Goodreads

Release date: December 6, 2022

Publisher: St. Martins Griffin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Two people get a second chance at love in this heartwarming story by author Nancy Naigle, The Wedding Ranch…

When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.

Review:

Sometimes I’m just in the mood for a super sweet and heartwarming read and when that mood strikes I know I can turn to Nancy Naigle. Her books are sugary sweet and innocent, the type of wholesome book you could let your Grandma borrow and not worry about if you know what I mean 😉 Was this a little cheesy? Yes. Was it predictable beyond the usual romance manner? Absolutely. Did I really care that much? Nope because I knew it would be before I even started it and it was kind of like putting on your favorite cozy sweater and knowing it’ll keep you warm all day. So cheesy but true! So if you want a pure little romance that will still somehow melt your heart try this it was pretty fun.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: December 6, 2022

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

The Renaissance Faire is on the move, and Lulu and Dex are along for the ride, in the next utterly charming rom-com from Jen DeLuca.

A high-powered attorney from a success-oriented family, Louisa “Lulu” Malone lives to work, and everything seems to be going right, until the day she realizes it’s all wrong. Lulu’s cousin Mitch introduced her to the world of Renaissance Faires, and when she spies one at a time just when she needs an escape, she leaps into the welcoming environment of turkey legs, taverns, and tarot readers. The only drawback? Dex MacLean: a guitarist with a killer smile, the Casanova of the Faire… and her traveling companion for the summer.

Dex has never had to work for much in his life, and why should he? Touring with his brothers as The Dueling Kilts is going great, and he always finds a woman at every Faire. But when Lulu proves indifferent to his many plaid charms and a shake-up threatens the fate of the band, Dex must confront something he never has before: his future.

Forced to spend days and nights together on the road, Lulu’s interest in the kilted bad boy grows as he shows her a side of himself no one else has seen. The stresses of her old lifestyle fade away as she learns to trust her intuition and follow her heart instead of her head. But when her time on the road is over, will Lulu go with her gut, or are she and Dex destined for separate paths?

Review:

I have been a little up and down with this series but I’ve stuck with it because there is something so charming about the Ren Faire setting that keeps pulling me back in. As much as I can still see why this is labeled a romance because it is, it has a very heavy womens fiction feel to it for a large portion of the book. The romance between Lulu and Dex is a super slow burn and the beginning is mostly about Lulu starting over and figuring out what next steps she wants to take in her life. As much as it’s about her personal journey you do get to see a deeper side of Dex too and if you’ve read the previous books and have been curious if there’s more to him than just a one dimensional bad boy the answer is yes. That’s one of my favorite things about this series actually, revisiting previous characters and seeing secondary characters make the transition to lead characters. Overall I really liked this one, I think it’s probably my second fave in the series so far. First for me is Well Met if you’re curious.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Knopf

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Six women—mothers, daughters, sisters–gone missing. When the first is found floating dead in the river, it reveals the disturbing truth of a small Ohio town. Inspired by the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six, this harrowing and haunting novel tells the story of two sisters, both of whom could be the next victims, from the internationally-bestselling author of Betty.



Arcade and Daffodil are twin sisters born one minute apart. With their fiery red hair and thirst for an escape, they forge an unbreakable bond nurtured by both their grandmother’s stories and their imaginations. Together, they create a world where a patch of grass reveals an archaeologist’s dig, the smoke emerging from the local paper mill becomes the dust rising from wild horses galloping on the ground, and an abandoned 1950s convertible transforms into a time machine that can take them anywhere.



But the two sisters can’t escape the generational chaos that grips their family. Growing up in the shadow of the town, the sisters cling tight to one another. As an adult, Arcade wrestles with these memories of her life, just as a local woman is discovered drowned in the river. Soon, more bodies are found. While her friends disappear around her, Arcade is forced to reckon with the past while the killer circles ever closer. Arcade’s promise to keep herself and her sister safe becomes increasingly desperate while the powerful riptide of the savage side becomes more difficult to resist.

Drawing from the true story of women killed in her native Ohio, acclaimed novelist and poet Tiffany McDaniel has written a powerful literary testament and fearless elegy for missing women everywhere.

Review:

Wow. That was my initial reaction upon finishing this book, just WOW. I’ve sat with my thoughts for awhile, it’s been several days since I finished this one and I needed some time to process my feelings. I almost didn’t have a choice in the matter, the way that these characters and this story got under my skin and in my heart and head is unmatched and unlike any other experience I’ve had with a book before. It’s the kind of story you cannot escape. I took my time reading it too, and there were many reasons for that as well. The story the author tells is harrowing and uncomfortable to read about so as a reader you will need to take a breather occasionally. But it is important and necessary and I don’t think it is the type of book you’re meant to read in just a few sittings. You’ll need time to sit with the beauty of the writing. You’ll need time to process the horrors you just read about. You’ll need time to think about all of the women who live lives like this. You’ll just need time, but the time invested is so very worthwhile.

I don’t think it’s necessary for me to get very far into the plot itself because there is a special kind of magic in the way this story unfolds. I will talk about the characters and the way the author humanizes the victims of the River Man because it gave a voice to women everywhere. Arc and Daffy are followed throughout several years, through life and death. Through addiction and prostitution. Through loss and more tragic loss. If there is an issue that anyone could find triggering it is in here at some point, but again it is important. I can’t even begin to describe how phenomenal the authors writing is, she’s on a level all of her own and it’s incredible. It’s haunting and devastatingly beautiful and the kind of poetry that speaks to my soul. It was an honor to read this one, I won’t soon forget it and I’m glad I won’t.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 22, 2022

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.

Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash their hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.

To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder, what if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

Review:

This was such a sweet and deeply romantic romance. That statement may seem kinda silly, it is a romance novel after all but the way Bea and Jamie handle their relationship is so gentle and tender. They do start out as enemies, but soon enough they decide to scheme against their meddling friends and family to fake date which is one of my fave tropes. These two were just so adorable together and per usual the author shone a light on neurodiverse characters in the most sensitive and authentic way. Besides the cutest romance developing between Bea and Jamie you have a cast of secondary characters that were so incredibly likable and fun. I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of these characters, it definitely has series potential! Overall a lovely and well rounded romance.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 8, 2022

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

As a self-proclaimed book hater and a firm believer that the movie is always better, Drew Young didn’t anticipate inheriting her grandma’s bookstore, the Book Nook. She’s in way over her head even before the shop’s resident book club, comprising seven of the naughtiest old ladies ever, begin to do what they do best–meddle.

Bestselling author Jasper Williams is a hopeless romantic. When he meets Drew at his Book Nook signing event, he becomes determined to show her the beauty of reading. He curates a book bucket list in exchange for her help exploring the local Denver scene for his current manuscript. From river rafting to local restaurants, Drew begins to connect with Jasper in a way she only thought happened in fiction.

When messy family ties jeopardize the future of the Book Nook, Drew is caught between a bookshelf and a hard place. She’s reminded that real life isn’t always big dreams and sweeping romance. But Jasper is the plot twist she never saw coming and he’s writing a happily ever after just for them.

Review:

I’ve read plenty of books where the main character is a book store owner and usually it’s because they love to read but this was my first time reading a book about a bookstore owner who hated reading. So I wasn’t sure what to think about that aspect but it ended up being surprisingly fun actually. I was utterly charmed by this one, between the super swoony Jasper, the gorgeous Colorado setting and the hilarious dirty birds every aspect of this was enjoyable. I also really liked the fact that Jasper was a male romance author and his while he was lovable he wasn’t written in a cheesy way. I think this was an ideal fall romance, so delightful and funny and sexy! I could even see it becoming a series because I would love to see a book about Drew’s sister, Daisy 🤞🏻

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: December 27, 2022

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A young woman’s life is torn apart when her wealthy ex-lover is found dead—along with his wife.

Vera is ruthlessly ambitious, beautiful, and knows how to get exactly what she wants—no matter who stands in the way. When she meets a wealthy older man on an exclusive dating app, she thinks nothing of the wife he tells her he’s separated from. But days later, when the man and his wife are found dead in their home, Vera is immediately blamed for their deaths and branded as good as a murderer.

A year later, she emerges from a cocoon of self-pity and tries to reenter the world, but the specter of scandal still clings to her. Then she’s invited to a memorial for the wife of her former lover. As she learns more about the family, and about the couple and their friends, she begins to suspect there was more to the story than an affair gone wrong. In a quest for redemption, Vera uncovers layers of lies and close-kept secrets held by an inner circle of filthy rich tech millionaires who will go to any lengths to protect their reputations.

Review:

I’m usually not a huge fan of a slow burn mystery but there was something incredibly intoxicating about this one that held my attention. I think a big part of the reason was that I was captivated by the authors writing style, she managed to write a story full of unlikable characters and somehow I was still invested in them? The way the story slowly unraveled revealing so many layers of deception, obsession and betrayal was hypnotic and really had a hold on me. This one went dark too, super dark in unexpected ways. Definitely many moments were I felt uncomfortable and unsettled but I’m telling you, this one got under my skin! If you like slow burn stories full of women’s rage this was good.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 22, 2022

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

For Astrid Parker, failure is unacceptable. Ever since she broke up with her fiancé a year ago, she’s been focused on her career–her friends might say she’s obsessed, but she knows she’s just driven. When Pru Everwood asks her to be the designer for the Everwood Inn’s renovation, which will be featured on a popular HGTV show, Innside America, Astrid is thrilled. Not only will the project distract her from her failed engagement and help her struggling business, but her perpetually displeased mother might finally give her a nod of approval.

However, Astrid never planned on Jordan Everwood, Pru’s granddaughter and the lead carpenter for the renovation, who despises every modern design decision Astrid makes. Jordan is determined to preserve the history of her family’s inn, particularly as the rest of her life is in shambles. When that determination turns into some light sabotage to ruffle Astrid’s perfect little feathers, the showrunners ask them to play up the tension. But somewhere along the way, their dislike for each other evolves into something quite different, and Astrid must decide what success truly means. Is she going to pursue the life that she’s expected to lead or the one that she wants?

Review:

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Delilah Green Doesn’t Care early this year so I definitely had high expectations going into this one. While I still enjoyed this one I didn’t like it quite as much as it’s predecessor, I think it was missing some of the magic book one had for me. BUT. Still lots to like here, I’ve been curious about Astrid and it was nice to get her perspective, you also get Jordan’s POV too and in a romance especially I’m all for seeing both sides. I was into the home renovation aspect of the story as well, design talk is interesting to me and it was a cute and fun backdrop for a romance. I felt like both Astrid and Jordan were well drawn too, it’s hard to put my finger on exactly why this wasn’t the five star read I assumed it would be. I’m still going with four stars, I loved the representation, checking in on Claire and Delilah and the authentic characters. I think maybe it felt a little long and drawn out for me in the end, maybe? But if you like queer romances that are super steamy and witty try this.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.