GRR Reviews He Said Never by Ruth Cardello

 Riley had been seeing her lost sibling's family behind her mother's back. She understood her mother's fear... The Corisis were ULTRA-rich, and Dominic's father almost put her mom in a wheelchair for life (and she still suffers today). Gavin was just trying to get some coffee when Riley got in his way. Riley was beautiful and full of sass, and there is an instant connection, but neither is ready to make a move... she's still sour from being stood up, and he's in an odd place... His father forced him out of the family company, and won't let him back in until he settles down with the right woman, probably because his father attended two funerals, and realized the family was the only thing that mattered, after raising his son alone. Yet the two would meet again, after finding out they are actually neighbors...

There is a couple of rom-com worthy moments where you will ROFL (Riley needs a little moral support to tell mommy that she'd been seeing the Corisis and the Romanos, and took Gavin along, but mommy inferred a completely different situation... ), and kudos to Ruch Cardello to write a very UNconventional "weird will" story where the MFC and MMC did not get into bed until 80% point, despite the insta-lust sort of situation.

The book also added details or introduced several future story leads, like Cal, who'll be the hero of book 3, and I have a feeling Jared will be the hero of book 4. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Wild Coast Rescue by Dakota Davies

Tim lost his brother in a huge train derailment fifteen years ago. Now, he's a mountain rescue tech, specializes in rappelling down helos, first aid, wilderness survival, and mountain rescues. He knew he wanted to give back, but as an EMT, he knew he had to harden his heart, if he had any after losing his brother. Until he rescued Matt, and his sister, Sarah, from a mountain. // Matt and Sarah were climbing McKenzie when he suffered a bad fall and major head injury. Sarah was a nursing student, and through her skills, Matt's condition is stabilized for rescue by Tim and his crew. Tim and Sarah felt an instant connection neither can deny. But does Tim still have a heart to give? And Sarah will be gone one day, when Matt's condition was resolved, one way or the other... Right?

A short novel (120 or so pages), there is actually quite a bit of plot. Rescue details are authentic, though it did sort of revert to "trauma leading to sudden realization" trope that has little to do with the FMC. One also questions how did Tim get his bedrooms skills if he's such a loner? ;) 4/5

GRR Reviews The Jilted BIllionaire Groom by Jennifer Youngblood

Sunny Day (not her real name) left her job and her life behind to save her nephew Ian, who witnessed something he shouldn't. She's now working as a hotel maid in Utah, hoping to stay far away from the bad guy's radar. Bad guy had already taken her sister's life and left Ian an orphan. She never expected to run into her high school crush, Finley, in Utah of all places... // Finley still can't get over being dumped on national TV. Reeling from shock, he left Dallas behind to hide on a family-owned hotel in Utah, only to run into Ian and Sunny. Feeling an instant attraction to her, yet not knowing why, he knew he had seen her somewhere before, Finely wanted to woo her, but she has her secrets to keep...

FOUR problems with the plot, which


CONTAINS SPOILERS


YOU'VE BEEN WARNED


A) Ian just blurt out the secret in his nightmares?

B) A child's rambling is worth killing people over? Fancy lawyers can knock that down easily.

C) How would Finley's family doctor's intern recognize the boy anyway? Where's the link?

D) And the intern wanting the money for himself? Instead of sending a real killer? Phooey.

2.5/5 due to these plot problems.

GRR Protecting What's Mine by Hope Ford

NOTE: 35-page short

Charlie grew up with no one. She knew she can only rely on herself. Now as an alarm and surveillance installer for Alpha Security, she earns a good living. She knew she's a BBW, and she's tired of assholes trying to hit on her while at work. So when a restaurant manager got a bit too handsy on her, she put a knee into his groin and left, promising to finish next day, WITHOUT the creep. She wasn't expecting to be met by the owner, Brody, who promptly fired the asshole on the spot. // With one look, Brody knew Charlie is the woman for him, if she can just let down her guard once and let him in. He will protect her and make her his. But doing that, will take a lot of patience...

Not much plot here, but it is kinda sweet and steamy. It is insta-love, but that's exact what this is. Though it did resort of "run away to sort my feelings". 3/5

GRR Reviews His Protected Artist by July Hunt

NOTE: 50-page short

CEO Luke knew Alexis, the BBW artist is his perfect woman. Which is why he commissioned her art to be the centerpiece of the building. But the night before the grand opening, Alexis found someone had graffiti'ed her creation. Alexis cannot let anything affect her success. She was abandoned by her family when she chose art for her path. She will do anything to fix this problem. She didn't expect Luke to visit personally... or for his help... Can she accept him? Who's targeting her art any way?

For a 50-page short, it's actually not bad. 4/5

GRR Reviews Falling for You by Charlotte Blake

Grace may be powerful art director in Boston's largest advertising firm, but she's STILL reeling from death of her sister two years ago. Add a failed engagement and she's on a man-fast due to panic attacks and depression. Meeting handsome Luke at her Thanksgiving retreat with her parents was great, but she's not ready (but when will she ever be?)... // Luke had suffered losses in his life, and while women are drawn to him, he hadn't felt any attraction toward any... Until he noticed Grace's haunted eyes. He may be rejected, but he had to try...

Didn't feel much, other than a lot of self-inadequacy and a patient guy who wanted to help her. 3/5

GRR Reviews Finding Southern Comfort by Barbara Lohr

Cameron did not expect to see Harper back so soon, applying for the nanny position. Cam had seen Harper not too long ago, as a dancer in Catwoman costume for a bachelor party at his mansion. He did enjoy her sass and spunk, and his daughter Bella really does need a nanny, even though neither Harper nor Cameron is good with the toddler. But then, Cameron's existing GF, TV personality Kimmy, is even worse. When Kimmy was a no-show for the gala, Cameron decided to dress up Harper as his date, and almost burned down the dance floor. But Harper can't fall for his boss, even if he's showing a southern comfort side she'd never suspected...

Nice, good background pieces, though Kimmy never really had a chance. 4/5

GRR Reviews Welcome to Riverside Ranch by Sophie Mays

NOTE: Cliffhanger, kinda Happy-for-now ending, 126 page short novel

Piper was just handed her dream: being the assistant director for a film project she wrote. While she planned for a jungle adventure, being told by studio head to change the setting to a Colorado ranch/resort is not bad... but having her crush as the star? Run into production problems? And being attracted to the head cowboy, Blake? That could be a problem... // Blake knew that his family ranch has a ton of tradition, being owned by them for a VERY long time, but tradition won't keep the ranch running in the black. That's why a new wing of the resort is about to be done, and not even a film crew can ruin his good mood. But a feisty city girl named Piper leading the crew? That could be a problem...

Sweet, fun, and romantic, in that they try to accommodate each other. But the story is unfinished, as the Blake wanted to see Piper in her home element: Los Angeles. That's for the sequel... This volume by itself? Technically a cliffhanger. 3/5

GRR Reviews Claiming a Cowboy by Daisy Gold

NOTE: 60-page novella

Chloe made all the arrangements to leave her parents for three months so she can visit her sister, married to a cowboy in Oklahoma and a new baby already. It'd be a good escape as her father was always haranguing her about why doesn't she get a better job, why doesn't that new son-in-law upgrade their house, and so on. But she does owe them after her illness which almost bankrupted the family. Right? Until she saw who came to pick her up... // Liam wasn't happy to pick up Chloe. While Chloe was the woman of his dreams, he had rejected her that night, because she's his brother's wife's sister, and too young and innocent (over a decade age gap). But Chloe, despite feeling humiliated, is determined to show Liam that the attraction is mutual...

An interesting twist ending complete with a grand gesture. Good attraction if a bit instant. Good short, even if the evil turned out to be flat. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews His to Claim by River Delaney

Elizabeth is secretary for a douchebag boss, who insist his chicken be fried to a husk (i.e. no juice inside), and insist on throwing tantrums in restaurant, screaming at servers, and sending his secretary into the kitchen to "demonstrate". But this time, he picked the wrong restaurant. //  Michael, head chef, was surprised to see a gal in business attire and heels walked into his kitchen, and managed to abuse a piece of chicken. He tossed it into the trash, and redid it the right way. When the client then transfered the abuse to the secretary, he tossed the client out, which also resulted in Elizabeth getting fired. So he'll rent her his guest room, and teach her how to cook...

Really? It's over the top, but it's just cliche alpha stuff. It's also extremely short. 2/5

GRR Reviews The Guy on the Right by Kate Stewart

Theodore (Not "Teddy", and not "Theo", just) Houseman, former band geek, now marching band rock star, just found his forever girl on campus. And her name is Laney. Unfortunately, so did his roommate, football royalty, and campus superstar Troy. But this time, the #underdog will win, unless of course, Theodore forfeits. And why would he do that?

The story surprises me sometimes, that that doesn't happen often. There's a lot of sass and humor in this college, and I wish I went to a college like that. OTOH, I guess I didn't quite get why Houseman would blow up like how he did that caused the darkest hour. Though the grand gesture was perfect. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Hero In My Bed by Piper Sullivan

Preston is with town's search and rescue. Definitely a hero of sorts, and the town's golden boy. But he can't keep his eyes away from the sassy bartender Nina... And the town, making a charity calender of the hometown beefcakes is definitely going to bring them together... Nina tries to resist the temptation... but Preston wanted to make her his forever...

Didn't feel much about this one. Nothing really stands out. 3/5

GRR Reviews Delicate Balance by Brooke St James

Henry, one of the four Blair Brothers, is a rock star of the band Delicate Balance. He left the hometown of Astoria to seek his fame years ago. And Aiden always had a thing for Henry. So when Henry and the entire Blair family came to the restaurant Aiden waitressed at, she was both surprised and delighted... and this time... Henry noticed her...

Aiden is a bit self-effacing and backbone-lacking, at least, until she accepted that Henry really does want to love her, not just to bed her. This is clean and spiritual, no sex, but more subtle kind of love and support that clean romance readers can appreciate.  4/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire of Friar's Lake by Carrie Ann Hope

Zack is a billionaire dubbed by the media as the "matchmaker"... he can put someone in a company for the perfect position to maximize efficiency, and he can turn a failing company around. But his wandering life, from one spot of the world to another, left him yearning for something more permanent. He wanted a family, settle down somewhere. // Marcy is a waitress in the tiny town of Friar's Lake, and after multiple dating disasters, she's not ready to try again. But when she brought the stranger in town his drink, and their eyes met, it's clear her life won't ever be the same... But he's not really staying, and she's not really leaving... right?

Not too sure about this one. I honestly didn't feel much of a spark from this meet-cute. 3/5

GRR Reviews Love's Magic by Betty McLain

Mallie was hit by a car and hit her head. She's in a coma. Two rooms away, Daniel is also in a coma from a brain aneurysm. The two somehow met in their comatose state, in a meeting of minds, and vowed to be together... Even as their accidents brought relatives home, and lives changed... But can they still be a couple when they awaken?

Uh, seems Daniel's condition changed a bit during the editing. It was a brain aneurysm, but later it changed to a blood clot that traveled up from his bruised thigh to the brain (that makes it a stroke)? And there really wasn't much of a struggle. The two are mainly passively observing life going on around them. Daniel's brother is back from overseas Marine deployment, and reconnected with the town baker. Mallie's mom is afraid to show affection toward her boss who wanted her for a long time. And so on and so forth. The story went in several different directions. While I like it, it's not that extraordinary except in its novelty. 3/5

GRR Reviews Hollywood Heir by Ruth Cardello

Eric Westerly is broken. He has finally got himself out of rehab. But the more successful his superhero movie "Water Bear Man" became, the more of a fraud he felt he was. His family is a total mess. He just wanted to be left alone. To disguise himself, he put on a hideous scar (theatrical makeup) and took on a totally unpolished appearance and goes by "Wayne Easton" in a corner of London. Now nobody looked at him closely. Until a plant whisperer came along... // Sage chose an oddball career "plant psychologist" to be free of her overbearing rich family. She also wanted to help random people find happiness. And this scarred but handsome man in the cafe can sure use some happiness. And Sage is irresistible, even by a broken man like "Wayne". But will she run the other way, when she learned who he REALLY is? And what about him, when he learned who she is?

Interesting. I knew Eric's story had to come up right after the previous book, the Royal Heir, which involved Eric being a supporting character and inciting factor. And this is an interesting twist on "disguises" and secrets. In a way, this is an "ingenue meets recluse" story, albeit, VERY nicely polished. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Fresh Temptation by Reeni Austin

Victor, one of the Barboza brothers, is rich, powerful, and tired of his ex-fiancee Alexis, who's forever scheming to get him back. When Cara caught Victor's attention as a waitress at one of the fundraiser galas, Alexis is steaming mad.  Cara is a single mom raising a young son, working three part-time jobs, and has a few extra pounds (not a BBW), nothing like Alexis. But Victor wants Cara. Cara is weary. While she'd welcome a man in her life, she's not sure of Victor's intentions... Was it just to make Alexis jealous? Does he want her just for sex? And what would Alexis do to break them up, which only makes Victor more determined to woo Cara?

Good triangle, with a good nemesis. 4/5

GRR Reviews Ten Hours by Melissa Toppen

Ten Hours can change lives.

Finley just got the worst news of her life... She thought she'll finally get her life together after leaving her addict mom, and found her sister (or her sister found her) at 19. But her continual headaches turned out to be a brain tumor... Operation success rate is 30%, when combined with chemo. AND there's a chance of recurrence. Despondent, Finley wandered into a bar (but she's not even old enough to drink!) and that's where she met Abel... // Abel is a musician having a few brewskis with his buddies, but when his eyes landed on Finley, he can't turn away. They spent ten hours together, and it was... bliss. Then she left for her operation without ever giving him her full name... and went into a coma for two weeks, while he was desperately trying to find her again... When they meet again in the hospital, as his mom is having breast cancer surgery, he was happy, angry, confused... and she just wanted to hide. But the truth came out... and he wanted to marry her... no matter how much time they have left...

I'll just outright spoil the end and let you know there is NO HEA at the end of this book. You will cry for this tearjerker, and it is handled quite well. 4.5/5

NOTE: There is a semi-sequel called "What Comes After"

GRR Reviews Sara's Promise by Deanna Lynn Sletten

William thought he had a perfect life. He has a beautiful wife Sara, and two beautiful teenagers. Then Sara died suddenly, and it took Will YEARS to adjust to being a single parent, unable to let her go, because she promised to always come back to him. Then one day, William met Annie. She has the same blue-green eyes that Sara had... Annie was NOTHING like Sara. Yet they instantly connected, as if they knew each other. But Annie can't tell Will about her dreams... Where she met him, and knew more about him than she should... Is Sara helping Annie to fulfill her own promise to return to them?

Wow, serious emotional roller-coaster here. Take soulmates to the next level... love after life, in a way. Yes, there's a link between Sara and Annie. As for how, you'll need to read the book. This particular schtick has been done before, and it works if done right. And this one's done right.  5/5

GRR Reviews In the Market for Love by Megan Squires

Sophie lives a busy and fulfilling life in the small town of Fairvale, California. She's a flower farmer, with a lease on growing fields. She also runs a successful farmer's market. Her flower arrangements and flower shop are beautiful, but she'd never been loved. She went out of town for a networking event. As she is on her way back to Fairvale, she managed to put her luggage in the wrong vehicle and it left without her... // Cole had tried to please his father for too long as a junior landscape architect. This assignment on the other side of the country was his first chance to take a lead role in designing a garden for a contest. He was surprised to find an extra piece of luggage in the trunk of his ride, and he had to return it. Meeting Sophie was... very nice. But she clammed up after learning that his landscaping will be on her flower farm... Even as they know they have feelings for each other, Cole wasn't ready to disappoint his father on his first solo outing... but Sophie wasn't ready to lose her flower farm either... Will they let a contest destroy what's between them?

Good conflicting responsibilities, though the solution came in the form of deus ex machinas, TWICE, which is rather... disappointing. 4/5