Paige's Turn by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

I promised myself ten years ago when I left Bella Port that I would never look back at the town that made me feel invisible. That is until the unthinkable happens and Aunt Mitzi, the person I love more than anyone or anything, suddenly passes away and leaves me everything. We are talking a beautiful beach house, more money than I know what to do with, and of course her beloved bookstore, Paige’s Turn, named after yours truly. Not only that, she thinks she’s left behind something else for me. Or is that someone else? That would be Sam Kennedy, my older brother’s best friend, who’s way out of my league, that is if I even had a league. I’m more like a bystander. But Mitzi was always telling me it was time to get into the game, to take my turn.

At least I’m no longer wearing baggy jeans and oversized t-shirts. Yoga really does do a body good. But Mitzi was crazy to think that me and the sexy landscaper were meant to be, especially when I fire him after our first meeting. Who would have ever guessed that a friendship would blossom after such a start? Or that Sam would make me feel seen in a way I had never been before. Was Aunt Mitzi right about Sam and me? Is it finally time for me to take my turn?

My Review: 5 Stars

Paige has always felt like the odd man out when it came to growing up in her dysfunctional family. When it comes time to head to college, she does the complete opposite of what her family wants her to do. With the help of her beloved Aunt Mitzi, she goes as far away as she can to the college she has always dreamed of going to. She put Bella Port in her rear view mirror and had zero plans to ever return.

That is until her Aunt Mitzi passes away unexpectedly leaving her the sole heir to her millions! Now she must return to Bella Port, face her family for the first time in years, beat down all the rumors the old gossips in town are spreading, find her place in life and finally, FINALLY take her turn. All while running the book store her aunt also left her and trying to figure out how to stop Mitzi from meddling with her love life from the grave.

And who might dear Aunt Mitzi have chosen for her darling Paige? Why Sam Kennedy, the most eligible bachelor in town of course! *dreamy sigh* Sam was one of the very few people who really saw Paige for who she was growing up. He made her not feel so invisible and even made her feel pretty. But what's a girl to do when said man is dating one of the biggest drama queen's and gossips in town? She sticks to her "I'm totally fine with being single. I don't need a man in my life." attitude. But little does she know that Mitzi and fate have something else in store for her.

While Paige and Sam didn't get off to the best of starts, various circumstances have them coming together and gives them a chance to rebuild their friendship. But the closer they become, the more Sam pulls away. Paige doesn't understand why and does her best to distance herself from him. But the harder she tries to stay away, the more she is drawn to him. Could Mitzi be right after all? Or is Paige heading for the ultimate heartache in falling for Sam? With Mitzi in her corner, she shouldn't be thinking of anything else but a HEA. After all, Mitzi has never been wrong before. So why start now?! 😉

Oh how I loved all the letters from Mitzi! They were one of my favorite parts of this book! Everyone needs a Mitzi in their lives! She was there to lift Paige up during the hardest times of her life and letting her know that she is loved, she is beautiful, she is amazing and she deserves all the happiness that life has to offer. 💗

This book is definitely a roller coaster ride when it comes to your emotions. Holy. Hannah! You will laugh, you will get angry, you may even growl a time or two, you will get teary eyed, you will want to Gibbs slap AND strangle certain people! But, in the end, you will be letting out little dreamy sighs and be wearing a grin of complete contentment when Paige finally does indeed, take her turn. *le sigh*

Ms. Peel is definitely the queen of sucking me in and not letting me go until the adventure comes to an end. I have to admit that she spoils me. I know I never have to wait too long before reading her next book. She is seriously an AMAZING author! If you haven't read any of her books yet, you are definitely missing out! Really... you are! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

And of course there's my casting! I just have to tell you when I shared this with Jennifer she told me she pictured the same heroine. YAY! I love it when that happens! What do you think?

More Than a Pair of Jeans by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

It’s all fun and games until the cowboy wants to ride away.

The most amazing guy sweeps into my life when I need him most, and I don’t want him to be the one who got away.

As a bonus, he’s extremely photogenic even if he is a bit reluctant to let me snap his picture. My engagement is through the roof whenever he shows up in my feed. Because who doesn’t love a man in Wranglers?

I’m hoping for a happily-ever-after, but then Grayson becomes distant.

Social media will have to take a back seat while I figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it. Because the only way I want him riding away is with both of us on that horse.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you're 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!

To say Daisy and Grayson are complete opposites would be an understatement. She loves the spotlight and makes a living being in it. He wants nothing to do with it and tries to stay far away from it. But with their off the charts chemistry, Grayson is finding himself having to step outside of his comfort zone just to be close to Daisy. 

Y'all. There was some super swoony, funny, and sweet moments between Daisy and Grayson. I really enjoyed watching these two get to know each other and find their HEA. Grayson is just freaking fantastic and I love him! I do have to say that there was a point in the book that I was a bit frustrated with Daisy. I may or may not have wanted to shake her and say... just stop and listen for two seconds woman! Yeesh! Lol. But she did redeem herself in the end. That bonus epilogue was AMAZING!

I am SO excited for this new series! It's going to be so fun getting to know all the ranch hands that we've been getting some glimpses of. I am dying to get my hands on Tyler and Jasmine's book! Y'all. I. Can. Not. Wait! 

I know I've said this so many times but y'all. If you haven't read any of Ms. Carrington's books then you are most definitely missing out! I have adored every single book I have read. There's a reason she's one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting, I saw these two pretty much from the beginning and think they are perfect! What do you think?

Don't Let Go by Rebecca Deel

Synopsis:

An early morning break-in thrusts bakery owner Zoe Lockhart into the center of a crime spree. As the assaults escalate, she turns to a man with lethal skills who longs to shield her from danger. But when Zoe is kidnapped, she fears that the adversary's quest for revenge will destroy her chance for a life with the man she adores.

After months of quietly working his way into a certain baker's life, Fortress Security operative Simon Murray is ready to kick his pursuit of the woman of his dreams into high gear. But before he makes his move, Zoe is attacked and Simon assumes the role of bodyguard as he searches for the guilty culprit. When Zoe falls into enemy hands, Simon will risk everything to save the woman he loves. This time, however, Simon's training may not be enough to thwart a plan for final retribution.

My Review: 4 Stars

Zoe Lockhart has had her eye on Simon Murray since he arrived in Otter Creek. From the moment she laid eyes on the handsome operative, all other men ceased to exist. After several months of getting to know Simon, she's more than ready for him to ask her out. If he doesn't do it soon, she might have to take matters into her own hands.  

Simon Murray is more than ready to finally pursue the woman of his dreams. He knows that if he doesn't make his move soon, some other man might steal the beautiful Zoe away from him. Determined to make his intentions known, Simon shows up at her bakery only to see someone running away from it and then hearing a vehicle racing away.

After discovering that Zoe has been attacked, Simon goes into protective mode. He doesn't know who would want to hurt Zoe or why, but he's determined to find out. But when Simon hears of other attacks and murders, he has to wonder if it's him or Zoe the perpetrator is after. 

Determined to keep everyone in their lives safe, Bravo will need to enlist the help of other Fortress Security teams to keep their families safe while they go on the hunt for the person responsible for the latest crime spree in Otter Creek. 

With everything that has happened, Simon can only hope and pray that Zoe doesn't decide that his life is too much to handle and runs far away from him. But he needn't worry too much. Zoe is just as far gone as he is. They need to work together to find the person messing with their lives and bring them down so they can move forward to their HEA.  

Holy. Wow! You guys! Talk about fast paced and action pact! Once I started this book, I had an extremely hard time putting it down! I kept telling myself just one more chapter... just one more chapter. Needless to say, I stayed up way too late and woke up way too early just so I could get in as much reading time as possible. I absolutely adored Zoe and Simon! Their story is definitely one of my favorites! It's so good! 

So... y'all know how much I LOVE Ms. Deel's books and I hate to say anything negative about them. But I've noticed that there are several inconsistencies and grammatical errors throughout most of her books. A lot of these should have been caught by her beta readers/proof readers. It's getting to be a bit distracting for me. One of the inconsistencies that seems to happen in a lot of her books are the "I love yous". Their first "I love you" seems to happen twice. Once midway through the book and again at the end because the first one is forgotten. It gets frustrating when it happens all. the. time. Had the inconsistencies and grammatical errors been fewer, I would've definitely given this book 5 stars. 

With that being said, I'm still loving both of her series! I am always looking for the next book to be released. I kid you not, I have been stalking Amazon for the last two weeks looking for this book. The one day I don't look, I get an email while out on my walk saying she has a new release. Let's just say my walk was cut short that day and I made a really quick dinner so I could dive back in to Otter Creek. It's always a fun place to visit! 

When people ask me who some of my favorite authors are, Ms. Deel is definitely mentioned to them. She has a way of grabbing me and not letting me go until I have finished the book. I am definitely looking forward to her next book baby!

And of course no review of mine is complete without a casting. What do you think?!

Relentless by Rebecca Deel

Synopsis:

A friend's desperate plea launches Piper Reece on a quest to bring down a crime boss. But bringing a killer to justice will take more than determination. When she's attacked, Piper realizes she needs a defender as relentless as he is deadly. Good thing she knows the perfect man for the job.

Fortress operative Liam McCoy returns home from an extended missions with one goal in mind--winning Piper's heart. His protective instincts kick into overdrive when she's thrust into the crosshairs of an enemy with roots in her past.

Trained by the best in the business and with skills honed in the hottest firefights, saving Piper will test Liam to his limits. He'll need every ounce of cunning and courage to survive the battle and explore a future with the woman of his dreams.

My Review: 5 Stars

It's been 3 years since Piper Reece has had any contact with people from her home town. But when she receives a call from her ex-boyfriend telling her that he's in trouble and it'll be up to her to help bring down a Mob Boss, she's thrown back into a world that she does not want to be in. She just hopes that along the way, she doesn't lose the man that she's been falling in love with. 

Liam McCoy and Bravo have been on a month long assignment and, now that he's home, he can't wait to see Piper again. It's been way to long since he's seen or talked to the woman that he's been falling in love with. But when he stops by her work to see it's closed early, the back door is left ajar and her purse sitting in the alley, he knows something is terribly wrong. 

Liam knows time is of the essence. He has to find Piper before it's too late. Enlisting the help of Bravo and fellow Fortress Security tech guru, Zane, Liam hits the ground running and won't stop until Piper is back by his side. 

But their problems are just beginning. Not only is Piper's past coming back to haunt them, so is Liam's. They'll have to work closely with Bravo and the Texas team if they have any chance of making it out alive. The more obstacles Piper and Liam face, the more they fall in love with each other. They can't see their lives without the other in it. They will fight tooth and nail to get the HEA they deserve.

Oh my gosh! You guys! I am seriously loving this series! I'm to the point that I don't even read the synopsis of the books... I just buy them and start reading. I absolutely adored Piper and Liam! They love fiercely and are extremely loyal. There isn't anything they won't do for those they love. Once I started their story, I could not put it down! It was SO good! 

Ms. Deel has quickly climbed to the top of my favorites list. I find myself devouring her books the moment I find out about a new release and then not so patiently waiting for her next one. I know whatever she releases will definitely be giving me a break from reality. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! If you haven't read anything by her yet, I just have to say, you are definitely missing out! If you're a fan of romantic suspense then I highly recommend her books!

And what do you think of this casting? Me? I love it! But I may be a bit bias... ;) Hehe.

Content: Mild violence. Clean... just swoony kisses!

SEAL's Promise by Rebecca Deel

Synopsis:

Narrowly escaping a terrorist attack, Rachelle Carter believes the threat is over until continued assaults prove the danger's real. With escape impossible, her survival lies in the hands of a battle-hardened Fortress Security operative. But his skill and experience may not be enough to defend Rachelle against a man determined to eliminate her.

Cal Taylor's plan to win Rachelle's heart is put on hold when she's caught in a firefight. Although he vows to protect her, he soon discovers that no place is safe. After Rachelle falls into enemy hands, saving the woman he loves might require Cal to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review: 5 Stars

Action-packed and intense from the very beginning! 

Cal Taylor is a SEAL to his core. He's a protector. So when he finds out that Rachelle Carter, a fellow Fortress employee he's been having coffee dates with for a year, is in the middle of a terrorist attack in Antigua, he'll do what ever it takes to rescue her and bring her home where she belongs. 

But no one expected trouble would follow them home. With an attempted frame job and a few attacks on their principals, Cal and the newly formed Wolf Pack will have to look into the possibility that things may not be as they appear.

Determined to keep Rachelle safe, Cal and his team work together to flush out the people behind everything. But the deeper they go, the worse things get. They'll have to rely on each other if they're all going to make it out alive. 

*dreamy sigh*

Oh how I loved this book! It's no secret that when Ms. Deel releases a new book, I will literally drop whatever I'm reading to read it. From the moment I picked up SEAL's Promise, I knew I was going to be in trouble. There would be hardly any eating or sleeping for me. Why? Because after months and months of waiting, we FINALLY got Cal's story! And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint! 

I absolutely adored Cal and Rachelle's relationship. Watching their relationship develop, their trust build, their need to do what's best for the other, their strength grow, their desire to put each other's happiness first and all those sizzling kisses had this girl's heart melting into a big ol' puddle of goo. 

I always love seeing characters from previous books make an appearance. It feels like a family reunion. With every new book I read in the Fortress Security and Otter Creek series, I always want to go back and reread the previous books.. or at least my all time favorites. It's no wonder that Ms. Deel is at the top of my favorites list and an auto-buy author for me. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

And of course there's no way I can forget my casting! What do you think?

Security Breach by Rebecca Deel

Synopsis:

On the run for more than a year, Emma Tucker narrowly escapes another attempt on her life. When the U.S. Marshals fail to keep her safe, Emma turns to the most dangerous man she knows, a Navy SEAL who stole her heart before a serial killer murdered her family.

After Sheriff David learns the woman he adores is the target of a vicious killer, he’s determined to free Emma from the threat and resume his campaign to win her heart. When they fall into the hands of the enemy, David’s skill and experience might not be enough to help them survive the killer’s trap.

My Review: 5 Stars

Hello new series! Maple Valley features the Montgomery brothers who made their appearance in SEAL's Promise. Five single brothers, all former military and all apart of the Sheriff's department in the small town of Maple Valley? Wouldn't you be screaming for a new series?! I know I was! But y'all... 

What in the world just happened?! Holy crow Batman! Talk about intense and on the edge of my seat! Every time I went to put the book down to get a few things done, something happened in the book to make me keep reading. I was just about to put my book down for the night and finish it in the morning when all of the sudden... PLOT TWIST! After that, sleep was the last thing on my mind. I just HAD to know what happened!

I'm sure everyone knows by now that small town, second chance romances are one of my all time favorites. This one did not disappoint. Emma knew, and David hoped, they would be reunited again. I really enjoyed getting to know Emma and David and watching them rekindle their relationship. You could tell from the very beginning that the time they spent apart only made their feelings for each other grow stronger. I loved that they both did everything in their power to not only take care of each other, but protect and love each other fiercely. They're definitely some of my favorite characters. 

And speaking of favorite characters... I loved seeing old friends from both the Fortress Security and Otter Creek series! I think that's one of the things I love most about Ms. Deel's books. We always get to see characters from her previous books. I love seeing how their HEA's continue. I also loved the setups for more books in the Maple Valley series. I can't wait to read them! But I'm secretly hoping that we'll get Rafe's book next. I have been dying for his book!

Ms. Deel knocked this one out of the park! It's definitely one of my favorite books of hers and I'll be rereading it many, many times. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting, it was a bit hard with no descriptions so this one was all me. What do you think? Personally, I love them! Haha.

Never Marry a Marquess by Regina Scott

Synopsis: 

Shy Ivy Bateman has always felt more comfortable behind the scenes than front and center. She is happiest caring for her family and baking sweet treats. She certainly never expected the wealthy Marquess of Kendall to propose marriage, especially a marriage of convenience. It seems his baby daughter needs a mother, and Ivy cannot deny the attraction of the role, or the attraction she feels for the handsome marquess.

Kendall had asked Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency to find him a particular sort of lady. His heart went to the grave with his first wife. Now, all he cares about is ensuring his frail daughter doesn’t follow it. Installing Ivy Bateman as his next marchioness will not disrupt his life or make him question his love for his dead wife. But as he comes to appreciate Ivy’s sweet nature, he begins to wonder about their future. When an old enemy strikes at Miss Thorn and all her ladies, a grieving lord and a shy lady must work together to save the day. In doing so, they might just discover that love, and a good cinnamon bun, can heal all wounds.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

*Note to self* Do NOT read the last book in the series first. You might get confused. But did that stop me from reading? Nope! I started it last night and finished it this morning. But in my defense, I was in the mood for a regency marriage of convenience romance. Add a single parent into the mix, and I am hooked! There was no turning back for this Book Dragon.

From the moment Ivy was first introduced, I found myself rooting for her. She had the kindest heart and the sweetest disposition. There's no doubt that she's shy but she's very passionate and protective when it comes to the people she loves. I loved how she took charge the moment she was introduced to Lady Sophia. She was just who that sweet baby needed. 

I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Ivy and Kendall develop. I knew he was a goner from the very beginning. You can't help but fall in love with Ivy. I also enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Kendall and Sophia. Watching him take an active roll in his daughter's life was very endearing. And watching them become a family was icing on the cake. I love HEA's! 

I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series. I'm more than intrigued to read the other characters stories. Part of me wishes I would have started from the beginning but this book just called to me and I couldn't say no!

I have read a few of Ms. Scott's older books and I'm looking forward to checking out her newer ones. It's going to be fun to catch up on her books!

As for my casting, I'm not going to lie, this one was kind of hard to find. But I love them. What do you think?

A Madness Most Discreet by Nichole Van

Synopsis:

Tennyson D'Angelo . . .

Darkness lives within each of us. Shadows. We are each capable of great goodness and unbelievable evil. It is the duality of being human.

I want to live in the light. I don't enjoy the shadows. But I'm not sure I've been given a choice in the matter.The shadows own me. They dance at my edges and tangle in my light. They torment my days and make my nights an anguished hell.

I simply want to be free. One way . . . or another.

They call him the Prophet.

Tennyson D'Angelo, the man who can foretell the future. A modern-day oracle. And Olivia Hawking desperately needs his help. She tracks him down in Italy, begging for his assistance. She has a life-or-death problem that only a bonafide psychic can solve. But Tennyson is slowly fracturing from within, the weight of the D'Angelo curse destroying him.

Olivia and Tennyson join forces, each searching for answers. But their understanding of the D'Angelo curse keeps changing, and Time is not on their side. Even as they fall in love, Tennyson and Olivia realize they are in a race against the clock. Will they find answers in time to save themselves?

My Review: 5 Stars

They call him The Prophet... the man who can foretell the future. No one knows his name... or if they do... they aren't saying much about him. But Olivia Hawking is desperate and will do anything she can to find him. He's her only hope for a future. 

Tennyson D'Angelo is fracturing from within. The madness from his family curse is slowly taking over his mind. He wants to be free and live in the light. But, in order for that to happen, they have got to find a way to seal up the scars and stop the daemon from attacking. If not, the curse will continue to plague the D'Angelo men for years to come. 

When Tennyson comes face to face with the woman he has been seeing in his visions, he just can't believe it. Olivia. His woman. His soul. He has been slowly falling in love with her but they can never be. He refuses to hurt her and that's just what will happen if he lets her in. 

But when he discovers that Olivia is tied to the curse, he'll do everything in his power to keep her safe and give her a future. Even if he's not in it. 

Wow! Just wow! Guys! I can't even right now! I am completely blown away with everything that happened in this book! I'm not even going to attempt explaining because I refuse to give anything away! There were twists and turns that I did NOT see coming! My advice? Don't try to figure it out... just go with the flow peeps! And the feels! The FEELS! The feels are BEYOND real! I cannot even begin to describe all the emotions I had running through my body! You name it and I felt it! Olivia and Tennyson are absolutely perfect for each other! I ADORE these two! I had a feeling they were going to be my favorite in this series and I was right! *dreamy sigh* 

I absolutely LOVE this series! It will be one that I read over and over again! It's seriously SO good! If you haven't read it yet, then I highly recommend you check it out! And if you want my opinion on what order you should read these books in, I would say in the order it was released... Gladly Beyond, Love's Shadow, Lightning Struck, Lovers and Madmen and A Madness Most Discreet. I don't think I would have fully appreciated the heart achingly beautiful love story of Judith and Cesare had I read it in any other order. 

Ms. Van is an amazing storyteller! I have loved all of her books I have read so far! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

And this casting! *dreamy sigh* I am in love with these two! What do you think?

Content: mild language

Lovers and Madmen by Nichole Van

Synopsis:

Florence, Italy. Summer, 1982.

Judith Campbell prides herself on her level head. She's a scientist with a ten-year plan, a well-managed bank account, and clear understanding of what she wants out of life. Currently, that means a summer of fun touring Europe with her friends. She intends to see some amazing scenery, flirt with a cute guy or two, and return home ready to settle down for good.

Falling madly in love with an Italian playboy is definitely not on her life goals to-do list. But then her eyes meet those of Cesare D'Angelo across a crowded piazza.

Cesare is everything Judith never knew she wanted. Handsome and charismatic, he challenges her assumptions and forces her rethink her logical approach to everything. Case in point--Judith finds herself falling for him, hard and fast. Definitely not her most carefully thought-out decision.

But Cesare keeps devastating secrets that will challenge Judith's very understanding of reality. And soon Judith finds herself facing the most difficult decision of all--Would you still chose to love someone even if your time together would be brief? Would you accept a relationship, knowing that only heartbreak and grief awaited you in the end?

My Review: 5 Stars

From the moment Cesare first saw Judith in a vision, he knew he would only ever love her. He knew everything about her. He yearned for her and knew that in the end, he would only ever bring her misery. But would his love for her outshine the misery? Would the love and happiness be worth it, if only for a short time? Would she choose him if she knew how things would end? These thoughts plagued Cesare constantly. He might have been content with the "what if's" had it not been for that one look across the piazza. But once they laid eyes on each other, the damage had been done. He just had to introduce himself to her. But would he ever be able to move on with just the memory of her touch, her scent, her voice? 

While travelling though Europe with her two best friends, Judith finds herself drawn to a mysterious Italian man. As a scientist she can't explain the connection she feels to Cesare but there is definitely something there. Who was this man who challenged her? Who encouraged her to be her true self? Who matched wits with her and pushed her outside of her comfort zone? And when did she start letting her heart rule her head? 

The more time Judith and Cesare spend together, the harder it becomes to see life without the other in it. But when Cesare's secret threatens to tear them apart, Judith has to choose. Will she be able to go back home to the states and let Cesare be just one beautiful memory in her life? Or will she choose to live her life with Cesare and have all his kisses and all his memories?

*dreamy sigh* 

All I can say is wow! Just wow! You guys! I absolutely LOVED Judith and Cesare's love story! It is heart achingly beautiful and oh so perfect! I found myself sucked in from the very beginning and had a hard time putting this book down! This series has been added to my favorites list! I love it!

Ms. Van is an extremely talented writer and I am so glad a fellow bookworm introduced me to her. She quickly became a favorite of mine. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

And of course there is no way I could forget my casting! This one was a little tough for me but I love these two! What do you think?

Lightning Struck by Nichole Van

Synopsis:

Chiara doesn’t like Jack. Jack doesn’t like Chiara.
The story should end there.
Except . . . maybe Chiara finds herself daydreaming far too often about Jack. And maybe Jack finds Chiara aggravating in an adorable sorta way.
Maybe Jack and Chiara find themselves falling in love.
The problem, of course, remains.
Jack is a ghost.
And Chiara is not.

Jack Knight-Snow has had a bad year for losing things. So far he has lost a ship full of ancient treasure, his family, his friends, his title, his lands and money, his fiancé, the century into which he was born . . . oh, and his physical body. Worse, feisty Chiara D’Angelo might just finish the job and make him lose his mind.

For her part, Chiara simply wants to help Jack get his body back and move on with his life. She doesn’t want to like his snarky humor or his gorgeous eyes or the way he accepts her exactly as she is. She’s a hot mess when it comes to romantic relationships. Case in point . . . she’s developing feelings for a ghost.

But tackling the problem of Jack’s ghostliness is not straightforward. Soon, Jack and Chiara find themselves embroiled in a mystery which creates more questions about the D’Angelo brothers’ gifts of Second Sight. Set against the backdrop of Tuscany, Italy, Jack and Chiara race to uncover answers about the past before becoming history themselves.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Chiara has been a problem solver and a fixer from an early age. She can't stand to see people in need and not help them. So it's only natural for her to want to help Jack get his body back so he can move on with his life. But the more time she spends with him, the more she wants to throttle him. How can one man be so frustratingly irritating, yet so handsome?! 

To say Jack has had a bad year would be an understatement. He has lost everything he has ever owned and loved. Now he's just a ghost.. a clinging memory of what once was. His only bright spot has been Chiara. Yes, the woman drives him absolutely crazy and she's a hot mess. But she's cute crazy and an adorable hot mess. 

As Chiara and Jack work together to figure out how to fix Jack's ghostliness, they unknowingly unearth more of the mystery behind the D'Angelos curse. But the more they uncover, the more questions arise. With danger lurking in both the human world and the shadow world, secrets, and prophecies of the past and the future, will Chiara and Jack be able to figure everything out before it's too late? And what does fate have in store for them? Are they doomed in love or will they finally get the HEA that they deserve?

Wow! All I can say is WOW! I will admit that this was a slow start for me. I wasn't invested in it from the beginning like I was the other books. But all the sudden, about halfway through, things started to click and I could NOT put this book down! My emotions were all over the place and I couldn't read it fast enough! There were twists and turns that I did not see coming! Just when I thought I *might* have figured something out... BAM! Plot twist! I have two words for you... mind blown! I LOVE it when that happens! 

Have I mentioned before that I am loving this series?! I have devoured it! I cannot wait to read Tennyson's book! And I am definitely keeping Ms. Van on my radar! It's always fun discovering a new author!

As for my casting... I think these two make the perfect Chiara and Jack! What do you think?!

Content: Mild swearing throughout.

Love's Shadow by Nichole Van

Synopsis:

Branwell D’Angelo . . .

Six years ago, I fell in love with Lucy—my brother’s girlfriend. Stupid of me, I know, but sometimes the heart doesn’t listen to reason.
Six years, I’ve lived on the sidelines. Seeing him love her, be with her, bask in her sunshine . . .
I watched her break his heart and then cleaned up the shattered pieces of him she left behind.
She’s the one woman I can’t have but still the only one my soul wants.
Now she’s back in our lives and needs the unique help only us D’Angelos can give.
He’s not emotionally strong enough to face her. So he’s sending me instead . . .

When tragedy strikes Lucy Snow on a visit to Italy, she can’t bring herself to call any of the D’Angelo brothers for help. There are consequences for falling in love with your ex-boyfriend’s brother. But Lucy desperately needs Branwell’s paranormal skills and his gift of Sight. And if seeing him will negate at least three years of therapy? Well, it’s a price she is willing to pay.

Thrown together in a desperate bid to save an innocent life, Branwell and Lucy struggle against their shared past, only to realize that something even more dangerous is reaching through the weight of time to stalk their every move . . .

My Review: 5 Stars

Six years. It has been six years since Lucy and Branwell met and fell in love. But theirs is not a happy story. Their story is filled with heartache and pain. You see, their love can never be. There is someone who stands in their way. Tennyson, Branwell's brother and Lucy's ex-boyfriend. Their love is forbidden. No one, including each other, can ever know how deep their feelings run. Branwell is fiercely loyal to Tennyson and Lucy would never dream of coming in between the two brothers. 

Locking their feelings up tight, they do what they have to in order to move on and live life the best they can... alone. 

But when tragedy strikes and Lucy's niece, Grace, comes up missing, Lucy has no other option but to turn to the D'Angelo's for help. One D'Angelo in particular... Branwell. From the moment she sees him again, she realizes that her feelings for him have only grown stronger. How will she ever be able to walk away from him again? One thing's for sure... she's going to need lots of therapy to get past this blip in the road. But she will do anything and everything she can to bring Grace home alive.

Branwell knew seeing Lucy again would be hard. His love for her is stronger than ever. One look at her and he knows he can never deny her anything. So he will help her find Grace. And when she is home, safe and sound, he will do what he has been doing for the last six years. He will lock his feelings up tighter than ever and go back to just existing without her. 

Thrown into a world of unknown, Lucy and Branwell work together to uncover the mystery behind Grace's disappearance. But the closer they get to figuring everything out, the stranger things become. They find themselves fighting against other worldly beings who are out for blood and Branwell seems to be the target. 

With danger lurking at the surface, Lucy and Branwell find it harder and harder to keep their feelings for each other hidden. So when disaster strikes again, Lucy breaks and can't keep her feelings for Branwell quiet any longer. One day. They just wants one day to feel normal, to not hide their feelings, to shower each other with all the love in the world. But once they both get a taste of what could be, will one day be enough?

But that one day is shattered in a blink of an eye. With Grace still missing, Tennyson's mental state hanging in the balance, and attacks of the paranormal kind, there is no way they can figure out where they stand. 

Will they find Grace before it's too late? Will they be able to uncover the mystery and be able to stop the attacks? And when all is said and done, will Lucy and Branwell be able to find their HEA? 

*dreamy sigh*

Oh. My. Gosh! The feels! The feels are most definitely real! My emotions were all over the place while reading this book! I laughed, I yelled, I got teary eyed, I growled in frustration, I let out little dreamy sighs and fell in love right along with Branwell and Lucy. I can't even begin to describe the amazingness of this book! One of my favorite parts of this book are the sour "punny" bears! *giggles* Oh! I can't forget about that epilogue! Love... love... LOVE! And talk about swoony! *dreamy sigh* I had the hardest time putting this book down! I have discovered a love/hate relationship with real life. Haha. 

In case you are wondering, Ms. Van has become an instant favorite! I am absolutely loving this series! I can't wait to read the next book! And I am DYING for Tennyson's book! Eeeeeeeek! I hope I don't have to wait too long! Haha. 

And my casting... *le sigh* I. Am. In. Love! What do you think?!

Content: Mild swearing.

Gladly Beyond by Nichole Van

Synopsis:

An ancient curse, fractured at the birth of three brothers.
Two strangers helplessly drawn to each other.
A love story two hundred years in the making.

Claire Raythorn arrives in Florence, Italy, shattered, alone, and anxious to rebuild her life—preferably one without men. But she soon finds herself hunted and haunted— literally—when a mysterious stalker dressed like Mr. Darcy from BBC central casting appears in her photos. And only her photos. Who is this man? And what does his ghostly presence mean?

Dante D’Angelo simply wants to safeguard his brothers, despite the family curse that hounds his vision. But then Claire Raythorn walks into his life, untouched somehow by his curse. Soon, everything Dante thought he knew about himself starts to unravel, dragging Claire down with him.

Set against the lush backdrop of Florence, Italy—both past and present—Claire and Dante fight for a future together. But, first, they must uncover their shared past . . .

My Review: 4.5 Stars

Alone and broken, Claire finds herself in Florence, Italy determined to rebuild her life and career. She wouldn't be in this situation if it hadn't been for her cheating boyfriend. Thanks to him posting the video of her reaction when she discovered him cheating, she is now known as "Batty Ray Psycho". Everyone sees her as the bad guy instead of the victim. Never again will she let a man into her life. She can and will do this on her own. 

On the day of her interview with the Colonel, a wealthy man with a vast art collection, she discovers that she is being followed. A man dressed as a Mr. Darcy look alike is showing up in all of her selfies. She doesn't need this. Not today. It's bad enough that she already has a cyber stalker and that her interview turned out to be an audition between her, her cheating ex-boyfriend and Dante D'Angelo. Can't one thing go right for her?! Too much is riding on her getting this job. She just needs to put her head down and focus on the job. There can be no distractions and definitely no men. No matter how attractive and intriguing Dante D'Angelo is. She needs to stay strong and stay far away. 

An ancient curse has plagued Dante's family for many years. But this time around, it's different. This time there are triplets. One to see the past, one to hear the past and one to see the future. Dante has so much on his plate where is family is concerned, he doesn't have time for anything else. But then he meets Claire. She is completely blank to him. He sees nothing of her past. How can that be? Is his ability on the fritz? Who knows. But there is something about Claire that draws him in. He can't explain it but he has to get to know her better. He wants to be by her side always. To protect her, help her, laugh with her, enjoy life with her. He'll definitely have his work cut out for him. 

While Claire and Dante work to find the origin of a painting, they discover that their lives are more entwined than they ever imagined. The more they get to know each other, the more their feelings grow. However, with Claire's past, she has a hard time trusting Dante and letting him in. But with everything going on with her cyber stalker, the Colonel acting creepy and weird, her ex-boyfriend popping up out of no where, a man following her and Dante, she has to put her trust somewhere. She is tired of living in fear. It is time to take back her life and actually live it. Will they be able to figure everything out before it's too late? One thing is for sure, curse or no curse, neither Claire nor Dante will go down without a fight. 

*dreamy sigh*

WOW! I forgot how much I enjoyed this book. Just like the first time, once I started it, I could not put it down. I was sucked into the world of Claire and Dante and loved every minute of it. This book kept me on my toes and had me guessing till the very end. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. I'm looking forward to rereading the other books in this series. 

If you haven't read anything by Ms. Van, then I would highly recommend you give her books a try. I have absolutely loved every book of hers I have read. I'm looking forward to see what she has in store for us next! 

Ok... I'm not going to lie. This casting was SO hard! I can't tell you how many pictures I looked at of this guy. Haha. So... without further adieu... my casting!

Content: Mild swearing.

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...

Trish LeBaron

Trish LeBaron is a studious writer and bookish tea-drinker. She’s also a Storymakers First Chapter award winner having placed in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2020, her short story, The Weaver’s Tale, was published as the overall winner of a Utah anthology. When she’s not attending writerly conferences to sharpen her storycraft skills or enjoying a book while eating chocolate hand over fist, she can be found biking trails with her three kiddos and helping her pastry chef husband perfect sourdough.

Trish lives in a happy valley and has exactly zero pets.

Learn more about Trish and her debut novel, Magic in the Mix, by visiting MoonriseCoveBooks.com. You can also connect with her more directly by following her handle @writeawaytrish on Instagram.

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

Y'all. I love food fiction! Like LOVE it! I also love urban fantasy. So imagine my surprise and utter delight when I discovered an author who wrote an urban fantasy food fiction romance. I. Was. In. Heaven! I quickly fell in love Moonrise Cove and, if this was a real place, I'd be packing my bags and moving there! I also fell in love with all the yummy deliciousness of this book! And I'm not just talking about the Hunky-Chunky chocolate cupcake. 😉 Y'all. I WILL recreate that baby one of these days. If you are a lover of food fiction and/or urban fantasy then I highly recommend grabbing this book! It's another MUST read! 😍 

Pastry Chef Lucy Crowthorne has no room for romance in her life. Running her bakery, making trendy pastries, and mixing potions takes up all the space on her proverbial plate. Using her craft to spread good vibes in her secret magical community is both fun and keeps her focused—until a tall, dark-eyed, and extremely distracting someone begins poking his nose around her kitchen.

Food columnist Devin Dawson can’t ignore his inbox any longer. Loyal customers of Pastries and Potions want foodie magazine PastryLit to get the scoop on this young baker and her desserts that are wowing the Oregon coast. He checks out the pastry shop and can’t deny her mousse cakes and caramel bars are worth repeat visits. But it’s the pastry chef behind the bakery case that he’s having undeniable cravings for.

Lucy’s been burned in the past, figuratively of course. Revealing her magical identity to her ex-boyfriend was her worst adulting decision ever and led to the “Clint Catastrophe” her family won’t let her forget. Now let’s be clear, Devin Dawson is nothing like Clint. So why can’t Lucy shake the feeling that if Devin discovers her secret it will lead to catastrophic heartache?

You can check out my review here.

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!

One Whopper of a Love Story by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs, but what if a prince shows up . . .

When a prince—not the kind who wears a crown—swoops in to rescue me, I kiss him before I even ask his name. I’m sure I’ve given him the wrong impression, and he’ll bolt away like a cat out of a bathtub.

Except he keeps showing up.

Maybe fairy tales are real.

We all know that isn't true.

My Review: 5 Stars

Oh my stars, heart eyes, and dreamy sighs! Y'all! I can't even with how adorable this book is! There was no putting it down once I started and I did NOT want it to end!

Do you guys remember when I mentioned I hoped a few characters in Two Risks I'd Never Take Again would get their own story? Well, guess what?! Two of them did! I may or may not have squealed and did a happy dance around my room while one-clicking this baby!

Layla is gorgeous, impulsive, and loves to giggle. Nico is hot, protective, and a bit cynical when it comes to love. Neither are looking for love, but the moment they met, all bets were off.

Y'all! I absolutely adored Layla and Nico! Their story was just what the doctor ordered! I also love a good meet-cute in books and this one is probably one of my favorites. It involves mermaids, fire ants, needles and unexpected kisses. Intrigued and wondering how that all goes together? You're going to want to grab the book and find out! This may or may not have been the moment little dreamy sighs started escaping my lips. 😉 

If you guys haven't read this series yet, you are definitely missing out! It's one of my favorites series I've read this year and I'm so not ready to leave Stadtburg yet! I know this is one series I'll be reading over and over and over again! Like I said at the beginning of my review... Oh my stars, heart eyes, and dreamy sighs! 😍

Ms. Carrington made it onto my favorite authors list from the very first book of hers I read. I know that when she releases a new book, my schedule needs to be cleared because there's no stopping until I get to the very last page. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting, aren't these two perfect?! 😍

Two Risks I'd Never Take Again by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

Picking up a stranger off the side of the road is risky. Falling in love with him is . . . not going to happen. Probably.

My life is all doughnuts and sprinkles, and I can’t lie to save my life.

None of that is a problem until I find a man beaten up on the side of the road. In the dark. In the rain. And even though I promised I’d never again pick up a stranger, I load him into my car—not an easy task—and drive him to a hospital. I couldn’t just leave him there.

That’s how I end up spending a week in a luxurious house, soaking in a hot tub, gazing at the stars, and playing nurse to Garrett. Besides the bandages and bruises, it’s a recipe for romance.

Except I want no part in anything romantic. Dating will land my heart on the butchering slab, and I refuse be hurt again.

He’s interested. I wish I could lie and say I’m not.

Instead, I suggest we just stay friends. What’s the risk in that?

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all... I am so sad right now! I know they say all good things must come to an end but I'm just not ready for the Never Say Never series to end! I'm already going through withdrawals. 😭

Guys! I don't want to write my review. Why? Because if I write my review then it makes all of this final and I'm not okay with that! But alas... I can't leave this amazing book without a review! That would be very un-KJ of me! 😂 Okay. Here goes... 

Tessa struggles with things that happened in the past and because of it she has a hard time seeing her true self. I feel her pain on this one... literally. My heart broke for her because having to face and overcome her fears sucked. She holds back because she never wants to go through that again. 

Garrett is seriously amazing! He quickly realizes why she's holding back and respects her decision. However, that doesn't stop him from being the best freaking hero ever! He's so patient and loving towards her. He allows her to go at her own pace and does everything in his power to help her face her fears.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved Tessa and Garrett. These two quickly stole my heart. I loved getting to know them better and watching them get their HEA. This book definitely pulls at the heartstrings. I laughed, got teary eyed, and swooned like there was no tomorrow. I found myself savoring every minute I read and cursed as I got further and further into the book. I really did NOT want it to end!

I will say that there's a special treat at the end in the epilogue. It was seriously the BEST way to end the series! But I AM hoping a few of the characters in this series get their own books. Crossing my fingers for a spinoff series! 😉

Y'all. It's no secret that I love this series! And this series is why I've added another favorite and auto-buy author to my list. I have adored all the books I've read by Ms. Carrington and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

And of course we can't forget my casting. Y'all. Be still my little heart! I love these two! 

Three Rules I'd Never Break by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

How can a good guy make me want to break all my rules?

I have three rules. My dad taught me one, and the others I learned running my lingerie store. But even following my rules, I can’t seem to meet the right kinds of guys. I only attract bad boys, and I’m sick of it.

When the gorgeous but incredibly shy deputy has me inadvertently breaking rule 3, I change my dating strategy.

If bad boys seek me out, maybe it’s time I set my sights on a good guy. And, yes, the deputy with dazzling green eyes and heart-melting smile qualifies. As for the rule-breaking, it was a one-time thing.

Eli barely speaks to me, but I’m up to the challenge.

Then I break another rule for him and start to question my assumption about good guys.

My Review: 5 Stars

Oh. My. Gosh! You guys! I know I keep raving about the Never Say Never series but I can't help it! It's just SO good! 

From the moment I started reading this book, I was transported to Tessa's bakery where I sat at the back table eating donuts, drinking hot cocoa and listening to Delaney and Eli tell me their love story. And oh what a story it was! I was in heaven! 😍

Y'all, there are no words to describe how much I love Delaney and Eli. These two are pretty perfect for each other. I absolutely adored watching their relationship develop. 

With Eli being the strong, silent type, I was curious to see how Delaney would wear down his defenses and get him to actually talk to her. Let's just say that, when it comes to love, Delaney doesn't hold back and will use anything and everything in her power to get the man of her dreams. 😉 All I can say is... you go girl! 😂

Now. Can we take just a moment to talk about their off the charts chemistry?! Wowzers! Y'all. Lots of swooning happening in this book. And I'm not just talking about their sizzling kisses. Although, that first kiss was a doozy... 😍😂

*dreamy sigh*

Y'all. I know this book is just releasing, but I have to ask. When can I get Tessa's story?! I need it like right now! I'm going to cross my fingers that her book releases early as well. Wouldn't that just be the BEST?! 

If you haven't given this series a try yet then you are definitely missing out. It will have you laughing out loud (literally), getting teary eyed, and letting out all kinds of little dreamy sighs. It's seriously one of those series that just sucks you in and refuses to let you go until each book is over. 

Ms. Carrington has officially been added to be favorite authors/auto-buy list. I have loved everything I have read of hers so far and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

And we all know that my reviews just wouldn't be complete without my casting. Y'all. I. Am. In. Love! What do you think? 

Two Words I'd Never Say Again by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

Never marry the same man twice

The day I married Hank ranks as the best day of my life. The worst day? 
The day he left.
He wants us back together, but I can’t go through all that pain again. That’s why I’ve ignored his calls for a year.
But it’s pretty hard to ignore him now that we’re in the same wedding.
Due to a mix-up with the rooms, we end up sharing a cabin. A weekend in a romantic cabin is like playing with fire. And he is determined to go above and beyond to win me back.
My defenses start to crumble, and I’m tempted to give him another chance. But doing that means admitting one small secret. A secret that might destroy our second chance at love . . .

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. All I have to say is... holy moly! I did NOT see that one coming!

I know I say this about all the characters in this series but... oh how I adored Nacha and Hank! Their story is full of the good, the bad and the ugly. The twist in the beginning kinda left me speechless with my mouth hanging open. After I recovered I may or may not have said (a little too loudly) What in the ever loving world just happened?! Y'all. My new neighbors are really going to start thinking that I'm crazy. 😂 Nacha and Hank's journey may have been filled with ups and downs, but it was absolutely beautiful. 

I loved seeing couples from the previous books as well as getting to know characters from up coming books. Cami and Harper's book is next and I can already tell you, I'm going to love it! She is a sassy ball of energy and he's probably the biggest flirt out of all the characters so far. It's going to be fun to watch them get their HEA. 

If you can't tell... I am loving this series! These books are just so good! I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Y'all know how much I love my epilogues, right? Well guess what?! All of these books have BONUS epilogues! I. Am. In. Heaven! And I think this should become a thing for ALL authors... just sayin... 😉

I am so glad that I discovered Ms. Carrington's books. I've loved all the ones I've read so far. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and some of her other ones. 

As for my casting... I think these two are perfect! What do you think?

One Choice I'd Never Make by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

Never Date a Guy When Your World is Falling Apart

Being an only child has its perks . . . and its disadvantages. My parents want the best for me. That I get. But they also want to dictate my life.

Not gonna happen.

They want me to move back home, but I like living three hours away. Then I meet the perfect guy. He’s another reason not to leave my small town.

My parents don’t like that I’m not moving—they don’t know about the guy—and demand their stuff back . . . everything they’ve bought me. What am I supposed to do underemployed and without a car? I can’t ask my boyfriend to save me from that.

But I’ll do anything to figure out life on my own terms. Even if it means working on a goat farm.
Once I establish my independence, I introduce Harper to my parents. They hate every choice I make, but I think they’ll love him.

I’m not sure what I’ll do if they don’t.

My Review: 5 Stars!

Oh holy swooniness Batman! Y'all. It's official! Cami and Harper's book is my absolute favorite in the series so far! 💗

When we first met Cami in previous books, she was all over the place and you couldn't help but laugh at her antics. While she has no filter and calls them like she sees them, she'll be your most loyal friend and will always be there when you need her. She's definitely a handful but she's pretty special and deserves someone pretty incredible. 

Enter in Harper. Y'all. These two have the best cute-meets. (Yes, I meant meets.) Both times had me laughing and I couldn't wait to watch their story unfold. And oh what a story it was! I had one of those goofy grins on my face the entire time I was reading and I let out all kinds of little dreamy sighs. These two are absolutely adorable! 😍

One of the things I love most about Harper is his ability to know just what Cami needs at the very moment she needs it. He was always there saying and doing all the right things. He picks her up when life knocks her down and he's her biggest cheerleader. He lets her be herself and is completely smitten with her. He finds her antics endearing and loves her perfectly. *dreamy sigh* I seriously love these two! 

If you haven't been able to tell, I absolutely love this series! I love seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I cannot wait to read Delaney and Eli's book. I have a feeling it will be very entertaining. 😉 Poor Eli! 😂

Ms. Carrington has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her books have all been such a fun break from reality and I have loved all the ones I've read so far. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

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

One Guy I'd Never Date by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

Never date your brother’s best friend

There is one guy on my ‘do not date’ list. Zach Gallagher. It’s not that I’m not attracted to him. Because I’ve been crushing on him since I was ten.

The trouble is, he still treats me like I’m that kid who fell for him. Oh, and did I mention that he’s my brother’s best friend? Attraction or no, he’s totally off-limits.

When a Thanksgiving camping trip (which wasn’t my idea) goes wrong and forces me to accept Zach’s help, I have trouble remembering all the reasons he’s on the list.

Then the drop-dead gorgeous deputy has the nerve to show interest, and I have to figure out how to navigate the new normal. Teasing turns into flirting . . . until my brother figures it out. He hates the idea of his little sister dating his best friend.

When Zach asks me out, I’m forced to choose, which is heart-wrenching. But breaking up a twenty-year friendship is even worse. What am I going to do?

My Review: 5 Stars

Y'all. I told you there was going to be some binge-reading in my future! 🤣 In case anyone is wondering, I ended up reading way past my bedtime and woke up extra early to sneak in some more reading. I absolutely love books that can do that! 

What can I say about Haley and Zach?! I'll start with... I love them! They are seriously too stinkin cute together. Poor Haley kept finding herself in some pretty embarrassing situations but y'all... they were hilarious! And I loved how Zach always came to her rescue. Watching these two spend time together and slowly realize they were falling in love had this girl letting out all the dreamy sighs! I say the patio had a lot to do with it. Who knew patios could be so romantic?

Speaking of... can I just tell you how much I love Zach's patio?! I seriously need one of those in my life. I can picture it now... relaxing outside, reading a good book and eating some of that snackalicious popcorn. I may or may not have highlighted the recipe in the book so I can make it for myself sometime soon. 😉

 

I loved seeing Adam and Eve (this still cracks me up!) again and meeting some new characters. All of them really do make the book that much better. Although I will say, Hank needs a good ol' swift kick in the butt. That man was making me cRaZy! I really hope Nacha gives him a run for his money and doesn't take him back right away. That man needs to be humbled... 🤣

I am absolutely loving this series! It is SO fun! I want to devour all of the books as fast as I can but then I want to read them slowly so I can savor every minute of them. The struggle is real y'all! Haha. 

Ms. Carrington has another hit on her hands! Any author who can literally make me bust out laughing is a keeper. Finding new authors is the best! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next. 😊

Y'all... I'm in love with this casting! They are absolutely perfect, don't you think?!

Three Things I'd Never Do by Remi Carrington

 

Synopsis:

Never say never.

There are three things Eve said she would never do—move back in with her parents, let her mother set her up, and date a guy with a dog.

When a bolt of lightning forces Eve to move back in with her parents, she’s already going back on her ‘never’ list. As if things aren’t bad enough, a tree falls, trapping her in the bathtub.

When Adam, the handsome firefighter rescues her, bubbles and all, Eve is so humiliated, she hopes she never sees him again. But as fate would have it, Adam is her blind date – Thanks Mom. Surprisingly, he is perfect … except for one minor thing. He has dogs, and she is a die-hard cat lover.

She may never get over her aversion to sloppy kisses (from the dogs), but when Eve dog sits for the weekend, things go from bad to worse. Someone is bound to end in the doghouse forever.

My Review: 5 Stars

Oh my heck! You guys! I found another one of those... "Drop what ever you're reading and grab this one right now!"... kind of books. I hadn't even finished the first chapter before I was busting out laughing. 😂

Y'all! I absolutely adored this book! I could not get enough of Eve and Adam. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Their willingness to step outside their comfort zones and do things they wouldn't normally do spoke of how much they truly cared for each other. Add to that their banter and sizzling chemistry and this girl right here couldn't help but let out all kinds of little dreamy sighs. These two were absolutely perfect for each other. 

I do have to say that the side characters made the book even better. I loved Haley and cannot wait to read her book! I will say that I wasn't a big fan of the moms. I found myself wanting to Gibbs slap them more than I have any other character in a long time. They were just too much. I loved seeing them shocked into silence during Thanksgiving dinner. That was seriously the best! 

This is my first book by Ms. Carrington and it definitely won't be my last. I've already one clicked a few more of her books in this series. I think I see some binge reading in my very near future. I can't wait to fall in love with more of her characters! 

And of course I cannot forget my casting. I love these two! What do you think?!