GRR Reviews To the Limit by Virginia Kelly

Mary Beth Williams just got the worst news of her life: her brother was being held for ransom by terrorists in the remote jungle in the (fictional) country of San Mateo in South America, and she must bring ransom, alone, without the authorities. Being the daughter of a diplomat, she asked around, and there is one guy who can help... Nicholas Romero, renowned negotiator, and diplomat, who had successfully negotiated with the same terrorist group before. Finding him is not the problem... Convincing him is... // Nick knew he's not a true Romero. Nick grew up with Daniel, and Vargas' order to assault instead of negotiating killed Daniel, a true Romero, and this he cannot forgive. When Mary Beth came to him, Nick saw a way to entrap Vargas, to bring him down once and for all, and it's clear that Mary Beth's brother has a link to Daniel. But when Vargas' men (the San Mateo military), the US military, AND the local (suspected) CIA liaison are all trying to get their hands on Mary Beth, it's clear there's a bigger conspiracy going on, and Nick has to rely on all his skills to save Mary Beth and her brother from being collateral damage...

Wow, the intrigue and more were excellent. I can guess at what were the brother and Daniel doing together, and there's ruse within ruse, and a good conspiracy plot. The final confrontation was nice, that the romance was almost... secondary. Still, it's an excellent read.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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

GRR Reviews The Rancher's Baby Bargain by Mary Sue Jackson

Aidan, former jock, is determined to make his family ranch work, but his passion is in his craft beer business. But he's suffering from a mite problem... they are ruining his hops crop, and with no hops, there is no beer. Then Lucy, his old lab partner, showed up... // Lucy was a geek, and still is. She created a special pesticide to destroy all those mites... but she wants something in return... She wants to get pregnant, and Aidan is the man to do it. She gets the baby, and he gets the pesticide. It'd be a business transaction, and love's got nothing to do with it. Yeah, right.

Eh, not feeling it much. There really wasn't much push-pull here, or at least, I can't feel it much. There's also a bunch of sub-plots like Aidan's family, the ranch in financial ruins, big company want to mass produce his beer, Lucy's all-natural stain remover being discovered in town, and will Lucy go back east to her research job. The whole thing felt a bit... shotgun... all over the place.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Fake Marriage With Her Cowboy Billionaire by Hanna Hart

Jack has plenty of money, but when his father died, he learned that unless he marries within 60 days, the majority of his inheritance is going to his dad's old high school, not to him. Jack already endured a divorce, so he's not eager to try again... Until he met waitress Taylor. // Taylor had to take up waitressing when her boyfriend suddenly moved out, taking all the money in the bank account and most of the furniture with him... and left her with 4 months unpaid rent (i.e. no place to live), AND he blamed her for "stifling him". Jack's "fake marriage" proposal (get fake married to him until he gets the inheritance, then he'll pay her a nice big number) may be enough for her to start over. But as they live together, could they actually be falling for each other? Or are they too different?

Seen this plot before, nothing TOO special about this one other than decent polish and push-pull.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Beyond Words by Abby Brooks

Cat left her journal, full of her innermost thoughts, in a cafe. She eventually managed to go back and get it, only to find someone else had written in it... Someone who praised her thoughts and wanted to talk to her via email as "Skywalker". Later, when her world was turned upside down (she lost her job and her boyfriend, AND a place to live, AND shots of tequila), she decided to talk to "Skywalker" as "Katydid". In the meanwhile, she found a job at a seaside resort in a different state, and came to know Lucas, one of the brothers with scars and PTSD. Cat fell for both, who can't be more different. Skywalker is humorous and cultured and kind. Lucas is intense, gentle, and protective. But she can't have them both...

As you can probably guess... Nah, I won't say it. The twist is quite good, and while you know the truth, they don't, and BOTH end up the same way. The push-pull is excellent.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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

GRR Reviews A Christmas to Remember (Hero Hearts) by Hayley Wescott

April, a teacher, was pulled over by state trooper Clay when she drove a bit over the speed limit. Turns out she's teaching two of his kids... and he's a widower, but when she reminded him that he didn't come to the PTA meeting, he got mad and gave her a ticket instead of just a warning. But they can't forget about each other, and as they struggle to do the best for their kids, they slowly discover how good they can be together... But when the school reminded April that it's NOT proper to date a student's parent, will the relationship end?

All I feel are some warm fuzzies. it's okay, but nothing really special. The solution turned out to be a technicality.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Pretend I'm Yours by Natasha L Black

Drake is a retired SEAL who found his wife had run off with his best friend to be a model. While in a bar with his buds, he witnessed a couple having a stare-down contest in the middle of the dance floor. His instinct told him to follow, and when the guy assaulted the woman, he intervened. She turned out to be Hannah, and he was her ex-boyfriend, ex-cop, and stalker. And he's rich and well-connected enough complaining won't do any good. Drake joked about maybe Hannah need a fake husband, but Hannah took him seriously... Drake was living out of a hotel anyway and has no job lined up, and Hannah is rich and can afford to pay him a LOT of $$$ to be her husband/bodyguard, even though she wants to get her degree in social work. As Drake and Hannah live with each other, they slowly fell for each other... But can they admit it to each other? Or are they each assuming the other will walk away because they are too different?

The story started with two long info-dumps on why Drake and Hannah are the way they are, and overall the writing just feels very... detached. And the plot twist was exactly as expected. How a cop drummed out of the force on corruption charges has the guts and time and resources to stalk his ex is beyond me. Still, otherwise, the story is rather... competent, but nothing outstanding either.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

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GRR Reviews Stealing Valentine by Madison Faye

Dutch had set up the perfect heist... Get a job with the owner's company, work there for months, ingratiate himself with the owner to be invited into his mansion, and steal the Whistler Diamonds (set of matching necklaces and earrings) worth hundreds of millions of dollars while replacing it with fakes, then resign and cash out. He got into the mansion, past security... Only to find someone there ahead of him... a beautiful girl in the secure room... and the display case already empty. It's clear she had them, and he's going to get the diamonds... by stealing her as well...

Good twist, even though the idea of such an insta-lust between Dutch and Valentine can happen in just a few hours takes a bit of suspension of disbelief.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews If I Loved You by Mary J Williams

Rose is a songwriter with a broken past, full of loss and pain. She has two besties, but no lover. When another date bombed, she was about to go on a man-fast, until her friend insisted that she find a one-night-stand instead... and Jack seems to be the perfect guy for that... // Jack is a well-to-do business owner who plays the field, and always show the girls a good time. But he's on a stupid bet to stay celibate for a month, blame his besties. // When Jack meets Rose, it's sizzle time. Rose wants Jack to show her a good time (in bed), and Jack seriously wanted to, but due to the bet, he wants to slow things down with Rose... As he doesn't want Rose to go to anyone else. But how far can you go to keep a girl dangling like that?!

Oh, that's a fun ride. Let's just say, Jack has serious challenges ahead.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews The Blindsided Groom by Heather Horrocks

Knox Reid, a defensive lineman, is determined to protect his family, on and off the field. His brother, already suffering from neural degeneration after a career as NFLer, is determined to go through an experimental therapy that promises miraculous results in merely two weeks and is administered by a pretty-face therapist by the name of Amy. Knox can only see SCAM written all over it, so he's determined to expose the scam, by making an enemy of Amy... // Amy dedicated her life into this cutting edge therapy to help people. When circumstances forced them to move to a secluded cabin, and the patient's wife showed up, Knox and Amy saved the day (and marriage) by pretending to be lovers. And soon, Amy sees past Knox's gruff exterior, and his kiss made her swoon. But Knox's past, in the form of a reporter digging for a hatchet piece, came back to haunt him...

Knox is way too judgemental, but the motivation seems good enough. I do have a problem with the evil reporter though. It doesn't make sense and was introduced way too late to be a proper antagonist.

Category: Contemporary / Sports

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews A Bride for Theo by Elisa Leigh

Ellie had a crush on her sister's husband's brother, Theo, but she's not ready to be married. She went off to college, and he had to finish his military stint. She secretly graduated early and is ready to visit her sister for the Holidays, while Theo is done with his military career. Now there is nothing stopping Theo to claim Ellie as his... Except Ellie herself.

Eh... the guy felt a bit too overbearing, and the idea he had two bodyguards tailing her for years is a bit creepy. And the trope about running away? Yep, it's here.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Valentine by Jewel Allen

Dani came to visit her Irish pen-pal Jonathan over Valentine's Day. She hugged the ruggedly handsome Irishman who met her at the airport... Only to find that was Jonathan's brother, Aidan, and he's not pleased. // Jonathan and Aidan just took their company public, and it has a net worth of 9 BILLION Euros. But Jonathan was usually too busy. Picking up his brother's pen-pal was just another errand Aidan does for his brother. Aidan was sure Dani was just a golddigger... Until that hug... // Dani did not know both brothers are billionaires. She thought she was in love via email to Jonathan, but it turned out the videos she got was actually of Aidan. Now with two brothers paying her attention, can she choose the winner to her heart?

Now that's a proper way to write a triangle. I am not going to spoil who wins.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews Falling for the Best Man by Joanne Dannon

Jonah was elated when he met Kaylah, who's beautiful, smart, witty, and kind. He was crushed when he found she was dating his brother, and he had to get away. When he was asked to be the best man at his brother's wedding, he can't refuse. But can he really break up his brother's wedding? // Kaylah haven't had a family for a long-time and marrying would give her the family she wanted. But the man who made her heart sing... is not her fiancee, but the other brother. With only two days to go before the wedding, Jonah's confession turned her world upside down. Did she commit to marry for family and gratitude, not love? And what will she do about it if she did?

Oh, good push-pull, but two days to break-up a wedding for an epiphany... A bit fast. Still, 4/5 for sure.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews "Warrior Undone" by Jessica Ruben

Slade, an ex-SEAL, suffers from PTSD. He runs a security business with his friends. He had a fling with Lauren at a wedding. They are opposites. When they reconnected in Las Vegas when he had to protect her from a shooting it also triggered his PTSD. Slade refused to acknowledge his problems and tries to self-medicate, and Lauren, who already fell for the SEAL, is becoming scared of him...

The portrayal of PTSD and the downward spiral is good, as is how it's affecting the relationship.

Category: Contemporary / On the rocks

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews Finding Cupid by Bridget E Baker

Geo is an event planner, but she refused to do weddings for personal reasons. When a billionaire couple offered her 100K plus travel expenses to scout locations for events leading up the wedding, she was in no position to turn them down, when her mother needed an experimental therapy. She did not count on meeting Trig... // Trig is a billionaire venture capitalist who doesn't play by the rules... much. He did not count on being roped into planning a bachelor's party by his best friend, nor meeting Geo, the feisty "not weddings" planner, who's beautiful, yet completely unable to relax. So he decided to help her loosen up a little... using his resources and connections. Will he find out why Geo refused to do weddings? Will that heal or break Geo's heart forever?

A bit on the slow side, Geo is obviously a runway-ready head-turner who slowly thaws. There is a certain stereotype there, but also play against the trope a bit. I just feel Trig's personality was a bit on the vague side.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Secret to Dating Your Best Friend's Sister by Meghan Quinn

Bram had been in love with her best friend's sister Julia for a very long time. The problem is... he can't think of a plan to woo her, when she's way too busy as a matchmaker running her company "What's Your Love Color", without getting flak from his two best friends. When he finally got a plan, he engineered a loss in their fantasy football action, then chose the penalty: be matched by Julia's company, to get close to her, and hopefully, convince her that she's his perfect match. But things never go the way that was planned...

Ah, the loveless matchmaker trope, but this is a very nice take on the whole thing. Bram was a bit of a filth talker and Julia seems to blush when Bram started to talk dirty, but it's mainly to rile her up a little. The actual push-pull was quite nice.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews Renegade Ridge by Arabella Steedly

Jake's prized barrel racing mare was injured, and he needs a vet stat! He got the new vet in town, Vanessa Hart... and he's not happy, but for his mare, he'll do anything... Including kissing up to Vanessa... but he has a troubled past...  And he owes the local loan shark quite a bit of money... And he had to do favors (as a bill collector) to delay the payments. // Vanessa had to get away from the big cities when it became too... dangerous to stay. Falling for a cowboy was not a part of the plan, but she can definitely use a protector... But a protector who also roughs people up?

Seems there were a couple unresolved plot points, which marred what's otherwise a competent book.

Category: Contemporary / Western / Romantic suspense

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Say Yes by Katy Kaylee

Gwen is a divorcee chef and restauranteur who moved back home, needing a fresh start, after she caught her husband cheating. Ryan is her little brother's best friend, now all grown up, younger, but not by much... and a rising Hollywood star. And Ryan wants to bed her. It was incredibly flattering, and sex is out of this world... Until she got pregnant because she forgot to renew the hormone shots. But she's already well on the way to reopen the restaurant, and he's away for 4 months doing a movie shoot... and Ryan's friend (Gwen's brother) is being a total leech and brat hating on Gwen's "success" and attention for two decades... When Gwen's pregnancy was revealed, she panicked and told Ryan it wasn't his (when it totally was)... Can their love survive the lie?

The plot involving Gwen's brother seems a bit underbaked, and the darkest hour didn't seem that dark, which basically is Ryan throwing a hissy-fit.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Borrowing Love by Kat Bellemore

Ruby avoided just about everything celebratory in her hometown of Amor. She had been through a lot, including the death of her parents and her husband. It has been four years she's even left town. Until Parker came back... // Parker made his fortune and is back in town to celebrate his parents' 30th anniversary. He loved Ruby in high school, but she stood him up on a date. Now he's not sure he wanted a second chance at Ruby.  But the town of Amor is ready to lend a hand.

Didn't feel much beyond some warm fuzzies.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Illegally Wedded by Jennifer Griffith

Piper opened the best restaurant in San Antonio as the only chef and they are about to survive their first year. She had an evil ex who stalked her with his official position as a Texas Ranger. Fortunately, he got caught. Her current BF Chad was nice but also neglectful. She was completely blindsided when she was notified by ICE that she is staying illegally and must leave the US within 30 days. And this was confirmed by her parents... who had moved to New Zealand to join a Hobbit cult. Just then, Chad decided to become an MMA fighter and ran off to South America... // Zach is the best performing attorney in his big respectable San Antonio lawfirm, except he's not being named partner... time after time. When he heard a rumor that only married associate can be named partner, and the last "old guard" partner is retiring, he decided to get married... // When he heard that Piper is in a desperate fix, Zach offered the simplest solution: they should get married.  But are they actually in love? Will the marriage save them both? How far will they go to save the other?

Wow, this novel has twists and turns that you don't see coming, and the darkest hour REALLY does seem to be the darkest hour, and there was no cheating. One could say there is not much of a grand gesture, but that doesn't matter that much. Though one of the threads IMHO wasn't tied up right.

 Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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

GRR Reviews Dearest SEALs Box Set by Blair Grey

NOTE: Collection, contains 5 books: SEAL's Baby, SEAL Billionaire, SEAL Firefighter, SEAL's Secretary, SEAL's Virgin.

This review will be a little different as I'm trying to address the entire collection, as the individual books are not available on Amazon Kindle.

While you do get a lot of reading material (the collection is over 800 pages), the books just come across as rather... mediocre to poorly written. Background information was mentioned and never touched again. SEAL ability and training was never used, and villains are practically infantile. Even names picked are about as generic as they come, with minimal research for viability.

Here are some examples:

A woman of Chinese descent and "still had an attractive Chinese accent" is named "Yuki", which is a JAPANESE name.

Similarly, a Russian girl was named "Aria" (not Russian), and her brother (who stayed in Russia) is named "Andrew" (still not Russian).  If they were named Anya and Andrei it'd make MUCH more sense.

A gang leader picks a fight with a former SEAL firefighter... In front of the firehouse, with a dozen firefighters merely yards away, and police not far behind. And all the gang leader brought was a knife.

In the same fight, this ex-SEAL, instead of going for a disarm-move to take away the knife from the gang leader, goes for a face punch instead.

The plots just do not excite me at all. At best, I felt lukewarm. All five novels are consistently mediocre or worse.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Love Me at Sunset by Lucinda Whitney

Catarina Romano had to flee from the paparazzi when her Spanish husband died in a scandal... and she's pregnant. Her cousin brought her to the family mansion "Sunset Manor" in Portugal, to allow her to hide out, and giving her time to think. // Afonso trusted the wrong person and paid for that with several months in prison. Now he's out and vowed to stay totally honest, and was offered a job as the groundskeeper at Sunset Manor, which is where he met Catarina. //  Catarina was confused by Afonso, who cared for her without asking for anything in return. But she can't fall for him, as she kept many secrets from him. // Afonso found that his past may have returned to haunt him when that wrong person he trusted have returned and may be planning something to finish the job he interrupted...

The suspense plot didn't work for me, as a lot of the elements seemed to reference earlier novels and without a backstory, I'm left to wonder what was the motivation for the bad guys. And even after getting the explanation, I'm left wondering. There was also a long stretch where almost nothing happened to keep up the suspense. The end was also wrapped up a bit too nicely. All in all, I'd say it's good but flawed.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Sweet Stuff by Chloe Morgan

Austin is a chocolatier who had to let his staff go because they are not getting enough orders. But doing everything himself means he can't make enough to meet demands. He had to hire a temporary assistant... and he got Pippa. // Pippa had to make ends meet while taking care of her disabled mother, and a temporary part-time position allows her to get out of the house. // Austin then found out that if he got engaged, he can inherit a big chunk of money from his dead grandaunt. And the only viable candidate seems to be Pippa...


Austin had basically "next morning regret" and I find that to be a very stupid plot.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Secretly Matched by Marie Higgins

Rayne just found out that her father had just ruined her life despite being dead. Rayne was going to marry her BF when he graduates. Now she must marry Calvin, her father's rival's son, for at least a year to receive her inheritance, due to a bet her father made with hsi father 20 years ago. // Calvin, trying to dissuade unwanted attention from a female co-worker, kissed a woman in the elevator. It was a kiss unlike any other. It was then he learned that she is Rayne, and they are contractually bound to be married if they are to receive their respective inheritances. // They married and it was in name only. But they discover that perhaps, that initial kiss was not a fluke, and Calvin was not as "bad" as his reputation seem to be. But when Rayne's BF started to stalk them, can Calvin protect her?

Charming, but the threat from BF wasn't handled that well and over way too quickly.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Elijah's Hope by S. Doyle

Shelby had to get away from the town that almost destroyed her, and a blind date that comes with an all expenses paid trip to middle-of-nowhere Alaska (okay, Hope's Point, Alaska) sounds perfect. Meeting the handsome oil-rig worker Elijah, and finding that he's sweet and caring is like a dream come true... But Shelby has some deep dark secrets... // Elijah and his three fellow oil riggers knew finding dates out in the wilderness of Alaska is impossible, so they took out a Facebook ad for basically all-expenses paid blind-dates. And Shelby was first viable candidate... She's gorgeous, funny, and studying to be a teacher... But why would she want to date him? What is she hiding?

Not too bad, the setup is quite good, and Shelby indeed has some deep dark secrets and her profile is a bit... fictional. But the problem, IMHO, was also a bit overblown.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Crossing the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

Courtney and Mark, figure skaters, are going for a spot on the Winter Olympic team, but they are up against Josh and Stephanie, a brother/sister team that may just be better than they are. Courtney and Mark knew this will likely be their last chance and they are training hard, but Stephanie is snooty... And Josh... is very nice. Courtney fell for Josh, but they are competitors on the field, and will definitely not be together after the Olympics ended, spot or not, as both have their futures to consider. Will this be merely a fling... or something more?

While the figure skating stuff was VERY nice, the love affair just didn't feel it had much jeopardy in it.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Chasing Clouds by Kathryn Andrews

Reid is a professional NFLer attending a wedding in Savannah, Georgia. He did not plan to ever get married. But something in Camille's eyes made him do the unthinkable... He objected to Camille's wedding when it's clear in her eyes that she does NOT want to be married to the man next to her. But he grew up in the tough streets of the Bronx, while she's a southern belle... // Camille was expected to get married to David, her best friend... but he's NOT someone she's in love with. When Reid objected to her wedding, it was a way out of her familial obligations, and she cannot walk away. Reid agrees to give her up after a few months, after the scandal dies down. But when the time is up, can Camille give up the freedom with Reid? Could she already be in love with Reid?

Wow, the book started out with a bang, and managed to sustain the momentum, for there are a TON of secrets, familial angst, and expectations to uncover. I won't spoil it, but let's just say, everything made sense, and even the douchebag had a reason. I didn't like the sudden flip of the douchebag for the resolution of the darkest hour, but it's a minor quibble.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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

GRR Reviews Operation: Protected Angel by Margaret Kay

Shepherd Security just got an emergency mission... Someone just bombed the convention center. A US Marshall managed to secure a witness, but the evac convoy was hit. They made it to the hospital, and they need extraction of the witness ASAP but there are unknown hostiles on the scene. The team, lead by Jackson, was able to secure the witness and transported her to Shepherd's secure location. // Angel woke up in pain, dizzy, restrained, and held captive by heavily armed men. But they don't seem to be her captors... Without a choice, she trusted Jackson, and was able to provide important clues on the terrorists. Angel and Jackson fell for each other, and Jackson is willing to quit and got into WITSEC with Angel. But first, she will be moved to US Marshall's custody while Jackson and team will pursue the team... But there's a traitor...

The plot and writing were rather clumsy. There were THREE backward time jumps in the first few pages, as if the author couldn't quite decide where to start the story, and decided to do all three. There are also some disturbing violent scenes that may or may not have been necessary. The way they fell for each other could be insta-love... or was it Stockholm Syndrome? Anyway, some brilliance, but still flawed.

Category: Romantic Suspense / Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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

GRR Reviews Love, Austen by Britney M Mills

Meg Austen runs the matchmaking service "Love, Austen". She is having success, but the expansion into a physical location had tied up her cash. She applied with an investment group, but was told she needs a boyfriend for herself, to show she trusts in the system. But she's too busy, and her last BF was what inspired this service... // Parker wants to be named partner in the lawfirm, to continue his legacy, and he was told that if he has a fiancee, to show some stability, the existing partners will treat him more seriously. But he hadn't really dated when his last serious GF told him "no" before he even asked the question... // Meg and Parker met at a wedding, and both are intrigued... Then he proposed a deal... They'll be fake BF/GF for a month or two, help each other out...

Not bad, but the darkest hour, IMHO, was a bit on the lame side.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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

GRR Reviews Dear Mr. Heart On by Frankie Love

Imogen is an artist and didn't really want to date, but her mother signed her up with a matchmaker service, hoping to give her a boost. // Niel threw himself into his career after losing his love. He's looking for a wife, not a lover, for he never expects to find another like the one he lost. // Niel and Imogen met through the matchmaker, and it was like insta-love... their chemistry cannot be denied. But after the coupling, Imogen realized her mother put the exact opposite of her in the matchmaking profile... she does NOT want to settle down... and this... fling with Niel will have to remain just a fling...  But can they let go?

Okay, good emotional reactions, and chemistry is good for such a short story (under 100 pages)  I can even excuse the sleeping on first date thing. But "run away to sort my feelings" is one of the corny tropes I hate. 4/5

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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

GRR Reviews Smokin' by Shirley Penick

Amber owns the most popular restaurant in town. She needs no hero. But when her restaurant caught fire and she was rescued by volunteer firefighter Jeremy she had to swoon... But she's keeping a huge secret... // Jeremy wanted to court Amber for a long time, but he has his own secrets that may send Amber running. But he can never pass by a chance to rescue her. // Both are keeping secrets, both are reluctant to commit, yet their hearts cannot be denied. But how will they react to each other's secrets?

Eh, the secrets turned out to be rather lame, IMHO. Just didn't feel much beyond the normal.

Category: Contemporary / Firefighter

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Saved by the Billionaire by Erin Swann

Natalie finally got divorced from her no-good husband who swindled millions from victims and is spending time in prison. But FBI continues to hound her, and nobody in town believed she had nothing to do with it. When FBI seized her car and her house, leaving her with not even enough $$$ for a latte, she had no choice but to move into her sister's flat... and find a job... // Ryan is a brilliant bio-chemist on the verge of multiple breakthrus, but someone is stealing data from them... His boss just assigned him a patent assistant to speed up the patent filing process... And that happens to be Natalie. Ryan has no social graces, but a good heart. He's also keeping some secrets.  And he wants to help Natalie with her problems... when the Cartel came after her because her ex-husband also laundered money for the cartel, and some of that money's missing, can Ryan keep her safe?

The novel just feels too long, and some of the twists are rather... tepid. The chemistry between them also felt a bit tepid and one-sided. And yes, I guessed who was crooked all along. It's a bit too obvious.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews The Savior by Cristin Harber

Liam and Chelsea don't run in the circles. He's a retired army captain. She's a US Marshal. But they share a common bond: reporter Julie, who was Liam's fiancee and Chelsea's best friend. When Julie was gunned down, and Liam was unable to prevent it, both are deeply saddened by the loss. Then Liam got a clue... Someone targeted Julie as revenge for Liam's final mission, and Liam will need Chelsea's help to catch the mastermind. They work well together, but can they love each other, while not feeling betrayal toward Julie?

Like the push-pull and the conspiracy angles behind it, but the idea of that other hostage having been around for months (years?) and kept out of the news is not that believable. And really, no security on someone who may know more than the president? Hmmm...

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Scandal by Nadia Lee

Meredith is a single mom that took over the CEO position of The Lloyd Development after the ouster of its previous CEO in a scandal. Before this, she's best known for running several charities. When a client, Daniel, demands Meredith to accompany him to visit his upcoming resort's job site and see how far its behind (despite status updates that says everything is on-time), she had to go. Daniel and Meredith knew each other, for she's his baby sister's best friend, and she had always a thing for him. Now forced to work together to resolve the problem, Daniel and Meredith found themselves falling for each other. But Meredith had kept a secret for many years. When Daniel's enemy made a devastating endgame move, forcing Meredith's secret into the open, will their affection for each other survive?

Didn't quite like the deus ex machina ending, but everything else up to that, including the secret, was magnificent.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Bride and the Beard by K C Crowne

Harley wanted to expand the 5-star family mountain resort with a spa and fitness center, but his two brothers are "we don't do that" "we'll think about it" and fobbed him off. He went to Vegas to attend a conference and met Emily there, fighting over a taxi... // Emily is a single parent raising her daughter because her ex-husband is a rich cheater who enjoys making her miserable. She went to Vegas to network, as she's a massage therapist hoping to open her spa. Harley and Emily met up and after a drunken night about town, got "married". Emily is in huge regret the next day, as her ex-husband apparently has her followed and will use that to hurt her and gain custody of Emily, while Harley just happens to need a massage therapist, and was surprised that Emily refused him. When Harley went to visit Emily, hoping to change her mind, he found out the whole situation... But what can he do about it?

Somehow the ending was wrapped up a bit too neatly. Let's just say there will be a court-battle, except it wasn't a battle but a massacre.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Drawn Into Love by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Lucas is a single father architect with a bitter ex. Courtney is a divorcee whose ex got his secretary pregnant. She got a generous settlement, decided to refurb a house, and needed Lucas' help... Courtney did not plan to fall for the handsome dad who can cook. And the feeling is mutual. But Lucas' ex is not done with him, and Courtney is keeping a secret from Lucas...

Pretty sweet, no obvious plot holes, good push-pull.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Home Game by Odette Stone

Ryan was traded to the Vancouver Wolves hockey team, and the whole team gave him the cold shoulder. When he's desperately trying to sort his receipts in a coffee shop (despite being a klutz on the laptop) a punk rock girl Zoey helped him... Except she's homeless and helping him made her ineligible for 8PM check-in. Ryan put her up for the night, but she suspects foul intentions due to her experiences. When she later got mugged and lost everything, Ryan put her up again, intending to help her get back on her feet. They slowly fell for each other, but Ryan's new PA is openly hostile, while Zoey had to reveal what sent her to the streets in the first place... and her menacer is back...

Pretty good push-pull, as her tough-girl act was... not an act, and his nice guy persona was not an act either, yet opposites attract. I do have a problem with someone hunting her down from YEARS ago.  And Ryan was set up to be a nice guy underdog, leaving him not much of a character arc.

Category: Contemporary / Sports

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews SEALed With Love by Heather Tullis

Someone is sending Sage creepy letters signed "Your future husband". It's so disturbing, her billionaire father hired her a full-time ex-SEAL bodyguard Joel. Her move to Juniper Ridge CO to run the latest DiCarlo resort with her half-sisters seems to be a good way to get away from the stalker... Until the stalker also arrived in Colorado... Joel dedicated his life to the SEALs until he was discharged by a career-ending injury. Now he's a bodyguard for a woman he should not want but does anyway. But how do you keep a stalker from a resort when you have no idea what he looks like? When the stalker escalated to sabotage and animal cruelty, Joel knew what he must do...

While the push-pull is good, it's nothing beyond a typical "bodyguard" story, and the stalker is simply a bit too good, IMHO. Appreciate the red herring, but shouldn't there be more than one?

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews A Ring for Christmas by Josephine Beintema

Noah has finally got a lead on his brother Max, who had disappeared three years ago after a huge family argument. They had worked for their father David in the world-famous Ramesly Pharmaceuticals, but when a drug trial went wrong, and kids were harmed, Max wanted to make things right, while David is determined to squash any liability... Including blackmailing his own sons into compliance. Max simply left and did not wish to be found. Three years later, Max had just started work at a diner, and Noah, in order to stay close to Max, also started to work at the diner and met the owner Elle. Noah fell for Elle, but Noah is being blackmailed into dating Bethany by his father...

Again, I don't understand the "douchebag father" trope. Evil and abusive, I understand. Blackmail one by threatening another... when the other is the heir made no sense. And the ending barely made any sense...

SPOILER

AHEAD

I WARNED YOU!

Noah called up Michael (big brother), explained that dad David threatened to ruin Michael if Noah does not comply, even though Michael's the heir. Michael's solution is to blackmail dad right back (which itself is basically something never before implied or such) and dad basically laughed "I guess I did raise you right after all, you are ruthless like me."  Threat neutralized. Argh! That's unsatisfying. It practically counts as a deus ex machina ending.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Charming as Puck by Pippa Grant

Nick's not a bad guy, it's just that he lives for two things... hockey, and pranks (on his fellow players), leaving Kami, his "friend with benefits", a distant third. It sure didn't help when Nick got pranked end ended up with a calf in his condo, and Kami, being a veterinarian, is obviously called in to help. Except this prank lead to Nick's eviction and a spot on the "never rent to" blacklist. Kami finally had enough when Nick forgot her birthday. Kami was always the nice girl, but she's done being a pushover. Now Nick has to be friends... WITHOUT benefits, because Kami's best friend is his own little sister. But he had to win her back somehow, even as she had to go on some horrible blind dates...

There are a lot of characters, and a lot of comedic situations that may result in laugh-cry situations, yet none of the situations are mean (well, the calf... can be a bit problematic). It's more like brotherly or sisterly teasing, with a bit of an edge. And it's pretty darn hilarious, but somehow, the plot felt it went a couple different directions, as not all the plot is on the main couple. Still, it's good.

Category: Contemporary / Sports

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The SEAL's Ward by Katie Knight

Ex-SEAL now security company head Jed is raising his goddaughter Nala, after his best friend and wife died, leaving him in charge. Nala withdrew into books, and Jed needs help, fast. // Tess lost her fiancee to suicide after helping him recover from a stroke. Her bookstore failed when a chain store appeared nearby. Left with no job and no prospects, it seems her speech therapist background may be useful to help Nala. But Jed... oh so big and so handsome... And they are good together. Unfortunately, an unknown danger soon threatens them both... Someone is going after Nala. Can the two figure out who's after them before it's too late?

Many too-stupid-to-live moments, and plot holes. What's with the "I can fix the cameras"? Sabotaging the ship makes no sense. Why go after Nala at all? It's as if the reason was chosen AFTER the plot. It really made no sense as a twist.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Mistletoe So Sweet by Juliet Bardsley

Cassie had to leave town after her husband left her. She went to a small town and opened her own cafe, hoping to forget her pain and get into the holiday spirit, and the arrival of her high school crush Trent may help with that... Except Trent is a Grinch, hates his hometown and Christmas. Unfortunately, when his mom took a spill on the sidewalk, he had to help out at the cafe, and meeting Cassie again may change his mind... and help her heal...

Sweet and short, no forced plotting.

Category: Contemporary / Holiday

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Secret by Nadia Lee

Blaine is perfectly content to run his bar in the small town. He knew his father is rich beyond belief, and wanted to give him 50 million dollars if Blaine will recognize him but he refused, as Blaine has no use for the money, nor does he want the bother (just imagine people coming out of the woodworks asking him for $$$!). Why should he reconcile with the old man who never showed up? Then Catherine arrived in town... // Catherine had enough misfortunes for a lifetime already. Having her "husband" run off with a stripper he married before her and then be suspected of embezzling from the family company left her no place to go... Until the old billionaire asked her for a favor... convince his bastard son Blaine to reconcile with him. Catherine is a socialite and the small town isn't really for her, but the longer she stayed, the more she and Blaine fell for each other, as Blaine was able to see past her shell, and she showed him perhaps money will not change him. But when Blaine found out who had sent her, is it game over for this couple?

Interesting escalation, and the character arcs are not obvious, but sort of sneaks up on you. It also rehabilitated the character of Catherine, who was NOT a sympathetic character in previous novels in the series. Push-pull is good.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Teacher's Troublemaker by Merry Farmer

Chastity is one of the Quinlan Quads... Quadruplet sisters. Her three sisters have already paired up with other Culpepper brothers, leaving her with Chris, whom she's very much attracted to. She wanted to break the curse of her name... by doing the horizontal mambo with Chris. So they got married... but unfortunately, things keep getting in the way of them consummating the deed. First it was wool allergies ("Johnson jammies" for the you-know-what). Then it's teeth marks (Ouch!) due to accidental interruption of... the oral variety. It didn't help that they can't keep their hands off each other, and she's a bit of a klutz (laundry room shelf, ahem). But due to the interruptions, they also did a lot of talking, and it's clear that both of them left a lot of their academic goals behind... Now that they are their own family, it is their time to seize the day...

My first reaction is "poor 'little' Chris"... That... "thing" can't take much more abuse! Then I was ROFL, even as I sympathize with injuries in the nether region. The shifting of goals felt a bit abrupt though. Still, it's a fun read.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Con Artist by Alexa Riley

James "not Jamie" is a pickpocket and a cat burglar that works for an underworld father figure. Her life changed when she picked the pocket of Bennett, a very powerful man, who's rich and always gets what he wants. When Bennett realized James took his wallet, he wanted her... not just her head, but her, in every way possible. He will claim her, body and soul...

If you want a "filthy" read, this will do, but there's really not much plot. He plays catch-n-release with her, and she lets him play with her. He then seduces her, and takes her to bed. And he's thinking filthy thoughts like to "breed" her, and put a baby in her, and blah blah blah. Plot? What plot?

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Baby by Nadia Lee

Amandine and Gavin should have been very happy together. He's handsome, rich beyond belief and buys her everything (like her own private jet for her birthday) and good in bed. But it had been three years since her marriage, and her in-laws still seem to dislike her... and it seems Gavin still puts work above family. When Amandine realized she's pregnant, and Gavin seems to think a fancy gift solves everything, Amandine decided she can't raise a child without love, and sought a divorce... or Gavin's love. Gavin's not about to let his woman walk away... He forced her to agree for a delay of four months, during which he'll try to win her back... But unless they confront their own fears and doubts, there may not be a happily ever after...

How "on the rocks" romance should be done, and a good introduction where things went from bad to worse, and Gavin's clueless. When money does NOT solve everything, what's a man gotta do? Read it and find out.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Her Boss by Anne-Marie Meyer

Beth is back in Honey Grove after losing her job and dumped by her boyfriend. She is also forced to keep her mother's cancer a secret. Desperate to find a job, the only job available seems to be a nanny position for Joshua, her old neighbor, who just moved back to town with his son. // Josh moved back to down with his son after a bitter divorce. Unfortunately, it seems his mom is busy matchmaking and wanted to match him up with his old neighborhood girl Beth, and hired her as a nanny... Josh likes Beth... but Josh sensed Beth is holding something back...

The secrets thing didn't work that well, IMHO. it's not really possible to keep secrets in a small town, and it is all out of pride. And how does that secret interferes with the daughter's love life? The two plots only sort of intersects.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews The Millionaire's Crush by Nadia Lee

Brooke is 3 years older than Pete, but that did not prevent them from appreciating each other... but only from afar. They did make out once many years ago, but she vowed not to give in again, for it could be very complicated... They now work in the same company. And he is her best friend's little brother. // Pete knew that Brooke is the right one for him, and it took him eight years for him to earn his worth. Now there is nothing that will stop him from showing Brooke why he is the man for her...

Best friend's sibling, albeit with a "slight" taboo tossed in for spice... slightly younger guy. But when boiled down, it's always that "inadequacy"...  The push-pull though is good.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Don't Go by Violet Paige

Veronica is a reporter for the local business newspaper, and she needs to get some news about the billionaire tycoon in town, Aiden Thomas. There are rumors that he's buying an old trailer park and turn it into a large condo. Meeting Aiden is surprising for Veronica, who felt attraction like never before. She succumbed and slept with him, even as she produced articles that could make her the features reporter. But her ethics told her to confess to her boss...

Okay, the push-pull is not bad, but the "reporter vs. billionaire" trope is just that: a trope, and this one didn't bring that much uniqueness to the table. At least the boss here is not totally unreasonable. Still, the darkest hour could have been better, IMHO.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Her Surprise Baby Christmas by Clare Connelly

Bella noticed the brooding but darkly handsome man at her mother's wedding. Seduced by the Greek smile, she chose him to receive her V-card. She is tired of being the good girl. She wants sex, and indeed the sex was... magical. Until he heard her name... // Vitalo knew the bride getting married. Her previous husband was his mentor, and she actually came to him one night, telling him that she would go with him if he would admit he loved her. He refused, even though his body wanted her... Now she's getting remarried... and he's brooding. A one-night stand should be great... until he realized she's a virgin. He made it good for her... very good. It was next morning, when he heard her name, that he realized his mistake... He just f***ed the daughter of the woman he should not want. And things got dire a few months later, when Bella told Vitalo she's pregnant... Vitalo wanted to marry Bella, but he can never tell her he had coveted her mother for a very long time... But when she found out...

Ooohhh, that's a good darkest hour... lots of conflicting emotions about what's the difference between love and infatuation. For a short, this is quite good, even though it does go into a bit of Greek stereotypes. Still, good job.

Category: contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews Cold as January by Katie Graykowski

January Jenkowski had enough of men. She's pregnant. When she called the baby daddy to tell him the news, he hung up on her. So she blocked him on the phone, social media, and left word for doorman and bouncer to not admit him under any circumstances. AND her brothers who run a motorcycle club are ready to do a smackdown on him if he ever dares to show his face... // Dr. Giles Nixon was overseas attending a conference when he got the call from January, and the phone call dropped in the middle of his call, then he got called away, his partner fell sick, and he had no chance to call back before he was blocked (in so many ways). He knew January was a bit young for him, but they are good together, but he kept saying the wrong things. But he's determined to see January, even if he had to take a punch in the stomach for it...

Awwww, that's sweet... But how do you convince a woman who thought she was over you to give you another chance, that it was all a misunderstanding?

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Loving the Wrong Brother by D L Stewart

Miranda has always loved Chance Palmer but hates Sam Palmer, the younger brother. In a small town, Chance was always there to save her, and she worships the ground he walks on. While Sam... let's just say he's always there at the most embarrassing moments of her life, even at the graduation ceremony wardrobe malfunction. But Chance never gave her a second glance. Five years after graduation, Miranda is hoping to find some money to finish her design degree, while the Palmer brothers need a little help taking care of their construction business. And the help Chance hired is Miranda... Miranda slowly started to realize that perhaps, Sam was not as "evil" as she thought. When a wildfire threatens to destroy the town, Miranda has to decide that perhaps, she was loving the wrong brother all along.

Good amount of angst and realizations, proper escalation and application of external threats to push things along.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews The BIlionaire's Christmas Hideaway by Kimberley Montpetit

Reve had two failed relationships. She thought she finally found the one, only to see him wooing a different woman... just before Christmas. Refusing to go on her family trip to India, she chose to visit her best friend in New Mexico, and met cowboy Logan. Logan is a real cowboy, charming, kind, and oh very handsome. And they share the Christmas spirit... when she's not in a sour mood. But she's a city girl who's leaving soon.. and he's a country boy who had to stay... Can this relationship ever work?

Good public scene when she realized the betrayal, but it seems her half-Asian background didn't come up much, other than made her "exotic".

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Challenge by Amy Daws

Camden lives and breathes football (soccer to you Yanks) just like all his brothers, and he's on the verge of moving on from his hometown team to the premier league. When he busted his knee and ended up in a London hospital, watching the possibility of his dreams being destroyed, he desperately needed a distraction, and the young female doctor, Indie, proved to be the perfect distraction, esp. when she refused to respond to his come-ons. // Indie knew she's special... she skipped three grades and just graduated medical school at 24, and she wrote a paper on a special knee surgery technique that can save Camden's knee. But she also admits she'd never done things that girls do, like flirting, or have boyfriends. And a fling with the hunky footballer may be just what she needed... no matter how inappropriate it may be. // Camden and Indie came together, and they can't believe how right they are for each other. But Camden is overwhelmed by the possibility he may not play again (despite all signs saying he will), esp. when he learned that Indie will gain fame from assisting in the surgery. Was she using him all along? When Camden refuse to complete the surgery, and broke it off with Indie, can Indie save him... from himself?

Camden did come off a bit of a cad at the beginning, but redeemed himself nicely. Note that this book reads VERY British (with proper Queen's English!) but then, it is football we are talking here. I have a slight problem with the geekette angle... Feels like a bit of cliche and all that. But it works here.

Category: Contemporary / Sports

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews The Rancher's Unexpected Baby by Leslie North

Maxwell is doing great in his horse breeding business, but his dream is to sell one of his quarab horses to an Arab prince. He may be the least educated of his generation, but he's doing well for himself... and when he heard that a royal Saudi family ontourage may be visiting the area he must get ready... That is, until he ran into Lena, who disappeared after one night in bed with him five months ago. and v-card was taken. And it's very obvious now that she's now quite pregnant... // Lena was a horse trader until she leaked a crucial piece of info to Maxwell in bed... and she got fired. Seeing him brought mixed feelings... He's the cause of her troubles now, but he's also a good lover... // Lena is not going to take Max's "charity" nor accept his "obligation", so Max is going to create a job for her... as a horse saleswoman, and she's very good at it! But when it comes down to matters of the heart, will they do the right thing?

I don't like the darkest hour, when Max basically became completely unreasonable, and Lena's reaction is "I'm walking away (come find me when you're reasonable)". I just don't feel WHY he had to be that unreasonable. Perhaps the build-up was not there or something, but it just felt WRONG. That ruined an otherwise a pretty good reunion novel.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews The Conflicted Warrior by Cami Checketts

Jasmine used to be an... "covert operative" until she went straight and joined Sutton Security. But it seems her old "friends" may not be ready to let her go just yet. While protecting singer Kaleb, Kaleb told the fans that he's engaged to "Jasmine" to ward off over-enthusiastic fans. Right after the concert, Kaleb received a threat... a stalker promised to kill two people close to Kaleb if Kaleb doesn't actually marry Jasmine. Jasmine doesn't believe that Kaleb is in love with her... She had done horrible things before and is not lovable. But to save him, she will fake marry him and protect him, while the rest of Sutton Security and deal with the threat around Kaleb, including his large family. But Kaleb had loved Jasmine from afar for a while, and with her so close, he will show her that she is lovable... But who is threatening Kaleb and his family?

I don't really get the threat, which I can't explain further as it will spoil the story. Let's just say, I already gave a big hint, but the motivation still escapes me. The ending is actually quite good and worthy of an action firm (and probably inspired by one). All in all, a solid 4/5

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Pricked by Winter Renshaw

Brighton is a rich girl who grew up in a gilded cage. Having found her grandparents dead one morning made her parents overly protective. But she's had enough... she's not going to medical school like they wanted. On her 22nd birthday, she went to get a tattoo... and met the owner, Madden, who has his own scars... His father is a murderer, and his twin brother was shot dead. He grew up and opened a tattoo parlor, and even changed his name legally. But he can't seem to outrun his past. Having his ex Veronica "Ronnie" just up and ran off three years ago didn't help him at all. Meeting Brighton was... unexpected. And they have chemistry between them... but both are convinced it's not feelings... It's just... indications that they can be very good in bed. But they are very very different indeed. But can they love each other despite objections?

Okay, there is a plot twist later that's brilliant, if a bit out of the blue, but the evil ex Ronnie coming back just to mess with him? LAME setup for the darkest hour! Still, the rest of the book is pretty good.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Paramedic's Second Chance by Elana Johnson

Ten years ago, paramedic Andrew delivered Gretchen's daughter on the side of the road at Hawthorne Harbor. Andrew was surprised now to find Gretchen and her daughter Dixie broken down on side of the road nearly at the same spot... Gretchen moved back to town after her husband died and she's now the town florist, busy making ends meet. And Drew... He's back in town as a paramedic again after a stint as a firefighter in a nearby town. After rescuing Gretchen yet again (she had a ladder mishap after a marriage venue) Drew found out he was great with Dixie. Drew invited her and Dixie to live on his parent's lavender farm. Gretchen found herself falling for Andrew. When Andrew's ex is back in town, can Gretchen trust Drew... or will she be betrayed?

Good pacing and escalation. There are a couple more subplots, like the lavender farm, the ice cream hobby, and so on, that really added flavor to the mix. Like it a lot.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews Accidentally Yours by Ilsa Ames

Tiago is a bar owner and bartender. June is one of his customers... she just sits in the back and sips her wine and relaxes. Then Tiago has a proposition for her... Tiago had a horrible father and left to find his own way. His father died and left him a huge inheritance, but there are terms... such as get married and produce a child within 24 months. Normally, he'd just told the lawyers to bug off, but there's something else... His goddaughter (his best friend's daughter) needs a heart transplant or an experimental treatment that costs a lot of $$$$. He doesn't want or need for money, but for the little girl... // June had been lusting over Tiago for a long time, but she stayed to herself... Her parents were minor con artists, and she left them far behind, wanting to run a non-profit so kids don't have to be like her. And Tiago's proposal would give her quarter of a million bucks, enough to help her foundation to help plenty of kids. And to have sex with Tiago... But she still has her v-card... Can she ever be good enough? They got married, and sex, after a little coaching from Tiago, is stupendous. But when they couldn't conceive despite plenty of trying...

The build-up was good, and June turned out to like sex quite a lot (perhaps a bit too well, considering she never did it before, but perhaps you can chalk that up to the romance novels she read). The problem I have is with the darkest hour... Retrograde amnesia? Really? And she managed to drag her cat crate far enough so nobody associated the accident and her? No ID or anything?

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Free to Dream by Tracey Jerald

Cassidy lived through physical, mental, and sexual abuse as a child, and barely escaped. She maintains a regimented life to give her the illusion of control over her fate, and she fell into the role of wedding and event planner. But she believes she cannot ever love, being too damaged. When the Lockwood wedding came to her firm, the Amaryllis, it brought her Caleb Lockwood. // Caleb is glad to help his little brother marry his lifemate... and in course of some standard background check, he found out about Cassidy's family... the Freemans... and how they survived and persevered through a nightmare. Caleb wanted to help Cassidy cope, and perhaps, even love, but the secrets he discovered will turn his family upside down... and reveal sins so deep and so dark, it had been covered up for decades... and someone is willing to kill to keep it all hidden...

Good plotting, with depravities so horrendous you'd wince, and let's just say "hell hath no fury like woman scorned", and let's leave it at that, as I don't want to spoil the story. The push-pull is pretty good, and setup for other volumes with the various brothers and so on are nicely fitted in.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Reasons to Breathe by Chloe Morgan

Single mom Erin had to leave town when she got pregnant and the father left them. Her family shamed her for unable to keep her man. Erin settled in a town with Miss Claire who gave her a job at her interior design company. Only her sister Whitney supported her... So much so she came to visit and stayed to work at a waitress to help support her. Things changed when Miss Claire's son, Dane, a US marine, came home on leave for a month. Erin was too busy working and too hurt to be in a relationship, but Dane, being a former asthma sufferer, was able to teach Erin's asthmatic daughter a way to cope. Dane wanted to love Erin, but Erin is hesitant, knowing that being a military wife requires a much higher level of commitment, one she may not be ready to give...

IMHO, this relationship moved a bit too fast, from attraction to sex to commitment. He really has no obstacles, and she's doing the unintentional "hard to get", which felt very one-sided.

Category: Contemporary / Military

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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GRR Reviews Keep Me Going by Mia Ford

Soledad knew something was wrong with her husband right after she married, but when her husband simply walked away one day, she had to raise the kid alone. Now a thousand miles away and settling in Seattle, with a good job, she's happy... Until she found herself falling for her boss Alex. But when her crazy ex found her, started stalking her, and intending to take the child from her, can Alex protect her?

The plot simply makes no sense. The crazy ex apparently will not get his trust fund unless he gets the child? What was he planning to do? Kill his ex-wife? The guy's completely nuts. And what does Alex do? He simply gets bodyguard(s), involves the cops, but didn't go to the source: crazy ex's father, who setup the trust fund. The push-pull is not bad, but the execution of the threat is sub-par.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

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