Broken by Elise Faber

June 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*Broken by Elise Faber
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

He was forty years old.
He was single.
He had his dream job as GM of the Baltimore Breakers hockey franchise, and he was happy.

Lie.

Because the woman he was in love with was married.

To a perfectly nice man who loved her and cared for her and treated her like the queen she was.

But then Lexi showed up at his house, tears in her eyes, Caleb out of the picture, and he finally had a shot.

A real shot.

At love.

The trouble was that Luc had spent almost the entirety of his adult life running from love. He didn’t do relationships, not any longer.

But . . . Lexi was hurt, absolutely devastated, and she needed care and gentleness and deserved all of the romance in the world.

So he needed to man up and find a way to convince her to give him that shot.

I loved reading Broken, it is a beautifully written story about Luc and Lexi. Luc, a former hockey player, is now the GM for the Baltimore Breakers hockey team. Luc immediately falls for Lexi, when she starts working for the Breakers as their attorney. When Luc finds out Lexi is married and he realizes he can’t date her, he becomes her best friend. Until Luc finally has a chance to win Lexi when she divorces her husband.

Elise Faber is one of my favorite authors. I think she is a wonderful storyteller and she does a fantastic job in telling Luc and Lexis’ story. I found this story to be light and refreshing with great plot weaving. The characters are well developed and realistic and I loved reading their story. At times I found this story to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming and there is a lot of underlying tension zinging between Luc and Lexi. It is slow burn at its finest and I loved all the interactions between Luc and Lexi; as two best friends slowly fall in love.

Luc is a good guy and the perfect boyfriend. I loved the way he treats Lexi; he is so patient with her and he never wavers in his feelings for her. Luc is charming, thoughtful and caring and totally dedicated to Lexi.

Luc and Lexi have so much passion about life, their relationship and for each other. They are perfect together. I never wanted this story to end and I loved being in Luc and Lexi’s world. I felt all their emotions as they were going through them and I enjoyed all their interactions. As an added bonus, this story takes place in the world of hockey, where Luc and Lexi both work and I love any book about hockey. I thoroughly enjoyed this upbeat story.

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The Pretenders by Joan Wolf

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Pretenders by Joan Wolf
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Mistflower

Gentle Reader:

At the time it seemed like a good idea. Reeve and I had been friends since childhood, so when he needed to persuade his trustee to turn over his inheritance, we decided to pretend to get engaged. Reeve was the Earl of Cambridge, after all. It wasn’t fair for him not to have his money.

Who would have thought that Lord Bradford would insist we actually marry before he handed over the dibs? Who would have thought that my feelings for Reeve would change so radically, that I would want him as a lover as well as a friend? And who would have thought that someone would be trying to kill me before I even made it to the altar?

—- Deborah Woodly

Oh my goodness! The Pretenders is the epitome of a romance book. You just have to trust me on this. A Best Book for me is when the hero and heroine demonstrate to a reader what love is and how it feels. The writing style was fluent, articulate and chatty. There are several characters that were well developed and relatable. There were many vivid settings throughout the story. The length of the scenes and the speed at which the author distributed the story made for a perfect pace. I highly recommend this story to go on readers’ “to be read” list. It’s going on my keeper shelf. The hero, Reeve , is going on my book boyfriend list. The synopsis was the perfect commercial which gave me the highlights and caught my interest and attention. The plot was exciting, emotional with unexpected series of events. My review is just a bit of why The Pretenders is my new favorite book.

The heroine, Deborah, was my ideal heroine. She was independent, smart, responsible, caring, and loyal with a bit of rebelliousness. She was the hero, Reeve’s, best friend.

Reeve had similar characteristics, however he had an irresponsible streak as a result from some unfair set of circumstances. These unfair set of circumstances were what drove Deborah and Reeve together into their scheme. A scheme that had me laughing and shaking my head with a smile. This and much more will make more sense once the book is read. Therefore, without giving out spoilers, all I can suggest is to pick up this book and start reading.

There is a great deal of enjoyable depth to this book. Many layers, and plot twists. I have no choice but to be vague because I refuse to spoil anything. What I enjoyed most was seeing the transition between Deb and Reeve from childhood friends to something more. The chemistry between them was undeniable. The epilogue was exquisitely beautiful.

If you are looking for a heart touching romance book then this is an excellent possibility. I, for one, highly recommend The Pretenders by Joan Wolf.

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The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman
Sweet Water Ranch Western Cowboy Romance Book 5
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It was supposed to be simple.

Marry the tall Texan. Her children get a father. They save the ranch.

A business transaction, nothing more. She definitely wasn’t going to fall in love. After her husband ran off with her little sister, she was no longer susceptible to cowboy charm.

Except, the North Dakota girl had never met a Texas cowboy.

He married her for the ranch.

A former champion bull rider needs a spread to call home, even if it is in North Dakota.

Even if it comes with four little kids.

And a big, black, slobbering dog.

Especially if it comes with a woman with enough sweetness and enough toughness to rope his heart and heal it.

The cowboy’s not afraid of anything…except losing his heart again.

Reading this romance was like breathing in a sweet, refreshing gust of air that cleared my mind of current worries and concerns. I needed an uplifting, positive romance read and I found it in The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage. I’d never read a story by Ms. Gussman before and I am pleased that my first book by this author ended up being a great experience.

The premise is simple. Rich guy leaves a lot of money to various people after he dies, but puts restrictions and provisos that seem ridiculous and unattainable at first glance. I don’t know how other books fared in the series, but in this book, even though it uses a well-known trope, the business arrangement of a marriage, or a marriage of convenience, was perfectly executed and delightfully told.

Rem is a banged up cowboy who has ridden his last champion bull. Elaine is a woman who’s burdened by choosing love and motherhood over the sometimes easier but often-chosen path of shared parenting in her divorce. Her burden isn’t because she chose single-parenthood – it’s because her family legacy and love of the land she called home is causing a hardship that was forcing her to face a choice she didn’t want to make – sell the farm. She’s hanging on by the skin of her teeth when Rem steps up to the plate.

I found it interesting that the author used other people, who must have been characters from a previous romance story, to vet and verify the quality and veracity of Rem and Elaine’s characters so the story could jump right into the good stuff. Two strangers agree to marry to secure their own ends and meet their most pressing concerns but end up doing the very last thing they thought they’d do – fall in love and heal the needs, hopes and lost dreams of their hearts. It’s their journey that the book is about and it’s filled with family, love, sacrifice and gentle humor.

There are too many details to cover that justify my high rating of this novel. I don’t want to accidentally spill spoilers either, so I’ll be vague. Rem’s growing relationship with Elaine’s four children is heartwarming to watch. The dog is sparsely applied but effective comic relief. Rem’s estranged relationship with his father and brother is briefly explored but provided interesting insight. Rem’s mom kind of rubbed me the wrong way – passive aggressive manipulation isn’t a favorite ploy of mine, but I still get the feeling that Rem loves his mom anyway, and she did love her son. The description of inside the home he grew up in kind of makes me understand why his mom might be the way she is. And, I’m really glad Rem ends up in North Dakota. I respect a man who makes his own decisions and makes his way in the world by not backing down from challenges. Elaine’s situation is a huge challenge to be sure, and the hero is more than up to the task of dealing with what looks to be insurmountable financial odds. I say insurmountable because the rich guy’s bequest might not be the boon everyone expected. How Rem deals with that is what makes him an awesome hero.

I would classify this romance as sensual. There are passionate thoughts, kisses and temptations but I appreciated that when the time finally came to be husband and wife in more than name only, the bedroom door closed. I am left knowing that they were satisfied with that part of their relationship and it was blissful, but I didn’t need explicit scenes to believe that their love and compatibility in that arena was genuine and beautiful.

The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage ends with an emotionally satisfying happy ever after with feelings of joy, contentment and the knowledge that they are now truly one big happy family where love and faith guide and nurture their hearts. The epilogue also includes a very effective hook for the next installment of the series. I’ll have to check it out because it sounds interesting and if it’s anything like this story, I’ll be in for another great read.

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

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius―his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue proves: true love isn’t always diplomatic.

A fun story of love conquering all.

This is my first book by Casey McQuiston and won’t be the last. The characters were fun and the story intriguing. It’s cute. Royals and the closest thing America has to royals getting together and being gay! Sounds like a winner.

The writing style sort of put me off at times. I’m not a fan of present tense writing, but this might not be a turn off for all readers. There were times when the story was choppy, but again, this might not be a bad thing for all readers. It was me. I would’ve rather had the story from Alex and Henry’s point of view, instead of the way it was done—but that’s on me.

If one is looking for super hot scenes this one might not work, but if you’re looking for cute, sweet scenes where it’s implied things are happening in the bedroom, then this one is for you.

A cute story for a lazy afternoon.

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In Too Deep by Kira Sinclair

June 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment


In Too Deep by Kira Sinclair
SEALS of Fortune, book 1
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

He didn’t want to need her…

Trouble just walked onto Knox McLemore’s ship—trouble with lush curves, red hair and an uptight attitude that both grates on his nerves and heats his blood. But former Navy SEAL Knox knows all about control. Especially when this sexy nautical archaeologist is the only thing standing between his diving team’s claim on a famous shipwreck…and utter ruin.

Dr. Avery Walsh is grateful her icy persona hides the effect intimidating (and way-too-hot) Knox has on her. For two people who don’t trust—or even like—each other much, the physical chemistry between them is unbelievable. But getting in too deep with Knox is the last thing Avery needs. Because she has a job to do…and dark little secrets to hide.

Friends to lovers and so much more.

I like stories that are enemies to lovers and this one, while they start out on friendly terms, goes to enemies to lovers quickly. It’s okay because the story plugs along at a good clip and the writing is fun, so I had to know what would happen. I’m glad I read this book. It’s hot, but not too hot, and sweet, but not saccharine.

Dr. Avery wants to help with the shipwreck and identify which it is, but Knox has other ideas. He wants to keep her away from the wreck. Unfortunately, there are forces that want these two together, no matter how much they want to stay apart.

I liked the extra threads running through this story—redemption, trust and action–, but I won’t give too much away as to not ruin the plot. Knox and Avery have chemistry, which is great because they get thrown together, but there were times when I thought Avery could’ve cooled it a little. She tried too hard to keep him away. That said, it was relatable. She came across as very human and when she does get with Knox, it’s hot, hot, hot.

If you want a beach read that’s fun, then this might be the one for you.

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Lady August by Becky Michaels

June 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Lady August by Becky Michaels
Publisher: Mildred Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

August Summer thinks she is a nobody until a London solicitor barges into her employer’s drawing room, revealing not only is she the daughter of an earl but a wealthy heiress as well. Optimistic about a new life, she travels to her ancestral home of Linfield Hall, only for her brother to banish her to London to live with her aunt, a dowager duchess with a reputation.

When Lord Bolton asks him to fetch his illegitimate daughter, solicitor Samuel Brooks does not expect himself to become so invested in the young woman’s debut after wanting nothing to do with dinners and balls before. But as August navigates her way through this new world of the British aristocracy, Brooks is the one who is most dazzled by her unexpected charms.

Since society demands every young girl must marry, August decides she will accept nothing less than someone’s heart in exchange for possession of her newfound fortune. Forced to reexamine his negative views of love and marriage or lose August forever, Brooks soon realizes his heart is the only thing in danger of becoming possessed.

This synopsis sounded amazing. The best part was that the synopsis didn’t give every plot thread away.  I’m thrilled to tell you that Lady August is so much more than just the synopsis. Thank you Becky Michaels.

I was excited to read a story about a heroine that was consider a nobody until it was revealed that she was in fact the daughter of an earl. It was wonderful to read how that transpired and evolved. I appreciated the detail involved with the significance of the heroine’s name, August Summer. Her character was smart, strong and mixed with a little naivety. I easily related to her and quickly cheered her on.

The hero, Samuel Brooks, was a steady hero but not my typical book boyfriend. While he worked well with August, he had some issues he had to deal with that I felt he over-dramatized. However, Samuel and August were heartwarming together.

The best part of this story was that it was like an onion. There were multiple characters with side plot lines. It was easy and fun to follow along. I found the pace to be consistent and non-troublesome as some story lines flowed with expected and unexpected situations.

The writing style was smooth and authentic for a historical novel minus one curse word, or so I thought. I Googled the timing of when that curse word was invented and was surprised to learn that it is indeed an accurate historical curse word.

One thing that was an eye-opener was how the majority of the love scenes were sweet/sensual. It wasn’t until near the end of the book that a certain couple turned up the heat level. I wasn’t prepared for that intense heat index. Fortunately I don’t have an issue with that but my mother would. Ha, ha.

In conclusion, Lady August was a very nice read. I’m not sure if this is a series or not but I would like a book with the hero being August’s brother Charles. I’d like to see him redeemed. A third book would be nice with the heroine being August’s sister, Rosamund. I’d like Rosamund to find her happily ever after. I loved the epilogue that did tie up all the lose threads and gave me a feeling of satisfaction. I am just greedy and wanted more. Lady August is a welcoming addition to my list of books that I gladly recommend.

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The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth

June 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Magic of Christmas by Christi Barth
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Holiday
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Holiday parties and gift-buying will have to wait this year. Rowan West is up for a promotion to advertising manager. All she has to do is come up with a campaign to stream people back into a struggling, Christmas-themed adventure park and resort. She’s more of a big city-bright lights girl, but hey, anything to hop up to the next rung on the ladder. And in this case, anything is right. Because she’s stuck with a horrible partner as she treks out to see the park for herself.

Jeremy Kincannon doesn’t so much love his job. But he’s doing his best to excel at it. He has to, in order to shut down the, oh, entire rest of the company that believes he’s only there because his step-father owns the business. So when he finds out he’s a finalist for the advertising manager position, he’s ready to fight tooth and nail to get it. Even if it means spending a week with the annoyingly perfect—and even more annoyingly pretty—other finalist.

They begin the trip as office adversaries. But spending so much time together, away from rivalries and rumors, reveals the truth of who each really is. Or maybe it’s the magic of Christmas working on them? Because the adventure park neither cared about turns out to be exactly what helps them find what they truly need in life…each other.

Now, Kamagra is offering lower cost cialis no prescription uk https://unica-web.com/ENGLISH/2016/pia-kalatchoff-member-of-the-jury.html made by Sildenafil citrate after the omission of patent act from the capture of Pfizer. So it generic pharmacy cialis is better to take it before an hour of the possible intercourse. This may work for others but for generic cialis online unica-web.com majority of men, if you one among them you should opt for a certified online pharmacy for effective and quality satisfaction. Accepting the new reality, being proactive, setting a course and cialis generic purchase leading your team forward is essential to coming through this period. I was in the mood to read a Christmas story in the month of June. I was lucky to find this Christi Barth book. I recently enjoyed a book by this author so I decided to give her a second try. I was not disappointed at all. In fact I wanted to put up my Christmas tree and play some holiday music.

My mom likes to read what she calls, “smut free” romance books. This book was so sweet and innocent that I just have to buy it for her to read. It’s the perfect book to read at Christmastime with some hot cocoa, or in my case, during the summer. It hit all the feel good spots. When I finished reading this book I noticed that the Hallmark Channel is playing Christmas movies in June. Apparently, I’m not the only one who needed to feel a little Christmas spirit.

While I was reading The Magic of Christmas, it brought me back to my childhood. The Christmas-themed resort that the hero, Jeremy, and the heroine, Rowan, are trying to revive is very similar to one that actually exists in Putney, VT. Of course it’s not the same resort but it was easy for me to visualize the setting in which this story is set.

The writing style is easy on the eyes from beginning to end. The synopsis pretty much sums up the plot which is fine with me because the story-line was creative and ingenious for a contemporary romance. It makes for a light, fluffy and easy read without any surprises. The characters are well developed and relatable.

Jeremy and Rowan made for a heartwarming romance. Just as the synopsis states, “their rivalry wanes and attraction grows, will Jeremy and Rowan embrace the magic of Christmas?” I sure did.

This was my second Christi Barth book and I know it won’t be my last. There is a book that I’m waiting to read in one of her series. I’m going to officially put Christi Barth on my new favorite author to-read list. I hope others will enjoy this book as much as I did.

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Jack by McKenna James

June 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*Jack by McKenna James
Publisher: Wisteria Lane Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Jack Stapleton and his friends rule Las Vegas. They’ve got more money than they know what to do with, and Jack can have any woman he wants­­­­—except Ellie.

JACK

Rejection. That’s what I get for trying to save a girl who obviously doesn’t want saving.

Paying off her father’s debt so she can stop taking off her clothes for other people? That was a no brainer. Obviously, I hoped she’d fall victim to my irresistible charm. My selflessness.

But no.

I’ve offended her independent spirit, and instead of falling for me, she’s doing everything she can to avoid me. I should forget all about Ellie Masters, but I’m a sucker for her sassy smile and that fiery, luscious mouth.

I’m more than willing to take a gamble on this girl, but she’s made it clear I’m going to need more than luck to win her heart.
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ELLIE

My momma raised me to believe that I don’t need a man. Except, apparently, I do.

And now that I owe a debt to a billionaire, I feel sick to my stomach.

It’s not like I’ll ever be able to pay him back.

The man is richer than God, and hotter than the Devil. When he’s next to me, I just about melt.

The last thing I want is to fall for a man like that.

The problem is, I think I already have…

Jack is a short and heartwarming story about Jack Stapleton, owner of one of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas. Jack and his three best friends King, Ace and Asher have all been best friends since elementary school. They are all rich playboys living the good life and I enjoyed all of their encounters. They have a lot of fun together, give each other a hard time, but always have each other’s backs when needed.

I found it easy to connect with Jack and Ellie. I liked them from the very start and enjoyed reading their story. Their connection felt real and there was a lot of chemistry flowing between them, whenever they were together. Jack is a charming, sweet, down to earth, rich guy and I love the way he treats Ellie and how he never wavers in his feelings for her. Jack has to work hard to convince Ellie to go out with him, which is something he has never had to do before.

This story has an engaging plot and strong characters and even though the story was short, I didn’t feel it was rushed. This is the first book in the Vegas Kings series and I can’t wait to read the other books in this series. I enjoyed reading Jack and Ellie’s story and I think you will too.

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The Patron by Tess Thompson

June 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*The Patron by Tess Thompson
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

She’s afraid to take risks. He’s an incurable daredevil. When tragedy throws them together, will it spark a lasting devotion?

Crystal Whalen isn’t sure why she should go on. Two years after her husband’s death on a ski trip, she’s devastated when a fire destroys her quiet Colorado mountain home. And when she can’t keep her hands off the gorgeous divorcé who’s become her new temporary housemate, it only feeds her grief and growing guilt.

Garth Welte won’t be burned again. After his ex-wife took most of his money, the downhill-skiing Olympic medalist is determined to keep things casual with the sexy woman he can’t resist. But the more time they spend with each other, the harder it is to deny his burgeoning feelings.
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As Crystal’s longing for the rugged man’s embrace grows, she worries that his dangerous lifestyle will steal him away. And although Garth believes she’s his perfect girl, the specter of betrayal keeps a tight grip on his heart.

Will the thrill-seeker and the wary woman succumb to the power of love?

“Your life never ends up like you think it will.” When one of the characters in this story uttered these words, I thought it brilliantly summed up this story. The Patron is an enchanting story about Garth and Crystal, two people trying to move on from their past relationships. They are both closed off and afraid to take a chance on love, until a fire destroys both of their homes.

Tess Thompson is one of my go to authors and I especially love reading her small town romances. She does such a great job of writing this feel good story about small town life. I easily connected to Garth and Crystal. They are easy to like, well developed and both of them have a voice in this story, so I always knew what they were both thinking and feeling.

The plot isn’t complicated but it flows nicely and I loved being in Emerson Pass, right along with the characters in this story. This story has a sweet and magical feel to it and love is in the air, for not only Garth and Crystal, but some of the other characters included in this story.

This is a heartwarming story about forgiveness, new beginnings, moving on from grieving and learning to trust again. I liked all the characters In this story, but I especially loved Garth and Crystal. They are easy to like and connect with and I thought they were great together. If you like small town stories, that will put a smile on your face, give this a try.

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

Awakened Are the Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller

June 11, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Awakened Are the Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), LGBTQ, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A new city and unexpected freedom give Andrea the fresh start she craved, but her haunting past threatens to unrest an already tangled future. In this tense and emotionally stirring sequel to Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed, Awakened will leave you breathless as it navigates the heartbreaking disquiet of one survivor’s scattered and uncertain path towards healing.

Healing can be hard work, but it’s always worth it.

Andrea had a wonderful support system. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed how her parents and two best friends reacted to her when she was really struggling with her mental health. They were so kind and compassionate even when they didn’t always necessarily understand why she was behaving the way that she did.

This book’s depiction of the trauma, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Andrea faced as a result of the abusive relationship she was in when I first met her was realistic and well written. Healing can be a painfully slow process sometimes, and I appreciated the fact that the author was so honest about that. There were times when I wanted to hug the main character and other scenes when I wished I could drive her to a therapy appointment myself.

My review of the first instalment of this series mentioned some pacing issues I noticed in it. I was quite pleased with the fast but even pacing this time around! Naturally, there were times in Andrea’s life when things were quieter or busier than usual, but I always felt like I had exactly the right amount of time with her no matter what she was going through. It’s a thrill to give a five-star rating to an author the second time around, and I’m excited to do it for her today. She did a wonderful job smoothing out the pacing and keeping this reader sitting on the edge of my seat from the first scene to the last one.

This is the sequel to Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed. I’d strongly recommend reading this series in order due to how much character development takes place during it.

Awakened Are the Starry-Eyed should be read by anyone who is interested in a compelling example of what life can be like after escaping an abusive relationship.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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