Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Who doesn’t love a sweet little romantic read? This was great in all the right ways. I think I will be picking up more novels by this author in the near future.
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a good 5 star read. My emotions were all over the place with this story. Jake’s world was turned upside down in many heartbreaking ways when his wife was in an accident. Lexi has also had her heart broken and is trying to move forward. When these two meet you can feel the instant connection. Will they let their walls down and let love in?
Overall this was a great read. I really like it when an author writes in dual POV. We get several twists and turns that added a great element to the story. The author does a great job of pulling you in with her writing. I look forward to reading more from her. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A beautifully written insta-love story. The chemistry between Jake and Lexie is instant and so sweet. Lexie was left at the altar and is headed on a 2week vacation to rediscover herself. Jake is a widowed, single dad to four-year-old Katie.
After finding Lexie in her wreck car, Jake insists she stay at his home to recover.
This book will pull you in and hold you tight, page after page.
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne is a contemporary western romance with all the ingredients that kept me turning the pages, reading well past my bedtime, just so I could find out how it all played out in the end.
The story is an angsty and emotional read- with family drama/dynamics, some suspense, tension, action, pain, grief, touches of humour & heartwarming moments which help to balance out the more complex elements, new beginnings, and endearing characters.
I really felt for these characters and what they had/were going through. Ms. Wayne certainly knows how to tug on heartstrings, as well as craft some more gritty moments that added an extra element of intrigue to the storyline.
I can’t wait to explore more Dana Wayne’s work…
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Dana Wayne!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Will You (Pretend) Marry Me by Christi Barth is a sweet and enjoyable contemporary romance- a bit of a romcom, with an enemies to lovers vibe, pretend relationship vs real feelings, hidden identity/alter ego, chemistry, secrets, banter, angst, and just enough ‘drama’ to keep things ‘interesting’.
Kaia is a pop superstar with a student teacher alter-ego, Abigail Dilworth. What will happen when she sets out to finish her teaching degree, doing her teaching training by going incognito at a high school where she will need to deal with the vice-principal who has secrets of his own. What ensues makes for a fun read.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Christi Barth!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Texas Winds is a sweet romance. One I thoroughly enjoyed. The author presents are dark world emotionally for these characters that develops into something wonderful throughout the story. Of course no story is left without a little drama, which the author placed beautifully.
Two broken souls aimlessly going through the motions of life. Jake’s wife was leaving him but she never got the chance. However leaving a child behind that he questioned paternity is what he received. Jake being the standup guy realized the child doesn’t deserve what his late wife did to him so he’s raising her as if everything was fine between them. However he’s distant from his daughter, not that he realizes it. It takes Lexie blowing into his life to realize it.
Lexie was embarrassed and left at the altar by her fiancée. And in turn what she did, she threw herself into work. Doing a job that didn’t necessarily make her happy but fear that she would disappoint her dad if she went a different direction. Deciding to take a vacation isn’t something she does. So when it starts out a disaster why would she ever want to take one again.
Jake, Lexie, and Katie grow together throughout this story. But nothing is all sunshine and roses and the past threatens the growing bond between them.
Again it’s a sweet second chance at happiness and love story. Have I read stories like this before? Yeah, however this one hits differently. You feel empathy for the characters and what they’ve been through. Which isn’t that exactly what we are all looking for in a good book? I know I am.
So I encourage you to take a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Emotionally delightful romance with a taste of steam. Endearing characters that deserve the HEA.
Alexa “Lexie” needed a change in her life. She just got stood up at the altar by a man she is not sure she loved. She started with something small that made a difference to her. Alexa had always been known as Alex but she wasn’t her anymore. Only one person called her Lexie but it was enough. Now if she could just figure out the rest of her world.
Jake had been burned. He was in love with his high school sweetheart who one day told him that she didn’t love him anymore and that there was someone else in her life. When tragedy happened and she wound up in a coma serving as an incubator of the precious life she was growing, Jake’s heart grew cold. There were so many questions left unanswered. Jake had to shake it off and be a father to that tiny little bundle that played no part in hurting him.
Lexie was on her way to a 2-week vacation when a blown tire, a feral hog and a rainstorm changed everything. Jake was her saving grace, helping her out of the mud. Now she was stuck, sort of, with Jake taking care of her and her dog, Biscuit. The only problem was the intense attraction she felt towards Jake and his adorable daughter, Katie.
As Jake’s past came back to bite him in the caboose, Lexie was figuring out what she wanted. Jake couldn’t fight the growing attraction to Lexie. Lexie and Jake managed to work through the pain of the past together with plans of making a future, also together.
Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read from this author and wow she has a new fan. I love a good spicy story but this author exceeded my expectations. I love reading books from both of the characters’ points of view. It feels like you know the characters on a more personal level. . You can’t help but to fall for both of these characters. They have chemistry that will steam up those pages. I can’t wait to see what she will write next.
Emma just had her heart broken and now she doesn’t want anything serious ever again. She is now just having fun but when she meets the very handsome Liam things start to change. Emma starts to build a friendship with Liam. She is then asked a huge favor that will help Liam. Will Emma find her Prince Charming or will she be kissing frogs for the rest of her life?
Review by @heatherbass
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209793946-stars-in-the-city” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Stars in the City” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1711457829l/209793946._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209793946-stars-in-the-city”>Stars in the City</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8298036.Krysten_Lindsay_Hager”>Krysten Lindsay Hager</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6439999301″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Valeria seems to be living a dream, however that all comes crashing down. She is a lead actress on a soap opera called Charming Lives, but her ex-boyfriend is her characters love interest. Of course she was hurt when she was dumped, but it really stung when she found out her best friend was dating him at the same time. A newcomer to the show, Cecily, is quickly becoming a friend as they are around the same age and seem to get along well. They learned a bit about each other while stuck in traffic and ultimately opted to walk when it came to a standstill. They end up running into one of Valeria’s exes, Davis, that she still has feeling for. He is having a tough time and feeling the pressure of being in college. Although she wants to rekindle her relationship with Davis, Cecily ends up fixing her up with an up and coming pop star, Dex Doyle. Due to his popularity it also makes Valeria’s star rise and they are constantly in the spotlight. Does she choose the guy that wants to stay out of the gossip magazines? Or will it be the guy that has her feeling like she’s in a real life TV drama? This book was a fun and quick read. I do believe I read the books that featured Cecily and how she came to date her boyfriend which were also enjoyable. Even though I am a bit beyond the targeted audience I still enjoyed the story and how the author pulled the story together.
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had read one book by this author previously, and it left quite the impression on me, so of course I picked this one up without hesitating! I’m a sucker for anything YA including romance which makes this right up my alley. This story pretty much lined up with what I feel like life would be as an actress. The amount of drama, confusion, angst, and jealousy is apparent as Valeria melts into her soap opera role. When you add in seeing your first young love that got away, everything gets even crazier. I enjoyed this clean YA romance if you’re looking for an entertaining afternoon read. You’ll get drawn into the world quickly, and it will be over before you know it!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable YA romance which kept me happily turning the pages. Soap opera actress Valeria Joseph seems to have it all, as working on the daytime soap Charmed Lives everyone wants to be her. When her friend Cecily arranges for her to meet rising pop star Dex Doyle the pair become the ‘it couple’. Valeria then bumps into Davis who was her first love and the one she never got over, who is now a college basketball player. With Valeria finding being in the spotlight challenging and Davis having his own high pressure stressors they are able to support one another. They soon find themselves falling back in love however, Dex is still crazy about her and is causing problems, whilst the publicity surrounding Valeria only gets worse when an award show event trends on social media for all the wrong reasons. With her life so full of drama her and Davis might have to fight to find true love. The New York City setting came to life through the descriptive narrative which made me feel immersed in the story. I felt engaged with Valeria in particular and so was invested in the outcome of the story. No spoilers, I recommend picking up the book!
Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The description for this book I found to be a little confusing when reading it, so I wasn’t fully sure what kind of story to expect when I started reading this. What I found was such a fun and engaging story that you can’t take too seriously but is so enjoyable to read. I loved the characters. They seem to have such complicated lives but I thought it made them so much more interesting to read about. Watching their relationship develop, however unconventionally, was great and it made me connect with them even more.
The book was well written and engaging. I think the author has done a great job setting the pace and flow of the story. It is the kind of book that I found easy to read and could have kept reading for even longer. After realizing this book is part of a series, I will definitely be going back to read the others.
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an enjoyable YA contemporary romance. This is a story that has drama, angst, jealousy and a chance of romance.
Valeria has it all from the outside. She is a successful actress on a soap opera and was dating the hottest heartthrob around. But when said heartthrob dumps her for her best friend it leaves her feeling alone and betrayed. Not liking the spotlight her fame brings she shys away from it.
But when another actress from the show sets her up on a date with a up and coming star Valerie finds herself more in the spotlight that she wants to be. Will the extra attention prove too much for Valeria or will it uncover something she didn’t know?
Add to this mix her old boyfriend Davis. Davis is her first love and after years he has returned into her life. Is the feelings they once had for each other still there? Will insecurities that they both harbour stop them from progressing before it starts?
Has Valeria changed to much from the small town girl Davis fell in love with or will this be their chance to get it right this time?
This was a well written story with a cast of characters, some I liked and some I didn’t. The author describes all the complex feelings and emotions that Valerie goes through which really allows the reader to understand her. I look forward to reading more.
Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Abigail is headed to a small town in the middle of nowhere to finish her teaching degree by doing her student teaching. Abigail also has a major secret that she desperately wants to keep as close as she can…she has a secret identity, as pop queen Kaia. When she arrives at her new home and school, she finds that the principal is happy to have her because the teacher she’s supposed to be learning from is suddenly out of work. The assistant principal, Everett, agrees to mentor Abigail, and must then be brought into the loop of her secret. When circumstances have them quickly go from barely knowing each other to faking an engagement, and then faking being married, Abigail and Everett must sort out their pasts, as well as their feelings and their futures. This book is the end of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne. This is such a good contemporary romance. Its the story of Lexi who is a strong willed woman trying to put her past behind her. Being left at the altar has left her very skittish and scared. Jake is a handsome, rugged cowboy who is very stand offish. He has a young daughter that he takes care of but Jakes has is own crosses to bear. He found out his wife was cheating on him when she was pregnant and in a coma. Never coming out of a coma his wife passed leaving Jake with a ton of unanswered questions. Raising a daughter alone was never in the plans but he’s doing the best he can. When Lexi falls in love with Jake’s daughter she slowly falls in love with him too. Jake is struggling with his feelings as well. Will they be able to work thru their past and trust each other. Such a good romance!
Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Secrets everywhere! Double lives. Different paths collide.
I have read several of Christi’s books now and have enjoyed each one. It seems I have once again come in from the end. I discovered that this is the last book in the Swan Cover trilogy which means I need to go back and read the other books. I must say though that I did not feel as though I was missing out on anything so this can be read as a stand-alone.
Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth is a contemporary romance that has several tropes with an enemies to lovers and fake boyfriend story. This makes for a fun and romantic read. There is witty banter that will have you laughing along with some tension, angst, drama, insecurities, emotions, chemistry and humour.
Need a book to curl up and spend some Me time then give this book ago. You won’t be disappointed.
There are a cast of many interesting characters in this entertaining tale that would seem to be more of a delightful Rom Com.
This unconventional duo are opposites in a lot of ways, but they say that opposites attract but are they really that different underneath it all. To find out you will have to read it for yourself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is one of the funniest romances I’ve read this year. The chemistry between these two is off the charts, even with them trying to fight the attraction. He’s not thrilled she’s there. She just wants to finish here student teaching semester. She’s not sure she wants to continue being Kia. She kind of wants to go back to being Abigail. I loved the story. I felt like the fly on the wall observing these two. Even with the mentor-mentee relationship, those comments were priceless. Watching this relationship develop was priceless. This author does excellent writing and gives us characters to love. This is a must read.
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lexie and Jake’s story is so sweet and heartwarming. Jake learns to let love back in and trust again. Poor Lexie is what some of us call a “hot mess.” Oh, the accident, I almost cried for her. Stupid feral hogs. Biscuit and Katie were such terrific supporting characters to the story. Katie basically showed both of them that love is possible. I found myself feeling this story. It was hard not too. This author writes so that you feel like you are experiencing the story with the characters. I was in it right from the start. A heartwarming story that showed the challenges and that love is worth it. You can find happiness again. This a definite must read.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE~ ~ ~ ~ ~
USA TODAY bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Master’s degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately, she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.
Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.
Author Interview with Christi Barth
Texas Winds by Dana Wayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Overall, this is a great read for one to use to get away from the busyness of the world. The author does an awesome job in keeping the flow in the story. There is just enough drama but not too much to keep things interesting. The development of the main characters is gradual throughout the book. It’s amazing how one can be grateful for the little things in life and have one to change their ways just because of how they deal with things that will affect others, especially the little ones.
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The author did an amazing job in this contemporary romance book, giving the reader a view into what the life of what it might be like to be a young actor dealing with the limelight of the acting world. Our main character, Valeria, personality changes as she takes on her role in a soap opera, as she tries to live up to the expectations she deems as so important to live up to on social media. She has a shaky relationship with one of her co-workers, the main star Lance, who seems to only be interested in Valeria when it’s beneficial to his reputation. Partway into the story, we get to meet up with Valeria’s past love, Davis, who remembers the small-town girl who broke his heart and left to take her place in the acting world. Davis is unsure if Valeria moved on since all he continues to see on social media is that she is dating all these different big-time stars, from actors to musicians, wondering if she moved on from him so quickly. As Valeria and Davis try to reconnect and rebuild their relationship, they suffer insecurities, and misunderstandings, that make this hard to work through. Will Valeria be able to find herself, or has her acting career changed the small-town girl that Davis fell in love with, to never be her natural self again? You won’t want to miss this first book in this new series, it was a great read, that keeps you drawn in and invested in the lives of the characters right from the first page.
@Brandy Rymer
04/2024
Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After the especially heinous *Dun dun* act committed by an ex, Emma is a modern and confident, take-no-prisoners, confident woman. She isn’t afraid to ask for exactly what she wants by setting boundaries and compromising with others and she wants no strings attached fun…until she meets Liam. They shared so much chemistry and fun together that what started as a one night stand became a few days, and then friends with benefits.
Liam is a playboy who doesn’t believe in love, and isn’t afraid to use his power and charisma to have his fun while avoiding commitment. He enjoys Emma’s company immensely, and when he has to find someone to be his wife for a year in order to receive his inheritance she is the person he comes up with.
He freaks himself out by developing feelings for Emma and doesn’t realize she is dealing with the same emotions – and also has herself in a panic over it all.
Emma and Liam are probably the most human main characters I’ve read. They have their selfish and ugly moments, but they have raw and honest chemistry, passionate and hope, and are drawn to one another like magnets. Emma felt like a familiar friend. Absolute page turner. Looking forward to more by this author!
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Stars in the City (Stars in the City Series) by Krysten Lindsay Hager. This is a great young adult romance. Valeria is the normal teenager except for the fact that she is semi famous because she stars on a popular soap opera. Trying to navigate a relationship with another actor is so hard because every thing you do is in the tabloids so when the relationship blows up its all over the tabloid news. Valeria isn’t sure she can do this again. She is trying to finish high school and continue being a actress but its so hard. One day she happens to run into another ex on the streets and she realizes that she still has feelings for him. As they begin to get closer she is very happy but she’s not sure if Alan can handle all the media attention. Everything she does is out there because of her job. Will he be able to withstand all the chaos? This is such a good young adult romance!
Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a quick and fun read of strangers to friends with benefits that fall for one another.
Emma has had an atrocious act committed against her and is living life one one-night stand after another until Liam…
Liam who is her best friend’s love’s best friend.
A notorious playboy himself.
Their friendship evolves and both must come to terms with life.
This does have a happily ever after and seems to be part of a series as Mia and Dylan have a book out and there is one on the way with two of the other secondary characters.
I’m off to add Mia and Dylan to my TBR.
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Stars in the City (Stars in the City Series) by Krysten Lindsay Hager
Stars in the City is the first book in the Stars in the City Series and is a Contemporary Romance/ YA that will have you turning the pages till the end. I’m a huge fan of this author and have read several of her books . This one may be a favorite yet. Her attention to detail along with fully developed characters make for a wonderful story. This is packed with drama, teenage drama, jealousy, friendship and so much more. There are some sweet moments that tug at your heart and moments I was just shaking my head because sometimes things aren’t as they seem. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
Stars in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In this YA sweet romance, one can find the wholesomeness of first love and the idiocy of teenagers. Valeria is a teen just trying to make friends while starring in a teen drama and completing high school. It comes along with the normal teen drama, except now it gets played in the tabloids, not just social media. Can you imagine breaking up with your boyfriend splashed all over ET and the front page of some gossip rag??
Valeria faces not only heartbreak but betrayal because the moment the ex dumped her via text (BTW), he started or possibly continued to date the person Valeria considered her best friend. All three of them star in the same TV show. Valeria now has to look at her ex with stars in her eyes for the cameras while trying not to feel hurt and sad. Add in rumors about firings due to decreased ratings.
Valeria manages to make friends with another cast member about her age. To sprinkle more drama into the mix, Valeria runs into her first love, Davis, on the streets of NYC one day. They start talking and reconnect. The only problem is that every aspect of Valeria’s life is immortalized in pictures and video, even random moments like her walking home from a non-date. The pressure becomes too much for Davis and he tries to walk away.
Valeria must overcome some of her own fears and insecurities to have a chance with Davis. With guidance from a surprising source, Valeria starts coming into her own. This sweet romance is a cute quick read.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209108548-before-you-say-i-do” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Before You Say I Do” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1708791525l/209108548._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209108548-before-you-say-i-do”>Before You Say I Do</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18910355.Marina_Hanna”>Marina Hanna</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6429429177″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Liam is itching to get his hands on his inheritance, but it is untouchable until he is either married or turns 35. He didn’t believe in love and never dated someone for longer than a few months. He felt he didn’t have good role models on the love department as his parents marriage was a disaster and not something he aspired to have. That all changed when he met Emma. At first it was about the hooking up but that soon led to him wanting to spend more time with her outside of their bedroom escapades. Emma was all for the no strings attached hook ups and she was quite good at not committing until she meets Liam. She is weary of falling for anyone after an ex did her dirty. Emma had rules and they were strictly followed until Liam. She slowly threw those out the window and found herself head over heels. Things seem to be working out until her ex comes barging back into her life and airs all of her dirty laundry. Will Liam want to stick around or will he run for the hills? Emma and Liam give you all the feels in this book. Their passion jumps off the pages. I enjoyed their story and hope to read more work by this author in the future.
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Before You Say I Do
We went on our annual trek out of town to get some incredibly delicious barbecue and look at the beautiful Texas wildflowers on our drive, however I was so deep into this book that I only looked up when my husband pointed out a beautiful patch of flowers.
Emma and Liam work so well from the beginning even if they are in denial the entire time. The affection is obvious to everyone but one another, but what they do to make the other happy says it all.
There are so many people I didn’t like while reading this, maybe even bordering on hate, but they are too much of the story. Hopefully they won’t be making guest appearances in future books, but I definitely want to see Emma and Liam.
Though this isn’t technically a series, it does have some of the characters cross over Dylan and Mia’s story. Thank you once again for giving me an enjoyable book to soak in.
Before You Say I Do by Marina Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book definitely took me by surprise.
For starters, I was not expecting such spicy scenes from the get go, but I am here for it.
This was an easy read, and you can feel everything the characters are feeling throughout the whole story.
Def recommend!
The Changed Man by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cat Treadgold has not disappointed me with the 4th book in the Olympic Peninsula Series. I want to live in their world. I have been enthralled since book 1. I love that they can be read as stand alone novels, but you absolutely get so much more reading them as a series. I was eager to read this, and when I finished it, I was just… Sad it was over… I can’t wait to read more!!!
Review By
Manda Kelly
