Review: A Season of You by Emma Douglas

It's Christmastime in the quaint island town of Cloud Bay, where love is always in season... 

Will Fraser has believed in love at first sight since the day he first laid eyes on Mina Harper five years ago. There was only one problem: She was happily married. Then, when Mina's husband was killed by a drunk driver, Will figured she'd want nothing to do with a guy who owns a whiskey distillery. So he's kept his feelings locked away, knowing that not even a Christmas miracle would be enough to melt Mina's heart. . . 

Mina believes her days of true love are behind her. Since losing her husband she's kept to herself, content to do her own painting and stay out of the limelight that comes with her famous family. But when, after a freak accident, Will comes to her rescue, Mina can't quite get him out of her mind. As curiosity turns into a fling during Cloud Bay's first Christmas Festival, she finds it harder to convince herself that her feelings for Will are just mistletoe-inspired. Could Mina be ready to lay the past to rest and finally admit that what she really wants for Christmas--and forever--is Will?



This is the second book in the Cloud Bay series, but I actually read it last.  It makes no real difference, except you know Will and Mina are firmly together whereas in A Season of You, they are only making strides to come together as a couple.  

Mina Harper is the youngest of Grey Harper's children and as such, she's maybe a little more protected than Zach or Faith.  Mina is also guarded because of her husband's death.  She's happy with her little life in Cloud Bay, although she is exploring outside the safe realm through her art (under an assumed name).  

Will is a patient man -- very patient.  He's been interested in Mina for several years, but she was first married and then a widow.  

A Season of You has a very even tone and slow pace.  Because I already knew that Will and Mina were a couple, I almost didn't read it, but once I start a series, I typically have to finish it.  I almost believe Will and Mina's relationship could have been handled better in a novella.  

Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham

From award winning author Laura Trentham comes Set the Night on Fire, a novel about starting over, finding your way back home—and falling head over heels. . .

Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes—and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcée who shows up to the garage in stilettos—and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?

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Review: It Takes Two by Jenny Holiday

All's fair in love and war

Wendy Liu should be delighted to be her best friend's maid of honor. But after years spent avoiding the bride's brother - aka the boy who once broke her heart - she's now trapped with him during an endless amount of wedding festivities. Luckily she's had time to perfect her poker face, and engaging Noah Denning in a little friendly competition might just prove that she's over him for good...

Noah Denning is determined to make his little sister's wedding memorable. But it seems Wendy is trying to outdo him at every turn. Challenging each other was always something he and Wendy did right, so when she proposes they compete to see who can throw the best bachelor or bachelorette party in Sin City, Noah takes the bait - and ups the stakes. Because this time around, he wants Wendy for keeps. And when you're fighting for love, all bets are off. 



Wendy has a LOT of feelings to process:  feelings for Noah, feelings about Jane's wedding, feelings about her teenaged self.  As someone who keeps my baggage pretty close to the vest, I understood exactly where Wendy was coming from.  She doesn't want to rock the boat, she doesn't want anyone else to get hurt.  

Noah is a Wendy's missing puzzle piece.  

Whereas Wendy keeps things to herself, Noah worries about those around him:  his mother, his sister, Wendy (to an extent).  He and Wendy haven't seen each other in a while, but once they are back in close proximity, those feelings jump back to the surface.  

I thought Noah and Wendy had great chemistry here, perhaps even better than Jane and Cameron in One and Only.  Then again, I love "best friend's brother/sister" romance trope, and Wendy and Noah were ridiculously easy to root for.  

(A very special thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Forever Romance, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of It Takes Two.)

Review: One and Only by Jenny Holiday

Miss Responsibility meets Mr. Reckless

With her bridezilla friend on a DIY project rampage, bridesmaid Jane Denning will do anything to escape - even if it means babysitting the groom's troublemaker brother before the wedding. It should be a piece of cake, except the "cake" is a sarcastic former soldier who is 100% wicked hotness and absolutely off-limits.

Cameron MacKinnon is ready to let loose after returning from his deployment. But first he'll have to sweet talk the ultra-responsible Jane into taking a walk on the wild side. Turns out, riling her up is the best time he's had in years. But what happens when the fun and games start to turn into something real?



Jane is super dependable, which is why one of her best friends ask her to babysit the groom's younger brother prior to the wedding.  And Jane agrees!  On the plus side for her, since she's involved with "watching" Cameron, she cannot fall for the bride's latest DIY wedding idea (there were a LOT of those). 

I knew Jane and Cameron would fall for each other (it's a romance -- of course they will!), but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed their playful banter and their friendly conversations.  Jane puts Cameron at ease, even though he is irritated to have a babysitter.  They also have crazy chemistry once they both look a little closer at the other.  It was very enjoyable to watch them fall in love.

This was my first book by Ms. Holiday, but I'm certain it won't be the last!  

(A very special thank you to NetGalley, Forever Romance, and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an ARC of One and Only.)

Review: Need You Now by Emma Douglas

Welcome to the small island town of Cloud Bay, where it's never the wrong time to find a love that's oh-so-right. . .

Caleb White knows what he wants out of life--and being a star tennis player is not it. After speaking to the press about his plans to retire, Caleb decides that a trip to quaint, beautiful Cloud Bay for its legendary music festival is exactly what he needs. There will be time to figure out what to do with his life without a racket in his hand soon enough. Until then, Caleb is content to be stuck on an island with CloudFest's gorgeous director Faith Harper. . .

The daughter of a famous rock star, Faith knows all about fame, fortune, and hot flings that aren't meant to last longer than a few good songs. Gorgeous, built Caleb is a temptation she can't resist, but she's not prepared for the way he makes her feel. . .and the dreams that they both share. What begins as a carefree distraction deepens into something real. But is Caleb ready to put his celebrity behind him and give life in the slow lane with Faith a chance?



Need You Now is an interesting take on the "rock star romance" subject. Faith Harper is the daughter of a famous, and now deceased, rock star, who lives in Cloud Bay to keep her father's company and music festival alive.  Caleb is in Cloud Bay simply to have a good time at the festival and escape his own fame. 

I fell quite easily into life in Cloud Bay with Faith, her mother, half-sister, and various employees of her father's company. The setup for the series about the half-siblings is very nice. While Faith bristles at the attention of being Gray Harper's daughter, she handles it with grace.  Caleb definitely pulls her out of her shell and encourages a more free version of Faith. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Need You Now.)

Review: Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin

She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together—and give true love a shot?

Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work—even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.

Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal—beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance. . .particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliché or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?

It's really easy for me to gravitate to romances featuring weddings. I really loved all the minor details about the set-up of this series too:  the secondary characters, The Stag.  And while I thought Charlotte and Dean were cute together, their romance didn't really knock me flat, if you know what I mean.  

Charlotte has been hanging around The Stag for a few years, taking pictures of wedding receptions, so she knows Dean in a polite, professional way. Despite trying to maintain her professionalism, she is also highly attracted to him. Dean feels the same way about Charlotte. When Dean asks for Charlotte's help in planning his sister's wedding, it's a no-brainer that she'll say yes.  

Some of the conflicts Charlotte and Dean experience -- exes, for example -- seem manufactured and a little contrived. I think readers are missing out a bit in the newness of Charlotte and Dean, the beginning of their relationship, their initial attractions. Maybe that would add the spark of chemistry that's needed for the final third of the book. 

Still, I enjoyed Maybe I Do, and I plan to read the second in the series. Maybe This Time.  

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Maybe I Do.)

When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham

Cottonbloom. A beautiful, faraway place where a woman can escape her past—and find reason to stay forever in Laura Trentham's When the Stars Come Out. . .

Willa Brown never planned to stay in Cottonbloom. She was on the way to somewhere else when she landed there and found work at the Abbot brothers’ garage. . .and a sense of comfort and safety that she had never known. The same holds true for Jackson Abbott himself. With one glance in her direction, he can make Willa’s heart melt. But what begins as an unrequited crush turns into something far more powerful than Willa could have ever imagined. . .

Jackson’s most meaningful relationship has always been with his car—and he’s not afraid to admit it. Still, he can’t help but become emotionally entangled with his new star mechanic Willa, who is definitely hiding some dark secrets of her own beneath the hood. Jackson desperately wants Willa to trust him, and to seek protection in his arms. But even as the two slowly surrender to their shared attraction, the danger lurking in Willa’s past remains a stubborn obstacle. Can she open up enough to give them both a chance at having real and lasting love?

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EXCERPT

“I’m not a damn car.” Anger heated her voice.

“I know that.”

“Do you?” She stopped and he turned to face her. “You haven’t spared a thought about how much you pay me or what I wear or why fall is my favorite season for two years.”

“I know and that’s my bad. I should have been paying more attention to you.”

She made a scoffing sound. That’s exactly what she didn’t need. Everything depended on her staying under the radar. “You want to fix me like I’m some broken-down car. Or fix my problems or whatever. But that’s not how people work. Maybe I’m unfixable.”

Half his face was in shadows from the setting sun. Even in the best of times it was difficult to get a read on his mood, but the roughness in his voice was more pronounced than usual. “I don’t want to fix you. I want to help you. I want you to trust me.”

Review: Unraveled by Lauren Dane

The sharpest ache comes from wanting what you think you can't have

Maybe Dolan has lived independent, free-spirited and unattached since leaving home at sixteen. Whiskey Sharp, Seattle's sexy vintage-styled barbershop and whiskey bar, gave her a job and a reason to put down roots. Cutting hair by day, losing herself drumming in a punk rock band by night, she's got it good.

But a longtime crush that turns into a hot, edgy night with brooding and bearded Alexsei Petrov makes it a hell of a lot better.

Maybe's blunt attitude and carnal smile hooked Alexsei from the start. Protecting people is part of his nature and Maybe is meant to be his even if she doesn't know it. Yet. He can't help himself from wanting to protect and care for her.

But Maybe's fiery independent spirit means pushing back when Alexsei goes too far. Still, he's not afraid to do a little pushing of his own to get what he wants her in his life, and his bed, for good. Maybe's more intoxicating than all the liquor on his shelf and he's not afraid to ride the blade's edge to bind her to him.

Lauren Dane is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors.  I know what to expect every time I read one of her books. Unraveled gave me something new, and I wasn't that certain about it. 

Maybe and Alexsei are very reflective of Ms. Dane's typical heroine and hero. The first half of the book flowed well, with Maybe revealing more and more of herself to her neighbors, The Orlovs, Alexsei's aunt and uncle.  Maybe and Alexsei have intense chemistry, so there was no doubt they would get together -- and stay together for a while -- despite the road block of Alexsei's ex-girlfriend. 

The story behind Maybe's nickname is a cute one; it came way later that I thought it should have.  Granted, Alexsei has only every known her as Maybe, and there needs to be a legitimate reason to share that with the reader. 

Maybe and her sister, Rachel, have not had an easy life, although Maybe accepted who her parents were long before Rachel does. That they still have a relationship with their parents -- Maybe trying for Rachel's sake -- is really confusing.  Rachel will be the heroine of book 2, Jagged (March 2018), so maybe more of her trauma will be revealed.  Based upon how their parents repeatedly act and things Maybe says happened previously, I kept wondering why both women didn't end communication with them once and for all.

Since I am interested in learning more about Rachel, I will probably read Jagged. 

(A very special thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Unraveled.)

Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin

She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together—and give true love a shot?

Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work—even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.

Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal—beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance. . .particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliché or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?

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Need You Now by Emma Douglas

Welcome to the small island town of Cloud Bay, where it's never the wrong time to find a love that's oh-so-right. . .

Caleb White knows what he wants out of life--and being a star tennis player is not it. After speaking to the press about his plans to retire, Caleb decides that a trip to quaint, beautiful Cloud Bay for its legendary music festival is exactly what he needs. There will be time to figure out what to do with his life without a racket in his hand soon enough. Until then, Caleb is content to be stuck on an island with CloudFest's gorgeous director Faith Harper. . .

The daughter of a famous rock star, Faith knows all about fame, fortune, and hot flings that aren't meant to last longer than a few good songs. Gorgeous, built Caleb is a temptation she can't resist, but she's not prepared for the way he makes her feel. . .and the dreams that they both share. What begins as a carefree distraction deepens into something real. But is Caleb ready to put his celebrity behind him and give life in the slow lane with Faith a chance?

EXCERPT

So maybe that was the wrong thing to think about.

She steered the car through the familiar bends of the road from Salt Devil to Danny’s place, not needing to really pay much attention to what she was doing. She could make the drive with a bag over her head. Could probably drive all around Lansing that way and never miss a beat.

Unlike her heart, which was bumping just that little bit too quickly to let her fool herself into thinking she didn’t have a rapidly developing case of, to quote Ivy, “flaming panties,” when it came to Caleb White.

Well, her panties were just going to have to cool it a little longer.

She let her left hand drift out the open window, fingers spread to catch the night air rushing against her skin so one part of her body had a chance to feel cool. “My mom would tell you that’s a terrible habit,” Caleb said. His voice sounded lower in the darkness.

Rumblier.

Sexier.

Her Fake Engagement by Gigi Garrett

No artists, no smokers, no men with beards… Manhattan real estate broker Lottie Langerman feels confident that if she follows her long list of dating rules, she’ll meet The One and her life will unfold exactly as planned. Everything changes when her best friend decides to throw a fake bachelorette party—just to see what all the fuss is about—and Lottie reluctantly agrees to play the role of bride-to-be for a night.

Faking an engagement turns out to be more fun—and trouble—than Lottie could have imagined. Not only does her dream man think she’s taken, but Lottie keeps running into bearded Brooklyn jewelry designer Tyler, who breaks every single one of her rules...yet manages to get under her skin like no one else. Soon, Lottie finds herself at a crossroads where she must decide: Play it safe—or ditch the rules and follow her heart?

A HeroesandHeartbreakers.com Original Novella!

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Review: Leave the Night On by Laura Trentham

Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge—life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage—and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?

Sutton and Wyatt aren't strangers, but they are from different sides of Cottonbloom.  When Sutton discovers her fiance has been cheating with her best friend, she lies that she and Wyatt have been involved as well.  Wyatt agrees to go along with it because of his childhood crush on Sutton.

There is a bit of a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING between Sutton and Wyatt, just as their true love starts to take hold, thanks to something said by Wyatt's oldest brother, Ford.  I'll be interested to see how Ford is portrayed in future books.  

It's always fun to visit Cottonbloom - both sides! - and see characters from the previous series.  The Abbotts of Cottonbloom, Louisiana, have a lot of tension simmering between them, so I'm excited to see where this new series goes. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Leave the Night On.)

Review: Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

Divorce lawyer Victoria Slade has seen enough unhappy endings to swear off marriage forever. That doesn't mean she's opposed to casual dating—just not with her cocky new neighbor, who is as gorgeous and tempting as he is off-limits. But once she agrees to take on his sister's case, she's as determined to win as ever—even if that means teaming up with Ford...

Investigative journalist Ford Dixon is bent on finding the man who got his sister pregnant and left her high and dry. He's willing to partner with Victoria, despite the fact that the beautiful brunette gets under his skin like no other woman. He might not be looking to settle down, but there's no denying the scorching attraction between them. Still, the more time he spends with Victoria, the more he realizes that the one woman as skeptical about love as he is might be the only woman he could really fall for...

Suddenly One Summer has been on my TBR since its release.  Her first novel not featuring an FBI agent as a main character, previous heroes and heroines are mentioned or appear as secondary characters, so this book ties into the series as a whole. 

When I read one of Ms. James' books, I know I'm going to get a lot of sexual tension between the heroine and hero; both characters will be smart or crafty -- above-board, I suppose.  And it's usually their personalities and dialogue that drive that sexual tension.  It makes them relatable and real, and I typically LOVE it.  

So I was surprised that Ms. James used a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING between Ford and Valerie.  Fortunately, the couple talks and are able to come back together quickly with honesty between them.  To a point, I suppose Valerie and Ford assumed things about the other from the moment they met in the building.  Still, it was a surprise.

Leave the Night On by Laura Trentham

Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge—life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage—and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?

 

EXCERPT

 

Review: On the Plus Side by Alison Bliss

Big girls don't cry.

They go after what they want.

Thanks to her bangin' curves, Valerie Carmichael has always turned heads-with the exception of seriously sexy Logan Mathis. Just Valerie's luck that the object of her lust-filled affection is also best friends with her overprotective brother. But Valerie's determined to get Logan's attention . . . even if it means telling a teeny little lie to get a job at his new bar.

Logan can't remember a time when Valerie didn't secretly fuel all his hottest fantasies. Now the curvaceous she-devil is working behind his bar, tempting him every damn night. It's only when he finds Valerie's naughty things-to-do list that Logan decides to break every rule in the book-by making each red-hot deed a reality.

No one warned them that they were going to fall this hard. And no one warned them that sometimes the smallest secrets can have the biggest consequences.

On the Plus Side features one of my favorite tropes:  romance with a friend's younger sister.  Valerie has had a thing for Logan for a long time.  A.  Long.  Time.  Despite his leaving their hometown, that thing has not diminished.  Now Logan is back and in need of help with his bar, so Valerie immediately steps in. 

As with the first book in the series, Size Matters, this book contains several Big Misunderstandings and outright lies between Valerie and Logan.  Some of their arguments seemed really contrived.  While they had great chemistry, their non-sexual interactions needed work, and I was really surprised by the rushed ending.  It didn't feel necessary or ring true. 

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of On the Plus Side.)

On the Plus Side by Allison Bliss

Big girls don't cry. They go after what they want.

Thanks to her bangin' curves, Valerie Carmichael has always turned heads-with the exception of seriously sexy Logan Mathis. Just Valerie's luck that the object of her lust-filled affection is also best friends with her overprotective brother. But Valerie's determined to get Logan's attention…even if it means telling a teeny little lie to get a job at his new bar.

Logan can't remember a time when Valerie didn't secretly fuel all his hottest fantasies. Now the curvaceous she-devil is working behind his bar, tempting him every damn night. It's only when he finds Valerie's naughty things-to-do list that Logan decides to break every rule in the book-by making each red-hot deed a reality.

No one warned them that they were going to fall this hard. And no one warned them that sometimes the smallest secrets can have the biggest consequences.

EXCERPT

Valerie Carmichael needed a drink. A strong one. Because it was the only way she envisioned herself getting through the night.

An elbow nudged into her side, bringing her thoughts back to the crowded bar. “I can’t see anything through all of these people,” Brett said, scanning the room with his eyes. “Come on, let’s go to the other side so I can get a better view.”

Sighing, Valerie trudged behind him without a word.

When Brett had asked her to attend the grand opening of Bottoms Up, a new bar in their hometown of Granite, Texas, she’d hesitated to say yes. Sure, she was curious what the inside of the recently remodeled bar looked like and had no doubt the place would be jam-packed with handsome, available men. But it was still the last place on earth she wanted to be.

She knew better than to hang out in bars with her older and only—thank God—brother. Every time she’d done so in the past, the nights had always ended the same way. Brett would spend the entire evening hovering over her like a rabid pit bull, daring any single guy with a glint in his eye to look her way. Because Valerie turned heads. She always had.

Review: Size Matters by Alison Bliss

The rules of (fake) engagement . . .

Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she's sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren't enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper - or the fact that he just told her mother that they're engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.

Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah's date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay "just friends," and make Leah's family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah's decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren't going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he's for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.

I appreciate when authors break out of the norm in romances.  Most women (myself included) are size 16, so to have stereotypical heroines be portrayed over and over again, well, it's nice to have a option.  Leah Martin seems like she could be a super fun character.  Someone who'd laugh with you, someone who is a perfect baker, someone who would be an all-around awesome friend. 

If only Leah would be a friend to herself!

Size Matters was a easy read, literally perfect for an afternoon escape.  Unfortunately, there were a LOT of BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS between Leah and Sam, starting with the night they met.  And the misunderstandings -- or lack of communication -- continue until the end of the book.  I was very surprised by the ending. 

Leah's mother plays the role of villain, but Leah does a lot of self-harm as well through her negative thoughts.  Between Leah and her mother, it's a wonder Leah is a functioning member of society! 

I do plan to read the second book of the series, On the Plus Side, which features Leah's friend and co-worker, Valerie. 

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Size Matters.)

Review: Home at Last by Lily Everett

Home is where the heart is…

In Lily Everett's Home at Last, Marcus Beckett left Sanctuary Island after his mother’s funeral, and he hasn’t been back since. Until now. Needing a change from the high-risk, high-stakes life of a bodyguard, Marcus makes a solitary life for himself running the neighborhood bar in his hometown. His only mistake? Seducing and then dumping the town’s sweetheart, Quinn Harper. Marcus knows he did the right thing—a good girl like Quinn has no business with a broken man like him. But now no one will come to his bar, and he’s watching his last chance at a peaceful life go up in smoke. So when Quinn proposes a fake four-week courtship, he can’t refuse…even though he knows it’s a bad idea.

It’s a romantic charade that will buy Quinn time to distract her mother and father from their own marital problems—and will help Marcus welcome back some paying customers besides. But what begins as an engagement of convenience slowly transforms into a deeper connection, one that heals both of their hearts. . .and ignites the simmering passion between them. Could it be that pretending to be together is just what Quinn and Marcus needed to give their real love a second chance?

I was skeptical of Marcus and Quinn's relationship as seen in Close to Home, not because of their age difference -- although often mentioned -- but because Marcus seemed to return to Sanctuary Island with a lot of baggage.  I had hopes that Home at Last would address those issues and allow Quinn and Marcus to have a HEA free of secrets or half-truths, but it did not. 

Marcus spends a lot of time running:  running from his mother's death, running from his boss's, running from the fragile relationship he has with his father.  He kind of runs from Quinn too.  But I didn't believe *any* of his past issues were fully and completely addressed.  He talks with his father and boom! -- they have an immediate reconnection.  He tells Quinn a little about his former boss and boom! -- any guilt he felt is gone. 

The majority of Home at Last kept Marcus and Quinn's real romance as a backseat to their fake one in order to help Quinn's parents resolve their marriage problems.  So this is me, being disappointed in that. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Home at Last.)

Review: Close to Home by Lily Everett

The best journeys take us home….

When Tessa Alexander came to Sanctuary Island, she left behind a marriage to a man who didn’t love her the way she loved him. When she finally found the strength to set them both free, she discovered friendship and self-acceptance in her adopted hometown. Now she’s settled into a quiet life on her own—never expecting to see her husband again.

Johnny spent almost two years deep undercover, unable to let his wife into his cold, dangerous world. He’s shaken to the core when he comes home to find her gone. It’s painfully clear that Tessa is no longer the timid young woman he married—she’s become a force of nature, a brave and determined beauty. Johnny can’t let her go without a fight so he sets out to seduce his own wife. But will passion alone be enough to convince Tessa that her new life should include a second chance at happiness with a man who must learn to believe in love?

Close to Home takes readers back to Sanctuary Island with never-before-introduced characters.   I loved the first two books of the series, but it took me longer to connect with the other characters brought to the forefront.  Close to Home gives us a familiar setting and people who are using Sanctuary Island as just that:  sanctuary.

Tessa Alexander is not the same woman her husband Johnny knew.  Johnny has a habit of wanting to take care and rescue people -- a need to do so, actually.  That is how he and Tessa came to be married.  When he finds her in Sanctuary Island, she is outwardly confident and strong.

By placing Tessa's life in danger (again), Johnny is able to do what he loves and let go of himself a little bit too.  He and Tessa are able to connect and move forward with their marriage.

Close to Home was an easy read, a good place to start for those curious about Sanctuary Island.  Tessa and Johnny don't have any obstacles in their way to happiness, which didn't ring that true for me, but this is a nice slice of life story.

(A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Close to Home.)

Sanctuary Island series by Lily Everett

Lily Everett's Sanctuary Island series is being reissued with brand-new covers.  Aren't these gorgeous???  The first two books of the series are my favorite and I'm quite partial to them. 

Ms. Everett has two new books in the series releasing in early 2017, so if you missed Sanctuary Island, Shoreline Drive, or Heartbreak Cove the first time around, now is a great opportunity to catch up!