The Setup(Smash Point Social Club,#2)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

   Thank you to the author,Cynthia Gunderson and BookSirens for E Copy, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

Talk about mixed doubles...

 
Justin's ex is on the executive team for the pickleball tournament series he’s hosting. And she’s bringing her new celebrity boyfriend on the tour. 

He needs a doubles partner off the court—stat. Enter prickly, private, and the last person you’d expect to agree to fake date anyone. 

But she’s got a killer poker face, a solid paddle grip, and zero interest in real romance. Which makes her the perfect fake girlfriend. 

The plan? 

Keep it casual. Fake some chemistry. Win the tournament—and the breakup optics. 

But between their kitchen banter, flirty foot faults, and steamy “practice drills,” lines are blurring fast. 

Now they’re stuck in close quarters on the tournament tour, dinking around with fake feelings that might not be so fake...

 🌷

 
Last year, I read The Big Dunk, the first book in Smash Point Social Club, and I adored Alecia and Calder’s story. I loved Sam from the moment she was introduced in the first book and was excited to find out that the next one is about her. I loved The Setup even more; there was something about Sam and Justin’s story that I couldn’t stop smiling. I liked the way Cynthia portrayed Justin and Sam, though I felt their relationship developed a little too quickly. However, you couldn’t help but root for the two of them. I know that they were pretending, but both give off the vibes that say otherwise. I couldn’t turn my pages fast enough; I wanted to see what would happen with two of them next. 

I liked the way that Justin and Sam connected, and that they watched Friends together; which happens to be one of my favorite shows. I wondered how long it would take them to admit their feelings to one another. I found myself rooting for the two of them, all throughout the book. Just like the last book, I wished that the book was longer; mostly because I didn’t want for their story to come to an end. 

Smash Point Social Club were the first book that I read about pickleball, and now I want to read more. I’m also eager to check out rest of Cynthia Gunderson books. Highly recommended for sports romance fans.

Across The Vanishing Sky(Starlight Grove,#1)

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

He spent a lifetime trying to escape his dark past…but to save her, he’ll wade back into the shadows.

 
Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove—the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who’d sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won’t stay buried, Brae is back…and determined to uncover the truth. 

She just didn’t count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door. 

Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend—silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers’ violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind…and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search. 

The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again.
Only someone isn’t happy that Brae has been digging, and they’ll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He’ll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark…

 🌷

 
Across The Vanishing Sky was the second book I read by Catherine Cowles, and I already know why so many love her. I love the way that Catherine interweaves suspense and romance. She hooks you to the story from page one and has you turning the pages until the last page. I was intrigued by this story from the moment that Nova went missing. I loved the determination that Brae has to find her missing best friend, and never giving up, despite what others were telling her. Like Brae, I knew that something had happened to Nova, and I found myself rooting for Brae to find out what and hoping that she wasn’t too late. Nova and Brae's friendship reminded me so much of my best friend, Mariah, and me. We've known each other for 23 years, and there's nothing we wouldn't do for each other. 

Dex. You can’t help but love him. Even though he was reserved when the two of them just met, and of course, I couldn’t help but laugh at how it happened. However, he was the only one who was willing to help Braedyn find Nova. I understood why his brothers were hesitant, but I loved that he was still willing to help. You could tell how much Dex cared about Brae, the way that he tried protecting her and was always there when she needed him. I liked how the relationship between the two of them developed. I adored the way that they helped each other, and how Brae didn’t judge him based on his family's past. The two of them were perfect for each other. 

Found Family is one of my favorite tropes, and it was portrayed perfectly in this book. I was so happy that Brae found people who fit in with her and were willing to help her find her best friend. The Archer brothers, I loved them all. I love romantic suspense, and I have to say that Catherine Cowles writes one of the best ones. I can’t wait to see what awaits us in the next book, Into Fading Twilight.

City Of Promise & Light (Mates Of Gods & Fae,#1)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

   Thank you to the author,M.B Atkins and Rattle The Stars PR for letting me be part of review team for Mates Of Gods & Fae series! 

 

  

 

Sybil Hart's ordinary life unravels the moment she collides with a silver-haired stranger, pulling her into a hidden world of fae, ancient gods, and long-buried magic. A tempting job offer from the enigmatic Ambrose Farra quickly becomes a perilous path as Sybil's latent power awaken, threatening to consume her and strip away her humanity. 

As she's drawn deeper into a legacy she never knew existed, Sybil finds herself caught between two powerful men: Ambrose, a seductive manipulator with dangerous ambitions, and Samian, her brooding protector who urges her to take control of her fate. But nothing is as it seems, and when betrayal strikes from within, Sybil must confront the truth about who she is and what she's capable of. With the fate of an entire realm hanging in the balance, she faces an impossible choice... 

Can Sybil embrace the darkness rising within or risk loosing herself forever?

 🌷

 
I had a feeling that I was going to love this book. When I read the synopsis of City Of Promise and Light, it sounded just the kind of fantasy book I love. There is so much I can say about this, and I am going through so many emotions right now. I loved the world-building in this book; it was so vivid that I could imagine myself there while reading. I could see everything Sybil had endured, and my heart broke for her multiple times. I was rooting for her throughout the book, hoping she would find a way out. 

The characters in this book were phenomenal; I loved how Atkins portrayed each one of them- including Ambrose. At first, I wasn’t sure about Sybil. Even though I understood that she was scared and confused, I questioned the choices she made at the beginning, and how she believed everything anyone told her. However, as the book progressed, it made sense why she acted the way that she did. I’m eager to see what challenges and adventures await Sybil in the next book. 

 
I had bad feelings about Ambrose from the start; there was something about him that fell off. I hoped that Sybil would see him for who he was before it was too late. One of the things I loved about this book was the action; it got to the point where I found myself reading in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep, needing to see what happened next. Even though I disliked Ambrose, I enjoyed reading from his perspective. It made the story so much more intense and even more intriguing. I’m so glad that I got chance to read this book, I’m intrigued to see what happens next. Highly recommended.

Too Close To Home.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 4.5★ 

 

 Thank you to publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing|Park Row for Earc via Netgalley, in exchange for honest review. 

 

 

04.14.26   

 

  

 

Nothing in this idyllic community is quite what it seems…

 
Those lucky enough to live in the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes are drawn to it for its safety and top-notch school district. The moms meet for coffee at the park while their kids play, they’re heavily involved in the PTA, and the summers are filled with chardonnay, brunch, sundresses, and backyard bonfires. 

But everything changes when Regan Hoffman’s car explodes at the annual Labor Day party. The wrong person is killed, but it was meant for her. As the carefully crafted walls of her community begin to crumble, Regan tries to keep it together—something made infinitely harder when she sees her dead husband…alive. 

When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.

 

 🌷

 
What a roller coaster ride! 

This story: it’s everything that I love about thrillers. Too Close To Home is the book that will hook you, and next thing you know, you’ve reached the end of the book. I’m still going through so many emotions after reading this book. Multiple perspectives worked perfectly in this book, and each had you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s going to happen next. Although I enjoyed all the perspectives, Andi and Sasha intrigued me the most, especially Andi’s. What Andi had to go through, I can’t even imagine, but all the descriptions in the book made me feel as if I could imagine it. While reading from Andi’s perspective, I was on the edge of my seat constantly. I couldn’t put the book down, but there was part of me that was anxious about what was going to happen next. 

I liked the way that the author developed Andi, Sasha and Regan throughout the story, and by middle of the book, I felt as if all of them were my friends. What I loved about the story was all the twists. Just when you thought you had it all figured it out, you were proven wrong. It’s one of the reasons I spent most of the night reading, I couldn’t pull away from the story. I liked the friendship between Andi, Sasha and Regan; they reminded me of some of my closets friends. Too Close To Home was fast paced, and there was always something happening. 

I’m so glad that I got chance to read this book. I haven’t read many books by Seraphina Nova Glass , but this one is my favorite one. I think that this book would make an amazing movie. I loved the setting of this book, and how almost everyone came together. I highly recommend this book to any thriller fans.

Calamity Rayne: Gets A Life (Calamity Rayne,#1)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Lydia Michaels and Lydia Michaels PR for E Copy, in exchange for honest review

 

  

An awkward girl's account of inexperience, sexual mishaps, and too much tequila... 

Needing a change, Rayne Meyers—a.k.a. Calamity Rayne—sets out to be a personal assistant for one of the wealthiest families in the world. What could possibly go wrong? Inexperienced with sophisticated settings, she does her best not to screw things up too severely, except there’s one complication she didn’t foresee—her boss’s devastatingly charming son, Hale Davenport.   

Hale is everything Rayne is not–experienced, mature, and methodical. But when he meets his father’s new assistant, a woman nothing like the calculating females he’s used to, he is captivated and prepared to throw caution to the wind.

 🌷

 
I love rom-com books. I was glad to have the chance to read this book. I don’t remember the last time I smiled and laughed this much while reading a romance book. One of my favorite things about Calamity Rayne: Gets A Life is that it had you laughing on multiple occasions, especially when Rayne got herself into awkward positions. I loved Rayne from the moment that I met her. I think it’s her personality, you can’t help but love her. Even though I had mixed feelings about Remington, I adored the bond between her and Rayne. Sometimes I got the feeling that she was the only one that he listened to. When I first met him, I never thought I liked him, but as the book progressed, so did my feelings towards him. 

Hale, that’s another character that I had mixed feelings about, but not as much as his father. In general, he was a good person; I didn’t always agree with some of his decisions. You could tell that there was a connection between the two of them from the moment that they met. I loved how Hale tried to take care of Rayne and how patient he was with her. I loved the scenes between the two of them, and I like the fact that it wasn’t all about romance, and that’s what made this book feel so real. Those two belonged together. I rooted for them all throughout the book. 

I liked that Calamity Rayne: Gets A Life was much more than a romance book, but it also dealt with real life issues. Rayne was an amazing character, and she grew so much from the beginning of the book. This was such fun book to read, and I had force myself to put down, so I could study. That ending, it has me craving the next book. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Rayne and Hale! Highly recommended.

The Secrets Of Provence(Forgotten Bookshop In Paris,#2)

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Thank you to publisher,Avon Books UK for providing with complimentary E ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.  

An unforgettable, heart-wrenching story tying together past and present, from the bestselling author of The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris Provence, 1940. Thrown out of occupied Paris by the Nazis, brave, beautiful Mathilde finds refuge with her cousin in Provence, where she’s soon drawn into the Resistance movement. Secrecy and subterfuge are her constant companions in her life on the run, where passions run high and betrayal is a constant threat. 

But Mathilde’s greatest pain and greatest joy are wrapped up in the most heartbreaking secret of one she must hide even from her beloved husband, and keep for the rest of her days.
Paris, present day. Juliette’s life should be perfect, with her bookshop established and her long-term relationship feeling settled, but something just isn’t clicking. Her thoughts turn to tracing her roots. Why did her French grandmother spend most of the war in Provence, after being expelled from Paris?
An old photograph will lead Juliette to a crumbling château, where she uncovers a story that will change her life in the most unexpected way…

   🌷

 
A story that will stay with you, long after you turn the last page. 

 The Forgotten Bookshop In Paris was the first book that I read by Daisy Wood, and the one that got me into her books. I loved Jacques’s story, but I was curious about how his wife was after she left. When I came across Secrets Of Provence, I had a feeling that I was going to love the book. Yet, it still took me by surprise. This story was so beautifully written, with descriptions, characters, and the challenges they faced. Despite the hard subject, I didn’t want to put the book down, but also didn’t want the story to end. 

Out of all the characters in the book, Mathilde was my favorite. She had to leave her husband behind and then endure so much afterward. What I adored about her was her courage and how willing she was to help others. I loved all descriptions from Mathilde’s perspective; making me feel as if I was there beside her; experiencing it all. Daisy Wood did an amazing job of merging Juliette’s and Mathilde’s timelines. Although, I enjoyed Juliette’s story too, I was more pulled into Mathilde story; eager to see where she end up at end of war. 

Every page in this story was an adventure. I cried, I got angry, and I laughed with all the characters throughout the story. I also liked the fact that there were a few surprises within the story that I didn’t see coming. Secrets of Provence is an outstanding book, and if I could, I would give it more than five stars. Daisy Wood is officially one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and I cannot wait to see what she has for us next!

Dear Debbie.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  4.5★

Sometimes, enough is enough… 

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction. 

Or at least, she did. 

These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice. 

And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

 

   🌷

 
Just when I didn't think I could be more surprised by Freida's book, I was proven wrong. Dear Debbie had everything I love about thriller books, and I found myself unable to put it down. Every page had me wondering what Debbie would do next. I loved the twists in this book; most of which I didn’t see coming. One of my favorite things about Freida books is the twists. No matter how many times you think you have figured it out, most of the time you will be wrong. The twists will keep you turning the pages, and before you realize, you finish the book. I finished this book in one day; I could not pull away from the story. 

The beginning was slow, but once the story picked up, I was intrigued and found myself telling my friends about the book. Debbie wasn’t the only one keeping secrets; so was Cooper, but the secret he was keeping was far from what I assumed it was. I did wonder if Cooper would notice that Debbie is acting differently, and there was part of me that hoped he would. I understood why Debbie did what she did, but I also felt that if no one stopped her, she would go too far. There was so much happening in this book, even if you wanted to put book down, you wouldn’t be able to. 

I loved the Dear Debbie drafts; those were very interesting to read. The character development for Debbie was outstanding. Although Debbie had issues, she’s one of my favorite characters from the Freida books that I read. She’s the character you know you shouldn’t like, but you still find yourself rooting for. After this book, I can’t wait to see what Freida has in store for us next. Highly recommended for thriller fans.

Roped In (Silver Saloon,#1)

 

 

   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Thank you to  Persis for letting me be part of her amazing street team, and for opportunity to read this ARC.

 

Blair Rivers never does repeats—especially not with cocky, gorgeous cowboys she meets during rodeo weekends. But after one unforgettable ni

ght with a mysterious stranger, she heads home to Whiskey Creek and tries to forget all about him.
Until he walks into her bar. 

Gage Dalton just took a job as the new foreman at a neighboring ranch. He didn’t expect to run into the fiery bartender who ghosted him—but he’s more than happy to turn the heat back up. Trouble is, Blair doesn’t believe in love. And Gage? He’s planning on making her believe in second rounds.

 🌷

 
I’ve been reading Persis Lassiter since she wrote her first book, The Layover That Changed Everything. I love all her books; she has a way of capturing your attention from the first page to the last. While reading, you’ll find yourself feeling connections with the characters. Roped In wasn’t any different, and even though Gage screamed red flags, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. I understood why he did what he did, but at the same time, I felt he went a little too far. Even though at first I didn’t understand how Blair could be drawn to Cage, as the story progressed, I saw it. Cage is the type of character you shouldn’t like, but you can’t help but like him. The tension and action in this book made it impossible to put down. Every page had me wondering what’s going to happen next. 

I loved Blair. I loved how Blair wouldn’t let anyone know what to do until Cage showed up. There was so much tension between them that I was always on edge, eager to see what was going to happen next. One of my favorites in this book was the descriptions; I could picture Whiskey Creek and The Silver Saloon while I was reading, as if I was watching a movie. Also, the emotions in this book; I felt every single one of them. Roped In was one of the darker books, and I loved everything about it. I read it until I reached the last page and afterwards recommended it to my friends. I’m still thinking about it and cannot wait for the second book. 

Although I loved all of Persis’s books, Roped In is my new favorite; at least so far. I had always loved books that feature a western vibe, and this one is one of the most intense, and favorites. I would highly recommend checking this book out. Be prepared for a thrilling ride!

The Last Drive Home(Golden City,#3)

 

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Casandra Moll for letting be part of ARC Team!  All opinions are my own.

 

 

04.07.26 

Liam Montgomery is a veteran MLB shortstop, a devoted father, and Golden City’s sunshine. He’s spent the last decade focusing on his game and his daughter, committed to avoiding women and relationships. When his longtime nanny leaves to pursue a new career, Liam is stuck sorting through a string of disappointing hires and a pile of lackluster applications—an unwelcome distraction in what should be his hard-earned retirement year. 

Until he meets her. 

Tessa Hastings takes care of everyone—her four adult siblings who can’t seem to grow up and the families she nannies for. But Tess has never learned to accept the same care she so freely gives. When she’s suddenly let go from her current position, she finds herself searching for a new job to ground her while quietly drowning in a relationship that's been just "good enough" for far too long. 

When Liam takes a chance interviewing a friend of a friend, Tess shows up and they realize they’ve met before—weeks ago when Sammy, the Montgomery’s family dog, ran away from Liam and into Tessa’s ice cream-filled arms. Now, as the two grow closer and lines start to blur, both realize the ways they’ve protected themselves all this time might be the very reason they’re afraid to swing at something real.
Because sometimes love doesn't come right down the middle. 

Sometimes, it forces you to chase it.

 🌷

 
Baseball is one of my favorite sports. When I came across this book, it captured my attention right away. The title was what first caught my eye, followed by the cover. I’m so glad that I got a chance to read this book. I liked the story's pacing and the way the relationship between Tessa and Liam developed. It was realistic. When I started reading The Last Drive Home, I wondered how long it would take them to confess the attraction that the two of them felt for one another. I could practically feel the tension between them. I was rotting for the two of them. 

I haven’t read the other book in the series, but now that I read The Last Drive Home, I can’t wait to read the others. I loved Liam, I loved the way he took care of his daughter, Ruthie; he was such an amazing dad, and the way that he looked out for Tessa. The way he looked out for Tessa; that’s when I knew that his feelings went deeper than he was willing to admit. I feel like everyone but him could see it. Among all the characters in the book, Tessa, Liam, and Ruthie were my favorites. If I were asked to pick a favorite, I don’t think I could choose. I loved the bond that Tessa formed with Ruthie. I think that she needed someone like Tessa in her life. 

 
I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. I loved how caring Tessa was, the way she took care of Ruthie, and the way she looked out for her family. It’s one of the reasons that I felt that Liam and Tessa were perfect for each other. The Last Drive Home is one of those books where the minor characters stand out as well, and you find yourself wanting to learn more about them. I would highly recommend this book for romance fans! I’m eager to see what Cassandra has in store for us next!