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Book reviews for the week of September 12th

 


I had an incredible week.  This post is going live a little early this week because I am traveling to celebrate my brother's birthday with him this weekend.  I read two fantastic ARCs and three new-to-me- authors in preparation for Holiday with the Belles book signing in Dallas next weekend.  I am not sure if I will get to all of the authors before the signing but I am doing my best to make headway.  All five books were incredible reads and I absolutely loved them.  Happy reading and have a great week.


Duke-ing It Out by Jami Albright

ARC: Release Date- 9/17/21

#SportsRomance #SmallTown #ARC

5 STARS

This standalone sports romance follows tennis star, Sienna, and her trainer, Duke, as she heals from an injury and decides where she wants her path in life to go.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Duke is not always easy to like.  He has some serious baggage that he must choose to deal with to be a good partner in a relationship.  By the end of the book, I did love him and the way he had changed for the better. Sienna has baggage too.  At times she acts in an immature manner.  I love her fearlessness and competitive nature. What I love most about this story, and there is a lot to love, is how much both characters grow over the course of the book.  I love that they can see and accept each other’s faults.  I also love, love, love their banter.  They are both very competitive and I love the way they challenge each other.  There are lots of laughs, and smoking-hot heat built into this book.  There is also a lot of love in all its forms.  The exploration of family relationships, born and found, is super special and made me tear up a few times.  I adore the small town of Ryder and the wacky people who live there.  I love the shenanigans that take place.  This world that the author has created is really special.  Friendships, family, festivals, love, surprises, romance, and heat made this a read that touched me deeply and that I will be thinking of for quite a while.




There's Something About Molly (Mommy Wars #2) 

by Christina Hovland

ARC: Release Date- 9/20/21

#SingleMom #FakeRelationship #RomanticComedy ARC

5 STARS

Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, this is book two in the Mommy Wars series and is a stand alone ending with a HEA.

I liked Gavin more and more as I read the book.  He has come so far since his appearance in Rachel Out of Office.  I loved seeing him step up and parent his twins.  I love the friendship and co-parent relationship he shares with his ex.  I appreciated that he was trying to have a relationship fast that his mother was making very difficult.  Molly is a survivor who is an excellent mom and businesswoman.  Unfortunately, she has taken some knocks along the way, and she keeps getting back up.  I love that she feels a little strange when she begins to not hate Gavin.  I loved the heat and emotion between them.  I love how he helps her.  I felt like I really understood her.

The book presents well-developed characters with vulnerabilities and flaws.  I love how they have self-doubts and I love the friends that support them.  There are complicated relationship dynamics involved, yet the story is so good that they become almost irrelevant.  I really couldn’t put this down.  I loved it so much!  I really cannot recommend this enough.



Thirst Trap by Chelle Sloan

#Fling #FirstResponder

5 STARS

This completely enjoyable novella is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. This is my first read by this author as I work toward my goal of reading new-to-me authors that i will meet at the Holidays with the Belles book signing in Dallas later this month.
I found the characters interesting and their story engaging. Jake is a sweetheart and Whitley is a force to be reckoned with. They are sweet and hot all rolled together. I loved the way they meet and the way that social media impacts their relationship. I am looking forward to reading more by this author and meeting her in person.




Trap (The Salvation Society) by Jennifer Rebecca

#MilitaryRomance #HealingLove

5 STARS

In an effort to read new-to-me authors I will be meeting at upcoming book signings, I selected this book by new-to-me author Jennifer Rebecca. It is also the first book I have read from Corinne Michael's Salvation Society world. This is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

There was so much to love about this book. I absolutely adored the fact that though Kyle is a big and tough SEAL, Mack is the officer who goes on deployment. I love the way this author described both sides of their relationship. I love how Kyle helps Mack back from the brink, and I loved how her friends called Kyle out when he wants to give up. I am amazed at how much is packed into this relatively short book. The characters are extremely well-developed. Their story is meaty with angst, passion, romance, humor, and friendship. I love the commitments they make to each other and the understanding they have for each other. My words in this review are not nearly enough to do this one justice. I could not put it down. If you love military romance, you NEED to read this book. I know this will not be my last book by this author. I am seriously looking forward to meeting her in Dallas soon.



Broken (The Salvation Society) by K.C. Enders

#MilitaryRomance #SingleMom #Healing Love

5 STARS

This is my first book by this author and my second book from the Salvation Society World. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

This book has all of the feels. Even the prologue made me tear up. Both Chloe and Miles have been through unspeakable grief. Their road to becoming a family is not an easy one, but it is one that is worthwhile. Chloe's son, Jake, adds the element of pre-teen sarcasm, and Chloe's struggles to raise her son without his father felt real and raw. I love how Miles steps in a builds such a solid relationship with Jake. The Rules for Being a Gentleman is a list I wish I had when my son was a pre-teen. I love how Miles wants to take care of Chloe even though he has a lot going on in his own life. I love how resilient Chloe is making her fresh start and that she meets Miles at just the right time. They form a relationship based on the friendship, chemistry and passion between them.

I adore this world and I am hooked. I will be reading more of this world and more books by this author. I can't wait to meet her in Dallas

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