Emma is Gia's middle sister and now runs the Pierce brothers' bar and restaurant. Having been burned by a player when younger she now has a plan: onlyEmma is Gia's middle sister and now runs the Pierce brothers' bar and restaurant. Having been burned by a player when younger she now has a plan: only sensible, reliable men who have the same goals, love is fleeting but a 401K is forever. After her mother abandoned her husband and children when Emma was a child she has had a fear of abandonment.
Nikolai is a famous fashion photographer who could grace a magazine cover himself (Summer Pierce's BFF from New York), but he's lost his mojo and has decamped to Blue Moon. When Nikolai runs into Emma at the restaurant she clocks him as a player and makes it clear that she wants none of what he's selling. Intrigued, and stimulated by Emma's quick wit and failure to fall at his feet, NIkolai suggests he proves his intentions are good - by being her friend, no strings attached. Guess how long that lasts ...
As with the previous books in this series, I was enjoying it until about halfway but then the pursuit ended, there was a whole lot of smexy filler, then a rather overblown 'conflict'. Nevertheless, I continue reading because this is catnip for me LOL/
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription - I would post a review on Amazon but my reviewing rights have been suspended for 'repeatedly posting content that violates our Community Guidelines ... or Conditions of Use', although helpfully Amazon won't actually tell me what guideline(s) have been breached or in what review(s). LOL. I'm trying to decide if I'm petty and delusional enough to stop buying things from Amazon until they left the ban....more
The Beautification Committee turns its eye to Beckett Pierce, town mayor and lawyer.
Gia is a yoga teacher, she has recently moved to Blue Moon to be The Beautification Committee turns its eye to Beckett Pierce, town mayor and lawyer.
Gia is a yoga teacher, she has recently moved to Blue Moon to be closer to her father (who happens to be dating Beckett's mother) after divorcing her charming but feckless husband. She brings with her her stepson Evan and her daughter Aurora.
Beckett and Gia have a bit of a meet-cute where he doesn't realise she is his new tenant for the summerhouse at the end of his garden and he insists on walking her home.
Although they both try to resist their attraction, because children and landlord (that's two separate reasons), they can't resist for long.
I liked this opposites attract small-town romance, but I didn't love it. I had to skim too many smexy scenes (just bored) and the inevitable misunderstanding felt too manufactured. I'm not going to read Jax and Joey's story but I've already started the fourth book which features Gia's sister Emma and Summer's BFF the photographer Nikolai.
Summer Lentz is a workaholic aspiring editor for a New York glamour magazine (fashion, make-upp, etc) and she has come to the small town of Blue Moon Summer Lentz is a workaholic aspiring editor for a New York glamour magazine (fashion, make-upp, etc) and she has come to the small town of Blue Moon Bend in upstate New York to write an article about Carter Pierce and his family who have created an organic farm, for a series she has been developing about healthy eating and living for REASONS.
Blue Moon Bend is one of those fictional small towns where all the residents are young and gorgeous/have successful off the wall businesses/are mad as a box of frogs. So in this case Carter's middle brother is also an attorney and the local mayor, and his youngest brother is a film screenwriter. There's a juice bar, a yoga studio, a great pizza place, etc, etc.
There's a fair amount of big city girl getting scared by farm animals but also impressing Carter with her determination to do what is asked of her without complaining eg harvesting lettuces. Soon the smouldering glances turn more carnal but Summer thinks Carter wouldn't want her if he knew the truth about her (which, now I know the truth is just silly) and Carter feels he is broken because he had PTSD after he came back from Afghanistan and still has nightmares sometimes. Oh and they also live miles apart and couldn't easily move to be with each other.
I enjoyed this, I don't think Summer's REASONS were a big surprise, I thought the catalyst for the change was a bit left field because there were no warning flags previously, but it didn't spoilt the story.
Overall, I was looking for something light and fun to read (my TBR pile of ARCs is bringing me down) and this fit the bill. I am already part way through the second book which features Carter's middle brother Beckett.
Bristol is a divorced mother of one. After the tragic death of her younger sister Hope a year ago, the entire family and town have been in mourning. BBristol is a divorced mother of one. After the tragic death of her younger sister Hope a year ago, the entire family and town have been in mourning. Bristol's daughter has taken an interest in paying ice hockey for the local team (they are very bad) and Bristol feels she has to support her so when their hockey coach has a heart attack Bristol volunteers herself as replacement coach since all the other parents are somehow far too busy.
Beau has come to the small town of Hope Falls to check out Bristol for REASONS (I must admit I got the reason wrong but only slightly) and he happens to be a former professional ice hockey player so, while keeping his former profession and his actual name a secret, he starts to help Bristol and the team.
Sparks are flying, Beau wants to keep things platonic until he can tell Bristol the truth but Bristol wont take no for an answer.
This is a short sweet novella. I think the blurb could be misleading, most of the novella is about their developing relationship and resisting each other whereas I read the blurb to mean the novella pretty much started with Bristol waking up alone after they slept together.
Lord Zane Zimmer, new leader of the Arrows since Kyrion went off with Vespa, hides his keen mind and strong sense of duty behind a ready smile and a cLord Zane Zimmer, new leader of the Arrows since Kyrion went off with Vespa, hides his keen mind and strong sense of duty behind a ready smile and a charming personality (think The Scarlet Pimpernel), the gossipcasts think he's as deep as a puddle. His grandmother Beatrice is head of House Zimmer and she is plotting to marry Zane off to Lady Asterin in order to secure her family's mineral wealth for their manufacturing processes, over both of their objections.
Since Zane learned that Vesper is actually his half-sister he has been struggling between his duty as an Arrow to capture and return her and Kyrion to a life of being psionic batteries for the Emperor (because they have a true bond), and his desire to meet and know his sister. Oh, and he's none to happy that neither his grandmother nor his father has yet mustered the courage to tell him Vesper is his sister ... so much for family first!
Forced to attend the Summer Solstice party by his grandmother, who is keen to cement the almost engagement with Lady Asterin by Zane presenting her with a beautiful necklace, Zane is being hounded by the Emperor to find out where Vesper and Kyrin fled, whilst also worrying about where the Techwave will strike next.
I was really enjoying this, think Bridgerton meets The Tomorrow People, meets every werewolf PNR you've ever read. Fancy clothes, aristocratic soirees, high-tech equipment, mental powers, and a true mate bond. And then it ended with no conclusion and lots of questions. I see the next book in the series reverts to focussing on Vesper and Kyrion so what happens? This should have been titled 'Only Questions' ....more
Nick Russo is a big brawny Italian American writer for the New York Chronicle, he's also gay which is a problem in 1950s America. To try to live as auNick Russo is a big brawny Italian American writer for the New York Chronicle, he's also gay which is a problem in 1950s America. To try to live as authentic a life as possible he has moved to The Village area, away from his family so that he doesn't have to pretend. However, his only 'romantic' encounters are of the one-night stand variety and cloaked in fear and secrecy.
Andy Fleming is the boss' son. Nick's polar opposite, he's charming and slightly helpless, forever losing his glasses or his keys, getting lost on the subway etc. As part of his grooming to take over the newspaper from his father Andy is rotated to work with Nick in the newsroom.
Nick finds himself attracted to Andy, even though he knows Andy isn't gay, in fact he's dating one of Nick's closest friends. Over the months they work together Nick spends his time finding Andy's keys, rescuing him, etc and they become best friends. So who else would Andy turn to when his fiance suddenly dumps him?
Andy has always wanted a family, marriage, children, maybe a dog, that's just how he's made, maybe in reaction to his parents' divorce and his mother's globe-trotting career as an investigative reporter. And for his entire life that vision included a woman. But sharing Nick's apartment suddenly opens Andy's eyes to a hitherto unacknowledged attraction.
Goodness, this was just sooooo good. I loved it. I loved Andy and Nick, I loved their family lives, I loved the way in which they could quarrel/speak at cross-purposes and then both come back with an apology. I loved the 1950s vibe and the reminder that while we haven't overcome homophobia yet we are still a long way past the repression and hatred of those times....more
The second outing for the Blitz detective. After a night of bombing an ARP clean-up crew find a woman's body amongst the wreckage, the only trouble waThe second outing for the Blitz detective. After a night of bombing an ARP clean-up crew find a woman's body amongst the wreckage, the only trouble was ... the body wasn't there when they cleared the site earlier that evening.
Detective Inspector John Jago and Detective Constable Cradock are called in to investigate. The woman is Mary Watkins, an HR administrator for a local factory which, among other things, is manufacturing transistors for secret government work.
Jago's investigation encompasses Fifth Columnists, black marketeering, blackmail, bigamy, and just plain greed.
This series is growing on me nicely, some personal development between Jago and the American journalist and good historical detail.
Apologies for the brief review, I've returned from holiday with half a dozen books to review!
Liam Roth is a MMA fighter and helps to run his family's MMA gym in San Diego which has been struggling for some time, although since his sDNF at 23%.
Liam Roth is a MMA fighter and helps to run his family's MMA gym in San Diego which has been struggling for some time, although since his sister came home and had a showdown with their father they seemed to have turned a corner: diversifying and pulling their way out of debt. His BFF Chelsea comes from a dysfunctional family and after an awkward moment when she tried to turn a friendly peck on the cheek into something more, she moved to Denver for a new job. Now her firm is opening a new branch in San Diego and Chelsea begs to be part of the team to set it up.
What we have is two BFFs, hopelessly in love with each other but too afraid to act on it, Chelsea for fear of rejection and Liam because he's scared of losing their friendship if it all goes wrong. But of course Liam offers to let Chelsea to stay with him while she is in San Diego for six weeks and all that close proximity makes it difficult to ignore the attraction between them.
I struggled with the first book in this series because I'm not a fan of MMA or first person POV novels but I have loved Cindi Madsen's other novels so I gave it a try and eventually enjoyed it once the initial angst and insta-lurve settled down. Reading my review of that book I was really intrigued to find out what had gone on between Liam and Chelsea so I was stoked to see their book available on NetGalley.
Oh dear, there was no mystery about Liam and Chelsea, it falls into the tired cliche of the man being to scared to risk love and ruin a friendship, feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Chelsea, in the little I read, seemed a spineless klutz. Of course Liam grunts because no MMA fighter EVER could speak normally. There was a lot of lusting after abs and staring at Liam as he walks around the gym and the apartment shirtless.
Overall, nothing I read seemed to suggest that this was anything other than a cliche-ridden YA/NA romance full of angst and misunderstandings. I certainly didn't want to read any further.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
DNF at 23%.
Liam Roth is a MMA fighter and helps to run his family's MMA gym in San Diego which has been struggling for some time, although since his sister came home and had a showdown with their father they seemed to have turned a corner: diversifying and pulling their way out of debt. His BFF Chelsea comes from a dysfunctional family and after an awkward moment when she tried to turn a friendly peck on the cheek into something more, she moved to Denver for a new job. Now her firm is opening a new branch in San Diego and Chelsea begs to be part of the team to set it up.
What we have is two BFFs, hopelessly in love with each other but too afraid to act on it, Chelsea for fear of rejection and Liam because he's scared of losing their friendship if it all goes wrong. But of course Liam offers to let Chelsea to stay with him while she is in San Diego for six weeks and all that close proximity makes it difficult to ignore the attraction between them.
I struggled with the first book in this series because I'm not a fan of MMA or first person POV novels but I have loved Cindi Madsen's other novels so I gave it a try and eventually enjoyed it once the initial angst and insta-lurve settled down. Reading my review of that book I was really intrigued to find out what had gone on between Liam and Chelsea so I was stoked to see their book available on NetGalley.
Oh dear, there was no mystery about Liam and Chelsea, it falls into the tired cliche of the man being to scared to risk love and ruin a friendship, feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Chelsea, in the little I read, seemed a spineless klutz. Of course Liam grunts because no MMA fighter EVER could speak normally. There was a lot of lusting after abs and staring at Liam as he walks around the gym and the apartment shirtless.
Overall, nothing I read seemed to suggest that this was anything other than a cliche-ridden YA/NA romance full of angst and misunderstandings. I certainly didn't want to read any further.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
When I was reading this book I had the distinct impression that it bore very little resemblance to the blurb. Having re-read the blurb it'sDNF at 52%.
When I was reading this book I had the distinct impression that it bore very little resemblance to the blurb. Having re-read the blurb it's so non-specific that I probably inferred the plot I wanted to read!
Sierra is the bad girl who married, against the odds, Doctor Carter McArthur, the eldest son of the snobby McArthurs and older man. His brother Cole has been estranged and riding bulls for years but has recently found love and come home.
Their parents have landed a family bombshell on Carter, Cole and their sister Lina which has devastated Carter and he has been left floundering, estranged even from Sierra.
At first Sierra acts like a good time girl, when she doesn't get attention she makes a scene. When that stops working she tries to fit in with the McArthurs and become a Stepford Wife, when that doesn't work she asks for a divorce.
Carter is left bereft AGAIN. Brought up with the heavy expectations that he would be a doctor, marry a nice girl, have 2.5 children an SUV and a dog etc, etc. Basically his parents wanted a perfect automatron. The only thing he ever did for himself was to marry the beautiful, wild child Sierra and now his one shining light is leaving him. In desperation he wrangles an agreement that Sierra will allow him to have a conversation with her for five minutes every day for a month.
I had to double-check that this wasn't a re-release because it had such an old-fashioned feel for me. The older husband, the professional man who marries a younger woman with a chequered past. The rigid 1950s style family, even the 'we're getting divorced but I'm pregnant' plot feels like a throw-back. Cole gives Carter advice and Carter genuinely thinks about it AND DOES THE OPPOSITE. Now I get that it's hard to open up and let people see the weaknesses you have, but if someone says, for example, tell the truth and you think about it and decide to tell a lie ... hmmm.
Curiouser and curiouser, I knew I had read a book by Nicole Helm before and assumed it was as part of the American Extreme Bull Riders Tour series, in fact it was actually Sierra's good girl sister Kaitlin's story and I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
DNF at 52%.
When I was reading this book I had the distinct impression that it bore very little resemblance to the blurb. Having re-read the blurb it's so non-specific that I probably inferred the plot I wanted to read!
Sierra is the bad girl who married, against the odds, Doctor Carter McArthur, the eldest son of the snobby McArthurs and older man. His brother Cole has been estranged and riding bulls for years but has recently found love and come home.
Their parents have landed a family bombshell on Carter, Cole and their sister Lina which has devastated Carter and he has been left floundering, estranged even from Sierra.
At first Sierra acts like a good time girl, when she doesn't get attention she makes a scene. When that stops working she tries to fit in with the McArthurs and become a Stepford Wife, when that doesn't work she asks for a divorce.
Carter is left bereft AGAIN. Brought up with the heavy expectations that he would be a doctor, marry a nice girl, have 2.5 children an SUV and a dog etc, etc. Basically his parents wanted a perfect automatron. The only thing he ever did for himself was to marry the beautiful, wild child Sierra and now his one shining light is leaving him. In desperation he wrangles an agreement that Sierra will allow him to have a conversation with her for five minutes every day for a month.
I had to double-check that this wasn't a re-release because it had such an old-fashioned feel for me. The older husband, the professional man who marries a younger woman with a chequered past. The rigid 1950s style family, even the 'we're getting divorced but I'm pregnant' plot feels like a throw-back. Cole gives Carter advice and Carter genuinely thinks about it AND DOES THE OPPOSITE. Now I get that it's hard to open up and let people see the weaknesses you have, but if someone says, for example, tell the truth and you think about it and decide to tell a lie ... hmmm.
Curiouser and curiouser, I knew I had read a book by Nicole Helm before and assumed it was as part of the American Extreme Bull Riders Tour series, in fact it was actually Sierra's good girl sister Kaitlin's story and I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
When Bryce Barrett gets passed over for promotion to partner at her fancy Chicago law firm in favour of a snotty-nosed, know-nothing idiot who just haWhen Bryce Barrett gets passed over for promotion to partner at her fancy Chicago law firm in favour of a snotty-nosed, know-nothing idiot who just happens to be the Mayor's nephew she doesn't take it well. In fact she may have incinerated her career. Now she's retreated to the house her ex-husband bought in the tiny midwestern town of Wackernagel he grew up in (she might have been petty enough to ask for it in the divorce) and is sticking it to The Man (assuming that this means watching every episode of The Gilmore Girls, wearing sweatpants and eating Cheetos - can I also say I've never eaten them but they sound vile?).
On a visit to the local ice-cream parlour to buy essential ice-cream provisions, Bryce attracts the eye of a concerned citizen who calls security for the gated community in which she lives (cripes these are special snowflakes if they've never seen a woman in sweatpants and novelty slippers binge-eating ice-cream). Jake Warner was born and bred in Wackernagel (I apologise for all the asides, not sure what has come over me, but why do authors insist on having their towns called silly names (please don't tell me it's an actual town)) but he's spent the last decade as far away as possible roaming the US. Now he's back, but only until he's repaid his father, and then he'll be off far from home once again - because 'reasons'. His temporary job as security guard for a gated community is easy work, but when he's called to deal with a possibly violent vagrant woman scaring customers at the ice-cream parlour he feels compassion for the woman who is clearly dealing with some issues.
A chance encounter with Bryce's ex and his new girlfriend leads Bryce to claim that she and Jake are dating, which he goes along with because he can see where she's coming from. When Bryce's power gets cut off because she's not been paying her bills (or opening her mail - see, I'm doing it again), they come to an agreement, Jake will help her renovate the house to sell and in return Bryce will pay him the realtor's fee which will help him repay his father. United in their desire to get out of Wackernagel as soon as possible the two of them become friends - or maybe more.
I've read a few of Julie Hammerle's novels before and I've always appreciated the way she portrays more mature women with real problems and grown-up reactions, which is why I requested this book. Unfortunately, this didn't really work well for me for several reasons. First, Jake blames himself/his father for something that happened - it is this that has kept him away from home for a decade, but frankly his logic is that of an eight-year-old, not a grown man. Second, Jake's family are so irritating I would have left town as soon as possible to get away from them. Third, Bryce's slob phase was too extreme - closer to mental breakdown territory - and I've read better.
Overall, it was okay, a pleasant enough read but after only a few days I could barely remember the plot.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Merged review:
When Bryce Barrett gets passed over for promotion to partner at her fancy Chicago law firm in favour of a snotty-nosed, know-nothing idiot who just happens to be the Mayor's nephew she doesn't take it well. In fact she may have incinerated her career. Now she's retreated to the house her ex-husband bought in the tiny midwestern town of Wackernagel he grew up in (she might have been petty enough to ask for it in the divorce) and is sticking it to The Man (assuming that this means watching every episode of The Gilmore Girls, wearing sweatpants and eating Cheetos - can I also say I've never eaten them but they sound vile?).
On a visit to the local ice-cream parlour to buy essential ice-cream provisions, Bryce attracts the eye of a concerned citizen who calls security for the gated community in which she lives (cripes these are special snowflakes if they've never seen a woman in sweatpants and novelty slippers binge-eating ice-cream). Jake Warner was born and bred in Wackernagel (I apologise for all the asides, not sure what has come over me, but why do authors insist on having their towns called silly names (please don't tell me it's an actual town)) but he's spent the last decade as far away as possible roaming the US. Now he's back, but only until he's repaid his father, and then he'll be off far from home once again - because 'reasons'. His temporary job as security guard for a gated community is easy work, but when he's called to deal with a possibly violent vagrant woman scaring customers at the ice-cream parlour he feels compassion for the woman who is clearly dealing with some issues.
A chance encounter with Bryce's ex and his new girlfriend leads Bryce to claim that she and Jake are dating, which he goes along with because he can see where she's coming from. When Bryce's power gets cut off because she's not been paying her bills (or opening her mail - see, I'm doing it again), they come to an agreement, Jake will help her renovate the house to sell and in return Bryce will pay him the realtor's fee which will help him repay his father. United in their desire to get out of Wackernagel as soon as possible the two of them become friends - or maybe more.
I've read a few of Julie Hammerle's novels before and I've always appreciated the way she portrays more mature women with real problems and grown-up reactions, which is why I requested this book. Unfortunately, this didn't really work well for me for several reasons. First, Jake blames himself/his father for something that happened - it is this that has kept him away from home for a decade, but frankly his logic is that of an eight-year-old, not a grown man. Second, Jake's family are so irritating I would have left town as soon as possible to get away from them. Third, Bryce's slob phase was too extreme - closer to mental breakdown territory - and I've read better.
Overall, it was okay, a pleasant enough read but after only a few days I could barely remember the plot.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I'm not generally a fan of anthologies, but when my favourite authors get together? Bring it.
In The Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven - three and a halI'm not generally a fan of anthologies, but when my favourite authors get together? Bring it.
In The Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven - three and a half stars Set in the world of Eidolon and the Wraith Kings this is the charming story of Jahna Ulfrida, the daughter of a nobleman, born with a large port wine stain on one side of her face and her brother's teacher, Radimar Velus. Told against the back drop of several annual Deyalda festivities this is a slow blossoming romance told with sumptuous prose and fabulous world-building. Easy to read as a stand-alone if you have never read any of Grace Draven's books before.
The Chosen by Thea Harrison - three and a half stars Set in The Elder Races but not on earth. Braugne and Guerlan are at war, threatening the neutrality of the island of Camaeline Abbey. The Chosen of the goddess Camael has to choose which side to align with, her visions tell her that one way will spell disaster for her people - but which?
The infamous Wolf of Braugne has brought his army practically to the doors of the abbey, can the Chosen use her psychic gifts to read his aura and determine if he is friend or foe?
This was a charming novella about a warlord and a strong priestess, each with their own kingdoms to rule, who find love in a time of war. TBH, I would have liked this to be a full-length novel to explore how the characters got to where they are and expand the story a bit. Easy to read as a stand-alone if you have never read any of Thea Harrison's books before.
The Storm by Elizabeth Hunter - three stars Set in the world of the Irin Chronicles. i haven't read this series and I did feel that I missed something not having read the series. From what I gathered there are two groups of half-angel children on earth. One group, the Irin, have magical gifts and are scholars and artists. The other, the Grigori, are encouraged by their sires to take human lives (I think). Renata was the daughter of scholars and intellectuals, when The rending occurred she saw the aftermath of her parents, her mate and everyone she knew being murdered by the Grigori. Later she meets a much younger Irin, Max and they share a brief relationship. But Renata knows that she is broken ,having lost her one true love she can never allow Max to settle for something lesser.
I started off not liking this novella and by the end I rather enjoyed it.
The Snows of Windroven by Jeffe Kennedy - four stars Set in the world of The Twelve Kingdoms this a novella about the widowed Queen Ami of Avonligh who is travelling to her late husband's castle Windroven with her twin children to celebrate the feast of mid-Winter along with her unofficial consort Ash, a scarred ex-convict and half-shifter.
Although I have read some of Jeffe's more recent books I haven't read The Twelve Kingdoms series and didn't have a clue about the characters. No matter, the brief paragraph "About the Book" at the start told me all I need to know.
Ash and Ami are in love but he knows she can never marry him and he can't imagine any future King allowing his affair with Ami to continue. As the entourage travel to Windroven the pair decide to part, until a vicious attack by undead creatures forces events to take a different turn.
This novella just left me wanting more, more Windroven, more Ash, more Ami, more of Ami's adorable twins. More, more, more.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
I'm not generally a fan of anthologies, but when my favourite authors get together? Bring it.
In The Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven - three and a half stars Set in the world of Eidolon and the Wraith Kings this is the charming story of Jahna Ulfrida, the daughter of a nobleman, born with a large port wine stain on one side of her face and her brother's teacher, Radimar Velus. Told against the back drop of several annual Deyalda festivities this is a slow blossoming romance told with sumptuous prose and fabulous world-building. Easy to read as a stand-alone if you have never read any of Grace Draven's books before.
The Chosen by Thea Harrison - three and a half stars Set in The Elder Races but not on earth. Braugne and Guerlan are at war, threatening the neutrality of the island of Camaeline Abbey. The Chosen of the goddess Camael has to choose which side to align with, her visions tell her that one way will spell disaster for her people - but which?
The infamous Wolf of Braugne has brought his army practically to the doors of the abbey, can the Chosen use her psychic gifts to read his aura and determine if he is friend or foe?
This was a charming novella about a warlord and a strong priestess, each with their own kingdoms to rule, who find love in a time of war. TBH, I would have liked this to be a full-length novel to explore how the characters got to where they are and expand the story a bit. Easy to read as a stand-alone if you have never read any of Thea Harrison's books before.
The Storm by Elizabeth Hunter - three stars Set in the world of the Irin Chronicles. i haven't read this series and I did feel that I missed something not having read the series. From what I gathered there are two groups of half-angel children on earth. One group, the Irin, have magical gifts and are scholars and artists. The other, the Grigori, are encouraged by their sires to take human lives (I think). Renata was the daughter of scholars and intellectuals, when The rending occurred she saw the aftermath of her parents, her mate and everyone she knew being murdered by the Grigori. Later she meets a much younger Irin, Max and they share a brief relationship. But Renata knows that she is broken ,having lost her one true love she can never allow Max to settle for something lesser.
I started off not liking this novella and by the end I rather enjoyed it.
The Snows of Windroven by Jeffe Kennedy - four stars Set in the world of The Twelve Kingdoms this a novella about the widowed Queen Ami of Avonligh who is travelling to her late husband's castle Windroven with her twin children to celebrate the feast of mid-Winter along with her unofficial consort Ash, a scarred ex-convict and half-shifter.
Although I have read some of Jeffe's more recent books I haven't read The Twelve Kingdoms series and didn't have a clue about the characters. No matter, the brief paragraph "About the Book" at the start told me all I need to know.
Ash and Ami are in love but he knows she can never marry him and he can't imagine any future King allowing his affair with Ami to continue. As the entourage travel to Windroven the pair decide to part, until a vicious attack by undead creatures forces events to take a different turn.
This novella just left me wanting more, more Windroven, more Ash, more Ami, more of Ami's adorable twins. More, more, more.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Meet three women, united by work, family ties and their relationships with much older men.
Ellie is a young twenty-something teacher at the Margate AcaMeet three women, united by work, family ties and their relationships with much older men.
Ellie is a young twenty-something teacher at the Margate Academy (teaching English to overseas students) who has recently moved in with her boyfriend Tom, after a short romance, who is in his mid-forties.
Clare is Ellie's mother. She is in her early fifties and married to Rupert who is about to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Since Rupert retired he seems to have lost that vital spark that drew Clare to him, his phenomenal drinking gets on her nerves and all he seems to do is pontificate and alienate their son whilst doting on Ellie. Clare has two sisters: Fig, who has two children and a husband working in Dubai; and Angie, a civil servant with a chip on her shoulder.
Anna is Ellie's colleague at work, about to celebrate her sixtieth birthday she is married to Jeremy, a retired doctor in his mid-eighties who is becoming increasingly infirm. Anna and Jeremy never go anywhere anymore and Anna's social life revolves around her colleagues at the school, at sixty Anna feels in her peak and not ready to sit quietly in a rocking chair waiting to die.
In their own ways Clare and Anna try to dissuade Ellie from entering into a relationship, and getting engaged, with a man so much older. Ellie challenges them both, why are they are trying to put her off when the two of them have done exactly the same?
I find myself faced with a familiar problem, how to describe a book classified (by me) as Women's Fiction? What is this book about? Marriage, families, children, careers? Yes to all of the above. It's also about finding a new balance, relationships change over time and it's about finding your new normal. Often with Women's Fiction I am left with a feeling of dissatisfaction because there is no closure, no HEA. Not so in this case, at the end of this novel our three lead characters have gained a new perspective on their lives.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and would definitely look out for more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
Meet three women, united by work, family ties and their relationships with much older men.
Ellie is a young twenty-something teacher at the Margate Academy (teaching English to overseas students) who has recently moved in with her boyfriend Tom, after a short romance, who is in his mid-forties.
Clare is Ellie's mother. She is in her early fifties and married to Rupert who is about to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Since Rupert retired he seems to have lost that vital spark that drew Clare to him, his phenomenal drinking gets on her nerves and all he seems to do is pontificate and alienate their son whilst doting on Ellie. Clare has two sisters: Fig, who has two children and a husband working in Dubai; and Angie, a civil servant with a chip on her shoulder.
Anna is Ellie's colleague at work, about to celebrate her sixtieth birthday she is married to Jeremy, a retired doctor in his mid-eighties who is becoming increasingly infirm. Anna and Jeremy never go anywhere anymore and Anna's social life revolves around her colleagues at the school, at sixty Anna feels in her peak and not ready to sit quietly in a rocking chair waiting to die.
In their own ways Clare and Anna try to dissuade Ellie from entering into a relationship, and getting engaged, with a man so much older. Ellie challenges them both, why are they are trying to put her off when the two of them have done exactly the same?
I find myself faced with a familiar problem, how to describe a book classified (by me) as Women's Fiction? What is this book about? Marriage, families, children, careers? Yes to all of the above. It's also about finding a new balance, relationships change over time and it's about finding your new normal. Often with Women's Fiction I am left with a feeling of dissatisfaction because there is no closure, no HEA. Not so in this case, at the end of this novel our three lead characters have gained a new perspective on their lives.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and would definitely look out for more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Who doesn't love a fake relationship with your boss romance? Sabrina has been Luke Cochran's assistant for four years and probaThree and a half stars.
Who doesn't love a fake relationship with your boss romance? Sabrina has been Luke Cochran's assistant for four years and probably in love with him for all that time. Luke on the other hand, gorgeous millionaire actor that he is, doesn't have a clue. However, when his mother suffers a heart attack and tells him how much she worries about him he panics and tells her that he and Sabrina are secretly engaged.
But Luke is hiding a secret from the world, something that made him run from home at the age of eighteen and his trips back were non-existent until Sabrina pushed him to make the trip. Can a fake relationship turn real and can Luke tell the truth?
I liked the plot and the characters but I was put off by the incessant sex. Honestly, page after page after page, then there would be a snippet of plot and then page upon page of sex. I got bored and just flicked past it all wondering at times if there was any plot coming soon. Maybe I should have expected it given the title, I'm sure some people reading this are itching to go and buy the book - and good for them. It just didn't work for me.
However, I am really intrigued by Luke's large family, Devin in particular, and look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
Three and a half stars.
Who doesn't love a fake relationship with your boss romance? Sabrina has been Luke Cochran's assistant for four years and probably in love with him for all that time. Luke on the other hand, gorgeous millionaire actor that he is, doesn't have a clue. However, when his mother suffers a heart attack and tells him how much she worries about him he panics and tells her that he and Sabrina are secretly engaged.
But Luke is hiding a secret from the world, something that made him run from home at the age of eighteen and his trips back were non-existent until Sabrina pushed him to make the trip. Can a fake relationship turn real and can Luke tell the truth?
I liked the plot and the characters but I was put off by the incessant sex. Honestly, page after page after page, then there would be a snippet of plot and then page upon page of sex. I got bored and just flicked past it all wondering at times if there was any plot coming soon. Maybe I should have expected it given the title, I'm sure some people reading this are itching to go and buy the book - and good for them. It just didn't work for me.
However, I am really intrigued by Luke's large family, Devin in particular, and look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
A private island, an unwanted inheritance, a benevolent gift and a whole load of fertile bunnies!
Marshall Dyson wants to open his grandfather's privatA private island, an unwanted inheritance, a benevolent gift and a whole load of fertile bunnies!
Marshall Dyson wants to open his grandfather's private island to single parent families to obliterate the memories of his past and his grandfather's inhumanity to the ground. Unfortunately a population of wild rabbits has grown on the island and the American Bunny League opposes his plans to eliminate them. Instead, a court orders Marshall to cooperate with the American Bunny League to humanely trap all of the rabbits and put them up for adoption. Much as he loathes the court's decision Marshall can't help his attraction to the American Bunny League's spokesperson, veterinarian Dr Augusta North. Now Marshall and Augusta are spending four weeks trapped on a small island, surrounded by horny bunny volunteers and lots and lots of rabbits.
This is a zany romantic comedy between a dedicated bunny scientist and a successful construction company CEO, full of sexual tension, smokin' hot smexy times and some of the cutest bunnies you could ever imagine. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
A private island, an unwanted inheritance, a benevolent gift and a whole load of fertile bunnies!
Marshall Dyson wants to open his grandfather's private island to single parent families to obliterate the memories of his past and his grandfather's inhumanity to the ground. Unfortunately a population of wild rabbits has grown on the island and the American Bunny League opposes his plans to eliminate them. Instead, a court orders Marshall to cooperate with the American Bunny League to humanely trap all of the rabbits and put them up for adoption. Much as he loathes the court's decision Marshall can't help his attraction to the American Bunny League's spokesperson, veterinarian Dr Augusta North. Now Marshall and Augusta are spending four weeks trapped on a small island, surrounded by horny bunny volunteers and lots and lots of rabbits.
This is a zany romantic comedy between a dedicated bunny scientist and a successful construction company CEO, full of sexual tension, smokin' hot smexy times and some of the cutest bunnies you could ever imagine. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
High Prince Slaine of the Unseelie Court appears to have defected to the Summer (Seelie) Court and become betrothed to Princess Aoife. In reality he hHigh Prince Slaine of the Unseelie Court appears to have defected to the Summer (Seelie) Court and become betrothed to Princess Aoife. In reality he has been put under a Thrall and his face has been given to an imposter, unable to tell the truth. He spends his days being tortured and ridiculed by Aoife as a political prisoner, his identity hidden by a gold mask and the name Duine.
Sebastian has hidden his real identity for many years, half-Seelie, half-Unseelie and son of King Oberon's beloved sister, he hasn't been in the Seelie Court for years, not even after his mother's death. But when bringing Slaine back is the only thing that is likely to prevent war between the two courts he is the obvious choice.
Sebastian is shocked at the lack of glamour in the Sidhe when he returns to the Summer Court, his cousin Aoife is advocating war and gathering supporters, King Oberon appears afraid of Aoife and the nobles seem indifferent to the suffering of the ordinary fae. When he sees Aoife torturing an Unseelie prisoner he requests him as a manservant.
Despite not wanting to be designated a prince of the Seelie court Seb cannot ignore the suffering of the fae and with Duine's help he starts to muster support for peace and a more equitable sharing of the Sidhe's glamour. But he has made a dangerous enemy in Aoife and there are forces at work that neither of them understand that threaten the very existence of both courts.
This is a deep contrast to the first book which I likened to Harry Potter with the fae. This is set entirely within the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Despite the abrupt change of focus I enjoyed this book, once I realised that it was not about the couple from the first book, but Prince Roark's older brother (poor memory for names). These novels are not for the faint hearted, the fae can be frighteningly imaginative with their tortures but the writing was engaging and Seb and Slaine/Duine are a charming couple as the prince turned servant teaches the new prince how to win over the nobility.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
High Prince Slaine of the Unseelie Court appears to have defected to the Summer (Seelie) Court and become betrothed to Princess Aoife. In reality he has been put under a Thrall and his face has been given to an imposter, unable to tell the truth. He spends his days being tortured and ridiculed by Aoife as a political prisoner, his identity hidden by a gold mask and the name Duine.
Sebastian has hidden his real identity for many years, half-Seelie, half-Unseelie and son of King Oberon's beloved sister, he hasn't been in the Seelie Court for years, not even after his mother's death. But when bringing Slaine back is the only thing that is likely to prevent war between the two courts he is the obvious choice.
Sebastian is shocked at the lack of glamour in the Sidhe when he returns to the Summer Court, his cousin Aoife is advocating war and gathering supporters, King Oberon appears afraid of Aoife and the nobles seem indifferent to the suffering of the ordinary fae. When he sees Aoife torturing an Unseelie prisoner he requests him as a manservant.
Despite not wanting to be designated a prince of the Seelie court Seb cannot ignore the suffering of the fae and with Duine's help he starts to muster support for peace and a more equitable sharing of the Sidhe's glamour. But he has made a dangerous enemy in Aoife and there are forces at work that neither of them understand that threaten the very existence of both courts.
This is a deep contrast to the first book which I likened to Harry Potter with the fae. This is set entirely within the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Despite the abrupt change of focus I enjoyed this book, once I realised that it was not about the couple from the first book, but Prince Roark's older brother (poor memory for names). These novels are not for the faint hearted, the fae can be frighteningly imaginative with their tortures but the writing was engaging and Seb and Slaine/Duine are a charming couple as the prince turned servant teaches the new prince how to win over the nobility.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Julian Worth is a foster-child turned self-made billionaire. Let down by people he loved in the past he has determined never toThree and a half stars.
Julian Worth is a foster-child turned self-made billionaire. Let down by people he loved in the past he has determined never to be hurt again. He feels that he is looked down on because of his humble origins so he decides to enter into a marriage of convenience, a strategic alliance with a rival family.
Holly Abbott is the quiet, bespectacled less glamorous of the Abbott twins, born shortly after the heir Lillian. But when Lillian disappears at a crucial moment Holly's father blackmails her into taking Lillian's place and pretending to be her sister to ensure the marriage, and the merger, takes place as planned.
Julian and Holly go on their first date with low expectations but neither finds the other to be as expected, can love survive deception?
Gah, I tried to change the edition in Goodreads and the computer ate my review! Anyway, although this felt quite old-fashioned to me, with the billionaire with a heart of gold and the overlooked younger twin, I have to say it is exactly what I was expecting based on the blurb and it delivered in abundance. Definitely one to read when you want to escape reality to a simpler time.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
Three and a half stars.
Julian Worth is a foster-child turned self-made billionaire. Let down by people he loved in the past he has determined never to be hurt again. He feels that he is looked down on because of his humble origins so he decides to enter into a marriage of convenience, a strategic alliance with a rival family.
Holly Abbott is the quiet, bespectacled less glamorous of the Abbott twins, born shortly after the heir Lillian. But when Lillian disappears at a crucial moment Holly's father blackmails her into taking Lillian's place and pretending to be her sister to ensure the marriage, and the merger, takes place as planned.
Julian and Holly go on their first date with low expectations but neither finds the other to be as expected, can love survive deception?
Gah, I tried to change the edition in Goodreads and the computer ate my review! Anyway, although this felt quite old-fashioned to me, with the billionaire with a heart of gold and the overlooked younger twin, I have to say it is exactly what I was expecting based on the blurb and it delivered in abundance. Definitely one to read when you want to escape reality to a simpler time.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Fantastic start to a new series about a hockey league for 'Marked'.
Random Hazard has everything he ever wanted within his grasp as he is a rookie drafFantastic start to a new series about a hockey league for 'Marked'.
Random Hazard has everything he ever wanted within his grasp as he is a rookie drafted into the NHL, until a potentially fatal accident forces him to reveal his magic in order to save a fellow rookie's life. Excluded from the NHL Ran is tricked into trying out for the Portland Thunderbirds, a hockey league for shifters, sensitives and other magical beings.
Imagine Harry Potter as a twenty-two year old hockey player, a magical novice with immense talent, an anomaly, fighting his magic and you have may some idea of how this plays out. It's part bildungsroman, part sports romance, part urban fantasy with great characters and a fascinating piece of world-building and exploration of magic use. This promises to be a great series.
Merged review:
Fantastic start to a new series about a hockey league for 'Marked'.
Random Hazard has everything he ever wanted within his grasp as he is a rookie drafted into the NHL, until a potentially fatal accident forces him to reveal his magic in order to save a fellow rookie's life. Excluded from the NHL Ran is tricked into trying out for the Portland Thunderbirds, a hockey league for shifters, sensitives and other magical beings.
Imagine Harry Potter as a twenty-two year old hockey player, a magical novice with immense talent, an anomaly, fighting his magic and you have may some idea of how this plays out. It's part bildungsroman, part sports romance, part urban fantasy with great characters and a fascinating piece of world-building and exploration of magic use. This promises to be a great series....more
Eva King has spent five years supporting her boyfriend in all ways, emotionally, professionally etc but when she asks for similar support he ridiculesEva King has spent five years supporting her boyfriend in all ways, emotionally, professionally etc but when she asks for similar support he ridicules her and says she is basically not his collaborator but his assistant (with benefits), now with no professional credentials her only hope of building a professional reputation is by inviting herself along as a potential candidate for an ambitious mural on a disused grain elevator in the small town of Marietta. With very little money she is looking for a place to stay when Sierra Carmody offers the Airstream sitting outside their barn.
When Sierra's brother Casey sees Eva he is immediately drawn to the fiery artist, but unless she wins the commission she'll go back to LA in a day or two and Casey is tied to his family's farm to deeply to move. Following the deaths of their parents in a car crash Casey, Sierra and their brother Jed have tried to keep the family farm going but a few tough years have really pushed them to the edge, when Casey gets a chance to take his band further than just headlining in the local bar he just can't take the chance of losing the family farm and the family can't afford to replace him.
This was a pleasant romance but I felt the plot was sacrificed for the sexy times. There were the two strands: Eva and her slimy ex competing for the grain elevator commission; and Casey and his band getting a chance at success. Both were built up and then resolved bish-bash-bosh whereas I lost count of the sex scenes and almost sex scenes in the book - just tell me a story and stop having sex!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
Eva King has spent five years supporting her boyfriend in all ways, emotionally, professionally etc but when she asks for similar support he ridicules her and says she is basically not his collaborator but his assistant (with benefits), now with no professional credentials her only hope of building a professional reputation is by inviting herself along as a potential candidate for an ambitious mural on a disused grain elevator in the small town of Marietta. With very little money she is looking for a place to stay when Sierra Carmody offers the Airstream sitting outside their barn.
When Sierra's brother Casey sees Eva he is immediately drawn to the fiery artist, but unless she wins the commission she'll go back to LA in a day or two and Casey is tied to his family's farm to deeply to move. Following the deaths of their parents in a car crash Casey, Sierra and their brother Jed have tried to keep the family farm going but a few tough years have really pushed them to the edge, when Casey gets a chance to take his band further than just headlining in the local bar he just can't take the chance of losing the family farm and the family can't afford to replace him.
This was a pleasant romance but I felt the plot was sacrificed for the sexy times. There were the two strands: Eva and her slimy ex competing for the grain elevator commission; and Casey and his band getting a chance at success. Both were built up and then resolved bish-bash-bosh whereas I lost count of the sex scenes and almost sex scenes in the book - just tell me a story and stop having sex!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
When Becca Stratton's identical twin TV celebrity Gem runs into problems as always Becca comes riding in to the rescue, leavingThree and a half stars.
When Becca Stratton's identical twin TV celebrity Gem runs into problems as always Becca comes riding in to the rescue, leaving her prestigious job as concierge at one of London's smartest hotels to return to South Africa where Gem was supposed to be doing seven days of community work at an animal sanctuary after tweeting some unfortunate remarks about an animal. Gem's had a meltdown and is in danger of losing her lucrative sponsorship deals unless she (ie Becca) can fix things with the surly vet Dr Sullivan Scott.
How hard can it be? Switch places for one week? Easy. Shovel manure? You should see the things Becca has had to clean when she was working her way up the ladder in hospitality.
The only trouble is, Becca's legendary prowess at fixing problems for her hotel guests has totally deserted her and it seems she can't take a step without mucking up, whether its crashing her car or practically drowning a dog. And then there's the inconvenient attraction to Dr Scott, especially since Gem is dating the captain of the Springboks (South Africa's national rugby team).
I'll be honest, I would have liked this better if Becca hadn't been such a walking disaster. It felt out of character and unrealistic. Why would Sully fall for a woman like that? Also, Becca was so totally indiscreet and talked about London so much that it felt contrived that Sully didn't put two and two together and guess that she was Becca when he learned that she had an identical twin sister. Especially since he commented so often about how different she was when she returned.
Overall, this felt like one of those Goldie Hawn frenetic romantic comedies (you know the ones where she runs about causing chaos and squealing a lot) which didn't really match with the vibe of the characters. I don't think I'm explaining myself very well, but if you are the type of woman who can pander to outrageous guest demands and do it with a smile on your face, why would you do so many stupid things? Ah, no I've just got it, very much like The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, although there's no reason to take Becca down a peg or two. So a four star knocked down by half a star.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release. Available on Kindle Unlimited.
Merged review:
Three and a half stars.
When Becca Stratton's identical twin TV celebrity Gem runs into problems as always Becca comes riding in to the rescue, leaving her prestigious job as concierge at one of London's smartest hotels to return to South Africa where Gem was supposed to be doing seven days of community work at an animal sanctuary after tweeting some unfortunate remarks about an animal. Gem's had a meltdown and is in danger of losing her lucrative sponsorship deals unless she (ie Becca) can fix things with the surly vet Dr Sullivan Scott.
How hard can it be? Switch places for one week? Easy. Shovel manure? You should see the things Becca has had to clean when she was working her way up the ladder in hospitality.
The only trouble is, Becca's legendary prowess at fixing problems for her hotel guests has totally deserted her and it seems she can't take a step without mucking up, whether its crashing her car or practically drowning a dog. And then there's the inconvenient attraction to Dr Scott, especially since Gem is dating the captain of the Springboks (South Africa's national rugby team).
I'll be honest, I would have liked this better if Becca hadn't been such a walking disaster. It felt out of character and unrealistic. Why would Sully fall for a woman like that? Also, Becca was so totally indiscreet and talked about London so much that it felt contrived that Sully didn't put two and two together and guess that she was Becca when he learned that she had an identical twin sister. Especially since he commented so often about how different she was when she returned.
Overall, this felt like one of those Goldie Hawn frenetic romantic comedies (you know the ones where she runs about causing chaos and squealing a lot) which didn't really match with the vibe of the characters. I don't think I'm explaining myself very well, but if you are the type of woman who can pander to outrageous guest demands and do it with a smile on your face, why would you do so many stupid things? Ah, no I've just got it, very much like The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, although there's no reason to take Becca down a peg or two. So a four star knocked down by half a star.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release. Available on Kindle Unlimited....more
Sophia Strombi returns to her hometown after her business and personal lives implode spectacularly. She hasn't been home for 10 years after the weightSophia Strombi returns to her hometown after her business and personal lives implode spectacularly. She hasn't been home for 10 years after the weight of her family's expectations about her role in the family restaurant led her to run far, far away. Now she's back and begging her older brother Marcus's BFF Declan James for a job in his bar.
Declan James was that boy in high school and hasn't changed as a grown man. A bad boy with a cute smile and a smoking hot body he has reputation as a ladies man, but lately as his friends have found 'the one' he feels increasingly like he is missing out. He doesn't want to give little Sophie Strombi a job, especially since he's been very careful to avoid thinking of Marcus's little sister as a woman for quite some time, but he can see she is desperate and the Strombi's are as judgemental as ever.
This was okay, but it didn't rock my world. How Declan ever got a reputation as a ladies man I don't know seeing as he acted like a shy, insecure nerd for most of the book. Similarly, the Strombi men seemed to have this dictatorial attitude "Do this, do that, don't do the other" and berate Sophia for her choices (because it was necessary for the plot) and then cave and become pussy cats at the end. I thought there were too many things which were only in the book as plot devices to force issues - eg Sophia can't go home to stay because she and her family are at loggerheads.
I've been having a bad time of it recently so maybe it's me and not the book, but I just didn't feel invested in either Sophia or Declan, looking back I didn't even finish the first book in the series so maybe this series isn't for me - I have loved other books by Jody Holford.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
Sophia Strombi returns to her hometown after her business and personal lives implode spectacularly. She hasn't been home for 10 years after the weight of her family's expectations about her role in the family restaurant led her to run far, far away. Now she's back and begging her older brother Marcus's BFF Declan James for a job in his bar.
Declan James was that boy in high school and hasn't changed as a grown man. A bad boy with a cute smile and a smoking hot body he has reputation as a ladies man, but lately as his friends have found 'the one' he feels increasingly like he is missing out. He doesn't want to give little Sophie Strombi a job, especially since he's been very careful to avoid thinking of Marcus's little sister as a woman for quite some time, but he can see she is desperate and the Strombi's are as judgemental as ever.
This was okay, but it didn't rock my world. How Declan ever got a reputation as a ladies man I don't know seeing as he acted like a shy, insecure nerd for most of the book. Similarly, the Strombi men seemed to have this dictatorial attitude "Do this, do that, don't do the other" and berate Sophia for her choices (because it was necessary for the plot) and then cave and become pussy cats at the end. I thought there were too many things which were only in the book as plot devices to force issues - eg Sophia can't go home to stay because she and her family are at loggerheads.
I've been having a bad time of it recently so maybe it's me and not the book, but I just didn't feel invested in either Sophia or Declan, looking back I didn't even finish the first book in the series so maybe this series isn't for me - I have loved other books by Jody Holford.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
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