May 11, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- Game Over By Bella North

His football days might be over. But the game is just beginning…

Forced out of the game by a career-ending injury, Dylan Sullivan is busy drowning his sorrows in the local bar. Slumped a few stools down, Izzy Brooks knocks back another bourbon. Her grandpa is selling the horses she loves, meaning she’s out of a job—and a home.

The next morning, Dylan wakes groggily to the sound of horses’ hooves—with zero memory of the night before. Unlucky for him, there’s a tougher-than-nails, sexy-as-hell ranch hand with a scowl the size of Texas to fill him in… Last night, Dylan bought eighteen horses to fill his family’s empty ranch. Izzy’s horses.

Izzy’s future relies on Dylan becoming the rancher he never planned to be. As she puts him through his paces, competitive sparks—and something even more sizzling—fly. And stolen moments amongst the haystacks start to feel like a new beginning for both of them.

But when Dylan gets a chance to rejoin the world of football, the hope in Izzy’s heart flatlines. Will he prove every misgiving she had about him true? Or will he realize the path he never expected to walk is the one leading to the happy ending he was looking for?

About The Author

My Review

Dylan, once defined by stadium lights and success, must confront who he is without football. His emotional journey—grappling with loss, identity, and purpose—was one of the strongest aspects of the story. Izzy, fiercely independent and fighting to protect her ranch after losing the horses she loves, is a force of nature. Her strength is admirable, though at times her sharp edges veer into frustrating territory, especially when Dylan is genuinely trying to heal and rebuild.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic delivers plenty of banter and slow-burn tension, capturing that irresistible “we shouldn’t, but we can’t help it” energy. Their chemistry develops gradually, making the payoff feel earned once both characters finally lower their defenses.

Set against a rugged ranch backdrop, Game Over blends grit, emotion, and heat. While Izzy made it harder for me to fully connect, the strong premise, Dylan’s growth, and a satisfying ending make this a worthwhile read for fans of slow-burn, opposites-clash romances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 11 May 2026

The Broken Hearts Beach Club By Jenny Hale

After heartbreak hits in three very different ways, Emily Jacobs and her friends Sienna and Blair take up Sienna’s offer to escape to her client’s luxurious beach house for sun, sand, and girl talk. But paradise comes with a twist: in his absence, the owner of the house forgot to reschedule his staff, leaving his brooding and impossibly tight-lipped personal chef, Patrick Owens, in charge of dinner for them. Every. Single. Night.

Emily can’t help but be intrigued by the chef with his guarded eyes and irresistible culinary skills. Certainly, they should know something about the person serving them food every night. As she tries to break through his tough exterior, his limited small talk creates deeper questions, just as a massive storm blows in, threatening their peaceful getaway.

Between laughter, late-night conversations, and undeniable chemistry, Emily realizes life’s storms reveal more than the weather’s.

Review Card & Book Review- Magic Uncorked By Annabel Chase

A magical secret is about to shake things up for the ladies of Lake Cloverleaf…

For Libbie Stark, Friday night cocktail club is a lifeline. Whatever her problems, whether her stubborn boss, unruly teens or deadbeat boyfriend, time with the women of Lake Cloverleaf always feels like a tonic.

But when tragedy strikes on the Fourth of July, Libbie discovers a magical secret. Witches are real. Only they aren’t born – they’re created. When a witch dies, her powers pass from one generation to the next. And a local witch has chosen to pass her powers onto the ladies of the cocktail club.

With the help of a magical recipe book, Libbie must harness her new powers and use them to shake up the comfortable life she settled for. As Libbie learns to finally live on her own terms, sparks fly with handsome local lawyer Ethan Townsend, and she discovers it’s never too late to restore a little magic to your life…

About The Author

My Review

This is a delightful, feel-good surprise and a wonderfully engaging start to The Midlife Magic Cocktail Club series. Blending paranormal charm with heartfelt women’s fiction, this novel celebrates friendship, second chances, and the magic of reinvention at midlife.

When sharp-tongued, much-loved Inga Paulsen dies, she leaves behind an unexpected legacy for her Friday night cocktail club friends—Libbie, Rebecca, Kate, and Julie. Along with four cats comes a touch of magic that nudges each woman toward transformation. This first installment focuses on Libbie Stark, whose life is unraveling thanks to a deceitful boyfriend and stalled dreams. Embracing Inga’s gift awakens new strength, creativity, and confidence, leading her toward independence, self-worth, and a sweet, quietly unfolding romance with the charming and open-minded lawyer, Ethan Townsend.

Chase balances relatable struggles with whimsical magic, clever humor, and uplifting moments that make this story shine. Warm, empowering, and brimming with positivity, Magic Uncorked is a joyful reminder of the power of women supporting women—and the magic that can bloom when they do.

My Rating