Book Review – Page 11

Review Card & Book Review- The Dating Game By Mona Shroff

A fake romance will solve all their problems

…And stir up a bunch of new ones!

Veterinary student Saira Rawal definitely believes in love. It’s just…not for her. Not when getting through her days without panic attacks is struggle enough. But at least she has Tyler Hart—her brother’s best friend, who has always been her safe space. He even takes her in when she and her disaster of a therapy puppy need somewhere to stay! So when she can return the favor, helping him save face with his brother by pretending they’re together, she steps right up. With a pretend relationship, it’s not like there’s any chance of someone really getting hurt…right?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, emotionally layered romance that blends family tension, fake engagement hijinks, and long-suppressed feelings. Tyler Hart has lived in the shadow of his older brother Colton since their parents’ divorce, constantly made to feel lesser. When Colton arrives unexpectedly with his new fiancée—who happens to be Tyler’s ex—the old wounds are instantly reopened.

Enter Saira Rawal, Tyler’s longtime friend and his best friend’s little sister. When she needs a place to stay after being evicted for owning a dog, Tyler steps in without hesitation. Faced with Colton’s smug visit and Rita’s presence, Saira impulsively claims she and Tyler are engaged, setting off a chain of emotional fallout and family drama. The fake engagement forces Tyler and Saira to confront the feelings they’ve both been carefully avoiding for years.

Shroff excels at balancing romance with depth, thoughtfully addressing serious themes—particularly mental health—without overwhelming the story. The chemistry between Tyler and Saira feels earned, rooted in years of friendship and quiet longing. As the final installment in the Once Upon a Wedding series, this novel is both satisfying and touching, leaving readers deeply connected to its characters and hopeful for more.

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Happy Publication Day – 23 April 2026

Happy Ever After At Samphire Bay By Sasha Morgan

It will take the whole village to help this couple find their happy ending…

When doctor Tara moves to Samphire Bay, local builder Jack is lovestruck for the first time in his life. But despite his determination to get to know her and her young son, Calum, Tara resists Jack’s charms. Not only does she have a complicated relationship with her ex, Calum’s dad, but he bitterly regrets letting Tara go and is making himself a nuisance in her new life.

Jack is set on proving to her that he’s here for good – not just for Tara, but also for Calum. The three quickly become inseparable, but more obstacles lie in their way. Family secrets and skeletons in the closet might just break Jack and Tara’s relationship, unless they can find a way to overcome their pasts for a future together.

Will Jack and Tara find their happy-ever-after in Samphire Bay?

Safe Haven By Lily Parker

. . . Welcome to Cedar Shores. Your new small-town obsession!

She’s the queen of heartbreak.
He’s the one who got away.

Bailey Jones built a career writing love stories about brooding heroes. But in real life she’s never had her own happily ever after.

Not with him.

Rhett Monroe was her first love. The boy who used to toss her into the lake every summer — and the man who walked away without looking back.

Now he’s back — ex–Navy SEAL turned security specialist. Focused. Intense. And he’s not here for the memories.

Because someone is watching Bailey.
Sending messages that feel a little too personal. Too obsessed.
And Rhett is not letting her out of his sight.

He takes her to the one place a stalker won’t find her — Cedar Shores. But for Bailey, being stuck in close quarters with the man she never stopped wanting is far from simple. Especially when Rhett watches her like she’s something worth guarding. Like she’s his.

The tension that used to simmer between them now crackles. Every argument is charged with desire. Every touch lingers. And every heated look dares her to remember how good they could be.

She’s spent her career writing men who would burn the world down for the woman they love.

Review Card & Book Review- How To Fake Date Her Billionaire By Clare Miles

They’re crossing a billion-dollar boundary…

Heiress Eleanor Ainsworth’s secret to survival? Never fall in love. Only one person ever challenged that: billionaire Nic Kosmas, the childhood best friend she once dated for six sizzling months. So, when she returns to London to help launch a foundation honouring Nic’s late father, temptation follows… And after a stolen clinch lands them in the tabloids, the only solution to protect Nic’s family legacy is a fake relationship! Yet, as the line between façade and feelings blurs, Ellie’s in danger of breaking her golden rule…

About The Author

My Review

This is an emotionally rich, sensual romance built on longing, unresolved hurt, and the irresistible pull of second chances. Eleanor Ainsworth grew up under the harsh glare of paparazzi and parental conflict, shaping rigid life rules—chief among them, never fall in love. The Kosmas family became her safe haven, especially Nic, with whom she once shared an intense connection before fear sent her fleeing to Australia.

Years later, Ellie’s return to London to help launch a foundation honoring Nic’s late father forces them back into close proximity. The chemistry between Ellie and Nic is immediate and undeniable, made even more complicated by paparazzi photos that push them into a fake relationship for the foundation’s sake. What begins as pretense quickly blurs as old feelings resurface and truths long buried demand to be faced.

Miles excels at weaving emotional depth with sizzling tension. Ellie’s vulnerability and Nic’s quiet devotion make them deeply relatable, while the supporting cast and glamorous settings add warmth and texture. This is a moving, heartfelt story about healing, trust, and choosing love despite fear—highly recommended for fans of fake dating and second-chance romance.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Cinderella’s Bargain With The Billionaire By Mariah Ankenman

SWIPE RIGHT FOR THE ONE?

Event planner Marissa can’t afford distractions—certainly not strangers she’s set up with against her will! Accidental date Rory is heart-poundingly handsome but extremely unamused by the mix-up. At least she’ll never see him again… Only it turns out he’s her fledgling company’s first client! Marissa just has to stand the buttoned-up billionaire long enough to plan a glamorous charity gala, then they’re done. Yet as she sees beneath his stern exterior, dislike melts into something more dangerous…and she’s soon wishing their contract could last forever!

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, emotionally grounded romance that balances modern tropes with heartfelt depth. The story opens with an awkward—but memorable—meet-cute when Marissa discovers her teenage sister posed as her on a dating app, leading to a disastrous first impression with Rory. Things grow even more complicated when Rory turns out to be a key client for Marissa’s new event-planning business, forcing proximity despite mutual attraction and lingering tension.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its thoughtful representation of Marissa’s medical condition, POTS, which is handled with care and realism. Rory’s tragic backstory adds emotional weight, while the secondary characters—especially cousin Kell, sister Abby, and best friend Nora—bring warmth and humor. The dating app concept, which matches users based on hobbies and lifestyle, is particularly fun, allowing Marissa and Rory to bond over puzzles and games in a natural, endearing way.

The central conflict involving Marissa’s father’s gambling addiction is compelling, though it could have benefited from more on-page interaction. While the story leans on familiar romance clichés, the chemistry and heart ultimately make this an enjoyable and satisfying read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Sicilian Devil’s Prisoner By Caitlin Crews

Is she his ruin…
or his redemption?

Jovi D’Amato doesn’t show mercy. He is ice-cold, ruthless and relentless. He is the deadly weapon of the Il Serpente crime syndicate, forged in the brutal aftermath of his family’s murder. Then he’s sent to kidnap Ruxandra Ardelean. In a single heartbeat she detonates his entire existence…

Salvation isn’t something Rux thought possible until Jovi takes her prisoner. The dangerous Sicilian should terrify her. Instead, he thrills her. She comes alive under his shamelessly sinful touch. Though for Jovi to make her his, he’ll have to burn his whole world down…

About The Author

My Review

This is a dark, emotionally charged romance that blends danger, fatalism, and unexpected tenderness. Jovi, a lethal enforcer molded by his ruthless uncle, is sent to kill Rux—a woman who has spent her life waiting to be traded or destroyed for power. What makes their first meeting unforgettable is Rux’s eerie calm; she greets her would-be killer with resignation rather than fear, sparking sharp banter and instant intrigue.

Crews excels at pairing two characters who mirror each other’s emotional imprisonment. Rux has long accepted her lack of agency, while Jovi has been weaponized by grief and manipulation. As their connection deepens, Jovi’s threats grow hollow, replaced by a fierce desire to make Rux choose life—and love. Their escape to Sicily provides a quieter, more intimate interlude, rich with longing and fragile hope, even as danger looms.

The romance unfolds with intensity and urgency, driven by the inevitability of Antonio’s pursuit. While steeped in dark tropes, the story ultimately shines in its exploration of choice, healing, and defiance. Fans of high-stakes, emotionally resonant romances will find this a compelling and satisfying read.

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Review Card & Book Review – Tainted Love By Laura Carter

Scarlett: I loved Gregory Ryans with all of me.

And it still wasn’t enough.

He was everything I wanted, but I should have known better. After all we’ve been through, he still didn’t trust me with the truth.

I walked away from him, but Gregory Ryans is not one to give up.

Now he’s offering me the deal of a lifetime: his heart. All his secrets. Him. Forever.

But at what cost?

Yes, there are things he’s kept from me. But there are also things – dangerous things – that even Gregory doesn’t know.

His enemies are still coming for us, and this time, we’ll have to fight together. To save what we’ve built. To show that love like ours can’t be destroyed.

I believe that.

But if he doesn’t, then it won’t only destroy us. It’ll destroy everything.

About The Author

My Review

Tainted Love, the gripping finale of Laura Carter’s Billionaires of London trilogy, delivers an emotionally charged and deeply satisfying conclusion to Scarlett and Gregory’s tumultuous story. Picking up weeks after the explosive ending of book two, the novel dives straight into the consequences of Gregory’s mistakes, peeling back the final layers of a man who has been equal parts infuriating and compelling. Carter masterfully reveals the trauma and vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior, offering readers a powerful and believable evolution without sacrificing the character consistency built over two previous books.

Scarlett, too, undergoes a rewarding transformation. No longer defined solely by her role in Gregory’s world, she reclaims her identity—with personal strength, professional pride, and a renewed sense of purpose. Her journey is empowering and beautifully rendered.

The plot is tightly woven, full of clever threads that build toward a cinematic, high-stakes climax. Carter’s pacing feels more controlled and emotionally resonant, allowing the central couple to finally breathe, connect, and grow.

With vivid imagery, impactful twists, and heartfelt closure, Tainted Love is a triumphant finale—rich, dramatic, and overflowing with hard-won joy. Fans will turn the last page both wrung out and deeply content.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- The Wife’s Irish Secret By Susanne O’Leary

When Marian Fleury finds a love letter hidden in her husband Theo’s belongings, her heartbreak puts her on the first plane to Ireland. With her sister Claire’s wedding only a week away, she has the perfect excuse to escape to the Irish coast and decide where her future truly lies…

Marian is shocked by how quickly she adjusts to the beautiful sandy shores, shopping for dresses and collecting roses for the perfect wedding bouquet. As the ocean sparkles before her, the wind soft against her face, she manages to keep the pain Theo has caused her a secret and remembers that as a little girl she always wanted Ireland to be her home.

Yet just as Marian thinks her past is behind her, Theo arrives in town. He begs for her forgiveness, his handsome face and olive skin making her heart race like always, and suddenly she wonders if he might start afresh in the village with her.

But when she stumbles upon the woman her husband was sending letters to, in a beautiful cottage among the wildflowers, Marian learns that Theo has an even bigger secret. Can Marian find the strength to take the next steps in her own life, or is she about to lose everything?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, atmospheric romance that beautifully intertwines personal upheaval with the charm and spirit of rural Ireland. While the story is framed as a relationship-focused novel, it often feels just as much a love letter to Irish landscapes, traditions, and community. Marian Fleury is an instantly sympathetic protagonist—vulnerable, flawed, and deeply human. Returning to Ireland for her sister’s wedding, she is really fleeing a marriage that has left her feeling invisible and isolated. The discovery of a recent letter from her husband’s former flame only deepens her hurt and confusion.

As Marian unravels emotionally, she confides in the wrong person, a choice that threatens to make her situation even more precarious. When her husband Theo unexpectedly arrives in Ireland hoping to repair their strained relationship, Marian becomes overwhelmed by secrets, obligations, and the weight of her own fears. O’Leary skillfully builds tension as Marian’s carefully balanced life becomes increasingly unsustainable.

Rich in emotion and rooted in a vivid sense of place, The Wife’s Irish Secret is an engaging and compassionate read that keeps you invested in Marian’s journey toward clarity and self-worth.

My Rating

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RevIew Card & Book Review – The Whispers Of Hideaway House By Alexandra Barber

A captivating tale of love, loss and second chances, where the past and present intertwine to create magic that transcends time itself…

When midwife Jules arrives on the Isle of Wight, she’s nursing a broken heart after being betrayed by the man she thought she loved. But the enchanting 200-year-old Hideaway Cottage seems determined to heal her wounded spirit. As Jules untangles the mystery at the centre of the house’s tragic history, she begins to wonder if some places are simply meant to mend what’s been broken…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about heartbreak, fresh starts, and the healing power of friendship and community. It delivers a warm, uplifting second instalment in the Hideaway House series that feels like a comforting escape from start to finish.

The story follows Jules, a hardworking midwife in Manchester whose life unravels after her charming boyfriend Gavin vanishes, leaving emotional and financial devastation behind. Struggling to cope, she is rescued by her loyal best friend Carrie, who invites her to the peaceful Isle of Wight. There, Carrie and her partner Guy arrange for Jules to stay at Hideaway House, offering her the chance to rebuild her confidence and begin again.

What makes the novel so enjoyable is its sense of community. The villagers are kind, supportive, and quick to rally around one another when life becomes difficult, creating a story full of compassion and warmth. Although set in summer, the generosity and uplifting tone make it feel like the perfect holiday read.

Overall, this is a charming, feel-good novel about resilience, friendship, and new beginnings—one that leaves you eager to explore the rest of the series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- Melting Point By Cici Williams

February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington’s mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding.

Enter Finn Bradley. They’ve had a ‘friends forever’ pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training.

But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they’re told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won’t be a slippery slope…

There’s only one problem. Finn’s secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he’s decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, adrenaline-charged friends-to-lovers romance set against the electrifying backdrop of the Winter Olympics. What makes this story shine is the emotional depth woven into the competition, capturing both the high-stakes pressure of elite sports and the fragile, long-buried feelings between Sam and Finn. Bound by a pact made years earlier—to stay just friends until they each win an Olympic medal—they’ve spent a lifetime balancing ambition with unspoken longing.

Sam’s struggle is especially compelling. Still carrying the emotional scars of her father’s abandonment and burdened by her family’s tragedy, she fights not only for a medal but for validation. Her pain, frustration, and moments of immaturity feel achingly real. On the other side is Finn—steady, devoted, and quietly in love. His loyalty grounds their relationship, and his gentle support contrasts beautifully with the chaos swirling around Sam.

When a series of friendly photos goes viral, the forced spotlight pushes them into a fake-dating scenario that blurs every line they’ve tried to uphold. Their slow-burn romance, intensified by Olympic tension and personal stakes, feels both tender and exhilarating.

A unique, emotional, and uplifting winter sports romance.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- Yours For The Season By Emily Stone

Christmas with your ex and his family in a cosy cottage in the snowy Scottish Highlands?

It’s the last place Mel imagined spending the holidays.

But when her ex-boyfriend Finn shows up on her doorstep, only months after inexplicably dumping her at his sister’s engagement party, asking her to pretend to his family they’re back together, she agrees – on one condition. Mel can publicly dump Finn at the end of the week and show him just how it feels.

But with Finn’s mother set on making this Christmas picture-perfect, can Mel and Finn keep up the act without falling back into old feelings? As their white lie snowballs out of control, and the ice between them starts to thaw, Mel must decide if she really wants their romance to be just for the season – or something more…

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, emotionally layered holiday romance that blends second chances, fake dating, and heartfelt family healing into a story that feels both festive and deeply human. When Melanie agrees to pose as her ex-boyfriend Finn’s girlfriend for Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, she does so with one condition: she gets to publicly break up with him at the end of the week. What begins as a chance to reclaim her dignity quickly turns into a tender, complicated reunion as old wounds resurface—and old feelings do too.

Mel is a fantastic heroine, outwardly confident yet inwardly overwhelmed, juggling professional burnout and unresolved heartbreak. Finn, meanwhile, is remorseful, steady, and quietly determined to make things right. Their chemistry ignites the moment they reunite, and the cozy, snow-dusted Highland setting only amplifies the romance.

One of the shining aspects of the novel is Finn’s family. Their individual insecurities and unspoken struggles create meaningful subplots that enrich the central romance. Watching them open up and support one another adds warmth, depth, and charm to the story.

Sweet, emotionally honest, and beautifully festive, this is a holiday love story worth savoring.

My Rating