May 2026 – Page 2 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – Falling For The Rodeo Cowgirl By Cari Lynn Webb

Honoring a family vow…

He never expected love

When veterinarian Hank Hopson returns to Three Springs, Texas, with his five-year-old son, he’s determined to honor his wife’s last wish to heal family wounds. Taking a job at the local animal hospital, he’s paired with Gwen Bayer, the spitfire cowgirl working as his vet tech. She plans to get back on the rodeo circuit once her horse’s injury heals, and he’s headed for the city. But as their friendship deepens, it becomes impossible to deny their growing connection. How will they decide between the lives they’ve worked for—and the love that could change everything?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about finding the courage to chase your own dreams, opening your heart after loss, and discovering that healing doesn’t always come from romance alone. This is such an enjoyable, emotionally rich read that I flew through it, stopping only to highlight moments that made me smile, laugh, or unexpectedly tear up.

I connected deeply with Gwen Bayer—her devotion to her grandfather, her need to please others, and her struggle to separate her own dreams from the expectations placed on her all felt incredibly real. Her impulsive reactions, especially when she doesn’t have all the facts, lead to some awkward and genuinely funny moments that make her even more endearing.

Hank Hopson, a widowed single father, is impossible not to love. His fierce dedication to his child and his belief that romance must come second add emotional weight to the story, showing the quiet sacrifices he’s made. While the romance is sweet, the most touching element for me was Hank’s relationship with his father and the beautifully organic way it heals.

Warm, heartfelt, and full of small-town charm, this is a comforting story about family, forgiveness, and second chances.

Single dad romance

Small-town charm

Healing after loss / emotional healing

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 26 May 2026

Undercover Sabotage By Kacy Cross

They’re a fake couple…
To solve a real mystery.

As heir to her Aunt Greta’s vineyard, Samantha Wagner, a take-charge executive, is sure she has the smarts to run Wagner Wines. She just hadn’t counted on former Texas Ranger Dean Carter investigating her aunt’s death as suspicious. Though both prefer to operate solo, the designer-clad business pro and the sexy loner cowboy pose as a couple to probe a possible murder. But as sabotage mounts and secrets emerge, Carter and Samantha try to resist emotional entanglement. Will the former ranger abandon his mission to protect Samantha from the killer’s sights?

The Husband’s Secret By Debra Webb

Her ex’s mysterious death
…is now theirs to solve.

When Brenda Devers sees her estranged—and recently deceased—husband, Scott, at the airport, she reels in shock. She’d buried him three weeks ago—hadn’t she? Only now his business troubles have thrust Brenda and her young daughter into sudden do-or-die jeopardy. Luckily the single mom’s new neighbor, Ben Clark, is smart, attractive and seemingly trustworthy when police and the FBI are not. A top Colby private investigator, Ben’s been hired to protect Brenda. But as he helps her uncover the truth about Scott, the danger factor amps up—and her worst nightmare might be coming true.

A Surprise For The Single Dad By Jen Gilroy

An unexpected reunion

Brings a loving new beginning!

Returning to quaint Strawberry Pond, New Hampshire, is bittersweet for veterinarian Trevor Kaminski. His hometown is full of memories of the sister he lost. And with his orphaned nephew, Danny, to raise, he suddenly finds himself a single dad. But reconnecting with his childhood best friend, Laura Sullivan, brings a joyful surprise—romantic feelings that catch them both off guard. Laura is happy to help with Danny, and working with Trevor to save the local animal shelter allows their friendship to deepen and grow…into love. But self-sufficient Laura never planned on marriage. Can Trevor convince the dedicated bachelorette to embrace a fresh start with an instant family?

My Fiancée Promotion By Emmy Grayson

Diamonds aren’t forever…
Unless they come with desire!

For years, I’ve striven to conceal my blazing attraction to my boss, Aiden Hawke. Aiden never mixes business with pleasure. But when he demands I play his fake fiancée for a year to secure a deal, my heart almost combusts.

Once he marks me as his to the press and moves me into his penthouse, Aiden’s every heated glance is a special kind of torture. As his icy walls come down, I know I’m playing with fire. Because my compulsion to be his will linger long after this engagement’s expiration date…

Have A Great Summer By Francesca Cocchi

If time is supposed to heal all wounds, Lina Mariano’s broken teenage heart never quite got the message—but 15 sunny, sandy, angsty Jersey Shore summers later, she finds herself unexpectedly facing her old crush, getting a new perspective—and maybe even a hopeful glimpse of the future . . .

Lina Mariano is stuck—in her hometown, in her job, and in the past. And after six years of writing up local weddings as a columnist for a popular lifestyle website, she’s wholeheartedly sick of nuptials. Worse, the next one on her list is none other than Sebastian Nikolaou’s.

Working high school summers with sweet, handsome Sebastian at his mother’s iconic beach restaurant, teenage Lina was totally wrapped up in the way he made her feel—until the night that everything changed. Even so, she’s embarrassed to admit how often she still thinks of him, and now, comparing their present lives is wrenching. It will take a careful look at her younger self, and some wisdom from the best friend who was there for it all, to see that making her dreams come true is up to her alone—whether or not those dreams still include Sebastian . . .

The Lake House By Lori Foster

When Pixie Nolan first came to Bramble, Kentucky, the abandoned and desperate young single mother found hope, healing, and a fresh start. With the loving support of her best friends—Marlow Heddings and her handsome Marine husband, Cort—Pixie is now happily raising her toddler son in a cozy cottage, managing Marlow’s thriving boutique, and designing firefly logo t-shirts that are selling like hotcakes. The past is behind her, and life is good.

She never expected to make an electrifying connection with a summer renter, a retired Navy SEAL with his own complicated past . . .

A rugged warrior with scars both seen and unseen, Brogan Rafferty arrives with an adorable baby girl in tow and settles into the lake house next door. And while he’s a stunning addition to the gorgeous scenery, it’s his caring devotion that captures Pixie’s heart—the way he gently snuggles away the precious infant’s cries, or swoops Pixie’s delighted little boy high in the air with his tattooed, muscular arms.

But it’s no coincidence that Brogan has found Pixie, and his startling revelations make it clear she’s the key to healing old regrets and building new dreams. And when a hostile stranger turns up with shocking accusations against Bramble’s new hometown hero, Pixie must put her own fears and heartbreak away for good—and learn what it truly means to trust.

Too Fast To Fall By Karen Booth

So what if she’s crushing on a race car driver? That doesn’t mean it’s love at first lap.
But maybe it’s love at first lap dog?

Yesterday, Piper Murphy was just another dog sitter helping her sister with wedding prep while pretending she’s over her own broken engagement.

Today, she’s the fill-in dog sitter for Formula One driver Emilio Baquero. Brooding, gorgeous driver + naughty, cute Lab? Woof, down boy.

When Emilio offers her a five-week gig as his live-in dog nanny in London, Piper can’t help but say yes. It’s out of her comfort zone, sure, but it’s also a ticket to travel, racing, and caring for a dog she already adores. All while escaping the wedding planning that’s put her failures front and center.

Only being under the same roof means there’s no escaping Emilio’s intensity, or grumpiness. Piper tries to be a sunny presence, but their clashes just fuel the slow-burn tension to something near combustible.

Because falling for your boss is risky when you have a broken heart. Falling for your famous boss and his adorable dog? That’s a crash waiting to happen.

When Dr Grumpy Met Her Sunshine By Amy Blythe

She’s head over heels with temptation!

Blunt, difficult, too much—that’s how orthopedic specialist Sasha’s ex described her. Now, back in New Zealand, Sasha’s putting her heartbreak behind her. Admittedly, falling into a colleague’s lap on her first day at a new hospital isn’t a great start! Infuriatingly sunny physiotherapist and disability activist Cam is everything Sasha isn’t but secretly wishes she was. Maybe, then, taking a risk and acting on their magnetic chemistry might not be so terrifying? Dare she hope that Cam wants her—just the way she is?

How To Train Your Billionaire By Kendall Ryan

Accountant Frankie Anderson seems down for the count. Laid off, single, and desperate for a fresh start, she takes an unlikely job as travel companion to billionaire Charles Winthrop—a grandfatherly eccentric with a private jet and a soft spot for strays. The perks? Staying in luxury estates, sun-soaked days in Hawaii, and glamorous nights on the French Riviera. The catch? His nephew.

Hayes Winters is grumpy, guarded, and annoyingly good-looking. Their first encounter—a spat erupting from her all-out battle with a broken vending machine—convinces him he doesn’t want Frankie anywhere near him or his family. He doesn’t trust her motives, and she doesn’t care what he thinks. But somewhere between late-night omelets and lavender fields, their banter turns into something neither of them expected.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what old Charles had in mind. Because sometimes the best journeys aren’t the ones you plan—they’re the ones that lead you home.

Not Over You Actually By Heidi Stephens

A wedding at a French Château. A handsome familiar face. A roadtrip to find herself✨🇫🇷

She’s moved on. Absolutely. Definitely. . . Sort of.

Two years post-divorce and flying solo at a family wedding in France, Kate locks eyes with a strikingly handsome man – only to realise it’s Hugh, her ex-husband. The cardigan-wearing, workaholic history professor she left behind has been transformed into a man who is sleek, confident, and maddeningly attractive.

She expected wedding drama, but not this. And when a favour she can’t refuse lands her on a road trip across France and Spain with the newly upgraded Hugh, Kate is forced to confront more than just old memories.

As detours turn into revelations, she has to wonder: is this just a scenic route back to heartbreak, or could revisiting the past lead her somewhere entirely new?

In Love And Revenge By Elle Nicholl

He’s the arrogant billionaire intent on revenge.

She’s the woman who’ll stop at nothing to get justice.

Even if it means getting uncomfortably close to the man she hates.

Rafael Fairfax: devastatingly handsome, notoriously difficult billionaire CEO of Fairfax Guardian. His staff alternately love him and loathe him.

He’s also the brother of my best friend, Dove. I have every reason to despise him after I hear him talking about my father one day. Unfortunately, I need him too.

Because my father is in prison for fraud, and I’m determined to get him released. If I can get close to Rafael by working for his company, I’m confident I can prove his innocence.

It won’t be easy. Rafael is adamant that my father is a crook, and seems personally invested in him staying in prison. But if dealing with Rafael is the price I have to pay for justice, then so be it. He might be cold and grouchy, and glare at me like he hates me. But just sometimes I catch him looking at me and there’s a flicker of something else entirely…

Review Card & Book Review – How To Survive Your Boss By Leslie North

Months ago, I had a scorching one-night stand with Harrison Ashford. CEO. Sin in a suit. Human red flag. Also? The grumpiest man alive. Think smoldering glare, dripping sarcasm, and the emotional range of a brick wall. He ghosted me so hard I had to check for a pulse. Then we collide again in an airport lounge—just as he’s going viral for trash-talking Scarlett Rush, America’s sweetheart and the world’s most beloved pop star.

Now he’s public enemy number one, the fandom is out for revenge, and his private jet company is bleeding money.

And he wants to hire me to fix it.

I’m a crisis PR pro, not a billionaire wrangler. Babysitting a grumpy jet mogul with a god complex and a grudge against joy—who had me breaking all my rules, then vanished—is not in my five-year plan. Still, the money’s obscene. The jets are private. And the job? Temporary. I can keep it professional. I can ignore the tension in every private jet and late-night strategy session.

I will absolutely not fall for the man who ghosted me. …Right?

About Your Author

My Review

This is about second chances, unresolved chemistry, and being forced to face the one person you never truly got over. How to Survive Your Boss is a fun, fast-paced romance centred on Harrison and Gwen, whose past complicates their very professional present. Harrison is the powerful CEO of the Ashford Luxury Jet Empire, and when a PR disaster threatens his company, there’s only one person capable of fixing it—Gwen, the woman he once ghosted after a magical week in Aspen.

Working together again is anything but easy. Old hurt lingers, trust is fragile, and the attraction between them crackles from the moment they’re back in each other’s orbit. Leslie North does a great job leaning into their differences, creating witty, often laugh-out-loud interactions, while allowing Gwen to stand her ground against Harrison’s alpha tendencies.

This was a book I devoured in just two days. The chemistry is strong, the romance undeniably swoon-worthy, and the banter keeps the story light and engaging. While some moments are predictable and I would’ve liked a bit more detail about their initial meeting, the story is still thoroughly enjoyable. A solid start to a new series, with side characters that already have me eager for more.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- Jenny James Is Not A Disaster By Debbie Johnson

There’s having a bad day . . . and then there’s having a Very Bad Day.

Thirty-something single mum Jenny James is used to the typical run-in-your-tights, milk-turned-sour, break-a-nail bad kind of day. Attitude from her teenage son? Count on it. Car problems? To be expected. Never quite enough money for monthly expenses? Guaranteed.

And then arrives the Very Bad Day–when Jenny finds out her dull but reliable office job is in jeopardy, her car totally and completely breaks down, and she arrives home (on foot) just in time to see her modest-but-cozy cottage sliding off a cliff into the sea. Jenny’s life–not to mention her home–has reached its ultimate low point.

Estranged from her parents since she became pregnant at age eighteen and set out on her own, Jenny has nowhere to turn when she and her son, Charlie, find themselves without a place to live. Her neighbor, the reclusive but attractive Luke who lives alone with his dog in a surprisingly homey RV, opens up his camper–and his vagabond lifestyle–to Jenny and her son.

As the unlikely threesome–four including the dog–hit the road, Jenny finds herself experiencing a new sense of freedom as she reflects on who she was, who she is, and who she could become. Maybe when you fall, you actually find the best way to move forward.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about hitting rock bottom, pressing reset, and discovering that it’s never too late to put yourself back on your own list. Jenny James Is Not a Disaster begins with an epically awful day—one of those catastrophes that instantly makes you feel better about your own—and turns it into the starting point for reinvention.

Jenny is a single mum in her thirties who has spent her entire adult life putting her son first, and the relationship between Jenny and her eighteen-year-old son, Charlie, is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Their bond is warm, supportive, and full of love, and Charlie’s encouragement of his mum’s dreams is genuinely heart-melting.

Enter Luke Henderson, a man described as “an enigma wrapped in a mystery,” wise, kind, and carrying his own quiet regrets. After crossing paths on Jenny’s very bad day, he becomes the unexpected catalyst for change, offering Jenny and Charlie an escape in his camper van, Joy. What follows is a physical and emotional road trip across England, filled with self-discovery, healing, and laughter.

Debbie Johnson’s writing is witty, sharp, and laugh-out-loud funny. Jenny’s voice is a joy to live in, making this a comforting, uplifting story about self-love, courage, and new beginnings.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 25 May 2026

Tempted Hearts By Cissy Mecca

Welcome to Cedar Falls 🌲

Juliette

I never meant to derail a man like Cole Ford. One lost passport and a spiraling travel disaster later, I’m stranded in Cinque Terre—overwhelmed and completely out of my depth. Then Cole shows up: calm, controlled, infuriatingly handsome. He’s order wrapped in a perfectly pressed shirt, and somehow the only person who makes me feel steady in the middle of my own chaos. I start wanting what I shouldn’t—him. And wanting Cole feels dangerous in a way I can’t even explain.

Cole

I don’t do chaos. And Juliette Porter is chaos with a heartbeat. I live by structure, logic, and The Bachelor Pact—especially the final rule: never fall in love. Flying to Italy to retrieve Juliette was supposed to be simple. But she slips past every defense I’ve built, makes me crave the unpredictable, and tempts me to break the vow I swore I’d never touch.

By the time we return to the familiarity of Cedar Falls, one truth is unavoidable: to keep her, I’ll have to shatter my last unbroken rule—and finally risk my heart.

Review Card & Book Review – Free Falling By Jill Shalvis

Retired hockey player Caleb Colburn needs this construction project to prove himself in the family business, but he also needs to recover from the injury that ended his pro career. Too bad Emma Sumner, architect liaison and Caleb’s college nemesis, is back in town and assigned to the project. They’re going to have to see each other almost every day. Which means once again she’ll make his life a living hell.

As for Emma, her job is on the line with this big project, made all the more challenging by the project manager. Caleb was the one who had snagged the scholarship she’d desperately needed to stay in college. She’s been living hand to mouth ever since and has no intention of ever forgiving the man.

But the beautiful historic building they’re renovating is exactly the kind of project that they both love best. Their surprising common ground and a burning mutual attraction start bringing them closer and closer to a potentially explosive mistake. And that’s even before the secrets come out…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about second chances, old wounds, and two people being forced to confront a past that never quite let them go. Thisis the second book in Jill Shalvis’s Colburn Brothers series, and while it can be read as a standalone, the pull of this family makes it hard not to want to start at the beginning.

Caleb Colburn is a retired hockey player determined to prove he belongs in the family construction business, while Emma Sumner is the architect liaison he’s required to work with—despite a college history that left deep scars on both sides. From the moment they’re thrown back together, the tension is immediate, charged with sharp banter, unresolved hurt, and undeniable chemistry.

Jill Shalvis excels at writing characters who feel real and imperfect, carrying emotional baggage that doesn’t magically disappear. Emma, in particular, is heartbreakingly relatable, and I spent much of the book wanting to wrap her up in a hug and urge her to let her guard down. Their enemies-to-lovers journey is built on genuine pain and misunderstanding, making the emotional payoff especially satisfying.

Witty, warm, and laugh-out-loud funny, it delivers heart, heat, and a deeply comforting romance that leaves you eager for more Colburn brothers.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- The Queen Of Wishful Thinking By Milly Johnson

Her mother said if she could imagine doing something in her head, she could do it in real life. But as hard as she wishes for a new life, can Bonnie ever make it happen?

Bonnie Brookland grew up in the vibrant world of antiques, surrounded by the comforting chaos of market stalls, old treasures, and the loyal friends who became her second family. But lately, life has felt anything but colorful. So when she stumbles upon The Pot of Gold, a struggling antique shop in a quiet corner of her British town, something about it tugs at her. It feels like home.

The Pot of Gold is a dream come true for Lewis Harley, who left behind a high-pressure investment banking career after a health scare in his forties. Craving peace and purpose, he’s poured everything into the shop. But things haven’t gone to plan, and the business is struggling. That is, until Bonnie walks through the door.

However, both are navigating lives that aren’t easy to leave behind. And when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Bonnie and Lew must each decide how much they’re willing to risk to rediscover themselves–and whether the life they’ve always hoped for might still be within reach.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about second chances, quiet bravery, and the power of community, wrapped up in a story that shows Milly Johnson at her very best. From the very beginning, I was completely absorbed by this warm, witty, and deeply comforting novel, which weaves together friendship, family, doing the right thing, and two very different marriages.

At the heart of the story is Bonnie, a woman trapped in a loveless, controlling marriage that has left her feeling old before her time. Her life begins to shift when she loses her job and unexpectedly finds herself working in a far kinder environment at the Pot of Gold antiques shop. The shop’s owner, Lewis, reinvented his life after a serious heart attack, and their meeting feels guided by fate, changing both their lives in meaningful ways.

The cast of antique dealers is wonderfully colourful, each with distinctive personalities and nicknames, creating a strong sense of warmth and loyalty. I also loved the humour scattered throughout, particularly the laugh-out-loud newspaper snippets from the local Daily Trumpet.

Comforting, funny, and emotionally engaging, this is a beautifully crafted story that flows effortlessly and leaves you feeling completely at home.

My Rating

Link To Purchase I

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review- Dirty Hit By Livy Hart

When a career-ending injury forces hockey superstar Sadie Rivers to hang up her skates, she never expects to be the NHL’s first female coach. The Portland Fury are the league’s worst team—and Sadie has one season to turn the franchise around. Critics of her “soft touch” coaching style make no secret of their skepticism, but Sadie has never bucked a challenge, on or off the ice.

Defenseman Leo McLaren is hockey royalty. Or he was, until a dirty hit last season left him with a shoulder injury and migraines that have destroyed his game. When he’s traded to the Fury, it feels like the end of his hockey dreams. That is, until the new head coach names him captain—and asks for his help getting to know the team, who resist her personal approach.

Secret coach-captain meet-ups lead to a tentative friendship that quickly turns into sizzling chemistry hot enough to melt a hockey rink. But with the season and both their careers on the line, Sadie and Leo will have to decide if love is a risk worth taking when the game they’re playing demands all they have to give.

About The Author

My Review

This is about second chances, resilience, and breaking barriers in a gritty hockey world. Dirty Hit opens from the coach’s perspective, which immediately feels fresh and engaging. Sadie, a former superstar player and the NHL’s first female head coach, is a compelling lead, and the story doesn’t shy away from the backlash, skepticism, and constant scrutiny she faces in a male-dominated league.

The Portland Fury begin as the worst team in the NHL, and the messy reality of that is portrayed brilliantly—low morale, fractured players, and resistance to change all feel raw and believable. Watching Sadie slowly try to turn the team around is deeply satisfying.

The romance between Sadie and team captain Leo is a highlight. Their connection builds naturally through forced proximity, trust, and secret coach-captain meetings, with undeniable chemistry. Both are grappling with career-altering setbacks, which adds emotional depth and real stakes to their relationship.

With its fresh perspective, strong character work, and gritty hockey setting, Dirty Hit is a standout sports romance—and I’m so glad I picked it up.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 23 May 2026

Every Time We Touch By Lucy Mitchell

Love is not about how the story ends. It’s about the magic we find on every page. . .

Bookseller Nelly Blake has a secret. When she touches someone, she sees exactly how their love story will end. The cheating, the ghosting, the awkward letdowns in coffee shops — it’s all laid bare in vivid, unwanted visions. She’s seen every kind of romantic disaster and has concluded the safest option is to stay single forever. No touching. No dating. No love.

But after a brutal rent hike and her beloved Aunt Polly’s cancer diagnosis, Nelly is forced to take on a flatmate to make ends meet. Enter Oliver James — bestselling romance author and recently heartbroken man hiding more than just his actual name.

Then Nelly accidentally touches him… and sees nothing. No ending. No heartbreak. No clue. And that terrifies her more than anything.

As Oliver begins to believe in love again, Nelly must decide whether to keep hiding behind endings — or risk everything for a story she can’t predict.

Review Card & Book Review – Stalked In The Mountains By Danica Winters

She’s sworn she’ll never return home…

Until she needs a hideout.

Actress Scarlett Leafletter’s former agent is stalking her. Concealing her identity, she and her assistant hide out at her estranged family’s resort ranch. The new guest annoys cowboy Miles Miller, despite his powerful attraction to her. Scarlett’s also drawn to Miles, but both are wary of trusting one another. As they navigate their conflicted feelings, Scarlett’s past catches up to her, endangering those around her. Then Scarlett’s assistant and Miles’s brother disappear. And Scarlett must reveal everything. Now, trusting each other is the only way to save those they love.

About The Author

My Review

This is a fast-paced romantic suspense that wastes no time pulling the reader into danger. Scarlett, a well-known actress, is desperate to escape a former agent who has crossed the line from persistent to terrifying. Seeking safety, she retreats to her estranged family’s remote mountain ranch—only to find that isolation brings its own risks.

Miles, the rugged host tasked with protecting guests at the ranch, initially sees Scarlett as a spoiled celebrity running from her problems. Their early clashes are sharp and engaging, making it especially satisfying to watch his opinion shift as her vulnerability and resilience come to light. The chemistry builds naturally amid rising tension, with Miles stepping up as a determined and capable protector.

Winters does an excellent job sustaining suspense. Scarlett’s constant paranoia about being found, combined with the emotional strain of returning to a place tied to family estrangement, adds depth beyond the immediate threat. The setting amplifies the danger, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where help feels far away.

With steady twists, escalating stakes, and a strong central pairing, this is a gripping, quick read. Fans of romantic suspense who enjoy protective heroes and relentless tension will find plenty to love here.

My Rating