Tag: book reviews

This Chick Read: First-Time Caller by B. K. Borison

Aiden Valentine is a little jade when it comes to love, which is why his Baltimore call-in radio show has been suffering in the ratings lately. Things look up when a child calls in on behalf of her mother asking him for love advice and when Lucie Stone gets on the phone their conversation is heartfelt and speaks to his audience, going viral. His station manager takes advantage of a good thing and invites Lucie onto his show temporarily, with the premise that they’d help her find a match. What Lucie doesn’t count on is that her perfect match may be sitting right next to her.

Based loosely on the movie Sleepless in Seattle, First-Time Caller gives you all the same warm and fuzzies as the movie and even more heart. Aiden’s jaded view on love was built into his back story and revealed in increments while Lucie’s need for that happily ever after falls in line with what all little girls dream of having in their future. It wasn’t until her daughter calls in to the radio station that she takes a good look at her life and realizes that yes, something is missing and that dream she has had won’t happen unless she takes chances and leaves her safe place, home with her daughter. I loved reading about Aiden and Lucie’s journey, their self-discoveries seemed realistic and not so outrageous giving more impact to the story.

You can’t help but love a book with great side characters- the charming daughter, the lovable ex, the manager with a mushy heart, and the work friends who root for your happy ending. This book had all of the above and those characters helped deliver a loving, warm romance where the happy ending was guaranteed. I could read this book over and over. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* First-Time Caller

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.

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This Chick Read: Back in the Saddle (Avenging Angels #2) By Kristen Ashley

Jessie Wylde has a secret. Her brother is missing. She hasn’t told any of her friends because it’s a family matter but she’s made friends with the homeless hoping that they can give her information that will help her investigate his disappearance. Her friends may not know what she’s up to, but Eric Turner, a member of Nightingale Investigations, understands how dangerous her situation is and he’s going to step in and give her a hand. Whether she wants it or not. There is more going on in Phoenix than Jessie is aware. People have gone missing and it will be up to Jessie and Eric to uncover the truth.

I’m loving the old school feel to this Avenging Angels series. It’s an offshoot of Kristen Ashley’s original Rock Chick series and Jessie and her girl gang may not be as crazy as those Rock Chicks but they have their own brand of fire to bring to these pages but even more importantly they have what this author writes best, friendships. As we found out in the first series, Jessie and her friends make up a group called the Angels, financed by an unknown source, kind of like the tv show Charlie’s Angels. They provide them with the funds, cars, and stun guns to clean up a few problems on the street. In this novel it’s tied to homeless people going missing, and ultimately, Jessie’s lost brother.

Side by side with the girl gang are the hot men from Phoenix’s branch of Nightingale Investigations. These men are alphas and just like in the original series, they know their woman when they find them and it seems each of these ladies will be paired off with each of these men by the time this series reaches its conclusion. Jessie and Eric’s story is pretty straightforward and as with all the others is quick paced, fun, has some great girly dialog, and a hint of dangerous activity. This book was a fun ride and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next one! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Back in the Saddle

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.

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This Chick Read: The Crime Brulée Bake Off (Claire Walker #1) by Rebecca Connolly

When Claire Walker is chosen to be a contestant on the popular cooking show Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, she is thrilled. She’s excited to be on the set at Blackfirth Park using historical methods to wow the judges and hopefully launch her baking career. The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, reluctantly agrees to let the show use his home for their new season. He needs the funds in order to fund his families dwindling finances. He wants nothing to do with the show and contestants and plans to never cross paths with any of them. Those plans change when one of the contestants is found dead in a way that is eerily similar to one of his ancestors two hundred and fifty years ago. Claire and Jonathan’s paths cross and they strike up a friendship and agree to help the local constable investigate the death.

This cozy mystery with a hint of romance was right up my alley. I love reading and baking and to come across a novel that combines my two loves made my heart warm. I definitely felt the Great British Bake-Off vibes and loved those scenes where Claire and the contestants were using those pre-1900’s implements to craft their bakes. I also loved that hint of heat I felt when Claire and Jonathan met for the first time. There was quite a bit of flirtation, and as the investigation progressed and those real feelings developed? Yum.

The romance was sweet, but what about the mystery? I actually really enjoyed following along with our two main characters, their interactions with the other bakers, producers, and staff, and thought the author found the right note to keep this strictly in the cozy mystery genre. I wasn’t surprised by the ending, but the author led us gently to the conclusion. I can’t wait to see what new mystery Claire (and hopefully Jonathan) can solve!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 Crime Brǔlée Bake Off

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.

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This Chick Read: Dusk’s Portent (Aileen Travers #7) by T.A. White

When Aileen finds fae trespassing in her woods and her best friend attacked on the same night she is soon neck deep in trouble. The local werewolf pack has been taken hostage and the fae barrow has fallen. In order to help Caroline, she travels to Las Vegas, the territory of a dangerous supernatural. Surrounded by her own family of vampires, she soon finds herself also having to save her entire family line. Aileen has to embrace that darkness inside in order to save those she loves.

I’m going to admit that this series, for me, started off a little rough. As this is the seventh book in the series and I’m still reading it, I’ve obviously gotten invested in Aileen’s story and care about each characters storyline. Caroline, her best friend, was turned into a werewolf early in the series- actually not too long after Aileen was turned into a vampire, so we’ve gotten to watch both of those characters evolve, although as the main character we care a bit more about Aileen’s outcome. In this story the lives of both of these characters will be affected by the outcome of their interactions with this dangerous new character in Las Vegas and I have to admit the descriptive scenery of the fae barrow grabbed me and I knew we were going to be in for a fun ride.

Aileen’s vampire family continues to grow and her relationships to each of them while still contentious, seems to also mean more to her. I like that they are becoming “family” instead of vampires that she just has to deal with to survive. Her hesitation to become involved or allow herself to care about them seems to be crumbling which makes me look forward to the next book even more. What will her relationships look like? How will her character keep evolving? Will the other paranormal species continue to be threatened by her? Those unanswered questions as well as the non-stop action will keep me coming back to the next novel. I’m kind of surprised because I didn’t start out the series feeling this way, but I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for Aileen.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book! Dusk’s Portent

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.

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This Chick Read: The Unity Experiment by N.K. Brown

Seventeen year old Anna is chosen to enlist in The Unity Project, a government run team-building exercise to promote unity between the species. She’s on a team with another human, a werewolf, fae, shapeshifter, and a spirit who only she can hear. It’s a race to the death in a competition between other interspecies teams to complete the course and hold the Vessel of Unity, which allows them to leave the game alive, that species to skip the next game, and gives them a voice during interspecies talks. Anna’s gift of speaking to the spirit world makes her an invaluable tool that all of the teams would like to use but Anna only wants to help the species find peace. Of course, she’ll have to avoid being killed by everything and everyone around her.

The Unity Experiment had elements that were reminiscent of other books I’ve read like The Divergent Series and The Hunger Games, but with a fantasy twist, introducing multitudes of species whose interactions are rife with secrets, distrust, and violence. Anna has lived a pretty mundane human life in comparison with her other teammates, with the exception of her childhood when her father performed experiments on her in their basement, and then again when she became of age and became eligible for the Unity Experiment lottery. I say mundane, but the world she lives in is much darker than our own world yet the humans live and work in “regular” jobs in between lottery picks. When Anna gets dropped into the experiment and lands in the jungle full of violence and subterfuge she relies on those instincts that her father helped her develop. As her character moves forward in the experiment you can see a light bulb turn on and her drive to know what happened to her father when he entered the experiment becomes her driving force- besides surviving, of course.

On her team, everyone has an ulterior motive, but she is drawn the most to Dylan, the werewolf who has sworn to protect her and keep her alive. There are elements of an attraction that makes this novel feel at times somewhat romantasy, but the author seems to have more interest in other aspects of the plot and leaves the readers emotions hanging a bit, which if there’s another novel is totally ok by me. There was enough action, and subterfuge to engage my mind and keep me reading. In fact, I blew through this novel in about four hours I enjoyed the writing so much.

As with any new world that I enter as a reader, there were moments of confusion. At times, Amura who could shapeshift, would turn into quite a few different insects, birds, etc. that a couple of times it took me a moment to catch on to who and what was going on. Despite a little confusion with that character, I loved how the author made each team member a different species (with the exception of Chris who was human) and gave the reader a new world to explore with each characters back story. So interesting!

Needless to say, I really enjoyed this novel! There were only a couple of moments where something happened from Anna’s viewpoint that took me out of the story and I said “what just happened?”. It was a new novel by a new to me author and I thought it was practically perfect in every way. Unless there isn’t going to be a second book. If that’s the case I may need to re-think my feelings for that ending! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this ARC from the author for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Unity Experiment

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.

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This Chick Read: She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke

Bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine is off to a remote island for the wedding of her editor, who also happens to be her ex-fiancé. It sounds like it will be an absolute nightmare, but with the help of some free champagne she figures she can put a smile on her face and hope that the setting gives her inspiration for her newest Loretta Starling mystery. She gets a little more than she bargains for when someone tries to poison a guest and pen the murder on her! Channeling her fictional character and with the help of her friend, fellow author Jake Hawkins, they investigate the scene and uncover bitter resentments and long-held grudges that give them more suspects than answers. She does however, get a fabulous plot for a new book.

As I was reading this novel I definitely was getting Clue vibes, “It was Professor Peacock in the library with the brass candlestick!” There were so many crazy family members and wedding party guests that it felt kind of comical, but slowly the plot tightened up and became a little easier to follow. Kate was a bit of a mess, but when she channeled her fictional character Loretta Starling she had moments of lucidity, but too much champagne, always running into someone who had nefarious intentions, and fighting her mixed feelings about her ex getting married and her attraction to Jake gave the book a rather hectic feel that both made me eager to turn the page and find what happened AND turn the page so that I’d be closer to the end of the book. I had mixed feelings while reading this and I think it may have been the rather hectic nature of the pace that gave me a few misgivings.

Despite that hectic pace and Kate’s flighty nature, there was still something to like about this story. The characters were eccentric and interesting, the gossip was fun and engaging, and Kate and Jake’s budding romance both fun and sizzling. The tension held up through the conclusion of the mystery and I found myself liking the book by the end of the last page, but whew, it was quite the journey! ❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* She Doesn’t Have a Clue

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.

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This Chick Read: Only In Your Dreams (Oakwood #1) by Ellie K. Wilde

Melody Woods is back in her small town of Oakwood Bay after avoiding coming home after one of the most heartbreaking nights of her life. Now, dumped by her boyfriend, broke, and trying to figure out her next step, Melody is forced to ask her twin brother to let her live with him while she plans her next move. He agrees but in return he makes her take his place on a camping trip with his buddies. Not having a choice, Melody agrees but when she comes face to face with Zac Porter, her brothers childhood best friend and the man who broke her young heart she has second thoughts about the situation. When she and Zac get stranded at their campsite there’s no choice but to call a truce. Zac, however, considers this his chance to redeem himself and possibly make it impossible for Melody to leave town again.

I actually feel like this is one of those instances where the cover does the story a little bit of a disservice. It gives the impression of a light-hearted romance when in fact, this story has a lot of depth and emotional weight. Melody is in a bad place emotionally after her break-up from her boyfriend of six years. As she comes to terms with it, she’s realizing that she was being mentally and emotionally abused for years. So much so that at first, she has trouble making any decisions on her own. What to dress, eat, do with her free time- they were all things that her ex used to decide for her. When Zac and her friends realize what had happened to her they rallied around her helping her come to grips with that revelation. It is literally about 50% through the book before our heroine is in any kind of mindset to see Zac as something other than the first boy to betray her. I actually loved that the cover misled me and I think, enjoyed the story even more because of it.

Melody’s growth through the novel added to my love for her as a heroine. She started off in such a bad place emotionally and it was great to see her take those steps towards independence and believing she could give herself the kind of life she wanted. I loved Zac as well but for different reasons. He had always loved Melody and despite his screw-up he wasn’t going to back down from taking his shot with her. He did that, but in a way that was gentle and sweet. He showed her that he would always have her back even if that meant she found her strength and needed to leave Oakwood Bay. Who doesn’t love a supportive, sweet, hero?

So, if like me you were looking for a light and sweet romance, rest assured there is plenty of that in this novel, but there’s a lot more too. This story has a strong plot, a couple who get their redemption arc, and a heroine who finds her strength with the help of a good man. It’s even better than that cover leads you to think. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Only In Your Dreams

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.

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This Chick Read: Love on Paper by Danielle Parker

Macy’s parents are both best-selling authors, which is a lot to live up to when you, too want to be a writer. When she gets into an exclusive four week writing camp with other young writers she is excited but at the same time feels the pressure of living up to her mother’s expectations. When their writing genre is revealed to be romance, a subject she knows nothing about, her fears of not being able to live up to the challenge cause a case of writers block. Until she meets her critique partner, Caleb, who has similar issues to her own and they’re willing to overlook their parents beef with each other to help each other write the best romance- as well as solve a small mystery that gets thrown their way.

For such a simple story about two kids at a writing camp, there was a lot going on both emotionally and with the plot. Macy and Caleb’s parents having issues with each other, Macy’s relationship with her mother, Caleb’s dealing with his mom’s recent death, writing a romance, and solving a mystery that involves their families. Whew! There was barely enough time for Macy and Caleb to do all that plus develop feelings for each other in a four week time period. Somehow, the author, and these characters, ended up doing it all culminating in a sweet young adult novel that teaches a few life lessons along the way.

The mystery I was alluding to is what held my interest through this novel. It allowed the two main characters to actually act like young kids, finding corners to hold hands and smooch, breaking and entering, doing socially silly things, then of course find clues that help them both figure out some of their emotional issues with their parental units. It was a little bit like floating down a lazy river with a ton or twists and turns, but eventually the characters got their conflicts solved and the plot concluded nicely if not totally at a pace that pleased my style of reading. As this is a very clean, sweet, young adult novel, the pace fit the plot and characters very well. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Love on Paper

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.

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This Chick Read: Better Than Friends (Sunrise Cove #7) by Jill Shalvis

Olive Porter left town after an embarrassing incident and never expected to return, but her best friend needs her and she flies in from London to help take care of their family while her friends husband recuperates from a bad work accident. She knows facing the townsfolk will be daunting but at least she won’t have to face her ex Noah. Until he shows up to do the exact same thing as she- to help their friends through this tough time. Despite their still having chemistry, Olive is determined to avoid Noah as much as possible, something that’s hard to do when they are sharing a bathroom! When her parents go missing she realizes that she may need her ex and his investigative skills to help her find them.

I know I’m repeating myself but this is how I feel about reading a Jill Shalvis novel. When you read one of her books you know you’re going to get a novel about great friendships, overcoming obstacles and learning a life lesson, and some kooky people in town that will stick their noses into your business- all with good intentions! Better Than Friends certainly has all of the above, with the addition of a story written from two perspectives, so you really understand where each character is coming from and their intentions, way before the characters in the story. Her books are steady, loving, and funny and Better Than Friends is also all of these things.

Olive Porter’s reasons for leaving town seem pretty minor and well, kind of juvenile, so it’s nice to see that she seems to be the only person who really cares about all of these “embarrassing” things that made her pack up and leave. Despite Noah’s reservations over seeing the woman who broke his heart he doesn’t turn his back on her when she needs him and as they solve the mystery of her missing parents they also solve their unresolved feelings. I love a well developed, quickly resolved romance. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Better Than Friends

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

It’s the first day that her local coffee shop has released the pumpkin spice latte, and even though she’s running slightly behind for her new job, Izzy knows that PSL will start her day off right. What she didn’t count on is the very long line, so when she hears a PSL order for Amy get called out and Amy doesn’t respond, Izzy takes that drink. Then immediately dumps it down the shirt of the tall, dark, and handsome man standing behind her. After a little flirtation and some hopefulness of running into him again in the future she dashes out the door to her new job. Only to find out that he’s her new boss- and he doesn’t like the fact that she took “Amy’s” PSL, instead of waiting for her own. Blake Phillips does not like liars, and he has now slotted her into the liar column, and despite her apologies there she will remain.

I’m a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope and Lynn Painter did right by me with this rom-com. Izzy was no mouse, and despite some snark she and Blake’s dialog was sassy and fun and I loved how Izzy was able to overcome that bad first impression, and buck Blake’s very strong moral code. Of course, secretly, Blake also wanted to find a reason to break his code as well. Their chemistry was off the charts and as they spent more time together it became hard to just stay “friends”. This novel was a lot of fun, easy to read, and very clever. If you’re in the mood for some light-hearted fun with a but of snark and sassy- you don’t need to look any further! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Accidentally Amy

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.

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