#BookReview ~ Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne ~ Close Proximity, Holiday Romance, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance @PiperRayneRocks

About the Book:

Six years ago, he was her one-night stand, and now they’re sharing a villa for the holidays.

I thought I was over him. That his good looks and British accent couldn’t affect me anymore. But the minute our eyes lock across the elevator, all those feelings come roaring back to life.

Then I find out we’re competing for the same job.

Next comes the realization that we have to spend a week together on a ski vacation because of some six-degree-of-separation nonsense.

The real kicker is when I find out the two of us have to share a villa. A very small, very cozy villa.

Needless to say, this Christmas getaway is starting off rockier than the mountains we’ll be skiing down.

I’ve stayed away for years, what’s one week? But I forgot how much easier it is to ignore him with an ocean separating us—especially when he’s determined to win me back.

My Review:

Her one-night-stand  reappears in her life after six long and lonely years.

Merry Kissmas reunites two lovers who were never the same after their one-night-stand. During her semester abroad, Brynn connects with a stranger and she spends a glorious weekend with him. When she shows up to class the following Monday, Pierce is also in the same class as Brynn. To both of their surprises though, she's the student and he's the TA. 

Six years later they meet again by happenstance and it seems like fate has things all planned out. They are competing for the same job, which is uncomfortable and highly unlikely. Especially since Pierce is British, Brynn is from Oregon, and the job is in New York. What are the odds?! Then comes the vacation destination and Pierce's previously unknown ties to Brynn's family.

I really enjoyed this close proximity, second chance romance. Brynn and Pierce are terrific characters. They were perfect for each other from their first interaction. Brynn was understandably hurt by Pierce's actions six years ago, but Pierce has made it known that he wants to right the wrong and get her back. He blends perfectly into her family, who nudge Brynn into making really thinking about her happiness and if Pierce fits.

Merry Kissmas is cute, cozy, Christmasy, competitive, and a bit steamy! I could not put the book down, and enjoyed this holiday novel. Brynn and Pierce are fun to get to know. I love seeing Brynn loosen up while celebrating Christmas with her family and Pierce. The chemistry between Brynn and Pierce is off the charts and I loved watching their relationship blossom.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Download today on Amazon

Meet Piper Rayne:

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne:

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperRayne/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiperRayneRocks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorpiperrayne

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/PiperRayne

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@authorpiperrayne

This blog uses affiliate links.

#BookReview ~ Don’t You Want Me Baby? by Rachel Dove ~ #GrumpySunshine #FriendsToLovers

Don’t You Want Me Baby?

About the Book:

Amber Fitzpatrick is about to hit thirty and has achieved none of the things she hoped to have done by now. Her dreams of owning her own business seem out of reach. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and now her biological clock is clanging in her head.

But maybe Amber doesn’t need a man for the next stage of her life? Maybe as an independent woman she can have a baby all by herself?

There’s only one problem. Handsome but excruciatingly annoying best friend Tyler Williams. Tyler thinks Amber’s motherhood plans are plain crazy! She just needs to wait for Mr. Right to come along…and maybe he’s closer than she thinks?

But with Amber hellbent on doing it alone, Tyler sets out to prove to her that being her best friend could also come with excellent benefits…if only she's brave enough to take the chance.

A grumpy sunshine, best friends to lovers romance, perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Laura Carter and Phoebe MacLeod.

My Review:

Don't You Want Me Baby? is a cute friends-to-lovers romance. It took our characters a minute to get there but once Amber and Tyler were on the same page, I sighed in relief. During the last half of the book when Amber continued to make excuses and push Tyler away, I questioned her decision-making skills. I wasn't sure we were going to get our HEA.

Amber is a strong character but only after she finally pulls her big girl panties up and kicks her boyfriend out. I didn't like him at all, and while the backstory about Brad had him seeming to be a good guy, his character in the present was anything but. I love that Amber has goals but I hated how she thought she could only do them alone, especially when there are people who want to go along with her on her journeys. We all need people in our lives in certain capacities. I don't think everyone wants or needs a partner, mate, or spouse, but pushing away friends sets you up for a lot of loneliness. 

Amber's early mid-life crisis was concerning, as well. As someone who was with her first husband from the age of 19 - 27 (and childless) and found the love of her life at 31 (and is still childless after 17 years), I understand her want and obsession for having a child. However, Amber was newly single and her first thought was having a baby with or without a man. At this point, instead of bring another life into the mix, she really needed to figure herself out first, and get her life resettled. 

Tyler is a wonderful character. Caring, gentle, but also broody and, during some part so the book, standoffish. He's wanted her pretty much since the day he met her but then Brad got in the way so he backed off. Now that Amber and Brad's relationship is over, Tyler finally has the opportunity to make Amber his. Except, she doesn't want to ruin what they have. There's a lot of miscommunication but that just makes their HEA a lot more satisfying.

I know this seems like a very critical review but I'm not dissing the book. These are just the feelings I developed while living Amber's life with her. Grief causes people to make some drastic decisions, good and bad, and I really felt bad for her. She gave Brad a year of her life and got nowhere. At least it was only a year, though I understand her frustration. I gave my first husband eight years but it never occurred to me to try and have a baby by myself. I was in absolutely no position to take care of another human being. I could barely take care of myself and was still figuring out my own life. 

I enjoyed the author's writing style. The character development was done well and I enjoyed the world-building. Both Amber and Tyler are perfectly flawed, and I loved how the author brought them together. While I would have enjoyed seeing more of Amber and Tyler's romance and less of their angst, denial, and arguments, all of these events led to the HEA both characters deserved. This is the first book by Rachel Dove I've read and can't wait to dive into more of her work.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Purchase Link:

Amazon

Visit the Author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelDoveauthor/?locale=en_GB

Twitter https://twitter.com/writerdove?lang=en

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/writerdove/?hl=en

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RachelDoveNews

This blog uses affiliate links.

#BookReview ~ Once Upon A Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore ~ #HolidayRomance #VacationRomance #OppositesAttract

A swoony, one night stand, holiday, vacation romance by bestselling author, Lulu Moore

About the Book:

Alexander, Lord Burlington, hates the holidays.

But duty calls. This year he's willing to set his feelings aside for the sake of his eldest brother who's just been left at the altar - sending shockwaves through British high society - as they escape London for the snow capped mountains of Aspen.

However, it soon becomes obvious that Colorado in December wasn't the best place to go for someone who usually out-grinches The Grinch.

Haven Wylder has spent the last four years paying off debts her parents left when they died. Between working on her ranch, or in her Christmas store and taking on every other job she can, there's been no time for fun. But if there's one thing guaranteed to put a smile on her face it's the holidays and the annual gingerbread decorating competition.

What she wasn't expecting was the tall, handsome stranger with the accent to die for who, *gasp*, hates Christmas.

It doesn't take long for Haven to start changing Alex's mind. It has nothing to do with her berry red lips and glossy caramel curls tumbling down her back or her big doe eyes as green as the Christmas trees she’s selling. Or the way she fills out her jeans.

None at all.

Alexander will never not despise Christmas, but a fling with Haven Wylder might be just the thing to make it a little more bearable. That is... if he can leave her and their unforgettable connection behind.

My Review:

Once Upon a Christmas Tree is written with a few different, perfectly matched tropes. My favorite is the opposites attract trope. I love them all - Holiday Romance, Vacation Romance, ONS (one-night stand) but these two main characters are polar opposites when it comes to...

...Christmas.

Alexander is one of four Lord Burlingtons from across the pond, who are in Aspen, Colorado. They came to America as the support system for their oldest brother, the Duke of Burlington, after his wedding is called off. Christmas is Alex's most hated holiday. Leaving home and traveling over 4,000 miles away seems like a good idea at first. Alex won't have to spend the holidays at home dredging up old memories. He wasn't expecting to walk straight into Christmas town.

Haven loves Christmas. She grew up with parents who loved Christmas so much they built their own Christmas tree farm and Christmas store. Her parents might be gone now but she's been maintaining and building their legacy. Catching up on a mountain of bills and keeping the farm and store running have left her with very little time to have fun. Until Alexander wanders into the bar where she's working.

Haven and Alex hit it off from their very first interaction. Drawn like moths to flames, they seek each other other whenever in the same location. Their chemistry is palpable, their thoughts, and eventual actions, are steamy, and they can't stay away, which sucks because they only have a week to explore one another. And that's exactly what they do. I hope we get more of Haven and Alexander in this series because I'm not finished with them.

The supporting characters (I'm looking at you Saylor, Miles, and Hendricks) are fantastic. I love all of them. Lando is cool too but just coming off of a cancelled wedding does not a fun character make him. He is, however, written wonderfully as a man who is broken inside, and has every right to be.

I've never read anything by Lulu Moore until now and I can't believe it's taken me this long. I love the author's writing style. This story is well-written, has spectacular character development, and enjoyable world-building. I felt like I was right in Aspen with them. The book is fast-paced, enjoyable, and engaging. I was was pulled right into the book by the synopsis and the author's storytelling.

I can't wait for the rest of this series to kick-off!

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z3dlwk

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4euT1Jt

Connect with Lulu:

Website: https://lulumoorebooks.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21005275.Lulu_Moore/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lulu-Moore/author/B08WPY8YSW/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuluMooreBooks

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/560932142401799

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulumoorebooks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lulumoorebooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lulu-moore

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lulumoorebooks/

#BookReview ~ The Mr. Right Checklist by Melissa Foster ~ #GrumpySunshine #RomCom #OppositesAttract

About the Book:

A free-spirited proposal planner and a grumpy professor form a hilarious and unexpected situationship that just might lead to more in this steamy romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it's not in the stars for her yet--honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?--she wants it for others. When Destiny's first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she's ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.

Ryan "Fletch" Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if she'll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brother's wedding.

A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.

My Review:

The Mr. Right Checklist is amazing. Destiny Amor is the best FMC. She's had a lot of heartbreak in her life but Destiny has the best attitude and personality. Ryan Fletcher might be a bit grumpy and jaded but even he's not immune to Destiny's positive vibes. I fell in love with this grumpy-sunshine romantic comedy.

What started out as a professional relationship - a dog groomer and a professor who helps her with a business plan - becomes a slow-burn romance. One the professor continues to deny throughout most of the book. The author did a fantastic job leading Destiny and Fletch down their perfectly imperfect path.

Melissa Foster is a master storyteller. Her characters are loving and flawed. They are real and believable. The stories are romantic and emotional. Melissa Foster is my go-to for anything romantic. I read anything I can get my grabby hands on.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon

Audible

Goodreads

 

Visit the Author's Website:

https://melissafoster.com/

This blog uses affiliate links.

Halloween With A Vampire (Holiday Romance, Book 1) by Jennifer Snyder ~ #Review #Shifters #Paranormal #PNR #BookLover #BookBlogger #Books #Bookworm #Read

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BHR8JZFZ
Publication Date: ‎ October 8, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 91 pages

Amazon
Goodreads

About the Book:

He's a vampire haunted by his past. She's a cursed black cat shifter. This Halloween, will love finally set these two tortured souls free from the shadows of their past?

Joe Evensen has never been a fan of Halloween. However, as the owner of Last Drop bar, each year he hosts a Halloween Bash for Crescent Creek. It's a business decision, but it also serves as a distraction from the ghosts of his past who torment him while the veil between the living and the dead is thin. Joe doesn't expect this Halloween to be any different, but it is.

Ivy Pendle has been cursed since her eighteenth birthday. She's spent years only allowed to walk in her human form on Halloween in search of her mate and never finding him. Doubting she ever will, she decides to spend her last Halloween allotted as a human enjoying herself instead of stressing about being stuck in her shifter form forever.

When the two meet by chance, there's a spark of something between them. But is it simply a case of misery loving company, or something more?

Halloween With A Vampire is a standalone Halloween story set in the larger Paranormals of Crescent Creek world.

My Review:

Halloween with a Vampire is a sweet shifter/vampire romance. Ivy Pendle is a cursed kitty. This is her last Halloween to find her fated mate before she's destined to roam the earth solely in her black cat form. Resigned to her fate, instead of going home to see her parents one last time, or even truly search for her mate, Ivy stays in Crescent Creek and finds herself in the Last Drop Bar owned by Joe Evensen.

Joe is being haunted by the sins of his past - literally. Figuring this Halloween will be the same as all of the previous ones, he prepares to wallow in grief and misery. Fortunately his Halloween Bash should distract him, if for only a little while. When a stranger shows up in his bar, and the torments from his past lessen, he realizes who and what she is, but not why she's there. 

Ivy and Joe are fantastic characters. I loved them each individually but even more so when that spark hits. They had chemistry from the get go. I was impressed by the spectacular development of such a short story. The reader is given enough information about each character, allowing us to watch them grow just a little bit throughout the book. I loved the world-building and vivid descriptions. 

I love the originality of the story. The curse placed upon Ivy is different (to me, anyway). I enjoyed how the author spun her story.

My Rating: