Book review: VOICES CARRY, by Alison Rhymes

A heartfelt, gripping romance about healing, safety, and finally choosing yourself, this book pulled me in from the very first page. Lou arrives in the small town of Stowaway carrying the weight of years of emotional and physical harm, and the story follows her as she slowly rebuilds her sense of safety, identity, and worth. Even without going into plot details, her journey is powerful. She’s a former model who never received real affection growing up, then fell into an abusive relationship that chipped away at her confidence until she barely recognized herself. Watching her rediscover her strength is one of the most beautiful parts of the book.

Grady, a firefighter and EMT, becomes a steady presence in her life. He’s been through his own heartbreak — a messy divorce, constant battles over custody of his daughter Paige — yet he remains gentle, patient, and deeply protective. He knows how to approach someone who’s been hurt, and he gives Lou space to breathe while still showing up for her in quiet, meaningful ways. Their connection grows naturally, with easy conversation, shared humor (the morning‑poop talk with best friend Juliet had me laughing), and a slow build of trust that feels earned.

The town itself adds warmth and charm. Stowaway is the kind of place where people look out for each other, where friendships stretch back decades, and where found family becomes just as important as blood. Juliet’s unwavering support, Grady’s wonderful parents, and Paige’s sweet bond with Lou all help her heal in ways she never expected.

What I loved most is Lou’s transformation. She starts the story believing she’s unlovable and broken — lies planted in her childhood and reinforced later — but she has an inner steel she never realized she possessed. With time, care, and the right people around her, she begins to see her own worth. She becomes stronger, braver, and more determined to reclaim her life. Her kindness never fades, even when she’s hurt, and her growth feels both realistic and inspiring.

Grady is the perfect example of a strong man who leads with tenderness. He loves his daughter fiercely, he shows up for Lou without hesitation, and he never tries to control her. He supports her healing, respects her boundaries, and fights for the people he loves with quiet determination.

By the end, I felt uplifted. This story blends heartbreak with hope, trauma with recovery, and fear with empowerment. It’s about survival, found family, and becoming the best version of yourself. I finished it feeling enlightened, comforted, and grateful for a romance that treats healing with so much care.

Purchase links

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗

https://geni.us/voicescarry

Paperback: https://geni.us/voicescarrypb

About the author

Alison lives somewhere in the shadow of a Pacific Northwest Mountain, bordered by the Puget Sound, and not too far from the country roads she grew up on. 

When not writing, she can be found avidly reading, traveling with youthful wanderlust, or slowly turning the inside of her house into her own personal houseplant jungle. 

Content Warnings for Alison's books can be found on her website alisonrhymes.com

You can join Alison's newsletter to receive early news and bonus scenes: https://tinyurl.com/ymrrdtfc

Alison can be contacted at alison@alisonrhymes.com

Book review: WHEN SPARKS FLY, by Monica Murphy

This was a sweet, easy romance read with lovely character growth! For me, Monica Murphy is the queen of YA romances, but this one didn’t have quite the same spark as previous ones. Maybe it’s because the characters are older — 22 and 29 — or because the plot is more linear, with most of the angst coming from side characters who will clearly get their own book next. Still, I enjoyed it a lot, especially Wyatt and Rachel.

Rachel starts off as a pampered New York girl who’s been humiliated by a charming British jerk, and she escapes to her family’s house in California to hide and breathe. A small accident (okay… a fire) brings Wyatt, the local fire captain, into her life. He thinks she’s clueless, and honestly, she kind of is — but she owns her mistakes, and that’s what made me like her from the start.

What really won me over was Rachel’s growth. Cut off financially and stranded in a small town, she takes a job at a local restaurant, works hard, makes friends, and slowly proves to herself that she’s capable. Watching her flourish was my favorite part of the book.

Wyatt is a single dad with a sweet daughter and emotional scars. Their romance builds slowly, with both of them fighting their feelings because they know summer won’t last forever. There’s some small‑town jealousy, some family tension, and one big life‑changing event that shakes everything up.

Even though the story didn’t have the usual Murphy magic for me, it was still warm, charming, and full of heart. Rachel and Wyatt are easy to root for, and Rachel’s journey from sheltered to strong made the whole book worth it.

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/3Mt4Uqb

Audible: https://bit.ly/48LYKd6

Narrated by: Tor Thom & Kelsey Navarro Foster

Paperback: https://geni.us/IuaekK8

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4oCZJRR

About the author

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere, along with their four cats and one crazy dog. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to sometimes putting her characters through tough, angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Never miss a release! Sign up for Monica's newsletter to get new book alerts (copy/paste) ➜ https://bit.ly/Monicanewsletter

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Website ➜ https://bit.ly/32RZdaZ

Follow Monica on Instagram! ➜ http://bit.ly/2GSOq3D

Book review: THE HOCKEY PROBLEM, by Kendall Ryan

Off The Ice #1

Zayden & Tori

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sometimes a book arrives at the exact right moment it’s needed, and The Hockey Problem was exactly that for me — absolutely cute, perfectly emotional, and just the right amount of swoony.

This hockey romance has everything I love: a feisty, principled heroine, a broody, quietly tender single dad, a six‑year‑old super sweet scene‑stealer (a,k.a. Maisie), and that delicious “we really shouldn’t… but oh no, we’re already falling” tension!

Tori is the kind of heroine I root for immediately. She’s smart, disciplined, and determined to protect her hard‑earned reputation in a field where women are scrutinized twice as hard. She has seen colleagues lose their reputation by getting involved with a player, so she’s determined to never date a player. And yet… enter Zayden.

A French‑Canadian hockey player and single dad who is doing his absolute best while running on emotional fumes. He’s not the typical cocky sports hero — he’s thoughtful, serious, and deeply devoted to his daughter. Many times in the story, we see him exhausted, not only physically but mentally. That vulnerability? Irresistible.

From the moment Tori is assigned to treat his shoulder, the spark is instant. Their therapy sessions become this slow, careful dance — both of them trying to stay professional while failing spectacularly. He looks at her like she’s the first person who’s really seen him in years, and she tries so hard to remember her mantra: no players.  But their chats flow so easily, there’s instant trust.

Maisie is pure sunshine, she likes Tori immediately. Their bond grows naturally and tenderly through accidental babysitting moments, giggles, trust. Maisie blossoms under Tori’s attentions and it makes Zayden sigh in happiness. Watching this little found family form was one of my favorite parts.

There’s a sleazy teammate who crosses boundaries and retaliates when rejected — a storyline handled with care and realism. Zayden stepping up for Tori, taking responsibility, and advocating for her? That’s the kind of heroism I love: quiet, steady, and rooted in respect.

There are side characters that shine: Banks and Winnie. I’m already invested!  I was thinking as I read that they would make a perfect couple, and to my delight, they are next book’s couple! Win!

This story is soft in all the right ways — a gentle romance built on trust, friendship, and the slow realization that sometimes the person you’re not supposed to fall for is exactly the one who feels like home. It’s found family, healing, and a man who finally gets to exhale because he’s found someone who stays. Same for Maisie!

I loved this story. Five stars, easily. 

Purchase links

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3NIjzyQ

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4sGBKnU

Audible: https://geni.us/AudioHockeyProblem

Goodreads: https://geni.us/hockeyprbGR

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: BLUEBIRD GOLD, by Devney Perry

Lost Legends #1

Ilsa & Cosi

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Settling her father’s estate in a snow‑bound Montana cottage, Ilsa Poe finds herself caught between past regrets and new beginnings. What starts as a practical task—cleaning out the cabin and preparing it for sale—quickly becomes a journey of rediscovery, both of her family history and of her own heart.

Teaching math at Dalton High proves just as challenging as the icy winters. The students are behind, the system is broken, and the parents are quick to criticize. Yet Ilsa’s determination to give them the basics shows her resilience and stubborn fire—qualities that make her stand out not only in the classroom but in her personal life.

Enter Cosi Raynes, the local police chief, whose quiet strength and devotion to his teenage son contrast beautifully with Ilsa’s fierce independence. Their connection sparks first through attraction, but what makes this romance shine is how it deepens: he admires her stubbornness and courage, she treasures his kindness and protective nature. Watching them move from guarded strangers to partners who feel safe and right together is the heart of the story.

This isn’t just about chemistry—it’s about family, healing, and second chances. The way Ilsa bonds with Cosi’s son adds tenderness, and the gradual layering of trust makes the romance feel earned. Devney Perry balances passion with plot, weaving intimacy into the narrative without letting it overwhelm. The pacing of their relationship feels natural, the intensity of their feelings perfectly measured.

What I loved most is how attraction evolves into something richer: respect, care, and the sense of home they build together. It’s a romance that blends warmth with suspense, reminding us that love often arrives when we least expect it, and that the right person makes us feel both safe and alive.

Purchase links

Kindle: https://geni.us/opeXn

Audible: https://geni.us/ZJpgAEy

Paperback: https://geni.us/6wX86z

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/devneyperry

Book review: MAYBE ONE DAY, by Catherine Bybee

D’Angelos #5

Mari & James

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There are books that make you smile, and then there are books that make you beam. This one had me grinning from start to finish. Every page was a delight — funny scenes that had me laughing out loud, tender moments that warmed my heart, and a romance that felt both unexpected and absolutely perfect.

What I loved most was how the story balanced humor with heart. The characters felt like people I would love to know in real life: strong, stubborn, funny, protective, and endlessly loving. Their banter was sharp and playful, the family dynamics were rich and layered, and the friendships added so much joy. It’s the kind of book that reminds you how love can sneak in when you least expect it, and how laughter makes everything brighter.

The romance itself was gentle and beautiful. It wasn’t rushed; it unfolded with care, humor, and a lot of warmth. Watching two people discover that love can be both healing and exhilarating was such a gift. And the family scenes? Pure gold. They brought so much life to the story — Sunday dinners, sports games, teasing conversations, and those moments of fierce protectiveness that show just how deeply everyone cares.

This book is ultimately about second chances, about finding love again, and about how love can weave itself into the everyday chaos of family life. It’s heartwarming, funny, and full of tenderness. I finished it with a smile on my face and a full heart. 

If you’re looking for a romance that celebrates family, friendship, and the beauty of rediscovering love, this is the one. It’s a feel‑good read that will leave you laughing, sighing, and maybe even dancing a little with joy. 💕 

Purchase links

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/dangelosus5

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/maybeoneday-bn

Books-a-Million: https://tinyurl.com/maybeoneday-bam

Audible: https://tinyurl.com/nomoreyesterdays-aud

Add to your Goodreads TBR →
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230395129-maybe-one-day

About the author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written over forty-five books that have collectively sold more than eleven million copies. Her titles 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 popular Not Quite, Weekday Brides, Most Likely To, First Wives, D'Angelos, and Heirs series. 

Connect with Catherine

Website: https://catherinebybee.com/

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/catherine-bybee-newsletter

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

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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catherinebybee1