stand with a hot stranger!" "I'm definitely not your guy for A or B, but C isn't necessarily off the table." he said , cracking a smile. "You don't understand , I've never even had good sex!" "Now, if there ever where a reason to live.."
[image]
I found Mabel and Joe to be really likeable characters. When Mabel tells him that she is pregnant by him he is so utterly gobsmacked but I liked that he never doubted her and wasn't nasty. Stunned, knocked back on his heels and overwhelmed? Yes, absolutely. Terrified about being a Dad? Without a doubt. But he tries. Right from the start he tries and he does some lovely things. He also behaves like a bit of an idiot but what's a romance without a lead character messing up a little?
There are fab secondary characters that bring more warmth and depth to the story. This read very easily as a standalone so I didn't feel like I missed out by not reading the series in order. If you enjoy accidental pregnancy / sports romance then I'd recommend this novel.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No. Joe had an ex girlfriend but there is no real drama around this....more
The Wildcats series comes to a rather lovely conclusion in this final book which focuses on Maverick Houston and Stevie Ada4 Stevie and Maverick Stars
The Wildcats series comes to a rather lovely conclusion in this final book which focuses on Maverick Houston and Stevie Adair.
Stevie and Maverick were besties until they were eleven years old and then they fell out...for about 12 years! They cannot avoid each other because their parents are best friends but despite that, Stevie does a spectacular job of holding a grudge.
A key theme in this novel, is that Maverick's mum , Meredith, is diagnosed with advanced Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at the very start. It follows her as she becomes more poorly , right up to the end. I cried at times. I think some people would find it really difficult to read if they have had a loved one with a similar experience. There are lots of funny , passionate and entertaining moments which tempers the whole tone of the book but prepare to need tissues for parts of it. My heart broke for Maverick and his family.
Mav and Stevie start fake dating to fulfil a last wish of Meredith's but feelings soon develop and these two are absolutely perfect for each other. Stevie doesn't take any of Maverick's playboy nonsense and Maverick absolutely gets Stevie.
HEA? Yes - what an epilogue! It starts two years after the end, then another two years , then eight months , then five months , then seven years on ending when the characters are about 34ish. Rush & Faye Rally , are also mentioned in the epilogue which was lovely too.
This is a workplace romance in a sense - Sasha works for Jax's family's resort- but when they first meet it is in unusual circum3 Jax and Sasha Stars
This is a workplace romance in a sense - Sasha works for Jax's family's resort- but when they first meet it is in unusual circumstances. Sasha pushes him away when she realises they will be connected through work and soon enough Jax discovers that Sasha is a new member of staff. A few weeks later that resolve cracks , they hook up and an unexpected pregnancy is the result. In the background, Sasha is keeping a secret about her life before she came to Montana.
This was an ok read. I got a bit frustrated with Sasha at times because she was so shut off. The drama with Jax's friend Emery didn't get as dramatic as I hoped it would but then I do enjoy angst in my books.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No. ***Be aware - there is on page reference to a secondary character experiencing domestic abuse***...more
This is the fourth book in the Sparrow Falls series and focuses on Arden , who is part of the Colson family and Lincoln who is 4 Arden and Linc Stars
This is the fourth book in the Sparrow Falls series and focuses on Arden , who is part of the Colson family and Lincoln who is Arden's brother's best friend. Arden (26) has had a difficult life experiencing the traumatic loss of her parents when she was 11 years old. Fostered by the Colson's , her siblings are fiercely protective of her but she always has a wall up , always keeping people at arms length. Lincoln (37) is a successful billionaire who is in Sparrow Falls to oversee the building of his new property. The initial meet between Arden and Lincoln was well written. I loved both characters and the secondary characters , as ever , bring depth and warmth to the story.
So why not 5 stars? Purely personal opinion but there was a bit too much drama in this one for me. There is no drama between our H/h but they attract a lot of heat from the baddies. Also , for the first time in one of this author's book - I guessed the really malevolent bad person.....
Arden and Lincoln's story does take you away from reality and that is what I want in a book.
Book not available on KU. I bought it for £3.99 on ebook and it was 387 pages long. I also listened on audible - narrated by the awesome Sebastian York and Samantha Brentmoor - listening time 11h 43m.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No Be aware - Violent loss of a parent (on page) / Domestic abuse (off page) are themes. ...more
This is Book 3 in the Sparrow Falls series and it did not disappoint. This is Cope Colson's story. Cope (30) is one of the Col5 Sutton and Cope Stars
This is Book 3 in the Sparrow Falls series and it did not disappoint. This is Cope Colson's story. Cope (30) is one of the Colson siblings. They are a blended family of blood related, fostered and adopted siblings. Each one of them has a story to tell and each book works as a Standalone but I chose to read in order.
We met Sutton (27) and her son Luca.(6/7) in the first two books, Fragile Sanctuary (Rhodes and Anson) , Delicate Escape (Thea and Shep). She is the single mum who ran away from her past to keep her and her boy safe. They start their new lives in Sparrow Falls two years before the start of this story. Sutton is a baker and runs the coffee / bakery shop in town. Cope is a professional NHL Player and he is home for a while.
Things take a sinister turn in the book when it seems that Sutton's past in catching up with her. There were a couple of twists that I did not see coming and the suspense had me hooked in until the end. One event is really sad but there is lots of well written humour in these books so they never feel overwhelmed with the more serious subject matter.
Great story with characters that grab your heart and keep you invested.
I read and listened. The e-book is 376 pages. I bought it on Amazon for £3.99 (Not available on KU) The audiobook is 10hrs 19m listening time and narrated very well by Erin Mallon and Connor Crais.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No Be aware - loss of a parent and sibling / domestic abuse / drug misuse feature off page....more
I discovered Catherine Cowles work last year and devoured a number of her books including the first novel set in Sparrow Falls, 5 Thea and Shep Stars
I discovered Catherine Cowles work last year and devoured a number of her books including the first novel set in Sparrow Falls, Fragile Sanctuary which set the scene for the Colson family. This is the second book and it focuses on Shepard Colson - the gorgeous construction company owner - and Thea who is his sister , Rhodes', best friend.
We knew very little about Thea in book one so I was interested in seeing how her character developed. She is very likeable and what she went through before fleeing her old life and moving to Sparrow Falls was awful. I had a soft spot for Shep from the very start. He is so protective , loyal and kind and he adores his family. He is so patient and underneath that lionheart is a passionate man.
The secondary characters are excellent in this series. I am a huge fan of small town romances with interconnected characters so this ticks all the boxes for me. The suspense angle is well written - I didn't see the twist coming.
There is passion , humour , drama and excellent storytelling woven through every page.
I am going straight onto Cope and Sutton's book next, Broken Harbor.
I bought this ebook as it was not included in KU (£3.99 but I used my Christmas gift voucher) and I also listened on Audiobook. Excellent narration by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon with a listening time of 10h 15 mins. The ebook is 344 pages long.
HEA? Yes - beautiful ending. Cheating? No Be aware - domestic abuse / controlling coercive behaviour / abandonment of a newborn (Shep is cruelly called 'Box Baby' by a secondary character , are all themes. ...more
I have binge read the Tattered and Torn / Lost and Found Series's and devoured them all. Catherine Cowles is my discovereBeyond 5 Anson and Rho Stars
I have binge read the Tattered and Torn / Lost and Found Series's and devoured them all. Catherine Cowles is my discovered author of 2024 and I am hooked on her work.
We met Anson , briefly , in Ashes of You because he is a friend of Lawson but this book is all about the grumpy , reclusive ex FBI Profiler. Anson now works as a building contractor , specialising in restoring old buildings that have fire damage. Rhodes , or Rho as she is known to her friends, is a really loveable heroine who lost her family at the age of 13 and subsequently lived with her best friend's family and the other children they fostered. I love world building romances and I cannot wait to read the other characters books. Fallon is Rho's best friend. Copeland (NHL Player) is Fallon's biological older brother. Shepard (Owns a construction company) is her adopted brother. Trace (Sheriff /single dad) is her foster brother. Rhodes views them all as her siblings too and they are a tight group.
Anson and Rho have excellent chemistry which is addictive to read about. There is some push and pull but ultimately these two are soul mates and absolutely meant to be. There is a mystery unfolding alongside their love story - I did not guess the baddie despite having a few candidates on my list!
Great story that had me invested from the start.
HEA? Yes. Beautiful - I am still beaming. Cheating? No.
This was a bittersweet read because out of all the Hartley siblings , I wanted Chief Of Police Lawson's the most but Beyond 5 Lawson and Hallie Stars
This was a bittersweet read because out of all the Hartley siblings , I wanted Chief Of Police Lawson's the most but his is the last book in the series and I have enjoyed each and every novel about the Hartley siblings. I did not want it to end.
Lawson (38) is a single dad to three boys , Luke (16), Drew (13) and Charlie (6). Charlie is one of the sweetest and funniest children - we met him before in Shadows of You as he is Cady's best friend. Lawson is struggling to manage everything so he finally relents and hires a Nanny.
Hallie (25) has been through an almost unimaginably horrific trauma and five years later she is desperate to start living again away from her (frankly horrible) parents. She applies to be Lawson's Nanny and it's not until the interview that they both realise that they have met before.
This was my favourite book of the entire series. I was half in love with Lawson before I even downloaded it to my Kindle and it didn't take long to fall completely. The plot is well paced and the relationship between Lawson and Hallie develops alongside another series of murders in Cedar Ridge. Hallie is in danger and Lawson , as Chief of Police , is doing everything possible to keep her safe.
The romantic relationship between our H/h is passionate and slowly builds but watching Hallie forge new friendships is heartwarming too. The loveliest relationships she builds are the ones with Law's boys. Luke has lots of barriers up , Drew is a sweetie but Charlie will steal your heart completely.
There is some violence as this is a romantic suspense. Some of the scenes are a little gruesome but not too bad. If you enjoy age gap / single parent / small town romances then I would highly recommend this book and all the others in the series.
I read on KU and listened on audible. Superb narration by Ava Erickson and Sebastian York - listening time 9h 12m.
HEA? Yes! Gorgeous ending. Cheating? No Be aware - child abandonment and violence / kidnapping of a woman are themes. ...more
This series just gets better and better. I have been itching for Roan's story and it more than matches my expectations.
Roan (e5 Roan and Aspen Stars
This series just gets better and better. I have been itching for Roan's story and it more than matches my expectations.
Roan (early 30's) is the second eldest of the Hartley siblings and he has been in every book but he has been in the background , quiet and reserved, so I never felt as though I knew him very well. Something happened in Roan's past that affected him and how others looked at him. In a way he is a social outcast despite belonging to the revered and liked Hartley family. Roan was always a little different. Fiercely loyal like his siblings but with a darkness around him as he watches the world from the shadowy peripheries.
[image]
Roan lives alone on the mountain and works as a Fish and Wildlife Officer.
[image]
Aspen (27) is the pretty redhead who lives a short distance away on the farm down the slope , with her 6 year old daughter , Cady.
[image] [image]
Aspen works at The Brew , the coffee shop in town but it's not until she encounters an injured deer and calls the Fish and Wildlife department for help that the pair meet. The chemistry is absolutely crackling from the start.
I loved that Roan fell so hard for Aspen and also how Cady melted the rugged , big guy's heart. Child characters can be tricky to write - they can sometimes read as quite stilted or horrendously precocious but Catherine Cowle does this so well.
Cady is adorable and along with Roan's 6yr old nephew , Charlie, they steal every scene they are in. The animals on the farm are very cute too.
[image]
[image]
[image]
This is a romantic suspense so there is some violence. The character development is really good and although each book in the series follows a similar plot line , each couple is different and I have enjoyed every one. If you are a fan of grumpy / sunshine and /or single parent romances then I recommend this one. Of note , Cady is actually Aspen's niece but she has been her guardian since Cady was tiny.
Romance , passion, drama , humour and a storyline that had me hooked. I read this on KU and listened to it on audible. The narration by Maxine Mitchell and Zachary Webber was exemplary. Listening time 10 hours.
Book three in the Lost and Found Series focuses on the only girl , and the youngest , in the Hartley family. Grae has had a c4.5 Grae and Caden Stars
Book three in the Lost and Found Series focuses on the only girl , and the youngest , in the Hartley family. Grae has had a crush on her brother Nash's best friend , Caden. They were always friends and she would tag along with them when they were children. When she is 15 , Grae is with Caden when she collapses and she is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - this is mentioned a lot in the book. Caden has already lost his little sister to cancer and the thought of losing Grae is too much so as soon as he can he leaves Cedar Ridge and travels the world for his family's hotel business (he's very wealthy). Caden and Grae's friendship disintegrates and they fight on the rare occasion they meet up. Caden comes back for a while to Cedar Ridge and between his father's demands and Grae trying to ward off unwanted affections from a male friend , Caden suggests they fake date. Someone is after Grae and as the threat increases they both realise there is nothing fake about their feelings for each other.
I enjoyed the story , never skimmed any pages. The pace of the plot was good. I love this series!
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Fabulous narration by Erin Mallon & Joe Arden. Listening time 8h 30m.
“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when 4.5 Nash and Maddie Stars
“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when I finally realized what that emotion might mean. I loved you when we graduated high school and through college and every day since. Even when you were gone, the echoes of you still lived inside me, and I would play them over and over in my mind just so I wouldn’t lose the sound. I’ve loved you in every incarnation, and that will never end.�
Book two in the Lost and Found Series focuses on Nash , the youngest boy in the Hartley family, and his best friend in the whole world - Maddie (Both mid twenties). Maddie has loved Nash forever but he never 'went there' with her because he was so afraid of messing up their relationship and couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Maddie leaves Cedar Ridge and her best friend to start a relationship with Adam , a tourist she met in town. The book picks up when Maddie returns home having fled that relationship. Domestic Abuse (physical / verbal / emotional) is a theme in this story. Maddie is a lovely heroine. Growing up she has truly awful parents and you can see why Nash and his family must have seemed idyllic to her. When her home situation was unbearable she would go to Nash. When these two reconnect old feelings surface and Nash finally realises he cannot stay away any longer.
Lots of drama and suspense with a strong friends to lovers theme. Lovable characters that you feel invested in.
Each of the Hartley siblings has a book.
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Excellent narration by Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke. Listening time 9h 10m.
"Nothing could keep me from loving you.� Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would 5 Holt and Wren Stars
"Nothing could keep me from loving you.� Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would always find a way back to each other.
My discovery of all books by Catherine Cowles continues with the Lost and Found Series. I really enjoyed the Tattered and Torn series and Holt was a secondary character in that one so I was curious to read his story and I was hooked from the start.
Wren (26) and Holt (28) were best friends from Kindergarten and that became a romantic relationship in their teens. These two are the epitome of soul mates.
Wren is 16 and Holt is 18 when something utterly unthinkable happens and Wren is nearly killed. She slowly recovers and Holt is there but becomes increasingly distant until he finally walks away. Ten years pass and Holt has been in the military and then owns and runs a security company. Holt is from a tight knit family and they are the reason he returns to Cedar Ridge. I felt like he would have come back anyway but an event forces his hand. Wren works in dispatch for the Police Department with two of Holt's brothers who are a Police Officer (Nash) and Chief of Police (Lawson). Wren is also best friends with their sister , Grae , so there is no way these two can avoid each other.
This is a romantic suspense so there are some twists and turns running alongside the rediscovered romance.
I really enjoyed this book. I was really invested in Holt and Wren and the secondary characters are highly entertaining. Small town romances with a close knit family on one side is my kindle catnip. Each of Holt's siblings get a story.
1) Whispers of You (Holt & Wren - Second Chance / Childhood Sweethearts) 2) Echoes of You (Nash & Maddie - Friends to Lovers ) 3) Glimmers of You (Grae & Caden - Brother's Best Friend/ friends>enemies>lovers) 4) Shadows of You (Roan & Aspen - Grumpy -Sunshine/ Single parent) 5) Ashes of You (Lawson & Hallie - Single Dad-Nanny / Age gap).
I read the ebook (borrowed on KU) and I also listened on audible. Superb narration by And Arndt & Zachary Webber. Listening time 9h 17m.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No. Be aware (view spoiler)[ The book opens with Wren being threatened and shot. This is a romantic suspense so there is some violence /threat. (hide spoiler)] ...more
I usually get swept up in Ms Perry’s books from the start but I struggled to get into this one. I shelved it and came back to it 3 Indya & West Stars
I usually get swept up in Ms Perry’s books from the start but I struggled to get into this one. I shelved it and came back to it (I was in the middle of a book slump) and listened to it mainly, which worked well.
West Haven first met Indya Keller when she was 8 and he was 10. He lived on the ranch / resort where the Keller family spent a week or two most Summers. West is made to play with her but resentment soon turns to friendship and as the years pass , it turns to more.
If ever there was a couple where the timing for them was awful , it’s Indy and West. This story covers lots of things and it does set up the series well. I liked all the characters and the use of flashbacks to their childhood was well done.
There is a main theme of a parent with cancer so if that is a difficult topic for you , be aware that it’s a big part of this novel.
I felt there was quite a lot of inner monologue which affected my rating. Ultimately I did enjoy it but I probably would not re read this book.
Childhood friends to adult lovers / small town / rich heroine / Summer romance/ hot cowboy themes.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No. Both have serious relationships with others during their separation but these two are absolute soul mates....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Before Series which picks up where Before We Fall ends but features Miles and Emma.5 Miles and Emma Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Before Series which picks up where Before We Fall ends but features Miles and Emma. We met both of them in the first book, Emma is Miranda's best friend and Godmother to her little boy, Kingston. Miles is Tucker's foster brother and a fellow cop.
Both books have been so good and I cannot wait for Dayton's novel. In this one, Emma and Miles are both a little cautious to get into a relationship , Emma more so. She has recently come out of a three year relationship which ended because they did not want the same things. Miles is a single dad to 7 year old Winter who is a gorgeous little character that brought comedy and lightness to a story with some heavier themes running through it. Emma is a very likeable heroine although I wasn't sure about the complete meltdown she has about their relationship , briefly. I don't know that it fitted very well but it was over pretty quick so it wasn't that big a deal. Miles is a great Hero. He felt more intense than Tucker , his brother and it worked well for him. The slight drama with his ex , Winter's Mum Hazel, was good to read and felt realistic.
This is a great series and I am very invested. There is a serious and dark criminal theme running in the background to the romance which tempers things out.
HEA? Yes. Cheating? No Be aware - Murder / loss of a parent / domestic abuse are themes. Available on KU so I borrowed it but then bought it because I enjoyed it so much. Audio coming out in July 24. ...more
I don't know quite why I am so late to the party with this book. It released in July 2023 and Aurora Rose Reynolds is in my5 Tucker and Miranda Stars
I don't know quite why I am so late to the party with this book. It released in July 2023 and Aurora Rose Reynolds is in my top 5 favourite romance authors with Until November being one (possibly the top) of my go to re read books. Anyway , I have now read Before We Fall and I love it.
[image]
The book opens with our heroine , Miranda (early/mid twenties) , discovering that her husband is having an affair. That immediately caught my interest.
[image]
I do love a book that grabs me from the start and I needed a novel to do that. I was not in the mood for easing gently into something and Ms Reynolds delivered. Miranda is a lovely heroine. She and her Police Officer cheating husband Bowie, have a little boy called Kingston (3), who is adorable. There were moments when I wanted her to get a bit more angry at Bowie - I'm not sure I could have been as cool as Miranda was but it fitted with her character , she is quite reserved and her devastation at Bowie's betrayal was quiet fury rather than a screaming rage.
Naomie , the woman who Bowie cheats with is also married to a Police Officer - Detective Tucker Beckett. Tucker and Miranda meet at the point where both have learnt of the affair and are on the brink of ending things - maybe that is the ultimate slap in the face to both their cheating partners. It was pretty satisfying to read.
This is the first in a new series and Tucker is one of four foster brothers the others being Clay , Miles and Dayton. If you have read the Until Him /Her series , you will have met Clay already as the Hero in Until Willow. Miles's book is the second in the Before Series (Before This Ends. Dayton is going to be getting his own story too. Aurora Rose Reynolds is really good at creating secondary characters that bring a huge amount to the story. The four brothers have an unbreakable bond and although they share many traits they are quite different too. Tucker Beckett is solid, loyal and tough. He's definitely a book Hero that stays in your head and heart. He develops a really good rapport with Kingston which is sweet to read.
There is a backdrop of crime going on - Beckett is a Detective after all (actually he's more than that but all will become clear). That was interesting and sad to read. I enjoyed the suspense of that running parallel to the evolving love story.
I borrowed this on KU but I loved it so much I bought the ebook. I also listened on audiobook - excellent narration by Sorcha Shilling and Ryan Stone. Listening time 7hr 50m.
HEA? Yes Cheating? Not between Miranda and Tucker. They are solid. Be aware - Violent crime / rape are discussed as per the Police investigation.
Good songs for this book are: 'This Kiss' by Faith Hill (Tucker and Miranda) 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You' (Tucker and Miranda) 'My Boy' by Elvie Shane (Tucker and Kingston). 'Keep On Talking' by Texas (Bowie and Naomie) 'Either Way' by Chris Stapleton (Tucker and Naomie) 'We Don't Fight Anymore' by Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton (Bowie and Miranda) ...more
Heroesinbooks
>
Books:
automatic-1-click-author
(449)
Loading...
