Review card – Page 14

Review Card & Book Review- Snowflakes Over Starr’s Fall By Kate Hewitt

As the stars twinkle and the snow drifts over the town… someone’s about to find the magic she didn’t even know she’d been missing…

Jenna has lived in Starr’s Fall for most of her life, and has run the general store for over ten years. Secretly she might dream of love and romance, but she’s happy as she is. Really.

That is, until Starr’s Fall’s newest resident—ex-New Yorker, millionaire investment banker—Jack Wexler breezes into Jenna’s store, seemingly furious they don’t stock smoked salmon. Jenna is as amused as she is annoyed. Who is this ridiculous guy, and doesn’t he realize he’s not in Manhattan anymore?

Jack meanwhile can’t believe he lost it in public. But ever since being forced to leave his high-flying career to focus on his health, he’s not been himself. What’s more, the last person he’d expected to be attracted to is the shrew of a storekeeper he’s just encountered… which he might have called Jenna, in a moment of temper…

Neither of Jenna or Jack’s ideal of romance includes these sorts of furious sparks flying. But when they’re both roped in to organizing the town’s Winter Wonderland parade, they’re forced to work together. And as Christmas approaches – will two opposites merely attract? Or, in magical Starr’s Fall, could they fall in love for keeps?

About The Author

My Review

Jenna, the tough-as-nails owner of the local mercantile, has been holding Starr’s Fall together while carrying the weight of heartbreak and family struggles. Enter Jack Wexler, a polished ex-New Yorker with a recent heart scare, who breezes into her store demanding smoked salmon and manages to annoy her instantly. Their frosty clash sets the stage for an enemies-to-maybe-something-more arc, especially once the town ropes them into organizing the Winter Wonderland parade together.

The romance here is a slow simmer—more snark and cautious sidestepping than fiery passion. At times, the angst lingers longer than necessary, and the repeated full-name mentions of “Jack Wexler” had me feeling like I’d wandered into a courtroom drama. Still, their push-and-pull has a tender edge, especially as real-life challenges—Jack’s forced retirement and his mother’s Alzheimer’s, Jenna’s financial strain and family ties—add depth beneath the festive fluff.

Where the novel shines is in its setting. Starr’s Fall itself feels like a character: warm, bustling, and snow-dusted with holiday magic. Familiar faces from previous books enrich the story, making it feel less like a standalone romance and more like returning home for Christmas with old friends.

Overall it is a cozy, small-town holiday romance that leans heavily into its Hallmark-esque charm, complete with snowy parades, second chances, and enough stubborn banter to keep things lively.

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Review Card & Book Review- Dangerous Affair By Sandra Owens

Protecting her is his mission.

Failure is unacceptable.

World-traveling photojournalist Quinn Sullivan is stopped in her tracks when a kidnapper holds her captive in a mountain cabin. Could it be related to the damning evidence she has about a company’s illegal tactics that are harming a town? To her rescue comes former marine ranger Liam O’Rourke. His assignment as a bodyguard keeps him close to Quinn, protecting her from ongoing threats. Much to his frustration, Quinn does flings, not relationships; she believes men can’t handle her career. But the shared danger of exposing a conspiracy may change their romantic boundaries.

About The Author

My Review

This installment follows Liam O’Rourke, a former Marine Ranger, whose world is shaken when his estranged father—who disowned him years ago—recommends him to help locate a missing woman. That woman is Quinn Sullivan, a fearless and compassionate photojournalist known for capturing the plight of children around the world. When Liam rescues her, sparks fly immediately, but Quinn insists she only wants a brief affair—her independence and convictions are too important to risk in a long-term relationship.

But danger still surrounds Quinn. Someone is desperate to recover an item in her possession—something that could destroy his empire and his reputation—and will stop at nothing to silence her. As Liam protects Quinn, their attraction deepens into something neither expected, challenging them both to confront old wounds, fears, and the possibility of love.

Fast-paced, romantic, and deeply engaging, Dangerous Affair is a compelling standalone that also enriches the larger Phoenix Three series.

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Review Card & Book Review- A Hero’s Return By Carrie Nichols

He knows how to be brave on a battlefield

Now he has to be brave with his heart

Years of military service taught decorated veteran Braden Sullivan how to be strong. It didn’t teach him how to be vulnerable. Back in his Oregon hometown, with a job as a helicopter pilot and a two-family home to renovate, he’s not at all prepared for his heart to take flight after meeting his tenant, Cassie Donovan. The widowed single mom is beautiful, charming…and terrified of loving another pilot after losing her husband in a crash. Overcoming her fears and his own uncertainties will take courage—but isn’t that what a hero soldier is for?

About The Author

My Review

Braden Sullivan, a highly decorated former Army helicopter pilot, has returned to his hometown of Sandy Shores after leaving the military to care for his ailing sister. Now flying for the fire department, he’s trying to build a new life while carrying the weight of his past. Cassie Donovan, a widowed single mother, knows all too well the pain of loss—her husband, also a pilot, died tragically in an accident. After years of grieving, she moves to Sandy Shores with encouragement from her sister, hoping for a fresh start for herself and her daughter.

When Braden and Cassie cross paths, neither expects the spark that forms between them. As they navigate grief, trust issues, and the fears that come from loving again, they slowly discover that happiness—and love—might still be within reach. The presence of Cassie’s sweet, wise-beyond-her-years daughter and the charming pets add extra warmth and lightheartedness to the story.

It is a tale of second chances, healing, and the unexpected ways love can bring two broken hearts together. With well-developed characters, an engaging plot, and a perfect blend of tenderness and hope, A Hero’s Return is a touching romance that reminds readers it’s never too late to embrace love and new beginnings.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Rancher’s Prayer By Donna Gartshore

To earn the love he’s always wanted,
He must let go of his past…

Luke Duffy is desperate to save his family’s ranch. Especially after decisions made by his late father land their horse therapy business in trouble. But help comes in the unlikely form of guest Arabella Lark. As a PR expert, Bella has plans that could make the ranch thrive, but Luke’s rocky past makes him hesitant to rely on her. The single mom also has a lot on her plate: her job is on the line, and her daughter struggles with anxiety. Will they find the strength to face their challenges and create a new beginning together?

About The Author

My Review

Luke Duffy is burdened by the weight of his late father’s mistakes and the looming collapse of the family ranch and their horse therapy program. With so much on the line, he’s reluctant to trust anyone, least of all an outsider with big ideas. But Arabella Lark, a visiting public relations expert, isn’t just anyone. A devoted single mother, she’s determined to help Luke save the ranch while also helping her anxious daughter find peace.

As Arabella and Luke work side by side, their connection grows, but both must confront their fears—Luke’s mistrust and Arabella’s guarded heart—before they can truly embrace the love blossoming between them. The Christian themes are seamlessly woven into the story, offering encouragement, hope, and a reminder of faith’s power to heal.

Overall, The Rancher’s Prayer is a heartfelt, faith-filled romance that blends family struggles, personal healing, and the promise of new beginnings. Donna Gartshore has crafted a clean, uplifting story with characters you can’t help but root for. Clean, easy to read, and filled with warmth, The Rancher’s Prayer is a beautiful story of resilience, trust, and second chances.

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Review Card & Book Review- Their First Dance By Laurie Batzel

Could their first dance…

Last a lifetime?

Fanny Cunningham is only in small-town Crystal Hill to help her aging dance teacher. She has no time for local handyman Lawson Carl, who tried—and failed—to charm her ten years ago. But when she needs a partner for an instructional dance video, he’s her only option. Teaching Law to dance is more fun than she imagined. And she may end up with bruised toes, but she feels strangely safe in his burly arms. Could the man who stumbled into her studio be her perfect partner on and off the dance floor?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, small-town romance brimming with humor, heart, and just the right touch of nostalgia. Fanny Cunningham never intended to stay in Crystal Hill beyond helping her aging dance teacher. She certainly didn’t expect to run into Lawson Carl—the local handyman who once tried, and spectacularly failed, to win her over ten years ago. But when she needs a partner for a dance instructional video, Lawson becomes her only option. What begins as a reluctant arrangement soon turns into something tender, funny, and unexpectedly intimate.

Lawson, with his rugged charm and easygoing nature, proves to be more than just a willing dance partner. As Fanny teaches him the steps, she finds herself opening up in ways she never imagined. Their banter is witty, their chemistry undeniable, and even their missteps on the dance floor become moments of connection. The townsfolk, ever meddling and matchmaking, only add to the story’s warmth and humor.

Overall, , this is a story about trust, second chances, and discovering that sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. Sweet, funny, and deeply heartfelt, it is a romance that dances straight into your heart.

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Review Card & Book Review- Things We Keep Hidden By Jill Lynn

A threatening note.
Long-buried secrets.
Their friendship tested.

The last time lifelong friends Payton, Isley and Clara were together, Clara broke their unwritten rule and brought up the one thing they never talk about. And now, more than twenty years after their friend Cece took her life, they must confront that night as the three women and their husbands—plus one unexpected guest—gather at Isley’s Breckenridge vacation home. With tension already simmering just below the surface of their relationship, they’re each left shaken when a cryptic note arrives: Tell the truth or I will.

Who is the message for and what does it refer to? The women fear it could be linked to the truth they’ve kept hidden since the night Cece died…or maybe it has something to do with one of the problems they’ve each brought with them.

Isley’s son is in rehab after narrowly avoiding jail time, spurring her to a reckless act of her own. Clara, usually so careful to follow rules, is haunted by the one night that she didn’t. And Payton has been in denial regarding her husband’s so-called plan for their marriage.

As the weekend unfolds, all three will revisit the bonds they share and the challenges that have shaped their lives. And by the trip’s end, a truth that shocks them all will be revealed.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows three lifelong friends—Payton, Isley, and Clara—bound by a tragic past: the suicide of their friend Cece over twenty years ago. Their unspoken agreement to never revisit that night has kept their fragile bond intact, until a chilling note arrives during a weekend getaway: “Tell the truth or I will.”

That ominous message unravels everything. Secrets spill, tensions rise, and each woman is forced to face not only what happened the night Cece died, but also the lies and struggles they’ve hidden from themselves and each other. Isley battles with guilt over her son’s reckless choices and her own impulsive actions. Clara, usually the dependable rule-follower, can’t escape the shadow of one rebellious night. And Payton faces the devastating truth about her marriage, even as she clings to denial.

The mystery kept me guessing, while the layered character development made me care deeply about these women. Themes of friendship, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness run through every chapter, giving the novel an emotional resonance that’s as powerful as the suspense itself. Gripping, poignant, and thought-provoking, this is a beautifully crafted exploration of secrets, guilt, and the courage it takes to face the truth.

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Review Card & Book Review- His Forgotten Wife By Tara Pammi

The boss secretly wed her…
then forgot!

Ares Demetrius wakes from a coma to find his family scheming to steal his company. The first call the billionaire makes is to loyal assistant Dolly Singh—to demand she become his fake fiancée to protect his business empire. Except his accident has made him forget…they’re already married!

Unlike Ares, Dolly remembers every excruciating detail: their clandestine wedding and her mortifying love confession. To refuse his proposal would be to relive that. This time, though, Dolly is playing with fire by accepting Ares’s diamond. Because the attraction isn’t just scorching—it’s mutual…

About The Author

My Review

Dolly marries her boss, Ares Demetrius, in a marriage of convenience designed to help him with his complicated family. But after a sudden accident robs Ares of his memory, everything changes. Believing Dolly to be only his fiancée, he introduces her that way to his family, unaware of the truth of their marriage. As they navigate the delicate balance between duty, deception, and genuine affection, Dolly and Ares must face not only his memory loss but also the growing bond that begins to feel very real.

The story delivers all the hallmarks of a Harlequin-style romance: angst, passion, and emotional tension. While some of the backstory feels a bit confusing at times and the tropes lean heavy, Pammi’s writing keeps the pages turning. Dolly and Ares are engaging leads, and watching them struggle through complicated emotions while dealing with his family’s expectations makes for an entertaining journey. Overall, it weaves together classic romance tropes—estranged family, marriage of convenience, office dynamics, and amnesia—into a dramatic, emotional story.

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Review Card & Book Review- Alibi For Murder By Debra Webb

Murder brings the FBI to her door.
Past secrets could get two old friends killed.

When Allie Foster becomes the prime suspect in a murder, the small-town loner reaches out to the one person she can trust. Convinced Allie’s innocent, Colby Agency investigating attorney Steve Durham uncovers a shocking connection to a decades-old cold case in her past. The twisting path to the truth unleashes an attraction that plunges the high school friends into deeper danger. Now Steve and Allie must outmaneuver an elusive killer in a case where nothing and no one is what they seem…

About The Author

My Review

Allie Foster has already endured great loss, having lost her parents in a tragic accident as a child and later her grandparents who raised her. Living a quiet, solitary life, she’s blindsided when the FBI arrives at her door, naming her a prime suspect in a crime she knows nothing about. Her world is thrown into chaos, and with her safety in jeopardy after her home is ransacked, she turns to the one person she can trust—Steve Durham, a childhood friend turned lawyer with the elite Colby Agency.

Together, Allie and Steve dive into a dangerous investigation that unearths shocking secrets tied to her parents’ past. The deeper they dig, the more peril they face, as every clue seems to lead to another layer of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives. Their partnership quickly becomes the heart of the story—Steve’s determination to protect Allie balances perfectly with her vulnerability and strength, creating characters readers will root for.

It’s a compelling, fast-paced read with likable protagonists, a well-developed plot, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very end. Overall it is a gripping romantic suspense that blends mystery, danger, and second-chance connection into a fast-paced, page-turning read

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Review Card & Book Review – Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About By Isabelle Popp

She’s a little edgy. He’s a lot of sunshine.
Love’s about to catch them completely off gourd…

Textile artist Sadie Fox did not sign up for this. When she agreed to come home to Pea Blossom, Indiana, it was to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. The deal was that—just for the summer—she would grow a ginormous pumpkin, win the Indiana State Fair’s pumpkin contest and finally win back her father’s (grudging) respect.

Instead, a horde of wild hogs destroyed the. entire. patch. Which is precisely when the annoyingly sexy, sunshiny next-door neighbor shows up.

Josh Thatcher is a tech millionaire who traded in the office for growing gourds, including experimental squash hybrids. And for the life of her, Sadie can’t understand what he sees in her sweary, tattooed, prickly self—or why he’s offering to help his biggest competitor. But a storm-fueled kiss proves there’s definitely something growing between them.

Maybe it’s just attraction. Maybe it’s more. Whatever it is, it’s already bigger than Sadie’s fast-growing pumpkin…or the secret that Josh has been hiding.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Sadie, a sweary, tattooed LA textile artist who reluctantly returns to her Indiana hometown to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. When a horde of wild hogs wipes out her entire crop, she’s forced to team up with Josh, a sweet-natured tech millionaire turned squash farmer, to grow giant pumpkins for the state fair contest. What begins as reluctant cooperation soon turns into undeniable attraction, and their opposites-attract dynamic is both fiery and tender.

Told in dual POV, Popp’s writing shines with witty banter, rich emotional depth, and a cast of diverse, inclusive side characters who add warmth and authenticity to the story. Sadie and Josh are wonderfully complex—she’s prickly and guarded, he’s sunshiney and steady—and watching them confront their insecurities to earn their happily-ever-after is deeply satisfying. The romance is steamy, playful, and yes, delightfully kinky, but it’s grounded by genuine vulnerability and growth.

Beyond the central love story, the book brims with small-town coziness, autumn atmosphere, and thoughtful details—especially the fiber and textile art elements, which add a unique creative thread to the story. Overall, it is a steamy, grumpy/sunshine romance brimming with heart, humor, and cozy fall vibes.

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Review Card & Book Review- Forbidden Fling With The Princess By Amy Andrews

OFF LIMITS BUT IRRESISTIBLE…

World-class obstetric surgeon Edmund is furious that his long-awaited Seychelles retreat is hijacked by a helicopter carrying a smart-ass (if stunning) princess! Xiomara is determined to engage Edmund to save her cousin the King’s unborn twins. He takes some persuading! Now in London together, a powerful attraction develops, and Xiomara learns Edmund’s talents go far beyond surgery. He makes her feel empowered and free—in every sense! Until the paparazzi discover their secret affair, reminding them they come from impossibly different worlds…

About The Author

My Review

Princess Xiomara de la Rosa proves she’s more than her title when she’s tasked with finding the best physician to help her cousin’s wife through a high-risk pregnancy. Enter Dr. Edmund Butler, whose expertise—and instant chemistry with Xio—sets the stage for a forbidden attraction complicated by duty, protocol, and the gulf between their worlds.

Amy Andrews handles the royal/commoner trope with freshness, weaving in realistic medical detail and vivid, immersive scenes. Xio is strong and determined, Ed is steady and compassionate, and together they create a romance that feels genuine despite the obstacles. Overall,this book blends royal romance with medical drama in a way that feels both believable and heartfelt.

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