GRR Reviews If You Love Me by Ciara Knight

 Drew has a job: get the town to sign off on the revitalization plan for his boss. He was definitely not ready to be ensnared in small-town politics involving crazy elders and a mayor playing him like a chess piece. And he definitely was not ready for Carissa, the town's best baker... // Carissa is a small town girl but the pain from losing who she thought was her forever man to who she thought was one of her best friends still lingers. Except that "friend" is back in town and was determined to show up everyone else. // Drew wanted to know Carissa better, but Drew also wanted to advance his career. Are those two goals compatible? Or will Carissa feel betrayed after learning that Drew may not stay? 

As a series starter, the setup was pretty good as it introduced all of the cast while giving them different personalities, yet made Carissa the main character, and set up an "antagonist" as well. There is some sparks flying, so it's not too bad. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Borrowing Kisses by Kat Bellemore

 Zoe, the special assistant to the mayor of the small town of Amor, knew her town will never be the same after the nearby space sport opened for space tourism. But when the real estate developer Stephen arrived, with the blessing of the mayor, to buy out a few businesses so the town can grow, she chose to sabotage Stephen to drive him out, to "save" her town...  // Stephen is a workaholic raised by a workaholic after the loss of his mother. He knew a promotion is promised if he can get the town to buy in, and he's NOT trying to mess up the town. But with "help" like Zoe thwarting his every move, his overall mission may be in jeopardy... // Stephen and Zoe are total opposites... He's a disciplined deal-maker. She's a free-spirit friend-maker. Yet there is an intense attraction there that neither can deny. But will they be fighting too much to give love a chance? 

Okay, the back and forth is actually pretty good, and the changing of mind makes sense. However, it's certain that the "spaceport" bit was written without a technical consultant. There is just NO WAY that even a civilian spaceport would let just random gawkers go up and TOUCH the ship... or let a pilot offer "inside tours" after a landing.  This is not a 747. Not that you can touch the skin of a 747 from the ground anyway. Maybe the engine cowling. But this is supposed to be a spaceship? Spaceplane? Whatever... 3/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire Broker by Deb Goodman

Macey wanted to come back to her grandpa's Irish castle "Declan Mansion" in Gramercy for a while, but she never got the chance. Now that grandpa has passed, she suddenly found herself inheriting the whole thing... NOT her parents... with a budget to maintain it. But the castle is run down, and huge, and requires staff to renovate and upkeep. And Levi, the local real estate star agent, is already there, asking her if she wanted to sell... // Levi is rich in his own right, but he always wanted to please his father, and this one last bit of property, sitting at one end of his father's planned business district, will be the linchpin. But as Levi got to know Macey, it was obvious to him that she won't be selling. He wasn't willing to admit failure, though. so he switches tactics and helps her instead. But the more time they spend together, the more they fall for each other. So will Levi help Macey... or his father?

This wasn't the first novel to use the same plot: son, obligated to help "evil" father acquire property from woman, fell for the woman instead, and must choose between love/justice and duty/family. This one made less sense than usual. WHY was Levi working for his douchebag father if he's supposedly a billionaire, and poster-boy for the real estate agency? And the solution was basically a deus ex machina... Something grandpa "hid". 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Rich Groom by Penny Wylder

Frankie and his friends were foolish in college. They came up with the "Dirty Thirty" pledge. It's as stupid as it sounds: if he made it rich before 30, he promised to screw 30 women... Or get married...  And for that, he lost Anna, the love of his life. It all about trust. Now that he's 2 weeks from his 30th birthday, and back in town (having avoided it for EIGHT YEARS), the guys are busy compiling a list for him... and one even threatened to sue him for all he's worth... should he refuse to honor the pledge. The only way out seems to be marriage... and the only woman he wanted... Was the one that got away... And he has only two weeks to win her back.

Uh... what sort of douche "friends" do that?  But a time-limited second-chance romance? Very interesting indeed. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire Boss Next Door by Max Monroe

Greer and Trent did not have a pleasant first meeting (and that's putting it mildly), even though they admit they are attractive to each other. But being setup by their respective friends were... not nice. Then they found themselves neighbors... Then co-wokers... As Greer is an interior designer, and Trent just employed her to finish his development plans. Now Greer have to be nice since she's in a financial bind and can't lose this job... While Trent (denying he likes Greer) engineers situations to be with her without actually dating her. Awkward!!!!!!

Good rom-com with excellent dialog, lots of sarcastic wit and sass. Trent managed to come across as more adorable than creepy. If you like this type of rom-com definitely read it. Only nitpick would be the buildup of sexual tension was a bit drawn out. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Fearless Groom by Cami Checketts

Izzy refused her father's billions and became a nurse practitioner at a children's hospital. So she was surprised when her father insisted that she attend a bachelor auction (where all proceeds benefit to the hospital she's at). In fact, he's bankrolling her to bid on Xavier, one of the football stars of his team, the Texas Titans. Xavier has a reputation as a playboy... different woman every week. But she can spend daddy's money for the kids... right? // Xavier loves football but hates the schmoozing that had to go with it. His agent plays up his playboy image to ignite a bidding war between his current team and Denver, his hometown. So who's the brunette that just bid half a mil for him? He liked Izzy until he learned that she's the owner's daughter... Must be a spoiled brat, throwing daddy's money around like that... and a conspiracy to keep him in Texas... // Xavier and Izzy have chemistry, even as they slowly learned that both had misunderstood each other. But with Xavier's contract war warming up,  their loyalties and love will be tested to the breaking point...

Nice complications. You'll learn why Izzy refused to take a cent from her father (it's more than just "pride") and her step-family was also definitely anti-trope. In fact, the whole novel was decidedly anti-trope, it's brilliant. There's even an innocent explanation of her father's actions. 5/5

GRR Reviews Nanny for the Billionaire by Jenna Brandt

Roger is a rich but reformed playboy. But when his secret son was left at his doorstep due to mother's legal problem, he's definitely not ready for fatherhood, and he had to seek help, even from a frenemy. // Celeste did not like Roger... as he almost broke up her best friend's relationship. But when Roger needed her help to find a nanny for his "sudden son", she can't refuse. When no viable candidates were found, Roger asked her to fill in. And suddenly, it's domestic bliss in Roger's home. But is this all play-acting and temporary? What happens when the child's mother comes back and contests custody?

Eh, nothing really surprising about this one. It's trope all the way, with decent polish, but not much else. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Love by Pranks by Sunniva Dee

The "Blossoms" (non-sorority house) have a long rivalry with their across-the-street neighbors, the Iota Fraternity "Dudes" and they prank each other all the time. Red dye in the shower? Done that. Glue all the cabinets shut? Absolutely. Kitty is a new member of the Blossoms, and she's smitten with Lucien, a member of the Dudes across the street. Can the two rival groups unite temporarily to raise enough money to help the local cat shelter so the stray cats won't freeze in the winter?

You read this book for the pranks, not for the love story.

Category: Contemporary / College

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

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

GRR Reviews Billionaire Desire by Lauren Wood

Hail is an excellent salesman, a ladies' man, and named most eligible bachelor in the city. But he's getting older and feeling a bit of emptiness in his life. Until he started to notice his assistant Evony... Who wears lingerie at home, but may be a virgin, judging by how she blushes at the innuendos. But she's also very competent... and he recommended her to be promoted to partner and work with him. Now, he just needs to tread carefully... for he wanted to claim her... And after one taste, both are hooked...

First of all, he's NOT a billionaire. Sure he's rich, but not billionaire level... He's even got a boss on top of him. While I like the slow seduction of Evony (let's just say it started with a handjob given to her) it's a little bit... not quite enemies to lovers, and not quite friends to lovers. But I still have some problem with this "one touch and she's hooked" trope. Still, not bad.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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