Audiobook Review ~ Unlikely Story by Ali Rosen

Unlikely StoryUnlikely Story by Ali Rosen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a lot of fun to listen to! I liked the banter between Nora and Eli and had a feeling on the direction of the book, but it did not slow me down while listening to it. I felt that Ali created a fun world with well fleshed out characters that I could relate to. Ali Rosen and Carly Robins brought this story to life perfectly and kept me hooked to this story right to the very end!


Title: Unlikely Story
Author: Ali Rosen
Genre: Romance
Published: March 1, 2025

From the bestselling author of Recipe for Second Chances comes a swoonworthy romance bursting with wit about a therapist who falls for the wrong man…but perhaps the right one was hiding in the margins all along.

As a relationship therapist, Nora helps patients explore their feelings honestly. But she’s hiding an embarrassing relationship secret of her own: she’s in love with someone she’s never even met.

J edits the advice column Nora’s been writing anonymously for the last seven years. He’s in London, she’s in New York, and they communicate solely through shared files. When he confides that his girlfriend’s out of the picture, and her boss asks her to come to London, Nora takes both as a sign.

But that’s not the only thing on her mind. A client’s ex-boyfriend just moved into her co-op, directly beneath her. Eli blames Nora for his breakup and seems determined to make her life miserable, gleefully planning a noisy renovation.

Yet despite all his bluster, Nora eventually starts to see the softness behind Eli’s brusque, charming exterior…and after a slipup reveals a startling secret, Nora wonders whether someone can be two things at once.

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Audiobook Review ~ Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen

Lessons in Heartbreak (The Kings, #1)Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book to be pretty amusing in the opening chapters as Ruby tried to hire an escort. She’s been quite the timid type of girl and wanted someone to help her overcome her insecurities when it came to the male species. Facing her childhood friend Griffin King was quite the twist and I was soon swept away in their story.

I watched the relationship between Ruby and Griffin regenerate slowly. I liked how they didn’t rush into anything and could see that there was more than just friendship between them. It was sad to see that Griffin and his twin Barrett had a falling out, but I loved how Barrett’s kids admired Griffin fiercely. This book had touching moments and altogether was quite the sweet read.


Title: Lessons in Heartbreak
Author: Karla Sorensen
Series: The Kings #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: May 20, 2025

A playboy football player. A shy librarian. When old friends reunite, opposites attract in a witty and lighthearted romance about taking chances and falling in love against the odds.

It’s an unwritten rule small-town librarians shall not commit spontaneous acts, for fear of mortal embarrassment. I’d certainly just proved it true, though hiring an escort was perfectly logical. How else should I overcome my fear of intimacy without risking heartbreak?

Unfortunately, what came next wasn’t so logical.

Instead of a dating coach, Griffin King showed up. Yes, that Griffin my childhood neighbor and now, to my dismay, an obscenely handsome pro football player. He’s not actually an escort, but how was I supposed to know that?

Avoiding him after the mix-up is impossible. The man is everywhere—put in time-out by his agent after a PR snafu. Griffin might be an outrageous flirt determined to torment me until I snap, but he’s also the perfect man to help me.

The lessons aren’t what I thought they’d be. Neither is Griffin. Every time we touch, every time he shows me a different side to myself—and to him—I can’t help but wonder if we’re about to break another the playboy and the good girl aren’t supposed to fall in love.

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Audiobook Review ~ Always You and Me by Dani Atkins

Always You and MeAlways You and Me by Dani Atkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read by Dani Atkins, and I must admit I was swept away with the heartbreakingly sweet storyline. Getting to know all the characters, the history and the connections between them really touched my heart. After Adam passed, Lily had the task of tracking Josh down to get the full truth. It wasn’t easy to track Josh down and he wasn’t exactly welcoming when she finally did, but I could see these two needed to face what happened in their pasts to fully move on.

I liked how this story took us to moments in the past as well as what was happening in the present. It was sweet to see how the relationships came about and how much love these men had for Lily. Both Adam and Josh were honourable men, but at the time, lily had to make a choice that would break the others heart. The more I got to know Josh, my heart broke for him a little more. But I had hope that things would work out in the end.

Dani Atkins story was one to easily get swept away in and I enjoyed the way that Elizabeth Knowelden told this story. The emotion she put into the characters and how she brought this story to life was done perfectly.


Title: Always You and Me
Author: Dani Atkins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: April 1, 2025

From the bestselling author of Fractured comes a moving, heart-mending and uplifting novel of love, hope and second chances.

Then…

On the eve of her wedding to Adam, Lily’s best friend Josh unexpectedly walked out of her life, and she hasn’t seen him since.

Lily and Adam are blissfully happy, until he falls ill. As she cares for him in his final hours, Adam asks her to make a mysterious promise: to find Josh—and forgive them both.

This winter…

Tracking Josh down isn’t easy, but fate seems determined to bring them together. Cut off in his remote Scottish cabin by a fierce snowstorm, Lily and Josh explore their tangled feelings for each other, stretching back over the decades. But when she discovers the shocking reason behind Adam’s unexpected last wish, she’ll need to trust her heart completely…

Can Lily and Josh choose love—and find forgiveness and lasting happiness together?

Always You and Me asks: Do you choose love? Or does love choose you?

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Review ~ Burn Bright by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie

Burn Bright (Cobalt Empire, #1)Burn Bright by Krista Ritchie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been quite a while since I have read a book by Krista & Becca Ritchie, and when I came across this one, I knew I had to dive in. I had read most of the original books (the parents) but that was a long time ago. Burn Bright was quite the memorable read, as I got to know Ben and Harriet. They both had issues that they were trying to work through. Ben found life to be hard at times, tending to take things personally and would show his feelings constantly. He didn’t feel like he fit in very well but knew he was loved by most of his family. Harriet was a breath of fresh air for him, and someone that he knew from high school. Harriets life wasn’t easy either and she found it hard at college until she met Ben. He was able to see the woman she was, and it was apparent that these two were it for one another.

This was quite the moving read, and I loved how when things got hard that the whole family came together to support one another through thick and thin. The story touched on some delicate topics, and I loved the way the authors told the story. I loved this read and cannot wit for more books from the other siblings.


Title: Burn Bright
Author: Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie
Series: Cobalt Empire #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 2, 2025

Love burns hottest when it's blue.

Ben Cobalt is number six. Not sixth place—in fact, he’d be considered at least third draft pick for the NHL if he didn’t quit hockey during college. And he’s not sixth-in-line for any throne. Though, most consider his larger-than-life, billionaire family American royalty.

He is the sixth-born Cobalt.

Out of a normal family of seven, he might get lost in the shuffle. But being the black sheep of the Cobalt Empire comes with its own intense spotlight. After he hits a major low at college in Philly, his four older brothers convince him to move in with them in New York City. Transferring to Manhattan Valley University—piece of cake.

Living in an apartment with all of his brothers while harboring a giant secret among a family who’s more tight-knit than a secret society—total effing chaos.

He has to find a way out of the tense living arrangement, especially as he clashes with his oldest brother Charlie. Ben turns to an unlikely source for help. A grumpy, punk-rock girl with a troubled past who's already pissed off one Cobalt brother.

So when an undeniable attraction ignites, Harriet Fisher is expecting the flames to die out. Except…what happens when they don’t? Falling for a Cobalt brother with secrets might be a Shakespearean tragedy she can't rewind.

BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.

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Audiobook Review ~ An American in London by Louise Bay

An American in LondonAn American in London by Louise Bay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tuesday and Ben were such entertaining characters! I liked that they were able to get something from the deal, build a friendship of sorts and a fake relationship that we all knew was going to become more! The secondary characters were great too, and they could see there was more to Tuesday and Ben’s relationship than they could!

Erin Mallon told the story perfectly. She did an amazing job of bringing Louise Bay’s story to life.

Title: An American in London
Author: Louise Bay
Genre: Romance
Published: June 24, 2025

For a people-pleasing New Yorker and a disagreeable (if seriously hot) Brit, it’s love at fourth sight in a funny and emotional romantic comedy by a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author.

Tuesday Reynolds’s dreamy life in Manhattan has gone belly-up. Ditched by her college sweetheart and with her Wall Street banking job at risk, she’s off to London to prove herself to a new CEO. Plans change when Tuesday meets Ben Kelley, a wealthy, scowly, and movie-star-handsome stranger. He’s just missing one thing to make his professional dreams come true.

What does Ben need? Oh, just a fake fiancée to impress a duke and duchess. What’s in it for Tuesday? Enough money to put a down payment on an apartment back in New York, a new wardrobe, and a weekend in the country at the stately home of the duke and duchess. The Bridgerton vibes are absolutely off the charts.

Everything between Ben and Tuesday is completely professional, until the rehearsals for their weekend romance start to feel…almost authentic.

It’s official. Tuesday’s life has been hijacked by a rom-com scriptwriter. But the best love stories aren’t the ones on the big screen. Maybe they’re the real ones that sneak up on you when you least expect it.

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Audiobook Review ~ The Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin

The Art of Starting OverThe Art of Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Art of Starting Over was such a nice second chance romance! I was quickly pulled into the story as Devorah’s life as she knew it literally fell apart. Having no option but to go back to her hometown was not what she wanted, but after such betrayal from those closest to her, it was the only way for herself and her daughter to get some reprieve from the situation. Living with Devorah’s father was not ideal considering their strained relationship, however I liked how he was trying hard to win her trust back.

I loved getting to know Hayden and his son. Both were strong men and came into Devorah and Maren’s life when they needed some support. I liked how sweet and patient Hayden was considering what he had lost recently and knowing that he had strong feelings for Devorah when they were younger. Even when more devastation erupted, he didn’t shy from the challenge and supported them through it all.

This story was just what I needed, a slow burn that swept me away. The narration by Kacy Combest and Christian Barillas brought this story to life perfectly and they kept me hooked until the final words.


Title: The Art of Starting Over
Author: Heidi McLaughlin
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Chick Lit
Published: February 1, 2025

In this journey from first love to second chances, New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin brings a single mom and a widower back home to renew the spark that will light their way forward.

Devorah Campbell’s life falls apart under the pressure of one truth: her husband is having an affair with her best friend. So Devorah packs up her daughter and their shared heartbreak for small-town Oyster Bay, where she grew up. Her relationship with her father is still on the rocks, but Devorah has her brother there—and, unexpectedly, her brother’s best friend.

Hayden McKenna lost his wife a year ago and has struggled with single fatherhood ever since. Moving back home with his son is a last but best resort, a chance to start fresh, surrounded by family and old friends. But when Hayden runs into Devorah, his childhood crush, sparks fly as bright as ever. If only he could make her see them too…

Amid a swirl of hurt and healing, Devorah and Hayden grow closer, rekindling what they had all those years ago to discover that, sometimes, a new start means going back to the beginning.

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