Skip to main content

Book reviews from the week of October 18th

 


Some weeks a gal just need to read some shorter books.  This week I read three novellas, a historical romance, and was introduced to Erin Hawkins in her debut novel ,"Best Laid Plans."

New Author Spotlight:

About Erin Hawkins

Best Laid Plans is Erin Hawkins's debut novel. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children. She enjoys reading, running, spending time in the mountains, and watching reality TV.

Follow her on Instagram @authorerinhawkins


Best Laid Plans by Erin Hawkins
#OneNightStand #RomanticComedy

4.5 stars
This is an excellent debut romance by this author. It is written in first person from a dual POV. It is well-edited, has good pacing, and a heart warming story line while packing in plenty of heat.

I found this book in a roundabout way, but I am not disappointed in the least. I love Brooke's relationship with her identical twin Ellie. I love that they lean on each other, and that Ellie's husband Josh is a good guy. As secondary characters, Ellie and Josh have a sweet and supportive relationship that models the way a good relationship can be to Brooke. I felt like I understood Brooke and why she chose to avoid relationships and be very opposite of her pragmatic twin. I totally loved Cole. Up until now he has been focused on building his career and he is finally able to pursue his dream of love and family. He also has a sister in a happy marriage, which is wonderful to read.

I love how free spirited Brooke is when she meets Cole, and I understood her reservations and even fear about the big feelings she had for him from the beginning. The chemistry between Brooke and Cole is combustible, and I really enjoyed reading their hot times and their sweet times together. I love the heart the author puts into the story. I really enjoyed not knowing how the story was going to play out- it kept me guessing on the details. I love the way Cole falls in love with Brooke unconditionally. I love the growth Brooke experiences as a result of her feelings for Cole and her devotion to her sister. I adored the fabulous happy ending. I will definitely be reading more by this author. I definitely recommend this book to others.



The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) by Tessa Dare

#HistoricalRomance #SingleDadRomance

5 STARS

This is book 2 in the Girl Meets Duke series but it can be read as a standalone. It is written in third person from a dual POV.

I absolutely loved how strong, resilient, and determined Alexandra's character is. Chase, on the other hand, had to grow on me a bit. The author did a good leading me to the place where I understood Chase, his fears, and his self-doubt. I loved that Alex had so much belief in him and could see past the act he was putting forward. The girls, Rosamond and Daisy were a real treat. Their shenanigans brought me many laughs. I loved how Chase went along with all of their drama. I adored how Alex finds a way to reach the girls, and her understanding of their need of love and security. Alex is a fighter. She is tiny but fierce and she has become one of my most favorite female characters. Laughs, heat, and a bit of drama mixed with the support of wonderful friendships. This is a winner. 



A Date for the Masquerade (The Dating Series #10)

by Heidi McLaughlin and LP Dover

#SecretIdentity #BillionaireRomance

ARC: Release Date October 27, 2020

4 STARS

This cute novella is written in first person from a dual POV.
Ensley is a fierce event planner with her business partner. She does something unusual for her when she hooks up with a man at a masquerade ball she planned, but the masks stayed on. I love how this story comes together. The mystery of the masks at a masquerade, the undeniable attraction they feel toward each other whenever they are together is just magic. The HEA is super sweet and steamy. This was a fast, fun read that is perfect for Fall.



Before You Ghost by Debra Anastasia and Helena Hunting

#ParanormalRomance #RomanticComedy

5 STARS

This was a thoroughly enjoyable romp in the paranormal with a ghost boyfriend, a ghost pirate, a mermaid, undead carjackers, and an evil ghost on a mission to get the girl. Throw in a cop psychic, rabid raccoons, and rare birds that swear and you have the makings of an extremely entertaining book. I laughed out loud several times and some of the turns of phrase are truly classic. Even though Evan is dead, this story packs heat and lots of sentimental romance. I wasn't sure how the story would actually go, but there is a HEA at the end. This fun novella is written in first person from a dual POV.



Online Dating by Mika Jolie (Re-read)

#RomanticComedy

5 STARS

This novella is written in first person from Brie's POV. It has humor and heat as it follows Brie's adventures in online dating. Once she thinks she meets the perfect guy, she feels things are looking up. There are some humorous surprises in store on the way to their HEA. I enjoyed this quick read very much.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book reviews for books read January 19th-24th

  Happy weekend! I decided that since I hit 7 books this week I should just go ahead and push this out today. I will read at least one more today but you will see that review next week. I had a gap between ARCs! I went back and finished the Kings of Avalier series that I started in February 2024.  SO GOOD! They are new adult, which is not my norm, but the fantasy realm made them un-put-down-able. I am thrilled to meet the author in Phoenix in a couple of weeks. I read the next book in the J. Saman series I am making my way through. Those Abbot-Fritz brothers are something else. I adore that whole family. I read four novellas with 2 of those being new-to-me authors. Coco Miller's book was a fun billionaire read, and Regine Abel's Prime Mating Agency was GOLD. You will see in my review that I loved this first in series book, and I am super excited to read the rest of them. I read a wonderful mafia novella by Lee Savino. He is truly obsessed with the girl without it being a terri...
Post a Comment
Read more

Book reviews for books read October 20th-31st

  I read two arcs in the second part of October. They were both wonderful reads. Obviously, my personal life has impacted my reading as I only finished 5 books this month. I can't tell you when the last time was that I read so little. The positive part was all of the books I read this month were very good. Until next time, happy reading! Can't Believe You Came (Mile High Matched #5)  by Christina Hovland ARC: Release Date- 10/24/2025 #CinnamonRollHero #OppositesAttract #ARC I am voluntarily writing this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in third person, can be read as a standalone, and ends with a HEA. I have loved this series from the beginning. It is wonderful to finally see the last Dvornakov get their HEA. Zach is a cinnamon roll hero to love. He falls first, fast, and hard for Piper. Piper, who is type A personified, does her best to control every situation she is in and Zach is an outlier. His calm and steady presence c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Book reviews from the week of June 7th

  The weekend is almost over as I type this but this is me running behind this week. What a week it has been! I have worked a lot at the job, the hubby had surgery, and we celebrated both my 33rd wedding anniversary and Father's Day.  I read one ARC, two books from my TBR, and one new-to-me author. I have found that after I read a really good book I need to read something a little different to get over the book hangover. That happened twice this week. After I finished the Harlow James ARC, I read an escort book by Leigh James that has been on my kindle for ages. After I read Lyndsey Gallagher's newest release, I started Escort Training which I think I picked up free a while back. That led me down a rabbit hole to reading the whole series. I have decided to review that whole series together as opposed to reviewing each book individually as they are really one story on three stages. It was a fabulous variety of reads this week and now I need to get serious and get back to ARCs. ...
Post a Comment
Read more