The Chad Next Door (Love in Sun City) by Dana LeCheminant

 

Torn between a quiet life and the chaos of unexpected love, Private Investigator Chad Briggs is set to find out if a snowstorm can melt his heart in Laketown. When Hope, the all too attractive—and far too young—woman next door, Chad’s life is thrown into a whirlwind he would rather not face, but he doesn’t have much of a choice.

Trying to navigate her new life after unexpectedly gaining custody of her dead sister’s kids, Hope knows she shouldn’t be interested in her much older neighbor, no matter how easy he is on the eyes. But when a snowstorm traps them together in one house, can they ignore the sparks between them?

With every reason to think a relationship is impossible, especially with the kids in the mix, they know a weekend fling isn't going to end well.

But their hearts didn't get the memo, and they might be in too deep to back out.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

 I am loving this new series by author Dana LeCheminant!  This is technically the second book released in the series but they can be read in any order.  It's a group of siblings who basically fall in love at the same time.  Each book follows a different sibling.  I read (but didn't officially review) the first book, She Likes It, Hey Micah.  It was so good.

Chad is the oldest sibling in this group and has practically taken on the responsibility of caregiver/parent.  He loves his siblings fiercely and it's so admirable.  I love how rock solid and dependable he is.  He is a fixer.  A rescuer.  A protector.  And also, a bit grumpy.  haha

I loved the family dynamic with Hope and the children and then Chad too.  The journey of the relationships from the beginning to the end of the book is so satisfying.  My mama heart just wanted to love them all.  Oh!  And the dog.  I loved the dog.

So many fun troupes here!  Forced proximity, age gap, grumpy/sunshine.  The chemistry was off the charts.  I loved the attraction, the banter and the kissing.  Yum.  I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!!

This book (and this series) is on KU if you have that.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Skye Fall (Pressley-Coombes #4) by Paige Edwards

 

Isla Montjoy has it all, a new career in nursing and a police officer boyfriend she adores―until she stumbles across proof of her boyfriend’s corruption. Determined to protect his secrets, he attacks her and leaves her for dead. But against all odds, she lives. On the run for two years, Isla’s life is far from assured as her would-be murderer doggedly tracks her across the UK, intent on silencing her forever.

On a climbing trip in the Scottish Highlands, Ben Pressley-Coombes encounters Isla, a beautiful woman who promptly pepper sprays him without warning or reason. After that rough start, Ben hopes never to lay eyes on her again―but fate has other ideas. Forced into an uneasy association that transforms into a deep-seated romance, the pair soon faces a deadly Isla’s relentless pursuer has discovered her hiding place. If she is to survive, she and Ben must outmaneuver the dirty cop and his treacherous plot to snare her.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

Do you love romantic suspense books?  I sure do and this series is one of my favorites.  Throw in a marriage of convenience and forced proximity, and you have a winning combination.  This author really knows how to pack a punch with the suspense while building a romantic tension too.  From beginning to end this story was exciting and I had a hard time pulling myself away when life called.

Isla is so strong.  So courageous.  I don't think I could have survived the way she did.  I loved her caring and artistic side.  Isla also had fantastic instincts and such a drive to protect and care for not only herself but others around her.  The trauma and emotional battles she faced were immense and I was rooting for her safety, health and healing with my whole heart.

I loved traveling through countries and across continents.  I love the Pressley-Coombes family.  I loved that both Ben and Isla were dealing with a bit of mystery and it all ended to dramatically.  It was so good.  

This is the fourth book in this series.  I don't think you have to read them in order but I would recommend that you do.  It's just more fun that way.  

Content:  peril, violence.  Christian elements (talk of God, praying), kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Codes of Courage (Falcon Point Historical, #1) by A.L Sowards

 

1940

Austrian refugee Karl Lang has lost everything—his country, his home, and his family. All that is left to him is a burning ambition to see the Nazis defeated. Desperate for work and a way to help the war effort, he finds the one place that will take an exile like him: a supply steamer traversing a deadly path past enemy U-boats.

Since their first meeting, Millie Stevens has felt an undeniable connection to Karl. As the war rages, she shares his determination to oppose the Nazis and finds work at the British codebreaking center at Bletchley Park. There she will use all her intellect and determination to break German codes and read U-boat transmissions—or risk losing the man she loves.

Rolf Denhart will do anything to defend the Fatherland, including long patrols in a cramped U-boat. But rumors from Germany leave him uneasy, forcing a choice between loyalty to his homeland, the safety of his family, and his peace of conscience.

In the midst of war, three lives are woven together to create an epic tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage. 

* Amazon * Goodreads * Seagull Book *

Oh wow. I'm still reeling from the emotional impact of this book. It was so, so good. But it's war, so most things are not happy or easy. My tears weren't necessarily happy ones but they were born from real emotion and it's always amazing to me when an author can draw that out of me. I really felt the anxieties, struggles and conflicts of war. The courage too. While it wasn't all sunshine and roses, the author did a great job of giving me hope and ending in a place where I felt some resolution and peace.

I learned so much while reading this book which is one of the reasons I love historical fiction. U-boats and pack hunting were something I had vaguely heard of but now I can really visualize how that must of been. The rules of combat on the sea were also so interesting to me. Sink a ship but let the survivors live to see another day? And code breakers? Wow, the stress and secrecy of that job. I loved all these elements. I know so much more now. So fascinating.

This author does such a good job of building a world where I can see everything like a movie in my head. I loved the characters and became emotionally invested in them.

This novel comes after (as far as release day) the Heirs of Falcon Point book that was co-authored by A.L Sowards, Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey and Paige Edwards. They are writing spin off books from information and characters in that book so you really should read it first. This book goes back into the past to reveal Karl's story, who is one of the original heirs of Falcon Point.

Content: war time violence, peril, death. Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

My eX-MAS Emergency by Jennifer Peel

 

Very few in Aspen Lake expected that I, Calista Monroe, their most notorious wild child, would ever amount to anything besides being a model prisoner. So imagine their surprise when I returned as the hospital’s newest ER doctor. Believe me, no one is more surprised than I am. I had vowed to never return, even if it was the last safe haven during the zombie apocalypse. But when my niece, Quinn, begged me to come home, I couldn’t say no. My plan is to stay out of trouble this time, and above all, avoid Quinn’s uncle Tristan—the man I love to hate and the reason I left Aspen Lake.

But trouble starts to brew when my niece gets it into her pretty head that her uncle and I need to reconcile. The devious little thing insists we deck the halls together all season long. And since I’ll do anything to make Quinn happy, I agree, believing I’m completely immune to Tristan’s charm. Except the joke’s on me. Who knew that Tristan’s biggest regret was letting me go? And the infuriating man seems willing to do everything possible to win me back. Well, it’s going to take a Christmas miracle for me to give him a second chance. Unfortunately for my plan, our chemistry could set a blizzard on fire. Now I have a major ex emergency on my hands.

Do I give my niece her Christmas wish, or do I let the love between Tristan and me flatline once and for all?

  * Amazon * Goodreads *

To say that I love this book might just be the biggest understatement of the year.  It really hit my sweet spot and filled me up with all the things I love in a book.  Second chance romance is one of my favorite kind of books.  There is always a bit of angst because, well, they did break up but with that is also a knowledge of the sparks and attraction and love.  It's just all so yummy. You will want to block a whole day out to read. It is SO, SO good. It's everything I love about reading rom-com books. You have a second chance romance, enemies to lovers, evil parents, an adorable niece, hot kisses and plenty of yummy romantic tension.

Tristan comes into this story with a mountain to climb in regards to Calista. I mean, he deserves to climb that mountain and Calista definitely doesn't make it easy for him. Did I love Tristan? Yes, I did. He worked so hard at redeeming himself. I loved seeing and feeling his adoration for Calista. And Calista? She is just plain awesome. I want her to be my best friend.  Just wait. You'll see. 

This book is filled with magic. It's swirling on every page and I am basking in the afterglow. If ever there was a book to curl up with, it's this one!! Love, love, love, love. 

This book is on KU if you have that.

Content: kissing

 - I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

They Say He Flies At Night: A Silver Bell Legends Novel by Amy Matayo

 

Everyone in Silver Bell, Arkansas has heard of Walter Lorry. Rumors have been circulating about the strange old man around town for years. He’s weird. Stooped and odd looking. Always keeps to himself and never speaks to anyone. At one time, he had a wife and kid, but no one has seen them in forever. Then there’s the matter of him sleeping on his front porch every night when there’s a perfectly good bed inside his house. Who in their right mind would do that?

But even the people of Silver Bell have to admit that Walter Lorry has beautiful penmanship—calligraphy so swirly and intricate you’ve never seen anything like it. They say dignitaries requested his work at some point in history. They say his work even hangs in museums around the world. They say he has money buried somewhere, maybe even next to his murdered family. They say a lot of things about Mr. Walter Lorry, it’s just that no one knows which things are true.

And which things are lies.

Leave it to Piper Moore—a newcomer who’s engaged to the son of town’s most prominent business owner—to find out. She’s heard the rumors, she’s seen his handwriting, and she wants Mr. Lorry to design one-of-a-kind wedding invitations just for her. After all, she’s used to getting her way, and she reasons that if his work was once good enough for Hollywood, then it’s good enough for her. Which is exactly what drives her to knock on his door, march inside the old man’s antique store, and convince him to do it.

She doesn’t expect his answer.
She isn’t prepared for his story to change everything she believes about love.
And she certainly wasn’t ready to learn all the reasons you should never, ever believe in small-town legends.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Oh, friends.  This is a good one.  I had a hard time putting this book down when life called.  I just wanted to be left alone with my book all day without interruptions.  

The story is, at first, centered around Piper.  Then Piper and Walter as she begins working in his store and reading his journals which take her back in time.  It's where, as a reader, the whole story begins to unfold.  Walter's story tugged at my heartstrings in such an insistent and emotional way.  I adored him.  His loyalty, his devotion, his love.  Ugh, just wait until you read it.  It's all so tragic yet sweet.  But don't worry.  It all ends well so there is a happy ending to look forward to.

Author Amy Matayo has a way of creating stories of the underdog.  Those who reside on the outside of social norms and acceptance.  In Walter's case, because his community put him there.  It makes me reevaluate my thinking and where I stand.  I never want to be the person that participates in something like this.

This isn't a romantic love story but it's a story about love.  Women's Fiction.  It was so good.  So, so good.  Don't miss it.

This book is on KU if you have that.

Content:  a few instances of mild swearing.  Death, adoption.  Kissing. 

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Windsong Manor by Julie Wright

 

A young widow. A gentle stable master. A secret that could change everything. Will Nora dare risk her heart?

The London Countryside, 1820

Eleanora Coventry comes from a life of title and privilege, but even that isn’t enough to prevent her from being wed at sixteen to a controlling and dismissive husband. So when she finds herself a widow at only twenty-seven, the idea of choosing her own path forward both thrills and terrifies her. She knows how to be a daughter and a wife and mother, but she has no idea how to be Eleanora.

She moves her son and daughter to her late husband’s country estate, where she meets Ridley, the young stable master. He is ruggedly handsome, but also kind, and Eleanora finds herself drawn to him. There is only one problem: Eleanora has a title, and Ridley does not.

Ridley Ellis has a way with horses. Even the most spirited stallions trust his soft voice and gentle touch. He has the same effect on people, and when he first lays eyes on Eleanora, he is smitten by her beauty. But he quickly discovers it will take more than soft words to gain her trust—Lord Coventry had been cruel to people and animals alike. But the closer he gets to Eleanora, the more he is willing to share his heart, and more importantly, his secret.

In a world where title and privilege mean everything, will Eleanora and Ridley risk it all to find happiness? Or will the shadows of their pasts destroy everything they hope to build together?

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

I was swept away to the London countryside in this book.  Mostly to the stables, where Ridley was the stable master.  Everything and everyone seemed revolve around him, to be drawn to him.  I loved every single scene and every interaction that starred Ridley.  His gentle ways, his patience and wisdom made this book because he changed the lives of everyone he met for the better.  He listened, he guided, he fixed, he cared.  

I loved watching Eleanora grow in confidence and strength as the story unfolded.  My heart ached for her as a mother.

This is a sweet, gentle story of a broken family who heals because of Ridley.

Can you tell I loved Ridley?  I also love the cover on this book!

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.