Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Book review: NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU, by Siobhan Davis


I feel like Siobhan Davis told me “let me ruin your emotional stability and then rebuild it with hope”—and honestly, I loved every second of it. This book is the perfect storm of angst, despair, longing, and that delicious slow‑burn ache that makes you read with your hand pressed to your chest like you’re personally going through it. I actually felt palpitations and bit my nails to the quick!

The emotional tension is chef’s kiss. Every interaction feels loaded, every glance has history behind it, and the chemistry? It hums under the surface in that way I love—intense, intimate, and earned. Siobhan Davis balances heartbreak with healing so beautifully that I found myself rooting for these characters and demanding revenge to be served soon and brutally.


What really got me is how grounded the story feels. The relationships—romantic, familial, and found—are messy in the most human way. There’s vulnerability, growth, and those small, quiet moments that hit harder than any dramatic twist. And yes, the angst is real, but it never feels manipulative. It feels true.


If you love romance that digs into the emotional marrow, characters who feel like real people trying their best, and a love story that refuses to let go, this one delivers. It’s heartfelt, addictive, and full of that Siobhan Davis intensity that keeps you turning pages long after you promised yourself “just one more chapter.”


A five‑star, stay‑up‑too‑late, hug‑the-book-after kind of read. One day later, I’m still processing!  I’d give it ten stars if I could!


Purchase links


US: https://amzn.to/49htHp9

UK: https://amzn.to/4oXwV70

AU: https://amzn.to/4s2wI5e

CA: https://amzn.to/4iWHWE1

Worldwide: https://bit.ly/NSLYEBA


About the author


Siobhan Davis™ is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Top 5 bestselling romance author. Siobhan writes emotionally intense stories with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She has sold millions of books and her titles are translated into several languages.


Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.


Originally from Ireland, she now lives in Cyprus with her husband.


Join the author's mailing list to receive a free e-book plus tons of bonus content. Refer to the official author website.


Monday, February 16, 2026

Book review: FOREVER UNDONE, by J. Saman


Forever Boston #1

Ashton & Skylar

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A deliciously messy, emotionally rich, slow‑burn‑turned‑wildfire romance, this book grabbed me from page one and never let go. Ashton and Skylar are the perfect storm of unresolved tension, old wounds, and that brand of snark that’s basically foreplay in disguise. Their history is chaotic, their present is complicated, and their chemistry is undeniable. I loved every second of watching them circle each other, clash, retreat, and collide again.

What really sold me is how much heart sits beneath all the banter and snark. Ashton’s journey as a single dad rebuilding his life, Skylar’s healing after an abusive relationship, and the way Zoey fits into both of their worlds—it all feels tender, grounded, and deeply earned. The found family threads, the hospital setting, the forced proximity, the “we’re married but not like that (until we very much are)” dynamic… it’s delicious.


Despite the heavy topics, the story balances humor, vulnerability, and heat beautifully. The emotional payoff is huge, the character growth is satisfying, and the romance is the kind that makes you root for them with your whole chest. And it has just an itty bitty feeling of suspense!


The author takes us again to the Boston Fritz’s world, now joined with the Hughes family, powerful and rich, although not like the Fritz royalty.  I think this new series will include the younger generation of grandkids of Octavia Fritz, the matriarch of the empire, and I’m all for it!


If you love grumpy‑meets‑sunshine energy, protective heroes, resilient heroines, and a slow burn that eventually erupts, this one is a must‑read. I devoured it.


Purchase links


FREE with Kindle Unlimited

http://geni.us/ForeverUndone


Audible: https://bit.ly/3MbCWPW

Narrated by: CJ Bloom and JF Harding


Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43WmxVs



About the author


J. Saman is a USA Today and Amazon top 40 bestselling author who writes sassy, swoony, and scorching contemporary romances. She is addicted to Diet Coke, sour candy, and indie rock. She swears way too much (especially after a glass of wine) and has a penchant for sarcasm (or so her husband and children like to tell her).


J. is an admitted lover of second chance romances, enemies to lovers, and the perfect amount of angst. She is best known for writing funny and emotional romances filled with smart, strong women, and sexy alphas who have a softer side—especially for their women.


Connect with J. Saman

Website: https://www.jsamanbooks.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14923699.J_Saman

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Saman/author/B01FOIUR46

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jsamanbooks

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jsamanbooks

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-saman

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jsamanbooks/


Sunday, February 8, 2026

Book review: STERLING STONE, by L.B. Dunbar


Sterling Falls #7 

Stone & Taxi

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Super cute meet‑cute in Knoxville! This story hooked me from the moment Stone and Taxi did that awkward little hallway dance—you know, the sidestep‑sidestep “oops, you go first” shuffle—right before they nearly knocked heads picking up her fallen book. It felt like pure serendipity, the kind of spark you want to bottle.

Stone finally gets the happiness he deserves, and watching him open up—this serious, steady, quietly shy man who’s spent his whole life protecting everyone else—was incredibly moving. Taxi, with her art, her humor, her nomadic heart, brings color to his beige world, and their chemistry is warm, slow, and full of promise. I loved how the story lets her grow, gently and honestly, as she faces the patterns she’s been running from.


The Sylver family is as lively and loving as ever, and the Sunday gatherings feel like a hug from a whole town. The pacing is thoughtful and introspective, the emotional payoff so satisfying, and the ending left me smiling like I’d just watched two people finally step into the life they were meant to build.


A beautiful, heartfelt romance about choosing to stay, choosing to love, and choosing each other. I adored it.


Purchase links


Amazon US: https://a.co/d/7GmOhyS

Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6EPEo05 

Amazon AU: https://amzn.asia/d/6gAYPJO 

Amazon CA: https://a.co/d/7z7pxYC 


About the author


L.B. Dunbar loves sexy silver foxes, second chances, and small towns. If you enjoy older characters in your romance reads, including a hero with a little silver in his scruff and a heroine rediscovering her worth, then welcome to romance for those over 40. L.B. Dunbar’s signature works include women and men in their prime taking another turn at love and happily ever after. She’s a USA TODAY Bestseller as well as #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Later in Life Romance with her Lakeside Cottage and Road Trips & Romance series. L.B. lives in Chicago with her own sexy silver fox.

To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her monthly newsletter, Love Notes.


Connect with L.B. Dunbar:

https://linktr.ee/lbdunbarwrites 


Book review: INTERCEPTED, by Aleatha Romig


The Coopers #1

Maeve & Fin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a solid, engaging second‑chance sports romance with a hero I absolutely adored and a heroine who… tested my patience. The football world is incredibly well done—detailed, immersive, and clearly written by someone who knows the inner workings of a stadium on game day. I loved that part.

Fin completely stole the show for me. He’s mature, upfront about his feelings, and deeply committed—to the game, to his team, and yes, to the woman he once loved. Watching him navigate the physical toll of being an older QB while still showing up with heart and grit made him such a standout.


Maeve (Vee), on the other hand, was harder for me to connect with. Professionally, she’s brilliant—ambitious, sharp, and genuinely passionate about the Coopers. But emotionally, she’s so guarded and uptight that it dragged the romance down for me. Her denial, her formality with Fin, and her refusal to confront their past until almost the end made it tough to root for her.


Still, the family dynamics, the behind‑the‑scenes football operations, and the slow unraveling of old wounds kept me turning pages. And the cliffhanger was absolutely brutal—in the best way for a series, the worst way for my heart.


A strong four stars for a compelling hero—


Purchase links


Amazon:  https://amzn.to/48IBQm4


About the author


Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis as well as part of the year in Bradenton, Florida, USA. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her friends and family, including her beloved grandchildren. 


Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than a million e-readers. Her next series, INFIDELITY (not about cheating) hit New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-seller lists. Aleatha has since released over fifty novels in multiple genres: dark romance, romantic suspense, thriller, and romantic comedy. She went back to her edge of your seat romantic suspense thrillers with her WEB SERIES trilogies, Devil’s Duet, Kingdom Come, and most recently with her suspense series, the Sin series, ready to binge.


The titles keep coming. Be sure to check out her website to stay up to date. 


Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America, NINC, and PEN America. She is represented by Danielle Sanchez of SBR Media and PR with Wildfire Marketing. 


Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Book review: PETTY IN PINK, by LJ Shen


This novella completely swept me off my feet. LJ Shen flipped her usual dynamic on its head, giving me a hero who is not a jerk, but is pure devotion wrapped in a doctor coat, and a heroine who’s all heart, humor, and hard‑won resilience. Layla and Grant’s story was tender, sexy, fun, and hit every one of my favorite romance buttons.

It starts with a pink dress in a Valentine’s day wedding, Layla objecting to the marriage based on her past trauma from the groom, and a wild chase out of the hotel.  Then meeting up with Grant, her friends with benefits of almost a decade.  From that wild, pink‑drenched wedding objection to the soft, steady unraveling of Layla’s trauma, the book balances chaos and healing so beautifully. Grant is the kind of hero who makes you believe in safe love — patient, protective, quietly pining for almost a decade — and Layla’s journey toward trusting him (and herself). It was so lovely to read their story!  Their chemistry was off the charts, the surprise pregnancy just what Grant needed to get his chance with Layla.


I loved seeing old friends Maddie and Chase (The Devil Wears Black) as an established couple, with one little boy and another one in the way.  Maddy continues to be the best bestie, and Chase continues to be the jerk we all love and who loves his wife madly.  It was perfection!


Even as a novella, it felt complete, rich, and emotionally full. I turned the last page grinning like an idiot, wishing only that Jessica had gotten the karmic smackdown she deserved. Otherwise, this was everything I adore about LJ Shen: messy beginnings, deep wounds, big feelings, subtle humor, and a couple who earns their joy. I loved it.


Purchase links


eBook: https://amzn.to/4qVjeqT


Audio (narrated by Erin Mallon and Christian Fox, in dual-narration style): https://amzn.to/3NUy8Pt


**Please note there is no paperback due to its length.


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).




Monday, February 2, 2026

Book review: FORCEFUL GOD, by Michelle Heard


Kings of Mafia #7

Christiano & Sienna

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story swept me into the whirlwind that is Sienna and Christiano—two people who loved each other so fiercely that even a bullet couldn’t sever the bond between them. Their engagement party turns into a nightmare when the Irish mafia opens fire, and the moment Christiano throws himself over Sienna, taking a bullet in the back, becomes the fracture line of her entire life. Her terror in that hospital room—his bloody jacket, the white sheet—shattered her, and her diagnosis of Thanatophobia felt like heartbreak.

What I loved is how the book treats her fear not as weakness, but as a wound that deserves care. Sienna leaves him because she thinks loving him will kill her, and for seven long years they orbit each other like two stars refusing to burn out. Christiano grows darker, more violent, but the only thing that soothes him is her scent. And when he finally decides her time is up? Cue tension, obsession, inevitability. And lots of panic attacks!


Their reunion is messy, tender, and scorching. Sienna still believes she’s too fragile to be a mafia wife, but Christiano refuses to let her hide. When he discovers her medication and the truth behind her fear, he doesn’t recoil—he softens. He learns. He protects. He becomes the safe place she never thought she could have. Watching him build systems, routines, and even tech to help her manage her anxiety was unexpectedly beautiful.


And once they settle into married life, the story becomes this warm, intimate portrait of two people healing each other. There’s family, laughter, deliciously steamy moments, and a sense of safety Sienna never imagined she could feel. I kept waiting for the big attack or kidnapping, but the real conflict was internal—and once her secret was out, she finally understood that vulnerability doesn’t diminish love; it deepens it.


Michelle Heard always gives me couples who love with their whole souls—obsessive men, sensitive women with steel cores—and this one felt especially tender. Sienna’s anxiety made her human, and Christiano’s devotion made their love feel inevitable. A compelling, emotional, unexpectedly feel‑good romance that proves that with the right person, even your darkest fear can be met with understanding and unwavering love.


Purchase links


US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTV51QN2

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FTV51QN2

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FTV51QN2

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FTV51QN2


About the author


Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 

Connect w/Michelle:

Website: https://michelleheardauthor.com

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

FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118971435201074

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

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/michellehorst

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18108320.Michelle_Heard

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/michelle-heard

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

Newsletter Signup: https://preview.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/p6m4o4




Book review: NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU, by Siobhan Davis

I feel like Siobhan Davis told me “let me ruin your emotional stability and then rebuild it with hope”—and honestly, I loved every second of...