Lost and Found Family by Jennifer Ryan (Review)

I got a chance to read Lost and Found Family by Jennifer Ryan. I love Jennifer Ryan, she knows how to draw you into a story. She definitely drew me in with Sarah Anderson. She lost her husband, and was summoned by her MiL to bring her kids. I felt so bad for Sarah, because she's trying to do the best she can with people that hate her without knowing the full story. 

Okay, I liked the story. However, towards the end it started to drag, because I want when a lot was revealed. I was tired of Sarah being the punching bag. Plus, she had to be a saint with all the crap that she put up with. I enjoyed the relationship between Luke and Sarah. It was nice for her to find someone who appreciated her. 

Some may not like Sarah cause she's so perfect. However, those who are already fans to Jennifer Ryan will like the story. It was a cute story. I did have the feels of the story. 

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss 

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Review)

I got a chance to finished When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I do have a fondness for her stories. They are fun to read or listen to, so I was excited for a chance to checkout her latest Chicago Stars story. I love this series. We have met some super fun characters, and very memorable moments. Yes, I was excited that there was a new book. I'm going to be honest I don't remember ever reading a Thaddeus Bowman Owens (T-Bo). He could have been in the last story. I could try to listen to the previous story, but I just can't. Moving on. We have Thad who has to work with Olivia Shore who is a famous opera singer. She holds a grudge against Thad to some information. Anyway, we have a rocky start with these two for a national tour of a product. 

It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't a great story. I like the idea of a jock and an opera singer trying to play nice on a national tour for a product. However, it kind of fell flat for me. There were some banter in the book, but nothing like past banter. I guess I didn't feel an emotional connection to the character. SEP usually hits a couple of spots with me: 1) She has me needing a box of tissue at least once in the story. 2) I'm laughing so hard that I'm in stitches. Which didn't happen to me. I did get a few chuckles, but nothing that feel busting a gut. However, towards the end I did feel it was more like SEP book, but by the time I got there was ready for the story to be over. Will I check this story out again, probably. I do my annual listen to the Chicago Stars stories, because that's a comfort for me. It was okay read. Will I continue reading SEP of course, because not every book is going to hit the same spot for everyone. However, majority of her books hit the right spots. 

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss

Rating: 3 Stars

Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis (Review)

A few months back I did finished Love for Beginners, which I should have written right away. Oh well, here we go. We have Emma Harris who woke up from a comma to a loser fiancé and loser best friend. I guess they will all be ex's. Now she's picking up the pieces of her life, and have fresh start. However, she has to work hard for what she wants. 

She starts to fall for her evil physical therapist, Simon. Simon seems like the whole package, but he comes with some serious baggage which could hinder any relationship. Not to mention that he's related to Emma arch nemesis from high school. 

Of course, everyone in the story has issues. People come with issues. Each of them have to overcome their personal issues that they may find happiness. Allie and Emma might even be able to patch up the past and might even become friends. Emma might even be able to find love. 

Overall, Love for Beginners is a pretty good read. The title is works for the story, because they are all beginners at love. Granted they've had relationships in the past, Yet they are beginners at lasting relationships. If you have been a fan of this series will enjoy the story. 

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss

Rating: 4 Stars

The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis (Review)

I was privileged to get a chance to read The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis. I'm glad a I got a chance, because it was a nice diversion from life. We get a chance to meet Maze, Caitlin, Walker, and Heather. When they were younger Caitlin's parents took in Maze, Walker, and Heather into their home. Tragedy hits and Maze, Walker, and Heather had to be place back into the system. However, they all stayed in contact. 

In the beginning Maze has a freakout and the band goes their separate ways until Caitlin comes up with a plan to bring them all back together. Caitlin plans to have a wedding, but she needs her family there. We see how things have change for each of them. We watch these four repair their bonds that were damage a few years ago. Also getting to know one another again. 

The Forever Girl had me all over the place with my emotions. I felt bad for Maze, and she couldn't out run Mayhem Maze. However, she's pretty amazing. Walker is pretty stoic. We don't really get a feel for him unless we are in his mind, and even then you don't really get to see him until the end. Heather is a hot mess, but she's managing it. Caitlin has to be in control, but she's barely hanging on. They actually are better all together. I enjoyed this story and it's a pretty good story to read. I like that they start to figure out that they are better with each in their lives. 

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Review)

I basically devour Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Usually her stand-alone end up getting mix reviews. A lot of time they get judge against her series. However, I pretty much loved this story. I couldn't put it down, and I did lose sleep over this book. It was a rough couple of days, but it was worth the read. However, fair warning do not compare to the Chicago Stars books or any other series.

Let us take a trip to Runaway Mountain, Tennessee where we will meet Tess Hartsong who is a young widow who wanted to runaway from her pain. Next we meet Ian North a tortured artist, and Bianca. SEP makes an interesting trio in this story. Of course they live in area that is a little small minded. We have Tess's tragic backstory, but we learn more about her marriage as the story goes on. Here is a slight spoiler another tragedy is introduce in the story. I understand why it was introduced, and it helps the characters grow. Along with tragedy more things pop up.

If you are willing to get wrapped up in the pain in the story, you are going to need some tissue. After all Tess does go through some struggles in Runaway Mountain, but she comes out stronger in the end. She eventually finds her way home. Dance Away with Me was a wonderful read. Heart-warming, but a few bumps in the road. If you are willing to take a chance with this story, you might be surprise with the story.

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss

Rating:
5 Star

The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis (Review)

I was able to read The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis. With the Wildstone series we get knew group with each group, so it would be easy to pick up any book in the series and you would be fine. In this story we meet Brynn Turner, and Kinsey Davis. They have known each other for like forever, and they were enemies. However, things are reveal that they are half-siblings.

They both have to overcome the past and move forward together. However, one of them doesn't know that they are related. There is a lot of secrets going on in the house, and Brynn has a few trust issues. Actually everyone in the house a bit of a trust issue. However, this was a pretty cute read. We have bonding that goes on with enemies to friends. We find romance between Brynn and Eli. Eli happens to be Kinsey's best friend. One of my favorite parts of the story was the journal entries from each of the girls about their summer camp experience, and I think gives light to why there is trust issue.

Overall, The Summer Deal was a pretty good read. I liked the characters a lot more than the previous book. I feel like I want to go back to Wildstone after this story, and see could happen.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

Rating:
4 Stars

The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde (Review)

I got a chance to finished Lori Wilde's The Moonglow Sisters. There were parts I really enjoyed, and there were parts that were okay. The story wasn't oh my gosh I need to finished this story. I would started and I would get distracted with other things. However, there were  moments where I needed to find out what's going happen next. However, there weren't a lot of those.

So, we meet the Clark sisters who grew up in Moonglow Cove, Texas after their parents died. We have Madison, Shelley, and Gia. There grandmother has brain cancer, and needs the girls to come home and patch things up. She places the task on Gia. Gia is the baby of the family, and the peacekeeper. Maddie has some animosity towards Shelley. Shelley has been off in the land of paradise. Each of them have their own secrets.

Anyway, The Moonglow Sisters focus on how the sisters can rebuild their relationship. You don't think it will happen until Gia comes up with the idea of a fake engagement to bring them all together. It didn't magically happen, but it took a little time. I liked how we got to know each sister insecurities, and what really caused the drift. Overall, the story was an okay read. There were parts that I really enjoyed, and others that were meh. Not a bad read, and I could see as a beach read.

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss

Rating:
3 1/2 Stars

Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis (Review)

I had a chance to ready Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis. This wasn't my favorite story. I had a hard time connect with the characters. I would find myself kind of putting the book down and trying to find other things to do. I even was thinking of DFN the book. However, I pressed forward thinking I could finish it. Honestly, it took me two months to finish.

I had a hard time connecting with Piper, and her siblings. Her siblings kind of drove me nuts. Their relationship was a bit strain cause Piper was more like their mom than their sister. Her siblings were kind of selfish. Her siblings kept so many secrets, granted I could understand why, because Piper would blow a gasket.

Anyway, Almost Just Friends wasn't a bad read, but I did struggle with the story. I know that there were a good number of people that enjoyed this story, and I hope you are one of them. I guess I'm ready to move on to the next story.

Copy provided by William Morrow via Edelweiss

Rating:
3 Stars

The Me I Used to Be by Jennifer Ryan (Review)

I wasn't sure about The Me I Used to Be, because I heard of lot mix reaction. However, I decided to take a chance on the story. Let me tell you the first part of the story ripped me to shreds. I didn't expected to need a box of tissues for the first 10 chapters of the book. Yes, grab that box, because you are going to need them to make it through the first half part of the story.

Evangeline is one tough cookie. She had to be strong for her family, and the sacrifice she made on their behalf. Her family was cruel, but they assumed the worst of her. With her strong will to survive, she was able to make new life for herself. Before she could do that, she had to conquer the past.

I absolutely loved Evangeline strength of character, and how she grew as a person. She also helped her family to grow and rebuild.

There's a lot going on in The Me I Used to Be. We have a young woman trying to take down the issue that caused her fall, and rebuild from that. We also see the conquering heroine find happiness in the end. She totally deserves it after what she been through. Definitely can be a book club selection. So much to talk about, especially when you have a protagonist like Evangeline. Groups can talk about why they think it was important for her to go to jail. A lot to talk about. The main focus of the story is Evangeline's growth, but there's romance that pop up in this story, and a little suspense. Jennifer Ryan does like to add a little of that to her story. Overall, a pretty good read.

Copy provided by Harper Collins

Rating:
4 1/2 Stars

All The Way by Kristen Proby (Review)

Let me start by saying I was super excited to see that Kristen Proby  had a new series coming out, and it was a must read. So, I got my little hands on All The Way. I started reading, and I liked London Watson and Finn Cavanaugh. They were both pretty good characters at the beginning. As the story progress, I had trouble liking London. I think part of my problem with her was she would get upset with Finn for doing somethings, and he wouldn't understand why she was upset. I was even having a hard time understanding her reasons.

Anyway, the story was pretty much them getting to know each other, but they needed to work more on their communication skills. They seriously were lacking, but that's understandable with new relationships. All The Way was an all right story. I wish they would have played up the brother's addiction problem a little more, instead of having it all come out in the end. There were a few things I was thinking London was a bit naive in thinking. I liked Finn a lot more than London. I just couldn't generate any sympathy for her. I think if there was a little more backstory between her brother and herself I would had more. All The Way was a pretty even keel read with London and Finn getting it on a lot. It wasn't bad, but it was a little too much at times. I'm hoping the series is a little better, and this was just this is the first book and it's going to get better. Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but not a great one. One of the things that I love about this book was the cover, because it does match a scene in the story.

Copy provided by William Morrow

Rating:
3 Stars

Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis (Review)

I started  Rainy Day Friends expecting to be a sobbing mess. There were a few moments where it was touch and go. However, I didn't become a blubbering mess, and I enjoyed the story. Lets beginning with Lanie Jacobs. She's a mess. Emotionally she lost her confidence, and that's all on her husband. He did a number on her and she didn't know until he passed away. Which makes her want to close off from people. What he did was probably worse than a lot of things. Anyway, emotional reck and developed an anxiety issues. Then we have Mark Capriotti who is dealing with his own issues. He has a nosey family, and is raising twin girls. One of the girls doesn't speak a word, but understand whats going on around her.

So, we have two characters who both have a lot on their plates. We have Lanie who has basically sworn off men, while we have Mark who has burn by an ex and doesn't really want to form lasting relationship. Plus, he uses his daughters as a human shield. He uses the excuse that his daughters need to come first. Which is fine, and they should, but you shouldn't use them as an excuse not to get burned again. As we read the story, we see that they worm under each others skin.

Then we have River. Now River basically has hunted down Lanie, because they are linked together. However, Lanie doesn't know this, but develops a friendship with River. This makes Rivers task harder than expected. This budding friendship does go through a lot through the story, and it almost ruins Lanie and Mark's relationship. Not in the way you are thinking.

Anyway, Rainy Day Friends is mainly about two women trying to find a fresh start, but they need get pass their past. They have to work together figure out how they can merge forward. Also, there's a little romance. A romance that helps Mark and Lanie that helps them put faith in love again. Rainy Day Friends is a great story for a book club selections, because of all the themes that are going on in this story. So, if you are in need of a book club selection, you might give Rainy Day Friends a try.

Copy provided by Harper Collins.

Rating:
4 Stars

Spotlight + Excerpt: Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis

Rainy Day Friends 
Wi1dstone, 2
Jill Shalvis
June 19, 2018

Following the USA Today bestseller, Lost and Found Sisters, comes Rainy Day Friends, Jill Shalvis’ moving story of heart, loss, betrayal, and friendship.

Six months after Lanie Jacobs’ husband’s death, it’s hard to imagine anything could deepen her sense of pain and loss. But then Lanie discovers she isn’t the only one grieving his sudden passing. A serial adulterer, he left behind several other women who, like Lanie, each believe she was his legally wedded wife. Rocked by the infidelity, Lanie is left to grapple with searing questions. How could she be so wrong about a man she thought she knew better than anyone? Will she ever be able to trust another person? Can she even trust herself?

Desperate to make a fresh start, Lanie impulsively takes a job at the family-run Capriotti Winery. At first, she feels like an outsider among the boisterous Capriottis. With no real family of her own, she’s bewildered by how quickly they all take her under their wing and make her feel like she belongs. Especially Mark Capriotti, a gruffly handsome Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff who manages to wind his way into Lanie’s cold, broken heart—along with the rest of the clan. Everything is finally going well for her, but the arrival of River Green changes all that. The fresh-faced twenty-one-year old seems as sweet as they come…until her dark secrets come to light—secrets that could destroy the new life Lanie’s only just begun to build.

Excerpt:

Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

My Oxford Year
Julia Whelan
William Morrow
May 2018

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.

When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret. 

Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.


My Thoughts:

Harper Collins Review + Excerpt: Pupcakes by Annie England Noblin

Pupcakes

Annie England Noblin

William Morrow Publishing

October 10, 2017

Sit! Stay! Speak! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.


All she wants is a settled-down life.

What she gets is a dog—and a whole new normal . . .
There he stood in the doorway: overweight, depressed and nearly homeless—a pug named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy was Brydie Benson’s latest problem, arriving on top of her messy divorce and sudden move. Brydie needed a place to start over, so this rent-free home seemed a great idea. She just never counted on Teddy, or his owner, the Germantown Retirement Village’s toughest customer, Pauline Neumann.

And because rent-free doesn’t mean bills-free, Brydie gets a night-shift job at a big-box grocery. Whoever guessed there were so many people who wanted baked goods after midnight?

Then, she gets an idea—why not combine her baking skills with her new-found dog knowledge? And so her store Pupcakes is born. Along with a new start comes a possible new love, in the form of Nathan Reid, a local doctor with a sassy Irish Wolfhound named Sasha. And as fall turns to winter, and then to Christmas, Brydie begins to realize that life is a little bit like learning a new recipe for puff pastry—it takes a few tries to get it just right!

My Thoughts:

InkSlinger PR Release Blast + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: The Beauty of Us by Kristen Proby

  

  From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a sexy, new standalone contemporary romance in her Fusion Series, THE BEAUTY OF US, out now! Grab your copy today and get to know Trevor and Riley!

   

About THE BEAUTY OF US:

New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby delivers another sizzling novel in her delectable and sexy Fusion series.

Riley Gibson is over the moon at the prospect of having her restaurant, Seduction, on the Best Bites TV network. This could be the big break she’s been waiting for. But the idea of having an in-house show on a regular basis is a whole other matter. Their lives would be turned upside down, and convincing Mia, her best friend and head chef of Seduction, that having cameras in her kitchen every day is a good idea is daunting. Still, Riley knows it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to pass on. And when she meets Trevor Cooper, the show’s executive producer, she’s stunned by their intense chemistry.

Trevor’s sole intention is to persuade Riley to allow Best Bites TV to do a show on her restaurant. But when he walks into Riley’s office, he stops dead in his tracks. The professional, aloof woman on the phone is incredibly beautiful and funny. But can he convince her that he’s interested in Riley for himself? Or is he using the undeniable pull between them to persuade her to agree to his offer?

My Thoughts:

Lost and Found Sister by Jill Shalvis (Review)

The past couple of days I have been reading Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis. I have to say that it was pretty good. Jill is known for her light fun small town romance. Now Lost and Found Sisters is a little different from her normal stuff, but still pretty good. We meet Quinn Weller who comes to find out that her life isn't what it seems. Throughout most of the story she has been living in a fog since her sister died. Now she has found out she's adopted and her birth mother left stuff behind. Now she needs to decided how to proceed. Basically she's at a crossroads, does she decided to live life in a fog or decided to take a chance a see what could happen with this new life.

The new life come with a new challenge, like baby sister. So, she needs to tread on this landmine carefully, because teenagers can be volatile and unstable at times. She also meets a new guy that kind of rev her juices. Not an easy choice.

Overall, Lost and Found Sisters is a pretty good story. The title is absolutely perfect, because Quinn does lose a sister and comes to find a new one. Like I said she's waking up from a fog through the story, and it isn't easy for her. Quinn struggles with deciding to stick with the status quo or stretch herself. I like that she struggles with the story, but she does have a little help who cares. Some people may think she's crazy, but hey whatever helps. Lost and Found Sisters is a pretty good read for a book club selection. You have a variety of themes that can be discuss. I would definitely recommend for a book club selection kind of read.

Copy provided by Harper Collins

InkSlinger PR Excerpt + Review + Giveaway: Blush for Me by Kristen Proby

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby, comes a steamy new standalone romance in her bestselling Fusion Series…

BLUSH FOR ME!

About BLUSH FOR ME:


New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby continues to delight the senses with the latest novel in her delectable Fusion series.


As the take-charge wine bar manager of Seduction, Portland's hottest new restaurant, Katrina Meyers is the definition of no-nonsense, and she isn't afraid of anything. Well, almost anything: she hates to fly. When she's forced to travel on a death trap with wings, the turbulence from hell has her reaching for any safe haven—including the incredibly handsome guy sitting next to her.

Ryan "Mac" MacKenzie hasn't been able to get his sexy seatmate out of his head. The way she clung to him stirred something inside him he didn't think existed: tenderness. As the owner of a successful wine touring company, Mac thinks he's got a handle on what life can throw at him and he's not prepared for any surprises, especially in the feelings department. And when he brings a tour into Seduction, he sees the petite spitfire he just can't forget.

Mac is determined to discover what else they have in common besides fine wine and the inability to keep their hands off each other. But what will it take for two stubborn people to realize that what they have is so much more than a hot chemistry between the sheets and to admit to falling in love…?

Excerpt:

Just Fine With Caroline by Annie England Noblin (Review)

First off, the cover for Just Fine With Caroline is stinkin' adorable. I totally love the dog, the flowers, and her skirt, makes for an adorable cover. We are going to leave it at that. However, Just Fine With Caroline was an okay read. The pacing of the story happen to be a little slow for my taste. At times I was trying to figure out what era the story was set in, by the way it's present day. It's set in a small town in Missouri, and that could be the reason it gave a feeling of being lost in time.

In Just Fine With Caroline we meet are main protagonist, Caroline who happens to live at home basically helping her father take care of her mother who has Alzheimers. I wish at times that this more prevalent in the story, instead of more in the background. Along with that you have a cast characters that make Caroline's family and friends. They tend to be filler to the story. Each of the characters give a different light to Caroline. The ones that popup the most are Ava Dawn, Court, and Noah.

Ava Dawn is a hot mess. I think Caroline tries to help her, but she's a hot mess. There is a potential for her to have a story of her own. I think she would be an interesting one to read. Court, her go to guy. He has some secrets that slowly come out in the story. Noah, he's the guy that pops into her life. There relationship is a slow one. At times it doesn't seem fluent, and you wonder how that is going to work.

Just Fine With Caroline has little drama to the story. As we get closer to the end drama starts to to pick up rabidly. Overall, not a bad read. There were somethings that I would like to see more focus on, and I think it would have benefited with an epilogue. The ending wrapped up to quickly, and an epilogue would have been nice. If you are in a mood for something easy flowing and not too much drama, Just Fine With Caroline might your read.

Copy provided by William Morrow

Rating:
3 Stars

InkSlinger PR Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Bedmates by Nichole Chase

We are thrilled to get to bring to you the Release Day Launch for New York Times Bestselling Author Nichole Chase’s BEDMATES, the first standalone novel in her new American Royalty Series! Be sure to grab your copy of BEDMATES today!

From the New York Times bestselling author of Suddenly Royal comes the first in a sparkling new series about America’s favorite royal—the First Daughter.

Everyone makes mistakes, especially in college. But when you’re the daughter of the President of the United States, any little slip up is a huge embarrassment. Maddie McGuire’s latest error in judgment lands her in police custody, giving the press a field day. Agreeing to do community service as penance and to restore her tattered reputation, Maddie never dreams incredibly good looking but extremely annoying vice president’s son, Jake Simmon, will be along for the ride.

Recently returning from Afghanistan with a life-altering injury, Jake is wrestling with his own demons. He doesn’t have the time or patience to deal with the likes of Maddie. They’re like oil and water and every time they’re together, it’s combustible. But there’s a thin line between love and hate, and it’s not long before their fiery arguments give way to infinitely sexier encounters.

When Jake receives devastating news about the last remaining member of his unit, the darkness he’s resisted for so long begins to overwhelm him. Scared to let anyone close, he pushes Maddie away. But she isn’t about to give up on Jake that easily. Maddie’s fallen for him, and she’ll do anything to keep him from the edge as they both discover that love is a battlefield and there are some fights you just can’t lose.

My Thoughts:

William Morrow Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

THE BOOKSHOP ON THE CORNER
By Jenny Colgan
William Morrow Paperbacks
September 20, 2016

 About the Book

Nina Redmond is a literary matchmaker. Pairing a reader with that perfect book is her passion… and also her job. Or at least it was. Until yesterday, she was a librarian in the hectic city. But now the job she loved is no more.

Determined to make a new life for herself, Nina moves to a sleepy village many miles away. There she buys a van and transforms it into a bookmobile—a mobile bookshop that she drives from neighborhood to neighborhood, changing one life after another with the power of storytelling.

From helping her grumpy landlord deliver a lamb, to sharing picnics with a charming train conductor who serenades her with poetry, Nina discovers there’s plenty of adventure, magic, and soul in a place that’s beginning to feel like home… a place where she just might be able to write her own happy ending.

My Thoughts: