Forty-somethings Lana and Simon, divorced for over 15 years, agree to rent an apartment together after Lana returns to NYC. They have rules, especially no falling back in love, but rules are meant to be broken.

Loved this second chance romance that is low-angst, super sexy, and has an uppity cat.

I also appreciated how both characters were in their forties and had no qualms about not wanting children, ever. Lana's need to explore her life while Simon settled in to the career he was born to do was also lovingly discussed without ever villainizing either character. It is so hard to write a second-chance romance, let alone one about divorcees, but Lang did it with aplomb!

I received a free ARC for review from the publisher. Thank you.

Reading Work for It sent me down a rabbit hole trying to figure out what Elderflower cordial tastes like because after a particular scene involving the creation of it I kind of need to know. Really bad.

Work for it is absolutely delicious, angsty, and so hot I can't even give justice to a description beyond that. Olu and Griff's chemistry and antagonism is so very palpable my eReader was heavy in my hands. I loved the details of Griff's place in the elderflower business, his recipes, and how absolutely gentle he was with Olu's emotions and heart and how NOT gentle he was when asked.

Definitely a must read, absolutely loved.

CW for forced-outing (off page), sharing of intimate photos (off page), and parental death by suicide (takes place in the past).

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

Lucy Parker truly knows how to deliver a fabulous enemies-to-lovers romance. I was eager to see how the redemption arc would work for nefarious Nick from [b:The Austen Playbook|42279630|The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities, #4)|Lucy Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550200262l/42279630._SY75_.jpg|63884092] which while not 100% necessary to read before Headliners WILL make you appreciate this story all the more.

The slow-burn and almost cozy romance (with steam, you just have to wait) combined with the details about Nick and Sabrina's new day time TV talk show gig was a perfect way to while away some reading time in bed. The dialogue sparkles and the little details like Nick falling in love with Sabrina AND knitting are lovely and perfect.

The "mystery" sub-plot about who is sabotaging the show was not important to me but may be attractive to readers who appreciate the small intrigue it offered. This book is also a "holiday" romance if you consider the time period leading up Christmas and some holiday partying and a hunt for a scary "tickle me Elmo meets a Furby" type gift for Nick's niece to be Christmassy.

I also adored that both Sabrina and Nick were clear on their desire to be child-free!

Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for the ARC.

I am so happy I was able to read this absolutely luscious slow-burner by the pool in Vegas. Whew. Definitely yelling at my Kindle to get these two to K-I-S-S for a very long time, but the sheer chemistry between Macon and Delilah was palpable on every page. I also really really didn't like Macon at first, and the story bordered *this close* to being a bully romance, which is not usually something I enjoy reading, but Callihan had my trust and brought it home in the end.

What made it work the most for me was the close proximity of having Delilah living in Macon's home, being his personal chef, all up in his intimate space(s). These two have a whole passel of baggage to sort through and I enjoyed watching them clean up their mess, especially in the bathtub *waggles eyebrows*

I also enjoyed reading about Delilah's complicated relationship with her sister, but I did find the bits after the dark moment to be a bit rushed and over jammed with plot wrap up. Just get back to the tub you dirty kids!

Bonus points for Macon playing a Khal Drogo type figure (armor and all) on his TV show and for body guard North who I hope will someday have his own book! I also appreciated the work to show Macon's restricted diet and how he had to work very very hard to have a body the show wanted him to have.

CW bullying, fatphobic comments, diet culture (Macon is on a diet because he needs to keep his eight-pack), stalking, parental death (off page), gas lighting, lying.

Thank you for the ARC Netgalley!

My favorite part of THE BOYFRIEND PROJECT came at the beginning of the novel. Our protagonist Samiah Brooks discovers the man she's been tepidly dating is ALSO dating two other women. She finds out on Twitter of all places and when she goes to confront him, she and the other women band together to take him down. They go viral, and all three must now contend with the ramifications.

Seeing these characters become friends is almost better than the romance, which for me was lovely, but not what drew me to the story. There's also a bit of a suspense plot involving why Daniel Collins is now employed at Samiah's work. Samiah is also developing an app and I enjoyed seeing her work and her passion for her career.

A great start to a series and I'm looking forward to more.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

Natalie Sobol and Garrett Song are both wildly attracted to each other, despite Natalie laying the HR hammer on Garrett not realizing he's the CEO of her company (for not filling out paperwork). Both aren't looking for love, but both soon find they could benefit from being married, so they agree to a marriage of convenience. Garrett wants his matchmaking grandmother off his back AND an edge in striking a business deal; Natalie wants to convince the state to give her full custody of her niece.

Over the months of living together and acting married, their lust turns in to love.

A promising debut from an author to watch! I found some of the time jumps a bit choppy, but overall this was delicious fun and pulled off a modern, contemporary marriage of convenience with heat and charm.

Thank you to the publisher for the free review copy (from Netgalley).

CW for death (siblings, parents, off page), child custody stuff

A lovely warm hug of a romance best enjoyed if you've read the other books in this series. The pacing is slow, spending a lot of time at the wedding of two previous characters and in the internal thoughts of both Jake and Juliet, but ultimately pays off on heat build up with our love interests finally give in to their desire for each other.

Love Hard handles delicately and compassionately complications of grief, single-parenting, and the fear of having to live part of your life in the media because of your job and who you love(ed). Jake and Juliet's love is inevitable and very low-conflict, the slight drama of the story is all from external factors. Both Juliet and Jake act far wiser than their 24 years and I'm glad they found each other again. I also appreciated while they were "friends" in high school, they were not secretly pining for each other behind the back of the girl who brought them together.

Alas for me personally the inclusion of Jake's six-year-old daughter, while sweet and endearing, had a more of a shrivel my insides effect. Reading about them trying to sneak in sex while they could see her through a crack in their hotel room door was, while a reality a lot of people face, took me right out of the fun times. Perhaps when my children are grown I'll appreciate kids in romance more, but now is not that time.

All said, Singh fans will love this story, Jake is a stern, tall, grumpy tree who's rare smile lights up the room and Juliet is a badass.

CW character death (off page, in the past), grief, gaslighting/lying from an ex, slut shaming, kids, hospital scare.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

God I love this messy family of architects and one volcanic scientist. Love them. I was sick for a few days this March and I downloaded this set from KU so I could binge read my fav comfort books while recovering.

Erin and Shannon are characters that will stay with me for a long time, as will their love interests.

I'm still not a huge fan of Sam, but he's growing on me.

Okay, if you haven't read or listened to the author books in The Walshes series, just stop reading right now. I really don't suggest you pick up Riley's book without having first taken the journey, as it won't work for you.



SPOILERS.


Still with me?

Oh my gosh, Riley. RISD. You bumbling, beautiful, sexy beast.

I've been really worried about Riley ever since realizing he's obsessed with his brother Matt's wife Lauren. Yikes. I love how Canterbary handled the situation without it being gross or skeevy. We've seen Riley pining throughout the various other Walsh books and I had no idea who his love interest would actually turn out to be.

Well this story starts with a bang, with a very explicit sex dream featuring Lauren which did manage to kind of ick me out, but after that we quickly find out who Riley's bumblebee is.

If you don't want to know, don't read behind the spoiler.

Alex, Dr. Nick Acevedo's coworker, formerly known as "Gastro Girl" meets Riley when he's bent over Nick and Erin's table, bleeding out of his back from a rusty nail wound. She stitches him up and they immediately click.
Of course, Riley is still struggling with his feelings for Lauren, feeling like falling for Alex is a betrayal, and Alex herself is dealing with her hangups about always being second choice, being cheated on, being betrayed. They agree to a relationship of mutual benefit, five dates, to help Alex show her boss she's not out to bone other interns and for Alex to accompany Riley to his alma mater's homecoming weekend.
Riley doesn't tell Alex about the girl he's actually trying to get over and I spent the whole story just biting my nails. There were a few moments where I just wanted these two to TALK. And I was little disappointed their first time together was marred by blurry alcohol memory loss and regret. It is by far made up for later, and Riley is one kinky guy.
I was so glad Matt told Riley he always knew about his feelings for Ms. Honey, and that it didn't turn into a big drama fest. I also like how there are no villainous females in this series. Everyone has motivations that make total sense.
It was also great to see this family wrap up their series and I can't wait to read the novella.
Seeing Riley finally getting his HEA and falling for Alex (Aly) myself, I just love this series and this messy Irish-Catholic family.

Reread while I was home sick for a comfort read. Riley and his too big for his own pants c*ck is a total bae and I just adore this entire series. Also getting to see Hartshorn and Acevedo on page with Riley's LI is wonderful.

Jessica McGale needs an investor, quick, for her family's soap making business. Desperate to secure funds before accompanying her Lady on a tour of the continent, she gets swept up in to a fake identity in order to gain access to a private party of rich aristocrats who spend the week looking for ways to spend their fortunes.

Here Jessica meets the Duke of Rotherby, a man as beautiful as he is kind and seductive as hell. As the pretend widowed Lady Witfield, Jessica impresses Noel, but she is reluctant to take his money or his attention, knowing she is actually naught but a farm girl.

As their time comes to a close, both Jessica and Noel succumb to their building attraction, but at what cost to them both?

Super sweet, I enjoyed this tale! I was following along eagerly with the author's writing of this book and while yes, we find out Noel is in to Jessica dominating their bed sport, this is on the very light side of erotic (all talk, both are new to the kink it seems).

But, all in all another sparkling tale from Eva Leigh!

Thank you to Avon and Edelweiss+ for the ARC!