GRR Reviews Million Dollar Date by Susan Hatler

Abigail is on her way to meet her blind date (via her home) when she was stopped by a very handsome cop for speeding. And he's not giving her a break at all. Not even when she explained she's already sad that her favorite dog rescue is closing due to the rescue's landlord needing to sell. She's doubly shocked that she found her blind date is none other than the cop that pulled her over... That's going badly. Then she realized he may be the key to save the dog rescue, as he will be recommending the next charity to fund for the city... So a second date will be necessary... // Cooper is a by-the-books cop, but he used to be a bad boy rulebreaker until a tragedy gave him an epiphany. Now he plays by the rules, even though he had a kind heart. Abigail has the right attitude, but Cooper has to make decisions based on how much good can the city's donations do. And Abigail is definitely interesting. If she wants another date, he'll gladly oblige... 

The ending felt like deus ex machina to me, and I really don't understand how he got the payout, when it should have gone to the other guy's family? I can understand he got half or something. The push-pull is fine, but some of the tactics from Abigail were a bit... unorthodox. It's rom-com, sure. 3.5/5

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 Show Stopper by BJ Harvey

 Renee loves selling houses, but hates firefighters, after having been burned by one. While showing a house, she had a little accident, and ended up sprawled on top of Marco, who's as charming as they come. That is, until she mistook the female with him (actually his sister) to be his fling, even as he found Renee to be just his type, a brunette goddess... Now, just how can Marco demonstrate to Renee that she's the show stopper he wanted, even though he's a firefighter?

A bit of a rom-com and good back and forth, as each layer of Marco is revealed, doing a good push-pull. One step forward, two steps back... Good banter, great cast of family members. 4/5

GRR Reviews Three Things I'd Never Do by Remi Carrington

 Eve is forced to move back home with her kitten when her house needed some renovations. Getting trapped naked in the bathtub when a tree fell on her parent's house, and being rescued by a handsome firefighter was not a part of her plans. Neither was being set up on a blind date with the same firefighter. But Adam (yes, you can chuckle) is perfect except for one thing: he has two large dogs, and she's... promised to not date guys with dogs. So... can she survive dogsitting for a few days? Or will this be the final straw? 

Ah, rom-coms, a bit over-the-top, but that's the way it's meant to be. The problem is I'm really just not feeling the chemistry between the two. 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 Grill Me, Baby by Sophia Knightly

Chef Paolo wants to win a spot on Miami Spice cooking show to help his family.  So does chef Michaela. Paolo cooks with a passion, while Michaela... cooks healthy low-calorie fares that are just as enticing. The two can't be more different, and the competition for the spot can't be more fierce. So neither can foresee the passion that develope between them, even as both have to deal with family problems and expectations left them conflicted...

Very good, never a dull moment, even as both started with the wrong idea about each other. Very well done "enemies to lovers" novel. 5/5

GRR Reviews Driving Home for Christmas by Lexy Timms

Abigail is just trying to go home after losing EVERYTHING. When her plane landed in Kansas, well short of her destination of Minnesota, and there is no car to rent anywhere, her trip home is in the hands of Colin, a workaholic Grinch on his way to attend his company party and business meeting. // Colin hates being forced into anything, but leaving a sobbing female at the rental car counter while he's heading the same way is not really an option. So he reluctantly offered her a ride for the next ten hours... Then they got stranded by the snowstorm and had to spend a night in a cheap motel... They couldn't be more different, and she's trying to draw him out of his shell. Yet they say opposites attract...

The opposites attract theme was handled really well. Abby lost everything, but she's more of an optimist, while Colin has everything, but is a Grinch and a pessimist. They seem to be a perfect balance together, and being forced together made them see each other past the initial impressions. 4.5/5

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 Wild Open Hearts by Kathryn Nolan

Luna has made herself a billionaire by focusing on changing the cosmetics industry with Wild Heart... No animal testing and ethical sourcing. Until she was betrayed by her supplier... Now her fans believed they were betrayed as well. To avert total disaster, she will help a charity and get some good PR for both. // Beck has two motorcycle outlaws for his parents... and he left twenty years ago. He knew his Lucky Dog charity which rehabilitates abused dogs can always use more money. When Luna offered to help, all he saw was "being used"... But when his funding source ran dry, the charity needs Luna... // Luna never expected to grow fond of the gruff and dangerous-looking biker but she knew he's a big softie inside. Beck can't believe he can grow to tolerate the ultra-rich billionaire who's actually a hippie bohemian chick. And after a kiss, neither can stay away... but as her PR nightmare continues, and his parents making their presence known, will they unite to resolve their problems... Or will their differences prove too much for their love?

Actually a lot of fun to read. My problem is they keep talking about the bad parents, but in the end, they merely needed a talk to go away. Somehow, THAT lead to a darkest hour... Which is kinda lame. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews At Last by Miranda P Charles

Gemma doesn't do casual but is looking for one true love. Greg doesn't do long-term, as he vowed to shape up and live up to his family legacy. It doesn't help that his two brothers have married and his family is VERY rich, so he has a LOT of women after him. The two remained friends... Until Gemma seems to have attracted the attention of a stalker who wanted to ruin her any way possible. Greg will protect her, but is that love? And when Gemma agreed to a fling, is she lying to herself?

Hmmm... Good but with flaws. Gemma's lying to herself that she can do a fling is believable. It's basically self-denial. Greg's self-denial, however, goes much much deeper. It's obvious he doesn't want anyone else to have Gemma, but he can't admit it to himself. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Stuck on You by Amelia Wilde

Beau Bliss knew his brother runs the resort, and he's the entertainment director... sorta. Well-known as "the party guy", he throws events that people attend... sometimes with embarrassing results. And being non-confrontational, he's also used to being stereotyped as the f***-up. Having (virgin) mimosas in the morning doesn't help. When the latest PR disaster hit, Beau was suddenly saddled with an outside event planner consultant Claire... (by his brother's orders) who's prim and proper, his complete opposite, and probably out for his job. But Claire's so uptight, she can use some loosening up... And Beau would love to do it for her... except if he does that, he'd probably be out of a job...

Nice way to handle opposites attract, by layering on the conflicting personality, plus a "misunderstood" trope. Claire's character arc however, is quite shallow compared to Beau's, as she's hiding from her family and such. Still, like Beau's layers. 4/5

GRR Reviews A Lot Like Christmas by Kait Nolan

Special Forces Medic Ryan left Wishful a long time ago to be all he can be. But when he heard that his cantankerous great uncle Percy's health may be failing, yet refusing help, he took his leave and went back. Meeting a sweet waitress wasn't a part of his plan... // Hannah had to retire from her interior decorating job due to health reasons. She's helping out her sister as a waitress, and offering to decorate houses in Wishful to get back into her true love, when someone offered to be secret Santa to decorate Percy's place. Meeting Ryan wasn't in her plans. // The two are opposites, yet fit so right. Ryan is cool and professional, Hannah is warm and cheerful. But Ryan is going back to the army soon... right?

Good contrasts, using Percy and the town to tie them together, at least temporarily, which also added a time limit. I'd thought a special forces soldier would know better than let just a phone call to destroy his mood, but it works for dramatic purposes. 4/5

GRR Reviews Colton by Olivia Sands

Colton knew what he wanted out of life: run his family bourbon business, buy or build a nice home, marry a country girl, and start a country family. So why can't he get Grace out of his mind? She's a city girl, a lawyer, and employed by his uncle. AND she's now taking a case against his best friend... He shouldn't want her, but he does. Yet between friendship and love, something's gotta give...

Conflict is a little on the thin side, but it works well enough. It's a good opposites-attract issue, where Colton learned not to take things at face value. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Amazed By You by Cheyenne McCray

Celine, fashion designer, needs her product launch to go perfectly, and on budget, as she had put EVERYTHING on the line. She has no time to babysit a cowboy ranch owner who's miffed at city folks invading his domain. That is, until she met Jayson face to face... // Jayson lost a bet and ended up with city folks all over his ranch doing a commercial shoot, interrupting his ranching. Though secretly, he's impressed with Celine running the show. When the two finally meet, sparks flew (the good kind). But Jayson has a secret, and not even saving Celine's life may redeem him from that...

Not bad, good polish on opposites attract story. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Bride for Easton by Cassie Hayes

It is the early 1900's. Molly refused to have her life arranged by her parents any more. She wants a large family, not to become a nun. When all attempts to dissuade her parents failed, she sought the help of matchmaker Hazel, and became a mail-order bride... // Easton is the commander of the mounties... in Cougar Springs, Alberta. It's a small town and while the duty is not hazardous, it can use some female company... not that Easton really wanted any. But when his men are getting restless, he had to get his own bride... but when the spunky ex-nun showed up, his life is turned upside down...

Ah, one of those surprise marriage stories and a bit of opposite attract. Good, not great. 4/5

GRR Reviews Montana Maverick by Ramona Flightner

Jessamine is hiding out in Bear Grass Springs as the local newsperson... Yes, she writes and prints and sells the news all by herself, a mix of hard news and local gossip. And the most frequent subject of her writing was Ewan, the town's "most disreputable gentleman"... // Ewan is a successful builder and earned his money the proper way. He will never marry... for his own reasons. So what if he frequents the local boudoir? But when Jesse's writing started to impugn on other townspeople's reputations (but always with an element of truth), Ewan is conflicted... as he admired her independent spirit, yet repelled by her lack of tact... (and willingness to admit she went overboard). This is no ordinary courtship... yet it is exactly that...

I am conflicted about this novel. I like the character arc, about how Jesse had to admit the sensationalism she learned elsewhere may not be applicable in a small town, and Ewan admits that maybe he can love again. It's also an interesting way to handle enemies to lovers. But Jesse's initial almost-glee to ignore criticism is very off-putting. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Running After a Heartbreaker by Jami Albright

Hailey promised her mom to keep the bar open, but her father (and co-owner) wants to sell the money-pit (the land's worth a lot more). And her ex-husband is still in town, with his new family, and putting tears in her daughter's eyes daily. When country music artist Beau "The Heartbreaker" Callen landed in town (after half of his band is in jail and the other half in the hospital due to an epic brawl) and needed a place to crash, Hailey offered up her backyard guesthouse... with the caveat that Beau headline a few shows to bring patrons back to the bar. Neither Beau nor Hailey needed complications, but complications they will get... Esp. when Beau discovered that Hailey can sing... and his own backup singer had to bow out...

Good complications left and right, great escalations and rom-com. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Beautiful Storm by Mandi Blake

Tori, a nurse, married a doctor. It should be a perfect life... Both are great in their fields, and they have a great loft in Chicago... until he told her he had fallen for someone else and wanted an "easy divorce"... and even gave her the deed to a cabin in the Deep South... She'll just head south to sell the darn thing. // Marcus runs the auto-repair shop and tries to keep his siblings out of trouble since their mom is completely toxic and unable to be a parent. So what's a city girl like Tori doing in town? How did she get the deed to the grand cabin? Who is she really?

I'm really not feeling much about this one. Neighbors, sure. Small town, sure, but the two characters never really felt like having much chemistry to me. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Don't Ditch a Detective by Cami Checketts

Jed can't believe that he got pepper-sprayed while jogging behind a twitchy woman. The fact that she's beautiful (after he washed his eyes out with snow) did mollify him somewhat. Her name is Cassandra, and he knew her... She's an idealistic do-gooder who decided EVERY child is redeemable. He's a police detective who saw the worst life has to offer, for he had lived it as a foster child. But neither is entirely correct about the other. When Cassie went to Mexico to help an orphanage, and was targeted by a local cartel, will Jed and help get to her in time?

Not bad, though one really wonders if the best way to get help for an orphanage is to get help from the US rather than look for local help? Or perhaps no local help can be trusted? 4/5

GRR Reviews Christmas Like This by Carina Taylor

Marla and Trey both work at the same marketing firm but are mortal enemies... They were ordered by their boss to learn how to work together... Or else. In fact, they are both assigned to the Christmas party planning duty. But they are always verbally sparring with each other before... Each sees the other as aggravating... But it seems when Marla got a bit closer, Trey's protective... OVER-protective side comes out... and when Trey's not being a jerk, he's actually quite handsome...

Pretty good enemies to lovers kinda story. 4/5