Category Archives: book reviews

Romance Book Review!! ~ Loved You Once by Claudia Burgoa

After a week off the grid, I finally get reception and the first voicemail I hear stuns me.
“You’re summoned to Baker’s Creek by the late William Tower Aldridge.”

Twelve Years.
It’s been twelve years since the last time I heard from the Aldridge family.
That one voicemail changes everything—I need the money the late William offers.
In exchange, I have to live eighteen months in Baker’s Creek.
I’ve survived cancer, the jungle, and the plague.
This should be easy compared to all that, right?
Or so I think until…I see him.
Confident, charismatic, bitter, sexy as hell, Doctor Hayes Benjamin Aldrige.
My first love, my first kiss—my late husband’s brother.
He hates me.
He still hasn’t forgiven me for walking out on him, and I can’t blame him. It’s been over ten years, and I still have feelings for him.
But I faked it once and I can fake it twice.
I can survive eighteen months and that’ll be the last time I see the Aldridge brothers.

Isn’t it?

The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers series is a romantic comedy saga packed with the perfect mix of angst, tears, and laughs. If you like strong heroines & alpha males, steamy romances and witty love stories, this series is for you!

Get it here –> https://amzn.to/3UM6oNG

Continue reading Romance Book Review!! ~ Loved You Once by Claudia Burgoa

Book Review!! ~ Trash the Dress by A.B. Medley

Title: Trash the Dress
Author: A.B. Medley
Release: November 8, 2024
Genre: contemporary romance 
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, surprise pregnancy, jilted bride, small town
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221062217-trash-the-dress
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/trash-the-dress-by-a-b-medley

Blurb: 

One woman’s trashed dress is another man’s gift.

Scarlett Shepard knows something is off.

With her wedding day fast approaching, she chalks it up to nerves. But when her fiancé’s mistress stands up and objects at the ceremony, the wedding is definitely off.

Before she can get herself out of the church, her gaze connects with Zander Bailey, the grumpy but hot photographer hired by the groom’s family.

Much to her surprise, he follows her outside with a proposal of his own.

A photoshoot–to trash her dress.

Accepting his offer, she tries to remain lighthearted in the wake of the heartbreak weighing her down, and suddenly this fun distraction turns into a not-so-innocent night of passion between them.

Weeks later, when what Scarlett believed to be food poisoning turns out to be a surprise neither of them expected, they are both forced to reconcile their past and their own jaded hearts to become parents.

Scarlett won’t accept Zander’s affection out of obligation or a sense of duty, which forces him to face a deep-rooted fear he hasn’t vocalized–his love not being enough.

Can Scarlett and Zander choose love when three hearts are at stake?

Continue reading Book Review!! ~ Trash the Dress by A.B. Medley

Romance Book Review! ~ Whispered Southern Secrets by Gail Haris

Title: Whispered Southern Secrets
Series: Magnolia Grove Series
Author: Gail Haris
Release: November 7, 2024
Genre/Tropes: Contemporary/Small Town Romance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201819676-whispered-southern-secrets
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/whispered-southern-secrets-magnolia-grove-book-11-by-gail-haris

Blurb:

My reputation at home is a laugh so I go to the place where I’d always been the happiest : Magnolia Grove with my MeMaw and PawPaw.

Little did I know that news of my brief and failed marriage had made it there. I venture to a nearby town for one night of peace. I thought I was emotionally unavailable until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger gives me a night of freedom and fun. No exchanging of names or personal information, and no intention of ever seeing one another again. No matter how incredible our chemistry may be.

But I do see him again—at my MeMaw’s church.

My stranger is the town’s new preacher.

Continue reading Romance Book Review! ~ Whispered Southern Secrets by Gail Haris

BOOK REVIEW!! ~ Secret Southern Promises by Winter Travers

Title: Secret Southern Promises
Series/Collection: Magnolia Grove Series
Author: Winter Travers
Release: October 29, 2024
Genre/Tropes: Contemporary Romance; Second Chance; Secret Baby Romance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199561178-secret-southern-promises

Blurb:

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦’s 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

Dolly Hanes has always been rooted in Magnolia Grove—along with the secret she’s kept about her son Nash. Running her family’s grocery store and raising a boy on her own, Dolly made peace with her decision to let Boone West, the love of her life, walk away all those years ago.

Boone West left town chasing rodeo dreams and never knew the price Dolly paid to let him go. Now, after years away, he’s back in Magnolia Grove—only to find Dolly, the woman he never stopped loving, right where he left her. But she’s not alone anymore.

Can love heal the wounds of the past, or will the truth drive them apart forever?

Buy Links (Kindle Unlimited):

Universal: https://mybook.to/SecretSouthernPromises

Continue reading BOOK REVIEW!! ~ Secret Southern Promises by Winter Travers

Romance Book Review! ~ Late Nights & Love Lines (Single Dad Hotline Book 2) by Avery Maxwell

ABOUT:

The job was simple. Answer the phone, solve the single dad’s dilemma, and move on.

I’m the temporary solution.

The fill-in.

The short-term Single Dad Hotline Helper until a more suitable one can be found.

I don’t get attached, I don’t stick around, and I certainly don’t fall for the single dad.

Until the job said, “Hold my beer,” and tipped my world upside down.

Suddenly my past and present are colliding to create a future I didn’t ask for. One I’m not even sure I want. One I know I’m not cut out for. A live-in nanny for my childhood crush?

Yeah, no thanks!

But when Sebastian Walker reenters my life with three children full of sadness that I feel in my soul, how can I turn them away?

He takes my superstitions and runaway tendencies in stride while claiming my days. But before I know it, he’s demanding my nights too.

When it’s his touch that soothes the fears inside me, what’s a girl to do?

Seb & Rowan. What can I say other than I absolutely loved everything about this couple. Their history and the way they crashed back into each other’s lives so many years later. I loved his strength and her vulnerability, and I totally adored Seb’s kids.

This story is like an ensemble drama, filled with great characters with several things going on that have nothing to do with the love story but still enhances all of it. The found family theme that runs throughout this story definitely tugs at the heartstrings and the way these rich, powerful men protect each other and each other’s families is just…beautiful.

Late Nights & Love Lines is a wonderful love story filled with heat and emotions and a big, overwhelming group of people who meddle and hug and suck you right in to their beautiful, chaotic lives.

Get your copy —>> https://amzn.to/4gVUB94

Romance New Release & Review!! ~ Sweet Southern Heat by Ashley Cade

Title: Sweet Southern Heat
Series: Magnolia Grove Series
Author: Ashley Cade
Release: September 12, 2024
Genre/Tropes: Small Town Romance; Ex’s Older Brother; Enemies-to-Lovers; Grumpy/Sunshine; 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202618032-sweet-southern-heat
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/sweet-southern-heat-by-ashley-cade

Blurb:

Kissing your enemy is never a good idea, especially when he’s your ex’s surly older brother. But in my defense, he kissed me first.

Landon Crawford has always blamed me for the accident that stole his brother’s future, but he doesn’t know what really happened that night. I’ve hidden the ugly truth from everyone for six long years, but in a small town like ours, secrets don’t stay buried forever.

When I unexpectedly inherit my grandmother’s bakery, I find myself back in Magnolia Grove and Landon’s orbit. I try to avoid the grumpy mechanic, but fate is hellbent on throwing us together, and the more time I spend with him, the more the line between love and hate starts to blur.

The moment we give into our feelings, tragedy strikes again, leaving Landon with an impossible choice: fully give his heart to me or cling to what’s left of his crumbling family.

*Sweet Southern Heat is a complete standalone set in the Magnolia Grove Series. It’s a small town, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with plenty of steam, lots of tension, and a guaranteed HEA.

Continue reading Romance New Release & Review!! ~ Sweet Southern Heat by Ashley Cade

Romantic Suspense Book Review!! ~ Won’t Back Down (Wayward Sons Book 1) by Jackson Harper

ABOUT:

I drowned when I was sixteen.

My brother’s best friend brought me back, but nothing was the same. I can’t remember what happened. My parents dragged me away from my island home in the name of keeping me safe, and thrust me into hell instead.

I came back to Hatterwick to rebuild my life and–hopefully–my memory.

Now a new inheritance threatens to expose those long buried secrets, and someone will stop at nothing to ensure I never remember what really happened that fateful night.

The only thing standing between me and whoever wants to hurt me is a marriage of protection with the boy who saved me–now a man grown and determined to keep me safe at all costs.

But what began as protection turns into more. Because he’s the key to unlocking what hides in the shadows of my mind, which will either save or damn us both.

Buy it NOW!! –> https://amzn.to/3MAXQ7R

Continue reading Romantic Suspense Book Review!! ~ Won’t Back Down (Wayward Sons Book 1) by Jackson Harper

Romance Book Review!! ~ Endless Southern Love by Heidi McLaughlin (Magnolia Grove Series)

Title: Endless Southern Love
Series: Magnolia Grove Series
Author: Heidi McLaughlin
Release: August 29, 2024
Genre/Tropes: Second Chance; Enemies-to-Lovers; Small Town; Single Dad
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199905008-endless-southern-love
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/endless-southern-love-magnolia-grove-book-8-by-heidi-mclaughlin

Blurb:

Single dad, Wade Jenkins, Magnolia Grove’s landscaping hottie who likes to mow lawns without a shirt on is thrown for a loop when his spirited seven-year-old daughter Goldie comes to live with him. While Wade’s thrilled to have his daughter full-time, there’s one little issue . . .

The elementary school principal.

Lemon Walsh is a woman who doesn’t live life to the fullest, despite her best friend urging her to all the time. When someone from her past shows up front and center, she has no choice but to finally reconcile the decision she made in college.

Will one of her students be the catalyst for change?

Buy Links (Kindle Unlimited):

Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/EndlessSummerLove_MG 
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3TicLaD
Amazon CA: https://bit.ly/4cISKkg
Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/3yYDPF0
Amazon AU: https://bit.ly/4cHwhnU

Continue reading Romance Book Review!! ~ Endless Southern Love by Heidi McLaughlin (Magnolia Grove Series)

Romance Book Review! ~ The Two Week Roommate: A Grumpy / Sunshine Romance (Wildwood Society Romance Book 2)  by Roxie Noir

ABOUT:

We used to be best friends. Now we’re snowed in together.

There are probably worse things than being stuck in a remote cabin with the rugged-yet-grumpy forest ranger who saved my life in a blizzard. Getting mauled by a bear, for example, though I might prefer that to eating breakfast with Gideon Bell, the guy who nearly ruined my life when we were kids.

It was twenty years ago. We haven’t spoken since. Our families still hate each other, and our lives are completely different. I’m not sure we’ve got anything in common besides childhood memories.

But when it’s just the two of us for a couple of weeks, none of that really matters.

What matters is the way Gideon grumbles, but makes my tea exactly the way I like it. What matters is how he always gives me the spot on the couch closest to the fireplace. What matters is how he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention.

And those childhood memories? He’s in all my favorites.

Up here, in the cabin, it’s easy to look past all that because it feels so good to kiss him. It’s easy to spend a wild night in front of the fireplace and wake up still wrapped together. But back in the real world, where everything that drove us apart is still alive and kicking? It’s a lot harder.

Can Gideon and I fix what broke twenty years ago, or does what happens in the cabin have to stay in the cabin?

The Two Week Roommate is the second book in the Wildwood Society series, and can be read as a total standalone. It’s for fans of high heat forced proximity romantic comedies, and features childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers who get snowed in together, a quirky, charming small town, a grumpy former military hero, a sunshine heroine who melts his heart, and plenty of steamy scenes. Of course, there’s an HEA.

Get your copy HERE!!

The Two Week Roommate was a good romance with a surprising backstory that I really enjoyed. Gideon was all set to enjoy a holiday by himself in a tiny cabin on top of a mountain but a squirrel and a woman tied to a tree intervened and changed his plans.

From that moment forward, this story really takes off. The woman stuck to a tree in protest is none other than the former-best friend that he’d betrayed in a truly horrible way. It leads to many moments of awkwardness but it doesn’t stay that way for long.

I loved the friendship that existed between Gideon and Andi before everything went wrong and the way they were able to recapture it while stuck together on the mountain was really nice. I can admit that I had a hard time with Gideon at first, not solely because of what he did back then because he was a kid, but his struggle with the brainwashing he endured really kept him tied up in knots.

But his determination was and is worthy of admiration. He loved his siblings and he wanted a life different from how he was raised and–eventually–he went after it. This was the slowest of slow burns and it didn’t bother me at all. This was a surprising read that I really enjoyed.

Get The Two Week Roommate HERE!!!

Romance Book Review!! ~ The Secret Hook-Up by Pippa Grant

Watching too many women settle for mediocre men has made me lose my taste for relationships, but when I see Duncan Lavoie again after all this time, suddenly I’m starving.

An awkward chance encounter with my secret former fling in an upscale dressing room should’ve been the beginning and the end of having the green-eyed, curly-haired, dimple-cheeked, hot AF hockey captain back in my life, but it’s not.

Because he’s just bid an unspeakable sum of money to win me in a charity auction. We’re talking this woman is mine money. No one else can have her money. Touch her and die money.

News flash, Lavoie: I’m not for sale, and that bid doesn’t come with favors.


But after the auction, the entire city is shipping us. Strangers are giving me knowing winks. My bosses want to use the publicity of our “Are they, aren’t they?” gossip coverage for the benefit of the team.

Which is the other problem. If I go along with this, I’m no longer professional baseball coach Addie Bloom. Now I’m just that girl dating a hockey player.

Duncan asked me to choose between him before my career once before. Now he says he’s never gotten over me. He says he wants to try again. He says this time is different.

But is it? Or will taking another chance, this time a public chance, with him put my career—and my heart—on the bench forever?

The Secret Hook-Up is a laugh-out-loud romcom featuring the hot-as-sin hockey captain of the Copper Valley Thrusters, the Copper Valley Fireballs’ lady baseball coach he never got over, and a misbehaving formal gown. It stands alone and comes complete with a happily-ever-after.

The Secret Hook-Up

This was such a fun story! I loved the way the met up again inside the dress store. It was perfectly embarrassing and hilarious and face-palming, which is pretty much what I expect from Pippa Grant.

I was happy to see that Duncan finally got his own story and it did not disappoint. When he got his second chance with Addie, he matured and really thought about what would get him what he wanted…her. It was a fun and steamy story and I couldn’t read the words fast enough.

Addie was the exact kind of heroine you want to root for. She has plenty of reasons to avoid relationships, which were totally understandable, but she was also able to see what was happening and how good it was for herself. This is what I’d call a ‘grown folks’ romance because they were adults about pretty much everything and it was such a fun, heartfelt and humorous read.

Get your copy here!