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Book reviews from the week of January 2nd

 




Happy New Year! I decided a new year meant time for a fresh update for my posts.  Let me know what you think of it.

I started 2022 with a couple of ARCs, a prequel novella, and a new release by a new-to-me author.  What a week of reading! Lucy's new book is going to blow readers away.  There is such depth to this story it is going to be a regular reread for me.  I am sure that each time I read it I will gather some new truth that I missed the first time,  Kait Nolan's next installment in the Men of the Misfit Inn series starts with a prequel readers don't need but they will definitely want and continues to a wonderful second chance story for Griffin and Samantha. Amy Alves released a new book this week and when I saw the blurb I knew I had to find a way to fit it in and read it. I am so glad I did, and now I have a new-to-me author's backlist to add to my TBR and maybe to yours as well.

I love to recommend good books and evilly make your TBR bigger each week.  I hope my reviews help you decide if you might like these books on your list.  Happy Reading!




Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

ARC: Release Date 01/13/2022

#SmallTown #GrumpyHero

5 STARS

This novel is a standalone small-town romance that is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.  The author creates a town that feels familiar and relatable. There are small businesses and town people who know your business and will share opinion on it.  The author does more than tell the story of two people who end up with a fantastic HEA, she created a well-developed and complete world full of complicated people and relationships. This is not a quick read, but it is one you will not want to put down. 

Knox and Naomi both have baggage.  When Naomi’s world implodes in front of Knox, he helps her out, despite their rocky meeting. I love how complex and realistic the characters are.  They make mistakes, bad decisions, and their lives are a little messy---just like most of us in real life. I appreciate the relationship that develops between Knox and Naomi: the hot moments, the sweet moments, and the funny moments.  Waylay is an adorable kid and I really love the relationship she builds with the adults in her new normal of a life.  When Naomi and Knox reach their black moment, it is painful and devastating.  There is also an element of danger in this book and some moments that are action-packed. I love how each of them must come to some self-realizations and rearrange some of their life priorities to get to their happy ending. Character growth is key to getting there and it was an exceptionally written process for both Knox and Naomi.

Like all Lucy books, the secondary characters are outstanding, complex, and important to the story.  Knox has a complicated relationship with his brother Nash (who I NEED to know better) and his childhood friend Lucian. (Side note: I love that Lucian is sometimes called Lucy and found that funny.) Naomi’s relationship with her twin is beyond complicated and I loved her parents for their supportive hearts. Naomi forms friendships with amazing female characters in this book, and I love how supportive they are of her.  Her best friend Stef has to be one of my favorite characters of all time.  Perfection! I want a Stef.

Buy it.  Read it.  I guarantee you won’t want to put it down. 

(Disclaimer: If you are like me, you might contemplate throwing things at the family members who want to talk while you are trying to read this. I attest that I did manage restrain myself from actually throwing any objects.)





Until We Meet Again (Prequel to Men of the Misfit Inn #4) by Kait Nolan

#FakeRelationship #OppositesAttract #Military #NewAdult #Prequel

5 STARS

This is the prequel of Come A Little Closer which releases 1/14/22. The author is very clear that this book is the background to the coming book and that it ends in a cliffhanger. I received an arc of Come A Little Closer and at the beginning the author made sure that arc readers were aware of the prequel, that the arc could be read without it, and that we would probably want to read the prequel anyway. I immediately stopped and grabbed it because I prefer to read in order when possible. Do you need the prequel to read the book? No. That said, I am so very glad I read the prequel first. The background of Grif and Samantha is detailed and I am so glad got to read that. This prequel is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.

I really loved getting to know where both characters were in their life at 22. I loved being with them as they experienced Vegas together and fall in love while pretending to be in a relationship. I loved being part of the memories that shape their reactions in the future. I really enjoyed their physical chemistry and hot moments. The tender moments brought tears to my eyes. Knowing it ends in a cliffhanger, I kept trying to predict how it was going to fall apart. When that moment comes, I was just as devastated as the main character.

This steamy prequel is something you will want to read before you start the book, even though you don't have to to enjoy the book completely.



Come a Little Closer (Men of the Misfit Inn #4) 

by Kait Nolan

ARC: Release Date- 01/14/2022

#SecondChance #BodyGuard #SmallTown

5 STARS

This book is book four in a series of interconnected standalones.  It can be read without reading the other books and ends with a HEA.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.  There is a prequel, “Until We Meet Again” that is available.  Although the prequel is not necessary to enjoy this book, I found that I really enjoyed reading it and having a complete understanding of the history between the characters going into this book.  The author is clear that the prequel to this book ends on a cliffhanger and this reader recommends you get both books together and read through them without a break between.

Griffin has grown up a lot in the eight years since the end of the prequel.  He has found his way to becoming the man he wanted to be for Samantha. He is strong, kind, loyal, and uber-hot.  Samantha has completed her education and moved on to the life she planned.  The only thing missing is the man that she loves and the family of her dreams.  When they reconnect in their hometown at a friend’s pre-wedding bachelor/bachelorette weekend, they are shocked to see each other again. These two must overcome their past and the hurt and learn to communicate. When they end up spending some time together looking for their missing friend, they finally work through that and can move forward.  Their physical chemistry is just as strong and hot as it was in the past.  Their friendship is renewed along the way.  They are finally able to commit to each other in a way they couldn’t when they were younger, and it is beautiful to read.  This steamy read has moments of both heartache and romance.  I loved seeing the big former Marine be so incredibly in love and willing to do anything for Samantha.  It was 100% swoon worthy. Are things improbable at times? Maybe.  However, I loved the way these two find their way back to each other and into a future together that they both dreamed they could have. Second chance is not usually my go-to, but this may be my favorite book of the series.



The Surprise Seduction (Landry Love #5) by Amy Alves

#SurpisePregnancy #AgeGap #BestFriendsBrother #SmallTown

 #OppositesAttract

4.5 STARS

This is my first book by this author, because I was intrigued by the blurb on the author's page when it released, and I just knew I had to read it. I was able to squeeze in this new release between arcs and I was glad I did. Though it is part of an interconnected series, it as easy to read as a standalone and ends with a wonderful HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Aria has had a crush on Garret nearly half of her life. She has flirted shamelessly with her best friend's older brother just to get under his skin. She is a bit of a free spirit with a romantic heart who tends to search for love in all the wrong places. Garrett is a doctor, a man who prides himself on his self-control and his plan for his life. He has successfully avoided the advances of his sister's friend for years, until he finally gives into temptation, and they have a moment that results in a baby.

These two really could not be more opposite, and I adored that. I loved the dynamic of their history and that now was the perfect time for them to get together without the nine year age gap being an issue. I love that Aria has finally reached a place in her life where she is ready to be happy alone before they get together. I really loved that Garrett's plan is blown out of the water and he gets a future that ends up better than he imagined. The two characters are steamy hot together. I adored the way Garrett takes care of Aria even though his communication skills are seriously stunted. Their relationship is a journey of learning to read each other, but also to communicate with each other, and I really liked it. At times I really wanted to yell at both characters when they didn't get out of their own head enough to see what was right in front of them. Thankfully, they are mostly likable characters in a situation that requires them both to grow a bit to be together.

I enjoyed the small town that they live in, and I want to read the other books in the series. The family and friends and small-town goofiness was a treat to read. I will definitely be reading more books written by this author.




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