GRR Reviews Our Song (Wilder) by Savannah Kade

Our song is a sudden family along with the neighbor, with a pivot later to "sudden fame". It managed to deftly juggle all these plots and turned out to be a very good read.

Kelsey is a single mom raising two kids. She's 31, and her two kids are all she can handle. When a hot guy JD moved in next door with his daughter, Kelsey took notice. When he came for her help, she can't refuse. JD was suddenly given custody of a daughter he never knew until only weeks ago, a daughter that he was quite certain was NOT his biological child, but mom already died from cancer, and the child was brought up fearful of men and refused to cooperate at all. But JD cannot give the girl back to the faceless CPS... not when the dead mother trusted him with the responsibility... by giving the girl his surname. But JD's up the river without a paddle, and Kelsey is his only hope. JD and his brothers have a band, but a daughter is seriously crimping their style and practice time. Kelsey just wanted to help, as she sensed greatness in JD. But when JD and his brothers actually made it to the bigtime, will this spell doom to their relationship?

The escalation was excellent and one thing leads logically into another. The ending even tied it all back together. All in all, a good read.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: A sudden parent with a girl fearful of men needed his neighbor single mom's help very badly... even as he wanted to make music

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Littlest Cowboy (The Texas Brands) by Maggie Shayne

Sheriff Garrett Brand managed to raise his brothers and sisters after their parents died, and all of them turned out to be respectable citizens. Garrett is an honorable man, and when he found a baby left on his front porch, his first reaction is anger... Which of his no-good brothers (and there are FOUR of them) was the father? It was to his shock to find out that the baby was named after him when he hadn't been with a woman in like... forever! However, it's the Memorial Day weekend, and nothing can be done until Monday. Then a disheveled but spitting angry woman showed up in the middle of the night, demanded his name, punched him in the face, and accused him of killing her sister and stealing the baby?!?!?! // Chelsea was already confused and shocked after losing her sister and found her little nephew is missing. The only clue seems to be the name and address... and it had to be the no-good cowboy her sister left with... right? However, the more she stayed with the Brands family, the more confused she got. The Brands are good people, and Garrett couldn't hurt a fly... What's worse, whoever killed her sister is after the baby... and her. However, the bad guys don't understand they are up against the Brands, a family that knows how to pull together in the times of trouble.

Okay, there is a too-stupid-to-live moment. Moreover, it's a HUGE one. The rest is Hollywood ending. I won't spoil the TSTL moment. The meeting is at least, somewhat novel, and the conclusion, well, I did say it's Hollywood ending already, quite satisfying. But due to the TSTL moment, this is not getting top marks.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Surprise baby, then a spitting mad woman, and an evil nemesis makes trouble for a local sheriff and his family

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Bet #1: A Seductive Deal by Clarissa Wild

Julie Valentine needs a muse to write her steamy novels, and breaking up with her loser BF didn't help. Going to a casino didn't help either, but did get her to know billionaire Dominic Fury. And he's dreamily handsome. But when he put up 15000 for one night with her... the catch is there may be some pain involved... And she needed the money... She decided to take it, just to see where it leads...

For this 40 page short, this is basically first few chapters of a whole novel, and the failure to understand BDSM is quite apparent. This reads like someone wants to emulate Fifty Shades, and only managed to emulate the words, with no understanding of what's BDSM. All you get from the novel is she's so turned on she'll let him do anything, no negotiation, total trust with a stranger, and you have NO IDEA what made him OR her that way. The names are practically screaming "lame archetypes". All in all, total disappointment. And there are more volumes of this... (bleep).

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Lame Fifty-Shades Wannabe Teaser Volume, Shallow Characters, No Understanding of Kink

Overall Rating:1/5

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GRR Reviews His Demands by Ali Parker

Bethany is running out of money to finish school. Her mom is barely getting by. So why wouldn't mom marry her BF Kent, who's a billionaire owner of a huge accounting firm? With a little prompting, mom agrees, and the wedding is moved up. Kent is happy to pay for Bethany's school... if she'll intern at his company for a year. But nothing wrong with that... Except Kent's son Damon is the CFO there too, and Bethany found herself falling for the hot but aloof boss... Esp. when Damon wanted to avoid the other way-too-interested female interns by faking a relationship with Bethany (no one knew they are soon-to-be step-siblings). However, while the bitchy interns can't get to the CFO, but they can pick on the newest intern...

There's a wee bit of a cliffhanger as this book is merely part 1 of 3 (this used to be six books, but they've been combined into 3 books). The adventures of Bethany are actually quite decent, as it's a good twist on falling for the boss AND step-sibling at the same time AND fake BF/GF at the same time, but cliffhanger nature and juggling too many emotions left me slightly confused. Add the the cliffhanger, and it's only 2 stars out of 5. (cliffhanger = -1)

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Combining Hot for Boss with Step-Sibling Romance into a Cliffhanger

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews No Regrets (Canyon Cove) by Liliana Rhodes

Deborah is a BBW with an eye on fashion that she designed and made most of her wardrobe because nothing on the market fits. She got a tip from a mentor to apply at a department store in the men's department with a chance to compete for a spot in Fashion Week in Paris, and she got the job. Determined to live life with no regrets, she flirts with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. // William King is a sexy billionaire with charm to spare, but due to scars from prior relationships, he's not forming new ones, but Deborah charmed him, and he wanted to know her better. However, what he can't do is tell her he's her boss... technically speaking. He owns the department store chain. However, when she won the local competition, and he's going to fly her to Paris, that secret can't be kept anymore...

Initially charming, the darkest hour and the ending is trope as heck. She had a total overreaction (OMG I didn't win by my own merits, everyone will assume I slept with the boss) had a meltdown, which caused him to be butt-hurt, and left it to her to do the reconciliation grand gesture.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: BBW designer flirted with a tall dark and handsome stranger, not realize he's the CEO of the company she's working for...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews The Broke Billionaire by Ann Omasta

Ellie was driving before dawn to her bakery when she smacked into a jogger. With much difficulty, she moved the injured man, who was handsome, and still possessed a sense of humor while in pain, to the hospital, only to learn that was Trey Donovan, most eligible bachelor in the city, but buried under a load of responsibilities. Trey found the one woman in life that doesn't want his money. In fact, Ellie is turned OFF by all that money. So how can a billionaire woo a woman without using money?

Fun fast read, a bit of rom-com, quite a bit of sassy language (there's a joke about him being her hood ornament, hahaha)

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: "I ran over a billionaire and he loved me"

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Waiting for Love (Gansett Island) by Marie Force

Waiting for Love is yet another book in the Gansett Island series and this one is standalone, yet you'll get more out of it as it refers to characters and events from prior volumes. This one has a tighter focus, but the characters are a bit uneven.

Adam McCarthy is back on Gansett. He almost lost three brothers on that foggy night when their sailboat collided with a freighter, and he was betrayed by his lover out of his company he founded. He went back home to cope... and think... and ran into an old friend, Abby Callahan. Abby used to be a girlfriend of one of Adam's brothers, but that's a long time ago. She left him, and moved with a different BF to Texas... but she'd had enough of that life as well... she's back on Gansett, and she's determined to loosen up... by taking up swearing, getting a tattoo, and basically something that's NOT what a meek Abby would do. And the meek Abby would definitely not have a fling with Adam... so perhaps... the new Abby would...

Again, there was quite a bit of plot on the ancillary characters, but somehow the plots don't wrap around and converge near the end, or do so very minimally. It's good, but somehow, it feels it could be better.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman and man are back on their home island, both been betrayed, wounded; maybe that's why they should be together...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Short-Order Sheriff by Kirsten Osbourne

Kelsi Weston, youngest of the Weston siblings, cant' seem to keep a proper chef, or heck, cook in the family cafe. The latest one just ran off with a boyfriend. Then her long-time BF decided he will move to California and work as a pop-corn vendor at Disneyland and hope to be discovered. WTF?! However, she'll handle it... she'll help in the kitchen, AND get her twin to cover the kitchen when she had to be out front... // Sheriff Shane Clapper wanted Kelsi for years, but he's not a guy who goes after committed woman. When he got news that Kelsi's BF is leaving town, he moved in quickly... by taking an early lunch. He's there every day anyway... However, Kelsi's mother wants Kelsi to marry Kelsi's old classmate Bobby, now just "Bob," who will also be the new cook at the cafe. When Kelsi's mom doesn't take no for an answer, Shane came up with a plan to save Kelsi... Get married before Bob shows up...

Awww... sweet, funny, and clean. Nice setup. It's a bit short (150 pages plus previews and whatnot), and it's satisfying.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Sheriff wants the cafe owner, and now is his chance, even as her family wanted to set her up with someone else...

Overall Rating:

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GRR Reviews Hard Crush by Mira Lyn Kelly

Hank is a genius geek that left his town and his love behind, when Abby can't/won't go. Ten years later, Hank is back in town, and Abby is still there, teaching in the school where they met for the first time. However, Hank is now running a science and tech firm and he needs to be overseeing projects in person which means globetrotting more often than not... and Abby... still can't/won't leave town. Moreover, Abby doesn't want to hold Hank back then or now. However, Hank is not ready to give up Abby again...

Feels a lot shorter than the 267 pages, there's quite a bit of back and forth, as they kinda got back into it, then they had to discuss the elephant in the room (i.e., he's leaving) and no, she can't / won't go with him. You can guess at the solution. It's sweet, but not much else.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: The couple never really resolved their problems, even 10 years later...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Lianne (Second Chances Series Book 2) by Mona Ingram

Lianne lost her husband on the shores of Cornwall coast of England. He was an environmental scientist in tune with the land, but a survey done in a storm on the coast caused him to be swept away. It took Lianne years for the courage to visit the place, and even liked a local man and his dog. But when she confessed her attraction to him, he confessed he was there that night... He was her husband's driver, and he felt guilty he wasn't able to save him... Then he disappeared. Did her confession drive him away? Can she ever love again?

Second chance love with a twist... about losses that can't seem to hurt or heal, but perhaps a new love can help. This one had some nasty neighbors interfering. The darkest hour and grand gesture are fitting.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Guilt conflicts with desire in a tale of serendipity

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Strangers Like Us (Reunion Gap) by Mary Campisi

Elizabeth lost her parents months ago. She barely recovered, then her uncle told her about a something REALLY bad that her father had done years ago... He destroyed a town and the leading family there, the Donovans, by using an assumed name and tricked the town into giving him a lot of money so he can bring a factory to town. And he just left with the money. The senior Donovan eventually walked off a cliff while drunk, and his son Rogan Donovan went back to rebuild the town. Elizabeth wanted to put things right, by helping Rogan put that factory in years later. She knew if she told Rogan who she really is (daughter of the town swindler) Rogan would never accept her. So she's going in undercover as an artist. She just never expected to fall in love with Rogan... can she ever tell him the truth? What would happen when he found out?

Wow, this is like a soap opera. There's a reason why Elizabeth's father went after the town (and the Donovans), but it wasn't revealed until MUCH late, almost near the end at the darkest hour. Apparently the rival family in town, the Alexanders, had a hand in the swindle as well. There were a LOT of betrayals, secrets, sins of the fathers, and all that. There will be at least four volumes. Not all the mystery will be revealed just yet.

With that said, the relationship basically requires a change of heart. He turned her away in the darkest hour, and took him a FEW WEEKS to realize he's overreacting. So he changed his mind and went after her to say sorry. That's it. They got married. The end. I like it, but not THAT much. It's good, but not great.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Redemption, Disguise, Small Town, Secrets... But a mediocre ending

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Midnight in Legend, TN by Magdalena Scott

Midnight (yes, that's her name) is starting over, away from the hustle and bustle, her cheating husband, from city life. When a two-story brick building in Legend TN caught her eye, she decided to move to the tiny town... and witnessed the struggle the locals are going through. Being a marketing manager, she has some ideas on how to fix that, but she can't fix her real estate agent, Martin McClain... // Martin McClain and his family had been in town for generations, and he wants to preserve the town. Midnight rattled him... She seems to want to change everything, and he can't be sure of her motivations... But together, they will make this special festival work, and perhaps, they can finally understand each other, for the town's sake if not their own...

Didn't feel much for this one. While the small town has the charms, the romance itself didn't quite flow right. Didn't feel the chemistry.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Small town is charming, but didn't feel much chemistry between the two main characters

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Rough Hard Fierce by Skye Warren

Rough Hard Fierce is a fated mates story between two damaged people that had a lot of circumstances that came between them. However, it was all from FMC's view, and it certainly has a lot of plot. But we don't know about the MMC's view or thoughts, and somehow, the story feels a little incomplete.

Allie hides her secret shame by going to a bar and do a random pickup every once in a while. But one night, when the guy got too far, she was rescued by a rough but good guy Colin, who actually pleasured her instead of roughing her up. And he was interested in having a relationship with her. And for the first time in many years, she actually had hope about the direction of her life... because her daughter was the result of an attack, and her best friend sells her body to make a living... But the more she got to know Colin, the more she wondered how many secrets were he hiding... Complications soon arrived in the form of her daughter's father, dirty cops who wanted to hurt Colin and his brother and they don't care whom they have to destroy to do it, even if Allie ended up being collateral damage...

I am not quite sure what to make of this novel. The plot was deft, but the emotional turmoil was not quite there. This, unlike most romances, did not alternate views. It was ALL from Allie. We are left to wonder about Colin's mindset, and I'm more confused than amused.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Woman with a traumatic past met a man who wanted her as she is, but he comes with his own secrets too...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Cole: A Romantic Thriller by Giulia Lagomarsino

Alex survived a nightmare when her parents were murdered by a psychopath serial killer, and she was almost a victim as well. She lived off the grid, jumping from job to job city to city, with no set schedule, even though a man was convicted and sentenced to prison. However, an encounter in a highway rest stop brought her back into the nightmare. Held prisoner for months and tortured, she managed to escape one day and ran into Cole, ex-marine scout-sniper discharged with PTSD. Cole rescued Alex. Cole, and his police friend knew they have a survivor and need her for clues to catch this depraved beast, while Cole needs to protect her... However, the killer's game had barely begun...

Amateur horror movie jump-scare with impossible situations. Somehow, the serial killer knew her movement well enough so he'd be hiding in the specific rest stop just as her bladder is about to burst. Yeah, right. After she got away and rescued by Cole, psycho then managed to sneak into Cole's house, despite security system, and dropped spiders, snakes, and bugs in her room, so it crawled all over her. What's this, Poltergeist? This guy is f***ing supernatural. What a joke.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Woman got away from psycho that killed her family, found man who can save her... maybe

Overall Rating: 1/5

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GRR Reviews Justice Inked (Cowboy Justice Association) by Olivia Jaymes

Sheriff Dare Turner is known in town for his scowl and generally bad mood. Caring for a little sister who thinks she's old enough to know better doesn't help, neither does a body found outside the local tattoo shop, where Dare himself goes to have a tattoo done... but then, Dare is secretly fond of the tattoo artist, Rayne Dunn. // Rayne is a rebel and a workaholic. She works too much to enjoy a date, esp. not with grouchy sheriff Dare. Dare thinks Rayne is too loud and mouthy, and Rayne thinks Dare has a stick up his butt. However, when someone tossed Rayne's shop, with the body outside, things get tense. When her purse was snatched, AND her home was tossed too, it's clear that the bad guys are after something... Can Dare protect Rayne from whoever's after her? Or is she involved?

Pretty good romantic suspense setting up the enemies to lovers schtick. The tension escalated nicely. The resolution was a trope but competently executed.

Category: Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Can and should the sheriff protect the tattoo artist he's fond of, when she's targeted?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Falling Under (Walker Security) by Lisa Renee Jones

Jewel Carpenter is a police detective and daughter of the CEO of Carpenter Enterprises. Jewel has received mysterious, threatening notes from someone VERY intimate with her family history, and may even be the mysterious "butterfly killer" that was never found. Her mentor was gunned down years ago, perpetrator never found. When the threat resurfaced, her father called in Walker Security, and Jacob King was assigned to be the close escort for Jewel. Jacob is quiet, stealthy, and full of secrets, and he'll take a bullet for Jewel if need be. Their chemistry cannot be denied. When Jewel accidentally dug into something government needed hidden, Jacob will have to reach into his past to keep Jewel safe... Moreover, catch the butterfly killer at the same time...

Ah, excellent romantic suspense. The enemies to lovers thing were nicely done, even though they are not quite enemies. Moreover, the mystery onion peel was VERY nicely done as well. The bad guy made sense, and there was a pivot near the end for a Hollywood finish.

Category: Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Good romantic suspense, excellent twist on bodyguard vs. stalker trope

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Long Way Home (Mangrove Island) by Neve Cottrell

Alexis left Mangrove Island 17 years ago and never came back... Until now. She's back for a reason, but she's not sharing. Tyler had a high school crush on Alexis, but that was a long time ago. Now that she's back, he's not going to let her get away again... but the more he got to know her, the more he knew he's got to give her room to heal. But can he convince her to risk her heart again?

Pretty generic plot and didn't really have anything memorable. Call it average.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: She's back after 17 years... He's not letting her get away again without trying...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Redeeming the Texas Rancher by Charlene Sands

Dakota and Colby were long time family friends, and childhood crush, but Colby is far too honorable to ever love Dakota that way. Dakota is also his employee (head wrangler) on the Circle R ranch. Colby knew what kind of price lust can exact on one's soul... He ruined one life already... Dakota had secretly loved Colby since age ten, and she can't stop, no matter how Colby kept the distance between them professional. But when Dakota finally discovered Colby's source of guilt, can she be his redemption?

I like the way how the secret was revealed, bit by bit. Which I won't spoil.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Childhood crush cannot love each other because he's her boss, and he has a terrible dark secret, but she's determined to make it work...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews A Bride for Tom by Ruth Ann Nordin

A Bride for Tom is a pretty basic triangle novella that just felt a bit too simplistic in the characters, but that may be due to its limited length.

Tom Larson gets super-clumsy and tongue-tied around women, but he's desperate to move out and create his own household. When Tom managed to be refused by most of the town's single women at the town barn dance, Jessica Reynolds decided to help him overcome his awkwardness. But Jessica is already engaged, and even as she's failing to rehabilitate Tom's reputation, Jessica realized something... Her fiancee has no backbone (everything's controlled by his mother) and Jessica found herself attracted to the kind Tom instead...

Not bad for a short, as it's sweet and all that. A bit too overly dramatic, perhaps, but for novella it's actually decent.

Category: Historical/Western

Primary Plot: Engaged woman agreed to help a man rejected by all the girls in town, then she realized the rejected man is really nice...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Love Rancher by Christina Harris

Jody lost her family in Texas when Union Army rampaged through town, killing her father and burned her entire ranch to the ground. She went east to joined her aunt, but with no prospects in the East, she became a mail order bride to Dave out west on his ranch. Jody has been open about her origins, but Dave is guarding a big secret... Can they be husband and wife with that secret between them?

I am not spoiling the ending, but it's not really a secret worth keeping, IMHO. Meh.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Woman became mail-order bride, but her husband is keeping a huge secret...

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Her Rebel to Kiss (Love, Montana) by Debra Salonen

Her Rebel to Kiss is a romance about childhood obsession, guilt, and redemption with fated mates along with it.

Justin lives his life on the edge until a climbing disaster (which he was found not at fault, but still raked over the coals by the media) lead to sponsors pulling his contract. When an offer came from Marietta Montana, he went there, hoping for a fresh start, and to meet his two best friends who found love there in town. And when a mysterious lady in red walked in for the New Year's Eve masquerade party, it seems he may experience love after all, but the lady is hiding secrets... // Nikki had loved Justin since they were kids. Her obsession led her to insert herself into one of his climbing events way beyond her expertise... and fell, and it could have paralyzed her for life, but she learned how to walk again. Now her fairy godfather (and boss) decided to help the star-crossed lovers along, so she can have a kiss at midnight with her prince charming. But what happens past midnight when he found out who she really is? What if one kiss is not enough?

This novel is a lot deeper than first suspected. You can do the hidden identity/reveal trope for so long, but the angst about the obsession, the OMG I'm responsible (no you're not) guilt and more were quite well done. The pivot onto further complications was a bit clunky. Still, the emotions are true. It's just that using obsession as a lead-in to romance is a perilous trope, but I think the author pulled it off.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman meets the man she was obsessed over after many years again. She was severely injured but recovered. He felt guilty for all these years, what happens when he found out the truth?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Rodeo King (Dustin Lovers) by CiCi Cordelia

Caleb was about to be National Rodeo Champion when a bull bucked him off and breaking his leg in two places. He will walk again, but need some time to recuperate; he decided to go back to his hometown, to see the woman he left behind six years ago... Rosemary. Upon arrival, he was blocked by his former best friend (and Rosemary's brother), who proceed to beat him. He figured he deserved that because he did leave town like a thief in the night years ago, AFTER taking Rosemary's v-card. Then he was shocked to find that he has a 5-year old son, Carson. He didn't know, but now that he's a father, he'll be the best father he can be. Rosemary was hurt, but she knew what she wanted, and she wants to give Caleb a chance to be a father. However, when the Rodeo Commission called Caleb with a job offer, will Caleb leave town again?

The plot is trope, and the darkest hour seems slightly forced, but the ending was sweet. Still, the woman seems a bit... weak?

Category: Contemporary Western

Primary Plot: Hurt cowboy goes back to his hometown, found he left a son behind... 5 years ago after leaving his girl without a word.

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews This Piece of My Heart (Clearing the Ice) by Robyn M. Ryan

Caryn was raised to join her father's firm, but she is failing statistics badly. She joined the summer program, hoping to get the credits so she can graduate on time. Then she met single professional hockey player Andrew... Andrew could have almost any woman, as one of the most eligible bachelors in town, but he wanted Caryn. However, Caryn's parents do not approve... then his team traded him to a new city... It's going to take much fancy footwork to keep the flames alive for this couple.

The star-crossed lovers' tale has some good polish. It's good, but lacks that certain something that would take it over the top.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Athlete falls for office girl, but both have their own failings...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Getting Wound Up by Erin Nicholas

NOTE: This is a cross-over novel between the "Sapphire Falls" series (small town) and Love Between the Bases (sports) series.

Caitlyn wanted her brother's best friend Eli for years. Eli gave up on his baseball dreams and scholarship to stay in Sapphire Falls to take care of his family. However, the family had grown up. When her brother came up with a plan to "kidnap" Eli and force him to go to a tryout for the Kilby Catfish baseball team, Caitlyn cannot refuse, even if she had to put off her candy making for a few days and go with Eli personally. Her able assistants can handle things for a little while. // Eli knew Caitlyn was trouble with the noblest intentions. The road trip was nice, and Caitlyn as sweet as the treats she makes. However, after a fling in a Kansas motel, Eli knew he's in love. Then fate takes a turn... Eli was picked to join the team when he demonstrated the power of his wicked knuckleball... and later was called up to join the MLB in San Diego... Can he romance "the girl next door" when his own door just moved across multiple state lines?

Sweet. I've read Sapphire Falls stories, and they are charming. I haven't read the other series, but I've read that author's work, and they are good. This one is better.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Small town candy-maker have to get the man she wanted to baseball tryout... even with the chance she'll lose him if he succeeds... But he's not ready to let go...

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Big Willy (Hollywood Dreams) by C.J. Thomas

William Wade, aka "Big Willy" is not only wealthy, but he's also former Hollywood star. He enjoys bonking his current partner Rita quite a bit, but Rita is a bit on the needy side. Chelsea and Willy should have never met, but Chelsea had a crush on William since she was young. She knew his debut movie better than he did (practically memorized it line by line). Chelsea was also in a relationship with the nice (but boring) Richard who did not support her choice of career (screenwriter). When Willy did a commencement speech at UCLA (Chelsea just graduated from screenwriting program, but no job) and later, decided to offer up a date with himself as a prize, Chelsea pooled her life savings and made a bid. Then Chelsea's BFF cheated to make sure Chelsea won. The night was everything Chelsea dreamed of... but when the time came for Willy to tempt her into bed, Chelsea refused. That only got Willy excited for a challenge... Thus begin their torrid relationship. However, with the now-jilted Rita in the background threatening to ruin everything, and Willy disappeared off the face of the earth for days, is the whole thing over? Had her Hollywood dreams came to an end?

Surprisingly deeper and more emotional than the meet-cute first suggested, there was a couple of twists and turns that made it enjoyable. The book seems to be written almost like a serial so the things didn't quite feel as dark as it could be, by the end, and the plot points were a bit forced to come up with the darkest hour.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a screenwriting student fall for a former Hollywood star and hot rich guy, even though her friend cheated to win her the date that put them together? Or is she just flavor of the week?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Perfect Husband by Leslie Johnson

Tiffany just got dumped by her fiancee via text. Since he's also her boss at the cafe, that means she's out of a job too. On a night out to commiserate with her BFFs, somehow she had too many shots and ended up in the bed of a gorgeous blonde god by the name of Denton. But she's still clothed despite a heavy make-out session. Denton is clearly rich as heck, to afford a penthouse in the city, and he made Tiff an offer she can't refuse... he needs a fake wife to make his grandpa happy, and she can choose for her. But choosing the possible candidates made one thing clear... Tiff herself is the best candidate... and they got married... but it's just fake, right?

Somehow Denton came off as a bit empty to me. He acts like a cocky alpha but he's secretly gooey and sweet. Argh. Tiff was a bit more rounded, but still, financial desperation to marriage is not a bad trade, albeit a bit... "sunk really really low"? In fact, one of the scenes that helped her commit was she finding bugs scurrying along her horrible apartment. Eh.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Sad girl met gorgeous guy in need of a fake wife, but she fell for him for real...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Her Reluctant Rancher by Anne Marie Novark

Trevor hated his grandfather Hank after his parents are gone. That's why he left town to seek his fortune. Now that old man Hank is dead, he's back for one reason only: settle his affairs and sell the ranch... and get the hell away from this place. However, his way was the quiet librarian Beth and her son. Beth drives the local bookmobile, and Hank promised her a million dollars for a local library AND his entire book collection (which is extensive) with one stipulation... Don't let his grandson sell the ranch. Beth felt an attraction toward Trevor, but she will not act on it because she has a daily reminder of what sort of consequences lust has... her son. Can the two work out a mutually beneficial solution?

Didn't feel the connection here much. Beth's attraction toward Trevor was unexplained, and the reverse wasn't even enemies to lovers. Overall, the relationship is just weird.

NOTE: The author is probably also known as Anne Marie Novak (missing an "R"?)

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Man returned to town to sell grandpa's ranch, but the grandpa had promised a large donation to the local library if the town librarian can convince his grandson to NOT sell...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Diamonds and Dirt Roads by Erin Nicholas

Attorney Evan Stone has his toughest case yet. He is in charge of executing billionaire Rudy Carmichael's weird will regarding Rudy's triplet daughters: the workaholic CEO Ava, the party girl Cori, and nerdy scientist Brynn. The will stipulates that for the three daughters to get their inheritance (the entire Carmichael enterprises), they have to put their career on hold, to move to Bliss, Kansas and run daddy's pie shop for a year, WITHOUT using company money. There are additional stipulations for Cori: she can't date for six months (and learn to have a REAL relationship), while Ava is supposed to date someone in town (and learn to stop being a workaholic). Evan offered himself to be Ava's date, but it's clear they have no chemistry together. However, when Cori decided to swap places with Ava (in secret), sparks flew. Moreover, Evan knew they are in trouble...

This book is a part of a three book series detailing how each daughter found their love in Bliss, and Erin's style of small-town romance with plenty of romcoms is intact. I don't think I like the "weird will" trope, but this is at least innovative when it's combined with triplet switcheroo. However, the idea that they can just take a year off their respective lives is a little ridiculous. On the other hand, this managed to almost double-up on the twin-switcheroo, as Evan *knew* whom Cori was pretending to be Ava and he was playing along. It is a pretend romance within a pretend romance. Once you get past the ridiculousness of the weird will, it's quite delightful.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Triplet Switch-aroo combined with weird-will AND small town, definitely a fresh plot

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Desire Me Dearly (Heron's Landing) by Iris Morland

Kat moved back to Heron's Landing Missouri to take care of her ailing grandma with dementia and taught computer classes in the local school. She came to care about a girl named Emma and Gavin, Emma's gruff father. It was clear Emma has an anxiety disorder, something Kat also suffered from, but Gavin refused to talk about it. In the meanwhile, Kat was fending off advances from another teacher, while receiving horrible misogynistic comments about a computer game she published online. When a dead goose with head chopped off was found in front of her door, things got really personal indeed, and she went to Gavin for help... // Gavin blamed himself for his wife's mental illness, and daughter Emma's condition (Emma found mommy lying on the bathroom floor, overdosed on sleeping pills) many years ago. There is no way he deserves someone like Kat, but they'll work together to protect Emma. The threats against Kat made his blood boil, and he offered his home as sanctuary, but whoever's threatening Kat is not done... and they may become collateral damage...

While the dance between the two characters was done quite nicely, the external threat was totally trope, and indeed, as soon as he was mentioned I knew he's the perp. The ending was trope as well. It was WAY too Hollywood (bad guy arrested, the hero was shot in the big fight, faints after making sure heroine's safe, wakes up in the hospital).

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Couple met over child's anxiety disorder, but who's stalking the woman?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Because Of You (Survivor) by Emilia Finn

"Because of You" is an excellent romantic suspense with good twists, quirky small town, mysteries left and right, plus two main characters with a good meet-cute and some serendipity.

Alex, the town police chief, lives a simple and single life. The town is small and charming, and most crimes are simple if the perps just get their punishment, but the darn lawyers help them get off with just a slap on their wrists... Things started to go askew when Juliette came to town. She's also hiding a big secret. She's choosing to hang her lawyer shingles in his town, helping the existing lawyer (who's already past 70) retire. They should have been enemies, except Alex rescued Juliette from a car wreck moments before she pulled into town. And there's a connection between them. But they can't indulge, when the town found its first murder victim in years... then a second... a serial killer is stalking this town, and why are they all blue-eyed blonde that looks like Juliette?!

The beginning of the book started with the car accident that had Alex rescue Juliette, only to have Alex found out later she's the new lawyer in town and even more secrets. The tensions escalated very nicely, The serial killer came even later... All in all, a nice romantic thriller.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: What secrets is the new lawyer in town hiding from the police chief? Is there a serial killer in town targeting her look-alikes?

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Breathe Again by Joelle Charming

Mellie Rose ran from Kansas after her fiance cheated on her. She ended up in LA working in her cousin's bakery. When she delivered a cake to one of the mansions, she ended up wearing the cake when she was bumped by superstar Jackson Traver, winner of most recent "sexist man alive" poll. Moreover, Jackson Traver wants her. However, Mellie has some inadequacy issues... How can a gorgeous superstar hunk want her, a clumsy pastry chef, when he rubs elbows daily with the rich and famous, such as his stunning co-star Sofia?

Not feeling much about this one either. Basically, this is a "brush with celebrity" fairy tale. Jackson was a bit... too sweet. And Mellie seems to be completely lacking in backbone.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Pastry chef can't believe a superstar hunk would want her instead of his gorgeous co-star...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Kiss the Bride (The Davis Sisters) by Rachael Johns

Magdalena, a preacher's daughter, already suffered in reputation when she got pregnant as a teenager. She left town, unable to bear the gossip behind her back. Fifteen years later, when she heard that her mother was sick, she moved back to Marietta, MT with her daughter. When the local celebrity couple got the local country music star to sing at their wedding, the singer held an audition for a local singing partner. Mags' daughter goaded her into going, and she brought the house down. That made her a partner with local heartthrob singer Jake. // Jake had a good run in the country music business, but he had lost his muse. He moved to Marietta for a more normal life, and he never expected his singing partner Mags to both inspire him and made him fall in love. However, Mags was nervous and frightened... but of what? Moreover, why is the town still gossiping about her behind her back?

For a 120 page short this is quite good, with proper plot and escalation, everything flowed nicely. It's just that characters are a bit flat, could be due to the length though.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Single mom is back in town with daughter in tow, when a chance audition to sing with a country legend (and local heartthrob) may give her a second chance at love...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Where I Found You by Brooke O'Brien

"Where I found you" is a "small town romance" that featured two damaged people coming back together, but the two characters are too similar.

Ellie had a very tough life. Her father died early, and her mother turned to alcohol for solace. She ended up with a string of loser BFs many of whom abused her. She built a wall around her heart that nothing can get through... Until she encountered the one kid that was kind to her... now all grown up... // Callum has had a hard life. His father is a drunk who takes out frustration on wife and child... and he got self-destructive as well. Until things got better... his step-father set him straight. When he found Ellie again, she's his perfect complement... but breaching her walls may prove to be an impossible task...

I like the push-pull between the two, but the two characters are too much alike, as I said. Their wounds are similar: neglect and unfortunate circumstances. But the push-pull is pretty good.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: A couple meets again after a decade, both damaged, can they find salvation with each other?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews You Make Me (Blurred Lines) by Erin McCarthy

You Make Me has some intense emotions, but the lame darkest hour and characters driven by angst instead of love left me ambivalent.

Caitlyn grew up in a broken home. Her father was an ex-lobsterman bitter about losing his hand in an accident, and her mother was mentally unstable with bad short-term memory. They make ends meet by fostering, and Caitlyn has an endless stream of foster brothers and sisters, only two she grew close to... Tiffany, and Heath. She got so close to Heath, she gave him her v-card. Then he disappeared when he turned eighteen. She went off to college broken-hearted. Four years later, she has a frat president boyfriend in college who wanted to marry her upon graduation. Then Heath suddenly reappeared. He's out of the marines, and he's seeking revenge on those who kept them apart, as well as winning her back. But when the two goals conflict, both Caitlyn and Heath will have to make choices...

Pretty intense, the darkest hour seems to be both of them just being stubbornly prideful about refusing to apologize for doing what they chose. The emotions seem to be either love or hate, with no in-betweens.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Young woman found herself falling for her first love again after he was kept away for several years...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Who Is She? by Patricia Kay

Hope was raised by nuns at a convent, with only a locket as the clue to her identity... and she never got until a few weeks ago, when the sister who raised her finally had her effects traced and handed over to her. Moreover, ever since, touching that locket gave her visions... of what may have been... that she is determined to find her family... and to her shock, she found she may be the missing Hollister heiress Elizabeth, missing since she was 1. Now she's on her way to visit the family... // Paul Hollister was adopted, and the loss of his adoptive parents (Elizabeth's biological parents) hit him hard too. Now he helps the family matron Virginia manage the estate, and run his business. Paul knew there were many frauds over the years that claimed to be the missing heiress, and he was sure this "Hope" would just be another fraud. However, Hope proved to be more truthful than he expected, and even he felt an attraction toward her that he can't deny. However, what secrets could Hope be keeping?

The mystery surrounding the identity of Hope was pretty good as you weren't quite sure who's who till the end, though you suspected. However, the investigation was done by third-party, not involving Hope and Paul directly, and somehow it just didn't quite feel that immediately. The darkest hour IMHO was lame though. The grand-gesture was meh too. I liked the mystery well enough, which I am not spoiling. Let's just say, Hope has a certain "gift" that affected her in different ways.

Category: Contemporary / Mystery

Primary Plot: Is she, or isn't she, the missing Hollister heir? The adopted son is determined to find out, even as he fell for her... But what secrets is she keeping?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Adler James by Christa Wick

Adler James Turk had just buried his sister and his father not long ago. Arriving at his sister's house (that she shared with her husband) and found a different woman there in the kitchen wearing her clothing was a total shock... Moreover, she's a curvy beauty that that quickly grabbed a knife and threatened her instead of running away screaming piqued his interest, and he can't stop thinking about her... // Sage arrived in the town of Willow Gap, Montana after a desperate call from her estranged brother. It took her several days to track down enough information to ascertain the town's location, but the airline had lost all her luggage in transit after three transfers. Now with Adler looking at her like a stranger, she realized that her brother had not mentioned her AT ALL... She's his "dirty little secret." However, there is a reason why both of them are mum about their origins... and as Adler came to know Sage better, he wonders about a future with her...

While the secrets are pretty cool, like a mystery to unwrap, the attraction didn't quite work for me. It's pretty much insta-love held back by a ton of secrets.

Category: Contemporary Western

Primary Plot: Man finds woman in his dead sister's home, claiming to be his sister-in-law... stranger his dead brother-in-law never mentioned her... So what secrets are both of them hiding?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Where I Belong by Claudia Connor

Charlotte was vacationing alone (her father could not make it back) when her vacation was interrupted by a cute boy with Down's syndrome. Charlotte was glad for the interruption when she came upon "Uncle Owen," a man visiting his family between construction jobs. Charlotte and Owen were smitten with each other, but Charlotte lost her mother to violence when young, and she didn't want to be hurt again. Owen has merely five days to convince her perhaps it is time to take a chance with her heart... What happens when her vacation ends? How far is each of them willing to go for love?

For a novella, this packs some good emotional punch.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Chance meeting at a beach... should a woman take a chance with her heart... or just have a fling?

Overall Rating:

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GRR Reviews Loving Again by Michele Barlow

Evie had everything going for her. Great job, beautiful daughter, loving husband, but when her husband died it took her months to recover to the point of being able to go out to the public. Only her support group called the "Broken Hearts Club" kept her going. Now she's determined to keep her bookstore running in the small town of Friday Harbor. When a water pipe break threatened her livelihood, she called everywhere for help, until her neighbor sent Leo to her door. Leo is a big handyman who is looking for someone special, and this single mother may be the one if she accepts him. However, is in a small town, where gossip travels at the speed of light, can Evie grab happiness despite the expectations of others?

It's a short novel (120 pages), and while the meet-cute is right, it's nothing too extraordinary. The small touches are good, and the setup for the other novels are quite unobtrusive.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Grieving woman may have found her second love in a small town, in the form of a handyman...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Eye of the Beholder by Ruth Ann Nordin

Eye of the Beholder has a frustratingly self-deprecating FMC that may make you swear instead, though the plot twists are actually quite good.

Mary was nineteen and a marriageable age, but she was plain compared to her prettier sisters and no one would marry her locally in Maine. So she cast her fate to the winds and became a mail-order bride to Omaha, Nebraska. Except her intended groom took one look at her and called it off. But fate has other plans for her, as Dave, nearby, offered to marry her instead. Dave is handsome and relatively well-off, and it was "obvious" to Mary that Dave didn't marry her for her beauty. But Mary has many other skills, sewing, cooking, and more. Dave really loves Mary, but will he able to convince her of that with more complications in town?

Mary's self-deprecating to the point of the readers (okay, me) screaming "get a backbone, woman!" But the story took a couple interesting twists.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Can the plain daughter, rejected by her mail-order groom, accept the love of another man?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Teacher's Bride by Natalie Dean

Greta grew up in Kansas during the Civil War. She's grown up by war's end, and there's nothing for her here. Her brother's way out in Oregon, and she needed a way out, and when she saw an ad for mail-order bride by a teacher, she took it. // Greta was not Marston was looking for in a bride. He, at 32, hoped for an older woman, not a 20-year old slip of a girl. He hired her as teacher's aide instead, refusing to debauch her, and be ready to send her on the wagon train that will head for Oregon in a few months. However, Greta knew what she wanted, and she sets about to her tasks, be a wife to Marston without the intimacy, and hoped to win his heart. However, with winter approaching, and a wagon train due soon to leave for Oregon, time is running out.

I guess this is somewhat inspirational, but I didn't feel much from this story.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Mail order bride without the love, kinda inspirational, I guess...

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews One Night with her Roommate by Noelle Adams

Meg and hot guy East are roommates. Well, East is technically her landlord. East flirts, but Meg knew East wasn't for her... She can't deal with immature playboys or wannabes, even though he's sexy and available. It didn't help that he's a slob. However, deep down, she knew she wanted him, even if just for one night. // East knew flirting with Meg is fun, but he has his reasons to be flirty... He has secrets he'd rather keep to himself. Until big news from friends forced him to reveal a piece about himself to Meg... and everything changed.

One of the better novelettes I've read, with a lot of hidden angst, lust, unrequited love, and stuff.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Fling with the landlord/roommate may be fun, but can it be permanent?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews A Secret One by Aleatha Romig

A Secret One managed to stack a LOT of plot for a 40 page short story, with sexy yet not raunchy scenes.

Shana's the maid of honor... so why did she wake up in a strange bed... with the groom's brother Trevor? It was those darn Fireball shots... OMG what happened last night? They didn't... right?

At only 42 pages, there sure were a lot of plot, even though it did have to do a bit of backward jump in time, yet it did make perfect sense. It's like a mystery unfolding. It's also a prequel, and it's a load of fun to read.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Maid of honor woke up in a strange bed with groom's brother... Did they, uh... do the nasty?

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Drake's Promise by Kat Wells

Drake's Promise is about two hurt people finding themselves to love against after some traumatic event. The pairing was not totally new, but at least the setting is.

Drake is an LAPD bomb squad leader that was sure his incompetence killed his brother and best friend. The case of self-pity is serious enough that his boss ORDERED him to take admin leave in the middle of nowhere... All the way out in the middle of nowhere, Arizona. // Luisa Montoya is a recluse on her Arizona ranch with a guesthouse that stayed mostly empty. After the death of her father, she vowed to keep the ranch going and train her menagerie of animals, both wild and tame. Her scar suffered when she was a teen made her a pariah, and only a local nurse who brings her groceries relieved her boredom... Until Drake showed up. Drake found Luisa extremely intriguing and saw past the scar to the beautiful woman inside. But Luisa can't believe someone as handsome as Drake would want her, esp. when Drake had promised to take care of the wife and family of his dead friend. And even as Luisa struggled with her feelings toward Drake, Luisa's estranged mother called, then arrived on the ranch, and she has a secret to reveal... she's dying, and she wanted to make peace with Luisa before she goes...

Nice and angst-y, the novel has lots of good little touches that added to the characters. Drake has to re-evaluate how they each handle their responsibilities... And Luisa have to re-evaluate her attachment to the property and her reluctance to love. Are they taking on roles they didn't have to and not saving enough time for themselves?

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: LAPD bomb squad guy forced to take vacation for PTSD fell for the scarred beauty and host of guesthouse out in nowhere Arizona

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Mountain Hearts (Peakview) by Jill Haymaker

Mountain Hearts, at its heart is basically a "boy meets girl" simple romance, without too many complications. it was the extra touches, about grief, loss, and the slow redemption through love, that made it good.

Suzy Quinlan, single parent (her husband died in Iraq) lost her son to congenital heart disease at 5. Numb with grief, she had to get away, and she drove in the winter storm and ended up stranded in Peakview, Colorado. Jerry Decker, an Iraq vet, returned with his body intact, but soul broken. He lived alone on the outskirts of town, with only his dog "Bear" as the sole companion. When the two met in town, they found each other as kindred souls, but she has a career as a paralegal in Denver, while he cannot live in a large town with his PTSD nightmares. Love can change people for the better... but will it be enough to allow these two to come together?

Let's just say someone is looking for a career change, okay? And I like the slow-simmer type of love stories. And you do, then Jill Haymaker never disappoints.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Widow getting away from pain of losing her son was stranded in a small town and met the town recluse sharing similar pains...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Lainie was planning to drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico, but the car she bought with her last savings just died upon reaching Last Chance. She's on the run from her boyfriend and the gang he was involved in. Moreover, it seems when she escaped, she accidentally took his stash with her (it was sewn into the backpack). The town took her in, with a free room (though the lady talks about the Bible every chance she got and requires Lainie to attend church on Sunday), the bar's owner Ray is nice but distant, and even the sheriff is guarded but otherwise friendly. With the car dead beyond resurrection, and her friend has news that her BF had been looking for her, it seems Lainie had nowhere to go... except stay in town. She got a job to help out the cafe in town which gives the owner time to deal with her son, and get to know all of the characters, and even come to love Ray, the bar owner. However, Ray's leaving when his brother got back, and when Lainie heard that her boyfriend is out of the hospital, it's time to leave town before he can find her...

Cute complex characters with complex lives. You know the evil ex is going to show up, and Ray is going to save the day. Trope plot, nice characters.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Woman on the run stranded in a small town was rescued, found love, but will she run when the bad man finds her again?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Jazzy Girl by C.L. WELLS

Jazzy Girl is a romantic suspense with lot of mystery, disguise, nosy neighbor, and rescue.

Sherice is in hiding after witnessing a crime and getting away clean. Her only companion was a big labrador called Jazz. That is until her next door neighbor started peeping through her privacy fence. He's a carpenter house-sitting for his brother, and he's too nosy for her. But her loneliness leads her to accept him. When hostiles came for her, will they be thrown together and admit their affection for each other?

The shift into romantic suspense was done nicely, as this started as an "annoying neighbor" story. Nicely done novella.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Woman on the run, nosy neighbor, a fling, and now a a threat on her life... can her neighbor save her?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Hired Bride (Beaufort Brides) by Noelle Adams

Hired Bride started as a trope "fake love to real love" romance, but the characters and the polish top a proper happily ever after made the book stand out.

Deanna and her sisters were raised by their eccentric grandma in the old mansion, but their Historic Savannah, Georgia mansion is falling down around their ears. Their grandma's solution is to try to pair them off to prospective (and rich) single men, and Deanna, the oldest, is first in line. Mitchell Graves is in town to do business, but he needed a fake wife to gain time to conclude a business deal when his partner's wife has her eyes on him, and Deanna happens to be the most expedient solution... he'll pay her well for a six-month sham marriage. She's quiet and meek and easy to manage. Oh boy... did he make a huge mistake... As Deanna is anything BUT meek...

The setup sorta makes sense and sorta doesn't. It's the clash of personalities and the sass that made the book pop. The part that leads to HEA is pretty good, and at 200 pages, just about right.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Businessman needs a fake wife to conclude a business deal; who he got is a sassy southern belle who's anything but meek...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Fortune Hunter by Jasmine Haynes

The Fortune Hunter is a marriage of convenience novel that managed to incorporate a lot of sex. It felt more like a mail order bride novel.

Faith Castle wanted a family but can't find a matching guy for her family's prestige or fortune. Connor Kingston wanted to be CEO, but he came from a poor background. The two made a deal: they'll get married for convenience only. He'll have lots of sex with her and make a family with her. She, in turn, will convince her father to eventually promote Connor to CEO (Connor's already VP, so he's got the chops). When Faith demanded fidelity, Connor proposed that Faith be a bit more adventurous in their bedroom activities, but Faith has no... faith in her ability to perform in the bedroom. But Connor will gladly teach her to let go of her inhibitions... but is there love?

This is an "erotic" marriage of convenience romance, kinda weird mix. On the other hand, Connor seems to be a bit too much of a straight-shooter, who is shockingly honest about his ambitions for a businessman. He seems to be also a bit too confident about how good Faith and he can be together. As for whether that is love... well, that's a different question, or is it really? I like it overall as it's really a different twist, sorta mail-order husband, albeit, self-recommended.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a poor VP convince the company heiress to marry him? What can he do for her in turn as her husband?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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

GRR Reviews Yours Royally by Krista Lakes

Your Royally was supposed to be a Cinderella Love story, but it was sticking a bit too close to formula, with evil step-mother, innocent FMC, and way too charming MMC.

Prince Marco needs some time off, going to spend some quiet time in America just as "Marco". Normally his assistant handles all that, but that assistant needs some time off too. So they hired an American girl... Sabrina, to be a short-stint personal assistant, just for a couple weeks. But secrecy is paramount... Not even Sabrina must know about Marco's real identity... but Sabrina, with her naivete and guileless demeanor, made Prince Marco wonder if they can be good together... but his father is sick and scheduled for surgery, and his step-mother is fooling around and everybody pretends to not notice... // Sabrina and her family are barely making do after her father had been laid off and medical bills stacked up. She can't afford to turn down or mess up this job in any way, even if she has no experience. She never expected to taste the high life, like a private jet and 5-star restaurants, or even Hawaii private island. And Marco is charming and handsome... but Marco's mood is fouled by developments at home... ones he can't talk about... And once they shared that secret... things will never be the same...

The evil step-mom was so arch-type it's a caricature. There was no EXPLANATION for why she acts that way other than she was spoiled rotten or some other psychopathy. And Marco was a bit TOO charming and Sabrina was a bit too Cinderella. Yes, these are modern fairy-tales, but please, show a little more creativity?

Category: Contemporary / Fairy tale

Primary Plot: Young woman had no idea her companion is a genuine prince... or the amount of problems he had to negotiate, but she can help...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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

GRR Reviews Cowboy Charming by Lacy Williams

Cowboy Charming is, as the subtitle says, a reverse Cinderella story. The ending, however, just left me very very sad.

Ethan gave up his college scholarship to raise his two stepbrothers after his father then his stepmother both passed. He had to stay on the family dairy farm and pick up odd jobs to support the family, but that left him little time to parent his two step-brothers, who are forever getting into worse trouble. While he's handsome, he always tired and haggard. When a real princess came to town, he could only admire from afar. She is way out of his league. So he's as surprised as anyone when she approached him... // Princess Mia is visiting the US to help with her sister's upcoming engagement ball, after escaping assassins and rescued by a Texas Cowboy. She thought she knew what love was... but despite having five boyfriends (one for each year after 18) she had definitely not found the one, and her last breakout, in a very public fashion, left her wanting the one cowboy who didn't kowtow to her. But Ethan can't go when he's tied to the place supporting his stepbrothers... and she can't stay...

The ending was extremely sad in a way. It does provide an HEA though, but still, it's sad as heck. I'm sure you can figure it out. It's not exactly a deus ex machina, but it was close. And that just left me... as I said, sad. I thought romance is supposed to have happy endings... It's a mix of happy and sad.

Category: Contemporary Western / Fairy Tale

Primary Plot: Princess visiting the US falls for the one cowboy who didn't kowtow to her, but he's tied to his ranch and his two stepbrothers

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews A Perfect Fit (DiCarlo Brides) by Heather Tullis

A Perfect Fit took a while to set up the stage to get the plot moving, as it's a series starter that tried to set up no less than FIVE half-sisters (each of whom gets a book later). Once you get past the beginning and the weird will it gets a lot better.

Cami DiCarlo was forced by her father into heading up guest services at his five-star hotel. She hated crowds but she still excelled at her job. Then he died. When his will was read, Cami was shocked to find she has FOUR half-sisters... and they all knew each other, just not realizing they were sisters... But it gets even weirder. He, from beyond the grave, wanted them to work together to bring the resort under construction to its grand opening. If they don't, they don't get any inheritance. The girls have certainly mixed feelings toward each other: legit vs. bastard, etc. But they each have a specialty that can make the resort a success... Until someone started leaking rumors to gossip rags, and Cami's ex Trent seems to be hanging around a lot, even as Cami met the new landscape designer, Vince. Vince is rough and prefers jeans to pants, someone her father would never approve of. Cami's mind changed when Vince revealed he actually has a masters degree and runs a 30+ person landscaping company, plus other qualities that made Cami swoon... Then Cami was shocked when he revealed that her father had encouraged him to go after her. Is this just another one of her father's manipulations from beyond the grave?

The setup, where all the sisters come together, took a while to set up, I honestly don't feel too much romance. The part about Trent being the evil ex was barely there, though it's meant as a mystery. The sudden twist at the end seems to be a bit out of nowhere, though almost believable.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Daughter of dead hotel magnate had to finish his last resort, even as she falls for a guy while dodging her stalk-y ex fiancee

Overall Rating:

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GRR Reviews Sunset Thunder (Caliendo Resort) by Shannyn Leah

Sunset Thunder is about a woman who thought she couldn't love again, vs. a man who wanted her for a long time. However, the ending made absolutely no sense whatsoever. The motivation for the nemesis is mud. I initially wanted to rate this higher but ended up giving it average.

Violet Caliendo is the wedding coordinator for Willow's Valley's five-star Caliendo Resort, and she puts on perfect events no matter what, that she's known as the "Ice Queen". However, her latest wedding to coordinate was her ex marrying someone else... Even if it's an ex she no longer loved, but got pregnant with. Despondent in private, Violet fell for the suave charms of Ryder Carlex, a well-known womanizer, and her ex's best man. She figured she just needed it one time, to get it out of her system. She hadn't had someone for years... But Ryder wanted Violet for a long time... Not that he'd ever get between his friend and wife... But Violet's single now, and available. Ryder and Violet got into a torrid relationship, but he has his own dark secrets to keep. And Violet's one indiscretion would come back to haunt her in a way she never imagined... Will their (lack of) trust doom their relationship?

The ending left me exasperated as in "what was the author thinking? This made absolutely no f***ing sense!"

SPOILER

ALERT

I WARNED YOU!

Couple years ago, Violet fell for Joel the rebel, but Joel's really after her family fortune. Joel got Violet pregnant. Violet's father paid off Joel's debts with one proviso: marry Violet, because the kids will not be born as bastards. On the night before the wedding, Violet realized she was stupid but the wedding must go forward. In a drunken haze, violent had a one-night stand with Ryder... and Joel somehow got video of them bonking.

In the present day, Violet divorced Joel and is having a fling with Ryder even as Joel is about to marry someone else. Suddenly, Joel blackmailed Violet... "break up with Ryder, or I'll release this tape of you f***ing him just before our wedding night". Violet can't let her family business be shamed, so she puts on a brave face and broke up with Ryder, and Ryder, having figured out what Joel did, confronted Joel, and Joel just basically handed over the footage without a struggle. The end.

WTF?! What's Joel's motivation for this? This is a LAME villain who's ONLY around to mess with the hero/heroine, for no particular reason!

Add to some bits about her mom and uncle knowing something (and did nothing), the dead daddy always manipulating people, even after he's dead, I honestly can't tell whether it's redemption or douchebaggery. At least the slow seductions made up for some of it. I really was tempted to rate this a 2/5 for a while.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Hotel heiress and even planner fell for the best man who wanted her, but her evil ex (who's getting married) has evil plans...

Overall Rating: 3/5

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