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Book reviews from the week of December 17th

 


Happy Weekend!

The holiday season is always crazy, and this year is no exception.  Here I have baking, planning, shopping, wrapping, and cleaning. Not to mention the day/night job.  So this week I read one ARC, two books that have been on my TBR for a while, and a free novella gifted to Emily Silver's Facebook group.  I hope my reviews help you find a new books to love, because I really enjoyed all of them.

Make sometime for yourself this holiday and get some reading in. Until next week, happy holidays and happy reading.


Point of Contact (Alaska Security- Team Rogue #11) 

by Jemma Westbrook

ARC: Release Date- 12/22/2023

#Bodyguard #RoadTrip #ForcedProximity #EnemiesToLovers #HealingLove #GrumpyHero #RomanticSuspense #ARC

5 STARS

This final book of the series follows Reed and Courtney on their way to their HEA.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.  Though Reed and Courtney's story stands alone, as the final book in the series it wraps up some underlying plot points that cross the series.  As a result, readers will get the most benefit from reading at least the last three books in the series (in order of publication) and saving this one for last.

Reed has some complicated feelings about his job at Alaska Security.  His eyes are opened to his feelings and judgements as he and Courtney get to know each other.  I love his passion and snark.  I love his fierce protectiveness of those he cares about.  I adore his loyalty.  Courtney helps him find his sense of humor and his compassion.  Courtney was a lot different than I expected.  Once I was able to see beneath her protective facade, I really admired her.  She has a strong survival instinct and determination to succeed against the odds.  She is observant, tough, and smart.  She is also vulnerable., has abandonment issues, and a belief that she will never be enough for someone to actually like and care for her just for herself.  Reading as Reed fell for her sassy, snarky self was fun.  Reading as he builds up her confidence and floods her with love was a joy.  

Running from danger, they embark on a close quarter, high speed road trip from Florida to Alaska.  Sparks fly the whole time with small eruptions of the heat between them.  Once they make it there, then they finally take the heat up a couple notches and admit the feelings that they have developed.  Fabulous dialogue, some heat, and a touch of suspense: this book perfectly ends this series by tying up loose ends and setting up some of the next things to come.




The One I Want (Rolling Hills #1) by Chelle Sloan

#Sports #SingleDad #Nanny #Workplace #SmallTown

5 STARS

Book one in the Rolling Hills Series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Wes (35) stole my heart from the very first chapter.  Readers meet him and his soon-to-be ex-wife as she is leaving him.  Poor Wes.  He was completely shocked to suddenly be a single dad just as he is getting ready to retire from professional football.  I loved how is as a dad.  He adores his kids and struggles to find the balance between his career and making sure he is meeting their needs and giving them all his love.  Luckily, he has a fabulous support system.  His parents and friends are there to rally around him and help him find his way.  The found family of this friend group is everything.  They bicker and banter and tease each other: yet their interactions are honest and loving.

Betsy (29) is new to town following her friend Whitney to Rolling Hills after her parents cut her off.  Her relationship with her parents could only be described as completely dysfunctional.  They are not nice.  Surrounded by Wes’ family and the extended friend group, Betsy really blossoms.  Though she has failed at so many jobs over time, she is the perfect addition to Wes and his kids.  Her immediate attachment to the kids, which develops into love very quickly, is just what they need.  Her support and defense of them is perfect.  Especially against their mother.  Her southern beauty queen put down to Cara in defense of Emerson and herself had me rolling and reciting it out loud to my hubby.  I want to be Betsy when I grow up.

The heat between Betsy and Wes is intense.  Immediately attracted to one another, they keep things mostly professional until he is free.  In the meantime, they form a friendship.  Once they decide to pursue a relationship, they have a few learning curves regarding assumption and communication.  Thankfully, there isn’t a third act break up, per se, so much as a misunderstanding that requires some growth.  Their mature approach to their relationship and parenting the kids after that was on-point.  Lots of laughs, plenty of steamy moments, and all the heart-warming scenes you could want: this book is a keeper.  It is a pleasure to watch and read as authors grow and develop into their own style.  This is my new favorite of this author.


The One I Need (Rolling Hills #2) by Chelle Sloan

#OppositesAttract #CinnamonRollHero #HealingLove #OneNightStand #OneBed #AccidentalMarriage #SmallTown

5 STARS

 Book two in the series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

I knew Oliver’s book was going to be something else after meeting him in book one.  I did not know that he was going to become one of my favorite heroes of all time.  This man! He loves love.  He wants a loving nuclear family so badly that he has proposed 33 separate times when this book begins.  I fell hard for Oliver and his caring, romantic soul.  Izzy couldn’t be more different than him, yet they are perfect for each other.  She has vowed to never marry-EVER. She is the perfect girl boss.  She is a force who says it like it is and takes no prisoners.  I loved how fierce she is. 

Their one-night-stand was a little bit of a surprise.  Under Oliver’s kind and gentle exterior is a bit of an alpha with a filthy mouth once he is in the bedroom (or the shower).  They are hot, hot, hot together.  Afterwards, I adored Oliver’s persistence and his efforts to woo Izzy.  I loved them as friends. I loved them even more after they accidentally married each other.  They have some challenges to overcome, but they get there in the very best way.

The friend group show up for these two in a big way.  I love their found family and the way they interact with each other.  Izzy has some serious baggage and I love that Oliver is the one who loves her and helps her heal.  Seriously, every woman needs an Oliver.  This will certainly be one of my favorite opposites attract books of the year.  Lots of heat, laughs, a little angst without a third act break up:  I absolutely loved this book.


Yours To Love (A Dixon Creek Ranch Novella) 

by Emily Silver

#SmallTown #Novella

5 STARS

This little novella can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Birdie is new to Jackson as a forest ranger when she stops into The Tipsy Cocktail in Dixon for a drink.  The bartender is Jordan, and the attraction is instant.  Though they do not get together that night, they do get together soon after that.  Serendipity is at play bringing these two and their combustible chemistry together.  Steamy and sweet, this was a short, fun read.  I enjoyed stopping by Dixon again for one more HEA.

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