Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Italian Lakes Affair By Rachel Barnett

A glamorous escape. An irresistible attraction.

Amy’s life runs like clockwork – as personal assistant to a notoriously sharp-tongued celebrity food critic, she’s used to managing chaos without ever creating any of her own. But everything changes when she’s sent to a prestigious Italian cookery school and meets Tad, the enigmatic and quietly brilliant head chef running the show.

As sparks fly in the kitchen, Amy finds herself drawn into a world far removed from the one she’s always known. But with her demanding boss determined to be the centre of attention – and possibly Tad’s too – Amy must decide if she’s ready to step out from behind the scenes and take a chance on love.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a woman who escapes to Italy expecting a temporary change of scenery and instead finds herself confronting the quiet truths she’s long avoided. In this book, Amy arrives at a glamorous cookery school on Lake Garda and slowly begins to question the carefully managed life she left behind.

Amy is competent and emotionally guarded, so used to holding everything together that she’s forgotten what she wants. Watching her gradual awakening feels authentic and deeply satisfying. Her connection with Tad, a restrained and quietly magnetic chef, unfolds in a slow, simmering burn. Their chemistry is built on longing, hesitation, and stolen glances rather than grand gestures, which makes every moment feel earned.

The Lake Garda setting shimmers with indulgent detail, adding atmosphere without overwhelming the story. Food, wine, and golden sunsets enhance the emotional journey rather than distract from it.

Warm, witty, and gently insightful, this is a romance about reinvention, courage, and giving yourself permission to choose more.

Slow-burn romance

Opposites attract

Forced proximity

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Perceived supernatural presence

Review Card & Book Review – The Child We Lost By Sheila Norton

What would you do if your lost child came back…

She pouts, looking upset, and I want nothing more than to kiss her better and say ‘All right then, yes. Perhaps he can come back, perhaps he will, perhaps he has!’ But I can’t. I know I can’t lie to her about this…

The day we lost Josh, a part of me broke. He was only three-and-a-half years old. His twin, Ruby, suddenly an only child.

We thought we were doing as well as expected. But when Ruby comes to me and says she saw Josh – alive – I assume she’s struggling more than we realised. It’s her way of holding on. Of refusing to let go.

But then I see him too.

A boy with Josh’s same pale blue eyes, the silvery-white hair that falls across his forehead in exactly the same way. It’s more than a similarity. This boy could be Josh’s twin.

How can that be possible?

I know I have to listen to my rational brain, that this must be my grief messing with my mind. But I can’t let go of the feeling that something is going on. Who is this boy? And does someone know more than they’re letting on?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about grief, faith, and the fragile hope that follows unimaginable loss. In this book, the story unfolds through alternating first-person chapters from a mother and grandmother, creating an intimate portrait of a family struggling to heal.

Five-year-old Ruby, mourning her twin brother Josh, becomes convinced he is still alive after repeatedly seeing a boy who looks just like him. Her certainty unsettles the entire family, reopening wounds they are barely managing to survive. The emotional tension is handled with sensitivity, especially as Ruby begins to understand death more fully after the loss of a pet—an experience that gently guides her toward acceptance.

Ruby’s mother’s search for answers adds a thread of quiet suspense, leading to revelations that ripple through the family. Faith is woven thoughtfully into the narrative, offering comfort without preaching, particularly in conversations about prayer and belief.

The characters feel authentic and deeply human. Ultimately, this is a beautifully written novel about love, resilience, and the evolving meaning of family.

Grief and healing

Family drama

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Forced Emotional Vulnerability

Review Card & Book Review- Hot For Preacher By Anne Marsh

This preacher man is giving her something to believe in.

When country singer Dixie Pearl’s van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Tennessee, it feels like rock bottom. Sharp-tongued Dixie prides herself on her independence, but after recent health struggles, her dream of making it big has never felt more out of reach.

It’s pure luck that the burly bearded man who hauls her out of the ditch is a beloved local minister. Dixie’s used to dive bars, truck stops and 2:00 a.m. brawls, not kindhearted preachers—especially one this hot.

For Jack Carter, being hospitable comes with the territory, but there’s something extra-special about Dixie. He’s dealt with his fair share of, um, quirkyparishioners. But nobody’s ever challenged him like firecracker Dixie, stirring an attraction Jack’s not sure how to reconcile with his life of devotion.

Dixie wants nothing more than to get out of town and back to Nashville, but the white-hot sparks between her and Jack are almost enough to make her want to stay…but only if she can fit their worlds together without letting go of the dreams she refuses to leave behind.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a fiery country singer and a steady small-town preacher whose worlds collide in a romance that’s equal parts sizzling and sincere. On paper, Dixie Pearl and Jack Carter seem like an unlikely match, but Anne Marsh fully embraces the opposites-attract trope and makes it feel heartfelt and believable.

Dixie is a standout heroine—sharp, independent, a little chaotic, and fiercely protective of her dreams. Beneath her bold exterior is a woman torn between chasing a music career that keeps slipping through her fingers and longing for something stable and real. Jack, devoted to his church and community, is her perfect counterbalance: calm, principled, and quietly wrestling with feelings that challenge the life he thought he’d mapped out. Their banter crackles, and their chemistry is undeniable.

The heart of the story lies in Dixie’s gradual openness to vulnerability and the possibility of putting down roots. The emotional intimacy is beautifully developed, making their connection feel earned. Though the ending moves quickly, the journey is passionate, tender, and deeply satisfying.

Opposites Attract

Small-Town Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – An Amish Country Lullaby By Patricia Johns

A friend from her past…
A new dream for their future?

Single dad Curtis Moore has returned to Apfelkuchen, Pennsylvania, with a dream to revitalize the town—if only he can unite its Amish and English residents. When local businesswoman Hope Taylor offers to care for his spirited toddler, Lucy, he jumps at the chance. Hope figures this is exactly the experience she needs. Not only is she planning to open a day care, but she’s expecting her first baby—her late husband’s child. As tensions rise over his development plans, Curtis and Hope grow closer—and they must decide if the heart of the town’s future might just lie in the growing love between them.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Hope and Curtis, two people with a shared past who are given an unexpected second chance at love—thanks in part to a mischievous little escape artist who keeps bringing them together. Both Hope and Curtis carry emotional burdens from their pasts, and those struggles shape their cautious but deeply moving reconnection. Their journey toward healing feels tender and authentic, making every step forward meaningful.

Set within a close-knit Amish community, the story beautifully highlights the importance of faith, fellowship, and seeking wise counsel. As Hope and Curtis attempt to navigate complicated circumstances and what seems like a carefully arranged “perfect” plan, it becomes clear that human intentions don’t always align with God’s greater purpose. Watching how this conflict unfolds keeps the reader invested, and the resolution is both satisfying and spiritually uplifting.

Patricia Johns skillfully blends romance, faith, and heartfelt life lessons into a touching narrative. With themes of forgiveness, trust, and surrendering to the Lord’s guidance, An Amish Country Lullaby is an inspiring and comforting read that gently reminds us where true peace is found.

Second Chance Romance

Reunited Sweethearts

Faith-Based Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Falling For The Rabbi By Jennifer Wilck

Can opposites attract when tradition stands in the way?

Josh Axelrod is incensed! His matchmaker date brought along her annoying best friend—Emma something-or-other. The same Emma who’s ruining the house filled with the young rabbi’s childhood memories and turning it into a bookstore. Sure, she captures his attention but—no. Just no. Emma is too impulsive. Too out there. And he’s a Rabbi, for God’s sake! Except now, it seems impossible to avoid her. And with every encounter, “no” feels more like “yes.” Perhaps the unwitting Josh and Emma were always the match meant to be…

About The Author

My Review

This book start with Josh Axelrod, a devoted rabbi whose deep faith anchors his life—yet also makes him wary of change. Comfortable in tradition but hesitant about stepping outside his routines, Josh struggles to move forward, especially when it comes to finding a life partner. Concerned for his happiness, his loving (and cleverly persistent) grandmother Muriel nudges him toward a matchmaker, setting in motion a journey neither Josh nor his match anticipates.

Enter Emma Geffner, a woman who has long battled feelings of inadequacy and a fear of failure. The idea of building a future with someone so rooted in faith and community only heightens her anxieties. Still, the undeniable spark between Emma and Josh makes it impossible to walk away.

What makes this story shine is the emotional depth of its characters. Their internal struggles—Josh’s resistance to change and Emma’s self-doubt—feel authentic and relatable. Watching them grow individually and together is both tender and uplifting. Add in Muriel’s warm, wise, and slightly meddlesome presence, and the result is a heartfelt, beautifully layered romance about faith, forgiveness, and embracing change.

Matchmaker Grandparent

Opposites Attract

Emotional Healing

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Small-Town Romance with Feuding Families

Review Card & Book Review- Lonesome Ridge By Maisey Yates

Good guys and bad guys . . . myth and legend . . . gold and ranching. That’s what historic Rustler Mountain, Oregon, is made of, complete with feuding families descended from outlaws and lawmen. A century later, their grudges still hold—but for a new generation, when opposites attract, it might be time to surrender . . .

From killers to courtesans, the Hancock family has what might be called an eclectic history. But they’ve managed to leverage it into something respectable, creating the popular Hancock Wild West Show. The event features reenactments and trick riding—the latter performed by clever, charismatic Jessie Jane Hancock.

Jessie is usually unflappable, but lately something’s needling her—and it’s not just her annoying attraction to exasperatingly sexy Flynn Wilder—whose great, great, great, great, great grandfather was betrayed by Jessie’s just-as-many-times-great grandfather. It’s the upcoming mayoral election. Specifically, the unopposed candidate: Danielle LeFevre, mean girl, all-around awful person, and Flynn’s not-so-beloved half-sister. Jessie wants to keep Danielle from winning . . . and the only person who bothers Flynn more than she does is Danielle.

“I want you to be my first man.” Jessie Jane is hot enough to make him hallucinate, but her request is very real. Jessie wants to run for mayor, and she wants him by her side, as her fake boyfriend. A Hancock dating a Wilder. An outsider against the status quo. A drama their town will devour. Flynn always knew Jessie was a wild card, but bringing down his corrupt stepfamily is a temptation he can’t resist. Just like the vexing spark between him and Jessie. And once that fire catches, the real showdown begins . . .

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Jessie Jane and Flynn, two small-town rivals whose families have been feuding since stagecoach days, unexpectedly joining forces—and hearts—in a fake dating scheme that changes everything. Determined to step out from under her family’s outlaw reputation, Jessie Jane runs for mayor against polished, privileged Danielle. To shake up the race and the town’s long-held prejudices, she convinces Flynn—Danielle’s half brother and a member of the opposing “outlaw” clan—to pretend to date her.

What follows is a fun, trope-filled romance packed with forced proximity, fake dating, long-term crush vibes, and small-town tension. As they challenge the town’s status quo, Jessie Jane and Flynn also confront painful childhood wounds and lingering insecurities. Their emotional growth adds depth to the lighthearted premise, and once they truly begin opening up to each other, their connection feels heartfelt and rewarding.

Maisey Yates delivers charm, banter, and chemistry, blending family legacy drama with tender vulnerability. Lonesome Ridge is an entertaining, trope-driven romance about rewriting the past, claiming your place, and finding love where you least expect it.

Fake Dating

Rivals to Lovers

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – Personal Bodyguard By Danielle M. Haas

After a local woman is attacked

A bodyguard steps in to protect her at any cost.

Eve Tilly is as tough as they come. But after being attacked at work, her friend Reid Sommers goes into full bodyguard mode. His 24/7 protection seems unnecessary…until the stalking begins. Reid’s in the security business, but keeping Eve safe is all too personal. Their friendship means everything to him, especially once it starts turning into so much more. He refuses to take a chance on losing the woman who has always been important to him…and now it’s time to prove it.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Eve, a bar owner whose quiet life is shattered when she’s violently attacked—forcing her longtime friend Reid, a professional bodyguard, to step in and protect her. Though they’ve known each other for years, unresolved feelings simmer beneath the surface, and the danger surrounding Eve brings everything to light.

When her attacker refuses to back down and instead escalates his threats, the story transforms into a gripping game of cat and mouse. Reid and his team work tirelessly to keep Eve safe, but the relentless pursuit keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher. Each twist adds another layer of suspense, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the natural progression from friendship to romance. The slow-burn dynamic between Eve and Reid feels authentic and emotionally satisfying, especially as they lean on each other through fear and uncertainty. Danielle M. Haas skillfully balances heart-pounding suspense with heartfelt emotion, delivering a protective-hero romance filled with chemistry, danger, and a rewarding conclusion.

Friends to Lovers

Bodyguard Romance

Protective Hero

My Rating

Link To Purchase