#BookReview Sea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson @readforeverpub @grandcentralpub #ReadForever #ReadForeverPub #ReadForever2022 #SeaGlassSummer #MirandaLiasson #SeashellHarborSeries

#BookReview Sea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson @readforeverpub @grandcentralpub #ReadForever #ReadForeverPub #ReadForever2022 #SeaGlassSummer #MirandaLiasson #SeashellHarborSeries Title: Sea Glass Summer

Author: Miranda Liasson

Series: Seashell Harbor #2

Published by: Forever on Jun. 28, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Source: Forever

Book Rating: 9/10

A moving, uplifting novel about motherhood, starting over, and an unexpected summer romance…

Kit Blakemore is ready to live again. After her husband died while serving in the military, she was in a haze of grief. Now she wants to reclaim her former self—finish her degree and find a better career to provide for their sweet little boy, Oliver. To do that, she’ll need to sell her late husband’s dilapidated Victorian in Seashell Harbor. But first, Kit intends to give Ollie the kind of unforgettable seaside summer she had growing up, making lifelong memories and friendships.

Of course, nothing goes exactly as she planned. Ollie is struggling with his confidence, and frankly, so is Kit. But everything changes when her husband’s best friend, Alex de la Cruz, returns to town, offering to help her renovate. She doesn’t expect Alex to temporarily move in…or for him to bond with Ollie…or for her numb heart to begin thawing. Slowly he’s helping Kit and Ollie heal, and it scares her to death.

Kit swore she wouldn’t leave herself open to the pain of loss again. But if she’s going to teach her son to be brave and move forward, Kit must first face her own fears.


Review:

Quaint, absorbing, and sweet!

Sea Glass Summer is a heartfelt, uplifting tale set in the small town of Seashell Harbor that takes you into the lives of Kit Blakemore, a young widow and mother who is still grappling with the loss of her husband and the all-consuming grief that is preventing her from moving on, and Captain Alex de la Cruz, a retired air force pilot struggling to come to grips with the death of his best friend and the feelings he’s always had and still has for the woman he actually fell in love with first.

The prose is genuine and smooth. The characters are heartbroken, hesitant, and kind. And the plot is an addictive, alluring mix of friendship, family, life, loss, introspection, support, forgiveness, community, new beginnings, furry friends, and the power of love. 

Overall, Sea Glass Summer is a charming, hopeful, romantic read by Liasson that is a fantastic addition to a series, Seashell Harbor, which I absolutely love and highly recommend.

 

This book is available now.

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

            

 

 

Thank you to Forever & Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Miranda Liasson

Miranda Liasson loves to write stories about everyday people who find love despite themselves, because there's nothing like a great love story. And if there are a few laughs along the way, even better! She's a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart winner and a bestselling author whose heartwarming and humorous small-town romances have won accolades such as the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and have been Harlequin Junkie and Night Owl Reviews Top Picks.

She lives in the Midwest with her husband and three kids in a charming old neighborhood, which is the inspiration for many of the homes in her books.

Photo courtesy of read-forever.com

#Q&A #GuestPost 20 Questions with Sariah Wilson @sariahwilson @KayePublicity @AmazonPub #TheCinderNanny #SariahWilson #Montlake #KayePublicity

#Q&A #GuestPost 20 Questions with Sariah Wilson @sariahwilson @KayePublicity @AmazonPub #TheCinderNanny #SariahWilson #Montlake #KayePublicity Title: Cinder-Nanny

Author: Sariah Wilson

Published by: Montlake Romance on Jun. 21, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 334

What could come between a nanny and an earl in a fairy-tale love story? A reality check—in an endearing and witty romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of Roommaid.

With her sister’s medical bills mounting, Diana Parker can’t say no to a high-paying opportunity like this: accompany a wealthy couple to Aspen and nanny their precocious five-year-old son for three months. Necessary qualifications? She must know how to ski and teach math, speak fluent French, excel at social graces, and hold a master’s degree in childhood development. Who’ll be the wiser that Diana’s only skill is packing for Colorado?

So far, so good—having a con woman for a mother has turned out to be a benefit, even if Diana has complicated feelings about telling lies. But she’s doing this for her sister. And the perks—like a ticket to a lavish charity fundraiser, a new gown, and a Prince Charming–adjacent earl named Griffin Windsor—are pretty irresistible. Diana can’t deny the Cinderella vibe.

Wary of gold diggers and scandal, England’s most eligible bachelor is nevertheless falling for Diana, and sweeping the not-quite princess off her feet.

The warmer their relationship becomes, the slipperier the slopes are for Diana. Sooner or later, she’ll have to come clean. When that happens, does an honest-to-goodness happy ending stand a chance?

 

 

“Diana and Griffin’s slow-burn closed-door passion is authentic.”

— Kirkus Reviews

 

And Now a Little Q & A with Sariah Wilson

 

What is the title of your latest release?

My newest release is called CINDER-NANNY and it is out June 21st!

 

What’s the “elevator pitch for your new book?

This is a loose retelling of CINDERELLA with a woman who takes a nannying job that she is not qualified for in order to help her sister’s medical issues. She tries to keep her lack of skills secret, and it’s not helped when a yummy English earl comes along, needing her help.

 

How did you decide where your book was going to take place?

It takes place in Aspen, Colorado and I chose that city because I wanted a city famous for its skiing and the wealthy people that live/play there. Plus, Aspen is really beautiful!

 

Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?

Absolutely, but I might keep an eye on my wallet.

 

What are three words that describe your hero?

Charming, delightful and British.

 

What’s something you learned while writing this book?

The same thing I have to learn every book—that I can actually do it! I can write a full-length novel that makes sense and that other people enjoy. It always feels impossible in the beginning, and especially halfway through, and at the end I’m always telling myself that I’ve done it before and can do it again, but I’m not sure my brain actually believes it.
 
 
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?

I edit as I go. To get me back in the right frame of mind with the story, I edit/reread what I wrote the day before and then start writing from there.

 

What’s your favourite foodie indulgence?

Dove ice cream bars. I’m not really a foodie—I have the palate of a six-year-old child, but I really love ice cream.

 

Describe your writing space/office?

It used to be my bedroom. I have blackout curtains and I would sit in my bed and write. But now we have a puppy and so I write in the family room on the couch so that I’m available to her. I miss writing in my room!

 

Who is an author you admire?

There are so many for so many different reasons, but I think Zoraida Córdova is awesome.

 

Is there a book that changed your life?

Probably the first romance novel I ever read. My mom used to subscribe to Harlequin, and we had romance novels in my house by the ton. I picked one up one day (being very bored) and it was about a Greek shipping magnate who has an enemy and blackmails the enemy’s daughter into marriage (she had red hair). Then they fell in love, and I remember being shocked by it and then very, very happy. I’ve been chasing the high of my very first “they fall in love???” ever since.

 

Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)

Essentially—I won a contest Amazon had for writers (Kindle Scout) and I had entered in large part because my goal was to publish with Montlake, Amazon’s romance house. The contest coordinator asked why I’d entered, and I told her. Next thing I knew, I was getting a phone call from the editorial director of Montlake. I thought it was a networking type of thing, getting my foot in the door and meeting her. But at the end of the call she told me she was going to offer me a two-book contract and I was so stunned that it was difficult to speak (she still teases me about it). That’s not usually how things work in publishing, so it was a bit hard to process, but super thrilling!

 

What’s your favourite genre to read?

Romantic comedies and YA fantasy.

 

What’s your favourite movie?

Impossible to answer as I have so many favorite movies for so many different reasons. But as far as romance goes, it might be MAD ABOUT MAMBO. I really love that rom com, and not many people have seen it. But I highly recommend it!

 

What is your favourite season?

Fall. I love the leaves changing and getting to wear long dusters/cardigans that make me feel like a character out of a fantasy novel when I go to the grocery store and it’s gently flapping in the breeze like a cape.

 

How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

Quietly, with my family. I’m an introvert and a homebody and my choice would always be to stay home and do nothing.

 

What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?

If you haven’t seen THE LOST CITY yet (Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum), go see it! It’s really funny and romantic and Hollywood needs to make dozens more of this type of movie.

 

What’s your favourite type of cuisine?

American, usually. Depends on what my inner six-year-old is up for.

 

What do you do when you have free time?

I don’t really have a lot of free time, but I like to read and play videogames.

 

What can readers expect from you next?

My next book is called THE CHEMISTRY OF LOVE, and it will be out next year. It’s about a cosmetic chemist who starts fake dating her boss in order to make his brother jealous while trying to start her own company. It was so much fun to write (love STEM heroines!) and hopefully readers will enjoy it!

 

“A refreshing, addictive modern-day Cinderella story with irresistible characters that I devoured in one sitting”

— What’s Better Than Books

 

 

This novel is available now.

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

       

 

 

Thank you to Sariah Wilson and Kaye Publicity for being featured on my blog today!

 

About Sariah Wilson

USA Today bestselling author Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children . She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with two cats named Pixel and Callie, who do not get along. (The cats, not the children. Although the children sometimes have their issues, too.)

Photo courtesy of Author's Website.

#BookReview Cinder-Nanny by Sariah Wilson @sariahwilson @KayePublicity @AmazonPub #TheCinderNanny #SariahWilson #Montlake #KayePublicity

#BookReview Cinder-Nanny by Sariah Wilson @sariahwilson @KayePublicity @AmazonPub #TheCinderNanny #SariahWilson #Montlake #KayePublicity Title: Cinder-Nanny

Author: Sariah Wilson

Published by: Montlake Romance on Jun. 21, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 334

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: Kaye Publicity

Book Rating: 9/10

What could come between a nanny and an earl in a fairy-tale love story? A reality check—in an endearing and witty romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of Roommaid.

With her sister’s medical bills mounting, Diana Parker can’t say no to a high-paying opportunity like this: accompany a wealthy couple to Aspen and nanny their precocious five-year-old son for three months. Necessary qualifications? She must know how to ski and teach math, speak fluent French, excel at social graces, and hold a master’s degree in childhood development. Who’ll be the wiser that Diana’s only skill is packing for Colorado?

So far, so good—having a con woman for a mother has turned out to be a benefit, even if Diana has complicated feelings about telling lies. But she’s doing this for her sister. And the perks—like a ticket to a lavish charity fundraiser, a new gown, and a Prince Charming–adjacent earl named Griffin Windsor—are pretty irresistible. Diana can’t deny the Cinderella vibe.

Wary of gold diggers and scandal, England’s most eligible bachelor is nevertheless falling for Diana, and sweeping the not-quite princess off her feet.

The warmer their relationship becomes, the slipperier the slopes are for Diana. Sooner or later, she’ll have to come clean. When that happens, does an honest-to-goodness happy ending stand a chance?


Review:

Lighthearted, charming, and fun!

Cinder-Nanny is a delightful, character-driven rom-com set in the idyllic mountains of Colorado that introduces you to the determined, complicated Diana and the charismatic, persistent Griffin as they each discover the power of friendship, the pull of attraction, and the inescapable euphoria of falling in love.

The prose is whimsical and witty. The characters are multilayered, kind, and endearing. And the plot is an amusing blend of life, love, introspection, friendship, family, secrets, embarrassing moments, awkward situations, misunderstandings, taking chances, and finding the one.

Overall, Cinder-Nanny is a well written, refreshing, addictive modern-day Cinderella story with irresistible characters that I devoured in one sitting. I absolutely adored this novel and remain, as always, one of Sariah Wilson’s biggest fans.

 

This novel is available now.

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

       

 

 

Thank you to Kaye Publicity for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Sariah Wilson

USA Today bestselling author Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children . She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with two cats named Pixel and Callie, who do not get along. (The cats, not the children. Although the children sometimes have their issues, too.)

Photo courtesy of Author's Website.

#BookReview Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert @katee_robert @RaincoastBooks @SourcebooksCasa #KateeRobert #WickedBeauty #DarkOlympus #SourcebooksCasa

#BookReview Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert @katee_robert @RaincoastBooks @SourcebooksCasa #KateeRobert #WickedBeauty #DarkOlympus #SourcebooksCasa Title: Wicked Beauty

Author: Katee Robert

Series: Dark Olympus #3

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca on Jun. 7, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Fantasy

Pages: 400

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: Raincoast Books, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book Rating: 9/10

She was the face that launched a thousand ships,
The fierce beauty at the heart of Olympus,
And she was never ours to claim.

In Olympus, you either have the power to rule… or you are ruled. Achilles Kallis may have been born with nothing, but as a child he vowed he would claw his way into the poisonous city’s inner circle. Now that a coveted role has opened to anyone with the strength to claim it, he and his partner, Patroclus Fotos, plan to compete and double their odds of winning.

Neither expect infamous beauty Helen Kasios to be part of the prize… or for the complicated fire that burns the moment she looks their way.

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give to away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see her dead than lead the city. The only people she can trust are the ones she can’t keep her hands off—Achilles and Patroclus. But can she really believe they have her best interests at heart when every stolen kiss is a battlefield?

A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that’s as sinful as it is sweet.


Review:

Smouldering, fervid and sinfully sexy!

Wicked Beauty is a tantalizing, action-packed retelling that takes you on a journey into the life of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus as they all enter their names into the competition to become the next Ares and vie to take to the one coveted open spot as a member of the Thirteen but first they will have to survive three dangerous trials that will test their intelligence, speed, agility, strength, and wit, and a passion burning between them that could destroy their dreams but solidify their desire and hearts forever. 

The writing is spicy and seductive. The characters are driven, consumed, and intense. And the plot is a provocative, exhilarating tale full of competition, sexual tension, red-hot chemistry, sizzling attraction, flirty banter, murderous intentions, threatening situations, and scorching menage (MFM) sex scenes.

Overall, Wicked Beauty is another salacious, dramatic, erotic treat by Roberts that just took the desire, danger, and dirty of the Dark Olympus series to a whole other level and has left me curious and exceptionally eager to read whatever she manages to come up with next.

 

This novel is available now.

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

         

 

Thank you to Raincoast Books & Sourcebooks Casablanca for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Katee Robert

Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.

Photo courtesy of Author's Website.

#BookReview Same Time, Same Place by David M. Barnett @Sourcebooks @sbkslandmark #SameTimeSamePlace #DavidMBarnett #bookmarkedbylandmark

#BookReview Same Time, Same Place by David M. Barnett @Sourcebooks @sbkslandmark #SameTimeSamePlace #DavidMBarnett #bookmarkedbylandmark Title: Same Time, Same Place

Author: David M. Barnett

Published by: Sourcebooks Landmark on Jun. 7, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

Source: Sourcebooks Landmark

Book Rating: 8/10

An utterly charming and heart-warming love story and the perfect tonic for difficult times.

Daisy is the night security guard at the Manchester Museum of Social History. She takes her job very seriously, protecting the museum from teenage troublemakers.

Nate works the day shift, though he’d be more suited as a museum guide the way he chats with the visitors. Daisy doesn’t approve: how does he find it so easy to talk to strangers?

For five minutes each day, their shifts overlap at handover. It’s the only interaction they have…until mysterious things begin to happen at the museum. Daisy notices priceless objects going missing and then reappearing, with no explanation (and with nothing on the security footage!). No one believes her except Nate, and he agrees to help her investigate.

They soon discover they have a lot more in common than they realized…and their investigation uncovers not only the truth, but new possibilities for their future.


Review:

Cute, heartwarming, and light!

Same Time, Same Place is an amusing, enticing tale that takes you into the life of Daisy, a socially awkward, dedicated evening museum guard who, after stumbling upon some items periodically going missing from exhibit rooms and then surprisingly turning back up, requires a little help from her coworker Nate, a divorced father of one, to apprehend the culprit and solve the case.

The prose is light and witty. The characters are quirky, friendly, and scarred. And the plot is an engaging blend of friendship, family, introspection, deduction, attraction, childhood trauma, new beginnings, amateur sleuthing, and touching moments.

Overall, Same Time, Same Place is a funny, sweet, uplifting tale by Barnett that was a delight to read with its charming storyline and abundance of special characters I couldn’t help but root for.

 

This novel is available June 7, 2022!

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

            

 

 

 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About David M. Barnett

David M. Barnett is a writer based in the North of England. He writes novels, like this one, and he also writes journalism, for places such as the Guardian, Independent, and the BBC. He writes comic books for DC and Archie among others. In fact, he'll pretty much write anything if you ask him nicely. He was born in a place called Wigan, near Manchester, and now lives in West Yorkshire, just over a hill from where the Bronte sisters dwelled. He was born in the 1970s, grew up in the 1980s, and spent his 20s in the 1990s, with all that entails.

#BookReview Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle @EbonyLadelle @SimonSchusterCA @simonteen #LoveRadio #EbonyLaDelle #SimonTeen

#BookReview Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle @EbonyLadelle @SimonSchusterCA @simonteen #LoveRadio #EbonyLaDelle #SimonTeen Title: Love Radio

Author: Ebony LaDelle

Published by: Simon & Schuster BFYR on May 31, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 320

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: Simon & Schuster Canada

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted.

Prince has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love. But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.

Until he meets Dani Ford.

Dani isn’t checking for anybody. She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. But her college essay keeps tripping her up and acknowledging what’s blocking her means dealing with what happened at that party a few months ago.

And that’s one thing Dani can’t do.

When the romantic DJ meets the ambitious writer, sparks fly. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that he’s worth falling for.

Three dates for the love expert to take his own advice, and just maybe change two lives forever.


Review:

Sweet, tender, and uplifting!

Love Radio is a bighearted, passionate tale that takes you into the lives of two main characters. Prince, a young DJ who spends most of his days juggling school, a radio slot, and taking care of his disabled mother and young brother, and Danielle, a high school senior struggling to socialize and do the thing she’s always loved to do, write, after being violated one night at a college party.

The writing is smooth and fluid. The characters are well-drawn, genuine, and kind. And the plot is the perfect blend of heart, hope, humour, drama, and emotion.

Love Radio is, ultimately, a story about coming-of-age, life, friendship, family, self-discovery, culture, trauma, responsibilities, patience, independence, and the joys of falling in love. It’s an empowering, charming, heart-tugging novel by LaDelle that’s also a true love letter to the city of Detroit, Motown, and some of the greatest authors of all time.

 

This book is available now.

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

              

 

 

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

 

About Ebony LaDelle

She co-hosted Why Not YA?, a @belletrist and @epicreads monthly video series where she interviewed authors in the young adult space. Born in MI, awoken at Howard U, and cultivated in Brooklyn, Ebony can usually be found searching for her next live concert, scouting out the latest food craze to try, rocking out to Motown, or being the undisputed Mom Friend of any group. You can follow her on social at any of the links below.

Photo by Taylor Baldwin.

#BookReview It Takes a Villa by Kilby Blades @KilbyBlades @entangledpub @angelamelamud #ItTakesaVilla #KilbyBlades

#BookReview It Takes a Villa by Kilby Blades @KilbyBlades @entangledpub @angelamelamud #ItTakesaVilla #KilbyBlades Title: It Takes a Villa

Author: Kilby Blades

Published by: Entangled Publishing on May 24, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 352

Format: Paperback

Source: Angela Melamud, Entangled Publishing

Book Rating: 8/10

For the reasonable price of $1, Natalie Malone just bought herself an abandoned villa on the Amalfi Coast. With a detailed spreadsheet and an ancient key, she’s arrived in Italy ready to renovate—and only six months to do it. Which seemed reasonable until architect Pietro Indelicato began critically watching her every move…

From the sweeping ocean views to the scent of the lemon trees, there’s nothing Pietro loves more than his hometown. And after seeing too many botched jobs and garish design choices, he’s done watching from the sidelines. As far as he’s concerned, Natalie should quit before the project drains her entire bank account and her ridiculously sunny optimism.

With Natalie determined to move forward, the gorgeous architect reluctantly agrees to pitch in, giving her a real chance to succeed. But when the fine print on Natalie’s contract is brought to light, she might have no choice but to leave her dream, and Pietro, behind.


Review:

Cheery, warm, and romantic!

It Takes a Villa is a charming, uplifting tale that sweeps you away to the idyllic Amalfi Coast and into the life of the grief-stricken Natalie Monroe as she reluctantly leaves her current life behind and heads to Italy to honour the plans she made with her late grandmother to renovate an abandoned villa on a tight budget, a limited renovation window, and the unexpected help from a sexy Italian architect.

The writing is fluid and sweet. The characters are hardworking, helpful, and kind. And the plot is an enchanting mix of life, love, family, friendship, hopes, dreams, community, self-discovery, taking chances, and finding a place to call home.

Overall, It Takes a Villa is an amusing, refreshing, enjoyable treat by Blades that I thoroughly enjoyed and which, ultimately, reminded me that life is truly an adventure!

 

This novel is available now!

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

 

       

 

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Angela Melamud for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Kilby Blades

Kilby Blades is a USA Today Bestselling author of Romance and Women's Fiction. Her debut novel, Snapdragon, was a HOLT Medallion finalist, a Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize Semi-Finalist, and an IPPY Award medalist. Kilby was honored with an RSJ Emma Award for Best Debut Author in 2018, and has been lauded by critics for “easing feminism and equality into her novels” (IndieReader) and “writing characters who complement each other like a fine wine does a good meal” (Publisher’s Weekly).

During her fifteen year career as a digital marketing executive, she moonlighted as a journalist, freelanced as a food, wine and travel writer and lived it up as an entertainment columnist. She has lived in five countries, visited more than twenty-five, and spends part of her year in her happy place in the Andes Mountains.

#BookReview Welcome to the Neighborhood by Lisa Roe @lisaroewrites @SourcebooksCasa #WelcometotheNeighborhood #LisaRoe #SourcebooksCasa

#BookReview Welcome to the Neighborhood by Lisa Roe @lisaroewrites @SourcebooksCasa #WelcometotheNeighborhood #LisaRoe #SourcebooksCasa Title: Welcome to the Neighborhood

Author: Lisa Roe

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca on Apr. 5, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 304

Format: Paperback

Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book Rating: 7.5/10

After years of struggling to make ends meet, Queens single mom Ginny falls for sweet, divorced Jeff, and relishes the idea of moving with her quirky eleven-year-old daughter Harri to his home in an upscale New Jersey suburb. Though she’s never been impressed by material things, she is thrilled that getting a second chance at love comes with the added bonus of finally giving Harri everything she never could before.

And then she meets the neighbors.

Ginny is quickly thrust into the complicated realities of a neighborhood defined by the ever-shifting alliances of PTA moms, Real Housewife contenders, and their mean-girl daughters. When the neighbors’ secrets, back-stabbing, and bad behavior take a devastating toll on her daughter and new marriage, Ginny must decide what really matters—and protect it at all costs.


Review:

Spirited, uplifting, and sweet!

Welcome to the Neighborhood is a heartwarming, playful tale that takes you into the life of painter and single mother Ginny Miller as she juggles a new marriage, a relocation to the snooty suburbs, a husband away on contract in another country, and a daughter taking extreme measures to try and fit in.

The writing is genuine and tender. The characters are insecure, easygoing, and multilayered. And the plot is a delightful blend of life, love, family, friendship, motherhood, self-reflection, tricky situations, and touching moments. 

Overall, I found Welcome to the Neighborhood to be a charming, heartfelt, effortless read by Roe that did a lovely job of mixing heavier issues with some lighthearted fun.

 

This book is available now.

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

            

 

 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Lisa Roe

After graduating from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and spending many years as an advertising creative director and copywriter in New York City, Lisa Roe accepted the tougher job of stay-at-home mom and turned to writing fiction — mostly to entertain her kids, but then to tell her own stories. A classic first born, a reluctant empty nester, and a Dr. Doolittle wannabe, Lisa lives in New Jersey with her husband and three incorrigible dogs. WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD is her debut novel.

Photo courtesy of Author's Website.

#BookReview Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting @helenahunting @smpromance @StMartinsPress #StarryEyedLove #HelenaHunting #SparkHouseSeries #smpromance #smpinfluencers

#BookReview Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting @helenahunting @smpromance @StMartinsPress #StarryEyedLove #HelenaHunting #SparkHouseSeries #smpromance #smpinfluencers Title: Starry-Eyed Love

Author: Helena Hunting

Series: Spark House #2

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin on May 10, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 352

Format: ARC, eBook

Source: St. Martin's Press

Book Rating: 9/10

Charming, hilarious, and emotional, Starry-Eyed Love is Helena Hunting at her very best!

Having just broken up with her boyfriend, London Spark is not in the mood to be hit on. Especially not when she’s out celebrating her single status with her sisters. So when a very attractive man pays for their drinks and then slips her his number, she passes it right back to him with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’. As the business administrator for their family’s event hotel, the Spark House, London has more important things to worry about, like bringing in new clientele.

As luck would have it, a multi-million-dollar company calls a few months later asking for a meeting to discuss a potential partnership, and London is eager to prove to her sisters, and herself, that she can land this deal. Just when she thinks she has nailed her presentation, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in and inserts himself into the meeting. Not only that, but he also happens to be the same guy she turned down at the bar a few months ago.

As they begin to spend more time together, their working relationship blossoms into something more. It isn’t until their professional entanglements are finally over, that London and Jackson are finally ready to take the next step in their relationship. But between Jackson’s secretive past and London’s struggle with her sisters, London must question where she really stands – not just with Jackson, but with the Spark House, too.


Review:

Captivating, charming, and romantic!

Starry-Eyed Love is a cosy, heartwarming tale that takes you into the life of the ambitious, overworked London Sparks as she juggles her job as an administrator for the family business, her Etsy store that’s her true passion, a sister who’s determined and extremely stubborn, and a new partnership with a handsome CEO who she unfortunately happened to turn down once and is entirely too irresistible for his own good.

The writing is warm and tender. The characters are professional, genuine, and considerate. And the plot is an enchanting, push-pull tale of life, love, drama, friendship, self-discovery, familial dynamics, miscommunication, jealousy, dreams, goals, secrets, and finding a positive work-life balance.

Starry-Eyed Love is the second title in a series that, for me, just keeps getting better and better. It’s an amusing, sweet, adorable read by Hunting with characters I couldn’t help but root for and a swoon-worthy ending that left me smitten, satisfied, and ecstatic that there’s Harley’s story still to come!

 

This book is available now.

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

           

 

 

Thank you to SMP Romance – St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Helena Hunting

Helena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.

Photograph courtesy of Author's Website.

#BookReview That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant @donna_grant @smpromance @StMartinsPress #ThatCowboyofMine #DonnaGrant #smpromance #smpinfluencers

#BookReview That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant @donna_grant @smpromance @StMartinsPress #ThatCowboyofMine #DonnaGrant #smpromance #smpinfluencers Title: That Cowboy of Mine

Author: Donna Grant

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin on Apr. 26, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

Pages: 304

Format: ARC, eBook

Source: St. Martin's Press

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Is he an enemy?

Dillon Young is proud that she inherited her aunt’s ranch. The problem: someone is trying to run her off and is willing to do whatever it takes. Strange, dangerous things keep happening. Dillion suspects her no-good neighbor and fellow wealthy rancher Hank Stephens. Never a man to get his hands dirty, he sends others to get the job done. So, when the irresistible Cal Bennett is found passed out drunk on her property, Dillion is on high alert. Until someone takes a shot at her and Cal springs to her rescue. When the hard-bodied, no-nonsense-talking cowboy points out that she may need some help, Dillion is inclined to reluctantly agree.

Or a lover?

Waking up on a stranger’s property with a shotgun in his face is not Cal Bennett’s idea of a good time. Never mind that the woman on the other end of the barrel is one of the most fiercely beautiful women he has ever seen. Things get more interesting when he finds himself shielding her from flying bullets. It’s clear that this smart, savvy woman could use a hand and he is all too happy to lend any part of his body she requires. His proposal: pose as lovers until they find out who is after her ranch. As the danger rises and secrets are revealed, the passion explodes between them. There is no turning back.


Review:

Gripping, menacing, and taut!

That Cowboy of Mine is a riveting, seductive tale that takes us to Hill Country, Texas and into the life of the strong, confident Dillion Young who, after inheriting her Aunt Dolly’s ranch and deciding to stay, quickly discovers that someone desperately wants her to leave and figuring out the good guys from the bad is going to be a lot harder than she originally expected, especially when it comes to the ruggedly handsome, bull rider Cal Bennett who suspiciously turned up just when she needed him.

The writing is sharp and crisp. The characters are complex, wary, and intriguing. And the plot is a passionate tale filled with twists, turns, secrets, red herrings, lies, danger, sexual attraction, mayhem, betrayal, corruption, and steamy romance.

Overall, That Cowboy of Mine is an action-packed, twisty, satisfying standalone by Grant that kept me on my toes, warmed my heart, and certainly left me eager for more.

 

This book is available now.

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

            

 

 

Thank you to SMP Romance – St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Donna Grant

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

Photo by Yvette Michelle Portraits LLC.