Monthly Archives: March 2025

Review Card & Book Review – Good Boy By Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen

“We’re way more than friends, Jessie.”

“Blake—”

“But no worries. I’ll just sit tight until you figure that out.”

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail at this, too. Especially after the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. Nobody—absolutely nobody—can find out about that, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. No matter how devastatingly sexy his smile, he’s a giant manchild who’s never been serious in his life. And if Jess wants to prove herself to her family, serious is what she has to get.

For Blake Riley, this wedding is a gift from fate itself. The girl he has his eye on is the maid of honor, and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if Jess is giving him a little—fine, a lot—of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Beneath the flirty jokes and goofy smile, he’s got layers—even if Jess doesn’t want to see them.

Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

And Jess is just the girl he wants to win.

About The Authors

My Review

Jess is determined to plan a perfect wedding for her brother, but her efforts are complicated by Blake, her charismatic one-night stand, who wants to reignite their spark. Initially, Blake seems pushy and immature, but as the story unfolds, his deeper layers and genuine kindness emerge, revealing a heart of gold. Despite his confident exterior, Blake is struggling with personal pain and uses humor as a defense mechanism. As Jess helps him confront his emotions, his true character shines through, showing he’s not just a “fun guy,” but a generous and sincere person who genuinely cares for others.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 2 March 2025

If I Lost You By Sheila Norton

My son George is everything to me, but he’s slipping away, and no one can tell me why.

Every test comes back inconclusive, every doctor leaves me with more questions than answers. I’m terrified – each day brings new fears, and my heart aches knowing how much he’s suffering.

Then Barbara appears – my biological mother, a stranger for most of my life. She’s in poor health, struggling with the weight of her past, and her sudden arrival stirs a mix of emotions in me. Part of me wants to believe she’s here to help, but there’s a wall between us, and I can’t shake the feeling there’s something very wrong.

As George’s condition worsens, I find myself wrestling with doubt. Can I truly rely on Barbara? Will she bring comfort or complicate an already fragile situation? All I want is to protect my son and give him the love and support he deserves. I only hope that I can be the mother he needs before it’s too late. Will I find a way to save him?

Review Card & Book Review- A Mother’s Betrayal By Louise Guy

One woman. Two worlds on the verge of colliding.

When Julia Hudson is involved in a near-fatal accident, the lives of her children – nurse Flo and her twin sister, high-flying lawyer Ari – are sent into freefall.

As they sit vigil by their mother’s bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unwavering principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they’ve ever believed about their family.

But the twins have each other… or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets…

With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia’s journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of the life they’ve lived.

About The Author

My Review

Julia Hudson is a strong-willed woman with a demanding job that takes her between Melbourne and Canberra. She is married to Mike, and they have identical twin daughters, Arabella (Ari) and Florence (Flo), along with a grandson named Kayden. Their lives take a dramatic turn when Julia is involved in a severe car accident, leaving her in a coma with critical injuries. As the family—Mike, Ari, Flo, and their grandmother Gigi—take turns at her bedside, they discover a shocking secret Julia has been hiding, which shatters their trust and alters the dynamics within the family.

The once-close relationship between Ari and Flo is strained further when it is revealed that Flo has been keeping secrets of her own. This revelation drives a wedge between the sisters at a time when they most need each other. The family, now in turmoil, turns to Julia’s journals, kept over 32 years, hoping to find answers. However, instead of clarity, they uncover more lies and deceit, leading them to question whether Julia had been manipulating them for years.

The novel explores the complexities of family relationships, trust, and betrayal, all set against the backdrop of Melbourne’s leafy streets. The story is gripping, full of unexpected twists, and challenges the reader to question the true nature of familial bonds. The characters are well-developed, adding depth to the emotional roller coaster of the narrative.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 1 March 2025

Not Quite By The Book By Julie Hatcher

Emma Rini is in a rut so deep she could shelve books there. While her sister awaits her first baby, and her parents kick off retirement with vow renewals and travel, Emma stays put among the stacks of the family bookshop.

In fact, she can’t remember the last time she took a vacation. Or had a romance that hovered above disappointing. When her parents assume she’ll take over the shop for them without a break, she realizes she needs to get away—back to the nineteenth century. Channeling her favorite poet recluse, Emily Dickinson, Emma rents a crumbling manor house outside Amherst where she can learn how to be quietly, blissfully alone.

But becoming a world-weary spinster isn’t easy. She can’t start a fire or reason with the bunnies that are destroying the garden. She finds herself sparring constantly with the grumpy-hot architect who is renovating the manor. And then there’s the secret admirer who keeps sending her complicated floral messages…

No matter what she does, the outside world keeps knocking, and Emma starts to dream about the future. Will she forgo love for the family legacy? And will she shrink away or become the sort of bold person fortune favors?

Review Card & Book Review – Before We Were Us By Denise Hunter

When Lauren Wentworth wakes up in the hospital after falling from a ladder, she has more questions than answers. Way more. She knows where she is—the wilds of New Hampshire. But she’s apparently lost the last four months of her life. Is she really contemplating forfeiting her big-city dream job for a position at a rustic resort? And how did her number one nemesis become her adoring boyfriend?

Jonah Landry is crushed to learn Lauren has forgotten their entire summer together. Terrified of losing her for good, he determines to help her remember their deep connection as she finishes her obligation to the resort. But soon it becomes apparent Lauren doesn’t want to remember falling in love with him or rethinking the entire course of her career. She wants to pretend the summer never happened and move on with her life. Without him.

As Lauren falls back into the steady routines of resort work with Jonah, she’s relieved her memories haven’t returned and remains resolute about her big-city future. But as autumn leads into winter, she begins to see glimpses of the Jonah she’s forgotten. Will she be able to resist the steady love of this patient man? Or is her heart destined for its own freefall?

About The Author

My Review

Jonah and Lauren’s love faces a heartbreaking test when an accident erases Lauren’s memories of their relationship, leaving her only with memories of when they disliked each other. The story explores the emotional complexities of love, loss, and rediscovery as Jonah supports Lauren, even if it means letting her go. Their journey, filled with pain and hope, showcases how love can endure despite the challenges of change and forgotten memories.

My Rating

Link To Purchase