Matchmaking A Billionaire - ARC Review

Special shout out to the authors, A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank, for allowing me on their review team and giving me access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Matchmaking a Billionaire

by: A.R. Casella & Denise Grover Swank
(Angela Denise)

My Rating: 4.5 Stars/Would Recommend

Released: April 28, 2022
Genre: Romance

At this point, I will read literally anything A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank, now collectively known as Angela Denise, write together. They could continue writing stories for every little side character and I would still read them because they are wonderful!

In Matchmaking a Billionaire, we meet Bryn, Holly's sister (remember Holly?) She's still in Highland Hills trying to make her grandmother's matchmaking business work because let's face it, they are floundering.

When Rory hears about an idea that Bryn and Holly had for an app, he's intrigued and he's the kind of business guy who could help out. There's just one catch -- Nana Mayberry won't let him help unless they get to matchmake him. And it just so happens Bryn is single too. We can all see where this is going, but isn't it the perfect premise?!

I'm excited to see where this new series takes us. 

 

Reminders of Him - Five Star Review

 Reminders of Him

by: Colleen Hoover

FIVE STARS!!

Released: January 18, 2022
Genre: Romance +

If you didn't already know by now, now you know - Colleen Hoover is an absolute auto-buy author for me. The moment I hear about her releasing a book, it's pre-ordered. However, this may be one of my absolute favorites of hers.

This book was SO MUCH MORE than just a romance. I laughed. I cried! Heck, a couple times I had to just full on shut the book and take a deep breath. I literally loved every single piece of this book and I know I'll be hungover for a very long time! Colleen brought all of the real, raw personality traits to her characters in this book (which she's known for - don't get me wrong) and the way that it is tied together through her dual narrative was simply a work of art.

RUN, don't walk....to pick up this book. Seriously, it makes you look at so many things in a different way and it might just make you a better human being. (Also, isn't the cover art lovely?)

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby - ARC Review

Shout out to NetGalley for my free eARC in exchange for my honest opinions. All opinions belong to me.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby

by: Sarah Ready

My Rating: 4.25 Stars/Would Recommend

Released: January 25, 2022
Genre: Romance (Trope: Friends to Lovers)

This was a super cute story about main character, Gemma, and her quest to have a baby - even if that means doing it alone! When he asks family friend, Josh, to be a donor to help her get pregnant, she is stunned when he actually says yes. Through her deepening friendship with Josh and her new friendships with other women in the support group she's joined, Gemma learns so much about having a baby, loving herself, and loving others. There was awesome character development throughout this novel. It was definitely relatable and it handled sensitive topics, such as infertility and child loss, very gently to try to avoid being triggering. Y'all, I don't know if it was my pregnancy hormones or not, but I for sure cried (happy tears) at this book!

Content Warnings: infertility, miscarriage, IVF, child loss

Matchmaking Mischief

Huge thank you to the authors and Laughing Heart Press for the free eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Genre? Romance

Series or Standalone? #4 in the Bad Luck Club series

Backlist? No. Published Today! (January 6, 2022)

New to me Author? Absolutely not.

What did I think?

Matchmaking Mischief is the 4th book of the Bad Luck series by these amazing authors. To begin, I absolutely loved the meet-cute that led to Willow and Alex. I can just imagine how annoying they each thought the other was! Though of course, I knew where the two of them were headed and I was completely ready for the journey we would have to take to get there.

This book was one of those where, as much as you love the main characters, the minor background characters are almost just as amazing. I could not stop laughing at all of the poor choices some of them were making!

One thing I really love about this series is that you know there's going to be a Happily Ever After, but it never feels forced or cheesy. The entire time we went from strangers to enemies to friends to lovers, I just got warm feelings as we watched our characters fall more and more in love.

This series is completely worth trying out and they're all quick reads so start at the beginning and go catch up!

Love At First Hate by A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank

 Huge thank you to the authors for the free eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

The first book in a new series by Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella, authors of the USA Today bestselling Asheville Brewing series.

She wants his story. He wants his secrecy. Too bad he can’t stay away from her.

Molly

Blogging about bad dates used to be fun, but a girl can only take so much foolishness. So I broke up with my job.

Okay, full disclosure, I was fired. It’s a long, sordid tale, involving my sourdough starter—RIP, Fred!—and my ex-boss’s serious lack of humor.

Newly funemployed and in need of a break, I go to Asheville to dogsit for my sister…and stumble onto a scoop big enough to put my fake-dating days behind me forever.

Augusta Glower, local success story, wrote a bestseller about the self-help group she started. People think her system works, and copycat Bad Luck Clubs have sprung up nationwide. Something feels off, though, and a little poking around by yours truly suggests she stole the idea.

There’s one problem. I have to prove it, and the guy she ripped off—super-hot house flipper Caleb Reynolds—seems to…well, hate me. Which is too bad since his secrets aren’t the only thing I’d like to peel away.

* * *

Cal

Molly O’Shea is my worst nightmare.

Is she sexy as sin? Well…yeah. Does she smell like honeysuckle and trouble? No doubt. Is she determined to dig up my secrets with a backhoe? I’m pretty sure she got a two-week rental. But I’ll never talk. If the reason I started the club gets out, my whole life will implode.

So why is she so damn irresistible?

Genre? Romance

Backlist? No. Publishes tomorrow - August 12, 2021

New to me Author? Nope. Absolute favorites.

What did I think?

You know that feeling you get when you see that your favorite movie franchise is adding yet another sequel or spin-off and you're like "Okay, I get it. I love this. But we can stop now."? Yeah, that's not what happened here AT ALL. Love At First Hate had the potential to be just a weird flop of a spin-off but, as always, A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank just full on hit it out of the park.

Cal (co-founder of the Bad Luck Club from the original series - Asheville Brewery) has had credit stolen from him for founding the club and he has no intention of setting the record straight in case anyone found out his secret. Molly is in town dog-sitting for her sister Maisie and out of boredom, starts investigating the Bad Luck Club to try to break into official investigative journaling. As you can probably guess, man-who-doesn't-want-his-secrets-spilled and investigative-journalist-set-on-finding-the-whole-truth don't really mesh. But *spoiler* (only not really, because look at the title and the fact that this is a romance book) this definitely fits the enemies-to-lovers trope in the best way.

Enemies-to-lovers isn't necessarily a trope I go looking for, so I don't have a ton of history with them, but I really did love reading about Cal and Molly. This book, like many of the others, is written through dual-perspective between our two main characters. It was so frustrating reading both of their thoughts when if they would just talk to each other, things would have been solved faster! And when I say frustrating, I mean I was like "Just tell her!" and kept reading to see if he did. I will absolutely read more of this series. I fell in love with all the quirky characters that were only just mentioned in the Asheville Brewery series. Definite 4.5 stars. These two are incredible co-authors.

The Lies She Told by Denise Grover Swank

  Huge thank you to the author for the free eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

It's been a week since Carly Moore’s friend Jerry was run off the road and killed, and the sheriff’s department has already struck out on leads. She’s not about to sit back and let it go, but the last thing she wants is to endanger anyone else. Besides, as she learned long ago, problems come in threes.

A mysterious woman causes a ruckus in the tavern where Carly works and leaves behind a note: We’ve got some unfinished business, Carly Moore. I’ll be in touch. The stranger looks like trouble, and Carly knows it means nothing good. Then, on the heels of that encounter, she gets shocking news: the crime syndicate her father co-ran has been taken down by the authorities.

She’s not foolish enough to think her father has been neutralized, but she realizes she needs to act against him soon if she wants to stop hiding.

The deeper Carly digs into her family’s past, the more dirt she finds. But lies are told for a reason, and there are people around her who are willing to kill to keep the truth hidden.

Genre? It's got a little bit of Romance, little bit of Mystery.

Backlist? No. This was published June 8, 2021.

New to me Author? Not at all.

What did I think?

When Carly first showed up in Henryetta, I instantly loved her as a character in Rose Gardner's world. Now that she's found her way to Drum (and to Marco!) I can't help but love her even more. It seems like every time she starts to get comfortable, something crazy happens. The Lies She Told is no different. Carly receives a mysterious note from a woman she doesn't recognize, claiming that they have unfinished business. But speaking of unfinished business, Carly is still running from her father, even though the Hardshaw group has been caught. Can she keep her friendships in Drum, figure out what this crazy lady wants, take down Bart Drummond, and stay hidden?

Yet again, a phenomenal book by Denise Grover Swank. She never ceases to amaze me. This woman has written and co-written well over 50 books, in a variety of genres, and she does it so well! Even with putting out multiple books with publication dates less than a month apart, nothing feels half-assed. If something in a book doesn't turn out exactly how she wants it, Denise Grover Swank will literally push back the release day and re-write entire chunks. This just shows how dedicated she is to her craft. As a long time reader and reviewer of her books, Thank you Denise. I can't wait for your next installment.

Luck of the Draw by A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank

  Huge thank you to the authors for the free ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Life’s not a fairytale for women like me, divorced and creeping up on middle age…until a hot younger man finds my lost shoes.

Crashing weddings is so not my thing. I’d much rather stay home and watch HGTV . . . and ignore the fact that my life is messier than those fixer-upper houses. Because my jerk ex left, and the only thing keeping a roof over my sons’ heads is my crappy telemarketing job.

But then I get a challenge from the Bad Luck Club, the group I joined to turn my luck around: Do something that breaks the rules. One ill-advised confession to my best friend later, I’m strapping on a pair of heels and crashing the wedding of two of the owners of Buchanan Brewery.

The last thing I expect is to meet someone, let alone the sexy younger bartender who calls me out and finds my lost shoes, something straight out of Cinderella. And the very last thing I expect is to fall for him.

It feels like I’m in a dream come true, a fairy tale, but the crap part about dreams is that they have to end.

Or do they?

Genre? Romance (Romantic comedy?)

Backlist? No. This will be published within the next couple weeks, June 2021.

New to me Author? Not at all.

What did I think?

Now that the Buchanan siblings have all shared their story, authors A.R. Casella and Denise Grover Swank could have easily called it the end of the Asheville Brewery series. Instead, we get Luck of the Draw, a continuation of the goings on in Asheville staring a secondary character from the previous novel.

In this one, we get to follow Deeandra (Dee) from the Bad Luck Club. In the middle of a divorce, crappy job, and two boys to raise, Dee answered the ad for Bad Luck Club and hasn't turned back. When her challenge was to "Do something that breaks the rules", she knew she couldn't skip it or she would be out of the club. So, she crashes a wedding. Of course, knowing how these books go, she ends up meeting someone and they really hit it off. But will the secrets tear them apart? Did Dee draw a lucky hand?

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

  Huge thank you to @netgalley for the free audio-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Mary Kay Andrews, the New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Beach Reads delivers her next page-turner for the summer with The Newcomer.

In trouble and on the run...

After she discovers her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her fashionable New York City townhouse, Letty Carnahan is certain she knows who did it: Tanya’s ex; sleazy real estate entrepreneur Evan Wingfield. Even in the grip of grief and panic Letty heeds her late sister’s warnings: “If anything bad happens to me—it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”

With a trunkful of emotional baggage...

So Letty grabs her sister’s Mercedes and hits the road with her wailing four-year-old niece Maya. Letty is determined to out-run Evan and the law, but run to where? Tanya, a woman with a past shrouded in secrets, left behind a “go-bag” of cash and a big honking diamond ring—but only one clue: a faded magazine story about a sleepy mom-and-pop motel in a Florida beach town with the improbable name of Treasure Island. She sheds her old life and checks into an uncertain future at The Murmuring Surf Motel.

The No Vacancy sign is flashing & the sharks are circling...

And that’s the good news. Because The Surf, as the regulars call it, is the winter home of a close-knit flock of retirees and snowbirds who regard this odd-duck newcomer with suspicion and down-right hostility. As Letty settles into the motel’s former storage room, she tries to heal Maya’s heartache and unravel the key to her sister’s shady past, all while dodging the attention of the owner’s dangerously attractive son Joe, who just happens to be a local police detective. Can Letty find romance as well as a room at the inn—or will Joe betray her secrets and put her behind bars? With danger closing in, it’s a race to find the truth and right the wrongs of the past.

Genre? Contemporary, Romance, hint of Mystery

Backlist? Nope. Publishing May 4, 2021.

New to me Author? Yes.

What did I think? 

This was my first introduction to a Mary Kay Andrews book and between the time when I requested this ARC and the time I actually read it, I totally forgot what it was supposed to be about. But that didn't matter to me. I greatly enjoyed this novel. It's got the right mix of suspense, fun characters, seriousness, and fun. Although there is some suspense and waiting impatiently, I would not classify this as a thriller. It's deeper than that. I would call it Contemporary, maybe Romance, with a hint of Mystery. I really enjoyed the characters and I would be very happy if this was actually a series (though it does not end on a cliffhanger, so that's doubtful.)

Bad Luck Club by Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella

 Huge thank you to the authors for the free ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

The fourth book in the USA Today bestselling Asheville Brewing series.

A grumpy man. A recovering people-pleaser. And the secret club that brings them together.

Lee Buchanan is a hot mess.

Turning one’s father in to the feds can do that to a man.

He had nothing to do with his father’s Ponzi scheme, but he’s blacklisted from commercial real estate all the same. Which is how he ends up in Asheville, working at the brewery he inherited with his siblings. He’s salty as hell, and he doesn’t care who knows it.

Until the gorgeous, intriguing Blue Combs issues the most peculiar invitation he’s ever received: Come to the Bad Luck Club. We can help you.

It sounds like a cult or, worse, a group of Mary Sues, but Blue is different from any woman he’s ever met. For better or worse, he’s drawn to her.

Just like she’s drawn to him, even if she has no intention of going all in with another man. She’s been there, done that, twice, and the life she’s built for herself is too important to risk.

What starts as one person’s desire to help another turns into a connection too powerful to be denied—but can two broken people grow together, or will they tear each other apart?

Genre? Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Backlist? No. This book is being published April 5, 2021.

New to me Author? Not at all.

What did I think? 

You would think that these women would eventually run out of plot lines but you would be extremely wrong.

Somehow they just get better and better with each installment of the Asheville Brewery series.

In Bad Luck Club, we finally get to follow sweet, unique, Blue and get a little more background about why she is who she is. We also get to see Lee as he tries to bounce back from what happened in the last book.

Seriously, I could not have asked for a better story to come out of this. These two authors are extremely talented and you can tell they put their whole hearts and souls into each project. I can't wait to get ahold of their new series this summer!

In the meantime, you should definitely catch up on the Asheville Brewery series and grab Bad Luck Club when it comes out later this week! 

Yes & I Love You by Roni Lore

Huge thank you to @netgalley for the free audio-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Everyone knows Miz Poppy, the vibrant reviewer whose commentary brightens the New Orleans nightlife. But no one knows Hollyn, the real face behind the media star...or the fear that keeps her isolated. When her boss tells her she needs to add video to her blog or lose her job, she's forced to rely on an unexpected source to help her face her fears.

When aspiring actor Jasper Deares finds out the shy woman who orders coffee every day is actually Miz Poppy, he realizes he has a golden opportunity to get the media attention his acting career needs. All he has to do is help Hollyn come out of her shell…and through their growing connection, finally find her voice.

A beautifully emotional new contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren

Genre? Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Backlist? No. Published March 2, 2021.

New to me Author? Yes.

What did I think? 

I didn't know what to expect when I opened up this audiobook, but it definitely wasn't this. Hollyn is a woman who has been working on an online review blog called Miz Poppy. She hides behind this character she's created because she does not have confidence in her every day life. Hollyn suffers from Tourette's syndrome and anxiety triggers some of her ticks. One day, she's told that she needs to show herself on video, Hollyn doesn't know what to do. In walks handsome Jasper, the new coffee barista who has dreams of being an improv actor. The two of them create an unexpected friendship that challenges each one in their own way. 

Obviously, I'm not a newbie to romance books, so I was fairly sure I knew how this would end. However, that did not stop me from enjoying the journey. I loved seeing all of the growth Hollyn went through as she navigated finding herself, while also having challenges that I can't imagine. Very cute book, I would recommend.

Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Huge thank you to the author and to @netgalley for reaching out with a free audio-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Travel to the bright Caribbean one last time in the satisfying conclusion to the nationally bestselling Winter in Paradise trilogy by Elin Hilderbrand.

After uprooting her life in the States, Irene Steele has just settled in at the villa on St. John where her husband Russ had been living a double life. But a visit from the FBI shakes her foundations, and Irene once again learns just how little she knew about the man she loved.

With help from their friends, Irene and her sons set up their lives while evidence mounts that the helicopter crash that killed Russ may not have been an accident. Meanwhile, the island watches this drama unfold -- including the driver of a Jeep with tinted windows who seems to be shadowing the Steele family.

As a storm gathers strength in the Atlantic, surprises are in store for the Steeles: help from a mysterious source, and a new beginning in the paradise that has become their home. At last all will be revealed about the secrets and lies that brought Irene and her sons to St. John -- and the truth that transformed them all.

Genre? Contemporary Fiction

Backlist? Yes. I was super late to getting to this one. Published October 6, 2020

New to me Author? No. 

What did I think? 

Troubles in Paradise is the third (and final) book in the Paradise series by author Elin Hilderbrand. I've really enjoyed reading and learning about Irene, Huck, Maia, Rosie, Russ, Cash, Baker, and the gang. I remember finishing What Happens in Paradise and immediately wanted to dig into this one next. That's why I was a little disappointed when I finally got to read this book. Elin Hilderbrand writes so beautifully, but this ending seemed very rushed and forced to me. I think Hilderbrand could have easily made this into a 4, or even 5, part series instead of just a trilogy. There was so much more that I expected out of each of the characters and I felt like all of the previous character development just kind of went out the window at the end here. I still very much enjoyed this novel, but compared to the previous novels of the series, this was my least favorite of the three.

Getting Lucky by Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella

Thank you to Denise Grover Swank for allowing me to be part of her review team and providing a free eARC! All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

One night. Just one night.

Or at least that’s what Maisie tells herself when she brings Jack Durand home. Because even though his arms are things of beauty and he can charm wild animals (a huge turn-on for an animal lover like her), she’s in no position to start anything with anyone. So she pretends she’s just scratching an itch.

Jack is pretending too. His little sister is moving to Asheville as his ward, and between getting her through her senior year of high school and working at the family brewery, he doesn’t have time for a girlfriend. Even a sexy, no-nonsense powerhouse like Maisie.

But he can’t stop thinking about her, and it turns out he doesn’t have to. Her best friend, River, announces his engagement to Jack’s half-sister, Georgie, and—surprise!—they’re both in the wedding party.

Fate keeps throwing Jack and Maisie together, reminding them of how good they are together . . . which would be a whole lot less complicated if she hadn’t spent half her life in love with River.

Genre? Contemporary Romance

Backlist? No. This was published January 12, 2021.

New to me Author? No. I'm working my way through all of her backlist right now.

What did I think? 

Getting Lucky is the third book in the Asheville Brewery series and it is just as good as the rest! We follow two different characters in a dual narrative as we follow along on their possible love story, even as chaos ensues.

All of my favorite characters were back but honestly, I think this book brought Maisie to the top of my list of favorites. I loved her back story. I loved being in her head. I just could not put this down!

Denise Grover Swank does a great job in capturing all the different angles of running a business, developing feelings, dealing with your past, and making friends. Even though this book is based mostly around Jack and Maisie, you never feel like you're missing out on hearing about River, Georgie, Adalia, and the gang.

Five Star Friday - Things You Save in a Fire

 This week's Five Star read was read by Meg! (Jay also rated this 5 stars, but it was before this blog came to be)

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's excellent at dealing with other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it's an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because she doesn't fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don't date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she's worked so hard to be taken seriously?

Katherine Center's Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt, affecting novel about life, love, and the true meaning of courage.

Genre? Contemporary Romance

Backlist? Yes. Published August 13, 2019.

New to me Author? Yes.

Why I rated it 5 stars? 

I loved the characters, I loved the setting. This was one of those books that I couldn't help wanting to be the characters friends and wishing I could catch up with them after the book was long finished. 

September Reading Round-Up

  Here's a look at the books we loved, didn't love, read, rated, or DNF'd this month!

Jay's Reads (10):

  

What I Rated Them:
Takedown Twenty ☕☕☕☕

Top Secret Twenty-One ☕☕☕☕

Tricky Twenty-Two ☕☕☕☕

Turbo Twenty-Three ☕☕☕☕

Hardcore Twenty-Four ☕☕☕☕

Look Alive Twenty-Five ☕☕☕☕

Twisted Twenty-Six ☕☕☕☕

Any Luck at All ☕☕☕☕.25

Lock Every Door ☕☕☕☕

Big Girl Panties ☕☕☕.75

Favorite Read:
That's tough. Probably Lock Every Door.

Least Favorite Read:
Big Girl Panties

DNF?:
None this month! 

Rolling over to next month:

The Beauty in Breaking

The Friend Zone

Al Capone Throws Me a Curve

Never Let You Go

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing

Truly Madly Guilty

Meg's Reads (7):

What I Rated Them: 
Know My Name ☕☕☕☕☕

Glow ☕☕☕☕
Love Again ☕☕☕☕
Blind Love ☕☕☕☕
This Love ☕☕☕☕
Reckless Love ☕☕☕☕

Born to Fly ☕☕

Favorite Read: Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Least Favorite Read: A Little Bit Stronger by Sara Evans. I finished it and just absolutely did.not.like.it. Like had a full-on discussion with my Lynn-Mom about how I was going to return it even though I read it all because I just did not like it AT ALL.  

DNF: Nada. 

Carrying Over to Next Month:
Johnny Cash the Life
Our Stop 
Life and Other Inconveniences
Beach Read 

Any Luck At All by Denise Grover Swank and A.R. Casella

  Thank you Denise Grover Swank for my free eARC as part of her review team! All opinions are my own.

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: The first book in a new rom com series by Denise Grover Swank, the author of the New York Times bestselling Wedding Pact series, and A.R. Casella.

Georgie Buchanan doesn’t know the first thing about running a brewery—she doesn’t even like beer—so she’s thrown when her grandfather leaves his business to her and her three siblings. Selling Buchanan Brewery would be the prudent approach, and while Georgie is, first and foremost, a businesswoman, keeping it might be her best chance of connecting with her half-brother, Jack. But she quickly learns that what she thought was a fixer-upper is a money pit, the employees are all eccentric to the extreme, and her inheritance comes with a shocking catch. Her one hope for success lies with River Reeves, the handsome brewmaster who learned at her grandfather’s feet...if she can avoid falling for him.

After learning his best friend and boss is selling the brewery they built together to a soulless corporation, River quits on the spot, only for Georgie Buchanan to offer him a job the very same night. Helping her turn Buchanan Brewery around is his dream job, the perfect homage to the man who taught him everything and helped give him roots. There’s one problem: his new boss is his dream woman, and she’s not the type to mix business and pleasure. Balancing a new job, a new puppy, and a growing infatuation with his boss, River knows something has to give.

If Georgie has any luck at all, she’ll be able to turn Buchanan Brewery around without losing her mind or her heart. But as River helps her weather everything from her uncle’s possessed cat to a séance, she realizes she might be wishing for the wrong kind of luck.

Genre? Romantic Comedy

Backlist? No. This was just published September 22, 2020.

New to me Author? Absolutely Not.

What did I think? This was such a cute romantic comedy and I can't wait for the series to continue!

I've been spending time working my way through Denise Grover Swank's immense backlist of books and I'm so used to writing reviews like "I don't normally read this genre..." and having her make me fall in love with things like paranormal romance. I had almost forgotten she can also write romantic comedy! But it was SO GOOD.

I absolutely adored the character of Georgie. Her struggle to try to figure out how the heck to run a brewery, as well as her situation with River is both comical and completely relatable. In fact, all of the characters are pretty relatable. I mean, we all have a crazy aunt, am I right?! (Maybe I AM the crazy aunt??)

Also, pink crystals. That's all I can say without giving it away but, if you know you know.

Five Star Friday - The Substitute

This week's Five Star read was read by Jay!

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

The first book in a humorous contemporary romance series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Denise Grover Swank.

Megan Vandemeer meant to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it's time to come clean--a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex. A couple of drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger in the seat next to her.

With only one week left to save his business, Josh McMillan boards a plane to Kansas City in a last-ditch effort, leaving the details to chance. An unexpected answer is delivered in the form of the beautiful brunette beside him. Though she’s completely loopy, her honesty, openness, and humor charm him. So when she passes out before landing, he helps her off the plane--a good deed that leads to a colossal misunderstanding. Her parents assume he’s her fiancé. In a twist of fate, the mix-up might help Josh save his business, so he plays along, figuring he can help Megan too. All he has to do is stage a public break up convincing enough to appease her mother.

Josh is only supposed to be a substitute groom, but the more time he and Megan spend together, the more their pretend engagement starts to feel real…and the less they want to break it off. Can a relationship that began as a farce turn into happily ever after?

Genre? Contemporary/Romance

Backlist? Yes. Published January 21, 2015

New to me Author? Absolutely not!

Why I rated it 5 stars? 

Can someone explain to me why I finished this book bawling like it was a Nicholas Sparks book?! I don't do that often (ever, really).

Six weeks ago, Megan and her no-good fiance, Jay, broke up. Instead of calling her mother crying, Megan simply never tells her about it. Meanwhile, her mother has been planning the most elaborate wedding ever. Megan's mother has completely controlled her for pretty much all of her life. In fact, Megan is pretty much scared of her.

On the flight home for the wedding, Megan is still trying to figure out how to tell her family about Jay. Meanwhile, the (extremely hot) man next to her on the flight is dealing with his own reasons for flying that direction. Through a weird twist of fate, Megan's family mistakes this man, Josh, for Megan's fiance. Josh decides to go along with it for a while to help Megan out and hopefully help save his business in the process.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I don't know why I did not read it earlier. While I have a soft spot in my heart for Rose, being my first DGS read...I won't lie, this may be my new favorite series. I hope the rest of the books are this good!

Josh and Megan's relationship cracks me up. They are both stubborn and witty. They play off each other wonderfully. He seems to be one of very few people that Megan is not afraid to stand up to and doesn't roll over for. I also really love Libby. I hope to know more about her story! But my favorite character...hands down, Gram. What a sassy lady.

HIGHLY recommend this book. I'm hopeful the rest of the series is just as wonderful.

Five Star Friday - Come Rain or Shine

This week's Five Star read was read by Meg!

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Rose Gardner collects secrets the way other people collect junk—and now she’s being asked to expose them. Special Prosecutor Mason Deveraux has called a grand jury to investigate the corruption in the Sweet Branch Police Department, and he’s summoned Rose as a witness. Any topic is fair game, and the criminals in Fenton county are rightly scared of what she might share under oath.

While trying to placate the lawless men, Rose is also caring for her dying sister, Violet. Only Violet’s doctor has fled town after selling prescriptions, and Rose is sure big-time drug dealer Denny Carmichael has his hand in the situation. She has no intention of investigating, but like with a lot of her cases, clues keep falling into her lap.

Then, just when it feels like everything’s at a boiling point, Rose gets shocking news that turns her life upside down. Now, she’s not just soothing the criminals’ anxiety, but actively seeking allies for a fight she hasn’t asked for—and her enemy just might be the man she loves.

Genre? Mystery/Romance, etc.

Backlist? Yes. Published May 5, 2019.

New to me Author? No.

Why I rated it 5 stars? 
This book shocked me.  Denise Grover Swank really tested my resolve when it came to being Team James with this book.  I don't want to say too much in fear of giving it away, but if you're looking for an intense new series to start, definitely check out Rose Gardner! 

Five Star Friday - Up Shute Creek

This week's Five Star read was read by Meg!

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Book 4 in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Rose Gardner Investigations series.

Rose Gardner feels like she’s up a creek without a paddle. Her sister is dying, her secret boyfriend, James Malcolm, is struggling to protect the county underworld from an upstart drug dealer, and her ex has moved back to town with a bee in his bonnet and a mission to root out corruption in the county. To make matters worse, Neely Kate is in dire straits too—the past she’s spent years trying to forget has finally caught up to her, with horrific fallout. They’re in the thick of danger, and everyone’s quick to tell them they’d do best to hunker down and keep to themselves.

But mysteries have a way of finding Rose and Neely Kate. A mother contacts them about finding her missing teenage daughter the same day they find a different young woman stranded by the side of the road. They know they should turn down the case, just as they should ignore the signs that the woman with the broken down car is running from something, but for Rose and Neely Kate, curiosity will always have a stronger call than danger.

Genre? Mystery. Romance. A little of everything.

Backlist? Yes. Published November 6, 2018.

New to me Author? No.

Why I rated it 5 stars? 

This book made me feel. It made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me cry. I will always always always be Team James. Also may have shouty caps texted Jay at the ending for this one.

Five Star Friday - Never Enough

This week's Five Star read was read by Meg!

Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Cowboys and Angels series comes an intricate romance that asks the question, Can love heal the pain of the past?

Longing to forget the pain of his wife’s death, Brock Shaw has immersed himself in the one thing that lets him escape the guilt. Bull riding. But life on the road means leaving his young son at home with his parents. They want him to give up his career and be a father to his child, but Brock needs the adrenaline to get through each day…or so he thinks.

Lincoln Pratt needs a fresh start. As a top interior designer in Atlanta, she has everything she could ever want, but she’s always at her father’s mercy. Something’s missing, and Lincoln knows she’ll only find it somewhere far away—like the rolling pastures of Hamilton, Montana, where she meets the irresistibly mysterious Brock.

In Brock Shaw, Lincoln sees the part of her that’s missing. In Lincoln Pratt, Brock sees the part of himself he thought he’d lost. But the pain of his past binds him. Can he let himself love again?

Genre? Romance

Backlist? Yes. Published December 10, 2019.

New to me Author? No.

Why I rated it 5 stars? 
This book made me feel. It made me feel for Brock. It made me feel for Lincoln.  It really made me feel for Blayze, who's the real star of this book ha! Kelly Elliott dipped her toes in to the single dad trope with Steed and his daughter Chloe in the Cowboys and Angels series, and she did it again with Brock and Blayze in the first book of this series.  There's something about a single dad that always gets me.  

What You Wish For - Katherine Center

Thank you NetGalley for my free eARC! All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Samantha Casey loves everything about her job as an elementary school librarian on the sunny, historic island of Galveston, Texas—the goofy kids, the stately Victorian building, the butterfly garden. But when the school suddenly loses its beloved principal, it turns out his replacement will be none other than Duncan Carpenter—a former, unrequited crush of Sam’s from many years before.

When Duncan shows up as her new boss, though, he’s nothing like the sweet teacher she once swooned over. He’s become stiff, and humorless, and obsessed with school safety. Now, with Duncan determined to destroy everything Sam loves about her school in the name of security—and turn it into nothing short of a prison—Sam has to stand up for everyone she cares about before the school that’s become her home is gone for good.

Genre? Contemporary Fiction/Romance.

Backlist? No. This will be published July 14, 2020.

New to me Author? No

What did I think? What You Wish For was the third Katherine Center book I read (following How To Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire). Of the three, this was my least favorite. However, it was still a great book!

Sam is a school librarian who loves fun, color, and her job. When her principal suddenly dies, the school board brings in Duncan as the new principal. Sam knew Duncan from her previous school and was super excited about this prospect. Until she realizes how much he's changed...

This is a novel about growing up, finding yourself, learning to lean on other people, learning to love and be loved, and knowing when to give up on something. It was a very sweet novel and as a teacher, I could relate to many different parts of Sam. Overall, I would give a 3.75 rating.