Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Love Algorithm By Camilla Isley

He’s off limits – but you can’t fight physics…

At 28, with a Ph.D under her belt and a meteoric rise to head of Research and Development at Mercer Robotics, Reese feels her decision to put her career first has worked out pretty well for her. Sure, she doesn’t have many personal relationships to speak of, but she does love her team and they like her too.

So when she’s called to the Big Boss’s office and told she will be looking after his son while he does a rotation in her lab, she’s not thrilled that her hard work and achievements have boiled down to being a glorified babysitter – especially to a billionaire playboy with zero experience of mechanical engineering.

But then tall, blond Thomas walks into her office, and Reese realizes this assignment is going to be even harder than she thought. Because the CEO’s son is not only extraordinarily gorgeous, chiseled, and charming… he’s also on course to become her new boss one day, and so extraordinarily out of bounds. As the pair get to know each other, can Reese hold her nerve and her beliefs, or will she fall victim to the billionaire charm?

About The Author

My Review

Thomas Mercer is the heir apparent to his family’s company, but to earn his father’s approval, he needs to get a better understanding of every department. He starts by working in the robotics division with Dr. Reese Campbell. I found Reese and Thomas to be an amazing pair. They come from different backgrounds: she’s an intelligent and quirky robotics expert, while he’s a sociable and dedicated individual. Despite not knowing much about each other’s lives or work, they quickly discover they have great chemistry and a strong connection. I was cheering for them from the start, as their journey together was entertaining, and their chemistry was palpable from their very first meeting.

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Review Card & Book Review – Coming Home to Roseford Villas By Fay Keenan

Aurora Henderson and Leo McKendrick were love’s young dream when they first dated as teenagers.

But like many a first love, parents, life, and distance got in the way, and the couple lost touch. Now, twenty years later, Aurora – Rory to her friends – needs a break. Burnt out from her teaching career and longing to write a novel, Rory heads to the idyllic village of Roseford for a summer of writing and relaxation.

Leo needs a change too. Ex-pat life in Australia has come to a sticky end so the opportunity to run his family’s B&B, Roseford Villas, for the summer is too good to turn down.

Neither Rory nor Leo believe in fate, but when Leo opens the door to his latest guest, he might just have to reconsider. And when a sultry summer fills with nostalgia and memories and six weeks flies by too fast, love’s young dream might just get a second chance…

About The Author

My Review

Rory, an English teacher from York, is eager to spend the summer in Roseford to finally work on her dream of writing a novel. However, her plans are disrupted when her reserved chocolate-box cottage gets switched to a lodge at Roseford Villas. Although the new accommodation has its inconveniences, like not being able to plug in her laptop at the table, it’s still within walking distance of Roseford Hall, where the archives can aid her research for her book. Plus, her former friend, who lives nearby, is available to discuss her ideas, and the village pub is ideal for observing local life. The real surprise comes when Rory discovers that Leo, her first love from 20 years ago, is temporarily managing the B&B at the Villas while the regular owners are away.

Their unexpected reunion ignites a heartwarming second-chance romance, with both Rory and Leo carrying baggage and secrets from their long time apart. As their slow-burn relationship starts to rekindle, they find themselves facing practical complications—Rory’s commitment to her teaching job, and Leo’s plans to start a new position in London—which raise doubts about whether their relationship can last beyond the summer.

The book captures the emotional journey of reconnecting with the past and the challenges of overcoming obstacles on the path to a happy ending. It balances the romantic elements with Rory’s journey as a writer and the historical discoveries that come with it. Although this could be the final book in the series, it leaves readers with a sense of closure and a feeling that the residents of Roseford are well on their way to their own happy-ever-afters. With strong characters, a captivating setting, and thoughtful storytelling, it’s a charming and engaging read.

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Review Card & Book Review – It Started with a Secret by Tif Marcelo

When one unforgettable night…

Leads to a whole new life…

When Jared Sotheby arrives in Peak, Virginia, to search for his identity—and his Filipino roots—he doesn’t anticipate an instant connection with a stunning woman he meets on his first night in town. And he certainly doesn’t expect her to be managing the B & B owned by the biological family he’s searching for!

One passionate night aside, Matilda Matthews needs a cook, and Jared, a chef, needs a way in. She’ll give him the job if he keeps his identity a secret—for now. Their subterfuge quickly grows complicated as Jared yearns for a connection—not only with his family, but also with the once-bitten Matilda. But first he’ll have to convince her to let a younger man into her heart…

About The Author

My Review

In “It Started With a Secret,” Tif Marcelo introduces Jared, a character whose journey begins with a revelation: he’s the product of a one-night stand, and his father has recently passed away. As we follow Jared from Louisville to the town where his late father’s widow and daughters live, we see him join their family business—a bed-and-breakfast that has just lost its chef. Jared, being a chef himself, steps into the role, but he keeps his true identity hidden from the family. During his early days in town, he meets Matilda, and they quickly hit it off. Despite Matilda’s hesitation due to their age difference—Jared is ten years older—their chemistry is undeniable, and they end up hooking up after a night at the bar.

Tif Marcelo takes on a heavy premise with a light touch, avoiding the potential heaviness that could have overshadowed the developing romance between Jared and Matilda. Instead of focusing solely on the weight of Jared’s secret, the story remains centered on the evolving relationship between the characters. It’s a beautifully told tale of two people finding love, meeting halfway, and dealing with the challenge of revealing a life-changing secret.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Lessons from the Rancher By Anna Grace

A second chance…
With his first love?

Single dad and rancher Colter Wayne has moved mountains to bring teachers to Pronghorn, Oregon. So he’s floored when one of the new arrivals is the woman he almost married. To make matters worse, it looks like Willa Marshall still hasn’t forgiven him. But the kids need Willa, and she needs his help navigating small-town life. Can Colter and Willa learn to let go of the past and embrace the future…together?

About The Author

My Review

Colter is a charming rancher and a single father to his daughter. Willa, a school teacher, shares a history with Colter. Years ago, Colter did something that caused Willa to leave Pronghorn. Now, this small town needs teachers, and Willa has never completely forgotten Colter. In addition to ranching, Colter is also the president of the school board. After 14 years, Willa returns to Pronghorn as one of five new teachers. Colter is quick to apologize, but Willa has moved on and doesn’t intend to look back.

I loved the small-town setting; Loretta added a lot of humor, and the other characters contributed to the story’s lively mix. Willa and Colter’s second chance was heartwarming, and I’m eager to read more from this series!

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Review Card & Book Review – Accidentally Wearing The Argentinian’s Ring By Maya Blake

A ring meant for another…
is her perfect fit!

Shy PA Mareka works hard to hide her attraction to her superrich boss, Cayetano Figueroa—until picking up his engagement ring. Unable to resist the dazzling diamond, she impulsively tries it on…and is caught on camera. Suddenly the world thinks she’s Caye’s bride!

Tightly wound Caye is only marrying to keep control of his company. When the scandalous headlines cost him his convenient fiancée, Mareka is the obvious replacement. Yet as they’re alone together in his opulent Argentinian estate, Caye must confront his hunger for the woman testing his self-control to its limit…

About The Author

My Review

Caye is a handsome, alpha billionaire, and Mareka is his European personal assistant. Mareka has a crush on Caye, who seems aloof and cold due to his difficult relationship with his parents. Mareka, too, is struggling with parents who seem indifferent to her. When a situation arises requiring Caye to enter into a fake marriage to inherit his grandfather’s business, he surprises everyone by choosing Mareka over his usual Argentinean fake fiancée, Octavia PA. The catch: to inherit the company, he must have a wife. Throughout the story, Caye seems distant and uninterested in Mareka, while Mareka finds herself falling harder for him with each passing day. The big question is whether Caye will eventually admit his feelings for Mareka. Will their marriage stay a fake arrangement, or will it transform into a real one with genuine love and commitment? This is a fun, fast-paced read that has a good mix of drama, conflict, bad parents, beautiful settings, steamy romance, engaging characters, and a plot that kept me hooked.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – A Mother’s Gift By Lee Tobin McClain & Kathryn Springer

This Mother’s Day, they’re finding new moms
…in these two irresistible novellas

Friendship could blossom into more in Lee Tobin McClain’s A Mother for His Childwhen single dad Blake Evans’s six-year-old daughter announces she wants her babysitter, Zoey Grey, to be her new mommy. And in Kathryn Springer’s The Mommy List, a little girl plays matchmaker between her dad, Gage Lawrence, and their next-door neighbor, Megan Albright…but are they ready to take that leap?

About The Author

My Review

In “A Mother’s Gift,” I loved how McClain crafted the friends-to-sweethearts story. Widower Blake valued Zoey’s care as a babysitter for his daughter and cherished their friendship, but it took time for him to realize he was in love with her. The emotional ups and downs of their lives kept me hooked, reading late into the night.

In “The Mommy List,” Springer opened with a twist that surprised me. I loved how Gage’s daughter’s Mommy List led him to adopt a dog, ultimately bringing him to Megan, the dog rescue owner. Springer did a great job showing two sides of workaholics and how this theme played a key role in both characters’ growth.

Both authors explored the emotional impact of Mother’s Day when you’ve lost your mom, handling this sensitive topic with grace and compassion.

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Review Card & Book Review – Undone in the Billionaire’s Castle By Louise Fuller

When he issued his impulsive invitation…
their passion wasn’t meant to last!

A devastating injury brought Joan Santos’s world crashing down. Until, at a high-society wedding, her raw encounter with brooding billionaire Ivo Faulkner makes Joan feel alive for the first time in months!

With his private jet booked for the next day, Ivo has a business deal he’s intent on closing. Except after his night with Joan, his infamous laser focus is nowhere to be found! He invites her to his opulent castle to exorcise their attraction, but by indulging their temptation, Ivo risks being unable to ever let his oh-so tempting Cinderella go…

About The Author

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic journey of Ivo and Joan. Ivo, a billionaire in the middle of a business deal, shares a passionate night with Joan that he can’t seem to forget. He invites her back to his castle, and their chemistry is undeniable as they navigate their forced proximity. Their attraction, chemistry, and growing love for each other made them a delightful couple to follow.

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Review Card & Book Review – Annie In Paris By Carmen Reid

Personal shopper Annie Valentine is back! Older and bolder!

Fashion guru Annie is struggling to cope with her hectic life. With the demands of two older children, plus four-year-old twins, her marriage to Ed is in a romance-free rut and she’s clinging by a couture thread to her job as the nation’s favourite fashion fixer.

And where is Svetlana, her multi-millionaire friend, when Annie needs her? Busy with an expensive mid-life crisis, that’s where!

When Ed gets the chance to teach in Paris, Annie thinks time apart could be the answer. Wrong!

In Paris, Ed transforms into a debonair silver fox, attracting the attentions of stylish siren Sylvie.

Annie can’t lose her man or the job she loves, so bundling her bags, her babies and a reluctant Svetlana onto the Eurostar, she sets off to the rescue. But can the City of Love deliver the ooh la la that her marriage, and her fashion series, so desperately needs?

About The Author

My Review

In the latest chapter of Annie Valentine’s life, her husband Ed goes to Paris for a work exchange program, leaving her feeling overwhelmed by his absence and realizing how much she depends on him and her sister, Dinah, who helps with childcare. While taking her kids to visit a friend, Annie nearly crashes her car when she sees a social media post showing Ed sitting closely with a beautiful colleague in Paris.

Annie decides to visit Paris under the guise of researching French fashion for her show. She arranges for Dinah to look after her older son, Owen, and takes her twins to Paris to find out what’s happening with Ed. Meanwhile, her friend Svetlana, feeling the void left by her sons going to boarding school, plans some cosmetic surgery but agrees to meet Annie in Paris for a makeover.

Chaos ensues in Paris as Annie navigates her strained relationship with Ed and helps Svetlana update her decades-old style. This installment explores themes of priorities, responsibilities, and how people react to aging—some embrace it while others try to recapture their youth. The book offers a more serious tone than earlier in the series, with Annie reflecting on her marriage, career, and family dynamics.

Despite the turmoil, the story maintains a strong sense of humor and relatable characters. The author leaves the story open-ended, hinting at more adventures for Annie. This chapter stands out as a compelling read, with a blend of comedy, drama, and deeper themes of personal growth and reconciliation. Overall, the book provides a satisfying continuation to the series, leaving readers eager for the next chapter.

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Review Card & Book Review – Almost Pretend By Nicole Snow

Eleanor Lark is an upbeat illustrator plagued by headaches and unruly strawberry blonde hair. After a grueling cross-country flight, she blacks out cold. The brooding stranger who sat next to her grumping his way through the flight catches Elle as she falls. Neither expects the sweet chaos that happens next.

August Marshall is stonehearted, insanely rich, and a master of corporate cleanups with major baggage of his own. The last man alive who needs a media frenzy after his airport heroics steal headlines. But August has a plan—ask Elle to marry him so their trouble disappears.

Elle almost faints again. They just met! But it’s hard to say no when August tells her she might be the key to saving a children’s book series she adores. And it’s even harder to remember it’s only pretend as sparks fly, hearts fall, and two perfect strangers try to remember life before make-believe…

About The Author

My Review

“Almost Pretend” by Nicole Snow offers a familiar romance setup—billionaire businessman August Marshall and eccentric artist Elle Lark engage in a fake relationship that eventually leads to true love—but what sets it apart is the power of Snow’s writing. Her poetic and evocative style transforms the common trope into an emotionally charged journey. The interplay of humor, heartbreak, and sensuality pulls readers into the story, creating a captivating reading experience.

The plot revolves around August rescuing Elle at the airport after she faints from a severe migraine attack, leading to media buzz and a fake engagement proposal from August to salvage his tarnished reputation. In return, Elle gains an apprenticeship with August’s renowned aunt, children’s book illustrator Clara Marshall. Their interactions are filled with contrasting personalities: August is grumpy and brooding, with a history of betrayal and public scrutiny, while Elle is an embodiment of chaos, positivity, and vibrancy.

As they navigate their fake relationship, both August and Elle face complex emotions that grow into something real. The underlying secrets and lies within August’s family publication company threaten to derail their blossoming relationship, but the author’s careful pacing and detailed character development make their journey compelling. Despite their efforts to resist falling in love, they find themselves drawn closer with each passing day, leading to an eventual happy ending that is both heartfelt and rewarding. The book’s conclusion provides a satisfying resolution, showcasing August’s transformation and Elle’s bright spirit.

My Rating

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