The cover and synopsis for this book caught my eye but unfortunately the book fell short. I loved Emma's spirit and how she was working on building thThe cover and synopsis for this book caught my eye but unfortunately the book fell short. I loved Emma's spirit and how she was working on building the life she wanted after so many years of foster care and being on her own. Grant on the other hand was pretty much a selfish pr*ck, sorry but his excuses for his past behavior and his plans for the future were all about him and no one else, this alone made it difficult to get into this story because Emma deserved better. Grant's daughter Casey was a sweet child who had a good heart obviously her late mother's doing or her grandparents and aunt. There was very little romance in this book, Grant and Emma did very little together alone and even when they did it wasn't like they were dating, they were working or delivering her chocolates. I don't know how you go from barely knowing someone to being in love and willing to change your entire life in a blink of an eye when you've never had a serious conversation about life and love, but this book did. Two stars because the town was interesting, I liked Emma, Casey, and Grant's family but the romance fell way short as did the hero.
Merged review:
The cover and synopsis for this book caught my eye but unfortunately the book fell short. I loved Emma's spirit and how she was working on building the life she wanted after so many years of foster care and being on her own. Grant on the other hand was pretty much a selfish pr*ck, sorry but his excuses for his past behavior and his plans for the future were all about him and no one else, this alone made it difficult to get into this story because Emma deserved better. Grant's daughter Casey was a sweet child who had a good heart obviously her late mother's doing or her grandparents and aunt. There was very little romance in this book, Grant and Emma did very little together alone and even when they did it wasn't like they were dating, they were working or delivering her chocolates. I don't know how you go from barely knowing someone to being in love and willing to change your entire life in a blink of an eye when you've never had a serious conversation about life and love, but this book did. Two stars because the town was interesting, I liked Emma, Casey, and Grant's family but the romance fell way short as did the hero....more
We met both these characters in the first book of this series The Right Man, Camaro (Cam) was Jewel's roommate and friend (both prositutes and both doWe met both these characters in the first book of this series The Right Man, Camaro (Cam) was Jewel's roommate and friend (both prositutes and both down on their luck) and Brad the manager of Rush's band (Jewel's boyfriend). They didn't like each other and there was a bit of a reason for that, but in this book when Rush's band gets ready to leave on tour; Cam has a run in with a man and Jewel doesn't want to leave with Rush so Brad hires his sister to go with the band and he stays to watch over Cam. I'll honestly say, I don't see the "Snow White" connection other than maybe her looks but then I didn't see the Cinderella connection in the first one either. Turns out Cam is hiding from a past that was filled with hurt after her mother passed away when she was young and then her father turned his back on her when she really needed him because of his new wife. Meanwhile Cam figures out that Brad is a super talented musician and vocalist and that he gave it all up to get a business degree to help out when his sister got pregnant at 16. This book had more of a plot than the first one and I genuinely liked these characters better and while I get what this author is trying to do (everyone deserves a fairy tale ending) the fact that everyone in this book finds their dream, their passion, and everything falls into place for them to make a go of it means the reader has to suspend reality because like it or not an ex-hooker making it as a famed children's book author is a bit far fetched. ...more
Down and Dirty is my first 5 star read of 2022. Let me say that I’m typically not a fan of M/F/M ménage; there’s nothing wrong with it I’ve just alwayDown and Dirty is my first 5 star read of 2022. Let me say that I’m typically not a fan of M/F/M ménage; there’s nothing wrong with it I’ve just always felt that if all partners are connected sexually and emotionally it flows better but Mari Carr has once again proven that she can write an emotional connection between two male characters where they don’t want to climb each other like a tree. There was so much I loved about this book; Jess, a single mom waitress down on her luck and trying to be the best mom to her son Jasper parks outside the shared business space and home of friends and roommates Tony and Rhys when she realizes they will have to spend the night in her car on one of the coldest nights of the year. She has no idea how much that decision will change both her and her son’s lives. It isn’t easy, there are so many personalities, two very strong willed individuals, one voice of reason, and one very sweet boy they all will do anything to protect.
Jess, is only 24 with a six year old son but has lived a harsh life that made her grow up fast and realize she only had herself to count on. She is driven to be self sufficient, to be a great mom, and to work hard to get the things they need, but one medical emergency left her short on money and it snowballed from there. I absolutely loved Jess; smart, tenacious, strong, and stubborn she is so determined to figure things out on her own. Enter Tony and Rhys; the bull and the teddy bear; one barreling in to take over and one to cuddle and soothe. These men were so different in their approach to everything, yet they complemented each other and their differing personalities worked when dealing with Jess. She would go toe to toe with Tony and Rhys was there to be the voice of reason to them both. This dynamic worked for them all but Jess longed for a home and family and on more than one occasion she learned that was something that either man wanted.
Over time their relationship moved to a physical one that was crazy hot and sexy but also contained emotion none of them were willing to share. Jess learned that she appreciated both men and their talents and learned so much about her wants and needs.
Throw in Tony’s big Italian family especially his wonderful Aunt Berta and Rhys’s sister Penny and it’s easy to see this is going to be on spectacular series.
A sexy and emotional story that was impossible to put down, I loved Down and Dirty and cannot wait for the next book in this series. ...more
This was awful, I couldn't finish it. Rip was a complete and utter a$$hole and Gil had no backbone, for my sanity I had to DNF.This was awful, I couldn't finish it. Rip was a complete and utter a$$hole and Gil had no backbone, for my sanity I had to DNF....more
A Christmas romance that touches on familial issues as well as mental health issues yet is4.5 stars full review coming 12/7/21 www.simplylovebooks.com
A Christmas romance that touches on familial issues as well as mental health issues yet is still charming, heartwarming, and sexy Dear Santa by Kristen Granata was completely enjoyable. I loved this one!...more
My last full book of 2020 and I'm taking the year out on a high note with Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen. This one gets 4.5 stars from me (I tookMy last full book of 2020 and I'm taking the year out on a high note with Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen. This one gets 4.5 stars from me (I took of .5 because why I did love Heidi, honestly she was TOO good at everything she did and that kind of bugged me. I didn't want her to fail but she almost seemed super human.)
Their chemistry was off the charts, the friendship they formed was entertaining, and when Jason finally gave in...freaking fireworks. What I adored was Jason didn't let her father run him off, he stood his ground and he helped Heidi see her worth. Heidi was spunky, smart, and such a hard worker and she didn't let anyone push her around (ok well a fish did, but that was special circumstances). The fact that she saw the sensitive and emotional side of Jason even when he didn't let her in and she was strong enough to handle him proved she was just what he needed even when he didn't know it.
This was an awesome story and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Re-read 2024 ~ Still loved this book, but still felt Heidi was a bit over the top too good at everything....more
I adord this mega crossover story from Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine, seeing bevloved characters again especially Logan and Tate. A celebrity benefit hI adord this mega crossover story from Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine, seeing bevloved characters again especially Logan and Tate. A celebrity benefit has so many characters from both Ella and Brooke's series coming together to raise money for a fantastic cause. This was a fun way to see how they are all doing and where they are in their lives. I loved it. ...more
Overall I found this book to be predicatable and a bit ridiculous and honestly way to easy. A confirmed bachelor/manwh*re has a baby dumped on his dooOverall I found this book to be predicatable and a bit ridiculous and honestly way to easy. A confirmed bachelor/manwh*re has a baby dumped on his doorstep by a woman he hooked up with the year before, he's out of his element and calls his best friend who comes with his little sister who conviently needs a job and is immediately hired as his nanny (I'm sure you see where this is going). He's a professional baseball player and gone a lot, she has to "live in" and they are attracted but fight it for the good of the baby until they don't. The mother of the child is dealt with (it's revealed later she signs away her rights to the child) and basically there is no conflict other than one incident of an old photo in a blog post that upsets the heroine. Justin, his friend Derek, and Derek's wife Jillian are all approaching 30 or there and yet their conversations sound like that of high school or young college age kids. Riley (Derek's sister) is 22 maybe 23 and honestly the most mature out of the bunch. The author would have you believe that JJ (Justin) the hero walks around thinking of sex 24/7, I mean come on. Anyway, this one was a bust there was so many times I thought about not finishing but I did and now I'm done. Can't say that this book enticed me to read anything more from this author. ...more
I really loved this secret romance between a hockey player and his captain's little sister especially because when they met, Allie, the heroine, didn'I really loved this secret romance between a hockey player and his captain's little sister especially because when they met, Allie, the heroine, didn't let on who she was and she walked out on Vaughn, the hero, leaving him alone in his hotel room in Vancouver. When he's traded to her brother's team, she's made herself scarce until one night when they end up in the same bar. I loved the chemistry between these two throughout this story even when they tried to stay away from one another. There were several ups and downs during this story, but it was obvious they belonged together. Vaughn was a different person away from the team and the publicity camera and Allie saw the real him which he began to realize was really nice. Vaughn was interested in everything about Allie, he appreciated how hard she worked, her committment to the community, and the coaching she did to encourage girls in hockey. This was a fun and sexy story and I enjoyed it very much....more
This was a fun and entertaing conclusion to the Three Sisters Catering series. Dru has watched her twin and her younger sister both find and marry theThis was a fun and entertaing conclusion to the Three Sisters Catering series. Dru has watched her twin and her younger sister both find and marry the men of their dreams and while she's happy for them, she's feeling a bit out of sorts. Part of that is her intense attraction to Mick, the PI she hired to track down her deadbeat dad and his insistance he doesn't date clients. It was easy to feel the attraction between them and I enjoyed watching them fall for one another with a bit of a push from Mick's fun loving and wanting grandchildren mother Dottie. It was easy to see that Mick was impressed by Dru and the business she and her sisters created and while there was no doubting Dru loved Mick's physical attributes seeing him with his mom and how he interacted with their friends made her see the kind and gentle man underneath. There were a few surprises in this book and some closure for the sisters with their dad, overall I enjoyed it. *I do want to note that the editing of this book wasn't up to par with the others. There were misused words and several other issues which distracted from the story. ...more
This was my 2nd favorite book of the series, I loved this "woke up in Vegas married, but let's prove it to our friends we can stay married" story. ReaThis was my 2nd favorite book of the series, I loved this "woke up in Vegas married, but let's prove it to our friends we can stay married" story. Really liked both the main characters, loved they were different but respected that about each other. Love how Ollie encouraged Daniel to follow his dreams, love how fiercely protective Daniel was of Ollie and most of all loved watching them fall in love with each other even when they were both to scared to admit it. Seriously loved these two together especially when their friends and Ollie's brother were being royal a$$holes. ...more
I loved this second chance love story. Natasha and Jericho had been heavily involved in college when Tasha left without a word when her mother's healtI loved this second chance love story. Natasha and Jericho had been heavily involved in college when Tasha left without a word when her mother's health was failing. She was afraid of losing herself in her relationship and didn't feel she was strong enough to tell Jericho in person so she just left him and years later, he owns a resturant in her hometown across the street for the catering company she owns with her sisters. We saw a bit of interaction between them in the first book of this series (A Pinch of Salt), but in this story we learn more about Jericho's childhood, how he became the man he is today and the fact that neither one had been able to move on from what they had. It was a sweet and sexy story filled with a lot of emotion and while I saw which way the plot was going from early on, I still enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to reading Dru and Mick's story, I have a feeling they are going to be pretty volatile. ...more
3.5 stars (rounded up for Goodreads) A Pinch of Salt was a sweet and fairly easy romance from Bethany Lopez. Jackson is a single dad and goes into Mil3.5 stars (rounded up for Goodreads) A Pinch of Salt was a sweet and fairly easy romance from Bethany Lopez. Jackson is a single dad and goes into Millie and her sister's catering company to arrange a tea party birthday party for his soon to be 9 year old daughter, Kayla. Both Jackson and Millie are a bit caught up in one another, but Millie notices Jackson is wearing a wedding ring. His wife left him and Kayla a year ago, simply walked out on them and he knows it's over and he's ready to move on but hasn't done anything about it. I liked this story, both characters were pretty sweet and mild mannered; I would classify Jackson as a beta hero and there's nothing wrong with that. A lover of classic literature, he teaches high school honors literature classes and quotes the greats. I enjoyed the dynamics of Millie and her sister's one of which is her twin although they are very different people. Kayla was a bit of a problem and honestly she's the reason I didn't rate this book higher, I don't mind when there are children in a book and I of course expect it in a single parent romance, but some of her actions were a bit over the top and seemed the actions of an other child than a child just barely nine. Anyway, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the other two sister's stories....more
I had a really hard time getting past the cliched character names and the overly simple plot with a rush to a relationship. I honestly would have loveI had a really hard time getting past the cliched character names and the overly simple plot with a rush to a relationship. I honestly would have loved to "see" what happened between the last chapter and the epilogue, I feel like that's where the real story took place but it was skipped. If you want a light holiday story without a lot of substance then this one is for you....more
I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. I honestly found the whole reality baking show background distracting. I didn't really feel the heat betweenI enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. I honestly found the whole reality baking show background distracting. I didn't really feel the heat between the characers and their quality alone time was lacking or constantly interrupted which got old. I would have liked to see them have more time together without the constant reminder of Justin's dissatisfaction with the way his "brand" was being handled or Brody's soon to be ex-husband, it was lather, rinse, repeat and it got old. ...more
Lacey is paroled right before Thanksgiving and goes back to work for her family's Christmas tree farm with her brother where she encounters Austin, thLacey is paroled right before Thanksgiving and goes back to work for her family's Christmas tree farm with her brother where she encounters Austin, the officer who arrested her and testified against her 4 years ago. I've never read a romance where the heroine had been in prison so it was unique from that standpoint, but honestly I had a hard time connecting with either character. I did enjoy the story although it seemed a bit contrived and problems to easily solved. Not to mention both Lacey and Austin putting aside the fact he was instrumental in putting her away and within a couple of weeks of her return they are having sex because they are so hot for each other. It was an okay read, not great and not something I'd read again....more
I've been on a Lucy Score Christmas book kick and although I read this one way back when it was first released, I read it again and still felt every eI've been on a Lucy Score Christmas book kick and although I read this one way back when it was first released, I read it again and still felt every emotion reading it a second time. While this is an excellent romance set during the holiday season (right before Thanksgiving up to Christmas Eve), it isn't a typical happy go lucky Christmas romance. There's a lot of sadness in this story and it's justified. Bristol Quinn is a single mom still recovering from the loss of her little sister Hope and hoping to bring some joy to her family at her sister's wedding she sends a letter to the recipient of Hope's heart but as the day gets closer she still hasn't heard back. Meanwhile a sexy new guy is in town on business. Beau helps Bristol safe her daughter's hockey coach's life and then offers to help her learn how to skate and coach the team. I rather enjoyed the heat between Beau and Bristol, it was pretty damn hot, but more than that I loved how taken they were with each other especially how much Beau appreciated everything about Bristol and her family. There are some secrets uncovered and a bit of strife, but there was so much heartwarming good in this story that it was impossible to put it down. Grab it today!!...more
Something was missing in this book, it lacked character development and to be honest it lacked the time these three needed to convince me a long term Something was missing in this book, it lacked character development and to be honest it lacked the time these three needed to convince me a long term relationship would work between them. It was very rushed and considering Avery spent a good deal of the book being wishy-washy about the idea of the three of them. I loved that Rowan was on the spectrum and honestly would have loved to see his character developed more, well all of them. It felt rushed and for me in a story like this their backgrounds are important. It wasn't a bad book, I just needed more....more
This was a feel good, fun, sweet, wonderful, and yes…sexy story and I could not put it down. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll just say if you love romThis was a feel good, fun, sweet, wonderful, and yes…sexy story and I could not put it down. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll just say if you love romance, if you love gay romance, if you love the spirit of Christmas then grab this one today!...more
This was a sweet small town holiday story. I enjoyed this couple and the fact they both had some baggage that kept them from going all in so they had This was a sweet small town holiday story. I enjoyed this couple and the fact they both had some baggage that kept them from going all in so they had to work at being together. At times it was a bit sad as they'd both lost someone close to them recently, but having each other helped them both. ...more
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