This week I read one ARC, two new-to-me authors, and a nanny romance for a February reading challenge. Washed Up was a very enjoyable forbidden, reverse age gap romance. I loved Amanda and the love she finds that works for them. The Newspaper Nanny was a fun read with some super-cute little girls. It is had to beat that. I read one of our two book club historical romances for this month and Plaid to the Bone was a fun, irreverent take on a historical Scottish romance. I really enjoyed it. Finally, I read an ARC of Stephanie Rose's next book, which releases on February 11th. It was everything I needed this week. You won't want to miss it. Hopefully my reviews help you decide if you want to add these books to your TBR. I wish everyone a wonderful week full of books and happily ever afters.
Just One Favor by Stephanie Rose
ARC: Release Date- 02/11/2022
#EnemiesToLovers #FakeRelationship
5 STARS
Tyler and Olivia have known each other their whole lives and
fought like cats and dogs for most of them.
Their poor mothers are best friends with a sister-like relationship. (I really appreciated the close relationship
the two moms have with each other and how they support each other.) At
thirty-five, Olivia has just moved back to her hometown to be closer to her
mom. Tyler, a bakery owner in the town, has been getting his bakery off the
ground while recovering from a broken engagement. At first, the same animosity
surrounds them that they have always had with each other. When Olivia offers to
be Tyler’s fake date to his cousin’s wedding where his ex will also be a guest,
he surprises himself by agreeing.
Tyler and Olivia begin to get to know each other, maybe for
the first time since childhood, as they prepare for their act. By the time the wedding comes, the act feels
more real than anything else. One hot night together stirs up a lot of passion
and emotions that neither one of them know how to handle. I really liked how they formed a friendship through
the process, even if they did not communicate very well about their feelings
from that night. I love how Olivia is supportive of Tyler and his dreams. I
love how Tyler helps Olivia through her intense feelings regarding her father. I love the passion and heat between them. They each have so much to learn about
handling the big emotions they experience through their story, and I really
enjoyed reading their growth, both personally and in their relationship.
I have loved everything I have read by this author, and this
is a new favorite. It combines some of
my favorite tropes done extremely well. The
characters are well-developed, the story pacing is on-point, and sensitive
topics are handled with care. I also really loved that the characters are in
their mid-thirties, have experienced a little of life, and have professional
success. Reading as they find love together, despite their history, made it
impossible to put down. The two
epilogues gave me a glimpse into their HEA that put a huge smile on my face.
This was the book I needed to read right now.
This standalone is written in first person from an alternating
dual POV.
Washed Up (Bayside Heroes #1) by Kandi Steiner
#AgeGap #OWYM #Forbidden #SlowBurn
4 STARS
This was my first book by this author and the first in a multi-author
inter-connected series. It can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA. It is
written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
I love the fact that Amanda is 47. There are so few novels where the heroine
finds love later in her life. I love that she is finally getting out of an
abusive marriage. The author does an amazing job letting the reader into
Amanda's mind as she finds her own path for the first time, takes
responsibility for her own mistakes, and dreams of a better future. The Al-Anon
scene is spectacular.
Greg, an anesthesiologist, is 34 and was the slightly older best friend of
Amanda's son in high school. He had witnessed the abuse that Amanda had lived
with. He is shocked when she suddenly becomes his patient many years later. I
adore how they reconnect. I love how they understand each other, and their
comfort level with each other. I really love how they end up building a
friendship and pushing each other outside the walls they have each lived in.
This is slow burn that bursts into flame. There is heartache during periods of
character growth, but all for the better when they finally get to their HEA. I
really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading others in the series and by
this author. I am very excited to meet this author in Nashville next month ant
the Music City with the Belles book signing.
TW: There is one scene of physical domestic violence by Amanda's ex on the
page.
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this is a stand alone that is interconnected to other books and ends with a HEA.
Juliet is a character who seems more mature than her 22 years. I admired her diligence and perseverance to care for her Nana. I really liked her character. Liam is in his first year as a professional hockey coach and the father of two incredibly adorable little girls. Seriously, they will steal your heart. Liam is grumpy and broody and sometimes makes terrible decisions. There were a few times that I was kind of upset with how he chooses to handle things. As a man in his mid-thirties, I expected more from his character when it comes to communication.
This was an enjoyable read. There was plenty of heat (once they give into it), some laughs, and some heartbreak in the dark moment. The grand gesture is romantic and the HEA is sweet. There were a few moments that I felt resolved too quickly and would have loved more explanation there. Overall though, I liked this book and I will definitely be reading more.
I appreciated the humor of the story. I liked the characters. Leanna and her sisters antics are a lot of fun. Her parents are a bit hopeless and silly. Kenneth, the warrior, is strong, resourceful, and handsome (of course). The author makes no claims to historical accuracy and knowing that going in, I just had fun with it.
This was a quick , humorous read that I enjoyed as it brightened my winter evening. It had a little steam and some funny moments. I t is written n third person from an alternating dual POV. I believe this was my first book by this author but I am sure I will be reading more.
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