Book Review – Page 18

Review Card & Book Review – The Rancher’s Prayer By Donna Gartshore

To earn the love he’s always wanted,
He must let go of his past…

Luke Duffy is desperate to save his family’s ranch. Especially after decisions made by his late father land their horse therapy business in trouble. But help comes in the unlikely form of guest Arabella Lark. As a PR expert, Bella has plans that could make the ranch thrive, but Luke’s rocky past makes him hesitant to rely on her. The single mom also has a lot on her plate: her job is on the line, and her daughter struggles with anxiety. Will they find the strength to face their challenges and create a new beginning together?

About The Author

My Review

Luke Duffy is burdened by the weight of his late father’s mistakes and the looming collapse of the family ranch and their horse therapy program. With so much on the line, he’s reluctant to trust anyone, least of all an outsider with big ideas. But Arabella Lark, a visiting public relations expert, isn’t just anyone. A devoted single mother, she’s determined to help Luke save the ranch while also helping her anxious daughter find peace.

As Arabella and Luke work side by side, their connection grows, but both must confront their fears—Luke’s mistrust and Arabella’s guarded heart—before they can truly embrace the love blossoming between them. The Christian themes are seamlessly woven into the story, offering encouragement, hope, and a reminder of faith’s power to heal.

Overall, The Rancher’s Prayer is a heartfelt, faith-filled romance that blends family struggles, personal healing, and the promise of new beginnings. Donna Gartshore has crafted a clean, uplifting story with characters you can’t help but root for. Clean, easy to read, and filled with warmth, The Rancher’s Prayer is a beautiful story of resilience, trust, and second chances.

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Review Card & Book Review- Their First Dance By Laurie Batzel

Could their first dance…

Last a lifetime?

Fanny Cunningham is only in small-town Crystal Hill to help her aging dance teacher. She has no time for local handyman Lawson Carl, who tried—and failed—to charm her ten years ago. But when she needs a partner for an instructional dance video, he’s her only option. Teaching Law to dance is more fun than she imagined. And she may end up with bruised toes, but she feels strangely safe in his burly arms. Could the man who stumbled into her studio be her perfect partner on and off the dance floor?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, small-town romance brimming with humor, heart, and just the right touch of nostalgia. Fanny Cunningham never intended to stay in Crystal Hill beyond helping her aging dance teacher. She certainly didn’t expect to run into Lawson Carl—the local handyman who once tried, and spectacularly failed, to win her over ten years ago. But when she needs a partner for a dance instructional video, Lawson becomes her only option. What begins as a reluctant arrangement soon turns into something tender, funny, and unexpectedly intimate.

Lawson, with his rugged charm and easygoing nature, proves to be more than just a willing dance partner. As Fanny teaches him the steps, she finds herself opening up in ways she never imagined. Their banter is witty, their chemistry undeniable, and even their missteps on the dance floor become moments of connection. The townsfolk, ever meddling and matchmaking, only add to the story’s warmth and humor.

Overall, , this is a story about trust, second chances, and discovering that sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. Sweet, funny, and deeply heartfelt, it is a romance that dances straight into your heart.

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Review Card & Book Review- Things We Keep Hidden By Jill Lynn

A threatening note.
Long-buried secrets.
Their friendship tested.

The last time lifelong friends Payton, Isley and Clara were together, Clara broke their unwritten rule and brought up the one thing they never talk about. And now, more than twenty years after their friend Cece took her life, they must confront that night as the three women and their husbands—plus one unexpected guest—gather at Isley’s Breckenridge vacation home. With tension already simmering just below the surface of their relationship, they’re each left shaken when a cryptic note arrives: Tell the truth or I will.

Who is the message for and what does it refer to? The women fear it could be linked to the truth they’ve kept hidden since the night Cece died…or maybe it has something to do with one of the problems they’ve each brought with them.

Isley’s son is in rehab after narrowly avoiding jail time, spurring her to a reckless act of her own. Clara, usually so careful to follow rules, is haunted by the one night that she didn’t. And Payton has been in denial regarding her husband’s so-called plan for their marriage.

As the weekend unfolds, all three will revisit the bonds they share and the challenges that have shaped their lives. And by the trip’s end, a truth that shocks them all will be revealed.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows three lifelong friends—Payton, Isley, and Clara—bound by a tragic past: the suicide of their friend Cece over twenty years ago. Their unspoken agreement to never revisit that night has kept their fragile bond intact, until a chilling note arrives during a weekend getaway: “Tell the truth or I will.”

That ominous message unravels everything. Secrets spill, tensions rise, and each woman is forced to face not only what happened the night Cece died, but also the lies and struggles they’ve hidden from themselves and each other. Isley battles with guilt over her son’s reckless choices and her own impulsive actions. Clara, usually the dependable rule-follower, can’t escape the shadow of one rebellious night. And Payton faces the devastating truth about her marriage, even as she clings to denial.

The mystery kept me guessing, while the layered character development made me care deeply about these women. Themes of friendship, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness run through every chapter, giving the novel an emotional resonance that’s as powerful as the suspense itself. Gripping, poignant, and thought-provoking, this is a beautifully crafted exploration of secrets, guilt, and the courage it takes to face the truth.

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Review Card & Book Review- His Forgotten Wife By Tara Pammi

The boss secretly wed her…
then forgot!

Ares Demetrius wakes from a coma to find his family scheming to steal his company. The first call the billionaire makes is to loyal assistant Dolly Singh—to demand she become his fake fiancée to protect his business empire. Except his accident has made him forget…they’re already married!

Unlike Ares, Dolly remembers every excruciating detail: their clandestine wedding and her mortifying love confession. To refuse his proposal would be to relive that. This time, though, Dolly is playing with fire by accepting Ares’s diamond. Because the attraction isn’t just scorching—it’s mutual…

About The Author

My Review

Dolly marries her boss, Ares Demetrius, in a marriage of convenience designed to help him with his complicated family. But after a sudden accident robs Ares of his memory, everything changes. Believing Dolly to be only his fiancée, he introduces her that way to his family, unaware of the truth of their marriage. As they navigate the delicate balance between duty, deception, and genuine affection, Dolly and Ares must face not only his memory loss but also the growing bond that begins to feel very real.

The story delivers all the hallmarks of a Harlequin-style romance: angst, passion, and emotional tension. While some of the backstory feels a bit confusing at times and the tropes lean heavy, Pammi’s writing keeps the pages turning. Dolly and Ares are engaging leads, and watching them struggle through complicated emotions while dealing with his family’s expectations makes for an entertaining journey. Overall, it weaves together classic romance tropes—estranged family, marriage of convenience, office dynamics, and amnesia—into a dramatic, emotional story.

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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.

My Rating

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Amazon

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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.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Kobo

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.

My Rating