Review Card & Book Review- 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.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about letting go of rigid expectations, embracing emotional vulnerability, and discovering that love rarely arrives in the neat, controlled way we imagine. This is a charming opposites-attract romance that blends humor, heart, and emotional growth against the stunning backdrop of Cinque Terre and the cozy familiarity of Cedar Falls.

Juliette is wonderfully relatable—frazzled, imperfect, and struggling to keep her life from falling apart. Her emotional honesty makes her easy to root for. In contrast, Cole is disciplined, organized, and determined to live by the rules he has carefully built for himself. Their personalities clash beautifully, creating sharp banter, undeniable tension, and a romance that develops with believable emotional depth.

What makes this story especially satisfying is how both characters evolve through their relationship. Juliette challenges Cole’s need for control, while Cole offers Juliette stability without diminishing who she is. Their connection feels genuine and earned rather than rushed.

With heartfelt moments, swoony chemistry, and just enough emotional angst, this is an engaging, character-driven romance that leaves you smiling.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Late Learner By Ciara Geraghty

Ronda dares to dream… but will she dare to live?

Ronda McCann lives a quiet, careful life. She cycles back and forth to her job at the local care home and plays chess with a robot in the evenings. At forty-four years old, she is perfectly okay with that.

Then everything changes at once. Her mother threatens to sell their home. The care home is under siege from investors looking to buy. And a scruffy solicitor in a camper van sees something in Ronda that she’s never seen in herself.

Now, Ronda has a choice to make…

Keep playing it safe on the sidelines? Or finally become the person she’s always imagined herself to be…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about second chances, rediscovering lost dreams, and learning that it’s never too late to rebuild a life that feels meaningful and your own. This is a warm, uplifting contemporary story that blends everyday struggles with hope, humour, and emotional growth.

Ronda, a 44-year-old care assistant, is a deeply relatable protagonist whose life has taken an unexpected detour after a painful breakup forced her to return home and reassess her future. Working at Green Gables Nursing Home, she is surrounded by a colourful cast of residents and colleagues who bring charm, humour, and emotional richness to the story. These interactions ground the novel in a strong sense of community and make the setting feel genuinely alive.

As changes unfold at home particularly her mother considering a move into her sister’s granny annex. Ronda is pushed to confront what she wants next from life. Her journey is not about dramatic reinvention, but about small, brave steps toward self-discovery and reclaiming ambition she once set aside.

What makes the story especially engaging is its balance of lightness and emotional depth. Moments of humour sit naturally alongside more reflective, heartfelt scenes, creating a narrative that feels both comforting and real. Ultimately, this is a tender, feel-good read about resilience, purpose, and finding courage at any stage of life.

My Rating

Link To Purchase