Book reviews from the week of February 7th

 

It was a busy week at home but I am happy to say that the ARCs lined up for the week delivered in a big way.  I had variety in story, heat, and humor in three well-written books that do not disappoint.

Evers & Afters (Dare With Me #2) by J.H. Croix

ARC: Release Date- February 16, 2021

#OppositesAttract  #GrumpyHero #SmallTown #ARC

4.5 STARS

I loved this opposites-attract, small town romance between Elias and Cammi.  I loved that Cammi was independent and strong as a businesswoman.  I adored Elias’ need to protect Cammi (that surprised him out of the blue).  I just love it when a grumpy hero falls fast and hard, and this book delivers. I loved how physically affectionate he was with her and that he couldn’t stop wanting to be near her. I also really appreciated Elias’ patience as he gave Cammi time to come to terms with risking her heart again.  I loved that she had to relearn to trust herself and her judgement before she could move forward after her past hurt.  I love the circle of friends in this Alaska town and the way they support each other.  There is humor (Alaskan Men doing yoga, anyone?) and plenty of heat in this true love, heartwarming book set-in small-town Alaska. This book is written in first person from a dual POV.

My One Week Husband by Lauren Blakely

ARC: Release Date- February 17, 2021

#FriendsToLovers #FakeRelationship #Fling #ARC

5 STARS

Scarlett and Daniel are friends and business partners.  They each accept that they have chemistry and attraction to each other, yet they have never acted on ot except for a little flirtation.  That is until they spend a week posing as newlyweds traveling through France to check a chain of small hotels for potential investment.  Then they are unable to stop themselves from becoming so much more, though the road to more is often not easy.  Their story is written in first person from a dual POV.

Scarlett and Daniel both have some baggage.  They have both had their trust broken by someone close to them.  Neither one of them is looking for love or forever.  When they set out on a fling with definite parameters, they do not expect to find so much more in each other.  What they did not count on was having the foundation of a forever relationship already constructed through their friendship, mutual respect, mutual admiration, honestly and patience that they had already developed.  I love that they are both successful businesspeople.  I love that they are honest with each other over tough things in their past.   I love that Scarlett has Nadia for a friend who encourages her to take a chance.  I love that Daniel has Cole, who has known everything about him for so long, and helps him understand what he cannot explain. 

This story has beauty woven throughout it.  It is filled with natural beauty of the settings, the history of the towns they visit, art, and music.  There are layers of beauty mixed with the passion and trust between Daniel and Scarlett that I found mesmerizing.  This story packs five alarm heat, like the Extravagant series.  What I loved the most, however, was reading as Scarlett and Daniel expanded their mutual trust, exposed their secrets, and moved forward to live the life they never imagined they could have.  A beautiful, passionate, love story.

Marrying Mr. Wrong (Dirty Martini Running Club #3) 

by Claire Kingsley

ARC: Release Date February 18, 2021

#RomanticComedy #AccidentalMarriage #CurvyGirl #ARC

5 STARS

I absolutely loved this book.  Sophie and Cox wake up in Vegas after a wild night to discover that they are married.  This book is written in first person from a dual POV.

Sophie is clumsy, and a bit of a hot mess at times, but she has a heart of solid gold.  She is smart, kind, dependable, and has sound instincts which serve her well as the assistant of the stoic Shepherd Calloway.  I love that she rolls with whatever comes her way.  And what comes her way is often both funny and a bit disastrous.  Sophie operates on the principle that if it can go wrong, then it probably will go wrong for her in a most high profile way.  I adored her relationship with her dad, and I thought he was an amazing side character.  When she tells Cox that her dad not only has rough edges, but is rough all over like sandpaper, I seriously had to laugh out loud.  I love that she can see past Cox's defenses to his heart before he does.  I love how free she is with her good spirit.

Cox won me over immediately when he assisted Sophie off the balcony.  I could 100% hear his voice with that Matthew McConaughey drawl.  I loved that he was a driven person who made his own success.  I love his relationship with his mom and how he takes care of her. (She is another really interesting side character.)    I love that wants to be a better man, and when he makes a mistake he owns it immediately.  I love how hard and fast he fell for Sophie.  I love that creeped under his defenses and that the man who never thought he would marry, consistently avoids divorcing his  accidental wife.  Oliver, Cox's assistant, is perfect and I adored him and his story: another romance built in to the main story.  I want to have tea with Oliver every day and I am jealous that he is a character and not real.

The story has many funny moments, some drama, and plenty of heat.  I love the secondary characters, their friendships, and the way they support each other.  It is especially worth mentioning that I adore the relationship that has developed between Shepherd and Corban- a real treat.  There is a beautiful HEA which brought some tears to my eyes and was absolutely perfect.  This is book #3 in the Dirty Martini Running Club series but can be read as a standalone. It was everything I needed in a book this week and I highly recommend it.