Joe was raised by his two moms, living all over the world doing environmental work. It was definitely an unusual childhood but it helped give him a more open view of things. He’s kind, caring, and confident, supportive of others and understanding of their needs. This helps him when he comes face to face with Jessie again.

Jessie’s upbringing also has had an impact on her life. She’s independent and strong (maybe a bit too much sometimes), dedicating her life to making the world a better place. Sidelined by an unexpected pregnancy, she occasionally flounders just a bit but she’s handled the change in her plans well. And her grit helps out when introducing Joe to his daughter. It’s not easy but he quickly proves himself to be a stand-up guy, showing the right amount of patience & concern for her feelings and she finds his enthusiasm for fatherhood hard to resist (I did too!).

I really enjoyed Joe and Jessie’s story. It’s short and sweet but I was pleased with how everything worked out for them. Knowing how their relationship started, there was the expected amount of awkwardness but Fenske mixes it with a good amount of humor and fun. She also throws in enough emotions to make the insta-love connection believable and a good amount of heat to show why they hooked up in the first place. Rounding it out are all the feels of Joe falling for his daughter and Jessie learning to let him, all of which lead to a feel-good ending perfect for a holiday read.

(This is the first in this series that I’ve read and while there were a lot of characters from the rest of the series it can be read as a standalone.)

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

(3.5+ Stars)

Blake is your typical troubled, spoiled, rich star. But as he spends time doing community service at a local shelter, getting to know Emily and those that come to her center in need, he begins to look at himself a little more closely. To compare his own life to those with so many struggles and realize that he may have something in common with these people who live so differently than he does.

Emily feels strongly about he work at the community center. She’s struggling to keep up with everything that managing it requires, but being there and providing the help their users need is important to her. With Blake’s unwanted appearance, it quickly becomes obvious that there is more driving her to do what she does. Something that needs to be addressed before she breaks.

While I really enjoyed Emily and Blake’s story, especially the resolution to her side of things, I felt that there was a lost opportunity to really delve into his issues. The damage his parents have caused him, his issues with alcohol, and the failures of his previous relationships provide plenty of material to give Blake major growth. It’s there now, and enjoyable to read, but not in the depth that I think he really deserves. Instead we get a more lighthearted story of how Emily and those at the community center cause him to evaluate himself and realize the importance & satisfaction of truly helping others. It makes for a pleasant holiday read but I think it misses out a bit on what it really could be.

Although I think it could have been more, Buckley definitely puts readers into the holiday mood by delivering a feel good story with a delightful blend of humor & angst. You find yourself realizing, as Emily and Blake do, that there is more to him that meets

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

*4.5 Stars*

I really enjoyed this Cinderella retelling. Carenza is treated poorly by her steps but she puts up with it out of love for her dad. She pushes down any resentment and negative feelings in order to help him have a calm life. It means that she misses out on a lot of what others her age have but it doesn’t matter to her as long as her dad is happy. With Ross’s stay, thought, her dad’s starting to see exactly what that means and realizes that Ross may be able to help.

Ross’s experience in the war has left him with a lot of issues and his family pestering him to get married is not helping. It’s hard to witness Ross’s troubles with the feeling of being broken because of his scars and PTSD. But time spent with Carenza slowly builds him back up – her support shows she believes in his worth, doesn’t find him lacking, and that his scars are not as bad as he thinks they are.

Both characters have a lot more strength than they think they do and time together soon has them realizing that. There’s a bit of a struggle as they begin developing feelings for each other, which leads to drama as they work at letting go of their beliefs about themselves & start to understand they actually deserve a future together. It’s a satisfying journey and gives readers a wonderful HEA ending.

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

While there are a lot of stereotypes/tropes covered here, I felt like Douglass handled it well.  While there isn't anything new, what we are given is well written - with likeable characters and an enjoyable storyline.  My only complaint is that we didn't get to see their interactions as a couple.  We got the back and forth of them getting together, the stress over being together, and what happens afterward.  But we didn't get to see them actually being together, in order to get that warm & fuzzy about their coupleness.  Instead we spend most of the book in their heads.  And I liked them so much from those peeks at their thoughts that I really wanted that.  Overall, though, a good read and I'm looking forward to seeing what Douglass has in store for Melody's brother & her best friend.  

**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 always look forward to a Shalvis book because I know that the characters are going to be enjoyable and I'm going to find myself engaged in their journey to a HEA. Buuuuut, I have to add a warning because her newest is not for those who don't like a little drama in their love stories :) Jane and her friend, Charlotte, have some commitment issues due to things that happened in their pasts, so there is quite a bit of back-and-forth, will-they-won't-they going on and it may not be for everyone. Luckily they both have amazingly understanding men in their lives and the love & support of each

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

I love how McGinnis managed to cover a current topic realistically without being preacher. Budget cuts in so many public areas (hospitals, schools, govt offices, etc) are common today and Delaney has to work on the pediatric department at her hospital ... yeah, that's an easy thing to do. But I love that she digs in and tries so hard to do things right. And that includes her interactions with the oh-so-sexy Dr. Mackenzie.

Josh takes his involvement with his patients very seriously and having a number cruncher try to cut even more from his bare bones department isn't going to go over well. Especially when he finds her quite attractive. But she's also got brains and heart and, while that makes her even harder to resist, it is something he can tap into to help out the kids.

A battle over budget could so easily be boring but McGinnis makes it, and Josh & Delaney's struggles, easy to read and east to get caught up in. I was involved not only in their developing relationship - which is fun and entertaining - but also their efforts to find a way to make things work with the board. Besides the possible conflict of interest regarding money, there's also the issue with Josh's very full schedule and Delaney's personal experience with doctors and sick kids. I knew things had to work out on all fronts but I was anxious to see on how it could be done.

So far McGinnis is 2 for 2 in my book and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what she brings next. There's this certain little Italian spitfire just begging to meet her true love :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

There is a lot of emotion hidden in what could have easily been just another cutesy romance. The characters have a lot of conflicting emotions about Josie’s return - when she left suddenly all those years ago it caused a lot of hurt for a lot of people. It’s rarely easy to come back but with the baggage on all sides, it’s really hard for her. So while they may not have been ready at 18 to handle everything that life threw at them, both Josie and Ethan have done a lot of growing over the years and have worked to find a path that works for them. Now, as adults, they might be better able to forge a long-term relationship if they can just open up to the possibility.

A sweet story about coming home again, forgiving and moving on, Forever This Time is a great start to what is sure to be a wonderful series.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I was absolutely hooked on Rose’s Lock and Key stories and was ecstatic to find out that she started up a new law enforcement series. Just like the other books I’ve read, Dark Blue has a strong, upstanding hero and a sharp heroine who is a great match for him. The history between them adds a nice emotional depth to the story and it brings a little bit of baggage into the relationship right away, helping to cement their feelings pretty quickly.

The first 80% or so of the story is about the two of them, laying the ground work of their relationship … and some HOT ground work it is :) It’s sweet and sexy and fluid as they move through their deepening feelings. I love that Rose then adds a little danger at the end, injecting some action and drama to the story. You know that things work out well for them, as romances do, but she had me biting my nails so I definitely say that’s a win.

Both Belle and Jackson have friends that could lead to great books so I am definitely looking forward to what Rose brings us next!

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

4.5*

You better like your books spicy when it comes to Foster’s newest – while Archer may be grumpy, he’s also all Alpha, oh-so-very dirty-mouthed and dominant in bed. But Indi is strong and sassy, more than capable of taking him on.

The story is full of angst, so be prepared. While Indi has some family issues, Archer is very troubled and it will take a lot of work & patience to get him to the other side. But Indi and all of his friends & family will be there, showing him that he can let go of the past and embrace his future.

My favorite part of Foster’s books is always the characters, who are appealing even in their less likable moments. They know how to love and support one another, how to fight and forgive. Every book has you feeling like you are meeting old friends again, while making new ones along the way.

A lot like their relationship, Caught by Love starts off scorching and all about the hot sex but soon becomes just as much about the heart as Archer’s & Indi’s feelings deepen. It’s a journey full of bumps and bruises but, like all good things, worth it in the end.

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

3.5*s

I feel bad for Hayes, he’s been abused by his mother for pretty much his entire life. And now he’s facing the end of his football career with nothing to show for it except a broken body, an empty bank account, and a whole lot of guilt. Meeting Olive again has him looking to the future a little differently, if only he can break free of his past.

Olive hit bottom and has spent years working to overcome it, so coming face to face with the man responsible is quite a shock. Letting Hayes back in could only mean trouble … or it could mean learning what it is to enjoy life.

I love how much Hayes and Olive support each other. Hayes understands that Olive is strong and can handle most things on her own, but she also needs someone who will remind her to relax. Olive does her best to make sure that Hayes realizes that he’s so much more than just a football player.

Both Hayes and Olive had childhoods that left scars they are struggling to overcome but it’s not easy and it leads to quite a few difficult moments and bad decisions. Model Behavior is not necessarily as refined as what I’m used to – the writing is a little rough and the story development was rushed in spots & slow in others – but it’s an enjoyable read. Lynne knows how to bring the heat and the angst so if that’s your kinda thing then I highly recommend Hayes & Olive’s story.

(Can be read as a stand alone but probably enjoyed a little bit more with some context provided in the first book.)

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