Tag Archives: romance book reviews

book reviews, friends to lovers, Romance, small town romance, sports romance

Romance Book Review! ~ Just A Fling : A Best Friend’s Brother Sports Romance (Franklin Notch Book 2) by Sarah Everly

February 2025 writinstuff Leave a comment

About this book:

I wanted out of my hometown, and away from Cal McDonaghue

I’d done everything I could to escape my hometown, escape the awkward girl who’d always been too tall, too big, too strong. As a sports trainer, all the things that made me stand out also made me good at my job. Until I got fired.

Now I’m unemployed and back in my high school bedroom, reliving old crushes when I run into my best friend’s brother. He needs help training for the Highland Games. How can I say no?

Rebecca Barton might just be my saving grace

When my rival says he’s retiring from the Highland Games and wants one last chance to prove who’s best, I’m in. But he’s got personal trainers and fancy equipment, while I’ve got a parking lot filled with discarded junk.

Thankfully, my sister’s best friend is back in town. She’s trained some of the biggest stars in college football and she always liked me.

Only, she’s not the girl I remember. She’s grown into a gorgeous, self-assured goddess and this time around, I’m the one getting tongue-tied. I’ve convinced her to be my trainer and now I need to convince her to be my girl.

Just a Fling is a best friend’s brother sports romance. If you love obscure sports, sneaking around under your best friend’s nose, and small town gossip, you’ll love this standalone romance, part of the Franklin Notch series.

Get your copy today –> https://amzn.to/4jJYeA6

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book reviews, Comedy fiction, friends to lovers, Romance, small town romance

Romance Book Review!! ~ Just Next Door REVIEW: A Grumpy-Sunshine Small Town Romance (Franklin Notch Book 1) by Sarah Everly

February 2025 writinstuff Leave a comment

About this book:

Grumps were her specialty. Until she met Len.

Millie doesn’t want a corner office. She doesn’t work in a cubicle. She travels the country playing aide to hip surgery recipients and providing temporary relief to burnt-out spouses caring for their ill partners. And while she might dream of a family of her own and real friends, until she finds a place that feels like home, she helps others.

And she loves being a caregiver. Winning people over is what she does best.

But an assignment that comes with its own house? Millie jumps at the opportunity, especially since she doesn’t even have to change bedpans. All that’s required of her is cooking and companionship for the surly and reclusive neighbor.

No problem.

Until she finds out the grump next door isn’t some old geezer…

He prepared for a winter alone. Then Millie moved in.

Locals say Len’s a grump. A hermit. A shut-in.

Yeah, maybe that’s true, but alone is just how he likes it. He has a thriving career, a home miles away from gossiping neighbors, and his adopted mom living in the cabin across the driveway to keep him company.

Until she decides she’s spent enough winters in New Hampshire.

That’s fine. Len can handle a winter alone.

But before he can pop open a beer and kick back, there’s a new neighbor. A house sitter. And not some elderly acquaintance like his mom set him up to expect, but a knockout who threatens to upend his quiet winter.

Just Next Door is the first full-length stand-alone installment of the Franklin Notch series. If you love small town gossip, flirty banter, and cozy stories you can wrap yourself up in, you’ll lose yourself in this romantic comedy.

Grab your copy today –>> https://amzn.to/4aRzSk0

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book reviews, friends to lovers, New Releases, Romance, romantic suspense, small town romance

Romance Book Review ~ Beyond Highland Sunrise by Kait Nolan

February 2025 writinstuff 1 Comment

ABOUT:

The last thing I need while trying to make a success of my outdoor adventure company is a beautiful distraction. It takes all my focus to fight off the demons that remain from the injury that ended my career as a Royal Marine and deal with the clients that make me want to climb the nearest mountain and never come down.

But Parker Lawrence walks into our office, takes over a phone call, and changes everything. My desperate desire to keep her close has nothing to do with the fact that she’s sunshine personified—sweet, capable, and completely unfazed by my grumpitude and total lack of charm.

She’s also hiding something. I should mind my own business, but this bright Southern belle has gotten under my skin, and I want to save her every bit as much as it feels like she’s saving me.

When her secret catches up to her, I’ll do anything to keep her safe, even if those overprotective instincts risk driving away the best thing that’s ever walked into my life.

Get your copy here –> https://amzn.to/4gBUHB4

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book reviews, enemies to lovers romance, multicultural romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy/RomCom, small town romance

Romance Book Review ~ The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir

January 2025 writinstuff Leave a comment

The One Month Boyfriend: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Wildwood Society Romance Book 1)

About:

Fake dating my sworn enemy to make my ex so jealous he can’t see straight?
Worth it.

Silas and I agree on one thing, and one thing only: my ruthless, heartless, narcissistic jerk of an ex-fiancé needs to be taken down a notch.

So we do what anyone would do: we pretend to be a couple.

Even though Silas and I are polar opposites. Silas is a loud, cheerful, over the top showboat. He’s his hometown’s golden boy, the Marine who came back to rescue kittens from trees and walk old ladies across the street.

And me? I’m the awkward new girl who freezes up around strangers and can’t make small talk to save my life.

It shouldn’t work. We can barely have a conversation without arguing. There’s no way we should be friends, let alone dating, except… Everyone believes it.

Especially my ex.

Now I’m having way too many real fantasies about the man who gets on my last nerve. My fake boyfriend is starting to feel a whole lot like a real one.

The kisses feel real.
The way he protects me feels real.
The night we spend together in a hotel bed feels very real.

This was supposed to be fake, but I think I might have fooled myself most of all.

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Blog Tours, book reviews, New Releases, Romance, small town romance

New Release & Romance Book Review!! ~ Something to Talk About by Tory Baker

January 2025 writinstuff Leave a comment

Title: Something to Talk About
Series: Undercover Lovers Series Book 1
Author: Tory Baker
Release: January 12, 2025
Genre/Tropes: Small Town; Divorced heroine; New girl in town; He falls first; Shy heroine; Neighbors to lovers; Gentle giant
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220921002-something-to-talk-about
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/something-to-talk-about-undercover-lovers-book-1-by-tory-baker
Cover Design: Yoly with Cormar Covers

Series Blurb:

Welcome to Undercover Lovers—the series where passion runs deep. Each hero is fearless in the pursuit of their hearts’ desires, embracing the challenges that come with their intense feelings. The bigger the challenge, the harder they fall. With each book, you’ll find a new romance that will sweep you off your feet, proving that love can conquer all. If you’re a fan of Tory’s signature style, you’re in for a treat. Expect overprotective heroes who love their heroines with a fierceness that’s all-consuming.

Blurb:

The moment Asher Fontaine’s gaze met hers, something deep within him stirred—something he hadn’t felt in years.

She wasn’t the kind of woman who needed him. She wasn’t the kind of woman who needed anyone, it seemed.

She doesn’t need a man like him—someone who keeps his distance, hiding behind his career and a past of his own. But the more he watches her, the more he craves the warmth she unknowingly offers.

What he isn’t expecting is the pull he has toward her sweet, soft smiles she offers and the way she moves with a quiet strength, despite the sadness behind her eyes.

And now, for the first time in a long time, Asher’s wondering if he might be willing to change his ways.

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Blog Tours, book reviews, friends to lovers, New Releases, small town romance

Romance Release & Book Review!! ~ Beneath Southern Stars by Andrea Johnston

December 2024 writinstuff 3 Comments

Title: Beneath Southern Stars
Series: Magnolia Grove Series
Author: Andrea Johnston
Release: December 12, 2024
Genre: Small Town, Contemporary, Holiday
Tropes: Single Dad, Musician/Celebrity, Love after Loss/Grief
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/BSS_GdRds
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/BSS_GR
Reader Group: https://bit.ly/MagnoliaGroveReaders

Blurb:

BENEATH SOUTHERN STARS is an all new smalltown, single dad romance from author Andrea Johnston set in the fictional town of Magnolia Grove. It can be read as a standalone but be sure to check out the rest of the stories from this collection.

LANEY

Small town life isn’t for everyone. At least that’s what I’m told. To me, it’s everything. Growing up in Magnolia Grove my neighbors are like family and every memory I have is tied to our community.

When a single dad rents the house next door he makes my simple small town life a little more exciting.

RYAN

After a year of grieving I vowed to give my daughter a holiday season to remember. Magnolia Grove is the epitome of holiday cheer and exactly the distraction that we need.

When my identity as a country music artist becomes town gossip, I greedily accept help from my new neighbor. What I didn’t expect was to find someone who speaks to my soul and reminds me of how much life there is left to live.

When we’re together beneath the southern stars, I believe anything is possible.

Buy Links (Kindle Unlimited):

Universal: https://mybook.to/BSS

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book reviews, friends to lovers, interracial romance, New Releases, Romance, small town romance

Romance New Release & Book Review!! ~ Kilted All The Way by Kait Nolan (Kilted Hearts)

December 2024 writinstuff 2 Comments

A holiday road trip with the one who got away

It was the artisan cheese I fell for first. Then I met its maker at my best friend’s wedding. Pippa Wallace. A goddess in glasses. We shared one dance, and I was lost. But we live on separate continents, so I settled for friendship.

Now three years later, I’m back in Scotland about to embark on a road trip to deliver a massive Christmas surprise to my best friend… and Pippa’s come down to drive with me.

It doesn’t take long to figure out this attraction is mutual. But it’s going to take more than five hundred miles, a flat tire, and an inn with only one bed to convince her to take a real chance on us. Especially as I’ve got more than a few million secrets in the bank.

Get your copy HERE –>> https://amzn.to/4ir7DvI

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Blog Tours, book reviews, New Releases, Romance

Romance Book Review!! ~ Behaving Badly in Vegas by Sabrina Wagner

December 2024 writinstuff 2 Comments

Title: Behaving Badly in Vegas
Series: Vegas Love Series #3
Author: Sabrina Wagner
Release: November 14, 2024
Genre/Tropes: Steamy Contemporary Romance; Grumpy Millionaire x Sunshine; Single Dad; Falling for the Nanny
Cover Design Credits: Jill White @ JillZee Design
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/BehavingBadlyGoodreads
BookBub: https://bit.ly/BehavingBadlyBookBub

Blurb:

Behaving Badly in Vegas is a single dad, falling for the nanny romance. It is the 3rd book in the Vegas Love series and can be read as a complete standalone.

Being bad never felt so good…

Hunter

I was born irredeemably bad. Being disowned and fired from the family business proved it. Then a pink bundle showed up on my doorstep and I was begging for my job back. I’d do anything for my daughter, but didn’t know jack about being a single dad, so I did the only sensible thing—hired a drop-dead gorgeous nanny.

Charli Bently was too pretty, too young, too good for a man like me. I should have kept my hands to myself, but wanting too much had always been my downfall. One kiss led to another, then we burned up the sheets. She deserved better than a bastard like me and I refused to be the reason she didn’t chase her dreams. For the first time in my life, I was going to do the right thing…let her go.

♥♠♦♣

Charli

Everyone warned me not to take a job from Hunter Dorsey. They said he was cruel, ruthless, and untrustworthy, but with no job and an abysmal bank account, I needed the money. The live-in nanny position seemed like the perfect fix to solve my financial woes. It was only temporary. How bad could he be?

His daughter was cute as a button, but her dad was a grumpy bosshole. His tyrannical behavior and mood swings gave me whiplash. Hunter was the last man I should have wanted, yet the moment our lips touched he set me on fire. Steamy nights and toe-curling kisses were an amazing benefits package, but hoping he’d see me as more than the hired help was foolish.

Love wasn’t part of our deal.

This book contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers 18+.

Although the Vegas Love series can be read as standalones, it’s suggested to read them in order to give you a deeper perspective of the characters and avoid spoilers.

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book reviews, enemies to lovers romance, friends to lovers, Romance, small town romance

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

November 2024 writinstuff Leave a comment

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

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Blog Tours, book reviews, New Releases, Romance, small town romance

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

November 2024 writinstuff Leave a comment

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?