Ruthless Rival by L.J. Shen

As the housekeeper's son, Nicolai is warned not to touch anything in the Roth house,  especially their only daughter Arya. He first met her when they were 12 and she was unlike anything he expected. They become friends and spend every day together that summer and the next.  But then the summer they both turned 14, Arya's father catches them at their first kiss. The next thing Nicolai knows he in an all male boarding school,  black and blue,  and never sees his mother again. 

Years later,  he has opportunity at revenge when a court case comes up against Conrad Roth and his PR consultant is none other than daughter Arya. He's changed his name and his image and it HAS been 18 years,  but Christian still can't believe she doesn't recognize him.  Did he mean that little to her? As the case moves on, his feelings move from thoughts of revenge to how to keep her in his life. 

I love how these two lost kids from terrible homes found each other and became best friends.  And they're so IT for each other that neither one found any lasting relationship in all the years between. How Christian waited for her every day...<swoon>! But I did feel like shaking him when,  after finding out what she really thought happened to him,  he didn't tell the truth that he was Nicolai! I'm so excited that this is part of a series. Nicolai's friends, especially Riggs, are fascinating characters and I can't wait to read their stories!

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Unknown Beloved by Amy Harmon

Chicago 1923: Tortured by the loss of his two children and estrangement of his wife,  young policeman Michael Malone is ready to end his life.  Just one more case and that'll be that.  But when he meets 10-year-old Dani Flanagan, orphaned on the eve of her birthday in a case ruled a murder/suicide that Michael knows is so much more, he escorts her to live with her aunts and she gives him hope and purpose.  He joins Eliot Ness as one of the Untouchables, taking down Al Capone.

Cleveland 15 years later: Eliot Ness is now the Director of Safety in Cleveland, where the Torso murders are continuing to terrorize the poor neighborhoods.  The community is on edge the longer the case goes on and refuse to talk to the police so they decide to bring in cops from other areas to investigate undercover. Michael is set up in a local boarding house and he's shocked to discover that his innkeeper is none other than Dani. She discovers the real reason he's in Cleveland and is determined to use her gift to help him solve the case. But the closer they get to identifying the Butcher, the more it puts Dani in danger of becoming his next victim.

This book is based on real people and the true crime case of the Torso murders. The author did an excellent job of setting the scene of the city and time period,  I could almost see the story like a black and white movie playing in my head.  Dani's gift helped her with her job in the morgue, giving the indigent dead respect and a proper memorial. I really found her gift and the way she used it for good to be fascinating.  Rough, jaded, and cynical Michael Malone was fascinating to me too,  feeling he didn't deserve happiness,  dedicated to his job.  I'm glad he finally accepted a happy ending. This was definitely a five star read for me. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

When Gabe Parker is cast as the next Bond, the public isn't happy. Chani, a journalist assigned puff pieces her whole career,  is hired to write a profile on him.  Gabe has been her celebrity crush,  but she knows this could make her career. Given unprecedented access,  she visits his home and they immediately hit it off, kicking off a weekend of friendship and parties.  Her article is a smashing success,  launching her career,  but everyone still asks if she slept with him,  even as she denies it. Female journalists always do it to get the story,  right? Chani had hoped there might be something there between them,  but it must have been just his acting charm,  since he ran to Vegas to marry his costar shortly after. Now, ten years later,  Gabe's staff want to recreate that weekend and have her write another article. Ten years seems a lifetime,  yet no time at all,  as all those feelings come flooding back. Can she trust that he feels the same,  or is he really that good of an actor?

This book is written in alternating chapters between the past and present,  with some articles and interviews in between.  I could see Gabe's struggle with his addiction in the beginning,  but his down-to-earth boy-next-door  personality was surprising,  especially to Chani. She was young,  naive, and honestly a bit dim witted in the beginning,  but after ten years and a divorce,  she's jaded and not so easily won over by Gabe's charm.  In glad the two finally found their HEA.

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

A Family Affair by Robyn Carr

Just when Anna McNichol's life is running smooth, her husband dies unexpectedly. After a life spent supporting him emotionally,  now she's left floundering herself. But she needs to be strong for her children and her ailing mother, who's disappearing more daily into her dementia. Adding to her stress is the mysterious pregnant woman at Chad's funeral.  Did he cheat again,  and is the baby his? And all of her children are struggling with their grief in different ways and in need of her advice.  She really needs some support and finds it in an unexpected source.

This book is so heartfelt and real.  Families are dramatic and messy,  and this family is no exception. Each of them is dealing with their own life-changing problems,  but they come together over their grief to heal and forgive,  and it actually brings them closer. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead

This book caught me from the first scene that has Lee Stone doing the morning after walk of shame through Disney World wearing a Belle costume after sleeping with a groomsman in a Disney themed wedding. After several heartbreaks in her life, Lee doesn't believe in love. So when she thinks her college boyfriend is cheating on her, she decides to get him back in the worst way by sleeping with his rival in the law program. She discovers her mistake later but it's too late and Ben is gone.

Five years later, Lee is working for a female founded and run electric vehicle company. She is ready to push forward their plan, dubbed the "green machine", to make Texas the first and largest clean energy state. But then she finds out the governor's aide she'll be working with is none other than Ben. She has to deal with her past or her dream career could go up in smoke. 

While I could see where Lee was coming from after her past relationships, I still couldn't agree with her anger and justification for what she'd done. I spent most of the book frustrated at her character and wondering why Ben even put up with her. He was definitely the best part of the book. Even when she lets him down over and over, he's always there for her when she really needs him. We all need a Ben in our lives! I like the green theme throughout the book: clean energy against big oil. And recognition for the female entrepreneurs and politicians fighting back against a male dominated government. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Love & Tequila Make Her Crazy by Brittanee Nicole

Nate and Amelia were always together, even as children. Nate was her protector, she was his cheerleader, bringing him back after his father's tragic death. Through her college years, supporting him while he tried to make it in Nashville. They were always meant to be together, but after another tragedy, the grieving and heartbreak cause a misunderstanding they just can't get over. Now, it's three years later, Amelia is finally starting to get over Nate and start dating again when he comes back, tattooed and hotter than ever, trying to win her back. But the problems that caused their breakup don't just magically go away…

I loved Amelia and Nate. The emotions in this book are just so real and heartbreaking. Nate's character, even with his flaws, just made me melt inside. And Amelia, fiery and feisty, was his perfect match, though she always seems to jump to the wrong conclusions. And what woman can eat that much emotional chocolate and keep her figure?! Only in fiction! Great best friend second chance romance! It can be read as a standalone, but the whole series is good.

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

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams

This book starts with what should be the happiest day of Annie's life, but she ends up heartbroken and alone when her fiance Alexander texts the wedding planner that he's not coming. Leaving Annie with no explanation, no apology, and no contact for weeks. The only stress outlet that seems to work is exercise, so Annie joins a gym, where she runs into a former friend from summer drama camp days as teens. Patrick is just a happy cheerful guy that bring laughter back to her day. She enjoys hanging out with him so when her former in-laws offer the honeymoon to to Australia to her and a friend, she decides to bring Patrick. As they spend time together, her attraction for him grows. But is it too soon to start a new relationship? Is it just the romantic atmosphere of their trip, or can they make things work at home with the complications of work and family?
I enjoyed this fun getaway. I love the way Annie learns to stand up for herself and go after what she really wants instead of living her life making everyone else happy. And Patrick... he's just a wonderful, supportive, and happy man that deserves a happily ever after.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the free advanced reader copy of this book. My review is given voluntarily.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is the typical LA socialite, living off her step-dad's fortune and partying like a spoiled rich girl. When she ends up getting arrested, of course, her family bails her out. Her only punishment... to spend three months in the small town of Westport, running her late father's bar. He was a crab fisherman tragically lost in the Bering sea. From her arrival, the locals make it obvious that she doesn't belong there, none more than Brendan Taggert. It's impossible to avoid each other in this small town, but how can they give in to their attraction when she's not staying and he's in it for the long haul?
Picture Paris Hilton on deck with the crew of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch and you'll get this laugh-out-loud rom-com. I just wanted to roll my eyes in disgust at her airheaded vanity at the beginning of the book, so I was really glad that got toned down when she was forced into"real life". I never really grew to like her character at all, but Brendan totally made up for it. Who wouldn't love a brooding, gruff, hot fisherman?! I stayed up way too late to finish this book!
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. My review is given voluntarily.

City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston

In this latest installment in the Found Things series, the story picks up where we left off with Xanthe desperately searching for an item that will return her to Victorian England, where her boyfriend Liam was left behind. Mistress Flyte, who Xanthe trusted as a friend, snatched him away from her in the last book when Xanthe was time spinning them home. Then she finds three items at the same sale... but if she chooses incorrectly, she could waste precious time away from Liam's rescue. She finally arrives in the correct time only to discover that Lydia Flyte was using Liam as bait for the Visionary Society, a group of spinners that use their gifts for evil purposes that could change the course of the future. Xanthe and her friends, both old and new, must fight to stop this ruthless group.
I love this whole series, so I was really excited to get chance to read it now as an ARC through NetGalley! Each book makes me more excited for the next, and this one didn't disappoint. Liam just makes an excellent match for Xanthe, putting his own life in the line to help her. I'm so excited that she brought Elizabeth, her main character from the Witch's Daughter series, into this book. I look forward to even more exciting things to come.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book surprised me in that it is unlike the creepy gothic ghostly books this author has written before. This reads more like a romance novel with a mysterious handsome hero. There were so many mentions of Bradbury's The Illustrated Man, which is the nickname they've given Dominic, the main male character, that I had to put this book down and read Bradbury first. It's not necessary as the author provides a brief description of the classic, but I'm glad I read Bradbury for a deeper understanding of the plot. I was really enjoying the book and the relationship between Brynn and Dominic, but as I closer and closer to the end of the book I still had so many questions. Where does the Haunting come in, what's up with Alice, and room#5, etc? Then, bam, a plot twist that explains everything! 

While I do prefer the author's more creepy books, this one was still enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and of course Wendy Webb for the opportunity to read and review this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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