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Story Blurb The first rule of book club: You don't talk about book club. Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Welcome to the Bromance Book Club. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it'll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife. My Thoughts/Opinion I met the author of this awesome book at a recent writing conference. The concept for the series sounded intriguing and fun and I couldn't wait to dive in. I'm so glad I did! This book was so good. Not many romances are reconciliation stories and I loved how hard the hero and heroine worked for each other. And the Book Club group is awesome. Love them so much. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series! Favorite Quote: “Men are idiots. We complain that women are so mysterious and shit, and we never know what they want. We fuck up our relationships because we convince ourselves that it’s too hard to figure them out. But the real problem is with us. We think we’re not supposed to feel things and cry and express ourselves. We expect women to do all the emotional labor in a relationship and then act confused when they give up on us.”

Story Blurb A disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, has to find her way back home in this sparkling adult debut from national bestselling author Ashley Poston. Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead. When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won't give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father. For ten years, she's run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself to stay. Even with her father gone, it feels like nothing in this town has changed. And she hates it. Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is. Romance is most certainly dead . . . but so is her new editor, and his unfinished business will have her second-guessing everything she’s ever known about love stories. My Thoughts/Opinion I had a friend recently say that Ashley Poston was a master at making paranormal normal. And she wasn't wrong. I enjoyed so much about this book - the quirkiness of the heroine and her family, the remarkably fun and unique story line, the fantastic writing. I think most of all, I loved the growth of the hero and heroine as the story unfolded. Highly recommend! Favorite Quote: “There is no happy ending, there's just. . . happily living. As best you can.”

Story Blurb I wanted to lose myself in the small town of Pelion, Maine. To forget everything I had left behind. The sound of rain. The blood. The coldness of a gun against my skin. For six months, each breath has been a reminder that I survived--and my dad didn't. I'm almost safe again. But the moment I meet Archer Hale, my entire world tilts on its axis . . . and never rights itself again. Until I trespass into his strange, silent, and isolated world, Archer communicates with no one. Yet in his whiskey-colored eyes, something intangible happens between us. There's so much more to him than just his beauty, his presence, or the ways his hands communicate with me. On me. But this town is mired in secrets and betrayals, and Archer is the explosive center of it all. So much passion. And so much hurt. But it's only in Archer's silence that we might just find what we need to heal . . . and live. My Thoughts/Opinion I don't know what I expected from this NYT bestseller. Maybe I had gotten a little jaded, not having read anything in super recent history that I was in love with. In fact, I'd just DNF'd a book this week. This book, though, got me in all my feels. It was so different, so fresh, so raw and rich. I ached for these characters, not just to find their HEA, but more importantly to find themselves. I read the book in a day and wish it wasn't over. Favorite Quote: “I'm afraid to love you. I'm afraid that you'll leave and that I'll go back to being alone again. Only it will be a hundred times worse because I'll know what I'm missing. I can't…” He sucked in a shaky breath. “I want to be able to love you more than I fear losing you, and I don't know how. Teach me, Bree. Please teach me. Don't let me destroy this.”

Story Blurb What happens when a random hookup turns into the ultimate dilemma? Rashida Howard has never been a one-night-stand kind of woman, but she has good reason for making an exception with Elliott after meeting him in a bar. Cliché? Yes. Utterly amazing? Absolutely. Regrets? None. Elliott Quinn is a workaholic. The one night he decides to break his routine, he has an encounter with the woman of his dreams. But no matter how amazing they are together, work will always come first. Both of their lives get turned upside down when they find themselves on opposite sides of an ongoing fight between Elliott’s company and Rashida’s community. Though their chemistry is undeniable, neither of them will risk their integrity…or their heart. And just when they think they might have found a solution that benefits both sides, they uncover a secret that will change everything. My Thoughts/Opinion I thought the premise to this story was very cute. And I really wanted to like the characters, but Elliott was at times a total beta, and at other times, an over the top alpha. Just couldn't get a good read on him. I struggled to reconcile that their one time hookup could turn into insta-love on Elliott's part. I would have like to see Rashida work a little on her side for their HEA. If I was giving out stars, this would be a 2.5 - 3.

Story Blurb Hopeless romantic and lifestyle reporter Laura’s business trip to the Channel Islands isn’t off to a great start. After an embarrassing encounter with the most attractive man she’s ever seen in real life, she arrives at her hotel and realizes she’s grabbed the wrong suitcase from the airport. Her only consolation is its irresistible contents, each of which intrigues her more and more. The owner of this suitcase is clearly Laura’s dream man. Now, all she has to do is find him. Besides, what are the odds that she’d find The One on the same island where her parents first met and fell in love, especially as she sets out to write an article about their romance? Commissioning surly cab driver Ted to ferry her around seems like her best bet in both tracking down the mystery suitcase owner and retracing her parents’ footsteps. But as Laura’s mystery man proves difficult to find—and as she uncovers family secrets—she may have to reimagine the life, and love, she always thought she wanted. My Thoughts/Opinion I enjoyed this book a lot. The author creates such quirky and interesting characters, it's hard not to fall in love with them. Also, not being from the UK, I enjoyed the great world building and setting. I rooted hard for this couple's HEA, and was only slightly disappointed that it ended up being an happily-for-now. Otherwise, a full five stars from me! Favorite Quote/Scene: "Where do you think the love goes, when no one's left to tell the story?" Ted looks thoughtful for a moment, then he says, "Someone once told me that growing up feeling loved allows you to go on to love other people. Maybe love is simply a huge chain letter, passed down through the generations. The details of the stories begin not to matter."

Story Blurb This single mother will stop at nothing to keep her son safe… When Tori Radnor finally catches a break, she’s sure things are about to turn around. That is, if she can keep the attraction to her new partner under wraps. When the job brings threats to her doorstep, however, she needs his protection—far more than she needs to avoid him. When Aiden Miller discovers something dangerous in one of his stores, the police insist on his silence during the investigation. Now, he can’t keep his side of the bargain with the sexy social worker. Worse, he’s terrified he won’t be able to keep her—or her son—safe. The heat between Tori and Aiden can’t be denied. Inexplicably, their relationship only fans the flames of danger. Someone wants them apart. Someone wants them all dead. When a mother’s worst nightmare happens, Tori and Aiden must act fast before it all becomes unhinged. My Thoughts/Opinion This was a pretty tight romantic suspense. I thought the characters were all well motivated and the suspense elements were done well. There were a couple of times I had to suspend disbelief, but all in all, it was an enjoyable read with some good strong sexual tension throughout. Favorite Quote/Scene: For an in-charge kind of guy, she decided much later, her leg draped over his, his arm anchoring her to his side, he took orders well.

Story Blurb For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late. Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. My Thoughts/Opinion Had someone told me that one of my favorite reads of the year would include a POV from a giant pacific octopus, I would have probably laughed at them. But Marcellus was amazing, and the story-telling in this book was superb. The depth of each character and the way in which their storylines became interwoven...just wow. Thankful for this recommendation from my local indie bookstore, and now I pass it along to you. Favorite Quote/Scene: “Tova has always felt more than a bit of empathy for the sharks, with their never-ending laps around the tank. She understands what it means to never be able to stop moving, lest you find yourself unable to breathe.”

Story Blurb Two high school enemies must reunite for a road trip inspired by their grandparents’ broken engagement in this electric debut romance. Noelle Shepard is unemployed, living with her parents, and grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother when she discovers decades-old photos of Gram and a smitten man, tucked alongside a love letter. She creates a TikTok to search for the mystery man, which goes viral, and she’s shocked when his grandson responds—a man who happens to be her high school nemesis, Theo Spencer. Noelle refuses to let Theo’s annoying accomplishments in adulthood—or his sexy smirk—stand in the way of meeting his grandfather and unlocking the secrets he knew about her gram as a young woman. When she learns that their plans to elope were thwarted, Noelle decides to take the honeymoon road trip they planned but never got to carry out. There’s a catch, though: Paul, Theo's grandfather, asks to come with her, and he insists that Theo join them. It’ll be a miracle if they make it through the trip without Noelle throwing Theo out of the moving car—or the bed they end up sharing. As the miles tick by, the tension simmers hotter between them...until she discovers that Theo’s hiding a secret that could cause their tenuous relationship to end before it can restart. My Thoughts/Opinion Hit the jackpot with this one! Holy cow, the feels!!! There are so many things I loved about this book. So many parallels and so much depth to these characters and the layers of the plot. Do NOT miss this book. If you love a strong-plot enemies-to-lovers, with so much depth of emotion, this is a fantastic choice. If you read it, let me know your thoughts! Favorite Quote/Scene: I don't think our truce included him running his hands up my thighs, his thumbs tracing the inside with the perfect pressure. "What's the game called?" he murmurs. "From last night?" "Tell me a secret," I manage, my heart in my throat. His jaw ticks. "So, tell me one." I don't want to admit it, but it's the elephant in the room. His thumbs are inches from the spot throbbing worse than my knee. "I wouldn't stop you if you kissed me right now." I say it quietly in case he changes his mind, but his eyes darken, pupils dilating. He doesn't move, though his mouth parts like he can already taste it. "Now you." His breath dances over my lips. "If I kissed you right now, I wouldn't stop."

Story Blurb My new boss is a former fighter pilot -- and it should be illegal to be that hot. But this city-boy condo builder doesn't know the first thing about construction in a place like Kasper Ridge. Will hired me to oversee the renovation at the old Kasper Ridge Resort - a job that will make my company and guarantee that Papa can live comfortably to a very old age. I just need to keep my eyes on the prize. And the prize is not Will Cruz's ocean blue eyes or those rock-hard abs. Besides, all those muscles and that killer smile are temporary. I've lived in the mountains long enough to know that slick city boys don't stick around for the long run. So I tell myself the things I need to hear to stay strong, hold firm, maintain my distance. Until Will kisses me one night and I forget pretty much everything I'd been telling myself about protecting my heart. I know it's only a fling, but what if there's a chance Will Cruz is the one? What if I give him my heart, and he doesn't stay? My Thoughts/Opinion It took me a little while to get into this book and connect with the characters, but it was worth sticking with it. I liked the characters' battle of wills to begin with and how they had each other's backs when it counted. Fun cast of side characters as well that will lead easily into the next book in the series. Favorite Quote/Scene: "Sometimes, it turns out that your paths don't just cross, they intertwine. Because you decide it should be that way...Your life isn't pre-destined. You decide. And you get to change your decisions based on new information."

Story Blurb With a famous NHL player for a stepbrother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation of many a hockey star. So of course she isn’t interested in legendary team captain Alex Waters or his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs. When Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes much more than just a hot body with the face to match. Suffering from a complete lapse in judgment, Violet discovers just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. Violet believes her night of orgasmic magic with Alex is just that: one night. But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts. Suddenly, he's too difficult to ignore, and nearly impossible not to like. The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game. My Thoughts/Opinion I realize I'm probably not the target market for hockey romance. There were several DNF-able moments early on in this one for me. I had zero connection to the main characters and had no reason to root for their HEA. But I stuck with the story and was happy that it moved from DNF to finished. While I probably won't be picking up the next in series, the romance did have some redeeming moments. Favorite Quote/Scene: Cockblockers are everywhere tonight, thwarting my attempts at poor decision making.

Story Blurb Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride. Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order. Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of. There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life. At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger. My Thoughts/Opinion I hadn't read a good grumpy alpha in a while, and this one fit the bill. I loved how Knox always ended up exactly where he needed to be to keep Naomi out of trouble, despite his desire to stay away from her. This book had all the feels for me. And the side plots and characters were all wonderful. I enjoyed the story a lot and was glad it lived up to the hype. Favorite Quote/Scene: "You're the one who has to live your life. Don't apologize to other people for the decisions you make for yourself."

Story Blurb 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. 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. 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. When I heard Gram’s upcoming plans were more dangerous than ever, I hopped on a plane. Since I arrived late, I headed to the bar for a drink, figuring I’d surprise her in the morning. 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. I knew she’d be pissed, but I also knew I’d never see her again. 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. My Thoughts/Opinion I had a lot of interesting feelings about this book. I'm not super into hate-sex so I struggled with the first part of the book. The second part of the book threw me for a loop. I won't spoil it but I will say that I've never read a romance with that story line. All in all, I liked the characters and the story line was compelling. I think my favorite character, though, was probably Beck's Gram, Louise. Favorite Quote/Scene: "Sometimes we find the right person at the wrong time. And we just have to trust fate."