Having read a number of “nanny” romances, UNINTENDED TARGET gets high marks for its creative take on this type of romance. It’s not heavy on the singlHaving read a number of “nanny” romances, UNINTENDED TARGET gets high marks for its creative take on this type of romance. It’s not heavy on the single dad/baby relationship, but Katie Reus’ portrayal of Oliver made him adorable. I could really feel what a little charmer he was meant to be.
Brodie and Patience were a little too much alike. They gave off a serious, stable and predictable vibe. Their romance needed a little drama or angst to spice things up. Some of the descriptive language was really excellent but too often a big item or important detail was given one sentence. Also, too many interesting teasers never get resolved before the book ends.
Brodie is a great protector type and fortunately, Patience graciously lets him be that way without insisting she can take care of herself too much, It makes for a good story and I enjoyed the book.
Merged review:
Having read a number of “nanny” romances, UNINTENDED TARGET gets high marks for its creative take on this type of romance. It’s not heavy on the single dad/baby relationship, but Katie Reus’ portrayal of Oliver made him adorable. I could really feel what a little charmer he was meant to be.
Brodie and Patience were a little too much alike. They gave off a serious, stable and predictable vibe. Their romance needed a little drama or angst to spice things up. Some of the descriptive language was really excellent but too often a big item or important detail was given one sentence. Also, too many interesting teasers never get resolved before the book ends.
Brodie is a great protector type and fortunately, Patience graciously lets him be that way without insisting she can take care of herself too much, It makes for a good story and I enjoyed the book....more
It was refreshing to read a romance with a different theme. The settings and atmosphere for YOU’VE GOT CHAIN MAIL were done well. The characters took It was refreshing to read a romance with a different theme. The settings and atmosphere for YOU’VE GOT CHAIN MAIL were done well. The characters took plenty of time and lots of drama getting over their issues. I found that to be a little tedious at times.
I didn’t read the book on consecutive days, so I found myself having to check back to previously read parts to figure out where we were in the story timeline. I base my opinion on an advance copy of the book I received from NetGalley. If you love the whole Ren Faire/D&D vibe, you will enjoy the atmosphere created....more
I did like watching The Amazing Race on TV, so the tease for HOT PURSUIT felt like it would be similar but grittier and that was appealing.
It was okayI did like watching The Amazing Race on TV, so the tease for HOT PURSUIT felt like it would be similar but grittier and that was appealing.
It was okay. There were some creative twists in the story, but I’m mostly there for the romance and I wasn’t feeling it. Both Tom and Lydia have interesting character traits that I was eager to get to the bottom of, so I didn’t dislike them.
I received an early copy of the book to read and to offer my opinion, for what it’s worth. I recommend you give the book a try - read a preview, for example. It might have the feeling that appeals to you....more
THE HOT HENRY EFFECT is a book you’ll enjoy if you like the S.T.E.M. environment and a slow burn romance with a separation period effecting how the chTHE HOT HENRY EFFECT is a book you’ll enjoy if you like the S.T.E.M. environment and a slow burn romance with a separation period effecting how the characters relate after they are reunited.
The characters are different and well developed. The story starts off a little awkward, especially for Henry, and that really endeared me to him from the start.
The banter was fun and a clever kind of humor. I kept turning the pages hoping it would help the romance move along, if that makes sense.
I received an early copy of the book from One More Chapter (where I find some of my favorite books) and NetGalley. I’m sharing my honest opinion to help others decide if you would like the book, too....more
What intrigued me about the book to begin with is the “penemies” theme - pen pal enemies - that was a source of humor in the story as well as a cleverWhat intrigued me about the book to begin with is the “penemies” theme - pen pal enemies - that was a source of humor in the story as well as a clever literary device to portray dual timelines beginning with their first letter in fifth grade. If you hate the dual timeline, you must read this story if only to see how it can be done so well.
As far as the actual plot, it is funny, sweet, a little spicy, romantic, and a real page turner. It’s also one where the less said about it, the better. Just let yourself be led through the story and enjoy where you wind up. I did enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book to read ahead of time but put off reading it. Don’t make the same mistake. Voluntary review....more
NOBODY PUTS ROM COMS IN THE CORNER is my favorite book for 2023 so far. It’s funny, sweet and seriously clever. There’s passion, romance, the green eyNOBODY PUTS ROM COMS IN THE CORNER is my favorite book for 2023 so far. It’s funny, sweet and seriously clever. There’s passion, romance, the green eyed monster and the perfect guy in Harry who believes he can’t ever love anyone then meets Sally who just by being herself, shows him what he is missing in life..
The whole premise for the story is brilliant to those of us that know and love our rom coms. Sally, with her friends Kitty and Vince watch their favorite movies over and over, reveling in the iconic scenes. Harry becomes Sally’s lodger and finds all this quite foreign. He’s a no nonsense guy, and romance is nonsense to him. When you meet his parents, you’ll see why.
Sally is all sunshine, helpful to a fault, and looking for “The One” that will love her as much as she loves him. She learns some valuable lessons about love.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.com and this is my voluntary review. Loved it!...more
EVA MALLORY’S HUSBAND HUNT is a lovely story and heart-tugging romance. Eva and Luke meet, feel an instant connection then spend too much time trying EVA MALLORY’S HUSBAND HUNT is a lovely story and heart-tugging romance. Eva and Luke meet, feel an instant connection then spend too much time trying to stay away from one another to thwart the Mallory curse.
The story is rich with endearing and memorable characters some family, some not, and some the men Eva met trying to find a husband..
I received a copy of the book from NetGalley to read in advance and this is a voluntary review....more
Maddy inherits an old house in the country and, as the trope goes, has to live there for a year before she can sell it. That’s really all that is ordiMaddy inherits an old house in the country and, as the trope goes, has to live there for a year before she can sell it. That’s really all that is ordinary about WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTIN DO? Bits of wisdom in the form of quotes by Jane Austin are scattered throughout the story of writers and literary endeavors in a small town.
The story is full of memorable characters. Cameron Massey has his layers peeled away, and Maddy has hers expanded as she gets to know the man she inherited the house from and the townspeople who loved him.
This is a closed door romance. There are a few slow moving parts, but overall it is a clever and entertaining story.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and am providing my voluntary review....more
I was drawn to this title by the promise of a billionaire and a yacht story but CALAMITY RAYNE: GETS A LIFE is so much more! What a fun, silly, poignaI was drawn to this title by the promise of a billionaire and a yacht story but CALAMITY RAYNE: GETS A LIFE is so much more! What a fun, silly, poignant, hopeful, hope-dashing, romantic story!
The characters are so memorable starting with Rayne. She just bursts with everything - light, fear, uncertainty, and honesty. Hale we don’t know what to make of until we learn his secrets. His father, Remington is who we are supposed to find manipulative and distasteful, but we can’t.
I’m completely charmed and thoroughly devastated at the same time for teaching the last page and needing more. Excellent!
I received a copy of this book to read from NETGALLEY and this is my voluntary review....more
So Kat gets dumped again and vows to not fall in with the wrong guy again. Her ex was a real peach dropping off his hedgehog before dumping her. I kneSo Kat gets dumped again and vows to not fall in with the wrong guy again. Her ex was a real peach dropping off his hedgehog before dumping her. I knew I was in a little bit of trouble with this book when I found myself looking forward to the parts about JoJo the hedgehog and Seamus the salty Cockatoo.
Mick did seem right off to be different from Kay’s other guys - he treated her right and while he was attracted to her he considered her situation. I was annoyed she didn’t recognize what she had in Mick in a timely manner. Mick understood her and he might have won a few points with me if he were a little more aggressive.
So the book was okay, but one that I read over several days rather than feeling compelled to stay up late to finish it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy upon which I am basing my voluntary review....more
HATE, RINSE, REPEAT is the third book in the mom-coms of Gamble, Alaska and I have to say, my favorite of the three books. First, Maisy and her son JaHATE, RINSE, REPEAT is the third book in the mom-coms of Gamble, Alaska and I have to say, my favorite of the three books. First, Maisy and her son Jake made me laugh out loud with some of the snarky remarks, inside jokes, and just funny stuff. Whitney Dineen does takes us to the cheap laugh occasionally (“Try not to cut the cheese today”) but that’s great 7 year old boy stuff.
Chase is a great character even though his anger at Maisy’s secret was the source of most of the tear inducing moments in the story. How this secret was received by family, and the good citizens of Gamble made for uncomfortable moments - so well written that even I felt guilty and betrayed, at times.
So I devoured this story. I hope we aren’t finished with the small town of Gamble.
I received an advance copy of this book from NETGALLEY and this is my voluntary review....more
It has been a long time since e I read a book I enjoyed as much as LOVE UNDER CONTRACT. It’s smart, refreshing and so very romantic even as Hudson andIt has been a long time since e I read a book I enjoyed as much as LOVE UNDER CONTRACT. It’s smart, refreshing and so very romantic even as Hudson and Rebecca try to avoid the semblance of real romance.
This is the kind of romance writing that keeps me turning the pages. The reader can feel the atmosphere electrify when Hudson and Rebecca are together, whether they are resisting one another or giving in. Their chemistry is not just steamy. It feels as if they are not right when they are apart.
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. It gives me the opportunity to give you my thoughts about the story so you can Decide if it is something you would enjoy....more
MEET ME ON PLATFORM 3 is a sweet, quirky romance the starts on the train from London to parts north where both Joe and Millie’s family’s live. Joe goeMEET ME ON PLATFORM 3 is a sweet, quirky romance the starts on the train from London to parts north where both Joe and Millie’s family’s live. Joe goes home every weekend to help on the family farm, and Millie goes monthly to visit her widowed mother.
The story revolves around Millie’s newspaper column “Confessions of…”. She starts to gain popularity (and boss pressure) when she starts to write loosely on how she meets Joe. How much to share becomes an issue.
It is a good book although I thought a lot of time spent on not too important things. I kept wanting more of Joe and Millie even if just what they were thinking when not together. I loved all the characters yet missed the feeling of a desperate, burning kind of love I thought possible.
I received a copy of this book to read in advance. I am providing a review from that copy....more
I park myself on the sofa every year for my Christmas movie fix and LOVE ALWAYS, CHRISTMAS has the charming elements of a holiday movie with it’s ChriI park myself on the sofa every year for my Christmas movie fix and LOVE ALWAYS, CHRISTMAS has the charming elements of a holiday movie with it’s Christmasy named towns, fun foods and traditions, and a hapless young woman struggling to stay afloat but encountering one obstacle after another.
A secret to unfold keeps us reading. The piercing blue eyes of town manager Adam keeps us hoping for the romance. “Will Libby get the contract and save her family home?” has us on the edge of our seats. The story is a nice holiday escape.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary review....more
A ROYAL MISTAKE is the story of the third child in the royal Valerian family - Pippa. She’s not the heir. She’s not the spare. She’s being set up by hA ROYAL MISTAKE is the story of the third child in the royal Valerian family - Pippa. She’s not the heir. She’s not the spare. She’s being set up by her parents to make a marriage that will provide an alliance.
But Pippa wants to spend time helping the less fortunate find water, learn a trade, etc. she wants start her own foundation. Since her parents have other ideas she agrees to having 12 bachelors of good pedigree to the palace so she can make a choice.
So in the midst of all this, we have Henry, a very successful philanthropist, also at the palace to forge a partnership with the Valerian royalty’s foundation. Henry keeps showing up at all the “bachelor events” to “help” Pippa make her choice.
It’s a fun story with all the antics involving the bachelors. It’s also quite the slow burn that gives just enough to keep you reading for more. When I started the book it was a little hard to get into the story. At about 20%, that changed and the pages kept turning. It is a good addition to the series and an entertaining royal romance.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this advance copy of the book so I could submit this voluntary review....more
50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER is the story of the impact of a selfish choice.
I really loved the story. One kind of humor it has is kind of humor tha50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER is the story of the impact of a selfish choice.
I really loved the story. One kind of humor it has is kind of humor that you could imagine a couple sharing with “inside jokes”, teasing, nicknames. Clearly Delilah and E spent years fine tuning their friendship and falling in love - until E disappears suddenly for 10 years.
And E is hysterical. He not only works well with Delilah, but he has a great solo presence. Many of the funny parts grow as they are repeated bringing the reader in on the jokes. There was only one thing I didn’t like about E’s character - he was 27, but came off as immature until close to the end. I am torn between not liking it and thinking his humor wouldn’t have worked with a more mature demeanor.
But joking aside, the story is heartbreaking - full of painful, tragic and self destructive events set into motion by the acts of a selfish man. Delilah’s small town residents carried and protected her from further pain. E, his mother and brothers had their lives derailed. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you like wildly romantic second chance romance in a small town setting, you will enjoy this book.
Thanks to Netscape for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book and provide my voluntary review....more
Hayden is one of those guys that makes one admire how they can be so consistently rude and uncaring. He gets in a quid pro quo fake marriage with FinlHayden is one of those guys that makes one admire how they can be so consistently rude and uncaring. He gets in a quid pro quo fake marriage with Finley and instead of being put off by his lack of effort being a decent guy, she goes along with it.
They are funny together - both clever and smart. Hayden thinks the best thing Finley has going for her in their relationship is that she hates him (she doesn’t). He’s so intent on proving he is fine by himself carrying out his mission of vengeance.
Finley is working on a PhD in art history and having access to Hayden’s family’s art collection is the carrot that got her to play along. I found this part of the book to be particularly interesting as Finley tried to decide if a painting she discovered in his collection would have wide ranging implications on the origins of modern physics.
It’s a great romance with crazy hot chemistry, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It was fun and interesting to read.
I received a copy of this book to read from NetGalley and this is my voluntary review....more
There are many fairly typical elements of the fake relationship trope in THE BILLIONAIRE CHAIRMAN. What made me like it was how down-to-earth and almoThere are many fairly typical elements of the fake relationship trope in THE BILLIONAIRE CHAIRMAN. What made me like it was how down-to-earth and almost shy Walker was largely because of a family life that included wealth but was grounded.
The conflict arises when lying and manipulation are exposed. The reader really gets a feel for the power of Morgan’s character when the ruse is exposed.
So, I enjoyed the story. Since I am reading an advance copy, I am thinking the final edits will be done before the book is released as is often the case. As such, my voluntary review is based on the story and overall feel I get from the writing, not the editing....more
15 MINUTES OF SHAME has quirky moments that made me feel for poor Darby and all she went through orchestrates by her husband. It has poignant moments 15 MINUTES OF SHAME has quirky moments that made me feel for poor Darby and all she went through orchestrates by her husband. It has poignant moments where Darby pours love into her husband’s children.
I was so angry with her husband, Will for discarding her so easily. As the book progresses we learn a lot more about that fateful day when Will left his wife for his ex-wife.
Then we have Holt, Darby’s divorce attorney. I think we were a little cheated on watching Holt fall in love because he is so stoic and kept up a resistance for professional purposes. I wanted Holt to sweep us off our feet, but he couldn’t for some very good reasons.
I’m really glad I read this book. It’s fresh and held my interest.
I read a copy of this book by NETGALLEY am providing a voluntary review....more
I love rom-coms and what is done very well in THE BODYGUARD is the author resists the urge to make every conversation a tumble of words with one funnyI love rom-coms and what is done very well in THE BODYGUARD is the author resists the urge to make every conversation a tumble of words with one funny remark after another. Instead the lines she writes give the reader a chance to chuckle and savor the witticism.
Hannah is assigned to be a bodyguard to movie star Jack, She is serious and by the book after they have to portray a fake couple to insure Jack’s safety. The lie creates more problems than it solves and we are left wondering about the origin of any threats.
The overall atmosphere is of people trying to overcome tragic events from their lives, to forgive themselves and forgive each other. There is also a bit of satisfaction in taking a tiny sip of revenge before forgiveness.
The love story is wonderful and peppered with “is s/he just acting or is this real?” It is a rather chaste novel for those looking for that sort of information. I really enjoyed it for its humor and ability to grab all my emotions.
I received an advance copy of the book, read it and this is my voluntary review.
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