Susan's Review of The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains --Somerset Lake# 3

She’s ready to start a new chapter in her life…

For Tess Lane, owning Lakeside Books is a dream come true, but it’s the weekly book club she hosts for the women in town that Tess enjoys the most. The gatherings have been her lifeline over the past three years since her husband’s mysterious death. Tess has tried to move on, but when River Harrison shows up on her doorstep, all her lingering questions come rushing back.…

River, a former marine turned private investigator, was her husband’s best friend, and seeing him again is a reminder of everything Tess lost. At first, she tries to ignore him, but Tess comes to realize that this is her chance, once and for all, to find the answers that have troubled her for years.

With the support of her friends, Tess joins River on a journey of discovery that leads them to the edges of Somerset Lake and on a road trip down the Carolina coast. Although their adventure isn’t always easy, Tess starts to find the joy in life again. But when secrets surrounding her husband’s death are finally revealed, can Tess find it in her heart to forgive the mistakes of the past … and maybe even open herself up to love again?

                            

Annie Rains has written a book with ALL the feels. She crafts an emotional, heartwarming story for Tess Lane and River Harrison. Both River and Tess were deeply affected by Jared Lane’s death. River was not able to make peace with his best friend while Tess has so many unanswered questions—these doubts drove the storyline. Tess needs closure so she asks River to help her find out why Jared was in Morrisville when he died. Tess tried to move forward-she’s read self-help books, she’s taken up journaling and is enjoying hiking. But, the grief and the uncertainty weigh her down. Loved that her book club friends—her support system---encouraged her decision to hire River.

I loved the chemistry between Tess and River, their honest conversations and the friendship that developed between them. At first, I thought River was aloof – a misunderstood hero. River’s visits to his dad’s assisted living center drew a crowd as several of his Dad’s friends joined in on the visits. Loved the conversations between River and His dad and the seniors – lots of great banter and humor infused into these scenes. Annie Rains’ descriptive voice shines in this novel as River and Tess’s journey takes several unexpected detours. River faced a huge dilemma during the investigation and he struggled with it--- I could relate to his situation. Tess struggled, too. Her journey was one of acceptance, self-discovery and healing—her relationship with her late husband and with River were tested several times during the book.

Loved the amazing growth of both characters. River’s protective nature, his values and his love for Tess won me over. Tess amazed me-she needed to know, to understand the details of her husband’s death- and she accepted the facts with grace. I loved this couple and rooted for their happily ever after.

Loved the small town feel, the amazing secondary characters and the feel good romance told from the heart. Annie Rains’ The True Love Bookshop is a MUST READ novel for the summer –add it to your beach bag and enjoy!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher

Susan's Review of the I Do Over by Samantha Chase -- Meet Me at the Altar -- #6

For 48 hours, they were married. But that was a long time ago.

Seventeen years ago, Maddie Christopher told one little white lie, and it has been wreaking havoc on her life ever since. At the time, the lie was worth it–it meant she got to marry the man she loved, however brief a marriage it was–but now she's ready to finally move on. But in order to do that, she needs to find the man whose heart she broke all those years ago and finally apologize.

Knox Channing has everything he could have asked for in life–after a career in the Navy SEALs, he's now running a thriving security firm with his two best friends. The only thing that would make it better is if he wasn't the lone single guy in his friend group. But after having had his heart broken once, he's not looking to go back there.Or at least that's what he thought before Maddie showed up in his office.

He swore that he would never let himself fall for anyone again, much less for the woman who once broke his heart. But sometimes you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. Twice.

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Samantha Chase created two relatable, dynamic characters. Knox Channing is a complex character. The former Navy Seal served with distinction and a partner in a successful security firm. He never, ever dates a girl more than one time. I wanted to discover the reason –was he afraid of commitment? – did he have a broken heart? Maddie Christopher is a successful physical therapist who wants to settle down and get married. Something is stopping her—she needs to ask someone for forgiveness.

Both Maddie and Knox are flawed characters. Samantha Chase switches the story up by having the heroine be the character that needs forgiveness. And it WORKED! Maddie made a big mistake that torpedoed her relationship with her parents, friends and most of all Knox. Knox joined the Navy to avoid the anger of his parents. Ms. Chase does not downplay Maddie’s actions as she owns her mistakes and knows she needs to ask Knox for forgiveness. I related to Maddie’s mistake; she was young in love and terrified of her father’s anger. It doesn’t change what she did—but, I could understand why she reacted the way she did.

Forgiveness is the key element to this romance. Samantha Chase writes a story full of emotion and balances it with a healthy dose of romance, friendship and challenges. Loved this storyline because it’s told with a different twist; it’s Maddie who needs to step up, own her mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Maddie knew she needed to speak with Knox in person—she needed to face the fire—and this had me rooting for Maddie and Knox! Samantha Chase crafts believable story about high school lovers who reunite 17 years later. She adds in the perfect amount of backstory to highlight the couples different career paths and life experiences and keeps the focus on the connection between Maddie and Knox.

Maddie and Knox’s story is a second chance romance with all the feels. Loved the engaging characters who drew me into their love story and had me rooting for their happily ever after from the first page.

Add the I Do Over to your beach bag this weekend—am sure you will love the fireworks between Maddie and Knox as much as I did!!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Susan's Review of Love Me Sweet by Cindy Kirk--Jackson Hole-- #11

Cinderella and Prince Charming don't only live happily ever after in fairy tales...

Sylvie Thorne doesn't consider herself a runaway fiancée. Okay, she did leave her fiancé, Dr. Andrew O'Shea, behind but logic told her it was for the best. She should have never accepted his ring. She was a struggling baker trying to rise above her humble beginnings and he was a Boston blueblood. It was obvious, at least to his family and friends, that they were an imperfect match.

When Sylvie bolted, she didn't leave a glass slipper for Andrew to find, only a simple text. She never expected him to follow her to Jackson Hole wanting closure.

Twenty-one days with Sylvie is all he asks. Three weeks for him to accept that they were never meant for happily ever after. Instead of proving how little they have in common, all the conversation and togetherness makes for a sweet reunion and has this prince-of-a-guy hoping fairy tales really can come true .

Sylvie Thorne Andrew O’Shea are featured in Cindy Kirk’s Love Me Sweet. I enjoyed this story of second chances and loved the author’s passionate descriptive voice.

Dr. Andrew O’Shea travels from Boston to Jackson Hole to seek out his former fiancé Sylvie Thorne. Andrew is devastated that Sylvie broke up with him via text and vanished into thin air. He can’t move forward until he understands why she ended their relationship. Loved the unusual plot twist—Andrew wants to immerse himself into Sylvie’s life to understand her. He hopes to find out that they are too different so he can move forward. The author does a fabulous job balancing the simmering passion between the couple, their need to be open and honest with each other and their need to belong.

Cindy Kirk is one of my go to authors because she creates captivating characters. Being together 24/7 worked for Sylvie and Andrew. Both of them were at an emotional crossroads –this drew me into their story. It was apparent that they cared deeply for each other—but was that enough to build a future? Loved the honest, often emotional conversations between the couple. Sylvie learned to trust Andrew and opened up to him about her childhood and her desire to belong, to be valued. Andrew understood that Sylvie expressed herself through her baking. Baking wasn’t a hobby for Sylvie—it was her passion. Andrew learned to trust Sylvie and he experienced a sense of freedom in Jackson Hole. He met other doctors in the community who shared his passion and he volunteered at a free clinic.

Love Me Sweet is an engaging, compelling second chance romance. Cindy Kirk writes a fabulous story for Sylvie and Andrew. Loved that both characters had the opportunity to become friends while their chemistry sizzled in the background. Loved that each chapter revealed a new clue, a new layer to their relationship. I rooted for this couple and wanted them to realize that their love for one and another was the icing on the cake!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Amazon purchase