Category Archives: Review card

Review Card & Book Review – Billionaire’s Secret Baby: Brother’s Best Friend Romance By Jennifer Hartley

One night with my brother’s best friend…

My heart is literally racing. He’s the boy I wanted more than anything. The one I always had a crush on and couldn’t have. Now he can buy anything he wants.

Except, he’s staring right at me like I hold the answers to his darkest secrets.

He’s forbidden, and I know he’ll break my heart.

I also know that if my brother comes to know he will break his nose. But that doesn’t stop me from taking what he’s offering.

And when I find out I’m pregnant, NOTHING will ever be the same again.

Billionaire’s Secret Baby is a brothers best friend romance and the first novel in the Bad Boy Billionaire series, although all books can be read as standalones. A HOT romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after, it does have some strong language and sexy times. Enjoy!

About The Author

My Review

This is a second-chance romance centered on former high school sweethearts Lillian and Andre, who reconnect at Rosemary Farm. Both have grown weary of their lives in New York City—Lillian feeling trapped by her family’s wealth and expectations, and Andre struggling with the emptiness of his success as a billionaire. After a fight with her brother over her refusal to join the family business, Lillian seeks refuge at the farm, where she unexpectedly crosses paths with Andre. Despite years apart, the spark between them reignites, and they use this time away from the city to rediscover themselves and their relationship.

While the book promises a small-town romance with the familiar trope of the billionaire falling in love, Andre’s billionaire status feels secondary to the plot, which focuses more on their countryside retreat. The romance feels rushed, with the story lacking depth in the characters’ backstory, especially regarding their high school relationship. There is some misalignment between the book’s marketing and its actual content, as the advertised “forbidden romance” aspect is underdeveloped. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, fast read with a happy ending, but it leaves some readers wanting more emotional and character depth.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Last Christmas Crush By Mia Heintzelman

A beautiful hopeless romantic and her ex’s guarded best friend return home for the holidays and back into each other’s lives in this festive, bighearted, forbidden romance about letting go and letting fate.

Chiara Fortemani is home for the holidays—technically, her family’s tiny villa—where she’ll explore post-breakup digs and grow their vineyard’s brand during Napa’s annual Christmas food and wine festival. But as she interviews local wood craftsmen to curate custom gifts, she’s shocked to run into Jameson West… her ex’s best friend.

Jameson has loved Chiara since he carved her a birdhouse in woodshop. She’s everything he ever wanted: beautiful, funny, loyal… but thanks to the bro code, off-limits. Now a rising investment banking star, Jameson’s in town temporarily to help the family business tackle seasonal contracts. West Woodworks has been making Fortemani casks for ages, so the job will be easy. It’s the unexpected reunion with newly single Chiara that has him on shaky ground.

As they design together, days in the lumberyard and nights on steamy calls create magic. When Jameson confesses his feelings, Chiara is amazed by this sweet, attentive man who always should’ve been her first choice. But Jameson is still her ex’s best friend. Is uprooting her life for a man again a huge mistake…or a Christmas miracle?

About The Author

My Review

This is the third installment in the Fortemani Family series, following the story of Chiara Fortemani and Jameson West. The two childhood friends, who have secretly harbored feelings for each other for years, reunite at Chiara’s brother’s wedding after a long separation. With both back in their hometown for the holidays, they take the opportunity to rekindle their friendship, eventually deciding to explore the romantic connection they had long ignored.

Chiara, seeking more independence and respect in the family business, struggles with being seen as the “little sister.” Jameson, the former best friend of her ex, steps back into her life just in time to help with the family’s holiday events. As they grow closer, the chemistry between them ignites, leading to a heartwarming holiday romance filled with emotional moments.

Beyond the romance, the novel tackles important social themes, notably the issue of maternal mortality in African American communities. Through a poignant subplot, Heintzelman highlights the alarming disparities in healthcare faced by women of color, making the book both a touching tribute and a call for awareness. *Last Christmas Crush* blends heartfelt romance with a meaningful exploration of family, growth, and social justice.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Little Provence Book Shop By Gillian Harvey

As the sun rises over the little Provence village where single mother Adeline has escaped with her little girl Lili, she breathes deeply. This is their new beginning. Here, she can forget the lies her family told her. Here, she can start her story again.

Later she opens the door to the town’s tiny bookstore, where she is to work, ready to meet the mysterious owner Monique for the first time.

She expected an ordinary bookshop. But this bookstore feels somehow different… magical. Breathing in the smell of books, she feels a jolt of something. It feels like a new chapter beginning.

As she gets to know the villagers – including the handsome Andre and friendly Michel – she starts to believe in the magic of this new start. But can a runaway like Adeline ever find what she’s looking for? Or is a happy-ever-after just another fiction?

About The Author

My Review

In this novel, Adeline, grieving the loss of her mother, uncovers shocking news that sends her from London to Provence in search of her true identity. Along with her young daughter, she ends up in a charming bookshop owned by Monique, an eccentric woman known for her use of crystals, spells, and an intuitive ability to read people. The story incorporates elements of magical realism, a touch of romance, and themes of self-discovery.

However, the descriptions of the bookshop and the village of St. Vianne are immersive, and the concept of bibliotherapy—using books to aid emotional healing—adds a meaningful layer to Adeline’s journey. The inclusion of Emily Dickinson’s poetry and reflections on storytelling add depth to the novel, making it a more thoughtful exploration of human connection and healing.

My Rating

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Happy Publication Day – 8 April 2025

Too Hot To Handle By Portia MacIntosh

One bachelorette party. One stag do. One double-booked villa and only one way to decide who gets it: a competition.

Workaholic Molly is buzzing when her best friend tells her she’s getting married. As maid of honour Molly can’t wait for the perfect bachelorette party in Spain. What could be better than a week in a stunning villa? Sun, sea, cocktails and gossiping – and best of all, no boys allowed. But when the hens arrive they discover that they are not alone. The villa has been accidentally double booked by a group of stags who make it very clear they’re not leaving!

It’s a disaster, and no one wants to give up their place in paradise. Attempts at compromising fail instantly, so their only option is to have a winner takes all competition. Battle lines are drawn and it is girls v boys – but will the competition be too hot to handle?

As their rivalry heats up, and Molly finds herself gravitating towards stag Travis, it’s clear that he’s enjoying the attention – but Molly can’t let herself get distracted, and under no circumstances can she fall for the enemy.

Some Like It Scot By Pepper Basham

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new–country, food, or experience–and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home–and the future–isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

Review Card & Book Review – The Promise Of Tomorrow By Samantha Tonge

She’s not ill. She’s not in imminent danger. But she is sure it’s going to happen.

Because many years ago… she’d made a promise to a stranger, in the woods. Elena’s mother was in hospital, after a life-threatening accident. The promise would keep her mother safe, but put Elena’s own life at risk, instead, when she grew up and turned thirty.

Elena put the promise to the back of her mind, over the years. But she’s twenty-nine now, and when something happens that puts her life in danger, she remembers. And she knows.

But Elena hasn’t done everything yet. She’s not brave like her daredevil friend Rory. But she’s also not ready to give up on life. Not before she’s been to Paris. She always wanted to skydive too. She’s never even fallen in love.

Without the promise of tomorrow, can she fulfil all her dreams before fate comes for her?

About The Author

My Review

This book follows the intertwined journeys of Elena and Rory, two friends and co-workers, as they navigate personal challenges together. When Rory’s apartment undergoes renovation, Elena offers him a room, bringing them closer. Elena, haunted by the belief that she will die when she turns thirty, is determined to embrace life by taking on new experiences before her birthday. These include falling in love, traveling to Paris, and trying extreme sports. While Rory appears spontaneous and adventurous, he is driven by personal struggles of his own.

As Elena confronts her fear, tied to a promise she made to a stranger at age ten, Rory helps her take risks while teaching her the importance of caution. Their friendship deepens, especially during their trip to Paris, and Elena eventually confides in Rory about her secret. Together, they grow emotionally, supporting one another in overcoming their fears.

The novel, filled with emotional and heartwarming moments, delivers a hopeful message about courage, friendship, and living fully.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Coming Home To Paradise By Carolyn Brown

All seven sisters are finally home for Christmas, but can the last two find love like the others?

As Endora Simmons plans her Christmas wedding, she’s delighted to have her last two sisters, Rae and Bo, finally back in Spanish Fort, Texas. Endora figures if she keeps them busy, they won’t have time to think about leaving again. So, Endora talks Rae into teaching Sunday school; as a former police officer, surely Rae can corral the rowdy kids—the most high-spirited being Sheriff Gunner’s twin daughters—into making Christmas decorations for the upcoming pageant. Bo helps out by taking over the community Christmas program. She’s also been working with Aunt Bernie on her new venture, a monthly speed-dating night at a bar just over the river in Oklahoma—and boy, does she have her eye on that handsome bartender. With all the Christmas preparations in high gear, will Rae and Bo still find time to fall in love?

About The Author

My Review

This summary introduces the story of Rae and Bo, twin sisters who return to their family home, Paradise, in Spanish Fort. Rae, a former police officer, is at a career crossroads, deciding between law enforcement and teaching. She steps in for her sister Endora’s Sunday School class and meets Gunner, a widower trying to raise his energetic twin daughters. Bo, having given up her singing dreams in Nashville, meets Maverick, a charming bartender and manager, with whom she shares an instant connection. Despite warnings from her Aunt Bernie, Bo is tasked with managing Bernie’s bar while she is away on a cruise.

As Christmas nears, the community bands together to decorate Paradise. Amidst these festivities, Endora, engaged to Parker, the town pastor, decides to skip the stress of wedding planning and surprise everyone with a Christmas wedding. This heartwarming tale, part of Carolyn Brown’s *Sisters in Paradise* series, features two romances, family closeness, and the warmth of Texan life. The book also highlights the joys of a matchmaking aunt, the dynamics of family life, and wholesome love stories.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Saving Christmas In The Little Irish Village By Michelle Vernal

Christmas trees decked with fairy lights twinkle in every window, carollers fill the streets, and charity worker Hannah is gearing up for the season of giving in the little Irish village. But it’s not just the cold winter winds that are chilling her spirits this year…

When twenty-three-year-old Hannah Kelly finds out that the beautiful rolling hills around her hometown could be destroyed by a new building development, she rushes back to Emerald Bay to rally the community. But arriving home at The Shamrock Inn, there’s another shock in store… the handsome and sparkling-eyed lead developer, Tom Flynn, has checked in as a guest. Is this Hannah’s chance to save the village?

Hannah tries to convince Tom the beautiful area needs to be protected: even though he’s as stubborn as the donkey in the local nativity play. But when sharing that this is also where her late grandfather first met and proposed to her grandmother, his gentle hug as she sobs makes her wonder if maybe they aren’t so different…

As sparks start to fly, Hannah decides to invite Tom to experience the joys of a Kelly Christmas Day. When Tom’s hand catches hers as they peel brussels sprouts together, Hannah’s cheeks start to blush. But it turns to a flush of anger as he ducks out to take a call – about work starting in the spot she’s fought so hard to save. And the voice on the phone is strangely familiar…

About The Author

My Review

This is the fifth book in the “Little Irish Village” series, though it works well as a standalone. The story follows Hannah Kelly, an environmental campaigner who returns to her hometown, Emerald Bay, after hearing about a development threatening the village’s conserved land. Determined to protect the village’s heritage, she takes on the fight while staying at her parents’ inn for Christmas.

There, she meets Tom, a businessman from Dublin staying for the festive season. Initially clashing with him, Hannah must navigate both her campaign against the development and various family dynamics, all while dealing with the village’s past and present troubles. Though the book is marketed as a romance, the main focus is on Hannah’s personal journey and her battle to preserve the village, with romance only coming into play towards the end.

The novel offers a cosy, enjoyable atmosphere, with vibrant characters, especially the Kelly family. However, it lacks momentum in the middle, and the Christmas vibe fades at times. Despite some frustrations with the pacing and character development, the charming dialogue, vivid Irish setting, and touching moments, particularly related to the famine cottage, make it an engaging read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – The Other Bridget By Rachael Johns

Bridget by name, Bridget by nature…

Librarian Bridget Jones, named after the famous fictional heroine, was raised on a remote farm, with only her mother’s romance novels for company.

Now, living alone in the city, Bridget is a hopeless bookaholic and believes that anyone who doesn’t like reading just hasn’t met the right book yet. If only fixing her love life was that simple.

When handsome Italian barista Fabio catches her eye, Bridget prays she won’t ruin things. But when her cranky neighbour Sully insists on making life tricky, she is faced with a new obstacle. Why is he going to so much effort to drive her round the bend?

With the help of a colourful cast of friends, Bridget decides to put both men to the test. But will mixing romance and fiction lead to her happily ever after?

About The Author

My Review

This story follows Bridget, a librarian and hopeless romantic who grew up surrounded by romance novels on a remote cattle station. Her passion for reading and romance shapes her life in Fremantle, where she runs a book club at the library. When Fabio, a charming Italian barista, moves from casual flirting to joining her book club, Bridget worries that her so-called “romance curse” might ruin her chances with him. However, she finds herself unexpectedly attracted to her grumpy neighbor, Sully. Torn between the two, Bridget devises a plan to test both men by selecting books tailored to their personalities, leading to unexpected and heartwarming outcomes.

The novel highlights the connection between romance and literature, with well-developed supporting characters who add depth to the narrative. It’s a beautiful exploration of love, self-discovery, and the power of books to influence our lives.

My Rating

Link To Purchase