Book reviews from the week of June 12th

 

Hello.  I hope everyone had a wonderful week.  I had a busy work week that I had not planned to have, leaving me with less reading time than I wanted.  

I was still able to read two ARCs, including Lucy Score's next release.  Lucy is one of those authors that take me longer to read than normal.  I have never really pinned down why; may be I just savor her books more than most.  Readers are going to love "Maggie Moves On" when it releases next week.  You should certainly grab it when you get the chance.  Readers should know that it is a traditionally published book that will be available on all platforms and will not be available in Kindle Unlimited.  

I also read an ARC of Lena Hendrix's latest.  She takes us back to Redemption Ranch for the Marriage-Of-Convenience story of Evan's brother, Parker, and his wife, Sienna.  I love the Redemption Ranch crew.  The premise of a working ranch with criminals in witness protection and federal agents working side by side is interesting and allows for a variety of interesting characters.  Parker has done bad things and Sienna's sunshine saves him.

I had a great week.  I can honestly recommend both of these books and I can't wait to hear what other readers think as they read them.  Wishing you all Happy Reading!

The Alias and the Altar (Redemption Ranch #2) 

by Lena Hendrix

ARC: Release Date- 06/17/2022

#MarriageOfConvenience #FakeRelationship #SmallTown #GrumpyHero #Grumpy/Sunshine #ARC

5 STARS

This is book two of this series and book five by this author.  I love watching new authors grow and I can see that in this book.  I loved her debut, but with each release her writing is becoming more polished and her characters more developed.  There are lots of hot, steamy moments, a few laughs, and a little bit of angst along the way to this HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

I wasn’t sure I would like Parker.  His character is grumpy and gruff.  He has been shaped by working high up in the “family organization” until things happened, and he knew he needed to leave or die.  As the oldest sibling in a dysfunctional family, he has always felt like he was responsible for his little brother, and then his half-sister. I love his instant attraction and protectiveness toward Sienna.  I love how he allows her to see some of his vulnerabilities. I adore the way he takes care of her, especially in the bedroom.

Sienna hasn’t had the easiest life, but she never questions her trust of the big, grumpy mobster when he rescues her.  When their fake marriage becomes very real, she falls hard and fast for him.  I love the relationship she builds with Gemma after a rocky start.  I really loved how she finds herself on the ranch in a world she never imagined far from the city.  Her discovery of her love of ranch life was fun to read.

This was a very enjoyable read.  I love all the secondary characters and the mix of criminals and agents who mingle on the ranch. Ma is always a treat to read.  I want to be her when I grow up.  I also really enjoyed seeing Evan in the in-between from the outside while waiting for his HEA.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

TW/CW: This book contains adult material including references to substance abuse, child neglect (not on the page), and discussions of violence and an attempted rape (on page). As a reader, I felt these scenes were handled with care but want sensitive readers to be advised.

Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score

ARC: Release Date- 06/21/2022

#SmallTown #CinnamonRollHero #WorkplaceRomance #LoveAtFirstSight #ARC

5 STARS

Do you believe in signs? Silas does.  Now Maggie does too.

This standalone is written in third person from a dual perspective and ends with a HEA.  It is set in the small town of Kinship, Idaho.  The town’s name ends up being a clue that this book is firmly anchored in family: born and found.

Maggie is YouTuber House Flipper and reminds me of some of the HGTV heroines I love.  She travels, flips, and moves on.  When she buys a dilapidated mansion in Kinship, there are personal reasons behind her decision that come to light as the book progresses.  I love her work ethic and her vision for the property from the beginning.  I really like that the renovation in the book has issues that must be resolved along the way.  Having completed some renovations in my own life, I know there are always snags, delays, and unexpected issues that come out of nowhere.  As the book unfolded, I felt like I really got to know why Maggie has lived her life the way she has to this point.

Silas falls for Maggie as soon as he sees her and spends the book caring for her, wooing her, and making her scream his name.  I loved him.  I really like how he understands her early on and can give her what she needs even she doesn’t realize she needs it. 

Silas has a non-traditional family that is tight with each other and loving.  It is a direct juxtaposition to the way Maggie has experienced family.  I adore the way the secondary characters are such a big part of the story.  I absolutely loved the variety of characters represented and how they love and depend on each other.  Maggie’s relationship with her partner, Dean is special for several reasons.  I like that it also deepens in the book as Maggie comes to terms with allowing herself to give and accept love.  This book contains laughs, beautiful steamy scenes, a rambunctious dog, a couple of kittens, and a town mystery to be solved. There is real romance is the relationship between Silas and Maggie.  I love a good wooing.  I savored this book, and I am dying to do a reread already.  Honestly, five stars seems like not enough for a book I need to see in movie form.