October 2026 – Page 4

Review Card & Book Review- Out Of Bounds By Laura Carter

She knows better than to fall for another football player – especially her brother’s best friend…

As a single mother, Annie Quinn knows she should steer clear of football players, if her son’s absent father is anything to go by. Determined to prove she can raise Nelson on her own, she’s decided to go back to school. There’s just one problem: she refuses to rely on her brother Colton for rides into the city.

Tanner Pace has always known Annie Quinn is strictly off limits. Colton is his teammate and best friend, so she’s more like a sister. When he offers to teach her to drive, it’s just to help out a friend. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Because these days, Annie has transformed into a strong and independent woman – one he can’t seem to stay away from.

Somewhere between unpredictable drives and slow Texas sunsets, sparks fly and Annie forgets why she decided never to trust a sports star again.

As much as Tanner wants something to happen, he knows it can’t. Annie is his best friend’s sister. Completely, undeniably out of bounds… but are some rules meant to be broken?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about finding love when life has already taken an unexpected turn, and learning that trust, support, and family can sometimes come from the most unlikely places. It delivers a heartfelt sports romance centered on single mother Annie and professional football player Tanner.

Annie is determined to finish her education while raising her young son, Nelson, but her lack of transportation leads Tanner, her brother’s teammate and friend to step in and help. Their driving lessons gradually evolve into a deeper connection, and Tanner’s kindness, patience, and devotion make him an easy hero to root for. His growing bond with Nelson is especially touching and adds warmth to the story.

The novel shines in its portrayal of friendship, family, and found support systems. However, the romance can feel frustrating at times. Annie and Tanner spend much of the story battling their feelings, creating a repetitive cycle of attraction and retreat that slows the emotional momentum. Miscommunication and constant hesitation occasionally overshadow their chemistry.

Despite these frustrations, the engaging football team dynamics, lovable side characters, and emotional family moments keep the story enjoyable. While not as strong as the previous book in the series, Out of Bounds remains a sweet, character-driven romance that will appeal to readers who enjoy brother’s-best-friend, single-parent, and slow-burn romance tropes.

Brother’s Best Friend

Single Mother

Sports Romance

Slow Burn

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- A Perfect Summer In Starshine Cove By Debbie Johnson

Suzie has always been the wild one. While her siblings settled happily into village life, she roamed the world – chasing adventures, collecting stories and running from that horrible day, sixteen years ago. But when it’s finally time to return to the tiny Dorset village of Starshine Cove, Suzie must face everything – and everyone – she left behind.

There’s her dad George, still the beloved heart of the village at almost ninety. Her sister-in-law Connie, who runs the irresistible Cove Café, where the scent of sugar and vanilla drifts on the sea breeze and the red velvet cake is to die for. And then there’s Guy, a brooding stranger with secrets of his own who arrives in the village on the very same day…

As the summer unfolds and old wounds begin to heal, Suzie discovers that sometimes the bravest adventure isn’t running away – it’s finally coming home.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about returning home, rediscovering family, and finding unexpected love when life takes an unforeseen turn. This book delivers a heartfelt and emotionally layered romance that beautifully balances difficult life experiences with hope, healing, and second chances.

Suzie returns to Starshine Cove after years of traveling the world, carrying emotional scars, unresolved grief, and uncertainty about whether she still belongs in the community she once left behind. Meanwhile, Guy arrives with his own painful history and a search for connections he never had growing up. Their chance meeting sparks a friendship built on honesty, trust, and shared vulnerability, which gradually blossoms into a deeply satisfying romance.

Johnson handles themes such as miscarriage, foster care, family estrangement, and betrayal with sensitivity and compassion, while never losing the warmth and charm that make Starshine Cove so beloved. The witty banter, supportive community, and memorable secondary characters add richness to the story, while the emotional reunions and personal growth give it real depth.

Suzie and Guy are wonderfully relatable protagonists whose journey from outsiders to belonging feels authentic and rewarding. Filled with heart, humor, and hope, this is a touching story about roots, resilience, and discovering where you truly belong.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 6 October 2026

The Christmas Yes List By Melissa Ferguson

All she wants for Christmas is a rejection.

Chloe Hollis is done being a people-pleaser. After one too many bad decisions–including a job that asked her to cross a line she couldn’t–she’s determined to change. Her plan? Collect ten nos before Christmas by asking strangers for the most ridiculous favors she can think of.

It should be easy.

But then? Then she meets James.

Instead of shutting her down, the charming out-of-towner keeps saying yes–to Christmas karaoke, to small-town holiday traditions, to every spontaneous, hilarious, totally chaotic idea she throws his way. And the more he says yes, the harder it becomes for Chloe to stick to her plan . . . or protect her heart.

Because James has a reason for saying yes to everything, too–and it might cost them both more than they bargained for.

As their opposite missions collide in a swirl of festive mishaps, unexpected courage, and undeniable chemistry, Chloe starts to wonder if the biggest risk isn’t rejection after all . . . but saying yes to something real.

Not Home Alone By Kayley Loring

She just walked into her dream Christmas rental… and found her worst enemy already unpacked.

Eternal optimist Merrily Tucker is excited to spend Christmas in the most beautiful house in town; a twinkly, tinsel-lined rental that’s just hers for the holidays. But inside is one big problem… the man who once turned her down in front of the whole of Holly Grove, irritatingly handsome, certified Grinch Grant Moody. He says he’s the owner. And he’s planning to spend Christmas here too.

The town might think he’s a playboy, but Grant Moody is determined to spend his Christmas nights alone. Zero decorations, a ban on baked goods, and definitely no holiday spirit. A mix-up with the rental company isn’t going to get in his way. Even if the woman at his door is the irresistibly gorgeous one-who-got-away Merrily Tucker…

Merrily and Grant are both too stubborn to leave.

Battling for control over what music plays on the speakers and heaving Christmas trees in and out of the house, they find themselves all tangled in tinsel. But Merrily’s “when I think about you, I touch my elf” t-shirt has Grant’s candy cane tingling in a way that begs the question…

A Magical Scottish Christmas By Ellie Henderson

A snowbound village. A cosy inn worth fighting for. And a Christmas that could change everything.

Three years ago, Lily Thomas came to Rowan Bay looking for a fresh start. She found it at a cosy inn on the shores of Loch Lomond — and made it the heart of the village.

Now the owners are selling to a faceless hotel chain, and Lily has until New Year to save the place she finally calls home.

Luckily, she knows exactly who to ask.

Hamish Galbraith runs the village whisky distillery, volunteers with mountain rescue, and is currently dog-sitting a Labrador called Kevin. He’s also been Lily’s closest friend since the day she arrived.

Which is precisely why she’s tried so hard not to fall for him.

But as snow blankets Rowan Bay and Christmas markets, festive afternoon teas and a very special whisky launch bring Lily and Hamish closer, friendship starts to feel dangerously like love.

Then a face from Lily’s past walks through the inn door — threatening everything she’s built.

With Christmas approaching and the whole village behind her, can Lily fight for the home she’s built . . . and finally trust her heart?

Best Mistake Ever By Ashley Eden

I would do anything for my grumpy boss, even agree to be his fake fiancée for a weekend.

Monty’s mother is expecting to finally meet the future Mrs. Crawford and begin planning a destination wedding in paradise.

Rather than break her heart by telling her his actual engagement is off, Monty wants me to play the part of his bride. In fact, he says I’m the only one he actually trusts to pull this off.

He tells me that the plan is simple.

We’ll argue constantly, I’ll complain about everything, his mom will see that we’re completely wrong for each other, and we’ll fly home to stage our breakup.

Easy.

Except his mother absolutely loves me and thinks Monty and I are perfect for each other.

Suddenly, I’m starting to wonder if pretending to be in love with my boss might be the worst idea ever or the best mistake I’ve ever made.

Review Card & Book Review- A New Year In The Presidential Suite By Judith Keim

A New Year…A New Chance at Life

As a Christmas surprise, Lori Hamlin’s family sends her to The Beach House Hotel on the Gulf Coast of Florida to help her recover from the loss of her husband two years ago, hoping she will realize it’s time to change her life. There, she meets Griffin Sawyer, who’s on his own after his fiancée left him at the altar. Neither one is interested in anything but friendship, but Lori and Griff decide to spend the New Year’s holiday together.

Griff has to leave unexpectedly because his grandfather, the owner of the Adeline Hills Winery, has had a stroke. Having been told about wine and growing grapes by Griff, Lori decides to learn more. And when she signs up for a stay at the winery’s guest cottage, she meets Griff and his entire family. Then, they must decide if friendship is what they truly want or if the past will prevent them from moving forward.

A special spin-off book where characters have their own stories but end up at The Beach House Hotel in Florida with Ann and Rhonda. A chance to stay connected to the series in a different way.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Lori Hamlin, a young widow finding her way back to life, and Griffin Sawyer, a man recovering from being left at the altar, who meet during a holiday stay at The Beach House Hotel. Both arrive seeking peace and emotional reset, but instead find unexpected companionship that slowly grows into something deeper. Lori, still carrying grief from her husband’s death, is encouraged by her family to take a Christmas getaway. Griffin, pressured by his family legacy and shaken by betrayal, hopes distance will clear his head. Their decision to spend time together as friends creates a safe space where healing begins. However, life pulls them apart when Griffin returns to his family vineyard after his grandfather suffers a heart attack, and Lori heads home where she reconnects with her past and is given an opportunity to work at the vineyard. Lori’s journey becomes one of rediscovering purpose while learning she can honor her late husband while still embracing new love, while Griffin must decide between duty and his own happiness. A heartfelt story of second chances

Friends to lovers

Second chance at love

Holiday romance

Healing hearts

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 5 October 2026

You Were Always The One By Debbie Howells

He’s the one she walked away from. She’s the one he never forgot…

Eighteen years ago, Holly broke up with the love of her life, Riggs, so she could become the ‘grown-up’ she felt ready to be. Then Miles came into her life, with the promise of everything they could be together. And for a long time, their home and family felt like enough.

But now Miles has betrayed Holly, and she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about love, marriage and happiness.

And then she bumps into a stranger on the street. Except it’s not a stranger. It’s Riggs. And one look at him is enough to tell her – she never stopped loving him. But is it enough for her to contemplate leaving the life she’s built, even if it no longer makes her happy?

Determined to be honest with herself and with Miles, Holly starts thinking about a very different future. But then Miles makes an announcement that changes everything…

Review Card & Book Review- Wild And Wanted By Amy Andrews

Clay Calhoun used to be the hottest bad boy on the professional rodeo circuit but a career-ending injury has dragged him back to Wyoming and the family dude ranch he escaped a decade ago. The washed-up bronc rider doesn’t want to babysit tourists pretending to be cowboys while he’s licking his wounds and dodging regrets. Then a record label drops a city girl straight into his pasture.

Reluctantly famous country music sensation Stephanie “Stevie” Everhart needs authentic cowgirl cred to go with her shiny golden Grammy, so her label sends her and her helicopter mother to Wyoming for a month to get some mud on her boots. Unfortunately for Clay he’s given the job of teaching her how to ride a horse.

Clay doesn’t do babysitting. Stevie doesn’t do bad boys. But beneath those big, reckless skies, good girl Stevie discovers a streak of wild she’s never dared unleash and Clay finds grit and warmth that slip past his defences. What starts as image control ignites into sparks neither planned.

Who knew going a little wild meant you might just end up wanted – for keeps.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about two people from completely different worlds finding comfort, confidence, and love in each other when they least expect it. Set against the backdrop of a charming Wyoming ranch, It delivers a blend of small-town romance, cowboy charm, and personal growth.

Clay Calhoun, a former bronco rider, is the quintessential grumpy cowboy..strong, protective, and fiercely loyal. Beneath his rugged exterior is a patient, caring man who encourages Stevie to discover what she truly wants from life. Stevie Everhart, a young Grammy-winning country singer, is struggling under the weight of expectations following her sister’s death and the pressure exerted by her mother-manager. Her journey toward independence and self-discovery is one of the novel’s strongest elements.

While the romance leans heavily into insta-lust territory, Clay and Stevie’s relationship develops with tenderness and mutual support. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Clay’s willingness to move at Stevie’s pace makes their connection especially appealing.

Although some plot elements and unusually formal vocabulary occasionally feel out of place in an otherwise cozy cowboy romance, the story remains engaging. As the first book in the series, it provides a solid introduction to Redemption Valley and leaves readers eager to return for more cowboy romance adventures.

Grumpy × Sunshine

Opposites Attract

Cowboy × Country Singer

Forced Proximity

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- The Stories We Tell By Savannah Carlisle

Two corporate pros. One high-stakes documentary. A coastal love story where ambition and heart collide.

Piper Presley has spent years chasing her dreams of stardom, and she’s this close to making it big. When she returns to charming Big Dune Island to oversee a documentary about her superstar client, she sees it as the perfect launchpad, until local marketing director Wyatt Mason turns every plan upside down.

Wyatt’s easygoing style and deep roots on the island clash with Piper’s polished, big-city strategy. But their chemistry is impossible to ignore.

As they navigate behind-the-scenes drama, a buried scandal threatens everything they’re working toward, including their growing connection. With career-defining choices on the horizon and a hurricane brewing offshore, Piper and Wyatt must decide what really matters…and where home truly is.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about two opposites brought together by circumstance, discovering unexpected connection while confronting family struggles, personal fears, and the stories they tell themselves about love, trust, and belonging.

This is a beautifully crafted coastal romance that delivers the perfect balance of heart, charm, and emotional depth. Set in a picturesque island town, the story follows Piper and Wyatt as they are forced into close proximity while working on a documentary project. Their immediate clash of personalities creates plenty of witty banter and tension, making their opposites-attract dynamic both entertaining and engaging.

What makes this novel shine is the authenticity of Piper and Wyatt’s relationship. Beneath their disagreements lies a shared vulnerability that gradually unfolds, allowing their connection to deepen in a way that feels natural and believable. Their emotional growth is handled with care, making every step of their journey rewarding to follow.

The island setting is wonderfully atmospheric, providing a cozy backdrop while a looming hurricane adds an undercurrent of suspense and emotion. Family conflicts, personal challenges, and self-discovery are seamlessly woven into the romance, giving the story impressive depth.

Savannah Carlisle’s writing is warm, immersive, and effortlessly engaging. With strong chemistry, memorable characters, and a satisfying, earned ending, this is a heartfelt romance that leaves readers smiling long after the final page.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Lead Me Home By Catherine Bybee

Luna Canning trusts numbers more than people—and for good reason. As a forensic accountant who specializes in exposing fraud, she knows numbers never deceive, unlike the toxic family she’s spent a lifetime trying to escape. Now living in her grandmother’s Victorian home, Luna has built a carefully ordered life behind walls she thought were unbreakable.

When her car is stolen from an airport parking lot, former FBI agent turned PI Nate Warren steps in to help—and proves more dangerous to her defenses than any thief. Despite Luna’s ironclad rules about mixing business with pleasure, their chemistry ignites, and for the first time, she considers letting someone past her guard. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Luna’s manipulative mother arrives unannounced, dragging with her a dangerous man and decades of unresolved trauma that threaten everything Luna has built.

Now Luna must confront the ghosts of her past—both metaphorical and possibly literal, as strange occurrences in her historic home suggest she’s not alone. With a violent threat looming and her heart on the line, Luna discovers that sometimes the hardest person to trust is yourself.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about overcoming past wounds, finding the courage to trust again, and discovering that love can flourish when surrounded by the support of family, friendship, and unwavering loyalty.

This is an engaging contemporary romance that combines heartfelt emotion, strong family bonds, and a wonderfully supportive love story. Luna is a compelling heroine whose painful past marriage and toxic relationship with her mother have left deep emotional scars. Determined to protect herself from further heartbreak, she keeps love at arm’s length until Nate enters her life.

Nate is the kind of hero readers can’t help but adore. As a former FBI agent turned private investigator, he is dependable, protective, and endlessly patient. His unwavering support for Luna, combined with his humor and genuine care, makes him an exceptional romantic lead. Their chemistry feels natural and believable, strengthened by their shared professional backgrounds and mutual respect.

The story is enriched by a cast of memorable secondary characters, including Luna’s close-knit siblings and loyal roommate. The inherited mansion, complete with its mysterious ghostly presence, adds a charming touch of intrigue to the narrative. As family tensions resurface and old insecurities emerge, Luna’s emotional journey becomes even more meaningful.

Warm, romantic, and difficult to put down, this novel delivers a satisfying blend of healing, hope, and second chances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Brighter Than Before By Courtney Walsh

After a painfully public discovery shatters her marriage, along with her picture-perfect, country club life, Claire finds herself suddenly single and faced with a blank page for a future. On that page she writes a simple list that reads like equal parts dare and daydream–Move to a new city. Make a real friend. Get a job I love–and she vows to accomplish every single one.

Before she can talk herself out of it, she takes a step of faith, puts her old life in the rearview mirror, and leases an apartment in Chicago, the city that has always had her heart. This one step sends Claire on a journey of self-discovery, giving her the courage to conquer her fears, one checklist item at a time, and showing her that life can be a whole lot brighter than she imagined.

She rediscovers a love for baking, stumbles into new friendships, and even allows her daughter, Minnie, to create a dating profile and choose her dates for her. Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is Miles, the charming, off-limits neighbor whose kindness makes it hard to remember why he’s off-limits at all.

Between late-night journaling, disastrous first dates, great big lessons and priceless small victories, Claire learns to quiet the voice telling her she wasn’t enough and listens to the one that asks the harder question . . .

What do I really want?

As old expectations loosen their grip, Claire discovers that belonging isn’t a place you’re invited to–it’s a life you build one brave choice at a time. And the sweetest things often show up when you finally get out of your own way.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about rebuilding a life after heartbreak, discovering unexpected joy, and learning that sometimes the end of one chapter is the beginning of something brighter than you ever imagined.

This is a heartfelt, uplifting novel that blends humor, romance, and personal growth into an unforgettable story. After more than twenty years of marriage, Claire Karadec finds herself facing a painful divorce and the daunting task of starting over at forty-six. Leaving behind the country club lifestyle she helped build, she moves to Chicago determined to create a new future for herself.

Claire is a wonderfully relatable heroine whose fears, hopes, and insecurities feel authentic. Watching her step outside her comfort zone, pursue new dreams, and navigate a series of hilarious first dates makes for an engaging and often laugh-out-loud reading experience. The supporting cast shines just as brightly, creating a beautiful found-family dynamic filled with encouragement, friendship, and genuine connection.

The romance is tender, hopeful, and deeply satisfying, making it impossible not to root for the characters. With its charming rom-com energy, emotional depth, and inspiring message about resilience, this novel is both entertaining and meaningful. The heartwarming epilogue provides the perfect finishing touch to a story that celebrates courage, second chances, and becoming the best version of yourself.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- Beneath Still Waters By Linny Mack.

Emery Caldwell needs a change.

After seven years teaching marine biology, having grant after grant denied, and growing tired of her mediocre relationship, she’s burnt out. When a sabbatical offers the chance to reset, Emery heads south to the quiet fishing village of Tidehaven, South Carolina, hoping to gather research for a new journal article—and maybe find the direction her life desperately needs.

Reid Morgan has fought hard for peace.

After leaving the Navy SEALs behind, he’s built a quiet life working at the Driftwood Marina, where the days are predictable, and the past feels farther away. The last thing he wants is trouble, or the curious, determined scientist who stirs up things better left buried.

But when Emery witnesses something she shouldn’t in the fog-thick marshes, suddenly both of their lives are in danger. As a deadly threat stalks Emery, Reid steps in to protect her—but getting close means letting her break down all the barriers he’s worked so hard to build.

As danger grows, so does their unexpected connection. But facing the truth—and each other—may be the biggest risk of all.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a marine biologist who arrives in a quiet fishing town to study sea turtles, only to find herself entangled in a dangerous mystery filled with hidden secrets, unexpected romance, and life-threatening discoveries.

This is an engaging romantic suspense novel that perfectly balances intrigue, danger, and heartfelt romance. Emery is an easy heroine to root for… intelligent, passionate about her work, and eager to escape the classroom to pursue hands-on research. What begins as a dream assignment quickly spirals into something far more dangerous when she uncovers clues that place her directly in harm’s way.

The chemistry between Emery and Reid, a protective former Navy SEAL, is immediate and captivating. Their grumpy-sunshine dynamic adds warmth and humor to the suspense-filled storyline, while the small-town setting creates an atmospheric backdrop packed with drama, secrets, and unexpected twists.

The mystery is compelling from the opening chapters, steadily building tension as the plot unfolds. Drug conspiracies, shocking discoveries, and a memorable final reveal keep the pages turning. The first-person narration helps readers connect deeply with the characters’ emotions and experiences.

My Rating