Book Review – Page 15

Review Card & Book Review- Alibi For Murder By Debra Webb

Murder brings the FBI to her door.
Past secrets could get two old friends killed.

When Allie Foster becomes the prime suspect in a murder, the small-town loner reaches out to the one person she can trust. Convinced Allie’s innocent, Colby Agency investigating attorney Steve Durham uncovers a shocking connection to a decades-old cold case in her past. The twisting path to the truth unleashes an attraction that plunges the high school friends into deeper danger. Now Steve and Allie must outmaneuver an elusive killer in a case where nothing and no one is what they seem…

About The Author

My Review

Allie Foster has already endured great loss, having lost her parents in a tragic accident as a child and later her grandparents who raised her. Living a quiet, solitary life, she’s blindsided when the FBI arrives at her door, naming her a prime suspect in a crime she knows nothing about. Her world is thrown into chaos, and with her safety in jeopardy after her home is ransacked, she turns to the one person she can trust—Steve Durham, a childhood friend turned lawyer with the elite Colby Agency.

Together, Allie and Steve dive into a dangerous investigation that unearths shocking secrets tied to her parents’ past. The deeper they dig, the more peril they face, as every clue seems to lead to another layer of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives. Their partnership quickly becomes the heart of the story—Steve’s determination to protect Allie balances perfectly with her vulnerability and strength, creating characters readers will root for.

It’s a compelling, fast-paced read with likable protagonists, a well-developed plot, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very end. Overall it is a gripping romantic suspense that blends mystery, danger, and second-chance connection into a fast-paced, page-turning read

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Review Card & Book Review – Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About By Isabelle Popp

She’s a little edgy. He’s a lot of sunshine.
Love’s about to catch them completely off gourd…

Textile artist Sadie Fox did not sign up for this. When she agreed to come home to Pea Blossom, Indiana, it was to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. The deal was that—just for the summer—she would grow a ginormous pumpkin, win the Indiana State Fair’s pumpkin contest and finally win back her father’s (grudging) respect.

Instead, a horde of wild hogs destroyed the. entire. patch. Which is precisely when the annoyingly sexy, sunshiny next-door neighbor shows up.

Josh Thatcher is a tech millionaire who traded in the office for growing gourds, including experimental squash hybrids. And for the life of her, Sadie can’t understand what he sees in her sweary, tattooed, prickly self—or why he’s offering to help his biggest competitor. But a storm-fueled kiss proves there’s definitely something growing between them.

Maybe it’s just attraction. Maybe it’s more. Whatever it is, it’s already bigger than Sadie’s fast-growing pumpkin…or the secret that Josh has been hiding.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Sadie, a sweary, tattooed LA textile artist who reluctantly returns to her Indiana hometown to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. When a horde of wild hogs wipes out her entire crop, she’s forced to team up with Josh, a sweet-natured tech millionaire turned squash farmer, to grow giant pumpkins for the state fair contest. What begins as reluctant cooperation soon turns into undeniable attraction, and their opposites-attract dynamic is both fiery and tender.

Told in dual POV, Popp’s writing shines with witty banter, rich emotional depth, and a cast of diverse, inclusive side characters who add warmth and authenticity to the story. Sadie and Josh are wonderfully complex—she’s prickly and guarded, he’s sunshiney and steady—and watching them confront their insecurities to earn their happily-ever-after is deeply satisfying. The romance is steamy, playful, and yes, delightfully kinky, but it’s grounded by genuine vulnerability and growth.

Beyond the central love story, the book brims with small-town coziness, autumn atmosphere, and thoughtful details—especially the fiber and textile art elements, which add a unique creative thread to the story. Overall, it is a steamy, grumpy/sunshine romance brimming with heart, humor, and cozy fall vibes.

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Review Card & Book Review- Forbidden Fling With The Princess By Amy Andrews

OFF LIMITS BUT IRRESISTIBLE…

World-class obstetric surgeon Edmund is furious that his long-awaited Seychelles retreat is hijacked by a helicopter carrying a smart-ass (if stunning) princess! Xiomara is determined to engage Edmund to save her cousin the King’s unborn twins. He takes some persuading! Now in London together, a powerful attraction develops, and Xiomara learns Edmund’s talents go far beyond surgery. He makes her feel empowered and free—in every sense! Until the paparazzi discover their secret affair, reminding them they come from impossibly different worlds…

About The Author

My Review

Princess Xiomara de la Rosa proves she’s more than her title when she’s tasked with finding the best physician to help her cousin’s wife through a high-risk pregnancy. Enter Dr. Edmund Butler, whose expertise—and instant chemistry with Xio—sets the stage for a forbidden attraction complicated by duty, protocol, and the gulf between their worlds.

Amy Andrews handles the royal/commoner trope with freshness, weaving in realistic medical detail and vivid, immersive scenes. Xio is strong and determined, Ed is steady and compassionate, and together they create a romance that feels genuine despite the obstacles. Overall,this book blends royal romance with medical drama in a way that feels both believable and heartfelt.

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Review Card & Book Review- Under The Northern Lights By Lindsey Brookes

Freelance wildlife photographer Aurora Daniels gets an unexpected job opportunity in Alaska. It sounds like the perfect assignment. She might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights she was named after. Except the location of her almost-honeymoon is the one place she’d rather not go.

Giving up one dream, however, doesn’t mean she has to give up on all of them, so Aurora accepts the assignment.

When a mudslide brought on by the rainy season causes Aurora to miss her flight back to Seattle, Gage Weston, a handsome floatplane pilot, comes to her rescue. He flies her to his family’s island resort for the night. Then, she’s sure to catch the next flight out.

Right?

About The Author

My Review

Aurora, a wildlife photographer recovering from a failed engagement, finds herself stranded in Alaska after a mudslide. Gage, a floatplane pilot and resort owner, offers her a place to stay on Conley Island. What begins as one night turns into a week of family, community, and undeniable chemistry that blossoms into love.

The setting is one of the book’s biggest strengths—Brookes brings Alaska vividly to life, from the northern lights to the close-knit warmth of small-town island living. The supporting cast adds depth and charm, especially Gage’s family, who welcome Aurora as one of their own. Reed, in particular, is a standout, and I hope he gets his own book.While the story follows a predictable romance arc, it delivers exactly what fans of this genre love: comfort, connection, and a hopeful reminder that love can appear when least expected. Overall, it is a heartwarming, feel-good romance that reads like a cozy Hallmark movie, with breathtaking Alaskan scenery and a sweet, guaranteed happily-ever-after.

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Review Card & Book Review- So This Is Christmas By Helen Rolfe

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.

But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.

Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, multi-generational tale that celebrates the enduring power of friendship, the lost art of letter-writing, and the quiet magic of human connection.

The story begins decades ago with Greta and Bea, two friends who left Vienna for England and began exchanging heartfelt letters — a tradition that grew into yearly “Christmas newsletter” updates. More than fifty years later, Greta is back in Vienna with her husband Walter, and Bea is in an English care home, yet their correspondence remains a lifeline for them both.

As age and failing eyesight make writing harder, others step in to help — Sophie, Bea’s devoted care home assistant who feels more like family, and in Vienna, Walter, their son Nick, and Jennie, a woman as close as an adopted daughter. When circumstances send Sophie to Vienna on Bea’s behalf, she discovers truths and connections that are both heartwarming and bittersweet. Greta and Bea’s lifelong friendship is portrayed with warmth and authenticity, and the relationships that branch from it — spanning generations and crossing countries — remind us how kindness can ripple outward, touching unexpected lives.

This is more than just a festive read; it’s a love letter to enduring bonds, old-fashioned correspondence, and the ways people can become each other’s chosen family.

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Review Card & Book Review- My Daughter’s Keeper By Sheila Norton

You’d know if something was wrong… wouldn’t you? But danger doesn’t always wear a mask – it can hide in plain sight.

After a difficult break-up, my six-year-old Daisy is finally settling into life in two homes. She’s spending more time with her dad, his wealthy and glamorous partner Kirsty, and her new stepsisters, Amelia and Freya. She seems happier. More relaxed. Like she’s finally found her place.

It should be everything I ever wanted for her. So why does it feel like I’m losing her?

Then Daisy confesses something that stops me cold. Something I can’t ignore. That Amelia isn’t kind. Behind closed doors, she’s cruel. Violent even.

Everyone says it’s just normal sibling tension. A bit of jealousy. But the more I try to dismiss it, the harder it becomes to shake the feeling that something is deeply, dangerously wrong.

What would you do if your child told you they were being hurt by someone you trusted? Would you risk everything to protect them – even if no one believes you?

About The Author

My Review

After the end of her long-term relationship with Craig, Tasha is left raising their daughter, Daisy, while struggling financially. Craig’s new partner, the glamorous Kirsty, enjoys a life of comfort and luxury with her own daughters Amelia and Freya,a stark contrast to Tasha’s day-to-day reality. In a desperate bid to solve her money troubles, Tasha turns to online bingo, but what begins as a small gamble quickly spirals into addiction and serious debt.

When Kirsty agrees to look after Daisy after school, it seems like a lifeline—until Daisy admits that Amelia can be cruel and, at times, violent. Tasha’s unease grows, but without the funds for childcare, she feels she has no choice. As secrets begin to surface and lies come to light, Tasha starts to fear that Whitegate House might be far more dangerous than she imagined.

If I had to capture this novel in a single word, it would be motherhood. Norton writes with emotional depth, conveying the love, fear, and resilience that drive Tasha’s every choice. While the pacing is occasionally slow, the emotional tension and unfolding mystery kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, it is a moving psychological family drama with an undercurrent of suspense, this story grips from the start and lingers after the final page.

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Review Card & Book Review- A Magical New Year’s Kiss By Jennifer Joyce

Should your fairy tale be this much work?

After a bad run of dating, Daisy is shocked when she meets her friends one night and it appears to be New Year’s Eve – in the future. Even more amazingly, Daisy is holding hands with a man she can feel is her true love.

At midnight they kiss…and it all fades away. The one detail about him she can clearly recall is that his watch was cracked.

So when she meets her new boss Joshua, she is shocked to see that his watch face is cracked. He must be her dream man!

The only problem is – she just can’t stand him.

Still, Daisy has faith in her vision and sets to work to turn them from enemies to lovers. They begin to date and Daisy follows the tiny clues from her dream, hell bent on making it come true.

But is he really her perfect man? Or is she chasing after the wrong Prince Charming?

About The Author

My Review

Daisy gets a magical sneak peek into the future—New Year’s Eve, midnight, the perfect kiss with her dream man. The only clue? A cracked watch on his wrist. When her new (and very irritating) boss, Joshua, fits the description, Daisy decides fate must be pointing straight at him. But is he really her Prince Charming… or just a holiday red herring?

It may be months away from the holidays, but I say there’s no such thing as too early for a bit of festive romance. This book serves up cozy vibes, a dash of magic, and plenty of holiday sparkle. The story jumps right in with the dream scene, keeping the pace snappy and the pages turning.

I loved the clever way swearing was handled—it felt cheeky without being over the top. Some abbreviations like cigs pop up, which might bug a few readers, but they didn’t take away from the fun for me. Overall, it is a cute, feel-good holiday rom-com that will leave you warm, fuzzy, and maybe wishing for your own magical midnight kiss.

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Review Card & Book Review – Falling Into Place By Allison Ashley

Accountant and freelance personal stylist Carly Porter, daughter of a compulsive gambler, knows the personal cost of a bad bet. But when she partners with her best friend, Sasha—publisher of a floundering fashion magazine—Carly can’t resist. The highly publicized makeover of an Oklahoma City bachelor could boost sales and be Carly’s ticket to her dream profession. The bachelor in question is none other than Sasha’s older brother, Brooks.

Hardly the party boy Carly remembers from high school, Brooks is now an antisocial, work-obsessed physician still struggling with a devastating loss. But if it means helping his sister, he’s in. It’s Carly’s job to get him out of those lived-in scrubs, style him to the nines, and bring Brooks back to life. But so far, the only real connection is between Brooks and Carly—and falling for a client could cost Carly the career she’s worked so hard for.

To move forward, they’ll both have to overcome their painful pasts. And whatever the risk, maybe even take a chance on love.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt and uplifting romance, blending emotional depth with charm, humor, and warmth. At its core, the story explores love, healing, and self-discovery through two characters shaped by loss but still open to joy.

Brooks, an intensivist devoted to his patients, is an endearing mix of brilliance and social awkwardness—a man so immersed in his work that fashion, flirting, and dating barely register on his radar. His quiet loneliness, paired with his understated kindness, makes him an unforgettable hero. Carly, compassionate and skilled at her job, is equally compelling, bringing empathy, lightness, and gentle encouragement into Brooks’s world.

The relationship unfolds with genuine sincerity, sharp yet affectionate banter, and playful teasing, making their transition from attraction to something deeper feel both natural and emotionally satisfying. Secondary characters—siblings, family members, and a few memorable cats—add warmth and texture without overshadowing the central romance.

This book balances moments of poignancy with humor, crafting a story that’s simultaneously tender and uplifting. The result is a romance that celebrates vulnerability, connection, and finding joy again after hardship.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Love’s Harvest By Judith Keim

Sarah Bullard Miller returns to Lilac Lake with her four-year-old twin daughters following the death of her husband. She’s always been part of the group of summer kids playing together with the granddaughters of the woman who owned the Lilac Lake Inn, and she loves renewing those friendships. Keeping busy working at her parents’ hardware store and taking care of the girls, she begins the healing process following her husband’s violent death.

Aaron Collister was Sarah’s high school boyfriend. They connected with their sensitivity to nature and poetry, which might have seemed strange unless you knew that big, tough, Aaron was part Abenake Indian and had been given many life lessons by his mother. They renew their friendship, but neither is ready to commit to more until a crisis leads them to their answer.

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweet and emotional small-town romance about healing, second chances, and finding love again. Sarah returns to Lilac Lake with her young twins after losing her husband in a tragic way. Struggling with guilt and grief, she focuses on her kids and her job at her parents’ hardware store, with no plans for romance.

But when she reconnects with Aaron, her old high school boyfriend, things slowly begin to change. Aaron is patient, kind, and great with her kids. Even though Sarah tries to keep things friendly, the sparks between them grow. With help from a grief group and support from her community, Sarah starts to believe she deserves happiness again.

This story is heartfelt and hopeful, with strong, relatable characters. Sarah’s emotional journey is realistic and inspiring, and the romance with Aaron is sweet and satisfying.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas By Hayley Dunlop

Can life be like a made-for-TV Christmas movie?

Mally Allister prides herself on being nice and predictable, just like the trope-filled festive films she turns to for comfort every winter.

But when she faces the prospect of spending Christmas alone in her London flat, Mally is sent on a writing assignment to try to recreate the cheesy Christmas movie experience in her humdrum British hometown.

With the help of familiar faces from her formative years, including her teenage crush Tom, Mally starts ticking off the classic holiday romance movie tropes in unexpected ways.

But can real life ever live up to the magical movie experience?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, witty tribute to the beloved Hallmark-style Christmas movie, complete with snow-dusted streets, second chances, and small-town magic—but with a smart, self-aware twist.

At the heart of the story is Amelia “Mally” Allister, a corporate-minded woman with a deep love for cheesy holiday films. She’s created an entire bingo-style drinking game based on their tropes, never imagining she’d one day live them out herself. When her exuberant (and borderline pushy) best friend Elle challenges her to write a heartfelt feature article for The Helix, Mally agrees—on the condition that she returns to Scarnbrook, the hometown she’s avoided for two decades due to a family tragedy.

What follows is both humorous and surprisingly heartfelt. Dunlop cleverly weaves the classic Christmas romance clichés—mysterious reappearances, small-town charm, and rekindled teenage crushes—into Mally’s real life, as she finds herself unintentionally checking off each trope. Yet beneath the whimsical surface, the novel touches gently but powerfully on grief, healing, and the complexities of returning to a place that no longer feels like home.

Mally is relatable in her awkwardness and emotional hesitations, and though the romance is sweet, it’s her personal growth and reconnection with her roots that drive the story. Supporting characters add richness, though Elle, while dynamic, comes off as overbearing—a flaw that seems intentional and well-executed.

Overall, it is a cozy, clever, and touching seasonal read. It’s perfect for fans of meta-romance, light-hearted drama, and anyone who enjoys a bit of introspection with their festive cheer.

My Rating