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Story Blurb Falling for the wrong person? Bury your feelings. Painfully shy Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. Texan animator Lark Thompson moved to Galway, Ireland, to restart her life and career, not be reminded of losing her husband by moving in next to a funeral home. But when she learns of Callum’s dilemma, Lark’s certain she can help him find The One, even if she’s sworn off love herself. Though as the dating project progresses and Lark spends more time with straight-laced, sarcastic Callum, he starts to crack the ice around her grieving heart. And the more joy that vivacious Lark brings to Callum’s grey existence, the less he can imagine letting her return to Texas. If they think they can ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong. My Thoughts/Opinion If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know I'm a HUGE Abby Jimenez fan. So when she blurbed this book, I knew it was a one-click for me. And I am SO glad I trusted her. This book is really well-written and both main characters are quirky, and quirkily (?) perfect for each other. This book has all the feels, you guys. Callum reminded me so much of Jacob from Yours Truly, and Lark's backstory...sigh. I rooted for them both so hard. The premise may seem a little unconventional, but trust me, you won't regret picking this one up! Favorite Quote: “And miss all the moments that send the butterflies loose in your stomach? No way. First date, first kiss, first slow dance. Popping the question and hearing yes. The falling matters, too. Not just the ever after.”

Story Blurb When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job. Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes… My Thoughts/Opinion This book was all over my socials, so I decided to pick it up. If you're in the mood for a simple, Hallmark-ish, cozy romance you'll do well with this book. I was slightly underwhelmed, especially given the hype. Very predictable story and the characters were relatively (again) simple, but sometimes this type of book is the palette cleanser you need. No complaints. It was cute and fun. Not sure I'll pick up the next book but I'm happy to have read this one. Favorite Quote: “She wasn’t so much afraid of dying as she was of forgetting to live her life. Somewhere along the way, she’d forgotten to figure out who she was or what she wanted to be when she grew up.”

Story Blurb Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two. That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all. Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late. My Thoughts/Opinion Super fun and cute Halloween-y story. While I thought young Vivienne's actions were overblown for the situation (they'd only dated a couple of months), we wouldn't have had the cute story without it. I loved the trouble that came their way, and the way Vivi and Rhys made it back to each other. Highly recommend for a fun holiday-themed read! Favorite Quote: What Rhys knew was that kissing her had felt like waking up. Like he’d been drifting sleepily through everything for the past nine years until he tasted her mouth again and remembered what actually being alive felt like. Better than any magic, Vivienne’s kiss.

Story Blurb Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don’t fall in love. When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize—a single wish. Phantasma is a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, of demons and temptations. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. There can only be one winner, and the other contestants will stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals. Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain. Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. All he asks in return is ten years of her life. Ophelia knows she shouldn’t trust him. Blackwell doesn’t seem dangerous, but appearances can be deceptive. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer. Her life is on the line. But in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart . . .  My Thoughts/Opinion This book was just what I wanted for a spooky season read. Innocent heroine, morally gray hero. A quest. A secret quest. Enemies. Lovers. All under the seductive mistiness of a New Orleans landscape. While I wish the ending hadn't felt so rushed, I really loved the layers of story and the characters. Would I have enjoyed it as much outside of spooky season? Maybe. Probably. Okay, definitely. I look forward to the second book in the series. Favorite Quote: “In a different life, in a fair one, I would’ve kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust.”

Story Blurb Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life. Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash… As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right? My Thoughts/Opinion Overall, I enjoyed this book. It took me a little bit to get into it and to connect with the characters but once I got there I was absolutely rooting for them. Josephine was a little too sunshine to be realistic. There were a few times I hoped she would kick Wells to the curb. But in the end, Wells grew and so did Josephine. And their HEA brought a smile to my face. Favorite Quote: “I just . . . have this pretty intense need to make sure everyone knows you’re very fucking important. Okay? Could you kindly just go along with it?”

Story Blurb Winnifred “Win” McNulty has always been wildly independent and not one to be coddled for her limb difference. Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. With some minor adjustments, she’s done just fine. Hooking up at a costume party with the incredibly charming Bo changes everything. Win finds herself pregnant—and decides to keep the baby. While Bo is surprisingly elated to step up to the plate, Win is unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge. Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more while they embark on this parenting journey together. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan. My Thoughts/Opinion What a fantastic read. This sweet and sexy story was filled with poignant scenes of love, friendship, discovery, overcoming adversity, and learning to trust. I loved Win and Bo so much. Their decisions to move forward, despite their circumstances, are inspiring and their HEA is one for the ages. My heart is so happy. Favorite Quote: "You are my soul's purpose, Win. To know you, to love you, to build a family with you, to spend every day taking care of you, to watch you shine and get all the good things you deserve out of this life."

Story Blurb Five years ago, I nearly lost everything. But there was a glimmer of hope on that darkest night. There was him—a stranger I could never forget. Now, I’m finally getting the fresh start I’ve longed for. But when I show up to interview for a nanny position in the small mountain town, the single dad has startlingly familiar blue eyes. Eyes that have haunted my dreams for the past five years. Lawson Hartley is everything I know I can’t have. Older, handsome, and my boss. Not to mention the shadows in his eyes that tell me he has demons, too. Still, he seems to understand me better than anyone I’ve ever met. So gentle and careful of my scars, yet somehow making me believe I’m stronger than I ever thought possible. And when his lips touch mine, I’m lost. We find what we've been missing in each other. But the terrors of my past aren’t done with me yet, and this time, Lawson might not be able to save me... My Thoughts/Opinion Oh, Lawson. The oldest brother. Deep wounds. And three boys in varying states of rebellion. Then there's Hallie and the unspeakable things she endured. Both trying to find their way forward. This is such a beautiful story of learning to trust, and is a true love story that envelops Lawson's boys as well. So sweet, yet the suspense plot kept me completely on my toes. So so good. I'm so glad to have read this entire series. I'll definitely be looking for more from this author. Favorite Quote: “But you got to me. That’s what matters. When I had what felt like endless cruelty, you gave me kindness. You gave me blue.” My gaze locked with hers. “Blue?” The corners of Hallie’s mouth lifted. “Your eyes. I thought I could drown in all that blue, but it would be okay because there was only goodness there. Safety. Peace.” Pain struck my chest, jagged and brutal. “I want you to have all of that.” Her smile widened. “I’m finding it. Because you’re giving it to me all over again.”

Story Blurb It was supposed to be a fresh start. A small town where I could hide my little girl from the shadows that haunt us. A place where I could keep us safe. The last thing I expected was him. A surly, broody mountain of a man who helps me save an injured deer in a snowstorm. Now, Roan Hartley keeps showing up with his glowers and grimaces. But they only make his rare smiles and the gentle way he talks to my daughter mean that much more. When forces from my past find us, Roan is determined to keep us safe—even if that means sleeping on my ancient couch every night. As days turn to weeks, his touch has my walls crashing down. But someone out there doesn’t want me to find happiness. He doesn’t want me left breathing at all… My Thoughts/Opinion Every one of the books in this series is better than the last. I have been waiting for Roan's story since the first book. He's always been on the sidelines, quiet and brooding and I knew it would take someone special to break him out of himself and his backstory. Enter Aspen, who has also been a background character with a history she's trying to escape. Great slow burn romance, full of discovery and breaking down walls. I LOVED it. And once again, the suspense thread is so so good! On to book five! Favorite Quote: “You okay?” “I’ve got you in my arms.” “That’s not an answer.” Roan’s hold tightened around me. “If you’re in my arms, I’m always okay.”

Story Blurb He hadn’t always just been my brother’s best friend. There was a time when he was mine, too. Until he disappeared from our small town when I needed him the most. Now, Caden’s back. With his cocky smirk and infuriating nicknames. And I’m struggling to ignore his presence. When my ex refuses to leave me alone, Caden steps in, suggesting that it will get my ex and Caden’s calculating father off both our backs if we just pretend to be madly in love. There’s just one problem… Nothing I feel for Caden Shaw is fake—even when I thought I hated him. And there’s no denying how the touch of his lips sparks a flame I’ll never be able to extinguish. As those pretend moments start to turn oh so real, someone’s watching. They’re not happy about Caden’s new role in my life. And they’ll do anything to rip me away from him—even burn us all to the ground… My Thoughts/Opinion This book did the fake dating trope so well, and Grae and Caden had a ton of chemistry and such a compelling backstory. Grae is the baby sister of four older brothers so Caden has his work cut out for him and, despite all of his successes, he feels unworthy of her. This was one of my favorite books of the series, partially because of the characters but more so because the suspense plot was intricate and well-developed. On to book four - can't wait for Roan's story! Favorite Quote: “I’ve wanted you for longer than I ever should’ve. I tried to hide it, to shove it down. But only one person has ever owned me. You.”

Story Blurb Nash Hartley has always been my everything: Protector. Partner in crime. Best friend. The person who was there for me in my darkest hour. But my heart wanted so much more. So, when I knew for certain Nash didn’t feel the same about me, I tried to move on. What a mistake that turned out to be. Now, I’m back in our small town, desperate to escape my living nightmare, and the only person I want to see is him. As secrets are revealed, and Nash finds out what happened to me, he’ll do anything to keep me safe. But there are those who will do anything to stop him, and this time neither of us may make out alive… My Thoughts/Opinion When I read the first book in this series, Nash was a secondary character and to be honest, I wasn't really crazy about him. He seemed a little shallow and goofy. There was an allusion to his lost love but not much of a backstory for me to sink into, so I went into this one a little blind. Fortunately, Madison's backstory and character development drew me into this story quickly. I struggled a little bit with the believability in them being best friends since grade school, even so far as sometimes sleeping in the same bed as teens (platonically), and never having experimented sexually at all. But, that aside, I did love Nash's protective nature and the suspense plot was well done. Happy for their HEA and motivated by the continued development of the secondary characters in the family to continue the series. Favorite Quote: "I loved you when we graduated high school and through college and every day since. Even when you were gone, the echoes of you still lived inside me, and I would play them over and over in my mind just so I wouldn't lose the sound. I've loved you in every incarnation, and that will never end."

Story Blurb The war has begun. Both sides demand Diem’s allegiance—or her death. After her disastrous coronation, Diem finds herself at the center of the conflict between the Descended and the Guardians. With her newfound friends and the man she’s falling for on one side, and the mortals she has vowed to protect on the other, Diem must walk a careful line to save the people she loves… even from each other. The mystery of her unusual heritage begins to unravel, sending Diem and Luther on an unexpected journey across the realms. The answers may hold the key to winning the war, but finding them will require her to face painful truths about her mother, her bloodline, and her fate. Meanwhile, the Crowns have set Diem in their sights. Some could be her greatest allies—while others want her dead. To end their oppressive reign, Diem must sort friend from foe and risk it all to build an army of her own. But a powerful figure in the north has plans that could change everything... My Thoughts/Opinion Book three built on all the emotion, allegiances, and secrets from book two. The tension and plot both progressed really well and they story exposed a lot more of the world building. Also loved the growth of Diem and Luther as characters and as lovers. The cliffhanger at the end of the story has me waiting with bated breath for the fourth and final installment. Favorite Quote: “Show me your worst, my darling, and I’ll show you how far my love can go.”

Story Blurb An unexpected gift offers the power to change everything. Keeping it could cost Diem her life. The threat of war has arrived at Diem’s doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil’s bargain with the people she hates most: the royal family of House Corbois. But as she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren’t as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe. Meanwhile, her mother is still missing, and the secrets she left behind can no longer be ignored—and neither can the Guardians and their demands. Caught between an old flame and a sizzling new spark, Diem must confront the truth about who she is and what she wants before time runs out. War is coming, and dangerous enemies wait on all sides.. but the most deadly battle Diem faces may be the one for her heart. My Thoughts/Opinion The second book in the Everflame series was fantastic. Our heroine, Diem, is forced to explore her own secrets as well as where her allegiances lie and the strength of her own convictions. Figuring out who she is, and what she's becoming, will change everything. This is book 2 of 4 and it is so good. I am excited and hooked. Ready to see what book three will bring! Favorite Quote: “His thumb raked across my lower lip. “I want every breath, every laugh, every tear. Every taste of your mouth, every inch of your skin. I want to kneel at your feet, soaked in the blood of your enemies, then worship your body until you scream my name.” His hands slid to my hips and tugged me closer. “Yes, Diem, I want to serve you—in every way a man can.”