ARC received for an honest review.

*cheers* Go Rickie! Go Rickie! Go Rickie!

Aaaand now that I have aged myself, I just want to say I abso-freaking-lutely LOVED w
Waylaid.

I have been pining for Rickie and Daphne's story since Heartland, and Ms Bowen has not disappointed.

While I was expecting a book full of fun loving, flirty Rickie, we got so much more.

We got heartache, fun, flirt and a beautiful slow burn between our lovelies.

I adore Daphne, but Rickie is fire and I don't ever want that fire doused. We know something has happened to him, but watching him all fun and smiles when he is hurting so much endeared him to my cold, black heart lol

Believe me when I tell you that you do NOT want to miss this story!

I loved being back at Shipley Farms with an extended family that I just can't get enough of. I want this series to go on forever!


a>

Copy received from Harlequin Fiction for an honest review

The Other Side of Beautiful is my first read by Kim Lock, and what an enjoyable read it is.

This is a beautiful story of making the most of life. When lemons are thrown at Mercy, she makes the mos beautiful lemonade you could image.

Ms Lock shows us the intricacies of mental illness, of anxiety and panic attacks. As someone who deals with depression on a daily basis, I could feel Mercy's panic through the pages,

But this is not a debbie downer book at all. So not that.

It is a joyful road trip that will have you wanting to hop in the car and go where you least expect.

Yes, there is a bit of drama but nothing OTT melodromatic. And whose life doesn't have a bit of drama now and again.

Beautiful imagery had me seeing things through Mercy's eyes and has me looking forward to my road trip in a few weeks time.

I look forward to what Ms Lock brings us in the future.



a>

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

If you have watched Fleabag, and gotten to that episode, or if you have met Father Bell in Priest by Sierra Simone, you will understand why I requested and advanced copy of this one,

Now, I am an athiest, so the celibacy thing that the Catholic church enforces is archaic and quite cruel - but i digress - but a hot priest, yes please (I mean, have you seen the hot priests calendar they put out hahah

But I am not sure what went wrong for me with this one. I didn't find my self loving Patrack (for God's sake man, you are more than your job), and Sasha went from being a doormat for her parents to living in sin with an ex-priest, and none of it felt organic.

I am sure plenty will adore this book, but it just didn't resonate with me.


a>

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

I have missed a book or two in this series somehow, but I do remember that I always wanted the digestionally-challenged book about The Russian!

And Ms Adams has definitely not disappointed with Isn't It Bromantic.

I mean, childhood friends and a marriage of convenience - what could go wrong!

Well, a lot it seems hahah
Vlad and Elena's story is sweet and frustrating. Talk to each other people, sheesh!

I loved how sensitive Vlad is, and can picture him tearing up at puppies in toilet paper commercials.

And let's not forget the Bromance Book Club and all of their antics. I love that they are not afraid to help each other, to admit how much the adore their wives, how hilarious they were in this installment.

I hope we get more of this series in the future.



a>



I

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

I didn't even realise until I came to write this review that this was the 3rd book in a series, so i guess that means it really is a standalone!

I am a sucker for anything Regency. Rakes, rogues and scandals are my jam.

And I really enjoyed When A Duke Loves a Governess. It kind of had a Maria/Captain von Trapp vibe to it, with unruly children thrown in there too!

Tessa and her Duke are a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and a great vision of how those on opposite sides of the wealth scale really can be perfect for each other (a la Darcy and Miss Elizabeth).

I now need to go back and read the other books, as I completely got immersed in this one.


a>

ARC received for an honest review

OH no! I hate to say it, but I didn't love this book as I have most everything else I have read by Ms Hunting.

I hated nearly everyone! I hated her parents. I hated her brother (but finally came around to him, sort of). I hated his friends (for the most part, but they got a little better).

I didn't really feel the spark between (I had to go and look for her name as i have forgotten) Dillion and Van, Oh, I felt the dislike at first, but I just didn't feel the romance.

I don't know, maybe I am just broken at the moment and not feeling all the feels,

I guess who the troublemaker was early on, just had to wait to watch it all unfold (and even then after a whole book of build up, it was pretty much done and dust in a New York minute.

I did like it enough that I will read more of the Lakeside series in the future though.



a>

ARC received from Harlequin Australia for an honest review

Eva Scott speaks to my 90s rom-com, Tom and Meg loving heart with Meet Me In Bendigo.

You've Got Mail meets country Australia as Annalisa and Ed find love online, only to realise that they are one and the same.

I love the old guys who hang around the store and Annalisa's nonna. I adore Annalisa's best friend, I love the small town vibe - I did the tree change to the country a while ago and boy, is it a case of you can't do anything without everyone knowing lolol

I did feel a few times that the dialogue was a direct lift from You've Got Mail, or similar enough that it seemed like it, but I may be wrong and maybe nobody else thinks this way.

I will admit to getting a little teary along with Annalisa a couple of times - I am not afraid to say I am a big ol sook at times hahah.

I really enjoyed Meet Me In Bendigo, and am wondering what we will get next


a>

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
2.5-3 stars

I was intrigued by this book, and really wanted to enjoy it.

However, I just couldn't. And that all came down to Annie, unfortunately.

I liked how career driven she is and that she hasn't ridden any coattails to get there. I really admire her for it.

However, she did come across as a bit 1 dimensional, and like she was always looking at the greener grass on the other side of the fence.

I think that she did have feelings for each of the men, but I also felt that she was using each of them to make herself feel better, and for that, that was a big no from me.

I did like the premise of the story, and I am sure we have all felt a little like we have been left on the shelf at some time in our lives.

I am sure a lot of people will absolutely love this book, but this one and I just didn't really gel.



a>