GRR Reviews Always Will by Claire Kingsley

Selene is doing great professionally, but not so well personally, as she keeps finding and dating losers... But she's kinda addicted to "bad boys" who leave her frustrated. When a man from her past is the new owner of the company, she's at a quandary what to do next... // Ronan plays to win, after a personal tragedy changed his view on life. He was shocked to find the woman who haunted his dreams is now one of his employees. He must have her... but can he keep her?

Eh... I'm not too sure about this one. Ronan just doesn't feel that sympathetic at the beginning. It wasn't until we learned about WHY he's that way that he became a bit more likable. I'm going to borrow a term from screenwriting... The main character seems to be lacking a "save the cat" moment, to prove he's not beyond redemption. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Hello Dr. Christmas by Olivia Noble

Clara, the ballerina, may have just suffered a career-ending injury, leaving her understudy to take over. Dr. Klause Anderson is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon that is visiting his brothers in the US, and still running from the grief of losing his wife. The two met in a bar, recognized each other's sadness, and agreed to a no-name one-night encounter... that left both satisfied... Until they met the next day... as doctor/patient. It's clear that they share some tremendous chemistry, but is Klaus, aka Dr. Christmas, ready to move on from his tragedy? Or will Clara always be second place to a ghost?

Short, but quite emotional. 4.5/5

Regrettably, GRR will be going into hiatus after today

Due to unfortunate circumstances beyond one's control GRR is going into hiatus, at least for the immediate future. I lost the job that allowed me to listen to audiobooks while I work. I am going to update my skill set, and that will leave me no time to continue the reviews, at least for now.

Hopefully, once my employment status stabilizes I may find some time to continue the reviews. I want to reach my personal milestone of 3000 posted reviews. But until then... See you later, Romancelandia.

GRR Reviews Back To You by Hunter J Keane

Noelle drove far with her nephew and niece to start over in Starlight Valley after a family tragedy. Her niece isn't happy that they're now in a strange town and living on a Christmas tree farm, but her nephew seems to be interested in this new world... Until Noelle realized this is also where Evan lived. // Evan had to abandon his dreams of pro hockey after an injury, and lost Noelle. Now he's back to help run his aunt's Christmas tree farm...  and so did Noelle. Is this the second chance that they needed? Or are they too hurt to see it?

Seen the setup before, decent polish. 4/5

GRR Reviews Roping the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox

Katarina and Braxton had a hot and steamy one-night stand. But next morning Kat threw him out and then pretend he never existed. So when Kat later showed up at Braxton's Circle B Ranch B&B to serve her gluten-free sugar-free organic pastries, it's time for Braxton's revenge... Practical jokes soon turned into all-out prank war... Katarina will deny her attraction to Braxton, but Braxton is determined to show her that he wants her... long-term...

Pretty funny short, good chemistry. 4/5

GRR Reviews Love on the Boardwalk by Nikki Lynn Barrett and Shannyn Leah

Eva is back in Cinnamon Bay to run the boardwalk cafe she inherited... AND hide the fact that her ex-fiancee was a cheating bas****. She took "Cafe Amour" off the menu because it's just bunk. It's NOT a love potion even if two people share it... // Mack is in Cinnamon Bay to search for the family that gave him up for adoption way back when. But what he found instead was Eva, a delicious coffee drink, and a legend about love and a lighthouse. Sharing the coffee with Eva was nice, but what will he discover about his own past, and does that mean a chance with Eva... or not?

Series starter, good setup, if a bit quirky about love and lives lost, and unusual circumstances. 4/5

GRR Reviews Breakup Boot Camp by Beth Merlin

Joanna was about to get married, and she's busy getting herself into shape to fit into the wedding gown... Until a discovery led to her canceling the entire wedding... Because her fiancee is a cheater... for MONTHS. She needs help and an escape from her friends and family... so she signed up for Breakup Boot Camp... where she can learn about self-care, spa, yoga, surfing, and a lot of talking with a therapist to get over the only person she had loved... Could the cheating be partly her own fault? Why had she abandoned her career? Did she ever accept the loss in her life? What responsibility does she have in the demise of her own relationship? And does she like Chef Todd?

More chick-lit than romance, it's a bit deeper than you'd expect, and I like it. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Author by Lexy Timms

Annie has a boss who blamed her for his mistakes, berates her in front of clients, and is generally an ass. But she needs to put food on the table, so she puts up with it during the day, and go with friends to relax at night... like to bars. // Lincoln is a bartender at night, which gives him for his other job... romance author. But he just writes stuff to put food on the table, not really believing in love himself after a betrayal. // The two met, and it seems they are the perfect fit, but Annie is too busy for relationships... but that's only because of her terrible boss... Can Lincoln help her see that?

Good, but not that great. 4/5

GRR Reviews All I Want for Christmas Eve by Olivia Noble

Eve lives alone at the edge of civilization... Okay, Alaska. Then Adam fell from the sky on Santa's Sleigh. No, not a joke. That's the name of his plane, really. So she rescued him, and they got snowed in, of course. He cracks a lot of Adam and Eve jokes. And he's handsome. And she's lonely and willing...   And it's almost Christmas. How can it go wrong?

At under 150 pages, it's steamy Holiday romance. Good setup, if a bit corny from the beginning. Though the gradual revelation was used very nicely. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Favorite by Elle Chance

NOTE: Book has disappeared from Amazon. Here is a Goodreads link

Josh is bartending at his brother's hometown bar because his brother is busy doing something else. He's lamenting on why is he tending bars when he should be chasing down stories as a reporter when Sophie Barlow, daughter of a billionaire, (and classmates, once upon a time) just walked into his bar. // Sophie just needs a little relaxation after a taxing day... but she doesn't want to explain why. The bartender is handsome and flirting never hurts. She's not staying around anyway. Then he revealed he's also a reporter... but she may have already told him too much...

While the meet-cute is cute, and the reason for Sophie to be in town pretty good, I just didn't sense a lot of chemistry between them. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Country Christmas Date by Ranee S Clark

Dru is a famous country rock star and rich, and the paparazzi portrayed him as a playboy. So he went to a quaint little country inn for Christmas, somewhere no one will expect him (but will probably recognize him anyway). And meeting Amber across the hall is very nice... // Amber knew of Dru's reputation and is wary of his attention. But Dru managed to convince Amber to accept a dozen dates, and it'll go only as far as she wanted. After all, she's only around for ten more days...

Good "holiday fling" short, under 100 pages. 4/5

GRR Reveiws You Can't Ruin Christmas by Olivia Noble

NOTE: 100 page novella

Mary was dumped by hockey star Sebastian just before Christmas... but her best friend, Sven (and incidentally, Sebastian's brother), is there to help her pick up the pieces. When Sven professed feelings for Mary, will Mary accept? When her family want her to visit, and bring Sebastian, will Mary try to pass off Sven as Sebastian?

Good holiday rom-com that started with a likable heroine and took off from there, with lots of escalation. Best followed with the next volume, as the events overlap. 5/5

GRR Reviews Grill Me, Baby by Sophia Knightly

Chef Paolo wants to win a spot on Miami Spice cooking show to help his family.  So does chef Michaela. Paolo cooks with a passion, while Michaela... cooks healthy low-calorie fares that are just as enticing. The two can't be more different, and the competition for the spot can't be more fierce. So neither can foresee the passion that develope between them, even as both have to deal with family problems and expectations left them conflicted...

Very good, never a dull moment, even as both started with the wrong idea about each other. Very well done "enemies to lovers" novel. 5/5

GRR Reviews Ready to Fall by Daisy Prescott

John is a genuine lumberjack. He wears jeans and plaid. He's big, has rugged good looks, and a dog named Babe. It seems his new neighbor, Diane, has her own secrets and scars, but so does he. She's a city girl just taking a break in the country getting over her own problems, such as an ex-husband intending to draw out the process. He's a country boy living in the countryside and his girlfriend is not really going to divorce her cheating husband after all. Why does being tour guide for Diane feel so right?

Told from John's POV, there seems to be quite a few randy un-PC thoughts and plenty of f-bombs that may turn off some readers. It is rather... charming, as we are in John's head, but then, a guy's head is not clean. So this isn't sweet or clean. I like the characters and their interactions. 4/5

GRR Reviews Dear Santa: The Party by Mona Ingram

Paige just finished catering a high-profile Christmas party for a high-tech company and was just checking the final details when a guy from the cleaning crew walked in. Already exhausted, she accepted invitation to relax a little. He's handsome, and a good listener. She didn't know that's actually the company CEO, late to his own party, and wanted to know Paige a lot better...

NOTE: This is a 80-page short, and it is indeed sweet and hopeful. 4/5

GRR Reviews Something So Perfect by Natasha Madison

Matthew made too many mistakes as a hockey bad boy and was cut from the team at 23. When a different team wanted to give him another chance, he'll accept any terms, because he wanted to be back on the ice... Even accept a chaperone that will keep him out of trouble. He didn't expect the chaperone to be team owner's daughter, Karrie... //  Karrie was glad her father finally gave her a job... just not babysitting a washed-up hockey jock. And while Matthew is insanely hot and knew it too, he also drove her up the wall with his sweet-craziness. But as long as he's playing great and not ruining his image... it's okay, even if she ended up in his bed, right? But do they have a future together?

While dialog is good, somehow Matthew just feels a bit too... crazy? But the description is apt... it's sweet-kinda-crazy. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Aaron by Dale Mayer

Aaron is a former Navy SEAL who suffered a major injury and death of two friends by betrayal... and no one believed him. He wanted a transfer, and he was moved to Hathaway House, Texas, a new ranch/convalescent/rehabilitation home for both humans and animals. He was angry at the world, but he can't be angry at Dani, childhood friend... who runs Hathaway House with her father, simply known as "the Major". // Dani had a crush on Aaron a long time ago, and was also friends with Aaron's older brother Levi. In fact, Levi financed Aaron's transfer. And Dani will make sure Aaron gets the best care, and hopefully, realize his life is not over, and he can be the man he used to be, just maybe a little different. But is Aaron ready to see his future with her? Or will his pride ruin everything?

Good, if a bit slow. Darkest hour IMHO, with pride, works fine. 4/5

GRR Reviews Love in a Pawn Shop by Bonnie Edwards

Dix has a pawn shop in a tough neighborhood, and wanted her teenage brother Riley get into college so he can do better. Could she be blamed if she nags him all the time, esp. if he keeps hanging out with Carlos, who may be mixed up with the bad crowd? When nosy cop Dane barged into her life, things get complicated quickly, esp. if Razor the pitbull keeps staring at Dane's... nuts. // Dane was in town to find out what happened to his grandma's jewelry, and it's clear it went to Dix's pawn shop. Did Dix swindle his grandma? Is it a fencing operation? Just what is Dix's relationship with grandma Mitzi? And why did he feel... warm and fuzzy about Dix? What is her real name anyway?

Cozy mystery, lots of zany but fun characters. Even Riley's struggle with Carlos (whether to trust or to save) is interesting. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms

Abigail is just trying to go home after losing EVERYTHING. When her plane landed in Kansas, well short of her destination of Minnesota, and there is no car to rent anywhere, her trip home is in the hands of Colin, a workaholic Grinch on his way to attend his company party and business meeting. // Colin hates being forced into anything, but leaving a sobbing female at the rental car counter while he's heading the same way is not really an option. So he reluctantly offered her a ride for the next ten hours... Then they got stranded by the snowstorm and had to spend a night in a cheap motel... They couldn't be more different, and she's trying to draw him out of his shell. Yet they say opposites attract...

The opposites attract theme was handled really well. Abby lost everything, but she's more of an optimist, while Colin has everything, but is a Grinch and a pessimist. They seem to be a perfect balance together, and being forced together made them see each other past the initial impressions. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Boyfriend Sessions by Belinda WIlliams

Christa has such a big commitment issue her best friends decided to mount an intervention. After all, one usually does not flee from a super-sweet and rich French guy's wedding proposal. Her friends decided on a weekly event: let Christa recount each of her boyfriends, and list the good and bad, and what she took away from each relationship. And along for the ride is Max, one of her best friends' brother, as "the token guy", and the one she was never supposed to fall for... Has Christa learned her lessons? Would Max be worth the risk? Or will her romantic failures doom everything?

Good mix of chick-lit and my best friend's brother trope, with a little bit of "everyone but you". 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Wild for You by Cheyenne McCray

Jack lost his wife many years ago, and his daughter is all grown up now. Jack hadn't thought about another woman... and his daughter believed that Jack dating anyone else would be a betrayal. So he didn't... until he arrived at Dara's special needs ranch. Dara was his sister Bailey's best friend, and probably had a thing for him for a while, but it was platonic... Until he started noticing her in a very different way. But it's clear his daughter won't accept Dara without a fight... And Jack needs to reconcile the two...

Not bad, nothing about billionaires or expensive wooing, just blue-collar folks (well, well-to-do ones) making a living doing what they love, and falling in love. Good family conflict without overdoing it. 4/5

GRR Reviews Slim To None by Freya Barker

Emma's daughter is all grown up, and she decided to move to Cedar Tree and start her life alone. Being disabled and needed to use a cane or walker, she is nonetheless beautiful and active, doing freelance bookkeeping and bake pies for her best friend's diner. Until a strange phone call in the night stirred her blood like never before... // Gus, private investigator, is on the trail of bail jumper who may have info on a mob boss he wanted to take down. Links took him to Cedar Tree, where he is supposed to find a bookkeeper... like the Red-headed Emma. When someone tossed Emma's house, and Emma's clearly in danger, Gus steps in as Emma's protector, and love bloomed. But someone from Gus' past is watching... and waiting for retribution...

Good romantic suspense with a couple of good twists and turns, plus enjoyable main characters. Gus is protective without overbearing and a disabled heroine? An unusual but inspired choice. 5/5

GRR Reviews Billionaire's Rival by Jeanette Winters

Charles Lawson is the new head of Lawson Steel, and he has five brothers to watch out for and a lot of legacies passed down from his grandfather and father. Their main rival is Maxwell Grayson, who often used underhanded tactics to win bids and almost destroyed Lawson Steel... a while back. Charles is going to take down Grayson once and for all... but Rosslyn may yet change his plans... // Rosslyn can call Grayson uncle, but an estranged one. Her mother was disowned after marrying someone the family did not approve of. Rosslyn took the secretary job for her uncle and it's miserable, but she'll make do... Until Charles' plan took effect... will Rosslyn be the lynchpin for Charles' plan... or its failure point?

There is definitely a lot of family history and stuff to go over, and quite a bit of corporate espionage and conflicted feelings. But somehow, I don't really feel there's a lot of chemistry between the two. It has great polish. The ending was a great twist. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Fake Marriage to Her Best Friend by Kacy Cross

NOTE: The book is also titled as "Fake Marriage Favor"

Nomi is tired of losing. She had already lost the defense of her brother from fraud charges, which also meant closing the lawfirm they founded. She was not about to give up on the city council election... However, she has one leaked compromising photo that her opponent would use against her. She needs help from the other person on the photo, her best (platonic) friend, Malone. // Malone and Nomi are platonic friends for a long time, and Malone wasn't looking for love. Having the ex-fiance stole his entire company definitely soured the mood. When Nomi proposed that they get (fake) married to solve her PR problem, he accepted. That's what best friends do for each other, right? But neither expected the turn of their feelings when they actually kissed...

Somehow, the characters aren't that nice. They are sweet and they have sob stories, but really, marriage of convenience just to repair her CHANCE of repairing her reputation? It somehow just feels very... selfish and egocentric. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score

Emily may be a billionaire CEO, but her family is a total mess. With her company on the verge of IPO, Emily needs a little publicity boost... But when her plus-one for the gala was busted for drugs in front of the Miami paparazzi, she needs help fast. Enter Derek, corporate troubleshooter. // Derek likes Emily, but he never sleeps with a client. He can sense that this incident was no accident... someone orchestrated a negative media blitz to take Emily down. He needs to show the world who Emily really is to win their trust, and he may have to break his own heart to protect her...

Some parts worked, and some parts didn't. And I'm surprised nobody thought of recording the phone calls, as the villain basically confirmed the dastardly deeds with a cackle over the phone once they figured out who the villain is. The escalation works well. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Plain Jayne by Laura Drewry

Nick and Jayne grew up together, and had been best friends for twenty-five years. But Nick married someone else, and Jayne moved away. She came back to attend his wife's funeral four years ago, but he had to ask her to leave when Nick's mother became VERY distraught and angry at her presence. But Jayne is now back to clean up her grandma's estate, a bookstore that closed up seemingly for no reason. She plans to reopen the store and make a life for herself in town... But that plan got derailed when she saw Nick again, who's dating Lisa now...

I don't feel the chemistry between the two. Friendship, sure. Denial of love, sure. But chemistry? Didn't feel any. Nick pretty much denied he's in love with Jayne right up to the very end. And his family's hostility toward Jayne was never quite explained. Grandma's estate and will was basically manipulation from beyond the grave, and it FELT like manipulation, and it was only then did we get Jayne's true backstory, about why grandma was so "cruel" to her. The story elements just didn't really come together for me. 3/5

GRR Reviews Fall Fast by Zoe York

Navy SEAL Nathan just finished visiting his family and is flying back to his base/home in San Diego, but a snowstorm just stranded him in Chicago. Emme, flight attendant, just finished signing her divorce papers in Chicago and is trying to fly out on any standby. Neither got their wish, and both sensed a connection so they agreed to a drink in the airport bar. Then it became a bit more, as they got a hotel room. Emme and Nathan both agreed to not use any names... as Emme is not ready for a relationship, and Nathan is not ready to let her go yet. The night was... excellent. But will Emme be ready for more... like move to California, maybe not now, but in a few months?

Pretty short, and a lot of sex, but that's the way this sort of story goes... A connection that could lead to more, and learning how to love again for Emme. 4/5

GRR Reviews Decker and Joy by Elle Rush

Private Investigator Decker is chasing down an escaped prototype named E.L.V.I.S for North Pole Unlimited's top-secret research division, and he knew it's somewhere in this town, a few weeks before Halloween... // Joy is busy handling foster animals and the store at Kitten Caboodle. The policy is not to allow the adoption of black kittens during October, and they just happen to have three (came as a package). So when someone starts to get REALLY insistent on adopting those kittens, something feels very wrong. // Decker and Joy met when Decker found that his missing prototype may have been shipped to Joy's store, just as someone pulled off a triple kitten-napping by starting a huge distraction. Now the two will have to work together...

Light-hearted and fun, but it's more adventure than romance. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn

April's fiancee's mother just kicked her out so her spine-less (now ex-) fiancee can take back the woman she approves. While April has a lot of friends, she doesn't want to depend on them, even with Christmas fast approaching. So when State Department Security Agent Hunter approached her with an extraordinary offer, she was in no position to refuse... Spend a month in Washington DC with King Jozef of Bariavak, because April very much resembles his long-lost granddaughter. April very much enjoys spending time with Hunter, but Hunter has his own secrets and links with Bariavak... And King Jozef is happy to do a little royal matchmaking...

Not quite a comedy as advertised, as Hunter is basically your almost-cliche "strong silent type", being basically a bodyguard, but with a bit more depth to him than you'd expect, and April... her pride was ALMOST her downfall. Still, the characters are nicely nuanced and have character arcs, and the mystery about who is the princess... Will continue. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Wild Open Hearts by Kathryn Nolan

Luna has made herself a billionaire by focusing on changing the cosmetics industry with Wild Heart... No animal testing and ethical sourcing. Until she was betrayed by her supplier... Now her fans believed they were betrayed as well. To avert total disaster, she will help a charity and get some good PR for both. // Beck has two motorcycle outlaws for his parents... and he left twenty years ago. He knew his Lucky Dog charity which rehabilitates abused dogs can always use more money. When Luna offered to help, all he saw was "being used"... But when his funding source ran dry, the charity needs Luna... // Luna never expected to grow fond of the gruff and dangerous-looking biker but she knew he's a big softie inside. Beck can't believe he can grow to tolerate the ultra-rich billionaire who's actually a hippie bohemian chick. And after a kiss, neither can stay away... but as her PR nightmare continues, and his parents making their presence known, will they unite to resolve their problems... Or will their differences prove too much for their love?

Actually a lot of fun to read. My problem is they keep talking about the bad parents, but in the end, they merely needed a talk to go away. Somehow, THAT lead to a darkest hour... Which is kinda lame. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews At Last by Miranda P Charles

Gemma doesn't do casual but is looking for one true love. Greg doesn't do long-term, as he vowed to shape up and live up to his family legacy. It doesn't help that his two brothers have married and his family is VERY rich, so he has a LOT of women after him. The two remained friends... Until Gemma seems to have attracted the attention of a stalker who wanted to ruin her any way possible. Greg will protect her, but is that love? And when Gemma agreed to a fling, is she lying to herself?

Hmmm... Good but with flaws. Gemma's lying to herself that she can do a fling is believable. It's basically self-denial. Greg's self-denial, however, goes much much deeper. It's obvious he doesn't want anyone else to have Gemma, but he can't admit it to himself. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Ruthless Kiss by Amelia Wilde

Jasper is a ruthless developer buying up property all over town to be refurbished and earn massive profits. Until Isabella bulled her way past his secretary with anger and sass... // Isabella's clothing line is about to go international. She learned that her mother (and indeed, all the tenants) are being evicted. So she went straight to the source of the problem: Jasper. // Isabella found Jasper attractive, and to help her mother, she'd do anything. And when Jasper suggested she be his plaything for a month, in exchange for her mother staying put, she surprised both by saying yes. Their chemistry is off the charts, and they are VERY compatible in bed (which came later). They both planned to use sex to get what they wanted... but what do they REALLY want?

I am not sure what to think about this one. Sex is pretty good, if a bit repetitive (I can only read about a nipple pinch so many times). But the escalation doesn't really work, nor did the darkest hour. Isabella's mom first wanted to save her unit, then she escalated by wanting her daughter to save the WHOLE BUILDING (i.e. all of her friends). Darkest hour was really weird. Basically, Jasper's father, normally leaving Jasper a free reign, suddenly decided to interfere... first by insinuating that Isabella is a golddigger (she's a multi-millionaire!) then by selling the building out from under Jasper (to Isabella)  And because of the sale, Jasper came to believe that Isabella was playing him. For what? Great sex? Logically this makes not a lick of sense. 3/5

GRR Reviews Accidental Shield by Nicole Snow

Flint, single father, just found himself hosting an amnesiac woman... and lying to her about her being his wife. But Valerie has amnesia because she almost died in an explosion that blew up her boat. Telling her the whole truth would just make her panic. So Flint, ex-navy SEAL, now retired security specialist, is doing one more job with his partner, Doc Cash, to bring down the bad guys that almost killed Valerie. They've tangled with the same group of bad guys before, and it's a good time to even the score. And by all evidence, it seems her "evil" brother may be involved... But how will Flint handle being "fake married" to Valerie? What happens when she found out she wasn't?

Interesting take on "marriage mistake", proves that you *can* create something new by remixing old tropes. 5/5

GRR Reviews Fractured by Lori Sjoberg

Carter was a good soldier, but when he felt he was losing his soul, he got out and returned to his family farm and equestrian center.  Meeting Amy, the new horse trainer, was a shock, but he sensed that she has a secret vulnerability that she was not ready to share... // Amy changed her name and looks and left everything behind after she was acquitted of her husband's murder. Her brother-in-law publicly announced there's a miscarriage of justice, with EVERYTHING left to her. The only thing she has left was her love of horses. And she doesn't need Carter... to mess things up. But when her past came back to haunt her, can Carter protect her?

Good mystery, a good twist on hidden identity and protector. The ending is also handled quite nicely. Although I don't see how the bad guy plans to get away with... whatever he was doing at the end. Of course, she still needs saving, but that's kinda beside the point. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels

Presley thought her life was going fine, until it was turned not just upside down, but went through a tornado... She found her husband not only hung himself but also left her a pile of debt and to raise 3 boys alone. She had no choice but to return to Tennessee and her family while maintaining the fiction (for sake of her boys) that their father died from a heart attack. But returning home also means meeting the one that betrayed her... Zach... His career didn't work out.  Is there a chance for them to reconcile? Is she ready to move on from the two devastating betrayals she had suffered?

I am a bit conflicted about this story. The setup about her dead husband's betrayal took up quite a bit of space, that just feels long and drawn-out, and instead of coming all at once, they hit one at a time. I felt the intro could have been handled better, like when she's hounded by bill collectors or something. I have a little problem with the original reason they broke up, which she counts as a betrayal. It makes her sound like a whiny b****. The reunion is okay. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews My Big Fat Fake Wedding by Lauren Landish

Violet wants to let her grandpa "papa" (with a few months to live) walk her down the aisle. When Collin proposed, she readily accepted, then Collin backed out. But Violet refused to let Collin see her cry. She just needs a new groom... // Ross hates being the scapegoat. How was he to know the distraught woman he was escorting to a ride was a preacher's wife, when he was ambushed by paparazzi? When his father told him he needs to settle down, Ross only saw one way... Find a "fake" fiancee. // Ross was surprised to learn that Violet needed to get married, fast, and so did he. It'd be a match made in heaven, if not for they being nemesis throughout their school years. It'd be acting of the century for them to act lovey-dovey... But is there real affection behind the barbs? Does it even matter, when time's running out?

I am conflicted about this novel. On one hand, the rom-com potential is off-the-charts. The enemies-to-(sorta-pretend)-lovers was handled perfectly, with each escalation pushing things tighter and tighter. I don't even mind the ending when someone showed up and ruined everything, as it makes for a great darkest hour. On the other hand, the sex scenes don't quite flow right after the tension and comedy bits. And I don't think it wasn't quite explained properly how the nemesis got the "incriminating evidence". 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Cowboy by Molly O'Keefe

Cody and Bea have an informal arrangement... No names, no faces, no talking. She's his morning girl on the balcony over his work site. He's a broken cowboy, and she'll take whatever he can give. Until he walked into her bar, and he didn't know it's her. She's in love with the broken cowboy, and she can no longer keep the secret, but he's not in love with her... at least, not the public version...

Interesting angst-y take on a bit of obsession, and somewhat unconventional. 3.5/5

GRR Security Risk by Megan Matthews

Tabitha left her old life behind to start over in Pelican Bay, by borrowing a bit of her abusive ex-boyfriend's cash, not that she plan to spend it all. She inherited a house from her aunt in the town, and meeting her hunky but gruff neighbor, Ridge, was... nice, as are her other neighbors. But why is her ex Mario chasing her down by sending in his scary lieutenant? Where are the diamonds they keep insisting she took with her? Will she live through it?

Uh, hate to say this, but this book smells like amateur writing. Tabitha fell for the first handsome guy she saw despite surviving years of abuse. She couldn't recognize a mafia front despite lived years next to it (and happen to have couple hundred thousand lying around in CASH) and basically has too many TSTL moments to count. Oh, and Ridge? Total caricature of a security guy. 2/5

GRR Reviews Second Chance by Jane Suen

Mary Ann was just a florist in town when Connor arrived, needing flowers for his mom's funeral. They connected, and even their cats connected. But he left her to go back to his job in the city. She's sorta dating Ron now. She was shocked to find Connor at the grocery store as the clerk... and Connor is ready to woo Mary Ann back, realizing his mistake. And when a snowstorm hit the town, and he was temporarily stranded with her, this may be the chance he needs...

A bit short, not too-angsty, it's pretty clean and sweet, and it has cats. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Stuck on You by Amelia Wilde

Beau Bliss knew his brother runs the resort, and he's the entertainment director... sorta. Well-known as "the party guy", he throws events that people attend... sometimes with embarrassing results. And being non-confrontational, he's also used to being stereotyped as the f***-up. Having (virgin) mimosas in the morning doesn't help. When the latest PR disaster hit, Beau was suddenly saddled with an outside event planner consultant Claire... (by his brother's orders) who's prim and proper, his complete opposite, and probably out for his job. But Claire's so uptight, she can use some loosening up... And Beau would love to do it for her... except if he does that, he'd probably be out of a job...

Nice way to handle opposites attract, by layering on the conflicting personality, plus a "misunderstood" trope. Claire's character arc however, is quite shallow compared to Beau's, as she's hiding from her family and such. Still, like Beau's layers. 4/5

GRR Reviews A Christmas Wish by Leeanna Morgan

Megan abandoned her career and is raising her 5-year old niece Nora after an accident took her sister's life. Her cake business is starting to take off... Then her world was turned upside down... FBI Special Agent William needs to take them to safety because terrorists are targeting them due to a brother Megan never knew she had... all the way to Montana. Willaim himself lost a daughter and the tragedy shattered his family. Being this close to Megan and her niece reminded him of what he once had... With Christmas approaching, could it be time to love again?

Unfortunately, the threats in this book are upside down. The most exciting bits are in the front, at least the suspense parts. And the suspense is only used as an excuse to shackle the two characters together. This is NOT romantic suspense. The feelings are okay, but the terrorists are a letdown.  I had hoped the author had learned how to write romantic suspense properly as the series starter works quite well. But this... is not good. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews A Lot Like Christmas by Kait Nolan

Special Forces Medic Ryan left Wishful a long time ago to be all he can be. But when he heard that his cantankerous great uncle Percy's health may be failing, yet refusing help, he took his leave and went back. Meeting a sweet waitress wasn't a part of his plan... // Hannah had to retire from her interior decorating job due to health reasons. She's helping out her sister as a waitress, and offering to decorate houses in Wishful to get back into her true love, when someone offered to be secret Santa to decorate Percy's place. Meeting Ryan wasn't in her plans. // The two are opposites, yet fit so right. Ryan is cool and professional, Hannah is warm and cheerful. But Ryan is going back to the army soon... right?

Good contrasts, using Percy and the town to tie them together, at least temporarily, which also added a time limit. I'd thought a special forces soldier would know better than let just a phone call to destroy his mood, but it works for dramatic purposes. 4/5

GRR Reviews Someone to Watch over Me by Iris Morland

Seth is back home from Middle East, but he had lost his best friend there, and he felt lost without a direction in life. He met his neighbor Rose, and was intrigued by the headstrong beauty, but when she greeted her at night with a gun, it's clear she needed help, and refused to admit it. // Rose fled Seattle and her evil ex Johnny, but it's clear he's not done with her. She had made a bargain with the devil (Johnny) to save her brother and he's out to collect. She almost had enough money to pay Johnny off, and Seth's help is appreciated, but she'll do things her own way, esp. when she's still ashamed for what Johnny took from her...

On one hand, I want to like the main characters. Rose is reasonably conflicted, and Seth is reasonably wounded. On the other hand, Rose is so f***ing naive, I was basically screaming "No you idiot!". She apparently never considered the angle... Maybe her brother's being framed for drugs was orchestrated by Johnny just so he can get his hands on her. That's frustrating to read, and what's the point of getting a gun if she's not willing to use it when it matters? (She never actually got to use it)  3/5

GRR Reviews Colton by Olivia Sands

Colton knew what he wanted out of life: run his family bourbon business, buy or build a nice home, marry a country girl, and start a country family. So why can't he get Grace out of his mind? She's a city girl, a lawyer, and employed by his uncle. AND she's now taking a case against his best friend... He shouldn't want her, but he does. Yet between friendship and love, something's gotta give...

Conflict is a little on the thin side, but it works well enough. It's a good opposites-attract issue, where Colton learned not to take things at face value. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Amazed By You by Cheyenne McCray

Celine, fashion designer, needs her product launch to go perfectly, and on budget, as she had put EVERYTHING on the line. She has no time to babysit a cowboy ranch owner who's miffed at city folks invading his domain. That is, until she met Jayson face to face... // Jayson lost a bet and ended up with city folks all over his ranch doing a commercial shoot, interrupting his ranching. Though secretly, he's impressed with Celine running the show. When the two finally meet, sparks flew (the good kind). But Jayson has a secret, and not even saving Celine's life may redeem him from that...

Not bad, good polish on opposites attract story. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Cowboy SEAL Homecoming by Nicole Helm

Alex left Montana behind a long time ago with his bad memories, and became a navy SEAL, an elite warrior. But when injuries forced him and two fellow teammates to retire, there is no place to go except back home... and meeting Becca who now lives there... a step-sister he never really knew. Becca will help Alex turned the family ranch into an equine therapy center to help wounded veterans, but will she also rope Alex's heart?

While this is technically a step-sibling romance, the two are so estranged they may as well be strangers. Romance is slow simmer. This is a series starter, and the setup is good. 4/5

GRR Reviews Bride for Nathaniel by Kay P Dawson

In the early 1900s, Nathaniel is a mountie in Cougar Springs, Alberta, and he likes the town, but also clueless with women. He reluctantly accepts a mail-order bride from back out East, and got Claire... // Claire helped those in need, even when it costs her. She lost her job as a maid when her role in helping her mistress escape to marry a mountie was exposed, and she had no regrets. Marrying a mountie would be nice... Until Nathaniel's old nemesis showed. The newly married husband and wife disagree on how to proceed. He wants to protect her, she wants to see the evil brought to justice. Will this tear them apart?

Not bad, though the wedge issue feels a bit overdone. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Wedding of the Century by Patricia McLinn

Annette once vowed never to return to her small town, after she ran away from her dream wedding... which is AFTER a very pregnant girl showed up claiming the baby was fathered by her betrothed, Steve, and he didn't refute it. So she left and started her own life. Seven years later, she had to return when her brother broke his wrist and can no longer work as a contractor for weeks. Her ex-betrothed is now a single father, and it's clear there still are feelings that remained. And perhaps, she may even gather enough courage to ask... Why did Steve betray her? And the answer will shock her to her core...

Wow, the twists are shocking, and a bit soap-opera worthy, but everything makes sense. 5/5

GRR Reviews Bride for Easton by Cassie Hayes

It is the early 1900's. Molly refused to have her life arranged by her parents any more. She wants a large family, not to become a nun. When all attempts to dissuade her parents failed, she sought the help of matchmaker Hazel, and became a mail-order bride... // Easton is the commander of the mounties... in Cougar Springs, Alberta. It's a small town and while the duty is not hazardous, it can use some female company... not that Easton really wanted any. But when his men are getting restless, he had to get his own bride... but when the spunky ex-nun showed up, his life is turned upside down...

Ah, one of those surprise marriage stories and a bit of opposite attract. Good, not great. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Compromise by Susan Hatler

Morgan is back in her hometown in Montana, now armed with a cosmetology degree and ready to open her hair salon, and she already leased the place. Running into Dallas at the location is a surprise, which turned into total shock when he also produced a lease, for the SAME LOCATION signed on the same day, and he needs the place for his furniture store... and the landlord is out of the country! It doesn't help that Morgan had a crush on Dallas from way back when... because Dallas is her brother's best friend... and also the one her family blamed for its greatest tragedy. Now forced together, it's clear they have great chemistry together, but will the guilt and blame tear them apart?

Not the first book that featured "double-leased" trope, but well-executed, with a couple layers of mixed feelings on top of it. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Fat Rules by Misti D Mosteller

Maddy knew she's a chunky monkey that's also smart and funny, but people seem to only notice her size... at 266.5 lbs. Her mom is smothering, and her grandma is feeding... Which is not helping her waistline at all. She created the series of "fat rules" to help control her self-esteem such as "never run, death before jigglies". But when a birthday disaster struck, her friends mounted an intervention with tough love... which lead to a guy who appreciates her as is...

Feels like a memoir and fantasy melded together, with a dose of harsh reality and indomitable spirit. There is a lot of love in this book. 4/5

GRR Reviews Second Chance at Christmas Inn by Anne-Marie Meyer

Holly just inherited her grandmother's Christmas Inn, but she's more like the Scrooge. She needs the money to invest in a restaurant, so she's going to sell it, fast. When she found the will stated that she must stay at the inn through Christmas, she gritted her teeth and will make do. She didn't count on Stephen, or his adorable nephew... // Stephen had worked and live at the inn, with help of his sister and nephew, as the manager. He needs to keep a roof over his family, and Holly's insistence to sell the place will destroy his plans.  Can Stephen change Holly's mind before it's too late?

The story setup has been done before many times, and I honestly didn't feel very different with this particular approach. 3/5

GRR Reviews Pumpkin and Spice by Abby Knox

Talbot survived high school and is now a bar owner / bartender in his hometown. Once called Stoner back in high school, he has left that life behind, until Max aka Pumpkin, his high school crush, came back to town for Thanksgiving. // Max wants to avoid drama, esp. with the queen bees that ruined her high school life, though "Stoner" was nice, and now, very handsome. And this time, Stoner is going to make sure she knows what he thinks of her...

A bit short, at under 100 pages, but it has all the plot points, reunion, childhood crush, ugly duckling now a swan, etc. 4/5

GRR Reviews A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford

Misty is just driving into Wildcat Bluff near Christmas when she was flagged down by a half-naked cowboy who needed her help to put out a suspicious grass fire. Turns out he's Trey, hot cowboy, and volunteer firefighter. She's surprised she was able to help, as she had bad memories of both fires and Christmas. Someone is committing arson in the area, and Misty can't tell Trey that she's actually an investigator trying to find out if the fires are set by their rivals, or is there a separate firebug involved... But they definitely feel hot for each other...

Nice, good bits about personal fears and overcoming them. The mystery aspect OTOH is a bit on the "meh" side. 4/5

GRR Reviews Aria's Christmas Wish by Victorine E Lieske

Kendra is a single mother raising her daughter the best she can, and Christmas is approaching fast. She knew who the father was... Country music star Jacob, but she can never tell him. She was petrified when Jacob returned to town, and saw her daughther. She denied she's his, but there is no mistaking those eyes. What had Jacob done for Kendra to hide a daughter from him? How can he redeem himself... and get his family back?

The reason is both reasonable yet overblown. It's nice, but not that... great. 4/5

GRR Reviews Montana Maverick by Ramona Flightner

Jessamine is hiding out in Bear Grass Springs as the local newsperson... Yes, she writes and prints and sells the news all by herself, a mix of hard news and local gossip. And the most frequent subject of her writing was Ewan, the town's "most disreputable gentleman"... // Ewan is a successful builder and earned his money the proper way. He will never marry... for his own reasons. So what if he frequents the local boudoir? But when Jesse's writing started to impugn on other townspeople's reputations (but always with an element of truth), Ewan is conflicted... as he admired her independent spirit, yet repelled by her lack of tact... (and willingness to admit she went overboard). This is no ordinary courtship... yet it is exactly that...

I am conflicted about this novel. I like the character arc, about how Jesse had to admit the sensationalism she learned elsewhere may not be applicable in a small town, and Ewan admits that maybe he can love again. It's also an interesting way to handle enemies to lovers. But Jesse's initial almost-glee to ignore criticism is very off-putting. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Finding Home by Jackie Weger

Phoebe is just 24, but she knows how to fend for herself... even with two of her siblings in tow. However, she's trying to find a home for her clan, and she's running out of cash and gas. Things looked REALLY bleak when she backed into Gage Morgan's truck, and he decided to hold her bumper (with the license plate) hostage until she comes up with $70. She doesn't even have $7, but what she does is a ton of pride and ingenuity. With a lot of fast-talking (and emotional blackmail/ con) she managed to talk herself into Morgan's home and became a babysitter/housekeeper for Morgan and his little girl, while she finds work nearby. It's clear that Morgan's been hurt before, and isn't about to trust any women ever again...

Very different from the author's previous works. Love the language, as Phoebe, let's just say, lacks education, just a lot of "country smarts", and the vocabulary shows. You can laugh at Phoebe's attempt to talk herself out of a jam... or to express love, and how it still works out. 5/5

GRR Reviews Midnight Kisses by Alexa Rivers

Justin was invited to his ex's wedding to another guy, and that's just salt in his wound. Reconnecting with Emily, former school mate (and enemy of his ex) was nice, and having Emily as his plus-one at the wedding... Even better. It's just to show his ex that he's over her... Right? Or will he admit that he can love again?

Sweet, and relatively short (just over 100 pages), 4/5

GRR Reviews Rough Around the Edges by Laura Westbrook

Chloe just started her job as an assistant bookkeeper at Jackson's construction equipment company, while keeping a secret: she inflated her resume a bit. She hoped to learn the rest on the job under supervision. Jackson is a hands-on kind of boss... When Chloe arrived, he had his head through the ceiling installing a network cable for her computer, that Chloe mistook him for a contractor at first. Jackson also commutes on his motorcycle and kept up his physique that all females appreciate, including Chloe. When Jackson's bookkeeper quit, Chloe found herself the head bookkeeper, in way over her head, and keeper of a secret... Jackson may be contemplating selling the company. In order to save her job (and everybody else's jobs too), Chloe has to do something about her growing attraction to her boss...

A couple minor things stood out for me... a) Generally a network cable install goes through the walls, not through the ceiling tiles, and doesn't involve drills, esp if one can use those adhesive cable anchors to the walls. b) I don't quite understand Jackson's personality... he's either the strong and silent type (toward Chloe, almost embarrassing her), or the wonderful boss helping his employee out type (that she found out later). The two don't really mesh... But Chloe's solution and the slow-buildup is pretty good. 4/5

GRR Reviews Wrapped Up in Beau by Mia L Heintzelman

Aubrey needs to write her "audition" article for a potential new job, but she only has a couple hours between flights heading home. She never expected to see Beau, whom she left six months ago because he's always putting work first and her second.... // Beau is about to get the position he always wanted as a financial advisor, so why does his heart feel so empty? When he heard that his grandma is in the hospital, he booked a flight to Chicago ASAP. He didn't expect to find Aubrey sharing the trip... Or is that perhaps, a second chance toward what each of them really wanted just before Christmas...

Not bad, but didn't quite feel the chemistry. The lead-up to the end is good though. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Comfort and Joy by Abby Knox

Joy can't believe she saw Brady, her high school crush, again... Or that he's the new health inspector shutting her cookie business down for missing some items not needed in a bakery (who needs a grease trap in a bakery?)  But she has other problems like a creepy neighbor (and alderman) who keeps hanging around her place and wanted to date her (and may be causing other troubles)... But don't worry, Brady may be by-the-book, but he's quite protective...

Under 100 pages, it's pretty fast moving. Though how Brady just bought her a whole new kitchen is a bit like... Wait, how did he afford all that?  And the evildoer is revealed a bit too early. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Stay With Me by Kristen Proby

Amelia, beauty vlogger, is getting a divorce, but her ex is determined to hurt her by contesting everything, even AFTER the judge had already granted the divorce. So she went to live with a cousin, who found her a cabin to housesit, so no one can find her. Not that she wanted to meet ANY men (except delivery guys)  Until she met her neighbor Wyatt.. // Wyatt was intrigued by his new neighbor, always receiving stuff, and sometimes high profile visitors. So when Amelia came knocking on his door, needing some help, he's happy to oblige. But he has an evil ex too...

Not really feeling too much beyond the "hot neighbor" tropes. 3/5

GRR Reviews Chasing Rainbows by Mona Ingram

Taylor left her supermodel career behind after being betrayed in the worst way. She hid on her father's remote ranch, hoping to get over the hurt and learn to live and trust again. Finding a message in a bottle was a surprise... it's from a man trying to move past the death of his wife, that even his daughter is urging him to try again. He sounds too good to be true, but how can she find out if she's not willing to try? And when her father interfered, how will they react?

Warm fuzzies all around, and signature Mona Ingram story. 4/5

GRR Reviews Your Irresistible Love by Layla Hagen

Ava is the new marketing consultant to help Bennett Enterprises ace their new jewelry line launch. She's a loner that prefers the itinerant lifestyle, a few months here and there. No strings, no attachments. While her nominal boss, CEO Sebastian Bennett, is gorgeous, she won't get involved with a client, because it's written in her employment contract: no fraternizing. But Seb is already intrigued... esp. with his family nagging him about not having a woman... And they do have chemistry together. But the problem with a secret liaison is secrets eventually leak...

The darkest hour seems a bit forced, and the "bad guys" never got any karma. 4/5

GRR Reviews Keith by M S Parker

Keith can't believe his brother, Matt, is willing to marry a spoiled socialite Nikolette just so her daddy will save his family foundation with a cash infusion. Keith met schoolteacher/waitress Veronica at a social event, and despite being attracted to her, decided Veronica is much better suited for his brother Matt. So he set them up together on a date, to break up Matt's plans. Let's just say nothing actually happened according to plan...

Nice, a very nice mix of tropes, and a couple surprises along the way. It's Cyrano mixed with a marriage of convenience and a sibling triangle (of sorts). I kinda hope for bigger karma on Nikolette though. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews High Stakes by Kathryn Shay

Dylan O'Neil will do anything to protect his family, esp. from the likes of reporter Rachel Scott, whose leaks have endangered members of his family before, as in kidnapping attempts and more. As a columnist for a newspaper himself, he has an audience, and verbal war started between Dylan and Rachel. When the heads of both news organizations want them to work it out by having Dylan shadow Rachel's work, Dylan finally sees Rachel's private life, which is VERY different than what he imagined. And when sparks of attraction flared to life, neither can resist. But how can Dylan explain he had "fallen for the enemy"?

Ah, this is how "enemies to lovers" should be done. There are a few tropes, like the sick/comfort trope, and later, a hurt/comfort trope as well. But the build-up is exquisite. 5/5

GRR Reviews Dazed and Divorced by Carol Maloney Scott

Claire is (suddenly?) single, in her thirties, having married her high school sweetheart Ron, and never really dated ever. She's also mourning the loss of her fertility after one too many miscarriages. Except Ron won't sign the divorce papers. Almost twenty years after her last date, she's back out into the wild, finding frogs all over the place, and not a prince in sight. It seems her friends keep finding losers for her to blind date... So why is her ex Ron trying to get back into her good graces, after nearly destroying her during her time of grief? And is adopting a hyperactive wiener dog puppy, Dixie, a solution to her problems?

Definitely LOL at times, if also a bit teary-eyed, as this is more sitcom than romcom, with super uncomfortable situations. Like meeting Jed, Abel, and Cain at a church speed-dating event, each of whom wants to talk about the Bible or proper role of a wife. Then Christian came along and asked her to get the heck out of there... Only to try to seduce her into bed, with some VERY unholy words. Funny! 4.5/5 for the laughs, not too much romance here though.

GRR Reviews Gwynneth Ever After by Linda Poitevin

Gwynneth (just Gwyn) is a single mom raising 3 kids (a daughter and twins) as an architect. Her husband walked out after the twins are born, claiming he's overwhelmed. And she's too busy to worry about anything else. Until a chance encounter in a theater had her sitting next to Gareth Connor, Hollywood superstar. What is he doing in Ottawa? And why is he so nice to her? // Gareth is in town for his own secret... He's there to meet his daughter, now 18, under ultra-secrecy. Seeing the effect of separation on Gwyn's daughter had him reexamine his life... is Gwyn and her kids his chance at redemption? Or just complications? Can Gwyn accept him, or will her insecurities ruin their relationship?

Good details, and no major plothole except one: why the children were NOT vaccinated, given that Canada started universal varicella (chickenpox) vaccination in Ontario (which includes Ottawa) by 2004... Also, if he's there secretly, he's certainly making no effort to disguise himself while out of Gwynn... 4/5

GRR Reviews The Road Home by Krista Sandor

Jenna left town to make their own way after one too many times her mother's boyfriend laid his hands on her for perceived wrongs... and her mother aided him rather than protect her. Fourteen years later, when she got a call from the hospital that her mother had been committed to the psych ward for talking about suicide, she immediately drove back to Langley Park. Did her mother finally got away from her no-good boyfriend? Can her mother love her? She ran into Ben, her classmate way back when, and teenage crush... It is clear that their current admiration is mutual. But there seems to be a stalker after Jenna, even as Ben still reels from his wife's suicide.  But for them to move forward, each must confront their past...

Good twist, even though it's somewhat expected after the eliminated the obvious suspect. But the overall reasoning and plotting is still good. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Marry Me at Dawn by Lucinda Whitney

Gabriela came out of the emergency hospital feeling very down... She just found out that she can no longer bear children. Her cousin put her up in a resort in the Azores, so she can hide out and hopefully figure out what to do from there. // Damian vowed to be the opposite of his philandering father by never giving his heart to anyone. He revived the family business, and was doing great, until Social Services handed him baby Claire, legally his as his name is on the birth certificate. He hid out in the Azores... at the same resort... When Gabriella showed up by accident. // Damian found Gabriella beautiful and great with the baby. When his lawyer and best friend told him to marry her for a year, he barely hesitated, and Gabriella, perhaps overwhelmed by a chance to have a family, even if it's a fake one, said yes. But will this family last? And what happens when Damian found out who the father REALLY is?

Good twist at the end (on who's the father), how the fake relationship built up slowly. But I think Gabby was a bit too fast to give up on Damian. 4/5

GRR Reviews Lessons from a One-Night Stand by Piper Rayne

Austin is the teacher and baseball coach at the Alaskan high school for the town of Lake Starlight, for the past nine years, having given up on his dreams and moved back home for his family. Holly is the interim principal taking on a job for just a few months. Unfortunately for Austin, Holly was also his one-night stand, steaming up his jeep windows two nights ago. Austin can't believe he liked his boss, but she's not staying around. Then he finally got the news he dreamed of: being a professional baseball assistant coach for a college. But can he leave his family behind, when Holly may be staying?

Both Austin and Holly are on a quest to find themselves and what they wanted in life. Both are surprised to realize what they really wanted... is there all along! Nice character arcs. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Shop On Main by Kay Correll

Owen is in town to do one thing: make things right with his long-lost half-brother and the half of his family he didn't know about... By buying them a building they lost long time ago. But would that ever be enough to compensate for what his father did to both of his families? Can he ever have a family that he wanted? Falling for someone in town wasn't her plan, but Bella was so courageous, starting from almost nothing, yet with a keen eye on design... // Bella barely clawed herself out of poverty and has her own shop and home... Until someone just bought the building out from under her, leaving her with NOTHING. Then came the second betrayal... the man she fell for is the very cause of her ruination...

Somehow this story just seem to lack the overall polish, and it went for the serious angst-y tone. The conflict also seems to lack nuance. Owen is basically trying to have his cake and eat it too (trying to make up for his father's sins by buy his half brother's family a large gift) WHILE trying to save Bella's shop because he just realized he's going to make Bella homeless and jobless if he accomplish the first. Bella is basically: "I love you, but you ruined me, so I can't love you now (fix it!)"  2/5

GRR Reviews Crush on You by Amelia Wilde

Roman, now controlling the family Bliss Resorts, is a demanding boss. So who is this total babe claiming to be his new assistant? Turns out, she's Jenny, former high school schoolmate (and with a hidden crush on him). But he can't be distracted, even if Jenny's oh-so-tempting...

Tries to pivot onto a sort of disguise/mystery/undercover thing, but it's mostly "hot for boss/secretary" trope. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Right Here With You by Susan Coventry

Stephanie left Michigan for a mountain cabin in Tennessee, hoping to finish her novel. Her neighbor Logan, is trying to write a nature guide to heal from his past tragedy. Neither would quite come clean about their respective pasts, even though both knew they are attracted to one another, and Logan is there to share his expertise and to protect her. But Logan is also keeping Steph away from his tragedy he'd rather not confront... Yet for him to get past that tragedy, he will have to allow her to get closer...

The guy's a bit hard to empathize with, as his solution is to run away from his feelings, ALWAYS. The struggles though, are pretty good. 4/5

GRR Reviews Running After a Heartbreaker by Jami Albright

Hailey promised her mom to keep the bar open, but her father (and co-owner) wants to sell the money-pit (the land's worth a lot more). And her ex-husband is still in town, with his new family, and putting tears in her daughter's eyes daily. When country music artist Beau "The Heartbreaker" Callen landed in town (after half of his band is in jail and the other half in the hospital due to an epic brawl) and needed a place to crash, Hailey offered up her backyard guesthouse... with the caveat that Beau headline a few shows to bring patrons back to the bar. Neither Beau nor Hailey needed complications, but complications they will get... Esp. when Beau discovered that Hailey can sing... and his own backup singer had to bow out...

Good complications left and right, great escalations and rom-com. 4.5/5