Book review: PETTY IN PINK, by LJ Shen

This novella completely swept me off my feet. LJ Shen flipped her usual dynamic on its head, giving me a hero who is not a jerk, but is pure devotion wrapped in a doctor coat, and a heroine who’s all heart, humor, and hard‑won resilience. Layla and Grant’s story was tender, sexy, fun, and hit every one of my favorite romance buttons.

It starts with a pink dress in a Valentine’s day wedding, Layla objecting to the marriage based on her past trauma from the groom, and a wild chase out of the hotel.  Then meeting up with Grant, her friends with benefits of almost a decade.  From that wild, pink‑drenched wedding objection to the soft, steady unraveling of Layla’s trauma, the book balances chaos and healing so beautifully. Grant is the kind of hero who makes you believe in safe love — patient, protective, quietly pining for almost a decade — and Layla’s journey toward trusting him (and herself). It was so lovely to read their story!  Their chemistry was off the charts, the surprise pregnancy just what Grant needed to get his chance with Layla.

I loved seeing old friends Maddie and Chase (The Devil Wears Black) as an established couple, with one little boy and another one in the way.  Maddy continues to be the best bestie, and Chase continues to be the jerk we all love and who loves his wife madly.  It was perfection!

Even as a novella, it felt complete, rich, and emotionally full. I turned the last page grinning like an idiot, wishing only that Jessica had gotten the karmic smackdown she deserved. Otherwise, this was everything I adore about LJ Shen: messy beginnings, deep wounds, big feelings, subtle humor, and a couple who earns their joy. I loved it.

Purchase links

eBook: https://amzn.to/4qVjeqT

Audio (narrated by Erin Mallon and Christian Fox, in dual-narration style): https://amzn.to/3NUy8Pt

**Please note there is no paperback due to its length.

About the author

L.J. Shen is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of contemporary, new adult, and young adult romance. Her books have been sold in twenty different countries, and she hopes to visit all of them.

She lives in Florida with her husband, three rowdy sons, and rowdier pets and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows, and reading to her heart’s content. 

Connect with her on her website at www.authorljshen.com or on Instagram (@authorljshen), or join her Facebook group at http://goo.gl/QZJ0NC. 

Sign up for her newsletter at https://bit.ly/3LhsIrb, and text SHEN to 313131 to get new release alerts (United States only).

THE WHOLE TIME, by Catherine Bybee

The D’Angelos #4

Salena & Ryan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Salena and Ryan meet at Emma’s and Gio’s wedding.  Ryan is Emma’s brother, Salena is Chloe’s best friend and a close friend of the D’Angelo family.  She’s currently the D’Angelo’s restaurant manager.  It’s important to remember when Chloe and Salena were in Vegas, where Chloe and Dante had their surprise wedding, how fun-loving and sexy Salena is.  In this book, that is front and center in the middle of the story.

When Ryan and Salena meet, it’s not surprising they had a lot in common, they were both the rowdy child in their family.  It’s as if a hidden thread sewed them together.  Both were against commitment, and yet, it found its way with them.  I loved Ryan, felt for Salena.

Salena had a secret, not illegal, but something her family would disapprove of.  So she kept at it in secret, and it made it hard for Salena to commit. She’s independent, needs to be self-reliant, and that is what sold Ryan on her, since his prior experience were clingers who wanted his wealth.  Their love story proceeds slow and steamy, with long lingering stares, very few moments to be together, a man who is slowly and strongly falling for his woman who resists to the very end.  I loved their story, even as I struggled with her family history.

I hated Salena’s parents! They were so judgy and opinionated, never a positive thought came out of them, as related to their younger daughter.  And that is why Salena is so secretive and defensive. I felt for her, a woman so comfortable in her own skin, owning her sexuality, and yet craving an approval that never arrives.  The D’Angelos are more understanding and supportive, so I wasn’t surprised she moved out of her parents’ home and into the apartment vacated by Gio.

The first part of this book dragged for me, because there was a lot of the judgy parents.  Then enter the D’Angelo family, with their intrusiveness but also love and support.  Ryan’s mother is a darling, his father not so much but he’s learned his lesson and behaves.  This book is as much about love and steam as about family, which is what makes it so lovable to me.  Franny stars in many of the funny moments, innocently springing important information to a startled crowd!   I love the complicity between the brothers, sisters, friends and in-laws, they make the story so heartwarming.  It was truly a lovely read!

Purchase links

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/40GHhxh

B&N:  https://bit.ly/3QIBYsP

Books A Million:  https://bit.ly/3sC0nrT

About the author 

Catherine is a #1 Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Indie Reader bestselling author. In addition, her books have also graced The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists. In total she has written thirty-nine beloved books that have collectively sold more than 10 million copies and have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned the Not Quite series, The Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series. Learn more about Catherine and her books at www.catherinebybee.com

When It Falls Apart, Book 1
Be Your Everything, Book 2
Beginning of Forever, Book 3
  

BAIN, by Sawyer Bennett

Pittsburg Titans #9

Bain & Kiera

A little different from previous Titans stories, more steamy and a lot heartfelt. I found this one intriguing because it centers on steam so much more than the others.

Bain and Kiera met at Brienne Norcross’ Christmas party and it was instant, explosive attraction. They get into a friends with benefits relation that has to be kept secret because Kiera is Drake McGinn’s little sister and he warned all his teammates to stay away from her.

I found Kiera so intriguing, very maternal with her nephews, very sexpot with Bain. Their scenes are super spicy and it seems it’s all that they are. Both crave sex but abhor commitment. I didn’t see where this would go, but of course the author threw a twist plot and upped the emotions.

I loved that this story happens at the same time as Camden’s and Danika’s, and we get some more on Drake and Brienne’s story. There are some very heavy emotional moments where Bain showed what a fantastic guy he is, and how lucky Kiera is to have him. Started super spicy, ended super emotional and sweet, another winner from Sawyer Bennett.

Purchase links

➜ E-Book and Audio (narrated by Connor Crais & Kirsten Leigh): https://bit.ly/STORE_Bain

➜ Signed paperback (available to US mailing addresses): https://bit.ly/PB_Bain

➜ Amazon: https://bit.ly/3jBAFPX

➜ Nook: http://bit.ly/3K9Io2D

➜ Apple: https://apple.co/3jGhV1N

➜ Google: https://bit.ly/3XiuHkF

About the author 

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:

➜ Facebook: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_FB

➜ Reader group: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_NEP

➜ TikTok: https://bit.ly/Sawyer_TOK 

➜ Instagram: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_IG

➜ Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_GR 

➜ BookBub: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_BB

➜ Newsletter: http://sawyerbennett.com/signup