And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was wonderful. I was captivated from the beginning. So many emotions went through me while reading this book. The author drew me in and did not let me go. This was a well written crime book. I highly recommend this book.
More Than by Diane Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was definitely a page turner! I found myself full of emotions reading every page just rooting for Peggy to regain her confidence. Your heart strings will be tugged on as you understand her space as a struggling widow, overweight, teenage twins, and all of the cares of life, including being a stay at home mom! I love that she makes friends, even though she is nervous of them, and regains her self esteem and begins to believe in herself when she listens to her daughters sound advice. This story is very relatable, and I enjoyed every page!
Faultless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Faultless Love: A Small Town Second Chance Romance (The Bennetts of Langston Falls #1) by K.G. Fletcher
This isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author. Faultless Love is a great book and I can’t wait for the next one. This is the first book of The Bennetts of Langston Falls Series. Teddy is a man of my dreams without going to jail.
Teddy is home. After five long years in jail for something he didn’t do. He left behind the love of his life. His family. Now he’s only got his family minus his mom. Can he and Robyn make it work? The quote I chose for Ted is: “The worst is behind me, Hank. I’m sorry you felt helpless. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”
Robyn is still in Langston Falls. She hasn’t exactly forgotten Ted, but she doesn’t know how to react now that he’s home. Will she see him? The quote I chose for Robyn is: “It’s probably because I overindulged last night, and now I’m paying the price adding an overloaded coffee to the mix.”
Highly recommended for Contemporary Romance lovers.
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays by Susan Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There’s nothing I like better at this time of year than reading a good, holiday romance, and Susan Renee hit this one out of the park!
Tenley and Teagan are not quite enemies, but they find themselves worlds apart on their ideas of finding lasting love. Tenley is a cynic when it comes to romance. She has her own podcast, Practical Adult Relationships, where she trashes the idea of love and has no intention of ever falling in love herself! On the other hand, Teagan has his own blog, and he is known as the Love Guru. He is a believer in finding and keeping love yet he hasn’t found that special someone yet. By chance, he invites her to Hawaii for an all-expense paid trip for a week at a couple’s retreat. It’s more of a challenge…if she doesn’t fall in love, he will donate a hefty sum to her podcast. And, Tenley, being Tenley, cannot resist this challenge, not only for the money but to prove to the Love Guru once and for all that love doesn’t exist. Let the games begin!!!!
The attraction between these two is electric despite their dislike of one another. Therefore, the banter between them is fantastic!!! I also liked the fact that Susan Renee kind of turned the story on its head for me. She made the female character the cynic, and the male character the one who believes in the magic of love. I was on his side from the beginning, and I kept hoping he would get her to fall for him!
She also did something different with her characters’ voices. Tenley and Teagan both have their own chapters. We are given their conversations, but we are also given their inner thoughts, so we know exactly how they feel about one another, even though they don’t! I loved that!!!!!
One of my favorite parts of the book was at the end when Renee went into detail about the other couples who are there. They have appeared in her other books, and she actually included the titles of those books so I can easily find them to read. I’m really glad I took a chance on Susan Renee. She has found a new fan in me!
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love Tools by Isobel Reed us the first book of The Bluestone series. This book follows Lily as she moves from London, England to Bluestone, Montana to start a new chapter of her life. Taking over the apartment and store of her late father, Lily has come for answers but instead finds so much more. We are soon introduced to Jake and their instant antagonism becomes the basis of the books slow-burn romance. Journey with Lily and Jake as they discover the power of the past and learn to move on to an unexpected future.
Reviewed by @whisperhymer
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When the father that wasn’t around leaves you an inheritance after his death. This was pretty much how Love Tools started. Lily, the female lead, was left her father’s property in Montana. Which included a hardware store. So she uproots her life in London to start anew. Little did she know where this would lead her life.
Will she let the past get the best of her?
Jake didn’t know his friend Matthew had a daughter, and a feisty one at that. She comes blowing into his life and doesn’t know how to handle it. But he intends on proving to her she’s more than just a fling.
Can he not get redemption?
The story the author wrote was cute. Full of stubborn and feisty characters to keep one entertained. There were also some snickering laughs along the way. What the author put these two main characters through demonstrated so much growth on both parts it was refreshing.
I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book!
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely fell in love with this book on page one. It completely sucked me in, and the tenacity of the main character had me smiling throughout the whole book. It’s a quick read, pretty mild, but it’s still a gorgeous love story. Of course, there were moments when I wanted to smack both of them upside the head. It has such a wonderful ending, and I’m 100% looking forward to the next book!
View all my reviews
Love Tools (Bluestone Series Book 1) by Isobel Reed – Review by
I Love You Today by Julie Navickas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Trading Hearts Trilogy. Even though it’s the second book you don’t have to read the first to read the second. Austin, a main character in the first book, lost the love of his life to his twin so he’s naturally gun shy. When the wonderful Casey falls, quite literally in his lap, he is enamored but guarded. Casey has her own hesitations which makes this story cute and light hearted with a little bit of the drama and anxiety that comes from these kinds of situations. Great story with an hea.
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love Tools is the first in the Bluestone Series. We have a woman trying to connect with a father she never knew, and never will now that he’s gone, by uprooting her life and moving to Bluestone to run his hardware store. We have a cowboy who is a known playboy who becomes fascinated by the new hardware store owner. And of course a town full of people who won’t let either of them forget his past! Great story can’t wait for more in this series!
Thief by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read by Leslie Georgeson, and I plan on reading them all after this. While Thief is technically the fourth book in the Popov Bratva series each book can be read as a standalone. Yes, the characters from the previous books do appear in this book but it is just adding to the story, they are not the main leads here. This book is a dual perspective book, going between Dominik and Leah.
Dominik Popov is a 28-year-old man living in L.A., he is a part of the Popov Bratva family that has many business ventures including car sales and owning nightclubs. Dominik lived life by one rule, don’t get attached, but over the past year since his mother had passed away and his twin brother moved out of the family home things are different. Now feeling very dissatisfied with his life Dom decides to fill a new order for a car, for a thrill he has long lost.
Leah Hart is a 27-year-old country music star living in L.A., a simple run to the local grocery store with her best friend and manager Melanie flips her life on its head. In the hurry to leave the store after a fellow customer recognizes her, she realizes after getting home that she has lost her wallet. A quick call to Gus her chauffeur and bodyguard to check the car she has no choice but to return to the store before they close in hopes of finding it.
10:45 p.m. with only 15 minutes until the store closes for the night Leah feels parking next to the only other expensive vehicle in the parking lot is safe. The feeling someone is behind her she catches a mysterious man exit the other vehicle and steal hers, but he won’t get away without her. With no choice but to let her go with her car he makes sure she keeps quiet. Insuring he has a backup plan in case she goes to the police he sets out to find out exactly who Leah Hart is. No preparation in the world could have prepared him for what he learns. A false name, dark family past, and a twisted ex keeps Dominik and Leah on their toes as they fight against their unwanted attraction for the other.
Secrets come out and life mottos begin to shift. What will happen when Dominik learns all her secrets? What will happen when Leah’s past finds her? The authors world building and character development kept me racing to learn more. I can’t wait to learn more about Adrik, one of Dominik’s most loyal and trusted bodyguards in Beast, book 5 in the Popov Bratva series.
Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book took me a bit to get into. At first I was a little confused on what was going on, but as the story progressed, the more I couldn’t put it down. It’s a beautiful book of overcoming the past, and letting old wounds heal and to stop letting the past mistakes rule your life. I absolutely loved this book, it’s a perfect gothic horror with a gorgeous ending. I can’t recommend this book enough!
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love Tools: Bluestone Series: Book One
by Isobel Reed
4 Stars out of 5 Stars
Love Tools: Bluestone Series: Book One is the love story of Lily and Jake. With a feel good vibe and a clean romantic love this book is absolutely a perfect weekend read. The main characters are relatable and very interesting. The book is from the perspective of both Lily and Jake. Sam (Jake’s sister) and Alice (Lily’s sister) are also great characters and add a little sisterly fun to the book. If you are interested in romance and a feel good story you definitely need to give this book a chance. Can’t wait to read the next book. Highly recommend!
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had not heard of this author before, but I am glad her book found me and didn’t let go! The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch is an amazing read, one you won’t want to put down. Emma Rosales is a fifth-generation heiress of The Thorn, which is the largest ranch in Texas. She was raised on this ranch and could handle day-to-day activities effortlessly with all the grace of the women before her. Across a million acres, Emma sets out to get to know the lay of the land a little better. She stumbles across an ancient secret…and suddenly she’s not so sure she’ll ever make it back home. Will she make the toughest decisions of her life and make it out alive? The adventures in this book were beyond anything I could have imagined. Julia Brewer Daily has an amazing way of writing that plays like a movie in my head, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us. I highly recommend picking this up and enjoying the ride!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book had so much to offer from the beautiful scenery, to the amazing characters, and the terrific storyline I just simply couldn’t put it down. I have only ready one other book by this author but I am looking forward to reading many more. But I will say my favorite thing by far is how this analyzing author can pull you straight into the story and make you feel like you’re experiencing everything that they are. So if you’re looking for a fun, buy serious novel to read, then make sure to pick this one up today.
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book of the series and I’m hooked! This is my first book I’ve read by Isabel and it most certainly won’t be the last! Lilly has inherited her fathers tool shop. She meets Jake (has his own ranch) who gets under her skin since their first interaction. She’s mouthy, he’s sarcastic. She infuriates him but he can’t get enough. Will they quit bumping heads and let love take over? Will she find that certain thing or spark she’s been looking for in her life? She moved because she felt like something was missing. Will she find that? Highly recommend this! I love the authors writing style and it had me completely hooked. Real page turner for me and I couldn’t put the book down. I love Lilly and her sassiness lol.
If I had a Magic Wand by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow! I love this so much! It would be a perfect story for either bedtime or just a snuggle time story. Even new parents would enjoy this beautifully rhymed book!
I throughly enjoy little stories like this to read to my grandchild. They are quick, thoughtful and the way the wand is passed around is perfectly done. The pictures accompanied by the lovely words make this one a keeper.
If you know me and have kids or are expecting…I will probably be sending you this one.
I Love You Today by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Going into this book, I knew it could be read as a stand alone. Now that I have read it, I do need to go back to book 1 to see if things make better sense to me. This book is written in third person with some internal dialogue in between.
Austin has been in love with a girl that isn’t his. She is engaged to his BFF. He helps them pack her stuff up to move back to California from Chicago. His job provides him with the opportunity in Chicago that he can’t refuse. It comes at a great time to give him space away from her and him. In Chicago he meets back up with the girl he didn’t know he needed. Someone different to keep his mind occupied or maybe someone to change how he feels. His job throws him a curve ball and offers him a position of a lifetime back in California. Now he left to decide on his dream job or the girl that stole his heart.
I loved this heart warming story with baseball thrown in. If you are looking for a book that started out like what the heck and gets pieced back together then this book is for you.
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lily, who lives in London where her crazy dramatic overbearing mother drives her crazy, a job that’s going nowhere and a string of loser boyfriends has made her miserable. Her father dies (a man she generally knows nothing about) and leaves her his store and small apartment above it. She she chooses to move from London to Montana and re open the store despite her mother’s grievances about it.
In walks Jake a sexy cowboy with a bad reputation as a hit it and quit it kinda guy. He hasn’t wanted a relationship before but one meeting with the sassy lily has him questioning everything.
Can these two find their way into happiness despite their differences and his reputation being held against him?
This book is funny at times had you in tears at times. I was engaged and rooting for the characters. Worth a read!!
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond a Quirk of Destiny is the second book in the A Quirk of Destiny series. First, this book picks up two years after the first book. Second, read the first book before delving into this one. There is a lot packed in there that will make this book a better read. Third, this is a 500+ page book but be prepared to be taken into a detailed adventure.
I enjoyed learning more about the genies and their leader Balthazar. Things have gotten crazier than where we left off. There are more divides between the evil side and those who are GM-Free. The story is delightfully realistic with apocalyptic dystopian tones. It is full of action, paranormal, and more. I was left wanting more and look forward to reading the last book in this series.
Secrets Never Die by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Suspenseful yet riveting read! This is a brand new author to me but I was blown away! The plot develops well while building up the MCs all while unveiling the mystery before you. I definitely found myself connecting with Tallie and rooting for her every step of the way. This is one of those reads that has you up all night because you just have to know how it ends. In my opinion, it was medium paced but I can see how some may consider it a fast paced read. It is filled with mystery, emotions and so much more. And let’s just say that by the end of it, you’re already reaching for the second book of the series.
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wonderful book. This is the first book, out of four, in the “Prestian Series”. I wouldn’t technically consider this first book as a dark Mafia romance, there is no mention of Chase Prestian being Mafia or even a criminal until the VERY VERY end of the book. While it’s hinted he may have some shady business, it’s never, not once confirmed. It isn’t a very dark romance either in my opinion, the only thing I’d say that may categorize it as such is that Chase is overbearing and a tad controlling. It is still a great regular romance book though, which is why I still gave it 4 stars. Kate is the main female character and I absolutely love how headstrong she is but at the same time so very naive and gentle. The attraction and connection between the two main characters is definitely spicy and they can’t seem to keep each other at more than an arms length. I loved the background story line of them creating a brand new hospital for Chicago, it really makes the story more intriguing, so it is not just straight romance and smut. Cannot wait to read book two, and hopefully it is more detailed on the Mafia side of the story.
Raine Down by C.B. Samet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Raine, a shadow guardian has been tasked with getting rid of Jor who is rampantly killing multiple people.
As raine finds Jor and preps to shoot at him from her corner in the shadows l; in charges FBI Agent Will Decker attempting to arrest Jor for suspicion of being a serial killer. Problem is he has no idea what he’s trying to arrest. Raine has no choice ro intervene when Jor goes after will and ends up with what appears to be a lethal knife wound to her arm and passes out giving Will no choice but to take her for treatment somewhere.
Raines secrets start to unravel at this point and when she goes in to talk to her boss a new position as FBI liason finds her partnered with none other than Will.
These two have great chemistry and will gets a quick and dirty view of things he had no idea existed as he learns alongside Raine and Raine starts to realize she has feelings for Will she shouldn’t have and doesn’t know what they mean. She tries to understand them as her and will chase body after body left behind by Jor
Continue to read this story to find out what happens with Raine and Will … suspense murder drama chaos will delight you!
This book is absolutely a can’t miss I loves it!
A Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et Ignorabimus by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Quirk of Destiny is the first book in the A Quirk of Destiny series. This is my first book by this author, and I was not disappointed. She writes a realistic dystopian tale of what could quickly happen to our food supply using complex scientific explanations. The story is full of intrigue, twists, genies, and the effects of political and medical misinformation that plague our country. I was drawn in quickly and didn’t want to put it down. Also, it has left me rethinking what I eat daily. The characters were gripping, and the plot felt insane but realistic at times. I am curious about where the story will go and look forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a realistic dystopian look at our future.
Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays: A Grinchy/Sunshine Holiday Romance by Susan Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tenley has a podcast giving advice to people on how to have “practical adult relationships”. She does not believe that love conquers all and has no interest in being swayed in her opinion. Teagan is a self-proclaimed “love guru” and believes that love truly is the most wonderful thing in the world. During an interview, Teagan, AKA TJ Mack, throws down a challenge for Tenley, AKA TJ on Par, to join him for a week-long vacation to Hawaii at the resort Kamana Wanalaya to see if he can change her mind. And if he cannot, he will donate 10K to her podcast. Thinking she’s in for a free tropical vacation and can skate through the week on her own, she accepts! Only once she is there does she find out that it is a couple’s retreat week, they are rooming together, assigned to a table with other couples, AND they are going to be pretending to be a couple! Can she make it through the week pretending to be in love without succumbing to love?
I literally laughed out loud at several points in this book! The situation and story line are very believable, as are all the characters. Throughout the book you get to read Tenley and Teagan’s perspectives but there is also a chapter for each of the other couples sprinkled in there. After the epilogue the author explains that they all have their own books, too! That was fun to find out and I will now be looking into those books. 🙂 I really liked how social media played a role in this plot and not always in a good way.
Also, this is my first time reading this author and I have to say that I genuinely appreciated the author’s note: “This book is a steam-filled romcom! Definitely not a family friendly holiday read for the kids! Please don’t do it lest they be scarred for life!” The humor is right up my alley and I feel like we’d be friends should we ever meet!
What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was my first book by Samantha J. Rose so I didn’t know what to expect. Very quickly I realized I was going to love it! She kept me guessing on who I was suppose to like and what was going to happen next. The way everything was described, I felt like I could see it, like I was there. I would definitely recommend this book no matter what you typically prefer to read. This has a bit of everything.
Murder on oak street by I. M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a ride and is definitely not long enough. Even though it is set in 1904 New York, Daniel O’Halleran, a coroner’s physician, proves to be a relatable character, nonetheless. It is not hard to slip right into the mind of Daniel and experience the plot right along with him. You will be just as surprised as he is with the twists and turns this story takes. It definitely has all the elements that a good mystery should include. I had never read any work by this author before I picked up this book, but it will not be the last. Even if you don’t usually pick up a mystery, I would suggest giving this book a try. I will be eagerly awaiting the second book!
Love Tools by Isobel Reed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lily left her life in London to move to Bluestone County where her absent father lived and died. Lily plans to reopen his hardware store and she is hard at work when she ends up meeting Jake. Something about his comments gets her hackles up and every interaction after has a sizzling effect for both of them. It’s only a matter of time before they ignite and they could end up finding that missing piece for one another.
I really enjoyed this one. Lily is a hoot and the interactions with Jake bring a smile to your face while reading. Love Tools had a few surprises along the way. Definitely going to read the next book in this series.
I Love You Today by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I Loved You Today is book 2 in the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy. You can see some of the characters from the first book mentioned, but this can still easily be read as a standalone book. It’s a fun contemporary romance with some baseball thrown in.
Austin Templeton was heartbroken because the girl he fell in love with was destined to be with his twin brother instead of him. So he decides he needs a fresh start, so to speak, and moves far away to Chicago. It’s there that Casey literally falls in his lap. This firecracker is the total opposite from him, and helps to pull him out of his comfort zone while also possibly mending his broken heart. Is he really ready to risk his heart again so soon? Just as he was trying to figure out the answer to that question, his career starts taking off and he gets a promotion offer, but it would take him across the country away from Casey. Will he let her in? Will he stay with her if he does let her in or should he move for his career? Is love really worth risking his heart again, especially after such a brutal heartbreak? All this and more can be answered in the pages of this fast-paced, fun read.
Julie Navickas has continued to write interesting, realistic characters that are believable as they face the possibilities of love and heartache. This second book of the trilogy is just as good if not better than the first, and I truthfully can’t wait for book three.
Revenge Never Rests by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
PHENOMENAL! All I can say about this one is do it! I loved the first story about Tallie Brown as this is the second book in this series. I do suggest reading the first book Secrets Never Die. This is a new author for me but she definitely delivered! Her books are well written and the plot development is easy to follow. The characters pulled me in from the start as you will due to being able to relate/connect to them per say. The author’s ability to incorporate details into her writing that truly make you feel as if you are living this story as well is exceptional. This is a fast paced but engaging story that will have you glued til the very end. I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend this book and this author.
Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Powerful. Deep. Creative. These are a few of the words that come to my mind after reading this book! It was a compelling story that was artfully crafted by Maria DeBlassie. I fell in love with her writing style, and I felt so many emotions throughout Mercy’s journey.
