Monthly Archives: October 2026

Review Card & Book Review- Candy Apple Kisses By Amy Clipston

This autumn, love is in the air.

Artist Emily Carmichael has always considered Splendid Lake her home, but she never imagined she would ever return. However, when she learns her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, is struggling to save the beloved Hughes Family Orchard, she doesn’t hesitate to pack her bags and head back to the North Carolina mountains–even if it means battling a corporate giant and resisting the temptation of too many candy apples.

For Jake, the orchard is more than just a business; it’s a living legacy, a bond with his father and a promise to his family. As Jake and Emily work side-by-side to prepare for the orchard’s centennial anniversary, long-held feelings, once hidden beneath years of friendship, begin to surface. For Jake, Emily’s return illuminates what’s been missing in his life, and for Emily, being with Jake stirs long-dormant emotions she’s too scared to name. The air is crisp, the apples are sweet, and the sparks? They’re flying higher than a bonfire.

But with Jake’s ex-girlfriend’s dramatic reappearance and the mounting pressure to keep the orchard from failing, their budding romance is put to the test. Can these two best friends turn a season of chaos into a lifetime of love, or will their romance fall flat before the first frost?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a cozy friends-to-lovers romance set in the autumnal charm of Splendid Lake, where returning home, saving a family orchard, and rediscovering love all come together.

Candy Apple Kisses follows artist Emily Carmichael as she returns to the North Carolina mountains to help her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, save his family’s apple orchard from financial trouble. What begins as a simple act of support gradually turns into something deeper, as long-held friendship shifts into a quiet, heartfelt romance.

The setting is one of the story’s highlights, with the orchard’s golden fall atmosphere, crisp air, and nostalgic small-town warmth creating a soothing backdrop. Emily and Jake are easy to root for, with their bond built on trust, history, and genuine care for one another.

Amy Clipston delivers a gentle, predictable romance that leans into comfort rather than surprise. While the conflict feels familiar, it doesn’t take away from the overall warmth of the story.

Ultimately, this is a soft, feel-good read perfect for readers who enjoy low-stakes romance, cozy settings, and the comfort of a guaranteed happily ever after.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Billionaire Boss × Assistant

Happy Publication Day – 26 October 2026

Who I Am With You By Jennifer Carr

She built a career on becoming who everyone wanted. He knows exactly what it costs to lose yourself.

Lanie Tisdale learned early that talent could be both a gift and a cage. After years of being shaped, managed, and polished into the star the world knew as Lanie Love, she has finally found a chance to take back her voice on Real American Country. But the higher she climbs, the harder it becomes to tell where the performance ends and the real woman begins.

Charles Young knows all about living under a spotlight that never forgives. As the son of country music royalty, his rise came with impossible expectations, and his fall became the kind of headline people never let him forget. Now sober, steady, and trying to rebuild on his own terms, judging Real American Country is supposed to be another step forward. Falling for one of the contestants was never part of the plan.

But Lanie is not the woman the cameras think they know, and Charles is not the reckless star the tabloids want him to be. Behind the stage lights, press rumors, and carefully edited stories, they find something neither of them expected: a quiet place to be honest.

With careers, reputations, and hard-won healing on the line, Lanie and Charles will have to decide if love is worth the risk of being truly seen.

Review Card & Book Review- The Grump I Married By Leslie North

Working for Weston Kincaid should come with hazard pay—and maybe a therapist on retainer.

The man is a corporate glacier in a designer suit—arrogant, ice cold, and allergic to anything resembling a work-life balance. As his assistant, I basically run his empire, his schedule, and his caffeine supply. Holidays included.

Then his grandfather’s will drops a nuclear-level twist: Weston must get married ASAP to inherit a jaw-dropping Scottish estate straight out of a Highland fairy tale. Who does he choose?

Me.

Qualifications: female, breathing, knows his coffee order. Romance isn’t just dead—Weston buried it six feet under and salted the earth.

I quit. Then flee to a café to rage-call my bestie—only to discover (too late) that Weston’s psycho ex is in the booth behind me, listening like she bought tickets.

Within hours, every woman who might’ve considered him refuses to touch him—even for a castle. Oops. My bad.

Cornered, Weston offers me a deal: so much money my bank app would crash, a chance to chase my dream, and (best of all) time away from the biggest bosshole on Earth. All I have to do is live in the Highlands as his wife for a couple months.

And I don’t know whether it’s exhaustion or insanity, but I say yes.

Naturally, the universe has jokes, because somewhere between the airport and the castle, my brain decided to develop a crush on Satan in a suit.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a grumpy/sunshine marriage of convenience romance set in the Scottish Highlands, where fake vows slowly turn into real emotions amid humor, healing, and hidden truths.

The Grump I Married follows Lena, a sharp and overworked personal assistant who finally quits her job after her billionaire boss, Weston, shockingly suggests she marry him. Weston needs a wife to fulfill the terms of his grandfather’s will and secure the Scottish estate he loves, leading the pair into a practical arrangement that quickly becomes far more complicated than expected.

What begins as a business-like agreement soon shifts when they travel to Scotland to settle family affairs, attend a heartfelt community festival, and confront the emotional weight of Weston’s inheritance. Surrounded by close friends, small-town charm, and plenty of banter, Lena and Weston discover that their chemistry is impossible to ignore.

Leslie North balances lighthearted romcom energy with deeper emotional layers as both characters face personal wounds from their pasts. Their growth feels natural, and the supporting cast adds warmth and humor throughout. As secrets surface and feelings deepen, the story asks whether love can grow from convenience—or if some lines were never meant to be crossed at all.

Marriage of Convenience

Grumpy × Sunshine

Forced Proximity

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – Seven Days On The Italian Island By Victoria Springfield

A sun-kissed island, the sparkling turquoise sea and a love story waiting to be rediscovered…

In the summer of 1972, Tanya arrives on Capri ready for adventure. A chance moment sees her captured in a now-iconic fashion photograph, but it’s the island itself, and handsome sandal maker Enrico, who truly steal her heart. Then tragedy strikes, and Tanya leaves without saying goodbye.

More than fifty years later, the glamorous Tellini fashion house is returning to Capri for a glittering anniversary celebration – and they want the mysterious girl from that famous photograph as their guest of honour. Reluctantly, Tanya agrees to return to the island, accompanied by her daughter Hannah, who is nursing a broken heart of her own.

As both women are swept into the world of high fashion and creative craftsmanship, Capri begins to work its magic once more. Old feelings resurface, new romances spark, and the past refuses to stay buried.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about love, secrets, and second chances set against the breathtaking backdrop of Capri, where past and present collide in unexpected ways.

Seven Days on the Italian Island follows Tanya, whose unforgettable summer in 1972 changed her life forever when she fell deeply in love on the island—only to flee abruptly, leaving behind unanswered questions and a broken heart. Decades later, a mysterious photograph of her resurfaces, pulling her back to Capri and forcing her to confront the past she has spent a lifetime avoiding.

Returning not for fame but for her daughter Hannah, Tanya hopes for quiet anonymity, yet Capri has other plans. The island’s beauty is matched only by the weight of memories waiting to resurface, and Tanya finds herself face-to-face with the man she once left behind. Meanwhile, Hannah experiences her own whirlwind romance, discovering love in the most enchanting of circumstances.

Victoria Springfield crafts a rich dual-timeline story filled with emotion, romance, and lingering secrets. The atmosphere is vivid and immersive, capturing the magic of Italian island life while slowly unraveling a long-buried truth. As hidden revelations come to light, both mother and daughter must decide whether love can survive the consequences of the past.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Where I Should’ve Been By Max Monroe

One bakery. A hint of magic. And sparks you can’t ignore.

Bad boy Aiden arrived in Hudsbury hoping for peace and quiet – but the sleepy little town has other ideas. Nestled among golden leaves, crisp fall air he’s drawn into a peculiar shop—filled with the scent of cinnamon and a hint of magic… and is convinced to become the town’s newest baker.

The residents, and especially a mysterious grey cat named Mist, seem to know more than they let on. Whispering trees, heart-soothing teas, and jack-o-lanterns offering playful romantic advice make Hudsbury a place where the ordinary and magical intertwine.

Then he meets Mia, the practical local nurse. One playful night grows into a friends with benefits arrangement—but under the glow of autumn leaves and cackling pumpkins, sparks are impossible to ignore, blurring the lines of their friendship. As Aiden’s magic grows wilder and long-held secrets from his past begin to surface, he realises that love—and a little enchantment—might be exactly what he and Mia need to finally open their hearts.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about emotional healing, love, and confronting painful truths in the small town of Red Bridge, Vermont. In this third installment of Max Monroe’s series, readers follow a deeply layered romance that blends sharp romcom banter with heavy themes of grief, loss, and redemption.

Where I Should’ve Been stands out as the most emotionally intense entry in the series so far. While still grounded in the author’s signature humor and small-town charm, it leans far more into heartbreak and suspense, delivering a story that is both beautiful and devastating. The emotional weight is significant, so checking trigger warnings beforehand is highly recommended, especially for readers sensitive to grief-related content.

Despite its heavier tone, the book remains compelling and immersive, with strong character dynamics and heartfelt moments that stay with you long after finishing. The contrast between witty dialogue and emotional depth makes the reading experience even more impactful.

Overall, it’s a powerful continuation of the Red Bridge series that may leave readers both shattered and satisfied.

Small-Town Romance

Secret Fling

Forced Proximity

Commitment-Phobic Hero

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 24 October 2026

The Irish Secret By The Shore By Clodagh Murphy

Abbie McBride has spent years building a life she loves in Dingle Harbour, running boat tours along Ireland’s rugged west coast. But while her business is thriving, her heart is stuck…

Ever since her childhood sweetheart Ryan left Ireland for Hollywood, Abbie has been trapped in a relationship that never truly ended. Every time he returns home, she finds herself caught between the life she has built and the future she once imagined.

Then a very public betrayal leaves Abbie the subject of endless small-town gossip. Desperate to show the world – and herself – that she’s moved on, she agrees to a harmless deception: the romance blossoming between Abbie and her friend Owen is only pretend. A way to stop people from whispering. A way to protect her.

At least, that’s how it starts…

But as the line between friendship and something more begins to blur, Abbie must finally choose between the future she spent years waiting for and the love that has been quietly waiting for her.

Review Card & Book Review- The Cinnamon Spellbook Bakery By Elle Cook

One bakery. A hint of magic. And sparks you can’t ignore.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Mia, a young witch trying to find her place in a charming small town, and Aiden, her longtime friend whose carefree exterior hides deeper struggles. Blending romance with a touch of magic, the story creates a warm and inviting atmosphere filled with friendship, family ties, and unexpected possibilities.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its cast of characters. Mia is determined, independent, and easy to admire, while Aiden gradually reveals layers that make him far more complex than first impressions suggest. Their transition from friendship to romance feels natural and heartfelt, making it easy to become invested in their journey.

The magical elements add charm without overwhelming the emotional core of the story. From the delightful presence of Mist the cat to the whimsical enchanted pumpkins, the touches of magic enhance the cozy setting beautifully.

Although a few plot choices may not work for every reader, this is an enjoyable, comforting read that leaves plenty of anticipation for the next installment.

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- The Floating Copenhagen Cafe By Annabel French

Can summer love last forever?

Milly is reeling from a recent heartbreak when she’s offered the chance to go to Copenhagen for a gorgeous summer and help revive an idyllic, but struggling, cafe on the canal. She jumps at the chance for fun drama-free, solo summer floating along the Danish canals.

The only problem with her plan? Theo: the café’s beautiful but brooding chef who challenges her at every turn.

As they work together and their fiery connection grows, Milly wonders if she might have finally found everything she’s been looking for. Their sizzling attraction is undeniable, but Milly and Theo have both been hurt before, and Milly worries that their carefully guarded hearts might be closed to love forever.

As summer draws to a close, Milly must decide, will she fight for their relationship or retreat to her carefully curated life in England?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Milly, a woman stuck in a dull finance job whose life is turned upside down when she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Heartbroken but determined to move forward, she accepts an invitation from her best friend Ada to spend time in Copenhagen, living on a canal boat and helping run a struggling floating café.

What follows is a charming and uplifting journey of self-discovery, fresh starts, and unexpected romance. The café, co-owned by Ada and the handsome yet guarded chef Theo, provides the perfect backdrop for Milly’s new adventure. Forced into close quarters while living and working together, Milly and Theo gradually develop a heartfelt connection filled with chemistry, vulnerability, and emotional growth.

Annabel French beautifully captures the magic of Copenhagen, immersing readers in its picturesque canals, cosy cafés, delicious pastries, and the comforting Danish concept of hygge. The setting feels vibrant and inviting, becoming almost a character in its own right.

This is a warm, feel-good romance that balances romance, friendship, and personal growth with ease. Gentle, escapist, and wonderfully atmospheric, it is the perfect read for anyone craving a cosy getaway and a story filled with hope.

My Rating

Link To Purchase