Happy Weekend! I read four ARCs this week. I hope my reviews help you find your next favorite read.
This week was all about single dads, silver foxes, and discovering a life the characters always wanted but never thought they would have. These were all excellent ARCs that made a wonderful week of reading for me. Check out my reviews to add these new releases to your TBR.
No Going Back
(Cross Creek #3/Cowboys of Moss Creek # 7)
by Janice Whiteaker
ARC: Release Date- 06/16/2023
#AgeGap #CurvyGirl #SmallTown #HealingLove #ARC
5 STARS
Book three in the Cross Creek series can be read as a
standalone and ends with a HEA. This
story follows Griffin, the father of Troy in book two. As a result, Troy is integral to this story
and readers may find it beneficial to read book two first. This story is written in third person from an
alternating dual POV.
Dianna has only been in town for six months when she first
meets Griffin. Both are rocked by mutual
attraction that neither one is looking for.
I love the work Dianna has done to start over and deal with the traumas
of her past. She is at a point where she
is realizing how to combat the negative voices from her past and recognizing
that it is a continual process. I love
her perseverance, her strength, and her kindness.
Griffin has just completely changed his life to move to town
and be the father he never thought he would get to be. He is a silver fox with his own past traumas
and baggage he needs to address. I love
that he can’t stay away from Dianna. They
get together with a whole lot of heat.
His mouth is filthy in the very best way, and Dianna is surprised by how
much she loves it. There is personal growth
for both characters throughout the story.
They must figure out how to give each other what they need without
sacrificing their own needs. They learn
to communicate, which is sometimes harder than it would seem to be. At 37 and almost 50, these characters are
mature in age and have had accomplishments on their own before they get
together. In this story they learn how
to depend on each other, but also how not to let each other down. There are a few surprises along the way that
lead to a wonderful HEA for this couple who must work for it. I loved this book, and I am dying to go back
and read the other books in the series I have missed.
Author's Trigger Warnings:
"This book contains topics some readers might find difficult to read or hear about. These include spousal abuse, PTSD, and pregnancy complications. Please consider skipping this story if you are sensitive to any of these subjects."
ARC: Release Date- 06/19/2023
#Billionaire #OppositesAttract #ARC
5 STARS
Book one in the Elgin series can be read as a standalone and
ends with a HEA. Other characters from
the author’s previous books make some appearances, but it only made me want to
dive into her backlist. I did not feel
like it affected the story. This book is
written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Lotta and Aide are both rich, only Lotta does not realize
that when she first meets Aide at a community center refurb project. What she does know is that she is instantly
attracted to the big, gruff hottie. Aide
can’t deny his attraction to Lotta, but he believes her to be a bit of a spoiled
princess. At first, readers see Lotta
through Aide’s eyes and I was afraid I was not going to like her. Thankfully, the author quickly reveals to the
reader and to Aide that appearances can be deceiving. Lotta is actually a wonderful character. I loved her strength, perseverance, and
matter-of-act attitude. I adore that she
owned her needs and her physical appearance with a confidence that was
inspiring. I love how she accepts
herself completely. She is a character with
the wisdom of an old soul. Aide, on the
other hand, is struggling with meshing the person he used to be with the person
he is now. I really
liked that Lotta was able to understand Aide so quickly and help him through
some of his struggles. I loved Aide’s dirty mouth and mind. I really loved how much he appreciated Lotta
for all that she is.
Lotta and Aide are super steamy together. (I would also like to say that I appreciated
Aide’s hairy chest- Yum!) Heat radiates from the page. At the same time, they share a lot of emotion
once they allow their vulnerabilities through.
They fall for each other in the most beautiful way; becoming more to
each other in a very short time. One of
the things I appreciate most about this author is how she handles the third act
of her books. Instead of a contrived and
angsty dark moment, her couples tend to just have a minor wobble that is quickly
resolved. I love that. Aide and Lotta handle their disagreement with
maturity and communication.
(I also need to note that I adore the side characters in
this book. In particular, Judy was a fun
character to read. Usually, characters
with my name have been the villainous type; it as a treat to read a character
with my name who was a strong and fiery woman who says what is on her mind.)
This was a fantastic read that I didn’t want to put
down. I am so excited to read more of
this author’s work, and I believe I will be diving into that backlist soon.
ARC: Release Date- 06/22/2023
#AgeGap #BestFriendsBrother #SmallTown #SingleDad #Nanny
#ARC
5 STARS
Book two of the series can be read as a standalone and ends
with a HEA. It is written in first person
from an alternating dual POV.
Ivy has a summer off between college and pursuing an
internship at a gallery in Seattle over twelve hours away. She offers to help Mason, the oldest brother
of her best friend, watch his little girl, Willow, over the summer before she
goes. I love that Ivy has had a secret crush
on Mason for a long time, yet never acted on it. I love that Mason has seen Ivy as more than
his sister’s friend for a few years.
Despite their 10-year age gap, these two fit together perfectly. Ivy can offer Mason a comfort he didn’t
realize he was missing while forming a beautiful friendship with Willow. Mason appreciates Ivy for everything she
is. The way she acts with his daughter
completely melts him. Seriously, he never
stood a chance.
This was a steamy read with all the heart-melting moments I needed. I am loving this small-town series. I cannot wait for the next book.
#Celebrity #SingleMom #SingleDad
#Fake Relationship #ARC
5 STARS
Book one in the new series can be read as a standalone and
ends with a HEA. It is written in third
person from an alternating dual POV.
Em is a wonderful character. Starting over in Denver with her daughter
(9) and her family nearby, life is not how she pictured it would be. I love that she is determined not to be in
the shadows again. I love how she is as
a mom. Ethan has been a celebrity chef
on the Nosh network. The arrival of a daughter
her never knew he had changed everything.
He is focused on his future but not afraid to explore the present.
This book had me giggling from chapter one. Emmaline manages to find herself in
uncomfortable conditions on a regular basis.
Ethan, with his suave Australian accent, tends to be part of all her
recent embarrassments. When they embark
on a fake relationship, they are doomed to the chemistry that consumes
them. I love the friendship they
form. I love the way their girls get
along and plot for a successful future.
Chemistry cannot help but to become more. I love that neither one of the MCs are ready to
jump and it takes time to admit their feelings.
This was a book with many funny moments, some steam and lots
of feels. I am so excited to see what
comes next.
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