Book review: THE WILD CARD, by Kendall Ryan

A tender, beautiful romance that I loved, this story follows Crew, a man who lives inside strict routines to manage his anxiety and OCD, and Emmie, a bright, messy, charming cookbook author who walks into his ordered world and quietly turns the lights on. Their dynamic is soft, funny, and full of tiny moments that show how two opposite personalities can fit together in a most perfect way.

I loved watching Crew slowly open up as Emmie brings warmth into his life — especially through food. He goes from eating the same sad meals in rotation, to trying new dishes, new flavors, and new experiences, all because she makes him feel safe enough to try. And Emmie, who starts off a little lost in her own creative process, finds inspiration in cooking for the grumpy man who doesn’t know how to relax but learns to appreciate every bite she gives him.

Their relationship grows through everyday closeness, gentle respect, and a subtle humor that made me smile so many times. Crew’s “short‑circuiting” whenever Emmie looks particularly beautiful is priceless. And Emmie’s ability to balance his structure with her chaos makes them feel imperfect in the best way — two people who complement each other without ever trying to change who the other is.

Crew’s emotional journey is the heart of the book. He begins as someone who pushes love away before it can reject him, convinced he doesn’t deserve anything good. Watching him slowly realize he does deserve joy, connection, and a future was beautiful. His growth is steady, believable, and deeply touching.

The story has warmth, humor, and a lovely sense of belonging. It dragged a little in the middle, but the author quickly picked up the pace and delivered a romance that feels both comforting and hopeful. By the end, Crew’s transformation — from a man who fears love to a man who finally lets himself have it — made the whole journey worth it.

A wonderful, heartfelt love story about finding home in another person.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4xLFoP8

About the author

Kendall Ryan writes contemporary romance. Her books have been featured on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists a combined total of more than 100 times. 

Connect with Kendall:

➜ WEBSITE www.kendallryanbooks.com

➜ NEWSLETTER www.kendallryanbooks.com/newsletter

➜ FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/kendallryanbooks

➜ INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/kendallryan1

➜ TWITTER www.twitter.com/kendallryan1

Book review: JULIAN, by Sawyer Bennett & Bill Keenan

New York Vipers #2

Julian & Harper

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Warm and emotional, this story felt tender and full of life, carried almost entirely by Harper’s strength and hopefulness. She’s juggling two jobs, rent, groceries, and the full responsibility of raising her teenage brother Dylan — and even with all that weight, she still finds a way to dream. Her voice is warm, observant, and deeply human, and that made the whole book feel grounded in real emotion.

Harper lost her father young, then got dragged into her mother’s new husband’s “artist community” — a place built on delusion more than talent — which made her fight to protect Dylan from slipping through the cracks. Bringing him back to live with her was difficult, but she made it work, and watching him thrive under her care was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond is beautiful, joyful, and full of that fierce sibling devotion that makes you root for them instantly.

Her customer service job wasn’t glamorous, but she treated it like a stepping stone, studying every complaint and every solution, hoping one day to build something of her own. So when she was fired — not for performance, but because her employer wanted to save money — it stung. You feel her frustration, her fear, and her determination all at once.

Her second job, chauffeuring, is where everything shifts. Driving Julian Langley, owner of the New York Vipers, puts her right in the path of a man who sees her clearly from the start. Their first real spark comes from a conversation about a ticketing fiasco — and Harper’s solution is so sharp, so perfectly thought out, that Julian immediately recognizes her talent. He acts on it, too, implementing her idea and watching customer satisfaction rebound within hours.

From there, their connection grows in those quiet, intimate moments inside the car. Julian is captivated by her intelligence, her charm, her ability to read people. He hires her as his exclusive chauffeur, gives her a salary that finally lets her breathe, and keeps asking for her insight — because she’s brilliant, and he knows it.

I loved the contrast between them: different worlds, different bank accounts, different social circles — yet intellectually, they’re equals. Harper didn’t go to college, but her instincts and her observational skills make her a natural in marketing and customer relations. Julian doesn’t just admire her; he champions her. He does the same for Dylan, recognizing the boy’s extraordinary talent for hockey statistics and giving him a chance to shine. Those scenes were heartwarming.

Their romance is sweet, slow-building, and full of mutual respect. But when Julian’s past trauma resurfaces, he pulls away. Harper, who finally let herself trust him, refuses to accept being pushed aside. Her anger, her hurt, her decision to walk away — all of it felt honest.

Julian’s journey back to her, with a nudge from Griff and the gentle wisdom of Percy — the closest thing he ever had to a father — was emotional and satisfying. The reveal of his tragic loss adds depth to his character without overwhelming the romance. And when he finally lays his heart bare, it feels earned.

Harper and Dylan were the stars of this story for me — bright, dedicated, and full of life. Julian was generous, attentive, and deeply aware of the power of connection. Together, they made a beautiful match.

My only complaint is that I wanted a bonus scene showing them a few years down the road, thriving as a family.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/NYV_Julian

About the authors

Meet Sawyer Bennett:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:

https://geni.us/SawyerBennett

Meet Bill Keenan:

Bill Keenan played hockey at Harvard University from 2005 to 2008 and professionally in Europe from 2009 to 2012. After completing his MBA at Columbia Business School, he worked for two years in Deutsche Bank's investment banking division. He currently serves as COO of Graydon Carter's Air Mail.

Connect with Bill Keenan:

https://www.instagram.com/billkeenanwrites/ 

Book review: THE CONSEQUENCE, by Ashley Jade

Star-crossed Lovers trilogy #2

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A raw, emotional, addictive continuation — and I’m still reeling. In The Words and The Choice, I already thought Josh was a despicable human being. In this book, he proves it all over again. His manipulation is on full display, without a hint of remorse. He keeps Skylar tied to him with emotional threats — saying he can’t live without her, hinting he’ll die if she leaves. He’s already cut his wrist once, so Skylar believes he means it. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating.

The love triangle between Memphis, Skylar, and Josh is intense and deeply emotional. Skylar knows she loves Memphis, but she feels trapped by Josh. Their bond goes back to childhood, when he was her safe place during the abuse she suffered. Josh constantly reminds her of everything he’s done for her, everything he’s “saved” her from. To me, it felt like he was tightening a noose around her neck. She feels obligated, like she owes him her life. And now he’s a full‑blown drug addict, and she clings to the hope that she can help him get clean — and maybe, once he does, she’ll finally be free to choose Memphis.

The angst is incredible. I felt so much for Memphis, watching from the outside while Skylar deals with a boyfriend who’s drowning in addiction and cheating with groupies right in front of her. Skylar doesn’t even react anymore — she just wants to fulfill her sense of duty so she can finally breathe. I adored her character: beautiful inside and out, sassy yet vulnerable, naturally gifted with people, perfect for a publicist role… except Josh wants her completely dependent on him. I kept hoping she and Memphis would get their HEA, but her loyalty to Josh and her need to protect him from his own darkness is a massive obstacle.

Many scenes overlap with The Words, but seeing them from a different perspective changes everything. I was gobsmacked more than once. And there’s a huge plot twist toward the end that completely rewired what I thought I knew from the first book. My jaw dropped.

And yes — it ends on a cliffhanger. A brutal one. I’m desperate for the next installment.

Five stars, again.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/TheConsequence2

About the author

Ashley Jade is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and top 20 bestselling Amazon author who craves tackling different genres and tropes within romance. Her first loves are New Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Romantic Suspense, but she also writes everything in between including erotica and dark romance. 

Her characters are flawed and complex, and chances are you will hate them before you fall head over heels in love with them. 

She's a die-hard lover of oxford commas, em-dashes, music, coffee, and anything thought-provoking...except for math. 

Books make her heart beat faster and writing makes her soul come alive. 

If she's not paying off student loan debt, working, or writing a novel—you can usually find her listening to music, hanging out with her readers online, and pondering the meaning of life. 

She loves connecting with her readers—they make her world go 'round. 

Connect w/Ashley: 

Website: https://ashleyjadeauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashley-Jade-Author-788137781302982/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ajadeauthor

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

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14175946

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ashley-jade

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RGsIJ9

Book review: STOLEN PRINCESS, by J. Saman

Once Upon Ever After #3

Desta & Ferrin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A magical, emotional, high‑adventure romance that kept my heart racing!

Desta is finally found, and what a discovery it is! She has spent over sixteen years hidden away in a lonely cottage with a tall tower attached, her room tucked at the very top. With her long blond hair and the way she gazes out at a world she’s never touched, she gave me a soft Rapunzel feeling — a girl full of light, locked away from everything she deserves to experience.

At the start, she’s called Genevieve, and she knows almost nothing about life beyond her walls. All she’s ever been told is that the world is dangerous, violent, and that her mother keeps her hidden for her own protection. It’s heartbreaking and isolating, and you feel her desperation from the very first pages.

Everything changes the day a jewel thief stumbles upon the cottage. Genevieve sees her chance and takes it. She remembers a festival from her childhood — something bright and magical — and she wants to see it again. So she escapes with Ferrin (who is going by Rhys at the time), and from that moment on, the story becomes a whirlwind of adventure, secrecy, and danger.

There’s tension, betrayal, dark deals, and constant pursuit. I’ll admit I was confused at first about who was connected to what, but the pieces fall into place beautifully as the story moves forward. And through it all, I was impatient (more like desperate!) for Genevieve/Desta to find her family.

Ferrin is fascinating. He insists he’s a bad man, shaped by a rough childhood and choices he’s not proud of. He even describes himself as “charcoal grey,” which made me laugh. But when he meets Desta, something in him shifts. She’s sunshine — curious, bold, irreverent, and unexpectedly fierce. She challenges him, surprises him, and keeps him on his toes. And slowly, he lets the good inside him come forward.

Desta’s arc is one of my favorite parts. She starts afraid and sheltered, but she grows into her strength. She stands up for herself, pushes back, and shows Ferrin she’s not a fragile thing. Their dynamic is warm, funny, and full of heart.

The whole story feels like an out‑of‑control train ride — sharp turns, close calls, escapes, and then suddenly running right back into danger again. It’s exhilarating, emotional, and anxiety‑provoking in a fun way.

The final scenes with the family are beautiful, and there are still unanswered questions, which makes me excited for the next book. I loved watching a charcoal‑grey man and a sunny‑yellow girl find each other, fit together, and bring out the best in one another.

Five nail‑biting stars.

Purchase links

http://geni.us/stolenprincess

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

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