Category Archives: Entangled: Amara

Review: Accidently Perfect by Marissa Clarke

Title: Accidentally Perfect by Marissa Clarke
Hideaway Harbor Series Book One
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Workaholic Lillian Mahoney has given everything to her job. The hugely popular lifestyle show she helped create monopolizes her time, energy, creativity, and anything remotely resembling a life. But all it takes is the show’s womanizing, egomaniac star throwing a massive hissy on live TV to utterly implode Lillian’s career in a New York minute.

Now Lillian’s hiding out in the gorgeous and completely unknown seaside village of Blink, Maine. Out of gas. A stolen wallet. A broken heel. And worse, she’s somehow managed to completely piss off the town’s resident hunk, Caleb Wright. She’ll show that hot, grumpy single father exactly what she’s made of.

But Blink isn’t quite what Lillian expects—and neither is Caleb…or his feisty teen daughter she can’t help but love. And while her entire life and career are in shreds, Lillian might just discover what happens when she gives her bad first impression a second chance…

Review:

Accidentally Perfect by Marissa Clarke is a warmly inviting small-town romance.

Lillian Mahoney is the all work, not play creator of a popular lifestyles show. When the face of her company has a public melt-down, her sister, Erin, convinces her to take time off. Traveling to Erin’s cottage in Blink, ME is not without mishap but Lillian is unexpectedly charmed by the town and its residents. Well, that is everyone except Caleb Wright who is highly suspicious of her motive in offering to assist Roger McGuffy organize his life.

Lillian is dismayed to discover Blink does not match her vision of the coastal town. But she gradually grows to enjoy the slower pace of life. She is also thrilled when she becomes friends with many of the locals. Lillian is attracted to Grumpy Caleb so she is surprised when their adversarial relationship turns into something much deeper.

Caleb is a single dad to teenager Bethany. He works with his dad in the family boating business and Caleb has amassed an incredible portfolio of beautifully restored vintage boats. He has avoided romantic entanglements after his heart was broken by his former wife. He eventually realizes Lillian has no ulterior reason for helping Roger. But will Caleb decide to give in to his growing feelings for her?

Accidentally Perfect is a heartwarming romance with an appealing cast of wonderful characters. Lillian is genuine and kind-hearted but she is very stubborn. Caleb is very likable but he jumps to conclusions a little too easily. The romance between Lillian and Caleb is slow-growing but oh so sweet. Despite a late in the story conflict, Marissa Clarke brings this heartfelt romance to a sigh-worthy conclusion. This first installment in the Hideaway Harbor series is sure to be a hit with readers of contemporary romances.

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Filed under Accidentally Perfect, Contemporary, Entangled: Amara, Hideaway Harbor Series, Marissa Clarke, Rated B+, Review, Romance

Review: The Poet by Lisa Renee Jones

Title: The Poet by Lisa Renee Jones
Samantha Jazz Series Book One
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones brings a fresh, modern take to the thriller genre that will keep you guessing until the very end.

“The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.” -Jean Cocteau

Some call him friend or boss.
Some call him husband or dad.
Some call him son, even a favorite son.

But the only title that matters to him is the one the media has given him: The Poet.

A name he earned from the written words he leaves behind after he kills that are as dark and mysterious as the reason he chooses his victims.

One word, two, three, a story in a poem, a secret that only Detective Samantha Jazz can solve. Because he’s writing this story for her.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

Review:

The first installment in the Samantha Jazz series, The Poet by Lisa Renee Jones is an intriguing mystery.

Detective Samantha Jazz inherits a murder investigation from another detective who is transferring to another city. She and her partner Ethan Langford easily pick up the investigation into Michael Summer’s murder. Her expertise with poetry is a large part of the reason she is assigned to the case. The victim was found with a piece of paper with poetry verses in the victim’s mouth. As Samantha tries to understand the killer’s message, the killer strikes again. With this victim hitting closer to home, Samantha realizes the murderer has been following her.

Samantha is brash, independent and impatient. She relies more on her gut than facts and she is easily annoyed when anyone challenges her suppositions. During the investigation, Samantha turns to her former boyfriend, FBI Agent Wade Miller for assistance.  Once she zeroes in on a suspect, Samantha defies her boss on more than one occasion while searching for evidence.

The Poet is an interesting mystery but the pacing is slow. Samantha’s abrasive personality and go it alone attitude make it difficult to like her. The investigation stalls out as she gets tunnel vision during the investigation. With unexpected twists and startling turns, Lisa Renee Jones brings this police procedural to a surprising conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Entangled: Amara, Lisa Renee Jones, Mystery, Rated C, Review, The Poet