Book reviews for the week of June 20th

 

I had a great week reading.  I read two new-to-me authors to meet a challenge for a forced proximity book.  Then I treated myself to a box set of one of my new favorite authors, Stephanie Rose.  Her Never Too Late series completely captured me and I loved it.  See all of my reviews for the week below.

Playing House (The Playboys of Sin Valley #1) 

by Cassie-Ann Miller

#BrothersBestFriend #FriendToLovers #SportsRomance #AccidentalMarriage #SmallTown #ForcedProximity 4 STARS Jason and Sera are friends who end up married after Sera is left at the alter by someone else. Their story is written in first person from a dual POV. I really enjoyed Jason and Sera. I loved the steam between them, their friendship, and Jason's willingness to change and settle down with the girl he had loved for a long time while refusing to admit his feelings. I love that their crush on each other was really so much more. There is a lot of heat, and some funny moments along the way. I really liked the way they comfort and are there for each other. This was thoroughly enjoyable book and I look forward to reading of this series and more books by this author who has been on my TBR for a while.

Protected by Leigh Skarin

#RomanticSuspense #ForcedProximity

4.5 STARS

I read this in one sitting. Liam and Whitney have a first date that takes an unexpected turn. Their story is written in first person from a dual POV. This book is filled with suspense and excellent character development for the shorter length of the book. The story is fast-paced and I enjoyed it a lot.  I love that the characters find comfort in each other while trying to stay ahead of the men who are after them. This was a real page turner. My only sadness was that it ended so soon. This was my first book by this new-to-me author, but it certainly will not be the last. I look forward to what she brings to her next books.

The Never Too Late Series Box Set by Stephanie Rose

This box set includes the entire Never Too Late series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I love how their family comes together and grows over time.  Each book is a standalone which is interconnected with its own couple and HEA.  I have listed reviews of the individual books below.

Rewrite (Never Too Late #1) by Stephanie Rose

#SecondChance #FriendsToLovers #LoveTriangle

5 STARS

Josh and Brianna have been best friends since they were 5 years old.  When Josh leaves their senior year, Bri is heartbroken.  When he returns 10 years later, things are complicated.  He is back to claim the girl he has always loved, but she has a boyfriend.  Their story is written in first person from a dual POV.

I will be honest: second chance and love triangle are some of my least favorite tropes.  I really was not sure about this book, but I love the author and I gave it a shot.  I am impressed.  Josh and Bri have a history that makes their friendship, and eventually their love relationship so much deeper.  It is that history that allows them to get through some difficult moments.  Their road is not easy, but the love they have for each other is undeniable.  They have physical chemistry that produces some steamy moments in the book.  I absolutely love the way they are connected to each other on a soul level.  I appreciate the way the author handles Bri’s relationship with her boyfriend, Scott.  The reader is aware of the bad fit for Bri  (without making him out as a bad guy),  aware of Bri’s guilt about her feelings for Josh, and her struggle to do the right thing. I am happy they Bri and Josh are not intimate while she is still with Scott, though they definitely straddle the line of cheating.  I love that they both have friend support systems in place for the hard times.  They have a lot of things thrown at them to get to their happily ever after and that made their story feel very real to life for me.  The characters exhibit personal growth but grow together and I loved that.

Simmer (Never Too Late #2) by Stephanie Rose

#SingleMom #ReverseAgeGap #FriendsToLovers

5 STARS

I am so happy that the author gave us Sara’s story and that she got her HEA.  I agree with Julia and Jodi that we needed her redemption after some of her mistakes in rewrite. She has had a tough life and has struggled to survive.  She is a warrior who has made mistakes.  She takes a chance to better the life of her and her daughter and in the process finds a man and love she never thought she would have.  I love the relationship she is able to build with Bri and Josh and the forgiveness they forge between them.

I adored Drew.  I love that he fell so hard and fast for Sara and for Victoria and never looked back.  I loved how certain he was of his feelings and what he wanted.  I appreciated Sara’s reservations and understood why she held back to begin with.  I love that they form a solid friendship first and that they really get to know each other before becoming more.  They must build trust and learn to lean on each other to get their super sweet happily ever after.

There is lots of steamy moments, romantic times, and heart melting scenes included in their story.Their story is written in forst person from a dual POV.

Pining (Never Too Late #3) by Stephanie Rose

#NewAdult #SlowBurn #Holiday

5 stars

This was a terrific holiday romance that tugged at my heart strings.  Anthony made a youthful mistake that leave him with a lifetime of consequences.  I loved his vulnerable heart hidden within his tough exterior.  Victoria is the girl who is gorgeous and geeky and not at all aware of her beauty.  I love how much she believes in Anthony from the beginning.  I love that she encourages him, pushes him, helps him, and loves him, regardless of his past.  I loved reading as Anthony overcomes guilt and self-doubt to embrace love with Victoria.  I loved Victoria’s family.  I love that Anthony’s aunt and cousin are so supportive of him and his happiness.

This holiday read is written in first person from dual POV.  It packs heat, humor, and a little angst as they find their way to their HEA.