Category: four star

fiction · four star

Could It Be Magic? Fay Keenan

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Description:

Thea Ashcombe, a fiercely independent single mum, is about to face her toughest challenge yet: Christmas on a shoestring. As the festive season looms, Thea’s feeling a little like their old family Christmas tree – tired and lacking in sparkle! 🎄💝

Nick Saint, the quiet and devoted farm shop manager in the idyllic village of Lower Brambleton, has secretly liked Thea for years. Trapped in the friend zone since high school, he’s given up hope of Thea seeing him as anything more than reliable ‘Saint’ Nick…

But when Thea steps into Nick’s world to help at the bustling farm shop, something unexpected happens. Suddenly, her sensible head is spinning with a schoolgirl crush she never saw coming! Is it just the enchanting glow of Christmas, the twinkling lights playing tricks on her mind?

As they work side-by-side preparing for the magical Christmas market, and as Nick’s thoughtful gestures – like a perfectly fresh Christmas tree appearing at her door – begin to melt her defenses, Thea starts to wonder – maybe all she really needs for Christmas… is Nick! ✨

Prepare for a heartwarming and enchanting tale of unexpected romance, festive magic, and the surprising ways love can blossom when you least expect it! 💖✨

My Review:

When it comes to Christmas we all want a little magic in our lives. Thea was faced with some tough situations with putting food on the table or gift under the tree. She would do anything for kids and nothing would stop that including getting a second job without telling her family. Nick was pressed for help with the holidays and his sister getting away and his parents getting hurt. When the two come together to help each other out it seems magic is in there corner and every time they turn around things just seem to fall into place. overall the story was super sweet however I did feel like there were parts that just dragged on. I feel like someone of it could have been condensed down some. There is some adult content in this story so may not be suitable for all. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

faykeenan.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Fay’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Snowflakes over Starr’s Fall Kate Hewitt

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Description:

As the stars twinkle and the snow drifts over the town… someone’s about to find the magic she didn’t even know she’d been missing…

Jenna has lived in Starr’s Fall for most of her life, and has run the general store for over ten years. Secretly she might dream of love and romance, but she’s happy as she is. Really.

That is, until Starr’s Fall’s newest resident—ex-New Yorker, millionaire investment banker—Jack Wexler breezes into Jenna’s store, seemingly furious they don’t stock smoked salmon. Jenna is as amused as she is annoyed. Who is this ridiculous guy, and doesn’t he realize he’s not in Manhattan anymore?

Jack meanwhile can’t believe he lost it in public. But ever since being forced to leave his high-flying career to focus on his health, he’s not been himself. What’s more, the last person he’d expected to be attracted to is the shrew of a storekeeper he’s just encountered… which he might have called Jenna, in a moment of temper…

Neither of Jenna or Jack’s ideal of romance includes these sorts of furious sparks flying. But when they’re both roped in to organizing the town’s Winter Wonderland parade, they’re forced to work together. And as Christmas approaches – will two opposites merely attract? Or, in magical Starr’s Fall, could they fall in love for keeps?

A perfect, Christmas-set, enemies-to-lovers, small town romance, perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Virgin River, from million-copy bestselling author, Kate Hewitt.

My Review:

I will say I liked the simplicity of the way this author writes. This is the second book I have read in this series and from this author. I really liked the small town feel of Starr’s fall you get the grouch, the matchmakers, the gossips and so on so on, I love that while everyone is in everyones business they will all watch out for each other if someone from the outside comes in and tries to hurt one. I was not a huge fan a Jenna in the first book I read I felt like she was so immature and in this story I felt like her actions made a lot more sense. I Liked Jack I felt like he met his match with Jenna I felt like while the two of them were water and oil they also could me sugar and cinnamon. I liked how big Jack’s heart is when he allow people to see who he is. It was also fun to catch up with the others from the other books and I really enjoy the sassiness of each character. I will say in some ways I did feel that the author did over explain certain situations which made the book a little wordy. Overall the author kept this a clean read and it was a worth it read for me. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

katehewittbooks.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Kate’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Once Upon a Summer Night Kyra Jacobs

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Description:

Home is a refuge—but is it always the right choice?

Hannah Brooks left home eight summers ago to help her friend Beth hide a surprise pregnancy. Their unplanned adventure also helped her escape from beneath her fire chief father’s thumb. Now Beth has died and Hannah faces a brewing custody battle for Noah, the boy she helped raise from birth. It’s time to return to Bourbon Falls and make amends with the family she loves and needs.

Chase Redding finally gave up hope of ever seeing Hannah again, and is focused on being part owner of Oak Barrel Farms and climbing the ranks in his firefighting career. But now that she’s back, he’ll do anything to convince her to stay in their hometown, even if it means sharing his beloved fire station.

But amid their budding romance at Brooks Farm, family tensions resurface and the custody suit takes a turn for the worst. It’s going to take a little summertime magic to keep Hannah and Chase’s happily ever after from slipping away a second time.

My Review:

I haven’t read anything else in the series so I not sure what characters in this book may be in the others, that being said it wasn’t hard to follow that characters in the book. I Like Chase he was a no nonsense kind of guy. He faced some things in life and he just seem to take everything on the chin and just let it all flow off his back. He just seemed super laid back and just overall was really fun character to read about.  Hannah at first was a fun read as well but I found sometimes that she came off like a martyr and just woah is me. I loved Aunt Faye she just was so sweet and so loving she truly won me over and she just felt like someone special to so many people. Overall I really did enjoy this read and had a hard time putting it down. There is sexual content so this may not be suitable for all. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

kyrajacobsbooks.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Kyra’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Deal with the Texas Soldier Julie Benson

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Description:

Former soldier Tanner Jordan embraces the opportunities in his new town of Service, Texas. He’s invested in a business that requires his trouble-shooting skills, and when he finds out his new partner is a hometown girl with a huge heart, sassy mouth and a brilliant brain, he’s struck gold. He relishes challenges in work and pleasure.

Reese Cartwrightisn’t thrilled when her granddad sells his share in the family business to an outsider, even though he is a friend. But she’s not expecting her new partner to be sexy as sin, and eager to make changes. Reese issues a challenge—winner take all—convinced she’ll win.

Tanner—a true Texan—is game, and their sizzling attraction soon ignites. Tanner wants it all—Reese and their business partnership, but can this stubborn beauty compromise so that they can both win?

My Review:

I did not read the first book in the series but I am sure it was just as fun as this one. The author touches on some tough subjects which I liked how she did not just sugar coat it, or glaze over it but really showed the human interaction and how it impacts someone in real life. I liked Tanner while he dealt with some tough things and saw things while serving in the military he didn’t really let that stop him from living the best life he could. He was a hard head and fought hard for what he wanted. I like Boone man he was fun and even had something up his sleeves. I did like Reese but found that she could be whiny sometimes and jump to conclusions which made her very dramatic. Overall this was a fun laid back read. However this is some adult and sexual content in the story so it may not be suitable for all. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Where you can connect with the author:

www.juliebenson.net

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Julie’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

Christian fiction · four star

An Amish Second Chance Romance Rachel L. Good

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Description:

From stunning handmade crafts to fresh-picked produce and mouthwatering baked goods, Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Green Valley Farmers Market offers sweet surprises every day—including the chance to make new friends, find community—and even discover a forever kind of happiness . . .

Cathy Zehr prides herself on her skilled donut-making—and on her plain speaking. After all, talking about others’ failings is only telling the honest truth—and it might prevent others from making the same mistakes. But gossiping has made her an alt maidel—someone never courted to be a wife. And she’s finally at a loss for more than words when she must care for her ailing brother’s young sons. To find out what not to do, she turns to reserved woodworker Myron King, a bachelor who raised his orphaned niece and nephew. His advice proves invaluable—plus, Cathy discovers they have much in common. Yet she fears their growing closeness will never overcome her deep trauma—much less lead to love . . .

Myron is taken aback by Cathy’s request—yet he’s also intrigued. Perhaps confessing his parenting regrets will ease some of his guilt. Still, he’s surprised when Cathy truly listens to him, even softening her blunt manner. Myron is even more surprised by his growing attraction to her—despite his fears about risking heartbreak again. But when their deepest secrets suddenly collide, can faith, forgiveness, and courage unite their longing hearts?

My Review:

I really enjoy this series, its so fun catching up with Mrs. Vanderburg and her willing and helpful heart. She is always so blunt, loving and caring in the kindest way it makes me as the reader pause and sometimes am humbled by what its being shared with the characters. I like Myron a lot he seem broken in away that he need to have his eyes opened through someone else’s journey to see the brokenness he was dealing with. I wish the author would had followed up more with someone who was a big part of the story in the beginning who was connected to Myron as I so want to know what was next for this person. Cathy was not one of my favorites, while in the end you find out why her guard is up so high part of me wishes the truth would have come out at least to the reader early on so that it would make a ton more sense what she acted they way she does. While in the end I like how everything played out it just felt like her situation just kept going more than it maybe needed to. I do hope the author tells Tahiti’s story I feel like that is a story I won’t be able to put down. Overall this was a cute story with some very thought subjects discussed. They author did keep it a clean read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

racheljgood.mystrikingly.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Rachel’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Swept Away by the Cowboy Leah Vale

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Description:

She learned never to mix business with pleasure…

Being the Chief Financial Officer for the Grit and Grace Rodeo Roughstock Company is a dream come true for accounting wiz turned ranch bronc rider Laura Senska. But the fledgling business she and her four business partners have poured their hearts and souls into is threatened when investors begin to mysteriously withdraw their support. The all-female company has always faced pushback for infringing ‘on a man’s world.’ Laura’s suspicious of the billionaire owner of the ranch they lease. Could Asher Halliday be undermining them to gain control?

Halliday Oil Company CEO Asher Halliday knows something’s wrong with the company his sister formed with her friends, but the CFO won’t confide in him and won’t accept help when he offers, even though his charms usually work on women. When a flash flood threatens the prime buckin’ bull stock, he and Laura face peril as they work to save the animals. Will she trust him enough to accept his help? Can he resist the danger the beautiful sun-kissed brunette poses to his hard-won control?

My Review:

I have not read any of the other books in this series and I am so bummed about that and plan on correcting that soon. This series seems like such a fun group of friends and they are so fun to read about. I really Liked Laura she was fun and stubborn. She seem set on making the best choices for her and her friends when it came to  there business adventures. I liked Asher while he was a take charge kind of guy he did it in a way that still allowed those he loved and cared about feel still loved and cared for and not overwhelmed. There was one situation the author kept hinting about the whole book and I thought for sure the author was never going to tell us the read what was up but hang in there its there. There is some adult content but its all behind close doors. Overall this was a fun read and I can’t wait to read more from this group of friends. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.leahvale.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Leah Vale’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn Sarah Hope

SarahLeave a comment

Description:

Perfect cosy escape for fans of Jessica Redland, Rachael Lucas and Phillipa Ashley!

Is this just a summer romance or could it be more? 💕

Nicola grew up at Pennycress Inn, in the beautiful Cotswold village of Meadowfield, and now she’s come full circle by landing a job there. After a difficult few months, she’s happy to be back in the place she loves and calls home.

The whole village is looking forward to the annual summer carnival, and Nicola is charged with asking the local farmers to lend their tractors and trailers for the occasion. It’s an easy task – until she meets the new owner of Little Mead Farm, who stubbornly refuses to help.

On sabbatical from his City job for the summer, Charlie wants to do up his late uncle’s farm and put it on the market as soon as possible. The place might have been in his family for generations but country life is simply not for him. He has no time for whatever the villagers are up to.

When Nicola and Charlie meet, sparks fly – and unexpected feelings grow. Soon there’s more at stake in Meadowfield than the success of the carnival. But whatever happens between them, this is just a summer romance… isn’t it?

My Review:This is a new to me author and I really found this story cute. It gave Gilmore girl vibes but a twist of its own. I did feel it dragged a little bit here and there but overall it was a really fun read. I liked Nicola she was not about to put up with any ones stuff and she had a big heart always wanting to help those in her small town and those she cares for. Charlie was grumpy but deep down had a heart that just was protected by a big wall. I really liked Jill and Laura they are so sweet and the best friends a girl could have. I did not read the first story but I want to go after reading this to see what the characters were all up to. The author kept this book a clean read so suitable for all readers. 

Where to Buy the book:

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

Where you can connect with the author:

www.sarahhopeauthor.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Sarah Hope’s other books. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

The Sweet Life Debbie Mason

SarahLeave a comment

Description:

Sometimes you can go home again . . . 
 
Attorney Sage Rosetti is a force to be reckoned with. Work/life balance? Never heard of it. But when the unexpected loss of her mentor sends her spiraling, she’s prescribed a healthy dose of time off. Luckily, she’s just inherited the perfect home where she can recover. Unluckily, she’s now co-owners with her high school crush/nemesis, Jake Walker. How can she truly relax when her heart is at risk?

Sage’s mother, Gia, is dealing with a crisis of her own. A new book is about to reveal their family’s biggest secret—and Gia’s devasting heartbreak. The only person she can confide in is the one man she shouldn’t be getting close to: her sister’s ex.

But just as Sage and Gia are starting to find their paths, someone from Gia’s past resurfaces who could ruin everything they’ve worked so hard to build.

My Review:

What a fun ride! Catching Up with the Rosettis is another entertaining installment in a series that I’ve truly grown to love. The Rosetti family is the perfect mix of dysfunctional and lovable — the kind of “normal” chaos that makes you feel right at home.

One of the things I really appreciate about this series is how the author makes you feel like you’re right there, part of the action, simply catching up with old friends. The storytelling is immersive and warm, and this book is no exception.

I especially enjoyed the subtle love-hate dynamic between the two main characters. It added a realistic layer to their relationship that felt authentic rather than forced. Sage, in particular, stood out to me — driven and determined to get things done her way, but also thoughtful and willing to fight for what’s right for everyone involved.

And Jake — well, he’s a smooth one! But his charm and sneakiness come from a good place, and he keeps Sage on her toes in the best ways.

Overall, this was such a fun read. Whether you’ve been following the series or are jumping in fresh, the Rosettis are absolutely worth spending time with.

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

authordebbiemason.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Debbie’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · four star

The Rancher’s Heart by Susan Lute

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Description:

Lawyer and rancher Jonas Lohmen returns home with a plan to help save the debt-ridden ranch he co-owns with his brothers. Before he can do more than open a satellite law office, trouble in the form of a beautiful former client, who’s also his law partner’s sister follows him. New plan. Convince his best friend to pretend to be his fiancé.

“Have you lost your mind?” Sloane Michaels can’t believe the favor Jonas wants—especially now that she’s finally finished pining for him and has joined a dating app. So what if the first dates leave her bored and cold? She owns a booming car repair business and knows she can craft her own HEA and have the family she’s always craved. Jonas with his wicked, sexy smile, won’t talk his way around her this time.

Sloane, in her grease-stained overalls, doesn’t want to pretend to be someone else, but could he fall in love with the woman she is, or is she risking heartbreak once again?

My Review:

I will say that in the end the author drops a hint at something big so I really hope this book is not the last we see of these characters because I so want to know more. I felt like Sloane acted a little on the immature side she really liked Jonas but wouldn’t step up and say anything and then got mad of him for not getting with the program. I did however feel when handed a a tough situation she handled with grace and love and really just showed who she is as a person so she did grow on me as a reader. Jonas was laid back and over all took the father role in his brothers lives only to realize that life is short and they need each as partners and this story showed just that. I really liked how while he was clueless to Sloane’s feelings he was still her best friend and would stop everything he was doing to help her. Overall this book was really fun read and I so want to see what’s next. 

Where to Buy the book:

amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.susanlute.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Susan’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

Christian fiction · four star

Sunrise Reef Irene Hannon

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Description:

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life–except romance. But that’s okay. Men are a complication she doesn’t need. 

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn’t looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn’t intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who’s taken up residence in his father’s guest cottage. But when he finds himself sucked into her quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye?

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to the charming town of Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Review:

This was a cute story. I loved Emma and her dedication to making lemonade out of lemons life threw at her. While it’s not always easy to take help from others when you’re struggling sometimes just kindness from others goes along way in Emma and Bern’s case. I liked Bren a lot as well while she was reserved about putting her heart all in she left the door open to allow others in and find where to she belonged in her world. I will be honest I was not a fan of Noah at all at first, I found him so judgmental and stuck on himself he could not see outside his bubble to see those in need. However as the story went on between, Bev, Fred and a handful of other characters he started to break down walls and see the world in a different light. I liked how the author kept this book clean and suitable for all readers. For me this is well worth the read

Where to Buy the book:

www.christianbook.com

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

Where you can connect with the author:

www.irenehannon.com

While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Irene’s other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.