en-US Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:31:27 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 59045505 From the author of Whirligig: Longlisted for the CWA JOHN CREASEY NEW BLOOD DAGGER AWARD 2020 and shortlisted for the 2020 BLOODY SCOTLAND MCILVANNEY PRIZE comes the second in the series, The Devil’s Cut.

When a distillery owner’s body is discovered on top of a remote Scottish mountain, forensics confirm that he died of natural causes. DI Corstophine’s concerns are raised, however when the dead man’s eccentric sister receives a message, apparently from beyond the grave.

The police are dismissive until it appears the devil himself is intent on attacking other family members. Why is his daughter kept locked and sedated in her room in the baronial mansion? Who or what is stalking his son as he scatters his father’s ashes on lonely summits? And what insanity is behind the horrific attacks in their small Highland town?

DI Corstophine and his team don’t know what they’re really facing until it’s too late.

The Devil’s Cut is an exploration of what constitutes sanity and how delicate that state really is; how such a perfect emotion as love can completely destroy a man.]]> 320 Andrew James Greig 1912280485 Sally 4 2025-read
Things calmed down after the bone clock murders were solved �� until now. Seemingly unrelated crimes that somehow also seem connected, a wealth of clues but no obvious answers and secret family history and revenge make for another fast-paced, intense, and thrilling read.

The DI Corstorphine Scottish Crime series is a good blend of police procedural and character study and will keep your attention start to finish. I received an advance copy of The Devil’s Cut from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. This is a good series I will be following. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.34
author: Andrew James Greig
name: Sally
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/18
date added: 2025/04/30
shelves: 2025-read
review:
The Devil’s Cut is an exciting continuation of the DI Corstorphine Scottish Crime series by Andrew James Greig. The first book, The Bone Clock, introduced us to Corstorphine and his unusual staff and the solving of a series of gruesome murders. We also learned a bit about Corstorphine the man �� what he’s been through, who he is today, and how very competent he is.

Things calmed down after the bone clock murders were solved �� until now. Seemingly unrelated crimes that somehow also seem connected, a wealth of clues but no obvious answers and secret family history and revenge make for another fast-paced, intense, and thrilling read.

The DI Corstorphine Scottish Crime series is a good blend of police procedural and character study and will keep your attention start to finish. I received an advance copy of The Devil’s Cut from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. This is a good series I will be following. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 231244476 Montana

Momma hadn’t been gone from the world for twenty-four hours before the first letter showed up. Blue paper, folded into an origami heart, left where the writer knew I’d find it. Dealing with my grief, I was able to put it out of my mind until the next one came, then the next. Each one more disturbing than the last. Until I woke up to find one beside me.
He’d watched me sleep.

Only desperation could drive me to ask the man who had fertilized my momma’s egg for help. I preferred to forget him and his existence, just like he had us�� me. But with Momma gone, I had no one, and I needed a safe place to escape—out of this town and away from the stranger who was stalking me.

To say I was shocked that he turned me down would be a lie. I’d expected as much. He’d left me with no choice but to threaten to expose his sins to the God-fearing people of Mississippi who placed him in office. The nineteen-year-old daughter of a stripper he’d knocked up and deserted would know a lot about his transgressions.

However, the two men he sent to get me weren’t what I’d been expecting, but I didn’t really have much of a choice. It was trust the devil I knew or stay and live in fear of the one I didn’t.

Than

Waking up hung over and naked on the sofa of a friend’s house wasn’t out of character for me. Being woken up and told I was being ordered to babysit the Governor’s accidental offspring was another. It wasn’t fair that I’d been handed this task. Why me? I didn’t want to watch some stripper’s daughter who had decided to blackmail the governor. Why didn’t we have the philandering bastard hand over hush money, and then we could put enough fear in her that she kept her mouth shut?

When I didn’t believe it could get any worse, the stripper’s daughter opened the cheap ass motel room door she had been staying in and knocked the wind out of my chest.]]> 324 Abbi Glines Sally 5 2025-read
Hell or High Water is Than Carver’s story, and it’s a good one with many pieces you won’t expect. Than is one of the young men who are part of the Mississippi branch of the mafia “family.�� His own family became part of the Mississippi branch years ago, and he’s pledged his loyalty. He spends his time �� when he’s not indulging his every desire with his rowdy housemates �� between working at the Carver Whiskey family business and doing whatever Mississippi branch leader Linc Shephard tells him to do. Linc’s request �� read demand; there is no refusing �� is unexpected and unpleasant. Babysit a teenager? Really? He pushes back, but Linc is the boss and like I said, there is no refusing.

This teenager is 19-year-old Montana Carrigan. Her mother just died and she’s on her own. Not sure how she’s going to be able to graduate from high school while supporting herself and paying off her mother’s medical bills. Before she died her mother insisted she contact her father �� the man who was never much in her life and never married her mother because he was already married �� for help, but Montana resists. She sells the house, crashes on a friend’s couch temporarily and plans to get a job. She’s received a scholarship to college and believes with careful planning and hard work she’ll be okay. Good plan until someone starts leaving her little blue notes folded up like hearts. Cute and sweet, right? Not so much, because it’s creepy and stalkerish. When her admirer breaks into her friend’s house and leaves a note while she’s sleeping, Montana realizes it’s time to contact her father; she can’t put her friend in danger and if she leaves the anonymous note writer won’t know where she is.

And this is how she winds up with Than Carver �� handsome, heart-stopping, incredibly crude and rude man �� watching her 24/7 in a cabin on Linc’s property. Turns out Montana’s mother’s mystery man is the now Governor of Louisiana, who overlooks a lot of what the Mississippi branch gets up to in exchange for doing whatever he asks, including cleaning up after his many messes. This mess started long ago but could sink his career regardless. What Governor Baskin wants, Governor Baskin gets. And he doesn’t want this daughter of his to cause trouble. What Montana wants: a place to stay and expenses until she finishes high school, just a couple of months. Then she’ll disappear, go to college and never contact Baskin. Naturally nobody trusts her, hence the constant oversight. And Than’s vow that come hell or high water he’ll find something to prove she has bad intentions and force her away. Then he can go back to his old, almost perfect life.

Except �� as one thing leads to another and another, his life starts to change big-time. Did I mention she is as mouth-watering gorgeous as he is heart-stopping handsome? Plus she’s feisty and smart-mouthed even if he is tearing her apart with his rudeness. And the way she dresses? Well, his mind is full of all kinds of thoughts he doesn’t want to have, shouldn’t have, but the more time they spend together the more he starts to feel sorry for her, to think all she wants is that two months. Not good for Than �� he can’t get involved with her, there is no future even if that was what she wanted, and the biggest no-no: he absolutely cannot go again Linc’s orders.

We know where this is going, don’t we? Author Glines takes us on a wild ride to get there. The action is non-stop, the plot is so smooth and just keeps rolling along, all the supporting characters are as fascinating and likeable or irritating as ever, and a steady stream of surprises, including a coincidental connection you’ll never see coming add more depth to the story. And as always, Glines gives us the perfect blend of sweet romance and scorching steam and the violent, gritty danger that is part of being in the family.

I received an advance copy of Hell or High Water. I couldn’t stop turning pages and recommend it without hesitation. I don’t know what talented author Abbi Glines has for us next, but I can’t wait and will be first in line. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.55
author: Abbi Glines
name: Sally
average rating: 4.55
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/29
date added: 2025/04/30
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Abbi Glines is a best-selling author for a reason. Her books are gripping, exciting and addictive. Hell or High Water is Book 5 in her Mississippi Smoke Series. It has all the usual elements that keep pulling me back to her books: non-stop action, danger, unexpected twists and turns, humor, love and heat �� and a peek into the inner workings of the Southern Mafia. I eagerly awaited this book and then I devoured it.

Hell or High Water is Than Carver’s story, and it’s a good one with many pieces you won’t expect. Than is one of the young men who are part of the Mississippi branch of the mafia “family.�� His own family became part of the Mississippi branch years ago, and he’s pledged his loyalty. He spends his time �� when he’s not indulging his every desire with his rowdy housemates �� between working at the Carver Whiskey family business and doing whatever Mississippi branch leader Linc Shephard tells him to do. Linc’s request �� read demand; there is no refusing �� is unexpected and unpleasant. Babysit a teenager? Really? He pushes back, but Linc is the boss and like I said, there is no refusing.

This teenager is 19-year-old Montana Carrigan. Her mother just died and she’s on her own. Not sure how she’s going to be able to graduate from high school while supporting herself and paying off her mother’s medical bills. Before she died her mother insisted she contact her father �� the man who was never much in her life and never married her mother because he was already married �� for help, but Montana resists. She sells the house, crashes on a friend’s couch temporarily and plans to get a job. She’s received a scholarship to college and believes with careful planning and hard work she’ll be okay. Good plan until someone starts leaving her little blue notes folded up like hearts. Cute and sweet, right? Not so much, because it’s creepy and stalkerish. When her admirer breaks into her friend’s house and leaves a note while she’s sleeping, Montana realizes it’s time to contact her father; she can’t put her friend in danger and if she leaves the anonymous note writer won’t know where she is.

And this is how she winds up with Than Carver �� handsome, heart-stopping, incredibly crude and rude man �� watching her 24/7 in a cabin on Linc’s property. Turns out Montana’s mother’s mystery man is the now Governor of Louisiana, who overlooks a lot of what the Mississippi branch gets up to in exchange for doing whatever he asks, including cleaning up after his many messes. This mess started long ago but could sink his career regardless. What Governor Baskin wants, Governor Baskin gets. And he doesn’t want this daughter of his to cause trouble. What Montana wants: a place to stay and expenses until she finishes high school, just a couple of months. Then she’ll disappear, go to college and never contact Baskin. Naturally nobody trusts her, hence the constant oversight. And Than’s vow that come hell or high water he’ll find something to prove she has bad intentions and force her away. Then he can go back to his old, almost perfect life.

Except �� as one thing leads to another and another, his life starts to change big-time. Did I mention she is as mouth-watering gorgeous as he is heart-stopping handsome? Plus she’s feisty and smart-mouthed even if he is tearing her apart with his rudeness. And the way she dresses? Well, his mind is full of all kinds of thoughts he doesn’t want to have, shouldn’t have, but the more time they spend together the more he starts to feel sorry for her, to think all she wants is that two months. Not good for Than �� he can’t get involved with her, there is no future even if that was what she wanted, and the biggest no-no: he absolutely cannot go again Linc’s orders.

We know where this is going, don’t we? Author Glines takes us on a wild ride to get there. The action is non-stop, the plot is so smooth and just keeps rolling along, all the supporting characters are as fascinating and likeable or irritating as ever, and a steady stream of surprises, including a coincidental connection you’ll never see coming add more depth to the story. And as always, Glines gives us the perfect blend of sweet romance and scorching steam and the violent, gritty danger that is part of being in the family.

I received an advance copy of Hell or High Water. I couldn’t stop turning pages and recommend it without hesitation. I don’t know what talented author Abbi Glines has for us next, but I can’t wait and will be first in line. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 221251814 The power to be seen. The power to be heard. The power to be adored. . .

A woman's life is forever changed by a mysterious perfume in this stunning novel about ambition and untapped desire from the New York Times bestselling author of Ghosts of Harvard.

Reeling from a breakup and overlooked at her job as a lighting designer, Iris Sunnegren finds herself stuck, disconnected, and lonely in crowded New York City. Her wealthy friends are married and having babies, while she’s trying to pay for freezing her eggs. And the future she longs for feels out of reach.

Then, a mysterious neighbor, an older Frenchwoman, makes her a a bespoke perfume.

One spritz, a dab behind the ears, and Iris is a different woman. Suddenly, she is the object of every man’s desire, and she can satisfy her own hungers for sex, love, and ambition. She can cast off her inhibitions and use her newfound allure to dazzle��the high-profile client, attract a man who excites her like no other, and access all the rarified spaces that once excluded her.��Under the perfume’s heady spell, Iris embodies her maximum power—a flower fully bloomed.

But there is danger in connecting to our primal emotions. Scent awakens buried memories, and nightmares of the childhood house fire she barely survived return to haunt her. As Iris ventures deeper into the glamorous and male-dominated worlds of New York real estate, dimly-lit steakhouses, and beachfront mansions in the Hamptons, she finds herself getting closer to unspeakable truths—about the people she trusted, about the people she loved, and about the new circle of power-players that invited her in.

A sensual and seductive novel set among the upper echelons of New York City, Full Bloom is at once a poignant story of becoming and a riveting mystery that Who are you without your inhibitions? Does being wanted get what you want, or will you be devoured by desire?]]> 416 Francesca Serritella 0525510397 Sally 0 to-read 4.41
author: Francesca Serritella
name: Sally
average rating: 4.41
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/29
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 230236160 In sports, there are rules. In love? All bets are off.

Out of Bounds delivers powerful athletes who meet their matches in the most unexpected places. A professional soccer player willing to sacrifice everything to protect the woman who once broke his heart. A steamy one-night stand becomes a forbidden campus affair that could destroy futures. And a broken champion finds healing in the one woman who won't let him give up on himself.

Prepare for stories that will leave you breathless—with alpha heroes who learn that true strength is measured off the field, and heroines who prove that love is the biggest game-changer of all.

Three complete novels. Three forbidden romances. One explosive collection.

Titles
Forging Passion
Forging Glory
Forging Legacy
Forging Chaos]]> 691 Lainey Davis Sally 5 2025-read
Out of Bounds is a collection of the prequel and the first three books in the Stag Brothers Forging Series by author Lainey Davis. This is your opportunity to meet and enjoy these talented athletes along with all their cousins and extended family. And the equally talented, powerful women they can’t resist. If you get the chance to listen to the audiobook version, do not hesitate �� put your earbuds in and start listening at once! Voice actors Janine Granda and Bryant Walker bring the characters to life in each and every story. They are so good: both of them make all the characters different and unique �� and perfect. Granada is strong and feisty but also does a great whine and can sound so stressed you want to comfort her. Walker is young, confident, almost annoyingly cocky but then skillfully slides right into remorse and regret and insecurity.

Forging Passion is Wes and Cara’s meet-cute and the perfect introduction to the series. You will be delighted to meet the extended Stag family. A loud, raucous group, full of rowdy, rambunctious current and former athletes, lawyers, doctors, businesspeople. The brothers are cocky, self-confident, love to party and can be crude. But their parents have all instilled a deep sense of family loyalty, drive, hard work, pride, respect, care and consideration towards others �� and manners. There are rules, including rules for safe sexy times, and all the brothers and cousins follow them. They are a family you want to be part of.

Forging Glory continues Wes and Cara’s story. Lainey Davis shows that not only can she write one heck of a sexy love story, but she can also tackle the tough subjects as well. She addresses predators, abuse of power, deceit, and actions that until now have had no consequences and surrounds it all with her usual riveting dialogue, funny scenes, intriguing characters and steamy romance.

Forging Legacy is Wyatt and Fern’s story, and is an entertaining, satisfying story about dreams, family, facing adversity, doing what’s right, and then finally letting yourself do what feels right, too. An very pleasant first meeting followed by a surprising second meeting followed by sweet, sexy romance and much-needed mutual support make for a wonderful story.

Forging Chaos is Odin and Thora’s story and centers on disappointment and moving on. It’s sweet and spicy and satisfying. There are misunderstandings and setbacks and hurt feelings but what’s between them feels like it could be something special. Odin practically reveres Thora but doesn’t always pick the right way to show it; Thora is unsure: yes, she’s smart but what does she have to offer someone with a life like his? I laughed out loud, I needed a tissue a few times and I just sat back and enjoyed the journey with these two terrific people and their intriguing, sometimes wonderful, sometimes not so much, friends and family.

Listen to Out of Bounds �� you will love it!! Check out my individual reviews in all the usual places, and then hurry up and read Playing for Keeps, the next book in this terrific series. Go to the author’s website for bonus scenes. I received an advanced listening copy of Out of Bounds from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.78
author: Lainey Davis
name: Sally
average rating: 4.78
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/25
date added: 2025/04/29
shelves: 2025-read
review:
“Love doesn’t follow the rules of the game.��

Out of Bounds is a collection of the prequel and the first three books in the Stag Brothers Forging Series by author Lainey Davis. This is your opportunity to meet and enjoy these talented athletes along with all their cousins and extended family. And the equally talented, powerful women they can’t resist. If you get the chance to listen to the audiobook version, do not hesitate �� put your earbuds in and start listening at once! Voice actors Janine Granda and Bryant Walker bring the characters to life in each and every story. They are so good: both of them make all the characters different and unique �� and perfect. Granada is strong and feisty but also does a great whine and can sound so stressed you want to comfort her. Walker is young, confident, almost annoyingly cocky but then skillfully slides right into remorse and regret and insecurity.

Forging Passion is Wes and Cara’s meet-cute and the perfect introduction to the series. You will be delighted to meet the extended Stag family. A loud, raucous group, full of rowdy, rambunctious current and former athletes, lawyers, doctors, businesspeople. The brothers are cocky, self-confident, love to party and can be crude. But their parents have all instilled a deep sense of family loyalty, drive, hard work, pride, respect, care and consideration towards others �� and manners. There are rules, including rules for safe sexy times, and all the brothers and cousins follow them. They are a family you want to be part of.

Forging Glory continues Wes and Cara’s story. Lainey Davis shows that not only can she write one heck of a sexy love story, but she can also tackle the tough subjects as well. She addresses predators, abuse of power, deceit, and actions that until now have had no consequences and surrounds it all with her usual riveting dialogue, funny scenes, intriguing characters and steamy romance.

Forging Legacy is Wyatt and Fern’s story, and is an entertaining, satisfying story about dreams, family, facing adversity, doing what’s right, and then finally letting yourself do what feels right, too. An very pleasant first meeting followed by a surprising second meeting followed by sweet, sexy romance and much-needed mutual support make for a wonderful story.

Forging Chaos is Odin and Thora’s story and centers on disappointment and moving on. It’s sweet and spicy and satisfying. There are misunderstandings and setbacks and hurt feelings but what’s between them feels like it could be something special. Odin practically reveres Thora but doesn’t always pick the right way to show it; Thora is unsure: yes, she’s smart but what does she have to offer someone with a life like his? I laughed out loud, I needed a tissue a few times and I just sat back and enjoyed the journey with these two terrific people and their intriguing, sometimes wonderful, sometimes not so much, friends and family.

Listen to Out of Bounds �� you will love it!! Check out my individual reviews in all the usual places, and then hurry up and read Playing for Keeps, the next book in this terrific series. Go to the author’s website for bonus scenes. I received an advanced listening copy of Out of Bounds from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 199416860 My only dream was going pro...until she blazed back into my life.

Cara Moreno - my biggest regret - just signed with the women's soccer team in my city. I tell myself to keep my distance...but I can't stay away.

She says the most powerful man in the sport is set on destroying her career. That behind closed doors, he's hurting her and everything she's worked for.

I doubted her once before and rejected her. Now, I'll do anything to make things right and protect what’s ours.

Exposing the truth means risking my career. But how can I chase my dreams knowing hers are slipping away?

With both our futures on the line, I’m ready to risk it all and expose the truth. Losing her once was devastating enough. I won't let her down a second time.

What we share is electric, and protecting her feels worth any sacrifice. This time, I'll fight for her trust…and hopefully her heart.

A high-stakes, sizzling sports romance, Forging Glory delivers courage, second chances, and a fight for love against all odds.]]> 224 Lainey Davis 1957145366 Sally 5 2025-read Forging Glory, the first book in the Stag Brothers Forging series. Forging Glory picks up right where Forging Passion, the series prequel, left off. Wes has just seen Cara in what looks like a mutually cozy position with a high-powered executive and he makes the logical conclusion: the shared closeness they experience the night before was in his mind only; she’s really just a fickle party girl and he harshly rejects her overtures at friendship from that point on. Well, that conclusion might have seemed logical in the moment, but it was small-minded and unfair.

Lou Rubeo gives off pervy vibes the first and every subsequent time we see him. He’s a powerful man, the president of Soccer USA, who uses his power and position to intimidate, threaten and assault young female players. He’s a predator, plain and simple, but his title and the authority it carries wrap a thick layer of protection around him. Cara wasn’t even sure who he was when he first approached her, wrapping his arm around her, touching her face, all without invitation or consent. Wes’s aunt Lucy is Cara’s coach, and when Cara finally finds the courage to share her story with Lucy and when Lucy raises the issue higher, Lucy is demoted and then fired.

It's at this point Wes finds out just how wrong his “logical�� conclusion was. He is appalled, at those in power pulling the strings but mostly at himself. He’s ashamed, saddened at how he misjudged and hurt Lucy and vows to make things right, even if she will never trust him again and the promise of what might be never comes true.

Author Davis masterfully takes this thread of abuse of power, deceit, and actions that until now have had no consequences and surrounds it with her usual riveting dialogue, funny scenes, intriguing characters and steamy romance. When Cara and the women’s team decide to fight back Wes stands at her side, but will he be able to continue standing there if it comes down to a choice between his career and the woman he loves?

Forging Glory is a wonderful read. It has it all: more time with the loyal, supportive, strong, welcoming Stag family, a couple who must absolutely end up together, a lot of humor, a lot of heat. This is a series you do not want to miss. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.98 2023
author: Lainey Davis
name: Sally
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/25
date added: 2025/04/29
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Lainey Davis writes one heck of a sexy love story, but she also never hesitates to tackle the tough subjects. The Stag family is tough, too, and we’ll see just how much so in
Forging Glory, the first book in the Stag Brothers Forging series. Forging Glory picks up right where Forging Passion, the series prequel, left off. Wes has just seen Cara in what looks like a mutually cozy position with a high-powered executive and he makes the logical conclusion: the shared closeness they experience the night before was in his mind only; she’s really just a fickle party girl and he harshly rejects her overtures at friendship from that point on. Well, that conclusion might have seemed logical in the moment, but it was small-minded and unfair.

Lou Rubeo gives off pervy vibes the first and every subsequent time we see him. He’s a powerful man, the president of Soccer USA, who uses his power and position to intimidate, threaten and assault young female players. He’s a predator, plain and simple, but his title and the authority it carries wrap a thick layer of protection around him. Cara wasn’t even sure who he was when he first approached her, wrapping his arm around her, touching her face, all without invitation or consent. Wes’s aunt Lucy is Cara’s coach, and when Cara finally finds the courage to share her story with Lucy and when Lucy raises the issue higher, Lucy is demoted and then fired.

It's at this point Wes finds out just how wrong his “logical�� conclusion was. He is appalled, at those in power pulling the strings but mostly at himself. He’s ashamed, saddened at how he misjudged and hurt Lucy and vows to make things right, even if she will never trust him again and the promise of what might be never comes true.

Author Davis masterfully takes this thread of abuse of power, deceit, and actions that until now have had no consequences and surrounds it with her usual riveting dialogue, funny scenes, intriguing characters and steamy romance. When Cara and the women’s team decide to fight back Wes stands at her side, but will he be able to continue standing there if it comes down to a choice between his career and the woman he loves?

Forging Glory is a wonderful read. It has it all: more time with the loyal, supportive, strong, welcoming Stag family, a couple who must absolutely end up together, a lot of humor, a lot of heat. This is a series you do not want to miss. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 199416562 82 Lainey Davis 1957145358 Sally 5
When Wes and Cara meet they are both on the way to soccer camp in California. Wes has just quit school without telling his parents first. They support his soccer dreams but want him to secure his education first and worry about an old back injury. Cara’s parents aren’t supportive at all; in fact, they think she should stop wasting her time doing something that will make her undesirable to any prospective husband. They’re both firm in their decision, however. When Wes picks up her bag by mistake on the airport security conveyer belt he’s his usual flirty, won’t-shut-up self, but she’s not impressed, although she is a little stunned by his gorgeous face and body and a little confused about the pull she feels toward him. He’s delighted to find the crabby beautiful woman from the security line as his seatmate. They connect instantly �� about everything, especially their shared skill and dedication to securing a career in soccer �� and spend an amazing night together. They’re in agreement that this should be a one-night thing, although if they both didn’t have so much going on, if they weren’t so focused on getting to the pros . . . who knows what could happen?

When Wes wakes up alone he’s disappointed and is torn between sticking to their agreement and chasing her down to get her number. Until he turns a corner and sees her with an executive from the Soccer USA national team staff. The look Wes gives Cara is confused, pained, and then carefully blank. What did he miss? Is his maybe-forever-girl really just a party girl?

Forging Passion is just the right length for a prequel novella and leaves you hanging with just enough uncertainty to want to immediately dive into the first book in the series, Forging Glory. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.02
author: Lainey Davis
name: Sally
average rating: 4.02
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/24
date added: 2025/04/29
shelves:
review:
Forging Passion is the perfect introduction to the Stag Brothers Forging series by author Lainey Davis. If you haven’t already met them, you will be delighted to meet the extended Stag family. A loud, raucous group, full of rowdy, rambunctious current and former athletes, lawyers, doctors, businesspeople. The brothers are cocky, self-confident, love to party and can be crude. But their parents have all instilled a deep sense of family loyalty, drive, hard work, pride, respect, care and consideration towards others �� and manners. There are rules, including rules for safe sexy times, and all the brothers and cousins follow them. They are a family you want to be part of.

When Wes and Cara meet they are both on the way to soccer camp in California. Wes has just quit school without telling his parents first. They support his soccer dreams but want him to secure his education first and worry about an old back injury. Cara’s parents aren’t supportive at all; in fact, they think she should stop wasting her time doing something that will make her undesirable to any prospective husband. They’re both firm in their decision, however. When Wes picks up her bag by mistake on the airport security conveyer belt he’s his usual flirty, won’t-shut-up self, but she’s not impressed, although she is a little stunned by his gorgeous face and body and a little confused about the pull she feels toward him. He’s delighted to find the crabby beautiful woman from the security line as his seatmate. They connect instantly �� about everything, especially their shared skill and dedication to securing a career in soccer �� and spend an amazing night together. They’re in agreement that this should be a one-night thing, although if they both didn’t have so much going on, if they weren’t so focused on getting to the pros . . . who knows what could happen?

When Wes wakes up alone he’s disappointed and is torn between sticking to their agreement and chasing her down to get her number. Until he turns a corner and sees her with an executive from the Soccer USA national team staff. The look Wes gives Cara is confused, pained, and then carefully blank. What did he miss? Is his maybe-forever-girl really just a party girl?

Forging Passion is just the right length for a prequel novella and leaves you hanging with just enough uncertainty to want to immediately dive into the first book in the series, Forging Glory. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 222376586 All This Could Be Yours. In a different city every night, Tessa receives standing ovations from adoring fans while her husband Henry and their two children cheer her on from their brand-new dream house.

But there's a chilling problem with Tessa's triumphant book tour—she soon realizes she is being stalked by someone who's obsessed not only with sabotaging her career, but also with destroying her perfect family back home.

Tessa fears the fallout from an impossible decision she once made—what felt like a genuine deal with the devil—appears to be coming due. And she’s realizing that every high-stakes bargain comes with a high-stakes price. If Tessa can't untangle who's threatening to expose her darkest secrets, she'll lose her career, her family—and possibly her life.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]> 368 Hank Phillippi Ryan 1250349990 Sally 0 to-read 5.00
author: Hank Phillippi Ryan
name: Sally
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/29
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217388042 She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?

Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies―good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates―The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!―it’s a break too big to pass up.

Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone―much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.�� Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script―it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter―even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules―and comes true?]]> 352 Katherine Center 1250382823 Sally 0 to-read 4.17 2024
author: Katherine Center
name: Sally
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/28
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 211332384 The stunning conclusion to the bestselling Filthy Rich Vampires series��

As Thea takes her place as queen with Julian by her side, their world splinters. A new game of deceit begins between factions vying for control. Power is the prize, and Thea and Julian are caught in the middle of it. Targeted by the Vampire Council, the Mordicum, and their families, they soon discover an even deadlier threat to their future.

Someone killed the queen on whose throne Thea now occupies, and time is running out to find the murderer before they strike again.

In this stunning fourth book in the bestselling Filthy Rich Vampires series, magic returns to a dying world with devastating consequences.

The Filthy Rich Vampires series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading
Book #1 Filthy Rich Vampire
Book #2 Second Rite
Book #3 Three Queens
Book #4 For Eternity]]> 495 Geneva Lee 164937772X Sally 5 2025-read 4.01 2023
author: Geneva Lee
name: Sally
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/27
date added: 2025/04/27
shelves: 2025-read
review:

]]> 198471315 “You made a bargain...
Your soul for his—and now, you are mine.��

Cate Holloway knows the unspoken rule of New avoid the powerful Gage crime family at all costs. Of course, that was before her brother got caught in their chaos. Now

Cate has no choice but to confront the dark and forbidding prince of New Orleans himself and beg for her brother’s life.

But Lachlan Gage is as lethal as he is beautiful…and the only currency he’s interested in is her soul.

Because Lachlan isn’t just some ruthless criminal. He’s fae. And he has his own secret reasons for binding her to him.

Tricked and desperate, Cate is torn between humanity and the breathtaking Otherworld. A place filled with shadows and secrets, with members of each fae court plotting against her just as her captor’s motives for trapping her become more mysterious.

And if she can’t break this sinister bargain in the next thirty days, she’ll be bound to the inscrutable yet infuriatingly tempting fae prince and his deadly world…forever.]]> 409 Geneva Lee 1649375786 Sally 0 currently-reading 4.14 2024
author: Geneva Lee
name: Sally
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/27
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 215951585
As a chart-topping country singer, I’m living the dream.

While my family is all back in Austin, embracing their happily-ever-afters, I’m on the road on a sold-out tour.

I should feel ecstatic, yet all I am is lonely.

Maybe that’s why I find myself drawn to a fan who pops up at one of my shows.

Something about the way he watches me on stage has me thinking…he knows my secret.

And after the first kiss, I can’t seem to let him go.

But Jensen Miles has some secrets of his own:

He isn’t just a regular fan. He’s a preacher.

And not just any preacher—the new preacher at my dad’s church.

Where I come from, preachers don’t have filthy mouths and dirty hookups, let alone with a male country singer.

But Jensen has scars like mine. They just run deeper.

We can’t stay away from each other, though. One night turns into nearly every city of the tour; the two of us sneak around backstage, onto tour buses, and in hotel rooms.

And while I’ve never been happier…I’m tired of hiding.

With Jensen, I might be able to escape the monsters from my past—even if the scariest one has just been set free.

With Jensen, we can outrun our demons together.

With Jensen, I’m finally ready to come home.]]> 434 Sara Cate Sally 5 2025-read
Isaac Goode grew up in a god-fearing house. The god he was taught was one to be feared: harsh, unforgiving, punishing. The youngest of four sons, his father was a fire-and-brimstone preacher, demanding and violent. His mother tried to protect him as best she could, but she was powerless herself. Several things happened that led Isaac to where he is today, the chart-topping country singer Theo Virgil: after a particular display of cruelty at his father’s hand, Isaac ran away. Eventually his father fell from grace, lost his church, went ot prison. His parents divorced. And Isaac was left lost and lonely and resentful despite his growing fame and fortune, in touch with only one of his brothers.

Jensen Miles is a pastor himself. ironically, the pastor who replaced Isaac’s father. Jensen is popular in his church, talented, dedicated with a strong faith �� and a big secret. He, too, was punished growing up, but in a more subtle way. His mother “encouraged�� him to join Eternal Harmony, which she described as a youth group that would strengthen his faith and allow him to serve his community. What Eternal Harmony really was �� and is �� is a mind control organization for young people following the “wrong�� path, with wicked thoughts, desires, and actions. They preach, force feed, demand that you can overcome your bad instincts; you just have to be strong, not weak �� or you will burn forever. The result most often is an individual like Jensen, someone with a good heart, caring and with a lot to give but who lives with a constant battle raging within their soul.

Author Cate wraps a tender, sweet, hopeful, heartwarming love story around all this pain and conflict. From the moment their eyes lock while Theo/Isaac is on stage and Jensen is in the audience at a Phoenix concert, there is a powerful bond between them. That doesn’t mean that all is sunshine and roses, happily drive off into the future; there are major obstacles to overcome, but they slowly discover this is more than mere attraction; their souls are in tune, one strong when the other is weak, providing just what the other needs just when they need it.

Jensen and Isaac experience interference and threats from outside parties, conflict, misunderstanding, fear, rejection, heartbreak. Nothing is easy. Isaac yearns to return home but that’s complicated. Jensen loves serving his church, but if he has to choose . . . . Mistrust and anger from the Goode brothers towards the new pastor who replaced their father, and Isacc’s surprise and hurt when he discovers just who Jensen is cause choices, decisions and displays of emotion that may be smoothed over or may not. Family is important, but not all family rallies round. Redemption for some characters comes a little too late; some won’t change because of their own fears or stubbornness, their hatred towards a way of life that is not what they believe proper. It’s a hard lesson that not everyone can or will change, even when faced with the permanent loss of a relationship.

Through it all author Sara Cate expertly moves the story along with well-chosen words, a smoothly paced plot, characters that are well-developed and multi-dimensional and enough intrigue and suspense and action to keep you interested until the very end. A Prodigal Son was a truly satisfying read, perfectly balancing the hard topics and hard people with the wonderful characters at the center of it all. I received an advance copy of The Prodigal Son. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.62 2025
author: Sara Cate
name: Sally
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/15
date added: 2025/04/26
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I came in at the tail end of author Sara Cate’s Goode Brothers series and I know I will go back and read the first three books, but I have a feeling that Isaac and Jensen’s story would have been my favorite anyway. The Prodigal Son addresses some sensitive, controversial, often shocking and eye-opening topics head-on; author Cate pulls no punches. The cruel things that are done in the name of love or religion or just from a thoughtless, misguided belief that someone else knows what’s good for you have no limit, it seems. And those cruel things are often done by those who should always have your back, who should love you unconditionally. Jensen and Isaac’s upbringings and youth were very different, but the scars inflicted upon them were very similar. Now they are just two good men seeking answers, not wanting to feel shame or rejection or guilt, just wanting to feel safe, accepted, unjudged and loved.

Isaac Goode grew up in a god-fearing house. The god he was taught was one to be feared: harsh, unforgiving, punishing. The youngest of four sons, his father was a fire-and-brimstone preacher, demanding and violent. His mother tried to protect him as best she could, but she was powerless herself. Several things happened that led Isaac to where he is today, the chart-topping country singer Theo Virgil: after a particular display of cruelty at his father’s hand, Isaac ran away. Eventually his father fell from grace, lost his church, went ot prison. His parents divorced. And Isaac was left lost and lonely and resentful despite his growing fame and fortune, in touch with only one of his brothers.

Jensen Miles is a pastor himself. ironically, the pastor who replaced Isaac’s father. Jensen is popular in his church, talented, dedicated with a strong faith �� and a big secret. He, too, was punished growing up, but in a more subtle way. His mother “encouraged�� him to join Eternal Harmony, which she described as a youth group that would strengthen his faith and allow him to serve his community. What Eternal Harmony really was �� and is �� is a mind control organization for young people following the “wrong�� path, with wicked thoughts, desires, and actions. They preach, force feed, demand that you can overcome your bad instincts; you just have to be strong, not weak �� or you will burn forever. The result most often is an individual like Jensen, someone with a good heart, caring and with a lot to give but who lives with a constant battle raging within their soul.

Author Cate wraps a tender, sweet, hopeful, heartwarming love story around all this pain and conflict. From the moment their eyes lock while Theo/Isaac is on stage and Jensen is in the audience at a Phoenix concert, there is a powerful bond between them. That doesn’t mean that all is sunshine and roses, happily drive off into the future; there are major obstacles to overcome, but they slowly discover this is more than mere attraction; their souls are in tune, one strong when the other is weak, providing just what the other needs just when they need it.

Jensen and Isaac experience interference and threats from outside parties, conflict, misunderstanding, fear, rejection, heartbreak. Nothing is easy. Isaac yearns to return home but that’s complicated. Jensen loves serving his church, but if he has to choose . . . . Mistrust and anger from the Goode brothers towards the new pastor who replaced their father, and Isacc’s surprise and hurt when he discovers just who Jensen is cause choices, decisions and displays of emotion that may be smoothed over or may not. Family is important, but not all family rallies round. Redemption for some characters comes a little too late; some won’t change because of their own fears or stubbornness, their hatred towards a way of life that is not what they believe proper. It’s a hard lesson that not everyone can or will change, even when faced with the permanent loss of a relationship.

Through it all author Sara Cate expertly moves the story along with well-chosen words, a smoothly paced plot, characters that are well-developed and multi-dimensional and enough intrigue and suspense and action to keep you interested until the very end. A Prodigal Son was a truly satisfying read, perfectly balancing the hard topics and hard people with the wonderful characters at the center of it all. I received an advance copy of The Prodigal Son. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 217454945 A brilliant but solitary teenager must unlock ciphers, unearth buried clues, and reckon with the outside world as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, puzzle-filled mystery.

“A must-read for fans of puzzle books and intelligent suspense.”—Meg Shaffer, bestselling author of The Wishing Game and The Lost Story

“A delight for readers who enjoy sifting through clues and poring over evidence alongside the hero, racing to see which of you can crack the mystery first.”—Ernest Cline, bestselling author of Ready Player One

Seventeen-year-old Arizona’s favorite things include cryptography, geocaching, the writings of Jules Verne—and exploring the Sierra Nevadas on her Russian Ural motorcycle, with her dog Mojo riding shotgun in his sidecar.

She’s not, in other words, your average teenager.

So when she learns her mother’s been kidnapped and finds a cryptic test accompanying the ransom note, she’s not just horrified—but electrified. Solving puzzles and cracking codes are what she does best, and she knows exactly how to tackle the challenge the kidnappers are dangling in front of her.

What she doesn’t yet realize is that she’s been enlisted in a treasure hunt, on the trail of an occult, centuries-old secret her father supposedly took to his grave. And if the prize at the end is real, it could shake the world.

As Arizona chases the truth through fiendish puzzles and ancient texts, unearthing clues both buried underground and hiding in plain sight in the Western landscape, she’s forced to navigate the outside world in ways she never has before―and begins to forge connections she never dreamed she could.

Featuring an indomitable young heroine and a plot that ingeniously weaves together real facts into a treasure hunt of epic proportions, The Language of the Birds is an irresistibly quirky, endlessly surprising adventure that will leave readers wondering where the truth ends and fiction begins.

]]> 352 K.A. Merson 0593874536 Sally 0 currently-reading 4.00 2025
author: K.A. Merson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/25
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 217582928 A brilliant and bloody examination of the axe's foundational role in human history, from prehistoric violence, to war and executions, to newspaper headlines and popular culture.

For as long as the axe has been in our hands, we have used it to kill.

Much like the wheel, the boat, and the telephone, the axe is a transformative piece of technology—one that has been with us since prehistory. And just as early humans used the axe to chop down trees, hunt for food, and whittle tools, they also used it to murder. Over time, this particular use has as the axe evolved over centuries to fit the needs of new agricultural, architectural, and social development, so have our lethal uses for it.

Whack Job is the story of the axe, first as a convenient danger and then an anachronism, as told through the murders it has been employed in throughout from the first axe murder nearly half a million years ago, to the brutal harnessing of the axe in warfare, to its use in King Henry VIII's favorite method of execution, to Lizzie Borden and the birth of modern pop culture. Whack Job sheds brilliant light on this familiar implement, this most human of weapons. This is a critical examination of violence, an exploration of how technology shapes human conflict, the cruel and sacred rituals of execution and battle, and the ways humanity fits even the most savage impulses into narratives of the past and present.]]> 262 Rachel McCarthy James 1250276748 Sally 0 currently-reading 3.00
author: Rachel McCarthy James
name: Sally
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/25
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 228893906 She’s sunlight in human form. He’s spent his life in the shadows.

Betsy

I’ve spent my life caring for others—easing pain, offering comfort, healing wounds no one else wants to touch. But mine? They’ve stayed buried deep, hidden beneath humor and smiles. When George died, something inside me broke. And falling for a man who’d lost his memory only reminded me how dangerous it was to love someone you couldn’t fully know. Now, I pour everything into my work as a nurse�� until Dr. Gabriel Stone shows up, cloaked in secrets, and starts chipping away at the walls I swore I’d never lower again.

Gabriel
Grief sent me running. Away from home, away from guilt, away from everything I couldn’t fix. But then I met Betsy Westbrook. She’s sunlight in human form—too bright, too good, and far too tempting for a man who’s done as much damage as I have. Every moment with her feels like grace I haven’t earned. And I know that if I let her in, I’ll want more. Too much more.

The fourth installment in the beloved Midnight Stars Saga, When Stars Dance at Midnight is a heart-stirring American historical romance set against the backdrop of postwar 1940s New England. Rich with emotion, tender moments, and second chances, this unforgettable love story explores the healing power of compassion, the resilience of the human spirit, and the quiet strength found in love after loss. Perfect for fans of clean wartime romance, emotionally layered characters, and sweeping family sagas that linger long after the final page.]]> 257 Tess Thompson 196028889X Sally 5 2025-read
Betsy and Gabriel’s first encounter is no meet-cute. They both want the last available copy of a book in the local bookstore and Gabriel is incredibly rude and dismissive. Betsy is happy to finally get the book, and also happy that she’ll never have to see that unpleasant man again.

Not so fast. There’s a new doctor at the hospital where Betsy is a nurse, and Dr. Stone is none other than Gabriel the Rude Bookstore Guy. He’s just as pompous and insulting as ever and makes it clear that he’s the doctor and she’s “just�� the nurse and when (or if) he wants Nurse Westbrook’s opinion or advice he’ll ask for it.

Great start, but even with the abrasive personality Betsy is surprisingly drawn to him. And the feeling is mutual. Neither has any desire to enter into a relationship, though. Gabriel’s wife died under tragic circumstances and everything he thought he knew about his marriage proved false. Betsy’s adopted brother George died in the war and she’s still grieving, and her attempt at romance during the war abruptly, humiliatingly ended and left her doubting her judgement and the wisdom in opening herself up and trusting again. Neither Betsy nor Gabriel did anything wrong or could have prevented what happened to them, but they are “love-shy�� nonetheless.

As they continue to work together, however, the attraction grows and Gabriel begins to soften and wonder if maybe he really isn’t the cold, cruel, aloof man his father was, if there could be more to his life than loneliness. Betsy is sometimes annoyingly overconfident on the outside, compensating for the insecurity and hurt on the inside, but as Gabriel begins to value and seek her opinion she starts to blossom and hope what’s happening between them can continue to grow.

Author Tess Thompson has done her usually excellent job with When Stars Dance at Midnight. It’s full of characters you can’t help but love and admire, a story with a lot of fun and romance but also serious situations addressed sensitively. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I look forward to whatever Tess Thompson writes next. I received an advance copy of When Stars Dance at Midnight as a member of the author’s ARC team. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.86
author: Tess Thompson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.86
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/20
date added: 2025/04/24
shelves: 2025-read
review:
The Midnight Stars Saga is such a wonderful series, and When Stars Dance at Midnight continues the reading pleasure. This is Betsy and Gabriel’s story, taking place in 1947 in Greenwich, Connecticut, Betsy’s hometown. World War II is finally over and life is returning to normal. Normal is a relative term, though, and some wounds take longer to heal �� or may never heal.

Betsy and Gabriel’s first encounter is no meet-cute. They both want the last available copy of a book in the local bookstore and Gabriel is incredibly rude and dismissive. Betsy is happy to finally get the book, and also happy that she’ll never have to see that unpleasant man again.

Not so fast. There’s a new doctor at the hospital where Betsy is a nurse, and Dr. Stone is none other than Gabriel the Rude Bookstore Guy. He’s just as pompous and insulting as ever and makes it clear that he’s the doctor and she’s “just�� the nurse and when (or if) he wants Nurse Westbrook’s opinion or advice he’ll ask for it.

Great start, but even with the abrasive personality Betsy is surprisingly drawn to him. And the feeling is mutual. Neither has any desire to enter into a relationship, though. Gabriel’s wife died under tragic circumstances and everything he thought he knew about his marriage proved false. Betsy’s adopted brother George died in the war and she’s still grieving, and her attempt at romance during the war abruptly, humiliatingly ended and left her doubting her judgement and the wisdom in opening herself up and trusting again. Neither Betsy nor Gabriel did anything wrong or could have prevented what happened to them, but they are “love-shy�� nonetheless.

As they continue to work together, however, the attraction grows and Gabriel begins to soften and wonder if maybe he really isn’t the cold, cruel, aloof man his father was, if there could be more to his life than loneliness. Betsy is sometimes annoyingly overconfident on the outside, compensating for the insecurity and hurt on the inside, but as Gabriel begins to value and seek her opinion she starts to blossom and hope what’s happening between them can continue to grow.

Author Tess Thompson has done her usually excellent job with When Stars Dance at Midnight. It’s full of characters you can’t help but love and admire, a story with a lot of fun and romance but also serious situations addressed sensitively. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I look forward to whatever Tess Thompson writes next. I received an advance copy of When Stars Dance at Midnight as a member of the author’s ARC team. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 224038175 At least I didn’t fall on my patootie.

That’s what I keep telling myself when the box of supplies I’m carrying crashes to the floor. When the sexiest man in a suit to set foot in my place of employment finds me scrounging on the ground for markers and gluesticks. When he holds out a hand to help me to my feet, and his touch sends a shiver through me, just like in the movies.

It’s only when he shows up to the toddler class I teach that I learn how wrong we are for each other.

He’s more stoic than the statue of our town’s founder; I cry at commercials. He’s moved upstate from Manhattan; I returned to my small town roots after my big city relationship fell apart. He’s a grieving widower with two adorable kids; there’s a ninety-nine point nine percent chance that I’ll never be a mother.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s his job to cut my mother’s legacy program?

Despite all this, the only thing keeping our hands off of each other is a total lack of privacy.
Despite all this, he’s got me dreaming of something I told myself I’d given up a family of my own.
Despite all this, it’s apparently my job to welcome him to Climax.

do not read this book unless you
❤️Buttoned-up heroes who are silly with their kids
❤️Sunshiny, Cinderelly heroines
❤️Nosy, interfering, small town bureaucrats
❤️Possibly magical HEA-predicting clock towers
❤️Romantic weekend getaways with Forced Proximity Smexy times
❤️Parks and Rec and Schitt’s Creek vibes]]> 286 Karen Grey 1959690205 Sally 5 2025-read
We come to Climax, New York via author Grey’s contribution to the Bedd Fellows Farm four-book series. Familiar characters and animals and we had just a little peek at Josh Harmon.

Josh’s life blew up about a year and a half ago when his wife Lisa died. He’s still overwhelmed and he’s come to Climax so his parents can help with his two small children. Avery Mills was born and raised in Climax but left to work in the big city. After a brutal betrayal she came back to heal, and when she realized the state of her parents�� health she stayed to care for them. When they meet, it’s typical Grey: touching, sweet, funny. Josh has been stumbling and slumbering through his life, more asleep than awake until the first time he sets eyes on Avery, or more accurately when she literally falls into his arms. It’s like a bucket of ice water to the face �� he’s awake now. And Avery? It’s as if she looked up and Prince Charming was standing there, except instead of curtsying like a princess would she tripped and fell into him. One look, and one feel of those arms around her, and her life is suddenly Before Josh Times and After Josh Times. She sees a ring and thinks he’s married, then that he’s still wearing the ring because he’s still grieving, but her pesky subconscious won’t let that attraction go. What is wrong with her? And Josh wonders what is wrong with him. He can’t decide whether to take that ring off or not, but there was a lot of turmoil and sadness in his marriage and these emotions he’s feeling around Avery are new to him. Maybe he has Before Avery Times and After Avery Times?

Josh needs his job. Avery needs her job. And Josh’s job is to get rid of Avery’s job. This isn’t going to be conflict-free, is it?

His job is the only thing Josh feels certain of, capable at, and he needs it to support his family. Avery’s “big city�� dreams went away when she decided to stay in Climax and her job at Climax Parks & Rec, her friends, her family are everything to her. And especially important to her is the parent-toddler class called Playgroup, created and run by her mother before she became too ill to continue.

Josh works for Trede Corporation, founded by Elijah Ransom (maybe a little hook there for the next book?) who spent time as a young man in Climax and decided to establish headquarters there and invest in the community, but part of the deal is to upgrade facilities and programs and make improvements to serve the entire community. Playgroup is very valuable and very popular �� but serves only a tiny portion of the community, and logically it should be first on the list of cuts. This makes Josh and Avery enemies �� but they’re not. Not when those clock tower bells ring whenever they are close together. In fact, they are very, very compatible except for the Playgroup thing.

Grey expertly populates the story with colorful family and friends, relationships that have gone awry, tough decisions that have to be made and with humor and tenderness and a whole lot of spice running through it all. Imagine those bells, Avery’s hilarious word substitutions to avoid using naughty words around the toddlers, an exciting, sexy work trip (yes, you heard me) and scene after scene of pure reading enjoyment. If you can only take one trip this year, take it to Climax. You will love your time there as much as I did. I received an advance copy of The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation from the author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.22
author: Karen Grey
name: Sally
average rating: 4.22
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/16
date added: 2025/04/24
shelves: 2025-read
review:
The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation is so . . . so . . . so Karen Grey. If you are a long-time fan like I am, you’ll see it right away. It’s not that all her stories sound alike, they most certainly do not, but it’s an almost indescribable feeling you get. The story just seems to blossom and unfold before your eyes: the setting becomes alive and vibrant, the characters are developed dimension by dimension and the plot just rolls along, gathering emotion, humor, will-they, won’t-they to its very satisfying conclusion.

We come to Climax, New York via author Grey’s contribution to the Bedd Fellows Farm four-book series. Familiar characters and animals and we had just a little peek at Josh Harmon.

Josh’s life blew up about a year and a half ago when his wife Lisa died. He’s still overwhelmed and he’s come to Climax so his parents can help with his two small children. Avery Mills was born and raised in Climax but left to work in the big city. After a brutal betrayal she came back to heal, and when she realized the state of her parents�� health she stayed to care for them. When they meet, it’s typical Grey: touching, sweet, funny. Josh has been stumbling and slumbering through his life, more asleep than awake until the first time he sets eyes on Avery, or more accurately when she literally falls into his arms. It’s like a bucket of ice water to the face �� he’s awake now. And Avery? It’s as if she looked up and Prince Charming was standing there, except instead of curtsying like a princess would she tripped and fell into him. One look, and one feel of those arms around her, and her life is suddenly Before Josh Times and After Josh Times. She sees a ring and thinks he’s married, then that he’s still wearing the ring because he’s still grieving, but her pesky subconscious won’t let that attraction go. What is wrong with her? And Josh wonders what is wrong with him. He can’t decide whether to take that ring off or not, but there was a lot of turmoil and sadness in his marriage and these emotions he’s feeling around Avery are new to him. Maybe he has Before Avery Times and After Avery Times?

Josh needs his job. Avery needs her job. And Josh’s job is to get rid of Avery’s job. This isn’t going to be conflict-free, is it?

His job is the only thing Josh feels certain of, capable at, and he needs it to support his family. Avery’s “big city�� dreams went away when she decided to stay in Climax and her job at Climax Parks & Rec, her friends, her family are everything to her. And especially important to her is the parent-toddler class called Playgroup, created and run by her mother before she became too ill to continue.

Josh works for Trede Corporation, founded by Elijah Ransom (maybe a little hook there for the next book?) who spent time as a young man in Climax and decided to establish headquarters there and invest in the community, but part of the deal is to upgrade facilities and programs and make improvements to serve the entire community. Playgroup is very valuable and very popular �� but serves only a tiny portion of the community, and logically it should be first on the list of cuts. This makes Josh and Avery enemies �� but they’re not. Not when those clock tower bells ring whenever they are close together. In fact, they are very, very compatible except for the Playgroup thing.

Grey expertly populates the story with colorful family and friends, relationships that have gone awry, tough decisions that have to be made and with humor and tenderness and a whole lot of spice running through it all. Imagine those bells, Avery’s hilarious word substitutions to avoid using naughty words around the toddlers, an exciting, sexy work trip (yes, you heard me) and scene after scene of pure reading enjoyment. If you can only take one trip this year, take it to Climax. You will love your time there as much as I did. I received an advance copy of The Single Dad’s Guide to Recreation from the author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 231171691 Nuremberg, 1941

A Hail Mary mission. A city in the heart of the Reich. The mother of all mistakes.

The war is heating up, but all Stella Bled Lawrence wants to do is cool down. She expected a rest after multiple missions, but when the SIS needs her skills, she can’t say no.

Soon she’s accompanying the wily double agent Cyril Welk to Nuremberg to uncover information that England believes is essential.

Surrounded by fervent Nazis of all stripes, Stella has just weeks to fit herself into a new mold at Hitler’s favorite hotel, but the mission goes sideways almost immediately and she’s on her own.

When a notorious Nazi shows up, things take a turn for the worse when Stella becomes a target for his attention. Can she get the information the British seek? Will it change the course of the war? Can she get out alive?

Operation Knickknack is the action-packed eighth installment in the on-going Stella Bled series, detailing the bravery and sacrifices needed to fight during the darkest days of WWII.]]> 520 A.W. Hartoin Sally 0 currently-reading 5.00
author: A.W. Hartoin
name: Sally
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 218446624 349 Julia Jarrett Sally 5 2025-read
Steal a Kiss is the fourth book in author Julia Jarrett’s wildly entertaining Vancouver Tridents
Baseball series, and lucky for us there is one more book coming in the series. Each book is better than the last, or maybe it’s just because this baseball family is expanding and it’s not only the fun of meeting new characters and learning more about those that were previously in the background but also revisiting those multi-dimensional characters over and over, giving us stories with depth and themes and plot that run through the entire series. And my first introduction to these marvelous stories has been through audiobooks, which is �� of course �� the absolute best way to enjoy these well-written baseball romances.

Ronan and Willow and his daughter Peyton, Mav and Sadie and her weird cat, Monty and Lark all provided hours of listening pleasure. In Steal a Kiss we are lucky enough to spend lots of time with Evie Yamaki and Rhett Darlington.

Evie has just gotten her graduate degree and now it’s job-hunting time. It’s also time to move, since the university said in effect: here’s your degree, now find someplace else to live because university housing is for current students. She wasn’t prepared for that. Guess she’ll have to stay with her big brother Kai, one of the Tridents pitchers. No problem; it’s only temporary. Well, it’s going to be shorter than temporary because heart-of-gold Evie couldn’t resist rescuing a puppy from the side of the road on her way to Kai’s, and Kai’s building doesn’t allow pets. Oh oh.

Simple solution: move in (temporarily of course) with Kai’s teammate Rhett Darlington. We’ve already met Rhett in previous books and we know he’s a sweetie. The not-so-simple part of this solution, though, is that Evie has had a crush on Rhett for . . . forever. And, yes, Rhett is sweet, but there’s a little heat with that sweet and it seems the attraction is mutual. How’s that going to work? The big brother, the team, the temporary. Evie is supposed to be finding a job, starting a career, getting on with her life, not swooning over a (sexy, handsome, irresistible) man and getting into a relationship that might not work out.

Steal a Kiss is a delightful continuation of a delightful series. It’s warm and tender and spicy, funny and just an all-around satisfying listen. Narrators Lena Lee & Alexander Neal bring all the characters to life with the right pacing, tone, emotion, emphasis; the perfect complement to author Julia Jarrett’s perfect words. And don’t forget that Southern accent. Bonus: in a social media post Jarrett very thoughtfully provided a guide to the spicy chapters. I suggest you pay special attention to 16 and 34!! I received an advance listening copy of Steal a Kiss from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.15
author: Julia Jarrett
name: Sally
average rating: 4.15
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/21
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: 2025-read
review:
A sexy, hunky baseball player with a Southern drawl, a puppy, and an independent, adorably perfect woman �� what more could you want?

Steal a Kiss is the fourth book in author Julia Jarrett’s wildly entertaining Vancouver Tridents
Baseball series, and lucky for us there is one more book coming in the series. Each book is better than the last, or maybe it’s just because this baseball family is expanding and it’s not only the fun of meeting new characters and learning more about those that were previously in the background but also revisiting those multi-dimensional characters over and over, giving us stories with depth and themes and plot that run through the entire series. And my first introduction to these marvelous stories has been through audiobooks, which is �� of course �� the absolute best way to enjoy these well-written baseball romances.

Ronan and Willow and his daughter Peyton, Mav and Sadie and her weird cat, Monty and Lark all provided hours of listening pleasure. In Steal a Kiss we are lucky enough to spend lots of time with Evie Yamaki and Rhett Darlington.

Evie has just gotten her graduate degree and now it’s job-hunting time. It’s also time to move, since the university said in effect: here’s your degree, now find someplace else to live because university housing is for current students. She wasn’t prepared for that. Guess she’ll have to stay with her big brother Kai, one of the Tridents pitchers. No problem; it’s only temporary. Well, it’s going to be shorter than temporary because heart-of-gold Evie couldn’t resist rescuing a puppy from the side of the road on her way to Kai’s, and Kai’s building doesn’t allow pets. Oh oh.

Simple solution: move in (temporarily of course) with Kai’s teammate Rhett Darlington. We’ve already met Rhett in previous books and we know he’s a sweetie. The not-so-simple part of this solution, though, is that Evie has had a crush on Rhett for . . . forever. And, yes, Rhett is sweet, but there’s a little heat with that sweet and it seems the attraction is mutual. How’s that going to work? The big brother, the team, the temporary. Evie is supposed to be finding a job, starting a career, getting on with her life, not swooning over a (sexy, handsome, irresistible) man and getting into a relationship that might not work out.

Steal a Kiss is a delightful continuation of a delightful series. It’s warm and tender and spicy, funny and just an all-around satisfying listen. Narrators Lena Lee & Alexander Neal bring all the characters to life with the right pacing, tone, emotion, emphasis; the perfect complement to author Julia Jarrett’s perfect words. And don’t forget that Southern accent. Bonus: in a social media post Jarrett very thoughtfully provided a guide to the spicy chapters. I suggest you pay special attention to 16 and 34!! I received an advance listening copy of Steal a Kiss from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 231431998 not by choice.

The barstool wobbled under me when reaching for a cheddar biscuit. They’re my weakness. Much like he used to be.

Rolled up sleeves and tailored pants have replaced the boots and jeans my brother’s best friend once wore. But it’s not just the clothes that have changed. His shoulders are broader and he’s broodier. Somehow, he's even more handsome than ever.

And seeing the little boy smiling at his side? My heart instantly melts. I can't handle Tagger as a hot single dad.

Since he has no plans to stay, I know it’s best to avoid him. But daily run-ins at Rollingwood Ranch make him hard to ignore, and even harder to walk away.

His heated glances warm my insides, his smile awakens my dormant heart, and one stormy night leads to crossing lines we vowed we wouldn’t.

But when falling in the hay turns into falling in love, I start to wonder if our happy ending is a long time coming. Or will he return to the city leaving me with a broken heart?

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, S.L. Scott, will lasso your heart and tie the bow in this Swoony, Single Dad, Forbidden to Date, Cowboy Romance that will have you falling in love along with the characters.]]> 406 S.L. Scott 1962626415 Sally 0 to-read 4.45
author: S.L. Scott
name: Sally
average rating: 4.45
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 212900725
Cate thought she knew darkness. As a trauma nurse, she had witnessed the worst of humanity. But nothing―not the blood, the violence, or the despair―could have prepared her for the fae underworld. A realm where beauty is a weapon, desire is a trap, and mortals who stray too far don’t return.

She almost didn’t.

Until Lachlan Gage―shadowed, ruthless, and feared even among his own kind―bound her to him with a deadly bargain. As the prince of New Orleans and ruler of the Nether Court, he is as much a curse as he is salvation. And with the Wild Hunt at his heels and war stirring between the fae courts, even his protection may not be enough to save her.

Because Cate is more than just his reluctant mortal. She is wanted. Coveted. And the prince of the Hallow Court will do anything to claim her.

But something ancient is rising in the dark, warping fae magic into something unnatural and cruel. It has nothing to do with Cate’s past―or so she tells herself. Even though the ring left behind by her mother whispers otherwise.

There is only one thing more dangerous than the fae who would kill for her.

The fae who would die for her.

And Lachlan Gage has never been one to lose.]]> 384 Geneva Lee 1649376936 Sally 0 to-read 4.31 2025
author: Geneva Lee
name: Sally
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217387878 For the first time in print, Skin and Bones features a collection of eight gripping original short stories in the bestselling Mike Bowditch series―including one brand new, never-before-published story―from Edgar-award nominated author Paul Doiron.

In THE BEAR TRAP, legendary Maine woodsman and bush pilot Charley Stevens tries to convince young Mike of the dangers awaiting rookie game wardens.

RABID draws Mike into the story of a gruesome case involving a bat with rabies from his Charley Steven’s past (2019 Edgar award nominee for Best Short Story).

When a visiting hunter goes missing in the middle of a snowstorm, a young Charley Stevens sets off to rescue him―but begins to suspect the man may not want to be found in BACKTRACK.

In THE IMPOSTER, Mike is confronted with a baffling case of stolen identity when he discovers a dead body whose driver’s license claims he is none other than Mike Bowditch himself.

Mike tracks down a sinister prowler who turns a couple's dream vacation home into a nightmare in THE CARETAKER.

An investigation into the killing of a bald eagle in SKIN AND BONES unearths an old case of a missing young man whose physically abusive brother might have murdered him.

In SNAKEBIT, Mike must hunt down a killer who uses the unlikeliest of murder weapons: rattlesnakes.

(Brand New!) Mike suspects there’s more to a grisly murder-suicide than meets the eye in SHEEP’S CLOTHING.

Critically acclaimed for his brilliant crime novels, Paul Doiron proves he is also the master of short story in Skin and Bones.]]> 368 Paul Doiron 1250382122 Sally 5 2025-read 4.33
author: Paul Doiron
name: Sally
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/21
date added: 2025/04/21
shelves: 2025-read
review:

]]> 210412771 What do a grumpy goalie, a British billionaire, and a cinnamon roll firefighter all have in common? They all want me.

I’ve always been the feisty side-kick who’s up for anything. So after I’m trapped in an elevator with the gorgeous grump Blake Wilder, Mr. Hockey himself, I’m willing to listen to his scheme.

Turns out, the grouchy goalie needs a fake fiancée to earn his inheritance. I’m not real girlfriend material (my ex was clear about that), but I agree to help him out with the temporary farce.

But only if I can keep seeing the sexy fireman, Aidan, who rescued us from the elevator.

Oh, and my billionaire ex-boss, Simon—the one I shared a steamy kiss with just before I quit.

Talk about hot.

But the temperature only rises from there. Because the firefighter and the billionaire are also into each other.

Each of these guys make me feel desired and adored, and when it’s all four of us together we’re absolutely on fire.

Good thing this is only until the inheritance is finalized and my billionaire goes back to London. This could never last for long without one of us getting burned.]]> 361 Emma Foxx Sally 5 2025-read
Blake, Aidan, Simon and Elise are a well-matched, well-suited foursome. And I don’t mean for golf. Their relationship is a little unusual but it works for them. Everyone is attracted to Elise, and the jock, the billionaire and the firefighter work the rest of it out to everyone’s extreme satisfaction.

Blake is on the verge of retiring from his wildly successful hockey career and has wished Elise was in his life for as long as he’s known her. Simon was Elise’s boss when she was in England and he’s crossed the Atlantic to see her again. Aidan rescued Blake and Elise from a stalled elevator and was instantly captivated by her sparkle. Elise is well-liked by everyone she meets, works at her close friend’s bakery and runs an online pinup business - owner, designer, model �� from her apartment upstairs of the bakery. And she has ADHD, which is a really big deal to her. She’s had advice and “suggestions�� from everyone �� her parents, friends, bosses, boyfriends �� on how to become neater and more organized and less scatter-brained. She cannot do that, and she is fed up with being told she can and should. No wonder she goes a little on the offense anticipating how she’ll be judged next. She’s sweet, tries to always be upbeat, is caring, considerate, endearing. Of course Simon, Blake and Aidan all love her.

The thread the story is built on is Blake’s need to be married in order for his grandmother to sell him the lake house he’s always wanted, where he’s always dreamed of escaping from the hustle and bustle and pressure once he’s retired. Elise’s name just pops out when he’s (not quite truthfully, well, okay, he’s full-out fibbing) telling his grandmother that of course he has a girlfriend and yes they’ll be getting married. Now he just needs to convince Elise to a fake engagement or marriage. That would be hard enough on its own, but with Aidan and Simon now in the picture . . . well, it’s funnier and sweeter than you could ever imagine. The four of them working things out will grab your attention and hold it right up until the satisfying end. The fact that you get to listen to Haynesbridge and Kay say it makes it that much more enjoyable.

I received an advance listening copy of Some Like It Hot from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.03
author: Emma Foxx
name: Sally
average rating: 4.03
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/20
date added: 2025/04/21
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Some Like It Hot by Emma Foxx is a fun, funny, entertaining story �� and yes, it’s hot. Voiced in duet by talented narrators Alastair Haynesbridge and Stephanie Kay it’s funnier and more entertaining �� and yes, even hotter. Haynesbridge has a unique voice; in many stories I’ve heard him perform, he starts out as an insecure goofy nerd and then becomes tender or sexy or forceful in the blink of an eye. In Some Like It Hot he seamlessly cycles through the dashing, rough-edged hockey player and the soft-spoken, sweet fireman and the sophisticated British businessman. Haynesbridge’s British accent is just short of over-the-top, his fireman feels like the boy next door, the really handsome boy next door, and his timing is impeccable when voicing the alpha dog cocky one minute, clueless the next hockey player’s hilarious confusing inner monologues. Stephanie Kay is always a treat to listen to, and her Elise does not disappoint. Fun loving, adventurous, not shy when sharing her wants and desires, but with the perfect underlayer of insecurity and inner bruises from the past. She’ll tell you exactly how it’s going to be before you can nag or criticize or question her.

Blake, Aidan, Simon and Elise are a well-matched, well-suited foursome. And I don’t mean for golf. Their relationship is a little unusual but it works for them. Everyone is attracted to Elise, and the jock, the billionaire and the firefighter work the rest of it out to everyone’s extreme satisfaction.

Blake is on the verge of retiring from his wildly successful hockey career and has wished Elise was in his life for as long as he’s known her. Simon was Elise’s boss when she was in England and he’s crossed the Atlantic to see her again. Aidan rescued Blake and Elise from a stalled elevator and was instantly captivated by her sparkle. Elise is well-liked by everyone she meets, works at her close friend’s bakery and runs an online pinup business - owner, designer, model �� from her apartment upstairs of the bakery. And she has ADHD, which is a really big deal to her. She’s had advice and “suggestions�� from everyone �� her parents, friends, bosses, boyfriends �� on how to become neater and more organized and less scatter-brained. She cannot do that, and she is fed up with being told she can and should. No wonder she goes a little on the offense anticipating how she’ll be judged next. She’s sweet, tries to always be upbeat, is caring, considerate, endearing. Of course Simon, Blake and Aidan all love her.

The thread the story is built on is Blake’s need to be married in order for his grandmother to sell him the lake house he’s always wanted, where he’s always dreamed of escaping from the hustle and bustle and pressure once he’s retired. Elise’s name just pops out when he’s (not quite truthfully, well, okay, he’s full-out fibbing) telling his grandmother that of course he has a girlfriend and yes they’ll be getting married. Now he just needs to convince Elise to a fake engagement or marriage. That would be hard enough on its own, but with Aidan and Simon now in the picture . . . well, it’s funnier and sweeter than you could ever imagine. The four of them working things out will grab your attention and hold it right up until the satisfying end. The fact that you get to listen to Haynesbridge and Kay say it makes it that much more enjoyable.

I received an advance listening copy of Some Like It Hot from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 218136409 A film student struggling with self-acceptance finally stops looking away from his traumatic past in a powerful novel by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Michael Woodbine was seven years old when a near-fatal fireworks accident scarred him and led to his placement in foster care. Now a college freshman, he is still trying to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, his adoptive family, and himself.

When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception. Michael places an ad seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society—and is surprised to learn that this is essentially everyone. Although some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, others are dealing with more everyday factors like aging or the changes to a body from giving birth.

As he collects these stories—and finally tells his own—Michael feels more connected to the world than he ever has before. But he knows his journey of self-acceptance has one more his crushing doubts about why his birth parents wouldn’t fight to keep him.]]> 273 Catherine Ryan Hyde 1662522312 Sally 0 to-read 4.60
author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
name: Sally
average rating: 4.60
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 198494052
Jack Lee is a white lawyer from Freeman County, Virginia, who has never done anything to push back against racism, until he decides to represent Jerome Washington, a Black man charged with brutally killing an elderly and wealthy white couple. Doubting his decision, Lee fears that his legal skills may not be enough to prevail in a case where the odds are already stacked against both him and his client. And he quickly finds himself out of his depth when he realizes that what is at stake is far greater than the outcome of a murder trial.

Desiree DuBose is a Black lawyer from Chicago who has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality for everyone. She comes to Freeman County and enters a fractious and unwieldy partnership with Lee in a legal battle against the best prosecutor in the Commonwealth. Yet DuBose is also aware that powerful outside forces are at work to blunt the victories achieved by the Civil Rights era.

Lee and DuBose could not be more dissimilar. On their own, neither one can stop the prosecution’s deliberate march towards a guilty verdict and the electric chair. But together, the pair fight for what once seemed impossible: a chance for a fair trial and true justice.

Over a decade in the writing, A Calamity of Souls breathes richly imagined and detailed life into a bygone era, taking the reader through a world that will seem both foreign and familiar.]]> 480 David Baldacci 1538765020 Sally 0 to-read 4.38 2024
author: David Baldacci
name: Sally
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 204316954 Bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands narrates the fierce debate over America's role in the world in the runup to World War II through its two most important President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who advocated intervention, and his isolationist nemesis, aviator and popular hero Charles Lindbergh.Hitler's invasion of Poland in September 1939 launched a momentous period of decision-making for the United States. With fascism rampant abroad, should America take responsibility for its defeat?For popular hero Charles Lindbergh, saying no to another world war only twenty years after the first was the obvious answer. Lindbergh had become famous and adored around the world after his historic first flight over the Atlantic in 1927. In the years since, he had emerged as a vocal critic of American involvement overseas, rallying Americans toward isolationism as the nominal head of the America First Committee.��As Hitler advanced across Europe and threatened the British Isles, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt struggled��to turn the tide of public opinion. With great effort, political shrewdness and outright deception—aided by secret British disinformation efforts in America—FDR readied the country for war. He pushed the US onto the world stage where it has stayed ever since.In this gripping narrative, H.W. Brands sheds light on a crucial tipping point in American history and depicts the making of a legendary president.]]> 464 H.W. Brands 0385550413 Sally 0 to-read 4.08 2024
author: H.W. Brands
name: Sally
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 214338643
Older. Hotter. And way out of my league, Hannah Prescott has been my obsession since the moment she uttered those five simple words.

She thinks she’ll deter me by her dismissive attitude but her words only spur me on. I love a challenge and since Hannah is my literal dream girl, she’s worth putting in a bit of work.

Up until now everything in my life has come easy: hockey, women, friendships. Then Noah Harrison is traded to our team and my spot on the first line with my best friends is at risk. Suddenly Hannah is wearing his jersey and I realize I’ve got to act fast or risk losing my shot forever.

Fortunately for me, dreams do come true because though she only offers me one night, fate has other plans. She may have said she’ll never call me Daddy Hall, but the positive pregnancy test in her hand makes that impossible.

With my every dream within reach, I need to find a way to prove to Hannah that she’s the one for me and I’m so much more than a playboy.]]> 425 Brittanee Nicole Sally 5 2025-read
But I did not expect Daniel. He was like a whirlwind, a cyclone, a category 5. I expected more humor and more sexiness and more intensity with all those endearing little Baby Hall traits thrown in. But this Daniel? Sweetest, sexiest, hottest, most adorable - by far.

So far Daniel has been that enthusiastic, exuberant, often quirky young guy. Best friends with his dad, solid member of the team, close to his teammates, the funny “kid�� who wanted to do everything with them (except that one little “special�� ouchy thing they all did), who shamelessly quotes Calliope’s how-to-please-a-woman tricks to them and brags he can’t wait to try them out. Kind of like an eager puppy. But a puppy with the strong body of a talented hockey player, the face of a god or an angel, depending, and charm that won’t quit. Nicknamed Playboy, well-earned with the seemingly endless string of ladies floating around him but really given to him because of his fantastic ability to make plays on the ice. Never shy about his attraction to Hannah, enjoying the always harmless banter between them, also never shy about saying he’s certainly up for more, but just happy to be near “Dream Girl.��

Hannah is excellent at her job, close to all the other women, never shy, always outspoken. All about her pleasure and calling the shots, setting the limits and boundaries, no relationships wanted or needed. Writes romance novels on the side. And never holds back when teasing “Baby Hall.��

Daniel is an open book. Sure, there’s a lot more under the surface, but he doesn’t hold back. Hannah, on the other hand, has a lot of baggage. Things from her past that have made her the wary woman she is today, the one who wants the control and power because then she can keep the hurt and abandonment at bay. Two opposites, right? Just keep reading.

Daniel has always thought Hannah was beautiful and sexy and wicked but also the most confident, intelligent, capable woman he’d ever seen. Unattainable though: older, his sister’s best friend and unimpressed with his flirting. When Hannah does think at all about Daniel, she thinks yes, he is tantalizing with that body and that swagger and those dimples, but he really is just a kid; he’s eight years younger than her. But that age gap doesn’t mean so much one night when all the other couples have gone their way and Hannah and Daniel are the 3rd/4th/5th wheels as always. So why not? The physical attraction is there, they’re both adults (even if one is a kid and one is a grown up lol) so go for it. The result in the room that night isn’t anything Daniel would write home about (like he’d do that anyway) but the result that carries outside that room . . . that’s another story. And that’s where this story takes off and becomes even more perfect.

A positive pregnancy test can be a scary thing. Daniel’s reaction, though? He probably doesn’t even fully know why but he is instantly delighted, but he does all the right things to keep her grounded. He is so sweet - if he was candy (and who says he isn’t?) he would have to be rationed. He’s patient but persistent and just when you think he can’t do something more thoughtful, more caring �� wow, there he goes, again and again and again. And when Hannah confessed to herself that she’d at one time had a little crush on him, I actually swooned and crossed my fingers even tighter. He calls her Dream Girl, but could they both be having this wonderful dream?

Playboy is so full of delightful moments I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down once you start reading. Daniel fully embracing his upcoming Daddy role is precious. Hannah as Daniel perseveres is heartwarming and I dare you not to reach for the tissues: it’s like watching the spring thaw. Slowly at first and then as the temperature goes up the melt happens faster and faster and pretty soon it’s a flow of emotion that can’t be contained.

But there’s still that baggage and a horrible mother, lots of stepbrothers and stepfathers, a new teammate that takes Daniel’s job, a possible trade, changes to Hannah’s job �� and the biggest question of all: what happens next? There are also dates and presents and hot nights and comfortable nights, “have a day�� road trips, bucket lists, doctor visits, mind melds with his twin, friends and family gathering around.

This book had everything: the humor and sexiness and intensity as expected, Daniel and Hannah as themselves but more than we’ve ever seen before, and all the rest of the wonderful cast of characters we’ve come to love and need to read about. Everybody from the previous books is mentioned and some of them are right there alongside Hannah and Daniel. It’s like being everywhere with the Langfields, the girls, the children, at the games, the parties, the events, texting, Zoom calls, at Ground Zero. Author Brittanée Nicole has done it again; actually, she’s outdone herself. I love all the books; I read and re-read and laugh and cry, but Playboy was one step beyond. Read it now, catch up if you need to, and then eagerly await the next book like I am. I received an advance copy of Playboy from the author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.37
author: Brittanee Nicole
name: Sally
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/14
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Oh my gosh! I was so not prepared for Playboy. I’ve read all the Boston Bolts hockey books. I know the Langfield brothers and all the other characters from the rest of the books. I expected humor and sexiness and intensity as always. I thought Adian was the cutest thing I’d ever seen, and the rest of them weren’t too shabby, either.

But I did not expect Daniel. He was like a whirlwind, a cyclone, a category 5. I expected more humor and more sexiness and more intensity with all those endearing little Baby Hall traits thrown in. But this Daniel? Sweetest, sexiest, hottest, most adorable - by far.

So far Daniel has been that enthusiastic, exuberant, often quirky young guy. Best friends with his dad, solid member of the team, close to his teammates, the funny “kid�� who wanted to do everything with them (except that one little “special�� ouchy thing they all did), who shamelessly quotes Calliope’s how-to-please-a-woman tricks to them and brags he can’t wait to try them out. Kind of like an eager puppy. But a puppy with the strong body of a talented hockey player, the face of a god or an angel, depending, and charm that won’t quit. Nicknamed Playboy, well-earned with the seemingly endless string of ladies floating around him but really given to him because of his fantastic ability to make plays on the ice. Never shy about his attraction to Hannah, enjoying the always harmless banter between them, also never shy about saying he’s certainly up for more, but just happy to be near “Dream Girl.��

Hannah is excellent at her job, close to all the other women, never shy, always outspoken. All about her pleasure and calling the shots, setting the limits and boundaries, no relationships wanted or needed. Writes romance novels on the side. And never holds back when teasing “Baby Hall.��

Daniel is an open book. Sure, there’s a lot more under the surface, but he doesn’t hold back. Hannah, on the other hand, has a lot of baggage. Things from her past that have made her the wary woman she is today, the one who wants the control and power because then she can keep the hurt and abandonment at bay. Two opposites, right? Just keep reading.

Daniel has always thought Hannah was beautiful and sexy and wicked but also the most confident, intelligent, capable woman he’d ever seen. Unattainable though: older, his sister’s best friend and unimpressed with his flirting. When Hannah does think at all about Daniel, she thinks yes, he is tantalizing with that body and that swagger and those dimples, but he really is just a kid; he’s eight years younger than her. But that age gap doesn’t mean so much one night when all the other couples have gone their way and Hannah and Daniel are the 3rd/4th/5th wheels as always. So why not? The physical attraction is there, they’re both adults (even if one is a kid and one is a grown up lol) so go for it. The result in the room that night isn’t anything Daniel would write home about (like he’d do that anyway) but the result that carries outside that room . . . that’s another story. And that’s where this story takes off and becomes even more perfect.

A positive pregnancy test can be a scary thing. Daniel’s reaction, though? He probably doesn’t even fully know why but he is instantly delighted, but he does all the right things to keep her grounded. He is so sweet - if he was candy (and who says he isn’t?) he would have to be rationed. He’s patient but persistent and just when you think he can’t do something more thoughtful, more caring �� wow, there he goes, again and again and again. And when Hannah confessed to herself that she’d at one time had a little crush on him, I actually swooned and crossed my fingers even tighter. He calls her Dream Girl, but could they both be having this wonderful dream?

Playboy is so full of delightful moments I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down once you start reading. Daniel fully embracing his upcoming Daddy role is precious. Hannah as Daniel perseveres is heartwarming and I dare you not to reach for the tissues: it’s like watching the spring thaw. Slowly at first and then as the temperature goes up the melt happens faster and faster and pretty soon it’s a flow of emotion that can’t be contained.

But there’s still that baggage and a horrible mother, lots of stepbrothers and stepfathers, a new teammate that takes Daniel’s job, a possible trade, changes to Hannah’s job �� and the biggest question of all: what happens next? There are also dates and presents and hot nights and comfortable nights, “have a day�� road trips, bucket lists, doctor visits, mind melds with his twin, friends and family gathering around.

This book had everything: the humor and sexiness and intensity as expected, Daniel and Hannah as themselves but more than we’ve ever seen before, and all the rest of the wonderful cast of characters we’ve come to love and need to read about. Everybody from the previous books is mentioned and some of them are right there alongside Hannah and Daniel. It’s like being everywhere with the Langfields, the girls, the children, at the games, the parties, the events, texting, Zoom calls, at Ground Zero. Author Brittanée Nicole has done it again; actually, she’s outdone herself. I love all the books; I read and re-read and laugh and cry, but Playboy was one step beyond. Read it now, catch up if you need to, and then eagerly await the next book like I am. I received an advance copy of Playboy from the author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 228532989 The young oak tree with freshly budding leaves seemed unremarkable until his eyes travelled down to the wooden plaque set into the ground. The words sent an icy chill through his They shall remember you.

In the Scottish Highlands where secrets settle like mist in the glens, Detective Inspector James Corstorphine is summoned to a macabre scene �� a gamekeeper hanging from an ancient oak, ensnared by an intricate trap of wire and bone. Still grieving his wife’s death, Corstorphine finds himself hunting a killer who crafts elaborate deathtraps from human remains �� clockwork mechanisms that deliver murder with chilling precision.

When the victim’s pregnant girlfriend Margo �� her face a map of bruises �� shares a reporter’s notebook found among her boyfriend’s possessions, Corstorphine discovers a connection to a journalist who died at the same hanging tree twenty years earlier. But Margo guards secrets of her own, and speaking the truth in this Highland community carries a deadly price.

As the deaths mount, Corstorphine must confront his own ghosts while racing to uncover what links the victims. His investigation leads to a devastating the killer isn’t just taking lives �� they’re delivering retribution decades in the making.

The first in the DI Corstorphine Scottish crime series, from a CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist author and McIlvanney Best Scottish Crime Novel Finalist will have you reading late into the night. The perfect page-turner for fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves, and Val McDermid.

Previously published as Whirligig. ]]> 325 Andrew James Greig 180508982X Sally 4 2025-read
Author Greig does an excellent job of maintaining the suspense level throughout the book, and of providing clues and red herrings to keep you guessing again and again. Corstorphine is still grieving the death of his wife and the side story of his efforts to reenter the world of friends and dating and activities is compelling. The ending was just open enough to make you wonder what Corstorphine’s life will look like going forward. I received an advance copy of The Bone Clock from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. It was very entertaining and I am eager for the next book in the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.40
author: Andrew James Greig
name: Sally
average rating: 4.40
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/13
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: 2025-read
review:
The Bone Clock by author Andrew James Greig is fast-paced, intense, exciting and thrilling, and a good start to the DI Corstorphine Scottish Crime series. Someone has committed a gruesome series of murders and there’s no sign they will stop soon. Detective Inspector James Corstorphine discovers a connection between this first current murder to a journalist who died at the same hanging tree twenty years earlier. It’s not much to go on, records are scarce, everyone he interviews is uncooperative and seems to be hiding something. Each death is different which leads Corstorphine to believe there is some (crazy) method to the murders, but his staff is small and inexperienced at investigating this level of killing. Add in the fact that the instruments of death are made of human remains and clock mechanisms and you’ve got quite the baffling mystery.

Author Greig does an excellent job of maintaining the suspense level throughout the book, and of providing clues and red herrings to keep you guessing again and again. Corstorphine is still grieving the death of his wife and the side story of his efforts to reenter the world of friends and dating and activities is compelling. The ending was just open enough to make you wonder what Corstorphine’s life will look like going forward. I received an advance copy of The Bone Clock from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. It was very entertaining and I am eager for the next book in the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 220007172
One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.

Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.

I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.

The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.

Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors which includes:

Bolan Adler needs a wife.

He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.

Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.

Complicated, like I said.

Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and another baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.

Will it win or lose at the end of the season?]]> 386 L.B. Dunbar Sally 5 2025-read
And nothing felt better and sweeter than reading Catch the Kiss. I’m always completely hooked after about the first two paragraphs of any new L. B. Dunbar book, but with Catch the Kiss, after reading the prologue there was no way I was putting this book down until I finished it. The prologue was just . . . words can hardly describe it. It was powerful, sweet and made me feel so much. Anger at that jerk Clifton. Sympathy and a sense of protectiveness for Ruthie. Curiosity about “the guy�� who was sexy and cocky but also tender and as instantly smitten as Ruthie. Hopes and expectations that these two anonymous people had the universe on their side and would be together. Irritation at the stupid rule of no contact for a year. That prologue was just about perfect. But a college experiment is just that and there are rules. And life goes on.

I groaned out loud when I learned Ruthie had married Clifton. No. No. No. No. How had she ended up with him? He made her so unhappy, so unsure of herself when she was eighteen. How had he ever become worthy of her? It’s fifteen years later and she’s been a widow for eighteen months. We don’t immediately get much information about her life with Cliff, but it doesn’t sound like all her memories are good ones. She’s still close to her former in-laws Nylah and Jared, though, working for their company, Imperial Sports Management (ISM). She’s unsettled. She doesn’t expect more from life, but is this really all there is?

Until the night before an event honoring the life of Nylah’s best friend who has passed away. Needing a break to settle herself, Ruthie goes into an empty ballroom and serendipity or fate or destiny finally decide to make an appearance. A man stumbles into the room, just needing to get away himself, and while it’s certainly unusual there’s some flicker of attraction between them. And when he kisses her? Whoa, she’s felt that kiss before. A long time ago, but the feelings it ignited never left her. This is “the guy.�� The Kiss Experiment guy. Bolan Adler. BMOC on campus all those years ago. Yeah, she figured out who he was then but could only think why would a guy like him ever want a girl like her? But this kiss now? Nothing has ever been better. Ruthie is never reckless, but tonight? Yes, yes, yes.

Bolan is here to give a little speech about the deceased woman being honored, his mother. They weren’t close, but it’s his duty. Just as it’s his duty to try and rehabilitate his crazy baseball player reputation. And his duty to raise the 18-month-old daughter he didn’t know he had until a few months ago. So he’s feeling a little overwhelmed and fatalistic. He doesn’t go into that deserted ballroom looking for anything other than to be alone. But this women . . . she is mesmerizing, elusively familiar and his attraction to her is strong. They surrender to the attraction for that one night in that ballrom, and that’s it. They won’t be seeing each other again. But fate isn’t just into the sweet, romantic stuff. Nope, fate wants to complicate things a bit.

ISM has taken on the job of fixing Bolan’s reputation problems, partially through getting him a wife so he can appear to be a settled, reformed family man; his new position with the Chicago Anchors baseball team depends on it. Ruthie is stunned to see him at ISM, stunned to see he has a daughter, and vehemently opposed when Jared assigns her to be his agent.

One thing leads to another. Ruthie becomes the fake wife he needs and they go to Spring Training in Florida and then to the team’s home in Chicago. And Catch the Kiss just takes off. Author Dunbar puts so much in this story to delight you and keep you on the edge of your seat hoping fate is going to give them the happy-ever-after they deserve. Well-written, fast paced, sweet and hot and tender and heartbreaking, funny and romantic, impossible to put down. Bolan and Ruthie’s growing relationship is entertaining and often confusing. Ruthie’s relationship with little Tulane is heart-warming. It’s all so hopeful, but there’s a lot that can happen to mess this up.

Catch the Kiss is amazing, and one of the best things is how Dunbar so expertly keeps the focus on Bolan and Ruthie while weaving in scenes and characters from her books Sterling Streak and Elevator Pitch. All three books take place simultaneously and it’s a joy to revisit characters you already love from a slightly different point of view. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it and everything else Dunbar writes without hesitation. Whenever Ruthie would tell Bolan to “catch all the catches�� and whenever they would both “catch the kiss�� my heart would go pitter-patter and yours will, too. I received an advance copy of Catch the Kiss and voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.43
author: L.B. Dunbar
name: Sally
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/14
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Yes, there is such a thing as love at first sight. And a soulmate. If you don’t believe me, just read something written by author L. B. Dunbar. It might not be the first person you’re with or the only one you love. And you can’t force it, because . . . timing. You can’t wait for the exact right time. Maybe a moment passes and you think you’ve missed it. Maybe the old trite “all things happen for a reason�� is actually true. But when all things come together and that person is right there in front of you, and will continue to be there, nothing in the whole world feels better and sweeter.

And nothing felt better and sweeter than reading Catch the Kiss. I’m always completely hooked after about the first two paragraphs of any new L. B. Dunbar book, but with Catch the Kiss, after reading the prologue there was no way I was putting this book down until I finished it. The prologue was just . . . words can hardly describe it. It was powerful, sweet and made me feel so much. Anger at that jerk Clifton. Sympathy and a sense of protectiveness for Ruthie. Curiosity about “the guy�� who was sexy and cocky but also tender and as instantly smitten as Ruthie. Hopes and expectations that these two anonymous people had the universe on their side and would be together. Irritation at the stupid rule of no contact for a year. That prologue was just about perfect. But a college experiment is just that and there are rules. And life goes on.

I groaned out loud when I learned Ruthie had married Clifton. No. No. No. No. How had she ended up with him? He made her so unhappy, so unsure of herself when she was eighteen. How had he ever become worthy of her? It’s fifteen years later and she’s been a widow for eighteen months. We don’t immediately get much information about her life with Cliff, but it doesn’t sound like all her memories are good ones. She’s still close to her former in-laws Nylah and Jared, though, working for their company, Imperial Sports Management (ISM). She’s unsettled. She doesn’t expect more from life, but is this really all there is?

Until the night before an event honoring the life of Nylah’s best friend who has passed away. Needing a break to settle herself, Ruthie goes into an empty ballroom and serendipity or fate or destiny finally decide to make an appearance. A man stumbles into the room, just needing to get away himself, and while it’s certainly unusual there’s some flicker of attraction between them. And when he kisses her? Whoa, she’s felt that kiss before. A long time ago, but the feelings it ignited never left her. This is “the guy.�� The Kiss Experiment guy. Bolan Adler. BMOC on campus all those years ago. Yeah, she figured out who he was then but could only think why would a guy like him ever want a girl like her? But this kiss now? Nothing has ever been better. Ruthie is never reckless, but tonight? Yes, yes, yes.

Bolan is here to give a little speech about the deceased woman being honored, his mother. They weren’t close, but it’s his duty. Just as it’s his duty to try and rehabilitate his crazy baseball player reputation. And his duty to raise the 18-month-old daughter he didn’t know he had until a few months ago. So he’s feeling a little overwhelmed and fatalistic. He doesn’t go into that deserted ballroom looking for anything other than to be alone. But this women . . . she is mesmerizing, elusively familiar and his attraction to her is strong. They surrender to the attraction for that one night in that ballrom, and that’s it. They won’t be seeing each other again. But fate isn’t just into the sweet, romantic stuff. Nope, fate wants to complicate things a bit.

ISM has taken on the job of fixing Bolan’s reputation problems, partially through getting him a wife so he can appear to be a settled, reformed family man; his new position with the Chicago Anchors baseball team depends on it. Ruthie is stunned to see him at ISM, stunned to see he has a daughter, and vehemently opposed when Jared assigns her to be his agent.

One thing leads to another. Ruthie becomes the fake wife he needs and they go to Spring Training in Florida and then to the team’s home in Chicago. And Catch the Kiss just takes off. Author Dunbar puts so much in this story to delight you and keep you on the edge of your seat hoping fate is going to give them the happy-ever-after they deserve. Well-written, fast paced, sweet and hot and tender and heartbreaking, funny and romantic, impossible to put down. Bolan and Ruthie’s growing relationship is entertaining and often confusing. Ruthie’s relationship with little Tulane is heart-warming. It’s all so hopeful, but there’s a lot that can happen to mess this up.

Catch the Kiss is amazing, and one of the best things is how Dunbar so expertly keeps the focus on Bolan and Ruthie while weaving in scenes and characters from her books Sterling Streak and Elevator Pitch. All three books take place simultaneously and it’s a joy to revisit characters you already love from a slightly different point of view. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it and everything else Dunbar writes without hesitation. Whenever Ruthie would tell Bolan to “catch all the catches�� and whenever they would both “catch the kiss�� my heart would go pitter-patter and yours will, too. I received an advance copy of Catch the Kiss and voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 208162183 There are only a few rules I live enjoy life, smile as often as possible, and don’t ever let a woman come between friends.

Oh and hockey is life.

For the past forty years I’ve done an excellent job at every single one of them.

Until Millie Hall.

To be fair, I had no idea who she was that first night. Can’t say the same about the second.

Finding out that the mystery girl who turned my world upside down was the twin sister of my star left winger and my best friend’s twenty-two year old daughter is less than ideal.

Hiding our relationship from not only her father but my brothers, nearly impossible.

But my best friend makes it incredibly difficult to walk away from his daughter when he keeps thrusting her in my direction.

As a single dad, I have a whole set of new rules, but one thing remains, falling for Millie Hall would be a major puck up.

���ܳٳ�ǰ�’s A Major Puck Up is an angsty forbidden love between fan favorite Gavin Langfield-Coach of the Boston Bolts and Millie Hall, his best friend's daughter. With text banter from the Langfield brothers, one mysterious baby on a door step, a singing Boston Bolts hockey team, hot tub shenanigans and quite a few ducks.]]> 536 Brittanee Nicole Sally 0 currently-reading 4.11
author: Brittanee Nicole
name: Sally
average rating: 4.11
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/16
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 211080534 From the New York Times bestselling author of The Romanov Sisters comes the story of a courageous young Imperial Grand Duchess who scandalized Europe in search of freedom.

In 1795, Catherine the Great of Russia was in search of a bride for her grandson Constantine, who stood third in line to her throne. In an eerie echo of her own story, Catherine selected an innocent young German princess, Julie of Saxe-Coburg, aunt of the future Queen Victoria. Though Julie had everything a young bride could wish for, she was alone in a court dominated by an aging empress and riven with rivalries, plotting, and gossip―not to mention her brute of a husband, who was tender one moment and violent the next. She longed to leave Russia and her disastrous marriage, but her family in Germany refused to allow her to do so.

Desperate for love, Julie allegedly sought consolation in the arms of others. Finally, Tsar Alexander granted her permission to leave in 1801, even though her husband was now heir to the throne. Rootless in Europe, Julie gave birth to two―possibly three―illegitimate children, all of whom she was forced to give up for adoption. Despite entreaties from Constantine to return and provide an heir, she refused, eventually finding love with her own married physician.

At a time when many royal brides meekly submitted to disastrous marriages, Julie proved to be a woman ahead of her time, sacrificing her reputation and a life of luxury in exchange for the freedom to live as she wished. The Rebel Romanov is the inspiring tale of a bold woman who, until now, has been ignored by history.]]> 336 Helen Rappaport 1250273129 Sally 4 2025-read
After she was finally allowed to leave the court her life became rather rudderless �� many men, children she was forced to give up �� but even when asked by Constantine to return she refused, preferring to live life on her own terms.

Apparently there is a scarcity of historical information about Julie. Nevertheless, author Helen Rappaport has created a well-written, meticulously researched and documented, incredibly detailed, fact-filled story about not only Julie of Saxe-Coburg but many more well-known figures of the time. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of The Rebel Romanov. It captured and held my attention. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.89 2025
author: Helen Rappaport
name: Sally
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/15
date added: 2025/04/15
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Interesting look into a royal world and a time where women were either very powerful or had little or no input into the course of their lives. Julie of Saxe-Coburg falls into the second category. A princess, but not the fairy tale kind we envy. Chosen by Catherine the Great of Russia as the bride for her grandson Constantine, Julie, told who to marry and where to live, was thrown into a court full of intrigue and plotting and with no one to look out for her. Although her new husband was unpredictable and often violent her father refused to let her return to Germany. Marriages were made for political reasons and the wishes of the bride were not a concern.

After she was finally allowed to leave the court her life became rather rudderless �� many men, children she was forced to give up �� but even when asked by Constantine to return she refused, preferring to live life on her own terms.

Apparently there is a scarcity of historical information about Julie. Nevertheless, author Helen Rappaport has created a well-written, meticulously researched and documented, incredibly detailed, fact-filled story about not only Julie of Saxe-Coburg but many more well-known figures of the time. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of The Rebel Romanov. It captured and held my attention. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 223589851 As an enforcer for the Famiglia, Maximus Trevisan has no trouble hurting others, but his life begins to unravel when he’s forced to hurt someone he’s meant to protect.
Sara’s plans for her future were simple. Marry the man she was promised to, have several children, and build a happy family. But when her life plans are ripped from her hands, she’s left with no choice but to marry Maximus. It’s the last thing she wants, but it’s a burden she’s willing to carry in order to protect her family’s honor. Yet the darkness from their past follows them.
Can they overcome their demons, or will they let it destroy them?]]> 260 Cora Reilly Sally 0 2024-read 3.66 2025
author: Cora Reilly
name: Sally
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at: 2024/01/01
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: 2024-read
review:

]]> 223504949 “They were kings, and for a brief part of my life, I was allowed to live inside their kingdom.��

Branwen

Little girls grow up, and time steals their innocence. Memories fade, and things you love change. Except for me. You see, I fell in love at first sight when I was six years old. The problem with that was he was a grown man. My young heart had believed that he belonged to me. That should have faded with time. It didn’t. Although I hadn’t seen him in over twenty years, I still found myself measuring up the men I dated to him. That was until the day he walked into a nightclub in Vegas and sat down beside me at the bar.

He didn’t recognize the woman I had become, but I knew exactly who he was. My heart had soared, and the flutters in my stomach that no one else had ever stirred came roaring back to life. Fate had brought him back to me.

Waking up in his suite alone the next morning with a note and a morning after pill with no way to contact him had taught me that flutters were not to be trusted and that fate was a mean bitch.

Five years later, I am engaged, happy, and about to give my four-year-old daughter the life I want for her, complete with a white picket fence and a father.

That is�� until I find out that I can’t get married. Because I already am.

Linc

The fact I never asked a woman I slept with her name served a purpose. If I didn’t know it, then I wouldn’t have to remember it. No getting them confused and saying the wrong one in the heat of the moment. Hell, I didn’t remember most of their faces. I got what I needed and left. My life wasn’t meant for relationships. I’d tried it. My ex-wife now lives in Europe with her current husband.

The day I walked outside to find the gorgeous blonde I’d had a wild drunken night with in Vegas five years ago handing me divorce papers and demanding I sign them, I’d been sure it was a joke or scheme to get money. The tiny replica of her that crawled out of the backseat of her car, however, struck me with an odd familiarity I couldn’t place. My gut had clenched tightly, and I knew my world had just changed. The paternity test confirmed it.

This woman who had been number one in my spank bank for five years had lied to me. Stolen the first four and a half years of my daughter’s life from me. She may have the face and body of an angel, but she was cruel.

The man she planned on marrying and bringing into my daughter’s life wasn’t happening. I’d end that. I was going to be the only father she had. I wasn’t sharing her with a stepfather.

If I had to make sure her mother only wanted me, then I’d do it. When she was addicted to me, and I owned her soul- she was going to suffer. I wouldn’t hurt her body, but I would break her heart. Over and over again.]]> 380 Abbi Glines Sally 5 2025-read
Branwen grew up peripheral to the Mississippi mafia family; her father took care of the stables and they were welcome, comfortable and happy there. As children do, she became attached to one of the young men there, following him everywhere, listening to everything he said, watching him with adoring looks. He treated her as a grown man would treat a special little girl, as he should have. But as little girls also do, she was certain he would wait for her to grow up so they could be married and live happily ever after. When her father died suddenly she was sent to live with an aunt and never saw the man again. So much for happy ever after. Her aunt was cold, cruel and greedy, and Branwen’s dreams died. When she went out on her own she was by now a little world weary with low expectations for her life, however, her heart still had a special place for the man. The man she knew she would never see again.

Until one night when she was attending a wedding in Vegas and he was right there, across the room and then right next to her. She knew who he was instantly, but he didn’t recognize her. He was drunk and high, and life had changed. He was now in charge of the Mississippi branch of the family, jaded and hard, but inexplicably drawn to this gorgeous woman. They spent the night together and in the morning he was gone. No goodbye, no recognition, just a morning after pill and a note, “Take the pill.�� Once again she never expected to see him again. She resolved to put him out of her mind but her heart knew how it felt anyway.

And maybe fate had a hand here, too. Because fast-forward five years and Branwen is once again with Linc Shephard. Still with no expectations of music-playing-love-is-in-the-air for her life, but she’s going to marry her boss, a well to-do-dentist who can provide comfort and security for Branwen and her 4-year-old daughter Stevie. No big sparks, but Hudson was a good man, stable, maybe a little too attached to his mother, but obviously in love with Branwen and wanting to care for her and Stevie. Getting married is easy, unless you’re already married. And then you need to get a divorce first. So here she is, at the big gate of Linc’s huge estate, papers in hand, just requesting a quick signature and they’ll never have to see each other again. Except when that little girl climbs out of the backseat of the car everything changes.

Family is the most important thing to the mafia, with strict codes and rules that are seldom, if ever, broken. Members of the family do the hard thing because it has to be done, because they would lose face �� and lives �� if they don’t. Linc was a good man at one time, kind and sweet with Branwen, with a softness somewhere in his heart, but his responsibilities and the work he had to do for the family and his experience with marriage took that all away. Now he was just about pleasure in the moment, power, control and revenge. He is an unforgiving, unyielding man, used to giving orders that are never questioned. Author Glines�� superpower is that she can show us that hard, violent man and at the same time let us peek behind the family code and possessiveness and see devotion, tenderness and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make someone happy. And his heart that aches just a little bit, and it does something to your own heart.

Outlaw is fast-paced and well-plotted. Linc still doesn’t recognize ‘Ringlets�� from all those years ago, even with her little mini-me standing right in front of him. He’s attracted to Branwen but believes it’s all physical. And he’s mad and unwilling to forgive; she kept his child from him for four-and-a-half years, she lied to him, she never contacted him . . . and she’ll pay for that. And that child? It’s not just his code that has him spoiling her, protecting her, it’s his heart that has him cherishing her and insisting on being part of her life. Glines has expertly structured the story so there are twists and turns, more and more surprises and so many sweet moments you’ll be sighing and clutching your heart. And she has also crafted the characters so perfectly that when their true colors are known and they are to be punished you are on board.

Linc is hard and maybe his heart is frozen solid, but can this little girl who stirs something oddly familiar in him be the one to start the thaw? And what about her mother? It’s a wonderful story, perfect blend of action and love and impossible to put down once you start reading. I received an advance copy of Outlaw. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.19
author: Abbi Glines
name: Sally
average rating: 4.19
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/27
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Author Abbi Glines writes one heck of a mafia romance. With all the crude coarseness, power and violent stuff you love (admit it, it’s true) but all of that slammed against an almost incomprehensible tenderness, romance and yearning. I don’t know how she puts these opposite things together and makes them seem meant to be that way, fully immersing you into the story and characters, but she does. And she does it very well. Outlaw is the fourth entry in the Mississippi Smoke series. Glines has written a lot of books and a lot of series, all interconnected in some way, tracing roots back to the first family. They are all excellent reads and Outlaw and the Mississippi Smoke series is definitely one of the must-reads.

Branwen grew up peripheral to the Mississippi mafia family; her father took care of the stables and they were welcome, comfortable and happy there. As children do, she became attached to one of the young men there, following him everywhere, listening to everything he said, watching him with adoring looks. He treated her as a grown man would treat a special little girl, as he should have. But as little girls also do, she was certain he would wait for her to grow up so they could be married and live happily ever after. When her father died suddenly she was sent to live with an aunt and never saw the man again. So much for happy ever after. Her aunt was cold, cruel and greedy, and Branwen’s dreams died. When she went out on her own she was by now a little world weary with low expectations for her life, however, her heart still had a special place for the man. The man she knew she would never see again.

Until one night when she was attending a wedding in Vegas and he was right there, across the room and then right next to her. She knew who he was instantly, but he didn’t recognize her. He was drunk and high, and life had changed. He was now in charge of the Mississippi branch of the family, jaded and hard, but inexplicably drawn to this gorgeous woman. They spent the night together and in the morning he was gone. No goodbye, no recognition, just a morning after pill and a note, “Take the pill.�� Once again she never expected to see him again. She resolved to put him out of her mind but her heart knew how it felt anyway.

And maybe fate had a hand here, too. Because fast-forward five years and Branwen is once again with Linc Shephard. Still with no expectations of music-playing-love-is-in-the-air for her life, but she’s going to marry her boss, a well to-do-dentist who can provide comfort and security for Branwen and her 4-year-old daughter Stevie. No big sparks, but Hudson was a good man, stable, maybe a little too attached to his mother, but obviously in love with Branwen and wanting to care for her and Stevie. Getting married is easy, unless you’re already married. And then you need to get a divorce first. So here she is, at the big gate of Linc’s huge estate, papers in hand, just requesting a quick signature and they’ll never have to see each other again. Except when that little girl climbs out of the backseat of the car everything changes.

Family is the most important thing to the mafia, with strict codes and rules that are seldom, if ever, broken. Members of the family do the hard thing because it has to be done, because they would lose face �� and lives �� if they don’t. Linc was a good man at one time, kind and sweet with Branwen, with a softness somewhere in his heart, but his responsibilities and the work he had to do for the family and his experience with marriage took that all away. Now he was just about pleasure in the moment, power, control and revenge. He is an unforgiving, unyielding man, used to giving orders that are never questioned. Author Glines�� superpower is that she can show us that hard, violent man and at the same time let us peek behind the family code and possessiveness and see devotion, tenderness and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make someone happy. And his heart that aches just a little bit, and it does something to your own heart.

Outlaw is fast-paced and well-plotted. Linc still doesn’t recognize ‘Ringlets�� from all those years ago, even with her little mini-me standing right in front of him. He’s attracted to Branwen but believes it’s all physical. And he’s mad and unwilling to forgive; she kept his child from him for four-and-a-half years, she lied to him, she never contacted him . . . and she’ll pay for that. And that child? It’s not just his code that has him spoiling her, protecting her, it’s his heart that has him cherishing her and insisting on being part of her life. Glines has expertly structured the story so there are twists and turns, more and more surprises and so many sweet moments you’ll be sighing and clutching your heart. And she has also crafted the characters so perfectly that when their true colors are known and they are to be punished you are on board.

Linc is hard and maybe his heart is frozen solid, but can this little girl who stirs something oddly familiar in him be the one to start the thaw? And what about her mother? It’s a wonderful story, perfect blend of action and love and impossible to put down once you start reading. I received an advance copy of Outlaw. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 204468283 I live by one simple my daughter and baseball are all that matter. Until I get traded to the same team my unforgettable vacation fling works for.

I wanted Willow Lawson from the first second I saw her, and once we gave in to temptation on the sunny beaches of Hawaii, I knew I’d never forget her.

But our fling was meant to be just that. A hot vacation hookup and nothing more. After all, she’s got a rule

Never date a baseball player.

When my agent lands me the deal of a lifetime with the Vancouver Tridents, it seems like the perfect move.

Until Willow walks into the conference room on my first day, and I realize maybe this time, our rules were meant to be broken.]]> 304 Julia Jarrett Sally 5 2025-read
Willow Lawson is strong and independent, determined, beautiful, funny, excellent at her job. But with some sadness in her past and some concerns in the present. And a hard and fast rule for the future: don’t ever date �� much less fall for �� a baseball player. Well, you know what they say about rules, though? They are made to be broken, even if you didn’t mean to, even if you didn’t even realize you were breaking your rule, because fate is sometimes just that �� fate �� and there is nothing you can do about it.

Willow is the assistant director of media relations for the Vancouver Tridents professional baseball team. A job she is really, really good at, and has in fact been performing the duties of the director for a while now, since the current director is planning to retire and has pretty much checked out. Willow is looking to move up, but in her mind it’s tricky. Because she’s also the niece (well, he’s just like an uncle to her) of the team’s owner. She doesn’t want any hint of nepotism, favoritism, getting ahead on anything other than her own merit, hence the no dating a player rule. Because that’s against the rules, isn’t it? So far, so good. Willow is off for a much-needed vacation in Hawaii. And suddenly at the airport she sees . . .

Escalator God. There is no other name for him. Stunningly attractive, mesmerizing. She can’t take her eyes off him and the feeling seems mutual. If she hadn’t been hurrying to catch her flight she would have followed him. Yes, he’s that good looking and the instant attraction is that strong.

And here’s where fate steps in: Escalator God is Ronan Sinclair and he just so happens to be seated right next to her on the flight to Hawaii. They lightly flirt, each taken with the other, but she refuses his dinner invitation, instead wanting to see if or where fate will take them next. Fate takes them lots of places, throwing them together over and over, making the connection stronger and stronger. Ronan is an all-star first baseman, and Willow recognized him when she saw him up close and personal, but he’s not on “her�� team and while it’s maybe bending the rules, a little fling in Hawaii won’t hurt, will it? He’s a single dad, struggling to balance life and the job he loves, not looking for a serious relationship because doing what’s best for his little girl always comes first, but along comes Willow and shakes that up. His daughter Peyton will still always come first, but has his heart suddenly expanded and make forever room for Willow? Before things can lead to serious discussion, though, he’s called back home due to a family emergency and that’s that.

Or is it? Guess who’s been traded to the Tridents? And who can’t fight the attraction to Willow? Break the Rules is delightful right from the start, and once Ronan shows up as the new guy on the team it becomes so sweet and charming, making you laugh and making you need ice to cool you down after their steamy encounters and also making you want to sit down with them and work out a plan to make this a happy-ever-after instead of a can’t-break-that rule.

Jarrett has written a story that moves smoothly along, with a well-constructed plot, strong characters you want to know better, love and heat, lots of good times and some that aren’t so good. I was lucky enough to receive an advance listening copy of Break the Rules via Home Cooked Books. Jarret’s story would be captivating and marvelous on the written page but listening to talented voice actors Connor Crais and Angelina Rocca bring the story to life was perfect. Rocca makes Willow real, a little breathy, some little chuckles, and makes Willow’s fears as well as strength come through, along with her fast-blooming love for Ronan. Crais has a straightforward, sincere voice and delivery that sounds like it should be boring but is anything but. He just slides Ronan’s full personality into your head �� and ears �� and heart little by little until you feel like the Escalator God with those devastating dimples is standing right before you. I loved this book and am eager for the rest of the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.04 2024
author: Julia Jarrett
name: Sally
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/27
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Author Julia Jarrett is a new-to-me author but this will not be the last book of hers I read/listen to. I already cannot wait for the next book in this new spectacular Vancouver Tridents baseball team series. It you are looking for fun and sweetness and steam then you have come to the right author.

Willow Lawson is strong and independent, determined, beautiful, funny, excellent at her job. But with some sadness in her past and some concerns in the present. And a hard and fast rule for the future: don’t ever date �� much less fall for �� a baseball player. Well, you know what they say about rules, though? They are made to be broken, even if you didn’t mean to, even if you didn’t even realize you were breaking your rule, because fate is sometimes just that �� fate �� and there is nothing you can do about it.

Willow is the assistant director of media relations for the Vancouver Tridents professional baseball team. A job she is really, really good at, and has in fact been performing the duties of the director for a while now, since the current director is planning to retire and has pretty much checked out. Willow is looking to move up, but in her mind it’s tricky. Because she’s also the niece (well, he’s just like an uncle to her) of the team’s owner. She doesn’t want any hint of nepotism, favoritism, getting ahead on anything other than her own merit, hence the no dating a player rule. Because that’s against the rules, isn’t it? So far, so good. Willow is off for a much-needed vacation in Hawaii. And suddenly at the airport she sees . . .

Escalator God. There is no other name for him. Stunningly attractive, mesmerizing. She can’t take her eyes off him and the feeling seems mutual. If she hadn’t been hurrying to catch her flight she would have followed him. Yes, he’s that good looking and the instant attraction is that strong.

And here’s where fate steps in: Escalator God is Ronan Sinclair and he just so happens to be seated right next to her on the flight to Hawaii. They lightly flirt, each taken with the other, but she refuses his dinner invitation, instead wanting to see if or where fate will take them next. Fate takes them lots of places, throwing them together over and over, making the connection stronger and stronger. Ronan is an all-star first baseman, and Willow recognized him when she saw him up close and personal, but he’s not on “her�� team and while it’s maybe bending the rules, a little fling in Hawaii won’t hurt, will it? He’s a single dad, struggling to balance life and the job he loves, not looking for a serious relationship because doing what’s best for his little girl always comes first, but along comes Willow and shakes that up. His daughter Peyton will still always come first, but has his heart suddenly expanded and make forever room for Willow? Before things can lead to serious discussion, though, he’s called back home due to a family emergency and that’s that.

Or is it? Guess who’s been traded to the Tridents? And who can’t fight the attraction to Willow? Break the Rules is delightful right from the start, and once Ronan shows up as the new guy on the team it becomes so sweet and charming, making you laugh and making you need ice to cool you down after their steamy encounters and also making you want to sit down with them and work out a plan to make this a happy-ever-after instead of a can’t-break-that rule.

Jarrett has written a story that moves smoothly along, with a well-constructed plot, strong characters you want to know better, love and heat, lots of good times and some that aren’t so good. I was lucky enough to receive an advance listening copy of Break the Rules via Home Cooked Books. Jarret’s story would be captivating and marvelous on the written page but listening to talented voice actors Connor Crais and Angelina Rocca bring the story to life was perfect. Rocca makes Willow real, a little breathy, some little chuckles, and makes Willow’s fears as well as strength come through, along with her fast-blooming love for Ronan. Crais has a straightforward, sincere voice and delivery that sounds like it should be boring but is anything but. He just slides Ronan’s full personality into your head �� and ears �� and heart little by little until you feel like the Escalator God with those devastating dimples is standing right before you. I loved this book and am eager for the rest of the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 224247113
I didn’t mean to roast Gio Montagalo, goalie and crown jewel of The Houston Baddies hockey team. Honestly, I was screaming at the TV in a sports bar like any self-respecting sports junkie does when their team is on a losing streak! So when his twin sister sidles up on the stool beside me, laughing at my commentary, I figured I’d made a fan, too. What I didn’t expect? For her brother—the guy I called “a flashy ice peacock with the reflexes of a sloth”—to hear about it.

Yikes. What were the odds?!
Next thing I know, Gio is in my DMs with a challenge: “Hold up a sassy sign at my game and hit me with your best shot. Roast me in front of everyone.�� For him, it’s fun. For me, it’s humiliating. But I did it. Glitter included. And because the universe thrives on chaos, the Baddies won.

Now Gio thinks I’m his good luck charm, begging me to show up with more signs. He also wants to see me—off the ice.

What does a hot, hockey hunk want with a bookish girlie like me?

I try to keep my distance. Mostly.
Soon, Gio is showing up at my job for swoony kisses and trying to charm my dog—also named Gio—and failing because my dog hates him at first sight. I wonder if this whole “lucky charm�� thing has less to do with hockey and more to do with the overwhelming, undeniable pull I feel toward him. Or maybe it’s fate’s way of showing me that sometimes, the guy you roast on national TV can be the one you accidentally fall for.

Fast-paced and hilarious, Hit Me With Your Best Shot is full of electric chemistry—and tons of spice. Austin Adam's life just went from shouting at the TV screen—to becoming part of the show.]]> 376 Sara Ney Sally 5 2025-read
When we first see Austin she’s a bold, loud woman, dedicated hockey fan watching the game in a local bar one night because she gave her season tickets to a friend for a special occasion. She’s not any quieter in that bar than she is at the games, and doesn’t hesitate to publicly blast the (hot, sexy) goalie who’s had three terrible games in a row. The bartender gets in on this little spectacle, as does the woman sitting next to her at the bar. Losing game over, night over, back to the stadium for the next game.

Except she doesn’t know who that woman was, which leads to the cutest meet-cute ever. Back to the bar to pick up her burger and fries, she spots a random (hot, sexy) guy in a ball cap and hoodie and starts up a conversation. Ends with him saying he has connections and can get her seats behind the glass to the next Baddies game. Who could resist that? Not Austin, that’s for sure. So they exchange numbers and she and this hot mystery man named G text a bit. She agrees to take a glittery sign to the game, a sign giving goalie Montagalo a little more of her unsolicited advice. From this point on, prepare to laugh so hard you’ll be doubled over, sniffle so much you’ll need a tissue or two, and flush so much from the spicy, scorchy, swoony scenes you’ll need a bucket of ice and a fan.

After the Baddies win, Gio considers her his good luck charm �� and the first woman he’s wanted to pursue in a long time. She just tingles and blushes and flushes and daydreams (and night dreams) about him so much she hardly remembers what a professor is supposed to do. Their text banter is priceless. Their chemistry is out of this world. But of course it can’t work, right? Too soon, too many differences, too . . . wait, what was that?? They just fit.

Hit Me with Your Best Shot is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. She’s full of confidence and wit and enthusiasm, at least on the surface. But he brings out so much in her, makes her feel so good, so beautiful, so wanted. He has the easy smile, the confident swagger, but for him, too, there’s a lot more underneath. It’s a wonderfully satisfying story about love and family and sports and grumpy dogs and you will love every word of it. I guarantee it. Sara Ney is always an author to be at the top of your TBR list and this fantastic story is no exception. I received an advance copy of the book. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.03
author: Sara Ney
name: Sally
average rating: 4.03
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/08
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I can’t even begin to describe how enjoyable this book was. All the characters are adorable. Well, maybe not that dog so much at first, but all the people are interesting and fun. There’s a bit of an age gap �� she’s three years older than him �� but you stop thinking about that immediately. She’s a professor, he’s a hockey goalie, but it’s not brains vs. brawn. It’s not even her vs. him. It’s them vs. �� well, nobody. Because it’s Them with a capital T even before they realize it.

When we first see Austin she’s a bold, loud woman, dedicated hockey fan watching the game in a local bar one night because she gave her season tickets to a friend for a special occasion. She’s not any quieter in that bar than she is at the games, and doesn’t hesitate to publicly blast the (hot, sexy) goalie who’s had three terrible games in a row. The bartender gets in on this little spectacle, as does the woman sitting next to her at the bar. Losing game over, night over, back to the stadium for the next game.

Except she doesn’t know who that woman was, which leads to the cutest meet-cute ever. Back to the bar to pick up her burger and fries, she spots a random (hot, sexy) guy in a ball cap and hoodie and starts up a conversation. Ends with him saying he has connections and can get her seats behind the glass to the next Baddies game. Who could resist that? Not Austin, that’s for sure. So they exchange numbers and she and this hot mystery man named G text a bit. She agrees to take a glittery sign to the game, a sign giving goalie Montagalo a little more of her unsolicited advice. From this point on, prepare to laugh so hard you’ll be doubled over, sniffle so much you’ll need a tissue or two, and flush so much from the spicy, scorchy, swoony scenes you’ll need a bucket of ice and a fan.

After the Baddies win, Gio considers her his good luck charm �� and the first woman he’s wanted to pursue in a long time. She just tingles and blushes and flushes and daydreams (and night dreams) about him so much she hardly remembers what a professor is supposed to do. Their text banter is priceless. Their chemistry is out of this world. But of course it can’t work, right? Too soon, too many differences, too . . . wait, what was that?? They just fit.

Hit Me with Your Best Shot is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. She’s full of confidence and wit and enthusiasm, at least on the surface. But he brings out so much in her, makes her feel so good, so beautiful, so wanted. He has the easy smile, the confident swagger, but for him, too, there’s a lot more underneath. It’s a wonderfully satisfying story about love and family and sports and grumpy dogs and you will love every word of it. I guarantee it. Sara Ney is always an author to be at the top of your TBR list and this fantastic story is no exception. I received an advance copy of the book. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 217500852 From the bestselling author of Fractured comes a moving, heart-mending and uplifting novel of love, hope and second chances.

�ճ�����

On the eve of her wedding to Adam, Lily’s best friend Josh unexpectedly walked out of her life, and she hasn’t seen him since.

Lily and Adam are blissfully happy, until he falls ill. As she cares for him in his final hours, Adam asks her to make a mysterious promise: to find Josh—and forgive them both.

This winter��

Tracking Josh down isn’t easy, but fate seems determined to bring them together. Cut off in his remote Scottish cabin by a fierce snowstorm, Lily and Josh explore their tangled feelings for each other, stretching back over the decades. But when she discovers the shocking reason behind Adam’s unexpected last wish, she’ll need to trust her heart completely��

Can Lily and Josh choose love—and find forgiveness and lasting happiness together?

Always You and Me asks: Do you choose love? Or does love choose you?]]> 394 Dani Atkins 1662527497 Sally 5 2025-read 4.36 2025
author: Dani Atkins
name: Sally
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/26
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: 2025-read
review:

]]> 231267109 Peace is precious in Grand Bank. So is justice.

Sgt. Windflower Mysteries �� Bestselling and Award-Winning Light Mysteries

#1 Bestselling Cozy Mystery on Amazon

Winner of the Bony Blithe Award for Best Light Mystery

Silver Medallist at the Reader’s Choice Awards

Shortlisted for LOLA 2024 Must-Read Book of the Year

Welcome back to Grand Bank, where community is everything—and nothing stays hidden for long.

As Winston Windflower and his RCMP colleagues gather in Marystown, Newfoundland, to celebrate promotions and milestones, trouble is brewing far beyond the banquet hall. A sophisticated heist operation—led by international mobsters and local biker gangs—is sweeping through the province, hitting banks and businesses in a coordinated crime spree that leaves more than just empty vaults behind.

In Book 16 of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, bestselling author Mike Martin returns readers to the beloved, fog-kissed coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, where the bonds of family, friendship, and community are as strong as ever. But even in the coziest corners of Grand Bank, danger can creep in like the tide.

Whether you're a longtime fan or meeting Sgt. Windflower for the first time, you’ll be swept up in a mystery rich with charm, warmth, por�� cakes, movie nights, and the unmistakable magic of a lighthouse that’s long overdue for a facelift.

★★★★�� Praise for the Best-Selling and Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries ★★★★��“Be prepared to be charmed by Windflower, a food-loving sergeant who could possibly be Canada’s most polite Mountie.��
�� Halifax Chronicle-Herald

“Another full-faceted Windflower mystery which brings community, causes, and protective instincts to life in a swirl of dilemmas and responses that will especially attract readers and libraries seeking superior Canadian-based intrigue and characters whose personal lives shine as much as the mystery.��
�� Midwest Book Review

“Master storyteller Mike Martin has created a singularly unique concept in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series by blending police procedures with Cree spiritual traditions. The series abounds with life lessons. He has cleverly crafted an elaborately complex series wisely presenting a myriad of human foibles and the challenges faced by his protagonist.��
�� The Reading Room

“If you love murder mysteries that are well-crafted, majorly entertaining, and interesting enough to keep you reading way past your bedtime, I can recommend trying the latest Sgt. Windflower Mystery.��
�� Perfect at Midnight Blog

“Readers cannot get enough of Windflower and this series. Fall in love with the relationships, the cases, the town—and when they talk about food�� I highly encourage you to grab a snack and a drink, go to your comfy seat, and dig in.��
�� Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

“The Sgt. Windflower Mystery series is so much more than just stories about criminals and the amazing police force that catch them.]]> 288 Mike Martin 1990896316 Sally 5 2025-read
The books have become a little darker, a little more intense and a little more violent over the years. I don’t know if it’s just a reflection of today’s world, growth in Marystown, Grand Bank and other places which brings more crime, a combination of things or what, but it works, because it makes the stories feel real and relevant. And it also works because it’s always balanced out with the “good�� view of things by friends, family, food and the beautiful backdrop.

Complex, sophisticated crime has come to Marystown and Grand Bank once again. Grand Bank, especially, still has that small-town feel, where everyone knows everyone else and they pull together, but it’s not a fairy tale and bad characters and the influence and repercussions from the big cities and even the rest of the world creep in and must be dealt with. Windflower is no longer an inexperienced, small town young man, but a competent officer and leader in the RCMP. He doesn’t like or look for violence, but he doesn’t shy away from it either. He’s committed to serving and protecting his community and seeing that justice is done, even if that does put him in danger or cause him to act in ways he’d really rather not. He’s a strong leader and a good liaison between his staff and his superiors.

After his brief assignments elsewhere and his also brief departure from the RCMP, Winston is back in Grand Bank. Home. His position requires him to regularly travel to Marystown and often farther afield but he always returns to Sheila and the girls. Just as he’s grown both as a man and a Mountie, his marriage to Sheila has also grown. They’ve reached the necessary compromise: he keeps her in the loop as much as possible and doesn’t take unnecessary risks, she expresses her worry but without an overlay of guilt or ultimatum. It was obvious from the start that Winston and Sheila were meant to be together, but I had to laugh when he returned from this last dangerous operation and she told him, “Sometimes I think I should kill you myself to get it over with.�� And the girls? They’ve grown, too. Delightfully. Amelia Louise is still a feisty little thing and Stella is an adventurous big sister. Windflower’s serious policeman persona goes right out the window when he’s playing with and taking care of his girls. And his pets.

Friends Are Forever is the perfect next step in this series and I for one hope author Mike Martin keeps writing these satisfying stories as long as the mood strikes him. The town, the food, the café, the Shakespeare, the classical music, dreams, smudging, old and new friends and coworkers and over the past couple of books some loss. All creating a warm sense of community and comfort.

Thanks to author Mike Martin for providing an advance copy of Friends Are Forever. It’s thrilling and at times frightening, full of action, and overflowing with the warmth we are used to. When Winston cooks, I get hungry. And I’ve been known to order a box or two of Tim Horton k-cups while reading. I also don’t think I’ve heard the expression “rode hard and put away wet�� since childhood; brought a smile to my face. Thinking back over the series many images come to mind, of a young, serious loner, a man in love, a couple adjusting to marriage and building a family, the circle of friends and family. I have enjoyed it all and look forward to many more books. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, recommend you go back to the beginning to get the ultimate pleasure, and can’t wait for what’s next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.78
author: Mike Martin
name: Sally
average rating: 4.78
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/08
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Friends Are Forever is the 16th book in the Sgt. Winston Windflower Mysteries series. Just as every book before it, it is new, unique and exciting while familiar and comforting at the same time. Author Mike Martin recently published a blog post on both his author website and the Sgt. Windflower page �� “Why I Continue to Write Sgt. Windflower Mysteries�� �� which captures many of the reasons I continue to read them. They are always excellent: quality writing, smooth and logical plot, a challenging mystery, a satisfying ending and a perfect blend of police work and family life.

The books have become a little darker, a little more intense and a little more violent over the years. I don’t know if it’s just a reflection of today’s world, growth in Marystown, Grand Bank and other places which brings more crime, a combination of things or what, but it works, because it makes the stories feel real and relevant. And it also works because it’s always balanced out with the “good�� view of things by friends, family, food and the beautiful backdrop.

Complex, sophisticated crime has come to Marystown and Grand Bank once again. Grand Bank, especially, still has that small-town feel, where everyone knows everyone else and they pull together, but it’s not a fairy tale and bad characters and the influence and repercussions from the big cities and even the rest of the world creep in and must be dealt with. Windflower is no longer an inexperienced, small town young man, but a competent officer and leader in the RCMP. He doesn’t like or look for violence, but he doesn’t shy away from it either. He’s committed to serving and protecting his community and seeing that justice is done, even if that does put him in danger or cause him to act in ways he’d really rather not. He’s a strong leader and a good liaison between his staff and his superiors.

After his brief assignments elsewhere and his also brief departure from the RCMP, Winston is back in Grand Bank. Home. His position requires him to regularly travel to Marystown and often farther afield but he always returns to Sheila and the girls. Just as he’s grown both as a man and a Mountie, his marriage to Sheila has also grown. They’ve reached the necessary compromise: he keeps her in the loop as much as possible and doesn’t take unnecessary risks, she expresses her worry but without an overlay of guilt or ultimatum. It was obvious from the start that Winston and Sheila were meant to be together, but I had to laugh when he returned from this last dangerous operation and she told him, “Sometimes I think I should kill you myself to get it over with.�� And the girls? They’ve grown, too. Delightfully. Amelia Louise is still a feisty little thing and Stella is an adventurous big sister. Windflower’s serious policeman persona goes right out the window when he’s playing with and taking care of his girls. And his pets.

Friends Are Forever is the perfect next step in this series and I for one hope author Mike Martin keeps writing these satisfying stories as long as the mood strikes him. The town, the food, the café, the Shakespeare, the classical music, dreams, smudging, old and new friends and coworkers and over the past couple of books some loss. All creating a warm sense of community and comfort.

Thanks to author Mike Martin for providing an advance copy of Friends Are Forever. It’s thrilling and at times frightening, full of action, and overflowing with the warmth we are used to. When Winston cooks, I get hungry. And I’ve been known to order a box or two of Tim Horton k-cups while reading. I also don’t think I’ve heard the expression “rode hard and put away wet�� since childhood; brought a smile to my face. Thinking back over the series many images come to mind, of a young, serious loner, a man in love, a couple adjusting to marriage and building a family, the circle of friends and family. I have enjoyed it all and look forward to many more books. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, recommend you go back to the beginning to get the ultimate pleasure, and can’t wait for what’s next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 215579498
That sentence seems innocent enough in the right setting.

But the woman’s father? Yeah, he happens to be my boss.

The first time I met Cashlynn O’Neil, she thought she was going to die before the plane we were on ever left the ground.

So I did what any gentleman would do—I comforted her, kept her distracted, and then later that night, she ended up back in my hotel room to thank me.

But then a year later she waltzed in the Carrington Cove Animal Hospital and told her father we were engaged.

And that would have been harmless, except the last time I was engaged it left me scarred beyond repair, vowing never to entertain the idea of love again.

I can’t fall for my boss’s daughter.

I can’t keep lying to myself about how I feel either.

But is it possible that someday you learn that it’s not the wrong person that will make you question what you want in life, but it’s the right one?

And is Cashlynn the right woman for me?]]> 346 Harlow James Sally 5 2025-read
I already knew I was going to love Someday You Learn. I mean, come on: Harlow James wrote it, it’s back in beautiful Carrington Cove, which means more time around town with Dallas and Willow and Penn and Astrid and Grady and Scottie and Hazel and all the rest, it’s about another Sheppard brother �� the handsome, hot one with the glasses. It’s like a big bag of birthday presents. And bonus �� Teddy Hamilton and Emma Wilder are narrating it.

After Willow posts photos of Parker in Dr. Sheppard mode tending to the geese at her house women are literally throwing themselves at his feet. And He. Is. Not. Interested. He’s too busy, his life is already full, relationships aren’t for him. His mind is constantly giving him reasons why love won’t work. He has no intention of ever needing someone or of putting himself in the position of being needed again. Until that flight to Philadelphia.

If she wasn’t so genuinely terrified of flying, the antics of the women in the seat next to him would be funny. Or irritating until he realizes she really is scared, because she won’t stop talking and sighing and moving around. He had planned to be his usual loner self on the flight, until �� cue the music �� “When our eyes meet, it’s like someone just punched me in the chest.�� And Parker really is a good guy, so he goes all out to try and calm her down, to distract her. It works, and she’s not the only one distracted and attracted. So much so that he invites her to dinner and they end up having a really good (translation: scorching hot) time in his hotel room �� until she bolts in the middle of the night. Although his ego is a little bruised it’s probably for the best that she’s gone and they’ll never see each other again, because he was on the verge of asking for her number. Bad idea. So he’ll just go back to his regular life: vet duties, hoping to take over the practice when Dr. O’Neil retires, dealing with the lazy, incompetent, sneaky other young vet in the office who thinks he should be the one to take over the practice, fending off well-intentioned meddling from his family to “get back out there.�� Business as usual, right?

Wrong. Dr. O’Neil slips and falls. Is supposed to stay home but comes into the office. And a voice from a year ago and that magical flight says, “Dad, you should be at home.�� Dad? Dad?? Yep, plane and hotel lady Cashlynn is the daughter Dr. O’Neil calls June Bug, not Cashlynn. Big shock. Nothing compared to the shock Parker feels, however, when Cashlynn tells her father she’s really here to see her fiancé. Her fiancé who happens to be Parker. It’s funny, it’s bold, and it’s dishonest.

Cashlynn is a successful lawyer. Or was, because she hated it and just quit. She wants to be an artist like her late mother. The lawyer career was her father’s dream for her and he pushed and nagged and guilted her into it; any idea of continuing art died with her mother. She has a proposition for Parker: she wants to finally do something with her art �� a gallery, studio, giving lessons �� but doesn’t want to tell her father until it’s a done deal and she can prove to him she can succeed at it. if Parker will be her fake fiancé for a while she’ll do all she can to help him get the practice. He doesn’t like the idea but feels cornered. He could say no, but whatever it was that made his heart pound when they first met is still there; watching her talk about her dreams makes him feel ready to conquer the world if that would make them come true.

Their attraction is still fiery, burning hot, undeniable and of course he fights it. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it brings you to tears, sometimes it’s infuriating. Cashlynn is afraid of disappointing her father, of failing. She’s been told so often that her dreams are foolish, security and stability are what count. Parker is afraid of . . . well, he’s really afraid of living. Whatever has him drowning in guilt has him convinced he’s unworthy, undeserving of moving on. It’s sad, and it’s frustrating because it erects a huge barrier between the two of them, when everyone in Carrington Cove (and this reader) can see they are meant to be together.

Someday you Learn is the fourth entry in the Carrington Cove series. The books just get better and better, building on the past and (hopefully) creating a future for the next couple. Author Harlow James is so talented: words and phrases draw you in, the ocean and the town and the shops are welcoming, and Cashlynn and Parker are delightful. Learning about one another, sparring, having unexpected fun and tender moments, experiencing emotions so powerful they take your breath away. Even though this engagement comes with an expiration date, they are there for each other as no one else has ever been. They are both dealing with serious memories, experiences and issues and author James treats them sensitively, even if I did need a tissue more than once.

And let’s not forget the joy of listening to the story as well as reading it. Teddy Hamilton is like the Everyman of Narrators or something. He becomes whatever character he is playing; a few sentences in and my mental picture is set. He can be goofy, serious, mean, mysterious, mad, mischievous, insecure, whatever, but never boring. And his presentation of sexy, desperate, lonely, vulnerable, caring, protective and oh-so-good-at-heart Parker was absolutely perfect. Emma Wilder makes little changes in her voice that translate to big personality changes and emotions. Her Cashlynn was scared and then sultry. Strong and sarcastic. The anxiety around her father came through loud and clear, as did her growing care and feelings for Parker. I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies. I loved Someday You Learn and recommend it without hesitation and urge you to read the entire series and everything else this terrific author writes. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.35
author: Harlow James
name: Sally
average rating: 4.35
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/01
date added: 2025/04/11
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Just a couple sentences into the prologue and you know this story is going to tear you up. Up until now we haven’t seen much of Parker. He’s the friendly but rather aloof young veterinarian. He’s close to his family but he has encounters, not real dates. He’s not looking for love in all the right or the wrong places. Seeing his older brothers Dallas and Penn and their friend Grady open themselves up to forever love hasn’t moved him. We get a hint at why in the prologue. Something big happened. Don’t know what yet, but Parker is broken because of it. All you want from that point on is for him to let go and allow himself to be happy.

I already knew I was going to love Someday You Learn. I mean, come on: Harlow James wrote it, it’s back in beautiful Carrington Cove, which means more time around town with Dallas and Willow and Penn and Astrid and Grady and Scottie and Hazel and all the rest, it’s about another Sheppard brother �� the handsome, hot one with the glasses. It’s like a big bag of birthday presents. And bonus �� Teddy Hamilton and Emma Wilder are narrating it.

After Willow posts photos of Parker in Dr. Sheppard mode tending to the geese at her house women are literally throwing themselves at his feet. And He. Is. Not. Interested. He’s too busy, his life is already full, relationships aren’t for him. His mind is constantly giving him reasons why love won’t work. He has no intention of ever needing someone or of putting himself in the position of being needed again. Until that flight to Philadelphia.

If she wasn’t so genuinely terrified of flying, the antics of the women in the seat next to him would be funny. Or irritating until he realizes she really is scared, because she won’t stop talking and sighing and moving around. He had planned to be his usual loner self on the flight, until �� cue the music �� “When our eyes meet, it’s like someone just punched me in the chest.�� And Parker really is a good guy, so he goes all out to try and calm her down, to distract her. It works, and she’s not the only one distracted and attracted. So much so that he invites her to dinner and they end up having a really good (translation: scorching hot) time in his hotel room �� until she bolts in the middle of the night. Although his ego is a little bruised it’s probably for the best that she’s gone and they’ll never see each other again, because he was on the verge of asking for her number. Bad idea. So he’ll just go back to his regular life: vet duties, hoping to take over the practice when Dr. O’Neil retires, dealing with the lazy, incompetent, sneaky other young vet in the office who thinks he should be the one to take over the practice, fending off well-intentioned meddling from his family to “get back out there.�� Business as usual, right?

Wrong. Dr. O’Neil slips and falls. Is supposed to stay home but comes into the office. And a voice from a year ago and that magical flight says, “Dad, you should be at home.�� Dad? Dad?? Yep, plane and hotel lady Cashlynn is the daughter Dr. O’Neil calls June Bug, not Cashlynn. Big shock. Nothing compared to the shock Parker feels, however, when Cashlynn tells her father she’s really here to see her fiancé. Her fiancé who happens to be Parker. It’s funny, it’s bold, and it’s dishonest.

Cashlynn is a successful lawyer. Or was, because she hated it and just quit. She wants to be an artist like her late mother. The lawyer career was her father’s dream for her and he pushed and nagged and guilted her into it; any idea of continuing art died with her mother. She has a proposition for Parker: she wants to finally do something with her art �� a gallery, studio, giving lessons �� but doesn’t want to tell her father until it’s a done deal and she can prove to him she can succeed at it. if Parker will be her fake fiancé for a while she’ll do all she can to help him get the practice. He doesn’t like the idea but feels cornered. He could say no, but whatever it was that made his heart pound when they first met is still there; watching her talk about her dreams makes him feel ready to conquer the world if that would make them come true.

Their attraction is still fiery, burning hot, undeniable and of course he fights it. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it brings you to tears, sometimes it’s infuriating. Cashlynn is afraid of disappointing her father, of failing. She’s been told so often that her dreams are foolish, security and stability are what count. Parker is afraid of . . . well, he’s really afraid of living. Whatever has him drowning in guilt has him convinced he’s unworthy, undeserving of moving on. It’s sad, and it’s frustrating because it erects a huge barrier between the two of them, when everyone in Carrington Cove (and this reader) can see they are meant to be together.

Someday you Learn is the fourth entry in the Carrington Cove series. The books just get better and better, building on the past and (hopefully) creating a future for the next couple. Author Harlow James is so talented: words and phrases draw you in, the ocean and the town and the shops are welcoming, and Cashlynn and Parker are delightful. Learning about one another, sparring, having unexpected fun and tender moments, experiencing emotions so powerful they take your breath away. Even though this engagement comes with an expiration date, they are there for each other as no one else has ever been. They are both dealing with serious memories, experiences and issues and author James treats them sensitively, even if I did need a tissue more than once.

And let’s not forget the joy of listening to the story as well as reading it. Teddy Hamilton is like the Everyman of Narrators or something. He becomes whatever character he is playing; a few sentences in and my mental picture is set. He can be goofy, serious, mean, mysterious, mad, mischievous, insecure, whatever, but never boring. And his presentation of sexy, desperate, lonely, vulnerable, caring, protective and oh-so-good-at-heart Parker was absolutely perfect. Emma Wilder makes little changes in her voice that translate to big personality changes and emotions. Her Cashlynn was scared and then sultry. Strong and sarcastic. The anxiety around her father came through loud and clear, as did her growing care and feelings for Parker. I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies. I loved Someday You Learn and recommend it without hesitation and urge you to read the entire series and everything else this terrific author writes. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 222678637 She’s moving on. He’s running out of time. One reckless night changes everything.

Reece Hunnicutt has spent his life coming to the rescue—whether it’s pulling climbers off treacherous mountain faces or volunteering to string the town’s Christmas lights. But after walking away from the elite search and rescue squad that gave him purpose, Reece is a man untethered, without a landing pad and dodging questions about his future. The one constant in his life? His quiet dedication to his small mountain town and his brothers who have no idea he’s about to embark on a new future that will take him to the other side of the continent.

Town veterinarian Neve Embry has been nursing a one-sided love for Reece since childhood. But she’s done waiting for him to see her as more than a kid sister who needs his protection. Between juggling a struggling clinic and starting up an exciting new relationship with a charming billionaire resort owner, Neve is determined to move on. Sparks might not fly with her new beau, but at least her heart isn’t on the line.

Until one impulsive night in Vegas changes everything.

Waking up married to Reece is the last thing Neve expects—or wants. But when her clinic is vandalized and her life upended, Reece insists on sticking around until the culprit is caught. Forced to live under the same roof, their shaky alliance begins to crack under the weight of their undeniable chemistry.

As danger closes in and secrets come to light, Reece and Neve must confront the truth about their desires—and decide whether this love can be rescued.]]> 385 G.K. Brady 1962545148 Sally 5 2025-read
Reece is the oldest Hunnicutt brother, before Noah and Charlie. He’s a Hunnicutt so we can dispense with the so-handsome-it-makes-your-eyes-hurt part; we already know that. Reece is the quiet, sometimes broody one, the rescuer in every sense of the word. He’d help everyone in Fall River if he could, and he loves his job with Search & Rescue. But Reece has gotten himself in a bit of a pickle (well, as the story moves on you might think it’s more than one, but for now . . . ) by getting casually involved with his supervisor at work. He figured it would just fade away eventually and in the meantime a little fun and someone to talk to wasn’t a bad idea. Except not only is he the only one who thinks it’s casual, she’s married, and vindictive to boot. Gulp. So he quits SAR. He’s wisely invested and saved his inheritance from his grandfather, so money isn’t a problem, but you can’t make a life’s work out of stringing Christmas lights. Sooner or later he’s going to have to move on, but the mere idea of leaving Fall River is tearing his heart out.

Neve Embry is the town veterinarian and honorary little sister to the Hunnicutt boys. They’ve known each other since childhood; Charlie has been her plus-one when needed and Noah has always been there for her. But Reece, well . . . let’s just say that Little Girl Neve fell in love with Little Boy Reece probably soon after they both started walking and it’s never changed. She’s imagined his proposal, their wedding, their life together. But that’s starting to be more than a little pathetic since Reece still has her shoved into that little sister zone, so she’s made up her mind to get over him. So there. She’s even started dating the town billionaire. Let’s see how all that works out.

Reece could use a little knock upside the head to make him realize he no longer thinks of Neve as little, nor does he really think of her as a sister. Lucky for Reece, he’s going to get that knock to the head. Author Brady brings everybody in Fall River back for The Rescuer, so we get a front row seat at Noah and Hailey’s wedding, which was supposed to happen at the resort but because of a fire has been moved to Las Vegas courtesy of that aforementioned billionaire. It’s over the top but it’s also romantic, and Charlie and Joy get caught up and decide to get married, too. A two-fer, how cute. Seems Reece and Neve got caught up, too �� or maybe had a few too many drinks �� and decided to go for a three-fer. That is beyond cute. And from this point I’ll leave you to read the rest of the story on your own, because it’s amazing and my words cannot compete with Brady’s.

I loved Brady’s Playmaker hockey series and went into temporary mourning when it ended, but Fall River and its occupants is every bit as good. I love it there. I could draw you a map of the area by now and know just where to shop, eat and have my nails done. It was great fun to catch up with all my favorite people, and to see Reece finally have to raise his head up instead of always keeping it down, to have to make decisions and allow for the possibility of change. I have a particular G. K. Brady favorite character that captured my heart and won’t let go, but I must say Reece almost knocked him off his perch. He is adorable, in a breathtaking, hunky, crabby kind of way. He and Neve have known each other so long yet still have much to learn; this could be the romance you’ve been looking for. And fair warning: as always, those spicy scenes will have you looking for ice water and a hanky to wipe your brow.

Thanks to author G. K. Brady for providing an advance copy of The Rescuer. I just loved it and I know it’s going on my re-read stack. I recommend it without hesitation. You need to read it, but take a moment and read the first two books first to get to know everybody else, and while you’re at it read about those Playmakers. I have no idea what Brady has in store for us next, but I can’t wait. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.70
author: G.K. Brady
name: Sally
average rating: 4.70
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/06
date added: 2025/04/10
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Author G. K. Brady always hits the right note with every single word she puts down. She sets the scene for great visuals, whether tender, angry, funny, heartfelt. And when her characters start babbling and falling all over their own words it’s priceless.

Reece is the oldest Hunnicutt brother, before Noah and Charlie. He’s a Hunnicutt so we can dispense with the so-handsome-it-makes-your-eyes-hurt part; we already know that. Reece is the quiet, sometimes broody one, the rescuer in every sense of the word. He’d help everyone in Fall River if he could, and he loves his job with Search & Rescue. But Reece has gotten himself in a bit of a pickle (well, as the story moves on you might think it’s more than one, but for now . . . ) by getting casually involved with his supervisor at work. He figured it would just fade away eventually and in the meantime a little fun and someone to talk to wasn’t a bad idea. Except not only is he the only one who thinks it’s casual, she’s married, and vindictive to boot. Gulp. So he quits SAR. He’s wisely invested and saved his inheritance from his grandfather, so money isn’t a problem, but you can’t make a life’s work out of stringing Christmas lights. Sooner or later he’s going to have to move on, but the mere idea of leaving Fall River is tearing his heart out.

Neve Embry is the town veterinarian and honorary little sister to the Hunnicutt boys. They’ve known each other since childhood; Charlie has been her plus-one when needed and Noah has always been there for her. But Reece, well . . . let’s just say that Little Girl Neve fell in love with Little Boy Reece probably soon after they both started walking and it’s never changed. She’s imagined his proposal, their wedding, their life together. But that’s starting to be more than a little pathetic since Reece still has her shoved into that little sister zone, so she’s made up her mind to get over him. So there. She’s even started dating the town billionaire. Let’s see how all that works out.

Reece could use a little knock upside the head to make him realize he no longer thinks of Neve as little, nor does he really think of her as a sister. Lucky for Reece, he’s going to get that knock to the head. Author Brady brings everybody in Fall River back for The Rescuer, so we get a front row seat at Noah and Hailey’s wedding, which was supposed to happen at the resort but because of a fire has been moved to Las Vegas courtesy of that aforementioned billionaire. It’s over the top but it’s also romantic, and Charlie and Joy get caught up and decide to get married, too. A two-fer, how cute. Seems Reece and Neve got caught up, too �� or maybe had a few too many drinks �� and decided to go for a three-fer. That is beyond cute. And from this point I’ll leave you to read the rest of the story on your own, because it’s amazing and my words cannot compete with Brady’s.

I loved Brady’s Playmaker hockey series and went into temporary mourning when it ended, but Fall River and its occupants is every bit as good. I love it there. I could draw you a map of the area by now and know just where to shop, eat and have my nails done. It was great fun to catch up with all my favorite people, and to see Reece finally have to raise his head up instead of always keeping it down, to have to make decisions and allow for the possibility of change. I have a particular G. K. Brady favorite character that captured my heart and won’t let go, but I must say Reece almost knocked him off his perch. He is adorable, in a breathtaking, hunky, crabby kind of way. He and Neve have known each other so long yet still have much to learn; this could be the romance you’ve been looking for. And fair warning: as always, those spicy scenes will have you looking for ice water and a hanky to wipe your brow.

Thanks to author G. K. Brady for providing an advance copy of The Rescuer. I just loved it and I know it’s going on my re-read stack. I recommend it without hesitation. You need to read it, but take a moment and read the first two books first to get to know everybody else, and while you’re at it read about those Playmakers. I have no idea what Brady has in store for us next, but I can’t wait. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 218241120 I have two goals this season:
1. Stop enough pucks to get the Seattle Serpents to the playoffs.
2. Don’t fall for my fake fiancée.

When Lilah Maddison’s mother keeps trying to set her up on dates she’s not interested in, she blurts out that she’s already seeing someone. The problem? She’s single.

So, I step in to help and agree to pretend to be her boyfriend for an event. But when things go awry, we’re no longer just dating—we’re engaged. Now, I have to find a way to keep her family off her back and our team in a playoff spot, all without falling in love with Lilah, which seems more impossible with each passing day.

She’s funny, driven, drop-dead gorgeous, and not afraid to make the first move. I know we’re playing a dangerous game, yet I can’t stop myself from having feelings I definitely shouldn’t be having, especially not for my fake fiancée.

It’s my job to block, make saves, and keep the puck out of my own net, but this might be one match I can’t win…and I might not want to.


EMPTY NET is a standalone hockey romance novel. There's a cinnamon roll goalie (who is a very good boy)who is fake engaged to a headstrong heroine, found family vibes, slightly unhinged group chats with teammates, plenty of steam, and a happy ending.]]> 361 Teagan Hunter Sally 5 2025-read
Lilah Maddison is so worn down by her family that she can’t utter a word to her mother without first thinking it over 50 times for fear of the consequences. It’s just easier to go along than to suffer through more cutting criticism and being told what a failure and disappointment she is and always has been. She has encounters, too, and all her relationships have failed. Her self-confidence is low, low, low and going along again is what she’s doing when Fox overhears her tell her mother that of course she has a date for a family event. Just wait, you’ll see. Except she doesn’t have a date and now she’ll have to confess and suffer more consequences, unless . . . she can beg someone to be her fake date.

She doesn’t even have to beg. Fox’s inner gentleman leads him to take the phone out of her hand and introduce himself to her mother as Lilah’s date. She tries to talk him out of it, to tell him just what he would be letting himself in for with her rich, snobbish, horrible family, but he insists. Once they are actually there he realizes she’s right �� they are in fact horrible �� and he feels an overwhelming desire to protect her. Telling her parents they are dating doesn’t seem like enough to him, so he tells them they’re engaged. Well, that simplifies things, doesn’t it?

Lilah’s mother immediately goes into wedding planning mode, assuming Lilah is either lying or having a fling or something and that this relationship will fizzle �� after all, how could she actually bring someone so crude and beneath them as a hockey player into the family �� and Lilah will then marry someone suitable, chosen by her family, of course.

It all quickly becomes hilariously complex. It’s a fake engagement, but it feels so real. He can relax and be himself around her and she has never been so relaxed with anyone else, not even her best friend Auden. It can’t be real but what if it was? Nope, that’s a dream, dreams are risky, don’t go there. Then fake fiancé turns into fake fiancé with benefits, and it’s pretty special. Not to mention his hockey game becomes almost flawless.

Teagan Hunter writes the funniest, sweetest, sexiest stories around, with a thread of serious issues expertly woven in. There’s a lot to laugh about, but there is also a lot, like the way Lilah’s parents treat her, that will break your heart. They spend time together at first to be seen, for the engagement to be seen as real, but soon they want to learn more about each other and the dates Arthur plans for them are surprising and thoughtful and wonderful. He stands right beside her in dealing with her family, and she makes him wonder if it really is possible to have the kind of strong, long-lasting relationship his parents have.

Empty Net is an enjoyable, satisfying, heartwarming read, with tender moments, heated moments, funny moments. Lilah and Arthur’s developing relationship is a joy to watch, and every time they falter or misunderstand or fear things won’t work you want to reach right into the story and tell them everything will be okay. The characters are all well-written and multi-dimensional, the plot is strong and smooth, and the spicy bits are just wow. Empty Net worked just fine as a standalone but I am intrigued enough by the rest of the characters to go back and read the first three books in the series. And eagerly await whatever author Hunter gives us next. I received an advance copy of Empty Net. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.25
author: Teagan Hunter
name: Sally
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/05
date added: 2025/04/10
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Empty Net by author Teagan Hunter is the fourth book in the Seattle Serpents hockey team series. While I have enjoyed other books Hunter has written, this is the first book of this series I’ve read, and apparently according to team member Lawson, Keller is the dick, Hutch is the grump, Hayes is the protective one, Locke is the old man, and Fox is the good boy. I don’t know about the rest of them, but yes, Arthur Fox is the good boy. He’s a fine Southern gentleman, sweet, direct and good to his core. Also concerned about his performance as the goalie for the Serpents expansion team and getting them to the playoffs. He dates, or rather has encounters, but is a bit of a loner and not interested in a relationship. Been there, done that.

Lilah Maddison is so worn down by her family that she can’t utter a word to her mother without first thinking it over 50 times for fear of the consequences. It’s just easier to go along than to suffer through more cutting criticism and being told what a failure and disappointment she is and always has been. She has encounters, too, and all her relationships have failed. Her self-confidence is low, low, low and going along again is what she’s doing when Fox overhears her tell her mother that of course she has a date for a family event. Just wait, you’ll see. Except she doesn’t have a date and now she’ll have to confess and suffer more consequences, unless . . . she can beg someone to be her fake date.

She doesn’t even have to beg. Fox’s inner gentleman leads him to take the phone out of her hand and introduce himself to her mother as Lilah’s date. She tries to talk him out of it, to tell him just what he would be letting himself in for with her rich, snobbish, horrible family, but he insists. Once they are actually there he realizes she’s right �� they are in fact horrible �� and he feels an overwhelming desire to protect her. Telling her parents they are dating doesn’t seem like enough to him, so he tells them they’re engaged. Well, that simplifies things, doesn’t it?

Lilah’s mother immediately goes into wedding planning mode, assuming Lilah is either lying or having a fling or something and that this relationship will fizzle �� after all, how could she actually bring someone so crude and beneath them as a hockey player into the family �� and Lilah will then marry someone suitable, chosen by her family, of course.

It all quickly becomes hilariously complex. It’s a fake engagement, but it feels so real. He can relax and be himself around her and she has never been so relaxed with anyone else, not even her best friend Auden. It can’t be real but what if it was? Nope, that’s a dream, dreams are risky, don’t go there. Then fake fiancé turns into fake fiancé with benefits, and it’s pretty special. Not to mention his hockey game becomes almost flawless.

Teagan Hunter writes the funniest, sweetest, sexiest stories around, with a thread of serious issues expertly woven in. There’s a lot to laugh about, but there is also a lot, like the way Lilah’s parents treat her, that will break your heart. They spend time together at first to be seen, for the engagement to be seen as real, but soon they want to learn more about each other and the dates Arthur plans for them are surprising and thoughtful and wonderful. He stands right beside her in dealing with her family, and she makes him wonder if it really is possible to have the kind of strong, long-lasting relationship his parents have.

Empty Net is an enjoyable, satisfying, heartwarming read, with tender moments, heated moments, funny moments. Lilah and Arthur’s developing relationship is a joy to watch, and every time they falter or misunderstand or fear things won’t work you want to reach right into the story and tell them everything will be okay. The characters are all well-written and multi-dimensional, the plot is strong and smooth, and the spicy bits are just wow. Empty Net worked just fine as a standalone but I am intrigued enough by the rest of the characters to go back and read the first three books in the series. And eagerly await whatever author Hunter gives us next. I received an advance copy of Empty Net. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 222050483 As the rookie goalie for the Pittsburgh Fury, I have one job: keep my eye on the puck.

I finally made it to the pros, like my father before me, and I have to prove I belong here. But lately, I’ve been distracted.

There’s this woman. I met her after a game in Vegas, and we got a little drunk—and married.

My new wife is stunning, a cellist whose music breaks down my defenses. Amazingly, she’s moved to Pittsburgh to be with me and she even fits in with my rowdy family. Everything should be perfect.

But while I fight to keep my spot between the pipes, she’s struggling to find a path away from her controlling family. And now, her father is feeding nasty rumors to the press and I think my coaches believe them. The team is icing me out.

Was this marriage a reckless gamble after all?

Playing for Keeps is a sizzling sports romance with a tight-knit hockey family, a marriage of convenience, and two people learning to trust their hearts.]]> 256 Lainey Davis 1957145595 Sally 5 2025-read
Gunnar Stag is the rookie goalie for the Fury. Strong, cut, Stag handsome with the manners and sweetness all those brothers have under their sometimes cocky and crude behavior. But Gunnar? There’s just an extra layer of sweetness about him. He’s young and vibrant and as eager and excitable as a puppy. He’s just trying to stay healthy, play well and learn all he can to earn a permanent position on the Fury and have some no-strings fun during his downtime. His family name and connections have certainly helped get him where he is, but it’s up to him to keep that place. He saw how fleeting it could be when he witnessed his brother’s career-ending injury and he’s determined to make the most of his opportunity.

Emerson Saltzer has been brought up wrapped so tight in expectations and conditions and non-stop criticism that she can barely breathe. Her family is well-known, well-to-do, well-placed and she hasn’t wanted for a thing. But wait, has anybody �� anybody at all �� ever asked her what she wanted? That would be a big no. Her father is Charles Saltzer, renowned Conductor of the New York Symphony. Emerson has been tutored and trained and taught to be a musician. She loves making music, but wants to play whatever instrument she chooses, compose, play for fun. There is no fun allowed in The Laws of Charles Saltzer and her parents just keep trying to push her farther and farther into that box (prison) they’ve created for her. When her father catches her busking, playing her cello in the New Jersey Transit lobby in Penn Station he loudly berates her in public, humiliating her. Something in her snaps and she gets up and takes the first train she can catch, which just so happens to be going to Las Vegas.

Being berated is nothing new for Emerson; it’s the story of her life. Everything about her is wrong: her body, appetite, hair, clothes, wishes, everything is wrong and her mother and father are beyond cruel in telling her so. They’ve done everything for her and she should be grateful, she should stop embarrassing them, she should stop being so common. It never lets up. Leaving as she does seems to be the only answer. She doesn’t know where she’ll go or what she’ll do, but she can’t take another minute living the life she has been, the life she’s expected to live for the rest of that life.

Gunnar is in Vegas for a pre-season game. When the game’s over he and his brothers go to a small bar to discuss endorsements with their agent. Emerson is in that same bar, playing her cello for dinner guests. And then it happens . . . their eyes meet. Cue the music playing, birds flying, stars shining, fireworks bursting. Over the top, right, but pretty much the reaction they have to each other. And what begins with him pushing his way through the crowd to introduce himself leads to a few, maybe quite a few, drinks, some discussion about her next steps and the possibility of her going to Pittsburg with him as a roommate to avoid her family until her plans are made ends with them waking up in a hotel room in the morning �� married. Neither one of them exactly remembers what they did �� or more likely didn’t �� do. Gunnar’s agent insists they stay married for a while to avoid negative publicity for him, and the roommate idea seems plausible under the circumstances. There’s plenty of room; she can figure out what to do next, he can save his reputation and continue his career. They’ll pretend to be married but will just be roommates, nothing more. Easy peasy.

Except for that giant elephant in the room called attraction. It gets harder and harder to fake it, especially when his parents and other relatives welcome her to the family so genuinely. When they are so comfortable together and have so much in common. When what starts as a fake life begins to feel like a what-if real life. One thing leads to another, they get closer and closer, but neither wants to stand in the way of the other’s dreams. His protective husband vibe kicks in, though, when her father actively sets out to destroy her. And for the first time in her life she feels cherished and wanted and valued and beautiful.

Playing for Keeps is the perfect next step in the series. All the Stag boys are handsome and sexy, can be rowdy and exuberant and impulsive, but they’ve been raised to value family, to be kind and generous, and to love. The rest of the characters are multi-dimensional and interesting, the plot solid, the pacing smooth, and each story unique and satisfying. Emerson and Gunnar’s journey to their HEA is sweet and funny, heartbreaking, frustrating and just a great read. They’re young and in love, with a flaming hot desire and some not-so-insignificant problems to deal with. And Gunnar is the very definition of cinnamon roll golden retriever. He is so caring and considerate and protective and never wants Emerson to doubt for a second how strong and capable she is and how much she’s loved. Thanks to author Lainey Davis for providing an advance copy of Playing for Keeps. I thoroughly enjoyed it, recommend you read the entire series and then get in line to see whose story is next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.26 2025
author: Lainey Davis
name: Sally
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/02
date added: 2025/04/10
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Author Lainey Davis writes a wide variety of terrific stories, but one of my favorite series of hers is the Forging Series, all about Pittsburg Fury hockey and that fabulous Stag family. Playing for Keeps is the fourth book in the series, and I think it just may be my favorite to date.

Gunnar Stag is the rookie goalie for the Fury. Strong, cut, Stag handsome with the manners and sweetness all those brothers have under their sometimes cocky and crude behavior. But Gunnar? There’s just an extra layer of sweetness about him. He’s young and vibrant and as eager and excitable as a puppy. He’s just trying to stay healthy, play well and learn all he can to earn a permanent position on the Fury and have some no-strings fun during his downtime. His family name and connections have certainly helped get him where he is, but it’s up to him to keep that place. He saw how fleeting it could be when he witnessed his brother’s career-ending injury and he’s determined to make the most of his opportunity.

Emerson Saltzer has been brought up wrapped so tight in expectations and conditions and non-stop criticism that she can barely breathe. Her family is well-known, well-to-do, well-placed and she hasn’t wanted for a thing. But wait, has anybody �� anybody at all �� ever asked her what she wanted? That would be a big no. Her father is Charles Saltzer, renowned Conductor of the New York Symphony. Emerson has been tutored and trained and taught to be a musician. She loves making music, but wants to play whatever instrument she chooses, compose, play for fun. There is no fun allowed in The Laws of Charles Saltzer and her parents just keep trying to push her farther and farther into that box (prison) they’ve created for her. When her father catches her busking, playing her cello in the New Jersey Transit lobby in Penn Station he loudly berates her in public, humiliating her. Something in her snaps and she gets up and takes the first train she can catch, which just so happens to be going to Las Vegas.

Being berated is nothing new for Emerson; it’s the story of her life. Everything about her is wrong: her body, appetite, hair, clothes, wishes, everything is wrong and her mother and father are beyond cruel in telling her so. They’ve done everything for her and she should be grateful, she should stop embarrassing them, she should stop being so common. It never lets up. Leaving as she does seems to be the only answer. She doesn’t know where she’ll go or what she’ll do, but she can’t take another minute living the life she has been, the life she’s expected to live for the rest of that life.

Gunnar is in Vegas for a pre-season game. When the game’s over he and his brothers go to a small bar to discuss endorsements with their agent. Emerson is in that same bar, playing her cello for dinner guests. And then it happens . . . their eyes meet. Cue the music playing, birds flying, stars shining, fireworks bursting. Over the top, right, but pretty much the reaction they have to each other. And what begins with him pushing his way through the crowd to introduce himself leads to a few, maybe quite a few, drinks, some discussion about her next steps and the possibility of her going to Pittsburg with him as a roommate to avoid her family until her plans are made ends with them waking up in a hotel room in the morning �� married. Neither one of them exactly remembers what they did �� or more likely didn’t �� do. Gunnar’s agent insists they stay married for a while to avoid negative publicity for him, and the roommate idea seems plausible under the circumstances. There’s plenty of room; she can figure out what to do next, he can save his reputation and continue his career. They’ll pretend to be married but will just be roommates, nothing more. Easy peasy.

Except for that giant elephant in the room called attraction. It gets harder and harder to fake it, especially when his parents and other relatives welcome her to the family so genuinely. When they are so comfortable together and have so much in common. When what starts as a fake life begins to feel like a what-if real life. One thing leads to another, they get closer and closer, but neither wants to stand in the way of the other’s dreams. His protective husband vibe kicks in, though, when her father actively sets out to destroy her. And for the first time in her life she feels cherished and wanted and valued and beautiful.

Playing for Keeps is the perfect next step in the series. All the Stag boys are handsome and sexy, can be rowdy and exuberant and impulsive, but they’ve been raised to value family, to be kind and generous, and to love. The rest of the characters are multi-dimensional and interesting, the plot solid, the pacing smooth, and each story unique and satisfying. Emerson and Gunnar’s journey to their HEA is sweet and funny, heartbreaking, frustrating and just a great read. They’re young and in love, with a flaming hot desire and some not-so-insignificant problems to deal with. And Gunnar is the very definition of cinnamon roll golden retriever. He is so caring and considerate and protective and never wants Emerson to doubt for a second how strong and capable she is and how much she’s loved. Thanks to author Lainey Davis for providing an advance copy of Playing for Keeps. I thoroughly enjoyed it, recommend you read the entire series and then get in line to see whose story is next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 229244393 Football is my life. I’m not interested in marriage or babies or poopy diapers. Yet here I am, standing in front of a judge saying “I do,�� with a six-month-old on my hip and an aspiring storm-chaser on my arm.

From the time I was a little boy, sleeping with my head on a football, I’ve had one goal: carrying on the Bradford-family legacy.

Our famous father trained all my older brothers and me to be star athletes just like him, but seven years later, I’m the only one still focused on the game.

Until Raven Gale storms into my life.

She’s smart, sassy, curves for days, and lightning in the sack. When I met her at my little sister’s wedding we bonded immediately over our dedication to our dreams, our determination to let nothing stop us, and our insatiable, all-night, barrier-busting chemistry.

A baby girl is a surprise neither of us expected, but Raven has a plan. We’ll have a quickie marriage to secure her trust fund, be together three months tops, then shake hands and walk away.

The only problem is with every late night I spend chatting with my wife or consummating our marriage (which we both agreed was a bad idea) or rocking my baby girl to sleep or yes, even changing poopy diapers, the stronger our bond grows.

It never rains in California, there’s no football (for me) in south Alabama, but when you collide with a cyclone, everything changes, including what you thought were your plans.

(THE WAY WE COLLIDE is a small-town, surprise baby, sports romance with a marriage of convenience, close proximity, an over-protective alpha daddy, a feisty plus-sized FMC, and a few twisters. No cheating. No cliffhanger. No third-act breakup.)]]> 350 Tia Louise Sally 5 2025-read
Hendrix Bradford is front and center this time. Kind of in the background until now. The baby brother (much to Garret’s dismay at times since he really enjoyed his time as baby brother), the only one still active in football and that suits him just fine. Still young when their parents died and it’s important to him to continue his father’s legacy. A little cocky and cynical �� no long-term relationships, no commitments, of course no children with all the poopy stuff that entails. I didn’t mention eye-burning handsome because that’s a given; he’s a Bradford brother after all.

Hendrix may be against long-term, but he’s not blind or immune to fascinating women and a little bit of (safe) fun. And that’s what happens the night his sister Dylan gets married. Bridesmaid Raven is beautiful, clever, independent, sexy, and �� Danger! Danger! �� someone he could actually enjoy spending more time with. He shoves that scary thought out of his mind and they have one incredible night because they discover they have insatiable, all-night, barrier-busting chemistry. Ha ha ha, barrier-busting. That says it all. They were careful, but maybe some things are just meant to be because nine months later, “Heeere’s Haddy!��

Raven was not intending to trap Hendrix and marry a rich, famous (exhaustingly good-looking) football player; she has career plans and a baby wasn’t part of them. Nor is marriage. But with a baby to care for it’s now become important she secure the trust fund her rotten, evil mother left her. A trust fund with the appalling condition that Raven must be married. And turns out Evil Mom even had somebody in mind. Her mother always cruelly criticized her �� her size, her choices, her ambition. Her father never stood up for her. And the “boyfriend�� hand-selected by her mother parroted the cruel words. Raven just wants the money to care for Haddy and pursue her career goal of becoming a meteorologist, a storm-chaser, and help make folks safe. So she packs up the adorable baby girl and heads out to ask Hendrix to temporarily marry her, just long enough to meet the conditions of the trust.

The Bradford family learns first, and if you’ve met them before in the previous books you know that this is not ever going to be a temporary thing for them. They want Hendrix and Raven and Haddy to be a forever family and move to Newhope, Alabama. To say Hendrix is unprepared and shocked is an understatement, but he is a Bradford and they are good people. Responsibility is responsibility. And once he accepts that responsibility he’s all in, even if the marriage has an expiration date. That insatiable, all-night, chemistry with Raven is still there, which is not a surprise, but what is absolutely unexpected is the way his daughter owns his heart immediately and how quickly he comes an over-protective Alpha-Dad.

Author Tia Louise has done it again, magnificently. Hendrix learning to be a daddy is hilarious. He wasn’t kidding about those poopy diapers and wearing a scuba mask and sniffing a coffee pod prove it. But he’s also sweet and tender when he always �� always, always �� sternly corrects Raven when she refers to herself as fat, lazy, undesirable, unwanted, thank to her mother’s never-kind words.

They are a forever family from the start. We see it. The rest of the Bradfords see it. Now they just have to see it. Raven doesn’t want to interfere with his career, Hendrix doesn’t want to ruin her dreams. Haddy is just her adorable self every single minute. Visiting the rest of the family in this book is so much fun, especially the daddy rivalry between Garrett and Hendrix, since Garret and Olivia also had that insatiable, all-night, barrier-busting chemistry the night of Dylan’s wedding and daughter Kimmie Joy is their proof of that.

The Way We Collide is romantic, fiery, funny. Reading it is a joy, and listening to amazing voice actors Aaron Shedlock and Stefanie Kay is a special treat. Kay captures all the hurt and insecurity from Raven’s past, her comfort, sizzle and perfect fit with Hendrix and her spectacular feistiness and fearlessness. Shedlock takes Hendrix from that committed-only-to-permanent-bachelorhood through the eye-opening night with Raven, his fear that his heart might want her, his instant protectiveness and overwhelming love for Haddy and everything in between and beyond. The Way We Collide is a perfect addition to the series, makes you laugh and cry, and leaves you absolutely satisfied. Go back to the beginning and read them all, read this, and then get in line for Jack and Allie’s story. Thanks to everybody for the advance copies. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.38
author: Tia Louise
name: Sally
average rating: 4.38
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/05
date added: 2025/04/09
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Another Bradford Boys story? Yes, please. Both advance reading and listening copies? Yes, please and thank you. Over the moon with smiles and happiness and tingles because the author is the always fabulous Tia Louise and the narrators are talented, oh-so-good Aaron Shedlock and Stefanie Kay. The Way We Collide is the fourth entry in author Louise’s small-town, sports romance Bradford Boys series. You will love it �� flipping those pages and keeping those earbuds firmly in your ears.

Hendrix Bradford is front and center this time. Kind of in the background until now. The baby brother (much to Garret’s dismay at times since he really enjoyed his time as baby brother), the only one still active in football and that suits him just fine. Still young when their parents died and it’s important to him to continue his father’s legacy. A little cocky and cynical �� no long-term relationships, no commitments, of course no children with all the poopy stuff that entails. I didn’t mention eye-burning handsome because that’s a given; he’s a Bradford brother after all.

Hendrix may be against long-term, but he’s not blind or immune to fascinating women and a little bit of (safe) fun. And that’s what happens the night his sister Dylan gets married. Bridesmaid Raven is beautiful, clever, independent, sexy, and �� Danger! Danger! �� someone he could actually enjoy spending more time with. He shoves that scary thought out of his mind and they have one incredible night because they discover they have insatiable, all-night, barrier-busting chemistry. Ha ha ha, barrier-busting. That says it all. They were careful, but maybe some things are just meant to be because nine months later, “Heeere’s Haddy!��

Raven was not intending to trap Hendrix and marry a rich, famous (exhaustingly good-looking) football player; she has career plans and a baby wasn’t part of them. Nor is marriage. But with a baby to care for it’s now become important she secure the trust fund her rotten, evil mother left her. A trust fund with the appalling condition that Raven must be married. And turns out Evil Mom even had somebody in mind. Her mother always cruelly criticized her �� her size, her choices, her ambition. Her father never stood up for her. And the “boyfriend�� hand-selected by her mother parroted the cruel words. Raven just wants the money to care for Haddy and pursue her career goal of becoming a meteorologist, a storm-chaser, and help make folks safe. So she packs up the adorable baby girl and heads out to ask Hendrix to temporarily marry her, just long enough to meet the conditions of the trust.

The Bradford family learns first, and if you’ve met them before in the previous books you know that this is not ever going to be a temporary thing for them. They want Hendrix and Raven and Haddy to be a forever family and move to Newhope, Alabama. To say Hendrix is unprepared and shocked is an understatement, but he is a Bradford and they are good people. Responsibility is responsibility. And once he accepts that responsibility he’s all in, even if the marriage has an expiration date. That insatiable, all-night, chemistry with Raven is still there, which is not a surprise, but what is absolutely unexpected is the way his daughter owns his heart immediately and how quickly he comes an over-protective Alpha-Dad.

Author Tia Louise has done it again, magnificently. Hendrix learning to be a daddy is hilarious. He wasn’t kidding about those poopy diapers and wearing a scuba mask and sniffing a coffee pod prove it. But he’s also sweet and tender when he always �� always, always �� sternly corrects Raven when she refers to herself as fat, lazy, undesirable, unwanted, thank to her mother’s never-kind words.

They are a forever family from the start. We see it. The rest of the Bradfords see it. Now they just have to see it. Raven doesn’t want to interfere with his career, Hendrix doesn’t want to ruin her dreams. Haddy is just her adorable self every single minute. Visiting the rest of the family in this book is so much fun, especially the daddy rivalry between Garrett and Hendrix, since Garret and Olivia also had that insatiable, all-night, barrier-busting chemistry the night of Dylan’s wedding and daughter Kimmie Joy is their proof of that.

The Way We Collide is romantic, fiery, funny. Reading it is a joy, and listening to amazing voice actors Aaron Shedlock and Stefanie Kay is a special treat. Kay captures all the hurt and insecurity from Raven’s past, her comfort, sizzle and perfect fit with Hendrix and her spectacular feistiness and fearlessness. Shedlock takes Hendrix from that committed-only-to-permanent-bachelorhood through the eye-opening night with Raven, his fear that his heart might want her, his instant protectiveness and overwhelming love for Haddy and everything in between and beyond. The Way We Collide is a perfect addition to the series, makes you laugh and cry, and leaves you absolutely satisfied. Go back to the beginning and read them all, read this, and then get in line for Jack and Allie’s story. Thanks to everybody for the advance copies. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 223112944
Gannon Brewer is the epitome of my type. He’s at least ten years older than me, emotionally unavailable, and highly disagreeable—a walking red flag in a tailored suit. But do I listen to that? No. In fact, when his office plants start dying, I convince myself that I can ignore the pheromones and save the philodendron.

Now I’m in his office every week, dodging sinful smirks and heated stares, reminding myself to reach for the watering can—not him. But one late-night “ivy incident�� changes everything. Suddenly, we’re sneaking around, indulging in a steamy, forbidden fling that’s supposed to be nothing more than (a lot of) fun.

After all, he swears he’ll never fall in love. I assure him that I only want one thing, and it’s not his heart. But the closer we get, the more lines we blur, and the harder it becomes to keep our promises ��

Especially when the secret I’m keeping threatens to shatter everything.]]> Adriana Locke Sally 5 2025-read
OMG, just when you think you can’t love the entire Brewer Family more or fall for another one of those Brewer brothers more than you did the last one, Adriana Locke gives us another heart-thumping story and makes us go starry-eyed all over again. She says Gannon is her favorite, and I just might have to agree with her. I love all those guys �� Renn’s story was the first one I read and he was so sweet and mischievous and funny and appealing, and then Jason was seemingly cold and cranky but actually cute and captivating (and captivated by Chloe) and sexier than should be allowed; Ripley was a surprise, kind of the background brother but still has those knock-‘em-dead Brewer brother looks and that wide streak of tenderness and care and compassion that makes you wish there were enough Brewer boys to go around for us all.

Gannon is the unknown brother, the mysterious one. He’s no-nonsense and all-business, with just a little witty, flirty snark thrown in, and yep, those make-your-heart-throb-just-to-look-at-him-genes started with him. Gannon is the one who always takes care of the family, who can be counted on to have a level head and always take the appropriate action. Check him out in The Arrangement when Jason was missing. He’s tender to his mother and the babies, and cares about his entire family, if even they do annoy the devil out of him much of the time. He’s private, doesn’t want intrusions, won’t waste time. There are many reasons he’s so closed off: he’s the oldest Brewer sibling and feels responsible for everyone and everything; he fears he’s the most like his father, which isn’t a good feeling. Reid Brewer is a cold, cruel criminal, currently in prison. Gannon really doesn’t want to be like dear old dad but he’s so afraid that deep down he is and only bad things will come of it. Gannon was married once, for what he thought were the “right�� reasons, but it was a heart-breaking disaster and has left him convinced that however good he is at business, he’s that bad at his private life. So he just won’t have a private life. Every encounter is direct and unemotional; sappy displays of affection have no place and a happy ever after won’t ever happen to him. You already love him, right? This man who has so much to offer if he would just let anyone have a peek under the surface.

And peek Carys Johnson does. She’s also witty, flirty and a little snarky. Gorgeous. Tate Brewer’s best friend. At first look maybe a little silly, careless, not quite ready to grow up, but there’s a lot more under the surface. Gannon has met his match in Carys. Their encounter at Brewer Corp headquarters when she’s trying to convince him to hire her new business, Plantsy, is hilarious. Full of fun tension and sparring and innuendo. Both Gannon and Carys have had their eye on the other for a long time. But it’s unrevealed, unfulfilled; he’s too old, she’s not someone he would be interested in if he ever did open up, on and on. They both present confident, I’m-in-charge faces on the outside, but there are past hurts and vulnerabilities on the inside. Trust issues, old scars that make them wary.

Carys is nothing if not determined, both to make her new business successful and to have a fling with Gannon. He’s exactly her type, and even if that little warning voice in her head keeps shouting, “NO!!�� she presses on, because she doesn’t want a relationship any more than he does. Her father’s dismissal and belittling of her her entire life has made one thing clear: no one would want her forever. But she wants that fling, and Gannon finally relents. His adamant refusal �� even though she’s a *** ten she’s also a *** no - wavers and then collapses. So he makes his rules clear and she agrees and it’s game on. Each thinks they have the upper hand, but you know what? There is no upper hand with these two. Even if they are having a wildly exciting, very, very hot fling there is an instant deep attraction. Even if they’re frantically flinging, their relationship seems more like a dating couple than a hook up, and once they start exchanging texts you can see their HEA on the horizon.

The first time Gannon put ‘Xo�� in his texts brought tears to my eyes. He is so sweet and thoughtful �� and so aware of everything single detail about her. He doesn’t even realize it, but he falls into a routine with her that seems so natural and right. Carys is certainly loving the flinging, but she’s also enjoying just spending time with him, because it feels natural and right to her, too. They’re doomed. And we can’t wait for them to realize it.

Of course they have to go through a lot of laugh-out-loud stuff and angst and misunderstandings and fear of rejection first. And making sure no one, especially Tate, figures out they’re spending any time together. Author Adriana Locke is a delightful master at this. She’s once again written a book that has you hooked right from the start, laughing, crying, yelling and keeping your fingers crossed for another Brewer brother and the strong woman who is perfect for him. There are twists and turns and surprises, including a pretty good one. There is also lots of time visiting with the rest of the Brewer family and an extended circle of family and friends, good and bad.

The Merger was wonderful. So many tender, teary moments. So many scorching, steamy moments. So many hours of reading pleasure, with a smooth-flowing plot that kept me entertained right up to the completely satisfying conclusion. I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies of The Merger �� which is very lucky indeed. I recommend it and everything else Locke has written without hesitation. And I am eagerly awaiting Tate’s story next. (Sister Bianca’s story, Flame, is part of the Carmichael Family series and you don’t want to miss that, either.) I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.]]> 4.48 2025
author: Adriana Locke
name: Sally
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/25
date added: 2025/04/09
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Updated for audio: OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, just when you think you really can’t love the latest Brewer brother’s story more than you did reading it, you get to listen to it. The Merger is another of author Adriana Locke’s wonderful Brewer Family stories, but when outstanding narrators Jack Calihan and Angelina Rocca get into the act, it goes above and beyond. You are part of the story, fully immersed in it and having a great time. Angelina Rocca brings a little breathiness into her portrayal of Carys, and it works perfectly for nervous Carys, flirting Carys, all-business Carys and head-over-heels-can’t-live-without-him Carys. And bonus: she does great males voices, which isn’t always the case and makes the story flow so smoothy. And Jack Calihan as Gannon? He has a very matter of fact delivery, perfectly capturing Gannon’s all-business, yes-I’m-completely-in-charge attitude, flirting while keeping a straight face, which makes his transition to uncertain Gannon, falling-so-fast Gannon and strong, searing, sexy Gannon that much better. And vulnerable but all in for the long haul Gannon written by Locke and voiced by Calihan is so sweet. I am a firm believer that a great book by a talented author becomes an extraordinary story when talented narrators step in, and Calihan and Rocca have made my point. A must-listen.

OMG, just when you think you can’t love the entire Brewer Family more or fall for another one of those Brewer brothers more than you did the last one, Adriana Locke gives us another heart-thumping story and makes us go starry-eyed all over again. She says Gannon is her favorite, and I just might have to agree with her. I love all those guys �� Renn’s story was the first one I read and he was so sweet and mischievous and funny and appealing, and then Jason was seemingly cold and cranky but actually cute and captivating (and captivated by Chloe) and sexier than should be allowed; Ripley was a surprise, kind of the background brother but still has those knock-‘em-dead Brewer brother looks and that wide streak of tenderness and care and compassion that makes you wish there were enough Brewer boys to go around for us all.

Gannon is the unknown brother, the mysterious one. He’s no-nonsense and all-business, with just a little witty, flirty snark thrown in, and yep, those make-your-heart-throb-just-to-look-at-him-genes started with him. Gannon is the one who always takes care of the family, who can be counted on to have a level head and always take the appropriate action. Check him out in The Arrangement when Jason was missing. He’s tender to his mother and the babies, and cares about his entire family, if even they do annoy the devil out of him much of the time. He’s private, doesn’t want intrusions, won’t waste time. There are many reasons he’s so closed off: he’s the oldest Brewer sibling and feels responsible for everyone and everything; he fears he’s the most like his father, which isn’t a good feeling. Reid Brewer is a cold, cruel criminal, currently in prison. Gannon really doesn’t want to be like dear old dad but he’s so afraid that deep down he is and only bad things will come of it. Gannon was married once, for what he thought were the “right�� reasons, but it was a heart-breaking disaster and has left him convinced that however good he is at business, he’s that bad at his private life. So he just won’t have a private life. Every encounter is direct and unemotional; sappy displays of affection have no place and a happy ever after won’t ever happen to him. You already love him, right? This man who has so much to offer if he would just let anyone have a peek under the surface.

And peek Carys Johnson does. She’s also witty, flirty and a little snarky. Gorgeous. Tate Brewer’s best friend. At first look maybe a little silly, careless, not quite ready to grow up, but there’s a lot more under the surface. Gannon has met his match in Carys. Their encounter at Brewer Corp headquarters when she’s trying to convince him to hire her new business, Plantsy, is hilarious. Full of fun tension and sparring and innuendo. Both Gannon and Carys have had their eye on the other for a long time. But it’s unrevealed, unfulfilled; he’s too old, she’s not someone he would be interested in if he ever did open up, on and on. They both present confident, I’m-in-charge faces on the outside, but there are past hurts and vulnerabilities on the inside. Trust issues, old scars that make them wary.

Carys is nothing if not determined, both to make her new business successful and to have a fling with Gannon. He’s exactly her type, and even if that little warning voice in her head keeps shouting, “NO!!�� she presses on, because she doesn’t want a relationship any more than he does. Her father’s dismissal and belittling of her her entire life has made one thing clear: no one would want her forever. But she wants that fling, and Gannon finally relents. His adamant refusal �� even though she’s a *** ten she’s also a *** no - wavers and then collapses. So he makes his rules clear and she agrees and it’s game on. Each thinks they have the upper hand, but you know what? There is no upper hand with these two. Even if they are having a wildly exciting, very, very hot fling there is an instant deep attraction. Even if they’re frantically flinging, their relationship seems more like a dating couple than a hook up, and once they start exchanging texts you can see their HEA on the horizon.

The first time Gannon put ‘Xo�� in his texts brought tears to my eyes. He is so sweet and thoughtful �� and so aware of everything single detail about her. He doesn’t even realize it, but he falls into a routine with her that seems so natural and right. Carys is certainly loving the flinging, but she’s also enjoying just spending time with him, because it feels natural and right to her, too. They’re doomed. And we can’t wait for them to realize it.

Of course they have to go through a lot of laugh-out-loud stuff and angst and misunderstandings and fear of rejection first. And making sure no one, especially Tate, figures out they’re spending any time together. Author Adriana Locke is a delightful master at this. She’s once again written a book that has you hooked right from the start, laughing, crying, yelling and keeping your fingers crossed for another Brewer brother and the strong woman who is perfect for him. There are twists and turns and surprises, including a pretty good one. There is also lots of time visiting with the rest of the Brewer family and an extended circle of family and friends, good and bad.

The Merger was wonderful. So many tender, teary moments. So many scorching, steamy moments. So many hours of reading pleasure, with a smooth-flowing plot that kept me entertained right up to the completely satisfying conclusion. I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies of The Merger �� which is very lucky indeed. I recommend it and everything else Locke has written without hesitation. And I am eagerly awaiting Tate’s story next. (Sister Bianca’s story, Flame, is part of the Carmichael Family series and you don’t want to miss that, either.) I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 211004040 The #1 New York Times bestselling author spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder, and the long shadow of war��

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes��

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…]]> 359 J.D. Robb 1250370795 Sally 5 2025-read 4.39 2025
author: J.D. Robb
name: Sally
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/07
date added: 2025/04/08
shelves: 2025-read
review:

]]> 218507863 I have two goals this season:
1. Prove to the Seattle Serpents I’m not a complete screwup.
2. Stay away from the nanny.

I’m hardly able to keep myself out of trouble, let alone a seven-year-old, but when my estranged brother gets a life sentence, I have no choice but to clean up my act and take the kid in.

It’s all going according to plan…until I’m forced to hire Quinn Benson.

She’s everything I need to avoid—flighty, messy, creating chaos everywhere she goes. But she makes my niece happy, so I hire her anyway, keeping our interactions as brief as possible, even when she moves in with me.

Thing is, the more she’s around, the more I want her around—and not just as a nanny. I can’t seem to stop falling into bed with her even when I know I shouldn’t. Quinn goes against everything I’m trying to accomplish, but I can’t stay away.

This might be one delayed penalty I don’t mind serving��

DELAYED PENALTY is a standalone hockey romance novel. There's a single guardian a bit on the grumpy side, a sunshine nanny who doesn't take any crap from him, an adorable little girl you'll want to hug and keep safe, ridiculous teammates who make way too crude jokes, plenty of steam, and a happy ending.]]> 430 Teagan Hunter Sally 0 to-read 4.09
author: Teagan Hunter
name: Sally
average rating: 4.09
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 228250223
I’ve learned the hard way—don’t be reckless with anything, least of all my heart. But after one too many vodka sodas, saying yes to a much younger, devastatingly smooth stranger for one wild night seems like the perfect way to forget my brutal divorce. I even gave him a fake name. What could go wrong?

You’d be surprised.

Because instead of being my spicy little secret, Tate is now the chief marketing officer at my new job. He’s determined to prove our night together was only the beginning—and he has the tools to do it.

Chiseled jaw. Washboard abs. Effortless charm. He knows exactly how to get under my skin, melt my defenses, and keep me coming back for more.

I wanted a one-night stand. Instead, I got a full-blown situation. I should run and protect myself. But when he looks at me like I’m his whole world, I’m not sure I remember how.]]> Adriana Locke Sally 0 to-read 4.40
author: Adriana Locke
name: Sally
average rating: 4.40
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 220506269 An antiques dealer and an enigmatic heiress embark on a revelatory friendship in a haunting and hopeful novel about family ties, secrets, and belonging by the bestselling author of A Heart Like Home.

Cautious Claire Shelton, employee at a Maine antique shop, is surprised when she’s recruited to catalog the treasures of reclusive Hanna Reeves, sole descendant of the state’s most colorful shipbuilders and industrialists. Hanna’s retreat from society years ago is just one of many mysteries behind the walls of Rose Hill, her fabled estate.

Settling into Rose Hill’s carriage house, Claire finds Hanna, nearing eighty, to be a still-formidable woman. She’s demanding, judgmental, and protective of a mansion that is a veritable shrine to her ancestors. Then, diving into her work, Claire discovers a hidden library that is the stuff of legend among locals. An avid booklover, Claire is in heaven. More enthralling are Hanna’s leather-bound family journals that open Claire up to the past—and soon forge a rich and unexpected bond between two very different women.

A legacy is coming to light. All of Maine is talking. Because the revelations in the journals are enlightening enough to unite old friends, lovers, and families. And shocking enough to tear them apart forever.]]> 303 Christine Nolfi 1662514085 Sally 0 to-read 4.37
author: Christine Nolfi
name: Sally
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221473247 Four friends became three. Only murder will set things right.

An emotional "what would you do?" thriller debut about revenge, the bonds of friendship, the reverberations of a small-town crime, the limits of justice.

Peter Miles has to die. And Dylan Darcy, Priyanka Shah, and Isabel Guerrero—a bartender, a nurse, and a student—have to be the ones to kill him. As they see it, this local cop deserves death for murdering their best friend and getting away with it. All they need to do to pull off the perfect crime is stick to their carefully prepared plan.

So that's exactly what they do. Murder, it turns out, is surprisingly easy when you're fueled by revenge. What comes after is the hard part.

As the dry Texas heat gives way to cooler weather, their blazing rage is replaced by a chill fear. Because there’s a fallout that comes from settling the score against someone like Peter, and it could cost them more than they’ve bargained for. When the lead investigator on the case starts sniffing around for a cop-killer,��the three friends��are not feeling as confident as they did on that fateful night. And when they start receiving death threats, it weakens their resolve even further . . . but it’s too little too late.

What they don’t realize is that this detective has her own reasons for wanting to get to the bottom of Peter's murder. Reasons that don’t involve them at all.��The investigation ramps up, and so does the pressure, leaving Dylan, Priya, and Isabel to wonder if ending his life may end up costing them theirs.��

As the��guilt of what they've done settles��in their bones, they realize there's no going back.��Someone is going to have to take the fall.]]> 320 Katie Collom 0593974611 Sally 0 to-read 4.00
author: Katie Collom
name: Sally
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 220639702 Catherine Cowles 195193671X Sally 0 to-read 4.56 2025
author: Catherine Cowles
name: Sally
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221559723 Marcie Mosse was last in the beautiful village of Strathkin in the Scottish Highlands, she made a tough decision about the future of her family’s grand ancestral home, Swanfield House. Back for the first time since then, staying at her uncle’s cottage, Sweet Briar, Marcie is shocked to see that her decision is already causing disruption in the once peaceful village. Something strange is happening at Swanfield and Marcie is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Meanwhile, her friend Dina is battling her own private struggles, testing the bonds of their close-knit group of friends. As Marcie watches her childhood sweetheart Ruaridh Balfour face unimaginable challenges with stoic determination, she finds herself drawn back into the heart of village life. When tragedy strikes and long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Marcie must decide whether some mysteries are better left unsolved �� and whether she truly belongs in the place she once couldn't wait to leave.

Perfect for fans of Susanne O'Leary, Jenny Colgan and Liz Eeles, this is a gripping story about friendship, belonging, and the lengths we'll go to protect those we love.]]> 323 Elayne Grimes 180508786X Sally 4 2025-read
Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of Escape to the Highland Retreat via NetGalley. Storm publishes such a satisfying variety of books across many genres. I’m always happy to receive another one. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.41
author: Elayne Grimes
name: Sally
average rating: 4.41
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/03
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Escape to the Highland Retreat by author Elayne Grimes is an engaging story that will pull you in and keep you interested right up until the end. Perfect pacing, interesting characters. Well balanced combination of action, danger, suspense, and mystery alongside relationships, secrets from the past and tough decisions to be made in the present.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of Escape to the Highland Retreat via NetGalley. Storm publishes such a satisfying variety of books across many genres. I’m always happy to receive another one. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 213618143 The brilliant detective Ana Dolabra may have finally met her match in the gripping sequel to The Tainted Cup—from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.

In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.

To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.

Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.

Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.

Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.]]> 465 Robert Jackson Bennett 0593723821 Sally 5 2025-read
It’s a mystery, a detective story, a police procedural. Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol get the most confusing, confounding, seemingly unsolvable cases. And they solve them. It takes place in some Empire in some (maybe future?) time, populated with odd creatures and people (?). Yes, it’s a fantasy, but be open-minded and patient if you think you don’t like fantasies, because this series is much, much more. Sure, it’s full of confusing names and words and locations, but it’s really an action-packed, thought-provoking, often humorous commentary on life, politics, emotions, ambition, culture, customs, and justice. The writing is stellar, the plot fast-paced and smooth, and the characters fascinating. The mystery is complex with enough red herrings to keep you guessing but enough solid clues to have the solution seem logical and plausible. Although the story is filled with those unusual, almost unpronounceable names and places, and practices and procedures that are often baffling, the attention to detail throughout is impressive and there is a layer of recognizable almost-normality overlaying everything; of course greed, avarice, and evil intent appear in fantasy as well as real life. The language is just different enough to keep an otherworldly feel but familiar all the same: nocked for notched, militi for militia keep you in the flow.

The most amazing, and enjoyable, thing about both A Drop of Corruption and the previous book, The Tainted Cup is that I very often completely forgot this this was a fantasy, that the detectives were enhanced beings, modified to strengthen specific skills, that they used words I didn’t know, that their features, color, body shape and limbs and mobility were not those of regular old humans I would meet in the grocery store because that is how I often thought of them. Police officers working on a difficult case, going to foreign places, encountering kingdoms and armies and scientists and families. Author Robert Jackson Bennett is so skilled at drawing you into the story, immersing you so completely that all you think about is the mystery and how Ana and Din are going to solve it. Then you swing back to the fantasy elements and it’s a delightful surprise.

If you like adventure, suspense, excitement, action, humor, and an absorbing mystery then this series is for you. It’s expertly crafted and written, perfectly paced and smooth and completely satisfying. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group / Penguin Random House for providing an advance copy of A Drop of Corruption via NetGalley. I was so pleased to receive a copy of this book, highly recommend it and hope another case for Ana and Din to solve is available soon. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.55 2025
author: Robert Jackson Bennett
name: Sally
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/29
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Read the description, read the book, and be amazed. Not much more I can tell you. A Drop of Corruption is the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan, An Ana and Din Mystery series. It’s a fantasy mystery series �� and is every bit as good as the first book, The Tainted Cup. Which was beyond excellent, actually.

It’s a mystery, a detective story, a police procedural. Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol get the most confusing, confounding, seemingly unsolvable cases. And they solve them. It takes place in some Empire in some (maybe future?) time, populated with odd creatures and people (?). Yes, it’s a fantasy, but be open-minded and patient if you think you don’t like fantasies, because this series is much, much more. Sure, it’s full of confusing names and words and locations, but it’s really an action-packed, thought-provoking, often humorous commentary on life, politics, emotions, ambition, culture, customs, and justice. The writing is stellar, the plot fast-paced and smooth, and the characters fascinating. The mystery is complex with enough red herrings to keep you guessing but enough solid clues to have the solution seem logical and plausible. Although the story is filled with those unusual, almost unpronounceable names and places, and practices and procedures that are often baffling, the attention to detail throughout is impressive and there is a layer of recognizable almost-normality overlaying everything; of course greed, avarice, and evil intent appear in fantasy as well as real life. The language is just different enough to keep an otherworldly feel but familiar all the same: nocked for notched, militi for militia keep you in the flow.

The most amazing, and enjoyable, thing about both A Drop of Corruption and the previous book, The Tainted Cup is that I very often completely forgot this this was a fantasy, that the detectives were enhanced beings, modified to strengthen specific skills, that they used words I didn’t know, that their features, color, body shape and limbs and mobility were not those of regular old humans I would meet in the grocery store because that is how I often thought of them. Police officers working on a difficult case, going to foreign places, encountering kingdoms and armies and scientists and families. Author Robert Jackson Bennett is so skilled at drawing you into the story, immersing you so completely that all you think about is the mystery and how Ana and Din are going to solve it. Then you swing back to the fantasy elements and it’s a delightful surprise.

If you like adventure, suspense, excitement, action, humor, and an absorbing mystery then this series is for you. It’s expertly crafted and written, perfectly paced and smooth and completely satisfying. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group / Penguin Random House for providing an advance copy of A Drop of Corruption via NetGalley. I was so pleased to receive a copy of this book, highly recommend it and hope another case for Ana and Din to solve is available soon. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 217204419 “Razor-sharp, darkly comedic, and emotionally piercing. With the satirical bite of Richard Russo’s Straight Man, the introspection of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove, and the reinvention of Andrew Sean Greer's Less, Kenney’s vivid prose transforms the mundane into unexpected hilarity.��
��Booklist (starred review)

An Indie Next & LibraryReads Pick for April

The Office meets Six Feet Under meets About a Boy in this coming-of-middle-age tale about having a second chance to write your life’s story.

Bud Stanley is an obituary writer who is afraid to live. Yes, his wife recently left him for a “far more interesting�� man. Yes, he goes on a particularly awful blind date with a woman who brings her ex. And yes, he has too many glasses of Scotch one night and proceeds to pen and publish his own obituary. The newspaper wants to fire him. But now the company’s system has him listed as dead. And the company can’t fire a dead person. The ensuing fallout forces him to realize that life may be actually worth living.

As Bud awaits his fate at work, his life hangs in the balance. Given another shot by his boss and encouraged by his best friend, Tim, a worldly and wise former art dealer, Bud starts to attend the wakes and funerals of strangers to learn how to live.

Thurber Prize-winner and New York Times bestselling author John Kenney tells a funny, touching story about life and death, about the search for meaning, about finding and never letting go of the preciousness of life.]]> 304 John Kenney Sally 5 2025-read
Bud Stanley is a middle-aged obituary writer who has kind of given up on life. His wife left him, his blind date brought her ex, his obituary writing has become cliched and terrible and he doesn’t much care. Through the course of the story we discover he has friends, but at the beginning he just seems alone and lonely, unmotivated, uninspired, not actually a zombie but still the walking dead. And after a night of a little too much drinking he writes and publishes his own obituary. That breaks a lot of rules and angers a lot of people and puts him on the top of the to-be-fired list, except the company can’t fire a dead person. Bud cycles through a lot of emotions after this, but none of them is urgency. Where can he find a job, what will he do with the rest of his life? His friends and some of his coworkers seem more concerned about that than he is. Bud’s attitude: Something will happen. Or not. So what. But as he’s flailing around, Bud starts to look at things differently. To make connections. To realize he already has a lot of worthwhile connections and relationships.

I See You’ve Called in Dead is absurd, hilarious, often laugh-out-loud funny. It’s also touching and poignant and sad, and you’ll need to wipe your eyes from those moments as well as the funny ones. Time with Tim, with Leo, with Clara, “dropping in�� on wakes and funerals, block parties. The book is full of references to literature and art and movies and history and current events; you’ll have many “Aha!�� moments while reading

It starts out slow, but just when you think maybe it’s a book full of mostly humorous unrelated anecdotes, you suddenly “get�� what author John Kenney is trying to tell you and you’re all in. Bud’s story will educate as well as entertain you and leave you thinking. Really, really thinking about the value of life.

Thanks to Zibby Publishing for introducing me to John Kenney’s work via an advanced reader copy from LibraryThing. This is one of the best books I have read so far this year (and is on my all-time favorites list) and I can’t wait to read more by this by this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.19 2025
author: John Kenney
name: Sally
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/30
date added: 2025/04/02
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I See You’ve Called in Dead by author John Kenney is so original, so unique, so unusual, so fulfilling and so satisfying that I don’t even know where to begin a review or what to say about it. Except that this is must-read. If you don’t read anything else, read this.

Bud Stanley is a middle-aged obituary writer who has kind of given up on life. His wife left him, his blind date brought her ex, his obituary writing has become cliched and terrible and he doesn’t much care. Through the course of the story we discover he has friends, but at the beginning he just seems alone and lonely, unmotivated, uninspired, not actually a zombie but still the walking dead. And after a night of a little too much drinking he writes and publishes his own obituary. That breaks a lot of rules and angers a lot of people and puts him on the top of the to-be-fired list, except the company can’t fire a dead person. Bud cycles through a lot of emotions after this, but none of them is urgency. Where can he find a job, what will he do with the rest of his life? His friends and some of his coworkers seem more concerned about that than he is. Bud’s attitude: Something will happen. Or not. So what. But as he’s flailing around, Bud starts to look at things differently. To make connections. To realize he already has a lot of worthwhile connections and relationships.

I See You’ve Called in Dead is absurd, hilarious, often laugh-out-loud funny. It’s also touching and poignant and sad, and you’ll need to wipe your eyes from those moments as well as the funny ones. Time with Tim, with Leo, with Clara, “dropping in�� on wakes and funerals, block parties. The book is full of references to literature and art and movies and history and current events; you’ll have many “Aha!�� moments while reading

It starts out slow, but just when you think maybe it’s a book full of mostly humorous unrelated anecdotes, you suddenly “get�� what author John Kenney is trying to tell you and you’re all in. Bud’s story will educate as well as entertain you and leave you thinking. Really, really thinking about the value of life.

Thanks to Zibby Publishing for introducing me to John Kenney’s work via an advanced reader copy from LibraryThing. This is one of the best books I have read so far this year (and is on my all-time favorites list) and I can’t wait to read more by this by this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 211003725
Adhering to society’s strict propriety for ladies, Ophelia Stowe has no choice but to present herself as a man to seek the Duke of Hurstbourne’s favor. If not for the dire situation she finds herself in, she wouldn’t have asked for help from the handsome man who had rebuffed her. When the alluring duke’s response is a plan of his own, Ophelia never dreams it would be a proposal of a marriage of convenience.

But the stakes are high, and the good name of the Stowe family will be damaged if a missing antiquity isn’t found. When she accepts his offer, she quickly finds she isn’t immune to the passion building between her and her new husband―or how real the marriage begins to feel.]]> 312 Amelia Grey 1250850452 Sally 5 2025-read
Love, the Duke is the third and final book in the Say I Do series about dukes who are perfectly happy being single (or so they think) but suddenly realize it’s time to wed for one reason or another: save their title or property, secure their wealth, ensure an heir . . . . The Duke of Hurstbourne is the last of the three friends who now finds himself in need of a wife. Wyatt and Rick are happily �� sappily �� married but Hurst has held out. All those balls, all those young ladies of the ton . . . it all just leaves him cold. He is such a romantic that he will capture your heart right away. He’s always believed that the woman he marries will be “the one.�� And that he’ll know it the minute he lays eyes on her. He didn’t just want a lady he could live with. He wanted the one lady he couldn’t live without, and he had to believe he would know her when he saw her. Makes you swoon, right?

Well, that provides the first humorous encounter, because when he meets Ophelia Stowe she is dressed as a man, and his brain is a little confused about the little tingle and instant something he feels. It’s not so funny to Ophelia, however. Her brother was a childhood friend of Hurst’s who while terminally ill sent Hurst a letter requesting he marry his sister. Still holding on to “I’ll know her when I see her�� he declines. After Winston Stowe, who was a clergyman, dies a priceless artifact goes missing. Having what she believes are a couple of good clues and fearing her brother’s memory will be tarnished Ophelia decides to search all the book rooms of London’s rich men. She approaches Hurst to enlist his help. Only then does he realize her connection to Winston, but she’s not there for marriage; she’s there for detective work. He is appalled at her disguise and totally against her plan.

Remember this is the Regency Era they are living in. It’s hard to imagine how many rules there are preventing women from doing anything independent. A single woman could not go to a man’s home unescorted, hence the costume. And if she is caught snooping in a titled man’s house for that relic, whether dressed as a woman or a man, there will be severe consequences. She didn’t even know about her brother’s letter until after his death, so she’s not interested in snagging a husband; she just wants to return that stolen vessel.

What follows is a charming story of action, mystery, intrigue, whodunit and two people so attracted to each other you chuckle and swoon whenever they are together. The attraction is strong; so is the frustration. He’s a man and he’s a duke �� what more does he need to get his way? But she’s a strong-willed woman determined to find that relic and save her brother’s legacy, even if her heart beats wildly every time she looks into those vivid green eyes of his.

They are perfect together. He soon comes to the conclusion that he can’t beat her so he must join her �� to keep her safe, of course. It’s not because he’s drawn to her like a magnet. And those magnetic scenes? Wow, sexy, swoony, scorching. Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of Love, The Duke via NetGalley. It was so much fun to catch up with Wyatt and Fredericka and Rick and Edwina, to get to know Hurst and Ophelia and the rest of their families, and to enjoy the absurdity of the ton and all those rules. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and series and recommend it without hesitation. I am sorry to see the Dukes�� stories end but I know author Amelia Grey will have something equally satisfying soon.
]]> 4.07 2025
author: Amelia Grey
name: Sally
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/30
date added: 2025/04/02
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I really love these trilogies. Over the course of the series you not only meet new delightful people but get to visit with the ones you already know. Amelia Grey’s stories are the best, with a captivating premise in each one. And a lot of humor. And a lot �� I mean a lot �� of steam.

Love, the Duke is the third and final book in the Say I Do series about dukes who are perfectly happy being single (or so they think) but suddenly realize it’s time to wed for one reason or another: save their title or property, secure their wealth, ensure an heir . . . . The Duke of Hurstbourne is the last of the three friends who now finds himself in need of a wife. Wyatt and Rick are happily �� sappily �� married but Hurst has held out. All those balls, all those young ladies of the ton . . . it all just leaves him cold. He is such a romantic that he will capture your heart right away. He’s always believed that the woman he marries will be “the one.�� And that he’ll know it the minute he lays eyes on her. He didn’t just want a lady he could live with. He wanted the one lady he couldn’t live without, and he had to believe he would know her when he saw her. Makes you swoon, right?

Well, that provides the first humorous encounter, because when he meets Ophelia Stowe she is dressed as a man, and his brain is a little confused about the little tingle and instant something he feels. It’s not so funny to Ophelia, however. Her brother was a childhood friend of Hurst’s who while terminally ill sent Hurst a letter requesting he marry his sister. Still holding on to “I’ll know her when I see her�� he declines. After Winston Stowe, who was a clergyman, dies a priceless artifact goes missing. Having what she believes are a couple of good clues and fearing her brother’s memory will be tarnished Ophelia decides to search all the book rooms of London’s rich men. She approaches Hurst to enlist his help. Only then does he realize her connection to Winston, but she’s not there for marriage; she’s there for detective work. He is appalled at her disguise and totally against her plan.

Remember this is the Regency Era they are living in. It’s hard to imagine how many rules there are preventing women from doing anything independent. A single woman could not go to a man’s home unescorted, hence the costume. And if she is caught snooping in a titled man’s house for that relic, whether dressed as a woman or a man, there will be severe consequences. She didn’t even know about her brother’s letter until after his death, so she’s not interested in snagging a husband; she just wants to return that stolen vessel.

What follows is a charming story of action, mystery, intrigue, whodunit and two people so attracted to each other you chuckle and swoon whenever they are together. The attraction is strong; so is the frustration. He’s a man and he’s a duke �� what more does he need to get his way? But she’s a strong-willed woman determined to find that relic and save her brother’s legacy, even if her heart beats wildly every time she looks into those vivid green eyes of his.

They are perfect together. He soon comes to the conclusion that he can’t beat her so he must join her �� to keep her safe, of course. It’s not because he’s drawn to her like a magnet. And those magnetic scenes? Wow, sexy, swoony, scorching. Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of Love, The Duke via NetGalley. It was so much fun to catch up with Wyatt and Fredericka and Rick and Edwina, to get to know Hurst and Ophelia and the rest of their families, and to enjoy the absurdity of the ton and all those rules. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and series and recommend it without hesitation. I am sorry to see the Dukes�� stories end but I know author Amelia Grey will have something equally satisfying soon.

]]> 229004506 #1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller. Now, he’s back with his first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas, as a small-time lawyer accused of murder races to find the real killer to clear his name.

Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.

Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t murder.

Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer��.]]> 416 John Grisham 0385548982 Sally 0 to-read 4.47 2025
author: John Grisham
name: Sally
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 229031499 “Not looking for closure. I don’t close a good book until the story ends.��

And ours started when I was sixteen. Eighteen years later, we had become different people, living another life than the one we had imagined then. One without each other. Having Rome Bower back in my life had been more than a blast from the past. My soul had felt at home again. Turns out he wasn’t just my first love but he’d been the only one to truly own my heart.

Loving him was easy, surviving him was hard. And I had a secret that was best left alone. There was no need to drag up painful memories that he didn’t need to know. Not even when someone else gets the one thing I’ve wanted more than anything else. I refuse to be the distraction that will one day leave him with a world of regrets.

But then, I may not have that choice to make. When our second chance is being tested, and we are holding on tightly to what we have found, it is snatched away by a man with my dead husband’s face. I know too much, and the Irishman known as The Ghost can’t allow that.]]> 197 Abbi Glines Sally 5 2025-read
Still Burning picks right up where Old Flame left off, and author Abbi Glines does not disappoint. Rome and Salem are finding their way back to a life together and it feels so good. The Boston widow and the motorcycle club member might seem unlikely on the surface, but they just fit. As they always have. There are still old wounds and some bumps, but all those years apart are falling away; each day is better than the last. Salem is surprisingly comfortable being with the Judgement MC, making friends and with a heart full at being with Rome again. Rome is so thankful to have found her again, he’ll never let her go. Their time together is spicy and steamy and very sweet.

But of course it’s not that simple. Author Glines introduced a lot of twists and turns and unknowns into Old Flame, and it continues in Still Burning. Glines has crafted a complex story populated with multi-dimensional characters and full of stunning surprises and connections. It’s complex, but the plot is well-crafted and logical; it’s peeling the onion, unraveling the ball of string, adding another puzzle piece �� however you want to look at it �� that reveals more and more bit by each tantalizing bit. Everything is related to everything else and everything is in question: Salem’s job in Miami, her life in Boston, shocking secrets, rival motorcycle gangs, involvement of the DEA and CIA . . . it all sounds dangerous and overwhelming and confusing, but trust me, uncovering it all as the story progresses �� with no spoilers �� makes for a very satisfying and rewarding read. Throw in a jealous, manipulative, spiteful ex-hookup of Rome’s and you’ll be turning the pages of Still Burning as fast as you can.

You could read Still Burning standalone but you really should read Old Flame first to get the full enjoyment, to see what Rome and Salem were like young and in love, what they went through and how precious it is to see them now, not quite so young but still in love. While you’re at it, read everything Abbi Glines has written; it’s all connected and it’s all riveting.

I was given an advance copy of Still Burning. It made my heart race, made me smile, made me cry, and made me love it. And there is just enough cliffhanger at the end to make you eager for whatever is next in this remarkable series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.43
author: Abbi Glines
name: Sally
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/28
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Still Burning and I devoured it in one sitting. You know how it feels when you are reading a book and you just can’t stop, because you HAVE to know what’s next? But then you realize there aren’t enough pages left for all the details you need. Oh no . . . it’s like a TV show when all of a sudden “TO BE CONTINUED�� flashes on the screen. That’s how it was with Old Flame, the first part of Rome and Salem’s story: heartbreaking, heartwarming, hopeful. And then Wham! The End. Leaving you desperate for the rest of the story.

Still Burning picks right up where Old Flame left off, and author Abbi Glines does not disappoint. Rome and Salem are finding their way back to a life together and it feels so good. The Boston widow and the motorcycle club member might seem unlikely on the surface, but they just fit. As they always have. There are still old wounds and some bumps, but all those years apart are falling away; each day is better than the last. Salem is surprisingly comfortable being with the Judgement MC, making friends and with a heart full at being with Rome again. Rome is so thankful to have found her again, he’ll never let her go. Their time together is spicy and steamy and very sweet.

But of course it’s not that simple. Author Glines introduced a lot of twists and turns and unknowns into Old Flame, and it continues in Still Burning. Glines has crafted a complex story populated with multi-dimensional characters and full of stunning surprises and connections. It’s complex, but the plot is well-crafted and logical; it’s peeling the onion, unraveling the ball of string, adding another puzzle piece �� however you want to look at it �� that reveals more and more bit by each tantalizing bit. Everything is related to everything else and everything is in question: Salem’s job in Miami, her life in Boston, shocking secrets, rival motorcycle gangs, involvement of the DEA and CIA . . . it all sounds dangerous and overwhelming and confusing, but trust me, uncovering it all as the story progresses �� with no spoilers �� makes for a very satisfying and rewarding read. Throw in a jealous, manipulative, spiteful ex-hookup of Rome’s and you’ll be turning the pages of Still Burning as fast as you can.

You could read Still Burning standalone but you really should read Old Flame first to get the full enjoyment, to see what Rome and Salem were like young and in love, what they went through and how precious it is to see them now, not quite so young but still in love. While you’re at it, read everything Abbi Glines has written; it’s all connected and it’s all riveting.

I was given an advance copy of Still Burning. It made my heart race, made me smile, made me cry, and made me love it. And there is just enough cliffhanger at the end to make you eager for whatever is next in this remarkable series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 195790577 From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club Pick The Other Woman and The Guilt Trip comes an electrifying new novel.

Now: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life in a small seaside Californian town with her husband and daughter. She is not expecting a writer to knock on her door asking for her personal insight into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s—unveiling the threads of a life she put behind her years ago. The same day, her daughter goes missing and the school claims her aunt picked her up . . . but she doesn’t have an aunt. Convinced of a link between the two, Nicole is forced to revisit long-abandoned memories from her past to protect everything she now holds dear.

1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with the hottest band in London, Secret Oktober. Harboring an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards, she will do anything she can to capture his attention among the throngs of groupies at the band’s scandalous backstage parties. But when Ben discovers her older sister Nicole singing at a local bar one night, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, setting in motion a collision course that could tear their family apart.

Infused with the sounds of the 80s, this thrilling new novel from the inimitable Sandie Jones will captivate her readers, as she explores what the frenzy of fandom can lead to in this shocking blockbuster.]]> 320 Sandie Jones 125091003X Sally 3 2025-read
It seems Nicole has lived a life of secrets from 1986 on; her husband and daughter know virtually nothing about the real Nicole. But when Nicole’s daughter mysteriously disappears many truths must be revealed.

I have read several other books by author Sandie Jones and enjoyed them, but while this one is fast paced and exciting it doesn’t have quite the edge the others have. I couldn’t really latch to any event that held my interest for too long and I found most of the characters unlikable, accounting for my fairly average rating.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of I Would Die for You via NetGalley. It is a good, quick read, just not quite up to the standard I am used to from this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.30 2024
author: Sandie Jones
name: Sally
average rating: 3.30
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/20
date added: 2025/03/29
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I Would Die for You is fast-paced and exciting, full of surprises and making you unable to guess what might happen next. It goes back in forth in time from 2010 to 1986, centering on following the most popular music bands of the day, the relationship between sisters, secrets and a terrifying disappearance.

It seems Nicole has lived a life of secrets from 1986 on; her husband and daughter know virtually nothing about the real Nicole. But when Nicole’s daughter mysteriously disappears many truths must be revealed.

I have read several other books by author Sandie Jones and enjoyed them, but while this one is fast paced and exciting it doesn’t have quite the edge the others have. I couldn’t really latch to any event that held my interest for too long and I found most of the characters unlikable, accounting for my fairly average rating.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of I Would Die for You via NetGalley. It is a good, quick read, just not quite up to the standard I am used to from this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 222361666 With an expert hand, Rachel Louise Adams’s debut No Rest for the Wicked reads like an edge of your seat, heart-pounding scary movie.

In one Halloween obsessed Midwestern town, everyone’s on red alert after a local politician goes missing. Little do they know it’s only the beginning.

It’s been close to twenty years since forensic pathologist Dolores Hawthorne left her hometown of Little Horton, Wisconsin. The town is famous for its Halloween celebrations, but also its history of violent deaths linked to the holiday. To Dolores, it’s the place she fled, family, bad memories, and all. Until the FBI calls to tell her that her father--the former mayor turned US Senator--is missing under mysterious circumstances.

Some people count to ten to wake up from a nightmare. Dolores always counts the bones of her head sphenoid, frontal, lacrimal. But no matter how many times she counts them, it doesn’t change the fact that her father is missing, that his final words of warning to her were to trust no one, and that now, the rest of her family is giving Dolores a chilling welcome. With Halloween fast approaching, Dolores must face the past she left behind before it’s too late.]]> Rachel Louise Adams 1250362121 Sally 0 to-read 4.24 2025
author: Rachel Louise Adams
name: Sally
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/28
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 216004612 Laura Pavlov Sally 0 to-read 5.00 2025
author: Laura Pavlov
name: Sally
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 222376526 Death imitates art in the brand-new crime thriller starring homicide cop Eve Dallas from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author J.D. Robb.

Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist's career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work.

Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation.]]> 368 J.D. Robb 1250370825 Sally 0 to-read 4.23 2025
author: J.D. Robb
name: Sally
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 222377159 A detour. A chance encounter. Two women who alter the pages of each other’s story.

Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.

Newly-single mom Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is hanging by a thread after her neat, tidy world was completely undone when her husband decided that their marriage was over. In the aftermath of the breakup, she and her two daughters move in with her eighty-year-old grandfather. Tallulah starts a new job at the Forget-Me-Not Library, where old, treasured memories can be found within the books—and where Lu must learn to adapt to the many changes thrown her way.

When a road detour leads Juliet to Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, and straight into Tallulah’s life, the two women soon discover there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. And that happiness, even when lost, can always be found again.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]> 352 Heather Webber 1250369274 Sally 0 to-read 4.64 2025
author: Heather Webber
name: Sally
average rating: 4.64
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 216122291 He's a Fixer, but she's his insatiable fix...

Eoghan: After I pull a fast one in her Las Vegas courtroom, prosecutor Jillian Diamond gets drunk in a bar and gives me a piece of her mind. But we settle the score tangled in the sheets, where I show her I’m even better in the bedroom than the courtroom.

Only, to my surprise, I’m her first.

That changes everything, releasing a side of me I don’t know how to control.

Obsessed doesn’t begin to describe my behavior when I find a dating app on her phone and men in her DMs who want what I just got.

I will keep her from touching another man by wearing a mask to give her the fantasies she craves.

Don’t ask me how I know what her fantasies are. Or how I get into her locked apartment. Or how I spy on her through my phone.

She has no idea the attorney she hates and loves mouthing off to during the day is the same man driving her crazy at night.

Watching her. Manipulating her. Obsessing over her.

But with every touch, I’m slowly unraveling, risking everything for one more taste of my diamond in the rough.

When my enemy targets her, I’m ready to burn down this entire city because Jillian belongs to me.

And no one touches what’s mine.]]> 436 Deborah Garland Sally 5 2024-read
Reckless Obsession was the first book by Deborah Garland that I read, but I had barely started and I was stacking up my next reads. Oh yeah, it was that good. It’s the first in the Astoria Royals Standalone series, and there’s a 5-book Astoria Royals series that precedes it. There’s enough backstory so everything works standalone but believe me when I say you’re going to want to go back and catch up on all the details.

The O’Rourke brothers are Irish Mafia men, who value family and honor and loyalty above all else. Big, strong, hunky, handsome men. Intense, ruthless and scary, but also melty and tender. The oldest son is the King, and there’s also an underboss, an enforcer, a tech guy, a couple of doctors and a lawyer. Eoghan is the lawyer brother, the fixer who tries to keep them out of jail or prison. Their roles were all determined by their father when they were young, and they excel in them. Eoghan is Harvard-educated, suave, smooth, charming when he wants to be, and a very talented lawyer.

Jillian Diamond is also a lawyer, but she’s in the Fraud and Corruption Unit of the District Attorney’s office, and her job is to try and convict criminals, not let them avoid it. Eoghan and Jillian go head-to-head in the courtroom; she’s trying to put his brother in prison; he’s going to keep him out. This is an important case for her for promotion, but her brother, Director Daniel Vance, is head of the unit and not usually on her side. Could get interesting.

But what really gets interesting is Eoghan and Jillian’s next encounter �� at a bar where Jillian has gone to sulk after being told to drop this case, spots Eoghan and approaches him, and guess what? They end up back at her place. Should be his usual quick stop, but this somehow holds the promise of more than a physical attraction between them, and (and this is a big, big, big and) turns out she has very little experience and suddenly because of that she’s his responsibility to take care of and protect �� and marry. Author Garland advises us in the preface to not overthink Eoghan’s obsession and that’s very good advice, because it lets you just sink into the story and enjoy every single word. She says, “To fully enjoy this book, it’s best you accept that Eoghan is obsessed with Jillian. At first sight. There will be no elaborate reason given, so please don’t turn the pages looking for one.��

Reckless Obsession has got to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. Even though the O’Rourkes are “good�� criminals, trying to keep their own family safe in their neighborhood and not out terrorizing average citizens, they are still Mafia so there is violence, danger, competing organizations, scores to settle, advantages to gain or maintain. The Mob aspect is exotic, exciting, and intriguing, but what makes the story impossible to put down is the combination of suspense, some incredibly steamy stuff, an equal amount of sweet and tender stuff, and most of all the absolutely ridiculous, outrageous, unbelievable scenes and asides and dialogue that will have you doubled over and snorting with laughter.

I loved this book. I love the O’Rourkes. You should read this book and then everything else about them. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.]]> 4.04
author: Deborah Garland
name: Sally
average rating: 4.04
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/17
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: 2024-read
review:
Edited for audiobook: See what I said below after reading the print version of Reckless Obsession and multiply it by some really big number. It’s that much better as an audiobook. As noted, this was the first of Garland’s books I read, first Mafia romance, really and the balance of scary and funny, harsh and sweet was amplified by hearing it. These narrators �� holy . . . whoa . . . wow �� this is a must listen and prepare to listen straight through. Stella Hunter is the best female narrator �� period, don’t argue. The range of emotions, wry humor, panic, despair, fear, always perfect pace; any genre, paired with any other narrator, she’s the best. Her Jillian is not innocent but inexperienced, not insecure but uncertain, and a treasure to be unwrapped. And Hunter’s ability to perform not just one but many male voices �� with that accent to boot �� without sounding like a child imitating their grandfather is unsurpassed. In her chapters, she was Eoghan; the switch from chapter to chapter and between Hunter and Aaron Shedlock was seamless. Speaking of Aaron Shedlock, he absolutely is Eoghan (and all the rest of the many other male characters, all done with perfect accents, individuality and nuance). But back to Eoghan. While there is a lot of humor in this book and Jillian’s thoughts are funny, when Eoghan isn’t being the mean Mafia man he is hilarious. Obsessed, desperate, distraught, befuddled, exasperated, angry, incredulous, possessive, jealous, resigned �� Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! �� Shedlock’s performance captures it all and is masterful. An engrossing, enjoyable, satisfying read by talented author Deborah Garland made sublime by equally talented narrators Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock.

Reckless Obsession was the first book by Deborah Garland that I read, but I had barely started and I was stacking up my next reads. Oh yeah, it was that good. It’s the first in the Astoria Royals Standalone series, and there’s a 5-book Astoria Royals series that precedes it. There’s enough backstory so everything works standalone but believe me when I say you’re going to want to go back and catch up on all the details.

The O’Rourke brothers are Irish Mafia men, who value family and honor and loyalty above all else. Big, strong, hunky, handsome men. Intense, ruthless and scary, but also melty and tender. The oldest son is the King, and there’s also an underboss, an enforcer, a tech guy, a couple of doctors and a lawyer. Eoghan is the lawyer brother, the fixer who tries to keep them out of jail or prison. Their roles were all determined by their father when they were young, and they excel in them. Eoghan is Harvard-educated, suave, smooth, charming when he wants to be, and a very talented lawyer.

Jillian Diamond is also a lawyer, but she’s in the Fraud and Corruption Unit of the District Attorney’s office, and her job is to try and convict criminals, not let them avoid it. Eoghan and Jillian go head-to-head in the courtroom; she’s trying to put his brother in prison; he’s going to keep him out. This is an important case for her for promotion, but her brother, Director Daniel Vance, is head of the unit and not usually on her side. Could get interesting.

But what really gets interesting is Eoghan and Jillian’s next encounter �� at a bar where Jillian has gone to sulk after being told to drop this case, spots Eoghan and approaches him, and guess what? They end up back at her place. Should be his usual quick stop, but this somehow holds the promise of more than a physical attraction between them, and (and this is a big, big, big and) turns out she has very little experience and suddenly because of that she’s his responsibility to take care of and protect �� and marry. Author Garland advises us in the preface to not overthink Eoghan’s obsession and that’s very good advice, because it lets you just sink into the story and enjoy every single word. She says, “To fully enjoy this book, it’s best you accept that Eoghan is obsessed with Jillian. At first sight. There will be no elaborate reason given, so please don’t turn the pages looking for one.��

Reckless Obsession has got to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. Even though the O’Rourkes are “good�� criminals, trying to keep their own family safe in their neighborhood and not out terrorizing average citizens, they are still Mafia so there is violence, danger, competing organizations, scores to settle, advantages to gain or maintain. The Mob aspect is exotic, exciting, and intriguing, but what makes the story impossible to put down is the combination of suspense, some incredibly steamy stuff, an equal amount of sweet and tender stuff, and most of all the absolutely ridiculous, outrageous, unbelievable scenes and asides and dialogue that will have you doubled over and snorting with laughter.

I loved this book. I love the O’Rourkes. You should read this book and then everything else about them. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 215360102
Deana Wilkes, who’s needed braces to walk since a disabling accident long ago, seeks out Monica Connell, an attorney, to find the child she was forced to relinquish in a closed adoption thirty years ago. Back then, Deana believed that the passion between her and Tony, her married boss, meant they were destined for each other. It was wrong, Deana knew, but believed it was also meant to be. Tony’s long gone now, and Deana’s constructed a life out of the wreck of their affair. She’s ready to finally make things right and meet her son.

But Monica’s wife, Angela, was adopted herself after an early history of abandonment and foster homes. Devoted to the memory of her parents, she’s certain that closed adoptions need to remain closed unless the adoptee seeks contact. She draws a red line: Monica cannot take the case. Monica, though, feels compelled to help Deana by her own complicated history, one she’s never revealed to Angela. As this wedge between them hardens, will Angie or Monica have the best custody claim to their own beloved adopted baby?
��
Nobody knows what Deana’s son wants, including his adoptive parents. Not even redheaded Suzanne, and the possibility of love. After all, as an Iraq war vet and a long-distance truck driver, Daniel knows everything about hitting the road to avoid the confusion that’s plagued his life.
Lynne Hugo’s thirteenth novel takes on the reverberating effects of sexual power dynamics in the workplace and vividly portrays lingering psychological wounds as characters struggle to reconcile self-determination with the sacrifices love demands.]]> 374 Lynne Hugo 1943075913 Sally 0 to-read 4.30
author: Lynne Hugo
name: Sally
average rating: 4.30
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/24
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 228171564
Lulu Sonnet is the bane of my existence.
She’s caused me more physical pain than any man should ever endure.
From an accidental throat punch to a near death by shovel��
Don’t even get me started on that vicious pool ball accident where she almost robbed me of my family jewels.
She’s a hot little heathen, and what’s worse?
She’s staying in my brother’s rental house while I’m temporarily living in the guest house.
And now she needs a favor.
A fake boyfriend.
I’ll dote on her for a few weeks, she’ll return the favor so my boss’s daughter will stop nagging me, and then we’ll part ways.
It seems simple enough.
Until we end up in the same shower.
And then the same bed.
The lines are blurring.
She’s beautiful and fierce and sexy all at the same time.
But Lulu isn’t staying in Rosewood River forever.
The place I call home is just a pitstop for her.
But suddenly everything I thought I wanted is no longer important to me.
My fake girlfriend has turned my world upside down.
And now nothing feels right without her.]]> Laura Pavlov Sally 5 2025-read
My Silver Lining is Lulu Sonnet and Rafe Chadwick’s story and what a story it is. Rafe is the mischievous, chatty one, always has something to say, annoyingly charming according to Lulu. He’s a little flirty but there is a serious, successful businessman underneath, a math guy, numbers genius. Nobody special in his life because he’s kind of waiting for what his parents have; his dad says he’ll know it when he sees it.

Set up the scene: When Easton and Henley got together he moved into Henley’s house, leaving his empty. Lulu has an also scummy ex, a rockstar who won’t stop harassing her, so she’ll be staying in Easton’s house for a few months until she goes to Paris for her jewelry business �� MSL. Rafe’s house is being remodeled and he’s staying in Easton’s guesthouse until it’s done. He thinks the main house is empty, but Lulu arrived early, so when he and Cutler (remember Beefcake?) go inside for supplies for a volcano they’re making, she thinks there’s an intruder and punches Rafe in the throat first and asks questions later. Over the next several days she manages to accidentally hit him in the head with a snow shovel and shoot a pool ball into a sensitive area. Not exactly the beginning of a beautiful friendship, although there is reluctantly a bit of mutual interest and sparking. And a lot of laugh-out-loud moments for the reader.

Rafe and Lulu do have something else in common besides living on Easton’s property: each has told other people they are in relationships when they’re not, and now it’s time to put up or shut up. Lulu needs a date to her grandfather’s 80th birthday party because her rotten cousin Charlotte thinks she can expose the lie; Rafe needs a date to his boss’s wedding because his boss’s daughter is relentless in her pursuit of him. Rafe’s life is pretty straightforward: he’s close to his family, loves living in Rosewood River, is very good at his job and enjoys it. His boss takes most of the credit and Rafe would like to start his own firm but he doesn’t think the time is right yet. Lulu’s life, on the other hand, is a mess. She grew up a society girl in a political family, with pressure and expectations and rivalry from cousins. Her boyfriend changed when he became famous and his antics have brought unwanted publicity. Her father is disappointed and expects more of her, her cousin is cruel and conniving, her ex won’t leave her alone. All she has is her jewelry business and she just wants to lay low until it’s time to go to Paris. She just has to get through this family gathering.

Even though their relationship is fake with an expiration date, Rafe and Lulu fit together so well that no one suspects. They support each other in important ways, the expiration date is extended, no big deal. Yeah, except it is a big deal when these two fakers start having feelings. Completely unexpected to Rafe but not completely unwelcome. However, he’s seen how others have held her back and he won’t be that guy (have your tissues ready yet?). Lulu fought so hard for freedom and independence and a chance to succeed that she just can’t put her needs behind yet another man’s.

It's wonderful being back in Rosewood River and by extension Magnolia Falls �� the friends, the family, the feels. Rafe and Lulu are like puzzle pieces that click perfectly; it’s destiny, they are meant to be. Everyone knows it except them. They understand each other better than anyone else, they spend all their time together, they laugh, they talk, and the heat, scorch, steam is wow. But that expiration date is looming. Rafe won’t try to stop it; Lulu can’t. Author Laura Pavlov has a knack for making you have just a tiny bit of doubt about that happy-ever-after you know is coming, and for building the suspense and emotion right up until the end. My Silver Lining is delightful �� funny, romantic, and serious in just the right places, with a very, very satisfying ending. Rafe and Lulu are two more people to add to our growing list of favorites, and I can’t wait to see what happens to Clark in the next book. I received an advance copy of My Silver Lining and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.27 2025
author: Laura Pavlov
name: Sally
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/19
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Author Laura Pavlov sure does know a lot of really good men, men who also happen to be jaw-droppingly handsome, hot, sexy, sweet, romantic. All the men in Magnolia Falls �� whoa! Get me some ice water and a towel to mop my brow. I’m so happy Emerson’s scummy fiancé showed his true colors, because otherwise she wouldn’t have moved to Magnolia Falls and her brother Easton wouldn’t have had come check on her, and we wouldn’t have met him and the rest of the Chadwick family. All those brothers �� must be something in the water in not only Magnolia Falls but Rosewood River. Whoa again. Great guys. And once we met Easton we met Henley, and her bestie Lulu. And here we go.

My Silver Lining is Lulu Sonnet and Rafe Chadwick’s story and what a story it is. Rafe is the mischievous, chatty one, always has something to say, annoyingly charming according to Lulu. He’s a little flirty but there is a serious, successful businessman underneath, a math guy, numbers genius. Nobody special in his life because he’s kind of waiting for what his parents have; his dad says he’ll know it when he sees it.

Set up the scene: When Easton and Henley got together he moved into Henley’s house, leaving his empty. Lulu has an also scummy ex, a rockstar who won’t stop harassing her, so she’ll be staying in Easton’s house for a few months until she goes to Paris for her jewelry business �� MSL. Rafe’s house is being remodeled and he’s staying in Easton’s guesthouse until it’s done. He thinks the main house is empty, but Lulu arrived early, so when he and Cutler (remember Beefcake?) go inside for supplies for a volcano they’re making, she thinks there’s an intruder and punches Rafe in the throat first and asks questions later. Over the next several days she manages to accidentally hit him in the head with a snow shovel and shoot a pool ball into a sensitive area. Not exactly the beginning of a beautiful friendship, although there is reluctantly a bit of mutual interest and sparking. And a lot of laugh-out-loud moments for the reader.

Rafe and Lulu do have something else in common besides living on Easton’s property: each has told other people they are in relationships when they’re not, and now it’s time to put up or shut up. Lulu needs a date to her grandfather’s 80th birthday party because her rotten cousin Charlotte thinks she can expose the lie; Rafe needs a date to his boss’s wedding because his boss’s daughter is relentless in her pursuit of him. Rafe’s life is pretty straightforward: he’s close to his family, loves living in Rosewood River, is very good at his job and enjoys it. His boss takes most of the credit and Rafe would like to start his own firm but he doesn’t think the time is right yet. Lulu’s life, on the other hand, is a mess. She grew up a society girl in a political family, with pressure and expectations and rivalry from cousins. Her boyfriend changed when he became famous and his antics have brought unwanted publicity. Her father is disappointed and expects more of her, her cousin is cruel and conniving, her ex won’t leave her alone. All she has is her jewelry business and she just wants to lay low until it’s time to go to Paris. She just has to get through this family gathering.

Even though their relationship is fake with an expiration date, Rafe and Lulu fit together so well that no one suspects. They support each other in important ways, the expiration date is extended, no big deal. Yeah, except it is a big deal when these two fakers start having feelings. Completely unexpected to Rafe but not completely unwelcome. However, he’s seen how others have held her back and he won’t be that guy (have your tissues ready yet?). Lulu fought so hard for freedom and independence and a chance to succeed that she just can’t put her needs behind yet another man’s.

It's wonderful being back in Rosewood River and by extension Magnolia Falls �� the friends, the family, the feels. Rafe and Lulu are like puzzle pieces that click perfectly; it’s destiny, they are meant to be. Everyone knows it except them. They understand each other better than anyone else, they spend all their time together, they laugh, they talk, and the heat, scorch, steam is wow. But that expiration date is looming. Rafe won’t try to stop it; Lulu can’t. Author Laura Pavlov has a knack for making you have just a tiny bit of doubt about that happy-ever-after you know is coming, and for building the suspense and emotion right up until the end. My Silver Lining is delightful �� funny, romantic, and serious in just the right places, with a very, very satisfying ending. Rafe and Lulu are two more people to add to our growing list of favorites, and I can’t wait to see what happens to Clark in the next book. I received an advance copy of My Silver Lining and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 214986191 In a nod to Rear Window, this newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series finds Jessica Fletcher coping with an injury that leaves her homebound—and a murder just outside her window!

Jessica Fletcher has taken a nasty spill on the ice, leaving her in a wheelchair for several weeks. She tries to work on her latest manuscript but finds herself��distracted by a new neighbor moving in across the street. There’s good��reason for her to be distracted, because soon after unpacking his sparse belongings, Mr. Rymer is out in the front yard, building somewhat risqué ( naked) snow sculptures.

While Cabot Cove debates whether the sculptures are a protected form of art or a public display of lewdness, someone starts destroying them at night. Rymer doesn’t seem upset. He just makes new ones. No need to get the police involved over a little snow, he says. Especially when there’s plenty more of it and a blizzard in the forecast.

The morning after the storm, Jessica looks out the window to see a new sculpture across the street—and the body of Mr. Rymer half-buried in the snow. Can Jessica catch a cold-blooded killer from her chair by the window?]]> 304 Jessica Fletcher 0593820045 Sally 0 to-read 4.00
author: Jessica Fletcher
name: Sally
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 219738935
Bella Sanchez is an absolute smoke show. I know I have a reputation of for being a playboy; the kind of guy who sleeps around with no strings attached. But that was the old me. The new me is back home in Sugar Mountain for good and looking for all the strings. The only problem is, Bella doesn't believe me when I tell her I want her.

But I'm a stubborn man, and I won't stop chasing her until she's mine.]]> 283 J. Sterling 1945042737 Sally 5 2025-read
Worth the Chase is Matthew O’Grady’s story. He’s the youngest of the three brothers, as handsome and popular as the other two and their dad. He’s the one who left Sugar Mountain to play pro hockey, and he lived up to the typical professional athlete rep: party, play around, don’t form attachments. He had a good life and he enjoyed it. But that was then and this is now.

Now Matthew is home. He always planned on coming home, but not after just seven years in the NHL. He didn’t plan on a career ending injury. He didn’t plan on feeling lost and overwhelmed, useless, uncertain of his future and being sad so much of the time. Sure, he’s got more money than he knows what to do with. He’s still famous and recognized. And with those looks he’s still got all the women he could want throwing themselves at him. Except he doesn’t want them, who he wants is Isabella Sanchez, and she barely gives him the time of day �� or night, since he spends all his nights drinking at the bar where she is the bartender.

Bella isn’t the girl he left behind or the one who got away. No, she was his high school best friend’s little sister, the pesky little girl who had the mad crush on the older boy. Not so pesky, really; they were close, she understood him and was there for him when his mother died. But she was too young and off limits. That bro code or something. And Leo wasn’t kidding when he told Matthew to stay away from her. Nor was Leo kidding when he made it a point to shove photos of Matthew with woman after woman after �� you get the picture �� in front of Bella when Matthew was still playing hockey. She knew Matthew didn’t have feelings for her. Except for giving her her first kiss, so unexpected, telling her, “If a guy doesn’t kiss you like this the first time, Bells, don’t let him do it again.�� But he was leaving town and didn’t contact her for the entire seven years he was gone, proof enough she didn’t really mean anything to him.

So his smothering attention now is unwelcome. She doesn’t trust him; thinks he’s just looking for another conquest. Leo kept her well informed of his antics while an active player and she sees the women still making themselves available. She took that first kiss to heart, though, and has never been serious about anyone, has never really dated much, but that doesn’t mean she wants to risk her heart again; he’s already broken it once. And even though she refuses to go out with Matthew the playboy she sees beneath the drunk-every night-asking-her-out-guy to the man who is unhappy, uncertain, and unsettled. She won’t turn away from helping if she can. And Matthew �� he just wants a chance. Bella is the only one besides his immediate family who made him feel he was home, and the feeling is still there.

When Bella agrees to help him find a house to buy, their relationship starts to shift. He’s still arrogant and cocky and relentless in his pursuit, but she sees more. And he sees glimpses of Bella the girl now grown into Bella the woman, the very desirable woman who still just feels so right. Author J. Sterling gives us some outrageously funny moments and some where Matthew is just ridiculous (and ridiculously cute) but the best parts are the ones that make your heart beat a little faster, as they learn more about each other, realize there is attraction and heat, and where Matthew’s proclamations of ‘our marriage, our house, our kids�� don’t seem so far-fetched. Sterling surrounds them with friends and family, treating us to more time with all the folks we met and loved in the previous books, and their presence is welcome and much needed when something horrific happens to Bella. The family’s resort and the town of Sugar Mountain are as beautiful and charming as ever; Matthew is right �� this is home. Sterling has written such a special series and Worth the Chase is the perfect wrap up. I recommend it without hesitation. I received an advance copy of this book. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.37
author: J. Sterling
name: Sally
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/17
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves: 2025-read
review:
My first thought after finishing Worth the Chase, Book 3 in author J. Sterling’s Sugar Mountain Series, was, “I hope there are more O’Grady brothers �� or cousins, or . . . ) hidden away somewhere because I am absolutely not ready for this series to be over.�� This is a place I want to move to, a family I want to join, stories to go on forever. They are feel-good, warm your heart through and through books. Even if the first eight words of Book 1, Worth the Fall, had me sobbing. Good people working through hard times and bad memories to focus on good times and good memories �� and making even better memories for the future.

Worth the Chase is Matthew O’Grady’s story. He’s the youngest of the three brothers, as handsome and popular as the other two and their dad. He’s the one who left Sugar Mountain to play pro hockey, and he lived up to the typical professional athlete rep: party, play around, don’t form attachments. He had a good life and he enjoyed it. But that was then and this is now.

Now Matthew is home. He always planned on coming home, but not after just seven years in the NHL. He didn’t plan on a career ending injury. He didn’t plan on feeling lost and overwhelmed, useless, uncertain of his future and being sad so much of the time. Sure, he’s got more money than he knows what to do with. He’s still famous and recognized. And with those looks he’s still got all the women he could want throwing themselves at him. Except he doesn’t want them, who he wants is Isabella Sanchez, and she barely gives him the time of day �� or night, since he spends all his nights drinking at the bar where she is the bartender.

Bella isn’t the girl he left behind or the one who got away. No, she was his high school best friend’s little sister, the pesky little girl who had the mad crush on the older boy. Not so pesky, really; they were close, she understood him and was there for him when his mother died. But she was too young and off limits. That bro code or something. And Leo wasn’t kidding when he told Matthew to stay away from her. Nor was Leo kidding when he made it a point to shove photos of Matthew with woman after woman after �� you get the picture �� in front of Bella when Matthew was still playing hockey. She knew Matthew didn’t have feelings for her. Except for giving her her first kiss, so unexpected, telling her, “If a guy doesn’t kiss you like this the first time, Bells, don’t let him do it again.�� But he was leaving town and didn’t contact her for the entire seven years he was gone, proof enough she didn’t really mean anything to him.

So his smothering attention now is unwelcome. She doesn’t trust him; thinks he’s just looking for another conquest. Leo kept her well informed of his antics while an active player and she sees the women still making themselves available. She took that first kiss to heart, though, and has never been serious about anyone, has never really dated much, but that doesn’t mean she wants to risk her heart again; he’s already broken it once. And even though she refuses to go out with Matthew the playboy she sees beneath the drunk-every night-asking-her-out-guy to the man who is unhappy, uncertain, and unsettled. She won’t turn away from helping if she can. And Matthew �� he just wants a chance. Bella is the only one besides his immediate family who made him feel he was home, and the feeling is still there.

When Bella agrees to help him find a house to buy, their relationship starts to shift. He’s still arrogant and cocky and relentless in his pursuit, but she sees more. And he sees glimpses of Bella the girl now grown into Bella the woman, the very desirable woman who still just feels so right. Author J. Sterling gives us some outrageously funny moments and some where Matthew is just ridiculous (and ridiculously cute) but the best parts are the ones that make your heart beat a little faster, as they learn more about each other, realize there is attraction and heat, and where Matthew’s proclamations of ‘our marriage, our house, our kids�� don’t seem so far-fetched. Sterling surrounds them with friends and family, treating us to more time with all the folks we met and loved in the previous books, and their presence is welcome and much needed when something horrific happens to Bella. The family’s resort and the town of Sugar Mountain are as beautiful and charming as ever; Matthew is right �� this is home. Sterling has written such a special series and Worth the Chase is the perfect wrap up. I recommend it without hesitation. I received an advance copy of this book. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 211680822 A taut, suspenseful historical thriller set in the months of Did Japan also have an atomic weapon, and did America bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki to pre-empt an attack on its fleet?

A masterful historical thriller set during the waning months of World War II, The Second Sun poses a provocative Did Japan test an atomic weapon, and did America know about it in advance of its own decision to drop two nuclear bombs?

March 1945: After a career of commanding destroyers in the Pacific theater of WWII, Captain Wolfe Bowen is based in Washington, DC, working for the Chief of Naval Operations. Bowen receives an urgent call from the commander of the naval shipyard in Portsmouth, New A German U-boat has been captured and brought to port. But what grabs Bowen’s attention is the presence of two Japanese civilians on board, along with the massive size of the U-boat itself. What these civilians know about the cargo of the U-boat, as well as its destination, begins a race against time that will change the course of history.

When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies, Harry Truman ascends to office with no prior knowledge of the Manhattan Project. Bowen is assigned a dangerous Discover whether Japan has the technology to produce an atomic weapon, and find out how close the desperate enemy is to deploying it. Working with a small team—including Captain Villem Amherst Van Rensselaer, part of the inner circle on the Manhattan Project, and Lieutenant Commander Janet Waring, a naval intelligence officer and skilled translator of Japanese—Bowen must report back to President Truman with the information that will transform the war—and the world.

Brilliantly imagined and deeply informed by P. T. Deutermann’s long history as a navy captain, as well as his family’s service in the Pacific theater, The Second Sun is a compelling novel timed for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.]]> 0 P. T. Deutermann 1250360986 Sally 5 2025-read
The war is finally nearing its end: Germany has surrendered, the U. S. is about to test atomic weapons, Japan is still out there fighting but it’s only a matter of time before they, too, are overpowered �� unless it’s true that they have also been developing atomic weapons that are now nearly ready to use, making an Allied invasion off their coast very dangerous indeed.

Captain Wolfe Bowen saw a lot of action commanding ships in the Pacific and is now based in Washington, DC, working for the Chief of Naval Operations. He’s been around and knows his way around, a bit weary of the war and the Navy, large, fit, a weightlifter, direct and to the point, sometimes sarcastic, single by choice. By chance hearing what may be just a little too much information, he is quickly pulled into the world of big secrets: The Manhattan Project. Lieutenant Commander Janet Waring is also based in Washington with the Office of Naval Intelligence. Based on many factors, including her history living in Japan, she is also read into the project. Neither Bowen nor Waring have a choice in accepting their new missions. If they refuse they will likely be sent somewhere out of sight for the duration.

After witnessing a test of the bomb in the desert, Bowen is sent across the world to try and see if there is indeed a testing ground off the coast of Korea and to secretly observe any tests made. If he does, he is to report back immediately to President Truman who will use this info in making his decision regarding dropping our bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Waring is to use her position and credentials to probe Washington, find out who knows what and if this secret is really a secret and provide that information to the President as well.

The Second Son is fast-paced and suspenseful and often humorous. Just when the history lessons and detailed descriptions of everything atomic start to get too dry, author P. T. Deutermann pops in another action scene. Waring and Bowen are instantly comfortable with each other and work well together. There is a physical attraction; they are both adults who have made intentional choices in the past and they feel themselves possibly moving towards something more permanent. I received an advance copy of The Second Sun from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. It was a fascinating read, thought-provoking, well-written with characters both historical and fictional. As for the noir-ish feel? He’s not a detective even though he’s on a secret mission, but there is just something about the way Bowen talks and acts that feels like he could have been Sam Spade. A little odd at first but then totally fits. Recommend this book without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.57 2025
author: P. T. Deutermann
name: Sally
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/16
date added: 2025/03/18
shelves: 2025-read
review:
The Second Sun is a very interesting book: a combination of World War II history many of us may have already read about, speculation about a secret part of the war that may or may not actually be true but is tantalizing nonetheless, and a budding romance, all told by the main character in a surprisingly noir-ish fashion.

The war is finally nearing its end: Germany has surrendered, the U. S. is about to test atomic weapons, Japan is still out there fighting but it’s only a matter of time before they, too, are overpowered �� unless it’s true that they have also been developing atomic weapons that are now nearly ready to use, making an Allied invasion off their coast very dangerous indeed.

Captain Wolfe Bowen saw a lot of action commanding ships in the Pacific and is now based in Washington, DC, working for the Chief of Naval Operations. He’s been around and knows his way around, a bit weary of the war and the Navy, large, fit, a weightlifter, direct and to the point, sometimes sarcastic, single by choice. By chance hearing what may be just a little too much information, he is quickly pulled into the world of big secrets: The Manhattan Project. Lieutenant Commander Janet Waring is also based in Washington with the Office of Naval Intelligence. Based on many factors, including her history living in Japan, she is also read into the project. Neither Bowen nor Waring have a choice in accepting their new missions. If they refuse they will likely be sent somewhere out of sight for the duration.

After witnessing a test of the bomb in the desert, Bowen is sent across the world to try and see if there is indeed a testing ground off the coast of Korea and to secretly observe any tests made. If he does, he is to report back immediately to President Truman who will use this info in making his decision regarding dropping our bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Waring is to use her position and credentials to probe Washington, find out who knows what and if this secret is really a secret and provide that information to the President as well.

The Second Son is fast-paced and suspenseful and often humorous. Just when the history lessons and detailed descriptions of everything atomic start to get too dry, author P. T. Deutermann pops in another action scene. Waring and Bowen are instantly comfortable with each other and work well together. There is a physical attraction; they are both adults who have made intentional choices in the past and they feel themselves possibly moving towards something more permanent. I received an advance copy of The Second Sun from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. It was a fascinating read, thought-provoking, well-written with characters both historical and fictional. As for the noir-ish feel? He’s not a detective even though he’s on a secret mission, but there is just something about the way Bowen talks and acts that feels like he could have been Sam Spade. A little odd at first but then totally fits. Recommend this book without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 216269895 Rekindle your belief in the magic of first love and the charm of small towns with Annie England Noblin’s delightful friends-to-lovers romantic comedy, perfect for readers of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Adams.

Spring is in the air and��Mylie��has everything she could ever her tackle shop is thriving and employs a third of Clay Creek, Arkansas, and she lives with her beloved Granny and little sister Cassie, who both keep her on her toes. As tourists pour into town for the annual fishing tournament, Mylie is in her element and ready to bring her all-women team to victory.

After moving to Chicago,��Ben��never thought he would return to Clay Creek. But with both his grandfather and mother gone, he’s left to deal with their estate. His plan is come in quietly, fix up his lakeside childhood home, sell it quickly, and get out. He underestimates how quickly his arrival will stir up the local gossip, and how intensely his unresolved feelings for Mylie, his childhood best friend, will resurface.

Amid the buzz of competition and the rhythm of small-town life, Mylie and Ben find themselves unable to ignore their shared history. They tentatively explore a future together, despite the impending sale of Ben’s house and Mylie’s insistence on staying put in Clay Creek. Flings are easier said than done, and Mylie and Ben will have to address their clashing lifestyles before their feelings get away from them.

Told with Annie England Noblin’s signature wit, cozy charm, and a dash of spice,��Spring Fling��is the perfect friends-to-lovers read.


]]> 296 Annie England Noblin 0063222299 Sally 5 2025-read
Ben and Mylie’s relationship was complicated. The best friends part was simple: they knew everything about each other, were beyond comfortable together. What wasn’t so simple was the deeper feelings each had but was afraid to share. She knew he wanted to get out of town as soon as he could; he had big plans for life and they couldn’t happen in Clay Creek. She wasn’t going to ask for something she knew she couldn’t have. He didn’t want to lie to her, to make promises he knew he couldn’t keep, so he never spoke up either. And they drifted apart. She was devastated but built the business she always wanted, has close family and friends, casually dates and is at home in her town. He continued his education and now has a shot at a good teaching job (he’s a professor now!) and the start of the life he’s dreamed of. His mother and grandfather are both gone now and he doesn’t really have close friends and has only casually dated, too. But this was the plan and things have gone according to plan so he’s happy, right?

He plans to pretty much sneak in to Clay Creek, get that house sold, and sneak back out. But Clay Creek is the town where everybody knows your name, and your business, and just stopping at a gas station alerts the gossip chain before he even makes it to the house. He hasn’t been back for so long he tries to unlock the front door of the wrong house, the house next door, which by the way is where Mylie lives with her grandmother and half-sister. Their first encounter in ten years �� late at night, in the dark, her in her nightgown with a shotgun �� is funny, and poignant and sets up the rest of the story.

You can almost see the electricity from the sparks between them and right away you try to figure out where that could go. We already know that Mylie loved him then and probably loves him now but he’s on a short, focused mission and it doesn’t look like anything has changed. We have no idea what’s really going on in his head except the doesn’t like the laser focus of everyone in town, the intrusion into everyone else’s business and don’t find out until much later. He loved big city life in Chicago and didn’t want to come to Clay Creek when he was a child and his father died, and he’s convinced he’ll always love big city life best. But those sparks, and maybe something deeper between them, are pretty intriguing. Have to see what happens.

Spring Fling is tender, romantic, sometimes heartbreaking. Mylie and Ben are likeable, lovable, irritating, exasperating with an equally wonderful well-crafted, interesting group of characters around them. You might love them or you might hate them, but you won’t be able to stop turning pages.

Thanks to William Morrow Group Harper Collins Publishers for providing an advance copy of Spring Fling via NetGalley. It was a great read with a completely satisfying ending and I recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.29
author: Annie England Noblin
name: Sally
average rating: 3.29
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/17
date added: 2025/03/18
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I’m always happy to find another book written by Annie England Noblin but sometimes I forget just how much fun they can be. Spring Fling is terrific, one of the best. Fast-paced and smooth-moving plot, wonderful characters, alternating in time with flashbacks to when Ben and Mylie met in 6th grade through their high school graduation and what’s happening now in the present in Clay Creek, when they’re 28 years old and he has briefly returned after a 10-year absence. No communication between them for most of those ten years; she has always loved Clay Creek; he could never wait to leave it. He’s just here to sell his grandfather’s home. In fact, he’s only actually here because he promised his mother before her death that he would spend a little time in Clay Creek.

Ben and Mylie’s relationship was complicated. The best friends part was simple: they knew everything about each other, were beyond comfortable together. What wasn’t so simple was the deeper feelings each had but was afraid to share. She knew he wanted to get out of town as soon as he could; he had big plans for life and they couldn’t happen in Clay Creek. She wasn’t going to ask for something she knew she couldn’t have. He didn’t want to lie to her, to make promises he knew he couldn’t keep, so he never spoke up either. And they drifted apart. She was devastated but built the business she always wanted, has close family and friends, casually dates and is at home in her town. He continued his education and now has a shot at a good teaching job (he’s a professor now!) and the start of the life he’s dreamed of. His mother and grandfather are both gone now and he doesn’t really have close friends and has only casually dated, too. But this was the plan and things have gone according to plan so he’s happy, right?

He plans to pretty much sneak in to Clay Creek, get that house sold, and sneak back out. But Clay Creek is the town where everybody knows your name, and your business, and just stopping at a gas station alerts the gossip chain before he even makes it to the house. He hasn’t been back for so long he tries to unlock the front door of the wrong house, the house next door, which by the way is where Mylie lives with her grandmother and half-sister. Their first encounter in ten years �� late at night, in the dark, her in her nightgown with a shotgun �� is funny, and poignant and sets up the rest of the story.

You can almost see the electricity from the sparks between them and right away you try to figure out where that could go. We already know that Mylie loved him then and probably loves him now but he’s on a short, focused mission and it doesn’t look like anything has changed. We have no idea what’s really going on in his head except the doesn’t like the laser focus of everyone in town, the intrusion into everyone else’s business and don’t find out until much later. He loved big city life in Chicago and didn’t want to come to Clay Creek when he was a child and his father died, and he’s convinced he’ll always love big city life best. But those sparks, and maybe something deeper between them, are pretty intriguing. Have to see what happens.

Spring Fling is tender, romantic, sometimes heartbreaking. Mylie and Ben are likeable, lovable, irritating, exasperating with an equally wonderful well-crafted, interesting group of characters around them. You might love them or you might hate them, but you won’t be able to stop turning pages.

Thanks to William Morrow Group Harper Collins Publishers for providing an advance copy of Spring Fling via NetGalley. It was a great read with a completely satisfying ending and I recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 214198962
Listen. It’s not like I planned to still be a virgin at twenty-eight. Or to fall in love with the team trainer, who apparently would rather date a guy who wears polo shirts instead of baseball pants.

But life doesn’t always go according to plan.

When I first laid eyes on Lark Miller, I knew she was something special. Unfortunately, so did her boyfriend.

For years I kept my feelings hidden. I accepted my role as best guy friend, and focused on my career. My priority needs to be securing another contract with the Vancouver Tridents so I can help my parents retire. I can’t afford any distractions.

But then the day comes that Lark shows up at my door, and tells me she’s ended her engagement. Not only that, but she’s broken up with polo shirt guy.

And then she kisses me.

My fantasy becomes my reality. Lark wants me. Me. She’s perfect, we’re perfect, everything is perfect. I’ve got the woman of my dreams, and the best part is she understands how important baseball has to be for me right now.

But remember what I said about life not going according to plan?

My name is Dan “Monty�� Montgomery: Formerly the oldest virgin in baseball, and now the newest expectant father.]]> 336 Julia Jarrett Sally 5 2025-read
Dan Montgomery and Lark Miller are perfect for each other, and everyone in the world knows it �� except Lark. Which means she has a butthead of a fiancé who doesn’t appreciate her, future monsters-in-law looming, and the wedding from you-know-where being planned with basically no input from her, and Monty is sitting on the sideline pining. Just like he’s been doing ever since he met her. Timing is everything, and Monty’s sucked; he was too late. There he was, flowers in hand, finally with enough courage to ask her out, when one of his teammates pulled him aside and told him Lark was with Baron and had been for a long time. Family connections, families practically had them engaged at birth. So back to the Friend Zone Monty goes. And Lark has him so far in that zone that it takes her a long, long time to realize Mr. Right might be right in front of her.

Monty is a great guy: great son, baseball player, teammate, friend. And too nice for his own good. Monty and Lark are best friends. He knows everything about her, what she likes, what she doesn’t, how to make her smile, how to comfort her, and if staying in the friend zone gives him one more second with her then that’s where he’ll stay. Not really happily, but grateful for any time at all at her side. Other slight point of interest about Monty: he’s just about as inexperienced as inexperienced can be. And once he fell in love with Lark he didn’t have any desire to change that. Maybe someday he’ll meet someone, but he’s not looking so chances are small.

Lark’s biggest personality trait for the first part of the book is cluelessness. Cluelessness and the inability/refusal to take control of her own life. Raised by parents who had high expectations but basically ignored her except to criticize, engaged to a man she has dated for years because their parents are business parents and it’s just supposed to be the next step. In a relationship with a man who belittles her, does not seem attracted to her and seems to just be going through the motions. Her friends have told her she could do so much better, deserves better, and to turn around and take a look at how Monty is looking at her, and we want to grab her shoulders and shake her. Her friendship with Monty is the best thing in her life, but she doesn’t see how he really feels or what could be, and her eyes open slowly to what the rest of her life will be like if she marries Baron, and it takes a night out with her girlfriends celebrating that breakup before she starts thinking “What if?��

After that the story is full of laugh-out-loud moments, sweetness, romance, and surprises. Monty is ecstatic that Lark might really want him, but he wants to take things very slowly, not only because of his lack of experience but because if this is his one shot for the woman of his dreams he doesn’t want to take one wrong step. He really is the perfect man. And when Lark starts to see that, to view him not only as that perfect buddy but as the perfect man, the perfect partner for her your heart will swell with happiness.

Narrators Victoria Connolly & Tim Paige do a terrific job voicing Lark and Monty. Connolly does Lark’s cluelessness just right, and makes you sympathize with her reluctance to push back against Baron and all the parents, to see her as a person intimidated and trying to do the right thing. Connolly makes you wish Lark had figured things out sooner but you don’t resent her. Tim Paige becomes Monty, coming across as friendly and happy and helpful, but with hints of what he keeps hidden inside. Competent and strong, always wanting to do the right thing �� and just a bit innocent. Monty is not ignorant, there is just a lot of stuff he has not done, and Paige makes Monty sensitive and shy and bold and full of desire at the same time.

I received an advance listening copy of Catch Her Heart from Home Cooked Books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next book in the series �� audio, of course, because that’s always best! I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.91 2024
author: Julia Jarrett
name: Sally
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/16
date added: 2025/03/18
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Catch Her Heart is the third book in Julia Jarrett’s Vancouver Tridents very enjoyable baseball series. Fun for us �� we get to spend a bit more time with Ronan and Willow and his daughter Peyton and Mav and Sadie and her weird cat, and the rest of the team.

Dan Montgomery and Lark Miller are perfect for each other, and everyone in the world knows it �� except Lark. Which means she has a butthead of a fiancé who doesn’t appreciate her, future monsters-in-law looming, and the wedding from you-know-where being planned with basically no input from her, and Monty is sitting on the sideline pining. Just like he’s been doing ever since he met her. Timing is everything, and Monty’s sucked; he was too late. There he was, flowers in hand, finally with enough courage to ask her out, when one of his teammates pulled him aside and told him Lark was with Baron and had been for a long time. Family connections, families practically had them engaged at birth. So back to the Friend Zone Monty goes. And Lark has him so far in that zone that it takes her a long, long time to realize Mr. Right might be right in front of her.

Monty is a great guy: great son, baseball player, teammate, friend. And too nice for his own good. Monty and Lark are best friends. He knows everything about her, what she likes, what she doesn’t, how to make her smile, how to comfort her, and if staying in the friend zone gives him one more second with her then that’s where he’ll stay. Not really happily, but grateful for any time at all at her side. Other slight point of interest about Monty: he’s just about as inexperienced as inexperienced can be. And once he fell in love with Lark he didn’t have any desire to change that. Maybe someday he’ll meet someone, but he’s not looking so chances are small.

Lark’s biggest personality trait for the first part of the book is cluelessness. Cluelessness and the inability/refusal to take control of her own life. Raised by parents who had high expectations but basically ignored her except to criticize, engaged to a man she has dated for years because their parents are business parents and it’s just supposed to be the next step. In a relationship with a man who belittles her, does not seem attracted to her and seems to just be going through the motions. Her friends have told her she could do so much better, deserves better, and to turn around and take a look at how Monty is looking at her, and we want to grab her shoulders and shake her. Her friendship with Monty is the best thing in her life, but she doesn’t see how he really feels or what could be, and her eyes open slowly to what the rest of her life will be like if she marries Baron, and it takes a night out with her girlfriends celebrating that breakup before she starts thinking “What if?��

After that the story is full of laugh-out-loud moments, sweetness, romance, and surprises. Monty is ecstatic that Lark might really want him, but he wants to take things very slowly, not only because of his lack of experience but because if this is his one shot for the woman of his dreams he doesn’t want to take one wrong step. He really is the perfect man. And when Lark starts to see that, to view him not only as that perfect buddy but as the perfect man, the perfect partner for her your heart will swell with happiness.

Narrators Victoria Connolly & Tim Paige do a terrific job voicing Lark and Monty. Connolly does Lark’s cluelessness just right, and makes you sympathize with her reluctance to push back against Baron and all the parents, to see her as a person intimidated and trying to do the right thing. Connolly makes you wish Lark had figured things out sooner but you don’t resent her. Tim Paige becomes Monty, coming across as friendly and happy and helpful, but with hints of what he keeps hidden inside. Competent and strong, always wanting to do the right thing �� and just a bit innocent. Monty is not ignorant, there is just a lot of stuff he has not done, and Paige makes Monty sensitive and shy and bold and full of desire at the same time.

I received an advance listening copy of Catch Her Heart from Home Cooked Books. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next book in the series �� audio, of course, because that’s always best! I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 221544394 The first thrilling mystery in the new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and the Will Trent series.

Welcome to North Falls—a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or so they think.

Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.

For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend's daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.

But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.

Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?]]> 448 Karin Slaughter 0063336774 Sally 0 to-read 4.37 2025
author: Karin Slaughter
name: Sally
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 228569027
His redemption is my penance. Jonah Hendrix is the bad boy of the music industry.

As lead guitarist of The Hometown Heartless, negative press follows him like a scorned lover.

And even his fans fuel the flames of his torched reputation.

Despite his permanent residence in the media, he’s never been on my radar.

Not until my boss comes to me with a

Join The Hometown Heartless on tour to redeem Jonah in the public eye, and finally get the promotion I’ve been working toward.

I’m not a PR specialist, and it’s not my career ambition, but I’m determined to see this job through.

As long as I treat the surly rock star like a brand, I’ll succeed in rehabbing his reputation and survive the tour with my sanity intact.

The problem?

Jonah and I have more in common than either of us realized.

And that desire for connection?

It’s proving to be irresistible.

FWAR is Jonah's book.

It is the third standalone in The Hometown Heartless series and contains a crossover character from The Next Life series.

This book DOES contain spoilers for The Next Life duet and The Hometown Heartless series.

While it is not necessary to listen to any of the previous books, listening to them will enhance your appreciation of this story as well as provide a better understanding of the depth of the character dynamics, personalities, and backstories.

For clarification, FWAR takes place chronologically as the next story in both The Hometown Heartless series and The Next Life series.

Title, Cover, and Blurb reveal in January.]]> Brit Benson Sally 5 2025-read
Jonah was just unlikable most of the time. Through The Hometown Heartless series he went from mildly annoying to very irritating to almost always unbearable; crass, cruel, cold. There were little glimpses of something else and hints that he had personal history he didn’t want to share, and it was obvious that he severely felt the loss of his best friend Torren when Callie showed up, but other characters were front and center and whenever Jonah appeared he was unpleasant. My mental image of him was this dumpy, sneering guy who wouldn’t even be noticed if he wasn’t part of this famous band. Well, so much for what I thought. A sentence into the prologue of For Wrath and Redemption and it was Brit Benson 1, Me 0. I loved Jonah. And as I listened on I realized there was so much more than a dull, mean, unforgettable guitar player there.

Claire was another story. From the minute she first shoved Macon aside when he tried to protect Lennon so she could be the #1 bestie when he was 11 and the girls were 9, I was a charter member of the I Hate Claire Club. Yes, she had a lot of trauma of her own to work through, but she was almost impossible to feel sympathy or empathy for, and she fully earned and deserved her shunning. If I forgot she was “that�� Claire I could see a young woman who had been manipulated and abused �� and still was �� who was strong and confident on the outside but barely holding on inside. She worked exhaustingly hard to maintain every tiny bit of control she had. But when she mentioned her ex-best friend I was irked, and until nearly the middle of the book every single mention of her brother reminded me of who she was and why I didn’t care if she was ever happy. Macon’s story was so tragic for so long that you had to love him and hate anyone who hurt him. And Claire was at the top of that list. I knew it would take a miracle to change my mind about Jonah or Claire, but author Benson is an amazingly talented author who writes books where miracles happen. She made me see the tragedy of Jonah’s early life, and how, like Macon, he was treated so badly at an early age that eventually anything, any lifestyle, any poor choices, any punishment was preferable to that pain that overwhelmed and threatened to destroy him. Drawing parallels to Macon was brilliant on Benson’s part and soon, even when he was behaving unpredictably �� or predictably self-destructive �� I wanted to reach out and heal Jonah. And Claire’s sudden involvement in his life, her dedication and determination to redeem him in the public eye despite the very unusual circumstances surrounding her, made her start to become a real person rather than that evil entity. Did she deserve forgiveness for the horrible, life-changing things she’d done years before? Maybe, maybe not. But her apologies were sincere and her remorse genuine. It was subtle but relentless: Benson kept chipping away, showing us more and more pain and unbelievable pressure until I wanted Claire to experience healing, too.

I don’t do spoilers, and there are lot of twists and surprises and some giant moments that required hard decisions you have to read for yourself. Some stunningly unbelievable, heartbreaking revelations, some moments almost unbearably hard to even listen to. And tears, a lot of tears. Jonah’s tears, Claire’s tears �� and my tears. I cried at the surprises; I cried when I knew what was coming. I cried at the good times that were making happy memories; I cried at the memories that used to be good but were ruined.

The attraction between Jonah and Claire was instant, inconvenient, uncomfortable, sometimes used as a weapon, and never let up for a minute. Claire was surprised to feel so safe with Jonah; he felt so many feelings he had never wanted to feel again. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface and behind the scenes, but their bond just gets stronger and stronger, like a current carrying them along. And the sexy scenes? Sexy as only Benson can write them. Passion, heat, so much more that strains to break through. Jonah went from dumpy and grumpy in my mind to hot, irresistibly attractive, desirable. The more beautiful Claire became in Jonah’s eyes the more beautiful she became to me.

For Wrath and Redemption is complex, with little peeks of sunshine and happy times and romance. Periods of darkness and danger, of hope and hopeless, fear and despair, sweetness and warmth. It’s a roller coaster ride of a story; you never know what’s coming but you can’t turn away. And the narration �� another bit of Benson Magic. She always �� always, always, always �� gets the very best narrators who deliver extraordinary duet performances. They are always perfect for their specific characters and Mollie Stark and Jason Clarke met and far exceeded expectations. Mollie Stark wasn’t “that�� Claire, she was “this�� Claire who lived in the now, who doubted and despaired and failed but fought on, whose struggles sometimes seemed as if they would never end. Every emotion, every nuance, is in her voice. The anger, outrage, shock, total hopelessness and helplessness �� and the strength and love. Love that was firm and unbending and forever. Jason Clarke as Jonah, oh my god, after a while all he had to do was speak and my water works started. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a performance with so much heart-wrenching emotion. When his voice breaks, when he can’t go on, when he cries I could hardly stand it. And his portrayal of the flip side of Jonah, the harsh, sarcastic, mean, calculating man was just as stunning. His declarations of love and gratitude �� well, I was already sobbing.

Once again Brit Benson has given us a story so intense, so powerful, so impactful you can’t turn away and can’t get it out of your mind. Well-plotted, well-developed characters, connections and hooks from one book to another with an utterly, completely satisfying ending that creates more tears, but happy ones. I received an advance listening copy of For Wrath and Redemption as part of the author’s review team and from The Author Agency. Final score: Brit Benson 2, Me 0. She did it and I am so happy she did. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.83
author: Brit Benson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.83
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/13
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: 2025-read
review:
If you haven’t already read The Next Life and Hometown Heartless series do it now. Trust me, you need the backstories and you’ll love the books as much as you’re going to love this one. There was never any question that author Brit Benson would do just what she said she would in For Wrath and Redemption: give Petulant Jonah and Evil Claire their redemption and make us love them. I just didn't realize she would make me run out of tissues while doing it. And shock me more times than I could count in the process.

Jonah was just unlikable most of the time. Through The Hometown Heartless series he went from mildly annoying to very irritating to almost always unbearable; crass, cruel, cold. There were little glimpses of something else and hints that he had personal history he didn’t want to share, and it was obvious that he severely felt the loss of his best friend Torren when Callie showed up, but other characters were front and center and whenever Jonah appeared he was unpleasant. My mental image of him was this dumpy, sneering guy who wouldn’t even be noticed if he wasn’t part of this famous band. Well, so much for what I thought. A sentence into the prologue of For Wrath and Redemption and it was Brit Benson 1, Me 0. I loved Jonah. And as I listened on I realized there was so much more than a dull, mean, unforgettable guitar player there.

Claire was another story. From the minute she first shoved Macon aside when he tried to protect Lennon so she could be the #1 bestie when he was 11 and the girls were 9, I was a charter member of the I Hate Claire Club. Yes, she had a lot of trauma of her own to work through, but she was almost impossible to feel sympathy or empathy for, and she fully earned and deserved her shunning. If I forgot she was “that�� Claire I could see a young woman who had been manipulated and abused �� and still was �� who was strong and confident on the outside but barely holding on inside. She worked exhaustingly hard to maintain every tiny bit of control she had. But when she mentioned her ex-best friend I was irked, and until nearly the middle of the book every single mention of her brother reminded me of who she was and why I didn’t care if she was ever happy. Macon’s story was so tragic for so long that you had to love him and hate anyone who hurt him. And Claire was at the top of that list. I knew it would take a miracle to change my mind about Jonah or Claire, but author Benson is an amazingly talented author who writes books where miracles happen. She made me see the tragedy of Jonah’s early life, and how, like Macon, he was treated so badly at an early age that eventually anything, any lifestyle, any poor choices, any punishment was preferable to that pain that overwhelmed and threatened to destroy him. Drawing parallels to Macon was brilliant on Benson’s part and soon, even when he was behaving unpredictably �� or predictably self-destructive �� I wanted to reach out and heal Jonah. And Claire’s sudden involvement in his life, her dedication and determination to redeem him in the public eye despite the very unusual circumstances surrounding her, made her start to become a real person rather than that evil entity. Did she deserve forgiveness for the horrible, life-changing things she’d done years before? Maybe, maybe not. But her apologies were sincere and her remorse genuine. It was subtle but relentless: Benson kept chipping away, showing us more and more pain and unbelievable pressure until I wanted Claire to experience healing, too.

I don’t do spoilers, and there are lot of twists and surprises and some giant moments that required hard decisions you have to read for yourself. Some stunningly unbelievable, heartbreaking revelations, some moments almost unbearably hard to even listen to. And tears, a lot of tears. Jonah’s tears, Claire’s tears �� and my tears. I cried at the surprises; I cried when I knew what was coming. I cried at the good times that were making happy memories; I cried at the memories that used to be good but were ruined.

The attraction between Jonah and Claire was instant, inconvenient, uncomfortable, sometimes used as a weapon, and never let up for a minute. Claire was surprised to feel so safe with Jonah; he felt so many feelings he had never wanted to feel again. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface and behind the scenes, but their bond just gets stronger and stronger, like a current carrying them along. And the sexy scenes? Sexy as only Benson can write them. Passion, heat, so much more that strains to break through. Jonah went from dumpy and grumpy in my mind to hot, irresistibly attractive, desirable. The more beautiful Claire became in Jonah’s eyes the more beautiful she became to me.

For Wrath and Redemption is complex, with little peeks of sunshine and happy times and romance. Periods of darkness and danger, of hope and hopeless, fear and despair, sweetness and warmth. It’s a roller coaster ride of a story; you never know what’s coming but you can’t turn away. And the narration �� another bit of Benson Magic. She always �� always, always, always �� gets the very best narrators who deliver extraordinary duet performances. They are always perfect for their specific characters and Mollie Stark and Jason Clarke met and far exceeded expectations. Mollie Stark wasn’t “that�� Claire, she was “this�� Claire who lived in the now, who doubted and despaired and failed but fought on, whose struggles sometimes seemed as if they would never end. Every emotion, every nuance, is in her voice. The anger, outrage, shock, total hopelessness and helplessness �� and the strength and love. Love that was firm and unbending and forever. Jason Clarke as Jonah, oh my god, after a while all he had to do was speak and my water works started. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a performance with so much heart-wrenching emotion. When his voice breaks, when he can’t go on, when he cries I could hardly stand it. And his portrayal of the flip side of Jonah, the harsh, sarcastic, mean, calculating man was just as stunning. His declarations of love and gratitude �� well, I was already sobbing.

Once again Brit Benson has given us a story so intense, so powerful, so impactful you can’t turn away and can’t get it out of your mind. Well-plotted, well-developed characters, connections and hooks from one book to another with an utterly, completely satisfying ending that creates more tears, but happy ones. I received an advance listening copy of For Wrath and Redemption as part of the author’s review team and from The Author Agency. Final score: Brit Benson 2, Me 0. She did it and I am so happy she did. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 214645351 Alternate cover edition of ASIN: B0D1P1CT1Y

A story of obsession, love and murder �� and not the one you’re expecting... Discover a gripping new thriller with a killer twist at its core.

When Claire surprises her fiancé, Noah, at work for their anniversary, she’s the one who ends up being shocked to her core...

Because Noah left the company nine months ago, and she had no idea. How can she not have known?

Now he isn’t answering her calls. He won’t respond to her messages. He’s disappeared.

As Claire desperately tries to find her fiancé, her world begins to shatter as the truth about who Noah really is starts to emerge.

And things are about to spiral dangerously out of control... ]]> 368 Callie Kazumi Sally 4 2025-read
Noah is handsome, successful, dotes on Claire. Sure, he keeps parts of his life and himself secret, but he’s a busy young man on the way up. Claire knows nothing of that life and believes him when he says he has to attend late night meetings, go on frequent business trips. Why wouldn’t she? He treats her so well, gives her such thoughtful gifts �� and now they’re engaged! Could life get any better?

Well, it could certainly get worse. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Noah ghosts her. Says he doesn’t know who she is, tells her to leave him alone. With the help of a friend from work she does some snooping and finds evidence of another relationship Noah is in, one that predates her time with him. How can this be, how can he betray her like this? Theirs is true love. They belong together. Claire’s determination leads to tragedy and the slow, painful, suspenseful unraveling of that great big ball of truth or lies.

Thrilling, gripping, stunning. You won’t be able to put it down and you’ll be confused and amazed and surprised and completely satisfied. Thanks to the Ballantine Bantam Dell | Penguin Random House Group for providing an advance copy of Claire, Darling via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.80 2025
author: Callie Kazumi
name: Sally
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/07
date added: 2025/03/10
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Claire, Darling is so fast-paced you can practically feel the wind blow past you. You don’t know who to believe, what to believe, who is sincere, who is not as perfect as they seem on the surface. Yes, Claire is definitely weird, but who wouldn’t be with the childhood she had, the mother she had, the father she didn’t have, the treatment she received. She’s needy, insecure, can’t help the horrible memories of times with her mom from flooding back when she least expects them. But now she has new memories, good ones, and a new life with Noah. She can’t believe her luck. He’s perfect. If she had ever dared to dream and pray, he would be the answer to those dreams and prayers. But is he?

Noah is handsome, successful, dotes on Claire. Sure, he keeps parts of his life and himself secret, but he’s a busy young man on the way up. Claire knows nothing of that life and believes him when he says he has to attend late night meetings, go on frequent business trips. Why wouldn’t she? He treats her so well, gives her such thoughtful gifts �� and now they’re engaged! Could life get any better?

Well, it could certainly get worse. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Noah ghosts her. Says he doesn’t know who she is, tells her to leave him alone. With the help of a friend from work she does some snooping and finds evidence of another relationship Noah is in, one that predates her time with him. How can this be, how can he betray her like this? Theirs is true love. They belong together. Claire’s determination leads to tragedy and the slow, painful, suspenseful unraveling of that great big ball of truth or lies.

Thrilling, gripping, stunning. You won’t be able to put it down and you’ll be confused and amazed and surprised and completely satisfied. Thanks to the Ballantine Bantam Dell | Penguin Random House Group for providing an advance copy of Claire, Darling via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 223584323 In my defense, I had no idea the tattooed, glasses-wearing, soulful hottie I spent one perfect day—and one unforgettable night—with was a hockey star on my father’s team. And Miles didn’t know I was the coach’s daughter.

That’s the point of a “no-work-talk�� date.

But now? He's as forbidden to me as I am to him.

When I land a new gig as the team photographer, we vow to keep it professional. We mostly succeed…except for that time after a game when he couldn’t keep his talented hands off me. And, okay, maybe that other time before a road trip. But I swear, it won’t happen again.

Too much is at stake—I can’t risk my heart or my father’s team.

But when I end up living at Miles’s place to care for his pack of rescue pups, the lines blur fast. Late nights turn into stolen moments and I discover there’s more to him than I ever imagined—a man who’s genuine, thoughtful, and irresistibly real.

He looks at me like he can’t believe his luck. Touches me like he never wants to let go. And listens to my hopes and fears.

My heart’s getting dangerously attached. But if I follow it�� am I putting everyone’s dreams on the line?

Tropes: coach’s daughter, the one who got away, starts with a bang, second chance vibes, age gap, forbidden hockey romance, forced proximity, workplace romance]]> 512 Lauren Blakely 1964048338 Sally 0 to-read 4.08
author: Lauren Blakely
name: Sally
average rating: 4.08
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217832051 Sometimes all you get is a single chance to turn a surprise into happily ever after��

Chance

One night. That’s all I wanted.

A single night to forget I’m a widowed single dad with a million responsibilities and a ton of emotional baggage. To remember what it’s like to just be a man.

I didn’t need any extra drama in my life. Romantic complications? No thanks.

But after that night, everything changed. Forever��

Rowan

Having a one-night stand with a sexy, older stranger was not part of my plan.

All I wanted out of this small town was a place to recover. A fresh start. Maybe even a little New Year’s Eve fun.

I had no way of knowing my hot hookup would be my new co-worker.

Or that I was actually way more fertile than I’d been led to believe��

Single Chance, book 3 in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, is a spicy, forced proximity, age gap, unplanned pregnancy contemporary romance that can be read as a stand-alone. Download today for the laughs, big feels, and llama appearances you’ve come to expect from Dragonfly Lake. ]]> 277 Amy Knupp Sally 5 2025-read
Except this is Dragonfly Lake. You never know what will happen, but it’s often magical. And surprising. Very surprising when Rowan and Chance discover they’ll be co-workers. The attraction is still burning hot, but it’s also still right place, wrong time. Rowan has come to Dragonfly Lake to finish grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother. She’s so wrung out from caring for her that she needs a break. She doesn’t have the emotional depth or energy to start anything new right now. Chance is the single dad to his very trying 14-year-old daughter Samantha. He lost his wife several years ago and they’ve been in Dragonfly Lake for 2 years. Sam is struggling and is a daily challenge. A sweet girl who doesn’t often show that sweet side anymore. Between trying to be both mom and dad and his job, Chance doesn’t have the bandwidth for a relationship either. But as Rowan and Chance spend time together on the job, they reluctantly realize that not only is that scorching hot physical attraction still there, they also like each other, a lot. They’ll just ignore it, and it will go away, right? Well, maybe, but they can’t ignore the fact that Fate has taken over and there’s a baby on the way.

It was absolutely marvelous to be back in Dragonfly Lake with these two wonderful people. Chance is a member of the Single Dads Club and we’ve seen this lonely, good guy struggle for a couple of books now. Rowan is a new character and from the start you know she is something special. Favorite folks are back too and as delightful as ever: the Henry brothers and their wives, the rest of the single dads, the business owners, everyone. It’s like a giant family reunion where you get to catch up and also get acquainted with the new people.

Rowan is going to keep the baby. Chance is going to be a part of the baby’s life. It’s all new and misunderstandings and hurts happen. The other dads rally around Chance ,and Chloe, Presley and others become good friends to Rowan. And Sam is a pretty smart 14-year-old with a little Cupid in her! it’s a joy to be in the midst of this story. Author Amy Knupp has skillfully added and smoothly incorporated new people and new events to the wonderful world she has created in Dragonfly Lake.

I was lucky enough to receive both advance listening and reading copies of Single Chance. Knupp’s books are great to read, exquisite to listen to. Sebastian York has that rumbly, sing-song-y voice that makes you shiver. He captures Chance’s moods and emotions; makes you feel all his uncertainties and fears and his concern and growing love for Rowan. Emma Wilder shows Rowan in her grief and her surprise and her comfort around Chance, and also the strong woman within who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she wants and needs and to stand on her own two feet. The pace, the tone, the emotions �� all perfect. I didn’t want to remove those earbuds. Amy Knupp is such a talented writer; you are always satisfied at the end of her stories. And I hope we never have to leave Dragonfly Lake and its charming occupants. I loved Single Chance and can’t wait to see what’s next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.33
author: Amy Knupp
name: Sally
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/01
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Single Chance starts out like one of those oh-so-romantic movies we all love: strangers see each other across the room and that’s it! You can practically see the hearts and flowers and little birdies floating between them. That’s how it was for Rowan and Chance. A little funnier, maybe, since they met at an 80’s themed New Year’s Eve party, but it already has your heart fluttering. They meet, they click, they spend a night. Both feel a little tingle and have a fleeting thought this could be so much more, but neither is in a place for anything serious or long-term, plus they don’t expect to ever see each other again. They enjoy every minute together, and then it’s just memories.

Except this is Dragonfly Lake. You never know what will happen, but it’s often magical. And surprising. Very surprising when Rowan and Chance discover they’ll be co-workers. The attraction is still burning hot, but it’s also still right place, wrong time. Rowan has come to Dragonfly Lake to finish grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother. She’s so wrung out from caring for her that she needs a break. She doesn’t have the emotional depth or energy to start anything new right now. Chance is the single dad to his very trying 14-year-old daughter Samantha. He lost his wife several years ago and they’ve been in Dragonfly Lake for 2 years. Sam is struggling and is a daily challenge. A sweet girl who doesn’t often show that sweet side anymore. Between trying to be both mom and dad and his job, Chance doesn’t have the bandwidth for a relationship either. But as Rowan and Chance spend time together on the job, they reluctantly realize that not only is that scorching hot physical attraction still there, they also like each other, a lot. They’ll just ignore it, and it will go away, right? Well, maybe, but they can’t ignore the fact that Fate has taken over and there’s a baby on the way.

It was absolutely marvelous to be back in Dragonfly Lake with these two wonderful people. Chance is a member of the Single Dads Club and we’ve seen this lonely, good guy struggle for a couple of books now. Rowan is a new character and from the start you know she is something special. Favorite folks are back too and as delightful as ever: the Henry brothers and their wives, the rest of the single dads, the business owners, everyone. It’s like a giant family reunion where you get to catch up and also get acquainted with the new people.

Rowan is going to keep the baby. Chance is going to be a part of the baby’s life. It’s all new and misunderstandings and hurts happen. The other dads rally around Chance ,and Chloe, Presley and others become good friends to Rowan. And Sam is a pretty smart 14-year-old with a little Cupid in her! it’s a joy to be in the midst of this story. Author Amy Knupp has skillfully added and smoothly incorporated new people and new events to the wonderful world she has created in Dragonfly Lake.

I was lucky enough to receive both advance listening and reading copies of Single Chance. Knupp’s books are great to read, exquisite to listen to. Sebastian York has that rumbly, sing-song-y voice that makes you shiver. He captures Chance’s moods and emotions; makes you feel all his uncertainties and fears and his concern and growing love for Rowan. Emma Wilder shows Rowan in her grief and her surprise and her comfort around Chance, and also the strong woman within who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she wants and needs and to stand on her own two feet. The pace, the tone, the emotions �� all perfect. I didn’t want to remove those earbuds. Amy Knupp is such a talented writer; you are always satisfied at the end of her stories. And I hope we never have to leave Dragonfly Lake and its charming occupants. I loved Single Chance and can’t wait to see what’s next. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 216930971
Working on my family’s cattle ranch, the hours are long, and sometimes unpredictable, so when my regular nanny quits, leaving me in a pinch, I have to think fast.

In walks Ash Tudor.

My opposite in almost every way.

He’s cheerful and bubbly, has horrible taste in music, and does yoga in my yard almost every morning in the tightest shorts I’ve ever seen.

Not that I’m looking.

But it’s none of those things that have me scratching my head and second guessing everything I thought I knew about myself.

No�� it’s the fact that he’s a him and I can’t seem to keep my eyes away, no matter how confusing that may be.

I’m nearly thirty, and never once have I looked at another man the way I catch myself looking at him.

The feelings and urges growing inside of me make no sense, and then when he gets a special delivery to the house of items he plans to use on himself, I can’t stop imagining him doing just that�� Or imagining me using them on him.

But confusion and curiosity aside, I can’t fall into bed with my son’s nanny.

Doing so would be reckless and irresponsible.

No matter how tempting it may be.]]> 349 Ashley James Sally 5 2025-read
The story opens with Finn �� big, rough cattle rancher Finn, a cowboy through and through �� losing his nanny for his 4-year-old son Tucker with almost no notice. Cassie’s been with them for a while; she’s reliable and Tucker loves her. But her boyfriend Danny just got a job offer too good to refuse and she’s got to go. No hard feelings, but as a single dad this is a big problem for Finn. He can take Tucker to work on the family ranch with him but that’s not a long-term solution. How can he get someone as good with the little guy on short-notice. Interviews, checking references �� this is a big deal.

So when his girlfriend Violet’s twin brother Ash’s life falls apart hiring him as the new nanny seems the perfect answer to Finn’s problem. Ash has been teaching children in Portland, Oregon but he’s been laid off. No job, no money for rent, so it’s back to Wolf Creek, Texas. Hopefully only for a short while; he was happy to leave and hasn’t looked back much.

Compared to grumpy Finn, Ash is downright goofy, but he’s qualified, talented, good-natured and Tucker takes to him immediately. Problem solved, right? Well, not exactly. Finn and Violet’s idea of what their relationship is is definitely not on the same page. To him, it’s casual: they only see each other once a week, she hasn’t really spent any time with his family and he’s not interested in anything for the long haul. Had enough of that when his wife took off when Tucker was still a baby. But Violet apparently has a much different plan for them: he’s the love of her life, her soulmate, just hers. She’s prickly, often hard to get along with, often demanding. Not sure he’d pick her if he was even looking long-term. But since it’s casual in his mind he hasn’t thought too much about breaking it off. Which isn’t a problem until he realizes he’s taking a lot of long looks at Ash, is starting to feel very comfortable around him, to really like him and to feel something else he can’t quite explain, which baffles him. This is his son’s nanny, which would be off limits anyway, but this is a guy he’s so fascinated with.

Beneath that happy exterior Ash has a lot of anxiety and worry. His parents never paid much attention to him. His twin sister is close, but not always kind. She’s selfish and pampered and fully believes she deserves the princess treatment. Ash didn’t want to admit defeat and come back to Wolf Creek where he was never very comfortable, but he had no choice. And he can see Finn’s attraction to him. And that attraction is mutual. And that might be a problem.

Watching them acknowledge and then act on that attraction is sweet and heartwarming. Ash loves Tucker and is welcomed by Finn’s family. Watching Finn work through his feelings and decide to go after what’s most important is fascinating and touching. Violet is a problem but Finn knows what he does �� and doesn’t �� want. Finn’s family is close and supportive. And Tucker is absolutely adorable.

I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies of Finn. Narrators Gregory Salinas and Alex Kydd were new to me, and they were fantastic. Salinas has a big, booming, deep voice and portrays all of Finn’s emotions and moods perfectly: cranky, confused, determined, and in love. Alex Kydd’s slow, breathy, whispery delivery shows Ash’s emotions, fears, hurts as well as his anger and determination. These narrators brought Finn and Ash to life and made a very enjoyable book even more so. I recommend this book without hesitation and can’t wait for the next book in the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.06
author: Ashley James
name: Sally
average rating: 4.06
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/02
date added: 2025/03/05
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Finn by author Ashley James is the first book in the new Moore Men series. It’s exciting and fast-paced and super steamy and often funny, but at heart it’s a love story, romantic and tender. It’s about family and feelings and having the courage to see right what’s in front of you, to be who you are and take a risk to go after what you want.

The story opens with Finn �� big, rough cattle rancher Finn, a cowboy through and through �� losing his nanny for his 4-year-old son Tucker with almost no notice. Cassie’s been with them for a while; she’s reliable and Tucker loves her. But her boyfriend Danny just got a job offer too good to refuse and she’s got to go. No hard feelings, but as a single dad this is a big problem for Finn. He can take Tucker to work on the family ranch with him but that’s not a long-term solution. How can he get someone as good with the little guy on short-notice. Interviews, checking references �� this is a big deal.

So when his girlfriend Violet’s twin brother Ash’s life falls apart hiring him as the new nanny seems the perfect answer to Finn’s problem. Ash has been teaching children in Portland, Oregon but he’s been laid off. No job, no money for rent, so it’s back to Wolf Creek, Texas. Hopefully only for a short while; he was happy to leave and hasn’t looked back much.

Compared to grumpy Finn, Ash is downright goofy, but he’s qualified, talented, good-natured and Tucker takes to him immediately. Problem solved, right? Well, not exactly. Finn and Violet’s idea of what their relationship is is definitely not on the same page. To him, it’s casual: they only see each other once a week, she hasn’t really spent any time with his family and he’s not interested in anything for the long haul. Had enough of that when his wife took off when Tucker was still a baby. But Violet apparently has a much different plan for them: he’s the love of her life, her soulmate, just hers. She’s prickly, often hard to get along with, often demanding. Not sure he’d pick her if he was even looking long-term. But since it’s casual in his mind he hasn’t thought too much about breaking it off. Which isn’t a problem until he realizes he’s taking a lot of long looks at Ash, is starting to feel very comfortable around him, to really like him and to feel something else he can’t quite explain, which baffles him. This is his son’s nanny, which would be off limits anyway, but this is a guy he’s so fascinated with.

Beneath that happy exterior Ash has a lot of anxiety and worry. His parents never paid much attention to him. His twin sister is close, but not always kind. She’s selfish and pampered and fully believes she deserves the princess treatment. Ash didn’t want to admit defeat and come back to Wolf Creek where he was never very comfortable, but he had no choice. And he can see Finn’s attraction to him. And that attraction is mutual. And that might be a problem.

Watching them acknowledge and then act on that attraction is sweet and heartwarming. Ash loves Tucker and is welcomed by Finn’s family. Watching Finn work through his feelings and decide to go after what’s most important is fascinating and touching. Violet is a problem but Finn knows what he does �� and doesn’t �� want. Finn’s family is close and supportive. And Tucker is absolutely adorable.

I was lucky enough to receive both advance reading and advance listening copies of Finn. Narrators Gregory Salinas and Alex Kydd were new to me, and they were fantastic. Salinas has a big, booming, deep voice and portrays all of Finn’s emotions and moods perfectly: cranky, confused, determined, and in love. Alex Kydd’s slow, breathy, whispery delivery shows Ash’s emotions, fears, hurts as well as his anger and determination. These narrators brought Finn and Ash to life and made a very enjoyable book even more so. I recommend this book without hesitation and can’t wait for the next book in the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 55941858 A gripping, openhearted novel about family, reconciliation, and bringing closure to the secrets of the past.

Early into the tempestuous decade of her thirties, Rae Langdon struggles to work through a grief she never anticipated. With her father, Connor, she tends to their Ohio farm, a forty-acre spread that itself has enjoyed better days. As memories sweep through her, some too precious to bear, Rae gives shelter from a brutal winter to a teenager named Quinn Galecki.

Quinn has been thrown out by his parents, a couple too troubled to help steer the misunderstood boy through his own losses. Now Quinn has found a temporary home with the Langdons—and an unexpected kinship, because Rae, Quinn, and Connor share a past and understand one another’s pain. But its depths—and all its revelations and secrets—have yet to come to light. To finally move forward, Rae must confront them and also fight for Quinn, whose parents have other plans in mind for their son.

With forgiveness, love, and the spring thaw, there might be hope for a new season—a second chance Rae believed in her heart was gone forever.]]> 317 Christine Nolfi 1542029120 Sally 0 to-read 3.99 2021
author: Christine Nolfi
name: Sally
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 215514839 From award-winning author and creative writing teacher at Tulane University comes an intimate and powerful memoir exploring inherited trauma, family secrets, and the enduring bonds of love between mothers and daughters.

On her second birthday in 1967, Bernice McFadden died in a car crash near Detroit, only to be resuscitated after her mother pulled her from the flaming wreckage. Firstborn Girls traces her remarkable life from that moment up to the publication of her first novel, Sugar.

Growing up in 1980s Brooklyn, Bernice finds solace in books, summer trips to Barbados, and boarding school to escape her alcoholic father. Discovering the works of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, she finally sees herself and her loved ones reflected in their stories of “messy, beautiful, joyful Black people.��

Interwoven with Bernice's personal journey is her family's history, beginning with her four-times enslaved great-grandmother Louisa Vicey Wilson in 1822 Hancock County, Georgia. Her descendants survived Reconstruction and Jim Crow, joined the Great Migration, and mourned Dr. King’s assassination during the Civil Rights Movement. These women's wisdom, secrets, and fierce love are passed down like Louisa's handmade quilt.

A memoir of many threads, Firstborn Girls is an extraordinarily moving portrait of a life shaped by family, history, and the drive to be something more.]]> 400 Bernice L. McFadden 0593184971 Sally 5 2025-read
Thanks to Penguin Random House Dutton / Plume / Tiny Reparations Books for providing an advance copy of Firstborn Girls via NetGalley. I recommend it without hesitation for anyone who wants to learn “more of the story.�� I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.43 2025
author: Bernice L. McFadden
name: Sally
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/04
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves: 2025-read
review:
What a strong memoir. Intense and often difficult to read but so impactful. Such a courageous story, proving you can’t choose your family or your family’s history but you can choose how to go forward and incorporate that history into your being. A real pleasure to read about not only McFadden but the fascinating people and secrets in her heritage.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Dutton / Plume / Tiny Reparations Books for providing an advance copy of Firstborn Girls via NetGalley. I recommend it without hesitation for anyone who wants to learn “more of the story.�� I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 211003699 The incredible untold story of four women who helped win WWII by generating a wave of black propaganda.

Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was of course one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII.

As members of the OSS, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Working in the European theater, across enemy lines in occupied China, and in Washington, D.C., Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene forged letters and “official�� military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs, and even developed rumors for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now.

In Propaganda Girls, bestselling author Lisa Rogak brings to vivid life the incredible true story of four unsung heroes, whose spellbinding achievements would change the course of history.]]> 240 Lisa Rogak 1250275598 Sally 5 2025-read
World War II is one of the most interesting historical topics. It seems no matter how much you read, there is always more to learn. Author Rogak brings the daring contributions of these four women to life in all their dangerous, thrilling, exciting detail. A very satisfying read. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of Propaganda Girls via NetGalley. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys looking beyond the well-known facts of this historical period. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.96 2025
author: Lisa Rogak
name: Sally
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/04
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Fascinating book, fascinating women. Different personalities, backgrounds, and lives but common among them was their strength, dedication, bravery and ingenuity, their lack of hesitation to stand up, step forward, do whatever they could to help defeat the enemy.

World War II is one of the most interesting historical topics. It seems no matter how much you read, there is always more to learn. Author Rogak brings the daring contributions of these four women to life in all their dangerous, thrilling, exciting detail. A very satisfying read. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of Propaganda Girls via NetGalley. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys looking beyond the well-known facts of this historical period. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 224805728
I’ll Stand By You

Can five friends grow up without growing apart?

Working at a beachfront hotel in their sleepy home town gives five life-long friends the chance to spend as much time as possible together after college graduation—and before real life begins.

You Get What You Give

From insta-lover to insta-enemy. All that, and a bag of chips.

Two TV casting directors—a girl boss and a Hollywood bad boy—go from meet-cute to one-night stand to rivals to lovers.

Hold On To Me

She’s my boss, and she’s a stone-cold fox.

While a former boom guy recuperates from a devastating accident at sea, the only employment he’s fit for is a job few have assisting an older, wiser—and definitely hotter—producer.]]> Karen Grey Sally 5 2025-read
I’ll Stand by You - Can five friends grow up without growing apart?
I loved I’ll Stand by You when I read it. The perfect sequel to a wonderfully satisfying series and an intriguing prequel for more amazing Karen Grey stories. But the audiobook version???? I don’t think there is room for all the “wows�� I want to include here. A super-perfect cast of narrators and background sounds like Ribsy barking and the waves crashing on the shore �� yes, another wow. Seriously, Ryan Lee Dunlap is a long-time favorite narrator, always draws me right in to the character, and this time when he amps up that sexy accent of his just a bit more, he is Ford. J. F. Harding is another favorite and that angsty voice of his makes Sully and the emotions he tries to hold in come alive. Amy McFadden, Maxine Mitchell and Amanda Stribling as Dani, Violet and Whitney round out the excellent cast. Listening gives you insight into this new group of friends you are guaranteed to love. The narration is well-paced and clear, with all the right emotions at just the right times. Author Grey’s books are just meant to be listened to, an experience you won’t forget.

You Get What You Give - From insta-lover to insta-enemy. All that, and a bag of chips.
Karen Grey has some kind of superpower. I don’t understand it, but I love it. What she does is write books that transport you back in time to the 1980s and 1990s. So exciting, gripping, funny, sexy that you can’t put them down. And here comes the superpower: they are even better when these exciting, gripping, funny, sexy words are spoken aloud. No kidding. If her books are amazing (which they are), then her audiobooks are amazingly amazing. And she must have a secret stash of the very best narrators hidden away somewhere because when they speak those words the voices are just as they were in your head. Like I said, amazingly amazing. Jack Calihan IS Nate. A little skeptical, pouty, and defensive, but you can hear how he’s drawn to Violet from the start. As for Violet, Maxine Mitchell puts the perfect amount of heat and desire and cantankerousness into the drawl.

Hold On to Me - She’s my boss, and she’s a stone-cold fox.
I don’t know how you can take something that is already the best and make it better, but author Karen Grey unfailingly does it with each and every one of her books when you get to listen to them. If you’ve read The Boston Classics or any of The Carolina Classics you already know the stories with their relationships, trips down memory lane to the fabulous (?) 80s and 90s and the perfect blend of sweet and steamy are not to be missed, but when these stories become audiobooks they become simply magical. I don’t know how she finds narrators that are the exact match for what you imagined, but she does. One sentence from Sully and you’re hooked. This time around JF Harding and MacKenzie Cartwright are perfect, perfect, perfect. If you haven’t already read Hold On To Me, read on with this review. If you’ve read it, then run �� not walk �� for your headphones and prepare to be transported to the Carolinas.

Thanks to the author and Home Cooked Books for providing individual audiobook copies of the three delightful stories contained in Carolina Heat. Read and listen to everything in the series, then go back and read/listen to her Boston Classics, her entry in the Farm 2 Forking series and be as eager as I am waiting for her new book, The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation, to be released. My full reviews can be found on ŷ������ and other sites. I was not compensated in any way. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.24
author: Karen Grey
name: Sally
average rating: 4.24
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/27
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Carolina Heat is the box set collection of the first three books in author Karen Grey’s Carolina Classics series. Set in the nineties, the first, I’ll Stand by You, is the bridge between Grey’s Boston Classics and the Carolina Classics. One more look at folks you’ve come to love, an intro to five close friends just leaving college and embarking on the “real�� world. You Get What You Give and Hold On To Me begin their adventures. All are nostalgic and sometimes campy, full of old-style technology (or the lack thereof), phrases, relationships, hair and clothes. If you are familiar with Grey’s work you’ll feel right at home. If it’s new you’re in for a treat.

I’ll Stand by You - Can five friends grow up without growing apart?
I loved I’ll Stand by You when I read it. The perfect sequel to a wonderfully satisfying series and an intriguing prequel for more amazing Karen Grey stories. But the audiobook version???? I don’t think there is room for all the “wows�� I want to include here. A super-perfect cast of narrators and background sounds like Ribsy barking and the waves crashing on the shore �� yes, another wow. Seriously, Ryan Lee Dunlap is a long-time favorite narrator, always draws me right in to the character, and this time when he amps up that sexy accent of his just a bit more, he is Ford. J. F. Harding is another favorite and that angsty voice of his makes Sully and the emotions he tries to hold in come alive. Amy McFadden, Maxine Mitchell and Amanda Stribling as Dani, Violet and Whitney round out the excellent cast. Listening gives you insight into this new group of friends you are guaranteed to love. The narration is well-paced and clear, with all the right emotions at just the right times. Author Grey’s books are just meant to be listened to, an experience you won’t forget.

You Get What You Give - From insta-lover to insta-enemy. All that, and a bag of chips.
Karen Grey has some kind of superpower. I don’t understand it, but I love it. What she does is write books that transport you back in time to the 1980s and 1990s. So exciting, gripping, funny, sexy that you can’t put them down. And here comes the superpower: they are even better when these exciting, gripping, funny, sexy words are spoken aloud. No kidding. If her books are amazing (which they are), then her audiobooks are amazingly amazing. And she must have a secret stash of the very best narrators hidden away somewhere because when they speak those words the voices are just as they were in your head. Like I said, amazingly amazing. Jack Calihan IS Nate. A little skeptical, pouty, and defensive, but you can hear how he’s drawn to Violet from the start. As for Violet, Maxine Mitchell puts the perfect amount of heat and desire and cantankerousness into the drawl.

Hold On to Me - She’s my boss, and she’s a stone-cold fox.
I don’t know how you can take something that is already the best and make it better, but author Karen Grey unfailingly does it with each and every one of her books when you get to listen to them. If you’ve read The Boston Classics or any of The Carolina Classics you already know the stories with their relationships, trips down memory lane to the fabulous (?) 80s and 90s and the perfect blend of sweet and steamy are not to be missed, but when these stories become audiobooks they become simply magical. I don’t know how she finds narrators that are the exact match for what you imagined, but she does. One sentence from Sully and you’re hooked. This time around JF Harding and MacKenzie Cartwright are perfect, perfect, perfect. If you haven’t already read Hold On To Me, read on with this review. If you’ve read it, then run �� not walk �� for your headphones and prepare to be transported to the Carolinas.

Thanks to the author and Home Cooked Books for providing individual audiobook copies of the three delightful stories contained in Carolina Heat. Read and listen to everything in the series, then go back and read/listen to her Boston Classics, her entry in the Farm 2 Forking series and be as eager as I am waiting for her new book, The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation, to be released. My full reviews can be found on ŷ������ and other sites. I was not compensated in any way. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 227762727
Eighteen years later, I’m back in Florida, trying to create a new life for myself after a year of going through the motions since my husband’s death. It’s probably best we don’t know the future because I wouldn’t have walked into that bar if I’d known my eyes would collide with the boy who had shattered me long ago.

But Rome wasn’t that boy anymore. He was a biker with a leather vest, tattoos, and piercings.

While I’d been mesmerized by the man he’d become, all he’d had to say to me was that I had gotten old. Leaving to never step foot back there again, fate plays a cruel twist where the new life I thought I’d found turns out to be a lie constructed by someone I trusted most, and the only one to save me is a biker named Tex.��]]> 253 Abbi Glines Sally 5 2025-read
The story begins eighteen years in the past in a small town in Florida. Rome is 19 and Salem is 15 and they are madly in love. Rome’s mother took Salem in to prevent her from being abused further in her home or going to foster care. She’s a beautiful girl, creative, loves art �� and was instantly drawn to Rome like a moth to a flame. He feels the pull as well. Every interaction is sweet; he is protective, possessive but she’s young and he’ll wait. He’s working in a motorcycle repair shop; she’s looking forward to going to art school someday. But they each know in their hearts they belong together and that they will make a life for themselves. Until Rome’s mother gets cancer. When she died, that was that. Suddenly there was nothing between them. Everyone was hurting. Salem was devastated at what she took as rejection. Rome had his reasons, but he has a heart, too.

So it’s out of sight, out of mind for both of them for eighteen years. Or so we think. New lives, wildly different. Rome is now ‘Tex�� and a member of The Judgment MC. They are his family. His life is rough and tough, many women but never any one special. Salem marries and lives a sedate life among the wealthy in Boston. Her heart might not thump like it did when she was a teenager and so in love with Rome, but that was young love; Eamon is a good man and her life with him has been satisfying.

The story takes us back and forth between that sweet time in Florida and the present day. Glines has them both in Miami now and throws them together in some very interesting circumstances. Salem was widowed a year ago after Eamon’s long illness. She can’t take life in Boston anymore. It’s empty without him, her mother-in-law is a thorn in her side. Her job as a curator at a gallery in Boston was fulfilling but she needed a change and has landed in Miami for a job interview. Who would think that going to a local bar for a drink on the one-year anniversary of Eamon’s death would lead to a chance, stunning, disturbing glimpse of Rome? Well, author Glines would, that’s who, and from that glimpse she gives us a story that is non-stop action and emotion and just drags us along for the ride. After all these years, Salem’s heart still spikes and her first inclination is to run. But he sees her and approaches her. He always was direct and often blunt, but the intervening years seem to have hardened him. When she can’t think of anything to say except, “You got your tongue pierced,�� his quick reply is, “You got old.�� So much for falling into each other’s arms with violin music playing. She’s not really surprised he’s a member of a motorcycle club; he always loved his work in the garage and it would seem to suit him. But she’s totally flustered at seeing him at all.

Motorcycle clubs are interesting entities. They have a lot of structure and organization. We think of them as a group of big, tough, scary-looking, hairy, tattooed men with scantily-dressed women hanging all over them, riding around making noise, picking fights and causing trouble. A lot of that is true: they are tough, they do not back down from fights, and women love them. Some of them do illegal things and some do not. But even the behaviors most of us might go, “Ewww�� at are subject to codes, rules and morals. And they are loyal and strict.

From the time they meet again right up to the stunning conclusion Old Flame is full of interesting people who are not always what they seem, violent encounters, an inside view of life with The Judgment, twists, turns and surprises and a peek at old memories and feelings that just might be stronger than eighteen years of lost time.

As I already stated, everything Abbi Glines writes is enthralling and addictive and interconnected in so many ways; I might just have to spend the next year catching up and making a wall chart of how everybody fits together. She has a tremendous talent for taking characters and groups �� motorcycle clubs, mafia family, strong businessmen, whatever �� that appear unemotional and uncaring on the surface and inserting another layer below that is tender, caring, romantic, dedicated, devoted �� and often funny. Rome/Tex and Salem parted under such heart-breaking circumstances and have led such different lives that any future for them seems nearly impossible, but Glines has you wishing and hoping and cheering for a happy ending. I absolutely loved Old Flame, I was stunned and frustrated by the surprise ending (in a good way!) and look forward eagerly to the next book in this series. I received an advance copy of this book. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.37
author: Abbi Glines
name: Sally
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/25
date added: 2025/02/27
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Old Flame is fantastic! Well, yes, everything author Abbi Glines writes is, but back to Old Flame: it will light you up as soon as you start reading, have you blasting through pages anxious to see what happens to Tex and Salem next, and then wow, oh no, the end. No spoilers here, you’ll have to read it yourself. But I will say Old Flame is amazing and makes your mouth water for whatever comes next.

The story begins eighteen years in the past in a small town in Florida. Rome is 19 and Salem is 15 and they are madly in love. Rome’s mother took Salem in to prevent her from being abused further in her home or going to foster care. She’s a beautiful girl, creative, loves art �� and was instantly drawn to Rome like a moth to a flame. He feels the pull as well. Every interaction is sweet; he is protective, possessive but she’s young and he’ll wait. He’s working in a motorcycle repair shop; she’s looking forward to going to art school someday. But they each know in their hearts they belong together and that they will make a life for themselves. Until Rome’s mother gets cancer. When she died, that was that. Suddenly there was nothing between them. Everyone was hurting. Salem was devastated at what she took as rejection. Rome had his reasons, but he has a heart, too.

So it’s out of sight, out of mind for both of them for eighteen years. Or so we think. New lives, wildly different. Rome is now ‘Tex�� and a member of The Judgment MC. They are his family. His life is rough and tough, many women but never any one special. Salem marries and lives a sedate life among the wealthy in Boston. Her heart might not thump like it did when she was a teenager and so in love with Rome, but that was young love; Eamon is a good man and her life with him has been satisfying.

The story takes us back and forth between that sweet time in Florida and the present day. Glines has them both in Miami now and throws them together in some very interesting circumstances. Salem was widowed a year ago after Eamon’s long illness. She can’t take life in Boston anymore. It’s empty without him, her mother-in-law is a thorn in her side. Her job as a curator at a gallery in Boston was fulfilling but she needed a change and has landed in Miami for a job interview. Who would think that going to a local bar for a drink on the one-year anniversary of Eamon’s death would lead to a chance, stunning, disturbing glimpse of Rome? Well, author Glines would, that’s who, and from that glimpse she gives us a story that is non-stop action and emotion and just drags us along for the ride. After all these years, Salem’s heart still spikes and her first inclination is to run. But he sees her and approaches her. He always was direct and often blunt, but the intervening years seem to have hardened him. When she can’t think of anything to say except, “You got your tongue pierced,�� his quick reply is, “You got old.�� So much for falling into each other’s arms with violin music playing. She’s not really surprised he’s a member of a motorcycle club; he always loved his work in the garage and it would seem to suit him. But she’s totally flustered at seeing him at all.

Motorcycle clubs are interesting entities. They have a lot of structure and organization. We think of them as a group of big, tough, scary-looking, hairy, tattooed men with scantily-dressed women hanging all over them, riding around making noise, picking fights and causing trouble. A lot of that is true: they are tough, they do not back down from fights, and women love them. Some of them do illegal things and some do not. But even the behaviors most of us might go, “Ewww�� at are subject to codes, rules and morals. And they are loyal and strict.

From the time they meet again right up to the stunning conclusion Old Flame is full of interesting people who are not always what they seem, violent encounters, an inside view of life with The Judgment, twists, turns and surprises and a peek at old memories and feelings that just might be stronger than eighteen years of lost time.

As I already stated, everything Abbi Glines writes is enthralling and addictive and interconnected in so many ways; I might just have to spend the next year catching up and making a wall chart of how everybody fits together. She has a tremendous talent for taking characters and groups �� motorcycle clubs, mafia family, strong businessmen, whatever �� that appear unemotional and uncaring on the surface and inserting another layer below that is tender, caring, romantic, dedicated, devoted �� and often funny. Rome/Tex and Salem parted under such heart-breaking circumstances and have led such different lives that any future for them seems nearly impossible, but Glines has you wishing and hoping and cheering for a happy ending. I absolutely loved Old Flame, I was stunned and frustrated by the surprise ending (in a good way!) and look forward eagerly to the next book in this series. I received an advance copy of this book. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 214362556 294 Janna MacGregor Sally 5 2025-read
Grace has known the Ardeertons nearly her whole life. Their family estates adjoined. Their fathers were enemies, but Dane and Grace were close from the moment they met. They always assumed they’d be together forever; he proposed. But that night a series of events made her doubt him and she broke the engagement. Pride, shame, stupidity �� whatever it was, he never explained and the two people everyone thought were meant for each other were no longer even friends.

Unbeknownst to the Duke, after her loving father dies, Grace is told by her sister and brother-in-law that their father gambled away their fortune and Grace has no inheritance. There is a local farmer who may want to marry her, and since she was foolish enough to break her engagement to Dane (her sister’s words) maybe she should consider the farmer. Either way, she will not be welcome in their home after a few more weeks. Shocked and saddened but determined Grace eventually starts a business of making matches for the ton. A successful business but still barely enough to support herself and her one old faithful servant. Poverty and eviction always seem right around the corner, and although working for Dane is the last thing she wants to do she has no choice; she needs the money. As they see more of each other, Grace reluctantly realizes she isn’t too happy about finding a duchess for the (her?) duke. And when he realizes she’s nearly destitute his protective instincts kick in, and maybe something more? Suddenly those sparks between them are the kind that heat up and lead to desire and . . . ??

MacGregor is a master at taking stubborn people, putting them in circumstances often beyond their control and frequently hilarious, surrounding them with family and friends and people to make their lives difficult, wrapping everything up in the rules and the constraints and the ridiculousness of the ton society and providing enough opportunity for misunderstanding and intrigue, secrets and surprises to keep you riveted.

When Dane becomes ill and Grace stays at his side, her reputation is in jeopardy. Dane’s attitude: “This is between Grace and me. If it’s a scandal, it’s a simple one.�� A Simple Scandal is delightful, romantic, funny, steamy. Wonderful writing, fascinating characters, a smooth plot and a very satisfying ending. You’ll love the Ardeertons as much as I do. Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of A Simple Scandal as part of her advanced reader and review team. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.64
author: Janna MacGregor
name: Sally
average rating: 4.64
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/24
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Not that’s there’s really any chance I would forget, but author Janna MacGregor always reminds me just how much fun these Regency romances she writes are, and how a trilogy is always the perfect way to tell the story. A Simple Scandal is the 3rd book in the Millionaires of Mayfair series. We saw banished sister Honoria Ardeerton get her happy-ever-after with Marcus in A Simple Seduction. A Simple Marriage saw little sister Pippa Ardeerton, an ambitious businesswoman, get her forever love with Hugh. Now big brother Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, is front and center. Marcus and Hugh were Dane’s best friends before becoming his brothers-in-law. He’s happy to see his sisters safe and cared for, but all that lovey-dovey stuff gets to be a bit much sometimes. Dane tried love; it didn’t work. But he’s a duke with responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities is to produce an heir and a spare. He couldn’t care less about those flighty young women of the ton looking for a husband, but it’s time for him to get married. And who does he hire to help him find a suitable match but his old friend Lady Grace Webster. Grace �� a/k/a his best friend from childhood, the love of his life, his ex-fiancée, the woman who broke his heart. Sparks do fly between the two, but they are not flames of love. They can barely be in the same room without sniping at each other.

Grace has known the Ardeertons nearly her whole life. Their family estates adjoined. Their fathers were enemies, but Dane and Grace were close from the moment they met. They always assumed they’d be together forever; he proposed. But that night a series of events made her doubt him and she broke the engagement. Pride, shame, stupidity �� whatever it was, he never explained and the two people everyone thought were meant for each other were no longer even friends.

Unbeknownst to the Duke, after her loving father dies, Grace is told by her sister and brother-in-law that their father gambled away their fortune and Grace has no inheritance. There is a local farmer who may want to marry her, and since she was foolish enough to break her engagement to Dane (her sister’s words) maybe she should consider the farmer. Either way, she will not be welcome in their home after a few more weeks. Shocked and saddened but determined Grace eventually starts a business of making matches for the ton. A successful business but still barely enough to support herself and her one old faithful servant. Poverty and eviction always seem right around the corner, and although working for Dane is the last thing she wants to do she has no choice; she needs the money. As they see more of each other, Grace reluctantly realizes she isn’t too happy about finding a duchess for the (her?) duke. And when he realizes she’s nearly destitute his protective instincts kick in, and maybe something more? Suddenly those sparks between them are the kind that heat up and lead to desire and . . . ??

MacGregor is a master at taking stubborn people, putting them in circumstances often beyond their control and frequently hilarious, surrounding them with family and friends and people to make their lives difficult, wrapping everything up in the rules and the constraints and the ridiculousness of the ton society and providing enough opportunity for misunderstanding and intrigue, secrets and surprises to keep you riveted.

When Dane becomes ill and Grace stays at his side, her reputation is in jeopardy. Dane’s attitude: “This is between Grace and me. If it’s a scandal, it’s a simple one.�� A Simple Scandal is delightful, romantic, funny, steamy. Wonderful writing, fascinating characters, a smooth plot and a very satisfying ending. You’ll love the Ardeertons as much as I do. Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of A Simple Scandal as part of her advanced reader and review team. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 216624717 The movie star and the small-town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy about fame, second chances, and making dreams come true.

Parker Pruitt’s dream is to restore her small town’s long-shuttered theater—one to be named in honor of Noel Carter, the boy who followed his dream from Emerald Grove, Washington, to Hollywood…and broke Parker’s heart. Now he’s back to attend the kickoff ceremony, and for Parker, that means smiling through a swell of mixed emotions at seeing her former best friend for the first time in a decade.

Noel may be one of the hottest actors in the world, but he’s still touched by the tribute. And a little nervous about seeing Parker again. But when his weekend jaunt extends into a six-week stay, long-repressed memories and feelings come rushing back. As the simmering attraction between them builds, Noel is determined not to ruin this second chance even if his return to LA is hanging over them.

They’re making the best of the time they have left, but is there any chance of a Hollywood ending?]]> 317 Teagan Hunter 1662519494 Sally 5 2025-read
Noel and Parker were best friends from the day they met at age 8. They were inseparable, had fun together, knew what the other was thinking, comfortable, always there for each other. Until they weren’t. Noel’s dream was to leave Emerald Grove, Washington and take Hollywood by storm as soon as they graduated from high school. He had talked about it for years. But somehow in Parker’s mind it was just talk, he’d never really do it, he wouldn’t leave. But he did. And even though he asked Parker to come with him, she didn’t know how she would fit it. She worried he would get tired of her, see her as the ordinary Washington girl and be sorry she’d come with. Emerald Grove was her comfort zone. She loved that little town, had no plans to ever leave. They had each begun to develop stronger-than-friendship feelings but neither had spoken up because they couldn’t imagine the other shared those feelings and they didn’t want to ruin the friendship. How could such best friends be so far apart in this way?

So off to Hollywood Noel went, and yes, he did take it by storm. Handsome, tall, fit, sexy �� he’s a star. He loves it. His dream came true. No serious relationships, but oh well. He thinks of Parker but still doesn’t understand what went so wrong, why she cut off all communication, why she didn’t at least come to him and give it a try, like she promised.

Parker’s dreams have come true, too. She’s a star in her own right in Emerald Grove. She’s co-owner of a renovation business with her new best friend. She’s creative and they’ve remodeled half of the town. She doesn’t think of Noel. Not at all and everyone knows not to mention him. He left her and she’s going to stay angry forever. Nope, thinking of him is not allowed.

See why just talking out your feelings might be a good thing? So many misunderstandings, so much left unsaid, and guessing never helps. Parker’s father walked out on her and her mother when she was 8; that’s why they moved to Emerald Grove. She’s afraid to shake things up, to get out of that comfort zone �� and more afraid of anything than to be left alone, discarded, not worth it. Which both her father and Noel did. Even if it’s not really the same, it feels like it. Noel’s parents were killed in an accident when he was just a child and he was raised by his grandmother. He knows loss just like Parker does, but while her way to handle it is to hunker down where she’s safe, his way to deal with it is to try and honor their memory, to go places and do things and make something of himself, so they would be proud. Expressing some of that might have helped them stay together, but the fear of ruining what they already had and be left with nothing kept them silent. And now they do have nothing.

Until Noel comes back to town, briefly, to be at the groundbreaking ceremony for the theater Parker is renovating, has almost single-handedly made happen, and that for some unknown reason an anonymous donor has insisted be named after Noel. When they first meet again, she’s angry and flustered. Then she’s just flustered. And then that heartache she boxed up starts pounding to get out and feelings, even more intense than when they were teenagers, escape. Noel is angry and bewildered, then just bewildered. What happened to them? And why does she have a new best friend. And why does his box of heartache also burst open and let those feelings out?

Best Friends for Never is so enjoyable; it’s the perfect read. Touching and sweet, full of warmth and fun and tenderness, looking back at good memories, cringing through bad, taking one step forward and two back, still afraid to mess up the wonderful thing that might be happening again. But, still, how can this ever work? How can he travel around the country or world making movies and expect her to wait? Or to follow him when he sees how she fits Emerald Grove, how loved she is, how she loves her work. How can she ask him to stay when she sees how talented he is, how his work satisfies him, how he’s achieved his dream, and how can she go when she is so certain she won’t fit in and he won’t want her again? Author Teagan Hunter has filled this book with laugh-out-loud moments, scenes that will bring tears to your eyes, times together that will have you swooning, and some pretty darn spicy bits that will make you smile and look for a fan or some ice cubes to cool down.

I received an advance copy of Best Friends for Never and I am so happy that I did. I always had author Teagan Hunter on my TBR list but this was the first book of hers I have ever read. It will definitely not be my last. Well-written, wonderful characters, totally satisfying. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.97
author: Teagan Hunter
name: Sally
average rating: 3.97
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/22
date added: 2025/02/24
shelves: 2025-read
review:
“Just say how you feel�� is advice that’s a lot easier to give than it is to take. Noel and Parker are both afraid to destroy the tenuous link they’ve created in their forced reunion, so scared they will say or do the wrong thing and there will be another ten years of silence, so uncertain of whether the other wants to stay or go, and so determined not to hold each other back, halt their dreams, take away what they’ve achieved that they are frozen. Agonizing over every word, worried that it will be misunderstood or be hurtful. Zipping their lips until they can’t take it anymore and someone says something so heartfelt and raw, or someone can’t help themselves and reaches out in a way that is so touching and sweet.

Noel and Parker were best friends from the day they met at age 8. They were inseparable, had fun together, knew what the other was thinking, comfortable, always there for each other. Until they weren’t. Noel’s dream was to leave Emerald Grove, Washington and take Hollywood by storm as soon as they graduated from high school. He had talked about it for years. But somehow in Parker’s mind it was just talk, he’d never really do it, he wouldn’t leave. But he did. And even though he asked Parker to come with him, she didn’t know how she would fit it. She worried he would get tired of her, see her as the ordinary Washington girl and be sorry she’d come with. Emerald Grove was her comfort zone. She loved that little town, had no plans to ever leave. They had each begun to develop stronger-than-friendship feelings but neither had spoken up because they couldn’t imagine the other shared those feelings and they didn’t want to ruin the friendship. How could such best friends be so far apart in this way?

So off to Hollywood Noel went, and yes, he did take it by storm. Handsome, tall, fit, sexy �� he’s a star. He loves it. His dream came true. No serious relationships, but oh well. He thinks of Parker but still doesn’t understand what went so wrong, why she cut off all communication, why she didn’t at least come to him and give it a try, like she promised.

Parker’s dreams have come true, too. She’s a star in her own right in Emerald Grove. She’s co-owner of a renovation business with her new best friend. She’s creative and they’ve remodeled half of the town. She doesn’t think of Noel. Not at all and everyone knows not to mention him. He left her and she’s going to stay angry forever. Nope, thinking of him is not allowed.

See why just talking out your feelings might be a good thing? So many misunderstandings, so much left unsaid, and guessing never helps. Parker’s father walked out on her and her mother when she was 8; that’s why they moved to Emerald Grove. She’s afraid to shake things up, to get out of that comfort zone �� and more afraid of anything than to be left alone, discarded, not worth it. Which both her father and Noel did. Even if it’s not really the same, it feels like it. Noel’s parents were killed in an accident when he was just a child and he was raised by his grandmother. He knows loss just like Parker does, but while her way to handle it is to hunker down where she’s safe, his way to deal with it is to try and honor their memory, to go places and do things and make something of himself, so they would be proud. Expressing some of that might have helped them stay together, but the fear of ruining what they already had and be left with nothing kept them silent. And now they do have nothing.

Until Noel comes back to town, briefly, to be at the groundbreaking ceremony for the theater Parker is renovating, has almost single-handedly made happen, and that for some unknown reason an anonymous donor has insisted be named after Noel. When they first meet again, she’s angry and flustered. Then she’s just flustered. And then that heartache she boxed up starts pounding to get out and feelings, even more intense than when they were teenagers, escape. Noel is angry and bewildered, then just bewildered. What happened to them? And why does she have a new best friend. And why does his box of heartache also burst open and let those feelings out?

Best Friends for Never is so enjoyable; it’s the perfect read. Touching and sweet, full of warmth and fun and tenderness, looking back at good memories, cringing through bad, taking one step forward and two back, still afraid to mess up the wonderful thing that might be happening again. But, still, how can this ever work? How can he travel around the country or world making movies and expect her to wait? Or to follow him when he sees how she fits Emerald Grove, how loved she is, how she loves her work. How can she ask him to stay when she sees how talented he is, how his work satisfies him, how he’s achieved his dream, and how can she go when she is so certain she won’t fit in and he won’t want her again? Author Teagan Hunter has filled this book with laugh-out-loud moments, scenes that will bring tears to your eyes, times together that will have you swooning, and some pretty darn spicy bits that will make you smile and look for a fan or some ice cubes to cool down.

I received an advance copy of Best Friends for Never and I am so happy that I did. I always had author Teagan Hunter on my TBR list but this was the first book of hers I have ever read. It will definitely not be my last. Well-written, wonderful characters, totally satisfying. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 223633593 Dominic Scalera
The world is spinning apart as the old Don’s death delivers another post-mortem Ariana Morelli, a woman with too many secrets.

Ariana crashes into our lives out of nowhere and becomes our family’s only link to a past we buried decades ago.

Except she doesn’t talk. Making people talk is my specialty, but I’ve never had to wring information out of a woman before—never mind one who bears scars like my own handiwork�� scars similar to the ones I have on my skin.

Even worse, Ariana looks at me with trust in her eyes and clings to my hand as if I’m her savior, making me feel alive for the first time since I was reduced to nothing but a weapon in the Don’s arsenal.

I can’t let her break down my walls. I refuse to cave to the desire that pulses between us. I’m the devil himself, and Ariana Morelli is a slice of heaven the likes of me will never deserve.

Worst of all, I already sense that once her truth finally comes out, I’ll have to kill her to save my brothers. How do I pull the trigger on the woman I love?

Ariana Morelli
Kidnapped and trafficked, I’m alive only to serve as a bartering tool. When my kidnapper’s plans crumble, I’m wounded and thrown into the heart of Il Consiglio—and straight into Dominic Scalera’s arms.

He takes care of me, convinced I’m tied to his missing sister. But I’m an undercover agent, in the wrong country, trapped in the wrong crime ring.

All I want is to get the hell out of here—while hiding who and what I really am—reconnect with my team in Italy, and finish the job we started.

But Dominic Scalera has other plans—plans that involve uncovering everything about me. Nobody has ever asked. Nobody has ever cared. And as Dominic gently pries open every locked door in my inner world, I can’t help but fall for him, even though I know we’re doomed.

This can only end one way, and it isn't going to be pretty.


SINNER'S VOWS is a Mafia vs Police, forced proximity, slow burn romance. This is the 3rd book in the Mafia Vows series, and reading HATED VOWS and BROKEN VOWS first is recommended. There's no cheating, no cliffhangers, and guaranteed HEA. This is a mafia romance so some scenes might trigger readers - please read with care!]]> 435 Sophia Karlson 1738850188 Sally 5 2025-read
Sinner’s Vows has got to be the most suspenseful, nerve-wracking, emotionally draining book I have ever read that wasn’t intended to be a mystery or a psychological thriller. And I mean that as the highest praise. Every chapter �� whether it’s Dominic or Ariana �� has me on the edge of my seat, afraid to turn the page but unable to turn fast enough. Not just because of what is happening in the scene but because of what is happening in their minds.

The first chapter just comes out of nowhere and leaves you breathless and speechless. It starts the night before the old Don’s funeral, with Dominic doing what he has to do to maintain control, to be able to attend that funeral. Karlson describes what he does to gain that sliver of control much better than I ever could, so you’ll just have to read it, but I assure you that you will love Dominic before you get to Chapter 2. All the Scalera sons suffered at the hand of their cruel, brutal father, the old Don. He was inventive and creative in the ways he designed to torment and torture them and they all carry the scars, both physical and emotional. Their mother loved them so much, but she was ultimately powerless against the Don and died giving birth to their sister, who was never seen and is presumed dead. But is she? That and so many other questions will keep you guessing and guessing and guessing again.

Ariana Morelli is the mysterious woman who appeared at the end of Broken Vows. She’s many things but which are real: the makeup woman Franco brought to the United States with him to disguise him, an undercover agent, their long-lost sister, someone else somehow connected to the Scaleras? Is she dangerous to them? Dominic’s role in the family is the interrogator. He’s good at it, and it’s his job to interrogate Ariana and find out just which roles are real and which aren’t, whatever it takes. Problem: Dominic is convinced he’s more like his father than any of his brothers, unworthy, tainted, taught by his father to do unimaginable things. We’ve had a glimpse into Dominic’s mind and soul and might disagree, but he still has a job to do. Additional problem: if you want to see a living, breathing example of ‘soulmates�� just look at Ariana and Dominic. There are immediate connections between them on so many levels, including being kindred spirits in the most horrible way, but there are so many layers to peel back, so many unknowns and so much suspicion that the question is how would something between them even start and where would it go. Nowhere, until answers are found.

Karlson takes you at breakneck speed through the hunt for those answers. Characters from Hated Vows and Broken Vows are back and we get to know them even better. Some of the unknowns from those books become known, but there is still so much to learn, that must be learned and the tension builds. And tears �� over and over again you will be brought to tears at the magnitude of the evil, the supreme sadness, the hopelessness Dominic and Ariana feel. Karlson makes the scenes with them sensual, sexy, often sweet and very often heart-breaking.

Sinner’s Vows is so violent and graphic that if it were a movie you would be watching through your fingers, and as it is you have to stop and take a breath every once in a while �� and there Karlson goes again with building that suspense and anticipation �� but you won’t turn away because these Scalera men have all gotten to you and you want what they want. There is one horrible surprise after another. One more twist. One more turn. You can’t prepare because you have absolutely no idea. You haven’t had a clue. Yet it all makes sense.

The time frames of all the books overlap a bit and new characters and new events are added, just like vehicles merging on a highway. Some of the action in Broken Vows piggybacks on what’s happening in Hated Vows, and the action in Sinner’s Vows starts about the time a favor is being called in for the Scaleras in Broken Vows. Ariana’s place in the action is like a thread here or a thread there, or a web. It’s complex but never confusing. Author Karlson, through her excellent, detailed writing takes us through scenario after scenario and throws us right into an amazing conclusion.

Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of Sinner’s Vows as part of her review team. It is thrilling, gripping, stunning and very, very satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend this series without hesitation, and hope there is another book coming soon. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. And yes, I want some wine that is like pouring liquid money down my throat. Such great word-building.
]]> 4.56
author: Sophia Karlson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.56
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/14
date added: 2025/02/24
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Author Sophia Karlson’s Mafia Vows series, originally titled the Il Consiglio Scalera Mafia Dynasty series, is superb. Outstanding, tremendous, fantastic, extraordinary �� pick a word. Karlson is a talented, excellent writer who knows just how to draw the reader in. Sinner’s Vows is the third book in the series, after Hated Vows and Broken Vows. You could read it standalone, but why would you deprive yourself of the Il Consiglio background, the Scalera family backstories, and the blow-you-away connections, secrets, and surprises. Trust me, you need to know how it starts.

Sinner’s Vows has got to be the most suspenseful, nerve-wracking, emotionally draining book I have ever read that wasn’t intended to be a mystery or a psychological thriller. And I mean that as the highest praise. Every chapter �� whether it’s Dominic or Ariana �� has me on the edge of my seat, afraid to turn the page but unable to turn fast enough. Not just because of what is happening in the scene but because of what is happening in their minds.

The first chapter just comes out of nowhere and leaves you breathless and speechless. It starts the night before the old Don’s funeral, with Dominic doing what he has to do to maintain control, to be able to attend that funeral. Karlson describes what he does to gain that sliver of control much better than I ever could, so you’ll just have to read it, but I assure you that you will love Dominic before you get to Chapter 2. All the Scalera sons suffered at the hand of their cruel, brutal father, the old Don. He was inventive and creative in the ways he designed to torment and torture them and they all carry the scars, both physical and emotional. Their mother loved them so much, but she was ultimately powerless against the Don and died giving birth to their sister, who was never seen and is presumed dead. But is she? That and so many other questions will keep you guessing and guessing and guessing again.

Ariana Morelli is the mysterious woman who appeared at the end of Broken Vows. She’s many things but which are real: the makeup woman Franco brought to the United States with him to disguise him, an undercover agent, their long-lost sister, someone else somehow connected to the Scaleras? Is she dangerous to them? Dominic’s role in the family is the interrogator. He’s good at it, and it’s his job to interrogate Ariana and find out just which roles are real and which aren’t, whatever it takes. Problem: Dominic is convinced he’s more like his father than any of his brothers, unworthy, tainted, taught by his father to do unimaginable things. We’ve had a glimpse into Dominic’s mind and soul and might disagree, but he still has a job to do. Additional problem: if you want to see a living, breathing example of ‘soulmates�� just look at Ariana and Dominic. There are immediate connections between them on so many levels, including being kindred spirits in the most horrible way, but there are so many layers to peel back, so many unknowns and so much suspicion that the question is how would something between them even start and where would it go. Nowhere, until answers are found.

Karlson takes you at breakneck speed through the hunt for those answers. Characters from Hated Vows and Broken Vows are back and we get to know them even better. Some of the unknowns from those books become known, but there is still so much to learn, that must be learned and the tension builds. And tears �� over and over again you will be brought to tears at the magnitude of the evil, the supreme sadness, the hopelessness Dominic and Ariana feel. Karlson makes the scenes with them sensual, sexy, often sweet and very often heart-breaking.

Sinner’s Vows is so violent and graphic that if it were a movie you would be watching through your fingers, and as it is you have to stop and take a breath every once in a while �� and there Karlson goes again with building that suspense and anticipation �� but you won’t turn away because these Scalera men have all gotten to you and you want what they want. There is one horrible surprise after another. One more twist. One more turn. You can’t prepare because you have absolutely no idea. You haven’t had a clue. Yet it all makes sense.

The time frames of all the books overlap a bit and new characters and new events are added, just like vehicles merging on a highway. Some of the action in Broken Vows piggybacks on what’s happening in Hated Vows, and the action in Sinner’s Vows starts about the time a favor is being called in for the Scaleras in Broken Vows. Ariana’s place in the action is like a thread here or a thread there, or a web. It’s complex but never confusing. Author Karlson, through her excellent, detailed writing takes us through scenario after scenario and throws us right into an amazing conclusion.

Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of Sinner’s Vows as part of her review team. It is thrilling, gripping, stunning and very, very satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend this series without hesitation, and hope there is another book coming soon. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. And yes, I want some wine that is like pouring liquid money down my throat. Such great word-building.

]]> 222081655 Two nights with her ruined me for all other women, but I never got the chance to make her mine.

I’m the pinnacle of control. I protect the net, my team, and my daughter.
It’s my final season and I can’t afford any distractions.
Except our new assistant coach just walked in.
And I would know her face anywhere.
She’s the one I dream about.

That weekend, I was just a man—not the legend, the dad, the mentor.
I didn’t care that I was a decade older.
For the first time in my life, I was ready to risk everything if it meant having her.
Until I woke up to an empty bed and no note.
Three years of wishing I knew how to find her, now she’s my new boss.

I can be patient.
But for her—I want to break all the rules.]]> 408 Helena Hunting 1989185967 Sally 0 to-read 4.14 2025
author: Helena Hunting
name: Sally
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/24
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217533165 I should have known everything was going to change when she walked into my tattoo shop...
Timid as hell and gorgeous to the extreme. I knew better than even thinking about touching a woman like that.
My life is dangerous.
My calling wicked.
Willing to cross any line to protect the innocent.
I thought I’d never see her again until my little boy tumbled and busted his lip, and I found her working at the doctor’s office.
The woman who’d taken possession of my thoughts.
When it becomes clear she’s in trouble, I offer up a deal.
Twenty questions to earn her trust.
Too bad trusting me is the last thing she should do.
With one kiss, I’m addicted. With one night, we’re falling into a passion greater than either of us has ever known.
The voices in my head warn I can never keep her. She can’t know the secret life I lead.
Only she’s keeping a secret, too.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it means losing everything…]]> 412 A.L. Jackson 196073038X Sally 0 to-read 4.10
author: A.L. Jackson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.10
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 222058005 Laney Gray thought she had her life all figured out—until her fairytale wedding turned into a public betrayal. Jilted at the altar and humiliated by the very people she trusted most, Laney flees the city for Sugarville Grove, the picturesque small town where she once spent her happiest summers. Seeking solace in her aunt’s charming bookstore, Laney hopes to piece her life back together in time for Christmas.

What she doesn’t expect is to run into Nolan Hayes—the quiet, bookish boy who stole her heart one magical summer. Now an English professor with a steady presence and a smile that still makes her knees weak, Nolan is no longer the shy teenager Laney remembers. But as their paths cross amidst twinkling lights and snow-covered streets, the connection between them feels as familiar—and as powerful—as ever.

Laney may be a city girl out of her element in Sugarville Grove, but as she works to rebuild the bookstore’s holiday traditions, she finds herself drawn not only to the town’s simple charms but also to Nolan’s quiet strength. Yet, both carry scars from the past—hers from a shattered engagement, and his from a heartbreak he’s never shared.

Can the magic of Christmas help Laney and Nolan find the courage to take a second chance on love? Or will old wounds keep them from the happy ending they’ve been waiting for all along?

Heartwarming and full of small-town charm, Christmas Promises is a cozy holiday romance about healing, hope, and the unexpected gift of a second chance.]]> 189 Tess Thompson 1960288822 Sally 5 2025-read
Laney has suffered the ultimate humiliation. She called off her wedding literally minutes before the ceremony was to begin after discovering her nearly-husband had been cheating on her with her best friend and still was. In fact, he was planning to go through with the ceremony and . . . what? There is no good answer there. Laney’s lucky to have escaped such a horrible situation but even realizing she and her fiancé were never really right for each other doesn’t lessen the hurt and rejection. She did the strong thing, but she still needs to get away and heal. So she goes to Sugarville Grove to help her Aunt Edna run her bookstore Clever Fox Books.

The holidays are tough for Nolan, since his friend Dylan was murdered five years ago. He’s the youngest Hayes brother, the quiet, sometimes broody one who is an English professor. His relationships always end the same way, with his partner telling him he’s too serious or too depressing or something. No wonder, because his heart has never really been in it �� except for that one summer when he was fourteen. That was the summer Laney just happened to be in Sugarville Grove for a few months with her aunt. She and Nolan became great friends, inseparable, both had thoughts about the future, but they were so young and never voiced their thoughts �� and hope �� and after Laney went back to the city they drifted apart. Life happened, they took their own paths; while they certainly weren’t pining for each other all these years since, neither did they find “The One�� that made them deliriously happy and content.

Laney’s mother grew up in Sugarville Grove but her memories are not happy ones. She hasn’t wanted Laney to spend much time there, but the more she settles in now, the more Laney feels like she’s come home, like this is there she’s meant to be. The time she spends with Nolan and his family seems wonderfully comfortable and familiar. Nolan’s spirit comes alive around Laney. And he starts to realize that his friend Dylan wouldn’t want him to suffer and grieve and refuse to feel joy because he’s gone.

Christmas Promises is a sweet, romantic story about two people dealing with loss and pain opening themselves up to love and joy and hope for the future. If you didn’t already believe in soul mates, trust me, you will by the time you finish this book. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone but taken together you get the full pleasure of the strong bonds of family and friends and their delightful children, the charm of the town, its businesses, its community events, its beautiful setting and the wonderful things that can happen if you just have a little faith and let yourself believe in love and happy-ever-after.

Thanks to author Tess Thompson for providing an advance copy of Christmas Promises as part of her Tessers Review Crewsters team. I enjoyed it so much, as I enjoy every story and series she writes. I can’t wait for the next book in this fantastic series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.68
author: Tess Thompson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.68
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/13
date added: 2025/02/22
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I was thrilled to go back to Sugarville Grove and even more thrilled to be reading another book by author Tess Thompson. She and fellow author Clara Pines are alternating writing the books in the charming series. It’s Christmas, the decorations are up, the festivities are in full swing, and love is in the air. Well, not so much for Nolan Hayes and Laney Gray. Bah, humbug! might be more their mantra than Ho! Ho! Ho! this year, but Sugarville Grove is a magical place and miracles have been known to happen. Can the town work that magic on Nolan and Laney and give them their happy ever after?

Laney has suffered the ultimate humiliation. She called off her wedding literally minutes before the ceremony was to begin after discovering her nearly-husband had been cheating on her with her best friend and still was. In fact, he was planning to go through with the ceremony and . . . what? There is no good answer there. Laney’s lucky to have escaped such a horrible situation but even realizing she and her fiancé were never really right for each other doesn’t lessen the hurt and rejection. She did the strong thing, but she still needs to get away and heal. So she goes to Sugarville Grove to help her Aunt Edna run her bookstore Clever Fox Books.

The holidays are tough for Nolan, since his friend Dylan was murdered five years ago. He’s the youngest Hayes brother, the quiet, sometimes broody one who is an English professor. His relationships always end the same way, with his partner telling him he’s too serious or too depressing or something. No wonder, because his heart has never really been in it �� except for that one summer when he was fourteen. That was the summer Laney just happened to be in Sugarville Grove for a few months with her aunt. She and Nolan became great friends, inseparable, both had thoughts about the future, but they were so young and never voiced their thoughts �� and hope �� and after Laney went back to the city they drifted apart. Life happened, they took their own paths; while they certainly weren’t pining for each other all these years since, neither did they find “The One�� that made them deliriously happy and content.

Laney’s mother grew up in Sugarville Grove but her memories are not happy ones. She hasn’t wanted Laney to spend much time there, but the more she settles in now, the more Laney feels like she’s come home, like this is there she’s meant to be. The time she spends with Nolan and his family seems wonderfully comfortable and familiar. Nolan’s spirit comes alive around Laney. And he starts to realize that his friend Dylan wouldn’t want him to suffer and grieve and refuse to feel joy because he’s gone.

Christmas Promises is a sweet, romantic story about two people dealing with loss and pain opening themselves up to love and joy and hope for the future. If you didn’t already believe in soul mates, trust me, you will by the time you finish this book. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone but taken together you get the full pleasure of the strong bonds of family and friends and their delightful children, the charm of the town, its businesses, its community events, its beautiful setting and the wonderful things that can happen if you just have a little faith and let yourself believe in love and happy-ever-after.

Thanks to author Tess Thompson for providing an advance copy of Christmas Promises as part of her Tessers Review Crewsters team. I enjoyed it so much, as I enjoy every story and series she writes. I can’t wait for the next book in this fantastic series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 221759645 DCI Erica Sands is on the hunt for her father, the infamous serial killer Charles Sterling, who vanished without a trace after a daring escape from a maximum-security prison.

The trail has gone cold, and the authorities believe he has disappeared forever. But Erica knows her father better than anyone and feels his presence lurking in the shadows.

When journalist Pierre Cloarec uncovers a massive financial fraud �� the same method Sterling used to fund his escape �� his investigation leads him to a seemingly quiet coastal village. There, a new friendship with a mysterious American takes a dark and disturbing turn, and Erica’s instincts tell her this is no coincidence.

With the clock against her, Erica must unravel the connection between the investigation and her father’s disappearance, before he begins a new reign of terror �� and she becomes his next victim.

In this twisty and relentless thriller bestselling author Gregg Dunnett ratchets up the tension and will have you on the edge of your seat as Erica faces her most personal �� and deadly �� case yet.]]> 314 Gregg Dunnett 1805085557 Sally 4 2025-read
The pace of The Hunt is fast and exciting. Every time I thought I had finally guessed what Sterling’s next move would be and where Erica would have to dash off to next to try and intercept him, the story took another turn and I was back to square one with my guesses. Plan to be riveted to the book as soon as you start reading it; it will grab you and not let go right up until the shocking ending.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of The Hunt via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.08
author: Gregg Dunnett
name: Sally
average rating: 4.08
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/21
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: 2025-read
review:
The Hunt by author Gregg Dunnett is the 3rd book in the thrilling DCI Erica Sands series. The hunt of the title is Erica trying to catch her father Charles Sterling, the serial killer who escaped from prison. He’s beyond dangerous and no one knows where he is. On the one hand, because he’s her father Erica might have some insight about where he is or what his plans are; on the other hand, he’s a serial killer, not a random dad. He’s unpredictable. Add in the fact that he won’t hesitate to harm or even kill Erica if she gets in his way and author Dunnett has created a spellbinding story that is non-stop action, full of unexpected twists and under a cloud of danger and evil from start to finish.

The pace of The Hunt is fast and exciting. Every time I thought I had finally guessed what Sterling’s next move would be and where Erica would have to dash off to next to try and intercept him, the story took another turn and I was back to square one with my guesses. Plan to be riveted to the book as soon as you start reading it; it will grab you and not let go right up until the shocking ending.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of The Hunt via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 221986123 Becca can handle his rambunctious twins in the classroom. But teaching their dad to open his heart would take a Christmas miracle��

Zane Lawrence doesn’t need anything but the family dairy farm and his seven-year-old twin boys for his life to be complete. The single dad works hard all day and chases the boys around the farm all night. His life is a little chaotic �� but there’s a delicate balance to it.

So when a pretty young teacher at the boys�� school tries to interfere with some big ideas about their education, Zane isn’t about to let her throw their world off-kilter. After all, she’s new to the school and Sugarville Grove. And it’s bad enough that she’s meddling in his business, but the fact that he’s desperately attracted to her makes him furious with himself.

New teacher Becca Hawthorne sees the Lawrence twins struggling despite their potential and reaches out to their dad right away, excited about her first opportunity to make a real difference. It's crystal clear how much Zane Lawrence loves his boys, so Becca doesn’t expect him to be so offended at her attempts to help. Anyone can see that the man has deep wounds, but his reaction to her feels almost personal. She’s not about to let it stop her from fighting for his kids, though.

When he finally relents, Becca is sure that her dealings with the single dad are over. But for some reason, she suddenly finds herself bumping into Zane Lawrence at every turn. Whether it’s the store, the post office, or the flurry of holiday events in town, she can’t seem to stop seeing the handsome cowboy everywhere she goes.

Did Santa send these lonesome souls a pair of holiday matchmakers for Christmas? And how long can they keep denying what seems so obvious to everyone else before they finally surrender?

Welcome to Sugarville Grove, where clean & wholesome small-town romance awaits you on every corner. Life is sweet in Sugarville Grove! Be sure to read the whole series! ]]> 260 Clara Pines Sally 5 2025-read
It was wonderful to be back in Sugarville Grove again, especially for the holidays. Authors Clara Pines and Tess Thompson are writing a series of books centered in the village of Sugarville Grove. Each story can be read as standalone but reading them all in order gives you the full Sugarville experience: the beautiful surroundings, the charming unique businesses, the warm and welcoming friends and families and most importantly the special focus on some key family members and some newcomers to town.

Sweet Surrender is the third entry in the 2-author series and is written by Clara Pines. It reunites us with the Lawrence family of four brothers, their little sister and their parents. Just a couple paragraphs in and you know you want to be part of that family. They are loving, loyal and totally supportive and accepting. Zane Lawrence, the quiet one, has benefited from and been grateful for that love and support over the past several years. His wife left town before their twin infant sons were even home from the hospital. She was never excited about the pregnancy and was overwhelmed at the prospect of raising them after their birth. She hasn’t been in contact since she left. Zane unconditionally loves his now seven-year-old boys, recognizes both their strengths and their not-so-strong areas, and is doing his absolute best to raise happy little boys, and with the help of his mother and the rest of his family, he’s succeeding. But Zane is frazzled and worried most of the time that he’s failing and this his sons will suffer from those failings their entire lives. And he can be fiercely protective and defensive if he feels his precious boys are being unfairly judged or poorly treated. Sadly, between his devotion to Nick and Cal and his job on the family dairy farm, Zane has somehow gotten it into his head that any kind of relationship for himself would be a bad idea; he doesn’t have time and he won’t risk someone else important leaving the boys�� lives. So looks like Zane will just be a bachelor for the next 15 or so years.

Not the best life plan, since Zane has so much to offer and deserves happiness of his own, but no one has threatened his self-imposed solitude �� until now, when new second-grade teacher Becca Hawthorne arrives in town. Becca has been a substitute teacher in the city until now, but when that job ended and the chance to have her very own classroom in this little village arose she took advantage of the opportunity. Barely enough pay to live on but she’ll manage; teaching is her calling, and she’s eager, excited, earnest to give her little charges all she can. She’d love to have a family of her own someday but that will likely be in her far future. Becca is observant and conscientious, and she notices that Cal is so quiet and uncertain in class but blossoms when he is around his boisterous brother Nick. She suggests to the principal that even though it’s not standard school policy the twins be placed in class together �� her class. Principal Chittendon isn’t overly enthusiastic but gives Becca the go-ahead. So Becca calls Zane to arrange a meeting. Big mistake. Zane’s walls come up, how dare some flatlander who just got here question his boys �� or him. Or worse, imply that there’s something wrong with them. He will not allow that to happen. It would be easier to stay furious, though, if there wasn’t something about being around Becca that instantly feels comfortable and familiar. He's not sure he’s ever felt like that. And Becca’s not immune to whatever this is under the surface between them, either. But he’s the parent and she’s the teacher and there are so many rules and reasons why even thinking about this shouldn’t happen. The focus needs to be on those little boys.

But it’s Sugarville Grove, and magic does happen. They are thrown together time and again, and soon he begins to seek her out; he sees her dedication and talent and devotion and backs starts to accept she may be right; she realizes this is one scared dad who doesn’t want to make one wrong move and works to discover the best way to help the boys and also show Zane what a great job he is already doing. Sweet Surrender is full of tender, funny, heartwarming and sometimes almost heartbreaking moments. Dairy cows, horses, decorating cookies, learning about the town, letting down the walls. Becca makes friends and feels like she’s found her forever place in Sugarville Grove. Zane’s shoulders start to ease and what-if-what-if-what-if starts to just barely whisper inside his head. Sweet Surrender picks up where Sweet Surprises left off, letting us spend more time with the Lawrences, get to know Becca, enjoy the Christmas festivities in town, and simply have the most wonderful, satisfying reading experience you could hope for.

I received an advance copy of Sweet Surrender from author Clara Pines and as part of Tess Thompson’s Review Crewsters team. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend you read it and all the Sugarville Grove stories. You will love them as much as I do. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.75
author: Clara Pines
name: Sally
average rating: 4.75
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/12
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: 2025-read
review:
It’s true, it might take a Christmas miracle to open Zane Lawrence’s heart, but lucky for him �� and for the reader �� he’s in Sugarville Grove, where miracles abound, and Becca Hawthorne has just appeared on the scene and she could well be the woman to give that miracle, and Zane’s heart, the little push it needs.

It was wonderful to be back in Sugarville Grove again, especially for the holidays. Authors Clara Pines and Tess Thompson are writing a series of books centered in the village of Sugarville Grove. Each story can be read as standalone but reading them all in order gives you the full Sugarville experience: the beautiful surroundings, the charming unique businesses, the warm and welcoming friends and families and most importantly the special focus on some key family members and some newcomers to town.

Sweet Surrender is the third entry in the 2-author series and is written by Clara Pines. It reunites us with the Lawrence family of four brothers, their little sister and their parents. Just a couple paragraphs in and you know you want to be part of that family. They are loving, loyal and totally supportive and accepting. Zane Lawrence, the quiet one, has benefited from and been grateful for that love and support over the past several years. His wife left town before their twin infant sons were even home from the hospital. She was never excited about the pregnancy and was overwhelmed at the prospect of raising them after their birth. She hasn’t been in contact since she left. Zane unconditionally loves his now seven-year-old boys, recognizes both their strengths and their not-so-strong areas, and is doing his absolute best to raise happy little boys, and with the help of his mother and the rest of his family, he’s succeeding. But Zane is frazzled and worried most of the time that he’s failing and this his sons will suffer from those failings their entire lives. And he can be fiercely protective and defensive if he feels his precious boys are being unfairly judged or poorly treated. Sadly, between his devotion to Nick and Cal and his job on the family dairy farm, Zane has somehow gotten it into his head that any kind of relationship for himself would be a bad idea; he doesn’t have time and he won’t risk someone else important leaving the boys�� lives. So looks like Zane will just be a bachelor for the next 15 or so years.

Not the best life plan, since Zane has so much to offer and deserves happiness of his own, but no one has threatened his self-imposed solitude �� until now, when new second-grade teacher Becca Hawthorne arrives in town. Becca has been a substitute teacher in the city until now, but when that job ended and the chance to have her very own classroom in this little village arose she took advantage of the opportunity. Barely enough pay to live on but she’ll manage; teaching is her calling, and she’s eager, excited, earnest to give her little charges all she can. She’d love to have a family of her own someday but that will likely be in her far future. Becca is observant and conscientious, and she notices that Cal is so quiet and uncertain in class but blossoms when he is around his boisterous brother Nick. She suggests to the principal that even though it’s not standard school policy the twins be placed in class together �� her class. Principal Chittendon isn’t overly enthusiastic but gives Becca the go-ahead. So Becca calls Zane to arrange a meeting. Big mistake. Zane’s walls come up, how dare some flatlander who just got here question his boys �� or him. Or worse, imply that there’s something wrong with them. He will not allow that to happen. It would be easier to stay furious, though, if there wasn’t something about being around Becca that instantly feels comfortable and familiar. He's not sure he’s ever felt like that. And Becca’s not immune to whatever this is under the surface between them, either. But he’s the parent and she’s the teacher and there are so many rules and reasons why even thinking about this shouldn’t happen. The focus needs to be on those little boys.

But it’s Sugarville Grove, and magic does happen. They are thrown together time and again, and soon he begins to seek her out; he sees her dedication and talent and devotion and backs starts to accept she may be right; she realizes this is one scared dad who doesn’t want to make one wrong move and works to discover the best way to help the boys and also show Zane what a great job he is already doing. Sweet Surrender is full of tender, funny, heartwarming and sometimes almost heartbreaking moments. Dairy cows, horses, decorating cookies, learning about the town, letting down the walls. Becca makes friends and feels like she’s found her forever place in Sugarville Grove. Zane’s shoulders start to ease and what-if-what-if-what-if starts to just barely whisper inside his head. Sweet Surrender picks up where Sweet Surprises left off, letting us spend more time with the Lawrences, get to know Becca, enjoy the Christmas festivities in town, and simply have the most wonderful, satisfying reading experience you could hope for.

I received an advance copy of Sweet Surrender from author Clara Pines and as part of Tess Thompson’s Review Crewsters team. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend you read it and all the Sugarville Grove stories. You will love them as much as I do. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 221317843 Fate reunites a young woman with her ex-husband in a delightful and inspiring novel about family, old loves, and marriage on a dare by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale.

Furniture artisan Meli Hynes still abides by her uncle’s truism: the only lasting love story is the one between artists and their creations. Having already given marriage a shot—for all of twenty-four hours during a Las Vegas fling—Meli made her choice. The wood-crafting shop that is her family legacy will always come first.

But when her uncle decides to sell to a competitor, Meli’s promised inheritance goes belly-up. She’ll do anything to muddle the deal. Including a marriage of convenience to an unforgettable and very practical old friend—the competitor’s son, Aaron. With a controlling family of his own, and every bit as impulsive as Meli, Aaron is in. After all, this isn’t the first time he and Meli got hitched on a whim.

The rules of the ruse are simple: public displays of affection and live together as happy newlyweds. The hardest rule of all? Never let real feelings get in the way of what they plan to be a purely professional second time around.]]> 271 Kerry Lonsdale 1662525281 Sally 0 to-read 4.32
author: Kerry Lonsdale
name: Sally
average rating: 4.32
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 218736322 The perfect feel-good read that will have you laughing, crying and everything in between.

Connie Llewelyn is the beating heart of the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove. She runs the local cafe, and is everybody's friend �� always on hand with a kind smile, a listening ear and a freshly-baked scone.

Since losing her beloved husband five years ago, she's been busy raising her children, supporting her extended family and staying positive. Now, as her kids fly the nest, she finds herself wondering what her own future might look like.

When a face from the past unexpectedly arrives in Starshine, could meeting Zack again give her a second chance at love? Will Connie be brave enough to take a risk on living life for herself?

From the beloved bestselling author of the Comfort Food Café series, this is a heart-warming tale of second chances, self-discovery and the extraordinary healing power of community. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Milly Johnson and Heidi Swain.

Readers LOVE Escape to Starshine Cove:

��Starshine Cove is a truly magical place�� absolutely perfect�� I could just find Starshine Cove on the map I'd be going there myself!!�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

“Definitely a five-star read! I started reading Escape to Starshine Cove and could... not... stop! Finished it in one afternoon.�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��Love love love this book. This book has it all, heartbreak in more than one form, love again in more than one form, hope, escapism…�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��You will fall in love with this small town. It has all the charm! You will love the characters.�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��Debbie Johnson left me completely and utterly in love with Starshine Cove.�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��A beautiful story from an author who never disappoints.�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��Deserves more than 5 stars. If I could give this a higher rating than 5, I would. Escapist reading, I couldn't put it down.�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��Well, I'm writing this as I wipe away the tears. What a delightful read!... Debbie's vibrant style brought all the characters to life. Who wouldn't want to live in Starshine Cove!�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��Absolutely fabulous, I couldn’t put it down. Humour, sadness, family, romance�� what’s not to love?�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��A magical, special place full of lovable, loving and warm characters. Wonderfully written, unputdownable book. A must read.�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��What a beautiful story! It can fit under the romance, beach read�� this book checks off all the boxes!�� Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]]> Debbie Johnson 1805087827 Sally 5 2025-read
I almost stopped reading at this point. I just didn’t feel like watching Connie suffer through the rest of the book, the rest of her life, wondering what-if, replaying all her regrets in her head, enjoying life but never recapturing that feeling of endless love and contentment. But author Debbie Johnson had something entirely different in mind for all those pages. And it was inspirational and sweet and touching and totally satisfying. I am so happy I kept turning just one more page until I was so engrossed you couldn’t have pried the book out of my hands.

Yes, Connie still misses Simon when the present-day portion of the story begins. He was truly the love of her life and that doesn’t come around twice. She has those wonderful, happy children, almost all grown up now, many, many friends and her café where her creative heart can bloom. But that “the love of your life doesn’t happen twice�� thing? What if that’s not exactly true? What if the exact same thing doesn’t happen twice, but that wonderful warm feeling you remember starts to glide over you again just the same?

Zack was not really a what-if from Connie’s past life, but more of a hmm-interesting-I-wonder presence in her life. She was attracted to him, but nothing ever happened and after she met Simon there wasn’t much room in her head for thoughts of the old days. There still isn’t, in fact, except that it so happens Connie’s daughter and Zack’s daughter are good friends and about to be roommates and once Connie and Zack meet again little tingles start to happen, things feel somehow familiar and they spend more and more time together. There are unknown secrets that might put on the brakes before anything can grow between them, and there is the fact that they both were actually married to loves of their lives. There’s something happening though and it seems to be proceeding at its own pace, not theirs.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove is a sweet, touching story about two people who met and parted, who have lived satisfying lives, survived unimaginable tragedy and loneliness and have now discovered some sort of kinship between them. These are not romantic youngsters with wide-eyes and innocent hearts, but author Johnson manages to insert a lot of romance, starry eyes, and innocent hearts between Zack and Connie, nevertheless. Watching a mature relationship develop between people who know and appreciate what they once had and are brave enough to step forward towards what they might have again is heartwarming, and he adult desire Johnson puts in there doesn’t hurt either.

This was my first introduction to the Starshine Cove series but I will be catching up. It was well-written with fascinating characters, a beautiful setting and enough romance to keep you warm at night. I received an advance copy of this book from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.54
author: Debbie Johnson
name: Sally
average rating: 4.54
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/06
date added: 2025/02/19
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Starting Over in Starshine Cove was unexpectedly uplifting and delightful. The story begins looking five years into the past. Connie has just met Simon and her somewhat decadent fast-paced life among the rich and famous seems totally unimportant now. They fall in love, they get married and they make a life together in his hometown of Starshine Cove, a magical, beautiful, idyllic seaside village. The story could have ended right there: love from a wonderful man, more love than she could ever have imagined, then wonderful children, and a life full of friends and business and contentment. Perfect, happy ever after, the end. Except �� that happy ever after doesn’t always show up when or where you want it to. Sometimes the reality of life steps in.

I almost stopped reading at this point. I just didn’t feel like watching Connie suffer through the rest of the book, the rest of her life, wondering what-if, replaying all her regrets in her head, enjoying life but never recapturing that feeling of endless love and contentment. But author Debbie Johnson had something entirely different in mind for all those pages. And it was inspirational and sweet and touching and totally satisfying. I am so happy I kept turning just one more page until I was so engrossed you couldn’t have pried the book out of my hands.

Yes, Connie still misses Simon when the present-day portion of the story begins. He was truly the love of her life and that doesn’t come around twice. She has those wonderful, happy children, almost all grown up now, many, many friends and her café where her creative heart can bloom. But that “the love of your life doesn’t happen twice�� thing? What if that’s not exactly true? What if the exact same thing doesn’t happen twice, but that wonderful warm feeling you remember starts to glide over you again just the same?

Zack was not really a what-if from Connie’s past life, but more of a hmm-interesting-I-wonder presence in her life. She was attracted to him, but nothing ever happened and after she met Simon there wasn’t much room in her head for thoughts of the old days. There still isn’t, in fact, except that it so happens Connie’s daughter and Zack’s daughter are good friends and about to be roommates and once Connie and Zack meet again little tingles start to happen, things feel somehow familiar and they spend more and more time together. There are unknown secrets that might put on the brakes before anything can grow between them, and there is the fact that they both were actually married to loves of their lives. There’s something happening though and it seems to be proceeding at its own pace, not theirs.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove is a sweet, touching story about two people who met and parted, who have lived satisfying lives, survived unimaginable tragedy and loneliness and have now discovered some sort of kinship between them. These are not romantic youngsters with wide-eyes and innocent hearts, but author Johnson manages to insert a lot of romance, starry eyes, and innocent hearts between Zack and Connie, nevertheless. Watching a mature relationship develop between people who know and appreciate what they once had and are brave enough to step forward towards what they might have again is heartwarming, and he adult desire Johnson puts in there doesn’t hurt either.

This was my first introduction to the Starshine Cove series but I will be catching up. It was well-written with fascinating characters, a beautiful setting and enough romance to keep you warm at night. I received an advance copy of this book from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 220645834 I’m Caleb Baumgarten, the “bad boy�� drummer of Red Card Riot. The world knows me as C-Bomb, but I assure you, it’s Lil Miss Rule Follower, Aubrey Capshaw, who’s the human equivalent of an atomic bomb.

After tragedy strikes and the toddler with half my DNA inside her loses her beloved mommy, I get the bright idea to hire my daughter’s remaining lifeline, her “Auntie Aubbey,�� as my live-in nanny. Also, embarrassingly, as my sobriety coach, so I can fulfill the terms of mandatory rehab.

Going into my forced living arrangement with Aubrey in her small town, I’m determined not to give in to my growing, thumping, white-hot attraction to her. There’s only a month before the custody hearing that will decide my fate as a father, and I’ll need Aubrey to testify on my behalf. Well, you know what they say about best laid plans, right? Yeah. My bad.

I expected Aubrey and me to scorch the walls of my bedroom, once I got her into my bed. What I didn’t expect, though, was that Aubrey would become the center of my universe, along with my small daughter. My family. My home. Which is why, when danger threatens, I don’t hesitate to protect what’s mine.

Finding Home is a standalone, small town, single dad rockstar romance with suspense, deep feels, spice, no cheating, no third act breakup, and a happily ever after. No prior reading required.

Please check content warnings on Lauren Rowe’s website.]]> 408 Lauren Rowe 1964868084 Sally 5 2025-read
I was looking forward to a few hours of entertainment, but what I got was so much more than that. Finding Home is a well-written, deep and complex story, with a smooth plot that takes you through so many unexpected scenarios. It’s a swoon-worthy romance with unforgettable characters, a story that just wriggles its way into your heart and stays with you. And fantastic narrators Andi Arndt and Sean Masters just take it over the top. Arndt is always so good: she can do sarcastic and irritated and smug so well, and then perfectly express surprise and annoyance when she realizes she’s not going to get her way. She can be dismissive and cutting, doe-eyed and innocent and lusty and smitten all in the same paragraph, and make you believe it. She’s abrupt and wary, funny, worried and flat out in love. Sean Masters is, well, masterful in his portrayal of Caleb Baumgarten. I lost count of how many times I was brought to tears by the emotion he put in his gravelly voice: guilt over his mother, instant love and protectiveness for that little girl, and then for Aubrey and this life and love and family he’s starting to so desperately want and need. Masters also skillfully captures Caleb’s struggles: his initial tendency to resort to the tricks and manipulations that have always worked for him in the past, lying, viewing everything with himself at the center. You want to be 100% in Caleb’s corner, but will he find his way through or will he relapse?

Finding Home is non-stop action with much more suspense than I would ever have imaged. The upcoming custody hearing is Caleb’s one chance to prove he’s fit to have his daughter in his life. But he’s still in rehab and his reputation is in tatters. And were it not for the fact that Claudia’s father Ralph Beaumont has inserted himself into this process, Aubrey would be shouting from the rooftops that Caleb doesn’t deserve to spend a minute in that little girl’s life. But forced proximity and increasingly sincere actions can change perception, and that is what slowly begins to happen. Caleb is complicated and multi-layered, but his love for Raine seems true. Aubrey is not simple or one-dimensional but what you see if what you get is pretty much true for her, and she takes her responsibilities and promises very seriously. She will do her best for Claudia’s daughter no matter what.

Ralph isn’t actually in too many scenes, but his threatening evil presence hangs over everything like a dark cloud. He demonstrated how base, cruel and disgusting he was years ago, and no one knows what lengths he will go to now. It often feels like he’s lurking around every corner, peering into every window.

And that just ramps the suspense up, because this red-hot? white-hot? atomic-level? earthshattering attraction between Caleb and Aubrey could be a problem, a disaster that blows the custody hearing out of the water, because they aren’t as circumspect about their budding, blooming, exploding relationship as they probably should be, given that Ralph or his spies �� or social workers or anyone else who might be called to testify for that matter �� might be just out of sight. The relationship itself, though? Whew! You’d better have some ice water nearby because you will need it.

Finding Home is exciting, scary, funny, and so romantic you’ll be swooning and touching your heart. Raine is adorable, family and friends are interesting and supportive. Aubrey is a delightful mix of mama-bear, fangirl, sometimes immature young woman with a moral code that never wavers, and a sexy woman with an unending capacity for love. Caleb is a mess of a man who digs deep to become the man who deserves this life and love he has found, and to protect it at all costs. Narrators Arndt and Masters make the story captivating and mesmerizing, capturing all the emotions and making you feel you are right there. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its perfect ending and recommend it and anything author Lauren Rowe writes without hesitation. I received an advance listening copy of Finding Home. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 4.31
author: Lauren Rowe
name: Sally
average rating: 4.31
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/19
date added: 2025/02/19
shelves: 2025-read
review:
When I started listening to the audiobook of Finding Home I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The rockstar vibe and sudden daddy situation intrigued me, and a duet recording is always worth a listen. It sounded like a pretty simple story on the surface: selfish rockstar has a one-night stand with a groupie, agrees to provide for her and surprise baby but sees no need to have any contact, big shock when he learns the woman has died in an accident and her shady father has stepped into the picture looking for custody and that support money. Best friend of the dead woman currently has the little girl and is fiercely protective, disdains and hates the rockstar but knows what the dead woman’s father has done in the past so agrees to work with the rockstar to do what’s best for the adorable toddler.

I was looking forward to a few hours of entertainment, but what I got was so much more than that. Finding Home is a well-written, deep and complex story, with a smooth plot that takes you through so many unexpected scenarios. It’s a swoon-worthy romance with unforgettable characters, a story that just wriggles its way into your heart and stays with you. And fantastic narrators Andi Arndt and Sean Masters just take it over the top. Arndt is always so good: she can do sarcastic and irritated and smug so well, and then perfectly express surprise and annoyance when she realizes she’s not going to get her way. She can be dismissive and cutting, doe-eyed and innocent and lusty and smitten all in the same paragraph, and make you believe it. She’s abrupt and wary, funny, worried and flat out in love. Sean Masters is, well, masterful in his portrayal of Caleb Baumgarten. I lost count of how many times I was brought to tears by the emotion he put in his gravelly voice: guilt over his mother, instant love and protectiveness for that little girl, and then for Aubrey and this life and love and family he’s starting to so desperately want and need. Masters also skillfully captures Caleb’s struggles: his initial tendency to resort to the tricks and manipulations that have always worked for him in the past, lying, viewing everything with himself at the center. You want to be 100% in Caleb’s corner, but will he find his way through or will he relapse?

Finding Home is non-stop action with much more suspense than I would ever have imaged. The upcoming custody hearing is Caleb’s one chance to prove he’s fit to have his daughter in his life. But he’s still in rehab and his reputation is in tatters. And were it not for the fact that Claudia’s father Ralph Beaumont has inserted himself into this process, Aubrey would be shouting from the rooftops that Caleb doesn’t deserve to spend a minute in that little girl’s life. But forced proximity and increasingly sincere actions can change perception, and that is what slowly begins to happen. Caleb is complicated and multi-layered, but his love for Raine seems true. Aubrey is not simple or one-dimensional but what you see if what you get is pretty much true for her, and she takes her responsibilities and promises very seriously. She will do her best for Claudia’s daughter no matter what.

Ralph isn’t actually in too many scenes, but his threatening evil presence hangs over everything like a dark cloud. He demonstrated how base, cruel and disgusting he was years ago, and no one knows what lengths he will go to now. It often feels like he’s lurking around every corner, peering into every window.

And that just ramps the suspense up, because this red-hot? white-hot? atomic-level? earthshattering attraction between Caleb and Aubrey could be a problem, a disaster that blows the custody hearing out of the water, because they aren’t as circumspect about their budding, blooming, exploding relationship as they probably should be, given that Ralph or his spies �� or social workers or anyone else who might be called to testify for that matter �� might be just out of sight. The relationship itself, though? Whew! You’d better have some ice water nearby because you will need it.

Finding Home is exciting, scary, funny, and so romantic you’ll be swooning and touching your heart. Raine is adorable, family and friends are interesting and supportive. Aubrey is a delightful mix of mama-bear, fangirl, sometimes immature young woman with a moral code that never wavers, and a sexy woman with an unending capacity for love. Caleb is a mess of a man who digs deep to become the man who deserves this life and love he has found, and to protect it at all costs. Narrators Arndt and Masters make the story captivating and mesmerizing, capturing all the emotions and making you feel you are right there. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its perfect ending and recommend it and anything author Lauren Rowe writes without hesitation. I received an advance listening copy of Finding Home. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 227631953
Hope is all we have when the skies grow dark.
Love is hope made human and real.
Dreams are the safe places we go to when we are alone in the nighttime.

Our hope is that these poems will shine a little light onto your darker moments and brighten even your darkest nights.“This collection of poems is beautiful, heartfelt, loving, warm, and sensitive evidence of the deep love the author feels for the love of his life, nature and many other things. In his words, ‘All we have to give is kindness…all we can receive is love.�� Each poem is calming and serene with elegant prose that can be enjoyed again and again. This was a memorable and touching collection I would highly recommend to all poetry lovers.��

Award-Winning Author J.E. Spina]]> 148 Mike Martin 1068852976 Sally 5 2025-read
Martin’s beautiful, well-chosen lines of words flow in a nice easy rhythm. Through the use of both symbolism and direct statements he takes us through some dark times as well as quiet, peaceful, hopeful times. This is not a guidebook or journal through Covid, but knowing when they were written evokes a kinship and familiarly for those who also experienced that extraordinary event. Martin skillfully submerges us in nature, the seasons, the stars, using belief and dreams and metaphors for downed and damaged trees and lost and fallen friends. Love, kindness, growing old with grace, learning from the past, all provide a sense of peace and calm.

Hope and Love and Other Dreams is a well-laid out collection of poems that can be read one a day or a chapter at a time or through random selection; one thing that is certain is that you will want to read them over and over. They feel like the warm hand of a friend on your shoulder. And they are incredibly tender and romantic. Thank you, Mike Martin, for sharing these precious poems with your readers. They are a testament to love and hope. I received an advance copy of the collection. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 5.00
author: Mike Martin
name: Sally
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/12
date added: 2025/02/19
shelves: 2025-read
review:
What a soothing, heart-warming, thoughtful, thought-provoking, remarkable collection of poems. According to successful novelist Mike Martin he wrote them during the Covid lockdown and shared them with his wife Joan. They brought back my own memories of that time: the uncertainty and powerlessness about so many elements of life, the fear of the unknown and what the future might look like. But these poems also made me realize many other things. I spent the lockdown with my husband of over 50 years and with my adult granddaughter. Priorities became clear, and all those nagging little trivial thoughts and worries that once seemed so important suddenly dropped off the list. Focusing on what was truly valuable and important, providing comfort and admitting feelings and expressing them felt necessary. Hope and faith took center stage.

Martin’s beautiful, well-chosen lines of words flow in a nice easy rhythm. Through the use of both symbolism and direct statements he takes us through some dark times as well as quiet, peaceful, hopeful times. This is not a guidebook or journal through Covid, but knowing when they were written evokes a kinship and familiarly for those who also experienced that extraordinary event. Martin skillfully submerges us in nature, the seasons, the stars, using belief and dreams and metaphors for downed and damaged trees and lost and fallen friends. Love, kindness, growing old with grace, learning from the past, all provide a sense of peace and calm.

Hope and Love and Other Dreams is a well-laid out collection of poems that can be read one a day or a chapter at a time or through random selection; one thing that is certain is that you will want to read them over and over. They feel like the warm hand of a friend on your shoulder. And they are incredibly tender and romantic. Thank you, Mike Martin, for sharing these precious poems with your readers. They are a testament to love and hope. I received an advance copy of the collection. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 213276313 257 Amy Knupp Sally 5 2024-read
Ben is the Dragonfly Lake vet with the llamas. Emerson is the owner of a hair salon in town. They’ve known each other forever, have both lost spouses, are both now single parents. Ben had feelings for her back in high school but when Ben’s best friend Blake and Emerson got together Ben did what good friends do and never spoke about his feelings. Shoved them back where they belonged. Except now that they’re roommates in Ben’s house, keeping those feelings shoved down isn’t quite so easy. They both have had good lives, mostly. Ben’s marriage was good for a while, but his wife Leeann was sadly and tragically a woman who just couldn’t be happy and she took her own life. Emerson and Blake were happy, except that he was gone so much for the military she often felt like a single mom already. Ben and Emerson may have had some hard times but they don’t regret their choices because they each have children that mean everything to them.

Emerson has to suddenly move and needs to find a temporary place to stay. Ben has the space, Emerson’s a friend in need, and it’s the least he can do for his best friend’s widow. Emerson is grateful, the children are starting to bond in their own way, and having another adult �� plus Ben’s feisty grandmother Berty �� around to help out is something she’s never had and could get used to. But try as she might to tamp them down, Emerson is starting to have some inconvenient feelings for Ben, and that Friend Zone is getting harder and harder to stay in.

What follows is page after page after page of joy. It’s not all sweetness and light, but there is an awful lot of sweetness, tenderness, romance. The feelings get harder and harder to contain, and Ben and Emerson decide they are adults and adults can do adult things (steamy, swoony things) on a temporary basis, but there is a lot more at stake and a good amount of fear and hesitation, especially on Emerson’s side. But Ben can be a pretty persuasive guy (not to mention oh so sexy) and is determined to show Emerson a holiday full of holiday spirit as her partner in Christmas mayhem. And show her temporary does not have to stay temporary.

There are serious scenes, sexy scenes, heartwarming scenes and funny, funny scenes - with llamas and kids and the other single dads of Dragonfly Lake giving Ben a hard time and Emerson’s friends doing the same to her. Dragonfly Lake is bursting with holiday merriment, catching up with old favorite characters is fantastic, families are growing, love is in the air �� why would you want to be anywhere but Dragonfly Lake?

I was lucky enough to both read an advanced copy of Single All the Way and listen to talented, always entertaining narrators Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker perform the audiobook. Zeller makes Ben vulnerable and hesitant but strong and protective and so full of love at the same time, and that sexy voice in the sexy scenes will make you shiver. Nemeth-Parker’s Emerson is fragile and strong, afraid but aware some things are too good to pass up, and a sensual woman with Ben. I thoroughly enjoyed Single All the Way and cannot wait to see which single dad is front and center next. I can’t recommend this book strongly enough �� and you should always listen and read along. These stories are meant to be listened to but seeing the words on the page tugs at your heart. I received a free book. I voluntarily leave this review. All opinions are my own.
]]> 4.53
author: Amy Knupp
name: Sally
average rating: 4.53
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/17
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: 2024-read
review:
I am going to move to Dragonfly Lake and never, ever leave. The small town that author Amy Knupp has created has got to be the most wonderful place in the world. With each new book and new series, she expands on beloved characters, giving us a look back to see how their happy-ever-afters are progressing, introduces new characters we love at once, and focuses on a couple of special people for us to watch and cheer on to what we hope, hope, hope will be their HEA. In Single All the Way, book 2 in Knupp’s Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, the extra special people we get to spend time with are Ben and Emerson.

Ben is the Dragonfly Lake vet with the llamas. Emerson is the owner of a hair salon in town. They’ve known each other forever, have both lost spouses, are both now single parents. Ben had feelings for her back in high school but when Ben’s best friend Blake and Emerson got together Ben did what good friends do and never spoke about his feelings. Shoved them back where they belonged. Except now that they’re roommates in Ben’s house, keeping those feelings shoved down isn’t quite so easy. They both have had good lives, mostly. Ben’s marriage was good for a while, but his wife Leeann was sadly and tragically a woman who just couldn’t be happy and she took her own life. Emerson and Blake were happy, except that he was gone so much for the military she often felt like a single mom already. Ben and Emerson may have had some hard times but they don’t regret their choices because they each have children that mean everything to them.

Emerson has to suddenly move and needs to find a temporary place to stay. Ben has the space, Emerson’s a friend in need, and it’s the least he can do for his best friend’s widow. Emerson is grateful, the children are starting to bond in their own way, and having another adult �� plus Ben’s feisty grandmother Berty �� around to help out is something she’s never had and could get used to. But try as she might to tamp them down, Emerson is starting to have some inconvenient feelings for Ben, and that Friend Zone is getting harder and harder to stay in.

What follows is page after page after page of joy. It’s not all sweetness and light, but there is an awful lot of sweetness, tenderness, romance. The feelings get harder and harder to contain, and Ben and Emerson decide they are adults and adults can do adult things (steamy, swoony things) on a temporary basis, but there is a lot more at stake and a good amount of fear and hesitation, especially on Emerson’s side. But Ben can be a pretty persuasive guy (not to mention oh so sexy) and is determined to show Emerson a holiday full of holiday spirit as her partner in Christmas mayhem. And show her temporary does not have to stay temporary.

There are serious scenes, sexy scenes, heartwarming scenes and funny, funny scenes - with llamas and kids and the other single dads of Dragonfly Lake giving Ben a hard time and Emerson’s friends doing the same to her. Dragonfly Lake is bursting with holiday merriment, catching up with old favorite characters is fantastic, families are growing, love is in the air �� why would you want to be anywhere but Dragonfly Lake?

I was lucky enough to both read an advanced copy of Single All the Way and listen to talented, always entertaining narrators Patrick Zeller and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker perform the audiobook. Zeller makes Ben vulnerable and hesitant but strong and protective and so full of love at the same time, and that sexy voice in the sexy scenes will make you shiver. Nemeth-Parker’s Emerson is fragile and strong, afraid but aware some things are too good to pass up, and a sensual woman with Ben. I thoroughly enjoyed Single All the Way and cannot wait to see which single dad is front and center next. I can’t recommend this book strongly enough �� and you should always listen and read along. These stories are meant to be listened to but seeing the words on the page tugs at your heart. I received a free book. I voluntarily leave this review. All opinions are my own.

]]> 209484673
My life is a mess. My career is in serious jeopardy because of one stupid decision that had disastrous results. I’m stuck on the injured list, for who knows how long, and losing endorsements because of my reckless behaviour.

It’s only a matter of time before my team decides I’m too much trouble to keep around

The last thing I should be doing is swooping in to rescue a perfect stranger from some jerk at a bar - because of course a photo gets taken of her in my arms.

Now the last shot I have at holding onto everything that matters, is a curvy redhead who has no idea who I am and isn’t all that impressed by the mess I’ve thrown her into.

For some reason Sadie agrees to help me, and now I’m forced to spend time with a woman who might be the only person to see the real me. A lot of time. Even more so when she moves into my apartment.

With every fake date we go on, her warmth and smiles start to chip away at the ice around my heart. But what can I offer a woman like her? I’m nothing but a reckless asshole and a cocky baseball player with a past I’d rather no one knew about. I don’t let people get close to me, I don’t do relationships.

But when our arrangement comes to an end, I can’t bring myself to walk away.

How can I convince my fake girlfriend to give me a real chance when the secrets from my past won’t stay hidden?]]> 322 Julia Jarrett Sally 5 2025-read
In book 1, Break the Rules, Ronan Sinclair was ‘the guy�� and his story with Willow Lawson was delightful. Here we go again with Fake the Game. Maverick King and Sadie LeDuc seem to be total opposites. She’s the head of fundraising for the hospital foundation, quiet, mostly keeps to herself, and almost dresses to look like a librarian. He’s the Tridents�� poster boy for wild, crazy, always in trouble, seems to always be in a negative spotlight, and is big, burly and give-you-dry-mouth handsome. No one would ever see these two and imagine them as a couple.

But as the saying goes, looks can be deceiving. They sure can. When Maverick and Sadie first meet they’re both a little vulnerable, dealing with some stuff. Maverick has gotten himself in trouble yet again and when he gets bad news while at the hospital where he’s supposed to being doing PR with young patients, he goes off to an empty waiting room and blows off some steam. Sadie just happens upon him; doesn’t pry or even say much, but it seems like she truly cares about the answer when she asks if he’s okay. A new experience for him.

Yep, Maverick is in hot water all the time, but truth is he’s really a good guy and it’s usually not his fault. A foster kid who grew up with two foster brothers, he’s got a huge hero complex and can’t help stepping in when someone is in trouble. Anyone. Especially women in danger of being hurt �� and unfortunately also his foster brother Eli, who has been in and out of rehab and always selfishly has his hand out for Maverick to pull him up, again. His other brother Colin is his agent and does all he can to save Maverick from himself and his never-ending good intentions, but it’s not easy. And Sadie, she’s not really like a librarian. She’s clever, witty, friendly and beautiful. But a little damaged after dumping her cheating boyfriend who has now decided his play should be to forgive her and take her back. Okay, then. No way will that happen, she’s strong and will stick to her guns, but she’s a little bruised.

And that’s the situation when Mav and Sadie meet again, at a bar where Sadie and her friend Willow (PR for the Tridents, Ronan’s heartthrob, see above) were supposed to have a glass of wine. Willow can’t make it so Sadie is just minding her own business finishing her wine, as is Maverick (beer, not wine) at the bar when in struts Douchey Dirk, the ex, and starts loudly harassing Sadie again. Won’t shut up, won’t leave when she asks him to, won’t just go away and Maverick can’t help himself. He steps in. And of course because he’s a baseball star, photos pop up everywhere, with rampant speculation that they’re dating. Well, maybe the speculation is a little understandable because in the photos it doesn’t look like Maverick is just protecting a damsel in distress but instead is staring at the woman he loves. Whoa, where did that come from? And what are they going to do about it?

Colin comes up with the clever idea that maybe pretending he’s in a relationship with a woman who seems “normal�� compared to the women always looking to hook up with a star might be good for Maverick’s image. And it surprisingly doesn’t take long for Sadie to decide it just might be the way to rub Douchey Dirk’s face in it a little and make him go away if he thinks she’s with someone rich, famous and hot. From then on Fake the Game is a roller coaster ride of fun, sweetness, and a slippery slope from thinking fake to thinking forever. They kind of fit. Like really kind of fit. She’s fun, fits in wherever they need to go to be seen, always knows what to say. But worry is always clomping around in their heads. She doesn’t believe anyone like him could be interested in dowdy, plain boring her. He can’t imagine how she would ever be satisfied with someone with his reputation, someone with his background, just someone like him. So it’s a non-stop comedy of errors and misunderstandings and some pretty poignant moments as well. He falls hard for “Specs�� and the feeling is mutual. But is anyone ever going to find the courage to come out and say it?

Fake the Game is tender, romantic, hilarious, super steamy and even brings a tear to your eye a time or two. I loved it so much, couldn’t put it down and swooned at the very satisfying ending. I received an advance audiobook copy of this book and narrators Dane Anderson and Heather Firth convinced me that listening to this story is the only way to go. The balance, the tone, the emotion, the perfect portrayals of two people struggling, living, laughing, loving. I can’t wait to put my earbuds in again and start listening to author Julia Jarrett’s next Vancouver Tridents adventure. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 4.14 2024
author: Julia Jarrett
name: Sally
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/08
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: 2025-read
review:
Aww, this Vancouver Tridents baseball series by Julia Jarrett is so sweet, so addicting. Fake the Game is book 2 of the series, and once again author Jarrett displays her knack for creating a big, tough, talented baseball player who knows he should keep his nose to the grindstone, who has no time or interest in a relationship �� fake or real �� but who somehow gets himself so tangled up over a woman who appears to be the most incompatible person he could find and ends up being the most romantic person in the entire book. I don’t know how Jarrett does it, but I love it and it will keep me coming back for more.

In book 1, Break the Rules, Ronan Sinclair was ‘the guy�� and his story with Willow Lawson was delightful. Here we go again with Fake the Game. Maverick King and Sadie LeDuc seem to be total opposites. She’s the head of fundraising for the hospital foundation, quiet, mostly keeps to herself, and almost dresses to look like a librarian. He’s the Tridents�� poster boy for wild, crazy, always in trouble, seems to always be in a negative spotlight, and is big, burly and give-you-dry-mouth handsome. No one would ever see these two and imagine them as a couple.

But as the saying goes, looks can be deceiving. They sure can. When Maverick and Sadie first meet they’re both a little vulnerable, dealing with some stuff. Maverick has gotten himself in trouble yet again and when he gets bad news while at the hospital where he’s supposed to being doing PR with young patients, he goes off to an empty waiting room and blows off some steam. Sadie just happens upon him; doesn’t pry or even say much, but it seems like she truly cares about the answer when she asks if he’s okay. A new experience for him.

Yep, Maverick is in hot water all the time, but truth is he’s really a good guy and it’s usually not his fault. A foster kid who grew up with two foster brothers, he’s got a huge hero complex and can’t help stepping in when someone is in trouble. Anyone. Especially women in danger of being hurt �� and unfortunately also his foster brother Eli, who has been in and out of rehab and always selfishly has his hand out for Maverick to pull him up, again. His other brother Colin is his agent and does all he can to save Maverick from himself and his never-ending good intentions, but it’s not easy. And Sadie, she’s not really like a librarian. She’s clever, witty, friendly and beautiful. But a little damaged after dumping her cheating boyfriend who has now decided his play should be to forgive her and take her back. Okay, then. No way will that happen, she’s strong and will stick to her guns, but she’s a little bruised.

And that’s the situation when Mav and Sadie meet again, at a bar where Sadie and her friend Willow (PR for the Tridents, Ronan’s heartthrob, see above) were supposed to have a glass of wine. Willow can’t make it so Sadie is just minding her own business finishing her wine, as is Maverick (beer, not wine) at the bar when in struts Douchey Dirk, the ex, and starts loudly harassing Sadie again. Won’t shut up, won’t leave when she asks him to, won’t just go away and Maverick can’t help himself. He steps in. And of course because he’s a baseball star, photos pop up everywhere, with rampant speculation that they’re dating. Well, maybe the speculation is a little understandable because in the photos it doesn’t look like Maverick is just protecting a damsel in distress but instead is staring at the woman he loves. Whoa, where did that come from? And what are they going to do about it?

Colin comes up with the clever idea that maybe pretending he’s in a relationship with a woman who seems “normal�� compared to the women always looking to hook up with a star might be good for Maverick’s image. And it surprisingly doesn’t take long for Sadie to decide it just might be the way to rub Douchey Dirk’s face in it a little and make him go away if he thinks she’s with someone rich, famous and hot. From then on Fake the Game is a roller coaster ride of fun, sweetness, and a slippery slope from thinking fake to thinking forever. They kind of fit. Like really kind of fit. She’s fun, fits in wherever they need to go to be seen, always knows what to say. But worry is always clomping around in their heads. She doesn’t believe anyone like him could be interested in dowdy, plain boring her. He can’t imagine how she would ever be satisfied with someone with his reputation, someone with his background, just someone like him. So it’s a non-stop comedy of errors and misunderstandings and some pretty poignant moments as well. He falls hard for “Specs�� and the feeling is mutual. But is anyone ever going to find the courage to come out and say it?

Fake the Game is tender, romantic, hilarious, super steamy and even brings a tear to your eye a time or two. I loved it so much, couldn’t put it down and swooned at the very satisfying ending. I received an advance audiobook copy of this book and narrators Dane Anderson and Heather Firth convinced me that listening to this story is the only way to go. The balance, the tone, the emotion, the perfect portrayals of two people struggling, living, laughing, loving. I can’t wait to put my earbuds in again and start listening to author Julia Jarrett’s next Vancouver Tridents adventure. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.


]]> 217387678 A witty and lively memoir from food writer and New York Times contributor Besha Rodell, (formerly) one of the world’s last anonymous restaurant critics

When Besha Rodell moved from Australia to the United States with her mother at fourteen, she was a foreigner in a new land, missing her friends, her father, and the food she grew up eating. In the years that followed, Rodell began waitressing and discovered the buzz of the restaurant world, immersing herself in the lifestyle and community while struggling with the industry’s shortcomings. As she built a family, Rodell realized her dream, though only a handful of women before her had done to make a career as a restaurant critic.

From the streets of Brooklyn to lush Atlanta to sunny Los Angeles to traveling and eating around the world, and, finally, home to Australia, Rodell takes us on a delicious, raw, and fascinating journey through her life and career and explores the history of criticism and dining and the cultural shifts that have turned us all into food obsessives. Hunger Like a Thirst shares stories of the joys and hardships of Rodell’s coming-of-age, the amazing (and sometimes terrible) meals she ate along the way, and the dear friends she made in each restaurant, workplace, and home.]]> 272 Besha Rodell 1250807123 Sally 0 to-read 4.31
author: Besha Rodell
name: Sally
average rating: 4.31
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 227900571
Jethro Hale is the last player Coach Clay Powers wants to see on his roster, but the G.M. pulls a fast one. And it's not like he can even explain why. Nobody knows about their love affair fifteen years ago.

Cue the all-star awkwardness, the painful memories and the reawakening of deep feelings on both sides.

Unfortunately, their attraction still burns brightly. But it can never be. A player and a coach? The scandal would overshadow the team’s banner year.

If only they could resist each other��

If you love grumpy heroes, high stakes hockey, struggling single parents and smoldering kisses, grab your copy of The Last Guy on Earth.]]> 10 Sarina Bowen Sally 5 2025-read 4.34 2025
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Sally
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2025
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/18
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: 2025-read
review:

]]> 216269061 In New York Times–bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s ingenious fifth literary whodunit in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Detective Hawthorne is once again called upon to solve an unsolvable case—a gruesome murder in an idyllic gated community in which suspects abound

Riverside Close is a picture-perfect community. The six exclusive and attractive houses are tucked far away from the noise and grime of city life, allowing the residents to enjoy beautiful gardens, pleasant birdsong and tranquility from behind the security of a locked gate.

It is the perfect idyll until the Kentworthy family arrives, with their four giant, gas-guzzling cars, a gaggle of shrieking children and plans for a garish swimming pool in the backyard. Obvious outsiders, the Kentworthys do not belong in Riverside Close, and they quickly offend every last one of their neighbours.

When Giles Kentworthy is found dead on his own doorstep, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, Detective Hawthorne is the only investigator that can be called on to solve the case.

Because how do you solve a murder when everyone is a suspect?]]> 432 Anthony Horowitz 0063305658 Sally 0 to-read 4.13 2024
author: Anthony Horowitz
name: Sally
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221829353
"Secrets emerge, relationships fracture, but out of the wreckage, Hugo has built a moving, extraordinary story of hope. I loved it." -- Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Days of Wonder Deana Wilkes, who's needed braces to walk since a disabling accident long ago, seeks out Monica Connell, an attorney, to find the child she was forced to relinquish in a closed adoption thirty years ago. Back then, Deana believed that the passion between her and Tony, her married boss, meant they were destined for each other. It was wrong, Deana knew, but believed it was also meant to be. Tony's long gone now, and Deana's constructed a life out of the wreck of their affair. She's ready to finally make things right and meet her son. But Monica's wife, Angela, was adopted herself after an early history of abandonment and foster homes. Devoted to the memory of her parents, she's certain that closed adoptions need to remain closed unless the adoptee seeks contact. She draws a red Monica cannot take the case. Monica, though, feels compelled to help Deana by her own complicated history, one she's never revealed to Angela. As this wedge between them hardens, will Angie or Monica have the best custody claim to their own beloved adopted baby? Nobody knows what Deana's son wants, including his adoptive parents. Not even redheaded Suzanne, and the possibility of love. After all, as an Iraq war vet and a long-distance truck driver, Daniel knows everything about hitting the road to avoid the confusion that's plagued his life. Lynne Hugo's thirteenth novel takes on the reverberating effects of sexual power dynamics in the workplace and vividly portrays lingering psychological wounds as characters struggle to reconcile self-determination with the sacrifices love demands. ,
]]> 376 Lynne Hugo 1943075921 Sally 0 to-read 4.28
author: Lynne Hugo
name: Sally
average rating: 4.28
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 221179145
Lately, Julia Pritzker is beginning to think she’s cursed. She’s lost her adoptive parents, then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to spiral. She fears her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.

Then a letter arrives out of the blue, informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard - but her benefactor is a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. Julia has no information about her biological family, so she wonders if Rossi could be a blood relative. Bewildered, she heads to Tuscany for answers.

There, Julia is horrified to discover that Rossi was a paranoid recluse with delusions of grandeur, who believed herself to be a descendent of Duchess Caterina Sforza, a legendary Renaissance ruler. Julia is stunned by her uncanny resemblance to Rossi and even to Caterina, then she unearths eerie parallels between them, including an obsession with astrology.

Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed, and strange things begin to happen. Not even a chance meeting with a handsome Florentine can ease her disturbed mind. When events turn deadly, she breaks with reality.

Julia’s harrowing struggle becomes a search for her identity, a race to save her sanity, and ultimately, a question of her very survival.]]> 400 Lisa Scottoline 1538769999 Sally 0 to-read 3.61
author: Lisa Scottoline
name: Sally
average rating: 3.61
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217313011
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.

Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.

By an “endlessly inventive�� (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor�� (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.]]> 432 Robert Jackson Bennett 1984820710 Sally 0 to-read 4.36 2024
author: Robert Jackson Bennett
name: Sally
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 92955123
My pakhan father is marrying me off to a cruel monster. A man who gave me a black eye the night before our wedding and then spent it with someone else.

A wrong turn on my way to the church changes my life.

He saw me.
In my gown.
And the bruises behind my veil.

Lachlan O’Rourke.

Enforcer. Insane. Furious.

And standing in the back of the church with an army ready to stop my wedding��

���ܳٳ�ǰ�’s Deal with the Devil is a 77K standalone MF Marriage of Convenience Opposites Attract Romance with mature themes, a seventeen-year age gap between a J/P Mob Enforcer and a virgin Bratva princess. The story includes explicit content and profanity. It is recommended for mature readers only.

No cheating. HEA guaranteed with SERIES cliffhanger.]]> 294 Deborah Garland Sally 5 2025-read
Deal with the Devil is the fourth book in author Deborah Garland’s Astoria Royals series, and there are three Astoria Royals standalones after that. I’ve read several of them so far and they all work just fine as standalones, but trust me, you will need to work your way through all of them and learn each and every O’Rouke’s full story.

I have come to love Mafia romances and Garland is the reason. She is exceptional at balancing the violence and brutality �� and fascinating scenes about takeovers and battles and strategy with the sweetness and romance and the obsession the O’Roukes have with their significant others. Sometimes the turn from Irish mob business to family scenes is swift, but it makes sense and is believable. You have become so engaged with the characters and the story that you don’t want to miss a scene, an action, a word and you can’t help but turn pages faster and faster �� or listen to ‘just one more chapter.��

Deal with the Devil is Lachlan’s story. He’s the third of the O’Rourke siblings, after Kieran the king, Riordan the underboss and before Cormac and Darragh, the twin doctors, Eoghan the lawyer, Balor the tech genius, and Shea-Lynn, little sister to all those brothers and not really part of the family business. Lachlan is the enforcer, and he’s very, very good at his job. This is not the path he set out on as a young man, but things happened and this is his life now. He’s big (6�� 6��), strong, impervious to pain, and has never had a relationship beyond a night with a woman. And the thoughtful, sensitive, religious young man he once was is long gone. Beaten out of him, forced out of him by necessity, rejected by him, whatever the reason, he’s a loner who seldom speaks, who doesn’t share much of himself. Close to his family but fully immersed in his role within the family. Until Katya.

The story begins when Katya is just 19 years old, the illegitimate daughter of the Russian Brava boss, mostly ignored. Her mother is gone and she has no one who cares for her except her older sister Anastasia. And then she doesn’t even have her. Stasia is being forced to marry, so she runs away. Katya isn’t important to her father and fully expects to be allowed to go to London to study ballet. A chance meeting with Lachlan intrigues her but her sister warns her away from even thinking of him and she thinks no more of it.

Until a little over two years later when Katya discovers she is to be married to a Russian and will live in Russia, all so her father can continue to search for her sister. Another chance meeting with Lachlan causes a chain of events that will shake up the already tenuous balance and sometimes truce among the Irish mob, the Russian Bratva and the Italian Mafia. You see, Lachlan didn’t dismiss his chance meeting with Katya from the past; he couldn’t get her out of his mind and the events that now alert him to her impending marriage �� maybe call it fate?? �� convince him she needs protection and that he’s just the one to provide it.

From the moment Lachlan sets in motion elaborate events to stop that wedding up until the very last scene is non-stop action, danger, manipulation, negotiation and a growing connection between Katya and Lachlan. There’s a fairly large age gap, as well as the fact that their families are usually warring for control of Astoria and their different backgrounds and experiences might make you think they’ll never have anything in common and that genuine feelings between them are impossible. But wait, let Garland work her magic. Katya may be young and inexperienced, but she’s strong and brave and clever; she may not know exactly how she wants her entire life to play out, but she knows what she doesn’t want. Lachlan is fierce and never turns away from what must be done, however unpleasant, but in many ways, especially the ways of the heart, he is also inexperienced. She has never been far from his thoughts from the moment he met her, and she wasn’t scared off by her sister’s old warning, and there is an almost immediate attraction between them. They are physically compatible, and you will soon forget about any age difference and instead appreciate that she makes him feel alive in a way he never has through her loyalty and strength and openness. He not only makes her feel desirable but valued and seen, possibly for the first time in her life.

Deal with the Devil is an exciting story of life as part of the Irish mob O’Rourke family and a delightful, tender romance, with some satisfying super-spicy bits thrown in. A very pleasurable reading experience, and listening to all the talented voice actors bring every emotion to life is the icing on the cake. Thanks to the author for providing an advance audiobook copy of Deal with the Devil. To say I loved it is an understatement. You must listen to it, and then catch up with all the rest of the O’Rourkes. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.]]> 4.01
author: Deborah Garland
name: Sally
average rating: 4.01
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/09
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves: 2025-read
review:
I listened to the audiobook of Deal with the Devil yesterday �� yes, all 8 hours �� and wow. I couldn’t make myself take the earbuds out, and I really wanted to just start over and listen to it all again. Troy Duran as Lachlan . . . perfect, absolutely perfect. You hear the cruel-insane-furious Lachlan but you also can hear the vulnerable-uncertain-protective Lachlan, and you will love them both. That voice. What can I say? It just washes over you and wraps you up. You hear the brutal enforcer, and conflicted young man and the man who is afraid to love, who isn’t sure he even knows what love is. And the always fabulous Lexi Evans with her slow, sensual way of speaking made Katya strong and afraid and sexy and jealous and in love. The supporting cast of DB West, Tyler Griffin, Logan Anare rounds out the audio so you are fully immersed in the story. Their voices are just different enough to focus you on the other characters without drawing you away from the heat and tension and often unspoken longing between Lachlan and Katya.

Deal with the Devil is the fourth book in author Deborah Garland’s Astoria Royals series, and there are three Astoria Royals standalones after that. I’ve read several of them so far and they all work just fine as standalones, but trust me, you will need to work your way through all of them and learn each and every O’Rouke’s full story.

I have come to love Mafia romances and Garland is the reason. She is exceptional at balancing the violence and brutality �� and fascinating scenes about takeovers and battles and strategy with the sweetness and romance and the obsession the O’Roukes have with their significant others. Sometimes the turn from Irish mob business to family scenes is swift, but it makes sense and is believable. You have become so engaged with the characters and the story that you don’t want to miss a scene, an action, a word and you can’t help but turn pages faster and faster �� or listen to ‘just one more chapter.��

Deal with the Devil is Lachlan’s story. He’s the third of the O’Rourke siblings, after Kieran the king, Riordan the underboss and before Cormac and Darragh, the twin doctors, Eoghan the lawyer, Balor the tech genius, and Shea-Lynn, little sister to all those brothers and not really part of the family business. Lachlan is the enforcer, and he’s very, very good at his job. This is not the path he set out on as a young man, but things happened and this is his life now. He’s big (6�� 6��), strong, impervious to pain, and has never had a relationship beyond a night with a woman. And the thoughtful, sensitive, religious young man he once was is long gone. Beaten out of him, forced out of him by necessity, rejected by him, whatever the reason, he’s a loner who seldom speaks, who doesn’t share much of himself. Close to his family but fully immersed in his role within the family. Until Katya.

The story begins when Katya is just 19 years old, the illegitimate daughter of the Russian Brava boss, mostly ignored. Her mother is gone and she has no one who cares for her except her older sister Anastasia. And then she doesn’t even have her. Stasia is being forced to marry, so she runs away. Katya isn’t important to her father and fully expects to be allowed to go to London to study ballet. A chance meeting with Lachlan intrigues her but her sister warns her away from even thinking of him and she thinks no more of it.

Until a little over two years later when Katya discovers she is to be married to a Russian and will live in Russia, all so her father can continue to search for her sister. Another chance meeting with Lachlan causes a chain of events that will shake up the already tenuous balance and sometimes truce among the Irish mob, the Russian Bratva and the Italian Mafia. You see, Lachlan didn’t dismiss his chance meeting with Katya from the past; he couldn’t get her out of his mind and the events that now alert him to her impending marriage �� maybe call it fate?? �� convince him she needs protection and that he’s just the one to provide it.

From the moment Lachlan sets in motion elaborate events to stop that wedding up until the very last scene is non-stop action, danger, manipulation, negotiation and a growing connection between Katya and Lachlan. There’s a fairly large age gap, as well as the fact that their families are usually warring for control of Astoria and their different backgrounds and experiences might make you think they’ll never have anything in common and that genuine feelings between them are impossible. But wait, let Garland work her magic. Katya may be young and inexperienced, but she’s strong and brave and clever; she may not know exactly how she wants her entire life to play out, but she knows what she doesn’t want. Lachlan is fierce and never turns away from what must be done, however unpleasant, but in many ways, especially the ways of the heart, he is also inexperienced. She has never been far from his thoughts from the moment he met her, and she wasn’t scared off by her sister’s old warning, and there is an almost immediate attraction between them. They are physically compatible, and you will soon forget about any age difference and instead appreciate that she makes him feel alive in a way he never has through her loyalty and strength and openness. He not only makes her feel desirable but valued and seen, possibly for the first time in her life.

Deal with the Devil is an exciting story of life as part of the Irish mob O’Rourke family and a delightful, tender romance, with some satisfying super-spicy bits thrown in. A very pleasurable reading experience, and listening to all the talented voice actors bring every emotion to life is the icing on the cake. Thanks to the author for providing an advance audiobook copy of Deal with the Devil. To say I loved it is an understatement. You must listen to it, and then catch up with all the rest of the O’Rourkes. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 196600362 In the first installment of a Regency romp of a series, a governess who believes in cultivating joy in her charges clashes with the children’s uncle who hired her, only to find herself falling in love.

When Harry Kincaid’s flighty older sister decides to join her husband on an Egyptian expedition, Harry, a former naval captain, is left in the lurch, minding her three unruly children and giant, mad dog. But Harry has a busy career at the Admiralty that requires all his attention, and he has no clue how to manage the little rascals or when his sister is coming back. In desperation, he goes to Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies prepared to pay whatever it takes to hire an emergency governess quick sharp to ensure everything in his formerly ordered house is run shipshape again.

Thanks to her miserable, strict upbringing, fledgling governess Georgie Rowe does not subscribe to the ethos that children should be seen and not heard. She believes childhood should be everything hers wasn’t—filled with laughter, adventure, and discovery. Thankfully, the three Pendleton children she has been tasked with looking after are already delightfully bohemian and instantly embrace her unconventional educational approach. Their staid, stickler-for-the-rules uncle, however, is another matter entirely.

Georgie and Harry continue to butt heads over their differences, but with time it seems that in this case, their attraction is undeniable—and all is indeed fair in love and war.]]> 380 Virginia Heath 1250896088 Sally 5 2024-read, to-read
Both Georgie Rowe and Harry Kincaid had difficult childhoods that molded them into the adults they now are. Georgie’s childhood was rigid and she was sad and miserable almost every day until she managed to get away. Harry’s childhood was unstructured and chaotic until his grandfather �� better known, always known, as The Admiral �� stepped in. Their responses to their childhoods left them with radically different approaches to life. Georgie is all for natural, go-with-the-flow, and children should be seen AND heard. Harry firmly believes rules are what save you from disaster, make you successful; everyone must behave well and there is no coloring outside the lines.

So of course when these two opposites get together we know we are in for some hilarious head-butting �� and naturally some unwanted, impossible-to-ignore attraction and seriously steamy thoughts (and actions �� think about ‘shore leave.��). The restrictions and confines of the Regency ton add to the magic. And the empathy and understanding about those hard-to-survive childhoods make your heart swoon.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of All’s Fair in Love and War via NetGalley. It was a wonderful read: romantic, funny, sometimes a little sad, and with just enough suspense to keep you flipping pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see who’s up next in this series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
]]> 3.94 2024
author: Virginia Heath
name: Sally
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/27
date added: 2025/02/10
shelves: 2024-read, to-read
review:
I just love well-written Regency romances, especially when they are part of a series because we get to meet wonderful characters, revisit wonderful characters and try to predict what will happen to those wonderful characters. And all of that is just so much fun.

Both Georgie Rowe and Harry Kincaid had difficult childhoods that molded them into the adults they now are. Georgie’s childhood was rigid and she was sad and miserable almost every day until she managed to get away. Harry’s childhood was unstructured and chaotic until his grandfather �� better known, always known, as The Admiral �� stepped in. Their responses to their childhoods left them with radically different approaches to life. Georgie is all for natural, go-with-the-flow, and children should be seen AND heard. Harry firmly believes rules are what save you from disaster, make you successful; everyone must behave well and there is no coloring outside the lines.

So of course when these two opposites get together we know we are in for some hilarious head-butting �� and naturally some unwanted, impossible-to-ignore attraction and seriously steamy thoughts (and actions �� think about ‘shore leave.��). The restrictions and confines of the Regency ton add to the magic. And the empathy and understanding about those hard-to-survive childhoods make your heart swoon.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of All’s Fair in Love and War via NetGalley. It was a wonderful read: romantic, funny, sometimes a little sad, and with just enough suspense to keep you flipping pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see who’s up next in this series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

]]> 224103430 The new novel from the bestselling author of If We Were Villains and Graveyard Shift—a vivid and immersive tale of one woman’s reckless mission to make sense of the events that shattered her childhood, and made her who she is

Summer, 1989: ten-year-old Suzanne is drawn like a magnet to her father’s forbidden world of electric guitars and tricked-out cars. When her mother remarries, she jumps at the chance to tag along on the concert tour that just might be Gil and the Kills�� wild ride to glory. But fame has sharper fangs than anybody realized, and as the band blazes up the charts, internal power struggles set Gil and his group on a collision course destined for a bloody reckoning—one shrouded in mystery and lore for decades to come.

The only witness to a desperate act of violence, Suzanne spends the next twenty-nine years trying to disappear. She trades the music and mayhem of her youth for the quiet of the suburbs and the company of her mild-mannered husband Rob. But when her father’s sudden death resurrects the troubled past she tried so hard to bury, she leaves it all behind and hits the road in search of answers. Hitching her fate and Gil’s beloved car to two vagabonds who call an old Airstream trailer home, she finds everything she thought she’d lost desire, adventure, and the woman she once wanted to be. But Rob refuses to let her go. Determined to bring her back where she belongs, he chases her across the country—and drives her to a desperation all her own.

Drenched in knock-down drag-out rock and roll, Hot Wax is a raucous, breakneck ride to hell and back—where getting lost might be the only way to find yourself and save your soul.]]> 400 M.L. Rio 1668070022 Sally 0 to-read 4.13 2025
author: M.L. Rio
name: Sally
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]>