I don’t usually read small town romances—though Nicholas Sparks’ stuff will call to me every once in a sick-in-bed while. Yeah, I’m more of an international beach paradise or big city setting kinda girl. But when I want cozy comfort…. Ironically, the cover of Dances Under the Harvest Moon is what caught me, as the couple totally resembled Sandra Bullock (Love!) and Harry Connick Jr. (Yum!) from Hope Floats. And flu or not, sometimes you’re in … Continue reading Dances Under the Harvest Moon by Joanne Rock →
While Wes is now sort of “don’t ask, don’t tell” out to his hockey teammates and coaches at college, he was only really coming to terms with his sexuality when he was eighteen and crushing hard on his best friend at hockey camp. Absolutely desperate for an excuse to touch him, he made a drunken bet and subsequently freaked out after he and his best friend fooled around one very memorable time. Feeling horribly guilty, … Continue reading Him by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen →
I find it hard to enjoy a book when the writing style distracts me from paying attention to the story. If I hadn’t committed to reviewing this book for the RITA Challenge, I don’t think I would have made it past chapter two. Be warned, this is not a book for readers who value logic or crisp writing. The first few chapters contained a catalog of style and grammar pet peeves and errors: clunky, run-on … Continue reading Tempting the Knight by Heidi Rice →
The members of the Gray family are the owners and operators of Espresso Cosmetics. The late Mrs. Gray founded the company; her widower and children now run it. This is Lola’s story. She’s the youngest of the family. Her siblings are the company’s C-level executives; she’s been the spokesmodel for the company since her teens (she’s now in her 20s). She is not a very good spokesmodel. People who see her ads think she’s a … Continue reading Heated Moments by Phyllis Bourne →
I picked up “Toward the Sunrise” fully expecting to enjoy it, but ended up wanting to hurl my Kindle into the ocean like a frisbee of rage. On its face, this is actually a well crafted novella with strong characters, emotional nuance, and a premise that seemed almost tailored to bring me joy. I genuinely believe that most people who read this will rate it highly—as the other SBTB reader who reviewed it did—but I … Continue reading Toward the Sunrise by Elizabeth Camden →
“Nice Girls Don’t Ride” starts with a scenario we’ve read before: it’s Natalie’s 21st birthday and she’s on her way to meet her boyfriend. Not only does her car break down, but she gets conflicting messages from the restaurant and her boyfriend which make her think he’s up to funny business. A handsome stranger passing by in his tow-truck gets her car to the garage and her to the restaurant where she finds her boyfriend dining … Continue reading Nice Girls Don’t Ride by Roni Loren →
While I’ve always enjoyed romantic storylines (hey fellow fanfic readers: we read a lot of romance), I rarely read actual romance novels before 2014. Julia Quinn was one of the first authors people suggested I’d like and every last one of you wonderful recommenders were right. I devoured her entire back catalog over the past year and a half. I also jumped at the chance to read and review her RITA-nominated novel from 2015. The … Continue reading The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn →
I admit it. I’m one of those people who likes to watch cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies. They are often both ridiculous and ridiculously fun, a perfect hour and a half feel-good break from my crazy life. I often feel the same way about series romance. Completely unrealistic and over-the-top, but thoroughly entertaining despite (or because of) that. So when I read the description for Scarlet Wilson’s The Prince She Never Forgot, I jumped at the … Continue reading The Prince She Never Forgot by Scarlet Wilson →
I love Tessa Dare. I’ve read a lot of her books and loved them all. Years ago when I first picked up one of her books, she quickly went from the standard ‘author I would read if I like the tropes’ to ‘author I trust to make the tropes I don’t like work.’ Which is why I was so surprised when I found this book kind of…meh. It’s not a bad book. I’ve certainly read … Continue reading Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare →
After many season pass her by without the hint of actual love, the super wealthy Minerva Dodger embraces her spinsterhood. But the idea of a club called The Nightingale might be a way to blow off some steam. She can mask her identity while getting some much needed pleasure…based solely on desire, not her dowry. Meanwhile, the Duke of Ashebury (called Ashe), a worldly adventurer and photographer (read: sexy rake) is there. He will do … Continue reading Falling into Bed with a Duke by Lorraine Heath →
This is one of the most difficult reviews I have ever written–simply because I have such mixed feelings about Sarah M. Anderson’s The Nanny Plan. When I was reading the book, there were actual moments that the love story put a cheesy grin on my face. And there were some elements that were executed really well. But then there were moments, after I finished the book, that I couldn’t help but cringe at the some … Continue reading The Nanny Plan by Sarah M. Anderson →
