Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- Lie For A Million By Janet Dailey

Lila Culhane’s life is in turmoil. As if coping with the murder of her husband isn’t enough, now the glamorous young widow has Frank’s even younger mistress to contend with. His pregnant mistress. Crystal. But Lila hasn’t got time for more heartache. With everyone grasping to profit from Frank’s death, including fighting for possession of her beloved ranch, she needs leverage for the battle.

As it turns out, Crystal may be carrying just the edge Lila requires: an heir. Crystal offers to let Lila adopt Frank’s baby—for a price. Lila is willing to consider it—pending a paternity test. Until then, she’ll focus on her role in the upcoming high-stakes Run for a Million reining competition, and her ranch manager—and lover—Roper McKenna.

Rugged, hardworking, and talented, Roper is finally getting his dream to ride in the prized competition. Lila expects he’ll choose the Culhane’s legendary stallion, One in a Million, as his mount. But when he considers other offers, she finds herself questioning his loyalty . . .

Meanwhile, Detective Sam Rafferty’s list of suspects in Frank’s murder is growing. Besides Roper and Lila, Frank’s bitter first wife and his sparring extended family, there are adversarial neighbors, ex-lovers, and perhaps even the woman Sam loves—Frank’s own pampered daughter, Jasmine. And as the surprises multiply, a killer remains free to strike again—if these rivals don’t kill each other first . . .

About The Author

My Review

Lila Culhane, a recently widowed woman caught in a perfect storm of grief, betrayal, and power struggles. As if losing her husband Frank weren’t enough, she’s forced to confront his much younger, pregnant mistress, Crystal. But in true Dailey fashion, nothing is black and white—Crystal may hold the key to Lila keeping her beloved ranch, and the two women strike a morally gray but compelling deal.

The novel weaves together multiple storylines: Lila’s fight to retain her place in the Culhane legacy, her tense relationship with her lover and ranch manager Roper McKenna, and the increasingly tangled murder investigation led by Detective Sam Rafferty. With a long list of suspects—ex-wives, disgruntled family members, jilted lovers—the whodunit element adds suspense to an already emotionally charged plot.

Roper’s potential betrayal cuts deep, introducing themes of loyalty, ambition, and trust, especially as he considers riding for another team in the prestigious Run for a Million competition. Lila’s vulnerability in this moment is sharply written, layered with her need to assert control while protecting what she loves most—her ranch and her legacy.

Lie for a Million delivers a fast-paced and juicy mix of romantic suspense, ranch drama, and a murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the final page.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Paris Bookshop For The Broken- Hearted By Rebecca Raisin

Can you ever swear off love, in the city of love?

Coco is having a hell of a month. She’s lost her boyfriend and her business, been forced to uproot her daughter to move back in with her parents in Paris, and now an infuriatingly handsome stranger is yelling at her for acting like a tourist… Right underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Storming away from him – and swearing off men for life – she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

Then, as if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles into a little bookshop – but not any old bookshop. This one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, and just a little hint of magic in the air. So when Coco’s offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit.

There’s only one problem… propping up the bar in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day…

About The Author

My Review

In The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin, Coco Chevallier returns to Paris after a devastating betrayal and career collapse in London. Struggling to rebuild her life while dealing with her rebellious teenage daughter, she stumbles upon a hidden bookshop run by the enigmatic Valerie. There, she finds unexpected purpose—and crosses paths with Henri, a brooding man still nursing a heartbreak of his own. As their relationship shifts from animosity to something deeper, Coco navigates personal and professional challenges, with a touch of magic and hope guiding her toward a fresh start.

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Review Card & Book Review – Love’s Home Run By Judith Keim

Love isn’t a game… or is it?

Melissa Hendrickson is tired of being a good sport, one of the guys. She wants to find love and settle down in Lilac Lake with the man of her dreams. She thinks she’s found the man, but he doesn’t know she exists. After she runs into Ross Roberts, her next door neighbor and former professional baseball player, during a charity softball game, he requires her help. She’s more than eager to make amends for causing him to have knee surgery. Then, a fire destroys her family restaurant and her job as chef there. She’s forced to think about a lot of changes in her life, including finding the right man for her.

About The Author

My Review

In Love’s Home Run by Judith Keim, chef Melissa Hendrickson reevaluates her life after years of dedication to her family’s seafood restaurant in Lilac Lake. Hoping for romance, she sets her sights on the new town dentist but turns to her longtime neighbor and friend, Ross Roberts, for advice. A former pro baseball player recovering from an injury, Ross and Melissa grow closer after she accidentally worsens his knee condition during a charity game. As they support each other through personal and family hardships—including a devastating fire at Melissa’s restaurant—their friendship deepens into something more. Faced with major life changes, Melissa must decide between chasing an old dream or embracing a new future with Ross.

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Review Card & Book Review – Her Cowboy Cupid By Sasha Summers

More than friends?

Maybe by Valentine’s Day!

Shy Kitty Crawley never got over her crush on former bronc champ Tyson Ellis. She’s always been his pal and “my buddy’s shy little sis” and that’s just dandy. Mostly. But now that Tyson’s temporarily the guardian of two little girls—and in way over his cowboy hat—they’re finding more ways to bond. Suddenly Kitty’s cowboy crush is in danger of growing into something else. And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s no escaping Cupid…or the bronc rider she’s falling for.

About The Author

My Review

Kitty has long admired Tyson, her brother’s friend, but never expected anything to come of it. When cowboy RJ asks her out, she considers giving romance a chance, though her heart isn’t truly in it. Meanwhile, Tyson is busy caring for his nieces, often crossing paths with Kitty. As Valentine’s Day approaches, a group of meddling little girls, family, and a festive rodeo push Kitty and Tyson closer together. Sweet and heartwarming, this story beautifully captures love, family, and the joys of unexpected romance.

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Review Card & Book Review- The One Before The One By Emma Cooper

When Liv’s boyfriend Kit disappeared on a hike, seven years earlier, she thought her life was over. But with the help of their family and friends, she’s pushed her way through the grief, and now, miraculously, she’s found a way to love again.

Until the morning of her wedding, when Liv steps through a doorway, and finds herself, somehow, back at the flat she shared with Kit: seven years earlier, six days before he left. Now, Liv has a chance to live those six days over, and change everything. If she gets this right, she can find out why Kit leaves and stop him.

But can she save him? And if she does, how will she choose, between the man she loved then, and the one she loves now?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Olivia, who is about to marry her dependable fiancé James when she’s suddenly thrust seven years into the past — to the day her former love, Kit, disappeared without explanation. Armed with the painful clarity of hindsight, Olivia is given a second chance to unravel the truth and confront the unresolved love that never left her heart.

Olivia’s emotional journey is compelling and relatable, especially as she’s torn between two versions of her life: one rooted in safety and the other in unresolved passion. The novel’s time-travel element is handled with subtlety, serving as a tool for self-discovery rather than gimmickry.

Kit is a romantic yet tragic figure, and his mysterious vanishing adds layers of tension and intrigue. Meanwhile, James, kind and steady, represents everything Olivia thought she wanted—making her dilemma all the more painful and real. Cooper doesn’t offer easy answers but rather explores the messy, beautiful complexity of human connection.

Emotionally charged, occasionally funny, and often heart-wrenching, The One Before the One is a beautifully written tale about the choices that shape us and the loves that define us.

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Review Card & Book Review- One Last Night By Lauren Ford

He’s her work nemesis. They’re fake dating. What’s the worst that could happen?

Agnes has run her family’s restaurant, The Shark Biscuit, for the last six years, ever since her father’s health took a turn and she had to step in to keep the doors open. Now she’s crippled with guilt because it’s her fault it’s closing. One more night and she’s free.

After years of squaring off against the infuriating, gruff and arrogant head chef Harrison, she can’t wait to see the back of him. But when her ex-boyfriend brings his entire family in for dinner, hoping to win her back, she begs Harrison for help – pretend to be her boyfriend until her ex leaves.

What she hadn’t planned for was the storm of the century trapping everyone in the restaurant. As the hours pass, Agnes realises Harrison knows her better as a fake boyfriend than her real one ever did. If only they weren’t carrying secrets that could tear each other’s worlds apart…

About The Author

My Review

One Last Night follows Agnes as she closes her family’s restaurant, The Shark Biscuit, after years of struggle. Tensions rise between Agnes and her grumpy head chef, Harrison, who has always been a source of irritation. When her ex-boyfriend appears uninvited, Agnes enlists Harrison to act as her fake boyfriend. A sudden storm traps everyone in the restaurant, forcing unresolved emotions and hidden truths to surface. Over one transformative night, Agnes and Harrison move from bickering to understanding, realizing there’s more to their relationship than they thought. Filled with heartfelt moments, relatable struggles, and a strong found-family dynamic, this romance showcases how a single evening can change lives.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Protector For Her Baby By April Arrington

For one little boy,

he’ll change his whole life…

From the moment Mallory Kent arrives at his farm, pregnant and seeking shelter, Liam Williams vows to help her. Mallory’s fleeing an abusive ex-husband and needs to start over. Caring for Liam’s elderly mother, who has dementia, gives Mallory stability—for now. Soon Liam can’t picture life without Mallory or little Oliver. But Mallory struggles to trust any man, especially now she has a son to keep safe. Can Liam show her the family they’re building is worth risking her heart?

About The Author

My Review

This is a touching romance about healing, trust, and second chances. Mallory, pregnant and escaping an abusive marriage, finds refuge at a women’s shelter. She accepts a job from Liam, a kind rancher caring for his mother with dementia, who offers her a safe haven on his farm. As Mallory adjusts to her new life and prepares for her baby, Oliver, she begins to feel drawn to Liam, though she struggles to trust after her traumatic past.

Liam, too, is unsure if his feelings for Mallory stem from love or his desire for companionship after years of putting others first. Together, they navigate their vulnerabilities and learn to open their hearts.

The story sensitively explores themes of domestic abuse recovery, caregiving, and community support. With its relatable characters, emotional depth, and uplifting message, this heartfelt tale beautifully highlights the power of love and resilience.

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Review Card & Book Review- A Forever Home At Honey Bee Croft By Jessica Redland

New friends, new life, new love…
Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…
Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Barn couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?
When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming conclusion to the Bumblebee Barn series, focusing on the love story of Poppy and Joel. Joel, a kind and persistent romantic, is finally at the center of the narrative as he sets his sights on Poppy, a woman grappling with the emotional challenges of her father’s dementia. Their relationship begins with a charming meet-cute and evolves into a deep connection, as they support each other through personal struggles.

Poppy’s story offers a heartfelt and relatable depiction of dealing with dementia in the family. Redland addresses this difficult topic with sensitivity, portraying the guilt, heartbreak, and exhaustion of caregiving while offering comfort and hope. The beekeeping aspect adds a unique layer, symbolizing Poppy’s bond with her father and her journey to healing.

The book ties up loose ends from the series beautifully, incorporating weddings and nods to characters from Redland’s beloved Hedgehog Hollow series. With a perfect balance of romance, emotional depth, and charm, this final installment is a touching celebration of resilience, love, and the importance of finding home—in every sense of the word.

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Review Card & Book Review- Designed For Disaster By Leslie North

First, Coffeezilla torpedoes my career as a barista.
Then he dangles my dream job like a carrot on a stick.
So what do I do? Make a deal with the devil.

I learned the hard way: trust no one.
That’s why I’m stuck serving lattes in the first place.
Then Trent Saunders, aka Satan, waltzes in.

Mr. Hot Shot is too busy barking into his phone to stop and read.
Is it my fault he missed the big DO NOT USE sign on the table?
OK, maybe I shouldn’t have laughed when he spilled coffee all over himself.
But he deserved it.

And for that the Table Tyrant got me fired!
At least I got the last word. Or so I thought…

Because it turns out, this gorgeous grump is the answer to my professional prayers.
He wants me to design high-end furniture for his grandmother.
A sweet old woman who mistakes me for his girlfriend.

And does this genius bosshole correct her?
No! He asks me to play along!
Which means I’m stuck fake dating a man I loathe.

What’s even more annoying? He might not be a total villain.
He’s actually kind of sweet. Sometimes.
But I’m not about to fall for his whole “good guy’ routine.

I mean, what kind of a woman would I be if I fell for a bosshole?

About The Author

My Review

Natasha, an ambitious furniture designer, is working multiple jobs to open her own custom furniture store after her ex stole her designs. She first meets Trent, the grumpy CEO of a family furniture company, when he gets her fired from her café job after ignoring her warnings about a broken table. Their rocky encounter turns into an unexpected opportunity when Natasha is commissioned to design pieces for Trent’s grandmother, Dee Saunders—Natasha’s idol in the furniture world. Mistakenly believing Natasha is Trent’s girlfriend, Dee encourages her to design a sustainable furniture line for the company.

As Natasha and Trent work together, their fake relationship slowly turns real. Trent grows to admire Natasha’s creativity and drive, while Natasha sees past Trent’s gruff exterior to the vulnerable man beneath. Despite their growing connection, unresolved family tensions and past heartbreaks threaten their relationship. Natasha encourages Trent to mend his relationship with his parents, but his boundaries remain firm, creating conflict.

With humor, heartfelt moments, and a refreshingly honest take on family dynamics, this “grumpy-meets-sunshine” romance celebrates ambition, love, and the power of setting boundaries in a beautifully crafted story.

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