Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – It’s All Sun And Games By Portia MacIntosh

When Robin finds out she’s going on a work trip to Italy she can’t wait for a week away in the sunshine, away from the daily grind. So what if there’s a client pitch to do while they’re there? The thing Robin is most excited about is the chance to show her work crush, James, what she’s really like outside of work, and divert his attention from Liz, her work rival.

To make things even better, Robin realises that the town they’re going to in Italy is the same place that her childhood penpal, Andrea is from. So it’s the perfect time to re-connect and finally meet her old friend over some delicious Italian food and wine (between work obviously…) But when Andrea doesn’t turn out to be the person Robin thought, things get a little complicated…

About The Author

My Review

In “It’s All Sun and Games,” Robin, an advertising agency employee, plans a work trip to Italy where she contacts her childhood pen pal, Andrea. Surprised to discover Andrea is male, they end up fake dating due to a series of events. Their relationship evolves through humorous and heartwarming interactions. Robin’s family, Andrea’s family, and well-developed characters enrich the story. The Italian dialogue adds charm, especially when translated. The book is a fun, fast read, ideal for fans of Portia MacIntosh, with an engaging romance and delightful setting.

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Review Card & Book Review – Liv Is Not A Loser By Lauren Ford

Should Liv take herself out of the friend zone, or are they better off there?

Liv Granger has been flailing through life since her teens. When her brother, Joe, announces his engagement to his long-term boyfriend, Liv realises that she has never been able to commit to anything – a career, a fixed address, a relationship – and she may, in fact, be a massive loser.

With the help of Joe and Henry, her oldest friend, Liv comes up with the Loser List: ten tasks to change her life. The most challenging – three dates with the same person. After each increasingly disastrous date, Henry is always there to the rescue. Has what she’s been looking for been right in front of her the whole time?

Between restraining her mother’s wedding planning and doing everything in her power to not be her father’s wingman for his various short-lived girlfriends, Liv learns that the path to self-improvement needs to start with a little self-acceptance…

About The Author

My Review

Olivia Granger, an astronomy enthusiast working at a planetarium, faces everyday struggles and feelings of inadequacy. The story begins with her needing to vacate her apartment, feeling left behind compared to her successful peers. With support from friends and her boyfriend Henry, Olivia realizes her problems stem from a lack of long-term planning. As she navigates her journey, overcoming failures with Henry by her side, she finds the missing piece of her life. The book is relatable, depicting real-life challenges and personal growth, with a healthy, gradual romance between Olivia and Henry.

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Review Card & Book Review – Finding You By Amy Clipston

Both of them want a relationship–but is beginning it a big mistake?

On the outside, twenty-seven-year-old Darcy Larsen is a pretty, put-together professional–but inside she’s falling apart. Eighteen months ago, she lost her fiancé in an accident she still blames herself for. After a successful transplant, her kidney disease seems to be in check, but she worries that her future children–ifshe has any–will also suffer from the same condition. And she’s overcome with indecision about finding her birth mother, discovering potentially devastating information, and hurting her adoptive parents.

Mechanic Carter Donovan seems to have everything going for him at first glance–stunning good looks . . . a wicked sense of humor . . . and a heart of gold. But Carter’s seemingly perfect exterior hides a host of secrets. After a rough breakup and mounting bills from a medical emergency that left him drowning in debt, he doesn’t feel like the catch everyone says he is. Plus, he’s about to turn thirty–with no romantic prospects on the horizon.

When Darcy’s Lexus breaks down in her doctor’s parking lot, Carter appears on the scene to try to jump-start her car–and her heart. But despite their immediate connection, the two have perhaps too many obstacles to overcome. Carter questions if getting involved with Darcy will be his next big mistake. And Darcy wonders if she can ever move past her grief and guilt to embrace the gift of Happily Ever After that’s dangling in front of her.

About The Author

My Review

This is an uplifting contemporary romance about second chances at love. Eighteen months after Darcy Larsen’s fiancé, Jace, died in a car accident, she is still struggling with grief and guilt. Carter Donovan, who recently had a life-saving kidney transplant, rescues Darcy when her car breaks down, leading to an unexpected romance. As they grow closer, they discover that Carter’s transplant has a surprising connection to Jace, threatening their budding relationship. Despite its predictable elements, it is a good read , relatable characters, and heartfelt exploration of themes like love, loss, and organ donation.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Sawmill Book Club By Carolyn Brown

Unsure of the future but ready for risks, Libby O’Dell trades big-city life for whatever the back roads hold. In this case it’s the small community of Sawmill, Texas, where Libby’s taken a temporary job putting an antique store in order. Her new boss, Benny Taylor, a handsome charmer with a three-legged dog named Elvis, isn’t a bad change of scenery, either.

Across the street Benny’s surrogate grandmothers—the widows Minilee and Opal—are ready with homemade corn bread, sweet tea, and an invitation for Libby to join their book club. Even if it is mostly a gathering for local gossip and meddling. The ladies’ main agenda: find Benny a wife. Except Benny’s not looking, and Libby’s only passing through until she decides what direction she’s headed next.

Truth is, Sawmill is starting to feel pretty nice. Benny, even nicer. Time will tell if this meantime job in a stopover town is just what Libby’s been looking for—and where she belongs.

About The Author

My Review

It follows Libby, a young woman who takes a job at Benny’s antique store to find herself. Benny, having inherited the store from his grandfather, aims to revitalize the business. Libby bonds with two widows, Benny’s surrogate grandmothers, who form the Sawmill Book Club, which is more about gossip than books. While the title drew interest, the book club aspect is minor. The story is somewhat repetitive with a predictable ending and lacks plot twists, but Brown’s warm writing captures small-town life with humor and heart. “The Sawmill Book Club” by Carolyn Brown is a cozy, feel-good novel set in the small town of Sawmill, Texas.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Grouchy One By Leslie North

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But the guy that sells those diamonds? My worst enemy.

It took me precisely 0.1 seconds to start hating Cameron O’Connor. I’m late to a job interview and it seems like kismet when a cab stops outside my apartment. Until the grumpiest, grouchiest, and most outrageously handsome suit-hole steals it. Of course, I get to my interview and who is behind the desk? “You’re late. Couldn’t find a cab?” This infuriatingly beautiful man makes my blood boil. So I’m completely justified when I tell him all the ways his company is messing up their current PR disaster. I wouldn’t touch this job—or the brutally chiseled bossbeast—with a ten-foot pole.

Until he offers me a number with more zeros than a box of donuts. Now I’m working alongside the bosszilla. Trying to keep the snark level to somewhere between brazen defiance and outright mutiny. If only he hadn’t hired that influencer to promote the company’s engagement rings. And if only she hadn’t announced that Cameron and I were hiding a secret romance. Now suddenly, our relationship is all anyone can talk about. Except there’s zero romance—we hate each other. To sell the story, we have to go on fake dates and fake being in love. Only at some point, I don’t have to pretend anymore. And I start thinking Cameron isn’t faking either. There’s no way I’m falling for my bosshole. Right?

About The Author

My Review

Felicity and Cameron’s story begins with a confrontation over a cab, leading to Felicity getting the ride after Cameron forgets his wallet. Felicity is on her way to a crucial job interview at Veritigue, where she impresses everyone but is delayed for her final interview with the CEO, Cameron, who turns out to be the man she clashed with earlier. Despite the tension, Cameron offers her the job, but she initially declines. Cameron, dealing with his company’s troubles and a friend’s personal issues, sees potential in Felicity’s ideas and eventually convinces her to join with a lucrative offer. Felicity proposes a PR campaign involving an influencer, Lucy Dubois, which leads to a misunderstanding about a fake engagement. This causes a fallout between Felicity and Cameron, impacting both their relationship and the company’s fortunes. Felicity, heartbroken, decides to leave, prompting questions about whether Cameron will realize his feelings for her and if she’ll give him another chance.

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Review Card & Book Review – Captive By Bella Ash

Two ruthless brothers. Two stubborn captives. One deadly world.

VICIOUS HEIR

Angel Castillo is ruthless, reigning over his brutal world where disobedience means death. Forced into his cold offer: become his wife or die, I try to escape, but his claws are buried deep. Trapped in a golden prison, I hate him yet crave his touch. He sees me like no one else, and despite knowing he’ll ruin me, I want it.

BRUTAL ENFORCER

Men have always controlled me, first my ruthless father, then my fiancé, and now Omar Castillo, the brutal enforcer. Known as The Beast, he’s locked me up, threatening my life and craving my blood. Despite my filthy thoughts about him, I must escape. Everyone underestimates me, seeing only a pawn. But I’ll burn this island down before I give in.

About The Author

My Review

**Vicious Heir (Book 1)** centers on Emma Hudson and Angel Castillo. Emma, working for South Beach Deliveries, saves Angel from being shot at Club Eliseo, leading to a life debt. To protect her, Angel’s father, Gustavo Castillo, orders them to marry. Despite initial reluctance, Emma and Angel develop strong feelings for each other amidst a backdrop of action, secrets, and passion. Emma becomes pregnant and contemplates leaving, leading to tension and misunderstandings with Angel.

**Brutal Enforcer (Book 2)** follows Omar Castillo, the enforcer of the Castillo family, and Lyse Rojas. After Angel is attacked, Omar kidnaps Lyse during her engagement party, seeking revenge against her family. Despite initial hostility, Omar and Lyse develop a complex relationship. As they navigate their feelings, they face family conflicts and potential war.

Both books are filled with action, betrayal, and romance, captivating readers with their intense and dramatic storylines. The series hints at future stories involving other characters, maintaining anticipation for more installments.

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