December 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- 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.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows three lifelong friends—Payton, Isley, and Clara—bound by a tragic past: the suicide of their friend Cece over twenty years ago. Their unspoken agreement to never revisit that night has kept their fragile bond intact, until a chilling note arrives during a weekend getaway: “Tell the truth or I will.”

That ominous message unravels everything. Secrets spill, tensions rise, and each woman is forced to face not only what happened the night Cece died, but also the lies and struggles they’ve hidden from themselves and each other. Isley battles with guilt over her son’s reckless choices and her own impulsive actions. Clara, usually the dependable rule-follower, can’t escape the shadow of one rebellious night. And Payton faces the devastating truth about her marriage, even as she clings to denial.

The mystery kept me guessing, while the layered character development made me care deeply about these women. Themes of friendship, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness run through every chapter, giving the novel an emotional resonance that’s as powerful as the suspense itself. Gripping, poignant, and thought-provoking, this is a beautifully crafted exploration of secrets, guilt, and the courage it takes to face the truth.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- 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…

About The Author

My Review

Dolly marries her boss, Ares Demetrius, in a marriage of convenience designed to help him with his complicated family. But after a sudden accident robs Ares of his memory, everything changes. Believing Dolly to be only his fiancée, he introduces her that way to his family, unaware of the truth of their marriage. As they navigate the delicate balance between duty, deception, and genuine affection, Dolly and Ares must face not only his memory loss but also the growing bond that begins to feel very real.

The story delivers all the hallmarks of a Harlequin-style romance: angst, passion, and emotional tension. While some of the backstory feels a bit confusing at times and the tropes lean heavy, Pammi’s writing keeps the pages turning. Dolly and Ares are engaging leads, and watching them struggle through complicated emotions while dealing with his family’s expectations makes for an entertaining journey. Overall, it weaves together classic romance tropes—estranged family, marriage of convenience, office dynamics, and amnesia—into a dramatic, emotional story.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 30 December 2025

How To Fake Date Her Billionaire By Clare Miles

They’re crossing a billion-dollar boundary…

Heiress Eleanor Ainsworth’s secret to survival? Never fall in love. Only one person ever challenged that: billionaire Nic Kosmas, the childhood best friend she once dated for six sizzling months. So, when she returns to London to help launch a foundation honouring Nic’s late father, temptation follows… And after a stolen clinch lands them in the tabloids, the only solution to protect Nic’s family legacy is a fake relationship! Yet, as the line between façade and feelings blurs, Ellie’s in danger of breaking her golden rule…

The Dating Game By Mona Shroff

A fake romance will solve all their problems

…And stir up a bunch of new ones!

Veterinary student Saira Rawal definitely believes in love. It’s just…not for her. Not when getting through her days without panic attacks is struggle enough. But at least she has Tyler Hart—her brother’s best friend, who has always been her safe space. He even takes her in when she and her disaster of a therapy puppy need somewhere to stay! So when she can return the favor, helping him save face with his brother by pretending they’re together, she steps right up. With a pretend relationship, it’s not like there’s any chance of someone really getting hurt…right?

Rescuing Her Firefighter By Carol Ross

Not every hero…

Wears a uniform

Brooke Lawson refuses to let her troubled past stop her from making her mark in Flame, Texas. The close-knit community is exactly the fresh start she needs. Great new job, caring new friends—her only problem is the series of mortifying scrapes she finds herself in. Being frequently rescued by Michael Barnes, the small town’s handsomest firefighter, does have its upside. His warmth and humor set him apart from every man she’s ever met. But when his large, ready-made family starts interfering, will she be the one to rescue him? And will their special spark continue to shine?

Legacy Of Redemption By Kenna Scott

She’s used to fighting alone.

But now she needs him to survive.

Former socialite Sylvia Harrington can’t wait to flee her hometown of Fairfield—forever. But when her felon father’s cartel sets out to dismantle her life bit by bit, her only hope is to fight back. Who knew that battle would lead her straight to firefighter Ryan Pierce? After Sylvia brutally shattered his heart long ago, wrong-side-of-the-tracks Ryan never forgave her—but he never forgot her, either. Rekindling their feelings is more than Ryan ever imagined—and so is walking straight into the crosshairs of a ruthless enemy…

Deadly Security Breach By Katie Mettner

A deadly global threat

Locks two women in a race against time

When Iris Knowles is recruited to restore a hacked computer system, she’s afraid the traumatic brain injury that compromised her vision will keep her from completing the job she was trained to do. But the cybersecurity expert’s first sight of scientist Rebecca Roth instantly quells her fears, and sparks fly between the two of them. Iris and Bec both share a similar feeling of not belonging anywhere, and must now work together on a life-and-death mission. Can the two women help each other overcome their fears and stop a deadly virus from destroying humankind?

Champagne Taste On A Bad Boy Budget By Zuri Day

She’s a good girl trying to rebuild her restaurant.
He’s a felon trying to rebuild…everything.
Second chances have never been so sweet.

For Jamilah Carver, a by-the-books entrepreneur with refined tastes, running her own restaurant has been a dream come true. Until she’s buried in debt and without a chef, her once-bustling eatery on the brink of collapse. Enter Rashad White, a newly released ex-con who happens to be a culinary genius…and likes to play by his own rules.

With nothing in common but their love for food, the two clash at every turn. But when they’re not bickering over menu items or cooking methods, neither can deny the attraction that simmers between them. After Rashad proposes a daring plan, they’ll have to put their differences aside to work together—that’s when things really start heating up in the kitchen.

Can two completely different people, from two completely opposite worlds, find the perfect recipe for a fresh start…and maybe even love?

Just Add Happiness By Julie Hatcher

At forty-six, Sophie Bianco’s life is half baked—trapped in a controlling marriage and estranged from her critical mother. Her only solace? The Invisible Baker, her secret business helping overwhelmed moms create Pinterest-worthy moments.

When her mother’s death coincides with the last straw in her marriage, Sophie grabs her chance. Armed with divorce papers and her savings, she reclaims her childhood home. But freedom comes with complications: hoarder-level chaos, plumbing disasters, and an ex-husband plotting revenge. When her daughter announces an engagement that echoes Sophie’s own mistakes, the past threatens to repeat itself.

Desperate for income, Sophie takes a position as a pastry chef, finding unexpected sweetness in both the work and the charming restaurant owner. But as family drama and professional opportunities collide, Sophie must finally answer the question she’s been avoiding: Who is she when she’s no longer invisible?

Run For Your Life Callie Kingman By Allie Frank & Asha Youmans

Two decades have passed since Callie Kingman begrudgingly followed her husband, Thomas, across the country in pursuit of his career at the expense of her own. Today, Callie is an empty nester with no job prospects, a declining mother, and a spouse who announces his intention to leave her—in Sacramento, the dullest city in America. His parting potshot: “It’s not me, it’s you.”

Taking to bed, Callie relies on delivery for food, her neighbor for booze, and her college best friend for commiseration. When an overdue annual exam leads to a health scare, Callie is forced to contend with her fractured and unfulfilled life by revisiting the vibrant, indomitable woman she used to be.

From her idyllic years at Princeton and an extraordinary first love to the pressures all women face to strive, serve, and be sexy as hell, once again she’s face-to-face with it all. Callie is running for her life, determined to forge a path ahead that is better than the one she’s leaving behind.

Hot Nights With The Paramedic By Carol Marinelli

The hottest mistake of her life?

Obstetrician Monica Hamilton loves her job, yet with every tiny baby she delivers, she longs for her own even more. When she’s poised to explore single motherhood, it’s terrible timing to notice sexy Argentinean paramedic Luke Arias. All he can promise is no strings and scorching hot nights. He’s already had to bring up his orphaned siblings—children are 100 percent off his agenda. Usually cautious Monica is powerless to resist Luke’s charisma…but will their temporary fling break her heart or unlock everything she’s ever wanted?

Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner By Caitlin Crews

Is she his ruin…
or his redemption?

Jovi D’Amato doesn’t show mercy. He is ice-cold, ruthless and relentless. He is the deadly weapon of the Il Serpente crime syndicate, forged in the brutal aftermath of his family’s murder. Then he’s sent to kidnap Ruxandra Ardelean. In a single heartbeat she detonates his entire existence…

Salvation isn’t something Rux thought possible until Jovi takes her prisoner. The dangerous Sicilian should terrify her. Instead, he thrills her. She comes alive under his shamelessly sinful touch. Though for Jovi to make her his, he’ll have to burn his whole world down…

Review Card & Book Review- 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…

About The Author

My Review

Allie Foster has already endured great loss, having lost her parents in a tragic accident as a child and later her grandparents who raised her. Living a quiet, solitary life, she’s blindsided when the FBI arrives at her door, naming her a prime suspect in a crime she knows nothing about. Her world is thrown into chaos, and with her safety in jeopardy after her home is ransacked, she turns to the one person she can trust—Steve Durham, a childhood friend turned lawyer with the elite Colby Agency.

Together, Allie and Steve dive into a dangerous investigation that unearths shocking secrets tied to her parents’ past. The deeper they dig, the more peril they face, as every clue seems to lead to another layer of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives. Their partnership quickly becomes the heart of the story—Steve’s determination to protect Allie balances perfectly with her vulnerability and strength, creating characters readers will root for.

It’s a compelling, fast-paced read with likable protagonists, a well-developed plot, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very end. Overall it is a gripping romantic suspense that blends mystery, danger, and second-chance connection into a fast-paced, page-turning read

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – 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.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Sadie, a sweary, tattooed LA textile artist who reluctantly returns to her Indiana hometown to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. When a horde of wild hogs wipes out her entire crop, she’s forced to team up with Josh, a sweet-natured tech millionaire turned squash farmer, to grow giant pumpkins for the state fair contest. What begins as reluctant cooperation soon turns into undeniable attraction, and their opposites-attract dynamic is both fiery and tender.

Told in dual POV, Popp’s writing shines with witty banter, rich emotional depth, and a cast of diverse, inclusive side characters who add warmth and authenticity to the story. Sadie and Josh are wonderfully complex—she’s prickly and guarded, he’s sunshiney and steady—and watching them confront their insecurities to earn their happily-ever-after is deeply satisfying. The romance is steamy, playful, and yes, delightfully kinky, but it’s grounded by genuine vulnerability and growth.

Beyond the central love story, the book brims with small-town coziness, autumn atmosphere, and thoughtful details—especially the fiber and textile art elements, which add a unique creative thread to the story. Overall, it is a steamy, grumpy/sunshine romance brimming with heart, humor, and cozy fall vibes.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- 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…

About The Author

My Review

Princess Xiomara de la Rosa proves she’s more than her title when she’s tasked with finding the best physician to help her cousin’s wife through a high-risk pregnancy. Enter Dr. Edmund Butler, whose expertise—and instant chemistry with Xio—sets the stage for a forbidden attraction complicated by duty, protocol, and the gulf between their worlds.

Amy Andrews handles the royal/commoner trope with freshness, weaving in realistic medical detail and vivid, immersive scenes. Xio is strong and determined, Ed is steady and compassionate, and together they create a romance that feels genuine despite the obstacles. Overall,this book blends royal romance with medical drama in a way that feels both believable and heartfelt.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- 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?

About The Author

My Review

Aurora, a wildlife photographer recovering from a failed engagement, finds herself stranded in Alaska after a mudslide. Gage, a floatplane pilot and resort owner, offers her a place to stay on Conley Island. What begins as one night turns into a week of family, community, and undeniable chemistry that blossoms into love.

The setting is one of the book’s biggest strengths—Brookes brings Alaska vividly to life, from the northern lights to the close-knit warmth of small-town island living. The supporting cast adds depth and charm, especially Gage’s family, who welcome Aurora as one of their own. Reed, in particular, is a standout, and I hope he gets his own book.While the story follows a predictable romance arc, it delivers exactly what fans of this genre love: comfort, connection, and a hopeful reminder that love can appear when least expected. Overall, it is a heartwarming, feel-good romance that reads like a cozy Hallmark movie, with breathtaking Alaskan scenery and a sweet, guaranteed happily-ever-after.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- So This Is Christmas By Helen Rolfe

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.

But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.

Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, multi-generational tale that celebrates the enduring power of friendship, the lost art of letter-writing, and the quiet magic of human connection.

The story begins decades ago with Greta and Bea, two friends who left Vienna for England and began exchanging heartfelt letters — a tradition that grew into yearly “Christmas newsletter” updates. More than fifty years later, Greta is back in Vienna with her husband Walter, and Bea is in an English care home, yet their correspondence remains a lifeline for them both.

As age and failing eyesight make writing harder, others step in to help — Sophie, Bea’s devoted care home assistant who feels more like family, and in Vienna, Walter, their son Nick, and Jennie, a woman as close as an adopted daughter. When circumstances send Sophie to Vienna on Bea’s behalf, she discovers truths and connections that are both heartwarming and bittersweet. Greta and Bea’s lifelong friendship is portrayed with warmth and authenticity, and the relationships that branch from it — spanning generations and crossing countries — remind us how kindness can ripple outward, touching unexpected lives.

This is more than just a festive read; it’s a love letter to enduring bonds, old-fashioned correspondence, and the ways people can become each other’s chosen family.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- My Daughter’s Keeper By Sheila Norton

You’d know if something was wrong… wouldn’t you? But danger doesn’t always wear a mask – it can hide in plain sight.

After a difficult break-up, my six-year-old Daisy is finally settling into life in two homes. She’s spending more time with her dad, his wealthy and glamorous partner Kirsty, and her new stepsisters, Amelia and Freya. She seems happier. More relaxed. Like she’s finally found her place.

It should be everything I ever wanted for her. So why does it feel like I’m losing her?

Then Daisy confesses something that stops me cold. Something I can’t ignore. That Amelia isn’t kind. Behind closed doors, she’s cruel. Violent even.

Everyone says it’s just normal sibling tension. A bit of jealousy. But the more I try to dismiss it, the harder it becomes to shake the feeling that something is deeply, dangerously wrong.

What would you do if your child told you they were being hurt by someone you trusted? Would you risk everything to protect them – even if no one believes you?

About The Author

My Review

After the end of her long-term relationship with Craig, Tasha is left raising their daughter, Daisy, while struggling financially. Craig’s new partner, the glamorous Kirsty, enjoys a life of comfort and luxury with her own daughters Amelia and Freya,a stark contrast to Tasha’s day-to-day reality. In a desperate bid to solve her money troubles, Tasha turns to online bingo, but what begins as a small gamble quickly spirals into addiction and serious debt.

When Kirsty agrees to look after Daisy after school, it seems like a lifeline—until Daisy admits that Amelia can be cruel and, at times, violent. Tasha’s unease grows, but without the funds for childcare, she feels she has no choice. As secrets begin to surface and lies come to light, Tasha starts to fear that Whitegate House might be far more dangerous than she imagined.

If I had to capture this novel in a single word, it would be motherhood. Norton writes with emotional depth, conveying the love, fear, and resilience that drive Tasha’s every choice. While the pacing is occasionally slow, the emotional tension and unfolding mystery kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, it is a moving psychological family drama with an undercurrent of suspense, this story grips from the start and lingers after the final page.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- A Magical New Year’s Kiss By Jennifer Joyce

Should your fairy tale be this much work?

After a bad run of dating, Daisy is shocked when she meets her friends one night and it appears to be New Year’s Eve – in the future. Even more amazingly, Daisy is holding hands with a man she can feel is her true love.

At midnight they kiss…and it all fades away. The one detail about him she can clearly recall is that his watch was cracked.

So when she meets her new boss Joshua, she is shocked to see that his watch face is cracked. He must be her dream man!

The only problem is – she just can’t stand him.

Still, Daisy has faith in her vision and sets to work to turn them from enemies to lovers. They begin to date and Daisy follows the tiny clues from her dream, hell bent on making it come true.

But is he really her perfect man? Or is she chasing after the wrong Prince Charming?

About The Author

My Review

Daisy gets a magical sneak peek into the future—New Year’s Eve, midnight, the perfect kiss with her dream man. The only clue? A cracked watch on his wrist. When her new (and very irritating) boss, Joshua, fits the description, Daisy decides fate must be pointing straight at him. But is he really her Prince Charming… or just a holiday red herring?

It may be months away from the holidays, but I say there’s no such thing as too early for a bit of festive romance. This book serves up cozy vibes, a dash of magic, and plenty of holiday sparkle. The story jumps right in with the dream scene, keeping the pace snappy and the pages turning.

I loved the clever way swearing was handled—it felt cheeky without being over the top. Some abbreviations like cigs pop up, which might bug a few readers, but they didn’t take away from the fun for me. Overall, it is a cute, feel-good holiday rom-com that will leave you warm, fuzzy, and maybe wishing for your own magical midnight kiss.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Kobo