I’m always amazed when an author writes a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end, within the confines of a short novella. In this case, 73 pages. It helps that our two main protagonists, Jamie and Marc, already know each other, but the fact that Ali Hazelwood write what felt like a complete story is pretty amazing- after all she did have to fill us in on their backstories, build tension, create conflict and resolve it!
Marc is Jamie’s best friend’s little brother. Jamie was essentially raised in their family and when Marc was born they had a special connection, until their teen years when they didn’t connect at all. Now, Jamie is a brand new pediatrician and Marc is a tech billionaire. They are both in their hometown for the holidays, Jamie to spend time with her father and Marc to watch his parents house while they are out of town. Jamie planned to avoid him but her father needs a pan big enough to fit their turkey and that pan is in the house Marc is watching. When she shows up at his door you feel the immediate tension and when she gets snowed in with him you know that the conflict and resolution is going to happen and it will happen that night. Ali Hazelwood did a great job telling their story and as I always do when a novella is written well… I want a full size novel!
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This novel is part of the Under the Mistletoe collection and can be found on Amazon on Kindle Unlimited and Audible.
Anna Appleby writes a column in a local magazine about love, but she’s not really feeling it since she’s gone through a divorce. She’s enjoying being single, raising her two kids, and not having to fight over what to watch on tv that night. When her magazine gets bought she’s told she needs to spice up her column. She gets pit against her co-worker Will who pitches an idea for them to write two dating columns from both of their perspectives. The catch is that her dates are the choices of her two children, and will has to match the theme. Anna gamely puts herself out there asking out a waiter, her mail man, and next door neighbor, but she finds love where she least expects it.
I love novels that mix humor with a great plot and this one had both in spades. Anna’s gone through a rough divorce and is not interested in swiping right. When she feels threatened for her job at work she throws out this crazy idea about her kids picking her dates and hilarity ensues. I loved how the kids views on what constitutes a good date comes down to “he hates bikes too”. These dates made for some great storytelling, but really it was her frenemy at work, Will, that added some romantic tension and heat to the story.
I’ve read quite a few of Sophie Cousens novels and I have to say that I haven’t yet been disappointed by something that she’s written. She understands the romance formula and always creates a bit of a twist that catches the reader by surprise. Sometimes these twists provide a little magic to the tale, but in this case, the magic was the friendships that Anna developed while going on this journey of self-discovery and renewal. What a fun story and a great romance. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!
When Sonya MacTavish inherits a huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she moves right in, not knowing the house is haunted. She hears footsteps, doors slamming, and voices but it’s when a mirror appears that the haunting is taken to the next level. She steps through the mirror and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day and realizes it’s a scene that plays out again and again and she must be the person to break that pattern.
Her best friend Cleo moves in, which adds a fun girl power element to the fight against evil, and her cousin Owen and her new beau Trey round out the foursome. Sonya’s romance with Trey triggers the witch Hester Dobbs who amps up her haunting and seems to frighten more than physically hurt anyone. As the story moves forward Hester’s actions may become more of a threat and I can’t wait to see what book three brings.
What I think makes this series different than some of Nora Roberts other series is that the story follows Sonya through each book. Sometimes in her other series the side characters get their own books. I like that this is Sonya’s fight and that as each story moves forward the reader’s emotions become more entangled with Sonya and what she’s going through. Sometimes, with Nora’s writing it’s very easy to separate yourself from what you’re reading, this series, even though fantastical, seems easier to become involved emotionally.
As far as love stories go, I’m pretty ho-hum when it comes to Trey and Sonya. I like that he’s supportive, but I almost feel like he gets in the way of the plot more than becomes integral to it. Owen on the other hand, is family, and can see the spookiness, can walk through the mirror, etc. I think because he’s more involved I like his actions and reactions more. He and Cleo are just starting their flirtation and his steadiness is a good contrast to her artistic nature. They’re a fun couple to read.
I am really enjoying this series so far and am looking forward to the conclusion next year. I can’t wait to see how Sonya kicks Hester’s witchy butt, with her friends help, of course!
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I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it is honest.
Click this link to purchase this book!* The Mirror
Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved
*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’l receive a small stipend.
After fireworks designer, Andee Paxton takes an online DNA test she finds out that her biological father is none other than Holt, an international arms dealer. The CIA shows up at her door where she meets very handsome CIA analyst officer Adam Chan. When Chan lingers over coffee they find themselves knocked out and kidnapped by her father’s men. Waking up in a bunker as boyfriend and girlfriend Andee and Chan play their parts while her very scary father tries to get to know her and sell her on the family business as well as get her help in creating a very nasty bio weapon. Chan and Andee’s fake relationship is the only thing keeping her sane as they try to figure out their escape plan and save the world.
What a fun rom-com/spy novel! Tiana Smith has a very easy style of writing that made this story a joy to read. Lots of action, great dialogue, and a few scary bits for conflict made for a complete escape from reality and an enjoyable weekend of reading. I haven’t read the first novel in this series but I’ve found it at the library and have it on my TBR.
Besides the great action series, Andee and Chan were both really interesting characters and their immediate chemistry gave the romance some heat. Andee is one of those smart heroine’s that I love to read about- go STEM romance leads! her degree in chemical engineering makes her a great sidekick for a spy. She didn’t let her emotions get the better of her and was doing her part to find a way out. Chan, too, was an interesting guy. Yes, he was a CIA analyst, but he is also hearing impaired. I liked how his “weakness” became a strength in the story. The fact that the descriptions of him as well as Andee’s immediate attraction made him eye candy for my imagination didn’t hurt either. Really, this story was just 100% enjoyable and I can’t recommend it enough.
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I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.
Click this link to purchase this book!* Mr. Nice Spy
Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved
*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.
You know when you are sick and you just want some comfort food? For me that food is usually a grilled cheese sandwich or a frozen chicken pot pie. These things just make my heart warm and help me feel just that small bit better. Well, Nora Roberts books are grilled cheese sandwiches for my spirit. I needed a hit of comfort food and happened upon her backlog of books when I was surfing my digital library. She has been so prolific that there are some books from 20 years ago that I know I read when they came out but honestly didn’t remember and thought, why not? I was surprised at how much I loved this venture down memory lane (or lack of memory as the case may be).
The book I read had a much older cover than this newer version, but as the book came out in 2001 I’d imagine it’s had a few variations. As noted by this cover, this book centers around the Giambelli family and Sophie, specifically. Her grandmother in a rather machiavellian way maneuvers, she and her step-son into swapping positions in the family business. Tyler MacMillan runs his grandfather’s vineyard and when he’s told Giambelli is merging with MacMillan and he has to give up running the vineyard to learn marketing and promotions, he is not pleased at all. Especially as he’s paired with the energetic and very attractive Sophie. Attraction ensues and when you add a little danger in the form of someone using their wine to poison people, voilâ! You get a wonderfully written romantic suspense novel that still holds well over time. I’ll admit that I did look up what cell phones looked like in 2001 for entertainment value, but that’s neither here nor there. The story held my interest and gave me that comfort I needed. Plus I liked Sophie and Tyler’s unusual and kind of begrudging love story. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Next up!
Yeah, I couldn’t just read one book I had to read one of the Irish trilogy’s! I didn’t remember this series at all and was immediately drawn into the magic of Ireland and the beloved Gallagher family. Jewels of the Sun was written in 1999, so it’s an oldie but goodie, but again since these novels had a bit of fantasy in the story my mind wasn’t diverted by technology and I easily fell into the story. This first novel follows Aidan Gallagher, who runs the local pub with his brother and sister. Gallaghers is filled with light, love, and a bunch of Irish characters who add a lot to the plot and give the story some charm. Jude Murray is the heroine, has some Irish heritage, and moves into her great aunt’s (I think?) fairie cottage, which is right above Prince Carrick of the fairies castle (as in below the earth). Her cottage is haunted by the love of Prince Carrick’s life and their story is the reason for the trilogy. They need three couples to find true love to have their curse broken so they can be together. The other two couple being Shawn and Brenna, and then Darcy and Trevor. The thing I love about these trilogy’s is that when they are good, you get lost in them and you just want to keep reading. The great thing about reading books this old is that they are all available to read!
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Some Nora Roberts books are better than others, of course, but all four of these were pretty solid! If you are like me and read too many books in a year to remember the plots of books you’ve read over 20 years ago, then you may want to go to your nearest library and pick up a virtual copy! Or you can purchase your copy at the links below.
Piper Paulson and James Newhouse ride the same train in to work every day. He’s in a suit, she’s in retro t’s and jeans. They are complete opposites, yet their eyes connect, then look away until one day when the Elvis convention is in town and the only seat available is next to each other and they take a chance and talk. One conversation that leads to their being connected during a freak incident on that train. Neither one of them is looking for a relationship but circumstance and chemistry keeps bringing them together. Will this connection turn into something more?
I liked this opposites attract romance. Piper and James are drawn to each other in large part because they remind each other of their past. She reminds him of his mother and he reminds her of a previous relationship. Both add conflict to their reaching their happily ever after and make for some interesting story arc’s that held my interest and kept me reading. Were there problematic moments? Yes, but the positive outweighed the negative and these problems didn’t slow the story down or take me out of the story so I was able to stay “in the moment” and move past those brief moments.
I looked up the author and didn’t see any other books in her bio so I believe this is her debut novel. In this reviewers humble opinion I think she did a solid job, gave us interesting characters to read about, and created a plot that was simple but had some dynamics that were unexpected and gave the reader that element of surprise that keeps us reading. Nice job! ❤️❤️❤️❣️
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it is honest!
Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved
Maren Laughlin’s life just took a left turn. When she rejects her boyfriends proposal, she quits her decades long job as a park ranger and moves back to her childhood playground to check in on her inheritance, a decrepit bait shop in Northern Wisconsin. Josiah Cole runs the resort that abuts Maren’s bait shop. A childhood best friend of her brother’s they used to hang out as children but life moves on and he’s now divorced, with two great kids. He’s happy with his life but when Maren moves in next door he starts catching feelings. She’s beautiful, funny, and his kids love her and their friendship is just so easy. Despite her brothers warnings, Joe and Maren are in the middle of a relationship without even trying.
I love these adult novels by Erin Hahn. She describes Joe and Maren’s relationship as just so easy to fall into, and this book was exactly the same. I started reading, and before I knew it I had developed feelings for these characters in part because of the easy flow of the story, but also because of the setting and the kids. This story was a joy and I relished reading Maren and Joe’s story.
There isn’t a great romance novel if there’s not a hint of conflict and we do have a couple of storylines that create that dynamic for our duo. Maren’s brother is Joe’s best friend, and he doesn’t hesitate to warn Maren off of catching feelings for Joe. He’s also a bit of a dope to Maren and gave the reader a person to get frustrated at that wasn’t our hero or heroine. Joe also isn’t the swinging single guy, he comes as a package with his two kids who added a lot to the story- as well as a dumb ex- spouse that the reader could also focus some energy on hating. It was only Maren and Joe’s feelings that were easy breezy, these conflicts gave the story a lot of heart in their conclusions.
I’ve read the other two novels in this stand alone series. I say stand alone and series in the same sentence because Maren’s two best friends were the heroines from the previous two adult novels by this same author. It’s always nice to see how other characters you’ve read have advanced their storylines and I welcomed that brief peek. Despite their reoccurance, you can read this novel as a stand alone and not miss a thing but I bet when you’re done, if you hadn’t read the other two novels you’re going to want to pick them up and catch up!
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I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!
Math Professor, Catherine Lipton has a plan for everything but when she starts a new job and her identity disappears she doesn’t even know where to start to get her documentation put back into the system. She reluctantly accepts help from her frustratingly laid-back doorman Luca Morelli. With his help she finds herself breaking the rules, meeting mysterious strangers, and generally having a great time. As she unravels the truth behind her identity disappearance she realizes that she may have been missing for a lot longer than she realized.
The publisher has described this book as being for readers who are fans of Sophie Cousens and Ashley Poston, and you know what? They were exactly right! I like both of those authors and I really enjoyed reading this novel about Catherine’s journey with the help of her very charismatic doorman Luca. Melissa Wiesner did a great job of showing Catherine’s growth from straight as an arrow professor to a more open to anything lady who is drawn to someone who seems to be her complete opposite.
This novel had one of my favorite things that I usually only find in small town romances. A fun, quirky cast of characters. I think because a lot of the story involves the building that they live in that building became the small town and each of those residents were fun, funny, and just plain lovely. Of course, they were all geriatric, so no chance of a second book in the series about one of the other characters in the book, but they added such joy to the novel. It’s funny because in real life young people don’t seem to tolerate the aging generation but in the best romance novels some of those older folks become my favorite characters. There were quite a few in this book.
The romance between Catherine and Luca wasn’t without its frustrations, but the story is what pulled this book together and gave it the gravitas needed to feel complete. The romance was just kind of a side note so please don’t think this is going to be a steamy novel. It’s not, but Catherine and Luca do provide enough sizzle to bring a romantic feel to the pages. That part of the story in my eyes isn’t the most important it was the sense of family and feeling like you belong that struck home for me. I liked this novel and hope this author will continue to write and give us a second book to look forward to! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!
Evie has dedicated her life and limited funds to Southern Service Paws, the company that matched her with, Charlie, her service dog trained to assist her with her epilepsy. She loves nothing more than helping to match other people in need with service dogs and when she gets a letter from a father looking for a service dog for his ten year old daughter who was just diagnosed with epilepsy, Evie jumps at the chance. When she meets them at their consultation meeting she finds out that the daughter sent the email signing her father’s name and he had no idea and was not pleased at the meeting. Despite his hesitations, pretty soon he comes on board and both Evie and Sam’s service dog change their lives.
I was drawn to this book because of the synopsis. It’s not often you read a description with a heroine that has epilepsy. I was really curious how this romance would work. Enter adorable kid, with a handsome father and voilá, cute plot ensues. There was a small hint of enemies to lovers at the beginning of this novel, but Jacob gave up on his disgruntlement pretty quickly. He loves his daughter and what’s best for her comes first. Awwww…
Evie also wasn’t what I expected. Yes, she has epilepsy and a service animal herself, but she is my favorite kind of heroine, sassy and sweet! She doesn’t have trouble standing up for herself even though her epilepsy can be quite debilitating. She has learned to live with her fears and so can look past them to the happiness that’s on the other side. She and Jacob were good with each other and I loved that she bonded with his daughter as well. Despite the newness of the premise, it was a pretty standard romance with only a small conflict to resolve. A quick and enjoyable weekend read! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
It’s Christmas, a time for joy and happiness, but with her family gone and her marriage over, Sienna Naples is having trouble finding joy in the season. When a friend publishes an ad in the local paper saying Sienna is looking for a husband as a joke, she paints on a smile. Until single father Guy Maple shows up answering the ad. His daughter has stage-five chronic kidney disease and needs a kidney transplant. Guy needs to show that he can afford Emma’s anti-rejection medicine in order to be approved to be on the list. A heart-breaking story that Sienna can’t turn down.
I’m a fan of this author’s and have enjoyed all of her previous novels. Their light-hearted humor and sweet small town romances were easy to read and totally enjoyable. The Christmas You Found Me has the same sweet small town, and there is some light-hearted humor but this story has a lot more depth and feeling than her previous novels. The story was rich, moving, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with all the characters. Yes, it was a little insta-love, but the fact that this family needed each other so much was really moving and Emma’s story in particular was heart-breaking and imbued the book with love. At the end of the book was an author’s note about Sarah Morgenthaler’s husband dying suddenly and the tough time she’s had that made this shift in emotional content make complete sense and hopefully was cathartic. I know it made me feel all sorts of things both comfortable and uncomfortable and I really appreciated the journey.
There were so many things I loved about this book. I liked that Sienna was recovering from a horrible divorce and that this small family’s need filled her heart. I liked that Guy and Emma were puzzle pieces that fit into Sienna’s life right from the start but that the story moved slowly so that you could really feel all the emotions this author put into the plot. There were quirky townies that hopefully will get their own stories, and plenty of small town feel for those of you who love those small town romances. This novel was different but hit all the right notes. I really liked it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.
The Reading Chick 
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