October 15, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – A Very Italian Wedding By Donna Ashcroft

When Rose’s best friend Luna calls her to tell her she’s getting married to her holiday fling Marco in Italy, alarm bells, not wedding bells, start ringing. Before she can say arrivederci, Rose is booking her flights, packing her suitcase, and putting one objective at the top of her to-do list: save her friend and stop the wedding.

As she boards the plane, a devastatingly handsome guy makes a beeline for her. He just happens to be Ben Pearson, Marco’s best man, and he’s also an infuriating charmer, who has his sights set on making sure the wedding goes ahead. The two soon find themselves speeding through Italian backstreets towards Bellemilia, and their attraction to each other accelerates even faster than the drivers weaving their way along the cobbled streets. But Rose will not be distracted by delicately handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, or by the tinkling of ice in a glass of Aperol Spritz. And she definitely won’t be distracted by the very handsome Ben…

Falling for Ben is not on Rose’s list, but will the sun on her skin and the gentle breeze caressing the lemon trees give her the encouragement she needs to take a chance on the unknown? Or will a disaster en route to the altar push them further apart?

With their best friends about to tie the knot, can Rose and Ben put their rivalry aside? Or will Rose discover there is happiness for both her friend and herself, if they follow their hearts?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Rose, a pragmatic woman with firm beliefs about love and relationships—shaped largely by her parents’ failed marriage. When her best friend Luna plans a whirlwind wedding in Italy, Rose rushes in, determined to stop it. But her plans are quickly challenged by Ben, the best man who’s equally determined to make sure the wedding goes ahead.

The chemistry between Rose and Ben sparks instantly, driven by witty banter and opposing goals. Ben is undeniably charming and easy to root for—sweet, grounded, and emotionally open. Rose, however, may be more polarizing. Her judgmental attitude and emotional baggage make her harder to connect with early on, and a key miscommunication late in the story breaks the momentum for some readers. While she experiences growth, it may not be enough to fully redeem the romantic pairing for those who found them mismatched.

The secondary characters add much-needed charm and levity—Aurora and Coco in particular steal scenes with their vibrant energy. Luna and Marco’s relationship, however, feels underexplored, and giving them more focus might have deepened the emotional core of the story.

Though the romance may not fully land for everyone, the Italian setting is beautifully drawn. The scenic adventures along the villages and coastline provide a lovely sense of escape. The writing is breezy and accessible, making this an enjoyable, quick read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 15 October 2025

Playing For Possession By Sasha Lace

“You don’t have to follow other people’s rules all the time.”

“And you don’t have to break them all the time either.”

Joanie

People assume Joanie’s a nepo baby, but they have no idea how hard she’s worked to get back on the pitch after injury.

She just wants to play football. The last thing she needs is to film an ad in Menorca with Kieran Earnshaw, the men’s team bad boy.

Kieran is gorgeous, though—and he seems different with her. Maybe it’s time this good girl finally experimented with her wild side…?

Kieran

Joanie’s dad is on the board. He’s warned Kieran off his daughter, but wants him to watch out for her on their trip. He can get Kieran on the England squad, his lifelong dream, so he’ll have to play by the rules—just this once.

Quiet Joanie likes to stay in the background. But Kieran’s realized anyone overlooking this woman is making a mistake. She’s the total package, beautiful inside and out.

He knows what he wants on and off the pitch—and he always plays to win. He’s risking everything, but sometimes opposites attract. And together, he reckons they could rewrite the whole rulebook…

Anyone But You By Olivia Spring

They say opposites attract… right?

Ex-rock star Jake used to have it all. But a fall from grace has left him with a career in tatters. Trying to salvage his reputation, his agent suggests a trip to sunny California’s brand new five-star Love Hotel. The plan is to instigate a fake whirlwind social media romance to reignite his star power. Simple. Except, Jake barely knows how to use a hashtag. And he’s definitely not looking for love.

Looking for a second chance at finding true love, Halle has categorically sworn off musicians and social media after a painful break-up. So, when matched with notorious bad boy Jake, they’re a dating disaster waiting to happen, right?

Jake’s here for the clicks. Halle is craving a connection. ¬ Except the Love Hotel’s matchmaking team are the experts for a reason. And after two weeks of forced proximity in paradise, Halle and Jake discover that the pairing which at first seemed so wrong starts to feel so right…

Review Card & Book Review – Viral Justice By Julie Rowe

Alicia Stone has always lived up to her name: unbreakable. As the daughter of a general and a Special Forces consultant with black belts in three martial arts, she’s fought her way to the top in a world where respect is never freely given. No one questions her strength or dares to call her Alicia—except Colonel Robert Maxmillian.

As head of the elite Biological Response Team, Max is no stranger to pressure, but his toughest mission yet lies in northern Iraq, where a deadly virus—or weapon—threatens to wipe out entire villages. With Alicia by his side to protect him, he’s ready to face the unknown. But what starts as a mission of survival quickly becomes personal as the undeniable attraction between them grows.

Alicia knows Max would be the perfect no-strings fling, but he’s not interested in settling for less than everything. Their passion ignites even as the stakes rise. When their investigation leads them closer to the source of the virus, they uncover a dangerous enemy willing to sacrifice anything to keep their secrets buried.

With lives on the line and their own hearts in the balance, Alicia and Max must trust each other to survive. Can they take down a ruthless scientist before time runs out—or will their mission end in betrayal and heartbreak?

About The Author

My Review

In the third book of the Biological Response Team series, Sergeant Alicia Stone is assigned to protect Colonel Robert Maximilian, a brilliant but emotionally guarded scientist leading the U.S. Army’s biological threat unit. Alicia, a tough and capable soldier, isn’t afraid to challenge Max, and their sharp banter slowly builds into a believable, slow-burn romance.

As they work to stop a dangerous bioterrorist, the story blends high-stakes action with emotional depth. Real-world biological threats, a clever overarching plot, and Max’s gradually revealed past add tension and empathy throughout. The novel is fast-paced, character-driven, and concludes the series with a perfect mix of suspense, romance, and realism.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo