I was lucky enough to score an ARC of this upcoming release, and I can tell you the blurb doesn’t lie, Miss Shay is 100% GRITS – Girl Raised in the SoI was lucky enough to score an ARC of this upcoming release, and I can tell you the blurb doesn’t lie, Miss Shay is 100% GRITS – Girl Raised in the South. She knows exactly how to use her sassy mouth to her flirty ways to her advantage, she just misplaced her feminine wiles for a while, that’s all. Reardon Boone had no idea what he was in for when he hired this sexy matron to be his very personal assistance. Shay and Reardon embark on a game of cat and mouse that turns into a romance neither expected. Ms. Warren’s debut is all moonlight and magnolias. Steamier than an August night, Sugar Daddy is packed full of quick wit, sizzling hot love scenes and some heart-wrenching moments of pure emotion. ...more
Loved this spicy contemporary, but I will say it may not be for everyone. Whitney is very a very independent heroine. It was almost as if Ms. Morgan tLoved this spicy contemporary, but I will say it may not be for everyone. Whitney is very a very independent heroine. It was almost as if Ms. Morgan took all the alpha heroes I love and turned them into this one snarky woman. I'm embarrassed to admit how readily I identified with this sometimes difficult to like heroine.
And Matt...Oh Matt. Matt is one beautiful beta man. Don't get me wrong, he's not the least bit weak or wussy. He's just a guy who knows who and what he is, embraces his place in the world, and chooses to believe the best of people he cares about.
All in all, I could not put this book down. I'll be waitng for #2 in the series with great anticipation!...more
I loved this book. Not only is it funny, but it's filled with so much heart. It was impossible not to fall for Addie and Ethan. I loved Addie's uniqueI loved this book. Not only is it funny, but it's filled with so much heart. It was impossible not to fall for Addie and Ethan. I loved Addie's unique approach to looking for love (in some of the wrong places). The tea leaf reading is such a fresh take on checking for signs. I wish I'd thought of it in my single days! Ethan is a delicious, pastry addicted everyman - pretty much my dream guy. I admit I am a sucker for stories where the girl finally notices the hot guy who has been sitting right under her nose the whole the time. All in all, this quirky romantic romp is exactly what I needed to read today. I'm still smiling. :)...more
A wonderful story about the pieces of ourselves we hold back, and those we allow others to share. Secrets of a (Somewhat) Sunny Girl focuses on the reA wonderful story about the pieces of ourselves we hold back, and those we allow others to share. Secrets of a (Somewhat) Sunny Girl focuses on the relationship between sisters and the secrets we keep in order to protect those we love....more
This novel delivers everything romance fans love and so much more!
Set in the early 1990’s in a tiny village near Waterford, In Love and War tells the This novel delivers everything romance fans love and so much more!
Set in the early 1990’s in a tiny village near Waterford, In Love and War tells the story of, Meaghann Power, an unmarried Irishwoman fast approaching forty and struggling to hold onto her family’s dairy farm. Her parents are deceased, her younger brother, Declan, has taken a job as a teacher in the city, and Meaghann’s only prospect appears to be a widower with five children and his eye on her farm.
Former television war correspondent, Quinn Lawlor carries the physical, mental, and emotional scars inflicted by a lifetime of watching his fellow man sacrifice all in the name of nationalism. While covering the civil war in Bosnia, Quinn finds himself caught in the crossfire with disastrous results. Embittered by the loss of his television career, Quinn retreats to Ireland, determined to write a novel that will expose the dark side of fanatical patriotism.
There were several things I enjoyed about this book. Ms. Barrett’s prose is beautifully descriptive. In the opening scenes at the farm, Meaghann’s overwhelming exhaustion is palpable and Quinn’s bitterness practically oozes from his pores.
This novel is a classic romance, but the setting is what sets this story apart from so many others.
Meaghann’s reluctance to act on her physical attraction to Quinn is more than a matter of our heroine playing coy or shielding her heart. An inherently practical woman, Meaghann is keenly aware of the impact an affair would have on her life in a tiny village where social life revolves around the pub and the church. She knows all too well that what’s whispered in the pub will surely make it to the pulpit.
Quinn’s experiences have blinded him to the nuances that shade every aspect of life in Ireland. His stubborn refusal to see the shades of gray nearly costs him everything.
Ms. Barrett skillfully navigates the tangled web of Irish Republicanism, the questionable tactics employed by the Provisional IRA, and the mixture of pride, fear, and ambivalence her characters wrestle.
In Love and War takes place in a country where legend is based in reality, and reality is often romanticized in prose, poetry, and song. I am an Irish-American woman who was raised on stirring songs of rebellion. In Love and War made me set aside my own romantic ideas and reexamine those shades of gray we so often overlook. ...more
Humor, heat and just the right amount of awkward attraction makes Crossing the Line a delightful read. If you haven't treated yourself to Evelyn JulesHumor, heat and just the right amount of awkward attraction makes Crossing the Line a delightful read. If you haven't treated yourself to Evelyn Jules' unique brand of steam-laden quirk, you are missing out!...more
I'd give this book 3.5 stars only because I could never get past the way SEP set this couple up. I enjoyed the rest of it, though. Loved seeing the CaI'd give this book 3.5 stars only because I could never get past the way SEP set this couple up. I enjoyed the rest of it, though. Loved seeing the Calebows again. Liked Lilly and Liam together and could have read more of their story, and I loved how Kevin and Molly interacted once they were together. I just hated the hook. It was in the back of my mind the entire time. Couldn't shake it no matter how much I liked this couple together in the end....more
I loved this sweet contemporary! Jamie and Joseph meet in one of the most awkward and intriguing ways I've ever read, and what evolves is a friendshipI loved this sweet contemporary! Jamie and Joseph meet in one of the most awkward and intriguing ways I've ever read, and what evolves is a friendship with all the earmarks of an enduring romance. The Start of Something Good is a delicious taste of things to come from Gracie Lee Rose. I can't wait for the next installment! ...more
Blind Faith is a hot, fast read that will leave you panting. When Faith Lawson closes her eyes and gives in to impulse, she gets a lot more than she bBlind Faith is a hot, fast read that will leave you panting. When Faith Lawson closes her eyes and gives in to impulse, she gets a lot more than she bargained for in Adrian. Truly enjoyed this steamy short from Evelyn Jules and look forward to more! ...more
I'm madly in love with Carter. I love the flustered, bumbling beta men who turn out to be alphas in all the best ways. This was classic Nora Roberts -I'm madly in love with Carter. I love the flustered, bumbling beta men who turn out to be alphas in all the best ways. This was classic Nora Roberts - no wiccans, warlocks, or evil spirits about. Thank goodness!...more
Loved this book. The part concerning definition of success really spoke to me. A great read for anyone who dares to put their creativity on dBig Magic
Loved this book. The part concerning definition of success really spoke to me. A great read for anyone who dares to put their creativity on display for the world to see....more
I fell in love with Riley Pennimon (Mr. Penny Man!) in Jennifer Johnson's Rescue Me, so I was tickled pink when I heard she was writing a story about I fell in love with Riley Pennimon (Mr. Penny Man!) in Jennifer Johnson's Rescue Me, so I was tickled pink when I heard she was writing a story about what happened after Riley and Amy said 'I do.'
Ms. Johnson did not disappoint. In Rescuing Riley she gives us a different type of romance - a love that must endure the breathtaking challenges life throws at us and deals with the precarious tightrope walk of a true-to-life marriage. I'll confess - there were times when my love for Riley wavered. There may have been a couple of moments when I wanted to shove him, but in the end, they come to realize that love does not have to be perfect in every way, only one. ...more
Wow. This book was so much more than I thought it would be based on the blurb. Nila and Noel's relationship is about as complex and layered as it getsWow. This book was so much more than I thought it would be based on the blurb. Nila and Noel's relationship is about as complex and layered as it gets. Nila's relationship with her sister Lil is every bit as complicated, but the author does a great job of showing us the true depth of their connection. A great read!
Merged review:
Wow. This book was so much more than I thought it would be based on the blurb. Nila and Noel's relationship is about as complex and layered as it gets. Nila's relationship with her sister Lil is every bit as complicated, but the author does a great job of showing us the true depth of their connection. A great read!...more
**spoiler alert** Really torn on rating this one. Harper and Nick's story broke my heart from the start - in the very best way. I was hooked from the **spoiler alert** Really torn on rating this one. Harper and Nick's story broke my heart from the start - in the very best way. I was hooked from the get-go. Loved the family dynamic and Harper's relationship with her friends. And yes, I wept.
The only thing that kept it from being perfect was the resolution. It seemed too quick and too one-sided. Nick owned up to his own short-comings only once, but Harper was made to face hers time and again. Worse, he reverted to form immediately upon their return to NY and was never made to truly apologize for that. His love for Harper was undeniable, but he used it as a get out of jail free card in my opinion. Kind of a 'Yes, I was a jerk and I totally neglected/railroaded/bypassed your needs, but I've loved you so much longer/better than you loved me' thing. I never saw any real growth or change on Nick's part. Didn't make me love them any less, just left me feeling worried for their future. ...more
I was torn about this book. I wanted to like it so much more than I did. The writing is beautifully executed and the plotting and pacing spot-on, but I was torn about this book. I wanted to like it so much more than I did. The writing is beautifully executed and the plotting and pacing spot-on, but I just could not fall in love with the characters. I understand that it was supposed to be a story of restrained passion, and I love a 'quiet' book with a slow unveiling of affection, but I could not rouse anything more than tepid good wishes for them. Though the story was well written, the premise and conflict intriguing, and the development of the friendship between Mrs. Russell and Mr. Mirkwood well done, but the love story lacked the joy I needed to become invested in their happiness....more
If you haven’t fallen in love with Evelyn Jules yet, you need to lace up your skates and get in the game. Her characterizations are quirky and amusingIf you haven’t fallen in love with Evelyn Jules yet, you need to lace up your skates and get in the game. Her characterizations are quirky and amusing, but also heartfelt and real. I enjoyed her first novella, Blind Faith, as well as the short story she had in the Passionate Exhibitions collection. This story does not disappoint.
Elena and Ben are a perfectly imperfect couple who find love on an awkward first date. Too bad they weren’t set up with each other. Cheapskates in Love is a delightfully naughty little romp that proves that when it comes to finding ‘the one’ no price is too high. ...more
I love sports-themed romance. Add in a smart, tough heroine who's confident in her abilities and you have a winner. The only thing that gave me pause I love sports-themed romance. Add in a smart, tough heroine who's confident in her abilities and you have a winner. The only thing that gave me pause was Garrett. Really enjoyed the book, but I couldn't fall in love with the hero. Yes, he's handsome, hot and rich, but he comes across as a bit of a baby. I found his attitude a little too close to that of my 19 year-old's 'I have everything in the world but I'm still so beleaguered' schtick.
Overall, a hot, sexy read. I just learned to ignore Garrett's sulky-pouty the same way I do my kid's, and it was all good! ...more
What a fascinating concept for a story. Ms. Vincent didn't need to generate the conflict in Silent Partner, it was there from the beginning - lurking What a fascinating concept for a story. Ms. Vincent didn't need to generate the conflict in Silent Partner, it was there from the beginning - lurking beneath the driving beat of the music and humming through the sexually charged encounter Chloe and Grayson shared. While I liked Grayson and appreciated the lengths he undertook to make his relationship with Chloe work, I wished she would have made him suffer a little more for his insensitivity. He deserved it. Just as Ms. Vincent deserves every well-earned accolade that comes her way....more
I adore a good friends-to-lovers story. There's something about relationship transformation that speaks to me. Maybe it's because the love and respectI adore a good friends-to-lovers story. There's something about relationship transformation that speaks to me. Maybe it's because the love and respect are already strong before the clothes come off. Perhaps it's because stories of deepening friendship give us a better glimpse into the souls of the two people involved. Regardless of the reason, I can't get enough.
Heart-wrenching at times, warm, and funny, Meant To Be is a prime example of a relationship that simply evolves until it becomes unmistakably and irrevocably MORE.