small town

Bluebird Gold

Happy Tuesday! (It’s Tuesday, right?) Bluebird Gold is out today. Thank you to the author for the ARC!

Oh wow! I’m obviously a die hard Devney Perry fan but this book felt extra special. This is Devney Perry at her finest. 

Ilsa has returned to her childhood home in small town Montana to clean up her father’s cabin and get the heck out, only to fall in love with Montana and a certain single dad sheriff. There’s mystery, suspense, and of course a heartwarming romance! 

The slow burn romance was the star of the show, I just loved how these two kind of lonely hearted people found each other. Their chemistry was amazing and I loved how they couldn’t resist each other despite trying. I also loved both of their relationships with the MMCs teenage son!

The “treasure” aspect was very interesting as well, you don’t really know what’s going on and it made me flip through the pages that much faster to try to figure it out. The small town cozy feeling was strong in this one, you can just see the author’s love of Montana shining through every page. 

If I had to pick a few words to sum up this book they would be: captivating, lovely, warm, nostalgic. I really loved this so much!  A top fave of the year, coming in at the last minute. I’ve already grabbed it in KU so I can listen to the audio!

Tis The Season For A Cowboy

Tis The Season For A Cowboy is out today! Thank you to the author for the ARC. 

I enjoyed this angsty and heartfelt second chance Christmas romance!

If there’s one thing I enjoy in a wintery romance it’s a snowed in/forced proximity trope, and add in a divorced couple stuck together in the cabin they once owned together at Christmas? Yes. Please. 

Hank had pined for his wife the whole time they were separated, so he was willing to do what it took to win her back during their Christmas together. I love a yearning MMC! 

There are definitely some triggers here as part of the angst so be careful to check trigger warnings, but overall if you are looking for an angsty second chance Christmas novella, definitely check this one out. 

I’d say if you loved Kandi Steiner’s The Christmas Blanket this would be right up your alley! 

Half-Light Harbor

Half-Light Harbor is out today! Thank you to the author for the ARC.

I always love (fictionally) spending time in Scotland with Samantha Young but this book feels extra special! It’s a great kickoff to a new series, with an amazing small town and great characters I already love. 

We’ve got a broody, grumpy Scottish MMC and an American FMC who moves to Scotland for a fresh start & to open a B&B (all while trying to solve the mystery of her parent’s death.) I loved them both separately and together. Tierney really dragged Ramsay out of his comfort zone and he could not resist her despite himself.

The location is perfection, the suspense engaging, and I just really enjoyed my time in Leth Sholas! What an excellent start to what is sure to be a phenomenal series!

Secret Haven

Secret Haven is out now! Thank you to the author for the gorgeous trope ARC.

Oh, my heart. Love love loved this! Definitely my favorite of the series and a top all time fave from the author. 

This is book six in the series, and the clues have been laid out through the series for this couple. Man, did I love them! We’ve seen the connection between them but I loved getting to know their real backstory. The love, the sacrifice, the yearning, all chef’s kiss perfection.

I don’t want to say too much because some of the elements of the book surprised me and I want the same for you but I will say I just loved everything about how this story unfolded. And as always, I did not properly guess who the bad guy(s) was/were and especially not the why. 

I loved this whole series but Catherine really saved the best for last here! Love! 

If It Makes You Happy

If It Makes You Happy is out today! Thank you to @berkleyromance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram

I loved this! It felt like a classic Romance, and not just because it takes place in the 90s. It feels like the blueprint for small town single dad romance and what it should be, without feeling like every other small town single dad romance. It somehow felt very unique despite these well used (and loved!) tropes. 

It gave me warm and cozy vibes, in part due to the autumnal setting, but also the writing just felt very warm and inviting to me. I just wanted to keep reading and reading. I actually read my paperback arc and read it two days which is fast for me for a 500 page physical book!

I loved the slow burn romance between our FMC Michelle & MMC Cliff, they’re both somewhat recently divorced and both felt very cautious about trying something so they become friends first and I just really enjoyed their journey. 

The FMC is a bit reserved, definitely a type A perfectionist and I really loved that because not everyone is a bubbly extrovert (despite what a lot of romances portray) and I saw a lot of myself in her. Our MMC Cliff is the opposite, outgoing and playful and I love how he made her smile and feel comfortable, and maybe even bring down some of her walls.

I also really loved both of their respective relationships with Cliff’s daughters, they were a huge part of the story as well and I really enjoyed them both. 

There are also themes of grief and moving on – parental death, divorce, life not turning out like you planned, but never felt like it was bogged down with sadness. 

Overall I just really really enjoyed this! Definitely recommend. A top favorite of the year for sure. 

Chasing The Sun

Chasing The Sun is out today! Thank you to the author for the ARC.

This is the first book in a charming new small town romance series by Lena Hendrix – you can totally read this as a standalone from her other series. 

This is a single dad, neighbors, rivals to lovers stories about two people who both want the property next door to our MMC. Callum is looking to expand his inn and add a farm to table restaurant, while Elodie is looking to transform the farm to a tourist destination. Lots of banter and bickering ensue which leads to a lot of chemistry and sexual tension!

I had a lot of fun reading this one! I loved the new town and its legends, and look forward to learning more about them as the series progresses. 

Chasing Shelter

I always love my time spent in one of Catherine Cowles’ worlds and it’s even better when it’s a single dad, neighbors, grumpy/sunshine romance!

I really enjoyed the journey Ellie went on, learning to stand on her own and I love how she bonded with Trace’s daughter Keely. Trace was also great, trying to do what’s best for his daughter and his family.

It was great to spend time with the Colson’s and their group chat, and of course the star of the series, Lolli! 

And if you’re wondering, I yet again did not guess who the bad guy(s) was/is, which I love!

Hugo

Happy Thursday! Hugo is out today, I received an ARC. 

I really enjoyed this! I’m loving all the small town meets The Princess Bride vibes this series is giving us.

This is Hugo’s (our Inigo) story, a former Olympic fencer, and Mallory, a true crime podcaster in town to uncover who killed his father. I really loved both characters! Huge was such a good guy, so kind even when he was trying to get Mallory to leave him alone.Mallory was so strong and determined which I always love in a FMC.

We also get forced proximity, pregnant-but-it’s-not-his, and a super sweet romance. Overally I just really enjoyed my time in Olive Township!

Left of Forever

Happy Tuesday! Left of Forever is out now, thank you to the publisher for the ARC. 

Oh man did I love this book with my whole heart.

We got a glimpse of Wren and Ellis’s relationship in Savor It and I knew we were in for a treat with this second chance romance (you can read it as a standalone though!) but it blew my already high expectations out of the water.

It was a tender second chance story, between a couple who met when they were young, had a baby while they were still young, and tried to make a marriage work despite the odds being against them. Though things didn’t work out as planned with their marriage,there was obviously so much love and affection between them. 

I loved the careful way Ellis worked to win Wren back. He was thoughtful and considerate, and his love for his wife shined through his every action. I just really loved him as a character. I also really loved Wren, she was strong and competent and did her best at life. 

Their journey was at times heartbreaking, but also heartwarming. I really really enjoyed this! Easily one of my favorite books of the year. 

Dream On, Ramona Riley

I’m a big fan of Ashley Herring Blake’s writing so I was so excited when @berkleyromance sent this one my way! Thank you for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram

This is one is perfect for anyone looking for:

-Spicy, small town, sapphic romance

-they’re both bisexual

-Celebrity x normal person

-Opposites attract

-sorta second chance

I will be honest, I’m not a big fan of celebrity romance in general so I can’t say this is my favorite by the author, but I think that’s just a me thing.  I did think it was well written, I enjoyed that it was very spicy, and I always love a small town romance!