Format: Paperback

#BookReview Theo of Golden by Allen Levi @SimonSchusterCA #TheoOfGolden #AllenLevi #SimonSchusterCA

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#BookReview Theo of Golden by Allen Levi @SimonSchusterCA #TheoOfGolden #AllenLevi #SimonSchusterCA Title: Theo of Golden

Author: Allen Levi

Published by: Simon & Schuster on Nov. 11, 2025

Genres: Literary Fiction

Pages: 400

Format: Paperback

Source: Simon & Schuster Canada

Book Rating: 10/10

One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…

His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers.

Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.

Review:

Powerful, poignant, and memorable!⁣
⁣
𝐓heo of Golden is a nostalgic, touching novel that takes you into the life of Theo, an eighty-six-year-old man who, after arriving in a small town and stumbling upon a coffee shop adorned with nearly a hundred beautiful portraits of local residents, decides to purchase each drawing and return it to the person depicted, while also offering a listening ear, gentle wisdom, and an extraordinary kindness to anyone willing to receive it.⁣
⁣
The prose is eloquent and reflective. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are unique, endearing, multi-layered, and warm. And the plot is a beautiful tale of friendship, happiness, kindness, generosity, loss, grief, solace, forgiveness, honesty, humour, unconditional love, growing old, and the true meaning of family.⁣
⁣
Overall, 𝐓heo of Golden is a moving, delightful, exceptional debut by Levi that made me smile, made me cry, and is, without question, one of my favourite reads of the year.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or one of the following links.

         

 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Allen Levi

Allen Levi—attorney, judge, singer/songwriter, author—lives on and cares for family acreage near a small town in middle Georgia. Theo of Golden is his first novel.

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#BookReview Fallen Stars by Imani Erriu @doubledayca @PenguinRandomCA #FallenStars #HeavenlyBodiesSeries #ImaniErriu #PenguinReads

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#BookReview Fallen Stars by Imani Erriu @doubledayca @PenguinRandomCA #FallenStars #HeavenlyBodiesSeries #ImaniErriu #PenguinReads Title: Fallen Stars

Author: Imani Erriu

Series: Heavenly Bodies #2

Published by: Random House Canada on Nov. 25, 2025

Genres: Romantasy

Pages: 544

Format: Paperback

Source: Penguin Random House Canada

Book Rating: 8.5/10

The stunning sequel to the instant international bestseller Heavenly Bodies.

Never make a bargain with a god.

Elara is out for revenge. Her love, Prince Enzo, is trapped between the realms of life and death, and her enemy has vanished, leaving Elara with a life she never wanted and new powers she cannot control.

Now a disgraced queen on the run, Elara must find a way to wake Enzo while also seeking the lost Titans, a league of gods who ruled the world long before the Stars.

But there is a darker power at play, one that even Ariete, King of the Stars, is afraid of. With enemies at every turn, Elara must tread carefully if she has any hope of saving her soulmate and fulfilling her promise to make every Star fall.

Review:

Complex, adventurous, and enthralling!⁣
⁣
𝐅allen Stars is an action-packed, seductive tale that plunges us back into the life of Queen Elara as she endeavours to do whatever it takes, even bind herself to her greatest enemy, Ariete, the King of Stars, in order to reclaim her soulmate’s tether and rescue him from the Dreamlands, where he’s been lost.⁣
⁣
The prose is brisk and tight. The characters are multilayered, fearless, and compelling. And the plot brims with twists, turns, duty, danger, power, destruction, heartbreak, family, friendship, violence, vengeance, control, deceit, tortured pasts, and unwavering love.⁣
⁣
Overall, 𝐅allen Stars is a creative, passionate, epic fantasy novel by Erriu, overflowing with perilous quests, soul-searching dilemmas, sizzling romance, and complex, magnetic magical beings, and it’s the perfect addition to the Heavenly Bodies series.⁣

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

        

 

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Imani Erriu

IMANI ERRIU is the author of the romance fantasy series Heavenly Bodies. She is a graduate from the Manchester Metropolitan University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She spent most of her childhood in the forests of the English countryside, which definitely gifted her an overactive imagination. When she isn't crying over her own fictional characters or daydreaming up her next plot twist, she can be found eating pasta and watching "The Office" on repeat.

Photo by Alessia Erriu

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#BookReview Ever After by Amanda Prowse @FireflyDist @AmazonPub #EverAfter #AmandaProwse #LakeUnion #FireflyDist

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#BookReview Ever After by Amanda Prowse @FireflyDist @AmazonPub #EverAfter #AmandaProwse #LakeUnion #FireflyDist Title: Ever After

Author: Amanda Prowse

Published by: Lake Union Publishing on Aug. 12, 2025

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Pages: 412

Format: Paperback

Source: Firefly Distributed Lines

Book Rating: 9/10

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner and Swimming to Lundy, comes a hopeful and inspiring story about the possibilities that await when you dare to start again.

If you’re given another chance at love, shouldn’t you take it?

Enya’s life has become small. Her husband’s death has left her bereft, and though she’s only in her early fifties, she’s happiest looking after her son, Aiden, his childhood sweetheart, Holly, and her beloved cat, Pickle.

So the spark she feels for the stranger who bumps into her car in the airport car park is a complete shock. But Enya can’t stop thinking about him.

Then, when Aiden makes a life-changing decision, Enya suddenly finds her close-knit community thrown into chaos. Her best friend, Jenny, isn’t speaking to her, Aiden’s future hangs in the balance, Holly is devastated, and the stranger from the car park is suddenly in her life.

Torn between family, love and loyalty, Enya faces a stay safely where she is, or take a leap into the unknown? Because maybe her happily-ever-after could have one more chapter yet…

Review:

Tender, sentimental, and optimistic!

Ever After is a charming, uplifting tale that takes you into the life of Enya, a fifty-something widow who, after her son returns from a trip to Italy in love with a new woman, has her life turned upside down when his heartbroken ex-girlfriend happens to be the daughter of her best friend, and the man she bumped into and can’t stop thinking about might just be her son’s new father-in-law.

The writing is warm and fluid. The characters are kind, attentive, and endearing. And the plot is a sweet, heartfelt blend of life, loss, friendship, grief, introspection, drama, community, parenthood, tricky situations, romantic gestures, unconditional love, and new beginnings.

Overall, Ever After is a heartwarming, hopeful, captivating tale by Prowse that is a wonderful reminder that family can be frustrating, messy, secretive, and sometimes hard to love, but they can also be surprising, supportive, loyal, and the only true place that feels like home.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

    

 

Thank you to Firefly Distributed Lines for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles, compilation of novellas and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart-topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.

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#BookReview This One Life by Amanda Prowse @FireflyDist @AmazonPub #ThisOneLife #AmandaProwse #LakeUnion #FireflyDist

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#BookReview This One Life by Amanda Prowse @FireflyDist @AmazonPub #ThisOneLife #AmandaProwse #LakeUnion #FireflyDist Title: This One Life

Author: Amanda Prowse

Published by: Lake Union Publishing on Jan. 7, 2025

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Pages: 351

Format: Paperback

Source: Firefly Distributed Lines

Book Rating: 9/10

She wants it all. But life has other plans…

After years of hard work, Madeleine’s life is very nearly perfect. She’s about to move to LA to pursue her dream job—and there’s a new man on the scene too. But when her mother falls ill, pulling her back to the world she’s tried so hard to leave behind, the repercussions of a life-changing decision Madeleine made seven years ago resurface, threatening to jeopardise everything she’s worked for.

Faced with the promise of her new life, and the pull of her old, she has to ask herself some tough was what she did then right for her family? How do you know when it’s okay to put yourself first? And what’s the cost of happiness?

Heartfelt, provocative and emotional, this is a gripping look at the choices women have to make, and whether we really can have it all…

Review:

Charming, hopeful, and tender!⁣
⁣
This One Life is a touching, uplifting tale that takes you into the life of Madeline, a young woman who, after leaving almost everything behind to pursue her dreams seven years ago, must reevaluate her goals, career, and relationships when her mother suddenly falls ill and needs her help.⁣
⁣
The prose is heartfelt and smooth. The characters are multilayered, genuine, and conflicted. And the plot is an absorbing tale about life, love, family, friendship, self-discovery, happiness, heartbreak, taking chances, growth, healing, revelations, ambition, tender moments, light drama, romance, and new beginnings.⁣
⁣
Overall, This One Life is a beautifully written, must-read book by Prowse that tugs at the heartstrings, prompts you to consider all those what-ifs, and reminds you that life is complicated, love is powerful and everlasting, and things often happen for a reason.⁣

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

    

 

Thank you to Firefly Distributed Lines for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles, compilation of novellas and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart-topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.

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#BookReview Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde @SimonSchusterCA #OnlyBetweenUs #OakwoodBaySeries #EllieKWilde #SimonSchusterCA

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#BookReview Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde @SimonSchusterCA #OnlyBetweenUs #OakwoodBaySeries #EllieKWilde #SimonSchusterCA Title: Only Between Us

Author: Ellie K. Wilde

Series: Oakwood Bay #2

Published by: Simon & Schuster Canada on Jul. 8, 2025

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Pages: 416

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: Simon & Schuster Canada

Book Rating: 9/10

After a death-defying injury sidelined him for two seasons, Brooks Attwood’s pro football comeback has hit a major snag. Naughty photos from a post-break-up bender have leaked, and they’re killing his chances with the Rebels—his old team, and the only one he wants to play on.

As he trains with the hope of being signed before the first kickoff of the season, Brooks’s plans to keep a low profile are suddenly upended when his selfie with a fiery fan goes viral, and tabloids mistake them as the football world’s newest It couple.

Turns out, Siena Pippen is the ex-girlfriend of the “face” of the League. And she wants nothing more to do with that world after being with her nightmare ex. While she and Brooks are busy blaming each other for the media circus surrounding them, NFL teams are suddenly scrambling to sign a housebroken Brooks. Meanwhile, Siena realizes that all this buzz could be the Hail Mary her family’s struggling business needs.

Together, Brooks and Siena hatch a ignore the will to kill each other and pretend to be madly in love—at least, until Brooks signs with a team. But the longer they pretend, the less fake their fauxmance begins to feel…and Brooks becomes as determined to convince Siena they’re truly meant to be as he is to land a spot on the Rebels’ roster.

Review:

Romantic, charming, and hopeful!

Only Between US is a heartwarming, sassy tale that takes you on a journey into the life of Siena Pippen, a young woman who, after an embarrassing first meeting and a former disastrous relationship with a pro-football player, finds herself agreeing to fake date the one man, football player Brooks Attwood who although struggling to get himself back on an NFL team after a career-ending injury might actually be the one who finally steals her heart.

The prose is smooth and light. The characters are amusing, supportive, and endearing. And the plot is a heartfelt, flirty blend of tricky situations, tender moments, humorous hijinks, introspection, new beginnings, friendship, family, health, happiness, romance, and love.

Overall, Only Between Us is another charming, witty, delightful tale by Wilde that has all the elements I’ve come to know and love in her novels, including a fierce heroine, an attentive alpha male, and a fast-paced, swoony storyline.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

         

 

 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Ellie K. Wilde

Ellie K. Wilde dreams up love stories with a lot of heart and the kind of spice that makes your knees shake. She writes male leads with big personalities and sweet, cinnamon roll insides, and women who discover they’re just as tough as they wish they were. Happily-ever-afters only.

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#BookReview Overruled by Lana Ferguson @BerkleyRomance @PenguinRandomCA #Overruled #LanaFerguson #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #PenguinReads

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#BookReview Overruled by Lana Ferguson @BerkleyRomance @PenguinRandomCA #Overruled #LanaFerguson #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #PenguinReads Title: Overruled

Author: Lana Ferguson

Published by: Berkley on Jul. 1, 2025

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 432

Format: Paperback

Source: Berkley Publishing

Book Rating: 8/10

Two divorce lawyers determined to share only beds but not hearts discover that love is something that can’t be overruled in this steamy contemporary romance by Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author of The Game Changer.

Danica Pierce has one great love in her life: work. As one of the top divorce lawyers in Austin, Danica lets her caseload keep her warm at night and has no problem being married to her job, not when love only ends in hurt. When the biggest case of her career gives her a shot at making partner, it seems like nothing could possibly stand in her way…except for her infuriating secret: she’s sleeping with the enemy.

Ezra Hart is known for charming his way in and out of a courtroom. In the matter of winning Danica Pierce’s heart, however, he’s been far less successful. With her verdict to keep things purely physical with no chance of appeal, Ezra struggles to show Danica he’s more than the insufferable playboy she’s pegged him to be–especially since they find themselves on opposing sides of Danica’s most important case to date.

While Dani and Ezra battle it out in the courtroom, the real trial is the one happening between them. When Dani realizes that everything she knows of Ezra might be hearsay–and that she’s not the only one with emotional baggage–she must choose between her fear of trusting again and the feelings blossoming between her and the man she thought was her worst enemy.

Review:

Heartfelt, spirited, and romantic!

Overruled is a sweet, amusing tale that takes you into the life of the devoted, workaholic Danica and the arrogant, successful Ezra as they discover that there may be more to their relationship than heated banter, pretend feelings, and occasional hookups.

The writing is fun and light. The characters are hardworking, complex, and supportive. And the plot is a charming tale bursting with heart, humour, self-discovery, secrets, chemistry, attraction, sexy times, and familial strain.

Overall, Overruled is a steamy, touching, uplifting tale by Ferguson that I adored and absolutely devoured from start to finish.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

         

 

Thank you to Berkley Romance for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Lana Ferguson

Lana Ferguson is a sex-positive nerd whose works never shy from spice or sass. A faded Fabio book cover found its way into her hands at fifteen, and she’s never been the same since. When she isn’t writing, you can find her randomly singing show tunes, arguing over which Batman is superior, and subjecting her friends to the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings. Lana lives mostly in her own head but can sometimes be found chasing her corgi through the coppice of the great American outdoors.

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#BookReview Save Me by Mona Kasten @BerkleyRomance @PenguinRandomCA #SaveMe #MonaKasten #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #PenguinReads

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#BookReview Save Me by Mona Kasten @BerkleyRomance @PenguinRandomCA #SaveMe #MonaKasten #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #PenguinReads Title: Save Me

Author: Mona Kasten

Series: Maxton Hall #1

Published by: Berkley on Jul. 1, 2025

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Source: Berkley Publishing

Book Rating: 8.5/10

They come from different worlds, and yet they are meant for each other.

Money, glamour, luxury, power—Ruby Bell couldn’t be less interested in these things if she tried. After being awarded a scholarship to one of England’s most prestigious and expensive private schools, Maxton Hall, all she wants is to keep her head down, work hard, and get accepted to Oxford. She keeps her distance from everyone, especially the arrogant, rich, and extremely handsome James Beaufort, ringleader of the school’s party boys.

When Ruby discovers a scandalous secret about the Beauforts, she is suddenly on James’s radar. It only gets worse when James is forced to work with her to plan the school’s annual gala. Yet the more time they spend together, the more they realize they share much more than they thought.

Falling for James Beaufort was never part of her plan, yet Ruby can’t help but let her feelings sweep her away. But James must make a decision for will he choose what’s expected of him, or what he feels for her?

Review:

Captivating, spicy, and entertaining!

Save Me is an angsty, seductive tale that transports you to Maxton Hall, an elite private school for rich delinquent teens that has all the usual fare, entitled students, unrelenting bullies, sexual promiscuity, forbidden romance, naughty behaviour, innumerably delicious scandals, and a few hardworking scholarship students.

The writing is steamy and fun. The characters are rebellious, self-indulgent, and secretive. And the plot is a passionate, promiscuous, coming-of-age tale full of familial troubles, teenage angst, palpable attraction, witty banter, excessive indulgence, romance, friendship, heartbreak, and love.

Overall, Save Me is a wildly addictive, salacious, engaging novel by Kasten that immersed me so thoroughly in the decadence, lifestyle, drama, luxuries, and scandalous behaviour of the characters I didn’t want to put it down. It’s a true guilty pleasure that has undoubtedly not only left me craving for more but already counting down the days until I can get my hands on the second book in the series Save You, which is releasing on September 2, 2025.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

         

 

 

Thank you to Berkley Romance for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Mona Kasten

Mona Kasten studied library and information management before devoting herself entirely to writing. She lives in Hamburg with her family and cats as well as an infinite number of books, loves caffeine in any form, long walks in the woods and days when she can only write.

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#BookReview The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves by Christine Nolfi @FireflyDist @AmazonPub #TheSecretLibraryOfHannaReeves #ChristineNolfi #LakeUnion #FireflyDist

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#BookReview The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves by Christine Nolfi @FireflyDist @AmazonPub #TheSecretLibraryOfHannaReeves #ChristineNolfi #LakeUnion #FireflyDist Title: The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves

Author: Christine Nolfi

Published by: Lake Union Publishing on Jun. 24, 2025

Genres: Historical Fiction

Pages: 303

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: Firefly Distributed Lines

Book Rating: 8.5/10

An antiques dealer and an enigmatic heiress embark on a revelatory friendship in a haunting and hopeful novel about family ties, secrets, and belonging by the bestselling author of A Heart Like Home.

Cautious Claire Shelton, employee at a Maine antique shop, is surprised when she’s recruited to catalog the treasures of reclusive Hanna Reeves, sole descendant of the state’s most colorful shipbuilders and industrialists. Hanna’s retreat from society years ago is just one of many mysteries behind the walls of Rose Hill, her fabled estate.

Settling into Rose Hill’s carriage house, Claire finds Hanna, nearing eighty, to be a still-formidable woman. She’s demanding, judgmental, and protective of a mansion that is a veritable shrine to her ancestors. Then, diving into her work, Claire discovers a hidden library that is the stuff of legend among locals. An avid booklover, Claire is in heaven. More enthralling are Hanna’s leather-bound family journals that open Claire up to the past—and soon forge a rich and unexpected bond between two very different women.

A legacy is coming to light. All of Maine is talking. Because the revelations in the journals are enlightening enough to unite old friends, lovers, and families. And shocking enough to tear them apart forever.

Review:

Captivating, vivid, and immersive!

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is an intriguing tale set in Maine during the years 1915 and 1973 that is told from two different perspectives. Claire, a young woman who, after being chosen to catalogue the possessions of one of the most prestigious homes in the area, stumbles across a hidden library full of books and long-buried secrets, and Hanna, an elderly seclusive woman, who’s finally ready to reveal a life that was filled with loss, tragedy, and heartbreak.

The prose is rich and sentimental. The characters are passionate, strong, and flawed. And the plot is a touching tale about life, loss, heartache, hope, healing, friendship, relationship dynamics, and familial drama.

Overall, The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a heartwarming, alluring, compelling tale by Nolfi that highlights the power of stories and is a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys a dual timeline story with both a sliver of mystery and a touch of romance.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

      

 

 

Thank you to Firefly Distributed Lines for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Christine Nolfi

Christine Nolfi is the award-winning and bestselling author of fifteen novels, including A Brighter Flame, selected by She Reads as a best book club pick, The Passing Storm, cited by Publishers Weekly as “Tautly plotted, expertly characterized, and genuinely riveting” and gold medal winner in general fiction, International Book Awards. Look for Christine’s 2024 release, which will be available for preorder soon.

Other works include The Road She Left Behind, a top book club pick by Working Mother and Parade magazines, and the award-winning Sweet Lake Series: Sweet Lake, The Comfort of Secrets, and The Season of Silver Linings.

Earlier works include Second Chance Grill, highly recommended by The Midwest Book Review and Treasure Me, recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards and Put Your Heart in a Book Awards.

The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge was cited by The Midwest Book Review as “Poignant and powerful, as much a saga of learning to survive, heal, and forgive as it is a chilling crime story, unforgettable to the very end.”

A native of Ohio, Christine now resides in South Carolina with her husband. She is currently working on her 2025 release.

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#BookReview Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley @doubledayca @PenguinCanada @PenguinRandomCA @doubledayca #ConsiderYourselfKissed #JessicaStanley #PenguinReads #PenguinCanada

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#BookReview Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley @doubledayca @PenguinCanada @PenguinRandomCA @doubledayca #ConsiderYourselfKissed #JessicaStanley #PenguinReads #PenguinCanada Title: Consider Yourself Kissed

Author: Jessica Stanley

Published by: Doubleday Canada on May 27, 2025

Genres: General Fiction

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

Source: Penguin Random House Canada

Book Rating: 8/10

When she first meets Adam, Coralie is new to London and is feeling adrift. But Adam is clever, witty and (he insists) a half inch taller than the average male. His charming four-year-old daughter only adds to his appeal.

But ten years on, something important is missing from the life Coralie and Adam have built. Or maybe, having gained everything she dreamed of, Coralie has lost something else she once had: herself.

Set against an eventful British decade that included the soap opera of five prime ministers plus Brexit and Covid, Consider Yourself Kissed puts the subjects of love and family on a grand stage, showing how the intimate dramas in our homes inescapably compete for energy and attention with the shared public dramas of our times.

Told over ten years of one woman’s life, this is an unforgettable love story that effortlessly balances sweetness with bite, the public with the personal, and humour with heart.

Review:

Optimistic, relatable, and sincere!

Consider Yourself Kissed is a tender, insightful tale that takes you into the life of Coralie, a young woman who is struggling with her self-identity after spending ten years in a career she’s not sure she loves, being a busy mother to three children, two of her own and one stepchild, losing the mother who she never felt truly cared, and supporting a partner whose priorities are mixed up and who is more than a little self involved.

The writing is genuine and direct. The characters are lonely, quirky, and disillusioned. And the plot is a lighthearted, touching mix of life, love, introspection, friendship, awkward situations, sweet moments, misunderstandings, relationship dynamics, family drama, healing, and moving on, all set against the backdrop of British politics.

Overall, Consider Yourself Kissed is a layered, astute, intriguing tale by Stanley that is the first novel I’ve read by this author, but certainly won’t be my last.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

         

 

 

 

Thank you to Doubleday Canada for gifting me a copy.

 

About Jessica Stanley

Jessica Stanley grew up in Australia before moving to the United Kingdom in 2011. She worked in advertising before publishing fiction, and lives in London with her husband and their three children.

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#BookReview Eliza and the Duke by Harper St. George @BerkleyRomance @PenguinRandomCA #ElizaAndTheDuke #TheDovesOfNewYork #HarperStGeorge #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #PenguinReads

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#BookReview Eliza and the Duke by Harper St. George @BerkleyRomance @PenguinRandomCA #ElizaAndTheDuke #TheDovesOfNewYork #HarperStGeorge #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #PenguinReads Title: Eliza and the Duke

Author: Harper St. George

Series: The Doves of New York #2

Published by: Berkley on Jun. 24, 2025

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

Source: Berkley Publishing

Book Rating: 8/10

American heiress Eliza Dove was resigned to a polite marriage of convenience…until she spent one wicked night with the Duke.

All hopeless romantic Eliza Dove asked for was one night of adventure. One glorious evening of freedom to explore the dark corners of London with a mysterious stranger before a lifetime trapped in a quiet, respectable marriage of convenience. Except now she wants more. Now she wants him.

Simon Cavell is no gentleman. Known only as ‘the Duke,’ Whitechapel’s prize boxer is one fight away from achieving his goal: to safeguard his late sister’s only treasure and leave the streets for good. He cannot allow some pretty young heiress to spill his secrets, no matter how tempting she might be. In return for her silence, Simon will give Eliza a taste of the darkness…and hope he doesn’t lose his heart in the process.

But one night together could never be enough. And now Eliza has a new plan—an even more scandalous bargain that will either land the heiress her duke or ruin them both.

Review:

Witty, scandalous, and enticing!

Eliza and the Duke is a playful, seductive tale set in London during 1878 that features the intelligent, inquisitive Eliza and the roguishly handsome prize boxer Simon as they navigate the underground world of Whitechapel, an upcoming marriage of convenience, and an abundance of undeniable attraction, respect and admiration.

The prose is amusing and light. The characters are focused, determined, and passionate. And the plot is a push-pull tale of life, love, trust, expectations, commitments, support, perseverance, familial drama, and class division.

Overall, Eliza and the Duke is an engaging, entertaining, alluring read by St. George that is another adventurous, enjoyable addition to the The Doves of New York series.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

         

 

 

Thank you to Berkley Romance for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Harper St. George

Harper St. George grew up in the rural backwoods of Alabama and the northwest Florida coast where her love of history began. She now makes her home in the Atlanta area writing historical fiction romance set in various time periods from the Viking Era to the Gilded Age. Her novels have been translated into ten languages.

Photo: © Harper St. George.

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