I love the way that Kauffman develops her characters and her stories.  These people felt real and their situations were believable & didn't involve a ton of turmoil.  Instead we have two people who meet, fall for each other (but resist because of circumstances), and then have to figure out what life has in store for them when their hearts become too involved.  

Pippa is a delight.  She's strong, beautiful, and has a love of life that is just so addictive.  Her trip to Blue Hollow Falls is about facing her fears over her voice, which she has to face if she's going to return to a career she loves so very much.  What she didn't count on is finding a whole town of people to capture her heart, especially Seth. 

Seth also has a plan for his life that didn't include falling in love but Pippa is pretty darn hard to resist.  The man is kind, caring, and yet such a man :)  Watching him resist and then finally give in is just so much fun.

The secondary characters and their relationships with each other is just as important as the main romance.  This is a group that loves and supports each other, and it just warms my heart.  Part of that is the glimpse we got of our likely next hero - Will, with his immense love for his son but also his overwhelming grief for his late wife.  Kauffman is probably going to rip my heart to shreds before it is over but she's going to make me love every minute of it!  

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

*4.5 stars*

Like all the Whiskey stories, Wicked Whiskey Love is about family, not necessarily the one you are born with but the one you surround yourself with.   

Sarah definitely didn't have the best of the first but she's doing everything she can to reconnect with her siblings and make a better life than she had for her kids.  Being adopted by the Whiskeys is definitely doing a lot to help her regain her trust in people and her faith in herself.

Bones may not have always had every physical want met but he had what was important.  He knew his place in life and he had people that loved & cared for him.  His parents and the Dark Knights made sure that he grew up knowing right from wrong and was willing to fight for others when needed.  It's the Whiskey way and it's turned out some dang fine men.   

Sarah is skittish about trusting people, but Bones is patient and he's going to convince her that he (and his family) want the best for her, will be there for her & her family when she needs them.  It truly touches the heart to see her slowly open up and accept that she's worth their attention & affection.  (And Bones with her kids will have you swooning - so adorable!) 

While Bones does a lot of the work in winning Sarah over, it is a group thing and seeing the collective Whiskeys step up to be there for each other is just so very awesome.  They may not do things the conventional way but the Whiskey way has a lot of heart & good intentions and that's what is important.  

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

*4.5 stars*

Keating's latest story is about strength and coping.  Both Peyton and Luke survived horrible abuses as children but did their best to find a way to move forward.  It wasn't necessarily the best but it worked at the time.  Now a chance meeting has them re-examining their lives and what they want out in their future. 

As much as he loves his family and as good as his life got after he and his brothers were taken in by the McGinnis family, Luke didn't feel like he could talk to anyone about what his past did to him.  He tried to live a normal life but found that he had trouble with relationships, so he did the best he could to get by, making only impersonal connections with people outside his family.  Then he sees Peyton's haunting eyes on the cover of a magazine and later in real life ... and everything changes.  

I think Peyton may have dealt with her past a bit better but it still hampered her life.  She'd struggled with giving herself to a relationship, using her career and celebrity as the excuse to keeping things shallow.  But her attraction to Luke proves too big to ignore and there is a special connection between them.  When she finds out why and what it meant for him, though, will she be able to accept it?    

You have to be OK with descriptions of some truly awful things done to children, but if you make it thru you'll find a journey to a HEA that will make it all worth while.  Both have their struggles, especially Luke about whether he's good enough for someone like Peyton, but it's heartening the way they manage to work through their issues to finally find that special someone. 

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

I love Diego and Nikki together. Even though they start this adventure as strangers there is a great connection between them. One where they are able to find a way to enjoy even the most absurd of moments – and Isley delivers quite a few giggle inducing bits :)

But it’s the relationship between Nikki and her sister that is the catalyst for a lot of the more emotional parts … as well as any trouble that comes their way. There’s definitely sibling rivalry at play that has created a distance between them that, thanks to some honest communication (finally), they are able to address.

You have to be OK with a ninsta-love kind of situation because Nikki and Diego don’t know each other very long. But there is an intensity to their situation that helps them get closer quicker that works as a king of long, drawn-out meet cute. And a start to what will definitely be a happy ending for them all.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

From the very first page, I fell for Pastor Jack.  I love that Hunter made sure to emphasize that, while he is the spiritual leader of his church, he's also a man.  He's developed feelings for a friend but unfortunately she seems oblivious, which is very frustrating for him.  And in a moment of weakness he connects to her through a dating site ... while hiding his identity.  You know it isn't going to end well, yet you easily understand how he found himself caught up in the deception.  It lets you seen the more human side of him right along with Daisy.  

Daisy is a sweet and caring person but she is a little stuck on how some things from her past affect how she feels about herself.  And she's definitely a little clueless when it comes to Jack :)  She has a habit of putting people up on a pedestal and unfortunately that's what she's done to him.  But life tends to knock them down and things are quickly going to get complicated for her.  When the dust settles, she's definitely done some growing up and has a few things to come to terms with, including her feelings for Jack.  

Packed full of emotions, On Magnolia Lane wonderfully explores the idea of identity and perception, secrets and forgiveness.  All while delivering a tender love story that, more than once, made me give a little happy sigh.    

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

Altenburg delivers a sweet second chance romance about an unprepared guy who steps up to take care of his orphaned niece and nephews. And it is absolutely adorable how these big strong guys are responsible for the oh-so-cute kids. They each have a connection with a different kid and it wonderfully sets up future stories. Even better it’s done with just the lightest amount of drama – all three guys are opinionated, but they handle any disagreements pretty well.

There’s also only a little drama on the romance side of things. Jake and Lacey had a high school relationship but thanks to some miscommunication and assumptions it ended with hurt feelings. Now, years later, they are thrown back together again thru the kids. And I am so happy that Altenburg made it so the relationship was about the couple and not some desperate need for a surrogate mom. Instead Jake is just taking advantage of the situation to reconnect with Lacey and give a relationship as adults a chance.

The relationship portion flows pretty easily and the story is as much about the new family dynamic. You’ll totally go “awww” over these kids and how the men work to make the adjustment to their new situation as easy as possible. They do the best they can to help the kids, as they all are having to get used to their loss and the new normal of their lives. I’m very much looking forward to the next brother’s story so I can spend time with this group again.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

There is some insta-lust/love so the relationship with these two moves pretty quickly, but Vale does it in a believable way. They are funny and steamy and fun, and I enjoyed them as a couple. Pru is mouthy and sassy – the perfect foil for an overbearing, alpha man. Thanks to her upbringing she can stand up for herself but she also has an appreciation for his “type”. And Hoax is pretty much what you’d expect for a special forces military man who spends his free time as part of a MC. Along with being dominant and overprotective, he’s also caring, sharp, and sexy.

I really liked the interactions they had with their friends and family, both independently and as a couple. There is a feeling of belonging that isn’t impacted by blood and these people are there for each other no matter what. Not having read any of the other books I didn’t have a point of reference for any of them, but it didn’t really seem to matter. Everything worked really smoothly as a standalone and I felt like I got to know the characters well.

While it was a minor part of the story, I was a little disappointed in the ending. There is this suspenseful moment that just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. I’m not sure I understood why things happened they way they did (or at all for that matter) but since the characters and their relationship is the main part of the story, and is well done, I don’t think that it really mattered. I’m hoping to get my hands on the next story to see if this is the style for this writer or just a thing here. Or an issue with me :)

I’m not usually into the whole bad boy MC thing but the description for this one was intriguing enough that I gave it a chance. Still not my favorite genre but I will say that Vale is really good at what she does and I’m definitely willing to give her stories another go. (This is another book, though, where the blurb doesn’t quite match up to the story. The whole thing with her dad was pretty much a non-issue, as was Hoax’s “treatment”.) You do have to be OK with things being a little more down-to-earth and kinda … well, coarse. The guys lead a rough & tumble life and the story is very much same. It definitely works with the characters – these are not buttoned up and polished people. And being real is definitely not a bad thing.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

My Forever Home is a wonderfully cozy and heartwarming read. It is just made to tug at you, through both animal and people. You totally understand why Mason keeps who he is from Tessa and the revelation works well with their relationship as it has developed. And while there is the opportunity, I really appreciate that Burns avoids melodrama and handles issues quickly and realistically.

While I feel that Mason had good development as a character, I do wish we’d gotten a little more of Tessa’s family. Her issues with her family is what sent her on a tour of Europe, but while it is hit upon I think that it could have used a little more. I do love her relationship with her grandmother – their closeness is so sweet and I loved the support there.

As much as I love Mason and Tessa’s relationship, it is the connection with John Ronald that is really the highlight of the book. The look inside his mind brings happiness, sadness, and humor. Some may not like the personification of a dog, but it works for me.

Like Sit, Stay, Love, My Forever Home is one of those easy to read, slow burn books that takes it time creating connection between the characters – exploring them as people and how they relate to each other. Mason & Tessa manage to find each other at a time when both are ready for the next phase and it creates a delightfully satisfying HEA. I’m so looking forward to what Burns has in store for us next.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

*I read Book 1 & 2 back to back so this is a review for both*

(I’ve seen a lot of reviews for both books claiming that a good editor would help a lot. I don’t know if I had final versions or ARCs but there were a lot of mispellings and grammar issues. As a regular reader of review copies though, this kind of thing doesn’t really affect me but I wanted to put this out there as a warning to others who may be a little more discerning :) )

There are authors that write characters that could be straight out of Gilmore Girls (I’m looking at you Susan Mallery), always ready with a snappy comment. Then there are those characters who are sophisticated, never saying a wrong thing and who always make me feel like I need to work better at this adulting thing. Mays seems to have found a voice that is like that conversation you have with your bestie after a couple of glasses of wine. It’s unfiltered and sometimes graceless, but it is real for the homespun characters she’s created.

In Surrender to You, Morris has had a thing for Mellie for a while but since she’s his friend’s sister he tried to stay away. Unfortunately, his feelings are pretty apparent and after a while her brother is so tired of his awkwardness that he gives the OK. Mellie is just as dorky when Morris is around so there is a lot of fun to be have while the two are dancing around each other. And it doesn’t stop when they get together because these two definitely have a lot of personality. (Mellie fighting with her brother is the best thing ever!)

Addicted to You is a fun follow-up that has a lot of the same vibe. Damon is a pretty curt guy, but I love the way he and Michelle mesh. She’s so full of sass that it helps bring him out of himself just a bit. I got such a kick out of these two together, and their interactions with their friends are both sweet and hilarious.

The SAPD SWAT stories are delightfully fun romantic comedies with entertaining characters. I enjoyed how the couples got together & watching them piece together a life with each other. The friendships help make it a winner as well. It is quite obvious that Michelle and Mellie have been friends for ages because those two are a hoot together. The guys are your typical guy’s guys – giving each other a hard time, a little rough around the edges – but they have good hearts and are supportive of each other. The lack of angst is a real winner for me and overall I felt the suspense parts, while not a huge part of the story (especially the second), are done well.

The SAPD SWAT series isn’t going be for everyone, but I think that it will be a huge hit with the right audience.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**

*I read Book 1 & 2 back to back so this is a review for both*

(I’ve seen a lot of reviews for both books claiming that a good editor would help a lot. I don’t know if I had final versions or ARCs but there were a lot of mispellings and grammar issues. As a regular reader of review copies though, this kind of thing doesn’t really affect me but I wanted to put this out there as a warning to others who may be a little more discerning :) )

There are authors that write characters that could be straight out of Gilmore Girls (I’m looking at you Susan Mallery), always ready with a snappy comment. Then there are those characters who are sophisticated, never saying a wrong thing and who always make me feel like I need to work better at this adulting thing. Mays seems to have found a voice that is like that conversation you have with your bestie after a couple of glasses of wine. It’s unfiltered and sometimes graceless, but it is real for the homespun characters she’s created.

In Surrender to You, Morris has had a thing for Mellie for a while but since she’s his friend’s sister he tried to stay away. Unfortunately, his feelings are pretty apparent and after a while her brother is so tired of his awkwardness that he gives the OK. Mellie is just as dorky when Morris is around so there is a lot of fun to be have while the two are dancing around each other. And it doesn’t stop when they get together because these two definitely have a lot of personality. (Mellie fighting with her brother is the best thing ever!)

Addicted to You is a fun follow-up that has a lot of the same vibe. Damon is a pretty curt guy, but I love the way he and Michelle mesh. She’s so full of sass that it helps bring him out of himself just a bit. I got such a kick out of these two together, and their interactions with their friends are both sweet and hilarious.

The SAPD SWAT stories are delightfully fun romantic comedies with entertaining characters. I enjoyed how the couples got together & watching them piece together a life with each other. The friendships help make it a winner as well. It is quite obvious that Michelle and Mellie have been friends for ages because those two are a hoot together. The guys are your typical guy’s guys – giving each other a hard time, a little rough around the edges – but they have good hearts and are supportive of each other. The lack of angst is a real winner for me and overall I felt the suspense parts, while not a huge part of the story (especially the second), are done well.

The SAPD SWAT series isn’t going be for everyone, but I think that it will be a huge hit with the right audience.

**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**