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 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 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 Don't Date Your Brother's Best Friend by Cami Checketts

Trey had explored the world as an adrenaline junkie adventurer, but coming home and meeting Ella left him stunned... How could he had NEVER noticed the sassy beauty, now all grown up?  It helps that Ella had a crushed on him since middle school. However, Trey's reputation as a love-em-and-leave-em guy, not to mention her brother (and his best friend) are both warning him to stay away and don't break her heart. Can he convince her (and her brother) to give him a chance?

Sweet, but the plot's been done bajillion times before. 4/5

GRR Reviews Tumble Into Love by J H Croix

Risa was betrayed by her boyfriend, and was retreating to her sister's place in Diamond Creek, Alaska when she ran off the road avoiding a moose. She was rescued by hot cop Darren, who retreated from Seattle with his own tragedy. Both planned to keep to themselves, yet neither can deny the attraction and fate that brought them to each other. But she's his best friend's little sister, and he's so yummy in uniform. Would just a fling be enough... Or will they tumble into love?

Nothing really special here, but characterizations and polish is good. 4/5

GRR Reviews Too Distracting by Bethany Lopez

Dillon is the CEO of Lewis Sporting Goods, and he's so busy he can only do casual relationships. But he's starting to feel a bit lonely when his cousins Gabe and Reardon both found women to start families with. When Dillon's sister asked for a favor for her best friend Laurel, Dillon can't say no. But Dillon remembers Laurel as the girl who had pranked him incessantly decades ago, not the professional woman today, hoping to get a business plan together so she can expand her family flower shop into a party and wedding planning business. // Laurel had a crush on Dillon since she was nine, so much so she let her bestie (Dillon's sister) talk her into pranking Dillon all the time, until Dillon left. She trusted her parents to set her up with a guy, only to have him steal her startup capital to feed his gambling addiction. Then her parents tried to send her back to him. She ran the family flower shop, but her parents basically forbid her to change ANYTHING. When Dillon agreed to help her, and even took her to a convention, she finally knew how a woman SHOULD be treated. Dillon started to wonder what married life to Laurel would be like, but Laurel started having doubts when she learned that her bestie MAY have leaked her misfortune to Dillon. So was he really in love... or was it just a pity f***?

Somehow, I think the darkest hour was a bit TSTL, as it's basically extreme low-self-esteem lashing out, i.e. "he can't POSSIBLY want me for me". AND her parents are just "flat" evil, i.e. you don't follow our orders, so you're worthless. it doesn't even seem to be for financial gain, but just outright control. That's just STUPID evil. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews This Christmas by Sarah Spade

Max and Sarah met one Christmas under the mistletoe. It was a VERY memorable night. But they gave each other fake names and fake phone numbers. So they lost touch with each other, and Sarah felt betrayed. A year later, it's almost Christmas... They met again... which is when Sarah found out, to her horror, that Max is her best friend's brother... and her boss's boss.  // Max didn't want to go that morning, but a family emergency called him away. He thought he could call, but she didn't leave him a real number. A year later, they met again. She wants nothing from him, which is perfectly understandable. But he'll do anything to get another chance... Even if it's to pretend to be her boyfriend for her parents...

While a little on the short side (barely over 100 pages), it's actually quite tightly plotted. It managed to mix rom-com with sweetness and angst. Good job. Even the pivot later into 'fake to real' was nicely done. 5/5

GRR Reviews Hometown Calling by Lexy Timms

NOTE: Cliffhanger

Chase is attending his best friend's wedding... although his best friend is the bride, and the groom's not happy about it. So why is he interested in the bride's little sister Miranda, aka "Mira", now all grown up?

The book was good right up to the point with the cliffhanger... Chase is leaving, and Mira obviously isn't. A bit of Meh, and there are two more volumes to this. Felt a bit drawn out. 2.5/5 (includes -1 for cliffhanger)

GRR Reviews The Doctor's Love by Jennifer Gracen

Toni's life is difficult enough already. With a boss from hell in an art gallery at work, and a demanding harping mother at home, she really has no time for love. Until she ran into Gavin, brother of her roommate // Gavin is in the US visiting his sister, and met Toni, his sister's best friend and roommate. Gavin is a doctor in Ireland, and he went to the US to get away from his cling-y ex and his own family for a few months. He's attracted to Toni, but knew he shouldn't touch his sister's bestie. When Toni offered him a short-duration NSA relationship, he can't refuse. But as the summer comes to a close, Toni realized that her heart already belongs to Gavin. Can she say goodbye without regrets?

Good slow-simmer romance with time limit and a lot of amily complications.  4/5

GRR Reviews Falling for the Veteran by Alexa Rivers

Cooper returned home from the Middle East physically sound, but mentally... not quite. He still wakes up at night in a panic. Which is why he can only do NSA one-night-stands. He doesn't want anyone seeing him like this. That is... until he met Sophie. // Sophie thought surprising her beau would be fun. Turns out, he's doing the nasty with his secretary. And this time, she is NOT going to take him back... EVER. Sophie decided to change herself and her circumstances... and the first item on the bucket list is to have an NSA fling with the hot guy... Cooper, who's also her best friend's brother. While one's not supposed to fling with "family", what they don't know wouldn't hurt them. It's just a temporary arrangement. Right?

This storyline has been done MANY MANY times, and while the polish is quite good, nothing else really stands out. 3/5

GRR Reviews Hers to Kiss by Eliza Ellis

"Keke" has graduated college, and before going to the dance audition to start her new life, she's home to help her best friend's failing campground... which is when sorta noticed a new gorgeous hunk... Only to realize this is "Petey", her best friend's little brother, now all grown up. And Keke had promised with her best friend to never date siblings... // Petey is 19, and he's about to launch his own career against his father's objections (Why are you playing videogames again!? You should be studying to get into Cornell!) In the meanwhile, he's spending time with beautiful Keke, but she's determined to keep him at arm's length, and only as "best friend's little brother". But both families have secrets, and when all are revealed, nobody will be the same...

Sweet with a heavy dose of family drama. It has some good moments, and all motivations are logical. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Mommy Loves the IT Guy by Joanne Dannon

Abby was helping out a friend in need when she adopted Skylah, a 10-year-old girl who was severely neglected. It was definitely the best thing that ever happened to her. But when her best friend asked for her help, she had to fly from Australia back to the US to help, with her daughter, of course. Meeting Noah was a surprise, as he's her best friend's brother. He's now a cybersecurity consultant (or "computer guy" as Skylah puts it) and very orderly, and wanted to rekindle his friendship with Abby. But Skylah, fearful of abandonment, is surly and rude toward anyone who threatens her relationship with Abby, esp. Noah. And Abby's life is back in Australia... Will Noah get a chance to prove to them both that family is where you want it to be?

Warm, sweet, though using the kid as a straightman is typical. And other than "computer guy", there wasn't much use for the guy's expertise. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The 12 Dares of Christmas by Leigh W Stuart

Lauren has just one wish for Christmas... raise money to build a new no-kill animal shelter for her hometown of Sycamore Cove (even though she's deathly afraid of dogs). To do that, she'll do anything, including daring a stranger to strip-tease for the local knitting society. // Gabe has just one wish for Christmas... land his dream job with the governor's analytics office. And that means stay away from any sort of scandals, viral memes, and so on, which would definitely include stripping. Unfortunately, he could never turn down a dare, esp. from such a pretty girl. The girl also happened to be his best friend's little sister... a best friend who's FIERCELY protective of his little sister. As the dares got more daring, and embarrassing stuff got leaked, Lauren and Gabe have to decide if they dare to put their hearts on the line... for the biggest dare of them all: dare to love.

Ah, the dares are quite good, as they alternately trade dares, and yes, there's an HEA. And the beginning, let's just say, is a classic rom-com. Suggestive, yet not porn. 5/5

GRR Reviews Cowboys and Starlight by Jacqueline Winters

Veronica "Ronnie" had worked unthinkable hours for three years as a diva interior designer's assistant, hoping for a chance to be an interior designer. She's even a part of the reality TV show the designer's on. But one mishap (the phone died, causing her to be late by 2 hours) and she'd been fired. Ronnie decided that it's as good as time as any to visit her ranch hand brother in Starlight, WY. Until she ran into Colten... Literally. // Colten had sworn off all city girls when his wife divorced him via letter after he moved back to Starlight to help his sick dad. His father had finally passed on, and his mom was ready to sell the house and start over elsewhere. Colten wanted to be a park ranger at Glacier National Park, and the job is as good as his, but he needed to help the sale go through, and that means helping the interior designer his mom just hired... Ronnie. It didn't help when it turns out Colten best buddy is also Ronnie's brother. And Ronnie hadn't confided in ANYONE about her ignominious firing on TV... and that reality TV show episode will be airing soon.  She's going back to the city soon. And he'll get his dream job soon... Right?

Good escalation and double-guessing each other. The solution was expected, but it's still a delight. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Best of Intentions by LK Farlow

Nate and Jenny are acquaintances. Nate's little sister is Jenny's best friend. Nate and Jenny are NOT a couple, and they have different ideas about love. Nate's a bit of playboy, love-em-and-leave-em kinda guy, and a cop. Jenny's mate-for-life kinda girl, but strong and beautiful and sassy. But Jenny has had a crush on Nate for a long time. And after a wedding, it was the perfect chance to get a taste of Nate. It'd be just for one night... Except it's never really that simple.

Okay, nice job throwing diabetes there for Jenny to deal with in addition to life. You'll get an explanation for why Nate's the way he is, and he did change. Not too angst-y. 4/5

GRR Reviews Way to My Heart by Barbara C Doyle

Paisley is content to live her own awkward single life with just her cat. She's already working multiple jobs, and thinking "is this all there is to life". Then Caleb entered her life... Caleb is the brother to her best friend, and initially, quite cocky.  But his charm eventually won Paisley over. Paisley may be single (and still has her V-card, but nobody is supposed to know that), and she's not model thin, but she knows that and is comfortable with it. When she learned that Caleb wanted to woo her, will she accept? Or will her past scars prove too much to handle?

Sorta ugly duckling finally meets the guy who appreciates her, with a good dose of rom-com. I have a LITTLE problem with Caleb started off as a hot jerk that somehow transitioned into the sensitive male. I didn't quite feel the transition. 4/5

GRR Reviews Secret Daddy by Scarlet West

Trina and Drake were a secret couple. Drake is best friend with Trina's brother Tom, but Drake left town to pursue his acting dreams. Ten years later, he's back in town, and wanting to see how was Trina doing. What he didn't know was Trina has a daughter, almost 10. She never told anyone who the father was and was almost disowned. Drake suspected, but wasn't sure if he's the father. But he will find out...

For the secret baby trope, this book really added nothing special. Everything was drawn out, and made longer, and the thinking process only kinda/sorta make sense. He's like "if I'm the father, she would have told her brother, who would have told me, so I can't be." when it's obvious she didn't tell anyone. She's like "but I can't tell him..." because she had to fall back into love with him first... Eh...

3/5

GRR Reviews Wrangled by the Watchful Cowboy by Tamie Dearen

Cord can't believe his best friend's little sister Jessica is now all grown up. But when his best friend specifically ordered him, as a special favor, to keep all the cowboys away from his sister, does that include himself? // Jessica had a crush on Cord for a very long time, but she wants to finish her degree before she'd even consider dating, after finding her fiancee had betrayed her. When Cord had to rescue her from a very awkward moment with a kiss, she's having problems keeping to her promise to herself. But Cord is heading back to New York soon, not staying in Sage Valley. And why does her ex-fiance want her back now? And will Cord ride that bull after all?

A good mix of rom-com and angst, topped off with a good dose of hurt/comfort, and it's clean.

4/5

GRR Reviews Wanting Secret Baby by Suzanne Hart

Naomi wanted love, and a baby, and a family. Alex was her bestie's fiancee's little brother, and notorious party hardy guy and heartbreaker, fond of telling women "there was nothing between us other than ****ing". Naomi knew Alex's reputation, which is why she has to resist him. But when they have to be respectively bride's maid and best man, and he really wanted her, and he can tell she wanted him too... They indulged for one night... then everything changed... and not for the better...

Wow, this story managed multiple twists of tropes, from reluctant lovers to secret baby to reunion. Yes, I did kinda spoil the plot. The story did last quite a while, and at times, felt a bit too long. But it's very nice push-pull, with no obvious plot-holes.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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

GRR Reviews The Right Guy by Kate O'Keeffe

City girl Taylor is a skeptic, until her bestie dragged her to see a psychic and got a prediction that she'll find "the one" within two weeks, with a very specific description. Now she can't help looking for men with green eyes wearing an orange shirt... Except for one... her bestie's big brother Jake, the infamous womanizer. He does have green eyes, but he wasn't wearing an orange shirt, right? // Jake is the head chef of the hottest restaurant in town, but he'd been kinda lusting after his kid sister's bestie, Taylor, since a kiss they shared as teenagers. When both had to attend a wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Taylor found herself looking for green eyes and orange shirt... while Jake has to decide whether to go after Taylor for real this time, even though his own sister had warned him to stay away from "her girls"...

Ah, the "everyone but you" comedic trope, but very nicely executed. AND it's kinda set in San Francisco. Very enjoyable. I think some plot points like Jake's restaurant's fate could have been handled better.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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