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Book Reviews from March 17th to March 31st

 



Happy weekend! And Happy Easter to those celebrating. I have been traveling for the last ten days. I attended The Sweetgrass Author Event in Charleston, SC last weekend. I was also able to spend a little time there sightseeing and eating delicious low country cuisine. Then I flew to Pittsburgh and drove to WV to spend time with my dad. Farm life is busy and my reading is a little light because of it.

In the last 2 weeks. I read three ARCs and listened to one audiobook novella. reviews are below and you will see that I enjoyed every one of these. I hope you add them to your TBR. Till next week, happy reading.


The Drawback of Single Dads (Lake Starlight #4) 
by Piper Rayne

ARC: Release Date- 03/26/2024

#FriendsToLovers #SingleDad #SingleMom #SmallTown #ARC

5 STARS

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.

Palmer is a heroine who is deaf. She has cochlear implants and I felt like the authors handled this with appropriate care. She is also a romance writer and I loved how the book she is writing is interwoven into this book. It sheds light on her relationship and her past with Hudson in a way that normal flashbacks could not.

Hudson is a snowboard instructor who is very involved in his daughter’s life. I like that he and Palmer made an arrangement that allowed them to co-parent so well together. I liked his easy-going attitude and his history as friends with Palmer.

There are funny moments and some angst as they navigate dating others. In the process, they both began to realize that they had deeper feelings than friendship between them. They definitely have heated moments, but I most appreciated the tenderness between them. Their road isn’t without potholes, but they make it through to become the family they were meant to be. This was another very enjoyable read for me by this author duo.



HateMates by J.D. Hollyfield 

ARC: Release Date 04/04/2024

#Bodyguard #EnemiesToLovers #ForcedProximity #RomanticSuspense #ARC

5 STARS

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this book can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Readers may be surprised to not get Tate’s POV until several chapters in, but that allows us to fully understand Mindy’s character and I believe it was important to the book.  As a spin-off from Power, Fay and Theo play an important role in this book and readers will have maximum enjoyment by reading Power first (even though it is not necessary to enjoy HateMates).

Mindy is Fay’s best friend.  She is vibrant, fearless, and determined to succeed in a world stacked against her. When she gets attacked, Fay and Theo insist she have a bodyguard. Enter Tate. He is big, brooding ex-military and loaded down with his own baggage. They have many hurdles to overcome on the way to their happy ending. They each have baggage. Mindy’s not-so-nice follower presents big problems. There is danger and amazing banter along the way. The chemistry between the characters burns bright, and hot times are both spicy and unavoidable. I love how Tate wants to give Mindy every opportunity for a brighter future, even if he doesn’t believe he belongs in it. Mindy is witty and stronger than she realizes. I loved how she brings Tate through his own growth while envisioning a different future for herself than she believed possible.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read filled with clever banter, hot times, danger, and emotional growth. This author just keeps getting better and this is my new favorite book of hers.




Until It Was Love by Pippa Grant                                                          

ARC: Release Date-04/11/24

#GrumpySunshine #Sports #ARC

5 STARS

This new standalone Romcom is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.

Goldie is a life coach who has learned to focus on the positive things in life. Fletcher is a rugby player who has just moved back to the US to play for the Copper Valley Pounders. One of his teammates is Goldie’s brother, Silas. They are not getting along, but that only encourages Goldie to accept Fletcher’s offer of a date. It very quickly becomes so much more.

This is a classic Pippa romantic comedy. I was giggling out loud from the beginning. Full of witty banter, sarcastic comebacks, and good-natured poking at all the tender spots: these two easily push each other’s buttons. They share a physical attraction that produces the right amount of heat. More than that, they share an emotional connection and understanding of each other and the baggage they carry.

Goldy is brave, confident, and I absolutely adored her. Fletcher may hide behind a bad mustache and a pompous attitude, but underneath he is a good man who wants to be loved and accepted for who he is.  He becomes utterly devoted to Goldie before he even realizes it. And seriously? Who can resist a man who carries his little dog around in a baby sling?  This book is another winner and sets us up for a Copper Valley rugby series and I. Am. Here. For. It.




Lucky Suit (The Guys Who Got Away #6) 

by Lauren Blakely

Narrated by Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt

#Audiobook #MistakenIdentity 

5 STARS

This novella is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.  It is a sweet romance that was a quick listen and ended with a HEA.

Kristen has a meddling grandmother who helps her find love with Cameron, despite her not being interested in another set up. Cameron is a business man who travels extensively for work. His uncle lives in Miami and on a visit to car auction, he meets Kristen's grandmother. I loved how the two characters hit it off from the beginning. I love the chemistry they share and the fun they have together along the way.

This was a quick listen that was thoroughly enjoyable.  The narrators provided a stellar performance that enhanced the story and brought it to life.

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