Book reviews for books read March 1st-9th

 

Happy weekend! I just finished my ARC of Lucy Score's book which is releasing this week. OMG! I loved it so much! My review really doesn't do justice to the feelings and laughter this book created within me.

I also read two books from my TBR. I finished the 3rd book in the Naughty Princess Club by Tara Sivec, and I read my first book by JJ Knight.

When life gets tough, laughter is the best medicine. Thank you Lucy, Tara, and JJ for making me laugh this week.

Story of My Life (Story Lake #1) by Lucy Score         

ARC: Release Date- 03/11/2025

#GrumpyHero #Fling #FamilySeries #SmallTown

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

Hazel is a romance author who finds herself in a slump after an ugly divorce. She has become a seriously hot mess. Her best friend and agent, Zoey, has done her best to get Hazel to move forward but it is not working. When a late night and a lot of wine lead to purchasing a house online, Zoey and Hazel pack up and head to the small town of Story Lake.

Campbell Bishop is the oldest brother of his family who lives and owns several businesses in the small town. He is closed off emotionally and perfectly scowl-y and grumpy. When his family’s business is hired to renovate Hazel’s new house, he is forced into closer proximity with the hot mess hottie.

From the laugh-out-loud meet-(not-so)-cute, to town meetings, weird town ordinances, free range farm animals and a raccoon that makes herself at home; this book had everything I could want.. The Bishop family is close, funny, and endearing. I loved their text threads, the way they could get at each other, and how they supported each other through thick and thin. There are plenty of small-town shenanigans, minor disasters, and overwhelmingly heart-warming victories along the way as Hazel and Cam find their happy ending. Funny moments and steamy times abound in this new first in series book. I didn’t want it to end. I read as slowly as I could, but I finally had to finish and begin my wait (patiently) for the next book in series. This author always delivers a book that captures my imagination with her well-developed, realistic characters and charming small towns full of interesting people and animals. I am ready to move to Story Lake. Let’s go.

Kiss the Girl (The Naughty Princess Club #3) 

by Tara Sivec

#FairyTale

Written in first person from Ariel’s POV, this ends with a HEA. Though it can be read as a standalone, readers will find greater enjoyment by reading the series in order as the three FMCs play important roles in each book and evolve as they go.

After getting to know Ariel in the first two books, I was really looking forward to her HEA. In this book, readers are allowed to see inside the brash, confident woman and to see the insecurities and pain she hides beneath the snark. I felt like it made her character more complete to see the why to her mouth. Eric is so incredibly patient with Ariel. He falls for her fast, but he is willing to take care of her in a sly way until she catches up to his feelings. They have an undeniable attraction, and I adore how he really sees Ariel for the woman she is. The karaoke scene said it all.

Full of laughs, some steam, and the same humor as this first two books: this was a fun and enjoyable read. I love that these princesses save themselves.

Tasty Mango (Everything Tasty #1) by J.J. Knight

#Billionaire #SingleMom #CinnamonRollHero

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this fun book ends with a sweet HEA. This is billed as a standalone. This was my first book by this author, and I realized after I started that this is a spin off from another series. I feel like I would have, and other readers will get most enjoyment from reading the other series first. There is a substantial overlap of characters from the first series in this book and, I assume the original meeting between Havannah and Donovan.

Donovan is such a god hero. He is seriously kind-hearted, hardworking, and absolutely smitten with Havannah from the beginning. I loved how he took care of her and the baby. I loved the chemistry between them and that their hot times were fun and steamy while considering her new mom body. Havannah has apparently been a bit wild in her past. I loved reading as she became a mom and how that changed her priorities. I loved that she was such a confident woman before motherhood and that Donovan helps her back to that confidence with his friendship and support.

This was an easy read with a little humor and some steam. I liked it.