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: KNIGHTS LIKE THESE, by Kendall Ryan

Off the Ice #3

Archer & Sydney

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would just like to say this book was beautiful. Of the whole series so far, this one touched me the most. It had layers, feelings, quiet heartbreak, and the kind of slow‑burn love that stays with you long after you finish.

This is one of the best friends‑to‑lovers stories I’ve ever read. Sydney has loved Archer since she was fourteen, and you can feel that history in every page. She loved him from the moment he walked into her ballet class as a quiet, intense teenager. Their lives stayed intertwined through college, relationships, marriage, heartbreak, and parenthood. All that history made their story feel rich and lived‑in, earned.

The twins were a delight. Lily with her wild energy and tiny‑litigator attitude, and Luke with his quiet seriousness and love for marine life. They added so much heart to the story.  And I loved how much they loved Sydney!

Archer’s journey was emotional. He’s a man who hides behind “safe choices,” and watching him finally face his truth was powerful. Sydney’s growth was just as meaningful—finding her purpose, her joy, and her place in Archer’s world.

I should also mention Lauren, Sydney’s friend from back home. Initially I didn’t love her because I found her too meddling, too bossy—but by the end, she surprised me. She showed real compassion when Sydney was unraveling, and her kindness mattered. And I think we’ll see her in a future book, too!

This book had nuance, tenderness, humor, and a whole hockey family that made everything richer. A gorgeous slow burn with a payoff that felt earned. Five stars, easily.

Purchase links

Kindle: https://amzn.to/4nH9QGy

Goodreads: https://geni.us/grknights

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: MANHATTAN KISS, by Louise Bay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story follows two people who meet at the exact moment their lives are shifting, even if they don’t want to admit it. Deacon grew up as an army brat, always moving, never settling, and that childhood shaped him deeply. Now he’s a father, and all he wants is for his daughter Willow to have the steady, predictable life he never had. He and Willow’s mother, Gabby, have a nesting arrangement that works for them… until Gabby announces she’s getting married. Suddenly Deacon feels the ground move under his feet, and he hates it.

Aurora, on the other hand, is thirty‑six and quietly heartbroken by the life she expected but didn’t get. No husband, no kids, and a doctor telling her motherhood may not be possible. She’s been stuck in the same job for years, watching her friends build families while she stays on the outside. So when a hotel in New York offers her a three‑month position, she takes the risk, even though everyone thinks she’s lost her mind.

Their first meeting is messy — literally — and not cute at all. He’s rude, she’s annoyed, and yet the spark is there. As they keep running into each other at the hotel, that spark grows into something neither of them planned. Their chemistry is strong, their conversations are honest, and for the first time in a long time, both of them feel seen.

But life is complicated. Deacon is terrified of anything that might disrupt Willow’s world, and Aurora is torn between the life she knows and the life she could have. Their fling becomes something deeper, but fear and old habits get in the way. They each have to face the truth: they’ve been living small, letting life happen to them instead of choosing what they want.

What I loved most is how both characters grow. Aurora finally steps into her own life, making choices for herself instead of out of fear. And Deacon learns that protecting his daughter doesn’t mean freezing the world around her. Change can be good. Change can be love.

By the end, the story gives you that warm, hopeful feeling — two adults choosing each other, choosing happiness, choosing a future that once felt impossible. It’s emotional, sexy, and full of heart, with a beautiful message about letting go of fear and letting life in.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4uSC2rP

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:

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Book review: TAYLOR’S FATHER, by Penelope Ward

An utterly delightful, heart-squeezing delight of a book!  Penelope Ward gave me everything I crave in a vacation‑fling‑turned‑forever story. Blair and Tate’s connection in Midnight Key starts off as pure spark—fun, flirty, a little chaotic—and then quietly deepens into something so much more meaningful. I loved watching Blair shift from pushy and horny (girl was on a mission!) to mischievous, warm, and genuinely good for Tate in a way he didn’t even know he needed. And Tate… oh, Tate. His backstory is heartbreaking without ever feeling heavy for drama’s sake. He’s a man who’s been through it—loss, guilt, fractured family ties—and seeing him slowly open up again was incredibly moving.

The four‑year time jump absolutely delighted me. That reunion scene? Deliciously shocking. The emotional stakes skyrocket, yet the story never loses its tenderness. The way Ward handles the complicated family dynamics—Tate, Blair, Taylor, and little Nicholas—felt honest and generous. No villains, just people trying their best to love each other well. And that’s my favorite kind of romance.

This book gave me laughter, longing, a few well-earned tears, and a full-body swoon. It’s heartfelt, engaging, and beautifully hopeful. I closed it with a big, goofy smile and that warm, satisfied feeling only a truly delightful romance can deliver.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4kXFqP4

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3MCEvXv

About the author

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

 

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

 

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world. 

Connect with Penelope: 

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

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

Instagram: http://instagram.com/PenelopeWardAuthor

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenelopeAuthor

Book review: FOREVER UNDONE, by J. Saman

Forever Boston #1

Ashton & Skylar

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A deliciously messy, emotionally rich, slow‑burn‑turned‑wildfire romance, this book grabbed me from page one and never let go. Ashton and Skylar are the perfect storm of unresolved tension, old wounds, and that brand of snark that’s basically foreplay in disguise. Their history is chaotic, their present is complicated, and their chemistry is undeniable. I loved every second of watching them circle each other, clash, retreat, and collide again.

What really sold me is how much heart sits beneath all the banter and snark. Ashton’s journey as a single dad rebuilding his life, Skylar’s healing after an abusive relationship, and the way Zoey fits into both of their worlds—it all feels tender, grounded, and deeply earned. The found family threads, the hospital setting, the forced proximity, the “we’re married but not like that (until we very much are)” dynamic… it’s delicious.

Despite the heavy topics, the story balances humor, vulnerability, and heat beautifully. The emotional payoff is huge, the character growth is satisfying, and the romance is the kind that makes you root for them with your whole chest. And it has just an itty bitty feeling of suspense!

The author takes us again to the Boston Fritz’s world, now joined with the Hughes family, powerful and rich, although not like the Fritz royalty.  I think this new series will include the younger generation of grandkids of Octavia Fritz, the matriarch of the empire, and I’m all for it!

If you love grumpy‑meets‑sunshine energy, protective heroes, resilient heroines, and a slow burn that eventually erupts, this one is a must‑read. I devoured it.

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

http://geni.us/ForeverUndone

Audible: https://bit.ly/3MbCWPW

Narrated by: CJ Bloom and JF Harding

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/43WmxVs

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

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