GRR Reviews With This Ring by Debra Clopton

 

Jessica moved to Windswept Bay with her son Kevin to take the job as a teacher to get away from her overbearing family after the death of her husband two years ago (who died in the line of duty saving another family). She is not ready for love, and she can't fall for another man with a dangerous job. But Kevin wants a daddy and was disappointed when there's no daddy under the Christmas tree. When Kevin managed to drag the police chief Levi to the class show and tell, and announced that Levi will be his new daddy, neither Levi nor Jessica were ready to deal with the fallout. Levi is definitely the town bachelor, having put career and town first, and definitely hunky. But now he can't even shop without being accosted by single moms desperate to make his acquaintance. Jessica knew she's getting the evil eye from other single moms in town, even as she tried to explain there is nothing between her and Levi. Yet they keep running into each other. But can Jessica let go of her grief long enough? Or will a bachelor auction including Levi be the final incentive for her to go all in? 

Good fun, with the bachelor auction being the final grand gesture, from woman to man, for once. It just felt a bit overdramatic. But it's a fun read nonetheless 4/5

GRR Reviews Marrying Mister Perfect by Lizzie Shane

Jack is a single father and heart surgeon, handsome as sin, loving as a father can be. It's no wonder he got picked as the star in the new season of "Marrying Mister Perfect", a "The Bachelor" style "reality show" where a dozen women will vie for his ring(s). So why did Jack agree? He agreed that he's way too comfortable with Louisa, Jack's wife's friend, who fell into the nanny role after his wife tragically died... and she just never left. It's clear that she felt obligated to him and his family, and perhaps, finding a wife for himself would finally free Lou to chase her own dreams... But what does Lou want? Will Jack realize what he wanted was there all along? Can Jack let Lou know esp. when the camera is always rolling? 

Nice twists and turns, even though the angst is seriously high about how they claim to be sacrificing their own happiness for the other, but it ended up more like "the gift of the magi". 

4/5

GRR Reviews Gwynneth Ever After by Linda Poitevin

Gwynneth (just Gwyn) is a single mom raising 3 kids (a daughter and twins) as an architect. Her husband walked out after the twins are born, claiming he's overwhelmed. And she's too busy to worry about anything else. Until a chance encounter in a theater had her sitting next to Gareth Connor, Hollywood superstar. What is he doing in Ottawa? And why is he so nice to her? // Gareth is in town for his own secret... He's there to meet his daughter, now 18, under ultra-secrecy. Seeing the effect of separation on Gwyn's daughter had him reexamine his life... is Gwyn and her kids his chance at redemption? Or just complications? Can Gwyn accept him, or will her insecurities ruin their relationship?

Good details, and no major plothole except one: why the children were NOT vaccinated, given that Canada started universal varicella (chickenpox) vaccination in Ontario (which includes Ottawa) by 2004... Also, if he's there secretly, he's certainly making no effort to disguise himself while out of Gwynn... 4/5

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 her Generous Billionaire by Juliette Duncan

Marcus is still grieving over the death of his one true love and wife. He doubts he will ever love again. In the meanwhile, he provides for his disabled mom, but he's busy and he needs to hire a caretaker... // Tiffany is a single parent raising two kids after an ugly divorce, and a caretaker job is perfect for her. Meeting Marcus... well, he's her boss. She can't get involved with him... But when he had to choose a date for a charity ball, and a sticky (and icky) ex wanted to be his date, he quickly decided Tiffany would be a much more suitable choice after all. But that dance soon turned into something more. Yet are either of them ready for love, much less with each other?

Pretty standard hot for boss, albeit as a nanny/caretaker role with senior instead of kids. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Not Until Christmas Morning by Valerie M Bodden

Austin lost his leg, his friend, and his faith in Afghanistan. With his brother also serving, he's determined to go back, but with the decision on his discharge in the air, and moping at home is not an answer, he decided to visit Hope Springs, where his parents came from... and met a neighbor having her own problems. // Leah has plenty of heart to give, but after betrayal, she decided to remain single, even as she decided to foster a teen problem child. But Jackson, who found his mother dead of OD, is determined not to let anyone ever hurt him again, and has been bounced out of multiple foster families. Yet Jackson formed a bond with their new neighbor, Austin. Leah had to be nice to Austin, but Jackson's sake, But can three broken souls make one happy family as Christmas nears?

VERY Christian, plenty of mention of Bible and faith, but NOT heavy-handed (as some Christian writers tend to sprinkle Bible quotes throughout), and great character arc for all three. I have a little problem with Jackson, whose behavior is conflicting. Seems he ONLY EVER eats a PBJ sandwich... which he later explained that it was the last thing his mom made for him, yet he also hates his mom for leaving him for drugs and OD death... But the story overall, is still quite uplifting. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews her Compassionate Billionaire by Juliette Duncan

Jonathan "Jon" is a rich single father trying to raise 3 kids... by hiring nannies and overworking himself because he's still grieving over his wife's early death. When their nanny had to quit two weeks before Christmas due to family issues, he has no choice but to place ads to hire another. He didn't expect to find Ruth... // Ruth is a new empty nester... Her son, who just turned adult, is heading for college. Yes, she was a single mom, but she believes in God and He has lead her out of dark times. And she has more love to give. Being a nanny to 3 kids is exactly what she needed...

Not much innovation or twists, it's a straightforward hot for boss / hot for nanny romance albeit with a clean Christian theme around the Holidays. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Christmas Dreams and Santa Schemes by Barbara Lohr

Sarah is a recently widowed single mother and the bakery she runs is slightly behind in taxes. She's already working all the time and raising two sons but she's worn out and needs help. And the only one available is her brother-in-law Ryan, her husband's "loser" brother, already working full-time as a motorcycle mechanic across town, after a motorcycle accident did give him an epiphany. But Ryan also made a promise to his brother to take care of his Sarah in case anything happened to him. So every day, after washing the smell of motor oil off his hands, he learned to make lemon bars and chocolate cookies and more beside Sarah. There is a growing attraction, but both denied it.. despite Holiday magic...

A bit of "awwwww", it's basically mutual denial angst. The two kids are used sparingly though the "Santa's wish" was done right on the money. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Passion's Child by Ann Major

Amy is a single mother... of a child not her own, but she loved as if he was. She had to run away after a terrible betrayal. Years later, the child, nicknamed "Triple" because he's a lot of trouble, is seriously ill, and that's when Nick, her husband that betrayed her, reappeared. Nick wants his family back, but Amy is not ready to give up the secret that had her fleeing him years ago...

The book was first published 30 years ago, so the sensibilities and circumstances have changed a bit. it's a classic, but the plot can be considered "trope" by modern standards, as the author was one of the founding members of "Romance Writers of America". Read it for its own sake, not against backdrop of modern sentimentalities. 4/5

GRR Reviews Work in Progress by BJ Harvey

Jamie has several brothers, and they are going into business together. Cook Brothers Construction's first project is to flip this house. He had it all set in a five-year plan. Except his ex didn't agree... That's why she's now the ex. While drowning himself with a bit of alcohol and work and loud music, he injured himself on job site, which leads to meeting the neighbor, single mom April, living with her ex-mother-in-law, in a rather... inauspicious circumstances. But Jamie's great with her kid and wanted to be everything to her. But she's still feeling the betrayal of her cheating ex (while she was pregnant). And what happens when the house is finished?

Good use of time limit and cute kid, and the rather unconventional family setup, while keeping it relatively light-hearted despite both were victims of betrayal. 4/5

GRR Reviews A Best Friend's Proposal by Layla Holt

Anesthesiologist Josh makes a good living, but being a single father is wearing him down when his wife left them to chase her own love. Five-year-old Noah is acting out in school, and it seems he does need a female in his life... And he does have one... platonic best friend and ER nurse Emma. So his plan was to ask her to be his fake fiancee. And it seems she liked the idea too. It also happens that she needed a place to stay when her lease expired, and he has a guest room. It's all for Noah's sake... right?

Ah, the plot has been done before, but this has a good polish. 4/5

GRR Reviews Complicated Christmas by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Caitlin has a friends-with-benefits arrangement with widower Ron. She was destroyed by her fiancee for his personal gains, and she wasn't ready to love again. He did not want to replace his dead wife even after four years. So some physical release for both should be just perfect. So they had secret liaisons after Ron's two teenage children are asleep. It wasn't about love at all. But it seems this year will be different from the rest, as one shock comes after another. First Ron's son (17) confessed that not only is he dating, he just knocked up a girl and intends to marry her. Then Caitlin found out that she's pregnant... Is she ready to be... step-grandma? How do they confess their relationships to the small town? Will Ron's children accept her? Will they ever get married?

Lots of complicated relationships but also kept things light. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Ask Mariah by Barbara Freethy

Michael is at his wit's end regarding his six-year-old twin girls Rose and Lily, since his wife's accidental death. The two girls speak, just not to him. They love him, but they somehow believe their mama isn't dead, despite all the adults telling them so. The twins believe what Mariah, a fortuneteller in a crystal ball that talks only in riddles, has the answer, and Mariah told them to go to school. Then they saw their new teacher at their school, and everything changed... Because Joanna looks almost just like their mama... That even Micahel, their dad, was slack-jawed... // Joanna knew something was missing from her life. She never knew it could be twin girls that keep calling her mama, despite her every attempt to deny it (gently). And Michael, despite his haunted and tired look, is dream-worthy. She had a good life, but she somehow always felt a little out-of-place. There are secrets in her past, and it will be up to her and Michael to find the truth... to heal them and the girls... with a little more help from Mariah.

Wow, this is one heck of a novel. It has a bit of everything: a mystery, a meet-cute, a soap-opera worthy plot twist (or three), two adorable kids who get into trouble, sins of our parents, cover-up, even just a little supernatural to help it along. 5/5

GRR Reviews Jack Be Quick by Fiona Quinn

Suz is an elementary school teacher with loved her students. Her lover, Jack, is an ex-SEAL and now works for a para-military contractor company Inniquis Group, who also helped her outfit her classroom with a special escape plan, hoping never to use it. When attackers swarmed the school and kidnapped two important kids, they failed to capture their third target in her class because she executed her escape plan. But instead of being hailed a heroine, she was instead suspected of being an undercover agent by tabloids... and made a target by the evil-doers...  // Jack can't believe Suz wasn't there when he woke up from surgery, the result of an injury on his latest mission for Inniquis to thwart another evil plot. It seems Suz, threatened by the evil-doers, decided to track down the two missing kids herself, hoping Jack and the rest of Inniquis would be able to follow her... and Jack will not rest until she's rescued...

Oh, very nice. If you just read the blurb, you'd think Suz is a TSTL secret agent wannabe who gets into stuff she can't get out of. But if you read the whole book, you'll understand that she was willing to risk herself, and trust in Jack and Inniquis Group to rescue her (and the two kids she wants to find and protect). and it actually made sense. The escape from classroom was also VERY nicely done, as was the other escape plan. The logic leap that made her a target again however, requires a leap of faith. Still, it's a good tale. 5/5

GRR Reviews Sometimes I'm In My Feelings by Anna Black

Anika, Mia, and Legacy go through life in the city, with men they like to f***, men they want to live with, and men they like to kill... well, not literally. Anika, aka "Nini", found herself forcing to make a choice: love someone that can destroy her, or love herself first. Mia found herself a side piece for so long he ended up going back to his wife and kids, leaving her abandoned and alone, despite she being younger, more beautiful, and better in bed. And Legacy, mama to two children, is tired of her man straying and put down an ultimatum... She deserves better, and she'll get it...

This is a three-volume set (600 pages) that  I'm honestly not sure what to think about this collection. It just seems all the characters are douchebags, esp. the men, but the women are hardly blameless. One husband chose to take on a side piece (Mia) from work while his wife goes through post-partum depression, promising Mia "I will leave her, but I have kids so I need to be delicate". So when Mia got tired of being a side-piece, he goes back to his wife, who's through her depression, lost the weight, and started to care about her looks again. But now wife's a jealous possessive b**** who looks over her husband's shoulder at every turn, which makes the guy want to get Mia back. In a different part of the story, Anika finds a kind, rich, handsome guy, who likes her a lot... except he doesn't have a BBC, unlike the multi-timing douche she had been bonking. So now she can't decide whether to keep the nice guy or go back to the unfaithful but oh-so-good cock. You get the idea. It's just very DEPRESSING to read, as if these characters are only driven by their baser-instincts, lust, possessiveness, envy, and so on, instead of love, HEA, and all that. If you dig this sort of "urban drama", you'll probably give it a higher score. I'm not enjoying it, but I appreciate the effort and I can see some people dig this stuff. 3/5

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 Reviews The Perfect Lap by Sedona Hutton

AJ is a great racer, but also a loose cannon. He tweets himself chowing down on steak and burgers, but his sponsor is a vegan food supplier. He may have won the driver's cup, but his team chose to rein him in.. with an "image consultant". Enter Ella. // Ella, image consultant to a bad boy rockstar, thought she was just sending a photo (of the said star, in a VERY compromising position) to her BF that knew not to spread it around, as they are in the same profession. The photo leaked, and Ella was fired and slapped with NDA to NEVER mention it to ANYONE. Forced to go home, she found herself given the job of rehabbing AJ's image. And AJ doesn't seem to be anywhere CLOSE to being the "bad boy" rep he got... When Ella needed to temporarily foster three children (their mother was in jail), AJ offered up his house (it's much bigger than Ella's) and agree to pretend to be a couple with Ella to help the process along. But the longer they pretend, the more like a real couple they feel...

Nice handling of relationship, where BOTH MMC and FMC learned not to judge a book by its cover. Surprisingly, Ella had to learn it TWICE, first on AJ, then on the kids' mom. There's some new-age stuff that sounded hokey, but the principles are sound (just maybe not the explanations).  5/5

GRR Review Accidental Rebel by Nicole Snow

Gwen is just the secretary of lawyer Manny in the tiny town of Finley Grove. She's too busy working to even date, much less get married. Then she got this offer of a lifetime... Pretend to be hot single father Miller's wife for a few weeks with his two kids, and run off to Ireland, all arranged by Manny, her boss. She won't ask what trouble Miller is in. She doesn't need to know. Miller is dreamy... and swoon-worthy, ex-military, great father, but it's all fake... Even if it's a life she wanted. Then she learned why he's running... and it seems the bad guys may have found them...

Now that's a good twist on a "fake marriage" trope into romantic suspense. 5/5

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 Colt, Billionaire Reunion by Alexa Verde and Autumn Macarthur

Colt divorced his wife Mirabella when she disappeared chasing a case. He assumed she simply left him and the kids behind, and she kept so many secrets...  But she's back, and she claimed to have been injured and lost 4 years of her memories. And the children... were not borne by her... but a surrogate... Yet another secret.  How can he trust her ever again?  // Mirabella didn't plan to be gone for years. Being caught by a serial killer in his deadman's trap that almost killed her also left her amnesiac for years. But she still has to find her best friend's killer... who was probably NOT the serial killer. But if it's a copycat, why? Who knew them well enough to be sending them daisies, the same MO as "the Daisy Killer"? And who is saving whom this time?

Hmmm... Good twist at the end, in presenting the whole thing as a murder mystery with a ton of angst-y issues to solve. But at times, the angst seems to have overtaken the plot. 4/5