September 2026 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – Backstage Night With The Billionaire By Mariah Ankenman

Once upon a fixer-upper…

A handsome handyman arriving without warning to renovate down-on-her-luck aerialist Piper’s rented theater throws her into a spin—she can’t afford anyone finding out she’s living backstage. Only Kellen is no ordinary contractor: He’s a billion-dollar tycoon with a tool belt! Thanks to a lifetime of letdowns, he doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after…but Piper’s idealistic charm makes him wish he did. And as their chemistry erupts right under the stage lights, can he really keep his well-built walls up?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about an aerialist barely holding her life together and the secretive contractor who walks into her crumbling theatre and turns everything upside down. In this book, Piper is rebuilding after her ex steals her savings, secretly living in the rundown theatre where she performs. When Kellen arrives to renovate the building, he seems like the answer to her problems—competent, kind, and dangerously attractive. The complication? He’s preparing the theatre for sale and bound by an NDA that keeps Piper in the dark.

This is a light, feel-good romance that embraces its tropes with confidence. The hidden identity and forced proximity create constant tension, while the Cinderella undertones add a fairy-tale sweetness. Piper’s aerialist career offers a refreshing, behind-the-scenes look at performance life, adding depth and charm to the story. Kellen’s quiet protectiveness and undeniable chemistry with Piper make their connection believable and warm.

Yes, the outcome feels predictable—but in the most comforting way. The joy lies in the journey: the slow burn, the playful banter, and the emotional payoff. It’s a delightful, cozy escape perfect for readers craving a quick, romantic happily-ever-after. 💕

Forced Proximity

Hidden Identity

Slow-Burn Romance

Cinderella-Inspired Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Happy Publication Day – 1 September 2026

The Work Husband By Sophie Ranald

You’re just friends that work together. Nothing more. Riiiiiiiiight?

When Georgia’s boyfriend Sam tells her he’s meeting up with his ex, she’s living every girlfriend’s worst nightmare. Because it’s not just any ex, it’s his first love – the relationship everyone thought would last forever. Convinced she’s one pinot-grigio-fuelled evening away from having to argue custody of their beloved cat, she turns to her work husband for help.

Jamie fixes all Georgia’s work crises (like that time she jammed the printer so badly it started smoking…) so when he suggests faking a romance to make Sam jealous, she’s all ears. After all, he’s already her work husband, how hard can it be to pretend he’s something more?

From flirty texts to a dangerous number of G&Ts in the local pub, Jamie’s declarations of love soon start to get out of hand. Suddenly, Georgia’s not sure her work husband was the best choice to help her keep hold of her (hopefully) future husband.

Georgia has watched enough romcoms to know office romances are not a good idea and, as she soon finds out, even fake ones can be dangerous… Is she prepared for what happens when fake dating turns out to be not so fake after all?

The Billionaire And The Runaway Bride By VH Nicolson

I’m Leon Hill, ex-hockey player, sports agent, and in so much trouble! I have been in love with my best friend’s little sister for as long as I can remember. But she’s off limits. Forbidden. And now she’s getting married. Until she’s not.

Erika Johansson becomes a runaway bride, ending up in my arms. I should turn her away. Tell her no, but the idea of having her is all too tempting. Instead, we do something crazy and I finally get the woman I’ve craved all these years. But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that our timing is never right. And a bang on the head, where I forget everything, is just another reminder of that.

Right now, my heart is as battered as the puck in the closing minutes of the Stanley Cup, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe this love story was just never meant to be.

A Fall To Remember By Ellie Alexander

Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation—a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that’s been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.

Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown’s beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.

As golden leaves fall and the scent of apple cider fills the air, Miranda finds that being yourself is harder than it looks—especially when she’s falling for Jim. But when she learns his job depends on this campaign’s success, she must decide: are his feelings real, or is she just part of his marketing plan?

Review Card & Book Review – Not Actually Yours By Sophie L. Henderson

The best way to avoid single-shaming and a broken heart? Fake date Brock Holt—the infuriating yet smokin’ hot firefighter with a saviour complex and tough guy attitude. And the last person I’d ever fall for.

Sworn to singlehood with abandonment issues after my mom walked out, I need a date to my cousin’s engagement party. Anything to avoid being setup with another boring banker. Bitter and twisted after a bad breakup, Brock needs a girl on his arm to impress at a firefighter gala. No strings, no drama, and absolutely no feelings. We have a deal.

The problem is, as I watch him pull a family from a huge car wreck, and after a steamy forbidden kiss in the fire hall, I can feel myself falling. Hard. We’ve hooked up before and I can’t forget how wild those two weeks burned. But I’ve seen the dumpster fire left behind when relationships fizzle out.

The deeper we get into this lie, the more we’re getting to know each other. Brock has a short fuse, but underneath that rugged exterior, he’s protective and considerate.

We’re fooling everyone. But are we also fooling ourselves? Because when the inferno really heats up between us, alarm bells start to ring…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a guarded teacher and a hot-headed firefighter who agree to fake-date for convenience—only to find their arrangement turning into something far more real.

This romance feels like a step up, delivering the familiar pleasures of the fake-dating trope with warmth, chemistry, and emotional vulnerability. Nix has sworn off love, while Brock is determined to prove he’s ready for a leadership role at the fire station. Their mutually beneficial arrangement quickly becomes complicated, and the story shines as their reluctant partnership deepens into genuine connection.

The cozy seaside setting, meddling family dynamics, and community-centered moment like the fire department dance and school outings add a comforting small-town charm that complements the romance. The chemistry between Nix and Brock feels believable, and their journey from reluctant partners to something more is easy to root for.

Some elements didn’t land perfectly: the characters occasionally feel younger than their ages, and a few family-drama beats feel heavier than necessary. Even so, this remains a cute, spicy, and enjoyable read with promise for the series ahead—especially for fans of fake dating and firefighter romances.

My Rating