Book Review – Page 120

Book Review – Spring At Saddle Run By Delores Fossen

Synopsis

The truth about a small-town scandal unleashes one wildly unexpected romance.

Millie Parkman Dayton is still healing from the fatal car accident that claimed her husband and turned her into the focus of local gossip. But when she’s thrown together with the sexy rancher who shares in her tragic past, new rumors begin to fly in Last Ride, Texas.

Single dad Joe McCann is focused on running his ranch and raising his daughter. He has no desire to help Millie unearth his late wife’s past, especially if it means revealing painful secrets. Until his daughter teams up with Millie and the widower cowboy finds himself agreeing to help them with their project—and opening the door to a deep attraction he thought he’d never find again.

Published Date: 25 May 2021

My Review

Millie lost her husband in the same accident that killed Joe’s wife leaving behind a daughter Dara. There are talks in the community due to the circumstances of their death which affecting both Millie and Joe in their recovery of the loss of their loved ones.

This is a story of 2 wounded souls bound by tragedy with a lot of family issues going on. It played with your emotion as the story continue. There is twists and turns, love and drama with scandal added in.

My Rating

Link to Review from same series: Christmas At Colt Creeks

Book Review – The Christmas Escape By Sarah Morgan

Synopsis

An uplifting novel of friendship, the festive season, and risking everything for the biggest gift of all…

It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for?

There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy, but Christy’s plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own.

As long-held secrets unravel, and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas escape save the precious gift of each other’s friendship?

Published Date: 26 October 2021

My Review

Robyn lives in Lapland with Erik and for Christmas, her niece Christy will be visiting her together with her family. Christy is married to Seb and have a little girl Holly. She is suspicious of her hub and in order to stay back and travel with him to Lapland, she arrange for her best friend, Alix together with Seb’s friend Zac to take Holly to Lapland and both Christy and Seb will follow suit later.

This book tell the story of 3 different couples each with their own issues and intertwined with each other. It have mixture of complex relationship and had a lot going in the story. Each of the ladies has their own struggle and in the story, each of them found their key to their own happiness. There is a twist that I did not see coming but I love how the story ended.

My Rating

Book Review – Love Blooms By Jo McNally

Synopsis

It’s never too late for a second chance…

Tonight should be the best night of Lucy Higgins’s life. Tomorrow she’s finally marrying Owen Cooper. She’s been waiting to start a life of wedded bliss, like the happy marriage her parents have. Except…she just learned her parents are divorcing and she’s freaking out. Owen has been so distant lately, shutting her out. Suddenly this big wedding seems like a really bad idea. Packing up her car, Lucy bolts for Rendezvous Falls and finds work at a flower shop while she gets her life together. The last thing she expects is for Owen to show up, wanting her back.

Owen Cooper’s carefully planned out life is ready to begin. He’s home from the military to join the family business and marry the sweet girl who captured his heart…until Lucy runs out on him. That was not part of the plan. Armed with an article that promises to help him win her back, Owen heads to Rendezvous Falls. But from the moment he sees her again, she seems…different. Happier, more confident and at ease. Can he convince this new version of Lucy that he’s become the man she deserves? He might need a little help from the local book club to accomplish this mission…

Published Date: 27 July 2021

My Review

Lucy runaway on her wedding day to Rondezvous Falls with her friend’s Nikki help. She find herself doubting the marriage and Owen. Owen has been different since he is back from his deployment. Lucy tried to get him to open up but Owen could not open up with his feeling. The plan after the wedding is for Owen to take over his parent’s business. This mean Lucy with be tied down and it is not something that Lucy want. She want to be a florist. Combined with Owen’ mum who hi-jack the wedding into something that is totally opposite of what she want, all she want is to leave. Owen came to realisation then and with the help of his Army friend, he came up with a plan to win back Lucy again.

As the story continues, I can feel Lucy’s internal struggles as she learn how to put herself first instead of other people as she is a people pleaser. This book is about personal growth, second chance in love and a heartwarming story about finding what truly makes you happy and strive for it.

My Rating

Book Review – Keep Me Warm At Christmas By Brenda Novak

Synopsis

Maybe this Christmas can thaw his frozen heart—and heal hers.

Hollywood starlet Tia Beckett knows one moment can change your life. Her career had been on the fast track before a near-fatal accident left her with a debilitating facial scar. Certain her A-lister dreams are over, she agrees to house-sit at her producer’s secluded estate in Silver Springs. It’s the escape from the limelight Tia’s been craving, until she discovers she’s not the only houseguest for the holidays. And her handsome new roomie is impossible to ignore.

Artist Seth Turner has good reason to keep his distance. Losing his wife after only a few years of marriage has left a deep scar, even if he is still happy to spend a semester teaching art classes at the New Horizons Boys Ranch for troubled teens. Despite nursing her own wounds, Tia finds her curiosity piqued by enigmatic Seth, whom she recognizes as something of a kindred soul. Maybe spending Christmas together could be another game changer for both of them—this time, for good.

Published Date: 28 September 2021

My Review

Tia left home to be a star in Hollywood and this have cause rift between her and her family who have a very strong belief in their religion. With her hard work, she finally got her break to stardom but all these changed when she involved in an accident that her face scarred and all she want is to hide from the world. Her producer offer her to stay at his guest house in Silver Spring. She thought she was alone until she met Seth Turner at the house.

Seth is a famous artist who return to Silver Spring to teach trouble teens in a school operated by his mum. Seth have his fair share of grief. He still carries the guilt and mourn for his wife. He also have to face her parent’s blame for her death.

With all the medias scouting around the house looking for news, the story continue with Tia being drawn to Seth, learning to deal and accept her scars. Both Tia and Seth helped each other to recover from their respective wounds and their newfound friendship begin to develop into something special that both of them least expect it to be.

Overall, it is touching romance story about two broken souls discovering the healing of power of love. Both Tia and Seth is so perfect for each other. This is the only book I read in 2021 that garnered a 5* rating.

My Rating

Book Review – Instant Gratification By Jill Shalvis

Synopsis

Stone Wilder is no less a daredevil bad boy than the rest of his brothers, especially when the thrill of a lifetime is about to arrive in a surprising package. . .

The Doctor Is In Deep

Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair’s last job in a New York City ER. Running her father’s clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Then there’s Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. Emma loathes him. Almost as much as she wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book. . .

Published Date: 19 June 2009

My Review

Stone, the 2nd brother of the 3 Wilder brother is the responsible ones; who take care of the needs of the family, the business, working with trouble teens etc. He is also the glue that hold the family together. In doing all these, he forego his own dream.

Emma is an doctor who return to her hometown to take care of her father’s clinic while he recovering from heart attack. The clinic is the only clinic in town and it fall on Emma to make it continue running while her dad is recovering. Emma have no intention to return hence her resentment. She craved for the fast paced job that she have in the city and the big city life.

The story continue with how both Stone and Emma get to know each other and eventually how the relationship develop into something deeper that none of them plan or expected. Love how way the story developed with Emma who wasn’t ready for a relationship to eventually acknowledge her feeling. It show just how love can happen when you least it to be.

Overall it is a good contemporary romance and enjoyable read for me. It is a simple romance with only focus between Emma and Stone

My Rating

Book Review – Rodeo Christmas At Evergreen Ranch By Maisey Yates

Synopsis

Gold Valley’s rodeo champion is facing the toughest challenge of his life—a Christmas wedding!

Legendary bull rider Jake Daniels has only one plan this Christmas—to ignore the pain the season always brings. Until his best friend, Callie Carson, shows up on his ranch with a marriage proposal. Jake has lived so close to the edge it’s a miracle he’s still alive—he knows all about risk. But marrying the woman he craves more than anything feels like the biggest risk of all.

Callie Carson may be rodeo royalty, but to fulfill her dreams of riding saddle bronc, she needs her inheritance. And to access that, she needs a husband. But Jake the husband is deliciously different from Jake the friend, especially after the wild heat of their wedding night. He was only supposed to be her cowboy for Christmas, but Jake’s every heart-stopping touch has Callie questioning how she’ll ever be able to walk away.

Published Date: 26 October 2021

My Review

Jake is a successful bull rider who give up rodeo. After years in rodeo, he know that it is young man game and his body is began to feel the wears and tears of being thrown from a bull’s back.

Callie, on the other hand, loves them and want to him to train her. Her ambitious is to be the first female saddle bronc rider which obviously her family refuse to support her dream.Callie comes from a wealthy family of seven adult children and she is the only daughter. The other way for her to get the fund to compete is thru her trust fund which she can have if she married. So she came with a fake marriage idea and her choice of pretend husband is her best friend Jake.

The story continue with how the relationship between Jake and Callie developed and soon, both Callie and Jake realise that both of them want more than just a marriage of convenience.

This book is about family dynamics and duties, loss, grief and friendship. Both main characters’ stories touches on various emotions: love, grief, joy, hope and despair.

My Rating

Book Review – Bells Are Ringing By Lacey Baker

Synopsis

Welcome back to Evergreen,

the town built on Christmas wishes…

And learn what happens

after one snow-globe wish comes true.

Life is going great for Hannah, really. She’s fallen in love with her best friend, her brother is getting married, and she’s looking forward to another festive Christmas in Evergreen. Still, between her job, taking charge of the choir, and being the town’s jill-of-all-trades, she’s feeling uninspired…especially when Elliot starts to question his own role in the town.

Hannah finds fresh inspiration in the brand-new Evergreen Christmas Museum, and she volunteers for their storytelling project. When she interviews her fellow Evergreenians, however, she learns that not everyone wants the museum around; specifically Mr. Cooper who owns a third of the building. As Hannah finds herself with more and more responsibilities, and as her relationships with Elliot and her family grow strained, she starts to wonder about what she really wants. Can her love and newly-found purpose survive the changes that loom after the holidays are over?

Published Date: 2 November 2021

My Review

Hannah have it all: she is in love with her best friend, her brother is getting married and she is looking forward for her favourite season to arrive. She live in Evergreen all her life and is very much a part in its community. She is busy and is filling up all her time to be involve in the community. All these activity left little time for her personal life. However as the Christmas getting nearer, things are getting more complicated and is going the opposite side of what she is anticipating it to be.

This is a story of Hannah learning to let go and finding balance between her personal life and her dedication to the community works which has taken a toll on her. A perfect cosy read and perfect mix of Christmas feel and holiday spirit for me.

My Rating

Book Review – Santa’s Sweetheart By Janet Dailey

Synopsis

Sheriff Sam Delaney is shouldering a lot as the lone lawman in the small Texas town of Branding Iron—and the widowed single father of six-year-old Maggie. Especially since Maggie’s determined that what her daddy needs this holiday season is a girlfriend. Suddenly Sam is hustled off to a meeting with Maggie’s schoolteacher—and surprised to discover the demure Grace Chapman is unexpectedly alluring. Then he’s roped into playing Santa at the annual Christmas ball, with the pretty Miss Grace by his side. It’s enough to make Sam even grumpier than usual—if not for the feelings sweet Grace stirs up inside . . .

Grace only wants to heal after her broken engagement. So why is she so charmed by the slow smile—and the surprising tenderness—of the town’s sheriff? Maybe because Grace is discovering that beneath Sam’s gruff exterior lies a heart as big as Texas, especially when it comes to the women in his life—like little Maggie. And now her… Which only has Grace hoping she’ll be Santa’s sweetheart for many seasons to come . .

Published Date: 28 September 2021

My Review

Grace is a school teacher who get attached to her student, 6 years old Maggie. Unbeknownst to her, Maggie is trying her best to match her father, Sheriff Sam Delaney with her. Sam is still mourns the loss of Maggie’s mum. Sam tries to show he is happy with his life now for Maggie’s sake but both of them are still grieving for their wife and mother. Grace, a divorcee, is new in town and has trouble with man. Both of them needs to overcome their pasts in order for them to move on.

This is lovely story about love and 2nd chance to find the happily ever after story. It is full of holiday spirit, likeable and adorable character story which tugs on your heart as the story progresses.

My Rating

Book Review – Midnight Promises By Sherryl Woods

Synopsis

When Elliott Cruz first courted struggling single mom Karen Ames, it it was a romance worthy of any Sweet Magnolia fantasy. The sexy personal trainer made it his mission to restore Karen’s strength—physical and emotional—and to charm her children.

Now, a few years into the marriage, colliding dreams threaten to tear a few years into the marriage, colliding dreams threaten to tear them them apart. Elliott’s desire to finance the business opportunity of a lifetime with their hard-earned “baby money” stirs Karen’s deep-rooted financial insecurities. It’s the discovery that their brother-in-law is cheating on Elliott’s sister—and thinks it’s justified—that puts their irreconcilable differences into perspective. Will their own loving fidelity be a bond so strong they can triumph against all odds?

Published Date: 26 June 2012

My Review

This book is the 8th book in the Sweet Magnolias series and tell the story of Karen and Elliott after their
marriage. I have not read the earlier book about the courtship between them and it was not a hindrance for me to
be sucked into the story aftermath of their wedding. Karen, given her previous marriage to her ex, is very cautious
and non risk taker when comes to their financial and when she gets to know that Elliott is considering to venture into partnership with his friends to open a gym coupled with his intention to use their Baby’s fund at that,she have her doubts over her relationship with her Elliott. The constant doubts in Elliott have becomes a threat to their marriage and the crack between them begin to show.

Although i would understand the reason for karen to be so insecure and the fact that she questioned Elliott’s intention almost every step in the decision he took, i was becoming rather annoyed because of her lack of confidence in Elliott and it is rather not fair for Elliott to be compared against a scoundrel as in her ex husband. For me,she should be thanksful and being grateful that she have such an understand husband to deal with all her insecurity. This author bought into the surface the doubts in a marriage and the way one should deal with it effectively. I really like the solution or rather the way both Karen and Elliott compromise in the end over their differences. It is so realistic just by reading them 😉

My Rating

Book Review – A Wedding at the Beach Hut By Veronica Henry

Synopsis

You are invited to the wedding of the year . . .

Robyn Moss just wants a simple wedding. A quiet ceremony; a picnic on the beach; dancing barefoot on the sand until the sun goes down. But first, Robyn has one very important thing to do – before embracing her future, she needs to uncover her past. As she sets out to find her birth mother, a tangled thread of love, loss and betrayal that ties together three generations of women begins to emerge.

As her wedding day approaches, Robyn discovers that where there is heartbreak, there is hope – and that in the end, love will always win.

Published Date: 28 May 2020

My Review

Robyn is getting married soon to Jake, her business partner. She is also pregnant with their first child. She knows she is an adopted child and feel blessed to be with her family. However, deep down, she have a need to find out more about her birth mother. Along the way of her finding the truth, there also also side storylines from other characters such as Gwen, Rocky, Mike and Sheila. Each of them play apart and making Robyn’s story more interesting.

When I pick up this book, I didn’t expect myself to enjoy this book so much. By just reading the synopsis, it doesn’t give away much of what is waiting for you in this book. This book is a a wonderful read about relationship. The story tell about Robyn’s life, her birth parents, her family and friend and along the way takes us on a real emotional roller coaster ride.

My Rating