Tag: not for me

fiction · Two Star

Love, Just In Natalie Murray

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 Description:

Sydney TV news reporter Josie Larsen is approaching thirty and coming dangerously close to failing at life. Lost in a vortex of other people’s career milestones, engagement parties and baby showers, Josie is perennially single, abandoned by her globetrotting family, and invisible to her boss – except for the one time he tuned in while she was mid-panic-attack on live TV. As punishment, Josie is shipped off to cover another reporter’s six-month leave at a regional bureau in Newcastle. But Josie has more waiting for her in Newcastle than yawn-inducing stories about bicycle lane protests. The city is also the domain of Zac Jameson – her best friend since high school. This should be a happy turn of events, but Zac has barely spoken to Josie for the past two years. Not since a tragic event caused him to leave Sydney to try and cope with his grief. Now thrown back into each other’s lives, Josie and Zac have to navigate their neglected friendship and secret attraction to each other while struggling with their careers and mental health. 

My Review:

This book was not for me. I will start off saying I have never read anything by this author so I was excited to check this book out. However the way the story was told was just to much, There are 44 chapters and and Epilogue in the book every other chapter is in the past it jumps around I found this to be distracting not always easy to keep up with, and yes the chapters are labeled but still found this too be annoying. I wish the author would have either picked the past or the present but not try and squeeze both into the story this way. For grown adult I found Josie acting like a young girl in high school or early college years. I found Zac standoffish and just overall annoyed at Josie no matter what she did for most of the story. The story is told from Josie’s point of view. Overall like I stated this book was not for me and I really struggled with even finishing it. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.nataliemurrayauthor.com

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

fiction · one star

Kitchen Heat Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays

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Description:

Welcome to the Rose and Thorn where steamy romance is always on the menu. 

Kassi is ever the optimist. She uprooted her life and moved across the country with her young daughter to give her damaged marriage one last shot. Now she’s broke, stuck in Portland and feeling like an idiot. Worse, her degree in filmmaking won’t pay the bills.

When Kassi lands a waitress job at the infamous Rose and Thorn restaurant, she thinks her luck may finally be changing, especially after meeting Clay—head chef and the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. Their white-hot attraction is instant and undeniable. But after her marriage disaster, Kassi has sworn off relationships or even dating, maybe forever.

So, what’s a girl to do? Put him in a sexy screenplay, of course.

Kassi is writing a movie script for a contest. It’s a long shot, an impossible shot, but it could be her ticket to Hollywood. She comes up with a new plot about a hot chef and a waitress falling madly in love (and bed).

It doesn’t take long before Kassi’s imaginary relationship and reality collide in unpredictable ways but as things steam up in the restaurant kitchen, not everyone may be able to stand the heat, including hunky Clay. Turns out he’s dealing with a heartbreak of his own that he may never get over, not even for Kassi.

The first in the Restaurantland Romance series, Kitchen Heat is a slow burn friends-to-lovers story crackling with off-beat humor and featuring a flirtatious cast of waiters, customers and cooks, set in the pre-internet 1990s before cells, social media and streaming.

My Review:Let me first start off and say this book was not for me. I grew up in the time in the 90’s so I can get the whole no internet aspect the authors went with. However in my opinion this book was just bad. I felt like for grown adults they all acted like high school students who seemed more entitled that the kids now than the teens in the 90’s. The story was all over the place, what I mean by that the authors would have the story going one way and then throw in some sort of political “thought” that did not have to do with anything that was going on. The story wasn’t even about political justice but the was what it felt the authors kept throwing in and in the most random ways, This went on for the whole story. The destain that the authors shown towards curtain race was eye rolling. I felt like the story truly was all over the place. I can not say I would recommend this book. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. 

fiction · Two Star

Always Her Cowboy Addison Fox

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Description:

Back in Rustlers Creek, one cowboy discovers that a lifelong feud could become his forever romance…

Charlotte Wayne has detested Chance Beaumont since the fourth grade. Her bickering with the big, rugged cowboy has become legendary around their small Montana town. But little does anyone know, Charlotte’s animosity masks unspoken feelings… because underneath it all, Chance is the only man who ever truly claimed her heart. 

Chance has spent his whole life in Rustlers Creek, but he’s always been on the outside looking in. He needs to focus on keeping his ranch afloat amid the massive debt left by his late father, and the feelings he harbors for Charlotte don’t make it any easier. She’s ranching royalty and he’s perpetually scrubbing mud off his boots. It’s safer to push her away than hope for something he can never have.

When a business opportunity forces Charlotte and Chance to work together, they share a heated moment in each other’s arms. The simmering attraction they’ve fought for years can no longer be ignored, but will Chance’s doubts stand in the way of their happiness? Or will he finally declare his love and prove to Charlotte that he’s always been her cowboy?

My Review:

This book was not for me. I was not a huge fan of this story and I struggled to finish it. I liked Charlotte she was a fighter but she spoke what was on her mind and did not give a hoot about what anyone thinks. When I think of a cowboy I think ruff and rugged and some who takes the world by the horns, however that was not the case with Chase. I found him a weak person who was annoying and whiney. I did not like him at all. I also felt the say reason they struggled with there relationship was just like beating a dead horse after reading the same excuse over and over it just got old. Overall this book was just not for me. This book does have adult content and may not be suitable for all readers. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.addisonfox.com

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

fiction · Three Star

The Doctor’s Homecoming Fiona Marsden

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Description:

He left everything behind…including her.

Doctor Saul MacDonald left Kurrajong Crossing as a teenager, fleeing impossible living conditions. He left behind his mother, younger brother Alexander, and the girl he’d loved all his life. On the far side of the world, Saul made himself into a different person—hopefully a better one—but now family ties force him home.

Animals and plants are the only living things successful entrepreneur Trudie Weiss trusts unconditionally. Neglected as a child and forced into dangerous situations she couldn’t control, Trudie prefers to keep people at a distance. But the arrival of Saul “Sunny” MacDonald back in The Crossing tests the exposed armour around Trudie’s tender heart. Like it or not, they share a deep bond. And an attraction that glows white hot.

Trudie knows a wounded animal when she sees one. And if she gets too close to Saul, he will lash out. But as he confronts old relationships and digs into his painful past, is there room for Saul and Trudie to move forward and forge a loving future…together?

My Review

:This book was not for me. I liked Trudie even though she was guarded she really did have a big heart for this who are hurting. I felt like the whole book was just one big awkward story between two very different people. Saul was ok but he had a lot of anger and I just was waiting for him to loose his cool and deal with his issues. Overall the book was ok, I would say For those who are content sensitive: this book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of physical and sexual assault. As well as sex between two consenting adults. 

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

fionamarsden.com

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

fiction · Two Star

Dandelion Wishes Melinda Curtis

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Description:

What if dandelion wishes do come true?

Ever since the accident that nearly killed her best friend, Emma has been trying to make amends. But to do so, she’ll have to return to her small hometown, the charming Harmony Valley.

When she moves back into the cozy Victorian home she grew up in, she’s hoping to rebuild her friendship with Tracy, the woman who was practically a sister growing up.

But Tracy’s brother Will—Emma’s childhood crush—doesn’t want Emma back in his family’s life and does everything in his power to discourage a reconciliation.

When it looks like everything is falling apart, Emma realizes it’s going to take more than a dandelion wish to heal the wounds of friendship and maybe in the process, find true love.

My Review:

I was not a fan of this book at all. Why Emma spend so much time and energy on two people who cold not see her value and worth is beyond me. I was not a fan of Will he was a bully and a jerk and the author played it off as he acted the way he did because he “cared”. No he was just plan mean! Tracy had her own issues but she was just as mean as her brother Will, it felt like Tracy and Will took great pleasure in torching Emma as payback for an accident that was not her fault. Emma, Rose and Rose’s Friends were hands down my favorite in this book. Emma was a fighter she loved deeply and cared deeply, so when those she loved hurt she hurt as well. Granny Rose and her friends are what friendship is made of they were the best cracking jokes, and having fun but also there when one of them needed someone. This is a Clean read but this book was not for me in the least. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.melindacurtis.net

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

fiction · Three Star

Come What Maybe Kerri Carpenter

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Description:

Social media strategist Lauren Wallace plans everything. But when she returns to the charming—if not too small for comfort—town of Seaside Cove, it’s only about a second before her tough-love Grams is already on her case. So when Grams tells her not to go to that bar, Lauren decides it’s time for a temporary rebellion. Which is exactly when the trouble starts.

Grams was right. The bar was not a good plan. Because suddenly super-cute bar owner Ethan McAllister has gone from being Lauren’s (kind of) high school nemesis to a very unexpected one-night stand. And worse, Lauren’s attempts to resume her ultra-responsible life keep getting thwarted by more unwelcome spontaneity. And a pregnancy.

Now there’s a baby on the way, Lauren’s the talk of the entire town, and all her planning has gone right out the window. All that’s missing is childbirth to make her pain complete. But it’ll be nothing compared to Grams’s reaction when she finds out that Lauren broke the biggest rule of all…falling for the wrong guy.

My Review:

This is a new to me author, while I was not a huge fan of this book I would plan on giving this author another shot. I have to say one of the things I dreaded was the start of the book the author stated off with the pandemic and honestly I am so over hearing, reading or even thinking about the pandemic at this point and everything Pandemic related. I just with the author would have found maybe another way to handle situations around that or just left it out completely. I did like Ethen a lot he was such a down to earth free spirit who just lived his best life the way he knew how, and did not let anything stop him. He cared for those close to him and he had a big heart. I loved Rose and Gabby they are spite fires and will tell it like they see it. I was not a huge fan of Brooke of Lauren I know being sisters you fight/argue but they felt like they had more of a Love to hate each other relationship it just didn’t seem to fit sisterly love. I felt in the end this book was just not for me. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

kerricarpenter.com

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

fiction · Three Star

The Texas Cowboy’s Lady by Debra Holt

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Description:

Which shines brighter: Hollywood lights or the Texas stars?

Laurel Burkitt, who owns half of the mega-ranching empire known as the Aces High, shook the Texas dirt off her stilettos a long time ago. She’s all about high fashion, sleek cars, and adding movie awards to her shelves. No dark-eyed, sexy, hard-driving, country-living cowboy is going to rope her into being his country darlin’…as long as her brain keeps control over the traitorous yearnings of her heart. 

Jaxson Hawkes, foreman of the Aces High, was born to the saddle and to being a cowboy all his days. So it took him a while to finally bare his soul to the spitfire he grew up adoring. He expected Laurel to choose between him and Texas and her dream of California gold. Her choice broke his heart.

Now Laurel’s back and her ideas of merging California with Texas aren’t sitting too well with Jaxson. There’s a showdown coming between them, and when the dust clears, will he send her packing on that shiny plane once and for all? Or will the lady claim the cowboy’s heart for good?

My Review:

I typically like this authors books a lot they have that small town feel to them and usually will suck me into the story, however this book was not for me. I felt a lot of the back in forth was very childish and annoying, I also felt the purpose of the back and forth went on for way to long and then in the end the story seemed rush to tie it up in to a nice big bow. I will say I did like catch up with Sammi Jo and Beau from the first book it was fun to see how far the story has come. I also like Jaxson a little bit when he was not at odds with Laurel he seemed like an old soul whole would do anything to protect those he loved and really cared about those close to him heft very relatable in those moments. Over all this book just wasn’t for me the author did keep the story a clean read. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.debraholtbooks.com

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

fiction · Two Star

Texas Christmas Baby Bargain Eve Gaddy

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Description:

This Christmas, a baby is on her wish list…

Art gallery owner Micki Kennedy loves her new home in Whiskey River, but she yearns for a baby. Seeing the Christmas lights and happy families only makes her more determined to have a child of her own, but her divorce has made her wary of relationships. She wants a baby, not a baby daddy. Footloose Cole Walker seems like the perfect person to ask for help.

Cole Walker thought he had plenty of time to settle down, but a near-death experience has him questioning his single status. He heads back to Whiskey River for Christmas determined to find a woman he can spend his life with. But the first person he sees when he arrives in town is the woman who dumped him years ago to marry her ex-boyfriend.

Cole can’t believe Micki would ask him to father her child and walk away. But can he risk heartbreak again to court her and try to father her child the old-fashioned way—and build a family of their own?

My Review:

I typically really like this author and her stories, so I was really excited to read this one. However this book was a bit of a let down for me, it just did not feel like her normal writing style and in some places felt rushed and others seems to drag and have way too much detail. For the first part of the book I really liked both characters I felt like the book started strong, I felt in the end that Cole was a bit of a jerk and just pushed until he got what he wanted. Micki seemed like a strong independent person ready to take on the world but once she was with Cole she game this timid shy person. I really liked Alexas she was a good friend and a really strong character through out. I also really Liked Micki’s Mom she was so fun and had me laughing out loud that women held nothing back that came to her mind. This book does contain sex scenes so may not be suitable for all readers. Overall this book just was not for me. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

www.evegaddy.net

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

fiction · Two Star

My Christmas with You by Fortune Whelan

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Description:

Christmas is a time for family and forgiveness…

Mabel Gray is no stranger to rebuilding her life. She ran away from her childhood sweetheart, ghosting him to create a life away from her controlling family in Conception Bay. Fifteen years later, she’s done it again. After walking away from her marriage and the hotel empire she built with her ex, she’s broke and a single mom to a teen. But with a loan from her mother, she plans to rise again, this time back in her hometown. Her only concern? Running into Danny, the man she’s never forgotten.

Danny Dorsey knows all about second chances. After recklessly crashing his car days after signing a professional hockey contract, he lost everything—including the girl he loved. Years later, he’s the wealthy creator of an illustrious social media and lifestyle brand. Finally feeling settled, Danny makes an unexpected detour to visit his family for Christmas…only to find himself sitting with Mabel at dinner.

Falling in love has always been easy. But will the secrets of the past once again tear them apart?

My Review:

This is a new to me author so that being said I have not read any of the other book in the series. However this book was not for me. There was a LOT of back and forth with “I like you today, but not tomorrow” it just kind of got old. I found Dany harsh and almost mean for most of the book except when it came to his niece otherwise I am not really a fan at all. I did like Season, Charmaine, Clark, Athena, Leena they just added a lot of fun and laughter to the book. I found I did like Mabel she was a fighter and she wanted to give the best life she could for her daughter. Overall I would say this was not a book I would find myself rereading, There is adult language and content in this book so it my not be suitable for all. 

Where to Buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Where you can connect with the author:

fortunewhelan.com

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

Two Star

Mall American Girl Sarah Robinson

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Description:

Oh, say can you see these sparks flying in this 4th of July-themed standalone short romance when singer/songwriter Kamar Jaziri meets the beautiful and undefeated Independence Games champion in a red, white, and blue meet-cute over a plate of hot dogs.

Summer Darby, owner of Summer’s Sun Spray Tan Salon, is a winner. The end. Every goal she’s had, she’s crushed and her streak isn’t about to come to an end now even though the games have changed. She doesn’t care how much the new singer in the pavilion lights her firecracker—she won’t be distracted by his star-spangled salute.

When Kamar Jaziri isn’t studying in graduate school, he’s working as a singer/songwriter at small gigs around the local college town—including a recent hire at Yule Heights Shopping Mall. All he wants is a taste of freedom as he chases his American dreams, and that means he doesn’t have time for romance or dating. And he definitely doesn’t have time for the way Summer Darby looks at him.

Cue the sparklers as these blue collar titans of business clash in a comedic battle for independence—and love.

My Review:

This book is a Novella, which makes it short and to the point, not a lot of build up. I felt like with Kamar he was really laid back and just go with the flow kind of guy. With Summer I feel like if I had to describer her she was like Eeyore “woah is me” kind of attitude. Also I felt like the author tried to throw a twist into the book but the never let it play out so I felt like well what was the point of that. Honestly this book was not for me. If you are looking for a quick read this book might be for you, if you are looking for a more drawn out story this one might not be for you. 

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion

Where to Buy the book:

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

Where you can connect with the author:

booksbysarahrobinson.com

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