Book reviews from the week of July 21st

 

Happy weekend! This week I read one ARC, two books from my TBR, and a new-to-me author just for fun. I was a week with variety that I appreciated while I have been traveling. 

I left Colorado on Wednesday and have been to Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia in a few days. I will be spending the next two weeks here in West Virginia with my dad while he has surgery and my brother is taking a well-deserved break to go to Sturgis, SD. I will be caring for the cows and goats while I am here and I found out this morning that four of the goats are expected to kid while I am here.  I am hoping they don't run into any issues because my experience in that area is from the show Call the midwife and I'm not sure how helpful that would actually be.

I have a few ARCs to read while I am here, but I am really hoping I get a chance to tackle some more books from the TBR. We'll see how that goes. Dad has a habit of finding projects for me.

Until next week, happy reading.

Cowboy and the Convict (Cowboys of Moss Creek #9) 

by Janice Whiteaker

ARC: Release Date- 07/26/2024

#FirstResponder #SingleDad #SmallTown #ARC

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

Devon is a widowed dad with three teenage daughters. He is a local policeman, and he has his hands more than full with his job and taking care of his house, his family, and a growing number of resident animals.  Janie is single, working two jobs, and doing her best to make ends and pay off her debts. They are both mature (40’s age range) and they have baggage that influences how they react to each other.

I adored Devon. He is a little overwhelmed yet still does his best to take care of Janie: especially when she is not taking care of herself. He is a passionate man, a dirty talker, and a soft heart under everything else. Janie is very independent, sarcastic, and a little grumpy with the way her life has turned out. Though she isn’t really a convict at all.  I adored their chemistry, their hesitation to jump into something that could hurt in the end, and the way they both interact with his daughters.

This was a fun read that I finished on the airplane, and I definitely recommend it.

Dating in the Deep End (Dating in Dublin) 

by Lyndsey Gallagher

#Celebrity #CinnamonRollHero #SingleMom #EnemiesToLovers

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this third book in series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. This is a steamy, open-door romance with no third act breakup.

Ronan is a player. As a winner of two Olympic gold medals in swimming he has had no problem getting any woman he wants: except for one.  Savannah is a single mom of twin 6-year-old girls who has made her brand as Single Sav. She has capitalized on her status as a single mom to provide a very good, if somewhat lonely, living for herself after being hurt badly 7 years ago.

The attraction between the two characters is strong. There is no way to deny the chemistry and sparks that fly between them. They have banter and teasing as Savannah denies her attraction to Ronan, and Ronan levels all his truths disguised as jesting flirtatiousness. I absolutely love it when a hero falls first, and Ronan falls hard. His willingness to do anything to prove his feelings to Savannah is endearing. I really love the relationship he builds with her girls and how much they adore him. This book takes their banter to friendship to more very quickly. I appreciated that there is no third act break up and that they handle their relationship maturely. Savannah must choose Ronan over her brand and evolve into something new. I appreciated the way the author handled her feelings about the big steps she takes to get her happy ending. Ronan’s support and willingness to move at her pace is everything.

Funny in places, steamy, and with just the right amount of swoon: this was a joy to read.

The Duke and I (Forever Yours #2) by Stacy Reid

#HistoricalRomance #DisabledMC #Novella

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

I love how strong Emma is to overcome her initial injuries and deal with the long-lasting effects with them every day in such a brave and persistent manner.  She is very independent and at 25 feels like she should be able to make her own choices for her life despite her family’s objections.  She creates a plan that she believes will give her one night of happiness to reflect on for the rest of her life. When she executes the plan, she eventually gains so much more. But to get it she must put aside her fears and embrace her bravery.

Elliot (29) is the Duke of Hartford. He has been madly in love with Emma for the last 10 years. His life changed dramatically over that time. He is a rake with a heart of gold though. I loved how he allowed Emma to face her fears while being there to support her. I love how he fights for their love and their future. He has some of the swooniest, most romantic lines, and not just, “It’s always been you.” It is not hard to love him, and I adored their happy ending.

This is a steamy historical that allows the characters to be naughty and cause a wee bit of scandal along the way. I love everything I have read by this author and this was no exception.

Room Ten: Lights, Camera, Action! (Club Sin #10) 

by Cassie Mint

#AgeGap #Bodyguard #Novella  #Virgin #WhyChoose

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

This was a fast spicy novella that contained an interesting premise of the h taking control of her destiny and thwarting her king pin uncle’s plan to sell her V-card at auction. I loved how each of the bodyguards met a different emotional need for her. I love how they each communicate with each other and get used to the idea that together they will make her happier than only one of them could. I love how protective and considerate they are of her. There are hot times leading up to the club and a group scene at the club. There was one configuration that seemed logistically not possible but read as hot anyway. This was my first book by this author, and she delivered the quick, $mutt-y read I was looking for with some likeable characters and an interesting plot premise.