GRR Reviews Best Friends with an Alaskan Man by Evangeline kelly

Sabrina relegated Hunter into the friend zone after he wasn't sure what he wanted out of a relationship. Years later, Hunter is living in Alaska, and invited Sabrina and her bestie to visit when Sabrina's boyfriend issued an ultimatum: cut Hunter out of her life or he will leave. Sabrina had enough, and left for Alaska visit. But Sabrina is not ready to let Hunter out of the friend zone... even though she wanted to... and Hunter... always did want Sabrina, but never found the right words... Will this trip give them to chance to come clean?

A bit of a meh here... Didn't quite feel the reluctance about friends-to-lovers. Still, the polish is good. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Prince's Bewildered Bride by Evangeline Kelly

Prince Edward married Annette for three weeks already, but she's been cold to him after their return from their honeymoon. The marriage is not without controversy, for Annette is a commoner. Just as Edward found what may be evidence of her betrayal, he got news that Annette suffered a head injury and amnesia, and had a full personality change. // Annette woke up in a hospital, not knowing who she is, or even that she's married to a handsome prince. But who is this Leo that kept telling her that they were lovers before Edward? Who attacked her and her aunt? Why is her relationship with Edward so strained? What is he hiding? And the most important question... Who was Annette before her amnesia, and would she like the answer, if she ever finds it?

Wow, for an amnesia trope plot, this book sure took a couple twisted turns and arrived at a place I wasn't expecting: a full romantic suspense thriller where nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. There were a couple sections where I thought the author was going for full angst, but managed to pivot just before it. Yes, you will get a full explanation on what's real and fake, and who are the culprits, and reasonings for everything by the end. And that, I am not spoiling. 5/5

GRR Reviews Blind Date with a Billionaire Biker by Evangeline Kelly

Tirzah had lived a sheltered life in an ultra-religious community. Her parents wanted to marry her off quickly to a suitable match from a neighbor, but she has her own ideas about love and marriage. When her not-quite-fiancee took her to town, right into a dangerous situation, and left her there cowering while he ran for safety, Tirzah was rescued by a biker on a Harley. Later, when circumstances forced Tirzah to relocate to California to live with her birth grandpa while her father tries to pay off a loanshark, Tirzah met the biker who saved her... Dex... // Dex is the illegitimate son of an industrial tycoon, and after trying to connect and getting rebuffed during his youth, Dex wanted nothing to do with his billionaire father. Dex has survived the military and is now a part of a motorcycle club Bikers for Christ. Rescuing a girl was a part of his nature. Meeting her again, and to find she's the club president's granddaughter means definitely "hands off", even if he's assigned to guard her and protect her. But Tirzah already knew that Dex is the man for him... even if she had to upend her entire life and break off from all she knew... But when her mother's illness drew her back, will that be the end of her dreams?

VERY religious, since you're talking about an ultra-religious community AND Bikers for Christ MC. Yet they don't see eye to eye, of course. Bikers? Dangerous BAD people. Etc. This thing is so f***ing clean, Tirzah and Dex didn't even have a proper kiss until they got married. That's how CLEAN and SPIRITUAL this book is. But in spite of all that, the book does give you an emotional roller coaster.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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

GRR Reviews Blind Date with a Billionaire Professor by Evangeline Kelly

Abby tends to go for players, but when her friend set her up with college professor Colin, she's hooked... Even a handshake send a tingle up her arm... Until she realized Colin has absolutely ZERO polish... Either he can't think of anything to say... or he rambles on and not letting her get a word edge-wise. So she friend-zoned him... // Colin was devastated after being FZ'ed, but he knew he can't spend the rest of his life alone. He's just unsure about himself, as his father had multiple failed marriages... But for Abby... he'd try again... So he thought of an excuse... He'll help Abby shop for a new car... In exchange, Abby can teach him some social graces... in 3 meetings. They learned both are faithful Christians... and perhaps there is some sizzle between them... Colin needs to come out of his shell, and Abby... well, Abby ended up learning some things about her best friend Nate that she never suspected... Perhaps, Colin may prove to be the right choice after all...

The flip from friends to lovers, IMHO, could have gone a little smoother, but friend-zoned transition was handled pretty well, as well as some shade thrown at the pickup artist culture, and revealing Nate to be not quite the person she thought he was. Like it, but not extraordinarily so.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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

GRR Reviews The Ruthless BIllionaire by Evangeline Kelly

Poor young woman Aria who just lost her job accepts a house-cleaning position from young and ruthless heir Lucas. He had to marry a shallow socialite on his father's list... a marriage in name only to secure his inheritance, for he feels broken and unworthy of love. She just wanted to save enough money to find her brother, who disappeared after being separated in the foster care system. They should not want each other, esp. when he had lost his faith long time ago. But Aria believes in Lucas... If he will allow God back into his life...

The Christian theme is there, but not too heavy. The self-loathing, however, is pretty heavy, esp. Lucas. There's enough trope trauma here on Lucas that it felt a bit melodramatic (he's both verbally and physically abused, suffers from abandonment issues, and his father, through his will, continues to mess with him from beyond the grave). Even the ending, felt a bit deus ex machina (who knew the "bad" choice turned out to be most profitable for him?). Still, I like the polish.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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