GRR Reviews Breakup Boot Camp by Beth Merlin

Joanna was about to get married, and she's busy getting herself into shape to fit into the wedding gown... Until a discovery led to her canceling the entire wedding... Because her fiancee is a cheater... for MONTHS. She needs help and an escape from her friends and family... so she signed up for Breakup Boot Camp... where she can learn about self-care, spa, yoga, surfing, and a lot of talking with a therapist to get over the only person she had loved... Could the cheating be partly her own fault? Why had she abandoned her career? Did she ever accept the loss in her life? What responsibility does she have in the demise of her own relationship? And does she like Chef Todd?

More chick-lit than romance, it's a bit deeper than you'd expect, and I like it. 4/5

GRR Reviews Something So Perfect by Natasha Madison

Matthew made too many mistakes as a hockey bad boy and was cut from the team at 23. When a different team wanted to give him another chance, he'll accept any terms, because he wanted to be back on the ice... Even accept a chaperone that will keep him out of trouble. He didn't expect the chaperone to be team owner's daughter, Karrie... //  Karrie was glad her father finally gave her a job... just not babysitting a washed-up hockey jock. And while Matthew is insanely hot and knew it too, he also drove her up the wall with his sweet-craziness. But as long as he's playing great and not ruining his image... it's okay, even if she ended up in his bed, right? But do they have a future together?

While dialog is good, somehow Matthew just feels a bit too... crazy? But the description is apt... it's sweet-kinda-crazy. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Aaron by Dale Mayer

Aaron is a former Navy SEAL who suffered a major injury and death of two friends by betrayal... and no one believed him. He wanted a transfer, and he was moved to Hathaway House, Texas, a new ranch/convalescent/rehabilitation home for both humans and animals. He was angry at the world, but he can't be angry at Dani, childhood friend... who runs Hathaway House with her father, simply known as "the Major". // Dani had a crush on Aaron a long time ago, and was also friends with Aaron's older brother Levi. In fact, Levi financed Aaron's transfer. And Dani will make sure Aaron gets the best care, and hopefully, realize his life is not over, and he can be the man he used to be, just maybe a little different. But is Aaron ready to see his future with her? Or will his pride ruin everything?

Good, if a bit slow. Darkest hour IMHO, with pride, works fine. 4/5

GRR Reviews Second Chance by Jane Suen

Mary Ann was just a florist in town when Connor arrived, needing flowers for his mom's funeral. They connected, and even their cats connected. But he left her to go back to his job in the city. She's sorta dating Ron now. She was shocked to find Connor at the grocery store as the clerk... and Connor is ready to woo Mary Ann back, realizing his mistake. And when a snowstorm hit the town, and he was temporarily stranded with her, this may be the chance he needs...

A bit short, not too-angsty, it's pretty clean and sweet, and it has cats. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Second Chance at Christmas Inn by Anne-Marie Meyer

Holly just inherited her grandmother's Christmas Inn, but she's more like the Scrooge. She needs the money to invest in a restaurant, so she's going to sell it, fast. When she found the will stated that she must stay at the inn through Christmas, she gritted her teeth and will make do. She didn't count on Stephen, or his adorable nephew... // Stephen had worked and live at the inn, with help of his sister and nephew, as the manager. He needs to keep a roof over his family, and Holly's insistence to sell the place will destroy his plans.  Can Stephen change Holly's mind before it's too late?

The story setup has been done before many times, and I honestly didn't feel very different with this particular approach. 3/5

GRR Reviews Pumpkin and Spice by Abby Knox

Talbot survived high school and is now a bar owner / bartender in his hometown. Once called Stoner back in high school, he has left that life behind, until Max aka Pumpkin, his high school crush, came back to town for Thanksgiving. // Max wants to avoid drama, esp. with the queen bees that ruined her high school life, though "Stoner" was nice, and now, very handsome. And this time, Stoner is going to make sure she knows what he thinks of her...

A bit short, at under 100 pages, but it has all the plot points, reunion, childhood crush, ugly duckling now a swan, etc. 4/5

GRR Reviews Aria's Christmas Wish by Victorine E Lieske

Kendra is a single mother raising her daughter the best she can, and Christmas is approaching fast. She knew who the father was... Country music star Jacob, but she can never tell him. She was petrified when Jacob returned to town, and saw her daughther. She denied she's his, but there is no mistaking those eyes. What had Jacob done for Kendra to hide a daughter from him? How can he redeem himself... and get his family back?

The reason is both reasonable yet overblown. It's nice, but not that... great. 4/5

GRR Reviews High Stakes by Kathryn Shay

Dylan O'Neil will do anything to protect his family, esp. from the likes of reporter Rachel Scott, whose leaks have endangered members of his family before, as in kidnapping attempts and more. As a columnist for a newspaper himself, he has an audience, and verbal war started between Dylan and Rachel. When the heads of both news organizations want them to work it out by having Dylan shadow Rachel's work, Dylan finally sees Rachel's private life, which is VERY different than what he imagined. And when sparks of attraction flared to life, neither can resist. But how can Dylan explain he had "fallen for the enemy"?

Ah, this is how "enemies to lovers" should be done. There are a few tropes, like the sick/comfort trope, and later, a hurt/comfort trope as well. But the build-up is exquisite. 5/5

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 Shop On Main by Kay Correll

Owen is in town to do one thing: make things right with his long-lost half-brother and the half of his family he didn't know about... By buying them a building they lost long time ago. But would that ever be enough to compensate for what his father did to both of his families? Can he ever have a family that he wanted? Falling for someone in town wasn't her plan, but Bella was so courageous, starting from almost nothing, yet with a keen eye on design... // Bella barely clawed herself out of poverty and has her own shop and home... Until someone just bought the building out from under her, leaving her with NOTHING. Then came the second betrayal... the man she fell for is the very cause of her ruination...

Somehow this story just seem to lack the overall polish, and it went for the serious angst-y tone. The conflict also seems to lack nuance. Owen is basically trying to have his cake and eat it too (trying to make up for his father's sins by buy his half brother's family a large gift) WHILE trying to save Bella's shop because he just realized he's going to make Bella homeless and jobless if he accomplish the first. Bella is basically: "I love you, but you ruined me, so I can't love you now (fix it!)"  2/5

GRR Reviews her Guardian Boss Fake Fiance by Sarah Gay

Samantha moved across the country to start a new job around Christmas break and met Teddy, her new boss, at the airport. He invited her to dinner, where she found his ex Tisha was stalking him, so she pretended to be his fiancee and he agreed. But when their car leaving dinner had a collision, Samatha was paralyzed... and Teddy married her to make sure she got better. Almost two years later, Samantha has recovered from that day, and Teddy is often there, but he has a job running a travel empire. Teddy told her that she'll let her go at 2 years. And she told herself it's best for him too. Why can't they admit their real feelings for each other?

Not really feeling the Christmas magic for this one. Circumstances are contrived, and why does Teddy feel so "responsible" for her injury that he married her while she's still loopy from the pain meds? 3/5

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 Come Undone by Crystal kaswell

Alyssa had to leave her last TV show when she fainted, suffering from bulimia as a result of binge-eating and purging cycles. Her boyfriend Ryan, who had taken care of her before, got her to rehab, and she is now okay... But Ryan refuses to let her act again, claiming she has no self-control. Alyssa also met Luke, Ryan's wilder, more passionate law partner, who doesn't like the way Ryan treats Alyssa (more like a pet than a girlfriend). But Alyssa already accepted the engagement ring from Ryan, and he did save her... right? But Luke refused to sit back, even as Alyssa grew a spine and got back into acting... and Ryan retreated into 80-hour work weeks...

While a part of a three-book series, this novel can be read alone. I like the overall feel, but I didn't like the way Ryan or Luke were set up. Ryan basically has NO redeeming qualities other than he got Alyssa to rehab, but that's a one-time event, which he used as a hammer to beat her down again and again while using her as his show-piece (on his arm at social events), as if he owned her for life "for her own good". In the meanwhile, Luke (or Lucas) is the white knight who will save her from her dreary existence under Ryan's thumb with great sex and more. If there were more nuances in the two MMC I'd give this a higher score. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Lost Memories and New Beginnings by Lorana Hoopes

Dr. Brody thought he was done with love as a widower. But when he saw the woman in the mangled car, some protective instinct stirred. Later, he realized she had lost her memories, except fear... someone was after her, and it was clear someone ran her off the road. They found out who she was, not a good person at all. But the present her isn't like that at all... And whoever targeted her is still out there...

Good romantic suspense, decent twists, 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Santa Cam by Maria Hoagland

Talia used to be an investigative reporter, but after one too many hatchet piece demanded by her editor, she had enough. She launched MyHeartChannel, but it's not doing well enough merely telling the truth. Searching for herself, she got roped into playing Elf during a Christmas community even... and she was surprised in finding Santa is none other than Camden, pro soccer star... someone she may have wronged before... // Camden just wanted to go home for Christmas, but rescuing a teammate ended up with him getting punched and a PR nightmare for the team... and he's forced to participate in community events for his "penance". Still stewing over the unfairness of it all, he found his "elf" is none other than Thalia, a reporter he had encountered before... but she's changed...

Nice, very nice. Kinda enemies to lovers, but more about the Holiday spirit and doing good than about personal love. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Broken One by Ruth Cardello

Sebastian Romano developed the single grocery store his father founded into an empire and made himself a billionaire, but the loss of his wife and unborn child years ago turned him into a workaholic robot, ready to bulldoze any opposition... Until he found a dirty stuffed wolf doll on the side of the road... // Heather is a single mom who adopted her best (dead) friend's daughter and raised her since birth, despite her own family's objections. When her daughter Ava lost her favorite stuffed animal "Wolfie" she posted a reward for its recovery. She didn't expect to have it returned by a handsome guy with the saddest eyes that she can't help but wanted to heal him. But is she ready to meet the entire Romano family? And can she teach Sebastian to have a heart again?

While the tropes are present, they are so well-polished that you don't really care. Seb really is "the broken one" and the right woman can heal him... If he will let her in. The ending is a bit reminiscent of "Pretty Woman", where he actually found a heart to be more... empathetic. Very satisfying read, and trademark Ruth Cardello story. 5/5

GRR Reviews Her Second Chance Prodigal Groom by Taylor Hart

DJ left town to play football, leaving behind his love Aspen, his abusive father (who never forgave him for not joining the military), and his twin brother Travis. Having Aspen marry his brother after his departure only made it hurt worse. Not even Travis's death in the Middle East, the birth of his nephew, and his father suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's can drag him back to his hometown. Ten years later, the death of his team owner inspired the team to have no regrets... It is time for DJ to deal with his past... But is the past ready for him?

Very nice, lots of grief, regret, and redemption. OTOH, there's a bit about the dementia father actually saying stuff like "how long was I gone?"  I'm pretty sure Alzheimer patients aren't THAT self-aware, but then, what do I know? 5/5

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 Reviews Deserving Darcy by Kiara Cawood

Keon, a doctor in London, had not had a good record with love. He met Darcy 12 years ago and married her soon after. Ten years ago, she wanted out of the marriage. Then nine-months later, her parents showed up with a baby and divorce papers. After that, Keon married Sarah, and Sarah was the only mother his daughter knew. But Sarah got alcoholism and left him to live in New Zealand. Then Darcy ended up in his emergency room... and he found to his shock that Darcy's liver is failing and she's refusing treatment. Keon shouldn't care about the woman who destroyed him and left his daughter motherless, but his plan to leave London behind and move to New Zealand (and near Sarah) is working against him... as he has just FOUR DAYS to find out why Darcy is giving up, and so his daughter would have some memories of Darcy, her birth mom. It's just for closure... right?

Okay, this plot gets a bit confusing with who knew what when, and there are too many characters to keep track of. Yes, there's certainly a LOT of emotional turmoil and angst and guilt and shame and more. And it seems everybody is keeping some secrets from someone. This is one of those books where you end up screaming at the characters "no, don't do that!!!!"  as they do some seriously TSTL moments, even though it's *almost* understandable why they did so. 4/5

GRR Reviews Veterinarian's date with a Billionaire by Amelia Addler

Juliet needs to save her veterinarian clinic serving low-income neighborhoods, and she needed to make a feel-good video featuring her former patients and their pet parents. She wasn't sure what to think when she found her junker died, and her rich but douche ex James came to her rescue. // James knew he was a douche to Juliet back in college, and he's here to make amends. Having a chance to rescue her and chauffeur her around is perfect. It also gave him a chance to get away from his over-demanding father. So they go on this road trip, take plenty of footage, and living together. And they did rekindle their relationship. But this is just temporary, right? What happens after the contest is over, whether she wins or not?

Not feeling much about this one. It's pretty obvious, from the way plot goes, that Juliet will NOT win, and this will also serve as the darkest hour, and James will get the blame. And the grand gesture will be James somehow get Juliet to forgive him. The bonding and the cute animals are nice, but that doesn't change the fact that the plotting feels flat. 3/5