The Problem with Planning Love by Claire Cain

 
Synopsis:

Single dad. Divorcé. Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.

All titles I’ve come to terms with, even if I didn’t see those first two coming.

I never imagined making a military move to Germany as a single parent. What else I never imagined? Having an insane spark like I’ve never felt with my son’s kindergarten teacher.

Livie’s a singular force of light and beauty, and I’ve never wanted someone so much. But after what happened last time, I can’t escape the dread of dragging a new wife into this life and failing again.

Besides, our lives are too different. Our plans don’t match. We definitely shouldn’t date and absolutely can’t afford to catch feelings.

Everything changed the day I walked into that classroom. And now the only thing that scares me more than trying for another chance at love is living with regret if I don’t.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Confession. I have had a sample of this book sitting on my kindle for several months. After searching for a few hours to find my next book, I finally gave up, closed my eyes, clicked on a sample and this one was the winner. Once I started it, I had the hardest time putting it down. It was just what the doctor ordered. 

Y'all. I'm not going to lie. There were times that Livie and Eric drove me crazy! I kinda wanted to shake them and tell them to WAKE UP! At one point I may or may not have wanted to throw my kindle over my balcony. 😂 

But, frustration aside, I adored these two! Their chemistry was sizzling and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. I enjoyed watching these two work through their insecurities and find their HEA. And we can't forget Delia and Robby! Oh my heart! Y'all! They are adorable and the story wouldn't be complete without them! 😍

This is my first book by Ms. Cain and I'm totally hooked! Don't ask me why it took my so long to dive into her books but I'm determined to rectify that immediately. I've already downloaded the next book in this series and can't wait to get to know Noah and Katie! And to see more of Eric, Livie, and their whole gang! 

And of course I cannot forget my casting. Y'all. I'm in love! What do you think?

The Proposal by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

My best friend is basically my dream girl. Too bad I can’t have her.

As a Marine who jumps out of perfectly good airplanes for fun, you could say I’m fine with taking risks. But not when it comes to Shelby.

For years, I’ve been firmly in the friend zone, right where she wants me. And since I won’t risk our friendship, that’s where I’ll stay. But I can’t pine over her forever.

When I propose to my girlfriend and get rejected in front of the whole town, the joke’s on me. Turns out proposing to the wrong woman because you can’t have the right one is a bad idea.

Shelby’s always had my heart. Can I convince her to trust me with hers?

My Review: 5 Stars

Oh my heart! Y'all! I can't even with how much I loved this book! I think I had the world's largest goofy grin on my face and I lost count of all the dreamy sighs I let out while reading.

If I had to describe this book in one word, for me, it would be perfection! I found myself reading late into the night and waking up way before the sun even thought about rising just so I could dive back in.

Shelby and Paul are the best of friends and have secretly been in love with each other since high school. However, difficult circumstances beyond her control has Shelby putting and keeping Paul strictly in the friendzone. 

However, a rejected proposal will have Shelby and Paul finally opening their eyes to see what's been right in front of them the whole time. But in order for them to get their HEA, they're going to need to learn how to face and deal with a hard situation, together. 

My advice to all who read this book is sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the ride that you're about to embark on. There's a good chance you'll find yourself laughing, shedding a few tears, giggling, swooning, and letting out little dreamy sighs. But one thing I know for sure, you will not regret immersing yourself in all things Shelby and Paul!

This is such an amazing start to what I'm sure is going to be another phenomenal series by Ms. Mastorakos! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the rest of the Brides of Beaufort stories! 

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

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

Synopsis:

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border.

Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?

Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. I have read this book at least once a year for the last 4 years. To say it's one of my favorites would be an understatement. While reading it this time around, a memory from the first time I read it came to mind and I just had to share it. 

Picture this. It's almost midnight, my room is pitch black, minus the light from my kindle, my apartment is completely silent, and I'm fully engrossed in the story. I come to an extremely intense part of the book and I'm on the edge of my seat unsure of what's going to happen next. Just as something slams into a wall in the book, something slams into my wall in my bedroom! 😱 I screamed and jumped sky high. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. To say I was a little freaked out would be an understatement. It took me awhile to calm down and stop shaking. And I may or may not have slept with my light on that night. 🤪 I can laugh at it now but y'all! I was freaked out! 😂

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale. There's just something about it that has this girl letting out all kinds of little dreamy sighs. And this book had me doing just that. 

Lucy and Miles are seriously the best! Both of them can be pretty dang stubborn but they love fiercely and will do anything to protect the ones they love most. I loved watching these two navigate through their rough beginning, learn to trust and open up to each other, all while falling in love. They make the perfect team and I absolutely adore them!

This was my first introduction into the world of steampunk and I loved it! Sadly, I haven't found any other books that can hold a candle to the Steampunk Proper Romance series. But that doesn't stop me from continuing to try. 😉

Not only was this my first steampunk romance, but my first book by Nancy Campbell Allen. She did an amazing job of sucking me in to her world and making me forget reality. And y'all know how much I love it when that happens! 

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

The Trouble with Mistletoe by Cassandra West

 

Synopsis:

What do you get when you cross a sprig of mistletoe, your high school nemesis, and a meddling spirit? A whole lot of trouble…

When an insistent fortune teller interrupts Juniper Carrington’s work to tell her she has an important message from the Beyond, Juniper is loathe to believe it. After all, what crackpot mystic would tell her she’ll be meeting her true love under the mistletoe…on Black Friday? But then there’s the mistletoe, and there’s the handsome man underneath it—and of course: it’s Spencer Freaking Howell. The jerk who broke her heart ten years ago.

Still, no one ever said Juniper had to get on board with this. And Spencer seems just as uninterested as she is. Except—they keep getting thrown together. In wilder and wilder ways. And every time, a sprig of mistletoe is right there, taunting her. It seems Juniper has two choices: give Spencer a second chance, or have her life ruined by a meddlesome, matchmaking spirit.

The spirit of Christmas present is determined to bring Juniper and Spencer together, but will the ghosts of their past keep them from having a future?

My Review: 4 Stars

Picture this. It's been 10 years since you've seen your high school nemesis and you have spent all that time trying to forget everything about them. Then, at the town Harvest Festival you're in charge of, a mystic tells you that you'll meet your true love that night, under the mistletoe. Of course you think she's lost her marbles since there's zero mistletoe to be found on Black Friday. But then a freak accident happens and you find yourself coming face to face with said high school nemesis.... under the mistletoe.

Y'all. Grab your favorite reading snacks, curl up in your favorite reading spot, and get ready for the Juniper and Spencer show! It's guaranteed to have you laughing out loud, getting teary eyed, and letting out all kinds of little dreamy sighs.

Juniper and Spencer have always had a special connection and I loved watching these two find their way back to each other. They had to face some hard things but it only made them stronger has individuals as well as a couple. They are pretty perfect for each other.

For those of you who know me, know I'm all about that HEA! This one is a HFN and I found myself wanting just a little bit more.

If I had one complaint, and this is totally a personal preference, it would be the back and forth between the past and the present. I've never been a fan of it and usually can't get through the book. I understand why it's written this way but I get frustrated when something big happens in the story and then it flashes back to the past. The buildup and anticipation is lost for me.

All in all, this was a really cute book and a great addition to this fun series and setting. I absolutely love Moonrise Cove!

This is my first book by Ms. West and I can tell you, it won't be my last! I'm excited to see where her writing journey takes her. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting... *dreamy sigh* I. Am. In. Love! What do you think?

Christmas Mystery Box!

 

I love December! It's one of my favorite months of the whole year. It's filled with love, magic, nostalgia, happiness, memories and gifts! I'm not one who really expects gifts each year. I would much rather give them. There's just something about finding that perfect gift for someone special. I love it! 

It's been awhile since I've done a Mystery Box and so I thought that now would be the perfect time to do one. This one is going to be filled with lots of my Christmas favorites. Eeeeek! I'm really excited about this one! 

You can enter to win by using the Rafflecopter below and enter to win everyday. Giveaway is for US Residents only. 

Good luck and Merry Christmas! 

Charming Charlie by Trish LeBaron

 

Synopsis:

The only perfect thing about Charlie MacAfee Bates is her perfectly disastrous dating record. But Charlie has a lot of love to give, and she’s ready to storm the holiday dating scene to find her magical match and gain her biggest wish—a perfect little family full of squishy babies. Armed with her checklist of ideal qualities in a man, and a magical dating app, Charlie is determined to have Mr. Perfect wrapped up under her tree by Christmas. Unfortunately she’s spending most of her time with her new boss, a man who doesn’t match a single item on her list.

All Nick Linwood wants for Christmas is to stay perfectly grumpy. His house may be decked with boughs of holly, but he’s not fa-la-la-la-looking forward to the anniversary of his ex leaving him at the altar. Nursing a broken heart, Nick has withdrawn from the community of Moonrise Cove and become too grinchy to enjoy anything about the holidays. Until a beautiful redhead with rich coffee-brown eyes answers his job posting, draws him out from behind his work, and charms him without even trying.

Ignoring what’s right in front of her, Charlie follows misguided online advice that sends her on a streak of terrible dates that are anything but holly or jolly. What will it take for her to realize Mr. Perfect only exists on paper and Mr. Perfectly Right for Her has been working beside her all along?

My Review: 5 Stars

To tell you how much I absolutely adored this book, I'm going to start off with a confession. Hopefully this will also be a warning to you to clear your schedules before starting this book.

Confession. I stayed up WAY too late reading this book and only stopped because my kindle kept hitting me in the face whenever I dozed off. I also didn't even attempt to go back to sleep when I woke up at 2:43am. I literally rolled over, grabbed my kindle, hopped on the ferry, and headed right back to Moonrise Cove to pick up where I had left off. I was not going to let Charlie and Nick do anything without me! 

Charlie. *sigh* Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Girl! What in the world am I going to do with you?! I have never loved someone so much but also wanted to shake some sense into them constantly. Charlie and I had many talks while she was trying to figure out what was right in front of her the whole time. I may or may not have growled at her in frustration a time or two. But I couldn't stay frustrated for long. Charlie really is such an amazing heroine that you can't help but love her! She's been through a lot to get to where she is and I loved how Nick was her safe place while she figured it all out. 

And speaking of amazing.... 

Nick. *dreamy sigh* Oh how I loved you! Grinch-like behavior and all! Nick, too, has been through a lot. There's a good reason for his grinchiness and I loved that Charlie didn't shy away from it. She helped him to see that what he thought was right, really wasn't and that love can be so much more with the right person. I swear these two were handpicked by Santa! 😉 They were just what the other needed, when they needed it. Their love story really is magical. 😍

Y'all. Why can't Moonrise Cove really exist, magic and all?! I would become a permanent resident there if I could! There's always a feeling of nostalgia and comfort whenever I visit. It makes me want to curl up in my big comfy chair, wrapped up in my cozy blanket fresh out of the dryer, with a mug full of my favorite hot chocolate in my hand, and forget that the world around me exists. It's definitely one of my favorite places to be!

I do have to say that while I absolutely adored this book and couldn't get enough of it, I wanted just a little bit more. I'm crossing my fingers we get to see more of Charlie and Nick in future books because I have questions I'm dying to get answers to. 😂

I'm so glad I discovered Ms. LeBaron! She is a very talented writer that knows just how to capture and keep my attention. I cannot wait to see what she has planned for us next! I'm sure it will be just as amazing as her first two books! 

As for my casting, I saw these two pretty much from the beginning. Love them! What do you think?

Melt my Heart by Jules Barker

Synopsis:


Vera Penwythe never thought she’d go for another relationship so soon, and certainly not a fake one. She’s moved back in with her Gran for the holidays after a humiliating break up left her in debt to her two-timing ex. But when a charming neighbor begs her to pretend to be his girlfriend until his mom recovers from heart surgery, she can’t resist. She yearns to feel needed and be part of something, even if it is all fake. Besides, this way she’ll get the benefits of companionship without the expectations and heartbreak of a real relationship. Vera may have the power to create frost with her hands, but she wishes she could freeze her heart to keep it safe.

Harry Levine never thought lying to his mom would lead to the best mistake of his life. But when his parents’ excessive PDA and a tumbling tower of ice cream tubs lead his parents to assume that Vera is the long-term girlfriend they’ve never met, Harry begs her to go with it. He can’t bear to tell his sick mom that he’s broken up with his girlfriend. Instead, he enlists Vera’s help to keep up the ruse until his mom is on the mend. That just means a few family parties, shared shifts at his dad’s magic-themed ice cream parlor, and—oh yeah, passing Vera off as the picky girlfriend he’s told them about. But what do you do when the lie you started becomes the best thing that’s ever happened to you?

Vera doesn’t trust her bad-guy radar and she doesn’t trust love. But Christmas at Moonrise Cove has a way of working its magic and soon her walls begin to melt. Will she be able to risk her heart to believe that something fake could ever become something real?

My Review: 5 Stars

I’m a sucker when it comes to Christmas romance. I love to immerse myself in as many as I can this time of year. If I could take the entire month of December off work every year to just read Christmas romances, I totally would. There’s just something about them that makes this girl swoon and let out all the little dreamy sighs.

Add in one of those goofy grins and that’s exactly what happened while reading this book. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I adored Vera and Harry!

From the moment Vera and Harry met, sparks start flying, and, try as they may, there was no denying the chemistry and the feeling of rightness they had when they were together. I loved watching their relationship go from fake dating to friendship to love. They balanced each other out and fit perfectly together. They quickly became favorites of mine.

I loved meeting both of their families and getting to know them. Y’all. I think Morgan is my favorite! She seriously rocks! Merlin and Dori are pretty perfect too. I loved how they weren’t afraid to show everyone how much they love each other. They have got to be the sweetest couple ever!

Oh, how I wish I lived in Moonrise Cove! I love every little thing about it. From Rainbow Beach to the Frost Fairies to all the fun little shops to the townsfolk. Y’all! This place is magical! I can’t wait to go back there again!

Ms. Barker has officially been added to my favorite author's list. Anyone who can capture me from the very beginning, keep me up reading way past my bedtime, and then waking up extra early just to see what happens next, definitely deserves to be on that list. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting… *dreamy sigh* Aren’t they perfect?!