Review: "Tommy & Merry and the Twelve Days of Christmas" by Ellie Hall

Tommy & Merry and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Ellie Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As best friends in college, Merilee Ketchum and Tommy Costa promised to marry each other if they were both still single when they turned 30. Unfortunately, they grew apart after Merry walked in on Tommy making out with her roommate, and she dropped out of school shortly thereafter to care for her sick grandmother. More than a decade later, Tommy and Merry run into each other while attending a mutual friend's wedding and Tommy quickly realizes that his old college crush on Merry is still there. He reminds her of their pact, but Merry, still hurt over what happened with her college roommate, rebuffs him. They meet again by chance the next day when they each schedule a meeting with the owner of a vacant pizza shop in Merry's hometown of Hawk Ridge Hollow, Montana, where Tommy has recently relocated. Merry hopes to lease the space to open a pie shop, while Tommy is hoping to open a pizza shop with his family. The owner of the building decides that the two of them should go into business together and tells them that if they refuse, he'll lease the space to a national chain instead. They reluctantly agree to the plan, but things become even more complicated when Tommy's parents arrive and Merry impulsively volunteers to act as his fake fiancee. As they work together to get their newly combined business off the ground, can Tommy convince Merry to give their romantic relationship a chance, too?

Tommy and Merry were ridiculously cute together and I enjoyed their story tremendously. I particularly loved that he held onto his copy of the marriage pact for so many years! It was a great way to demonstrate that he'd never really stopped thinking about her in the time they were apart, and that he didn't take their unexpected second chance for granted. Their banter was a lot of fun, and I also appreciated the way that Merry came into her own by the end of the story. She was a lot better about standing up for herself (in her own sweet way, of course) and she'd also found a home for herself with Tommy's big, welcoming Italian family.

I would recommend this story for all fans of sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy, and look forward to continuing the series.

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

View all my reviews

Release Blitz + Review: "Official" by Georgia Coffman

I'm happy to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Official" by Georgia Coffman, part of the multi-author ABCs of Love series of standalones.

 

After an unflattering video goes viral and makes her the laughingstock of the internet, fitness influencer Samantha Ray must come up with a new plan in order to save her business. Meanwhile, her brother Teddy's best friend, Xander Logan, has just been fired from his job as a writing assistant on a TV show. He has a new (and better) job lined up for the fall, but there's still an entire summer of unemployment ahead of him. When he learns of Samantha's misfortune while out for drinks with her and Teddy one night, Xander impulsively invites her to join him on a trip to Maui and offers to play her fake boyfriend to mitigate the fallout from her viral video. Their impromptu tropical getaway brings them closer than they've ever been before, and they quickly begin to develop feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. However, both are concerned about Samantha's brother's reaction if he finds out that they're no longer faking for the cameras. Is their relationship destined to be nothing more than a vacation fling or can they find a way to be together when they return home?

I very much enjoyed this fun and flirty summer escape read, which featured likeable, three-dimensional characters and an engaging plot. Samantha and Xander's time together in Hawaii allowed them to see each other in a whole new light, and their chemistry just kept getting stronger as they got to know each other better. I really admired Samantha's dedication to wellness/nutrition as well as the creativity and drive she demonstrated in building her business. I wish I had even a fraction of her willpower, but the truth is that I am far more likely to take a nap than go for a run!

I recommend "Official" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to Georgia Coffman's next release. 

 

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

 

 

About "Official"

Agreeing to a fake relationship with my brother's best friend was supposed to fix a stupid mistake and save my career. I was not supposed to fall for him in the process...

My relationship with Xander is nothing more than a way to ease some of the fallout we’re both experiencing in our careers.

The lie is intended to be as harmless as the spontaneous trip we’ve decided to take—an adventure of a lifetime to a tropical island.

It’s the perfect escape to nurse our wounded egos. How can we be stressed with nothing but sunshine and palm trees surrounding us?

At first, our conversations are innocent. Our touches casual. Our glances fleeting.

We aren’t supposed to grow closer.

Or kiss—we definitely aren’t supposed to kiss.

And before I realize it, what I thought would be a regular summer turns into so much more. Right up until our blissful bubble bursts from a dose of reality much stronger than our umbrella cocktails.

Which begs the question… are we a vacation fling, or can we finally make our relationship official? 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Love Lessons" by Sarina Bowen

I'm thrilled to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Love Lessons" by Sarina Bowen, book #7 of the Brooklyn series. Characters from previous books in the series make appearances in this one, but it works well as a standalone. 

 

The past few months have been rough for professional hockey player Ian Crikey, and his team wants him to spend the off-season working on his image. Personal stylist Vera Vestini would be the perfect person to help him with that, but she's not exactly Ian's biggest fan. He recently bought the building next door to hers and noise from the renovations is interfering with her fledgling business. However, when their mutual friends Charli and Neil Drake invite them to spend two weeks vacationing together in Italy, Vera realizes that she and Ian might be able to help each other. In exchange for assisting him with his wardrobe and image problem, she asks him for lessons in seduction, hoping to prove to her ex-boyfriend that she's anything but boring. Ian agrees to Vera's plan even though the only man he wants her to seduce is him. As she gets to know Ian better, Vera is forced to admit that he's not as annoying as she first believed; in fact, she likes him more than she probably should. Can their relationship turn into something real when they return to New York or is it destined to be nothing more than a vacation fling?

Ian and Vera were incredibly likeable, relatable protagonists, and I adored their sizzling chemistry and witty banter. Ian came across as a bit of an arrogant flirt at first, but as the book progressed, I was pleasantly surprised to see his sweet, caring, and protective side emerge. He was so patient with Vera during their "lessons" and I appreciated that he never pushed her to go too far, too fast. I also loved that he was brave enough to ask for help when he realized that he was struggling to come to terms with the events of the previous hockey season.

Overall, "Love Lessons" was a charming story with the perfect amount of steam, and I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary/sports romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to Sarina Bowen's next release.

 

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

 

 

About "Love Lessons"

He needs an image makeover, she needs a mojo upgrade. A new lessons-in-seduction hockey romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Sarina Bowen.

After I’m arrested for throwing a raucous party, my hockey team says I have an image problem. And I need to fix it, stat.

Charity work? Check. Haircut? Sure. But I draw the line at hiring my neighbor to style me. In the first place “style” shouldn’t be a verb. And I’m tired of people who’d judge me on appearances.

Vera and I don’t see eye to eye on anything. She wants me to try on clothes, while I just want to remove hers. She's distractingly pretty, with soulful eyes and a sinful mouth that likes to argue with me.

But when management threatens my summer vacation, I grudgingly agree to Vera’s unusual proposal: she’ll give me an image makeover. But in return, she wants lessons in the art of seduction.

It sounds a little nutty, but I know a good opening when I hear it. Besides, it’s not like I’ll ever fall for her… 

 

Review: "The Nanny and the Heartthrob" by Krista Sandor

The Nanny and the Heartthrob by Krista Sandor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've loved all of the books in Krista Sandor's Nanny Love Match series, but "The Nanny and the Heartthrob" was the best one yet! Featuring endearing, relatable characters and a compelling plot, this story gave me all the feels and I had a tough time putting it down.

Main characters Harper Presley and Landon Paige had a ton of chemistry, and I adored their witty banter. Even though they tried to resist their feelings, they really were perfect for each other, and it was easy for me to root for them to overcome all of the challenges that stood in their way. I also loved the book's secondary characters, particularly Landon's niece Aria and her new friends Phoebe, Oscar, and Sebastian. Those kids might just take over the world someday, but in the meantime, their antics had me laughing hysterically.

I highly recommend "The Nanny and the Heartthrob" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to whatever Krista Sandor writes next.

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

View all my reviews

Release Blitz + Review: "Along Came You" by Claudia Burgoa

I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Along Came You" by Claudia Burgoa, book #3 of the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers series. Characters from a number of Burgoa's previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Fern Spearman, director of her family's charitable foundation, hopes to build an affordable housing community outside of San Francisco but is having trouble lining up a contractor to help finalize the project's proposal and budget. After yet another meeting ends in frustration, Fern heads to a cafe for lunch and happens to meet Elliot McPhee, who volunteers to help her. What he fails to disclose is that he's actually the owner of the largest construction company on the West Coast, though he's no longer involved in the day-to-day operations. Instead, he's been doing volunteer work around the world in an effort to outrun the shadows of his past. Even though he never stays in one place for longer than a few months at a time, Elliot can't help being drawn to Fern and extending his stay so that he can be closer to her. Fern is equally drawn to Elliot but won't act on their attraction because he works for her. Besides, she's sworn off relationships after too many bad experiences in which men have either tried to take advantage of her because of her family's money or were intimidated by it. When the time finally comes for Elliot to move on to his next project, he and Fern agree to share a single night together, but it has unexpected consequences. Can Elliot convince Fern not only that he's ready to settle down and start a family, but that he feels more for her than just responsibility?

There were a lot of things I really enjoyed about this book, particularly the interactions between Fern and her siblings and the way they always had each other's backs. Burgoa is so good at creating large, lovable families and the Spearmans are among her best. However, the story itself felt rushed to me, especially near the end. There were a number of big time jumps (several months at a time) with just a paragraph or two to explain what had happened, and for me, that made it challenging to connect with the characters and the relationships they were building. Further, I wasn't a fan of Elliot's overly alpha behavior towards Fern near the end of the story. For example, he informed her that they'd be living together rather than asking her to move in with him. Up until that point, what I most liked about their relationship was that it felt like they were on an equal footing despite their age gap. It was tough to continue seeing them as equals when it seemed as if Elliot was dictating how their relationship was going to proceed and Fern just went along with whatever he wanted.
 

Even though this wasn't my favorite of Burgoa's books, I'd still recommend it and look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

About "Along Came You"

 

From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Claudia Burgoa comes this billionaire workplace accidental pregnancy romance that’ll leave readers laughing and swooning!

What happens when you break the cardinal rule?

I’m good at following rules.

Like, don’t sleep with your hot employees. That’s a good rule.

At least I was until that night. I blame the champagne and the tuxedo he wore.

There are several reasons why I shouldn’t be attracted to Elliot McPhee.He’s emotionally unavailable.

1. He’s in his mid-forties—too old for me.
2. He’s my employee.
3. He’s jaded after a disastrous divorce.
4. He’s leaving soon.
5. But he has gray eyes, and a deep velvety voice…did I mention he looks like Joshua Jackson?

I can’t resist.

It’s just a one-night stand before he leaves.

Except, things get complicated.

We’re talking two bright pink lines complicated.

Did I mention he has no desire to commit?

So, we agree not to try.

Except, we can’t keep our hands off each other.

Then I find out he’s not who I thought.

He’s so wrong for me. So why do I still want to create a family with him?

Along Came You is a forbidden age gap romance involving a secret billionaire and an accidental baby. Get ready to laugh, swoon, and be seduced by sexy billionaires willing to please their women! 

 

Review: "The Curvy Girl and the Quarterback" by Emily Bright

The Curvy Girl and the Quarterback by Emily Bright
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Emily Benson and Tyler Hayes were next door neighbors and best friends in elementary school but drifted apart when his family moved across town. Tyler is now their high school's star quarterback and dating the most popular (but mean) girl in school, who delights in torturing Emily for no apparent reason other than her weight. After a run-in with Tyler's girlfriend Clarissa results in both Emily and Tyler being late for class one morning, they end up stuck in detention together, and Tyler takes the opportunity to ask his former bestie to tutor him in calculus. He's afraid that if he doesn't improve his grade, he'll get benched and lose his chance at a college scholarship. Flattered, Emily agrees to meet with him over the weekend but worries about Clarissa's reaction when she finds out that she and Tyler will be spending time together. Is Tyler and Clarissa's relationship really as solid as it seems, or could Tyler have another reason for asking Emily to "study" with him?

This story was quite short (I read the whole thing in about 45 minutes) and mostly narrated from Emily's POV, with only a couple of very brief chapters from Tyler's POV. (Oddly, Emily's narration was in first person, while Tyler's was in third person.) Likely because of the length, there was virtually no character or relationship development, though I'm not sure relationship development matters a whole lot when the story doesn't end in an HEA or even an HFN. IMO, this story is not a romance though it seems to be marketed as such. However, I did appreciate the overall message about knowing your own worth despite what anyone else thinks and the way that Emily stood up for herself with Tyler in the end.

Overall, I think this story would have worked better for me if it were longer and there had been more time for the relationship between Tyler and Emily to grow. As it was, I had no idea what she actually saw in him besides his looks. They didn't really know each other anymore, and I hated that he didn't stand up for her when his girlfriend was bullying her. It was really tough to interpret any of his behavior as true romantic interest in Emily; it felt more like he was using her.

While I can't recommend this story, I would give the author another chance in the future.

View all my reviews

Review: "Check Mate" by Leah Brunner

Congratulations to Leah Brunner on the release of her latest novel, "Check Mate," book #3 of the Under Kansas Skies series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Financial advisor David Windell has always felt like the boring, predictable member of his family, so when his 30th birthday rolls around and one of his brothers dares him to do something unexpected before the year is out, he decides to shake things up. He's always dreamed of traveling but has never actually left the country, so when a travel brochure for Peru mysteriously shows up on his front doorstep, he takes it as a sign and books a hiking trip to Machu Picchu. Unbeknownst to him, his annoying next-door neighbor, Isabella Romero, is booked on the same trip. Her free spirit and disorganized nature have rubbed David the wrong way since the day she moved in, so sharing a tent with her is not exactly his ideal, but he can't stand the thought of her sharing with one of the obnoxious bachelor party bros accompanying them, either. The more time they spend together, the more David realizes that his first impressions of Isabella may have been incorrect, and surprisingly, they become friends by the end of the trip. Can their newfound friendship survive - and maybe even turn into something more - after they return home?

Without a doubt, this book is one of my favorites of the year so far! David and Isabella's story was just so much fun, and I empathized with both of them on so many levels. Like David, Isabella felt as if she didn't fit in with her family; they never really understood her love of travel or ambition to do more with her life than get married and work in the family restaurant. I loved the way that David supported her dreams and encouraged her to pursue them. In return, she brought out David's fun side and helped him find a better work-life balance. He needed someone to push him out of his comfort zone, and Isabella was certainly good at that! Their prank war was absolutely hysterical, though I have to admit I wouldn't want to be the victim of most of those pranks in real life.

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and can't wait for the next book in the series. 

 

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

 

 

About "Check Mate"

How did I find myself sharing a tent with my obnoxious—albeit gorgeous—neighbor, Isabella Romero?

It all started with a stupid bet.

All I had to do in order to win was something unpredictable. (Which my brother thought was impossible for the ever-boring David Windell).

Well, I showed him... by booking a trek in the Andes Mountains to see Machu Picchu.

When the brochure for the expedition mysteriously appeared on my front porch, along with Isabella's cat who doesn't have boundaries, it was like fate interceded: I could win the bet while simultaneously getting a vacation from my irritating neighbor.

Two birds, one stone.

Except, it turns out that was Isabella's brochure... and she booked the same trip.

So here I am, stuck sharing a tent with the woman who drives me crazy—and makes my heart race like never before.

Check Mate is book three in the Under Kansas Skies Series, but can be read as a standalone. Check mate is a dual POV, closed-door romcom. It contains mild language and innuendo.