Max is grumpy, anti-social, impatient, and too smart for his own good. And more often than not he comes across as a jerk. But he also has a kind heart, when he grasps the social cues, and has a passion for helping the world. With the understanding of the right person, he’s definitely a keeper.

While Holly develops a pretty good grasp of what makes Max tick most of the time, she also realizes she’s pretty much his opposite. While she also has a passion for helping others, she also considers herself majorly flighty and of pretty normal intelligence. She’s definitely no match for uber-smart and overly organized Max.

I love these two together. Holly does a great job of poking Max just a little bit out of his norm but still appreciating the way he’s wired. And Max fully embraces Holly’s enthusiasm and heart, even when she’s irritating him. Adorably fun, and funny, Heart Smart had me til the very end.

(There are some complaints that the main point of the book – Max’s makeover – is mostly glossed over. Holly cleans him up and gets him an easy to understand speech to give but there really isn’t a lot of time spent between Holly & Max actually helping him be better at interacting with people. While I admit that’s true, the interactions between them that we do get a fun and lead to a satisfying HEA so, for a light-hearted romance, I cant complain too much. There’s also some concern for how Jayne handles the neurodiverse in the story but I’m not familiar enough with it to be able to comment. If that’s a possible trigger, please be aware.)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Moon always does a fantastic job with her characters and the dynamics between them.  With Then Came You it isn’t just the love story between Mia and Adam that caught my attention but the connection to their friends and family. 

Mia and Ben are so sweet together and you can just feel the love she has for him as a son.  She’s also got a wonderful grandmother who offers the support she needs to start building a great life in Compass Cover.  What she doesn’t have is a great mother.  And that negative relationship has done so much to color the way she sees herself that it causes a lot of the strain between her and Adam.

Not that Adam doesn’t screw up.  He’s never had to really work at his relationships before Mia and he stumbles pretty much right out of the starting block.  While he also has a wonderful, supportive family he has spent quite a few years being toadied to as a star athlete.  The kind of people he “dated” didn’t require a lot of care and it shows.  But luckily he’s got a mother and a grandmother who isn’t going to let him get away with it.  He eventually gets his head on straight and is able to win Mia back (although she doesn’t make it easy for him). 

Then Came You delivers on the feels and growth and humor and charm!  Moon is a must read in contemporary romances for me.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

Aiden has a good, tho not necessarily trouble-free, life. He took over as parent to his sister at a very young age and has spent all of his time raising her & running his business. His big heart and sharp mind has served them well over the years but, now that she's happily settled into a relationship, she wants him to take some time off and learn to relax. Unfortunately that's not easy for him ... until he meets Abby, who's zest for life instantly captivates him. 

Abby is in town to settle her mother's affairs, and maybe find herself. What she didn't expect is the gorgeous guy having breakfast on the beach one morning. They soon find themselves getting to know one another, working on her family's restaurant, and just letting go & having fun. 

Maybe We Will is definitely for those readers that appreciate a slow burn. There's not a lot of drama or angst, just a chance to sit back and enjoy two people falling in love. And while she definitely knows how to turn on the heat, Foster also knows how to deliver charming characters and enjoyable stories. Her newest is no different 

(While all of Foster's books can technically be read on their own, I think that you'll enjoy them more when you are familiar with the side characters and their backgrounds.)

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I’m conflicted on second chance love stories - sometimes they hit all the right notes and sometimes something happens (or happened) that I just can’t forgive. Luckily Jessica Lemmon knows what she’s doing.

Cash and Presley have a history that I can get behind, lots of cuteness and heart in the now, and a lead up to a HEA that left a smile on my face. There was plenty of opportunity for there to be a lot of angst but that trap was deftly avoided. While there are some secrets being kept and and past hurts to let go, these two manage to do it with a good amount of grace and forgiveness.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

(4.5 emotional stars)

I kinda feel like the blurb doesn't do this book justice. I almost passed this one by because I was expecting a whole lot of drama but that's not what Foster gives us at all. The emotion is there in loads but there is actually very little angst. Instead we get a touching story of loss, grief, healing, and love. I'll be honest, I cried at least twice so be prepared.   

Tank, like all the Wickeds, is a stand-up guy with a big heart. He takes his duty of protecting others seriously and that soon includes Leah and her little family. It's beyond sweet seeing them getting closer (and those little girls wrapping ALL the Wickeds around their little fingers), supporting each other, and becoming a unit of their own. 

Leah hasn't had a lot of support outside of her brother since her father died years ago. It doesn't take long for the Wickeds to show her what it means to be one of them. It might have happened under tragic circumstances but it gives her just what she needs. 

There's a decent amount of heat but so much more heart in The Wicked Aftermath. They aren't kidding that it will "tear at your heartstrings" but Foster always knows how to make everything right and give a happy ending that is truly satisfying. 

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

(I’m non-disabled so there are some things that I can’t speak to. But there may be issues with this story for others, as I’ve seen mentioned in other reviews, so I thought I’d put them out there in case it is needed. While I found Emma appealing and enjoyed her journey, I can also see how her overcoming her injuries thru attitude & determination, mixed with hard work, may be problematic.)

I really enjoy Shalvis’s Wildstone stories. While they are technically part of a series, they are stand alone but every one contains her special mix of romance, emotion, and growth.

In Love for Beginners, Emma is recovering from a serious accident, the betrayal of her fiance & her best friend, and the loss of her future. Now her life is full of pain, heartbreak, and turmoil. With the help of her PT, Simon, she’s slowly working to get her body stronger, but her emotions and her life need just as much help. A growing attraction to Simon is complicating an already complicated situation. When their association also brings her high school nemesis into her life again, Emma’s difficulties seem to just be multiplying.

All of the characters are appealing and I found myself rooting for everyone to find their happy. Emma is snarky but fun and works hard for what she wants. With Simon’s, and then Alison’s, help she’s slowly finding new footing. Alison may come across as cold but she feels deeply - she just has difficulty letting people in, even when she wants to. She definitely had me pulling for her. Simon feels a lot of pressure to keep his family going and it’s making it hard to do what he wants to do. Including having a relationship with Emma. But it’s Dale, Simon’s dad, who may just win your heart.

Love for Beginners has a lot of ups and downs, humor and sadness, heat and feels, all mixed together as the story makes its way, sometimes wonkily, to a HEA.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

There's so much to like about Gordon's newest release (besides the fact that Carson going ga-ga over his newborn daughter is one of the sweetest things ever!) Both Carson and Abby are nice people trying their best to push down their feelings for the other. There's the whole big brother thing going on but it is also against their employment contracts. And while yes, those are both big concerns, the biggest is the fear that their feelings may be one sided. But a little time spent alone together might just show them how good things could be.

This is definitely a slow burn, so don't go into it expecting anything else. Over the first part of the book, we get to know Carson & Abby and join Carson while he learns what it means to be a new dad (so cute!) When circumstances throw them alone together, things definitely heat up. So do the complications. But it makes it all the better as they work their way to their own HEA.

Flag on the Play is a sweet, low angst, fast read - perfect for a day at the beach, by the pool, or just lounging on the sofa.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Amelia and Beckett were high school sweethearts, but tragedy separated them and the years have kept them apart. Given another chance, they take the opportunity to see if their feelings are still there.

For a story that begins with the bride being left at the alter and her ex-boyfriend punching the groom, Dirty Ginger is surprisingly drama free. I enjoy a story that takes its time, letting us get to know the characters and enjoy their changing relationship. And I really appreciate a hero who can own up to his issues and who is willing to seek out help ... even if occasionally he falls into old habits. 

Kennedy delivers a satisfying, slow burn second-chance love story. Not having read the rest of the series, I can't make a comparison but I can say that it kept me happily turning pages to the very end. 

(While I'm sure I would have loved getting to know Amelia's sisters, Dirty Ginger can easily stand on its own.)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I really enjoyed all of Allison's characters. Well, the ones we're supposed to like anyway :) Everyone has their issues & troubles that are believable and will drawn you in. And even though Cam is already involved with someone else, I never really felt icky by his deepening feelings for Nina (which would be easy to do if written poorly). Even Ash is made to be appealing and I'm now hoping for her to get her own story so she can find someone to treat her like she deserves to be treated. 

Sun, Sea and Summer Vibes is just what it looks like - a light, entertaining beach read with a satisfying HEA ending. While there is a bit of drama thrown in to keep things extra interesting, there really isn't too much angst. Instead Allison delivers a slow burn, friends-to-lovers (but also kinda insta-love) romance that has readers rooting for Cam and Nina to finally figure things out. 

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Ya know, the biggest complaint I've seen so far for Foster's newest is that her hero is just a little too awesome. And ... well, I kinda get it. Dash is charming, attractive, smart, and caring. He comes to town, is charmed by Amber's awkwardness with him, and starts an assault to get her attention that is so adorable. He also starts wooing the people of the town just because he's that darn awesome. There's very little fault to find with him so, while that makes a great romance hero, it does make him just a tad too perfect to be real. That doesn't stop him from being a great book boyfriend though!

Amber is also pretty great on her own. She's a central figure in her town and takes the time to show people that someone cares. She's a little nervous about Dash because he's so big and she needs (or so she thinks) someone a little more quiet. But it doesn't take long for him to show her she's wrong and they make a great (and giving) couple.

There's very little drama to be found here but a lot of heart and heat. Dash and Amber together are sweet but they also set the bed on fire. If you like big characters, small town charm, and a lot of spice on your way to finding HEA, Foster always delivers.

Sweet, Sexy Heart is a stand-alone in an interconnected series but can be read by itself. You'll likely find hints to a few stories that you'll want to add to your TBR pile though so this is your warning :)

(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)