This Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This Time Around focuses on our FMC returning home to a wedding. Circumstances have left her going alone and the bride sets her up with her ex as a date. He’s hurt by their past and over the loss of his brother and sil while trying to raise his nephew. This story has emotion and an hea. It is a quick and easy read that reminded me of a Hallmark movie (in the BEST way possible).
Princess of Prias by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Our FMC comes into the world with a mysterious past. When the woman who raises her passes clues start to pop up all around her leading her to discover her purpose, along with an attractive male counterpart. Saving her people from a devious uncle seems impossible but she is up for the task. Great read and fast paced! A sequel wouldn’t be an unhappy addition!
Castor’s Kiss by Tai James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 2 in this series. The FMC was kidnapped and forced into a fighting situation when her HEA meets her. They band together to get her safe. Full of action and fast paced this book was a great story that will keep your interest from the beginning. Will definitely be going back to the first book to start from the beginning of the series (but you don’t need to)!
Love in the Roses by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As our FMC learns her father has picked a man on a different side of the war of the roses than she would like, she’s struggling with respecting his wishes, starting to like her husband, and the war going on. This books was very well written and does an awesome job of pulling you in right from the beginning. You definitely start to connect with the characters. The mention of treats is inspiring to the bakers and cooks of the reading community. If you enjoy historical romance you’ll love this book!
Love is Worth Fighting for by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 3 so it does help to read the first two. However, you don’t have to read books 1 and 2 in order to enjoy and follow the book. In this book our FMC is the youngest sister and is determined to be a success. If only her frenemy would leave her alone. Of course he doesn’t but she comes to realize she doesn’t want him to. They solve a family mystery that has spanned this 3 book series and have a fantastic romance along the way. Sweet story line that has a good ending!
Human Hearts by Mary Beesley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the final book in the Draco Sang Trilogy. The author tells the story from 3 pov, which is something I enjoy very much. The 3 main characters grow and change throughout this series but this final book shows and wraps up their storylines wonderfully. The adventure and love these characters share makes this a great example for any YA reader to illustrate loyalty and trust. Great conclusion!
Jake the Growling Dog Shares His Trail by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Our little buddy Jake is playing on his trail in the woods when he comes across an odd set of tracks. The brave little pup feels not so brave and hides when he hears the owner of the tracks coming. It’s with the help of new and old friends that Jake discovers the mystery tracker and learns about being a good friend. At the end of this book are tons of activities, talking points with your kids about empathy and friendship, and fun ideas. Very cute story!
Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great completed series by India Kells. The series focuses on six brothers who’s job it is to bring their father down. Each brother has a Dark Sparrow (ie their FMC) that has been tasked in helping to bring him down. However daddy dearest isn’t the greatest of guys and will stop at nothing to avoid his fate. The storylines and romance in each book is great and keeps you reading! But be warned, you may stay up too late reading as you’ll start and won’t realize that it’s suddenly 3 am!
The True Garza by S. Ann Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. The FMC had a brief fling with the handsome HEA when she was going through a rough time. Neither forgot each other and cross each other’s paths about a year later. Sparks fly and boy does it get steamy! One thing I really liked about this was the real issues the couple had, both as individuals and couples, and the realistic ways they were handled. This story has some mild dominance play so if you’re not into that you may not enjoy it but if it doesn’t matter, buckle up buttercup because you’re in for a great story!! I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!
Captivated by Toya Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in a new series. The fmc is a human who is swept up into a world of demons, vampires, and angels. She finds herself to be the mate of 2 vampire/angel hybrid brothers and fighting against demons. The story is entertaining and keeps the reader engaged. Occasionally the dialogue feels a little unnatural but only slightly and could be reader interpretation. All in all this is an interesting series!
The Mind-Reading Hat: Invisible Magic Wand Book Six by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s Caspian’s Un-Birthday and yell he gets two presents this year. The first is a hat that lets him hear the thoughts of those around him, the second is a stone that helps him come up with ideas. Through a series of events Caspian finds both the good and bad about having a hat that lets you hear thoughts. He also figures out how to use both of his gifts to save a life! All in all this was a very cute short story that would entertain young readers.
Toby: The (Mostly) True Story of a Former Bad Dog by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my goodness how cute is this book! Toby has some mishaps all thanks to a neighborhood cat and his owner keeps calling him a bad dog! Poor Toby! This book is a short chapter book, which is excellent for beginning chapter/struggling readers to start with as the chapters are short, the language is accessible, and the story is engaging! The only thing that may trip up some kids is that he doesn’t call his owners Dad or Mom, rather he calls them HuDad/HuMom ( I’m guessing it’s a play on human but I’m not sure). Other than that will 100% recommend for young readers or readers who enjoy reading children’s literature!
The Curse of a Faeblood by M.K. Lorber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Starting off with the FMC having just lost her mom, we follow her to a new town where she is caught stealing. She finds a new family in this town as well as a warrior as delicious as they come. Naturally they push against each other (enemies to lovers) and while doing this they balance families, fights, and fighting attraction. Great first book in a new series!
Deacon by CJ Warrant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This former lovers to enemies finding their way back to love again story was very good. The HEA comes back into town after being gone for 10 years for a funeral and runs into his former girlfriend. Both he and she are mad at past situations and don’t want to forgive each other, but a will stipulations won’t let them walk away. There’s great character development and the story line is good. Will be on the lookout for the next in this series.
The Know-It-All Pencil by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a cute book about a little boy who wakes up to a present that leads him on an adventure.I did enjoy the story. However, I feel like I understood more about what was implied than a child would have. There is a definite story here but I would have liked it to either be more descriptive or simpler. Like I said, very cute book with a cute idea.
An Alien Storm by Calla Zae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was book 4 of the soldiers of Saedo series. Even though this was the fourth book, and I had not yet read the first three, I still was able to easily read the story and not feel like I was missing anything. That being said, I will definitely be going back and grabbing the first 3. The FMC is a chef that finds herself on an alien planets after a horrible break up. Her HEA is a very work driven alien who can’t seem to stay away. The shorty story is only 13 chapters but is very entertaining.
Love’s Full Circle by Cherry Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a sweet story involving a young woman who reunites with her high school sweetheart who broke her heart several years later. It’s a story of redemption that shows a person can change if they want to. This story is a clean romance and address the issue of forgiveness and moving on from a deep hurt. The fmc does get a little frustrating with her indecisiveness at times but when you stop and ask yourself how you would feel you can relate to her. It was good to see the hea lose his temper at times as well and not just be a doormat through the entire book!
Checking Boxes by Magdoline Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was so good! Our FMC starts off in quite a predicament and her HEA is luckily there to help her out of it. Through getting to know each other, she notices he seems to already know some stuff about her. The twist at the end is both heartbreaking and makes you wonder why your significant other doesn’t love you like that (just kidding but still swoon). This truly was a sweet and wonderful story!
Helm of Awe by D.L. Armillei
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 3 in a YA fantasy series. The author does a wonderful job drawing you into the story right away and keeping you engaged. She keeps you on edge several times and are you serious with the bestie and the ex!?! I will definitely be going back to book 1 and 2 to find what I missed in the first two!
Road Rage by Karina Kantas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked that I was able to read this as my first book and not feel like I was missing out on something. The fmc has a past that makes her a little shy to jump into a similar situation but her hea is too charming to resist. Lots of action and the writing was good. My only struggle was the dialogue. It was a little too simplistic at times but the story was so well written it didn’t drag the story for me. She’s a great story teller!
Savage Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! Right away I was drawn in by the FMC’s POV and loved that we had dual with the HEA as well. The story line was well written and fast paced. There was enough action to move the storyline along and the romantic storyline was awesome! Throw in a plot twist at the end and a female assign that you know is going to make her own debut soon and you got a girl coming back for more!
Born in Darkness by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book 3 in this series is just as amazing as the first two. Our FMC has been saved and is recovering from major trauma with the help of her mafia family and friends. Problem is her HEA is wanting to help but can’t due to his father’s expectations. Answers start to come to the front in this story that have been building since book 1 and boy are they great! So glad to find out that this is going to be a 7 book series! Can’t wait for the next!!
Blood Oath by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love that each of these books can be read as either a series or a stand alone. The best part is that she does enough hinting at past books to make you want to go back and read them!! The flashbacks our FMC has to past trauma made her feel realistic and relatable and her HEA is hot! His guilt and concern make you feel for him while at the same time makes you want to shake him! Loved this book as much as the first! Onto the third!!
No Way Out by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amy McKinley is a fantastic author whose writing drew me in right away. Her first book in this mafia series is fantastic! The mysterious assassin turned mafia princess bodyguard, their building relationship, and the twist at the end (totally didn’t expect that) made for a great read!
Theodore’s Ring: BWWM Action Adventure Romance by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Theodore’s Ring was a fast paced, easy read. I couldn’t decide at first if I was rooting for her ex-boyfriend or her current boyfriend to end up as her HEA. It didn’t take long for me to decide who I was rooting for to win in the end. Lots of adventure keeps the story moving. I was able to finish this book in a single day.
Apocalypse Thoughts by Kendra Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Apocalypse Thoughts was an amazing story! This book follows a 17 year old girl, her younger brother, and their older cousin as they try to navigate a “hyena filled world“. Our main character is extremely relatable to multiple age ranges. Her wit and inner monologue was both hilarious and sad at the same time. The storyline was fast paced and kept my interest through the entire book! I can not wait to see more from this author!
