How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door by Meg Easton {Review}

How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door by Meg Easton

Kindle Edition

Publication: April 28th 2020 by Mountain Heights Publishing 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

      

It’s hard to stay away when you’re next-door neighbors.

So what if the guy Addison Sparks had a crush on when she was thirteen just so happens to be her next-door neighbor when she moves across the country for a fresh start? And so what if she embarrasses herself in front of him...

Repeatedly.

If Ian Kendrick hadn’t grown up to be so good-looking, kind to his grandma, skilled at carpentry, and completely dateable, then it wouldn’t be so difficult to stay away from him.

Addison is just getting over a breakup, though, and Ian is, too. She doesn’t need the kind of awkwardness that would come from living next to someone who would surely be just a rebound if they ever dated.

Nope. What she needs is to make a list to constantly remind herself how to not fall for the guy next door.

My Review: 5 Stars

Ian and Addison are fantastic stars in this adorable romantic comedy. It's one thing to be awkward around your teenage crush, but when the embarrassing encounters continue years later, it's blush-worthy and makes for some great laugh-out-loud moments.

Both Addison and Ian are fresh off of bad breakups and ready for new starts and I loved how they were able to build on an old summertime friendship from the past with the perfect amount of familiarity and clean intimacy.

Addison's relationship with her sister made me miss my own and her fortitude in her new start is heartening. I loved her eclectic group of roommates and hope they each get a story because I'm not ready to leave this small town quite yet. Ian is a very appealing character, with his hands-on job and a winsome attitude--especially when Addison finds herself in pickle after pickle. 

The way this couple navigates life's challenges, chasing after dreams, hearts, and everything in between was pure delight. I dare you not to swoon!

Content: mild romance

Heart on the Line (Ladies of Harper's Station Book 2) by Karen Witemeyer {Review}

Heart on the Line (Ladies of Harper's Station) by Karen Witemeyer

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Published June 6th 2017 by Bethany House Publishers
Source: Netgalley

        

Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she's ever known.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires. 

My Review: 4 Stars

There's not much more satisfying than a sweet romance with a tinge of danger. Grace is a telegraph operator who is in hiding after the death of her father in the mostly all female town of Harper's Station. My heart delighted in the throwback way that Amos, a telegraph operator in a neighboring town, and Grace communicated over the lines, but it was the way he rose to the occasion to offer protection that completely won me over.

The threat is lurking throughout this story, but these strong, quirky, and able characters charm the reader right through the perilous times. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, the "normal" main characters offer a way for the reader to relate. Neither is fantastically outstanding in looks and ability, yet they embody a charm and strength that is captivating.

I adored my time spent in this amusing tale and with these special characters.

Content: mild romance; moderate religious themes; very mild violence/moments of peril

My Fake Boyfriend (Sweet Mountain High Book 3) by Lacy Andersen {Review}

My Fake Boyfriend (Sweet Mountain High, Book 3) by Lacy Andersen

Kindle Edition, 164 pages

Published April 23rd 2020 by Sweet Heart Books LLC 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

 

 

Faking romance is easy to do – but keeping my heart safe is a totally different matter.

Mia
All my life I’ve dreamed of becoming a famous journalist. Joining the school's newspaper is the first step toward that goal, but there's one catch—the only open spot is the relationship advice column. And without a boyfriend, I don’t qualify.

Until I catch Sweet Mountain’s bad boy, Jimmy Alston, burning down the school shed.

I could expose his criminal activities, or I could blackmail him into a fake relationship for the newspaper. Problem solved – that is, until Jimmy and his fake romance skills start to feel all too real.

Jimmy
Burning down that shed was an accident, but there’s no way I’ll get to keep my baseball scholarship if anyone finds out. It was my mom’s last wish to see me get out of this town and make something of myself. Nothing stands in my way—

Except for the beautiful and sharp-tongued Mia Jackson.

Now she’s got us faking a relationship together and fooling everyone at school. But maybe the biggest fool of them all is me, because I seem to keep forgetting that every touch, every look, and every kiss is fake. Together, we’re like fire and gasoline…and the school’s garden shed might not be the only thing heating up this year.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

I hope I never grow to old to enjoy a cute young adult story. This one is sweet and sassy and I couldn't get enough.

 

Mia is an aspiring journalist and when she stumbles upon a juicy story involving the school's bad boy, Jimmy, she just knows she's struck gold. But who knew it would be in the form of a blackmail quid pro quo type of deal. As these enemies learn to scratch each other's backs to get what they want, they realize their wants might not quite be accurate.

 

I adored these characters in so many ways. First of all, things aren't always as they seem, as they each come to realize. Secondly, sometimes truly getting to know a person can form unanticipated connections. Third, love knows no rhyme or reason and the sparks that ignited from this enemy-to-love story were threatening to spontaneously combust my kindle. 

 

I was ready to pack my bags and move into this story and enjoyed every single page. If you love sweet YA romance, you won't want to miss this one!

 

Content: mild violence/danger; mild romance (kissing, light innuendo) 

One Way Home (Romeo Family Romance, Book 2) by Jennifer Youngblood {Review}

One Way Home (Romeo Family Romance Book 2) by Jennifer Youngblood

Kindle Edition

Published April 20th 2020 by Arbor House Books 

Source: I received a complimentary book. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

      

 

The Romeo Family Romance series continues with Zoe Romeo Stevens, Noah’s older sister.

Zoe, wife and mother of two, has her life all planned out, right down to the decadent chocolate mousse cake she’s making for dinner. Sure, marriage to her husband Carl has its ups and downs, but Zoe’s determined to make it work. Then, in a shocking turn of events, Zoe finds herself once again single with two children.

Seeking solace for her wounded heart, Zoe goes home to her family’s ranch in Nashville, Tennessee. Trying to pick up the pieces of her life is tough. Even tougher—running into her old flame Briggs McAllister on a daily basis. As it turns out, Briggs is even more of a heartthrob now than he was back in the old days. Does he really think he can bat those baby blues, flash his crooked grin and that she’ll come running back into his very capable, very strong arms? Fat chance of that ever happening!

The harder Zoe tries to stay away from Briggs, the closer the two become. But Zoe’s past has no intention of laying low. Trouble is coming on like a freight train, threatening to sweep Zoe and Briggs off the rails. Plenty of twists and turns in his fast-paced romance about family ties and the yearnings the heart wants most.  

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

I haven't read the first book in this series and I never felt lost, so it can stand alone, but let me just say--I'm in love with this family! 

 

I love how the book starts with Zoe's marriage, showing what a Stepford wife she's become, and then progresses to her second start back in her hometown. The real Zoe is down there somewhere and it was a treat watching her emerge. I also loved how the situation with her children was realistic and raw, drawing out more of her personality. As for Briggs? Oh, yeah. The chemistry pretty much flew off the pages, but was totally believable, even after all this time.

 

Youngblood did a fantastic job of creating an emotional romance with a lovable cast of characters. Reading this was as rewarding as a vat of silky, rich, decadent chocolate, as I savored every moment and finished with a craving for more.

 

Content: mild romance (kissing, talk of infidelity); mild religion 

Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch #2) by Heather B. Moore {Review}

Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch #2) by Heather B. Moore

Kindle Edition, 260 pages

Published March 24th 2020 by Mirror Press
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

    

She’s ready to leave Prosper behind, forever. So why did she have to meet him, of all times, and at all places? That was never the plan.

USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore welcomes you to Prosperity Ranch!

Disaster seems to follow Evie Prosper’s dating life everywhere. A fresh start can only mean leaving Prosper forever, which is what she’s determined to do, until she meets Carson Hunt. He unknowingly saves her from another dating disaster, yet their paths keep crossing. Carson is relocating to Prosper of all places, and if Evie could change that one thing about him, she might rethink their connection.

My Review: 4 Stars

Prosperity Ranch is the kind of place a person could settle in and be content for the rest of their long life...unless you're Evie Prosper. This book starts out by showing just how vulnerable and naive Evie is and while she's desperate to shed her insecure and brother-dominated world, she struggles to voice her opinions and be her own person, except when it comes to Carson and her small hometown, and that's exactly where the conflict lies.

I enjoyed my second visit to the ranch and love this family, as they once again welcomed me with open arms. To delve deeper into these characters personalities and come to know them more warmed my heart. My favorite thing about this story is the way this author is able to bring the Prosper family to life in ways that make them feel like beloved friends and neighbors. Although they have issues just like anyone else, they're good people. See? I feel like they're real, especially as I read this during the Covid-19 pandemic and actually had a few struggles with them not adhering to social distancing, hah!


Carson is every girl's dream guy and he's solid, mature, and completely devoted to Evie. Fate definitely plays its hand in this charming and likable story and I can't wait to come back for more!

Content: mild romance (kissing, party scene)

Copper (Heart of a Miner Book 3) by Krystal M. Anderson {Review}

Copper (Heart of a Miner Book 3) by Krystal M. Anderson

93 pages

Published March 26th 2020 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

       

 

Now she was in a dilemma. Joan’s husband Harris had gotten into another fight, but this time, it’d be his last. Now he was buried in the field next to their run-down shack, leaving her destitute with their two little boys. Things couldn’t possibly get worse, or so she thought.

But Joan can’t even depend on the one thing Harris left behind: his silver mine, for his partner, Pete Tracy, claims she must marry to inherit her share. Downcast and defeated, Joan leaves her shack for Silver City, a mining boom town to the south, and knocks on the door of the only person who can help her.

Lonely Mac Walley, though saddened over the death of his brother, is elated to have a woman and children living in his home, which makes the decision to marry Joan a simple one. He’d always admired the strong, beautiful woman his brother had married and loved his nephews dearly. She quickly secures a place in his heart, and Mac is determined to win hers. But when a local gang of outlaws and a roving band of Indians take him away from home, can their precarious marriage of convenience blossom into something deeper?

Find out in this heartwarming sweet romance set in a time when the American West was still wild and unruly.

“Copper” is book three in the Heart of a Miner series and would be best enjoyed if read in order, but can be read as a standalone.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

Copper is the type of story that is easy to snuggle right into, as it's set in the Wild West and has sweet and endearing characters. 

 

Joan is a widow who seeks shelter for her and her two boys from her brother-in-law and a heartwarming marriage of convenience ensues. I'm always a sucker for a sweet romance and this story delivers a gentle and gradual passion that truly touches the heart.

 

Although times were definitely tough back then, the author depicts the setting and plot in a way that makes my heart long for these simpler times and I loved the way this fast-paced adventure infuses life into these characters, making them likable and dimensional.

 

 This book can stand alone and was a great historical escape.

Content: mild violence; mild romance

Stepping In For the Billionaire Groom (A Benton Brother Romance) by Kimberly Krey {Review}

Stepping In For the Billionaire Groom (A Benton Brother Romance) by Kimberly Krey
Published by Candle House, April 16, 2020
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

   

Kat Morgan signed up for asocial experiment called Married at First Meet in hopes to find Mr. Right. But what happens when Mr Right's twin steps into his place?

Kat can't trust her feelings. Not since she fell in love with a man who kept his true identity from her. That's why Married At First Meet, the social experiment that selects your perfect match, is right for her. Formulas are more trustworthy than feelings.

Zander Benton has saved Duke's bacon more times than he can count; that's what identical twins are for. But when Duke needs Zander to walk down the wedding aisle in his place during a live broadcast, Zander draws the line.

Until his family convinces him to do it.

The Bentons must avoid the repercussions that would follow if the famous groom left the bride--not to mention millions of viewers--without a groom. Besides, Duke will be there in time for the honeymoon, right? Wrong.

Zander and Kat are whisked away to the Maldives.
Both develop deep feelings along the way.
What will Kat do when Zander tells her that he--like the ex-boyfriend who ruined her trust--has been lying about who he really is?

My Review: 5 Stars

I'm a total sucker for a secret identity and these Benton brothers are where it's at. Duke and Zander are twins and of course, Duke finds himself in a pickle when he agrees to a new reality tv show where they match you up and you get married at first sight and he's not in town. His twin brother, Zander, comes to the rescue and what a rescue it is!

Kat and Zander have a charged first meeting before the wedding, but the chemistry between them after the wedding is off the charts. I loved the glimpses into the reality tv world, but my favorite moments were the chemistry-laden exchanges between this newly married couple. 

I'm the type who connects with the more serious kind of guy, as is Kat, and although Zander wasn't who she thought he was, she truly was matched with her perfect math. This reads like a delectable tv show and I couldn't get enough. 

Ms. Krey does a brilliant job of taking two strong characters and melding them into something sugary sweet and perfect. And now I can't wait for Duke's story. 

Content: mild+ romance (steamy clean, kissing, innuendo) 

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker {Interview}

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

Paperback, 320 pages

Publication: April 7th 2020 by Shadow Mountain 

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 
Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.  


Interview:

Hi Katie! Thank you so much for having me and for spotlighting Lakeshire Park! I’m so excited to stop here and hang with you for a bit.

1. What made you decide to write?

I needed an escape from real life, and the Regency era was the place my imagination took me! At first, I wrote entirely for myself. I had no intention or desire to publish a novel. I remember thinking, if it's any good, maybe I’ll try to submit to a contest! So, I wrote my first chapter, got great feedback, and submitted to a contest where I won third place! That pushed me to learn how to write an entire novel, and when it was finished, I loved Amelia and Peter too much to keep them to myself.

2. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as your main characters?

This is the hardest question! Amelia definitely has a bit of attitude, haha, and I love how Emma Watson portray’s Belle in the live action Beauty and the Beast--so looks aside, I’d cast her as Amelia! And for Peter...all that charm and those good looks would definitely need a Sam Claflin sort of character. Neither of these people were my actual inspiration for Amelia and Peter, but I could totally see it personality wise.

3. What's your favorite thing about the Regency period? 

The gentlemen! And the rules of civility. You get this beautiful tension writing romance between two people who can’t touch, can’t be alone together without a chaperone, and can’t even express their feelings toward one another until they are ready to commit to marriage! And of course, there’s the dresses and the maids and the elaborate dinners, parties, balls. So much good stuff!

4. What is your idea of the perfect date? 

My perfect date is getting dressed up, going out to dinner, and then taking a scenic walk together under the stars.

5. Favorite writing trope?

I love the tension enemies-to-lovers gives, but I’m also a sucker for arranged marriages and friends-to-lovers! I’m hoping to dip my feet into those two tropes soon.

6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? 

I live in Missouri and let me tell you, nothing is better than open fields as far as the eye can see. If my city-born husband would ever agree, I’d move us out in the middle of nowhere. I love the USA! But I also loved visiting the farmlands of Italy, so that would be my second dream.

7. What book/author has influenced you the most? 

Hands down JK Rowling. And I know that’s so funny because I write romance, but I have devoured her Harry Potter series over and over and over again. I grew up attending all the “midnight release” parties for her books and would stay up all hours of the night reading. I’ve read Harry Potter to my kids, I’ve studied her themes and plot points and writing styles. Meeting her would be a dream come true. I LOVE HER!

8. What is your biggest quirk? 

Oh, I’m such a nerd. I try to play it cool, but deep down I’m suuuuch a nerd. My husband says the most annoying thing about me is that when I’m watching a TV show or movie I chew my snacks with my mouth open. BUT I CAN’T BREATHE if I don’t. Haha, so there’s that. And I have to be completely wrapped up in my blankets at night to fall asleep. It’s weird. But I like being a burrito.

Thanks so much for having me!! I’ve loved answering your questions and I hope you enjoy escaping to Lakeshire Park!!

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND

AUDIBLE | GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO:

Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination

 took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood 
Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of 
Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen and wrote her first 
novella, A Beautiful Love: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling which was published in 2019. 
She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. Lakeshire Park is 
her debut novel. 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Moonlighting with the British Rock Star (A Georgia Moon Novel) by Cindy Roland Anderson {Review}

Moonlighting with the British Rock Star (A Georgia Moon Romance Book 4) by Cindy Roland Anderson

Kindle Edition, 262 pages

Published March 11th 2020 by Amazon.com Services LLC 

Source: Kindle Unlimited

        

She needs a temporary fiancé.

He needs a new image.

Nobody was supposed to fall in love.

Trying to get out of her evil stepsister’s engagement party, Josie claims to be secretly engaged and can’t make it home. But when the engagement party turns into a wedding, Josie only has a few days to find a fiancé or admit she was lying. Things get more complicated when her wealthy employer tries helping and brings home a temporary fiancé for Josie to take to the wedding.

There’s only one problem...

He’s Colin Wilde.

The British rock star with a bad rep looking to change his ways.

My Review: 5 Stars

Ms Anderson is the queen of meet cutes and this one didn't disappoint! Josie is like a modern-day Cinderella and when her boss (and fairy godmother) steps in and finds her a fiance to fulfill her claims of having one, her life suddenly gets very, very interesting.

Colin and Josie are super cute together and I love how they're in an arrangement that benefits them both and how they work hard to help the other one first. Colin is a rock star with a past, but just like any normal bloke, people can change and cast aside their old ways. This author does a great job of showing his demons and the battle they give him, allowing him to be human. Josie has her own issues and this engagement feeds her soul the strength she needs to blossom into her true self.

As with the other Georgia Moon Romances, the swoon abounds and the sparks fly liberally. I couldn't get enough of the luscious kisses between these relatable and likable characters. This book was a true delight to escape into and I'm completely satisfied, especially with that perfect ending. And PS--I need Rescued to be a real song, like ASAP.

Content: mild+ romance (kissing, some innuendo)

Seeking Jake Ryan (Dear Molly Book 1) by Jessica Bucher and M.F. Lorson {Review}

Seeking Jake Ryan (A Dear Molly Novel) by Jessica Bucher and M.F. Lorson

Kindle Edition, 204 pages

Published March 3rd 2020 

Source: Kindle Unlimited

 

       

 

An eighties girl in a modern world.

Sloane would rather curl up with a John Hughes movie than walk the halls of Grover High. However, all of that is about to change because on the first day of school she runs into none other than Mr. Sixteen Candles himself, Jake Ryan.

Okay, he's not really Jake Ryan, but Gabe has the khakis, sports car and trademark charm to fit the role.

Sloane hopes to pull a Molly Ringwald and win him over with her quirky sense of humor and even quirkier fashion sense, but what she doesn't know is that she and her seemingly untouchable celebrity crush have a lot more in common than they think.

Seeking Jake Ryan is the first in a series of romantic comedies centering around everybody's favorite eighties movies.

  

My Review: 4 Stars

 

I was a teen in the late 80s and just like most girls, had a thing for these John Hughes romances. Unless a reader is older (like me) or a huge 80s fan, I'm not sure if they'll get the references, but it's still a fun story and a great escape from what's going on in the world today.

 

The story opens with Sloane writing a letter to her teen idol, Molly Ringwald, but she seems to be a lot like Molly herself. With gorgeous red hair and an angsty, down-on-her-luck personality, a random first day of school meeting with the new high school heartthrob leaves her crushing on the one guy who is totally out of her reach. I love how dedicated Sloane is to her dreams, and especially love her intuitiveness when it comes to those around her and their thoughts and feelings.

 

Of course, Gabe is Jake Ryan reincarnated, right down to the last minute ending, but I wanted more build up with his character and the romantic chemistry. I expected more from Gabe and he fell a little flat for me, while still staying true to Jake Ryan, if that makes sense. I grew up and I expected Jake to grow up as well, and Gabe just wasn't as mature as I wanted him to be.

 

I loved how this story was modernized, while still pulling in the 80s allusions, throwing me back to a happy and simpler time of life. There's humor, swoon, teenage apprehension, growth, and more in this fun start to a new series, and I'll definitely be checking out the others as they release.

 

Content: mild romance (some innuendo, party scene, kissing) 

Saving the Captain by Jennifer Youngblood and Jewel Allen {Review}

Saving the Captain (Jackson Hole Firefighter Romance, Book 5) by Jennifer Youngblood and Jewel Allen

Kindle Edition, 185 pages

Published March 15th 2020 by Ditch Lily Press 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

     

 

He doesn't need another distraction in his life ... but he sure likes having her as one.

Adam Lockhart has plenty on his plate as captain of his fire station crew—his son might be dabbling in drugs and his new firefighter is giving him heartburn. When his son's teacher, Rosa Garcia, starts poking into his family business, he's annoyed, but intrigued. Not only does the beautiful brunette persist, but she awakens emotions the widower thought he'd buried long ago. And daydreaming about Rosa is much more enjoyable than dealing with real-life issues.

Rosa Garcia just wants to help her student Trey. When she and Trey's hunky dad Adam start falling for each other, a few stolen kisses put her job on the line.

Rosa's heart has never been on fire like this before. Is the hard-nosed captain the man to set everything right, or will he cause her heart and her career to go up in flames?

My Review: 4 Stars

The captain of this firefighting crew has always been intriguing to me. He has a lot to deal with and handles things with a firm hand and a warm heart.While this story is Book 5 in the series, it can stand alone. 

Rosa sounds like an amazing high school English teacher and takes her role serious enough to approach the formidable fire captain about his son, who is a struggling student in her class. There were enough sparks from just that one meeting to call out the entire fire brigade! There is a big age gap between this couple, but that doesn't stop an instantaneous romance from combusting.

While there is a lot to engage and celebrate with this story, I was bugged by how extreme Rosa took things when she felt a threat to her job. Although it's completely understandable and needed for a critical conflict/resolution to the story, I expected more from a mature woman. She definitely feels and feels big. I also wished to have the crew a little more a part of the Captain's story. Characters with intense feelings make me feel a part of the story, so I did appreciate how I was drawn in, which is probably why it bothered me in the first place.

Overall, this was a sweet escape with a beautiful winter setting and pleasant characters. 

Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril/violence

Love's Sweet Return by Krystal M. Anderson {Review}

Love's Sweet Return (Keepers of the Light) by Krystal M. Anderson

Kindle Edition, 109 pages

Published January 7th 2020 by Amazon.com Services LLC 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

    

 

She lost the only thing she ever truly wanted: love. What could be worse? But when Charlotte Pullard’s ship wrecks off the Oregon coast in a terrible storm, she wakes in the unfamiliar keepers’ quarters of a lighthouse. When the keeper who pulled her from the wreckage turns out to be the man she loved and lost, can Charlotte find it in her heart to forgive him and embrace love’s sweet return?
Find out in this sweet historical small-town romance full of walks on the beach, the gathering of close friends, and a sweeping love story centered around a majestic white 

lighthouse.

 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

I've wanted to take a trip to the Oregon coast forever! The charm of the small sea towns with their stoic lighthouses sounds so dreamy and this story threw me right there to the ocean and in the midst of a second chance historical romance.

 

I can't imagine being in a shipwreck, let alone being rescued by the man whom I loved and lost, but that's just what happened to Charlotte. In a tale of forgiveness, self-discovery, and small-town appeal, I was drawn into this sweet historical story and loved to vividly picture this story as it unfolded. The characters are delightful and the work of a keeper is exhausting. 

 

This book does follow a prequel, The Keeper's Sacrifice, and can stand on its own, but a richer understanding is given to the reader who dives into the prequel first.   

 

Content: mild violence/moments of peril; mild romance 

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker {Blog Tour Review and Interview}

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

Paperback, 320 pages

Publication: April 7th 2020 by Shadow Mountain 

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 
Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.  

My Review: 5 Stars

I have a burning question--how can this be a debut novel?! I was deeply captivated from the moment I picked this book up until the final page was finished. In a time of life that is full of uncertainty and chaos, the time I spent within these covers was purely magical and I honestly couldn't get enough of this delightful Regency story. I loved everything about it, from the winsome characters, to the subtle love triangles, to the witty banter and flirtations. I knew I was going to be totally hooked from that delicious first meeting between Amelia and Peter and that hook never released me. In fact, days later, I'm still daydreaming about this beautiful escape.

Amelia and Peter both have the best interests of their sisters at heart, but sometimes the whispers of the heart speak louder than intentions. This house party was so much fun and one of the best ones I've read about, especially the scenes that bordered on inappropriate for the times. Those moments brought giddy smiles to my face, yet my emotions were tugged upon in the nagging threads of desperation that threatened Amelia and her sister.

This story is one of my favorites to date and I'm eagerly anticipating more from this new author.

Content: mild romance

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND

AUDIBLE | GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO:

Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her 
imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early 
Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings 
of Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen and wrote her first 
novella, A Beautiful Love: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling which was published in 2019. She 
lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. Lakeshire Park is her debut 
novel. 

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