Monday, October 7, 2019

Review for Coming Home for Christmas


Summary Courtesy of Harlequin Books 

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas…

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents, she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids…until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, the baby powder smell of Bridger and the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they’d moved on without her. That she’d missed too much. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them.

But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they all trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?


My Review

I received an ARC of "Coming Home for Christmas" courtesy of the author and publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I have been a fan of RaeAnne's work for a number of years so when I received a chance to read her new holiday book I jumped at the chance. This storyline really grabbed at the heart strings like no other book of hers had done in the past for me.

In addition to the romance this story really concentrated on the meaning of family and finding your way back to each other after a big life event. I think RaeAnne did a great job of character development. Her characters were very well written. You could tell she took her time doing the research needed.

Finally, the story was very well thought out and well written. She did a great job of not only having the characters in the book but also the right emotions for the characters. You can really tell that she did her research and plotted out this book.

I recommend this book for readers who like romance but also like books who like a little drama interwoven into it.


Monday, September 30, 2019

Wrapped Up in You Review

Brief Summary Courtesy of Avon 

After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary—schools, friends, and way too many Mr. Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy’s reinvented life is on solid ground. And she’s guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she’s worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O’Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren’t so delightfully naughty and irresistible.

Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy’s a spicy reason to give his short-terms plans a second thought. Best of all, she’s a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy’s past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she’s told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy’s willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story

My Review

I received an ARC from the publisher and author in exchange for an honest unbiased review. I am avid reader of Jill Shalvis so when I got the opportunity to read her new Christmas book I jumped at the chance.

Jill did a great job of creating a story that was filled with romance, emotion, and humor. From the moment that you opened the book to closed it she had you hooked. I only put it down when I had to go sleep. :)

Regarding her main characters I really enjoyed Kel and Ivy, they are different from what she had done before and they really fit each other well. I also liked her intertwining other previous characters from the other books so you could catch up on their stories.

Lastly, in addition to the love story I really enjoyed the story of friendship in this book for both Kel and Ivy. I think it really added to this book and made it complete.




Sunday, September 22, 2019

Review of The Summer of Sunshine & Margot by Susan Mallery


Brief Summary Courtesy of Harlequin Books

As an etiquette coach, Margot teaches her clients to fit in. But she’s never faced a client like Bianca, an aging movie star who gained fame—and notoriety—through a campaign of shock and awe. Schooling Bianca on the fine art of behaving like a proper diplomat’s wife requires intensive lessons, forcing Margot to move into the monastery turned mansion owned by the actress’s intensely private son. Like his incredible home, Alec’s stony exterior hides secret depths Margot would love to explore. But will he trust her enough to let her in?

Sunshine has always been the good-time sister, abandoning jobs to chase after guys who used her, then threw her away. No more. She refuses to be “that girl” again. This time, she’ll finish college, dedicate herself to her job as a nanny, and she 100 percent will not screw up her life again by falling for the wrong guy. Especially not the tempting single dad who also happens to be her boss.

Master storyteller Susan Mallery weaves threads of family drama, humor, romance and a wish-you-were-there setting into one of the most satisfying books of the year!


My Review

I am avid reader of Susan Mallery so when I saw that she had a new book come out I jumped at the opportunity to read it. Susan did a great job with the storyline for this book. The plot was different then what she had done before but the writing style was definitely remained the same.

Her characters were well developed as well. I really enjoyed that the main characters were the sisters and the supporting characters were the love interests. She gave you enough information about the characters to know who they are not but not make it drag on.

Having read the last couple releases from Susan this by far has been my favorite. I really connected with the characters and the storyline. From the moment that I opened the book to closed it I was hooked. I can't wait to read the next one.




Review of Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey


Brief Summary Courtesy of Avon 
A brand new romantic comedy from New York Times bestseller Tessa Bailey!

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite?

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...


My Review:

I am a reader always looking for a new book and author to read so when I saw "Fix Her Up" and read the book summary it grabbed my attention right away.

I think Tessa Bailey did a good job with the storyline with this contemporary romance. Although some aspects of the story were a little cliche and may have been done before she put her own spin on it and made it her own. The book was easy read to follow along with. The characters were developed and easy to connect with. I felt they were your typical cliche girl who has a crush on her brothers best friend as a kind and now and as an adult.

If anything that wasn't my favorite in the book was probably the clown storyline. It didn't really make any sense and the author didn't spend a ton a time on it. But it wouldn't stop me from reading it again.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention from start to finish. It was a nice light hearted romance that can be read at any time of the year. I am interested to read more in this series.





Saturday, September 21, 2019

Review of Blind Spot by Brenda Novak

 Brief summary courtesy of St Martin's  


With Jasper Moore, the privileged boy who attacked her when she was only sixteen, finally caught and in prison, Dr. Evelyn Talbot, founder and head psychiatrist at Hanover House (a prison/research facility for psychopaths in remote Alaska), believes she can finally quit looking over her shoulder. She's safe, happier than she's ever been and expecting her first child. She's also planning to marry Amarok, her Alaska State Trooper love interest and the town's only police presence. But before the wedding can take place, a psychopath from the much more recent past comes out of nowhere and kidnaps her in broad daylight. Instead of planning her wedding, Evelyn finds herself doing everything she can to survive, save her baby and devise some way to escape while Amarok races the clock to find her - before it's too late.




My Review: 

This is the fourth book and second book that I have read in the Evelyn Talbot Series by Brenda. I am a huge fan of Brenda's so when I got the opportunity to read the last book in the series I took it. 

I think right off the bat that she did a great job of setting the scene of the book by having Evelyn held captive. I think no matter if you have read the previous books or not it grabbed your attention right away. 

In regards to the storyline I think that she moved at the appropriate pace, gave you the right amount of information and it flowed. I don't think it felt choppy at all. In addition, i appreciated as a reader that because I only read the first book and now the fourth that I could pick it up and be able to read after a little bit what happened in the previous two books. 

In regards to character development I think she did an astounding job. Each character you could tell was well thought out and developed. They connected well and made sense. 

Overall I think this was a great book and a great series. It wasn't the typical book that I would read as I am not a huge fan of psychological thrillers but because I enjoy the authors writing so I am willing to give it a try which i did. I recommend readers to give it a try. Can't wait to see what the next series of hers will be. 

Purchase your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NCW9T13/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blind-spot-brenda-novak
Target: https://www.target.com/p/blind-spot-dr-evelyn-talbot-novels-by-brenda-novak-paperback/-/A-76348429