GRR Reviews The Magic of Found Objects by Maddie Dawson

 Phronsie, betrayed by love, is moving back to her hometown for a break. Meeting her best male friend Judd (since kindergarten!) again was great... Then he had a crazy idea... They are best friends, already knew everything about each other. Since passion inevitably fizzles, but friendship stays... Maybe they should get married. And she said yes... Because it made so much sense. But as the preparations get underway, and as the wedding date gets ever closer, Phronsie started having doubts... Just what does it mean to be in love?

An interesting flip of the trope... Usually, you have the reverse... The heart wants the other, but the head says "are you SURE!?"  This one has the head say "makes perfect sense" and the heart goes "but what are you missing?!?"  4/5

GRR Reviews Back To You by Hunter J Keane

Noelle drove far with her nephew and niece to start over in Starlight Valley after a family tragedy. Her niece isn't happy that they're now in a strange town and living on a Christmas tree farm, but her nephew seems to be interested in this new world... Until Noelle realized this is also where Evan lived. // Evan had to abandon his dreams of pro hockey after an injury, and lost Noelle. Now he's back to help run his aunt's Christmas tree farm...  and so did Noelle. Is this the second chance that they needed? Or are they too hurt to see it?

Seen the setup before, decent polish. 4/5

GRR Reviews Plain Jayne by Laura Drewry

Nick and Jayne grew up together, and had been best friends for twenty-five years. But Nick married someone else, and Jayne moved away. She came back to attend his wife's funeral four years ago, but he had to ask her to leave when Nick's mother became VERY distraught and angry at her presence. But Jayne is now back to clean up her grandma's estate, a bookstore that closed up seemingly for no reason. She plans to reopen the store and make a life for herself in town... But that plan got derailed when she saw Nick again, who's dating Lisa now...

I don't feel the chemistry between the two. Friendship, sure. Denial of love, sure. But chemistry? Didn't feel any. Nick pretty much denied he's in love with Jayne right up to the very end. And his family's hostility toward Jayne was never quite explained. Grandma's estate and will was basically manipulation from beyond the grave, and it FELT like manipulation, and it was only then did we get Jayne's true backstory, about why grandma was so "cruel" to her. The story elements just didn't really come together for me. 3/5

GRR Reviews Sparrow by Emma Nichole

Grayson loved Amelia, but they were too different. He gave her a sparrow pendant, and she had never taken it off since... Even after her father died, she got married, was abused, and finally broke free after more than a decade. She went home, hoping for a do-over... only to find Grayson there, now a single father, raising his daughter, looking for his own second chance...

While it did provoke all the right feelings, the author's style just didn't jive with me. The writing just feels a bit detached, and some scenes could have been written tighter. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Veterinarian's date with a Billionaire by Amelia Addler

Juliet needs to save her veterinarian clinic serving low-income neighborhoods, and she needed to make a feel-good video featuring her former patients and their pet parents. She wasn't sure what to think when she found her junker died, and her rich but douche ex James came to her rescue. // James knew he was a douche to Juliet back in college, and he's here to make amends. Having a chance to rescue her and chauffeur her around is perfect. It also gave him a chance to get away from his over-demanding father. So they go on this road trip, take plenty of footage, and living together. And they did rekindle their relationship. But this is just temporary, right? What happens after the contest is over, whether she wins or not?

Not feeling much about this one. It's pretty obvious, from the way plot goes, that Juliet will NOT win, and this will also serve as the darkest hour, and James will get the blame. And the grand gesture will be James somehow get Juliet to forgive him. The bonding and the cute animals are nice, but that doesn't change the fact that the plotting feels flat. 3/5

GRR Reviews Remember Me by Marion Ueckermann

Clarise and her two friends vowed at 13 to make a list of their wishes, then come back at 40 for a reunion. 27 years later, Clarise is back in town, a 40-yr old ex-model whose agent/manager just divorced her and traded her for a younger model. AND he's vindictive enough to ask for wedding rings back, and took her car and almost all her belongings. She had to pawn the rings to even make it home. // Heath had been waiting for Clarise for 27 years, having fallen for her in high school, but Valentine's Day kiss soon sent her across the country. Now that she's back, and he's a youth pastor, Heath wasn't quite sure how to woo Clarise, when she's so hurt and unsure of herself. But he can be there to lend a shoulder... and offer his heart...

Sweet, but the guy held a torch for her for 27 years? Really? Hmmm... 4/5

GRR Reviews Cherish Me by Autumn Macarthur

Naomi and her best friends buried a time capsule of their hopes and dreams when they were thirteen. Then they forgot about it. Decades later, Naomi, now known as "Nai", is back in town when her aunt had fallen seriously ill. Forced to put her job as PA to a billionaire on hold, she has to run a small town bookstore for her aunt, care for her aunt's animals (a parrot, a cat, and two dogs), manage gajillion things to around the place (cleaning, fixing a leaky roof...) and manage the flaky staff. Oh, and met her old crush, Mateo, now handsome local cop. But Mateo was the one that stood her up for her junior prom. Will God show her the way forward?

Sweet, and not overly religious, both have reasons to be shameful, and insecure, and the connection between them is good. And there's a good cast of other characters to help things along. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Artfully Yours by Isabel North

Alex fell for Elle eighteen years ago, back in high school. He was just a transfer student, but months with Elle at a locker just across from his in the hall is enough. He kissed her, and she kissed him back. It got so heated, someone emptied a fire extinguisher on them. But Elle eventually left town to become a nurse to get away from her dysfunctional family. And Alex eventually found himself as a "bad boy metal artist". But Elle is back when her sister broke her leg, lost her job, and is getting evicted from her home because of her ex-husband's debts. Alex had lost his mojo months ago, and finding Elle was like rediscovering his muse, and suddenly, he's creative again. But how can a guy who's a master with hot torch and hard metal know how to date a soft and sensuous woman he'd want to keep forever?

Some good parts, some comedic parts, some sweet parts, but Alex's lack of speech upon seeing Elle was kinda cringe-worthy (in a oooohhh, this is gonna be... interesting! way) But it is also funny. It is an interesting way to do "reunion". 4/5 

GRR Reviews Hate Loving You by Aubrey Wright

Carter and Jenny were an item in high school until she found him with Kendra. He swore "it wasn't what it looks like", but trust has been broken. Ten years later, Carter is here to attend Jenny's big brother Sam's wedding. Carter and Jenny got back together, until somehow, Kendra was again, there at the wrong moment...

Okay, I am surprised that neither of them figured out someone is always there messing them up. That brings up a different question though. Why would that guy also has "proof" of Sam's fiancee cozying up to someone else, and chose to show it to Carter and Jenny? Was it just to have Carter fail miserably and appear even less credible? While satisfying, it almost qualifies as TSTL. In fact, I predicted the ending... when the perp made a verbal slip. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Second Chance Fake Marriage Surgeon by Hanna Hart

Gemma had to go home to Baton Rouge after finding out her serious boyfriend left her pregnant and moved in with another woman. But she barely talks to her father, who's always too busy saving others (he's in law enforcement). Her family is with her uncle's family, then she ran into Liam, her high school sweetheart... // Liam is a surgeon in Baton Rouge, and has agreed to appear on a medical TV show, which would have given him a 5 million signing bonus... Unfortunately, his surgeon wife has died of an undiagnosed heart condition, leaving his contract in danger of cancellation. Finding Gemma again made him want to reconnect. Then he found that Gemma's headaches are due to a brain tumor...  And she has no money to test and confirm, much less operate. Liam has the perfect plan... He needs to be married. She needs the money... So they should get married... even if it's fake.

Eh, didn't feel much on this one. Not sure if it's even LEGAL to require a doctor to be married to get on TV. In a will? Sure. In an employment contract, esp. if it's beyond his control? it just screams "discrimination"!  The rest of the book was meh. 3/5

GRR Reviews Up for Heir by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Part of Westerly Billionaire series, In the Heir was reviewed earlier

Spencer never wanted to deal with his family issues and secrets. He didn't need his father's money to build his tech business. But the family matriarch, Delinda Westerly, is determined to bring Spencer back into the family, and she'll use the best bait available: Spencer's college sweetheart: Hailey. // Hailey became a single mom overnight when her brother and his wife died in a car accident, leaving her niece in her care. The shocked little girl stopped speaking, racking up the medical bills, and forcing her to seek other employment. When Delinda Westerly offered her a job, she can't refuse. Meeting Spencer again was an eventuality... And maybe this time, he may put her first... and never let her get away again...

Somehow, the novel doesn't quite measure up to book 1. Spencer, in Book 1, was supposed to fake marry Alisha to get money for his startup. Now that the startup is already wildly successful? How long later was this any way? Timing seems to be a bit off. Sure it's a reunion, but Spencer's character doesn't really come through. I am far more interested in Delinda's character, scheming, forceful (like an alpha), but with a benevolence behind it.  4/5

GRR Reviews Second Chances by Henley Maverick

Kade had no choice but to move back to his home town with his 3-year old daughter after death of his fiancee. Finding Bria, his first love, as his daughter's pre-school teacher was a... welcome surprise. And now he can't think of any reason why they shouldn't get back together... // Bria let Kade go a long time ago, as she knew he had to take care of his baby, despite promises. She's perfectly fine with her life now... Until Kade came back. Can she forget the past for a future with Kade?

Eh... This plot had been done many times before, and this one is really nothing special. 3/5

GRR Reviews Taken by Love by Melissa Foster

Daisy fled Trusty TX and its rumor-mongers, due to her good looks and smart brains. Now a family doctor, she had to return to her hometown when she found her father was injured and can no longer run the family hay farm. She was running the urgent care clinic in town (previous doctor had retired... two years ago) while deciding what to do with her career... She knew many of the patients, the rumormongers that ran her out of town, now parents visiting her with their children... Then the boy she could never forget walked back into town... // Luke was a restless youth, with a reputation for fighting. Now he breeds gypsy horses. He protected Daisy way back when. But he can never love anyone... Until he met Daisy again. It's clear they share a connection, but Daisy may not be staying, and Luke needed to know his own past... before he can have a future.

Okay, much deeper than first suspected, for we get into Luke's "origin story" and what made him into the guy he is today. And small town feel came through quite nicely. All in all, excellent read. 5/5

GRR Reviews Resisting Him by Leslie Johnson

Charlotte aka "Charlie" has a best male friend, Marcus, while in Australia. And he is a boyfriend too. Until Charlie's mother executed a plan to get her out of the way so she can marry Marcus' father... By sending her back to the US, supposedly for a 2-week visit... In reality, she went back to care for her dying father. Seven years later, Marcus and Charlotte had not communicated in between. Charlotte has a boyfriend, sorta, who as they are both music teachers, and he wanted to write music for Broadway. She, however, got a position to teach at the school she once attended in Australia. And obviously, it's time to see Marcus again...  Except for this time, Charlotte's mom had apparently cheated and separated from Marcus' father, and Charlotte is caught between her desire for Marcus, and her need to support her mom...

Something just feels... off about all these characters, as if they are all selfish archetypes, and therefore, flat evil. "Mom" sacrificed and guilt-tripped and tricked Charlotte into returning to the US, and broke apart the young couple for her own happiness. Marcus acted like a selfish jerk when she won't come back for him and cut off all contact. Skip past seven years. Mom somehow cheated with a different rich guy (she blamed alcohol) and refused to sign divorce papers, but you can't win back someone who refused to talk, esp if that person is ready to marry someone else. And that leaves Marcus and Charlotte out in the cold again. Except this time, they won't be step-siblings. I honestly can't feel much of a personality for Marcus. Seems we're all supposed to feel sorry for Charlotte. This isn't one of the author's best works.   2.5/5

GRR Reviews Through the Woods by Olivia Gaines

Jazzy had always had a thing with her neighbor boy, Justin. In fact, they made a promise to marry when they are fourteen. Twenty years later, she's an accomplished horror novelist, and he just returned to town to clear his head from job burnout and from his evil ex. Then they discovered that their grandparents may have had an unrequited love for each other during times when interracial couples are spat upon... Will they have their HEA, unlike their grandparents?

The plot was practically color-blind. I barely noticed that Jazzy was supposed to be black and Justin was supposed to be white. But really, unrequited love for like 20 years? It's sweet, but somehow, the plot was a bit lacking. The background "investigation" felt tacked-on.  3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Email-Order Wife by Vivi Holt

Cassidy lost her husband after three years of struggling with cancer. With a load of medical debt, she had to move back in with her parents, while taking care of three kids and working two jobs. She's getting burned out, and she sees no way out... Her friends signing her up for online dating did not help. Until there was a match in the same small Georgia town... // David Weston had enough of his rockstar life, after a full decade of debauchery. He just bought a mansion in his hometown in Georgia, with his own recording studio, hoping to figure out where to go from there. Being matched with an email order bride in the same small town is a surprise. Finding it was his old high school sweetheart Cassidy was... priceless. But can he ever convince her that he wants her for who she is now? That they should get married first, and the love will come later?

Sweet, good use of kids, but the threat to love was basically a ton of self-inadequacy (no way I am good enough for him/her).  Also, it's sort of between marriage of convenience and marriage of love. Cassidy needed a man, and David has plenty of money. But Cassidy basically believe that he did it out of pity, and that's almost a TSTL moment. 4/5

GRR Reviews to Have and To Hold by Kristi Rose

Lottie and Bill have been together forever (since elementary school), but only as platonic friends. Now Lottie's a pastry chef, and Bill is a pastor. And Lottie is tired of waiting for Bill to "get a clue". So when someone offered to sell her cupcakes to a much wider area, and have her move to the city, she has a decision to make. // Elizabeth runs Meryton Matchmakers, and why would Willaim the corporate raider interested in her business? If Liz can't convince Will that her company means a lot more than just the tiny yearly profit, she may lose everything...

The two plots don't intersect that well. It's as if the author just basically bashed the two separate plots together. 3/5

GRR Reviews Second Chance With her Athlete by Hanna Hart

Ruby and Carter were high school sweethearts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana... He's not approved by her family, but they didn't care. Carter was destined for college football, and picked UC Berkeley in California. They were supposed to go together. Until Ruby suddenly vanished one day, and all Carter got was "she's fine, stop contacting us". // Five years later, Ruby was forced to move home as a single mother. Unknown to her, Carter is also back in town, to take care of his uncle (who has MS), and is currently the quarterback of the Baton Rouge Bears. Carter was surprised when he found Ruby... even more surprised that she has a daughter. Just imagine his shock when he finally realized he's the father... But when the season finale game coming up, will the shock affect his game? Will he ever forgive her?

Well, this book is your standard "secret baby" and all the tropes are used. But some parts about American football seems to be a bit... off. Why she ran without asking him five years ago was also a bit of... "fragile ego". Other parts are quite good.  4/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's High School Reunion by April Murdock

Blake ruined a good thing years ago when he broke up with Trista... Because she chose to go to Stanford instead of Ohio State to be with him. Not only that, he started dating the head cheerleader. A decade later, he's an ESPN sportscaster with his best bud heading back to a high school reunion... except he only wanted to make amends. // Trista understood heartbreak... She got her heart stomped on, and she has moved on. But seeing Blake again brought it all back, and perhaps she's not over him as she thought. But Blake's other ex, the one he left her for, is also there, ready to take Blake back... But Blake knew who he wants this time...

Eh... okay, I guess. Didn't feel too much. Blake's a "secret billionaire". Eh. Satisfying ending, but otherwise, pretty unremarkable.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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

GRR Reviews Texas Two Step by Cynthia D'Alba

Mitch knew he made the worst mistake of his life after letting Olivia, the love of his life, go, but family obligation meant he had to marry his brother's pregnant girlfriend (after his brother died in an accident) to make sure the child has the family name. But she miscarried, and they divorced two years later. Now Mitch is determined to win Olivia back... but can Olivia forgive him? // Olivia survived the heartbreak and even built a life for herself... and her son (with Mitch)... a secret she wanted to keep. They meet again at a wedding in Dallas, and they discover they still have a thing with each other. But can they get past the betrayal and hurt? What will Mitch do when he found that she kept his son away from him for five years? What will Olivia do when Mitch's ex-wife tried to reconcile? Is Mitch being nice to her just to steal her son away from her?

Now that's a proper escalation of complications, even though at its core, it's a secret baby plot trope, and it's a VERY well polished one.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Overall Rating: 5/5

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