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Back to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Carla Clemmons

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

This was such a great romance read! This was the first time I read anything by these authors and I am so glad I did. The writing style really flowed and I enjoyed reading from Blaine and Eric’s point of view. Blaine is literally the perfect character in my opinion. She is positive and hopeful without being naive. When she makes a bet to save her store she is not expecting what comes with it, and neither is Eric. As they spend time together secrets are omitted that could turn the tables for the store Blaine loves so much. As the deadline nears things take an unexpected turn. I definitely enjoyed this contemporary romance and will be looking for more from either of these authors!

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Sliding into Home (Playing for Keeps Book 3) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Megan Pesek

Sliding into Home: A Secret Baby Sports Romance (Playing for Keeps Book 3)Sliding into Home: A Secret Baby Sports Romance by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kia has to come clean with Smitty, but she isn’t fully prepared for the toll bringing him back into her life will have on her heart. Kia will do anything to keep Max safe, even if it means denying herself love and happiness.
Smitty and Kia are both strong willed and fiercely protective. Sometimes, too much is simply too much though. When forced to step back and see what the other sees they may have a fighting chance of happily ever after. Sliding into Home was raw, spicy, and an emotional rollercoaster. Lauren Fraser knows how to dial up the heat, and she did not disappoint!

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Rebeca Elliott Figueiras

Liz's Road TripLiz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked the concept of the road trip to discovery behind the book, especially as the discovery wasn’t just limited to Liz. I loved the way we learnt more about Liz’s grandmother as the story progressed, it added a more engaging element to the mystery surrounding her.

I liked the characters (Mark especially), they were well-written and relatable.
Liz was another good character; she was understandably going through a difficult time and was dealing with it as best she could despite all the secrets that were gradually coming to light. There were times she was a little frustrating, but this was a minor issue compared to the rest of the book.

This was an entertaining and at times surprising read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Christine Baranek

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

Liz’s Road Trip
By: Bernadette Marie

First off, let me say that I have never read a Bernadette Marie book and not love it. However, this one exceeded each and every one of my expectations. Liz Evans is quite possibly the best character she has written so far and I just loved the plot of this one. I love that Liz is challenged to live a life with no regrets. I love the whole premise of this book. I love that her grandmother had a whole secret life that she didn’t know about. This is just such a wonderful story. I cannot recommend reading this book enough. Heck, I cannot recommend reading any of Bernadette Marie’s Books enough! But this is the one that I would not miss! It is so well written with such endearing characters!

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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Trish Ann

Back to the 80'sBack to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cute read! I was born in the 80’s but was more a 90’s girl. I appreciated the references to that nostalgic time period. I liked the overall story and thought it was fun. If you like the 80’s you may like this!

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Sliding into Home (Playing for Keeps Book 3) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Beverly Finnie

Sliding into Home: A Secret Baby Sports Romance (Playing for Keeps Book 3)Sliding into Home: A Secret Baby Sports Romance by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve read a few sports/baseball romances recently, and Sliding into Home is one of the better ones. The author wrote a wonderful story about two people given a chance to get to know one another & have a redo on life together.
Jeff and Kia have been given a second chance, however it’s not just the two of them anymore. Max is an important part of the equation and all their decisions are made with his happiness in mind.
But where does that lead them?
This is not the first book I’ve read in this series but it’s probably my favorite. Though I do look forward to when the author gives us Gonzo’s story. He makes a good secondary character, but his story has lots of potential.
I’m a sucker for a good sports romance, especially baseball. I love baseball and reading and when the two come together it usually leads to a smile throughout the whole book.
I look forward to more books by this author. They definitely make for some good entertainment.

@placexba
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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Jennifer Crain

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

After reading some heavier texts, this one did not disappoint- a lighthearted romcom type book that had a succinct plot, likable characters, and an interesting premise (I grew up mostly in the ’90s, but was familiar with many of the 80’s references in the book).

My favorite part was the character development. Oftentimes, one or both of the couple falls flat for me, but that was not the case with Blaine and Eric. They were both well rounded and irritable at times, but a likable irritable. I also liked the juxtaposition of the two because they had such different upbringings yet found each other in an interesting way. I will read more from this author.

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@bookworm1909

Firewall by Jessica Mehring – Review by Christine Baranek

FirewallFirewall by Jessica Mehring
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Firewall
By: Jessica Mehring

This is a very good new Romantic Suspense by Jessica Mehring. This is the first book I have read of hers and it will not be my last. Veronica and Angus were written very well and their banter while being put in suspenseful situations was entertaining. I loved the twists and turns that this book kept delivering because it definitely kept me turning the pages. I did not want to put this one down until it was over. I also really enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters. I definitely recommend this one as it is very very well written and will keep you on your toes!

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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Christine Baranek

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. Reichart and Kerrie Flanagan

This is the sweetest story I have read in a while. Blaine is a sweet protagonist. I love how involved and invested she was in the store. She definitely wants to keep her mother alive. Eric was an interesting character to me. He came in the way I fully expected him to, ready to take over the store for his own interests. However, their bet was so fun and cute. I loved their banter and how they slowly started to gain more of an interest for each other. This plot was legitimately super sweet and really this was the perfect book to read after I had just finished reading several suspense stories. I loved the way that the story made me feel and I was literally just happy as I was reading this. I definitely recommend reading this story, if for no other reason than to see who will win their bet.

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Reticent Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Christine Baranek

Reticent Hawke: A Billionaire Reverse Age Gap Best Friend's Older Sister Forbidden Romance (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2)Reticent Hawke: A Billionaire Reverse Age Gap Best Friend’s Older Sister Forbidden Romance by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reticent Hawke
By: Gwyn McNamee

This is not my first book in the Hawke family series, nor will it be my last. I absolutely love her stories. Each book in this series definitely functions as a standalone. However, I definitely recommend reading each and every book. Each of the stories are interconnected in small ways and the ways the family interact carry through from story to story. Also, the family is the thread that connects the stories.
Jude and Angelina were wonderfully written characters and I loved the amount of thought that it was clear that Gwyn McNamee put into each of them. Each of them was flawed, with many problems / difficulties. Also, there is the normal emotional story line that is expected from a Hawke family story. I definitely recommend picking up this book and the rest of the books in the Hawke family series. I have never been disappointed by one of Gwyn McNamee’s books! This will definitely deliver you a great read.

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Reticent Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Katie Matthews

Reticent Hawke: (A Second Generation Hawke Family Novel) (The Hawke Family Second Generation)Reticent Hawke: (A Second Generation Hawke Family Novel) by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited to read this newest release by one of my favourite authors ever! I love a good forbidden romance and this one was a brilliant read! There was so much tension, angst and a whole lot of chemistry going on between the characters I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen next. I think I may have found my second favourite book by this author (although I love all of them) this one was just amazing – I’m struggling to even find the words to do this book justice – the last time I was lost for words was when I read Savage Collision!!
This really is a FANTASTIC read and I cannot recommend it enough – its excellently written with amazing characters!

@katiem
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Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Katie Matthews

Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation #1)Ruthless Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Will this author ever write a book that I don’t love straight away – ever since the first one I read by her I’ve been the biggest fan. She writes the most amazing books with some of the best characters ever – I love that we are now seeing the families expanding and starting to read about the next generation of the Hawke family!

I loved the prequel to this book and it got me excited to read more about the characters and as I expected it did not disappoint at all. Jack and Isaac were wonderful characters to read about. You can definitely see the family traits with Isaac!! I really liked that the relationship built between the two characters – it definitely made the anticipation of things between them more intense!

There was a lot more emotion in the story than I expected – the author definitely knows how to get the tears flowing that’s for sure!

I am looking forward for more to come from this series!

@katiem
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Sliding into Home (Playing for Keeps Book 3) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Lisa Helmick

Sliding into Home: A Secret Baby Sports Romance (Playing for Keeps Book 3)Sliding into Home: A Secret Baby Sports Romance by Lauren Fraser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third installment in this series and they just keep getting better and better with each one! I loved the flow of this one! It is subtle and still hits all the marks. Each of the characters are special in their own right. Kia is a single mom who has made a strong life for herself and her child. Respectable job and wonderful ethics! Smitty is a down to earth player who gets the shock of his life. He takes it in stride and comes out on top. Really they both are just wonderful but not so much that they have some growth in their character. I completely fell into both these characters and enjoyed their emotions right along with them.

I really enjoy all the fun times with Smitty’s baseball brothers! The things they do for him which is also for Max just made me smile! Then there is Max…perfect antics and comments for a young one. He made me smile big numerous times.

Overall another smash hit from this series. This is one of my favorite series! I eagerly look forward to more….maybe Brandon? Or Gonzo?

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Maikalani Alexander

Broken. (Green St. Girls #2)Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A group of misfit girls brought together by chance and falling into love with the gorgeous men who fight for them !
This second telling pivots to Athena’s friend and brother. Will indigo let her insecurities win? Will she cling Gideon and win against the dark threat that’s lurking?

This is a must read romance; fast and endearing the plot and world building suffice and move at a quick pace

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Bared (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Maikalani Alexander

Bared. (Green St. Girls #1)Bared. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fast reading romance ! Filled with twists and turns of trials and tribulations of love. Steamy scenes, finding yourself and strength of a woman I tore these books and devoured them whole. Definitely recommended read with hints of a Greek goddess retelling Athena and her handsome love Tru.

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Firewall by Jessica Mehring – Review by Angela Hayes

FirewallFirewall by Jessica Mehring
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

Firewall by Jessica Mehring is a fantastic romantic suspense with conspiracies, hidden agendas, danger, drama, emotion, chemistry, betrayal, mystery, suspense, action, adventure, tension, intrigue, challenges, and gripping developments.
Veronica finds her life in danger when she uncovers a sinister scheme at her workplace. The people behind the plot will go to extreme lengths to silence her and get her out of the picture. She’s going to need help to survive the challenges ahead, and this is where Angus Miller becomes involved…..get set for a bit of a wild ride!
An intense and action-packed read.
Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Mehring has in store for us next.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Jessica Mehring!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Jennifer Crain

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

LIz’s Road Trip was a fun, unpredictable, and thought-provoking read. Having just lost my grandparents in the past two years, it was a refreshing and cathartic read for me. I connected with the main character, LIz, and laughed along with her along the way, because even when life gets you down, laughter can be the best medicine.

I really appreciated the depthness of the characters and the characters aren’t static but grow from the beginning to end. The story between Mark and Liz grows and unfolds slowly, but liked the format of the book (made it more mysterious) and Liz tries to discover another side of her grandma she never knew.

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@bookworm1909

Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Tanya Wall, August 2023

Back to the 80'sBack to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun read for an 80’s kid! Brought back so many memories! The story is a cute rom com. Blaine and Eric find themselves in a situation that pits them against each other. I really liked how Blaine problem solved her way to saving her 80’s novelty shop from Eric’s deconstruction plan. Taking him on a trip back in time not only piqued his interest in her story and her, but it brought back so many memories for me! The 80’s were a great time!
I recommend this if you are looking for a sweet story that has great voice and good pacing with the romance, humor and fun throughout!

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Planting Hope by Jennifer Raines – Review by Christine Baranek

Planting HopePlanting Hope by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Planting Hope
By: Jennifer Raines

I LOVED this story. I do not think there is enough of a word to describe how much I loved Mona and her journey. Mona believes in the healing power of gardens. She has gone so far as to dedicate a portion of her land as a therapeutic place for young people who have suffered through traumatic events to go and seek healing. This has been a passion project of hers and she has gained the traction to see her vision to come to life. This piece of Mona alone made her, quite possibly one of my favorite characters I have ever read.
Kit is Mona’s business partner and he is also very charming. I loved that he shares her vision and passion of the garden. However, when a third person, Holly, enters the mix things become very different.
This is my first book by Jennifer Raines and I cannot say enough about her ability to develop characters and write stories that people want to read. This story was filled with complex, well developed characters and a plot that kept the story moving at a good pace. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun read!

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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Dawn Brown

Back to the 80'sBack to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Eric’s company is set to tear down the mall that Blaine’s store, Back to the 80s, is set in, they make a bet. If she can convince him of her store’s worth, she will get to keep it, and the mall by default.
Opinion
Perfect for the title, this book follows the basic 80s movie plot with the over the top apology at the end. I loved it. Parts of it were cheesy but that is something I would expect out of the 80s. This book was a great read. I would love to read the story through Loraine’s eyes and see her relationship with the karate master.

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Firewall by Jessica Mehring – Review by Kerry Baker

FirewallFirewall by Jessica Mehring
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an intriguing story that captured my attention right from the start. I loved how this story built on itself the more it went on, developing the storyline and the characters. The author built the suspense, throwing in twists and turns to keep you as the reader on your toes.
I enjoyed learning about the characters. They were engaging and I connected with them easily. This is a new author to me and if this is the quality of work to expect then I will certainly be checking out more of her work.

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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

Liz’s Road Trip is a beautifully written, wholesome, feel-good story about one woman’s journey after the loss of a loved one. The story centers around the character of Liz who has just lost her grandmother to cancer. When Liz goes through her grandmother’s phone, she discovers contact information for individuals she does not know. Information for financial advisors and messages from guys calling her grandmother “doll” peek Liz’s interest and has Liz questioning who her grandmother was. When one of her grandmother’s contacts calls persistently Liz finally answer. She is shocked to discover this stranger named Mark knows who she is and seems to have a lot of personal information on her. Then he drops the bomb that he is living in her grandmother’s house in Florida. This cannot be true, and this guy must be pulling a scam because her grandma did not own a home in Florida. As Mark and Liz talk it is discovered that Mark is a biographer who is writing about her grandma’s glamourous past as a Hollywood star who had a zest for life. Liz is surprised to learn about her grandma’s past and her secret life. Liz only knows her grandma as the sweet, loving person she grew up with. With her curiosity piqued Liz sets off on a road trip with her grandma’s cat to fulfill her grandma’s final wishes and to hopefully get answers. Through her journey Liz makes discoveries about herself, makes a friend in Mark, gains a confidante, and learns to live and love life. This was a heartfelt and uplifting story of Liz’s journey as she navigated through grief and loss of her grandma by learning more about her grandma’s past. I highly recommend this book!

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Planting Hope by Jennifer Raines – Review by Tia Martel

Planting HopePlanting Hope by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holly Cooper loves being a nurse, but when she witnesses a murder during a shift in the ER she needs to find herself again. With childhood fears fast on her heels she’s following music festivals around Australia working and volunteering.

Kit Silverton is one piece of a research project about gardening as therapy. The project is working with children who have survived domestic violence. As a survivor himself, Kit has a lot of pain and guilt and he struggles to form and keep relationships.

When Kit’s partner in the project, and Holly’s grandmother, is injured, Holly is suggested as a replacement. She’s qualified, but Kit is finding it hard to believe with her pink hair and free spirit.

While working together, Holly and Kit can’t help but fall together, so when something goes wrong Kit is confronted by his worst fear: the violence inside himself. What will it take to prove he’s wrong?

This was a sweet, emotional read. I loved almost every step of the way, as it started out a bit slower than I anticipated.

I love the dynamic between Kit and Holly and Mona. The love and determination they have to help the children is evident in all the moves they make.

I think the only thing I’d love more is pictures of the gardens they’ve created!

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Back to the 80s by S.E. Reichert and Kerrie Flanagan – Review by Nicole DeSantis

Back to the 80'sBack to the 80’s by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back to the 80s is a delightful rom-com that transported me to an era I love. If you’ve lived through the 80s, this book will resonate with you and evoke a sense of nostalgia for the fashion, music, toys, and everything that defined that era. The story revolves around an enemies-to-lovers romance, but what sets it apart is its refreshing and laid-back approach compared to typical books of this genre. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing their relationship evolve throughout the book.
Right from the start, I was captivated by the plot and loved Blaine and the other shop owners. The characters were well-crafted, relatable, and oozed creativity, immersing me deeply in their journey. Blaine’s ownership of the quirky “Back to the 80s” novelty shop, passed down from her late mother, adds an endearing touch to the story. Meanwhile, Eric, a developer connected to his family’s construction company, threatens her shop’s existence as he plans to develop the mall where Blaine’s store stands.
The author beautifully blends humor into the narrative, with some lines genuinely making me laugh. In contrast, others brought on a cheesy smile and eye roll—just the perfect ingredients for a rom-com experience. This book was an entertaining summer read, and I recommend it to fellow rom-com enthusiasts who enjoy 80s nostalgia.

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Michelle Collier

Broken. (Green St. Girls #2)Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Green St. Girls Series. Indigo is a strong and capable woman in her career but not so much in her relationships. Her friend’s dying wish for her is to live a life not just work. Gideon is one of her best friend’s brothers as well as her roommate. When she starts getting threats Gideon tries to keep her safe. This book is full of exciting twists. There is just so much in this book. So many emotions and so much heartbreak from the past.

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Broken. (Green St. Girls Series) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Anastasia Dodson

Broken. (Green St. Girls #2)Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story was a good one! This is the second book in the Gree St. Girls series and I enjoyed it. It follows Indigo and Gideon. I enjoyed their shory and was excited to see where they would end up! I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
Happy Reading!

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Love Is What It Is by Marina Hanna – Review by Michelle Collier

Love Is What It Is: A holiday RomanceLove Is What It Is: A holiday Romance by Marina Hanna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fun fast read. It is a steamy holiday romance. Toni and Mickey have an instant attraction and amazing chemistry. They embark on a holiday fling but when the vacation is up will they be able to just walk away from each other?

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Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie – Review by Trish Ann

Liz's Road TripLiz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really sweet story for me. I’m also biased as a cat lover. I really loved the plot if the grandmother’s final wish. This book packs a meaningful message. I was able to connect with it.

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A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta Book 2) by Elsa Winckler – Review by Michelle Collier

A Match Made in Montana (The Millers of Marietta, #2)A Match Made in Montana by Elsa Winckler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in The Millers of Marietta. I have not read the first in the series but after reading this one i think i want to go back and do that. Annie runs a B and B and is not looking for a relationship. Craig is visiting town for a wedding and gets enlisted to help Annie with marketing for her B and B. He does not do relationships. The chemistry between Annie and Craig is off the charts yet they both still try to avoid the inevitable. This book was sweet and funny.

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Reticent Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Rayne East

Reticent Hawke: A Billionaire Reverse Age Gap Best Friend's Older Sister Forbidden Romance (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2)Reticent Hawke: A Billionaire Reverse Age Gap Best Friend’s Older Sister Forbidden Romance by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The reluctant one
I love love love this series. The Hawke Family Second Generation series continues with book 2, Reticent Hawke. This is Jude and Angelina’s story and it was brilliant. This story really tugs at the heartstrings and shows the raw side of the characters. Jude, who is an adopted Hawke, and Angelina, Hawke by blood, have grown up together and have always felt chemistry. This book and the whole series is a must read for contemporary romance lovers. Bring on Book 3! Highly recommend.

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