romantic suspense

Obsession Falls

Happy Thursday! Today we are lucky because a new Claire Kingsley book has released. I am doubly lucky because I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

This was such a sweet small town romance! It’s got all my favorite things – grumpy/sunshine, characters in their 30s, forced proximity, quirky small town, and a good dose of romantic suspense. 

It’s a slow burn as they move from strangers to friends to lovers and I loved watching how they melted for each other, especially Josiah because what’s better than a stoic man who is perfectly happy on his own falling for a quirky sunshine woman?

Though this is a spin off of the Bailey Brothers (which is a spin off of the Miles family) you could definitely read this one as a standalone. That being said, it sure was wonderful being back in Tilikum with all its weird residents and squirrels. I never thought I’d be rooting for the Havens but I can’t wait for more of these brothers!

Glimmers of You

I really enjoyed this fake dating small town romance! 

This is book three in the Lost & Found series which brings us Grae, the youngest Hartley sibling, and Caden, her brother’s best friend who offers to fake date her in order to protect her from an ex who won’t leave her alone. In exchange, having a girlfriend will make him look more reliable to his company and get his dad off his back.

Caden has rubbed Grae the wrong way ever since she received her type 1 diabetes diagnosis as a teen and he basically disappeared on her but she needs her ex to stop bothering her so she puts her annoyance aside, at least in public.

Caden is a bit broody, his family sucks and he lost his sister years ago to cancer and never really recovered. Grae is tired of everyone treating her like she’s made of glass due to her diagnosis, and just wants to prove she’s a capable adult. The two had obvious chemistry and while brother’s best friend will never be my favorite trope, it didn’t bother me here. 

It’s a Catherine Cowles book so of course there is suspense and danger and I loved that it kept me guessing. Overall a great addition to the series and I’m so freaking excited for the next book!

Beyond the Thistles

Happy Tuesday! Beyond the Thistles released today. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

This is the first book in the author’s new The Highlands series, which is a spin off her Adair Family series. Though I don’t think you would need to read the Adair Family first, there are a lot of overlapping characters and settings so it may be best enjoyed in order.

This brings us the story of Walker and Sloane, both of whom we met previously. It’s a small town, single mom/bodyguard romantic suspense novel set in the Scottish highlands. 

Walker is a stoic, grumpy hero determined not to let outgoing single mom Sloane in. Sloane knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to put herself out there to try to get it.

The suspense elements were a bit of a rollercoaster from beginning to end which was nice, there’s lots of steam, and I really enjoyed seeing the Adairs again! I’m looking forward to more in this series.  

Echoes of You

Happy Monday! Echoes of You by Catherine a Cowles releases tomorrow. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The author has delivered another small town, romantic suspense that her fans will be sure to love! 

This one also has:

-Childhood Friends-to-Lovers

-Only One Bed

-Heroine In Hiding with ‘Who Did This to You’ vibes

Maddie has returned to her hometown seeking the comfort of home. Her BFF Nash is happy to have her back in town, until he realizes why she’s bruised and in hiding.  Nash will do anything to protect the woman he’s long had feelings for and I loved his protective vibes. 

The tension was slow building between Maddie and Nash and it was a delight when it finally explodes. As always with a Catherine Cowles book there is good suspense with lots of moving parts and suspects that will keep you on your toes.

Overall a great addition to the Lost & Found series and I’m looking forward to more from these Hartley siblings.

Only You

Happy Tuesday! Only You is out today and I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is book five in the Adair Family series, and brings us the story of the final Adair sibling, Brodan. He is a Hollywood star, the prodigal son returned home to his small Scottish village after becoming disillusioned with his glamorous actor life. He quickly runs into Monroe, his former childhood best friend with whom his friendship ended spectacularly twenty years ago..

Brodan still isn’t over the hurt of the past and lashes out at Monroe over and over again, and to be honest for the first half of the book I really kind of hated him. He was immature and cruel, but I was glad Monroe didn’t make it easy on him and just accept her fate. 

Monroe hasn’t had the best life and would rather be anywhere but their hometown. She’s forced to stay there due to her ailing mother and limited employment options, so  she doesn’t need the complication of her former best friend whom she was desperately in love with before their friendship blew up. 

Overall, I did enjoy being back in Ardnoch and seeing how the rest of the Adairs were getting along. The setting is stunning, and I love the tone of the series, even if I do struggle with some of the characters. The author is definitely talented at bringing out my emotions!

With this, the Adair Family saga has come to an end, though with the set up for the spinoff series I have to assume we still get to see them in the background of other stories. 

Jasper Vale

Happy Tuesday! Jasper Vale is out today. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and thank you to the author for the gifted copy

Devney Perry’s books are such a comfort to me, no matter what series a new book always feels like coming home. This is Eloise and Jasper’s story which is, as we discovered in Garnet Flats, a drunken Vegas wedding story (which turns into a marriage of convenience, luckily for us.) It’s also the spiciest of the bunch so far, my goodness.

Eloise Eden is trying to prove to her family she’s responsible enough to take over the family’s hotel for good, so a drunken Vegas wedding won’t exactly scream responsibility to them. Jasper is in need of a date to his ex’s wedding, and what’s a better way to show to your ex you are over them than showing up with a new bride on your arm? The two strike an agreement to temporarily stay married and quickly start to fall for each other.

Jasper’s background was a little heartbreaking which drove his decision making in the present, and while I think some will struggle with him, I liked that he felt flawed and real. And though he did make mistakes, he was quick to own up to them. I loved how he believed in Eloise more than anyone else in her life and wasn’t afraid to be her cheerleader.

Eloise was definitely the sunshine to Jasper’s grump, wanting the best for everyone and not afraid to love with her whole heart. I did want to fight most of the Eden family during this for underestimating Eloise but they won me back over by the end. 

I love any type of “fake” relationship that turns real in a romance and Jasper and Eloise are no exception. Jasper learning to open up to his wife was great and I loved that he gave Eloise the confidence she was needing to stand up to her family, at least a little. 

Overall a great read!

Whispers of You

Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles releases tomorrow and what a great start to the new series it is! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a small town, second chance, romantic suspense romance between Wren and Holt, who were high school sweethearts until a tragedy tore them apart and sent Holt running. We pick up the story a decade later when Holt returns to town to make amends with those he left behind, especially Wren and his family (whom we will be receiving stories for!)

The romance itself is very sweet, the two never stopped loving each other but Wren has to decide if she can trust Holt not to leave again. Thankfully for Holt, Wren is a lot more forgiving than me.

The effects of what happened a decade ago are still lingering, both in the couple and all the supporting characters and I thought it was a great exploration of grief in a community. The suspense portion kept me on the edge of my seat, though I did guess part of it early on I don’t think it was super obvious at all.

It really sets up the rest of the series well, and I’m very excited for all the Hartley sibling’s stories (especially Roan and Lawson!)