Review: The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

Some love stories are written . . . this one is magically delivered.

Iris Ellington isn’t looking for love. Not even a little bit. With a long list of failed relationships behind her, she’s decided to reinvent herself as a person who doesn’t fall head over heels on the first date.

New town, new job, new Iris.

But someone—or something—has other plans.

When her neighbor’s newspaper lands in front of her door, Iris has no choice but to return it. And when she does, she comes face to face with a ridiculously handsome but very grumpy chef who all but slams the door in her face.

Matteo Morgan just wants to be left alone. He’s loved and lost and has zero interest in ever doing that again. Which is why it makes no sense that The Serendipity’s magical newspaper has decided to turn him into an unwilling Cupid. Matchmaking is hardly in his wheelhouse.

And yet, for the last three years, that’s exactly what he’s done. And he’s always done it alone.

Until now.

When the newspaper pulls his bubbly neighbor into its matchmaking schemes, Matteo has no choice but to go along with it, hoping that maybe—finally—he can pass Cupid’s bow and arrow on to her.

Thrown together by fate, they must navigate the newspaper's increasingly absurd demands while trying to resist the undeniable spark between them.

Will Iris melt the ice around Matteo's heart and embrace the magic? Or will Matteo scare her off with his grumpy demeanor and ruin any chance of happiness? In a building where anything is possible, Iris and Matteo might just find that the greatest magic of all is finding love when they least expect it.

The Cupid Chronicles is a standalone book in the Only Magic in the Building series. These closed door, whimsical romance books are all set in the same historic building, which has a habit of playing matchmaker with its residents. There are light magical elements, but no spells, shifters, or dark magic of any kind.

My Review

This has been such a fun series to read! Unexplainable phenomena occur in The Serendipity, an historic apartment building full of whimsical character. Matteo is privately wallowing in his grief, while running his successful restaurant and fulfilling the "requests" from the building's enchanted and sassy newspaper. Iris is the newest resident, all too aware of her relationship flaws and determined to overcome them. She's quirky and lovable, a contrast to brooding Matteo, compelled to join forces to come to the aid of other residents. Their personal struggles create a tension as they come to know and appreciate each other, attraction building and chemistry developing. Matteo's secret he holds close is heartbreaking, and it brought tears to my eyes as he reconciled with his loss in order to move ahead with his future. The author struck a wonderful balance with her vibrant characters, humor, engaging plot, sweet romance, and themes that bring depth to the story.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Only Magic in the Building series

 

 

 

Review: The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland. When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has secretly arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family's debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.

Despite her initial refusal of him, an ensuing altercation forces Juliet to flee Virginia. Agreeing to marry, she sails with Leith to Scotland, hopeful of a better match for her sister, who accompanies her. But once in Glasgow and faced with the contentious, powerful Buchanan clan, she realizes that the man who saved her from financial ruin and scandal is the very one she must now save in return.

My Review

I always appreciate the historical education I receive from a Laura Frantz book! I had no idea that Scottish businessmen were so invested in the Southern plantations pre-Revolutionary War. Juliet is the one holding her father's plantation together, while also continuing her mother's work with the early version of the Underground Railroad. The dilemma of slave-holding is at the forefront of the story, as well as the imminent war with England. The story takes us on a journey from the colonies to Glasgow, and the rich descriptions make it easy to envision the settings and era. Leith is a strong, influential man, needing a marriage of convenience, but immediately drawn to Juliet for her goodness and determination. Their beginning is rocky, but shared experiences bind them together, with loyalty and devotion soon following. Leith and Juliet admirably overcome the worst kind of treachery, relying on their faith in God and love for each other.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: A Day in a Life by Taylor Dean

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

On the worst day of her life, Sydni Greer drove off a bridge. After the current took her away, her body was never found. She was presumed dead.

Following a brief investigation, it was determined that Sydni took her own life. Family members reported she was distraught that day, leading to an open and shut case.

Knowing Sydni, however, her father couldn’t accept the ruling. He reported his daughter as a missing person.

It’s been seven years. Sydni’s about to be declared legally dead, and her haughty husband will receive a large life insurance payout, profiting from Sydni’s death.

Until a new clue surfaces, reopening Sydni’s case. A clue that’s screaming, “There’s more to this story than meets the eye.”

Enter Elijah Garrett, private investigator for Risk Policy Collective, the life insurance company prepared to pay the disbursement to Sydni’s eager husband.

Elijah will reconstruct the final day of Sydni’s life through a series of interviews with family and friends. What he learns would break the strongest of hearts. At the same time, he finds himself filled with love for the beautiful Sydni Greer.

Elijah becomes obsessed with learning the truth. He won’t stop until he knows exactly what happened to Sydni—a woman he could fall for in a hot second.

Was Sydni’s death an accident? Did she take her own life? Was foul play involved?

Find out in this suspenseful sweet romance.

 

My Review

This is a powerful book that kept me thinking about it after I finished. We get both Sydni and Elijah's perspectives as Elijah shakes up her isolated world in more ways than one. The author revealed details in layers, keeping me glued to the pages as Elijah tries to discover the truth of Sydni's past that even she is not aware of. It has tragedy and heartbreak, but they are balanced well by Sydni's determination, healing, and hope for the future. I loved how protective Elijah is of Sydni and goes the extra mile to help her when he is simultaneously investigating her. The romantic tension and chemistry is palpable, one of the author's strengths. The mystery is suspenseful and I could feel the edge of anxiousness as I drew closer to the climax and resolution. A highly satisfying reading experience!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss more books by Taylor Dean . . .

 

Review: Summer in the Highlands (Timeless Victorian Collection) by Nichole Van, Heidi Kimball, Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

From the publisher of the USA Today bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes Summer in the Highlands, with three Victorian Romance novellas by Nichole Van, Heidi Kimball, and Michele Paige Holmes.

Remnants of Love by Nichole Van
Mrs. Christiana Newton—Chrissi to her closest friends—has two simple goals in life. One, earn a living through her archaeological expertise. And two, forget that Alistair Maclagan, her traitorous former betrothed, still walks the same planet as herself. Alistair Maclagan, Lord Farnell, has resolved to move on from his broken engagement to Chrissi nine years ago, to forgive himself for shattering the trust between them. But when Fate drops Chrissi, quite literally, into a muddy bog on Alistair’s Highland estate, the two are forced to confront their romantic past. Despite heartbreak, betrayal, and the passage of years, can Chrissi and Alistair forge love anew?

Of Kilts and Courtship by Heidi Kimball
Consigned to spend three months in the Highlands of Scotland with a grandmother she’s never met and an accent she cannot understand, Arabella Hughes has every reason to believe it will prove to be the worst summer of her life. And after meeting the infuriating and unchivalrous Gavin McKenzie, she becomes certain of it. As the summer progresses, however, and her prejudices and preconceptions about both Scotland and her grandmother are turned on their heads, Arabella remains determined to keep a certain Scotsman at bay. Yet every time they meet, Mr. McKenzie teases her, provokes her, and confronts her—challenging the way she thinks and forcing Arabella to consider what she truly wants for her future, even if what she wants turns out to be the last thing she ever expected.

Into the Light by Michele Paige Holmes
Theodore Hughes seeks a summer of refuge and healing in Scotland’s Highlands, as he recovers from both physical and emotional wounds sustained in the Crimean War. He’s also looking forward to becoming reacquainted with his fiancée, Violet. But when the wrong woman arrives on his doorstep, his plans are thrown awry and his tenuous hold on the future seems to be slipping away. Beatrice never wanted to come to the Highlands, to witness her undeserving cousin being doted upon by a man she neither loves nor appreciates. But Beatrice never would have intentionally injured Lord Hughes’ heart, no matter what he believes to the contrary. Thrown together, both victims of Violet’s mischief, Theodore and Beatrice navigate a hostile beginning to a tentative friendship, then to trust and ultimately love. But Beatrice hasn’t been entirely honest about the past. And her deceit may be her undoing when Violet returns to claim Theodore as her own.

My Review

I adore the Timeless Victorian Collections! The three stories are longer than the usual novella length, and the stories feel full and complete while still providing a swift journey to our HEA. Scotland is such a dreamy setting, and I can't wait to visit there someday. Each story (by three of my favorite authors) provided vibrant characters that I quickly grew to know and understand, emotional connection, conflict that drew me in, and compelling romantic chemistry! This is a wonderful collection of stories that I plan to read again in the future.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Timeless Victorian Collection series

 

 

 

Review: An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

About the Book

If the covers of every romance book ever published hadn't convinced librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn't heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what's a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that's what. Armed with library patrons' check-out histories, she's determined to make at least one love connection—even if it's not her own.

Tattoo artist Tai Davis is used to people judging him with a single glance, so it doesn't surprise him when the town's quirky new librarian does the same thing and believes his bad-boy reputation without giving him a chance. He can't help being intrigued by her, though, so when he discovers Evangeline's secret matchmaking scheme, he's not above striking a bargain with her. She just has to agree to one date with him for every time she uses his hometown knowledge to set up library patrons on a romantic rendezvous. The deal is made, but in the process, they both might learn you can't judge a book—or each other—by the cover.

My Review

I usually love this author's books and her compassion for characters with physical or mental struggles. However, this book left me feeling unsettled and I had a difficult time enjoying the main character and the romance (which made me super sad! That cover is just adorable!) Librarian Evageline has alopecia and alternates between feeling wounded for the behavior of others and having a massive chip on her shoulder. She doesn't want anyone to pity her or judge her, but those are characteristics I saw the most strongly in her- she is very judgemental of others (and if they give her what she emotionally needs), and she pities herself to the point of victimhood and martyrdom. There were times the narrative veered into woke preachiness, for example- Evageline mentally calling a library patron a racist and microagressor after he had a discussion during their book group, although the content of the discussion wasn't made known to the reader. She is purposefully careful not to judge Tai's tattoos, but it came across as supercilious since she compared herself to others who she assumes would judge him. She is negative and mean to Tai- for one brush-off she purposefully used his shared vulnerabilities against him- so I'm baffled why he pursues her and so quickly falls in love with her. I understand the "she's a challenge" trope, but usually there's some level of reciprocation, or he comes off as a stalker or masochist. The characters even had to do some metal gymnastics why their deal to date wasn't coercion. It took a man falling in love with Evageline for her to realize her own worth, yet he was the one who needed to point out that God wants and loves her (I'm surprised she didn't get mad at him for mansplaining). By the end, Evageline improves in emotional intimacy and gains the courage to not hide her appearance, but I still struggled with some vital plot points, including the matchmaking which took an early backseat to Evageline's personal struggles. Fans of culture, movie, and literary references should have fun with this book- I counted at least fifty. I get that I'm in the minority as most of my reader friends loved the book. It was just a miss for me.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.