Review of Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

Book Description courtesy of Berkley    

When a librarian moves to a quaint Irish village where her favorite novelist lives, the last thing she expects is to fall for the author’s prickly son… until their story becomes one for the books, from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading .

Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.

Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm       clearly doesn’t want Em around.

When Siobhan’s health takes a bad turn, she’s more determined than ever to finish her novel, while Kieran tries every trick in the book to get his mother to rest. Thrown into the role of peacemaker, Emily begins to see that Kieran's heart is in the right place. Torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her own growing feelings for the mercurial Irishman, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.

My Review: 

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I am fairly new to reading Jenn McKinlay so I am always excited when I get the opportunity to read a new one of hers. 

From the book title you would think this book is just about romance but it also talked about loss. I will be honest that is why it took me so long to read it. Having lost a parent in the last year in a similar way it hit home to me. That being said. This book was phenomenal. It had a mix of romance, humor and it was also emotional. I really enjoyed in particular two different relationships in the book. The relationship between Siobhan and Emily and then the relationship between Emily and Kieran. I loved to see the connection and bond build between Siobhan and Emily. I really enjoyed seeing their friendship and mother and daughter type bond build.  In addition, I liked the relationship between Kieran and Emily. Jenn had a great mix of romance, humor and seriousness in their relationship. It had me laughing out loud at times. 

The story was also very well written and also the scenery was great. She did a great job describing it and made me feel like I was truly there in Ireland. So if you love books, romance and a little bit of travel this book is for you. 

Review of The Night Island By Jane Krentz

Over 2 years in the making I am back and writing reviews again on books that I read. My first book for 2024 was, “The Night Island” by Jane Krentz. 

Summary of the Book courtesy of Berkley Publishing on Goodreads

Talia March, Pallas Llewellyn, and Amelia Rivers, bonded by a night they all have no memory of, are dedicated to uncovering the mystery of what really happened to them months ago—an experience that brought out innate psychic abilities in each of them. The women suspect they were test subjects years earlier, and that there are more people like them—all they have to do is find the list. When Talia follows up on a lead from Phoebe, a fan of the trio’s podcast, she discovers that the informant has vanished.

 
Talia isn’t the only one looking for Phoebe, however. Luke Rand, a hunted and haunted man who is chasing the same list that Talia is after, also shows up at the meeting place. It’s clear he has his own agenda, and they are instantly suspicious of each other. But when a killer begins to stalk them, they realize they have to join forces to find Phoebe and the list. 
 
The rocky investigation leads Talia and Luke to a rustic, remote retreat on Night Island in the Pacific Northwest. The retreat promises to rejuvenate guests with the Unplugged Experience. Upon their arrival, Talia and Luke discover guests are quite literally cut off from the outside world because none of their high-tech devices work on the island. It soon becomes clear that Phoebe is not the first person to disappear into the strange gardens that surround the Unplugged Experience retreat. And then the first mysterious death occurs…

My Review:

Having read mostly contemporary romance books in the last couple of years I was very excited to try a suspenseful romance with a little bit of paranormal in it. I have not read Jane Ann Krentz before so I was note sure what to expect. I think that she did a great job of giving you the background of the characters in the story with out going overboard. I didn’t feel that I was lost at all being that I did not read the first book in the series. 

In addition to the characters I really enjoyed the storyline. I think that it was something different that I have never read before. I think she did a good job of building suspense through out the book and having you on the edge of your seat not knowing if the characters were going to get off the island and be safe. 

I have to be honest it was a little too creepy/scary for me so I don’t know that I would read the next book in the series but I do recommend that you read this book if you like suspense, romance, paranormal and thrillers. 

Looking forward to my next read…. The Head that Wears the Crown by Mariah Stewart 

Review of the Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis

Brief Summary of Book: 

Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father she's never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.

Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasn't seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.

But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, it's Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether she's going to choose love ... or walk away from her own happiness. 

Book Review: 

I am avid reader of Jill Shalvis’s book so I was excited for the opportunity to read Jill’s new books, “The Friendship Pact.” As always Jill does a great job of making the book more than just about romance. This story talked about friendship, family and romance. I enjoyed learning about both of the main characters Tae and Riggs and what the past story was and how it got them to where they are now

As with all her books, Jill does a great job of setting the scene in a beautiful location and describing so well that you feel like you are there with the characters. 

I really enjoyed the story, the romance and humor that Jill had in this book. I can wait for her next release! It can’t come soon enough. 

Review of Love for Beginners

Brief Summary Courtesy of William Morrow Books

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis continues her Wildstone series with the moving story of a young woman who has to start her life—and her love life—over again.

When Emma Harris wakes up from a coma, she learns that her fiancé and her BFF have fallen in love, she’s lost her job, and the life she knew is gone. Overwhelmed but grateful to be alive, she decides to start over from scratch. Not as easy as it sounds, of course. But she’s never been a quitter, even if she wishes she could quit rehab, where her hot but evil physical therapist, Simon, puts her through the wringer.

Desperate for a new start, Emma opens a doggy day care. Unfortunately, the only space she can afford is owned by her childhood nemesis Ali Pratt. But hey, she’s been through worse, right? She tries to roll with the punches, but a friend drops his grandpa off at the doggy day care because he can’t find senior care. On top of that, she and Ali bring the term “frenemies” to a whole new level. And then another grandparent shows up. And another.

In the midst of all that, Emma realizes she’s accidentally fallen for her Evil PT. But the most horrifying thing of all is that Ali just might have turned into the best friend she’s ever had. And as Emma grows from the pain of her past and takes on her new path, she comes to learn that life isn’t what you’re given, it’s what you make of it.

My Review 

I received an ARC of Jill Shalvis' new book Love for Beginners in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Jill Shalvis did it again, writing a novel with a mix of romance, heartache and humor. I really enjoyed this book in particular because she addressed a very serious subject of someone being in a near fatal accident.  Very few romance books that I have read have tackled serious injury and how it affects someones life. 

My favorite part of this book was seeing Emma's development from the beginning of the book to the end. Jill showed all of the emotions and actions that someone who survived a serious accident would go through. 

I recommend this book to readers who are looking for a book with both romance and also a story of second chances and new beginnings. This book is part of a series but Jill does a great job of making them stand alone too so that they don't have to be read in order. 

Review of Guardians in Blue

Brief Summary Courtesy of Black Rose Writing

A fatherless boy growing up in a small Texas town is taken under wing by the local lawmen. They work with the town leaders to provide his basic needs and help him escape the shame and poverty of his circumstances. One in particular becomes his guardian.

He teaches the boy about life, how to face his fears, that honor is more important than comfort and that defending those who cannot defend themselves is the highest duty of a man. The boy learns the lessons well. He hears the call and his heart opens to it. He too becomes a Guardian.

My Review: 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This is my first book that I read of Ken Bangs so I was not sure what to expect in terms of storyline and characters. 

Although the book sounded interesting with both the storyline and the characters it did not meet my expectations. I found the story to be slow and hard for me to get interested in. I ended up giving up half way through. 

I do recommend that readers give it a try. Even though the book wasn't for me it doesn't mean that others won't like it. 

Cover Reveal - The Guardian - Kimberly Kincaid

 

Guard against any danger. Especially if it comes from within.

Detective Matteo Garza doesn't just do the job--he is the job.

He's learned the hard way that work and pleasure can't co-exist.

So when his little sister's best friend accidentally uncovers a money laundering scheme
led by one of Remington's most cold-blooded criminals,
Garza vows to keep things strictly business as he keeps her safe.

No matter how much the quirky mathematician
makes him feel things best left buried.
No matter how much she makes him want.

Delia Sutton knows she's not like most people,
just like she knows she needs to forget her ages-old crush on Matteo
and focus on survival.

But the closer they get, the bolder she becomes--
the more she breaks down his carefully crafted barriers to discover the man beneath.

Danger is closer than either of them could possibly imagine
and no one can be trusted.
Delia needs a guardian to fight by her side, and Matteo will do anything to protect her.
No matter who the enemy is.
********
The Guardian is a scorching forbidden lovers romantic suspense featuring a grumpy Alpha hero who would walk into fire to save the woman he loves and a smart-is-sexy number-nerd heroine who would save him right back. Equal parts heart-pounding suspense and steamy romance. Complete standalone with no cheating and a full (but hard-fought!) HEA.

Pre-Order Link:

https://kimberlykincaid.com/the-guardian/

Goodreads Link:

http://bit.ly/2LJQkLN

Meet Kimberly Kincaid:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet and hot and edgy romantic suspense. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist and 2014 Bookseller’s Best nominee who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Connect with Kimberly Kincaid:

Website: https://kimberlykincaid.com

Newsletter: https://kimberlykincaid.com/newsletter-2/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyKincaid

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/3suiR95

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938229.Kimberly_Kincaid

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlykincaidauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlykincaid

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kimberly-kincaid

Review of The Forever Girl

Book Summary Courtesy of William Morrow 

When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.

Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery. 

Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger. 

My Review: 

I received an ARC of The Forever Girl in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I am avid reader of Jill's books whether they are single novellas or are part of series and was excited to read this new book. 

Once again Jill wrote a book filled with humor, romance and family. The storyline and characters were well developed.

Although Maze and Walkers love story was interesting I didn't really connect with their love story. I however did enjoy the story that Jill wrote between Cat, Heather, Maze and Walker as a family. In addition, I really enjoyed the love story between Heather and Maze's boss that Jill was building. I actually could see her doing a Novella maybe. :)  Their love story flowed more smoothly in my opinion. I would have rather read more about them.  

I wouldn't say this is my all time favorite book of Jill's but it was definitely worth a read for those that like contemporary romance with family drama & humor added in. Can't wait to read her next release.