The Heart Shot by Emily Schneider

 

Synopsis:

Two strangers. One couple's photoshoot. What could possibly go wrong?

I’m Elsie Faren and I hate love.

Err, not hate, exactly. More like I no longer believe in it. After watching my parents divorce, then dumping my deadbeat boyfriend, I realized the idea of love is a fantasy.

For four years I’ve been perfectly content to remain single and alone, but now my best friend has tricked me into doing a couple’s photoshoot with a stranger.

Unfortunately, that stranger, Jameson Beck, has somehow managed to worm his way into my life, convincing me to go on three dates with him.

I was so certain that my hardened heart would be immune to his sunshine demeanor and kind soul. Little did I know that between all my fears, our flirting, and some flying donuts, there would be a sizzling spark between us…one that would have my heart begging to be let out of its cage.

But I’ve seen the effects of broken love—and I can’t risk it—not even for Jameson.

…Right?

My Review: 5 Stars!

Oh holy swooniness with all the feels Batman! Where do I even begin?! This book was AMAZING! 

I hadn't even finished reading the description before I was downloading this baby. To say I was intrigued was an understatement. A reverse grumpy/sunshine? Strangers pretending to be in love? Why not give it a shot? Y'all. I am so glad that I did! 

It didn't take very long for me to be transported to Meridel, IA where I became fully immersed in all things Elsie and Jameson. These two quickly made their way into my heart and I couldn't help but love them!

My heart ached for Elsie. She had been through so much. To keep her heart from being hurt again, she built her walls up so high in hopes that no one would ever break through them. But one look at Jameson and she knew she was going to be in trouble. 

Jameson... *dreamy sigh* Y'all. He will have you swooning like no other. This man knows what he wants and he wants Elsie. There is just something about her that calls to him. He has no problem tearing down those walls to see into her heart, to see her. 

Gah! I couldn't get enough of these two! Their chemistry, their banter, their sizzling, swoony kisses... *dreamy sigh* They were absolutely perfect for each other! 

This is my first book by Ms. Schneider and it definitely will not be my last. Her writing style is so fun and I can see her personality shining through every single word she writes. I cannot wait to get my hands on Maya's book. I have a feeling I'm going to love it just as much as I did this one. 

Y'all. Make sure you read the dedication of this book. It will hit you right in the feels. Best dedication I have read in a long time. 💗

And of course I can't forget my casting... *dreamy sigh* I had so much fun picking these two out! I don't know about you, but I'm in love! What do you think?

Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

 

Synopsis:

Juniper Bean has big plans for her writing career. Swoony kisses, sigh-inducing happily ever afters—she’s going to write them all.

There’s just one problem: she can’t seem to stop killing off her main characters.

After accepting that a genre change is in order, Juniper sets out to do some research. What’s the best way to carry a dead body? How exactly does one pick a lock? Juniper is going to find out—with the unwilling help of her new roommate, Aiden.

But Juniper’s plans go haywire when she stumbles across an actual, real-life dead body—and before she knows it, she and Aiden are thrust into the middle of a murder mystery that seems suspiciously tied to Juniper’s past.

Who killed the girl in the woods? Can Juniper ever get the hang of mystery writing? And, perhaps the biggest question of all: Why the heck does Aiden look so good in a tweed jacket?

My Review: 5 Stars

Book slumps are the worst. I have pretty much been in one all year. I have read countless samples but there have been very few books that have grabbed my attention this year. My brain has been screaming at me to find something different. Something that I normally wouldn't read. After expressing this to one of my favorite authors, she suggested Juniper Bean. Mystery and RomCom? Together? Definitely something I've never tried before. So I thought, what the heck! Let's do it. 

Y'all. Juniper needs to be my best friend! She had me literally laughing out loud from the very beginning and had me wondering what in the world she was going to do next. The things that girl got into... I just can't! 😂 Even with a bad childhood, she was just so fun and full of life. I loved her way of thinking and how she wasn't afraid to live her life. She danced to the beat of her own drum and you just can't not love her!

Just ask Aiden. He tried. He really, really tried. But y'all. This is Juniper we're talking about here! She doesn't take no for an answer and dragged him into all her craziness. He may have balked at it but I think that, deep down inside, he loved every single minute of it. He, too, couldn't wait to see what in the world she would do next. 

Juniper and Aiden were absolutely perfect for each other! They are total opposites but they totally work. There will never be a dull moment in their relationship, I can promise you that. She'll definitely keep that man on his toes. Gah! I just love these two! Y'all just need to read this book. That's all there is to it! 

This is my first book by Ms. Mitchell, but it definitely won't be my last. Any author who can suck me in from the very beginning, and have me busting out laughing while reading is a definite winner in my book. I have already pre-ordered the next book in the series and can't wait to get my hands on it! Come on October! Get here already!

And of course I can't for get my casting. I saw these two from the very beginning. I didn't even have to go looking for pictures because I knew exactly which ones I wanted. I have to say, these two are pretty perfect. What do you think?

Naming of the Queen by JJ Makenzie

 

Synopsis:

What is the cost of a name? Everything.

The princess always knew her name would come with a price, but she never knew how steep the cost would be. Falsely accused of killing her husband’s family, she’s on the run with the father she never knew. With help from him and a band of outcasts, she’s learning just how much she might have to pay, not only to save herself but all of Greatland. It’s up to her to learn who she truly is and restore the ways of the Ancestors. Yet what her heart yearns for most is to be reunited with the man she must speak her name to first—Rowan, king of Northrend.

Rowan vowed no woman would ever own the heart of the king of Northrend again. But the woman with no name captured not only his heart but his soul. And despite the crimes she’s been accused of, he’s having a hard time believing he was wrong about her. Yet with the balance of Northrend and Greatland in his hands, he has a choice to make—choose the woman he loves, or save his kingdom from going to war.

It is a dangerous game they play. One where it’s hard to know who is a friend and who is a foe. But if they wish to win, the lovers must reunite and help their people choose love and freedom before a shadow overcomes the land. The people must name their queen before it’s too late.

My Review: 5+ Stars!

Oh my heart! Y'all. I don't even know where to begin to tell you how much I utterly adored this book! It was absolutely phenomenal! Here it is, days later, and I can't stop thinking about it. It's definitely one of those books that will be staying with me for a long, long time. 

But, y'all. This book needed to come with some warnings!

1. If at all possible, read it with one of your bookish friends. I can attest that you are going to want to have someone to chat with throughout this entire book. 

2. Make sure you have tissues at the ready. If you're anything like me, you'll definitely be crying. Some sad tears, but also happy tears. 

3. Make sure you have cleared everything off your schedule before you even think about starting this book. I promise that zero things will get done once you start. 

4. Be prepared for the biggest book hangover of your life! You will definitely be ruined for the foreseeable future. 

Wow. Just WOW! I am completely blown away. I don't know where to begin with my review. If I'm being honest, I don't even want to leave one. Why, you ask? Because I don't want to take any chances of giving anything away. This is definitely a book that you need to experience yourself. Trust me. My advice would be to curl up in your comfy reading spot and enjoy the journey you're about to embark on.

Princess and Rowan hold a special place in my heart. Their journey is so heartachingly beautiful. There's just something about these two that make me want to hold their story close to my heart and protect it from the world. I honestly can't explain it. Their love story is just too special, too incomparable in beauty. My wish is that everyone loves them as much as I do.    

Ms. Makenzie had me feeling all the feels in this book. I absolutely love when an author can literally make me feel the same way the characters are feeling. It makes the book more real to me, like I'm sitting right there with them experiencing everything they are. It's the best feeling in the world! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

As for my casting, I am still in love with these two! What do you think?!

2023 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year my fellow Book Dragons! Welcome to my 7th Annual Reading Challenge! 

1. A book featuring an inheritance: Hankering for Home by Rachael Eliker

2. A book you meant to read last year: Later On We'll Conspire by Kortney Keisel

3. A book with script font on the cover: Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

4. A book that makes you happy: Love Rescheduled by Jennifer Peel

5. A book you gave 5 stars: Naming of the Queen by JJ Makenzie

6. A book with a flower on the cover: My Favorite Moosetake by Jacqueline Winters

7. A book written by a new-to-you author: The Heart Shot by Emily Schneider

8. A book with a 4 word title: Second Chance in Paradise by Jennifer Peel

9. A book set at the beach: One Enchanted Evening by Trish LeBaron

10. A book written by two authors: 

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.

2023 Reading Challenge Participants:

Heidi Reads

Happy reading my fellow Book Dragons!