eARC Book review: The Summer of Sunshine and Margot by Susan Mallery

eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

The Baxter sisters come from a long line of women with disastrous luck in love. But this summer, Sunshine and Margot will turn disasters into destiny…

As an etiquette coach, Margot teaches her clients to fit in. But she’s never faced a client like Bianca, an aging movie star who gained fame—and notoriety—through a campaign of shock and awe. Schooling Bianca on the fine art of behaving like a proper diplomat’s wife requires intensive lessons, forcing Margot to move into the monastery turned mansion owned by the actress’s intensely private son. Like his incredible home, Alec’s stony exterior hides secret depths Margot would love to explore. But will he trust her enough to let her in?

Sunshine has always been the good-time sister, abandoning jobs to chase after guys who used her, then threw her away. No more. She refuses to be “that girl” again. This time, she’ll finish college, dedicate herself to her job as a nanny, and she 100 percent will not screw up her life again by falling for the wrong guy. Especially not the tempting single dad who also happens to be her boss.


This is a story about two sisters who decide to change themselves for the better and not repeat the mistakes of the past. I enjoyed seeing these two sisters interact with each other. Each being the others biggest cheerleader. Margot is a etiquette coach and she bites of more than she can chew with Bianca. While she's trying to help Bianca she's also helping Alec Bianca's son open up. Alec has learned because of his mothers sometimes strange behavior to protect himself and to live a planned and quiet life until Margot walks in and makes him feel things he's locked out. Sunshine never sticks. She's a nanny and is great at it but leaves them abruptly for men. She wants to change that and find real love and get a degree and a live happily ever after. Declan is a widow with a young son. He finds himself attracted to Sunshine but good morals tells him he can't act on it since he's her boss. This was a complex story with lots of twists and turns. The author kept switching from one couple to the other which was at sometimes annoying because you would just got sucked in when it changed to the other sister. I guess that's what's supposed happen though. I was really rooting for both sisters to find their happy. Loved Declan and Alec even though at times Alec was annoying. A great summer beach read or backyard hammock. 

Find out more about this book and Susan Mallery here www.susanmallery.com

eARC Book review: Sisters of Summer's End (Summer Resort #2) by Lori Foster

Available now!
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

As the summer ends, friendship begins...When single mom Joy Lee abandoned her old life to take a job at a lakeside resort, she found something that her family's wealth and influence could never buy: peace of mind. Not easy to come by for the once-burned divorce who keeps everyone at a distance. But when her new friend, Maris, dares her to take a chance with the drive-in's charismatic new owner, everything changes for Joy and her young son. A difficult childhood has left Maris Kennedy with definite priorities. Her job running Summer's End, the camp store and cafe, comes first. Always. Nothing could ever make her risk that hard-won security--especially not her free-spirited colleague. But the more she encourages Joy to open herself up to new experiences, the more Maris begins to wonder what she, too, might be missing. Learning how to trust will bring Joy and Maris together. 
And soon they form a friendship that leaves them as close as sisters--and open to love where they least expect it...in Summer's End.

Joy and Maris have worked at the same RV park for years. Maris has slowly tried to get Joy to open up more and be a friend to Joy. Finally it starts to happen. Turns out Maris needed that friendship too.  As they become close as friends each finds a love interest. Royce buys the Drive in Next door and takes a interest in Joy. Royce and Joy each have their own past baggage to deal with but tentatively decide to explore their interest in each other. Each promising they don't have time for a serious relationship and their not in a place to explore anything that serious. Daron works at the park with the ladies doing all the maintenance among other things. He's had a thing for Maris for years. Maris though has had a hard upbringing and that has taught her to always put her self first and to plan plan plan. Nothing outside of the plan. With help from Joy she finally opens herself up a little for Daron and decides to explore their attraction to each other. This was a lovely story. I enjoyed both couples and watching them figure out that it's OK to open up and let others in. Be it friendships or more. I loved how Royce interacted with James Joy's little boy. I liked how the two clicked and became more like father and son and Royce accepting him immediately as someone important to him. A great summer read!

Find out more about Lori Foster and this series here lorifoster.com

eARC Book review: The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone #3) by Jill Shalvis

Available June 18th 2019
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

Brooke and her sister used to be close. Close as two sisters can be. Then things changed. Mindy got married and started having kids and seemed to have a perfect life. Brooke left town to live her dream as a adventure photographer. It all seemed to be going OK until the Helicopter crash that ended all that and almost ended here. Not Brooke is working for the same company but behind the scenes. Slowly falling to pieces. Then her sisters shows up at her house with her three kids. She's always thought her sister was the perfect one. Always had it together and always had a plan. Her sister looks like something the cat dragged in. Literally!  Brooke trades places with her sister Mindy. Giving Mindy a break to pull herself together she heads back Wildstone only to find her sexy ex boyfriend lives next door. The one she left without a backward glance.  I have not read the two books before this one in the series. Was not a issue at all. This is definitely a stand alone. I love the sisters. The dialogue between the sisters was hilarious and I'm think any mom of kids can relate to the sister Mindy. Brooke is the fun aunt of course.  Garrett is the man she left behind and there is definitely some animosity there but love too. After all the years they were apart it's still there but is it enough. There is of course some secrets to deal with as well. Loved this book it entertained me from page one.  Jill Shalvis delivers again!

Find out more about Jill Shalvis and this series here www.jillshalvis.com

eARC Book review: The Second Chance Rancher (The Millers of Morgan Valley #1) by Kate Pearce

Available now
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

It might be the pride of hard work on rugged terrain, the welcoming community, or the memories--but wherever the folks of Morgantown may roam, they have a way of coming back to the ranch . . . 

There's a reason Jackson Lymond left the Air Force, but he's not telling a soul. He'd rather keep things simple, while trying to start a new life helping his older brother on their northern California ranch. At least Morgantown's flirty local bartender can keep his mind off the past--that is, until he runs into Daisy Miller . . .

Daisy doesn't really expect Jackson to remember her. Back in school she did her best to blend in--and pretend she didn't have five brothers who'd hogtie any boy who even looked at her. These days though, she and Jackson might have more in common than just their ranching relatives. After all, they both left home only to return. Trouble is, under the watch of her fiercely protective family, Daisy is longing for some privacy. Letting Jackson into her life could make that even more difficult--or it might be the second chance they're both looking for . . .

This is the first book in a spin off series from the Morgan series. Rachel Morgan got together with Cauy Lymond in the last book of that series and now Jackson his brother is hero in this book. Jackson is a Air Force veteran. He thought it would be his life until something happens and he decides he's done. Now he's home to help his brother and figure out what's next. Then he runs into Daisy Miller the baby girl and only girl of the Miller clan. Her five older brothers drive her nuts sometimes but she can handle them. Daisy is a techy. She had a start up company that didn't go so well and she came back home broken in spirit. Now she's taking another shot at it and keeping it on the downlow. Asking Jackson to be her fake boyfriend to help her cover sounds like a good idea until it all gets complicated by feelings they both agreed not to have. I liked this one but it didn't click for me as well as I had hoped and as much as it did for the Morgan series of books. Cauy and a lot of the Morgan's are in this book which made it a little more fun to read as the characters are familiar. We got a little glimpse at some of Daisy's brothers and some trouble brewing for the family and the town which I'm sure will be addressed as the series continues. A good read for me just not a solid hit out of the ballpark.

Find out more about Kate Peace and this series here www.katepearce.com

eARC Book review: The Hitwoman's Juggling Act (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman #19) by J.B. Lynn

Available now!
eARC Provided by author

You know things are out of hand in Maggie Lee’s world when the least of her problems is tripping over a body. 

Her family has lost their home. 
Her friend, Armani, has lost her psychic mojo. 
And Maggie’s in danger of losing custody of her niece. 

Making matters even worse is she can't refuse the latest job from her mobster boss. Not to mention she must team up with her murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan, and that's….complicated. 

Innocents are at risk, lives are in danger, and a family secret could change everything. 

Maggie has seen some hard times but this might be the worst. No home to live in. Social services are threatening to take her niece Katie away and that's just the beginning. This woman had so much going on I'm not sure how she keeps her sanity. As always JB Lynn writes a book full of action with humor and some scary dangerous stuff too. Somehow she keeps you guessing as to what's coming next. I'm not sure how she keeps this series fresh but she does. Excellent writing and fast paced and interesting with just the right amount of humor make this a excellent read.

Find out more about JB Lynn and this series here www.jblynn.com