Audiobook Review: Flying by Jordana Blake

Title: Flying

Author: Jordana Blake
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Lily knows she is easier to love in small doses. Wellness Influencer, Lily Long, appears to have it all together now. A decade ago she left her small town and her teen marriage behind, starting over…and over…and over. Searching for a place to belong she’s constantly trying to to fit the expectations others seem to have of her. River knows old secrets could destroy his chances with the one who got away.

River Hendrix, is an anxious shell of his old goofball self. After taking over the family business from his ailing father, he has worked diligently to prove he’s worthy and capable of growing their multi-generation town legacy. This single-minded pursuit might have come at the cost of his personal life, but what does it matter when the girl of his dreams left town long ago?

Now Lily is returning to Peacock Springs to celebrate their friend's engagement. Will Lily’s carefully curated facade survive the close-up scrutiny of those who love her best? Will River find the confidence to admit to her how he’s always felt? Luckily their meddling friends see this opportunity to bring Lily home, help River relax, and reunite their little “fr-amily.” That is, so long as everyone can survive the fallout of the secret River’s held onto and a weird town mandate they can’t make go away.

Are they flying towards the adventure of a lifetime or just running from the past? Flying includes a M/F, friends-to-lovers, small-town romance full of quirky townies, found family, spice, and a guaranteed HEA. It is the first book in a series of interconnected romantic traum-com stories, exploring human stress response behavior. Set in Peacock Springs, NJ, they highlight healing through laughter and love.

Review:

As a woman with ADHD, I could see myself in this spicy little Rom-com. I loved Lily and River and I’m so sad to see this story end. But… I know good things are bound to happen in her next book.

Thanks for the great read.

This book had me laughing so hard! The narrators made this book even better than I remembered!

I’d like to thank the author and PinUp Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book!!!


************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Surprise Me Always by Dani Elias

Title: Surprise Me Always

Author: Dani Elias
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
A single weekend. A quiet connection. And a choice that refuses to be forgotten.

Philip
I wasn’t supposed to meet anyone. My life is already mapped out. Safe. Sensible. Predictable. Then I meet Mark.
One impulsive decision turns into a weekend I already know has an end date. It’s meant to be simple. Temporary. But it isn’t. Somewhere between the slow touches and the way he looks at me like I matter, it starts to feel dangerously real. And real is exactly what I can’t afford. So I leave. Because I always choose the life that makes sense, even when it feels like I’m walking away from something that could have been everything.

Mark
I didn’t expect Philip. I didn’t expect the way he gets under my skin, or how easily he lets himself feel when he forgets to hold back. He tells me it’s just a weekend. I can see the walls he hides behind, the careful distance he keeps. I let him go anyway. Because some people need to make their own mistakes before they’re ready to choose something real. But when he leaves, he takes more with him than he realises.

Distance should have been the end of it. Instead, it turns everything sharper, clearer, harder to ignore. Because it’s one thing to make the sensible choice. It’s another to live with it. Some risks aren’t worth taking. And some feel impossible to walk away from twice.

Surprise Me Always is a standalone MM romance set in an interconnected world. It is written in British English.

Review:

While this book was written well, as are all of Dani Elias books, I was not 100% in love with it.

Philip and Mark met, and had instalove for sure in this 2nd installment in this series. I felt that there was far too much sex at the beginning of the book and far too little story. But Philip moved and things took on a more storytelling atmosphere.

I loved seeing how Mark took on the responsibility for the hamster and kept his word to keep him safe and loved. And seeing how their love was strong enough to see past what's going on in their lives and then translates into a true and steady love.

Dani Elias has shown us that love is love and that's all that matters. And she does so in a way that just shows it as normal and not something to be challenged. Kudos Ms. Elias.

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook ARC Review: Under Juniper Skies by Claire Cain

Title: Under Juniper Skies    

Author: Claire Cain
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
I’m here to start a new life, not fall for the handsome, grumpy single dad sheriff.

When I left my old life for a fresh start in a small mountain town, I didn’t expect to begin the new chapter with a run-in with the hot, growly local sheriff. I’ve had enough of beautiful men setting fire to my life, thanks very much.

While I try to settle in, slim housing options result in me living above said sheriff’s garage. Perfect. I’ll keep my head down and stay out of his way—not easy when we’re living side by side.

He’s suspicious of me and, frankly, rude despite his reputation as a war hero and doting single dad. I can’t reconcile the man I’ve met with the stories I keep hearing around town about how generous and kind he is.

Until he apologizes and changes everything. He still sticks his foot in his mouth, but he’s good-hearted and he’s giving me something I’ve been chasing—a safe place.

I could resist him when he was judging me and needlessly gruff, but I’m not sure I can keep my distance when he’s being more than neighborly. He helps me find my wayward cat, then invites me for cocoa with his daughters, and before I know it I’m seeing past the badge and right to the heart of him.

This fresh start is taking an unexpected turn. After so long living in the smog of my old life, I’m finally breathing deep in these clear mountain skies… until I’m reminded why I ran in the first place.

Review:

My first Claire Cain book and I think I'm hooked. I loved Sam and Grant's chemistry, even when it threatened to blow up and ruin everything right from the start.

I love a small town mountain romance when a strong man can make up for the wrongs he's done, and it's enough to win the heart of the woman he wronged. And I loved the fade to black spice level on this book since sometimes I need a break from the smut I tend to read. And what a great way to palate cleanse. I can't wait to read more by this author.

The tension in this book had me jumping every now and then, and I loved the narrators in this book.

Thank you to Pin Up Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Perfectly Yours by Sarah Neeson

Title: Perfectly Yours

Author: Sarah Neeson
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Hemlock Point is Kaylee's refuge—a place to escape her controlling mother, lose herself in her library, and forget the heartbreak she can't seem to shake.

Until Jason walks through her library doors.

Her high school sweetheart is back after four years, claiming he's writing a book about her town. But the longer he stays, the easier it becomes to slip back into old patterns—as if he never left at all.

Except she can't let herself fall again. Not when he's only scheduled to stay six months. And not when she's built a life she loves—one that doesn't include the man who left her behind.

But Jason isn't the same restless traveller who walked away. He's ready to put down roots, and determined to prove he's not leaving again. Now Kaylee has to decide: can she trust the man who once broke her heart, or will fear cost her a second chance at forever?

A second-chance, small-town romance with no third act breakup, a meddling matchmaker, found family, and a little spice.

Review:

I love the second chance romance that Sarah gave us with Jason and Kaylee. Their connection, from the first encounter was evident and you could feel the love that they had for each other. Proof that time never dulls true love.

I’d like to thank the author for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful five 🌟 review!

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: No Room for Rivals by MeLisa Ryun

Title: No Room for Rivals

Author: MeLisa Ryun
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Hi. I’m Ivy Ellison—strategic, data-driven, and about to strangle my coworker on camera. Cole Hartwell, company wildcard and my professional rival, is six feet of muscle that screams “trust me, it’ll work”.

My romantic history is a graveyard of being the "second choice." Men don't choose me—they settle. So long ago, I decided to choose my career. I'm one step away from my dream role, and the only thing standing in my way is Cole’s smug, handsome face.

One high-stakes trip.
One career-making campaign.
And one cramped hotel suite not designed for two people who "hate" each other this much.

The assignment? Produce a live-streamed eco-activism singles weekend at the Hotel Bellwether. The celebrity headliner? Blaze Tate, a caffeinated golden retriever with a gazillion followers and zero impulse control. When he cannonballs into the ocean with sea lions, donations pour in. The more he goes off script, the moreCole gains the advantage and I lose my sanity.

Cole treats our rivalry like foreplay and acts like the sleeping arrangements (and my curves) are somehow his problem. He’s determined to prove that winging it wins campaigns, and every viral spike is proving him right. Somewhere between fighting for my career and resisting the urge to shut him up with my mouth, I’m starting to wonder if the biggest risk isn't losing my promotion—but walking away from the one person who might finally choose me first.

Hotel Bellwether, Book 3 of 5, is a standalone that delivers enemies-to-lovers-tension with one bed, forced proximity, competence kink, and a slow burn that absolutely brings the heat. Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn chaos and Tessa Bailey steam.

Review:

OMG guys, this book has it all. The Ivy & Cole vibes are insane! The animosity, the heat, the passion and the heart stole my breath time and again. Not only did I wake my old man a few times laughing, but there were two times when I cried my little heart out. Any book that can do that is above 5 stars for me!! The forerunner for the best book of 2026!

I’d like to thank the authors and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: 8 Seconds to Fly by Grace McGinty

Title: 8 Seconds to Fly

Author: Grace McGinty
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Tessa May Everett had grown up loving four things in life; bull riding, her father and her best frenemies, Branch and Beau.

But in less than eight seconds, she’d lost all four things and the single most important person in her life.

Four years later, Tessa May is back and ready to reclaim her dreams. She was going to be the first woman to compete on the professional bull riding circuit, and nothing was going to stop her. Not the Boys Club that already held her to a different standard. Not the other riders who looked at her with barely veiled contempt. And certainly not the reappearance of her former crushes and now rivals.

With her best friend Frankie at her side, Tessa May was going to do what she’d dreamed of since she was a little girl; ride rank bulls in front of cheering crowds.

And if she happened to ride a few cowboys on the way? Even better.

Review:

Sweet baby Jesus this book is hot! I love that the polyamorous community was represented as a lifestyle, not an anomaly.

This author brought me into this world with these characters seamlessly. I’m honestly kinda jealous.

The narrators did an exceptional job with this book.

I’d like to thank the author and Pin Up Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: His Perfect Melody by Aria Harding

Title: His Perfect Melody

Author: Aria Harding
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Skylar Levine is supposed to be happy.
She’s weeks away from marrying a man everyone adores—steady, kind, predictable. But the closer she gets to “forever,” the more she can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t the life she’s dreamed of. And when Nathan Lowe, her first love and her best friend’s brother, returns to town in hopes of finding some inspiration for his music score, delicate façade she’s built starts to crack.
Nathan has spent years chasing perfection at a piano bench and coming up short.
Every time he faces his unfinished piece, it leads him back to one truth: his music hasn’t had its heart since Skylar walked away. Now that he’s back in town to try finding that spark that he lost, the notes come easier, but the risk of getting there becomes greater.
Because this time, one wrong move could break both of them for good.
As old sparks ignite and buried emotions resurface, Skylar must decide whether to keep playing it safe or finally listen to the part of her that’s still his. But trusting Nathan again means confronting the fear that’s haunted her for years—the fear that love, no matter how true it may be, might hurt more the second time around.
Especially when he was the one who broke it first.

Review:

This book was deeper that I anticipated. Which is a really good thing. I enjoyed getting to know them, but found that the FMC took a long time to pull herself out of her mini pity party. Yes, Skylar, Nathan did leave, but he's here now. Quit beating around the bush and just love him already. I wanted to crawl into Nathan's back pocket and let him take me home and teach me piano though.

This book got 3.5 stars in my opinion, but I rounded up because I loved Nathan so much.

I'd like to thank Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book.


************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.