Category Archives: Romance

May 14, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller

Title: Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller
Maple Falls Series Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She never wanted to come back. He never wants to leave. The town of Maple Falls has plans for them both.

Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City . . . if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her—while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good.

But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having.

With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home.

Welcome to Maple Falls, where everyone knows your name and your business.

Review:

Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a wonderful novel about family, healing and love.

After high school, Riley McAllister left Maple Falls, AR to move to New York with high hopes of taking the art world by storm.  Ten years later, she has not had her big break but she is not giving up on her dream. But when her feisty, beloved Mimi breaks her leg and needs her help, Riley hops on the next plane back to her small home town. The last person she expects to pick her from the airport is her teenage crush Hayden Price. He also left town but after an injury put an end to his major baseball career, Hayden returned to Maple Falls. He is working in his family’s hardware business and coaching the church softball team. Riley is still drawn to Hayden, but will she overcome her fears and explore the possibility of a relationship? And will she give up the Big Apple for small town life?

Riley’s life as a child with her mother was incredibly chaotic. Even after moving in with Mimi as a teenager, Riley found it difficult to let herself make friends. She is close to Mimi and she loves her grandmother’s friends, but she struggles with accepting offers of friendship with women her age.  Riley is also extremely guarded and finds it hard to allow Hayden into her life. But as they agree to just be friends, Riley is surprised when she relaxes enough to allow their feelings blossom into a tentative romance. But how will she react when she must face her past?

Hayden was also interested in Riley when they were teenagers. But he did not have the time for a romance since he was single-mindedly focused on pursuing his baseball dream. His years of hard work paid off only to be dashed by a career ending injury. Putting his disappointment behind him, Hayden is rebuilding his life in Maple Falls. Hayden still feels a spark between him and Riley and he knows he will have to tread very carefully with her. He does not know much about her life before moving with his grandmother, but he has no trouble reading Riley’s “keep away”. Hayden is willing to take as much time and patience as he needs to nurture his fledgling romance with Riley. But will his own baggage get in the way of their burgeoning romance?

Hooked on You is a very enjoyable novel with a charming cast of characters. Despite the passage of time, Riley’s dysfunctional past prevents her from getting close to anyone. Hayden recognizes how wounded she is but he does have a few issues of his own. Their relationship unfolds gradually over time, but Riley pulls away whenever she feels emotionally threatened. Maple Falls residents are absolutely delightful but the town itself is in need of some TLC. This first installment is a sweet introduction to Kathleen Fuller’s Maple Falls series that readers are going to absolutely love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Hooked on You, Kathleen Fuller, Maple Falls Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

April 30, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Loving Mrs. Bontrager by Loree Lough

Title: Loving Mrs. Bontrager by Loree Lough
A Little Child Shall Lead Them Series Book Three
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Amid the New Order Amish community of Oakland, Maryland, an unexpected gift of comfort and tender caring can help spark a surprising dream of love . . .

Between raising three grieving children and running a booming business, recent widower Aaron Bontrager desperately needs help—even if it means a marriage of convenience only. He couldn’t be more surprised by his new wife, ebullient Bethel Mast. With an unconventional, joyful sense of purpose, she’s starting to turn his house back into a home and bring stability and peace to his children’s lives. And somehow, her gentle understanding is reigniting impossible hope in Aaron’s guarded, lonely heart . . .

Bethel never had a fair chance for a home and family of her own. She doesn’t want to replace Aaron’s first wife, but she’ll face any challenge to aid him and his children. And she soon finds Aaron’s formidable exterior hides a sensitivity and caring that she’s quietly drawn to. Can Bethel show him that their practical arrangement is blossoming into so much more—and can be the start of a wonderful future together for all of them?

Review:

Loving Mrs. Bontrager by Loree Lough is an absolutely heartwarming Amish romance. Although this newest release is the third book in the A Little Child Shall Lead Them series, it can be read as a standalone.

Widower Aaron Bontrager has struggled to balance raising his three children and running his very successful sawmill. His kids need stability and he needs someone he can rely on to stay with them on a more permanent basis. Between his brother-in-law Karl and his Bishop, they arrive at a solution: Aaron should enter into a marriage of convenience with Karl’s cousin Bethel “Beth” Mast. Despite his uneasiness at marrying a stranger, Aaron and Beth have a few conversations before she moves to Maryland. Beth has a few reservations of her own, but she knows she needs to escape her father and brother. Although their introduction has a few hiccups, Beth is determined to keep her end of their bargain. Aaron continues to harbor doubts as he is plagued with guilt over his mistakes with his first wife. Will this practical arrangement turn into a loving marriage?

Beth is immediately charmed by eight-year-old Molly, six-year-old Matthew and ten-year-old Sam.  She has a take charge attitude when it comes to getting the house in order.  But she is always caring and compassionate with Aaron’s kids. Molly eagerly welcomes her into the family and Matthew is a sweetheart. Young Sam is a tough nut to crack, but with patience and understanding, Beth hopes he will accept her into his life. Beth is a little more tentative with Aaron but he is soon thankful for her thoughtful attention to everyone’s needs.

Aaron would do anything to make ensure his kids’ happiness. He remains uncertain he is making the right decision but he soon quite taken with his soon-to-be wife. Beth is unflappable in just about every situation which he very much appreciates as he works long hours to keep up with his hectic schedule. Aaron enjoys spending time with her and they go through with their wedding plans. As they get to know each other, will their feelings deepen into love?

Loving Mrs. Bontrager is a captivating Amish romance with marvelous characters and a relatable storyline. Beth is a warm-hearted and giving woman who does not let her past define her. Aaron struggles to reconcile his memories of his first marriage with his very different experience with Beth. All of the kids are wonderful and Beth handles the difficulties with settling into the new family with serenity and grace. Loree Lough brings this lovely romance to a sigh-worthy conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this latest addition to the A Little Child Shall Lead Them series.

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Filed under A Little Child Shall Lead Them Series, Amish, Contemporary, Loree Lough, Loving Mrs. Bontrager, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Zebra Books

April 26, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Title: Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 335 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

Review:

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter is a sweet second chance at love romance.

Sophie Lawson stepped up and took charge of her twin brother, Seth and their younger sister Jenna after their mother’s illness worsened. Now all of them are in their twenties, Jenna is marrying her fiancé and Seth has his first post-college job. Sophie is on the verge of opening her much dreamed about bookshop in cozy, seaside town Piper’s Cove. She has no regrets about everything she sacrificed for her family and she is eager for this next stage in her life. When she comes face to face with her former high school sweetheart, Aiden Maxwell, her hurt and anger rise to the surface. But their meeting also stirs her old feelings about him too. Is Sophie willing to risk her heart on Aiden again?

Aiden has never really taken a hard look at the reasons he ended their relationship. The risk he took when he was offered the chance of a lifetime back then has paid off. But after seeing Sophie again, Aiden realizes that he has never gotten over her. While helping her get her bookshop ready for  grand opening, he would like to give their relationship a second chance. But their past seems to playing out all over again in the present. Will they resolve their issues now they are adults?

Both Sophie and Aiden have issues arising from their childhoods that they have yet to resolve. While Sophie is slow to realize the changes she needs to make, once she becomes aware of them, she takes much needed action. Aiden’s kneejerk reaction stems from his need to protect himself from getting hurt. Will their respective baggage prevent them from finding their happily ever after?

Piper’s Cove is a beautiful setting and the town springs vividly to life. It is a close-knit community and Sophie is delighted at the friendships she is forging. But she comes to truly appreciate the town  when the residents rally around her and give her assistance when she needs it most.

Bookshop by the Sea is a heartwarming romance with a storyline that deals with true to life issues. Sophie and Aiden are wonderfully drawn, incredibly likable characters. Their reticence to become involved again is understandable. Despite the passage of time, their feelings for one another in the present are believable. Piper’s Cove is easy to visualize and its residents are very easy to like. The heartfelt conclusion is very uplifting and the epilogue is an absolute joy.

Old and new fans of Denise Hunter are going to absolutely love Sophie and Aiden’s story.

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Filed under Bookshop by the Sea, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

April 9, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

Title: The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

How do you start a new chapter of your life when you haven’t closed the book on the previous one?

Eighteen months ago, Autumn Divac’s husband went missing. Her desperate search has yielded no answers, and she can’t imagine moving forward without him. But for the sake of their two teenage children, she has to try.

Autumn takes her kids home for the summer to the charming beachside town where she was raised. She seeks comfort working alongside her mother and aunt at their bookshop, only to learn that her daughter is facing a huge life change and her mother has been hiding a terrible secret for years. And when she runs into the boy who stole her heart in high school, old feelings start to bubble up again. Is she free to love him, or should she hold out hope for her husband’s return? She can only trust her heart…and hope it won’t lead her astray.

Review:

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak is a multi-layered family-centric novel.

Mary Langford is thrilled her daughter Autumn Divac and her teenaged grandchildren Taylor and Caden are spending the summer with her. Autumn and the kids have been through a very difficult eighteen months due to her son-in-law Nick’s unexplained disappearance.  Her daughter has exhausted every avenue trying to uncover the truth about what happened to him, but she cannot bring herself to stop looking for him. Seventeen-year-old Taylor is struggling more than her sixteen-year-old brother Caden is with their father’s disappearance. She is also keeping a worrisome secret that she knows will upend her plans and upset her family. Will the summer along at the beach be just what the Divac family needs to heal?

Autumn is worn out with her unending search for her husband and the dearth of new information. She is ready to give up looking for him but she feels very conflicted about whether or not she is making the right choice. Autumn wants to do what is best for her children, but she feels like she cannot continue to live the way they have been for the past eighteen months. Easily settling into a comfortable routine, she is finally beginning to relax when she runs into her old crush from high school, Quinn Vanderbilt. Much to her dismay, Autumn quickly realizes she still has feelings for him. How will she react when she discovers Quinn feels the same way about her?

Taylor is living with regrets about a choice she made that might have lasting repercussions. Trying to push aside her anxiety, she quickly becomes close friends with Sierra. She greatly admires the plainspoken, free spirited young woman and they are soon inseparable. Sierra is very mature for her age and comfortable in her own skin. When Taylor knows it is time to face up to her mistakes, Sierra’s support proves to be invaluable.

Mary is unexpectedly forced to deal with a period in her life she would rather leave in the past. She has always been very tight-lipped about Autumn’s father and her life before moving to Sable Beach. Despite her reluctance to discuss the past, Mary realizes it is time to reveal her secrets to her daughter. But  will she find the strength to tell Autumn the truth?

The Bookstore on the Beach is a compelling novel that deals with true to life issues.  The topical storyline is engaging, thought-provoking and fast-paced. The characters are three-dimensional and very easy to like. The seaside town is tranquil and springs vibrantly to life. With a stunning plot twist, Brenda Novak brings this captivating novel to a heartfelt, gratifying conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this wonderful novel.

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Filed under Brenda Novak, Contemporary, Mira, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Bookstore on the Beach, Women's Fiction

March 30, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne

Title: The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne
Cape Sanctuary Series Book Two
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With the emotional pull of Debbie Macomber, Barbara Delinsky and Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne brings readers an uplifting, brand new story told with her trademark charm and heart.

She knows what’s best for everyone but herself…

With a past like hers, Jessica Clayton feels safer in a life spent on the road. She’s made a career out of helping others downsize—because she’s learned the hard way that the less “stuff,” the better, a policy she applies equally to her relationships. But a new client is taking Jess back to Cape Sanctuary, a town she once called home…and that her little sister, Rachel, still does. The years apart haven’t made a dent in the guilt Jess still carries after a handgun took the lives of both their parents and changed everything between them.

While Jess couldn’t wait to put the miles between her and Cape Sanctuary, Rachel put down roots, content for the world—and her sister—to think she has a picture-perfect life. But with the demands of her youngest child’s disability, Rachel’s marriage has begun to fray at the seams. She needs her sister now more than ever, yet she’s learned from painful experience that Jessica doesn’t do family, and she shouldn’t count on her now.

Against her judgment, Jess finds herself becoming attached—to her sister and her family, even to her client’s interfering son, Nate—and it’s time to put everything on the line. Does she continue running from her painful past, or stay put and make room for the love and joy that come along with it?

Review:

The Path to Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne is a heartwarming novel of healing and love. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Cape Sanctuary series, it can be read as a standalone.

Jessica “Jess” Clayton travels around the country helping people de-clutter their homes. She loves her job and enjoys her nomadic life-style.  Due to her dysfunctional childhood, she maintains an emotional distance from most people. Jess does not do relationships nor is she looking for romance. Despite her tendency to hold people at arm’s length, she is compassionate and caring. Her newest job takes her to Cape Sanctuary where she is helping recently widowed Eleanor Whittaker decide which items in her large home to keep and which to get rid of.

Eleanor’s son Nate is not exactly welcoming at first, but he soon warms up to Jess once he witnesses how much his mother likes her.  Nate is also pleasantly surprised at how much his thirteen-year-old daughter Sophie enjoys Jess’s company. Neither of them expects the sparks to fly between them, but with Jess leaving in a couple of weeks, will they give in to their intense attraction?

The main reason Jess accepted the job in Cape Sanctuary is to visit her younger sister Rachel McBride and her family. While the sisters are not estranged, they do not see each other very often.  When they were teenagers, they went into foster care. While Jess remained in a group home, Rachel spent the remainder of her teenage years with a family in Cape Sanctuary. She and her husband Cody are childhood sweethearts with three young children. Rachel remains home with the kids but she is a successful influencer on social media. She is struggling with their son’s recent autism diagnosis. Rachel resents Cody’s long hours from home but she cannot bring herself to admit that she is part of the problem. She has high hopes she and Jess can regain their once close relationship.

The Path to Sunshine Cove is an emotional yet sweet novel. The coastal setting is a beautiful backdrop for this family-centric story. Jess and Rachel continue to carry the scars from their traumatic childhood but their reactions are quite different. Their visit proves to be cathartic as they confront their respective issues. Jess is also fighting her growing feelings for Nate but will she be able to leave the people she loves behind?

Old and new fans are sure to love this latest addition to RaeAnne Thayne’s delightful Cape Sanctuary series.

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Filed under Cape Sanctuary Series, Contemporary, HQN Books, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Women's Fiction

March 29, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter
K-9 Alaska Series Book Three
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Romance
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Two bombs in six days…

And the culprit isn’t finished.

With the help of his K-9 companion, Patches, FBI victim specialist Jax Diallo vows to help police chief Keara Hernandez solve the attacks rocking their Alaskan community. Evidence suggests the crimes are connected to her husband’s long-unsolved murder. And the strikes are becoming more personal. When dodging bullets becomes a daily event, Jax risks everything to keep his beautiful new partner from meeting a violent end…

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

For more action-packed stories, check out the other books in the A K-9 Alaska Novel series by Elizabeth Heiter:

Book 1: K-9 Defense

Book 2: Alaska Mountain Rescue

Book 3: K-9 Cold Case

Review:

K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing mystery that takes place in the Alaskan bush. This third installment in the K-9 Alaska series can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend the previous books as well.

Desparre Police Chief Keara Hernandez moved to Alaska to try to put her husband Juan’s murder behind her. She has grown to love the small town and she closely watches over its residents. When a bomb goes off in nearby Luna, Keara’s past comes rushing back when something found at the scene appears to link the current case to Juan’s still unsolved murder. Keara and FBI victim specialist Jax Diall (and his adorable K-9, Patches) work together to try to find the person or persons responsible for the bombing and Juan’s murder.

Keara is attracted to Jax but she does not want her personal interest in him to interfere with their investigation. She hopes that solving Juan’s case will allow her to fully move on. Although his fellow agents doubt her conviction Juan’s murder and the bombings are related, they do give Jax the go-ahead to look their case files. Since he is not an investigator, Jax and Keara go through the case files together in search of  similar cases. With growing excitement, Jax and Keara discover information that backs up their theory. But this new lead is quite puzzling and they continue trying to figure out how this new information can help them unearth the suspect(s)’s identity.

Jax is also interested in Keara, and he finds it difficult to ignore his growing attraction to her.  He mainly succeeds in focusing on the ongoing investigation. Jax becomes a little frustrated with his fellow agents’ skepticism about his and Keara’s theory but he manages to push his irritation aside. Jax cannot quite turn off his psychologist’s mind so he is able to deduce a few things about Keara.  Jax is not the only one in tune with her emotions. His K-9 comfort dog Patches is also quite intuitive and she sticks close to Keara’s side.

K-9 Cold Case is a clever mystery with an interesting storyline. The characters are engaging and their reactions and issues ring true. Patches is a wonderful dog who will steal readers’ hearts. The Alaskan setting springs vibrantly to life.  With an unexpected plot twist, Elizabeth Heiter brings this incredible mystery to a breathtaking conclusion. Old and new fans do not want to miss newest addition to the outstanding K-9 Alaska series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Alaska Series, K-9 Cold Case, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Romance, Suspense