GRR Reviews Crushing on Cooper (Camp Firefly Falls) by Violet Vaughn

Crushing on Cooper is a lot more than just old crushes, but about new dreams, old expectations, and how people have to change to fit them.

Allison's life had not gone the way she planned. She's a baker at Camp Firefly Falls, an adult camp for corporate retreats and such. She has a talent for baking, but her previous effort at a bakery made no money and died after 8 years of barely breaking even. And she has a son to think of... Until her world was turned upside down when she found Cooper, her first love, among the most recent arrivals. Cooper was an Olympic medal winner in snowboarding, but that part of his life is done. He just accepted a sales position (he wasn't even sure selling what!), and the company sent him up to Firefly falls with others as part of a corporate event. He was surprised to find Allie there... the girl who got away... But this Allison is no longer the Allie he remembered, and she kept him at arm's length, even as she accepted a week-long fling. But as both of them realize they are no longer the kids they used to be... can they still accept each other as they are now?

Allison basically has big self-esteem problems, and her conflict was basically "I have to keep myself unattached because I can't allow anyone to leave and have my son lose a father figure", which is sort of logical... and completely crazy! As for Cooper... he should be a real go-getter, as someone who can get an Olympic gold medal had to be, yet he's completely tongue-tied in front of Allie. At least the grand gesture works when it comes to Allison's dream and how Cooper can keep her in his life.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman who saw one dream die found her first love is back, but it's just a fling... right? Not if he can do something about that

Tropes: bakery, reunion, single parent

Overall Rating:  4/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Arrangement by Violet Vaughn

Billionaire's Arrangement, formerly published as Pulse of Love, is a contemporary romance about two people deciding if they should change for the sake of love. The ending is reminiscent of a classic story by O. Henry, and that makes it that much more satisfying.

Megan Donovan was a ski bum living without care on the slopes of Colorado, but her happiness has an expiration date... She had agreed to take over the family business, which means she'll be moving back east. But she's not ready to leave her boyfriend, Nick Merrill, behind. But she knew that Nick is even MORE of a free spirit than she is, and she had tried to keep him at bay for the past three years, not taking it any further than "fun", while never giving the reason why. It is best to bear the burden alone, she thought, Nick wasn't meant to be in a city. But Nick knew Megan was the woman he wanted, and when Nick found out the real reason, he'll make sacrifices too... But can he be happy in the city? And what will happen when he realizes that? And what will she do about it?

Most romances start with falling in love. This one doesn't. This one means the couple is already in love, and they are about to fall OUT of love, then realize the depth of their feelings toward each other, and decide how far are they willing to go to resolve them. It is much deeper than a typical romance.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Ski bumette had to give up her boyfriend and head back to the city to run the family business; he came along because he can't give her up, but can be make a living in the city?

Tropes: on the rocks, different worlds, family pressure, sacrifice

Overall Rating: 4/5