Book reviews from the week of July 24th

 

Happy weekend.  I read 4 and a half books this week.  Have you ever had one of those moments when you are reading a book and you are not getting into it, but you know it is you not the book?  That was me this week.  So I took a break.  I stopped halfway through the book.  And I picked up something completely different from my recent reads.  I had added the Alien Bride Lottery book to my TBR on a whim after seeing an ad, reading the blurb, and laughing out loud.  So when I went to my TBR, there it was waiting: something completely different than what I have been reading.  And it was so perfect in breaking my funk,. I went straight into book two before getting back to my regularly scheduled reading.  In addition, I read a free copy of Lena Hendrix's novella addition to the Chikalu Falls series.  Readers can get it for free this weekend through Bookfunnel here:  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yemk7ug7mi It releases officially on Amazon on August first.

And I finally got to read Amy Daws' newest release.  After reading the rest of the Waith With Me series what seems like a long time ago, I was so excited to get back to Boulder and get Max's story.

Overall, I had a good reading week.  I encourage other readers to step outside your norm when you hit a reading wall.  Try something new.  You might even find a new author to love.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Happy Reading!

Choosing You: Chikalu Falls by Lena Hendrix

ARC: Release Date- 08/01/2022

#OppositesAttract #SmallTown

5 STARS

Readers met Old Man Bailey in Finding You, book one of the Chikalu Falls series.  We know him as a somewhat reclusive, slightly sad, older man who has a heart of gold.  This book is the story of how he met his wife, Lottie.

Matthew Bailey grew up on the wrong side of the tracks as the oldest son of a father who was an abusive alcoholic.  I love how protective he is of his younger brother in this story.  He comes across as the motorcycle riding bad boy when he meets Charlotte.  She is the upper crust “good girl” who falls instantly for Matthew.  They have instant chemistry, but she falls for his heart.  I appreciated Matthew’s desire to allow Charlotte to do better in her life than he could provide.  But Charlotte, she is tougher than that.  I love how fierce she is defending Matthew and how her determination and follow through to get her man are undeniable.

This was a quick and steamy read with just the right amount of emotion.  I loved getting to know the history of Mr. Bailey and his late wife.  I really enjoyed this peek into the past.

 

Last on the List (Wait With Me #5) by Amy Daws

#SingleDad #Workplace #AgeGap #CurvyGirl 5 STARS This book can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. When Cozy becomes a nanny to a millionaire's 11 year old daughter for the summer, her theory of doing less appeals to the little girl and shocks her dad. Max is a high powered corporate guy who is completely bemused by all that is Cozy. I loved getting to know Cozy slowly over the course of the book. I felt like I got to uncover her secrets right along with Max. I really liked her character and I understood that she was at some sort of crossroads in her life. Max learns to loosen up as he falls for her, which was beautiful. Everly is the perfect charge and I love that readers even get a chapter from her POV. I adored the relationship she and Cozy form and how that enhances Max and Everly's relationship as the summer progresses. This was a steamy read. There are plenty of open-door moments as they explore each other and discover things they didn't realize they liked. There are few laugh-out-loud moments too. I enjoyed cameos from characters from previous books. I loved the chemistry and emotion between Max and Cozy. This may be my new favorite in the series.

Entered in the Alien Bride Lottery 

(Khanavai Warrior Bride Games #1)

by Margo Bond Collins

#AlienRomance #InstaLove #SciFiRomance 4 STARS I came across this ad a while back and immediately saved it to my TBR. It sounded funny and a little out there. When I hit a book funk where I was struggling to read my current books, I jumped over to book one in the series. It is written in first person from a dual POV and ends with a HEA. I love the premise of this series. Set sometime in the future, Earth relies on the Khanov aliens to protect it from the Alveron Hoard in exchange for entering unmarried females in the lottery for potential alien mates. Natalie becomes eligible for the lottery on her 21st birthday and is immediately chosen. She has no choice but to be beamed up, where she immediately determines to play to lose. She is feisty and funny. I really enjoyed her take on the aliens and their space station. Cav is a warrior sent to be a groom in the bride games and he falls fast and hard for Natalie. I adore his protective nature and how gentle he is with her. They have immediate chemistry that turns very quickly to more. The Bride Games premise takes a satirical look at the world's obsession with reality TV programming. I love that the book takes readers behind the scenes as the Khanov TV show pursues gaining better ratings and the lengths they goo to in order to achieve that. There is a subtle commentary on the current state of affairs on earth regarding environmental awareness, cultural traditions, and technology. This was a quick and very enjoyable read. Steamy, funny in places, and a little horrifying in others, I enjoyed the story. I love how the TV show is the backdrop and though they are pawns to a point, Cav and Natalie ultimately choose each other in a very romantic way. Book one sets up book two so effortlessly, I had to continue straight into it next. By the end of book 2, I can honestly say I am through my book funk and can return to the arcs I need to read. However, I will be coming back to this very entertaining series soon.

Captured for the Alien Bride Lottery 

(Khanavai Warrior Bride Games #2)

by Margo Bond Collins

#AlienRomance #SciFiRomance #ActionAdventure #InstaLove 5 STARS Book two of the series picks up at the end of, and overlaps, book one a little bit. It is written in first person from a dual POV and ends with a HEA. Amelia has a feeling that she is going to be drawn in the bride lottery and makes a plan to run. Zont is a warrior groom who falls for her as soon as he sees her picture and makes plans to go after her. I love that Amelia is competent, decisive, and fierce in her decision to run and in her life. She stays that way throughout the book. I love how ready Zont is to do whatever it takes to get to Amelia and also to protect her. They end up facing danger together and rely on each other to survive. I liked the first book, but I loved this one. Steamy and action-packed, this was a super fun read. I adore the heat between Zont and Amelia. I also loved that there are times when they face the contrast in their priorities: hers as a healer, and his as a warrior. Zont is a soft heart who is easy to love. This was a fun and fast read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.