GRR Reviews A Change in Tide by Freya Barker

Mia was hiding out in the wilderness. living in a small cottage on a lake. Her only neighbor was a gorgeous hunk... who also bonked a Barbie doll on the dock in full view. Next day, he takes in a pregnant woman. The guy turns out to be Jared, ex-hockey enforcer forced out by career-ending injury... and the pregnant woman was actually his sister, and Mia ended up delivering her baby, when her midwife training came into use. Jared likes Mia, who's a strange mix of fear and panic attack mixed with total professionalism. It was clear she was traumatized by something, and he'll be there to support her. But is that love? If he gets a new career as a coach, what happens to this relationship?

Good descriptions, and good relationship that's a bit unusual. 4/5

GRR Reviews One Look (One & Only Book 1) by Christie Ridgway

One Look while sweet has just too many characters that seems superfluous including a second couple that doesn't add to the story, various the relatives that show up with minimum effect, and an FMC that seems a bit too friendly and nosy.

Poppy Walker, the dreamer of the family, wanted to turn the few mountain cabins into a resort, even though she is a single mom with no money. When a super-hunky stranger with a wad of cash wanted to rent the first cabin she finished, and offering to pay FIVE TIMES the going rate and paid for a MONTH without batting an eye, she can't say no, even though she technically ain't open yet. And Poppy can dream about the hunk... Ryan Hamilton needed a place to hide from everybody else... and himself. March is a bad time for him... bad memories, that he doesn't want to be near anyone, because he invariably hurt them. When Poppy didn't recognize him, it's absolutely perfect... But Poppy keep trying to draw him out of his shell and her sunny disposition made her... irresistible. But when Ryan found out that Poppy has her own wounds and secrets that may rival his own, and visitors came to town, will their connection be shattered forever?

Both Poppy and Ryan have a lot of "ghosts" that haunt them that they need to resolve together, but there are just too many characters that diluted the story, from Ryan's brother and his girl, plus various relatives (all the sisters who told her it's a pipe dream) and friends all intending on "checking up" on Ryan ("I can't believe you don't know who Ryan Hamtilton is"), not to mention people who do recognize Ryan and wanted a piece of his fame, as well as Poppy's ex who seems to just show up to annoy her. Also, Poppy's vivaciousness / nosy-ness does not seem to be a prime asset for someone who wanted to run a B&B, but then, she's the dreamer of the family. All in all, a bit too confusing to be one of the author's best.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: A woman building a dream; a man who needed to be alone; and way too many people disrupting their plans

Tropes: disguise, different worlds, scars, single parent, self-exile

Overall Rating:  3/5