I only read two books this week. They were both new to me authors and both books were excellent. One of things I love about blogging is the opportunity to read new authors. It is especially gratifying when those authors give me that sometimes indefinable "more" that makes a book stick with you long after you finished it. Both of these books bring that "more" for readers who are looking for books that will grab your heart and squeeze while delivering the joy of a happily ever after.
| A romance set in our new world. “This much is true…You can count on me. I’ll never let you down. I’ll always stand by your side.” This is the first romance that I have read that incorporated the chaos of 2020. It is set in a world of face masks, social distancing, and economic repercussions like ruined businesses. It does not dwell on these, but the characters are in a place where many of us have been throughout this crazy year and they recognize that the world has changed. It is a world where highways in California are nearly deserted and parents worry about the distancing in place at their children’s’ schools. This is written in first person from a dual POV. I enjoyed the pacing and the depth of the characters as well as their personal growth throughout the story. I loved that there are some subplots that run through the story that allow the characters to express their commitment to their families and their perseverance of the truth. I loved the writing, which at times was almost poetic. This was my first novel by this author though I have been meaning to read her work for some time. I will certainly be reading more of her work. Hope Eternal Hill has had a rough year. She is lonely, broke, and she falls apart a bit. The she wakes up in the back of her dad’s car as it speeds down the highway in California. JR (John Roth Dunne) has had a rough couple of years. The current climate has allowed him to be released early from his prison sentence for a crime he is innocent of committing. He buys a car to drive cross country to see his son, and to get answers to the questions that have been at the top of his mind during the last few years. He picks up the car he purchased through contactless delivery, but he is more than surprised when a beautiful young woman pops up in his back seat while he is driving down the road. Their meet cute was original and current. I loved that Hope has a little bit of a hippie vibe. She is mostly optimistic in the face of the many curves life has thrown her. JR is angry, confused, and a little bitter. Underneath that, he is actually a good man. He sees the goodness in Hope and he wants to embrace it so badly while at the same time believing that she deserves more than he can give her. He makes some mistakes along the way and sometimes acts like a total jerk, but Hope’s goodness keeps bringing him back. He quickly develops a very protective attitude her, and I love that. They have an instant attraction to each other and when they give in, there is some serious heat. They both grow throughout the story to a place where they are OK alone and better together. JR’s son Jesse is an adorable 5 year old with only love for his Daddy and reading JR as a soft-hearted dad is heart-melting. Their HEA is sweet and allows for their dreams to come true. This book is a standalone that completes JR and Hope’s story. There will be another book in the series which will tell the story of Scout, JR’s brother. We meet him in this book and get to know his back story a bit. I am 100% looking forward to reading as he finds his HEA as well. Heat Level: 4 |
There are so many things to love about this one.
This was my first book by this author, and I am blown
away. This full-length novel is written
in first person from a dual POV. It is a standalone first book in a series that delivers a HEA with no cliffhanger.
There is so much to this book. There is the drama of Brody, a football player
nearing the end of his career with the injuries and politics that entails. There is the story of Lily, a dog trainer who
has rejected family expectations and coercion in to pursue her dream and her
happiness. You have the story of the dogs
that are rescued, the mills that used to hold them, and the struggle to save
more in that situation. And finally, you
have the story of two people who have an instant physical attraction, become
friends, share a common goal, and fall in love.
There is humor, heat, and heart all twined throughout this
impeccably well-written and heart touching book. I love the way the author writes, utilizing
the perfect turn of phrase at the right moment.
I love the complexity of the story and the characters, who each must
overcome some baggage to get to their HEA. I love that the heroine is spunky,
confident, and tough as nails. I love
that she stands up for what she knows she deserves and is willing to fight for
the dogs who cannot fight for themselves.
I love that Brody is a soft-hearted, giant of a man who falls head over heels
for Lily and is willing to do anything to make her happy. I love that they must work at their relationship
because relationships take work. And I
love that this book shines a spotlight on the ugly underbelly of the dark side
of the dog breeding world to encourage the light that comes with animal rescue,
good training, and second chances at forever homes for those many would just
give up on.
This is a romance for anyone who loves sports romance. This is a romance for dog lovers
everywhere. And this is a romance for
readers who believe that every creature is lovable to the right person for
them.
Heat Level: 4
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