I had a really good week reading. I read one ARC and four new-to-me authors in preparation for the Music City with the Belles book signing in Nashville at the end of the month. I was thrilled to read authors who have been on my list for a while and the signing gave me the perfect excuse to make it happen. The end result is I have several new favorites and a ton of books added to my TBR with their backlists. I hope my reviews help you decide if you might like these books as much as I did. I love growing other people's TBR as much as my own. Happy reading!
Fall For Me (Light My Fire #4) by JH Croix
ARC: Release Date-2/22/2022
#FriendsToLovers #FakeRelationship #Firefighter #Billionaire
#SmallTown #ARC
5 STARS
This is book four in the Light My Fire series, but it can be
read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Archer and Phoebe were best friends as children. After Archer moved away when they were in
fifth grade, they gradually lost touch but never forgot each other. When they reunite at nearly 30, their
friendship was easily renewed. I love
the comfort they feel with each other. I
also appreciated that the newly developed attraction and chemistry they both
felt was disconcerting. Phoebe is amazing. She is tough yet sensitive. I love her friendship with Archer. Archer was everything. He has some baggage that he needs to deal
with. I felt his trauma and anxiety was
handled well and with sensitivity. I
love the heat between Archer and Phoebe.
It was intense.
There was so much to love about this book, but the thing that stands out the most was the trust and faith they had in each other because of their history and their friendship. It made the story one that was rewarding to read and difficult to put down to make dinner.
Her Royal Fling (Lecara Duet #1) by Jodie Larson
#RoyalRomance #Fling #Duet
5 STARS
This is book one of a duet and it ends in a cliffhanger. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV, though thee first half of the book is mostly from Gia's POV.
I will admit that I normally do not care for duets. When I do read them they have to be complete because cliffhangers make me crazy. I needed one this month to meet a reading challenge, and I needed one that wouldn't rip my heart out. I have a few on my list to read at some point, I even own them, but I knew they would be too dark for my mindset at the moment. This worked out perfectly. I met this author last fall at a book signing in Dallas. She was funny and kind and I knew I had to read her work but had not gotten there yet. This was the ideal opportunity, especially as I will see the author again later this month at a signing in Nashville.
I fell in love with Gia and Luke. The way they get to know each other may be slightly improbable, but I choose to embrace the fairy tale elements of the story. There is instant chemistry and conversation between them. I love how they get to know each other so quickly and the heat and passion of their fling. Gia is charismatic and fun and willing to roll with whatever comes her way. I admired her spunk, her bravery, and her sense of adventure. I loved Luke and his tenderness with Gia as their relationship grew. I also really love the friendships she forms with the other guys. One thing the author does very well is developing these secondary characters to be a large part of the story with their own qualities and issues.
I loved the writing style of the book and have several highlighted quotes. There is glamour and luxury associated with a royal lifestyle and I could easily envision the story playing out as a movie in my head. There may be some similarities to Harry and Meghan, but Gia and Luke's story felt authentic to them. Though the ending of this book made my heart ache, I still had hope that it would all work out. I love that I was not devastated by the cliffhanger. I continued immediately to book two, which is my preference. My review for it will be under that book.
This is book one of a duet and it ends in a cliffhanger. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV, though thee first half of the book is mostly from Gia's POV.
I will admit that I normally do not care for duets. When I do read them they have to be complete because cliffhangers make me crazy. I needed one this month to meet a reading challenge, and I needed one that wouldn't rip my heart out. I have a few on my list to read at some point, I even own them, but I knew they would be too dark for my mindset at the moment. This worked out perfectly. I met this author last fall at a book signing in Dallas. She was funny and kind and I knew I had to read her work but had not gotten there yet. This was the ideal opportunity, especially as I will see the author again later this month at a signing in Nashville.
I fell in love with Gia and Luke. The way they get to know each other may be slightly improbable, but I choose to embrace the fairy tale elements of the story. There is instant chemistry and conversation between them. I love how they get to know each other so quickly and the heat and passion of their fling. Gia is charismatic and fun and willing to roll with whatever comes her way. I admired her spunk, her bravery, and her sense of adventure. I loved Luke and his tenderness with Gia as their relationship grew. I also really love the friendships she forms with the other guys. One thing the author does very well is developing these secondary characters to be a large part of the story with their own qualities and issues.
I loved the writing style of the book and have several highlighted quotes. There is glamour and luxury associated with a royal lifestyle and I could easily envision the story playing out as a movie in my head. There may be some similarities to Harry and Meghan, but Gia and Luke's story felt authentic to them. Though the ending of this book made my heart ache, I still had hope that it would all work out. I love that I was not devastated by the cliffhanger. I continued immediately to book two, which is my preference. My review for it will be under that book.
His Royal Plan (Lecara Duet #2) by Jodie Larson
| #RoyalRomance #Duet 5 STARS Book two in the Lecara Duet needs to be read after book one. It ends with a HEA and is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. Book two picks up the story immediately after book one ends. I loved that Gia and Luke are willing to fight for their relationship. I loved that Gia didn't just give up and run back to Chicago. Their battle takes an approach I did not anticipate, and at times I questioned. The time they take to set the trap for the evil queen has painful moments for both of them. It is a tribute to the author that my heart hurt deeply when theirs did, and I felt their emotions of jealousy and longing so clearly. At times I felt very frustrated at the plan and wanted them to find an easier way. But that was not their story. They have to overcome social differences, societal expectations, the media, royal obligations, and separation on their journey to forever. Their passion and connection was a tangible force. I love the emotional bond they shared. I also appreciated the support they had from friends in putting everything together. The ending was satisfying and the HEA was sweet. This is a duet I will recommend to anyone who is willing to embrace a modern day fairy tale full of heat and with a little drama but a wonderful HEA. |
Like A Memory (Sea Breeze Meets Rosemary Beach #1)
by Abbi Glines
| #NewAdult 4 STARS This was my first book by this author. It is a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. This is a spinoff of the author's Rosemary beach and Sea Breeze series. Reader who have read those are sure to recognize cameos and references of characters from her other books. Nate and Bliss are reunited seven years after their teenage first-love experience. Meanwhile, life has thrown each of them a few curves. There is plenty of heat between the two characters. Nate is an expert dirty talker, and I loved that. Bliss is innocent and naïve in some ways while being wise beyond her years in others. Nate is a little spoiled, but deep down is a good guy. Their relationship is complicated. I enjoyed the friend circle that supports Bliss and that they each have families that support them when things are tough. They are both young and they make decisions that sometimes reflect that youth. Overall, I really enjoyed their story. It was deeper and more complicated that I expected it to be. The characters were flawed and felt real. I will definitely be reading more by this author, I want to learn more about her other series. TW: Cancer, Infertility, Suicide of someone close. |
| #Celebrity #Forbidden 4 STARS This standalone romcom is written in first person from an alternating dual POV, and ends with a HEA. This was my first book by this author. There are definitely comedic moments, lots of heat, and a wonderful HEA. Lou and Thomas both have baggage to overcome in their story on the way to a HEA. There are a few twists and turns that I did not expect along the way. The characters are stellar and very relatable. The story is well-paced. Lou is a bit of a hot mess, and Thomas is honestly not much better. This was an enjoyable read with a few cringe-worthy moments that reminded me of my favorite British rom-coms. |
Chicks, Man by J.D. Hollyfield
#BrothersBestFriend #Workplace #RomanticSuspense #HealingLove
4.5 STARS
This is my first book from this author, though I have enjoyed a short story from her before. This book is a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
I met this author last fall in Dallas after only reading one of her short stories. She was so kind and personable, I knew I wanted to read more of her work. Now I will be seeing her again in Nashville later this month and I had to make it happen.
I went into this book thinking it was a rom com. Though it begins with some of those elements, it became much, much more. Hannah has loved Levi for most of her life. The beginning of their adult relationship is somewhat questionable, though their chemistry and the heat between them is undeniable. There are a few moments to laugh, and lots of heat and banter between them that I adored. I loved how their relationship becomes deeper with the communication between them that leads to trust, friendship, then love in addition to their heat. There are some twists to the book that I kind of saw coming, but not to the extent that they became so much of the story. Hannah drove me crazy for the first 40% of the book with her blind trust and naïve attitude. I wanted so much more from her. In the beginning, she is not the strong heroine I usually like best. As the story progresses, she is challenged in ways she never imagined and her growth is exponential. I liked her character a lot more in the second half of the book. Levi, on the other hand, I absolutely adored. Did he do a few things that irritated me? Definitely. Yet his possessive and protective attitude and his desire to love Hannah no matter what was huge to me. I love how solid he is for her when she needs it desperately.
I read some reviews that liked the first part of this book better than the second. I would respectfully have to disagree. The second half of the book deals with some details of a tragic case they are working that has also affected them as a couple. Through that case, they grow closer, and build trust and a defined future together. Their trauma with that case changed each of them and their relationship for the better, even though there was pain involved. The author recently updated the cover and I believe the new cover is much better suited to the story. There are several secondary characters and not all of them are likable. Some of them are definitely not. However, they do play a role in the story that is important and some of them experience growth along the way. I really look forward to reading more of this author's work
I met this author last fall in Dallas after only reading one of her short stories. She was so kind and personable, I knew I wanted to read more of her work. Now I will be seeing her again in Nashville later this month and I had to make it happen.
I went into this book thinking it was a rom com. Though it begins with some of those elements, it became much, much more. Hannah has loved Levi for most of her life. The beginning of their adult relationship is somewhat questionable, though their chemistry and the heat between them is undeniable. There are a few moments to laugh, and lots of heat and banter between them that I adored. I loved how their relationship becomes deeper with the communication between them that leads to trust, friendship, then love in addition to their heat. There are some twists to the book that I kind of saw coming, but not to the extent that they became so much of the story. Hannah drove me crazy for the first 40% of the book with her blind trust and naïve attitude. I wanted so much more from her. In the beginning, she is not the strong heroine I usually like best. As the story progresses, she is challenged in ways she never imagined and her growth is exponential. I liked her character a lot more in the second half of the book. Levi, on the other hand, I absolutely adored. Did he do a few things that irritated me? Definitely. Yet his possessive and protective attitude and his desire to love Hannah no matter what was huge to me. I love how solid he is for her when she needs it desperately.
I read some reviews that liked the first part of this book better than the second. I would respectfully have to disagree. The second half of the book deals with some details of a tragic case they are working that has also affected them as a couple. Through that case, they grow closer, and build trust and a defined future together. Their trauma with that case changed each of them and their relationship for the better, even though there was pain involved. The author recently updated the cover and I believe the new cover is much better suited to the story. There are several secondary characters and not all of them are likable. Some of them are definitely not. However, they do play a role in the story that is important and some of them experience growth along the way. I really look forward to reading more of this author's work
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