Book reviews from the week of March 5th

 

What a week!  I had the opportunity to really settle in and read this week so I took that opportunity and ran with it.  I read three ARCs, one additional novel, and four novellas.  Two of those were by new-to-me authors.  As I look at my planned reading for the month, I have a fair amount of romantic suspense planned.  I know that for me, I have to mix in some lighter books when that happens.  Novellas are a perfect choice for that, especially when you find tried and true novella authors like Ember Davis and Fiona Davenport.  

I will be traveling for the next couple of weeks, which always makes things interesting.  Hopefully I will get some audiobook time in along the way.  I hope my reviews help you find some new authors to love.  Happy reading!

One Look (Sullivan Family #1) by Lena Hendrix

ARC: Release Date- 03/10/2023

#SmallTown #GrumpySunshine #SingleDad #ARC

5 STARS

This is book one in a new series.  It follows Wyatt Sullivan as he finds his HEA with Lark. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Lark is an aspiring actress who has taken up professional mourning to hone her skills and build her resume.  Wyatt is the single dad of an adorable 6-year-old girl and the football coach of a division 1 college team. When he sees her crying at a funeral, he is immediately entranced.  When she walks by him and their eyes meet, it was like a slow motion moment full of chemistry and sizzle.

I loved Lark.  I loved her go with the flow, sunshiny, and fun personality.  She is exactly what Wyatt needs and she helps him smile and let go a bit. Wyatt has reasons to be grumpy, yet he can’t resist Lark.  He is a dirty talker and when they get together it is seriously hot.  There are funny moments woven into the book including a solo skinny dipping scene that is absolutely not solo. I loved Wyatt and his brothers. I am excited to get to know them better as the series progresses. They are dealing with their father’s early onset dementia, which is heart breaking.  Having been down that road personally, I felt like the author handles their feelings and the situation in an honest and careful manner. The small fictional town in Michigan is full of fun characters, home to an ancient feud between two families and some general shenanigans.  Set on the coast of Lake Michigan, I loved that the characters get in some beach time.  This was a wonderful read that I didn’t want to put down.  This author keeps getting better and better.  I can’t wait to read what’s next.

Yours to Take (Dixon Creek Ranch #1) by Emily Silver

ARC: Release Date- 03/23/2023

#OppositesAttract #SmallTown #Virgin #ARC

5 STARS

Book one of this new series set in Dixon, Idaho, can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Blake has been raised in LA with his famous actress mother.  He has been a screenwriter of a successful show, but now he has a bad case of writer’s block.  Gemma runs her family ranch and is the youngest of the five Winchester siblings.  When Blake arrives at the ranch to try to break past his block, they literally run into each other, and nothing will ever be the same again. 

I loved how fast Blake and Gemma bond as friends who have sparks and chemistry.  It doesn’t take long for them to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.  Neither one expected to fall hard and fast, but they do.  I love the banter they share.  The heat between them is both tender and hot.  They have steamy physical scenes on the page, as well as some romantic and emotional moments.  Gemma is a strong woman who is secure in herself and what she wants for her life. I really appreciated that she knows how to have fun.  I adored her.  Blake is a hottie.  I love his willingness to go after what he wants and the way he quickly fits into Dixon.  Gotta love a hot cowboy, even if he is new to it.

This was a book I read in one sitting.  Dinner can wait and all that.  I fell in love with the small town of Dixon and its quirky characters.  The family dynamics are fun and realistic to a large family.  I appreciated the work that the author put into creating this wonderful new world that already feels complete.  I am so excited for this series.  I can’t wait for the next book.

Goldilocks and the Grumpy Bear by Kaci West 

(Jeni Bara and A.J. Ranney)

#Holiday #Novella #GrumpySunshine #SingleDad #SingleMom

5 STARS

This is the first book under this pen name by author duo Jeni Bara and AJ Ranney.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.

Natalie and Declan literally crash together at a time when neither is expecting it.  He is gruff and grumpy and just trying to spend some time with his son Chris.  Natalie is taking some me time.  She is trying to find herself under the weight of being a single mom and a teacher and all the responsibilities that she carries.  She is fun, carefree, not prone to follow rules, and she is exactly what Declan needs.

They get off to a little bit of a rocky start, but it doesn't take long for both of them to realize there is chemistry and more bubbling between them.

I loved Declan's awe as he gets to know Natalie.  I love the way that Nat appreciates Declan for who he is and has zero interest in his job.  I adored seeing him have fun with her and letting go.  There is plenty of heat, sweet moments, and a sappy HEA that I absolutely loved.  This author partnership will be one to watch and read more as they release more books.

Dusk Before Dawn (Love Bitten #1) by Fiona Davenport

#FatedMates #Paranormal #Vampire #Virgin #Novella

5 STARS

This is the first book in the Love Bitten series.  It is a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Kieran is a day walker vampire who has been searching for his consort for nearly a millennium.  Thana turns 20 only to discover her aunt has agreed to have her marry a stranger who she dislikes on sight.  She runs and Kieran saves her and so much more.

I adored Kieran.  He is a good guy with a strong protective nature.  He is also super possessive when he realizes that Thana was meant ot be his.  Thana has been patient with her aunt, trying to wait until she is 21 to break free.  I loved her easy acceptance of Kieran and the world he exposes her to.  I love how readily she falls for him.  They have some hot moments and a funny and sweet HEA.

This was an interesting world created in a short read.  It felt well developed and was a new take on vampires for me.  I loved the distinction between day walkers and night walkers and their differing motivations.  I was impressed and I will be coming back for more of this series.

Mace (Lighthouse Security Investigations #1) 

by Maryann Jordan

#RomanticSuspense #SingleMom 

4.5 STARS

Book one of the Lighthouse Security Investigations series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in third person from multiple POV.

Sylvie is a single mom who meets Mace after a very bad day becomes a worse week.  Mace is the founder of a security and special ops organization.  He is committed to rescuing those in need.  When he sees the situation with Sylvie and her son, David, he jumps right in to help them.

Mace is a really good guy with a little bit of baggage. I really liked his character a lot.  Sylvie is doing her very best to be a good mom while dealing with a less than desirable work situation and a crummy Ex.    I loved her relationship with her son and how protective she is of him.  I really appreciated that she could read and trust Mace early on.  I love the heat between them, though it does take them a little while to give into it.  I really adored the relationship Mace forms with David and how easily he falls for him.  I also love the way he understands and communicates with David.  

Elements of danger, steamy scenes, and some romance made this a wonderful read for me by this new-to-me author.  I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

Royal Ties (An Ainsworth Royals Novella) by Emily Silver

#Novella #Prequel

5 STARS

This prequel novella is a standalone short novella and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

This was a quick, steamy, romantic read that is set 5 years before the beginning of Royal Reckoning. It gives reader the back story on Trevor and Ruby. They have instant chemistry and fall hard and fast for each other. Though they don't waste any time getting things hot between them, this novella actually takes place over several weeks of their relationship. Trevor is a little out of his depth with the relationship aspect of things. But he figures it out fast and is 100% swoony as he takes care of Ruby when she needs it. Ruby is fun and fierce and I adored her so, so much. I think it has been about a year since I read book one of this series and I somehow missed this prequel last time. I think I need to do a reread of book one now before I find a way to binge the series.

Finding Luck Again: Get Lucky by Ember Davis

#Instalove #Novella

5 STARS

I picked up this book because I loved the cover and when I read the blurb it was set in Ireland.  Having visited there for the first time last fall, I was dying to read Finley's impression of the country.  This novella is written in forst person from an alternating dual POV.

Finley is looking to turn her life and her luck around by visiting her roots and learning about the country of her grandparents.  Doyle is a friend of her brother's tasked with the favor of looking after her while she is there.  Doyle has no problem with this.  As soon as he sees Finley he is head over heels.  It doesn't take her long to catch up and their HEA was never in question.

This was a steamy read written with some beautifully lyrical prose at times.  I rarely highlight much in a novella but this one had me highlighting a lot. Swoony romantic lines, long looks, intimate moments: they make this a story I am glad I grabbed.  It was wonderful.