Book reviews from the week of November 14th

I finished my vacation this week and returned to work.  After spending the last two weeks visiting with family, meeting authors and readers at Indies Invade Philly, and near constant traveling, I did enjoy coming home.  Getting back into our home routine has taken a few days and returning to work in a busy ICU was a little jarring after some time away. My reading time has suffered this week but what made it great was the two ARCs I read.  Both release this coming week and I think readers are going to love them. Check out my reviews below and add these terrific books to the never-ending TBR. Lost & Found in Copper Ridge by Harlow James

ARC: Release Date- 11/21/2021

#ForcedProximity #Holiday #ARC

5 STARS

Do you believe in serendipity?

If you don’t, this story might change your mind.  Through a series of events that are connected, Reese and Carson end up sharing a cabin for their winter getaway. As the book unfolds, the reader learns exactly how many events had to align to bring these two stubborn characters together to get to their HEA. Serendipity, Cupid, and fate are all terms that ultimately mean that Carson and Reese are meant to be together.

I love that they are both strong willed and pursuing a new happiness after making life changes. I love that they find it together. I really liked Reese’s character and her friendship with her bestie, Wendy. I love that Carson fights and overcomes his fears as his feelings for Reese become more and that it was difficult for him to do it. The little ski town of Copper Ridge is adorable as a setting with its small-town holiday events.

I laughed, I swooned, and I appreciated the level of steam in this hot and sweet holiday love story. It left me feeling warm and gooey inside. It is like what a Hallmark movie could be if they added heat. Maybe someone else can pick it up and do justice to a wonderful holiday romance and keep the doors semi-open.

Love & Other Accidents (Love & Laughs #5) 

by Jackie Walker

ARC: Release Date- 11/23/2021

#EnemiesToLovers #FamilySeries #RomanticComedy #ARC

5 STARS

This is book five in the series that follows the Amos siblings, and it can be read as a standalone. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

This book was a funny and steamy read. I love it when characters are mature and this book treats readers to a hero and a heroine in their 40’s. I love that they have a solid sense of who they are as people as well as well-developed family relationships. They have incredibly funny banter when they literally crash into each other. The attraction is undeniable, but so is the ire they feel toward each other. I love Millie and I appreciated that she is struggling with something on her own under the misguided notion of protecting her family. Nick is kind and sexy. He is 100% swoony hero material. I adore his relationship with his big Irish family. I love how he is honorable he is. I love his desire to look out for Millie. The heat between the two characters is intense and fun. I love that they laugh in the bedroom. I believe that is an important part of a relationship. Millie learns to feel safe and at peace with Nick. She is smart-mouthed and witty, and I laughed and laughed at their antics. Their HEA is hilarious and sweet while maintaining the heat that lights up their relationship.

It has been a thrill to read books by this new author who published her first book less than a year ago. I am thrilled with the world she has created and with the Amos-holes. The Amos family reminds me so much of mine. The text threads, the name calling, the teasing, the love, and the support: they made me laugh, tear up, and made my heart go gooey. It has been a pleasure to read as the author has developed her style and grown in her story telling over the course of this series. I strongly recommend this series to anyone who likes a laugh-out-loud funny, very steamy, family romance series. The characters are feisty and smart. The heroes are panty-melting. As I read, I could tell the author loves these characters and I am sure she is sad to move on to her next series. At the same time though, she has laid solid groundwork in this series for at least two other series spin-offs that I can see.  I seriously cannot wait. It will be epic.