Willowbrook Wishes

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

4.5★

 

 Thank you to author, Kristen Reads for proving with EARC, in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 05.05.26    

  

Can a wish tear down walls around a heart?

 
In the summer of 1998, Lily Harper drifts into Willowbrook, Ohio, her heart guarded by old scars and a plan to leave as soon as she’s done rebranding the town’s beloved county fair. But Ethan Calloway, the gruff bookstore owner protecting his late father’s legacy, turns her quick exit into a heated clash of wills. Their bickering sparks something deeper, kindled by the Wishing Tree’s hopeful ribbons and starlit summer nights. 

As 90s pop songs blast from boomboxes and kids race through the fairgrounds, Willowbrook’s loyal friends weave a community that tugs at Lily’s defenses. Can she trust a town—and a love—worth staying for?

 🌷

 
This story is one of the things that I love about small-town romance. I ended up finishing this book in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. Willowbrook Wishes is one of those stories that will break your heart at times, but at the same time will have you smiling. I loved escaping into Willowbrook, Ohio, and as I read, I pictured myself there, along with Lily, Ethan, Carol, and the others. One of my favorite things about Willowbrook Wishes was the community, and the way that they looked out for one another, and how everyone made Lily feel welcome. It had me wishing I could escape there myself; it sounds just the type of place I would love to live in. 

I loved that this book took place in the 90s, and the references brought it back to that time. I feel like this book needs a ’90s playlist to go with it. Ethan, at first, wasn’t sure whether he and Lily would get along, since he didn’t agree with her plan for the country fair. I understood why he didn’t, and he wasn’t the only one, and I hoped that Lily would change their minds. As time passed, I noticed the connection and attraction between Ethan and Lily; I feel like everyone did. I wished that Lily wouldn’t pull away from him, although I understood why she did. I loved the last few chapters. There was part of me that didn’t want the story to end, and I felt as if each character became a friend. 

I don't mind reading spicy books, but I also love closed-door small-town romance where the focus is on the characters' connection. However, Willowbrook Wishes was so much more than that. This was one of the books where there wasn’t a single character I didn’t love, they were like one big family, and I loved it! Willowbrook Wishes is a story that will stay with you, long after you finish it. I’m so grateful I got chance to read it. I can’t wait to see what Kristen has for us next.

Shield Of Sparrows(Shield Of Sparrows,#1)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  4.5★

 

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel. 

I’ve spent my life kneeling—to their will and to my father’s. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king. 

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood. 

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.
Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him—bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know. 

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. 

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated? 

And what if—for the first time—I reached for it?

   🌷

 
I love fantasy. However, lately I haven’t been reading as much fantasy, and Shield Of Sparrows is the book that will get me back into it. A few of my friends have been talking about this book, and I’m so glad that I finally got a chance to check it out. There were a few slower parts throughout the book, but in general, I couldn’t put it down. If it hadn’t been for having company when I started the book, I would have spent the whole day reading. Every page had something happening, and every page you wondered what challenges Odessa and the guardian would have to face next. Of course, I was eager to see what would happen next between Odessa and the Guardian. From the moment that those two met, you could practically feel the tension between them. 

The action in this book was phenomenal; the descriptions made me feel as if I were there, along with Odessa and the others. In general, the descriptions throughout the book were outstanding and so vivid that I pictured myself there while reading. I loved the world building in this book. There were quite a few twists in this book that I didn’t see coming, but the ending was the most surprising one of all. I put the second book on hold at the library the moment that I read the last page. Shield Of Sparrows is the type of the book that I wish I read sooner, and the book that I will be recommending to my friends. 

I loved the interactions between Odessa and the Guardian; their banter had me laughing, but at times also shaking my head. I was rooting for those two and eager to see what happens between them next. Out of all characters, my favorites were Odessa, Ransom, Evie, and Tillia. I adored the way that Odessa and Evie bonded. I also couldn’t help but love Faze. There is so much I adored about this book, and I am excited yet anxious to see what awaits Odessa, Ransom, and Evie next.

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.