GRR Reviews The Cowboy by Molly O'Keefe

Cody and Bea have an informal arrangement... No names, no faces, no talking. She's his morning girl on the balcony over his work site. He's a broken cowboy, and she'll take whatever he can give. Until he walked into her bar, and he didn't know it's her. She's in love with the broken cowboy, and she can no longer keep the secret, but he's not in love with her... at least, not the public version...

Interesting angst-y take on a bit of obsession, and somewhat unconventional. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Kyler by C A Harms

Ashlynn loved Beau... until she realized Beau had betrayed her. It was then she noticed Kyler, Beau's best friend, admired her from afar. But she worked at her father's business and that means meeting Beau and his father every once in a while, and Beau wanted her back. But Ashlynn realized Kyler was there all along... and they got together. It was a toe-curling good night... But it also came with consequences...

Pretty basic plot, no major twists or turns. Just good polish on old triangle trope. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Sounds of Secrets by Whitney Barbetti

Lotte (nickname of Charlotte) had been in love with Sam (short for Samson), but he never noticed her, apparently. Lotte always wanted to travel, despite inheriting a space as a dance studio in London. She took the risk of selling the studio and do a bit of travel in the US, but Lotte also has a hair-pulling problem... She deals with stress with hair pulling, so much sow her brows and her hair are in patches and she had to disguise it with makeup. Before she left, and after a few too many drinks, she and Sam had one night, but he left, and she... left for the US. But this roadtrip only made her realize she's a stranger in a strange land. When she suffered an injury, Sam came to the US to spend some time with her... and shared his own problems and secrets. But is that enough for a relationship?

Oooh, seriously angst-y type romance, which is this author's specialty. Her main characters are all flawed, suffering from loss and grief, yet managed to nonetheless find love. If you like serious people finding love without billionaires and other fantasy elements, this is a must-read. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Crushing on the Billionaire by Jennifer Griffith

Tatum is totally devoted to her boss, the brilliant but socially inept boss Dawson. She can't even fawn on him due to office by-laws prohibiting office romance. Not that Dawson ever notices her anyway. When Dawson's old nemesis had been secretly buying up company shares from vested employees for a hostile takeover, Dawson's lawyer discovered a bylaw that allowed Dawson's spouse to get 50% of the shares. But Dawson was divorced and can't trust anyone... So he came up with the perfect plan... have Tatum, the perfectly loyal woman he can't have, pick the perfect woman for him...

Okay, this "spouse get 50% of shares" by-law makes absolutely NO SENSE AT ALL. As all the existing shares are owned by others, the only way this can be done is to issue new shares, which creates a whole slew of other problems. I do like how the twist had been buried all along. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Tempting Levi by Jules Barnard

Levi is forced to retire from his firefighting career after an injury. He took over the family resort business after his father died, but he hates being in a suit. He needs a PA / Aide / Secretary... whatever name that goes by, but he needs one fast, because resort is bleeding money. He got one in the form of Emily... Except Emily is the little sister of his cheating ex... who slept with his brother, and betrayal still burns deep. But she has perfect qualifications, and he is attracted to her. He didn't know she wanted him for a very long time... but they have to put business first...

Good job adding some soap-opera worthy melodrama / family dynamics into a pretty stale "hot for boss" genre. 4/5

GRR Reviews Close to Her Heart by C J Carmichael

Dani is a professor, so an affair with a tenured professor wasn't a good idea, but the widower father Adrian was so compatible and swoon-worthy she succumbed to his charms. Yet Adrian always claimed to be protecting his daughter and won't commit to Dani. Then Dani found she's pregnant. She was the woman of the house raising her siblings after death of her mother. Is she ready to be a mother... esp. with the possibility that her baby may be suffering from Down's syndrome? And what about attention from her neighbor Elliot, who always wanted her, but it never seems to be the right time?

Nicely handled unrequited love with betrayal, aka A secretly loves B, but B is involved with C...  Elliot is one of the nicest guys around, and there's also a bit of "everyone but you" trope going on. Nice mix. It's just that you kinda feel that Dani is just too... weak. 4/5

GRR Reviews Bon Bons to Yoga Pants by Katie Cross

Lexie is pretty, and she knew she's overweight... over 250 pounds at age of 22... But eating for stress relief had her stuck in her ways. Fortunately, there is now an incentive... She's obsessed with Bradley, a handsome guy who seems to be into her over FB... With her younger sister's wedding coming in a few months, and she's the maid of honor (and Bradley will be there) she's determined to make a change, by joining the "Health and Happiness Society". But as Lexie slowly comes to grips with her weight problem, and the pounds started to come off, will Lexie figure out WHY she overeats, and will she see the root problem of her self-image?

Great rom-com with a lot of self-deprecating humor about her own weight, as well as going into the core problem of eating as coping mechanism to stress. It's also a bit of self-discovery. Even Bradley's too-good-to-be-true persona wasn't a total cliche. 5/5

GRR Reviews The Temptress by C J Fallowfield

Lulu came from a distinguished background. Her father works with British Intelligence, but she didn't want government service. So she created "Sweet Temptations", a honeytrap agency, to test men (and women) for their spouses, and if the customer pays well enough. to MANUFACTURE proof of straying. But her personal life floundered, for she's a single mother with a son from ONE blessed union with a Frenchmen, Luc in Paris, who's so skilled and so loving, she had not experienced such passion EVER SINCE. But due to circumstances beyond her control, she lost contact with him, and held an everlasting regret since. Her latest job came as a personal request by a Mrs. Le Grande, who flew to London specifically to meet with her, and offered up a 7-figure fee to "prove" her husband had strayed.  Seems Mr. Le Grande comes to London for a few days every week. So Lulu wore her disguise and approached the bar... and got the shock of her life... For Mr. Le Grande is none other than her Luc. Now she's caught between her job, her status quo... and her love for Luc... And Mrs. Le Grande won't let her walk away that easily...

Very good, and very hot sex. Though the frequent flashbacks to six years ago and back to today had robbed the narrative quite a bit of the momentum, IMHO. I personally would have started in the bar, as she approached the guy (she didn't know is Luc), then start the flashback, continue until they lost contact), rather than jumping back and forth between present and past. The motivations even make sense. One last remark: the first thing a blackmailer should do is to make sure there's nothing that can be held over the blackmailer him/herself, and let's just say, Mrs LeGrande didn't do that. But how that's found was a bit too... easy, as if it's a deus ex machina.  4.5/5

GRR Reviews Cherish... A Romance by Brooke St James

Charlie had been pining after Jacob for a long time, but because Jacob is committed to Haley, Charlie's friend, Charlie can only pine for Jacob from a distance. But on a group trip to Mexico, Charlie witnessed Haley cheating... So she stopped being Haley's friend. And soon, Jacob broke up with Haley after she started behaving weird. A few months later... Jacob started noticing Charlie as girlfriend material... But how would he woo her?

Somehow, the narrating style feels more "detached", even though the characters are nicely nuanced. There are no major plot twists, just old-fashioned slow-simmer attraction. 4/5

GRR Reviews That Forever Girl by Meghan Quinn

Rogan can't believe Harper, his once "forever girl", is back in town. He, in a fit of anger and desperation after the devastating news back in college, drove her away. A decade later, they can barely speak more than a few words to each other. Rogan had to reinvent himself after that fateful night, but now he's a changed man. But why is Harper back in town? Can they play nice, if she's here to stay? And why are they still drawn to each other? Is it just a phase... or are they destined to be together after all? What secrets are they hiding from each other, even as LoveMark movie scouts came to town doing some location scouting?

Very nice, even though I'm not too sure about the flashbacks, as there seems to be too many of them. Flashbacks interrupt the narrative flow. While they do add background information (we are getting glimpses into their shared past, when they were still together), they interrupt the present storyline. It just feels as if there are too many of them, that not all of them feel dramatically necessary. And I guess I don't understand the present-day anger from Rogan... was it just because he doesn't want to apologize? 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Love's Magic by Betty McLain

Mallie was hit by a car and hit her head. She's in a coma. Two rooms away, Daniel is also in a coma from a brain aneurysm. The two somehow met in their comatose state, in a meeting of minds, and vowed to be together... Even as their accidents brought relatives home, and lives changed... But can they still be a couple when they awaken?

Uh, seems Daniel's condition changed a bit during the editing. It was a brain aneurysm, but later it changed to a blood clot that traveled up from his bruised thigh to the brain (that makes it a stroke)? And there really wasn't much of a struggle. The two are mainly passively observing life going on around them. Daniel's brother is back from overseas Marine deployment, and reconnected with the town baker. Mallie's mom is afraid to show affection toward her boss who wanted her for a long time. And so on and so forth. The story went in several different directions. While I like it, it's not that extraordinary except in its novelty. 3/5

GRR Reviews Her Reluctant Boss by Sarah Gay

Hannah, after finishing law school, is back in her hometown, Sun Valley. She's ready to start and promised her boss that she will not date any of her co-workers to minimize the potential of work drama. Of course, next, she found herself staring at Simon, one of the most perfect male specimen... and boss's oldest son.  // Simon had crushed on Hannah when he was young, and now he's convinced she's the woman of his dreams, and he's determined to woo her. When a mutual friend handed him Hannah's bucket list, he's determined to help her fulfill all of them. Unfortunately, the list is actually a list of Hannah's worst fears...

Okay, good polish here and there. Overcoming one's fears is a good bonding experience, even though he didn't bother verifying the list, which leads to comedic moments. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Through the Woods by Olivia Gaines

Jazzy had always had a thing with her neighbor boy, Justin. In fact, they made a promise to marry when they are fourteen. Twenty years later, she's an accomplished horror novelist, and he just returned to town to clear his head from job burnout and from his evil ex. Then they discovered that their grandparents may have had an unrequited love for each other during times when interracial couples are spat upon... Will they have their HEA, unlike their grandparents?

The plot was practically color-blind. I barely noticed that Jazzy was supposed to be black and Justin was supposed to be white. But really, unrequited love for like 20 years? It's sweet, but somehow, the plot was a bit lacking. The background "investigation" felt tacked-on.  3.5/5

GRR Reviews The Perfect Blend by Susan Coventry

Mason knew Brooke was the one for him when she came to visit Harbor Springs a year ago. Brooke came to visit her sister Beth, and Beth is now married to Colton, Mason's brother. But Brooke wasn't ready as she's in a relationship back then. Now, Brooke fled to Harbor Springs when her fiancee broke the engagement. Mason doesn't just want to be the rebound guy, but he'll take what he can get, even if it's just friendship. But Brooke's sisters connive to pair the two together for a weekend, and perhaps, that is when they will finally learn if they are the perfect blend.

A bit of unrequited love, a lot of hidden feelings, and love at a low simmer. But even stuff on low simmer will boil over... This is a series and you'll get more out of it if you read it in order. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Red Mountain by Boo Walker

Red Mountain is home to a group of eccentrics in eastern Washington... and they all have secrets to hide.

Brooks Baker grew up on the streets and only a chance encounter with Otis Till, the legendary winemaker of Red Mountain, turned him into a master winemaker today. He loves someone, but he does not dare show it for he felt he's too broken to love...

Otis Till is getting old, and he's been known to howl at the moon, while fully nude. When he lost his ability to taste, he thought he'll put his affairs in order, until he encountered one woman who affected him like no other...

Single mother Margot Pierce left her life behind when her husband was caught cheating with his secretary red-handed. She moved to Red Mountain to build an inn, but it seems her contractor only has excuses instead of results...

High school senior Emilia just wanted to be normal, but with two ultra-famous parents, she may never be normal, except for one boy who sees her as she is, Margot's son.

The lives of these people and people around them are soon affecting each other. And secrets soon came to light, yet everybody has something to hide. And this mountain community will be challenged like it had never seen...

It's an ensemble cast, and it's an intriguing one, as there are additional characters (as I mentioned, and there are even more). And the author was able to juggle all these characters and plot so there never was a dull moment. It's great storytelling.  5/5

GRR Reviews Tempted by the Lawman by Joann Baker and Patricia Mason

Ethan is a special agent of the FBI, with a tragedy in his past that he never wants to talk about. He's too hurt to let anyone else in ever again. Being shot in the line of duty was simply part of the job. Being helped by his best friend's PA, Chloe, was unexpected, and their chemistry is undeniable. And he was surprised to learn that Chloe had a bit of a crush on him for a while. And Ethan found himself attracted to this BBW. But the guy who shot him is still out there... And someone near Chloe is about to betray her...

Eh... okay? No, the whole book is NOT about hurt/comfort. I found "flirty neighbor" to be a bit "out of nowhere". I think more hints could have been dropped about him having shady deals. And surely there are ways OUT of the country that doesn't involve "making a deal" with law enforcement? 3/5

GRR Reviews Her Lost Chance Boss by Jennifer Youngblood

Reese loves her boss, Adam, but her boss had married her best friend, and she can't get between them. So she simply wished them the best and went on working for him as his assistant. Death of his wife didn't really change things, until one day, he admitted his love for him. And he kissed her, but she can't... and Adam promised never to bring it up again. Four years later, Adam's daughter wanted to put him up on a blind date and wanted Reese to show Adam how to date again. Reese is extremely conflicted. She both wanted Adam to be happy, and jealous that it wasn't with her. Can she admit to herself that she should go for what she wants... Or will she stay safe and not risk her heart again?

Sweet, but the threat a bit... Meh.

Spoiler: It's a ploy by the daughter to push them both together.  Though the combination everyone-but-you and Cyrano plot was a great rom-com plot. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews No Time for Apologies by Jean C Gordon

Kate wanted to work her way to the top of Wall Street, but she was turned down again and again for a deserved promotion to fund manager, instead of just researcher. When she got a summer assistant, Jon, she was sure this assistant will be offered a full-time position and soon be promoted over her. But Jon insists he's just there for the summer, for he fully intends to take on a teaching job in the fall as he also has to work on his grandfather's cattle farm. And Jon also revealed he had admired Kate back in high school. When a twist of fate forced the two to compete for the position of fund manager, even as both fell for each other outside of work, will their relationship survive?

Now that's a good way to force the two lovers to compete instead. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Executive's Secret by Kimberley Montpetit

Caleb and his partners have built a billion-dollar enterprise in the past decade. But he had never forgotten Kira back in a Denver high school, the pianist that he admired... from two rows back. Back then, he's the invisible geek with the greasy hair and acne. But now, he's gorgeous, rich, and if he wanted to be, irresistible. In the very evening when he and his team returned to Dever, Colorado, he found Kira, as one of the waitresses there... // Kira had to quit school after an auto accident crippled her father and now, her mother had gotten dementia. She's barely scraping by, helping her parents with the medical bills. She did not remember Caleb, but when a handsome and rich guy pays attention to you, you can't ignore it... And Caleb wanted to help Kira... and have a relationship with her, if possible. But Caleb has a secret that can destroy EVERYTHING...

Ah, the geek gone gorgeous, sorta genderbent ugly duckling, and rich as sin. There's gotta be a downside, and it's that secret he'd been hiding. Let's just say it's NOT QUITE as bad as you'd expect it to be, even though it was very selfish of him, even though it's also kinda sweet if you look at it a different way.  I guess the problem is Caleb is almost a bit TOO good and ideal. And Kira a little TOO selfless.  4.5/5

GRR Reviews Only A Night With A Billionaire by Ellie Hall

Penny got an apprenticeship position with the head royal baker in London. But getting lost in the palace and having a Cinderella moment admiring all the beautiful ball gowns lead to a case of mistaken identity: she's NOT princess Penelope... but when the queen greeted you as a niece, how do you say no? And when it turns out she's to meet no less than Prince Oliver and participate in a royal version of "The Bachelor" with 3 other princesses, Penny fainted on the spot. She had a crush on Oliver for years. Being picked as the future queen of Concordia alongside Oliver is a dream... or a nightmare, as she's sure her deception will be revealed any moment...

Okay, I like the tension, but the rescue scenario does NOT work at all. How can a train, having outrun an avalanche, FAILED TO NOTICE that it is SEVERAL CARS short, one of which contains the king and queen to be? And who uses ladders for rescues nowadays? It's rescue baskets and winches! And finally, what a deus ex machina. I knew there is going to be a twist, but it felt... forced.

Category: Contemporary / Royalty

Overall Rating: 3/5

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