Review: "The Chad Next Door" by Dana LeCheminant

The Chad Next Door by Dana LeCheminant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Burned out from work and a recent breakup, private investigator Chad Briggs decides to spend some time alone at his vacation home in the small town of Laketown, Colorado. Unfortunately, his peace and quiet is interrupted when Hope Duncan moves into the run-down house next door with her 7-year-old niece, Zelda, and 6-year-old nephew, Link. Chad tries to keep his distance but can't seem to avoid getting entangled with Hope and the kids, even offering them a place to stay when an early season snowstorm leaves them with no heat or electricity. As the storm rages outside, Hope and Chad grow closer, and she begins to realize that she's never felt as safe or happy with anyone as she does with her much older neighbor. Their age difference isn't the only obstacle standing in the way of a relationship, however. Can they find a way to make it work?

This book gave me all the feels, but in the end, I could only be happy that Hope, Chad, and the kids found each other. Chad may have been grumpy at times, but he had a huge heart. I think he wanted a family of his own more than he'd admitted even to himself. He was great with Zelda and Link, and I loved how supportive he was of Hope too. Her personality was a perfect balance for his, and their chemistry was off the charts. What I most loved about this book, however, was how funny it was. I laughed so hard I was almost crying during the scene with Hope and her new friend Jane in the hardware store. Hope may have missed her true calling as a spy! ;-)

I highly recommend "The Chad Next Door" for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and rom-com fans and 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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Review: "Stranded with Scrooge" by Maude Winters

Stranded with Scrooge: A Semi-Royal Enemies to Lovers Christmas Novella by Maude Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All Nira Mayhew-Sharma wants for Christmas is to get home in time to celebrate the holiday with her family in England, but she's stranded in Canada thanks to the snowstorm that grounded her flight. Auggie Lear is also on his way home to England, though not to celebrate; he's recently divorced and his 12-year-old son is spending Christmas with his mother this year. A misunderstanding leads Auggie to believe that Nira is spoiled and entitled, and he doesn't hesitate to let her know what he thinks. Meanwhile, she thinks he's a grinch. The last thing they want is to be stuck together, but neither of them is going anywhere anytime soon. A temporary truce soon gives way to an unlikely friendship...along with a growing attraction that will be impossible for either of them to ignore.

I really enjoyed Nira and Auggie's chemistry and witty banter. They were actually a pretty cute couple once they got past the initial animosity, and I loved that the epilogue brought their story full circle. They ended up in exactly the perfect place, and I was rooting for them the whole way.

I'd recommend this charming novella for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to the author's next release.

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

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Review: "How it All Began" by Fiona West

How it All Began: A Small-Town Romance by Fiona West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"How It All Began" by Fiona West is a prequel to the Timber Falls series that tells the story of Evan Durand and Farrah Eastman, parents of Daniel from "Could Be Something Good" and Kyle from "Must be a Mistake." As Daniel nervously prepares for his girlfriend Winnie's first visit to the Durand family home with her mother, who also happens to be his boss, Evan reflects on the early days of his relationship with now-wife Farrah. Their story was every bit as adorable as their sons' stories, and I loved getting this additional glimpse into their past.

This funny, sweet novella serves as a perfect introduction to the Durand family for readers who haven't yet picked up any of the books in the Timber Falls series, and a fun little bonus for those who have. I highly recommend "How It All Began" for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance fans and look forward to whatever the author writes next.

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

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Review: "The Forever Pact" by Jaimie Casey

The Forever Pact by Jaimie Casey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After catching her fiance with another woman, Pippa Chase calls off her wedding and impulsively runs away to childhood best friend TJ Wyatt's ranch in the small town of Paradise Valley, Montana. Their only communication in recent years has been an annual exchange of Christmas cards, so it's quite a surprise when TJ finds Pippa waiting for him outside his barn. They promised that they'd always be there for each other, however, and Pippa needs a friend now more than ever. As they get to know each other again as adults, secrets from the past are revealed, and Pippa and TJ realize that their feelings for each other are stronger than just friendship. But TJ can't shake the fear that Pippa hasn't gotten over her ex-fiance. Can she prove that TJ is the man for her?

I loved seeing the evolution of Pippa and TJ's childhood friendship through the letters included at the beginning of each chapter as well as the way they got to know each other again in the present. The gradual shift in the way they saw each other as they realized what they'd felt for each other all along was perfectly paced. They were one of those couples that just seemed to fit together, and despite her New York upbringing, Pippa fit perfectly with TJ's friend group in Paradise Valley, too. His friends were a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to their stories (as well as Pippa's best friend Emma's).

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

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

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Review: "Wood Riddance" by Daphne Elliot

Wood Riddance by Daphne Elliot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Gagnon and Hebert families of Lovewell, Maine have been at odds for generations because of their competing timber companies, but after learning that his father was responsible for her father's death, Adele Gagnon hates Finn Hebert more than ever. Even though Finn and his brothers had no knowledge of or involvement in their father's crimes, they're now in danger of losing the family business. That means Finn needs to find another job to help support his 10-year-old daughter, Merry, and keep his dream of starting his own flight tourism business alive. Adele's older brother Henri decides to give Finn a chance when the Gagnons need a qualified pilot to help them complete an aerial survey of the land they recently purchased, but unfortunately, Adele gets stuck with supervising him. Trapped together by an unexpected storm one afternoon, the sparks between Finn and Adele ignite into a passion that neither of them can ignore. Family feud notwithstanding, Finn quickly realizes that Adele is the only woman for him, but can he convince her that their love is worth risking her family's wrath?

The chemistry between Finn and Adele was fantastic! I loved that he didn't give up on her no matter how many times she tried to shut him down. Despite the obstacles that stood in their way, he knew what he wanted from the beginning and wasn't afraid to fight for it. I also loved that Finn was such a devoted dad to his daughter Merry and tried so hard to make her proud of him. As for Adele, while she was certainly prickly at times, I found her to be very endearing too. I particularly liked that she always stood up for herself, especially with her brothers. It can't have been easy for her to grow up as the only girl in her family, but she more than held her own.

Overall, I adored "Wood Riddance" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. While I'm sad that this series is coming to an end, this book was a truly epic conclusion. I can't wait to get started on the next series featuring Finn's brothers!

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

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Review: "My Boyfriend Is a Vampire" by Eva Knight

My Boyfriend Is a Vampire by Eva Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the interest of full disclosure, I am not at all into the vampire thing. In fact, when Twilight was at the height of its popularity, if you had asked me to choose between Team Edward and Team Jacob, I probably would have chosen Team Stake Through My Heart just to get out of the conversation. However, I love Helena Hunting (no matter her pen name), so when I heard that she was writing a vampire rom-com, I knew I had to give it a try.

Anyway. I am probably (definitely) not the target market for this book. That being said...

I actually kind of enjoyed it. I especially liked that Hazy applied her scientific mind to the situation and really tried to understand Godric and where he came from, as well as how their physical relationship impacted her. The two of them geeking out over test results may have been my favorite part of the book. I was also surprisingly invested in the conflict about their different rates of aging and the challenges it presented for the future of their relationship. There wasn't an easy answer for them on how to move forward, but I really liked the way the author chose to handle it.

So did this book change my mind about vampire romances in general? Am I going to wake up tomorrow and decide to go searching for a (possibly sparkly?) blood-sucker of my own? No. But am I glad I read it? Yes. It was a fun change of pace from what I normally read and a good way to get into the Halloween mood. I don't think I'll be picking up another one, but I will be recommending this one for my fellow rom-com fans.

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

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Review: "Peter Pumpkined Out" by Kacie West

Peter Pumpkined Out by Kacie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Peter Caruso, the owner and CEO of All Out Brewing, has been in negotiations with his company's delivery drivers on a new contract for some time, but the two sides remain far apart and the drivers are now threatening to strike. Pete thinks the drivers are being unreasonable in their demands and that anyone should be able to do what he considers to be such a simple job, so when one of the drivers dares him to take on his route for the day, he arrogantly agrees. If Pete succeeds, the drivers will agree to the contract he's proposed. If not, he will agree to their demands.

Pete's day of deliveries turns out to be a disaster and he realizes that the drivers were right. The only bright spot is meeting Cara, a law student who's working as a bartender at one of the stops on his route. Accidentally spraying her with beer while trying to tap a keg wasn't exactly his best move, but he still manages to convince her to go out with him. The problem is that Cara thinks Pete is a blue collar delivery driver, not a wealthy CEO with a reputation for being a jerk. When she learns the truth, will Pete be able to convince Cara to give him a chance?

This was such a fun story! It was immediately apparent how out of touch Pete was with reality, and I loved seeing him experience life without so many of the privileges he was used to. He wasn't a bad guy, though he did come across as a jerk sometimes. He certainly had a soft spot for the people he loved, especially Cara. The way he doted on her was very sweet. As for Cara, I loved how smart she was and that she wasn't afraid to share her ideas with Pete. She stood up to him and pointed out whenever he was being a jerk, but he gave her a chance to experience some of the finer things in life because of the way he cared for her. In the end, they balanced each other perfectly; she grounded him without taking away the edge he needed to be successful in business.

I highly recommend "Peter Pumpkined Out" for all contemporary romance and rom-com fans. I can't wait to find out what the authors come up with next. (I hope it will be a story for Danny and Glory!)

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Risky Game" by Stacey Lynn

I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Risky Game" by Stacey Lynn, book #4 of the Nashville Steel series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Logan Caldwell has barely started his new job as the head coach of the Nashville Steel when his ex-wife calls to inform him that she's leaving the country for three months to travel with her new boyfriend. He was expecting their 4-year-old daughter Amelia to be with her mother in California full-time until after the football season was over, but instead, she's coming to stay with Logan. He's scrambling to find childcare when the Steel's kicker, Jassen Moore, suggests hiring his younger sister Ruby as Amelia's nanny. Recent college graduate Ruby has been temporarily helping out with Jassen's kids but needs to find a paying position so that she can save up money for grad school. As soon as he meets her, Logan knows that Ruby is the perfect person to care for his daughter. The only problem is the explosive attraction that immediately flares between them...

 

This book was STEAMY! If I'm being honest, it probably went beyond my personal comfort level, though that is obviously very subjective and something I can easily get past. What I couldn't get past was my feeling that the steam and game playing between Logan and Ruby had taken over too much of the dynamic between them. Their emotional connection was secondary to their physical attraction, which made it tough to believe when they suddenly decided that they were in love with each other. However, I did like Ruby's relationship with Logan's daughter Amelia, especially that she had to work to get her to like her. As sweet as it is when kids in books bond with their parent's new partner right away, this felt much more realistic.

 

I haven't read many (if any) other sports romances that focused on a coach as a main character, so it was fun to get a glimpse into a different aspect of the sports world through Logan's eyes. That said, his character felt a bit underdeveloped to me and I would have liked to know more about his background. For example, how did he get into coaching? Did he ever play football himself?

Overall, while this was not my favorite book of the series, I would recommend it for all fans of steamy contemporary romance. I look forward to the author's next release.

 

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

 

 

About "Risky Game"

Romance between them is strictly off-limits, but forbidden attraction has never felt so irresistible…I’m playing a risky game…

I’m the brand new coach of the current Super Bowl Champions. If that isn’t hard enough, I’m also one of the youngest coaches in the league.

Coupled with a recently finalized divorce and the goal to take the team and the city of Nashville's fans by storm, my ex throws me for a loop when she says she’s sending our daughter to me so she can take an extended three-month vacation.
 

Don’t get me wrong, I love my little girl more than anything but suddenly becoming a full-time single dad and the Steel’s new coach rocks the turf beneath my feet. I need some help and I need it fast.

Enter Ruby Moore.

The answer to my prayers. She’s looking for a new start, is great with kids and is the perfect set of eyes to watch my daughter when I’m not around.

The problem? I think she is perfect for me too.

The other problem? She’s not only my nanny, but she’s also the younger sister of a guy I’m tasked with leading. She’s way too young and sweet for me and the way she loves Amelia makes my heart melt. I don’t expect her perfume to remind me of lazy beach days and for her smiles to become a craving I can’t live without. But I can’t stop thinking about her. Fleeting glances turn into deeper conversations and even more carnal nights.

Soon, she’s a forbidden addiction I can’t quit.

I know I'm playing a Risky Game, but can I keep the woman I've fallen in love with, while still maintaining the respect of the team I’m trying to lead to another Championship?

 

Review: "Happily Ever Haunted" by Ellie Hall

Happily Ever Haunted by Ellie Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Sometimes I want to knit myself into a cozy blanket and just read for the rest of my life."

As soon as I read the first line of this book, I knew I was going to love it. I'm not usually a fan of paranormal romance, but "Happily Ever Haunted" was unlike anything else I've ever read. I very much enjoyed the twists, turns, and unexpected connections, which all came together perfectly in the end. Protagonists Scarlet and Burton were super cute together, and I loved the way she teased him and tried to get him to be less grumpy.

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and creative tale for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to find out what the author comes up with next!

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

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Review: "Lost Cause" by Elise Faber

Lost Cause by Elise Faber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A year of surveillance finally pays off for FBI agent Lex Blackwell when Frankie Lyon's estranged father shows up at her natural products store in the darkness before dawn. Francis Lyon is a known criminal but charges against him never seem to stick, and Lex believes Frankie is somehow involved in her father's crimes. The truth is that she is just as much a victim as those Lex has sworn to protect, and her father's reappearance in her life is both unwelcome and dangerous. As soon as he realizes Frankie's innocence, Lex stops fighting his attraction to her, but she may not be so quick to forgive him for the chaos and destruction he's brought into her life. He'll have to find a way to keep her safe and win her heart at the same time.

The investigation took several interesting twists and turns over the course of the story, and the author did a great job of ramping up the tension as the threat to Frankie from her father and his criminal activities grew. It didn't happen quite the way I expected it would, but I was very happy that Francis got what was coming to him in the end!

Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as happy with the central romantic relationship between Frankie and Lex. There's a thin line between alphahole and just plain a**hole, and I don't think Lex came down on the right side of it. I get that he was supposed to be protective and dominant, and he was also reacting to the fact that he had been betrayed in the past, but it was all just too much for me. Further, I thought Frankie let him off the hook for his behavior way too easily. There needed to be a lot more groveling before she jumped into bed with him.

Despite those frustrations, I'd recommend "Lost Cause" for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense and/or angsty contemporary romances. I look forward to Faber's next release.

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

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Review: "Insta Wedding" by Jen Atkinson

"Insta Wedding" by Jen Atkinson, the final installment of the Insta series, brings the entire cast of characters together to celebrate Iris and Dean's wedding. Despite Iris's meticulous preparations, now that the big day has finally arrived, things aren't exactly going according to plan. Her twin sister Ebony is secretly in labor and has enlisted friend and fellow bridesmaid Bethany to cover for her. Hijinks ensue as Ebony goes to extremes not to miss out on her sister's big day. Ebony isn't the only bridesmaid keeping secrets, either. Will Bethany and Coco be able to keep their news under wraps until after the wedding?

 

This hilarious novella was absolutely the perfect way to bring the Insta series to a close. Reading it felt like being back with old friends and I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend "Insta Wedding" for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans, though it's a good idea to read the earlier books of the series first. I look forward to Atkinson's next release.

About "Insta Wedding"

An {INSTA} Series Novella
Iris, Ebony, Beth, and Coco are together, at last, for a final novella adventure!

 

Iris has spent the last year planning and preparing for the perfect mountaintop wedding. Everything is in place. Everything is ready to go. Everything is set… Now if only her wedding party would cooperate!

One does not plan to go into labor the day for their twin sister’s wedding. Nope, in fact, Ebony would have chosen any other moment in time to give birth. But apparently she doesn’t get to choose. Peanut is coming, no matter how much she tries to convince herself otherwise.

Beth has a secret. A couple actually. She is great at keeping secrets. Well, sort of great. Maybe don’t ask Tate or Ebony about how great she is… But significant others and best friends don’t count, right? Yeah… just don’t ask Tate’s or Ebony’s opinion on the matter.

Being thrust into motherhood has gotten Coco ready for the madness of this wedding. She can handle Iris, Ebony, and Beth, as well as the craziness they are throwing at her. Why? Because she’s been living with a six-year-old for the past two months, and now she has superpowers. That’s why.

Join Iris, Ebony, Beth, Coco, and, of course, all of Instagram for the wedding adventure of a lifetime!

 

Review: "Insta Family" by Jen Atkinson

Insta Family: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Jen Atkinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His best friend's mother, Lucy Bailey, has been more of a parent to Jude Taylor than the woman who gave birth to him, so when she asks him for a favor, he immediately says yes. He starts to have second thoughts when that favor turns out to be contacting the daughter Lucy secretly gave up for adoption years ago. Coco Coalfield is focused on becoming a partner in her boss's veterinary practice, not on finding her birth mom, but when Jude messages her one day out of the blue, she can't help but wonder what it would be like to meet her. But work comes first, so she puts off responding to Jude - until the day he shows up in person and she agrees to come for a visit. Jude would never make a move on his best friend's sister, but the instant attraction between him and Coco is increasingly difficult to resist as she spends time in his hometown getting to know the Baileys, his chosen family. His 5-year-old daughter Alice is smitten with her too. But with their lives in two different places, are Jude and Coco destined for heartbreak?

I absolutely adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story. Jude and Coco had fantastic chemistry, and the way he helped her through her fear of flying was incredibly sweet. Coco's efforts to build a relationship with her birth mother and brothers were emotional at times, but there was plenty of humor to offset the serious moments. I particularly enjoyed Jude's awkward first meeting with Coco's friend Jet, his favorite professional soccer player, as well as his daughter Alice's hilarious antics.

I highly recommend "Insta Family" for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I'm excited for what's to come in Atkinson's next series, which will feature Coco's four brothers.

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

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Review: "A Not So Fictional Fall" by Savannah Scott

A Not So Fictional Fall by Savannah Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've adored every single one of Savannah Scott's books so far, but she's outdone herself with Pierre and Tasha's story in "A Not So Fictional Fall." I fell head over heels for the swoony Pierre, who, following a bad breakup, had become convinced that he was incapable of the kind of romantic love he wrote about in his books. The truth was that Pierre could not have been more genuinely kind and caring, and I loved the little ways in which he showed his love for Tasha, such as bringing her coffee in the morning and helping her cope with her fear of heights. He thought he needed grand gestures, but sometimes it's the little things that matter most. As for Tasha, I adored her inner monologue, which had me laughing out loud more than once. They made a terrific couple and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.

The book's secondary characters were also a ton of fun and added a great deal of depth and humor to what was already a fantastic story. I particularly enjoyed Tasha's sister, single mom Heather, and Pierre's flirty best friend Rene. I'd love for the two of them to get a story of their own in the future!

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on whatever Savannah Scott writes next.

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Irresistible" by Willow Aster

I'm thrilled to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Irresistible" by Willow Aster, book #3 of the Landmark Mountain series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

After finding her husband in bed with another woman, Marlow Hennessy packs up her life in Texas and moves to Colorado with her 4-year-old daughter Dakota. She needs a fresh start, and her best friend Sofie's hometown of Landmark Mountain seems like the perfect place - or at least it would be if it weren't for Dr. Wyatt Landmark. Sofie is engaged to Wyatt's brother Theo, so it's impossible for Marlow and Wyatt to avoid each other and the sparks that fly every time they're together. They finally manage to settle their differences when Marlow is hired as a receptionist at the hospital where Wyatt works. In fact, they even become friends - and that's all they'll ever be as long as Marlow remains another man's wife, no matter the attraction unexpectedly growing between them...

This book just made me happy. Marlow was such a good person and deserved to be appreciated for who she was, but it didn't seem as if she'd ever really had anyone in her corner besides Sofie and her brother Logan (though he was so far away most of the time that he didn't really count). Once they got past their initial animosity, she couldn't have had a bigger champion than Wyatt. She and Dakota were good for him too; they helped him find a life outside of work, and I loved the little family they made together.

 

I highly recommend "Irresistible" for all contemporary romance fans and look forward to the next book in the series. 

 

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

 

 

About "Irresistible"

A single mom who's sworn off men, and a sexy doctor who wants to change her mind...

With my little girl in tow, I pack up my Texas roots, seeking a fresh start in Landmark Mountain. Leaving behind a trail of shattered trust and a cheating ex, the last thing I expect is to collide with a sexy stranger.

Our first encounter is a whirlwind of heated words and fiery glares. But fate's twisted sense of humor places him right in my path, not once, but many times over and over again.

Why does Dr. Wyatt Landmark have to be related to my best friend's boyfriend?

But Landmark has a way of softening my heart, both the man and the town. This place already feels like home, and Wyatt’s interactions with my daughter reveal a side of him I hadn't expected.

It isn't long before his small acts of kindness begin to chip away at the walls I've so carefully constructed around my heart. That, and the passion between us I can’t deny whenever he looks my way.

Despite swearing off love, the resolve I’ve had is stripping away as Wyatt becomes more irresistible by the day.

Irresistible is book three in the Landmark Mountain Series. Each book can be read as a standalone. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "I Wish I Knew Then" by Jessica Peterson

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz celebrating "I Wish I Knew Then" by Jessica Peterson, book #1 of the Harbor Village series.

Louise Wade and Riley Dixon secretly fell in love the summer before her freshman year of college. She was visiting her grandparents at their summer home on North Carolina's Bald Head Island, where his mother worked as their housekeeper. Lu had visions of forever with Riley, but instead he broke her heart when he texted her to end their relationship shortly after she left for school. Ten years later, Lu is working through another heartbreak after being dumped by her cheating fiance as well as facing the prospect of returning to Bald Head for the first time in ten years. She's the maid of honor in her best friend's "shotgun wedding," and the best man has called in a favor to find the happy couple a last-minute venue on the island. What Lu doesn't realize until she arrives is that the best man is none other than Riley, who is now a self-made billionaire. After the initial fireworks, Lu decides to play it cool to prove that she's moved on. But when Riley finds out that she's single, he hatches a plan to win her back. 

They may have been apart for a decade, but Riley and Lu's chemistry was still very much alive when they met up again upon her return to the island. In fact, their chemistry was so white hot that I thought my Kindle might spontaneously combust during some of the steamy scenes! Beyond that, they were both likeable protagonists and seemed well matched despite their vastly different backgrounds. Even though she grew up in a wealthy family, Lu was very down to earth, and they both had a strong work ethic. It was easy to see why they were so drawn to each other.

I highly recommend "I Wish I Knew Then" for all steamy contemporary romance fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

 

About "I Wish I Knew Then"

My grandmother has a saying: what’s done in the dark always comes to light, especially in small towns with big secrets. And I was hiding the biggest secret of them all.

Every summer I spent growing up at my grandparents’ coastal estate was the same. Same cousins. Same chaos. Same long golf cart rides along the beach.

But everything changed the summer I turned eighteen, when my grandparents’ new housekeeper moved in with her son, Riley. With his big personality and head-turning looks, he was the local heartthrob.

We fell in love instantly. Riley was my first everything. First love. First time.

And my first heartbreak when he dumped me at the end of the summer.

Ten years later, I’m back on the island for my best friend’s wedding as her maid of honor. Who’s the first person I literally stumble into?

Riley Dixon. Even worse? He’s the groom’s best man, and a self-made billionaire to boot.

Being forced to spend an entire week together for wedding festivities quickly leads to more: hot hate sex, late nights of sneaking out, and unexpected revelations. The boy I knew a decade ago is gone, and the hate becomes…something else entirely. And I begin to wonder if Riley is hiding some secrets of his own.

I WISH I KNEW THEN is a small town, standalone romance. It is the first book in the Harbor Village Series. 

 

Review: "Insta Kiss" by Jen Atkinson

Insta Kiss by Jen Atkinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Entertainment reporter Bethany Barns has been having a tough time since her best friend Ebony McCoy moved away, so she's not thinking very clearly when she accepts a date with co-worker Brad to attend the newspaper's annual Christmas party. After a terrible evening in which Brad keeps trying to kiss her even though she's told him that it's not going to happen, Beth decides to prove her point by marching over to the handsome stranger standing under the mistletoe and kissing him instead. It just might be the best kiss of her life, but Beth has a rule against kissing any guy more than once, so when she gets a text from Ebony, it's the perfect excuse to walk away. A few minutes later, Bethany is shocked to learn that her mystery man is actually Tate Wilhelm, the newspaper's new assistant editor and her new boss. She was convinced that the assistant editor's job would be hers, putting her and Tate immediately at odds. It's even worse when she discovers that Tate has moved into Ebony's former apartment a few floors below her own. She's determined to do whatever it takes to prove that the job should have gone to her...even if that means ignoring her inconvenient attraction to Tate and his efforts to make a connection with her.

Tate and Bethany had great chemistry and I loved their witty banter. He seemed like a genuinely good guy, though his internet stalking may have been a bit out of bounds at times. I completely understood why Beth was upset about not getting the promotion, but at the same time, I think she was mad at the wrong person; she unfairly took her feelings out on Tate when the real villain was the newspaper's senior editor, Clark, who passed her over without an explanation. That said, the real obstacle to their relationship was Beth's trust issues, which were also completely understandable. I felt so bad for everything she went through with her late fiance, especially the lack of closure that was preventing her from moving on. His approach was unconventional (think "You've Got Mail"), but Tate turned out to be the perfect person to help her work through that baggage.

Overall, I adored this laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and heartwarming story. I highly recommend "Insta Kiss" for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

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