Review: "You Get What You Give" by Karen Grey

You Get What You Give by Karen Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When local casting director Violet Davenport is dumped by the wannabe actor who had been working as her receptionist, her pride is more hurt than her feelings. She's indulging in a glass of wine and the comfort of her friends at the bar of the Rumrunner Hotel that evening when she meets hotel guest Nathaniel "Nate" Fowler. After they spend the night together, Violet never expects to see Nate again, so she's shocked to run into him outside her office building the following morning and learn that his father, a top Hollywood casting director, has sent him to open a satellite office that will directly compete against her fledgling business. For his part, Nate had no idea that Violet's business even existed, or that his father's decision to open the office was part of a family feud with his uncle in New York. When he realizes that Violet is the one who will suffer instead of his uncle, Nate does his best to make amends, but can he persuade her to trust him after their rocky start?

I really enjoyed this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story, which featured likeable, well-developed characters and a well-crafted rivals-to-lovers romance. Violet and Nate were both dealing with a fair amount of emotional baggage related to their parents, though they chose to deal with it in completely different ways. That difference was responsible for a lot of the conflict between them. After Violet's parents dumped her on her grandparents when she was just a little girl, she came to the conclusion that the only person she could rely on was herself and became a workaholic. Nate, on the other hand, decided that he would never be like his workaholic father and bounced around from job to job, never settling in one place for more than a few months before arriving in Wallington. In the end, they found a good balance as a couple and really seemed to bring out the best in each other, which made it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

The book's late 1990s setting was a lot of fun and felt authentic based on what I remember from back then. I'm really looking forward to future books set in this world, especially after the craziness of this book's last chapter. There's so much going on with Violet's friends and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I highly recommend "You Get What You Give" for all fans of contemporary(-ish) romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series!

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Release Blitz + Review: "The Unmatchmakers" by Jackie Lau

I'm delighted to take part in the release blitz celebrating "The Unmatchmakers" by Jackie Lau, a Kobo Original novella.

 

Elementary school teacher Leora Leung's mother, Henrietta, recently purchased a lake house with her two best friends, Dee and Tanya, a few hours outside their home in Toronto, and she's looking forward to spending a week of her summer vacation there - even if it means spending the week with her mother, who makes no secret of the fact that Leora is far from her ideal daughter. Tanya and Dee's adult children, most of whom Leora hasn't seen in years, will be there too, including architect Neil Choy. As soon as Leora sees Neil again, she realizes that her feelings for him are very different (and much more mature) than they used to be, but she fears that acting on them would create conflict between their mothers. Neil appears to reciprocate her feelings, but can they find a way to overcome the machinations of their mothers, who seem determined to keep them apart?

I really enjoyed this cute, funny, and original opposites attract romance. Leora and Neil's mothers' behavior was pretty over-the-top at times, but it came from a place of love, so it wasn't too difficult for me to forgive them in the end. Neil and Leora themselves were quite likeable, and even though their relationship moved quickly, it never really felt like insta-love to me. Even though they had both changed a lot, their childhood acquaintance established a good foundation for their adult relationship, and they also bonded over their mothers' efforts to keep them apart.

I'd recommend "The Unmatchmakers" for all romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by Jackie Lau, but it won't be the last.

 

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.  

 

 

About "The Unmatchmakers"

Childhood friends reuniting on a family vacation should be the perfect love story—but these moms will do anything to stop their HEA.

The Unmatchmakers by Jackie Lau is now live!

From the author of DONUT FALL IN LOVE comes a perfect summer love story set in the forested paradise of Canadian cottage country that asks the question: can love beat the odds when the odds are two mothers dead-set against it?

If my mom was like other Asian mothers, she'd be desperate to set me up with Neil Choy, the attractive, unmarried, successful architect who just so happens to be the son of her best friend.

Unfortunately for me, that's the last thing my mother would do.

My unlucky-in-love single mother has always been fiercely independent (and maybe a little dramatic). Since I was a small child, I've been told not to believe in fairy tales and that I don't need a man. Princess stuff was banned. She never wanted me to waste my time looking for love—but despite her best efforts, I still turned out to be a hopeless romantic.

So of course, she's failed to mention that my former childhood companion has grown up into a total hottie in glasses. When I see him for the first time in a decade during a family cottage vacation, I'm in for quite a shock. (In fact, I nearly fall in the lake, but let's keep that a secret.)

And he sure can grill a mean steak and mix a mean cocktail, plus he's pretty impressive in a kayak. Yes, he's a little stern and grumpy, but that just makes him more fun to tease—and makes it more satisfying when he quirks his lips in my direction.

But Neil's mom seems to be just as set against the match as mine is. With our mothers trying to sabotage us and doing everything they can to keep us apart— will never forgive them for the s'mores incident—and Neil's true feelings a mystery, do I even have a chance?

Perfect for fans of Helen Hoang's THE BRIDE TEST and THE DONUT TRAP by Julie Tieu, THE UNMATCHMAKERS is a forced-proximity, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy that explores finding the balance of meeting expectations and being true to yourself, and how even the best of intentions can sometimes backfire.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Shot Taker" by Stacey Lynn

I'm excited to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Shot Taker" by Stacey Lynn, book #4 of the Las Vegas Vipers series. Characters from previous books of the series make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone. 

 

Struggling with an injury that he hopes won't mean the end of his playing career, professional hockey player Max Mikolajczyk is happy to escape to the Caribbean for a week to celebrate his older brother's wedding with family and friends. Cousin of the bride Kim is looking forward to the nuptials as well; as a workaholic divorce attorney, she can't remember the last time she took a vacation. Upon arriving at the beautiful, private resort where the wedding is to be held, Max and Kim learn that they are the only single guests, but the bride and groom, concerned about "drama" interfering with the wedding festivities, warn them against getting involved. Despite the warnings, Max and Kim can't ignore their attraction and decide to have a vacation fling. At first, both are convinced they can keep things casual and drama-free, but the more time they spend together, the more they start to wonder what it would be like to explore a relationship outside the confines of the resort. Can they overcome the numerous challenges they face and find a way to be together back in the real world?

Kim and Max had fantastic chemistry from the moment they met and their relationship was quite steamy. The challenges they faced were realistic and relatable, particularly their opposing views on marriage and the fact that they lived in different cities. The unexpected but perfect events of the epilogue proved that they had found a balance that worked well for both of them, and I closed the book with a happy smile on my face, knowing that Max and Kim had a bright future in front of them.

 

Max's playful, teasing relationship with his brothers was also a highlight of the book for me. I'd love to read future stories about the remaining unmarried Mikolajczyk brothers!

Overall, I enjoyed and would recommend "Shot Taker" for all fans of contemporary/sports romance. It didn't get me in the feels as much as the last two books in the series, but it was still an excellent read, and I can't wait for the next one. 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Shot Taker"

A week away for my brother's wedding was supposed to be a chance to unwind, not get tangled up with a bridesmaid…

I have an injury that could end my career— and unless I’m ready to hang up my skates and become a hockey has been, the only thing I should be focusing on is getting healthy and playing my next season.

Kimmy saunters into my life at the worst possible time, but when she proposes a “what happens in Vegas” type situation, I figured what could it hurt. Especially when we’re both on the same page—one week and then we go our separate ways… three hundred miles apart.

Before I know it, I’m all wrapped up in her—and not just her body. Her smiles. That wild, untamable hair. Her laughter. Confidence. Hell, she’s everything I’ve been looking for and I can’t keep my hands off her.

It was supposed to be a fling, but now I want more. Even if it means I’m in for the fight of my life. This might be my only shot… and I’m taking it.

 

Review: "Cookout Carnage" by Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander

Congratulations to Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander on the release of "Cookout Carnage," book #2 of Evie and Kelly's Holiday Disasters series. Six strangers become unlikely friends after getting stuck in an airport lounge together. This book follows two of those characters through interconnected novellas as they find love in the midst of disaster. Get ready to snort laugh because both of these stories are absolutely hysterical!

 

In the first story, "Up in Smoke" by Kelly Kay, Kentucky farmer Jonathan Tucker's wedding to wannabe influencer Tanya is just a few days away, but he's suddenly realized that he can't go through with it because he's still hung up on his best friend and former high school sweetheart, Juliet Dexter-Haven. Now that Juliet's back in town, Jonathan's efforts to call off the wedding take on a new urgency, but Tanya's not giving up on her dream wedding without a fight. 

Without a doubt, Jonathan and Juliet were absolutely perfect for each other, and their hilariously funny, sweet, and steamy story gave me all the feels. It was surprisingly emotional to learn why their relationship didn't work out the first time around, and I couldn't help but empathize with Juliet's fear of losing Jonathan the way she'd lost her father. Primarily, however, this story tickled my funny bone, and my favorite part was Jonathan's pet pig, Squeakers, who stole the show on more than one occasion. An honorable mention goes to the tricked-out tractor Juliet and Jonathan "borrowed" from his neighbor, which came complete with a stereo and cup holders. It really doesn't get much more redneck fabulous than that!

In the second story, "Off with a Bang" by Evie Alexander, main characters Tristan Fawcett-Underwood and Sherilyn Boden work for the same company and team but in different cities; he's based in London, while she's in the Chicago office. They've never met in person, but have still managed to become good friends and develop a secret mutual crush. When an opportunity arises for Tristan to transfer to Chicago, he decides to visit and see if the possibility exists for them to take their relationship offline. Unfortunately, circumstances conspire to keep them apart during his brief visit, but a few months later, with the encouragement of his friends from the airport lounge, Tristan decides to take a leap and accept the transfer anyway. Not only that, he's going to accept Sherilyn's nearly-forgotten invitation to spend July 4th with her family in Kentucky. Will he find true love or will Sherilyn's crazy Southern family be too much for him to handle?

This was another super cute, sweet, and hilariously funny story with the perfect amount of steam. Sherilyn and Tristan's emails, instant messages, and texts were incredibly funny, as was their banter when they finally met in person. Even though Sherilyn's actions seemed extreme in the abstract, her reasons for lying to both Tristan and her family were understandable, and I couldn't help but empathize with her. I was very happy that everything worked out for her and Tristan in the end.
 

Overall, both stories were a ton of fun, and I highly recommend this book for all romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment of the series.

 

*Review copy provided by the authors. All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

About "Cookout Carnage"

Cookout Carnage contains two riotous romantic comedies: Up in Smoke and Off with a Bang.

Off with a Bang – by Evie Alexander
Posh Brit Tristan has fallen for his American work colleague over Zoom. When she invites him to spend the Fourth of July with her and her family, he leaps at the chance to meet face to face. Maybe they can be more than just friends?

Sherilyn is in big trouble. She’s in love with someone she’s never met, and he’s just accepted an invitation she was sure he’d turn down. Tristan might think he’s about to meet a cute girl and her cookie-cutter family, but she’s Sherrie-Lynne, not Sherilyn. And when he discovers her family are lawless rednecks, he’s going to run a country mile.

Now, Sherilyn has to produce a fake family and put on a show bigger than her small town’s Fourth of July celebrations. Can she pull it off, or will she end up driving both Tristan and her family away forever?

Up in Smoke – by Kelly Kay
Cute farm boy Jonathan is about to get married to the wrong person. He’s clinging to an ideal of love, but his bride-to-be seems more interested in his best man, and wants to eat his pet. Jonathan’s heart has always belonged to his friend Juliet, but she left town years ago.

Now, the day before his nuptials, Juliet’s back and Jonathan’s had an epiphany. Can he get the right girl and find real happiness? Or is everything about to go up in smoke, including his pet pig? 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Summertime" by Willow Aster

Today, I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Summertime" by Willow Aster. It was originally a serialized Kindle Vella release but has now been edited and re-published as a standalone novel (with new/additional content). 

 

Summer Winters and her younger sister, Autumn, were raised by their mother in North Carolina while their father, A-list Hollywood director Cole Winters, pursued his career in California. They've never spent much time with their dad, but Summer is excited to spend the summer after college graduation with him before beginning her search for a full-time job. She's expecting a few months of rest, relaxation, and reconnecting with her dad, but when she arrives at his home in Malibu, Summer is surprised to learn that he has different plans for her as an assistant on the set of his latest film. An aspiring screenwriter, Summer is happy to get some experience in the industry, though coffee runs and catering to whiny actresses weren't exactly what she had in mind. On the bright side, there's Hudson Callihan, the movie's assistant director, to whom Summer is attracted from the moment they meet. Just as her relationship with Hudson starts to heat up, the paparazzi capture photos of the movie's lead actor, Liam Taylor, flirting with Summer on the set, and his agent pushes for them to "date" in order to rehabilitate Liam's playboy reputation. Even though she's not really interested in Liam, her father pressures Summer into agreeing to the plan. Spending time with Liam makes her realize that her first impression of him may not have been entirely correct; there's actually a sweet, caring guy beneath the outer flirt, and they quickly become close. Summer is still drawn to Hudson, however, and she'll have to choose between him and Liam before the summer is over.

I absolutely adored this fun, quick read, whose compelling, unpredictable plot kept me engrossed until the very last page. Summer had great chemistry with both Hudson and Liam, and I genuinely wasn't sure which one of them she'd choose until late in the book. I also liked several of the book's secondary characters, particularly actress Hannah and Summer's sister Autumn. I'm looking forward to reading Autumn's story next!

I highly recommend "Summertime" for all fans of contemporary/new adult romance and look forward to whatever Willow Aster writes next.

 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

 

About "Summertime"

Summertime, where the living's easy...

At least that’s what I’d hoped for when I decided to visit Hollywood’s most sought-after director, AKA my usually absentee father, for the summer. But my vision of an idyllic break before starting grownup life after college comes to a halt when my dad puts me to work on his set.

As an aspiring screenwriter, I’m eager for any experience, but my time is spent as the errand girl, fulfilling every whim of Hollywood’s IT actor, the flirtatious, too-sexy-for-his-own-good Liam Taylor. As the shiny new girl, Liam thinks he has to have me, but his bad-boy persona turns me off, and I don’t want to be another notch on his bedpost.

Then there’s Hudson Callihan, the hot up-and-coming director working with my dad. He’s everything I think I want in a guy. What starts out as a friendship becomes a secret relationship, and I fall hard.

Things become complicated with Hudson when I’m thrown into a fake relationship with Liam to soften his scandalous reputation. And living on set with both guys and the crew is becoming more and more difficult.

I came to LA expecting to have a good time, but what I didn’t expect was to be faced with making the biggest decision of my life. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Ever Mine" by Laura Pavlov

I'm thrilled to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Ever Mine" by Laura Pavlov, book #2 of the Honey Mountain series. Characters from the previous book make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Everly Thomas broke up with her high school sweetheart, Hawk Madden, shortly before leaving for college at NYU. He'd recently been drafted by San Francisco's professional hockey team and she claimed that the distance would be too hard on their relationship, but the truth is that she was scared and still grieving the loss of her mother the year before. Nine years later, Hawk has become one of the top players in the NHL and Everly is a newly licensed sports psychologist. After a disappointing conclusion to the season, his coach is concerned that there's something wrong with Hawk's mental game and suggests that he see someone who can help. Seizing the opportunity to get close to Everly again, Hawk insists that the team hire her to conduct the sessions in their hometown of Honey Mountain. Even though they've been out of touch for years, Everly and Hawk quickly fall back into an easy friendship as they get to know each other again. Can Hawk convince Everly to give their relationship a second chance, or will she run away again when things start to seem too real?

The connection and intense chemistry were definitely still alive between Hawk and Everly despite the years they spent apart, and I loved that there didn't seem to be any bitterness between them because of the way things ended when they were younger. They had some legitimate issues to work through, but I appreciated that they communicated with each other like mature adults and didn't jump to conclusions. They really were perfect together, and it was a pleasure to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, I adored "Ever Mine" and highly recommend it for all contemporary/sports romance fans. This series has already become a personal favorite after only two books, and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next one! (I'd love to read a spinoff series about Hawk's hockey team, too.)

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

 

About "Ever Mine"

He’s hockey’s golden boy, my new client, and the man I’ve avoided for the last nine years. I was hired to fix him—but he’s not the only one who’s broken.

Hawk Madden was my first love.
I thought he would be my forever.
But life wasn’t always fair.
And grief could be a cruel beast.
Fight or flight?
I’d always run.
But now he’s back in my life after all these years.
With one look.
One touch.
One kiss.
Old feelings resurface.
Feelings that I thought I’d buried a long time ago.
Hawk Madden was my first love…
I just didn’t know that he’d be my last. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "One and Only" by Nora Everly

I'm happy to take part in the release blitz celebrating "One and Only" by Nora Everly, book #1 of the Barrett Brothers series. It's a spinoff of the Sweetbriar Hearts series and features a number of recurring characters, but works well as a standalone.

 

Charlotte Cassidy and Caden "Cade" Barrett grew up together in the small town of Sweetbriar, Oregon. When they got married shortly after high school graduation, they thought they'd be together forever; unfortunately, fate had other plans, and they've now been divorced for about ten years. Cade has become a police detective and is planning to take over as chief when his father, the current chief, retires. Meanwhile, Charlotte left for college in New York City, has been married and divorced a second time, and is now a bestselling murder mystery writer. Back in their hometown for an extended visit, a car accident brings Charlotte and Cade into contact for the first time in years. They quickly discover that the flames between them burn as brightly as ever, but Cade suspects that Charlotte is keeping a secret from him. Can he figure out the truth in time to keep her safe and convince her to give their relationship another shot at the same time?

I really enjoyed this fun, sweet story, which featured incredibly likeable, relatable characters and a captivating plot. From the beginning, it was obvious that Cade and Charlotte still had strong feelings for each other; the main reason they hadn't been able to make their marriage work was that they wanted different things and couldn't come up with a way to compromise. They'd each grown and matured in the years they were apart, helping them realize what was truly important and setting the foundation for their long-awaited second chance. I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

I highly recommend "One and Only" for all fans of contemporary/small town romance, romantic comedy, and even light romantic suspense. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "One and Only"

I let her go once.
I won’t make that mistake again.

Falling for my ex-wife was not my intention.
But when she crashed back into town, more beautiful than ever, and keeping a dangerous secret, my heart remembered what I had forced myself to forget, and I can’t get her out of my head.

Too bad she’s not back in Sweetbriar to stay.
She built a new life, and it doesn’t include me or the small town we grew up in.
But I’ll keep her safe, even if it breaks my heart all over again.

Then one accidental kiss reignited the fire between us.
Will one final night together extinguish the heat before she returns to New York?

Or can I convince her to stay and take the one and only chance we have to get it all back?

One and Only is a full-length contemporary small town, second chance romance, can be read as a standalone, and is the first book in the Barrett Brothers Series.

 

Review: "Love and Leashes" by Julia Jarrett

Love and Leashes by Julia Jarrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Love and Leashes" by Julia Jarrett is part of the ongoing Dogwood Cove series, but works well as a standalone.

Kelly Erickson and Jensen Porter met and became best friends when she was assigned as his lab partner their junior year of high school. Jensen developed a crush on Kelly immediately, but she had a boyfriend back at her old school. They shared a kiss after her cheating boyfriend dumped her, but she was scared to mess up their friendship, so it didn't go any further at the time. Years later, Kelly has become the manager and head cookie baker at The Nutty Muffin in the small town of Dogwood Cove on Vancouver Island, while Jensen is a recently divorced middle school English teacher. He's planning a move to Vancouver Island with his dog, Oliver, and will be staying with Kelly for the first month or so while he searches for an apartment. Kelly has secretly been in love with Jensen for a long time but thinks that he doesn't reciprocate her feelings. Determined to hide her attraction from her best friend, she signs him up for a dating app, but the only person Jensen wants to date is Kelly. Can he finally convince her to take a chance on him?

This fast-paced, funny, and sweet novella was exactly what I needed to read right now. Jensen and Kelly were so cute together! I loved their witty banter and genuine friendship, which transitioned so naturally into romance. They really were perfect for each other, and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.

I highly recommend this story for all contemporary/small town romance fans and look forward to whatever Julia Jarrett writes next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "The Price of Revenge" by Ember Leigh

The Price of Revenge by Ember Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Axel Fairchild and his brothers Trace and Damian, the self-made billionaire owners of Fairchild Enterprises, have been searching for a building to serve as the headquarters of their charitable foundation for over a year. The perfect one just came on the market; unfortunately, it's currently owned by real estate magnate Allan Margulis, father of Axel's ex-fiancee Cora, who has hated him since the day they met. Seeing an opportunity to combine business with revenge, Axel decides to meet with the Margulis board of directors in person to present his company's offer for the building. What Axel doesn't know is that all is not as it seems between Cora and her father, or that she's secretly preparing to divorce her estranged husband, Eli, who was handpicked for her by her parents. Sparks fly between Axel and Cora once again as they work together in an effort to close the deal against her father's wishes, but the forces that dragged them apart eight years ago are stronger than ever before. Can they find a way to be together or will their relationship end in disaster the second time around?

"The Price of Revenge" was a fantastic start to Ember Leigh's new series and I absolutely adored it. Despite their years apart, the chemistry between Cora and Axel remained intense, and I couldn't wait for them to act on it. There was so much tragedy and sorrow in both Axel and Cora's backgrounds, but I loved that they were both so dedicated to giving back because of it. They found a found a way for some good to come out of all the sadness, and it was also one of the primary ways in which they connected.

I highly recommend "The Price of Revenge" for all fans of angsty/emotional contemporary romance and can't wait to find out what happens in the next book of the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "The Price of a Promise" by Ember Leigh

The Price of a Promise by Ember Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Price of a Promise" is a prequel to Ember Leigh's upcoming Bad Boys of Wall Street series, featuring Axel and Cora, the main characters of book #1, "The Price of Revenge." It's set eight years before that story begins.

College sweethearts Axel Fairchild and Cora Margulis have been together for about three years and are now in grad school on opposite coasts. Unfortunately, Cora's real estate magnate father, Allan, hates Axel because of his lower class background and is trying to break them up, so they have to plan their visits in secret. As graduation approaches, Allan's efforts to separate them only increase, especially when he learns of Axel's plan to ask Cora to marry him. Cora will have to decide between the demands of her family and her heart, and it won't be an easy choice.

It's not necessary to read this prequel to understand the first book of the series, but I'd highly recommend picking it up anyway. It's an excellent introduction to the series and its characters (Axel's brothers Damian and Trace included) and also provides a lot of context on Cora and Axel's past relationship, as well as Cora's strained relationship with her family.

I highly recommend this story as well as "The Price of Revenge" and can't wait to find out what's to come in this well-written, engrossing series.

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Review: "Belonging with Her Best Friend" by Kristin Canary

Belonging With Her Best Friend by Kristin Canary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kindergarten teacher Shelby Phillips and middle school history teacher Eric Moody have been best friends since they were kids. Even though she's secretly been in love with him for years, she's never acted on her feelings because she knows they want different things out of life: he wants biological children, but she's decided not to have them. Keeping the secret becomes more difficult when Eric's apartment floods and he temporarily moves in with Shelby and her housemates. Suddenly they're together all the time, even at work, where both are helping with a children's musical theater program for the summer. When the adult actress playing Cinderella is injured, the musical's director begs Shelby, a talented singer with a terrible case of stage fright, to take over the role. She reluctantly agrees, but she'll need lots of help if she's going to be ready for opening night. Of course her best friend Eric is there for her - even when it's time to rehearse the kissing scene. But what happens when Shelby and Eric's "practice kisses" start to feel real?

My favorite part about the friends-to-lovers trope is always the pining, and it was so well done in this story! Also, I appreciated that there were legitimate reasons keeping Shelby from speaking up about her feelings for Eric, beyond the usual fear of messing up the friendship. Whatever their differences, there was no doubt they belonged together, and my heart nearly exploded from happiness when they finally confessed their true feelings for each other.

Overall, I loved "Belonging with Her Best Friend" and highly recommend it for all fans of sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy. It was the first book I've read by this author but certainly won't be the last.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes (anthology)

A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes by Tori Alvarez, et al.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up "A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes" mainly because of Kelly Kay's contribution, "Follow Me," which I very much enjoyed. Based on that story and a handful of other standouts, I'd recommend this collection for all contemporary romance fans.

Individual reviews for several of the stories are included below. As a general note, it's worth mentioning how much I appreciated that the authors included a summary of tropes and heat ratings at the beginning of each story. I'd love to see other anthology organizers include something similar in future collections!

"Once Upon That Time I Started a Major Sh*t Show" by Maria Ann Germain: I really liked the unique story structure of this novella, which was narrated through a series of journal entries, text messages, receipts, boarding passes, and even party invitations. The story itself was cute and funny, and it definitely made me want to check out more of the author's work in the future. 4 stars.

"On the Rocks" by G.G. Gleason: I really enjoyed this story! The steamy scenes in this novella were my favorite ones of the entire book because of the way main characters Skylar and Seth communicated with each other. She hadn't had great experiences in the past, but instead of immediately assuming that his magical p33n would fix everything, he actually took the time to listen to her and what she enjoyed. I wish there were more men like that in the world! 4 stars.

"Follow Me" by Kelly Kay: While the story was a bit slow-paced for me at times, I enjoyed the instant connection between main characters Ingrid and Ian and empathized with Ingrid's desire to establish herself outside of her extended family's shadow and her own reputation as a former fashion influencer. Fans of rock star romance will definitely appreciate this one. 4 stars.

"Caution in Love" by K. Rodriguez: I would never have guessed that this is the author's first published work, but I will definitely be watching to see what she writes in the future! I loved the Latinx representation, and all of the food references (mmm, empanadas) made me hungry. Izzy and Chase had a bit of a rocky path to love, but they made a great couple, and I was rooting for them the whole way. 4 stars.

"Throne for It" by Melissa Williams: Insta-love isn't my favorite trope, but even I have to admit that this was a cute story. It's the prequel to a series launching later this summer, and I plan to pick up the first book when it releases. One thing I didn't quite understand about this story and hope the series will explain is why so many members of a random country's royal family were in Canada. Why couldn't Henry's niece's birthday party have been held in Cragnoor? 4 stars.

*Review copy provided by the authors. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "Head Over Cleats" by Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray

Head Over Cleats by Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Head Over Cleats" by Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray is the first book of the No Place Like Home series, a spinoff of the Digital Dating series. A few characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it works well as a standalone.

Shortly after he announces his retirement due to a shoulder injury, star baseball player Trey Callihan's grandfather Roy summons him to the small town of Solano Creek. He claims to be ill, but secretly, Roy is faking in an effort to reunite with his estranged grandsons. Trey arrives to find that his grandfather has adopted a new dachshund, Batman, who is running wild on the streets of Solano Creek with no collar while Roy enjoys a glass of wine at the Cunning Ham winery. Forced to take temporary custody of the dog, Trey stops into the local pet store run by single mom Iris Copeland and her best friend Juniper to purchase a new collar and other supplies. Iris has sworn off men after a tough divorce, but her 7-year-old daughter Dahlia turns out to be a huge baseball fan and recognizes Trey immediately. He can't help being drawn to both Iris and Dahlia, but Trey's only planning to stay in Solano Creek for as long as it takes to get his grandfather sorted out. After that, he's going back to his own life - whatever that may look like, post-retirement. Will Iris and Dahlia give him a reason to stay in Solano Creek instead?

This was such a cute story! Iris's ex-husband was a real loser and I completely understood her hesitation to get involved with someone new. She was just trying to protect herself and her daughter from getting hurt again. Fortunately, Trey was nothing like her ex, and he treated both Iris and Dahlia as if they were his own almost from the moment they met. I loved his adorable relationship with Dahlia as well as the way he reconnected with his grandfather over the course of the story.

After just one book, I can already tell that this is going to be another fantastic series from Stewart and Ray! I highly recommend "Head Over Cleats" for all romantic comedy fans and look forward to the next book.

*Review copy provided by the authors. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Release Blitz + Excerpt + Review: "Royal Rebel" by JJ Knight

I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Royal Rebel" by JJ Knight, book #5 of the Pickle Family series. Characters from the earlier books of the series make appearances in this one, but it works well as a standalone. 

Princess Octavia of Avalonia and her younger sister Lili have been isolated from men their entire lives, due to their father's decree that no males between the ages of 7 and 30 were permitted on palace grounds. He refused to allow for any possibility that his precious daughters could somehow be "compromised." Their older brother, Crown Prince Leo, recently convinced their father to make an exception and hire a group of younger male palace guards, and Octavia, now 23, has been watching them train out the window for weeks. She's become convinced that the handsome head trainee, Gregor, is her one true love, so she sneaks out to try and meet him in the rose garden one day. Instead, she runs into Gregor's fellow trainee, Finlandorio "Finley" Bulgari, and accidentally confesses her love to him. The misunderstanding is quickly revealed, and Octavia is surprised to learn that Finley is actually her childhood friend "Dory." They were allowed to play together as young children but her parents separated them on Finley's 7th birthday; he and his mother, a palace laundress, moved into a cottage off palace grounds, though she kept her job, and Finley and Octavia haven't seen each other since. Even though he's drawn to Octavia himself, Finley agrees to act as a go-between for her and Gregor. Can he help his old friend obtain her heart's desire without losing his own heart in the process?

This book was absolutely adorable, and I think my favorite thing about it was that the author did such a fantastic job with the world building. The story had a true fairy tale feel to it, as if it took place in a world just slightly different from our own. Even though Octavia and Finley faced tough challenges and real (IMO draconian) consequences for their actions, their story somehow felt magical in a way that real life often doesn't. Beyond that, Finley and Octavia were super cute together. I really empathized with the awkwardness of Finley's position as third wheel, but at the same time found it sweet that he cared so much about Octavia as a friend that he was willing to set aside his own feelings to help her be happy.

 

Overall, I loved "Royal Rebel" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to the next book in the series, hopefully featuring Octavia's sister Lili.
 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Enticing Journey Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.  

 

 

About "Royal Rebel"

You’ve never made a mistake like mine.

It’s bad enough being a bloomin’ princess.
It’s not all cake and tiaras.
There’s rules. Expectations.
Your internet is censored. Your cell phones are tapped.
And your father is literally king.

Mine made a law that no man between the age of seven and thirty is allowed to work inside the palace.

Which means I’m surrounded by kitchen staff, female guards, and a dusty old tutor named Maurice.

Now I’m twenty-three with zero experience around men. I’ve never even texted one.

But on the castle lawn, there are dozens of hunky new guards working out below the tower. I spy on them every day.

I’ve chosen one.
Kind. Beautiful. Strong.

I sneak through the underground tunnels to surprise him in the rose garden and tell him how I feel.

Except when I finally confess my love through the trellis, and we walk to the end of the hedge to begin our forbidden romance…

I realize I’ve accidentally propositioned the biggest playboy in the palace.
__

Royal Rebel is a standalone romantic comedy about a princess who breaks all the rules, overzealous donkeys that interrupt make-out sessions, and a hunky guard who thinks he’ll never, ever, limit himself to one woman — until he does. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Royal Rebel"

The Princess peers up at me. “Are you going to give me a movie screen kiss or not?”

Hell yes, I am.

If caution is a yellow flag, I fling it out of sight. I clasp the back of her head, threading my fingers through her hair. I pull her to me roughly until our bodies are flush together fully along their length.

I bend down and don’t wait for her to come to me. I pull her face to mine, delving instantly into her mouth. She opens in surprise as my tongue licks against hers. She’s warm honey and peppermint, yielding and soft.

After a moment, her body molds into mine. Her tongue comes for me, and her pulse flutters beneath my thumb at her throat. She lets out a sound and presses her pelvis against me.

With only a few inches between our heights, she lands where her body instinctively knows where to aim. I respond instantly, stiffening between us.

She pulls her face from mine, her eyes big as she looks up at me. “Is that…”

I want to grab her hips and grind into her. I’m fiercely in need. But I control myself. “It is.”

“What do I do with it?”

Oh, I could tell her.

She goes on. “Should I pretend it isn’t happening? It didn’t when I danced with that random guy. How often does it happen?”

I draw in a ragged breath. Her innocence is shocking, delectable. I want to break it wide open, right here, against a brick wall, pounding her until we both disintegrate into nothing.

Down, boy.

“You don’t have to talk about it. A guy knows it’s happening. It’s natural. Part of the process.”

“Already? Just from kissing? I thought we had to be naked. And ready to do that thing!”

“It can happen anytime.”

Her eyes go even wider. “Like at dinner? Or while driving a car?” She draws in a sharp breath. “Around your grandma?”

Okay, with that thought, I no longer have a problem. I let out a breath. “Probably not around a grandma. It’s a stage in the process. It’s not as obvious in women as men.”

“Is it happening to me?” She glances down at her jeans as if she might produce an erection or some other obvious sign. “Wait. Is that what they call a lady boner?”

I can’t stop myself from laughing. “Sort of. But not literally. You don’t have an outward sign.”

“What is my sign?”

Jesus. “A dampness. It’s called getting wet.”

“I’ve heard that phrase. They mean down there!”

“Yes.”

“It’s not pee, is it?”