Author: Kimberly

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Kimberly’s review of Send Me No Flowers by Trish Jensen

TITLE: Send Me No Flowers
CHARACTERS: Jenny & Rob
AUTHOR: Trish Jensen
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When she was known as an overweight kid from a “loony” family, he often rescued her from bullies. Now she’s come back home all grownup and gorgeous, and he’s the one who will need rescuing. Sheriff Rob Townsend of Daredevil, South Carolina remembers Jenny Creighton as the girl mean kids called “Jumbo Jenny.” He was compelled to protect her on more than one occasion, a brand of heroic kindness Jenny never forgot. Jenny’s returned to the small town to claim an inheritance and open a flower shop. On the inside, however, she’s still the chubby girl who doesn’t want anyone to remember her humiliating past. Rob has turned into a hunk with a painful history of his own-one that makes him the biggest heartbreaker south of the Mason-Dixon line. When he becomes her best customer-buying flowers as goodbye gifts for a growing line-up of ex-girlfriends-the women in Daredevil begin to run from Jenny and her kiss-goodbye bouquets. How can she build a business when all the single gals in town are scared to see her on their doorsteps? And what are the secrets behind her childhood hero’s love-’em-and-leave-’em lifestyle?

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a re-release from I believe 1999. This is a very cute book. As with all of the earlier books from Jensen as much as I enjoyed it I enjoy her current works better but this was a great story.
It was set in small town America so it seemed I was watching something out of Mayberry. Everyone speaks with a hick accent and says “yes ma’am” and calls everyone “Miz ___” but once I got used to that it was a enjoyable read.

Jenny is written very well. I liked how she was written as a normal woman. She wasn’t perfect but was an everyday woman who dealt with life. I enjoyed Rob as well. While he does play that small town playboy personality we really didn’t see a lot of that because the story starts off with Rob and Jenny having met 6 months ago (this time around). It is not a long book but it is worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Jennifer’s review of Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

TITLE: Along Came Trouble
SERIES #: Camelot Series #2
CHARACTERS: Ellen Callahan and Caleb Clark
AUTHOR: Ruthie Knox
PUBLICATION DATE: 3/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An accomplished lawyer and driven single mother, Ellen Callahan isn’t looking for any help. She’s doing just fine on her own. So Ellen’s more than a little peeved when her brother, an international pop star, hires a security guard to protect her from a prying press that will stop at nothing to dig up dirt on him. But when the tanned and toned Caleb Clark shows up at her door, Ellen might just have to plead the fifth.

Back home after a deployment in Iraq and looking for work as a civilian, Caleb signs on as Ellen’s bodyguard. After combat in the hot desert sun, this job should be a breeze. But guarding the willful beauty is harder than he imagined–and Caleb can’t resist the temptation to mix business with pleasure. With their desires growing more undeniable by the day. Ellen and Caleb give in to an evening of steamy passion. But will they ever be able to share more than just a one-night stand?

REVIEW:
Ellen Callahan just wanted peace and quiet in her life but that wasn’t possible when her famous brother decided to have an affair with the next door neighbor. Now the paparazzi are in town to get a glimpse of the famous couple and tramping over Ellen’s lawn to do it. Ellen didn’t need anyone to take care of her and that goes for the security detail that her brother has hired for her. I liked that she was very successful in her career but also very down-to-earth. She had a famous brother and she never got wrapped up in that lifestyle. She just wanted to raise her son without distractions after recently divorcing her philandering, drunk, yet full of himself ex-husband, Richard. I loved her personality and I truly connected with her because its hard being a mom while having a career and trying to balance both worlds. She didn’t want to find love but it was exactly what she needed and I wish everyone could have a Caleb Clark.

As I read this book, I kept picturing Caleb as a Dwayne Johnson type of guy that seemed to have it all. He was this handsome, strong guy who looked as though he could have any woman that he wanted because he was such a charmer. The thing is, he was actually looking for that one woman that he could call his own and when he saw Ellen, he knew that he had found her. He just had to convince her and take took a little “negotiation.” He was the perfect match for her because protecting his family and the people that he loved meant everything to him because after being in the military, that was one of the things that he could do very well. I also just loved the way Caleb and Ellen interacted with each other, sometimes without even saying a word.

This is the second book in the Camelot series and Ruthie Knox has created a real winner with this one. This story is filled with humor, family fighting, romance and hot steamy sex between our two main characters. I can’t wait to read more from this author and I hope that when I grow old I can be like the character Nana in this book. She had some of the best lines that will have you laughing out loud.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly’s review of The Baby Bargain by Jennifer Apodaca

TITLE: The Baby Bargain
CHARACTERS: Adam Waters & Megan Young
AUTHOR: Jennifer Apodaca
PUBLICATION DATE: March 11, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Seeing Adam Waters is the last thing veterinarian Megan Young expects. Ex-Marine. Ex-boyfriend. And still extremely dangerous territory. But Adam doesn’t know the secret Megan has been keeping from him. The secret that was created three years ago, after their last night together…Adam returns to Raven’s Cove to sell his home in a final break with the town and memories that haunt him. The problem is that his attraction to Megan is as blazing hot as it ever was. But when a vicious smear campaign against Megan turns ugly, Adam learns the truth he never knew—he has a son. Now the only way Megan can protect her child is to strike a bargain with Adam. And it’s a bargain that looks a lot like blackmail…

REVIEW:
Adam & Megan were college sweethearts. But Adam decided the small town life was not for him so he left. Leaving everything behind even the girl he loves. But now he is back. Even if it is only for a couple of weeks. Adam is determined to get back in Megan’s good grace…..or more.

Megan has tried really hard to put the past behind her. but that is really hard to do when your past just walked through your door asking for help.

This was a very quick read. I didn’t put the book down once from start to finish.

Adam & Megan are just so sweet together. Even when they are keeping secrets from each other. But when push comes to shove they both step up to the plate and do what is right.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly’s review of Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

TITLE: Highlander Most Wanted
SERIES #: Montgomery/Armstrong #2
CHARACTERS: Genevieve & Bowen
AUTHOR: Maya Banks
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/19/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

REVIEW:
What a wonderful and sad story. I have never read Banks before but now I have found a new author to enjoy. Genevieve breaks my heart. While she tried to be so brave her desperation is so palpable that I just wanted to cry for and with her. And what a wonderful man Bowen was written to be. This may just be my favorite Highlander novel.

I was worried that the sadness of Genevieve would go on for so long that it would become aggravating but it never did. And while it did continue throughout the entire story she was written with such a fighting spirit that just when you thought it might get tiresome something happens and you begin to understand her sadness yet again. Bowen is a strong man who is willing to do anything for Genevieve to be happy again.

This is the second in the series and I will say having not read the first I was a little lost with the characters and history at first but that was soon inconsequential to the rest of the story so it was fine. The other problem was there was a bit of the same information over and over but again it is written so well that it was still enjoyable.

If you enjoy Highlander novels this will most certainly need to be one you pick up and if you have not read one before this should be your first. You will fall in love with the Highlanders and Maya Banks.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Guest Reviewer Erica reviews Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Three Sisters
SERIES #: Blackberry Island #2
CHARACTERS: Andi/Boston/Deanna
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life – buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi’s new future may be coming together, but the truth is she’s just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house.

When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora’s Box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he’s right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she’s lost herself, and she’s in danger of losing her entire family if things don’t change.

Next door, artist Boston King thought she and her college sweetheart would be married forever. Their passion for one other has always seemed indestructible. But after tragedy tears them apart, she’s not so sure. Now it’s time for them to move forward, with or without one another.

Thrown together by fate and geography, and bound by the strongest of friendships, these three women will discover what they’re really made of: laughter, tears, love and all.

REVIEW:
Susan Mallery’s newest novel, “Three Sisters”, is the second in her newest series, Blackberry Island. It follows the first in the series “Barefoot Season”. This is about 3 women and their families who live in the 3 Queen Anne Victorian houses on the island. Andi buys the 3rd house, to turn the bottom part into a pediatric office, and she will live upstairs.

Next door is Deanna, a wife and mother of 5 daughters. She accuses her husband of having an affair, and he assures her that he is not cheating on her. She is obsessive-compulsive, she washes her hands so much, that she is embarrassed to shake Andi’s hand when she talks to her for the second time, and she hides it in her sleeve. The first time she meets Andi, she is rude. She feels that her daughters do not appreciate her, she always sees the daughters yelling that “Daddy is home”, but she never gets the same treatment. I did not like Deanna at the beginning of the book, but luckily she matures and changes throughout the novel. We learn about why Deanna acts the way she does, and why she washes her hands so much.

Finally, we have Boston, who married her high school sweetheart, but they do not have any children. Unfortunately, they had a son, who passed away at only 6 months old. Boston spends her days painting, and drawing pictures of her son, eating, sleeping, anything her beautiful baby did, or did not get to do, due to his short life. Boston’s husband spends his time away from home, trying to drown his sorrows in a bottle. At the end of the book, Susan gives us a lovely meeting between Boston and her husband where they talk about what happened, and eventually they help each other get through their grief.

Andi meets Wade, who will be her contractor. Wade is the Brother-in-Law of Boston. He will tear apart the first floor of her house, and turn it into a beautiful pediatric office. Andi also commissions Boston to paint a mural to make the kids feel more excited than scared to be at the doctor. Susan describes an amazing jungle scene, which I for one, really wanted to see in paint, besides what I painted in my head.

Andi also spends some time with a few of Deanna’s daughters. She invites them over for lemonade and cookies, and one day Boston visits, and spends that afternoon drawing the children, and their cat.

Deanna talks to Andi about her OCD, and Andi gives her the name of a psychiatrist, and convinces her to go for an appointment. Deanna does go for the appointment, and by the end of the book, she is a lot nicer than she was at the beginning. She also talks more to her daughters, and instead of yelling at them like she did in the beginning of the book, she listens to them and talks in a calm manner.

We also get to see Michelle and Carly from the first book, when Deanna goes to apply for a job at their bed-and-breakfast. We do not get to catch up with them; we are mainly with Deanna when she meets them for her interview.

This is just another amazing Susan Mallery novel, She writes amazing characters with sad, happy, and sometimes tragic back stories, but at the end of each novel, she gives them hope, love, and great friends. I for one cannot wait for the next Blackberry Island novel.

On the plus side, on susanmallery.com, she has a calendar on the left side of the page, which gives us some save-the-dates for some of her upcoming novels. Also visit blackberryisland.susanmallery.com, for a Blackberry Island map, and a visitor’s guide, and also recipes.

Also see foolsgold.ca.susanmallery.com, for her Fools Gold series, which at the end of July of this year, will have released 12 full length novels, and some e-novellas.

Disclaimer: The above review was written by a guest reviewer, is the opinion of that reviewer and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

TITLE: Wolf With Benefits
SERIES #: Pride #8
CHARACTERS: Ricky & Toni
AUTHOR: Shelly Laurenston
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he’s been hired to do so, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if that means traveling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he’s ever had…well, who said his job didn’t have perks?

Toni doesn’t know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there’s something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting…and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for…

REVIEW:
This is the 8th is the Pride series and I would definitely say if you have not read the other books this is not the one to start with. While I enjoyed the story of Ricky and Toni (her’s family was fine too) but the rest was just too much. The story is over 400 pages and that to me was 100 or more too many.

Again, having not read the previous books in the Pride series I will say in the beginning I was a little lost on who everyone was and what they did and why they were in the storyline. There were just way too many characters/breeds mentioned (and the hybrids were just overkill). It was really confusing. There is a background story that seems to have continued throughout the series that was again confusing because it did not explain the storyline much in this book to understand why the characters were searching for this person.

Now that being said. I take full responsibility for picking this book from NetGalley without even realizing that it was part of a series because if I had I would not have picked it up especially with it being so far into the series. I can completely understand why someone who has followed the series from book one would enjoy it. I enjoyed it enough to know that with the right information before beginning this book I would have enjoyed it too.

So I leave this review with how I started it. If you have not read the series I wouldn’t start it with this book but if you have read the others in the series you will really enjoy this book.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Grounds To Kill by Wendy Roberts

TITLE: Grounds To Kill
AUTHOR: Wendy Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Barista Jen Hanby’s coworkers give her a hard time for bringing coffee and pastries to a homeless man who sits outside her café—but she has a secret. The scruffy man is her father.

She’s also hiding the little matter of why her palm itches. But how can she explain that her hand has a mind of its own and writes messages from the beyond? Right. That’ll get her Employee of the Month.

When she finds herself scrawling your boyfriend is cheating on you! to herself on the bathroom mirror, she immediately dumps the guy. But then his little fling—who just happens to be her half sister—turns up dead, and suddenly Jen’s homeless father is the prime suspect.

Jen knows he is being framed and must take matters into her own hands to protect him. But will anyone believe that the crazy old man is innocent? Or that his spirit-writing daughter holds the truth?

REVIEW:
I don’t know what it was about this story but I could not get into it. The characters were so… umm… cheesy… I guess that is the right word. Maybe too quirky or something. It seemed so juvenile yet it is not a YA read. There are too many “throw ins”.. meaning it had to be thrown in that her boyfriends fling was her half sister. Like just having a fling with a neighbor wasn’t enough? And a bunch of other things. It was just too much to me. It made the book seem childish.

Maybe someone else would enjoy it, and I suggested giving it a try if the synopsis appeals to you, but I just could not get excited about his book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Currant Creek Valley by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Currant Creek Valley
SERIES #: Hope’s Crossing #4
CHARACTERS: Alexandra & Sam
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

If you build it, love will come…to Hope’s Crossing. Alexandra McKnight prefers a life of long workdays and short-term relationships, and she’s found it in Hope’s Crossing. A sous chef at the local ski resort, she’s just been offered to Hope’s Crossing. her dream job at an exclusive new restaurant being built in town. But when it comes to designing the kitchen, Alex finds herself getting up close and personal with construction foreman Sam Delgado….

At first glance, Sam seems perfect for Alex. He’s big, tough, gorgeous—and in town for only a few weeks. But when Sam suddenly moves into a house down the road, Alex suspects that the devoted single father of a six-year-old boy wants more from her than she’s willing to give. Now it’s up to Sam to help Alex see that, no matter what happened in her past, together they can build something more meaningful in Hope’s Crossing.

REVIEW:

This is a sweet romance about second chances. Having not read the first three in the series I will say there are a bunch of background characters that make it obvious that there are previous books in the series. Of course once you get to know them it does make it easier but there are a bunch so it does take a while.

I enjoyed Alex and Sam. There might have been a bit too much of the typical “I can’t be with him even though I love him” attitude going on but really it is so sweet that it makes it ok. Ethan is adorable even though having a seven year old I know there is no way in heck a seven year old talks the way his character is written no matter how “special” he is.

If you are looking for a sweet and simple romance to read then this is your book. There is a good storyline, it is written well and the characters worm their way into your heart.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly’s review of Buried by Kendra Elliott

TITLE: Buried
SERIES: Bone Secret #3
CHARACTERS: Michael Brody & Jamie Jacobs
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliott
PUBLICATION DATE: March 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Reporter Michael Brody is used to getting answers. The one that’s eluded him, though, for twenty long years is learning what happened to his brother Daniel the day his school bus disappeared. When the remains of the other children are discovered—and Daniel’s aren’t among them—a desperate Michael calls upon the sole survivor of the tragedy, Chris Jacobs, hoping he will finally break his silence.

Constant fear of being found by his kidnapper has driven Chris into hiding. The only lead Michael has is Chris’s sister, Jamie. Strong and impenetrable, she’s capable of burrowing deep into Michael’s heart. As they race to find Chris, Michael and Jamie somehow find each other among the decades of wreckage. But locating Chris may not be so easy. Now grown, his scars go far deeper than skin.

In Buried, the next thrilling Bone Secrets novel from bestselling author Kendra Elliot, a damaged hero digs deep into his terrifying past…and unearths a chance at love for the future.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars After 20 years of no answers to who or why someone would kidnap 9 children and a school bus driver, the discover of the children & the drivers remains only leave more questions than answers. There are only 8 bodies, 7 children & 1 adult. There should be 8 children not 7. 10 people were taken and only 1 walked away, so that leaves 9 bodies. So that means one body is still missing.

Michael wants answers. He needs to know what happened to his brother. There is only one person that he know who can answer these questions for him. Chris Jacobs. The only known survivor of the kidnapping. But finding Chris is another story. He is a man that doesn’t want to be found and finding Chris may just be the easiest part of this whole mess.

I loved BURIED… I do believe that this is my favorite of Kendra’s Bone Secret books today. Kendra just keeps getting better and better with each book. I really can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. If you like a good romance suspense story you really need to pick up a copy of Kendra’s books. They are all great reads. For me I just had to keep turning the page. I had to know what was happening next. But don’t worry if you grab BURIED 1st, while there are connected characters you can easily read any of the Bone Secret books as a stand alone

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of With This Kiss: Part Three by Eloisa James

TITLE: With The Kiss
SERIES #: Part 3
CHARACTERS: Grace & Colin
AUTHOR: Eloise James
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lieutenant Colin Barry returns from the wars injured in body and spirit, knowing that he has no right to steal Grace from the arms of her fiancé. Yet the same warrior’s spirit that won so many battles at sea is prompting him to throw proprietary to the winds, imitate his pirate father, and simply take what he most desires!

Author’s Note: Don’t forget to read Parts One and Two! Reading this installment first would be like eating the icing before you even get it onto a cupcake.

REVIEW:
This is the third part in the three part series. This is a nice historic short story. Having not read the main books that these original characters came from I am sure that I did not enjoy it as much as someone who has read these stories have.

I am not sure why this was written into parts instead of one book but since the whole story is just over 100 pages it is fine to have it in the three parts. I think anyone who like historical romance will enjoy this story of a lifetime of love.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly’s review of Once Tempted by Laura Moore

TITLE: Once Tempted
SERIES: Silver Creek #1
CHARACTERS: Tess Casari & Ward Knowles
AUTHOR: Laura Moore
PUBLICATION DATE: March 26, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sweeping passions, family drama, and searing scandal play out at the magnificent Silver Creek Ranch as the heirs to a powerful dynasty seize their legacy of love.

Oldest son Ward Knowles feels the sprawling California ranch in his blood. And now that the family business has expanded to include a popular resort, he’s working harder than ever. Silver Creek is his legacy and his life, which is fine for the ruggedly sexy ladies’ man and committed bachelor. Love and trust don’t come easily for Ward since he lost his heart to a gold digger—until he meets a shy, unpretentious beauty whose sweet grace is about to turn his jaded heart into a hungry one.

Tess Casari has found sanctuary at Silver Creek, working as an assistant to Ward’s mother, Adele. Grateful for her busy new life running the ranch’s spa and resort, Tess can escape the heartbreak, humiliation, and secret shame of her failed marriage. The last thing she needs is temptation—especially from a man who reminds her so much of the husband who shattered her faith in love. But passion and destiny are about to change the rules for two people who have stopped believing in the healing power of love.

REVIEW:
After a year from hell and a failed marriage Tess does what anyone would do. She lets her best friend blindfold her spin her around in circles and then play pin the finger on the map to her new future. What Tess never expected is that the random placement of her finger on a map will change everything for her. Her faith in people, her faith in love and her faith in herself.

Great story. I loved Tess & Ward. They are just so cute even when they are fighting and trying to act like they don’t like each other. But Erica…. Oh Erica I really wish someone would have pushed her into a pile of _ _ _ _. I can’t wait to see what the Silver Creek series has in store for us next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts