Book review: JUST MY LUCK, by Lena Hendrix

The Kings #2

Abel & Sloane

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story felt tender and steady, with two people who’ve been through too much finally finding someone who sees them. Sloane is a tired but loving mom doing everything she can for her “chickens,” living in a tiny cabin and holding her world together with grit and heart. Abel is the town grump with a past that weighs on him, but underneath he’s gentle, loyal, and so much kinder than people give him credit for.

Their connection grows in this quiet, everyday way — small moments, real struggles, and the kind of support that feels earned. I didn’t love one early prank (it felt silly and out of place), but the book gets much better after that. What really won me over was how they show up for each other, how the kids soften Abel, and how Sloane’s warmth slowly pulls him out of his shell.

It’s a sweet, emotional romance about second chances, healing, and choosing the people who choose you. A solid, heartfelt four‑star read.

Purchase links

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496761309/just-my-luck-deluxe-limited-edition/

About the author

Lena Hendrix is a USA Today and Amazon Top 5 Bestselling contemporary romance author living in the Midwest. Her love for romance started with sneaking racy Harlequin paperbacks as a teenager and now she writes her own hot-as-sin small town romance novels. Lena has a soft spot for strong alphas with marshmallow insides, heroines who clap back, and sizzling tension. Her novels pack in small town heart with a whole lotta heat.

When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!

Want to hang out? Find Lena on Tiktok or IG!

Connect with Lena Hendrix: 

https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix/ 

Book review: MORALLY BLACK ELOPEMENT, by Nicole French

Morally Black Weddings #2

Ronan & Delaney

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A dark, addictive, emotional romance about choosing love over legacy, this second book in the series just confirmed what I already suspected: there’s a pattern in this family, and I’m loving every second of it. Each Black brother is shaped by the same toxic empire, yet each one finds a way to break free when love finally gives them something worth fighting for. And this time, it’s Ronan’s turn.

Ronan Black has always been the fixer, the one who cleans up the darkest messes for the family. He’s sharp, secretive, and carries more weight on his shoulders than anyone realizes. But underneath all that darkness, there’s a spark of goodness he’s been trying to protect. And when he meets Delaney—brilliant, kind, book‑loving Delaney—that spark turns into something bright and impossible to ignore.

Their connection is instant, chaotic, and completely unexpected. What starts as a wild night in Vegas turns into something real, something tender, something that makes Ronan question the life he’s been forced to live. I loved how simple their bond felt, even with all the complications around them. They talk, they share their love for the Classics, they build a quiet little world together that feels safe and warm. You can feel Ronan slowly realizing he wants a different life, one where he’s not drowning in secrets.

The family drama is intense, as always. The Black family is a battlefield—manipulation, rivalry, old wounds, and a father who pits his sons against each other like it’s a sport. But the author balances all that darkness with moments of softness, humor, and hope. Watching Ronan try to hold on to Delaney while the family machine tries to pull him back in kept me completely hooked.

What I loved most is how clearly the book shows Ronan’s heart waking up. He starts wanting dinners at home, quiet nights, shared poems, and a future that isn’t built on fear. Delaney brings out the best in him, and he sees her fully—her strength, her sacrifices, her dreams. Their love feels earned, steady, and deeply emotional.

This story has everything I enjoy: a morally gray hero trying to be worthy, a heroine with a gentle but unbreakable spirit, a toxic family empire, and a romance that feels like a lifeline. I was invested from start to finish, and I can’t wait to see what happens with the next Black brother.

A gripping, emotional, beautifully written romance.

Purchase links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G27FD585

About the author

Nicole French is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She's also a hopeless romantic, Springsteen fanatic, and total bookworm. When not writing, she is hanging out with her family, playing soccer with the rest of the thirty-plus crowd in Seattle, or going on dates with her husband. In her spare time, she likes to go running or practice the piano, but never seems to do either one of these things as much as she should.

 

Keep up with Nicole French and receive your FREE copy of one of her books when you subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.nicolefrenchromance.com/

 

For more information on Nicole and her books visit here

 

Connect with Nicole French:

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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

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/

Book review: LEAD ME KNOT, by S.L. Scott

Peachtree Pass #2

Baylor & Lauralee

Slow, meandering, tender, passionate, nostalgic, are the adjectives that I kept thinking about as I was reading this book.  Lauralee is an enchanting character who loves as hard as she works. She’s Christine’s best friend and it feels like they’re sisters.  When Christine’s brother Baylor comes to visit, in this one instance, it hits home, how much she’s crushed on him, how handsome he is, but he’s a player and he won’t stay. And Lauralee won’t move away!

Again, this is a story of a guy who hasn’t come home in years, who swore he wouldn’t come back, and now is feeling the pull of the town where he grew up, his magical childhood, and the love for a woman. He wonders if all that will supersede the pain and sad memories of losing his beloved mother. Dissatisfaction with work and a lifestyle that lost its lustre also works in Baylor’s mind.

Lauralee has abandonment issues which make it hard to trust and commit fully to love. It’s an interesting story, a lovely depiction of small town life, ranch life, the gossip train and the sexy times. She has financial issues and Baylor’s attempts to help are clumsy and even I wanted to slap him silly. Entertaining and tenderly romantic!

Purchase links

Free in KU

https://geni.us/LMKAm

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.

 

Connect with S.L.

Website | www.slscottauthor.com  

Goodreads | https://geni.us/SLGR  

Amazon | https://geni.us/SLSAm 

Facebook | https://geni.us/SLSPage    

Facebook Group |  https://geni.us/SLScottBooks     

Instagram |  https://geni.us/IGSLS 

Bookbub |  https://geni.us/SLScottBB     

Pinterest |  https://geni.us/SLPin       

Newsletter |  https://geni.us/SLScottNL  

Book review: CRAZY LOVE, by Willow Aster

The Single Dad Playbook #5

Penn & Addy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story was so lovely, like the previous ones from this series.  A group of guys call themselves the Single Dad Players and keep a notebook where they record all their thoughts, feelings, and counsel for the other dads.  However, in this last book, all the dads are married or living with their loved ones, except for Penn Hudson, playboy extraordinaire, and the running back of the Colorado Mustangs.  

Penn fits into the Single Dads group because he’s mentoring a young boy in the foster system, called Sam and aged eleven.  He has been mentoring Sam for a couple of years, and is now trying to adopt him because Sam is going through a rough time in his foster home.  As I read the story, I was enchanted by their closeness.  Especially cute is their dance routine when they go to the Luminary coffee shop and do the required “dance and you get coffee” routine.

In order to help Penn adopt Sam, Addy offers a marriage of convenience to improve his chances, because since he’s single and travels a lot, it’s not very likely.  And then our story takes off, with lots of love, laughter, some angst, funny friends who constantly chat through messages and love to roast whoever is in the hot seat.  Also Sam, who is lovable, adorable, funny and more mature than a child should be.  He’s gone through some hard times but has a lot of hope and resilience.  

I loved Penn and Addy together, they were perfect.  Initially rejected by Addy’s father because of his playboy fame, he soon wins the heart of the in-laws as they see his devotion to Sam and to Addy. We read them as they go through legal battles, emotional moments, plenty of tears on both sides.  

Apart from the emotional moments, the tenderness between Addy, Penn, and Sam, there’s a delight in their funny times, like when they start a dance party, or prank each other.  The addition of a pet is hysterical, as Penn cringes and jumps at the new family member.  Later on in the book is another surprise addition to the family, a very welcome one.  I loved how Addy and Penn’s parents add to the joy, offering support, embracing their grandparents role.

The story is full of heart, steam, and fun, a lovely read, very uplifting.

Purchase links

FREE with #kindleunlimited 

Amazon: https://geni.us/Crazylove

Goodreads: https://geni.us/CrazyLoveGR

About the author 

Willow Aster is a USA Today bestselling author and lover of everything book-related.

Although an introvert, this lifelong writer and artist is convinced that the best part of this career is meeting and connecting with readers, authors, and all of those in this community of book lovers. 

For signed books and Willow's website, go to: www.willowaster.com

You can also follow Willow on Instagram (willowaster) and her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/willowasterauthor