Author: deborahkehoe

Hi! I am an avid reader who annoys her husband because I always have my head buried in a book. I was an English major, and have finally decided to do something with the knowledge and skills my parents love and money have given me. Mostly I'm just a chick who reads. A Lot.

This Chick Read: The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

Layla Bailey spent the last year telling herself she’s moved on from her divorce with her college sweetheart. Wanting to stay amicable she accepts an invitation to her ex-sister-in-law’s wedding in Paris, the place where she and her ex spent their honeymoon. No problem, she tells herself, even though he’s bringing his new girlfriend. She spends the first night having a fun dinner with the bride then wakes up the next morning to find that something she innocently said has caused the bride to doubt following through with the wedding. It’s up to she and the taciturn best man, Griffin to make sure this wedding happens.

I did kind of cut to the chase on the above synopsis making this sound like a bit of fluff, when it absolutely was not. The Paris Match shredded my heart. I loved Layla, and the more we all got to know Griff and his heartbreaking back story, the more I came to love him as well. While they tried to figure out the reasons why the bride starting having doubts they both did a lot of soul searching. Layla on why she was trying so hard to be “amicable” with her ex and his family. Yes, she’s a very nice and loving woman, but there are limits to what she’s going to allow. Griff who maybe should’ve been named Gruff, hit his limits pretty quickly- on her behalf. I’ll admit there’s nothing I love better than someone who is a protector, and despite not understanding his feelings on why he felt so deeply, Griff was her support.

Layla was such an easy character to like. She tried to do all the right things, be pleasant, kind, professional (she was a doctor), but at the same time kind of let people walk all over her. As the novel moved forward you could see her backbone straighten. She needed to take this trip back to the city she loved so much and had all of these memories from her past life- face them- and make new ones. I’m a big believer in learning from your mistakes and moving forward. It took her a little while to see and accept them, but ultimately she was able to do that- with Griff’s help. Griff had his own troubles he needed to face and Layla was just as much a supporter to him as he was to her. A perfect partnership if they can get past their pasts and face the future together. This was a lovely story and I really enjoyed reading it- even though I left a wad of tissues by my bedside.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Paris Match

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who ReadsLeave a comment

This Chick Read: Family Lies (San Diego #4) by Karen Rose

When a woman calls her sister Akiko out of the blue claiming to have information about her birth mother, detective Kit McKittrick is immediately suspicious. Kit has a bad feeling and insists on going with Akiko to the meeting. When the woman doesn’t show up they go to her house they are fired upon and seek refuge in the house where they find her dead body. Although she’s on medical leave, Kit can’t leave the investigation up to anyone else and breaks the rules to keep searching for answers. Was Mary Sherman Akiko’s birth mother and why did she wait so long to reach out to her? As Kit investigates and more bodies turn up, Kit wonders if this secret should be left buried.

This was by far my favorite book in the series to date. Kit has been a hard protagonist to get to know, and in this novel she not only opens up about her family and her relationship to Akiko, but she also opens up to Sam, the man she’s in love with and just started to date seriously. Kit has come a long way from the isolated, cold woman in book one. I love Kit 2.0, she is easy to like and relatable!

The mystery of Akiko’s parentage was a fascinating read. You always hear stories about adoption and the wondering of who a real parent might be, in this case Akiko would’ve been much better off never learning anything about her family. The tale is tragic, sad, and kind of scary. Beyond that, I’ll not reveal any of her secrets, you’ll have to read it yourself! Needless to say, I enjoyed this novel a lot and am giving Karen Rose her first five star rating from me. This tale was entertaining, emotional, action-packed, and absolutely gripping! You all will enjoy this one!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Family Lies

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchased this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who ReadsLeave a comment

This Chick Read: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me (Maggie the Undying #1) by Ilona Andrews

When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel.

Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love—a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes—and attentions—of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will end: in a cataclysmic war.

I am obsessed with this book. I’ve read it twice and am finding new moments to love and marvel at with each reading. One of my favorite series that this author duo has written is the Kate Daniels series, and there are a few similarities. Maggie, like Kate, has a huge heart. While Kate swings a sword and has huge magical skills that evolve over all of that series, Maggie enters this world kind of as a newborn. She does have a skill, although it’s not warrior like, she has knowledge of what will happen to characters in this world she’s been dropped into, and she can use that knowledge as currency to move herself from homeless street person, to “Lady” Maggie. Like Kate, Maggie’s huge heart means that she makes connections with characters who she will move the world for- or in this book, attempt to save their world. Also like Kate, Maggie will sacrifice herself for her loved ones. Other characters in this book provide the weapon-wielding and action, and while Maggie is at the center of it all, she is the strategist behind all of their actions and some of those actions are self-sacrificing. Kair Toren is a big chess board, and Maggie knows all the moves but they don’t always work out the way she thinks they will. Hence the “Undying” moniker. She does make mistakes and those mistakes result in her knowledge that she can’t be killed- or at least not yet.

Note before reading- this novel is much darker and more gruesome than Ilona Andrews other books. There are definitely light-hearted moments as well as humorous ones, but they are trying to save their kingdom and there’s not a lot of time for fun. Maggie has a great sense of humor and I hear these author’s voices when she has an inner monologue. Ilona Andrews has a snarky humor that takes you out of a dark moment and adds a little lightness and clarity that works beautifully in this context. I can’t wait to hear the audio for this book. I just know it will be superb and those snarky thoughts even more funny in someone else’s voice. Although I do a great job in my head.

Maggie has a love interest sub plot or maybe not so sub-plot, that is intermingled in the main story. This love story is dark, brooding, filled with distrust, lots of emotions, and of course conflict. Some of this conflict comes in the form of adversaries whom our hero thinks may vie for Maggie’s heart and other obstacles he unwittingly places himself. Our hero, is very possessive, very powerful (an amazing swordsman!), and of course, doesn’t want to share. All the things that make a romantic fantasy fun to read. Their journey is not an easy one, after all they are trying to save their kingdom- and there are many things standing in their way. I can’t wait to see how all of this gets resolved in book two!

If I could give a 10.0 rating I would.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️)

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who ReadsLeave a comment

This Chick Read: A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong

When Liliana Chamber’s mother dies, her estranged grandparents swoop in and send her off to Westdale Academy, a school for privileged children and the life her mother ran away frrom. The first person she meets is the mysterious Maddox Moreno and then Hollywood golden boy Theo Dubois. As she gets to know them she see’s there’s more to this school than elite level networking. Something deadly. As she starts investigating the murders of students from the past she wonders if they have anything to do with why her mother ran from Westdale. When a fun night out turns bloody Liliana must connect the past to the present to prove Theo’s innocence.

Kelley Armstrong has such a deft hand at writing mysteries. I’m not surprised at all! I’m a fan of her fantasy novels, the worlds she builds are always so detailed and the world within Westdale Academy was so different. I was absolutely caught from the very beginning and sped through this novel in a few hours.

There was a lot to like in this novel. Liliana, obviously was my favorite. She is grieving her mother and lands in the place where her mother used to live. This is a chance for her to learn more about a life she never even knew her mother had lived. What she finds turns out to be eye-opening. I also loved her budding relationships with both Theo and Maddox- there’s more than what meets the eye and what is revealed is wonderfully different. Nope, I’m not going to give anything away!

If you’re in the mood for a fun, mysterious, tale with a lot of twists and a hint of romance get this book. It held my attention, was entertaining, and had a very satisfying conclusion. Loved!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book! A Deadly Inheritance

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Toe to Toe by Falon Ballard

Allegra Hart has been working her whole life towards being a principal ballerina. When her director announces he’s choreographing a brand new ballet and will be holding auditions for the leads, Allegra knows she will be auditioning, however when she approaches her director he tells her that she doesn’t have the sex appeal to play this character. That evening she goes to her sister’s bachelorette party at a male revue club and is gobsmacked by the lead dancer. Determined to gain his help in training her she approaches Cord Donovan and appeals to him for his help. When he agrees she’s not sure of the direction this training will take, but is sure it will take her outside her comfort zone.

I don’t usually read reviews before I write my own but I was curious what other people thought of this book. There were some triggering subject matters. An example-Allegra worked in a ballet company where she was sexually harassed by her director.. and she ignored it in order to keep her job. Some readers were pretty pissed off that the author wrote a story where the protagonist didn’t stand up for herself, other women, and pretty much all things sexually harassed related. Yes, I noticed these things as well but I’m just going to throw this idea out there. While I would kick scream and shout to the world about what was happening, not everyone handles situations in strong outspoken ways. Sometimes the fight happens when that person is ready. Do I wish that Allegra had forsaken all that she’s worked for in her career to scream about harassment to the world? Nope. As a woman of a certain age who works in a not at all related field, let me just say that you deal with all sorts of things that you have to weigh and decide what’s best for you at that moment and for your future. I wasn’t mad but I could see how some readers might be.

I enjoyed the push and pull of Allegra and Cord’s slow burn romance. Despite their instant attraction they were both committed to their careers and didn’t really want to cross that line, but while they were getting to know each other those dance scenes sure did create some great tension. As a non dancer I really appreciated how I could visualize their dancing too. Kudos to this author for doing her research and writing some great numbers.

Cord and Allegra’s relationship was not perfect but it did feel real and it brought up that age old issue. Do women need to compromise their wants and needs, the future they were building, in order to live happily ever after with a man? I know my answer but if you want to know Allegra’s read the book. 🙂

❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Toe to Toe

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer

When Nieve’s boyfriend Carter dies trying to save her from drowning in a river she is devastated. Blaming herself for his death she’s too depressed to continue on with school and heads home to her Grandmother’s house where she grew up. Her Grandmother’s always been a bit odd with her strange stories, uncanny happenings and magic. The following morning when Nieve wakes up a year in the past before Carter’s death she has to make a decision. Does she go on as she did the previous year, or does she do things differently putting a little distance between she and her ex. Deciding on the more difficult route of giving him up draws her closer to his best friend Max but in order to change her past she must embracer her future.

This was one of those stories that could’ve gone either way- love or hate. Luckily, I was in the right mood to read a quirky story filled with interesting characters, a rivetiing plot, and perhaps a little bit of magic.

Is it possible to love someone you used to hate? As this story goes on and Nieve becomes closer to Max she realizes that maybe all wasn’t as it appeared the previous year. Maybe she was overcome with her love for Carter and didn’t see clearly through that haze of first love, but Max is not at all what she remembered him being. Is it weird that I was rooting for her to give Max a chance? Despite all the twists and turns in this story I was intrigued by he and Nieve’s possibility’s and wanted to see where this story was going to take me.

I’ll admit that if I wasn’t in the right frame of mind it’s possible that I wouldn’t have liked this story as much as I did. But the timing was right, I loved all the Groundhog Days and I appreciated the well crafted storytelling. Well done!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* In Time With You

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads1 Comment

This Chick Read: A Ghastly Catastrophe (Veronica Speedwell #10) by Deanna Raybourn

Bored with their day to day activity, Veronica and Stoker are eager for another murder to solve. When a man’s body is discovered drained of all his blood in the sematary, Veronica’s certainty that a vampire must be involved determines the start to their investigation. Stoker, the more sensible of the two, argues the case and the hunt is on. The trail takes them to a secret society that has hints of dark magic. When another of those members dies by self harm their questions take them to the head of that secret society, a mysterious man with vampiric characteristics, and a rather witchy young woman.

Veronica and Stoker’s penchant for investigating murders is the perfect way to stave off the boredom of every day life. A Ghastly Catastrophe’s story takes them from the gothic parlors of the mysterious society to the caravan of the Romany searching for clues bringing the best out of our two main characters. Their verve for life and each other gives this story an energy that the last couple of novels lacked. I eagerly turned the pages to see what the next chapter held.

What is refreshing about this series and keeps me coming back for each book is that our main characters are eccentric, the dialogue engaging, and the mysteries, well, mysterious. The romance between Veronica and Stoker is steady and although unconventional for the historical time these books are set, they are perfect for a modern reader, and even though the scenes “fade to black” the emotions they create are totally satisfying and deepen my own love for these characters. Not only do I enjoy the mysteries they solve, but want to see how their relationship progresses. I already can’t wait for the next novel to come out.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Ghastly Catastrophe

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Crown of War and Shadow (Kingdoms of the Compass #1) by J.R. Ward

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world. No one is safe.Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast within the walls of her small village because of her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans. Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed. She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen’s crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction. Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession. The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage. But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though desire runs hot between them, adventure, danger, and betrayal lurk around every corner.

I was really pleased with the world building in this novel. It was really easy to grasp the good vs evil world, the similarities to some of our own history helped. Sorrel with her healing magic and ability to look in someone’s eyes and see their death would have gotten her burned as witch so seeing her own village shun her was ignorant, yes, but also understandable from history’s perspective. It worked in this fantasy realm where despite being treated pretty abominably by her village she still wanted to help them survive against he evil that was coming.

The man who shows up and helps her with her quest, too, is easy to understand. A warrior who seems to have a knack for survival and isn’t afraid to kill would come in handy. Add in some chemistry between Merc and Sorrel and the plot seems promising. I just wish that heat had been more forthcoming.

This is a series so you expect a continuation of the story into book 2 but I was a little surprised and a little disappointed at the abruptness of the ending. The story had a lot of momentum through the entire book but then seemed to lack some explosiveness at the end. Despite that, I’m curious as to how this story will move forward and will be back for book 2!

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Crown of War and Shadow

Copyright 2026 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: And The Crowd Went Wild (A Dallas Stars Novel) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Actress Dancy Flynn has an embarrassing and humiliating episode and is just looking for a quiet place to escape from the press. Chicago Stars quarterback Clint Garrett, Dancy’s high school ex-boyfriend, is preparing mentally for the season at his vacation home when Dancy gets dropped on his doorstep. Still holding a massive grudge he doesn’t want anything to do with her, but he’s a nice guy and allows her to stay for a week in his refurbished caboose. There are rules though! He’s not supposed to hear or see her. So why does he keep breaking his own rules to make sure she’s ok?

There’s just something about these Dallas Stars novels that call out to me. I just know that I’m going to like the plot and even though the characters are always quirky, I’m going to love seeing the slightly kooky heroine tame her football player hero. Sure enough, And The Crowd Went Wild checked all of those boxes. Dancy was working through some issues regarding her ex-husband and his newly knocked up girlfriend and even though Clint says he wants nothing to do with her, he manages to see glimpses into the real Dancy that intrigues and fascinates him.

A romance needs a little conflict to bring our two main characters together and this novel has plenty. Her ex-husband and his girlfriend show up, Dancy’s penchant for picking up strays brings a couple of new acquaintances into the picture, and Clint’s Mom arrives to “save him” from his evil ex-girlfriend. Needless to say there was plenty going on in this novel while Dancy’s heart healed, and she learned to lean on and like Clint.

If you’re in the mood for a fun-filled, yet poignant novel with great characters and storytelling, then please pick up And the Crowd Goes Wild. This novel can be read as a stand alone, so no worries over missing out on previous storylines. Enjoy!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* And The Crowd Went Wild

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Free Falling (Colburn Brothers #2) by Jill Shalvis

Caleb Colburn needs this construction job he’s managing to go smoothly so he can prove his worth in the family business. Emma Sumner is the liaison assigned to the project- she’s also the woman who made his life a living hell in college. Emma’s in love with the beautiful historic building but her feelings for Caleb run more towards hate. She blames him for taking the scholarship she needed and she’s never recovered. But forced proximity and surprising common ground have these enemies starting to wonder just how fine the line between love and hate is.

The second in a series about the Colburn brothers, this one about ex college hockey star turned contractor, Caleb. On the surface he seems to be a smooth talking charmer but there are a lot of hidden depths to his character that are brought into the light through his growing relationship with Emma. She, too, has a lot of baggage from her past and surprisingly, despite the synopsis she seems to have a pretty easy time forgiving Caleb, but she is cautious letting him into her life. It’s this will they or won’t they that drives the tension in the story.

Throw in some charming side characters and a small woman in jeopardy plot and there is plenty of meat to this novel to hold my interest. I can always count on this author’s interesting characters and the continuation of the sabotage of the construction projects means I’ll be reading that third novel to find out the conclusion and of course the romance of our third Colburn brother. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Free Falling

Copyright 2025 the Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads