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 Lawfully Remembered by Ginny Sterling

Jesse Smithson, military police, is in the ER with head injury after an encounter with some robbers. When he woke up, he realized he lost his memories. Yet when he saw his nurse, Melissa, it seems to trigger something... that made him wanted to know her better... //  Melissa can't believe Jesse is in her ER, and he didn't recognize her. She had a crush on Jesse all through high school, but she was crushed when she asked him to take her to the prom, and he said he's not going. Yet almost two decades later, he's there, with a blank slate, wanted to know her and date her... Is this the chance she needed all along?

Nothing really major that threatens to tear them apart, but good revelations. 3/5

GRR Reviews Lost Memories and New Beginnings by Lorana Hoopes

Dr. Brody thought he was done with love as a widower. But when he saw the woman in the mangled car, some protective instinct stirred. Later, he realized she had lost her memories, except fear... someone was after her, and it was clear someone ran her off the road. They found out who she was, not a good person at all. But the present her isn't like that at all... And whoever targeted her is still out there...

Good romantic suspense, decent twists, 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Cowboy Doc by Dobi Daniels

Rebecca, who was a celebrity once, is back in the US, now a single mom, but when she injured her arm tussling with the paparazzi and protecting her daughter, she had to go to the ER. And who else would she see except her baby daddy Max? Except he, the ER Doc, didn't recognize her... But he did save her from even more paparazzi and offered up his ranch as her hiding spot. Was he only pretending to not remember her, or did something happened to him?

Hmmm... interesting setup for secret baby and it's rather good twist to combine it with an amnesia plot. 4/5

GRR Reviews Chasing Shadows by Catherine Bybee

Avery was haunted by an attack that put her in the ICU for days that she can't remember. She believed the attacker was dead (see Half-Empty). Determined never to feel vulnerable again, she took up krav maga as self-defense, and she's quite good at it. But there's only so much she can do in the classroom and sparring. That's when Liam, krav maga classmate, volunteered to "attack" her (with padding, of course) to let her practice her defense moves. Liam is well-to-do, and when he saw Avery, he was instantly smitten and wanted to learn EVERYTHING about her... in a nice not-stalker way. But he will be her punching bag if that's the only way to get close to her. But when a visit to a club together triggered a recall of her attacker, Avery abandoned EVERYONE to return to the scene of the crime, determined to find the culprit and close the chapter in her past. Can the rest of the First Wives Club help her, and will love from Liam heal her?

The book basically is about "obsession'. He's obsessed about her, and she's obsessed about her past that she only recalled in hazy details. it's just that the ending feels a bit of deus ex machina... Someone swooped in and basically saved them both (not literally), even though it was a twist. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Flawed Love by Bella Jewel

Emalie "Emy" was best friends with Rainer. It was platonic, but eventually, she gave him her V-card. But when his father got into trouble, he disappeared, and she eventually moved on. Ten years later, he's back in town, but he has a different girl on his arm, Pippa, and he does NOT remember her. Yet their attraction for each other cannot be denied. So they slept together, while she, giving her name as "Mali", pretends to not know him, knowing she can have his body, but not his heart. But secrets will get out... Just what had happened to Rainer, and will this reunion be sweet... or bitter?

This storyline doesn't really work for me, and yes, there are spoilers ahead.

I WARNED YOU!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

The explanation given was Rainer was taken by a Mexican drug lord to use as slave labor to work off his father's debt. That really made no sense at all, even south of the border in a cartel town. Not to mention Rainer doesn't speak Spanish, and transporting gringo kids down to Mexico to work? WTF?

3/5

GRR Reviews Please Keep Me by Mimi Barbour

Belinda can't believe her four-year-old dove into a lake trying to save a puppy. She was grateful that a man dove in and rescued both of them. Until she learned that he's Dr. Reed Carlton... Then she was reminded that night... When her daughter was conceived. She went to a party at the Carlton house. She woke up in bed, naked, sore, with no memory of what had happened, but the evidence was quite clear... // Reed knew he found Lindy, the girl from almost five years ago, that he never forgot from that one night. But why does she seem to hate him now? Why did she disappear that night? Her daughter liked him well enough. And the puppy... Well, he's keeping the puppy for now... So he can get Lindy back... and her daughter too, of course...

Good use of the pup as a meet-cute and continued excuse for them to meet. But she simply assumed she's raped yet did nothing about it except to be a single mother? That doesn't sound very... smart. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Unbreak This Heart by Betty Shreffler

Alexandra aka Alex was attacked. She survived, but she shunned all male contact, so much so that her fiancee Todd left her. It's been more than a year, and she's slowly coming back to life, that she didn't flinch when her best friend bought her physical training and self-defense lessons from Carter, who also wanted to date her. And Carter is definitely swoon-worthy, being a hard body and a semi-pro MMA fighter. But Todd, the man who abandoned her at her darkest hour, now wants her back, and the feelings are still there. Both of them want her heart, but only one can save her soul and unbreak her heart.

Survival from the attack and bitter flashbacks are very good. But using retrograde amnesia in the middle feels almost like cheating.  4/5

GRR Reviews Last Summer by Kerry Lonsdale

Ella is a journalist specializing in honest interviews, and she has excellent memory... Except for one thing: she can't remember the car accident, or losing her unborn child. In fact, she can't even recall getting pregnant. But her husband Damien assured her that she was indeed pregnant for 5 months before losing the child. But what wasn't he telling her? Determined to find her past, she rescheduled an interview that she had done with Nathan, a retired celebrity adventurer... but he seems to know a lot more about her than he lets on. Nathan looks a LOT like Damien, her husband until you get up close. And she seems to recall being in his arms... And Damien wanted her (again)... but she was there for answers. Soon she found that EVERYONE is keeping answers from her... EVEN HERSELF...

Wow, that's some serious twists and turns that kept me guessing. And there is ANOTHER twist, even when you thought the story had concluded. THEN there's yet ANOTHER twist on top of that. Dang, that's some masterful plotting. 5/5

GRR Reviews Colt, Billionaire Reunion by Alexa Verde and Autumn Macarthur

Colt divorced his wife Mirabella when she disappeared chasing a case. He assumed she simply left him and the kids behind, and she kept so many secrets...  But she's back, and she claimed to have been injured and lost 4 years of her memories. And the children... were not borne by her... but a surrogate... Yet another secret.  How can he trust her ever again?  // Mirabella didn't plan to be gone for years. Being caught by a serial killer in his deadman's trap that almost killed her also left her amnesiac for years. But she still has to find her best friend's killer... who was probably NOT the serial killer. But if it's a copycat, why? Who knew them well enough to be sending them daisies, the same MO as "the Daisy Killer"? And who is saving whom this time?

Hmmm... Good twist at the end, in presenting the whole thing as a murder mystery with a ton of angst-y issues to solve. But at times, the angst seems to have overtaken the plot. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Wounded Cowboy by Danae Little

Ryder was a star bullrider, until that one last ride that earned him a million dollars left him with severe injuries and amnesia. He can't even remember his daughter, Maci, and he can't connect with all these "friends" and "family" that keep wanting to know how he's doing. But the only one who can help him would be Savannah, the only physical therapist that does home visits. But what secrets is Savannah hiding?  // Savannah got a degree in physical therapy, but a call from her parents, now both disabled (at least temporarily) means she's heading home... to keep the family ranch afloat all by herself... AND do physical therapy work for money to keep the family running. That means she had to take any job, including Ryder, the boy who broke her heart back in high school. So who's stalking Ryder and Savannah? Is Maci in danger too?

Good escalation, that managed to pivot from romance into romantic suspense. The stalker is getting closer and closer, from break-in in a different city to attempted murder and attempted kidnapping. With good foreshadowing. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Unstoppable Patriot by Jennifer Youngblood

Landry is a star running back for the Georgia Patriots, but his love life was apparently a bit of a mess, after leaving his love, Daphne, behind six years ago and there hadn't been anyone serious since. When a car accident left him with retrograde amnesia, and he lost 6 years of memories, he found that the world has changed, and nobody would tell him why Daphne is not at his side. Desperate to woo Daphne back, it's clear that EVERYONE is keeping secrets from him, esp. who is the father of Daphne's child, and these secrets may destroy him... or set him free.

Eh... Not feeling much about this one. It's pretty obvious who the kid belongs to, and holding grudges for years never is healthy, and parents are just... nasty, all in the name of "love". 3/5

GRR Reviews Halloween Boo by Sarah Spade

Zach knew very little. He had no idea how long he'd been there, his full name, and so on. He does know that he's a ghost, and can't really affect the real world. And he can't leave the place he's in. He knew there's a resident in "his" place... a beautiful woman named Dani. And he liked her very much. // Dani knew her apartment is haunted. Yes, she knew she lives in Salem. But the ghost was friendly that she started calling him Casper. He even helped her get rid of a bad suitor once. Dani wasn't quite ready to learn that the ghost's real name is Zach, and on Halloween, he can take physical form for one night. And Zach loves Dani... and will show her exactly how... If she'll let him.

Awww, nice. Yes, there's a bit of supernatural in there. And yes, there's sex. And YES, there's HEA. As for how... You'll need to read the book. 5/5

GRR Reviews Nightstalker by Riley Edwards

Jasmin knew it wasn't the name she was born with. She knew she was captured and tortured and rescued. But she cannot recall the details. She went back into the field as an operator, being the best shot in the business. So who is Lincoln? Why his words can turn her on like no other? And when he went missing on a mission, can she save him? // Lincoln had been through SEAL training, and later, as a CIA operative. He just returned from a two-year undercover assignment, and there was Jasmin, alive and kicking, and... lost. Lincoln knew Jasmin like no other... but that's a secret Jasmin had to find out for herself, and it's hiding in her own mind. When Lincoln went MIA on a mission, Jasmin may be his only hope...

Okay, good twists and turns and the Red Team stories continue in "Protecting Olivia". The military bits are actually not bad, but the conspiracy and hidden identity stuff seem a bit over the top... Like what happened to Jasmin's head... or her secret relationships with others (some she didn't even know) all in the name of "national security". The meta-story, about someone messing with the US government, as vague and twisty that I'm not too sure if I like it. Overall, the novel is definitely a 4/5 though.

GRR Reviews Life Support by Teagan Kade

Ethan was the paramedic that arrived and found Sofia unconscious, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Sofia woke up with amnesia... She knew nothing about her life. Even the name was from a locket she wore, not from memory. Ethan found himself protecting her, even offering up his own home. When goons showed up, wanting her dead, Ethan had to go back to his old life, as a soldier, to protect who he loved... and as Sofia regained her memory, they will find that very few people can be trusted...

Okay, the action wasn't actually that bad, but big showdown at the end, or what lead up to it, was just plain TSTL. I mean, who drives up to visual distance of the enemy, and not have a perimeter guard?  4/5

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 The Cost of Hope by G S Carr

In the post-Civil War Alabama, Sarah survived as a slave in a household that was strict, but not cruel, and raised a daughter named Hope. When the mistress died, and the young master tried to force her, she was left with no choice but to run with her daughter. She was almost caught when she was rescued by Alexander, one of the biggest plantation owners in the area... // Alexander had been looking for Soleil for a long time. She was kidnapped by slave traders and he had never forgotten her. Her reappearance was both a surprise and a shock... and the fact she didn't remember a thing of her previous life left them both reeling. She wanted to believe he loved her, but she is still stunned by her change in fortune.  When people around Alex intend to force Soleil out of the way, Alex may be forced to execute his own final gambit so they can be together...

Wow, this is one tour-de-force, with what seems to be impeccable research in the years after the Civil War where the slaves may be freed in name, but in reality severely restricted by various laws. The solution was both somewhat of a deus ex machina, yet ingenious. This book will bring tears to your eyes.

5/5

GRR Reviews Nurse's Date with a Billionaire by Amelia Addler

Kali was just promoted to work in ICU, until she met Craig, who suffered retrograde amnesia from a head injury in the middle of Wisconsin in winter. Despite rules about not getting involved with ex-patients, Kali can't let amnesiac Craig live on the streets, so she allowed him to stay in her basement room. He even found a job of sorts with a friend of Kali's. Craig has a quirky sense of humor, and Kali is serious, but soon he fell for her, but she said no hanky-panky... Soon his search for his identity made him realize he's rich, and already engaged to an heiress. But can he leave Kali behind?

Hmmm... Some parts are good, and the way the twist was presented at the end was good, but not like... "great".

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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

GRR Reviews Her Unexpected Cowboy by Danae Little

Sydney lives alone on her goat ranch. Her only complaint was loneliness. On her birthday, she made a crazy wish for a tall rugged handsome cowboy with big hands, must be protective and kind... And that night... such a guy showed up at her door, whom she greeted with a shotgun. // Jameson woke up all bruised and battered, with barely any memory except his name. He limped his way to the only house he saw to ask to sleep in the barn... and met Sydney. And he instinctively asked the sheriff to NOT be involved. And surprisingly, she agreed. // Jameson looks and talks like either military or law enforcement, maybe both. He knew he was definitely beaten, which means the bad guys are still out there... As Sydney and Jameson slowly fell for each other, the bad guys close in. And Jameson's skills will be put to the test...

Ah, the amnesia trope. Unfortunately, the bad guys are TSTL bumbling idiot type and deserve to be caught. The push-pull between Sydney and Jameson is trope but still above average, but the lame way the conflict was resolved brought it back down to average. Let's just say, Jameson was superman or the other guy's an idiot if Jameson was able to see the other guy draw his gun, THEN managed to drop the hostage and pistol whip the other guy before the other guy got off a shot. And the cavalry just stay hidden and watch this unfold? WTF?!  The push-pull was good, the rest of the plot dragged it back to average.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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

GRR Reviews Accidentally Yours by Ilsa Ames

Tiago is a bar owner and bartender. June is one of his customers... she just sits in the back and sips her wine and relaxes. Then Tiago has a proposition for her... Tiago had a horrible father and left to find his own way. His father died and left him a huge inheritance, but there are terms... such as get married and produce a child within 24 months. Normally, he'd just told the lawyers to bug off, but there's something else... His goddaughter (his best friend's daughter) needs a heart transplant or an experimental treatment that costs a lot of $$$$. He doesn't want or need for money, but for the little girl... // June had been lusting over Tiago for a long time, but she stayed to herself... Her parents were minor con artists, and she left them far behind, wanting to run a non-profit so kids don't have to be like her. And Tiago's proposal would give her quarter of a million bucks, enough to help her foundation to help plenty of kids. And to have sex with Tiago... But she still has her v-card... Can she ever be good enough? They got married, and sex, after a little coaching from Tiago, is stupendous. But when they couldn't conceive despite plenty of trying...

The build-up was good, and June turned out to like sex quite a lot (perhaps a bit too well, considering she never did it before, but perhaps you can chalk that up to the romance novels she read). The problem I have is with the darkest hour... Retrograde amnesia? Really? And she managed to drag her cat crate far enough so nobody associated the accident and her? No ID or anything?

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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