Happy weekend! I am getting my blog post finished at the very last minute this week. I am truly surprised I was able to read four full length books and a novella with everything going on here this week. My daughter decided it was time to get her own place. She is moving to a small lakefront studio in the mountains of Colorado about 40 minutes away. Her landlord agreed to let her paint before moving in. As a mom with a lot of painting experience, I volunteered to help and ended up surprising her by spending three days painting while she was at work. Her little decorator vision is coming to life and it is going to be a super cute space.
That said, I read some amazing books this week. Tal Bauer and Mariah Stone were both new to me authors. "You & Me" is going to be a favorite reread of mine; I already know it. I also read two ARCs. Neither of those authors disappoint me with their small town romance and they delivered again. You will want to grab them when they release. Without further rambling, I hope my reviews help you decide on some new books to add to your TBR.
Happy Reading!
You & Me by Tal Bauer
#BookClub #SingleDad #MM #BiAwakening
5 STARS
This book and author were recommended to me when I was
looking for an Own Voices LGBTQ+ book for our Pride Month book club. I am so glad I chose it, and I am excited to
read more of the author’s work after reading this one. You & Me is a standalone romance about
Luke and Landon. It is written in first
person entirely from Luke’s POV and ends with a HEA.
Luke is a 38-year-old single father of a teenage boy, Emmet
(16) after his wife dies unexpectedly. A
year after her death, he and his son are barely co-existing. I really appreciated where Luke is at the
beginning of the book. He is struggling
with his self-worth, doubts his ability as a parent, and questions everything
about who he is at that moment. When he
meets Landon, the father of Emmet’s best friend Bowen, he feels completely
inadequate in the face of what seems to be the perfect man. As the two fathers become friends, Luke does
not realize at first that his feelings for Landon are deeper than
friendship. I love that when he has that
epiphany, he does not run away, but instead accepts his feelings for what they
are.
Because this book is from Luke’s POV, we only see Landon
through Luke’s eyes and their interactions with each other. I love the way the dialogue and those scenes
made me feel like I knew Landon and his character. Sometimes, I think authors fail at this when
writing a single POV, but this author does not.
I really enjoyed the relationship that they build. I love that even though there is physical
attraction and some very steamy moments between them, the scenes are more about
the emotional connection, the love and trust they share, than anything
else. Their romance and relationship
become solid early on, and there is very little drama between them. The drama of this book focuses more on Luke
as he comes to terms with the way his life changes as half of a committed and
loving couple.
The other focus of this book is the development of the
relationship between Luke and Emmet.
They have so many hurdles to overcome.
They must learn to communicate, share secrets, and express their true
feelings to each other. It is sometimes a very difficult journey. I really felt for Emmet. He was so lost. His only anchor was Bowen and Landon and the
way they welcomed him into their life.
Reading as Luke makes the effort to be there for him and understanding
the anxiety Luke has that many parents face regarding their teenage children
was sometimes heart wrenching. The joy I experienced as reader when they come
through to the other side: overwhelming.
This was a steamy, emotional read that left me feeling full of happiness and warm all over. I really can’t recommend it enough. I can see rereading this and will most certainly be reading more of this author’s work. I can’t wait for book club so I can hear if the other readers were impacted like I was.
Keep Me Close (Light My Fire #5) by J.H. Croix
ARC: Release Date- 06/28/2022
#FireFighter #FirstResponder #SmallTown #OneNightStand
#SurprisePregnancy #ARC
3.5 STARS
This is book five in the series and can be read as a
standalone. It is written in first
person from an alternating dual POV.
Chase and Hallie engage in a one-night stand with no last
names and no strings. Hallie is in a low
place and Chase makes her night a whole lot better, letting her forget her
troubles for a night. Fast forward a few
months, and Hallie is shocked to find out she is pregnant. I love that she makes the effort to find
Chase so he knows, despite their no strings night. I really liked that he is all in from the
beginning.
I like the friendship they slowly develop and the attraction
they share. They both have a little baggage, and I liked it when they open up
to each other and move past it. This is a low angst, feel good read with a bit
of heat.
The One Who Loves You (Tickled Pink #1) by Pippa Grant
ARC: Release Date- 07/12/2022
#SmallTown #SingleDad #RomanticComedy #ARC
5 STARS
This is a standalone from an author who is a one-click for
me. I have read all her published work (under
both pen names) and I am thrilled that she has added this book to her catalog.
This is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a
HEA. Most of the author’s books share a
connected world. Except for a few Easter
eggs, this book is its own world without any character cross-over.
Phoebe is a socialite climbing the corporate ladder of her
family dynasty when events lead her grandmother, Estelle, to uproot her entire
family for a year in Tickled Pink, Wisconsin.
Her goal is for them to find themselves, become better people, and earn
their way into heaven. There are several
references to a fictional 80’s movie set in Tickled Pink ton which Estelle has
based this whole idea.
Teague is a single dad, fisherman, goat farmer and more. I loved his gruff and grumbly exterior and
the soft heart he has toward his daughter.
He and Phoebe have sparks flying from the beginning. Phoebe is a fish out of water to start, and
it was very funny to read. I love how
this book is about Phoebe coming to terms with her true self almost as much as
her falling in love with Teague. I love
that Teague has secrets that are revealed over the course of the book. There are several secondary characters which
are enjoyable to read and add to the story in their own ways.
This was steamy, laugh out loud read that would make a very
fun movie.
Sineag (Called by the Highlander #0.5) by Mariah Stone
#Prequel #Fantasy #Historical #TimeTravel
4 STARS
This prequel from the Called by the Highlander series is set
in Scotland in 417 A.D. It is told in
first person from the POV of Sineag, a dryad faerie.
Sineag sees and falls in love with a druid names Brude,
despite faeries supposedly not being able to fall in love. Her story is a quick read that explains how
the humans can travel through time, and what her role is in that process. It also explains how she came into that role. This was a quick, enjoyable read that was
provided by signing up for the author’s newsletter and is a worthwhile prequel
to the series.
Amy is visiting Scotland when she finds and ancient Pictish rock carving and falls through time from 2020 to 1307. There she meets Craig Cambel, a highland warrior who cannot trust her because her last name is the same as his enemy clan.
I liked how their feelings gradually built and that it takes a little bit for them to fall into bed. There is moderate steam to the open door scenes. I really liked Amy's journey of self discovery. She has to overcome childhood trauma and learn forgiveness and understanding before she moves forward to a real relationship with Craig. He has to learn that the risk of trusting Amy is worth it. I love his protective nature and his commanding presence. I appreciate his ability to read Amy and his brothers. I liked the story and I loved the characters. I am really looking forward to continuing the series.
TW: Descriptions of violence, kidnapping, rape, and child neglect/abuse are included in the book.
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