Adored by You by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

Can the sergeant and the celebrity get their second chance?

Sergeant Noah West was eighteen years old the last time he saw Paige Walker. He joined the Marines for a more stable life and she left to chase her movie star dreams. But no matter where the Marine Corps sends him, he can't help but hope that their paths might one day cross again.

Paige was catapulted into stardom when she landed the role of a lifetime on what would become one of prime time’s biggest medical dramas. After eight years on the show, she’s ready for a change. There’s just one problem—no one thinks she can play anything other than the role that made her famous.

In a happy twist of fate, Noah and Paige are reunited thanks to a film opportunity in San Diego. She'll need his help to secure the part, but Noah isn't willing to let their relationship be purely business. As old fires spark back to life, can they pick up where they left off despite the scars from their time apart?

My Review: 5 Stars

When it comes to reading, one of my favorite sayings is: You can't read all day... unless you start in the morning! Guess what I've been doing most of the day?! That's right! Reading! What else was I supposed to do when my body decided I had had enough sleep at 3:26am?! Haha. 

I'm sure I'm not the only one that loves when a book can sweep you off your feet and give you that much needed break from reality. That's exactly what happened while reading this book. The second chance romance trope is one of my favorites. There's just something about seeing two people who are meant to be together, reunite and finally get their HEA. 

I thought I was going to have a hard time relating to Paige. But I really shouldn't have been worried. I absolutely adored her and Noah. Their reunion was 8 years in the making and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. Their fun, easy going vibe made it easy to relate to them. They both were selfless and had the biggest hearts. Making others happy is what made them happy. They are truly perfect for each other. They are definitely one of my favorite couples in this series.

I loved seeing all our favorite Marines and their families in this book. Today, being Thanksgiving, was the perfect day to read it. It made the Thanksgiving weekend in the book extra special. It's a little bittersweet to see this series end, but this was the perfect ending to an amazing series. I'm so glad that Ms. Mastorakos isn't ready to say goodbye to our friends forever. I'm looking forward to their cameos in the next series. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us! 

And of course I can't forget my casting. Y'all! I am in love! What do you think?!

Marine's Mission by Rebecca Deel

 

Synopsis:

When Gigi Warren lands in the crosshairs of terrorists, she turns to a Marine with the lethal skills necessary to keep her alive. Owen Montgomery will do whatever it takes to bring down the terrorist organization threatening the woman he loves and protect national security, but he never expected to partner with Gigi on a mission so dangerous neither may survive. To defend the country he loves and the woman he adores, Owen may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review: 4 Stars

It always feels like Christmas when a favorite author releases a new book. I get excited, let out a little squeal and do a little happy dance. There's nothing better than diving into a new book! 

Owen's and Gigi's story did not disappoint. It was face-paced and action-packed from the very beginning. I have been intrigued by these two since they were introduced in Security Breach. The chemistry between them leaves no doubt to the reader that there's some kind of history between them. After loving each other from afar, they decided it was finally time to take that leap into the unknown. I really enjoyed watching these two figure out their relationship and where it would lead. The ending was super cute.  

And it's always fun to see old friends from previous books. They never disappoint when it comes to razzing the hero of the book. I was excited to see more of the Texas team in this one. I can't wait until we get their books. I'm mostly looking forward to Jesse's book... 😉

Sadly, there was something that kept me from really loving this book. This is the second book, that I can think of off the top of my head, where one of the characters turned out to be the complete opposite of who they usually are. Maddox, who is an over-the-top Alpha male, would never consider sending in a civilian with absolutely zero training or experience into this kind of situation where there's an extremely high possibility of her getting killed. There was no backup for Owen and Gigi to speak of. Everyone was on the outside with no way to get to them quickly. This is not the style of the Fortress teams that we all know and love. I love that the heroines are far from pushovers, but there are times that they are put in situations that they would never actually be in.

Now don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. I had a hard time putting it down. Ms. Deel is a master a keeping me on the edge of my seat wondering what's going to happen with each turn of the page. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! Jackson's book is another one that I've been dying to read! I. Can't. Wait! 

And of course I can't forget my casting. I'm not going to lie... this one was hard! I had to make sure I've never used these two in any of my other reviews! Haha. But I do love them! What do you think?!

2020 Swoony Awards - Let the Voting Begin Y'all!

 Welcome to the 2020 Swoony Awards! 

The Swoony Awards are a Reader’s Choice Award recognizing excellence in clean secular, wholesome romance. We wanted a way to show our appreciation to these awesome authors who write the kind of books that we love. It’s also a great way to find new books and a good go-to when looking for something fun to read.

As you may know, last year we switched up the voting process. Some loved it, while others did not. Now, don't hate us, but the voting is going to be different again this year. We've loved that it's been a surprise the last couple of years and we wanted to continue having it be a surprise. We think we've figured out a way to engage everyone from our Goodreads list as well as our Google list.

How are we going to do that? Well, we are going to be doing TWO voting rounds this year.

For the FIRST round, if you're on Goodreads you can vote for your favorite books on our 2020 Swoony Award list. Here's the link: tinyurl.com/2020SwoonyAwards. You can vote for up to 100 books. 

If you're not on Goodreads, you can vote through our Google Form. Here's the link: tinyurl.com/2020SwoonyAwardsGoogle. If you're using the Google Form, all you'll need to do is enter in the title and author. There's no limit to the amount of books you can vote for.

For the SECOND round, we will be taking the top FIVE books from each category and adding them to a NEW Google Form. You will be able to vote for up to THREE books in each category. We know some of you did not like voting via the Google Form last year, but we think it was because you had to physically type in your votes under specific categories, which was probably overwhelming. This year, we're trying to make it easier for everyone. All you'll need to do is choose from the books already listed.

Voting for ROUND 1 is OPEN and will END on December 5, 2020. Voting for ROUND 2 will START on December 12, 2020 and END on December 31, 2020. 

Winners will be announced the first part of January 2021.

The eligibility has not changed. But to refresh your memory...

Eligibility
-ONLY books PUBLISHED January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020 are eligible.
-Books must be published OR have arc reviews before nomination. Since the award is based on readers having actually read and enjoyed the book(s) they are voting for, the book has to have been published or arcs read in order to receive votes.
-Intimacy: No sex, no/low closed door/fade-to-black, no/low innuendo, nothing crude or crass. G-PG13.
-Language: None/mild (No F words or other explicit language) nothing overly crude.
-Violence: Mild/low.
-Page Count: 100 pages or higher, anthologies are okay. No short stories. No collections.
-Age: Only Young Adult, New Adult and Adult. NO children’s or middle grade.
-Religious: No Christian fiction, some *very mild* religious elements may be allowed.

We're all looking forward to the Swoony Awards this year and hope you are as well! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Happy voting Book Dragons!

Hidden Gems

Welcome to Hidden Gems hosted by KJ's Book Nook! Once a month I'll feature a new to me author that I've discovered and fell in love with their books. I'll share the author's bio, one of my favorite books of theirs and a review.

For this month's Hidden Gems I am going to choose...

Jess Mastorakos

Jess Mastorakos writes clean military romance books that feature heroes with heart and the strong women they love. She is a proud Marine wife and mama of four. The happy family is currently stationed in Hawaii. She loves her coffee in a glitter tumbler and planning with an erasable pen.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ever since I discovered Rebecca Deel, I've had my eyes open for more military and/or personal security books. *Newsflash* The majority of the ones out there are NOT clean. It was a VERY happy day when I discovered Jess Mastorakos through another author's newsletter. Please don't ask me who it was because I am racking my brain and cannot remember! Haha. But whoever it was, I will be forever grateful for them featuring her. She was quickly added to my favorites and auto-buy lists. 

I was going to feature the first book in the series in my post but then I read Believing in You. I hadn't even finished the book before I decided I was switching out the books. You will definitely thank me.. I promise! And if you don't? Well.. then I don't know if we can be friends. 😉

How do you make a long-distance relationship last? Don't fall for your brother's best friend.

While on deployment, Jake Murphy takes to online dating hoping to find someone to share forever with back home. His connection with a beautiful kindergarten teacher is everything he was looking for. That is, until he realizes she's his best friend's sister.

After being dumped by her high school sweetheart, Ivy Brooks gets pushed into online dating by her well-meaning friends. Despite her reluctance, she hits it off with a handsome Marine. Too bad her brother would never be cool with her dating one of his friends... especially after what happened last time.

Jake and Ivy know they shouldn't keep talking, but late-night flirting and inside jokes leave them both glued to their phones. Their secret is bound to come out sooner or later. Will their love survive the fallout?

You can check out my review here.

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

Christmas with You by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

Marine Staff Sergeant Charles Cooper is desperate. When he idiotically made up a fake girlfriend to appease his grandmother, he hadn’t counted on Grandma Jean flying halfway across the country to meet her at Christmas. With only a few days until the big family dinner, he needs a girlfriend. Fast.

Angie Black can think of few people who get under her skin more than Cooper. Unfortunately, she has to tolerate him since their best friends are married to each other. When Cooper asks her to be his fake girlfriend for a family dinner, Angie agrees only because she could use a fake boyfriend herself. Her entire office is invited to the wedding of their boss, and he happens to also be her ex.

Their fake relationship seems to solve both of their problems. That is, until unexpected feelings arise. With his deployment looming, will they figure out that they're meant to be before they find themselves half a world apart?

My Review: 5 Stars

Have you ever started a series that is so good that you wish someone would create a “pause life” remote so you can stop everything and just read? That’s where I’m at right now. I want to sit in my comfy chair with my hot cocoa and sweet treats and just read. Life can be tough when you don't want to adult. 😉 

If you follow my blog, you know that I am not a fan of the fake relationship trope. But since all the books I've read in this series have been amazing, I thought what the heck. Let's give it a go. Y'all Ms. Mastorakos is making a liar out of me! I ended up loving this book! I guess I just haven't been reading the right authors. 😉

I absolutely adored Cooper and Angie! Their bantering back and forth had me giggling and made me root for them even more. I loved watching their relationship develop from kinda enemies to friends to something more. Both of them had been in a bad relationship and were so focused on not falling into the same trap again that they didn't realize they were falling in love. They're definitely favorites of mine. 😊

And can we talk about Grandma Jean for just a second? Y'all she was the best! She was always up to something when it came to Cooper and Angie. Sneaky and full of mischief. I loved the role she played in getting them together. It was perfect!

Christmas with You was a great addition to an amazing series. If you're looking for a fun series to escape into, I highly recommend this one. I'm going to have a major book hangover once I finish this series. I am so glad that I discovered Ms. Mastorakos! Her books are just what I needed right now.

And of course I can't forget about my casting! What do you think?!

In Name Only by Jennifer Peel

 

Synopsis:

He gave his name to protect her. All she wanted was his heart.

Dani Kramer used to think growing up in foster homes was the most difficult thing she would ever have to do until all her dreams come true. Married to the love of her life, Dr. Brock Holland, and running a foundation that specializes in finding jobs for kids out of foster care, Dani seems to have it all. What no one knows is that it could all go away tomorrow if anyone finds out about the precious secret she carries.

For Brock Holland, military doctor, life has always been about duty to his career and country. But when he’s captured during a joint allied training mission, thoughts of Dani, his best friend, the woman he’s tried for years not to fall in love with, help him not only survive but reevaluate his priorities. However, when he returns home, he finds Dani is pregnant. In a cruel twist, duty calls again. He must marry Dani to save her from becoming a political pawn in a dangerous game she didn’t know she had signed up to play.

But who will protect Dani’s and Brock’s hearts from each other? Or will they discover their marriage is more than only sharing a last name?

My Review: 5+ Stars!

You guys. I am speechless. Where do I even begin with my review? What can I say that's going to do this book justice? 

I knew going into this book that Brock and Dani's journey was going to be intense. But I was not prepared for it being wrought with so much pain and heartache. But with pain, comes strength. With ugliness comes beauty. With heartache comes love. This book is phenomenal! Here it is, days later, and I'm still thinking about everything Brock and Dani went through to get to where they are. Their love is a love worth fighting for. A love that was put through the refiners fire to become the most beautiful love they could ever imagine. Their story will stick with me for a long, long time to come. 

I can say that, without a doubt, the Pine Falls series is definitely one of my favorites. It's so real, so raw, so beautiful. I have fallen in love with every single one of the characters. I'm excited for Brant and Kinsley's journey. I have a feeling that theirs is going to be the toughest one of all. And I'll be right there by their sides, encouraging them and hanging on every single word. 

I am in serious awe of Ms. Peel's talent. She has an extraordinary gift when it comes to telling her stories. From the moment you start reading her books, you are transported to the setting of that book where you live, eat and breathe with her characters. You feel every single emotion that they feel. You will laugh with them, cry with them, celebrate their triumphs, mourn their losses and cheer them on as they fight for their friendships, their love and their happily ever after.

There is so much more I could say about this book. But this is one of those times where less is more. My advice to you would be to grab a box of tissues, have a pint of cookie dough or your favorite comfort food on hand, open your heart, open your mind, let yourself feel, just be. It's not going to be easy, but it IS going to be worth it. 

Content warning: This book contains sensitive material related to PTSD, brief military violence, and pregnancy. For more detailed descriptions that include spoiler alerts see the authors blog on her website. 

Away from You by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

Lance Corporal Matthew Mills returned home from his first deployment with more than just a bullet wound. While he knew that injury would heal, he feared the invisible ones never would. He couldn't trust his own mind anymore and the only way to keep Olivia safe was to push her away... maybe for good.

Olivia wanted nothing more than to stand by her husband while he battled PTSD. If he needed time and space, that's what she'd give him. But how long was too long? Just when she was about to lose hope, fate and a few meddling friends stepped in.

A week in the woods at Big Bear Lake promises relaxation, fun with friends, and adventure. Without the pressures of the outside world, Olivia hopes she can convince him that their love is worth fighting for. And as much as it scares him, Matt can't help but want to let her.

My Review: 5 Stars

Have you ever picked up a book, started reading it and instantly knew you were going to have the hardest time putting it down? Well, that's exactly what happened to me with this book. The only thing that stopped me from staying up all night reading was my kindle continually hitting me in the face every time my body drifted off to sleep. But, the moment I woke up this morning, you better believe I grabbed my kindle, curled back up under my blanket and picked up right where I left off. It was the perfect way to start my Sunday. 😊

Matt and Olivia have been together since their freshman year in high school. Their relationship was strong and they knew that when hard times came, they would be able to weather them together. Neither one of them were prepared for Matt getting injured in combat and coming home with PTSD. Words were said, trust was broken, and Matt's decision to end their marriage crushed them. But when your love is as strong as theirs and your friends know the only way to overcome this trial is by being together, you have to give it your all and trust that, in the end, it will all work out the way it should. 

I knew from the moment I started reading this book that it would be an emotional rollercoaster. I found myself rooting for Olivia and Matt from the very beginning. They were young, barely starting out in their marriage, and were dealing with something that no one around them had ever gone through before. To say their journey was tough is an understatement. But it made them better and brought them closer together. I loved every single minute of this book! It's one I know I'll be reading over and over again. 

There are several reasons why authors become one of my favorites. One of those reasons is their ability to take a very hard, taboo subject that no one wants to read about, and address it in a respectful way that has you opening your eyes and understanding, even if it's just a little bit, what others who are suffering with it may be going through. Ms. Mastorakos does an exceptional job writing about the hard stuff that most of us will never face in real life. PTSD is one of those hard subjects no one wants to talk about but that everyone should be talking about it. It's real and it probably tears more families apart than most of us realize. I've always had a deep respect for our military men and women and their families. But after getting a "behind the scenes" look into what they can and do face every day, my respect for them has grown even more.  

I am absolutely loving this series! I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately but this series has completely captivated me and I don't want to do anything BUT read. I can already tell you I'm going to have a major book hangover when I finish this series. 😉

As for my casting... y'all... I'm loving these two! What do you think?

Back to You by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

Spencer and Ellie are just friends. Right?

For Spencer, Ellie has always been his rock. His stability. The one who was there for him in his darkest hour. But he's never thought of her as more than a friend... until now. And that's just inconvenient, since he knows what she wants right down to how she takes her coffee, and it isn't him.

Ellie wants a stable life and a white picket fence, so she only dates guys who want that, too. She knows Spencer doesn't do relationships. And besides, high school is over and he's about to be a U.S. Marine. It could never work... could it?

Since they want different things, they're just fine remaining friends. That is, until one night changes everything.

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. I am not a fan of books that are full of angst and drama. It's one of the reasons I stay away from YA books. I get so frustrated that I want to throw my kindle across the room. And I may or may not be mentally Gibbs slapping the characters until they get their act together. 

So. Why am I bringing this up? Well, this book is all about the angst and the drama. One of my favorite book buddies had to listen to me vent my frustration last night. BUT. This morning, I had to eat my words. The moment I finished the book I sent her the following message: "Ok... so she has this way of making all the angst and the drama worth it. I ended up loving it!" And, if you're wondering, yes.. she totally laughed at me. 😉

This was a true friends to lovers story. Ellie and Spencer have been best friends since the 6th grade. They've been through everything together and are by each other's sides no matter what. The night before Spencer leaves for boot camp, things start to change. But because Spencer is stubborn and Ellie has a boyfriend, neither were ready for the rollercoaster ride they were about to embark on. 

Oh. My. The feels y'all! The feels! You will experience every single one of them. Every. Single. One. You better hold on tight for this upside down, full of loops, twisty ride! I loved every frustrating, dreamy sighing moment of it!

As far as the swoon factor goes, let me just say... oh my holy swooniness Batman! Y'all the chemistry in this book is off the charts! I thoroughly enjoyed watching it knock Spencer of his feet! WOWZERS! That's just one of the reasons it made all the angst and drama worth it. 😉 

I am loving this series! I can't wait to start Olivia and Matt's book. I love that they were a big part of this book and that I'll get more of Ellie and Spencer in their book. Seeing all the couples throughout the series is a definite plus for me. 

If you haven't read anything by Ms. Mastorakos yet, then I highly recommend checking out her books. I've read 3 of them so far and have NOT been disappointed. She's definitely been added to my favorites and auto-buy lists. 

And of course I can't forget my casting. I. Am. In. Love! What do you think?!

Home with You by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

A widowed Marine, his eight-year-old son, and the spunky PE teacher who keeps striking out at love...

When Staff Sergeant Owen O’Malley gets orders to San Diego, the first thing he thinks about is how much his eight-year-old son, Finn, will love the beach. After losing his wife three years earlier, he knows they could both use a little sand between their toes.

Rachel Peters decides San Diego holds her fresh start after her roommates find love and move out. Leaving Texas behind, she plans to soak up the sun, coach Little League, and teach PE to the military kids on base. She does not plan to fall for the handsome, single dad of one of her favorite students.

Miramar is a small base, so when Owen and Rachel keep running into each other, they believe it’s only because of their shared proximity. Little do they know, there’s a four-foot-tall matchmaker pulling the strings. Will Finn accomplish his mission or will they balk at their chance for true love?

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Confession. I am a sucker when it comes to the single parent trope. I don’t know what it is about it, but I love it! I didn’t even finish reading the synopsis before I was dropping everything to read this book. It was just what I needed.

I quickly fell in love with Rachel, Owen and the adorable Finn! Y’all. I’m not going to lie… that kid stole the show! I loved watching him play the little matchmaker, a very important role to get his dad and Rachel together. 😉

Finn was wise beyond his years. But at the age of 8, he had already experienced so much heartache. In a way, he had to stop being a kid at the age of 5 and deal with real life. But the moment Rachel came into their lives, I saw the change in him. He was able to be a kid again and experience new and fun things.

I loved watching Rachel and Owen’s relationship develop from friends into something more. It wasn’t an easy road for them. They both came with baggage and were afraid to unpack it. They felt safer not taking that chance. But with life comes growing pains. They had to learn to let the other one in if they were ever going to find their HEA.

This may be book 6 in the series, but it's the first one I've read (other than the prequel). I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the other books in the series. I can already tell they're going to be a fun break from reality. 

And of course I can't forget my casting. I'm loving these two. What do you think? 

Mending His Past by Kristen Iten

 

Synopsis:

Life after the army wasn’t supposed to be this hard, but running into his first love again may be the biggest challenge he’s faced yet.

After several deployments overseas, Sergeant Trent Roland erected barricades around his heart, vowing never to feel the pain of war again. Now he’s home, and adjusting to civilian life hasn’t been easy. All he wants to do is bury himself in work and get lost in a new city, but first, he has to help rebuild the storm-damaged Wounded Warrior Rescue dog shelter. One special dog has started to break through Trent’s defenses, but nothing can prepare him for the rush of long-buried emotions he experiences when he sees the woman he left behind ten years ago.

Olivia Malone gave up on the idea of finding a lasting love long ago. With a young child to provide for, she takes a job at the local dog rescue. She doesn’t count on finding her old flame working right alongside her. Their chemistry is just as red hot as ever, but she has to consider more than her own desires these days. Her daughter Molly is her first priority and she can’t risk breaking either of their hearts by inviting a man into their lives whose main goal seems to be leaving her behind… again..

Things heat up in the small seaside town of Liberty Cove, Texas, when Trent and Olivia must decide if taking a second chance at love is worth the risk.

My Review: 5 Stars

Raise your hand if you've ever been in that dreaded reading rut. You can't see me, but I am frantically waving both hands in the air. It's been almost a month since I've been able to sit down and read. Nothing has been able to grab my attention.

While searching for new authors to try, the adorable dog on this cover caught my eye. I swear he was looking at me saying, "Well... are you going to give us a try? You know you want to!" I tried to tell myself that covers and dogs can't talk. He looked at me again and said, "Really? I can't? Is that why you just downloaded my book?" Y'all. The dog made me do it... I swear! 😉

This story has everything I love in a book. From the characters, to the setting, to the storyline.. I didn't even get through chapter one before I was hooked. I knew I was going to have the hardest time putting it down and adulting.

The feels were definitely real in this one my friends. I found myself laughing out loud, growling in frustration, getting teary eyed, swooning and letting out little dreamy sighs throughout the book. It was SO good!

While I loved Trent and Olivia and watching them rebuild their relationship, I have to admit that little Molly (M&M) kinda stole the show. There's just something about watching an almost 3 year old wrapping a big, strong military man around her pinky. He was so sweet and loving towards her. I couldn't help but fall in love with them all. And I can't forget the little antics with M&M and Sport. Y'all that right there is reason enough to read this book. Haha. 

I can't tell you how much I adored this book. I've already downloaded the next book in the series. This may have been my first book by Ms. Iten but I can tell you it definitely will not be my last. I can't wait to see what she has in store for the rest of this series.

And of course we can't forget my casting. *dreamy sigh* I'm in love with these two! What do you think?! 

The Enemy by Sarah Adams

 

Synopsis:

It’s been twelve years since I’ve seen him. Twelve years since he won our war of wits by outsmarting me with a tactic I didn’t even know was allowed. But tonight…I resurrect the battle.

Ryan Henderson is back in town for our best friends’ wedding, and I plan on showing him exactly how much I don’t care about him—or the almost kiss he ruthlessly dangled over me after graduation.

A lot has changed since our feuding days. I'm a successful bakery owner now, and I plan to rub every delicious detail of my life in his ugly face.

Just one problem: his face is gorgeous.

He wasn’t supposed to look like this or pursue me like a sexy guided missile. I must stay strong until the wedding is over and Ryan scurries back into whatever alternate universe he escaped from.

His interest in me is nothing but a continuation of the games we played in high school...right?

But the longer he stays, the more I wonder if I’m wrong and his tender smile and heated attentions are genuine. Maybe it’s not a game.

Ha! Who am I kidding? This is Ryan we’re talking about. Of course it’s a game. A game called war. And this time, I will win.

My Review: 5 Stars

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you're stressed to the max, frustrated and all you want to do is run far away from it all? That has been my week. Since I can't really do that, I did the next best thing. I escaped into a book and lived vicariously through the characters. It was just what the doctor ordered!

When it comes to enemies to lovers tropes, there's nothing better than a sassy, feisty heroine and a determined, sexy hero. June and Ryan fit that bill to a T. From the moment these two laid eyes on each other, after years of being apart, the sparks start flying off the pages. All I can say is sit down, strap in and hold on tight because you're in for a wild ride!

One of my favorite things about reading is when I feel connected to the characters. It only took a few minutes before I was transported to Charleston where I was sitting at a table in Darlin' Donuts with June and Ryan, listening to them tell me their story. We instantly became besties and I had a front row seat to a beautiful love story that has been in the making for years.

You can't help but fall in love with June and Ryan. Between their pranks, witty banter and tender moments, I found myself laughing (or giggling) out loud and letting out little dreamy sighs throughout the book. I was rooting for them from the very beginning and I had the hardest time putting this book down. I had to stop myself from pouting and stomping my foot when I had to actually adult. Work schmerk, right?!

The Enemy is the perfect addition to the It Happened in Charleston series. I loved seeing and catching up with the Broaden family. I think this series is one of my favorites of the year. I will definitely be rereading this and The Match over and over again. They're the perfect getaway from this crazy thing we call life.

Ms. Adams has definitely become one of my favorite and auto-buy authors. I already know I won't be reading any kind of synopsis before one-clicking her books. I love when an author can make me feel all the feels and gives me that much needed break from reality. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

And of course, what review of mine would be complete without my casting?! I am in love with these two! And that dimple! *dreamy sigh* What do you think?!

SEAL's Resolve by Rebecca Deel

Synopsis:

Wedding dress designer Kristi Stewart handles bridezillas and sewing machines with equal finesse. But when she’s kidnapped, Kristi’s only hope for survival lies in the lethal skills of a black ops warrior. After a harrowing escape, the danger continues to escalate until Kristi must confront an opponent with a fatal agenda.

Following a brutal mission, Fortress operative Rafe Torres needs solitude in the mountains and time to heal. Instead, he’s sent to rescue a woman connected to his painful past. Although Rafe didn’t intend to fall for a society princess, Kristi’s courage and strength are impossible to resist. When the enemy springs his final trap, Rafe faces a gut-wrenching choice that may cost him everything.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

It seems like whenever my life gets super crazy and I find myself in need of a break from reality, one of my favorite authors releases a new book. Even better if the newly released book is one you have been dying to get your hands on. Let's just say some random person walking to their car at 5:50am on release day may or may not have heard my excitement when I one-clicked this baby. Y'all! We finally get Rafe's book! How could I NOT get excited?!

If I had to describe this book in three words it would be intense, fast-paced and swoony. From the moment I picked up the book, I did NOT want to put it down. I made the mistake of starting the book in the morning, knowing full well that I had a jam packed day and I would have very little time for reading. I was super cranky when I had to adult. I think someone needs to make a law that states there will be no adulting when a book you've been patiently waiting for has finally been released.

You guys! I know I say this all the time but, I absolutely adored Kristi and Rafe! These two have a history. After Rafe's girlfriend, Callie, was murdered, he swore he wouldn't let another woman into his heart. But the heart wants what the heart wants. I loved watching their friendship develop into something more. The way they balanced each other out made them perfect for each other. Rafe has always been one of my favorite characters and after reading his book, I love him even more. And just like Rafe, Kristi became an instant favorite. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. 

It's no secret that I love all of Ms. Deel's books. I love escaping into her books. Every time a new one comes out, I find myself wanting to go and read her other books all over again. There's just something about strong, feisty heroines who have no qualms being with broody, Alpha males who's gut instinct is to hide them away from all the danger that they face. But you can always count on them doing everything in their power to put the other's happiness first.  

And of course I can't forget my casting. Y'all... I'm in love with these two! Aren't they perfect?! *dreamy sigh*

Perfectly Imperfect Us by Marika Ray

Synopsis:

How’s an ordinary girl to keep her cool when an international male model moves in next door?

Ava

With hard work and a complete belief in myself, combined with enough time to build momentum, I’d been able to create quite an online following with my beauty channel. If only my fans knew my makeup skills were born from a desperate need to cover up my secret. They would have never known any better had that stupid model not shown up next door and cat-walked his way into my life with his sculpted cheekbones and his sea glass eyes.

Ryder
Modeling was an interesting sport. Some of the most beautiful women were actually quite ugly under all the glamour. Coming home to Nickel Bay, I saw that sometimes the most ordinary women were truly the most beautiful. Ava is exactly that. Gorgeous. Even after we become friends and her secret is exposed publicly. Unfortunately, I’m to blame for that and I’m not sure she’ll ever forgive me. Why can’t she see past her perception of perfect?

My Review: 5 Stars

So, I am sitting here staring at my computer screen thinking... Holy crap! What just happened?! 

Y'all! The feels! All. The. Feels! One minute I'm sitting in my big comfy chair, reading away, swooning and letting out all kinds of dreamy sighs. The next? My heart is in the pit of my stomach, breaking, while I'm deep breathing and trying to calm myself down so I don't throw my kindle. Literally. My bookish friend had to talk me down from the ledge and tell me to... keep reading! It gets better! As you can probably guess, I pushed on. 

Holy Hannah! I won't go into detail because y'all need to experience this amazing book for yourself. But MAN! Do I love Ava! She is one feisty, sassy, phenomenal heroine that quickly became one of my top favorites. If you finish reading this book and you don't love her, we can't be friends. She is seriously the best! 

And Ryder. Ryder, Ryder, Ryder. I loved him. And then I hated him. But then I loved him again. This man really knows how to test the limits of my forgiveness. He deserved at least a billion Gibbs slaps during part of the book. I told him he would have to do something huge if he was ever going to get back on my good side. Spoiler alert. He's one of my favorite heroes! *dreamy sigh*

You guys, I'm not lying when I say that I absolutely loved this book. And it's not just because it's swoony and had me feeling all the feels. The life lessons in this book are so real, so raw, so eloquently written that you can't help but absorb every little bit of it. You get to see things from others perspective. You get to see what they go through on a daily basis. I may or may not have gotten a little teary eyed with little Parker. Ms. Ray has a home run on her hands with Perfectly Imperfect Us. It. Was. Fantastic!

If you guys haven't read this series yet, then you are definitely missing out. I loved seeing all our friends from Nickle Bay. I seriously cannot get enough of them! I cannot wait for the next book to be released. This is one of those times that I have to remind myself that writing takes time. But y'all! It's going to be hard waiting! Haha. Oh! And am I the only one that's hoping the mysterious Ben will end of getting his own book?! Please tell me I'm not! 

Now for the moment we've all been waiting for... my casting! Y'all... I have been DYING to use him for awhile now. Isn't he gorgeous?! Aren't THEY gorgeous?! *dreamy sigh*

Summer/100K Page Views Mystery Box!

'Ello my fellow Book Dragons! How are you? I hope everyone is staying safe and sane during this crazy time! 

I know I promised a few months ago that I would do a mystery box for reaching 100K page views but then life and COVID happened. However, that's not going to stop me from keeping my promise to you guys! 

I may or may not have gone a teeny bit overboard this time but, you know, this is kinda huge for me! Never in a million years would I have ever thought that so many people would want to hear from little ol' me about all the books I love. My blog started because of a summer reading challenge in 2014 as a way to get free books and it literally exploded from there. 

A few years ago, I lost track of what I wanted my blog to be. I started going with the mass majority because I seemed to be getting a lot more attention if I did. It went from being all of my reviews to nothing but promotions and giveaways hosted by other bloggers. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I was promoting authors that I didn't even read instead of promoting the ones I love. 

In 2019, I decided all of that was going to change. I was going to take my blog back. That was the beginning of me losing most of my following. I would be lying if I didn't say I struggled with it. But over the last year and a half, I've slowly come to terms with it. Mine may not be one of the more popular blogs, but you know what? This is me. 

My blog is a way to show all the amazing authors I adore how much I love their books. It's a way for me to shout their names from the rooftops in hopes of reaching readers who haven't heard of their books yet. It's a way for me to share new authors I have discovered and give you ideas of which of their books to try first. It's a way for me to show them how much I appreciate all their blood, sweat, tears and love that they put into every single one of their books.  

My blog is also a way I can interact with other Book Dragons like myself. I cannot tell you how many people I have met since I discovered my love of reading. Some of them have become the best of friends. Whether or not we have "met", I just want to let you know that I absolute adore each and every one of you! I get excited when I get to interact with any of you. Whether it be here on my blog, Facebook page or even Goodreads. Getting to know others, sharing the love of the same authors, the same books, and discovering new authors is one of the best things ever! At least for me it is. Haha. 

This mystery box is my way of saying THANK YOU to all of my bookish friends and followers! Without you guys, my blog probably wouldn't exist anymore. Thanks for sticking with me for the last 6 years! Here's to many more years to come! 

Now, without further adieu, I give you the GIVEAWAY! 

U.S. residents only.

Good luck and happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hidden Gems

Welcome to Hidden Gems hosted by KJ's Book Nook! Once a month I'll feature a new to me author that I've discovered and fell in love with their books. I'll share the author's bio, one of my favorite books of theirs and a review.

For this month's Hidden Gems I am going to choose...

Jacqueline Winters

Jacqueline Winters has been writing since she was nine when she'd sneak stacks of paper from her grandma's closet and fill them with adventure. She grew up in Small-Town Nebraska, and spent a decade living in beautiful Alaska. She writes contemporary sweet romances and contemporary romantic suspense.

She's a sucker for happily ever after's, has a sweet tooth that can be sated with cupcakes, and firmly believes sangria was possibly the best invention ever. On a relaxing evening, you can find her at her computer writing her next novel with her dog poking his adorable head out from beneath the desk.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I've had Jacqueline Winters on my radar for awhile now. But for some reason or another I just never gave her a try. While looking for small town romances, her Sunset Ridge series popped up. The title is what finally had me taking that leap. Y'all, I am so glad that I did! I devoured that series in a few days. It was SO fun! I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series. September can't get here fast enough! 

It was hard to decide which book of hers to feature. But I finally decided on My Favorite Moosetake. Y'all it was awesome! I loved it!

A sous chef with her life in limbo, the Army veteran who broke her heart, and their second chance at forever.

Sous chef Tessa Whitmore has always had it all figured out, and she’s never been afraid to go after what she wants. When she’s selected to be a contestant on the reality cooking competition show Order Up: Las Vegas, it never occurs to her that she won’t take first place.

Or that she would be betrayed.

Instead of winning the chance to run her own kitchen in a highly respected chef’s restaurant, she’s booted from the competition. Disqualified for cheating, Tessa is too mortified to do anything but hide until her innocence is proven. Unannounced, she flees to Sunset Ridge to the lodge she and her sisters inherited earlier in the summer.

But everything turns sideways when she discovers Liam is back.

Army veteran Liam Davies has never stopped loving Tessa. Eight years, three deployments, and thousands of miles of distance was not enough to erase what they had. Tired of running and ready to settle down, the only thing that made sense was to move back home.

He always knew she’d come back someday. But he didn’t expect her to show up so soon after the Whitmore sisters reopened the lodge. Now that she’s back in his life, he has no plans of letting her go a second time.

But there’s something Tessa isn’t telling him. Liam’s determined to get to the bottom of it, even though the truth might destroy their second chance at happily ever after.

You can check out my review here.

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

Anonymoosely Yours by Jacqueline Winters

Synopsis:

A single mom putting her life back together after an unexpected divorce, an Army veteran who’s secretly been in love with her, and the decision that risks their friendship in the pursuit of more.

Sophie Whitmore fled with her daughter Caroline to Sunset Ridge, Alaska months after her now ex-husband left her for another woman. She’s worked hard to rebuild her life in the new town alongside her sisters, running a lodge the three inherited more than a year ago.

Her priorities are clear: provide Caroline a real home, run a marathon, and learn to embrace whatever life throws at her on her own. She relied on a man once before—she won’t risk making that mistake twice. That last one would be a whole lot easier to stick to if she wasn’t starting to feel … more for her best friend, Denver.

Army veteran Denver Grant moved back to his hometown a year ago after giving up on finding love. His plan to settle into a quiet routine and focus on his increasingly popular mystery writing career was thrown the day he met Sophie.

He accepted her friendship and kept his growing love for her a secret as he waited for her heart to heal. But he’s waited long enough. He wants more. He devises a plan to a plan to play Sophie’s secret admirer, testing the waters before he lays it all on the line.

But love doesn’t follow any plan.

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. Single parent is one of my all time favorite tropes. I've talked to a few friends who aren't as crazy about them as I am and I've come to the conclusion that it's because I'm single with no kids. But I AM a proud auntie of 18 nieces and nephews. This girl right here is truly blessed! 

For five years, Sophie's life was ruled by her ex-husband. If it didn't fit he's needs, she wasn't allowed to do it. He changed her from the person she was to the person he needed her to be at the time he needed her to be it. She was miserable and the only bright spot was her daughter, Caroline. Divorcing her ex-husband and moving to Alaska to help run the lodge was the best thing for Sophie. She's finally able to start over and become the person she wants to be. 

From the moment Denver laid eyes on Sophie, it was love at first sight and he knew that she would be his wife some day. The problem? Her ex did a number on her and she's more skittish than a baby colt. He knows he'll need to take things slow but he's up for the challenge. After all, friendship helps build a solid foundation for a relationship. He's determined to help her figure out who she is and help her realize how great they can be together.  

While I have been dying to read Sophie and Denver's story, I'm not going to lie, it was a bit slow going for me. I totally understood why it was so hard for Sophie to move forward and start living again, but it also broke my heart because she had an amazing man standing right in front of her. The further along in the story I got, the more I loved it. Sophie and Denver were perfect for each other. And I absolutely adored his relationship with Caroline. He seemed to know his girls better than their own family did. I loved watching their story unfold. 

In case you're wondering, I'm still loving Sunset Ridge. It has been such a fun escape from reality. I still love Ed and was introduced to Sherlock, Denver's dog. He's the perfect companion for a mystery writer. And he get's bonus points for loving Caroline as much as Denver does. 

I was excited to discover that this series isn't over yet. But I'm scared to read the next book. Why? Because it's Ryder's book. Who's Ryder, you ask? He's Denver's super grumpy younger brother. And when I say grumpy, I mean GRUMPY! I have a feeling it's going to take A LOT for our heroine to win this man over! I'm calling it right now. He's going to be puddy in her hands and he won't like it one bit. 

I'm so glad that I finally gave Ms. Winters a chance. I have been loving her books! I'm looking forward to reading more by her! 

As for my casting, I'm in love! These two are perfect! What do you think?

My Favorite Moosetake by Jacqueline Winters

Synopsis:

A sous chef with her life in limbo, the Army veteran who broke her heart, and their second chance at forever.

Sous chef Tessa Whitmore has always had it all figured out, and she’s never been afraid to go after what she wants. When she’s selected to be a contestant on the reality cooking competition show Order Up: Las Vegas, it never occurs to her that she won’t take first place.

Or that she would be betrayed.

Instead of winning the chance to run her own kitchen in a highly respected chef’s restaurant, she’s booted from the competition. Disqualified for cheating, Tessa is too mortified to do anything but hide until her innocence is proven. Unannounced, she flees to Sunset Ridge to the lodge she and her sisters inherited earlier in the summer.

But everything turns sideways when she discovers Liam is back.

Army veteran Liam Davies has never stopped loving Tessa. Eight years, three deployments, and thousands of miles of distance was not enough to erase what they had. Tired of running and ready to settle down, the only thing that made sense was to move back home.

He always knew she’d come back someday. But he didn’t expect her to show up so soon after the Whitmore sisters reopened the lodge. Now that she’s back in his life, he has no plans of letting her go a second time.

But there’s something Tessa isn’t telling him. Liam’s determined to get to the bottom of it, even though the truth might destroy their second chance at happily ever after.

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. Alaska has never been on my list of places to visit. Something about the below freezing temperatures doesn't appeal to this girl. But the more time I spend in Sunset Ridge, the more I want to visit one day... as long as it's in the summertime. 

I'm not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to start Tessa's story. The woman is stubborn, set in her ways and kind of scary. She was so focused on her career that she didn't realize, until the reality TV show, life was passing her by. She had forgotten about the 17 year old girl who not only fell in love with but planned out her entire life with the handsome Liam. She forgot about the girl who used to be close to her sisters. She forgot about the adventurous girl who knew how to live life to the fullest. She might not know how to get all of that back, but she sure is going to try. 

Liam never forgot his first and only love. Making the decision to join the Army so Tessa could live out her dream was one of the hardest decisions he has ever made. But he knew it was the right one. He didn't want her to resent him later on in life. He knew, if it was meant to be, fate would bring them back together one day. When he heard that the Whitmore girls had reopened the lodge after their aunt's death, he knew it was time to put his plan into action. The man pulled out all the stops and didn't spare any expense when it came to winning back the woman he loves. 

*dreamy sigh*

My advice? Grab some chocolate, curl up in your comfy reading spot and let yourself be transported to Sunset Ridge Lodge. This was a fun one! I can't wait to read it again. 

And I just have to say... gotta love that Ed! He made their first meeting in 13 years very memorable. If fate was an animal, it would be Ed the moose! Haha. And Raven! I loved that sweet girl! I've never owned a dog because I am not a poop picking up kind of person but I wanted her to snuggle up to me while I was reading. I'm hoping that we get to meet more dogs in this series. 

Y'all, I absolutely adored this book. It was a great addition to this series. I loved seeing old characters and meeting new ones. I can't wait to read Sophie and Denver's book next! I have a feeling theirs is going to be my favorite of the series.

After only reading two books, Ms. Winters has joined my autobuy list. I'm really looking forward to reading her other books. And I'm still wondering why it took me so long to read them. Silver lining? I now have several of them to read!

And no review of mine would be complete without my casting. What do you think? Personally? I think they're perfect!

Moose Be Love by Jacqueline Winters

Synopsis:

He was only supposed to convince her to stay. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.

When Cadence Whitmore and her two sisters inherit the Sunset Ridge Lodge, their immediate plan is to sell it. They’re spread out all over the country, and not one of them is willing to move to Alaska to run an inn they haven’t visited in thirteen years.

But Cadence is the only sister who makes the mistake of visiting. The longer she’s in town—and around the kind and attractive caretaker, Ford Harris--the more she yearns to stay. Convincing her sisters to keep the lodge instead of selling it, however, might be an impossible feat.

Ford’s younger sister is the only family he has left, and he’d do anything to help make her dreams come true. It’s the single reason he agrees to the death bed wish of Patty Whitmore. If he can convince Cadence to keep the lodge, he’ll receive the money he needs to help put his sister through her dream college.

He never planned to fall in love with anyone ever again—especially not Cadence. He’s lost too many loved ones in his lifetime. Yet, he can’t deny how right they are for each other. But if she finds out the secret he’s been keeping, it might cost him everything.

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. Normally when I read a book it's because the synopsis grabbed my attention. But, that did not happen today. The whole reason I grabbed this book was because of the title. When I first saw it, it made me giggle. Before I even got to the synopsis, I took a screen shot of the cover and sent it to one of my bookish friends. I told her to keep her fingers crossed that I had found a winner. I don't know why, but I really wanted to love this book. 

From the moment I started reading, I was transported to the small town of Sunset Ridge where I spent the day. I ignored anything and everything that had to do with adulting. I couldn't even be bothered with making food. The only reason I ate breakfast was because it was popcorn and I could eat it and read at the same time. That seems to be my go to food when a book sucks me in and my body is screaming for sustenance.

I quickly fell in love with Cadence and Ford. They were fantastic characters and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. When they first met, they both thought they knew what they wanted. But little did they know that fate had something else in store for them. I loved watching their relationship grow from friends into something more. Neither one of them realized at first that they were what was missing in each others lives. They complimented each other and pushed each other to find what and who made them happy. They loved fiercely and would sacrifice their own happiness if it would help out another family member. These two were perfect for each other. 

And I have to give a shout out to Ed and Riggs. Y'all, those two almost stole the show. Between Ed's window licking fetish and Riggs' ninja moves, they had me guessing what in the world they would do next. I'm sure they'll keep the residents of Sunset Ridge on their toes. Haha.

This is a great start to a fun series I'm sure I'm going to love. I have the other two books already downloaded to my kindle, waiting for me to dive right in. I see sleepless nights and all day read-a-thons in my very near future.

Ms. Winters has been on my radar for a little while now and after reading this book, I'm wondering why in the world it took me so long to give her a try. I'm definitely looking forward to reading her other books and seeing what else she has in store for us. 

And y'all. Can we take a minute to admire these two? I think they are perfect! What do you think?

Facial Recognition by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

For her, it was love at first sight. For him, love wasn't an option.

Twenty years ago, Gracie Cartwright became the first prom queen in the history of Pecan Orchard High School to be stood up. Now, she's on a mission to plan the ultimate high school reunion and get the prom night she always envisioned. All she has to do is find the perfect date. But after going on thirty-five blind dates, she's losing hope that she'll find Mr. Right--or at least Mr. Right Now. Then Brooks Hamilton, the man she knew she was meant to marry, walks into her spa for a facial massage. Too bad she's never forgiven him for standing her up at prom all those years ago. If that isn't enough, she finds out he's dating her nemesis and he's a divorce lawyer who doesn't believe in marriage. And what's worse is, he doesn't recognize her.

However, when Brooks's estranged father falls ill, the pair are thrown together and sparks fly when the old friends butt heads about almost everything. But despite the tension, it doesn't take long for Brooks to recognize that maybe he made a huge mistake letting Gracie go all those years ago. But is it enough for him to let his guard down and admit he was wrong about relationships and give Gracie the prom night she always dreamed of? Or will they miss out on the love that's been right in front of their faces the entire time?

My Review: 5 Stars

I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately but, where do I start with this review?!

One of the best feelings in the world is seeing one of your favorite authors release their newest book baby. I'm not going to lie, this girl right here did all kinds of squealing and happy dancing around her bedroom while cancelling any and all plans that would take away from reading this book. I knew the moment I picked it up, I would not be putting it down until I finished it. Somewhere between the beginning and ending of chapter one, I was transported to Pecan Orchard where I was able to immerse myself in all things Gracie and Brooks.

I felt an instant connection to Gracie. She and I could bond over bad first dates. One of my bad dates involved Disneyland, chicken and my little purse. Long story. But I still remember driving away from his house, waving goodbye and smiling at him while saying under my breath... no wonder you're divorced. You're poor ex-wife. And don't even get me started on the guy who's divorce wasn't final (he slipped and mentioned it) who tried to order my food for me because what I chose wasn't "healthy" enough for him. The jerk wouldn't even let me get dessert. How rude is that?! Buuuuuut... I digress. Gracie is one of the best heroines ever. It should come as no surprise that she quickly became one of my favorites. We could all use a Gracie in our lives!

While I loved Gracie instantly, Brooks was a different story. It took a little while for me to warm up to him. I lost count of how many times I wanted to Gibbs slap the man upside the head with a cast iron skillet. To say he knew how to push my buttons is an understatement. But once he stopped being a putz and started opening up, I found myself slowly falling in love with him as well. Even though I really dislike everything he did, I understood his reasons why. Love, patience and forgiveness play a huge role for both Brooks and Gracie. Their story is heartachingly beautiful and I loved every minute of it.

The thing that made this already amazing book even better is the side characters. Y'all they had me busting out laughing at times. They said and did all the right things when it came to Gracie. They were hilarious and so fun! I'm glad we have two more books in this series. I'm nowhere near ready to say goodbye to my new best friends!

Y'all, I can always count on Ms. Peel to deliver a phenomenal book. She really knows how to write a good love story that will have you feeling all the feels and thinking about all the characters long after you close the book. I don't know about you, but I look forward to reading her books over and over and over again. It's no wonder she's one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

And of course I can't forget my casting. Y'all... I'm in love with these two! What do you think?

Hidden Gems - June 2020

Welcome to Hidden Gems hosted by KJ's Book Nook! Once a month I'll feature a new to me author that I've discovered and fell in love with their books. I'll share the author's bio, one of my favorite books of theirs and a review.

For this month's Hidden Gems I am going to choose...

Sarah Adams

Born and raised in Nashville TN, Sarah Adams loves her family, warm days, and making people smile. 

Sarah has dreamed of being a writer since she was a girl, but finally wrote her first novel when her daughters were napping and she no longer had any excuses to put it off. 

Sarah is a coffee addict, a British history nerd, a mom of two daughters, married to her best friend, and an indecisive introvert. Her hope is to always write stories that make you laugh, maybe even cry; but always leave you happier than when you started reading.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As most of you know, I have made it my goal to find new to me authors this year. While trying to find an author to feature this month, I had a bookish friend reach out to me recommending The Match by Sarah Adams and said, maybe she can be a hidden gem. Y'all... I hadn't even finished chapter 2 before I knew I just HAD to feature her! I could not devour her book fast enough! I have bumped her other three books up my TBR list and I'm excited to read them! Don't you just love finding new favorite authors? I know I do!

And since The Match is her book that got me hooked, I thought it was the perfect one to feature!

Having worked for Southern Service Paws for a few years now, I like to think I’m prepared for just about any client meeting under the sun. I am dead wrong.

The day I meet with single dad, Jacob Broaden, about potentially matching his daughter with one of our service dogs, I learn a few valuable lessons.

1) Always set my alarm clock.
2) Single dads are way hotter than I previously thought.
3) It is possible to go from fantasizing about kissing someone to wishing they would be run over by a truck in a matter of two minutes.

Unfortunately, I don’t hold that opinion of him for very long. Not when he shows me a different side of himself—one that’s sweet as maple syrup and hot as apple pie fresh out of the oven.

Too bad this guy is so far out of my league that I shouldn’t even be allowed to enter the game. Jake doesn’t seem to get that memo though. And after a few days of working closely with him and his daughter, he starts looking at me with fire in his eyes, making me dream of something I probably shouldn’t…

A family. 

You can check out my review here.

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!