This book works well as a standalone if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, like me. There was enough context to understand the story line without it being distracting from the current plot.
This was a captivating story, making it difficult to put down. Not only did I want to know who or what was behind the clown parade that seemed to overtake Pine Ridge High School, I was intrigued to figure out how it all would come to an end.
Abbey is a spook magnet who discovers the ghosts of dozens of clowns have infiltrated her life after a visit to the traveling circus. When two of her classmates disappear with clues the clowns are involved, she sets out to make sense of her puzzling and sometimes terrifying interactions with the clowns. Along the way of solving the mysteries, Abbey forms new friendships, helps a couple of other ghosts (unrelated to the main plot) find closure, and tries to live as normal a teenage life as anyone can who sees and interacts with ghosts on a regular basis.
I absolutely loved this book. From the start, I found Layla to be such a relatable character, from the crafty, clumsy, nerd who’s mostly an introvert, to her kind spirit and sassy but loving friendship with her best friend, Alex.
Layla is an artist who pays the bills as a real estate assistant. She creates a cosplay of her favorite comic book character and shows up to a meet and greet at a comic convention to get the autograph of the writer from the series. Fumbling her way through the meet and greet, she’s on cloud nine after Vic, the writer, compliments her costume and asks to take a photo with her. The two end up running into each other again, and after she goes home, they end up chatting online and forming a friendship.
While Layla works to break out into the industry through her art, Vic faces some challenges in his own career that threatens to end their budding romantic relationship before it fully develops.
The book covers a lot of serious topics along the way: long distance relationships, workplace harassment, light touches on racism and LGBT dating, women in the geek universe and their discrimination, and seedy behavior from men in power in the entertainment industry toward those holding lower status or clout. I really appreciated seeing that addressed, even while keeping the story mostly light and fun to read.
I fully appreciate a strong female lead who isn’t dependent upon a man to come and rescue her, and the author did a great job of offering up a story that delivers the type of heroine who can take care of herself while keeping the reader fully engaged. I’m really looking forward to reading more by this author.
A whirlwind romance develops between real estate agent Elsa and movie star Anton in the second book of this series. While I didn’t find it as exciting to read as the first book, it was still a good story overall. There was some repetitiveness of the book’s title that got a bit obnoxious for me, and it seemed to contain a lot more intimate scenes than its predecessor, which I found to be a bit excessive at times, but I’m not sure it’s right to complain about such things in a romance novel.
The storyline was unexpected and interesting, though. Every time I thought it was going to head in one direction, I got thrown for a bit of a loop. Grueling work schedules, and physical distance while Anton films the latest blockbuster in the making, threaten to divide the couple; they also face some issues with communication and their past that they must overcome if they intend to stay married after a super rocky first year of marriage. Complications in their relationship only multiply when Anton takes the leading role in romantic comedy at a dark time for Elsa, and the pair faces problems that are both serious and not atypical for real-life couples.
While the themes felt realistic overall, especially the darker parts of the story, it’s still a romance novel with lots of flourishing steaminess.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2022-03-10 14:08:372022-03-10 17:56:51Imperfectly Yours (Titans of Manhattan Book 2) by Anise Storm – Review by Wendy Wary
With a Pretty Woman-esque storyline, this book is about the rich and powerful Caspian who will disinherit the business he’s devoted himself to if he doesn’t find a wife and remain married for at least one year. Paisley is a struggling artist with looming medical bills for her mother and couldn’t be farther from the world in which Caspian lives. Fate brings the two together at a chance encounter at the hospital, where Caspian is visiting his dying uncle and Paisley is visiting her comatose mother. Something in her eyes sparks recognition in Caspian, and they discover they’re not from completely different worlds after all, having befriended one another in childhood. As they catch up over coffee, Caspian decides it could be a mutually beneficial agreement if he can convince Paisley to marry him for the terms described in his uncle’s will. Between social events with catty women, Caspian’s uncle’s disapproval in his choice for a wife, and some secrets Caspian is holding onto, the whole arrangement becomes fragile and threatens to fall apart. I found this to be an entertaining read with just enough drama and spice to keep me hooked until the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2022-03-10 14:00:102022-03-10 17:56:22Conveniently Yours (Titans Of Manhattan BOOK 1) by Anise Storm – Review by Wendy Wary
Book 3 in the Titans of Manhattan Series had me just as captivated as the first book. Rhyann is a college student and life-long dancer who wants to pursue a career in her passion. It looks like her dreams are coming true after getting accepted into dance school in Manhattan with a full scholarship. Mason is a wealthy “titan,” owning swanky clubs all over the world, and one of NYC’s most eligible bachelors with no intention of changing that anytime soon. A chance encounter in his newest Manhattan club has the two hooking up for a one-night stand with no names exchanged, but both can’t seem to shake the other from their minds. When Rhyann’s roommate convinces her to take a job at the same club, dancing for fast cash, she discovers not only the name of the guy, but that he’s going to be her new boss. While both internally fight their growing attraction, and are unsuccessful at hiding their true feelings from those closest to them, Mason contemplates breaking his own rules and Rhyann struggles with adjusting to her grueling school and work schedules. It’s a good balance of steam, build-up, and struggle.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2022-03-10 13:19:472022-03-10 17:54:58Seductively Yours (Titans of Manhattan Book 3) by Anise Storm – Review by Wendy Wary
Having not read the previous two books in this series, I picked this up for a quick read and found the story works as a standalone without feeling like I’ve missed out on anything. This is a slow sizzle and burn between a doctor who’s looking for a fresh start away from city life, Franceen, and her boss, Scott, a doctor and hospital administrator who has seen people come to the rural area but ultimately leave after missing the city. Both feel like a relationship with the other is a bad idea for several reasons, despite the obvious chemistry that keeps pulling them together.
I really enjoyed the author’s depiction of the scenery and the complications and benefits of small-town/rural living. I found both of the main characters’ protestations to getting into a relationship a bit repetitive; while it wasn’t far-fetched to imagine them having such reservations, they both seemed to recite the same things to themselves whenever the attraction was kicked up a notch with new interactions. When they finally give in to their mutual attraction, a sweet relationship ensues, but I found it a little bit lacking that they didn’t really communicate those reservations they had to begin with. Like, both characters just looked for context around them to accept the obstacles they envisioned might not really be obstacles instead of talking to each other about those things.
It was a pretty good story, overall, though, with lots of sweet points along the way – some of the patients Franceen encounters, Scott’s interactions with his sister and her babies, etc.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2022-03-04 07:38:272022-03-04 07:38:27Doctor in the Outback (Welcome to Bunya Junction, Book 3) by Nicole Flockton – Review by Wendy Wary
This is a little bit of coming of age, little bit of mystery, little bit of navigating close relationships with family and friends, and a little bit of learning about life and love. Two best friends, Cate and Patti, reunite after several years apart when Cate’s dad falls ill. Secrets between them, and distance, after Patti moved away to college and got married, came between the two women who are still figuring out who they are and what they want from life. As they work through their personal experiences and rekindle the friendship, the story takes the reader through lots of twists and turns to piece together exactly what happened the summer after the pair’s senior year in high school.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2022-02-22 07:55:442022-02-22 07:55:44Depending On You by Jessica Aiken-Hall – Review by Wendy Wary
Immersed into a world where everything is not as it seems, Adrijana discovers her father’s dislike for visiting the capital is more than just a jaded view of an old man who’s lived through times of war. Among assassinations, plots and mysteries surrounding most everyone Adrijana meets in the city, she has to find her way and figure out whom she can trust, all while discovering a huge secret about her own hidden abilities and the newfound discrimination she faces because of the truth. This is a truly captivating story with twists and turns and an exciting tale to witness as it unfolds. Can’t wait to read what happens next!
The characters were wonderful in this book, completely believable, and one of my favorite aspects was how both Bryce and Gina tackled their issues in healthy ways. Gina has some insecurities about her scarred skin and Bryce has to face his fears of severe medical trauma, but despite those internal struggles, the two find themselves drawn to one another. Communication issues cause some bumps along the way, and the couple has to figure out how to grow together to have the healthy relationship they both want. Their friends are supportive and add a great element to the overall storyline. Super sweet book with great modeling for dealing with complex issues people face in relationships.
The author did a great job developing the characters and storyline. This was a delightful surprise of a book, where the reader is immersed into a world where fairies exist and attempt to blend into the human world. You simultaneously get to glimpse into the life of Amy, a teenage girl who lives with her mom and abusive stepdad and one day discovers she’s not entirely human, and Bobby, a Wild Hare fairy who works as a gardener and wrestles with his own secrets. When the two finally interact, and Amy confronts what she’s suspected all along – that Bobby is her father – they each work through the strangeness of being a part of each other’s lives. There’s so much going on in each of the two main characters’ lives, it’s kind of like looking at a dreamcatcher; bits and pieces of this and that all woven together to create something that’s cohesive and unique.
I’ve recently gotten into mafia books, and this was a great addition to the collection. The book starts out with Luca as a young orphan who runs the streets with his friends, pickpocketing unsuspecting victims. After getting caught in the act by a couple of mafia bosses, one of them takes him in as a son.
As an adult, Luca encounters the teenage daughter of an enemy boss as he’s leaving the scene of a crime, and Aly’s pass on ratting him out to her father forges an unlikely alliance between the two, which grows over time with random encounters.
As Aly grows on the fringe of the mafia, not quite fully under her father’s protection since her mother was his mistress, and never taking money from him to avoid his rule, she’s able to build a successful business. But, when her mother falls ill, she turns to her father to help with her medical care and finds herself sucked into her father’s business.
Things take a turn for the worse when her brother, the heir of the business, is killed, and her father decides it’s time for Aly to step up and marry into another mafia family to forge a stronger alliance. Held captive by her father until the wedding, Luca shows up to rescue her, but neither are sure how much to trust the other.
Luca declares he’ll marry Aly, and she finds herself still trapped, but in a different setting. Things heat up between the two and their bond is tested when Aly’s father gives her poison to kill Luca. Faced with deciding between allegiance to her family or the man who’s somehow always shown up to protect her when there was no one else, Aly must decide her own fate.
A great slow-burn romance with lots of twists and turns!
I loved and hated this book, which only speaks to the wonderful writing by the author. I was very invested in the characters, particularly Kirsa and Rylan. The story mostly follows Kirsa through a childhood friendship with Brock and Victoria that turns nasty in high school when Kirsa catches her two best friends fooling around behind her back. A vicious rumor spreads, which Kirsa gets blamed for, and she spends the next three years dealing with an onslaught of bullying for the rumor.
Having gotten hooked in early on, it made it very difficult, as a reader, to shift so quickly to Brock’s side, despite the simmering feelings between Kirsa and Brock that lingered from before the rumor split them apart. I wanted to be happy for Kirsa that she finally worked things out with Brock, but my heart didn’t want to forgive him so easily after his part in her bullying. I also struggled with the storyline of her holding onto romantic feelings with him, and then relenting so easily when he starts to come around from hearing her side after three years had passed, only thanks to an outsider questioning the validity of the rumor; that was far too quick of a transition for me to make and I felt it took away from Kirsa’s character as a strong female lead.
Again, though, I give credit to the author for weaving a tale that had me so invested in the characters, I was angry on their behalf. Any book that gets me emotional about the characters is one I cannot hate, even if the storyline takes me somewhere I don’t like. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship Kirsa forged with Rylan, and how they were able to share some of the sweetness reflected in Kirsa’s earlier friendships. Definitely worth a read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2022-01-06 14:04:222022-01-06 14:04:22Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Wendy Wary
I have loved the other books in this series, and was excited to read the third book, which explores a romance between Emiliana and Stefano. While I still thoroughly enjoyed the story, I felt like this book wasn’t quite as impressive as the previous two; I didn’t feel like it rushed through the story, necessarily, but it just didn’t feel quite as in-depth as the others in this series.
I was happy to read a little more into the background on Emiliana’s kidnapping and Stefano’s family. The two had to keep their distance, despite their affections for one another since childhood, because of Stefano’s abusive father who would do anything to keep Stefano under his control. Stolen romantic moments in passing was all they had managed to explore until the other mafia bosses decided to set up Frank, Stefano’s father, to see if he was the mole who had caused so many attacks on the five families. Thanks to changing circumstances, Emiliana was pulled into Stefano’s protection, and the romance blooms.
If you’ve read the other books, this one does a great job of filling in gaps in the other stories and pulling everything together, but as a standalone book, I didn’t find this story to be as compelling as the previous two. However, it is a great continuation of the series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-12-21 09:24:312021-12-21 09:24:31Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite Book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Wendy Wary
Wow. I honestly don’t know how to feel about this book. It dives so deep into the mind that it’s shocking to see the layers unfold. I’ve always loved psychological thrillers because of the twists and turns they take you through, and this book is no disappointment there. We all wear masks and have different versions of ourselves, and this story explores that with frightening depth and weaves a tale that is absolutely stunning. The characters, the internal thoughts, the dialogue – all of it is so intriguing, it’s hard to step away from and also keeps you pondering long after you’ve read the last word. Brilliant piece of work.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-12-16 16:20:002021-12-16 16:20:00Black Canvas by Laura Rossi – Review by Wendy Wary
I thoroughly enjoyed this period romance set around the holidays. It’s one of those sweet, innocent romances that has just the perfect balance – wonderful character development, scene-setting that builds a world without being overly descriptive, and a genuine story. The author did a great job weaving a historical tale of a young woman setting off for adventure as a mail-order bride in the Wild West and the family who takes her in as one of their own. Such an engaging story, I read it almost completely straight through.
The author did a great job with character development, and the book gets pretty steamy and graphically detailed during BDSM scenes. I kind of feel like there could be some spin-offs of this novel giving more of a backstory to both of the main characters, Hud and Mary Beth, or there could have been more revealed in this novel leading up to their meeting.
The short amount of time (less than a week, really) that Mary Beth was Hud’s Mistress seems like a super tight timeline for the two of them to make the progress they made in their relationship, and made it feel less realistic to me, even if some of the scenes got intense. The book was unpredictable in how it progressed and ended, though, and the epilogue kind of helped tie up the story nicely.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-11-23 14:34:432021-11-24 07:14:54Still Taking Chances by Roz Lee – Review by Wendy Wary
I couldn’t put this book down; literally read it in one day between pesky tasks like work and preparing food for sustenance.
The book builds a wonderfully magical world of elves and other mystical creatures. Starting out with the murder of the elven king and queen of the Twilight Realm, the book follows the young Prince Phoenix into hiding with his father’s advisor.
With both changing their names for safety, Nix and Nate live quietly until the time is right for the prince to take back his rightful throne. In that time, Nix continues his education and learns to blend with locals.
Meanwhile, a young girl, Zoe, is trapped in a fortress as the daughter and captor of her parents, the regents who are responsible for the royal deaths. As her mother’s personal lab rat, Zoe endures torture by receiving tattoos infused with dark magic. Possessing the magic to give life, Zoe discovers she can control the tattoos and use them to her advantage, but the latest one is darker than all the others and she becomes desperate to escape.
Fate brings Nix and Zoe together, and they must battle both their own fears and doubts and Zoe’s parents together if the Twilight Realm can heal and be restored.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-11-11 17:16:202021-11-11 21:49:36Twilight’s Curse (Twilight Realm Series Book 1) by K. M. Wray – Review by Wendy Wary
If you love Hallmark Christmas movies with Elf-style magic, this is probably the book for you. While the story was written well, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Off to a good start, Olivia is an easy character to relate to; she decides a cruise is a better way to spend the holidays after her former love interest gets engaged to her twin sister, the sexy supermodel. Her first day aboard Serendipity, she seems relaxed and ready to enjoy her holiday, but also sad and lonely as she notices all the families and couples aboard the ship.
Everything kind of just takes an unrealistic/unrelatable turn from there. Santa and Mrs. Claus end up dining with her, but they’re the real Clauses who share a whole backstory about being from Christmas, Michigan, and running an organic Christmas tree farm; they also spend the off-season in a retirement community in Florida and “play” Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard the Serendipity cruise.
After a few too many drinks at dinner, Olivia is basically transported into a make-believe sounding world of Christmas spirit and cheer, where she instantly falls in love with a man who just so happens to have the same name as the hero in the romance story she’s writing. As if that isn’t a tall order to fill, the real-life man is an American hero Navy SEAL, Jace, who happens to have dated Olivia’s sister and turned HER down after a few dates, which of course, boosts Olivia’s flailing self-esteem and confidence in her own romantic prowess. Jace’s friends are aboard the cruise, as well, and instantly welcome Olivia into their tight-nit circle as though she’s been there all along, completely accepting that the two lovebirds really did fall in love overnight. By the end of the week-long cruise, filled with gingerbread house building and wrapping gifts for orphans, everyone’s ready for happily ever after. The book continues beyond that point to give readers a glance at what that looks like for the couple.
It really is a sickly sweet romance story without any sordid love scenes (perfectly PG). It is nice to see Olivia transform from insecure to self-assured, and the other character’s supporting roles in that transformation. The older passengers she dined with the first night of the cruise added some humor and sass throughout the story.
Aside from feeling completely unrealistic and a super fast timeline for two people to just fall in love, it was a cute story. I could see my mom, who lives for Hallmark Christmas movies, totally enjoying this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-11-09 08:57:322021-11-09 14:42:42Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship (The Perfect Pairing Series Book 1) by Parker Fairchild – Review by Wendy Wary
I loved the character and world-building in this book. The descriptions and feelings within the characters encountering any number of terrors and horrific otherworldly creatures were simply fascinating. Although slightly jarring to jump from story to story from different characters in different times and places in the world, the way they all piece together takes the reader on a journey not unlike the one the characters trying to decipher the Dread Praises find themselves on. It took me a bit longer to truly get hooked into the book than I would normally experience, but I also felt far more invested in the story by the time I finished. I’m truly looking forward to where the series leads next.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-11-02 10:03:072021-11-02 20:05:21Ashes of Aldyr (The Obscured Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Russell Archey – Review by Wendy Wary
Sofia is a fashionista who also happens to belong to a prominent family of the mafia in Chicago. Enzo, the next in line to oversee his family’s place in the mafia, is a childhood friend who pulled away after a tragic event involving his sister and the Russian mafia. The two are reunited after a looming threat to Sofia’s safety, sparks fly as the two rekindle a friendship, and romance blossoms. But, they’re also dancing around an uncertain future together as Sofia holds tightly to a secret that could tear Enzo away from her forever.
This is a fast-paced, action filled book that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat; it hints at other secrets and puzzles that are likely to be revealed and solved through the remainder of the series without leaving you hanging with regards to the main plot line. Definitely a series I look forward to continuing, as I’m completely invested in the characters and overall story line.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Max and Liliana, this book tells the story of an American mafia princess whose father only sees her value in how he can marry her off for his best financial gain or benefit. Max is her father’s newest hire with a secret agenda of his own.
When the two decide to become allies against Liliana’s father, things get explosive. Sprinkled with cartel interference, a commission with the Sicilian mafia, and figuring out who can be trusted in the other four American mafia families running Chicago, the pair have their work cut out for them while a romance blossoms between them and a marriage contract looms overhead.
This action-packed novel has a little bit of everything, with smart characters, original writing and a story that’s nearly impossible to put down. Can’t wait to see what’s in store with the other books in this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-10-28 08:03:342021-10-28 08:16:46No Way Out (Mafia Elite, book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Wendy Wary
Having picked this book up as the first I’m reading in this series, the author did a great job with world building and character development to the point that I didn’t realize it was book 10 of a whole series. I look forward to seeing how the story progresses (and what I’ve missed so far) with the main characters and even some of the supporting characters. Getting just a taste of the powers the toddler elven princess possesses is intriguing and it will be interesting to see how she grows into and develops her magic.
The book takes place while Ameria is in the care of Serena, a mermaid. The two ladies are helped by Serena’s friend, Peder, after dark forces attack Serena’s home front and it threatens the safety of Serena’s sister and her family. Peder offers additional protection in his underwater kingdom until the mermaid’s duties are fulfilled. Sprinkle in a little romance between Serena and Peder, and some bad guys in the form of reanimated pirates and shadow figures, and this fantasy adventure makes for a fun read that’s difficult to put down.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-10-26 12:40:022021-10-27 07:10:12Sea Mage (The Nightshade Guild, Book 10) by Louisa Bacio – Review by Wendy Wary
Picked up this book not having read any of the previous books in the series. I don’t feel like it mattered too much, other than I’m interested to read a little more about the backstory of the characters; so, it definitely works as a stand-alone book, but I’m guessing would be even better if read in order.
This book is a real page-turner, having me hooked from the first chapter. ER nurse Allie links up with bodyguard Nick to help find and rescue women captured in a human trafficking ring in New York City after Nick’s security firm uncovers the nefarious activities of the men behind a previous attack on Allie and her best friend, Lexi. In the midst of keeping Allie safe from harm, Nick works to break down Allie’s defenses around her heart. It’s just a matter of time, literally, as they work to rescue the trafficked women and try to survive the attacks from the men behind it all.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-10-21 10:23:592021-10-22 07:50:07Tenacious (Billionaire Bodyguards Book 6) by Via Mari – Review by Wendy Wary
Loved the character development in this book. When Lauren stumbles upon the murder of her boss, unraveling the layers of Judge Murphy’s life only unfolds new mysteries about the woman Lauren thought she knew. It takes the help of everyone around her to keep Lauren from falling apart as the police close in on Judge Murphy’s killer. Everyone from the bakery shop owner to the old lady neighbor and the slew of characters in between were easy and fun to read about, with a few surprises and twisted along the way. This book kept me guessing until the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-09-29 05:45:042021-09-29 08:01:10Silent Gavel (A Crawford Mystery Book 1) by Merissa Racine – Review by Wendy Wary
Whew! This book has you all over the place trying to figure out what happened to Grant’s wife when she mysteriously disappeared one morning. Everyone around her seemed to have a motive to make her disappear, and her own behavior has you trying to guess if she just took off on her own. Cammy, who’s worked as a PI in Boston, but decides to take a break from that to spend the summer with her brother’s family, gets caught up in the mystery as her police officer brother works to solve the case. The way the author unravels the story with twists and turns along the way draws you in and keeps you completely engrossed until the very end. There’s also a bit of romance, which weaves into the story naturally. This book is like an onion with the different layers to it, and the author does a fabulous job of peeling them back little by little to build a story that makes it difficult to put down.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-09-14 09:21:092021-09-16 08:37:17Murder Among Friends by Linda Burson – Review by Wendy Wary
I didn’t realize this was a series book, so I didn’t read any of the previous books in this series before picking this one up. Not sure if that would have helped with being pulled into the characters’ stories or not, but I had a difficult time really connecting with Cassie and Diego.
It seemed realistic enough that the couple would encounter different thoughts and struggles because of the age gap between them, and they did seem to have feelings for each other, which the author did a good job conveying. I feel like my struggle with reading it, however, is that there was this whole “age-gap-doesn’t-mean-anything” while basically spending the whole time pointing out the struggles with an age gap relationship.
This is a very short book, though, so perhaps I’m not giving it enough credit when read as a whole series; as a standalone, it wasn’t really my thing.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-09-07 09:42:332021-09-10 08:18:41Forever Valentine: A Sequel to Professor Valentine (Kirk University Series, Book 6) by Diana Vale – Review by Wendy Wary
This is a cute and saucy story about two people who unexpectedly fall for each other in the sweetest way possible. From lab partners to friends, neither Drew nor Abby are up for the distraction a relationship would bring as they finish out their senior year of college, both with the ambition to get into med school. He’s also a star athlete on the college basketball team, and holds onto his rule of not dating during the season.
Both are driven to ace their chemistry class, which makes their study time together important to both of them, and the mutual respect they hold grows into friendship. Both seem to be caught unaware that their friendship has blossomed into anything more, despite it becoming obvious to their friends and family. But, they’re waiting to see what medical school programs will actually accept them, which could split them apart if they end up on opposite sides of the country after graduation. Is it worth the risk? Between busy study, work, and practice schedules, they try to find a balance as they discover their deeper feelings for one another.
I really enjoyed reading this book and particularly loved how wholesome the characters were without it feeling unrealistic. Totally satisfied my sweet tooth for romance with some sizzle.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-09-03 06:31:492021-09-06 23:17:01Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series by Amanda Shelley – Review by Wendy Wary
While there were some things I liked about the book, I felt like the story could have better flow, overall. The quirks about the cats and their personalities, as well as Ellie’s little comments about them, were cute, fun, and interesting; I really loved Templeton and all of the shenanigans he pulled. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like most of the human characters felt very realistic or had much depth to them. A group of cat-haters protesting inside a cat cafe didn’t strike me as very plausible, and some of the dialogue between the various characters who seemed to harbor unknown grudges against Ellie seemed stiff and awkward. The mystery did keep me guessing, and I’d suspect someone who loves cats would really gobble this book up with delight; they are certainly the stars of the story. In the end, it wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the book to some of my cat-loving friends.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-08-19 14:15:342021-08-22 01:06:41Hairballs and Homicide (Kitty Beret Café Mysteries Book 1) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Wendy Wary
He was her older brother’s best friend and she had a crush on him for as long as she could remember. Right before heading back to college, Charlie rides with Trent after his dad’s funeral and they find themselves too drunk to drive home after a night out at the bar. She encourages a hookup that night, but he pushes her away the next morning. She goes back to college and moves away to become a nurse in a trauma center a few states away. After her fiance cheats on her, she finds no reason to stay, and heads back home 8 years later. Trying to put the past behind her, she finds Trent has grown even more irresistible, but although she’s ready to forgive, Charlie has to figure out if she can forget what happened between them and learn to trust again.
This is a simmering romance that sizzles up and leaves you rooting for the couple to push through their history and find a happily ever after. Loved the characters and their stories, as well as the relationships between their friends and family.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-08-18 12:11:342021-08-18 14:26:45Repair (Rescue Me Book 1) by Trish Williford – Review by Wendy Wary
This was an intriguing story from the beginning to the explosive end. Both Sam and Ellie are ready to embrace death after different traumatic events begin to take their toll, but a misdialed number brings them together in a twist of fate. Sam seeks out Ellie to make sure she’s okay, and she gets dragged into his dark, twisted world when his dad kidnaps them both for a sick agenda to take Sam under his wing. The pair work together to find an escape, but it’s uncertain if they can survive the mental anguish and seeds of doubt Sam’s dad plants during their captivity. They fall in love, but can they survive long enough to find a happy ending together.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Wendy Waryhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngWendy Wary2021-08-13 19:12:062021-08-15 21:26:20Dark Bastard (Dark Sparrow Novel Book 5) by India Kells – Review by Wendy Wary
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Class Clown by Allan Evans
