TITLE: The Tea Shop On Lavender Lane
SERIES #: Life In Icicle Falls #5
CHARACTERS: Bailey/Todd/Cecily/Luke
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After a fake food poisoning incident in L.A., Bailey Sterling’s dreams of becoming a caterer to the stars collapse faster than a soufflé. Now Bailey’s face is in all the gossip rags and her business is in ruins. But the Sterling women close ranks and bring her back to Icicle Falls, where she’ll stay with her sister Cecily.

All goes well between the sisters until Bailey comes up with a new business idea—a tea shop on a charming street called Lavender Lane. She’s going into partnership with Todd Black, who—it turns out—is the man Cecily’s started dating. It looks to Cecily as if there’s more than tea brewing in that cute little shop. And she’s not pleased.

Wait! Isn’t Cecily seeing Luke Goodman? He’s a widower with an adorable little girl, and yes, Cecily does care about him. But Todd’s the one who sends her zing-o-meter off the charts. So now what? Should you have to choose between your sister and the man you love (or think you love)?

REVIEW:
I had a hard time with this story. Maybe because it was about 4 people and not just a couple or maybe because it actually had a harshness to it. I am really not sure but I just didn’t enjoy it too much. While most of it was about Cecily and Todd with a bit of Luke thrown in none of the characters seemed to have much chemistry. And then Bailey came in and while she does have chemistry with Todd it seemed wrong to have her interested in her sisters boyfriend.

There wasn’t enough about Cecily and Luke if you ask me. And I honestly wondered where Eric fit into the story. Just so many people thrown into this mix and it just never seemed to connect with any couple.

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

TITLE: Wild Iris Ridge
SERIES #: Hope’s Crossing #7
CHARACTERS: Lucy & Brendan
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/24/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lucy Drake and Brendan Caine have only one thing in common…

And it’s likely to tear them apart. Because it was Brendan’s late wife, Jessie—and Lucy’s best friend—who’d brought them together in the first place. And since Jesse’s passing, Brendan’s been distracted by his two little ones…and the memory of an explosive kiss with Lucy years before his marriage. Still, he’ll steer clear of her. She’s always been trouble with a capital T.

Lucy couldn’t wait to shed her small-town roots for the big city. But now that she’s back in Hope’s Crossing to take care of the Queen Anne home her late aunt has left her, she figures seeing Brendan Caine again is no big deal. After all, she’d managed to resist the handsome fire chief once before, but clearly the embers of their attraction are still smoldering…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts A very sweet read. It took a little while for me to get interested in this book. Maybe because the two characters didn’t connect o a romantic level since they had been adversaries or maybe it was just written for them to need time but either way it took me awhile. But once the connection had been done I really enjoyed it. There was still a bit of uncertainty between them but it enhanced the story.

I really enjoyed the background characters especially the kids, Faith and Carter. They are so sweet and every time they come in contact with someone the sweetness just comes out. I even liked Crystal when she came into the picture.

While part of a series you can read this as a stand alone without any hesitation. Looking forward to the next in the series… Maybe Aidan’s story?

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

TITLE: Up To Me
SERIES #: Shore Secrets #1
CHARACTERS: Ella & Graydon
AUTHOR: Christi Barth
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/23/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N coming soon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Ella Mayhew’s always appreciated the beautiful view of Seneca Lake from the spa window of her family’s hotel.But the view improves dramatically when a hot stranger runs across the grounds—shirtless. He’s the first man to kickstart her hormones in the three years since she lost her parents, and she doesn’t even know his name.

Graydon Locke’s on his umpteenth undercover assignment. The routine’s always the same: assess a business, recommend it for closure, then roll out before anyone discovers his decisions impact hundreds of lives. He’s always believed nothing good comes out of small towns. Why would this one be different? Then he makes two classic rookie mistakes—falling for the sweet, sexy girl who owns the very business he’s on the verge of axing. And letting the town’s residents get involved in both his life, and his relationship with Ella.

Ella’s the best thing to ever happen to Gray, but he’s lied to her from the start. If he pulls the plug on Mayhew Manor, the entire town may crumble. Ella couldn’t save her parents, but it’s up to her to save their hotel. Even if that means turning her back on true love.

REVIEW:
This is a sweet story about finding love in unexpected places. Ella really comes into her own in this story. Seems she has had to grow up so fast and yet allows everyone else to make her decisions for her. But Gray opens up a part of Ella that she has been missing and she really grows into the woman she should be. Gray starts out lying about so much it is hard to imagine he will be forgiven but he does a bunch of sweet things so he redeems himself not only in the towns eyes but the readers as well.

The problem? The connection of Ella and Gray seems to go hot and cold. Gray seems sweet at some points and Ella seems taken and then they have almost a bickering feel to them. When they connected the story was sweet and really good but other times it seemed off and almost forced. But as with all (ok most) romances it has a happy ending the Gray does a little bit of groveling so the reader can enjoy them together.

I look forward to reading Ward and Piper’s story. There most certainly is one that and it will be a doozy.

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

TITLE: The Promise
SERIES #: Thunder Point #5
CHARACTERS: Peyton & Scott
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/24/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it’s time to move on from his loss. But as the town’s only doctor, the dating scene is awkward. That is, until a stunning physician’s assistant applies for a job at his clinic.

Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She’s already been burned by a man with kids, and she’s come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she’s used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She’s willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options.

Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn’t enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.

REVIEW:

Another lovely visit to Thunder Point and this time we get to spend time with Dr Scott. Scott is a great guy who is just too sweet for words and has adorable children and any woman would want to fall in love with him and I am thrilled that he got his happily ever after. Peyton is an interesting choice for Scott. They mesh so well but seem to be in such different worlds. And Peyton’s family is a hoot. I also enjoyed catching up with past couples from the series.

There was a little too much talk of Peyton’s ex and rehashing of the circumstances but the story is great. I would have liked a little less of the rehash and a bit more at the end. I would love to have known what the kids thought of Scott and Peyton together. But I am sure we will get more of their story as we visit Thunder Point with the next couple. I wonder who that will be? I can’t wait to read it and find out!

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

TITLE: The Glass Kitchen
CHARACTERS: Portia & Gabriel
AUTHOR: Linda Francis Lee
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/17/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With the glass kitchen, Linda Francis Lee has served up a novel that is about the courage it takes to follow your heart and be yourself. A true recipe for life.
Portia Cuthcart never intended to leave Texas. Her dream was to run the Glass Kitchen restaurant her grandmother built decades ago. But after a string of betrayals and the loss of her legacy, Portia is determined to start a new life with her sisters in Manhattan . . . and never cook again. But when she moves into a dilapidated brownstone on the Upper West Side, she meets twelve-year-old Ariel and her widowed father Gabriel, a man with his hands full trying to raise two daughters on his own. Soon, a promise made to her sisters forces Portia back into a world of magical food and swirling emotions, where she must confront everything she has been running from. What seems so simple on the surface is anything but when long-held secrets are revealed, rivalries exposed, and the promise of new love stirs to life like chocolate mixing with cream. The Glass Kitchen is a delicious novel, a tempestuous story of a woman washed up on the shores of Manhattan who discovers that a kitchen—like an island—can be a refuge, if only she has the courage to give in to the pull of love, the power of forgiveness, and accept the complications of what it means to be family.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I really enjoyed this story. There is something that pulls you in from page one. While contemporary the special talent Portia has adds a delightful spin. Portia is such a fascinating character. She is someone you want to be friends will. The feelings of guilt, love and longing is palpable. Gabriel is so hard-edged but yet something is so sweet about him. They are so perfectly matched.

The character of Ariel is such a complement to this story. I really enjoyed how the story was told from the viewpoints of Portia and Ariel and not Gabriel. It really added something to the story this way. Ariel is such a smart little girl who is trying so hard not to be invisible to everyone that she sometimes becomes lost to herself.

I honestly can’t imagine someone not enjoying this story. The writing is so well done and it is so relatable to women. It is just a feel good story perfect for a summer read.

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