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Release date: September 29, 2020

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb: Pine Hollow has everything Ally Gilmore could wish for in a holiday break: gently falling snow in a charming small town and time with her family. Then she learns some Grinch has pulled the funding for her family’s rescue shelter, and now she has only four weeks to find new homes for a dozen dogs! But when she confronts her Scroogey councilman nemesis, Ally finds he’s far more reasonable — and handsome — than she ever expected.

As the guardian of his dog-obsessed ten-year-old niece, Ben West doesn’t have time to build a cuddly reputation. But he does feel guilty about the shelter closing. So he proposes a truce with Ally, agreeing to help her adopt out the pups. As the two spend more time together, the town’s gossip is spreading faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. And soon Ben is hoping he can convince Ally that Pine Hollow is her home for the holidays… and the whole year through.

Review:

I read this back in September but waited to post my thoughts until now, mostly because I think it may be the most perfect holiday romance EVER and I wanted to wait until a little closer to Christmas so it didn’t fly under your radar. It has everything I want in a holiday read and more, it’s warm and cozy and set in the cutest little town, it has a menagerie of sweet and zany dogs, there’s a single dad type trope, and a wonderful supporting cast of characters too! See, everything you could want!!

This was such a magical read, it really brought the Christmas spirit alive for me. Hell, it had me wanting to decorate for Christmas in mid September so it definitely will put you in a holiday state of mind. The romance aspect was adorable and tender and gave me all the warm fuzzies. If you read one holiday romance this year make it this one, I don’t think you’ll regret it!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Goodreads

Release date: October 20, 2020

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam.

Called to Thailand to help her sister sail the family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. When she makes it to land, Iris allows herself to be swept up by Adam, who assumes that she is Summer.

Iris recklessly goes along with his mistake. Not only does she finally have the golden life she’s always envied, with her sister gone, she’s one step closer to the hundred-million-dollar inheritance left by her manipulative father. All Iris has to do is be the first of his seven children to produce an heir.

Iris’s “new” life lurches between glamorous dream and paranoid nightmare. On the edge of being exposed, how far will she go to ensure no one discovers the truth?

And just what did happen to Summer on the yacht?

Only Iris knows . . .

Review:

This one reminded me of a juicy soap opera with dramatic twists and over the top behavior of the characters. I don’t say that as a dig, I was a fan of The Young and the Restless for years, that’s just the vibe I got the entire time I was reading this. It had that same addictive quality and I kinda love nothing more than people behaving badly. It had a darkness to it that I also really liked, and is there anything more juicy than family members fighting over money?

This has a great and unique setting, a good portion of this is set on a yacht and I’ll just say I have no plans to sail anytime soon after finishing this. So besides it being atmospheric, it also kept me on my toes as you never know what exactly to believe. The ending was very strong if a tad bit over the top, but overall this was one of those fun thrillers! Recommended as one go binge in a weekend.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Goodreads

Release date: October 6, 2020

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

For sisters Samantha and Ella Mitchell, Christmas is their most precious time of the year—a time for togetherness, love and celebration. Most of all, it’s about making up for everything their childhood Christmases lacked. But this year, they’ll be buying presents for the most unexpected guest of all—their estranged mother. It’s been five years since they last saw each other. But when their mom calls out of the blue and promises that this Christmas will be different, Samantha and Ella cautiously agree to spend it all together…

Gayle Mitchell is at the top of her career, but her success has come at a price—her relationship with her daughters. She never seemed to say or do the right things. Her tough-love approach was designed to make them stronger, but instead managed to push them away…until a brush with her own mortality forces Gayle to make amends. As the snowflakes fall on their first family celebration in years, the Mitchell women must learn that sometimes facing up to the past is all you need to heal your heart…

Review:

Time for another holiday reading recommendation from me! I’m a huge Sarah Morgan fan and always seem to enjoy her books, but when it’s time to read a Christmas book from her, I get a little giddy. The Christmas Sisters is one of my absolute favorite holiday books so I had high expectations for this one. I’m so pleased to say that I can, once again recommend this one wholeheartedly.

This follows the three women in the Mitchell family, mom Gayle and her daughters Samantha and Ella. The daughters are estranged from their mother but are very close to each other so the dynamics in this small family are very interesting and are the crux of what the story is about. Christmas is the perfect time for a reconciliation, right? That’s what Gayle is hoping for though her girls are hesitant. The bulk of the story is told as they spend the holidays together in Scotland and wow does SM know how to bring a place to life. This one was so magical and I was really swept away by the storyline as well as the setting. There’s romance, an adorable kiddo, a gorgeous Scottish estate, a heartfelt plot and plenty of Christmas joy. I adored it and kind of wish I would’ve waited to read it in December because I think it would’ve been even more magical so add this to your December TBR!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: October 27, 2020

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

A hacktivist and a cat café owner decode the friend zone in this romantic comedy from the author of Undercover Bromance.

Alexis Carlisle and her cat café, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a victim of a celebrity chef’s sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they’re sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts—her best friend, Noah Logan.

Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert. Now he only uses his old skills for the right cause. But Noah’s got a secret: He’s madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush.

Noah’s pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved “manuals” to help him go from bud to boyfriend. But he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he’s ever had.

Review:

While I’ve been a fan of this series from the start, this is definitely my favorite so far, no question! I don’t know if it’s because I’ve grown more attached to the gang or what, but I was fully invested in this one almost immediately and had the best time reading this. I mean, you have a group of macho men who read romance novels together in order to woo and understand their women better and they’re actively working on their own toxic masculinity, BIG SWOON! On top of that this one is hilarious, sweet, sexy and fun. Read it if you like fun.

Noah and Alexis are friends turned lovers and I adore that trope, probably because that’s exactly what happened between me and my husband, but I digress. It’s clear immediately that these two need to get together already, but seeing them fumble through before they found their footing was half of the fun. There’s a great mix of tenderness and heat between them and I loved every second of their journey to romance. Meanwhile, Mack is planning his wedding and Liv is hands off letting him go full on Bridezilla and between him freaking out over the wedding and making the book club help with everything from seating charts to flowers and the Russian in general I was cackling so hard I had actual tears. This series is everything I could want in a romance and more, now I’m just sad I have to wait for another book! If you’ve been sleeping on this series, get it together cause you’re missing out!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: September 22, 2020

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

The Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt Sassy’s beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked sugar cookies, and celebrated the town’s annual Christmas extravaganza. They haven’t been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can’t say no . . .
With her ex-husband whisking her children away for the holiday, Dahlia decides it’s time to do something for herself. Juniper Springs is just as beautiful as she remembers, but it’s also full of surprises — including the town’s handsome doctor, who makes her feel like herself again for the first time in years.
To the outside world, baker Magnolia has the ideal marriage. Only the pain and sorrow of infertility have strained her relationship with her husband, perhaps beyond repair. But a holiday miracle is about to change her life.
After a whirlwind romance, youngest sister Rose is about to be married, but as the wedding draws near, she’s unsettled by her fiancé’s expectations that she become a society wife. Spending Christmas with her family could be a necessary reality check — or the beginning of a brand-new happily ever after.
Thanks to the strength of their sisterhood, some mistletoe, and the love of their Aunt Sassy, the Buchanan sisters will discover what it is they truly want this Christmas.

Review:

If you’re starting to plan your holiday TBR get ready with the first of many Christmas book recommendations from me because I’ve been reading holiday books for the last few weeks and I’ve found some super cute ones! This one is great for anyone looking for a story about family, sisters specifically, with some romance for several characters all set in the quaintest, most adorable place.

This follows three sisters as they head back to their aunts inn for Christmas and each is at a crossroads in their life. Dahlia is newly divorced and her kids are spending the holidays with her ex, Magnolia and her husband have been struggling with infertility and Rose is supposed to be planning her wedding but she’s not sure she can fit in with her fiancé’s high society family. So a lot going on for this family and you hear from each one in alternating chapters. I love this tactic because you really get to know each woman individually and you also get to see how their family dynamics work as well. Besides some awesome, engaging and relatable characters you have this adorable little town full of quirky residents and idyllic Christmas decor and festivities. This one is heartwarming, cozy, warm and uplifting, a really wonderful Christmas story AND it’s the beginning of a new series as well!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: September 22, 2020

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Stacey is jolted when her friends Simon and Emily get engaged. She knew she was putting her life on hold when she stayed in Willow Creek to care for her sick mother, but it’s been years now, and even though Stacey loves spending her summers pouring drinks and flirting with patrons at the local Renaissance Faire, she wants more out of life. Stacey vows to have her life figured out by the time her friends get hitched at Faire next summer. Maybe she’ll even find The One.

When Stacey imagined “The One,” it never occurred to her that her summertime Faire fling, Dex MacLean, might fit the bill. While Dex is easy on the eyes onstage with his band The Dueling Kilts, Stacey has never felt an emotional connection with him. So when she receives a tender email from the typically monosyllabic hunk, she’s not sure what to make of it.

Faire returns to Willow Creek, and Stacey comes face-to-face with the man with whom she’s exchanged hundreds of online messages over the past nine months. To Stacey’s shock, it isn’t Dex—she’s been falling in love with a man she barely knows.

Review:

Last year the first book in this series, Well Met was one of my favorite reads of the year, so to say that I was anxious to get my hands on this book is a huge understatement. I had very high hopes for this one and maybe that’s why I’m sitting here disappointed, but this one wasn’t nearly as good as the first and I’m super bummed about it.

I want to be clear that this wasn’t bad by any means, it just wasn’t as magical and charming as the first book and I can’t help but compare the two. The author is a great writer and I loved being back at the Faire with the characters from the first book but it was missing that something special from the first book for me. I think a big part of my problem was that I feel like the blurb and cover are a spoiler. It seems like the author wanted this air of mystery about who Stacey was chatting with online but the cover/blurb makes it painfully obvious so I spent the first half of the book already knowing what would happen which made me annoyed and impatient to get it over with. The romance was cute, the plot was fine but I just wanted so much more after loving WM so very much. I’ll be reading the next book in the series in the hopes that it’ll be more like book one, but if you’re like me and have been waiting for this one maybe just lower your expectations a bit and maybe you’ll like it more than I did?

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: September 22, 2020

Publisher: Avon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Hair, makeup, clothing, decor… everything in Bethany Castle’s world is organized, planned, and styled to perfection. Which is why the homes she designs for her family’s real estate business are the most coveted in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She’s on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve theirdreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. Except her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.

When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother’s construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany’s skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.

As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters, trading barbs and biting banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. It’s a labor of love, hate, and everything in between, and soon sparks are flying. But Bethany’s perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flippingdisaster.

Review:

This is the third and final book in the Hot and Hammered series, and now that I’ve read the entire trilogy I can definitely recommend them as a whole. The second book is my fave followed by this one and then the first. Just wanted to tell you guys that because before I start a series that’s already out I like to know if the whole thing is worth it!

This one follows Bethany and Wes as she begins to flip houses on her own without the help of her family company. You have a hot cowboy, a reality TV show and a single dad trope. For me, some of my favorite things/tropes so I was alllllll in. Bethany and Wes have great chemistry and an enemies to lovers thing going on with fun banter and sharp wit. This one is steamy but it takes awhile to heat up, wait was worth it for me though! Definitely recommend reading this series in order as the characters all overlap from book to book and I think you’ll get more out of it that way.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: October 13, 2020

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Kaylee Sloan’s home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead she has terrible writer’s block and a looming deadline.

Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives north through the mountains and the majestic redwoods, she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.

Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River. 

Review:

Over the last few years I’ve become a huge fan of RC and have read many of her standalone novels and one of her series (Sullivan’s Crossing) but I had never read the Virgin River series, despite hearing so many wonderful things about it. Late last year I finally decided to dive in both because of the release of the Netflix series and to the challenge I co hosted with Sarah at ReallyIntoThis #fallintomybacklist I adored the first book so much that I’ve spent this year reading the entire series so you can imagine my absolute delight when it was announced that Return to Virgin River was releasing this year! All of that to say, this is now one of my all time favorite series and if you’re a longtime fan you will be very pleased with the latest.

First things first, and one of my biggest burning questions before I started this one was would we be checking in with Jack and Mel? Paige and Preacher? Jilly and Colin? Paul and Vanessa? I’m so happy to say yes, you definitely get some scenes with the old gang, I didn’t totally keep track but I really believe that you at least get a brief mention of most of the characters from previous books. And while that was fantastic, so we’re the two new characters this time around. I immediately clicked with both Kaylee and Landry and could totally see them fitting together perfectly almost immediately. True to the authors style they both have obstacles to overcome before they can truly be together, but they were both so relatable and authentic and their issues were handle with RCs trademark humor and grace. It felt so good to be back in VR, I really can’t say enough wonderful things about this book, this series, hell this author! She’s really one of the best and if you’re a fan of contemporary romance she’s a must!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 4, 2020

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

[ ] Dance till dawn 

[ ] Go skydiving

[ ] Wear a bikini in public

[ ] Start living

Two best friends jump-start their lives in a summer that will change them forever… 

Single mom Ellen Fox couldn’t be more content—until she overhears her son saying he can’t go to his dream college because she needs him too much. If she wants him to live his best life, she has to convince him she’s living hers.

So Unity Leandre, her best friend since forever, creates a list of challenges to push Ellen out of her comfort zone. Unity will complete the list, too, but not because she needs to change. What’s wrong with a thirtysomething widow still sleeping in her late husband’s childhood bed?

The Friendship List begins as a way to make others believe they’re just fine. But somewhere between “wear three-inch heels” and “have sex with a gorgeous guy,” Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon, in a story filled with humor, heartache and regrettable tattoos. 

Review:

Susan Mallery has an uncanny knack for writing about female relationships that I’ve never quite found in another author. I’ve read several of her books that focus on sister/sibling relationships and she always nails the dynamics at play between family members. This time around she explores the relationship between two longtime best friends, Ellen and Unity, who are as close as sisters anyway and once again she created wonderful characters that felt so damn real.

Ellen and Unity have both gotten a little too comfortable in their lives lately so they decide to make a list of things to do that will push them outside of their comfort zones. At first, they both start the list not actually for themselves, but Ellen so her teenaged son will realize she’ll be ok when he goes to college and Unity so Ellen isn’t doing it alone and both have no real intention of getting anything meaningful out of the list. But as they spend the summer trying new things (skydiving, tattoos, etc) they both actually start to not only have fun, they learn a few things about each other and themselves. So, an adorable premise with a little something for everyone. Besides the BFF relationship there is some romance with some heat 🔥, plenty of humor and some emotional depth and growth as well. Definitely recommended by me as a super fun summer read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: August 25, 2020

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

You meets Fatal Attraction in this up-all-night psychological thriller about a lonely empty-nester’s growing obsession with a young mother who shares her name.

It all begins on an ordinary fall morning, when Kelly Medina gets a call from her son’s pediatrician to confirm her upcoming “well-baby” appointment. It’s a cruel mistake; her son left for college a year ago, and Kelly has never felt so alone. The receptionist quickly apologizes: there’s another mother in town named Kelly Medina, and she must have gotten their numbers switched.

But Kelly can’t stop thinking about the woman who shares her name. Lives in her same town. Has a son she can still hold, and her whole life ahead of her. She can’t help looking for her: at the grocery store, at the gym, on social media. When Kelly just happens to bump into the single mother outside that pediatrician’s office, it’s simple curiosity getting the better of her.

Their unlikely friendship brings Kelly a renewed sense of purpose, taking care of this young woman and her adorable baby boy. But that friendship quickly turns to obsession, and when one Kelly disappears, well, the other one may know why. 

Review:

The blurb calls this one You meets Fatal Attraction and that is such a great comparison for this one you guys! It has the creepy, stalker vibes of You with a twist and was a perfect popcorn thriller as my friend Abby at Crimebythebook called it. Think pure entertainment with some over the top scenarios and dark enough to satisfy most thriller fans.

While I wouldn’t necessarily call this one twisty, it did have some surprises as well as some parts that were predictable for me. BUT the predictability didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all because the shocks were pretty good on their own. Obsession plays a big role here and half of the fun was following along with Kelly as her obsession caused her life to unravel in front of the readers eyes. It’s definitely an escapist, binge worthy read and definitely perfect to pick up over a weekend and just lose yourself in. Have fun reading about characters that are way crazier than the problems in your own life, that’s exactly what I did 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.