The Heiress and the Baby Boom by Lauri Robinson

January 12, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Heiress and the Baby Boom by Lauri Robinson
The Osterlund Saga, 2
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

From high school enemies…To shotgun wedding!

Growing up, heiress Randi Osterlund found the only person who didn’t care who her parents were was penniless Jason Heim—until a bitter exchange left bad blood between them. Now, years later, Randi needs Jason’s land for a business venture, but the self-made man refuses to sell. There was always something burning between them, and when their arguing turns into one unforgettable night, the consequences risk adding to the ’50s baby boom!

I’ve reviewed several books by Lauri Robison and I don’t recall ever being disappointed. The streak continues.

The hero, Jason, reminded me of Fonzie on the TV show “Happy Days”. Jason was a bit of a rebel when he was a teenager. Reputations and perceptions are difficult to change even over a lengthy period of time.

The heroine, Randi, lived a privileged life. A few people in the community had the perception of her family being rich, snobby people.

Randi and Jason knew each other when they were young, and things didn’t go very well but they are later reunited for a second chance.

It’s the classic rich girl vs. poor boy plot. A plot that I typically love such as the movie, “Pretty in Pink”. Randi felt no one saw her for herself. She was noticed only as a means to an end. People only wanted her for her family’s money. Whereas Jason wasn’t good enough because he was poor and came from a broken family. There’s a brief history between Randi and Jason’s parents over their lands that share a boundary.

All of this is introduced literally in the synopsis. It’s reiterated on the first page and every chapter after that. I enjoyed the story overall, but it came dangerously close to being a head banger. The woe is me I’m rich vs. woe is me I’m poor flowed from beginning to end. That heavy-handedness came close to making me put the book down.

I’m glad that I didn’t give up because there were some good plot twists that ended up happening and they kept my interest in the book. I appreciated the epilogue after all that heart-twisting I endured. I was satisfied with the ending. Randi and Jason’s sensual romance made a cloudy day a little brighter.

I’m comfortable recommending this book. I enjoyed watching Randi and Jason reach their happily ever after.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Side Effects by LJ Greene

January 10, 2022 By 7 Comments


Side Effects by LJ Greene
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

Who can you trust?

Ally Michels is fresh out of her MBA program at Cal and has landed her dream job at hot, up-and-coming video game developer, Jet Stream Studios, all thanks to her uncle, Jet’s largest venture capital investor. She’s feeling pretty good about her future until an inadvertent blurt in a company meeting brings down upon her the dangerous attention of Jet’s co-founder and chief developer, Marcus Abby.

Beautiful, brilliant, and vicious, Marcus is every bit the arrogant, deceitful founder her uncle warned her about. But in the power-fueled world of venture capital investing, things aren’t always what they seem. When Ally finds herself caught up in a play for corporate control, she must work with Marcus to save the company and an ideal she believes in, while navigating perilous family loyalties and fighting to hold onto her own integrity.

For Ally, there’s just one rule: never, ever trust Marcus Abby. Because the one man she needs to stop a high-stakes plot is the one man who has every reason to want her gone.

SIDE EFFECTS is an adult contemporary, twisty, underhanded, certainly unscrupulous . . . romance.

This book is part of a series, but it can definitely stand on its own. I’ve not read anything else by the author, but I had no trouble at all following this book.

The characters are strong and well-drawn. I have to admit, in the beginning of the book I really did not like Marcus at all. But, once I hit the chapters in his POV, my attitude really changed. There as a lot more to Marcus than meets the eye. And, while it is a romance, there is so much more to it. There is suspense. There is intrigue.

I really enjoyed the way the author put the story together and the way she clearly showed the characters’ emotion. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Ms. Greene.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , ,

Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress by Lauri Robinson

January 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress by Lauri Robinson
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

A pretend marriage. A passion that’s anything but…

The great depression has left heiress Jolie Cramer’s family destitute! To save them, Jolie must abandon her dreams of independence and marry wealthy Randal Osterlund. Thank goodness Randal only wants a wife to secure a business deal and shares her feelings about love—nothing but heartache! Jolie quickly realizes that’s not all they have in common, but falling for her charismatic husband wasn’t part of their agreement…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Lauri Robinson book. I came across Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress and decided I’d give it a try. This was a great escape to destress during the holidays or any other hectic time.

The hero, Randal, was a respectful, intelligent, and kind man with past hurts to overcome. The heroine, Jolie, was brave, smart, caring and who also dealing with past hurts to overcome. Together they were the medicine they each needed to heal the past and live for the future.

This was a sweet romance that got a bit sensual near the end which made for the perfect happy ending. Perfect little book glow.

I enjoyed how the story started I have to say that I loved how the story ended much more. That sounds funny but this book is book one in the series, The Osterlund Saga and the ending in Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress has made me want to read book two immediately.

If you are looking for a fun quick read, then I recommend reading Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress. There is more to the plot than the synopsis shares which is a pleasant surprise. I am sure happy that I picked up this book. I encourage other readers to try it out too.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

With This Click, I Thee Wed by Bonnie R. Paulson

January 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


With This Click, I Thee Wed by Bonnie R. Paulson
ClickandWed.com Series
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

“Uh, oh, what did I do?”

Mail order bride with a contemporary twist!

A lonely divorcee and a rancher who can lose everything with one website that matches them for marriage…

They have to learn about the importance of decisions and family or lose their one shot at love.

Stuck in a town where everyone knows her and her ex-husband, Rachel is distinctly aware of who chose his side – everyone – and who chose her side – no one. Even her hairstylist won’t schedule her.

But when she finds herself alone with a bottle of chianti and the internet, Rachel stumbles upon Clickandwed.com. The survey is easy and clicking “I Do” seems to be the magic button she’s been searching for.

Before she can snap out of her decision, she finds herself packed and flying across the country to meet her new husband.

Would her new life be better or worse than the hell she left behind?

I have a new addiction. The ClickandWed.com series is unusual, quirky, entertaining and full of heart and emotion.

Bonnie R. Paulson is a new-to-me author and the first book I purchased was via BN a while ago, but I didn’t read it right away. I have to warn you that they now can only be found and read via a Kindle. This is the first time I’ve appreciated the fact that I bought a Kindle because this series is AMAZING! I really want other romance readers to be able to relish the simple joy of reading not only, With This Click, I Thee Wed, but all of them. I wanted to make sure you knew where to find them.

This first book is an awesome setup for the whole series. The author grabbed me by the heartstrings when I met Rachel. Do you remember that feeling of empathy you had for Cinderella because the stepmother doted on her own daughters and derided and denigrated Cinderella? Everything she did, even if it was right, even when she tried her hardest, would never, ever be correct or perfect in the eyes of her stepfamily? That is how I felt about Rachel. I hurt for her. She was a wonderful heroine who had a bad marriage with a real stinker of a fellow. Then there are her parents. The only thing I’m going to say about them is that they make the wicked stepmother in Cinderella look like she’s a cranky sourpuss. What they do and say and finally what is revealed about the depths and lengths of their unparent-like behavior truly astounded me. Ms. Paulson made me gape like a fish when Rachel discovered the facts. This is one of the most effective conflicts a story could have.

Now for the good stuff. The romance. Of course, it was rocky in the beginning. Again, I reference Cinderella. But, wait for it because Logan, though a bit scattered in the beginning, turns out to be a handsome prince of a guy. He has a dream, he has hopes and he’s lonely too. He loved his parents, and he misses them. They were taken away too soon but they left him a goal, a gorgeous ranch and a house full of stuff. He’s a hard worker, and he’s respectful and supportive of Rachel. The way the author describes their interactions, dialogue and how they look at each other was perfect for building their friendship, their relationship and what will lead to their falling in true love. What helps everything along is all the steps that they have to do through the ClickandWed app. It’s a serious business and it forces the two to work together to learn about each other as they grow as a couple. It’s really a clever plot technique and the author applied it effectively and successfully.

Oh, I forgot to mention that this story is told from Rachel’s point of view. The author handled it well and it never felt awkward nor were there any mistakes or info dumps. I enjoyed the whole tale. Well, except for the stress parts of emotional drama. Again, that refers to her snake of an ex and what new tricks he was trying to pull. It of course, caused some serious bumps in the fledgling relationship but I also appreciated the skill the author applied in making sure this story didn’t get tripped up with its drama. It propelled the relationship to grow, mature and tested their commitment to each other. I think that’s another reason why I liked this story so much. Any time I felt it was falling into a trope trap, the author surprised me with the perfect resolution and solution. I never felt anything was contrived. It felt natural and engaging.

I know I’m not doing this book justice. The book is sweet and heartfelt, it’s very character driven with a hero and heroine I really liked. I enjoyed watching Rachel find her wings and fly, and Logan was right there with her. And when I say Rachel comes into her own, I’m downplaying just how marvelously clever it all came about. I had so much fun reading about it!

The epilogue is a tiny story in itself, a perfect hook. Colin Davis is the creator of ClickandWed and she already has identified the next client who needs a happy ever after. Just the way it was written guaranteed that I would want it too, and that means I need to read the next book.

With This Click, I Thee Wed is simply wonderful. It gives a reader a well-rounded romance where the couple is the focus. There’s gentle humor, tender emotion and a boatload of reasons why this story gave me the ‘feels’ especially when Rachel and Logan get everything they thought they’d never have – love.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Post Box at the North Pole by Jaimie Admans

January 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Post Box at the North Pole by Jaimie Admans
Publisher: ‎HQ Digital
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Sasha Hansley hates Christmas. As a child, it was her favourite time of year, but ever since the tragic death of her mother, it has completely lost its magic.

But when she gets an unexpected phone call from her estranged father, she’s forced to dust off her snow boots.

He’s been running a Lapland style Christmas village in Norway and after suffering a heart attack, he is on strict doctor’s orders to slow down. Eager to reconnect with her dad, Sasha books the next flight out there. Only she’s never actually been on a plane before, let alone to the Arctic Circle.

Met at the runway by drop-dead-gorgeous Taavi Salvesen, they sleigh ride through the snow with the Northern Lights guiding their way.

When Sasha uncovers sacks of unopened Santa mail – letters that children and adults from all over the world write to Santa every year – she realises that she can send a little bit of magic out into the world by replying to some of them.

With Taavi on hand to help, will Sasha rediscover her own excitement for Christmas and find love among the letters?

This is the most romantic book I’ve read all year!

Where do I find the words to explain the wonder I found within this book’s pages? This novel makes me want to put sparkling fairy lights all over the house, both inside and out. The Post Box at the North Pole has inspired me to decorate for Christmas like I’ve never done before. If I could hug the author for writing this story, I would. It’s incredibly happy and filled with the wonder of the Northern Lights. I adored this book!!

Can you tell I’m excited? This is only the second story I’ve read by this author and I’m a fan. I guarantee it won’t be the last and in fact, I crave more. If script writers wouldn’t mess this up, it truly would make a marvelous movie. Not Hallmark – this is better than that!

If you read the blurb/synopsis, then you know the basic gist of the plot. What it doesn’t convey is the heart and soul of what a reader will find within. Taavi Salvesen is the gruff backwoods handyman who knows his way around reindeers more than people. Sasha Hansley hasn’t liked Christmas in what feels like forever. The heroine’s father is an eccentric adventurer who doesn’t ever slow down. These three main characters are the core of the story. Their relationships change during the course of the novel and seeing it happen is like seeing a flower unfurl in slow motion. It’s beautiful, breathtaking and I’m watching it with rapt attention. So rapt in fact, it was almost 1:30 a.m. when I finished. I truly could not stop reading. The house was quiet, I’m alone and The Post Box at the North Pole transported me to a magical place of snow, hope and dreams.

The story is told in first person POV from Sasha’s perspective. The author is incredibly talented in that regard. At no time did the writing stumble. The thing with first person points of views is that not all authors can pull it off. Usually, when I see that style, I am hesitant. It can take me a while to feel comfortable with it. Not so with Ms. Admans’ writing. It’s seamless, flawless and easy to believe. Everything flows naturally and I feel like I am with a friend, watching her fall in love with the land, the man and one special reindeer.

What made this story work for me was the pacing of the romance. The way the author described how Taavi looked at Sasha and vice versa. The way she notices him noticing her. The blushes, the sassiness and funny puns and growing respect for the other. The biggest milestone moments are when either Taavi or Sasha let things slip the more they trust each other. They both have had pain in their lives and it’s molded them into the people I meet in the beginning. The people they become by the end is what matters. It’s why the romance works, why it’s believable and why I adore this book so very much. The chemistry is sizzling between them and the kisses, when they happen, are perfectly timed and ooh la la!. There is one scene where the author leaves it up to a reader’s imagination as to what went on. No matter what a reader envisions, it has the same result – it’s a turning point in their relationship in all the best ways.

Now, I know I’m being overly gushy and it may make you think there’s no plot conflict. There is. A couple of them, in fact. They are definitely character based and quite effective but nothing over-the-top. Again, it’s matters of the heart: it’s trust and healing of past hurts, to recapture the good memories of the past while moving beyond its negative parts’ hold on the present, it’s learning the truth about who they are rather than who they believe themselves to be. It’s about the healing of a family with love, in all its tears and joy. All of it embraces the Christmas spirit, but not one that happens once a year, but in every moment of every day in every year of your life. Its message is timeless. The Post Box at the North Pole is rich in so many ways, I can’t even begin to express everything I want to without delving into spoilers.

For me, The Post Box at the North Pole is sheer perfection. The talent of Ms. Admans to capture in words, both in description and dialogue, a romance story so heartwarming and real, that giving it a Best Book rating is the easiest decision I’ve made in a long, long time.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Summer Storm by Joan Wolf

January 3, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Summer Storm by Joan Wolf
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Chris was a struggling actor and Mary a struggling scholar, but their marriage was a perfect, passionate union—until the glitter of Hollywood and a dazzling starlet stole Chris away. At the time when she needed him most, he betrayed and failed her, and she swore never to see him again. Chris became a world-famous actor, and Mary a respected professor, and only in the darkness of the movie theater did she allow herself to think of him. Then, in the flash and glare of reporters’ cameras, they met again, and the smoldering love reignited. They had never officially divorced. Had he come back to reestablish their marriage…or end it irrevocably?

I chose to read this book because the synopsis sounded original, and I felt like reading a contemporary romance instead of a historical. I was looking for a fast, satisfying read and Summer Storm qualified. This was the perfect short story for me since I was able to read it in a couple of hours. It provided the necessary escape from reality that I was craving.

I’m not sure if this book was so awesome that I buzzed through it so fast, making it seem like a short story, or it truly was a short story, I didn’t have page numbers to refer to. I reached the end in record time (for me). Like I said, the synopsis sounded original, and it definitely was. I can honestly say that I have never read a plot similar to Summer Storm in my lifetime. I’m not going to analyze the story too closely, but I enjoyed the clever plot, and it was a fun read. The downside is that I wasn’t convinced of the reality of the storyline.

I consider the hero, Chris, to be a complicated character in his own way as well as the heroine, Mary. They were relatable in their complexity, and I enjoyed their romance story even though there were elements that didn’t gel for me. In other words, neither Chris nor Mary possessed the characteristics of a hero or heroine that I specifically prefer. Why do I feel that way? Without giving any spoilers, it has to do with what the synopsis says, “At the time when she needed him most, he betrayed and failed her,”. I couldn’t see myself making the same choices Mary did, yet the author eased the reader through that moral conflict, and I was able to see Mary’s decision through her eyes and heart. I’m still not sure I agree or forgive Chris for his actions in that plot thread but the fact that I kept reading speaks for itself.

The writing style pulled me through from beginning to end. There was a consistent progression leading me to their happily ever after and I was very grateful for that smooth sailing through the story. I was very pleased when I did reach the end because there weren’t any loose threads.

I recommend this book for its contemporary originality. My loyalty to Joan Wolf has me conflicted. Summer Storm is unlike any other book I’ve read by her but then again, that’s one of the author’s storytelling strengths. For that reason, I can suggest a reader give this story a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans

December 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans
Publisher: HQ Digital
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

All she wants for Christmas…

Leah Griffiths has woken up after a few too many glasses of Prosecco with a hangover – and discovers she’s accidentally bought a little Christmas tree farm in Scotland!

At first she’s horrified, but perhaps it’s the perfect way to forget all about her cheating ex.

And when she meets grumpy (but ridiculously gorgeous) pumpkin farmer Noel underneath the mistletoe, Leah begins to believe that at Christmas time, anything can happen…

I’ve heard of drunk dialing but never drunk auctioning. In this case the heroine wins an auction and buys her very own Christmas Tree farm! What could go wrong?

What does happen is a lot of heartwarming moments, awesome pop culture references and jokes (many I got) and a romance that is as adorable as a puppy. Or in this case, a chihuahua named Gizmo. There is so much to like about this novel, I’m not sure where to start.

First, I thought the name of the farm was genius and perfect: Peppermint Branches Christmas Tree Farm. Isn’t that delightful? Thing is, that’s the only thing sweet about the farm itself. Leah, the heroine, is about to change her life’s journey in a big way. You know the saying, when one door closes, another is opened? Leah’s ‘door’ is an enormous gateway into the unknown and it looks like she’s about to fall through it flat on her face. I guarantee you that by the end of the book she’ll have muscles upon muscles. Being a Christmas tree farmer isn’t just the selling of trees; there is a ginormous amount of behind the scenes work and Ms. Admans must have done extensive research to describe in vivid detail the challenges, skill and dedication one has to have in order to succeed. I enjoyed watching the heroine reach deep inside herself for a strength she didn’t realize she was capable of.

The strength doesn’t come only from within. No, the hero, a long-haired hunky Scot with a heart of gold and an endearing propensity to blush called Noel, ends up being the best thing to ever cross Leah’s path. Well, eventually she’ll feel that way. Their initial meeting was unorthodox to say the least. She was more impressed with his dog – although Noel was certainly easy on the eyes. I actually liked the hero. There are many aspects to his personality that are impressive, not to mention HIS muscles. The heroine was especially fond of gazing at his arms while in action. The author did a wonderful job of giving the reader flutters in the tummy just from her descriptions.

The novel is told in first person POV and it works wonderfully. It was smooth, consistent and I felt I got to know Leah quite well as the story progressed. As for knowing Noel, that happens via conversations with his mom, Leah, and the varied and colorful residents of the community called Elffield.

While I was learning along with Leah in how to be a Christmas tree farmer, the romance between her and Noel was mostly sweet, but sometimes sensual (like when they kiss). The sparks between them flittered and fluttered as they were fanned throughout the novel. When those sparks turned to flame and they finally, FINALLY kiss, it was as romantic as I could wish. At one point, I think there was mud involved.

The drama is purely character based and the suspense comes from Mother Nature. I liked the heroic and valiant crusade on Leah’s part to save the charm and beauty of Elffield and its country market. At some points, every one of the heroine’s ideas all seemed to work wonders in one fashion or another, and it felt too perfect or easy, but there is no doubt those same elements provided the story with its charm, optimism, uplifted emotions and joy. Those positive aspects are the reason why I’ll say that this is a novel that embraces the spirit of the Christmas season and is a picture-perfect holiday read.

If a reader is looking for a solid plot, a sweet and satisfying romance, a story that is happy, and a hero and heroine whose onscreen chemistry are a true delight to witness, then Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm is a novel not to miss. I truly enjoyed myself and hope that other readers will feel the same way once they read it, too.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Christmas Love Song by Andee Reilly

December 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


* A Christmas Love Song by Andee Reilly
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

He gave her a song. She gave him Christmas.

Once a huge pop star, Jake Wilder hasn’t written a hit song in over ten years. Stuck playing small-time venues where only his most dedicated fans remember him, a comeback seems improbable. But even those gigs are quickly drying up, and if Jake doesn’t do something soon, he’ll slide into permanent has-been oblivion. In a twist of fate, a record executive with a soft spot for retro artists, holds a competition in search of pop musicians to write a new Christmas classic.

Longing to become a serious and respected journalist, Mackenzie Stone scoffs at her latest assignment to write a profile about a washed-up pop singer. She would prefer to cover hard news rather than light stories assigned by her editor who seems unwilling to give her a chance. Determined to write a noteworthy story and at the same time prove herself, it’s up to Mackenzie to help inspire Jake to compose a Christmas classic.

As Jake struggles to overcome his anxieties and write a great song, Mackenzie digs for a story of substance. Together they find love while also discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

Opposites attract in this heartwarming story. A Christmas Love Song is a light read and is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit. It is a small town, slow burning romance.

When Jake and Mackenzie are first thrown together they are unhappy they are being forced into spending time together. Jake is a singer hoping to make a comeback and Mackenzie is a journalist trying to find the next big story. As they spend time together, they are reluctant to admit they like and admire each other.

I enjoyed this upbeat story and Jake and Mackenzie. Jake is such a nice guy and he is also very talented. He deserves to get a second chance and I was rooting for him. Mackenzie is so fixated on her job she almost misses how wonderful Jake is. I recommend this tender, slow burn story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Let it Snowball by Margot Johnson

December 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Let it Snowball by Margot Johnson
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Divorced, empty nester Merilee is on a roll. Filled with scrumptious cookies and old-fashioned fun, her Christmas bus tours aim to add festive spirit to her hometown and new meaning to her lackluster life. Too bad her reserved driver slams the brakes on fun.

Widowed farmer Ross needs a little joy to combat his December blues. Behind the wheel, he wears a Santa suit but can’t muster a convincing ho-ho-ho. Too many memories block his road to happiness…until irrepressible Merilee sparks a snowstorm of unexpected feelings.

In two weeks of holiday tours, Ross might drive Merilee crazy…or will romance snowball inside their lonely hearts?

Christmas is the perfect time to fall in love.

Merilee’s character development was handled nicely. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of her behavior in the beginning due to how opinionated she was about how everyone should celebrate Christmas. Her love of that holiday was so strong that it was difficult for her to understand why someone else might feel depressed or lonely then. I did warm up to her once she began to think about the world from other people’s perspectives, though. As pushy as she sometimes was at first, I was pleased with how her attitude evolved over time. There is definitely something to be said for characters who learn from their mistakes!

I would have liked to see a bit more time spent on developing and resolving the conflicts in this novella. The storyline mentioned several of them so often in the earlier scenes that I was surprised by how quickly they were wrapped up later on. This was especially true for Merilee’s concerns that having a dour Santa on her tour might discourage her guests from recommending her services or returning for another tour. There was more space here to explore those themes, and I would have gone with a full five-star rating if the author had dove more deeply into them.

At first I was a little surprised by how long it took for the romantic subplot to show up, but that was exactly what these characters needed. Both Merilee and Ross had plenty of other things going on in their lives that needed to be balanced out with their growing interest in each other. I appreciated the slow burn of their relationship. It suited them well and left plenty of space to be explored further in the sequel after the final scene.

Let it Snowball was a heartwarming holiday read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Dream Keeper by Kristen Ashley

December 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


* Dream Keeper by Kristen Ashley
Publisher: Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Evan “Evie” Gardiner has spent her whole life being the responsible one in her family, but enough is enough. It’s time to pursue her own dreams. Evie’s finally going to finish that engineering degree she’s been working toward. But first she needs to come up with the money to pay for tuition. Working as a dancer at Smithie’s club seems like the perfect solution to her problems . . . until her family lands in yet another scrape and comes to Evie for help. Only, this time, her family’s recklessness is risking more than her dreams-it’s endangering her life.

Daniel “Mag” Magnusson knows a thing or two about desperation and disappointment, but no one notices that his good looks and quick wit hide the painful memories that haunt him. When Evie’s family puts her in danger, Mag insists on offering Evie his protection. He has the skills to guard Evie’s life, but as they grow closer, Mag realizes he’ll need to come face-to-face with his demons to prove himself as the man who will protect her heart.

If you like a lot of drama with your romance, Dream Keeper is the one for you. I love everything Kristen Ashley writes, she is one of my favorite authors. She knows how to write a story with a hot alpha hero paired with a feisty woman, add in entertaining characters and suspense and that is the perfect recipe for me.

This is the fourth book in Kristen Ashley Dream Keeper series and this one is about Auggie and Pepper. These two have tons of chemistry and their story held me spellbound. They are perfect for each other, but it takes Pepper a while to take a chance on Auggie. Auggie stole my heart, right along with Pepper’s. He is the perfect boyfriend, and he never gives up trying to persuade Pepper how good they can be together.

There is so much Auggie and Pepper have to deal with in this story they barely have time to be together. The whole time I was rooting for them to get everything straightened out so they could live happily ever after. Auggie and Pepper are lucky to have a group of friends to help them whenever it is needed. Their friends are interesting and colorful characters and many of them are from KA’s other books. I enjoyed the fun filled romantic ride filled with quirky characters, emotion and intense moments.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »