October 2026 – My Sanctuary

Happy Publication Day – 31 October 2026

Out Of Office By Phoebe MacLeod

Athena’s rule is simple: men are unreliable, untrustworthy, and best admired from a safe distance.

And with her career to focus on, it’s a rule she’s perfectly happy sticking to – much to her mother’s dismay.

Until work sends her to Cape Town, and she meets Nathan: charming, thoughtful, and dangerously attentive. Suddenly, Athena’s long-held decree feels… negotiable.

But Nathan’s past may not be as spotless as it seems, and Athena starts to wonder if her instincts were right all along. The problem is, by the time the warning signs appear, she’s already falling for him.

Should Athena risk her carefully curated world for love – or will her heart pay the price?

The Game Plan By Laura Carter

One wild night in Vegas. One accidental marriage. One very real problem… falling in love. 🏒💍

When Sienna Jamieson’s partner – in life and work – decides to trade her in for a younger, slinkier model, she’s at risk of losing everything… and being deported. That’s how she comes to be crying on the shoulder of her manchild client and ice hockey star, Jax Harris, on a Las Vegas chapel crawl with him and his New York Dragons teammates.

Jax Harris has been called many things – hockey sensation, superstar, playboy, irresponsible, irresistible, and most likely to spend time in the sin bin. But waking up in his Las Vegas suite with his PR in his bed and a jelly ring on her wedding finger is the first time he’s been called an accidental husband.

Sienna needs their fake relationship to last just long enough to get her life – and visa – back on track. And dating Sienna seems to be having a positive impact on Jax’s reputation on and off the ice.

All they need to do is stick to the game plan. But one of them is about to have a shift change. Can their marriage of convenience become something more?

Review Card & Book Review- Bargaining By Sasha Lace

I promised not to fall. He’s making it impossible.

When Cole Thorner walks into my father’s funeral, I can barely breathe.

He’s the boy who shattered my heart a decade ago—now a ruthless billionaire CEO who shouldn’t be here. But Cole hasn’t come to pay respects. He’s come with a proposal: honor the pact we made as teenagers and marry him for one year. In exchange? Five million pounds and the chance to save my family home from ruin.

It’s meant to be a business arrangement—nothing more. Cole needs to soften his icy reputation, and I’m the perfect candidate: the lovely, charming girl-next-door. He’s made it clear he has zero interest in being a real husband, and I’m determined to protect what’s left of my heart.

But then he takes me to Rome.

The city I’ve dreamed of becomes our honeymoon backdrop, and suddenly the boundaries I’ve drawn start to blur. The chemistry between us is undeniable.

So why does falling for Cole Thorner again feel like the most dangerous bargain I’ve ever made?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Charlotte and Cole, childhood best friends whose lives are torn apart by heartbreak, family secrets, and time, only to be reunited years later through an unexpected fake marriage that forces them to confront the love they never truly left behind.

Sasha Lace delivers an emotional second-chance romance that is impossible to put down. Charlotte and Cole’s friendship is beautifully written, capturing the innocence, humor, and unwavering devotion of two teenagers whose feelings quietly deepen long before they understand them. Their chemistry remains electric twelve years later, even beneath layers of pain and regret.

Cole is a standout hero. Beneath his ruthless billionaire reputation lies a deeply wounded man shaped by an abusive father and years of emotional sacrifice. His vulnerability makes every heartfelt confession unforgettable. Charlotte is equally compelling—witty, resilient, and determined to protect the heart that Cole once shattered. Her humor provides the perfect balance to the story’s heavier emotional moments.

The fake marriage trope blends seamlessly with themes of healing, forgiveness, trust, and self-discovery. Rich with heartfelt emotion, unforgettable characters, and powerful romantic tension, this is a beautifully crafted love story that lingers long after the final page.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review – Fall For Me By Camilla Isley

Running from a wedding… into a fake fall romance!

Fleeing her wedding and a toxic relationship in her white gown, Peyton jumps on the first bus out of town—and straight into billionaire Liam Rockwood. Literally. Distracted by her search for a place to stay, she steps into the street and sends the town’s most eligible bachelor crashing off his bike!

Liam is furious. His suit is ruined, he’s late for an event at his hotel, and now the runaway bride responsible is trying to check in. Worse, the small-town rumor mill quickly decides Peyton must be his secret new wife.

When Liam’s father arrives ready to celebrate the “happy couple,” Liam makes Peyton an offer: a temporary marriage of convenience. She gets protection against her vindictive ex, a home, and a fresh start. He gets the wife his family expects.

As crisp fall days turn into cozy nights, they carve pumpkins, steal kisses in the corn maze, and share secrets in the dark. Suddenly, their fake marriage starts feeling dangerously real. But falling was never part of the plan…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Peyton, a bride who runs away from her wedding and unexpectedly lands in the charming town of Blue Crescent Harbour, where a chance encounter with billionaire Liam Rockwood leads to an unconventional marriage of convenience.

Camilla Isley delivers a delightful small-town romance filled with warmth, humor, and heartfelt emotional growth. The opening immediately grabs attention, throwing readers into Peyton’s chaotic escape before introducing Liam in a memorable enemies-at-first-sight meeting. Their reluctant partnership develops naturally, with attraction building alongside genuine trust and friendship.

Peyton’s journey of healing after escaping a toxic relationship is especially rewarding. Watching her regain confidence and embrace a fresh start adds emotional depth to the romance. Liam is equally compelling—a gruff yet deeply compassionate hero whose quiet support allows Peyton to flourish. Their relationship feels refreshingly balanced, with both characters protecting, encouraging, and standing up for each other.

The cosy autumn atmosphere of Blue Crescent Harbour is beautifully woven throughout the story, making the setting feel as inviting as the romance itself. Even without reading the previous book, this story stands perfectly on its own while introducing an engaging community of supporting characters. A charming, feel-good romance packed with chemistry, comfort, and plenty of fall vibes.

Marriage of convenience

Small-town romance

Enemies to lovers

Billionaire romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 30 October 2026

Cozy Up In Seahaven Bay By Nicola May

Snow is drifting over the harbour, a twinkling Christmas market is headed to Seahaven Bay, and Rita Jory is about to learn that the most magical time of year might bring the most chaos… but it also brings the most love.

Life at the Seahaven Bay Retreat has never been fuller. Engaged to gorgeous farmer Jago, mum to brand-new twins at forty-seven, and with both her grown-up children back under Cornish skies, Rita is running on cold tea, broken sleep and sheer adrenaline – and she’s determined to host the cosiest Christmas retreat the bay has ever seen.

But the festive season has other plans. A charming, mysterious newcomer is setting up the harbour market, and Rita can’t shake the feeling she’s met him somewhere before. Her son is flirting with the one person he shouldn’t. Rita’s sure her daughter is hiding something too. And as the snow closes in and a houseful of strangers arrives hoping to heal by the sea, the secrets everyone’s been keeping start to unravel.

Can Rita reunite her chaotic family, and will everyone make it to Christmas morning with their hearts intact?

Review Card & Book Review- Falling Into You By Jill Shalvis

Some love stories don’t stay buried, no matter how far you run.

Hazel Pierce has three goals for coming back to Star Falls:

Help her estranged dad.
Keep things strictly temporary.
Absolutely, under no circumstances, fall for Tucker Colburn again.

That plan dies a dramatic, soggy death when a rogue wasp sting sends Hazel swerving off the road and into the river—only to be hauled out, half-drowned and furious, by the Star Falls Fire Department’s finest. Unfortunately, “finest” is ex–best friend, ex–one-night mistake, and the man she’s been avoiding for a decade.

Tucker’s always had a way of getting into her head. And now between a family that thrives on gossip and a town that’s way too small for all this chemistry, Hazel’s running out of ways to avoid the truth. As sparks turn into late-night confessions and slow, toe-curling kisses, Hazel has to decide if she’s done running—from her past, from this town, and from the only man who’s ever made her feel like home. And Tucker has to prove that this time, he’s not just her safe place to crash—he’s her always.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Tucker Colburn, a devoted firefighter who has quietly loved his childhood best friend, Hazel, for years, and the emotional journey they take as friendship slowly blossoms into lasting love. Hazel’s painful past and fierce independence make her reluctant to trust happiness, while Tucker’s unwavering patience and kindness prove just how deeply he cares.

Jill Shalvis once again delivers her trademark blend of heartfelt romance, witty banter, and cozy small-town charm. Tucker is an easy hero to adore—steady, compassionate, and endlessly supportive—while Hazel’s emotional struggles make her growth feel genuine and relatable. Their shared history gives the friends-to-lovers romance authenticity, making every heartfelt moment meaningful.

The story occasionally loses momentum through repeated cycles of miscommunication and emotional retreat, which can make the romance feel drawn out. Although the tension is believable, the constant push and pull slightly weakens the emotional payoff.

The familiar supporting characters add warmth, and revisiting previous couples is especially rewarding for longtime readers. Overall, Falling Into You is a touching, satisfying conclusion to the Colburn Brothers series, filled with heart, healing, and the enduring hope that love is worth waiting for.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review – Until The Next Letter By Hannah Claire

When sisters Libby and Rachel open a letter from their late mother, they discover that it’s the first of five. Each letter asks them to scatter their mother’s ashes in a different place, and travel together to the carefully chosen locations.

What begins as an act of remembrance soon becomes a journey into the past. With every trip, the sisters uncover unsettling truths about their family. As questions mount, Libby and Rachel are forced to confront what they thought they knew about their mother, and about themselves.

Along the way, grief gives way to connection, laughter and unexpected romance. Old wounds are reopened, but new bonds are formed, offering the chance of healing and hope.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about sisters Libby and Rachel, whose grief after their mother’s death takes an unexpected turn when they discover a series of letters leading them through the countryside and into the secrets of her hidden past. In Until the Next Letter, Hannah Claire beautifully explores love, loss, family history, and the truths we leave unsaid.

What makes this story so memorable is the emotional honesty behind every revelation. Their mother’s letters are not simply farewells but acts of courage, finally sharing regrets, choices, and long-buried truths she could not voice in life. Each discovery forces Libby and Rachel to question how well they truly knew the woman who raised them and, in turn, themselves.

The novel is tender, reflective, and quietly heartbreaking, yet never without hope. It captures the enduring power of love and reminds us that even after death, the people we cherish can still guide us, comfort us, and change us through the words they leave behind.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review – Max Bauer’s Second Chance by Britney M. Mills

A billionaire hiding from his future. A café owner rebuilding her life. One small beach town is about to change everything.

Max Bauer has a decision to make: agree to the marriage arrangement his father demands or finally choose a future for himself. The last thing he expects is to feel at home in Penrose Beach—or to fall for the guarded café owner who gives him a ride into town after his car breaks down.

Avery Parker didn’t move to the beach looking for love. She came for a fresh start. But somewhere between apartment renovations, town events, and late-night conversations, Max starts feeling less like a temporary visitor…and more like home.

There’s just one problem: Max’s real life is still waiting for him in New York. And Avery already knows what it feels like to come second to someone else’s plans.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about second chances, healing, and finding love in the charming seaside community of Penrose Beach.

Max Bauer’s Second Chance follows Max and Avery, two people burdened by their pasts who slowly discover that love may deserve another opportunity. Their relationship develops naturally, making their journey feel heartfelt and authentic.

Britney M. Mills creates a warm and welcoming small-town setting filled with friendship and found-family moments that add depth to the story. The sweet, clean romance is enhanced by humor, tender moments, and plenty of charm.

With beloved tropes including a billionaire hero, secret identity, small-town romance, and second chances, this is an uplifting and enjoyable read that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Happy Publication Day – 28 October 2026

A Gift From Hideaway House By Alexandra Barber

A heartwarming tale of love, loss and second chances, where the past and present intertwine to heal even the most broken of hearts…

When Madison agrees to take a break on the Isle of Wight, it’s against her better instincts. In exchange for offering a little advice to the owner of a cash-strapped country manor, she’s gifted the use of a nearby holiday home. Begrudgingly, she admits it’s a good opportunity to find out if her dream of becoming a professional events organiser could actually turn into reality. From the outset, Hideaway House feels like the perfect place to build her confidence and mend her wounded spirit.

As Madison untangles the mystery of a two-hundred-year-old love story still lingering in the house’s garden, she finds herself forming an unlikely friendship with the somewhat obstinate owner of The Manor – the Major. The main problem, however, is his son, Sebastian, who seems to have taken an instant dislike to Madison and is determined to put a stop to all of her proposals.

With her heart and her future both on the line, can Madison find the courage to do what’s best for the Major, his home and ultimately herself, all while dealing with feelings she never saw coming?

The Enchanted Cherry Blossom Inn By Ella Cook

Where love blooms amongst mischievous magic!

In the small town of Hudsbury, nothing stays ordinary for long! Magic quietly steers architect Jamie Collins’ work – blueprints shifting, lines redrawing themselves. His latest project, an accessible annex puts him on a collision course with physio Amrita. Fiercely dedicated, Amrita has no patience for impractical plans, and even less for infuriatingly handsome, arrogant strangers! But as they clash over designs, sparks explode until romance unexpectedly grows…

But Hudsbury guards its secrets. Jamie knows the truth; Amrita doesn’t… yet. With the help of mischievous pixies, a talking albino magpie, and enchanted cherry blossoms which bloom out of season, the enchantments edge closer to the surface. When Amrita begins to glimpse a world she’d never imagined and a power within herself she didn’t know existed, she and Jamie must decide whether their future can survive in a place where nothing… and no one, is quite as it seems.

Review Card & Book Review- Marriage And Trouble By Michelle McCraw

Marriage is anything but convenient.

As San Francisco’s top divorce attorney, Justine should know. She’s freed hundreds of couples from their shackles, so she knows better than to fall into that trap.

Until her grandmother hits a hot bicyclist with her car.

When everyone mistakes the victim, Pax, for her boyfriend, Justine does what any lawyer with a healthy fear of liability would do: she proposes a temporary marriage in exchange for a donation to Pax’s collapsing animal shelter. Not only is her grandmother protected, but her bosses have practically promised Justine the senior partner position she covets – if she’s married.

Six months of marriage, just until her promotion is secure, should be easy. But Pax, with his gorgeous face and to-swoon-for physique, is anything but easy to resist. Especially when the for-pretend kisses start to feel genuine and when he starts to throw around the phrase that makes her shiver – “my wife.”

Real feelings in a sham marriage are anything but convenient.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a chaotic marriage of convenience between an ambitious divorce attorney and a struggling animal shelter owner whose fake relationship quickly becomes something much more real.

After an accident involving Justine’s eccentric grandmother leads to a series of impulsive lies, she convinces Pax to marry her so she can satisfy her law firm’s outdated partnership requirements while helping save his rescue shelter. What begins as a practical arrangement soon develops into genuine feelings.

Michelle McCraw delivers a fun blend of humor, heart, and romance, supported by lovable rescue animals, a loyal friend group, and plenty of family drama. Justine is fierce and memorable, while Pax is a sweet, selfless hero who is impossible not to love.

Packed with banter, emotion, and chemistry, Marriage and Trouble is an entertaining romance about healing, found family, and discovering love where you least expect it.

Marriage of convenience

Fake relationship

Opposites attract

Found family

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 27 October 2026

A Hard Luck Christmas By Brenda Novak

Single mom Patience Mather is focused on two things—her daughter and planning a Christmas festival that will contribute to the revitalization of Hard Luck, Nevada. She has no time for complications—or sparks with returned bad boy Kanon Kincaid. He’s back to claim an inheritance of half of a failing motel. He’ll fix what’s broken…starting with his own reputation.

As a pastor’s daughter, Patience knows better than to fall for someone who might skip town again, and Kanon believes someone steady and safe is what Patience deserves. But in the glow of twinkling lights and holiday magic, their undeniable connection makes every choice harder. Can Christmas in Hard Luck deliver a second chance…or just heartbreak?

The Gift Of The Matchmaker By Liz Alden

When I agreed to attend a romantic and lavish winter wedding as Lee Thorne’s fake date, I knew his family would be a problem—but I didn’t expect to tear them apart.

My matchmaker set me up with a sugar daddy who doesn’t want sugar. Four months in, Lee still hasn’t asked for anything but company—until he asks me to be his girlfriend for Christmas.

Not for real. For his sister’s wedding, in front of a family he’d clearly rather not face alone. It’s easy money, the kind that could buy me more time with my sick dad, and all I have to do is smile, wear the clothes he buys me, and remember that I’m supposed to be smitten.
Except while in this gorgeous mansion in the Berkshires with his family, Lee and I team up. He defends me from his family’s pointed questions, I help him ignore their disapproval. When the heat goes out, we stick together.
And somewhere along the way, the awkward, quiet man I know becomes someone I can’t stop thinking about.
Until I get an ultimatum. Turns out we’re both willing to give up everything for each other—we just don’t find out until after the wrapping paper’s gone.

Thanksgiving With The Firefighter By Tanya Agler

Can a small-town firefighter…

Win a city girl’s heart?

Structural engineer Amelia Foster is in Ruby Canyon, Wyoming, to help her sister through a risky time during her pregnancy before starting a top-notch project back in sunny Miami. Meeting neighbor Dan Mitchell, she clicks with the widower’s young twins, Leo and Lexie, and can’t say no to babysitting when the fire chief is short on options. But Amelia’s well-meaning efforts don’t go smoothly, causing Dan to rethink the arrangement—just as the kids grow attached and he and Amelia draw closer. When a twist of unexpected danger causes Dan to race to Amelia’s rescue, their feelings are finally forced into the open. Will they realize that their hearts are not meant to be apart?

Stupid Matchmaking Love By Amy Boyles

If there are two things massage therapist Cristina Palmer is done with, it’s men (thanks to her manipulative ex) and magic (it can make a girl lose control). All she wants is to run the spa at the new Summit resort, make her clay figurines, and avoid her frustratingly attractive boss, Rhett Maddox.

Unfortunately, magic has other plans.

To boost publicity, the resort is hosting the very first magical matchmaking competition in Mystic Meadows. But when Rhett and Cristina are paired as supposedly perfect soulmates, they’re determined to prove the magic wrong. Six weeks of live stream challenges designed to make them fall in love? Easy. They’ll simply fail.

Except their chemistry is anything but fake.

And the stakes aren’t, either. A six-figure grand prize could bring Cristina’s manipulative family crashing back into her life—and getting close to Rhett means risking her heart all over again.

Because the real challenge isn’t the competition.

It’s trusting each other.

And maybe—just maybe—embracing the magic.

Silent Night Standoff By Joanne Rock

A threat from the past…

Locks them in a fight for their future

Nobody suspects Montana rancher Morgan Sinclair to be anything other than what she appears: solitary horse rescuer and model citizen. But PI Durham Fields knows better. He helped her flee her notorious crime family—and her computer-hacker past. Now, nine years later, he has news: The family patriarch is dead…and her vengeful half brother is out on parole. When her brother forces her to use her hacking skills to steal a weapons cache, Durham can’t leave her to face the threat alone. But can he protect her—and his heart—at the same time?

One Last Shot At Christmas By Heidi McCahan

When old loves face off,

A holiday wish will break the ice.

When Jenna Sharpe unexpectedly finds herself the guardian of her five-year-old nephew, her plan is to pack his things, return to Tulsa for her long-awaited promotion and leave Opportunity, Alaska, for good. Her plan is certainly not to get involved with former professional hockey player Wyatt Morgan—the man whose heart she broke. But when the town—and little Henry—pressure Jenna to take over the traditional Christmas lights festival, Wyatt jumps in to help. With feelings reigniting and her job on the line, Jenna will be forced to ask herself where her home—and her heart—really belong.

Surgeon’s Ex-Mas Date By JC Harroway

One ex, one festive rendezvous…zero defences!

Pediatric surgeon Imogen is set for a blissfully solitary Christmas—though she has agreed to a blind date. Festive fun only; long-term is off the table! Then a complex case pairs her with the last man she expected: her ex, Mark. He’s still devastatingly handsome, still effortlessly charming, and when she turns up to her date to find Mark waiting, Imogen’s resolve melts completely. One night leads to another…and with Mark’s flight back to NYC looming, why shouldn’t Imogen risk a merry ex-mas?

Enemies At The Royal Altar By Natalie Anderson

Stepbrother. Nemesis.

Royal husband!

Ever-obedient Princess Tilly is drowning in searing shame, all thanks to a humiliating, viral hoax. To restore the kingdom’s honor, she’s ordered to immediately wed the king’s abhorrent choice. Her long-loathed stepbrother Alex’s alternative? An emergency walk down the aisle—with him instead!

Alex can finally exact revenge on his wicked father by whisking Tilly to his fortress island. Rattling the aggravatingly perfect, repressed princess is the icing on the wedding cake. Until hot, fierce fury leads to one devastating kiss, and Alex discovers Tilly’s a passion–bomb! Can they control their hate-fueled heat before it combusts?

Prideful Billionaire For Christmas By Jessica Gilmore

Dating Mr. Darcy!

Organizing the Fitzhenrys’ yuletide ball is history podcaster Betsy’s dream. Shame it means working with heir Will. The descendant of the rumored inspiration for the Mr. Darcy is just as vexingly proud. And Betsy’s podcast inadvertently thrusts the media-shy billionaire and his painful past into focus! Will demands Betsy fix things with a relationship ruse. Only now that she understands the heartbreak beneath his brooding, their attraction has no animosity to hide behind… As the clock counts down on their holiday charade, can Betsy kiss this true Christmas connection goodbye?

Protected Witness By Bonnie Vanak

She wants his protection.

What if he wants her?

Jenny Simone is the chief witness in a federal case—and deputy US marshal Sam Hendricks is the only one she trusts to shield her from the assassins she’s testifying against. But Sam doesn’t want this detail. It’s not that he’s afraid of professional killers. What’s got him rattled is just how much this woman reminds him of his dead wife. Hiding out with Jenny on his family’s ranch is his best option for keeping her alive. It also puts him in danger of doing something he swore he’d never do again: fall in love.

A Rebel Cowboy For Christmas By Makenna Lee

Is the rebel rancher…

Her unexpected Christmas present?

Samantha Cameron just received the opportunity of a lifetime—curating the exhibition of an elusive local cowboy artist. And if she can get him to deliver his collection by Christmas, she’ll get the promotion of her dreams. When she goes to the ranch to work with him, she realizes they’re not strangers at all… They shared an earth-shattering kiss at a costume party last year! She’s been looking for her mystery man ever since, but now, with her career on the line, more kisses are off the table. Yet as the weather outside gets frightful, spending cozy days with her cowboy becomes more delightful. Can they admit their feelings for each other and have the beautiful Christmas they both deserve?