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 Choose Me by Donya Lynne
NOTE: HFN ending, continues for 2 more books
Greyson is rich and so well-endowed, most women cower in fear when they... uh... see how big he really is (down there). And he refused to date any engaged or married women. Which seriously restricted him to mostly... his own hands. So he spent most of his efforts on growing his sports equipment empire... and next on the list to acquire is Freedom Cycle. // Katherine has two kids whom she just sent off with her ex (and his new wife) to California for the next two months. She had an annual tradition of going on a "Manhunt", to find a boyfriend for the summer... and break up just before her kids come back. She's also about to become the new CEO of her family bicycle company, Freedom Cycle, when her father retires VERY soon. // Katherine and Greyson met at a club, and the attraction is instantaneous. But neither knew of the other's full identity. Katherine sees Greyson as her perfect summer fling, and Greyson sees Katherine as the only women so far who can take him full-on, and enjoy it, practically "made for him". Then they discovered that he's trying to buy her company, which she won't agree in a million years...
Sex is hot, if in a very cavalier way, and let's just say they seem to enjoy making out in public restrooms more than in beds. It's a bit off-putting at first, until you get into it. 4/5
Greyson is rich and so well-endowed, most women cower in fear when they... uh... see how big he really is (down there). And he refused to date any engaged or married women. Which seriously restricted him to mostly... his own hands. So he spent most of his efforts on growing his sports equipment empire... and next on the list to acquire is Freedom Cycle. // Katherine has two kids whom she just sent off with her ex (and his new wife) to California for the next two months. She had an annual tradition of going on a "Manhunt", to find a boyfriend for the summer... and break up just before her kids come back. She's also about to become the new CEO of her family bicycle company, Freedom Cycle, when her father retires VERY soon. // Katherine and Greyson met at a club, and the attraction is instantaneous. But neither knew of the other's full identity. Katherine sees Greyson as her perfect summer fling, and Greyson sees Katherine as the only women so far who can take him full-on, and enjoy it, practically "made for him". Then they discovered that he's trying to buy her company, which she won't agree in a million years...
Sex is hot, if in a very cavalier way, and let's just say they seem to enjoy making out in public restrooms more than in beds. It's a bit off-putting at first, until you get into it. 4/5
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
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 All for Love by Lucy Kevin
Paige is a dance instructor, who inherited the dance gene of the family, and still grieves over losing her mother and betrayed by the only guy she ever loved. But this Christmas break will be spent teaching a hot TV star how to dance... // Christian is a hot TV star on a hit medical show who just got his movie star break... He'll star in the remake of the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers classic, but he needs serious lessons ASAP. // Chemistry sizzled between the two from the first meeting. Christian never knew someone like Paige existed, so effortlessly beautiful and talented, with virtually no ego... so much so she's self-effacing. And Paige sees Christian as nice, lovely, shares her passions, but she can never be worthy... or can she?
Good polish on the old "different worlds" story, peppered with good details and plot developments as well as trivia about the old classic. The grand gesture at the end is right on the money. So why not 5/5? No karma for the evil ex. 4.5/5
Good polish on the old "different worlds" story, peppered with good details and plot developments as well as trivia about the old classic. The grand gesture at the end is right on the money. So why not 5/5? No karma for the evil ex. 4.5/5
GRR Reviews A Chocolate-Box Christmas by Josie Riviera
Maise, the latest food critic for Bloomingfield Daily Dispatch, was sent to attend a Christmas chocolate cookie contest as one of the celebrity judges. Unfortunately, Maise is having a hard time purging memories of... well, tossing up her chocolate cookies after bad sushi. She wasn't expecting gorgeous Ben, co-owner of one of the chocolate shops, and last stop on her tasting. Ben handles the business side... not the chocolate side. And when he was hesitant answering some questions, her reporter's sense got a tingle... She smells a story (in addition to the chocolate) and he smells... her...
I'm not sensing much beyond pretty much a boy meets girl story, and this is a VERY short 50 page thing. 3/5
I'm not sensing much beyond pretty much a boy meets girl story, and this is a VERY short 50 page thing. 3/5
GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Ex-Boyfriend Fake Fiance by Christine Kersey
Librarian Ashleigh is doing a fundraiser dinner for the Emerald Falls Library for more computers and books. When her bestie, and the auctioneer, put her on the auction block (for a date), she tolerated it... Until she saw who won the date... Her ex Chase, now a billionaire. // Chase didn't even planned to be back, but when he heard that his mom's cancer is no longer in remission, and it's time to start hospice care, he had to come back. Winning the date was just him trying to play nice (he's late to buy anything else). But when his mom desired to see him settle before she passes, Chase thought of staging a fake engagement and maybe a fake wedding... After all, Ashleigh is a good girl... but hates his guts for leaving her a decade ago... right?
Eh, the circumstances forcing them together just feels a bit... meh, as if a bit contrived, but usually that's how this sort of story goes. 3.5/5
Eh, the circumstances forcing them together just feels a bit... meh, as if a bit contrived, but usually that's how this sort of story goes. 3.5/5
GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Alternate Marriage by Tami Dearen
Rylie had been crushing on Jarrett, even though Jarrett dated her twin sister Carlie. But Carlie dumped Jarrett for a singing career in Nashville. Years later, Carlie is hiding out from a scandal and living with Rylie... when Rylie found that Jarrett has moved in next door, and is now a billionaire. But Jarrett wants to adopt Gabe and despite his riches, he can't seem to get adoption approved... unless he got married. The logical choice would be Carlie, who can use a boost for her career, being associated with a billionaire. But when timing did not work out, Jarrett ended up marrying Rylie instead, as a marriage of convenience. It's just to adopt Gabe, they said to themselves... Each was convinced that the other wanted someone else... Can they ever admit their real feelings?
Good setup and no logic holes or plot holes I can see, just a lot of inconvenient timing (like Carlie fell sick just before the marriage timing) but if rom-coms can do it, so can regular romances. 4/5
Good setup and no logic holes or plot holes I can see, just a lot of inconvenient timing (like Carlie fell sick just before the marriage timing) but if rom-coms can do it, so can regular romances. 4/5
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
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 Walker Island Box Set Vol I (1-3) by Lucy Kevin (aka Bella Andre)
THREE BOOK COLLECTION will be rated separately, with an overall rating at the end. These novels are pretty short (barely over 100 pages) and sweet.
Be My Love
Hanna Walker returns to her home, Walker Island, to make a documentary about her namesake, and to document the Walker / Peterson feud that had been going on for decades. She was surprised when Joel Peterson denied her request to access the island archives. When Joel found he can't stop Hannah, he joined her on her quest, determined to see the truth told. But as they started to unravel the mystery around the origins of the feud, they also found their attraction toward each other growing. And love may be the one thing that will finally end the feud once and for all...
Pretty good with a mystery as the framing plot, sort of opposites attract, plus a family feud, good conflicting responsibilities. 4.5/5
No Other Love
Morgan Walker is back at Walker island to launch her organic makeup line, after being a celebrity makeup artist in New York for many many years, and is about to get her own TV makeover show. Having her own family plot growing her own organic plants for her makeup line would be perfect, esp. when she'll be seeing her entire family of sisters and grandma. But that also means she'll see Brian, her ex, whom she broke up with seven years ago... for her career. And this time, he wasn't ready to let her get away again.
Not feeling too much with this one except regrets and promises. 3.5/5
When It's Love
Rachel wanted adventure... Until her BF dumped her when he found she's pregnant six years ago. Left to fend for herself as single mother, Rachel had help from her family on Walker island. Rachel was not worried about the professional surfer Nicholas in town, as he's there to do a TV show. But when she's asked to step in for a lead role, she found that perhaps, she can use some adventure in her life after all...
Rachel basically has to learn to love again, while Nicholas... is the guy to offer her the chance. Good polish, nothing too special. 3.5/5
Overall rating 4/5
Be My Love
Hanna Walker returns to her home, Walker Island, to make a documentary about her namesake, and to document the Walker / Peterson feud that had been going on for decades. She was surprised when Joel Peterson denied her request to access the island archives. When Joel found he can't stop Hannah, he joined her on her quest, determined to see the truth told. But as they started to unravel the mystery around the origins of the feud, they also found their attraction toward each other growing. And love may be the one thing that will finally end the feud once and for all...
Pretty good with a mystery as the framing plot, sort of opposites attract, plus a family feud, good conflicting responsibilities. 4.5/5
No Other Love
Morgan Walker is back at Walker island to launch her organic makeup line, after being a celebrity makeup artist in New York for many many years, and is about to get her own TV makeover show. Having her own family plot growing her own organic plants for her makeup line would be perfect, esp. when she'll be seeing her entire family of sisters and grandma. But that also means she'll see Brian, her ex, whom she broke up with seven years ago... for her career. And this time, he wasn't ready to let her get away again.
Not feeling too much with this one except regrets and promises. 3.5/5
When It's Love
Rachel wanted adventure... Until her BF dumped her when he found she's pregnant six years ago. Left to fend for herself as single mother, Rachel had help from her family on Walker island. Rachel was not worried about the professional surfer Nicholas in town, as he's there to do a TV show. But when she's asked to step in for a lead role, she found that perhaps, she can use some adventure in her life after all...
Rachel basically has to learn to love again, while Nicholas... is the guy to offer her the chance. Good polish, nothing too special. 3.5/5
Overall rating 4/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)