September started, I blinked, and now it is the thirteenth of the month. Between traveling with the hubby to the Bronco Super Celebration in Buena Vista, Colorado (where we got to take our Bronco on some fun offroad trails) and working at the job, I can't believe the month is nearly half gone. I read four arcs and one book from a new-to-me author during the past two weeks. I cannot imagine a better reading start to any month EVER. I no longer include star ratings on my blog post, but rest assured: these five books all deserve more than five stars.
I was able to continue three series that I already love with ARCs of three books that released this week. Emmett Noughton is not only a goof of a younger brother, he turned out to have depth I didn't expect in the newest addition to the Plain Daisy Ranch series. Claire Kingsley delivered another romantic suspense and a mystery that kept me up very, very, late to finish the book. At the same time it left me not wanting to finish because I didn't want to leave the characters behind. Elodie Hart/Sara Madderson gave me the next book in her Alchemy series with a couple who were meant to be despite tragic circumstances that should have kept them apart. It was unmercifully hot and emotional as they find their person in each other anyway. I got to read a hilarious and touching standalone of Melanie Moreland's upcoming release. I love a good grumpy/sunshine boss book, and she nailed it. And I finally got to read a book by Susie Tate, who I met in Denver earlier this year. Her book touched me in such a profound way, I am designing a book lover tattoo that includes the title somewhere in it. I'm not sure when I will be able to get it, but I know I want it.
You need these books in your life. Check out my reviews and add them to your TBR. Until next time, happy reading!
#Cowboy #EnemiesToLovers #FamilySeries #ForcedProximity #SurprisePregnancy
#SmallTown
Book three of the Plain Daisy Ranch series can be read as a
standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV.
Emmett is the youngest Noughton brother. He is the clown,
the playboy, the goof and we finally get to see the man under that mask of an
exterior. Underneath, he is a soft heart with his own damage and insecurities.
He falls HARD for Briar, and it takes him completely by surprise. It was
wonderful to read. I love how attentive and protective he is of her. I loved
how he was all-in. He was a sweetheart.
Briar returns to town with a secret and a bit of a broken
heart. Emmett was her one-time crush in high school, but he did something to
make that disappear. When she arrives, she only has enmity and anger towards
him. I loved how she gave him a chance when she got to really know him. I loved
how she came to lean on his strength and support.
This book was a surprise that captured me and would not let go. Emmett surprised me in the best way. I think he is my favorite Noughton.
Temptation Trails (Haven Brothers Series #3)
by Claire Kingsley
ARC: Release Date- 09/12/2024
#FamilySeries #FirstResponder #SingleDad #RomanticSuspense
#SurprisePregnancy #SmallTown
Book three of the Haven Brothers series can be read as a
standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV.
Garrett Haven: serious single dad, county deputy, all-around
good guy.
Harper Tilburn: new to Tilikum, loves to bake, heart of
gold, cursed with bad luck.
I could not put this book down. I stayed up late to finish
it, then got up the next day and reread several chapters. Garrett was a
wonderful hero. I LOVED him. He has a “blip” when he first meets Harper and can
never recover. Harper pretty much has the same reaction to him. Neither one is
looking for love, but it found them anyway. There was so much to love about
this book. Garrett and Harper can’t keep their hands off each other and the open-door
scenes reflect their passion. They also reflect the intimacy they forge through
their physical connection, though that part surprised both of them. I loved Garrett’s relationship with his son,
Owen. More though, I adored the relationship that Harper builds with him.
The suspenseful subplot kept me guessing while the family
dynamics made me want to stay in the world the author created forever. This is
one I wish I could read again for the first time. There was so much to love. I
swear, this author just keeps getting better. I just don’t have the words to do
this one justice. Read it. You won’t be sorry.
ARC: Release Date - 09/12/2024
#AgeGap #Billionaire #BDSM #EnemiesToLovers #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Readers who have read other
books in the series will find that the heat comes along a little farther into
this book than the others, but I found that the pace was necessary for Nat and
Adam’s relationship to develop.
This was a beautifully woven story of redemption,
forgiveness, and reaching personal and professional potential. It is also a
beautiful love story of two people who shouldn’t fit together due to circumstance
yet can’t resist each other because they are meant to be. Almost from the
beginning we see Adam (38) caring for Nat (28). The gentleness he showed her
blew me away. Gah! Readers may want to dislike Adam because of his past atrocities,
but I found it impossible. He was so self-aware. He has done a lot of work on
himself to make up for his past and he strives to be the man he is meant to be
not the man he was at 18. Twenty years is a long time to reflect and make
changes in your person and Adam has done that work.
“Dear Lord in heaven, help me survive this man.”
Nat is feisty, determined, creative, gorgeous, and smart. I
appreciated that Adam had to win her over to see the man he is and not the kid
he was. I liked the Type I diabetes representation in Natalie’s character. I
especially loved that she never had to explain it to Adam. It gave them a leg
up from the start. I really loved that she lives with her diabetes but is not
defined by her disease. I adored the way she came to trust Adam to an amazing
degree as he pushed her boundaries and brought her pleasure. I loved that she
wanted to be the one who gave him that release.
“He let me in. He let me see him, and by showing me
himself he’s obliterated my fear so fully it’s as if it never existed.”
The author does an amazing job of setting the scene.
Gorgeous and detailed descriptions create a sumptuous picture of Adam’s house
and lifestyle, the Alchemy clubs, and Natalie’s studio. I could picture the
rooms and the decorations. I could feel the weight and luxury of Nat’s fabrics
and dresses. I could feel all the emotions from anger, to fear, to passion, to
love as they poured across the page. Steamy scenes and intense emotional
connection bind these two characters to each other. While Adam wants to offer
Nat all the care he can, he must also learn to accept the care that Nat wants
to lavish on him. It was truly moving, and my heart is beyond full after reading
their story.
“I never thought that being loved would feel like such a precious gift.”
My Favorite Boss by Melanie Moreland
ARC: Release Date- 09/17/24
#Billiionaire #GrumpySunshine #OppositesAttract #Workplace #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
standalone has a very happy ending.
I love a good grumpy boss who falls for the sunshine
assistant who can handle everything he throws at her. This was a wonderful
example of that. Bane (34) is irresistibly grumpy on the outside hiding a heart
of gold on the inside. Magnolia (26) enters his world and literally knocks him
off his feet. She is quirky while being extremely efficient and professional.
She organizes his office world then conquers the Alexander Bane that few know. Her
sense of humor was fun and irreverent. I also need to give her a nod for her
poetry skills. (IYKYK)
They have a habit of finding themselves in inappropriate situations in the office and they had me laughing out loud more than once. Maggie is full of wit and some of her on-the-fly comebacks are completely priceless. There is an attraction between them that is undeniable, and they can’t resist each other. Hot office times, oh my! I loved the cover, the tropes, the characters, and absolutely everything this book has to offer. Then the author had to add in an adorable kitten who brings out the very best in Bane and I was a goner. This was an exceptionally fun read. I loved it.
This book also handles the topic of a parent with memory loss realistically and emotionally. As someone who has walked in those shoes, I really appreciated that.
Unperfect by Susie Tate
#Healing Love #SingleDad #Workplace
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. This was my first book by this
author after meeting her in Denver earlier this year. I adored the writing
style, the story telling, and the characters she put on the page (including
secondary characters that are critical to the story). After a few disappointing
reads, I decided to go after something a little different. I knew this book would be very British and
the blurb sucked me in immediately. It did not disappoint.
Every once in a while, a book comes along that touches me in
a profound way that is hard to describe. Mia’s journey away from her abusive
husband is fraught with the PTSD remaining from her experiences. When she
finally finds the courage to run away, she lands in Dorset where she attempts
to find a new beginning. I felt for Mia. She was so frightened and broken while
trying to regain her autonomy after not having it for so long. Though I have
been fortunate to not have had Mia’s experiences, I have several friends who
have lived a similar life and also survived. I felt like the author handled Mia
with care and honesty as she learned to stand on her own. It is a very
difficult process. I appreciated that Mia’s choices might not always make sense
to someone who has not walked in her shoes, but I loved that she made those
choices and missteps as they are true to the recovery process.
Max is a gruff, growly, brick house of a hero. His exterior
hides a marshmallow soft interior and covers the hurt and rejection he has
experienced in his past. In the beginning, he is a little oblivious to Mia’s
circumstances. I found that tracks with a man who is trying hard not to notice
an employee that intrigues him. In my experience men tend to hyperfocus on one
thing at a time and Max’s response to Mia felt true. I loved that he
deliberately gentles and works hard to be the man Mia needs without sacrificing
the man he is. I love that he puts her first and I adore the way Mia and her
situation impact Max’s son Teddy. I also really loved that Max and Mia are able
to become intimate without any historical trauma affecting that aspect of their
relationship. The care Max takes with Mia in those scenes melted me.
Domestic violence impacts not only the victim but those that
love them as they escape and recover. This book did an excellent job portraying
that. I also loved that Mia used available resources to aid in her recovery
because they are a necessary part of the process. Overall, this is a book that
will stay with me for a long, long time. I am looking forward to reading more
by this author.
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