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Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling – Review by Shannen Kern

Xenia Navarro and the Magic AntsXenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My family loves it any time I bring in a book by this author, and this was no different. Though it is a shift in what her typical books have been, we still thoroughly appreciated the adventure. My kids are 7 and 11, which I found to be a great fit for the tough topics we cover in this story, like deportation. I wasn’t sure if my youngest would handle the tough moments well, but the author does an amazing job facing these with the utmost compassion. I highly recommend reading this with any of the kids in your life!

 

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The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills) by B. E. Padgett – Review by Shannen Kern

The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills #2)The Secrets of Arkaim by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a brilliant second installment of this series, and just like the first book, I was absolutely drawn in instantly. Both of my kiddos truly enjoyed the continuation at West Hills with the Zodiac Games! I am definitely not the target age range here, but I was still engrossed throughout the entire book. The flow is wonderful, the characters are so relatable, and I find myself very much looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend this for the kids in your life, but you may even find yourself enjoying it as an adult as well!

 

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Sing For Me (The Balefire Series Book 2) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Shannen Kern

Sing For Me (Balefire, #2)Sing For Me by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! It shouldn’t surprise me because I thoroughly enjoy this author’s work, but I was caught off guard by just how much I adored it. I like rock star romances in general, but this one felt a bit different in a refreshing way. I found myself quite invested in Ashleigh and Blu right from the get-go. Blu is naturally a ladies’ man who doesn’t have to ask twice to find company. Ashleigh is the girl next door who seems very hard-working and down to earth. I really loved that she doesn’t care how famous he is, she’s going to give him a piece of her mind. Will there be a spark between these two, or do opposites really not attract? I highly recommend picking up this book (and series) to enjoy this wonderful romantic adventure.

 

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The Anchor Knot (The Knot Series Book 2) by DonnaLee Overly – Review by Shannen Kern

The Anchor Knot:securing the knot of truth (Knot, #6The Anchor Knot:securing the knot of truth (Knot, #6 by DonnaLee Overly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love love loved this book! I read it as a standalone because I did not pay attention to the fact that it was a series. I didn’t feel lost or anything, but I definitely want to circle back and read all of the books in this series now though! This was an emotional rollercoaster ride, and I appreciate the depth of the characters. I feel like Gabby is an incredibly relatable character. I was immediately invested in these characters as well, so the author did a fantastic job creating this story! The flow of the story was just wonderful as I never felt jolted back into reality. I read this book in one sitting and highly recommend you pick it up to get lost in the emotional romance!

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The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring Series Book 1) by K.L. Small – Review by Shannen Kern

The Magic Carousel (The Brass Ring #1)The Magic Carousel by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I know this was aimed at an audience way younger than me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Both of my kids (ages 7 and 11) absolutely adored this book, and it really started some good conversation in our family as well. This author is new to me, so I was pleased to find that they wrote a captivating tale of time-travel and family. We are eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series because we couldn’t get enough! I highly recommend picking this heart-felt, adventurous tale and sharing it with the kids (or just young-at-heart) in your life!

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Ten Little Starfish by Kim Ann – Review by Shannen Kern

Ten Little Starfish: A Counting BookTen Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has beautiful illustrations and a fun rhyming read along for the young ones in your life. My youngest kiddo is 7 so he’s a little bit older for the counting part, but he still loved the pictures and the facts about starfish. Both of my kids thought the singalong was FANTASTIC! We had never seen that before, so it made it interesting and so much fun. This would be absolutely perfect for school and it’s definitely one we won’t soon forget. I highly recommend picking this up and having a blast with the kids!

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Vampires of Atlantis by Courtney Davis – Review by Shannen Kern

Vampires of AtlantisVampires of Atlantis by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a great mixture of the paranormal/fantasy and romance which exceeded my expectations. There are so many vampire books out there that they all kind of blend together after a while. This one will definitely stand out in the crowd. I enjoyed that the legend of Atlantis was told a little differently as well. The flow of the story is natural and keeps you engaged throughout the book. Reading about Ian and Katherine threw some unexpected moments at me, but I loved every moment of it. I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us, because they have got me hooked!

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales Book 1) by Lee Wood – Review by Shannen Kern

Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1)Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am such a fan of psychological thrillers already, and then you add in the crime portion creating a perfect mixture of genius! I love being kept in the dark and led down false paths in these stories. Trying to figure out what is happening but always being one or two steps behind is something I look for in my books. This is fast-paced, intriguing, and exciting with the way the author has woven us into the story. I highly recommend picking this book up and going on the adventure of second-guessing yourself all the way through!

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Granting Katelyn (Sweet Valley Series) by S.E. Reichert – Review by Shannen Kern

Granting KatelynGranting Katelyn by S.E. Reichert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Sweet Valley Series, and I loved it just as much as the first one! I think it can be read as a standalone but trust me you’ll regret missing out on the first book if you go that route. This author has a marvelous way of writing relatable characters that you instinctively root for even if some of them are grumpy. Katelyn and Grant have a chemistry that seems obvious yet natural. This book really checked a lot of boxes for me as it pulls you in and has you invested in everyone involved. I highly recommend picking this up (and the first one) if you’re looking for a good western romance!

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Refrain (Off the Record Book 3) by Madelynne Ellis – Review by Shannen Kern

Refrain (Off the Record Book 3)Refrain by Madelynne Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was definitely an emotional book that drew me in instantly! I did read it as a standalone as I notoriously didn’t check to see that it was part of a series, but I have already planned to pick up the previous books. This author was new to me, so I was pleasantly surprised in their magnificent storytelling ability. They know exactly what engages the reader, so much so that I couldn’t put this book down! I feel like the characters were incredibly relatable, and the chemistry was sizzling. I cannot wait to see what this author has in store for us next. I will be waiting at the edge of my seat for more of this LGBTQ dark romance!

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Refrain (Off the Record Book 3) by Madelynne Ellis – Review by Shannen Kern

Refrain (Off the Record Book 3)Refrain by Madelynne Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was definitely an emotional book that drew me in instantly! I did read it as a standalone as I notoriously didn’t check to see that it was part of a series, but I have already planned to pick up the previous books. This author was new to me, so I was pleasantly surprised in their magnificent storytelling ability. They know exactly what engages the reader, so much so that I couldn’t put this book down! I feel like the characters were incredibly relatable, and the chemistry was sizzling. I cannot wait to see what this author has in store for us next. I will be waiting at the edge of my seat for more of this LGBTQ dark romance!

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I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shannen Kern

I Am An Outer Space Alien (I am an Alien)I Am An Outer Space Alien by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may be one of my absolute favorites from this author so far! Both my kiddos loved it, and I enjoyed it as well! Shirley (Shirl) is sure that Earth isn’t her home planet, but she really loves it when Eee-ahh comes to visit and play. I feel that this author ties in life lessons into her stories so well that you don’t fully realize it until after you’ve put the book down! This book started a conversation with my kids, and I loved every moment of it. I highly recommend this book for the little ones in your life!

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Regaining Integrity (Code of Honor Book 4) by Brooke May – Review by Shannen Kern

Regaining Integrity (Code of Honor)Regaining Integrity by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this as a standalone, but I still enjoyed every moment of it! I am now going back to pick up the previous books in this series as I am hooked! I loved reading about Chase and Angelica. Their chemistry is painted onto the pages and makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Okay, maybe a little frustrated at times, but mostly good, second-chance romance feelings! I think the author did an incredible job creating a world of relatable characters, as each of them added more depth and background to the story. I don’t feel like any of them could have been removed from the book without having an impact to the story. I liked the tension, the drama, and the suspense of will-they-or-won’t they?! The flow was beautifully natural, and I devoured the whole book in one sitting. I highly recommend reading this if you love a quick romance that will leave you feeling happy!

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The Silent Woodsman (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 1) by Cat Treadgold – Review by Shannen Kern

The Silent Woodsman (The Olympic Peninsula series Book 1)The Silent Woodsman by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a marvelous contemporary romance book, and I am extremely excited for the next in the series! I loved Ali and Joe because their chemistry was palpable, and they were so adorable. I felt like all of the characters were incredibly relatable which made the story much more real to me. The flow of the story was a little bumpy sometimes, so I got pulled out of my groove a bit, but it was pretty minor. I don’t want to give away anything because it caught me off guard a couple times which is always so enjoyable for me! I am looking forward to the second book because I need to have more of this author’s writing in my life. I highly recommend picking this up and going on an adventure in the stormy, isolated cabin!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Love Bites More (The Darkness & Light Duology, and the Love Bites World) by TL Clark – Review by Shannen Kern

Love Bites MoreLove Bites More by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is definitely one of my top 5 favorite books of the year so far! I did read this as a standalone as my first book by this author, and I feel like I followed along just fine because there is plenty of background given. I was so blown away by this book though, I am going back to pick up all the previous books related to this one and probably a few more because this author is AMAZING. The story flows flawlessly, the details are provided with such art that it paints a beautifully vivid picture, and you’re instantly transported to a completely different world. Do yourself a favor and pick up this magnificently spicy, fantasy love adventure, you won’t regret it!

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Cruel Start (Hidden Valley Elite) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Shannen Kern

Cruel KingCruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!! This is my first book by this author, and what an intense way to dip my toe in! I didn’t even feel myself finding the groove of this book, I just dove right in, and the author swept me away immediately. I couldn’t put it down and found myself staying up late to see what happened next just to find myself twisting and turning in the story. The characters will have you at the edge of your seat, yelling at the book, and rolling your eyes all while tugging at your heartstrings. The amount of tension and chemistry in this story is astounding, and I thought it was written incredibly well to make you feel each of those emotions as your own. I won’t give anything away, but you will absolutely be clamoring for more from this author after finishing this book!

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Flowers of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Book 1) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Shannen Kern

Flowers of Evil (Hani's Daughter Mysteries Book 1)Flowers of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This isn’t my first book by this author and certainly won’t be the last! I found this book surprising me as it wasn’t what I had initially expected. The cover drew me in at first, and then the synopsis sold me, so I gave it a chance. I loved the way the author told the story because it felt like I was there right along with Neferet and Bener-ib. The only thing that gave me any issue at all with this book was that I had other things to do, but I could NOT put this down! I had to finish it as it was such an addictive mystery with so much adventure tied in. I loved the Egyptian background and the depth of the characters as it made the world real for me. I highly recommend taking a chance on this book so you can go on this marvelous mysterious adventure too!

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Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Shannen Kern

Fortune's Favorite (Soulbound Journeys #2)Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed MANY books by this author, and this one is no different. It’s the second installment of the Soulbound Journeys series, and I just can’t get enough! The author paints such vivid imagery in their stories that I am immediately captivated and transported to another realm. Get ready for a dramatic and fast-paced adventure through an exciting world! You will be twisting and turning your brain while you try to figure out what is going to happen next. To say that I cannot wait for the next book is an incredible understatement. I highly recommend picking up this series and the previous as they tie into this as well!

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Guarding the Crease (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances Book 9) by G.K. Brady – Review by Shannen Kern

Guarding the Crease: An Opposites Attract Romance (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances Book 9)Guarding the Crease: An Opposites Attract Romance by G.K. Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed other books in this series so it should come as no surprise that this one raises the bar a little bit more. I thought that creating an image for Wyatt that was anything close to loveable was going to be a challenge. Somehow the author not only carved him into a redeemable man but had me rooting for him! I love Serena’s character as she is strong but gracious. The chemistry flies off the pages eventually, but will it be enough? I recommend picking up any book in this series, but this one is absolutely a very enjoyable read!

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Taming Beckett (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances Book 1) by G.K. Brady – Review by Shannen Kern

Taming Beckett (The Playmakers, #1)Taming Beckett by G.K. Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read my fair share of sports romance books, but this one takes the cake! I happened to see the cover and grabbed a copy but wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this author as they are new to me. I’m so glad I took the chance because I was absolutely addicted to the story. Beckett starts off not so loveable and makes you wonder why he’s making these choices. Paige is oh-so-relatable, and I found myself invested in both of them rather quickly. The flow of the story is incredible, and it had me racing to the end of each page to figure out what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book even if you aren’t a huge fan of sports romances because I think this one will catch you pleasantly off guard.

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The Ring of Eagna (The Cross of Ciaran Book 4) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Shannen Kern

The Ring of Eagna (The Cross of Ciaran #4)The Ring of Eagna by Andrea Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read other books by this author and loved them, so I picked this up without hesitation. I ended up reading this as a standalone, and while I didn’t feel lost necessarily, I do think that I would have had a greater appreciation with more background. To remedy that situation, I am picking up all the previous books in this series now! This was the fourth book, and it is marvelously written. I happen to love the paranormal genre and with this read, the author also includes plenty of romantic suspense as well. I highly recommend picking this up if you are in for a paranormal adventure with suspense and romance in the mix!

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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Shannen Kern

Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved everything about this book!! I have two kids, 7 and 11, and they both adored this book. The author writes Lilly in such a relatable way that we all saw ourselves in her. She has an emotional support stuffy, as most kiddos do, and forgets it on the way to school. I love that she found such supportive people in her life to help her name her emotions and teach her how to breathe when she gets the heebie jeebie feelings. I think this is a marvelous book for teaching kids of all ages the basics of calming your nervous system because they’re going to run into those situations and it’s helpful to have tools already prepared! I highly recommend picking this book up and sharing with everyone that you love in your life!

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Sliding into Home (Playing for Keeps Book 3) by Lauren Fraser – Review by Shannen Kern

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 was a great sports romance! I read this as a standalone and wasn’t lost at all, but I am definitely heading back to pick up the previous books in the series now. I am addicted to this author’s writing! Their flow is marvelous, the characters are instantly loveable, and I need more. Kia and Max are both wonderful, but Kia is definitely my favorite. She has this grit that is just trying to do best by her son, and it’s incredibly endearing. Though Max is great as well because he isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and stick out the tough stuff. This is really an all-around amazing read, and I highly recommend picking it up and giving it a chance!

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Shadowed Obsession (Shadow Defense Security Series Book 1) by Mavery Ellscott – Review by Shannen Kern

Shadowed Obsession: An Action-Packed Romantic Suspense Thriller (Shadow Defense Security Series Book 1)Shadowed Obsession: An Action-Packed Romantic Suspense Thriller by Mavery Ellscott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing start to the series! I loved Keira and Cade so much, and the author had my immediately invested in these characters. They are relatable and their chemistry is wonderful. I was drawn in from the very first page and couldn’t read fast enough through the twists and turns! The synopsis is artfully worded as to not give anything away, so I won’t either. I’ll be you have to guess through the entire book what is happening and who is behind it because I sure as heck couldn’t make up my mind. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series as this author has a brilliant way with words. I highly recommend picking this one up if you’re a fan of romantic suspense with a touch of danger!

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Saved by the Everyday Hero (Limited Edition Romance Collections) by Naomi Valkyrie & Various Authors – Review by Shannen Kern

Saved by the Everyday HeroSaved by the Everyday Hero by Amelia Hayden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a phenomenal collection of romance stories, and it really seems like there is something for everyone here! This is the second anthology I’ve seen that has the stories separated by “Heat Levels.” I think that’s kind of a neat way to let you know what you’re getting into and have the ability to choose what level you’re in the mood for. The first one that I fell in love with was “Unexpected Heroes” by Naomi Valkyrie. I was absolutely blown away by how rapidly I was pulled into this story and fully invested in Elijah, Griffin, and Jude. The flow of this story is flawless, and the characters are incredibly relatable. I always love this author’s work, so I was pleased to learn they were included.

There were two others that stood out to me in this anthology: “Into the Flames” by Dawn Luedecke and “Unbreak My Heart” by Jade Marshall. Into the Flames starts off with cute quips of Dalton making fun of Sadie’s cooking as it keeps setting off the fire alarm every night. It gets a bit steamier (Heat Level 3) but the author kept a strong storyline as well. If you love firefighters, do yourself a favor and pick this up. Unbreak My Heart is a level 4 on the spice meter, but it starts off sweeter than you’d think. The author masterfully bides their time before letting the steam fill up the pages. Don’t pass this collection of romance stories up, you may fall in love with more than one!

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How to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Shannen Kern

How to Catch Little Boys and Eat ThemHow to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My entire family and I love this author’s work! We know that we are in for a fun adventure when we begin reading one of their books. This one is a twist of a classic Jack and the Beanstalk, and we absolutely fell in love with it! The illustrations were super neat, and I thought it flowed just perfectly for a kids book. It held the attention of my hyperactive 7-year-old, and even got some conversation going with my 11-year-old as she doesn’t think about the older fairy tales as much. This book is original and incredibly unique. I highly recommend picking it up and sharing it with the younger ones in your life!

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When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve – Review by Shannen Kern

When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy TalesWhen Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this one up, but it really blew us away! The cover pulled me in as it is just beautiful, and the synopsis painted a cool picture as well. I read this with my middle schooler, and we were pleasantly surprised to see the different kinds of fairy tales that we aren’t accustomed to. I loved that each story we read felt like jumping into a completely different world. Even though this is aimed towards a teenage audience, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone that likes a collection of creative folklore!

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The Secrets they Hide (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome) by P.J. Mann – Review by Shannen Kern

The Secrets they Hide: A Commissario Scala Mystery (Book 2) (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome)The Secrets they Hide: A Commissario Scala Mystery (Book 2) by P J Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as a standalone, but I have picked up the first book in the series after reading this one because it’s spectacular! I enjoy the crime and mystery genres, so this was right up my alley. I feel like most times I have a good handle on what is going to happen next, but this book actually kept it hidden from me which makes it that much more enjoyable! The author brilliantly leads you into Detective Scala’s world as if you’re standing right alongside them in this suspenseful and engaging read. I thought the flow of the story was incredible, and the characters were a perfect fit for the scenes. I can’t imagine anything missing from this book, so it comes as a high recommendation from me!

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Heavy Shot (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation) by Toni Aleo – Review by Shannen Kern

Heavy Shot (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation #7)Heavy Shot by Toni Aleo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a talent for reading books in a series out of order, but I’m glad I picked this one up anyways! After going on this slow burn journey, I will definitely be picking up every single book in this series. This author is amazing at creating relatable characters and palpable chemistry. I think Dimitri and Austen have quite a funny and entertaining meet cute. The story had an incredible flow, and I was fully invested in the characters within minutes of reading. If you love a good sports romance, look no further!

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Reticent Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 2) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Shannen Kern

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

Yes! I was so happy to pick up the next book from one of my favorite contemporary romance authors! This series has been so amazing. If you haven’t picked it up yet, do yourself a favor and start today. In this book we are back with the Hawke Family and the author navigates through different traumas. I loved the emotional rollercoaster twisting and turning through the story. I’ve never met a character in this series that I couldn’t connect with in some way, so I am always so attached to the journey of each character. I really loved Jude and Angelina. The chemistry is always different with couples, but somehow this author makes them relatable no matter what. The flow of the story was just beautiful and never pulled me out of the zone even once. I’ll say it over and over, please pick up this series and get lost in the gorgeous Hawke Family!

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