Category Archives: Review card

Review Card & Book Review – The Playboy By Marni Mann

Spade. People know what to expect when they hear my last name.

Billionaire. Alphahole. The forever bachelor. Heir to Spade Hotels, one of the most luxurious brands in the world.

Want to know what they would never call me?

Boyfriend.

Until her.

With one glance at her in the club, I’m ready to claim her for the night.

Dark, flowing hair. A smile that causes my heart to pound. Eyes that pierce my soul. And a perfect body that makes every part of me pulse.

She’s addictive. Electrifying. Consuming.

I’ve never wanted anyone more.

Our eyes meet, but she looks right past me. She isn’t here for me. She’s here for the music.

For the first time in my life, a woman makes me work for it. Her indifference fuels the fire inside me.

The result? One night. No names. No introductions. Just pleasure.

The way I’ve always liked it.

But now, I find myself fantasizing about this gorgeous stranger, and I swear I can still feel the softness of her skin and taste her on my lips.

The minute I saw her, a switch flipped inside me. Now, how do I stop this raging…obsession?

When our paths cross again in the most unexpected way, I’m on a mission to make her mine. But what happens when she wants nothing to do with me?

About The Author

My Review

The Playboy” by Marni Mann kicks off the Spade Hotel series with a tantalizing blend of billionaire dazzle, immediate spark attraction, and seductive storytelling. Brooklyn and Macon, despite their opposite personalities, share undeniable chemistry that leads to a passionate connection. While Macon evolves from a stereotypical playboy to a devoted partner, Brooklyn remains stoic and cautious, resisting the growing bond between them. Their journey is filled with steamy encounters, emotional barriers, and a push-pull dynamic that keeps readers engaged. With a mix of instalust and substantial romance, along with sizzling spice and lower angst conflict, Mann delivers another mesmerizing read for fans of the reformed playboy trope.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – A Breath of Fresh Air By Jessica Redland

Rosie feels like there’s something missing in her life.

She loves her job as the manager of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, caring for the horses and teaching children to ride, and she loves the home she shares with her mother in the beautiful Lake District. But she can’t help wondering how her life might look if things had been different. What if her father had been around to help care for her mother? And what if she’d found someone special herself?

When Hubert Cranleigh – the owner of Willowdale Hall – is taken ill, his son Oliver steps into the breach. Brooding and distant, Rosie is furious when he claims not to know who she is. Especially when they have a history.

Rosie’s life is about to be turned upside down, but with the New Year comes new opportunities. What Rosie feels is missing from her life might be closer than she thinks, and with more significant consequences than she could ever have imagined…

About The Author

My Review

Rosie finds support and friendship in her former penfriend Autumn and her close relationship with her mother, living on the Willowdale estate after a traumatic event. When Hubert Cranleigh’s son Oliver returns, old wounds resurface from their childhood friendship. As secrets unravel and uncertainties about the future loom, the story seamlessly weaves between past and present, exploring themes of friendship, family, and emotional growth. The vivid setting of the Lakes adds depth to the narrative, while the characters, including the warm support of Autumn and the tentative reconciliation with Oliver, are beautifully developed. With her signature warmth and storytelling prowess, the author delivers a captivating read that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Baby, One More Time By Camilla Isley

Driven and smart, Marissa Mayer has worked her way to COO at a major Fintech startup as well as launching her own successful app on the side. Now what she wants more than anything is a baby. And having given up on love after her heart was broken by the boy next door, she’s prepared to do it alone.

Recently returning to New York from LA, Dr John Raikes is an expert in his field of neonatal medicine. But when John introduces himself as Marissa’s doctor, sparks fly, and not in a good way. Because Dr John Raikes is no stranger: he’s her teenage sweetheart all grown up.

Marissa knows she should keep John at arm’s length, lest she have her heart broken again… But there’s something about a man in a white coat. And with John determined to show Marissa he’s changed, can she keep saying no when her heart is saying yes?

About The Author

My Review

This book is a captivating second installment in the True Love series, following Marissa Mayer’s journey to motherhood through IVF and unexpected reconnection with her high school sweetheart, Dr. John Raikes. With likeable characters, overlapping stories, and plenty of drama, the book seamlessly blends elements of second chance romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes. Marissa’s struggles with trust and John’s desire for redemption add depth to their evolving relationship, while touching moments and humor balance out the storyline. The inclusion of multiple POVs enhances the reader’s connection to both protagonists. Set against themes of IVF, second chances, family, and friendship, this heartwarming novel is a gripping and well-written addition to the romance genre.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Stand Up Guy By Nina Kaye

Dumped by Instagram post. Not a whiff of a social life. Can it get any worse?

After a string of failed relationships – romantic and platonic – Lea’s had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voilá – Lea now has a lodger and some company.

The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can’t resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it’s a mistake that will cost her heart – he’s just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep’s stand up routine edging him closer to his big break, there’s no way he’ll stick around.

Love is no laughing matter as the Fringe draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?

About The About

My Review

Stand Up Guy” by Nina Kaye is more than just a romance; it’s a comforting embrace, portraying the messy yet beautiful reality of womanhood through the eyes of relatable protagonist, Lea. The story unfolds with genuine warmth, capturing life’s quirks without overblown drama. The connection between Lea and Shep, a stand-up comedian, is portrayed with sweet simplicity against the vibrant backdrop of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With humor, authenticity, and heartfelt moments, this book is a delightful retreat into the warmth of a good story, leaving readers with a contented sigh and a lasting afterglow.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – An Enchanted Moment on Ever After Street By Jaimie Admans

A tale as old as time…

Since her mum’s death, Marnie Platt has shut herself away from everyone who cares about her. Worse, her beloved bookshop on Ever After Street is suffering too. With sales down and the shop’s garden falling into disrepair, Marnie risks losing the very last thing she loves. Until a chance encounter with her surly and reclusive neighbour….

Dark and brooding, Darcy O’Connell likes to keep himself to himself. But when he hears Marnie needs help, he can’t turn his back on her. Soon they are spending most evenings together in her enchanted garden and a friendship starts to bloom…

With the help of old and new friends on Ever After Street, Marnie’s bookshop begins to thrive again, and with Darcy’s kindness, she starts to get her sparkle back too. She just can’t understand why Darcy continues to shut himself away – especially from her. Can she convince him it isn’t too late to embrace life, and maybe love, again?

About The Author

My Review

Marnie, grieving the loss of her mother and struggling to keep her failing bookshop afloat, finds unexpected kindness from her reclusive neighbor, the owner of a flower shop. As they bond over tea and roses, Marnie’s ideas for revitalizing her business begin to take shape, and with his support, she starts to see a brighter future. Set in a charming bookshop setting and inspired by Beauty and the Beast, this modern retelling weaves together heartfelt romance, captivating characters, and a warm community, making it a must-read for romance enthusiasts.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – My Heart is in Venice By Helga Jensen

Venice was where it all began…

Libby and Will spent a glorious honeymoon in this magical city. They didn’t have much money, but they had a whole lot of love and a bright future ahead of them.

And Venice was where it all went wrong…

Two kids and twenty-five years later, they are struggling with money problems but somehow Will manages to fulfil his promise to Libby to take her back to Venice for their anniversary. This time, they are doing it in style and a masked ball awaits. But among the beautiful buildings and romantic canals, Libby learns that her husband has a secret that breaks her heart.

The trust is broken and the marriage is over. But there are decades of love and two grown sons between them.

Can they ever find their way back to each other or have they missed their chance forever?

About The Author

My Review

Libby and Will struggle to keep their antique shop afloat in rainy Tenby, but a surprise online success allows them to revisit Venice for their twenty-fifth anniversary. However, tension arises when they can’t afford a masked ball Libby dreams of attending, leading to revelations of financial betrayal. The book beautifully captures the charm of Venice and the challenges of mature love, though some aspects of the characters’ reactions feel rushed. Despite this, the story offers a satisfying blend of light-hearted moments, emotional turmoil, and second-chance romance, making it a recommended read for older audiences.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm By Alison Sherlock

She drives a tractor. He arrives in a red Ferrari. What could possibly go wrong? 

Flora Barton is desperate to save her family home Strawberry Hill Farm. She only needs one thing – a great business idea to keep the farm afloat!

So, when Nico Rossi arrives from Italy with a crazy plan to save the farm, Flora should be overjoyed. The trouble is the Rossi men are infamous playboys and sensible Flora doesn’t trust impetuous Nico at all.

Nico has been trying to escape the famous Rossi surname his whole life. Arriving in sleepy Cranfield after recently losing his beloved grandfather and family vineyard, he has no intention of staying on any longer than necessary. But he soon realises how desperate the situation is and throws caution to the wind to help turn the farm into a Glamping site.

Can Flora realise her dreams to keep the farm safe for the future and can Nico ever stop running from his past?

As they try to save Strawberry Hill Farm, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll discover why opposites attract…

About The Author

My Review

Flora Barton, raised by her grandparents, faces the challenge of saving their deteriorating farm after her grandfather’s death. Feeling overwhelmed, she encounters Nico Rossi, an Italian playboy with a plan to rescue the farm. Initially wary, Flora eventually warms up to Nico’s charm, while her grandmother plays matchmaker. As their romance blossoms, they work together to revitalize the farm with the help of their supportive community. Despite uncertainties about Nico’s departure, their love story offers warmth and tenderness, making it a captivating read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – The Island Cottage By Jane Lovering

When Brid Harcus is sent to the Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland, she has high hopes for her trip being short, straightforward and lucrative.

Her mother has inherited a cottage from her Great Aunt Jennet which has been unlived in and unloved for decades, and the time has come to make it habitable and saleable. Easy, right?

But Midness Cottage has other ideas. For one thing it’s rather more ‘fixer upper’ than Country Living, with a resident goose and her goslings who have made themselves at home. And Brid definitely hadn’t planned for the strongly-held local belief that the cottage is meant to be the home of the Orkney Witch, and whomever lives in it must fulfil this role. Not the best message for the estate agent brochure and of course Brid doesn’t believe in magic, let alone have healing powers.

But Orkney does have healing powers. Its beauty and peace are enchanting, its people welcoming, and Brid’s handsome new friend Magnus is rather charming too. When her life back in York starts calling her home, will Brid sell up and ship out? Or did the last Orkney Witch cast a spell and leave a legacy of love if only Brid believed in magic…

About The Author

My Review

Brid arrives in Orkney expecting to quickly sell her great aunt’s cottage, but finds it in disrepair and with unexpected occupants, including geese in the pantry. Despite her ties to York and her plans to sell, she begins to feel at home in the community and drawn to the enigmatic Magnus. As she navigates the challenges of selling the cottage and her growing feelings, Brid finds herself embraced by the warmth of Orkney and its magic. With endearing characters, engaging twists, and a touch of witchcraft, this heartfelt story captures the beauty of Orkney and the journey of finding home and love. A must-read for fans of charming romances and picturesque settings.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Meadow Falls By Carolyn Brown

Angela Marie has spent all of her thirty-five years on Meadow Falls, the farm that’s been in her Texas family for generations. It wasn’t her plan. It was an obligation. Now that her parents—less loving kin than strangers—have passed, the whole shebang belongs to Angela. And a legacy she never wanted is hers to uphold.

She can’t forsake it now. Her beloved nanny, Mandy, who was always more of a mother, needs a caregiver herself. And Mandy’s great-granddaughter, as close to Angela as a sister, has returned to roost. When a handsome veteran arrives seeking work as a farmhand, Angela thinks the future might not be half-bad after all.

But it’s the past that proves enlightening. Mandy is revealing secrets Angela never knew about her parents. As the clouds on her family history begin to part, the inheritance feels more like a precious gift, and Meadow Falls more like the home Angela’s been looking for her whole life.

About The Author

My Review

“MEADOW FALLS” is a captivating contemporary tale by Carolyn Brown, drawing readers in from the start with its beautiful cover and engaging storytelling. The story follows Angela Marie, who has spent her life on a peanut farm without much love from her parents. As secrets unravel, Angela finds herself drawn to Devon, a new hired hand, while her friend Celeste navigates her own feelings for Jesse amidst a pending divorce. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers hooked until the end. Carolyn Brown’s heartfelt writing leaves readers with a smile and a happy heart, and the vivid characters feel like old friends. With its charming cast and compelling plot, “MEADOW FALLS” has the potential to captivate audiences on the big screen.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – The Cinderella Reversal By Anna Banks

Annabella Mason of the St Louis Masons is expected to marry the perfect guy—aka a straight up business deal to save her dad’s company, that is. Before signing away her freedom, she books a flight to Anywhere But Here and ends up at a bar called The Drowned Rat, chatting up a handsome stranger and calling for shots of tequila–this delightful drink she’s never had before. And delightful drinks you’ve never had before may or may not get you accidentally married to handsome strangers at bars.

Ian Jackson has no interest in playing the marriage game again. After his first wife ran off with the town butcher—the town butcher!—he lost all faith in true love and other maniacal myths. So when he suddenly wakes up married to a gorgeous stranger, he knows exactly what to do–call his judge friend and get the thing annulled. Only, His Honor is not so amused by the circumstances and requires that the two live together for 30 days before he’ll annul the marriage.

Can Annabella’s high society heels survive Ian’s small town grouchiness for 30 days—without actually falling for each other?

About The Author

My Review

“The Cinderella Reversal” is a heartwarming romcom about Annabella, engaged to a man for her father’s business, who ends up accidentally married to Ian, a lawyer in the small town she stumbles into. They navigate their predicament with humor and warmth, forming unexpected bonds. While the protagonist, Annabella, is relatable but not deeply connected with, the dynamics between characters, especially with Ian and his daughter Maggie, shine through. The story is filled with banter, learning curves, and genuine moments, making it an enjoyable read despite its familiar tropes.

My Rating