August 4, 2026 – My Sanctuary

The Pilot By Susan Stoker

Ex-fighter pilot Lincoln “Linc” Young is a survivor, masking his PTSD and nightmares behind a calm exterior. When his father’s death brings him back to Maine to help his mom, he never expects to cross paths with his former high school tormentor. But the woman who once made his life hell now stirs completely different emotions in Linc, and when he finds Harper in need, he impulsively offers her and her young son a place to stay.

Harper Bates thought she’d hit rock bottom after returning to her childhood home in Rockville, Maine. Then her father begins judging her every move—and worse, her son Kash, when they discover he’s being bullied at school. The last person she expects help from is Linc, the boy Harper herself had bullied years ago. Now a commanding presence who makes her and Kash feel safe, Linc inspires both a growing attraction…and lingering shame over her past actions.

Temporary cohabitation quickly turns into something more as Harper and Linc reveal intimate secrets that put them both on a path to healing. But they’re unaware someone else has a secret. And it’s about to impact the one person the couple can’t live without—Kash.

The Midwife By The Sea By Jo Bartlett

Working between St Piran’s hospital and the community midwifery unit of Port Agnes, Hope quickly finds herself drawn into the lives of her patients and colleagues. From dramatic deliveries and joyous newborns to heartbreaking struggles with infertility, she is on hand to share in all the hopes, worries and incredible love that motherhood can bring.

But Hope is carrying a secret that could change everything – and she faces an impossible dilemma.

Should she reveal the truth and shatter the lives of those around her, or protect the fragile happiness of the family she’s only just found?

As friendships deepen, romance blooms and emotions run high, Hope must decide whether some secrets are better left untold… and what it truly means to belong.

How To Find Love In The Cereal Aisle By Alissa Derogatis

If you can’t write a good meet-cute, maybe you need to live one first…

Ainsley Green writes happily-ever-afters for a rabid fanbase of hopeless romantics. In real life? Her boyfriend just broke up with her, her editor wanted a new book yesterday and she’s starting to wonder if love actually exists beyond the pages of her favorite novels.

So when Lucas, Ainsley’s best friend and biggest cheerleader, insists the best cure for writer’s block is real-life inspiration, she’s ready to try anything. Enter: the meet-cute plan, a mission to take her head out of her heartbreak and force meet-cutes IRL to spark some new ideas. But as failed missions bumping into strangers at the airport and spilling coffee on men at the cafe result in nothing but embarrassment and stained clothing, Ainsley begins to wonder if maybe the romance she’s been chasing already has a leading man.

Because the truth about falling in love? It never goes according to plan.

She can’t cook. He won’t leave. And the hottest thing coming out of the kitchen might just be their chemistry.

When Cora Lockwood’s boyfriend betrays her by stealing her idea and tanking her career, her perfect life collapses, leaving her with a battered reputation and a one-way ticket home.

Returning to Sunrise, North Carolina, Cora plans to sell her grandmother’s café and move on. But The Salty Spoon isn’t empty—it has been taken over by Jack Harlow, the stubborn chef who’s staked his future on bringing her family’s recipes back to life. With a developer circling and long-hidden secrets bubbling up, they’ve got thirty days to fight over the café’s fate: sell it or save it. And neither plans to back down.

With the clock ticking, Cora and Jack become unlikely partners in chaos, tangled in late-night cooking lessons, small-town meddling, and one inconvenient attraction that has sparks flying both in and out of the kitchen.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about fresh starts, small-town charm, and the unexpected romance that blooms when life refuses to go according to plan. In this book, Cora Lockwood inherits her grandmother’s café just as she’s been fired from her job. Hoping for a clean slate, she plans to sell the café quickly—until she meets Jack Harlow, a brooding chef determined to convince her the café, and the town, are worth staying for.

The story shines through its warm, comforting atmosphere and the gentle slow-burn romance between Cora and Jack. Their growing connection feels natural and heartfelt, built through shared moments, playful tension, and the cozy routines of café life. Jack’s passion for food and his quiet determination balance nicely with Cora’s uncertainty and desire for change, creating a relationship that feels believable and easy to root for.

The supporting cast and small-town setting add depth and charm, making the town feel lived-in and welcoming. Light, sweet, and full of feel-good moments, this is a delightful rom-com perfect for fans of uplifting romances and comforting reads.

My Rating