From being famous for playing hockey to working at his father’s hardware store, the last place Chase ever thought he’d find himself was crawling back to his hometown. Thanks to his ex cheating on him, sacrifices have to be made. His kids need stability and what they really need is Madison. Unfortunately for Chase, he’s been the bane of Madison’s existence for as long as he can remember, and it just so happens, that Madison is the only nanny in town…
I thought this book was an okay read. I was intrigued by Madison in the beginning. She just returned to her hometown after having the rug pulled out from under her by her ex. She was desperate for a change and a fresh start. The last thing she ever expected was to find herself working for Chase. Chase was a good father who wanted the best for his boys. He’s definitely a work in progress, but has a lot of potential.
Madison and Chase definitely rocked the enemies-to-lovers trope. I thought they had good chemistry and there were some really great moments where their relationship/connection shined like true partners. Even though they started off as enemies-to-lovers, I do feel like their story rocked a pretty insta-love vibe as well. The reason I say that is because I felt like their romance took off at warp speed. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good insta-love romance and I LOVE a fast-paced story, but I think for these two, their story was a little too fast-paced. Some things felt glossed over and unresolved.
My other issue was the twins, Cale & Cole. We truly only got a few glimpses of them and not nearly enough time of them with Madison. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the twins were cute, but if I’m being honest, they felt like an afterthought when they should have played a bigger role in the story.
Overall, I think Back Against the Wall is going to be a hit for some and unfortunately, a miss for others. And for me, it was an okay read. The characters were likable and their story was entertaining, I was just left wanting more.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.*
AUTHOR BIO
Marie James is a full-time author, mother of two boys, and wife of 18+ years. Dog Mom to four great danes: Maximus, Sassy, Kiki, and Hargid
She has spent almost my entire lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. She is currently residing in a sleepy little town in East Tennessee.
Writing is her passion, and she absolutely loves being able to sit down and put all of her thoughts and emotions into her stories.
She loves dogs, coffee, making handmade cards, and reading steamy romance novels!
Two hotel receptionists–and arch-rivals–find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.
It’s the busiest season of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and see it through.
The hotel won’t stay afloat beyond Christmas without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way to fix everything. With four rings still sitting in the lost & found, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel–and their jobs.
As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there’s more at stake here than the hotel’s future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?
The Wake-Up Call is a fun enemies-to-lovers romance that’s sure to get readers in the holiday mood!
It’s the busiest time of year for the Forest Manor Hotel, but unfortunately, it will take a miracle to keep this hotel afloat past Christmas. But when Izzy returns a hotel guest’s lost wedding ring, she comes up with an idea that just might save the hotel. The only problem is that Izzy will be forced to work with her enemy, Lucas. But the more time these bitter rivals spend with one another, the more complicated things become. Will Izzy and Lucas be able to save the hotel and their jobs? Will these bitter rivals be able to put their differences aside? There’s only one way to find out….
I thought this book was a fun read. I love, love, love enemies to lovers romances, so once I read the blurb, I just had to get my hands on this book. Izzy and Lucas did not disappoint and gave me the enemies-to-lovers vibes I was hoping for.
Izzy was bright and full of sunshine. She could be a bit over the top and frustrating at times. Meanwhile, Lucas gave off some very grumpy vibes. I loved seeing that there was more to him than what most people got to see. Together, these two did have some great chemistry, I just wished they would have communicated with one another better. A lot of frustration could have been avoided if they would just talk.
Overall, I thought this book was a fun and light read. It did frustrate me at times and I wasn’t a fan of the slow pacing. However, the plot and the characters made up for it and in the end, I was happy to have given this book a chance.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via Berkely Romance, in exchange for an honest review*
He’s my best friend’s brother. My new boss. And now my fake husband.
Knight Warren. The country’s most sought-after heartthrob, and retired military vet, is my complete opposite. He’s confident when I’m collaborative. Grumpy where I’m sunshine. Surly where I’m… happy go lucky. He’s the hardened ex-soldier. I’m still trying to find my calling. The only thing we have in common is that we both love his sister… who’s also my best friend.
So when she asks me to help Knight find a wife I can’t say no.
Turns out he’ll inherit the father’s empire as long as he gets married within the next month.
I agree to work as his assistant and interview the women who apply for the position. But Knight hates every one of them.
With the deadline drawing close, he proposes I marry him —with conditions.
One year of a fake marriage. One year of living together. One year of pretending I belong to him.
In return, he’ll pay off my debts and take care of my mother’s medical treatment.
But stipulations are never that simple. Especially when the chemistry between us detonates. Forced to live under his roof I know I’m falling for him. As the days pass I begin to think he reciprocates my feelings. Until he introduces me to his real wife…
This is a billionaire, forced proximity, one-bed, fake marriage of convenience, and a best friend’s brother novel. It is a complete standalone.
The Wrong Wife is a quick and easy read that follows the story of Knight and Penny. Knight is a hardened ex-soldier, alphahole who unfortunately needs to find a wife in order to inherit his father’s empire. Penny is the sunshine to Knight’s grumpiness. They might be total opposites, but when her best friend asks her for a favor, she can’t say no. I mean, she had no way of knowing what path this favor would take her on.
I thought this book was an ok read. I enjoyed Knight’s character. I thought he offered a lot of depth and I found him easy to connect with. It was easy to understand why he had a grumpy exterior and why he wouldn’t let anyone new get close. Penny was definitely an interesting character. She was totally innocent and was in way over her head for most of this book. Her inability to say no to people and how much she let Knight get away with really bugged me. I also found her lack of filter to be annoying. I feel like it was supposed to make her quirky, but instead, I felt like it made her really insensitive.
This book definitely nails the grumpy sunshine, miscommunication trope. The pairing of Knight and Penny was definitely an interesting one. They were complete opposites and wanted different things out of their lives. And like I previously stated, Penny was in way over her head with a guy like Knight. I didn’t love them together, but I didn’t hate them together either.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Moira Green is perfectly content with her life. She has a rewarding career and plenty of wonderful friends, including the members of her weekly book club. Then everything in her life goes topsy-turvy when the town council plans to demolish the site of her mother’s beloved café to make room for much-needed parking. Moira is determined to save her mother’s business, so she swallows her pride and asks Gil Ryan for help.
Moira and Somerset Lake’s mayor were good friends once, the kind who could laugh at everything and nothing at all. Until one night changed everything between them. And now, with Gil supporting the council’s plans, Moira is forced to find another way to save Sweetie’s—and it involves campaigning against Gil. Going head-to-head in a battle of wills reveals more than either of them are ready for, and as the election heats up, so does their attraction. But without a compromise in sight, can these two be headed for anything but disaster?
The Good Luck Cafe is a charming, feel-good romance that is sure to leave readers with a huge smile on their faces.
When we first meet up with Moria, she’s happy with the status quo and isn’t wanting any change. But when her mom’s business is threatened by a much-needed parking lot, everything gets turned upside down. Moira will stop at nothing to save her mother’s business even if it means asking her frenemy, Gil Ryan for help…
The Good Luck Cafe is a wonderful addition to the Somerset Lake series. Gil and Moria’s story is well-written, heart-warming, and entertaining. The characters are exactly what you’d expect from a small town and are easy to relate to. I absolutely adored Gil. He was so sweet, and patient, and you could tell he really loved his community. Moira was hard-working, devoted, and had a huge heart. There was some history between Gil and Moira that added some drama to the story and I enjoyed seeing them overcome the mistakes of their past. I thought Gil and Moria made a cute couple. Their romance was sweet and definitely on the more tame side.
Overall, this book was a quick and easy read for me. It was a sweet small-town romance with a lot of heart and love for their community. And in the end, I had a fun time getting swept up in Gil and Moria’s story.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
A The Disciples & Five Points’ Mob Collection Crossover
She was an assignment. A selfish brat who’d run away from home and who’d found refuge in an MC. A spoiled pain in my ass that I had to bring back to Daddy. Only, Isabelle is nothing like the picture my initial research painted. Yes, she’s a brat. Yes, she’s insecure. And yes, she’s a Disciple…sort of. But she’s so much more than that. So broken, yet so hopeful. So lost, yet so eager to be found. I found her. But that means her father has too. Taking her home was supposed to repay a favor owed. I just didn’t realize that home was the most dangerous place in the world for her…
I’m a huge fan of Cassandra Robbins and couldn’t have been more excited about the Disciples and Five Points’ Mob Collection crossover. Filthy Disciple is a fast-paced, insta-love romance that will keep readers on their toes.
Cindy, also known as Isabelle or Belle to her friends, has been living a lie and hiding from her past while staying with the Disciples MC. She’s broken, a complete mess, and has the worst luck. She can’t stop messing things up and unfortunately for her, her luck has finally run out. You see, Cade has been keeping an eye on Cindy. He’s been slowly biding his time until the right moment comes and he’s able to convenience Cindy to return to New York with him. Cindy was supposed to a job, but the more time Cade spends with her, the more he starts to question everything….
I thought this book was an enjoyable read. It hit the ground running and I loved the instant chemistry between Cade and Cindy. Their story was intense and filled with lots of tension, sexy good times, and danger. I loved how imperfect Cindy was. She was a screw-up, a hot mess, and she knew it. She had a lot of issues and needed more support than what she got. And when it comes to Cade, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for Five Points even though he had his fair share of demons. Together, these two lost souls were perfect for each other.
All that being said, because of the fast pace, there were some things that didn’t quite mesh for me. I would have liked to have seen Cindy dive deeper into her demons and get the help she needed to work on herself. I also had a hard time with Cindy’s connection to the MC. Unfortunately, I didn’t really remember her character from the previous Disicple books and had a hard time believing that the women of the MC were truly her friends. Yes, Cindy was a screw-up but the way they treated her was really off-putting. I would also have liked to have seen a little more groveling at the end of the story. I felt like that whole part of the story was rushed and just left me wanting more.
Overall, this book was a fun read for me. I enjoyed getting lost in Cade and Cindy’s story. Sure, there were some parts that didn’t quite mesh for me, but in the end, it was a solid read and I’m glad to have checked it out.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
TRAILER
AUTHOR BIOS & LINKS
Cassandra Robbins
Cassandra Robbins is a USA Today, Amazon Top 50, KDP All-Star, and international bestselling author. She threatened to write a romance novel for years, and finally let the voices take over with her debut novel, The Entitled. She’s a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, driven to create obsessive, angst-filled characters who have to fight for their happily ever after. Cassandra resides in Los Angeles with her hot husband, two beautiful children, and a fluffy Samoyed, Stanley, and Goldendoodle, Fozzie. Her family and friends are her lifeline, but writing is her passion.
USA Today and International Best Selling Author Serena Akeroyd aka G. A. Mazurke is most known for her mafia and MC series set in the Five Points Mob Universe. Avid reader of all things romance, she first started her career as a why choose author in both contemporary and paranormal. She eventually made her way to MF romance where she found her groove with the O’Donnelly brothers, the Satan Sinners and most recently the Valentini Family.
In her back list you can find some MM, MF, MFM and Why Choose romances. HEA guaranteed! When not writing Serena is either reading, traveling or coloring.
The Broadway Series is relaunching with new titles and gorgeous new covers! Allie York brings you five steamy, suspenseful romance reads with everything from single parents and secret admirers, to surprise babies and more – all in one heartwarming series.
Chance Blurb
Jovie
Between running a successful business and attempting to pen a best-selling novel, I don’t have the time or energy for the kind or romance I love to write about.
So, I let it fall to the wayside.
The thing is, life has a funny way of delivering what you need when you least expect it. And trust me, I was not expecting a poodle to be the one delivering a sexy Brit into my world.
Ewan
A tragic accident left me with time for only one woman in my life – my little sister, Amelia. Raising a teenager is enough work without adding in the hassle that comes with relationships.
But when my disobedient dog, Clark, crashes into a sexy dog trainer and practically bows at her feet, the attraction is immediate.
The chemistry between us is hard to fight and Jovie fits comfortably in my life with Amelia.
It’s all or nothing when someone else decides they want to change the game. Someone deadly, who has their sights set on what’s mine.
This is my first book by Allie York and it certainly won’t be my last!
Between running her own business and attempting to write a best-selling novel, Jovie doesn’t have time for love. But when a chance encounter with a disobedient dog has Ewan crashing into her life, Jovie’s left wanting things she never anticipated.
I was pulled into Jovie and Ewan’s story from the very first page. The sparks between the two of them were instant and I loved the push and pull. Neither one of them was looking for a relationship, but fate had plans of its own. The road to happily ever after certainly wasn’t an easy one for these two. Jovie’s crazed client certainly stirred up trouble, keeping things interesting and leaving me on the edge of my seat as the story played out.
This series is off to one heck of a start and I can’t wait to see what adventure is in store for us next in the Broadway series.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Change Blurb
Lydia
Raising Ollie alone hasn’t been an easy task but there was no other option. Thirteen years ago, I let his father walk away – without knowing the truth.
I always thought it was for the best. Maintaining the secret about Ollie’s true parentage seems like the right thing to do.
But a chance run in with Jacob stirs up all the emotions I thought I’d left in the past and sends my world crashing down around us.
I’m forced to come clean and share my son with a man I never thought I’d see again.
I didn’t think we’d have forever…
Jacob
My life is nothing like I planned.
As if the death of my mother wasn’t enough, I managed to lose my wife and the roof over my head in one fell swoop. But, my ex’s infidelity isn’t the end of the lies. Returning to my hometown brings a whole new set of obstacles, including a son I never knew I had.
While Lydia’s world is tumbling, I’m realizing this could be my chance at the family I never knew I was missing.
Everything threatens to tear us apart.
I’m fighting for my family, while Lydia is battling her heart.
It’s a vicious game of tug-of-war because life and emotions are never simple. But, we could have had forever, can I convince her we could have it again?
“All the stuff I never knew I wanted was locked away in that house…”
Oh, man! I thought the first book in this series kept me on my toes, but boy was I in for a real treat with the second book in this series.
Book 2 follows the story of Jacob and Lydia. Their relationship starts off with a bit of an unconventional start. It was supposed to be a summer of fun. No promises. No falling in love. But, life had other plans in store for these two. When Jacob leaves for the job of his dreams, Lydia’s world gets turned upside down in the most unexpected way. It will be 12 years before these two former flames are reunited and once Jacob discovers what he’s missed out on, he’s a man on a mission who will do anything to get Lydia back.
I absolutely loved Jacob and Lydia’s story. It was consuming and entertaining at the same time. It checked off some of my favorite tropes: taboo/forbidden elements, second-chance romance, and surprise baby. The characters were relatable and intriguing. The plot was well-paced and kept me sucked in the entire time. I adored Jacob and Lydia as a couple. Sure they had their imperfections and didn’t always communicate best, but I think that’s what made them so real and relatable. Their road to happily ever after was filled with many obstacles for them to overcome and I thoroughly enjoyed their journey.
Another great read from Allie York. I can’t wait to start book 3.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Chase Blurb
Harriet
In less than a week, I’ve found myself homeless and alone.
What else is a girl to do when life keeps kicking me down? The only thing I know how.
Start over.
With a couple of bags and a scrap of paper, I put myself on a bus and set off across the country to the one friend I know I can turn to.
I had no intention of falling in love.
Then I found a notebook.
Briggs
I’ve always been the underdog. Coming into this world four minutes behind my twin brother Beck has never bothered me. Being burned, both literally and figuratively by Beck is a different story though.
With a failed engagement, a sick mother and a party-boy brother, most of my life is a blur.
Until I see her.
But lots of words and a dark cloud from her past threaten to tear it all apart.
Will she be able to see past the secrets to find who truly admirers her?
This is the third book in the Broadway Series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. Book 3 follows the story of Harriet and Briggs. Harriet will capture readers’ hearts instantly with her tough life and free spirit. Everything that could go wrong for Harriet does, and just when she thinks life is going to give her a break, it throws more obstacles her way. Briggs’ life has been anything but easy. He always seems to be in competition with his unworthy brother. I couldn’t help but root for Briggs to find some form of happiness.
Overall, I thought this book was an enjoyable read. I liked Briggs and Harriet together. I thought they had wonderful chemistry and they definitely had me rooting for them. I loved that their story kept me on my toes not only in the romance department, but it also had its fair share of mystery and intrigue. All in all a great addition to this series.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Choose Blurb
Cori
Single mom, fearless, perpetually loveless.
With an ex-husband in prison and a feisty daughter to raise on my own, there was no time for anything else.
Sure, I may have needed a lot of things, but a man was not one of them. In fact, a man was the reason for every bit of misery in my life.
But, when a new girl joins my daughter Axel’s ballet class, with the company of her tall, tatted, sexy and very single dad, my ideas about men start to shift. Getting to know Griffin and his daughter, Celia, makes it harder to ignore not trying my hand at love again.
If only my head and my heart can see that we are worth it.
Griffin
Single dad, inked, badass.
Believe me when I tell you, no one was more surprised than me to find out that I had a kid – a daughter. Five years old when some social worker dropped her in my lap. My life was literally flipped upside down. Instead of late nights with loose women, I found myself home in time for bedtime stories and a house filled with more pink stuff than I could ever imagine.
With my priorities now firmly shifted from fun to family, falling for Cori is easy. Especially when her own daughter, Axel, breaks through Celia’s hard shell.
Now if I could just convince Griffin that one family together is better than two apart.
I’ve got my work cut out for me since we’re all a little tattered & bruised.
Book 4 is by far and away my favorite book in this series so far. From the moment you meet Cori and Griffin, you will be immediately captivated by their story. Cori is a single mom with her own share of baggage, just trying to do the best for her daughter. Finding love was the last thing on her mind until Griffin walked into her life. Griffin is best known for his playboy ways, but when he finds out he’s got a daughter he never knew about, he does a complete 360. He would move heaven and earth for his daughter. This former playboy is in for quite the journey and when he sets his sights on Cori, all bets are off.
I absolutely loved Cori and Griffin’s story. I knew one day, Griffin would meet a girl who would turn his world upside down and I am so happy that day has finally come. Cori and Griffin had some insane chemistry that just oozed off of the pages. Both of them had their own share of baggage and obstacles to overcome, but their journey was so worth it. I loved every second of this story from the plot to the romance to the twist that kept me on my toes. My only complaint is that this story came to an end.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Cherish Blurb
Meredith
Okay, maybe running away from my family and moving cross country with my boyfriend was a bad idea. A really bad idea.
For two years I let a man dull my shine and to leave me beaten and broken until I couldn’t take any more.
With a new life growing inside me, I know it’s time for me to go back home, even if my family never forgives me for the hurt I have caused.
The last thing I’m looking for is for someone to save, especially when I’m trying to save myself.
But something about Beck pulls me in.
Beck
I’m a horrible person. I know it and so does everyone else.
Everyday it gets harder to dull the pain and forget the past.
After waking up in a seedy hotel with a woman I don’t even recognize, I’m sure my life isn’t even worth it any more.
I’m just about to end it all when my salvation stumbles into my lap.
Meredith has every reason to push me away. But, I’m determined to prove to her (and myself) that I am the better man.
I can’t believe I’ve finally reached the end of the Broadway Series! It’s been such a fun and wild ride and book 5 doesn’t disappoint.
Meredith returns home after a long two years away when life has thrown her more than she can handle. The last thing she expected was to fall, literally into the hands of another man. Meredith’s life is more complicated than anyone could imagine and when Beck enters the picture, it’s game over. Will Beck turn out to be the knight in shining armor Meredith never saw coming? There’s only one way to find out…
Now I’ll be honest, getting to know Beck from the previous stories, I wasn’t 100% sure about him or whether or not his character could be redeemed, and boy was I glad to be proven wrong. I loved seeing Beck’s world get knocked off its axis. Not only did meeting Meredith change his ways for the better, but it also opened his eyes to a future he never knew he wanted. Meredith certainly wasn’t without her faults. She had her own past and mistakes to make up for and despite the warnings, she heard about Beck, the moment she met him it was like all the stars aligned and I was excited to see how their story would play out.
All in all, I think book 5 is an excellent addition to this series. This story was well-written and entertaining. I thought Meredith and Beck made the perfect match and loved their instant chemistry. Their story was filled with its share of ups and downs, but the journey was worth it in the end. I’m so glad that this author decided to write Beck’s story.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Excerpt from Chance, book one in The Broadway Series
Copyright 2022 Allie York
We hadn’t even made it to the mailbox before the leash was pulled from my hand and the hard plastic was bouncing behind him as he bolted down the street. I growled a series of curses worthy of making a sailor blush and took off in a run after him, screaming his name. Once I caught him, his slow painful death was inevitable. I would kill him and relish every second of it. I lost sight of him as I rounded a corner and skidded to a halt, nearly tripping over a crack in the sidewalk. I spotted him as he ran full-force into someone walking their dog and panicked. It wouldn’t be the first person my idiot dog leveled on a walk.
I took off as fast as I could, yelling at him, only to find the woman holding his leash with a very pissed off expression. I let her place the leash in my hand, doubling over to catch my breath and being assaulted by my own stupid animal. Her sheepdog stood still by her side in statuesque annoyance. I apologized, asking if he had knocked her over, to which she responded with a curt, “No.” The woman held out a card. Fantastic. My horrid beast had run into a dog trainer. A very lovely dog trainer.
About Allie York
I’m a mom, wife, and dog groomer by day. At night I write contemporary romance. I love funny dog videos, I read naughty books, and drink too much coffee.
Two people find love in the embers of their painful pasts in this slow-burn romance from Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw.
For me, family is a curse. My father and brother made my life hell. My mother’s untimely death still keeps me up at night. Now that my brother, Donovan, has been killed in an accident, I can forget the past.
The last remnant is the childhood home I’ve inherited—and which I intend to burn to the ground. The only obstacle? Anneliese Nielsen, Donovan’s fiancée.
Donovan left her destitute, and selling this run-down house is her only chance to recoup her losses. I shouldn’t care, but…maybe it’s her eyes when she sees me. I look strikingly like my brother, a man she loved despite everything.
So we strike a deal. We’ll renovate the house together, but she’ll have to convince me to sell—or up in flames it goes.
But the more time we spend in the house, the more its terrible history threatens to come out.
And even more dangerous, the harder I start to fall for Anneliese.
“If my life was a story, you’d be the plot twist.”
Love and Kerosene is one contemporary romance that I didn’t see coming. From damaged characters to an intriguing plot, this story will captivate and intrigue readers right until the end.
Anneliese was living the dream until the sudden passing of her fiance. Her eyes have been opened to disappointing secrets and hits that never seem to stop coming. The latest hit, discovering that her dead fiance not only has a brother she’s never heard about but learns that the home she’s been renovating belongs to him. For Anneliese and Donovan, what started off as hate at first sight, quickly turns into more…
Overall, I thought this book was a good read. I was really intrigued by the premise of this story and was excited to see this author’s take on the “falling for your dead exes brother” trope. The sparks between Anneliese and Donovan were instant. I enjoyed their love/hate relationship and the entertaining banter it brought along with it. I think this story offered some good mystery and I enjoyed the unraveling of secrets and the past.
However, despite the instant sparks between our two main characters, their story is a definite slow burn. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good build-up/anticipation as much as the next person, but this was a little much for me. And as much as I enjoyed these characters and their story, I found some parts of their story to be lacking; like it just needed to be fleshed out a little more and not rushed.
Despite my issues with this book, I did find it to be an enjoyable read. The story wasn’t over the top or overly dramatic. I think the author delivered when it came to the angst and romance, I was just left wanting more from the characters and their story.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
Life in three steps: Go to college. Get a job. Marry the girl of my dreams.
I went to college, then got a job with one of New York’s most notorious gangsters.
The girl? I lost her to a man who didn’t deserve her.
So when one of Italy’s most famous women made me a proposition to help me win her back, I couldn’t refuse her offer.
Georgina “Gigi” Dolce wasn’t the shallow Italian principessa I took her for, though—and she was out to wreck my well-laid plans.
Gigi:
Harrison Ryan thought he had me all figured out.
Because the world called me “beautiful,” he assumed I only ran skin deep. But he had no idea who I was beneath the surface.
How I craved to be loved by someone loyal and unwavering like him. How far I would go to claim that love for my own.
And when I wanted something, I considered it mine.
I wanted him.
MY REVIEW
Skin Deep follows the story of Gigi and Harrison. When we first meet up with Harrison, he’s a man with a plan. Go to college, get a job, and marry the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately for Harrison, the girl of his dreams found herself with a man that didn’t deserve her. So, when Gigi comes up with a plan to help him win his girl back, he’d be stupid to refuse….
Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I was intrigued by the plot and was curious to see how it would all come together. The chemistry between Harrison and Gigi was instant and definitely steamed up the pages. All that being said, I won’t lie, it did take me a little while to really get into the story. Things just didn’t click for me as quickly as I had hoped they would, in fact, I found myself putting this book down quite a few times. However, I’m glad I stuck with it and kept reading. The more I read, the more I had to see Gigi and Harrison’s story play out. And in the end, I was happy to have kept reading.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
For the reasonable price of $1, Natalie Malone just bought herself an abandoned villa on the Amalfi Coast. With a detailed spreadsheet and an ancient key, she’s arrived in Italy ready to renovate—and only six months to do it. Which seemed reasonable until architect Pietro Indelicato began critically watching her every move…
From the sweeping ocean views to the scent of the lemon trees, there’s nothing Pietro loves more than his hometown. And after seeing too many botched jobs and garish design choices, he’s done watching from the sidelines. As far as he’s concerned, Natalie should quit before the project drains her entire bank account and her ridiculously sunny optimism.
With Natalie determined to move forward, the gorgeous architect reluctantly agrees to pitch in, giving her a real chance to succeed. But when the fine print on Natalie’s contract is brought to light, she might have no choice but to leave her dream, and Pietro, behind.
It Takes a Villa transports readers to the beautiful and unforgettable Amalfi Coast where Natalie has just gotten herself the deal of a lifetime. Armed with a 6-month renovation plan and a detailed spreadsheet, Natalie’s ready to make her dreams come true. However, with local architect, Pietro, watching her every move, things don’t go quite as planned.
It Takes a Villa pulled me in from the very first page. I loved the idea of this story and all of the complications that could arise from renovating in a foreign country. I thought the author did a really good job with her description of things and found it very easy to visualize everything.
I adored Natalie’s ambition. She was tough and didn’t let much knock her down. Pietro loves his hometown and will do whatever it takes to stop renovators from ruining his town. Together, I thought that Pietro and Natalie had some wonderful chemistry. I enjoyed the tension between the two of them. If I had any complaints it would be the slow-burning romance. I’m not the biggest fan of slow burns, but when done right, I really find them enjoyable. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. In other words, the slow burn was too slow for this reader.
Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I enjoyed the setting, the renovation drama, and the intrigue along the way. The chemistry and tension between Pietro and Natalie was on point, but for me, the slow burn fell flat.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
“The attention to detail adds depth to each character—even Joseph will win readers over—and the twisty plot keeps readers both guessing what will happen next and rooting for happy endings across the board. This is a knockout.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
“With thoroughly likable characters—even Joseph becomes appealing—this plot-driven novel is fast-paced and engaging throughout. Full of both humorous and heart-wrenching moments, the novel is packed with the perfect mix of contradictions to keep it engaging… An expertly plotted romantic surprise about self-forgiveness and second chances.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Beth O’Leary is that rare, one-in-a-million talent who can make you laugh, swoon, cry and ache all in the same book . . . surprising and deeply satisfying.” —Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read
“Achingly clever.” —Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of I Just Haven’t Met You Yet
“Even as it taps beautifully into emotions and experiences that feel so universal, The No-Show is fresh, surprising, and oh-so-clever. It made me laugh, brought me to tears, and kept me reading late into the night. It’s the kind of book that leaves an impression on your heart. A truly special read.”—Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You
“Sweepingly romantic, bursting with character, and so, so clever I gasped out loud. Many writers make you feel good, but O’Leary also makes you think.”—Gillian McAllister, Sunday Times bestselling author of That Night
“A rom-com with a side of mystery.” —PopSugar
On April 12, Berkley is proud to publish THE NO-SHOW by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.
In 2019, O’Leary made a splash with her debut, The Flatshare, which sold over half a million copies. The book became one of the year’s most popular reads, receiving glowing praise from People, USA Today, Real Simple, Bustle, Refinery29, and so many more. The Hollywood Reporter recently announced the adaptation news for The Flatshare, naming Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Brave New World) and Anthony Welsh (The Great) as stars in the upcoming series.
Now, O’Leary returns with her most ambitious novel yet. THE NO-SHOW is a brilliantly sharp romantic comedy that manages to bring the laughs, while simultaneously breaking your heart—don’t miss the book that Publishers Weekly declared a “knockout.” Fans of romantic comedies and smart, feel-good women’s fiction will adore this highly anticipated title.
ABOUT THE BOOK THE NO-SHOW
THE NO-SHOW begins on Valentine’s Day with three seemingly unrelated women realizing they’ve all been stood up by the man of their dreams… which just so happens to be the same man. Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft- spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth. But where is Joseph Carter? More importantly, who is Joseph Carter? Is there more to him than meets the eye?
Once they’ve each forgiven him for standing them up, they let him back into their lives and are in serious danger of falling in love with a man who seems to have not just one or two but three women on the go………………………………………………………………….. Will they each untangle
the truth before they all get their hearts broken?
While it may seem like The Other Woman, the story reads more like One Day. The story is woven together perfectly while still highlighting how messy and nonlinear life can be. THE NO-SHOW offers readers the chance to experience how time passes, people change, and life goes on, with such authenticity that each scenario easily could have happened off
the pages and in the real world. It’s a beautiful reminder that there’s power in claiming your feelings and that happiness looks different for everyone.
O’Leary is a #1 bestselling author in the UK, and the reason why is on full display for THE NO-SHOW. Her latest is a smart, utterly captivating new romance that readers will devour this spring.
3 women stood up on Valentine’s day by the same man….need I say more. The plot of this story sounded so fresh and so unique. I had to pick up this book and see what the fuss was about.
The No-Show follows the story of Joesph and the three women he’s seeing. None of them know about each other and are stood up on Valentine’s Day for reasons yet to be revealed. This story is told from the points of view of the three women in Joesph’s life. To me, this was really intriguing. I thought it helped the reader connect to the characters and it made you want to know more about Joesph and the reasons behind his actions. Could he be redeemed for his behavior/actions?? You’ll have to read for yourself to find out….
The No-Show was a completely unexpected read. I went into this book thinking it was a rom-com and was a bit disappointed that it was not in fact a romantic comedy. Sure there were some humorous moments, but this book read more like women’s fiction than a romantic comedy, in my opinion. Despite that, I did find this story to be written well and very intriguing. I really enjoyed the characters and was curious how everything would come together in the end. The plot twist definitely caught me by surprise and connected all the missing dots for this reader.
While I enjoyed this book, for the most part, it wasn’t without its share of issues. I touched briefly on the categorization of this book genre-wise. I still feel that this book should be classified as women’s fiction. My other issues with the story were the pacing and overall timeline. Let’s start with the pacing. For me, this book started off rather slow and took me a while to get into. Don’t get me wrong, the story was very interesting, it just took a while to get into the flow. But, once I did get into the story, I found myself hooked and wanting to know more. Now, for the timeline. The timeline was a bit confusing to me. The chapters were broken up by character name instead of the number and didn’t indicate whether or not we were in the past or present. I think including “past” or “present” with each chapter heading would have made things a lot easier to understand and follow.
Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. It has been on my radar for a while and despite the issues I had, I’m certainly glad I checked it out. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to discovering more from her in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via Berkley Publishing and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth O’Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over half a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, The Switch, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg’s production company. Beth writes her books in the English countryside with a very badly behaved golden retriever for company. If she’s not at her desk, you’ll usually find her curled up somewhere with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather). Learn more at betholearyauthor.com, and follow O’Leary on social media:
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