I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, however I did listen to the final published version of the audiobook. As always all opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this! I've had a been interested in witch trials since visiting Salem as a teen, so I love a good non-fiction or historical fiction about that time period. I believe this is set in historical Germany during the time of the European witch hunts. Fritzi is an actual witch and is the sole survivor of her coven being slaughtered at the hands of the hexenjägers a group of religious soldiers whose purpose is to hunt witches. Many of those caught by the hexenjägers are innocent people with no powers, however Fritzi and her young cousin Liesel are both powerful witches and the Kommandant has plans for them both. Otto is a hexenjäger, and he and his group of soldiers capture Fritzi, but Otto unexpectedly turns out to be a friend instead of a foe to the witches. Otto and Fritzi form a fragile truce to protect the remaining members of their family and fight against the crazed Kommandant.
This was action packed with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. There is alot going on but I think the authors did a good job brining things together in the end. I am looking forward to seeing what they have instore for us in the next book. This end on a small cliffhanger, but you kind of expect it so I don't think it was that big of a shock. I really enjoyed the bits of lore woven in among the historical aspects of the witch trials and the magical aspects of plot. This book isn't going to be for everyone. There is a romance aspect, some brutal and violent scenes, magic and paranormal aspects, action, and more. I thought the authors did a good job weaving all of those elements together, but some may find it not to their liking.
This book is classified as YA, but I would say this falls more into into the New Adult/Adult age range. There are some pretty brutal torture scenes and several other violent scenes when it comes to the battles. There are a few intimate scenes, but they are fairly tame and not very descriptive but they are there. The characters and some of the plotlines read more YA though, so I think this will appeal the more mature YA reader as well as a broad range of adults who enjoy fantasy and historical fiction. Keep in mind that from a historical aspect, those who were tried and found guilty of witchcraft were tortured and maimed in the most horrific ways. I think from that perspective the authors did a good job keeping in line with the historical nature of how the men and women who were accused were treated during the actual witch trials in Europe and the US.
Overall, i really enjoyed this, and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the duology.
I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinion are my own.
This was such a fun read! I hesitate to call it romantic suspense, because it wasn't very suspenseful it was more of a comedy; however it wasn't a straight-up romance either. The plot focuses on our main character who is a CIA agent working undercover in her own home over the holidays to take down her sister's fiancé for the FBI. This book is filled with action, emotion, fun banter, and some comedy to balance out the more serious moments. Really enjoyed it and if you are looking for a fun holiday read this is a great one to pick up!
Sydney doesn't get home much to spend time with her sister Calla and grandmother Ruby because of her job as a CIA agent. Her family thinks she works for the Department of Education, and they are thrilled when she surprises them by coming home for Christmas. What they don't know is that Sydney is on special assignment for the FBI to bust Calla's fiancé Johnny. Johnny is not only the heir to a successful coffee chain, but he also runs a nasty organized crime family in the background. Sydney's job is to cozy up to Johnny's best friend and bodyguard Nick and find out whatever she can to thwart his plans for a holiday heist and protect her sister. What Sydney didn't expect was to actually be attracted to Nick which is an inconvenience to her plans. As her mission progresses she is forced to face some of her childhood trauma cause by an absentee parent and the guilt she feels for not being there for her sister.
There were some unrealistic situations in this book that I don't think the actual FBI and CIA would put it's agents in (conflict of interest and all), but I'm not an agent so I wouldn't actually know. If you can put that aside, this was a super fun book. Sydney and Nick worked well together trying to figure out Johnny's plans while also working through their actual romantic feelings for each other. Sydney's dynamic with her sister felt realistic when it came to discussing their feelings about their dad and being there for each other. I really liked their sibling dynamic. It thought this had good character development while still moving the heist plot along at a good pace. This is my first book by Carlie Walker but it certainly won't be my last.
All Mixed Up, an all-new swoony second chance romance from Heidi Hutchinson, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!
Nikki has a lot going on at the moment.
She’s the best sound engineer and mixer at XY Records, she’s working on a super-secret project with a pop megastar, and holding the busier-than-usual studio together.
The last thing she wants or needs is her ex-fiancé to start working in the studio over the summer. She’s over it—him. Obviously. Being ghosted has that effect. But working near someone she used to love has made her life that much more complicated.
Andre has it all figured out. Two and half years ago he had no idea what he was doing when he walked away from the love of his life. But time has given him perspective, and he’s grown up. Which is why the paleontology professor is working part-time at his ex’s recording studio. Because he wants to make amends. And maybe win her back.
Will Nikki give him the chance he thinks he’s ready for? Or will it be her turn to walk away from him?
'All Mixed Up' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #8 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Just a small one, but it was there, and he wasn’t going to run away from it.
Not this time.
Never again.
He turned the car into the parking lot, excitement buzzing in his veins.
Every decision in his life had brought him to this moment and he felt good about it.
He was finally ready to embrace life and stop being afraid to be happy.
It was going to be good from here on out—great even.
He hit the brakes as a flash of color and limbs hit his windshield with a loud thud. The car came to a hard stop and the colors rolled off the hood of the car and hit the ground.
“Oh God.” He slammed the car into park and undid his seat belt.
How had that happened?
“Please don’t be a person. Please don’t be a person.” His stomach turned and his hands shook as he shoved the door open.
The hot, sticky July heat engulfed him immediately as he ran around the front of his car.
It was a person.
He dropped to his knees, hands trembling.
He’d hit a person!
With his car!
“Are you okay?” he asked, not sure where to put his hands.
It was a woman in a bright dress. The fabric tangled around her legs, both of her shoes had come off, her arms were tucked under her body at an odd angle.
And the hair…her hair was blonde.
And she was utterly still.
He reached for her, knowing it was Nicole and still hoping it wasn’t.
Footsteps came racing toward him, but he didn’t glance up.
“Call an ambulance,” he said to whoever had joined them and he felt her neck for a pulse.
A flutter under his fingertips let him know she was alive.
Of course, she was alive. The car had barely been moving. It couldn’t possibly be that bad.
Please don’t be that bad.
He pressed his face to the ground to get level with hers and brushed her hair out of her eyes. She was unconscious. Or at least, she appeared to be unconscious. He didn’t want to move her, but he also wanted to be sure she could breathe.
He looked up to see that they were surrounded by some people he knew and some he didn’t.
A dark-haired man in a light blue Henley was on the phone with emergency services.
Sabine joined him on the ground.
Sabine?
He did a double take on his younger sister. Why was she there?
“What happened?” she asked.
“She got hit by a car.”
Sabine’s head jerked around as she looked from André to his car and back again.
Nicole made a noise and they both looked down to her before Sabine could state the obvious.
“Ow,” Nicole whimpered. She tried to move and cried out.
“Don’t move. Where does it hurt?” André placed a hand gently between her shoulder blades and lifted it again.
Nicole ignored his instruction to not move and rolled onto her back. She cradled her right elbow with her left hand, face contorted in pain. Water started leaking from her eyes.
“I’m okay,” she lied through her tears.
André skimmed his fingers along her hairline, brushing away flecks of dirt and gravel. He scanned the scrapes and marks on her face and arms and legs. His stomach twisted with guilt and fear.
“Please stop moving,” he whispered.
If he’d injured her to a point—
No.
He couldn’t go there. She was fine.
Her blue eyes flashed as they raked over his face. Like she was just now realizing who he was.
“What…?” she started to ask and struggled to sit up.
He sucked in a breath and held his hands out, palms facing her. “Stay there.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and all those fantasies that he’d had about seeing her again crumbled into dust like the guy from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade who chose the grail that wasn’t so holy.
Sirens grew closer and relief began to prickle in the back of his mind. “It’s okay,” he said, trying to reassure her (and himself). “The paramedics are almost here.”
He couldn’t stop looking at her.
It had been years since he’d seen her, and somehow, she was even more beautiful than he remembered.
About Heidi Hutchinson
Heidi Hutchinson creates funny, clever, slow burn romance for readers looking for a guaranteed happily ever after.
She hopes the stories she writes inspire her readers to take their hearts on one more adventure.
She lives in the Black Hills with her alarmingly handsome husband, their fearless child, and a rather large and spoiled dog.
She is fueled by her unwavering and perfectly normal devotion to Dave Grohl and coffee.
I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved Legends & Lattes, and I thing fans will love this prequel. You don't have to have read Legends to read this. This is more of an origin story for our favorite orc Viv when she was still in her prime as a warrior. Due to an injury she is stuck in a small town we get to know her in another cozy fantasy with low stakes story with another lovely found family. This time the storyline is set in a bookstore, which readers should appreciate and Viv helps the shop owner renovate the shop while she is recovering and waiting for her group of mercenaries to return and collect her. You can tell that Baldree leaned on his own bookstore experiences as he wrote about author signing events and various other things that you expect to see in an independent bookstore to make it successful. I really loved that there was an element of reality in this fantasy story.
There is a light romance, wonderful friendships, and an amazing cast of characters. I loved all of the characters, but Satchel is awesome and was so creative. If you loved Legends & Lattes, you are going to love this prequel. I hope we get more books in this universe or more cozy fantasy in general. I love the low stakes and heartwarming element while still getting a bit of adventure. The characters are wonderful and I just want to stay with them forever.
Baldree narrates the audiobook and he is a wonderful narrator. He gives voice to each of the characters in such a unique and wonderful way. You always know which character is speaking and when he is just narrating.
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.
As with the other books in the series this reads as a standalone. There are characters mentioned from the previous books by the same author, but they aren't necessary to the storyline of this book. I do highly recommend them as the previous books were excellent. If you want to get to know Johnny and Hannah check out Key Change, if you want to get to know Sabine and Dave (aka Sunshine Capone) check out Lost Track.
Nikki dreams of being a music producer. She works at a small recording studio as an engineer and she is amazingly talented. She has been working with an award winning popstar in secret who she connected with during another recording session. Nikki has what it takes to make this idea a smash hit, but she is letting doubt cloud her judgement. Enter Andre, Nikki's ex and love of her life. Andre is an archeology professor who moonlights as a carpenter on the side. He is also a disaster when it comes to feelings and relationships due to his jerk of a father. Andre sabotaged his relationship with Nikki because he was scared, but he never explained why. He also never stopped loving her. When Nikki's boss hires him to renovate part of the recording studio, the two of them are forced to spend some time together and they are forced to face the past and their feelings for one another.
I really loved getting to know Andre and Nikki. Imposter syndrome is real and dealing with self-doubt about your abilities is so relatable. Even if you are the most qualified person in the world, you can still doubt yourself and I think the author did a great job making both of the characters vulnerable in different ways and brought that forward. I loved that the side characters offered support and advice where needed. I loved Sabine and Dave from Key Change, and it was nice to see them as part of this story as well. I really enjoyed Asa and his no nonsense approach to dealing with Andre and Nikki, just a like a good best friend should act.
I love a good second chance romance and this delivers. The characters had good chemistry, but they don't dive right back into old patterns. They take their time getting to know each other and have the conversations they should have had previously while still maintaining the spark they always had. This has a moderate amount of spice but it isn't over the top and doesn't overwhelm the storyline. Overall, I loved this and highly recommend it as well as the other books in the series!
Love Matched, an all-new charming opposites attract historical romance from Laney Hatcher, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!
There are three things you need to know about Lady Cassandra Fields:
1. Despite being beloved, this diamond of the first water has yet to land a husband.
2. Her bold personality and giving heart help fuel her charitable endeavors.
3. She’s looking for adventure--something beyond ballgowns, drawing rooms, and her ladylike skill with needle and thread.
Thus far, Cassandra’s abysmal luck has kept her from reaching her goals. With no husband and no household, she’s beginning to wonder if she has a future at all. A surprising encounter with a cunning thief brings more to light than Cassandra is prepared to handle. But the lady has never backed down from a challenge, and it seems this mystery man might have finally met his match.
When circumstances, once again, threaten Lady Cassandra’s dreams, she must decide if she’s willing to risk her careful plans for the thief who has stolen her heart.
‘Love Matched’, a Penny Reid Universe Reimagining, is a full-length historical romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #3 in the London Ladies Embroidery series, Smartypants Romance Out of this World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Laney Hatcher is a firm believer that there is a spreadsheet for every occasion and pie is always the answer. She is an author of stories that have a past, in a language of love that’s universal. Often too practical for her own good, Laney enjoys her life in the southern United States with her husband, children, and incredibly entitled cat.
Meet Your Matcha, an all-new opposites attract romance from Nanxi Wen, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!
“It’s my life to ruin!”
Pippa Fleming is a woman who always has a plan… until she finally secures a coveted promotion and her dream job suddenly feels worse than getting caught under the sun as a redhead with no sunscreen. Exhausted and confused, Pippa seeks an escape by signing up for a reality dating show. Everyone is allowed one identity crisis, right? And where better to recharge than on a beach sipping cocktails with little umbrellas?
As long as she remembers she’s only here to have fun, not lose her heart…
“She was a walking red flag, so far out of my league that I couldn’t even see what league she was in.”
August Weather is laid back and content with his quiet life. But when his sister nominates him for a reality dating show, he sees it as a chance to experience the world outside of his small town. What he didn’t expect was to fall for someone like Pippa. She’s his complete opposite – prickly, vivacious, full of adventure and big dreams… and despises him on sight.
Except, he can’t stop thinking about her and finding out what lies beneath her guarded surface…
When the whirlwind of the show throws them together, Pippa and August discover how wrong first impressions can be. But, can their newfound connection survive the real world? Or will their differences sweep their love match out to sea?
‘Meet Your Matcha’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #7 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
“What about you? I find it hard to believe you have trouble finding a date. So, what diversion did you need from your life?”
“Dates are easy.” I shrugged. Or rather, as much as being slumped on the floor would let my shoulders move. “Would you believe me if I said I was a hopeless romantic buried under this drunken mess?”
“Is it true?”
The gentleness with which he asked made me almost wish I could tell him the truth: I had spent too much time chasing a career and living a supposedly perfect life that along the way, I got lost. The desire to confess to August was due to tequila. Right?
With the earlier dizziness and churning stomach gone, I became more aware of the absurdity of having a conversation while I lay like a dead body. On the bathroom floor. If only my regular party crew could see how much I’d fallen, literally.
Though, did it matter if August saw me like this? It wasn’t as if I was trying to impress him.
But it wasn’t as if I wasn’t trying to impress him. That made sense.
Sort of?
I sucked in a breath to rein in any foolish confession and straightened my elbows to sit up. “Nah, I’m more of a jaded grump than romantic. My best friend, Tia, encouraged me to sign up. She’s a hopeless romantic who’s living in a world of soul mates and orgasms. I don’t believe in soul mates. However, I do have a lot of free time nowadays. I left my law firm in February and have been traveling around, trying to figure out what to do.”
“Have you found your answers?”
“No. The only thing that I feel sure about is that I haven’t found it—whatever it is. Minus not working, it hasn’t been all that different, hopping from place to place. Unlike you, I have no deep roots. I’ve never belonged anywhere.” I bit my tongue, wishing I could claw back the words. What was it about August that made me spill as if I were chugging truth serums?
“Maybe the answer is me moving to a cabin in the woods and eating pizza all day.” Playing off my previous confession as a joke, I tried to find my way back to safer ground. “I’m open to whatever comes my way. I don’t think I’ll find my happily ever after on a TV show where people signed up for social media followers. But I’ll take a fun summer.”
“Not everyone is here for social media,” August countered. “I don’t have any.”
“Yeah, you’re completely different,” I responded, with full honesty.
“In a good way,” I amended, feeling shy when his eyes lit up with surprise.
About Nanxi Wen
Nanxi Wen thought she was going to write the greatest historical novel. Turns out, her characters decided that they want to be in the 21st century with modern plumbing, online shopping, and reality TV shows.
She lives in New England with her husband and two young kids. When she is not despairing over word count, she enjoys reading, snacking, drinking coffee, sitting by the fireplace, hanging out with friends, and daydreaming.
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.
This is the 7th book in the Common Threads series, however it reads as a complete standalone. There are some familiar characters from other books in the series mentioned, but you don't have to read those first. If you want to read more about Pippa's best friend Tia and her story, you will want to read Give Love a Chai by the same author. I highly recommend it, but it isn't necessary to get to know Pippa and August.
What do you get when you put a wholesome small-town history teacher and a successful worldly lawyer together on a reality TV show? A really lovely opposites attract romance filled with self-acceptance and learning to find the people who love you as you are. Pippa is a successful attorney, but she doesn't find fulfillment in the wealth and success she has achieved. She is very aware of her privilege, but she is also aware that she isn't happy and something is missing in her life. In an attempt to locate what is missing she takes a six month sabbatical from her job, travels the world, and signs up for a reality dating show where the contestants have the opportunity to find true love. August teaches history at the local high school and coaches soccer. He is the biggest cinnamon roll ever. He is happy living in his small town where everyone is in everyone else's business and he never wanted more than he has. August's sister nominated him for the show while he is on summer break as a chance for him to take a chance on love. He is fun and kind and honest, something Pippa is not used to, so when they meet and have instant chemistry she immediately pushes him away for the jerks she is familiar with.
It quickly becomes clear that August and Pippa have something special and as the show progresses they spend more an more time together getting to know each other. August is patient and willing to wait for Pippa to be ready for the big feelings that scare her about their relationship. She doesn't have many real connections in her life and being vulnerable is not something she is good at. They agree to see each other after the show ends and try to build something real instead of something fake for social media views, but neither of them is sure that they can survive the very real pressures the outside will throw at them.
I really loved getting to know August and Pippa. They were both very realistic characters. While their attraction was instant they took time getting to know each other before they jumped into anything physical, which I really appreciated. I'm not a fan of insta-love, and the author did a good job giving their relationship substance even though their relationship did progress quickly. This does have some angst, but it resolves itself quickly.
Overall this is another great installment to the Smartypants Universe, and I highly recommend it!
I was provided both a print and audio arc of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own. The audiobook is narrated by Lillian Rachel and she does a wonderful job with the narration.
This is the best book in the series by far. Hatcher's retellings of the Knitting in the City series keep getting better with each installment! This is Sandra and Alex's story retold as Lady Cassandra, daughter of a duke who attends all of the premier events in the hopes of making a match and finding a husband. She has terrible luck and each of her suitors ends up having some awful and hilarious event occur during their courtship. Enter Alexander, a footman well below her station, but she is drawn to him nonetheless.
I loved how the author got creative with the characters to put them in 19th Century London vs present day Chicago where the original source material was set. I also love revisiting with the original characters as part of the embroidery circle of aristocratic ladies and how she maintained their friendship and kept true to the nature of each of the characters while still telling a unique and new story of her own.
I loved watching Cassandra and Alexander's relationship unfold. She is blunt and bold, always seeking adventure, which is something a lady of her status is not typically known for. He works odd jobs to make ends meet and has a past he isn't proud of, but finds it hard to resist her charms. He does his best to remind her that they are not a good match despite their chemistry and attraction, but Lady Cassandra does what she wants and throws caution to the wind when she finally finds love. Fortunately she has a family and group of friends that will support her no matter what.
If you are a fan of the Knitting in the City series, you have to read this Regency reimagining. It is executed so well. It stays true to the original, while being something completely new. This series is so fun to revisit favorite characters in a new setting and new adventures.
All Mixed Up, an all-new swoony second chance romance from Heidi Hutchinson, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!
Nikki has a lot going on at the moment.
She’s the best sound engineer and mixer at XY Records, she’s working on a super-secret project with a pop megastar, and holding the busier-than-usual studio together.
The last thing she wants or needs is her ex-fiancé to start working in the studio over the summer. She’s over it—him. Obviously. Being ghosted has that effect. But working near someone she used to love has made her life that much more complicated.
Andre has it all figured out. Two and half years ago he had no idea what he was doing when he walked away from the love of his life. But time has given him perspective, and he’s grown up. Which is why the paleontology professor is working part-time at his ex’s recording studio. Because he wants to make amends. And maybe win her back.
Will Nikki give him the chance he thinks he’s ready for? Or will it be her turn to walk away from him?
'All Mixed Up' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #8 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, al opinions are my own.
This is the 6th book in the series, however it reads completely as a standalone. There are other characters mentioned in the book that have had their own books written by the same author so if you want to read Dawn and Mike's story read Mad About Ewe, and Donal and Tess' story is Not Since Ewe. You can find some of the other characters in Penny Reid's Knitting in the City series, which is what spawned the whole Smartypants Romance Universe.
This follows Brandon, Dawn's son, as he tries his hand at online dating. He is socially awkward and his ADHD makes him come off as kind of a jerk when he really doesn't mean to. Chloe on the other hand is his complete opposite and happens to work for his mother. When they match on the dating app and have an epically terrible first date, things don't look like they will pan out, but when Bran and Chloe are forced to spend several hours together driving to Dawn's wedding because neither of them want to disappoint Dawn they find that the app might not have been wrong after all. Chloe is an aspiring textile artist and feels emotions deeply. Her parents were kind of crappy and while she is very talented she has lacked the support network she needed to feel confident about her abilities. Bran other the other hand has had a wonderfully supportive mother and a father who values drive and performance above all. He is confused about what he wants for his future, but he knows he is really good at it and will be a successful lawyer if he wants to be.
I really liked that Chloe and Bran offset each other so nicely. The both valued each other's feelings and needs. She made him ditch the perfect plans and be a little spontaneous while he built her up and step out of her comfort zone and take chances with her art and career that she was putting off. They both had to face fears and were supportive of each other while coming to conclusions about their own needs on their own. I loved the supportive cast of characters as well. While we see alot of growth from the main characters on their own, it wouldn't have been possible without the side characters to provide support and advice for them to get them to where they needed to be.
Overall, I really enjoyed getting to know these two characters and watch as their relationship develop.
Ewe Complete Me, an all-new forced proximity romance from USA Today bestselling author Susannah Nix, is now available in Kindle Unlimited!
Love defies logic when two polar opposites attract.
Chloe and Brandon have nothing in common. She’s a spontaneous, people-loving fiber artist; he’s an uptight, introverted law student. The only thing they agree on during their blind date is that they hope to never see each other again.
Except they do have something in common—Brandon’s mother Dawn, who happens to be Chloe’s boss and dear friend. Which is how they end up stuck with each other for a six-hour road trip to Dawn’s destination wedding.
But as they get to know each other better, their mutual irritation morphs into an inescapable connection. Maybe these two opposites aren't so mismatched after all. Could Brandon be the yin to Chloe’s yang? The peanut butter to her jelly? The rock to her roll?
Or will their differences tear them apart when they return to their normal lives at the end of the wedding weekend?
'Ewe Complete Me' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #6 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
I didn’t know why I kept bothering with online dating. I could be at home in my favorite sloth pajamas right now crocheting in front of the TV instead of sitting on this uncomfortable faux-industrial stool sipping a watered-down margarita.
Why did I keep setting myself up for disappointment? I’d even curled my hair and taken extra time with my makeup this morning. Not that you could tell after eight hours of hauling inventory around at work. I’d also worn my cutest bra today, which happened to be my least comfortable. The underwire had practically fused with my ribs. I’d probably need to have it surgically removed.
And for what? To be stood up by a stranger named Bran.
So much for my perfect match.
To be honest, I’d had my doubts about his perfection from the moment the notification from FindUrPartner hit my inbox. For starters, his name was Bran. Not only did it bring to mind high-fiber laxatives and regular bowel movements, it sounded like the kind of one-syllable name favored by too many of the douchebags I’d known in high school. What was it about guys with names like Brock and Bryce and Beck that they seemed to grow up into entitled jerks?
On top of that, Bran was a law student, and every law student I’d ever met was a competitive, self-absorbed overachiever. Which was the exact opposite of what I wanted in a boyfriend. Not to mention, my father was a lawyer, so…yeah. I had some not-good feelings about men who wanted to be lawyers.
I should have swiped left based on the law student thing alone, but I’d been lured in by Bran’s profile photo. He’d had a nice smile and kind-looking eyes, so I’d given him a shot. That would teach me to judge a book by its cover. Actual kind eyes never would have stood me up. That probably wasn’t even him in the picture. Those were likely some stock photo model’s kind eyes that I’d been suckered into meeting for a drink.
Deciding I’d waited long enough, I clambered off my stool and turned to make my escape…only to find myself face-to-face with the very pair of eyes I’d been ruminating over, along with the dark hair, chiseled cheekbones, and square chin I recognized from Bran’s profile photo.
Wowza. Definitely not a stock photo.
About Susannah Nix
Susannah Nix is an award-winning author of contemporary romances featuring smart women and swoony men, including the Chemistry Lessons series of romcoms about women who work in STEM fields and the Starstruck series of movie star romances.
Susannah resides in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, watching stupid amounts of television, and getting distracted by Tumblr. She is also a powerlifter who can deadlift as much as Captain America weighs.
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
This is the first book in a new series by Sorensen and I can't wait to find out who the next couple will be. I suspect have some suspicions who some of the next couples may be in future installments but I'm excited to see who may be next.
This follows Burke, a recently retired pro football player in the wake of a career ending injury. he is also grieving the loss of his best friend Chris after a horrific car accident. Chris left Burke his family's historic property that he was in the process of restoring. Burke is not only grieving the loss of his career and his friend, but he is confused as to why Chris and his wife would leave him this property. He just wants to sit by the beach, read a book, and reconnect with his sister and her twins in his retirement. He and his sister have alot of emotional baggage from their childhood from losing their mom early in life and a dad who only cared about living vicariously through Burke's football achievements.
Enter Charlotte, she is the project manager for the historic renovations that Chris and his wife had started before tragedy struck. She is Burke's opposite in every way, but she loves the house and old things. She has big ideas for the restoration and Burke wants nothing to do with it. Charlotte not only has to manage the project but she has to manage Burke's bad attitude about inheriting the house and dealing with what feels like an impossible renovation. The more time the spend together the more he softens and the more sparks fly between them. As their relationship turns from professional into something more, both Burke and Charlotte open themselves up to being hurt and neither of them know what comes next as the house progresses.
I loved the advice that her zany aunt Daphne and her partner Richard, I loved both of them in the book, gives her some great advice about being patient with Burke because he doesn't know how to deal with his emotions and he's dealing with a lot of them during this project. He is grieving, doesn't know what to do with himself, and scared of opening up to someone. I loved that Charlotte called him out for not communicating with her and taking away her choice in their relationship. I also loved Tansy, Burke's sister, she gave him some great advice as well when it came to living his own dreams instead of always taking care of everyone else. I hope Tansy gets her own book and happy ending in the future!
This book is a bit on the heavy side, but I really enjoyed it. Burke is very much caught up in his grief and the trauma of his childhood. He isn't really able to face his future and begin healing until he confronts those. Charlotte on the other hand is very aware that he is in need of healing and willing to support him through that process. I thought their relationship and character development was really done well here. I used to watch renovation shows with my dad on Saturdays, and the bits of renovation woven into the book were nostalgic for me.
Meet Your Matcha, an all-new opposites attract romance from Nanxi Wen, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!
“It’s my life to ruin!”
Pippa Fleming is a woman who always has a plan… until she finally secures a coveted promotion and her dream job suddenly feels worse than getting caught under the sun as a redhead with no sunscreen. Exhausted and confused, Pippa seeks an escape by signing up for a reality dating show. Everyone is allowed one identity crisis, right? And where better to recharge than on a beach sipping cocktails with little umbrellas?
As long as she remembers she’s only here to have fun, not lose her heart…
“She was a walking red flag, so far out of my league that I couldn’t even see what league she was in.”
August Weather is laid back and content with his quiet life. But when his sister nominates him for a reality dating show, he sees it as a chance to experience the world outside of his small town. What he didn’t expect was to fall for someone like Pippa. She’s his complete opposite – prickly, vivacious, full of adventure and big dreams… and despises him on sight.
Except, he can’t stop thinking about her and finding out what lies beneath her guarded surface…
When the whirlwind of the show throws them together, Pippa and August discover how wrong first impressions can be. But, can their newfound connection survive the real world? Or will their differences sweep their love match out to sea?
‘Meet Your Matcha’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #7 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
Nanxi Wen thought she was going to write the greatest historical novel. Turns out, her characters decided that they want to be in the 21st century with modern plumbing, online shopping, and reality TV shows.
She lives in New England with her husband and two young kids. When she is not despairing over word count, she enjoys reading, snacking, drinking coffee, sitting by the fireplace, hanging out with friends, and daydreaming.
Peaches and Dreams, an all new single dad small-town romance from Juliette Cross, is available now in Kindle Unlimited!
Marly Rivers is not crazy. No matter what everyone says. They may think her dream is foolish, but she plans to prove them all wrong—one jar of moonshine at a time.
Single dad Wade Kelley is just fine. No matter what his best friend Jed says. He doesn’t need a woman in his life. But when his son Jake breaks a jar of moonshine, he sets something in motion that neither Wade nor Marly are prepared for.
A friendly favor turns into late nights, long dinners, and a romp in the woods. And in a deer stand too. By the time Wade realizes he’s fallen hard and deep for Mad Marly, it may be too late to tell her. When she falls into real and sudden danger with poachers, he may not even be able to save her.
‘Peaches and Dreams’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
He cleared his throat and glanced back toward the door. “No. This is it. I’d better go. Jake’s in the truck.”
“Yeah. I was standing right here when you told him to go wait in it two minutes ago.”
He gave me that confused expression again, but I don’t know why. He was the one stating the obvious.
“Right.” He turned and marched for the door.
I followed him toward the exit. “Did you want to pay for that? Or were you planning on stealing it?”
“Huh?” he turned near the door.
I was used to flustering people, particularly men, so this didn’t surprise me.
“You already paid Kayla?” I pointed to the jar in his hand.
“Oh, hell.” He shook his head and met me at the register.
I glanced out the window to check on Jake. He was sitting in the passenger seat of a big Chevy next to my Ford-150. After ringing Wade up, I gave him his change then bagged his jar of moonshine.
“You sure you don’t want me to pay for that broken jar?” he asked. “I don’t know why, but I feel like you’re covering for Jake. Kids gotta learn to pay when they make mistakes.”
“I’m sure you’re absolutely correct and know much more about parenting than I do, seeing as I am not a parent. But don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. It’s all good.”
Again, he gave me that blank-faced, puzzled expression as I handed over his moonshine in a paper bag and beamed brightly up at him.
“You’re a funny kind of woman, Marly.”
“You better believe it. I put the fun in funny.” I winked.
He shook his head and took the bag, but I swear I saw him actually crack a smile before he ducked his chin and strolled out to his truck.
Kayla joined me behind the counter while we both watched him walk across the parking lot. Though I was not a fan of Wade Kelley—the grouchy man hated country music, for Pete’s sake—I had to admit he looked awfully good walking away.
“Why’d you make up a story for the kid?”
I shrugged. “Just wanted to. He’s a cute kid who looked like he was about to cry. I wanted him to smile.”
“His daddy is more than cute. Good gracious alive.”
I watched Wade slide into the driver’s seat and say something to his son. He didn’t seem angry as he started the truck, braced his arm across the backseat and looked back as he reversed.
“You think so?”
“Hell, girl. Are you kidding me? That man is a full-on smoke-show.”
“I don’t see it.” Not entirely.
As Wade’s truck reversed, I could make out that deep frown of his through the window. His dark eyes caught mine for a split second. Or two. Then he turned around and drove out of the parking lot.
“Fine by me,” added Kayla, heading toward the breakroom. “You let me tend to his every need next time he comes in.”
Frowning, I headed back to the boxes of Peppermint Patty and the display I needed to finish, wondering why Kayla was annoying me so much today
About Juliette Cross
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun land with her husband, four kids, her labs, Kona and Jeaux, and kitty, Betty. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine.
Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch
