Review: Mostly Risky by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A haunting curse. A voice from the past. A truth that will break her heart.

The Ambrose curse has stopped Amelia from following her heart. She’s accepted her fate as part of the generations of Ambrose women who’ve lost their husbands too young. So Amelia is determined to never marry, to never allow herself to fall in love.

Grigg Edison has been patient long enough. Two years, in fact. When Amelia confesses that she’s ready to test the power of the curse, all he wants is a chance. He’ll do anything, including risking his heart in order to uncover the origin of the ancient legend.

But for Amelia, the risk may be too great, and the roots of family lore too deep.

My Review

This one is my favorite of the series! It has a slightly paranormal premise with the family curse, but what I liked about this story is the focus on the relationship and emotions of Amelia and Grigg, and they felt natural and grounded. While the curse provides some of the plot conflict, there is a more natural tension from Grigg's unrequited love and Amelia's change of heart towards pursuing a long term relationship. I loved their foundation of friendship and professional respect that was able to grow into something more. There is a good dose of humor as Amelia seeks out her past potential boyfriends and Grigg's reactions to each of them. Great chemistry balanced with an element of suspense made this a perfect addition to The Women of Ambrose Estate series that just keeps getting better!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the first two books in The Women of Ambrose Estate series . . .

Review: Heart Thief by Taylor Dean

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

I was warned about him. I should've listened. But I didn't.

Of course, I also thought Ryker Martel was about to propose.

He didn't.

I was ready to say yes.

He was ready to wait a little longer.

Now he's out of the country on an extended business trip and I'm staying in his penthouse apartment with seeds of disillusionment taking over my soul.

Ryker reminded me that his estranged brother might show up out of the blue at his penthouse. He told me to let him know right away if he did. He'd take care of it.

His brother is bad news. The rebel, the black sheep of the family.

"Don't trust him," Ryker said. "Stay as far away from him as possible. He's a thief, a snake."

Warning duly noted.

And ignored.

I considered myself equipped to handle whatever was thrown my way. I was wrong.

Nothing prepared me for Zane and the havoc he would wreak in my life--and in my heart. He turned me upside down and knocked me sideways.

Falling for the other brother is never a good idea. Keeping it a secret, even worse.

Especially when he proves to be the thief he was purported to be.

My heart will never be mine again and I want it back.

But it has been stolen and I'll never be the same.

Never.

My Review

Oooh, this story really brought out all the feels! I love when I'm experiencing the emotions of the characters, especially when they have such great chemistry and an interesting story to go along. The family dynamics were complicated and provided the conflict in the unexpected romance Mila finds herself in the middle of. The contrast between the brothers was stark, and as layers are peeled back and revealed, I was drawn in more and more as the story increased in intensity. This is one of those books that you just can't put down, with plenty of angst, the thrill of new love, and the personal difficulties that the characters struggle through and you just want to tell them, "You're not alone!" Overall, this is one of the standout books I've read this year and plan to definitely re-read it again in the future!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: God Rest Ye Merry Spinster by Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Christmas is here, and Elinor Asheley’s entire family has gathered at their country estate to celebrate. But when her arch nemesis arrives at the estate by chance, warm wishes and the holiday spirit are the last things on her mind. Elinor is determined to protect her family from him no matter how changed he claims to be.

When the winter weather strands Hugh Sterling at the estate of the woman who hates him most in the world, his only wish is to escape the place unscathed. He is not the man he once was, and he will do everything he can to prove that to Elinor. But nothing can prepare him for the changes that spending his holiday with her will bring.

My Review

I was surprised to learn that Hugh was the hero of this story since he is such a thorn in the side of the Spinsters, but he redeemed himself quite nicely! He's such a different person, except for the memories he has of his former life and lessons learned. He puts up with a lot of harshness and attitude from Elinor, but she soon realizes his changes are genuine and apologies sincere. I loved the friendship that developed between these two enemies and the unexpected sweetness in both. The story is rich with holiday spirit and it was lovely to read it during Christmas when it was easy to envision their celebrations. I missed the presence and banter of the other Spinsters, but Elinor's eccentric extended family provided the entertainment that usually comes from that sphere.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the previous books in The Spinster Chronicles series . . .

Review: Her Country Christmas Date by Ranee S. Clark

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Is ten days, twelve dates, and a little Christmas magic enough for happily ever after?

Dru North has far more substance than the party-boy reputation given to him by the media, which is why a quiet Christmas in Little is just what he needs. From the moment he meets Amber Miller, who’s staying across the hall, sparks fly, and a magical Christmas party leads to an impulsive kiss.

While Dru is eager to get to know Amber during the quiet vacation, she’s wary of his reputation and his riches. She challenges him to take her on twelve dates before she’ll consider their relationship anything more than a holiday fling—a feat given the fact that she’s only in town for ten days.

Amidst the big family holiday Dru has always dreamed of having, Amber finds herself trusting with every “date” that Dru isn’t the bad-boy she thought him to be. But his insistence that this can be more than a holiday fling has Amber worried about the future. Dru’s a famous country star with money to burn, and she’s just a teacher. Are their worlds too far apart for a happily ever after when the Christmas magic is over?

My Review

This was a fun and easy holiday novella, with plenty of Christmas spirit. I rather enjoyed Dru more than Amber- he was interesting with his secret wholesomeness hidden behind his carefully crafted public image. I didn't see the appeal of Amber as much- her character seemed to me more two dimensional and a tad self-centered. It prevented me from connecting with their emotions and feeling invested in their relationship. The impulsive kiss between strangers felt off, also removing any romantic tension/anticipation. My favorite parts were with Dru and his interactions with other secondary characters.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the first book in the Love in Little River series . . .

Synopsis

The night Tag Turner claimed he loved Roxy Adams and begged her to follow him to Nashville to live his dream, she sent him packing since she knew it couldn't be real. Even if he did insist he’d been singing his love to her for years. 


Eight years later, Tag, now a famous country star, rolls back into small town Little River hoping for one more shot at winning his high school crush. But Roxy loves her quiet, country life on her family’s ranch—a life that doesn’t have room for someone who can’t buy coffee without national media attention.


Not ready to give up, Tag stays in Little River to work on his next album and convince the woman he loves to give him a chance. Will Roxy ever trust his feelings are real and not just lyrics in a song?

Review: Falling for a Former Flame by Brenna Jacobs

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Will Hadley's old flame burn her again? Or could this be her second chance at love?

Headstrong Hadley Booth is on the verge of living her dream, running a delightful--and almost profitable--bookshop in the hometown she loves. But when her first love, Fletcher Gates, comes back on the scene, Hadley questions everything she ever thought she knew. Fletcher's alpha-male macho firefighter status should rub Hadley the wrong way. She does not need a man to take care of her, thank you very much. But even though her brain understands they aren't right for each other, she can't seem to explain that to her heart.

When Fletcher Gates returns home to care for his sick Mom, he doesn't expect his ex-girlfriend Hadley to ignite his world again. He's grown up; he's changed. Most importantly, he’s over her. Even if he wasn’t, they crashed and burned once before. Why risk a second inferno?

Caught between the push-and-pull of fiery emotions, will Hadley and Fletcher finally find the happily-ever-after they once believed would be theirs?

My Review

I just love a bookstore setting in a contemporary romance! While I didn't relate to Hadley's strong personality and defensive reactions, I admired her resolve to be true to herself and seek a different lifestyle than her family's.The author does a good job of showing rather than telling, like when Hadley inviting her family over for Thanksgiving dinner shows how she still yearns for their approval and unconditional love, even though she no longer expects it from them. Fletcher has a compassionate heart and is the type of guy who needs to be needed. He's a fixer. It was pretty fun to watch he and Hadley up in arms and awkward with each other before softening and falling for each other all over again, but this time with maturity and communication on their side.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the ABCs of Love series . . .

Review: Penny's Yuletide Wish by Sally Britton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

When Penny and Robert meet again on Christmas Eve, will their childhood love bloom into something more? They only have the Twelve Days of Christmas to find out.

Robert Ellsworth, born the son of a wealthy gentleman, is now a mere steward in the service of another. While his position brings him satisfaction, it does not make him much of a matrimonial catch. It hardly matters, as Robert’s heart has long belonged to his childhood friend. When a chance meeting brings them face to face on Christmas Eve, he cannot bring himself to hope that she feels the same.

When she lost her parents years before, Penelope Clark also lost contact with her dearest friend. Visiting the community where she grew up, Penny is taken aback by how handsome Robert has grown, and how little her girlhood infatuation has diminished. But when a Christmas Ball leads to a mistletoe kiss him, she finds herself as much in love as ever before. Unfortunately for her, Robert confesses his heart already belongs to a mysterious woman.

Through the Twelve Days of Christmas, Penny and Robert each make a wish for the other’s happiness. Will they realize only confessing their hearts will grant those wishes before their time together is spent?

My Review

This novella is perfect for holiday reading! It feels closer to a novel than short story, I think because of the full arc of the plot and characters. I admired Robert from book six in the Branches of Love series, Courting the Vicar's Daughter, and how he stepped into the role of steward and helped repair much of the damage done by Harry's father and the previous steward. I love when supporting characters get their own story! Robert and Penny are reunited after a long time apart and it was lovely to see their friendship renew. They both harbored feelings for the other in the past, and now that they are in a position to pursue romance, they each feel unworthy of the other, not realizing that they are actually a perfect match in circumstance as well as affection. I thoroughly enjoyed all the Christmas traditions of the era as Penny and Robert fall in love and their friends help them towards their happily ever after.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Branches of Love series . . .