Book review: YOU, ME, AND FOREVER, by Laura Pavlov

Blushing series #1

Montana & Miles

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found this book to be so cute and sweet.  It does have steamy times, but the way Montana and Myles fell in love is just what romance books is all about.  Montana has a wedding planning business going on in Blushing, Alaska.  It’s going great until some mogul from New York purchased the Seaside Inn, where most of her weddings took place and it caused her problems with the bridal couples who had their heart set in using that venue.  Montana herself has fond childhood memories tied to that place, so it made her hate the person who bought the inn and plans to demolish it and build a bigger structure.

Trying to raise her mood, she went to the Moose Brew bar with her two besties, she met this gorgeous guy, had a one-night stand, and woke up next morning in a much better mood.  That is, until she went to the inn for a wedding meeting and met the guy, learned he’s the new owner! Awkward!

It starts as enemies, then cautious acquaintances, on to friendship, and on to bed.  In spite of his ambitious business goals, Myles is a great guy, generous with his time and attentions, and he starts to care for Montana.  But he steadfastly denies any further feelings because he has no time or desire to be tied down, or for marriage, after suffering through his parents’ crappy marriage.  The joke is on him, because he does fall in love, in total denial all the time.

The story is cute, they are a wonderful couple who decide to have a fling and end it when his work with the inn is done.  We suffer with Montana as she deals with falling in love with no hope because his life is in New York and she knows she won’t ever leave Blessing.

I laughed at Myles and his constant state of denial.  He was besotted with Montana and helped her business as much as she allowed him to.  And he kept on planning his next project, all the time bemoaning having to leave Montana behind.  

A perfect romance, with lovely characters and a sweet story with just the right touches of steam, angst, family and friends.  I love small town stories because they include all the charm of a little town, even if it comes with a side of the gossip train.

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3BaBXdi

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/YMandF

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ZAkG6X

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

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

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

Book review: FIRST VERSE, by L.M. Halloran

A Perfect Song Duet #1

Wilder & Evangeline

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This author is the queen of angst and I am a willing subject.  I love how she shreds my heart, how she makes her characters so perfectly adorable and broken, and their story so compelling.  

Wilder and Evangeline are the children of the Breaking Giants rock band; Evangeline is Matt Sullivan’s daughter, Wilder is Julian Ashburn’s son.  Like their fathers, they’re insanely talented and have been making music since children.  They had their own band when they were teenagers, and right after high school, Wilder debuted in the high stakes world with his band Night Theory, and with Evangeline doing keyboards and harmonizing with his voice.  They were magical together but inside, they were broken.

I truly loved this story, stopped many times because I didn’t want it to end.  I was completely captivated by both characters and also saw that they were poison to each other.  Wilder was obsessed with Evangeline and not in a healthy way, and Evangeline was constantly hurt by Wilder’s selfish wants.  I saw the love, the need, their co-dependency, loved how they harmonized together, like they were soulmates, but they feel unfinished, like they were not ready for each other.  Both needed to grow up, to learn to love themselves first before they could love unselfishly and wholeheartedly.  It was such a beautiful story, full of love and yearning, and I even loved that it ended in a cliffhanger because I understand that they needed a little more growing individually before being together.  Now I can’t wait for the next book and read what it brings!

Purchase links

https://a.co/d/2OkZiGQ 

Available in KU 

About the author

When not writing or reading, the author can be found gardening barefoot or chasing her spirited daughter. Some of her favorite things are puzzles, podcasts, and small dogs that resemble Ewoks. Home is Portland, Oregon.

Connect with L.M. Halloran:

https://www.lmhalloran.com/

Book review: LOVE FAST, by Louise Bay

Colorado Club Billionaires #1

Byron & Rosey

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Super cute and entertaining, this book features a runaway bride and the guy who returns to his hometown after many years away.  Byron ran away from Star Falls when his father lost their ranch due to his gambling debts, and he felt he had something to prove about himself.  Now he’s back, a millionaire, constructing a billionaire’s club on the outskirts of his hometown.  It feels like he wants to redeem his family reputation.  However, the towners are not applying for jobs at his resort.

Rosie fled to Star Falls, running away from a wedding that was pretty much forced on her by her mother, who saw her bridegroom as the meal ticket to a cushy life.  She got a job as a waitress in Byron’s resort, she was a hard worker and was enjoying the freedom of gaining wages and taking her own decisions on her life. 

Byron fell first and fell hard, but Rosie was hesitant.  She didn’t want another rich guy helping her and making her feel obligated.  Their back and forth, the suggestions she gave him regarding his relation with the town, her fascination with everything Star Falls helped him come to terms with his feelings about his town and start appreciating it.  

This was my favorite part of the story, how each one helped the other with enlightenment: Rosey realized who she really was running from, and Byron realized the real reasons why he was constructing his resort here in Star Falls.  I didn’t get a real sense of how much in love they were, the story didn’t feel all that passionate for me, more of an introspective look at themselves and how supportive they had each other’s back.  I loved seeing the other billionaire guys from New York appearing in this book, with their wives.  Lovely to see them happy and thriving!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/LoveFast

𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://geni.us/lovefastgr

About the author

International, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes contemporary romance novels that make you laugh - the kind she likes to read.

Ruined by the bonk-busters of the eighties, Louise was inspired by Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, but wants to be Emily Henry when she grows up.

Louise loves the rain, RHOBH, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, hanging out with her kid, elephants and champagne (not necessarily in that order).

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

 

Keep up with Louise Bay and subscribe to her newsletter: https://louisebay.com/newsletter/

 

To learn more about Louise Bay& her books, visit here!

 

Connect with Louise Bay:

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Book review: CAN’T GET ENOUGH, by Kennedy Ryan

Skyland #3

Hendrix & Maverick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kennedy Ryan not only writes a beautiful romance, she also educates and promotes her ideals.  I was embraced by the strength of her characters but also the love of friends and family.  It’s always an education to live inside the lives of black people, feel their fears, how much they have to fight to get ahead, double the effort of white people.  There’s also the strength of their support groups.  It feels like a different nation within the nation, fighting for survival and being free from persecution.

Central to the theme of this story is Alzheimers and how much impact it bears on the persons who act as caretakers.  The author took us on a journey that not only showed us the effort it takes, but also the fears of the person suffering the condition.  Hendrix’s love for her mama, and how their roles are now reversed, is heartbreaking and uplifting.  Also very present is the difficulties in taking care of a beloved parent when your work and your life is in another state.  Hendrix approaches everything with love and gratitude for the time she will have with her mother, never acting like her mama is an unbearable load.  I loved how Mav pursued her, always including her mother and her aunt in his attentions, never resenting the time they took Hendrix away from him.  

I loved Mav’s tenacity in getting his girl, loved how different it felt when he was with Zere to being with Hendrix.  It shows that when you find THE ONE, you really compromise your ideas and your priorities because the one is the most important thing there is.  

This is one story where love is everything and there is no compromise, only one choice.  Kennedy Ryan always enthralls with her stories, it’s not just love and sex, it’s the promotion of womanhood, of wonderful black people, how they love and support each other, the obstacles and fears they face. It’s an education, it’s a mission, it’s mind opening, and it’s just beautiful.

Purchase links

https://bit.ly/3XfyD7T

Audio Narrated by: Wesleigh Siobhan & Jakobi Diem

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3TiVEFG

Get an exclusive edition paperback with a one-time only printing at Barnes & Noble while they last: 

https://bit.ly/3ZYENMo

This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition includes color foil on the cover and Skyland landmark map.

Order your signed copy from Page 158 Books: https://bit.ly/4dDTkAr

Start reading book 1 in the Skyland series, Before I Let Go: https://bit.ly/480mt7V

About the author

 

USA Today bestselling author and Audie® Award-winner Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Kennedy and her writings have been featured in NPR, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Glamour, Cosmo, Ebony, TIME, and many others. The co-founder of LIFT 4 Autism, an annual charitable book auction, she has a passion for raising Autism awareness. She is a wife to her "lifetime lover" and mother to an extraordinary son. 

 

Find out more at:

KennedyRyanWrites.com

facebook.com/KennedyRyanAuthor

Twitter: @KennedyRWrites

Instagram: @KennedyRyan1

Book review: DYING TO MEET YOU, by Sarina Bowen

This book is fantastic!! It kept me guessing for such a long time, it gave me hives, made me bite my nails, kept me neurotically passing the pages, wanting to know what happens.  I was angry for Rowan as the detectives kept trying to pin her, and angry at Rowan when she snipped at Harrison.  I hurt for Natalie in her yearning to have her father in her life. 

The book grows in crescendo as the evidence keeps on turning up.  It was a very thrilling read and totally recommend if you need a book to occupy your head completely.  House chores gone out of my mind, I wanted to know whodunit! 

Purchase links

Amazon: https://geni.us/DMY-Kindle
Apple Books: https://geni.us/DMY-Apple
Kobo: https://geni.us/DMY-Kobo
Barnes & Noble: https://geni.us/DMY-Nook
Google Play: https://geni.us/DMY-google
Audio: https://geni.us/DMY-Audible

All links in one place: https://sarinabowen.com/dtmy-links
ADD TO GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213904492-dying-to-meet-you

About the author

 

Never miss a new book or sale! Subscribe to Sarina's newsletter at: http://geni.us/SBsignup

Sarina Bowen's contemporary and LGBT romance novels have hit the USA Today bestsellers list twenty times. Formerly a Wall Street derivatives trader, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University. She lives in New Hampshire with her family, nine chickens, and far too much hockey gear.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com

Book review: HOLD THE LINE, by Julia Wolf

The Kelly Ranch #2

Phoebe & Deacon

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beautiful and so very moving! What a wonderful story, I loved every word, and loved the characters.  I love ex-con stories, love reading how they overcome the stigma of being seen as a felon and untrustworthy, how they feel unworthy of love.  In this case, Phoebe had a high school crush on Deacon, so when he moved to the apartment upstairs of hers, it was like a second chance, and she took it. He had to get over his issues in a hurry!

Deacon says that Phoebe smells like sugar, and she’s definitely sweet and beautiful inside and out.  Her family thinks she needs protection but she’s very solid and forthright.  Getting together with Deacon was as natural as breathing, in spite of his hesitation.  I saw Deacon as this man of true grit, who overcame a family of misfits, took his little sister out of that environment, did a favor to his brother and got arrested for it.  He served four years and now wants peace, to be able to work and get ahead.  I loved how Phoebe’s family, who are like royalty in this town, accepted him as one of their own, because he loved Phoebe so hard and made her happy.  

The first three quarters of the story are wonderful and uplifting with some suspense coming from Deacon’s nasty older brother.  The last quarter is heartbreaking with nail-biting suspense.  

I loved seeing Deacon’s transformation from a taciturn man of few smiles, to a guy who laughs and jokes, to the guy who cries when his beloved is in danger and hurt.  He opened his heart and his mind, and Phoebe made him whole.  Super romantic and just plain beautiful!

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/42ifANK

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43Y0Bd1

About the author

Julia Wolf writes sexy rockers, broken bad boys, 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.

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

Website: http://juliawolfwrites.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17563191.Julia_Wolf

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Julia-Wolf/author/B078VDJ3Z1

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