The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye

From the blurb:

When Helene was young, she dreamed of the perfect man and filled her notebooks with stories about him and about love in its purest form. But after a messy divorce, she has let go of such naive fantasies. She has moved to a small town in Alaska, where she is ready to write her novel and build a new life without romance. Fate has other plans, though.

Helene soon meets Sebastien Montague, a handsome fisherman who is her invented hero made flesh, down to the most idiosyncratic details. But how can a man she created possibly exist in the real world?

While Helene tries to discover the truth behind his existence, Sebastien is determined to keep that truth from her, for he is a man scarred by serial tragedy, hiding a secret that has broken his heart time and again. Yet the shadows of the past emerge, endangering Helene and Sebastien's future before it even begins--and it becomes clear that it won't be easy to forge a new ending to the greatest love story of all time.

I cannot recommend this book enough, I absolutely loved it!! Throughout the story, I felt this hovering sense of looming tragedy, but yet there was also so much hope, especially with Helene's eternal optimism. I like how the couple's history throughout time was woven into the present story, both from Helene's stories and Sebastian's journals and memories. This is my first book by this author, but I definitely want to read more!

Dealbreakers by Lauren Forsythe

After fifteen years together with her high school sweetheart, Marina wants to start a family and her boyfriend tells her he's not interested in having kids. Now she's living in her newlywed best friend's couch and navigating the online dating world. She has a list to find the perfect guy, but she feels like she's running out of time. As a coder, she's able to create an app that pulls ratings and comments from all the dating sites to better weed out guys with dealbreakers. Then Irish freelance content writer Lucas Kennedy shows up in her office, competing for the promotion Marina was set on getting. When their bosses assign them a task of testing out dating locations, Marina plugs him into her dating app to see what she'll be working with and is shocked to see that he's the worst rated date on the app. They've always clashed even over email, but as they argue their way through the fake dates, Marina realizes that she's having more fun with a guy that seems so wrong for her than the perfect guys her app keeps setting her up with. Could Lucas actually be her Mr Right or is she just wasting her time?

This was a cute and fun enemies to lovers, fake dating office romance with a fast pace, lots of flirting and humor and moderate spice. I loved all the fun dating locations they tried out, especially the see throwing! These two were definitely an opposites attract couple. 

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

Out of Nowhere by Sandra Brown

Elle Porter is visiting the fair with friends and her two-year-old son Charlie. After a day of fun and a fussy toddler, Elle is headed for the crowded entrance to go home when gunfire breaks out. In the panic, she loses her hold on the stroller. Calder Hudson is ready to return home and celebrate a work win with his live-in girlfriend, a reporter for the local news. Instead he's forced to meet her at the fair. He's just entering the park when he hears gunfire. He urges everyone to get down, but then he sees a runaway stroller and in trying to save the child he's shot. Suffering from survivor's guilt, he kind the therapy group and meets Elle. He strangely drawn to her, but how could anything happen between them after they met under such tragic circumstances?

I've been a big fan of Sandra Brown for a long time and I loved this book after the initial heartbreaking start. It's full of action, drama, surprises and a little bit of romance. 

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

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

When Aida Gallo and her brothers crashed the party of a rich socialite, she never expected what happened next to alter the course of her life. Callum Griffin, heir to Chicago's Irish mafia and up-and-coming politician, first meets Aida when she sets fire to his family home and throws a priceless family heirloom into Lake Michigan. All he wants is revenge, but the next thing he knows he's being forced into an arranged marriage with the unpredictable menace. They're like oil and water, yet explosive in the bedroom. Can this marriage truly last or will the til death do us part come true?

I loved reading all the ways these two tortured each other at the beginning. It was hilarious not knowing what they'd do next. And the spice...whew, it about set my Kindle on fire, lol! It was great seeing how Aida's fiery temper set off cold and unemotional Callum. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

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

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

Yet again, Darcy Coates proves why she's one of my favorite horror authors with this new claustrophobic "locked room" style thriller that sent shivers down my spine in the middle of summer. Seriously...I expected to see a blizzard outside when I could pull my nose out of my book!!

Christa never expected to feel so close to Kiernan after only months, but when he invites her on an exclusive trip to a lodge in the Rocky Mountains, she fully expects him to propose. But things start to go wrong before they even reach the lodge when a tree falls across the road and the snow is falling heavy. While their tour group is busy clearing the way, Kiernan leads her off exploring and they lose their way, becoming separated when Christa falls from a cliff. Injured and freezing, she stumbles through the storm until she finds the small abandoned hunting cabin where the rest of the group are also sheltering. When they wake the next morning, their tour guide is dead, his severed head impaled on a tree outside. With the storm raging outside and a group of complete strangers inside, one of them a killer, Christa can trust no one. There is no escape and the killer is far from done...

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

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber

Joan Sample lost her husband four years ago and has been lost and depressed since. The pandemic allowed her to isolate herself from everything she knew, becoming a virtual hermit. Her family has been kindly urging her toward therapy, and her two sons are at a loss on what to do. When a letter from her HOA arrives threatening a fine for the horrible state of her yard, it becomes a wake up call. Joan always took great pride in her lawn and plants and it makes her realize just how much in her life she's let go. She starts to turn things around with a call to a lawn maintenance company, getting a haircut, and taking on a boarder. Suddenly there's hope of a new life, new friends, and possibly a new love. 

I love the message of hope in this book and the loving support of new friends and her family to bring her back to life. This author's approach toward grief and healing was like a sunbeam breaking through a cloudy day.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

I struggled with how to review this book without giving everything away only to realize that just like Sadie's "face blindness", the story should be approached with "plot blindness". I've read books about this disorder before but this book really made me feel the frustration and emotions that the character feels. I thought this story was truly unique and the writing is amazing.I highly recommend this book!

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

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

Dean Asher has been Cora's nemesis since her first day in a new school when he put the class tarantula in her gym shoe. She's hated him ever since, made even worse because she's been forced to tolerate him for fifteen years as her sister's boyfriend, now fiance. But he's her last resort for help when's she been out drinking and her purse is stolen. Then they're both abducted, locked in a basement for three weeks and forced to do unspeakable things. He becomes her comfort, her safety, and finally her savior when they finally escape. It's a long road to healing and things will never be the same. 

This story was raw and real, and sometimes hard to read. But the wonderful HEA was worth the struggle. They were each strong for each other and their relationship was a beautiful thing even through the rough patches of healing. I started out feeling sorry for Cora's sister Amanda, but her whole attitude after their trauma was so off-putting. When she says to Dean that it was "only" three weeks, it made me want to scream. I felt like the writing accurately portrayed the emotions and actions of these trauma victims after their survival. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. 

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

Famine by Laura Thalassa

Five years ago when she finds him torn apart, she showed him kindness and saved him, even knowing what he was. And for that he let her live. But everything else was taken from her and she's forced into life in a brothel. When Famine reappears in her life and she survives death at the hands of his men, he only recognizes her after she's holding a knife to his throat, vowing revenge. She can't stand watching humanity die at the hands of this brutal man, but he refuses to let her go. And the longer she rides with him, the more she can see things from his side, and the more she drawn to him. And when Famine is ready to give up his mission for her he's faced with an impossible choice by none other than Death himself, his brother. 

Famine is the most complicated horseman so far and I think my favorite. I love the way he treated Ana right from the start and their banter was hilarious. The tie-in with Death at the end has me anxious to start the next book. I've loved the rest of the series so far!

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

Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley

This book is about two lifelong friends, both at low points in their lives, going in together to own and run a bookshop, a place of comfort and good memories. In pulling together they build a stronger friendship, strong relationships with their daughters, and even open their hearts back up to romance and second chances. This was a cheerful summer read, perfect for the beach, full of hope and romance. I love books about bookshops and this fun summery cover pulled me in.  

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

Grayson's Vow by Mia Sheridan

Kira Dallaire is desperate to escape her manipulative father's clutches, but she's down to very little money and can't access the inheritance her grandmother left her for eight more years... unless she's married. When she overhears Grayson Hawthorn getting denied for a loan to revive his family vineyard, she proposes a plan, literally. Marry her for a year and receive half the money. But she never imagined how much they would clash, or how those sparks would ignite feelings far deeper than she's ever felt.  

Grayson spent his whole life feeling unworthy, so when his father left him the vineyard he vowed to bring it back to life. But that requires money and as a convicted felon, he'll never get a loan. When Kira proposes, he's suspicious of her motivations and her presence in his life causes disruption and chaos. But soon he's drawn to her sunny personality but afraid to admit his true feelings. And when a long buried secret comes to light, it will make him question everything. 

I love how these two broken souls came together. Kira had every reason to give up, but chose to stay positive while Grayson just felt unworthy of love and afraid to trust. It was interesting to see the development of his character and how Kira taught him to build new memories over the awful ones in his past. 

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

And Then There Was You by Nancy Naigle

Two years after her husband died, Natalie Maynard fell hard and fast for a new man. Marc was perfect, sweet to her, generous with his gifts, and great at financial planning. They even bought a house together. But after a two week vacation, Natalie returns home to find all of her possessions gone and her boyfriend missing. Randy Fellowes is the investigator on the case and explains that she fell for a con artist. The only thing she still owns is a fishing cabin in a small town where she retreats to lick her wounds. As she starts to learn more and fall in love with the town and its residents, she starts to heal. But the more time she spends with Randy, she starts to fall for him. With everything she's been through, can she trust herself with another man?

This was a sweet heartwarming romance good for lovers of Christian fiction. 

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