tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46388924982746567862026-07-27T12:00:00.117+10:00Naomi's Reading PalaceThis is a blog full of book reviews, giveaways and so much more. Naomi Hophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049789815791387123noreply@blogger.comBlogger2651125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4638892498274656786.post-16041421240862155082026-07-27T12:00:00.001+10:002026-07-27T12:00:00.115+10:00Review ~ Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54253664-make-me-hate-you" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Make Me Hate You" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1593024418l/54253664._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54253664-make-me-hate-you">Make Me Hate You</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7319216.Kandi_Steiner">Kandi Steiner</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8175091302">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Jasmine has spent her life looking for someone to love her and when her mother leave’s her behind she looks for comfort from her best friend Morgan. Only she isn’t there and ends up getting more than she bargained for from Morgan’s brother Tyler – only for him to reject her as well. In the present, Jasmine is back for Morgan’s wedding and doing all she can to fulfil her maid of honour duties, still fighting the feelings she had for Tyler. They both are in relationships, but that pull toward one another is always there.<br /><br />Jasmine and Tyler’s story was not an easy one. They had issues from their pasts that they needed to work through together to understand what they had lost. The intensity between them was constant and lines were blurred. I felt as adults they did almost all they could and put their hearts on the line. It wasn’t an easy ride for them and I had hope they could find their way back to one another.</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Make Me Hate You
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Kandi Steiner</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: June 25, 2020</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.
<br /><br />
Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.
<br /><br />
His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.
<br /><br />
I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.
<br /><br />
I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.
<br /><br />
He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.
<br /><br />
Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.
<br /><br />
If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.
<br /><br />
And I’ll take him down with me.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8175089116">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I’ve read a few books from this author, and I thought that The Tie That Binds sounded interesting, so why not get into a new world. Alyssa’s world was turned upside-down after her father died, and instead of being comforted by her best friend Domonic, she was constantly put into the care of Daniel, his elder brother. Then once the will was read, Alyssa and Daniel are forced to be wed.<br /><br />Although this started as a marriage of convenience, Alyssa and Daniel soon realised there were true feelings between them. They took some time working through their emotions from the past and present, but it was soon clear they were it for one another.<br /><br />There were probably too many indecisive moments for me to love this one. They are adults and should speak to each other instead of making harsh decisions. It could of saved a lot of drama and heartache. Overall, I did like Alyssa and Daniel.<br /></span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The Tie That Binds
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Catharina Maura</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Serendipity #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: May 27, 2020</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">A father's last wish results in a marriage of inconvenience for Alyssa and Daniel.<br /><br />
When Alyssa Moriani loses her father, she's faced with an impossible choice: fulfil her father's last wish and marry Daniel Devereaux, her best friend's older brother... or lose her father's company to the one person that'll burn everything she's worked for to the ground.
<br /><br />
Her marriage to Daniel was never meant to be more than a business arrangement. They were never meant to be so perfect together, and they were definitely never meant to fall in love. After all, they started their marriage with an end date in sight.
<br /><br /><i>
Author's Note: Full length novel with a guaranteed happily ever after. This book contains steamy scenes and an alpha-hole hero.</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7862652833">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
After reading the first book in this series, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Dylan’s book, as I wasn’t a big fan of hers, but I was pleasantly surprised on how fun this book was. Dylan had taken the chance on moving into her brother’s apartment which happened to be right below Rhyland, her brother’s best friend. These two had amusing banter from the very start and I was quickly immersed in the story. They found themselves in a situation where Rhyland needed Dylan to hire Dylan to be his fiancé, and they had insane chemistry and I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, even though it was for show.<br /><br />I truly enjoyed how much Rhyland grew as a person and how he slowly grew to love Dylan’s daughter Gravity. He tried to keep hidden the amount of trouble he was in, but had faith that his idea would be lucrative. Rhyland was like a knight in alpha male armour and came to Dylan’s rescue numerous times and I knew that Dylan and Gravity were breaking through his walls. This was quite the fun read, and I am looking forward to continuing the series.<br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Wildest Dreams
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: L.J. Shen</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Forbidden Love #2</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: April 8, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b><i>He'll protect his best friend's baby sister from anything . . . other than himself.
</i></b><br /><br /><b>
Rhyland
</b><br /><br />
Dylan Casablancas is a forbidden fruit, undeniably delicious, but one bite just might kill you. She's my best friend's baby sister, a single mom, and a royal pain in the ass.
<br /><br />
When Little Miss Baggage moves downstairs to house-sit her brother's Manhattan apartment, my potential business partner mistakes us as a couple.
<br /><br />
He wants a family guy. I want access to his billions. And Dylan? She needs a big, burly guy to scare off her loser ex.
<br /><br />
But pretending to be engaged to the feisty girl next door gets messy when I take a bite of the illicit apple. What can I say? I'm an instant gratification kind of guy.
<br /><br />
We made a deal to walk out of each other's lives once my contract is signed. The only problem? She might take my heart with her when she leaves.
<br /><br /><b>
Dylan
</b><br /><br />
Rhyland Coltridge is out of the question. Unless the question is: "Who's the biggest man-whore you've ever met?"
<br /><br />
Hedonistic. Wild card. Utterly corrupt. And those are just the traits the jerk prides himself on.
<br /><br />
My life is too messy for a boyfriend. Even if it wasn't, Rhyland would be the last man I'd consider. He is supposed to be my ticket out of this nightmare.
<br /><br />
But he's fast becoming my wildest, most dangerous dream.
<br /><br /><i>
Wildest Dreams is the new book in the Forbidden Love series, but can be read as a standalone book. If you haven't read Book 1, Truly Madly Deeply, there's still time...</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8100564599">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this read, but I can tell you it was a lot of fun! To read about a couple of families that are entwined as their mother’s love to pull scams was interesting to say the least, however Hailey and Phoebe have decided to try life on the straight and narrow. It’s just not as easy as they hoped, when their siblings turn up and old habits are hard to break. It doesn’t help when trouble finds them as well.<br /><br />I enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this new series. Phoebe and Rocky have spent a lot of time together in the past, but having real feelings for one another was hard to navigate, especially whether they should cross the line or not. I felt this book had it all, a solid storyline, well fleshed out characters and some grit to keep me hooked and wanting more from this world!<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Dishonestly Yours
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Webs We Weave #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: July 2, 2024</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>Dishonestly Yours is the hotly-anticipated new gritty romance from TikTok sensations and authors of the Addicted series Krista and Becca Ritchie.
</b><br /><br />
Living honestly isn’t in his DNA. Just like it’s never been in mine . . .
<br /><br />
The Graves and Tinrock families live life from one con to the next. Phoebe Graves has grown up in a world where stealing and seducing are as natural as breathing.
<br /><br />
But, when a job goes horribly wrong, she and her best friend, Hailey Tinrock, decide to leave their life of crime behind. They head to a small college town in Connecticut to start anew. But Hailey’s older brother, Rocky, catches wind of their plans and refuses to let them do this alone.
<br /><br />
Phoebe's past with Rocky is downright messy, though – he’s everything she wants, but nothing she can have. And the longer she stays in town, the more Phoebe has to lose . . .</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8100558961">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I wasn’t sure what I would get from this book and was pleasantly surprised by Boston and Enzo. Boston always though she was second best to her sister and went to Enzo with a plan for them to get married. Naturally, Enzo eagerly agreed, and before long, the two of them were a wed.<br /><br />The longer I read the more I could see these two were good for one another. Boston was insecure and Enzo hid his feelings for some time, but the passion between them was brewing. There was danger on the horizon and these two would do anything for one another. There were a few twists that were a bit unrealistic, but overall it was a good read.<br /><br /></span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Bad Little Bride
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Meagan Brandy</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Girls of Greyson #2</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: January 7, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>A steamy contract marriage standalone romance from bestselling author Meagan Brandy.
</b><br /><br />
All my life, I've always been second choice. Second best. Second born. Maybe that's what possessed me to track down my father's most formidable enemy, the infamous Enzo Fikile.
<br /><br />
He's the nation's most eligible bachelor, and the biggest threat to the crime world I was born into. He's determined to claim his place... and I want to make a deal with the devil.
<br /><br />
Now I'm engaged to the man the rest of the world fears and there's no going back. Even as it all starts to feel a little too real.
<br /><br />
I hate him as much as I crave him, but as enemies close in from the most unlikely of places, I realise something.
<br /><br />
No one is allowed to hurt my husband.
<br /><br />
Except, of course ... me.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8056333192">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I haven’t read anything by Kandi Steiner before; however, this book intrigued me. I really enjoyed immersing myself into this story and getting to know Brecks and Jamie. Their story wasn’t easy, and Brecks harboured a lot of hurt from her mother and how Brecks came to this earth, but Brecks did all she could to make her life her own. She felt a connection to Jamie from their very first encounter, but their time never seemed to come. They were both in relationships at different times, and their connection was always strained.<br /><br />There are a few moments that some readers won’t enjoy, but to me it strengthens their story and how connected these two were. They faced so many ups and downs and had to learn from all the decisions they made, but through it all I could see they belonged to one another. It wasn’t an easy story, but I felt the author told it perfectly. To me, the add on of Jamie’s story at the end of the book sealed the deal and I enjoyed the story until the final page.<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: A Love Letter to Whiskey
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Kandi Steiner</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: A Love Letter to Whiskey #1-1.5</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: October 18, 2021</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>From USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes this #BestofBookTok favorite - an angsty and powerful story of lovers continually fighting the curse of bad timing.
<br /></b><br />
Brecks Kennedy has spent years writing the story of her life, but there’s one chapter that never quite closed… Jamie Shaw.
<br /><br />
It all started with a jog, a clumsy collision, and an instant crush. But while B’s heart skipped a beat, Jamie’s eyes found her best friend instead. And just like that, her crush became her closest friend. Bound by shared moments of music, surfing, and secrets, their connection is undeniable, even as they desperately try to fight it.
<br /><br />
But between college campuses, chance encounters, and stolen moments, fate has a way of bringing them together when they least expect it, time and time again.
<br /><br />
As they wrestle with their feelings and the choices that have kept them apart, both B and Jamie must decide if they are finally willing to risk everything for the love that’s always been just out of reach. Sometimes, love isn’t about finding the right person, it’s about the moment when everything aligns. But what if that moment never comes?
<br /><br /><i>
Heart-wrenching and addictive, this is a story of love, loss, and the years it takes to finally get it right.</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8046842902">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
The House Guest was a sweet slow burn type of romance that I enjoyed. I liked the way that Dorian and Primrose came together due to losing people they loved. The downside – Primrose was essentially squatting on a property owned by her late aunt’s husband, and Dorian wants to sell up the property and more on from the loss of his father. <br /><br />This read had great moments as Dorian and Primrose got to know one another. Primrose had dreams and was able to share these with Dorain and she began to break down his walls. As their relationship grew, I could see that Dorian wanted to help Primrose, and the sparks ignited between them. There were a couple of twists thrown in and as the characters realised not all as what it seemed. However, I had hope that these two would find their happiness together.<br /></span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The House Guest
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Penelope Ward</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: August 31, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…
</b><br /><br />
The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.<br />
He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.<br />
Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.<br />
I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.<br />
I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.<br />
Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.<br />
That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.<br />
I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.<br />
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.<br />
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.<br />
He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.<br />
We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.<br />
Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.<br />
I was falling in love with him.<br />
Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.<br />
And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8232991122">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This was a fun quirky read as I got to know Harlow and Andy. Their first few interactions were amusing as Harlow had no idea who Andy was and was the type of girl who said exactly what she was thinking. They crossed paths a few times and were soon spending time together where the connection between them became stronger. Andy liked how Harlow saw him for who he was, not the famous footballer looking for a new team. He was able to be himself and the passion between them ignited. Even going to Harlow’s hometown didn’t deter him and I liked how he was fighting to have a shot with her despite all the reasons she was hesitating.<br /><br />Therse two were really cute, and I liked seeing their relationship grow. Harlow’s over protective father and quirky friends were a bit annoying and took up a fair bit of storyline, but it was still an amusing read. I liked that Andy was like an open book and did all he could to chase all her fears away and convince her to give them a chance. To be honest, this story felt quick as they only met on a few occasions and then the book was over.<br /><br />The narration by Felicity Cross and Alexander Cendese was pretty good, however, they weren’t at the same pace. I felt Felicity Cross was a bit slower and drew things out compared to Alexander Cendese.<br /><br /></span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Not Your Biggest Fan</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Sara Ney</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Not Yours #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: January 28, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>USA Today bestselling author Sara Ney sizzles with a quick-witted, sexy romp about an eager entrepreneur and a cocky football star who couldn’t be more different—or more into each other.
</b><br /><br />
Harlow James is destined to rock the dating world. The creator of Kissmet, the app helping singles find love, she’s in New York to secure advertisers. But the sassy, small-town girl can’t help meddling in other people’s business.
<br /><br />
When she runs into a muscular stranger at her go-to food truck, Harlow doesn’t realize he’s Landon “Andy” Burke, the NFL’s most-wanted free agent, in town to talk contracts. She just sees a hottie about to get burned by undercooked street food. Though she tries to warn him, he shrugs her off, making a little wager instead.
<br /><br />
In a messy twist of fate, Andy finds himself in the same hotel as Harlow. When she collects on their bet, they make a mind-blowing—and bed-rocking—connection. But after the weekend, she goes home to Green Bay to her goofy dad and corgi, ready to focus everything on work again. Kissmet, however, has other ideas, when Andy knocks on her door…</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8031628304">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
When Jewel E. Ann puts a book out, there is a guarantee that I’m going to get it and it comes of no surprise that I loved this one! It had amusing moments, but there were challenging times too. It was a hard book to put down!<br /><br />I loved the idea of the homemaker!! The Morrison’s were quite the interesting to hire someone for this role, but as the story played out it kept the Morrison’s happy. When Murphy comes home, it is quite the shock for both Alice and Murphy, and I knew that they both had deep feelings hidden away.<br /><br />As the story unfolded, we were able to get glimpses of the past and understood how much they went through and I could not put the book down. My heart broke numerous times as I understood what Alice endured and what they both had lost. This book was beautiful and I could not put it down!</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPRuBDT7PzVr_473AqrAxNeJap-C6E8bQp0WGfs_4umYUm6My0eaw2eUlaZN6ddBgmCMSTdERGrGqiNaYacW2h2m4rFnBoMwoX4BvgjxjgH26kCBqhZyNiFwWQDBdWiyOG0gHtiqF81TY/s1600/5-star-review.png" /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The Homemaker</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Jewel E. Ann</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: The Chain of Lakes #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: September 30, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>I was hers, but she was never mine.
<br /></b><br />
Alice Yates is the hired “homemaker” for the Morrisons, an affluent couple in Minneapolis. For Alice, it’s a dream job to dress up like a 1950s housewife and read romance novels to Mr. Morrison before his afternoon nap.
<br /><br />
But when the Morrisons’ only daughter returns home for the summer with her fiancé, Alice comes face- to-face with her shattered past—the only threat to her perfect life.
<br /><br />
Eight years earlier, vacation rental owner Murphy Paddon had an impeccable vinyl record collection and did the most irresistible thing before kissing Alice, earning him a five-star rating. Their fortnight love affair was life-altering and ended tragically.
<br /><br />
Murphy doesn’t know if Alice remembers him or whether he should tell his fiancée that the hired-help living in the guesthouse is the woman who irreparably broke his heart. He needs closure, but will the lingering glances and silent yearning lead to the end or just the beginning?
<br /><br /><i>
Grab your copy of The Homemaker, from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Jewel E. Ann, and lose yourself in this forbidden, high-stakes romance.</i></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8389460294">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
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!
<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Unlikely Story</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Ali Rosen</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: March 1, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>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.
</b><br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8028954329">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
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.<br /><br />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.<br /></span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Lessons in Heartbreak</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Karla Sorensen</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: The Kings #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: May 20, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>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.
</b><br /><br />
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?
<br /><br />
Unfortunately, what came next wasn’t so logical.
<br /><br />
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?
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a></div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8232977223">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Always You and Me</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Dani Atkins</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: April 1, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>From the bestselling author of Fractured comes a moving, heart-mending and uplifting novel of love, hope and second chances.
</b><br /><br />
Then…
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
This winter…
<br /><br />
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…
<br /><br />
Can Lily and Josh choose love—and find forgiveness and lasting happiness together?
<br /><br /><b><i>
Always You and Me asks: Do you choose love? Or does love choose you?</i></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8031615883">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPRuBDT7PzVr_473AqrAxNeJap-C6E8bQp0WGfs_4umYUm6My0eaw2eUlaZN6ddBgmCMSTdERGrGqiNaYacW2h2m4rFnBoMwoX4BvgjxjgH26kCBqhZyNiFwWQDBdWiyOG0gHtiqF81TY/s1600/5-star-review.png" /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Burn Bright</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Cobalt Empire #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: September 2, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b><i>Love burns hottest when it's blue.
<br /></i></b><br />
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.
<br /><br />
He is the sixth-born Cobalt.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br /><b><i>
BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.</i></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8389455280">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
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!<br /><br />Erin Mallon told the story perfectly. She did an amazing job of bringing Louise Bay’s story to life.<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: An American in London
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Louise Bay</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: June 24, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>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.
</b><br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
Everything between Ben and Tuesday is completely professional, until the rehearsals for their weekend romance start to feel…almost authentic.
<br /><br />
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.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8232962091">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The Art of Starting Over</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Heidi McLaughlin</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance / Chick Lit</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: February 1, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>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.
</b><br /><br />
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.
<br /><br />
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…
<br /><br />
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.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8232927175">2.5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />I was hoping that I could really enjoy Anyone But Rich, but it turned out to only be an ok read for me. The storyline didn’t hook me as much as I hoped and I was a bit annoyed about three grown women holding on so tight to a pact that they made as teenagers. There was obviously a strong connection between Rich and Kira, but as adults Kira and her friends were still avoiding Rich and his brothers like the plague. However, Rich slowly knocked down Kira’s walls and she too managed to get her friends to slowly come around as well. <br /><br />There were a few twists thrown in – fake fiancé and unbearable parents – but I could see that Rich and Kira were good for one another. The feelings that they had were buried, but Rich did everything he could to get Kira to see how good they were together.<br /><br />The narration by Lauren Sweet and Tim Paige was done well; it’s a shame that the storyline bugged me so much. Hopefully with the pact being broken, the following stories are more enjoyable.<br />
</span><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PD1wE5TQJ3sLPyQM5c-QjX-Y01VOdSDZvRnkCgJh7Wlsll4sQKnUwUfZoL9LO1RYmCOwhiOaAlxbDjblW3k2E8g_bGgzm4UBfPvubDsbkGe0V_0Z4MWOO3ZMLu9lm4NMwsXs-H5DAi4/s1600/2.5-Review-Stars-r.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PD1wE5TQJ3sLPyQM5c-QjX-Y01VOdSDZvRnkCgJh7Wlsll4sQKnUwUfZoL9LO1RYmCOwhiOaAlxbDjblW3k2E8g_bGgzm4UBfPvubDsbkGe0V_0Z4MWOO3ZMLu9lm4NMwsXs-H5DAi4/s1600/2.5-Review-Stars-r.png" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Anyone But Rich</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Penelope Bloom</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Anyone But... #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: September 3, 2019</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>From USA Today bestselling author Penelope Bloom comes the first novel in the romantic, sexy, and hilarious Anyone But… series.
</b><br /><br />
Seven years ago, my best friends and I made a promise: No matter what, we would never date one of the King brothers. Even if they grew up to become megafamous, gorgeous, heart-stopping billionaires. Even if they crawled on their knees and begged for forgiveness.
<br /><br />
But guess who just flew back into our lives in a private jet? And guess who just showed up to my job on my first day? Richard. King. Fortunately, it takes two seconds for Richard to reveal he hasn’t changed. Conceited. Cocky. Rude. Unfortunately, he’s also the kind of gorgeous that’s borderline offensive—with a jawline to make statues self-conscious and a grin that short-circuits my brain.
<br /><br />
He’s spent years taking what he wants. I doubt he’s hungry for anything else—except me, apparently. There’s no way I’ll let him maneuver his way back into my life. My friends would never forgive me. I would never forgive me. But did I mention his jawline?</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8232942955">4.5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />Elle and West were such a fiery duo!! They were like dynamite right from the opening chapters! I enjoyed they way that Elle was taking the time to re-evaluate her life and how West’s request sent her over the edge, sending the best article and called it quits. Crossing paths with Scarlett was quite the coincidence, and I liked how she was the connection that kept the three of them together. Over time, I could see that Elle was breaking down West’s walls and getting to know the beautiful man underneath.<br /><br />It was easy to get lost in this world. I enjoyed meeting all the characters and how well the storyline flowed. I think that Winter Renshaw pieced this story together perfectly and that Aaron Shedlock and Nicola Lambo did a beautiful job at bringing the characters to life. <br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrtI1Auz8gpY5EcJfX-0T-1vg8XliZ2Cwg8oLiUZPL7O09Y39hLvnv3b-sjxz6buaso5HMmxln7mqteFBkBPh6G18fMoUJrofBI2eMIHgwtItZBvxK9TO66rU73wrwb9lnbFGaRqZlnV3/s1600/4.5-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img borsder="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrtI1Auz8gpY5EcJfX-0T-1vg8XliZ2Cwg8oLiUZPL7O09Y39hLvnv3b-sjxz6buaso5HMmxln7mqteFBkBPh6G18fMoUJrofBI2eMIHgwtItZBvxK9TO66rU73wrwb9lnbFGaRqZlnV3/s1600/4.5-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The Dirty Truth</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Winter Renshaw</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: June 14, 2022</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>From Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw comes an enemies-to-lovers romance about the journey of self-discovery that follows a life-changing event.
</b><br /><br />
After a brush with death, I realize it’s time to make changes in my life. Big changes.
<br /><br />
First, my job. I love being a journalist, but I hate my megawatt magnate boss, West Maxwell. When he demands I rewrite an article on short notice, I turn the tables on him with a scathing new column and quit in a blaze of glory.
<br /><br />
But West isn’t about to let me go that easily, the jerk. He offers me an unexpected new mentor to his rebellious teenage niece. For some reason, I agree—I like helping people, but I’m also admittedly curious to glimpse the man behind the mogul.
<br /><br />
However, I soon discover that my new assignment isn’t what I expected. As I learn about the private side of my enigmatic boss, I start to see the heart he hides behind his icy facade. The old Elle hated West…but maybe—just maybe—the new Elle can tame him.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8389440615">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This was an interesting start to the Arlington Hall series. I was intrigued by the mysterious Jude and how everything seemed to fall into place for Amelia. A day out with her friends at a fancy resort was just what she needed until she met Jude. There was no denying the chemistry between these two, however it was clear that Jude was withholding information from Amelia, and it was only a question of when their situation would unravel.<br /><br />This was a good start to the duet, and the ending left me wanting more. To be honest I have way more questions and I need to know more about the mysterious Jude. I enjoyed the way that Jodi Ellen Malpas pieced this story together and how Shakira Shute vividly embodied Amelia’s character.</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The Invitation</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Arlington Hall #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: July 1, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>An ambitious career woman. An enigmatic billionaire. There’s more to their affair than meets the eye in this scalding romance by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man series.
</b><br /><br />
Amelia Lazenby deserves a breather—from work and from the stress of a recent breakup. Courtesy of her best friends, she gets a day of pampering at a posh country spa called Arlington Hall. Instead of finding calm, she finds her pulse racing when she sees flawlessly rugged Jude Harrison. Hand on heart, she’s never laid eyes on such a stunner. And an unexpected steam room meet takes their instant attraction to a whole new level.
<br /><br />
Amelia wasn’t looking for an intense new affair. But the passion Jude ignites is off the charts. Even if he is a little possessive. Even if his temper can be as formidable as the influence he has on her body. He becomes all the more intriguing when Amelia discovers that Jude not only owns Arlington Hall but that their meeting was no accident. It was planned. But to what end?
<br /><br />
That’s a mystery as irresistible as Jude himself. Is he worth the risk? Or is this the man who could break her?</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223808607-the-surrender" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Surrender (Arlington Hall, #2)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1742862433l/223808607._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223808607-the-surrender">The Surrender</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6576110.Jodi_Ellen_Malpas">Jodi Ellen Malpas</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8389442310">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I was excited to get into the sequel of the Arlington Hall series, but I felt it was a bit repetitive to the first book in the series. I felt we were facing the same issues: Amelia had the same insecurities, Jude was still holding back, but there was more danger building through the read. Overall it was a good conclusion to the series, but It won’t deter me from reading more of Jodi Ellen Malpas’ work in the future.</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgX8QO87HwxvnACu1kFa-Teqocp0uSTem_RbbEjtSqNFfxnZZUb0IXA4IhLqxBfraw-7lhu9Kj0J1LU8u62AuYOrTZdJkbgxk8o5xQZgsyMj5P1CDCfF34Vw53arsUs5OcLfO6MX7W5ag/s1600/3-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: The Surrender</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Arlington Hall #2</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: September 2, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>He’s a tantalizing man of mystery. To solve him she could risk everything in a scorching romance by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man series and The Invitation.
</b><br /><br />
A pawn in a man’s callous game, Amelia Lazenby is trying to heal after being betrayed by the wealthy and scorchingly sexy Jude Harrison. Now he’s saying all the right things, whispering apologies as sincere as his kisses, and refusing to let her walk away. It’s hard for Amelia to resist a force as strong as Jude. Before long, he’s making her pulse pound, her head spin, and giving her the rapture she craves.
<br /><br />
But once she surrenders, Amelia can’t help but fear she’s risking her heart all over again. This time, maybe even more. Jude is every bit as mysterious and possessive as she remembers. His ex-lover is back to wreak havoc on their lives. And Amelia’s own ex has returned from the past, knowing more about Jude than Amelia can imagine. As the secrets and shocking revelations keep coming, Amelia must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to stay with the man she loves and above all else…can’t resist.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7964214934">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
On Loverose Lane was such a fun read! From the opening chapter I was hooked on the characters, the banter and the amusing storyline!! I loved the way Beth got under Callan’s skin right from the moment they were reacquainted, and how she won over Callan’s friends Baird and John. He was so irritated by how well they got along every time they interacted. Callan had held such a grudge after how things ended so abruptly when they were teenagers and I liked how Beth was straight to the point early in the read and confessed her reasons for it. It wasn’t long before the dynamic started to shift between them, and things became hot and heavy.<br /><br />This was quite a good book to read, although as it is a spin off from the original series – that I have not read – there was a lot of time spent meeting all the extended family and friends. I did get a little lost trying to piece it all together, but he majority of the book was great. I liked seeing the connection between Beth and Callan grow once again, and how Beth’s family stood up for Callan when he needed it most. It really was a nice read and I would definitely want to continue the series.<br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: On Loverose Lane</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Samantha Young</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Return to Dublin Street #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: February 20, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>A steamy enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, sports romance from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.
</b><br /><br />
It’s always the broody ones you have to watch out for….
<br /><br />
Imagine my surprise when my new neighbor turns out to be Callan Keen, one of Scotland’s most famous (and hottest) professional footballers. I’m even more shocked to discover that the brooding player is still holding a grudge for something that happened between us years ago.
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But I can’t focus on him or his issues with me because I’m too busy trying to take my company to the next level. I don’t have time for this blast from the past, even if the grump upstairs is still the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
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When a huge client opportunity arises, I’m forced to ask Callan for help. I need a fake date and he needs an introduction with my real estate mogul dad. The deal between us should be simple. Except for the blazing chemistry we’ve shared since the moment we met. We can’t deny it, we can’t control it, and soon we’re agreeing to a six week, no-strings-attached, mind-blowing affair.
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I told myself I wouldn't catch feelings for Callan, but the closer we get, the more he reminds me of the guy I once fell for. It just might prove impossible to show my stubborn Scotsman we’re worth the risk, especially when the past continues to haunt us and threaten to wreck any chance of a future together…</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7862652755">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
It has been some time since I’ve read a book by L.J. Shen, and I was excited to get into this one. Cal and Row had some history and were brought back together due to Cal’s fathers passing and a promise to her mother to hang around for a while. I was excited to see these two together and to see how they would interact given their history. <br /><br />To be honest, I was annoyed with Row’s sister Dylan, as she was selfish and was really not a good friend to Cal considering the way she reacted when they were children and when they crossed paths in the present. She was still very self-centred, but I could see that she was beginning to make progress with Cal in restoring their friendship.<br /><br />The relationship with Cal and Row was amusing to watch as it was obvious that they both had good chemistry and the banter between them was amusing. I liked seeing them growing as adults, however a lot of drama could have been avoided. There were some secondary storylines that threw me a bit, as I felt that they were a bit far-fetched, but the read was ok considering. It wasn’t my favourite book by L.J. Shen, however it won’t deter me from picking up more of her work.
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</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><i><b>This old flame just might set them on fire.
<br /></b></i><br />
Conceited, unattainable, and downright delicious, renowned Michelin-starred chef Ambrose Casablancas has one passion in life—food.
<br /><br />
Women are a distraction, and he doesn’t do those. Especially Cal Litvin, his baby sister’s best friend. Her entire existence is a complication; she’s awkward, eccentric, infuriating…
<br /><br />
And, much to his chagrin, hotter than his kitchen.
<br /><br />
Ambrose has a lot on his a new restaurant to open, a multimillion-dollar property deal to execute, and a violent stalker to tame.
<br /><br />
Then Cal shows up at his doorstep, looking for both a job and salvation after their messy goodbye. His resolve, like his patience, is ebbing each day she works at his restaurant.
<br /><br />
Because Cal is no longer a doe-eyed girl.
<br /><br />
Now? She’s the woman he’ll do anything to conquer.
<br /><br />
***
<br /><br />
Quirky, compassionate ball of sunshine Calla Litvin can’t catch a break, and not just because she swore off running.
<br /><br />
Back in her hometown to nurse her mother’s broken heart after losing her father, she finds herself jobless, hopeless, and penniless. She hopes to rekindle her friendship with her former BFF, but Dylan is attached at the hip to her cruel brother—the one Cal’s been secretly crushing on since middle school.
<br /><br />
Falling for the bad boy the second time around would be a mistake of gargantuan proportions.
<br /><br />
Too bad she’s always been clumsy.
<br /><br /><b>
Truly, Madly, Deeply, is a grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers romance. It is the first in the Forbidden Love series, but can be read as a standalone.</b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7904015735">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Jamie and Elliott’s story was quite the moving read. In the first part we can see these two had amazing chemistry, but Elliott was holding back. It was the perfect night for her considering what she was about to go through. Fast forward to the future and they cross paths again, although this time Jamie has a girlfriend who happened to be the one who saved Elliotts life. <br /><br />This journey wasn’t easy, and I liked seeing them navigate their feelings and Carly’s too. I felt this story was pieced together carefully and I had hope that they would be able to find a way to be together once more. I liked how the narrators told the story and how they brough them to life with feelings and passion.<br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: If Tomorrow Never Comes</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Allison Ashley</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: January 28, 2025</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>Fate connects two people in life-changing ways in a deeply romantic and emotional novel about hope and second chances by the author of Would You Rather and The Roommate Pact.
</b><br /><br />
Uncertain of what tomorrow brings, Elliott Holland decides to live it up—on the eve of a stem cell transplant to treat her leukemia. It’s destiny when she crosses paths with handsome and charming Jamie Sullivan. The chemistry is magic. So is a beautiful evening that ends with a bittersweet kiss goodbye and no expectations of ever seeing each other again.
<br /><br />
One year later, Elliott’s future looks good. Her cancer is in remission. Her career in graphic design is taking off. And she’s finally met Carly, the young woman whose stem cell donation gave Elliott a second chance at life. Then, in a twist of fate both blissful and unfair, she meets Carly’s boyfriend. It’s Jamie, the man Elliott kissed like it was her last day on earth. Neither of them has ever forgotten it.
<br /><br />
Now, the most difficult decisions of all lie ahead. Whatever risks there are to the heart, one need wins to grab hold of everything that can make someone feel alive again.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8389450143">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Grayson and Reid’s story had all the feels! My heart was aching for Reid as she found out what Grayson was hiding and that they almost lost one another. Giving into their feelings was bittersweet and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. There was something nagging at Grayson and watching his paths chase after that was heartbreaking for all parties involved. I liked how the worlds crossed into a delicate area, and I enjoyed the way that Heidi McLaughlin wove this story and how all narrators delivered it. (Narrators: Christian Barillas, Kacy Combest, Jeremy York & Sarah Mollo-Christensen)<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg9hr6WmXYxbsbaWsCy8SSOM6MBSKhNgvLGdDUD5dw_ebVtZutNqNwkOvv4uvQdjoRu5-rrib5-eZMqCkWqYWvpqfTjvzv97Os1r5Io_7Q6ZceumuoO1vGlh5UPDaZ1nZ98HzyuTItSpn/s1600/4-Review-Stars.png" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: Heartbreak Hill
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Heidi McLaughlin</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: October 1, 2024</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><b>From the author of Before I’m Gone comes an intensely affecting romance about love, loss, and second chances, sure to elicit a good ugly cry.
</b><br /><br />
Grayson Caballero sees the glass half-empty. Born with a life-threatening heart defect, he’s been living on borrowed time. The uncertainty of tomorrow makes him push people away, helping Grayson to avoid any real commitment.
<br /><br />
Then he meets Reid Sullivan and falls madly in love. The two work together at the Wold Collective, Grayson as a project manager and Reid in HR. They even live in the same apartment complex. But Grayson continues to keep his distance, despite their obvious attraction. And Reid’s not interested in waiting around.
<br /><br />
When Grayson collapses at a basketball game, Reid learns he’s been keeping secrets from her. Now his life hangs in the balance…and a stranger from Boston holds the key to his survival.
<br /><br />
Nadia Karlsson makes a life-changing decision after her husband, Rafe, is involved in a tragic accident near Harvard Square. Her choice will unwittingly alter the course of Grayson’s future—and tie his fate unexpectedly to her own.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
</div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7903512894">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
There was so much in this book! I could see it was building and I was excited about the journey. A lot of the characters came back together, and I could see how strong Orlaith wanted to be. She outsmarted some people and landed herself in hot water several times. She forged on through and showed that her heart was big repeatedly. <br /><br />I was thoroughly enjoying this read and the closer I got to the end I realised that this story is far from over. We managed to get some answers, but there are a lot of threads still open. It has been two years since this book was published and am sad that I cannot continue this journey today. I hope that the next book comes soon!!
<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPRuBDT7PzVr_473AqrAxNeJap-C6E8bQp0WGfs_4umYUm6My0eaw2eUlaZN6ddBgmCMSTdERGrGqiNaYacW2h2m4rFnBoMwoX4BvgjxjgH26kCBqhZyNiFwWQDBdWiyOG0gHtiqF81TY/s1600/5-star-review.png" /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: To Flame a Wild Flower</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Sarah A. Parker</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Crystal Bloom #3</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Fantasy Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: March 30, 2023</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">It’s not in my nature to beg, but I’ll stay on my knees until I feel that flame sputter out.<br />
And then …<br />
I’ll rip the world to shreds.
<br /><br />
I’ve tumbled into a darkness so deep it’s hard to see the light, my petals curling inward as I tip my face from the sun. Hide from my monstrous actions.
<br /><br />
Traitor. Murderer.<br />
High Mistress.
<br /><br />
My mistakes hunt me down, and I’m pulled into a political tug-of-war, balancing Ocruth’s welfare on the edge of a bloody blade. The moon is swelling, the weight on my shoulders compacting, and my unfailing curiosity keeps weaving its roots in the wrong direction.
<br /><br />
Horrible truths unravel, casting explosive light on everything I thought I knew. I’ll have no choice but to shed my morals, my withering self-preservation, and sow the seed of a plan set to bloom beneath a bloated moon.
<br /><br />
One wrong move could destroy everything.<br />
Destroy me.
<br /><br />
Lines will blur, blood will spill, and I’ll learn how fragile I really am—at a cost far greater than I could have imagined.
<br /><br />
Fate is a ravenous beast, and there’s only so far I can run.
<br /><br />
To Flame a Wild Flower is the third book in the Crystal Bloom series—a dark fantasy romance full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7868303571">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I picked up To Snap a Silver Stem as soon as I completed the first book as I am addicted to this series. I needed to know what happened next for Orlaith and to see more of this world. She had definitely grown a lot from the timid girl I first met, and I wanted to see how she would go past the safety barrier that she has lived in. This book took us on quite the journey, and we saw some new perspectives, but I could tell that Orlaith wasn’t getting the whole truth. She was trying to make choices, but she was easily led astray.<br /><br />This was quite the eyeopener and there were moments my heart ached for Orlaith. She made choices that may have been different if she was given more information. She was quite inquisitive and saw a lot more of the new city she was in and was able to make choices for herself, even if her heart broke in the process. I’m excited to see here the next book takes me!<br /><br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPRuBDT7PzVr_473AqrAxNeJap-C6E8bQp0WGfs_4umYUm6My0eaw2eUlaZN6ddBgmCMSTdERGrGqiNaYacW2h2m4rFnBoMwoX4BvgjxjgH26kCBqhZyNiFwWQDBdWiyOG0gHtiqF81TY/s1600/5-star-review.png" /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: To Snap a Silver Stem</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Sarah A. Parker</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Crystal Bloom #2</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Fantasy Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: August 8, 2022</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">I want him to hurt. To bleed.
I want him to snap, just like he snapped me.<br /><br />
Once upon a time, my world was small and sheltered. Everything changed the moment I stepped over my Safety Line, barreling towards a coupling with a man I hardly know.
<br /><br />
He wants me. All of me.
<br /><br />
Dunked in a charged political pit, I must secure the ships needed to quell the spill of murderous beasts still flooding the continent. But one wrong move could spur the war I’ve worked so hard to avoid.
<br /><br />
I’ll wear the dress and the cupla and the shoes. I’ll do it all with a smile on my face. Because everyone's watching.<br />
He’s watching—hunting a fissure in my frosty shield, trying to scrape back the layers and see my ugly insides.
<br /><br />
He’s unyielding. Unguarded.<br />
Changed.
<br /><br />
Why is he looking now when I’ve got everything to hide?
<br /><br />
Secrets sprout, truths bloom, and more than one of us will snap.<br />
Crowned in the crippling weight of my mistakes, I must atone. Even if it costs me my life.
<br /><br />
Fear was my overlord. Now, it’s my prisoner.
<br /><br /><b>
To Snap a Silver Stem is the explosive sequel of To Bleed a Crystal Bloom—a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.</b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7862699743">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
It has been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book, and I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was swept away with To Bleed a Crystal Bloom. I was intrigued by the storyline and fell in love with all the characters. Orlaith’s story was heartbreaking, and she has lived a quiet secluded life in the tower of the castle. She has had a good upbringing, but she is quite the timid girl and there are a number of times where she withdrew into herself. I liked meeting the secondary characters and how they fit into her world, they are all very important and I can see they are all part of the bigger picture as we start getting their perspectives too.<br /><br />This was a fabulous start to the series, and to be honest I was hooked and reading every moment I could. I’m intrigued by the prophecy and the direction the story is heading. I liked seeing how calculated Orlaith was and the growth in her character even though she still struggled with her demons.<br /></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPRuBDT7PzVr_473AqrAxNeJap-C6E8bQp0WGfs_4umYUm6My0eaw2eUlaZN6ddBgmCMSTdERGrGqiNaYacW2h2m4rFnBoMwoX4BvgjxjgH26kCBqhZyNiFwWQDBdWiyOG0gHtiqF81TY/s1600/5-star-review.png" /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Title: To Bleed a Crystal Bloom</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Sarah A. Parker</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Crystal Bloom #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Fantasy Romance</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Published: July 24, 2021</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.9333px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div></div><div id="blurb" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><i>"What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower."
<br /></i><br />
Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.
<br /><br />
Small. Fragile.<br />
An enigma.
<br /><br />
Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.
Stay within. Never leave.<br />
Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.<br />
Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.
<br /><br />
My savior. My protector.<br />
My almost executioner.<br />
<br />
I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.
<br /><br />
When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.
<br /><br />
No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.
<br /><br /><b>
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.</b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="margin: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7993053-naomi">View all my reviews</a>
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