GRR Reviews Matt by M S Parker

Matt had to get out of town after falling for the woman his brother Keith introduced him to, only for her to fall for his brother instead. As a Boston Banker, he's definitely out of place in the plains of South Dakota, when his car broke down. // Gabrielle just buried her father and has problems with one of her ranchhands Carl, and her foreman needs to retire soon. While patrolling her grounds she found Matt unconscious of heatstroke and rescued him. There's a connection between them, and he offered to help out since he needed to get away from it all anyway...

I really don't feel much for this, as Matt's ranch qualifications seem to be pretty minimal and a bit convoluted. And Carl never seemed to be much of a threat.  2.5/5

GRR Reviews Off The Hook by Laura Drewry

Kate jumped on the chance to learn all about a fishing lodge with a secret mission from her boss, who suggested that since the existing owners are unlikely to be able to afford their tax bill, much less refurb the place to re-open, she may be running it when it's all over. But when she realized one of the co-owners was her ex, Liam, to whom she was married to for less than a day, 10 years ago, this may turn into an impossible assignment... // Liam was a pitcher in the Major Leagues, but he's getting old and his prior injury means no team wanted to hire him... for now. That means he needs to move back home and help his brothers get the fishing lodge their late father left them... and a mountain of unpaid taxes and "deferred maintenance". Marrying Kate in a drunken stupor, then leaving in the middle of the night and divorce by mail was not the smartest thing he'd done, but he felt it was necessary. Now that Kate is here... 

Excellent "conflicting feelings" reunion, with a couple layers of motivations. Kate refused to leave because she MAY get a managerial job out of this, and Liam... simply can't afford to let her go, not to mention they really do have feelings for each other. Unfortunately, one of the plot points required a "most fortuitous accident" and I feel that's a weak point of the book. Though the end is very satisfying.  4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Inn at Willa Bay by Nicole Ellis

Zoe thought as the assistant event planner for a wedding resort in Willa Bay, she would inherit the event planner position when the existing one retired. Instead, her boss handed the position to his son-in-law who had never worked in the industry. Then she learned that her landlord Celia not only needed a hospital stay, she's also in danger of losing the entire place, a former inn, and leaving Zoe with no home. // Her best friend Meg had left a prestigious sous chef job to come home to her mother being treated for cancer, and work in a kitchen with no chance of advancement. When a friend's old rival returned to town, threatening her routine for the kitchen, her timetable for departure may be moved up...  // Her other best friend Cassie did not expect to be a single mother after marrying the love of her life, only to divorce him 10 years later to raise an autistic child alone. She was barely getting by, until an old rival returned to town... and about to destroy her side gig as a cake baker/decorator. // Shawn had just restored a house and flipped it for profit when he got a phone call from across the country from a mystery woman. Who is Celia? Why did Celia have him as an emergency contact? And who is this Zoe that called her? His curiosity will lead him to Willa Bay... // These people are about to meet and change each other's lives... 

As a series starter, this is actually well plotted so everything ties together. It does sound a bit scattered at the beginning, as if all the separate threads don't quite fit together, but they do. My main problem is the final solution, which I will not spoil, is a bit deus ex machina. And also the solution doesn't mean everybody gets HEA. We do have a couple more books, after all. The characters all are reasonable. I feel the connection between Shawn and Zoe was a bit rushed. The rivalry and the unreasonableness of "bad boss" and how the various characters just kowtowed instead of engaging in some malicious compliance just feel... unsatisfying. Also, this being a series, there's no karma in this particular book, which may leave some readers miffed. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Bleacke's Geek by Lesli Richardson

 Dewi Bleacke is a prime alpha wolf (one of the very few female prime alphas) and head enforcer of the Targhee Pack in Florida. While on the hunt for a dirtbag who literally sold his daughter for drugs, she came across her one true mate... in the form of a vegetarian geek professor by the name of Dr. Heathcliff McKenzie Ethelbert. "Inviting" him into the restroom for a quick romp may not be the best way to a guy's heart, nor was gunning down the scumbag then "inviting" "Ken" to come along (quietly). But a girl's gonna do what must be done, including meeting her "family"... partner "Beck", and surrogate father "Badger" (both shifters) who had to adapt to living with a "grazer". But someone is watching from the shadows... a killer that killed Dewi's parents and almost killed her and was never caught. Will "Ken" rise above the low expectations, and be a worthy mate to Dewi? 

 For a series starter, the reversal of roles (generally, the shifter is H and the human is h, this has the reverse) is a great way to keep things interesting. And while the onion peel was done properly it just feels a bit too quick, and the bad guy's obsession and motivation a bit suspect.  Still, it's a fun story. 

4/5

GRR Reviews Slim To None by Freya Barker

Emma's daughter is all grown up, and she decided to move to Cedar Tree and start her life alone. Being disabled and needed to use a cane or walker, she is nonetheless beautiful and active, doing freelance bookkeeping and bake pies for her best friend's diner. Until a strange phone call in the night stirred her blood like never before... // Gus, private investigator, is on the trail of bail jumper who may have info on a mob boss he wanted to take down. Links took him to Cedar Tree, where he is supposed to find a bookkeeper... like the Red-headed Emma. When someone tossed Emma's house, and Emma's clearly in danger, Gus steps in as Emma's protector, and love bloomed. But someone from Gus' past is watching... and waiting for retribution...

Good romantic suspense with a couple of good twists and turns, plus enjoyable main characters. Gus is protective without overbearing and a disabled heroine? An unusual but inspired choice. 5/5

GRR Reviews Billionaire's Rival by Jeanette Winters

Charles Lawson is the new head of Lawson Steel, and he has five brothers to watch out for and a lot of legacies passed down from his grandfather and father. Their main rival is Maxwell Grayson, who often used underhanded tactics to win bids and almost destroyed Lawson Steel... a while back. Charles is going to take down Grayson once and for all... but Rosslyn may yet change his plans... // Rosslyn can call Grayson uncle, but an estranged one. Her mother was disowned after marrying someone the family did not approve of. Rosslyn took the secretary job for her uncle and it's miserable, but she'll make do... Until Charles' plan took effect... will Rosslyn be the lynchpin for Charles' plan... or its failure point?

There is definitely a lot of family history and stuff to go over, and quite a bit of corporate espionage and conflicted feelings. But somehow, I don't really feel there's a lot of chemistry between the two. It has great polish. The ending was a great twist. 3.5/5

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 A Christmas Wish by Leeanna Morgan

Megan abandoned her career and is raising her 5-year old niece Nora after an accident took her sister's life. Her cake business is starting to take off... Then her world was turned upside down... FBI Special Agent William needs to take them to safety because terrorists are targeting them due to a brother Megan never knew she had... all the way to Montana. Willaim himself lost a daughter and the tragedy shattered his family. Being this close to Megan and her niece reminded him of what he once had... With Christmas approaching, could it be time to love again?

Unfortunately, the threats in this book are upside down. The most exciting bits are in the front, at least the suspense parts. And the suspense is only used as an excuse to shackle the two characters together. This is NOT romantic suspense. The feelings are okay, but the terrorists are a letdown.  I had hoped the author had learned how to write romantic suspense properly as the series starter works quite well. But this... is not good. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Bride for Nathaniel by Kay P Dawson

In the early 1900s, Nathaniel is a mountie in Cougar Springs, Alberta, and he likes the town, but also clueless with women. He reluctantly accepts a mail-order bride from back out East, and got Claire... // Claire helped those in need, even when it costs her. She lost her job as a maid when her role in helping her mistress escape to marry a mountie was exposed, and she had no regrets. Marrying a mountie would be nice... Until Nathaniel's old nemesis showed. The newly married husband and wife disagree on how to proceed. He wants to protect her, she wants to see the evil brought to justice. Will this tear them apart?

Not bad, though the wedge issue feels a bit overdone. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford

Misty is just driving into Wildcat Bluff near Christmas when she was flagged down by a half-naked cowboy who needed her help to put out a suspicious grass fire. Turns out he's Trey, hot cowboy, and volunteer firefighter. She's surprised she was able to help, as she had bad memories of both fires and Christmas. Someone is committing arson in the area, and Misty can't tell Trey that she's actually an investigator trying to find out if the fires are set by their rivals, or is there a separate firebug involved... But they definitely feel hot for each other...

Nice, good bits about personal fears and overcoming them. The mystery aspect OTOH is a bit on the "meh" side. 4/5

GRR Reviews Comfort and Joy by Abby Knox

Joy can't believe she saw Brady, her high school crush, again... Or that he's the new health inspector shutting her cookie business down for missing some items not needed in a bakery (who needs a grease trap in a bakery?)  But she has other problems like a creepy neighbor (and alderman) who keeps hanging around her place and wanted to date her (and may be causing other troubles)... But don't worry, Brady may be by-the-book, but he's quite protective...

Under 100 pages, it's pretty fast moving. Though how Brady just bought her a whole new kitchen is a bit like... Wait, how did he afford all that?  And the evildoer is revealed a bit too early. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Keith by M S Parker

Keith can't believe his brother, Matt, is willing to marry a spoiled socialite Nikolette just so her daddy will save his family foundation with a cash infusion. Keith met schoolteacher/waitress Veronica at a social event, and despite being attracted to her, decided Veronica is much better suited for his brother Matt. So he set them up together on a date, to break up Matt's plans. Let's just say nothing actually happened according to plan...

Nice, a very nice mix of tropes, and a couple surprises along the way. It's Cyrano mixed with a marriage of convenience and a sibling triangle (of sorts). I kinda hope for bigger karma on Nikolette though. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Trusting His Heart by Jen Peters

Cat, building contractor, is in Oregon doing a high-end restoration. She left her childhood behind and didn't want to talk about it again... ever. She didn't expect her client to saddle her with a co-contractor, Justin, who will be doing all the electrical work. // Justin did rescue Cat from a ditch earlier, but that didn't earn him any points when he started questioning her judgment. Justin is also under stress when he needs some money to help his mom keep the family home, but Cat refuses to compromise on any details. When thieves hit the construction site, and made off with lumber and wires, and more, the two will have to unite to thwart the trespassers, but when one of them is found, Cat wants to give him a second chance (because someone saved her that way), while Justin is all about harsh punishment... And Cat's leaving when the project's done... right?

Good twists and turns, and good wedge issue between the two characters adding to opposites attract / enemies to lovers trope. 4.5/5

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 Lawfully Brave by Jo Grafford

Sergeant Luke and his K-9 Hellion are on their way home for leave when he heard the amber alert. The town needs volunteers to find a missing boy. It also happens that a woman next to him, Coco, is also responding to the same crisis. She's a veterinarian and started her own volunteer K9 search and rescue team... except her team has never done a real search and rescue before. Luke and Hellion are experienced, and they are definitely joining the search, if only to keep Coco out of trouble... But the more they search, the more questionable circumstances they find. Who is the deputy's cousin? Is there a drug cartel connection? Will they find the boy alive?

Good adventure and twists in romantic suspense, good bonding experience. There is a character arc for Coco, but didn't feel it much. 4/5

GRR reviews Meet Me at Sunrise by Lucinda Whitney

Vanessa just learned that she has a grandpa she never knew about... in Europe, and he is VERY rich. Angry with her father for keeping secrets her entire life, and trying to get over a breakup, she left for Europe on a river cruise, escorted by none other than ship's captain, Matias Romano. She was not looking for love. // Matias is the captain of a ship with a jillion details to oversee, and has no time to babysit a "princess", but when his boss asked, he can only answer "yessir". But Vanessa turned out to be NOT a princess at all, but an EMT that helped a guest through a medical emergency. And when the ship started to suffer mysterious malfunctions, she may be the only one he can trust to get to the bottom of it all...

Good mystery and "wrong expectations", good mix of different characters. 4/5

GRR Reviews Secrets, Fireworks, and her Billionaire Boyfriend by Chelsea Hale

Sayler's boss is getting married and going on a six-week honeymoon, which means as exec assistant, Sayler will have to take a six-week vacation too. With nothing to do, Sayler went to her brother's mansion in "The Cove" in Seattle and met Brooks, her brother's jogging neighbor... when her brothers' in town (and he's not). Brooks is having PR nightmares, with a lot of fake photos, fake stories, and more released by unknown parties, all portraying his company negatively. He also wants to throw a spectacular July 4th party for the Cove... while his ex, Natalia, the head model for his clothing line, seemingly doing damage control, but is negotiating for a contract extension and pay raise. Saylor saved him by smoothing over his vendor problems and gave him ideas on how to solve his problems. But when Sayler found that Brooks has married Natalia, and did not get a divorce, she ran. Brooks needed her back for himself. Can he ever explain to her the truth... and will she listen?

A bit hypocritical, something even the author poked fun at... As Sayler knew not to take what you read too seriously... yet she took everything Natalia said as the gospel truth, never thought there was another explanation (annulment). 4/5

GRR Reviews Don't Fall for a Fugitive by Cami Checketts

Hazel, a British photographer, accompanied a friend to the US for some deluxe accommodations and a chance to photograph some majestic mountains in the winter. Being witness to murder wasn't in her plans... nor was running for her life, or stowing away on the jet of millionaire Heath Strong. // Heath was surprised to find Hazel on his aircraft, but his instinct was to protect her, as the pursuer, Brigham, is a well-known shady guy with ties to the mob. If Brigham said Hazel killed his cousin, chances are Brigham killed his cousin and tried to frame Hazel. But can he justify putting his own family at risk? And how would he hide Hazel under the nose of his (quite large) family?

Nice tight plot. But there are a couple technical details that made no sense. 1) How high would a staircase be in a HANGAR's office, that Hazel could have watched from a nearby aircraft, and caused nearly-fatal injuries? And 2) They called various numbers (including 911?) using regular cell phones while on a private jet flying to Colorado...  The action ending isn't that bad. 4/5

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

GRR Reviews Her Loyal Protector by Cami Checketts

Kaytlyn left her home a decade ago, having had enough of her father's emotional abuse. She drifted and eventually met Jacob, who treated her like a second daughter next to his own daughter, Jennifer. And Jacob is worth billions. Kaytlyn is also fond of Cameron, Jacob's bodyguard. But when Jennifer got married, she slowly started to change. Not even Kaytlyn's being surrogate for Jennifer's baby can mitigate her simmering rage. And it turns out Kaytlyn wasn't just a surrogate... The baby is half hers (they used her egg without telling her) And Jacob is dying... Reluctantly, Jacob enacted his final plan... He will "marry" Kaytlyn, and claim the child as his heir, and NOT A SINGLE PENNY will go to Jennifer and her husband to fuel his narcissistic political ambitions. Jacob's confidant and bodyguard, Cameron (who already wanted to date Kaytlyn), will protect Kaytlyn. Kaytlyn must protect her child and her charitable foundation from Jennifer and her politician husband. and Jennifer, feeling deep rage for the "betrayal" by her father, vowed revenge...

The plot seems a bit too complicated, and half of the legal maneuvering, like forcing Cameron to stand aside, seems to be superfluous, esp. with Jennifer's public outburst during Jacob's funeral in front of hundreds. And the final fight seems to be way too convenient due to a TSTL moment. 3.5/5