Happy weekend! This week I read four novels (including one ARC), one novella, and listened to two audiobook short stories. Of those, three were new-to-me authors. With Valentine's day, returning to work after recovering from the flu, and getting my house back in order for the same reason, it was a hectic week. Sometimes I just need a read that I know I can finish in a short period of time and will guarantee me a warm fuzzy feeling. If it also meets a reading challenge requirement along the way, then that is even better. Check out this week's reviews. I hope you find some new books to add to your TBR.
Betting Against the Scoundrel (Dukes and Secrets #4)
by Mariah Stone
ARC: Release Date-02/27/2024
#EnemiesToLovers #Virgin #Historical #ARC
4 STARS
Book four in the series is written in third person from an
alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA. Due to the nature of the plot of the
series, this book is best read last in the series though it fully contains the
love story of Spencer and Joanna.
Spencer and Joanna have an immediate attraction to each other. They work against each other, then with each other to achieve a common goal. Spencer is facing a lot on his return. He must learn to accept that the life he left and them man he is are no longer the same in the present. I liked how feisty Joanna is in her pursuit to protect her family. She is more than a little reckless, which often places her in danger. Spencer’s bitterness and his focus on revenge are not attractive, and I was glad that Joanna softens his edges with her love. Steamy moments with times full of action/suspense, this was a pleasant wrap-up of the series.
Accidentally On Purpose (Accidentally Yours #1)
by Noelle O'Ryan
#Bodyguard #ForcedProximity #FakeRelationship #Debut
4 STARS
This author's debut novel is written in first person from the FMC's POV. It can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA. The epilogue also creates curiosity for the next book and makes the reader want to keep reading.
Jessie is a curvy 5'2" bodyguard to Elliot. I loved jessie's snark and sarcasm. Some of her turns of phrase had me giggling and snort-laughing out loud. In that way, it reminded me a little of Jackie Walker's writing. Jessie has a past and some secrets. She has no idea how amazing everyone around her thinks she is. Elliot is older (not sure how much older) and as a client has been harboring a crush on Jessie. When danger calls, he is quick to pull her to his side. Readers learn about Elliot through Jessie. What I learned was that he has been patiently waiting for jessie to catch up with his feelings.
There is a bit of suspense in the plot and a little bit of heat along the way. The reader is sometimes kept in the dark about what Jessie actually knows. The timeline of the book is a little vague and I wish that it had been more defined. This is a good debut book. I am excited to see where the author goes from here.
Wanting the Winger (Charleston Coyotes Hockey #1)
by Jacob Chance
#Sports #SingleMom #CinnamonRollHero
5 STARS
Book one in the Charleston Coyotes hockey series, this is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.
Darius (26) is a profession a hockey player who falls fast and hard for Evie (24) after she grooms his dog in a special way. BTW, Brutus is a good boy. Evie is a single mom with a great relationship with her ex as they co-parent their 7-year-old daughter, Tillie. Though she has sworn off ever dating hockey players, she falls for Darius before she knows that he is in that category.
This book has a little bit of secret identity, a few hot moments, and a lot of sweet scenes. Darius is a good guy with a great relationship with his whole family. He wants a relationship like his parents have. I loved how he was willing to work for Evie, and how well they both communicated with each other. Evie is a good mom and a good friend to her ex. Both characters were easy to like. This was a quick, low-angst read with a believable happy ending. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
She's My Boo by Jacob Chance
#Paranormal #Holiday #Novella
5 STARS
Set around Samhain (Halloween) in Ireland, this was a quick read with an atypical HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Keegan is a 33-year-old who spends most of his time focusing on his career as the host of a supernatural TV show called Hauntings and Hops. I liked his openness to all things spiritual and his recognition of how his childhood shaped him. Readers learn quickly that Ginny is a ghost. Not that it stops these two from falling in love. Through the magic of the season, she has her body and all of the feelings that go with it.
This was steamy and fun to read. I wasn't sure how the author would get a HEA, but he did it. There is emotional angst and heartbreak along the way to an interesting happy ending. I wanted more. I wanted to know more about Ginny's past. I wanted more of the couple on the way to their HEA. I will be thinking about this for a while.
Rosie and the Dreamboat (Improbable Meet-Cute #3)
by Sally Thorne
Narrated by Bailey Carr
#Audiobook #Holiday #ShortStory #Firefighter #FirstResponder
4 STARS
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. It was a new narrator for me, and I thought she did a really good job.
Written in first person from Rosie's POV, this was a cute short story. Leo is a good guy and helps Rosie stay calm in a situation where I would have completely lost it. Rosie, through the experience, learns to understand herself better and appreciate her own positive attributes instead of always comparing herself to her sister. These two were meant to be.
The Worst Wingman Ever (The Improbable Meet-Cute #2)
by Abby Jimenez
Narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber
#Audiobook #Holiday #ShortStory
4 STARS
This short story is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and has a happy ending.
Holly is a hospice nurse caring for her grandmother during her last days. John is a handyman who's brother lives in the same apartment complex as Holly's grandmother. Through a series of events, notes, and unplanned meetings, they discover that they really like each other. Their notes lift each other on rough days. I liked both characters and really enjoyed this story. Perfect for some time on the treadmill.
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