Review : Unromance

Unromance by Erin Conner

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult, Friends To Lovers, Holiday, LGBT, Christmas,

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 343

Published: January 14, 2025

Sawyer Greene knows romance. She’s a bestselling author of the genre—or she was, until her college girlfriend left her with nothing but writer’s block and bitterness. So when Sawyer gets stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger, she sees it for what it is: not a meet-cute but a chance encounter with a charming man whom she will sleep with exactly once and go on her way. Easy enough...until she runs into him again at a Christmas market straight out of a Hallmark holiday movie. 

Sawyer is a romance writer going through a bit of a writer's block. Once she manages a meet cute encounter with a guy stuck on an elevator they strike up a deal this winter season to help her out. 

So I should have known when I picked up this book it would be based off of the winter time but I didn't realize that until later on and now I am weirdly Christmas spirit in the middle of summer the positive note I can do a Christmas in July if I wanted to now that I'm in that seasonal mood. I did enjoy this book I liked the whole friends to lover Trope if you're into fake dating kind of situation you might like this book. I enjoyed getting to see both of their point of views. These two had great chemistry and there was a few steamy scenes. I thought it was interesting their thought processes when it came to helping her with her writer's block. Overall this was a pretty good book it was fun and charming and if you are looking to put something on your future Christmas time tbr list or your Christmas in July list maybe this will be it.

Review : Really Cute People

Really Cute People by Markus Harwood-Jones

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 336

Published: March 12, 2024

A little domestic bliss never hurt anyone…right?

Charlie Dee is headed for burnout. They’ve been burned before, both by their bio family and the now-defunct queer collective they once called home. So when they’re asked to take a work trip outside the city, they jump at the chance. Sure, it’s additional work with no additional pay, but it’s also an excuse to get out of town—and out of their own head.

That dream is shattered when Charlie opens the door to their supposedly private rental. There’s a bird on the loose, circling the living room as it’s chased by a cat, who is chased by a small child. The girl’s parents, Hayden and Buffy, only manage to add to the chaos. They promise to leave first thing in the morning, but when a massive snowstorm rolls in, this overnight trip becomes a weeklong affair.

Reluctantly charmed by this unfiltered—if forced—look at a loving, healthy family, Charlie begins to develop feelings for both Hayden and Buffy. And they both seem to be flirting back. But when a potential promotion lures Charlie back to the city, all three will have to decide where they go from here—and what it means to truly feel at home.

Read this book recently and I really enjoyed it. This is the first time I'm coming across a book with a non-binary character in a healthy polyamorous relationship. I liked getting to know how unique each character was and seeing their relationship was forming with each role that played out. You can just see the care and love forming with this unique family dynamic also just want to point out Rainbow is a trip. I look forward to seeking out more books like this with poly relationships and non binary characters, I really want to be able to check out different people and relationships. Overall I enjoyed this book takes place in wintertime so would be nice to put on your winter tbr list. Even great now as an escape from this heat. 

Review : The Murder Machine

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Adult

Goodreads: Click

Pages: April 29, 2025

Published: 302

Artificial intelligence meets genuine murderous intent.

This state-of-the-art smart home has a next-generation entertainment system, an ultramodern kitchen where every appliance is online and even a personal AI to control it all. Standing above its owner's lifeless body, FBI agent Jude Mackenzie is faced with the daunting task of discovering how the woman was killed by her own home. How do you catch a murderer that doesn't leave any fingerprints?

Enter Special Agent Victoria Tennant, whose familiarity with cybercrime reveals the stark a machine can only do what it's been directed to. As the number of grisly "accidents" begins to rise, the pair must race to uncover the perpetrator even as they find themselves caught in their digital crosshairs! There's nowhere to hide when danger may be as close as the very phones in their pockets.

I'm a fan of Heather Graham's book so I was looking forward to reading this one it was such a fun and fast-paced book. I love the idea of artificial intelligence and how the murderer was able to use it in order to get at the people they were after. There was just so much going on that I found it hard to put this book down. I love watching as the two follow the clues and how much mistrustful electronics could be and how intelligent and creative see murder was in taking down the people they wanted to take down using everyday items leaving almost no trace. Overall really good luck I really enjoyed it highly recommend.

Review : The December Market

The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne

Genre: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Family, Adult, Chick Lit,

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 308

Published: October 8, 2024

The magic of Christmas—and a second shot at romance—is in the air in Shelter Springs this holiday season…

Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a local soap shop, ignoring the holiday season isn’t an option. To forget the pain of Christmases past, Amanda focuses on making the season bright for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the dashing new resident of the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s charming suitor, is equally dubious of the match. Unfortunately, he's just as fiery as his grandfather—and Amanda has zero interest in getting burned.

As a single father, paramedic and assistant fire chief, Rafe has more than enough on his plate. Sure, he and Amanda share a common goal in keeping their grandparents apart. Still, that doesn’t mean he should allow himself to feel as drawn to her as he does. Even if she is great with his young son. Even if she does help the burden of his own painful past feel a little lighter… But when their paths keep crossing at the holiday market, it starts to feel like fate, prompting them both to wonder if taking a chance on love might gift them everything they’ve been wishing for.

This was such a sweet and adorable perfect for now since it's the Christmas time. Also do you see that cover isn't it lovely? So there is Amanda and Rafe Amanda is a local shop owner who is running a Christmas Market and race is a single dad local fireman who was injured while helping out and now looking for something to do. It was just so sweet watching the romance between the two but it seems like it's not the only romance going on when Amanda realizes her grandmother birdie maybe with someone causing her some concern. I really enjoyed this book would definitely recommend especially if you like Hallmark movies.

Review: Plot Twist

Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa

The Hollywood Series #2

Genre: Romance Contemporary Contemporary Romance Adult Audiobook Fiction LGBT Chick Lit Adult Fiction Mental Health

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 336

Published: November 14, 2023

She’s written off more than she can chew…

Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went viral: she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s block: reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers.

Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal.

As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…

Sophie is a romance writer dealing with writers block then her secret is out: she's never been in love. Now she's looking back at those she's dated to see if she can find a second chance at romance in the hopes it gives her some inspiration for her book. Dash is her best friends brother who is dealing with a stalker and sobriety and looking towards a new career. As they confide in eachother their feeling start to border in friends with benefits but hopeful towards something more.

This was such a fun read. I loved the two main characters and getting to know them. Dash was dealing a lot of pressure when it came to his family and it's sobriety and Sophie on the other hand was dealing with so much stress when it came to her writing job and with the deadline looming over. I loved the way the two interacted with each other and seeing that chemistry between the two where you can't help but root for them. Overall this was a really good book I really enjoyed it.

Review : The Roommate Pact

The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Adult, Firefighters

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 320

Published: August 1, 2023

All of the fun, none of the heartache…as long as they stick to the agreement.

The proposition is simple: if ER nurse Claire Harper and her roommate, firefighter Graham Scott, are still single by the time they’re forty, they’ll take the proverbial plunge together…as friends with benefits. Maybe it’s the wine, but in the moment, Claire figures the pact is a safe-enough deal, considering she hasn’t had much luck in love and he’s in no rush to settle down. Like, at all. Besides, there’s no way she could ever really fall for Graham and his thrill-seeking ways. Not after what happened to her father…

Just as things begin to heat up way before the proposed deadline, Graham’s injured in a serious rock-climbing accident—and he needs Claire’s help to heal. She’ll do whatever it takes to nurse him back to health…even if it means moving into Graham’s bed and putting up with his little dog who hates her. But with this no-strings arrangement taking a complicated turn, keeping “for now” from turning into “forever” isn’t as easy as they’d planned.

Claire is a ER nurse and Graham is a thrill seeking firefighter who made a packed that if they arent married by forty they are each others backup plan they are friends and roommates and nothing more so to Claire she didn't think much of the deal. When Graham got serious injuries that leave him down for a while Claire offers to help him out unware that things are going to start heating up between the two as they get to spend more time and learn more about eachother.

I've read many other books with kinda the same plot and yet this author managed to make it her own with a unique set of characters and I really enjoyed seeing how things went on in this book. It was interesting to get to know their past which made it easy to understand why Claire was a bit iffy about letting Graham close in a relationship way because of what happened with her father. Then it was Grahams point of view which I loved because of those emails he was writing, absolutely adorable. Both had plenty of trauma and things from the past that made it hard to move on into the future and it was interesting seeing how everything settled out in the end. Overall I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend you romance lovers to check this book out.  

Review : The Beach House

The Beach House by Jenny Hale

Genre: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Adult, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction,

Goodreads: Click

Purchase Link: Amazon | BN | Bookshop.org

Pages: 300

Published: June 9, 2021

“Oh, my goodness,” she whispered. At the bottom of the box was a stack of letters. Tied with a ribbon, the pages were faded with age. “These are all addressed from here,” she said, “but they’ve never been sent.”

When her gram passes away, Melanie Simpson feels utterly lost. She has no idea what to do with her life after she has devoted years to looking after her beloved grandmother.

But Gram’s will may hold the answer, instructing Melanie to use her inheritance to buy a crumbling house in Rosemary Bay. They used to visit the village every summer, sit by the sparkling gulf on a beach the color of a fresh pearl, and daydream about turning the place on the corner into a bed and breakfast.

Fulfilling her grandmother’s legacy, Melanie decides to restore the beach house to its original glory. She sets out on renovations of the wrap-around porch weathered by the coastal breeze, and the peeling white paint faded by the sun.

When Melanie runs into local carpenter, Josh Claiborne, whose eyes match the dazzling sea, she jumps at the chance to ask him for help. But that’s the last thing he wants. He’s off to New York soon, leaving his troubled past behind. Over a game of darts Melanie gets her wish, even if Josh isn’t happy about it.

As they work together, Melanie tries to ignore their undeniable chemistry and how Josh’s rare smiles take her breath away––because soon they’ll be thousands of miles apart. But hiding in a closet is a yellowing stack of letters that could change everything. The looping handwriting reveals the mystery of the rickety house––a buried history that touches everyone in Rosemary Bay. Will its secrets bring Melanie and Josh together or tear them apart?

An absolutely gorgeous and heartwarming read about never-ending love, new beginnings, and how family is always with you, no matter where you are. Fans of Pamela Kelley, Mary Alice Monroe and Susan Mallery will adore this romantic page-turner.

Melanie is his feeling lost after taking care of her grandmother for a few years making it her priority. Melanie is asked to restore a worn beach house that she and her grandmother had loved. With so much to have to work on she asked local Carpenter Josh for help. Josh loses a bet and now is going to help her during his short stay there. The longer they are around each other sparks fly but it's only matter of time before he has to leave. Melanie's also getting to know more about her grandmother and the man who built the house and history of a long  buried love. 

I mean this was a really cute book I really enjoy that see what was in some of the letters. Melanie is a romantic at heart and she would really loved the letters that were left to her. It was interesting seeing as she diving more into the history. Then there was the whole Josh situation where he was trying to run from his current life and somehow Melanie pulled him in or something would happen that would get him staying longer and I really loved seeing how everything played out in this book I really enjoyed it.

Review : Falling in Love on Sweetwater Lane

Falling in Love on Sweetwater Lane by Belle Calhoune

Mistletoe, Maine #3

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Adult,

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 354

Published: February 21, 2023

This single dad has a year to convince the stunning new vet good things come in small-town packages in the latest contemporary romance by bestselling author Belle Calhoune.

Coming to Mistletoe, Maine is a means to an end for veterinarian Harlow Jones. In exchange for working at PAWS vet clinic for a one‑year period, the state of Maine has promised to pay off her substantial student loan debt. Although Harlow hates small towns due to bad childhood memories, she knows accepting this offer will change her life. When local search and rescue team leader Nick Keegan saves Harlow after her car slides off the road, sparks fly between her and the single dad.

Nick has reached a point in his life where he's ready to find love again after his wife's tragic death. And there's something about the beautiful veterinarian that tugs at his heart. Problem is, Harlow isn't looking to lay her heart on the line. She has no intention of staying in Mistletoe and plans to head back to Seattle after her term is up. But can Nick—and his irrepressible son—convince her to let love have the final say?

Harlow is a veterinarian relocating to Mistletoe Maine for a year to work at a vet clinic when she is promised that they will pay off her doing loan debt. She's had a bad experience with a small town and has not been able to get over it so she is less than broke to be there but will do what she can. Nick is a widower and a single father now looking to open his card again when he meets Harlow. It's clear that she isn't going to stay for long but they'll figure things out on the way.

If you're a seasonal reader where you like a book that takes place during a certain time then you're in luck because this book takes place in the autumn and it's already got me in the mood for some fall activies. Anyways I thought this book was really good I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. When it came to Harlow and her issues with small towns it was a bit much. Even with all the explanation and knowing why I just kind of thought it was a bit ridiculous and how far she was willing to go when it came to it. I really like Nick's character he was pretty much a they stand up guy and a great father. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship form between the two even though it was unsure of how the future would become since Harlow is  only going to be there for a little while. Then there's the whole small town issue of gossiping which really unnerved Harlow I was very curious on how that would play out and how it would be resulted in the end. Overall this was a pretty good read I really enjoyed it.

Review : Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas

Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas by Sarah Robinson

Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Romance, Adult

Goodreads: Click

Purchase Link: Amazon | BN

Pages: 352

Published: Published September 27th 2022 by Forever

When sparks start flying, these total opposites discover Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

To raise enough money to start her own business, Nola Bennett needs to sell “The Castle,” her beloved grandmother’s historic house, and get back home to the city. But Heart Lake’s most eligible bachelor is insisting she hang on to the property. He may be one of the hottest, grumpiest men she’s ever seen, but Nola has no time to pine over her high school crush.

All woodworker Tanner Dean wants for Christmas is some peace and quiet, but that’s not going to happen with infuriating, irresistible Nola Bennett back in town. How can he persuade her to keep The Castle out of the hands of greedy developers when sizzling attraction flares every time they’re together? And the more time he spends with Nola, the harder it becomes to picture a future without her—unless he can convince her, once and for all, that Heart Lake is exactly where she belongs. 

Nola is only around town for a short while to pack her grandmothers historic house to help raise money to start a business. Tanner is a local who isn't happy with all the changes that are happening around town and defiantly not happy when he finds out Nola is considering selling her grandmothers charming historic house for it to be flattened by the next owners. As they hunker down as a blizzard comes through and spend time around friends and family both seem to find attraction with one another but its only a matter of time before she leaves.

I mean this story has been told before many times over and yet I still can't help but find enjoyment with it. I loved how the author made it unique in its town way. I enjoyed getting to konw the character and seeing the bit of conflict with what Nola was dealing with needed to sell her grandmothers place to get the money she needs but also dealing with the fact she would have to leave her god children, friend and Tanner behind when she goes back to her normal life. I enjoyed seeing how the small down charm slowly but surely got to her. I enjoyed seeing the romance between the two. Overall this was a pretty good book perfect for this time. Highly Recommend. 

Review : A Very Merry Match

A Very Merry Match by Melinda Curtis

(Sunshine Valley #2)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday, Christmas, 

Goodreads: Click

Purchase Link: Amazon | BN | Walmart eBooks 

Pages: 368

Published:  September 29th 2020 by Forever

Melinda Curtis brings the spice for the holidays with this small-town romance featuring a woman who must maintain a secret identity and the man who begins falling for her.

This holiday season, kindergarten teacher Mary Margaret Sneed never imagined she'd be unwrapping...herself. But a burlesque side gig is the young widow's only hope of paying off her late husband's substantial debt. With her reputation and career on the line, she performs in disguise, under the stage name Foxy Roxy. But her secret identity is threatened when Roxy's biggest fan turns out to be Mary Margaret's biggest crush -- the handsome-as-sin mayor of Preston!

Newly divorced single dad Kevin Hadley is prepping to make the jump from mayor to state assemblyman. He knows he should be settling down with someone quiet and practical, someone like Mary Margaret Sneed. The last thing Kevin needs right now is a steamy scandal. But he just can't stop thinking about Foxy Roxy...and if Preston's matchmaking Widows Club has their way this Christmas, Kevin won't have to...

Includes a bonus novella by Hope Ramsay! 

After the death of her husband she had to deal with more then she can handle with his overwhelming debt. Now collectors are hassling her and she needs to come up with cash quick. Now this kindergarten teacher must use her dancing skills at a burlesque show, thing is she gotta keep quiet she lives in a small town and this can cause problems for her job. Kevin is newly divorced and running for mayor he really has no time for drama and Mary seems to have a quiet life he's looking for that will work for his mayorly image little does he know about her side job.

I really enjoyed this book. So basically the sweet kindergartner teacher is moonlighting as a dancer in a small town, its only a matter of time before things go south and I was curious to see how and when it would turn out. Then there was the sketchy debt collectors on her tail hounding her. There was just so much going on in Mary's life that you can't help but want her situation to improve find a good guy, be done with what her ex put her though when it comes to his cheating and debts. Then there is the side thing with soon to be mayor Kevin and he really can't have drama and if she decides to have a relationship drama will soon follow and that's a thing in itself. There is so much going on in this book I can't help but be hooked to this book. While it was set during christmas time if you are looking for Christmas spirit here but you will find a great book in return. I really enjoyed this book.

Review : The Line of Duty

The Line of Duty by Nichole Severn

Genre: Romantic Suspennse, 

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 256

Published: September 29th 2020 by Harlequin Intrigue

Stranded in the Alaskan wilderness,

they must rely on each other to survive.

When Blackhawk operative Vincent Kalani boarded an airplane, he never expected it to crash into the Alaskan mountains. On the ground, by-the-book police officer Shea Ramsey becomes his unlikely partner in survival. Shea was headed to New York to fight for custody of her son, but now she’s fighting for her life with an ex-cop who’s equal parts inscrutable and unpredictable.

Blackhawk operative Vincent and and police officer Shea are on a plane together when it crashes. Now Vincent must use his skills to keep them alive in the Alaskan Mountains till they find safety as well as find out who tampered with the plane. Its clear someone wants to take them down and wont stop still they are and figure out who they are after.

This book was such a fun ride from start to beginning there was just so much going on that it became hard to put this book down. There was the whole plane crash being lost in the wilderness with the lack of supplies and the possible chance of avalanche making things tough, then there was the question of who is the person really after Vincent of was working on a side case that maybe someone would want him silenced or maybe Shea's ex having an issue with her. There were close calls twists and turns and everything you'd want in a action packed. Really enjoyed this book!

Release Day Review : Tough Luck Cowboy

Tough Luck Cowboy by A.J. Pine

(Crossroads Ranch #2)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Western, Adult

Goodreads: Click

Purchase Link: Amazon | BN | Kobo

The only girl he ever wanted was the one he could never have.

What's the saying, bad luck comes in threes? If so, Lily Green is due for something good. First, her divorce is finalized---on her birthday, no less. Then the first job she lands for her catering company turns out to be for her ex-husband's wedding. To top it off, she's stuck working the event with Luke Everett, the sexy-as-hell best man who's never been able to stand her. When can a girl catch a break?

For years, Luke has kept his feelings for Lily safely hidden. Hitting on his best friend's ex-wife would definitely break the cowboy code of honor. But ever since an injury sidelined his rodeo riding, the two of them keep getting thrown together. It's only a matter of time until his true feelings come to light. When that happens, it will either be the biggest mistake of his life, or a sign that his luck is about to change.

Things aren't looking so great for Lily, doesn't help that she's also finalizing her divorce on her birthday and the first time she's able to really do something with her catering business turns out to be her ex-husband's wedding. Then there's Luke her ex-husband's best friend she'll be stuck seeing a lot more often now that he's on recovery time from the bull riding.

I think they reading these books out of order I first started with the novela that goes previously before this when I found that out I'm at the first book. And now I'm on the second book. But just so you know these are stand-alones so you won't miss a thing. I enjoyed this book I love seeing the connection between Luke and Lily. I love seeing that simmering attraction that was bound to combust. I love seeing how they work together. There were ups and downs, with a bit of drama enough to keep their readers enjoying themselves with every flip of the page. Overall a pretty great but I really enjoyed it.