eARC Book review: Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4) by Susan Mallery

Available February 11, 2020
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Cousins by chance, sisters by choice…

After her cat toy empire goes up in flames, Sophie Lane returns to Blackberry Island, determined to rebuild. Until small-town life reveals a big problem: she can’t grow unless she learns to let go. If Sophie relaxes her grip even a little, she might lose everything. Or she might finally be free to reach for the happiness and love that have eluded her for so long.

Kristine has become defined by her relationship to others. She’s a wife, a mom. As much as she adores her husband and sons, she wants something for herself—a sweet little bakery just off the waterfront. She knew changing the rules wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined she might have to choose between her marriage and her dreams.

Like the mainland on the horizon, Heather’s goals seem beyond her grasp. Every time she manages to save for college, her mother has another crisis. Can she break free, or will she be trapped in this tiny life forever?

Sisters by Choice is about three cousins. Each have their own problems but struggles to find their way. Sophie is a bit of a control freak but meets her match when a man with a lot of patience enters her life. Kristine has a husband and three boys but needs to be more than just mom running everyone's world. Her husband is quite on board when she wants to open a bake shop. Heather is 20 and under her mother's thumb. She's been taking care of her mom since she was 16. She's working several jobs to keep them afloat and then with the help of her cousin and a stranger she might finally get a shot at her dream if she can break away from her mother. This is a dramatic look at three women's lives. It at times was fun and intense. Not quite a the fairy tale we all hope for but none the less realistic. Heather's mother was a bit over the top for me and i got really tired with her. If she was in capable of working due to age or injury i might have understood but the women is not even 40. You have to try to put yourself in these ladies shoes to try to understand them. I enjoyed the story but it was not one of my favorites of the series.


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

eARC Book review: It's All About That Cowboy (Once Upon a Time in Texas #1.5) by Carly Bloom

Available January 14th 2020
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Head back to Big Verde, Texas, where a homecoming queen and the bad-boy-turned-sheriff get a second chance at first love!

Once Jessica Acosta left Big Verde, Texas, she didn't look back . . . until now, when a temporary homecoming brings her face-to-face with her high school sweetheart. Still devastatingly sexy, Casey Long sets off the same sparks that drew them together years ago. But Jess can't forget how he broke her heart . . . or the secret that came between them.

Casey may have traded in his bad boy rep and big rodeo dreams for a sheriff's badge, but he's never gotten over Jess leaving. Having her back in town feels like a second chance, especially when it's clear that their chemistry is as strong as ever. But can Casey and Jess move beyond the pain of the past . . . to have the future they both deserve?

This story was first published in August of 2019. 

Jessica Acosta thought she and Casey Long would have a future together. Casey thought they did too. They were just teenagers then only 18 but still they thought they had something. Then Jessica disappeared overnight and Casey has not seen her since. When she shows up back in town for his great aunt's funeral he's excited to see her again but confused. Jessica wrote him letters back then but he never answered them. She thought her mom lessons about men might actually be true. Loved this short little novella. Loved both Casey and Jessica. I was rooting for them from the first chapter. I can't wait to see where this series goes. A quick fast and enjoyable read it kept me reading all evening and well after dark. 

Find out more about this series and Carly Bloom here www.carlybloombooks.com

eARC Book review: Teach Me (Mills & Boon Dare) (Filthy Rich Billionaires, Book 1) by Caitlin Crews

Available January 23rd 2020
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley 

‘Ask me for what you want…
I might just grant it to you.’

Socialite Erika Vanderberg has finally gained access to Berlin's most exclusive sex club. She’s here for one person and one person only: Dorian Alexander. Her brother's intense and forbidding best friend—who will only accept her complete, delicious surrender. Oh yes, please. But can a fiercely stubborn socialite submit to the one man she's always wanted…and risk unleashing her true self?

Ericka Vanderburg is a handful. She's been rebelling since her father died. She's kind of a hot mess. Her big brother best friend Dorian has always fascinated and terrified Ericka and then a run in at a party with Dorian sets her sights and curiosity on him. When she finally gets into his club and comes face to face with him though it changes everything. Poor Ericka is a mess until Dorian takes her in hand. The story moves fast because this is a short book it has to. Dorian helps Ericka see her potential but also shows her she loved and lovable. I would like to have seen this is a fuller longer book but for the length it is still pretty detailed. I loved Dorian and Ericka together. Very emotional and sexy story. I would like to see the story of Ericka's brother. Hopefully that's next.

Find out more about this series and Caitlin Crews here www.caitlincrews.com

eARC Book review: Country Strong (Painted Pony Creek #1) by Linda Lael Miller

Available January 28, 2019
eARC provided by publisher through Netgalley

Look for COUNTRY STRONG, the first book in a brand new western romance trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller!

For the men of Painted Pony Creek, it’s never too late for a second chance…

Cord Hollister is a true cowboy at heart. As a man who has devoted his life to training horses under the big skies of Montana, he thrives on the stability of ranch life. But when a girl arrives in Painted Pony Creek with a shocking secret, Cord’s orderly life is upended. She’s the spitting image of the first woman who broke his heart—a woman he hasn’t seen in years—and he’ll do whatever he can to help her. He just can’t do it alone…

Shallie Fletcher left heartbreak where it belongs—in the past. And she’s done everything she can to reinvent herself and move on. But when an opportunity arises to partner with a therapeutic riding program for kids, Shallie can’t resist seeking out Cord for lessons. Back in school, he was the crush she couldn’t forget, even though he only had eyes for her best friend. Seeing him now floods her with memories…and fills her with hope. Could the one who got away be the one who stays?

Shallie Fletcher had a crush on Cord Hollister years ago in high school but he only had eyes for her best friend Reba. Reba had her eyes not only on Cord but on his two best friends Eli and JP as well. When it all came to light she skipped town. Now years later Shallie is back in town at Cord's ranch to learn about training horses.  Cord gets a surprise when someone who looks just like Reba but much younger shows up in town too. I have not read a Linda Lael Miller book in a long time. I was excited to try this new series out. Unfortunately it didn't work well for me. This story just did not hold my interest. It felt like someone was just relaying a story to me. There was no connection to the characters. I admit i skimmed a lot of unnecessary dialogue. There were several conflicts that come up in this book and everyone is handles as if it's no big deal so really no conflict at all. I finished the book but only to find out who Carly's dad was. . This is more than likely my last new Linda Lael Miller book.

Find out more about this series and Linda Lael Miller here www.lindalaelmiller.com

eARC Book review: Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4) by Jill Shalvis

Available January 21, 2020
eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Piper Manning’s about as tough as they come, she’s had to be. She raised her siblings and they’ve thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she’s free.

When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There’s a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can’t deny, making her yearn for something she doesn’t understand. And her siblings…well, they need each other.

Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself…and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks—just as the new life she craves may have already begun.

Piper Manning has been living in survival mode since her parents were killed. She's been trying to hold her family together which includes and younger brother and sister who have never made it easy. They did make it interesting though. She's almost to the point where she can sell her property and go to school to be a physicians assistant. It's been her dream for ages and she is ready to do something for herself. Then she meets Camden Reid. Then both her siblings come home with some pretty big problems.  Then it seems her life plan might end up on hold permanently. I think i was hooked on this book within the first few pages. It's not uncommon to start on a book and good hooked fairly quick. The trick is to end the book still hooked. This book definitely performed that trick for me. Jill Shalvis made me care about these characters. Made me want them in my world. Complicated but likable characters that you can relate to. An enjoyable read from beginning to end. Give me more!

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