Book review: FOREVER FIGHTING, by J. Saman

Forever Boston #2

Roman & Braelyn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A beautiful, emotional friends‑to‑lovers story! Starting this book feels like returning to a beloved neighborhood and catching up with people you’ve missed. I love the Fritz family, and Roman and Braelyn’s story pulled me in right away.

They’ve known each other forever, tied together by family and childhood memories, but life has left them both with heartbreak and guilt. When Braelyn’s world falls apart, she runs straight to Roman, and that moment changes everything. Their connection grows inevitably — tender, funny, emotional — especially during their trip to Vegas and Mexico, where their relationship finally shifts into something real. That couples massage scene had me laughing (poor Roman!).

There’s drama waiting for them back home, including a messy ex and a stalker‑level “Corporate Barbie,” but through all the chaos, Roman and Brae choose each other. Their families rally, their friends support them, and Roman finally lets go of the guilt he’s carried for years.

In the end, this story is warm, dramatic, romantic, and full of heart. I loved their banter, loved that feeling of being secure in each other, like they know, in a cellular level, that the other one won’t ever hurt them, and that true confidence that goes deep inside.  There’s friendship, family, drama, it was funny and emotional, everything that I loved in a book. I loved every minute of this saga — the family bonds, the loyalty, the heartbreak, the healing, and the love that was always meant to be.

Purchase links

http://geni.us/ForeverFighting

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

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Book review: LOVE HARD, by Louise Bay

Colorado Club Billionaires #3

Jack & Iris

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is basically a love letter to fated meetings—the ones we don’t expect, the ones we don’t think we deserve, and the ones that show up in the opening of the New York City ballet, wearing a tux, and taking your for a stroll through Central Park.

Iris is the kind of heroine who quietly breaks your heart and then stitches it back together with sheer determination. She’s spent years shelving her own dreams to keep her family afloat, sneaking off once a year to New York to breathe the air of the life she almost had. And then one night at the ballet, fate plops a ridiculously charming man right next to her.

Enter Jack Alden: handsome, wealthy, raised in a world of legacy and expectations he never asked for. He’s supposed to be the perfect society son, but instead he falls headfirst for a woman from a Colorado fruit farm who tips restroom attendants and has more heart than his entire social circle combined.

Their chemistry is instant, sweet, and a little bit magical—the kind that makes you believe in destiny even if you’re usually more of a “let’s be realistic” person. What follows is a story about two people trying to carve out a life that feels like theirs, not the one they were handed. There’s longing, heartbreak, found family, a very satisfying reunion, and a hero who is absolutely gone for the heroine in the best way.

“We were both lost before we found each other. Together we’re the best versions of ourselves. We’re stronger. Happier. Better in every way.”

It’s tender, hopeful, and full of that warm “we make each other better” energy that makes romance so addictive. And yes, the love scenes feel like connection, not choreography.

A charming, heartfelt read about choosing love, choosing yourself, and rewriting the script you thought you had to follow.

Purchase links

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱

https://geni.us/LoveHard

Amazon US: https://geni.us/LoveHardAmzUS

Amazon UK: https://geni.us/loveharduk

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F8RCGCQ4

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0F8RCGCQ4

Audible US: https://geni.us/lovehardaudio

Audible UK: https://geni.us/lovehardaudiouk

Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://geni.us/LoveHardGR

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:

https://louisebay.com/contact/

Book review: LOVE DEEP, by Louise Bay

Colorado Club Billionaires #2

Fisher & Juniper

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved Fisher and Juniper! They made more sense to me than the characters in the first book, Love Fast.  Both Fisher and Juniper had situations that kept them where they lived. Fisher has a company that represents artists, the studios are in New York, his base is there and many of his clients are there.  He’s the type who wants to meet with his clients face to face, not through online meeting apps, as others do.

Juniper is a single mom, her daughter Riley is her whole world, and she believes she will give Riley the best childhood right here in Star Falls, where they know everyone and they’re safe.  In a word, she was stuck on her town and not budging.

Juniper is an artist, but she gave up her chance at going to New York University to study art when she got pregnant.  Now, she works as a teacher assistant to pay the bills, and paints when she has time.  So, she doesn’t consider herself an artist and doesn’t feel comfortable when her paintings are praised.  

Fisher was struck on Juniper the first time they met at Grizzly’s bar.  He was also struck on their wings!  As they spend time together, Fisher falls more and more for the charms of the little town, and for Juniper.  Her bright smile, her genuine behavior, not entitled, not out to get something from him, captivate him and he wants more.

What I loved about this book is that a temporary fling was what Juniper and Fisher could have, given their circumstances, and they were clear and accepting of this.  However, as time goes on, as Fisher realizes the charm of the town, how much he’s falling for Juniper, and how much he likes Riley, he starts wanting more, and chaffing against the restrictions they imposed on themselves.

I loved the transition of their initial stance, to wavering on the brink of commitment and how they helped each other with their purpose in life.  Both learned to compromise in favor of a strong love, and both gained a lot because of it.  I also loved seeing characters from a previous book, Beau Cove and Vivian Cross from Dr. Fake Fiancé.  I couldn’t resist and did a nice re-read!

I found this story incredibly romantic and wonderful to read!

Purchase links

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!

https://geni.us/LoveDeep

Audiobook Narrated by Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor

Audible US: https://geni.us/LDaudio

Audible UK: https://geni.us/LDaudioUK

Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://geni.us/lovedeepgr

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:

https://louisebay.com/contact/

Book review: LITTLE PIECES OF LIGHT, by Emma Scott

I’m always a little afraid of starting a book by Emma Scott because I know she’ll take my heart through a wringer. And she did! She makes me cry but also gives me immense happiness. What a beautiful story, so much emotion and heart! I felt profound feelings of loss and love, two lovers who are soulmates, have the perfect chemistry, and as the story evolves, they also evolve into a perfect entanglement.

Xander has felt loss in his childhood when his mother left him and his father.  His father is a wonderful man, a genius, who through the development of the story goes in a mental decline due to neurological illness.  Xander, who is also a genius, feels the weight of honoring his father by continuing his work. He also feels an enduring love for a little girl who gave him grace when he was lonely and sad, just after his mother left.  Through the years, he wrote her many letters without a response, but he never forgot her.

Likewise, Emilia never forgot that remarkable boy she met at a park who captivated her with his brilliant and beautiful mind, his kindness and for seeing her, not just the rich girl.  

When they meet again, both have their destinies written for them, but once they get past their miscommunication, their closeness is too much to sustain any level of separation, because they are entangled, endlessly and completely.

While Xander’s father was a fountain of love and joy (and worry), Emilia’s father was evil through and through.  Xander felt pressed on continuing his father’s work, and Emilia felt oppressed by her father’s expectations.  I felt suspense and worry as the book progressed because their love was so beautiful but it felt like everything was against them. There are sub-plots that add levels to the story and show us that family is not just the one you grow with, but the one you make with friends.  

I hurt for Emilia’s hope of saving her family and keeping them together, but also marveled at her fortitude when her house of cards fell down. Xander was so strong, feeling like life was giving him punches one after another, and yet standing strong, loving and being there.  His brilliant mind was such that he absorbed and admired the brilliance of Emilia’s creativity and how it shone similar to his. There’s a scene I loved where he shows her how he sees the world in equations while she sees the same things with her images.  Very Impressive!

There’s a meaningful phrase in the book, referring to the origin of the atoms that comprise our bodies:

“I love to think we’re pieces of the huge stars that light up the universe. They came together to make us, then dissolve away when we die. But we never wink out for good. We just keep going, our little pieces of light, coming together again and again, forever.”

But for me, the little pieces of light were bright moments during the story that stayed in my mind and gave me joy, like when Xander’s Math club had a party in Xander’s house and honored his father; when Ms. Alvarez helped Emilia obtain entrance and financial aid to UCLA; the few times that Emilia’s mother stood up for her; when Xander’s team won the first regatta and he won the respect and admiration of the coach and the team; when the doctor treating Dr. Ford and said he was kind and full of joy and his favorite patient.

As in all her books, the author shares some of her life experiences.  I felt her immense sadness and loss in the final scenes when Xander and Emilia’s worlds crack down, and also felt her resilience when both our lovers get up and forge on, honoring the people they lost.

Purchase links

About the author

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in seven languages and featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels. Visit www.emmascottwrites.com

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