Wren Waters is attempting to rebuild her life after a devastating loss and a heartbreaking betrayal. Her quest of self re-discovery leads to a new hobWren Waters is attempting to rebuild her life after a devastating loss and a heartbreaking betrayal. Her quest of self re-discovery leads to a new hobby; geocaching - the outdoor activity of using GPS to look for hidden objects - and a solo trip where she meets Marshall Hendricks.
Marshall, a fellow geocaching fan, is a handsome psychologist searching for an escape after suffering his own loss. Wren is not looking for company, but when Marshall saves her from a dangerous situation, she agrees to work together in the interest of safety.
In close proximity, Wren and Marshall’s attraction intensifies, as does their emotional connection through their shared grief and heartbreak. However, while Wren is able to open up to Marshall, he is reluctant to share anything too personal.
Wren can envision a future with Marshall, but she has sworn that she will never again accept just scraps from a potential partner. Marshall's reluctance to share all of himself makes Wren leave Oregon believing she is unlikely to ever see him again.
Wren and Marshall's journey to a happy ending was not an easy one, but it was a worthy one. All of the angst had a purpose; character growth and a healthy new start to a relationship.
The Trail of Lost Hearts was a beautifully written story about grief, self-discovery, and love after loss....more
Tom and Riley have been best friends since childhood, when Tom, a gregarious and outgoing little boy, took Riley, a shy and awkward little girl, underTom and Riley have been best friends since childhood, when Tom, a gregarious and outgoing little boy, took Riley, a shy and awkward little girl, under his wing. However, their worlds were turned upside down when Tom and his mom moved to New York City and the best friends have struggled to stay connected ever since. Two years later Riley has no idea what’s next after graduating from high school and she feels like she is suffocating under her mother’s pressure to sort out her future when all she really wants is to see Tom.
Riley decides to go to NYC after getting in an argument with her mother. She’s nervous, but relieved to see Tom seems genuinely happy to see her. Her planned weekend-stay turns into a summer-long stay in which she and Tom plan to complete the Getaway List they have been working on since childhood. Along the way they meet old and new friends who help them check off items on their list.
Their reunion has forced the best friends to consider that they may have more than just friendly feelings toward one another, but Riley can’t help but notice that Tom is no longer the happy and outgoing person she knew. He is more reserved, quieter and seems lonely. Riley understands, she too felt lost since Tom moved away, but she finally feels like she found her place in New York, but she is not sure Tom feels the same.
The Getaway List was yet another charming coming of age story by Emma Lord and makes me even more excited to read her debut adult romance later this year....more
Sparrow & Hawke was an absolutely riveting story of forbidden love. The longing between Darius and Nell was out of this world. They face many obstacleSparrow & Hawke was an absolutely riveting story of forbidden love. The longing between Darius and Nell was out of this world. They face many obstacles, he's her father's best friend, there is a significant age gap, and both are dealing with the lingering trauma of their past and yet their connection is undeniable, and their chemistry is palpable.
I came in aware that this being book one of three there would be no HEA or resolution at the end and I was ready to feel disappointed, but honestly, I was left feeling hopeful for their future. Darius must fight his demons and Nell is finally learning to stand up for herself and follow her dreams. Darius and Nell are not yet ready to be together, but I cannot wait to see them find their way back to each other.
In Sparrow & Hawke Nina Lane once again wowed me with her incredible talent for writing complex human characters that make me feel all the feelings. If you have never read a Nina Lane novel, you are really missing out on an incredibly gifted writer. (I would recommend starting with Arouse, the first book in her Spiral of Bliss series.)...more
Deacon and LaRynn had a secret summer fling as teenagers that ended badly and left both with broken hearts. Ten years later they are reunitRating: 4.5
Deacon and LaRynn had a secret summer fling as teenagers that ended badly and left both with broken hearts. Ten years later they are reunited when they inherit a (falling apart) house from their grandmothers.
Deacon and LaRynn reluctantly agree to work together to fix up and sell the house before they go their separate ways. Desperate to get started and low on funds they enter into a marriage of convenience in order to gain access to LaRynn’s trust and fund the renovations.
Forced to live and work together, Deacon and LaRynn must confront past hurt feelings, their still very real attraction, and a crumbling house. A lot of push and pull and frustrating decisions later, they agree to be just ‘friends.’ Once they’re no longer trying to get a rise out of each other, they are free to have honest conversations and open up themselves to the possibility of more than friendship.
The Co-op was a delightful second chance romance. I loved Deacon and LaRynn’s story; their banter, their charm, and their happy ending. ...more
Dominic shattered Maddie’s heart when she was 19 and she has spent the last seven years avoiding him. However, when her brother Josh passes away from Dominic shattered Maddie’s heart when she was 19 and she has spent the last seven years avoiding him. However, when her brother Josh passes away from cancer, she is tasked with carrying out his final wishes with his best friend, Dominic.
Maddie’s childhood trauma and abandonment issues have led to a closed-off life. The only person she ever fully trusted was her brother Josh. Which is why she is willing to go on multiple trips with the one man she hoped to never see again.
Dominic is kind, patient, protective of Maddie, and the same infuriating man who broke her heart. Maddie is desperately trying to keep it together and keep Dom at arm’s length using insults and sarcasm.
Over the span of years and eight trips, Dom and Maddie clash, come together, and break apart as they try to figure out life without Josh and the possibility of finally being together.
I would have loved to have Dominic’s POV, because there were instances I was desperate to understand the motivation for his actions. However, I loved Maddie; her resilience, her humor, her sass and her character growth.
PS: I Hate You was a heartbreaking story about trauma, loss and the healing power of love. Dominic and Maddie’s second chance romance was exactly what I needed and romangst to the max, I loved it....more
The Wedding Witch was a delightful paranormal romance, featuring a magical time travel adventure and my new favorite protagonists in the GRating: 4.5
The Wedding Witch was a delightful paranormal romance, featuring a magical time travel adventure and my new favorite protagonists in the Graves Glen series.
Tamsyn, a human, works collecting magical artifacts for witches. Bowen is her occasional customer, and the man of her dreams. Tamsyn, however, has a strict “no getting involved with customers” rule that he makes difficult to keep.
Tamsyn and Bowen are determined to ignore their mutual attraction, but everything changes when they run into each other while Tamsyn is on a potential life changing quest to procure a magical broach, and Bowen is fulfilling his (ghost) friend Duncan’s request to attend a Yuletide wedding.
A spell gone wrong sends Tamsyn and Bowen back to the year 1957 and they must work together to return to the present. Forced into close proximity - including having to pretend to be newlyweds - their feelings become harder to ignore.
Bowen was so soft for Tamsyn and she loved to make him blush. Their attraction, their communication, their banter, was top tier. I loved the way they always spoke honestly and openly with one another. It made their road to a happy ending magical.
The Wedding Witch was the perfect fun, low stakes read to start the spooky season. ...more
It may have been a mistake to advertise this novel "for fans of Emily Henry." I went in with high expectations that were unfortunately not met.
I foundIt may have been a mistake to advertise this novel "for fans of Emily Henry." I went in with high expectations that were unfortunately not met.
I found it difficult to root for Seth and Molly when they spent literally years going back and forth that by the end I didn't even believe they were meant to be together. ...more
Veera has spent the last year traveling the world with her twin sister, Sana, trying to rebuild her life. She has been trying to move past her father’Veera has spent the last year traveling the world with her twin sister, Sana, trying to rebuild her life. She has been trying to move past her father’s betrayal and her heartbreak over her best friend (and the source of her unrequited love) Deepak’s engagement to another woman.
When her sister breaks the unpleasant news that she doesn’t not want to start a business with her, just after they’ve been involved in a mostly minor shipwreck, Veera is forced to call the only person who she knows can help; Deepak.
Deepak has just been very publicly dumped by the fiancé he has essentially ignored for the last year. There are no hurt feelings, but the engagement was meant to secure his place as a future CEO. Hoping to delay a PR nightmare, and thrilled to finally hear from his best friend, Deepak doesn’t hesitate to fly to Goa and rescue Veera.
After a series of fortunate events and a game of shots, Veera and Deepak end up “fake married.” Convinced by Sana to pretend their fake marriage is a real marriage in order to advance their career aspirations, Deepak and Vee are determined to put on their best act, but there’s nothing fake about their very real feelings.
I loved Deepak and Veera’s love story; the chemistry was amazing and the slow progression from friends to lovers was so satisfying. Deepak was down bad for Veera - even before he admitted to himself that what he was feeling was definitely love - and hated when she referred to their marriage as “fake.” I loved the top-tier banter; their friendship really came through and solidified the groundwork for their love story. I loved the communication, the found family, the South Asian representation. Can I also say that I loved that they were both smart, successful and rich. Because I did.
Marriage & Masti was the final book in the If Shakespeare Was An Auntie series and my new favorite in a series that I absolutely adored....more
Savor It was my first read by Tarah DeWitt and I was absolutely charmed.
Fisher Lange was once a big-time chef in NYC, at the top of his gaRating: 4.5
Savor It was my first read by Tarah DeWitt and I was absolutely charmed.
Fisher Lange was once a big-time chef in NYC, at the top of his game, but everything came crashing down. His boss knows that he needs a reset, and she sends him to the small town of Spunes, Oregon for the summer.
There he is tasked with crafting the menu for a new restaurant - which won't be easy in a town full of meddling characters. Fisher also hopes the change in scenery will also help him rebuild his relationship with his niece, Indy, of whom he has guardianship.
Fisher's new next-door neighbor is the lovely Sage Byrd. Sage is a small-town girl who loves her life, even if she sometimes feels a bit lonely. Fisher is unable to resist Sage's charm and they are both instantly smitten, but both are cautious since Fisher's presence in Spunes is only for the summer.
However, friendship and undeniable attraction turns into something more and soon Sage and Fisher embark on a summer fling, which they agree can only be temporary. Silly lovesick fools.
The slow burn build up, the sweetness of the protagonists, the caregiving, the found family, and the small-town shenanigans, all made Savor It a wonderfully charming read that any romance reader will love....more
It is important to note that the marriage of convenience trope doesn’t really work in a contemporary setting and therefore you must suspend all disbelIt is important to note that the marriage of convenience trope doesn’t really work in a contemporary setting and therefore you must suspend all disbelief to enjoy the ride.
Liam and Anna's road to happy ever after began five years ago when they entered into a mutually beneficial arrangement; a marriage in name only that Anna believed had ended. Everything changed when Liam showed up at her doorstep declaring that they were still legally married and with another proposal.
Liam must bring his elusive “wife” to meet the family at his sister’s upcoming destination wedding. Anna, recently unemployed, desperately needs money to pay for her father’s medical treatments. Together, they agree to embark on a ten-day journey of deceit.
Liam and Anna were complete opposites with amazing chemistry, top tier banter, and had to face the most ridiculous family. Their love story was unbelievable and over the top and I absolutely loved it. ...more
Abby Cohen is not a fan of strong emotions, struggles with opening up, and considers herself a realist; honestly, she’s a grump. Seth Abrams is (seemiAbby Cohen is not a fan of strong emotions, struggles with opening up, and considers herself a realist; honestly, she’s a grump. Seth Abrams is (seemingly) never in a bad mood, idealistic, and frequents Abby’s cafe every single morning; honestly, he can be a bit annoying.
When Abby is tasked with organizing her small Vermont town’s first ever Hanukkah Festival, she quickly finds herself overwhelmed. It’s especially difficult trying to explain to non-Jewish people that Hanukkah is a vastly different holiday from Christmas. In a moment of desperation, she goes online hoping to find another Jewish person within a hundred miles radius, and she finds Seth.
Seth is willing to help, but in exchange for his list of contacts he asks Abby to travel with him to NYC for Hanukkah and pretend to be his girlfriend while they stay with his parents. The city does not conjure up pleasant memories for Abby, but desperate times call for desperate measures and she agrees.
While pretending to be in a relationship, Abby and Seth have to fight their mutual attraction and begin to bond over their shared experiences. Abby’s past emotional trauma has led her close herself off from potential heartbreak, but Seth is patient and slowly becomes her safe place.
Love You a Latke was a beautiful and surprisingly emotional story about finding oneself, Jewish identity, and the healing power of love....more
Happy Medium features a con-artist love interest and magical realism; two of my not-so-favorite tropes, and still it charmed the skeptic out of me.
GreHappy Medium features a con-artist love interest and magical realism; two of my not-so-favorite tropes, and still it charmed the skeptic out of me.
Gretchen Acorn is a fake medium with a (somewhat) conscience and she has been hired by her best client to help Charlie Waybill, an elderly farmer with a ghost problem. The first problem she encounters is the fact that Charlie is an attractive young man who calls out her bluff immediately. An even bigger problem is that for the first time in her career of deceit she can actually talk to the dead.
Everett is a ghost hunting Charlie’s home and he explains to Gretchen that if Charlie succeeds in selling his farm, he will be cursed to die. Gretchen is then faced with the biggest problem: convincing a highly skeptical and angry Charlie that she’s telling the truth.
The very obvious romance novel solution is for Gretchen to move in with Charlie for a month; to help out at the farm and convince him that his life is at stake. Their new living arrangement forces Charlie and Gretchen to slowly learn to trust each other. And, of course the forced proximity and physical attraction soon leads to very real feelings.
Happy Medium was a delightfully charming read with great banter, slow-burn longing, humor, and the most lovable ghost....more
Evie wakes up in the hospital to the news that she’s been in a car accident and her husband Oliver, is dead. She should be devastated, but Evie does nEvie wakes up in the hospital to the news that she’s been in a car accident and her husband Oliver, is dead. She should be devastated, but Evie does not remember Oliver, in fact her last memory is of being sixteen and at a party with her best friend Bree.
However, twenty-nine year old Evie is no longer in touch with Bree, apparently estranged from her parents, and has given up on her own academic aspirations. Present day Evie is a person she does not recognize.
At her breaking point and desperate to get away after Oliver’s funeral, Evie runs into Drew, an up and coming photographer, who is elusive about his connection to Evie and her past. Drew reluctantly agrees to help Evie piece together her memories, but as they grow closer to the truth and to each other, heartbreaking secrets threaten to break Evie’s heart.
Pictures of You was an angsty, second chance love story that dealt with some pretty heavy topics and kept me guessing until the very end. ...more
The Stranger I Wed featured several of my favorite elements in historical romance; a marriage of convenience, a swoon worthy hero, and a brave and outThe Stranger I Wed featured several of my favorite elements in historical romance; a marriage of convenience, a swoon worthy hero, and a brave and outspoken heroine.
Cora has a flighty mother, two younger sisters whose futures she must consider, secrets to protect, and a marriage of convenience to secure; she does not have time to fall for her husband.
Leo, the Earl of Devonworth, has his own reasons for agreeing to a marriage in name only to Cora; a mess of brother and impending financial ruin. He does not have time worry about his attraction and admiration for his American wife.
The slow burn, the push and pull, the protective and kind hero, the slow build up of trust and love between Leo and Cora; I loved it all.
I’d forgotten how much I love historical romance, but The Stranger I Wed was all the reminder I needed. I cannot wait to read the rest of The Doves of New York series....more
Theodora Anderson has known and delighted in tormenting her best friend’s older brother, August Ryder, all of her life. However, after losing her job Theodora Anderson has known and delighted in tormenting her best friend’s older brother, August Ryder, all of her life. However, after losing her job and feeling a bit lost, Teddy reluctantly agrees to become Gus’s part-time nanny for the summer.
In forced proximity, Teddy and Gus can no longer deny their underlying attraction. Spending time together allows them to see another side of each other and slowly grow closer. All confusing Gus feelings aside, Teddy loves spending time with Gus’s daughter, Riley, and she worries what a potential relationship with Gus would mean for all those she loves.
I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Teddy and Gus. They liked to get a rise out of one another, but managed to never take it too far (without apologizing) or make it feel juvenile. The banter and communication was also top tier. Watching Teddy and Gus figure out their feelings while openly communicating made their love story even better.
Lost and Lassoed, in my opinion, is the best book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and I hope to see more of Teddy and Gus in Cam’s story next year....more
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