Accidentally Yes by S L Walders KU

Blurb

When Cassie inadvertently agrees to a trip away with a family friend, she’s thrown into an adventure she wasn’t seeking.

Cassie has been trying to distance herself from Ronnie, her childhood friend, for years. In a moment of distraction, Cassie agrees to something she wasn’t

listening to, and ends up on a whirlwind adventure with Ronnie in the Australian Outback. Throw in a broken down car, cyclone and a sexy Jackaroo named

Brock, Cassie’s accidental yes turns into the trip of a lifetime.

Review

This book was really enjoyable. I hope that lifetime makes it into a movie someday. So, the book is told in the prospective of Cassie, a woman who is unsure of herself. That’s because her best friend Ronnie spends all of her time cutting Cassie down. In addition to being negative, Ronnie loves being the center of attention and talks a mile a minute. In truth, at times I found myself laughing out loud. Other characters’ reaction to Ronnie was just that amusing.

The two English women find themselves taking a gape year in Australia. While Cassie is hard working, Ronnie is lazy and spends most of her time doing her nails. Cassie’s best friend unfortunately has no common sense, and doesn’t think before she acts. That quality forces Cassie to protect her. Don’t worry, Cassie does meet a hot guy named Brock. He’s supportive and builds Cassie up. He also doesn’t hide his disdain for Ronnie. Cassie and Brock have magical chemistry and Ronny obviously get’s jealous of that fact. But don’t you worry, Brock and Cassie have plenty of alone time. The author does a wonderful time displaying both healthy and unhealthy relationships. And I love when Ronnie’s motives are finally revealed.

If you enjoy a heart felt romance with a kind hearted woman and the supportive guy that loves her, this is the book for you!

The Smoke Tree by Stefanie Nici KU

Blurb

What’s a girl to do after it all falls apart?
That is what Tora McAllister must learn after her husband’s sudden trip to the hospital leads her to the surprise of her life. Feeling abandoned and alone, she is left to figure it out on her own.
Enter Peanut, a Yorkie Terrier her sister Courtney drops into Tora’s frazzled lap. Peanut’s presence brings her new joy, as well as a friendship with a popular neighbor and a handsome veterinarian, shaking up Tora’s life even more. Finding it difficult to let go of what was, will Tora welcome new beginnings with open arms or continue clinging to a hopeless past?

Review

From the first page, the story captivated me. Tora is a thirty something, that has the perfect hard-working husband, and a seemingly good group of friends. Her husband works late nights, and Tora fills her loneliness by eating. That affects her wait and kills her confidence. But her confidence takes a hit when she discovers that her husband and her group of friends have been lying to her. After suffering a betrayal, Tora’s sister Courtney begs her to watch her new dog Peanut. While taking Peanut for a walk, Tora meets Jill, and thankfully, they start a healthy friendship. But just remember, Jill also has her own secret. The dog also introduces Tora to the love interest of the novel, a kind veterinarian that is patient and sweet.

Although this book does have romantic elements, it’s mostly about a woman that pulls her life back together again. There are some “holy crap!” moments in that book. At times, Tora’s timid nature does get irritating. But in the end, I appreciated how she handled everything. The book is written so well that at times I thought I was reading a nonfiction novel. It’s amazing how the author was able to bring Tora to life. Her insecurities, her experiences, her reactions were all so real.

If you enjoy a book with mean girls, amusing characters, and a woman that finally finds her place in life, this book is for you.

Second Chances: A Friends to Lovers Celebrity Romance (Love on Set Book 1) by Alice Reed KU

Blurb

For those who believe lightning can strike twice …

Girl-next-door turned party girl Emelia Young has spent the last five years cultivating an illustrious acting career in LA. But, when fate pulls her back to her hometown of Sydney, she finds the eyes of the world are on her, and this time for all the wrong reasons.

In the midst of a chaotic scandal, Emelia meets the eye of the last person she expected to see: her high school sweetheart, Liam Miller. When the whole world turns dark, Emelia finds light again in the boy she loved all those years ago.

But things have changed. No longer the heart-drawing sixteen-year-old Liam used to know, fame, money and notoriety have changed Emelia, leaving them both unsure of where they stand.

When chance leads them into close proximity, Emelia finds there’s something even more terrifying than having the whole world hate you: developing feelings for someone who she could actually fall for.

Hearts will be set racing in this fast paced second chance romance set on the sunny and romantic Bondi Beach. Do they have it in their hearts to take another shot at love?

Review

What a heartwarming read!

After reading this book my first thought was, “I wish I could date someone like Liam.” This book was different, since the male lead wasn’t some dark character who was rude and aggressive. Liam was all sunshine. I felt like his personality balanced out Emelia, who was more of the insecure reformed mean girl type.

Aside from the author’s impeccable skill with character development, the plot was interesting as well. Liam and Emelia were once lovers when they were teenagers. But then, Emelia broke it off, left Australia, and became a famous actress. Fast forward a few years, Emelia returned to Australia, her mission to confront a passed lover and secure a part in a new series. Then, Liam and Emelia were thrust together by scandal. The scandal was so surprising that I actually shouted, “No way!” while reading. To be honest, it took a bit for me to like Emelia. But by the end, I was rooting for Liam and Emelia to reconnect. Since Liam new the real Emelia, it helped me understand why he loved her.

If you’re looking for a book with love, betrayal, and scheming executives, this is the book for you!

US Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PNMYRJZ

Aus Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08PNMYRJZ

UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PNMYRJZ

Loving Eliza (South Dakota Series #1) by Ruth Ann. Nordin PF

Blurb

Eliza left her life of prostitution to become something she could never be back in Omaha: a lady. Her plan is to remain single for the rest of her life,

but when she arrives in South Dakota, she runs into John Evans. And he’s not about to let her remain single if he has anything to do about it.

As soon as John sees Eliza, he falls in love with her. Not only is Eliza the most beautiful young lady he’s ever seen, but she isn’t put off by the fact

that he’s mute. Since his mail-order bride didn’t come, then he sees no reason why he can’t marry Eliza and make a home with her.

Eliza, however, knows very well why they can’t be together. She used to be a prostitute. John is a sweet man who’s never even kissed a woman. He deserves

a virgin who can give him her innocence and a future with children. Eliza can do neither one for him. But while she insists he waits to see if his mail-order

bride is coming after all, she is taken in with his sweetness and charm until she’s torn between doing what is best for him and what her selfish heart

wants.

*This is the first book in the South Dakota Series.

Book 1: Loving Eliza

Book 2: Bid for a Bride

Book 3: Bride of Second Chances

Review

What a read! The book begins with the arrival of Eliza, a former prostitute who is looking for a fresh start. She arrives in town to clean houses for a middle-aged woman, but is intercepted by John, a mute man who mistakes Eliza for his mail order bride. He sticks to Eliza like glue, because he already knows that Eliza’s employer had suffered a deadly fall down the stairs. In a typical historical romance, the heroine would then be forced to marry someone. Nope, Eliza is under the impression that her sorted past makes her unfit to be a bride. So, she agrees to work for John instead of being his bride.

Although the story is romantic, sensitive subjects are touched upon, but are not enacted in scenes. John also deals with a disability that is misunderstood by many. Because he is mute, many of the towns people, including his brother Troy, think that it translates into him being stupid. The fact that Eliza is able to see John for who he really is, makes this story have a special place in my heart. It’s nice that in return, John is able to love Eliza for the wonderful person that she is.

There are twists, turns, and moments that made me laugh out loud. I’d recommend this read to anyone looking for a story that has love, spice, and interesting side characters.

https://books.apple.com/us/book/loving-eliza/id380446423

Because of Hattie: A grippingly seductive story of love, lust and loss, with heartbreak and betrayal that will change the course of a young woman’s lifeForever. By Roxanna C. Revell KU

Blurb

Ava Swan’s life had always been simple – until she fell in love. Big love. Epic love. Epic sex… Love; a common, yet utterly complicated emotion that

brought her a happiness that she never thought possible – until it ripped her world apart.

Turning to the sanctuary of her parents at their home in the idyllic village of Clovelly; Ava starts to put the pieces of her life back together. Her life,

and that of the baby that she keeps hidden from her past.

New love arrives and Ava believes that she has truly moved on. Only, the past always has a way of catching up with you.

When Mark returns to Ava’s life, so to do the feelings that she buried deep inside, and when the new love she found, and the new life she created, is revealed

to have been built on lies; danger follows, along with a whole new level of pain and despair.

It’s enough to break you, but sometimes it can make you – and all of this, because of Hattie.

Review

This novel may be fiction, but it reads like a captivating memoir that is jammed packed with emotions. I know you’re thinking, who is Haddie? Simply put, she is a toxic best friend in sheep’s clothing. She is the kind of person that sneakily sucks the joy out of her friends lives. Ava is kind but too loyal in the beginning. She is sent running from the love of her life because Haddie and her accomplices manage to take everything from her. She has her baby Jacob in secret, and builds a relationship with someone else. I won’t tell you the outcome, but I’ll just say that the author has a talent for character development. Ava starts of as a kind person with little backbone and turns into a strong woman who knows how to take care of herself. Though, most of the story is told from Ava’s point of view, the author does include the point of view of a few of the supporting characters. I promise, there is steam, passion, heart break, loss, friendship, supportive family, and so much more in this novel. If you enjoy a romance that is filled with drama, love, and the highs and lows of a mother trying to put her heart back together, this is the book for you!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088ZWQ8PZ?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_marketplace

The Strictly Business Proposal (Freshwater Bay # 1 bye Nell Grey KU

Blurb

Is Beth Barnes a beautiful con artist or the genuine friend of Evan Morgan, an elderly Welsh chef?

When Evan dies, he hands talented London chef Beth her big break. She has the chance to realise her dream and run her very own restaurant in a village on the wild Welsh Celtic coast. But there are strings attached. Can she comply and gain her inheritance, her dream? Accused of being a gold digger by the family, Beth’s welcome to Wales is not quite as warm as she’d hoped for.

Burned from a recent divorce, the last thing on architect Gareth Morgan’s mind is another wedding. If he wants to realize his development dreams, he must marry.

It’s a strictly business proposal. But can Beth and Gareth really stick to the terms?

Review

I loved this book. This was a great start to a Series. It was your typical marriage for gain romance with a couple that end up falling in love. The author did a wonderful job with displaying the sexual tension between the characters. At times I was wondering, will they or won’t they? Both of the main characters are not perfect. I loved reading about the baggage that each of the individuals brought in to their arrangement. This is a four book series, and I am on book three. Each book focuses on a different couple. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a romance that takes place on the sea.