River's Song (Harvest Ranch Romance #12) by Stephanie Fowers {Review}

River's Song (Harvest Ranch Romance #12) by Stephanie Fowers

ebook, 212 pages

Publication: April 12th 2021  

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

 

 

A country singer rediscovers his passion for music when he meets a spunky small town girl who lives her life to the fullest. Too bad she's his best friend's ex.

Now he'd better forget his racing pulse so he can get a photograph back from her that could ruin his career.

The trouble is that spending time with her feels like a good old fashioned love song, and he can't get that stupid tune out of his head... or out of his heart.

  

My Review: 5 Stars

This series set in a small town in Virginia has firmly planted itself deep in my heart and soul. I loved this story about country singer, River, and photographer, Liv. With past relationship complications and past mistakes haunting their instant attraction, River and Liv have to dig deep to discover what matters and what's worth fighting for.  

I love the way the characters of this town watch out for one another and the way the magic of romance sprinkles around like floating cherry or apple blossoms. Although River and Liv have some complications, I adored them and their story. The connections between other books in the series brought a feeling of familiarity, but most of all, I loved the music, the inspiration, and the hope. Fowers breathes life into this book, allowing the reader to escape into this charming town for a time. 

Learning about history or facts about different things is always more enjoyable to me when they're embedded in fiction. It was fascinating to learn about film development, but that's not all that developed through the lens of a camera. Such an enjoyable addition to this series!

Content: mild romance; vague talk of drinking, drugs, women; mild religion 

Hometown Heart Beat by Amberlee Day {Review}

Hometown Heart Beat by Amberlee Day

Kindle Edition, 187 pages

Publication: March 15th 2021 by Appletree Cove Publishing 

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

 

 

 

City girl finds love with a country boy?

That only happens in the movies.

Or at least that’s what single mom Ronnie tells herself when she sees the hunky cowboy on her aunt’s farm. It's fine to take the occasional peek at his broad shoulders and irresistible grin, but no way is she interested in getting to know him. Why bother? She’s only in town for a couple of months, and with one giant heartbreak already hanging over her head, she has no desire to open herself up for another one.

Noah is in complete agreement. Love doesn’t have a place in his life, not after his disastrous relationship history. Even if it did, he wouldn’t choose Ronnie, who clearly thinks she’s too good for small-town life.

But something about Harvest Ranch puts Ronnie off her game, and she can’t seem to stop making a fool of herself around Noah—who is turning out to be a nice guy, darn it!

Will Harvest Ranch work its magic and help these two opposites find love? Or will Ronnie leave her heart behind in this small town?

 

 

  

 

My Review: 5 Stars 

Have you ever had a first meet that didn't go exactly as planned...even if it really wasn't planned? Noah and Ronnie do not get off on the right foot when Ronnie comes to town to check in on the elderly aunt that Noah works for. Although the tension was high with these complete opposites, I couldn't help but laugh at the sticky mess they found themselves in. This charming book read like a Hallmark movie and I loved the references to that channel. 

Day did a great job of smashing two opposite worlds into a divinely sweet romance, swirling in references to added viewpoints of events in other books in this series, which left me in a sentimental pile of goo. I love Harvest Ranch and each story adds a new dimension to my level of like.

Aunt Doe, Ellie, the newspaper, definitely the chickens, and more, were lively, humorous additions to this pleasant romance and I just couldn't get enough.

Content: mild romance

Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen {Review}

Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen

Kindle Edition, 152 pages

Published October 3rd 2016 by Peachwood Press 

 

 

 

This heart-warming, inspirational romance from Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachelle J. Christensen is part of the Christmas Kisses: Echo Ridge Anthology. Read the bonus sneak peek of the newest Echo Ridge addition included!

Anika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

 

   

 

My Review: 4 Stars 

 

When a grinch meets a dashing elf, sparks fly. I love Echo Ridge and this heartwarming story of a single mom down on her luck really hit the spot. Anika is doing everything she can to give her daughter, Megan, a good Christmas and her co-worker Carlos sets out to help her.  

The Hallmark movie feel of this story was sweet. I love a book with a little substance and this one delivered with not only a darling romance, but moments of conflict, threaded with glimmering strands of hope. Christensen does a good job of bringing magic to the hearts of her readers with this charming, feel-good story.

Content: mild romance; brief moment of peril/danger

Rules are made to be Ignored (The Rules Series #2) by Mylissa Demeyere {Review}

Rules are made to be Ignored by Mylissa Demeyere

Kindle Edition

Published December 9th 2020 

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

 

 

 

I’ve sworn off men. For good! Finding your boyfriend cheating on you will crush even the most romantic of hearts.

Never again will Shelley allow herself to believe in happily-ever-afters that don't exist. At least, not for her. The only guy she is willing to let into her heart is Ben, her adorable eleven-year-old nephew, who just moved into town with his dad.

Adrian has finally landed the job of his dreams. His new dreams, that is. He gave up on his real dreams eleven years ago. For the last decade, he has struggled to raise his son on his own after his girlfriend split, leaving him to figure out parenthood on his own.

When Shelley offers to help out with Ben, Adrian finds himself leaning on her in ways he thought he never needed. And it’s awakening something inside him that he thought was gone forever.

Will Shelley and Adrian continue to hide behind their fixed excuses, or will they conquer the obstacles that stand between them and take what could be theirs?

 

   

 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

It always seems that love comes when you're least expecting it and that's what happens with single dad Adrian and done-with-dating Shelley. I adored these characters and 10 year old Ben was the icing on the cake. I loved how each chapter alternated points-of-view.

 

The elements are all there for a delightfully sweet story--a wonderful cast of characters, service, homeyness, attraction, baking, and swoon, but I was slightly uncomfortable with Adrian's and Shelley's connection. I know people are connected that way in real life, but it would be a personal hurdle for me to overcome.

 

Adrian and Shelley have a bond that is tangible and it was lovely to watch them build upon that, making their relationship deeper and more meaningful. Ben was the glue, even amidst all the troubles and angst. Once I settled into the situation, I was stolen away for an entertaining, yet bumpy ride, and it was a nice diversion. I'm loving this Rules series!

 

Content: mild+ romance (making out, kissing); mild violence  

The Billionaire's Second Chance (Benton Billionaire Romance #4) by Kimberly Krey {Review}

The Billionaire's Second Chance (Benton Billionaire Romance #4) by Kimberly Krey

Kindle Edition, 209 pages

Publication: July 15th 2020 

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

    

Billionaire Duke Benton, the last bachelor standing among the Benton Brothers, has a second chance at romance with a woman from his past. The one woman he regrets letting go of. But can he keep her in his grip this time?

My Review: 5 Stars

Krey does a great job of forming a heartwarming attachment between two broken characters, bringing them to life with electricity, attraction, and depth.

I was very fortunate to enjoy a vacation in Costa Rica about a month before COVID-19 shut the world down and a part of this book takes place there. Duke has another chance to win over his college sweetheart and what better place to get the sparks ignited than in this tropical location, which I could vividly picture.

I loved that these lovable characters, Duke and Vivi, have a past that they are able to build upon with a palpable connection. I enjoyed the appearances of previous characters and the twist at the end was fantastic. I love how these stories tie together, but can also stand alone. Each one is solid, but together, they're a satisfying tapestry of emotion, loyalty, and love.

Content: mild+ romance (some innuendo, swoony kissing)

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 

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

One Summer Day by Heather B. Moore {Blog Tour Review}

One Summer Day (A Prosperity Ranch Novel) by Heather B. Moore

Kindle Edition, 166 pages

Published January 28th 2020 by Mirror Press 

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

    

She’s desperate to start over. He represents the past she wants to leave behind. But falling in love is never about logic.

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

Macie’s divorce has left her at rock-bottom, and she uproots everything and takes her young daughter to visit Prosperity Ranch for the summer. Every kid deserves to know her grandparents, right? Macie hopes for some healing time, even if she is staying at her ex in-laws ranch. What she isn’t expecting is her ex-husband’s brother, Holt Prosper, to fit every ideal she’s ever hoped for in a man. 

My Review: 5 Stars

Some relationships are very tricky to navigate, but nothing seems as sticky as an attraction to your ex-husband's handsome brother. To clarify, Macie met Holt first, but suave and outgoing Knox stole her right from under his brother's nose. 

This author does a fantastic job of portraying the broken parts of Macie and her heart, as she struggles to give her young daughter, Ruby, a family support system, and in spite of the loyalties her child's grandmother shows towards her ex. There's a hazy mist of hope whirling throughout Macie's trials, but man, that woman is as tough as nails and willing to swallow her pride to do right by Ruby. 

I was kind of mad at Holt and Macie for trying to hide their true feelings at first, but given the complicated nature of the family dynamics, I could understand. And wowza! Those true feelings were quite explosive, so naturally, trying to hide dynamite doesn't last for long.  

I've decided that this author could write the phone book and I would love it. I'm looking forward to guzzling this new small-town Texas series.

Content: mild+ romance (kissing, swoony, implied cheating); mild language 

Crosscheck by Rebecca Connolly {Review}

Crosscheck (Northbrook Hockey Elite) by Rebecca Connolly

Kindle Edition, 195 pages

Publication: February 11th 2020 by Mirror Press 

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

  

He’s a hard hitter, she’s a straight shooter. Can they stop the sparks from flying? Do they want to?

Zane Winchester is a beast on the ice, known for racking up penalties and delivering hard blows. No one would suspect the complicated nature of his personal life, or just what it entailed. And no one, not even him, would have suspected what one unexpected encounter with a remarkable woman would do to his life.

Mara Matthews is a regular woman with a regular job and a regular life. Then she meets the father of one of her little students, and regular becomes the last word to describe her life. Zane is intense, funny, charming, and drop dead gorgeous; he shouldn’t pay any attention to someone like her. But Zane isn’t giving up, and Mara doesn’t want him to.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

Why do I insist on judging? When I first met Zane "Zamboni" Winchester, I thought, "What a jerk!" He's rough and tough on the ice, but a big ol' teddy bear off--especially where his adorable daughter is concerned. I absolutely loved learning Zamboni's story, especially as it shows how stand up, respectable, utterly adorable, and extremely hardworking he is. I'm a total fan!

 

To be honest, I was a little worried that this series couldn't possibly live up to the Belltown Six Pack baseball set, but don't worry--it totally does. This group may not have been tight when they actually played together, but their banter and the way they have each other's backs almost brings tears to my eyes every single time. 

 

As for Mara, she's the perfect companion for Zane and precocious Hope. I love her playfulness and the way she interacts with this father and daughter. The romance was as sugary sweet, with a hint of spice, as a hot, delicious cinnamon roll, melting my heart like it's straight from the oven.

I can't get enough of this series and I'm dreading when it's over, but I just know another charming group will show up. Don't worry--my heart has plenty of room. 

Content: mild romance, mild language

Saved by the Billionaire by Michelle Pennington {Review}

Saved by the Billionaire by Michelle Pennington

Kindle Edition, 162 pages

Published March 29th 2019 

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

    

Protecting her got complicated.  
The boy she loved became the man she couldn’t have.

Warren Drake was an unattainable dream, so Kara forced herself to move on.

When she married Derrick Fenton, Warren made her a promise. If she ever needed him, he would be there. No matter what. Had he known what kind of man Derrick was? She hadn’t—until it was too late.

Divorced and alone with her infant son to protect, Warren’s promise became her only hope.
 
He got the call he’d always dreaded.

Learning that Kara was in trouble, Warren dropped everything and went to her. Anything for the woman who still haunted his dreams. But she wasn’t the only one who needed protection—so did the baby she'd kept a secret.

A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution—Warren just had to lock away his feelings. There was no way he could ask Kara for more when she was still in danger and emotionally vulnerable.

Sailing away on his yacht would buy them time before they had to confront her ex.
But now they have to confront an even more powerful force—their feelings for each other.
They have to keep their distance, but they’re so…close.
 
This suspenseful, swoony romance will keep you in breathless anticipation. Get it now!  
 

My Review: 5 Stars

I'm all over a marriage of convenience, especially when an author can weave one into a modern day romance. This little gem has a little bit of everything: a single mom, a vicious ex, a childhood friend/crush, and a plan. All bets for a real romance are off as the danger escalates,, my friends, and this one captivates from start to finish.

I loved these characters. The author makes this connection believable and especially portrays their individual feelings regarding this situation with an intensity that made me swoon. Warren swept me off on his yacht, right along with Kara, and I wasn't mad about it. 
I loved the interactions with cute baby Aiden, but it was the moments with Kara and Warren that really stole my heart. The danger lurking about only made the romance and Warren's protectiveness that much sweeter.

Content: mild, swoony romance; mild moments of danger

Return to Maplewood Mountain by Elizabeth Bromke {Review}

Return to Maplewood by Elizabeth Bromke

Kindle Edition, 1, 200 pages

Published January 15th 2019 by Elizabeth Bromke 

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

    

Some say you can't go home again...

Anna Delaney has spent her entire adult life spinning through nightclubs, kissing strangers, and fortifying her edgy, high-tech career. Benders and business meetings have been the Band-Aids on a deep wound for the confident, gorgeous redhead. But when Anna’s sister falls madly in love with Anna’s boss, the delicate bandages begin to unravel, and there is only one place left to turn.

Dutch McCree was born and raised in a tiny Arizona mining town, and his low-heel upbringing made him into the gruff, hardworking, and successful contractor he quickly became. After the passing of Dutch’s wife, his hard heart left space for only one girl: his young daughter. When a new project takes Dutch from Phoenix to Maplewood, Arizona, he meets potential client Kurt Cutler and Kurt’s recently promoted Co-President. Dutch is wooed by the chance to expand his business, but he finds he has a soft spot for the little mountain town. And maybe for something else, too.

Anna and Dutch each must come to terms with their own difficult pasts before they can find true happiness. Return to Maplewood is a story of redemption and a reminder that you can always go home.

My Review: 4 Stars 

I've wondered about Anna Delaney since reading Christmas in Maplewood Mountain (you can see my review HERE). She's close with her sister, Mary, but obviously has something unrevealed issues that cause her to be distant at times. And wow, I was surprised at all this story disclosed!

Anna is a driven career woman who parties hard on the weekends, but sometimes a person needs to mask deep pain. Her first encounter with Dutch brings an instant allure, and he has secrets of his own. I love how these two characters collide in a tangle of attraction, with a tug-of-war of conflicting emotions. The battle to resolve past pains is strong, yet there is a gentleness that wafts throughout the story.

This delightfully charming mountain town is quickly capturing my heart, as are the people who dwell in it.

Content: mild+ romance (innuendo, kissing); mild language

Meant For You by Ranee S. Clark {Review and Giveaway}

Meant for  You by Ranee S. Clark
Published: January 1, 2019, Sweetly Us, 238 pages
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given

   

A hometown hero that’s suffering a personal crisis. A single-mom who’s finally back on her feet. And the what-ifs they finally have a chance of seeing come true.

A year after her divorce, Chelsea Lewis spends most of her days working part-time at her cousin’s bakery and hiding veggies in her picky son’s lunches. Then she reconnects with an old friend who helps Chelsea in all the ways she’s forgotten she needs—including romantic ones.

Former football player, DJ Kaiser, is back in his hometown, working as a fireman to serve his community, but after nearly burning down his own house with a barbeque and wrecking the Chief’s truck, his mistakes are stacked against him—until he sets out to ease the stress of Chelsea’s load. Serving her has him feeling like a hero again.

When Chelsea’s ex shows up and begs Chelsea to move closer so his young son doesn’t grow up without his father, Chelsea and DJ have to consider what’s best for Chelsea’s little family, even if that means sacrificing the relationship that has saved them both.

My Review: 5 Stars

Being a mom is hard work, but it's especially hard for newly single mom, Chelsea. Her two year old, Austin, has reverted back to not eating or sleeping with his dad gone. As a mother myself, I loved reading about Chelsea's attempts to parent and to feel adequate enough to fill both shoes.

Since the divorce, Chelsea is back in her small Wyoming hometown and I adore small town settings! Chelsea works for her cousin, who is trying to get a treat business off the ground, and the results made me hungry. I also had to admire the desires to create something new, but similar, to offer the town of Clay.

Chelsea and her ex-husband had a good friend, DJ, and his role in the story is absolutely heartwarming. I love that he tries so hard to make life better than before he came into the picture, yet he isn't perfect. He's one sweet, genuine, and lovable man!

This story is a great feel-good romp through the summer fields of second chances and I loved it!

Content: implied teen intimacy; divorce; mild romance; mild+ religious elements

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kiss Me At Midnight by Lucinda Whitney {Review}

Kiss Me At Midnight (A Romano Family Romance) by Lucinda Whitney

Kindle Edition, 262 pages

Published November 23rd 2018 by Lange House Press 

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

    

She’s a single mom holding on to her job. He’s a career man focused on his business. Can they put the past behind them in order to build a future together?

When Filipe Romano arrives at the SoliMar beach resort, his newest acquisition, he plans to complete renovations quickly before moving on to his next property. But a stumbling block arises when he discovers Celeste, the sister of his deceased best friend, is an employee at the resort’s aquarium, which he intends to sell. To complicate matters more, he has unresolved feelings for Celeste and blames himself for the accident that killed her brother.

Celeste Ferreira, a stressed single mom, needs a miracle. Without any prospects or means to start over, she clings to the job she loves as aquarist at the SoliMar Aquarium. After she discovers the new owner is Filipe, an old family friend, their history makes it hard for Celeste to trust him, especially with her position in peril.

Though closing down the aquarium makes good financial sense, Filipe finds himself reluctant to disappoint Celeste and decides to help her with the repairs for the upcoming inspection. But is working side by side enough to forget the past and build a new future, or is the pain between them too deep to move on?

The Romano Family series follows the stories of the Romano cousins of northern Portugal as they find love and their Happily-Ever-Afters.

Current books in the Romano Family series:
- Book 1- Hold Me At Twilight
- Book 2- Meet Me At Sunrise
- Book 3- Love Me At Sunset
- Book 4- Keep Me At Christmas
- Book 5- Kiss Me At Midnight
- Book 6- Marry Me At Dawn (coming soon)

My Review: 5 Stars

I love when unique characteristics enter a classic trope, which cause the story to develop into a heartwarming, sweet, and entertaining read.

Single mom Celeste works at an aquarium right by the beach in Portugal--how cool is that?  I loved reading about her work and the way her young son, Lucas, had such a connection with the swans there. When Filipe, a man from her past, acquires the aquarium, sparks fly once more.

Lucas is the pull that reconnects Celeste and Filipe and I loved the sweet relationship that these three characters share. Timing is everything is this story and there are many instances where the characters are in exactly the right place at the right time for everything to develop just how it did. 

Filipe is a strong, determined, generous, and passionate man and I wondered right along with Celeste how he was still single. Celeste is very similar, but life hasn't given her an easy hand at all. These are definitely characters that you will cheer for and become friends with. 

I loved the significance of this title and how it ties everything together. I can't wait for the next one--I adore this family!

Content: mild romance

Second Chance Mistletoe Kisses by Anne-Marie Meyer {Review}

Second Chance Mistletoe Kisses by Anne-Marie Meyer (Love Tries Again Series Book 1)

Kindle Edition, 144 pages

Published November 20th 2018 by Sweet Heart Books 

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

    

Two broken hearts plus one meddling grandmother equals a Christmas to remember.

Quinn is a single mom who's down on her luck. It's a few days before Christmas and despite the fact that she's desperately trying to keep her world from crumbling down, fate isn't on her side. Just as she wrangles her five-year-old daughter into her truck, the wind picks up and scratches the Jaguar next to her. Dollar signs flash through her eyes, but it's nothing compared to the fact that the car belongs to Collin Stewart—the boy who broke her heart so many years ago. 

Collin is back in his sleepy home town to spend the holidays with his sick grandmother. While out on an errand for her, he discovers that the girl he's never really been able to forget about has scratched his car. His thoughts keep returning to her and at the prompting of his grandmother, he calls her to inquire about her plans for the holidays. He soon discovers that there's been a fire at Quinn's house and the only plausible thing to do is ask her to stay with him. 

It's difficult enough living in close quarters with a person you once loved, but add in Collin's sneaky grandmother or Quinn's precocious daughter and feelings become hard to ignore. Both want to protect themselves, and before they can fully trust one another, they need to decide if they can overcome their fears.

My Review: 4 Stars

I'm loving these second chance Christmas romances, especially as this one involves a darling little girl named Macie. Quinn is a struggling single mom and when her old Ford truck door scratches her old boyfriend, Collin's, fancy car in a parking lot, she knows she's doomed.


Collin doesn't have kids and tends to spoil Macie, especially when she turns bratty. But they have a cute relationship--he's a prince to her princess ways. Of course, that really scores him points in Quinn's book. He's a very generous and loving guy.


Another common denominator with these Hallmark-type stories, is that he has a sweet grandmother who happens to love Quinn and meddles in subtle ways to get them together. Ruby is lovable and makes me miss my own grandmothers.


I love the magic of the Christmas season, as it heals hearts, instills hope within a hardened person, and brings people together in peace, love, and joy. This story is sweet and heartwarming, and utterly adorable.


Content: mild romance (kisses)

Sweet Regrets (Indigo Bay #5) by Jennifer Peel {Review}

Sweet Regrets (Indigo Bay #5) by Jennifer Peel

ebook

Publication: June 13th 2017 

 

 

Melanie Dixon never thought she would find herself divorced, pregnant, and living back with her parents in Indigo Bay. Not one to let misfortune get the best of her, she picks up the broken pieces of her life and bit by bit puts them back together. She’s determined to go it alone, but her loving and equally determined family and friends have another idea.

Enter Declan Shaw, the boy next door from long ago. The boy she wasn’t quite ready to commit forever to at eighteen. Back in Indigo Bay due to a recent job promotion, Declan sees this as a second chance to reunite with the girl who has owned his heart since the day they met in their junior year of high school. But Melanie is a tougher sell on the idea than he thought she would be. Now it’s up to him to prove to Melanie that she can trust him with her heart and that he’s the man she and her baby deserve.

Will the regret and hurt of the past win out? Or will love prevail?

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

I don't know about anyone else, but my life has NOT gone exactly as I had planned. There are things that I regret, but nothing like what Melanie and Declan feel remorse over. Feeling too young at 18 and dealing with some misunderstandings, they broke off their relationship and now, years later, they have a second chance at love. Sometimes the timing is just off the first time around and I love it when a couple gets another try.

 

Declan and Mel have an imperceptible thread binding them together and causing an unquestionable chemistry to ignite even after years apart. I absolutely love their bond and how their romance caused me to swoon, especially with how Declan treats and accepts Mel. I love these characters and thought her twin best friends were hilarious.

 

Of course, I always want more, especially with books from this author, but I was pleasantly surprised at how satisfying this one is for being so short. I think because they're told in first person, I feel like I'm a character in the book and I don't want to leave and I really didn't want to leave Indigo Bay. I'm so happy there are more books set in this darling town.

Grab a tissue and settle in for a charming, adorably heartwarming second chance romance! Ms. Peel will capture your heart and soul and thrust you right into the book. Don't tell, but I think I'm Mel's invisible best friend.

 

Content: mild+ romance (swoony kissing, vague talk of cheating)

 

*I received a copy to read and review, which did not affect my opinion in any way.*

 

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About the Author:

 

Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-two years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.