I am a sucker for a book where the FMC leaves her toxic life behind and starts over in a new town, and the local hottie swoops in to save the day. I know it's cliche, but it's my guilty pleasure, okay? And this one? THIS ONE IS IT. There's something to be said about a man in a book who goes from saying "the kids" to "her kids" to "MY KIDS". Jack Powell is THAT MAN. I loved him from the start because he immediately stepped in to help Whitney and made her safe from the get go. This book is a small town romance, forced proximity, second chance (sort of), childhood crush, single parent and found family. All of these are the makings of a great book and this did not disappoint. I honestly did not want it to end and wish it was longer! This made me think of Juniper Hill by Devney Perry, which is one of my all time favorites. 

This is a wonderful debut novel! Bennett and Marley are two characters you can't help but love and I absoltuely adore their meet cute. One thing that I really loved about this book was the representation: Marley is conflict photographer (what a cool job!) and she has PTSD, while Bennett played football and now has CTE that causes neurological symptoms like headaches and other issues. I have not read a book with a character that has the job of a conflict photographer or a character that has CTE. I LOVE when I read a book and it's something new and unique. I loved the pack of dogs, the dog sanctuary, Yogurt the dog, and the cast of side characters who make this book so funny and add so much to the story. Although the book can feel heavy at times, it's full of laugh and such a cute and swoonworthy romance. Definitely put this on your list! 

I love this fabulous start to a brand new series! Laura Pavlov definitely knows how to write a small town romance. This has everything: enemies to lovers (some family rivalry drama), small town, bad guy with a good girl and some swoon worthy moments with plenty of spice. I loved Romeo and Demi together! There were times when I wished Demi would stick up for herself and not let her family run things, because she came across as weak and gullible but she definitely become stronger and tougher as the book went on which I loved for her own personal growth. Every side character was awesome, to include my little man Cutler (I'm sorry, his name is Beefcake!) and I can't wait for their stories. I loved the plot and Romeo training for his fight. This was such a great start to this new series and I'm looking forward to more! 

Something about this bothered me... some of the dialogue and explanations and phrases were sort of overexplained and cringe, I think? None of it felt natural, like the author was trying to write the characters perfectly and have them say things perfectly but it just came across weird. I am not sure how to explain it, but it affected my reading. Anyway, I do think it was an okay book for what it was, but I just needed more. I didn't feel the chemistry between Piper and Hunter. In fact, I felt she had more chemistry with his brother than him. Also, Hunter was kind of rude and mean to Piper for no reason and I didn't care for that either. I think this was just trying too hard to be a single dad x nanny trope book and it just didn't work all that well. 

This was just as cringe and gross as the rest of the series, it was rushed and not good and was basically all smut. It's official; I will not be reading this author any further. Save yourself the trouble and stay away. 

Are you guys okay??? Dom is NOT a good book boyfriend. He literally rapes her, drugs her and takes away her birth control to get her pregnant. I mean, I'm all for dark romance but this is just a big fat no. Dom is a horrible person and Val is so incredibly annoying. She's insecure, but the thing about this author is that every single one of her FMCs are the same: insecure, weak, whiny and ALWAYS talking about their weight. Like, we get it! You're fat! So am I, but you mention it on EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. Y'all need therapy if you thought this was good or even remotely okay. 

The main female character is incredibly cringe and King is NOT even close to a red flag the way that Nero was. This was NOT a good forced marriage book and a joke. 

I have no words... this was not good. This will be the last time I listen to social media or those book groups because ABSOLUTELY NOT. This was instalove, but he literally stalks her and takes her virginity after they knew each other (and I use the term "knew" loosely) for mere days. It's cheesy and cringe and meant to be dark romance but it was just gross and a mess. There was no chemistry, no angst, no real plot, just nothing but obsession and smut. Also, please learn the difference between a possessive hero and one who is just controlling, isolates her and is basically abusive. And this supposed to be romantic? It isn't. She gets turned on by him stealing her body wash and leaving behind money. What??? Also, at one point, he decides he needs to "teach her a lesson" and he basically goes to her place and rapes her. Yeah, no. This is not for me and I cannot believe people like this.

I just love this series! I'm not a huge fan of accidental pregnancy trope, but when I tell you this is the BEST one I have read, I mean it! I loved the relationship between Duke and Sylvie. They started off as friends, although in secret due to their families being bitter rivals, and I really loved that we got to see their friendship develop prior to getting together. They have a "one night stand", and then Sylvie becomes pregnant (despite proper protection use). I liked that Sylvie doesn't keep the pregnancy a secret and pretty much immediately tells Duke, despite the backlash they both face from their families. Too often in accidental pregnancy trope books, the pregnancy is concealed for months or even hidden altogether until the child is older. I love that Sylvie didn't hesitate to let Duke know, to invite him to be a father and partner with her in this journey and to lean on him through navigating this uncharted territory. I'm proud of Duke and Sylvie for standing up to their families and putting their happiness above what other people wanted. It had such a wonderful ending too! 

This is a very good book, especially when you consider it's a debut novel. It's just so cute and fun and sugary sweet, a perfect pick me up and something that will make you smile. I loved Lainey and Adam, and just how wonderful they were to each other as friends and eventually as a couple. They both had some things to work through, but it was refreshing how supportive and encouraging they were for each other as they navigated their relationship and the journey together. I can't wait to read Owen and Maeve's story!