Category Archives: Romance

August 19, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood

Title: The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Genre: Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Romance
Length: 446 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

A provocative love story between a tough Kansas woman on a crooked path to redemption and the unlikeliest of champions, from the New York Times bestselling author of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

Zee is nobody’s fairy tale princess. Almost six-foot, with a redhead’s temper and a shattered hip, she has a long list of worries: never-ending bills, her beautiful, gullible sister, her five-year-old nephew, her housebound mother, and her drug-dealing boss.

Zee may not be a princess, but Gentry is an actual knight, complete with sword, armor, and code of honor. Two years ago the voices he hears called him to be Zee’s champion. He’s barely spoken to her since, but he has kept watch, ready to come to her aid.

When an abduction tears Zee’s family apart, she turns to the last person she ever imagined–Gentry–and sets in motion a chain of events that will not only change both of their lives, but bind them to one another forever.

Review:

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood is a dark and gritty novel with a tender, heartwarming romance.

Zhorzha “Zee” Trego is a tough as nails young woman who has lived a hard life. She is the unofficial head of her family as she financially supports her obese hoarder mother, Dot,  her older sister, LaReigne and her five year old nephew Marcus. Zee will do anything (and I do mean anything) to provide for and protect her family. Her world is turned upside down when LaReigne is kidnapped during a prison riot. Convinced her sister is being held against her will by the two prison escapees, Zee takes matters into her own hands in order to bring her sister home safe and sound.  With an unlikely protector by her side, Zee recklessly  sets out on a dangerous journey to save LaReigne, but will her plan succeed?

Zee is a survivor who will do anything to keep her family afloat. Her relationship with her mother is complex and mostly antagonistic.  She, LaReigne and Marcus moved in together after her sister’s divorce and she absolutely adores her nephew.  Zee is pragmatic about keeping a roof over their head and food on their table and she is willing to cross the line when it comes to her family.

While in physical therapy following a motorcycle accident, Zee caught the eye of Gentry Frank. Gentry is on the autism spectrum, speaks in Middle English and believes he is a knight. Proclaiming himself Zee’s protector, he keeps watch over her from a distance. In the aftermath of LaReigne’s kidnapping, Gentry steps in and offers Zee his assistance after she loses her job, apartment and car all at the same time. His interest in Zee is initially not romantic but as they spend time together, their odd relationship gradually turns into a touching romance.

Worried about her sister’s safety, Zee makes an impetuous decision to find LaReigne and bring her home. Although uneasy about bringing Gentry into what could be a dangerous situation, she reluctantly agrees to his request to accompany her. Will their plan to locate LaReigne succeed? Or is their quest doomed to end in failure?

The Reckless Oath We Made is a poignant and thought-provoking novel with an unusual storyline and endearing characters.  Zee is a surprisingly sympathetic character who has a big heart but is also deeply flawed. Gentry is an absolutely delightful young man with a generous and chivalrous spirit. Although initially a little slow moving, it does not take long to get caught up in this clever story.  Readers will be on the edge of the seats as Bryn Greenwood brings this marvelously unconventional novel to a realistic and uplifting conclusion.

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Filed under Bryn Greenwood, Contemporary, GP Putnams Sons, Literary Fiction, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Reckless Oath We Made

August 14, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray

Title: The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray
Walnut Creek Series Book Two
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The New York Times bestselling author of the Walnut Creek series crafts a moving and evocative novel of secrets, friendship, and second chances—perfect for fans of Kathleen Fuller and Beth Wiseman. 

When Katie Steury hires her old friend Harley Lambright to remodel her rundown old house into a charming bed and breakfast, she does so with trepidation. Though they are longtime friends, they’ve always had a rocky relationship, thanks to her being partly responsible for his most recent breakup. But while they may not always get along, she needs someone to trust with her secrets, and Harley is nothing if not trustworthy and loyal.

Katie has always reminded Harley of a bright hummingbird—she is small and flighty, moves a mile a minute, and she possesses a very sharp beak. He’s hesitant to accept the job because of his history with Katie. But when he realizes that Katie’s been hiding her mother’s hoarding, he agrees to help her because it’s clear she needs someone on her side.

Both soon discover that clearing the debris in one old house also means they have to do some clean-up in their lives, forcing them to reevaluate their past and their future. This somewhat painful process reveals that Katie isn’t the only one with secrets. As the house gets a second chance, so, too, does their relationship. Now all they have to do is open their hearts—and hope and pray that their new bond will also stand the test of time.

Review:

The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray is a heartfelt and uplifting Amish romance. This second installment in the Walnut Creek series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the other books in the series.

With her dream of turning her family home into a bed and breakfast within reach, Katie Steury  turns to friend and home remodeler Harley Lambright for help.  Their longstanding friendship is a bit troubled but she hopes she can smooth over the problems she caused for him a few years earlier. Katie is not a malicious person but she often speaks without thinking through the consequences of sharing her thoughts.   She is truly regretful for any pain her comments might have caused, but will Harley be receptive to her attempt to move on from her past mistakes?

Katie is a caring young woman whose penchant for speaking her mind is well known by her friends and family. But oddly enough, she has been hiding a secret about her family that she would rather not become public knowledge.  With their uneasy truce barely in place, Katie is hurt and dismayed when she believes Harley has betrayed her.   Will Katie give Harley the benefit of the doubt and allow him to explain his side?

Harley is the oldest of his siblings and he feels immense pressure to live up to his stern father’s expectations. He is self-contained and tries to keep his emotions in check at all times. Harley often finds himself at a loss for words when dealing with Katie since he would rather not make things worse between them.   As he spends more time in her company, Harley is surprised when he realizes his feelings for her have deepened beyond friendship. Is there any chance he and Katie will find a way to make a romance between them work in light of their sometimes fraught history?

Harley’s younger brother Kyle is also facing a difficult decision about what to about his feelings for Gabby who is not Amish. He is very concerned about how his parents will react when he tells them about her. Is there any chance a relationship between them will work out considering the differences between them?

With a lovely undercurrent of faith, The Loyal One is a beautiful novel of friendship, family and love. Katie and Harley are appealing characters who both undergo considerable growth as their friendship evolves into a touching romance.  They both also learn that communication is vital as misunderstandings threaten to derail their burgeoning relationship.  Katie and Harley continue to rely on their close-knit circle of friends to provide them with thoughtful insight to the issues they are dealing with.  Old and new fans of Shelley Shepard Gray’s Walnut Creek series are sure to love this engaging and thought-provoking novel of healing and love.

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Filed under Amish, Contemporary, Gallery Books, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Shelley Shepard Gray, The Loyal One, Walnut Creek Series

August 12, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Title: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 316 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about courage, hope, and learning to love against all odds.

Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she’s seen her fair share of them, and she’s a total pro at other people’s tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie’s old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren’t exactly thrilled to have a “lady” on the crew—even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the infatuation-inspiring rookie, who doesn’t seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can’t think about that. Because love is girly, and it’s not her thing. And don’t forget the advice her old captain gave her: Never date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping…and it means risking it all—the only job she’s ever loved, and the hero she’s worked like hell to become.

Katherine Center’s Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt and healing tour-de-force about the strength of vulnerability, the nourishing magic of forgiveness, and the life-changing power of defining courage, at last, for yourself.

Review:

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center is a heartwarming novel of forgiveness, family and love.

Twenty-six year old Cassie Hanwell loves being a firefighter and she is well on her to the next step in her career. But a chance meeting with a person from her past completely upends her life. Salvation lies in a fire station in Massachusetts but the move comes with a catch. Cassie’s slightly estranged mother Diana has asked her to move in with her and help her as she navigates a health issue.  With plenty of resistance to letting down her emotional barriers, Cassie continues to avoid her Diana’s overtures. She is also struggling at work due to her new co-workers’ lack of enthusiasm about working with a woman.  Cassie is not at all thrilled to be continually paired with Owen Callaghan due to her shocking attraction to “The Rookie”.  Will Cassie be able to forgive her mother for abandoning her ten years earlier? Can she continue to resist completely opening her heart to both her mom and Owen?

Cassie is a hard worker who refuses to open herself to love. She holds everyone at arms’ length and she finds it impossible to accept help. Cassie is not a girly girl and she has no difficulty holding her own with her male coworkers. Going from a tight-knit station to one that considers her an outsider is more difficult than she imagined, but Cassie works hard to prove herself.  Cassie is holding onto a lot of emotional pain but cracks begin to appear in her armor when she finally begins to deal with her hurt. But will she let down her guard enough to let Owen into her heart?

Owen is a lovable sweetheart who is always smiling and trying to help everyone around him.  He is from a long line of firefighters so he ignores the fact that some aspects of the job bother him. Owen readily admits being a firefighter is not his dream career but family expectations are impossible for him to resist. Being thrown together with Cassie is not exactly a hardship and after she does him a favor,  will their relationship deepen into something more?

With plenty of laugh out loud humor, Things You Save in a Fire is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that is quite captivating. Cassie is an absolutely delightful young woman and watching her overcome her pain is incredibly gratifying.  Owen is a charming young man who has unexpected depth and substance.  The storyline is well-written and engaging and the various issues are realistically depicted.  Katherine Center brings this  enchanting novel to a heartfelt conclusion. The epilogue is wonderful and a little bittersweet. Readers are sure to laugh and cry as they join Cassie on her incredible journey of healing and love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Katherine Center, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Press, Things You Save in a Fire, Women's Fiction

· 11:56 pm

Review: Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen

Title: Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 303 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

What could two troubled souls from different walks of life have in common? Maybe everything.

Andra Lawler lives isolated at her family’s horse ranch, imprisoned by the memories of an assault in college. When she needs help training her foals, she hires a Haitian-Creole cowboy from New Orleans with a laugh as big as the Montana sky.

LJ Delisle can’t stand the idea that Andra might be lonely—or eating frozen TV dinners. He bakes his way into her kitchen with a lemon velvet cake, and offers her cooking lessons that set them on the road to romance. But even their love can’t escape the shadow of what they’ve been through. Despite their growing friendship and his gentle rapport with the horses, LJ is still an outsider facing small-town suspicions.

Before they can work through their issues, LJ is called home by a family emergency. In the centuries-old, raggedly rebuilt streets of New Orleans, he must confront memories of Hurricane Katrina and familiar discrimination. And Andra must decide if she’s brave enough to leave the shelter of the ranch for an uncertain future with LJ.

Review:

Unbreak Me by Michelle Hazen is a poignant novel of healing and love.

Andra Lawler lives on her family ranch in Montana.  Following a horrific assault several years ago, she finished college then moved home in order to feel safe. She spends her days training horses and avoiding her family and friends.  But after hiring New Orleans native and horse trainer LJ Delisle, Andra gradually emerges from her self-imposed isolation. Their time together is filled with laughter as LJ charms her while teaching her cook.  Andra and LJ share a mutual attraction, but will their respective issues destroy their chance at happiness?

Andra went through an absolutely unspeakable ordeal that still affects her.  She has managed to find a way to cope with her fears, but in doing so she lives a very isolated life.  Andra is content to keep her distance other people in order to feel safe. Deciding to hire a new trainer is her first act of rebellion against her overly protective father, but will Andra continue her solitary routine?

LJ is very excited about his new job training horses for the Lawler family. He also loves living on the Montana ranch despite how very different it is from New Orleans.  LJ is fun-loving and quick to laugh but underneath his amiable exterior lies a man who never forgets the racial divide that exists between him and the rest of the world. He also carries the horrors of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

LJ is a force to be reckoned with as he gently slips through Andra’s rather formidable defenses.  His upbeat personality is difficult to resist and soon he and Andra spend every free minute together. Their friendship is somewhat carefree but real life does intrude in unexpected ways. Just as they are beginning to explore their attraction, LJ must return to New Orleans to help his mother.  Dismayed by his departure, Andra steps out of her comfort zone and she soon discovers she is much stronger than she believes.

Unbreak Me is a heartwarming romance that features a realistic storyline and two very appealing characters.  Although Andra and LJ are from very different backgrounds, they bring out the very best in one another. Their relationship is an absolutely joy to watch unfold but there are times their inability to communicate threatens to derail their future together. Montana and New Orleans serve as the perfect backdrop for this heartfelt story and both locations spring vividly to life.  Michelle Hazen brings this engaging romance to an emotional yet uplifting conclusion.  I thoroughly enjoyed highly recommend this captivating novel to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Berkley, Contemporary, Michelle Hazen, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Unbreak Me

July 29, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham

Title: A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham
Highland, Georgia Series Book One
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The timeless romance, soaring passion—and gorgeous men—of Scotland come to modern-day America. And the rules of love will never be the same…

Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words. But she is struck speechless when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir. Izzy’s mother is so infatuated by the fellow that Izzy has to plan their annual Highland Games all by herself. Well, not completely by herself. The Highlander’s strapping young nephew has come looking for his uncle…

Alasdair Blackmoor has never seen a place as friendly as this small Georgia town—or a girl as brilliant and beguiling as Izzy. Instead of saving his uncle, who seems to be having a lovely time, Alasdair decides he’d rather help Izzy with the Highland Games. Show her how to dance like a Highlander. Drink like a Highlander. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a Highlander. But when the games are over, where do they go from here?

Review:

A Highlander Walks into a Bar by Laura Trentham is a cute romance that is also quite humorous.

Isabel “Izzy” Buchanan lives with her widowed mother, Rose, at their family home in Highland, Georgia. Izzy is stunned when her mom returns from a trip to Scotland with a very handsome Scotsman, Gareth Connors. She is a bit uneasy and worried about their burgeoning romance but with little she can do about the situation, so Izzy forges ahead with planning their annual Highland Games. A bit frazzled since Rose is pre-occupied with Gareth, the last thing Izzy needs is another complication in her life. When Alasdair Blackmoor unexpectedly arrives to check on Gareth, Izzy is both attracted to and suspicious of the sexy Scotsman.  Will Izzy be able to figure out what Gareth and Alasdair want from her and Rose? And will she be able to resist giving in to her desire for the oh so charming Alasdair?

Izzy is an accountant by day and aspiring author in her spare time. She has a wonderful sense of humor and a penchant for spouting obscure facts when nervous. Due to a couple of embarrassing incidents,  Izzy lacks confidence and she does not like to be in the limelight.

Although Alasdair is slightly estranged from Gareth, he loves him and wants to make sure he is not being taken advantage of. He is charmed by the small town and he is also quite drawn to Izzy. Despite his qualms, Alasdair finds his time in Highland to be just what he needs to make some decisions about his career and his relationships with his family.

Despite liking Izzy, Alasdair still has doubts about her and Rose’s intentions towards Gareth.  Trying to protect Gareth, Alasdair impetuously sets something in motion that immediately spirals out of his control. As he and Izzy get to know one another, he keeps quiet about what is going on behind the scenes. But will Alasdair find a way to fix his mistake before it is too late?

A Highlander Walks into a Bar is a light-hearted romance that is fast-paced and engaging. Izzy and Alasdair are endearing characters who are vibrantly developed and easy to like. Their romance is sweet with just a hint of steam.  The conflict that arises between them is easy to predict but quickly resolved.  Laura Trentham neatly sets up the next installment in the delightful Highland, Georgia series with a lovely epilogue. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this laugh out loud romance!

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Filed under A Highlander Walks into a Bar, Contemporary, Highland Georgia Series, Laura Trentham, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks

July 14, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber

Title: Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 321 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When a single mom becomes an empty nester, she spreads her wings to rediscover herself—and her passions—in this heartwarming novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Jenna Boltz’s life is at a crossroads. After a messy divorce from her surgeon husband nearly twenty years ago, she raised her two children on her own, juggling motherhood with her beloved job as a Seattle intensive-care nurse. Now that Paul and Allie have gone to college and moved out, Jenna can’t help but wonder what her future holds.

Her best friend, Maureen, is excited for Jenna’s newfound independence. Now is the perfect time to finally book the trip to Paris they’ve been dreaming of since their college days. But when it comes to life’s other great adventure—dating—Jenna still isn’t sure she’s ready to let love in . . . until an unexpected encounter begins to change her mind.

When Jenna’s elderly mother breaks her hip, Dr. Rowan Lancaster saves the day. Despite his silent, stoic exterior, Rowan is immediately smitten with Jenna. And even though Jenna is hesitant about becoming involved with another surgeon, she has to admit that she’s more than a little intrigued. But when Jenna’s children approach her with shocking news, she realizes that she needs to have faith in love and embrace the unexpected—before the life she has always dreamed of passes her by.

Review:

Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber is a captivating novel of family, friendship and love.

Jenna Boltz and Maureen Zelinski have been best friends since college.  Their plan to someday visit Paris is now in reach since they are empty nesters. Jenna is an ICU nurse who raised her two children, Paul and Allie, on her own following her divorce. Maureen is a librarian who is also divorced but her ex-husband remained involved in their daughter Tori’s life. Although both women have dated in the past, neither have  had much success in finding Mr. Right. So Maureen and Jenna are both surprised when two men in their lives unexpectedly show interest in them. Will Maureen agree to go out with Logan, a library patron whom she looks forward to discussing books with? And when Jenna’s mom’s doctor, Rowan Lancaster asks her out, will she accept his invitation to get to know him outside the hospital?

Jenna has put her children first ever since her divorce and she is looking forward to her empty nest. But the reality of living alone is nowhere near as exciting as she thought it would be. Jenna remains close to her oldest son, Paul, but she cannot help feel uneasy about a growing distance between them. Her relationship with Allie is sometimes a minefield since her daughter is stubborn, independent and quick to become defensive. Jenna is worried about her mom’s recovery from her fall, but she is reassured by Rowan’s obvious care and compassion for  his patients’ well-being. She is also quite intrigued by the taciturn surgeon, but Jenna has good reason to be wary of dating a doctor.

Despite her amicable divorce, Maureen is extremely cautious when it comes to dating.  She looks forward to her weekly meeting with Logan and she puts quite bit of thought into her book recommendations to the good-natured man.  Reluctantly agreeing to have a drink with him, Maureen is uncomfortably out of her comfort zone but will she give their burgeoning romance a chance?

Window on the Bay is a heartwarming novel that is fast-paced and engrossing. Jenna and Maureen are vibrantly developed characters whose respective issues are realistically portrayed.  Rowan is an absolutely delightful man who never gives up Jenna even when they are at odds. Logan is a bit of a mixed bag who does not always treat Maureen with the respect she deserves. Although the romances encounter a few misunderstandings and family ties are a bit strained, Debbie Macomber brings this winsome novel to a delightfully heartfelt conclusion.

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Filed under Ballantine Books, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Window on the Bay