Olivia “Livy” Winters agrees to spend the summer at Sanderling Cove on the Gulf Coast of Florida with her two cousins, Charlotte “Charlie” Bradford and Brooke Weatherby to help manage The Sanderling Cove Inn while their grandparents take a long road trip in Europe. Livy hopes a summer away from her past surroundings and her job as the owner of a bakery in Virginia will help her forget a traumatic incident there.
Unknown to her and her cousins, the five grandmothers at Sanderling Cove have invited their beloved grandchildren to spend as much time as possible this summer at the cove, hoping that romance might flourish among them.
Livy is delighted to discover other childhood friends there. Though running the inn with her cousins keeps her busy, Livy realizes she needs to find someone she can trust to help her with her issue. Austin Ensley is spending the summer at the cove visiting his grandmother while he decides what he wants to do after selling his successful IT business. As a teenager Livy had a crush on him, and while she has no interest in dating any of the men at the cove, they form a deeper friendship. And when Livy can no longer keep her secret, she turns to him for help. Together they help one another through past troubles and discover tears can bring happiness too.
Lizzie Rose knows what she likes and likes what she knows.
Her role at the London Museum is more than a job, it’s her safe place and her passion. So when Lizzie is passed over for a chance in a lifetime opportunity in favour of her ex-boyfriend and fellow Egypt nerd Friedrich Klein, her heartbreak over their relationship pales into insignificance compared to her sadness at losing the project.
Best friend Colette thinks an evening of cocktails is just the medicine for a broken heart, and meeting dashing, charming, but very much ‘not her type’ Finn Bryson at the bar puts a smile on Lizzie’s face too. But Lizzie isn’t used to spending time outside of her comfortable world of academia and doesn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure. So when Finn’s job brings him to the museum, she’s determined to put an end to any notion of romance between them.
But what if Lizzie’s comfort zone isn’t that comfortable any more? Is it time for Lizzie to take the chance on love that fate keeps bringing her way – even if it means changing the habits of a lifetime?
Stand Up Guy By Nina Kaye
Dumped by Instagram post. Not a whiff of a social life. Can it get any worse?
After a string of failed relationships – romantic and platonic – Lea’s had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voilá – Lea now has a lodger and some company.
The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can’t resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it’s a mistake that will cost her heart – he’s just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep’s stand up routine edging him closer to his big break, there’s no way he’ll stick around.
Love is no laughing matter as the Fringe draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?
Exposed By Leslie North
Undercover desire…
On leave while recovering from a bullet wound, Navy SEAL Eric Harvey is going stir-crazy. So when a buddy asks him to help his journalist sister go undercover to expose crimes at a couples retreat, Eric is all in. But he’s about to get more excitement than he bargained for. Beth, the journalist, is smoking hot and completely irresistible.
Beth Williams is desperate. She needs a fake husband fast. She’ll even take Eric, a Navy SEAL like her big brother. But she won’t allow anything to come between her and her career… Not even the smoldering attraction growing between her and Eric.
Right from the start, it’s clear that something is very wrong at this resort. As the danger mounts, Eric realizes that both his life and his heart are at risk. Beth has made it clear that when she’s done with her story, she’ll be done with Eric too.
When ex-pro basketball player Mitchell Anderson sees an overturned car on the edge of a cliff during a nasty snowstorm, he knows he has only minutes to rescue the woman trapped inside. What he’s not expecting is their instant attraction, or that she can deliver one hell of a pick-up line even under the most terrifying of circumstances.
Hope Roman’s entire life is on the edge. She’s already overwhelmed with grief and upset, and nearly dying is pretty much the icing on a terrible, soggy cake. So it’s just her luck that she’s suddenly snowbound at a charming little inn with the hottest, yet down right grumpiest, man she’s ever met. And naturally, there’s only one room left.
Now the pillow barrier between them keeps disappearing. And the walls are coming down. But Hope knows she doesn’t belong in Mitchell’s world any more than he belongs in hers. The question is whether either of them can trust the other long enough to play for keeps…
Published Date: 26 June 2023
My Review
In “Cool Down For Love,” Mitchell, a former NBA player, has grappled with the consequences of his fame and crosses paths with Hope, a scientific journalist coping with the recent loss of her father figure. Their paths converge at an inn, where the foundations of their love story are laid. Mitchell’s character exhibits various imperfections, primarily rooted in his preconceived notions about people, while Hope’s own faults encompass her proclivity for keeping her emotions guarded. As their narrative unfolds, both characters undergo significant growth, evolving into more resilient and self-aware individuals. Their love story, marked by its chaotic yet therapeutic nature, is driven by their mutual determination to better themselves. “Cool Down For Love” presents an enticing concept, incorporating many of the romance tropes I typically cherish, such as the one-bed scenario, forced proximity, and a celebrity romance.
When ex-pro basketball player Mitchell Anderson sees an overturned car on the edge of a cliff during a nasty snowstorm, he knows he has only minutes to rescue the woman trapped inside. What he’s not expecting is their instant attraction, or that she can deliver one hell of a pick-up line even under the most terrifying of circumstances.
Hope Roman’s entire life is on the edge. She’s already overwhelmed with grief and upset, and nearly dying is pretty much the icing on a terrible, soggy cake. So it’s just her luck that she’s suddenly snowbound at a charming little inn with the hottest, yet down right grumpiest, man she’s ever met. And naturally, there’s only one room left.
Now the pillow barrier between them keeps disappearing. And the walls are coming down. But Hope knows she doesn’t belong in Mitchell’s world any more than he belongs in hers. The question is whether either of them can trust the other long enough to play for keeps…
Are a rocket scientist and one of Hollywood’s brightest stars a match made in heaven or is it a catastrophe headed for a crash landing?
Lana loves four things: science, her cats, her friends, and her books. She’s on her way to earning her professorship when she finds out her long-term boyfriend has been sleeping with her best friend! That discovery has her hiding in the broom closet at a posh hotel.
Only, it turns out broom closets are the place to be these days.
Christian Slade, America’s sexiest man alive (as voted by fans), in a desperate attempt to escape the paparazzi finds himself in a broom closet with one sobbing occupant. Unable to leave a damsel in distress, he offers help, only to realise she has no idea who he is! It’s like he’s been given a gift. A smart, beautiful woman, who isn’t after him for fame and fortune . . .
Soon Christian is buying a Tesla to impress his scientist with his eco credentials and taking her on dates where no one will recognise him.
But as Christian falls in love he worries what will happen when Lana finds out who he is?
Published Date: 13 June 2023
My Review
Movie star Christian Slade seeks refuge from paparazzi at a hotel and stumbles upon Lana, who is distraught after witnessing her boyfriend’s infidelity. Lana has no knowledge of Christian’s celebrity status, which he finds relieving. Christian comforts Lana and offers her a ride home in his eco-friendly car, leading to an instant connection. Lana gives him her business card with her phone number. When Christian calls Lana, he faces the challenge of concealing his fame and fortune, raising questions about what will happen if she ever discovers his true identity.
The book provided a swift and uncomplicated reading experience, with the story unfolding at a steady pace. The friendship and budding relationship between Lana and Christian felt genuine and lifelike, although I had reservations about his decision to conceal his career and wealth from her. It was enjoyable and featured several instances that elicited genuine laughter and numerous heartwarming moments. This book is an ideal choice for Rom-Com enthusiasts, and the prospect of two more books in the series makes it a worthwhile investment of your time.
Are a rocket scientist and one of Hollywood’s brightest stars a match made in heaven or is it a catastrophe headed for a crash landing?
Lana loves four things: science, her cats, her friends, and her books. She’s on her way to earning her professorship when she finds out her long-term boyfriend has been sleeping with her best friend! That discovery has her hiding in the broom closet at a posh hotel.
Only, it turns out broom closets are the place to be these days.
Christian Slade, America’s sexiest man alive (as voted by fans), in a desperate attempt to escape the paparazzi finds himself in a broom closet with one sobbing occupant. Unable to leave a damsel in distress, he offers help, only to realise she has no idea who he is! It’s like he’s been given a gift. A smart, beautiful woman, who isn’t after him for fame and fortune . . .
Soon Christian is buying a Tesla to impress his scientist with his eco credentials and taking her on dates where no one will recognise him.
I warn all my dates: Don’t fall for me. I’m good for a date or two of no-strings fun, but then I’m a ghost.
Until the sheriff. He saves me from a jerky ex-date. Now I owe him a favor. Almost a decade older than me, funny, and insanely attractive, my chemistry with Seth is off the charts. His post-divorce hurt makes me want to heal his wounded soul. For the first time in ever, I say no. He doesn’t deserve my heartbreaking ways. I tell myself I must walk away since me dating law enforcement is a no-can-do. I’m not a felon, but I do have connections from my past that make it dangerous. If I’m truthful, it’s self-preservation. Seth threatens to awaken the desiccated organ inside my chest.
Then he needs a favor. Calling in favors becomes our not-dating game.
I should have stopped helping him. I should have left well enough alone. But I just couldn’t resist. I have a connection to this guy. One that has me acting irrationally. One that snags the attention of the gang leader I wished would leave me alone.
I want to nurture our burgeoning spark, but I must protect us from the deadly dangers of my past.
Thirty-three-year-old Ruth Henderson and her daughter Maggie have some hard choices to make. Following the tragic death of Maggie’s father, they are left with a mountain of debt and broken hearts. So, despite her vow never to return home after the fall-out from her teenage pregnancy, Ruth can’t see any option other than for the two of them to move back in with her parents.
Going home means many things – finally confronting her estranged father, navigating her mother’s desperate need to make everything ok despite the wobbles in her own marriage, not to mention helping a still-grieving Maggie to settle into a new school, find new friends, and stop expressing her emotions through her ever-changing hair colour.
What Ruth needs are friends, but she abandoned her childhood ones when she left all those years ago. Luckily for Ruth, they haven’t abandoned her. Slowly she lets herself be embraced by a group of women who have always had her back – even when she didn’t know it. And as the grief and shock recede, Ruth can even begin to imagine sharing her life with someone other than just Maggie – if Maggie will let her.
Published Date: 15 June 2023
My Review
Ruth and her daughter Maggie are making a fresh start due to Maggie’s father’s death and their overwhelming debt. They move in with Ruth’s parents to sort out their finances and support Maggie. Maggie had left home years ago after a conflict and had vowed not to return. Now, she’s grieving and adapting to a new school and town with Ruth’s help. Ruth also needs a job to support them and pay off the debt, but she’s uneasy about her parents’ conditions for assistance. Fortunately, Ruth’s old friends, including her past love, welcome her back warmly.
The book delves into complex family dynamics and intergenerational relationships, adding depth to the narrative. The characters’ backstories add richness and emotional depth, while the story tackles challenging topics with compassion and empathy. “We Are Family” is a compelling read that lingers in your thoughts long after you finish it.
Thirty-three-year-old Ruth Henderson and her daughter Maggie have some hard choices to make. Following the tragic death of Maggie’s father, they are left with a mountain of debt and broken hearts. So, despite her vow never to return home after the fall-out from her teenage pregnancy, Ruth can’t see any option other than for the two of them to move back in with her parents.
Going home means many things – finally confronting her estranged father, navigating her mother’s desperate need to make everything ok despite the wobbles in her own marriage, not to mention helping a still-grieving Maggie to settle into a new school, find new friends, and stop expressing her emotions through her ever-changing hair colour.
What Ruth needs are friends, but she abandoned her childhood ones when she left all those years ago. Luckily for Ruth, they haven’t abandoned her. Slowly she lets herself be embraced by a group of women who have always had her back – even when she didn’t know it. And as the grief and shock recede, Ruth can even begin to imagine sharing her life with someone other than just Maggie – if Maggie will let her.
A successful summer has seen Holly’s shop thriving for the first time since she bought it, and she has high hopes for the future of Just One More. However, it is not only her business prowess that has been growing. In a little over a month she will be trying to run the shop with a baby on her hip.
If only her love life was so easily managed. With things far from solid with Ben, and Giles back on the scene, Holly might find herself changing more than nappies…
Published Date: 21 June 2023
My Review
The story begins with Holly heavily pregnant, struggling with her life choices, including her job and her complex emotional connections with two men, both of whom have their merits and flaws. As she spirals into keeping secrets from them, her situation becomes overwhelming due to her pregnancy.
This installment delves deeper into the emotional aspects of Holly’s life, taking a more serious approach than before. The story’s ending and the conversations between the main characters significantly influenced the reader’s overall enjoyment. The series offers continuous storytelling and doesn’t conclude Holly’s personal growth in any single book. Witnessing her gradual journey of confronting life’s challenges is gratifying. While some books in the series may resonate more with readers than others, it’s highly recommended for those who prefer following a single lead character with minimal distractions as she learns and evolves.The author’s writing is straightforward and concise, making each book a quick and accessible read, even when dealing with emotional ups and downs.
My Sanctuary 