The Wedding People: what happens when someone is a guest at an inn but not a guest for an upcoming wedding

The Wedding People by Alison Espach opens with a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island as Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn with no luggage and a lobby bustling with activity. It seems she is the only guest at the inn who is not there for a wedding. The Cornwall Inn has been a dream vacation destination for Phoebe and she is taking this chance to do all she wanted to do. When Phoebe runs into Lila, the bride, in the elevator, she reveals her plans for the weekend. Shocked and horrified, Lila begs Phoebe not to ruin her wedding week. Phoebe promises her planned activities will be quiet and will not interfere with Lila’s wedding. What Phoebe doesn’t count on is her connection with Lila and the two women confide in each other. Will Phoebe go ahead with her plan? Will Lila’s wedding go off without a hitch? 

Described as “propulsive,” “uncommonly wise,” “absurdly funny,” “devastatingly tender,”  and with numerous positive reviews on BookTok reviews, I decided to give The Wedding People a chance. The opening chapter was great as Phoebe arrives and she watches and overheard conversations. However, the story quickly falters as she meets Lila and confesses to a complete stranger to plans to end her life that weekend. I understand using humor as a defense mechanism; however, the humor in this story didn’t land very well. I didn’t smile or laugh at all. Even the sarcasm I didn’t enjoy. I did not enjoy this story. I also didn’t like how the author treated the subjects of depression and suicide. I did not like Phoebe. There was no growth or redemption for her. She cries over the actions of her ex-husband and yet decides to behave the same way. I do not recommend The Wedding People. 

The Wedding People is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Cowboy's Stolen Heart: a small town cowboy romance

The Cowboy’s Stolen Heart is the first book of The Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek series by Jean Oram. Fashion model Laura Oakes inherits her great aunt’s estate. As she is ready to put her life on hold and heads to Sweetheart Creek, Texas and begins small town life. She runs into Levi Wylder, the handsome and yet serious cowboy, who she has been crushing on for years. Unfortunately, he sees her nothing more than a princess pretending to be a cowgirl. Because what cowgirl buys boots based on looks instead of function? Busy running the ranch, Levi doesn’t need a pretend cowgirl but when he needs a temporary riding stable manager, Laura proves she is capable and Levi realizes he underestimated her. They spend time together and fall in love; however, their romance finds obstacles. Some of his family has doubts about the relationship. Will she return to her modeling career? Will she stay? 

The Cowboy’s Stolen Heart is a cute, sweet romance with lots of fun and plenty of drama. I loved the small town feel with all the different personalities from the welcoming diner waitress to the ornery old man. I loved the chemistry between Laura and Levi. Levi has had his heart broken before and he is wary of opening his heart again. Adding to his plate is running the ranch, he is also dealing with plenty of family drama among his brothers, he doesn’t need any heartbreak. Laura is recovering from her own failed relationship and is at a crossroad in her career and isn’t looking for a romance either. However, the sparks fly as the two spend time together. There are plenty of sweet moments and tense discussion. Overall, I enjoyed this story. I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy cowboy romances, I recommend The Cowboy’s Stolen Heart. 

The Cowboy’s Stolen Heart is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tarnished Crown: a blood debt, a hidden enemy and a love triangle

Tarnished Crown is the second book in the Lochlann Feuds by Robin D Mahle and Elle Madison. Rowan felt she was finally doing something right. Marry Theo from Clan Elk for love and keep her kingdom safe. Until Evander, from Clan Bear and the most feared man in Socair, claims a blood debt under an archaic law to enslave her. When she arrives at the Clan Bear fortress, she finds more enemies in unexpected places and being Evander’s property is the only thing protecting her. Rowan learns she has allies in unexpected places and she finds herself caught between duty and her heart. When the opportunity comes to leave, she hesitates. Does she follow her heart and marry Theo? Or does fulfilling her blood debt even if it means she loses Theo forever? 

Tarnished Crown picks up immediately after the ending of Scarlet Princess as Rowan and Evander are on the road to the Clan Bear estate. The banter between Rowan and Evander was fun and intriguing. I loved the cat and mouse aspect of their relationship. I usually don’t like love triangles; however, the one involving Rowan, Theo and Evander added to the drama and mystery. In Scarlet Princess, Evander is the villain, the one to throw the monkey wrench into Rowan and Theo’s story; however, in Tarnished Crown, there was a deeper look into Evander’s character and I enjoyed it. And the hidden enemy was a great reveal that left my jaw on the floor. I am loving this series and I can’t wait to dive into the next book. I highly, highly recommend Tarnished Crown. 

Tarnished Crown is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Thousand Words: a grumpy sunshine, brother's best friend Christian romance

A Thousand Words is a prequel novel to the Unfailing Love series by Mandi Blake. Tyler is in the final year of his residency and while he is a good doctor, he needs to improve in one area: his bedside manner. He is urged to go on a blind date to have some fun in his all work mentality. He agrees only to practice his communication skills. When he arrives at the restaurant, he is shocked to see who is waiting for him. Sissy is always ready for an adventure, especially for a blind date with a handsome doctor. When her date turns out to be her brother’s best friend, Tyler, she is excited. However, Tyler is not keen on the idea. He reluctantly begins to spend time with Sissy and he feels his loyalty being torn between his friend and the woman he is falling for. Can she convince him to take a chance for once?

I love Mandi Blake’s stories and I looked forward to this quick prequel. While I was a bit confused at first about who was who, I quickly fell into Sissy and Tyler’s story. I loved Sissy’s character as someone who likes to seize the day. She’s young in college and loves life. Tyler is a bit older and takes his medical studies seriously. I understand Tyler’s hesitation about dating his best friend’s sister. The two together were great as a grumpy sunshine romance. They compliment each other as Tyler needs to lighten up a bit and Sissy needs a little grounding and they do that for each other. My heart broke with Sissy’s brother’s story as someone who has hit rock bottom. I look forward to reading his story as well as the rest of the series. Overall, I enjoyed the story. If you love brother’s best friend romance, I recommend A Thousand Words. 

A Thousand Words is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Fix Up: a fun banter and heartfelt grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance

The Fix Up is the third book in the Two Harts series by Sharon M. Peterson. Ellie Sterns is a twenty eight year old single mother who has a broken man picker. She recently inherited the cafe in which she works, the house where she lives with her six year old son, Oliver and the land it sits on. However, she quickly learns that she only inherits half of everything. The other half belongs to the previous owner’s grandson, Gilbert Dalton, a grandson no one knew existed. They discover they must live together on the property for six months in order to complete the inheritance. Gilbert is handsome; however, he’d be irresistible if he smiled which he rarely does. Both have different motivations as the cafe and house means a future for Ellie and for Gilbert, it means a past he wants to forget. She wants to stay and he wants to sell. Can they find a common ground?  As the months pass, they learn the heartbreaking secret and their mutual iciness starts to melt, could it turn into a sizzling chemistry? 

The Fix Up is Sharon M Peterson’s fourth book and she has established herself as one of my go-to authors. Full of heart and laughs along with real life drama and hurts, she handles a story that gives all the feels. Even though The Fix Up is the third book in the series, readers do not need to read them in order to understand each book; however, I highly recommend that readers do as each story is wonderful. That being said, I loved this story. This story is the ultimate grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance as when readers first see Ellie and Gilbert together, you can’t help to think that their relationship would never work. I loved the characters, especially Ellie’s son, Oliver. Usually featuring children in fiction can be hit and miss; Ms. Peterson captures the six year old beautifully and believably. There wasn’t a plot point or character that I didn’t care for, everything came together wonderfully. I laughed. I cried and I closed the book with a smile. The Fix Up is sweet with fun banter and dramatic with real emotions. I highly, highly recommend The Fix Up. 

The Fix Up will be available in June 17, 2025 in eBook and audiobook

A Slice of Summer: a clean second chance small town romance

A Slice of Summer is the second book in the Silver Falls series by Melissa McClone. Last Christmas, Taryn Lawson had a great time with Garrett Andrews, a LA trial attorney. Before he left town, he promised her he would keep in touch and she never heard from him again. Now, summer has arrived and her friend, Callie and Brandt’s wedding is here, Taryn is busy prepping for it as well as proving to her parents that she is capable of taking over the family bakery while dealing with slower customer traffic. The summer fair is approaching and Taryn sees it as her opportunity to showcase her specialty desserts and win back her customers. As the fair approaches, she is coming to need help to finish in time. The only one available to help is the one man who ghosted her. Garrett didn’t intend to ghost Taryn and wants to take his chance to make amends. Will they take their second chance of love? 

A Slice of Summer is a clean second chance small town romance romance with plenty of fun, sweet moments and drama and excitement. I enjoyed Taryn and Garrett as individuals and as a couple. I liked Taryn’s determination to do what she loves despite competition from a competitor and the doubts from her parents. I enjoyed Garrett and his siblings. It felt very relatable and produced a lot of laughs. Even though Taryn and Garrett rekindle their romance and agree to a long distance romance, I knew it wouldn’t end like that. I enjoyed Garrett’s grand gesture. I also enjoyed the continued slimy dealings of the town nemesis and getting his comeuppance. Will he make another appearance in future books? As a snake always wants to strike again. Overall, I enjoyed A Slice of Summer and I am looking forward to reading the next books of the series. If you enjoy clean second chance small town romance, I recommend A Slice of Summer. 

A Slice of Summer is available in paperback and eBook

Meet Me There: a clean young adult enemies to lovers romance

Meet Me There is the first book in the Ridgewater High series by Judy Corry. A horrible beginning to the first day of school, sixteen-year-old Ashlyn Brooks, runs into a dark Chemistry lab classroom and finds the room already occupied. Football Captain Luke Davenport sought a moment of peace in the empty classroom and was surprised by Ashlyn’s arrival. However, instead of revealing himself, he decides to prank Ashlyn by using a British accent. As they meet in the dark room, they both begin to share things that they wouldn’t tell anyone else. Ashlyn begins to fall for the sweet mysterious guy with a sexy accent. Luke began his prank as a way to take his mind off his mom’s death. However, the more he gets to know her, the more he regrets everything. Luke knows he needs to come clean, but will Ashlyn understand or will she hate him even more? 

Meet Me There is a clean young adult enemies to lovers romance novel with cute, sweet and fun moments. There was drama and real life situations. There were a few tears as the characters talked about their issues and struggles. I enjoyed this story from the very beginning and it kept me hooked until the end. I enjoyed Ashlyn and Luke. And while I do not enjoy pranks and my heart broke for Ashlyn as she is the subject of pranks, I liked that Luke learned the important lesson of how the recipient feels after a prank and sought to redeem himself. I enjoyed the secondary characters and I will be continuing the series to read their stories. Overall, I enjoyed Meet Me There as a fun high school romance with teenage antics and real situations. If you enjoy clean young adult enemies to lovers romances, I recommend Meet Me There. 

Meet Me There is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook