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Book reviews for the week of October 3rd

 









I had an incredible and record setting reading week.  I read sic ARCs, one book club book through KU Read & Listen, and two books from my TBR.  I am trying to read new-to-me authors that I will meet at the Indies Invade Philly event in November.  I have come to realize that I probably will not get to all the authors I haven't read in time for the event.  My new strategy is to read novellas (especially if they are in KU) and short stories from different anthologies for as many of the authors as I can.  What that means for reviews is that the short story reviews will not be available until I finish the anthology, so those will come to the blog later. 

This week had something for everyone from romantic comedy to romantic suspense.  There are a few books from family series.  There is a MC romance and Melanie Moreland's next release is almost mafia romance but with a twist.  There are several alpha heroes, which I adore.  Single moms, a secret baby, and some holiday cheer mixed in made an excellent week.  I know there is something for everyone in this grouping and I hope my reviews help you decide which books to add to your TBR.  Happy reading.





How to Lose A Girl in 10 Texts  (Digital Dating #4) 

by Delancey Stewart & Marika Ray

ARC: Release Date- 10/12/2021

#NewAdult #FriendsToLovers #family Series #RomanticComedy #ARC

5 STARS

This is the fourth book in the series by Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray and it can be read as a standalone.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

This may be my favorite book in the series, and I have liked them all a lot.  Sophia and Dillon don’t get along, despite having grown up as best friends.  A misunderstanding in high school changed their trajectory.  I loved reading and learning their history and how they got to where they are.  I absolutely adored the premise of this book.  The way that Sophia uses the texts was genius to the plot. Dillon and Sophia end up with a sweet relationship based on friendship.  There is no physical intimacy on the page in this one, but the feelings between the characters are strong and well-written.  I loved revisiting the brothers and their loves along the way.  Pam is given a bigger role in this story as she worries about her boy while also trying to find her won happiness.  I am hoping we get to see her find a long-term love soon (hint, hint).  The grand gesture includes nods to some of my favorite authors.  I was smiling so hard as I read it that I was glad I was wearing a mask at work, so people didn’t think I had lost my mind.

I would say that this has been a very successful collaboration between these two authors, and I hope they do more together in the future. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read.  I loved it.








Just One Chance (Kingston Family #3) by Carly Phillips

ARC: Release Date-10/12/2021

#Celebrity #SecondChance #FamilySeries #ARC

5 STARS

This is the third book in the Kingston Family series, but it can be read as a standalone.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.

Xander and Sasha were together before.  Choices were made, trust was not strong, and their relationship did not survive.  Now, Sasha has been cast in the movie adaptation of Xander’s book and she needs his input to do her job well.  Neither one wants to be hurt again, but they cannot stay away from each other.

I love the passion and the tenderness between them.  I adore Xander’s protective instincts regarding Sasha.  I love the maturity that Sasha has gained in the time they have been apart and that Xander recognizes how much she has grown up.  I love that she is now able to stand up for herself.  I really enjoyed reading as they find their way back to each other, determine where they are willing to compromise, and understand what they each need to be happy.  Their story made me happy and warm inside and I couldn’t put it down.



The Boss (Men of Hidden Justice #1) by Melanie Moreland

ARC: Release Date- 10/14/2021

#ActionandAdventure #Mafia #RomanticSuspense #ARC

5 STARS

This book is the first book in the new Men of Hidden Justice series, and it is a standalone.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. 

First, I want to say that the cover is absolute perfection and fully captures Matteo and his character.  I love what a complex character he is and how he is both brutal and dark while still maintaining a tender and loving relationship with Evie.  I adore Evie’s strength.  Sometimes she is too stubborn for her own good, yet I understood her motivations completely.  I could really appreciate the rough time she had been through prior to meeting Matteo.  I loved that he felt an instant connection to Evie that he went with despite it being strange and new.  There is heat between them as well as gentle support and understanding.  It isn’t quite what I would call insta-love, but it is close. 

The story takes place in a world of an underworld organization like mafia romance.  These guys do bad things for the greater good.  There is violence and I loved that the author addresses the toll that that kind of life takes on the members of the team.  I appreciated their struggle to be in the darkness without losing their internal goodness and light.  I loved the drama, the danger, the depth of the characters, and their feeling for each other.  Though Matteo does bad things sometimes, I never hesitated to fall in love with him, just as Evie did.  I loved the sweet HEA, and I am super-excited to read more books in this series.




Hold Me Now (Light My Fire #2) by J.H. Croix

ARC: Release Date- 10/19/2021

#Firefighter #ForcedProximity #Workplace #SmallTown #ARC

4 STARS

This is book two in the Light My Fire series, but it can be read as a standalone.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

I love the tension that is between Paisley and Russell as they work together.  Once they become sort of roommates in addition to working together, they are no longer able to resist the heat between them.  What starts out as no strings quickly becomes complicated with feelings and all the strings.  This was a fun and easy read.  Paisley and Russell are hot together and I adored the times they share at home.  I love Paisley’s strength and her success as a hot shot.  I love Russell’s protectiveness toward her, even though she can handle herself just fine.  They each have some family stuff to overcome through the course of the book, but it wasn’t crazy dramatic.  This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.



April May Fall (Mommy Wars #3) by Christina Hovland

ARC: Release Date- 10/26/2021

#SingleMom #RomanticComedy #ARC

5 STARS

This book is the third book in the series and can be read as a standalone.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.

April is a single mom of three rambunctious and adorable children after an ugly divorce that took place a year ago.  She is trying to hold her life together while building her online personality brand as The Calm Mom.  Unfortunately, April is missing a lot of the calm she that used to come easily.  I love how real April and her kids are to life I experienced as a mom of three and things I have witnessed in the experiences of other moms. The truth is: motherhood is both the hardest and most rewarding job a person can undertake.  Some days feel insurmountable at the time, but you just have to keep moving forward.  This is what April does, and she finds passion and love along the way.  I also need to mention that the friend group that supports April is amazing.  We all need a girl squad like those women.

Jack comes to help April recover after a bad viral video.  He wasn’t looking for love, but he found it in April and her kids.  The chemistry and communication between these two characters made me smile uncontrollably.   I also love the special moments Jack shares with the kids.  He is hot, kind, intelligent, and motivated to help April professionally and then personally. There is heat, passion, laughter, friendship, and more in this book.  It would make a fantastic movie.  Don’t wait to read this one.  Warm fuzzy heart feelings are guaranteed.





Show of Honor (Juniper Ridge #4) by Tawna Fenske   

ARC: Release Date- 12/10/2021                                                                           

#Holiday #SecretBaby #Military #SmallTown #RomanticComedy #ARC

5 STARS

This is book four in the Juniper Ridge series, and it can be read as a standalone.  Because of the large cast of characters, and that this series is a spin-off of the Ponderosa Resort series, readers who have already read those books will know the back stories to many of the characters and family members that appear in this book.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Joe is on leave to visit his moms for the holidays when he runs into the girl he met last Christmas.  The one who he couldn’t forget.  Then he discovers that their night a year ago produced a baby.  Thankfully, Jessie had tried to find him. Despite the information they failed to exchange a year ago she had not deliberately kept the knowledge of baby Joy from him.  I love the scene when the run into each other again.  Their story is sweet and hot.  There is humor, romance, and heat as they reconnect and actually get to know each other beyond the physical intensity they share together.  I love that they are both figuring out how to be a parent, how to be an individual, and how to be together in a future they never dreamed possible. The HEA is especially sweet.   This was a heart-warming and joyful read and an excellent addition to the Juniper Ridge books.




The Takeover (Miles High Club #2) by T.L. Swan.

Narrated by C.J. Bloom and Sebastian York

#SingleMom #Billionaire #Fling #EnemiesToLovers #AudioBook

5 STARS

This is book two on the Miles High Club series, but it can be read as a standalone.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Claire is a widow with three sons who is trying desperately to keep the company her husband created alive and well for her sons to inherit.  When she meets Tristan, it is to refuse his offer to buy out her company.  They have all the sparks: anger, passion, physical chemistry.  When they meet again months later, the sparks are still there.  Tristan is not used to working to get the girl.  Normally they fall all over him.   He likes that Claire is different.  The heat between them is insane.  I love how they have fun and conversation in the bedroom along with passion. 

Claire has three sons, and her life is not easy.  Her kids are struggling and so is she.  Tristan eventually forms a relationship with each of them after a very rocky start.  Some of my favorite moments are between Tristan and Claire’s boys.  They were really special.  Tristan is a good guy and I fell hard for him.  I liked him a lot more than his brother Jameson.  He is sensitive and intuitive and kind.  Their road is not all rainbows.  They have some tough moments that felt very realistic given the circumstances.  There are layers to this story, and I loved every one of them.

I listened to more than half of this book through the audible narration and finished it via eBook.  I adore the read and listen through KU option available for this one.  The narration was superb.  I honestly don’t know how the narrators could read some of the parts to the story and not laugh out loud.  I couldn’t do it.  I did not plan on finishing this book right away, but I could not put it down. I needed Tristan to get his HEA, and I was overjoyed when it finally came.



The Biker's Virgin by Michelle A. Valentine

#MC #AgeGap #AlphaHero

3.5 STARS

This is my first book by this author and I found it to be just what I needed today. This is a quick read full of hot and sexy times. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Piper is 18, a virgin, and ready to experience freedom for the first time in her life. Cade is 29, rough, and a biker from a club that is rival to the club where Piper's father is President. Cade is quickly willing to risk everything for Piper. They have an instant attraction. I loved Cade's over-the-top, alpha, possessiveness of Piper. There were some minor proofreading type issues, and I wish there was a little more character development. That said, I read this in one sitting and found it to be very entertaining.





For Ranchers Only: Ranchers Only Series 

by Elle Christensen

#Cowboy #AgeGap #EnemiesToLovers #AlphaHero

4 STARS

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I loved Ophelia's determination and perseverance to succeed. When she inherits her grandfather's ranch, it was already in trouble and she is doing everything in her power to save it. James has been the neighbor who has always been a grumpy a$$. Lia has always crushed on him, though he has never really treated her well. The chemistry and sparks are heavy between the two characters. There are times when James wasn't easy to like. I loved it when he softens a bit with Lia.
This was a fun, quick, and steamy read. There is a little bit of a You've Got Mail piece that I loved. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.



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