Happy weekend! This week I read four ARCs and a book releasing next week thorough Amazon First Reads. I hope my reviews can convey how much I loved these books this week. I am all up in my feels as I write this. Hopefully, some of these will be just what you are seeking and bring some happiness to your holiday season.
I have been thinking a lot lately about romance in general and the romance community in particular. There is always going to be a negative Nellie here and there, but overall I frequent authors and groups that bring me joy. I love getting to know like-minded people online. Then, when we finally get to meet in person it is like reuniting with an old friend instead of meeting a stranger. Personally, I feel closer to my book friends than many of the people in my "real" life; even some I have known for many years.
So in this season of thanksgiving, I would like to give thanks for romance. I am thankful for interesting characters, fun plots, emotional moments, scenes that make me snort laugh, sexy scenes, and happy endings. I appreciate the many talented authors who transport me from reality to the fantastic worlds from their imaginations. That I can fall in love with the characters formed in their minds as if they were real people is a testimony to their skill and craft. Romancelandia seems to be a constantly evolving community. Two things I hope never change are the roots planted by the earlier authors of love and hope, and the vines grown by newer authors of greater representation and inclusivity. I am excited to see where future growth takes us and what will be represented on the new leaves of the future.
Until next week, I wish everyone a week of good books and happily ever afters.
Faked and Fumbled (Knoxville Coyotes #1) by Gina Azzi
ARC: Release Date- 11/30/2023
#BrothersBestFriend #Sports #FakeRelationship #OneBed #ARC
5 STARS
Book one in this series can be read as a standalone and ends
with a HEA. It is written in first
person from an alternating dual POV.
After the breakup of a long-term relationship and a betrayal
by her best friend, Raia returns home to Knoxville to heal. I loved her resilience. I loved her competitive nature and her drive
to achieve her dreams even in the face of adversity. Raia has a journey of self-discovery during
this book. I appreciated how she finally
sees the truth of things in a way she never thought possible. I adored the friendship
she had with Cohen before they ever decided to fake date. I loved their banter, and the support Cohen
offers because he just understands her in a way no one else does. Cohen is the real deal. He is the full package. I absolutely loved him because he is a good
and honorable guy. He also happens to be
able to get dirty when he needs to; and that was a treat. The chemistry and heat between them are
intense. I loved how emotional they were
while being physical. They were together
body, heart, and soul.
There was a lot to love about this book. I am sitting here writing this filled with the glow of their happy ending. I adored how they supported each other, pushed each other, and wanted only the best for each other through it all. I think I love the Coyotes, and I am excited to read more.
Everything But You (Newberry Springs #3)
by Harlow James
ARC: Release Date- 12/01/2023
#SecondChance #SmallTown #FamilySeries #GrumpyHero #RunawayBride
#ARC
5 STARS
Book three in the Newberry Springs series can be read as a standalone
and ends with a HEA. It is written in
first person from an alternating dual POV.
Forrest and Shauna get their happy ending in this final book
of the series. Forrest has never moved
on from the heartbreak of losing his first love in college. I adored how committed Forrest was to their
future even as a young man. He KNEW she
was it. Forrest is a grumpy, driven
hero. His protective nature and well-hidden
sense of humor made him a hero to love. I
especially loved seeing his very hidden romantic side evolve. Second chance can
be a tough trope. This author pulled
together a story that was not only believable but had me rooting for this couple
that was always meant to be. Shauna made the decisions she had to make for her
at the time, even though it broke both their hearts. She was a strong and
intelligent heroine. I loved her. Once she was true to herself about her
feelings and her dreams, she really blossomed.
I loved that their path required forgiveness, understanding, and a
willingness to move forward into the future instead of focusing on the past. I
love that they place importance on communication and honesty to get there. There are some seriously romantic moments
that left me swooning. And I really appreciated that there is no third act
break up.
There is the right amount of heat, emotion, and even
laughable moments in this book. The
Gibson family are a loveable bunch, and I adored this series so, so much!
MommaG is a special lady. I love the
relationship she shares with her husband, her sons, and most importantly with
her daughters-in-law. Mr. Gibson is quiet, patient, and full of wisdom. The brothers banter and support each other
with love and action. The women are committed
to their men and to each other. I will also say that the covers for this series
are pure perfection. They are certainly
some of my favorites of all time because they are dreamy, romantic, and represent
so much of the stories inside.
On a side note, I found this author with her book “Guilty As
Charged” and I love that Javi plays such an important role in Forrest’s
story. It was so nice to have a glimpse
of his future happiness after everything he went through. This whole series is
something special. It should be at the top
of every reader’s TBR.
Cowboy of Convenience (Moss Creek-PD #1)
by Janice Whiteaker
ARC: Release Date- 12/01/2023
#FakeRelationship #OppositesAttract #OneBed #SmallTown #FirstResponder #ARC
5 STARS
Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, book
one of a new series set in Moss Creek can be read as a standalone and ends with
a HEA.
Evelyn has made a fresh start in Montana making life choices
completely opposite of those she has made in her previous life. Grady is a protective cinnamon roll of a hero
who I fell for almost as fast as Evelyn did.
I admired Evelyn’s resilience and her bravery as she took steps to create
the life she wanted. Grady: he is a
perfect book boyfriend. His good heart
and his protective nature make it easy to swoon. There is so much in this book. There is witty banter, practical jokes, deep
emotional moments, romance, and heat. There
were moments when I snorted as I laughed out loud. While Grady and Evelyn deal
with the arrival of her grandmother with as much humor as they can, they are
also coming to terms with the realities that life has thrown at them. Evelyn has a lot of baggage to move past with
her familial relationships. Grady has
things happening in his personal life that are breaking his heart and
exhausting him physically. When they
commit to their fake relationship though, they are a team working together. The
friendship they form, and the respect they grant each other along the way, is a
beautiful and mature thing.
Though the story is a little bit of a slow burn, the heat
when they get there is worth the wait.
The support they offer each other and the love that easily comes to them
was beautiful to read. The author handles some difficult topics along the way,
but does so with a gentle hand. Having
been in Grady’s shoes, I appreciated the delicate touch with his mom. This was a beautifully written and romantic
story with likeable characters and depth to the plot that I didn’t expect, yet
fully enjoyed.
Author's Trigger Warning:
This book contains topics some readers might find difficult to read or hear about. These include dementia, and parental death.
Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey
Amazon First Reads: Release Date- 12/01/2023
#Holiday #MarriageOfConvenience #Sports #CinnamonRollHero #Novella
#FirstReads
5 STARS
I picked up this holiday novella through Amazon First Reads. It is a standalone and ends in a HEA. Written in first person from an alternating
dual POV< this was a delightful read.
Britta has some baggage, but when her brother’s teammate
needs a green card, she signs up for the marital business arrangement. Sumner is the hero every girl wants. Big and athletic with a soft squishy
heart. He has had eyes for Britta since
they met. His crush quickly becomes more
during their arrangement as he wins her over.
Britta must overcome a few obstacles and get out of her own way to have
the happy ending she and Sumner deserve.
A little bit of a slow burn, they finally come together with more than a
few sparks and al lot of steam.
This was a very enjoyable read. I like how time passes while they move from
friends to so much more. Britta needed
that time. Sumner’s patience was amazing,
and I absolutely adored him! If you are
looking for a novella for the holidays that packs more than you expect, this is
the one to grab.
ARC: Release Date 12/06/2023
#GrumpySunshine #SnowedIn #ForcedProxomity #OneBed #Holiday #Novella
#ARC
4 STARS
This standalone novella is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.
Pierce is sad, grumpy, and looking forward to spending his
holiday alone when a knock on the door makes that impossible. Rose is sunshine personified. When she ends up stranded in the snowstorm,
Pierce is her only hope.
I liked the chemistry between the two characters. I also liked that Rose helps Pierce find his
lighter side and move through his grief.
Rose is more than a little impulsive, but she is perfect for Pierce. Steamy, with funny moments, and all the fun,
this couple just needed and assist from the town matchmakers to find their
happy ending.
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