Fun story about a heroine trying to outrun her white trash past and the hero from her high school days that she can't forget. Small town bad boy romanFun story about a heroine trying to outrun her white trash past and the hero from her high school days that she can't forget. Small town bad boy romance. It didn't change my life, but it's a quick sexy read.
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Fun story about a heroine trying to outrun her white trash past and the hero from her high school days that she can't forget. Small town bad boy romance. It didn't change my life, but it's a quick sexy read....more
Workaholic hero determined to drag the family fashion business into the 21st century hitches his wagon to a former reality TV star supermodel whose anWorkaholic hero determined to drag the family fashion business into the 21st century hitches his wagon to a former reality TV star supermodel whose antics are filling the gossip rags too much for his liking. Naturally there is more to her than meets the eye and the attraction between them catches fire. I really liked this one a lot. The hero is typical Presents - Italian, wealthy, sexy - but his form of jackassery is centered around his workaholic nature and single-mindedness. The heroine is a bit of a poor little rich girl, but is smart and hardworking - she just has this nasty problem with enabling her relatives (girl....). Two characters who play well off each other, the tension is well done, and oh boy - the pool scene ::fanning self::
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Workaholic hero determined to drag the family fashion business into the 21st century hitches his wagon to a former reality TV star supermodel whose antics are filling the gossip rags too much for his liking. Naturally there is more to her than meets the eye and the attraction between them catches fire. I really liked this one a lot. The hero is typical Presents - Italian, wealthy, sexy - but his form of jackassery is centered around his workaholic nature and single-mindedness. The heroine is a bit of a poor little rich girl, but is smart and hardworking - she just has this nasty problem with enabling her relatives (girl....). Two characters who play well off each other, the tension is well done, and oh boy - the pool scene ::fanning self::...more
I loved this as a "coming of age" story but was so dang ticked off about Cam's deceased wife I wanted to spit nails. Yes, he's now living his truth anI loved this as a "coming of age" story but was so dang ticked off about Cam's deceased wife I wanted to spit nails. Yes, he's now living his truth and I'm happy for him - but SHE DIES AND GETS HOSED AND WILL NEVER FALL FOR A GUY WHO WORSHIPS THE GROUND SHE WALKS ON AND I WANT TO THROAT PUNCH SOMEBODY NOW.
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I loved this as a "coming of age" story but was so dang ticked off about Cam's deceased wife I wanted to spit nails. Yes, he's now living his truth and I'm happy for him - but SHE DIES AND GETS HOSED AND WILL NEVER FALL FOR A GUY WHO WORSHIPS THE GROUND SHE WALKS ON AND I WANT TO THROAT PUNCH SOMEBODY NOW....more
This book was exactly what I needed after finishing a dumpster fire read with lurid plot conflict and over-the-top drama. Two characters, with relatabThis book was exactly what I needed after finishing a dumpster fire read with lurid plot conflict and over-the-top drama. Two characters, with relatable personal baggage (complicated family relationships, dissatisfaction with life choices etc.) meet on a outdoor adventure-style vacation and fall for each other. A nice, breezy read I inhaled in one sitting.
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This book was exactly what I needed after finishing a dumpster fire read with lurid plot conflict and over-the-top drama. Two characters, with relatable personal baggage (complicated family relationships, dissatisfaction with life choices etc.) meet on a outdoor adventure-style vacation and fall for each other. A nice, breezy read I inhaled in one sitting....more
I am a sucker for cold cases in suspense novels and I've enjoyed Jump's work in the Harlequin Romance line and her single titles. The standout here waI am a sucker for cold cases in suspense novels and I've enjoyed Jump's work in the Harlequin Romance line and her single titles. The standout here was the suspense thread - and all the glorious house "bits" (the hero and heroine snooping around the victim's former home - which is a mansion sitting on a lot of property with out-buildings). The romance? Could have used a little oomph - hinging too much on just their past association as kids. Also I felt the inspirational elements in this story (there's just a couple) still felt shoehorned in to "fit" with the Love Inspired Suspense line. Suspense bits = B, Romance bits = C.
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I am a sucker for cold cases in suspense novels and I've enjoyed Jump's work in the Harlequin Romance line and her single titles. The standout here was the suspense thread - and all the glorious house "bits" (the hero and heroine snooping around the victim's former home - which is a mansion sitting on a lot of property with out-buildings). The romance? Could have used a little oomph - hinging too much on just their past association as kids. Also I felt the inspirational elements in this story (there's just a couple) still felt shoehorned in to "fit" with the Love Inspired Suspense line. Suspense bits = B, Romance bits = C....more
This one fell flat for me. The characters are admirable and interesting, there's actual history in this historical romance (!), and the class conflictThis one fell flat for me. The characters are admirable and interesting, there's actual history in this historical romance (!), and the class conflict isn't swept under the rug - well,until it is. It's just not a lot happens in this book and the characters seem more passionate about their, uh, passions than they do about each other. And I'm not sure I can forgive the dynamite set-up for the heroine to confront her aunt and mother in the final chapters and then.....nothing. No on-page confrontation. It's a quiet story that lacks any sort of oomph to the conflict. YMMV but meh.
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This one fell flat for me. The characters are admirable and interesting, there's actual history in this historical romance (!), and the class conflict isn't swept under the rug - well,until it is. It's just not a lot happens in this book and the characters seem more passionate about their, uh, passions than they do about each other. And I'm not sure I can forgive the dynamite set-up for the heroine to confront her aunt and mother in the final chapters and then.....nothing. No on-page confrontation. It's a quiet story that lacks any sort of oomph to the conflict. YMMV but meh....more
This one isn't perfect, but I had a great time while reading it. It's steamy (the sex here is definitely erotic romance level and hotter than a regulaThis one isn't perfect, but I had a great time while reading it. It's steamy (the sex here is definitely erotic romance level and hotter than a regular Harlequin Intrigue) and sleazy and it's a noir set in South Florida. I mean, how could I not love this? That said, it is a novella so the romance is fast and the author takes some shortcuts to account for word count - which isn't always a great thing in a romantic suspense story. Harlequin published a handful of these Noir stories a couple years ago - I'm going back and buying them all.
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This one isn't perfect, but I had a great time while reading it. It's steamy (the sex here is definitely erotic romance level and hotter than a regular Harlequin Intrigue) and sleazy and it's a noir set in South Florida. I mean, how could I not love this? That said, it is a novella so the romance is fast and the author takes some shortcuts to account for word count - which isn't always a great thing in a romantic suspense story. Harlequin published a handful of these Noir stories a couple years ago - I'm going back and buying them all....more
I haven't read any other books in this series (yet) and, while this did stand-alone, it took me a couple of chapters to get my sea legs. I enjoyed theI haven't read any other books in this series (yet) and, while this did stand-alone, it took me a couple of chapters to get my sea legs. I enjoyed the smart, resourceful heroine and I am trash for the younger hero living in the shadow of older men (brothers in this case) that he idolizes. It's also got a marriage of convenience (eventually) and it's a road romance - the couple traveling together for the vast majority of the story. I liked that the romance was a slow burn, these two talked, verbally sparred on occasion, got to know either other, and shared a few stolen kisses before consummating the relationship. It was nice.
What didn't work? I'm not great with this era of history so I could have used a little more hand-holding (YMMV) and some "not like other girls" nonsense creeps in on occasion and frankly that tends to annoy me. But it's a good solid read and I will most definitely read the rest of the books in the series.
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I haven't read any other books in this series (yet) and, while this did stand-alone, it took me a couple of chapters to get my sea legs. I enjoyed the smart, resourceful heroine and I am trash for the younger hero living in the shadow of older men (brothers in this case) that he idolizes. It's also got a marriage of convenience (eventually) and it's a road romance - the couple traveling together for the vast majority of the story. I liked that the romance was a slow burn, these two talked, verbally sparred on occasion, got to know either other, and shared a few stolen kisses before consummating the relationship. It was nice.
What didn't work? I'm not great with this era of history so I could have used a little more hand-holding (YMMV) and some "not like other girls" nonsense creeps in on occasion and frankly that tends to annoy me. But it's a good solid read and I will most definitely read the rest of the books in the series....more
A nice small town contemporary novella about high school sweethearts torn apart by the hero's controlling grandfather (now dead). He comes home, the pA nice small town contemporary novella about high school sweethearts torn apart by the hero's controlling grandfather (now dead). He comes home, the prodigal son to paint a mural - she's running the local diner with her Mom. If you dig small town romances this one is worth checking out.
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A nice small town contemporary novella about high school sweethearts torn apart by the hero's controlling grandfather (now dead). He comes home, the prodigal son to paint a mural - she's running the local diner with her Mom. If you dig small town romances this one is worth checking out....more
Short and sweet, but the kind of story that if you look at it took long it starts to irritate you. What kicks off the hero and heroine repairing theirShort and sweet, but the kind of story that if you look at it took long it starts to irritate you. What kicks off the hero and heroine repairing their marriage is, wait for it, the new French Lady's maid "prettying" up the heroine. Look pretty girls, or else you're doomed to a life of neglect from you husband. Meh.
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Short and sweet, but the kind of story that if you look at it took long it starts to irritate you. What kicks off the hero and heroine repairing their marriage is, wait for it, the new French Lady's maid "prettying" up the heroine. Look pretty girls, or else you're doomed to a life of neglect from you husband. Meh....more
Justiss has written some quality Regencies for Harlequin Historical, so being a HUGE historical western fan there was no way I wasn't going to read thJustiss has written some quality Regencies for Harlequin Historical, so being a HUGE historical western fan there was no way I wasn't going to read this book. It's perfectly pleasant and I enjoyed it while I was reading it. There is quite a bit of mental lusting that got a wee bit tedious after a while, and I felt the heroine should have been more skeptical of the hero's motives, but all in all this delivered exactly what I want out of a "small town western" story.
It's also a prequel to the contemporary Whiskey River series (same publisher) by authors Eve Gaddy and Katherine Garbera. If you're a fan of those stories I highly recommend checking out this historical as the hero is the town's founder.
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Justiss has written some quality Regencies for Harlequin Historical, so being a HUGE historical western fan there was no way I wasn't going to read this book. It's perfectly pleasant and I enjoyed it while I was reading it. There is quite a bit of mental lusting that got a wee bit tedious after a while, and I felt the heroine should have been more skeptical of the hero's motives, but all in all this delivered exactly what I want out of a "small town western" story.
It's also a prequel to the contemporary Whiskey River series (same publisher) by authors Eve Gaddy and Katherine Garbera. If you're a fan of those stories I highly recommend checking out this historical as the hero is the town's founder....more
I'm a sucker for cold case mysteries, which is why I picked this one up. The cover is somewhat misleading (the heroine is not Amish but has Amish neigI'm a sucker for cold case mysteries, which is why I picked this one up. The cover is somewhat misleading (the heroine is not Amish but has Amish neighbors...) and the inspirational elements are more pronounced in this particular story than in some other Love Inspired Suspense titles I've read.
Heroine's no-good, abusive husband vanished 10 years ago. As each day and year passes she breathes a little easier. Until 10 years later when the police finally find his body. She's now making a name for herself as an artist but she's still living with hesitancy, unsure of herself, and lacking confidence.
The hero is a cop who bungled a case and has been "banished" to cold cases. His father is basically Super Cop and the hero has spent his life living in his shadow. He desperately wants to solve the case and needs the heroine's cooperation.
The mystery is pretty good, but the heroine and hero didn't always rub me the right way. Also there's a little too much talk of forgiveness for my liking - mainly because the heroine's dead husband, quite frankly, got what he deserved. Yes, that probably makes me a bad person. No, I do not care. Did appreciate that the heroine, and her brother, have a healthy distrust of the police given how the heroine was treated right after her husband's disappearance.
Good, not great, but not bad.
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I'm a sucker for cold case mysteries, which is why I picked this one up. The cover is somewhat misleading (the heroine is not Amish but has Amish neighbors...) and the inspirational elements are more pronounced in this particular story than in some other Love Inspired Suspense titles I've read.
Heroine's no-good, abusive husband vanished 10 years ago. As each day and year passes she breathes a little easier. Until 10 years later when the police finally find his body. She's now making a name for herself as an artist but she's still living with hesitancy, unsure of herself, and lacking confidence.
The hero is a cop who bungled a case and has been "banished" to cold cases. His father is basically Super Cop and the hero has spent his life living in his shadow. He desperately wants to solve the case and needs the heroine's cooperation.
The mystery is pretty good, but the heroine and hero didn't always rub me the right way. Also there's a little too much talk of forgiveness for my liking - mainly because the heroine's dead husband, quite frankly, got what he deserved. Yes, that probably makes me a bad person. No, I do not care. Did appreciate that the heroine, and her brother, have a healthy distrust of the police given how the heroine was treated right after her husband's disappearance.
I'm feeling particularly romantic about baseball at the moment, and a semi-autobiographical YA graphic novel about a boy with no clue about baseball jI'm feeling particularly romantic about baseball at the moment, and a semi-autobiographical YA graphic novel about a boy with no clue about baseball joining his high school baseball team because of a crush hit me in the feels.
There are two types of adult readers: those who like to read YA and those who would rather be boiled in oil because ugh, who wants to relive their messy teen years? This book is definitely not for the latter ...more
I found this really delightful and it's a dynamite listen on audiobook. A compelling whodunit with a victim who ruffled more than a few feathers and pI found this really delightful and it's a dynamite listen on audiobook. A compelling whodunit with a victim who ruffled more than a few feathers and plenty of misdirection on the part of the author. It really kept me guessing right up until the end. I was a little worried about the ghost angle, but Rupert is the perfect cad, supplies comic relief, and thank the Lord he doesn't undercut the story by acting as a "shortcut" to solving the mystery. I also loved the world-building and thought the author did an amazing job with the time period. Looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing how the dollop of romance develops....more
I liked that both hero and heroine were vulnerable with pasts they both hadn't fully begun to unpack. I also really liked that the heroine's ex was a I liked that both hero and heroine were vulnerable with pasts they both hadn't fully begun to unpack. I also really liked that the heroine's ex was a villain that stayed off page and doesn't spring out from behind the curtains in the 11th hour twirling his mustache and throwing up a road block. I also LOVED how the heroine stands up for herself during The Black Moment.
What I was less enamored with was the superficiality of the romance. The hero has been working surveillance for the heroine from afar for several years now and they both have this pent up insta-lust even though they don't actually meet face-to-face until this book. With their mutual angsty vulnerabilities I wanted to wallow around more in those feelings but instead, since this is the Dare line, it's a lot of steamy sex. Which, fine. I knew what I was signing up for going in - and while I do think the author does a good job of blending the hot sex with the romance - I wanted to wallow a lot more "in between the lines." In the emotionally messy gray areas. Instead it's insta-lust and burning up the sheets.
Good, not great for me. YMMV.
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I liked that both hero and heroine were vulnerable with pasts they both hadn't fully begun to unpack. I also really liked that the heroine's ex was a villain that stayed off page and doesn't spring out from behind the curtains in the 11th hour twirling his mustache and throwing up a road block. I also LOVED how the heroine stands up for herself during The Black Moment.
What I was less enamored with was the superficiality of the romance. The hero has been working surveillance for the heroine from afar for several years now and they both have this pent up insta-lust even though they don't actually meet face-to-face until this book. With their mutual angsty vulnerabilities I wanted to wallow around more in those feelings but instead, since this is the Dare line, it's a lot of steamy sex. Which, fine. I knew what I was signing up for going in - and while I do think the author does a good job of blending the hot sex with the romance - I wanted to wallow a lot more "in between the lines." In the emotionally messy gray areas. Instead it's insta-lust and burning up the sheets.
Another entry in the Bad Decisions Book Club. "I'll read the first few chapters before bed" quickly turned into it's now 3:00 AM, I've finished the boAnother entry in the Bad Decisions Book Club. "I'll read the first few chapters before bed" quickly turned into it's now 3:00 AM, I've finished the book, and now I have to figure out how I'm going to go to sleep.
Light, fluffy, an actual romantic comedy with Damaged People underpinnings. This book straddles These People Need Therapy Not A Romance line for the entire book, but it never felt annoyed like other books of this ilk because both characters have, at least, some self-awareness. It's flat-out emotionally gutting in parts and I really loved reading about these two people falling in love and what felt like a normal, healthy progression to an actual sustainable relationship. Also, I'm not gonna lie, I'm familiar with the general area of Michigan where Henry set this book and it tickled me.
My only ding on it is that it felt a little too long by the end, with Amazon saying the pagination is at 400 pages. I feel like 50 of those pages could have been left on the cutting room floor and it would have made everything a little tighter. But....quibbles. I loved it....more
There's a fine line between Presents Logic and Completely Preposterous, and the plot of this one definitely crosses that line. There's not enough dialThere's a fine line between Presents Logic and Completely Preposterous, and the plot of this one definitely crosses that line. There's not enough dialogue between our couple for the first half to convince me they're catching feelings, but the last handful of chapters really picked up steam and by the end of it I was convinced they were in love. Also, kudos to the author for not writing a typical Presents Third Act Break-Up. ...more
The Agatha Christie comparison is a real head scratcher. Two things being "British" does not a good comparison make. Forced humor and a quirky, spastiThe Agatha Christie comparison is a real head scratcher. Two things being "British" does not a good comparison make. Forced humor and a quirky, spastic butterfly of a heroine who is the first cousin of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. So not my thing....more
Good heavens I really love this series so far. It's scratching my tough guy noir itch and Coleman has this knack for introducing numerous plot threadsGood heavens I really love this series so far. It's scratching my tough guy noir itch and Coleman has this knack for introducing numerous plot threads that don't seem like they should tie together, but of course it ends up that they eventually do. This a chickens coming home to roost story, with a mess of bodies dropping thanks to the only documented (and still unsolved) murder that occurred in New York City on 9/11 that wasn't tied to the World Trade Center. Lots of blood and bullets but I was riveted by the storyline as Nick careens his way around the City looking for answers.
My only quibbles? I'm completely bored by Nick's Secret Baby Mama Drama and the fact he rekindles a friends-with-benefits relationship in this book - well let's just say Nick is pure poison for female characters and I can see this emotionally unavailable love triangle irritating me beyond measure if it drags out much longer. Also this story ends with a hell of a cliffhanger setting up Nick's next "adventure." Hopefully I'm not waiting too long for Book 3....more
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