Ms. Adams has done a wonderful job of creating a world in the midwest and getting the reader invested in each character.
I loved seeing each of these couples come together by overcoming real problems. Each story introduced characters that came through in the series.
I wasn't concerned with the historical details being accurate but enjoyed how the stories were framed in the time period.
The first five volumes of the bestselling Kansas Crossroads series are now available in one set!
Overall, I enjoyed this read by Ms. Kersey,
The characters were well formed with real problems to overcome. Plenty of emotional baggage to work through.
I could've used a little less harping on why they couldn't be together from each of them.
I thought the whole bit with the car was great and got me smiling.
Too bad she's not interested. But he hasn't gotten where he is by being timid. Will his persistence pay off, or will it put him in the friend-zone for good?
I'm a long time fan of Ms. Pennington and this read doesn't disappoint.
Great theme, conflict, pacing, and the burn between Julie and Ryland...you'll need some ice cream for that. ;)
I saw the twist coming but that didn't take away from it.
A solid read that will have you wanting to ignore bits of your life to sneak in a few more pages.
Ryland wants to meet in person, but as much as Julie wants to, it forces her to face the anxiety that has held her back all these years. With as much courage as she can muster, Julie steps into the world she’s been hiding from. Unfortunately, her anxiety isn’t the only threat to their happily-ever-after.
If possible, listen to the audiobook narration with Reese Witherspoon. I did, and she really made the book come alive, especially considering this book was written in a different time and words are used that aren't used in present day.
Helped me to see a different side of grown up Scout, and how the events of To Kill a Mockingbird shaped her and her family.
Be aware that there are offensive words in here but keep them in context of the time period.
Worth a listen/read.
A landmark novel by Harper Lee, set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—“Scout”—returns home to Maycomb, Alabama from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise’s homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town, and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past—a journey that can only be guided by one’s own conscience.
Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of the late Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor, and effortless precision—a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context, and new meaning to an American classic.
I believe this is my first read by Becky Monson, and I'll be adding her to my trusted authors list.
We have a bit of a love triangle here as our girl, Lou, is engaged. But her groom-to-be is kind of a jerk/wet blanket so really I was rooting for Finn the whole time. The one who treats her right.
Great slow burn with respect to our engaged girl, and a fake relationship to boot.
Prep the midnight read munchies. You'll be up late to finish this one.
“Louella,” he says my name and . . . yep. A tingle just went down my spine. It’s just the way he says it, the way it rolls off his tongue, like his lips are meant to say it.
After growing up in Nashville with two musician parents, I promised myself one thing—I would never, ever fall in love with anyone who had anything to do with the music scene. I will take my stable, albeit boring, accountant boyfriend, thank you very much, and live securely ever after. At least that was the plan. Who knew one ridiculous party where boy band sensation Finn Thatcher showed up would turn my life completely upside down.
How dare he write a song about me. A song that went straight to number one. A song that messes everything up with his band. And who gets the blame for that? That’s right, me. I’m the new Yoko Ono. The only way to fix it is to, well . . . give the world what it wants—a love story. We are talking the whole freaking fairy tale. Nothing says true love like a fake relationship. But what if it’s not so fake? What if I want the happily ever after? Or am I just another love song to Finn?
Love Songs Suck is a slow burn rock star romance, with a dash of fake dating, some forced proximity, and late night song writing sessions.
This is my first read by Jen Atkinson, and I'll be back for more.
Poor Beth. She really gets the wrong end of the stick and then seeks revenge, all the while falling for her new pen pal and boss.
Great chemistry. Great kisses. Great new book boyfriend.
Nicely paced and crafted. You'll set aside important repsonsibilities to read it.
I’ve kissed a few guys. Okay, many, many guys. But on my terms. One kiss, that’s all they get. That’s the rule. And then I set them loose.
Bethany Barns has one goal—to hate Tate Wilhelm. It should be easy, considering he stole her job, and she now has to answer to him as the boss. Her plan to make his life utterly miserable is on track. Except for that little mistletoe incident at their work Christmas party, mission ruin Tate Wilhelm is in full swing. Besides, you can’t blame that kiss on Beth. She was stressed and sad, and there was mistletoe for heaven’s sake!
Tate may be new to Seattle but he isn’t new to the newspaper game. Sure, his last paper was a smaller one, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that he is a killer editor and an ideal boss. His employees love him. He knows them, their lives and circumstances; and they all love him for it. Well, all of his employees with one exception. Beth Barns cannot stand the sight of him. She kisses him—one magnificent kiss, by the way—and then she shows nothing but disdain for him. None of it makes sense.
Tate just needs to prove to Beth that they can be friends. She doesn’t need to be embarrassed about that mistletoe kiss, and he’ll be the best boss she’s ever had. That’s the plan. However, the plan doesn’t involve falling for the woman. But Tate can’t deny his attraction to Beth's witty humor. She's a beautiful, red-headed, ball of fire. Sure, he's going to get burned, but he still wants to try kissing those lips again.
Convincing Beth that they should be friends—let alone more—is proving difficult. But Tate isn’t giving up. She’ll see. It’ll all work out. That is if Beth will stop seething every time she looks his way.
My book club chose this novel and I'm happy with the selection. I wouldn't have discovered this book otherwise.
This is a quick read with lots of twists that will keep you guessing until the end. Lots of imagination threaded through reality. Love seeing the story unfold through the character's Irish eyes. Good voice and pacing.
I would read more by Mr. Auxier after this introduction. Great for middle grade and up.
A New York Times bestseller, The Night Gardener is a Victorian ghost story with shades of Washington Irving and Henry James. More than just a spooky tale, it’s also a moral fable about human greed and the power of storytelling.
The Night Gardener follows two abandoned Irish siblings who travel to work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house. But the house and its family are not quite what they seem. Soon the children are confronted by a mysterious spectre and an ancient curse that threatens their very lives. With Auxier’s exquisite command of language, The Night Gardener is a mesmerizing read and a classic in the making.
Kasey Stockton does a masterful job of tying in all the P&P references to this novel.
Love the parallels and nuances. The super hunky hero. The flaws they each have and the differences to overcome and the super chemistry between them is off the charts.
All the feels. Intoxicating kisses. Satisfying ending.
"Stockton’s fans will delight in this." -Publishers Weekly
Northern California girl Charlotte “Charlie” Lucas has two great loves: Diet Coke and Pride and Prejudice. But her passion for Regency classics is tempered by a very real fear: Charlie is terrified of having to endure the fate of her namesake—spinsterhood. Despite her best attempts to maintain a modern sensibility, she can’t say no when an elderly neighbor asks Charlie to attend a charity ball with her grandson. Blind date or not, Charlie is powerless to resist the allure of a real-life ball. Soon it’s clear that she will struggle to resist the charms of her blind date too.
Liam Connell is every bit the swoon-worthy leading man, straight out of Charlie’s daydreams. But he’s completely unattainable—his last girlfriend was a gorgeous actress and a far cry from Charlie’s world. So after a magical evening with Liam, Charlie is ready to get back to reality, even if her best option right now is a former boyfriend who wants to give it another shot. Unfortunately, despite imagining she’ll never see Liam again, he seems to be everywhere. How is a lady to move past a fantasy when life suddenly seems to be imitating fiction to an alarming degree?
Jenny Proctor builds a fun romcom that keeps you turning pages.
I loved how wonderfully clueless our heroine was about the Hollywood star who's property she was tresspassing on.
Yet, there is immediate chemistry from the meet cute and beyond.
Lots of cuteness and crazy to ensue as the fake relationship turns real.
All the good feels. Clean romance. Just kisses. Really good kisses.
He’s Hollywood’s biggest star. She wouldn’t know him from the pizza delivery guy.
I’m a wildlife biologist in a tiny mountain town, not some kind of law-breaking celebrity stalker. At least not on purpose.
It was an accident when I wandered onto the property of one of Hollywood’s hottest movie stars. Five minutes ago, I'd never even heard of Flint Hawthorne. I definitely didn’t know he lives in Silver Creek.
When I’m detained for trespassing, the last thing I expect is to trade my handcuffs for a designer gown. All I wanted was permission to conduct my research on a remote corner of his estate.
Now I’m walking the red carpet of a Hollywood movie premiere as Flint’s (very fake) girlfriend.
At least, the relationship is supposed to be fake. But the way he slips his arm around me, his breath tickling my ear, the chemistry feels like something real.
The trouble is, I’m not really built to handle his fast-paced celebrity life. Most days, I prefer the company of squirrels to people. I should be glad we’re only pretending.
I’m just not sure my heart got the memo.
Rebecca Talley does a wonderful job of getting romantic at sea.
There's lots of cuteness happening when two people find unexpected love and fight their feelings as being due to circumstances rather than being real and valid.
Wonderful hijinks from friends and family and the unexpected revelation that one character's been the nemisis for the other for decades.
Solid writing. Clean romance. Just kisses. Set sail.
An ambitious personal trainer, a successful attorney, and the memory of a middle school bully that comes between them on a singles cruise.
Meg Summers was bullied about her weight when she was a kid. Now, as an adult, she’s passionate about fitness and health. Just before the launch of her online business, 4FHealth.com, she reluctantly agrees to accompany her BFF, Shayla, on a singles cruise. Meg plans to dodge all the shipboard losers by staying in her stateroom and putting the finishing touches on her website.
Drew McDermott has one goal on this singles cruise: find a woman for his heartbroken brother, Joey. Drew plans to bide his time during the cruise, then return to his successful—albeit unfulfilling—career as an attorney in Dallas. Shortly after the mandatory safety meeting aboard the ship, Meg meets Drew and sparks fly.
When Shayla and Joey hit it off, Meg finds herself spending time with Drew instead of working on her website. Despite her better judgment, she begins falling for him—hard—until a shocking discovery dredges up painful memories from her childhood and changes everything.
Will this revelation doom Meg’s blossoming relationship with Drew or will she be able to move past it?
Ms. Britton brings us on another adventure of this family. This time it's Rebecca's turn, with a bit of a Beauty and the Beast theme.
A delightful read of how an arranged marriage can end up with two people falling in love, which I rather thought was quite a rub against the arrangers. Well done Rebecca and Devon!
Naturally, it isn't all smooth sailing. Though there are boats. And a dog. And Italy. And music.
There are loveable characters and others you'd like to seen thrown in the nearest dung heap.
And a few choice kisses, that maybe are against the times, but as a romance reader, I'll allow it. ;)
Sweet and clean historical you'll enjoy from beginning to end.
A scarred and lonely viscount and an independent young woman are forced into an arranged marriage. What hope do they have for a happily ever after?
Rebecca Devon lives under the severe eye of her aunt and the iron will of her father. Though she wears what she is told and befriends the people they choose for her, she spends every moment longing to do as she wishes. Knowing freedom will only come through marriage, her hopes for a happy union are stolen away when her father arranges her marriage to a complete stranger.
Christian Hundley, Lord Easton, has learned the hard way that English society won't accept a person who looks or behaves differently than their ideal. He has hidden himself away from scornful eyes for years, until his aging grandfather takes matters in hand and finds Christian a bride. Knowing he must agree to the marriage, Christian shields his heart. If the whole of society cannot accept him, why should his bride?
Rebecca knows she must have love in her life, but Christian is convinced there is nothing so fraught with danger and pain as entrusting one’s heart to another. Rebecca does everything she can to change his mind, but Christian is determined to remain aloof. Can an arranged marriage ever be anything other than a business partnership?
While this is the fifth book in the Regency romance series, Branches of Love, it can be read as a stand-alone romance.
Ms. Bastian puts her tropes to good use in this novel.
Second chances. Secret Baby. Workplace/Office. Friends to Lovers.
If you like the romance formula, this one goes by the book, so you'll have a satisfying read.
When her former boyfriend shows up eight years later, Madison isn’t sure if she’s more relieved or angry he doesn’t recognize her. Especially since she’s forced to work with him for a few months and he has no clue she kept such a huge secret from him.
When Stephen finally realizes Madison is the same girl he knew as Bea from his grandparents’ town, he’s excited to catch up and reminisce about those summers — but she seems cold and wants nothing to do with him.
The truth comes out and he learns he’s the father of a seven-year-old son, throwing him into completely unfamiliar territory as he tries to develop a relationship with his child and attempts to rekindle the romance he’d once shared with Bea.
Can they each overcome their sense of betrayal and learn to be united for the sake of their son, and perhaps find love again?
My sister recommended this one, and I'm so happy she did.
It's wonderful to find a clean story that focuses on the characters while simultaneously being excellent at world building and crafting a romantic thread all at the same time.
The narrator was a brilliant choice for the story.
The only thing I got blindsided by was this being the first of a trilogy, though I began to suspect the story would need more than one book as I got to the eighty percent mark. There was simply too much to wrap up and not enough pages/time.
Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.
ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.
With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.
But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.
Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.
After all, a good job is hard to find.
This was a book club pick and a worthwhile one. Otherwise, I would've missed it.
Such a powerhouse female character, who will resonate with women of any age, is our leading lady Elizabeth Zott.
I loved her outlook on life, her love of Calvin, and watching her carve her path in a time when such a thing was frowned upon.
I had several moments when I laughed out loud. But I didn't cry. And I did learn about chemsitry, rowing, and how dogs think.
I listened to the audiobook in four days. It's that good. The narrator is excellent.
Prepare to have your thoughts challenged and elevated in the best of ways.
High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud of:her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before the cancer does.
Then Jack—tiny in stature but fiercely independent—happens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power.
With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath the surface of a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always resisted: depend on each other.
Lots of love in this four book collection.
Each one is a stand alone. The Titans carry the first two books but the second two are about nonfootball players who are side characters to the original books. You won't get football players all the way through. I was hoping for at least Kade's story.
But you won't be disappointed. Each couple has their own barriers and issues to overcome to get their HEA and are diverse in their problems and solutions.
Lots of good sweet kisses and nothing more is needed.
A collection of four, standalone novels from the popular Texas Titan Romance Series. Lives are changed and worlds are rocked when these take-charge, alpha pro players find the right women to settle scores of the heart.
The Persistent Groom
When single mom Silver Coulter gets a chance to plan the bachelor auction event of the season, she has no idea it’ll bring her face-to-face with the very man she’s spent years trying to forget—Ace Sanchez, superstar running back for the Texas Titans.
Long-held attractions sizzle to the surface as Ace tries to get back into Silver’s life. But Silver has a sordid past that includes a nasty ex-husband and ruthless ex-mother-in-law who’ll stop at nothing to keep Silver in her clutches.
The Ghost Groom
After a long, painful search that involved legions of duds, Ariana Sanchez, fitness guru and gym owner, finally meets the perfect guy when she least expects it. Not only can Rennen tear up the dance floor, but he has these adorable blonde curls and compelling green eyes, specked with gold. When Ariana’s around him she feels oh, so alive! And the best part is that he’s a perfect gentleman and easy to talk to. Their first encounter leaves Ariana floating on air, thinking there’s hope for her love life after all … until she learns that Rennen is the celebrated rookie who’s taking her brother’s position as starting running back for the Titans. Too bad she’s totally loyal to her brother and has to hate him now!
The Hometown Groom
Emerson Stein has no intention of marrying billionaire Finley Landers just so her daddy’s merger will go through, no matter how much of a hissy fit her mama throws. When she skips out of a high-profile barbecue to barrel race at a rodeo, she never expects to meet Riker Dylan, the new starting quarterback for the Titans. With his startling blue eyes, easy smile, and boyish charm, Riker turns Emerson’s head and sends her pulse racing to the stars. Too bad she chews him out and punches him in the gut.
Growing up just outside Dallas, Riker Dylan never imagined he’d get the chance to play football for the Titans. An unexpected encounter with a copper-haired beauty puts him on an uncharted path. Why does he get the feeling there’s more to her than meets the eye?
When the stakes get impossibly high, will Emerson have the courage to choose her own path to be with the man she loves, or will the family pressure prove to be too great?
The Jilted Billionaire Groom
Still reeling from getting dumped on national TV, Finley Landers flees Dallas and takes solace in his hotel in Park City, Utah. When a young hooligan tries to steal his money, Finley gets an explosive introduction to Sunny Day who happens to be a maid at his hotel. Intrigued by the dark-eyed beauty and her sharp tongue, he can't seem to get her out of his mind.
With her sister's killer hot on her trail, Sunny has no room in her life for a relationship. But try as she might, she can't seem to avoid Finley who's determined to sweep her off her feet. When an unfortunate accident sends Sunny running to Finley for help, she must decide if she’ll close off her heart to protect her secret or risk it all for love.
This is an interesting nonfiction read.
Ms. Zauner reflects on what it's like to grow up as part Korean in America.
The struggles and how it took time to embrace all the parts of her to become who she is, to come to a place of peace with her relationships with her parents, and how to move forward with her future.
I recommend the audiobook narrated by the author.
From the indie rock star of Japanese Breakfast fame, and author of the viral 2018 New Yorker essay that shares the title of this book, an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.
In this exquisite story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner proves herself far more than a dazzling singer, songwriter, and guitarist. With humor and heart, she tells of growing up one of the few Asian-American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food. As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band - and meeting the man who would become her husband - her Korean-ness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was 25, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her.
Vivacious and plainspoken, lyrical and honest, Zauner's voice is as radiantly alive on the page as it is onstage. Rich with intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely, Crying in H Mart is a book to cherish, share, and enjoy many times.
A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history
Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack.
New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance.
Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse—one studying the stallion’s bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.
Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.
