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Title: Healing Hearts Author: Sarah M. Eden Series: Savage Wells #2 Full of heart and endearing characters but could use more passion I would like to thank Sarah M. Eden, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a great book! It was the right degree of dramatic, it had heaps of heart, and all of the characters were endearing. Well, except the villain, of course, but I …
Title: Edge of Darkness Author: Karen Rose Series: Cincinnati #4 A powerfully realistic and moving story Sweet Baby Jorge, I love Karen Rose. Her work continues to awe me. I don’t know if it’s her or her editor, but I almost never find any flaws in logic. Every plot point is methodically positioned and relevant and it all makes so much sense. And the level of detail, especially in police/FBI procedure—it simply astounds me. And the feels! I don’t know …
Title: The Woman Left Behind Author: Linda Howard Series: n/a Plot’s a tad messy, hero’s a stranger, heroine had her moments Goodreads says this is part of a series called Go-Team that includes Howard’s last novel, Troublemaker, but I haven’t seen this information anywhere else, e.g. Amazon or Fantastic Fiction; most notably, it’s listed on Howard’s own website as a standalone (since when does she have a website?). It’s certainly possible that these books are related somehow, but don’t worry …
Title: The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor Author: Paula Quinn Series: Highland Heirs #3 The sweet love story of two endearing characters I wanted to read this book because—well, because it’s Paula Quinn; but I also wanted to familiarize myself with Abby and Daniel, as I suspect they’ll be involved with the next—and last, unfortunately—Highland Heirs novel, out this December. I enjoyed Abby and Daniel’s story very much. They had great chemistry and got along like friends, being pleasant to …
Title: Dark Ride Author: Angela Smith Series: n/a A solid effort but needs work The author asked me to read and review her work, and I was happy to oblige. She provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. When Adrienne Fuller witnesses a horrific incident of vehicular homicide, she prays the perpetrators didn’t notice she’d witnessed the crime—but they did, and weren’t about to leave a loose end. Luckily for Adrienne, one of the perps …
Title: Lost Innocence Author: Jannine Gallant Series: Siren Cove #2 Well constructed but I didn’t care for the characters Thank you to Jannine Gallant for reaching out and asking for a review, and thank you to Lyrical Press/Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to give this work three or four stars. Structurally and mechanically, it’s excellent. There were some minor typos which I trust will be corrected for the final …
Title: Last Shot Author: Daniel José Older Series: n/a Just my overall thoughts. If you want to avoid spoilers for the book, there are minor ones here, so beware. I liked this book more than I thought I would, but it wasn’t perfect. My favorite aspect: two-year-old Ben Solo, of course, as well as Han’s awkward, uncomfortable approach to parenting, marriage, and overall commitment. He loves his family but he just doesn’t know what the hell to do with them. …
Title: Jilliand Author: Clare Gutierrez Series: n/a Lots of heartbreak, lots of passive voice I would like to thank Clare Gutierrez, River Grove Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I kind of had a minor breakdown while reading this. This is what I wrote at the time: This was a different kind of romance, and not the kind I like. I’m sorry, I didn’t finish it. My heart couldn’t …
Title: Mornings on Main Author: Jodi Thomas Series: n/a mostly about theme but the story and characters grew on me Not gonna lie, I approached this book with reluctance. Another quilting/knitting/sewing mainstream wannabe literary novel? That trend started over a decade ago and largely died off two or three years ago. Another story about a small town with a quaint little B&B and a family dealing with a heartbreaking illness that’s slowly sucking the life out of the matriarch/patriarch? Another …
Title: Laird of the Black Isle Author: Paula Quinn Series: Highland Heirs #7 Could have been better but who cares because MACGREGORS!! I would like to thank Paula Quinn, Forever/Hachette Book Group, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Two years ago, Lachlan MacKenzie, Laird of the Black Isle, tucked himself away in his dark, empty castle to mourn the murders of his wife and four-year-old daughter. He provides for his tenants, …