Olivia by Julie Matern {Book Review}

 

Olivia by Julie Matern

 

She is an over-educated bluestocking who has never met a debate she did not like. He is the boy next door. Will she realize the perfect man is right in front of her?

Olivia is the oldest of the four, beautiful Deverell sisters. She is also a reformed tomboy whose best friend is the earl next door. But she has reached the age where she is expected to marry—and her sisters can’t ‘come out’ until she does. Philosophy, politics and debate of any subject are the tools of her trade but these might not get her far among the social elite of London.

With little enthusiasm for her season, she has a change of heart when she learns that an eminent young scientist will also be in town. Orchestrating events to meet him, she is surprised when he invites her to help him with his work. Could this be a match made in heaven?

Olivia is Book 1 in the Women of Worcester series.

 AMAZON

My Review: 4 Stars

It's always fun for me to read a series about a family and Olivia is the eldest sister and her story is Book 1 in the series.

Olivia is smart and what could be considered a bluestocking. Since she must marry, she's determined to do it her way and can't see what's right in front of her face.

I found this story to be short, sweet, and enjoyable. Matern does a good job with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. It's always interesting to see how invested other family members could be at the time. The road to true love isn't always visible or easy, and it was amusing to read about Olivia's experiences. I'm now curious to read about the rest of the family.

Content: mild romance

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

Forget Me Not (The Gents #1) by Sarah M. Eden {Review}

Forget Me Not (The Gents #1) by Sarah M. Eden

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2020

Source: Borrowed from the library

 

 

Nottinghamshire, 1785.

Julia Cummings has long been acquainted with loss—her mother, her brother, her sister, her friend, all gone too soon. But the loss that pushed her grief to the limit as a young girl was that of her best friend, Lucas Jonquil, who abandoned her without looking back. Now, eight years later, Lucas has returned to Lampton Park, and Julia has steeled herself—she will never forgive the man who broke her heart.

After losing too many of his friends and family to early deaths, Lucas vowed to live life to the fullest. And after traversing the world, he has returned from his adventures to find his family and home as he left them—except for Julia. The little girl he left behind has blossomed into a captivating lady, a lady who makes it clear she despises him. With little hope of reconciliation, the former friends are blindsided when their parents make a shocking announcement. Lucas and Julia have been betrothed without their knowledge and are to marry immediately. Now Lucas must rely on the help of his closest friends to win the heart of a lady who loathes him—a lady he’s coming to love more deeply every day.

   

My Review: 5 Stars

This. This is exactly the type of story I've come to expect from Sarah Eden and I loved every single page. There's nothing I adore more than discovering a beautiful love story. Eden's Jonquil series is one of my favorites and I completely enjoyed reading about how their parents came to fall in love. True to her style, this author delivers a story that pierced my heart in all the ways.

Lucas is the type of man who is swoon worthy one minute and a jerk the next, thanks to his oblivion. While I couldn't help but to fall for his kindness, streaked with mischievousness, he was frustratingly clueless at times. Watching him determine what was important to him and wholeheartedly go after it was satisfying. Julia broke my heart. After so much loss, she's the shell of the fun-loving girl she once was and a surprise marriage was almost her undoing. This girl is so resilient and I loved watching her bloom, but that wedding day had me laughing so hard.

Not only are Lucas and Julia likable characters, but "the gents" completely won me over. Anyone would do well in life to have the camaraderie these friends share. I loved the way they rallied around Julia and razzed Lucas. The whole package of elements and emotions this book delivered was enchanting. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

Content: mild romance; talk of death

Love, Lies, and Lullabies (Blueberry Point #2) by DE Malone {Review}

 Love, Lies and Lullabies by D.E. Malone

Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2021

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

A class reunion. An unrequited love. And the small-town roots that never let go of the heart.

When big-city accountant Wynne Terry dreamed of her future, it looked like the one she’s living. Then an invitation to her high school reunion lands in her mailbox and curiosity beckons her to return for the first time in fifteen years. It has nothing to do with seeing her childhood best friend who unwittingly stole her heart. At least, that’s what Wynne tells herself.

Chase Ford’s regrets come back to haunt him when Wynne walks into his life again. Marrying the first girl who turned his head in high school was mistake number one. Turning his back on Wynne when she needed him most was another. If it’s forgiveness he’s looking for, Wynne may give it to him. But raising his daughter and keeping the ever-elusive Wynne from turning his loveless life upside down take precedence over pleasing his conscience.

When Wynne discovers there’s more to Chase’s story than she bargained for, she wonders if her heart can stand being broken again. But maybe a once-in-a-lifetime love is worth the risk.

Revisit the Blueberry Point series and find out why readers love these sweet, light-hearted romances.

 

   

My Review: 4 Stars

Oh, how I love a good high school reunion romance and I haven't read a lot of them. There's just something so sweet about rediscovering friendships and rekindling sparks that speaks to the heart. 

Chase and Wynne were once besties but a few mistakes tore them apart and 15 years later, they've reunited. One itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny problem for me was the small town mysterious secret that made me a little leery. 

I loved the way Malone takes a small town and turns it into something special with characters a reader can get behind. The intricate connections and relationships were interesting and gave off a Hallmark vibe that lead to all kinds of melty hearts and swoons. This is the kind of place that settles deep into my soul.

Content: mild romance

Ever Only Friends by Shaela Kay {Review}

Ever Only Friends by Shaela Kay

Kindle Edition, 230 pages

Published January 26th 2021 

Source: Kindle Unlimited

 

 

 

They were only ever friends... but is that how they're going to stay?

When Amie’s fiancé breaks off their engagement, she does what any rational, 24-year-old law student would do: eats her weight in Ben & Jerry's and pawns the ring her ex-fiancé could have sold a kidney for. But Amie's got more problems than her expanding waistline: her entire world was planned around (and by) Derek. Without him, she doesn't even know how she likes her coffee, let alone what she wants to do with her life.

Jason is stuck running the family business, when all he really wants to do is make filet mignon and perfect his crème brûlée. When his childhood friend shows up next door with a broken heart, he takes it upon himself to cheer her up, just like he did when they were kids. She's only around for the summer—what could possibly happen?

Amie and Jason were only ever friends, so when sparks start to fly it catches them both off guard—especially since Jason’s culinary dreams are about to come true and Amie finally has her life figured out. With summer drawing to a close and Amie heading back to school, will their friendship survive the tug-of-war between them? Or will the summer end with more than just Amie's broken heart?

   

My Review: 5 Stars

It's so easy in life to go along with what makes others happy. I don't like conflict and don't enjoy rocking the boat, so I could understand and relate to Amie and how she found herself trapped in a persona that doesn't truly reflect who she used to be. A quick jilt just before walking down the aisle was actually the blessing in disguise that helped her dig out her long forgotten identity. I enjoyed discovering who Amie really was.

After a move back home, Amie reconnects with her childhood best friend, Jason. I loved how they each helped each other recognize their potential and callings in life. Fantastic characters are what really drove this book deep into my heart. I love good connections and the feel-good warmth of friends, familiarity, and love.

I'll drool over Ben and Jerry's any time, but it was Jason's cooking creations that left me with a wet spot on my shirt. I loved the flow of this story--the pacing, comfort, delicious descriptions, and dazzling chemistry made for a great story. This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last.

My Totally Off-Limits Best Friend (Sweet Mountain High) by M.L. Collins {Review}

My Totally Off-Limits Best Friend (Sweet Mountain High) by M.L. Collins

Kindle Edition, 175 pages

Published January 1st 2021 

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

 

 

 

There’s this guy…
And he’s hot, smart, fun, and totally off-limits.
Why? Because he’s my best friend.
Never fall for your best friend.
Too late, you say?
Right. Me too.
My next piece of advice: whatever you do…
Do not—as in never ever—offer to help him practice kissing.
Worst. Mistake. Ever.

There’s this girl…
And she’s awesome, but she thinks I’m totally off-limits.
Why? Because I’m not on her radar as boyfriend material.
Never let other people define you.
Too late, you say?
Right. Me too.
My next piece of advice: whatever you do…
Do—have a plan—because you only live life once.
Take. The. Risk.  

 

   

 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

I love a cute YA high school romance and this one dropped an unrequited best friends love right into my hands. True to teenage fashion, there wasn't a lot of in-depth communication between Tessa and her best friend Spencer, but there is a loyalty there that was endearing. Setting aside your own wants to help someone else find theirs isn't an easy thing to do.

 

Tessa is a model student, but I loved the way she took the senior art project that fell into her lap and ran with it, landing her in some trouble, but bringing some fun and laughs to the scene. She's a sweet, yet quirky character, with her own unique style, which reflects her personality. Spencer is a character who had me both cheering him on and flinching with the awkwardness of his quest.

Full of cliches and stereotypes, this story was comfortable and relatively free of an overload of drama and angst. I loved the garage band element and even reluctantly enjoyed "the plan," and although the ending is fairly predictable, it still caught me off guard and I didn't like that. I wanted it to come around on a different path. All's well that ends well and I'll just keep thinking about the cute and funny moments throughout.

Content: mild romance (kissing); one party scene that was thwarted

The Accidental Text by Becky Monson {Review}

The Accidental Text by Becky Monson

Kindle Edition, 273 pages

Published January 5th 2021

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

 

Wrong number. Right guy?

Once upon a time, Maggie Cooper lived for adventure. Jumping out of planes was child’s play. Now she can’t even work up the nerve to ask out her coworker. For a bit of self-therapy, she begins to text her recently deceased mother’s phone—the only problem is that the number has been reassigned and for weeks she’s been unknowingly texting a stranger her deepest thoughts and feelings. There have also been some not-so-deep texts, like the ones about her appreciation for her coworker’s butt.

When Chase Beckett, the unsuspecting stranger who has more in common with Maggie than he’d like to admit, texts back, Maggie is beyond mortified. But message after message and night after night, Maggie realizes that Chase’s wit, charm, and advice are exactly what the doctor ordered. Is it enough, though, to get her back up in the sky? And what about her heart? Can she risk taking a leap of faith for the man on the other end of her accidental texts? 

  

My Review: 4.5 Stars

I love it when a story takes me by surprise like this one did. I was expecting light-hearted, embarrassing RomCom humor, but a slightly deeper, heart-felt story emerged instead. The book was very subdued at the start and I wasn't sure where it was headed, but don't worry--Monson swirled in the wit and charm. And I ate it right up!

Maggie and Chase do meet in an unconventional meet cute, but the way their friendship progressed was natural, sweet, and perfect. I loved the way they pushed and encouraged growth in each other. I was hoping for a tad more romance, but the whole package was such an enjoyable journey that struck me right smack in the middle of my heart. It made me think and it made me feel. And now I'm hoping for a companion book with Hannah's story.

Content: mild romance; mild language

First Kiss Train Wreck (Shaped by Love #3) by Michelle Pennington {Review}

First Kiss Train Wreck (Shaped by Love #3) by Michelle Pennington

Kindle Edition, 107 pages

Published September 25th 2020 

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

 

 

 

I'm officially kiss-cursed!

Lately, all my first dates have ended with disastrous lip locks. After cracking teeth with my latest victim, it's official. I'm a first kiss train wreck.

But I can figure this out. I just need a nice long break from romance while I focus on my job at Booms and Nibbles and flipping houses with my best friend Troy. Only, my boss just hired a new head of marketing and he's perfection. One cosmic shove into his arms later, and I have a date I can't afford to screw up with another bad first kiss.

Fixing my problem just got urgent. Crucial. Desperate even.

Luckily Troy says he can help. Do I dare let him try?

Surely one little experimental kiss can't ruin a friendship.


Originally published as part of the Sweet Kisses Boxset.

 

   

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

Although this novella is short and sweet, Pennington does a great job of developing a beautiful friends-to-love story, and I just couldn't get enough.

 

Rian's luck with first kisses is so badly hilarious. I love the way her best friend and co-partner, Troy, cheers her on and his plan to help her is ingenious and swoony. Rian and Troy have a light and witty banter that delighted my love-struck heart.

 

I'm also a big fan of Booms and Nibbles and was ecstatic to see it play a part in this book, especially when Rian has a little accident at work and what results from that. From start to finish, this one was pure joy, fun, and swoon.

 

Content: mild romance; mild innuendo. 

Rules Don't Apply by Mylissa Demeyere {Review}

  

Rules Don't Apply by Mylissa Demeyere

Kindle Edition

Publication: January 5, 2021 

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

       

I have loved Chris from the first day I laid eyes on him. But he’s my best friend. So I’ve watched and waited, forever the friend, never the girlfriend.

Abby is sure of a lot of things in life: her spot in the engineering program at Berkeley, her obsession for Chris, and her guaranteed slot in the friend zone. But this year is going to be different.

Shane has it all in life. The looks, the charm, the personality. He can’t help it that the entire female student body have dubbed him the number-one player on campus.

When Abby’s plan to open up to Chris backfires in the worst possible way, she finds an ally in none other than Shane, the one guy she’s never taken seriously.

All bets are off as Shane helps navigate Abby out of the friend zone and into the end zone. But sparks fly when you play with fire...

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

I love a story with solid characters and this new adult book definitely has them. Abby has been in love with her best friend, Chris, for forever and Shane, the big player on campus, is going to finally help her win him over once and for all.

Demeyere does a great job on connecting the reader with the characters. I could relate to Abby and was cheering her on in her quest to go from friends to lovers, but Shane is utterly adorable and the weekend set aside for the transformation totally had me switching teams. The themes of friendship, attraction, and seeing a person's true colors, realizing there was some mistaken beliefs, allow for a perfectly sweet and entertaining story.

 

This is the type of book that feels like a bowl of comfort food--soup, to be exact--warm, creamy, and delicious, with a hint of sweet and spice. I loved the adventures, the metamorphosis, the romantic allure, and that precocious Mia (Shane's younger sister). 

Content: mild romance

The Twelve Holidates by Emma St. Clair {Review}

The Twelve Holidates by Emma St. Clair

Kindle Edition, 90 pages

Published December 20th 2020 

Source: Kindle Unlimited

 

 

 

If someone tells you that waiting for your boyfriend in a giant stocking is a good idea, they’re WRONG.

I learn this the hard way when I discover my boyfriend is cheating on me.

Once again, I find myself crying on the very broad and sturdy shoulders of my best friend, Weston.

And even though he rejected me when we were kids, my feelings for Weston start bubbling back to the surface.

Especially when he insists that we work our way through the list of twelve holidates I had planned for my ex.

Twelve dates with my super hot and totally perfect BFF? Um, okay. You don’t have to ask me twice!

Only… the dates continue to be disasters.

The biggest disaster of all is the way I’m about to get my heart crushed AGAIN by my best friend.

Because I can’t hide my feelings anymore, and I don’t think being just friends is enough.

Winning over Weston would take a Christmas miracle …

This Christmas novella is a companion story to the Love Clichés Sweet RomCom series. You'll see some of the same characters from Falling for Your Best Friend's Twin and Falling for Your Boss.

 

   

 

My Review: 4.5 Stars

 

Taylor and Weston star in a seriously adorable and funny Christmas RomCom that had me smiling throughout. My husband and I are a tale of friends-to-love and I always enjoy it when an author does that trope well. It's scary to declare your feelings, yet that's what young teen Taylor did years ago and with no reciprocation, it's the friend zone for them. Fast forward years and many bad boyfriend choices later, and a different ending just might result...

 

St. Clair does a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life. Taylor isWeston is solid and patient, and oh, so creative as he takes over the list of holiday dates after Date #1 goes awry for Taylor. I anticipated their outings and swooned through them all, although Grandma, in all her quirkiness, had me feeling a little uneasy for some of them.

 

This is one of my favorite types of light-hearted Christmas stories and I loved that I could devour it faster than a batch of thickly frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles--and it was just as sweet and delicious. 

 

Content: mild romance

Friend Zone to End Zone by Judy Corry {Review}

Friend Zone to End Zone by Judy Corry

Kindle Edition, 226 pages

Published November 3rd 2020 

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

 

 

Cole
I don't suck at dating.
I suck at getting over the girl who friend-zoned me back in college.
But I have a plan: Let her set me up. Bomb the dates.
Then she can be my dating coach and I can finally prove I'm the one for her and not that jerk boyfriend she's always crying on my shoulder about.

Arianna
I've had the same boyfriend for three years, which practically makes me a relationship expert.
So when my famous best friend asks for my help, I know turning him into boyfriend material will be a piece of cake.
I'll tell him to get a haircut, maybe open a few doors here and there and the guy will be golden.
I mean, with all those muscles and jaw-dropping good looks, it really should be no problem.
There's just one thing I didn't expect: To want him for myself.

 

   

My Review: 5 Stars

 

The friendship that Cole and Arianna shares is golden, but not without its complications. Arianna has a boyfriend and Cole has a secret thing for his best friend. I'm not opposed to a love triangle with a dash of a fake relationship, and maybe that's because that may or may not have been how my husband and I got together years ago. 😬

 

Corry does a fantastic job of writing likable characters and believable relationships. No emotion is spared and I was swept away in this romantic drama. Cole is an amazing friend and support to Arianna, and I'll never look at pineapple quite the same way. Arianna is slightly naive, which leads to some major eye-opening experiences in both her private and public life, as she is a social media influencer.

 

The romance is like a wave--subtle and sneaky at first, but then knocked me off my feet, leaving me breathless. Corry writes in a way that skirts the line, flirting with some innuendo, but stays sweet and swoony. I adore this author and can't wait for more!

 

Content: mild+ romance (mild innuendo, kissing/making out, teen rebellion)

A Holiday Affair (Holiday Harbor Book 1) by Michele Paige Holmes {Review}

 

A Holiday Affair (Holiday Harbor Book 1) by Michele Paige Holmes

Kindle Edition, 227 pages

Published November 15th 2019 by Mirror Press 

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

 

 

Welcome to Holiday, Alabama—population 765. In Holiday everyone knows their neighbors—and their business—a Mr. Roger’s look alike leads the local congregation Sunday mornings, and Annabelle, Breanna, and Carson have been best friends for over two decades.

On the eve of Anna and Carson’s wedding, Bree shares a secret and she and Carson embark on a journey that will break hearts and rock the town, where the biggest news is usually the size of the trout pulled from the harbor.

But the force of the river running through Holiday is nothing compared to that of its citizens, whether they’re holding a grudge, or standing behind someone. With both hearts and lives on the line, Breanna and Carson’s love story becomes a true Holiday affair.

 

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

I'm a sucker for a sweet small town romance and I was captivated, in both good and bad ways, by this story. This read won't be for everyone, as there are triggers for some and difficult content. Small towns can be sticky--everyone knows everyone's business and scandals become a fodder for gossip and grudges, yet they can also be the glue that supports a person in hard times, as is evident in many ways throughout this tale.

 

Anna, Carson, and Bree have been best friends forever and their life-long friendship is challenged by an unforeseen event, throwing these three into the most difficult trials they've yet to face. This story is full of angst, hope, redemption, and forgiveness, and I was completely immersed in the happenings. I admired the dedication and loyalty to the choices and decisions that were made and could feel the hope and pain of these characters. I kept wondering what I would do and this story, although fictional, forced me to consider how I treat others--do I unfairly judge without truly knowing the hearts and intents of others? 

Content: moderate romance (innuendo, kissing); moderate religion

Don't Forget Me (Ridgewater High #2) by Judy Corry {Review}

Don't Forget Me (Ridgewater High #2) by Judy Corry

Kindle Edition, 314 pages

Published October 25th 2017 

Source: Audiobook

 

 

Eliana Costa has never kissed a guy. Her best guy friend, Jess, is more than willing to help her out. He has plenty of experience, since he finds a new girlfriend every other week. But when a practice kiss brings on feelings Eliana hadn't bargained for, her already messy life is thrown into a new level of chaos. 

Life is already more than she can handle after her dad's disappearance. Eliana worries that if she admits her feelings to Jess, she just might lose her best friend. And right now, a best friend is all she needs. But when another girl tries to date Jess, Eliana is forced to decide if taking a chance on love is worth the risk.

Don't Forget Me is a standalone novel in The Ridgewater High series, a collection of simmering YA contemporary romances. If you like sweet romance with ballad-worthy chemistry, and endearing characters then you'll love Judy Corry's latest romance series.

 

   

My Review: 4 Stars 

This series has rooted itself in a place in my heart and although I read the books out of order, they were each so good with a depth that always surprised me. In this story, Eliana and Jess are best friends who deal with a lot of blows to their long relationship, causing it to capsize in the storm of life. Eliana, especially, has a lot to deal with, as her personal life has blown up, changing everything she's known, yet she still remains the sweet, loyal, and kind person she's always been.

Honestly, Jess was pretty much a jerk for most of the book, allowing misunderstandings and pride to cloud his view. I was so worked up over him and it forced me to realize just how good of an author Ms. Corry is to evoke those strong emotions in me.

The relationships are complicated and tightly woven together in a tangled up ball of yarn, making it difficult, but not impossible, to unravel and I enjoyed the process. I love how these young adult stories have substance to them, yet aren't whiny and too angsty.

Content: mild romance; alcohol abuse, very mild physical abuse and neglect

How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend by Meg Easton {Review}

 

 

How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend by Meg Easton

Kindle Edition, 194 pages

Published 29 September 2020 by Mountain Heights Publishing 

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

 

 

  

 

Seven days. Thirteen dates with thirteen different people. One friendly competition between best friends (who are definitely not dating each other).

Peyton Abernathy wants to get married, and she’s ready to do something drastic about it. Like getting over her fear of making bad choices. She wants someone responsible, adventurous, resourceful, and inspiring. Someone who feels like peace and acceptance and home.

Someone exactly like her best friend, Max Peyton.

Except not Max.

Because that one time a year ago when she accidentally almost kissed him, he said he loves her like a sister. Like a sister. So yeah, she isn’t about to fall for her best friend. (Again.) Besides, Max told her that he doesn’t want to get married to anyone. Ever. Sure, it could’ve been the effects of his last relationship talking, but she is fairly sure he means it.

That’s okay, because she has a plan to find her perfect man. She and Max both need dates for a friend’s wedding, so she talks Max into a little competition—to see who can go on the highest number of dates, each with a different person, all within the span of one week. And by the end, each of them will ask their favorite to be their date at the wedding.

It’s a brilliant plan; she’s sure of it. Seven days and that perfect wedding date will hopefully turn into happily ever afters for both of them.

The plan is so good it is practically foolproof.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

This story is perfection in every single way.

Hilarious humor? Check. Absolutely sidesplitting.

Great characters? Check. And I looooved seeing characters from previous books in this series.

Speed dating? Check. With some of the funniest dating stories ever.

Swoony romance? Double check, check! 

 

I loved everything about this book and it's just pure entertainment--straight to the heart. I loved the vivacity of Peyton and the amazing bond that she shares with her three best friends, but especially that rock solid best friendship that she shares with Max. Finally ready to settle down, she devises the ultimate dating competition and the results are self surprising.

 

I seriously laughed and swooned so many times that I lost count. This is one of my favorite series and this one is probably my favorite of them all. It's so comforting to come home to this group of friends and to delve into each one of the girl's lives in depth with each installment, and I can't wait for Timini's story.

 

Content: mild, swoony romance; lots of humor; mild moments of peril/danger 

Breach of Promise (Forever Home Romances, Book 3) by Jennifer Griffith {Review}

Breach of Promise by Jennifer Griffith

Kindle Edition

Published August 11th 2020

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

Aircraft mechanic and secret sci-fi novelist Cash Conway has been transferred to his hometown of Torrey Junction the week of his 30th birthday, a place he hasn’t visited once since he left for tech school. The second he rolls into town, he nearly crashes his vintage truck.

It’s Annabel Houston!

He can’t catch up to her, but he will. And if she’s available, he’s going after her.

Dental assistant and former actress Annabel Houston has waited on her birthday for the past twelve years for Cash Conway to return and make good on his promise to marry her. After all, he signed the contract that said he would if they reached 30 unhitched.

But he’s been slow to appear, and the town’s most-eligible bachelor is wearing away at Annabel’s defenses with proposal after proposal.

When Cash’s plans go awry, the only choice he has is to take Annabel to court and sue her for breach of promise.

A return to hometown romance with a sweet reunion, a secret identity, and Beauty and the Beast echoes, Breach of Promise is Book 3 in the Forever Home Romances by award-winning clean romance author Jennifer Griffith. All books in this series have a sweet "reunion" theme, sweet and satisfying kisses, and a guaranteed HEA.

My Review: 5 Stars

Torrey Junction is the perfect setting for this forever home series and I loved the contract that was forged between Cash and Annabel. I love the trope of getting together on a certain date if both parties are still single and Cash makes good on that promise by the skin of his teeth. Their reunion is ultra-sweet and I loved watching Cash trying to woo Annabel and make her his once again.

As part of the deal, Cash makes Annabel promise to allow him five dates (and a couple of kisses) and these dates were the sweetest, most creative activities ever! If I wasn't in love with him before, I definitely would have been after, but Annabel is a tough cookie. What really solidified my love for Cash was the way he connected with and treated her father.

These characters are winsome and the romance is electrifying. Swoon, swoon, swoon! My heart has been stolen and locked away in this quaint, wholesome town and I've loved my time spent here.

Content: mild romance (swoony kisses)

My Best Friend Prince Charming (Sweet Mountain High #6) by Cindy Ray Hale {Review}

My Best Friend Prince Charming (Sweet Mountain High #6) by Cindy Ray Hale

Kindle Edition, 139 pages

Publication: July 9th 2020

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

    

They were best friends. He’s always wanted more. Will his newfound fame destroy them?

Shannon
Ryker and I have been best friends since third grade. We were the poor kids in the school, but that didn’t matter. We always had each other. And we had big plans to get scholarships and make something out of our lives. But now he’s been discovered by a big time Hollywood film director who wants to cast him as Prince Charming in an upcoming production of Cinderella. 
Our college plans have been flushed down the toilet overnight, and now Ryker’s become famous with a ridiculous amount of money coming his way.
Thanks to the paparazzi, girls are swarming him both in person and online. And Ryker seems to love every minute of it. It’s so annoying.
I feel like I’m losing my best friend in the worst way possible, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe I’ve been lying to myself about my feelings for Ryker for a long time. 

Ryker
I’ve secretly had feelings for my best friend Shannon for years, but she’s solidly kept me in the friend zone. 
When a famous Hollywood director sees me as the lead in his niece's high school play, he casts me on the spot as Prince Charming in his upcoming Cinderella film. I’m in shock and on top of the world as my biggest, wildest dreams are coming true. I’m finally leaving behind my old life of poverty and moving up in the world. 
But now Shannon’s acting super weird and withdrawn. I don’t understand why she can’t just be happy for me. I wish she could see that I don’t care about the fangirls. Shannon’s the only girl I’ve ever wanted, and nothing, not even fortune and fame will change that. 
But I’m afraid that all this luck may prove to be unlucky after all. Because if I lose Shannon, will it really have been worth it?

My Review: 4 Stars

I, for one, am charmed by royalty and back in the day, loved daydreaming about my favorite Hollywood crush, so this story settled right into my past self's heart.

I loved the deep friendship that Ryker and Shannon share and as they come to recognize their true feelings in this rags-to-riches, friends-to-lovers, young adult romance, I was captivated. The chapters alternated points-of-view, which enhanced the story, although there were times when I wished for more depth. Keep in mind, these are teenagers, and while at times they seem utterly mature, there are plenty of times when their age shows, leaving plenty of room for the angst and drama.

Sweet Mountain High is a beloved place for me, but the setting for this one really focuses on the theatrical, Hollywood side that is introduced because of Ryker's acting talent and the buzz that ensues was almost crushing. Ryker is very accommodating and sweet, while Shannon is a little more cynical and hesitant, but their relationship works and they are both great characters. This is a great series that takes me back in time.

Content: mild romance

Best Friends with a Royal Billionaire by Sophia Summers {Review}

Best Friends with a Royal Billionaire by Sophia Summers

Kindle Edition, 106 pages

Published February 10th 2020 

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

 

    

 

Being the Prince's best friend had its perks. Being his Gardener did not.

Prince Arlo just wants to date and marry Amara, but she pushes him away every time he tries. She knows what the press would say. She's already seen what his parents think about the match.

They agree to spend a month of the summer together at the annual prince's yacht party, anchored on a sand bar in the Mediterranean but everything becomes that much more complicated when a family of royals show up, with the daughter Arlo is expected to date. But everything comes to a stand still when the hurricane of the decade slams into Arlo and Amara's home country.

Will Arlo's parents finally see that Amara is the perfect queen for their country? Will Amara herself accept that fact?

Read this third book of friendship, loyalty and service as two best friends find their way into love.

Get to know more of the men in the royal prince society, the perks of the wealthy, their games as royals, and their adventures on the Mediterranean.

 

My Review: 4 Stars 

 

Mingling with a bunch of royals on a yacht with a storm brewing sounds like the perfect way for Amara to spend her summer break, especially when Prince Arlo, her best friend, extends her a personal invitation. 

 

I've always had a fascination with royals and I love reading a story about one who seems so normal. I kept picturing Harry and Meghan, although Arlo and Amara don't resemble them at all in my mind. They just seem like that type of couple--very much into volunteering and service, kind, humble, down-to-earth, and definitely in the spotlight.

I enjoyed spending time with these characters and absolutely loved the setting. There were a few unexpected twists and turns that kept me entertained, but I would have loved for the story to be longer, adding more detail to a few parts.

I haven't read the others in this series and felt that this one could stand alone. This easy, breezy romance was a delicious escape for a cold, wintry day!

Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant {Review}

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Paperback, 313 pages

Published September 2nd 2014 by Zondervan
Source: I received a copy through Netgalley, which didn't affect my thoughts and opinions in any way.

    

Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie's bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat's best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself, her, is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat's senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

My Review: 4 Stars

A cupcake competition is just what is needed to spur Kat and Lucas to explore the idea of moving from friends to lovers, but much like a piping bag overfull of buttercream frosting, things become a huge, sticky mess instead.

Kat and Lucas have an unusual best friendship because they seem to keep so many secrets from each other and things seems skewed more to one side, which drove me a little batty at times. All it takes is a little communication to keep the friendship from turning into a battlefield, people.

Kat is so determined to stand out in the world like a pumpkin scone cupcake that she can't see that sometimes strawberry is okay. The stress of this baking competition was almost the downfall of something great, but I loved watching the events unfold through the delicious and unique flavors and challenges.  

St. Amant does a great job of blending multiple tropes into a charming, cut-throat story, but do not read this if you're hungry, or you'll be craving a sugary treat (or two or three...) all day long. 

Content: mild romance; moderate religion

27 Ways to Mend His Broken Heart by Shari L. Tapscott {Review}

27 Ways to Mend His Broken Heart by Shari L. Tapscott

Kindle Edition, 208 pages

Published September 2nd 2019 by Shari L. Tapscott 

Source: Kindle Unlimited

 

    

 

Heal him so you can steal him.

Kaylee:
Before I begin, I need to be clear about one thing: Kyle was mine first. My best friend since fourth grade. My shoulder to cry on. My everything. And then during our senior year of high school, Ava waltzed into the picture and won his heart.

Kyle:
I asked Ava to marry me. (Spoiler—she said no.)

How do you move on after five years? If it weren’t for Kaylee, I don’t know what I’d do. I know she was only trying to cheer me up when she concocted the idea of the list, but why not give it a try? Ava has certainly moved on.

Kaylee:
I’ve never seen Kyle so destroyed. The list was supposed to be a joke, something to make him smile. Then I realized what it really is—an opportunity. By the time I’m finished with him, Kyle will be over Ava, and he’ll be head-over-heels for yours truly.

Kyle:
I trust Kaylee, and if she thinks the list will help, then I’m all in. She’s not like other girls—she doesn't plot and scheme, or have ulterior motives. What you see is what you get. A guy couldn’t ask for a better best friend…

Author’s note: 27 Ways to Mend His Broken Heart is a steamy-clean adult romantic comedy with all the sizzle but no sex.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

This delightfully charming story reads like a romantic comedy and I could vividly picture every single page as though they were on the big screen in my imagination, and I was completely and fantastically hooked.

 

Kyle and Kaylee are best friends and she will do anything to help him move past heartache and right into her willing and waiting arms--and all through a list on a napkin. Let's just say that the road to true love can be paved with rocky bumps that mimic a torturous mountain bike trail in Sedona, Arizona, but the end result is oh-so-worth-it. 

 

These characters are easy to invest in and relate to, which caused me to devour this book as fast as a warm chocolate chip cookie (my favorite). The twists and turns, along with the steamy clean tension, allowed for a perfectly satisfying read and let me just say that I am eagerly awaiting more!

 

Content: mild+ romance