Book review: THE LOVE LINE, by Heidi McLaughlin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yikes, I had no idea this book was connected to the Beaumont series. I read some of those books ages ago and remember absolutely nothing, so I went in completely blind. And honestly? It didn’t matter one bit. I was fascinated from the first chapter. The writing is smooth, entertaining, and full of heart.

Liam has been a rockstar for about thirty years, and now in his fifties, he and his bandmates JD and Harrison are feeling the wear and tear. The last tour had half‑filled venues, their bodies are creaky, and Liam just wants to be home with his wife and his grandbabies. Once he’s finally back, the guys start talking about retirement — and each of them has a beautiful reason to stay put for a while. Liam’s grandbabies are almost one, JD’s daughter is training for the Olympics, Harrison has a little boy he wants to enjoy. It’s sweet, grounded, and very real.

Then comes the twist: a producer from New York offers Liam a radio talk show where he gives advice to callers. At first he rejects it like a big “absolutely not,” but Bex, the producer, doesn’t give up. Two days later, Liam calls her back… and suddenly The Love Line with Liam is born.

The talk‑show sections were my favorite. It felt like a modern, heartfelt version of Dear Abby — direct, honest, and full of interesting situations. I could’ve read a whole giant book just of the call‑ins. They were that entertaining.

Of course, the show brings up old wounds, especially Liam’s estranged and abusive father. There’s no forgiveness there, but the emotional weight is handled with care, and you really feel Liam trying to make sense of it.

I loved all the family moments — the sons, daughters, grandbabies, the closeness between Josie and Liam. Beaumont feels like a small town full of love and community, and Liam and Josie have poured so much into making it a beautiful place to raise families. Now… I do need a family tree because there are marriages between bandmates’ kids, twins everywhere, triplets, babies popping out like popcorn. I loved the chaos but could not keep them straight.

The book ends with one issue resolved, but another problem from the radio listeners still hanging in the air. So I have a feeling this story will continue, and I will be waiting with excitement.

A heartfelt, entertaining, comforting read, completely enchanting. Five stars, easily.

Purchase links 

https://geni.us/theloveline 

About the author 

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.

Connect with Heidi McLaughlin:

https://www.instagram.com/heidimclaughlinauthor/ 

Book review: NEVER AFTER US, by Claudia Burgoa

Heartbreak Mixtapes #4

Alec & Mara

 ⭐⭐⭐ 

My early reaction to this book was frustration, mostly because the FMC feels overdramatic, and I couldn’t tell if it was her personality or the author’s writing style. Mara is introduced as a woman whose life completely collapsed after losing her husband, and instead of grounding the story, the writing leans hard into theatrics. She travels the world as a photojournalist with her eight‑year‑old daughter, Mila, living out of suitcases, avoiding home, avoiding her mother, avoiding anything that feels stable. Mila often reads as more mature than Mara, which made their dynamic feel off.

The story itself has great bones — grief, family secrets, an estranged aunt, a complicated inheritance, and a slow connection forming between Mara and Alec. But the execution is weighed down by excessive inner monologue, repetitive descriptions, and a doomsday tone that never lets the reader breathe. Instead of showing emotions through actions, the book explains them over and over, which makes the pacing drag.

Alec is another “hot mess,” coming from the foster system and a rock‑and‑roll past, but he’s already been in therapy and has tools to manage his issues. His extreme angst didn’t feel fully earned, especially compared to the first book in the series, where the MMC’s struggles were genuinely dire. Here, the emotional intensity feels inflated, not organic.

The romance has sweet moments, especially when Alec starts bonding with Mila, but again, those interactions are mostly told rather than shown. The author spends more time blabbing than letting scenes unfold naturally. Mara’s grief, anger, and avoidance loop for most of the book, and her growth only starts late — very late.

By the time the story finally reveals the deeper family history, the plot becomes genuinely moving. The twists are strong, the emotional payoff is real, and the themes of identity, forgiveness, and belonging shine. I just wish those revelations hadn’t been held back until the last quarter, leaving the reader to slog through so much melodrama before getting to the heart of the story.

My verdict:

I loved the core story and the twists, but the writing style — too chatty, too repetitive, too dramatic — kept pulling me out. The angst felt exaggerated, the flow was muddy, and Mara’s arc took too long to find direction. Three stars, because the emotional payoff is lovely, but the book needs tighter writing and better balance.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/NeverAfterUs

Available in KU

About the author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. 

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watches shows or movies with her equally geeky husband. 

Connect with Claudia Burgoa:

https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/links/ 

Book review: GRIZZ, by Sawyer Bennett & Bill Keenan

Vipers #1

Grizz & Daisy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story follows Grizz, the explosive star player of the New York Vipers, and Daisy, a rising fashion writer who gets fired for asking the hard questions nobody wants to answer. Both of them are bold, stubborn, and used to being called “difficult,” so when Daisy ends up working for the Vipers and is assigned to keep Grizz in line, the clash is instant.

What I loved is how Daisy sees past Grizz’s rough edges right away. She doesn’t baby him, doesn’t get intimidated, and doesn’t let him skip out on his responsibilities. That earns his respect fast, and the chemistry between them starts building in this push‑pull way that feels natural for two people who don’t trust easily. Their connection turns physical early, and even though they call it casual, it’s obvious they’re becoming each other’s safe place.

The book spends a lot of time inside their heads — their fears, their anger, their pasts — and that gives the romance a heavier, more emotional tone. Grizz’s family situation adds depth, showing why he carries so much bottled‑up pain. Daisy becomes the person who steadies him, even when he tries to shove her away.

There is a breakup, and it hurts, but it fits who they are: two people terrified of repeating old patterns. The reunion is tender and full of longing, though I wished the ending had more closure. I wanted an epilogue or at least clarity about Daisy’s job plans.

What I loved:

• Daisy’s strength — she’s firm, funny, and refuses to shrink herself.

• Grizz’s vulnerability — once he lets you see it, you root for him.

• Elias, the best friend — honestly one of my favorite parts. His support is warm and non‑pushy.

• The writing style feels different from Sawyer Bennett’s solo books: more description, more rumination, less hockey action. I missed the girlfriend group energy from other Vipers stories, but the friendship here was wonderful.

This is a heated, emotional, character‑heavy romance about two abrasive, passionate people learning how to soften for each other. It’s messy, tender, and full of slow healing. The ending needed a bit more wrap‑up, but the journey was strong and satisfying.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/Grizz

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: XOXO, SUMMER, by S.L. Scott

Season Sisters #1
Summer & Danuek
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A sweet, cozy, slow‑building romance set in an idyllic small town, full of charm, laughter, and a family you instantly want to belong to.

Daniel Sutton arrives in Mountain Laurel Cove hoping for peace, time with his son Roman, and space to figure out his future in hockey. He’s famous, exhausted, and a little lonely in ways he doesn’t admit. Summer Season, on the other hand, is the town’s rule‑loving caretaker — a woman shaped by loss, responsibility, and years of raising her sisters. She’s funny, loving, and a little uptight, but in the most endearing way.

Their meet cute is pure comedy: Summer shows up with a welcome basket, finds Daniel half‑dressed and glorious, gets flustered enough to end up on her knees, and suddenly this serious, rule‑following woman is flirting like she hasn’t in ages. The banter is bright, silly, and full of innuendo — the kind that makes you grin.

From there, everything snowballs. A broken faucet, a flooded cottage, no plumbers available, and suddenly Daniel and Roman are staying with Summer and her family. And what a family — Dolly and the Season sisters (Autumn Leaf, Winter Snow, Spring Lily, and Summer Sky) are quirky, warm, and unforgettable. Roman fits right in, and Daniel… well, he starts to feel like he’s been part of their world forever.

What I loved most is how the romance grows. It’s not instant love. It’s liking first with a strong dose of chemistry, then trust, then the kind of affection that sneaks up on both of them. Summer sees the man behind Daniel’s fame — the tired, sweet, hopeful man who wants to be known for more than hockey. And Daniel sees Summer’s heart, her humor, her strength, and the way she carries her whole world with so much care.

There’s real tension too: Summer’s dream of buying the cottages she manages, the threat of big money coming to destroy the town’s identity, Daniel’s career crossroads, and the pressure of long‑distance stretches when he’s asked to coach new hires. But through all of it, they keep choosing each other, even when it’s hard.

The story stays warm, funny, and full of small‑town magic. Roman is adorable, Dolly is an irreverent delight, the sisters are a sweet riot, and Daniel and Summer’s connection feels earned and tender. It’s a romance about being seen, being supported, and finding a home — not just a place, but a person.

Four stars. A charming, heartfelt read with lovable characters, slow‑burn sweetness, and a hero who finally gets the love he’s been craving.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/XOXOAm

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional, relatable, and captivating.

Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.

For more information, visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. She also loves to connect with readers on social media.

Connect with S.L. Scott:

https://linktr.ee/s.l.scott

Book review: TRY AGAIN, BABY, by Julia Wolf

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A warm, emotional second‑chance romance full of heart, family, and one unforgettable little girl! This story gave me big feelings in the best way. It starts with Mazzy, stranded in New Zealand, heartbroken and trying to get home on a cheaper ticket. She’s a mess, she knows it, and she’s honest about it — which is exactly why the cute stranger at the counter laughs with her instead of at her. That tiny moment of kindness turns into something huge when she learns he paid for her ticket and she’s suddenly sitting next to him in business class. Their chemistry is instant, sweet, and a little chaotic, and their one night together feels like two lost people finding comfort in each other.

Six months later, everything changes. Mazzy is pregnant, struggling with bills, trying to continue her studies. When she tries to tell Ben, he rejects her so harshly it breaks something inside her. She moves on, builds a life, and becomes the kind of mother who fights for her child’s health and happiness even when she’s exhausted. I loved her strength — quiet, steady, and so real.

Four years later, fate throws them back together in Denver. They learn that four years ago, she mistook Ben’s twin Roman. And the moment Ben learns he has a daughter? It’s gut‑punch emotional. He’s overwhelmed with joy, grief, and regret all at once. It felt like watching someone’s heart crack open. When he finally meets Katty, he’s done for — completely in love, completely changed. Those scenes made me cry; they were tender and full of longing for the years he missed.

From there, the book becomes a mix of healing, family chaos, and slow rebuilding. Ben is a big‑hearted rugby player with huge emotions and a tendency to leap before thinking. Mazzy is grounded, mature, and protective. Together, they find a rhythm that feels natural and sweet. His brothers fall in love with Katty instantly, and the family moments — the laughter, the teasing, the fierce loyalty — were some of my favorites.

I also loved Mazzy’s support system: Aunt Barb with her prickly love, Kylie with her wild influencer energy, and Shira with her gentle kindness. Katty steals every scene she’s in. She’s adorable, funny, and full of personality, and watching her bond with her dad was beautiful.

There is a lot of sex once Mazzy and Ben reconnect — long, detailed scenes that pop up often. For me, they slowed the story down, but skimming worked fine because the emotional core stayed strong.

My verdict: a heartfelt, funny, emotional romance about second chances, family wounds, and the fierce love between a father and the daughter he never knew he had. Mazzy’s strength and Ben’s huge heart make them easy to root for, and Katty brings all the sunshine. A warm, satisfying four‑star read.

Purchase links

https://mybook.to/TryAgainBaby 

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/