THE DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA
Christina Dodd

Thank you, Christina Dodd and Kensington Publishers for the early review copy. These thoughts are my own

I found this reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, if they hadn't died, told by their eldest daughter, Rosie to be mostly enjoyable. I loved Rosie as a character, especially when she would break the fourth wall and talk directly to the “dear reader”  Also, tossing in modern language and phrases now and then was entertaining. Rosie’s romantic adventures were fun to read. 

I did not, however, find the mystery to be very interesting. It had promise but it just fell flat. There were many sections that dragged for me and I'd have to put the book down for a bit. 

Overall, it was a good read. I will continue the series to see what happens to Rosie and her betrothed. 

Broken Bayou
Jennifer Moorhead 

Thank you @booksforward for the #gifted copy! These thoughts are my own. 

One of my favorite things is to read a book that is set where I am. South Louisiana is so distinct it really could be a trope of its own, but Southern Gothic fits perfectly. The bayous, steamy days and nights, and all the lore that surrounds it make for a perfect thriller and this one did not disappoint. A serial killer is not something new here, Derrick Todd Lee and all the bodies that show up on the I10 corridor along the Atchafalaya Basin, help Broken Bayou fit in as a realistic piece of fiction. 
I enjoyed this one. The premise was intriguing and the flawed characters were interesting. I did figure out who the killer was but I was still invested. Check this one out! 

Hard to Fake - Denver Kodiaks Series
Piper Lawson
Out now!

This was my first Piper Lawson and I am impatiently waiting for August to continue this trilogy!! It was a fun, quick, read with allll the pining and slow burn you can imagine. This ending on a major cliffhanger so I’m desperate for book two. 

RIYL
🏀 Brother’s Best Friend/ Teammate’s Sister
⛹️‍♂️ Fake Dating
🏀 Basketball Romance
⛹️‍♂️ It’s Always Been You
🏀 Black Cat/Cinnamon Roll
⛹️‍♂️ ONLY ONE BED!!

4.5 rounded up for GR

Thank you Piper Lawson and Valentine PR for my early review copy.

WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE 🪩
Rachel Koller Croft
Out 8/20


🪩🧛 We love the nightlife, 
We love to boogie, 
On the disco 🎶ayyyyeyahah🎶🧛🪩

Well, that was fun! As a vampire girlie from the land of Anne Rice, True Blood, and home to top TVD vampire himself, you could say it’s in my blood. 😹 So, when I heard that Croft’s sophomore book was going to be a vampire story I was excited and she really didn’t let me down. 

The dual pov, multi timeline story describes the relationship between relatively new (a few decades) ex-pat vampire Amber and her maker, Londoner Nicola who is centuries old. Amber, who was turned in 1979, is ready to spread her fangs if you will, and leave Nicola. Amidst the disco scene, these two try to outdo the other is so many fun, campy ways. 

Great side characters, flashbacks, and music from the time period all help to make this an enjoyable read. It was a slow burn at first but once it got going I couldn’t put it down. 

Thank you Berkley Publishers, the Emilys, and Rachel Koller Croft for the early review copy. 

SAY YES TO THE DEATH
Madison Score 

Thank you Madison Score and Hambright PR for my gifted review copy. 

This is the second book in the Claire Hartley Accidental Mystery series. It *can* be a standalone, which is how I read it, but I strongly suggest reading book one first. There were plot lines I didn’t understand and I wish I’d read the backstory first. 

Claire has been attacked by a serial killer who is now in prison (book one) but even though her attacker is locked up she has begun to get suspicious deliveries and does not feel safe. She goes to stay with her semi-boyfriend Luke for safety. They go on a few trips, her nutty family is involved, and her dad who she hasn’t seen in 20 years make a sudden reappearance, plus a hunky security guard comes into the picture (love triangle, anyone??) 

I enjoyed my read of this. It was rom-com meets mystery with all the best parts of both. The twists and turns kept me entertained through this 500+ pager. I’m new to the Score family, but I will definitely be returning to Madison’s novels. (Lucy I’ve got my eye on you!) 

RIYL:
❤️Witty banter
💋Romance & Mystery 
❤️hilarious side characters
💋physical comedy 
❤️protective men 

BRIGHT LIGHTS & SUMMER NIGHTS
Kat Singleton

The final installment of the Black Tie Billionaires series and what a way to wrap this up!! If there’s one thing I know, Lat is going to give us an incredible MMC. I didn’t think it could happen but Preston Rhodes migghhhht just have inched past Archer Moore… but only a teensy bit. 

SWOON 😻🥹

Emma is a complex character. I loved that she was on a journey to find what exactly she wanted out of life and even with Preston standing right in front of her (distracting , yes) she still continued that journey. 

Preston is at a crossroads and while love wasn’t part of that he found it with Emma. His family and career remained a top priority though. 

Their meet cute is adorable and even though there is insta love- it works. Having the background of the Hamptons and the flurry of Preston’s little sister’s wedding week kept the story flowing. 

Gram may just be my favorite side character, and reminded me of my own Gram. She’s spunky and wants all the best for her grands. 

I will forever be a Kat Singleton stan! And though I’m sad for this chapter to be over and I can’t wait to see what she’s dreamed up next. 

RIYL
💋footballer/influencer romance
🤵🏻Summer love
💋Fake dating
🤵🏻Forced proximity 
💋Age gap (he’s 46, she’s 25)
🤵🏻Six straight chapters of spice!
💋Grumpy/Sunshine
🤵🏻Billionaire romance (Alexa, can I get one of those?) 

Thank you, Kat (Kat Singleton Sweethearts ftw!) for my gifted review copy. Also, thank you Valentine PR for a copy. 

When I read the blurb I was so excited, this sounded hilarious and like a unique premise for a romance. It was very funny and I loved the concept, but it was such a slow build that I couldn’t get into it. I don’t know if it was because it was told in third person or if I just didn’t connect with the characters enough. I kept having to stop and think who each character was (the girls because of their aliases and the guys because I didn’t get enough of a sense of who they were.) 
There were great elements though- the kids are cute and the cat was perfection. It would work well for someone who likes third person or who likes a realllly slow burn. It just wasn’t me. 

Thank you to Ava Miles and Hambright PR for the early review copy. 

HONEY
Isabel Banta

I read this as part of the Celadon Readers Initiative as well as listened to the audio. This read like a memoir or pop star biography. It’s written through Amber’s pov as she goes from a talented kid to a pop icon. 
I’m about 10 years older than this time period, but I had a niece this exact age and it brought back a lot of memories of watching TRL and listening to Britney (as a Louisiana native it’s in the contract to love her) and Christina. I couldn’t help but use those connections to compare Amber (Britney) and Gwen (Xtina) and Savannah (Jessica). I guess this was the intention. 
It seemed more like a YA but with raunchy sex scenes… so NA maybe?? However, the story was well written and a fun trip on memory lane. 
The audio, narrated by Brittney Pressley, helped to convey more of Amber’s thoughts. I do wish the song lyrics had been sung instead of narrated though. (But I understand that’s a big ask.) 

Many thanks to Celadon and Macmillan audio for my early review copies. These thoughts are my own.