Category Archives: 4 Stars

Review: Murder on the Icing by Valerie Burns

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Influencer-turned-bakery-owner Maddy Montgomery has sold plenty of wedding cakes before, but before she turns one out for her and her fiancé’s wedding, she’ll have to solve a little case of murder . . .

Aunt Octavia would be so proud! Maddy has turned Baby Cakes Bakery—named for her 250-pound English Mastiff, Baby—into a runaway success, and she’s marrying the love of her life, veterinarian Michael Portman. #DreamWedding! Plus the timing couldn’t be the country’s biggest bridal expo has come to New Bison, Michigan, and Maddy has secured a spot for Baby Cakes to showcase their cakes. She’s also entered a contest for an all-expenses-paid wedding extravaganza offered by world-renowned wedding planner Serafina.

Unfortunately, supremely nasty Serafina truly takes the cake—she makes the worst bridezilla seem like a shy flower girl. But there’s one thing the wedding planner didn’t plan on—being impaled by one of the skewers Baby Cakes uses on their tiered wedding cakes.

While Maid of Honor Sheriff April Johnson rounds up suspects at the expo, Maddy and her aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars, and even Baby join forces to unveil a killer hiding in plain sight . . . before wedding bells start to chime.

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MY REVIEW

Influencer-turned-bakery-owner Maddy Montgomery has sold plenty of wedding cakes before, but before she turns one out for her and her fiancé’s wedding, she’ll have to solve a little case of murder . . .

Icing on the Murder is the fourth book in the Baker Street Bakery. While I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, I still found this book easy to read and follow.

Icing on the Murder is quite the departure from my normal reads, but I found this to be really enjoyable. I really liked the writing style and was thoroughly entertained by the characters. Icing on the Murder has a little bit of everything, from murder to mystery to a dash of romance. Icing on the Murder was my first cozy mystery read and definitely won’t be my last. 

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.*

Release Blitz with Review: Ruining Hattie

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A man with no limits is the most dangerous kind of threat.

When Trent Clarke caught me picking pockets at eleven, he didn’t turn me in. Instead, he took me under his wing and taught me that in this world, you take what you want and never look back.

He might have shaped me, but I built my empire of the most successful string of strip clubs on the West Coast.

Now that I have everything, it’s time to track down my deadbeat mother and remind her who she left behind. That is if the drugs didn’t kill her already.

But I don’t find the worn-down shell of the woman I remember. Instead, she has all the things she never managed to give me—the white picket fence, a family dog, even church on Sunday mornings.

The real kicker? She replaced me and raised the perfect daughter with all the care and love she never gave me.

A twisted need for revenge roars to life inside me, and I aim it at my mother’s precious stepdaughter—sweet, sheltered Hattie Sinclair.

At first, it’s purely about vengeance, pulling Hattie into the darkness to watch her innocence unravel piece by piece. But she becomes something more. Something dangerous. Something I can’t resist.

Until she becomes my obsession.

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MY REVIEW

A man with no limits is the most dangerous kind of threat.

Ruining Hattie is a delicious and tempting read featuring two completely opposite characters and one unforgettable love story. 

Bastian is a deeply complicated character who’s no stranger to struggle and intense situations. While he had a rough start, he’s built an empire and has everything he could want at his fingertips. What he didn’t plan on was Hattie. Hattie is the epitome of innocence that he can’t wait to corrupt.  

Ruining Hattie takes us back to the darker side of Piper Rayne and is completely addictive. I mean, you can’t go wrong with a revenge plot that turns into more. Hattie and Bastian’s story is messy, complicated, and will keep you on your toes. The chemistry and sexual tension oozed off the pages, leaving me begging for more. 

If you’re a fan of morally gray characters and forbidden romances, you won’t want to miss Ruining Hattie. 
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

Review: Rock Star by Leigh Court

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He’s a rock star with stage fright. She’s a therapist with a dangerous secret…

Sebastian Roe was shot onstage during a concert five years ago, sending him into a creative tailspin and leaving him with a deep fear of performing. But his love of music is too strong to keep him off a stage forever, despite the fact the police never caught the gunman. He just needs a little help getting back in front of an audience, and figures announcing a U.S. tour will force him back onstage. Unfortunately, it’s bringing up his worst nightmare and puts his sold-out comeback tour in jeopardy.

Mia Merrill was in the audience the night of Sebastian’s fateful concert. She loves his music and wants to help him overcome his PTSD and get him back onstage, but there’s another reason she’s determined to become his therapist.

She’s the reason he was shot.

Driven by guilt and a need to atone, Mia takes Sebastian on as a patient. Romantic sparks fly between the two during their therapy sessions, but no sooner do they start to make progress on Sebastian’s stage fright than the gunman announces he’s back to finish the job.

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MY REVIEW

Rock Star is a fast-paced forbidden romance that takes a realistic approach to what life can be like for someone famous. I thought the plot was original, and I really liked the concept. I mean, it’s not every day that you come across a rock star who’s been lost ever since he was shot and is struggling to find his way back to music. And what better way to help a struggling artist? Bring in a stunning therapist who brings him back to life in more ways than one…

I thought Mia and Bash were a great match. Both of them were plagued by their pasts. He’s damaged, and she’s the only one who can fix him. The chemistry between them just oozes off the pages. However, any type of relationship between them, while Bash was a patient, would only end in disaster, especially if the secret Mia is hiding comes to light.

Overall, I thought this was a realistic and entertaining read. This is one of those books that’s got something for everyone. I mean, you can’t go wrong with romance, steam, and a little mystery in between.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

Review: The Ground That Devours Us by Kalla Harris

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The world ended ten years ago.

Vampires showed up, took over, and turned the whole planet into their personal all-you-can-drink buffet. The president? Bloodsucker. The government? Bloodsuckers. My social life? Absolutely nonexistent.

But hey, at least I had one thing going for me—slayer training. My twin sister, Ripley, and I were about to go pro, officially joining the ranks of the last people on earth who actually do something about the whole “undead overlords” situation.

And then X had to show up. The vampire boogeyman. The worst of the worst. And instead of killing Ripley, like any decent monster would, he turned her. Now she’s technically a vamp, but something tells me my sister is still in there. Which means I can’t slay her.

What can I do? Break every rule. Lie to my friends. Strike a deal with the most dangerous vampire on the X will protect Ripley from everyone else who wants her dead—like, really dead—until I can snag the cure for vampirism. The catch? Risking my own head to help him free his good-for-nothing BFF from the very slayers who taught me everything.

If I want Ripley back, I’m going to have to play nice with the thing that ruined my life. And the worst part?

I think he’s enjoying this.

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MY REVIEW

The Ground That Devours Us is a fantastic debut young adult novel. This book is refreshing, well-written, and entertaining.  I loved the unique plot and the vampire/dystopian combination. Add in some action, betrayal, and an unexpected romance, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a good time. 

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

Review: Tempting Wyatt by Caisey Quinn

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A grumpy/sunshine, forced-proximity cowboy romance packed with sizzling chemistry, emotional tension, and small-town charm. Perfect for fans of slow-burn, steamy opposites-attract love stories.

Wyatt Logan doesn’t have time for distractions. His family’s ranch is hanging by a thread, developers are circling like vultures, and after his father’s sudden passing, the weight of Triple Creek Ranch rests squarely on his shoulders. The last thing he needs? A smart-mouthed Hollywood princess renting the cabin on his land.

Ivy Anderson is out of options. Hiding out in small-town Montana was never part of the plan, but after a painful scandal nearly destroys her career, she needs an escape. A quiet place to write. To heal. To disappear. She’s not here to make friends—or to catch the eye of the broody, infuriatingly handsome rancher who seems to hate her on sight.

But with their cabins only a few feet apart, avoiding each other isn’t an option. And every heated argument, every stolen glance, every accidental touch only fuels the fire between them.

He’s all rough edges and responsibility. She’s a flight risk with nowhere left to run. They’re complete opposites in every way. But when the line between love and hate blurs, falling for each other isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Laura Pavlov, this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance is full of tension, steam, and a swoon-worthy rancher who will steal your heart.

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MY REVIEW

Caisey Quinn is back with a delicious and unforgettable forced proximity, grumpy sunshine romance.  

Wyatt Logan has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and the last thing he needs is a distraction.  But when Ivy Anderson blows into town after having her heart broken, his entire world gets flipped upside-down.  

From the moment we meet Wyatt and Ivy, the tension and chemistry explode off the pages. Wyatt is a grumpy, stubborn rancher who doesn’t have time for the likes of city girl, Ivy Anderson. However, there’s more to Ivy than meets the eye, and the more time Wyatt spends with her, the more she gets under his skin. What starts off as an enemies-to-lovers situation quickly turns into an unforgettable slow-burning romance that will have every woman wishing for her own dirty-talking rancher. 

Tempting Wyatt is an entertaining read from beginning to end, with characters that are destined to steal your heart. With just the right amount of steam and drama, you won’t be able to put this book down. I had the best time getting lost in Wyatt and Ivy’s story and can not wait to see what this author has in store for us next! 

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Release Tour with Review for Game Change by Evelyn Sola

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Brynne and Colin meet by chance on a sun-soaked island getaway and indulge in a whirlwind romance filled with dreams and promises. However, when Brynne returns home, fate takes an unexpected twist when she discovers her promotion has been handed to Colin instead. Caught between their undeniable chemistry and growing animosity, Brynne and Colin are forced to navigate the rocky path from lovers to enemies while managing tricky office politics. Readers who enjoy forced proximity and office romances will devour Game Change by Evelyn Sola, a steamy, diverse, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance.

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As a shocking revelation looms, will fate create a divide too deep to cross?

On a sun-soaked island getaway, two architects, Brynne and Colin, meet by chance and indulge in a whirlwind romance, blissfully unaware that their paths are tangled by fate. Their passionate affair ignites a bond filled with dreams and promises. Colin vows to find Brynne once they’ve left paradise behind, and Brynne promises to welcome him into her life with open arms. 

However, fate takes an unexpected twist when Brynne learns that Colin is tied to her life in ways she never anticipated. 

Brynne is blindsided when she discovers that the promotion she was promised has been handed to Colin instead. Suddenly, their connection spirals into hostility and resentment.

Caught between their undeniable chemistry and growing animosity, Brynne and Colin navigate a rocky path from lovers to enemies while managing tricky office politics. But as tensions mount, both must confront their feelings and the cruel twist of fate that has driven them apart. 

Will they be able to reconcile their love as they unravel the tangled blueprints of their hearts?

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MY REVIEW

I definitely need more Evelyn Sola books in my life!

Game Change is smartly written and entertaining. The characters are diverse, real, and easy to relate to. Colin and Brynne stole my heart from their very first interaction. Their connection was intense and unforgettable.  I loved their banter and the will-they/won’t they moments. You can’t help but root for Colin and Brynne as they navigate their way to HEA. 

Game Change is a very satisfying and delicious read that’s easily devourable in a single sitting. I loved the tension, chemistry, and workplace drama. And while this is my first book by this author, it most certainly won’t be my last. 

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

Excerpt 

Copyright 2025, Eveyn Sola

“And you think that makes a difference? You come swooping in, take something you didn’t earn, and threaten to fire anyone who isn’t thrilled to have you.”

“Oh, you were thrilled the last time you had me,” I announce.

“Don’t you ever bring that up again, you con man. And for the record, I don’t report to you. Everyone else, maybe, but not me. If you have a problem with that, fire me.”

“Con man? You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious. You lied. You pretended to be someone else to gain my trust so you could get me into bed and have this over me.”

I throw my head back and give a humorless laugh. “Really? I didn’t realize I was that good. For the record, I’ve never had to con a woman into sleeping with me, but since you’re so damn delusional, let’s go over what happened. Remember the night at the club? The night where you had your hands all over me. Rubbing my chest and touching my ass. Remember how you pressed your body against mine and said you wanted to go home with me? I asked if you were sure, and you said you were. I took you back, and you made love to me all night. I spent every spare moment with you after that, and now you want to say that was all a lie?”

“It was a lie!” she yells. “And you set it all up. Walking around with no shirt on, flashing your washboard abs. Wearing those ridiculous Crocs so you could appear approachable and smiling like some wanna-be GQ model.”

“So, I asked for it? My outfit made you do it?” I challenge. “It was my fault you asked to go home with me?”

“Don’t you dare use that argument on me, and if you were honest about who you were, I wouldn’t have touched you with a ten-foot pole, but you knew that.”

“I offered to tell you who I was. You’re the one who said no. You wanted to use those stupid code names while on vacation mode.” I put vacation mode in air quotes. “Remember that?”

“No,” she lies. “I don’t remember any of that.”

“And you call me the liar,” I challenge.

“That’s right.”

“Okay, so you fucked me, and now you’re mad about it. Do I have that right? Well, stay mad then.”

“Of course, you would reduce it to just that,” she says, “but on the contrary, Mr. Kincaid, I’m the one who got fucked. And since we’re on the topic, you can go ahead and fuck yourself.” She walks out of my office and slams the door behind her.

About Evelyn Sola

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find Evelyn with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come.  

Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor. 

She currently lives in Chicago, IL, with her husband and two daughters.

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Review: The Exception by Jenna Hartley

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When my former boss—a man known as a cold, heartless, billionaire—proposes to me, I think he must be joking.

Except I know Graham Mackenzie well enough to know he doesn’t joke.
He’s brooding, keenly intelligent, and fifteen years older than me. And the deal he’s offering…is no laughing matter.

I need money to save a château and fulfill a promise to my great-aunt, and he needs a wife.
After two years, if we can pull this off, we’ll go our separate ways.

It’s supposed to be a business agreement—nothing more. But the longer we pretend, the more I feel like I see the real Graham. And I find myself wishing for something real.

A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution. At least until I started developing real feelings for my fake husband.

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MY REVIEW

“Everything about him was so intense, so consuming that I couldn’t look away.”

There’s literally nothing better than a fake relationship, marriage of convenience with my wife vibes. And let me tell you, the “my wife ” trope is my latest addiction, and this book did not disappoint!

On the outside, Graham appeared cold and heartless, but in reality, he had a huge heart and was totally swoon-worthy. I had no idea just how sexy the French language was until I met Graham. And Lily is a force to be reckoned with.  While she might have been afraid to tell her family off, she wasn’t afraid to give Graham a run for his money.

Together, Graham and Lily had amazing banter and chemistry. The will they/won’t they moments drove me a little crazy, but we’re certainly worth it in the end. And while their relationship didn’t start off in the most conventional way, I loved watching Graham and Lily grow together as a couple and find their way to happily ever after.

The Exception was a terrific read from beginning to end. It had a great balance of family, romance, and drama. I also loved the alopecia rep. It’s not something you typically see explored in romance novels, and I felt like the author tackled this subject very well.

All in all, it is a very enjoyable read.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

Review: The Stolen Bride by Gena Showalter & Jill Monroe

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Clover Deering is living her best life. Kind of. Maybe. Okay, so, not at all. The owner of Fur-Ever Pet Spa is deeply in debt and battling a temper that scares even herself. Things go from bad to catastrophe when a terrifying man claiming to be a berserker king demands an impossible force a rival royal to welcome evil into his heart. In exchange, he’ll gift her with a prize she cannot resist-meeting the twin she never knew existed. The problem? King Viktor Endris isn’t just scary, he’s downright feral.

When captured by Viktor, Clover enacts her own plan. Tame the unhinged warrior, turn him into an ally, and use him to rescue her sister. Not an easy task as Viktor is at war with ferocious turul-shifters, talks to an invisible friend and flips from controlled to chaos in an instant. As their undeniable connection deepens, she discovers a heartbreaking truth. Falling for her is Viktor’s only path to ruin. Yet without his downfall, her twin’s fate is sealed. The worst part? Clover just might be falling for him, too. But in the end, only one can survive. Her man, or her sister.

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MY REVIEW

After reading The Wrong Bride, I fell head over heels for the Kings of Fury series and couldn’t wait for more. So, naturally, when I heard about The Stolen Bride, I knew I had to get my greedy hands on it.

The Stolen Bride follows the story of Clover and Viktor. Clover is kinda, sorta living her best life as owner of a pet spa. However, she’s deeply in debt and has a hard-to-control temper. Her life goes from bad to worse when a terrifying stranger promises her what she’s always wanted in exchange for an impossible demand…

Overall, I thought this was a great read. I’ll be the first to admit that The Stolen Bride does start off slow. There is a lot of world to build and new characters to introduce. Unfortunately, it took me a while to really get into things. That being said, once I hit the 30% mark, I was hooked. Wild horses couldn’t stop me from reading. I was completely enraptured by Viktor and Clover. I loved their banter and the undeniable connection between them. The closer Viktor and Clover got, the more they realized that everything wasn’t as it seemed. Falling for Viktor was never part of the plan, but fate definitely had other plans in mind….

The Stolen Bride kept me on my toes with all the twists and turns. There was plenty of good action and swoon-worthy romance to leave readers devouring each and every word. Despite my issues with the pacing in the beginning, this book was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I can not wait to get my hands on The Fire Bride!

* I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

Review: This Moment by Kelly Elliott

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Kian Carter is stuck in a rut. A successful lawyer in his parents’ New York City office, he’s sick and tired of their greed, their lifelong insistence on putting their powerhouse practice above all else—including Kian and his siblings. So he does what he should have done long ago, what his brother and sister did…Kian turns his back on law. Quitting the firm and moving back to the only home he’s ever known, quiet Moose Village in Upstate New York.

Not much ever changes in the tiny town in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Or so Kian thought. But this time, there’s one big Moose Village is playing host to a mystery woman. And she happens to be working at his aunt’s bakery. Lovely Cadie Waterford is the talk of the town gossips, as much for her luscious banana bread as her unwillingness to talk about her past.

Kian’s not normally one to engage in gossip…but the more time he spends with Cadie, the more intrigued he becomes. Whatever her secrets may be, he’s sure he can handle them—but when words like FBI, CIA, and even murder come into play, does Cadie need more protection than Kian thought?

Or does Moose Village need protection from Cadie…?

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MY REVIEW

Wow, oh, wow, Kelly Elliott! I did not see this book coming.

This Moment is a small-town second-chance romance that follows the story of Kian and Cadie. Cadie is on the run and looking for a fresh start. She ends up in Moose Village, purely by accident and can’t help but fall in love with the small town. The last thing she expected was the charming Kian…Kian is tired of living the life his parents demanded and is ready for a change. He moved back home to Moose Village to clear his head and figure out his next step. The last thing he expected was Cadie. 

From the moment these two met, the sparks between them oozed off the pages. I loved how supportive Kian was and how he didn’t get turned off by Cadie’s past. Sure, he was intrigued, but he trusted that she would confide in him when she was ready. And the more time these two spent together, the more I couldn’t help but root for their happily ever after.

The road to happily ever after was definitely a bumpy one for Kian and Cadie. I loved the twists, turns, and oh, so satisfying moments. And when Cadie’s past finally catches up to her, I was definitely left holding my breath.

All in all, This Moment was a terrific read from beginning to end and I can not wait to read more books from the Moose Village series!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

Review: Mob Knight by Sabine Barclay

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Cormac— How did I get so lucky? She shouldn’t have been there. She shouldn’t have tried to protect me. She stepped in the line of fire and didn’t even know me. That’s the kind of woman she is. But she’s stubborn too. It surprises us to discover we enjoy her submitting to my demands when no one’s watching. Nothing will stop me from seeing that smile when she’s in my arms. I’ll be her knight in shining armor. She’s my light after the darkest night.

Joey— No good deed goes unpunished. I didn’t think before I acted. Now I’m fighting my attraction to a man I should avoid. I keep families together. He tears them apart. But he’s so much more than I expected. This New York Irish mobster might be ruthless with everyone else, but I see the man he only shares with his family. He lets me, and I won’t walk away. When outsiders try to drag me away, I know he’ll move Heaven and Earth to save me. There’s more to life than pleasure, but he gives me more than I ever imagined.

Mob Knight is an interconnecting, standalone Dark Mafia Romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains EXTRA-STEAMY scenes that will make your toes curl and your granny blush. The O’Rourke Brotherhood is a six-book series that’ll keep you warm at night.

Discover the four NYC rival families that make up The Syndicate Wars world. Each family has their turn to be heroes in their own series. When it’s not their family’s turn for love, discover whether they’re the villain. You’ll meet all 24 men of the Four Families throughout the interconnected series, each taking their turn to fall in love. By the end, you’ll have a love/hate relationship with them all.

The Ivankov Brotherhood

The Mancinelli Brotherhood

The O’Rourke Brotherhood

The Cartel Brotherhood

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MY REVIEW

Hold onto your hats readers because you are about to be taken on a sexy and downright sinful ride!

Mob Knight hit the ground running and pulled me in instantly. This book was smartly written and entertaining. I adored Jocelyn because she was fierce and protective of those she let into her inner circle. She was strong, yet wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable with Cormac. I loved Cormac’s instant attraction and possessiveness with Jocelyn. It made things oh, so hot!

The road to happily ever after did have some bumps along the way. Both Jocelyn and Cormac had to learn to open up and trust. Their story also featured some delightful twists that are certain to keep you on your toes. 

All in all, a quick, yet satisfying read. Sabine Barclay is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

* I was provided an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *