November 2025 – Page 5

Review Card & Book Review- The Friends – To – Lovers Project By Paula Ottoni

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?

About The Author

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

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Her Fairy – Tale Farmer By Elle Douglas

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

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 9 November 2025

Letting Go Of Yesterday By Jo Bartlett

Sometimes the only way forward… is to go back.

When Rowan Bellamy’s marriage collapses in spectacular style, she retreats with her two children, Bella and Theo, to the last place she ever wanted to return—her windswept Cornish hometown of Port Agnes. Taking the headteacher role at the local primary school is the easy part. Facing village gossip, curious neighbours, and old flames? Not so much.

Especially when one of those flames turns out to be Nathan Lark — the boy who broke her heart and the man who now has a reputation as bruised as her own. With his young nephew Leo a pupil in Rowan’s school, she and Nathan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. And whether she likes it or not, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore.

As salty sea air begins to soothe old wounds and Port Agnes slowly feels like home again, Rowan must decide if she’s brave enough to let go of the past and open her heart one more time.

Review Card & Book Review- Destination Weddings And Other Disasters By MC. Vaughan

Sun, sea, sand…and her high school nemesis.

This destination wedding is about to take a detour.

There are millions of men in Los Angeles, and somehow Julia Stone’s mother just got engaged to the worst possible option. Not that there’s anything wrong with her future stepfather. It’s his son who’s the problem. Event planner Carson Miller is six-plus feet of lean muscle and irresistible charm, and ten years ago he made Julia’s life hell.

Paired with Carson to organize the last-minute Belize wedding, Julia doesn’t intend to let him off the hook for past bad behavior. If only there weren’t surprising new feelings in the mix, like undeniable heat…

Carson claims he made mistakes; he’s a different person than he was back then. Julia’s response: prove it. Now, in between wedding planning, zip-lining and exploring waterfalls, they’re having fun falling hard and wondering if this paradise can last once the party’s over…

About The Author

My Review

This is a delightful blend of warmth, humor, and heartfelt emotion—the kind of romantic escape that feels like a deep exhale. M.C. Vaughan crafts a smart and sun-soaked second-chance romance set against the lush backdrop of Belize, where family chaos and unresolved history collide.

Julia and Carson, once high school acquaintances with a strained past, find themselves awkwardly reunited when their parents decide to marry. Tasked with planning the destination wedding, they’re forced into close quarters, sparking tension, banter, and an unexpected rekindling of connection.

What elevates this story is its emotional maturity. Carson’s genuine accountability for his past behavior and Julia’s cautious, self-assured approach to forgiveness make their romance feel both realistic and deeply satisfying. Their chemistry builds slowly but beautifully, grounded in vulnerability and respect.

Balancing heartfelt redemption with light tropical fun, Vaughan delivers a charming, feel-good read perfect for anyone craving a believable love story with depth. Fans of enemies-to-lovers, second chances, and beachy romance backdrops will find this one a winner.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- When I Should’ve Stayed By Max Monroe

She thought they were divorced. He never filed the papers.

Now he’s determined to prove their love story isn’t over.

Josie: Before The Moment

There are ghosts at every corner. In the stolen kisses while I waitressed at the diner, in the town festivals in the square, in the many jokes about Betty Bagley and her pie at the Fall Farmer’s Market, and in countless nights spent watching Clay make drinks with that handsome smile of his plastered on his face while I sat on a stool at the bar. It should all feel familiar and comforting, and yet, it makes it hard for the person I am now to breathe at all. I wish I’d been stronger. I wish I’d been wiser. I wish I didn’t have to do this. I wish.

Tonight will be a defining moment for the rest of my life. I have to end it now……before it ends me.

Clay: After The Moment

When Josie and I said, ‘I do’, I thought it’d be us against the world forever. But I wasn’t expecting the world to be so against us. I know I should’ve stayed that night, and I should have gone back a heck of a lot sooner. Because I don’t know how to be here. I don’t know how to be anywhere. Truth is, I don’t know how to be without Josie at all. She might think we’re done, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure we’re not.

About The Author

My Review

This story follows Clay, a hero who’s completely and unapologetically in love with Josie. He’s the kind of man who makes you swoon—loyal, gentle, and devoted to the woman he never stopped loving. Josie, however, carries the weight of grief and secrets that once kept her from fully embracing their relationship. Their breakup was painful, but when Clay returns five years later determined to win her back, his quiet persistence and heartfelt sincerity make their second chance deeply moving.

The book shines through Clay’s unwavering devotion and the tender way he helps Josie lower her guard again. Their chemistry remains strong despite the years apart, and their reunion brims with emotion and hope. The themes of grief and healing are explored with care, making Josie’s journey feel authentic and touching.

Although the pacing and timeline could have been smoother, the emotional payoff and beautifully drawn characters—especially Clay—make this a memorable and heartfelt addition to the Red Bridge series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

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Review Card & Book Review – Building Her A Home By Lisa Carter

Can one little girl’s wish

Bring two lonely hearts together?

When country music singer Noah Brenden walked away from fame to raise his orphaned niece, he made a vow never to stay anywhere long enough to be recognized. So when a blast from his past, music teacher Chloe Randolph, falls into his arms while trying to rescue little Lili’s cat, it’s his cue to leave. But Lili longs for a permanent home, and Chloe desperately needs Noah’s help to restore the town’s historic theater, promising to keep his true identity safe in return. Staying put wasn’t his plan, but could it lead to the future he never knew he was looking for?

About The Author

My Review

The story centers on Noah, a well-known country singer seeking peace and anonymity after becoming guardian to his young niece, Lili. Hoping for a quieter life, he settles in the charming town of Truelove, where he agrees to help restore the town’s gazebo and later its beloved old theater. What he doesn’t expect is to reunite with Chloe, the local music teacher and his former crush. Chloe is compassionate, grounded, and deeply connected to her hometown, while Noah has spent years drifting, protecting both his privacy and his heart.

Their relationship unfolds slowly and tenderly, challenged by their different lifestyles—and by Chloe’s awareness of Noah’s fame. With her protective brothers, a few meddling matchmakers, and adorable Lili adding warmth and humor, the story beautifully balances romance and community spirit.

Heartfelt and wholesome, this small-town romance celebrates love, family, and belonging. It’s filled with charm, emotion, and the kind of moments that linger long after the final page. Fans of gentle, feel-good second chances will adore this one.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

When midwife Zoe Padbury moves into Kestrel Cottage, high on a misty hill above the village of Thimblebury, everyone rallies round to make sure she doesn’t feel lonely. And as she begins her job at the doctor’s surgery, dealing with expectant mums and helping to bring newborns into the world, warmth begins to flood back into her battered and broken heart.

But the evenings are long and as Zoe sits on her cornflower-blue sofa, looking at the golden peaks crowned by clouds, she can’t help but wish she had someone to share her new life with. Her ex-husband treated her badly, but it’s still hard to resist his warm and loving messages begging for a second chance.

Distraction arrives when she meets Alex out walking his shaggy grey dog, and discovers that he will be moving in next door. As she chats to Alex, Zoe finds it hard to ignore his thick dark hair and eyes the colour of chocolate, and her heart clenches at the worried frown that creases his brow.

She soon learns why Alex is anxious when she pays his pregnant daughter a home visit and learns of the tragedy that has brought them to Thimblebury. Zoe is no stranger to sadness, and as she and Alex lean on each other, a tentative spark begins to flicker.

But when Alex gets the wrong idea and thinks Zoe has betrayed his trust, followed by Zoe’s ex appearing on her doorstep, swearing he’s a changed man, will that spark be snuffed out? Coming to the Lake District was meant to be a fresh start for Zoe. But what if the pull of her old life is too overwhelming to resist?

About The Author

My Review

This heartfelt novel follows Zoe Padbury, a midwife who moves to the Lake District seeking a fresh start after the heartbreaking loss of her baby and the breakdown of her marriage. Determined to rebuild her life, Zoe continues her work delivering babies—a bittersweet act that both soothes and tests her as she grieves privately. In Thimblebury, she reconnects with her old friend Ottilie Oakcroft (from New Dreams for the Village Nurse) and finds solace in the kindness and warmth of the local community.

As Zoe settles into her new surroundings, she meets Alex, the devoted father of one of her patients. Their connection grows slowly, filled with tenderness and emotional honesty, offering a glimpse of love and hope after sorrow.

Beautifully written and deeply moving, this story explores loss, healing, and renewal with authenticity and grace. It’s a poignant reminder that even after the hardest heartbreaks, it’s possible to find comfort, community, and joy in unexpected places.

My Rating

Review Card & Book Review- A Summer Of Secrets On Arran By Ellie Henderson

Three women. One summer on Arran. And a secret that could change everything they knew about love.

Rosie, seeking solace on the quiet Isle of Arran after a heartbreaking divorce, hopes to rediscover herself in its peaceful surroundings. But as she settles into the old cottage that was once her family’s retreat, she begins to question if she’s truly left her past behind.

Isobel, her lifelong friend, arrives to support Rosie. But what begins as a simple visit soon becomes complicated. Beneath her warmth and laughter, Isobel holds secrets of her own — secrets that threaten to change everything for both her and Rosie.

Bella, Isobel’s daughter, has always wondered about her father, but her mother refuses to talk about him. When Bella stumbles upon a hidden diary, a shocking revelation sends her to Arran in search of answers. Instead, she finds herself torn between the love she’s always known and the possibility of a new and unexpected romance.

As the women confront their pasts, they learn that sometimes the truth can lead to the most surprising new beginnings — and even a second chance at love, when they least expect it.

About The Author

My Review

At the center of the story are Rosie, Isobel, and Bella—three women, each navigating a turning point in their lives. Rosie arrives on Arran after a painful divorce, hoping the island—and her family’s old cottage—can offer the peace she’s been craving. Isobel, her lifelong friend, joins her, but brings with her long-held secrets that slowly begin to surface. And Bella, Isobel’s daughter, driven by a desire to uncover the truth about her father, finds more than just answers when she follows a hidden trail that leads her to Arran—and possibly to love. Each woman’s journey feels personal and layered, exploring themes like identity, loyalty, and the long shadows cast by the past. The relationships—especially between Rosie and Isobel—are lovingly crafted, showing how friendship can both withstand and be tested by time and truth.

Though there are romantic threads in the story, this novel is primarily about personal rediscovery. The love stories are subtle and tender, complementing the characters’ emotional growth rather than dominating it. The inclusion of mature characters navigating romance later in life adds depth and a welcome layer of realism.

What makes the story even more special is its setting. The Isle of Arran is almost a character in its own right—evocative, peaceful, and quietly transformative. Henderson brings the island to life with vivid descriptions, making it an ideal backdrop for a story rooted in reflection and renewal.

One of the key plot points—Bella’s discovery of a hidden diary—adds a bit of mystery and momentum to the narrative, though some readers might find it slightly far-fetched. Still, it serves its purpose, unlocking long-buried truths and setting the characters on their respective paths to healing.

This is a tender, multi-generational story about healing, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds between women. Rich in atmosphere and heart, this novel is the perfect summer escape—ideal for fans of women’s fiction that blends emotional depth with a hopeful tone. This is a beautifully written, emotionally satisfying novel about starting over, finding closure, and the courage it takes to face the truth.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Happy Publication Day – 6 November 2025

Off Limits By Emma Rae

She’s the cheerleader. He’s the star player. One problem: their contracts.

For Serenity Harper, paying off her father’s massive gambling debt means working a job as a late-night dancer in a sleazy dive bar. But achieving her dream of becoming a cheerleader for the Canyon football team, she must hide her double life from her new employers.

But when Serenity catches the attention of the newest Canyon star player, golden-boy Jake Walsh, while out shopping – sparks instantly fly.

But their contracts have a very specific clause: no fraternizing with the players or cheerleaders. As the pair struggle to stay away from each other, will Serenity’s other secrets come to light, and will Jake lose his perfect player image…?

Never Look Back By Susan Lewis

A dead husband. A missing wife. Will they find her in time?

Romy Kaplan has vanished from her home.

Or has she?

When Romy begins posting on her social media accounts asking everyone to stop looking for her, the police are certain she is safe. But Romy’s nearest and dearest are far from convinced.

Her husband died in the bath under inconclusive circumstances six weeks ago. And Romy would never disappear without telling someone where she is going.

As true crime podcast host, Cristy Ward, picks up Romy’s case… she has the whole world asking…

Where is Romy now?

The Secret Mistletoe Promise By Cressida McLaughlin

Is a new beginning waiting for her this Christmas?

When Imogen leaves her fiancé at the altar and escapes to her grandmother’s cottage by the sea, the only thing she wants to do is disappear.

But in a village curious about their new arrival, Imogen finds hiding out harder than expected, especially with the charming local baker Dexter around to distract her.

As secrets unravel and the festive season draws near, Imogen wonders if she’s been running from the wrong things all along.

Will the runaway bride find her happy ever after under the mistletoe?

Royally Off-Limits By Kate O’Keeffe

He needs a royal redemption arc. She needs to keep her distance. The public wants a love story—and they’re about to get one.

I called him Ledonia’s most eligible man-child in a headline. Now I’m living at his palace.

After my no-holds-barred exposé on Prince Maximilien goes viral, the royal family doesn’t banish me—they hire me. Apparently, the King and Queen think damage control looks like me filming an exclusive behind-the-scenes series on their charming, cocky, scandal-prone son.

Prince Max isn’t thrilled. In fact, he downright despises me. Which is fine. Because the feeling? Entirely mutual.

But the thing is, I didn’t expect him to be smarter, deeper, and somehow even hotter in royal pajamas. And I definitely didn’t expect to start falling for a man I’ve built a career out of publicly roasting.

There’s just one problem: He has no idea who I really am.

Review Card & Book Review – King, Enemy , Husband By Jackie Ashenden

Vows will bind them…
Passion could ruin them!

After decades under Accorsi rule, King Tiberius has fought to reclaim his crown. Yet the violent coup has left his kingdom divided. To unite his people and quell any discontent, Tiberius is left no choice…but to immediately wed his enemy’s daughter, Guinevere Accorsi!

Wearing Tiberius’s ring frees Guinevere from her tyrannical family. Living life in the shadows is all Guinevere has known, so stepping into the spotlight as Tiberius’s queen is daunting. However, her biggest challenge will be ruling over her traitorous desire for her ruthless husband…

About The Author

My Review

King, Enemy, Husband opens with intensity as Tiberius reclaims his stolen throne after years in exile, only to find Guinevere—the daughter of his family’s enemies—hiding within his reclaimed castle. What follows is a marriage of necessity that becomes a journey of healing and emotional intimacy. Ashenden crafts a powerful enemies-to-lovers story that thrives on tension, vulnerability, and mutual respect.

Tiberius is a classic Ashenden hero—stoic, commanding, yet deeply wounded. Beneath his armor lies a man longing for connection, and his slow surrender to love is beautifully portrayed. Guinevere’s transformation is equally moving; after years of emotional manipulation, she learns to reclaim her voice and self-worth. Together, they navigate power, politics, and pain with honesty rather than melodrama.

The chemistry between them smolders, building from wary alliance to soul-deep devotion. Ashenden’s lush prose and emotional precision make every moment between Tiberius and Guinevere feel earned. This is a royal romance rich with passion, redemption, and emotional truth—a story where love becomes both weapon and salvation.

My Rating