GRR Reviews Hello Love by Karen McQuestion

Hello Love is one of those charming stories that's not quite romance, at least not with a typical meet-cute. But it will nonetheless charm its way into your heart with the dog serving as a common plot thru-line.

Dan and daughter Lindsey are still not over wife/mom Christine's death, even a year later. The only solace was Anni, the dog that Christine loved. When Anni was stolen, both were devastated. // Andrea was still feeling the aftermath of her bitter divorce from Marco. When she illegally rescued a dog from an abusive tenant, her life changed in ways she never anticipated. She felt better at work, the dog walking caused her to lose weight, and she felt much better about herself that she'd speak up for herself and cut ties from Marco, even as he stalked her, wanting her back. // Dan and Andrea ran into each other again and again, but neither made the connection, as circumstances somehow prevented them from doing so each time. Will Anni's journey home bring these two lost souls together?

It's a great little adventure using the dog as the common thru-line through the plot. The ending felt a bit hurried, as it's at the 98% point. And there is even a darkest hour and a grand gesture, though not quite in conventional terms. Still, it's a great story, not a pure romance, but more of a fated mates story.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: A dog's adventure brought two damaged people together, but they just keep missing each other, like ships in the night...

Overall Rating: 5/5

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

GRR Reviews Remember by Izabelle Jardin

Remember is an interesting novel in that it's actually more of two novellas in one, with an amnesia thrown in between for complications.

Leah was utterly fascinated by green... and Connor's green eyes are perfect for capturing her. But Leah's family had some history with Connor's family that remained a secret... and even as they knew they probably are not good for each other, they fell for each other anyway, even as they discover some trouble secrets about each other... and themselves. When Connor was injured in 9/11, and lost his memory of Leah, will Leah be able to help him recover their love?

When German author uses 9/11 as a plot device it's... interesting. Nothing really wrong with it, just... odd. The book is also a bit weird. Most romances start with the two protagonists separated but drawing ever closer. This one managed to do it TWICE, have them separate but come together, then use his injury to separate them and bring them together AGAIN. While not bad, I don't think this is one of those must-reads.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: What secrets did a couple's respective families kept about themselves... and each other?

Tropes: amnesia, family secrets, family pressure, fated mate

Overall Rating:  3/5

GRR Reviews Billionaire's Princess - A Standalone Nove by Claire Adams

"Billionaire's Princess" by Claire Adams tries to set up a fated mates scenario when a princess living in disguise fell for a commoner but was forced to go back. The evil was just too flat, and the scenario too evil fairy-tale like, and the fighting bits too... fake, that it felt it was too "hammed up for Hollywood"

Ariana is a European princess who just wanted to be normal. She was promised to the son of the King's adviser, but she escaped and came to the US with an assumed name "Emma" and is making a living as a photographer's intern. She was photographing Nick, a hotel billionaire and they felt amazing chemistry together... And Nick vows to keep Emma... who's sincere and not a golddigger. Then her betrothed showed up in Las Vegas, intending to take her back by force. Emma gave herself to Nick, hoping that if she's no longer a virgin his betrothed would give her up. But he took Emma back anyway... and left Nick a scar for getting in his way... but Nick had a condom malfunction... Two years later, Adriana is a prisoner in her own country, barely allowed to see her son (who is NOTHING like her "husband", not that anyone would dare mention it to his face), no access to comm, and Nick is not over her... When she finally was able to "borrow" her sister's phone at a banquet to send a message to Nick, Nick pulled together his team of mercenaries for the Great Rescue... Not just her, but the toddler as well...

The rescue had a couple twists, but the author could use a "military advisor" as the scenario she wrote didn't really make that much sense. And some parts of it was way too easy for the good guys. All in all, mediocre romantic suspense.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a billionaire rescue his princess for a sadistic despot from an island with his mercenaries to rescue her and his child?

Tropes: fated mates, protector, woman in peril, family pressure, evil enemies, different worlds

Overall Rating:  3/5

GRR Reviews A Lifetime to Share (Oregon Trail Dreami by Kathleen Ball

A Lifetime To Share by Kathleen Ball tries to ratchet up the tension on a wagon train heading for Oregon, but the tension was not written correctly, a lot of the threats made no sense, and the way it was explained off at the end barely made any sense.

Eli Todd is had made several trips to Oregon, but this is his first time as wagon train captain. He had lost plenty of people, and he knew he'll lose many on the trip. So he wouldn't let anyone in. Amelia Cruthers is a young girl with a limp suffered in an accident from way back when. She is a hard worker, but her family never approved of her. She thought she just needed to work harder, until her family tried to leave her behind at a river crossing. Eli was outraged and took Amelia with him. When Eli was bucked from his horse, Amelia cared for him in his wagon, but somehow, her reputation was besmirched for doing the right thing, but Eli offered up a solution... marry him. Amelia never expected to be married, not just because she's a cripple, but she can never bear children (so her parents said) When rumors spread among the train that Eli was sleeping around, will Amelia's heart breaks again and again? Or will Eli stand by his vows?

The author tried to create a tortured soul for both characters, but neither really worked for me. The threats didn't 'scale' up by the end of the story, it didn't get worse and worse, just one thing after another. She should have realized her "parents" are out to kill her, yet somehow their words still managed to hurt her. She's just TOO trusting and naive, and that's just not believable. She seems to have no self-preservation instincts. It made really no sense.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Wagon train captain rescued a young girl from her abusive family; why does her family hate her so much?

Tropes: hurt/comfort, fated mates, evil enemies, evil parents, hot for boss

Overall Rating:  2/5

GRR Reviews Taming the Beast: Book 5 of the True Ma by Alicia Montgomery

Taming The Beast managed to throw a new wrinkle into the Lycan and Witches vs. Blood Mages war with yet another pair of true mates, from a very unexpected direction!

Shy and nerdy Lycan scientist Dr. Jade Cross does research for the Fenrir Corporation, which is a cover company for the New York clan of Lycans (werewolves, wolf-shifters, whatever you call them). She lives a quiet genius life and buried her wolf so deep she can no longer shift. When she was kidnapped one day, Fenrir called in reinforcements in the form of Creed Security, headed by Sebastian Creed and his crew of security specialists to help rescue Dr. Cross. Sebastian found himself drawn to Dr. Cross, and the feeling is mutual, yet both denied their calls. For Sebastian knew there is a beast locked inside him, and he did not dare to let the beast out. But when the evil blood mages came up with another gambit to destroy the Lycans, the Lycans formed a plan to counterattack that involved Dr. Cross, Sebastian, and a mage who claimed he switched sides...

Lots of actions, lots of secrets, lots of angst, for Sebastian's secret shall be revealed. Which will not be spoiled here. Both have denied their true nature for too long, and that is the struggle they have to endure together. For they are indeed each other's true mate. Definitely a thumbs up.

Category: Paranormal / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: lycan scientist fell for the gruffy security specialist who rescued her, but both are hiding secrets. When the evil blood mages attack, both will realize their true callings

Tropes: kidnapping, fated mate, conspiracy, evil enemies

Overall Rating:  4/5

GRR Reviews Imzadi (Star Trek: The Next Generation) by Peter David

Imzadi is half a romance story, and half... which I will not spoil. For it is about something that transcends space and time, into the true bond of Imzadi (roughly translated to fated mates), and how one will do ANYTHING... to change things even if it means turning one's back on former colleagues and betray the very principles one was supposed to uphold...

William T. Riker is a vice admiral on a starbase in the middle of nowhere. He was once a promising officer, with a brilliant future, but when Counselor Troi suddenly died of unexplained causes in the middle of negotiation with the Sindareen, he was broken. He served his time, but never regained his spark. Now decades later, upon death of Lwaxana Troi, he was gifted with one last remaining artifact from Troi... one that lead him down memory lane to how they first met, how he cajoled her into a date, how they had a torrid romance, how he saved her from the jungle... and how they must break things off... only to meet again on the Enterprise-D. Suddenly, he knew what he had to do. And this will lead him to betray the very principles he swore to uphold, and turn his back on friends he had served alongside for years, all in the name of Imzadi.

So to people who say this is a romance... It is! But it's only HALF of the story. For you have to see what did Riker suddenly realize he must do, and how other people would array to stop his betrayal. And let's just say the climax was as tense as any good TNG episode. I wouldn't say the characters are off, as this is early in their careers, Riker was just a young lieutenant, and Troi hadn't even joined Starfleet yet. It's a fun plot to read.

Category: Science Fiction

Primary Plot: Starfleet officer, receiving last bequested item from the mother of the woman he loved, suddenly realized there is something he must do... something that he should have done a LONG TIME ago... to save his Imzadi.

Tropes: star trek fated mate, conspiracy

Overall Rating:  5/5

GRR Reviews Murphy's Law (Damaged Heroes Book 1) by Sandy James

"Murphy's Law" by Sandy James has an interesting stipulation to handcuff the couple together, but the subsequent provisions don't really make any sense. Still, there are some good twists and turns to make the story enjoyable.

Seth Remington is a playboy, leaving FOUR wrecked cars and countless women in his wake. His father, terminally sick, want to force Seth to be responsible... Seth will go to work for nine months... Or he'll not get any inheritance. Furthermore, he's going to work for a horse trainer Katie Murphy... as a groom (lowest post available) for at least 9 months, with Katie being the final judge. There are provisions to prevent Seth from seducing Katie. Seth had to live locally as "Crash Reynolds", and despite his initial aversion to the smell and dirt, he actually found he enjoyed horse racing, and he even won a few races. Seth/Crash and Katie fell for each other, even as Katie's enemy Rachel wanted to ruin them both... Just as Katie found out she's pregnant... by Seth. But the arrival of the paparazzi means Katie and Seth cannot see each other anymore... Can this star-crossed couple ever get back together?

The twists and turns kinda make sense and kinda don't. I personally find the "no-contact rule" made no sense at all, but it's a good way to make sure each left unable to deny their worst fears. All in all, it was rather enjoyable.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Billionaire forced to live as a horse groomer in order to inherit, fell in love with the horse trainer, can they stay together?

Tropes: forced proximity, hot for boss, fated mate, weird will, coming of age

Overall Rating:  4/5

GRR Reviews When You Got A Good Thing (The Misfit I by Kait Nolan

When You Got A Good Thing is a contemporary romance that featured a lot of misunderstandings, secrets, lies, and trust issues. There was a good twist about why the FMC had to stay away from her hometown.

Kennedy Reynolds had wandered the world for the past decade. Everybody thought she simply left town, even the boy she left behind... But she was keeping a secret, a promise that she will keep... Until news that her adoptive mother had passed away in a car accident, and she's going home. Xander Kincaid, deputy of the town, believed that he had driven Kennedy away ten years ago. Now that she's back, he wanted to apologize, to see if they can pick up where they left off... if that is even possible. Kennedy tries to patch things up with her adoptive family, but her abandonment for the past ten years was not so easily forgiven. As Xander help Kennedy through the ordeal, Xander found out what really happened ten years ago that drove Kennedy away... and the truth will devastate him... and he will have to make a choice...

I find Kennedy's naivete back at 18 to be... a bit unbelievable, but it's "almost" plausible that it didn't bother me too much. And that forced choice had truly devastating consequences. What I truly liked is there is an evil perp in this story, and that evil perp got karma. Maybe not as much as you'd like to have seen, but it is nonetheless karma. And that relationship was definitely "love interrupted", in a good way.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman who stayed away from ten years returned; the man she left behind will now truly know what happened that fateful night...

Tropes: family secrets, return, reunion, blackmail, fated mate, law enforcement

Overall Rating:  5/5

GRR Reviews Rebel Wing (Rebel Wing Trilogy, Book 1) by Tracy Banghart

Rebel Wing is a scifi military fiction with a light dose of romance. It is closer in spirit to Starship Troopers (the novel, NOT the movies!) but also with some intriguing conspiracy in the background that together, worked up to a great tale of working past challenges, maturing from naiveness, and embracing one's destiny. Romance is only a MINOR component of the book, even though it formed the initial premise.

The Dominion of Atalanta is at war, but for Aris, who is just coming of age, her heart was set on Calix, her almost-betrothed, and her flying, for she is possibly the best flyer in all of Atalanta. But for the kids, the war is far away, until Calix was drafted into the military as a mender. Aris was willing to do ANYTHING to be close to him, but females are not permitted in Atalanta military, not even as menders. When someone offered her a chance, she jumped at it, no matter the price, and thus Aris, with a little tech help (holo veil and voice changer) from the off-the-books organization, will become Aristos the flyer, a "ghost" (disguised female) in the Atalanta military, and join the Search and Rescue squad, just for a chance to see Calix again. For Calix, Aris will give up her friends, her family, even her identity. And on the way, Aris will find herself in the middle of a great conspiracy to subvert an ally of Atalanta... and realize her true calling.

The book can be described as part Mulan, part Starship Troopers, and part Iron Eagle. For Aris/Aristos still has to survive the training (which means she had to toughen up, and Calix will be no longer her top priority, for she finally understood WHY he had to go, and how selfish her wishes are, but now that she had tasted combat, nothing will ever be the same again. All the emotions rang true, from confusion to bravery to acceptance to rage to doubt... and the plot was weaved quite well.

For the readers who found the premise, the girl abandoning everything just to be with the guy... simplistic and stupid... this is not really much of a spoiler... She'll grow out of it. Give the book a chance. I think you'll find it is a worthwhile read.

Category: Science Fiction

Primary Plot: Young woman following her man to war, entered secret program to enter military disguised as a man; embroiled in conspiracy

Tropes: disguise, fated mate, coming of age, childhood sweetheart

Overall Rating:  5/5

GRR Reviews What About Her (The Bluff Harbor Series by Emma Tharp

WARNING: ENDS on a cliffhanger

What About Her is a college romance that featured a mystery and some serious angst in the background between the FMC and MMC, as well as a bit of mystery. However, this book **DOES** end on a cliffhanger, basically forcing you to read volume 2 "What About Us".

Six months ago, Willow left the dorms and never came back, leaving behind her bestie Kate and her BF River to ponder her fate. Kate knew Willow is out there, but River is still troubled. Even as Kate reconnected with River six months later, he's still distant. But when an assignment forced them to spend time together, Kate found herself falling for River, even as she realized he belonged to Willow, and vice versa...

Kate and River do come across as a bit of star-crossed lovers that only found themselves caring for each other upon Willow's absence, but can they go for each other when the fate of Willow is still unknown? There is some serious angst in the air and a lot of regret and guilt. However, as I did say, this does end on a cliffhanger, so you've been warned to buy volume 2, which is now available.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Young woman found herself attracted to her missing friend's boyfriend, even as she felt guilty about her betrayal...

Tropes: college, cliffhangers, triangle, scars, fated mate

Overall Rating: 3/5

GRR Reviews Dreams of Her Own (Dreams Come True) by Rebecca Heflin

Dreams of Her Own is a contemporary romance that featured a balanced romance where both FMC and MMC are flawed and the pair helped each other overcome their wounds to achieve the HEA.

Millicent "Millie" Stephens is the most boring woman ever. She wears an oversize brown outfit to blend in, to become invisible. Her personal assistant job to famous romance author was routine. No man ever notices her... and she prefers it that way. When strong arms saved her from becoming NYC's latest traffic fatality and the good samaritan quickly disappeared into the crowd, Millie remembered the handsome face and had an epiphany... Her life's highlight reel was BLANK. When she ran into her savior again, she learned he is Ian Brand, and he's both hunky and tattooed. But that charming bad boy exterior hid a painful past and a problem he tried his entire life to hide. Millie wanted... sex, and to help Ian, but when Ian refused to acknowledge his problem, much less seek help, Millie may have to reopen her own wounds so they can heal each other... and find love in the process.

As you read the book, you can't help but to notice both are caring personalities, molded by their childhood, and while both developed coping mechanisms, those are just crutches that will not work any more if they want to get any further in life. But to solve the problem they have to acknowledge the problem, thus admitting weakness. And it is in that vulnerability that one finds one's true self. I will not spoil both character's background, which you can discover when you read the book, suffice to say, the book is balanced, and both will have to confess to heal themselves, and that's where the emotions lie, and makes a good read. And what's really surprising is lack of tropes in this novel, well, maybe a little big about the ugly duckling.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: FMC had an epiphany; her life highlight reel is blank, and she wants one guy to help her fill it; but he doesn't want her...

Tropes: scars, fated mates

Overall Rating: 4/5

GRR Reviews Chasing Cassidy by D. Kelly

Chasing Cassidy is a contemporary romance / sob story about a woman so damaged she keep s running away, and a guy determined to love her no matter what.

Cassidy Pope has had a tough life, watching her alcoholic father beating (literally) into her that there is no love in the world, and her mother turned to alcohol to avoid the problem. Her only solace is her neighbor kids, Zack, and Rylee, the Stafford twins. Deeply insecure, despite Zack's love for the past twelve years, Cassidy did the runaway bride on the eve of her marriage to Zack. But Zack had made Cassidy a promise... Wherever she ran... he will follow. And on the way, family secrets will be laid bare, payoffs will be revealed, hearts will be broken... and healed. But will there be a happily ever after?

The family drama was quite good, and since body will actually say what they mean, somewhere along the way the message got twisted. It is an emotional journey and you'll come to sympathize for both characters.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Young woman with zero self-esteem did the runaway bride from the man who will follow her to the ends of the Earth...

Tropes: fated mate, scars, runaway bride, family secrets

Overall Rating:  5/5

GRR Reviews Bound to Submit (Blasphemy) by Laura Kaye

Bound to Submit is a contemporary BDSM romance that has an interesting schtick... Using BDSM to solve psychological problems of the FMC, making the scale slightly unbalanced, but overall it's clear the author has detailed knowledge of BDSM (whether personal or research, it doesn't matter) resulting in an intimate description of their state of mind without bogging down in the details.

To recap, Kenna Sloane lost her arm in the Marines from an IED and now, out of the service, she gets by as a motivational speaker, but she felt empty inside. The only time she really felt fulfilled was in the hands of Master Griffin years ago, before she joined, but he told her he doesn't want a relationship. Now, she is heading back to the club to scratch the itch... // Griffin Hudson is haunted by his worst mistake: driving away the only woman who touched his soul. By the time he realized his mistake and wanted to make amends, she was gone. Years later, Kenna is back in his club. Can Griffin redeem himself, even if he had to cause her pain to heal her wounds?

The author managed to create some unusual MMCs and FMCs, with a bit devil-may-care attitude (the Blasphemy kink club was built in a former church, talk about the proverbial finger!) FMC's injuries did not prevent her from having fun as a sub. BDSM scenes are described in detail and the scenes played may involve some pain but the purpose was not pain, but rather pleasure through fulfillment (whether it's through servitude or domination) and people finding their kink in healthy and consensual ways. If you want good BDSM romance, try this rather than FSOG.

Category: Contemporary / BDSM

Primary Plot: A BDSM bonded couple reunited after both realized what they had really been missing; can they get back together despite wounds?

Tropes: BDSM, scars, fated mates, military, reunion, return

Overall Rating:  4/5

GRR Reviews Love Life: Billionaire Dance School by Lexy Timms

Love Life is a contemporary romance with a bit of romantic suspense that featured two angst-y main characters that featured some plot twists that were not foreshadowed properly. The one at the end really made no sense at all except to set up for volume 2. The nemesis was substituted for no particular reason at the end. It's just a confusing plot overall.

Antonio Rivera, who now goes by Tony Rivers, came from the ganglands of LA, where his mother was a dance teacher and had once aspired to greater things until she got pregnant and had to quit dance school. He had won a scholarship to a prestigious performing arts school and came to know Blake Smithson, and Allison "Allie" Holbrook, fellow students. Blake is the kind of rich bully who ruins people just because they're in his way. When Allison liked Tony because Tony treated her normally (she came from money but was trying to get out from under her father's control), Blake made it his mission to mess with Tony any chance he got so he can woo Allie for himself. It didn't help that Allie's father doesn't believe in a woman making a career for herself... To him, daughters are commodities to be traded for alliances and to be married off to a rich man. As Allie and Tony carry on in school, Blake's harassment reached fever pitch when police raided Tony's locker on a tip that he may be dealing drugs (and found nothing) but the rumor mill is turning overtime...

Plotting was jarring as plot twists were NOT foreshadowed properly. It is as if the author had to insert a plot twist at the end to justify volume 2.

SPOILER AHEAD

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED

Suddenly near the end of the book, Blake was no longer a problem, Tony did not get tossed out of school, then Allie's father appeared out of nowhere, insult all that Allie had done ("I won't have my daughter all made like like a common whore." or something like that), then when Allie dare speak up for herself, threaten to ruin Tony's life if Allie doesn't go back with him to the city.

Where the BLEEP did this twist came from? There was absolutely NO HINT of this may happen ANYWHERE. Same with plot twists from before. Tony got knived near school, for example, was not foreshadowed properly either. The plot just lacks overall polish.

Category: Romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Rich artsy girl and poor dancer guy fell for each other in performing arts school, but a rich writer wannabe got in between them

Tropes: performer, triangle, disguise, fated mate

Overall Rating:  2/5

GRR Reviews The Future of Love (Bachelor Billionaire) by Sharon Cummin

The Future of Love could use a better title, as it's a contemporary romance about a man who had pined after the woman for a long time but can no longer deny himself.

Kyle had watched Jenny from afar for a long time. Kyle's stepfather's best friend, Gavin, had repeatedly stated to Kyle that Jenny is off-limits, as Jenny is his secretary and is like a daughter to him. Kyle had respected those wishes, even watched Jenny married the wrong man. When Jenny got divorced, Kyle still can't decide if he can't pursue her or not... but a family vacation to Hawaii gave him the opportunity to take that one small step further... a vacation fling. But that when Jenny's ex complicated the picture, and the family seems to have problems with the relationship, can the two find their way to each other?

The family seems to be a bit large to keep track of everybody. The relationship is very angsty, as Jenny was still hurt from the divorce and Kyle had denied himself for too long he wasn't sure how to act, so they danced around each other a lot, had the fling, then tried to keep their relationship a secret, but secrets always leak, and there came the complications.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man pining after woman for a long time but held back by family obligations had a fling instead, but the two can't stay apart

Tropes: fated mate, fling to a thing, disguise

Overall Rating: 4/5 (rounded up)

GRR Reviews Meant for Love (Willow Valley Book 2) by Christine Kingsley

Meant for Love is a contemporary romance with a weird plot that has no recognizable grand gesture, and the characters seem to be really angst-y.

To recap, Lissa Winters wanted the marriage, kids, and white picket fence, but her dream man, Jesse Kincaid, wasn't ready for her... ever. Jesse can't keep the family store afloat, but his father isn't the understanding type, not does he appreciate Jesse's alternate solutions, such as turning half the store into a boutique (which was Lissa's idea). Jesse was also a bit traumatized by his childhood and deemed himself unworthy of marriage, much less a wonderful girl like Lissa. It's the irresistible force (love) meets the immovable object (don't love me)... Then a discovery forced them to confront each other's issues...

While the complication forced a darkest hour, I honestly can't quite figure what changed to resolve the situation, as I mentioned before, there was no grand gesture. There was only a "change of heart". While I like the way the FMC resolved the MMC's financial problems, the story just doesn't feel like it was resolved right.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man felt useless and unsuitable for marriage; woman wanted him any way even as she saved from financial ruin

Tropes: evil parents, unworthy, fated mate

Overall Rating:  3/5

GRR Reviews Unspoken (The Woodlands Book 2) by Jen Frederick

Unspoken is a contemporary "college" romance between two wounded people. The emotions are raw, and it centered on a hot button topic... bullying.

AnnMarie was a typical college coed until she wasn't. She partied, had drunken sex. She took responsibility for that, but soon rumors spread that she did the entire lacrosse team, and people started whispering behind her back because another guy asked her to put out and she refused. She withdrew from campus, living in an outside apartment, avoiding campus except for classes... until she ran into Bo as her lab partner. He was a former marine, and he fights in illegal underground fight clubs to work off his rage, but he was never violent toward women. And he saw too much pain behind AnnMarie's eyes. He was afraid he'll break her, but he wanted to heal her instead...

The push-pull between the FMC and MMC is good, and both are damaged people. There was a twist at the end. Let's just say despite the hint that Bo can use his fists, the ending was achieved WITHOUT violence.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Young woman dogged by vicious rumors on campus ran into a wounded soul for lab partner who wanted to love and heal her

Tropes: college, military, scars, tarnished reputation, fated mate

Overall Rating:  4/5

GRR Reviews So Unexpected (Ty & Sara Book 1) by Amanda Wilhelm

So Unexpected is book 1 in a 3 book series so it will end with a cliffhanger. The pairing was interesting, but not too much else happened. Basically we have an extended meet-cute and minor escalation.

Sara justed wanted to get away from her husband's death and have a little time away when she booked her vacation in Florida with her kids. Ty just booked a flight out to Florida after a fight with his girlfriend and needed a break. He works construction during the week and plays in a band at night or on weekends. They met on the beach, and it was love at first sight... but they aren't sure what to do about that. She needs to take her kids back to school in the northeast, he has his career in California. They reluctantly parted ways on New Year's Eve, and Sara was sure that was the end. Ty, however, was looking for another way...

The push-pull is fine, as the two slowly circled each other, trying to decide whether this is just a vacation fling, or a bit more. But the book ended without having much resolved... Still, I think it ended at a good spot that is a logical end to the story arc, so I can't give it too low of a score.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: She needed to get away from the death of her husband; he needed to get away from his girlfriend after a fight; they met on a beach...

Tropes: scars, resort, fated mate, cliffhanger, different worlds

Overall Rating:  3/5

GRR Reviews Mischief in Montana (Montana Sweet We by Pamela M. Kelley

Mischief in Montana has a good cast of characters about a man and a woman meant to be together and kept apart through bad timing, but they will keep circling each other until that was resolved. The supporting cast and how they all integrated into the story was what raised this story above average.

Travis and Isabella always had bad timing and ended up in the friend zone. Travis' best bud Christian was dating Isabella, and Travis was dating someone else. Now that Christian was married to someone else, and Isabella was single, Travis was about to make his move, when Isabella, completely clueless to Travis' intentions, wanted to date Aidan, an artist who just moved back to town. Isabella also found a new competitor, Missy, in her real estate office. Furthermore, Missy's cousin, Bethany, who just moved back from Atlanta, spouting a fake southern belle accent... had just set her sights on Travis. Can Travis and Isabella navigate the treacherous waters of life and love and find their way to each other?

Each of the supporting cast members has enough of a history to not seem shallow (except Bethany, of course!) It was a delight to read the hijinks and bad timing on how the developments manage to derail both Travis and Isabella's plans in one way or another. There were also quite a few wrong impressions formed then corrected. This is a fun book to read.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man and woman had a thing for each other but never quite formed a relationship due to timing... Will he make a move in time?

Tropes: fated mate, friends to lovers, triangle

Overall Rating:  4/5

GRR Reviews Naked Sunset (Naked Nights) by Sailor Stone

Naked Sunset was an interesting tale of love interrupted. However, the prose feels very... "detached", as if there's more description than action.

Kinsey is an young artist who dreams of a man that she can totally dedicate herself to besides her art. She has a special painting of her, naked in the sunset, just for him, if he'll ever come into her life. Then one day, he came. The man was sailing out on the water, in a one-person boat, then he saw her, and came ashore. His name is Tanner, and he was totally right for her, and she was totally smitten. Then fate tore them apart and they didn't even had a chance to learn each other's surnames. Four years later, a chance encounter would bring them back together again...

The events are just too... soap-opera worthy twists that just feels so... melo-dramatic. And it's basically insta-lust where the moment their eyes met it was all over. Any additional twists beyond that was just extra icing on top of icing... which is why I said it felt melo-dramatic.  It just feels... "detached".

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Young lovers who found each other was torn apart by circumstances... then four years later they meet again...

Tropes: insta-lust, fated mate, reunion

Overall Rating:  3/5