The Oxford Guide To Scandal And Lies by Kate Westbury

Ginevra Bishop and Sidney Braithwaite are students at Oxford in 1951 when they're approached by MI5 to become spies searching for a suspected Soviet spy at the university. Their own agent was poisoned so the agency wants the pair of students to pick up investigating where their agents left off. From the first, the pair clash with Gin jumping right in, eager to solve the case, while Sid is more cautious and reluctant. But while being total opposites, their attraction grows while the danger their ink gets deeper. Will they find the suspect before he finds them?

This was a decent cozy mystery, not enough action to be called a thriller, but the clues fall in place slowly like puzzle pieces, forming a satisfying end. The romance was just enough not to overwhelm the mystery angle of the story. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to see where this pair go from here.

A Field Beyond Notions by Atria J Merian

The scythe meets its match in a paranormal tale of mutual obsession.

Humans think I’m a psychopath. I don’t think about them at all.

My routines keep me in check. Seven days for a prisoner.

Feed off their fear. Dispose. Paperwork. Repeat.

But ever since Rosario had stepped into my office for an interview to be my operations manager, I’ve been lovestruck. For the first time in centuries.

I watch her sleep. I plan our life together. I hear the bells toll.

She may be trying to outrun her past, but she will never outrun her future. Till death do us part is a wonderful notion.
Especially since I have no intention of ever dying.

My review:

This story was unique, dark, and super spicy. I enjoyed reading the story from both perspectives, seeing Rosario eventually melt for his sweet and loving nature under the brutal guise of the Executioner. His attempts at romance at first were hilariously rough, but seeing how he was pining from his perspective won me over. With a great cast of secondary characters and some unique world building, this story deserves a sequel.

ARC provided via Pen Pinery

https://penpinery.com

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

I love this author for her twisty shocking thrillers and especially the chilling fact that this could have happened in real life! Told in alternating chapters from the missing girl, Reese, in the days before, and Courtney, Reese's aunt, after the unaliving when she's desperately trying to find Reese while suspicious of all the side characters in the story. As with every mystery, I knew that the most obvious suspect would be a red herring, but there were sooo many suspicious characters, all with secrets of their own! I never knew what was going to happen until the final twist.

The Improbable Meet Cute: Second Chances Collection

Six original short stories by popular authors brought together in this Amazon Originals Improbable Meet Cute Second Chances Collection. Most were fun and flirty fade to black romance with the last two heating things up with a little spice. I loved this collection and highly recommend a the perfect gift to yourself for Valentine's day.

Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren

After her last job, Veronica is done working with tech bros. When she accidentally enters a zoom meeting full of them instead of her latest job interview, she gives them full honesty about their horrible presentation. She should know as a marketing professional. She's shocked to discover a job offer waiting for her from the zoom meeting she crashed and even more surprised by the way she clicks with the new CEO over email. If only she wasn't so attracted to her new mysterious neighbor...

Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young

Georgia receives a letter from her grandmother after her passing that tells of a love she had when she was young and the location of a time capsule. But to open the box, she contacts the lost love's grandson Callum. From the first, he's flirty and they have a lot in common. They continue communicating while making plans to meet up in England and prove that soulmates can be found even across oceans.

Second Act Romance by Julie Soto

Two actors reconnect after eight years on the set of Oklahoma after a majority of the cast get food poisoning. And they're just as starstruck now as they were then. 

The novella was full of the action of a backstage theater production with just a little romance. The book was so short I was wishing for so much more. I was loving Bex and CJ together!

A Play for Love Trilina Pucci

They had an amazing stage kiss during a college acting class years ago. Now, on the day before she leaves New York for LA, Rory and Oliver unexpectedly meet again. One crazy day of touring the sights she never got to see with him followed by an unforgettable night and she's gone again, but this time he has her number. And he's determined not to let her go again. 

I absolutely loved this sweet story, New York at Valentine's, and both of these lovable characters. It was short and sweet closed door romance at its best. 

Death to Valentine's Day by Catherine Cowles

This little novella has a little bit of everything packed into so few pages. Revenge on the ex for Maia, yearning from Decker who has loved her in secret for so long, a little murder mystery, a one bed trope, and even a spicy scene. I honestly needed more Deck!

Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen

It was fun, suspenseful, dark, shocking, and full of the spice this author is known for. Told from the perspective of Noah, the hot gravedigger, who gets the shock of his life when he has to rescue his high school crush from the freshly dug grave. And hearing the scheming and betrayal behind her being buried alive has them both seeking revenge.

The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts

When Sonya Mactavish inherited Lost Bride Manor in book 1 Inheritance, she was at first terrified by the odd things happening there such as finding outfits laid out for her, cupboards randomly opening, and music randomly playing. But visions of the women that lived there before and a magic mirror that compels her to step into the past make her realize that most of the ghosts are welcoming and only want her assistance to break the curse put on the house by an evil woman whose spirit still lives there. Now in the final book of the series, she's settled into life at the manor along with her best friend Cleo. Her cousin Owen and boyfriend Trey, the lawyer who handled the estate, are there helping her bring the manor back to is former glory one room at a time, stamping her ownership and fighting against the malevolent spirit who's only become stronger over time. The only way to break the curse is to take back the seven rings, but can they do it without becoming a ghostly addition to the manor themselves?

I've been a big fan of Nora Roberts for years and I loved these books. Getting to know each of the brides and their stories, descriptions of the way they brought the house back to its former glory, the relationship between the four main characters, even the welcoming ghosts and the loving way they care for Sonya... it all just clicked for me. In my honest opinion, the trilogy could have been reduced to a duology as the middle of the book became a bit repetitive, but the shocking and exciting ending was well worth it. 

Willing Prey by Allie Oleander

After a messy divorce from her cheating ex, Claire jumps at the chance to pay off her student loans. Her teacher salary and the little she makes as a waitress hardly make a dent, so $30,000 for 30 days seems like easy money. But Shane is nothing like she expected. Sure, in the woods he's the wild hunter, but at home he's socially awkward and even a bit shy and she'll try anything to see him smile. When the contract is up, will she be able to let him go?

This book is definitely dark and spicy, as expected, but I loved seeing the heart and emotions behind the characters as we get to read from both points of view. Shane's chapters especially had me seeing him not as a heartless control freak, but as a lonely man taught to suppress his emotions. The banter between the two was fun to read and the story was fast paced with a lot of action. And OMG... the bear scene!!! I about died laughing. I'm so excited for the sequel now!!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and the author Allie Oleander for my ARC of this book. I was so excited to receive my copy!

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham

It's been 22 years since Claire lost her sister Natalie when she was 11. She has since become an investigative journalist but never got over the trauma, especially since Natalie's body was never found. After losing her job, she gets a call from her father to return home to care for her estranged mother, but her mother doesn't want her help. Left adrift with nothing to do, Claire starts going through old pictures and visiting old memories, like the Galloway Farm, the last place Natalie was truly happy. While there, Claire's offered a job and shortly after starting, she finds the owner's old diary and her curiosity won't let it go. The further she reads the more secrets she discovers and she starts to suspect she may finally find the truth.

This is a slow burn thriller with clues sprinkled throughout, some more obvious than others. I enjoyed the southern vibes and the tense atmosphere. This author writes a slower paced thriller than assume, but I speciation her writing style. I look forward to her next. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I Become Her by Joe Hart

It's only been ten days into their honeymoon cruise and Imogen suspects Lev of infidelity. And somehow during the argument that follows Lev goes overboard. It's a miracle he's found alive... an even bigger miracle he doesn't remember what happened that night. After they return home however, she's paranoid that he remembers more than he lets on and she realizes she never knew her husband at all.

Wow! This is even better than Or Else and I loved that book. There are so many twists in this book, told from different perspectives and timelines, and I never completely knew what was going on until the shocking end.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher

I received an audiobook arc of this book and the narrator did a wonderful job of making the story come to life. This is a retelling of the classic Snow White fairytale, but through the eyes of a side character and it's a whole new story. Anja is a plant witch that tries out poisons on herself to try and help people. When the king asks her for help to save his daughter Snow, Anja can't figure out why she's so sick... until she goes through a magic mirror into another world. With fascinating, awkwardly realistic characters (including a talking cat that steals the show), awesome world building, and fast pacing, this book is a must-read for fantasy lovers. Oddly enough, this is my first book by this author and now I'm excited to pick up another. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer

Charlie and Ethan have been best friends since childhood and after graduation, Ethan wants nothing more than to leave their small town to travel and sing his music. Charlie grew up moving town to town chasing her father's photography career. She wants to settle down in her own home with a stable career and a reliable husband. Now after her bitter divorce is final, Charlie is convinced she needs to keep her sister from making the same mistake by marrying her on-again-off-again boyfriend. She and Ethan drive cross country in his camper van to catch Laurel before she elopes. But being this close to Ethan may have her changing her own priorities. 

I got so frustrated with Charlie, so convinced she's right that she won't even try a different way. The timeline jumps from past to present to show their friendship through the years, which I absolutely loved. Ethan was so obviously smitten from the start, afraid to get his heart broken again and willing to take whatever Charlie will give. Their third act breakup was hard to read and Ethan deserved so much more groveling! Overall I liked this road trip friends to lovers story. 

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.

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe

This story is told in dual timelines from the perspective of Eliza Rivers as a young girl in the 1900s and as an old woman trying to preserve her estate and pass it to someone deserving. The land is described beautifully showing Eliza's love for her home and her character really came alive for me... such a strong fmc! I read this a couple days ago and it's still on my mind! I can't wait for the sequel!

I Will Blossom Anyway by Disha Bose

This is a coming of age story about Durga, first in her controlling her loving Indian family to leave home and enjoy freedom for the first time. She finds love and friendship in Ireland but then everything falls apart. She must learn confidence and acceptance after the grief to live a life she never expected. 

Since the story begins with her breakup, much of the story is kind of sad and the pacing a bit slow, but the ending was wonderful and worth the read. This is my first book by this author and I thought it was pretty good. 

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

Older by Jennifer Hartmann

Halley grew up in an abusive, loveless home and is just longng for a connection. Which is why when she meets a much older man at a party and they hit it off, she lies about her age. Then she finds out that man, Reed, is her best friend's dad. Tara and her mom Whitney took Halley in after a bad incident at home sent her to the hospital and have become her found family. Reed is determined she's too young but can't seem to stay away and Halley knows nothing can ever happen between them without destroying her friendship.

This is a slow burn, age gap, angsty romance. This author is great at portraying all the emotions of this taboo, seemingly hopeless relationship. I wish there'd been more of the story after they were together, but I really enjoyed the epilogue.

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