Book review: GOLD RUSH, by C.W. Farnsworth

The Kensingtons: Second Generation #4

Rory & Flynn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a delicious book!  From the previous books, I just knew Rory and Flynn had a thing for each other. Like little kids in kindergarten, boys tease the little girls they like (Flynn), and girls are annoyed by the little boys they secretly like (Rory).  And everyone knows that Rory’s boyfriend is a douche-canoe, and their time together was coming up short.

So when this book starts, I’m all for it, because I know Rory and Flynn belong together.  When Flynn’s father denies him the trust fund he’s been dangling since college, Flynn decides to take action.  Since losing his friend Penn to a drug overdose during freshman year, he's dreamed of creating a foundation to help college students who are feeling lonely, isolated, and overwhelmed by the pressures of university life. But, he needs a lot more money than he already has. Unfortunately, his father's condition for releasing the trust fund is simple: get a girlfriend, get engaged, and settle down. So Flynn turns to Rory.

Rory is newly single after her boyfriend Carson was found in a scandalous situation and the video was seen far and wide.  She  accepts the fake engagement with Flynn, he moves into her apartment,  things start heating up and the bed starts hopping!

I knew Flynn has hidden depths, he’s known to be a nice guy despite his playboy fame, and this book shows them all up.  The fun part is that Rory starts to discover them, and we are all delighted.  Also, I knew Flynn has a thing for Rory and I loved that as Rory discovers his attributes (physical and personality) she starts to fall.

I love that the author gives us a hard time, with Rory’s second-guessing and Flynn’s insecurity about her, but Flynn shows devotion, he listens to her, he notices all her likes and habits, and he just shows up.  How can you resist a guy like that? Plus, they are opposites, Flynn is the life of the party, Rory the wallflower.  They complement each other perfectly!  It was a delightful read from start to finish, so of course, five stars.

Thanks to the author for such an entertaining and delicious book, and many thanks for not spending a gazillion pages on sex scenes, just showing a hint.  The book is all about the story and I love that.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4esK7hx

About the author

 C.W. Farnsworth is the author of numerous adult and young adult romance novels featuring sports, strong female leads, and happy endings.

Charlotte lives in Rhode Island and when she isn't writing spends her free time reading, at the beach, or snuggling with her Australian Shepherd.

 

Connect with Charlotte

Website: https://authorcwfarnsworth.com  

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/485RndP 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4agSCsy 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwfarnsworth/   

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cwfarnsworthbooks   

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

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

Book review: LET’S BE REAL, by Julia Wolf

The Wells Brothers #3

Nate & Samantha

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a beautiful and intriguing story! Going into this book, I thought Nate was the serious, almost robotic Wells brother. I was so happy to finally get to know the real him. He’s kind, thoughtful, and impossible not to love.

Samantha and Nate were perfect for each other. Both carry old wounds, and I loved watching their relationship grow from friendship and family ties into something deeper. Nate listens to her rambling, Samantha sees the goodness in him, and together they bring out the best in each other.

What made this story stand out is that it’s not just a romance. Both characters struggle with deeply personal issues, and their journey is as much about healing as it is about falling in love. Nate’s battle with depression was especially moving and felt  heartbreaking at times.

I also loved the strong family element. The Wells brothers always show up for each other, most specially when it matters most, and seeing them rally around Nate during his darkest moments was incredibly emotional. 

This book put me through all the highs and lows, but I was fully invested because Nate and Samantha are such wonderful people. A heartfelt, emotional romance about love, healing, family, and finding the courage to let yourself be happy. Highly recommend. Five stars, of course! ❤️

Purchase links

https://mybook.to/LetsBeRealWB 

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: ICE COLD CHEMISTRY, by Kendall Ryan

Off the Ice #2

Banks & Winnie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A tender, protective, slow‑building romance that feels like healing, this book gave me everything I love in a romance: a woman rebuilding herself, a man who feels too closed‑off to love, and the slow, careful way they find safety in each other.

Winnie starts fresh with a new job and strict rules for herself after a painful past. She wants peace, confidence, and a life where she doesn’t shrink for anyone. But her first days at work are rough — too many immature men who don’t know how to behave, too many comments that make her feel small again. And just when she thinks she has to deal with it alone, someone steps in.

Banks.

When the sleaze Grayson Reed goes too far, Banks steps in. Not loudly, not dramatically — just with that quiet authority that shuts a whole room down. And when he sees Winnie shaken one day, he decides he’s done watching from the sidelines. He offers to be her fake boyfriend to protect her from the players’ behavior, and the moment they test it at lunch, everything changes. The room goes silent. The guys behave. The yoga class finally becomes what it should be. And Winnie gets to breathe again.

He’s quiet, broody, and looks like he’s always one second away from growling at someone. But underneath all that is a man who has lived a life full of instability and loneliness, and it shows. He doesn’t talk much, he doesn’t let people close, and he definitely doesn’t know what to do when he meets someone who makes him feel something real.

Their connection grows in small, gentle moments — the kind that sneak up on you. He protects her without making her feel weak. She softens him without forcing him to change. They start to trust each other, to open up, to feel seen for the first time. And the more time they spend together, the more you feel that warm, steady pull between them.

There are challenges, misunderstandings, and moments where old fears try to ruin something good. But what makes this story beautiful is how they work through it. Winnie learns she deserves someone who shows up. Banks learns that not everyone leaves. And together, they build something that feels safe, sweet, and full of hope.

By the end, you’re smiling because these two finally get the love they’ve always needed — a love that feels like home.

What I loved:

Winnie came from pain and found someone who gave her safety, joy, and a place to stand tall. Banks came from abandonment and found someone who stayed, who loved him, who made him believe he deserved a home. They healed each other in quiet, steady ways. They learned, trusted, and built something real. And Banks discovered that family isn’t always blood — sometimes it’s the people who choose you and stay.

A tender, protective, emotional romance that made me smile, ache, and cheer for these two. A perfect five‑star read.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4b7EHYj

Goodreads: https://geni.us/ICCGR

Audio: https://geni.us/jj23tn

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: MERIT, by Devney Perry

Treasure State Wildcats #4

Maverick & Stevie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Now I understand why the author says this is the perfect ending to this series.  Everyone is present in this story, Coach Ellis and Millie, Toren and Jennsyn, Rush and Faye, Maverick and Stevie.  Some of the action between Maverick and Stevie happen while the other love stories are happening, so we get a teeny tiny peek into their stories again, from a different perspective.  I love that!

What I didn’t love is the constant bickering between Maverick and Stevie that happens during the first chapters.  She’s obstinate, he’s a jerk. It’s like they have a switch and they turn into their worst persona when they are together, otherwise they are great people.  And since their parents are best friends who spend a lot of time together, this happens A LOT.

Maverick’s mother has cancer and she guilt-trips Maverick and Stevie into dating.  What starts as a disaster, continues on as a discovery of why they were such good friends, and continues on to love.  I loved this process, once the tedious bickering stopped.  I loved the emotional process they went through, cried through the angsty despair as they watch Mav’s mom deteriorate at a fast clip. I loved both Maverick and Stevie but liked Maverick more.  He seemed to be more real with himself, accepted his faults, even if he continued being a jerk.  Stevie was so naturally obstinate that she had a hard time curbing her snark.  The last half of the book was totally Devney Perry perfection, with the angsty, steamy, and tender love I’ve grown to expect from her books. Totally recommend!

Purchase links

Free on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/43Kk6FW

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4kResba

About the author

Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. 

 

Connect with Devney

Website: www.devneyperry.com

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2kncXnb

Amazon: https://geni.us/nAXkP

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/devneyperrybooks

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/324585607979213/

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

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2v1Hr7t

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