Synopsis:

Jenna Greene just ended things with her boyfriend . . . which also ended her career. (That's the risk a girl takes when her boyfriend doubles as her boss.) With no income and no job prospects in sight, Jenna is forced to return to her mother's house on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to figure out what's next. And the timing couldn't be more perfect. Jenna's widowed mother has just returned from a cruise--with a brand-new boyfriend in tow. But there's something off about the guy. His story doesn't quite add up, and he keeps sneaking off to make suspicious phone calls and borrowing money from her too-trusting mother.

In search of some investigative help, Jenna turns to her childhood BFF, Tyson Parker, who lives and works in town. Still reeling from his wife's infidelity, Tyson is doing his best to heal from the pain of divorce. He's made a name for himself on the island as a volunteer firefighter and one of the much-admired saltwater cowboys who looks after Chincoteague's wild ponies. Oh, and he turned out to be more than a tiny bit attractive--besides being almost-too-good-to-be-true sweet and caring.

Growing up, the uber-competitive Jenna was always accepted as one of the guys. But things have changed between her and Tyson, and he's now looking at her through new eyes. Jenna suddenly feels like a leading lady on a movie set--only with way less composure.

But Jenna also has old wounds that make these new feelings seem fraught with peril. Is she willing to open her heart and see where love might lead? Or will she let her hesitant heart hold her back?

More Than Friends is a charming, can't-put-it-down romance, full of laugh-out-loud moments, tender emotion, and the kind of small-town warmth Denise Hunter does best. With its beloved friends-to-more arc, swoony yet grounded hero, and gentle thread of healing and hope, this story will have readers rooting for love on every page. If you're longing for a feel-good romance that blends heart, humor, and just enough mystery to keep you reading past your bedtime, More Than Friends is the perfect escape to Chincoteague Island.

Review:

More than Friends was a friends to lovers romance that will tug at your heart.  With wild ponies, a coastal breeze, and stores I’d love to visit, I adored the small town this story took place in.  The characters popped from the pages, and the audiobook was so effortless to listen to!  This uplifting story was exactly what I needed in my life!

Jenna and Ty grew up across the street from each other, and I loved their friendship.  They cared deeply for one another, but now tension and longing seemed to simmer between them.  Along with the nervousness of ruining a great friendship.  But they both had their own personal struggles too.  Jenna had a lot of soul searching to do.  To figure out where she belonged, and what career would bring her joy.  And Ty was dealing with some heavy stuff that was haunting him from one of his calls as a firefighter and first responder.  Their journey wasn’t always easy, but I was all for it!

This is my second book by Hunter and I am hooked!  The characters she creates are easy to connect with, I love the setting, and each story is fun to listen to.  I can’t wait to go binge all her other books!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Synopsis:

My new neighbor is a firefighter--and a scorching hot single dad--but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.

(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)

Nothing happened, of course--because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.

Even protective men with chiseled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don’t believe in love.

Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses.

(Also my underwear.)

He says he’s not gentle, and he’s right. He says I should take the dream job I’m offered in another state, and he’s right. He says he’s too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.

He’s wrong.

Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out.

How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?

Review:

Ignite was a single dad, grumpy sunshine romance that was heartwarming, hilarious, and so easy to love!  With characters that felt real, and a story-line that played out like a movie in your head, this book easily sailed onto my favorites list!  So many scenes will forever live rent free in my head!  I listened to the audiobook, and the duet narration had me obsessed!  I laughed, cried, and fell head over heels in love with Dex and Winnie.  Plus the girls, Luna and Hallie, were my favorites!  And that epilogue was beautiful, and will leave readers so happy.  I can’t wait to binge the rest of the series!  If you’re looking for a steamy romance with a firefighter single dad, children that will have you laughing and crying – the Ogre and Princess awww, and a Frosty obsessed woman who has the biggest heart ever, then this is your book!

PS I’m still laughing hysterically over that smoke alarm scene!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Synopsis:

In this dark and sultry romantasy a mermaid battles hatred—and lust—for the wretched warlock who saved her life.

Mermaid Zephyra of the Syl dreams of freedom. On the run from a dangerous captor and years of abuse, she’s shed her tail, grown legs, and hidden herself on land in the merrow-loathing kingdom of Mortia, left to steal and barter on the dirty streets. But her freedom is short-lived when she’s caught and sentenced to death by the brutal warlock, Arion Stone.

Arion is as beautiful as he is cold and deadly, only interested in punishing the merrow he views as evil. He has grown as strong as any warlock might, but at great personal cost ... which can only be remedied by the heart of the God of Death, lost to a fabled kingdom beneath the ocean’s treacherous depths.

So Arion offers Zephyra a deal she can’t refuse; help him find the mystical heart, and he’ll spare her life. With no other options, Zephyra agrees, entangling their souls and forbidden desires in a magical bargain until death do they part. But Zephyra's past is catching up to her, and the enemy she fled seeks vengeance. If Zephyra and Arion can't learn to fight together—and trust each other—there are worse things awaiting them than just death. Of course, in the wicked sea, everyone has secrets, and no one should be trusted.

Review:

“I’m no longer certain if I’m the hero or the villain.”

The Wicked Sea was a mermaid and warlock, enemies to lovers romantasy that was filled with all the action!  This story was set in a brutal world that swirled with betrayal, deals, and death.  If you’re looking for an underwater and on land adventure that will keep you guessing, definitely give this one a try!

We are the depths of the sea and the salt of tears. We are the violence of the riptide and the snarl of waves.
We are vengeance.

Learning about their world and the powers that belonged to the warlocks and mermaids was fascinating!  Zephyra, a mermaid, was kickass and had no problems playing dirty.  She had been on the run when she was caught by Arion, a warlock.  His kind slaughtered hers.  And his powers seemed to trump hers too.  Even if they were killing him.  But as a common goal laid out in front of them, they found themselves working together with tension simmering, viciously hating the other, and so much unknown in front of them.

I can’t shake this skittering feeling across my skin, and every instinct in my body is screaming to flee.

With impossible situations and being forced to work together, the push and pull in this story was a lot of fun!  Zephyra and Arion became unlikely allies, and I loved watching that very tentative friendship form.  Especially since they could be so steamy too!  But as others joined in their journey, I was left on unsure footing.  Especially with that climatic ending that left us on a cliffhanger!  The Wicked Sea was a fun journey and I’m excited to see what happens next!

The woman who has always run. The woman who tried to drown me. The woman who ordered me to explode an entire isle to save our asses. She hesitates.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Synopsis:

We were almost forever…

Gretchen

It’s been three years since the kiss. The one I can’t seem to forget.
Judging by the girl on his arm, Connor Vining has no such problem.

I guess I misunderstood the look in his eyes that night.
I guess his best friend’s kid sister was never really in the running for Love of His Life.

But I’m not a kid anymore. I’ve graduated college and I’m about to fly interstate, in hopes of meeting my birth mother.

I was never going to face her alone, but when a twist of fate puts Connor by my side, I’m blindsided. And our tangled past is threatening to come undone...

Connor

I’m not sure whose heart is more broken: Gretchen’s or mine. All I know is it took everything in me to walk away from that kiss. I kept a promise, and I lost a friend.

And I think I made a mistake.

The problem is, now is not the right time to break down the walls Gretchen built to keep me out.

But now is the only time we’ve got.

Forever Then is a childhood friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, second chance adult romance.

Review:

Forever Then was an emotional powerhouse that took my breath away.  It quickly pulled me in and held me in the palm of its hand.  I loved the characters and the journey they took us on.  It wasn’t always easy, but watching the growth and the struggles they went through hit me so hard.  If you’re looking for an older brother’s best friend, second chance, forced proximity romance, then definitely add this one to your tbr!

He looks exactly the same as the day he left me alone on that balcony. It’s infuriating. Devastating.

Right from the beginning I adored Gretchen and her family.  Her parents, brother, and sister-in-law were a breath of fresh air with the love they felt for each other.  Gretchen had just graduated college, was back home, and it put her in the crossfire of Connor.  Her older brother’s best friend.  Seeing him made my heart ache for her.  He was everything to her, until he had broken her heart.  With an out of state trip to hopefully meet her birth mom, and Connor now taking the place of her brother, emotions were about to get messy and twisted together in the most beautiful of ways.

“I know I didn’t ask to be here.” Her eyes lift to mine. “But of all the people who could be here with you, I’m glad it’s me.”

Gretchen was someone I clicked with right away.  I loved how her words and actions rang true.  And that she didn’t hold back.  Her nervousness, excitement, and heartbreak all bled from the pages.  It felt like I was going on this journey right along with her.  The adversity and struggles she faced, but also the joy too, felt consuming.  But one of my favorite things about Gretchen was her forgiving heart, it was awe inspiring.  

It’s not lost on me that the one person who probably shouldn’t trust me around his sister is the one who’s put all of his trust in me.

This story alternated with Connor’s POV, and I’m so thankful we got it.  He had a lot of growing up to do.  From how he was stringing along his girlfriend, to how he royally messed up with Gretchen years ago, I desperately needed him to make things right.  And for him to learn from his mistakes.  Personally, and this may sound bad haha, but I wanted to stay mad at Connor.  For his past and current choices.  But as the story unfolded, he wiggled his way into my heart.  We got to understand why he did the things he did, and I fell in love with him right along with Gretchen.

He runs his gaze over every inch of my face like he’s committing me to memory— or getting lost in a memory— and I don’t miss when he pauses on my lips for a moment too long. “I missed you.”

So much of Connor and Gretchen’s story was from before, so I loved how we got to witness moments from their past.  Forever Then wove the past and the present together so seamlessly.  From their first meeting 13 years ago, to watching their friendship form throughout the years.  It was heartwarming and so sweet.  Especially with the book!  But in the present, the tension was simmering between them.  Along with little moments here and there that had me cracking up with laughter.  I loved how even though there was so much going on, they were able to talk things out.  It may take a while, but that was definitely one of my favorite things about this book!

He’s always had me.

Forever Then was filled with redemption, loyalty, struggles with family, and all the heart.  This story made me cry multiple times from joy and sadness.  And it had the most beautiful epilogue, and I cried during that too.  This steamy, only one bed romance was incredible.  And I love how things like a special book, Diet Coke, and peanut butter M&Ms now make me think of this story!  I definitely recommend and can’t wait to read whatever Rachae Stevens writes next!

Synopsis:

From the author of The Five Year Lie comes a new twisty thriller that probes how well we actually know the men in our lives.

In this gripping psychological thriller, Rowan Gallagher is a devoted single mother and a talented architect with a high-profile commission restoring an historic mansion for the most powerful family in Maine. But inside, she’s a mess. She knows that stalking her ex’s avatar all over Portland on her phone isn't the healthiest way to heal from their breakup. But she’s out of ice cream and she's sick of romcoms.

Watching his every move is both fascinating and infuriating. He's dining out while she's wallowing on the couch. The last straw comes when he parks in their favorite spot on the waterfront. In a weak moment, she leashes the dog and sets off to see who else is in his car.

Instead of catching her ex in a kiss, Rowan becomes the first witness to his murder―and the primary suspect.

But in a deadly twist of secrets and lies, Rowan discovers the dead man was stalking her too, gathering intimate details about her job and her past.

Wrongfully accused and struggling to clear her name, Rowan finds herself spiraling into the shadowy plot that killed him.

Will she be the next to die?

Review:

Dying to Meet You was a thrilling ride from start to finish!  This book kept me guessing, and I was absolutely terrified for Rowan as the story unfolded.  With secrets swirling, a murderer on the loose, and a historical mansion that had lots of secrets, this story kept me entertained and intrigued with what would happen next.  I loved how the romance was woven into the story, and the family aspects too!  It wrapped up with a climatic bang, and how that final chapter panned out for Rowan plus a peek into something else made me so happy.  The audiobook was fabulous, so if you’re looking for a fun thriller, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

Synopsis:

You really can't go home again.

Tait Logan is proud of the life she’s built for herself. Despite her world-shattering divorce, not having any genuine connections with other humans apart from her sister Ava, and the fact that the remainder of her family is estranged from her life, she’s happy…happy-adjacent, at least. She’s rebuilt herself through her photography; her dream career, the one thing she does still have. When that career contracts her to do an assignment on her estranged family's home, Logan Range—a now famous ranch functioning as the setting for a popular TV show—she’s left with no choice but to agree. It’s only a six-week assignment, after all. She has no plans to set down roots, or get to know the family that, seemingly, has had no interest in a relationship with her since her parents' divorce when she was seven.

Henry Marcum is a cowboy who has dedicated his life to the Logan family and to their ranch. He owes them for raising him, rescuing him, and giving him purpose… He also owes them for every hardship he’s inadvertently brought their way. So, when Tait Logan shows up after 20 years of near total silence, he takes it upon himself to protect the people he knows and loves.

It’s a rocky start when Tait and Henry first collide; he is naturally wary of her intentions, and she is more than perturbed by their literal collision - which results in her broken camera, during her first night on location, no less. But as the pair get to know each other better, they’re thrown off balance time and time again by their growing feelings, and by the story of the Logan family as it becomes increasingly less clear from their perspectives.

Set in the mountains and valleys of Idaho on a rustic ranch, Rootbound is a steamy romance with a warm country feel that touches upon family, heartbreak, and whether the potential for disaster is worth the risk that accompanies love.

Review:

Rootbound was a story that will crawl into your heart and leave a mark.  Tarah DeWitt just has a way of writing characters that stand out in your mind, and you can easily get lost in their journey.  I loved following along with Tait as she discovered herself and so much more.  While watching her slowly connect with family was beautiful, seeing a friendship form between her and Henry had me obsessed.  It was slow and gradual, both had their guard up, but it made me so happy to see how it all panned out.  It was impossible not to cry with that ending.  I loved the insight, and it left the hugest smile on my face.  If you’re looking for a standalone that is steamy and heartfelt, I can’t recommend Rootbound enough!