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Mistaken Identity (London Detective Agency Series) by Stephanie R. Caffrey – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Mistaken Identity (London Detective Agency Book 1)Mistaken Identity by Stephanie R. Caffrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mistaken Identity by Stephanie Caffrey is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Mistaken Identity is a suspenseful romance that packs a great punch. This was my first time reading a novel written by Caffrey and it grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I had to read this novel from start to finish without putting it down. The mystery portion will keep you on your toes while you attempt to crack the case. The romance was just the right level, not too mushy, but adorable. The characters are charming and down to earth, but not too predictable. The story line was well put together, flowed at great speed, and believable. I highly recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys a good mystery with a light hint of romance on the side. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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Fearless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls, Book 5) by KG Fletcher – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Fearless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls, #5)Fearless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fearless Love by KG Fletcher is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Fearless Love is the fifth installment of the Bennett’s of Langston Falls series. This small town romance featuring a single mother and another steamy Bennett brother will have you chomping at the bits. Full of steam, suspense, and family adventures Fearless Love will have all of your emotions running high. I have read this entire series and Fletcher has yet to disappoint. In fact, with every novel I love her writing more and more. She keeps you on your toes, wanting more. Her characters are full of spunk, down to heart, and memorable. I highly recommend not only this novel, but this entire series to anyone looking to fall in love with a small town family whose hearts are like gold.

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Group Hug by Ariella Talix – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Group HugGroup Hug by Ariella Talix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Group Hug is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

“Life is always better with dogs in it.” I was originally sold on the cover alone for this novel. Then I noticed the novel was dedicated to Willow and I knew this novel was meant to be. Group Hug is a MMF romance that is full of fun, laughter, and spunk. Weston, Callum, and Petra will send you on an emotional roller coaster ride: from laughing, to crying, to cursing out loud. This novel is full of tense moments and knock-your-socks-off romance scenes. This was my first time reading a novel written by Arielle Talix and it definitely will not be my last. I enjoyed her writing style. Her characters were down to earth and relatable. I loved the side characters: Gus, Dave, and Goliath. They added the final touches to this novel. I highly recommend this novel to a mature audience who love a good romance story, and of course dogs!

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Resisting Nature (Powder River Pack Series) by Brooke May – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Resisting NatureResisting Nature by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Resisting Nature is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Resisting Nature by Brooke May is the fourth installment of the Powder River Pack series. This paranormal romance will send you on a thrilling ride. I am not much into werewolf style novels but this one piqued my interest. May’s writing style kept my attention. Her characters were interesting, despite the werewolf situation, relatable, and likable. Her story line flowed well and kept you wanting more. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys this type of novel. I will definitely seek out other novels written by May.

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Good Enough (The Deadman’s Tribe Series Book 1) by Nicole Craig – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Good Enough -- The Deadman's Tribe Book 1: A Protector Romance / Romantic SuspenseGood Enough — The Deadman’s Tribe Book 1: A Protector Romance / Romantic Suspense by Nicole Craig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Good Enough by Nicole Craig is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Good Enough is the first installment of The Deadman’s Tribe series. Nicole Craig writes with such passion for her character’s. The story line was full of romance and suspense. The story of Kai and Water’s had me hooked from the very beginning, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end. There were some very intense scenes that some may find disturbing however, overall, Craig did an amazing job with this military style genre. I highly recommend this novel to all romance lovers. I can’t wait to see what Craig brings next in this series.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge by Hazel Smith is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Recipe for Revenge mixes a little bit of suspense, a little bit of romance, and a ton of shenanigans to this recipe. April May, a small town reporter, has all the hottest topics to write about: a burnt down store whose owner is presumed dead, a burglary, and a missing person. She has also dug up some memories from a tragic accident that deeply affected her past and had to give up her foster dog whose owner magically reappears.

Recipe for Revenge is the second installment of the April May Cozy Mystery series. Despite being part of a series, this could be read as a standalone with no troubles. I have not sat down with a good cozy mystery in a long time and this one truly won me over. April is so relatable to me, especially her crochet abilities. And her love for Ralph, makes my heart happy. Hazel Smith really knows how to draw her readers in and keep their attention. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I enjoyed that the mystery was not only suspenseful but had a hint of romance thrown in. I will definitely get my hands on Installment #1 of this series and I look forward to reading other novels by Smith. Highly recommend!

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Wicked Ends: A Dark College Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Series, Book 8 ) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Wicked Ends (Hidden Valley Elite #8)Wicked Ends by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wicked Ends by Isla Vaughn is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Wicked Ends is the 8th and final installment of the Hidden Valley Elite series. Wrapping up the series with the story of Winter and Shane will have you on the edge of your seat the entire 186 pages. The twists and turns in this plot will have you begging for more by the end. Full of angst, secrets, and redemption Shane and WInter fight past evils to make it through this one.

I have loved every single novel in this series, finding myself one of my newest favorite authors. Vaughn writes with such passion for her characters, each one with their flaws and obstacles in life that you learn to love and root for. Her story lines are relatable allowing you to put yourself in the novel right alongside her characters. I am sad to see this series end but even more excited to see what Vaughn has in store for her readers next. You won’t want to miss out on this series, PROMISE!

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Unclutter (Inner Voice Book 1) by Winnie D Pagora – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Unclutter: A Survivor's Story (Inner Voice, #1)Unclutter: A Survivor’s Story by Winnie D. Pagora
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unclutter by Winnie Pagora is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐+ Book Review

Unclutter is a young adult novel about fighting abuse. This was my first time reading a novel written by Pagora and I would not hesitate in the future to pick up another novel written by this author. Within this novel, Pagora touches on very touchy subjects such as sexual abuse and self harm. Her ability to touch on these topics with such delicacy and poise really attracts me as a reader. Tina’s story of surviving and overcoming trauma sent me through a whirlwind of emotions. I found myself routing for her to overcome her horrific past. I personally have not been in this type of situation, but someone very dear to my heart has. To read of such strength gives me hope that people who have undergone this type of treatment can live a fulfilling life despite it. I highly recommend this book!

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Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Woman UnbrokenWoman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Woman Unbroken focuses on discovering oneself while carrying baggage of a broken past. This is my first time reading a novel written by Fleder and it sure did not disappoint. Fleder touched on some pretty heavy topics without hesitation and for that I praise her writing. Devorah was extremely relatable. Despite the emotional roller coaster I was sent on, I found myself rooting for her the entire book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an emotional novel featuring a devoted, determined protagonist.

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The Christmas Escape by Belinda Williams – Review by Ashley Mertz

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The Christmas EscapeThe Christmas Escape by Belinda Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Christmas Escape by Belinda Williams is available now in eBook
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Lizzie hates Christmas (making this book right up my alley), is down on her luck, and an opportunity to skip town for the holiday is knocking on her door. After buying an unused plane ticket from a friend she is on her way to Australia. What’s better than spending a nontraditional Christmas with your toes in the sand? Lizzie meets Jaz, a single dad, who carries a lot of baggage. Will she leave opportunities behind when she returns to the UK, or has a ball to the noggin knocked some sense into her?

This Holiday Rom Com will give you all the holiday feel goods. In its short 129 pages I promise you will fall in love with every single character in this novella. Each character is lovable, relatable, and full of spunk. This is my first time reading a novel written by Williams and I will not hesitate in the future to pick up another. I highly recommend The Christmas Escape to anyone who is looking for a short, quick read full of laughter, romance, and warm beachy Christmas vibes. I even recommend it to those who despise Christmas!

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Reckless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls Book 4) by KG Fletcher – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Reckless Love: A Small Town Slow-Burn Forbidden Love Romance (The Bennetts of Langston Falls Book #4)Reckless Love: A Small Town Slow-Burn Forbidden Love Romance by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reckless Love by KG Fletcher is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Reckless Love is the fourth installment of The Bennetts of Langston Falls series. Although this novel can be read as a standalone with plenty of reference to the past, I highly recommend reading the entire series. The characters are lovable, relatable, and draw you in from the very beginning. This slow burn, forbidden romance, introduces you to Becky and Glen. Becky doesn’t know much more than taking care of her brothers and father since her mother’s passing. She is lonely and longing to enjoy someone special for herself. Glen carries baggage from his past and is eight months sober. He is falling for the girl he knows he can’t have most. Can the two of them move beyond the past and make this relationship work? Or will someone get hurt in the meantime?

Fletcher writes her novels right from the heart. Speaking to touchy topics such as addiction, sobriety, and the hurt it can cause not only a person but their surrounding loved ones. She is devoted to her characters and her readers. Every time I pick up one of her novels I know I can count on taking the journey right along with her characters from beginning to end. I have not read a KG Fletcher novel that I did not like. I highly recommend, not only Reckless Love, but the entire series to all romance novel lovers. You won’t regret it!

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Faking the Fall (Buckeye Falls Book 4) by Libby Kay – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Faking the Fall (Buckeye Falls #4)Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Faking the Fall by Libby Kay is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

I have yet to read a Libby Kay novel that I have not just adored. Faking the Fall is the fourth installment of the Buckeye Falls series. In this novel Kay introduces us to Alice and James with the “fake dating” trope. Returning to the small town of Ohio we escape reality and travel this fake journey with the two of them. However it doesn’t seem fake for long. The story line is sweet and innocent, allowing you to fall in love with both characters. I was rooting for the two of them to fall in love and find their happiness-ever-after the entire time. I’m not one to rush to pick up a fake relationship novel but this one was so much more than that. You won’t want to put this one down. I highly recommend this novel to all readers who enjoy small town romance novels with a twist.

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Chasing Cheer (Emerald Hollow Book 1) by Heather Schneider – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Chasing CheerChasing Cheer by Heather Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chasing Cheer by Heather Schneider is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Chasing Cheer is the first installment of the Magical Emerald Hollow series. Grab your mug of cocoa and a warm fuzzy blanket because this novel is going to fill you with all the warm Christmas vibes. You will want to sit on the couch sipping hot cocoa until the very end.

Chasing Cheer is a clean Christmas romance that will make you feel like you are watching a Hallmark Classic. The Characters are enjoyable and the story line will put you in the mood for the holidays. I thoroughly enjoyed Schneider’s writing style. Her novel was very descriptive and allowed me to feel as if I was on this journey with her characters. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes clean romance and is ready to begin welcoming the upcoming holiday season.

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Cruel Truths (Tessa and Jordan Book 3) by T. Christensen – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Cruel Truths (Tessa and Jordan #3)Cruel Truths by T. Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cruel Truths by T. Christensen is available now in eBook
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Cruel Truths is the third installment of the Tessa & Jordan series. Although part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Cruel Truths is the story of Lindy who is a happy go lucky fashion designer who is down on her luck, searching for one last chance at success. Cade is a grumpy man, who happens to sit on the board of a fashion company. When the two meet, sparks fly, but not the romantic kind. When all comes crashing down will the two be able to save what is right in front of them?

This is my first time reading a novel written by T. Christensen. The characters within this novel are sassy, lovable, and relatable. Lindy’s nickname for Cade had me laughing out loud, literally, just about every time she said it. I am not a big fan of fake girlfriend tropes but this one had me hooked. The banter between Cade and Lindy kept you on your toes wanting more the entire time. If you are a romance reader who enjoys office romance, enemies to lovers, and grumpy and sunshine tropes this novel is for you!

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Cruel Love (Hidden Valley Elite Book 6) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Cruel Love (Hidden Valley Elite #6)Cruel Love by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Love by Isla Vaughn is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

I have yet to read a book by Isla Vaughn that I have not liked. To this point I have read every novel in the Hidden Valley Elite Series and I am absolutely in love. Cruel Love picked up after being left on a cliffhanger in Cruel Hate which wraps up the story of Phoenix and Aspen. There has been an accident that takes Phoenix’s memories. When he wakes up he thinks he is 14 again. Aspen so desperately wants to tell him she is pregnant with their baby and that he is in college but she doesn’t want to distract Phoenix from his progress of getting better. When things go south she has to tell him everything.

I admire Phoenix’s determination to become strong and to never give up his dreams despite his accident. I admire his determination to be a better dad than he ever had in his life no matter the situation that got him there. After reading Cruel Hate I was worried that Phoenix and Aspen would not have a chance at love, that this would turn into a single parent situation. Cruel Love absolutely proved me wrong. I highly suggest not only this novel, Cruel Love, but this entire series to anyone who enjoys reading romance novels full of love, determination, and devotion.

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When We Fell Again by Julie Archer – Review by Ashley Mertz

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When We Fell AgainWhen We Fell Again by Julie Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When We Fell Again by Julie Archer is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

When We Fell Again is a standalone, second chance at romance novel. Jordan plays in a rock band, has some issues with jealousy in the female department, and has some nasty habits he must kick. Alexis, a tour manager, has little will to deal with the shenanigans causing the two of them to end their relationship. Fast forward a few years and the two have been reunited. When sparks begin to fly and a second chance at romance is presented, will Jordan prove to Alexis that he has changed his ways?

When We Fell Again was simple but full of angst and steamy moments. I am a sucker for a good love song and it’s even better if it’s sung by a hunk with a guitar. Jordan was totally that hunk and he stole my heart from the very beginning. His bad habits had me on edge the entire time fearing the worst for his character. All of the characters were lovable, relatable, and down to earth. I felt most of the excitement in this novel happened in the last few chapters and then the novel ended. I wish there would have been more “bulk” throughout. Despite my wish for more bulk, there truly was so much more to this novel than just a steamy love story. This was my first time reading a novel written by Julie Archer and she touched on tough topics with such ease. I would not hesitate to read another novel written by this author and I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good love story with great characters and a happy ever after!

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Cruel Hate (Hidden Valley Elite Book 5) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Cruel Hate: A College Sports Romance (Hidden Valley Elite #5)Cruel Hate: A College Sports Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Hate by Isla Vaugn is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Cruel Hate is the fifth installment of the Hidden Valley Elite series. Isla Vaughn writes romance novels full of complex characters, strong alpha males, and fierce women. The story of Aspen and Phoenix is exactly that. Aspen is level headed, deals with no nonsense and knows exactly what she needs to do in life to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. Phoenix is a jock, falling behind in school, dealing with family drama, and trying to figure out how he can financially support a newborn. Will the two of them be able to work out their differences for the sake of a baby?

This was a very short, 189 page, quick read full of drama, steam, and what the heck kind of moments. I have a love/hate relationship with these characters. Depending on the moment, I am rooting for one over the other. The end leaves you with a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to get my hands on Cruel love. The name alone gives me hope that my love/hate relationship will take a turn. I highly recommend reading this ENTIRE series. Isla Vaughn is a wonderful author who knows how to draw her reader in leaving you craving more at the end EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite #4.5)Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn is available now in eBook
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Cruel Start introduces us to the story of Phoenix and Aspen. This prequel is a super quick read full of hot, intense, chemistry between these two characters. I have never read a book by Vaughn that I did not like, and this one just made my skin crawl. I am super excited to read Aspen and Phoenix’s duet. If you are passionate about enemies to lovers, college romance novels you will NOT want to miss this one.

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The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Ashley Mertz

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The Mother's Threat: A compelling domestic thrillerThe Mother’s Threat: A compelling domestic thriller by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram is available now in eBook, Audio book, and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐ Book Review

A Mother’s Threat introduces us to Violet Cleaveland who is working on opening her very own security business. When she takes on her first client she doesn’t realize her mother is going to be her biggest threat (hence the name of the novel). A Mother’s Threat, full of family drama, tackles quite a few hard topics: child abandonment, mental abuse, and manipulation. This was my first time reading a novel written by Specht Oram. It was a short, simple, to the point type of read. Almost too simple for me hence the 3 stars. I wish there would have been more back history of the relationship for Violet and Daisy. There were some brief snippets of why they had the relationship they had but not much to go off of. I understood the concept of the story but it didn’t seem like there was enough there to write a 230 page novel about. I did enjoy Specht Oram’s writing style. Her characters were down to earth and simple. Her story line flowed and kept the reader interested. At the end of the day, I would not hesitate to give this author another try in the near future.

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Love & Stilettos by Evelyn Lindell – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Love & StilettosLove & Stilettos by Evelyn Lindell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love & Stilettos by Evelyn Lindell is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Love & Stilettos was full of secret identities, manipulation, and deceitful motives. I loved every moment of this novel from beginning to end. The characters were lovable and relatable in so many ways. Granny stole my heart and I loved how determined Mitch was. With humor intertwined throughout, there were plenty of literal laugh out loud moments. I loved that this romance novel had a villain who didn’t get away with their actions. About half way through the novel I had suspicions of who the villain was but it didn’t ruin any moment of the story for me. There were plenty more twists to come following my suspicions. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading romance with a hint of humor and a lot of suspense. You won’t regret this one! I can’t wait to see if there is more to come for these wonderful characters.

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Xenia Navarro and the Magical Ants by Lois Wickstrom & Milagros Darling is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Xenia Navarro and the Magical Ants is a chapter book geared towards young readers. Wickstrom and Darling do an amazing job discussing some difficult topics: deportation, living in poverty, family drama and all of the effects these situations have on children. I thoroughly enjoyed the insight to Hispanic culture and how some Spanish terminology was used throughout. Even though this book touched on many tough topics it was also filled with hope and magic allowing the reader to look forward to a positive ending. I would highly recommend this book to children approx. 3rd through 6th grade age level.

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Love Shots (Bluestone Series Book 4) by Isobel Reed – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Love Shots (Bluestone Series #4)Love Shots by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love Shots by Isobel Reed is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Love Shots is the fourth installment of the Bluestone Series. In this short, friends to lovers, romance we are introduced to Teddy and Summer. At first I was pretty sure Summer was crazy. And Teddy, well he just seemed like the hottie who got away. A few chapters in and I was totally in love with these two characters. Teddy was so caring, gentle, and overall so very sincere. Summer was damaged, running from her past, looking for a new beginning but no matter where she turned, the evil of her past haunted her. I loved how Reed kept everything at a slow steady pace. None of this story/romance felt rushed. Both characters had a past that caused them to shy away but they were able to use one another as buffers and figure out how to move on and love again. They were just perfect for one another in so many ways. This was a very short read and I didn’t want it to end. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys romance. I will definitely be heading over now to pick up more novels from this series/author.

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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Back to the 80'sBack to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert / Kerrie Flanagan is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Back to the 80s totally won me over! As an 80’s baby, I just had to read this book. The title and the front cover alone had me hooked. This was my first time reading a novel written by these authors and I do not regret a single moment of it. Blaine and Eric stole my heart. Blaine had such passion for her mother’s store and memorabilia. She was also quickly falling in love with Eric. She had to figure out the best way to allow both to exist in her life despite the plans Blaine’s family had for her future. I loved how sincere Eric was. He came from a rich family, and his sister was a real snob, but Eric was determined to be his own soul. I enjoyed the fact that the relationship between these two characters was genuine and not forced, it slowly progressed. The novel had a great plot and didn’t solely revolve around the romance building between the two. I highly recommend this book to all the 80s babies out there looking for a quick easy to read romance.

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Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Complicated ChoicesComplicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

Complicated Choices brings us the story of Claire and Harry. Clair is a senior in high school and Harry is her unplanned, fatherless four month old brother. Clair puts aside her needs to care for her brother during a very difficult time. Instead of focusing on high school and college, she finds herself raising her baby brother while her mom is hospitalized for postpartum depression. Amongst it all, her Uncle Pat is trying to take Harry away from them stating he would be better off being put up for adoption. Clair will not let him rip apart their family no matter the costs.

Complicated choices is full of……well, complicated choices. Our main character Clair is strong, resilient, and determined. She is faced with numerous confrontations not only with her Uncle but with friends who had no idea she had a baby brother. Clair is exposed to secrets and lies by the people she should trust the most. Clair finds her first love and has to put those feelings aside to focus on what matters most right now, Harry. This novel is a perfect example of how teenagers in today’s society are expected to grow up way too fast for all the wrong reasons. This was my first time reading a novel written by Nyman and I was extremely pleased. The story line made perfect sense and flowed well with just the right amount of detail. The characters were all lovable and had me rooting for them the entire way. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to a friend. Definitely a five star rating from me!

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Ashley Mertz

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

I Am An Outer Space Alien is a quick, short story that encourages children to explore the world around them and venture outside of the box. Two people don’t have to like the same things or be exactly the same to be friends. I think this book is a perfect example of how children in today’s society may feel out of place if they are not 100% like their peers. The illustrations within this book are bright, cheery, and eye-catching. I definitely feel this book is appropriate for children ages 4-8.

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The Guardsman (The Olympic Peninsula Series Book 2) Audiobook by Cat Treadgold – Review by Ashley Mertz

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The Guardsman by Cat Treadgold is available now in eBook, Audio book, and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Audio book Review

The Guardsman is the second book in the Olympic Peninsula series. Cat Treadgold grabbed my attention and kept me wanting more throughout this entire book. Her story line is spot on, her characters are lovable, and her narration is enjoyable. Her narration allows you to feel her character’s emotion throughout which is very important to me in an audio book. I highly enjoy romance novels and enjoy it even more when there is some suspense intertwined. The Guardsman definitely did not let me down in this category. I thoroughly enjoyed book number one and book number two in this series is even better. I would recommend this audio book to anyone who loves reading romance with a hint of suspense. You are missing out if you do not read this series.

Love, Only Better (Bold Journeys Book 1) by Paulette Stout – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Love, Only BetterLove, Only Better by Paulette Stout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love, Only Better by Paulette Stout is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Love, Only Better is the first installment of the Bold Journey’s series. In this novel we meet Rebecca and Kyle. Rebecca doesn’t know how to succeed in the bedroom. Everything is all wrong until she meets Kyle. With the help of a doctor and a trial she is skeptical but willing to try anything to get this right. This was my first time reading a book so highly focused on a female’s concern of lacking in the bedroom. At times I found it very interesting, I may have even learned a thing or two. But at times it was a bit much for me. I love the chemistry between Kyle and Rebecca. I think Kyle won book boyfriend of the year in my eyes. I would love to have read more about Kyle and Rebecca’s relationship and less about the female issues. Despite this, I would not hesitate to recommend this book to a friend. I look forward to reading more written by this author in the future.

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Softest Touch by Adina D. Grey – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Softest TouchSoftest Touch by Adina D. Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Softest Touch by Adina Grey is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Softest Touch was short, sweet, and to the point. I loved the story line and the characters. Sometimes I enjoy reading a short quick romance, however I felt this one could have been so much more. Everything happened so quickly between Derek and Melinda. I felt the relationship was forced. The spicy language within was distracting at times for my personal liking (hence the 4 star review). This was my first time reading a novel written by Grey and despite the few dislikes, I would not hesitate to pick up another novel written by her. The story line behind Melinda and Derek’s relationship really kept me invested in this one. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone who thoroughly enjoys a quick contemporary romance with lots of spice and suspense. I look forward to seeing what else Grey brings to us book lovers.

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Ashley Mertz

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Liz's Road TripLiz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie is available now
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review

I would have to say Liz’s Road Trip was one of the best books I have read this year. Liz stole my heart in this novel. Being raised by my grandma, I could relate to her in so many ways. I couldn’t imagine how she felt learning all the secrets her gram’s held onto all of those years. The characters in this novel were lovable, relatable, and down to earth. And Cosmo, well who wouldn’t have a soft spot for Cosmo. Bernadette Marie whisked me away on this one from the very beginning. I was able to read it in two days, picking it up to read every opportunity I had. This novel was moderately paced and kept me wanting more the entire time. The descriptive scenes had me feeling as if I was on this road trip of a journey right alongside Liz. This was my first time reading a novel written by Bernadette Marie and I will not hesitate in the future to pick up another. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick pick me up type of read, you won’t regret the decision to do so.

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The Silent Woodsman (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 1) Audiobook by Cat Treadgold – Review by Ashley Mertz

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The Silent Woodsman by Cat Treadgold is available now in eBook, Audiobook, and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Audio Book Review

The Silent Woodsman is the first installment of the Olympic Peninsula series written by Cat Treadgold. This is my first time reading (listening) to a novel by Treadgold. Down on her luck, Ali is attempting to connect with her twin when she finds herself at a cabin waiting out a storm. Mute country singer Joe answers the door and communicates with Ali in writing as he is “resting his voice”. The instant undeniable attraction between the two is so innocent and pure. The chemistry between the two is intense. I thoroughly enjoyed the different approach of communicating through writing. At first I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this but it ended up growing on me. The Silent Woodsman was a little too slowly paced for my liking. I did find it dragging out in places and rushed in others, especially the ending. Despite this flaw, I loved how descriptive the detail was. The characters were lovable, relatable, and engaging. I felt as if I was on this journey right alongside them. I recommend this novel to all romance lovers and truly look forward to reading installment number two later this month.