Book Review – Page 109

Book Review – Under A Greek Sun By Mandy Baggot

Eve Collins is looking forward to the holidays.

Her job as a counsellor has been as taxing as it has been rewarding, and she can’t wait for some downtime on the Greek island of Corfu with best-friend, Gabby. But between Eve’s brother, Ben, unexpectedly joining and Gabby’s job at the animal rescue centre keeping her busy, Eve might have to start mucking in…

When Gianni arrives in the village of Episkepsi, it’s like a model has stepped straight off the pages of Vogue Italia… with an uptight personality to match. He may be super-sexy but there are obvious chips on those broad shoulders.

As Eve and Gianni get to know each other and both start to lean into the Greek customs and avrio mentality, an initial attraction starts to turn into something more. But with so much family drama in both their lives, neither of them were looking for a holiday romance…

Published Date: 18 April 2023

My Review

Eve Collins, a counselor by profession, is eagerly anticipating her upcoming vacation. The demanding but fulfilling nature of her work has left her yearning for a break on Corfu, a Greek island, with her best friend Gabby. However, the unexpected arrival of her brother Ben, along with Gabby’s commitments at an animal rescue center, may require Eve to chip in more than she planned.

Then, Gianni makes his appearance in the Episkepsi village, exuding a model-like charm reminiscent of Vogue Italia, but his personality is rather rigid. As Eve and Gianni acquaint themselves with each other and embrace the local Greek traditions and ‘avrio’ lifestyle, a spark of attraction begins to evolve into something deeper.

However, both have their own familial dramas to untangle before they can dive into a holiday romance. This is a love story where two disparate individuals discover each other amidst turmoil, leading to a blossoming romance. They must, however, confront their past and familial issues before they can enjoy their ‘Happily Ever After’.

The storyline is ingeniously laced with emotional turns that kept me enthralled. At times, I was moved to tears and I found myself unable to resist the pull of the narrative. All in all, I found it to be a delightful read.

My Rating

Book Review – The Renegade By Kimberly Kincaid

He’s a younger man. An ex-Marine with a traumatic past. And he wants only one thing.

Her.

The last thing Jo Rossi expects when she goes to Remington for a make-or-break audition is to end up meeting an ex-Marine who’s more than half a decade younger than her and hotter than a freaking supernova.

And wait. Is he flirting with her?

The one and only time Jo has ever acted on impulse, she ended up with a surprise baby and a career she had to put on hold for six years. She needs to play it safe. Smart. And she definitely needs to not have a wild, impulsive, no-strings-attached fling so far from home.

Except Sawyer Knox is definitely flirting with her. And the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to resist…

Sawyer learned the hard way how short life can be. So when he sees Jo at the end of his bar, with her sassy smile and her mile-long legs, hell yes he flirts with her. He just didn’t mean to have a scorching-hot fling with her. Or to spend so much time with her after that.

He definitely didn’t mean to fall for her so fast or so hard.

Sawyer wants her. He wants it all. But Jo has to decide—can she risk her heart and go from fling to forever?

Published Date: 7 April 2023

My Review

Jo Rossi is in the city, on the brink of what could be a major turning point in her career. An audition for a starring role in a new series has presented itself, and while she cherishes her role as a mother, her passion for her profession has been notably absent. Sawyer Knox is no stranger to taking bold risks and understands the implications of returning home. Despite being younger than Jo, he’s drawn to her, wanting to aid in boosting her confidence for her upcoming audition. Jo initially harbors doubts, but as she becomes familiar with Sawyer, her emotions start to stir, yet she’s hesitant due to past experiences where taking a risk led to a pause in her dreams. As Sawyer gradually dismantles her barriers, Jo is confronted with a choice that has the potential to change her life irrevocably.

This narrative is steeped in themes of love and risk-taking that push boundaries, and explores the true meaning of love, friendship, and family.

My Rating

Book Review – One Last Summer At Seabreeze Farm By Jo Bartlett

A summer to remember…

Georgia Banks knows she’s living on borrowed time. So, when doctors tell her she’s got one last summer to make all her dreams come true, she’s determined to make every day count.

The one thing that’s never in doubt, is that she wants her best friend, Gabe, to be with her every step of the way. And so, Georgia draws up her not-a-bucket list with all the things she’s determined to tick off before she goes – number one of which is to spend one last summer by the sea.

Seabreeze Farm perched high on the cliffs above the English Channel is the perfect spot, and surrounded by the antics of its menagerie of rescued animals and the warmth of the friendship she’s offered there, Georgia starts to believe she can live out all her dreams before it’s too late.

And just when she thinks there’s nothing left to wish for, Georgia gets another chance at life. But taking it might mean losing the one person she cares about the most.

As she faces her biggest challenge yet, Georgia wonders if her last summer at Seabreeze Farm will mean the end of her biggest dream of all.

Published Date: 13 April 2023

My Review

Upon receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis, Georgia resolves to live her remaining time to the fullest, choosing to spend her last summer by the sea. Her bucket list is filled with simple yet meaningful things like fundraising for a charity or adopting a puppy. Despite the intense curiosity of her best friend, Gabe, and her mother, Caroline, about possible treatments, Georgia remains focused on savoring her summer in Kelsea Bay. Here, she manages to check off wishes from her list, discovers love, nurtures hope for what lies ahead, and surrounds herself with a host of lively animals and supportive friends, characters that have become beloved from previous books.

This book was truly a beautiful read. It beautifully explores themes of finding hope in despair, the joy in life’s small moments, and the development of a remarkable relationship at the heart of the story. Overall, I found the book deeply satisfying.

My Rating

Book Review – Right Girl Wrong Side By Ginny Baird

Busy flower shop manager Evita Machado can’t wait to get to Nantucket. With a bad breakup behind her, relaxing at the shore with her folks and her brothers and their families sounds like the sure cure for heartache, and their vacation destination looks like an amazing place! But when they arrive at the quaint rose-covered cottage, another group has already put down stakes: the Hatfields.

Ryan Hatfield was Evita’s former crush from high school, but their business rival moms refused to let them date. Now history professor Ryan is here for a week with his parents, who won them this oceanfront rental in a society silent auction. Once it’s clear there’s been a double-booking due to a bidding mistake, Ryan’s mom digs in her heels, meaning to stay. When Evita’s mom won’t back down either, both sides tepidly agree to share the luxury accommodations by dividing the cozy space.

With the boisterous Machados livening things up and the strait-laced Hatfields tamping them down, can Evita and Ryan keep the peace between the warring factions while fostering a growing chemistry between the two of them?

Published Date : 28 March 2023

My Review

Evita and Ryan’s mom had both participated in the auction for the holiday house in Nantucket and somehow, both thought they’d won. This brought their respective families together at the same location. Ryan and Evita, who have had a soft spot for each other since their high school lab partnership days, found themselves in close quarters again. Their chance to attend prom together had been foiled by their intervening parents. While Ryan’s family is characterized by a restrained, poised demeanor with minimal displays of affection, Evita’s large Puerto Rican family is the polar opposite—loud, warm, lively, and passionate.

The highlight of this book, in my opinion, is its focus on family dynamics. Although the main plot revolves around Ryan and Evita, a wonderful ensemble of secondary characters, each with unique traits and personal challenges, enriches the narrative. The sharp contrast between the reserved Hatfields and the exuberant Machados adds an element of humor and engaging conflict. All things considered, I found the book to be a delightful read.

My Rating

Book Review – A Cruise Fling By Laura Brown

CRUISE/kro͞oz/ verb

1. To sail in an area, especially for pleasure
2. To look for someone…definitely for pleasure

Mackenzie Laurel is done with rotten lemons. Especially the guy kind. With no relationship, no job, and nowhere to live, Mac’s leaving reality behind to go on a luxury cruise. Sun. Sand. Ocean breezes. Heaven. Of course, a little fun in the sun wouldn’t hurt. And a certain green-eyed passenger might just be the thirst-quenching lemonade she needs…

Cole Matterhorn isn’t a relationship guy. Hell, he can barely commit to leftovers. Yet the second he meets Mac, there’s sparks—the kind that could mean some delicious distraction. Distraction that Cole desperately needs to escape from his work problems and the event that imploded any chance of his having a normal life.

Mac and Cole have more in common than just chemistry. She’s hard of hearing and knows a little something about not always fitting in—and that his prosthetic does not define him. For 9 days they’re both having the time of their lives, whether it’s their failed trivia attempts, heating things up on a Caribbean beach, or even a sexy karaoke serenade.

Now it’s only a matter of time before they hit the shore—and reality.

Published Date: 3 April 2023

My Review

After her boyfriend and employer confesses to being unfaithful, Mac finds herself simultaneously jobless and homeless. Temporarily staying with her friend Dani, she decides to take up her friend’s suggestion of a rejuvenating cruise to regain her footing. A case of mistaken luggage delivery leads to a charming encounter with an intriguing, green-eyed stranger, and Mac contemplates a casual cruise romance.

A decade ago, Cole lost his leg in a brutal terrorist attack. Still battling PTSD and hesitant to form close connections, he is nonetheless drawn to the cheerful stranger who located his misplaced luggage. After spending time together, they mutually agree to a fleeting romance. But when their cruise ends and their feelings appear to have deepened, how will they navigate their emotions?

This book is the quintessential summer beach novel. It features a mix-up of luggage, humorous situations, unexpected incidents, the perfect dose of romance, and an engrossing storyline that captures your attention and keeps you entertained until the very end.

My Rating

Book Review – Coming Home To The Highlands By Lisa Hobman

Sometimes life is full of surprises, especially when you least expect them…

Born into the Scottish Clan MacBain and the 17th century ancestral home, Drumblair Castle, Liv MacBain has always dreamt of leaving the ancient homestead and becoming her own person in the world of fashion.
From a young age, she worshipped the trailblazing designs of the haute couture glitterati, hoping one day to join them.
With older brother Kerr, the rightful heir, Liv has been free to spread her wings.
Fast forward. Liv, is now 28 years old, working at a high-end fashion house and living her dream life in New York. She’s never been happier.
Until everything changes with one devastating phone call from her brother, Kerr, that brings her rushing back to Scotland.
Old friends and adversaries resurface and Liv faces a difficult decision that could mean her dream future can no longer be a reality.
Or can you have your castle and your career?

Published Date: 4 April 2023

My Review

Liv MacBain, a Scottish native, was born into the esteemed MacBain Clan, whose 17th-century ancestral seat, Drumblair Castle, is set to be inherited by her brother. Despite her lineage, Liv’s heart lay in fashion design, leading her to New York where she’s been thriving in the fashion world. Her life takes a turn when she learns of her beloved mother’s death and hurries back home to Scotland, apprehensive that her reckless brother, Kerr, would sell the castle to support his lavish lifestyle. Her worst fears come true as she discovers Kerr’s laid off much of the staff and is already entertaining selling offers. However, her mother’s will reveals a final surprise – Liv is the rightful inheritor of the castle, but under certain conditions. As she navigates this overwhelming situation, Liv finds support in old friends, castle employees, and family members.

Balancing the allure of a successful career in the glamorous New York fashion scene and the familial obligations tied to her historic Scottish castle, Liv is torn between two worlds. The story traces her journey of self-discovery as she struggles to reconcile her professional ambitions and her love for her homeland. The endearing characters, particularly the dogs Wilf and Marley, captivate the reader’s heart – the author’s personal anecdotes about the choice of dogs further amplifying this charm. The narrative is lightened by a sprinkle of romantic elements, with the friends-to-lovers trope being particularly enjoyable. Overall, it’s a delightful and heartwarming read.

My Rating

Book Review – One Hot Cowboy Wedding By Carolyn Brown

He’ll do whatever it takes to get ownership of that ranch…

When our lawyer went over Gramps’s will and told me that my ranch would be signed over to my no-‘count cousin Cole unless I got married, I was in despair. I had a week left to get married and not even a girlfriend to propose to.

And then there’s the woman he loves…

When I told Ace I’d marry him, it was just to help out an old friend. He’d have a marriage license to show his lawyer, and the time would pass the same for me whether I was married or not. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Right—unless your secret wedding is filmed and shared with the entire world.

Published Date: 11 April 2023

My Review

Ace Riley, Jasmine’s long-time best friend, is a charismatic, attractive cowboy who owns a ranch and is a pro at bull-riding. Their friendship took root when Jasmine left her mundane city job at an accounting firm to pursue her passion in cooking at a local diner. Now, Ace is facing a predicament. His grandfather’s will, which Ace hadn’t fully scrutinized, has a condition requiring him to get married within a week or risk losing his beloved ranch and all the investments he made in it to a scheming cousin. Jasmine, who cares deeply for Ace, proposes a secret and temporary one-year marriage to save his ranch. Their intention was to continue living their lives as usual, without the burden of a permanent commitment. However, a passionate kiss from Ace outside the Las Vegas wedding chapel, followed by their wedding being broadcasted nationwide on television, sets off a storm in their native Texas, as their stunned friends and families watch on.

This tale combines the themes of friends-turned-lovers and a pretend marriage in Vegas, all set within a traditional cowboy romance. As a reader, I found this compelling combination hard to resist.

My Rating

Book Review – A Sweet Spot For Love By Aliyah Burke

Former pro baseball player Linc Conner knows exactly where his head’s at. Most of the time, he’s completely focused on running his community center and focusing on the kids. But when it comes to single mom Emma Henricksen, Linc can’t see straight. She’s driven, resourceful—not to mention that smart, extra-kissable mouth—and when she’s near, he gets lost in a fog of lust. But he needs her help to convince an investor they’re engaged.

Emma’s too busy raising her gifted little girl to have a sex life that’s notbattery-operated. Still, how could she resist being engaged to a guy who’s the sexual equivalent of her favorite dessert topped with whipped cream and a cherry, even if it’s just pretend? Emma knows all too well that if something seems too good—or too tempting—to be true, it definitely is…

Now it’s a game of pretend with a whole lot of chemistry between the guy who’s used to playing the field—and the woman who opted out of the game long ago. All that’s missing is one helluva curveball…

Published Date: 27 March 2023

My Review

Emma, a devoted single mother, is determined to provide her young daughter Greer with a better childhood than she had. Greer has recently discovered a passion for baseball at the local community center, which poses challenges for Emma in managing her work commitments. Linc, the former professional baseball player who runs the community center, dreams of expanding its reach. When an Investor assumes Linc is a family man, he quickly decides to point out Emma as his fiancée in the crowd, leading to a classic fake dating scenario in a small town with some miscommunication involved. The book features a delightful pairing of a curvy single mother with a former baseball player, and the slow-burn romance beautifully unfolds as the story progresses. Well-developed characters and a close-knit friendship circle add depth to the narrative, while vibrant dialogue and the charming small town setting make it an enjoyable read overall.

My Rating

Book Review – Bluebell Season At The Potting Shed By Jenny Kane

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… the upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point, turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site. And just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed.

Published Date: 30 March 2023

My Review

This heartwarming tale follows Maddie and Sabi as they inherit their father’s nursery and embark on the journey of transforming it into a garden center. Throughout the story, they face numerous challenges and obstacles, making their path to success a bumpy one. The presence of friends and family at the Potting Shed adds complexity to the narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Maddie and Sabi’s journey and loved the direction the story took. The setting, based on a real garden center in the area, felt entirely believable. I’m eagerly looking forward to what unfolds next! This remarkable book stands alone, but having read the previous one will provide a better grasp of the dynamics. It’s a brilliant read from beginning to end!

My Rating

Book Review – Fantasies Of My Best Friend’s Dad By Lavender Skye

An enemies-to-lovers romance that will leave you breathless!

What happens in Tuscany, stays in Tuscany: A sizzling hot romance that defies age and expectations…

When Emmy’s best friend ditches her for a whirlwind romance in Paris, she’s left to explore the hills of Tuscany with the last person she ever expected – Lyla’s enigmatic and devilishly handsome father Nathan. Trapped in a cozy cabin during a snowstorm, Emmy discovers that Nathan is more than just a billionaire banker, but a man with a past…and a burning desire for her.

As the snow melts and their time in the cabin comes to an end, Nathan and Emmy must decide if their fiery passion is just a temporary fling or if it’s the start of a steamy love affair that will last a lifetime.

Published Date: 14 March 2023

My Review

Emmy and her best friend had planned to spend time in Tuscany during winter. However, when they arrived at the airport, the best friend decided to ditch Emmy for a guy. Bestie’s dad, Nathan, then stepped in to drive Emmy to the winter cabin, where she would stay alone. Unexpectedly, they get stranded due to a massive blizzard, leading to a forced proximity situation with a mix of grumpiness and sunshine, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The book has well-executed spicy scenes and is written from dual points of view. The epilogue at the end tied up the ending perfectly, resolving any lingering concerns about how certain things unfolded. Overall, I highly recommend this book for those seeking a spicy and engaging quick read!

My Rating