Book review: THE LAST GOODBYE, by Laura Pavlov

Blue Sky Bay #2

Bass & Briar

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I tried very hard to connect with this book, but it just kept dragging for me. The writing was excellent, as always, and the characters were lovely, but the story never fully pulled me in or kept me riveted. I love the small-town trope and this group of friends, but perhaps the plot felt a little too low-key and lacked the momentum I was hoping for.

I also noticed several elements that felt very familiar from the author's previous series. Once again, we have a tight-knit group of friends who are more like siblings, a hilarious group chat full of banter and ridiculous nicknames, and a single father with an adorable child who is doted on by a whole crew of honorary uncles willing to step in for babysitting duty. It reminded me a lot of the earlier series when Cutter was the beloved little boy proudly calling himself "Beefcake." Even some of the children's dialogue and mannerisms felt similar. What I sorely missed, however, was the unforgettable Japanese toilet banter! I loved their nicknames for each other: “McGrumpy” and “Magpie”.

There was also the favorite diner, but this time the owners are a lovely couple, and the coffee shop, both centers of the gossip train, as is obligatory in small towns.

For me, the story didn't really come alive until around the 70% mark. That's when the conflict finally picked up and the emotional depth I had been waiting for started to emerge. From that point on, I was glued to my Kindle and flew through the rest of the book.

I usually love this author's books and rarely have trouble getting immersed in her stories, but this one just missed the mark for me. While there were plenty of things to enjoy, it never quite captured the magic of some of her previous releases.

Purchase links

Ebook: https://geni.us/tlgeb

Audiobook: https://geni.us/TLGAUDIO

Paperback: https://geni.us/TheLastGoodbyePB

FREE with #kindleunlimited

About the author

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

Connect with Laura

Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569734.Laura_Pavlov

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3c1xKZX

Facebook: http://bit.ly/3eSvEdp

Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2OKU6T5

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2TKf5Zs

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurapavlov2

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurapavlovauthor

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3ii8Vdp

Book review: GOLD RUSH, by C.W. Farnsworth

The Kensingtons: Second Generation #4

Rory & Flynn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a delicious book!  From the previous books, I just knew Rory and Flynn had a thing for each other. Like little kids in kindergarten, boys tease the little girls they like (Flynn), and girls are annoyed by the little boys they secretly like (Rory).  And everyone knows that Rory’s boyfriend is a douche-canoe, and their time together was coming up short.

So when this book starts, I’m all for it, because I know Rory and Flynn belong together.  When Flynn’s father denies him the trust fund he’s been dangling since college, Flynn decides to take action.  Since losing his friend Penn to a drug overdose during freshman year, he's dreamed of creating a foundation to help college students who are feeling lonely, isolated, and overwhelmed by the pressures of university life. But, he needs a lot more money than he already has. Unfortunately, his father's condition for releasing the trust fund is simple: get a girlfriend, get engaged, and settle down. So Flynn turns to Rory.

Rory is newly single after her boyfriend Carson was found in a scandalous situation and the video was seen far and wide.  She  accepts the fake engagement with Flynn, he moves into her apartment,  things start heating up and the bed starts hopping!

I knew Flynn has hidden depths, he’s known to be a nice guy despite his playboy fame, and this book shows them all up.  The fun part is that Rory starts to discover them, and we are all delighted.  Also, I knew Flynn has a thing for Rory and I loved that as Rory discovers his attributes (physical and personality) she starts to fall.

I love that the author gives us a hard time, with Rory’s second-guessing and Flynn’s insecurity about her, but Flynn shows devotion, he listens to her, he notices all her likes and habits, and he just shows up.  How can you resist a guy like that? Plus, they are opposites, Flynn is the life of the party, Rory the wallflower.  They complement each other perfectly!  It was a delightful read from start to finish, so of course, five stars.

Thanks to the author for such an entertaining and delicious book, and many thanks for not spending a gazillion pages on sex scenes, just showing a hint.  The book is all about the story and I love that.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4esK7hx

About the author

 C.W. Farnsworth is the author of numerous adult and young adult romance novels featuring sports, strong female leads, and happy endings.

Charlotte lives in Rhode Island and when she isn't writing spends her free time reading, at the beach, or snuggling with her Australian Shepherd.

 

Connect with Charlotte

Website: https://authorcwfarnsworth.com  

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/485RndP 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4agSCsy 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwfarnsworth/   

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cwfarnsworthbooks   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcwfarnsworth/     

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorcwfarnsworth      

Book review: HALE BOUND, by Abbi Glines

Mississippi Smoke #11

Hale & Bay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I reached the end and realized this book ended on a cliffhanger, I was actually relieved. There was no way this addictive, delicious story could end yet. It still needed more time to simmer.

Hale is a gorgeous, sexy, fifty-year-old man (thank you for the silver fox, Abbi Glines!), and I knew he couldn't fall without a little more resistance. His life is completely settled. His children are grown and independent, his company is thriving under the leadership of his sons, Ransom and Than, and he enjoys his work in the Southern Mafia under Linc's direction. Everything is exactly as it should be. Then along comes Bay and turns his perfectly ordered world upside down.

Bay is thirty-four and carrying the scars of a bad experience from years ago. To feel safe, she has built herself a carefully scheduled, predictable life. Hale takes her to emotional heights she never imagined, and while she's clearly falling for him, she still doesn't feel entirely secure. Then there is the small matter of his criminal activities, which understandably make her more than a little uneasy.

This story was delicious. It's the classic setup: man kidnaps woman, falls for her but struggles with it, while she finds herself falling for him and wondering if it's Stockholm syndrome. She calls herself crazy for lusting after her kidnapper, and honestly, it was all wildly entertaining. I loved being inside both of their heads as they tried to make sense of what they were feeling.

What I especially loved was how focused the story remained on Hale and Bay, with just enough involvement from Hale's children to enrich the story without overshadowing it.  I loved Slash, the supposedly guard dog, who melted like wax for Bay, and disgruntled Hale.  It was sweet, sexy, and surprisingly tender, without getting pulled too deeply into the darker, more violent side of this world. It felt like a refreshing interlude among the grittier installments in the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace and the sweeter romance.

Now bring me the next book!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/halebound

About the author

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party, and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She finally moved to New England into a home that is 200 + years old with it's own ghosts. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she being born in Alabama, her life in New England is as close as she will get. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, and/or watching Netflix like the introvert that she is. 

You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways:

www.abbiglinesbooks.com

TikTok @abbiglines

Twitter: @abbiglines

Instagram: @abbiglines

Snapchat: abbiglines

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbiglinesauthor

Book review: LET’S BE REAL, by Julia Wolf

The Wells Brothers #3

Nate & Samantha

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a beautiful and intriguing story! Going into this book, I thought Nate was the serious, almost robotic Wells brother. I was so happy to finally get to know the real him. He’s kind, thoughtful, and impossible not to love.

Samantha and Nate were perfect for each other. Both carry old wounds, and I loved watching their relationship grow from friendship and family ties into something deeper. Nate listens to her rambling, Samantha sees the goodness in him, and together they bring out the best in each other.

What made this story stand out is that it’s not just a romance. Both characters struggle with deeply personal issues, and their journey is as much about healing as it is about falling in love. Nate’s battle with depression was especially moving and felt  heartbreaking at times.

I also loved the strong family element. The Wells brothers always show up for each other, most specially when it matters most, and seeing them rally around Nate during his darkest moments was incredibly emotional. 

This book put me through all the highs and lows, but I was fully invested because Nate and Samantha are such wonderful people. A heartfelt, emotional romance about love, healing, family, and finding the courage to let yourself be happy. Highly recommend. Five stars, of course! ❤️

Purchase links

https://mybook.to/LetsBeRealWB 

Available in KU

About the author

Julia Wolf writes sexy rockers, grumpy billionaires, snarky heroines, and bad ass women. She’s a firm believer in happily ever afters, no matter how rocky the road is to get there.

She doesn’t believe in “guilty pleasures”, only pleasure. Reading about a plus size woman who gets absolutely railed by a hot rock star is pleasure. Reading about a damaged college student whose flaws are valued and loved by the grumpy guy next door is pleasure. Reading about love in a small town or big city or on a tour bus is pleasure. Reading romance is pleasure!

Julia lives in Maryland with her husband and three crazy, beautiful children. When she’s not writing romance, she’s reading it. Some of her favorite things are, in no particular order: goats, books, coffee, and Target.

Connect with Julia Wolf:

https://www.instagram.com/authorjuliawolf/

Book review: FALLEN ROOK, by L.J. Shen

Society of Villains #3

Enzo & Tom

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book swept me off my feet!  I went in thinking I understood the dynamic between Tom Rothwell and Enzo Ferrante from the earlier installments, but I truly had no idea how deep, complicated, and beautiful their connection would become. What I got was a story that felt bold, tender, messy, human, and absolutely unforgettable.

Enzo stole my heart! His journey toward understanding himself is written with so much compassion. He’s funny, talkative, anxious, affectionate, and constantly trying to figure out where he fits—both in his family and in his own skin. The contrast between his gentle nature and the darker responsibilities he carries makes him one of the most compelling characters in the entire series. And his bond with his family? Pure gold. They’re chaotic, dangerous, loyal, and hilarious, and every scene with them made me smile.

Tom surprised me even more. The emotional weight he carries from his past is heartbreaking, and watching him slowly open up—watching him learn to trust, to smile, to let himself be cared for—was one of the most satisfying arcs I’ve read. He’s so controlled, so rigid, so determined to do the “right” thing, yet he’s also deeply vulnerable. His evolution feels earned and powerful.

Together, Tom and Enzo are magic. Their connection starts off unexpectedly, grows through banter and late‑night messages, and becomes something that feels both inevitable and impossible. The tension between duty and desire, loyalty and truth, identity and love is woven so beautifully that I couldn’t stop reading. Their chemistry is electric without ever needing explicit detail to convey how strongly they feel for one another.

The Ferrante family shines as always—wild, lethal, loving, and absolutely entertaining. Everything is so much better now that Ferrante dad is out of the picture! I adored seeing the brothers (and Tiernan) in full protective mode (read besotted with their wives), the wives adored and cherished, and the subtle humor threaded through even the darkest moments. And yes, Luca showing actual human emotion? I actually cheered! There’s a side plot involving him that I’m desperate to see turn into a future book.

What impressed me most was how the author balanced danger, emotional depth, family chaos, and romance into one seamless, riveting story. I genuinely didn’t know how she would pull off a satisfying ending for these two, but she did it with her signature twisty brilliance. It felt clever, earned, and completely right for them.

This book was entertaining, heartfelt, intense, and absolutely wonderful. I loved Enzo. I loved Tom. I loved the Ferrantes. And I loved every second of watching two complicated men find something real and life‑changing in each other.

Purchase links

All Buy Links: http://shor.by/00WF

Audio (full cast): http://amzn.to/4uTMVKV

About the author

L.J. Shen is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, new adult, and young adult romance. Her books have been sold in twenty different countries, and she hopes to visit all of them.

She lives in Florida with her husband, three rowdy sons, and rowdier pets and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows, and reading to her heart’s content. Connect with her on her website at www.authorljshen.com or on Instagram (@authorljshen), or join her Facebook group at http://goo.gl/QZJ0NC. Sign up for her newsletter at https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb, and text SHEN to 313131 to get new release alerts (United States only).

Connect with L.J. Shen:

https://www.authorljshen.com