tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46388924982746567862026-04-29T12:00:00.122+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.comBlogger2628125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4638892498274656786.post-8908760851784768232026-04-29T12:00:00.002+10:002026-04-29T12:00:00.118+10:00Review ~ To Snap a Silver Stem by Sarah A. Parker<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58627455-to-snap-a-silver-stem" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="To Snap a Silver Stem (Crystal Bloom, #2)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1652023171l/58627455._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58627455-to-snap-a-silver-stem">To Snap a Silver Stem</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21577247.Sarah_A_Parker">Sarah A. Parker</a><br />
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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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8389433522">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book was amusing right from the beginning, and I found it hilarious the way that Margot dismissed Dex right away. Even when her daughter Wyatt stepped in to help Dex and wove such an unbelievable story, I knew these two would be a hysterical couple to get to know! Although neither were looking for anything truly serious, I could see them both falling, and Dex having to win Margot over.<br /><br />These two were so cute together! Margot was quite hesitant as Dex was younger, but I could see that he truly wanted Margot. This was quite the sweet read with a good amount of spice blended throughout the pages. Felicity Cross and Alexander Cendese did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life and conveying Sara Ney’s story.</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: Biggest Player</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 #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: July 29, 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>Bestselling author Sara Ney scores with a fiery romance about online dating, where a single mom and a football pro ignite sparks when they swipe right—even though they know it’s all wrong.
</b><br /><br />
Margot’s a busy single mom juggling teaching, parenting, and trying not to die alone. Dating apps? Total nightmare. But desperate times call for desperate swipes, even if they make her break out in stress hives. When she matches with a guy who looks too good to be true, she’s convinced he’s a walking red flag—or worse—a catfish.
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Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, he’s a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends someone to come home to…and if they’re naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, he’s not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly he’s hooked.
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Margot’s convinced he’s a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking “what if.” After a surprise run-in leads to a mind-blowing (and soggy AF) kiss, their opposites-attract energy skyrockets. Can they find a way to make it last?</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/7904014267">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Buck Wild and getting to know James and Sophie! Their first interaction was a bit rocky, but I loved how the Bennett boys were ruled by their mother, and she put James back in line! It was amusing to see him grovel and to win over Sophie and his mother! From there the sparks grew and I was along for a fun journey, and I knew these two would be perfect! <br /><br />Lauren Landish created a fabulous story, and I was hooked right to the end. The narrators portrayed the characters perfectly and I know I will want more form this world!! <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: Buck Wild</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Lauren Landish</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Bennett Boys Ranch #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 25, 2018</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;">From Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish comes a hard-riding romance of cowboys who run wild—and the women who tame them…
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Bull rider James Bennett lives for those eight seconds of exhilaration. A rodeo cowboy in his prime, all he wants out of life is something to straddle. That’s why James is feeling a little restless, spending his summer off working his family’s ranch. That is, until a spirited and gorgeous veterinarian-in-training shows up and puts the cocky wild boy—and his ego—in place. Though she’s a feisty one, James is always up for a challenge.
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Sophie Stone has to admit James Bennett is a checklist of cowboy hotness—ruggedly handsome with piercing blue eyes, a hard-muscled body, and just enough swagger to make her toes curl. She thought she was done with her bad-boy phase, but exceptions must be made.
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How can Sophie possibly say no to a man who makes her heart buck like a bronco? And when their summer fling comes to an end, how can she possibly say goodbye?</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/2942104622">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This was quite the sweet second chance romance, that neither character expected. I liked how Ravin and Gavin had a connection in their younger days, where Gavin would go out of his way to spend time with Ravin. I could see the sparks between them but knew that if Gavin’s mother found out it would all fall apart. <br /><br />Ten years later, Gavin was back as his father was unwell, and to his surprise Ravin is his carer. I enjoyed seeing them together once again and seeing that the spark was still there. A lot had happened in the time that Gavin was away, and it was nice to see him try to get to know Ravin once again. Gavin was still harbouring a few secrets, and I was sad for Ravin when she learned more about them. <br /><br />This was a good read, and I liked seeing some serious elements through this read that happens in everyday life. I enjoyed Gavin and Ravin back together again and seeing their journey, as difficult as it was at times. <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: The Day He Came Back</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 17, 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;">It was the summer of my life.<br />
I’d met the guy of my dreams.<br />
Unfortunately, he was the son of my uppity employer—and very much off-limits.<br />
But Gavin was a rebel. He knew his mother would disown him if she found out about us; in his eyes, we just had to be careful.<br />
He never treated me as his mother did—like hired help.<br />
Instead, Gavin put me on a pedestal and loved me harder than I’d ever been loved in my life.<br />
<br />
What a summer it was.<br />
Until it all ended—badly.
<br /><br />
I was never supposed to see Gavin again.<br />
That didn’t stop me from thinking about him every day for ten years.<br />
I knew little about his life now, just that he was an entrepreneur living an ocean away.
<br /><br />
When a twist of fate had me working again in the very place our love affair started a decade earlier, I knew it was only a matter of time before I might see him again.<br />
But I wasn’t prepared.<br />
What if he hated me?<br />
What if he loved someone else now?<br />
I wasn’t prepared for all the unknowns.<br />
<br />
And most of all, I wasn’t prepared for today to be the day he came back.</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/7842310879">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Dream On was a heartbreaking, but beautiful read. My heart ached for the young Lexington; moving to a new town away from the spotlight, trying to fight his demons and finding a connection with a girl from the small town. Stevie could see past the confident Lex, to the fragile boy beneath who just wanted to be normal. They built a strong connection together, but circumstances tore them apart. <br /><br />In the current day, Lex is a famous star who just finished a series that portrayed Stevie and Lex’s life. It was heartbreaking for Stevie as she fell for the boy that he was and couldn’t believe that he brought their story to life. After Lex’s manager interferes, Lex presents Stevie with a proposition which Stevie cannot pass up. Watching these two together again was so good. Stevie could see that he was still not healed and Lex came to realise the impact that he left on her. These two had some serious issues to work through together.<br /><br />I thoroughly loved this read and my heart broke for all the characters. All Lex wanted was love and Stevie was just the right person for him. I was mad at Lex’s parents and could not believe how blasé and selfish they were. Jennifer Hartmann pieced this story together perfectly and I was consumed until the final page.<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: Dream On</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Jennifer Hartmann</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 12, 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 was her first love—and her first heartbreak. Now he's back, and the world is watching.
<br /><br />
From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Hartmann comes an all-new standalone new adult crossover romance filled with heartache and dreams.
</b><br /><br />
Lexington Hall and I were never supposed to collide—he, the golden boy of Hollywood, and me, a small-town dreamer with stars in my eyes. But when we shared the stage in our high school musical, something ignited.
<br /><br />
Then, just as quickly, it all fell apart, leaving my dreams in pieces.
<br /><br />
Now, four years later, Lex is a household name, turning our past into a television sensation. He's spun our story for the world to see, while I'm still haunted by what we lost.
<br /><br />
With millions obsessed over the "real" Stevie St. James, Lex reappears with an offer too tempting to turn a fake romance to keep the buzz alive, in exchange for the financial freedom I desperately need.
<br /><br />
I convince myself I can play the part. But as old feelings resurface and new risks emerge, the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.
<br /><br />
Dreams are easy to chase—but falling for the guy who shattered mine could cost me everything.</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/8389427692">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I’ve read the first two books in this series previously and each one has been quite the adventure. Bob and Marlowe’s book was full of action from beginning to end as Marlowe is busted from a Thailand prison and the spend quite a potion of the book fleeing across the country. They need to get past some obstacles on the way but these two were drawn to one another quite quickly and I knew that they would protect each other fiercely. Even when they return to the states, the passion remains along with the underlying danger that came with the whole ordeal.<br /><br />Once again, I was caught up in the talented storytelling of Susan Stoker. It was good to see the original characters again and how they still support one another. I felt that Lucy Rivers and Aaron Shedlock narrated the story flawlessly and I thoroughly enjoyed being swept away with their voices.<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: The Hero</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Susan Stoker</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Game of Chance #3</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: Susan Stoker</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 thrilling romance, an ex-military man is on a mission to rescue a wrongfully imprisoned archaeologist—and to make her rightfully his.
</b><br /><br />
Any soldier who gets out of the service with his life should be happy to leave danger behind. Though his army brothers are content running their new business in Maine, Kendric “Bob” Evans isn’t ready to give up the fight. He’s been supplementing his hours with covert rescue missions organized by the FBI. But his latest charge may be more than he bargained for.
<br /><br />
Marlowe Kennedy is on a routine archaeology dig in Thailand when she’s arrested for drug trafficking. She has suspicions about the true culprit, but even when she’s rescued from prison, there’s nothing she can do about it without proof. Her protective bodyguard’s only objective is to keep her safe until they cross the border into friendly territory.
<br /><br />
The best way to do that? Travel as man and wife.
<br /><br />
After returning to Maine, as Bob and Marlowe navigate this treacherous terrain with the help of their friends, they face vengeful authorities, a vindictive frame job, and perhaps most important of all—turning their fake marriage into something real.</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/7822601221">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book had me smiling right from Brock and February’s first interaction. February certainly was quite the character, escaping a wellness clinic to go to the local bar. What she didn’t expect was the banter between her and the bar manager Brock. The more time these two spent together, the more the chemistry grew and it was only a matter of time before they ignited.<br /><br />It was only a matter of time before February had to go back to her real life, but the twist… oh my heart! These two had some serious decisions to make and to find a way to get their lives to work, as they were perfect for one another. <br /><br />Ward and Keeland told this story perfectly and threw in the twist to take the story in a new direction. This story had a good mix of fun, seriousness and chemistry that hooked me to the end. Brock and February’s story wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed how it all came together.<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: Denim & Diamonds</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland</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 27, 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 authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new standalone romance.
</b><br /><br />
When the board of directors of my company mandated that I go to a wellness facility in small-town Maine to recharge, that shouldn’t have a ladder to sneak out of the bedroom window at night and going to the local bar.Getting so drunk that the bar owner brought me upstairs to sleep it off in his bed.Waking up staring at the taxidermy moose head on said bar owner’s wall.Falling for said bar owner who was the most drop-dead gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.But Brock Hawkins was so much more than just the hot bar owner. He owned half the town, built log cabins with his bare hands, and was apparently the most eligible man in all of Meadowbrook.
He was also a cinnamon roll despite his seemingly rock-hard exterior.<br />
And the last man I should’ve been falling for—because my time in this small town was limited.<br />
I had to head back to my life in New York City, one that was the complete opposite from the kind Brock lived.<br />
He was denim. I was diamonds.<br />
The problem was, the sexy lumberjack wasn’t the type of man who was easy to walk away from. Hell, I couldn’t even part with his plaid shirt that had become a constant fixture wrapped around my shoulders most days, let alone think about erasing him from my life.<br />
A life with Brock, though, would have to be all or nothing.<br />
Go big or go home.<br />
I just didn’t realize that choosing to go big might also mean getting my heart broken when Brock’s life took a turn neither of us saw coming.</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/7703123530">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Archie and Noelle’s story was quite the sweet read that developed over a number of years. Their parents had a holiday home that bought them together. Their friendship grew and I could see the connection between them becoming stronger. They became best friends, although I could see they both wanted something more. Archie had some father issues he needed to deal with, and they both had other relationships that kept them apart, but there was no denying these two had amazing chemistry together.<br /><br />I really enjoyed this read, with the dual perspectives and getting insight from the past as well. Penelope Ward told this story perfectly and I was fully invested in this story to the very end. Archie and Noelle were great together and although life didn’t go as planned for them, their hearts were full.<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: Toe the Line</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: February 27, 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;"><b>The Wall Street Journal Bestseller.<br />
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a friends-to-lovers story spanning more than a decade...
</b><br /><br />
At first, I thought I'd hate spending the summer with Archie Remington—the conceited son of my parents' friends.<br />
What I knew about he was gorgeous, pre-law, and had always treated me like I didn't exist when we were younger.<br />
When our families bought a house together on an island in Maine, he and I were forced to share a bathroom.<br />
The boy I remembered was now a full-grown man—but with the same attitude.<br />
After a rough start, Archie and I unexpectedly started getting along one day and eventually became friends. We shared secrets and bonded during our morning jogs. I discovered that Archie had a wild spirit and that he struggled to conform to his father's expectations.<br />
Things were cool until I had to go and ruin it, getting drunk one night, and blurting out my fantasy—involving him.<br />
I took it back, but it was too late. Archie had heard me loud and clear. After that, we never quite knew how to toe the line.<br />
When that summer came to an abrupt and shocking end, I headed back to college, unsure if anything would ever be the same again.<br />
Across the miles over the years, he and I stayed in touch as friends, but fate and timing always kept us from becoming more.<br />
You know the If two people are meant to be, they'll find their way back to each other?<br />
Let's just say Archie came back into my life in a way I would've never expected.<br />
And this time, my heart would really be put to the test.</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/7617214840">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This was quite the sweet read as I got to know both Lachlan and Ainsley. I liked how they had a bit of history together, although Ainsley didn’t want to face it. I laughed through their first interaction and how Lachlan went all bossy on her. Soon, Ainsley was thrown back into to Lachlan’s life and made them both face the feelings from their past. She was able to worm her way into his world and uncover a lot of things that he was trying not to show or tell her. <br /><br />These two were perfect together. Rose was the sweetest girl too and I liked how she and Ainsley got along. I could see all their feelings growing and knew this could lead to heartbreak for all of them. This was a great start to the series, and I enjoyed meeting other characters along the way.
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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: All Too Well</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Corinne Michaels</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Ember Falls #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 18, 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;">For as long as I can remember, Lachlan West has been my brother’s best friend and the love of my life. Trouble is, he kissed me four years ago and then never spoke to me again.
<br /><br />
I was doing great pretending he doesn’t exist until I was assigned to write an article about former college athletes, and I learn that the sexy single dad is my first interview.
<br /><br />
Determined to wow my editor with an amazing sportsball piece—(have I mentioned I know nothing about sports?)—I head to Ember Falls, ready to face my fears—and the man I love.
<br /><br />
The grumpy quarterback turned fireman wants nothing to do with me or my article. Yet, somehow I persuade him to let me follow him around for a few weeks, and even if he said yes just to get rid of me, I’ll take it.
<br /><br />
But the longer I stay in his small town, the more complicated our story gets. The boundaries we set fall to the ground—along with our clothes.
<br /><br />
He holds me like I matter, touches me like I’m cherished and kisses me like he loves me.
<br /><br />
We both know I have to leave Ember Falls, and he’ll never follow—I only wish I could write a different ending to our story.</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/8389419614">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Holy hell! This book was brilliant! I loved the way that we got the perspective of both Evie and Carter and how their story unfolded! Evie told the story to her children and I could feel the connection and the passion between her and Carter and what they meant to one another. It was fun to be in the rock and roll world and seeing her live in the moment, fall in love and be consumed by Carter. <br /><br />Carter was quite the reserved character to begin with but opened up to Evie so easily. She respected their boundaries and would document things but had no intention on sharing more than he wanted her too. Their connection was immediate and I knew these two were magic together.<br /><br />This story sure threw me for a loop and I applaud the way Kelley McNeil wove this story. Amanda Leigh Cobb and Kevin Kemp perfected the narration and kept me hooked even as I ugly cried!! I loved this one and was definitely suffering a book hangover by the end!!<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: Mayluna</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Kelley McNeil</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: February 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;">A legendary band, an iconic lead singer, and their mysterious connection to a woman whose love helped create the music of a generation. Timing is everything in a powerful novel about fate, regret, and moving on by the author of A Day Like This.
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In the 1990s, Carter Wills was the lead singer of the English alt-rock band Mayluna, securing his place among music legends. His tortured-heart lyrics struck a chord. And so did his secret connection to a woman whose love changed all their lives. Who was she?
<br /><br />
Evie Waters’s two grown children discover an iconic photo in an old magazine of a “mystery girl” with their mother. It all started in a wistful time and place for Evie, her twenty-fifth summer. A young columnist forging her career. Backstage euphoria. A long-shot interview. And an almost cosmic connection with an enigmatic musician on the rise.
<br /><br />
What happened between them is a hidden story no one, not even Evie’s family, knows. Until now. Worlds apart, Carter and Evie finally reveal the story—joyful, regretful, and unforgettable. It was a time when the stars aligned for a love so profound the whole world felt it. It was as if it would last forever.</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/8232568577">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I came across Where the Forest Meets the Stars while browsing for my next audible read. I haven’t heard about the author or the book prior, and I was intrigued as it had so many reviews, so I knew I needed to pick it up. I was pleasantly surprised by the suspense and the slight sci-fi element that was woven in the read, and I was glued to this story.<br /><br />Jo was doing studies on birds in a remote cabin when a small girl named Ursa turned up on her doorstep. It was soon apparent that the girl wouldn’t leave, even when Jo tried to do the right thing. Even the neighbour Gabriel tried to convince Ursa to open up so they could return her to her home, but the girl was determined to stay. As the story unfolded, we got to delved deeper into all the characters – Jo and Gabriel’s pasts and secrets and the truth around Ursa and where she was from.<br /><br />The narration by Lauren Ezzo was amazing and I enjoyed how she brought Glendy Vanderah’s story to life. I liked how she told the story and how the emotion and suspense bled through the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the ride I was taken on and look forward to more stories in the future.<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: Where the Forest Meets the Stars</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Glendy Vanderah</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Contemporary Romance / Fantasy</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, 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>In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.
</b><br /><br />
After the loss of her mother and her own battle with breast cancer, Joanna Teale returns to her graduate research on nesting birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove that her recent hardships have not broken her. She throws herself into her work from dusk to dawn, until her solitary routine is disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious child who shows up at her cabin barefoot and covered in bruises.
<br /><br />
The girl calls herself Ursa, and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles. With concerns about the child’s home situation, Jo reluctantly agrees to let her stay―just until she learns more about Ursa’s past.
<br /><br />
Jo enlists the help of her reclusive neighbor, Gabriel Nash, to solve the mystery of the charming child. But the more time they spend together, the more questions they have. How does a young girl not only read but understand Shakespeare? Why do good things keep happening in her presence? And why aren’t Jo and Gabe checking the missing children’s website anymore?
<br /><br />
Though the three have formed an incredible bond, they know difficult choices must be made. As the summer nears an end and Ursa gets closer to her fifth miracle, her dangerous past closes in. When it finally catches up to them, all of their painful secrets will be forced into the open, and their fates will be left to the stars.</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/7674502849">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Oh, my heart! This book has all the angsty feels that I love and is a little forbidden with the age gap between the characters. However, Eve and Kyle were the perfect pair and I could not get enough of this read. I was intrigued from the start and became invested in their world.<br /><br />Eve was the kind of preachers’ daughter that liked to break the rules, and babysitting for the cute new high school football coach was just what she needed. She made her feelings known early on and I could see the sparks igniting between them, even though they both knew it was forbidden. Eve built a strong friendship with Josh over the apple sauce that she made for him. <br /><br />I liked the way their relationship grew and how Kyle saw deeper into Eve than she even realised. He slowly opened up to Eve and expressed his feelings to her in kind gestures. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, and when it broke my heart did too.<br /><br />This book had it all; good banter, angsty moments, heartbreak, forgiveness and passion. The end of the book broke my heart, but I loved how it all came together. I need to read more of this series as I just love what this author can deliver!<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: The Apple Tree</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: Sunday Morning #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 23, 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 single dad starting over in a new town. She’s a relentless flirt with a penchant for trouble, ten years younger than him, and the babysitter. What could go wrong?
</b><br /><br />
Eve has just graduated from high school, but she doesn’t know what’s next aside from working at the local motel, spying on Kyle, her neighbor, and stealing apples from his orchard. If she doesn’t figure things out soon, she’ll be stuck at home and treated like a child forever.
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Kyle is a single dad and the new football coach who needs a babysitter for his adorable son. When he meets Eve, there’s an instant connection because she reminds him of someone—himself. But Eve is the preacher’s daughter, off-limits, and Kyle has already had his heart trampled by his ex.
<br /><br />
After earning his son’s affection with her homemade apple sauce and youthful spirit, Eve asks Kyle to teach her things like driving his fishing boat and shooting his hunting bow. Despite his better judgment, he agrees, but swears Eve to secrecy so no one gets the wrong idea about them.
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Their playful banter and innocent flirting crosses a line, and Kyle misses the heartbreaking secret Eve’s hidden in plain sight.
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When tragedy strikes, can they find their way back to each other?</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/8232533511">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
The Spark was actually a fun read and right from the bag swap incident I knew I would be hooked. I was hoping to see more of that incident, but no… we jump into the future where Autumn and Donovan meet again by chance. <br /><br />I liked getting to see deeper into these characters. They were both similar really, where neither wanted to be in a relationship as they had trust issues and were burnt in the past. There was definitely chemistry between them and the longer they spent together the stronger it became. I liked seeing further into their pasts and the reasons why they were so closed off. I liked how much Donovan had changed and grew over time and how he was pushing Autumn to see the possibilities. Autumn slowly began to trust Donovan and opened up about the reasons she was holding back.<br /><br />Although this was quite the light heated read, it touched on some sensitive matter for the characters, and I wasn’t sure how they would get through. I had hope that their connection and the passion that they shared would be enough. I felt that Vi Keeland pieced this story together perfectly and I was invested right to the end.<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: The Spark</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Vi Keeland</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 10, 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>A sexy new stand-alone from number one New York Times best seller Vi Keeland.
</b><br /><br />
Before I even met Donovan Decker, I knew his shoe size. You see, I’d gone away for a few days, and in my haste to get out of the airport, I’d grabbed the wrong suitcase.
<br /><br />
After checking out the expensive footwear and tailored clothes, I dialed the number on the luggage tag hoping maybe Mister Big Spender might have my bag. A deep, velvety voice answered, and as luck would have it, he had my suitcase, too.
<br /><br />
Donovan and I met at a coffee shop to do the exchange. Turned out, it wasn’t just his voice that was sexy. The man holding my luggage was absolutely gorgeous, and we had an immediate spark. He got me to admit that I’d snooped in his bag and then convinced me to make it up to him by letting him buy me coffee. Coffee led to dinner, dinner led to dessert, and dessert led to spending an entire weekend together. Donovan wasn’t just handsome with a panty-dropping voice. He was also funny, smart, and surprisingly down-to-earth for a man who wore $700 shoes. Did I mention he also did my laundry while I slept? Definitely too good to be true. So what did I do to repay him for his kindness? I waited until he was in the shower, then ghosted him. My life was too complicated for such a great guy.
<br /><br />
In the months that passed, I thought about Donovan often. But New York City had eight million people, so what were the chances I’d run into him? Then again, what were the chances I’d run into him a year later...when I’d just started dating his boss?</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/7522406691">4.5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />The Surrogate was such a great read that warmed my heart. After Sig had lost his wife, he had thrown himself into his work. When his in-laws came to visit, all the emotions that he had buried resurfaced, and he was left with the dilemma of fathering a child for them to raise. Who would’ve thought that the surrogate would turn his world upside down, drawing out long lost feelings and leaving him craving to live and have Abby in his life.<br /><br />Abby was the perfect surrogate for Sig and I loved how honest and sweet she was. She managed to get past his brooding persona and found the caring man beneath. She had lost someone close to her so was determined to bring this dream to life. There were a few hurdles thrown in to put distance between them, but I could see their bond getting stronger.<br /><br />This was one of those reads that sat with me for a long time after I was finished. Both Abby and Sig deserved to find the right kind of happiness, and under different circumstances, they may have never met. This was a beautiful read that I was sad to see the end of!<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 Surrogate</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: February 26, 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 New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE novel…
</b><br /><br />
ABBY<br />
I’m falling for the father of the baby I’m carrying. The problem it’s not my baby. And the broody widower is not looking for a long-term partner. As a surrogate, the deal was that I’d only be in England long enough to give birth. At first, the man seemed as pretentious as his name: Sigmund Benedictus. He and I butted heads. Sig challenged my intentions, accused me of just wanting to do this for the money. Gradually, he learned to trust me. He even became protective. Over time, our heated animosity turned into fiery chemistry. I was falling in love with him. But my time here had a limit. I needed to protect my heart from the devastatingly gorgeous older man who’d end up breaking it
<br /><br />
SIG<br />
When my in-laws told me they wanted to use my dead wife’s eggs to conceive a grandchild, I wasn’t immediately on board. They swore that on her deathbed Britney told them it was what she wanted—but only if I fathered the baby. Her parents insisted they would be the ones to raise it. Against my better judgment, I agreed. I vowed to keep my heart out of it, though. I’d continue to pretend it wasn’t happening and live the empty, single life I’d become accustomed to the past five years since Britney died. And despite the fact that a certain younger American named Abby Knickerbocker had awakened things inside me that I thought were long dead… I most certainly wouldn’t fall in love with the surrogate.</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/7626204719">3.5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />Considering how many books that Lilian Monroe has written, I am surprised that this is the first one that I have managed to devour. Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date was quite the enjoyable read, and I was swept away into the world that Monroe created. Daphne was amusing from the start, at her lowest and eating ice cream in the car while escaping her parents’ house. Crossing paths with Calvin and seeing the banter between them was amusing. They didn’t really like each other, but they soon had to work together and after a while they began to get long and their connection became stronger.<br /><br />I enjoyed how the storyline unfolded, through the amusing moments there was a serious storyline that Daphne and Calvin were working on together. I liked how close they became, and how sweet Calvin was, winning Daphne over with small gestures. I liked the way that Bryant Walker and Leanne Woodward told their story and kept me engaged throughout the story. I don’t think this will be the last book by Lilian Monroe that I will read.<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/AVvXsEiKbrR2xqIL5DaSaf7sG7FaUvioRJu4mCrPMbvWm9vSYkhEHsByf0CEATYNHWSkzStvzVuTOi4ic2zaTluHZGcCwVh1ni_-6EljVqzwsjN_V-sshStCCexm9v_sooKTdQvNK5J71_kSEim7/s1600/3.5-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbrR2xqIL5DaSaf7sG7FaUvioRJu4mCrPMbvWm9vSYkhEHsByf0CEATYNHWSkzStvzVuTOi4ic2zaTluHZGcCwVh1ni_-6EljVqzwsjN_V-sshStCCexm9v_sooKTdQvNK5J71_kSEim7/s1600/3.5-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: Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Lilian Monroe</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: March 11, 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 author of Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge comes a deliciously witty and lighthearted romance brimming with misadventures, misdeeds, misunderstandings…and one perfectly mismatched couple.
</b><br /><br />
A notorious rule follower, the old Daphne Davis could do no wrong. But lately she can’t get anything right.
<br /><br />
Jilted by her ex, ousted from her home, and laid off from her job, Daphne retreats to her little hometown, Fernley Island. But even there, she feels out of sync. So, bailing on her own sister’s engagement party, she suddenly embraces a brand-new no more goody-two-shoes.
<br /><br />
Unfortunately, Daphne’s new mantra lands her squarely in the headlights—literally—of her high school nemesis, Calvin Flint. No longer a scrawny jerk, he’s Fernley’s acting sheriff, filling out his uniform waaay better than he ought to.
<br /><br />
He’s also Daphne’s new boss.
<br /><br />
As Daphne balances the books after a department scandal, a series of mishaps throws her and Calvin together. The sparks that fly take them both by surprise. But will a fake dating scheme and quest for a stolen heirloom ruin their chance at something real?</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/8232419515">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I first met Maren in the first book of the Wildfire series, From Air, and I was excited to see who would capture her heart. She was a bit of a spitfire and despite having lost someone close to her, it really didn’t dampen her spirit. Maren and Ozzy’s first encounter was quite amusing, and the sparks continued to grow each time they interacted. Ozzy was such a sweet guy, and he too lost someone close to him, but I could see the growth in him over time. He harboured a lot of guilt and allowed his mother-in-law to treat him poorly. I was glad that he grew into the strong man he could be throughout the read. I loved how Lola was able to bring them both together and how Maren and Ozzy would do anything for her. At one time, my heart did break for Maren as she went through a tough time and wasn’t able to get the full support she needed.<br /><br />From Nowhere was a nice book to listen to. I really enjoyed how Benjamin Sands and Amy McFadden narrated the story. They were easy to listen to and told Jewel E. Ann’s story perfectly. I enjoyed how the storyline continued to touch on other characters that I have met previously and look forward to the next book in the series.
<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: From Nowhere</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: Wildfire #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: March 4, 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 Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Jewel E. Ann comes the exciting second novel in the Wildfire series, an emotional romance that burns up the page as it tugs at the heart.
</b><br /><br />
When Maren Bernabe stops by the office to update some paperwork, she’s not looking for love. Then sparks fly during an awkward meet-cute with a stranger in the bathroom, and suddenly anything seems possible.
<br /><br />
A seasoned air tanker pilot, Maren battles fires across the rugged Montana wilderness. With firefighters for roommates, she’s no stranger to tough guys—or tough situations. Ozzy Laster is the helpful stranger she meets, one of Cielo Aviation’s newest aircraft mechanics who’s faced his fair share of hardship too. Two years ago, his wife and father died in a car crash. Now Ozzy and daughter Lola shun cars in favor of bikes.
<br /><br />
Maren and Ozzy fall hard, but guilt forces them to hide their relationship from Ozzy’s disapproving in-laws. And Lola. They all want to protect her from more heartbreak. But when tragedy strikes again, Lola’s reaction will surprise them all. And Ozzy could get a second chance at love after all…</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/8349771749">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I enjoy books that stir powerful emotions, and this one was truly outstanding! As Camyrn’s past was gradually revealed throughout the story, each new detail broke my heart a little more. She had suffered so much already, yet continued to visit her mother, whose health had deteriorated to the point that she no longer retained memories of her Camryn. However, the chance meeting of a handsome stranger in the bar soon shifted a piece in Camryn’s heart, and we could see a spark igniting once more.<br /><br />I loved how this story played out and each chapter was a day of the month of December. I was able to see Camryn grow and feel each emotion she had to face. It wasn’t an easy story and there were numerous times that I shed tears as Camryn would reveal her darkest secrets and there were silent lies that Dec was holding onto. There were a few other twists thrown in that would rattle Camryn, but I loved the way that Dec stood by Camryn and held her up when needed. By the time I finished this book, my heart had mended and I was so happy for the growth in Camryn and for what she now had. It was a powerful book that will stay with me for a long time to come!<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: Every Silent Lie</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;">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: November 6, 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;">In a world where love feels like a dangerous game, one woman must face her fears and a past that haunts her. Get ready to be swept away by a story of forgiveness, vulnerability, and the power of love in Every Silent Lie.
<br /><br />
Camryn Moore doesn’t do December. Not the parties. Not the memories. Not the pain. She buries herself in boardrooms by day and dirty martinis by night, trading connection for control. As a high-powered CFO, she’s unshakeable. Untouchable. But behind the sharp suits and sharper tongue is a woman slowly unravelling.
<br /><br />
Then she meets him. A stranger. A spark. A moment that should’ve meant nothing somehow changes everything.
<br /><br />
Dec is charming, handsome, reserved, and maddeningly perceptive. He seems to see every crack Camryn hides. But Dec isn’t just a man nursing his own ghosts. He’s hiding truths that could destroy whatever fragile trust is beginning to form between them.
<br /><br />
In a season she’s always hated, Camryn might have to face the past she’s buried, the love she thought she’d never have, and the man who might just ruin 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;"><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/7424000233">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Monica Murphy is an author that I pick up occasionally and I know she will deliver an entertaining read that I will devour. I jumped into End Game, and I was swept away immediately getting to know Everleigh and Nico. The first interaction between Everleigh and the boys was quite amusing, and I liked how she talked her way into getting a room with them. Nico was quite hesitant, but Everleigh was determined to get a room with the guys. As the story progressed, Everleigh built strong friendships with the boys, but it was clear that Everleigh and Nico had a connection that would be more. This was a feel-good read, with good banter, a slow building romance and an entertaining storyline that I was hooked to.<br /><br />I felt that the Narrators – Stephanie Rose and J.D. Harris – were instrumental on keeping me engaged with this read. They brought these characters to life and delivered Monica Murphy’s read with the perfect amount of passion and spice to keep the listener hooked.<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: End Game</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Monica Murphy</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Kings of Campus #1</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Sports 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 17, 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>In this fun, sexy college romance, a transfer student finds herself living in a house full of football players—and falling for the one she knows she shouldn’t want.
</b><br /><br /><i>
Everleigh
</i><br /><br />
Transferring to UC Santa Mira is supposed to be my ultimate college experience—until housing falls through at the last minute. So when I overhear a group of guys complaining they need another roommate, I jump at the opportunity.
<br /><br />
They’re just football players. Even if one of them makes me weak in the knees, it doesn’t mean anything unless I let it. And I won’t.
<br /><br />
We want different things. Wanting each other doesn’t change that.
<br /><br /><i>
Nico
</i><br /><br />
It’s my senior year and final season with the Santa Mira Dolphins. The last thing I need is a distraction, but that’s exactly what this girl is. Ever is too leggy, too gorgeous, too thoughtful—and a whole lot of too much that gets under my skin.
<br /><br />
I guess I get under hers too. I can’t help myself.
<br /><br />
We live together. That alone makes it a bad idea…but I never could resist a little trouble.</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/7626071657">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
When a nerd meets a football player, you know I am intrigued, and I snapped this read up immediately after reading the blurb. During Bella and Christian’s first amusing interaction, I knew I was going to enjoy getting to know both these characters. Bella was definitely out of her comfort zone but was determined to do the right thing in her new role. I loved how she ran things and allowed others to make the decisions without her micromanaging things. Christian was building his strength back up to get back on the field, but he had his sights set on the new CEO. He wanted to prove that he was good enough for her, not relying on facts she put into a formula.<br /><br />This was mostly a fun read with a few serious elements entwined throughout. Bella was chasing answers about her mother and that lead to Christian asking questions of his own. I liked how he was doing all he could to help Bella and to continue to win her over in the process. They had a beautiful connection, and I wanted them to find the happiness they deserved.<br /><br />To be honest, this was a good read but didn’t totally blow me away. One of the main story threads had me scratching my head at times. Other than that, I liked the characters and how much I enjoyed being in this world.<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: The Game</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Vi Keeland</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Genre: Sports 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 16, 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 started out like any other Tuesday.
<br /><br />
I spent twelve hours writing algorithms for one of the largest companies in the world and then came home to work on a pet project of mine—feeding facts about the men I knew into a formula to find my perfect match before my twenties came barreling to a close.
<br /><br />
But then a man knocked on my door and handed me some papers that turned my life upside down.
<br /><br />
Apparently, a father I never knew existed had left me something in his will. That something turned out to be part ownership in a professional football team.
<br /><br />
Next thing I knew, I was learning a sport I knew nothing about by spending time with the team’s quarterback who was out with an injury, a man who my formula would definitely determine was all wrong for me.
<br /><br />
Christian Knox was too handsome and confident for his own good and could have any woman he wanted. Only lately the only woman he seemed to want was me.
<br /><br />
But there was no way I was getting involved when I was now his boss, even if he was insanely gorgeous and had the dirtiest mouth I’d ever come across.
<br /><br />
It would be wrong, wouldn’t it?
<br /><br />
Probably. But you know what they say about things that are wrong...sometimes they feel so right.</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/8232322646">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
When the Rain Ends was quite the moving read to listen to. I enjoyed getting to know Dani, and her daughter Bella as they navigated their new lives on an old farm. They had both lost so much in their lives and Dani thought the change would be good for them. Bella was quite hesitant at first, but after some time, and a few situations, she soon realised it wasn’t all bad. Dani had to face some challenges of her own and soon came to realise that she needed to drop some of her walls to grow herself.<br /><br />I enjoyed getting to know both Dani and Bella and seeing the growth in them both. Jackson coming into their lives was nice and seeing him slowly lay out his feelings was sweet. I enjoyed the way that Megan Tusing narrated this story and I was emotionally hooked until the end. <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: When the Rain Ends</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Mary Ellen Taylor</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: May 1, 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;"><b>From The Brighter the Light author Mary Ellen Taylor comes the emotional story of a mother and daughter learning to endure life’s twists and turns as they grieve a loss and face an uncertain future.
<br /></b><br />
When artist Dani Peterson learns she’s slowly losing her vision, she becomes unmoored. Her ex-husband died only months before, leaving Dani and her preteen daughter grief stricken. Suddenly, the life Dani built for her family on the Outer Banks feels like a painful reminder of all they’ve lost.
<br /><br />
On a whim, Dani sells her waterfront home and buys an old farm inland near the Virginia state line. But Dani’s daughter recoils at the sudden, drastic change. The Outer Banks’ sun-swept beaches, pink dawns, and savage storms are all she’s ever known.
<br /><br />
But Dani is resolute, and the pair move to Virginia to embark on a challenging renovation. That summer, their efforts to turn a run-down silo into an art studio bring forth new friends, new loves, and new challenges.
<br /><br />
As mother and daughter navigate the fiercest storm of their lives, they learn that instead of waiting for the skies to clear, they can withstand the wind and rain, so long as they do it 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>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7435493453">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This was such an entertaining read, and I had so much fun getting to know Nora, Beck and his Gram, Louise. There were so many situations that Nora and Louise got themselves into and I laughed hard at some things that they did. I did like seeing the chemistry between Nora and Back grow and the small changes in Beck as he began to understand why Louise was on this trip. <br /><br />Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the emotional rollercoaster that this read took me on… there was something unexpected that came up and my heart literally broke as I watched it all unfold. I tip my hat to you Vi Keeland, this was quite the brilliant read, and I couldn’t put it down.
<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: Something Unexpected</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Vi Keeland</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 1, 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;"><b>A new, sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller, Vi Keeland. When my grandmother found out she didn’t have long to live, she embarked on a crazy trip—jumping out of airplanes and scuba diving with sharks.
</b><br /><br />
After I repeatedly voiced my concern, Gram blocked me— her own grandson —on text and social media, leaving me only her travel companion Eleanor’s number.
<br /><br />
Eleanor started sending me pictures of Gram’s adventures. At first she seemed nice, but when I attempted to persuade her to talk some sense into her friend, she told me where I could stick my advice. After that, photos arrived with snarky comments, and Eleanor and I got into it on more than one occasion.
<br /><br />
When I heard Gram’s upcoming plans were more dangerous than ever, I hopped on a plane.
<br /><br />
Since I arrived late, I headed to the bar for a drink, figuring I’d surprise her in the morning.
<br /><br />
To my delight, I met a gorgeous woman looking for a no-strings-attached night. Nora was just what I needed. She invited me back to her room, telling me to give her a ten-minute head start. But when I went to pay her bar tab, I realized how much she’d had to drink. As much as I wanted to ignore it, I couldn’t. So I stood Nora up.
<br /><br />
I knew she’d be pissed, but I also knew I’d never see her again.
<br /><br />
Except never came a little early. Namely, the next morning when I went to meet my grandmother and her evil-spinster friend. Because old Eleanor turned out to be young Nora from last night. And if I thought the woman disliked me before, that was nothing compared to how ticked-off she was now. Or how unhappy she was going to be that their party of two was about to become a party of three.</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/7611933465">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This book was amazing! I was hooked from the very first moment I opened the book until that final page! I loved everything about it, the characters the world and the situations that the characters found themselves in. Henna + Bodhi were both beautiful characters – Henna was such a free-spirited young lady and Bodhi had demons from his past that held him back.<br /><br />Each hurdle and interaction between Henna + Bodhi brought them closer together. Things weren’t smooth sailing for them, but there was no denying that these two were destined to be together. Their worlds were more entwined than they realised, and they needed to find a way to co-exist without crossing lines. It wasn’t easy but they were determined.<br /><br />I really can’t express the love I have for this read. I have read a few Jewel E Ann reads now, but this is definitely my favourite. My heart broke at times, but other times I could just feel the love bleeding through the pages. It was a beautiful read that I thought about well after the final page.<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;"><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: A Place Without You</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;">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: December 31, 2018</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;">The Law of Henna and Bodhi:<br />
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
<br /><br />
Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.
<br /><br />
Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.
<br /><br />
When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.
<br /><br />
They are reckless.br />
They are forbidden.
<br /><br />
When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.
<br /><br />
Henna chooses her dreams.
<br /><br />
Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?
<br /><br /><b>
A Place Without You is an emotional story of young love, shattered dreams, and impossible decisions.</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/7407382737">3.5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />I have read several books that Penelope Ward has released, and this is the first one in the Delirious Jones series that I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked how the broody drummer was hung up on a girl from his past and they were soon drawn back together due to Nicole’s grandmother being ill and Nicole not wanting to break her grandmother’s heart by telling her that she had split from Atticus. <br /><br />I enjoyed how we were able to get glimpses of Nicole and Atticus in the past and how they got along now. I know there was deep feelings between them, and it was a shame they couldn’t find common ground. I did find some decisions by Nicole were a bit far-fetched, especially a person she turned to and the secrecy. Also, three years was a long time, and I would’ve hoped Atticus found some normalcy. But there was no denying that these two were soul mates. Honestly, it was a good read, and I would read more about this rock group in the future.</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/AVvXsEiKbrR2xqIL5DaSaf7sG7FaUvioRJu4mCrPMbvWm9vSYkhEHsByf0CEATYNHWSkzStvzVuTOi4ic2zaTluHZGcCwVh1ni_-6EljVqzwsjN_V-sshStCCexm9v_sooKTdQvNK5J71_kSEim7/s1600/3.5-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbrR2xqIL5DaSaf7sG7FaUvioRJu4mCrPMbvWm9vSYkhEHsByf0CEATYNHWSkzStvzVuTOi4ic2zaTluHZGcCwVh1ni_-6EljVqzwsjN_V-sshStCCexm9v_sooKTdQvNK5J71_kSEim7/s1600/3.5-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 Drummer's Heart</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: February 23, 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;">Don’t say her name.<br />
That was the one rule my bandmates followed, because they knew how much it messed me up to think about her, especially on tour.<br />
My ex, Nicole.<br />
The one who got away and the woman who still owned every piece of my heart.<br />
After our divorce, I threw myself into the rock scene, trying to forget my heartbreak.<br />
Three years after we split, a phone call from Nicole changed everything.<br />
She told me her grandmother wasn’t doing well.<br />
Mimi was still family to me, and she apparently had one wish before dying: to spend time with us—Nicole and me.<br />
With Mimi’s caretaker away on vacation, it would be the ideal time for us to move in with her for a couple of weeks.<br />
Of course, I couldn’t refuse.<br />
But there was a catch.<br />
Nicole apparently never told her that we’d gotten a divorce.<br />
She hadn’t believed Mimi could handle it, because her grandmother loved me so much.<br />
So, not only would I have to see Nicole again, but I’d be pretending to still be her husband.<br />
Two weeks in a tiny house in a small town with the woman who broke my heart. Or was it me who broke hers?<br />
It was complicated.<br />
And it was about to be a heck of a lot more complicated sharing one bed in the guest room with a woman who wasn’t mine anymore.</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/8232238599">3.5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />It’s been a while since I read a book by Rachel Van Dyken, so I decided to listen to Dirty Exes. The premise made it sound like one hell of a rollercoaster ride, and it certainly was! I laughed a lot through this one as Blaire managed to get herself into amusing situations and constantly needed help getting out of. I liked both Jessie and Colin and had no idea how this one was going to turn out, but I was happy at the end of the read. <br /><br />The narration was done by Kristin Watson Heintz, Joe Arden and Teddy Hamilton, portraying all three characters and I believe they brought the right amount of fun and entertainment to the amusing characters that Rachel Van Dyken created.<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/AVvXsEiKbrR2xqIL5DaSaf7sG7FaUvioRJu4mCrPMbvWm9vSYkhEHsByf0CEATYNHWSkzStvzVuTOi4ic2zaTluHZGcCwVh1ni_-6EljVqzwsjN_V-sshStCCexm9v_sooKTdQvNK5J71_kSEim7/s1600/3.5-Review-Stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbrR2xqIL5DaSaf7sG7FaUvioRJu4mCrPMbvWm9vSYkhEHsByf0CEATYNHWSkzStvzVuTOi4ic2zaTluHZGcCwVh1ni_-6EljVqzwsjN_V-sshStCCexm9v_sooKTdQvNK5J71_kSEim7/s1600/3.5-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: Dirty Exes</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Author: Rachel Van Dyken</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13pt;">Series: Liars, Inc. #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: June 5, 2018</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>They’re serving up some red-hot revenge. A sizzling series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel van Dyken.
</b><br /><br />
Blaire has never quite gotten over Jessie Beckett, the ex–NFL star whose kisses were hot enough to ignite the entire Eastern Seaboard. When he chose work over her, Blaire was left brokenhearted. Why else would she have married a skeezy two-timer, just to divorce him less than a year later?
<br /><br />
Now Blaire is getting even by becoming one half of Dirty Exes, a PI firm fully committed to humiliating cheating jerks. If only the new jerk she’s been hired to uncover wasn’t Jessie Beckett himself.
<br /><br />
Exposing Jessie isn’t going to be easy, especially when she still daydreams about his sexy smile. Further complicating matters is Colin, Jessie’s best friend. He’s gorgeous, a little bit cunning, and willing to help Blaire get the inside scoop on Jessie—for a price.
<br /><br />
Now caught between two men—one totally right and the other totally wrong—Blaire will need to decide just how much she’s willing to risk…and whom she’s willing to risk it for.</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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