Romance

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander

I loved this contemporary LGBTQIA romance set during the Christmas holidays in Florida. After getting fired from his tv writing job, Eli returns to his childhood home in New Port Stephen, FL for the holidays. As he navigates dealing with his family and feelings, he runs into his high school ex Nick. Nick is divorced with a precocious 4 year old daughter and is running the local restaurant. Sparks fly between the couple, which only serves to confuse them both because the last time they dated, Eli was a teenage girl. At almost 40, he finally feels at one with his mind and body, and wants to selfishly protect the peace he’s found within himself, despite his attraction to Nick. For his part, Nick is surprised that his feelings for Eli are still there, even if Eli’s exterior doesn’t match up with Nick’s memories.

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December 7, 2023 0

Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #1) by Jody Hedlund

This is a sweet historical romance that will warm your heart and make you laugh. Set in 1849 St. Louis, MO, we follow two Irish families that have hired a matchmaker for their children. Finola, suffering from a devastating accident in her family, vows she’s unworthy to marry and have her own children and is intent on becoming a nun. She thwarts all of her family’s attempts to marry her off. Riley is a successful, confidant businessman who is running for Mayor to improve the plight of immigrants and the poor. When his father falls ill and requests Riley finally marry, Riley reluctantly agrees. Neither Finola or Riley think a matchmaker could possible find their perfect match, but he’s more than welcome to try, thank you very much.

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December 5, 2023 0

To Spark a Match (The Matchmakers, #2) by Jen Turano

If you like historical fiction romances, you need to get this book now. It’s the second book in The Matchmakers book series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

This book is a delightful read. The banter between the two MCs, Adelaide and Gideon, is absolutely wonderful and reminds of the whip smart, fast talking dialogue in Kathryn Hepburn movies likes Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story. Their conversations jumped off the page and had me smiling and chuckling the entire book. It’s the best kind of flirting that happens at the beginning of a new relationship that gives you that “I’ve got a new partner” glow.

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November 21, 2023 0

Fake Famous by Dana L. Davis

This is a really cute YA contemporary romance that is a quick and easy read. It’s the quintessential regular person/famous person doppelganger switch story. Red just graduated high school in Iowa. She lives on a farm with her large family and intends to attend college and come back and run the family farm. Zay Zay is a young global pop star that is uber famous and seemingly has a charmed life. When Red is taped singing and pretending to be Zay Zay, the video goes viral, and Zay Zay’s plan to sneak away from her life for a week is hatched. Red only needs to fly to LA, attend a few red carpets, and a date with Zay’s hot famous fake boyfriend. What could possibly go wrong?

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November 5, 2023 2

Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1) by Penny Reid

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book and series. I read this series and The Winston Brothers series backwards, but I still loved both of them, so no big deal. Plus, it’s a great excuse to read them all again! This series is set in Chicago and revolves around 7 women that are in the same knitting group. Janie doesn’t knit, but she likes to drink and dish with the other women every week. The women are either roommates or co-workers of each other, but eventually become one unified force of bad-assery, and I’m there for all of it. I wish I had a circle of friends as loyal and tenacious as this group.

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November 4, 2023 0

Pity Party (Pity Series #2) by Whitney Dineen

This is a cute grumpy/sunshine RomCom set in a small town in Wisconsin. Melissa is in her early 30s and working in a bridal shop she owns with her mother. Usually she’s happy to help brides pick out the perfect dress, but lately she’s hating life. She wants nothing more than to find the “right one” and settle down and have a family. But, the prospects are slim in her small town and she wonders if it will ever happen.

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October 18, 2023 0

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

This is a sweet Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction told in dual timelines. In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. She meets the owner’s grandson David and initially is concerned that the plans he has for his grandmother’s house serves his needs more than his grandmother’s, but eventually those concerns dissipate. She has personal reasons for wanting to explore the area – her parent were married here and she’s desperate to find the father she’s never known.

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October 1, 2023 0

The Secrets of Jane: Forgotten (Improper Bastards #1) by Charlotte Mallory

4.5 stars

Wow. wow. wow. wow. What a fantastic book! I don’t read many dark fantasy romance books, but maybe I should start. Jane is a young woman that fled Skull Row 10 years ago, home to thieves and killers and mercenary rulers called Zeniths. The village she’s hiding out in is set aflame and she’s captured by one of the most ruthless mercenaries, Soren. His job is to return her to Skull Row to face the Council. They haven’t told him why, which he doesn’t like. Most of the book is their journey back to Skull Row until the climatic cliffhanger. It’s a vicious story, filled with a lot of action and fighting. It’s definitely not for the squeamish.

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September 27, 2023 0

An Unsuitable Heiress by Jane Dunn

This is a cute historical romance set in Regency England. I love MC Corinna (Cory)! She is smart, capable, loving, determined, and doesn’t let obstacles get in the way of what she wants. She bravely flees the countryside to go to London in search of her father. She planned her flight perfectly and escapes dressed as a boy. As luck would have it she meets up with the other MCs when they rescue her from a fight.

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September 24, 2023 0