Book Review: Sleighing Mr. Right by Hope Ford

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Synopsis

Sleighing Mr. Right
An Alpha Older Man and Curvy Younger Woman Romance

Candy
I’m looking for Mr. Right and he needs to check off everything on my list.
I think I found him… that is until I find out there’s something he’s not telling me.
He lied to me because of my crazy list. But maybe what I thought was a “big no” is actually a “big yes.”
Now, I have to figure out how to make him my Mr. Right… instead of my Mr. Right Now.

Cane
I had given up on women. She had given up on Christmas. We both take a risk and find out we are exactly what each other needs.
But when I keep something hidden from her, something that is a “big no” on her list, she walks away.
If she gives me a chance, I’m going to prove to her that I want to be her man… her family… her forever.

This is a Steamy, Sweet, Short Story Romance. No Cliffhangers.
This is the first book in the Curves For Christmas Series.
If you love short romances with insta love, hot love scenes, and a sweet story, then this one is for you.

My Review

This was a cute short romance. Talk about insta love. I guess you just know when you’ve found the one. The characters were easy to love. Cane was the perfect gentleman and knew exactly what he wanted when he saw Candy for the first time. He went after it and fell instantly. Candy couldn’t help but tick off all the items on her list getting to know him. They were a match made in heaven. Until… she discovers his secret, one that she wasn’t prepared for.

Christmas time tends to make us all soppy and this little romance did exactly that for me. The author got me into the book. I’m a hopeless romantic, but I don’t always believe in love at first sight. This book makes you believe in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Really a quick read to get you into the holiday spirit and all warm and fuzzy about love and hope.

My Rating: 4 stars

Book Review: An Innocent Thanksgiving by Katy Kaylee

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

My Review:

Okay, so I decided to read this book without reading the blurb. All I knew was that the book was a “forbidden romance”, well I wouldn’t call it forbidden, I’d call it unconventional. Yes! OK! In real life I doubt that it would be considered okay, but let’s face facts, you can’t help for who you fall in love with. The heart wants what the heart wants!

20yr old Maggie, has a major crush on her dad’s charismatic artist HOT best friend, Cal. She’s been pining for him for 5yrs. Finally, on Thanksgiving evening she decides it’s time to act on her feelings. She seduces Cal and he does not resist, even after finding out that she’s a virgin.

5yrs later, on Thanksgiving, Maggie decides it’s time to spend Thanksgiving at home again, but this time she’s not alone. Running into his friend while on a shopping run, Cal is invited back to the Simpson (yes her name is Maggie Simpson – I couldn’t help but immediately think of the baby Simpson on The Simpsons) home to spend the holiday with them. He gets there and he sees Maggie for the first time in 5yrs, awkward! Then it’s time to reveal the truth of Maggie moving away.

Cal discover’s he has a daughter that is 4yrs old. He had no idea that Maggie had a child and that the child was his, because she never told him. Cal confronts Maggie and she cannot deny that Fern is his because the little girl looks like her father.

So why did I call it unconventional? Well, it’s a happily ever after story and quite frankly, it was not forbidden. So there’s a 25yr age gap and he happens to be her father’s best friend. But, like I said earlier, the heart wants what it wants. You couldn’t help but fall a little in love with the story. Cal immediately accepted his responsibility as a parent to the little girl he didn’t know about. He also, fell madly in love with Maggie despite her reservations about him and their future.

I also love the fact that this holiday romance was based on Thanksgiving. Usually around this time of year all you read is about Christmas romances and there’s plenty of that going around, so this was a little different. Katy Kaylee kept the reader turning the page. I did not expect Maggie’s parents to react the way they did. They were way to calm for me. I thought that maybe, just maybe, Mark (Maggie’s father) would blow a gasket and beat the living daylights out of Cal for using his daughter. But, no, Mark, was angry, but in a gentlemanly way. He didn’t resort to violence, he kept his hands to himself. Violet (Maggie’s mother) was a little too accepting, but you understand why when she explains it.

I really enjoyed this adorable little story. No this wasn’t a Romeo & Juliet type thing where people died. It was a simple story of love, regardless of what the age difference is.

My Rating

3 & 1/2 stars

Book Review: Her Secret Crush by Jolie Moore

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Synopsis

A Canadian girl with a hole in her heart, the Hollywood scion who can fix it, and the mountain keeping them apart…
Sabrina
Every day I watch Henry hike up the hill while I walk down. And every single day I want to run my fingers through his hair, wrap my hands around his biceps, stroke…his…dog.
I never say a thing, though, because guys like him don’t date girls like me who aren’t model thin, who have a ten-inch scar down the middle of their chest, who may die on him…

Henry
I’m in no position to start a new relationship. I have plans to open my own store. I travel all the time. My dog died…
But there’s something about the girl with the messy blond hair who eats lots of tacos and wears homemade knit hats…in a city where it’s never cold. I know I shouldn’t go after her…but after I fondled…her…dog, I couldn’t help myself.

My Review:

Uhmm… I was not into this book. The characters were so naive they behaved like tweens rather than in their late twenties, early thirties. The book was slow. I read it to finish it. NO ONE is that clumsy and they’re both are. The same stupid things happens to them all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Henry from the start, even though he was a bit dense, but Sabrina I couldn’t stand, she seemed weak.

I rated this book 2 out of 5.

Book Review: UNWRAPPED by Jax Hart

Synopsis:

He will pay.
I will make his Christmas hell and be the one waving him goodbye with my middle finger as he packs his bags and rolls out.
This roof isn’t big enough for the two of us.
Heck, neither is this town.
Or this country. Maybe the entire world.
Maybe the universe.
He packs an ego to match his size. His swagger is sexy as all hell. He smells like pine soap and new money… crisp. Sharp. Hungry.
My palms smack the tiled shower walls. Why? Why do I always want the bad ones? The ones who treat me like dirt and walk away without a second thought?
Not this time.
I won’t let it happen. If only I could find a way to get the man out of my damn head. If I don’t I’m totally scrooged.

My Review:

** spoiler alert ** This book! I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, I loved the story.

It’s a story with a backstory. Darren Prescott, CEO and millionaire goes back home to face demons of his past. He meets sassy Shiloh, who is looking for love at Christmas. Both characters growing up looking for love of family, end up crossing paths. They hate each other, but who doesn’t love a good enemies-to-lovers trope, it’s one of my favourites.

Before Dare returns home for Christmas, he meets a young girl, ten years old, in the system and reminds him of himself. Remembering his past, he makes a few calls and decides to do at least one good deed for Christmas and offers to foster her.

Shiloh and Dare, work hard to stay out of each other’s way, but Dare’s friends know better and helps fate along. Before long, their Christmas dreams come true. Of course not without a few bumps and misunderstandings.

This story really captured the meaning of Christmas. Dare even though he is a millionaire CEO now, does not forget his upbringing and the people who helped him get where he is now. He pays it forward by becoming a foster parent for Freddie, who absolutely adores him, even before she lives with him. The story is about hope, love and family and this is all we need at Christmas time.

My Rating: 5/5

October Wrap Up

October was a fun reading month for me. I was given 8 ARCs to read for review. Unfortunately, I only managed to finish 7 by 31st. Life tends to get in the way of your reading sometimes and this month was one of it. I tried to get some horrors on my TBR list, but I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to horror reads lol.

Below are the books I’ve read and you’ll find their reviews on my page.

The eighth book I’m currently busy with is The Lying Room by Nicci French as well as Rainfall by Melissa Delport. Reviews coming soon.

Here’s to a Happy November!!!!

Book Review: Love at Point Blank Range by J M Schneider

Synopsis

Tormented by the death of his fiancee’ and forced to do the bidding of the local mob, former Navy SEAL Carson Fischer’s mundane and unhappy life is transformed when Katie Barrie shows up at a training class. While there is an instant and undeniable attraction between them, Carson knows he is no longer worthy of such a woman and tries to keep his distance. But Katie is persistent, and a relationship soon develops.

Just as things are finally going well, Katie’s own demons catch up to her. After abandoning her controlling husband and the family business – which cost it millions – Katie learns that the company plans to collect those lost millions by any means necessary. Can Carson and Katie weather the maelstrom together, or will Carson lose another woman he loves?

My Review:

Carson ex Navy SEAL struggling with his past, gets involved with the mob. Katie, running from a pending divorce, starts over in a new place under a new name. They meet at a class they’re both taking. Carson is cautious about getting involved with Katie and tries to push her away. Katie, is forceful, she wants what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it.

The book is full of suspense. They find themselves in dangerous situations throughout. In my opinion, Carson comes across as being a little dense which got on my nerves because Katie is transparent with her moves and goes after what she wants.

Carson is put in an awkward situation, where he needs to protect Katie from the hell she’s been put in as well as keep himself alive. He needs to refer back to his training and get them out safe.

I rated this book three and a half stars because I enjoyed the suspense and I loved how it ended, like a romance should. Carson and Katie’s romance started out real quick and their bond and love grew stronger with the danger they faced together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

My Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

Book Review: The Dirty Dozen by Lynda La Plante

Synopsis

The fifth book in the Tennison series following Jane Tennison in the early years of her policing career.

The fifth book in the Sunday Times bestselling Jane Tennison series.

April 1980 and Jane is the first female detective to be posted to the Met’s renowned Flying Squad, commonly known as the ‘Sweeney’. Based at Rigg Approach in East London, they investigate armed robberies on banks, cash in transit and other business premises.

Jane thinks her transfer is on merit and is surprised to discover she is actually part of a short term internal experiment, intended to have a calming influence on a team that likes to dub themselves as the ‘Dirty Dozen’.

The men on the squad don’t think a woman is up to the dangers they face when dealing with some of London’s most ruthless armed criminals, who think the only ‘good cop’ is a dead cop. Determined to prove she’s as good as the men, Jane discovers from a reliable witness that a gang is going to carry out a massive robbery involving millions of pounds.

But she doesn’t know who they are, or where and when they will strike . . .

My Review:

It’s been a while since I picked up a Lynda La Plante book and I was not disappointed. It was a bit odd in the beginning reading a book that’s taking place in the 80’s and it’s 2019 hahaha. I forgot that little bit of information while reading. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I couldn’t put it down.

Jane Tennison is a strong determined woman that does her very best to prove she belongs on the team of the Flying Squad. She’s belittled, setup for failure and just an experiment. With this knowledge, she shows them boys that a woman can work on the Flying Squad and does everything to give her best to the job, outshining whenever she’s uncovered more information.

Lynda La Plante really is the Queen of crime thrillers. I enjoyed this book, I was rooting for Jane throughout and wanted her to prove those boys club wrong and she did.

My Rating: 4/5 stars

Book Review: Postscript by Cecelia Ahern

Synopsis

It’s been seven years since Holly Kennedy’s husband died – six since she read his final letter, urging Holly to find the courage to forge a new life.

She’s proud of all the ways in which she has grown and evolved. But when a group inspired by Gerry’s letters, calling themselves the PS, I Love You Club, approaches Holly asking for help, she finds herself drawn back into a world that she worked so hard to leave behind.

Reluctantly, Holly begins a relationship with the club, even as their friendship threatens to destroy the peace she believes she has achieved. As each of these people calls upon Holly to help them leave something meaningful behind for their loved ones, Holly will embark on a remarkable journey – one that will challenge her to ask whether embracing the future means betraying the past, and what it means to love someone forever…

We don’t often remember how we meet, we mostly remember how we part. – Cecelia Ahern – Postscript

My Review:

WOW!!!!! Grab your tissues!!!! This book will get to the core of you.

Holly, is faced with the letters her late husband Gerry left behind after his death seven years ago. She finally opens up about coping with his death, through his letters. Word spreads and she’s asked to assist a group of people who were inspired by Gerry’s letters and would like to do the same.

Holly is taken back to her time with Gerry, she relives certain moments, certain memories, it’s as if Gerry has returned to her.

Forced to make decisions on her own, Holly, helps this group called the P.S I Love You Club. She assists them with their wishes of leaving something behind for their loved ones.

Beautifully written, Cecelia Ahern made me think about life and how short it is. It took me back to my own experience with the death of loved ones and made me open to the changes made in my life. It’s a truly inspiring story and definitely one of my favourites for 2019.

Humans possess insatiable longings for wealth, status, and power, but are hungry, most of all, for love.

Rating: 5 stars

Book Review: No Vacancy by Stephanie Rose

Synopsis:

Can a summer fling become the love of a lifetime?

Perpetual good girl Caterina Longo is dependable to a fault. At 33, she’s never called in sick. Never had a one-night stand. Never taken a chance in her entire life. When she walks in on a cheating ex and sees everything wrong with her life, she takes off on a solo vacation, busting out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a guy she never saw coming.

Joe Hunter has no room for distractions. Making his restaurant a success and proving his worth to his family—and himself—is his sole focus. At least it is until a beautiful stranger, in search of fried food and a shoulder, wanders in one night.
Is two weeks of unexpected, life-altering passion all they’re meant to share? What happens when vacation ends and real life takes over?

My Review:

I loved this whirlwind romance. It’s not often you find a romance about a couple in their thirties, not looking for love, but finding it anyway.

Caterina Longo flees her apartment days earlier than planned to go on vacation. Distracted and upset, she takes a three hour drive to her destination, giving her three days to herself, or so she thought. Once at her destination, needing food and WiFi, she heads over to the restaurant across the street where she meets Joe Hunter.

Joe and Caterina don’t waste anytime jumping into each others lives, but what they keep putting aside is that in reality, after a week, Caterina would have to leave to get back to her life in the city – three hours away. Are their feelings for each other strong enough for a long distance relationship?

Stephanie Rose, wrote a beautiful little romance about two grown ups that knows exactly what they’re doing, but still acting a little like love sick teenagers. The book was a pleasure to read, I wanted to know how the story ends. These two characters took on this challenge of a long distance relationship head on and made it work. Obviously as in reality things are not all moonshine and roses and they hit a few bumps in the road, but they perservere. The book was easy and quick to read and kept me wanting to know if Joe & Cat will make this work.

My Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Forged by Sacrifice by LJ Evans

Synopsis

What would you sacrifice for love?

Leaving his Navy career and his assignment at the Department of Defense behind, Mac Whittaker is ready to join his family on Capitol Hill. He’s just missing one thing―a woman he loves at his side.

He wants the American fairy tale.

Georgie Astrella has put her life’s goals on hold for way too long. She’s finally putting away her cutting shears and curling iron to bury herself in justice and the law.

She certainly isn’t looking for love.

Fate has other ideas… throwing them together until neither of them can walk away from the attraction that thunders across their souls… from the truth of how their hills and valleys fit perfectly together.

But her family’s past would make his future an impossibility.

Will Mac give everything up for her? And more importantly, will Georgie let him?

Review:

LJ Evans had me craving this book for months with her teasers and snippets. She did not disappoint.

We are first introduced to Mac & Georgie in Book 1 of the Anchor Series: Guarded Dreams. Both characters are best friends with Eli & Ava, so naturally their paths cross.

The story of Macauley Whittaker & Georgia Astrella is one of sacrifice, hope, family, friendship and the main ingredient; LOVE.

Mac & Georgie go through a series of “What Ifs” in their relationship. Both having concerns about being together. They come from two different worlds that can damage their future if they pursue this.

Both have a fierce love for their family, friends and country. Most of all, they both will sacrifice for the people they love, including their love for each other. Love always prevail.

LJ is a story-teller! This story had you going through emotions. I felt like I was on a roller-coaster, siding with Mac then with Georgie, then screaming and crying with the characters. I have read all of Ms Evans books and I am never disappointed.

This is a highly recommended inspirational romance with a 5/5 rating!

FORGED BY SACRIFICE IS DUE FOR RELEASE ON 22 OCTOBER 2019