Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

May 12, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne.

Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged.

Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister.

Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more…

They’ve found the one…except their one might be their future stepsibling, too. Awkward.

I’ve never read a book by Tessa Bailey, so I went into this book with a fresh perspective. It was an easy read and quick, which was nice. It was a good afternoon or two read. The characters had potential and were relatable, so I was invested in the story.

I did have a few quibbles about the story, though. Chloe is described as a manic pixie dream girl. She’s eccentric and fun and quirky. She’s nice and cute and sweet, too. At times, she seemed almost bland, though. Too good to be true, sort of thing. It was nice that she was nice, but I wasn’t as invested in rooting for her. This might not be a turn-off for other readers. Maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace to read this story. Other readers may love her quirks. I did like the scenes with Sig and his teammates as those were funny scenes. The banter was great.

If you want a book that’s fun, spicy, and something you’re not expecting, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction by Shannon Richard

March 6, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction by Shannon Richard
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Lucy Buchanan and Theo Taylor have never gotten along…like ever. Not when they were children, not when they were teenagers, and definitely not as adults…though that last part might be more Lucy’s doing than Theo’s. It was the summer after she graduated college when their antagonism towards each other boiled over into something… hot.

That is until Lucy left town in a flash, leaving everything behind for warm Los Angeles. But now she’s returned after seven years following a bad breakup, and a newfound disillusionment with La-La Land.

As for Theo, he doesn’t know and doesn’t care about whatever happened to make Lucy come back. His lingering resentment is enough to keep her at arm’s length until she inevitably leaves again. The problem is, being around each other has proven that their friction isn’t going anywhere, especially when it leads to some pretty intense heat.

The two have no idea what they’ve rekindled, but things get even more complicated when they rescue a pregnant dog together, taking on joint responsibility of caring for her.

Lucy and Theo must find a way to overcome their past, first for the sake of the dog and her litter, and for their own wounded hearts.

What do you do when your second chance at love interferes with your need to be anywhere but here? That’s the question Lucy Buchanan is trying to answer before she falls any more helplessly in love with Theo Taylor.

Lucy Buchanan is back home again, itching for the school semester to end so she can jet off to wherever her whim might take her. No one can understand why she wants to bolt, but deep inside, Lucy’s fighting her past, trying to get as far away from it as she can, even despite her growing feelings for Theo. While running from your past isn’t the best option, I do understand Lucy’s need to do exactly that. There’s a lot of pain in her past, and being home only brings it that much closer to the surface.

Theo Taylor has been doing his thing, baking the town’s most sought-after pastries, and trying to forget he ever met Lucy Buchanan. Her return home throws him into chaos, not knowing whether he should forgive her or continue to treat her like the enemy. His reluctance to fully give in is understandable, considering she ran off on him the last time they were together. Theo’s a great character. His love of baking, coupled with the way he is with his much younger sister really made me love him.

Bear is the lynchpin that holds Theo and Lucy together. When they discover this poor, scraggly dog and discover she’s pregnant, they decide to join forces and bring the puppies into the world safely. But the question still hovers over them – what happens next? Is this it for them or could there be a chance for something more?

Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction is a super cute holiday romance that will tug at the hearts of softies everywhere. I’m a huge animal lover and the idea of a pregnant dog out wandering in the cold alone nearly did me in. I discovered this morning that this is actually the second in this series, which makes me happy because I really want to know more about this fantastic group of friends. The first in the series is going onto my list, and I’m hoping there might be a third in the works as well.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Vow of Revenge by P Rayne

February 6, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Vow of Revenge by P Rayne
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Dark Mafia Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Mirabella La Rosa
When my father arranged for me to marry the heir to the Costa crime family, I swore I’d do anything to escape that fate. I have more to offer than being some man’s arm candy and producing heirs. Marcelo Costa might be my fiancé, but he’ll never be my husband.

So when he and his father are killed in a car bombing, I consider myself lucky. No longer will I have to go from being a mafia princess to becoming a mafia wife, I can now attend the Sicuro Academy—a private college created for mafia children like me.

But all my plans come to a screeching halt when Marcelo shows up on campus alive and well, seeking revenge on those that crossed him.

Marcelo Costa

The look of shock on my fiancée’s face when I walked into the classroom pleases me more than it should. Mirabella made it clear she didn’t want to marry me, but at the moment I have a bigger issue on my hands—revenge on whoever killed my father. Once I mete out my own particular brand of justice, I’ll remove Mirabella from campus and make her my wife.

And no amount of pleading on her part will change my mind.

Two opposites who shouldn’t attract, but do.

Mirabella and Marcelo are two people who shouldn’t get together because she isn’t interested in being his wife. Until she has no choice. She heads off to college and wants to move forward with her life after the death of her father. She doesn’t want to be a mafia wife. He can’t see her as anything else.

I liked the combination of the two characters. She’s just as strong-willed as he is and determined to not be with him as much as he’s determined to have her. I liked that they were thrown together, but I wasn’t a fan of the almost insta love aspect. It’s not my favorite, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great story. Others will absolutely love it. I also had a hard time with her being so young–fresh off to college–and in such a position with Marcelo. She had moments of such maturity, then it switched. This story wasn’t as dark as I’d expected, either. Those looking for a dark romance might want to keep that in mind. If you’re new to dark romance, this is a good one to dip one’s toes into.

If you’re looking for two characters that aren’t what they seem and show growth throughout, then this might be the story for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane

February 5, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

“Oxford, England. The city of dreaming spires, dark secrets… And desire.”

Anthony St. Clair. The future Duke of Ashford. A reckless enigma… and my greatest temptation.

I’ve come here, to Oxford University, on a mission—to uncover the truth about what happened to my sister—no matter the cost. Until I meet him…

Saint is my passport to a sensual world of wealth and privilege, but something wicked is lurking behind these ivy covered walls. Secrets these people will kill to protect.

Loyalty is everything to them… but will it be my ruin?

Full of twists and turns!

She wants to know what happened to her sister. Then she meets Saint. Her world gets turned upside down and it’s spicy.

The characters are developed and interesting. I have to admit, Saint wasn’t what I expected. Then again, the whole story wasn’t one I expected. I’ve never read a book considered dark academia, but I did like the atmosphere evoked. It was heavy and dark, but yet intriguing. Now, back to Saint. I wasn’t sure what I expected—stodgy maybe, but he’s certainly a ladies’ man. I liked his unabashed quality. Tessa, on the other hand, wasn’t my favorite character. I hoped she’d be stronger in many ways. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just thought she could have more backbone. That’s not to say it’s a bad read. It might not be my cuppa, but it could certainly be others. It’s hot and steamy.

One note, it does end on a cliffhanger, so be warned. The other note is that this is the first book in a trilogy, so answers may certainly come from the second and third books. I’m glad for that.

If you’re looking for a sexy read for a cold evening, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw

December 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment


One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Holiday, Fiction, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Eva has spent the past three years burying herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreaking events of the Christmas that ripped her world apart. This year, the last thing she wants is to attend her friend’s weekend-long Christmas party. But at her husband James’ insistence, here they are.

When Eva—overwhelmed by bittersweet memories—tries to sneak back to London in the middle of the night, she is visited by the ghost of her beloved grandmother. Gran tells Eva that if she doesn’t face her fears head-on and stop shutting out her loved ones, she risks losing them all forever.

When Eva wakes on Christmas morning, she finds herself living not her own life, but that of her hardworking assistant, Diana, whose overflowing inbox isn’t the only secret she’s been keeping. The next day, she wakes on Christmas morning again, this time in the body of her best friend’s little sister. As Eva lives the same day again and again through the perspectives of her friends, she is offered a glimpse into the lives of those she has been pushing away. With each Christmas Day comes a new lesson—and an insight into the secrets and struggles her loved ones have been hiding. To move forward, Eva must let go of the past. But is it too late to fix her future?

The protagonist, Eva, makes quite an impression with her shop. The setting is mostly on the wild moors of Cornwall. Eva is has a strong personality and pushes people around in her life for the sake of her obsession. She takes her friends and family for granted. She also has something painful in her past and a marriage on the rocks.

Eva and her husband James are invited to a Christmas party at the home of her friends, Hallie and Kian. When midnight hits, her grandmother’s ghost comes to see Eva with advice that is hard for Eva to hear. Eva will have to learn a lesson the hard way: When she wakes up on Christmas day, she literally is not herself but is in the body of her assistant Diana. What could she learn from this? Well, she wakes up again the next day, and it is Christmas again. This time, she occupies someone else’s body.

This is quite a clever story and has depth. A main theme is relationships, but there is more. As Eva sees other points of view, it affects her in interesting ways. Surprising things come to light in this delightful tale for the season. It is a good read, with suspense, fun while being meaningful, and is written well.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan

August 4, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Morag MacIntyre is a Scottish lass from the remote islands that make up the northernmost reaches of the UK. She’s also a third-generation pilot, the heir apparent to an island plane service she runs with her grandfather. The islands—over 500 dots of windswept land that reach almost to Norway—rely on their one hardworking prop plane to deliver mail, packages, tourists, medicine, and the occasional sheep. As the keeper of this vital lifeline, Morag is used to landing on pale golden beaches and tiny grass airstrips, whether during great storms or on bright endless summer nights. Up in the blue sky, Morag feels at one with the elements.

Down on the ground is a different matter, though. Her grandfather is considering and Morag wonders if she truly wants to spend the rest of her life in the islands. Her boyfriend Hayden, from flight school, wants Morag to move to Dubai with him, where they’ll fly A380s and say goodbye to Scotland’s dark winters.

Morag is on the verge of making a huge life change when an unusually bumpy landing during a storm finds her marooned on Inchborn island. Inchborn is gloriously off-grid, home only to an ancient ruined abbey, a bird-watching station, and a population of one: Gregor, a visiting ornithologist from Glasgow who might have just the right perspective to help Morag pilot her course.

A woman trying to chart her own path.

Morag knows what she wants in life—to get the heck away from the Scottish winters and find the sun and warmth of Dubai. But she can’t control the circumstances and ends up on an island. The writing was good and the story interesting, but it did take a while to get moving and was a slow start. I did like the characters, though and the journey of her coming into her own. I liked that she had to go on the journey and how she did it. It was fascinating and uplifting, too.

If you’re looking for a good romance with a great journey, then give this book a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey

July 14, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
Malory-Anderson Family, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The exquisite niece of Lord Edward and Lady Charlotte Malory, Regina Ashton is outraged over her abduction by the arrogant, devilishly handsome Nicholas Eden—and is determined to make the rogue pay . . . with his heart.

A golden-haired seducer, Nicholas has been hardened by a painful secret in his past. And now that he has besmirched Reggie’s good name, the hot-tempered lady has vowed to wed him. Her fiery beauty stirs Nicholas as no woman ever has—and the rake arouses Reggie’s passion to an unendurable level. Such uncontrolled desires can lead only to dangerous misunderstandings . . . and, perhaps, to a love that can live only once in a lifetime.

They’ve got one shot at love, but they’ve got to be brave enough to take it.

I read this book because I’ve been on a journey to reconnect with the roots of romance. This book was recommended as part of that journey. The story is constructed well, the characters interesting and the writing moved along quickly. I felt like I was there with the characters and got emotionally involved.

I have to admit I wasn’t a fan of the hero for a long time through this book. He seemed to wallow in his own self-pity and was a typical 1980s romance hero—stubborn, very macho and slow to come around. Once he did, I liked him very much. The heroine was a tad troublesome for me, too, because she’s just as stubborn. I liked the chemistry between them, but I wish they’d have talked a little sooner. Still, the construct of this story and the way it’s an example of it’s time period were great.

If you’re looking for a romance with an extremely slow build, then this might be the one for you. The slow burn and build are right on the mark.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Wedding at Moonglow Bay by Lori Wilde

April 4, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Wedding at Moonglow Bay by Lori Wilde
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

It wasn’t the wedding night she’d expected!

When Samantha said “I do” to Luca Ginelli, she knew she’d found a reliable soulmate—a strong, sexy man who’d stand beside her through thick and thin. And so she’d started her wedding day filled with joyful expectation, only to have her dreams shattered when the man she married years before shocking, unexpectedly, reappears, insisting she was still his wife!

Seven years before, Luca’s brother, Nick, had stubbornly set off in a sailing adventure, ignoring the pleas of his young bride and all common sense. He’d disappeared without a trace; everyone thought he was dead—but now he’s expecting to pick up where they’d left off. He’d once been Samantha’s “lightning strike,”—the person you know is the one from the moment you first see them.

But seven years is a long time and so much has changed. Now Samantha is faced with an impossible choice and no matter which decision she makes, it threatens to shred the very fabric of the one thing she holds most dear—family.

Lori Wilde’s latest novel does not fail to elicit tender emotions. The Wedding at Moonglow Bay tells the tale of an impossible situation. Samantha, a widow, marries her dead husband’s brother. All goes well until her husband shows up after missing for seven years and having been declared legally dead.

What can Samantha do about this mess? To complicate things, she has a child from her first husband, but she is better suited to her second husband. As the story unfolds this is reinforced. It seems like a simple choice, but Samantha has other people to consider in making this decision, and Lori Wilde has done well showing this.

Secondary characters add controversy and sometimes support for the struggling Samantha. Some of them surprise her. Who can she trust? This book makes a successful exploration of relationship dynamics while giving readers a descriptive sense of place. The theme of personal growth underlies the story and adds layers to it because more than one character faces harsh realities and must find a path forward.

For fan of contemporary romance, why not check out this latest installment of the Moonglow Bay stories?

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Running Scared by Elizabeth Lowell

December 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Running Scared by Elizabeth Lowell
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Risa Sheridan knows everything there is to know about gold-its history, its secrets, its allure, its perils. Her boss, Shane Tannahill, is addicted to the stuff, having already made the precious metal the theme of his ultrasuccessful Las Vegas gambling establishment, the Golden Fleece. Now an ancient Celtic piece is being offered to Shane for his collection, and the casino owner is hooked. But though she shares Shane’s enthusiasm, Risa is wary — because something about this particular artifact is troubling; something about it says “stay away.”

It is a voice that should be heeded but is not. And the artifact is placing them at the center of an insidious plot in the mad whirl and blinding glitter of Las Vegas.

A whole lot of heat and gold.

I had never read anything by Elizabeth Lowell before this book and I’m glad this was recommended to me. This was a fantastic book. I’m not really into romantic suspense, but this one was a big hit. Lowell writes a spellbinding story and kept me riveted to my seat throughout the story.

Risa is a smart woman, but she’s had hard knocks in life. She knows what she needs to do–she’s the person you turn to when you want a rare piece of jewelry handled. Is it real, is it fake? How old is it? She’s your girl. Shane Tannahill is her boss and is obsessed with having the best gold collection at his hotel in Vegas. It doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome, too.

I liked that there are a lot of threads running through this story. There’s the sort of romance between Risa and Shane, the gold that shows up, the show Shane wants to put on and Risa’s past. Keeping the threads separate and straightened out could be confusing at times, but it definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

If you’re looking for a story that’s a bit breathless, a lot mysterious and even a little romantic, then this might be the one for you. I’m on the lookout for more by this author.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

All the Feels by Olivia Dade

September 13, 2022 By Leave a Comment


All the Feels by Olivia Dade
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Romantic Comedy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Alexander Woodroe has it all. Charm. Sex appeal. Wealth. Fame. A starring role as Cupid on TV’s biggest show, Gods of the Gates. But the showrunners have wrecked his character, he’s dogged by old demons, and his post-show future remains uncertain. When all that reckless emotion explodes into a bar fight, the tabloids and public agree: his star is falling.

Enter Lauren Clegg, the former ER therapist hired to keep him in line. Compared to her previous work, watching over handsome but impulsive Alex shouldn’t be especially difficult. But the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to keep her professional remove and her heart intact, especially when she discovers the reasons behind his recklessness…not to mention his Cupid fanfiction habit.

When another scandal lands Alex in major hot water and costs Lauren her job, she’ll have to choose between protecting him and offering him what he really wants—her. But he’s determined to keep his improbably short, impossibly stubborn, and extremely endearing minder in his life any way he can. And on a road trip up the California coast together, he intends to show her exactly what a falling star will do to catch the woman he loves: anything at all.

He’s a hot mess and she’s there to pick up the pieces.

This is the first book by Olivia Dade that I’ve read and I’m glad I did. I liked the premise, a regular woman and a Hollywood actor. That’s cute. Plus, she’s a curvy girl, which is equally great. The writing was good, and it flowed well enough. I did have to put this one down a few times, which wasn’t great because I did want to get back to the story.

I liked Alex. He’s got ADHD and he’s a hot mess, but he’s adorable and I wanted to help him. I saw precisely why he and Lauren are attracted to each other. She wants to fix him–so to speak. It’s cute. The one thing I had a problem with concerning Lauren is that she’s got low self-esteem and seems to think it’s okay for people to deal with her based on her size. It happens all over the place and it’s relatable, but I wish she’d have seen it as bullying faster. I liked that she’s a force to be reckoned with and the person who seems to get through to Alex, but there were times when she was almost so ballsy, it was hard to believe. That said, it was still a good book.

If you’re looking for a cute afternoon read, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
Next Page »