Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Lumberjack By Susan Stoker

A game of chance during a horrific POW experience decided the future for Jackson “JJ” Justice and his teammates. Years later, they’re well settled into their lumberjack business in small-town Maine. And for nearly as long, JJ’s been pining for April, the woman largely responsible for growing their business, but insecurities keep him at arm’s length from the sexy receptionist.

April Hoffman loves her job…and her boss. She’s unsure where JJ’s head is at, but for her part, she knows exactly why she’s not revealed her feelings. Not only does she have one failed relationship under her belt, she’s also several years older than JJ. Why would a man so brutally hot settle for someone almost past her prime?

After a car accident nearly takes April’s life, leaving her with temporary amnesia, they both understand what they almost lost. The floodgates are open, their feelings exposed…but it may be too little, too late.

An enemy from JJ’s past has come calling, putting not only his future happiness on the line, but the lives of several people he holds dear—starting with April.

About The Author

My Review

This book features compelling characters: Jack, a protective and possessive former soldier deeply in love with the older April, and April, whose memory slowly returns in a realistic manner. The story highlights Jack’s vulnerability and insecurity, making his devotion to April endearing. Their journey to acknowledge and accept their feelings is sweetly portrayed, with a near tragedy cementing their mutual love. Stoker’s universe, with its strong bonds and realistic characters, adds depth, despite some stilted dialogue and repetitive proclamations about “our women” and “our men.”

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Review Card & Book Review – Love Story By Lindsey Kelk

She’s a small-town schoolteacher, he’s a hotshot creative director. Together, it’s hate at first sight.

Sophie Taylor has a secret and Joe Walsh is the last person she’d tell. He’s devilishly handsome, incredibly hot – and far too sure of himself.

But Sophie desperately needs his help.

Because she’s not just hiding something small. She is Este Cox, the mysterious romance author the entire world is desperate to unmask.

When a trip to the countryside means sharing a cottage with only one bed, it’s a short step to sharing a whole lot more besides… Can Sophie trust Joe with the truth – and be herself?

About The Author

My Review

“Love Story” is set over a chaotic weekend, featuring Sophie, a bestselling romance novelist writing under a pen name to hide her success from her snobbish publishing parents. Sophie’s journey explores internalized misogyny faced by romance writers and readers. The banter between Sophie, her family, and Joe—whose trustworthiness is questioned until the end—adds humor, especially in roasting Sophie’s ex. Kelk highlights the unfair belittlement of romance literature, celebrating its value and giving shout-outs to fellow romance authors.

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Review Card & Book Review – We Were On A Break By Jo Lovett

A summer to remember…

A love to last a lifetime…

Stranded in Rome, with all planes grounded due to volcanic ash, Callum gratefully accepts a lift back to London with a friend-of-a-friend who’s on her way home after a European road trip in a campervan.

But when he meets her, his heart plummets – she’s Emma, his ex, The ex, and he can’t be stuck in a van with her.

When Emma sees Callum again, she’s horrified. It’s taken so many years to heal her heart – she really doesn’t want to spend the next few days in close quarters with him.

As they embark on the drive of a lifetime, it begins to feel as though fate might have had a hand in reuniting them. But understanding what happened in the past and coming to terms with the present isn’t easy. Can the gift of time – and forced proximity – bring them back together again?

About The Author

My Review

“We Were on a Break” by Jo Lovett is a charming romantic comedy set against the scenic backdrop of Italy and France. The story follows exes Callum and Emma, who reunite unexpectedly when stranded in Rome due to a volcanic ash cloud. Emma offers Callum a ride back to London in her camper van, Miranda. As they travel, they confront unresolved feelings and past misunderstandings. Lovett’s well-developed characters and a blend of humor and emotional depth make this a delightful read about second chances and rekindled love, perfect for fans of light-hearted, nostalgic romance.

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Review Card & Book Review – Coming Home To Tuppenny Bridge By Sharon Booth

When Bethany learns that her estranged brother, Joseph, has died, she’s devastated. Returning home to Tuppenny Bridge is the last thing she wants to do, but she has no choice.

Making her way over the River Skimmer, rain coats the windscreen as she looks out at landscapes she hasn’t seen for over three decades. Happier times flash through her mind – birthday laughter, glimmering Christmas lights and her precious big brother, before he broke her heart. And now, with him gone, so is any hope of an apology…

To Bethany’s dismay, her childhood home, Whispering Willows, has been converted into a horse sanctuary and the house, as well as the animals, are now in her care.

Bethany has one goal in sight – sell the property before the past catches up with her. It’s not going to be easy: the house has been neglected, the stables are falling apart and then there’s Clive Browning, her brother’s best friend. His presence, at first unwanted, begins to stir up emotions in Bethany that she’s never felt before.

But just when Bethany starts to accept that there may be hope for a new beginning in Tuppenny Bridge, a shattering revelation comes to light, making Bethany question all she thought was true…

About The Author

My Review

“Coming Home to Tuppenny Bridge” by Sharon Booth captures the emotional journey of Bethany Marshal, who returns to her estranged family home after her brother Joseph’s death. Estranged from her family due to past betrayals and abuse, Bethany plans to sell Whispering Willows, her childhood home. However, she discovers Joseph’s work in rescuing abused animals and begins to heal. Supported by Clive, a kind vet, Bethany confronts her past, experiences emotional growth, and finds new love. The novel addresses heavy themes like abuse and betrayal with sensitivity, culminating in a heartfelt and redemptive conclusion.

My Rating

Review Card & Book Review – Three’s A Crowd By Christy McKellen

He was always the right guy, it was always the wrong time…until now?

You never forget your first and the saying couldn’t be truer for Daisy Malone. Because the moment childhood friend turned Hollywood superstar Zach Dryden reappears in her life she instantly remembers how she felt during the summer that changed everything. After weeks of flirting, the heat between them exploded in an electrifying (yet slightly embarrassing) one night together. But then Zach left and Daisy moved on and she knew their friendship – and her heart – would never be the same again.

Now Zach is back, more charming and irresistible than ever, and offering her a once in a lifetime trip to the Cannes film festival. Daisy has never found anyone who can compare with Zach, but she’s reluctant to open her heart to him again. Yet with so much history between them, can Daisy give their friendship a second chance…or will he always be the one who got away?

About The Author

My Review

“Three’s a Crowd” is a short, easy read about Daisy, who settles for her best friend Adam, despite lingering feelings for childhood friend Zach. Zach’s return from Hollywood reignites old sparks, but Daisy’s indecision causes turmoil. The story struggles with its cheating theme, failing to show Daisy’s growth and hard decisions, resulting in an unearned resolution. Despite the chemistry between Daisy and Zach, the narrative needed stronger development to truly engage readers.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Love Letter To Paris By Rebecca Raisin

The pretty little streets of Montmartre are abuzz with a rumour. Apparently a mystery matchmaker, known only as ‘Paris Cupid’, has somehow helped the city’s most famous bachelor find love.

But old-fashioned romantic Lilou is staying very quiet. She’d just wanted to set up her best friend, and to get on with her life selling whimsical old love letters, in Paris’s famous St. Ouen market.

She hadn’t imagined her little Paris Cupid project could ever have attracted so many people looking for true, heartfelt romance. Though the truth is that Lilou adores helping people find the right person. Even if her own love life is nothing short of disastrous.

But then a message arrives. And it’s just for her. Someone is in love with her. Someone who knows her secret. But they’re keeping their own identity secret too… Could it be from cheerful, talkative, flame-haired Felix? Or quiet, beautifully handsome Benoit? Or even Pascale – who drives Lilou mad every day?

After so long of helping others find their soulmate, is it time for Lilou to find love of her own in Paris herself?

About The Author

My Review

This book captures romance in Paris’s picturesque Montmartre. The story follows Lilou, a hopeless romantic who becomes an anonymous matchmaker known as ‘Paris Cupid.’ Despite her own imperfect love life, Lilou helps others believe in love through handwritten letters. The novel weaves themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, with Paris as a charming backdrop. Readers will relate to Lilou and her friend Emilenne, and root for Lilou’s happiness amidst Parisian charm. It’s a captivating read about connection and romance.

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Review Card & Book Review – Loyally, Luke By Pepper Basham

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old-bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way–I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke

About The Author

My Review

In this romance, handyman Luke returns to Skymar for a remodeling project at a countryside orphanage and meets “Ellie,” unaware she’s Princess Elliana. As they grow close, Elliana appreciates Luke’s straightforwardness and the fact he doesn’t know her troubled past. However, her royal identity eventually comes to light, complicating their relationship given Luke’s ties to North Carolina and Elliana’s duties in Europe. The story is ideal for fans of Hallmark movies and features warm, rugged heroes.

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Review Card & Book Review- One Night Stand Ever After By Amanda Usen

Anna Rivera may not be ready to say goodbye to her burlesque troupe—or New York City—but she’s determined to go out with a bang. Which is when she sees a face in the crowd that sends her heart rate through the roof. Max Cooper. Her brother’s friend, and the object of many, many teenage fantasies. But while Max may look like sin in a suit, he’s not prepared for the moves she’s got in store…

Max knows he should turn away—Anna’s been off-limits forever—but he can’t help himself. The electric connection sizzles between them, but Max knows better than to play with fire. This calls for rules. Boundaries. Setting out expectations. Just a hot little hook-up and that’s it.

But fate plays dirty. Soon Max and Anna find themselves stuck in their small hometown together, and avoiding that sexy spark is impossible. Now they’re sneaking around enjoying one month of no-holds-barred, unbelievably wicked sex—until Anna leaves for her next gig. And all the consequences in the world might not be enough to stop this fling they’ve started…

About The Author

My Review

The third book in the Unforgettable Fire series, this novel focuses on a forbidden love between Anna and Max. Despite not reading the first two books, readers can easily understand the plot. Anna’s brother warns Max, a workaholic unable to commit, to stay away from her. However, their matchmaking grandmothers intervene. The story features fun banter, engaging characters, and explores past baggage affecting trust. While their relationship is mostly physical, the characters experience significant personal growth. The meddling grandmothers add charm to the small-town, opposites-attract romance. This book is fun, spicy, and a quick read, perfect for fans of these themes.

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