#BookReview ~ Inherited Holiday by M. Robinson ~ #mrobinson #nowavailable #nowlive #newrelease #grumpysunshine #smalltown #holidayromance #newbookalert

Inherited Holiday

M. Robinson

Release Date: November 21

About the Book:

Bah freaking humbug.

I hate Christmas—always have, always will. From the gaudy trees to the over-the-top decorations and the traditions everyone clings to like they’re sacred.

Particularly my family.

They own Mistletoe Town—a Hallmark movie come to life and a place most people only dream about. Thanks to an unexpected inheritance from my great-grandfather, it’s my personal nightmare.

I’m stuck running this Christmas-obsessed town with an avalanche of memories I’ve spent thirteen years trying to forget.

But it’s not just the town I abandoned… it’s her.

And no matter how much I play the Scrooge, I’m about to find out some ghosts from the past can’t be ignored—or outrun.

Especially now that she’s my sweet new employee, baking spirits merry and bright.

If I want to stay off the naughty list, I have to learn how to play nice.

And let go of the past.

My Review:

Inherited Holiday is a steamy, second chance, holiday romance.

Noelle Woods moved to Mistletoe Town when she was fourteen. Her very first friend was Nicholas Saint Clair, grandson of the town's owner. They were best friends, right up until he left Mistletoe Town and didn't look back. Now that his grandfather has willed Mistletoe Town to him, Nicholas returns to take over running a town that lives for the very holiday he hates - Christmas.

The first thing Nicholas wants to do when he returns is rekindle his friendship with Noelle. However, Noelle is resistant. He hurt her when he left and didn't keep in touch. I love their second chance at love, which they both are in but deny it through much of the story. 

Noelle and Nicholas are wonderful characters. I love their banter, flirting, and ever so electric interactions. Their chemistry is off the charts and so evident from the first second of their reconnection. The author created a magical setting, likable characters, and a plot that pulls the reader in and keeps them engaged. This book is a unique spin on Christmas.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

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#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:

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#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:

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