Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- The Holiday Hookup List By Alexis Daria

Valencia

After calling it quits with my cheating fiancé, I’m definitely not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. But when my best friend invites me to a holiday dance party, I show up ready to shake my ass.

Except I must be on Santa’s naughty list, because who do I run into? My infuriatingly sexy high school archnemesis, Gideon Noble.

The pulsing music, red and green strobe lights, and Gideon’s bitable bottom lip make me reckless, so I drag him onto the dance floor.

And then? I take him home with me.

Gideon

If this is my second chance with Valencia, I’m not wasting it.

We’re both alone this Christmas, so we create a naughty and nice list that would make Santa blush: twelve days of wholesome yuletide cheer, and twelve nights decking each other’s halls.

As Christmas Eve, and the end of our list, approaches, I realize that twelve days with Valencia Torres isn’t enough.

I want forever.

But does she?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Valencia, an EPA lawyer, who unexpectedly reunites with her former high school rival, Gideon, during a night out in New York. What begins as a chance encounter and one-night hookup quickly develops into a spirited arrangement: twelve days of holiday outings by day paired with an adventurous intimacy bucket list by night. The result is equal parts “Hallmark after dark” and heartwarming romance.

Daria skillfully balances lighthearted festive fun with deeper themes, including family complications, past betrayals, and the vulnerabilities of starting over. The chemistry between Valencia and Gideon is undeniable, and the intimacy is not only passionate but also refreshingly mutual and exploratory.

What particularly sets this novella apart is its casual queer and Latine representation, offering an inclusive and modern take on holiday romance. The Holiday Hookup List is both sexy and heartfelt, making it a perfect seasonal read for those seeking something vibrant, diverse, and delightfully unconventional.

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Review Card & Book Review – Suddenly Mine By Katie Evergreen

This Christmas, love is the best surprise of all . . .

Merry Sinclair used to adore Christmas — until heartbreak ruined her holiday spirit. Working in New York’s famously festive Carroll’s Department Store over the holidays is not helping matters. Until she meets new employee Christian, whose easy confidence and deep chestnut eyes make her heart skip.

Estranged heir to a global empire, Christian Carroll hasn’t set foot inside his family’s store in years. But when his father tells him the company’s struggling, he reluctantly agrees to return, on one condition — he’ll work undercover as a janitor.

The last thing he needs is a distraction in the form of the charming and quirky store-greeter he can’t seem to stay away from.

As Merry and Christian grow closer, their connection becomes undeniable. But when Christian’s true identity is revealed, Merry must choose — can she trust him with her heart, or will past heartaches keep them from finding their own place under the mistletoe?

About The Author

My Review

This is a festive, fun, and flirty addition to the Appex Billionaires series. Set against the twinkling lights of New York during the holiday season, it captures both the magic and the messiness of love. Merry Sinclaire is a hardworking, relatable heroine—drained from long shifts at the Caroll family department store and weighed down by responsibility for her sister’s healthcare. Her struggles with exhaustion and financial pressure add a layer of realism that makes her easy to root for.

Enter Christian Caroll, the reluctant heir forced back from his overseas charity work to rescue the family empire. Disguising himself as a janitor, Christian soon collides—literally—with Merry, sparking a connection that’s equal parts hilarious and sizzling. Their banter, undeniable chemistry, and steamy moments keep the pages turning, while the backdrop of Santa encounters, mulled wine, and holiday chaos adds a cozy sparkle.

Though Christian’s secret identity creates tension, his sincerity shines through, making the romance sweet and satisfying. With its blend of humor, heat, and heart, this is a lighthearted Christmas romance that delivers both laughs and feels in equal measure.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Winter Of Sweet Secrets By Heidi McCahan

What will it take to save her family’s candy company…and end a decades-long feud?

For generations, the Evergreen Candy Company has been a beloved small-town Alaskan tradition run by Jovi Wright’s family—until now. With her grandparents no longer at the helm, Jovi’s parents are considering selling it. When her sister calls with the news, Jovi hops on a plane back home to help rescue the family business. Her plan: launch Grammie’s salted caramel chews as a new product. But with Grammie’s memory fading and the recipe missing, Jovi has her work cut out for her.
Still reeling from being jilted by her fiancé, Jovi welcomes the distraction of trying to re-create the recipe from scratch. The distraction she’s not so sure about is single dad Burke Solomon. The disillusioned author and his adorable little girl have moved in to his late aunt’s cabin just down the road from her grandparents’ home, where she’s staying. And the discovery that their families have been feuding since before either of them were born is too irresistible to ignore.
With a looming deadline and the stresses of single parenthood, the last thing Burke needs is a bright-eyed optimist like Jovi next door. But he finds himself asking for her help adjusting to life in Evergreen more than he’d like to admit. And untangling the history of what happened to the friendship between his late aunt and Jovi’s Grammie provides an antidote to his writer’s block. But when Burke unearths several shocking family secrets, will revealing them settle the feud or bring everything he and Jovi have been working toward crashing down around them?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming small-town holiday romance that blends family, community, and second chances with a touch of mystery. For generations, the Evergreen Candy Company has been at the heart of Jovi Wright’s family, but with her grandparents aging and her parents considering selling, Jovi rushes home to help. Her plan: relaunch Grammie’s famous salted caramel chews. The problem? Grammie’s memory is fading, and the treasured recipe is nowhere to be found.

Enter Burke Solomon, a widowed author struggling with writer’s block and single father to the utterly endearing Darby Jane. Moving into his late aunt’s cabin places him right next door to Jovi—and right into the middle of a decades-old feud between their families. Their reluctant partnership soon turns into something much deeper, with Burke’s guarded heart slowly opening under Jovi’s optimism and determination.

McCahan delivers cozy festive vibes—snowy Alaska, twinkle lights, candy shops, and heartfelt family moments—while weaving in themes of forgiveness, resilience, and love. Sweet, uplifting, and brimming with holiday charm, this story is a perfect seasonal read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- The Accidental Rewrite By Milly Johnson

What if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you’d always dreamed of?

Polly Potter is losing the plot of her life. At work, her jerk of a boss is making her days unbearable. At home, she’s trapped in an unappreciated relationship with a man-child of a partner. She’s left completely drained by always putting others first. Amid this chaos, Polly finds solace in one place: the pages of her novel, where she shapes the world of the fearless and triumphant Sabrina Anderson, a character who embodies everything Polly wishes she could be. And thus a plan is born: Polly Potter is going to stop writing the life she wants and start living it.

Just as she makes her move–quitting her job, leaving her partner, and embarking on a road trip to start over–fate turns everything upside down. A wild turn of events leaves her far from home along the Yorkshire coast, in the hospital, waking up from a concussion, believing her name is Sabrina Anderson. She doesn’t know where she’s come from, but she feels she could heal in that seaside town, with the fresh air, seagulls, and a few kind strangers who take her into their lives. And into the heart of their joyful, boisterous Italian family restaurant–run by Teddy, the warmhearted son of her new landlady. When the restaurant is threatened, she knows she has the skills to help–and as her memory slowly returns, she must choose between Sabrina’s life or Polly’s. With her identity in question, Polly wonders: what if this new life could truly be hers? What if she could rewrite her story with a happier ending?

About The Author

My Review

This is another heartwarming, witty, and uplifting tale from Milly Johnson, brimming with her trademark warmth and humor. At its heart is Polly Potter, a woman stuck in a stagnant relationship with Chris, whose affections have strayed and whose indifference has chipped away at her confidence. Professionally, things aren’t much better—after the death of her mentor, Polly’s new boss shamelessly steals her ideas, leaving her desperate for an outlet.

That outlet arrives in the form of a creative writing class, where Polly creates Sabrina—a bold, confident, and feisty version of herself who embodies everything she wishes she could be. But life takes an unexpected twist when Polly suddenly becomes Sabrina, with no memory of her past life, landing in a seaside town where she is taken in by the generous Marielle. What follows is a charming, layered exploration of identity, reinvention, and second chances.

Packed with colorful characters, quirky humor (the local paper’s hilarious typos are a delight), and emotional depth, this novel is both entertaining and empowering. Milly Johnson once again delivers a story that feels like a warm hug with a dash of mischief.

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Review Card & Book Review- Tracing Her Stolen Identity By Katie Mettner

Hunting the enemy who erased her identity

plunges them into a fight for their lives

Skylar Sullivan no longer exists. The obliteration of her identity is only the first step in a diabolical plan to frame the artist for crimes she couldn’t have physically committed from her wheelchair. Turning to the one person she can trust brings back memories of a night fourteen years ago when Sky lost the boy she loved. Reece Palmer failed Sky once. When he vows to protect her with his life in a way he couldn’t in the past, the cybersecurity expert must take down a mortal threat before a cold-blooded avenger makes Sky disappear forever.

About The Author

My Review

This is a compelling blend of romantic suspense, emotional depth, and personal resilience. Skylar, an artist whose life changed forever after a cheerleading accident left her in a wheelchair, has spent fourteen years building a new normal. Returning home from a retreat, she discovers her identity has been stolen and erased, plunging her into danger. With threats looming and nowhere else to turn, she seeks help from Reece Palmer, her childhood best friend and the one man she’s always trusted.

Mettner crafts Reece as a hero worth swooning over—steadfast, respectful, and deeply admiring of Skylar not despite her circumstances, but because of who she is. Their romance simmers with both chemistry and tenderness, placing emphasis on emotional connection rather than just physical attraction. The suspense plot is tightly woven with twists that keep the reader guessing, while the themes of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and renewal lend heartfelt resonance.

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Review Card & Book Review- Cinderella’s Fling With The Billionaire By Rachael Stewart

FOR ONE NIGHT OR FOREVER?

Single mom Maria has fought to reclaim her world from her controlling ex. Romance is the last thing on her mind—until billionaire widower Tim walks into her bar, igniting a passion she thought she’d buried. A brief fling was meant to be enough, until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited on a luxury superyacht. Working as a stewardess, Maria is mortified to be serving the man she shared a bed with. Worse still, their attraction is stronger than ever…

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweeping, emotional romance that takes the beloved Cinderella trope and gives it fresh warmth, depth, and glamour. Maria, a single mother who has worked hard to build a safe, independent life for herself and her daughter, Fae, has no plans to let another man into her heart. That changes the night she meets Tim, a widower still carrying the weight of grief while being gently nudged by his daughter and best friend to look toward the future. What begins as a passionate one-night encounter soon takes an unexpected turn when Maria accepts a temporary job aboard a luxury yacht—only to discover Tim is part of the crew’s world.

Stewart masterfully contrasts Maria and Tim’s different backgrounds while showing the undeniable spark that binds them. The chemistry between them is fiery yet tender, their vulnerabilities make them relatable, and the Australian superyacht setting adds pure escapist delight. With themes of second chances, healing, and the courage to embrace love again, this story is both heartfelt and uplifting.

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Review Card & Book Review- Filthy Rich Temptation By Rachael Stewart

Theo

Making my first billion? Easy. Surviving Sadie — and her three-year-old — moving in? Pure torture. She’s my best friend’s little sister, the one girl I should never touch. Especially after that reckless kiss seven years ago…the kiss that ruined everything.

Now she’s here, under my roof, in every corner of my thoughts. Vulnerable. Off-limits. And so beautiful it hurts. I promised myself I’d protect her, keep my distance. But every laugh, every accidental touch, makes it harder to remember why I ever said no.

Sadie

I ran to Theo for safety, but the moment I walked through his door, I knew I wasn’t just in danger from my ex—I was in danger of falling again. He thinks he’s protecting me, keeping his distance. But every smouldering look says otherwise.

And every night, I wonder: what if I kissed him again? He thinks he’s just helping. But he doesn’t see how he’s rewiring my heart—how my daughter already adores him. I’m supposed to be surviving, not falling. But I know what I want…him. His hands. His mouth. His body. Even if it’s the one thing he swore I couldn’t have…

About The Author

My Review

This is a captivating, emotionally layered romance that balances tenderness, passion, and resilience with remarkable ease. The novel follows Sadie, a young mother fleeing an abusive relationship, who reluctantly accepts refuge with her sister’s best friend, Theo. What her sister doesn’t know is that Sadie and Theo once shared a fleeting but unforgettable kiss, creating an undercurrent of unresolved attraction.

Stewart handles the sensitive subject of abuse with care, ensuring it shapes Sadie’s journey without overwhelming the story. Instead, the focus remains on her strength, her determination to rebuild her life, and the unconditional love she shares with her daughter, Lottie. Theo emerges as the perfect counterpart—protective, patient, and quietly devoted—his growing bond with Lottie is particularly touching.

The romance itself is both hotly charged and refreshingly authentic. Rather than leaning on tired tropes or contrived misunderstandings, the conflicts feel organic, arising from the characters’ emotional wounds and vulnerabilities. This makes their eventual connection all the more rewarding.

Heartfelt, compelling, and surprisingly hopeful, this book is a testament to Rachael Stewart’s ability to write romance that resonates on both an emotional and deeply human level.

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Review Card & Book Review – All The Things We Never Knew By Sophie Ranald

A marriage built on secrets. A family torn apart. A love that could heal them all.

When Anna Graham finds diamond earrings in her husband’s drawer the day before Valentine’s Day, she knows they’re not for her – her ears aren’t even pierced. Gray is having an affair – but before she can confront him about his betrayal, he receives a terminal cancer diagnosis that shatters their family.

As Gray lies dying in their Damask Square home, Anna meets Laurel – the nurse who stole her husband’s heart. Despite her rage, Anna finds herself sharing Gray’s final days with this other woman, both desperate to ease his suffering while drowning in their own grief.

But hidden in their loft, Anna discovers traces of a stranger – a boy who was a gifted pianist, who had a different life before he became her husband. As she struggles to hold herself together for her teenage children, Anna realises everything she believed about Gray was built on carefully constructed lies.

Can two women who loved the same man find a way to heal – and help each other discover who Gray really was?

About The Author

My Review

This is a deeply moving and emotionally layered novel that explores marriage, betrayal, forgiveness, and self-discovery with remarkable sensitivity. From the very beginning, I was drawn into Anna’s world as she faces the devastating fallout of her husband Gray’s infidelity, while also uncovering the pain and secrets that shaped him. What makes this story so compelling is the balanced perspective—it doesn’t just follow Anna, but also gives us insight into Gray and Laurel, the nurse who falls for him. Each viewpoint feels authentic, making it hard not to sympathize with all sides of this tangled, heartbreaking situation.

Ranald handles heavy themes with nuance, never resorting to clichés or easy resolutions. Instead, she paints a portrait of flawed, multidimensional people navigating love, grief, mistakes, and redemption. The characters grow in believable ways, with moments of anger, guilt, compassion, and eventual healing. The ending ties these journeys together beautifully, offering hope and renewal without diminishing the struggles that came before.

Powerful, heartfelt, and courageous in tackling tough topics, this book left me reflective and inspired.

My Rating

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