Audiobook Review ~ Dirty Exes by Rachel Van Dyken

Dirty Exes (Liars, Inc., #1)Dirty Exes by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I read a book by Rachel Van Dyken, so I decided to listen to Dirty Exes. The premise made it sound like one hell of a rollercoaster ride, and it certainly was! I laughed a lot through this one as Blaire managed to get herself into amusing situations and constantly needed help getting out of. I liked both Jessie and Colin and had no idea how this one was going to turn out, but I was happy at the end of the read.

The narration was done by Kristin Watson Heintz, Joe Arden and Teddy Hamilton, portraying all three characters and I believe they brought the right amount of fun and entertainment to the amusing characters that Rachel Van Dyken created.


Title: Dirty Exes
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Series: Liars, Inc. #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 5, 2018

They’re serving up some red-hot revenge. A sizzling series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel van Dyken.

Blaire has never quite gotten over Jessie Beckett, the ex–NFL star whose kisses were hot enough to ignite the entire Eastern Seaboard. When he chose work over her, Blaire was left brokenhearted. Why else would she have married a skeezy two-timer, just to divorce him less than a year later?

Now Blaire is getting even by becoming one half of Dirty Exes, a PI firm fully committed to humiliating cheating jerks. If only the new jerk she’s been hired to uncover wasn’t Jessie Beckett himself.

Exposing Jessie isn’t going to be easy, especially when she still daydreams about his sexy smile. Further complicating matters is Colin, Jessie’s best friend. He’s gorgeous, a little bit cunning, and willing to help Blaire get the inside scoop on Jessie—for a price.

Now caught between two men—one totally right and the other totally wrong—Blaire will need to decide just how much she’s willing to risk…and whom she’s willing to risk it for.

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Review ~ Hate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy by Penelope Bloom

Hate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic ComedyHate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy by Penelope Bloom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve read a few books by Penelope Bloom before and when I came across Hate Notes, I was excited to see how it would unfold. I enjoyed getting to know both Ember and Orion, they were both driven characters and I could see they were perfect for one another.

Orion was quite a particular character, liking his routines at home and at work. He was feared by his employees, but there was something about Ember that managed to bring out his softer side, and some of his rules slipped. Ember was a feisty character and had her own plans but didn’t mean to fall for Orion. She had to decide on following her heart or her plan.

This read wasn’t a favourite of mine, I felt a lot of elements were in the book but didn’t really combine well together. Some things that the characters did were odd and I was left wondering what the hell happened. It had amusing moments but wasn’t quite the comedy that I hoped.


Title: Hate Notes: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy
Author: Penelope Bloom
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 6, 2025

When my cheating ex destroyed my life, I did what any reasonable woman would do—I dove head-first into a petty revenge scheme. After all, I've always been more of a 'go down swinging' kind of girl.

My brilliant plan? Deliver hate notes to my ex's biggest business rival until he’s so fed up he hires me just to make it stop.

Too bad nobody warned me that my newest boss would be six-foot-three of grumpy, dimpled perfection—or that beneath his icy exterior beats the heart of a man who sends me scandalously demanding emails by night and gives glimpses of surprising tenderness behind his scorching glares.

Now I'm falling for the man I'm supposed to be sabotaging, stealing kisses between meetings and pretending I don't live for those moments when his perfect control slips. My ancient, possibly immortal cat judges me daily for this mess, but then again, he also judges me for showering.

I never meant to find purpose in this job or trust again after having my heart shattered. But somehow the grumpiest boss in the city has me believing in second chances—even if mine might expire the moment he discovers why I really took a job working under him.

Let’s just how this doesn’t blow up in my face as badly as the time I tried to potty train my cat.

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Audiobook Review ~ Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee

Not Quite Dating (Not Quite, #1)Not Quite Dating by Catherine Bybee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read (listened to) by Catherine Bybee and I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed it. Jessie was open that she was looking for a “rich man”, but Jack was determined to win her over. Jessie did have drive and was looking to set herself up as best as possible for herself and her son. Jack liked meeting a girl that wasn’t thinking about the money that he had. I enjoyed seeing the growth between these two and how well they gelled together.

The narration by Amy McFadden was done well and I liked they way she drew me into this world. I am certain this won’t be my last Catherine Bybee read.


Title: Not Quite Dating
Author: Catherine Bybee
Series: Not Quite #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November 13, 2012

From New York Times, USA Today, and WSJ bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the first novel in the delicious Not Quite series.

Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had—and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison—a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin—tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him—not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way…To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all…

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Audiobook Review ~ Crossroads by Devney Perry

Crossroads (Haven River Ranch, #1)Crossroads by Devney Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read the second book in the series before Crosswords, so I had to go back to see how it all began. I enjoyed how West and Indya had history over the years; however they hadn’t parted on the best of terms when they last saw each other. Indya returned to Montana to rebuild one of her favourite places that she visited as a child, but it was kind of heartbreaking for West to lose everything and remain working on the farm that was his home. These two may pretend to hate one another, but it was only going to be a matter of time until they worked through those unresolved feelings and faced the problems from the past.

Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais did a fabulous job of bringing West and Indya to life. They portrayed the characters perfectly and I found it hard to pull away from the story. Devney Perry is a master of putting together strong characters and building a world I can’t get enough of.


Title: Crossroads
Author: Devney Perry
Series: Haven River Ranch #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 4, 2024

A sweeping small-town romance about love, loss, and a Montana legacy from USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry.

I met West Haven when I was eight years old. He taught me to play poker when I was nine, and we made paper airplanes together when I was eleven. He kissed me when I was sixteen. He was the best part about my family’s summer vacations to Montana. He was the boy who stole my heart. I was twenty-three when life ripped us apart.

Years later, I’m breaking my vow and returning to the ranch, not as a guest but its new owner. West might want me gone, but even he has to admit the only way to save his family’s legacy is with my help.

It’s not easy working side by side and facing those old memories. But this situation is only temporary. We’re at a crossroads. And as long as I don’t let myself fall in love with West Haven again, maybe this is our chance to put those ghosts to rest. Maybe this time we’ll finally be able to say goodbye.

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Audiobook Review ~ Sunlight by Devney Perry

Sunlight (Haven River Ranch, #2)Sunlight by Devney Perry
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This was the first book in the series that I read, and I devoured it in no time at all! I was quickly swept away into the world; the character development was done well and the chemistry between both Jax and Sasha was off the charts. I liked how all characters interacted and how deep the story became. My heart broke for Jax as he was able to open up and share his feelings to someone. Sasha was soon able to let down her walls as Jax tried to sell Montana life to her.

The Narration by Stephen Dexter and Ava Erickson was done perfectly. I was fully invested while listening to the story and I loved how they brought Devney Perry’s story to life.


Title: Sunlight
Author: Devney Perry
Series: Haven River Ranch #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 15, 2024

From USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry comes a sweeping Western romance about undeniable attraction, unforeseen circumstances, and seemingly unbeatable odds.

My first day in Montana, I got into a tug-of-war over a grocery store shopping cart. The most handsome man I’d ever seen broke up the scuffle before he asked me on a date. I was seconds away from accepting but then he told me his name.

As an owner of the Haven River Ranch, Jax Haven wasn’t my boss. But he wasn’t not my boss either.

Obviously, my only option was to turn him down, scurry away, then pretend like he was a stranger on my first day of work. And obviously, I could never, ever admit that he was my secret crush.

For as hard as I work at my job, I work twice as hard to pretend Jax doesn’t exist. I don’t let myself think about his dazzling eyes or charming smile. I refuse to acknowledge how good he looks in a pair of faded Wrangler jeans. And as tempting as he is in a cowboy hat, Jax is a distraction I cannot afford.

Everything was going according to plan until the annual holiday party. Until I drank one too many flutes of champagne and let him sweep me off my feet. After a night in his bed, there was no more ignoring Jax Haven. Not when I’m pregnant with his baby.

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Review ~ The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets by Louise Bay

The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets (The New York City Billionaires Book 3)The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets by Louise Bay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Worth and Sophia’s story was quite the ride. There were a lot of growth, entertaining and passionate elements through the read, as well as some serious side moments that Sophia needed to make sense of. I truly enjoyed seeing Worth fall for someone, even though he wasn’t expecting it. They were both able to feel free for a while, and although Sophia had some father issues to get through, I could see that Worth wanted to be all in for her.

This read had me hooked from the start. I enjoy a quick Vegas wedding that can turn into something more. Louise Bay created a huge cast of characters that I fell in love with and a world I need more of. This was the perfect read that I devoured quickly, and I know I will read more from this world.


Title: The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets
Author: Louise Bay
Series: New York City Billionaires #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 7, 2025

From USA Today bestselling author Louise Bay, comes a new secret marriage, billionaire standalone romance featuring your favorite New York billionaire crew. This is a he falls first, unlikely pairing, Vegas Wedding, that brings all the heat and witty banter you'll love!

Loyal, hardworking, and trustworthy, I’m used to putting everyone’s needs before my own. I’m the ultimate good guy. But when Sophia Jones walks into my life, everything changes. Beautiful, guarded, and completely off-limits, she’s all I can see. Even though she’s being set up with one of my best friends, I want her for myself.

I try to fight my feelings but soon realize it’s futile. Thrown together at our friends’ wedding in Vegas, the more I spend time with her, the greedier I am for longer.

Vegas has a way of turning rules upside down, and one night changes everything. Between stolen glances and secret moments, I do the unthinkable—I ask her to marry me. Maybe it’s the drinks. Maybe it’s the city. Or maybe it’s because she feels the same connection I do, but she says yes.

Sophia’s hiding something—I can see it in her eyes—but it doesn’t matter. She’s mine now. And I’ll do whatever it takes to convince her this isn’t just a mistake. This is the beginning of forever.

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