GRR Reviews Show Stopper by BJ Harvey

 Renee loves selling houses, but hates firefighters, after having been burned by one. While showing a house, she had a little accident, and ended up sprawled on top of Marco, who's as charming as they come. That is, until she mistook the female with him (actually his sister) to be his fling, even as he found Renee to be just his type, a brunette goddess... Now, just how can Marco demonstrate to Renee that she's the show stopper he wanted, even though he's a firefighter?

A bit of a rom-com and good back and forth, as each layer of Marco is revealed, doing a good push-pull. One step forward, two steps back... Good banter, great cast of family members. 4/5

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 Lost Art of Reverie by Rae Walsh

Katie was betrayed twice by people she trusted, which gave her PTSD and nervous breakdown. When she got a notice that she has inherited grandma's Victorian in the town of Aveline, where she had great time as a kid, it seems to be the perfect escape. And her recovery lead her to dream about opening a new town cafe, putting her culinary dreams into reality... But she wasn't counting on meeting Sam again... // Sam was burned in a relationship twice by the same woman... and has vowed to stay out of entanglements. But meeting Katie again may change his mind, esp. when he's helping her build her new town cafe at the house... // As Sam and Katie fell for one another, a betrayal from an unexpected direction will put that relationship to the ultimate test... 

The book managed to not be preachy yet religious. There was basically ONE Bible quote, and it was used very smartly. However, the beginning was extremely slow, as we are treated to a series of flashbacks outlining how good Katie's life was when young, then the two betrayals (with very little detail, more of a teaser / aftermath)  They didn't catch my attention. I had to finish those, then I got to the chapter of her arriving in town and getting to know the town again. THEN things started to pick up. While those early chapters did manage to "show", not just tell her mental state after two betrayals, they are not exactly good starter hooks. 

3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5

GRR Reviews Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade

Eli is an air force pilot who wanted to date the town baker Penelope. However, in their last meeting, he forgot to mention that he's due for a deployment to the Middle East soon and while they did have a good time right up to the point she found out, she's hardened her heart to all airmen, because they are all cocky bas****s who can't be trusted. She tried to trust one, only to be betrayed. Months later, he's back stateside, and he wants another chance, and helping his best friend's family, which happens to involve Penelope's sister, through a medical crisis after a difficult birth, is a perfect opportunity to convince Penelope that he may be the one for her... 

A novella at just under 100 pages, it actually contains a good amount of plot and some good back-and-forth between Eli and Penelope. 

4/5

GRR Reviews Love on the Boardwalk by Nikki Lynn Barrett and Shannyn Leah

Eva is back in Cinnamon Bay to run the boardwalk cafe she inherited... AND hide the fact that her ex-fiancee was a cheating bas****. She took "Cafe Amour" off the menu because it's just bunk. It's NOT a love potion even if two people share it... // Mack is in Cinnamon Bay to search for the family that gave him up for adoption way back when. But what he found instead was Eva, a delicious coffee drink, and a legend about love and a lighthouse. Sharing the coffee with Eva was nice, but what will he discover about his own past, and does that mean a chance with Eva... or not?

Series starter, good setup, if a bit quirky about love and lives lost, and unusual circumstances. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Author by Lexy Timms

Annie has a boss who blamed her for his mistakes, berates her in front of clients, and is generally an ass. But she needs to put food on the table, so she puts up with it during the day, and go with friends to relax at night... like to bars. // Lincoln is a bartender at night, which gives him for his other job... romance author. But he just writes stuff to put food on the table, not really believing in love himself after a betrayal. // The two met, and it seems they are the perfect fit, but Annie is too busy for relationships... but that's only because of her terrible boss... Can Lincoln help her see that?

Good, but not that great. 4/5

GRR Reveiws You Can't Ruin Christmas by Olivia Noble

NOTE: 100 page novella

Mary was dumped by hockey star Sebastian just before Christmas... but her best friend, Sven (and incidentally, Sebastian's brother), is there to help her pick up the pieces. When Sven professed feelings for Mary, will Mary accept? When her family want her to visit, and bring Sebastian, will Mary try to pass off Sven as Sebastian?

Good holiday rom-com that started with a likable heroine and took off from there, with lots of escalation. Best followed with the next volume, as the events overlap. 5/5

GRR Reviews Aaron by Dale Mayer

Aaron is a former Navy SEAL who suffered a major injury and death of two friends by betrayal... and no one believed him. He wanted a transfer, and he was moved to Hathaway House, Texas, a new ranch/convalescent/rehabilitation home for both humans and animals. He was angry at the world, but he can't be angry at Dani, childhood friend... who runs Hathaway House with her father, simply known as "the Major". // Dani had a crush on Aaron a long time ago, and was also friends with Aaron's older brother Levi. In fact, Levi financed Aaron's transfer. And Dani will make sure Aaron gets the best care, and hopefully, realize his life is not over, and he can be the man he used to be, just maybe a little different. But is Aaron ready to see his future with her? Or will his pride ruin everything?

Good, if a bit slow. Darkest hour IMHO, with pride, works fine. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score

Emily may be a billionaire CEO, but her family is a total mess. With her company on the verge of IPO, Emily needs a little publicity boost... But when her plus-one for the gala was busted for drugs in front of the Miami paparazzi, she needs help fast. Enter Derek, corporate troubleshooter. // Derek likes Emily, but he never sleeps with a client. He can sense that this incident was no accident... someone orchestrated a negative media blitz to take Emily down. He needs to show the world who Emily really is to win their trust, and he may have to break his own heart to protect her...

Some parts worked, and some parts didn't. And I'm surprised nobody thought of recording the phone calls, as the villain basically confirmed the dastardly deeds with a cackle over the phone once they figured out who the villain is. The escalation works well. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Wedding of the Century by Patricia McLinn

Annette once vowed never to return to her small town, after she ran away from her dream wedding... which is AFTER a very pregnant girl showed up claiming the baby was fathered by her betrothed, Steve, and he didn't refute it. So she left and started her own life. Seven years later, she had to return when her brother broke his wrist and can no longer work as a contractor for weeks. Her ex-betrothed is now a single father, and it's clear there still are feelings that remained. And perhaps, she may even gather enough courage to ask... Why did Steve betray her? And the answer will shock her to her core...

Wow, the twists are shocking, and a bit soap-opera worthy, but everything makes sense. 5/5

GRR Reviews Finding Home by Jackie Weger

Phoebe is just 24, but she knows how to fend for herself... even with two of her siblings in tow. However, she's trying to find a home for her clan, and she's running out of cash and gas. Things looked REALLY bleak when she backed into Gage Morgan's truck, and he decided to hold her bumper (with the license plate) hostage until she comes up with $70. She doesn't even have $7, but what she does is a ton of pride and ingenuity. With a lot of fast-talking (and emotional blackmail/ con) she managed to talk herself into Morgan's home and became a babysitter/housekeeper for Morgan and his little girl, while she finds work nearby. It's clear that Morgan's been hurt before, and isn't about to trust any women ever again...

Very different from the author's previous works. Love the language, as Phoebe, let's just say, lacks education, just a lot of "country smarts", and the vocabulary shows. You can laugh at Phoebe's attempt to talk herself out of a jam... or to express love, and how it still works out. 5/5

GRR Reviews Chasing Rainbows by Mona Ingram

Taylor left her supermodel career behind after being betrayed in the worst way. She hid on her father's remote ranch, hoping to get over the hurt and learn to live and trust again. Finding a message in a bottle was a surprise... it's from a man trying to move past the death of his wife, that even his daughter is urging him to try again. He sounds too good to be true, but how can she find out if she's not willing to try? And when her father interfered, how will they react?

Warm fuzzies all around, and signature Mona Ingram story. 4/5

GRR Reviews Shop On Main by Kay Correll

Owen is in town to do one thing: make things right with his long-lost half-brother and the half of his family he didn't know about... By buying them a building they lost long time ago. But would that ever be enough to compensate for what his father did to both of his families? Can he ever have a family that he wanted? Falling for someone in town wasn't her plan, but Bella was so courageous, starting from almost nothing, yet with a keen eye on design... // Bella barely clawed herself out of poverty and has her own shop and home... Until someone just bought the building out from under her, leaving her with NOTHING. Then came the second betrayal... the man she fell for is the very cause of her ruination...

Somehow this story just seem to lack the overall polish, and it went for the serious angst-y tone. The conflict also seems to lack nuance. Owen is basically trying to have his cake and eat it too (trying to make up for his father's sins by buy his half brother's family a large gift) WHILE trying to save Bella's shop because he just realized he's going to make Bella homeless and jobless if he accomplish the first. Bella is basically: "I love you, but you ruined me, so I can't love you now (fix it!)"  2/5

GRR Reviews Beautiful Storm by Mandi Blake

Tori, a nurse, married a doctor. It should be a perfect life... Both are great in their fields, and they have a great loft in Chicago... until he told her he had fallen for someone else and wanted an "easy divorce"... and even gave her the deed to a cabin in the Deep South... She'll just head south to sell the darn thing. // Marcus runs the auto-repair shop and tries to keep his siblings out of trouble since their mom is completely toxic and unable to be a parent. So what's a city girl like Tori doing in town? How did she get the deed to the grand cabin? Who is she really?

I'm really not feeling much about this one. Neighbors, sure. Small town, sure, but the two characters never really felt like having much chemistry to me. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Walker Island Box Set Vol I (1-3) by Lucy Kevin (aka Bella Andre)

THREE BOOK COLLECTION will be rated separately, with an overall rating at the end. These novels are pretty short (barely over 100 pages) and sweet.


Be My Love

Hanna Walker returns to her home, Walker Island, to make a documentary about her namesake, and to document the Walker / Peterson feud that had been going on for decades. She was surprised when Joel Peterson denied her request to access the island archives. When Joel found he can't stop Hannah, he joined her on her quest, determined to see the truth told. But as they started to unravel the mystery around the origins of the feud, they also found their attraction toward each other growing. And love may be the one thing that will finally end the feud once and for all...

Pretty good with a mystery as the framing plot, sort of opposites attract, plus a family feud, good conflicting responsibilities. 4.5/5


No Other Love

Morgan Walker is back at Walker island to launch her organic makeup line, after being a celebrity makeup artist in New York for many many years, and is about to get her own TV makeover show. Having her own family plot growing her own organic plants for her makeup line would be perfect, esp. when she'll be seeing her entire family of sisters and grandma. But that also means she'll see Brian, her ex, whom she broke up with seven years ago... for her career. And this time, he wasn't ready to let her get away again.

Not feeling too much with this one except regrets and promises. 3.5/5


When It's Love

Rachel wanted adventure... Until her BF dumped her when he found she's pregnant six years ago. Left to fend for herself as single mother, Rachel had help from her family on Walker island.  Rachel was not worried about the professional surfer Nicholas in town, as he's there to do a TV show. But when she's asked to step in for a lead role, she found that perhaps, she can use some adventure in her life after all...

Rachel basically has to learn to love again, while Nicholas... is the guy to offer her the chance. Good polish, nothing too special. 3.5/5

Overall rating 4/5

GRR Reviews Love You, Truly by Susan L Tuttle

Blake has a Hollywood mother, but he is camera-shy and avoids the limelight... until his mother begged him to take on a reality dating show to boost her image. He never expected to fall in love... with someone who didn't even plan to be on the show... // Harlow is an aspiring photographer who's grieving after her BF dumped her for her best friend. She's trying to raise money for her disabled sister's nonprofit, and when her sister submitted her profile to be on the dating show, she can't say no. But she really didn't want to be there... So why does she feel a connection to Blake, who's determined to woo her, even though they are of different worlds?

Not the first book I've read on the same premise, it's also a bit wordy and the conflict not that well handled. Blake could have been less of a pushover. He's the star. Without him there is no show. Yet he lets the producer push him around. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Not Until Christmas Morning by Valerie M Bodden

Austin lost his leg, his friend, and his faith in Afghanistan. With his brother also serving, he's determined to go back, but with the decision on his discharge in the air, and moping at home is not an answer, he decided to visit Hope Springs, where his parents came from... and met a neighbor having her own problems. // Leah has plenty of heart to give, but after betrayal, she decided to remain single, even as she decided to foster a teen problem child. But Jackson, who found his mother dead of OD, is determined not to let anyone ever hurt him again, and has been bounced out of multiple foster families. Yet Jackson formed a bond with their new neighbor, Austin. Leah had to be nice to Austin, but Jackson's sake, But can three broken souls make one happy family as Christmas nears?

VERY Christian, plenty of mention of Bible and faith, but NOT heavy-handed (as some Christian writers tend to sprinkle Bible quotes throughout), and great character arc for all three. I have a little problem with Jackson, whose behavior is conflicting. Seems he ONLY EVER eats a PBJ sandwich... which he later explained that it was the last thing his mom made for him, yet he also hates his mom for leaving him for drugs and OD death... But the story overall, is still quite uplifting. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Hard to Stay by S Jones

Lexi ran from her evil boyfriend who has her family enthralled. No one would believe her boyfriend is also banging her sister, while mentally abusing her. And he's rich and can get away with a lot of stuff. So she ran. And met Brad... // Brad is a cop with a shitty history in love. There's Emily, and Samantha... but that's in his past. Now with Lexi, he wants a fresh start, and as a cop, he knew she's keeping secrets. When evil Colton showed up, intending to force her back, Brad is there to protect her. But Colton has plenty of underhanded tricks up his sleeve...

Brad has no temperament for a cop. He's easily goaded by fellow officers, esp. the douchebag one. And it's pretty obvious he's being set up by Colton for something. Except Brad swallowed the bait, hook, line, and sinker. This is basically "PMS pro" cliche trope. The ending is a total cop-out and a deus ex machina, where basically Brad came up with even BIGGER connections than even Colton can call upon. And what sort of family Lexi has that listens to a stranger and not their own daughters? 2/5

NOTE: This book managed to hit no less than THREE corny tropes: deus ex machina, PMS Pro, and Heart-break savior.

GRR Reviews The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match by Bree Livingston

Winnie can't believe she was betrayed by her best friend and restaurant partner. She had just located a prime spot in the city and needed to pay the down payment, only to have her partner run off with her boyfriend... and her money. And she needs to get the restaurant off the ground or she'll have to go work for her father as a lawyer... a fate she dreaded. // Bear is not ready to date, having been betrayed before, but his family is unrelenting. It would be easier to hire a fake girlfriend than to date for real... // Winnie and Bear met, and Bear was clear that he wanted a FAKE girlfriend just for the Holidays, and in return, Winnie will get enough money to get her restaurant running. And Bear is handsome, and VERY lovable... Perhaps they can make this work after all?

Eh, nothing really new about this, just good polish on an old theme. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews her Billionaire Pirate of the Cove by Stephanie Fowers

Audrey does not want to pretend to be her friend Clara to take a job pampering dogs of an ultra-rich and eccentric aunt in the Cove. But when she found an intruder in her house and the entire place tossed, she barely escaped. It seems her brother Michael may have made enemies, and suddenly hiding out in the Cove, surrounded by security, seems to be a brilliant idea... // Ryker is hiding at his brother's place in the Cove after testifying in court that put his conspirators behind bars. He knew he kept questionable company, but that should all be behind him, except for his CIA handler that is still hovering.  When matchmakers tried to pair him up with "Clara" (actually Audrey), he's interested, but when enemies found them in the Cove, and mix in rogue agents, turncoats, mercenaries, terrorists, business rival, lost princess, secret origins, and spycraft, it seems both will be on an adventure of a lifetime... if they survive it.

I know it's supposed to be a spy thriller of sorts, but it feels at times like a comedy, with people prone to more slapstick than seriousness. Add in some Hollywood stunts like "throw her off the boat, only to have her met by scuba divers with oxygen masks underwater". That's not something a normal person would know what to do, is it? There are certainly good twists and turns, and I guess that sort of forced proximity and adrenaline rush can be good for bonding, but it just doesn't feel that romantic. Not to mention that ocean water near Seattle is not that warm to be scuba-dived. 3.5/5