Healing the Mountain Man's Heart: a dedicated doctor and a surly mountain man find love and faith

Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart is the first book in the Brothers of Sapphire Creek Ranch series by Misty M. Beller. Jericho Coulter is the eldest of the Coulter brothers. He has been entrusted with the safety of his family and the secret they hold dear. After a family tragedy, they follow a strict rule: no outsiders. Dinah Wyatt is a talented and determined doctor, travels with her sister, Naomi, as she prepares to be a mail order bride in Montana. When they come to the ranch, they are met with a surly Jericho who was ready to send them away. However, Dinah’s skills are immediately needed as one of the brothers becomes injured. As Dinah cares for the injured man, sparks fly between Jericho and Dinah. However, in the wilds of the Montana Territory, where trust is hard to come by. Can Jericho and Dinah learn to trust each torah and embrace the love between them?

Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart is my first book by Misty M. Beller and it won’t be my last. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, this story had me glued to the pages. It is dramatic and faith filled with real struggles and questions with faith. Jericho is a man hurt by the tragic events in his family and, as a result, he turned from God. Dinah is a woman of faith who feels called to use her skills as a doctor to any one who is injured or ill. The two clash as they have different missions and yet together they find a common thread with the people they both care about: their families. There are moments of humor and times of tense danger. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart. 

Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Love's Sacrifice: two broken people discover Jesus's redemptive love and in each other

Love’s Sacrifice by Evangeline Kelly is a story of love, faith and discovering the strength to overcome the past. Avery Loggins has learned to depend on no one but herself. Her mom couldn’t be trusted and her father walked out years before. When she landed a job at a popular diner as a kitchen assistant to Dean Galloway, the very handsome but grumpy chef. Eventually Avery agrees to a night out with Dean and before they know it, they do not want the night to end. So they end up eloping. Avery has a shocking moment of reality and leaves Dean with a goodbye letter. However, Dean doesn’t want to let her go. When he shows up, determined to show her how much she means to him, they both learn the true meaning of sacrifice and find a love that can last a lifetime. 

Love’s Sacrifice is a contemporary Christian romance in which two broken people discover Jesus’s redemptive love. The story is fairly fast paced with a sweet romance with hard hitting issues and beautifully explains the love and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. I loved both Avery and Dean as individuals who have been deeply hurt by life’s circumstances. I also loved these two people who rejected even talking about God and God placed people in their lives that quietly opened their eyes to His love. From the good friend to a family who has lost it all and still has joy and a man who has turned his life around all show Dean and Avery the power of God’s love. Overall, I could not put this book down and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I highly, highly recommend Love’s Sacrifice. 

Love’s Sacrifice is available in eBook

Everything to Love: a friends to lovers romance set in a small town

 Everything to Lose is the first book in the Newberry Spring series by Harlow James. Wyatt and Kelsea have been best friends since they were babies. She has been in love with him since she was ten. When Wyatt left for college and Kelsea stayed behind in their hometown, she gave up the idea that they could ever be more than just friends. Now eight years later, as she buries her true feelings, she helps him run his brewery restaurant. It seemed to work until Wyatt’s twin brother, Walker, was tired of the two of them dancing around the elephant in the room and devises a plan to make his brother jealous and admit his own feelings. Kelsea knows it would be playing with fire but going against the rules she set to play it safe felt exciting. She knows it could backfire but is she willing to risk everything she knows and loves to finally have the love of her dreams? 

I love a good romance and Everything to Lose sounds like a great friends to lovers romance and with a great opening prologue, I was looking forward to a great story. However, it was so cringey that I found myself not rooting for Kelsea, Wyatt or their romance. The story is told in a dual point of view which is usually great and exciting; however, there was no real distinction between Kelsea’s voice or Wyatt’s. With the first book in a series, there is a certain amount of information describing the town and the residents; however, there seems to be way too much focus on this information than Kelsea and Wyatt’s potential relationship. Oh the dialogue! Some of it was so cringey, especially from Wyatt, I literally rolled my eyes. So not romantic at all! Even the spicy scenes were cringey. I did not enjoy this story and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Everything to Lose. 

Everything to Lose is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Secret of Poppyridge Cove: a cozy mystery romance that wasn't

The Secret of Poppyridge Cove is the first book in the Seaside Inn Mystery series by Rimmy London. Abby Tanner falls in love with a hauntingly beautiful manor that sits on the seaside. It has been abandoned for decades and it seems for good reason. Even though the estate is crumbling and she encounters a very chilling sight on the back porch, she can’t seem to stop thinking about how beautiful it would be all fixed up. The only thing stopping her is the two million dollar price tag. With a twist of fate, Abby is able to make an offer and while it is accepted, there seems to be someone or something that is determined to keep her away. Can she learn who is behind the gruesome occurrences? Can she find the determination to stand her ground and make the estate beautiful once again? 

The Secret of Poppyridge Cove is described as a “cozy mystery” with an “on-again, off-again romance that will have your toes curling in delight.” With “pages turning” and “hearts warming,” I was promised an adventure that I would await another trip to Poppyridge Cove. However, there is no way this is a cozy mystery. While it starts off as a cozy mystery would, it turns too dark to be cozy anymore. Abby doesn’t truly stop and think and acts on impulse. Her boyfriend is annoying. There is also no consistency in the characters' backstories at all. And if you are an animal lover, please do not read this book! I did not enjoy this book and I definitely will not be continuing the series. There was nothing heart warming or toe curling about this story. I do not recommend The Secret of Poppyridge Cove. 

The Secret of Poppyridge Cove is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook 

Broken Lies: a Hollywood movie star and a personal trainer romance

Broken Lies is the first book in the Second Chance Chicago series by Gina Azzi. Eli Roth is a Hollywood heartthrob who could have any woman he wanted. He wants Zoe Clark. She captivated him from the moment he laid eyes on her with her wicked curves, wise cracking mouth and bold confidence. Even when she rejected him, he was amused and set out to hire her as his personal trainer on set in the Seychelles. As she focuses on her job to keep him in shape for his role, the spark between them turns into a wildfire blaze. He even begins to see a future with her that he never thought he deserved. However, Zoe harbors a secret and finds lies with pretty words. Eli falls for it all. 

Broken Lies is a fairly short book which ends on a cliffhanger and Twisted Truths, the second book, is the continuation of Eli and Zoe’s story. I was irritated at Zoe as she alluded to her secret and she refused to talk to her loved ones about it and in turn, readers are also left in the dark as well. While I could guess and assume what her secret was, I disliked the constant alluding to her secret. Eli and Zoe’s romance was okay and it is a bit irritating that I would have to read book 2 in order to see their happily ever after. Overall, I was bored and did not enjoy this story. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Broken Lies. 

Broken Lies is available in paperback and eBook. 

Ashes of You: a slow burn romance with mystery and suspense

Ashes of You is the fifth and final book in the Lost and Found series by Catherine Cowles. Five years ago, Halston “Hallie” Astor was kidnapped, held captive and tortured. When she managed to escape, one man, a stranger with striking blue eyes, found her and brought her to safety. As she recovered and rebuilt her life, this man’s blue eyes remained in her memory and brought her peace whenever she recalled them. Now, she is determined to get a fresh start and comes to Cedar Ridge to interview for a nanny job for a single father with three sons. What she doesn’t expect is that the father would be the man with the striking blue eyes. Lawson Hartley is the eldest of the Hartley children who is trying his best to raise his three sons. There is an attraction that they both try to fight and stay professional. When a threat from their past comes back, will he be able to save her this time? 

It was hard to say goodbye to the Hartley siblings and their lives in Cedar Creek; however, Ashes of You is a wonderful end to this amazing series. I immediately loved Hallie and Lawson together. Despite their age gap, and I usually don’t like age gap romances, they were seemingly meant for each other. Their romance was a slow burn and exciting. The reveal of who was behind Halle’s original abduction and the current threat was a complete shock. He was not even on my radar at all! Also, over the course of the previous four books, readers see the growing tensions between Lawson and his eldest son, Luke, and I knew we would see their conflict come to a head. That moment was filled with shocking revelations and so many tears. Oh the tears! It was a great healing moment for father and son. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I highly, highly recommend Ashes of You and the rest of the Lost and Found series. 

Ashes of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Glimmers of You: a brother's best friend, friends to enemies to lovers romantic suspense

Glimmers of You is the third book in the Lost and Found series by Catherine Cowles. Caden Shaw wasn’t just her brother’s best friend, he was the one Grae needed him the most. That is until he disappeared from their small town. Now he is back with his cocky smirk, with his infuriating nicknames and more handsome than ever before. When a man she causally dated won’t take no for an answer, she desperately involves Caden, pretending that he is her new boyfriend. Caden then suggests they fake being madly in love in order to also get Caden’s scheming father to get off his back. One problem: it is very hard to pretend. She has been in love with him for years, even when she hated him for leaving. There’s no denying the sparks between them. Someone is watching. Someone is not happy that Caden and Grae’s new relationship and will do anything to keep them apart. 

Glimmers of You is a brother’s best friend, friends to enemies to lovers romance. Grae is the only sister in a house of brothers and she grew up being able to defend herself against all antagonists. However, that all changed when she had a medical emergency that changed their dynamic much to Grae’s horror. I loved Grae’s determination to be seen as everything but her illness. I enjoyed seeing more into Caden’s family dynamic as well as the reasons why he left their town in the first place. Their romance was sweet, filled with fun banter and steamy love scenes. The suspense kept me guessing to the very end and the perpetrator was a surprise even though I guessed him before the final reveal but it still surprised me. I enjoyed Grae and Caden’s story and I am looking forward to the last two stories in this series. I highly recommend Glimmers of You. 

Glimmers of You is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Unexpectedly in Love: a fake dating romance

Unexpectedly in Love is the first book in the Sherbrookes series by Christina Tetreault. Victoria “Tory” Sherbrooke has a problem. She is the maid of honor in her friend Ivy's upcoming wedding. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend is the groom’s best man. No one, including her ex, will accept that their relationship is truly over. In order to get everyone off her case, she decides to show up to the wedding with a boyfriend. Her family’s charity bachelor auction would be the perfect place to find a fake boyfriend. Duncan Ferguson had lost a bet and now he is a part of the auction. He planned to fulfill his obligation and walk away. However, when he hears Tory’s plan, he can’t help but agree. Falling in love was never a part of the plan. As they spend time together, the more and more their fake relationship feels very, very real. 

The fake dating trope is one I usually enjoy; however, I just wasn’t feeling this one. I didn’t like Tory from the get go. I found her shallow and immature. At one point, she accuses Duncan of using her for a connection when she is using him to fool her ex boyfriend and others. I rolled my eyes at that. As the first book in the series, I understand establishing characters and building the world. Unfortunately, there were way too many connections and relationships introduced in the confusing way. In the first chapter alone, there were dozens of names and connections mentioned instead of introducing them as they appear in the story. It really slowed the story down from the beginning. From there, the story felt chopping and disconnected. Overall, I did not enjoy this story and I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Unexpectedly in Love. 

Unexpectedly in Love is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Echoes of You: a best friend to lovers with fun banter and intense suspense

Echoes of You is the second book in the Lost and Found series by Catherine Cowles. Nash Hartley has always been everything to Maddie Byrne. Best friends, Protector. Partner in Crime. And the one person who was there in her darkest hour. However, she always wanted more, being unsure if Nash wanted the same, she never acted on her feelings. She left town and moved on, a choice that haunted her. Now, she has moved back to their small town, hoping that she has left her nightmares behind and seeing the only person who made her feel safe. As she tells Nash about the events which led to her return and he promised to do everything to keep her safe. However, her worst nightmare arrives in town, a man who will do everything he is power to keep Maddie or make sure no one else would. 

Echoes of You is a best friend romance with fun banter as well as intense suspense. Maddie is a strong woman who was determined to avoid being a victim again, not realizing that she fell into the very situation she vowed never to be in. In shame, she hid the truth. My heart broke for Maddie as she recounts her experiences and learns to trust Nash and others with her deepest secret. I loved how the Hartleys rallied around her. While readers know the villain who would cause trouble and the wait to see how he would pounce and act was intense. There was another villain lurking in the shadows that surprised me. Overall, this story kept me glued to the pages and I could not put it down. I am looking forward to the rest of this series. I highly recommend Echoes of You. 

Echoes of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Things We Left Behind: a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance as the Knockemout trilogy comes to an end

Things We Left Behind is the third and final book in the Knockemout trilogy by Lucy Score. Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean mogul with vengeance on his mind. With a mission to clear the horrible stain his father put on the family name, Lucian has gained the power of an indestructible business empire with the ability to pull strings and end careers with a single word. He is seemingly untouchable. Untouchable except for Sloane Walton, the feisty Knockemout librarian, the one woman who could set him free and the one woman he would rather die than ask for help. Sloane inherited her father’s quest for justice and would do anything for anyone in need. However, she doesn’t trust Lucian as fall as she can throw him. When their fierce bickering turns into foreplay and eventually a steamy one night stand, they find themselves unable to walk away from each other. 

It was sad to say goodbye to the residents of Knockemout; however, Lucian and Sloan’s friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story was a great sendoff. Lucian is determined to avoid the sins of his father and Sloan wants a loving marriage and family just like her parents did. They seem to be on opposing sides and yet they have a connection and a history that no one else understands. Their bickering was fun and their friendship was sweet. It was heartbreaking knowing how their friendship ended. The rebuilding of their friendship was great and their romance was spicy. I loved the interactions between Lucian, Nash and Knox as great as any sibling bickering could be among lifelong friends. Overall, I enjoyed this story and this series. It tied up all loose ends and sets the sun on their amazing love stories. I highly recommend Things We Left Behind and the rest of the Knockemout trilogy. 

Things We Left Behind is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

To Bind Fire: an engaging fantasy as one young woman learns she is destined to save the world, a world she doesn't know

To Bind Fire is the first book in the Empire of Ash and Song trilogy by D.E. Carlson. Iris is thrust into a foreign world she has never known. She knows little about her past and even less about her heritage. The only life she has known is the remote mountain cabin she lived with her mother and brother. When a tragedy brings her down the mountain, she learns the land has been torn by war and is now ruled by the powerful Fire Emperor. She also learns she has a terrible power, a power that can save the world or burn it forever. Besaun is the Crown Prince of the Fire Empire who has no desire for the throne. He has no patience for all the bowing, scraping, and politics. He just wants to tinker with his inventions. Little do they know, they are both fated to save the world. 

I discovered D.E. Carlson on TikTok and I was intrigued by her fantasy books. I decided to start with To Bind Fire. It has been described as “Perfect for fans of the faith themes of the Chronicles of Narnia, the powerful writing style of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the clean sweet romance of Caraval!” While I haven’t read A Court of Thorns and Roses or Caraval, I love the Chronicles of Narnia and looked forward to how Ms. Carlson weaved faith themes into her story. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, I was hooked on this story. There is action, adventure, intrigue and drama with a smidge of romance. I loved the faith elements with the fantasy magical system. While I was left with questions and suspicions, I can’t wait to finish the trilogy and Iris’s story. I highly, highly recommend To Bind Fire. 

To Bind Fire is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Things We Never Got Over: a bearded grump and the runaway bride in a spicy romance with drama and suspense

Things We Never Got Over is the first book in the Knockemout trilogy by Lucy Score. Knox Morgan is the bearded grump of Knockemout who prefers to live his life alone with his basset hound, Waylon, and certainly doesn’t tolerate drama. Naomi Witt left her groom at the altar and rushed to the small town in Virginia to rescue her estranged twin. However, little does she know that her twin sister, Tina, is not well liked in Knockemout and her ways haven’t changed. Naomi is left without her car, no money and suddenly in custody of her 11 year old niece she didn’t know she had. Knox doesn’t like complications or women, especially those with romantic notions; however, when he saw what Tina had done to Naomi, he felt compelled to help her out of the jam. When she was settled, he would leave her alone and go back to his solitary peaceful life. At least that’s the plan. 

From the opening chapter to the closing pages, Things We Never Got Over was filled with drama, suspense and the tension of two people who were fighting the obvious attraction with deep emotional scars and healing. There are also great moments of humor and heartfelt bonds of found family and a small town who protects their own, even the newest residents. I loved the gruff exterior of Knox that hides a deeply wounded heart of gold. Naomi is a woman who strives to be perfect in order to counter the heartless activities of her sister. There is a lot of personal growth for Knox and Naomi and I enjoyed seeing their deep emotional moments together. I also loved the supporting characters and the residents of Knockemout. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the other two books in the trilogy. I highly recommend Things We Never Got Over. 

Things We Never Got Over is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Mistakes Were Made: he's straight laced, she's fly by the seat of her pants. Their relationship would be a disaster. Or would it?

Mistakes Were Made is the second book in the Story Lake series by Lucy Score. Zoey Moody is a literary agent who doesn’t like small town life. However, after being exiled from Manhattan’s publishing world, Zoey is forced to stay in the tiny Pennsylvania small town with Hazel, her best friend forever and her only remaining client. She needs Hazel’s next book to be a massive hit and she is determined to let nothing stand in her way except her gorgeous six foot two inch landlord. Gage Bishop is smart, serious, and sexy. Their mutual attraction is obvious; however, Gage is looking for a wife and Zoey is simply looking for a fun time. Gage thinks Zoey as the most beautiful woman he has ever met, but they are opposites. Where he is organized and has five year plans, Zoey is disorganized and can’t seem to work a calendar app. However, when a family secret rocks his world, Gage turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. Will one night be enough? Will Gage and Zoey realize that all they are looking for is right in front of them? 

I read book one, Story of My Life, and fell in love with the quirky small town. So I eagerly awaited Mistakes Were Made. From page one, this story had me laughing out loud. Oh the banter between Gage and Zoey, between Gage and his brothers and between other characters was so great. At times my face hurt with how much I was grinning. The romance between Gage and Zoey was spicy but sweet and tender as well. There is drama and my heart breaks for Zoey as she tries and yet still struggles with ADHD and keeping the aspects of her life up and running. Ms Score lovingly and realistically portrays ADHD and Zoey’s struggles as well as her elation when the changes she makes start to work. I loved all the Bishop family as they fought with each other and for each other. I loved all the animals and their personalities and antics, especially Gage’s dog, Nana. Overall, I love this book and didn’t want it to end. I love this series and I can’t wait for book three and Levi’s story. I highly, highly recommend Mistakes Were Made. 

Mistakes Were Made is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Last Letter: an emotional tragic story with loss, struggles and love

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros is a story of loss, love and the struggles. Ella MacKenzie was asked by her brother, Ryan, to write to his fellow serviceman who didn’t get many letters from home. She eagerly does. She and Beckett Gentry begin a friendship through their letters. Although she only knows him by his call sign, Chaos. When Ryan is killed in action, his last letter is to Beckett, asking him to watch over his sister and her two six year old twins, Colt and Maisie in Telluride, Colorado. Ella is raising her children on her own while running a local bed and breakfast and dealing with Maisie’s health struggles. Beckett leaves the army and arrives in Telluride with his retired K-9, Havoc, and immediately jumps into his new role. At first, Ella is resistant but soon there is an attraction that neither can resist. However, there are still secrets between them and the truth could threaten to tear them apart. 

I have seen The Last Letter heavily on social media. Many reviews highly recommended it while others warned the emotional damage readers would suffer after reading it. I looked forward to a good emotional story. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, the emotions and tears flowed. There were also moments of laughter and smiles. I loved Beckett as he takes his role as protector seriously. I loved Ella as an independent woman who was determined to prove those who doubt her wrong. I loved Colt and Maisie as the precocious twins with their unusual bond. I even loved Havoc and wished to have a dog like her. The ending was tragic but an expected tragedy. I was expecting one of five deaths and the death did not play out the way I expected. My only nitpick is one scene where a character from Lord of the Rings was referenced and in the book, the name was spelt, AOWYN when the character is EOWYN. If you are going to reference another character, spell the name correctly! Overall, I did enjoy this story. I highly recommend The Last Letter. 

The Last Letter is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Hello Again: a sweet, clean second chance romance

Hello Again is the first book in the In The Garden series by Heather Tullis. Piper Daniels has only one wish: to keep Spencer, her little brother, out of trouble. However, between her work schedule and the lack of activities for teens in her neighborhood leaves her searching for options. When she comes to the idea of a community garden, she is inspired and dives into making her plan a reality. Until she hits a snag. The owner of the property she wants to use is a former flame. Reece Stone was the love of her life ten years ago. However, he left with a phone call goodbye and no other explanation. Now he is the head of Stone Enterprises and when Piper’s garden proposal comes across his desk, he is thrilled to have a second chance with her. 

Hello Again is a sweet, clean romance. I loved Piper as she works hard and struggles to help her little brother stay on the straight and narrow. Her idea of a community garden sounded fun and I loved how her friends supported her and helped her develop the plan. I also enjoyed Reece as he struggles to overcome his father’s shadow and run the business. I also liked how he interacted with Spencer. The romance between Piper and Reece was sweet but the plot itself with the garden was a bit too slow for me. Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a nice read for a lazy afternoon. However, I am unsure if I will continue the series. If you enjoy sweet, clean second chance romance, I recommend Hello Again. 

Hello Again is available in paperback and eBook

 

The Sweetest Words: an enemies to lovers romance with great drama, banter and sweet moments

The Sweetest Words is the first book in the Three Sisters Cafe series by Laura Ann. When Aspen Harrison's father turns over the family bakery to her, she knows it’s her time to shine outside of his shadow. Along with her sisters, she remodels and re-themes the bakery as Three Sisters Cafe. A great way to kick off their grand re-opening would be a review from a well-known food critic, Eat It Austin. Austin loves food and is known for his snappy and snarky reviews that his followers eat up. However, his whole career is built on a lie and a facade is desperate to keep in place. When his editor takes his review of The Three Sisters Cafe and turns it into a harsher review than originally written. Austin feels bad, but unable to do much. When Aspen issues a challenge for an apology, Austin must decide between his reputation, his career and his heart. 

The Sweetest Words is a great enemies to lovers romance with drama and sweet moments. I loved the banter between Aspen and Austin. I especially loved Aspen’s spunk when she challenges Austin to “eat his words” about her cafe. I felt for Austin and his dilemma and I certainly wanted to throttle his boss. I also enjoyed the cast of characters and look forward to seeing them get their own love story. I enjoyed that Aspen and Austin both had their own challenges and issues they wanted to keep hidden and yet they found the strength and courage to open up about it to each other and eventually others. Overall, I enjoyed this story. Word of warning though, do not read this book while hungry. The descriptions of the sweet treats and food were so vivid that I wish I could eat it with the characters. If you enjoy an enemies to lovers romances with sweet treats, I highly recommend The Sweetest Words. 

The Sweetest Words is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tru Blue: a motorcycle club romance with found family and rebuilding one's life

Tru Blue is the first book in The Whiskeys: Dark Knights of Peaceful Harbor series by Melissa Foster. There’s nothing Truman Gritt wouldn’t do to protect his family and he proved it. He spent time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he has been released and slowly rebuilding his life when his mother’s overdose shattered it all. He steps in to raise the two children she left behind. Overnight, he became the guardian of a toddler and an infant. When a beautiful stranger walked up to him at the store and helped him, he tried to resist. Gemma Walker saw the tattooed man struggle with two young kids, she couldn’t help but step in. As Truman tries to resist Gemma’s help, he finds himself slowly opening his heart. Truman and Gemma find an attraction between them that was hard to fight. However, when his dark past bursts into his life once again, Truman faces a tough decision. 

I usually don’t read books about motorcycle clubs; however, I was intrigued by Truman’s story. I also enjoy stories about found family and tough guys with hearts of gold. The story started off strong and I loved Turman’s tenderness with his small siblings. My heart broke for him as he was desperate to stay on the straight and narrow and keep his siblings from a life of drugs and crime. Gemma was a bright light in his dark world who had a hurtful past herself. I also enjoyed the Whiskey family who took Truman under their wings when he had no one in the world. Overall, I did enjoy this story; however, I felt the story lost steam with each chapter. Gemma's painful past would be painful; however, I could not get behind her comparisons to Truman’s past. I am not interested in continuing the series. If you enjoy motorcycle club romance with found family, I recommend Tru Blue. 

Tru Blue is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Ice Falls: a romantic suspense in an Alaskan small town

Ice Falls is the first book in the Firelight Ridge series by Jennifer Bernard. Molly Evans credits her three best friends for their support as she grew from a misfit to a successful attorney. When one of them suddenly goes missing, Molly makes it her mission to find her friend, Lila. She tracks Lila to Firelight Ridge, a small town in Alaska, and she immediately stands out in a town who stays out of each other’s business. It doesn’t take long before she finds herself in the middle of a local mystery and a reclusive group and must deal with a surly but very attractive pilot. Sam Coburn is the ultimate lone wolf; keeping to himself. When Molly steps onto his plane, he is intrigued by the feisty and fierce woman. Little does he know that she will provide a way to access the wilderness family he had tried and failed. A whirlwind of events will change their lives forever. 

I have read Jennifer Bernard’s books before and loved them. When I found Ice Falls, I was looking forward to this romance suspense. I liked that Molly was willing to jump on a plane to find her friend. Even though Lila was always a bit flighty, Molly felt enough intuition to think something was off and find her and make sure she is okay. Her first interaction with Sam was funny with great banter. From there, the story seemed to be all over the place introducing Lila’s new life in town, the mysterious family who Sam is trying to get information about and the mystery that is supposed to tie it all together. The pace was slow and lost my attention. Overall, I was bored and really didn’t care for the characters or the mystery. I am not sure if I will continue this series; however, if if you enjoy romantic suspense, you may enjoy Ice Falls. 

Ice Falls is available in paperback and eBook

Nothing But Trouble: an ex-quarterback, his assistant and a love neither of them saw coming

Nothing But Trouble is the first book in the Credence, Colorado series by Amy Andrews. For the past five years, Cecilia “CC” Morgan’s life has revolved around the personal assistant to Wade “The Catapult” Carter, a former NFL quarterback. She has decided she has had enough and prepares to quit, but then his father’s health fails and she finds herself in his hometown. CC will stay, for now, but seeing Wade outside the bright lights of Denver has her thinking things she has no business thinking. CC’s plan to quit throws Wade for a loop as he cannot imagine his life with his “left tackle,” his Girl Friday. Now they are under the same roof in his hometown, bantering like an old married couple, Wade starts to see CC as just more than his assistant. Will Wade open his eyes and his heart to the woman he cannot live without? 

Nothing But Trouble is a sweet romance with a bit of spice as well as great banter, sigh worthy moments and humor. I loved CC and Wade from the moment they appeared on the page and their attraction together is apparent to everyone but them. To see them slowly come to that realization were great moments, especially Wade’s. The moment it hit him brought a smile to  my face and I enjoyed his grand gestures. Yes, multiple. He fumbled a few times. Their supporting characters were awesome too. The small town characters were alive and well in Credence. The family banter, the friendly insults and touching moments helped boost their story. I loved this story and I was sad to see it end; however, I look forward to the rest of this series. If you love a sweet spicy romance with great moments, I highly recommend Nothing But Trouble. 

Nothing But Trouble is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Something Like Hate: an enemies to lovers football romance

Something Like Hate is the first book in the Chicago Grizzlies series by Piper Rayne. Miles Cavanaugh is the best safety in the league and when he was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies, Bryce Burns was ecstatic. She couldn’t be happier. They have had a love-hate relationship since college. Finally, she has breathing room. That is until she lands her dream job with a national sport magazine in Chicago. The city is big enough for both of them…right? The best laid plans soon go awry when she temporarily takes over reporting on the Chicago Grizzlies which means traveling with the team, interviewing the players and all with an all-access pass. Miles and Bryce decide to play nice for the sake of both of their jobs. However, they soon realize that the attraction between them is stronger than their mutual hate. 

The Chicago Grizzlies series is a spin off of the Kingsmen Football Stars series and picks up after that series ends. Something Like Hate is a spicy enemies to lovers romance. Bryce is a nonsense reporter so calls it how she sees it, regardless of the players’ ego. Miles takes criticism very seriously and he is still steaming from an article Bryce wrote in college. However, he feels drawn to her as she builds a fire under his feet to be better, to do better. As they spend time together, they both realize there is more to the other than meets the eye. Miles isn’t your typical football player and Bryce is fighting past hurts. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, football romance, I highly recommend Something Like Hate. 

Something Like Hate is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook