GRR Reviews He Said Together by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Available on Kindle Unlimited as of review date. 

Kal and his twin Riley have very different views on life. Riley wanted to learn about the Corisis, but Antonio Corisi was the one who broke their mother's back, putting the fear into her for as long as they had lived. Kal on the other hand, refuse to trust anyone, but will do whatever it takes for his family, including becoming the premier exotic dancer in Vegas... // Jade thought she knew passion looked like, until she saw Kal's performance, as "Invio" on stage. But when she found out her fiancee had been cheating at that very moment, then her bridesmaids left her, drunk and wallet-less, at her own bachelorette party, she was saved by Kal / Invio, who encouraged her to seek out her own dreams instead of merely accepting what's in front of her. Some time later, Kal was suddenly financially free, and the only woman on his mind was Jade. But is Jade ready for him when he said forever? 

Very interesting emotional arc, as Kal's mistrust, or lack of faith, is making him fail his own connection to his own family, and his tendency to find a place to sulk and brood instead of talking was a part of his arc to come out of it. Jade's arc is transition from a rather... mousy girl who thought she just wanted a family to a woman who wanted the right man, in his right mind. 

4.5/5

GRR Reviews Going Down Hard by Carly Phillips

Cassie wanted to save her family company left by her grandpa, and she worked hard and is the chief editor of a subsidiary magazine. Getting an interview with Derek, founder of Blink and new tech billionaire, would be the scoop of a lifetime. But Derek was her gardener's son... Make that, former gardener, and Derek does not grant interviews, ever. Still, it wouldn't hurt to try... // Derek knew Cassie as someone who went along with mean girls that humiliated him. When her father accused his mother of stealing jewelry and kicked them out with no references and no insurance, it lead to his father's death. He was sure of that. Yet here is Cassie needing something from him, and there is a connection. He was shocked to learn that she and her mother (supposed owner of the missing jewelry) never knew they were fired and blacklisted. When Cassie found that her father had given the job of CEO to her brother, who never spent a day working, and also kicked her out of her place to make way for her brother, she has no one to turn to except Derek...

While there is proper karma for the bad guy, it was all tell and no show. Which is quite unsatisfying. The character arcs also feel shallow. Cassie was hardworking but totally naive and powerless against others, other than minor passive-aggressive defiant gestures. Derek was the angry young man who wanted revenge, and actually softened up a little. The problem is Cassie's father, who really shows no sign of competence whatsoever, until after the bit where Cassie talked to her mom, and her mom promised to give her father an earful. There's really NO SIGN that he would change, then he did. It doesn't FEEL right. 3/5

GRR Reviews Off The Hook by Laura Drewry

Kate jumped on the chance to learn all about a fishing lodge with a secret mission from her boss, who suggested that since the existing owners are unlikely to be able to afford their tax bill, much less refurb the place to re-open, she may be running it when it's all over. But when she realized one of the co-owners was her ex, Liam, to whom she was married to for less than a day, 10 years ago, this may turn into an impossible assignment... // Liam was a pitcher in the Major Leagues, but he's getting old and his prior injury means no team wanted to hire him... for now. That means he needs to move back home and help his brothers get the fishing lodge their late father left them... and a mountain of unpaid taxes and "deferred maintenance". Marrying Kate in a drunken stupor, then leaving in the middle of the night and divorce by mail was not the smartest thing he'd done, but he felt it was necessary. Now that Kate is here... 

Excellent "conflicting feelings" reunion, with a couple layers of motivations. Kate refused to leave because she MAY get a managerial job out of this, and Liam... simply can't afford to let her go, not to mention they really do have feelings for each other. Unfortunately, one of the plot points required a "most fortuitous accident" and I feel that's a weak point of the book. Though the end is very satisfying.  4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Secret One by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Same series as "The Broken One" and "The Wild One"

McKenna was raised by her single father ex-race car driver to be independent and excel in a world dominated by men. And after a talk with "Chris" in a bar, she decided to dedicate her life to make her father's dream happen. And she did... by building her own raceway and an auto business like no other. When she met this down-to-earth guy with a broken (rare) car on the side of the road, she can't help but feel there's a prior connection... Turns out, he is Christof... aka Chris that inspired her to go after her dreams. She's even more surprised to learn he's Christof Romano, a billionaire... She's surprised again, when he invited her to Italy... to help him broker peace between an ultra-rich man looking for answers and a protective family hiding a secret...  

The story is between Christof and McKenna. I like the way the author handled the different personalities of the different sons, as each brother (Sebastian, Mauricio, and now Christof) really do have personalities, and they josh each other in a loving way. Females in this author's books are independent with their own careers and priorities, and her man will have to fit into her life, instead of her being molded into his. Christof was the diplomat of the family, and his job is difficult because this time, he's up against someone whose fortune and power are orders of magnitude above his own. I just wish McKenna had more of a role during the negotiations that applies her talent in some way.  4/5

GRR Reviews Romance Reset by Kay Lyons

 Amelia is 38, single, and wants a family. She wants it so much, she had an appointment at a sperm bank. So her bestie mounted an intervention... By hiring a matchmaker for her. Her bestie insists that Amelia needs a romance reset before embarking on single parenthood. And guess what fate had in store for Amelia? A blind date reunion with her first love Lincoln... // Lincoln is a widower and empty nester now that his twins are off to college. But online dating is not for him. Hiring a matchmaker seems to be a great idea. When his first date in 20 years turned out to be his first love... // It all seems to be a match made in heaven, but is Lincoln ready to be a dad again? 

Pretty good. The serendipity is heavy, and the odd deadline (for the sperm bank) feels a bit overdramatic but works within the context. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Magic of Found Objects by Maddie Dawson

 Phronsie, betrayed by love, is moving back to her hometown for a break. Meeting her best male friend Judd (since kindergarten!) again was great... Then he had a crazy idea... They are best friends, already knew everything about each other. Since passion inevitably fizzles, but friendship stays... Maybe they should get married. And she said yes... Because it made so much sense. But as the preparations get underway, and as the wedding date gets ever closer, Phronsie started having doubts... Just what does it mean to be in love?

An interesting flip of the trope... Usually, you have the reverse... The heart wants the other, but the head says "are you SURE!?"  This one has the head say "makes perfect sense" and the heart goes "but what are you missing?!?"  4/5

GRR Reviews Country Gold by Heatherly Bell

Luke and Lexi used to be inseparable... they were members of the Wilder Sisters country music act... Then one sister made a mistake, and the band fell from grace. Luke was offered his own chance of being a country superstar... and the sisters... semi-retired to run the Wilder B&B in Whistle Cove, near Monterey Bay, California, that was owned by their grandma. Lexi told herself that she is tired of being always on the road, and this is for the best, but does she miss Luke and the performing life? // Luke never wanted to trade fame and fortune for the woman he loved. Now that his national tour is done, he's heading back to Whistle Cove and... do what? Rekindle his love for Lexi? Convince her to come out of hiding and come back to Nashville with him? Or just to prove that he never wanted to leave her? 

Excellent push-pull, and setting up opposites. Lexi started as a performer and fell into an innkeeper. Luke started off as a nobody and rose to country stardom. But there had a history together, being totally in love, until circumstances forced them apart. Now he wants to make amends... and "reclaim" his woman... if she will have him. I am a little dismayed by climax, which was a cliche "misunderstanding and I am not going to let you explain" that felt out of place.  4/5

GRR Reviews The Lost Art of Reverie by Rae Walsh

Katie was betrayed twice by people she trusted, which gave her PTSD and nervous breakdown. When she got a notice that she has inherited grandma's Victorian in the town of Aveline, where she had great time as a kid, it seems to be the perfect escape. And her recovery lead her to dream about opening a new town cafe, putting her culinary dreams into reality... But she wasn't counting on meeting Sam again... // Sam was burned in a relationship twice by the same woman... and has vowed to stay out of entanglements. But meeting Katie again may change his mind, esp. when he's helping her build her new town cafe at the house... // As Sam and Katie fell for one another, a betrayal from an unexpected direction will put that relationship to the ultimate test... 

The book managed to not be preachy yet religious. There was basically ONE Bible quote, and it was used very smartly. However, the beginning was extremely slow, as we are treated to a series of flashbacks outlining how good Katie's life was when young, then the two betrayals (with very little detail, more of a teaser / aftermath)  They didn't catch my attention. I had to finish those, then I got to the chapter of her arriving in town and getting to know the town again. THEN things started to pick up. While those early chapters did manage to "show", not just tell her mental state after two betrayals, they are not exactly good starter hooks. 

3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5

GRR Reviews Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade

Eli is an air force pilot who wanted to date the town baker Penelope. However, in their last meeting, he forgot to mention that he's due for a deployment to the Middle East soon and while they did have a good time right up to the point she found out, she's hardened her heart to all airmen, because they are all cocky bas****s who can't be trusted. She tried to trust one, only to be betrayed. Months later, he's back stateside, and he wants another chance, and helping his best friend's family, which happens to involve Penelope's sister, through a medical crisis after a difficult birth, is a perfect opportunity to convince Penelope that he may be the one for her... 

A novella at just under 100 pages, it actually contains a good amount of plot and some good back-and-forth between Eli and Penelope. 

4/5

GRR Reviews Always Will by Claire Kingsley

Selene is doing great professionally, but not so well personally, as she keeps finding and dating losers... But she's kinda addicted to "bad boys" who leave her frustrated. When a man from her past is the new owner of the company, she's at a quandary what to do next... // Ronan plays to win, after a personal tragedy changed his view on life. He was shocked to find the woman who haunted his dreams is now one of his employees. He must have her... but can he keep her?

Eh... I'm not too sure about this one. Ronan just doesn't feel that sympathetic at the beginning. It wasn't until we learned about WHY he's that way that he became a bit more likable. I'm going to borrow a term from screenwriting... The main character seems to be lacking a "save the cat" moment, to prove he's not beyond redemption. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Hello Dr. Christmas by Olivia Noble

Clara, the ballerina, may have just suffered a career-ending injury, leaving her understudy to take over. Dr. Klause Anderson is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon that is visiting his brothers in the US, and still running from the grief of losing his wife. The two met in a bar, recognized each other's sadness, and agreed to a no-name one-night encounter... that left both satisfied... Until they met the next day... as doctor/patient. It's clear that they share some tremendous chemistry, but is Klaus, aka Dr. Christmas, ready to move on from his tragedy? Or will Clara always be second place to a ghost?

Short, but quite emotional. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Back To You by Hunter J Keane

Noelle drove far with her nephew and niece to start over in Starlight Valley after a family tragedy. Her niece isn't happy that they're now in a strange town and living on a Christmas tree farm, but her nephew seems to be interested in this new world... Until Noelle realized this is also where Evan lived. // Evan had to abandon his dreams of pro hockey after an injury, and lost Noelle. Now he's back to help run his aunt's Christmas tree farm...  and so did Noelle. Is this the second chance that they needed? Or are they too hurt to see it?

Seen the setup before, decent polish. 4/5

GRR Reviews Roping the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox

Katarina and Braxton had a hot and steamy one-night stand. But next morning Kat threw him out and then pretend he never existed. So when Kat later showed up at Braxton's Circle B Ranch B&B to serve her gluten-free sugar-free organic pastries, it's time for Braxton's revenge... Practical jokes soon turned into all-out prank war... Katarina will deny her attraction to Braxton, but Braxton is determined to show her that he wants her... long-term...

Pretty funny short, good chemistry. 4/5

GRR Reviews Plain Jayne by Laura Drewry

Nick and Jayne grew up together, and had been best friends for twenty-five years. But Nick married someone else, and Jayne moved away. She came back to attend his wife's funeral four years ago, but he had to ask her to leave when Nick's mother became VERY distraught and angry at her presence. But Jayne is now back to clean up her grandma's estate, a bookstore that closed up seemingly for no reason. She plans to reopen the store and make a life for herself in town... But that plan got derailed when she saw Nick again, who's dating Lisa now...

I don't feel the chemistry between the two. Friendship, sure. Denial of love, sure. But chemistry? Didn't feel any. Nick pretty much denied he's in love with Jayne right up to the very end. And his family's hostility toward Jayne was never quite explained. Grandma's estate and will was basically manipulation from beyond the grave, and it FELT like manipulation, and it was only then did we get Jayne's true backstory, about why grandma was so "cruel" to her. The story elements just didn't really come together for me. 3/5

GRR Reviews Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels

Presley thought her life was going fine, until it was turned not just upside down, but went through a tornado... She found her husband not only hung himself but also left her a pile of debt and to raise 3 boys alone. She had no choice but to return to Tennessee and her family while maintaining the fiction (for sake of her boys) that their father died from a heart attack. But returning home also means meeting the one that betrayed her... Zach... His career didn't work out.  Is there a chance for them to reconcile? Is she ready to move on from the two devastating betrayals she had suffered?

I am a bit conflicted about this story. The setup about her dead husband's betrayal took up quite a bit of space, that just feels long and drawn-out, and instead of coming all at once, they hit one at a time. I felt the intro could have been handled better, like when she's hounded by bill collectors or something. I have a little problem with the original reason they broke up, which she counts as a betrayal. It makes her sound like a whiny b****. The reunion is okay. 3.5/5

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 Cowboy SEAL Homecoming by Nicole Helm

Alex left Montana behind a long time ago with his bad memories, and became a navy SEAL, an elite warrior. But when injuries forced him and two fellow teammates to retire, there is no place to go except back home... and meeting Becca who now lives there... a step-sister he never really knew. Becca will help Alex turned the family ranch into an equine therapy center to help wounded veterans, but will she also rope Alex's heart?

While this is technically a step-sibling romance, the two are so estranged they may as well be strangers. Romance is slow simmer. This is a series starter, and the setup is good. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Christmas Compromise by Susan Hatler

Morgan is back in her hometown in Montana, now armed with a cosmetology degree and ready to open her hair salon, and she already leased the place. Running into Dallas at the location is a surprise, which turned into total shock when he also produced a lease, for the SAME LOCATION signed on the same day, and he needs the place for his furniture store... and the landlord is out of the country! It doesn't help that Morgan had a crush on Dallas from way back when... because Dallas is her brother's best friend... and also the one her family blamed for its greatest tragedy. Now forced together, it's clear they have great chemistry together, but will the guilt and blame tear them apart?

Not the first book that featured "double-leased" trope, but well-executed, with a couple layers of mixed feelings on top of it. 4/5

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