Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly reviews Aflame by Krissy Daniels

AflameTITLE: Aflame
SERIES #: Apotheosis, #1
CHARACTERS: Grayce & Zander
AUTHOR: Krissy Daniels
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/07/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
To save her soul, he’ll let her burn.

Grayce has been on the run for years. Having escaped an abusive relationship with a violent psychopath, she is trying to rebuild her life one small step at a time. Things are going well until Zander crosses her path, badass and sexy as hell. His presence awakens heated desires she long ago buried. Last thing Grayce wants is a man, and the way her body reacts to Zander scares her more than the threat of being found.

Tyr will do anything to get his little dove back. She is a Beacon, and her raw, burning energy gives him power and strength. More than the evil that already compels him. But a blond giant of a man hovers protectively around her. No matter. He’ll play with him too.

When Zander rescues Grayce from Tyr’s first attempt to reclaim her, he reveals his superhuman abilities. Power that Grayce also has, but has yet to understand. As predestined soul mates, Zander must help Grace control her rage before her fire threatens to destroy everyone and everything in her path. But his true challenge is more than that—to show her it’s possible to trust and love again.

CONTENT WARNING: Hot sex with a foul-mouthed firecracker.

REVIEW:
What a weird and yet intriguing story. So different than anything I have read before. The characters were interesting and had so much background that I felt like I knew them. The life Grayce has led was so sad and scary that I felt so bad for her. I loved Zander (but then I am a fan of the big alpha possessive kinda guy) and found myself happy and sad for him.

There were a few things that I would have changed. I mean even having the warning of a foul mouthed woman was not enough to describe the language in this book. And I missed the fact that we didn’t get an answer to Grayce’s legal issues… I mean come on she is wanted for murder. Even so I really enjoyed this story.

Looking for something a bit different to read? Love a bit of magic (for lack of a better word) in a story? Like a guy who loves with his whole heart and a woman who is willing to overcome her past? Then this is the book for you.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Turned by Virna DePaul

TurnedTITLE: Turned
SERIES #: The Belladonna Agency #1
CHARACTERS: Ty Duncan & Ana Martin
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to a mesmerizing world where vampires hide among humans. This centuries-old species has its own rules, code of conduct, and taboos. Only the FBI knows that vampires exist—and although the Bureau agrees to keep their secret, it also plots to give humans the upper hand.
Turning mortals into vampires is forbidden.
But there are creatures who refuse to play by the rules.

Ever since he was turned, FBI special agent Ty Duncan has had one mission: bring rogue vampires to justice. As a recruiter for Belladonna, a shadow agency formed to keep vampires in check, Ty must tap Ana Martin, a troubled ex–gang member and one of the few mortals who can infiltrate places that his kind and the law cannot. From their first encounter, Ty fights a hunger to make Ana his own.

When Ty claims to have information about Ana’s missing sister, Ana has no choice but to trust this captivating stranger who awakens her deepest desires. But as she and Ty climb the heights of pleasure and passion, an enemy is conspiring to destroy them both.

Can Ana help Ty find his humanity in a love that could heal them both, or will their passion lead them into a darkness impossible to escape?

REVIEW:
2.5 HEARTS Really on the fence about this book. I liked the world, liked the idea behind the story liked the beginning. But I just never really connected with the main two characters. I really can’t explain why. I just didn’t feel the love that I would have liked to.

Even with that it was a good story and I am going to give the next book in this series a shot.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group – Bantam Dell in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

2hearts

 


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Kelly review Midnight Pursuit by Elle Kennedy

Midnight PursuitsTITLE: Midnight Pursuits
SERIES #: Killer Instincts #4
CHARACTERS: Ethan Hayes & Juliet Mason
AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Her job is to stay hidden.
Too bad he can’t take his eyes off her.

Soldier-for-hire Ethan Hayes is the youngest member of an elite mercenary team. While he may be affectionately nicknamed the rookie, the skills Ethan honed as a Marine make him seriously dangerous. But when a sudden distress call puts him in close quarters with a rival, he finds more than his field skills being put to the test.

Juliet Mason stands out as the master thief in a covert group of assassins and spies. Her latest mission is personal—and it’s gone horribly wrong. Juliet may prefer to work alone, but when the rookie comes to her aid in snowy Eastern Europe, she can’t deny they make a good team. But even up against a powerful enemy, their most challenging task yet may be fighting the passion between them..

REVIEW:
3.5 HEARTS The best way to explain Ethan & Juliet is like a tornado meeting a hurricane. While each can be very destructive independently together they will be unstoppable. But somewhere along the way the storms calm and all that is left is each other.
This was a fast pace book. There was no waiting for the action to start. I will say that I think my one of my favorite parts is Ethan’s rules on dating (hehe) Juliet never expected that :D.
If you are a fan of Elle’s Killer Instinct series you will love Ethan & Juliet’s story. Oh and Jack gives us a bit of a surprise at the end of this book (sneaky guy 🙂 ). Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly reviews Enchanting The Beast by Kathryne Kennedy

9781402269882TITLE: Enchanting The Beast
SERIES #: Relics of Merlin #3
CHARACTERS: Philomena & Nicodemus
AUTHOR: Kathryne Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/01/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Grimspell Castle. With its dark, imposing stone walls, it certainly looked haunted. As a ghost-hunter, Lady Philomena was accustomed to restless spirits. But she found the dark, imposing nature of the castle’s owner far more haunting than any specter. London Society might not approve of shape-shifters such as Sir Nicodemus Wulfson, but firmly-on-the-shelf Philomena rather enjoyed the young baronet’s sudden interest in sniffing around her skirts. She’d even consider giving in to him altogether if not for a murderer on the loose—a beast that might just be Nico himself.

REVIEW:
Take a bit of Mary Poppins + Harry Potter + Beauty and the Beast and you have this story. Magical creatures and ghost and witches and shape-shifters. There is everything you need to make a story a paranormal and it works out perfectly. I did not know this was the third in the series and it never felt like I was missing something. It does however make me want to go back and read the first two books.

The characters are delightful. Phil is a bit of a cougar (to use todays terms and I do not mean a shifter). And Nico is a great alpha with the possiveness and fierceness but also the sweetness that we romance lovers adore reading about.

I didn’t want to miss one word of this story and can’t wait to read any more that come from the series. If you love the paranormal romance genre then you have to pick up this delightful story.

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

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Kelly reviews He Can Fall by Melinda Leigh

he can fallTITLE: He Can Fall
SERIES #: A She Can Novella
CHARACTERS: Sean & Amanda Wilson
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: March 26, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N (coming soon)

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When security expert Sean Wilson takes his wife, Amanda, along on a business trip to an isolated bed and breakfast, he’s hoping to combine work and pleasure. But when four armed men storm the inn and take the staff and his wife hostage, the romantic getaway is over. A former army Ranger, Sean will do anything to save his wife, and when he finds the seven-year-old granddaughter of the innkeeper in the snowy woods, the situation becomes more dire. Sean must get the child to safety, but as the armed men become increasingly hostile and violent, Amanda’s life is also on the line. Cut off from help and spurred by desperation, Sean and Amanda must make hard choices that could get them all killed.

Thriller Award nominee and bestselling romantic suspense author Melinda Leigh delivers a page-turning story of love, fear, and desperate choices.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts GREAT novella!!!
I am always amazed how much you can put into a short story. Again this was a great short story and like any review I do for novella my review will be short too. I don’t like giving away too much. I will say that even though this was a short story I didn’t feel like anything was missing. I felt that Melinda was able to tell a great story without leaving me with that “I want more” that can come with a novella.
If you have read Melinda’s She Can… Series you will LOVE this novella. If you are new to the She Can…Series He Can Fall is easily read alone and does not affect the order of the series at all. I would highly suggest picking up a copy of the novella.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Burn For Me by Shiloh Walker

Burn For MeTITLE: Burn for Me
SERIES #: Secrets & Shadows #0.5
CHARACTERS: Tate Bell & Ali Holmes
AUTHOR: Shiloh Walker
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Scarred long ago by the disappearance of his mother, Nichole, Tate Bell aches to spend his days and nights with Ali Holmes, a woman he’s loved for years. But while Ali’s heart pines to be with Tate, her head has reservations… Ali knows that Tate has never forgiven his father for the fight he had with Nichole right before she left the house—and was never heard from again. Ali thinks that Tate’s unresolved anger is a force to be reckoned with…even though the heat that blazes between them is undeniable. Now both Tate and Ali are left to wonder: Can love really conquer all?

REVIEW:
Burn for Me it the first novella in Shiloh Walker’s new Secrets & Shadows series. In Burn for Me we get to meet Tate Bell. A man afraid to truly love or let anyone get too close. Yet knows that the one thing that matters most to him is about ready to walk away. Ali might love Tate, but she can’t wait for him any more. Walking away is going to be the hardest thing she has ever done.

This was an amazing start to Shiloh’s new romance suspense series. Let me tell you chapter one starts of with a major bang. While there is a love story the mystery that surrounds the Bell family has me dying for the next novella in this series.

If you love romance suspense you need to add Burn for Me to your read list.

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

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Kelly reviews Sweetest Surrender by Katie Reus

sweetest SurrenderTITLE: Sweetest Surrender
SERIES #: The Serafina: Sin City #3
CHARACTERS: Vadim & Angel
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: March 30, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A woman on the run…

Angel has been on her own for two years, moving from place to place to outrun her past. With no family and few friends to lean on, she’s managed to keep her secrets and stay safe. But when her past suddenly catches up to her, she has a choice to make. Run or stay and claim her life once more.

He’ll stop at nothing to protect her…

Vadim has never let anyone close to him—until Angel. From the first time he met her, everything changed. As a private consultant for Wyatt Christiansen, he’s good with computers and he’s got connections to unearth people’s deepest, darkest secrets. When Angel’s life is threatened Vadim steps in and uses all his resources to end the threat once and for all. As the danger closes in, he lies to her in an effort to protect her, not realizing that even once the threat is eliminated, he might lose her anyway.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts

This was a quick read about 150 pages. There may have not been a ton of suspense in this story it was a good story. I really loved Vadim. I mean really who doesn’t love man who one is hot, two has an accent and three scares the living bejesus out of everyone but you. Well that pretty much sums up Vadim. He is a total badass but yet so sweet and gentle when needed. And that is everything Angel needs.
Angel is a sweet girl who was dealt some very bad cards. To many deaths in her short life and trusting the wrong person at the wrong time has made the last two years a living nightmare for her. But with Vadim by her side she might be able to face the demons from the past.

Over all I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to what is next in The Serafina: Sin City series.

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

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Kelly and Kimberly review The Day He Kissed Her by Juliana Stone

Day he kissed herTITLE: The Day He Kissed Her
SERIES #: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #3
CHARACTERS: Mackenzie Draper & Lily St. Clare
AUTHOR: Juliana Stone
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He can’t wait to leave…

Mac Draper finally has everything he’s always wanted: An amazing career. A New York City apartment. He’s this close to being free of his past forever. But a mind-blowing encounter with the sexy yet tough-as-nails Lily St. Clare has him delaying his plans to put Crystal Lake in his rearview mirror for good.

She’s finally found a place to stay…

For Lily St. Clare the charming small town of Crystal Lake is her haven – a place she can hide from her famous, back-stabbing family. It’s as close to happy as she’s ever been. Until an unforgettable night with tall, dark and tortured Mac Draper gives her a glimpse of what true happiness feels like.

Lily can’t help but melt a little under the sizzling heat of Mac’s touch. But Mac’s scars run deep, and Lily’s afraid she may be falling for the one man who can never return her feelings..

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.25 HEARTS You know what they say about the bigger they are the harder they fall? Well things technically fall at the same rate of speed, but the bigger you are the bigger mess you are going to make when you hit. Poor poor Mackenzie is big and has build up so many walls that it is going to be a long scary way down for him. And boy does he make a mess of everything.

Lily never thought she was the forever type. But the moment she sees Mac again that thought goes right out the window. Oh, she fights it. But fate is a fickle bit…. well let’s just say that what Fate wants Fate gets.

I loved this book. I loved Mac & Lily. I loved that they both are so darn stubborn and almost ruin everything. I will say that I did cheer for Mac a little when he let his dad have it, although I think that his dad deserved more! If you have read any of the other Bad Boys of Crystal Lake you will know that Mac is the last of the three boys to get his story and it was well worth the wait.

I can’t wait to see what might be next 🙂

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 HEARTS The funny this is that I requested all the books from this series and each time I held off starting it even though I don’t know why. I read all the books around it until I give up and start the book and with the other two books once I started I couldn’t stop reading it and this book was the same. Why I don’t start it right away I have no idea.

This book was a bit rough in some parts. Mac is so haunted by the horrible childhood he had that his anger is quick and strong but when he is sweet he is just so sweet that you can’t help but fall for him. He is so cute when he is with Lily. Lily is strong and while dealing with her own stuff she is the type of woman you want to be friends with.

I do wish we had learned a little more about her past since we were told a number of times how she had a hard (albeit different from Mac) childhood but we didn’t get to hear too much about it. I hope this is not the last we see if Crystal Lake even though the Bad Boys are all settled down.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Rising Assets by Rebecca Zanetti

Rising AssetsTITLE: Rising Assets
SERIES #: Maverick Montana #3
CHARACTERS: Colton Freeze & Melanie Jacobs
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: March 31, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Friends with benefits was never the plan…

Melanie Jacobs is in trouble. With three jobs—including running her ranch—and dwindling funds, she’s exhausted. Not to mention desperately trying to hide a secret. Unfortunately, her best friend Colton Freeze knows all too well that’s something is going on, and he won’t give up until he knows exactly what he needs to fix.

Then Colton learns the truth—that Melanie’s future happiness rests in the fickle hands of fate, and her chances for having a family are shrinking with every passing day. Her only comfort is Colton, but when a heated argument between them turns into an even hotter kiss, the boundaries of their friendship are erased, leaving only a scorching-hot hunger for more.

Every kiss—every touch—is a stolen pleasure. But will their new friends-with-sexy-benefits arrangement bring them closer together, or destroy everything they once shared?

REVIEW:
It was so much fun to read about Colton and Melanie. Childhood best friends who decided to give their growing attraction a chance. But as with any good love story there is a bump or two in the road. Well for these two they are the bumps and the sure don’t make it easy on each other. But would we want it any other way?
These two are great but the side story of Hawk had me crying, laughing and wishing I was there for the great escape. This was another great read by Rebecca Zanetti. And I am so very much looking forward to learn all of Hawk’s deep dark secrets 🙂

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Kelly review Cole’s Redemption by J.D. Tyler

Coles RedemtionTITLE: Cole’s Redemption
SERIES #: Alpha Pack #5
CHARACTERS: Zander Cole & Selene Westfall
AUTHOR: J.D. Tyler
NARRATOR: Kristen Potter
PUBLICATION DATE: March 4, 2014
AUDIO RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2014
RUN TIME: 7 hours & 32 minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible | Tantor

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Once, they were Navy SEALS. Now they are the Alpha Pack: a top secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers who take on the darkest dangers on Earth. But sometimes the greatest danger lies within their own hearts….

Healer and black wolf shifter Zander Cole has survived horrors that would have broken a weaker man. But when a battle leaves him deaf and his powers dimmed, Zan is devastated. Believing himself to be a burden to his team, he sees only one option: leave the Pack forever.

White wolf shifter Selene Westfall knows pain—she is certain her father was responsible for her mother’s death. And she lives to exact revenge. So when she is challenged by a savage black wolf, she puts up a vicious fight—only to become the black wolf’s Bondmate as a result of his bite.

Two damaged souls—one filled with hatred and one who’s lost his reason for living—are forced together as they come to terms with their unlikely, turbulent bond. A love neither expected may be all that stands between them and a killer trying desperately to keep the past dead and buried.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Warning: You will need a tissue or 20 for this book. I have not cried this hard in a book for such a long time. Now that I have warned you on to the review.

In Cole’s redemption we pick up where we left off in Hunter’s Heart. Zander is still recovering from his injuries and is debating his worth to the pack. On his first mission since he was injured and almost getting one of his brothers killed has sealed the deal for Zan. When he finally makes up mind to leave, Zan finds himself fighting for his leaders life. But in the process to protecting Nick, Zan find himself a mate.

This was a good story full of a lot of emotion, demon’s from the past and future that we could have never seen coming. There were a few surprises in this book that I was not ready for (hence the crying). The team gets a new member. And Nick poor, poor Nick.

I think my only issue with this book was the whole the half shift thing. Kinda creeps me out a little bit.

I had the honor listened this book. While I have loved Kristin Potter’s work in the past there was just something off on the reading of this book. Not by much but a little. But something that made it take a little longer for me to get into the book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley, Tantor & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts



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Kimberly reviews Love Charms: A Paranormal Boxed Set by Various Authors

love charmsTITLE: Love Charms: A Paranormal Boxed Set
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: Various
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/04/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Blinded by Magic: A Witch Romance by Ava Catori: Raven’s weakness is mortal men. She’s fallen hard for Derek. There’s just one problem, he doesn’t know she’s a witch. Can he accept her truth or will their relationship crumble?
Blind Date by Selena Kitt: Selena Kitt’s Blind Date ventures into the strange and surreal realm of magical realism in a hot Valentine’s Day romance that takes on the classic Greek myth of Eros and Psyche.
Breathless by Cerys du Lys: Sadie and Evan live in different worlds. Brought together by fate, and held there by hope, can they bridge the gap dividing humanity, or will long held fears and prejudice force them apart forever?
The Passion Cure by Deanna Roy: Jet is a Nix, an outcast enchantress with zero power. To conjure a love spell to save her family, she seduces a handsome enchanter who is willing to break the rules, and possibly, her heart.
Marked by Charisma M. Cole: Jade Murray is a witch that can communicate with the dead. After a summoning goes awry, two murders rock the human and supernatural world. One thing connects the gruesome acts: Jade.
The Warlord’s Concubine by J.E. & M. Keep: As a servant to the princess for much of her life, Mirella sees the conquest of the land as an opportunity to elevate herself.
A Demon and His Witch by Eve Langlais: Remy’s seen a lot during his tenure in Lucifer’s guard, but nothing can prepare him for the witch with the acerbic tongue–and voluptuous figure. Can he convince her to love him and not kill him?
Psychic Appeal by Michelle McCleod: Psychic Sofia Parker has fallen in love, a problem because her new relationship drives the lovesick ghost of her ex-boyfriend to come back from the dead…anyway he can.
Memoir of a Reluctant Shaman by Ty Nolan: When his love spell goes wrong, our hero is exiled to be fully initiated as a Shaman in this spicy tale of New Orleans Voodoo and Native American magic.
Vampire Lords of Blacknall: Trinity by Shirl Anders: Only a creature of the night can save her. Lady Beth Winslow never stays home at night. She fears her stepbrother. Then a monster stalks her in the dark woods and she cannot tell beast from savior.

REVIEW:
Why I request these box sets I really do not know. When you have so many stories the average person will love some and hate others and that is what happened with this box set, of course. Just about the time I liked a story the next one was just ok for me. And of course there were the ones I didn’t like at all. It would be a nice set to have for when you need a quick story to read but reading them back to back just didn’t do it for me.

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

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Kimberly reviews Playing To Win by Shelley Munro

Playing to WinTITLE: Playing To Win
CHARACTERS: Kate & Lane
AUTHOR: Shelley Munro
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Professional rugby player Lane Gerrard is used to women throwing themselves at him, but a scurrilous tabloid article naming him as father of a child sends his temper soaring. The woman he confronts doesn’t fit the blackmailer profile. Kate Alexander is attractive with an enchanting innocence, enticing. A total stranger. Her feistiness draws his unwilling admiration, but the child…he is the image of Lane.Kate can’t deny her son’s similarity to the sexy man at her door but no way will she hand him over without a fight. Kate doesn’t possess money but she can shower her son with love. With public speculation rife, Kate reluctantly works with Lane to discover the truth. They grow closer as distrust slowly turns to mutual fascination, but the tabloid articles bring out a stalker. Mild pranks escalate into danger, and suddenly Lane realizes Kate is a woman he could love. With Kate and her son, he could have a family. Now, with his heart on the line, this is one game he’s playing to win.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I liked this story. It lets you know that sometimes things happen for a reason. As I got ready to write the review I see that it is a reprint which now makes sense. Some things in the story seemed dated but I wasn’t sure why. Now I know.

This is a typical sweet romance. It has a man who isn’t looking for love, a woman who thinks her life is complete, a boy who has been through enough already and a little bit of suspense. It is a relatively quick read. It is well written even though slightly dated but still enjoyable.

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

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