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Book reviews from the week of September 13th

 



Seduced by Snowfall (Lost Harbor, Alaska #3) by Jennifer Bernard

#FreiendsToLovers #FakeRelationship

5 STARS

Dr. Bethany Morrison is new to Alaska. She has an interesting meeting with Nate, Lost Harbor's most eligible fireman. That meeting leads to dating, friendship, fake dating, and finally love. This is written in third person from dual POV.

Bethany has a learning curve when she moves to Alaska, but Nate is helpful to her in the process. Nate is convinced that love and family is not for him and I loved reading as Bethany proved his theory wrong. They both have some family baggage that has to be overcome along the way to their HEA. This story packs heat, laughter, mystery, and a little drama. I loved continuing my journey with Lost Harbor's residents and I cannot wait to read more.


The Duke I Tempted (The Secrets of Charlotte Street #1) by Scarlett Peckham
#HistoricalRomance

5 STARS

This may be the most interesting historical romance I have ever read. Archer is definitely a manly hero, but he also has his demons and vulnerabilities. Poppy is a strong minded business women at a time when that was not valued. I loved that there was an attraction from the beginning that they both tried to avoid it. I loved that Poppy was unafraid to seize the day in both business and pleasure. I love that Archer is blindsided by the feelings he develops for Poppy even though he does not want to feel anything ever again. I love that what starts as a business proposition becomes a loving marriage in their HEA.
There is plenty of heat with these two. Archer has needs that he expects Poppy to be horrified by; the kind of needs that are rarely portrayed in historical romance. Poppy discovers that she also has some atypical needs and eventually these two embrace that that their needs are complimentary and that they can have a satisfying relationship that meets both of their needs. It does take time to get there and there is a struggle to embrace themselves and share their secrets with each other. They both have baggage and a lot of grief that influences how they relate to each other and the world around them. There are moments of understanding that they share, and times when they comfort each other, that are full of emotion and tenderness.
The book itself is extremely well written. The story moves at a steady pace and the characters are rich and well developed. I love the intricacies woven into the plot that allow the characters to face their secrets and demons and grow together. It s written in third person from a dual POV. This debut novel is the first book I have read by this author but it will definitely not be the last.


Escorting the Player (The Escort Collection #3) by Leigh James
#FakeRelationship #SportsRomance #EscortRomance

4 STARS

I enjoyed this fake relationship/escort/sports romance. It is written in first person from dual POV.
Chase is at the zenith of his career when his wife leaves him. Though their marriage has been over for a while, Chase wants to focus on his career and his soon to be ex is nothing but a distraction. She is a very unlikable character and I did not feel like she received karmic justice by the end of the book. That said, Chase is likable and has a good heart. He does have a weird habit of referring to himself in the third person, but it seems mostly a joke. I like how fast he falls for Avery. I loved when he resorted his priorities and went after the girl.
Avery is at rock bottom. Her sister is a leech and Avery was MUCH nicer to her than I would have been in that situation, only family or not. I felt like her sister never got the payback for all of the trouble she causes and that was frustrating. Avery is a sweet soul, and is a person who is mostly just too darn nice. She falls hard and fast for this hunk of a football player, knowing that real feelings are a complication she doesn't need. I love how sweet Chase is with her and how she takes care of him through the story. They have good chemistry and connect as friends as well. I loved their sweet HEA and look forward to reading more books by this author.



Wicked in Winter (Lost Harbor, Alaska #4) by Jennifer Bernard
#SingleDadRomance #OppositesAttract

5 STARS

Gretel is truly on her own for the first time as an adult and I loved her determination to succeed in Alaska. Zander is a young man weighed down with the responsibility of taking care of his two brothers after their parents were killed in an accident.
I loved the sparks between Gretel and Zander. It starts with teasing and banter and becomes so much more. I loved how they worked together to put the needs of his brothers first. I loved how well they negotiated with each other on different things. (I especially loved their use of code words.)
I adored how accurate the portrayal of winter in Alaska was and how Gretel managed. I appreciated that Zander doubted Gretel's ability to stay, because many Alaskans who have seen a lot often doubt the newbie. I loved Gretel's persistence and the way she embraced her new town, its people, and the Alaskan way of life. I really liked how she understood Zander's brothers and was able to help him navigate how to deal with some of the things they faced. I loved heat in the bedroom, and the swoon-worthy romantic moment near the end. The setting of this small harbor town in Alaska is perfect and this is another winner for me. This book is written in third person from a dual POV.


Naughty All Night (Lost Harbor, Alaska #5) by Jennifer Bernard
#EnemiesToLovers

5 STARS

Darius is the hottie fire chief who moved to Lost Harbor from Texas. Kate is a lawyer returning to the place she spent the summers of her youth visiting her grandmother. There is some witty banter as these two meet then realize that he is the tenant she has been trying to evict. The chemistry between them is instant. I loved how they connect emotionally very early in their relationship when Kate shares her past and the threats against her with him. I adore Darius' protective streak toward Kate, the town, and other people he cares about. I really loved Kate's relationship with Emma. I appreciated that Emma was the steadying force in Kate's life despite not fitting into a traditional grandmother mold. I really admired Kate's strength to overcome and to achieve the success she found. I always love a hero who is a gentle giant, and Darius is definitely that guy. He made me swoon. The heat between these two is substantial as they live up to the book's title. There are some surprises along the way, and some danger to overcome, but that makes their HEA is especially sweet in this adorable little town.
This book is written in third person from a dual POV.





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