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Review ~ Indiscretion by Vi Keeland

IndiscretionIndiscretion by Vi Keeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had my attention right from the start! I found it quite amusing and laughed as Dawson and Naomi met for the first time. The interaction was hilarious, and I knew I would like these two together. After the wedding though, the read became more serious as we got to know both Dawson and Naomi in the real world.

Dawson was a lawyer and needed a whole new staff as his ex-partner took just about everything. After a while he decided to hire Naomi and they began spending a lot of time together. I could see the chemistry building between them and it was only a matter of time before business mixed with pleasure.

I liked getting Naomi’s backstory to understand why she relocated to a new city and was after a new job. Dawson was dismissive of her at first but being a lawyer, his curiosity got the best of him. Seeing these two grow closer through the read was sweet and I could see how well they worked together.

Vi Keeland did a beautiful job piecing this read together. It had all the feels and I was swept away with the storyline and characters. It had serious elements but still had plenty of lighthearted moments and banter between the characters.


Title: Indiscretion
Author: Vi Keeland
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 13, 2025

★ A new, sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller, Vi Keeland. ★

He's her boss. She's his greatest temptation.

The first time I met Dawson Reed, we wound up in bed.
The problem was, neither of us knew the other were there.
When I woke up in the middle of the night and found a stranger next to me, instinct kicked in and I attacked the intruder.
Only it turned out, the man wasn’t an intruder at all.
Dawson had rented this cabin, too. Apparently, a system glitch allowed a duplicate booking.
We’d soon find out we were in town for the same wedding, and Dawson was the groomsman I’d been warned about. He was as tall, dark and jaw-droppingly gorgeous as my best friend had described. Though she was also right when she’d said you two will hate each other.
When daylight rolled around, Dawson and I attempted to straighten out the mess we found ourselves in. But it proved to be more difficult than we initially thought. Since it was a holiday weekend, there wasn’t a single room available for more than fifty miles.
I suppose things could be worse than sharing a cabin for a weekend with a handsome man you despise.
Like maybe him winding up being your new boss?

Audiobook Review ~ In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

In the Likely EventIn the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the Likely Event was a good book to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Carly Robins and Teddy Hamilton told the story. I was quickly swept away in the story and found it hard to pull away from the read. It was easy to get swept away in this Yarros read and be consumed by her world and characters.

I liked getting to know both Nate and Izzy in the present and the past. They had a complicated history that was full of drama and intense connections. The chemistry was still there between them despite the complications they have faced and having to protect Izzy in Afghanistan was a difficult task for Nate as he battled with his feelings for her.

I enjoyed getting to know these characters and watch them grow close once again. They had some issues to face, but they deserved the happiness that they could have together. This read had it all, suspense, heartache and devotion.

Title: In the Likely Event
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: August 1, 2023

When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful.

Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.

Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.

Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.

Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.

He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.

Review ~ Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen

Promise Me This (Wilder Family, #3)Promise Me This by Karla Sorensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ian and Harlow were so sweet to read about! I liked how they had a long history and were good friends from such a young age. Ian was the quiet and broody type; he would do anything for his family, had a kind heart and kept to himself a lot. He wanted to help his friend fulfil her dreams, and he offered Harlow and her daughter Sage a place to live, so that she wasn’t under the pressure of her parents.

I could see the connection between Ian and Harlow shifting slowly and how protective Ian became of both the girls. He would do anything to support them and went above and beyond at times. I could see the shift in Harlow once she moved in with Ian and her muse returned. She became more relaxed and her relationship with Ian changed as she started to see him more than just her friend.

Promise Me This was a slow burn read as Ian and Harlow got to know each other as adults. It was such a beautiful read, and I loved returning to this world that Sorensen has created. I liked getting glimpses of the other characters that I have come to adore and look forward to returning to this world soon.

Title: Promise Me This
Author: Karla Sorensen
Series: Wilder Family #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 9, 2024

Imagine this: an author with a raging case of writer’s block finds an unexpected source of inspiration in her grumpy, gorgeous new roommate. Sounds amazing, right? Except that new roommate is my childhood best friend. And Ian Wilder has been off-limits since I was five.

It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen him, but when I return to my hometown after years away, Ian’s exactly the man I remembered. The same guy who gave me his coat on a playground when we were kids and promised he’d take care of me forever. I need a quiet place to work with this deadline looming. I need a place where my daughter can unwind. Enter Ian with an offer I can’t refuse: his spare bedroom.

It’s an easy yes. Except now the problem is I can’t stop thinking about him, and these thoughts? They’re wandering out of the friend zone. I keep imagining very creative ways to rip off his clothes. And Ian starts giving me looks of his own, the kind that make my heart race.

One night, we cross a line we can’t uncross. The lines have blurred, and our friendship is hanging by a thread.

Imagine this: a woman falling for her best friend. And she has no idea if he feels the same.

Audiobook Review ~ From Air by Jewel E. Ann

From Air (Wildfire, #1)From Air by Jewel E. Ann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From Air was a great beginning to the Wildfire series. I quite enjoyed getting to know Jamie and Calvin. He was a broody type of guy who had lost so much. Jamie was his polar opposite, being chirpy and set to experience as much life as possible. I liked they way their friendship grew and that they were each other’s person. They looked out for one another and their relationship grew into something more.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing as details from the past emerged and they realised how intertwined their lives actually were. My heart broke for both of them as they come to terms with everything and I just wanted them to get through. Overall, I was hooked and I loved how the friends they had were family to both of them and helped them to see what they couldn’t.

Ada Sinclair and Nelson Hobbs narrated this story perfectly. I enjoyed the way that they portrayed the characters and told Jewel E. Ann’s story. There were secondary characters that fleshed out this story and I am excited to see their own loves stories come to fiction.


Title: From Air
Author: Jewel E. Ann
Series: Wildfire #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 26, 2024

Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Jewel E. Ann parachutes into the burning, hazardous heart of love in a sexy yet dramatic romance set in Big Sky country.

When Jamie Andrews moves in with a house full of firefighters, things start heating up fast. Battling the wilderness of rural Montana, these guys are always charging into danger—for a living, for duty, for the rush—and since Jamie is a psychiatric nurse, they fascinate her analytic mind. She can’t help but fixate on Calvin, a grumpy, enigmatic smoke jumper ten years her senior. She makes playfully tormenting him her pet project, trying to get him to open up. It turns out he gives as good as he gets.

When something smoldering between them sparks, they’ll have to keep it quiet, which makes Jamie start to wonder about Calvin’s secret, the one he won’t explain. She’ll learn more after life pulls them apart. But as she follows the truth like a trail of flame into the dark, will it lead her to hearth and home with Calvin…or will it all go up in a blaze?

Review ~ The Love You Fight For by Brit Benson

The Love You Fight For (Next Life #3)The Love You Fight For by Brit Benson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and loved watching Chris break Samantha’s walls down. These two had had a connection for a number of years, but hadn’t over crossed too many lines. However now that Sam was back, he was willing to see where things would go and wasn’t going to allow Sam to push him away.

Sam was a warrior; the more I got to know about her the more I liked her. She had endured so much in her life and was determined to bring the world down to her feet. She was amazingly strong, but had moments of vulnerability and would find comfort with Chris before rebuilding her walls.

These two were amazing together. I loved how they were able to comfort one another when needed. Chris was such a strong person and wanted Sam to open up to him, but understood that she was in a hard situation. There were moments that had my heart breaking for Sam, and she was almost at rock bottom, but she was a fighter. As the story unfolded I was proud of what she had done.

This was a fantastic read and I know I want to go back and read more from this series and more of Brit Benson’s work. The world was fabulous and the emotional rollercoaster I was on had me glued to the read.


Title: The Love You Fight For
Author: Brit Benson
Series: Next Life #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 15, 2024

The mask she wears for the world is flawless.
But I want the mess that she hides underneath.
Samantha Harper is untouchable.

She’s the closest thing we have to royalty in my small town.
Daughter of a senator.
Richer than sin.
Classy, elegant, and
Ice cold.

She’s my polar opposite.
And unfortunately,
She’s exactly my type.

Too bad royalty doesn’t fraternize with peasants.

Until one night,
Samantha Harper finds herself at my mercy,
and the temptation to dirty up her flawless facade is too great.

When her perfect mask slips,
It’s not an ice princess I find beneath
But a warrior in war-torn armor.
A snake in queen’s clothing.

All it takes is one night, and I’m determined.
She will never have to fight another battle alone.

***

The Love You Fight For is the third book in the Next Life world. 
It has a guaranteed HEA. While The Love You Fight For can be read as a standalone, it is recommended that you first read the Next Life duet to fully appreciate the story.

Review ~ Mine for a Moment by Catharina Maura

Mine for a MomentMine for a Moment by Catharina Maura
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There was something about this book that didn’t quite grab me. I felt that it was a bit choppy and didn’t flow smoothly together as much as I hoped. There were a lot of elements in the read and it didn’t blow me away like I hoped it would.

Serenity was a character that you could like, however a little naive and needed to spread her wings. She relied to much on her best friend, although he had moved into a relationship with her other friend and felt left out. Trying to get past that relationship she happened to get closer with Archer, who worked in partnership with her brother at the business they created together.

I liked Serenity and Archer together, however there was a lot of sneaking around. They are adults and needed to act like they instead of highschoolers. I would’ve liked to see more of Serenity’s creative side, and a few twists thrown in through big curves in the story. The ending was good, seeing them truly happy together.


Title: Mine for a Moment
Author: Catharina Maura
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 15, 2024

A brand new spicy, high-angst romance from Catharina Maura—the highly anticipated, standalone spin-off of the Windsors series.

When the man she's always been in love with starts dating one of her friends, artist Serenity Adesina creates a to-do list that will help her get over him once and for all.

The first item on that list?

Losing her virginity to Archer Harrison, her older brother's billionaire best friend…and her boss.

He's the perfect choice—alluring, caring, and entirely emotionally unavailable.

Their deal was supposed to be Serenity will paint Archer anything he wants in return for a secret, no-strings-attached relationship.

Except each kiss leaves them both wanting more, tempting them to risk it all for what's growing between them. That is, until a cruel twist of fate shows them that giving in to their feelings comes at a far higher cost than they could've imagined.

Review ~ The Player + The Pact = I Do by Louise Bay

The Player + The Pact = I Do (New York City Billionaires, #2)The Player + The Pact = I Do by Louise Bay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this one to be a fun read! The opening chapter was amusing when we saw Jules and Leo in their first interaction. They certainly had a connection but Jules wasn’t a strong person back they and thought that Leo was the player she heard he was.

Jumping into the future and Jules was a strong confident woman who was determined to show Leo her worth for his business. She wanted to take on one of his hotels but he was reluctant to give her a go until he needed a favour from her. This helped them connect more and it was entertaining to see their relationship grow.

Honestly, these two were good together. The more time they spent together the more compatible they appeared. They both had times where they were hesitant to lay all they cards on the table, but it was only a matter of time. They had great chemistry and were driven to succeed in anything they put their minds too.

Title: The Player + The Pact = I Do
Author: Louise Bay
Series: New York City Billionaires #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 10, 2024

I hate my boss. Like, loathe him. Two years ago, he semi-broke my heart and he still doesn’t remember who I am. Okay so I was covered in electric blue body paint, and wearing a wig, but is that a good excuse to not remember the girl you said was your destiny?

Now I’m stuck working for the jerk because only he can give me the job I really want—manager of his hotel.

When he needs a fake fiancé for business reasons, there’s an easy solution—blackmail. He has to give me a trial run as hotel manager in return for wearing his ring.

It’s a perfect plan until he remembers when we first met.

Things suddenly shift and now he’s looking at me with eyes that see straight through to the real me, touching me with hands that make me weak and kissing me with a mouth that threatens to do things to me they don’t even talk about in movies.

There’s just one wrinkle. I don’t trust him not to break my heart again.


A standalone marriage pact romance from USA Today bestselling author Louise Bay.

Audiobook Review ~ Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke

Between Now and ForeverBetween Now and Forever by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This was quite an amusing read to listen to! I enjoyed the way that Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke portrayed the characters, and I was immersed into the storyline right from the opening chapters. Honestly, the beginning of the book had me smirking and I knew I was going to enjoy the world that Adriana Locke created.

Gabrielle and Jay were amusing from the start; there was certainly an attraction that they both tried to deny. Gabrielle was determined to start her life over in her hometown with her sons and her cousin close by and I could see that she liked to do things herself. Jay just couldn’t help but get involved, although he tried to keep the small family next door at arm’s length.

I liked seeing the relationship between them all grow, not only Gab and Jay, but the relationship between Jay and the boys too. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but he tried hard despite the issues that he was trying to deal with and tried to protect his heart too. Truly, it was a fun and sweet read that I couldn’t help but be swept away with.


Title: Between Now and Forever
Author: Adriana Locke
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 17, 2024

Neighbors to lovers can be a risky proposition in this funny, sexy, and swoony romantic comedy between a single mother and the grumpy man next door by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke.

When Gabrielle Solomon falls, she falls hard. Even if that means literally toppling over a porch railing in nothing but a flimsy towel—right in front of her sexy new neighbor.

Jay Stetson is 100 percent hero material with those arms, that chest, and his deliciously oh-so-sexy smirk. The chiseled hunk in flannel has an irresistible off-limits attitude while plucking Gabrielle out of the bushes and saving her from a snake. Unfortunately, he’s not indulging in what Gabrielle is offering—not with his emotional train wreck of a past.

Just neighbors. Just friends. Or so he says.

Secretly, he’s smitten with the single, fierce mama bear of two who plays Miss Fix-It at the house next door. He doesn’t even really mind the noise or the chaos her young sons cause. What he does mind is how his lonely heart races when looking into her emerald-colored eyes.

Can Jay let his painful memories go, or will he let the woman of his dreams slip between his fingers?

Review ~ Undercover Love by Lucy Score

Undercover LoveUndercover Love by Lucy Score
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars
This was an ok read. I liked getting to know Ashley, but I could tell that her fiancé was a jerk from the first moment he was introduced in the book. He was very self centered and too worried about his boss Victoria so it was only a matter of time before they were completely over.

I liked Jason, but I didn’t like the way that he asked Ashley to remain in the home with Steven and manipulated her into certain circumstances. If he was as smart and as good at his job as he proclaimed, I’m sure they would’ve found ways to get the information they needed.

This book didn’t blow me away, but it certainly hasn’t deterred me from picking up more Lucy Score books sin the future. She always seems to find a book to captivate me, and I’m sure the next one will.


Title: Undercover Love
Author: Lucy Score
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 20, 2015

“I’m confused. Do you want me to spy on my fiancé or get naked with you?”

“Both. I thought that was obvious.”

Revenge. It’s the only thing Ashley can think about after finding her supposed fiancé, Steven, with his tongue down the throat of the worst human being in the history of the world—his colleague, Ice Queen Victoria. Turns out it’s not the only body part he’s betrayed her with.

Humiliated and furious, Ashley finds herself being propositioned by security expert and ridiculously sexy Jason Baine. But he’s not just looking to get her into bed. He needs her help taking down Steven and Victoria and rescuing his family’s company before it’s too late.

Ashley’s a regular girl, a normal person. She doesn’t dabble in corporate espionage or illicit affairs. At least she didn’t until Jason… But now she’s in too deep and things are getting dangerous.

Review ~ Bishop by Eden Summers

BishopBishop by Eden Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read a lot of these books in this series out of order, but boy do I love them!! This is a darker read and we could see it right from the beginning. Abri does anything that her father demands her to do, and I could see what she would do to get through these tasks. Her life wasn’t easy and until the story unfolded you could see why.

I loved Bishop. He was loyal to very few people, Abri’s Uncle and brother were on top of that list. Having to look after Abri was not what he wanted to do but wouldn’t back down from tasks set before him. Bishop had demons from his past that he was battling, and Abri was able to get under his skin and get his secrets.

Abri and Bishop were so fun to get to know. I liked how they were able to help each other when needed and Bishop was fierce when it come to protecting Abri. This came more apparent a long the way and I loved that side of him. I could see that Abri was finally learning to trust someone, and I was glad these two were falling.

There were a lot of tough times through this story, and I felt Summers did a remarkable job of telling this story. Bishop and Abri were perfect for one another, and I loved that Abri brought out a sweet side in Bishop. This was a great read, and I look forward to diving into more stories from this world.


Title: Bishop
Author: Eden Summers
Series: Hunting Her #9
Genre: Dark Romantic Suspense
Published: September 7, 2023

A standalone novel in the bestselling, seductively thrilling Hunting Her series.

In a moment of weakness I sent out a cry for help—one that was answered by my estranged brother’s right-hand man.
A murderer.
A butcher.

He storms into my life with his expensive suit pockets full of sedatives and cable ties in case I don’t approve of his form of protection. Let me assure you, I don’t.

But when my world falls apart and I have nowhere else to go, I’m forced to escape with him.
To an isolated house.
Just me and him.
Alone.

And it quickly becomes clear that the monstrous people I’ve been afraid of are nothing in comparison to the man in the room next door to mine.

Audiobook Review ~ Variation by Rebecca Yarros

VariationVariation by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Right from the opening chapters I knew that I would be swept away into this read! I needed to know more and to see how the characters had grown. It was interesting to see what they had lost and what they would give up for their families.

Allie was such a beautiful character. Her whole life she had been under the thumb of her mother and set to achieve everything she could in the ballet world, until she suffers an injury and returns to the home she spent summers in as a child. The loss of her sister all those years ago was still heavy on her shoulders, and when secrets unravel, she can see lightness in the world once again.

Hudson was such a wonderful man. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for his family. Having Allie around once more she forced him to chase his dreams once again and to not just settle. The chemistry between them was still fierce although they tried to make it a limited time thing.

These two were fabulous together and I loved meeting them. They both have wonderful support around them, and I enjoyed being in their world. Rebecca Yarros crafted this story beautifully and I could not get enough. I didn’t want this story to end and cannot wait to dive into future Yarros reads.

Title: Variation
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 19, 2024

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing comes a new contemporary romance about the summer a celebrated dancer returns home and unearths years of family secrets with the Coast Guard rescue swimmer she never forgot.

Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under.

As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath.

When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever.