Monthly Archives: August 2025

Review Card & Book Review- I Knew You Were Trouble By Sandy Barker

Don’t get mad. Get even.

Kate Whitaker has always believed in love, but when a stranger named Willem shows up on her doorstep, the news he has to share isn’t as exciting as his god-like looks might suggest. He’s come to tell her that Kate’s fiancé is also engaged to his sister.

Kate doesn’t know how she didn’t see the red flags: Jon’s work as an airline pilot having him flying around the globe, the postponed dates, the huge rock of an engagement ring that isn’t her style at all.

Overcome with fury – and entranced by the Nordic god’s piercing blue eyes and quiet allure – Kate agrees to accompany Willem to his hometown of Amsterdam to help break the news to his sister. Yet what begins as a simple gesture of support soon twists into a deliciously devious plan to get back at Jon.

Kate is drawn into a world of retribution, revenge and – unexpectedly – romance. Because sometimes the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else…

About The Author

My Review

Kate Whitaker’s world is turned upside down when she learns her fiancé is engaged to someone else. Instead of drowning in heartbreak, she teams up with Willem—the man who broke the news—to expose the truth to his sister, who is also engaged to the same man. Their journey from London to Amsterdam and Verona, initially fueled by revenge, soon sparks unexpected romance.

The novel is lighthearted and entertaining, with humor, strong female friendships, and engaging interactions. However, Kate’s reaction to betrayal feels oddly muted, and the revenge-driven plot lacks depth. While the pacing and underwhelming Amsterdam storyline could have been stronger, the likable characters—especially Willem—keep the story enjoyable.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 27 August 2025

A Billionaire For Christmas By Jo Lyons

When talented chef Molly’s best friend and business partner, Ava, passes away, she leaves Molly their beloved restaurant – and a wild, impossible bucket list to complete. But thanks to a legal mix-up, Molly’s inheritance is at risk unless she ticks off every outrageous item before the Christmas Eve deadline: just twelve days away.

Determined to honour Ava’s wishes and desperate to save her dream, Molly searches for a billionaire willing to share Champagne with her in a hot tub – one of the more extravagant challenges on the bucket list. She’s in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps, so it might just be doable. But then she meets Levi. A devastatingly handsome billionaire, yes, but infuriatingly resistant to getting involved!

As the snow falls and sparks fly, Molly is entangled in a series of increasingly embarrassing escapades. With time running out, can she pull off the impossible – and maybe even find love along the way?

Review Card & Book Review – The Two Of Us By Lori Foster & Maisey Yates

The Odd Couple * LORI FOSTER
Ford Caruso agrees to an unusual favor—playing the part of new boyfriend for his adamantly single, irresistibly sexy neighbor Skye Fairchild, whose clueless ex refuses to accept his fate. But as Skye starts dropping by to use Ford’s pool, and even plan dates, the charade begins to feel satisfyingly real, complete with choosing rescue dogs together—a giant mutt and a fierce little chihuahua who adore each other. From one odd couple to another, some things are destined . . .

Force of Nature * MAISEY YATES
Rescuing animals is in Lydia Clay’s blood, so when a mournful old cattle dog named Hank shows up at the shelter, she knows exactly where to take him: to cattle rancher Remington Lane, her brother’s hot, and usually grumpy, best friend. Hank belonged to Remy’s estranged father, which is one strike against him, but when Lydia offers to help the man ease into dog ownership, he can’t say no. And as he and Lydia work together, it looks like an old dog can actually teach this brooding cattleman some heart-warming new tricks . . .

About The Author

My Review

The Odd Couple by Lori Foster

Ford and Skye are complete opposites who try to ignore their attraction but can’t resist fate. As neighbors, they initially avoid friendship, but when Ford’s ex stirs his protective instincts, they make a pact that slowly deepens into something real. Skye, often overshadowed by her outgoing twin sister, finds confidence in Ford, who sees her true worth. Alongside their quirky rescue dogs, Maybelline and Tank, their love story unfolds with heartwarming charm. Though a short read, it delivers well-developed characters, chemistry, and an engaging romance that keeps readers hooked.

Forces of Nature by Maisey Yates

Remy, who had a tough childhood, was taken in by his best friend’s family, including Lydia, his friend’s younger sister. Lydia, a devoted animal rescuer, has secretly loved Remy for years. When she arrives at his door with his father’s neglected dog, their relationship takes a new turn. Remy struggles with feelings of unworthiness, while Lydia gathers the courage to express her true feelings. This fast-paced, uplifting romance features strong character growth and a touching love story, making it a highly recommended quick read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – Kilted Lovers By Megan Clawson

All Lady Alice Walpole wants is to be swept off her feet, but she keeps finding herself on one bad date after another. And when she’s caught partying too hard with her latest royal beau, her father banishes her to Balmoral to clean up her act.

Fraser Bell just wants to do his job as Piper to the Sovereign at Balmoral. He prefers tartan to tuxedos, and spends his days with horses rather than dealing with people, so when he’s assigned to wake Alice up to the sound of bagpipes every morning, he’s less than pleased.

But as her time in Scotland stretches on, Alice finds herself falling for the rugged landscape – and maybe even Fraser, too. Soon, returning to her glittering but empty life in London sounds less like an escape, and more like a punishment.

She wears tiaras, and he wears tartan, but for this unlikely couple, can romance ever reign?

About The Author

My Review

This charming royal rom-com follows Lady Alice, who is sent to Balmoral Castle as punishment for her reckless behavior. There, she meets Fraser, a ruggedly charming bagpiper, and falls for both him and the breathtaking Scottish Highlands.

Their love is tender and genuine—Fraser sees the real Alice beneath her carefully crafted facade, allowing her to embrace her true self. Her journey of self-discovery is deeply moving, particularly as she struggles with the weight of expectations and battles depression. The raw and heartfelt portrayal of her mental health feels authentic and deeply resonant.

Scotland’s stunning landscapes provide a beautiful backdrop for Alice’s transformation, offering her a sense of freedom and peace. Her experience of real friendship and emotional intimacy for the first time makes her character arc even more compelling.

This warm and uplifting rom-com is filled with romantic tension, humor, and heartfelt moments. With its rich setting, lovable characters, and meaningful mental health representation, it’s a must-read for romance fans.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 26 August 2025

Things We Keep Hidden By Jill Lynn

A threatening note.
Long-buried secrets.
Their friendship tested.

The last time lifelong friends Payton, Isley and Clara were together, Clara broke their unwritten rule and brought up the one thing they never talk about. And now, more than twenty years after their friend Cece took her life, they must confront that night as the three women and their husbands—plus one unexpected guest—gather at Isley’s Breckenridge vacation home. With tension already simmering just below the surface of their relationship, they’re each left shaken when a cryptic note arrives: Tell the truth or I will.

Who is the message for and what does it refer to? The women fear it could be linked to the truth they’ve kept hidden since the night Cece died…or maybe it has something to do with one of the problems they’ve each brought with them.

Isley’s son is in rehab after narrowly avoiding jail time, spurring her to a reckless act of her own. Clara, usually so careful to follow rules, is haunted by the one night that she didn’t. And Payton has been in denial regarding her husband’s so-called plan for their marriage.

As the weekend unfolds, all three will revisit the bonds they share and the challenges that have shaped their lives. And by the trip’s end, a truth that shocks them all will be revealed.

Under The Northern Lights By Lindsey Brookes

Freelance wildlife photographer Aurora Daniels gets an unexpected job opportunity in Alaska. It sounds like the perfect assignment. She might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights she was named after. Except the location of her almost-honeymoon is the one place she’d rather not go.

Giving up one dream, however, doesn’t mean she has to give up on all of them, so Aurora accepts the assignment.

When a mudslide brought on by the rainy season causes Aurora to miss her flight back to Seattle, Gage Weston, a handsome floatplane pilot, comes to her rescue. He flies her to his family’s island resort for the night. Then, she’s sure to catch the next flight out.

Right?

A Hero’s Return By Carrie Nichols

He knows how to be brave on a battlefield

Now he has to be brave with his heart

Years of military service taught decorated veteran Braden Sullivan how to be strong. It didn’t teach him how to be vulnerable. Back in his Oregon hometown, with a job as a helicopter pilot and a two-family home to renovate, he’s not at all prepared for his heart to take flight after meeting his tenant, Cassie Donovan. The widowed single mom is beautiful, charming…and terrified of loving another pilot after losing her husband in a crash. Overcoming her fears and his own uncertainties will take courage—but isn’t that what a hero soldier is for?

Forbidden Fling With The Princess By Amy Andrews

OFF LIMITS BUT IRRESISTIBLE…

World-class obstetric surgeon Edmund is furious that his long-awaited Seychelles retreat is hijacked by a helicopter carrying a smart-ass (if stunning) princess! Xiomara is determined to engage Edmund to save her cousin the King’s unborn twins. He takes some persuading! Now in London together, a powerful attraction develops, and Xiomara learns Edmund’s talents go far beyond surgery. He makes her feel empowered and free—in every sense! Until the paparazzi discover their secret affair, reminding them they come from impossibly different worlds…

Let’s Give’ Em Pumpkin To Talk About By Isabelle Popp

She’s a little edgy. He’s a lot of sunshine.
Love’s about to catch them completely off gourd…

Textile artist Sadie Fox did not sign up for this. When she agreed to come home to Pea Blossom, Indiana, it was to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. The deal was that—just for the summer—she would grow a ginormous pumpkin, win the Indiana State Fair’s pumpkin contest and finally win back her father’s (grudging) respect.

Instead, a horde of wild hogs destroyed the. entire. patch. Which is precisely when the annoyingly sexy, sunshiny next-door neighbor shows up.

Josh Thatcher is a tech millionaire who traded in the office for growing gourds, including experimental squash hybrids. And for the life of her, Sadie can’t understand what he sees in her sweary, tattooed, prickly self—or why he’s offering to help his biggest competitor. But a storm-fueled kiss proves there’s definitely something growing between them.

Maybe it’s just attraction. Maybe it’s more. Whatever it is, it’s already bigger than Sadie’s fast-growing pumpkin…or the secret that Josh has been hiding.

His Forgotten Wife By Tara Pammi

The boss secretly wed her…
then forgot!

Ares Demetrius wakes from a coma to find his family scheming to steal his company. The first call the billionaire makes is to loyal assistant Dolly Singh—to demand she become his fake fiancée to protect his business empire. Except his accident has made him forget…they’re already married!

Unlike Ares, Dolly remembers every excruciating detail: their clandestine wedding and her mortifying love confession. To refuse his proposal would be to relive that. This time, though, Dolly is playing with fire by accepting Ares’s diamond. Because the attraction isn’t just scorching—it’s mutual…

Dangerous Affair By Sandra Owens

Protecting her is his mission.

Failure is unacceptable.

World-traveling photojournalist Quinn Sullivan is stopped in her tracks when a kidnapper holds her captive in a mountain cabin. Could it be related to the damning evidence she has about a company’s illegal tactics that are harming a town? To her rescue comes former marine ranger Liam O’Rourke. His assignment as a bodyguard keeps him close to Quinn, protecting her from ongoing threats. Much to his frustration, Quinn does flings, not relationships; she believes men can’t handle her career. But the shared danger of exposing a conspiracy may change their romantic boundaries.

The Rancher’s Prayer By Donna Gartshore

To earn the love he’s always wanted,
He must let go of his past…

Luke Duffy is desperate to save his family’s ranch. Especially after decisions made by his late father land their horse therapy business in trouble. But help comes in the unlikely form of guest Arabella Lark. As a PR expert, Bella has plans that could make the ranch thrive, but Luke’s rocky past makes him hesitant to rely on her. The single mom also has a lot on her plate: her job is on the line, and her daughter struggles with anxiety. Will they find the strength to face their challenges and create a new beginning together?

Their First Dance By Laurie Batzel

Could their first dance…

Last a lifetime?

Fanny Cunningham is only in small-town Crystal Hill to help her aging dance teacher. She has no time for local handyman Lawson Carl, who tried—and failed—to charm her ten years ago. But when she needs a partner for an instructional dance video, he’s her only option. Teaching Law to dance is more fun than she imagined. And she may end up with bruised toes, but she feels strangely safe in his burly arms. Could the man who stumbled into her studio be her perfect partner on and off the dance floor?

Alibi For Murder By Debra Webb

Murder brings the FBI to her door.
Past secrets could get two old friends killed.

When Allie Foster becomes the prime suspect in a murder, the small-town loner reaches out to the one person she can trust. Convinced Allie’s innocent, Colby Agency investigating attorney Steve Durham uncovers a shocking connection to a decades-old cold case in her past. The twisting path to the truth unleashes an attraction that plunges the high school friends into deeper danger. Now Steve and Allie must outmaneuver an elusive killer in a case where nothing and no one is what they seem…

Review Card & Book Review- The Runaway Wives By Karen King

‘We’re leaving. And there’s nothing either of you can do about it!’

When the surprise holiday Dee thinks her husband has booked for her sixtieth birthday weekend turns out to be yet another solo golfing break – it’s the last straw.

Meanwhile her best friend Babs’s other half has decided to move to Spain and is acting like he doesn’t need to consult anyone. Not even Babs!

Well, if their husbands think they can do what they want, so can their wives. So, with that thought, the two best friends leap into Dee’s trusty car and head for the seaside, and an adventure they’ll never forget.

Back home their furious husbands want them to return immediately. But – as they begin to enjoy their newfound freedom – will either of the runaway wives ever want to come back home again?

About The Author

My Review

This is a humorous yet insightful story about two women, Dee and Babs, who feel overlooked in their long marriages. Dee’s excitement over a birthday retreat turns to disappointment when her husband, Giles, prioritizes a golf trip. Meanwhile, Babs returns from Dee’s birthday lunch to find her husband, Jeff, planning to sell their home and move to Spain—without consulting her. Frustrated, the two women embark on their own getaway, leading to self-discovery and unexpected changes in their marriages. With relatable themes of feeling invisible in relationships, this engaging novel balances humor with heartfelt truths.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Playing For Keeps In Starr’s Fall By Kate Hewitt

As the frozen earth gives way to the first spring crocuses, pushing their way into the warmer air, Maggie arrives in Starr’s Fall. She’s looking for a new start, with her lovable but painfully shy teenaged son in tow.

It feels like the odds are against her, but she’s determined to come out winning this time, and to fulfil her dream of opening up a board game café. But not everything’s a game, and when she finds herself attracted to a man who’s known as a different sort of player, she worries she’s setting herself up to lose.

Zach is funny, surprisingly geeky, and, most importantly, bonds with her son. But Zach is also drop-dead gorgeous, has a reputation around town, and is also ten years younger than her.

When he asks her out on a date, Maggie is totally thrown. She can’t deny she’s attracted to him. But is she ready to risk her heart with another roll of the dice?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, small-town romance about second chances, community, and the courage to open one’s heart again.

Maggie, a single mother, moves to Starr’s Fall with her teenage son, determined to give them both a fresh start. After years of struggle, she hopes her new board game café will provide stability and a sense of belonging. Adjusting to small-town life isn’t easy, but Maggie quickly finds herself embraced by the locals, especially the warm-hearted yet sharp-tongued Henrietta Starr, the town’s matriarch.

Then there’s Zach, a younger man who exudes easygoing charm. As he forms an unexpected bond with Maggie’s son, she finds herself drawn to him as well, despite her reservations. Having been burned before, Maggie is hesitant to trust again, and the age gap between her and Zach only fuels her doubts. But as she watches him support her son and bring laughter back into their lives, she begins to wonder if maybe—just maybe—she deserves a love that’s playful, uplifting, and real.

This novel beautifully captures the essence of small-town life, where neighbors rally together, new friendships blossom, and love often comes when least expected. Kate Hewitt delivers a sweet, uplifting story filled with warmth, humor, and tender emotions, making it a perfect read for fans of heartfelt, feel-good romances.

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Just The Beginning By Sarah Bennett

Welcome to Halfmoon Quay, the picture-perfect village clinging to the edge of the Cornish coast ⛵️🧡🌊

Everyone knows Rick Penrose is the person in the village to turn to for help. Friendly and reliable, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, he’ll do anything for anyone. When his teenage crush Anya moves back to the quay for a fresh start, he has the perfect solution. She needs a job and his great uncle needs help to run his hotel. It’s a win-win.

Following the death of her husband, Anya Stokes discovered everything about her life was a lie. Without her beautiful home and the luxuries she took for granted, Anya and her daughter, Freya, have no choice but to move in with her aunt and uncle in Halfmoon Quay.

As she begins to turn her life around, Anya realises the perfect man might have been right under her nose all the time. But there’s a fine line between helping and taking over and Rick doesn’t always know where it is. Then Anya discovers he’s been keeping things from her and it’s like the past is repeating itself…

About The Author

My Review

Just the Beginning by Sarah Bennett is a heartwarming romance about new beginnings, family bonds, and unexpected love, set against the picturesque Cornish coast.

Anya, looking for a fresh start after a difficult past, moves to the charming seaside village of Mermaids Point. She hopes to rebuild her life and find a sense of belonging in this close-knit community. There, she meets Rick, a local man who is eager to help her settle in. However, while his kindness is undeniable, Anya finds his tendency to take control both frustrating and endearing.

As their relationship deepens, long-buried secrets from Rick’s past come to light, complicating their growing connection. Anya must decide whether she can trust him and open her heart again, while Rick struggles with his own emotional barriers.

Filled with warmth, heartfelt moments, and a beautifully described coastal setting, Just the Beginning is an uplifting story about second chances, finding home in unexpected places, and the healing power of love. Fans of small-town romances and family-driven stories will find this an engaging and feel-good read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Falling Overboard By Sariah Wilson

Lucky Salerno’s dream is to own a bakery. To earn enough money to achieve it, she has secured a lucrative job as chief stewardess on a superyacht cruising the Mediterranean. Aboard the ship, there’s one unbreakable rule: no hookups among the crew. No problem. The last thing Lucky has time for is a man. Then she meets Hunter Smith, the gorgeous new deckhand sharing her cabin. Is the universe trying to test her willpower?

Who needs the drama that comes with a relationship? Not Hunter. Who can ignore a witty, beautiful bunkmate like Lucky? Also not Hunter. There’s something just as enticing for Lucky: a tantalizing mystery behind Hunter’s piercing blue eyes she can’t wait to solve. But at what risk?

As they get to know each other, a secret romance buds at sea, and Lucky has to choose. Abide by the rules to make her career dreams come true, or pursue her love for Hunter—another dream that’s just as near to her heart.

About The Author

My Review

Falling Overboard by Sariah Wilson is a breezy, sun-soaked romance that blends humor, sizzle, and heartfelt moments. Lucky Salerno is a charming, relatable heroine—determined to build her bakery dream, yet suddenly stuck in a tiny cabin with the dangerously appealing Hunter Smith. The forced proximity and “no-crew-romance” rule create a delicious slow burn, with plenty of playful banter and stolen glances. Wilson captures the opulence of Mediterranean yacht life while grounding the story in Lucky’s relatable struggles and ambitions. The pacing balances lighthearted escapism with emotional beats, making it both fun and satisfying. It’s perfect for readers who love forbidden romance tropes, witty chemistry, and a glamorous setting that feels like a vacation in book form.

My Rating

Link To Purchase