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Reigning Hearts: The Complete Series (Books 1-5) by K. G. Fletcher – Review by Mandy Ott

Reigning Hearts: The Complete Series (Books 1-5)Reigning Hearts: The Complete Series by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read several books by K. G. Fletcher so far and she never disappoints. Reigning Hearts delivers a great mix of characters in each of the five stand alone novels. The characters are realistic, relatable, and lovable. Fletcher creates such a variety of emotions throughout this series that the reader can’t help but feel invested in the outcome of the stories. I laughed, I cried, I felt angry, I felt relief and I felt love! Each of these stories is so different from the others, but you’ll be rooting for the happily ever after. K. G. Fletcher creates such magical yet realistic settings in her stories as well. I felt transported to the beach, to a Christmas wonderland, to the stage of a big concert. I like that I can read these stories in any order and still be able to understand the others. I recommend this series to fans of live, happily ever after, and feel good emotions!

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Sashimi (Evil Sushi Book 2) by C. A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

Sashimi (Evil Sushi #2)Sashimi by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sashimi is the second book in the Evil Sushi Series by C. A. King and continues where the first one left off. I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, Evil Sushi, before reading Sashimi as there are elements in the first that are necessary in understanding this one. C. A. King continued building the characters introduced in the first book. Relationships grow and evolve and the humans decide to fight back against the evil wreaking havoc on the world. But, the evil won’t give up so easily. There are so many elements in this book, but none of them overshadowed the others. C. A. King has delivered yet again and I can’t wait for the third book.

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Evil Sushi (Evil Sushi Book 1) by C. A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

Evil Sushi (Evil Sushi #1)Evil Sushi by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of C. A. King’s non-romance books, Evil Sushi still delivers amazingly realistic and relatable characters as well as great world building. In this semi-dystopian novel, scarce resources are the norm and it’s every man for himself. Small town fishermen find an apparent miracle solution to the food scarcity but this sets in motion a series of events that leads to a global pandemic of sorts. Not only does Evil Sushi have a realistic story line, but C. A. King mixes her realism with folklore, magic, and evil! I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when starting this book, but was pleasantly surprised by the time I finished.

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Spring’s Showers (Romantically Seasonal Series) by C. A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

Spring's Showers: Romantically Seasonal: SpringSpring’s Showers: Romantically Seasonal: Spring by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

C. A. King delivers yet again! In this first book of the Romantically Seasonal series, King combines humor, mythology, magic, and romance to keep the reader entertained. Spring’s Showers focuses on the importance of choosing happiness over who, or what, can bring you the most comfortable lifestyle. The Gods think Cupid’s job as a matchmaker is too easy. Spring’s Showers is Mother Nature’s chance to prove that any of the Gods can produce a love match. But she soon learns that true love is harder to manufacture than she realizes. C. A. King’s quick reads still deliver the lovable, realistic characters as well as great works building. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

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Shamrock and Clover: Fields Apart by C. A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

Shamrock & Clover: Fields ApartShamrock & Clover: Fields Apart by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After this third book I’ve read by C. A. King, I am hooked! What a great author! All of the books I’ve read so far, including Shamrock and Clover have been so well written, but very quick reads. The world building and character building in such short reads is top notch. Shamrock and Clover was romantic, witty and humorous, with a little undertone of sadness for lost loved ones. The two main characters, Patrick (nicknamed Shamrock) and Clover, are two very different individuals looking for love in their own ways. The saying “opposites attract” definitely applies here. All of the characters are realistic and relatable, even Clover’s ex who was very manipulative. There are very sweet moments in this book and I cannot wait to read more from C. A. King!

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My Valentine’s Day Cookie Match (Welcome to Cupid’s Cove) by C. A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

My Valentine's Day Cookie Match: Welcome to Cupids CoveMy Valentine’s Day Cookie Match: Welcome to Cupids Cove by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is only the second book I’ve read by C. A. King and the same quick, easy read as before. My Valentine’s Day Cookie Match is a witty, sweet, romantic story about two very different, but wildly similar individuals who find love in the most unexpected way. Lara is the daughter of a local bakery owner in small town Cupid’s Cove; Graham is the owner of the newest bakery in town (rival of Lara’s bakery) and the inventor of the new dating app that connects with the bakery. Sparks fly between the two and awkward encounters follow. I couldn’t put this book down. If you’re looking for lovable characters, a fun holiday themed town, and a wonderfully quick romantic read, then My Valentine’s Day Cookie Match is the book for you!

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The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire (Billionaire Hearts Ranch Book 1) by Edith MacKenzie – Review by Mandy Ott

The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire (Billionaire Hearts Ranch, #1)The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire hit me right in all the emotions. I was not ready for the amount of sadness the beginning of this book would throw at me! There is so much loss in Colt’s life, but he still has friends looking out for him, despite him pushing them away. This is the first book I’ve read by Edith MacKenzie and I was not disappointed. She delivers with great, realistic, lovable, frustrating characters and wonderful world building. The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire takes the reader on a roller coaster of ups and downs and everything in between. But, will have you smiling by the end. I cannot wait to read more by Edith MacKenzie.

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Class Clown (Ghost Girl Series) by Allan Evans – Review by Mandy Ott

Class ClownClass Clown by Allan Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Allan Evans delivers in Class Clown! This is the first book I’ve read by this author and he did not disappoint! This book was difficult to put down, full of twists and turns. Class Clown is full of ghosts, hauntings, mystery, intrigue, and typical teenage sarcasm! The characters are well developed and extremely realistic and relatable. I found myself wanting to be friends with Abbey and her team of soccer athletes. They all seem to take the paranormal events that follow Abbey with relative ease, which I thought was maybe a little atypical. The way Allan Evans builds the world in this book so that the reader is transported to the scene, creating a sense of relative calm or foreboding based on the happenings of the story, was absolutely amazing. Beginning Class Clown, I was unaware of other stories featuring Abbey, but found that I didn’t really need to read the other books to fully understand this one. But now, I cannot wait to read more about Abbey and read more books from Allan Evans.

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(Un)loved (Mixed Emotions Series) by Katy Hunter – Review by Mandy Ott

(Un)Loved (Mixed Emotions, #1)(Un)Loved by Katy Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Katy Hunter delivers a good one in the first book in the Mixed Emotions series, (Un)loved. The characters are well developed, although Gil seems a little too perfect (even with his fear of commitment) and Sophie is very dramatic (fitting though, since she is an actress). I like the change in scenery from France to L.A. although neither setting seemed to be the main focus in the story (France did get a little more read time as the more important scenes take place there). Overall, (Un)loved is a fairly quick, easy read. The love story here plays out a bit more realistically than most romance books, even though both characters are celebrities. I was impressed with Katy Hunter’s mix of characters as none of them were too similar to another. I would definitely read another book by Katy Hunter.

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Doctor D’s Orderly Affair (Doctors of Eastport General) by C. A. King – Review by Mandy Ott

Doctor D's Orderly AffairDoctor D’s Orderly Affair by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although a rather short read, Doctor D’s Orderly Affair by C.A. King certainly hit the spot! This quick, easy read was full of fun, wit, and humor. C. A. King simultaneously creates a wonderful story and setting in Eastport General, but realistic, relatable characters. The gossip mill at Eastport General runs rampant, much to the chagrin of Dr. Desmond Danielson, who wishes to forget events of his past. His chance encounter with Emily leads them both down a rabbit hole neither one is prepared for. Their story is endearing and charming, with a little bit of spice. I am looking forward to more books from C. A. King!

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Daire’s Devils (Daire’s Devils Series Book 1) by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – Review by Mandy Ott

Daire's DevilsDaire’s Devils by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daire’s Devils was not in my normal genre of reading, and have not read anything before by this author, but I am so impressed. Danielle Ackley-McPhail creates a wonderful mix of characters that are realistic and relatable. The reader can’t help fall in love with the comradery and quick humor between the characters. There is also great works building, much of that world created in space. There is a lot of information in the book concerning characters and other information, and that sometimes muddled the story a bit, but it is all relevant and useful to the story itself. Overall, Daire’s Devils is a great, fast-paced read full of twists and turns, drama, but also friendship. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

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Journeys Through Collection: Volumes 1-3 by James Talisman – Review by Mandy Ott

Journeys Through Collection: Volume 1-3Journeys Through Collection: Volume 1-3 by James Talisman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

James Talisman is such a gifted author and this box set is awesome! 3 books in a series, together in one place! This Sci-Fi journey is a trip through imaginative worlds with wonderful characters and plot development. I have never been a big fan of this genre, but Talisman’s use of descriptive, colorful words and useful information had me hooked on these books from the beginning. I felt connected to the characters in the Journeys Through Collection and felt their emotions as the series progressed. Not only is this series interesting, but also highly entertaining! I cannot wait for more books by James Talisman!

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A Hundred Wishes (Bands of Sisters) by Marianne Rice – Review by Mandy Ott

A Hundred Wishes (Band of Sisters)A Hundred Wishes by Marianne Rice
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a quick, easy read! Marianne Rice had me laughing, crying, and everything in between! The interactions between the two main characters, Gina and Bryce, are awkward, humorous, witty, and often electrically charged. A Hundred Wishes combines a picturesque setting with great, realistic characters and an excellent story. This is the only book I have read from the Band of Sisters series, but did not need the other books to follow along. The ending of the book makes me want to read more though! I can’t wait to read more from Marianne Rice.

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Nite Fire: Smoke and Mirrors by C. L. Schneider – Review by Mandy Ott

Smoke & Mirrors (Nite Fire #3)Smoke & Mirrors by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nite Fire: Smoke and Mirrors is Book 3 in the Nite Fire series. Although I read this book without reading the previous two, I found it fairly easy to follow without the information from the other books. C. L. Schneider weaves a remarkable tale of mystery, suspense, fantasy, and the supernatural. I loved the amazing characters and how relatable they were, even if the main character, Dahlia Nite, is a half-dragon shape shifter. I found her concern for those closest to her to be heartwarming, even though she must keep secrets from them to protect them. C. L. Schneider also creates wonderful, fantastical worlds. From the human world to the dragon world, I could picture each while I was reading and was instantly transported there along with the characters! I will look into reading the first two books of this series and look forward to more by this author!

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Face the Fire (Moore Family Saga Book 5) by Michele Sims – Review by Mandy Ott

Face the FireFace the Fire by Michele Sims
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While it took me a long while to get into this one, Michele Sims did deliver with good character building and great attention to detail. I believe that I would have grasped this book a little better had I read the previous books in the Moore Family Saga, although the information states it can be read as a standalone. I just felt like I was missing some crucial information when I read Face the Fire. I did enjoy the elements included that involved the ups and downs of managing various artists in the music business. It seems like a business that very few are truly cut out for. Couple those ups and downs with the paranormal aspect in the lives of Miles and Bella and you have a pretty entertaining book. Although this was not a favorite of mine, it was still a good story and I look forward to reading more from Michele Sims.

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To Be a Fae Guardian (Realm Chronicles Book 2) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Mandy Ott

To be a Fae Guardian (Realm Chronicles, #2)To be a Fae Guardian by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To Be a Fae Guardian is the second book in The Realm Series and Tricia Copeland delivers yet again. With the addition of some new characters set against the magical setting of the Fae Realm of Middle Earth, Queen Titania must again prove she is worthy to rule. Many changes occur throughout the book and Titania, wise beyond her years, fights to maintain her composure, her sanity, and the trust of those closest to her. Tricia Copeland creates magic, suspense, love, hardship, and much more in this book. I can’t wait to read more from her!

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To Be a Fae Queen (Realm Chronicles Book 1) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Mandy Ott

To be a Fae Queen (Realm Chronicles, #1)To be a Fae Queen by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To Be a Fae Queen amazed me! There were so many different elements in the book that it was slightly overwhelming at first. But, once the different elements began to intertwine, it all made sense and I could not put this book down. Tricia Copeland delivers superb characters and an interesting storyline. Copeland also creates a magical world of Middle Earth, the land between Upper and Lower Earth, where the Fae reside. To Be a Fae Queen is magical, fantastical, but also believable and relatable in a way. I felt drawn to the world of the Fae and their duty to protect the dwellers of Upper Earth, the humans. The Fae must also protect their own realm and kingdoms, which creates problems for the newly appointed Queen Titania. I am greatly looking forward to the next book in The Realm Series!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Mandy Ott

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exiled South started off a little slower and different than I imagined. However, the hardships the main character, Lizbeth, faces in the beginning of the book help push her to continue her journey later in the story. Harriet Cannon delivered wonderful characters and amazing settings from around the world! I enjoy genealogy and familial history so this was definitely a book I could got into. I found Lizbeth a little too sensitive during some of the more tense situations, but it made her character that much more believable. I enjoyed the author’s use of illustrative writing when describing the various places in the story, from the shoreline of South Carolina, to the beaches of the Bahamas and Rio de Janeiro. I look forward to reading more from Harriet Cannon in the future.

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Apocalypse Thoughts (The Pox Series Book 5) by Kendra Griffin – Review by Mandy Ott

Apocalypse ThoughtsApocalypse Thoughts by Kendra Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first time reading Kendra Griffin, but was well-rewarded with this witty, humorous, sometimes terrifying book full of twists and turns. I was unaware that this was a part of a bigger series, but Apocalypse Thoughts reads almost like a stand-alone. The plot definitely hit a little differently as I was reading it while quarantined with COVID. Kella, the female protagonist, writes and sketches her thoughts while on their journey north from Atlanta. Her thoughts are funny and realistic and reflect her inner-most thoughts. Apocalypse Thoughts is intended for a young adult audience and I enjoyed the fact there was no swearing and no overly sexual content.

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States of Grace (Grace Locke Mystery Series) by Mandy Miller – Review by Mandy Ott

States of GraceStates of Grace by Mandy Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

States of Grace is an amazing book by Mandy Miller! The characters are realistic and the story is believable, creating a combination that was hard to put down. Grace Locke’s fall from grace, pun intended, gives her a bit of an edgier, raw side that was very entertaining. And the mystery and crime behind the characters evolved so smoothly that the twists and turns were still easily navigated. The ending definitely left me wanting more of Grace. States of Grace was the first in a (hopefully) long series that I can’t wait to read more of!

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The Heart of a Hussar (The Winged Warrior Series Book 1) by Griffin Brady – Review by Mandy Ott

The Heart of a Hussar (The Winged Warrior, #1)The Heart of a Hussar by Griffin Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book took me completely by surprise! While I have read historical fiction before, I have never had one engulf me quite like The Heart of a Hussar. It was an amazing mixture of history, action, intrigue, and romance. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put down. Griffin Brady provided not only historical information but also wonderful character development and the right mix of everything so the details didn’t bore the story down. The romance was not the sole focus of the book, but it provided just enough drama to make it that much more interesting and entertaining! I have never read anything by this author before but I can’t wait to read the second book in this series!

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Black Canvas by Laura Rossi – Review by Mandy Ott

Black CanvasBlack Canvas by Laura Rossi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Black Canvas had me hooked fast! I couldn’t put this book down. Laura Rossi does an amazing job building her characters, setting the scenes just right, and making you question everything you thought was real! I love psychological and crime books and Black Canvas gets a high ranking on my list of great ones! The characters are so realistic and relatable and the emotions felt by the characters are felt by the reader as well. Your pulse quickens with the anxiety of anticipation, you hold your breath waiting for the next plot twist, and in the end, want to read it all over again because you find yourself wondering what the heck you just read! This book stuck with me far after the last sentence was read. I kept replaying the events in the book and wondering if there was anything I missed, some subtle clue as to the true nature of the characters. This is definitely a book I would read again and recommend to others!

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The Unholy by Paul DeBlassie III – Review by Mandy Ott

The Unholy: A Supernatural TaleThe Unholy: A Supernatural Tale by Paul DeBlassie III
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Unholy by Paul DeBlassie III was very well written. DeBlassie uses such beautifully descriptive words in his character development and plot building. Although a work of fiction, the religions of the archbishop and the medicine women of Aztlan in The Unholy bear striking similarities to modern religions of today. This book is terrifying in its possibilities and will make you think about Religion and the battle between religions in a new way. Claire, although trying to distance herself from her medicine woman heritage, finds herself the enemy of the Archbishop Anarch simply because of who she is and what she represents. This book was definitely out of the realm of normal for me as far as genre, but it was a great read and I look forward to reading more from Paul DeBlassie.

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Red’s Peril Part 2: The Prez’s Old Lady (The Satan’s Devils MC Las Vegas Chapter) by Manda Mellett Review by Mandy Ott

Red's Peril Part 2: The Prez's Old Lady (Satan's Devils MC Vegas #2)Red’s Peril Part 2: The Prez’s Old Lady by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Part 2 of Red’s Peril was not quite what I was expecting, but it was definitely not disappointing. Manda Mellett writes so well, you can’t help but enjoy her books. The Prez’s Old Lady delves deeper into the relationship between Red and Cheryl, or Cher as she is called now. Not only does this book answer some questions from the first book, but it also explores the ups and downs the pair must face in their new journey together. Manda Mellett also adds some more information regarding MCs as well as exploration into the LGBTQ+ community. The struggles in this book are real and relatable! I definitely cannot wait to explore more of the Satan’s Devils MC!

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A Sweet Christmas: A Sweet Confections Novella by Nicole Richard Review by Mandy Ott

A Sweet ChristmasA Sweet Christmas by Nicole Richard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Nicole Richard that I have read so I was unsure what to expect. A Sweet Christmas is a quick, easy read with an understandable story and characters. This book was like a Hallmark Christmas movie! It was spicy and sweet but a little too predictable for my taste, but if you enjoy Christmas romance books, A Sweet Christmas is definitely a good one! Nicole Richard does a great job of developing the characters and the story quickly. I did enjoy the overall style of writing and will look into some of Nicole Richard’s other books.

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Twilight’s Curse: Book 1 Twilight Realm Trilogy by K.M. Wray Review by Mandy Ott

Twilight's CurseTwilight’s Curse by K.M. Wray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! The world that K.M. Wray weaves in this first book Twilight’s Curse is, for lack of a better word, fantastical! There are so many elements of this world, and all seem so magical and enchanting. While the individual pieces of K.M. Wray’s Twilight Realm are magical, the story still has some darkness to it. The characters are well-written and still have some realism to their emotions and thoughts, which helps connect the reader to them. There are many characters in the story, but their connections to one another are explained to the reader, which I really enjoyed. I have read many Young Adult fantasies before and Twilight’s Curse ranks among one of the more interesting I have read. I cannot wait for the rest of the Trilogy!

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Red’s Peril Part 1: The Making of an MC Prez (Satan’s Devils MC Vegas Chapter by Manda Mellett Review by Mandy Ott

Red's Peril Part 1: The Making of an MC Prez (Satan's Devils MC Vegas #1)Red’s Peril Part 1: The Making of an MC Prez by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first time reading any of Manda Mellett’s books, and I was not disappointed. Red’s Peril Part 1 was not what I was expecting, honestly. I haven’t really read any MC books in the past so wasn’t sure what to expect but Manda Mellett’s description of the brotherhood surrounding this particular MC was very well written. I could feel the trust and connection the characters had with one another. And I couldn’t help but fall a little bit in love with Red. His realistic growth throughout the book, his haunted past, his sometimes uncertain future, and his can’t-miss-him hair draws the reader in and doesn’t let go. I can’t wait to read more about Red and the rest of the Satan’s Devils MC!

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Love’s Reverie: A Time Travel Romance (The Stardust Duet Book 2) by K.G. Fletcher Review By Mandy Ott

Love's Reverie (The Stardust Duet, #2)Love’s Reverie by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love’s Reverie is the second book in the Stardust Duet Series. K.G. Fletcher, again, delivers with her wonderful character building and vivid descriptions of the small-town life in the present day and in the past. I read the first book of this series and was impatiently waiting to read this one. Fletcher did not disappoint. Love’s Reverie was full of ups, downs, twists and turns along the way. The love between Kat and Phillip is a love that we all hope to find one day. With the added element of time travel, this book was captivating from start to finish. I look forward to reading more books by this author!

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Come Back Tomorrow (Embrace Tomorrow Duet Book 1) by Amy Argent – Review by Mandy Ott

Come Back Tomorrow (Embrace Tomorrow, #1)Come Back Tomorrow by Amy Argent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew from the synopsis of Come Back Tomorrow that I would shed some tears. What I did not expect was to fall in love with the realism of the characters, flaws and all. Amy Argent does a great job describing the ups and downs of falling in love. Will and Tori find themselves falling for one another, despite the circumstances surrounding them. Will’s cancer not only brings them together but can ultimately tear them apart. Come Back Tomorrow definitely delivers the tears, and I can not wait for the tears to continue in the second book.

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Love’s Refrain: A Time Travel Romance (The Stardust Duet Book 1) by K.G. Fletcher Review by Mandy Ott

Love's Refrain (The Stardust Duet, #1)Love’s Refrain by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not my typical genre when it comes to books, but K.G. Fletcher delivered an amazing book! It took a little while for me to get into the book, but when I did, I couldn’t put it down. I was intrigued by the love and connection that spans life, time, and death. Fletcher does a great job of describing the main characters, Kat and Phillip, as well as the setting for their story, Whitley, Georgia. I have not read any of K.G. Fletcher’s other novels but can’t wait to read more, especially the second book of this series. This is a great read for fans of pure, clean romance, no toxicity, no violence, just pure connection.

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