A Match for a Bookish Bride: a clean historical romance with a bit of mystery

A Match for a Bookish Bride is the first book in The Mystery Matchmaker of Ella Pointe series by Tess Thompson. In the spring of 1910, Amelia Young saw an advertisement in a Boston newspaper that would change her life. A wealthy family is in need of a secretary on Whale Island and this person must have an affinity for books. It fit her perfectly. When she is offered the position, she packs her merger belongings and travels to Washington state. Her new employer is Benedict Tutheridge. She didn’t expect him to be handsome or interesting but she knows that he would never see her as more than an employee. After the death of his father, Benedict is expected to run the family business. He fully expects his new secretary to be a man and is shocked when his new secretary is a beautiful woman. As the two work together, they find themselves drawn together. Do they risk their work relationship for something more? 

After reading the prequel, The Making of a Matchmaker, I was intrigued about the Tutheridge family and the matchmaker who would find their perfect matches, even the mystery behind the death of the Tutheridge patriarch. I enjoyed Amelia as a woman who pulled herself up from a poor beginning through hard work and her love of books. Benedict is a man who was tortured by his father and believes every horrible thing his father believed about him. However, it is when Amelia arrives, she begins to break out the falseness of what Benedict believes about himself. My heart broke for Benedict and I had my suspicions about his difficulties. The family dynamics were a great source of drama as they deal with their past and the situation surrounding their father’s death. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy clean, historical romance, I recommend A Match for a Bookish Bride. 

A Match for a Bookish Bride is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Lady Helena Investigates: family drama, mystery and a slow burn romance

Lady Helena Investigates is the first book in the Scott-DeQuincy Mystery series by Jane Steen. 1881, Sussex, Lady Helena Whitcombe has been left grieving as she buries her husband, Sir Justin Whitcombe. Her quiet country life was shattered as Justin was found dead in the river that overlooked their grand mansion. As she deals with family demands for her life as a widow and her own wishes to guide her life as she sees fit, Armand Fortier enters her life. The attractive and mysterious French physician who poses his theory of murder which leads to her starting her own investigation. During her investigation, she discovers her own family’s secrets. Can she navigate grief while standing up against her family’s demands for her life?  Where does the handsome doctor fit into her life and her investigations? 

I was intrigued at the premise and was looking forward to diving into a story of mystery, drama and family especially as the series was described as a “family saga and mystery-driven action with a slow-burn romance in seven unputdownable investigations.” The opening chapter was a jumbled introduction to Lady Helena’s situation and her large family. The introductions of who was who and where they fit in the family was so confusing that I gave up trying to keep everyone straight. I expected a murder mystery that never really materialized. The romance seemed out of place as well. Overall, I was bored and I did not care about Lady Helena, her situation or her investigations. I will not be continuing the series. However, if you enjoy historical drama with mystery and romance, you may enjoy Lady Helena Investigates. 

Lady Helena Investigates is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Then Came You: a move to a small town for a fresh start and a possible new romance

Then Came You is the first book in the Compass Cove series by Jeannie Moon. After a series of family loss, Mia DeAngelis needed a change for herself and her nephew, Ben. They move in with her grandmother in the magical small town of Compass Cove. She takes a job as a librarian at a local college and settles into her new community. Adam Miller is a retired NFL quarterback who has returned to Compass Cove for a fresh start as he takes the coaching job at the college. When Ben shows up at practice one day, Adam meets his gorgeous aunt and there is an instant connection despite their resistance. Even though their family and friends see them together, Mia is hesitant as her mother’s expectations interfere. Can the magic of Compass Cove bring them together or will their doubts keep them apart? 

Then Came You is a fast paced, page turner filled with sweet moments and heart stopping drama. From the opening chapter to the closing page, I could not put this book down. I read well into the night as I wanted to see Mia and Adam together. The drama between Mia and her mother felt so real and raw. I cheered for Mia as she fights for her own life and decisions without interference from her mother. I loved Adam and knew he was the one for Mia. I also enjoyed Mia’s nephew Ben. I laughed at the scene when he reveals that he saw Adam kiss Mia and how grossed out he was. It was such a child thing to say. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to continuing the story. I highly recommend Then Came You. 

Then Came You is available in paperback and eBook

All Good Things: images may not be as they appear

All Good Things by Amanda Prowse is a story that reminds us that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Daisy Harrop envies the seemingly perfect family next door. However, one weekend of drama could shatter the image forever. Daisy feels she lives in the background as her family’s home is the shabbiest on the street, especially next to the well-taken care of Kelleway home. Winnie Kelleway is proud of the family she and her husband have built. As the family gathers to celebrate their milestone anniversary, the cracks start to show and as one revelation starts a domino effect of other revelations, things start getting out of control. Daisy and Winnie both are about to learn that looks can be deceiving. 

Amanda Prowse books are known for emotional stories and life lessons. I was looking forward to the same in All Good Things. The story started out great as Daisy laments about her life compared to her neighbors. However, as readers meet the various neighbors, we can see that Daisy doesn't really know them at all. There are different points of view for various chapters and the chapters were far too long that they dragged. The characters were unlikeable and the one of the “shocking” revelations is almost too cliched at this point that it isn’t so shocking to me anymore. Overall, the story was okay. Not one of Ms Prowse’s best but I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. 

All Good Things is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Oye: a coming of age through family drama

Oye by Melissa Mogollon is one young woman’s story as she deals with family drama among high school drama and an incoming hurricane. Luciana is the baby of her very large Colombian American family. She is usually pushed to the sidelines; however, she suddenly finds herself front and center as the voice of reason during an unexpected crisis. As South Florida residents are ordered to evacuate as a hurricane heads their direction, Luciana is left to deal with Abue, her eccentric grandmother, who refuses to leave. When a crushing medical diagnosis forces Abue to move into Luciana’s room, the two find themselves on a personal journey neither wanted. Forced into the role of caretaker, translator and keeper of Abue’s secrets, Luciana finds herself facing adulthood and ready for the challenge. 

Billed as a “coming-of-age comedy. A telenovela-worthy drama. A moving family saga. All in a phone call you won’t want to hang up on,” I found the premise of Oye to be intriguing. With an eye-catching cover, I could not pass on this story. However, I was quickly confused as the story is told mostly as a one-sided phone conversation and series of voicemails. I could not find the comedy, the telenovela drama or the family saga. Perhaps I am simply not the audience for this story to fully appreciate its unique format. While labeled as adult fiction, I feel it belongs in the young adult category. Overall, I found it hard to enjoy this story. However, if you think you may enjoy a story told in an unique and unconventional format, I recommend giving Oye a try. 

Oye is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Rebel: secrets, family trouble and enemies to lovers

The Rebel by Jennifer Bernard is the first book in The Rockwell Legacy series. Deep in the Cascade Mountains, the Rockwell family has been running the historic Rocky Peak Lodge for generations. The lodge and its legacy is a risk. Kai Rockwell is the oldest and always the rebel. He left home when he was 18 and would rather die than deal with his father, “Mad Max” Rockwell. Now fifteen years later, he’s being called home as his father has a health scare and the lodge needs a lot of help. All Nurse Nicole Davidson wanted security for her and her disabled sister. When the job as an in-home nurse for Max Rockwell comes up, she is recruited to do a little intel for her friend’s investment group. No problem until Kai comes home and everything is thrown into a chaos. Kai and Nicole are equally determined to protect their families, they aren’t sure if they are enemies or lovers. 

The opening chapter of The Rebel hooked me in and let me down from there. I’m not really sure why but the story fell flat. There were a lot of secrets that the characters hinted at but took forever to reveal them. By then, I didn’t care what the secrets were. I did enjoy Kai’s character and despite his vow to never to return, he couldn’t truly abandon his home. I didn’t care for Nicole’s friend who was so pushy that I wanted to yell. Nicole giving her information about the lodge was plausible but her friend’s demands were way out of line. The introductions of Kai’s siblings didn’t heighten my interest enough to read the rest of the series. It is not my favorite by Ms. Bernard and I have loved the books I’ve read by her so far. Overall, I just didn’t care for the romance between Kai and Nicole. 

The Rebel is available in paperback and eBook

Come Back for Me: a second chance romance

Come Back for Me by Corinne Michaels is the first book in the Arrowood Brothers series. One night, eight years ago, Connor Arrowood was at a crossroads. He was leaving one life behind and heading toward another. Deeply hurting, he finds a woman who is also deeply hurting. They have one night together. No names. No promises. When the morning came, she was gone, he left for boot camp, vowing never to return to his Pennsylvania hometown. Connor is now at a crossroads once again. His military career is ending, his father has died and he is forced to go home and settle the estate with his brothers. Once he’s there, he meets his neighbor, he immediately recognizes the woman he has been dreaming about for eight years. Ellie is stuck in an abusive marriage, desperate to escape but she is unsure how. A series of events brings them together again, Connor vows never to let her go again. But they both hold secrets that could tear their lives apart for good. 

Come Back for Me is a sweet and powerful romance with hard hitting topics. There were harrowing scenes of abuse which broke my heart and cried for Ellie. I cheered as Connor lovingly rescued her and gave her the space to heal. After her abusive husband is arrested, that story is put into the background and the story focuses on Connor and Ellie’s love story. There were a few steamy scenes and deeply emotional scenes. The characters are real and relatable. The emotional scars Connor and Ellie carry are impactful even years after the events which caused them. It is a story of second chances at love, at life, family unity and finding strength in yourself and with others. I enjoyed Connor and Ellie’s story. I enjoyed that the story leads to the next couple’s story. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. After finishing this story, I immediately added the rest of the series to my book wish list. I highly recommend Come Back for Me. 

Come Back for Me is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

A Brighter Flame: a moving story of family drama and healing

A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a story of family secrets, healing and a new sense of belonging. All she ever wanted was a sense of belonging. After growing up feeling unwanted and an outsider in her family, Vale Lightner has learned to rely on and depend on herself and herself alone. When the bar she owns with her father goes up in flames, Vale returns to her hometown of Philadelphia at the urgent request of her grandmother, as she decides what her next step will be. Little does she know, her half sister, Blythe, is also staying at their grandmother’s house. Blythe is at a crossroads herself as she contemplates her own life changing decision. Everyone has their secrets as their lives converge where memories are reexamined and a chance for forgiveness, closure and a new sense of family can be found. Will Vale and Blythe let their guard down to finally have the sister relationship they both crave?

Christine Nolfi is known for hard hitting stories of drama with moving stories of secrets, healing and hopes for new life, love and family. A Brighter Flame is a story of a broken family with years of secrets and misunderstandings when the door opens to the possibility of glorious new relationships. These characters are flawed and deeply wounded but through tough love situations, they find themselves healing and living a life they never thought possible. Vale was a hardened woman with a deeply wounded child. However, as she opens up about her memories, she realized that misinterpreted events as only a child could. Blythe definitely acted the pampered princess as Vale saw her as the favored daughter of their mother and her stepfather. But like Vale, Blythe is hiding a secret and attempts to run instead of admitting the truth. I loved how the family rallied around her once her secret was out. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend A Brighter Flame. 

A Brighter Flame is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

If You Must Know: two sisters and a turning point in their lives

If You Must Know by Jamie Beck is the first book in the Potomac Point series. Sisters Amanda and Erin are as different as two sisters could be. The only thing they have in common is the childhood bedroom they shared. Amanda is known for following the rules, being the picture perfect daughter, wife and now mother to be. Erin follows her heart, flies by the seat of her pants and loves living the bohemian lifestyle with her yoga classes and Etsy business of organic soaps and bath products. Suddenly, their lives are turned upside down and they are forced to confront the uncomfortable truths about themselves and their family. Can these sisters find a way to build trust and lean on each other in trying times? Especially when there’s one secret still lingering between them.  

Jamie Beck writes wonderful stories of family, drama and coming together when they need each other. If You Must Know is a story of betrayal and sisters. Between the two sisters, I enjoyed Erin more. I cheered for her when she went after what she wanted. I didn’t care for Amanda as she tried to weigh the family’s reputation in front of her own needs. Although, as the oldest, I understood her strive for perfection. However, by the end of the story, Amanda finds out that sometimes one’s needs must come before family. As someone with sisters, the tension and interactions between Amanda and Erin was real and relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed If You Must Know and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy family drama, I recommend If You Must Know. 

If You Must Know is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

In My Life: heart pounding suspense and family drama

In My Life is the third book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Life has a new normal for Taylor Gray as her mother, Cate, adjusts to life on the outside, and her sister, Lucy, and infant nephew, Johnny, fill the house with activity. When a triple homicide is discovered, the once quaint and peaceful town of Hart’s Ridge is shocked and frightened. Taylor is determined to find the cold-hearted killer. Is the killer a passerby or someone closer to home? As it becomes all hands on deck, Taylor must juggle her investigation with the repairs of her family and two men who want to win her heart. Will it prove to be too much for Taylor? Or will she finally have the life she always thought wasn’t possible? 

Kay Bratt has another great series filled with heart pounding suspense and family drama. In My Life is a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat! Once I started, I could not put it down. I was able to read it in a few hours as the story kept getting better and better. There’s so much to talk about but can’t because of SPOILERS! The investigation was engaging and the storylines for Cate and Lucy were heartbreaking and I cheered for them to find their footing in their new lives. I also enjoyed Taylor and her possible romances. I am rooting for one particular man and I’m looking forward to seeing which one Taylor will ultimately choose. I highly recommend the Hart’s Ridge series and In My Life

In My Life is available in eBook

Books 1 and 2, Hart’s Ridge and Lucy in the Sky

are available in paperback and eBook

The Marine's baby, maybe: a second chance romance

The Marine’s Baby, Maybe by Rogenna Brewer is the first book in the Love in Uniform series. Caitlin Calhoun married Navy Lieutenant Luke Calhoun Jr in a whirlwind romance. Now she is a widow as her Navy SEAL husband was killed in action. As she moves from their base housing, she receives a letter from CryoBank. Her husband had donated sperm before his deployment. She hatches a plan to have his baby a piece of him she can hold on to. However, due to an unfortunate mix-up, the baby’s father is actually her late husband’s half brother. Master Sergeant “Lucky” Luke Calhoun Jr is a Marine sniper deployed overseas. Always unlucky in love, having a family was the last thing he expected to have. When he learns about Caitlin and his unborn baby, he can’t seem to turn his back on them. Unsure how to describe their new relationship, Cait and Lucky begin an unusual friendship but they never expected to fall in love. 

I always love stories that feature military personnel and their families. The Marine’s Baby, Maybe is a sweet second chance romance. A few reviewers complained that the story was outdated. Yes, the story takes place in 2008. Yikes, ancient history, right? And the characters mention screen names, yellow pages, and phone booths. However, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story. At its core, regardless of the time period, it is a second chance at love romance. Added to their drama, there is the wounded brother, the demanding mother-in-law and the jerk of a father-in-law. But through it all, they find a way to come together for this new baby. And in the process find a life and love they never thought they would ever have.  I thoroughly enjoyed The Marine’s Baby, Maybe. It was sweet, fun, and sexy. There were a few tears, a few heart tagging moments and even laughter. I highly recommend The Marine’s Baby, Maybe. 

The Marine’s Baby, Maybe is available in eBook

The Hope Chest: family drama about love, hope and healing

The Hope Chest by Carolyn Brown is a family drama about finding love, hope and family. Three estranged cousins, Nessa, Flynn and April, gather in Blossom, Texas for the finalization of their grandmother’s will. After a year in court when Nessa’s father, Isaac, tries to contest the will on the grounds that his mother was not in her right mind, the cousins set out to fulfill her final wishes. The cousins share the inheritance of her house as well as a hope chest that was to be unlocked when they complete a special task. They must finish her cherished quilt. As they set out to hand stitch the quilt, Nessa, Flynn and April work on piecing together their own lives. For Nessa, the house was an escape from her strict parents. Flynn is determined to end the lifestyle that his father raised him on and April returns to Blossom looking for answers to her troubled childhood. Thread by thread, memory by memory, the three cousins piece together their grandmother’s troubled past, the secrets she held tight against her chest and their own healing toward a brighter future.

My mom had a hope chest that sat at the end of her bed when I was growing up. It was filled with pictures and mementoes. When I came across this book, I was intrigued by what the cousins would find inside their hope chest. The Hope Chest is a good family drama dealing with many deep issues. From past hurts, life changing decisions, mental illness, parental expectations and forging one’s own path, The Hope Chest is a slower moving novel as Nessa, Flynn and April come together, each with their own hurts, desires, and hopes. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “Failure doesn’t have to define us. It can be the turning point in our lives that leads us to something better.” There is a bit of romance but it doesn’t overshadow the family drama and healing these three go through. My only real complaint is that Flynn is often teased for being short. He’s described as 5’8” which isn’t overly tall for a man but is above the average height for men (which is 5’6”). Overall, I enjoyed The Hope Chest and highly recommend it. 

The Hope Chest is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Worth the Wait: family drama and non-so-secret love

Worth the Wait is the first book in the St James series by Jamie Beck. Vivi LeBrun has been in love with David St. James for thirteen years. Too bad he is her best friend’s older brother. Her love for him only grew over the years as the family’s friendship saved her from a lonely and rocky childhood. Now she travels to Block Island to vacation with the St James siblings, Vivi continues to daydream about David, their reunion and the hopes that he finally sees her as she sees him. After his mother’s death. David has been keeping a terrible secret which puts distance between him and his siblings. As the family gathers for a vacation, he is weary from his secret and a girlfriend who is pushing for a more serious commitment. The last thing he expected was a growing attraction to Vivi. As the tensions build, David triggers a series of events that may cost him his family, a love he has taken for granted and the only family Vivi has known. 

Worth the Wait is a story filled with family drama, sibling banter, hidden secrets and unrequited love. It is sexy with fun banter and deep moments of discussions of real issues with real reactions and responses. Most women can relate to the infatuation one has on a best friend’s older brother. I related to Vivi as she felt an outsider in many aspects. As an oldest child, as David is, I have had to keep my fair share of secrets from my siblings. While the truth was eventually told in due time, I understand David’s struggles to keep his promise and the urge to reveal all. How many family secrets are kept at the expense of someone else? While the story had the outcome I expected, the journey to get there was one I did not expect. Not all family issues are wrapped up in a neat little bow. I am looking forward to the rest of the series as I suspect that David’s secret will be revealed to his siblings in due time. I highly recommend Worth the Wait. 

Worth the Wait is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

It Takes Heart: a second chance at love amidst family drama

It Takes Heart by Tif Marcelo is the first book in the Heart Resort series. The Heart Resort, a private resort, has been a romantic getaway for couples. But for the Puso family, being owners of the resort is also a place for family drama. Brandon is the youngest of the four siblings. After a fall out with his eldest brother, he prefers life on his own as a licensed contractor in DC. After a hurricane devastates the resort, it’s all hands on deck to get it up and running. There he encounters Geneva Harris, his sister’s best friend and interior designer. She is also there to help out. Brandon and Geneva have a little secret. Years ago, they had a romantic relationship that ended in heartbreak. They agree to ignore their past and work together for the sake of the resort and his family. However, their attraction is still there and try as they might, they can’t deny it. Will history repeat itself or is this their second chance to get it right? 

It Takes Heart is my first book by Tif Marcelo. I enjoyed a story that features a Filipino family. I know a few Filipinos and it was great to see the culture represented. The story started slowly, loaded with Brandon’s and Geneva’s relationship issues and the familial interpersonal relationships and conflicts. At times I was confused by statements made by the characters referring to events that I wasn’t aware of yet. I wasn’t sure if I would care for the relationship between Brandon and Geneva or care for the other characters to want to read the rest of the series. But I was intrigued and I wanted to continue. By the end, I cheered for Brandon’s and Geneva’s relationship and their individual growth. I even enjoyed Brandon’s siblings and  look forward to reading their stories. I appreciated how Ms. Marcelo dealt with family dynamics that can transcend cultures as well as grief, guilt and familial pressures. It is a heartwarming story of love, family and being true to yourself. I recommend It Takes Heart. 

It Takes Heart is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Sweet Lake: a sweet small town romance

Sweet Lake is the first book in the Sweet Lake series by Christine Nolfi. Linnie Wayfair took over the family inn after her scoundrel of a brother stole money from the company and ran off to California. With the residents of Sweet Lake, Ohio counting on her, she has done her best. Everyone is urging her to return the Wayfair Inn to its former glory. Her parents hope her brother will return and claim his rightful place as heir and owner of the inn. The eccentric Sweet Lake Sirens want her to open her heart to new possibilities. When a shocking turn of events open old wounds and threaten to upend everything Linnie has worked so hard to build. She must make a decision quickly. Will she stand and fight for the inn and her place in the family legacy? 

Sweet Lake is a sweet story that kept me on my toes and guessing until the very end. There were moments when the events made me very angry and annoyed for Linnie and even at Linnie. She doesn’t seem to have a backbone and the courage to stand up for herself as she realizes her work at the inn is threatened. Eventually she found her voice and I ended up liking her and cheering for her in the end. The first half of the story was irritating especially with the Sirens, who had a Ya-Ya Sisterhood vibe. The second half is where the story found its heart and it’s groove. Overall, I enjoyed Sweet Lake and look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you like fun, small town stories, I recommend Sweet Lake. 

Sweet Lake is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

The Second Home: a family drama

The Second Home by Christina Clancy is a story of a family and how one summer’s events tore everything apart. The story opens with Ann Gordon, a young woman at her family’s vacation home in Cape Cod. It is 2016 and Ann’s parents have died in a car accident six months ago and she has decided to sell the house. There were too many bad memories that overshadowed the good times. Part 1 takes the reader to the summer of 2000, the Gordon family: Ed, Connie and their daughters, Ann, 16, and Poppy, 15, and their adopted son, Michael, 16, arrive for their yearly vacation in Cape Cod. The Gordon family took in Michael after his mother died suddenly and left him with nowhere to go. This is the summer which changed everything. Ann began babysitting for the very wealthy Maureen and Anthony Shaw. Poppy fell in with the surfing crowd and Michael begins a landscaping job. After the summer ends and Ann reveals a shocking secret, the family is torn apart as Michael leaves with no clue where he is going. Part 2 brings the reader forward to 2015 as Ann is dealing with the aftermath of her parents’ death, Poppy is traveling the world and there is still no word from Michael. Soon word gets out that the Gordon family house is for sale and Michael comes forward. As they fight over the house, will they confront the events of that summer and its aftermath? Will the truth be revealed? Will they be able to heal from years of secrets and lies?

The Second Home is the debut novel for Ms. Clancy and began strong. The first part was the summer everything changed as Ann, Poopy and Michael grow up beyond their years when confronted with very real world problems. The second part is where things got confusing. New characters are introduced with no real explanation as to their relationship or connection to established characters. The timeline gets wonky as narrators changes with each chapter. It was hard to understand what was the present or the past. The characters were hard to like especially Ann. In the beginning, she was the one who spoke without a filter, often hurting others as a result. Her father gave her the nickname, “Ann with a Plan,” as she acts and gets things done. And usually that would be a good quality, but in part 2 as she is dealing with the house, Michael’s reappearance, she becomes a bitch. As the action and tension builds and builds, the end was anticlimactic. I loved the story. I loved Ms. Clancy’s descriptions of Cape Cod and its residents. However, the characters were hard to get invested in. The ending was just there with an epilogue that quickly wraps it up. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but the characters fell short for me. It’s a strong start for Ms. Clancy and I would look forward to ready her future novels.

The Second Home

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook