GRR Reviews A Sheriff's Passion by Michelle Beattie

Shane is the sheriff of Marietta Montana, and he wanted the bar owner of Silver's Saloon for a long time. Silver moved into town about five years ago, and she seems to be rich beyond reason, but otherwise, showed nothing illegal or suspicious other than building a saloon and running it. Shane worked too many years to clear his family name and he will not risk it to associate with a saloon woman, even if that woman is the owner. // Silver finally made a life for herself and a modicum of respectability. She wanted to be in Shane's arms, but she understands his problems. But when unexpected visitors came to town, it's clear that the past she had desperately run away from is back to haunt her, and this time, it will destroy every last bit of life she had built in Marietta... and drive Shane away...

Good suspense, except for the bits about going out to meet the bad guys. That's just plain stupid. In fact, it could be said that she caused the whole final showdown all by herself. It qualifies as a TSTL moment. 

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: bar owner who moved into town five years ago can't have the sheriff because she's hiding a huge secret, and it just came back to haunt her

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Wyoming Heather by DeAnn Smallwood

Heather lives along on a Wyoming ranch left to her by her parents. She feeds the livestock, does animal doctoring, and basically manages to get by all alone by herself. Her ranch is a bit short on water, so she diverted some water from a nearby river that runs through a neighboring ranch, with an abandoned cabin and a lone grave. Then one day, owner of that ranch returned... // Whip hoped to die that day when a bandit not only stole his horse but also shot dead his wife and left him for dead. He survived, and he vowed revenge. He joined the Rangers and chased down outlaws all over the country... but the one he was looking for was never found. Five years later, he's back at his ranch, only to find a woman 'stealing' his water. They reached a reluctant truce, as they need each other to be at least friendly. But as they got into more and more adventures, including puppies, two new orphans that sort of adopted Whip, Whip's Lakota Indian brother, and more, they got to know each other a lot better. But someone is stalking them... waiting...

Adventure is excellent, but romance is a bit of meh. Overall, 4/5

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Lone lady rancher met ex-ranger neighbor vowing to find the killer that killed his family

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Secret Promises by Jane Anthony

Jillian and AJ are doing their best to keep their family garage going. So much so, Jillian is postponing college to do the front desk work, while AJ concentrates on fixing cars. Then Jameson came back to town. Jameson was AJ's best friend, and the one Jillian had a crush on for a long time ago. With AJ overwhelmed with work, Jameson pitched in to help, and the secret admiring between Jillian and Jameson turned into a fling, then a lot more. But AJ can't let his little sister be "ruined" by someone who's not staying, esp. if that would be his best friend. And AJ knows Jameson's secret...

While the sex is hot, and some of the conflict was okay, I honestly didn't feel much more than the typical plot. It's basically "best friend's little sister" trope, and the complications seem rather trivial.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man returning to town helped out old friend, fell for his sister, but is he staying? Or is it a fling?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Tempting Boundaries (Montgomery Ink) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Decker grew up with the Montgomery family, and is best friend with the older brothers. He knew he shouldn't desire their little sister Miranda, but he can't help thinking what could happen, until Miranda decided to take matters into her own hands, as she had desired Decker for a long time. When Decker's own abusive father got out of jail, and Miranda's ex is unhappy with her hooking up with Decker... not to mention the reaction of the brothers when they found out Decker's been hot and heavy with their own little sister... Things don't look good for the couple... Even if they can get past their own insecurities...

Above average, even though the plot is trope at heck. However, good polish and obstacles plus family secrets and shames and all that made it better than mediocre.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: "Best friend's little sister" plus family problems = star-crossed couple

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Menage A Cowboy by Jenny Klaire

Grace wanted to be a veterinarian because her father was one. She is going to vet school, but in the summer she's back home to help. When she helped a mare with breech birth at Scott's ranch, she felt elated, and kissed the cowboy after coming out of the shower, only to realize she kissed Scott's twin brother Adam instead... Moreover, the twins don't mind sharing at all... However, the twins have an evil ex-GF Cindy out there that trying to entrap them... and Grace has an evil ex Jake out there not accepting her "we're over"...

Practically erotica, it's about a "cowboy sandwich," ahem. The plot was pretty basic... and who's heard of letting someone out of jail after only a week for a VERY serious crime, without at least a protective order? (Not going to tell you why, because that'd be spoiling the plot).

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: New female veterinarian fell for twin hot brothers, but they have respective evil ex's to deal with

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Take Me, Cowboy by Jane Porter

Jenny's fiancee ran off just before the wedding was about the start. He's rich, powerful, and her boss, and she was his personal assistant, who knew him like no other. It should have been the perfect match, but he said he's not ready to be married... in front of the altar. What made the day worse was Jenny's humiliation when she was spotted, still wearing her Vera Wang wedding gown she spent her entire savings on, by none other than bronc riding champ Colton, who used to be her neighbor and she had the biggest crush on. // Colton is back in town to attend the Marietta Copper Mountain Rodeo, and he goes after what he wants, which would include Jenny. Colton's heart was broken before from a bad marriage, and he swore he'd never get married again, so all he can offer is a fling. Moreover, Jenny's not that kind of girl... too fragile from her utter humiliation and heartbreak. However, is that really what she wanted? Moreover, what happens when the rodeo concludes? Is Colton leaving?

The polish is good, and emotions are powerful, but introducing Charlie the douchebag fiancee again at the end just to reinforce a point, while dramatic, seems slightly overdone and turned it into melodrama.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Jilted Bride Meets Old Crush Who Can Only Offer Fling After His Own Heartbreak...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews House Without Lies (Lily's House) by Rachel Branton

Lily was not loved by her parents, who only want her to marry well. Lily instead dedicated her limited income (working in her father's cereal factory part-time, and attending school part-time) and her tiny little apartment into a small girl's home, already hosting several runaway girls, way more than the lease allows. When Jameson Perez entered her life, Lily can't stand the interference, but he convinced her that the only way for her to do better is by going legit, and get certified as a foster mother, and work within the law instead of around it. He linked her up with resources she hadn't had before. However, working within the system also means being limited by the speed of the bureaucracy and the limit of the law. When one of the girls was forced to go back to the possibly abusive father due to lack of proof of abuse, Lily is contemplating going fugitive, but that would mean losing all the other girls too...

The romance is so-so, but the story about the girls, the foster family system, the legal system, and all the other stuff is what took the story over the top. The author has done her research or first-hand experience in crafting the little details into the story on how the system can fail the children it was supposed to protect. Things do get better by the end, but I'm not spoiling how.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: A do-gooder girl, a guy who wanted to help, and a bureaucracy that sometimes fails its charges

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Mitch's wife, Jill, was leaving her conference in Kansas City at noon to start on the 5-hour drive home. She had not arrived by 6... or 7. By late evening, Mitch is really starting to get worried. The only one he can turn for support was Shelly, his wife's best friend and next door neighbor. As police were called, and the kids, already off to college, came home to worry, the feelings soon turned to dread. Her mobile was discovered in the hotel garage. The car was not found. Somewhere between Kansas City and home, she seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. Her final words, left on the home answering machine, was that she looked forward to be home. As the wait turned into days, weeks, then months, Mitch and Shelley grew closer, but they cannot take that extra step. Mitch wanted to keep his vows, and Shelley was too guilty about wanting her best friend's husband... Every lead turned into a dead end...

It's a mystery and a very spiritual kind of love. And yes, you will find out what happened. It was very sad... And yet, a good conclusion.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man and woman cannot take the next step after his wife disappeared and she desired him...

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Lily by Cyndi Raye

In the town of Wichita Falls, Texas, Lily loves Ben, but she can never marry him. Ben moved to Ft. Worth for a while, but came back, and intends to build a hotel there, one of the best out in the state, and he is trying every trick to goad Lily into marrying him, short of anything illegal, of course. Including publicly announcing he's going to get a mail-order bride (it's just a ploy though). But Lily can't marry Ben, because she's keeping a secret.. a rival guy, Byron, threatened to hurt Ben, and Byron is tangled up into all sorts of shady deals. And one night... something happened between Byron and Lily... (no, not that, never got THAT far). But Byron doesn't want Lily to tell ANYONE about that night either. So she had to keep Ben away so Byron won't hurt Ben. But Ben's not taking no for an answer... When Byron decided to force Lily to marry him instead... things are getting a bit complicated...

The ending seems to be a bit too serendipitous, but at least it's not really a mail-order bride story per se. But this book has just a bit too much shame, IMHO.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Woman, ashamed of herself, cannot marry her love, even as another man pushed her toward marriage

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews A Soldier's Love by Natalie Dean

Molly O'Hara is just the head housekeeper's daughter on the Turner Plantation, that managed to survive the war intact because it did not use slave labor and thus was never attacked or ransacked. But the twin brothers enlisted in separate camps, one for the Union, and one for the Confederacy. One was killed in battle, and the other was captured and lost in the horror of Andersonville prison. Molly's father took the proxy payment of $500 and went in someone else's place to war, and returned in a casket. Her mother died not too long after, too broken to go on. When Mr. Turner died, Molly was surprised to find she had been left the entire plantation, with two provisos... To find the fate of James Turner, and to return him to the plantation, dead or alive. // When Molly spotted a mail-order bride ad for a rancher named "Jim Turner" in Texas, Molly was sure she had found the right man, and decided to answer the mail-order bride ad. But this Jim was reserved, distant, and cold, nothing like the bright, handsome, and vivacious James she remembered. But it's clear this Jim left a lot of himself behind in the horror of Andersonville, and it may be up to her to help him get past it, to find the future they can embrace together.

The setup seems over the top, and the idea that she'll legally get married to this "Jim Turner" just to see if he's the real deal seems even more far-fetched, esp. after the Civil War. It seems really elaborate setup just for finding a person. I like the reluctant struggle, but overall, it's average. WAY too much setup.

Category: Historical Western / Mail-Order Bride

Primary Plot: Woman had to see if the stoic rancher is was her childhood sweetheart, lost in the Civil War as a prisoner...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews The Truth About Love (box set) by Anna Bloom

Three novellas that complete the story arc.

1) Eve is about to graduate school and get her teaching license. She has a great roommate Cherry and escaped from her druggie mother. An encounter at school with gorgeous hunk Cameron (who's also a millionaire heir) sent her mind into a different direction, one she can't afford to go, with exams merely weeks away. Why would a hunky rich spoiled brat want her anyway? His persistence showed her there's a side to this "playboy" that the news got wrong, but can Eve enjoy the time with Cam? Or will their family obligations tear them apart?

2) Cherry changes boyfriends like laundry. When Eve had to leave due to a family emergency, Cherry was forced to sublet her room to a guy named Jared. While Jared is gorgeous, he's also bit too much of a slob for Cherry... until he showed her a different side of him, and his annoying habits became charming quirks. But Jared is hiding a secret, and when it's exposed, it'll tear them apart...

3) Eve agreed to give Cam another chance, and Cam swept her away to Paris, where he currently works for his family company. But the paparazzi are waiting. and rumors fly even within the company. It's clear that Cam still has secrets, and an encounter with who appears to be Cam's "other woman" sent Eve fleeing back across the Chunnel back to London, heart again bruised. But was it her insecurity that blinded her to the truth? Or is she and Cam just too different?

The novellas added up to only 200+ pages, and they are short and fast-paced enough to be good, but Cam was keeping too many secrets and the twists only "kinda" make sense. I like the interaction, but the plot could use a little more polish.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: N/A, collection

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Havoc Series Box Set by Autumn Grey

Selene left her painful marriage behind after a divorce, and got back to modeling as a plus-sized model, and her first contract took her to Paris for a multi-month assignment. She hopes for some love to soothe her soul. After all, Paris is the City of Love, right? She did not expect to find the handsome and rich Remington St. Germaine or his son Adrien... // Remington knew Selene was the one for him. It has been years since the death of his fiancee Collette. There is some resemblance between the two women, but Remington knew he must pursue Selene with all that he possesses... If he can only find out who is this stalker that is after him...

The villain is way too capable, and I am talking Jason Bourne-level of badassery, like the ability to defeat bodyguards with a few punches and come and go without a trace, despite absolutely ZERO background that could have given the villain such abilities. And that's all I can say about this without spoiling the story. Once you get past that, the twists and turns are kinda interesting, but the villain is clearly... deranged.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Man falls for divorced woman who somewhat resembles his dead wife, but who is stalking him?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Pulling Home (Second Chance) by Mary Campisi

Audra left her hometown with a husband and a daughter in her belly. And for the next nine years, she is content. But when her husband died suddenly, Audra is forced to return to her hometown to confront the past she left behind, the legacy of her mother's "loose" morals, and all the secrets she thought she kept hidden... // Jack is a pediatric neurosurgeon who's about to be engaged when he had to attend his brother's funeral... and watch Audra back in town with daughter. He forgave his brother for taking a woman that should have been his, but he still can't forgive Audra... // When Audra's daughter was found to have a congenital spinal condition, Jack turned out to be the only person that can save the girl, and Audra will be forced to reveal the secret that she had kept that will change both of them forever.

The story got a bit too melodramatic by the end, as Audra had to track down how she got born (i.e. who impregnated her mother way back when, since it was a scandal back then too, apparently mother never revealed who the father was and it may have been raped, or with a married man...) how mother's suicide shaped her life, how her investigations turned the town upside down, while Jack tried to figure out whether Audra really loved him back when (technically, he left her, something about not needing a distraction for medical school) he changed his mind, turned back, only to find Audra "eloped" with his brother, which obviously did not sit well with his family. But was Audra trying to gold dig into his family, or is his brother trying to "protect" him? I like the drama, but it gets a bit too angst-y.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Family secrets and lies, and a daughter forced to return and confront the truth... and her old lover

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Everything I Left Behind by JC Emery

Colleen and Bradley were best friends growing up, even though they are complete opposites. He stayed behind, got a criminal law degree, and became a cop, then a detective, in their hometown, South Boston. She left it all behind and went to live the way she wanted, but decades later, she's hitting 35, and none of her dreams (husband, house, two kids) had come true, while her female friends have married and settled down. At her birthday bash in Las Vegas, Brad came, and after one drunken night, they ended up married. They meant it as a joke... "just to see what it feels like". Except then they found out they don't fit the criteria for an annulment, and they can't get divorced because of their religion. Now stuck with each other... Can they finally admit to each other that they really *do* love each other, and live together, even though they are STILL polar opposites of each other?

The beginning is hard to like. Colleen seems just like such a whine-y *****. Who gets married "just to see what it's like"? Sheesh. But once they had been shackled together, and the nerves start to fray, as they really get under each other's skin, that's when the book started to shine.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Childhood sweethearts meet again and "accidentally got married", now stuck with each other. Can they learn to love?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Wolf Trouble (SWAT) by Paige Tyler

Dallas SWAT team has a secret... Everybody on the team is a wolf-shifter... but they are all male. When not even their perfect record can keep the politicians at bay, the force is forced to expand its roster... for a female candidate. But the team alpha has a candidate in mind... but will the gold team leader, Xander Riggs accept the new recruit? // Khaki Blake is a regular beat cop in a small town, and things were going well until she rejected romance from the department's golden boy. Suddenly, she's blackballed, her backup mysteriously got delayed, and she was shot multiple times after engaging three suspects in a gun battle. And that's when she realized she's not normal anymore. But each of her subsequent success due to the new abilities only made her more of a pariah. When Dallas SWAT captain came to offer her a position, Khaki took it, and despite lack of SWAT experience, she fits perfectly into Dallas SWAT, except for her team leader, Xander seems to be avoiding her, yet his touch sends tingle up her arm, and there are a unique scent and chemistry she can't deny... When Dallas SWAT was called to assist the FBI against a group of highly organized bank robbers, her abilities will be put to the test... if they can just keep their minds on their objectives... but there's someone out there, watching them...

Fun story about an alternate were-wolf universe, where it's basically trauma that triggered the abilities to manifest. The plotting works really well, with all the proper story beats, that transitioned well into the next. Very enjoyable, even though it's a well-used plot.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Female wolf shifter joined Dallas SWAT (full of wolf-shifters), and fell for the team leader, but someone is stalking her...

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Soul of a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth

Captain Bennett Sheraton, Navy SEAL, just got pulled for an urgent reassignment... He and a fellow SEAL must get a new generation of space shuttle ready, but several deaths on the research base (include two Navy SEALs) has the base personnel on edge and the program on the verge of shutdown. But the payload, a new laser array to clean up orbital space debris, is needed urgently in space. Their liaison on site is Dr. Kimberly Warren, the chief engineer of the Warren Shuttle (yes, it's named after her), and she's fighting the project manager almost every day, and he also gave her the creeps. Bennett just needs to root out the saboteurs and murderers (unknown number) from within the facility, even as Kimberly and Bennett fell hard for each other... He appreciates a woman with a brain, and she wants this hard-bodied man... But someone who managed to kill two SEALs is not someone to be taken lightly...

I am not sure what to think about this one. The technical accuracies are sometimes, quite glaring. A 'captain' in US navy is an O-6. A SEAL team which is hundreds of SEALs, is commanded by an O-5, so an O-6 is in charge of several SEAL teams, i.e. a "naval special warfare group" or an "NSW task unit". And a desk jockey. They have engineering degrees and whatnot, but to claim they have astronaut level training? Huh? Isn't that more of Air Force's area? Also, when Bennett and Kimberly went out for a test flight, and the craft failed and auto-rotated for landing, they had to wait HOURS for a rescue to arrive by land. Doesn't the base have any helos? And a laser array deployed from a shuttle that can fire almost 360 and completely vaporize space debris? That's science fiction as that'd involve a disintegrating ray. Lasers don't do that. There's also a scene at the end where they rescued the pilot from the surf by shooting out his windshield. Uh, something that can withstand re-entry probably won't give a **** about a couple gunshots. On the other hand, the sabotage, the double-guessing, the find-the-mole parts of the novel are actually quite good, and the chemistry seems okay. All in all, I guess I have to rate this average.

Category: Romantic suspense / Contemporary

Primary Plot: Navy SEAL was reassigned to help protect the scientist and the next generation of space shuttle from sabotage

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Seeking the Sheriff (Masterson County) by Calle J. Brookes

The Tylers lived on the outskirts of Masterson County, and Phoebe is the nominal woman of the house. Their mom died a while back, and dad worked every day to keep the large family of kids fed. When Sheriff Joel hauled the rebellious teen brother to them, Phoebe enjoyed the tall and handsome man, but due to the previous sheriff's persecution, Phoebe knew she can't fall for a lawman... // Sheriff Joel Masterson (yes, county's named after his ancestors) knew the entire county depends on him, and he had no time for any trouble from the Tylers, but Phoebe seems to bring out all the protective instincts in him, esp. when he had to transport her to the hospital after her brother went berserk (when his dad basically thrown him out) and the attack knocked Phoebe over, causing her to hit her head. Phoebe enjoyed being in Joel's arms, but she's too busy taking care of the kids, homeschooling them, and do all the chores around the ranch. And the Sheriff is busy busting a drug ring that encroached on his jurisdiction...

Okay, the romance just feels a bit too... insta-love? Though the way the plot managed to wrap around and tied everything together (the rebellious brother, the bully in town the drug problem, AND Phoebe are ALL related somehow, not that I'll spoil you the plot) was masterfully done.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Sheriff falls for the young woman of the town's "outcast" family, while someone is running drugs into his county...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Enough (Iron Orchids) by Danielle Norman

Ariel (pronounced REL, please) found herself mugged by two men when off-duty motorcycle deputy Kayson came to her rescue. She was beaten and had to go to a hospital, and Ariel had to thank her rescuer. Ariel found Kayson's alpha male persona a bit off-putting but loved his large Greek family... Being alone, she just broke off with her creepy boyfriend Brandon, but Brandon is stalking her... Can Kayson protect Ariel, when Brandon unleashed his next scheme to ruin anyone around Ariel?

Nice, but the ending seems forced. Ariel overheard some blah blah, while some EXTREMELY convenient timing ended up with a phone-call that is misinterpreted. Somehow, that caused her to run... and her stalker is there... waiting... Moreover, he has a gun... I want to give this higher, but in the end, I had to mark it down a little.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Woman stalked by evil ex is rescued by motorcycle cop who wanted to woo her

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Trusted Hearts by Phoenix Sullivan

To get over a cheating fiancee, Kim went to visit her cousin in South Africa for two whole months, and they agreed to visit one of the local safari zoos. However, the deplorable conditions made Kim saw read instead. The animals are starved, the enclosures barely have grass, and the elephant was staked and chained to a spot. Kim, determined to save the animals, went to track down the owner of the place, Billionaire Brent Sher. // Brent invested in several safari and nature-related businesses, but he generally left the day-to-day stuff to his right-hand-hand Jabu. When his assistant let through Kim, he was shocked at the accusations levied by a stranger from the US, but her sincerity made him pause... this woman wanted nothing for herself, merely better treatment for one of HIS animals. As they investigated, it was clear that Jabu was not only embezzling from the company but may be using the company as a cover for something illegal. Moreover, Kim and Brent fell for each other. However, as the net draws tighter around Jabu, Jabu has one last gambit to play...

The attraction between the two was slightly forced, I didn't feel it that much other than they have a fondness for the animals. The enemies to lovers transition phase didn't last very long. OTOH I do like the South African details, they seem authentic, not that I can tell what's not authentic.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman found abused animals in safari zoo, confronts and falls for the owner, who found his right-hand man is embezzling from the company...

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Loves Lost & Found by Anna Leigh

Meg Allen met John Kelly in college and fell in love, but he took a bullet for him... and disappeared. But she never forgot him. Fifteen laters later, Meg and her bestie Eve are now successful business owners, Meg's the company manager, and Eve's the designer. When John reappeared, Meg couldn't believe her eyes, but it is him. Eager to find an ally, Meg recruited John to find her birth father, who left before Meg was born. But John is hiding a huge secret... something that can break them apart forever...

Not feeling much with this one. Things just happen and happen, with Meg mainly reacting to things, not taking active roles other than the initial decision. Meg's biological father can't get married... for reasons I shall not spoil. Overall, it's more of a mystery with a little romance than a romantic mystery. The decision also barely makes sense... Why him and why now?

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman finds the man who saved her 15 years ago, hired him to find her birth father, but he's hiding a huge secret...

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Wicked Games by A.D. Justice

When the plot makes a reader go "O RLY?" there are definitely some problems with the fact-checking.

Brianna loved journalism, and with her father's connections, she landed a chance to interview the members of the Delta Force in the Middle East. During the month she was embedded with them, they became her brothers all except one... Noah became her lover instead. Years later, Noah retired from special forces and founded Steele Security, hiring ex-military folks for protection, investigation, and such, while Brianna is moving up in the world of investigative journalism. The couple is in love, and ready to marry, until Brianna stumbled into a giant conspiracy... Noah Steele and his company may be smuggling weapons to the rebels and pocket the money. Is Noah in it, or being set up to take the fall? She found a witness, but bad guys are chasing her. When she didn't make it onto the plane, and it exploded after takeoff, she knew she's in mortal danger... // Three years later, Brianna using an alias is living in Colorado under witness protection, but her sixth sense told her she'd been made. She slipped out after dark and made it to Miami, hoping to see Noah one last time. In the meanwhile, the perp after her knew the only way to draw her out is to force Noah's hand. The meeting between Brie and Noah was not a happy one: she thought she was trying to save him, he thought she betrayed him... What exactly happened three years ago, when everybody believed she died and they buried an empty casket? Who's responsible for this mess? Moreover, can it be fixed?

The story doesn't make sense at all. For a reporter, she has no idea that's not how WITSEC works. She also somehow magically has another set of ID that's STILL current three years later. Moreover, why can't she just TELL Noah what's the story she's working on that she had to run off to Turkey all by herself? Can't Noah even afford to send ONE guy to guard her? Is their relationship that bad? Why break into his mansion at all? It's just to setup her capture! At the end of the book, she walked into the enemy camp (trying to play heroine again?), got taken somewhere to be worked over, only to have another guy come in to save the day deus ex machina. There is some real emotion in there, but the setup and plot needs to make more sense.

Category: Contemporary / Military-security

Primary Plot: Reporter falls for security guy, was ensnared into giant conspiracy, and forced to leave him. Now she's back, but as ally, or enemy?

Overall Rating: 2/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Fallacy (Apprehensive Series Book 1) by K.A. Berg

I hate it when the author failed to think through their plot and left a HUGE f***ing hole to drive a space shuttle through...

Quinn's life had been railroaded by her father, a financial mogul in one of the biggest venture cap companies. She didn't really even want to be in this business initially and had the VP position dangled in front of her for months... years, but she can never do something right. She encountered Alex, a physical trainer in the NFL, who's actually sweet and did not want more than she can give. What was supposed to be a one-night-stand turned into two years. But when threatened by her father that she's "slacking", Quinn ran, just as Alex got a great offer... thousands of miles away. Two years later, Alex is now head trainer of a premier NFL team, and Quinn STILL hasn't made VP. Now her father, after losing several bets on startups (often due to NOT following Quinn's advice), intends to force Quinn to marry a rival's single son to "unite" the two empires... And he'll do ANYTHING to force Quinn, including blackball her so she'll never work in this town again by manufacturing evidence of embezzlement against her...

At this point, I stopped reading. Evil father's reason for doing this is "to secure my legacy". But you can't threaten the only piece on the board. Blackballing her and/or putting her in prison will destroy that legacy. It made NO SENSE. Yet she falls for the gambit and starts to plot with the other family's son, who's supposed to be a platonic friend (who also do one-night-stands only, kinda like a male version of her) to plan a marriage of convenience, merge the company, then force her father out, when she should be yelling "F*** YOU. Go ahead, do your worst. It's YOUR legacy you're f***ing with. Remember, anything happens to me reflects on you!"

I'm sure the rest of the book is Alex going back to the city, and trying to win Quinn back, only to find her engaged. But sorry, this is supposed to be a woman who handle huge venture cap funds, yet she can't even do a cost/benefit analysis... Tsk, tsk.

The cliffhanger leading to two additional volumes did not help at all.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman found a guy who doesn't want her for sex or money, but her controlling father forced her to abandon him...

Overall Rating: 1/5

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GRR Reviews Get Wilde (Checkmate Inc.) by Shelly Alexander

Get Wilde is a very good "enemies to lovers" set in the fitness world, with more than a few twists on familiar tropes.

Ethan Wilde almost had it made... he was in college baseball destined for the big leagues... until an injury sidelined him forever. His fiancee dumped him when his career prospects are gone, leaving him bitterly against relationships. He reinvented himself and now owns a fitness chain. He is betting on the publicity of this next project, where he and another trainer will help a reality TV show whip some weekend warriors into shape for an American-Ninja style competition on live TV. There is a prize involved, of course, and he can use that money, attract some investors to go nation-wide franchising. That plan got derailed when the other team's coach had to bow out due to injury... and the replacement was a red-headed green-eyed yoga instructor nymph... Who seemed somehow familiar... And that's not because Ethan tried to pick her up at a bar. Turns out she's a former US Olympic gymnast who also bowed out due to injury... Just like Ethan. What's worse, her douchebag ex just cleaned out her bank account, and she seriously needed the money too. Ethan found her incredibly attractive and can commiserate together, but someone had to win this competition... Or does it?

Now that's a conflict. It is simple, obvious, and can't be waved away through a change of heart or a fat bank account (not that either has one). Not lame "former one-night-stand" to complicate things, though "evil ex cleaned out my bank account" does sound a bit cliche. As for the ending, you'll have to read it.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Ex-baseball star, now fitness guru, is competing with ex-Olympic gymnast on reality TV for grand prize, but can they also love?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Ruined by the SEAL by Zoe York

Mick got discharged from the SEALs after giving his all, including almost his leg. He has a titanium rod and months of PT to remember it by. Now he's helping out a buddy to check out this family plantation, Villa Sucre, that his buddy inherited on this Caribean island and draw up some plans to turn it into an executive training/bonding retreat ran by ex-SEALs. However, when he got there, he found the place was already occupied by Cara, the director of island's Historical Society... who had already started renovating the place... Mick was under the impression the plantation mansion was going to his buddy who's the grandson of the owner. Cara was under the impression that the old lady donated it to the historical society. The two immediately clashed over everything, and neither is willing to give an inch. Mick moved into servant's quarters (and the only working bathroom), and Cara, not willing to concede, started to camp out in the main ballroom. In this war of the sexes, someone will have to give a little for both to win...

Opposites attract works well enough, but why do most heroines end up being "feisty redheads"? At least there's no SEAL abuse here... Mick is ex-SEAL.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Ex-SEAL meets Conservationist, but both wanted the old island mansion...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Baronet's Wedding Engagement by Jessica Hart

Max just found that his sister Hope was not only going to marry a prince, but the wedding will be at their family home, which used to be grand, but it's a bit dilapidated nowadays. Now he had to arrange to have the whole thing fixed up, spruced up, and secured ahead of all the security, as well as find a date for himself... Else the Crown Princess will make his life hell. // Chef Flora, Hope's friend, is going to be a bridesmaid and will be doing all the cooking prep for the event. Moreover, she's single... and available. Why not pair up with Max, at least for now? Not that Flora is staying around... She needs the publicity to restart her career. When the entire party was continued in San Michele, Flora and Max can no longer tell what's just pretend, and what's real in their relationship...

Didn't feel too much about this one. Are they honestly affectionate with each other, or is it all pretend?

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man had to arrange a wedding for her sister, falls for the chef while it was supposed to be just a hookup...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Royal Arrangement by Ember Casey

Royal Arrangement is about a reluctant royal couple in a marriage of convenience. However, in order to make this a 6-volume set, this volume barely managed to move the plot... Very little happened.

Prince William of Montovia is to wed Princess Justine of Rosvalia in a political marriage. He was third in line, and he thought he can marry for love, but when his oldest brother went to a monastery, and his second brother fell for a foreigner, he had to step up to do the political marriage. But Justine does not want to be wed, and refused to consummate the marriage... in private. William likes the fiery temper of Justine, and is intrigued by her mysterious past. And Rosvalia is keeping more than a few secrets, even to their new son-in-law. But William has a plan to seduce his wife...

This book barely covers the marriage and just started in the honeymoon phase. There's way too much smirking and cliffhanger.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Prince marries princess in a political marriage, but both are keeping deep secrets... Vol 1 of 6

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Charleigh (The Kenrick Brides) by Sherri Beth Johnson

Charleigh thought she married well, to a doctor Gabe, but he died three months before baby Libby was born. With nowhere to stay, she had to go to her only relative... Uncle and Aunt Eddie. Only after arriving in town did he found that her uncle died a few days ago. Moreover, the snowstorm meant she had to spend time with her neighbor, the Kenrick family, esp. Krister, who eventually drove her to her uncle's place. Charleigh then found out that there was no help to be had... The place was so run down there were no maids or ranch hands, and only generosity from the neighbors kept the farm going. Moreover, Aunt Eddie is half crazy... Charleigh, who had never worked except in boarding school, must learn how to make fire, cook food, milk cows, and more, and Krister is there, always smiling and helping. However, he said he is leaving soon...

While the "fish out of water" anecdotes are cute, they didn't add much to the romance. It's a survival tale and one guy who's got patience of a saint. Conflict? There ain't any. It's just basically one poor girl got hit with all the bad luck in the world, but with enough faith, a right man will find her. Argh.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Woman keep hitting bad luck, husband dead, only living relatives are dead or crazy, only her nice neighbor guy is helping, but he said he's leaving soon...

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Shotgun Groom by Ruth Ann Nordin

Shotgun Groom managed to pivot from an interesting meet-cute (forced to marry at shotgun point) into a serious story of threats and obligations.

April is content to farm with her 14-year old brother and 1-year-old daughter after her no-good husband died in a saloon shootout. Then her brother in law came and tried to rape her and marry her. April's little brother chased him off with a rifle, but that's because that evil guy was drunk. April's little brother has a plan though. When the local doctor's assistant Joel visit to check up on the little daughter, they kidnap him at gunpoint and forced him to marry April... // Joel didn't want to get married yet, and being forced at gunpoint was just as ridiculous. But what would drive these two to do so? It is clearly out of desperation... but from what? And what does his large family have to say about it?

Basically, Joel is a "nice guy" that decided to stay even though he could have left the brother/sister deal with their own mess. Very nice escalation. This is one of those novels that started with the ridiculous and manage to pivot onto a proper plot, as there's a reason why the evil brother in law came back at all. The mystery is all solved by the end.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Can a young widow and her little brother fend off a violent man by forcing the peaceful doctor's assistant to marry her?

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Ugly Duckling by Annabelle Costa

Libby dyed her hair blonde and dropped 40 pounds to stop being the ugly duckly, and she mostly succeeded. Her current boyfriend is actually quite nice, very handsome... even has the British accent. That is, until she caught him cheating. That's when she started to notice Will, her BF's roommate. Will is not that handsome, Will has no accent, and Will is paraplegic and moves around in a wheelchair. But Will is nice, charming, genuine, and makes plenty of money as a lawyer (in fact, he owns the flat, not renting) Perhaps, Libby doesn't need a male swan, but just a nice drake (that's a male duck!)...

Not bad, not the first "guy in wheelchair" romance I've read, but this has some of the nice touches.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Jilted woman noticed her cheating ex's roommate, the wheelchair-ridden Will who's nice and genuine

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Love Realized (Real Love) by Melanie Codina

Jake and Gillian had been best friends since high school. Jake had wanted to ask Gillian out, but his other best friend Logan beat him to it... and married Gillian. Now that marriage had been broken up by Logan's betrayal, Jake is all Gillian have, and Jake is perfectly willing to be Gillian's best friend, and he dare not take it any further due to Gillian's fragile state, and show any emotions that he had kept locked up for a very long time. But this time, he will no longer hesitate. This time, he will show Gillian that his heart had always been hers, if only she will reach out and take it...

At almost 400 pages, there is a lot of back and forth, and a LOT of family drama in the kinda-triangle among the three. Pace is a bit slow, but the slow-burn is good.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Platonic best friends need some luck to take their friendship one step further...

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Something New (Exile Ink) by Skylar Hill

Cam was orphaned just before her 18th birthday, and she did all she could to raise her little sister by herself, including working in a tattoo parlor for a boss that denigrates her work everytime he gets, even though she brings in the clients. She just never expected "Jay"... // James McGowan is a legend in the tattoo community. He is handsome, buff, charming, and unrivaled in ink. Heck, he even had a reality show for a while. When he saw a work that took his breath away, he had to meet the artist... So he booked a consult as "Jay," and met Cam. Moreover, the chemistry is off the charts, as Cam had admired James' work for years. However, Cam can't afford any distractions, even as she desperately wanted to lose herself in James' arms, and James wants Cam personally, even though he's there to hire Cam to join his new tattoo studio. Can she let down her guard and risk everything for a brighter future?

The "evil boss" was just cliche mean. While I enjoyed the tattoo terms, and there are some emotions there (including a full make-out session in one of the private rooms), the rest seems cliche / trope. The book also ended on a happy note, but with a lot more to come for the couple. It's NOT a cliffhanger though, even though it's only 116 pages.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Tattoo celebrity wanted to hire the new female talented tattoo artist... while in disguise

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Nora Roberts Land (Dare Valley) by Ava Miles

Meredith Hale's evil ex-husband Richard (aka "Rick-the-dick") blamed her "addiction" to Nora Roberts' romance novels for their breakup, giving her "unrealistic expectations" about marriage. However, Richard just wanted to take advantage of the Hale family name as grandpa Hale is a VERY famous journalist. When Meredith's family asked for a little help to run their world famous independent news in Dare Valley, Colorado, she decided a change of scenery is necessary. She even has a plan: write an article about a divorcee finding true love in her hometown, proving that romance novels can come true... // War correspondent Tanner McBride is burned out. At least he is back on US soil, where he didn't have to worry about trusting the wrong person in a war zone or watch aftermaths of atrocities. He did not expect to be blackmailed by his boss into seducing his ex-wife and break her heart. The boss believes his ex-wife's upcoming article may air dirty laundry about him, and he is leaving NOTHING to chance... He'll destroy that article any way he can, and he's got leverage on Tanner's brother for make him comply. // When Meredith and Tanner meet, their chemistry is undeniable. Moreover, Meredith found herself falling for a journalist, something she swore she'd never do again. However, as a suspicious death in town got both of their attention, their feelings unraveled their resolve to stay apart... but even as they drew closer, what they discovered was someone inside law enforcement is involved in smuggling drugs... and there may be no one to trust...

The title is a joke, about "escaping to Nora Roberts Land" (i.e., go read a romance novel) and this is used with the author's blessing. I find the schtick amusing. Though I have a hard time getting my head around the "I'll hire a guy to seduce my wife and break her heart so she can't write that article which will protect my secrets" idea. Where does this guy come up with this absurd gambit? Once you get past that, the book is quite good.  But overall? 3/5, sorry.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man is forced to seduce a woman and break her heart by her evil ex, and got involved in town intrigue...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Hugh's Chase by Rhonda Lee Carver

Adira is a filmmaker in town interviewing people. When a smarmy local businessman propositioned her the wrong way (by feeling her up), she punched him in the jaw when he won't let go. A local judge ordered her to serve 30 days community service... leaving her in care of the local sexy sheriff Hugh Jericho. Hugh is way too busy with his job keep the peace in town. He's feeling the loneliness, but he has no time to find a girlfriend, much less marry one. Adira is tempting, but she's apparently running from her past... and the Jerichos are protective alpha males... However, Adira won't be staying in a little town of Colton, even as the town is rocked by a near-death and now, what may also be a murder... and Adira is at risk...

Nice sweet if a bit short and scorching hot in no time at all. The solution to handcuff them together ("forced proximity") is pretty ingenious, the murder mystery that went to the darkest hour later was a bit cliche and not written that well though. It seems the author forgot about shotgun's shot patterns. When two people shoot at each other with shotguns, one gets wounded in the stomach and the other in the shoulder? That's not how shotguns work (unless they're using slug rounds). Tsk, tsk.

Category: Contemporary 

Primary Plot: Filmmaker stuck in small town falls for the protective sheriff, even as a murder and possibly a stalker took place

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews To Catch a Texas Cowboy by Julie Benson

Grace was laid off after doing the right thing, and that also precludes finding a job anywhere near NYC. She headed off to Wishing TX to help her best friend run a B&B, and get a fresh start. However, before she even hit the city limits, she rear-ends the local police chief's pickup. Moreover, when the chief, AJ, took off his shirt to clean her cut brow, she just about fainted on the spot. However, then she reminded herself... Cops are cynical straight-arrows... she would know, her father's a cop, and she's never get involved with one. Look at how her parents ended up. // AJ is the police chief of Wishing, but he's also FBI working undercover. There is an ID forger in the area, and when his best friend died there doesn't seem to be any clues left. His boss is in a hurry to have him wrap it up here so he can go back to the "real" crimes. When Grace crashed into his life, AJ starts to question whether Wishing should be his permanent residence...

Awwww, cute meet-up. Although I honestly don't see why FBI would send an agent undercover... posing as a cop! That made no sense, IMHO. If he had to be police chief, how would he have time to go undercover? Chief in a small town is like the most visible job ever.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Woman starting over in Texas ran into the police chief (literally) and almost swooned, but he has his own secrets for being there

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Mr. Trouble (London Billionaire) by Nana Malone

Jarred Maloney has plenty of money, and his playboy lifestyle is making his father weary. In order to make him shape up, Jarred is forced to 1) find a job he likes in the company, even if it's to run the Formula racing team the company owns, and 2) find a steady girlfriend, not the all-weekend partying with as many girls as he can grab. Jarred hated the restrictions, and he just wanted to game the system... that means finding a fake wife, but one that his dad would accept... enter Kinsley, her father's PA. // Kinsley found that the building that contained her apartment is being turned into a condo and unless she can come up with 100000 pounds as down payment, she'll lose the place. She moved temporarily into one of the executive suite of the company not in use. She found to her horror her next door neighbor is none other than Jarred, owner's son, and he had a proposal for her: fake-engage him, and when he got his inheritance, he'll pay her half a million quids... She's torn among "this is so wrong", "I need the money", "this is cheating my boss", "oh he's so hot", "I'm not worthy"... but eventually, she agreed... But when Jarred started to have real feelings for her...

You can probably write the story from there, as the plot is trope, involving shame, one of them will figure "I have to save you by breaking your heart" and leave, but the other somehow averts that. This book really is no exception. However, the chemistry between the two is pretty good.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: He needs a fake wife, she needs money to save her condo. They don't love each other... or but they can learn to?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Billionaire Bride by Marquita Valentine

Kate Von Lichtenstein came from a rich family, and with her inheritance due upon her marriage, even richer. But she'll be surrounded by fortune hunters (male golddiggers)... so she has a plan. She will marry a man of her own choosing... a fake marriage of convenience, of course. And she has the perfect candidate in mind... the charming Yank Noah. // Noah sold his tech company for millions and wanted to get into real estate, but lost it all when his partner developer stole the fund from him. Noah can use some money, so when Kate made him a proposition, he's eager to accept. However, he does not believe in sham marriages... now, how to convince Kate...

Not feeling much here. While making the woman with the money needing a sham husband is cool, the threat against them was trope. Basically Kate's evil parents, who resorted to kidnapping and 'a deal he can't refuse' plus framing him "he took the money and left" by directly wiring money to his account just comes across as "meh".

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Rich heiress needs a fake husband, but her candidate wants a real marriage...

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Billionaire's Holiday by Claire Adams

Billionaire's Holiday is an opposites attract / friends to lovers sort of story that really makes no sense when you think about it.

Kylie and Josh were best (platonic) friends since college, but now he's a billionaire business mogul, and she's a wild artist. They seem to have nothing in common anymore... except they are both unattached. Kylie broke up with her BF Andrew when he turned obsessive and smothering. She refused his proposal, but he's not taking no for an answer. It's almost Christmas, and Kylie's parents are NOT flying to her like they usually do. When Kylie's best friend proposed a road trip... drive across the country with Josh, it sounded like a splendid idea... not only she can get away from crazy Andrew, it'll take her home. Josh has plenty of money (and a Lambo) and was determined to treat the two young women to some luxuries along the way. And along the way, Kylie and Josh rekindled their friendship... into FWB. When a truck appears to follow them, Josh had to drive REALLy fast to lose the truck. But when Josh had to cut the trip short to seal a business deal, will their new FWB relationship take the strain?

Uh, did the author actually check which Lambos actually have backseats? And what sort of crazy "souped-up truck" can keep up with a Lambo on a freeway? The plot made no sense, and the escalation really makes no sense either.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman's best platonic male friend, a billionaire, agrees to go with her on a road trip from West Coast to East Coast...

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Random Acts of Crazy by Julia Kent

Darla (yes, her mother can't spell) never meant to pick up a hitchhiker wearing just a collar and a guitar at night, but she did. It turned out he's Trevor, the lead singer of her favorite indie band. Why is he 600 miles from home in the middle of Ohio? Who cares? What's important is how can Trevor like a dawdy Ohio rural chick like Darla? But he did. Then Joe, the bass player for the band showed up to rescue Trevor. He's even MORE gorgeous than Trevor and now Darla is ready to drool over TWO guys... and she had to choose... Or does she?

The author has a good ear for dialogue and crafted some of the zing-iest convo I've read. The whole thing is a rom-com with some raunchy sex at the end (it's a threesome, okay?) and the story shall continue. On the other hand, the non-traditional morals (drugs? MFM? total crazy-bat-**** behavior?) may turn off some people. There's a reason the word "Crazy" is in the title, folks.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Sorta coming of age, brush with celebrity, different worlds, and MFM, with good dialogue

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Forgotten Heiress by Susie Warren

Olivia had no father, and her mother did not like her career. All she wanted was to make it as a couture designer in NYC, so she did not expect for someone to show up at her studio letting her know that her estranged family, the famous Bolles dynasty of England, needs her. Her father was the patriarch, but his sudden death left Fionn, the protege, in charge, and Fionn needed Olivia's help to maintain control of the company lest the other family members band together and force a liquidation. Olivia shunned the spotlight, but the paparazzi are hounding them, and in the meantime, Olivia fell for Fionn...

Didn't feel much about this. The family intrigue is there, but the romance... didn't feel much.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Couture designer suddenly found her secret father is a powerful billionaire... who just died, and she needed to help the heir (but not by blood) to stabilize the family business

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Persuading Him (The Heiress) by Michelle Dare

Kasi is an heiress to the Markson Aviation fortune but hates publicity when her parents divorced. She spends money on projects worthwhile to her, like a local animal shelter. When her father summoned her, and her regular pilot is not available, she found a local on-call pilot, Radek. Moreover, Radek is a gorgeous guy that made Kasi horny. Kasi propositioned Radek, but he turned her down... which never happened. It turns out; he had a public painful past too...

1/3rd of a book, it ends on a cliffhanger. The story barely makes sense. She lives in a mansion in the Northeast alone, spending money but NOT from her father's company, and seducing men when she wants to. Sounds like a 30-year old spoiled brat to me. Basically a female rake? Jerking off to the hot pilot in her cabin onboard her private jet in the opening chapters is pretty lame. The subsequent chapters got a little better, but not that much. Didn't make me want to read the rest.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Spoiled heiress was turned down by the "bad boy" pilot, which never happened before... But he had his reasons

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Man Hunting in Memphis by Rhonda Russell

Wedding Planner Georgia hadn't found real love herself, despite helping many others achieve their dreams. When her latest loser BF stole her mother's ring and skipped bail, Georgia is forced to hire bounty hunter Linc to chase down the no-good SOB. It sure helps that Linc is oh so scrumptious bad boy, but Georgia had too many losers to commit to a guy, no matter how gorgeous he is... // Linc may look like a bad-boy, but he's got a heart of gold, and right ear for a sob story, and oh boy does Georgia have one. It also helps that Georgia was the calmest and most confident woman... and Linc enjoyed her company... esp. when he wanted to muss her up a bit... preferably with his kisses...

Opposites attract story w/ forced proximity, different worlds, a good setup to push the two together. Quite enjoyable.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Wedding planner hired bounty hunter to track down loser BF who stole her family ring...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Accidental Agent (River's End) by Amelia C. Adams

Liz is waitressing at Kelsey's Kafe at River's End to make ends meet while hoping her books get published. When a mysterious strange appeared in town, her imagination runs wild on the new guy, but his story may be even stranger... // Jack Saunders was burned out by his FBI job in LA after losing his partner. His boss ordered him to take a vacation, and he just drove and drove, and ended up at River's end. When he overheard a suspicious conversation, his agent senses went on alert: there's something about this curvey cute blonde waitress that bears further investigation...

This book gave me a bit of a mixed feeling. On the one hand, it's cute and funny, but at about the mid-point the mood changed to a somber one when Jack was recalled to LA finish his human trafficking case. It did switch back to cute later for the HEA though. However, something it didn't quite feel right.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Cute, fun, but not much else of two different worlds people meet by chance

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Change of Heart (Snowy Ridge) by Kris Jett

Becca moved back home to Snowy Ridge Wisconsin after her bitter divorce and hoping for a fresh start. In her hometown, she found childhood friend Luci and two jobs, so things are looking up... Until douche male acquaintance reminded her that her ex has a new girlfriend. Her day only got worse when she backed her old VW bug into a pickup in the supermarket parking lot... one that belonged to Cooper Stone... // Coop is 30 and the head of the family, after the death of their parents. He managed to drag his two brothers to the town where they grew up and started the snowmobile repair shop, now expanding to all sort of power equipment repair. He had his own failed marriage to sulk, so why was Becca on his mind? She's hurt, and his heart warmed at the sight of her, but is either of them ready to love again?

Good meet-cute, but Coop is a typical strong-silent type, the kind that went to a junkyard and picked up a new bumper for Becca without asking, and installed it for free because he's a nice guy. Becca... got nicer as she got to know Cooper. Is there a darkest hour? Not really. Not quite as charming as some of the author's other works, but the shared universe is good.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Strong silent (and hurt) type meets somewhat bitter divorcee in small town

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Caged in Winter (Reluctant Hearts) by Brighton Walsh

Winter is working waitress at the best job she can afford to do. She's too proud to work at the strip-joint, and she had to put up with the harassing frat boys. She has to survive seventy-some days till graduation, and then she can find better jobs. When Cade walked into her bar and thought he was protecting her from harassment, he blocked her from tips she should have earned that night. THEN he dared to drop money to compensate her... She EARNS her living, darnit! However, Cade's just so friendly; she can't hold her anger... // Cade's an aspiring chef with the potential of going big time soon... as soon as he finished culinary school. He can't afford a distraction... but he'll make an exception for Winter. However, as they get together, will they be able to make the compromises they need or will their goals get in the way of their love?

Good polish, even though Cade doesn't "feel" like an alpha, and Winter is a bit too prickly.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Chef in training falls for waitress with a hard life... But neither can really spend time on love when both are graduating...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Rescued by the Berserker by Lee Savino

Knut is a berserker warrior wolf-shifter leading his warriors on a mission to defeat the Corpse King. But when Hazel crossed his path, he knew she will be his... and only his. // Hazel barely escaped from the Corpse King, forced to leave her friends behind. The Abbey taught her that to give in the physical desires is a sin, but Knut not only rescued her from the corpses, but promised to love and cherish her... yes, that way too...

Really, not much there. There's a twist, but it's an old one. No big deal. It's basically insta-lust with trope developements.

Category: Paranormal / Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Woman escaping from big evil was rescued by wolf-shifter warrior on a mission, who also claimed her as his own

Overall Rating: 2/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Perfect Kiss by Melanie Shawn

Shelby barely escaped from her abuser and never talked about him to anyone, not even her closest relatives. She came back to Hope Falls for a fresh start, and even though she doesn't quite recognize herself in the mirror, she's determined to see where her one kiss with Levi, 18 months ago, can go. At that time, she thought Levi was a mere bartender, but Levi is actually the bar owner... Moreover, he's working on creating a bed-and-breakfast in the adjacent lot. When Levi saw Shelby again, he knew someone had hurt her, but he's not the prying kind. He offered her one of the rooms in bed and breakfast, and a job at the bar. When her abusive ex found her again... Levi will call in all his favors to ensure Shelby will never face that nightmare alone, ever again...

Not quite up to the author's standards. There were repeated mentions of drooling, which is a bit off-putting. Moreover, the resolution was all talk, no action. It's pretty obvious her stalker has connections, but other than some stalker photos taken by a PI there wasn't anything threatening. It's like the boogeyman, all roaring, no bite.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Woman moved back home for a fresh start, but her stalker returned... can her new beau save her?

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Veterinarian's Vacation (River's End) by Pamela M. Kelley

Jess is about to graduate from vet school when Jake, her cousin Wade's best friend, is back in tow for a 2-week vacation, and Wade put him in the cottage next to hers. Jess had a crush on Jake way back when, and Jake had refused to kiss her (but she's 13 at the time). She's grown up, and he's more attractive than ever. Then he dropped the bombshell... He's buying the old vet's place, so he's now technically her boss as she's interning there. That's ANOTHER reason not to have unrequited love on her boss... // Jake came back to town to put down roots, even though he can't stand the snobby step-mom (he likes his dad just fine). Jess is all grown up now, and he can't take advantage of her... However, what if she want him to?

Small town + hot for boss romance with a bit of fling to a thing and unrequited love way back when. Still, this is more like infatuation and requires little more than "change of heart" to resolve.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can vet school intern fall for her new boss, who also happens to be her old crush?

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Accidental Bride and Groom by Iris Abbott

Emma's best friend Lynn is getting married, and Emma's the maid of honor and is heading down to their Lynn's family ranch to handle the last minute details. However, things are not entirely going well when Emma found Lynn and her fiancee Bruce flying off to Mexico as part of a search and rescue after a devastating earthquake. They will be back before the wedding, promise. Then Emma found Lynn's older brother, Landon, the boy she had a crush on, will be the guy on the ranch. Emma's heart is broken after her mother drove her away instead of standing up to her abusive husband. Landon found Emma is almost irresistible. Then the well-planned wedding started to turn into a nightmare. First flowers had to be changed. Then the wedding gown disappeared. Emma and Landon ended up spending more and more time together, trying to salvage the wedding. However, can they fall for each other, even when it seems that they will end up being the bride and groom?

Nice escalation of problems, from bad to worse to horrendous. Everything that can go wrong with this wedding did. Flowers went unavailable. The caterer had a fire. Gown went missing altogether. Moreover, the bride and groom seem to be stuck in Mexico... Add some family emergencies, nosy family (with best intentions), and it's a fun ride to "maybe we should get married instead"

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can bridesmaid keep the wedding going with disaster after disaster, while woo'ed an old flame?

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews The Southern Bride (Driftwood Bay) by Lenora Worth

The Southern Bride can be retitled "Baby gimme one more chance", and it's all about pride (before the fall and all that).

Melissa is not over Judson, a man she had a tempestuous relationship with since they were children. They had been together, apart, together, apart... you get the idea. Melissa is in a mixed mood attending her sister's wedding when Judson showed up... wanting one last chance... After she told him they were off for good this time a while back. Can she give him one more chance to hurt her, or is he really a changed man? // Judson lost his purpose in life... rodeo, when he fell off a bull and shattered his leg and had to hang up his spurs. He will do anything to win back Melissa's love, not that he had that much more to lose. But is he too late?

Nothing too interesting there. Is there much to do for a cowboy who can't ride bulls anymore? Sure, coming back to her after he no longer has a career to worry about. Ahem.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Ex-rodeo cowboy goes back to his woman begging for one more chance... should she give it to him?

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Tessa's Temptation by Ella Jade

Tessa's life is in shambles. After her father was injured in a car accident, she's the only one working for food and shelter AND school, and she's about to be fired because her performance had suffered and she's about to be evicted. Then entered Chase. Chase had spent some time with Tessa's family way back when she's like 3 (she's 19 now) and it helped turned his life around. Now that he's a billionaire he is here to do all he could to help. Tessa was surprised that her father asked Chase to take her in so he can stop worrying about her. Chase agreed. He's a bachelor and too old for Tessa (he's 30). However, Tessa, once she settled down, and doing well in school, decided to make Chase her project. However, Chase has an attorney/employee Ardra, and they have some issues. Things started to change once Tessa moved in... Is Chase just possessive? Is Ardra out to mess with them? What secret is Chase keeping? Is Tessa just flavor of the month?

The slow beginning made me almost gave up. Once I got to the halfway point when Ardra was introduced and sabotage started happening things got more interesting.  But the whole plot just feels a bit clunky.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Childhood acquaintances reunite after 16 years when he took her in so her father can recover from injuries, then she fell for him...

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.