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?!

Magic in the Mix by Trish LeBaron

Synopsis:

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?

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. One of my favorite tropes is food fiction. I love reading about all the yummy creations and then dream about recreating them. Sadly, when it comes to this trope, the pickens are slim. So, imagine my surprise and utter delight when I see the cutest book cover and discover it's all about a magical pastry chef! I felt like it was screaming at me... pick me! pick me! And pick I did. I may or may not have squealed and did a little happy dance as I one-clicked this baby.

Y'all. From the moment I started reading, I was swept away to the magical island of Moonrise Cove. Everything around me ceased to exist and I found myself sitting in the small alcove at Pastries and Potions with Lucy and Devin, nibbling on a Hunky-Chunky chocolate cupcake and drinking hot cocoa while being regaled by their adventurous love story. 

Before she was even born, Lucy's life was mapped out for her. She didn't have a choice in what she wanted to do or who she wanted to be. Having the decisions made for her had her feeling trapped and smothered. She just wanted to be free to choose things for herself. Opening up Pastries and Potions was just the ticket to prove to everyone that she can do the hard things on her own. With so much on the line, she can't afford any distractions. 

Enter in Devin. Y'all. I loved him instantly! I know I say this in a lot of my reviews but, he was absolutely perfect for Lucy! Even though he's absolutely clueless when it comes to magic, it doesn't stop him from being who Lucy needs in her life. Whether it's saving her from accidents, encouraging her when she's feeling down, cleaning up the disasters that seem to be following her around, whatever she needs, he is always there for her, no questions asked. He is absolute perfection!

Oh how I adored Lucy and Devin! I loved getting to know them and seeing what made them tick. Their journey wasn't all sunshine and roses. There were bumps along the way and hard choices needed to be made. But those things made them stronger and helped mold them into who they were meant to be. 

You guys! This is seriously the cutest and sweetest book! But it really needs to come with a warning or two. I'm thinking something like... 

*WARNING* Make sure you have some sweet treats with you while reading because you are most definitely going to be craving some yummy goodness like Moonrise Turtle Bars and Hunky-Chunky chocolate cupcakes. (Y'all. I really need these in my life!)

*WARNING* Make sure you clear your calendar because once you start, you won't want to stop. It may or may not cause you to be late back to work after lunch. 

If you haven't guessed already, I absolutely adored this debut novel by Ms. LeBaron! She did a phenomenal job of kidnapping me and holding me hostage until the very end. I cannot wait to read more of her books! 

As for my casting... y'all. There are no words! I love these two! 

Breaking All the Rules by Cindy Roland Anderson

Synopsis:

She needs a romance coach. He needs a last-minute date for a wedding. They agree to help each other as long as they don’t break their number one rule. No falling in love. That’s not a problem…until their hearts decide that some rules are made to be broken.

My Review: 5 Stars!

Breaking All the Rules is just ONE of the TWENTY books in the Love, Laughter and Happily Ever After anthology. It releases on July 20th and is only 99 cents! Click here to snag your copy today! 

Now for my review... 😉

Dear Ms. Anderson,

We need to talk about a visit I received from Camdyn and Beckett. Apparently they were able to feel my sadness when I finished their story. Why was I feeling sad? Because everyone knows that when you absolutely adore a book and connect with the characters, you never want said book to end! But alas, it did. 😭 *le sigh* Anyway, back to their visit. They wanted me to let you know that it's totally fine if you continue on with their story... just for me. Can you believe that?! I was so shocked and excited that I just could not WAIT to tell you! You seriously have the BEST characters! I will be not so patiently waiting for more of their story. 😉

Anxiously waiting,
KJ

P.S. Don't worry... I wont tell a single soul that you're doing this for me. It will be our little secret... I promise! 😉

Y'all! If you couldn't tell by my letter to Ms. Anderson, I absolutely loved this book! But shhhh... don't tell her that I shared it with you. It was supposed to be a secret! 🤫

From the moment I started this book, I did not want to put it down! Camdyn and Beckett quickly became favorites of mine. I couldn't get enough of these two! Their chemistry was sizzling and jumping off the pages! YOWZERS! *fans herself*

I always love when Ms. Anderson releases a new book. I can always count on them to make me laugh out loud, swoon, let out little dreamy sighs and give me that much needed break from reality. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting... this one is kind of a funny story. I picked out my casting BEFORE I saw this gorgeous cover. Y'all. I had to do a double take. Haha. I absolutely adore these two! What do you think? 

Silent Partner by Jennifer Peel

Synopsis:

He thinks his silence will protect her. She needs to hear what’s in his heart.

When it comes to love and life, Kinsley Kramer knows one thing—she’s always second best. Tired of feeling like she’s never enough, she decides to give up on men and adopt a cat. What Kinsley doesn’t know is that Brant Holland wants nothing more than to tell the world how much he loves her, but he has kept his distance to protect Kinsley from the secrets he keeps and from his ex-fiancée’s family.

But when Kinsley is about to lose her restaurant, Brant can’t help but act. He steps in and becomes her silent partner. Unable to deny the passion that sizzles between them, they must open painful doors to the past, and the secrets Brant has been keeping must be unleashed. Secrets that threaten to destroy everything and everyone he holds dear. Kinsley must now decide if she can bear the pain of Brant’s past choices and an uncertain future as everything in the Hollands’ world hangs in the balance.

See how it all unfolds in this heart-tugging final chapter of the Pine Falls series.

My Review: 5+ Stars!

Holy Hannah! Y'all! Brace yourselves! And while you're bracing, clear your schedules of any and all the thangs. Once you start this book, you will NOT want to put it down! Y'all are in for one heck of a ride!

From the moment I started this book, I was transported to Two Girls and a Guy in Carrington Cove, where I sat in a booth, eating yummy food and listening to Kinsley and Brant tell me a story. A story of heartache, of pain, of trials, of hope, of forgiveness, of family, but most of all of unconditional love. They told me their story. And oh what a heartachingly beautiful story it was! The feels are alive and well in this book... and I mean ALL the feels!

Kinsley has become one of my all time favorite heroines... HANDS DOWN! Wow! She went through A LOT but she remained super sweet and down to earth the entire time. Out of all three Kramer girls, she is definitely the strongest and most resilient. People seem to underestimate her and count her out. I loved watching her prove them all wrong.

And can I just tell you how freaking amazing Brant is?! Y'all. I have all the heart eyes in the world for this man! I absolutely adored him! He's not afraid to go out and get what he wants and refuses to take no for an answer. I loved how much he loved Kinsley and I loved how he fought for her. If ever there was a couple who deserved a HEA, it's these two. 🥰

Now, it would be remiss of me if I didn't mention all the swooniness that was going on in this book. Y'all. That first kiss? And that second kiss? And all the kisses after that? Explosive! The chemistry between these two was hot, hot, HOT! 😍

I loved seeing all our friends in Pine Falls and catching up with all the happenings of their lives. But I do have to say that I may or may not have been livid with a few of them for the way they treated Kinsley. I also may or may not have yelled at them to back off and leave her the heck alone. Y'all. If I could've, I would've jumped through my kindle and Gibbs slapped the lot of them with a cast iron skillet! I'm sure you'll feel the same way when you read this book. 😉 Haha.

I'm not going to lie. I did not want this book to end. And not just because I loved every single minute I spent in this book. It's also because I'm not ready to say goodbye to all my friends in Pine Falls. This series has quickly become one of my favorites and it's always a little bittersweet to see it come to an end. But I will say, if it does have to end, this was the perfect ending to a phenomenal series!

It's no secret that Ms. Peel is one of my all time favorite authors. I am in awe of the worlds she creates and the journeys she takes us on. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! Knowing her it's going to be fantastic!

And of course no review of mine would be complete without my casting. I am seriously in love with these two! What do you think?

Shadow Redemption by Rebecca Deel

 

Synopsis:

After surviving a nightmare, supermodel Ruth Monihan's past is firmly in her rearview mirror. But when unwanted gifts threaten to drag her back into the darkness, she turns to a tall, dark, and deadly operative with fire-tested skills and courage to unmask a stalker with a lethal agenda.

Living and working in the shadows is a matter of survival for Fortress operative Ben Martin. But when the woman who rocked his world asks for help, the battle-hardened warrior walks into the limelight, triggering a cascade of events that may conclude with their deaths.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Y'all know how much I love Ms. Deel's books. So imagine my surprise when I realize that I never reviewed one of them. Gotta love a reason to reread books by a favorite author. 

Ruth and Ben both have demons in their past that they have a hard time with. Both think that they are broken and not good enough to have someone special in their lives. But past trauma is what paves the path from friendship to something more. 

I absolutely adored these two and loved watching them not only grow stronger as individuals, but also as a couple. These two were made for each other. Both knew what the other one was experiencing and knew just what to say and how to help each other. These two are definitely favorites of mine! 

While I loved these two, I do have to say, there were a few things that held me back from completely loving it. 

I was really disappointed with Bridget and Trace for the way they treated Ben. The way they reacted to the news of Ben and Ruth becoming a couple was ridiculous. Neither one of them thought Ben was "good enough" for her because of his past that they knew nothing about. I struggled with it because it wasn't true to their characters. 

I was also disappointed in the few plot points that were left unresolved (there's no resolution for the second half of the "mystery"), as well as some inconsistencies (in the previous book Ruth doesn't have any allergies but in this one she's death allergic to strawberries and she also spent time in Bayside with Sorensen in the previous book but doesn't know who he is in the book), and grammatical errors that should've been caught my beta readers and/or an editor. Had I not loved Ben and Ruth so much, I probably would've given it a lower rating. 

I seriously cannot get enough of Ms. Deel's books. They're all favorites that I can read over and over again. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

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

Just His Secretary by Donna Jeffries

Synopsis:

She's just his secretary…until he needs someone on his arm to convince his mother that he can take over the family business. Then Callie becomes Dawson's girlfriend—but just in his text messages…but maybe she'll start to worm her way into his shriveled heart too.

Callie:
Dawson Houser makes sure everyone who comes into the office knows I'm "just his secretary."

Heck, I've even said it to suppliers and CEOs when they smile knowingly at the two of us during business meetings. He scowls and grumps around the office afterward, as if the two of us dating is the most ridiculous thing on the planet.

Dawson can handle them. I can handle them—and him too, once they leave. And he's no picnic, let me tell you.

Who can't we handle?

His mother.

When Lila Houser comes to town with her faux furs and fashion sunglasses, she only has one question for her spoiled rotten son: When are you going to get married, Dawson, darling?

I expect him to laugh and tell her he's never getting married. I mean, I've heard those exact words come out of his mouth.

Instead, he pulls me to his side and says, "Maybe sooner than you think, Mother."

Oh, that Lila Houser can make a woman feel two inches tall with a simple up-down look. I think I'm a pretty good catch...no matter what my last three boyfriends say.

When Lila says, "I thought Callie was just your secretary," I suddenly want to prove her dead wrong...

My Review: 4 Stars

Y'all know how much I love finding new authors to try. What you probably don't know is, while searching for said authors, I ALWAYS check Goodreads to see if any of my friends have read their books. And when they haven't I get really excited. It's like finding gold at the end of the rainbow.

From the moment I read the synopsis, I was intrigued and could not wait for this book to be released. How long have I had my eye on it? For about a month. I may or may not have let out a little squeal as I was one-clicking this baby.

Callie is a very strong, independent woman who knows what she wants in life and is not afraid to go out and get it. Her self-confidence is rather inspiring. She's definitely someone I can see myself being friends with. You can't help but want to do better and be better when she's around. Dawson is a prime example for that.

Speaking of Dawson, the man can definitely be a beast to others around him. He's jaded and stuck in his ways. That is until Callie starts working her magic without him even realizing it. Watching him transform into a better person and seeing their relationship develop was a fun journey.

While I really enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down, there were a couple of things that stopped me from giving it the full 5 stars I wanted to give it. The main reason is there are parts of the book that just didn't make sense to me. People were hot and cold for reasons that readers are not shown. There's miscommunication that didn't fit who the characters are. The other part is there are some grammatical and editing errors throughout the book that beta readers and/or the editor should have caught.

But, like I said, it didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I was only about 23% in before I reached out to one amazing friend and about 34% in before I reached out to another amazing friend telling them both that they have to give this book a try! I may or may not have told one... she had me at "power panties"! 🤣

I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books in this series. I've already read the sneak peek of Tara and Alec's book and I cannot wait to discovery their story!

This is Ms. Jeffries debut novel and I can already tell she's going places. I can't wait to see where her writing journey takes her.

As for my casting... *dreamy sigh* Y'all! I'm in love! What do you think?!

On Her Own by N.J. Ricks

Synopsis:

"I’m sorry. I don’t think I am cut out for marriage. I tried."

After the unexpected end of her five-year marriage, Emily Walsh is back in her hometown, dreading the ghosts of her past and ashamed of her failed marriage. Back in the house she grew up in, she is faced with the demons she has been able to ignore for years while trying to find out who she is all over again.

She is surprised to find an unexpected friendly face from her past who reminds her of who she used to be and helps her see what her life could be if she were only willing to take the chance.

As Emily tries to gain her footing in her new life, she encounters obstacles, the greatest of which may be her own insecurities. She will have to decide if she will allow the pain from her past to keep her from the future she never knew she always wanted.

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. I am one of the biggest mood readers you'll ever meet. Between yesterday and today, I have downloaded about 35 samples of books looking for "something different". While talking to one of my bestest book friends, she suggested I check out N.J. Ricks. After reading the description for On Her Own, I knew this was going to be a winner.

From the moment I started reading, I was transported to the small town of Stevensville where I walked side by side with Emily through her journey of self-discovery and love. This was not an easy journey. She's just coming out of a bad marriage, she doesn't know who she is anymore and her fears and insecurities are stopping her from going after the future she deserves.

Enter Brandon, her childhood best friend she hasn't seen in over a decade. And like the best of the best best friends, they picked up right where they left off as if no time had passed at all. Their friendship is easy and just what Emily needs. If anyone can help her figure out her future, it's Brandon. She'll have to face some hard times and make some tough decisions, but he'll never leave her side.

I adored this book and had a really hard time putting it down. I absolutely loved the nostalgia in it. I was transported back to when I was a kid, swinging on swings, doing underdogs, climbing the "spiderweb" dome, running to the huge tractor tires at recess and snagging the inside before anyone else could. Life was so much simpler back then. I don't know about you, but I miss the good ol' days!

This is my first book by Ms. Ricks and I can tell you it won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and whatever else she writes in the future. Finding new authors is the BEST!

And of course I can't for get my casting. What do you think?

Treasured in Turtle Bay by Jess Mastorakos

 

Synopsis:

It’s all fun and games until their fake relationship sparks real feelings.

Molly Whitman’s carefully arranged life unravels when her fiancé dumps her right before their wedding. Now she’s headed to Hawaii on the honeymoon of a lifetime—alone.

Helicopter Crew Chief Roman Russo has never thought of himself as a knight in shining armor. But when Molly forgets to cancel some honeymoon activities and needs someone to stand in as her husband, he’s right there to save the day.

Armed with her fake husband and three weeks of sand, sun, and sightseeing, Molly intends to forget the past and move forward. But is pretending to be married to this handsome Marine clouding her vision of the future?

My Review: 5 Stars

There's no better feeling than opening up your email and finding a book you've been dying to get your hands on sitting in your inbox waiting to be read. I may or may not have squealed and did a little happy dance as I jumped out of bed to hurry to complete my "must do" chores before sitting down and devouring this book.

If Hawaii hadn't already been on my bucket list, this book would have sealed the deal. From the moment I started reading, I felt like I was right there with Molly and Roman experiencing everything they did and watching them fall in love.

Molly and Roman, while polar opposites, are pretty perfect for each other. They balance each other out and make each other better. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. I confess that I had one of those goofy grins on my face the majority of the time I was reading this book and I lost count of how many times I let out little dreamy sighs. Y'all! That epilogue was perfect!

I absolutely loved every minute I spent in Turtle Bay. And in case anyone is wondering, I totally looked up Turtle Bay Resort the moment I finished reading this book! Y'all! One word... GORGEOUS! 😍

I am extremely excited about this new series! I cannot wait for Mac's story. I'm definitely intrigued. This is one of those times that I have to remind myself... "Writing takes time!" I'm not going to lie... I am horrible when it comes to waiting for the next book by a favorite author to be released.

Y'all. I have loved every book I've read of Ms. Mastorakos' and I highly recommend checking out these sweet romances. I can't get enough of them!

I know I say this all the time but come on! How can I not say it?! I am loving these two! Aren't they perfect?! *dreamy sigh*

The Love Potion by Becky Monson

 

Synopsis:

Can a magic love potion help her see what’s right in front of her?

Ally Hawkins, ever cheerful and always willing to see the bright side of things, has never had a date for Valentine’s Day. But this is her year. She can feel it in her little optimistic heart. Even if she, a full-grown woman, resorts to believing in a love potion she bought at a county fair. After all, the day she accidently got some of the smelly concoction on herself, the object of her desire asked her out to lunch. That can’t be a coincidence, can it?

But ever since the potion came into her life, Josh Wise, Ally’s coworker and office BFF, has been acting strange. He’s been pulling away from her, and she finds that she’s missing his playful antics and the way he can always make her laugh and smile. The potion, it would seem, is lifting the curtain on a reality that Ally has been blind to. But will she recognize what’s been right in front of her all along before it’s too late?

My Review: 4 Stars

Confession. I have never really been a big fan of Valentine's Day. To me, it's just another day. And I'm sure if Ally ever heard me saying that, she would be appalled! 🤣

Ally is such a sweet, fun character. I think we all could use a friend like Ally. She's always looking for the best in people, even when they don't deserve it. She's extremely optimistic and looking on the bright side comes easy for her. It's one of the many things her best friend, Josh, loves about her. 

Y'all. Josh is seriously the best. He's very supportive of Ally and her happiness. You can tell from the very beginning he only wants the best for her. I think I fell in love with him from the start. 

While there was some romance in the book, the main part of the story (at least for me), was watching Ally become a better version of herself. One where she doesn't lose her optimism but is able to see things without the rose-colored glasses on. Her "Ah-ha!" moment with Hazel was the best! ❤️

I really enjoyed this book. It was super cute! But I found myself wanting just a little bit more. An epilogue would've been perfect. Maybe of a certain special date? 😉

I just realized while I was reading that I haven't read very many of Ms. Monson's books. I have loved all the ones I've read so far. I see some binge reading happening in the near future!

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

All's Fair in Love and Blood by Jennifer Peel

 

Synopsis:

They are both out for blood, but could it end in love?

Scarlett Armstrong and Kane Hudson have a tangled past involving not only their families but their own failed love affair. Now, eight years later, to make things more complicated, they’re both in the running to become the next CEO of Scarlett’s family’s business, Armstrong Labs, a privately held blood plasma company. It all comes down to who presents the best business plan to the board of directors.

For Scarlett, it’s a matter of continuing her family’s legacy and hoping that her father will be proud of her once and for all. After all, she’s spent her entire life pushing her own dreams aside preparing for this role. And perhaps she would like a little sweet revenge against the man who stole her heart and never gave it back. Kane, on the other hand, is determined to reach his goal of becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company before his forty-fifth birthday and proving to Scarlett she’s meant to follow her own dreams.

But things don’t go according to plan for either Scarlett or Kane when they realize that perhaps they’re fighting for the wrong thing. With love and blood on the line, which one will come out on top?

My Review: 5+ Stars!

Y'all, I feel like this book should come with warnings. Lots and lots of warnings. Out of the goodness of my heart, I'll provide you with some of the warnings someone should have given me before I started this book.

*WARNING*

1. You may or may not need tissues before you dive into this book.
2. You may or may not want to have a tub of cookie dough waiting for you in your fridge so you can eat your feelings. (True story.)
3. You may or may not need to wrap your kindle in bubble wrap incase you decide you need to throw it across the room.
4. You may or may not be blown away with the emotional rollercoaster you're about to embark on.
5. You may or may not want to read this book at the same time as one of your bestest book buddies because you are probably going to need some emotional support along the way.
6. You may or may not have the mother of all book hangovers once you finish this book.

This book, right here, has ruined all other books for me for the unforeseeable future. I'm going to need to reread lots and lots of old favorites in order to give any new books a fighting chance of me loving them. Not sorry authors! I'm doing this for your own good! 😂

If you couldn't already guess, I absolutely LOVE this book! From the moment I picked it up, there was no putting it down! I skipped meals, stayed up way too late reading and pretty much ignored the world around me. No one existed except my new best friends, Scarlett and Kane. Oh how I adored these two!

Scarlett was such an amazing heroine! Y'all, I had real tears, both sad and happy ones, falling down my face for her. It didn't matter what life threw at her or that it was constantly knocking her down. She got right back up and kept pushing forward. She had every right in the world to be angry and bitter but she always, always took the higher road, even if she didn't want too. She has got to be the most selfless heroine ever and she makes me want to be a better person.

Kane was such a phenomenal hero! I think we all need a Kane in our lives. From the very beginning, and I mean VERY beginning, he was Team Scarlett. This man loves her fiercely, protects her with every fiber of his being, helps her to not only see herself but love herself, is willing to sacrifice his own happiness to make sure she is as happy as she can possibly be. He is the best of the best. It's no wonder they are perfect for each other!

And can we PLEASE take a moment to talk about the sizzling chemistry that was flying off the pages from the start?! It was hot, hot, hot! Oh holy Hannah! That first kiss! *dreamy sigh* Talk about a million butterflies and turning into a big ol' pile of goo. WOWZERS! This book has the BEST kissing scenes!

I am in awe of Ms. Peel's talent! I swear, it feels like every time I think I've found my new favorite book of hers, she turns to her next couple and says: "Hold my Dr. Pepper. I'm about to prove her wrong... again!" I will forever be grateful to one of my best bookish friends for introducing me to her books. I cannot WAIT to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting, I think we all need to take a moment to admire these two. I. Am. In. LOVE! *dreamy sigh* Aren't they perfect?! 

Content: Mild language. Sizzling kisses. Clean!

Coffee Shop Girl by Katie Cross

 

Synopsis:

Bethany:

This coffee shop is going to kill me.

Sure, it's my dad's dream. If he hadn't died eight months ago, I wouldn't be here, a college drop out, trying not to drown in debt.

Nor would I be staring into the muddy eyes of a viking-sized man that's telling me everything I'm doing wrong—as if he knows so much about business in a small mountain town.

Except he does.

And when the biggest, most unexpected surprise of all falls in my lap, I'll have no choice but to ask for his help.

Time for some power lipstick.

Maverick:

This girl is drowning.

She might have eyes like glacier pools and hair so black it's glossy, but that doesn't mean she knows how to run a coffee shop. She's drowning in more than debt, interest, and credit card payments.

She'll never make it.

But I kind of want her to.

Because underneath that bright lipstick and those sun dresses is a woman that I have an uncomfortable feeling is about to rock. my. world.

My Review: 5 Stars

Confession. I have been suffering from a book hangover for over a week now. I've lost count of how many books I have tried but they just couldn't keep my attention. On a whim, and without reading the synopsis, I grabbed this one and crossed my fingers that I found a winner. Good news is... I found a winner! Bad news is... I have an even bigger book hangover now. Good news is... I. Do. Not. Care!

Y'all! I have been sitting here for hours trying to type up my review but all I can think of is... Ummmm... what in the world just happened?! Literally. What in the world just happened?! This book did not go in the direction I thought it would. Granted, that was probably because I didn't read the synopsis and, for some unknown reason, I assumed this book was a RomCom. Ummm. Yeah. It's not. BUT it was SO good!

Ms. Cross did a phenomenal job of captivating me from the very beginning. I hadn't even finished the first chapter before I found myself cheering Bethany on and being intrigued by the mystery of all things Maverick. I couldn't read fast enough to discover all the things about these two! Oh how I adored them!

I also adored Lizbeth and Ellie. I don't want to give anything away but, just know, these two are pivotal in this story.

Gah! You guys! The feels in this book! All. The. Feels! My heart shattered into a million pieces. I had tears rolling down my face on more than one occasion. I ached for Bethany, Maverick, Lizbeth and Ellie. Their journey is so heartachingly beautiful! There's just something about getting lost in it all with them. The learning, the growing, the healing, the loving.. it was all just SO real! This is one book that I will be thinking about for a long time to come!

This is my first book by Ms. Cross and it definitely will not be my last! I cannot WAIT for the next book in this series to come out! It has been preordered and I will be sitting on the edge of my seat for release day!

As for my casting. Y'all. She had me at tattoos. I cannot tell you how long I have waited to use this exact picture! He seriously just fits for me. I am in love with these two! What do you think?!

Content: Mild language. Brief moments of peril. Talk of abuse and suicide with no details. Swoony kisses! Clean!

2021 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 5th Annual Reading Challenge! Are you ready to see what I've chosen for this year's challenge? Yes? Sweet!

Allow me to share with you KJ's Book Nook 2021 Reading Challenge!

1. A book you've read but never reviewed: Shadow Redemption by Rebecca Deel

2. A book with food on the cover: An Unlikely Love Story by Ellie Hall

3. A book with less than 1000 reviews on Goodreads: More Than Second Chances by Sara Jane Woodley

4. A book with Q, X or Z in the title: Magic in the Mix by Trish LeBaron

5. A book with a heart or diamond on the cover: The Love Potion by Becky Monson

6. A book with a five word title: One Choice I'd Never Make by Remi Carrington

7. Start a new series: Treasured in Turtle Bay by Jess Mastorakos

8. An anticipated release of 2021: Silent Partner by Jennifer Peel

9. A 2020 Swoony Award winner: The Match by Sarah Adams

10. A book you chose with your eyes closed: Three Things I'd Never Do by Remi Carrington

11. A book by a USA Today Best Selling Author: All's Fair in Love and Blood by Jennifer Peel

12. A book that made you laugh out loud: Just His Secretary by Donna Jeffries

13. A book from last year's TBR list: Coffee Shop Girl by Katie Cross

14 A book recommended by a favorite blogger: On Her Own by N.J. Ricks

15. Any book of your choice: Breaking All the Rules by Cindy Roland Anderson

Does this challenge sound like one you would love to try to accomplish? If so, feel free to join me! If you do a blog post, make sure you share the link in the comments so I can add it to my post.

2021 Reading Challenge Participants:

Emily - Seriously Sweet Reads

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!