small town

Sunlight

Sunlight is out today! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

I loved this! I’ve been excited for Jax’s story since Crossroads and this did not disappoint.

This is an accidental pregnancy romance between Jax, the younger Haven brother, and Sasha, the new-in-town employee of the Haven River Ranch.They have a bit of a bumpy start, but after a few drinks at a holiday party, they hook up and oops! She’s pregnant. 

I loved how their tentative relationship unfolded, Jax was very into her but she took longer to warm up and I loved how carefully Jax brought down her walls. I love when it’s not all sunshine and roses and the two had a lot to work though. 

There are themes of redemption and forgiveness adding a somewhat sad tone to parts of this, but mostly it read like a really great contemporary cowboy romance. 

Honestly this was a perfect book for me – you get some of my favorite tropes, a swoony cowboy, an “uptight” heroine, an accidental pregnancy, a good amount of steam, and a stunning setting. It was great to revisit the ranch and the Haven family and I’ve just really really enjoyed my time with this series. These are easily some of my favorite reads of the year, if not all time favorite Devney books. 

Just Between Us

Happy Monday! Just Between Us releases tomorrow. Thank you to the author for the ARC. 

I’ve been looking forward to Royal’s story since the Sullivans (I’ve included the quote that won me over)  and it did not disappoint! Our tattooed golden retriever King finally meets his match in Veda, the black cat consultant his brother hires to dig deeper into their father’s business holdings.

I loved their opposites attract relationship, they played off each other perfectly and I loved the exploration of their soft dom/sub relationship. Royal just wants to make her feel good and I loved that she finally got to relax a little with him. It was a bit forbidden considering Veda was working for his brother and I loved the secret element to their relationship. 

The subplot of taking down Russell King has been building throughout the series and there are definitely major developments here so I do recommend reading this in order, this won’t work as well as a standalone. In fact, go ahead and start with the Sullivans because I love them too.

I loved being back in Outtatowner, back with the Kings and the Sullivans, and I just love this world so much! I’m dying for JP’s story next, which is not something I thought I would have said earlier in this series. 

Beacon – Claire Kent

Beacon is out today! I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’m one part sad this series is over, one part glad we finally get Mack and Anna’s story!

We’ve seen these two as excellent side characters throughout the series, and it’s finally their turn to shine. A decade after impact, Mack has reached his breaking point. He’s been the strong one, the one everyone can depend on, the one who helps everyone, but now he just needs some time to himself. Anna gets tired of waiting for him and seeks him out in the Wild.

It’s a forced proximity romance and it’s also a second chance romance, they’ve got some hurt and past traumas that are explored. They’ve also got a lot of passion between them and boy did they get passionate all over that cabin. I’m not sure I’ve ever read such a high banging to plot ratio! The whole series has been spicy so this is not a shock but dang.

I really enjoyed returning to this world.and getting to visit with past couples as well! Overall it was a very enjoyable and very spicy apocalyptic romance! 

Slap Shot Surprise

Happy Tuesday! Slapshot Surprise is out today, thank you to the author for the ARC. 

I loved this!

Mabel Buckley, who we’ve seen as a side character in her brother’s books, finally has her chance to shine. She’s flying home to Cherry Tree Harbor when her plane his a lot of turbulence and she thinks she’s going to die so she blurts out all her regrets in life to the super hot guy sitting next to her – including how she’s only ever had bad sex. When they end up at the same wedding a few days later her former seatmate, hockey star Joe Lupo, offers to help her out and cross good sex off her bucket list. She agrees, and oops. She ends up pregnant.

I really loved that a lot of the book focused on the progression of the pregnancy and also the progression of their relationship. They had geographical hurdles, sure, but also Joe had never planned on settling down and starting a family so his journey into accepting his new reality was a good one and I loved that it wasn’t immediately sunshine and roses. 

Though becoming a father took some time to get used to, Joe was immediately taking care of his baby mama and I loved how protective and considerate he was. Mabel was also a great character, she knew what she wanted and was willing to go at it alone if necessary.Both characters were very family oriented and I loved spending time with the Buckleys and the Lupos. 

The romance between them was sweet and spicy and I loved them together. Overall this was a pretty lighthearted romance that I thoroughly enjoyed! 

Make The Season Bright

Make the Season Bright is out now! Thank you to Berkley Romance for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this second chance holiday romance!

Charlotte & Brighton were childhood friends to lovers to fiancées before Brighton ran away on their wedding day, leaving Charlotte at the altar. It’s five years later, the two have gone their separate ways, until they’re reunited at Christmas while staying at their respective friend’s (who happen to be sisters) house for the holiday (Surprise!)

It was like a queer hallmark movie, jam packed with snowy holiday activities, from cooking classes to skiing to looking at holiday lights. It also had a good bit of steam, awesome supporting characters, and I really enjoyed the setting.

I did like both characters, they’re both wonderfully flawed and I especially liked Charlotte’s closed off nature (I love a colder heroine, genuinely.) We got bits and pieces of their history that led to where they are today and I really enjoyed getting to know them.

I struggled a bit with the second chance portion, it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around forgiving someone who left me at the altar in front of all my friends and family. There’s a lot I can forgive but public humiliation isn’t something I think I could ever get over. But good thing it’s a book and it isn’t actually about me!! 

Overall though I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday romance that I definitely recommend, especially if you are looking for something (per the book) ‘cheery & queery’!  

Forever Starts Tonight

Forever Starts Tonight is out now! Thank you to the author for the ARC. ⁣
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Oh my word, I loved this book so much.⁣
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We’ve seen Poppy pine for Jax throughout the series and I was so excited for it to be their time to shine.Our girl has finally had enough of Jax avoiding her and decides to confront him once and for all. A drunken night together leads to an unintended pregnancy and the book follows the fall out from that.⁣
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I’m an unapologetic accidental pregnancy lover and I loved how this story unfolded. (If you don’t love accidental pregnancy, that’s fine but no need to comment to tell me 🙃) It’s an emotional journey for the two of them, and I just loved how they went from avoidance to one night stand to so much more.⁣
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Jax has some trauma to overcome but he wants to be there for Poppy, at least in support of the baby if he can’t be there for her romantically. His backstory made me cry and I felt like his struggle to open up to anyone was so believable as a result. ⁣
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Poppy was a really great character, we’ve seen her grow up throughout this series and always be there for everyone else so I loved that she finally got to stand on her own. She’s so loving and caring and just wants to find her own person like her siblings all have. ⁣
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I loved the Wilder family’s various reactions to what happened. Jax knocking up his best friend’s little sister caused quite a stir and I gobbled the drama up. They are also supportive and loving and just one of my favorite fictional families around right now. ⁣
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Overall I just really loved this! I laughed, I cried, I swooned. An easy five stars! ⁣

A Jingle Bell Mingle

Our time in Christmas Notch has come to an end, and what a wild ride it has been! 

This brings us Isaac and Sunny’s story, who have both been interesting side characters along the way. Both are in town to try to find inspiration for their creative projects, and when Sunny’s motel room becomes uninhabitable, she and her cat move in with Isaac.

I’ve really been looking forward to Isaac’s story, the broken sad boy character is like catnip to me. I loved how Sunny was his total opposite, a testament to her name (or at least that’s what she wants you to think.)

The forced proximity works its magic on them and I think this might have been the spiciest book of the series. It was probably also the saddest, and most grief focused, but I love when books make me sad so I think this was my favorite of the three. I actually really love that this series has such emotional depth when at the surface it’s a raunchy romcom series about people in the porn industry making Hallmark-like Christmas movies.

It was funny, it was outrageous, it was entertaining. I loved the first book for its uniqueness, then the second book kind of fell apart for me so I was really glad when this one redeemed the series. I’ve loved this journey and I’m a little sad it’s over!

Hemlock

I saw a friend post about this book and thought it sounded right up my alley – small town, romantic suspense so I requested it from my library. I’m always looking for more of this type of book!

Told in dual timelines, this is a story about Maggie, a woman with a complicated past who returns to her hometown where old secrets start to resurface. She was once torn between two men who both reappear in her life and she must once again make a decision who she wants to be with. 

She’s purchased a home where mysterious things start to happen (lights flickering, temperatures spiking, etc) and it gets pretty creepy. You’re not sure as the story unfolds if the house is haunted, or if Maggie is losing her mind, or if someone is messing with her. 

I pretty much read this in one sitting because I was dying to know what would happen. It’s a little messy and dramatic at times and I ate it up. I’m not a fan of love triangles in general but I immediately thought there was a clear winner between the guys and I had to read to see if the one I wanted to “win” would end up with her. 

Was some of it a little far-fetched and too coincidental? Sure. But I still couldn’t put it down.I think the author is more of a thriller writer in general but I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more romantic suspense from her in the future because I really enjoyed this ride. 

Delicate Escape – Catherine Cowles

Happy Delicate Escape day! Thank you to the author for the ARC and ALC

It’s great to be back in Sparrow Falls!

This brings us Thea and Shep’s story, both of whom we met in book one. Thea is a woman on the run, in hiding for reasons we discover as the book progresses, who has trouble letting anyone in for obvious reasons. Shep is a good guy who wants to get to know her and help her out when her house needs work. They end up as roommates so he can help with her plumbing (literally … but also figuratively wink wink) 

I loved them both individually and together. I just love when opposites attract and their black cat/golden retriever energies were so great. Shep fell hard and fast for Thea and I love how carefully he worked to gain her trust and get her walls down. 

The suspense had me guessing and my theory was so wrong which I love! The author fooled me again and I’m so glad she did. 

I love the family/found family aspect of Shep’s family and how they welcomed Thea so readily into their fold. Lolli continues to be the best and I can’t wait to get more of her antics! I love this series and this world and am so glad when I get to spend more time there. 

I read it first with my eyeballs then did a second read on audio and thought both narrators did a great job! It’s Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton so of course they did. 

Cash – Jessica Peterson

This is exactly what I want in a cowboy romance!

Give me a grumpy cowboy, a fish out of water city girl, and an enemies to lovers plot where the MMC thinks he was supposed to get the ranch the FMC inherits and now they have to work together side by side by side and I am a happy girl but throw in Jessica Peterson’s signature charm and steam and I am ecstatic. 

Cash was on the surface a stoic, grumpy cowboy, but at heart he was actually quite sweet and very caring for those he loved. He gave up basically everything for his younger brothers after his parents passed away and has devoted his adult life caring for them and Lucky Ranch, so he doesn’t appreciate this city girl coming in after she inherits the property. Also, he has a great mustache and isn’t afraid of being vulnerable and sharing his feelings. 

Mollie was a great character too, she was strong willed and determined but also willing to admit she didn’t know what she was doing. She stepped in and really tried to learn the business and I love how she stood up to Cash with no hesitation. 

The banter between them was excellent and the sparks were intense from the get go, and when they finally give into that chemistry it gets to be melt-your-kindle hot. No location is off limits to these two! I’ve never considered the phrase “mustache ride” hot before but my worldview has been shaken and I’m re-evaluating everything. 

I also loved the setting and side characters. Every small town cowboy romance needs a local dive bar, a close knit group of cowboys, and brothers who interfere with your life choices. I’m so excited to get the rest of these brother’s stories and get more from this world!

I’ve loved every Jessica Peterson book I’ve read and given her combination of southern gentleman (except in the bedroom) mixed with sassy, smart heroines, I feel like she was made to write cowboy romance! 

I just really had a great time reading this!