Category Archives: Book Review

Review – Flirting with Trouble

06 Wednesday Aug 2025

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Flirting with Trouble: Wells Silver

The Silvers at Silver Island #1

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Forgetting playboy Wells Silver was supposed to be easy. If only he didnโ€™t make it impossible. Secrets are made on the sandy shores and in the sweet small towns of Silver Island, where friendships run deep, passions run hot, and the sexy Silvers are considered island royalty. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in and devour this fun, steamy romance.

Being born into the Silver empire comes with certain expectations, but charming restaurant owner Wells Silver has always taken pleasure in breaking the rulesโ€”in his personal and his professional life.

Victoria Braden never expected to become a widow at thirty-two, much less still be trying to figure out how to move on five years later. Sheโ€™d planned to drown her sorrows in alcohol on what would have been her anniversary, not flirt with trouble and lose herself in a night of passion with Silver Island royalty, playboy Wells Silver. Forgetting Wells was supposed to be easy. But apparently the pushy player didnโ€™t get the memo.

BUY LINK:

https://melissafoster.com/books/flirting-with-trouble/

*****

Review:

Victory and Wells are fantastic together. He does so much to bring out a side to her that she has long ignored while she has him reevaluating what has been missing from his life. When they are together, they are playful and fun, something she seems to have been lacking since her husband’s death.

Unfortunately she’s still holding on to her old life and struggles with guilt at the idea of moving on. Wells is determined tho and works hard to break her out of the box she’s put herself in. It’s not all smooth going, and there is a lot of back & forth between them, but it is pretty low angst with no big third act blow up which I liked. We get growth, letting go, and moving to a new stage of life.

A mixture of lightheartedness and emotion and steam, Foster gives readers a delightful story for the first in her new series. Returning readers have been waiting to see Wells fall and will be happy to see some of their favorite couples again, along with a peek at who might be meeting their match soon.

(While it is technically a stand alone, I feel like their story actually started earlier and while we were given the low down on what happened during this book I think it really helped to have been there. It does give the feeling of kinda joining a story already in progress and while fun for returning readers I think that could be frustrating for some.)

*****

Author Info:

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Download FREE first in series! www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree 

Never miss a release and get a FREE Braden/Remington short story! Sign up for Melissa’s newsletter: www.MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter 

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summers, Bayside Summers, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, Tru Blue and the Whiskeys, the Wickeds, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are always family oriented. Perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy and blue-collar heroes and smart, sassy, and empowered heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance with no harsh language or explicit scenes under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa’s interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and enjoying beach life on Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” -NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” -NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner

“What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about… desperately. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked.” NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose

“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

“Melissa Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Fated For Love was amazing. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis’ books and they are my benchmark for contemporary romance awesomeness.” –Books Like Breathing

Comments from Melissa:

I grew up in Maryland with my mother, a slew of wonderful brothers, and never a shortage of friends or pets. I am passionate about writing, reading, living healthy, and helping others do the same, and I enjoy just about anything outdoors (and anything chocolate!). I love to chat with readers and book clubs, and welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to email me. You can also catch me on Facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor.

Thanks for reading!

Connect with Melissa Foster:

https://melissafoster.com

~

Review – He Falls First

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

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He Falls First

Colburn Brothers #1

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father whoโ€™s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. Heโ€™s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his lifeโ€ฆ and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesnโ€™t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe itโ€™s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, heโ€™s compelled to get closer.

Pennyโ€™s learned her lesson and now sheโ€™s paying the price. Thatโ€™s why sheโ€™s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. Itโ€™s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreamsโ€ฆ or loveโ€ฆ or sex when thereโ€™s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thingโ€™s for sure, sheโ€™s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls sheโ€™s built.

*****

Review:

These two are absolutely adorable together. I loved Penny’s sass and Ryder’s calm competence and the way they play off each other so well as he romances her within her comfort zone. It’s just the sweetest and made my heart go all squishy. Both of them have issues to deal with stemming from someone abusive and it’s his experiences that help him woo her.

Maybe there could have been more to address Ryder’s relationship with his father and the scars that an abusive childhood can leave, buuuut there are 3 more Colburn siblings so I’m going to hope that we get more as the series continues. And I definitely am looking forward to what comes next with this family of loud, big personalities with hearts just as big.

He Falls First has moments of humor and fun but also vulnerability, hurt, and loss. There is so much charm in these families/friends as they provide support, love, and the occasional push when it’s needed. I gotta say, Shalvis always knows how to reel me in – by giving me entertaining, lovable, real characters. And in this case a cursing parrot … ๐Ÿ˜†

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just donโ€™t tell her mom). Sheโ€™s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental).

Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold. Visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and fun blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillshalvis
http://instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://facebook.com/JillShalvis

~

Review – 12 Dates of Christmas

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

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12 Dates of Christmas

Christmas Falls Season 2 #3

by Brigham Vaughn

Blurb:

Leo Fenner needs a Christmas miracle โ€ฆ

Charmed by the small town, and weary the big city dating scene, Leo moved to Christmas Falls in hopes of finding love like his college friend, Hayden.

Nick Morgan had the love of his life and lost her, but is determined to help others find their happily ever after with his matchmaking service.

His website needs work though, and Leo is just the man for the job.

The web developer signs up for Nickโ€™s matchmaking service to get a feel for what the process is like, all while secretly hoping itโ€™ll bring him the love of his dreams.

But as Nick and Leo work together, the sparks between them are impossible to ignore.

Too bad thereโ€™s a few little problems.

For one, Nickโ€™s never fallen for a man before. And, oh yeahโ€”those dates heโ€™s planning for Leo? Theyโ€™re supposed to be with other guys โ€ฆ

Christmas Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

Content Warning: This book contains scenes discussing the unexpected death of a spouse, grief, and moving on.

*****

Review:

I was super excited to see that Hayden’s friend, Leo, got his own book and I really liked him as a character. He’s a romantic and so upbeat & happy – well, most of the time. He’s really struggling to find his person, which is one of the reasons he moved to Christmas Falls. Nick also really loves how Leo finds the good in just about everything, even facing his bad dates with humor.

Nick on the other hand is a bit more sedate and while he loves love, after the death of his wife he is settling for finding everyone else The One. And then Leo bursts into his life. I liked that while Leo may have had a crush on Nick pretty much right away that it took Nick a little longer. He might be clueless and need a little help (and screws up a bit) he does get there but that made it more realistic for me. I also appreciated that Vaughn made him bisexual as opposed to a bi-awakening. Not that I don’t love those too, but here the growth is Nick letting go of his past relationship and moving into a new one.

12 Dates is sweet, with a few moments of spice. A slow burn burn with warmth, humor (I actually laughed out loud listening to it), and lots of holiday cheer. And just like with Scrooge You, James Edward Jones has a great voice to be reading such a feel good holiday treat.

Review – Biggest Player

30 Wednesday Jul 2025

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Bestselling author Sara Ney scores with a fiery romance about online dating, where a single mom and a football pro ignite sparks when they swipe rightโ€”even though they know itโ€™s all wrong.

Biggest Player

Not Yours #2

by Sara Ney

Blurb:

Margotโ€™s a busy single mom juggling teaching, parenting, and trying not to die alone. Dating apps? Total nightmare. But desperate times call for desperate swipes, even if they make her break out in stress hives. When she matches with a guy who looks too good to be true, sheโ€™s convinced heโ€™s a walking red flagโ€”or worseโ€”a catfish.

Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, heโ€™s a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends have: someone to come home toโ€ฆand if theyโ€™re naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, heโ€™s not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly heโ€™s hooked.

Margotโ€™s convinced heโ€™s a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking โ€œwhat if.โ€ After a surprise run-in leads to a mind-blowing (and soggy AF) kiss, their opposites-attract energy skyrockets. Can they find a way to make it last?

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/BiggestPlayerSNKU

Available in KU

*****

Review:

I’m so torn on this one. I was amused by the text interactions between Dex & Margot. They are funny and I can actually see them bantering like that together. I also loved Wyatt and her precocious interactions with people, especially Dex.

I think the biggest issue is that Ney kinda struggled with Dex as a character. He comes across as a big, dumb dog – he’s playful & fun but sometimes not all that bright and really makes a mess of things occasionally. Buuuut he’s also 25, hasn’t really been in an adult relationship, and has been catered to for years. He’s young & dumb & proud so … *shrug*

Margot shows a lot of patience with him and he does have redeeming moments. To me, he’s genuine in his feelings for her & his responsibility for what happens, but I can see why readers want more from him. Especially at the end. I can also see, tho, why he’s appealing to her. Yeah he’s hot & rich but he’s also enthusiastic about things, fun to be around, and is attentive.

I think part of the issue is that Margot is a single mom, a little older, and seems to have her stuff together. And Dex is her complete opposite. He’s reaching a point where he wants to grow up a bit and get involved with someone for real, I think he just needs time ๐Ÿ™‚ Overall, Biggest Player is fun and flirty, you just need to be good with some pretty big moments where you want to smack Dex or sit him down for a talking to.

(Standalone story in a series.)

Review – Over the Moon

29 Tuesday Jul 2025

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A Small Town, Hockey, Forbidden, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.

Over the Moon

Rosewood River series

by Laura Pavlov

Blurb:

Hockey is my first love. And Iโ€™m coming offย theย best season of my life.

Inย theย process of scoringย theย winning goal that gave usย theย Stanley Cup I tore my MCL, and Iโ€™ll need to spendย theย next few months recovering.

Eloise Gable,ย theย teamโ€™s new physical therapist, has been sent to Rosewood River to help me heal and get me ready forย theย new season.

Yet, she doesnโ€™t seem all too happy aboutย theย situation.

In fact, she canโ€™t stand me most days.

It doesnโ€™t stop me from staring at her any chance I get.

Sheโ€™s beautiful and brilliant, but sheโ€™s got her guard upย theย minute I get close.

Eloise is a distraction I wasnโ€™t prepared for.

Did I mention that sheโ€™s also my coachโ€™s daughter?

But after a long run together inย theย summer heat, our built up tension snapped.

We end up stripping down and jumping inย theย river.

It seemed likeย theย logical thing atย theย time.

Theย problem is, Eloise Gable is completely off limits.

But Iโ€™m a professional hockey player, and in my world, limits were meant to be pushed.

Hockey may be my first love, but after falling for my coachโ€™s daughterโ€”itโ€™s definitely not my last.

Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited

https://geni.us/overthemoon1

Paperback: https://geni.us/OvertheMoonPB

Audible: https://bit.ly/4lFEjTc

Hardcover: Coming Soon!

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4hK7dyX 

*****

Review:

**minor spoilers**

Is this a hockey romance? Probably not enough for those looking for one. Is it a romance involving a hockey player? Yes, indeed, and one where when he finally falls he falls hard. Not that he was a player, more just one that didn’t have serious relationships. But his momma taught him right and he proves himself to be supportive & caring.

While the first part is all sorts of fun & flirty & slowly falling in love, once they get home there are complications with the team. While we pretty much know how things are going to play out, telegraphed well in advance, it still works for me. And when their secret is revealed some people prove themselves to be good eggs and some are very, very definitely rotten.

Seeing Clark in his element, both in his hometown and at the arena, is great and Eloise fits in perfectly. The friendship that develops between her and the girls is sweet, especially the way they (along with Clark) support her when she needs it. I love the Chadwicks. They are quirky and funny and full of big personalities, and the way the family opens their arms and embraces everyone brings all the feels. I enjoy coming back to them time & again.

(There are a few moments with Bridger, who is the hero for the next story, where he crosses a line into bullying. He’s got a backstory there that is interesting and I’m going to trust Pavlov to bring a good story but it may be difficult for some.)

Review – Don’t Clause a Scene

21 Monday Jul 2025

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Don’t Clause a Scene

Love In Maplewoodย #10

by Lee Blair

Blurb:

The world expects us to hate each other, but fate has other plans.

As a member of a Maplewood founding family, Iโ€™ve always known what Iโ€™m supposed to do with my life:

Take over Redโ€™s, the diner thatโ€™s been in my family for generations.
Support the community, which usually means helping out with the townโ€™s almost-monthly festivals.
Hate everything about, and everyone involved with, Sparkyโ€™s Diner.
For the most part, itโ€™s been an easy destiny to fulfill, even if sometimes I wish for something else. Something more. Maybe thatโ€™s why I take a chance on Halloween with a costumed guy who shouldnโ€™t look so good in a mullet wig.

Iโ€™m stunned when his costume comes off and I see the one man I canโ€™t have anything to do with. The man whoโ€™s temporarily back in town and working at his familyโ€™s diner. The man I canโ€™t get off my mind.

No worries. Itโ€™ll be easy to avoid Amosโ€”Iโ€™ve been doing it my entire life. Except Amos and I are voluntold to plan an event for the big Christmas festival. Together.

When others on the planning committee say we couldnโ€™t possibly pull it off, we decide to prove them wrong. It turns out stubbornness is just the beginning of a long list of things we have in common.

The more time we spend together, the more I realize my life is sweeter with Amos in it. I begin to wonder how deep this rivalry goes, how long Amos plans to stay in Maplewood, and what matters more: my destiny or my freedom.

Donโ€™t Clause a Scene is a low-angst, small-town story about an introvert and extrovert finding a groove, secretsโ€”so many secretsโ€”and a well-meaning town that cares maybe a little too much.

With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, thereโ€™s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romancesโ€”each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!

*****

Review:

This book has all of the slow burn feels and sweetness I could ask for. I so so so loved Amos and Mickey together. The way their shared experience as kids of the diners and their love of geeky things help them connect in a special way. And I felt for them so much, not only for what is going on now – having to hide the feelings for “the enemy” – but also seeing how the family feud affected them when they were young. Those missed opportunities to be friends well before this point. But they have each other now, at a time when they really need support from someone that truly understands them as they have to make big decisions about their futures.

Not everyone is going to like the secrets and lies portion of the story but I can kinda see how easy it was for everyone to get caught up in things. While I wanted to give a few people a swift kick for not realizing how things could affect this generation I kinda appreciate how it all plays out. It wraps up in a way that gave me all sorts of warm and fuzzies.

Review – Only One Island

20 Sunday Jul 2025

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Only One Island

by R. Cayden

Blurb:

Castaway with his bossโ€™s son.

HANK

Iโ€™ve attended some dreadful company parties, but getting lost at sea marks a new low for a work event.

My only companion on this life raft is Elliot. Heโ€™s ten years younger than me, wildly chaotic, and mostly responsible for getting us in this mess.

The fact that heโ€™s also my new bossโ€™s son is just a cherry on top of this terrifying, near-death sundae.

We crash on a small island, stranded somewhere off the coast of Seattle.

Elliot and I are exhausted, battered, and hungry. We lost half our clothes in the desperate swim to shore, and there are more storms on the horizon.

But we made it, and surely, weโ€™ll be rescued soon.

If only we can agree on a survival strategy.

Iโ€™m an amateur naturalist and detail-oriented person, while Elliot isโ€ฆ creative.

Maybe itโ€™s a survival instinct, but as the nights pass, Elliot and I find comfort in each otherโ€™s arms.

He becomes everything to me, my other half.

Until we get rescued, that is, and the real world comes to pull us apart.

Only One Island is a 70K M/M romance, loaded with heat and geeky fun. Our opposites-attract heroes danger-bang their way to survival and a well-earned HEA, with plentiful nature facts and constant disasters along the way. Enjoy!

*****

Review:

There’s not a lot of drama here, outside of how horrible Elliot’s family treat him and how & when they will get off the island. While enjoy feels like the wrong word I liked the first half of the book for their struggle to survive, trying to find food & shelter & rescue, and as it turns into a case of if it can go wrong it will go wrong. Unfortunately it doesn’t get that much easier for them once they do get saved.

But they’ve developed a connection and it’s one strong enough to get them through whatever life throws at them. I like that they recognize that things they’ve been thru could create a trauma bond but after time recognize that they have real feelings and work well together. They are opposites and Elliot brings lightness & fun to Hank who does a good job of providing the support & confidence that he needs.

I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or delighted by how things turn out, most especially with the issues at Hank’s office. I can definitely say I thought it was going to go in a different direction. But I do like where everyone ends up so I consider it a win. And the epilogue is just the sweetest.

Review – Sweet Thing

17 Thursday Jul 2025

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Sweet Thing

Chicago Players #1

by Kate Meader

Blurb:

My dad’s teammate needs a nanny and I need a job. Sounds perfect, right? Except for my massive crush on him … the one he knows all about.

LARS

I just found out Iโ€™m a dad.

My one-night stand dropped a baby bombshell in my local bar where I was celebrating my teamโ€™s win. Then she fled, leaving me holding my new daughter.

Thank God for Adeline. The daughter of my teammate and closest friend on the Chicago Rebels, she practically raised her little sister and knows exactly how to deal with this situation. I need a nanny; she needs a job. Problem sorted, right?

Not so fast โ€ฆ

ADELINE

I think youโ€™re the sexiest guy alive.

Thatโ€™s what Lars Nyquist overheard me say while recounting my embarrassing crush on him. Yeah, that Lars Nyquist. Defenseman for the Chicago Rebels. Owner of the thickest thighs in the league. More than a decade my senior. Oh, and my dadโ€™s teammate.

My only option? Leave the country, of course. Luckily, Iโ€™d already planned a round-the-world trip with my bestie and by the time I returned to Chicago a year later, I expected my blunder would be long forgotten. Shows what I know. Now Iโ€™m lying awake in the bedroom next to his while playing nanny to his surprise little girl. But I can ignore this stupid infatuation. I have to. Even though the sight of Lars learning to be a dad leaves me breathless and takes that crush to a whole other level.

One that has the potential to break my sorry little heart โ€ฆ

Sweet Thing is the first book in the brand new Chicago Players hockey series from Kate Meader, the USA Today bestselling author of the Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels series.

https://geni.us/sweet-thing

*****

Review:

I’m a little conflicted about this one. I liked the slow burn and the characters are interesting, with their hangups and troubles (although I do wish both of them had gotten some professional help). Plus his daughter, and the relationship he develops with her, is just the absolute cutest. I also like the idea of Addy and Lars together, the way they are brought together and even the way things are resolved between them. It is a little predictable but aren’t most romances ๐Ÿ™‚

I did find the age gap a little much for me, just a personal preference when its anything over 10 years and one of them is that young. It helps that Addy is a bit of an old soul so most of the time I didn’t even really think about it unless they brought it up. Some others found issue with the friendship between her dad and Lars but it didn’t really bug me all that much. I found their relationship kinda fatherly anyway.

Overall I liked these two together, loved little Mabel, and enjoyed them figuring out a way to a HEA. There are some hints leading to future books, including a cliff-hangerish moment in the epilogue. I’m definitely intrigued and excited to see where Meader is going to take things.

(There’s a lot of characters that returning readers will know but I got a little jumbled for me as a newbie. But the romance itself will stand on its own.)

*****

Author Info:

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and sheโ€™s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines – and heroes – who can match their men quip for quip..

Connect with Kate Meader:

https://www.katemeader.com/links

~

Review – Tempting Me

15 Tuesday Jul 2025

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Tempting Me

The Asher Family #3

by Jami Rogers

Blurb:

Luca Asher is my brother’s ex-best friend, the best contractor in our small town of Lovers, a walking dream when he doesnโ€™t have a shirt onโ€”heck, with it on, too, and he was the first boy I ever loved.

He just doesnโ€™t know that last part.

On the rare occasions I converse with him, I get a comeback for everything.

Our banter is my favorite thing. Heโ€™s so clever and quick and, again, sexier than any man Iโ€™ve ever met.

But none of that changes the fact that he betrayed my brother. My family. Me.

And none of those facts would matter except for my one little problem.

I had this plan to save my family’s marina, which backfired. Now, my parents have given me a deadline to prove to them itโ€™s still worth saving. If I donโ€™t make it, they’ll sell everything, and Iโ€™ll lose my dream to keep the place.

They gave me one rule: do not hire that Asher boy.

At this point, I have only one option left to make this happen.

Hire Luca and beg him not to tell a single soul about it.

My heart forgave him years ago, but my head knows better than to trust the enemy.

And yet, in a matter of weeks, he starts to remind me of the old us, and I find myself falling for him all over again.

The idea of me and Luca is โ€ฆ tempting.

Tempting Me is a small-town, steamy, enemies to lovers romance with his ex-best friend’s sister, lots of banter, and a secret agreement.

Buy Link:ย 

https://geni.us/AmazonTM

Available in KUย 

*****

Review:

I liked Luca and his blunt truthfulness. His straightforwardness is refreshing and leads to some fun (and awkward) moments with Shay. And I can’t blame him for his hurt over the past and the want to feel like enough as he is. Who doesn’t want to be trusted and liked for all they are.

Shay definitely comes across as a bit childish in spots. Especially in her treatment of Luca. I understand where she’s coming from, trying to hide her crush and follow the wishes of her family. But come on girl! I do feel for her with the way her parents treat her attachment to The Marina. The way that plays out is harsh … but also sweet.

This is my first book by Rogers and I enjoyed it. I found the characters a little immature in some places and I felt like a few places needed a bit more resolution, but I’m definitely interested in more from her.

*****

Author Info:

Just a girl who loves to write small town romance books and wants to share them with the world.

Connect with Jami Rogers:

https://linktr.ee/authorjamirogers

Review – Scrooge You!

14 Monday Jul 2025

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Scrooge You!

Christmas Falls series

by Brigham Vaughn

Blurb:

Joel McArthur thought he knew everyone in the small town of Christmas Falls. Heโ€™s been running Gingerโ€™s Breads bakery for more than a decade, after all. But who is the mysterious runner whoโ€™s been passing by his shop every morning?

Hayden Bradleyโ€™s post-college plans fell through, landing him in this stupid small town he canโ€™t get out of fast enough. He hates Christmas and heโ€™s tired of the endless holiday cheer. But as Hayden finds himself spending more and more time at Joelโ€™s bakery, heโ€™s forced to admit that heโ€™s developed a taste for the ginger-molasses cookies and the handsome ginger-haired baker who makes them.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Scrooge You! (Christmas Falls Season 1) – Audiobook

*****

Review:

I got the audiobook of this one and I really enjoyed it. It’s a little Christmas in July treat with all sorts of holiday fun, read by James Edward Jones who has a smooth voice and gentle cadence. He helps make it a soft and comfy listen.

I like both Joel & Hayden and enjoyed seeing them figure things out. Hayden is a fun grump to Joel’s more sedate sunshine. A sunshine that slowly gets Hayden looking at the holidays in a more positive manner and evaluating exactly what he wants for his future.

Scrooge You! is non-angsty, easy to read with no real drama other than the expected over whether Hayden will stay or find a job somewhere else. It has characters that feel real, with real problems and real relationships, and a romance that slowly works its way to a HEA. That cozy kind of read is one of my favs, especially in a holiday romance.