Book Reviews

CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE by Erika Kelly

2/19/2021

Erika Kelly has a way of just pulling you into a book and not letting go until the last page. I've loved her writing since I picked up her Rock Star Romance series. She writes strong, smart, sexy women who can hold their own against their hero, and this book was no different. I loved Coco's character, how she handled her very strong willed daughter, but it was how she handled Beckett being in their lives that really got to me. And Beckett...Oh My! Such a great character. So much baggage. Seriously a hero worthy man. Their love story was sweet and touching, but it was him coming to terms with his demons and becoming the person you'd be proud to have at your side, or call your son, or friend that made this a total five star read for me. Really, it was the combination of all of these things.

Definitely will be reading the next book (and those I missed). This is part of a series, but I had no trouble reading it out of order or as a stand alone.

DANGEROUS WATERS by Toni Anderson

2/5/2021

This was only my second Toni Anderson book, and once again she kept me turning the pages until the very end.

Dangerous Waters is about a small town full of secrets, flawed characters, with a setting perfect for the seedier side of life. The author wove together complex plot threads and story lines that kept my interest and had me guessing until the end with her unpredictable twists and turns.

The attraction is there from the beginning, which is fine with me. It happens and it’s realistic. We’ve all had at least one person come into our lives where we felt an instant sizzle (at least, I hope so). The author did a great job showing why these two were the worst possible choices for each other, and yet, they were the perfect choices. Both main characters, Holly and Finn, have complicated backgrounds that have shaped them into the people they are today. Neither are perfect. They both make mistakes, but deep down, they have good intentions and chemistry with each other.

As for the mystery…and yes, this is more mystery than thriller, it’s twisted and dark. I’m not a huge fan of prologues, but it helped build the suspense and tension for the big climax at the end.

I try not to give away spoilers, so let me say that I like how Holly was smart, but not infallible. She made mistakes. She let her emotions rule her actions at times, and that just made me like her all the more. She even made a few “bone-headed” choices that made me want to shake her too, but that’s what makes her a great character. Finn, on the other hand, was totally ruled by his heart, and his loyalty to his family. Honestly, that made him very appealing to this reader. He’s the kind of guy who would put his life on the line to save someone he loves. And yes, he wasn’t always heroic, but again…that made him complex like most people really are in true life.

Other aspects of this story I loved were the secondary characters…my heart broke for Thom, and the vivid details that painted a realistic setting and set the tone perfectly.

DETACHED by Elicia Hyder

2/3/2021

Another great start to a new series by Elicia Hyder.

This story was everything I wanted it to be. A tough heroine who is soft inside. A hero who is worthy, not an alpha-jerk. Complications that are going to pull at my heart. Fun, interesting side characters (I really hope we see more of Flash and Teek.) Moments that make me laugh. Moments that brought tears to my eyes. All tied up in a complex, intriguing plot.

If you've not read Elicia Hyder before, read this and then go read The Soul Summoner series while you wait for book 2 in the Saphera Nyx series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

THE FIANCE by Stefanie London

1/2/2021

If Stefanie London was a baseball player, she’d be the designated batter, because she always hits it out of the park. The Fiancé is no exception.

Strong, smart, sassy heroine. Check. Wounded, commitment-phob hero. Check. Smoking hot love scenes. Check. A fun, fabulously written tale that brings it all together to create a memorable love story. Double check.

The Fiancé is more than a story of instalust, or even a romance. It’s about two people that are both stuck in bad situations, with life throwing them one curveball after another, and how when they stand together, they are strong enough to fight back and win. It’s about family issues (the good and the bad…totally love grandma), trust, jealousy, standing your ground and knowing when to give in.

The Fiancé was a fun, flirty, smoking hot, and heart-warming read from the first to the last page.

KISSING LESSONS by Stefanie London

11/9/2020

Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I’m a huge fan of Stefanie London. Let me tell you, KISSING LESSONS, didn’t let me down. I loved so much about this book: a curvy heroine who puts family first, but doesn’t let life’s lemons keep her down. Add in a smart, sweet hero who has a soft spot for his grandmother, and our heroine…Perfection.

The chemistry between Audrey and Ronan sparked from the first moment and just kept building, giving us a tender, romantic, yet very sexy romance.

As in all Stefanie London books, the secondary characters really rounded out the storyline and added additional depth and emotion (and laughter…can you say, mean llama). The author does include a serious subject matter (death, grief, a family shaken), but it’s handled in a gentle and kind manner. This is also a student/teacher romance in the beginning, but again it was handled in a professional and responsible manner (she’s an adult…26, part-time student, and he’s only a few years older).

You would think looking at Audrey and Ronan’s backgrounds, their priorities, and goals, there is no way these two will end up with a HEA, but in reality, they were the perfect match. In KISSING LESSONS, you get a sweet, fun, sexy romance, and may even win the next pub trivia challenge!

I highly recommend KISSING LESSONS and can’t wait for the next installment in this new series.

GUARDIAN’S GRACE by Rebecca Zanetti

10/19/2020

Zanetti is a master at writing alpha heroes you love, and would love to slap, all at the same time. Not to mention page turning action from start to finish, with just enough breathing room to fall in love with the characters. Guardian’s Grace did not disappoint.

I loved Grace’s feistiness, and brains. And fell hopelessly for Adare, a man who didn’t believe in love, but fiercely believes in loyalty and protecting those in his circle. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but these two were a perfect fit. Let’s also just say, I can’t wait to read Benny’s story.

This book is part of a series and can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series in order as there is a higher, over-arching story thread.

IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren

10/6/2020

If you’re a fan of holiday books, Ground Hog’s Day (the movie) and Christina Lauren (all of which, I am) then this is definitely a book you should check out.

I loved the mish-mash of families and friendships that came together in this story, complete with traditions, good-natured ribbing, a bit of drama, and lots of love.

Considering the circumstances of the story, Mae handled things pretty well. I mean, most people would just have themselves checked in to a psych ward if they started to repeat the same day over and over. But Mae did a fairly good job of trying to figure things out. More importantly, she used the do-over to go after her dreams, and I loved that.

Andrew was sweet, romantic, shy and yet not a push-over. He might be one of my favorite book heroes that I’ve read in quite some time.

Overall, this was a fun, happy, laugh-out-loud book that made me smile.

Trust Fund Fiancé by Naima Simone

9/1/2020

Naima Simone is a master at character chemistry, character conflict, and smoking hot love scenes. I’ve never read a Naima Simone book I didn’t love, and Trust Fund Fiancé didn’t let me down.

The writing was sharp, the characters had chemistry, and it was so much fun to watch these two try to deny what was happening between them. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite story types. Throw in a caring, sweet, helpful hero, and I’m a goner. Which is describes Zeke perfectly.

Yes, Zeke would benefit a little from their union, but it was mostly Reagan who would reap the rewards. Although, I don’t think either realized when they tied the knot, exactly what those rewards were.

I love that Reagan was Zeke’s champion against her parents and those that snubbed him. Those were totally magical moments that made you see how perfect these two were for each other. Zeke was strong, yet caring. And while Reagan came off, at first, as a spoiled little rich girl, she had substance and depth that made me really want to fight for these two to be together.

I found Trust Fund Fiancé a compelling read. I loved the romance and am intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Wingate’s and what looks to be their fall from grace.

Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London

8/25/2020

If you read my review on The Aussie Next Door, you’ll know that I totally feel in love with Patterson’s Bluff and its residents, especially the Walters family. I was so happy to return to this wonderful world with Her Aussie Holiday, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Trent is so much fun. He’s super sweet, playful and very caring of those around him. He may come off like he’s as deep as a puddle in the first book, and even at the beginning of this one, but he’s truly so much more. Cora was someone I could really relate to: a bit unsure of herself, lots of self-doubt about expressing herself, but wanting so much more.

Together these two are simply fun, sexy, playful, and a perfect match.

This book was, in my humble opinion, the perfect pick-me-up book. Lots of fun scenes between the two (OMG! The glitter scene!), as well as with the secondary characters. Not to mention, there is a sassy, back-talking cockatoo to fall in love with. I’m completely ready to pack my bags and head down under and live in this world. A must read for anyone looking for something that will make them laugh, as well as tug at their heartstrings.

HONEYSUCKLE SEASON by Mary Ellen Taylor

8/4/2020

I devoured this book. Mary Ellen Taylor has a magnificent talent for weaving the secrets of the past into the present.

This was such a wonderful story of five women, their friendships, their familiar ties, their strengths, weakness, and their love. I enjoyed each and every character equally. When I was in Libby’s point of view, I was lost in her life, yet I couldn’t wait to get back to Sadie. The same for when I was reading Sadie’s chapters, and wanting to know what was going on with Olivia, and so on.

My heart broke for each of these women over the blows that life as dealt them. Sadie and Olivia have such a wonderful, unexpected friendship. While their story clutched at my heartstrings, I couldn’t help cheering on their resolve to succeed and their devotion to each other. Libby’s story is equally touching with the trials and tribulations she’s suffered. I just wanted to hug her and tell her it was going to be okay. And it was fun watching her come back “to life” as sweet sparks flew between her and Colton. While Margaret and Elaine are more secondary characters, by the end of the book, I felt like they were old friends.

Overall, this was a fabulous tale of how women can and do endure, how we are not the weaker sex, and most importantly, that love, whether it is the romantic kind or more often that of friends, can and does win in the end.

I highly recommend any book by Mary Ellen Taylor.