Monthly Archives: May 2026

Review Card & Book Review- Buried Lies By Kathleen Donnelly

U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer Maya Thompson and her K-9, Juniper, are both ready for a break. Ever since moving to Colorado, it’s been one investigation after another. Murder, arson, kidnapping…they’ve handled it all. Now that her boyfriend, Undersheriff Josh Colton, is coming home, Maya is looking forward to spending some quality time together.

Until she and Juniper find the body of a woman in a pile of forest debris meant to burn, that is. Then Maya’s just looking forward to having Josh’s help in solving the crime.

But when the victim turns out to be Josh’s volatile ex-fiancée, and all signs point to Josh as the main suspect, Maya and Juniper must dig into Josh’s past to uncover the truth…before the killer, fixated on revenge, finds them.

About The Author

My Review

This is a standout entry in the National Forest K-9 series and a wonderfully accessible jumping-in point for new readers. Although it’s the fourth book, Donnelly’s confident, immersive writing makes it easy to connect immediately with Maya Thompson, her K-9 partner Juniper, and the high-stakes world they inhabit.

From the opening chapter, the story grips tight. Maya is a compelling heroine—capable, perceptive, and emotionally grounded—and her bond with Juniper is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Their partnership feels authentic and deeply earned, providing real heart amid the danger.

The plot unfolds at a razor-sharp pace, balancing layered suspense with personal stakes. When Maya’s boyfriend, Josh, becomes the prime suspect in a murder, the tension escalates dramatically. Donnelly weaves together relationship strain, a revenge-driven killer, and the isolating menace of the forest without ever losing momentum. Each twist lands cleanly, keeping the reader constantly off balance.

The Colorado wilderness is vividly rendered, acting almost as a character itself—beautiful, threatening, and full of buried secrets. Buried Lies delivers a satisfying blend of emotional depth, sharp mystery, and K-9 excellence, making it a must-read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Nurse’s Night Before Valentine’s By Louisa Heaton

There’s no cure for Cupid!  

For locum nurse Cass, a temporary contract on a Scottish island is a breath of fresh air. After suffering a terrible loss, she’s lived on the go, never allowing anyone close. Except the warm welcome from her new boss, single dad GP Lachie, has her wondering if she can finally put down roots… Sharing patients leads to sharing heartaches late into the night, when their spark threatens to turn into a blaze! As Valentine’s approaches, will Cass find a home where her heart is?

About The Author

My Review

Louisa Heaton is a tender, emotionally rich romance that packs a surprising amount of heart into a short, satisfying read.

Set on the remote Isle of Gulray, the story follows Cass, a traumatised locum nurse who arrives intending to simply complete a temporary contract and keep her walls firmly in place. Instead, she finds herself drawn into the rhythm of island life—and into the orbit of Lachie, the island’s young doctor, widower, and devoted father to his son Ronan, while also caring for his mother as she battles dementia. Their connection unfolds gently, shaped by shared compassion, unspoken grief, and the quiet understanding of two people carrying heavy emotional burdens.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its sense of place. The descriptions of island life—the food, weather, local language, and close-knit community—are vivid and immersive, making Gulray feel wonderfully real. The medical details add authenticity and momentum, grounding the romance in everyday challenges and care.

Though it’s a quick afternoon read, this story lingers, offering warmth, healing, and the comforting fantasy of finding love and belonging in a remote Scottish community.

My Rating

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Happy Publication Day – 17 May 2026

The Seaside Book Club By Helen Rolfe

Welcome to a very special book club – where stories are shared, secrets kept, and friendships found.

Howard, newly retired to Dorset, joins because he can’t sleep; the weekly sessions give him an opportunity to connect. Margot logs in only after her husband’s fallen asleep – her life has grown small, and the club is the one place she can still be herself. And on the other side of the world, Faye joins to escape her sister’s latest crisis and feel, for an hour, that she belongs somewhere.

For each of them, the book club is more than a hobby – it’s a lifeline.

So when Howard suddenly disappears from the meetings, everything changes. Determined to be there for their friend, Faye and Margot must step out of their own troubled lives and travel to Dorset – where the truth behind Howard’s silence may turn out to be the most unexpected story of all…

Review Card & Book Review – Chasing The Ring By Lauren Rowe

Iris Benedetto’s wedding day just went viral . . . for all the wrong reasons.

After a heated blowout with her lying, cheating fiancé at the altar, Iris storms off on a solo honeymoon—loudly announcing that she’s finally going to find out what good sex is all about. Rebranding from small-town preschool teacher to #Horny Runaway Bride was not the plan, but the insanely hot stranger who ends up double-booked in her bungalow on the island of Kauai is an opportunity even devastated Iris can’t ignore.

It’s not often NFL quarterback Roman Maguire meets someone who doesn’t recognize him. Even rarer to have that someone barge in while he’s taking a shower and quickly make him an irresistible offer. Roman is in Hawaii to secure the deal that could finally land him a Super Bowl ring—and closer proximity to his son. A sexy fling in paradise is a perfect way to spend a week with a surprise roommate . . .

Except . . . suddenly a week doesn’t seem nearly enough. And once the truth about Roman’s identity, Iris’s internet infamy, and all kinds of loyalty-testing secrets are revealed, will they both be willing to step into the real-life spotlight together?

About The Author

My Review

This is a funny, heartwarming sports romance that delivers exactly what her readers love—big laughs, genuine emotion, and characters who feel like family by the final page.

Roman, an NFL quarterback, meets Iris, a newly jilted bride, while she’s bravely taking her honeymoon alone. What starts as a chance encounter quickly turns into something special, especially because Iris has no idea who Roman is. That anonymity is a gift for him, and their first week together is a joy to read as they connect simply as two people finding comfort at the right moment. Rowe captures those early days beautifully—light, tender, and full of chemistry.

I especially appreciated that Roman and Iris part ways for a time. That space allows both characters to grow individually, making their eventual reunion feel earned and emotionally satisfying. Roman’s family, as always with Lauren Rowe, is a standout. His brothers are endlessly entertaining, and his relationship with his son adds a layer of warmth that will melt your heart.

Laugh-out-loud funny, swoony, and deeply charming, Chasing the Ring is a sports romance that hits all the right notes—and will leave you wishing for more books in this world.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – A Shore Thing By Portia MacIntosh

Lights. Camera…Showmance!

From the moment Cleo met Lockie, her infuriatingly charming co-casting producer on hit reality show Welcome to Singledom, he’s been getting under her skin. Their job? Casting singles for the ultimate island romance. Their problem? They can’t agree on anything.

Now, the cameras are ready to roll, and the contestants—well, most of them—are en route. But when the threat of a tropical storm delays half the cast, launch night turns into a total disaster. With no Plan B, Cleo and Lockie are forced to step in as contestants. Just for 24 hours until the real stars arrive.

Simple, right? Except tensions are sky-high and sparks are flying for all the wrong reasons! All they have to do is couple-up and get voted off – but there’s a storm coming, so leaving the island might not be so easy. Cleo’s used to pulling strings behind the scenes, not falling headfirst into the drama.

But when the cameras stop rolling, will their fake fling fade with the credits—or could it be Cleo’s most unexpected plot twist yet?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, witty rom-com that delivers exactly the kind of escapism her readers have come to love. Set within the glossy, overproduced world of reality dating television, the novel cleverly pulls back the curtain on manufactured romance while still indulging in all its most entertaining tropes.

Cleo is very much a behind-the-scenes heroine—a capable fixer who values structure and control—making her forced on-screen pairing with Lockie, a charming yet infuriating co-producer, an inspired clash of personalities. Their dynamic begins with sharp banter and competitive tension, and when unforeseen circumstances push them into pretending to be contestants, the story fully embraces fake dating and forced proximity to great effect.

MacIntosh’s trademark humor shines throughout, landing in quick observations and throwaway lines that feel effortless and knowing. The island setting offers breezy escapism without overwhelming the story, allowing the focus to remain on character interaction and romantic development. Cleo feels refreshingly human, while Lockie fits the rom-com mold of a flawed hero learning as he goes.

Light, charming, and comfortably familiar, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced read that will particularly appeal to fans of workplace romance, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and reality TV–inspired stories.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- The French House Share By Gillian Harvey

‘I can’t live with total strangers… can I?’

Bella’s living her dream life, running a beautiful, rural French B&B and has finally put her past behind her. But when her husband suddenly asks for a divorce, everything changes.

Forced to abandon everything she’d built before, she finds herself moving to the beautiful town of Versailles, where she takes a job working in a hotel, and moves into a chaotic house share.

At first, it doesn’t feel like a problem that she can’t seem to convince her young housemates she’s older than them – it’s quite nice to pretend she’s in her 20s again. But when it becomes clear her new boss has also hired her under false pretences, she starts to wonder if she’s gone from living the dream to living a lie.

Despite the chaos though, she starts to feel that spark return. Even more so when handsome American landlord Brad arrives on the scene. But with so many secrets – now and in her past – how will Bella’s new start end?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, uplifting novel about starting over when life unravels unexpectedly. Bella appears to be living her dream in rural France, running a B&B and leaving her past behind—until her husband asks for a divorce and everything collapses. Forced to rebuild, Bella moves to Versailles, house-sharing with two twenty-somethings while quietly hiding her real age and a résumé exaggeration.

What truly shines is the atmosphere. Harvey’s descriptions of French villages, cafés, and city life are immersive and comforting, making the setting feel like a character in its own right. Bella is a wonderfully relatable heroine—flawed, insecure, funny, and resilient. Her struggles with self-doubt, especially when compared to her sister, feel authentic and heartfelt.

The supporting cast adds charm and warmth, particularly Odette, Henri, and the formidable Claudette. Brad, the handsome American landlord, brings a gentle romantic thread that complements the story without overpowering it. Filled with humour, emotional depth, and themes of love, loss, and second chances, this novel is far more than a simple romance—it’s a reassuring reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.

My Rating

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Happy Publication Day – 15 May 2026

Edge Of Falling By Sophie Hamilton

One reckless lie was all it took to upend Avery Delgado’s teenage life. By saving Tanner Stone, she ruined her own chance of success and learned the hard way not to trust in love.

But when Tanner—now a hockey sensation—returns to Pine Springs, old sparks reignite. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Tanner isn’t shy about what he wants.

Avery’s walls are high, but as their summer fling burns hotter, she wonders if taking a risk might be worth it this time…

Until the threats start. Anonymous. Personal. Dangerous.

Someone wants Avery out of Tanner’s life, and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Avery helped Tanner all those years ago. Now he’s determined to unmask their enemy. And, as past wounds resurface and the pressure builds, Avery must decide if protecting her heart from Tanner is more painful than finally setting it free.

Coupling Up By Jo Lyons

The most adventurous thing unlucky-in-love primary school teacher Libby has done this year is buy an air fryer. So when she finds herself trading places with her twin sister during the summer holidays, to be a contestant on reality TV show Love on the Island, she is way out of her comfort zone.

Jetting off to a villa in Mexico full of promiscuous muscle-mountains coupling up with glamorous women with frozen foreheads and hidden agendas, and a she-devil executive producer hellbent on exposing her to ridicule, should be her worst nightmare but somehow Libby does end up catching feelings… for the one guy who is forbidden fruit. Gorgeous, sexy, show producer Cameron.

Suddenly Libby’s summer is picking up. But she’ll be kicked off the show and lose her chance with Cameron unless she learns how to become a crazed, fame-hungry, media whore… and fast.

Yes, love is about staying true to yourself. But it’s also about taking risky leaps of faith.

Review Card & Book Review- How To Be Fabulous By Carmen Reid

Family, fashion, fiascos—this is how to be fabulous. 💃🏼

Busy mum. Fashion guru. Domestic disaster waiting to happen?

When Annie Valentine agrees to help her best friend Svetlana pull off a charity fashion show, she thinks it’ll be a breeze. After all, no one knows couture quite like Annie, so how hard can it be?

Answer: very. With no venue, no clothes, and definitely no showstopper, Annie’s in danger of her first ever fashion fail.

And just when the wardrobe rails are about to collapse, her family life does too. Daughter Lauren is home from New York with a broken heart, son Owen is off to university with an empty wallet, and Annie is hanging on by a thread.

But when a mystery donation arrives in to save the day—and Annie—it feels like she might just pull it all together. That is, until Owen goes AWOL and everything unravels.

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, witty blend of fashion, family chaos, and heartfelt humor that pleasantly surprised me. What begins as a seemingly breezy fashion comedy quickly reveals more emotional depth, with Annie Valentine juggling a charity fashion show, family upheaval, and her own fraying nerves.

Annie is wonderfully drawn—capable and caring, yet perpetually overwhelmed. She can transform anyone with the right outfit, but her personal life is held together with loose threads. Reid excels at showing the messiness of midlife, balancing real emotional stakes with perfectly timed humor. Annie’s children bring their own challenges, adding tenderness and relatability without tipping the story into heaviness.

The fashion show plot is gloriously chaotic, spiraling into disaster in the most entertaining way, while small twists—like a mystery donation—offer moments of hope. Reid’s writing is confident and lived-in, with sharp but kind humor and a brisk, engaging pace.

Ultimately, this is a joyful, comforting read that celebrates resilience over perfection. Fabulous, it turns out, is simply getting through the day with grace—and maybe good lipstick.

My Rating

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Happy Publication Day – 14 May 2026

Home For The Summer By Suzanne Snow

Finding new love can sometimes mean looking to old friends

Mum-of-two Cassie has spent the past two years coming to terms with the sudden loss of her husband and her children’s father. Now, she’s tentatively starting to look to the future – including dating. Her close friend, Pippa, and her daughter are keen to set her up with a newly arrived artist in Hartfell, but Cassie has her doubts.

Then Raf, Pippa’s brother, arrives in the village. A drummer in his dad’s band and long-standing friend, Raf and Cassie leaned on each other since Ewan’s death. Until they shared a passionate kiss a few months ago.

But Cassie can’t indulge an attraction for a man who’s always professed he’ll never settle down. With her heart still mending, can she take a chance on Raf?

Review Card & Book Review- No Strings Attached By Christy McKellen

A revenge vacation with her hot billionaire ex-fling? Upgrade accepted ✅

Chloe Dasher has spent years saving for the honeymoon of her dreams—private hot springs, silk kimonos, and five-star room service in Kyoto. The wedding? A disaster. The groom? Gone. But she’s not giving up the trip she worked so hard for… even if she has to take it solo, with a broken heart.

What she doesn’t expect at the world’s most luxurious hotel? Kit —her once-upon-a-time college fling turned maddeningly handsome, self-made billionaire—checking into the same romantic resort, also nursing a freshly broken engagement.

Neither expected a trip down memory lane with the one that got away, but old sparks ignite instantly…. So why not have a little fun and agree to enjoy a week-long holiday fling with a side order of payback on their exes! The only rule – keeping their hearts out of it. Chloe and Kit are absolutely not looking for love. Yet sometimes, the road to happily ever after starts with a no strings fling in paradise.

About The Author

My Review

This is a short, holiday-set second-chance romance that delivers exactly what it promises: a quick, spicy escape with familiar tropes and a touch of emotional baggage. After separate breakups, billionaire Kit and Chloe both decide to take their planned honeymoons to Kyoto alone—only to discover they’re staying at the same hotel and happen to be exes from college.

McKellen’s writing is smooth and easy to read, and the novella format works well for readers wanting something light and fast-paced. There are genuinely funny moments, and the setting adds a romantic, escapist charm. However, the brevity also limits deeper character and relationship development. While Kit and Chloe are likeable enough, their chemistry feels muted, and the romance doesn’t quite have the emotional pull of a full-length novel.

The billionaire trope feels somewhat unnecessary, though fans of the trope may still enjoy it. Compared to I Do, For Now, this story feels less essential, relying on the characters’ shared past to move things along quickly.

Overall, this is an enjoyable but forgettable read—best suited for readers craving a short, spicy romance without heavy emotional investment.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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