The Ripple Effect by Maggie North

Meet Lyle "McHuge" McHugh, a man who claims 6'4" when under duress (though we all know he's lying), a man who chooses kindness in every circumstance at the expense of his own feelings, a man who needs help to keep his business afloat... literally! This is the first session of his startup relationship therapy whitewater adventure, but his business partner is forced into paternity leave early, leaving McHuge floundering for help. Stellar Byrd only offered help as a last resort given their history but now the job is even more complicated than expected when they add in a fake engagement, a hostile client, and unexpected business competition. Will their fledgling business survive the summer?

I loved McHuge in the first book so I was so happy he was getting his own. I love how these total opposites teach other to become their best selves and their love story is a such a sweet slow burn. The Canadian wilderness setting was beautiful, the whitewater scenes were fun, and the characters were unique and relatable. The ending was a bit abrupt for me, but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Unwanted by Mia Sheridan

There are two victims in the small town of Helena Springs, Montana and wilderness guide Harper is called in to assist with the investigation. The only suspect is an enigma...a man dressed in animal skins carrying a bow and arrows going only by the name Lucas. He's been called a savage, but Harper can see the intelligence in his eyes and the more time she spends with him the more questions she has. How has he survived in this harsh environment alone for 15 years? Why was he abandoned in the wilderness at only 8 years old? And why does she feel such a strong attachment to this stranger?

What a great mystery! The details were given sparingly as Lucas can trust no one. The story is told with flashbacks to his earlier time in the wilderness and his struggle to survive. As the details fall in place, it only created a bigger mystery and more questions. And the final connection between him and Harper was such a great surprise! The pacing of this story was perfect, the romance just enough, the setting was absolutely beautiful, and the conclusion even surprised me. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

This book is an emotional and heartbreaking experience but so worth the read. Corby Ledbetter suffers from anxiety and depression after losing his job and becoming a stay at home father to his two year old twins. After a tragic accident, his life spirals out of control when he sentenced to a three year prison sentence. While inside, he has to learn to survive the harsh conditions and awful treatment by guards and other inmates, but there are small glimmers of kindness when he makes an unlikely friend and cell mate and some kindly staff. Throughout his time, he tries to atone for what he's done, but how can he ask forgiveness when he can't even forgive himself?

This book is an emotional rollercoaster of grief and guilt, hope and despair. I know this story will stay with me for a long time. I love Wally Lamb's writing and I was so excited to see he had a new book after so long, and it was worth the wait! I highly recommend this book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

In this unique debut novel Konstantin “Kostya” Duhhovny has a disturbing ability to sense the presence of ghosts by tasting their favorite meal. But he only discovered this ability after losing his own father and recognizing the taste as his favorite dish, and now the aftertastes won't stop haunting him. After his mother's extreme reaction when he told her of sending him to a mental institution, he's kept his ability a secret. Then one night he decides to act on it and learns that he can briefly reunite people with their loved ones by serving the food. 

I love all the descriptions of different foods and the high stress atmosphere of a busy New York kitchen. Kostya clawed his way up through the ranks with no professional training, trying to learn, believing in the good he can do, and hoping finally to get closure with his own father. Things start to turn toward the end with Kostya not fully realizing the danger of what he's done until it's too late and the ending is a nailbiting twist I never saw coming. Great debut novel... I can't wait for more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts

Sloan and her partner were returning from a case as natural resources police when they stopped at a convenience store right during a robbery. Sloan was shot by a nervous gunman and was so close to losing her life. She reluctantly moves back to her parents home in Heron's Rest to recover. Weak and bored, she hears news coverage about a missing woman and decides to investigate in her own. She finds several missing persons cases scattered about nearby but can't seem to find a link been them. When she's finally well enough to work, she takes a promotion to stay close to her family and buys a fixer-upper home and meets Nash, one of the Fix-It Brothers. As they spend more time together, Nash also becomes interested in the case. And the tie between victims means Sloan is in danger of becoming one of them. 

Nora Roberts proves yet again she's the queen of romantic suspense. I love her characters (even the villains have plausible motives), the beautiful setting, the pacing is great making it hard to put down, the family atmosphere, and a great balance between action and romance. I loved this book and can't wait for the next one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Katie takes an assignment as a videographer to interview and follow Coast Guard swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutchinson in Key West. He requested his brother Cole, Katie's coworker, to do the interview and is less than happy with the switch. Dropped in the middle of the Hutchinson family drama Katie is determined to make the best of it and find herself falling for him. 

While this was a solid romance with great characters, it's not my favorite by this author. I like the self-love coaching but it was a bit overdone. The behind the scenes with the coast guard helicopters was fascinating and made Hutch a great hero to love. The final drama brought my rating up to 4.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Out of Air by Rachel Reiss

This is a truly unique debut horror novel centered around a group of young divers who call themselves the "salt squad". Right from the beginning there's tension in the group from an earlier incident that's only hinted at. The descriptions of the otherworldly setting and strange underwater creatures add a sense of doom as they discover the creepy yet beautiful cavern. Flashbacks to the past help you understand the rift in the group as things start to change and a new and terrifying danger emerges. 

I've drifted away from the YA genre the older I get, but I love horror novels and this one sounded interesting (plus the beautiful cover drew me in!). It was well written, the pacing was great, and I really enjoyed it. Great debut novel!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.