Book reviews for the week of August 29th

 

Happy weekend!  I read one ARC this week and four books from my TBR for various reading challenges.  I am also continuing to read new-to-me authors for the upcoming book signings this fall.  B. Celeste is a new-to-me author and her new book was an journey in healing and trust.  I FINALLY read Landside by Kathryn Nolan, which has been on my TBR forever, and it was amazing.  I also read book by three authors who are planning to attend the Holidays with the Belles signing in Dallas later this month.  I have read Jenika Snow before, but her time travel romance took me on a steamy journey back to a Viking village for a quick and entertaining read.  Heather M. Orgeron's Pour Judgement was a fun read full of music star ego and skater chick snark.  I loved it and I am looking forward to reading more by her.  Andrea Johnston made me fall in love with her Military Men of Lexington.  I am still thinking about that book days later---so good!  Overall, I had a great week.  Check out my reviews below and see how much you can grow your TBR too.  Happy reading.

Make You Miss Me by B. Celeste

ARC: Release Date- 9/2/2021

#SingleDad #MilitaryRomance #ARC

4 STARS

This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed it.  It is written in first person and all but the epilogue is written from Stevie’s POV.  The epilogue gives us a wonderful HEA from Fletcher’s POV.

Stevie is struggling.  She is finding herself and still grieving the loss of her marriage to her high school sweetheart.  She had been a dutiful military wife and had lost herself in the relationship to her ex-husband, Hunter.  She is learning to stand on her own.  She makes mistakes along the way and there are times when her process is painful.  Fletcher was her ex’s commanding officer once upon a time.  It is a shock when she moves into her new home only to discover that Fletcher is a neighbor, and his son is in her class.  Fletcher is amazing.  The man has infinite patience.  He is caring, incredibly hot, and an amazing father.  Everyone deserves a man like Fletcher.

There is a lot of heat and tenderness in the relationship that develops over time between them.  Her ex-husband has caused her a lot of pain, and she learns to move past the bulk of it to fall in love with Fletcher.  The characters are realistically flawed and the communication between them is mostly mature.  Fletcher’s son, who is on the spectrum, provides a counterpoint of honest observation along the way.  I have been reading a lot of dual POV books, and I found myself really missing that in this book.  I wanted to know what was going on in Fletcher’s head, especially when Stevie was such a wreck inside.  I did enjoy walking with Stevie through her growth and the reclamation of herself over the course of the story.  If you are looking for a book that shows the journey of a character from heartbreak to new love, you will not want to miss this book.

Landslide by Kathryn Nolan

#SmallTown #OppositesAttract

5 STARS

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this is a stand alone with a HEA.  It does overlap timelines with this author’s book Bohemian.  You will want to read both even if you don’t need to for each book.

I read Bohemian in November of 2018.  Why I did not immediately jump into this, I’m not sure, except I was preparing to move cross-country.  So, maybe that was it.  I really regret waiting so long.  I adored Bohemian and this book is also amazing.  The author does an excellent job creating characters who feel real.  Gabe and Josie’s HEA takes work.  I love that they decide to go for it.  Gabe is a hero I fell hard for.  Josie is a complete bada$$ and I loved her character.  This book packs some serious heat.  (Have ice water on standby.)  Well-developed main and secondary characters, a love story that is a bit unique, and a small town that I want to live in: this book offers lyrical writing as the characters allow themselves to be vulnerable and trust each other. I honestly cannot recommend this book or author enough.  She is a definite one-click for me.

Promise her (Military Men of Lexington #1) 

by Andrea Johnston

#FriendsToLovers #MilitaryRomance #SingleMomRomance

5 STARS

In preparation to meeting several authors at Holidays with the Belles next month, I am trying desperately to read the attending authors I have not read before. This is one of them. Though this was my first book by this author, I guarantee it will not be my last. The most difficult thing is going to be not picking up the next book in this series until I finish reading other attending authors and the arcs I am committed to read. Promise Her is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Taylor is a former soldier and current bar owner who is loyal to family, his friends who are like family, and his business. When his childhood best friend is suddenly killed, he steps in to care for his friend's widow who is pregnant. Scarlett is a strong heroine who goes through some difficult things in her journey in this book.

The author does an amazing job of respecting the brotherhood between the men. I believe she also does an amazing job capturing Scarlett's grief, her anger, and her guilt. I was 100% emotionally invested. I love that they both struggle, regardless of extenuating circumstances, to really commit to the attraction between them. I love that Scarlett knows without a doubt that Taylor is there for her. Their journey is beautiful. There are so many emotions they go through as they continue living after Henry's death. I love the passion that emerges between them but also that it is built on friendship, respect, and caring for each other. To say I loved this is an understatement. I am really looking forward to meeting this author in Dallas soon.

Pour Judgement by Heather M. Orgeron

#FakeRelationship #RockStarRomance #SportsRomance #RomanticComedy

4 STARS

This was my first book by this author. I have had other readers recommend her work on more than one occasion, but it took me until now, as I prepare to attend Holidays with the Belles next month, to finally read one. This book is written first person from an alternating dual POV.

I love that Korie is a woman who knows what she wants. She is comfortable in her skin and I loved that. Rhett is a playboy music star who has been living a pretty wild lifestyle. He is exactly the kind of guy who Korie swore to always avoid. They have chemistry for days and initially express it competition and snarky arguments. I loved the concept of Camp Pour Judgement and I would have loved to do that myself at a younger point in my life. There are laughs, heat, and a 3 year old niece who is wiser than her years and beyond cute. I loved how well-written the characters were and the unique aspects of the story. I love Korie's skill, and drive in skateboarding. I loved the way Rhett supported her. When the hero falls hard is my most favorite thing. I can promise I will be reading more of this authors work, and I can't wait to meet her in Dallas.

Ravish Her by Jenika Snow

#TimeTravel #AlphaHero

5 STARS

This was a quick, fun, and steamy read. It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.

Loved the escape that this read provided after a long day. Agata wakes up to find herself back in time. At first she thinks it is part of some elaborate hoax but it soon becomes apparent it is very real. Stian does his best to look after and protect the young woman he finds in the woods, despite her strong will and feisty attitude. I loved the premise of the book. There is plenty of enjoyable hot scenes. Stian is a warrior, but so is Agata. I love that she learns to trust and defend him as he defends her. I also really appreciated how they overcome the language barrier. There are some scenes of Viking bloodshed that some my find disturbing. I loved this book. It was just what I needed after a long day at work.