eARC Book review Let Me Be the One Lori Foster

 

Let me be the one by Lori Foster

Available April 1st 2025

She’s more than the girl next door. She’s the one who got away.

When Callie McCallahan left for the big city, she had a plan. Since then, she’s had some bumps in the road, most recently her failed business and engagement. When she inherits her uncle’s Kentucky farm, it’s the perfect do-over. With her social media skills, she’ll attract a whole new following and refresh her career. The only thing is…she knows nothing about farming.

For Tanner Patrick, Callie was the one who got away. He crushed on her in high school, but she barely knew he existed. Ten years later, she’s moved back—and now she lives next door. Tanner keeps his head down and focuses on his family’s tree farm. But when he sees Callie is afraid of chickens and can’t run a tractor—and looking pretty down-to-earth and happy—Tanner finds her impossible to ignore.

Callie was the one that got a way for Tanner except Callie didn't know who he was so not really getting away when you watched from afar and never made a approach. Now Callie is back to claim the property her uncle left her and start over and find herself. Tanner tells her over and over he doesn't think she will stay. Callie is determined to do just that. Stay. I enjoyed the story well enough but many places lagged for me and were repetitive. Tanner telling showing he's interested but then disappearing and then blaming her. He's the one telling her he wants her to sell to him. His internal struggle was over played in my opinion and at times i kind of hoped she'd tell him to just leave her alone. When he was sweet he was great but then he'd run away. Callie had a lot to deal with and a wishy washy man was exhausting sometimes. It's ok but I'm not sure it's a reread in my future.

Find out more about Lori Foster and this book here Lori Foster | New York Times Bestselling Author

eARC Book review: The Guest Cottage Lori Foster

 

Available May 27th 2025

In this uplifting series debut, forgiveness and unlikely friendship blossom in the haven of a quiet lakeside town when two very different women bond over one man’s betrayals.

Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.

Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.

Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.

To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.

Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.

Marlow and Pixie were wronged by the same man. They become unlikely friends once Pixie shows up on Marlow's doorstep with a baby in tow from her now deceased cheating husband. The town on Bramble KY has some unusual rules for their small town. They don't allow new permanent citizens and no new buildings. Marlow hopes they'll make a exception for her but if not she'll roll with the punches. A good hearted story about people who care about each other and a town full of quirky different people who look out for each other. Parts of it were kind of boring and a bit too soft for me but overall i enjoyed the story. This might come across better in audiobook i think. Might have to check into that once it becomes available. 

Find out more about Lori Foster and this book on her website here Lori Foster | New York Times Bestselling Author

eARC Book review: Small Town Hero by Linda Lael Miller; Maisey Yates

 

Pub Date Jun 24 2025 | 

Kensington Publishing | Kensington

The towns may be small, but the hearts of the cowboy heroes in this duo of romantic novellas are as outsized as the rugged land that surrounds them . . .

ONE LONESOME COWBOY
by Linda Lael Miller
When a family crisis brings web designer and part-time house flipper Susannah Holiday to Arizona to care for her young niece, she’s soon juggling work, childcare—and her growing feelings for local paramedic and horse whisperer Ian McKenzie. They have more in common than meets the eye—including being cautious when it comes to love. But when a disturbing revelation from Susannah’s past surfaces, Ian is there to comfort her, and they both find their longing hearts opening to a better future—together . . .

COWBOY, TAKE ME AWAY
by Maisey Yates
After Birdie Lennox, daughter of a notorious cattle rustler, gets caught stealing a horse off Gunnar Parsons’ land, she ends up bunking in his barn to work off her debt—plus her daddy’s. But Birdie hardly has patience for Gunnar’s moralizing. The man inherited his ranch and has always hated her family. Still, it beats prison. Maybe. What neither anticipates is discovering they have more in common than they dreamed possible. Even more unexpected is the spark between them—and the love it might ignite . . .

If you enjoy shorter books with happy endings this duo of stories from two great authors is just for you. Linda Lael Miller brings us Ian and Susannah meeting over unusual circumstances and different backgrounds but connecting all the same. Loved the story but like a lot of these shorter stories it leaves you wanting more fleshed out characters and longer time to a HEA. Maisy Yates gives us Birdie and Gunnar's enemies to lovers stories. Birdie's family was always a enemy to Gunnar's family. When Gunnar catches Birdie trying to steal one of his horses they finally break that enemies barrier and realize they have a lot to talk about. Really get all these feels for these two. Both had different upbringings but they both had struggles with family. I enjoyed both of these stories. A long afternoon of reading time and you can relax with this book.

eARC Book review:That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant

 

Available now

eARC Provided by publisher through Netgalley

Is he an enemy?

Dillon Young is proud that she inherited her aunt’s ranch. The problem: someone is trying to run her off and is willing to do whatever it takes. Strange, dangerous things keep happening. Dillion suspects her no-good neighbor and fellow wealthy rancher Hank Stephens. Never a man to get his hands dirty, he sends others to get the job done. So, when the irresistible Cal Bennett is found passed out drunk on her property, Dillion is on high alert. Until someone takes a shot at her and Cal springs to her rescue. When the hard-bodied, no-nonsense-talking cowboy points out that she may need some help, Dillion is inclined to reluctantly agree.

Or a lover?

Waking up on a stranger’s property with a shotgun in his face is not Cal Bennett’s idea of a good time. Never mind that the woman on the other end of the barrel is one of the most fiercely beautiful women he has ever seen. Things get more interesting when he finds himself shielding her from flying bullets. It’s clear that this smart, savvy woman could use a hand and he is all too happy to lend any part of his body she requires. His proposal: pose as lovers until they find out who is after her ranch. As the danger rises and secrets are revealed, the passion explodes between them. There is no turning back. 

Dillon Young finds Cal Bennnett passed out on her ranch and her newly purchased prized horse missing. Cal looks guilty until he saves her life. Someone is out to kill Dillon. Cal feels a instant connection to her but until he can sort out how he ended up passed out on her land with no memory how he got there. We kind of know who the bad guys are in this book pretty quick but we don't know who all the bad guys are. For a bit there are started wondering if every man in the story was a bad guy. Lot's of suspense but not a lot of romance. For me the ending was kind of weird. I enjoyed the book but would not read it again.

Find out more about Donna Grant and this book here Donnagrant.com

eARC Book review: When the Lights Go Out...: A workplace romance set in a blackout by Jules Bennett

 

Available now

eARC Provided by author

What happens in the dark won’t stay in the dark—

when business partners cross the line…

Distillery executive Elise Hawthorne always puts business first. No way she’ll gamble a lucrative partnership for one night of pleasure. But when a storm outage strands her with VIP client Antonio Rodriguez, he awakens a passion Elise can’t ignore. Continuing their clandestine affair when the lights come back on puts everything she’s worked for at risk. And now a family secret could blow up her life and cost her the most priceless merger of all…

Three sisters running a successful distillery in Kentucky about to go to the next level. Antonio Rodriguez arrived to check out what sisters have to offer and comes face to face with his destiny. Neither Elise or Antonio thought they were in a place in their lives for commitment. Both Elise and Antonio are dealing with loss and big decisions in their lives. Somehow they click but they live on different continents. If it could work how would they do it. This was a quick read. Great beach read for sure. It's faced paced. The author gives you bit and pieces of the three sisters lives while giving you what seems like a impossible love story between Elise and Antonio. Looking forward to reading the other two sisters stories. 

Find out more about Jules Bennett and this series here julesbennett.com