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

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

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

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

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/

Book review: WHEN SPARKS FLY, by Monica Murphy

This was a sweet, easy romance read with lovely character growth! For me, Monica Murphy is the queen of YA romances, but this one didn’t have quite the same spark as previous ones. Maybe it’s because the characters are older — 22 and 29 — or because the plot is more linear, with most of the angst coming from side characters who will clearly get their own book next. Still, I enjoyed it a lot, especially Wyatt and Rachel.

Rachel starts off as a pampered New York girl who’s been humiliated by a charming British jerk, and she escapes to her family’s house in California to hide and breathe. A small accident (okay… a fire) brings Wyatt, the local fire captain, into her life. He thinks she’s clueless, and honestly, she kind of is — but she owns her mistakes, and that’s what made me like her from the start.

What really won me over was Rachel’s growth. Cut off financially and stranded in a small town, she takes a job at a local restaurant, works hard, makes friends, and slowly proves to herself that she’s capable. Watching her flourish was my favorite part of the book.

Wyatt is a single dad with a sweet daughter and emotional scars. Their romance builds slowly, with both of them fighting their feelings because they know summer won’t last forever. There’s some small‑town jealousy, some family tension, and one big life‑changing event that shakes everything up.

Even though the story didn’t have the usual Murphy magic for me, it was still warm, charming, and full of heart. Rachel and Wyatt are easy to root for, and Rachel’s journey from sheltered to strong made the whole book worth it.

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/3Mt4Uqb

Audible: https://bit.ly/48LYKd6

Narrated by: Tor Thom & Kelsey Navarro Foster

Paperback: https://geni.us/IuaekK8

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4oCZJRR

About the author

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere, along with their four cats and one crazy dog. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to sometimes putting her characters through tough, angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Never miss a release! Sign up for Monica's newsletter to get new book alerts (copy/paste) ➜ https://bit.ly/Monicanewsletter

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Book review: MIDNIGHT PRINCE, by J. Saman

Once Upon Ever After #2

Rowan & Marcella

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! This book absolutely shines, taking everything wonderful from the first two installments and raising the stakes in the best way. After following King Sebastian’s journey, we step into Prince Rowan’s story and go back into the suspense, the mystery, the menace of the curse, and it’s impossible not to fall right in.

Rowan has always been the charming prince in the background, but here he becomes a man longing for something real, something tender, something his brother found with Bellamy. And when he crosses paths with a mysterious woman who steals his breath—and leaves behind only a diamond earring—he’s caught and is a man on a mission.

Marcella is the heart of this book. Strong, abused, brave, and desperate for freedom, she’s a heroine who grabs you from the first moment. Watching her step into the palace as a simple maid, trying to build an honest life while carrying the weight of her past, is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Initially, she was carrying out a job to honor her slain brother, then she realized the truth and decided to honor that truth, not her owner’s. Her chemistry with Rowan is electric, full of longing, tension, and a sweetness that sneaks up on both of them.

What makes this story unforgettable is how seamlessly it blends romance with danger, secrets, and jaw‑dropping revelations. The last chapters brought new twists, new truths, and new emotional punches.  My jaw was touching the floor, I was so surprised. The suspense keeps you glued to the page, but the love story is what makes your heart ache in the best way.

Rowan’s devotion, Marcella’s courage, the royal family’s warmth, and the unraveling of long‑buried mysteries all come together in a tale that is passionate, tender, and thrilling. It’s a story about healing, choosing love over fear, and finding your place in a world that once tried to erase you.

A captivating, emotional, nail‑biting romance that left me smiling, swooning, and eager for the next chapter in this royal saga.

Purchase links

http://geni.us/MidnightPrince

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/