Leo & Jules, a British billionaire real estate mogul who loves NYC and a wannabe hotel manager temporarily working as his assistant. I never pass up tLeo & Jules, a British billionaire real estate mogul who loves NYC and a wannabe hotel manager temporarily working as his assistant. I never pass up the opportunity to read one of Louise Bay’s books. She effortlessly blends quirky characters with stuffy grumps and creates a wonderful romance story you can’t put down. Leo is so much more than I anticipated. He surprised me.
The only other book I have read by this author is “From the Embers”. I went in blind to both and they both left me a sobbing mess. So. Many. Emotions.
The only other book I have read by this author is “From the Embers”. I went in blind to both and they both left me a sobbing mess.
Truett is a combat veteran suffering from PTSD. He has spent the years since returning home just existing, not living. Having lost or pushed away everyone he loved, he spends his time reliving the past, shuttered away.
Gwen has loved Truett from the time she was a teenager. He was never the same once he returned from the war zone. She moved on and then ended up back where it all began.
Their story is one of intense pain & suffering. This book has several trigger warnings, and some unexpected twists. Though the story involves highly sensitive subjects, it does not get political. Instead focusing solely on the individuals, their mental health and recovery. Martinez presents a broken man and the woman he left behind in gut wrenching detail. Laying him bare before putting them back together again. I sobbed several times while reading. Well done....more
I am loving this series. First Katy has me wanting to take a trip to Alaska, now she has me looking for the classics, like Wuthering Heights.
Sawyer iI am loving this series. First Katy has me wanting to take a trip to Alaska, now she has me looking for the classics, like Wuthering Heights.
Sawyer is the youngest son of the Stewart clan. He is very different from what I expected and his behavior in the book Tanner makes much more sense now. I love how the stories are run concurrently. An incident or mention in one becomes a key point in another.
Sawyer, like his siblings, has a deep love for his family and innate sense of right and wrong. He’s very smart, well read and holds himself to a higher standard, yet recognizes his small town may not be for everyone. Finding love like his older siblings may not be attainable, given the woman who claimed his heart is engaged to another man.
Ivy Caswell has spent every summer in Skagway with her aunt & uncle from the time she was 8 years old. She’s a native Alaskan, has flaming red hair and green eyes and feels lost and alone most of the time. Abandoned by her mother and ignored by her dad her summers with her aunt & uncle become her lifeline. Not going to lie, I had a really hard time warming up to Ivy. Her attitude and haughty behavior annoyed me. Seeing her relationships with Sawyer, her dad and fiancé develop through the flashbacks made a world of difference.
Enemies to lovers and second chance loves are two of my favorite tropes, this story having both is a home run for me. Only two siblings are left, Parker & Reeve.
Johnston writes the best dysfunctional family drama.
The final book in her Oil Knights series gives us the story of the youngest son, Eliot. He’s beeJohnston writes the best dysfunctional family drama.
The final book in her Oil Knights series gives us the story of the youngest son, Eliot. He’s been somewhat of a mystery so far, popping up here and there, manning that grill to perfection. Now we get his take on life.
No spoilers.
Eliot is a man who feels deeply. Their mother did a major number on him as a young boy, which impacted him greatly. He’s had several years reconnecting with his siblings and forming healthier relationships with them. A chance meeting with Lily, who is new to town and works for his sister-in-law, takes him on an unexpected path of marriage and being a father.
Long story short, Lily must meet the stipulations of her Grandmother’s trust in order to inherit the property she was left. Which sets up the next series. All six of the Duke siblings have to be married for a minimum of one year to inherit their houses and land.
Both Eliot & Lily needed to learn how to be in a healthy and supportive partnership. Their whirlwind marriage is a slow burn that intensified into a lasting flame. I loved how she took a stand, told him what she wanted and caused him to finally realize he deserved more. Well done. ...more
Good start to a new series. This book is a spin off from Dr. Single Dad. Efa (Eddie) is recently graduated from university and in NY hoping to land heGood start to a new series. This book is a spin off from Dr. Single Dad. Efa (Eddie) is recently graduated from university and in NY hoping to land her dream job. What she finds instead is a hot reclusive billionaire. A summer fling begins that feels like much more. Bennett is a complicated man. He prefers to stay hidden in shadows, far from prying eyes. Efa lights up everything and life is a bold adventure to her.
A one night stand that develops into a friendship, friends with benefits or something deeper? I enjoyed Efa’s frank and open demeanor. She was confident without being brash or pushy. She helped Bennett without expectations and reacquainted him with truly living. ...more
The fifth and final book in the Summer series is my favorite.
Harrison grabbed my attention in The Summer We Fell and I’ve been waiting for his story.The fifth and final book in the Summer series is my favorite.
Harrison grabbed my attention in The Summer We Fell and I’ve been waiting for his story. We knew from the last book he was recently divorced. The reason(s) for the split were unknown. Now we have the full story.
He’s hiding out at his beach house, licking his wounds and making poor choices. Daisy shows up unannounced and bulldozes her way in to his house and life. She’s known Harrison all her life. He is one of her uncle’s best friends, which doesn’t sway or deter her. She is determined to help him and little by little Harrison regains his footing.
Daisy is a ray of sunshine to his gloomy persona. Friends to lovers. A slow burn that is worth the wait. Looking forward to the bonus novella!...more
This was my first book in the Puffin Bay series. Even though it’s book 6, I did not feel lost. Dyer does an excellent job of recapping the key playersThis was my first book in the Puffin Bay series. Even though it’s book 6, I did not feel lost. Dyer does an excellent job of recapping the key players and family members so I had a really good sense of what they were about.
After reading the blurb I was concerned this would be a major tear jerker, it wasn’t. It had plenty of sentimental moments and the story of what happened to Ivy was sad, until it no longer hurt.
Iris is Ivy’s younger sister, Gulliver is Ivy’s best friend. They meet for the first time at her funeral. Then they become pen pals. Writing letters to each other and occasionally meeting over the course of a few years. I loved their correspondence, the way they started out only remembering Ivy, slowly developing a solid friendship that grew into a deep seated love. Ivy longed to be a mom. A medical condition made that a challenge, one she and Gully rose to meet head on.
That epilogue!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. More Puffin Bay please. ...more
Writing a review without giving any spoilers away is soooo challenging. Here goes….
Gabriel Ferrara of Ferrara Media is an imposing figure, in life, theWriting a review without giving any spoilers away is soooo challenging. Here goes….
Gabriel Ferrara of Ferrara Media is an imposing figure, in life, the boardroom, the bedroom and he jumps off the page loaded for bear…. or a cuter animal, a kitty. ...more
Indie and Ty are the latest couple in the second generation of the Deckers.
Indigo is the adopted daughter of Jacob & Pria. She may be petite, she is nIndie and Ty are the latest couple in the second generation of the Deckers.
Indigo is the adopted daughter of Jacob & Pria. She may be petite, she is no pushover. After suffering a trauma in college she returned to her family. Never telling anyone what happened, just finding ways to cope, including therapy.
Ty is the captain of Jude’s newest venture, a professional hockey team. He relocated to Seattle from the sunshine state, bringing along his 5 yr old daughter. Ty hasn’t had healthy relationships with his family and mothers are a touchy subject for him.
Their love story was a bit quirky. It was insta attraction and lust that morphed into a very slow burn pseudo friends with benefits. I appreciated the slower pace. Ty placed a higher value on gaining Indie’s trust and friendship vs a fast physical release. Myra was an adorable addition.
I enjoyed their story. It can be read as a standalone, although I do recommend reading some of the other “Decker” stories to better understand who everyone is and how they fit into the family.
Love it!! Katy has done it again!! Hunter can be read as a standalone, however I don’t recommend that.
The Stewarts of Skagway are a family of 6 siblingLove it!! Katy has done it again!! Hunter can be read as a standalone, however I don’t recommend that.
The Stewarts of Skagway are a family of 6 siblings. They all work on their family’s local Alaskan travel and tourist business and live in cabins on the campground. Six siblings, three men, three women. All unique personalities, making their mark in the world and discovering love in the most unexpected ways.
Hunter is the oldest. He assumed the mantle of caretaker for his younger sisters & brother after the loss of their mother. Seeing Tanner & Harper find their happy ever after has him rethinking his priorities. Hunter takes a job on an Amazing Race knockoff reality show in order to be closer to the one who got away. Three weeks spent in close quarters with heightened emotions, what could go wrong? Izabella & Hunter took advantage of the opportunity and made the most of it. They are sweet together and spicy! Their final challenge, don’t fall in love, because Bella doesn’t do long distance relationships.
I’m thoroughly enjoying this series. I dare you to read one and not binge them all. ...more
Liam Doherty is still somewhat of a mystery. He has an older sister, very attractive adult niece and is a business owner. Not at all what I expected.
Liam Doherty is still somewhat of a mystery. He has an older sister, very attractive adult niece and is a business owner. He’s recovering from a horrific accident and re-building his business, one project at a time. Both his current jobs involve his nemesis. He has the biggest heart of gold and ab’s of steel.
Emerson Hughes is the typical ‘I left my small town for greener pastures girl’, only to return with an agenda and fulfill a vendetta. Her backstory and sole reason for all her actions and reactions was so different from what I was expecting.
Their meet cute starts with text messages and flirty banter. When they finally meet everything changes. This is a very emotional story. I loved every minute of it and wanted more. ...more
Austen Knight, I’ve been waiting for him. He is the third brother, retired military. Instead of moving back home to the family ranch, he lands in CrocAusten Knight, I’ve been waiting for him. He is the third brother, retired military. Instead of moving back home to the family ranch, he lands in Crocus Valley with his other siblings. He likes to be busy and wants to take some time adjusting to civilian life, so he decides to buy the old farmhouse his brother had rented and renovate it. Lucky for him his neighbor is a great designer.
Vienne Ives is a hometown girl, moved away for college and returned a single mom with a headstrong teenager in tow. Her character was a bit standoffish in the early books. We learn she has suffered some humiliating moments and her daughter some taunts at school over her love life. Vienne is trying to build an interior design business and more gossip or innuendo will be a problem.
Their meet cute involves a puppy, a towel and a highly embarrassing moment. Working together and becoming friends is worrisome for V. Good thing Austen is patient and a great listener. I really enjoyed seeing V rediscover herself and let go of her worries. Austen has spent years avoiding his family. Having this time, getting to know his nieces & nephews and be more than the absent brother/uncle has been life changing. Maybe it’s time he stopped running away?
It’s a great story and has all the elements Johnston excels at, healing broken hearts and mending family ties....more
Book 1 ended with a heart stopping cliffhanger, needless to say once I downloaded this I had to read it straight away.
I loved it! Writing a review wiBook 1 ended with a heart stopping cliffhanger, needless to say once I downloaded this I had to read it straight away.
I loved it! Writing a review wihout giving anything away is tricky. What I will say, Gabriel has lived with the pain of not one, but two major losses. Losing the love of his life was devastating and life altering. He must learn how to navigate a tricky path, balancing work & family. Dreaming of a future he longs for and desperately wanted, knowing it slipped out of his grasp.
This is a beautiful story of finding love, forgiveness and healing. I highly recommend the duet....more
I love Bay’s Dr series. The Cove family is loud, opinionated and fiercely loyal. They may not show or express affection with their words, they do withI love Bay’s Dr series. The Cove family is loud, opinionated and fiercely loyal. They may not show or express affection with their words, they do with their actions and deeds. Dax is the youngest and last book in this series.
When a brief fling brings an unexpected development and a phone call upends his tidy life and predictable routine what is Dax to do? He doesn’t agree to sign adoption documents and instead chooses to raise his child on his own. Calling her his daughter or himself a father or dad is going to take a lot of work. Enter nanny Eira Cadogen. She may not be Mary Poppins, yet she does arrive with her own brand of magical gifts. Teaching Dax it’s okay to let yourself love and be loved in return is no easy feat. Slowly but surely she offers him a safe space to grow and realize that changes are inevitable and not scary. Eira has her own issues and finally learns to let go of everything and focus on her needs for once. Together they learn to love and move toward a shared future.
It’s a lovely story and wonderful way to close out the series. I highly recommend....more
I knew Harper & Joe’s story would be an emotional one. I wasn’t prepared for the raw, gut wrenching pain they would both feel. Best friends beginning I knew Harper & Joe’s story would be an emotional one. I wasn’t prepared for the raw, gut wrenching pain they would both feel. Best friends beginning in third grade that blossomed into a first love, first heartbreak and subsequent separation spanning 10 years.
They were both so young. Joe was all in, fully committed and ready to marry after HS graduation. He envisioned their future and nothing would deter him from having that life. Harper needed more time. Losing her mom at a young age left an immeasurable void in her heart. She had doubts and was insecure about many things, needing time to mature and gain confidence. An unexpected situation caused Harper to make choices on her own, the ramifications driving her actions for the foreseeable future and pushing them apart.
Harper repeatedly warned Joe once he knew the truth he would hate her. This fear paralyzed her, shutting him out completely was her way of coping. Joe loved her and could not comprehend what happened.
I’m not going to lie or sugarcoat it, I had to grab tissues so many times. Found myself sobbing at one point. This is an intense story of letting go, finding the courage to be honest with yourself and others, healing and forgiveness.
It’s a beautiful story. I highly recommend. I am so happy Katy opted to fully explore the Stewart family. I await the rest when she is ready....more
Sahin delivers an epic conclusion to her best selling series.
*Not a standalone, in this reader’s opinion. To fully appreciate what is happening, it’sSahin delivers an epic conclusion to her best selling series.
*Not a standalone, in this reader’s opinion. To fully appreciate what is happening, it’s best & highly recommended, to read the series in order, or at the very least, The Fallen One before this book.
Oliver was a key player in the formation of the Falcon Falls team, so it’s fitting his book concludes the series. This story picks up where the Fallon One left off, with Oliver & Mya undercover, working from within to stop a terrorist organization. They get more than they bargained for and impossible choices are made by both.
Not all heroes wear capes, some think they are wrecked beyond repair and others hide behind a byline to bring about justice.
The thing I love about this couple is they are equally matched. He is the Ying to her Yang. Finding a way to process all they have experienced and their way back to each other seems like an insurmountable task. Mya is the stubborn one and refuses to give up. Oliver just wants to block out the pain. When past events are uncovered, they must learn to listen, accept changes & trust each other.
This story is slow burn and not as steamy as some of her other works and that is okay. Oliver & Mya’s love story is so much deeper than just a physical connection. When they finally take that step it’s so much more emotional & rewarding.
That teaser at the end for an upcoming book, or two…. priceless....more
Claudia Burgoa has a note at the beginning of all her books, warning readers she writes highly emotional stories. Famous Last Words does not disappoinClaudia Burgoa has a note at the beginning of all her books, warning readers she writes highly emotional stories. Famous Last Words does not disappoint.
This is a standalone, not connected to any of her other works. The plot centers around the Ehrenberg & St. Clairmont families. The Ehrenberg family consists of a father who is a famous musician, his wife and their five boys. They move the family from CA to the east coast. While visiting their grandparents in CT, they meet the next door neighbors, the St. Clairmont’s. Fast friendships and deep bonds are formed that will shape their lives. Many years later a tragic accident will fracture it all. Devastating losses, lies and secrets will drive a wedge between them.
Brahms Ehrenberg & Seraphina St. Clairmont fell in love amid the chaos after the accident. Sadly their joy was short lived when they were pulled apart by her parents. Losing his best friend and the love of his life causes Brahms to spiral into despair and a very dark place. Almost a decade later he is once again in need of treatment after an accident, which leads him to Seraphina’s door. He is desperate to reclaim what they lost. Will he succeed or will her hatred towards him prove to be an obstacle too great to overcome?
This is a very emotional story which touches on the effects of addiction and death of loved ones. Burgoa does a great job conveying the anguish Brahms is dealing with, both mentally and physically. Seeing him fight to push past his pain and come out whole was deeply satisfying. I wonder if this will blossom into a new series?...more
Small Town Swoon is book 4 in the Cherry Tree Harbor series. It can be read as a standalone. The author offers quick recaps on the secondary characterSmall Town Swoon is book 4 in the Cherry Tree Harbor series. It can be read as a standalone. The author offers quick recaps on the secondary characters, you won’t be lost.
Dashiel Buckley… Hollywood heartthrob for scores of teenage girls, stars on a Baywatch like tv show which just ended. At 27 he wants more, to challenge himself with meatier, adult roles. He wants to be a leading man, not just eye candy for the viewing pleasure. According to his agent, he needs to get in touch with his naked self and unblock his emotions. Great advice, now he just has to figure how to do it.
Ariana DeLuca, graduate of the Culinary Institute, currently working for her parents at Moe’s Diner and bff of Mabel Buckley, Dash’s sister. At 16 she loved Dash and longed for his love in return. Sadly that failed to happen. He moved away, she gave up her teenage fantasy and focused on her future. While she loves their small town, Ari wants to experience new things. She’ll happily keep some traditions alive, she just wants an opportunity to experiment, to freshen the menu at the diner, to explore a wider variety of food combinations. She yearns to reach for the stars and pursue her dream, yet she won’t. Her dedication to her family must come first.
I loved Dash & Ari. Their issues and complications were real. They both had life altering situations they needed to deal with and move past in order to embrace the future. This story was much more emotional than I anticipated. Dash was a swoon worthy leading man, who cares deeply. Ari stated what she wanted right from the start and never waivered. She didn’t play games, or settle for less. Their relationship was built on a solid foundation. A strong friendship and honest communication leading to an everlasting love....more
Combine a marriage of convenience to a mafia princess, toss in the hero’s too involved family, a reluctant bride and solving the mystery of who wants Combine a marriage of convenience to a mafia princess, toss in the hero’s too involved family, a reluctant bride and solving the mystery of who wants to have her eliminated. What you’ll have is Sahin’s next best seller, Not Mine To Keep.
NMTK mixes action, suspense, romance and smoking hot chemistry between Alessandro & Calliope. All of the elements we have come to appreciate and devour in a Brittney Sahin story.
A chance meeting (was it really) between Alessandro & Callie becomes a game of cat & mouse with the dark forces determined to stop her ascension to the DiMaggio family throne. The only way for Alessandro to help keep her safe is to marry her, in name only. And as in all good romance novels, the tension between the two builds until it’s palpable and can no longer be denied.
Some of our old friends from Sahin’s Dublin Nights series make a guest appearance and offer an assist in rooting out the bad guys. Izzy & Hudson almost steal the show with their antics and smolder. Good thing their story is next! Looking forward to the continuation of this series....more
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