November 10, 2025 – My Sanctuary

If any place can turn two best friends into lovers, it’s Venice.

Well, only if you don’t have a dreamy tour guide like Lorenzo…

For LA chef Daisy Hogan, this trip to Venice is the start of her new life—inspiration for her California restaurant, saying yes to stability and basically fulfilling all her dad’s dreams. But then the trip goes sideways, and she’s left in the most romantic city in the world with her best friend, Jeremy. He’s stable, reliable. If she wants to salvage the future she planned, maybe she should fall for her friend?

So they agree to a friends-to-lovers project. What could go wrong?

Enter Lorenzo Fontana, hotel concierge by day, violinist in his dreams. He gave up music for a practical life in the city he loves, and to keep his job, he’s vowed to be Daisy and Jeremy’s personal guide to romance. Only he’s not supposed to be feeling this personal about their project…

With racing hearts, longing glances and gondola rides, Daisy begins questioning the project, her plans and even her future. Is it possible to live a life where the dreams she’s fulfilling are her own?

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My Review

This is a tender, heartfelt romance set against the romantic backdrop of Venice. After a painful breakup, Daisy joins her best friend Jeremy on a trip meant to help her heal—but the vacation soon stirs up unexpected emotions. As Daisy tries to sort through her lingering heartbreak, her friendship with Jeremy deepens in ways she didn’t anticipate. Then comes Lorenzo, a charming Italian tour guide whose easy warmth and flirtation add both excitement and confusion to her journey.

Ottoni beautifully captures the tension between comfort and desire, friendship and passion, making Daisy’s emotional turmoil feel authentic. While Daisy’s need for love can sometimes feel overwhelming and the pacing wavers in places, the story ultimately delivers a satisfying mix of heart, introspection, and sensuality. With its slow-burn triangle, cross-cultural charm, and emotional depth, The Friends to Lovers Project is a short yet engaging read that explores how heartbreak can open the door to unexpected love.

My Rating

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She’s in the happily-ever-after business

But he’s never been interested in fairy-tale endings

Divorced single mom Andie Carter is parenting nine-year-old twins, launching a fairy tale–themed children’s birthday party center and fighting lingering feelings for high school friend Knox Walker. The charming stable manager has eschewed romantic entanglements in favor of party-boy ways. But when Andie’s venue needs repairs, he volunteers his ranch for her events—and a few unexpected kisses, too! Knox doesn’t trust easily, but Andie and her kids are breaking through his guard. Will he come to terms with his fears to be the Prince Charming that Andie and her kids yearn for?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Knox, a charming but somewhat aimless farmer who has loved his best friend, Andie, since high school. Andie, a single mother to twin boys, returns his feelings but needs proof that Knox is ready to be a true partner and father figure before opening her heart completely.

What makes this story shine is its blend of romance and personal growth. Knox’s journey toward maturity feels genuine as he learns from his wise grandparents and the colorful townsfolk of Sugar Maple Farms. His gradual realization that love requires stability and reliability adds emotional depth to his character.

Andie’s strong support network—especially her sister Mel and her close-knit group of friends—adds warmth and humor, showcasing the power of community. One standout, Maya, the local baker and aspiring romance novelist, hints at an exciting next installment in the series.

Ultimately, this is a tender, small-town friends-to-lovers romance about finding courage, stability, and love where you’ve always belonged—a cozy, heartwarming read perfect for a quiet weekend.

My Rating