I loved the first two books in this series and this one shows that Gray knows how to keep delivering.  Both Dani and Jackson have experienced hardships in their lives and are just doing the best they can for their kids.  The easy way these two manage to create a kind of friendship and then something more is very appealing.  And realistic.  There are so many ways that this could have gone sideways but Gray manages to keep things real and relatively drama free.

Dani has spent so many years having only herself to rely on that it is hard for her to accept someone else’s offer of help.  She can’t get past the feeling of owing someone and while Jackson is ready to be there for her it takes a bit for her to get to the point of being able to accept it. 

Jackson has been struggling with losing both his wife and his job in a short amount of time.  He had a little problem with depression (understandably) for a while and getting him & his daughter out of their small town was the best for both of them.  It’s just super hard to accept a life where he is now a bartender – a good job just not what he imagined for himself.  But he has good friends and with a little self-examination he’s starting to feel a better about his situation. 

You aren’t going to find a lot of drama moments with this series.  It’s just realistic characters, living their lives and trying to figure things out – pretty much like you and me :)  Instead, go into it with a relaxed mind and an attitude of just enjoying the ride.  You’ll find plenty to appreciate about the well-crafted characters and the normality of their lives. 

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

These sisters are very different and I love how we feel that in their stories.  Sunshine's is bigger, louder, and messier but she is oh-so-appealing for it.  Your heart just goes out to her as she struggles to be the person she wants to be and not who she used to be.  Declan and Connor are a perfect match for her - if only they'd met under different circumstances.  Unfortunately they didn't so there's going to be some struggles and a lot of bumps along the way.    

Margot is more formal & reserved and her story matches, except for Bianca.  Matching these two brings out some wonderful comedic moments and I only wish we'd had even more of Bianca's oddly compelling presence.  Unfortunately some of her more risque choices over the years haven't gone over as well, especially with Alec.  It helps explain a lot of why he's the way he is, and why Margot is a good match for him. 

If you are looking for a fun read to throw in your bag for a trip to the beach or the pool, this is definitely it.  The Summer of Sunshine and Margot follows the sisters as they fall in love and we effortlessly flow between the two & the people in their lives.  It never felt disjointed (as multi-characters books can) as we get to know everyone and watch as their connections deepen.

**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 felt so bad for Deacon.  He seems to be OK with things but really his childhood is amazingly heartbreaking.  Sure some have had it worse but every child deserves better than what he got.  It’s helped him grow into a strong, self-contained man but it also has left him with a little trouble committing.  Falling for Larkin is definitely NOT in his plans but she’s sweet, a little sassy, a lot unsure of herself, and prone to a few I Love Lucy moments of hilarity.  Neither he (nor I) stood a chance once she stepped into his life.   

Some days you just need a low drama, slow build romance and Poe definitely delivers here.  We get to know her characters and fall a little bit for them with every page.  And those pages are filled with enough humor, charm, and sexiness to have me coming back again and again. 

(This is my first in this series but it can easily stand on its own.)

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

Lindy is just your ordinary, average, every day girl who by chance meets her famous crush and it turns into an unlikely friendship.  And later into something more.  Victor had a terrible childhood but thanks to hard work he's made it to the top of his field.  While he's managed to make a family of sorts out of his teammates, he doesn't have anyone that he can really call his.  Then he meets sweet, awkward, real Lindy.

This was a very fast read for me and I really enjoyed it.  The characters are appealing and it's fun watching them meet, fall in love, and handle some of life's less happy moments.  But once I had time to digest I realized that Rothert put a lot into her book that I felt really could have been delved into more - like Victor's relationship with his mom, his childhood cancer, Victor changing his mind on Lindy, how they handled the outing of their relationship with the press.  These things are hit on lightly but had potential for so much.  That doesn't even get into the past that is giving Victor so much trouble.  Rothert opens the door to make him a hero for so many and ... she lets it go.  I appreciate that she does have him come to terms with it for himself and maybe she can come back around to it in a future story but she put the possibility out there and left it.  I just wish there'd been a chance to add a little more depth to the story.

Overall, though, Victor is a quick and satisfying Cinderella story that's a perfect poolside read - just don't tell Lindy I called her that! I'm looking forward to seeing more in the series and from this author.

(This is the first in this series that I've read but I felt like it could stand on its own.)

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

*slight spoilers ahead*

I usually don't enjoy romances with little white lies but Trentham manages to do it with minimal drama and without making anyone feel like they were wronged. We understand why Alasdair and Gareth do the things they do ... although I do have to say that I shook my head at Alasdair a few times. Typical guy thinking he knows best :) There's also a bit of insta-love involved, and not just with Izzy's mom bringing a guy home from her holiday. Our main couple does spend a lot of time together, though, and you get the feeling that they really have a connection & understanding. (I just wish, with all of the talk of Scotland, that we'd gotten a little more of their time there than what was in the epilogue.)

By this point, Trentham is an absolute pro at the small town romance - delivering quirky characters, a boat load of humor, and a town full of eccentricities. Check out her other series if you haven't already - fabulous reads all around. Plus now she's giving us guys in kilts and all I can say is you rock, Trentham! Keep 'em coming 'cause I'm SO ready for Iain and Anna's story. And I really hope that there's something in the works for Holt ... a fiery Scottish lass to offset his All-American Boyness would just make my day *hint, hint*

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

Strong, sassy, a little bit prickly, and able to take care of herself, Dixie is all Whiskey and I've been so looking forward to getting to know her better.  Jace might knock her a little sideways but that attitude doesn't let it last for long.  I really appreciate that even when she's nursing a hurt and bruised heart, she only lets it get her down for so long.  She's not going to be defined as THAT woman and dusts herself off, then come out swinging.  And in the end shows that it is the Whiskey women who do the taming, proving once again why she's been a delightful addition to the series since the very first moment she was introduced to readers.  

While I absolutely loved getting to know Dixie more, I think I'm in the minority of women who didn't find Jace all that great.  His whole attitude of how awesome he is and how he has to save her from the broken heart he is sure to give her seems noble but rubbed me the wrong way somehow.  I'm sure that he knew she was attracted to him but ... I don't know, he just seemed to go about it wrong.  Dixie is a strong and confident woman who doesn't need coddling - that's what she's proving to her brothers.  And why have her stay at his apartment if he's that set on not getting involved.  But worst of all is his horrible communication skills.  As a self-made man, with years of business experience, you'd think he'd be better at sharing where he's coming from.  I can kinda get it at first since he's confused about his feelings but later he REALLY should have known better.  So much of their troubles are caused by him and I'd really don't blame any of the brothers for any urges to take him apart that they might have had ... just sayin'.  By the end I was super confused about where his head is at (and so is Dixie) - throughout the book he's all over the place on his feelings, her feelings, their attraction, and where they've stood in the decade that they've known each other. 

But I have to say that I'm very glad to have had a chance to be there to see the last of the Whiskeys fall in love.  While I'm sad to see the end for the main family, I'm really looking forward to what Foster has in store next.  She is amazing at creating interesting characters with complicated lives that just beg you to keep reading and there are a ton of friends &relatives that will keep us coming back for more for years to come.   

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

Bennett proves again why she is my go to for a heartfelt read dressed up in hockey pads.  Tacker has had an unimaginable couple of years.  Losing a loved one and having to sit by while they died leaves a lot of pain behind and he's not been handling it well.  After a HUGE mistake involving too much alcohol, a truck, and a cement wall, he has to finally address it or lose the only thing keeping him sane - hockey.  Enter Nora.  Smart, pretty, and empathetic, she turned her own horrible past into a career that lets her help others.  And it allows her to create a special connection to Tacker, guiding him as he comes to terms with his own emotions.  

My only complaint is that I would have liked to have seen a little more of their therapy sessions.  We are there for the oh-so-important break through and along the way as they share & grown closer.  But Tacker's pain and guilt has been such a driving force in his life for so long that seeing the how of his recovery, not just the large leaps would have been nice.  

I do appreciate that even in a book with so much pain and emotion, however, Bennett kept their actual relationship pretty drama free.  There's a little concern over their growing feelings because of their professional relationship but I feel like it is handled in a way that gives the concerns their due.  It's not handled lightly but addressed and then they move on.  I also like that the romance isn't the main focus of the story - it's about Tacker coming to terms with his past.  The love story is there but he has to be in the right place before it can go anywhere.  

All about the feels, second chances, and moving on, Tacker manages to deliver on all of its potential of a book that was meant to grab you by the heart.  It was so good to see Tacker coming out of his self-imposed prison and learn to live again, connecting with others, and forgiving himself for being alive.  

(While it is helpful to have read the rest of the series, it definitely is not required.  Most of the focus is on Nora and Tacker so their story can easily stand on its own.  I missed Dax's story, the book before this one, and I did just fine :) )

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

While not perfect (there were a couple of editing mistakes, like watching the pre-super bowl show during Thanksgiving), Easton delivers readers a sweet and satisfying journey to a HEA.

I really enjoyed both Luke & Alex as individuals and as a couple. There are some issues around Alex’s situation that are glossed over, like some of the daily adjustments that Luke would have to make in such a new situation. Alex has had his whole life to become independent but there are so many things that would need to be taken into account … I just can’t imagine. It has to be so different for someone who has never been in a relationship of any kind with a person in a wheelchair.

But I love that she doesn’t avoid the big ones. Alex is supportive and so mature about his situation and how it affects others. He never gets upset or martyrs himself when things are complicated – instead he makes suggestions that are logical and work for all parties involved. I’m sure it sucks but he makes the best of it and enjoys the things that life puts before him. And when Luke is faced with some of those same situations he reacts in a realistic manner and, even when it isn’t so positive, I never blame him. He’s facing some tough decisions and he works through them beautifully.

Tender, silly, and full of heart, Puzzle Me This gave me all the warm fuzzies I needed and I’ll be sure to keep an eye for even more from Easton to add to my TBR pile.

**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 think that this one should probably fall more into the woman’s fiction category than romance. There is a sweet and fun love story between Cam & Piper, which I don’t think that Shalvis does any kind of disservice to. Cam is the perfect mixture of steady and calm that Piper needs – because that poor girl can be a bit of a mess personally. She’s had a whole lot put on her shoulders, ever since she was little, and not a lot of support for it. And she feels like she’s finally getting to the end of it only to have her siblings back with their own lives in tatters.

This, the family drama, is the heart of the story and I really enjoyed it. Piper has to learn to see her siblings as people with their own lives, making their own decisions (and mistakes), who needs a sister to support them instead of a mother figure. But they also need to learn to see her for the supportive person that she can be, instead of the heavy that she’s had to be to get them through their childhoods. All while discovering the people they want to be moving forward. It’s not easy for any of them to find a new dynamic but with a little help (and some influence from Mr Steady himself) they surely can figure it out … with a minimal amount of bloodshed.

There were moments that made me laugh (Winnie with her tool belt and YouTube videos is awesome), moments that made me cringe (things were definitely going to go badly for Piper when she found out everything), and quite a few times that I felt sorry for all of them. And that’s what makes any book a worthwhile read in my mind.

(Part of a series but definitely can be read as a stand alone.)

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

While I absolutely AH-DORE Trentham’s small town romances, her women’s fiction books are some of the best reads out there. There’s so much believability in the characters, their situations, and the way they interact with one another. And whether it’s to make you laugh or to make you cry, she just knows how to get to the heart of things and drag the right emotions out of you without seeming to try.

I really enjoy Greer – she’s a little lost about what she’s going to do with the rest of her life. Her vision for her future is gone after it seems like her music abandons her and the last thing she wants to do is get involved in a music therapy group. Luckily, her first client is a young girl who just draws Greer to her … as does her second client, somewhat grumpy (but definitely sexy) Emmett.

Emmett is also at a loss for what to do with his own future up in the air. The loss of a leg means the loss of his career and with all he’s seen & done his feelings about himself as a good man is also in tatters. When a spitfire in a short skirt shows up at his door and doesn’t take much of his bull, Emmett slowly finds himself resurfacing from his pain and grief. And the more they go toe to toe, the more he finds himself feeling normal again … if only he can let go of the guilt.

The connections that Greer makes are so warming. I just felt myself pull for her as she slowly gets Ally to come out of her shell and start connecting to something other than anger & pain. And while it takes a different tone, her irreverent sense of humor and stubbornness also helps Emmett to start seeing more in the world than his front porch and the bottom of a bottle.

Exploring themes of healing, friendship, grief, and love, An Everyday Hero is one of the best reads of 2020. Even if you aren’t a big romance reader, there is plenty here for you to enjoy.

(Part of a series, but stands on its own.)

**Opinions expressed in this review are totally my own.**