Book Review – Page 131

Book Review – Dinner On Primrose Hill By Jodi Thomas

Synopsis

Benjamin Monroe is pretty sure how his life will play out. He’ll continue teaching chemistry in his small college, and spend his free time biking through the valley. Eventually, he’ll retire to putter around in his garden and greenhouse.

His colleague, Virginia Clark, is not one for routines. She’s chatty, spontaneous, and bubbly, and before Benjamin realizes what happened, she’s talked him into collaborating on a research project—studying the mating habits of college students. Virginia knows her desire to work with Benjamin is motivated by more than the potential prize money . . . and hopes he might not be quite as indifferent as he seems to be.

Ketch Kincaid, one of Benjamin’s star students, returned to college after serving in the army. He needs something to get his mind off his recent breakup and collecting research data might do it. And there’s another distraction on the horizon—a woman who looks like she, too, knows about heartache.

Soon enough, their project, “The Chemistry of Mating,” is gaining notoriety. Friends, neighbors . . . the whole town has become involved. But no matter what the data determines, one conclusion seems inescapable: love follows its own rules .

Published Date: 26 October 2021

My Review

Benjamin is a lonely lecturer who doesn’t mix much with his colleague. His life is only his workplace and weekend at his family ranch. Things changed when Virginia Clark, his colleague, seeking him out to help her with a research. Although he was abit of a loner, he found himself more spontaneous with Virginia. Hank met Millie when he crashed into her and was badly hurt. He took responsibilities to nurse Millie till she fully recovers. Ketch met Tuesday at the bar and save her from the bullies. What started as a friendship, it has developed into more serious which both of them scared to admit.

This book is the 3th book in Honey Greek series and I have read all of them. This story set in Honey Green followed three different couples with their own story but are entwined with the mystery of pipe bombs that are being left all over town. The romance are lovely and the story is very engaging. I love the characters so much.

My Rating

Book Review- A Wedding At Hedgehog Hollow By Jessica Redland

Synopsis

It’s time for the wedding we’ve all been waiting for…

Life at Hedgehog Hollow is never dull, although Samantha hopes that the new year ahead will be a little less chaotic as she prepares to marry the love of her life, Josh. But disaster strikes when she checks the rescue centre’s bank account after the festive season and discovers it has been emptied. Who would do such a thing, and why? With the future of Hedgehog Hollow now in jeopardy, planning a wedding has lost its shine.

Phoebe is desperate to escape the shadow of her family, infamously known for their attacks on Samantha’s beloved rescue centre. Could the kindness of the Hedgehog Hollow team be the chance she needs for a fresh start, or will her family’s secrets continue to drag her back?

Publish Date: 6 January 2022

My Review

The story started when Samantha or “Sam” discover that the hedgehog conservation centre account is emptied. It linked to Phoebe who was ‘related’ to the Grimes family though Sam has no idea but found out after the incident. So, naturally, Sam blamed herself for being so naive to trust a part timer with the account. Unbeknownst to her, she is about to discover a heartbreaking truth about Phoebe and she is as much as a victim as she is from the Grimes vendetta.

This is the 4th book from Hedgehogs Hollow series and is my 1st book. It is a story about family, forgiveness, sacrifices, pain and bravery in a close knit community. It touches on domestic violence, child abuse and PTSD. I admired Sam’s attitude to forgive and embrace Phoebe despite the missing monies. I love Phobe’s sense of responsibility which given if it is me, I would never do what she does in the story. Am thoroughly enjoyed the story!

My Rating

Book Review – First Kiss At Christmas By Lee Tobin McClain

Synopsis

At 25 years old, preschool teacher Kayla Harris is embarrassed to admit she’s never been kissed. When Tony DiNunzio and his grieving nephew show up in her classroom, she can’t help being drawn to both of them. If only her insecurities-and his guilt over his sister’s death-would stop standing in their way.

As Christmas approaches, can these three come together to form a family… not just for the holidays, but forever?

Published Date: 26 October 2021

My Review

Kayla a preschool teacher, trying to help Jax, Tony’s nephew who have just lost his mom and may have to witness the shooting that kill his mom. He is traumatized and feel insecure and could not let his uncle out of his sight. Kayla found herself trying her best to help Jax to adapt to his environment and could not help herself when she found herself to be increasingly attracted to Tony.

Tony on the other hand, feel guilty and blamed himself for the death of his sister. If only he didn’t turn her away is the only thing that played in his mind. This is the 5th book and my 2nd read in the offspring series. The story set in a small town with romance mix in with mystery and suspense action as the storyline, this book give an welcome charm to its reader. It is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness and second chances and reminded me what Christmas is all about.

My Rating

Book Review – The Secret Path By Karen Swan

Synopsis

In Costa Rica, amid startling white beaches and hot, dense rainforests, the luxurious world of the super-rich butts up against something darker, something sinister. . .

Tara Tremain has worked hard to leave the controlling grasp of her extremely affluent family far behind. With her own career in medicine, she doesn’t need the Tremains’ expectations weighing her down any more. But pulled back into the family’s orbit one last time for an unmissable party in the jungles of Costa Rica, she finds herself flung into action: a local boy is desperately ill and she must trek for days into the jungle to save his life.

What Tara could never have predicted is that the one person who can help her in this impossible journey is Alex Carter, the man who destroyed her life ten years ago

Published Date : 8 July 2021

My Review

Tara a medical doctor is an heiress and due to the privilege that she have, she tends to keep her status. 10 years ago she was betrayed by Alex in the worst possible way and for that she swore she will never be with him again. Fast forward to 10 years later, Tara is going back to Costa Rica, for an event with her boyfriend and best friend’s family. She have look forward for this time off to have some me time with her friend and family. But unbeknownst to her, she got entangled not only in the political situation but also having to track deep into the jungle for the remedy to save her friend’s son. The only way for her to get the remedy is through the help of Alex.

It is an emotional, entertaining and adventurous about love and hate, trust and betrayal. I was immersed with the author’s wonderful and incredibly detailed writing about the setting. You can know how much research was done to write this book by just reading the book. The writing is so vivid and rich and the story line flow smoothly as I read. I feel the pain and the struggle Tara have at the beginning of the book and I feel them again at the ending of the book.

My Rating

Book Review – Mistletoe Season By Michelle Major

Synopsis

Spend the holidays in Magnolia, North Carolina, where two lonely hearts find exactly what they need for Christmas.

Anji Guilardi needs a man for Christmas—at least, according to her mother. What she really needs is to grow her fledgling catering business. Partnering with Magnolia’s Wildflower Inn holds promise, but when her mother falls ill, Anji’s drawn back to the responsibility of the family restaurant. Balancing work and her eight-year-old son, she has no time for romance…until Anji runs into Gabriel Carlyle.

Temporarily helping at his grandmother’s flower shop, Gabriel doesn’t plan to stick around, especially after he bumps into Anji, one of his childhood bullies. Sure, she’s all grown up and gorgeous now, and when they find themselves under the mistletoe, their chemistry is undeniable. But it’ll take more than a Christmas miracle for Anji to break through the defenses of Gabriel’s well-guarded heart and find a love built to last.

Published Date : 26 October 2021

My Review

Anji, a single mother raising her son, Andrew has always dream to have her own business. And when she thought she have achieve it, she have to let go of her dream to help her mum to run her family’s Italian restaurant. It was not an easy task for her as her mum’s insistence on her following the traditional recipe and menu is suffocating her. She wanted to explore and challenge herself with new menu, something that she could do in her catering business but not at her family’s restaurant. The conflict within her has put a tremendous stress on her coupled with the bullying issue in school that Andrew is experiencing.

Gabriel is back to Magnolia to help his grandma to manage her florist shop after his grandma fell sick. To get entangled in Anji and family matter is the last in his mind. But he couldn’t help himself especially when Anji still hold a place in his heart.

It is a story of love, hope, family and redemption which I hold dear in this season of greeting. Love the stubbornness of Anji and Gabriel but not I not fancy of the harsh decision that Gabriel made at the end of the story. Overall it is a wonderful read for this holiday season.

My Rating

Book Review – One Christmas Wish By Brenda Jackson

Synopsis

It’s Christmas in Catalina Cove, a time of promise and second chances. But when you’re starting over, love is the last thing you’re wishing for…

Vaughn Miller’s Wall Street career was abruptly ended by a wrongful conviction and two years in prison. Since then, he’s returned to his hometown, kept his head down and forged a way forward. When he is exonerated and his name cleared, he feels he can hold his head up once again, maybe even talk to the beautiful caf� owner who sets his blood to simmering.

Sierra Crane escaped a disastrous marriage–barely. She and her six-year-old goddaughter have returned to the only place that feels like home. Determined to make it on her own, Sierra opens a soup caf�. Complication is the last thing she needs, but the moment Vaughn walks into her caf�, she can’t keep her eyes off the smoldering loner.

When they give in to their attraction, what Sierra thought would be a onetime thing becomes so much more. Vaughn knows she’s the one. Sierra can’t deny the way Vaughn makes her feel, but she’s been burned before. With Christmas approaching, Vaughn takes a chance to prove his love, and it will be up to Sierra to decide if her one Christmas wish–true happiness–will come true.

Published Date : 26 October 2021

My Review

Sierra is back to Catalina Cove after a nasty incident leading to her divorce from Nathan, her ex-husband together with her god daughter. Focusing on starting a new life with her god daughter, finding new love is far from her mind until she met Vaughn. From the moment he set eyes on Sierra, he was attracted to her but Sierra’s insecurity have make him to slow down and allow Sierra’s to take charge of their relationship. Something that he is trying to get use to.

This is the 5th book under Catalina Cove series and is my 3rd book. Love the setting where all the story take place. with strong focus on the community. This is a story of 2nd chance for both Sierra and Vaughn to find their true love. Both have experience betrayal in their past relationship and it is understandable that both are vary in this new attraction of theirs, I love how Vaughn allow Sierra to take control but at the same time, he know when to be firm. Their romance and passion really make this a very steamy and romance read to me,

My Rating

Book Review – Sleigh Bells Ring By RaeAnne Thayne

Synopsis

Celebrate the season with this sparkling holiday romance, perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Dorthea Benton Frank, and Nancy Thayer!

Ranch manager Annie McCade thought her twin niece and nephew could join her at the Angel View Ranch for Christmas with her absent employer being none the wiser. But when the ranch’s owner, Tate Sheridan, shows up out of the blue, Annie’s plans are upended. Soon she finds herself helping Tate make a Christmas to remember for his grieving and fractured extended family.

Published Date : 26 October 2021

My Review

Annelise Mc Cade is back to Angel’s View Ranch as a caretaker to manage the ranch while taking care of her niece and nephew in the absence of her brother. Things got complicated when not only her employer turn up but practically the whole family. When the chef did not turn up, Annie took up the challenge to cook for the whole family throughout the holiday season. Soon, she find her employer’s Tate Sheridan presence intimidating to her not to mentioned her increasingly attraction towards him.

Tate has been some sort of a recluse and take his family’s responsibility seriously as a paying back for the guilt that he have over the death of his father which he feel he has something to do with it. Being near to Annie has invoke feelings that he kept locked in him.

Sleigh Bells Ring focus on family in this season of greeting. Love the story about family ties, the struggles within the family, and each of these characters overcome the struggles and be happy again with each other on a new grounds.

My Rating :