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Story Blurb It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in sweet, sunny Cape Cod—just Taylor and her beloved brother—but discovering a corpse in their rental house has really thrown a wrench into their tanning schedule. Now a rude, crude bounty hunter has arrived on the back of his motorcycle to catch the killer and refuses to believe Taylor can be helpful, despite the countless hours she's spent listening to true crime podcasts. Not to mention her fulfilling teaching career of wrangling second graders. A brash bounty hunter and an energetic elementary school teacher: the murder-solving team no one asked for, but thanks to these pesky attempts on Taylor's life, they're stuck together, come hell or high tide. Myles is just there to do a job, not babysit an amateur sleuth. Although…it is becoming less and less of a hardship to have Taylor around. Sure, she’s stubborn, distracting and can’t stay out of harm’s way. She’s also brave and beautiful and reminds him of the home he left behind three years ago. In other words, the insatiable hunger and protectiveness she is awakening is a threat to his peace of mind. Before Myles sinks any deeper into this dangerous attraction, he needs to solve this murder and get back on the road. But will fate take her from him before Myles realize the road has been leading to her all along? My Thoughts/Opinion I'm a big Tessa Bailey fan so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this story. I liked Taylor's sunshine and especially liked Myles' grump. He was a very entertaining bad boy. I loved that both characters were able to bring out the hidden best parts of the other. The plot and mystery were also both compelling. I read this fun, quick read in just a couple of sessions. Favorite Quote/Scene: “You want that pretty little mouth kissed?” “Y-yes.” “Now say it again without stuttering, baby.” “Yes.”

Story Blurb From the instant New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros, comes a sweeping romance about the sustained power of chance encounters. When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful. Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now. Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River. Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right. Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life. He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart. My Thoughts/Opinion I am on a ROLL! I am picking some damn good books right now, y'all. The premise of this story was really interesting with years of the main characters' coming into and out of each others' orbits. The storytelling was amazing. I loved learning their backstory as their current story progressed. So well written. I love a well told true soulmates story. This is a WINNER, my friends! Favorite Quote/Scene: “Don’t, Izzy.” He shook his head. “I have one weakness on this entire planet, and you’re feet away when you’re supposed to be halfway round the globe.”

Story Blurb Rival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain. The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs. Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And he’s the same Jack Smith who rules over the physics department at MIT, standing right between Elsie and her dream job. Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice? My Thoughts/Opinion I read this book in less than 24 hours. It was that good. Charming, quirkly, extraordinarily loveable characters with depth and great intelligence. Great plot and sub-plots, and so much chemistry (even though they're physicists). You know a book is good when you keep thinking about the characters long after you've closed the last chapter. Highly recommend this read! Favorite Quote/Scene: "In my fantasies, you allow me to keep an eye on you.” I feel his lips at my temple. “And when I really let go, I imagine that you let me take care of you, too. Bold of you to assume that the real me is my best hand.”

Story Blurb I fell for Cameron Connolly at the wrong time. And when he left, I thought my life was over. But then, after the worst happened, I truly understood what that phrase meant. Now, he’s not ready for a second chance, and I’m not offering one. Though given that our families have been forced together after losing one of our own, I know there’s no turning back. Not this time. Not again. Not when it comes to Cameron. My Thoughts/Opinion I was supportive of the main character's loss of her best friend to suicide, and the side drama in her life of her ex-husband/co-worker but I struggled with being all in on the romance plot. I failed to really connect enough with either of them to be super invested in their HEA. This book did have a good cast of supporting characters.

Story Blurb Lieutenant Magdalena Cruz is home, but her return hasn’t turned out the way she envisioned. And though all she wants is to be alone, infuriatingly handsome Dr. Jake Dalton—of the enemy Daltons—won’t cooperate. And she needs him to, because the walls around her heart are dangerously close to crumbling every time he comes near.... Jake has spent most of his life trying to get closer to Maggie, with little to show for it. But she’s the woman he's always wanted, and no injury in the world could change that. Now if only he could convince her that the woman before him is beautiful, desirable, and meant to be his.... My Thoughts/Opinion I enjoyed Maggie and Jake's story. I think I'm always a sucker for a story where the hero flat-out KNOWS he wants this girl as his forever and has to win over the heroine. I also enjoyed Maggie's journey to self-discovery as she deals with the fate life has handed her. This is a good, easy read.

Story Blurb I'm a walking contradiction. School principal who liberally drops the F bomb. Fiercely independent yet willing to auction myself off for charity. Serial monogamist who's down for a no-strings one-night stand. Except now I've gone from one-working-ovary to co-parent in the time it took a stick to turn blue. F. Bomb. Ian Donovan may be a richer-than-hell venture capitalist, but he's no Prince Charming ready to sweep me off my feet. Good thing I don't need him. I've been doing fine on my own for forty years, and I'm not about to start changing that now. Ultrasounds, swollen feet, midnight cravings? Bring. It. On. But why is it when you finally swear off men, you meet one who's too sexy--and determined we can make it work? My Thoughts/Opinion Full disclosure, I listened to this book on audio as opposed to reading it and I think it affected my perception of the story. The narrators distracted me with a negative vibe which inhibited me from embracing the characters. There was only one major conflict which dragged through the entire story. I should probably go back and read the book to see if I feel differently. Favorite Quote/Scene:

Story Blurb He’s a tattooed shirtless bad boy. My best friend’s brother. And the jerk on the other side of my bed. I didn’t know bridesmaid was code for babysitter for the bride’s brother, but if that’s what my best friend needs of me for her dream wedding to go off without a hitch, that’s what I’ll do. Even if Theo Monroe has been a pain in my rear since third grade. Even if he should be responsible enough to not wreak havoc at his sister’s destination wedding. Even if it means we have to share a hotel room in Hawaii, which might be the final duty that breaks me. Not only does Theo know exactly how to push my buttons, but he never wears clothes, he’s hiding a litter of kittens in his room, and he keeps showing up with fresh-baked cookies that seemingly come from nowhere. Also? I have no idea what’s up with the tension between him and the groom. Or why he’s so proud of the world’s strangest wedding gift. Or why I suddenly want to know what makes him tick. The story behind his tattoos. How he can afford to rent a convertible in Hawaii. And if maybe all of that utter frustration and irritation I’ve felt for him for years is suppressed attraction that a good girl like me isn’t supposed to feel for the biggest bad boy of Snaggletooth Creek. But I do know one thing. When I find out his biggest secret and the answer to all of my questions, it will change everything. My Thoughts/Opinion I hadn't read Pippa Grant before and I have no idea why. It's crazy that there are sooooo many talented authors out there that I haven't heard of before. I loved this story from page one. I love the author's humor. I also really loved the deeper side of these characters and their quirks. Super funny scenes (i.e. the pig crash scene) had me in stiches. Definitely worth the read and I'll be picking up her next book for sure. Favorite Quote/Scene: “We're not so different, are we? Both of us living in the direction of the world's expectations of us." My whole world stops spinning. Gravity ceases to work, and my entire existence floats out of my body, spiraling and spinning out of control to compensate for the fact that the world as I thought it was is not the world that actually is. Theo's trapped. He's trapped by low expectations just as much as I'm trapped by high expectations. He's right. We're basically the same. And that changes everything. I will never - ever - see him as a simple troublemaker again.

Story Blurb He’s a hired gun. A hardened killer. So how’d he end up bottle-feeding lambs for his best friend’s sister? Dante didn’t set out to deceive. His favor for a pal in prison got him this farmhand job, and Jen needs help guarding more than her blueberries. Someone’s set on hurting her, and he’ll make damn sure they don’t. She can’t know who sent him or why he’s handier with a handgun than a hoe. But none of that matters more than keeping Jen safe. To save the girl, he’ll have to pair old skills with new. A princess tea party and an old-fashioned gunfight? Why not. Grape stomping and grenades? Sign him up. But as the enemy closes in, there’s one skill Dante finds he doesn’t have: The strength to walk away when the job is done. My Thoughts/Opinion Oh my gosh, read this book. It's over-the-top suspension of disbelief, but it's fantastic. I love the characters. I love the setting. The dialogue is great. And the hero is the perfect reformed bad boy. Loved everything about it and I definitely will be reading more by this author. Favorite Quote/Scene: “Love is wanting what's best for you no matter what." His voice chokes with gravel, but he keeps going. "Wanting to protect you at all costs. Needing to see you, to be with you, to hear your laugh and see your smile and know I'm the lucky sonofabitch who gets to exist in your orbit."

Story Blurb She's been the center of my world for as long as I can remember. Staying away from her for the past two years was brutal, but I'd do anything to keep her safe. When she's taken by the organization I'm working undercover for, I know I'll do anything to protect her. Even if it means ruining the entire case in the process. It took me a long time to accept he was gone and even longer to move on with my life. I'm finally about to get my happily ever after when my world comes crashing down around me. I'm reunited with him in a horrifying twist of events. Now, I have to make a choice that could change my life forever. Can I leave him behind and continue with the plan I have for my life? or is my life going to take a detour and possibly change directions entirely? My Thoughts/Opinion This is my first book by this author and I liked the premise a lot. A man who was bound by his job, and by his desire to keep the woman of his dreams safe. Definitely star-crossed lover vibes with this one. I wish there had been a little better resolution for the third wheel in their love triangle, but overall a great, quick read. Favorite Quote/Scene: “You're a hero, Mason, even if you don't believe it yourself." A pang shudders through my heart at the thought of him not thinking he's a hero. He's my hero and he always will be.

Story Blurb The most dangerous predator on the mountain may not be the legendary Sasquatch. Ethan “Chaos” Watson never expected to use his skills as a former Navy SEAL and current search and rescue expert to track down Bigfoot. But when a paranormal investigator goes missing while filming in the mountains near Fallport, Virginia, Ethan and his team are called in to find the man. A task made harder when they’re trailed by a camera crew. Camerawoman Lilly Ray was already reaching the end of her rope on the hokey, ridiculous paranormal shoot. Now the producer has ordered her to stick to the SAR team to get their every move on video. Admittedly not a hardship; she noticed Ethan her first day in town, and the more time they spend together, the more attracted she becomes. When the search stretches on for days, then weeks, it seems clear her co-worker didn’t just wander off trail, getting lost in the woods. Foul play is evident, and soon, everyone on the cast and crew is suspect. As the team steps up their search, someone is equally determined to use the disappearance to their advantage. Then Lilly herself goes missing, and Ethan and his team will turn over every rock and leaf in the Appalachians to locate her…before it’s too late. He wasn’t looking for love, but it found him anyway—and he’s not letting anyone take away the woman who’s become his whole world. My Thoughts/Opinion I have a friend who is a huge Susan Stoker friend, so I was excited to pick up this book and check her out. The writing is very strong and the story flowed smoothly. I was surprised that the real inciting incident didn't happen until halfway through the book, but once that happened, it was a fun white-knuckle ride. Favorite Quote/Scene: “Life's too short to do something you aren't passionate about. Money's all well and good, but at the end of the day, it's the relationships you form, the people you meet, and how often you laugh that matters."

Story Blurb There are secrets that bring friends together, and others that drive them apart… Mariners Island is barely ten miles long, but when Ivy, Ariana and Cam were teenagers, it was their whole world. Beyond the pristine beaches and iconic lighthouse lies the beautiful old library that belongs to Ivy’s family. While that bound Ivy to the island as an adult, Ariana could not leave Mariners behind fast enough. The town holds too many…memories. Not only her unrequited feelings for Cam, but the tragedy that left a scar on the community. When a young girl went missing, a teenage Cam was unthinkably the prime suspect. Ariana and Ivy knew he couldn’t have hurt anyone, and they promised to protect him—even if it meant lying on his behalf. Now, twenty years later, Ariana returns to Mariners just as new evidence emerges on the case, calling into question everything the three friends thought they knew—and everyone they thought they could trust. What really happened that night? Over the course of one eventful summer, Ariana, Ivy and Cam will learn the truth—about their pasts, their futures and the ties that still bind them as closely as the pages of a book… My Thoughts/Opinion Many years ago, I was in a reading slump and it was one of Brenda Novak's book that brought me back. I've been a huge fan ever since. I thought the premise of this book was very intriguing and Brenda did a great job with the backstory and mystery. I also liked all three of the main protagonists. I thought each was well drawn, and their relationship was complex and interesting. The mystery resolved well. If I have any complaints at all, I would say there was a too quick resolution for one of the main characters, and a minor subplot that resurfaces in the epilogue that I didn't think added much to the story. All in all, a great beach read, as advertised! Favorite Quote/Scene: “I'm sorry I held out on you," he said. "But I couldn't tell anyone, even you and Ivy. I was afraid it would make you both wonder if it could've been me." "Any other frightened sixteen-year-old boy would've done the same thing," she said. "You were in a panic. We all were. But...what do we do now?" "What can we do except stick to our stories?"

Story Blurb Love and Betrayal…Regency style A young woman of noble blood, raised as a peasant girl… An orphaned stable boy, now grown and the surrogate son of a powerful earl—the same earl who just so happens to be the young woman’s father… Francie Jordan and Alexander Bishop have nothing in common—she runs barefoot and talks to animals. He won’t loosen his cravat unless the bedroom door is firmly closed. She believes in love, second chances, and happily ever after. He believes in keeping a safe distance from anything that resembles an emotion. Indeed, they have nothing in common but an undeniable desire for one another they can’t ignore, and an ailing “father” who will employ any means to bring them together. Unfortunately, not everyone wishes to see a union between Francie and Alexander, and they will stop at nothing to keep this couple apart. My Thoughts/Opinion I enjoyed the premise of this story. The characters had compelling backstories and a satisfying character arc. I found the antagonist(s) to be a bit cartoonish and the black moment scene a little author convenient, but I was able to overlook those things with the quality of the writing and the quest for the HEA. Favorite Quote/Scene: “But that's the problem, Francie," he whispered, his voice ragged and filled with anguish. "I'm not happy. Not anymore." He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. "Not without you."