GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Ex-Boyfriend Fake Fiance by Christine Kersey

Librarian Ashleigh is doing a fundraiser dinner for the Emerald Falls Library for more computers and books. When her bestie, and the auctioneer, put her on the auction block (for a date), she tolerated it... Until she saw who won the date... Her ex Chase, now a billionaire. // Chase didn't even planned to be back, but when he heard that his mom's cancer is no longer in remission, and it's time to start hospice care, he had to come back. Winning the date was just him trying to play nice (he's late to buy anything else). But when his mom desired to see him settle before she passes, Chase thought of staging a fake engagement and maybe a fake wedding... After all, Ashleigh is a good girl... but hates his guts for leaving her a decade ago... right?

Eh, the circumstances forcing them together just feels a bit... meh, as if a bit contrived, but usually that's how this sort of story goes. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Alternate Marriage by Tami Dearen

Rylie had been crushing on Jarrett, even though Jarrett dated her twin sister Carlie. But Carlie dumped Jarrett for a singing career in Nashville. Years later, Carlie is hiding out from a scandal and living with Rylie... when Rylie found that Jarrett has moved in next door, and is now a billionaire. But Jarrett wants to adopt Gabe and despite his riches, he can't seem to get adoption approved... unless he got married. The logical choice would be Carlie, who can use a boost for her career, being associated with a billionaire. But when timing did not work out, Jarrett ended up marrying Rylie instead, as a marriage of convenience. It's just to adopt Gabe, they said to themselves... Each was convinced that the other wanted someone else... Can they ever admit their real feelings?

Good setup and no logic holes or plot holes I can see, just a lot of inconvenient timing (like Carlie fell sick just before the marriage timing) but if rom-coms can do it, so can regular romances. 4/5

GRR Reviews Trusting His Heart by Jen Peters

Cat, building contractor, is in Oregon doing a high-end restoration. She left her childhood behind and didn't want to talk about it again... ever. She didn't expect her client to saddle her with a co-contractor, Justin, who will be doing all the electrical work. // Justin did rescue Cat from a ditch earlier, but that didn't earn him any points when he started questioning her judgment. Justin is also under stress when he needs some money to help his mom keep the family home, but Cat refuses to compromise on any details. When thieves hit the construction site, and made off with lumber and wires, and more, the two will have to unite to thwart the trespassers, but when one of them is found, Cat wants to give him a second chance (because someone saved her that way), while Justin is all about harsh punishment... And Cat's leaving when the project's done... right?

Good twists and turns, and good wedge issue between the two characters adding to opposites attract / enemies to lovers trope. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Walker Island Box Set Vol I (1-3) by Lucy Kevin (aka Bella Andre)

THREE BOOK COLLECTION will be rated separately, with an overall rating at the end. These novels are pretty short (barely over 100 pages) and sweet.


Be My Love

Hanna Walker returns to her home, Walker Island, to make a documentary about her namesake, and to document the Walker / Peterson feud that had been going on for decades. She was surprised when Joel Peterson denied her request to access the island archives. When Joel found he can't stop Hannah, he joined her on her quest, determined to see the truth told. But as they started to unravel the mystery around the origins of the feud, they also found their attraction toward each other growing. And love may be the one thing that will finally end the feud once and for all...

Pretty good with a mystery as the framing plot, sort of opposites attract, plus a family feud, good conflicting responsibilities. 4.5/5


No Other Love

Morgan Walker is back at Walker island to launch her organic makeup line, after being a celebrity makeup artist in New York for many many years, and is about to get her own TV makeover show. Having her own family plot growing her own organic plants for her makeup line would be perfect, esp. when she'll be seeing her entire family of sisters and grandma. But that also means she'll see Brian, her ex, whom she broke up with seven years ago... for her career. And this time, he wasn't ready to let her get away again.

Not feeling too much with this one except regrets and promises. 3.5/5


When It's Love

Rachel wanted adventure... Until her BF dumped her when he found she's pregnant six years ago. Left to fend for herself as single mother, Rachel had help from her family on Walker island.  Rachel was not worried about the professional surfer Nicholas in town, as he's there to do a TV show. But when she's asked to step in for a lead role, she found that perhaps, she can use some adventure in her life after all...

Rachel basically has to learn to love again, while Nicholas... is the guy to offer her the chance. Good polish, nothing too special. 3.5/5

Overall rating 4/5

GRR Reviews Not Before Game Night by Khardine Gray

Cole, pro football player, was dragged into a bet by another player to defy coach's orders to NOT have sex night before the game. It should be an easy bet, since Vanessa, the girl that used to follow him around in high school, is now a gorgeous babe, and very near. // Vanessa knew Cole's bad news for more than ten years. Yes, she still has her V-card at 26, but she's NOT giving it to Cole, the man-whore. He had his chance a decade ago. Except, he's not quitting. And it may just be he found his soulmate... if he can convince her of that...

Not really feeling much about this one. And there's a logic problem in the plot. Cole actually stated that he LOST the bet and couldn't get Vanessa into bed and paid the bet off (200K). So for the darkest hour, somehow the bet came up AGAIN as the wedge issue. WTF?! 3/5

GRR Reviews Come Undone by Crystal kaswell

Alyssa had to leave her last TV show when she fainted, suffering from bulimia as a result of binge-eating and purging cycles. Her boyfriend Ryan, who had taken care of her before, got her to rehab, and she is now okay... But Ryan refuses to let her act again, claiming she has no self-control. Alyssa also met Luke, Ryan's wilder, more passionate law partner, who doesn't like the way Ryan treats Alyssa (more like a pet than a girlfriend). But Alyssa already accepted the engagement ring from Ryan, and he did save her... right? But Luke refused to sit back, even as Alyssa grew a spine and got back into acting... and Ryan retreated into 80-hour work weeks...

While a part of a three-book series, this novel can be read alone. I like the overall feel, but I didn't like the way Ryan or Luke were set up. Ryan basically has NO redeeming qualities other than he got Alyssa to rehab, but that's a one-time event, which he used as a hammer to beat her down again and again while using her as his show-piece (on his arm at social events), as if he owned her for life "for her own good". In the meanwhile, Luke (or Lucas) is the white knight who will save her from her dreary existence under Ryan's thumb with great sex and more. If there were more nuances in the two MMC I'd give this a higher score. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews her Generous Billionaire by Juliette Duncan

Marcus is still grieving over the death of his one true love and wife. He doubts he will ever love again. In the meanwhile, he provides for his disabled mom, but he's busy and he needs to hire a caretaker... // Tiffany is a single parent raising two kids after an ugly divorce, and a caretaker job is perfect for her. Meeting Marcus... well, he's her boss. She can't get involved with him... But when he had to choose a date for a charity ball, and a sticky (and icky) ex wanted to be his date, he quickly decided Tiffany would be a much more suitable choice after all. But that dance soon turned into something more. Yet are either of them ready for love, much less with each other?

Pretty standard hot for boss, albeit as a nanny/caretaker role with senior instead of kids. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Like a Winter Snow by Lindsay Harrel

Joy is a women's counselor who put her life on hold to care for her aging parents, one with Alzheimer's. She reluctantly went to England to help her best friend's wedding, and met Oliver, who may be her one true love... on the wrong side of the planet. She resisted love with all her might, because she must return to care for her parents... right?

Solution is expected, and this is NOT deus ex machina because the author managed to setup the solution early in the book, but buried it quite deeply. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Cookie House by Jennifer Griffith

Leela is back in Massey Falls, to grieve for her mother and care for her ailing father, as well as try to fill her mother's shoes for the local Ladies' Auxiliary Cookie House benefit gala. However, it seems that Mrs Coldicott is determined to sink the event (and make Leela look bad) by refusing to host the event at her house (even though it's her turn), and no other venue is available... Unless Leela can convince town stranger Jay to allow the use of his Layton Mansion. But Jay had been spending the last few months renovating the place anticipating a quick sale, and now, he absolutely must clean out the attic... as stipulated in the will, before he has the title, free and clear. When an offer came through... and want to close BEFORE the event, Jay can't possibly sell the mansion out from under Leela... right? Who'd pay cash for a mansion before Christmas anyway?

The motivation wasn't explained until the very end, leaving the "persecution" (Caldicott's unexplained hostility toward Leela) just "weird", I guess the author is going for "the entire family is nuts" explanation. 4/5

GRR Reviews Don't Ditch a Detective by Cami Checketts

Jed can't believe that he got pepper-sprayed while jogging behind a twitchy woman. The fact that she's beautiful (after he washed his eyes out with snow) did mollify him somewhat. Her name is Cassandra, and he knew her... She's an idealistic do-gooder who decided EVERY child is redeemable. He's a police detective who saw the worst life has to offer, for he had lived it as a foster child. But neither is entirely correct about the other. When Cassie went to Mexico to help an orphanage, and was targeted by a local cartel, will Jed and help get to her in time?

Not bad, though one really wonders if the best way to get help for an orphanage is to get help from the US rather than look for local help? Or perhaps no local help can be trusted? 4/5

GRR Reviews Christmas Like This by Carina Taylor

Marla and Trey both work at the same marketing firm but are mortal enemies... They were ordered by their boss to learn how to work together... Or else. In fact, they are both assigned to the Christmas party planning duty. But they are always verbally sparring with each other before... Each sees the other as aggravating... But it seems when Marla got a bit closer, Trey's protective... OVER-protective side comes out... and when Trey's not being a jerk, he's actually quite handsome...

Pretty good enemies to lovers kinda story. 4/5

GRR Reviews Lawfully Remembered by Ginny Sterling

Jesse Smithson, military police, is in the ER with head injury after an encounter with some robbers. When he woke up, he realized he lost his memories. Yet when he saw his nurse, Melissa, it seems to trigger something... that made him wanted to know her better... //  Melissa can't believe Jesse is in her ER, and he didn't recognize her. She had a crush on Jesse all through high school, but she was crushed when she asked him to take her to the prom, and he said he's not going. Yet almost two decades later, he's there, with a blank slate, wanted to know her and date her... Is this the chance she needed all along?

Nothing really major that threatens to tear them apart, but good revelations. 3/5

GRR Reviews Kiss Me at Midnight by Lucinda Whitney

Celeste just wants her job as aquarium's head caretaker to continue. She is a single parent whose ex prefers to party with the boys than his parental duties. However, the aquarium is closed pending disposition by the new owner, and it's clear that her direct superior wants her gone, one way or another. When the new owner turned out to be Filipe, her dead brother's best friend, whom she hadn't seen in a decade, she's conflicted... Can she trust Filipe in anything? // Filipe just wants to complete the hotel renovations. Aquarium seems to be just an extra problem on his plate... until he realized who works there... a woman he abandoned so long ago out of guilt and shame... His brain says sell the aquarium and get out. But his heart says stay and help her... Can he ever confess his sins?

Good and understandable reasons about keeping secrets. But the "heavy" is just so... clumsy and transparent. And the ending just feels so... deus ex machina. 4/5

GRR Reviews Trust Me On This by Jennifer Crusie

Alec is undercover, trying to catch a serial scammer and his accomplice, using his aunt, professor Veronica, and her rich friends, as bait, at a conference about Shakespeare. // Dennie is an investigative reporter going after the biggest story in her career... except her subject wanted to avoid the subject. She attended the conference but was dodged. She needed to talk to professor Veronica, which means talking to Alec... who mistook her for the scammer's accomplice working the con... It's clear Alec and Dennie have chemistry together, but she thinks he's running interference for his aunt, and he thinks she's running a con... which only makes their feelings even more confusing...

Oh, nice setup, and even nicer escalation. The scene where Dennie had to put the moves on the scammer while wearing a wire, with Alec listening, was ROFL funny.  5/5

GRR Reviews Love You, Truly by Susan L Tuttle

Blake has a Hollywood mother, but he is camera-shy and avoids the limelight... until his mother begged him to take on a reality dating show to boost her image. He never expected to fall in love... with someone who didn't even plan to be on the show... // Harlow is an aspiring photographer who's grieving after her BF dumped her for her best friend. She's trying to raise money for her disabled sister's nonprofit, and when her sister submitted her profile to be on the dating show, she can't say no. But she really didn't want to be there... So why does she feel a connection to Blake, who's determined to woo her, even though they are of different worlds?

Not the first book I've read on the same premise, it's also a bit wordy and the conflict not that well handled. Blake could have been less of a pushover. He's the star. Without him there is no show. Yet he lets the producer push him around. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Taming Scrooge by Sophia Summers

Ezra, super developer, was raised by his cold father. He is strong-arming the the locals to accept his resort that will revive the sleeping town of Sanders Corners... by tearing down most of the iconic Main Street, including the famous Christmas Shoppe, open year-round with ornaments and more from all over the world. The city is mostly onboard, but Star, owner of the Christmas Shoppe, and daughter of the Christmas tree farm owner, is not giving up without a fight. She co-chairs the Festival of Trees with Ezra, hoping to get close to him and win his heart... But he has his own problems, when his father suddenly said they'll lose EVERYTHING unless they push the deal through, and they shall wreck the Christmas Shoppe on Christmas morning with a wrecking ball...

The story just feels very... forced. Ezra's father is basically super-scrooge that held on to a grudge for decades (and how does suing for half of everything at divorce even work after decades? Or did they NEVER divorce?)  And how he just "gracefully" accepts defeat at the end? WTF?!  And the town council flip-flopping? Argh!  2/5

GRR Reviews Not Until Christmas Morning by Valerie M Bodden

Austin lost his leg, his friend, and his faith in Afghanistan. With his brother also serving, he's determined to go back, but with the decision on his discharge in the air, and moping at home is not an answer, he decided to visit Hope Springs, where his parents came from... and met a neighbor having her own problems. // Leah has plenty of heart to give, but after betrayal, she decided to remain single, even as she decided to foster a teen problem child. But Jackson, who found his mother dead of OD, is determined not to let anyone ever hurt him again, and has been bounced out of multiple foster families. Yet Jackson formed a bond with their new neighbor, Austin. Leah had to be nice to Austin, but Jackson's sake, But can three broken souls make one happy family as Christmas nears?

VERY Christian, plenty of mention of Bible and faith, but NOT heavy-handed (as some Christian writers tend to sprinkle Bible quotes throughout), and great character arc for all three. I have a little problem with Jackson, whose behavior is conflicting. Seems he ONLY EVER eats a PBJ sandwich... which he later explained that it was the last thing his mom made for him, yet he also hates his mom for leaving him for drugs and OD death... But the story overall, is still quite uplifting. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Keep Me At Christmas by Lucinda Whitney

Luciana Romano is just in Hudson Springs, New York, to work on the museum exhibit, as she's a fabric restoration specialist, and the exhibit is about the fabric and textile industry and products of the area. Meeting Jack DiLorenzo and his family is a bonus...  // Jack had to quit his plans when his father died and he took over as the head baker for the family cafe. Love was never in his plans. The snowstorm that stranded her for a few extra days was a bonus, but she's leaving soon... back home to Europe. // Can a long-distance relationship ever work?

Slow simmer romance of fish out of water and different worlds romance. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Christmas Wedding Fake Fiancee by Jennifer Youngblood

Sofia has a great cleaning business. So when a prominent CEO, Colin, accused her employees of being negligent, she had to investigate personally. But the two alpha personalities quickly collided and neither would give an inch.  Then Colin made Sofia an offer she can't refuse... Be his fake Christmas fiancee to sooth over his family hassling him about finding a wife... and he'll forget the whole thing...

Rom-com, trope-ridden, but decently polished. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews her Kind-hearted BIlionaire by Juliette Duncan

Phoebe still can't get over the death of her fiancee only weeks before their wedding, even a year later. When her best friend decided to drag her to Asia on a volunteering trip to Southeast Asia, she decided to go. // Nicholas is an Aussie billionaire with his two siblings... but lately it feels as if he's the only adult left. His little brother just spends and spends, and his sister just goes on these "meditation retreats", yet both are shallow as ****. Feeling a bit lost, he wandered into a local church, and heard about a volunteer opportunity in Bangkok. He decided to take a month off to volunteer... undercover. // Nick and Phoebe met in Bangkok at a rehabilitation shelter for trafficked children, and they connected. But he's hiding his identity and had not given himself to God,  She's feeling guilty of falling for someone less than a year after her fiancee's death... Can they find love?

A bit too overtly religious, and there was no resolution for Nick's two siblings, who are STILL shallow as ****. Pure dress pieces. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Lost Memories and New Beginnings by Lorana Hoopes

Dr. Brody thought he was done with love as a widower. But when he saw the woman in the mangled car, some protective instinct stirred. Later, he realized she had lost her memories, except fear... someone was after her, and it was clear someone ran her off the road. They found out who she was, not a good person at all. But the present her isn't like that at all... And whoever targeted her is still out there...

Good romantic suspense, decent twists, 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Bootyogomy by Frankie Love and C M Seabrook

Max can't ever date his best friend's little sister, Kendall, even if she's all grown up now. Call it a buried crush... Until she propositioned him. // Kendall wanted Max for a long time. That tight ass in a police uniform... Yum. But she knew she can't date him... His brother will have a conniption. // Their solution... Bootyogomy... exclusive and monogamous booty call...

This 60-page short is basically sex and more sex and repressed desires... Not really much of a plot or character arc. But it is quite hot. 3/5

GRR Reviews Lawfully Brave by Jo Grafford

Sergeant Luke and his K-9 Hellion are on their way home for leave when he heard the amber alert. The town needs volunteers to find a missing boy. It also happens that a woman next to him, Coco, is also responding to the same crisis. She's a veterinarian and started her own volunteer K9 search and rescue team... except her team has never done a real search and rescue before. Luke and Hellion are experienced, and they are definitely joining the search, if only to keep Coco out of trouble... But the more they search, the more questionable circumstances they find. Who is the deputy's cousin? Is there a drug cartel connection? Will they find the boy alive?

Good adventure and twists in romantic suspense, good bonding experience. There is a character arc for Coco, but didn't feel it much. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score

Catalina runs a construction business, and enjoys helping people. A reality show where she helps deserving people get a new house is perfect for her. When Merry, CT was hit by a hurricane, and the town has a family she helped two years ago, she convinced the network to fund a super Christmas special, where her crew and other volunteers will rebuild the whole town, albeit, with a camera crew. And she ran into an obstacle... Noah, the city manager for Merry, who wanted none of her drama in town. Last time Cat was in town, she instigated the only bar fight in town history. Noah sees Cat as a TV diva capitalizing on his town's misfortunes and tempting his daughter with glitz and glam. Cat sees Noah as a neanderthal who prefers to see his town drown in mud and rain instead of letting other people help. The fight will be epic... and so will the kiss... if they ever let down their guard...

Oh, definitely rom-com, where the MMC and MFC trade verbal barbs like cats and dogs, until one side gives in and surprises the other with a kiss. 5/5

GRR Reviews her Compassionate Billionaire by Juliette Duncan

Jonathan "Jon" is a rich single father trying to raise 3 kids... by hiring nannies and overworking himself because he's still grieving over his wife's early death. When their nanny had to quit two weeks before Christmas due to family issues, he has no choice but to place ads to hire another. He didn't expect to find Ruth... // Ruth is a new empty nester... Her son, who just turned adult, is heading for college. Yes, she was a single mom, but she believes in God and He has lead her out of dark times. And she has more love to give. Being a nanny to 3 kids is exactly what she needed...

Not much innovation or twists, it's a straightforward hot for boss / hot for nanny romance albeit with a clean Christian theme around the Holidays. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Fierce Bryce by Natalie Ann

Bryce is a certified genius, but he prefers to teach, even if he has to deal with parents who think grades should be "flexible", and students who think blackmailing teachers is tolerable. But he refused to be used... which is why he thought his ideal match would be an intellectual equal. So why was his mind fixated on a blonde bombshell baker? // Peyton had gone all her life without anyone taking her seriously... because she's a blue-eyed blonde with a beach body. Having dyslexia doesn't help. Even her parents told her to use what she's got and she refused. Instead, she's operating a cafe and making simple food people love. She's nowhere NEAR Bryce's league, so why can't she forget about him?

VERY nicely done opposites attract trope story, with nice character arc for both. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Exiled Patriot by Jennifer Youngblood

Jayden, reporter, was assigned to interview some eccentric billionaire Lillian Yates about a hidden treasure she's hidden away for someone near her town of Remember near Christmas. But when her quest resulted in her falling into a freezing river, she was rescued by Cannon, a mountain man, and that is clearly not his real name. And then she's snowed in with him. Just who is Cannon, and what tragedy has he witnessed? And while Jayden's curiosity was piqued, she found the truth.... Can she break the story... and betray the man she came to love?

A bit deeper than the usual, the setup seems to be some "meddling", albeit good-natured. The betrayal, however, was trope as heck. 4/5

GRR reviews Meet Me at Sunrise by Lucinda Whitney

Vanessa just learned that she has a grandpa she never knew about... in Europe, and he is VERY rich. Angry with her father for keeping secrets her entire life, and trying to get over a breakup, she left for Europe on a river cruise, escorted by none other than ship's captain, Matias Romano. She was not looking for love. // Matias is the captain of a ship with a jillion details to oversee, and has no time to babysit a "princess", but when his boss asked, he can only answer "yessir". But Vanessa turned out to be NOT a princess at all, but an EMT that helped a guest through a medical emergency. And when the ship started to suffer mysterious malfunctions, she may be the only one he can trust to get to the bottom of it all...

Good mystery and "wrong expectations", good mix of different characters. 4/5

GRR Reviews Hard to Stay by S Jones

Lexi ran from her evil boyfriend who has her family enthralled. No one would believe her boyfriend is also banging her sister, while mentally abusing her. And he's rich and can get away with a lot of stuff. So she ran. And met Brad... // Brad is a cop with a shitty history in love. There's Emily, and Samantha... but that's in his past. Now with Lexi, he wants a fresh start, and as a cop, he knew she's keeping secrets. When evil Colton showed up, intending to force her back, Brad is there to protect her. But Colton has plenty of underhanded tricks up his sleeve...

Brad has no temperament for a cop. He's easily goaded by fellow officers, esp. the douchebag one. And it's pretty obvious he's being set up by Colton for something. Except Brad swallowed the bait, hook, line, and sinker. This is basically "PMS pro" cliche trope. The ending is a total cop-out and a deus ex machina, where basically Brad came up with even BIGGER connections than even Colton can call upon. And what sort of family Lexi has that listens to a stranger and not their own daughters? 2/5

NOTE: This book managed to hit no less than THREE corny tropes: deus ex machina, PMS Pro, and Heart-break savior.

GRR Reviews her Hockey Superstar Fake Fiance by Cami Checketts

Jag left town a decade ago to become a hockey superstar. He succeeded, but in the process, his girlfriend Faith left him. He's back in town to spend the Holidays with his family, but he has a secret and a reporter on his *** hoping to get a scoop on his secret. Then he ran into Faith... // Faith can't believe Jag is back in town and pretending he didn't break up with her. She may be a widow (her husband's been dead a year, fast brain tumor), but she's NOT ready to forgive Jag. Until she read a letter left by her dead husband...

Pretty trope plot, but well-polished. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Secrets, Fireworks, and her Billionaire Boyfriend by Chelsea Hale

Sayler's boss is getting married and going on a six-week honeymoon, which means as exec assistant, Sayler will have to take a six-week vacation too. With nothing to do, Sayler went to her brother's mansion in "The Cove" in Seattle and met Brooks, her brother's jogging neighbor... when her brothers' in town (and he's not). Brooks is having PR nightmares, with a lot of fake photos, fake stories, and more released by unknown parties, all portraying his company negatively. He also wants to throw a spectacular July 4th party for the Cove... while his ex, Natalia, the head model for his clothing line, seemingly doing damage control, but is negotiating for a contract extension and pay raise. Saylor saved him by smoothing over his vendor problems and gave him ideas on how to solve his problems. But when Sayler found that Brooks has married Natalia, and did not get a divorce, she ran. Brooks needed her back for himself. Can he ever explain to her the truth... and will she listen?

A bit hypocritical, something even the author poked fun at... As Sayler knew not to take what you read too seriously... yet she took everything Natalia said as the gospel truth, never thought there was another explanation (annulment). 4/5

GRR Reviews His Runaway Bride by Lindsey Hart

Brynn refused to be a chess piece to be moved around by others. When her father promised her to some hotshot shoe company founder as conditions for a business merger, she ran. Finding love never was in her plans. Yet there's sexy stranger, Kayson, who saw her as is... desirable and her own woman... // Byron chased his fiancee across the country, but he has no idea how to bring her back. When he ran into her, he gave her a fake name, Kayson. And when she asked him is she desirable, and to prove it, he can't say no. After all, she will be his wife... right?

A very nicely done "hidden identity" romance. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire Patriot by Sarah Gay

Millie, physical therapist, had her heart broken long time ago by then boyfriend Nate. Six years later, the hurt still hasn't subsided. But when Nate suffered a knee injury in the game, he confessed he still has feelings toward Millie. When Millie was assigned as his physical therapist, it is time for him to woo her all over again... and reveal WHY he broke off contact back then...

Good twists and backstory, but still nothing too special. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Totally Hot Forbidden Fake Fiance by Lucy McConnell

Diana has had enough of her family nagging her to find a man, and she has to be home for Christmas. When a friend suggested she invite someone unsuitable, the perfect candidate is her neighbor Cliff, who has nowhere to be around Christmas. Cliff has tattoos and thick beard, wears flannel, and is an electrician. Diana just has to NOT tell him that her mother believes they are engaged... // Cliff had been the victim of a runaway bride before, and he's not ready to put his heart on the line. And he's definitely upset (when he found out) that Diane portrayed him as her (fake) fiancee. But he would do anything for her... And he'll play along... Unfortunately, when Christmas magic and pushy circumstances rushed them toward a Christmas wedding... both have to confess their REAL feelings...

Nice, good setup and circumstances conspire to push them into admitting their affections for each other. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match by Bree Livingston

Winnie can't believe she was betrayed by her best friend and restaurant partner. She had just located a prime spot in the city and needed to pay the down payment, only to have her partner run off with her boyfriend... and her money. And she needs to get the restaurant off the ground or she'll have to go work for her father as a lawyer... a fate she dreaded. // Bear is not ready to date, having been betrayed before, but his family is unrelenting. It would be easier to hire a fake girlfriend than to date for real... // Winnie and Bear met, and Bear was clear that he wanted a FAKE girlfriend just for the Holidays, and in return, Winnie will get enough money to get her restaurant running. And Bear is handsome, and VERY lovable... Perhaps they can make this work after all?

Eh, nothing really new about this, just good polish on an old theme. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Santa Cam by Maria Hoagland

Talia used to be an investigative reporter, but after one too many hatchet piece demanded by her editor, she had enough. She launched MyHeartChannel, but it's not doing well enough merely telling the truth. Searching for herself, she got roped into playing Elf during a Christmas community even... and she was surprised in finding Santa is none other than Camden, pro soccer star... someone she may have wronged before... // Camden just wanted to go home for Christmas, but rescuing a teammate ended up with him getting punched and a PR nightmare for the team... and he's forced to participate in community events for his "penance". Still stewing over the unfairness of it all, he found his "elf" is none other than Thalia, a reporter he had encountered before... but she's changed...

Nice, very nice. Kinda enemies to lovers, but more about the Holiday spirit and doing good than about personal love. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews His Beautiful Billionaire Distraction by Erica Penrod

Tayla Mills is a billionaire with a purpose... She's opening a new addiction treatment center in Seattle, to help people avoid hurting other people through their additions like how she suffered. // Waylon is a former-addict, at least he hoped so. But having been through a program, he got it under control and went to live with his brother Jamon in Seattle's "Billionaire Cove". Meeting Tayla and her puppy was happenstance. Being mistaken for his brother (who also donated to her treatment center) by Tayla was a shock... But now Waylon's angry... he wants to do it on his own, not "helped" by his younger billionaire brother... Or want Tayla's pity. But is he just angry at himself? Or can he let her love him?

The connection just feels a bit thin on this one. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Sandover Beach Christmas by Emma St Clair

Ripley can't believe her mother's constant nagging about a boyfriend caused her to get a speeding ticket and talking while driving... even though the cop, Cash, is gorgeous. Her jaw hit the floor when her family mistook Cash for her boyfriend over the phone and managed to mail him an ugly Christmas sweater as well as home-made sugar cookies. Ripley and Cash can't be more different. She's a control freak who loves Christmas, just not her family's nagging. He's a bachelor with private scars that is trying to take things easy... and a total scrooge. But Ripley was TOTALLY shocked when he agreed to be her "fake boyfriend" to host her family in town... But will either of them survive the process? And when the fake relationship took on a life of its own, where will it lead?

Great sit-com, though trope-ridden, especially the "crazy grandparent". Still, it's heck funny. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews James the Christmas Grouch by Ivy Smoak

Penny and James are engaged and moved to a new city to start over. It is almost Christmas, but due to moving, the place wasn't decorated. And Penny was surprised to find that James is a total grouch when it comes to Christmas. And James... he celebrates "anti-Christmas" with his friends. Clearly, he lost his Christmas spirit a long time ago... and Penny will bring it back... kicking and screaming if she had to...

A novella that's mean to be humorous, with a liberal dash of Holiday spirit, it's also a 'Holiday special' for the author's universe. Not strictly a romance. Charming, but not much else. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Don't Fall for a Fugitive by Cami Checketts

Hazel, a British photographer, accompanied a friend to the US for some deluxe accommodations and a chance to photograph some majestic mountains in the winter. Being witness to murder wasn't in her plans... nor was running for her life, or stowing away on the jet of millionaire Heath Strong. // Heath was surprised to find Hazel on his aircraft, but his instinct was to protect her, as the pursuer, Brigham, is a well-known shady guy with ties to the mob. If Brigham said Hazel killed his cousin, chances are Brigham killed his cousin and tried to frame Hazel. But can he justify putting his own family at risk? And how would he hide Hazel under the nose of his (quite large) family?

Nice tight plot. But there are a couple technical details that made no sense. 1) How high would a staircase be in a HANGAR's office, that Hazel could have watched from a nearby aircraft, and caused nearly-fatal injuries? And 2) They called various numbers (including 911?) using regular cell phones while on a private jet flying to Colorado...  The action ending isn't that bad. 4/5

GRR Reviews Falling in Love with a Police Officer by Ellie Hall

Owen is a single father and police. He moved back to his hometown Hawk Ridge Hollow to help his daughter settle in, even though his brothers have all left the area on their own careers, despite family riches. Falling for his daughter's kindergarten teacher, Brynn, was not in the plans. // Brynn left the big city behind after losing her cop husband in the line of duty. She swore she will never date a cop again. She had no children, and being a teacher seems to be the closest she would get to a family. When Owens needs a sitter for his daughter because he works the night shift, and Brynn needs a "room parent" to help with the school, they ended up spending more time together. But when she made a mistake, how many secrets can they confess to each other to regain trust?

Nice, and the family fortune barely factored into the story, merely as a background element for tension. It's basically two damaged people coming together. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Meet Me In London by Jennifer Youngblood and Haley Hopkins

Audrey had been video chatting with William, a genuine Brit that she met online. They hit it off well, and she just told him that she'll be visiting London, and hope he can join her on a tour. However, her flight was unpleasant. A weird guy Aidan shared her cab and seems a bit obsessed with her... and fellow tour member Zane was rude and annoying... and... no William. As Zane slowly worked himself into her heart, and Audrey also felt uncomfortable, as if she's being watched, she started to wonder what did she really feel toward William... Then her stalker actually showed up...

*sigh* It seems the authors cranked this out without actually researching the Brits. Brits don't have a firearms fetish like us Yanks. In fact, the vast majority of London metro police (about 90%) is not armed, and even their criminals rarely use firearms. A Yank living in London, already under suspicion by police, should not have been able to get a firearm. The rest of the plotting is not too bad though. 3/5

GRR Reviews Fierce Sam by Natalie Ann

Surgeon Sam Fierce chose early on to close his heart to serious entanglements, knowing that he will fail at times, through no fault of his own, and it is better to not get too attached. So he acts carefree and charming, and women flock to him. // Dani lost her little sister and she still felt guilty a decade later, even though it was a car accident. She went through a wild rebellious phase, but she's done with that now. // When Dani met Sam (through his mother's scheming), there is an attraction, but he won't get close to anyone, and she still feels guilty... can they work past their wounds, and toward each other?

I don't get the part about closing oneself off yet still be compassionate. That sort of cognitive dissonance manifests itself in mental stress, and being a surgeon is stressful enough. It just feels like a VERY amateur psychological profile that doesn't make sense. Survivor's guilt, I do get. The rest of plotting and the back-and-forth is pretty good. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Generosity by April Murdock

Gabrielle is a mostly-not-working model trying to raise her son, but younger and prettier models have overtaken her, that she works as a waitress to get by. When she was picked as the main model of a jewelry line, she can't pass it up. Her son's bone cancer treatment needed money ASAP. But meeting the CEO, Zach, left her frustrated. Zach may be gorgeous, but he's also rude, probably expecting her to be a shallow golddigger. // Zach runs his company like a well-oiled machine, and passion doesn't fit his equations. When an Industry veteran mistook Gabrielle as Zach's wife, and thus believed he now has "the passion" to design couple's jewelry collection, he chose not to correct that mistake, and enlisted Gabrielle's help to lie in exchange for more money. Gabrielle went along reluctantly, needing the money for her son's treatment. But does Zach really have no feelings for Gabrielle?

Pretty good character arc, though resolution at the end seems to be a bit too... serendipitous? (Zach's a compatible donor? Really?) 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Cowboys Never Marry Their Best Friend by Emmy Eugene

Jenna needed a do-over after her divorce, and she moved back home, and there she saw the Johnson brothers again, esp. Seth, whom she may have had a crush on, except Seth is best friend with her brother, so she was definitely off-limits for him... back then. // Seth runs the family ranch and his dog rescue program, which rehabilitate retired work dogs as well as take in strays and abandoned dogs, which kept him plenty busy. He wants resources to create "Edible neighborhood" program but never had the funding. Then one day his parents announced that every child is now a billionaire because his aunt just bought out his mother's portion of a business. Now he can fund ALL the projects he wanted... In his happy state... he kissed Jenna... Now their lives would never be the same...

I honestly didn't feel much love despite pairing them together. 3/5

GRR Reviews her Billionaire Pirate of the Cove by Stephanie Fowers

Audrey does not want to pretend to be her friend Clara to take a job pampering dogs of an ultra-rich and eccentric aunt in the Cove. But when she found an intruder in her house and the entire place tossed, she barely escaped. It seems her brother Michael may have made enemies, and suddenly hiding out in the Cove, surrounded by security, seems to be a brilliant idea... // Ryker is hiding at his brother's place in the Cove after testifying in court that put his conspirators behind bars. He knew he kept questionable company, but that should all be behind him, except for his CIA handler that is still hovering.  When matchmakers tried to pair him up with "Clara" (actually Audrey), he's interested, but when enemies found them in the Cove, and mix in rogue agents, turncoats, mercenaries, terrorists, business rival, lost princess, secret origins, and spycraft, it seems both will be on an adventure of a lifetime... if they survive it.

I know it's supposed to be a spy thriller of sorts, but it feels at times like a comedy, with people prone to more slapstick than seriousness. Add in some Hollywood stunts like "throw her off the boat, only to have her met by scuba divers with oxygen masks underwater". That's not something a normal person would know what to do, is it? There are certainly good twists and turns, and I guess that sort of forced proximity and adrenaline rush can be good for bonding, but it just doesn't feel that romantic. Not to mention that ocean water near Seattle is not that warm to be scuba-dived. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Loyal Protector by Cami Checketts

Kaytlyn left her home a decade ago, having had enough of her father's emotional abuse. She drifted and eventually met Jacob, who treated her like a second daughter next to his own daughter, Jennifer. And Jacob is worth billions. Kaytlyn is also fond of Cameron, Jacob's bodyguard. But when Jennifer got married, she slowly started to change. Not even Kaytlyn's being surrogate for Jennifer's baby can mitigate her simmering rage. And it turns out Kaytlyn wasn't just a surrogate... The baby is half hers (they used her egg without telling her) And Jacob is dying... Reluctantly, Jacob enacted his final plan... He will "marry" Kaytlyn, and claim the child as his heir, and NOT A SINGLE PENNY will go to Jennifer and her husband to fuel his narcissistic political ambitions. Jacob's confidant and bodyguard, Cameron (who already wanted to date Kaytlyn), will protect Kaytlyn. Kaytlyn must protect her child and her charitable foundation from Jennifer and her politician husband. and Jennifer, feeling deep rage for the "betrayal" by her father, vowed revenge...

The plot seems a bit too complicated, and half of the legal maneuvering, like forcing Cameron to stand aside, seems to be superfluous, esp. with Jennifer's public outburst during Jacob's funeral in front of hundreds. And the final fight seems to be way too convenient due to a TSTL moment. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Christmas with a Mountain Man by Ellie Hall

Francesca "Frankie" Costa is a chef that just lost her restaurant due to a sneaky lease. Upon discovering that her family had a cabin up in the mountains she never knew, she decided to go there, to get away from everyone, to think. She didn't count on meeting a bear upon her arrival, or for the handsome mountain man neighbor to come to her rescue... Only to find he's a Hawkins, with whom the Costas had a long family feud... or is supposed to. // Rocky Hawkins is one of the Hawkins boys, with plenty of money, and intending to make his own way in life with a professional ice hockey career. But one night changed everything, and he left everything behind and retreated to the mountains. He didn't count on a beautiful woman moving in next door before Christmas, only to have her being a Costa... // It seems both need a little Christmas miracle...

While the title has Mountain man, this is not a trope mountain man novel, but rather, a novel about a fish out of water, breaking down a recluse's walls, something usually reserved for "nosy reporter meets and befriends town recluse" trope. I find her insistence to fix everything a bit... perplexing. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Reluctantly Matched by Shanna Delaney

Samantha finally reached Florence, a trip she had to take alone because her grandma (who raised her) finally passed away after suffering Alzheimer's. She dropped out of art school to care for grandma, and she has a job in a nursing home she can go back to... But her adventure was derailed several times... And she met the irritatingly handsome and hot-and-cold guy Edo on the plane... Who'd knew he's the son of her host at the charming Italian B&B? // Edo was summoned home to take over the family B&B, something he dreaded for years, having his heart broken before. The B&B was operating at a loss that was compensated by his mother's cooking classes. Now that his parents wanted to travel, he can't balance the books. So why is his mother pushing him to play tour guide to the pretty American, who's only here for 10 days? Yet this American is NOT like any tourist he knew...

Good Italian details, but at times feels more like a travelogue than exploring the conflicting emotions of Sam and Edo. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Follow You Anywhere by Weston Parker

Nolan, single father billionaire boss, just hired executive assistant Lacey. But Lacey has ambitions. She applied for an internship, she got this gig instead. She has an MBA and wants to use it, not be a glorified secretary, though she's good at it. Nolan needs a second-in-command so he can spend more time with his daughter Karina. And Lacey likes Nolan and Karina, as there's definitely chemistry between them. Neither are really looking for love, but will they ignore what's there? Will that jeopardize her job and career? Or his custody battle?

A pretty typical single-father / hot for boss / evil ex / career not love mix. While the polish is quite good, the plot is a pretty standard trope. 4/5

GRR Reviews Alice's Arranged Marriage by Joyce Alec

It's about 1900... Alice doesn't fit in with the rich crowd on the US East Coast, despite her father's nouveau-riche status. She hated the parties and balls where people are just out to see her fail. And she was devastated when she found that she will be going overseas, as fiancee to a British Earl, who needs a large dowry to keep his own estate afloat. How can she ever hope to fit into the even MORE rigid British high echelons... or marry a total stranger, even if he's an Earl? // Charles, Earl of Allerton, had bailed his brother (with addiction to gambling) far too often that he's in danger of going under himself. To survive, he had to cut his brother off, and to marry a rich bride from the US. She is beautiful, but she has absolutely NO manners. But he has no choice but to marry her right after Christmas... only a few weeks away. Alice found a friend, even when Charles is indifferent, and his aunt downright cruel. But who is sending her merciless notes telling her to go back home? Will she stay?

It's okay, I guess. Alice was basically sobbing and sniveling at practically every other scene, which is sorta understandable (stranger in a strange land) for a period piece but it's also annoying after a while. Charles basically had to be lectured multiple times, and I still don't quite see where love comes in. 3/5

GRR Reviews It's a Wonderful Date by Sophia Summers

David regrets giving up his own plans and became the GP doc of a small town, following in his father's footsteps. The town needs a doc, and without the help of a nurse or even an answering service, he's on call 24/7, leaving him no time for social life.  But even he noticed Sarah moving in across the street, doubly so when he found her at his favorite patient Miss Lily's place, ready to redesign the interior. But Miss Lilly is dying and all he can do is to make sure she goes as pain-free as possible. Depressed and wondering did he actually do any good in life, it's up to Sarah to help him see his own worth... and some Holiday magic...

Basically a retelling of "It's a Wonderful Life", it's not bad, but not that good either. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Blue Blood by Amy DeLuca

Single mom Cinda, the owner of Fairy Godmother Cleaning Agency, is quite busy managing her business (including two of her half-sisters) and has no time for a man. Her last man left her a present (in the form of pregnancy) 5 years ago and was never heard from since. When flu swept through town, Cinda had to put on a maid's uniform to clean her client's house... and that's when she ran into Prince Alexander... // Prince Alexander takes a vacation every year with his family, but hates America... and hadn't been back for five years. He just wanted to get the Holidays over with. Their early arrival surprised the cleaning crew... Esp. Cinda... Because Alex is her ex... the one that left her that surprise... And she can't tell him about his son, because she can't risk him taking her son away from her... And they are now stranded away from everyone by the storm...

Basically a retelling of Cinderella, complete with "evil" step-mother. Good job mixing in secret baby trope along with forced proximity, but it's still trope. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Butler by Dobi Daniels

Emily has survived abuse and heartbreak. She's getting by, but barely. When her moment of weakness to help a friend ended up costing her job, then her landlord informed her that she has to vacate ASAP, she literally can't go any lower... Until she met the guy who was the cause of it all... // Geoffrey is the family butler for the billionaire Dexington family and well-to-do himself, and he was getting a special item for the family when a woman slipped and ended up tossing the coffee all over the item and him... as well as accidentally kneed him in the groin. But he didn't know she'd lose her job over this. So when she applied for a position over at his Christmas tree farm, he made sure she got the position (and she is qualified). And it seems despite the initial animosity, they really have a lot in common... but can he learn her secrets in time to save her?

The threat seems to come really late and wasn't integrated well. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Ten Dates with the Billionaire by Amberlee Day

Athena makes no apologies about being a geek, and despite having made billions as head of a major software company, she's just as socially awkward and unpretentious as she was, willing to look for some adventure... if someone will just show her the way. Then she met Fisher, a glassblower artist, on a team-building exercise. She dressed normally, and Fisher did not recognize her. They hit it right off, and Fisher is just the adventurer she needed... hiking, snorkeling, mountain climbing, and more. When a workmate "dared" Fisher into taking a woman out on ten dates, Fisher chose Athena, and Athena, needing a plus-one for her high school reunion, chose Fisher. It was perfect... Until he learned she's ultra-rich... But is that really a problem?

Gender-flipped version of typical "undercover billionaire", pretty well-done. 4/5

GRR Reviews Season of Romance by Alexa Verde

Andrey moved to the small town Rio Azules to care for his nephew Ilya, who is now an orphan. Ilya also has diabetes and Andrey doesn't know anything about that. When Ilya got hypoglycemia, Andrey panicked, but fortunately, his neighbor, Melinda, is a paramedic, and practically a godmother to Ilya, and knew exactly what to do. Melinda also has two secrets... She's diabetic too (and has an insulin pump just like Ilya) and she has a crush on her hunky neighbor. But Andrey will soon move back to Houston, where his family and business are, with Ilya.... So she can't get involved... but she has to, to help Ilya...

Okay, the reluctant romance angle came through fine. But the deus ex machina ending I didn't like at all. To put it plainly, one obstacle in their way just magically removed itself when a certain third-party had an epiphany. ARGH!!!!!  3/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Mistletoe by Gigi Marlowe

Roger's wife died, leaving him a widower and single father to a little girl. Not even his fortune can help. Tiffany was betrayed by her ex and decided to concentrate on her career as a lawyer. Both were too busy for love, until matchmaker Valentina matched them together. But to work past their grief... would be up to themselves... And some Christmas magic.

Quite a bit of angst, about how each is wounded they should be alone forever. Meh. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews A Christmas List for the Billionaire by Christene Houston

Reese, personal assistant to billionaire bad boy CEO Crew, can't have a holiday because she's too busy keeping him out of trouble. Crew's Seattle division is hitting a major slump, and he's always out partying with a guy friend and a girlfriend instead of his job. When his father showed up demanding him to shape up or ship out, Crew had an epiphany... why is he chasing after a party-girl when the perfect woman was beside him all along?

The transition from bad boy to good boy was way too fast and abrupt. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Forgotten Reins by Susan Lower

Sarah opened her equine rescue op with her best friend and her best friend's brother, Josh. But her inheritance isn't quite enough to pay the bills esp. with all the upkeep like fence posts and whatnot. But when Sarah went to a horse auction and saw a horse that can barely move, she can't walk away, and she ended up buying her for $7, even though the mare was given a minimal chance of survival. Next day, the vet arrived, and she was stunned to find Michael Wolfe, who bought the property next door, as the new vet. What she can't tell him is she's a single mom, and her son's daddy is Michael. They had that one night, and then she was sent packing... What had happened that night... and why did Michael never searched for her? How can she tell him now?

Somehow, the story just feels very... clumsy. The narrative flow was OFTEN interrupted by Sarah suddenly falling into a day-dream recalling events from the past. And Michael is basically completely clueless, never once suspecting that someone had "interfered" with his life, then and now. And Sarah is still the meek girl, even at 25 and a mother, easily intimidated. 3/5

GRR Reviews Never Goodbye by Ruth Cardello

Ian is the secret fixer in the family. He has made connections and learned skills to remove any and all obstacles in his family's path. Having failed to locate their lost brother himself (see book 5 and book 6) made him believe he had failed his family and made him doubt everyone he came across... including Claire, his "new" brother's wife's best friend, and life coach. // Claire stepped away from her life coach job in Australia to accompany her best friends to the US and help them settle in. She did not expect to fall under the microscope of a paranoid Ian, now suspecting EVERYBODY. But Claire knew how to handle difficult people, and Ian may have met his match. But can Claire make Ian see that his relentless pursuit of the truth have made him forget his ultimate responsibility, i.e. his family?

Deeper than you first suspect, the initial coupling was basically angry-sex, where each line verbal sparring is flirting. But it's the subsequent developments, and the slow realization by Ian that his pursuit of the truth may actually end up hurting him and his family, that makes it good. I usually have a problem with the "run away to sort my feelings" trope. But here, it pivoted into a hurt/comfort trope, which served as a setup for the darkest hour. Now THAT is a good way to use the "run away to sort my feelings" trope. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Cowboy Doc by Dobi Daniels

Rebecca, who was a celebrity once, is back in the US, now a single mom, but when she injured her arm tussling with the paparazzi and protecting her daughter, she had to go to the ER. And who else would she see except her baby daddy Max? Except he, the ER Doc, didn't recognize her... But he did save her from even more paparazzi and offered up his ranch as her hiding spot. Was he only pretending to not remember her, or did something happened to him?

Hmmm... interesting setup for secret baby and it's rather good twist to combine it with an amnesia plot. 4/5

GRR Reviews Liam's Invented I-Do by Liz Isaacson

Callie was almost too stubborn to call for help. She tried to run her family ranch, but she's late on every payment that she has only days to prevent a foreclosure. The ONLY way out is to accept help from Liam, the neighboring and VERY RICH rancher that always wanted to help her (but her pride was too much). Not this time... She accepted the tech wiz's proposal of marriage... and swallowed her pride. But can she ever accept his love?

You have to start with book 1, as the series is about seven brothers finding seven brides... one book at a time. I have a little problem with self-destructive pride, and Callie really doesn't make sense that way. Maybe she felt she had to be the mother and do-it-all, but numbers don't balance themselves. The book was basically Callie eating humble pie and still trying to sass. And the book meandered a bit trying to resolve some bits from previous books while trying to set up the next one. 3/5

GRR Reviews Chasing Shadows by Catherine Bybee

Avery was haunted by an attack that put her in the ICU for days that she can't remember. She believed the attacker was dead (see Half-Empty). Determined never to feel vulnerable again, she took up krav maga as self-defense, and she's quite good at it. But there's only so much she can do in the classroom and sparring. That's when Liam, krav maga classmate, volunteered to "attack" her (with padding, of course) to let her practice her defense moves. Liam is well-to-do, and when he saw Avery, he was instantly smitten and wanted to learn EVERYTHING about her... in a nice not-stalker way. But he will be her punching bag if that's the only way to get close to her. But when a visit to a club together triggered a recall of her attacker, Avery abandoned EVERYONE to return to the scene of the crime, determined to find the culprit and close the chapter in her past. Can the rest of the First Wives Club help her, and will love from Liam heal her?

The book basically is about "obsession'. He's obsessed about her, and she's obsessed about her past that she only recalled in hazy details. it's just that the ending feels a bit of deus ex machina... Someone swooped in and basically saved them both (not literally), even though it was a twist. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Hope for Christmas by Rochelle J Christensen

Anika is a single-mother that barely gets by. She can't even afford a christmas tree, muchless gifts under it. Her daughter's medical bills had wiped out any savings she may have had, but her health is fine now. Working in Wentworth's department store and getting some overtime may help her catch up on her bills. That puts her next to handsome Carlos, the store handyman, on a project to restore the store's old soda fountain. Carlos wanted to help her, but she's not taking "charity".  When she was the recipient of many gifts (some she even wrapped herself) from the store giving tree, she immediately suspected Carlos...

Uh... this is supposed to be a Christian novel, yet it seems Anika has way too much pride... Which she managed to grow out of by the end. Of course, it's sweet, but it also felt a bit off. And the "heavy" was really shallow. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Christmas with the Captain by Holly Stevenson

Emmett has plenty of wealth, but it seems all women turned into golddiggers after meeting him, esp. his ex, who's model gorgeous but heart-less. When chance put him as just himself in front of caterer Grace (whose food is amazing), and she did not recognize him, he decided to take it a step further and claimed he's the yacht captain for the billionaire (instead of the billionaire himself). He really is a qualified captain (aka ship master), so it's not exactly a lie. And Grace, usually the shy sister, loved Emmett's attention, and his access to "modest" wealth and adventure, including the use of "his boss' sailboat". But coming off a bad relationship herself, she recoiled when Emmett's joke about being a playboy backfired. He finally smoothed that over for her to show at the Christmas party cruise where he planned to come clean when his vengeful ex derailed that too...

It's basically "undercover billionaire". The chef's situation could have been planted better, IMHO. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Christmas Bundle of Joy by Holly Rayner

Mia, second anchor at SNO News, loved her job, despite being relegated to "fluff" news items. She was covering a story about a man who refused to pull down his Christmas decorations even though it's April, when her boss, James, the media mogul (who owns her station and many more across the country), arrived in town. He's a man's man, gorgeous, but hates Christmas. But when a freak snow storm stranded him in town with her (let's just say a Porsche 911 isn't good in the snow) in the station, they ended up doing the horizontal tango after quite a bit of wine. Then he left the next day, and that's that. Until she learned that she'll be giving him a Christmas present... as apparently they forgot to use a condom...

A bit of meh. Really didn't feel it much that would lead to a one-night-stand, and other than the open mike oops, there really isn't much of a conflict. 3/5

GRR Reveiws The Billionaire's Plan by Hayley Wescott

Sadie tried to save her marriage by having a child, but it didn't work. She ended up divorced anyway. After she moved back home as a single mom, she found that her first boyfriend, Bryson, is also back in town. Now a rich real estate developer, they tried to rekindle their romance. When Sadie suddenly found that her ex, now married to someone else, wanted to contest custody, she confided in Bryson. It just happens that Bryson needs a fiancee for his next real estate deal... and learning that Sadie's ex was the guy that almost ruined him when he got started... Bryson wanted to help Sadie by offering a "fake engagement"... Be his pretend-fiancee, and he'll bankroll her custody battle. He has the perfect attorney in mind. He didn't mention the part about her ex being his enemy though...

Plot somehow feel clumsy and brute-forced, the religious messages way too overt, and the about-face that came so hard (ref: Sadie's ex ) you'll feel the whiplash. 3/5

GRR Reviews Forever Now by Ruth Cardello

Kade knew his place in the world. He regrets letting Annie go way back when, but he's glad she made a life for herself. Then his world was turned upside down. He was a lost heir to the super-rich Barringtons in the US, and they want him back in the fold... But he's Kade, not "Kent"... he's actually both... and neither. But Annie's back in town, and he needs her support, as a friend... // Annie gave up on Kade a long time ago. She can no longer wait for him... she closed off that part of her heart and hurt and hope. Until he walked into her family bar and asked to see her...  He needs a friend, not a lover. And she is not sure what can she provide without losing her heart again...

Angsty, and an interesting side-trip from the Barrington saga, with the Barringtons acting as secondary characters. The shift from friend to lover is really slow, but noticeable and nicely done. 4/5