Book reviews for books read October 7th-12th

 

Happy weekend!  This week I read one new release and four ARCs. I feel like I am getting back into the groove of where I like to be, and I am coming close to finishing ARCs for October release. It was a busy week and now I need to get some stuff done around the house that I have neglected.

Take a look at the reviews and add these new and upcoming releases to your TBR.

Power Pose by Emily Silver

#FF #LGBTQIA+ #FakeRelationship #Novella

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this novella is a standalone and ends with a HEA.

I love a good fake relationship book and this one was fabulous. Raven is a boss babe and CEO of her family’s company in Seattle. She has an amazing heart that uses her business to create good in the world. Blair is an assistant prosecutor who has custody of her teenage sister and a lot on her plate. While Raven seems fearless in so many ways, Blair loves the comfort of predictability and security. There are times in the book where Blair is leading Raven to become more adventurous than she otherwise would. Blair embraces the world with wide-eyed wonder while assessing her own love life as fairly hopeless.

Together they have a fake dating contract that leads them to three fantastic weeks in Milan, Italy. There they fall in love, give in to lust and the chemistry between them, and take a chance on forever.

This was only my second FF book (both by this author) and I adored their story. I loved the deep emotional connection they developed. There are plenty of steamy open-door moments as they can’t really help themselves.  I really loved their HEA as they help each other to live their very best lives together with love. A beautiful romance.

Just One More Mistletoe (Sterling Family #3) 

by Carly Phillips

ARC: Release Date- 10/15/2024

#Instalove #FamilySeries #Holiday #Novella #ARC

Written in third person, this novella can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.

Brandy works for Samantha (Dare) Sterling, and I was happy to see her get her HEA after meeting her in other books. Max is the twin brother of Stephan, who also works with Samantha. When a slight case of mistaken identity leads to Brandy kissing Max in a sizzling kiss, their worlds are changed forever.

Set in NYC, this is a short and steamy holiday novella. When you add your holiday reads for the season, make sure this one is on the list.

Runaway Bride's Guide to Love (Guide to Love #1) 

by Chelle Sloan

ARC: Release Date- 10/17/2024

#AgeGap #BrothersBestFriend #FamilySeries #RunawayBride #SecretRomance #ARC

Book one in a new series spins off from The One series, this book can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. Set in Nashville and the fictional small town of Rolling Hills, this book is full of Tennessee charm.

Stella is 26 when she runs away from her wedding to her cheating and stealing fiancé. Emmett (37) spots the tearful girl in the wedding dress and doesn’t quite realize that his world is about to change forever. I loved Stella. She is fierce though a little naïve at times. I adored her spunk and determination. Emmett is a man made for a relationship though he never considered it. He is a fantastic boyfriend when they get to that point. Meanwhile, he is a terrific fling when they get going. I love everything he does for Stella. I also love that he lets her stand on her own when she needs to and only steps in when he must. I love that he allows her to find her strength after it had been denied her for so long. I adored the way he supported her and cherished her.

I think this might be this author’s steamiest book to date. I loved that she let them have fun together in the bedroom (and the closet, and the office, etc.). There were so many swoony lines in this one too. I highlighted a lot of quotes. I laughed out loud at several scenes. Overall, this book was a really good time. I didn’t want to put it down.

Copper Cliffs (Puffin Bay #7) by Annie Dyer

ARC: Release Date- 10/18/2024

#CinnamonRollHero #SingleMom #SmallTown #ARC

Written in first person with an alternating dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Readers who wish to read this series chronologically should read this one between Samphire Shores (#4) and Breeze Bridge (#5).

Romy is the widow and single mom of Heidi after her husband died a hero. Cassian is the head of the primary school after his marriage ends in a messy way. Romy is incredibly strong and has built a good life for her and Heidi. When she meets Cassian, she finds herself thinking about a man in THAT WAY for the first time in five years. I loved Romy and her relationship with Heidi and her little friend Mia. I could tell she had a good heart and a good mom. Cassian is a handsome and fit man. He has the soul of a teacher, and he fits well with Romy’s little family. I loved that they became friends and had a common interest in Mia’s welfare. I loved the attraction between them that goes from slightly timid to not timid at all in no time flat. I really appreciated that neither one of them allowed their feelings to be bound by arbitrary time schedules and they allowed themselves to feel their feelings.

This was a fun addition to the series with heat and some light suspense and very little angst. 

Safe With Me by Stephanie Rose

ARC: Release Date- 10/18/2024

#AgeGap #OWYM #FirstResponder #RomanticSuspense #SmallTown #ARC

This second-generation novel is set in Kelly Lakes, NY, and it can be read as a standalone.  Though readers will love reading the other Kelly Lakes books first to meet Mike as a teenager. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.

Mike is all grown up. At 25, he is a policeman in Kelly Lakes. He has a loving relationship with his dad, his stepmom, his little sister, and extended family in town. He still carries some baggage in the relationship he has with his mother and the way his parents’ divorce affected him. When he meets Lila (32), he falls without even realizing it. Lila is on the run from her st@lking ex. I love that she is tough even when she is vulnerable. I loved how Mike was able to provide comfort and a feeling of safety to her. I adored how Lila saw Mike for his heart and not his age. I really liked the friendship they formed before they moved into a physical relationship. They built trust first. I loved that. Their physical scenes were steamy and emotional. I adored how they came to depend on each other.

This was a steamy read with some romantic suspense. This the author’s first foray into suspense, and I think she did it very well. There was just the right amount of wondering and tension in the story. Sensitive readers should check the author’s CW/TW prior to reading.  It was fun to read about an adult Mike and I was unreasonable proud of the man he had become. I was thrilled that he got a HEA with someone like Lila. I loved it.