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.
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.*
A woman takes a job at a secretive French garden to avoid reminders of children; there she meets a mysterious girl needing help. This debut adult novel blends the charm of The Secret Garden and magic realism of Where the Forest Meets the Stars.
“Here lie the bones of those who broke the rules . . .”
There are many rules those who wish to live and work behind the mysterious walled gardens of Le Château du Paradis must follow. One must not gossip. One must not leave their room during dusk.
And most importantly for the newest gardener, Eloise Bourne, children are forbidden.
Although she’s locked inside the castle grounds and subjected to strange rules, Eloise’s new home enchants her with otherworldly lodging and magical flowers. Best of all, her co-workers–who are also retreating from the world–spark her to heal both body and soul. And she feels surprisingly drawn to the intriguing handyman, Raphaël.
But when she starts glimpsing a mysterious child in the trees, she reels. Is this a human girl? Or a woodsprite? Is it her imagination, or is this place truly enchanted?
As the summer unfolds, Eloise begins to fear the child is in danger. It’s not until she breaks the rules and risks her heart that Paradise becomes a prison. Eloise must unearth the gardens’ secrets, fight for her newfound family, and ultimately, claim a second chance at happiness.
A broken woman. A mysterious job ad. A chance to heal in French castle gardens. The Alchemy of Flowers is an enchanting, modern-day take on The Secret Garden, sprinkled with magic, a hint of mystery, and a dash of romance.
The Alchemy of Flowers is a unique and complex debut novel. While enchanting and visually stunning, this book wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I’m not sure if it was due to the pacing or because I was hoping for a darker tone. Don’t get me wrong, there was definitely an air of mystery, but I just felt like something was missing.
The Alchemy of Flowers is a story about healing, fresh starts, and second chances. Unfortunately, this book was a bit hit and miss for me as it had its fair share of ups and downs. It was a bit rough around the edges, and the pacing definitely could be improved. That being said, I do think the bones of this story are solid and that the author has a lot of good potential. I would definitely be open to checking out future books from this author.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
He promised he’d come find me… then I forgot that he existed.
A tragic incident robbed me of any memories I’d ever had before my fourteenth birthday, and I spent the second half of my life wondering if I’d ever get them back.
Years later, on the way to my late husband’s funeral, in a city I don’t know, I slip into a bar to prepare his eulogy on a cocktail napkin. Instead, I end up confessing all my ugly truths about my abusive marriage to the bartender, confident we’ll never cross paths again.
Until I see him a few hours later, sitting beside my husband’s casket.
Turns out Weston Knight isn’t just a bar owner. He’s also my dead husband’s billionaire brother.
Mortified, I’m desperate to escape, but when West finally catches up with me and offers me a job in one of his many bars in New York City, I can’t find it in me to resist him.
Everything about West feels familiar. His voice. His touch. His kisses. It isn’t long before he’s consuming my every thought, even in my dreams.
But the closer we become, the more I learn that West has secrets of his own. Ones that have led to a life of regret. And when the memories of my tragic past finally return, I realize that maybe, just maybe, I’ve crossed paths with this man before.
They say you should leave the past behind.
But what if the past is all I’ve ever wanted?
*From West, With Regret is an angsty, spice filled, ex’s brother billionaire romance. It is Book 2 in the NYC Billionaires Series and can be read as a complete standalone, however, it is recommended you read Book 1 first.
“Can you possibly know someone without knowing them?”
“Our connection was already mapped out in the stars.”
He promised he’d come and find me, and then I forgot him…Talk about a line that totally grips your heart!! It’s been a minute since I’ve read a book with an amnesia trope, and this one did not disappoint. From West, With Regret is a beautiful love story of love, loss, soulmates, and regret.
The moment West lays eyes on London, it’s as though no time has passed. Every memory, every moment, flashes before his eyes. The only problem is that London doesn’t remember him at all. Despite having amnesia, she doesn’t let her lack of memory define her. She takes every moment in stride and is determined to make the most of each moment. And when tragedy strikes, London finally gets her freedom and a chance to discover who she really is.
From West, With Regret left me tangled up in knots in the best possible way. West was one of my favorite characters and definitely a top book boyfriend for 2025. The lengths he went through to ensure London’s safety and happiness made my heart swoon. There is nothing and I mean nothing he wouldn’t do for her.
West and London’s story will take readers on one heck of a ride. Their story is emotional and consuming. These two characters have been THROUGH it and despite every obstacle and twist thrown their way, their love only grew stronger.
In the end, this book will make you believe in the forever kind of love, soulmates, and happily ever afters.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
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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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 *
It was just a birthday. Then everything in her asked, what if.
Simone Harris has always known how to hold it down. For her son. For her clients. For the sports agency she built from scratch. She keeps things running, keeps herself moving, and keeps her heart tucked safely out of reach.
But this birthday feels different. It falls on a leap year, a date that only circles back every so often. A rare kind of day that feels like it arrives exactly when it’s meant to. The kind that makes you pause and ask what you have been pushing through just to keep going. In that stillness, something begins to surface alongside it. Fatigue. Questions. The quiet ache she has learned to ignore.
She is not falling apart. Still, something is shifting. The pressure she has lived under feels heavier than it once did. And as she begins to listen to what her spirit has been trying to say, the past reappears, bringing with it a familiar comfort, unfinished conversations, and a quiet invitation to feel again.
Jacinta Howard is an Atlanta-based author and culture journalist who’s spent more than a decade covering the city’s music, food, art, and entertainment scenes. Her work has appeared in Eater, Atlanta Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Shondaland, BET, and Rock The Bells, LL Cool J’s media company, where she also served as an editor. Her 2022 article on the chicken wings at Magic City was nominated for an American Society of Magazine Editors Award, and her story on the Atlanta University Center’s influence on hip-hop was included in The City of Atlanta’s Hip Hop 50 Time Capsule. Her novels have been featured in USA Today, Book Riot, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Retired at the age of 34, Dylan Parker packed up his life and bought a bar in Mustang Prairie. Small-town life would be an adjustment, or so he thought, until he met Sadie. As a deeply satisfying friendship grows between them, so does their mutual attraction.Readers who enjoy small-town, friends-to-lovers romances will fall in love with Feels Like Love by N.D. Jackson, a steamy, diverse romance.
Blurb
I just wanted to belong…
Sadie had never belonged anywhere other than on stage. A soulful singer and musician, she left home at a young age and never looked back. No one missed her anyhow. Traveling the country with one no good boyfriend after another for work, Sadie settled in New Orleans until another d-bag boyfriend decided she wasn’t enough…and the slutty new bartender was.
She left for Mustang Prairie and the open arms of her half-sister Amelia…or so she thought
I just wanted to protect her…
Dylan Parker retired at the ripe old age of 34. After catching a serial killer who’d tortured Chicago for a decade, he was ready to turn in his homicide detective’s shield.
Needing distance from his high society parents and their social climbing friends he packed up his truck and bought a bar in Mustang Prairie. Getting reacquainted with small town life would be an adjustment…until he met a copper haired amazon with a voice like warm honey.
Sadie was everything he wanted; a friend, a devil’s advocate, a sister, and a confidante. Theirs was a deeply satisfying friendship so Sadie and Dylan fought their mutual attraction.
Can Sadie & Dylan admit that their friendship feels more like love?
“Everyone gets sick.” She didn’t understand his tone but a moment later it all became clear. “What is this Ty? You think I did something to him? Is that what this is all about?”
He opened his mouth to respond but she didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to hear him deny it when they both knew it was the truth. So much for being one of them. She didn’t wait for a response, for him to figure out a way to soften the blow and tell her he didn’t meant it like that. She just threw her keys at him. “See for yourself that I didn’t kill your friend for whatever reason you think I’d do such a thing.” She turned and picked up the first box. It needed to go downstairs.
“Sadie I didn’t mean it like that!” He knew it was no use. She wouldn’t listen, so he took the keys and went to see about his friend.
Four boxes later, Karl was gone and Sadie was nearly finished stacking all the boxes downstairs. She would just finish them now. Hopefully, by the time she got home, Ty would be long gone. She wasn’t in the mood to see anyone right now but she needed to check on Dylan. He had to be sick to just skip out on a day like this.
She locked up and made the quick drive to Dylan’s house, running up the stairs and through the door calling out to him. She went straight up to his bedroom where he lay in a sweaty heap of sheets and blankets. Ty stood to one side of the room, looking concerned. “Dylan! Are you okay?” She felt his face, neck, and chest. He was clammy all over. “How do you feel?”
“He’s sick,” Ty said, very unhelpfully.
Sadie glared at him and then turned her back on him. “Dylan, tell me what you’re feeling.” She began stripping the covers back and bringing him to a sitting position.
“I’m feeling mighty glad you came to save me.” His smile was crooked and his words were slurred.
She gave him a tight smile while trying to keep them both upright. “Of course I came for you Dylan. You’re my guy.”
“Always babe. Now can you make the room stop spinning ‘cause it’s making me feel sick?”
“No problem big guy. I’m all over it.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Can you stand?” He tried but he was too wobbly, and her jaws clenched. Ty stood back, no help at all but she said nothing to him. “Okay stand again, but this time put as much of your weight on me as you can.”
This time he stood up but with most of his weight pressed against her. “Alright let’s get you in the bathroom.” They limped to the en suite bathroom and she sat him on the toilet while she ran a bath. “We need to bring down your temperature,” she told him as she flew back into the bedroom, stripping the sheets off the bed and tossing them down the laundry chute.
“Sadie,” he sang off-key over and over. “Where did my Sadie go?”
“He doesn’t sound too good.” Ty rubbed the back of head, sounding worried.
She inhaled a long breath and let it out slowly, keeping her mouth shut. Eventually, he would leave and she could feel good knowing she hadn’t caused any unnecessary drama for Dylan. Checking on the water, she tossed in a few aromatherapy balls to help. “Alright, Dylan we need to get you in there, okay? So I need you to help me. Hang on to me and don’t let go.” She removed his boxers, tossed them out the door, and helped guide him down.
“Ah, feels good.” The guttural sound of satisfaction vibrated inside the bathroom, echoing off the walls as he sank into the water.
She smiled. Luckily he was too big to possibly drown since Ty was no help at all. She found the bath sponge she bought for him under the sink. Unopened because according to him it was ‘girly shit’. Dipping the sponge in the water, she rubbed is face and chest. “We need to get you warm and reduce your fever. Stay put.” Inside the bedroom, she breezed past Ty and grabbed the bed spray and clean linens. The window was open, the bedding fresh and now scented. “Okay,” she muttered to herself thinking what else she would need. “Food, meds, juice. Trixie.” She pulled out her phone and dialed. “Hey Trix. Dylan’s got some type of bug or something and I need to keep an eye on him. Can you grab fresh fruit, tons of vegetables for soup, and meds to reduce fever, help sleep and clear congestion? I’m not sure what else he has because he’s pretty incoherent but grab whatever else you think he might need and I’ll pay you back when you get here.” She disconnected and went back to check on Dylan.
“I could’ve gotten that stuff for him,” Ty yelled from the safety of the bedroom.
She said nothing, just helped Dylan quickly wash so she could get him dressed and back into bed. He needed to rest. “Stand up for me big guy.”
“You think I’m too big?” His words were slurred and she smiled despite her worry.
“Naw, I think you’re just big enough.”
“That’s what she said,” he snickered.
“Very funny,” she grumbled as she quickly dried him off. He was a big guy and required a towel that was just as big and heavy. “Okay we need clothes.”
“I’m alright like this,” he swayed, wrapping his arm around her waist. “I only stopped sleeping naked because I didn’t want to freak you out.”
That was an image she did not need to think about now. Or ever. They walked into the room, him naked and talking nonsense and her trying to keep them both from wiping out on the hardwood floors. “That’s sweet of you Dyl, but it’s your house so make sure you’re comfortable.” She sat him on the bed and grabbed flannel pants and a t-shirt. “While you’re sick though, I have to insist on pajamas.”
Wanderer. Lover of books. Romance author. Vegan. Those are just some of the things used to describe me! When I’m not spinning tales of small town and contemporary romance, I love to travel, cook, and watch/listen to true crime, history & strange documentaries and podcasts. I’m a native Chicagoan currently living in Europe who has been in love with books for as long as I can remember. My first book, Conflict of Interest, was published in 2014, and I’ve been writing books ever since! I’m a full-time writer and part-time author, traveler, vegan blogger, and obsessive fan of Dawson’s Creek.
When Jacob Sullivan’s grandfather passes away, he leaves the high life behind to honor his grandfather’s final wish: spend one month in his vacation home and decide if it’s worth keeping. However, Jacob never expected to find Iris Flynn, a mysterious woman determined to forget her past. Readers who enjoy heart-wrenching, emotional stories will fall in love with Let Me Go by Tricia T. LaRochelle, a small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance.
Blurb
Jacob “JC” Sullivan is living the high life in New York City, where his stockbroker career has earned him everything he ever wanted—except someone to share it with. A childhood shaped by his parents’ toxic marriage has left him convinced that love is a trap. But when his grandfather passes away and leaves him a vacation home in the quiet town of Buckingham, Vermont, JC reluctantly follows through on his final wish: spend one month there and decide if it’s worth keeping.
What JC doesn’t expect to find is Iris Flynn—a mysterious woman living in isolation with a past she’s determined to forget. Her beauty and guarded nature intrigue him, but it’s only when he witnesses the threats from locals targeting her that he’s forced to confront the undeniable chemistry between them. As they become closer, JC starts to see that his life in the city, filled with fleeting relationships and shallow success, has left him empty.
Iris, scarred by mistakes from her teenage years, has spent too much time running from her past, but JC makes her want to face those truths she’s so skillfully buried. Together, they discover that healing begins when you let go of your fears—and gamble on each other. But their growing connection threatens dark forces determined to keep Iris alone.
Let Me Go is a heart-wrenching, emotional journey about love, redemption, and the courage to forgive—not just others, but yourself.
This would have been a fine question to answer under normal circumstances but not when the question had come from a woman holding a shotgun aimed at my head. A large hat pulled low, shaded her face completely, those long, curly locks stuffed inside. And she wore a long trench-looking coat that covered her sleek body from shoulder to ankle. If I had seen this woman, first, I would have understood what everyone was talking about.
“I said, ‘what do you want?’ And you have about five seconds to answer before I put a slug in your chest.” She cocked the gun, the little pup hopping up and down, ear-piercing barks flying from its little mouth.
Tricia T. LaRochelle is the award-winning author of the Sara Browne Series, a gripping romantic suspense along with Sun in My Heart and A Collision with Love, her stand-alone romances with a twist. (Her next stand-alone, Let Me Go, launches in June 2025.) Gut-wrenching romances with unforeseen plot twists are where she thrives. Her apologies ahead of time for the tears. ☺
Coming from a background and education in Marketing, Tricia has spent the past eleven years pursuing her author endeavors. She now lives in Virginia with her husband and new pup, Daisy, who keeps her on her toes. She enjoys long walks with her hubby, time with her two grown sons and DILs, and board games that bring out the silly.
Subscribe to her newsletter at tricialarochelle.com, where you can receive updates on her work and win prizes. You can also find her on social media.
Subscribe to her newsletter at tricialarochelle.com and receive updates and opportunities to win prizes or follow her on X, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest.
When a true crime series chronicles the tragic childhood summer that changed her life forever, a young woman must grapple with the truth about her father…and herself.
Jennifer Jones and her best friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, and this summer, Jennifer will finally turn eleven. She hopes to gain the “second sight” foretold by family legend and fulfill her destiny. Instead, the swamp serves up dangers greater than the gators lurking on Halfway Creek. Little Francie Farrow vanishes—and Jennifer’s father goes to prison.
Twenty years later, Jennifer has almost shed the label of Paul Jones’s daughter when her past comes barreling back. Inspired by True Events, a TV series that solves the unsolvable, is recreating that fateful summer. As the series plays out, Jennifer wonders: Did the show finally find Francie Farrow? And is Jennifer’s father truly guilty?
Someone else wants answers even more than Jennifer does, and they won’t let her forget it.
As the series nears its finale and the long-awaited truth, Jennifer must come to terms with who her family is…and what that makes her.
Lori Roy is the author of six novels of suspense. Her latest, THE FINAL EPISODE, will hit shelves 6/24/2025. Lori’s debut, BENT ROAD, was awarded the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. She went on to receive the 2016 Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Novel, making Lori the first woman to receive an Edgar Award for both Best First Novel and Best Novel, and she is the third person to have done so.
Lori’s critically acclaimed work has been named a New York Times Editors’ Choice, twice named a New York Times Notable Crime Book, featured in People Magazine as Book of the Week and excerpted in Oprah Magazine. Her work has been widely reviewed and has been included on numerous Best Of lists and summer reading lists.
Lori lives with her family in west-central Florida.
Ebony Grace Livingston was raised to be flawless. A debutante-turned-elite event planner, she built a life around breathtaking galas, whispered exclusives, and the kind of connections money can’t buy. But when her husband’s betrayal turns her into high society’s juiciest scandal, Ebony decides she’s done curating perfection for everyone but herself.
With a high-profile wedding to pull off, a social media following obsessed with her every move, and a no-nonsense life coach reminding her that the real glow-up starts from within, Ebony is ready to write her next chapter — on her own terms. The only thing standing in her way? Lincoln Bridges, the maddeningly meticulous architect overseeing the historic venue she needs to transform. He’s stubborn, insufferably charming, and worst of all, the one man who saw through her marriage before she did.
Their creative clashes reignite old wounds, unfinished business, and the kind of chemistry that once felt inevitable. But in a world where power is played in private lounges, loyalty is measured in invitations, and champagne flows as freely as the gossip, Ebony will have to decide if rewriting her future means making room for something real.
Set in an exclusive world where wealth whispers, bottomless brunches double as battleground boardrooms, and reputation is the ultimate currency, Ebony is about to prove that reinvention isn’t just an option — it’s a luxury she’s finally ready to afford.anae Warner had it all — platinum records, sold-out arenas, and a life in the spotlight. But the same fire that fueled her rise burned everything down. Branded as unstable and unredeemable, she disappeared from the world she once ruled. Now, after years away, Janae is stepping back into the industry she left behind, determined to reclaim her voice and prove she’s more than the headlines.
Mia Heintzelman is a Las Vegas-based bestselling author known for fun, flirty, and fiery romances featuring strong, unforgettable women and the men bold enough to love them. Discover more about Mia’s world at MiaHeintzelman.com, and connect with her on social media: @MiaHeintzelmanAuthor.
A steamy enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance from New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Young.
It’s hard to stay in the friend zone when the attraction is this hot…
Going into my senior year of university at war with a member of the British royal family wasn’t in my carefully laid plans. Sebastian Thorne might be the grandson of a princess, but it’ll take more than a royal pardon to get me to forgive him for pretending to be someone he’s not.
But Sebastian is determined to be my friend. Even if it means signing up to a psych experiment just to get me to talk to him. Who knew a sincere apology and him saying my name in that posh English accent would make me weak in the knees?
This year was supposed to be about my dissertation and graduate school. Only, Sebastian has thrown my ordered world off kilter. He makes me bolder, more confident. A braver version of me.
Yet every lingering glance and stolen touch has me realizing one thing…
I’m falling for my best friend.
There’s just one problem. Sebastian has demons, ones that make him determined to keep me in the friend zone no matter the cost.
And even when temptation sends his walls tumbling down, the beauty we’ve found might not survive against the will of powerful outside forces…
Samantha Young brought the swoon and longing with this one. A Royal Mile is hands down one of my favorite friends-to-lovers romances, and it definitely left me with all the feels.
Lily and Sebastian stole my heart instantly. Their connection was so pure, so intense. My heart ached when they friend-zoned each other. You see, Sebastian doesn’t do relationships and can only offer Lily a good time. But a girl like Lily deserves more than he can offer. And so begins a journey of longing, will they, won’t they moments, and a connection so fierce, I felt like I was experiencing it first hand.
The road to happily ever after wasn’t an easy one for Lily and Sebastian. They both had their fair share of insecurities and family drama. The ups and downs. The push and pull. All of it leaving me begging for more.
Ultimately, all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was completely engrossed in these characters and their story. Every frustrating and heart-aching moment made me fall harder for these characters. I’m loving the Return to Dublin Street series and can not wait to see whose story we get next.
I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
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