The Lake House by Laura Wolfe

Five friends who meet in college and have slowly drifted apart decide to reconnect for a weekend getaway. An isolated cabin on a private lake sounds absolutely perfect online,  but reality is much different.  The cabin is dilapidated,  there's no cell phone reception,  and the rutted road has destroyed their only vehicle.  What could possibly go wrong?!

The setting of this book is super creepy without even factoring in the terrifying landlord.  A run-down abandoned summer camp sits across the lake, one of the cabins still with police tape where a counselor died. No contact with the outside world.  Lock the doors and leave all the lights on to read this book!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

An Unexpected Find by Hayleigh Sol

If you're looking for something cute, fun, and lighthearted look no further. This is a true book lover's book!

Jax is the author of a popular action series but is starting to lose his female audience due to his less than romantic sex scenes reminiscent of the typical Bond girls. His publicist recommends he do some research by reading scenes from some of the popular romance books. He writes what he believes is a decent one night stand, but accidentally leaves it between the pages of one of his "research" books.

Sophie runs her own successful dental practice. Burned by love too many times, she's given up and turned to her book boyfriends for comfort. Settling in for a weekend reading session with her author's newest book, she's intrigued when a sheet of yellow paper falls out of the pages. Horrified and offended by this poor excuse for a sex scene, she rewrites the scene the way she would write it.

When Jax recovers his notes, he is amazed by the change in his scene and decides he must have this anonymous editor to write his scenes for him. What follows are some steamy scenes, flirty texts, and a friendship made to last.

I absolutely loved this book! The concept was really original and I was rooting for the characters to finally get together.

I received a free advanced reader coy of this book through Booksirens. My review of this book is voluntary.

Tempted by Anna Ray

Daniel Maretti is the son of a mafia don, but had always stayed away from the family business,  preferring instead to run his own legitimate realty company.  But when his father gets into trouble,  Daniel is forced to do business with with Salvator Schiavone, known gun dealer and uncle to Camilla, Daniel's ex.  Daniel is dead set against any long term relationships after he was burned by Camilla, and his string of personal assistant's is evidence.  After one night with them they become clingy,  forcing him to hire a new one. He hires Laura after one look,  but soon realizes she's more than just a pretty face,  she's really good at her job.  Can he ignore the temptation to keep her at work? 

This book was short and sweet,  not exactly what I expected from a dark mafia romance. 

I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

The Secrets We Keep by Nikki Lee Taylor

There are so many emotions in this heartbreaking suspense. With Sophie, who's grieving the loss of her son and husband in a car accident, crippled with anxiety and afraid to leave her home. With Madeline-May, who suffered years of abuse as a child and now is a model mother on social media, but struggles to connect to her children in real life. Then there's Bastian, who feels like his wife is farther and farther away since the twins were born. In a strange stroke of coincidence, he is caught between both women in the story.
I read this in one day! The suspense kept building and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Sold to the Enemy by Aria R. Blue

Ok, so I didn't realize this was the second book in the series until now. Maybe if I'd read book 1 first the large gaps in the storyline wouldn't have left me feeling so lost. I like that the MCs were best friends as children They were separated after the Monte family killed most of the Genovese family and left Luna and her sisters on the run. After the massacre, their father keep them sheltered, practically imprisoned. But when Nico finds Luna again, he's determined to keep her at his side. He takes her innocence, then her father forces them to marry-for a price, of course. Then comes the holes in the story where it's 3 years later and they're separated without a reason why, then backtrack in the story to explain a few things. I don't know, I just got confused by the jumbled storyline. Overall I did like the story once everything was clearly explained.

I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own and left voluntarily.

Home on Folly Farm by Jane Lovering

Dora left for college when her sister Cass discovered she was pregnant and everything became about her and the baby while Dora was completely ignored. She did good in college at first but then she met Leo, who introduced her to parties and drugs.  Her grades slip father and farther and finally she needs an escape.  She inherits the sheep farm that's been in her family for generations,  living on 50 acres in the Yorkshire wilds and raising a rare endangered breed of sheep.  She finds that she's happy on her own and living a comfortable slightly lonely existence.  But when her parents decide to remodel and Cass and her nephew Thor need a place to stay,  her refuge turns to chaos, especially when a suspiciously familiar man who claims to be Leo's brother shows up with Thor as his tutor.

I loved this glimpse of life on a sheep farm. It sounds like the perfect kind of life for an introvert like me. But I just wanted to shake Cass. Her attitude toward everything was just irritating.  The reasons behind her attitude are explained later in the book but she's still a clueless socialite with no concept of where money comes from. I didn't like Thor at first,  but the longer he was on the farm the more he grew on me. I'm so glad this hardworking farmer got her happily ever after. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Meant To Be by Jude Deveraux

Welcome to Mason, a small town in Kansas where everyone knows everything about each other and marriages are built in grade school. It was always Vera with Adam and her younger sister Kelly with Paul. Expected to marry and live ordinary everyday lives. But when Adam leaves to join the peace corps,  a future that Vera dreamed of them sharing, she is left behind to support her mother and sister. Years later when he returns,  everything has changed.  The dreams she had of world travel are the same but Adam isn't. She only has to wait for her sister to marry before she can escape.  But Paul has left town leaving Kelly confused and heartbroken. Adam comes up with a crazy plan to make everyone happy. But what everyone expects to happen isn't what's meant to be. 

I remember sneaking my first romance novel, A Knight in Shining Armor, off my mother's bookshelf when I was young.  After that I devoured  every Jude Deveraux book I could find. Her writing style has changed over the years,  and she is still one of my favorite authors. This generational saga is one of her best.  I couldn't put it down! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Rosie Shadow by Louise Worthington

What do a horrifyingly creepy 6-year-old girl and her terrorized mother have to do with a prison built on a medieval dungeon site and an ancient yew tree rumored to be part of the pagan religion? Read this terrifying thriller to find out! I was both fascinated and disgusted by Rosie and felt pity for her poor mother who only feels horror instead of love for her child. The prison site now used as a tourist attraction was just downright creepy. Great job with the ominous cover art that drew me in!

I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own and given voluntarily.

Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley

Kara Sullivan is a bestselling romance writer coming quickly to the deadline of her next book...and she's blocked! It's just days before her best friend's wedding, and she's the maid of honor. At the rehearsal dinner they finally meet the groom's best friend, none other than Kara's college ex Ryan Thompson. Some unforgivable things were said in the breakup and now they both hate each other, but that needs to be put aside for the sake of the wedding. As Kara spends more time with Ryan, their snarky banter has an unexpected side effect...she's writing again! When Ryan needs a place to stay until the wedding, Kara offers her home to her unexpected muse and his adorable bulldog Duke.
Unlike your typical romance as described in detail in the book, these characters seemed more real with their own problems and mistakes. Real life isn't black and white and sometimes it's the hardships and mistakes you learn to forgive that make for true love and romance. And these two have plenty of those! I absolutely loved Ryan's dog Duke too! He reminds me off a couple dogs I've had in the past. Sometimes it's those interrupted romantic moments that are most memorable and hilarious.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Spark of Shadows by Rachel Madbury

This is a good introduction to the Sevens series. Liam and Cora have been in love since they were children. But just on the night he was planning to propose, he gets the call to become a Seven, protectors of the most powerful witch families. After that night, he seems not to know her at all. Eleven years later and Liam is assigned to protect Cora's sister Cecilia. The more time he spends there, the more memories come back to him.

I read Splintered Stars first so I was excited to be able to read this prequel. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Nest or Invest by Enni Amanda

Shasa is a single mother trying to make ends meet, living in a rundown rental home filled with second-hand furniture. When a property developer shows up on her doorstep to inspect her untidy house, she is ashamed to let this expensively dressed handsome man in the door. But worse is the information he let's slip that the owner is going to sell and make her homeless. Mac is just doing his job, inspecting the property for sale. But he finds himself drawn to this bleeding heart hippie woman and her adorable little girl. But when Shasa uses the information he gave her to put in a competitive bid, their attraction becomes complicated. Can either one win without losing each other in the process?
I loved the characters in this book! Strong, confident Shasa just trying to make things better for herself and her daughter, and Mac, rich guy arrogant on the outside but sensitive and loving. I love Audrey Hepburn movies, so the fact that they're auditioning for parts in Roman Holiday was really cool and inspired me to pop the dvd in and watch it again! After reading that scene I was picturing Shasa as Audrey. This is such a happy, feel-good story!
I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Little French Bridal Shop by Jennifer Dupee

Larisa has been fired from her job and broken up with her boyfriend Brent. With nothing left she travels to her Aunt's estate Elmhurst to renovate it to sell. With everything going wrong in her life, when she passes by a little bridal shop she wonders what could it hurt to pretend just for a while. But the shop owner, Larisa's former teacher, assumes she's getting married and spreads the news around town. Soon Larisa is lying to everyone about marriage plans...everyone except Jack, a friend from her childhood and caretaker of Elmhurst estate. How long can she keep up the charade before everything falls apart?
Although the main character Larisa does redeem herself in the end, the first half of the book just felt like I was reading about a spoiled child. Instead of facing or fixing her problems, she throws a temper tantrum or runs away and pretends everything's fine. I had a really hard time connecting with the characters in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Sandcastle Beach by Jenny Holiday

Maya came back to her hometown to follow her dream of opening a theater. But running a theater in a small town requires money, especially when the building is falling down around her ears. Renovations have eaten up all of her money and she is desperate to keep the doors open. So when the town is offering a grant to the most deserving business in town,  she's determined to get it.  But her rival for the grant is none other than arch-nemesis Ben "Law" Lawson who owns the bar across the street.  He did something years back that almost destroyed her career and her reputation and she's never been able to forgive him.  But she starts to look forward to the bickering banter every night in the bar after curtain call. Could their attraction be more than a mere inconvenience? 

I loved the easy banter and lighthearted teasing between these two. Told in dual perspectives, so you can see the feud from both sides,  the attraction seems so obvious from the outside...to the reader and especially the meddling townsfolk. This town sounds like a great place to visit, or stay to find a match of your own. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

A Child of My Own by Vanessa Carnevale

Isla and Lucy have been best friends since childhood. Now, in their married lives, they haven't spoken in almost ten years. After Lucy and Nate gave Isla and husband Ben the greatest gift of donor embryos and gave Isla the family she always wanted, Isla blocked them out and stopped communicating. Lucy and Nate never wanted children, both working demanding jobs requiring extensive travel. But when they finally slow down, they start to discuss starting a family. But then Nate is gone, and Lucy is left mourning her husband and what could have been. Can she ask her best friend to give up what she and Nate lovingly donated, to make both their dreams come true?
I loved this book! It was both heartbreaking and hopeful. But while Lucy and Nate seem truly wonderful, giving people, I really didn't like Isla. For her control of her daughter, the way she treats Lucy after receiving the best gift ever (despite what her mother did, Isla still comes off as spineless and selfish), and then for trying to be so selfish after Lucy's request. She and Ben just seemed to have a " why waste it?" attitude to the last embryo, but then she clings so tightly to it when her friend wants it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Duke is Wicked by Tracy Sumner

Delaney and her twin Chase are known for trouble across London. But when she breaks in to the League and tries to steal the chronology,  a history of the League and their abilities,  the Duke of Ashcroft, Sebastion must track her down and find out what she knows.  Delaney is being blackmailed to discover the league's secrets and when Sebastion finds her, she has a note with the name of an object he relies on with his very life. To protect her,  he brings her and Chase to his castle.

Oh my god,  to have a whole library in your head to fall back on when needed like Delaney.  I've always wanted an eidetic memory! And Sebastion,  despite his flaming gift,  is a sweet and sensitive man behind the fierce exterior.  I think I liked this book the best in the series! 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Rake is Taken by Tracy Sumner

Finn Alexander, bastard brother of Viscount Julian, leader of the League, is known around London as a rake. With his gift of mind reading, it's hard to hold a lasting relationship when he knows every thought in the woman's mind. But around Victoria, the voices go silent. She seems to be a block for everyone's powers around their community of magical misfits. And Finn is loving it, and falling in love with her. But is it just her ability to make the voices disappear that is so alluring or the mysterious lady herself?

I loved this continuation of the league's story. Finn was one of my favorite characters in the first book so I was excited to learn more about his life and abilities. Now on to the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Lady is Trouble by Tracy Sumner

After being rescued by her grandfather and taught to control his psychic abilities, Julian and Piper become friends in childhood. But a kiss on Piper's 19th birthday starts a lasting attraction that her grandfather warns against. Julian is warned that she's not for him. Though her healing gift helps him control his own ability, he's afraid of unknowingly destroying her in the process. He distances himself from her, but when dangerous people start searching her out to use her for her gift, he brings her to his community of outcasts like him to protect her. The closer they become, the more Piper is determined to keep him for her own and she has the perfect plan to tempt him.

I'm intrigued by this Victorian group of psychics who've come together in a community to help others like them. They all have unique gifts that they're trying to hide from society. A group started by Piper's grandfather and passed down to Julian as its leader, I at first thought that he might be a bad guy, but then saw how protective he was to everyone, especially Piper. He's willing to give up everything he wants in order to protect her. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksirens. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.