Review: Twisted Paths by Dani Elias

Title: Twisted Paths

Author: Dani Elias
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Two wandering souls, one farting dog, and a love story no one saw coming.

Nancy
St Claire is the kind of Yorkshire village where the sheep outnumber people, and the most exciting event of the week is spotting the postman twice. Don’t get me wrong, I love my cosy life as a freelance marketing expert, but sometimes I feel like a hermit in yoga pants. That’s why I decided to shake things up and start a walking group: The Ramblers of St Claire. The turnout? Let’s just say it’s… intimate. There’s Mrs Higgins, her dog (whose gas problem could be classified as a biohazard), and Luke, the village recluse who radiates grumpiness like it’s a competitive sport. Gossip about him is practically a local pastime, but I don’t care. What I do care about is the fact that he looks like someone dragged him here against his will. Cheerful walking buddy? Definitely not. Mystery man who might just need a nudge to lighten up? Challenge accepted.

Luke
I moved to St Claire for peace and quiet. What I got instead is nosey neighbours, endless gossip, and writer’s block the size of the Dales. My next crime novel is overdue, my editor’s losing patience, and I’m completely out of ideas. So when I see an ad for a walking group, I think, “Why not? Fresh air, inspiration, a chance to study local characters.” What I didn’t count on was a group that’s more like a comedy trio: one eccentric pensioner, her farting dog, and Nancy—the walking embodiment of sunshine. She’s too chipper, too chatty, and far too determined to make me smile. Honestly, it’s infuriating. But also… strangely refreshing. Maybe she’s just what I need to crack my next story—or at least survive this village with my sanity intact.

This steamy romance is part of a series set in a shared world, but you don’t need to have read the others to enjoy it. Each story stands alone, though you might spot a few familiar faces along the way!

Review:

The Ramblers of Saint Claire series is going to be absolutely amazing! If Twisted Paths has anything to say with how good the series is going to be, it’s going to be epic!

Nancy is pretty much a hermit, and she’s decided that she’s going to start a walking club to get her out of her rut. And to be able to do that she needs people to come to her meet ups. And who should show up? Luke, and are you ready for this, Mrs. Higgins and her dog who has a horrible gas problem!

Mrs. Higgins is the embodiment of the nosy grandmother figure who is always trying to put her nose where it doesn’t belong. Or, in this case, does it really belong?

And Luke, what can you say about him? He is a writer who doesn’t want people to know that he’s a writer, much less a writer with writer’s block. He decides to move to Saint Claire in order to get some inspiration. When his agent suggests he take up a hobby little did he know that it would lead him to Nancy.

It’s amazing how in this short novella Dani Elias was able to get me to fall in love with Nancy and Luke. I even felt bad for the dog. Is there anything we can give that dog to make it less gassy? Maybe we’ll find out in future rambler books. I love how Miss Elias gives us a full-length novel in a novella sized chunk. She never short changes us or leaves us wanting for more, except for the next book.

I’d like to thank the author and happily booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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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: Why Not Forever by Sarah Neeson

Title: Why Not Forever

Author: Sarah Neeson
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Vic Sterling
People have called me uptight, a control freak, and an ice queen for most of my life. As co-owner and CEO of Blue Vista Events, I orchestrate other people's happily-ever-afters while keeping my own heart safely frozen.

Until Tanner Marcus strolls back into my life with an outrageous proposal. We’d been friends once—and almost more—until he took the job at my father’s company that should have been mine. My father's latest power play offers Tanner ownership of the company, but only if he puts a ring on my finger.

His counter-offer is tempting: half the business in exchange for a temporary marriage. But while I might trust him in the boardroom, I won't trust him with my heart—because even ice can break.

Tanner Marcus
Taking the job at Sterling Properties cost me Vic’s trust once. I’m not going to let it happen a second time. Not when I have another chance with the one woman who has never left my thoughts. She may present a polished, frigid facade to the world, but I remember the fire beneath the frost.

Living together is breaking down our carefully constructed walls. Behind closed doors, Vic lets her guard down and even dances with me. She’s helping me learn that loving my family doesn’t mean I have to solve all their problems, and I'm teaching her she doesn’t need to be in control all the time.

We agreed to divorce after twelve months, but I've been harbouring a decade of unspoken feelings. As our pretense starts to feel real, I'm ready to renegotiate terms. Instead of a year, why not forever?

Review:

I am absolutely floored by Why Not Forever by Sarah Neeson! It’s about time we got to Vic's story and how she falls in love. And boy does she fights it tooth and nail. Will everything that she’s fought so hard to get come to her? Or will she be forced to be set aside by the one person who should have been there for her from the day she was born?

Tanner was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he never assumed that him getting a job would ruin the trust of the person he was growing to love. But when he is approached by Vic’s father, he has two choices:

One: be manipulative, like Vic's father

Or

Two: fess up to what is really happening and see where it’ll lead

Will this marriage of convenience work out? Only time will tell and only if you read the book! :-)

Sarah Neeson did an exceptional job on Vic’s story and brought Tanner in to be everything she could possibly need and more!

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to review this book.

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

Audiobook Review: Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith

Title: Much Ado About Hating You

Author: Sarah Echavarre Smith
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Enemies by day. Spicy fanfic author and devoted reader by night.

Things are about to get downright Shakespearean.

All’s fair in love. And war. And fandom.

Financial auditor Micah Mila is used to being the bearer of bad news, and her latest assignment in the local university’s English department has been especially taxing—no thanks to a literature professor who clashes with her at every turn. Thankfully, she has an after-hours escape: reading spicy Shakespearean fanfic.

Professor Aidan Scott is damn good at his job. But Micah has been a thorn in his side since the moment he laid eyes on her—eyes that really like what they see. Yet, with his job on the line, there’s no room for distractions. At least, not beyond the sexy fanfic he secretly writes.

When Micah discovers the man getting under her skin is the writer heating her up, their enemy vibe turns steamy. But with Micah’s audit due and Aidan’s career at risk, separating fantasy from reality becomes more than a little complicated…  

Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith

Shakespeare, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, secret romance, hot professor, “good girl,” dirty talk, hot nerd hero, black cat girlie, working together, praise kink, she comes first, high heat level, “I hate you but I love f&*$ing you”

Review:

What do you do when your job essentially puts other people on the unemployment line? You suck it up and do what you're paid to do, no matter how much people put you down and question your morals. But what happens when the person who is the most vocal decides that you're a feast? (You'll have to read to find out!) Those are the problems faced by our FMC, Micah. Poor thing.

And our MMC, Aidan, is suffering from wondering how much longer he's going to have a job since Micah is consulting for the University to find out where the fat could be cut in his department. Will he be next on the chopping block? And who else should be blamed but poor Micah?

If you enjoy a good spicy, enemies to lovers book, then this book is definitely one you should pick up. Sarah did a great job with the tension in this book and of making the characters both likeable and loveable.

And Cindy Kay and J. F. Harding gave the book the extra pizzaz it needed to bring it to the next level. Kudos you two, kudos! Stand up and take a bow!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher 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: Not Safe For Work by Nisha J. Tuli

Title: Not Safe For Work

Author: Nisha J. Tuli
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

Two workplace enemies find themselves in close proximity on a tropical company retreat that challenges their assumptions—and just might make them to fall for each other—in this romcom by a by a beloved TikTok author.

Engineer Trishara Malik once dreamed of being the first woman of color to smash the glass ceiling at WMC Purcell, but after years of dealing with white male privilege and blatant nepotism, she watches her hard-earned promotion go to her nemesis, Rafe Gallagher—the boss’s son. Teetering on the edge of burnout, Tris is stunned when she’s picked to attend WMC's corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii. It’s a chance to revive her stalled career and compete for a coveted spot in an executive training program—plus, three weeks in paradise! The only downside? Rafe is her co-attendee.

Tris plans to avoid Rafe entirely, but when she arrives in Maui, a booking error has them stuck sharing the honeymoon suite. Sure, it’s not all torture. Rafe is a smoldering ten—okay fine, an eleven—but after years of competition, they can barely stand being in the same time zone. As they vie against each other during aptitude tests and team-building exercises, Tris begins to realize Rafe might not be the villain after all. With her dreams at stake, can she learn to trust the man who might have been standing in her corner all along?

Review:

Tris works in a white male dominated industry. She's working to push through the glass ceiling of her job and make it in her field. But when her boss' son gets the job she's been working hard to get she nearly loses it. But soon she finds out that she's been picked for a leadership retreat (along with Rafe - her boss' son) and that gives her a little hope. But when they get there, guess what ladies and gentlemen... there's only one bed. (What a great trope!) But Rafe's not half the monster she thinks he is.

This enemies to lovers, workplace romance, with only one bed and forced proximity is a really fun listen. Soneela Nankani (our wonderful narrator) made the book fun, and she brought all the characters to life in such a great way. Kudos.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to 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: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

Title: If All Else Sails

Author: Emma St. Clair
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

In this enemies-to-lovers romance, school nurse Josie and her brother's best friend--hockey player Wyatt Jacobs--are tricked into spending a summer together that's anything but smooth sailing.

When Josie's brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.

A hockey player who isn't just one of her sports agent brother's clients. He's also his best friend. And Josie's sworn enemy.

Oh--and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.

Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.

Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.

Begrudgingly, Josie starts to see a little more of the man behind the grumpy exterior. And when she finds out he was supposed to sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah scattering his uncle's ashes, Josie surprises even herself by offering to be Wyatt's first mate.

Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Josie begins to wonder if they'll be able to make it home without killing--or kissing?--each other.

And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt's layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him, their shared history, and perhaps herself as well.

Review:

Josie is set to go on a vacation trip with her brother who plans them and she just follows along. Unfortunately he's duped her this trip into taking care of his client/best friend who is suffering from an injury.

Wyatt's a grump, plain and simple. And when he finds someone on his property taking pictures, he blows his top. The next thing you know, she's in a cop car and the local cops are asking for autographs. What he doesn't realize is that the woman who was "snooping around" is actually his best friend/manager's sister, who he just doesn't recognize.

After everything settles down, Josie agrees to help Wyatt out, against his wishes, and they form an unlikely relationship.

In this brother's best friend, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine book, you'll find characters that you just can't help but love. When the book is over, you're left craving some more time with this wonderful pair.

Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller did an exceptional job with this book. Their narration was spot on and had me pulled in from the first chapters.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me 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: Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse

Change of Pace by Kayla Grosse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Coming from a background of not knowing anything about Kawasaki's disease or ICDs made this book worth its weight in gold. The author was knowledgeable and brought this Rom-Com into today by educating us on things that we need to know more about.

Jessie and Ash are such a lovely couple from day one and we were dealing with a slow transition on Jessie's part in letting someone in, so that was a little agitating because I felt poor Ash deserved so much better. But it was nice to see the woman give the grand gesture in a romance book.

I loved, loved, loved Ash and his kind heart, and caring nature. He is definitely someone I wanted to steal from the FMC because she wasn't treating him the way HE needed to be treated. Luckily it all evened out in the end and they lived happily ever after.

I was worried at first that the author was going to leave out the last crossed out item from the bucket list... and... she didn't disappoint. I just had to be patient. And patience is NOT my middle name.

I Loved the narrators Victoria Connolly and Grayson Owens. What a dynamic duo.

I'd like to thank the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

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Review: Roller Coaster Romance by Kate Moseman

Roller Coaster Romance by Kate Moseman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When a cover looks like this, and the title has the word "romance" in it, I expect it to be a romance. I guess you could call it romance-lite. Granted, there were some romantic elements... kinda, but not enough to really pull it together for me. I found that most of the discussion in the book had to do with unionization, and again, little to do with romance. I was rather disappointed.

I enjoyed the characters in this book as they each had their own distinct personality. It was nice to see that the FMC was able to stick to her guns and fight the good fight from the inside.

Though I will say that Angelina Rocca did an exceptional job reading this book.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

View all my reviews