Frozen Hearts by Ellie Hartwood

From Goodreads:

Jo’s an uptight New York transplant.

Jared’s a mountain man with a clingy husky named Petunia.

He’s fire; she’s ice.

When life forces them back together, old rivalries flare. Will Jo and Jared ignite a spontaneous combustion . . . or will love finally thaw their Frozen Hearts?

My Take:

This is a fun little romance set in Alaska. I love destination stories, and having been to Sitka a couple of years back, I could really settle into this one. 

The characters were interesting and the story well written. I enjoyed it, but I thought the "thing" that Jared did when they were teens was going to be way worse than it was. It was hinted at for so long and built up to the point that when it came out it was a bit of a let down. Not bad, but not as satisfying as I expected. In fact, it made Jo seem really petty and immature about the whole thing after so many years. I did appreciate that after the truth came out, Jo immediately felt better/forgave Jared.

At the end, our couple is separated for a time while Jo tries to work things out. She completely ghosts Jared, her aunt, and her best friends in Sitka for several months only to reappear at the end and all it mended. It worked, but I wanted a little more. 

Anyway, the book was nice, well-written, and cute. I give Frozen Hearts 3.75 stars and a Clean rating

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Healing Hearts by Samantha Thomas

From Goodreads: Alex Mason is heading to the mountains to sell the family ski resort she inherited from her estranged father. Sell to developers and forget the pain of her past. She was not expecting to face those memories or her very first crush, Olympic skier, Bohdi Vonn.

Bohdi Vonn was the country’s darling. Medalled Olympian and endorsements that provided a life of comfort. He only wants to spend his days running the T-Bar Pub and rebuilding his life at Talisman Mountain.

When the news the resort will be sold to unscrupulous developers surfaces, Bohdi swears he will do anything to stop it. He just wasn't prepared to go to battle with the determined and beautiful Alex Mason. His best friends sister is all grown up, stunning and still hasn’t forgiven him for her brother’s death on the hill years ago.

Knowing he has only one chance to save Talisman, Bohdi sets out on a mission to show Alex the true value of the mountain, forgiveness and his heart.

My Take: 

There was a lot to like about Alex and Bohdi. They felt instant chemistry at their first "reunion" meeting when they didn't know who they were talking to, then things went down hill. Both characters had a lot of issues to deal with surrounding the pain from the past. Alex is stubborn and unwilling to talk about it--a real pro at hiding from her own emotions. Bohdi seems more willing, but he's also a bit clueless. 

These characteristics didn't make them unlikeable, just real. For the most part, I enjoyed the story. There were places where I wished the author had digged a little deeper, given us just a little more than we got. I'm not sure how though. The book just felt like it was brushing the surface and was over too soon. Alex is adamant that she isn't going to give in to Bohdi because it's too late, then they're together and the book is over. It felt like a lot of steps in the relationship were skipped even though they made out in the hot tub. I wanted the deeper emotional connection, not the physical one to take center stage for more of the story. 

I give Healing Hearts by Samantha Thomas a 3.75 rounded to a 4 and a PG to PG-13 rating. The book is technically clean, but the characters are physically aware of each other and want things. There is also the hot tub scene but no smex. I received this book in exchange for an honest review. 

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Northern Escape by Tonya Burrows

From Goodreads:

She internalized her physical scars. His emotional walls keep him safe. Will a rescue mission in icy terrain melt their guarded hearts?

Brielle Ives prefers dogs to people, and who could blame her? Her sled dogs are loyal to a fault, trust her implicitly, and couldn’t care less about the scars that mar her face. The only human who’s never disappointed her is her mentor, Dr. William Hunter. When his plane goes missing in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Bree will do anything to find him... even if it means turning to a frustrating, irresponsible, and too-sexy-for-his-own-good California boy for help.

When Ellis Hunter enlisted in the Army at eighteen, he put Alaska — and his womanizing drunk of a father — in his rearview mirror. He promised himself he’d never return, but even he can’t resist Bree’s panicked plea for help. If she’s hell-bent on trekking into the bush to find his father, then he's determined to go with her. But Ellis isn’t the only one shadowing Bree’s rescue attempt…

When the search for answers leaves Ellis and Bree trapped together in the wilds of Alaska, they’ll have to put aside their differences — and an attraction hot enough to melt glaciers — to survive the elements. Because someone dangerous lurks in that icy wilderness... a killer desperate to keep Dr. William Hunter's secrets buried deep in the snow.

My Take:

This book turned out to be good. However, I almost quit in the first chapter, in the first few minutes. The language is crude swearing right after another and the situation Ellis is in does not make him a likable character. I actually stopped the audiobook and wondered why I downloaded it. After rereading the blurb I decided to give it one more chapter. It started getting better with Brie, and by the end I liked Ellis as well. I understand WHY that first chapter is there, but I wish the author had found a different way to show contrast between Brie (scarred but beautiful inside) and the women Ellis usually spends time with (beautiful but ugly inside). And personally, I didn't want to read about a man who shows up to the second day of work willing to jump into bed with a married stranger just because of her beauty.

So, for my followers who don't like strong language or sex scenes--This one is not for you.

For those who don't care about that--the mystery and suspense was really good. The story (after chapter 1) was good. There were many spots throughout the book where the author switched verb tenses. It was annoying, but not enough to decide I didn't care about the story. Brie was a great character, strong, smart, sometimes stubborn to the point of being stupid. Ellis improved over time as he recognized how amazing Brie was.

The mystery of who the bad guy was good as well. At one point I was pretty sure who it was, then the author did a great job of making me question that. Since this is a series, you have more questions at the end of this book than you do at the beginning. Be prepared for that. There is a HEA for our couple though. And, even with the language, I'm tempted to pick up book two for the mystery side. :D

The narrator did a great job. I completely forgot I was listening to a book. This is the highest compliment I can give a narrator. I don't want to be read to, I want to experience the story and I felt like I did.

I went back and forth on my book rating because I don't like reading the f-bomb over and over, and the verb tense switches could have easily been fixed with a good edit. Just personal preference, but in the end, I took that out of the equation and give the story something between a 3.5 and a 4 with a R rating.

Narration gets a 5 (I really do need a scale for them)

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Misty Dreams by Josephine Strand

From Goodreads:

As a child, she filled his void. As a woman, she completed him. Clare has lived on St. Isabel Island all her life, except for a few months she can’t recall. A traumatic childhood experience has left a blank spot in her memory and a lingering feeling of having lost more than just a small, painful piece of her past. When the enigmatic Dr. Richard Kelly arrives on her island, she’s found that missing part. Yet she’s certain the man is a stranger to her, until she discovers he’s been hiding something from her, a secret that reawakens her childhood fears and threatens to upset her life again.

Richard Kelly’s hard-earned career as a world-renowned neurosurgeon has been derailed by his ex-wife’s unspeakable betrayal. His entire life is on a downward spiral. In a desperate attempt to outrun his demons, he sets off to a remote island in the South to trace the origins of an anonymous painting. He doesn’t expect to come face to face with the girl he once knew as Misty, and he’s instantly captivated by her genuine charm. But if the charismatic kindergarten teacher of the secret lagoon is the Misty of his past, why doesn’t she remember him?

My Take:

The story was a little slower than my normal reads, but it really picked up in part two. Part one is only from Richard‘s point of view and deals mostly with the past. I think this could’ve been shorter to get to the good stuff faster. In part two we finally get to see Claire/Misty’s point of view. For me, this is where the story finally started to pull me in.

There were times when I got very frustrated with the characters and their reasoning for not coming out and telling the truth. The book could’ve been a lot shorter if people had just talk to each other. Claire’s sister, Courtney, really annoyed me. Having said all of that, I enjoyed the journey the characters went on to discover the mysteries of the past and finally admit their love for each other. The final twist at the end was nice. It was believable, and fitting for the story.

I also appreciated the cleanliness of the romance parts. I give the book and recording 4 stars and a PG rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

British Invasion of the Heart by Carollyne Lairie

From Goodreads:

While searching for his missing aunt, a British entrepreneur unearths family secrets and discovers the key to opening his heart.

Years ago, in Canada, Sally was kidnapped as a young teen.

Decades later, it’s vital that British Owen Fleming find Aunt Sally before her younger sister (Owen's aunt) dies. He’s willing to move heaven and earth to locate the mysterious woman.

Why? Sally's sister urgently needs to tell her something of great import that only she knows.

Owen hopes to find Sally and return to England in time to save his floundering company. The last complication he needs is a long-distance romance.

But the enchanting, impetuous Ginny Thompson won’t give up. After the hot Brit saves her from disaster on the freeway, she insists on repaying the favor. Owen Paul Fleming is everything she wants in a man. There’s only one problem--he returns to Britain in a few days. With the loss of her job and her father crippled in an accident, Ginny already has plenty to contend with - never mind figuring out how to snag this mysterious man.

The challenges and adventures ramp up when she leaves her hometown and heads to Vancouver, Canada, to join Owen in pursuit of Sally, a stranger he's never met.

My Take: 

I really wanted to like this book, and it has lots of good things going for it, but I have mixed feelings all in all. First, the writing is good. There weren't any glaring typos or issues there. The pacing is good, continually moving forward with events and situations to keep the story going. Both characters are likable, and I was able to finish the book. However, the story fell a short for me in two places. The characters' personalities seemed to be all over the place. A lot of what they said, did, and thought didn't make any sense and then would change for no reason. Because of this, I never "felt" their connection to each other. I really want to feel that connection in a romance.

There were also some instances where the author didn't seem to know what she said earlier. For instance, at one point, Ginny and Owen call the police to help his aunt. Owen clearly tells the police that his aunt is in the apartment and to please proceed with caution. A few pages later, he's arrested because their background check on him shows he's related to one of the accused.

All in all, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't the best book I've read either. I give it a 3.5 and a Clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Halloween at the Graff by Sinclair Jayne

From Goodreads:

Starting over at thirty-two is never fun, especially in a town the size of a postage stamp. Chasing that with having to beg for a job she’s wildly over-qualified for and Walker Wilder’s pride is really burned. But now that she’s the new events director for the historic Montana Graff Hotel, she’s tasked with creating buzz and traditions to fill rooms during the off-season. Halloween may not scream touristy, but hiring a spirit-hunting TV crew will definitely grab some headlines... But when the sexy spirit hunter shows up, he haunts more than her dreams.

Calum Quest is done. He’s created an entertainment empire by chasing something he’s never seen and is tired of asking questions with no answers. His life has been defined by ghosts he needs to exorcize, yet, when a red-haired, grey-eyed beauty with a body that melts his mind pours him a double shot of Laphroaig whiskey and challenges him to one more round, how can he say no?

My Take:
Where to start? This had so much potential but the story got lost in the words. It's like the author didn't trust me to get what Walker or Calum were thinking/feeling so she told me every other page. Instead of the story moving along, we kept rehashing Walker's past, how hot Calum looked in all black, and how gorgeous Walker was and that's why Calum kept putting off telling her he was done with the show.

There really isn't any ghost story either.  Just kissing, running away, kissing, "oh he's hot!", run away, sigh. I really wanted to like this story but it just irritated me.

Sorry, I wish I could have brought you a good book to add to next fall's reading list, but I'd skip this one.

I'll give it a 2.5 rounding up to a 3 simply because I did finish reading it. PG rating because it felt like the physical attraction was the only thing keeping these two together. I don't remember them thinking about anything else.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

A Change of Plans by Donna K Weaver

From Goodreads:

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old Colorado high school teacher wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a vacation diversion; what fate provides is Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and its temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. But Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. However, paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped. Lyn’s fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

My Take:
Oh my gosh, I don't even know where to start! This is going to be a hard review to write without giving away spoilers. Let's just all accept the fact that a romance has to have an HEA (happily ever after) but this one had me worrying I'd have to accept a different version of the standard form of HEA. So, here we go...

Weaver is a talented writer who knows how to pull the emotion straight from your soul. Her characters were real from page one. Never once did they feel cliche or like stock people that needed to be there to fulfill a plot device. For a moment, I thought Jori might be a stock character, but even he was his own person with a unique role to fill in the story.

I'm not going to go into a play by play summary or list the qualities of the two main characters. Just know that I cried for at least the last hour of reading. This is a good thing for me. It shows how invested I was with Lyn and Braedon's lives, not just their romance. I love romance, but this was so much more. The suspense elements and the daily struggle of surviving added such depth to the story. I can't say much more than that without giving too much away.

This was a beautifully written, tender, and heartwrenching story. I almost never give romance a 5-star rating, but this one gets it without a seconds hesitation. I'd like to give it two 5-stars for doing it while staying clean on top of it all.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Love in Alaska by Tina Scott

From Goodreads:Can facing down a bear and tackling the Alaskan wilderness tame the storm in Marcia Williams’s heart?

After a painful breakup, Marcia prescribes herself a two-week vacation to Homer. Time with her friend Traci John is all that’s on the agenda, not falling for the first guy she meets.

Storm Gaige is handsome, kind, and polite. He’s an educator, like her, and he wants kids, like her. For Marcia, it’s an instant attraction. The problem is, there are over 2,140 reasons for her not to like Storm, give or take a few miles. But, distance isn’t the only issue.

My Take:
I received this story in exchange for an honest review.
First, I enjoyed the story, however, I thought it was too short. I liked Marcia from the very beginning when she struggled to walk into the pawn shop with her engagement ring. It represented all the wasted years and all that she had hoped for, so she did sell it for the chance to spend a few weeks with her best friend. It was easy to cheer for her after that and to understand her insecurities.

When she reaches Alaska she feels an instant connection with Storm, even though she doesn't know why. I didn't have a problem with that. This is where I thought the story was too short though. Although we see Storm doing nice things for Marcia, she's kind of clueless. And since we don't see anything from his point of view we have to fill in the gaps when she zones out. And she zones out every time she gets insecure. That in itself wouldn't be a problem if we had a few more chapters of Storm drawing her out of her shell, talking to her, telling her point blank how he feels about her. Because that's what she needs. She's not good at picking up the clues.

All in all I liked the story though and see a lot of potential in the writing. I'd give another story by Tina Scott a chance based on this one.

I give Love in Alaska a 3.8-4 and a clean rating. It's sweet and hopeful, and I enjoyed glimpses of life in Alaska.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex

R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

SaveSave

Kings Crossed Lovers by Donna K Weaver

From Goodreads:

Ethan Walters has no time for distractions like romance. Not if he's going to have the brilliant medical career he's always dreamed of. But when he's given a trip to a theme park resort as a college graduation present, he can't exactly say no. Even if Samantha—the one girl with the power to dismantle his goals—is tagging along.

Samantha Diederik has managed to avoid her high society mother’s manipulations since the woman moved to Europe. Now she’s back and pressuring Sam to move to New York with her. With that battle on the horizon, Sam proceeds to go on vacation with her brother and his roommate. She’s crushed on Ethan for years. They've only met online, but their hours-long conversations are the highlight of her week. Now she has a chance to find out if the cyber magic she's felt with him will translate to real life.

And wow, does it ever—with sparks flying! Now all she has to do is find a way to fight off her mother's machinations while convincing Ethan she won’t destroy his dreams.

My Take:
Okay, this is going to be a mixed review and I'm not quite sure where to start. So, first, I LOVE that these two have been talking to each other through video chat for years before they meet. They've become friends and really already fallen in love without knowing if the chemistry is there. They both suspect it will be, but they already like each other for who they are not the sparks that fly when they touch. I love this because it lets the story move quickly (I think it's like 3-4 days tops in the story) and it's okay because it's backed up by years.

The characters are great. They are well rounded, lovable, and imperfect. Sam and Ethan both have one major flaw that could possibly hold them back and that flaw is believable. Sam's mother is toxic. So much so that early on we learn about behaviors Sam used when she was younger to feel like she was in control. I won't spoil it, but when I read it (It isn't a major part of the story and I kind of wish it had come up again, maybe with Ethan) I thought, wow this is going to be real. Everyone knows Sam should walk away from her mom, but Sam keeps saying, "but she's my mom." It made me love her even more for wanting to try. Then there's Ethan. He's going to med school and he knows how hard that can be on a relationship. His motive for not putting a girl through that is admirable if stupid. See, another adorable trait in a character.

You put all of this together and you get a wonderful little story that was a quick read. The only part that I'm still not sure about was the whole Ross Hughes thing. I'm not saying I didn't like the nod to Harry Potter, which this obviously is, I'm just saying I might have found it distracting from the actual romance. Not a bad thing, I just kept focusing more on the connections between Ross and Harry instead of Sam and Ethan.

I give Kings Crossed Lovers a solid 4 with a Clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex

R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Marrying an Athlete by Anne-Marie Meyer

From Goodreads:
Anna Short’s life has been in a slump ever since her boss and boyfriend—who happened to be the same person—dumped her. Now forced to work at a coffee shop, she's pretty sure her life can't go any lower. Enter Michael: her best friend McKenna’s older brother and life-long crush.

Michael Jones is the life of the party. As a Defenseman for the New York Rangers, he's always had his pick of women and friends. When he mistakenly proposes to the Mayor's daughter at a party one night, he hightails it out of New York before the media storm hits. He drives to McKenna’s house where he finds her in emotional shambles. Grateful for the distraction her problems give him, he jumps head first into finding a solution.

When McKenna begs them to fake a marriage so they can go with her to a counseling resort designed to help fix her failing one, Anna and Michael agree. After all, the drunken kiss they shared two years ago was definitely in the past. But when they decide to make it their mission to bring McKenna and her husband together, they begin to realize just how good of a team they really are.

My Take:
I love stories about people who grew up together as friends who turn into more. This one was just as good, however I wonder if Anna and Michael didn't have to help out Michael's sister would they have ended up together? This retreat to help McKenna really is the catalyst to get these two together but they still fight it every step of the way. It's borderline annoying. They are clearly in love with each other, but both think the other is better off without them. It's not even an "I don't want to ruin our friendship" kind of thing. This is probably the only reason I didn't give it a 5.

The writing is clean with only a few typos, and the story flows well. The relief and satisfaction when they finally admit their true feelings at the end is the perfect payoff as well.

I give Marrying an Athlete a solid 4 and clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex
 R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Her Big Fat Dreamy Billionaire Ex by Victorine E Lieske

From Goodreads:

Felicity should have suspected something when she got hired to take pictures at a resort in Belize, all expenses paid. When she arrives and bumps into her ex-fiancé, Aiden, she realizes she’s been set up. His grandmother is playing matchmaker and every time she turns around Grams is forcing Aiden and her together. But she can’t fall for him again, it was a disaster last time, and she doesn’t want to repeat the past.

Aiden can’t believe Felicity is at his resort. She broke his heart five years ago, and he’s determined not to allow it to happen again. But one disaster after another keeps forcing them together and he’s sure Grams is behind all of it. He’s just not sure how long he can hold out without pulling Felicity into his arms and confessing that he never really got over her.

My Take:

This was a quick easy to fall into read. Grandma Phoebe might have been my favorite character. She could see what these two stubborn and heartbroken lovers couldn't—they'd never fallen out of love and needed to be together to truly be happy. All they needed was to talk and trust each other completely. There were so many fun and quirky parts to this romance thanks to Phoebe. Felicity and Aiden fight their attraction to one another valiantly and ignore their feelings and instincts out of fear of being hurt again. 

It's well known that my biggest romance pet peeve is the non communication trope for keeping people apart, however, Lieske handles this very well. It's not a one time thing. It was a problem from the beginning of half communications that became a problem over time and was never corrected. This is something real. Something that does happen all the time and something relatable. I commend her for that. In the end, they both have to give and meet in the middle.

I give this a 4.5 and Clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex

 R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

The Trust of a Billionaire by Michelle Pennington

From Goodreads:

Hannah Rhodes is determined to keep her beachfront property, even though she can’t afford to. But it’s her childhood home and she can’t bear to see it plowed down by the billionaire investor who keeps raising his offer to buy it. When the same man hires her to be his daughter’s nanny—providing her the income she needs to reject his offer—the irony is not lost on her. However, seeing him as a loving, worried father makes it difficult to enjoy her secret revenge.

For Carter Ellis, building his own resort was a massive risk, but worth it to build a new life for his daughter away from his controlling mother. Everything is going to plan except that the owner of the tumbled-down home blocking his resort view and threatening its success refuses to sell. If only his new nanny would stop distracting him, he just might be able to figure out how to solve this problem. Not only is she beautiful and vibrant, she’s helping his daughter bloom. Just when he begins to give in to his feelings, he discovers who she really is.

When their trust is shaken, will Carter and Hannah sacrifice what they wanted most for a chance at something more?

My Take:

Hannah is a strong woman who knows what she wants and is willing to work hard to keep it. I love that! It only gets complicated when she starts to see Carter as the loving father he is and not as just the bad guy trying to take away her home. There's great chemistry between them too, and that doesn't help. Their friendship and love grows quickly but it all makes sense as they bond over Addi and her need to be more childlike and experience more joy in her life. 

Mild spoilers:

The most heartbreaking and best moment of the story for me is when Hannah tells Leah to sell the house. Oh man. You'll have to read to learn why, but that was the rip your heart out moment for Hannah and me as reader.

This gets a 4.5 and clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex

 R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Cancun Getaway by Cami Checketts

From Goodreads:
Don't miss this inspiring and romantic addition to the bestselling Billionaire Beach Romances that bestselling author, Taylor Hart, has dubbed, "Fast-paced, fun, and flirtatious."

Moriah Jackson arrives in Cancun expecting a relaxed beach vacation with her son. She doesn't plan on meeting a charming, blond Adonis who's intent on sweeping her off her feet. And she certainly doesn't expect to be targeted by human traffickers. Fighting the urge to be drawn in by Jace's kindness, Moriah must let go of her past or she'll jeopardize more than just her own future.

Jace Browning lost his former love to the obnoxious and arrogant Brooks Hoffman. He buries himself in work until his brothers force him to meet them at an all-inclusive Cancun resort. He never dreamed he'd meet a dark-haired beauty who captures him with her dancing, positive attitude, and love for everyone. Now that he's found her, he's not going to let her go without a fight, but her son's biological father might ruin both of their futures.

Cancun Getaway is the fourth book in the Billionaire Beach Romances. It is a stand-alone book but has characters from Cozumel Escape and The Faithful One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance.
The bestselling Billionaire Bride Pact Romance series also features books by Jeanette Lewis.

The books in order would be:
The Resilient One (free on Amazon)
The Passionate One
The Feisty One (free when you sign up for Cami's newsletter at camichecketts.com)
The Rebellious One
The Independent One
The Adventurous One
The Protective One
The Faithful One
The Daring One
The Glamorous One

Enjoy these top-rated contemporary romance books FREE as part of your Kindle Unlimited Prime Subscription. You can read the ebooks on your Amazon Kindle Fire, on a computer via Kindle Cloud Reader or on any smartphone or tablet with the free Kindle reading app.

My Take:
This was another great read from Checketts. I will admit the way Moriah talked was really irritating for me at first. I'm a southern girl, even lived down in Mobile, AL for many years as a child. I don't remember people talking like that, but then again maybe it was just normal? Anyway, after I got used to it, I was fine.

Let's talk about the suspense elements first:

Checketts brings the traffickers back into the picture for the suspense element in this story. It's a different set from the ones in Cozumel Escape, but every bit as scary. There's also a fun suspense element with knowing Jace has a twin that Moriah knows nothing about. Of course it's going to be a great way to throw in a few more problems for our characters.

Now, the romance moves super fast, but it still feels believable. Moriah knows she has a type, and she tries to stay away, but man, how do you resist an Adonis? Especially one that makes your little boy so happy with his attention?

There's a lot of story in these few short pages. It's a fun, quick read.

I give it 4.5 stars and a clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

R--swearing (can be related to sex), feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot

Hooked (River's Sigh B&B #2) by Ev Bishop

From Goodreads:

Knocked around by life—and then knocked up by a man she won’t speak of—Sam Kendall gives her baby for adoption.

Envisioning herself a lone cowboy, she avoids any relationships that might risk her heart or cause pain. There’s wonderful fun to be had if you don’t fall prey to the ludicrous notion of true love!

Lately, however, Sam is niggled by doubts. She’s not as content as she was. Plus her daughter Aisha has tracked her down—seventeen-years-old and pregnant. Despite misgivings, Sam checks into River’s Sigh Bed-and-Breakfast to meet her.

Then widower Charles Bailey, Aisha’s adoptive father, shows up, and Sam can’t control her outrage. What was her sacrifice for? She could’ve raised the kid to follow her stupid footsteps all on her own. And topping it off? Charlie’s a neurotic, stodgy jerk—even if he is ridiculously hot.

The longer Sam stays at River’s Sigh, exploring the wild outdoors—and her own inner desires—the more her terror grows. Maybe Charlie isn’t so terrible after all. Maybe his approach to life is actually refreshing. Maybe all this family stuff is something she could get hooked on.

Yet they’re opposites in every way, and worse: he’s her biological child’s adoptive dad. A romance between them would be too weird, wouldn’t it? Every part of Sam screams play it safe, run.

But what if, in spurning Charlie and Aisha, she’s turning her back on everything she never knew she wanted?

My Take:

It was great to be back at the River’s Sigh B&B for this story. Jo’s sister Sam gets the spotlight this go around. We finally get to see her well polished facade stripped away, and the pain and hurt beneath is so raw. I totally understood why she had run away and lived the life she had until that point. She’d been hurt, but did the best she could to make something good out of it. That made the situation all that more difficult. Had her sacrifice been for nothing?

Charles clings to his dead wife’s memory like a shield. He needs the protection against his attraction for Sam because even his worry she will steal his daughter isn’t enough for him to keep his distance. 

Sam has such inner strength even when you think she’s broken beyond repair. I grew to love and respect her, cheering when she finally decides to fight for what she really wants. A family.

I liked this one even more than the first book, so 4.5 with a PG rating. (I actually think both of Bishop's books were rated clean, but am marking PG just in case I forgot something)

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

R--swearing (can be related to sex), feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot

Wedding Bands (River's Sigh B&B #1) by Ev Bishop

From Goodreads:

Ditched by her high school sweetheart, Callum Archer, on the night they’re supposed to elope, Jo Kendall casts out on her own, brokenhearted.

Over the years, Jo reels in a life she loves, centered on the outdoors, fishing (favoring a lucky wedding band lure), and her fine dining restaurant—a life that crashes away when her husband and business partner cheats her, leaving her bankrupt and alone.

Then her uncle dies, bequeathing Jo and her sister, Samantha, his rural property. Jo returns to Greenridge, determined to build a new business and permanent home—without the help of a man. Unfortunately Samantha wants her inheritance in cold, hard cash and hires a lawyer to get it for her, a lawyer who turns out to be none other than Jo’s long-lost love, Callum.

Jo’s fledgling plans—and her heart—are at risk once more.

If Jo can fight her insecurities, she might end up with a wedding band that doesn’t come with a sharp hook. But should she risk everything she’s worked for, yet again? Before she can decide, she needs to know: can a lost love truly be reclaimed?

My Take:

Oh, this one is hard. I enjoy Bishop’s writing style and grew to love Jo and Callum dearly. However, this story was also frustrating in that real life stupid way when people just don’t communicate. I wanted to smack them both so many times. I think they would have figured it out sooner though without Sam (Jo’s sister) casting doubt or the slimy snake Dave. Ug, he was almost TOO MUCH! Do people really act like that?

We also get Aisha’s story threaded through (more about her in book 2). Every time she popped up I wondered if...ah, but now I’m moving into spoiler territory. ;) Wouldn’t want to do that now would we.

In the end, I appreciated another clean read from Bishop. It’s actually been over a month since I read, but I think it fell in the PG realm, and I give it a 4.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

R--swearing (can be related to sex), feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot

Aloha Baby! by Ann Omasta

From Goodreads:
Being pregnant and alone is not a situation Leilani Kehele thought she would ever be facing. Nevertheless, that is exactly how she finds herself in Aloha, Baby! Feeling like a disappointment to her family, Lani turns to her two handsome and loyal best friends, Kai and Honi, for advice. In an attempt to arrange the best possible outcome for this challenging scenario, the three hatch a plan to give Lani's baby a father. Will it work? Will Lani and her baby be able to find their happily ever after ending? Escape into the enchanting Hawaiian islands with Leilani, Kai, and Honi by reading this heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and triumph after heartbreak.

My Take:
I'm not going to rate this one because of certain things. One, I know how much time, effort, and self an author puts into a book (at least I hope everyone spends as much time as I do). Second, this is written in present tense which is one of my pet peeves. It just doesn't work for me.

Okay, the story itself has potential. However, I never felt connected to the characters and I felt like this was someone's outline draft for a book. It was all telling, no show (this could be a result of the point of view and tense). I wanted to like the characters and I wanted to feel something. Even though I finished it, I was left feeling disappointed.

There was a sex scene I skipped.

If I were to rate, I'd give a 3 on my scale with a PG-13 to R movie rating for the one scene. 

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
 R--swearing (can be related to sex), feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot

The Billionaire's Heart by Kathleen O'Brien

From Goodreads:
High School art teacher Sophie Smith is usually the most honest of women. But when her dearest friend and mentor asks her to be her stand-in on a two-week vacation at an Amalfi Coast luxury resort, she won’t let her down… even if it means posing as a rich, pampered socialite.

As it turns out, Sophie could get used to this, especially handsome, enigmatic gardener Declan Muldoon who’s strangely more thrilling than any of the billionaires buzzing around. She ends up falling for him—hard.

Then Sophie discovers she’s not the only one pretending. Declan’s gardener gig is temporary. He’s actually the black sheep of a very wealthy, powerful family, a man who appears to be in need of an heiress.

An heiress exactly like Sophie is pretending to be…

*Previously titled The Billionaire's Secret

My Take:
The Amalfi Coast sounds like a dream! I can see how Sophie allows herself to get lost in the beauty of it all. I loved that she bumbles through playing the part of a rich socialite at times, while pulling it off at others. Her discomfort with that life shows though in the fact that she's drawn to the gardener. Oh, sure there's that lovely sexual tension too, but initially I think she finds him safer because he isn't filthy rich. Or so she thinks.

Declan never really chases Sophie for her money as is hinted at in the blurb. And for that fact, I'm grateful. He's really a good guy, and he wants to be with her simply because he enjoys her company. he tries so hard to keep it on a friend basis, but Sophie is a force to be reckoned with.

There is a closed door scene and a lovely ending to it all after a bit of moping heart break.

I give this one a solid 4.5 because I never felt frustrated by any of the plot devices. It was easy to get lost in the story.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Cozumel Escape by Cami Checketts

From Goodreads:
Brooks Hoffman, billionaire, loves women, expensive toys and fighting—in that order. A week romancing a beautiful woman on his private island is a great way to pass the time. When Sydnee Lee Swenson isn’t impressed with his money, or charmed by his…well, charm, Brooks takes it as a personal challenge to change her mind.

Sydnee Lee moved to Cozumel to volunteer at the local orphanage. She’s fallen in love with the children and doesn’t need a good-looking, over-confident, guy complicating things. Sending Brooks on his way, with just the right amount of sass, was the only option. But when Brooks puts his own life on the line for her and some of the orphaned children, she may have to take another look at the guy behind the muscles and money.

This book also contains a sneak peek at The Angler, the Baker, and the Billionaire by Author Amberlee Day and The Reclusive Billionaire by Lucy McConnell.

My Take:
We first met Brooks in Caribbean Rescue. He was the best friend/soldier guy that came to help Zack keep his girl Maddie safe. I liked him, he was tough and funny. The perfect combination. He is definitely confident in his lady killer abilities. So much so that I didn't like him as much at the beginning of this story. I loved that Sydnee kind of put him in his place by not swooning at his feet.
Brooks grew on me as the story moved along.

Sydnee was the one I really liked from the beginning. She knows who she is, what she wants, and is willing to fight without thinking about it. When Brooks is doing everything he can to not get emotionally attached, Sydnee gives her heart completely. She adores the children at the orphanage and once she gets to know Brooks, she is able to get past his flirty confidence to see his pain.

This story pulled me in two directions. There were times I wanted more. I really love suspense and I sort of wished the suspense subplot was bigger. That Checketts had dug in deeper. However, I also understand that this is more of the lighter, sweet love story, not the darker suspense that a closer look at human trafficking would have taken.

In the end I enjoyed the progression of their romance and the happy ending. I give Cozumel Escape a solid 4.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure