GRR Reviews Aloha Hideaway Inn by Elana Johnson

 Stacey runs Aloha Hideaway Inn, a charming B&B in Getaway Bay, Hawaii. She has an excellent garden and she's sure she's doing fine. But when a mega-resort Sweet Breeze opened not far away, she had to check out the competition... and that's how she met Fisher DuPont. // Fisher DuPont worked hard to build his resort, and he's perfectly willing to go undercover boss, to make sure every guest is getting the tip-top service. And that's how he met Stacey. // Fisher and Stacey should be competitors, but they remained friends. But when both were gun-shy about relationships due to prior betrayal, is there any hope of love between them, with a tropical storm bearing down on the island? 

Not bad as a build-up, but some personal issues for Stacey felt like it came out of nowhere. It also tried to setup the characters for book 2, and thus reads a bit... unsatisfying. 3/5

GRR Reviews The Lumberjack's Secret Guest by Elana Johnson

Phoenix just wanted to be left alone. He didn't want the townfolks of Forbidden Lake to look at him when he was jilted at the altar way back when. He works as a lumberjack part-time, and care for his family cherry orchard. It's a hard but honest living, except for the pesky state agent Allegra, who keeps wanting to take his family land to be added to the adjacent state park. // Allegra secretly admired Phoenix... except for this animosity between them. But when his ex turned stalker and chased her into the forest, she had nowhere to go but to Phoenix's cabin in the woods for help. And he took her in, enemy and all. And he would even go to town for her, something he hadn't done for years. But is she just a secret guest to him? And her evil ex is still out there...

While the mix of lumberjack vs stalker is somewhat novel, and the chemistry is above average, the plot just feels choppy. The explanation on why Allegra was trying to take the land was never explained (at least to my satisfaction), and I saw the darkest hour coming a mile away. You can probably guess the plot, which I won't spoil, but your guess is probably not far off. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews The Professor's Secret Crush by Elana Johnson

Cassandra's primary concern is to keep her two twin half-brothers safe, and away from their convict father. She moved 6 hours away, changed the twins' name, and is working two jobs, including teaching cooking at the local college, but to special needs students. // Jonathan needs one more class to graduate and get his business degree so he can help run his family farm, and he wanted to learn how to cook to impress a girl. So he enrolled in the cooking class, not that Cass would let him, obviously NOT special needs, can stay. But Jon can be persistently charming. However, the college, with a recent scandal, does not allow any faculty/student relationships. PERIOD! When the twin's father found them, can Jon help Cass protect the twins?

Pretty good, 4/5, even though it's not really THAT taboo. The final action scene feels more like Terminator chasing Sarah Conor, with the bad guy crashing through doors and ****.

GRR Reviews The Doctor's Bride by Elana Johnson

Shannon was abused by her ex, but escaped, and made a life for herself at Getaway Bay. She's now owner's assistant at the premier wedding planner in the area, but her own love life is barren, but she dare not trust her heart to anyone. A chance meeting with Jeremiah, however, made her wonder if she can take a chance with her heart again... // Jeremiah know of Shannon, but can't seem to bring up the courage to talk to her, until her flat tire gave him the perfect opening. And he asked her to be his plus one when he will be honored at an award ceremony... and she said yes. The connection between them is undeniable, but Shannon is not ready to be intimate with anyone just yet... esp. when she is getting a promotion at her job... and much more responsibilities...

Good push-pull, clean, sweet, but not much else.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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

GRR Reviews The Paramedic's Second Chance by Elana Johnson

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

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

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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