The Hero by Susan Stoker

Kendric "Bob" Evans has been restless every since he and his buddies got out of the military. While being tortured and imprisoned as POWs they made a pact to stick together and build their own company. But living in a small town in Maine doing tree service work just isn't exciting enough. He needs something more challenging to keep the nightmares away so he secretly takes on rescue missions without letting the rest of the guys know. When he sees Marlowe's soulful, hopeless eyes across the prison fence he knows he'll risk anything to save her. And as they endure many challenges on their way across the border, he grows to love her bravery and spirit. Will he be able to let her go once they're back safe in American soil?

I love that this heroic man finally got his HEA. He's been the most tortured brother of the group with his PTSD throughout the series. He deserves a woman as strong and brave as Marlowe who's just as protective of him. The part in between where they get back to America and the final showdown was a bit slow and repetitive, but overall I liked this book. 

Thanks to ..... through Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Brett Rivers is all work as a hotshot sports agent, always on the go, always reaching for the next promotion. At a party for one of his biggest clients, Clint Garrett the Chicago Stars winning quarterback, Brett decides to let of steam with one of the high end escorts at the party. She's different than the others... quirky, funny, and with her own sense of style and somehow it works for him. But when he returns to the party he realizes his horrible mistake. She's not an escort but his client's older sister, a mistake that could cost him his job. And now his client is missing, a woman has been murdered, and he's thrown together with Rory to try and find Clint.

Rory's life is going downhill with her failing business, the slap in the face of a $500 tip left on a dresser, and now her brother accused of murder. And now she's forced to spend time with a man she hates but is still drawn to in order to clear her brother's name.  

These two are total opposites and the bickering at the beginning was funny. I enjoyed seeing Rory build her business from nothing and Brett finally stepping back from his business and stepping up for Rory. The added mystery in this book was something new for the series and added a bit of suspense. I love the bright attractive cover which caught me eye in the first place. I've read the first couple books in this series but didn't feel like I was missing anything skipping to this book #10. It can totally be read as a standalone. 

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

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

On one winter day in New York, a favorite customer leaves Cassie Andrews a book with the inscription that it's the Book of Doors and that any door is every door. Thus begins an amazing adventure unlike anything she could imagine, taking her around the world, meeting new friends, and introducing her to an evil worse than anything she could ever have imagined.

In the acknowledgements, the author mentions that someone told him "more wonder!, put more wonder in it! where's the sense of wonder?". This debut author definitely found the wonder! I thought this book was magical, unique, and exciting... unlike anything I've read before. It's a wonderful book about books that you won't be able to put down.

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

The Women by Kristin Hannah

With each new historical fiction novel she writes, I love Kristin Hannah even more! And this book was by far my favorite. If I could give this book ten stars I would! The story put me through the emotional wringer: from the gruesome wounds and lost soldiers Frankie saw as a nurse in the operating tents in Vietnam, often under attack herself, then the shocking reality of coming home to a changed America where the returning soldiers are blamed and even hated for a war they never wanted. Her struggles with PTSD were heartbreaking and hard to read. I thought the story was well researched and beautifully written, most of the story sad and heartbreaking but leaving the reader with a sense of hope at the end. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle

The best way I can think of to describe this book is just fun. From the cute cover to the small town setting, the dynamic characters, the flirty banter...I just loved this book! Who knew a character named Winston would be so hot?! Yet the contrast of his huge, untalkative, yet cinnamon roll only with her personality and Dahlia's chatty, citified, and totally out of her element in nature character went together perfectly. He's so protective of her and shocked that she understands him so well when everyone else seems to avoid him. They're supposed to be on a rescue mission to find her sister, but most of the trip just seems like a fun trek into the wilderness with an expert guide and lots of tension and spice until the action at the end. I'm looking forward to more fun adventures by this author.

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