Tag: romance

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases – March’23

In looking at the Goodreads book release list for March I’m realizing there are a LOT of genres releasing books and a LOT of them look great. It was difficult choosing but here are my top 5.

#5 BOOK RELEASE

I’m a fan of Lauren Willig’s writing and after reading this synopsis, I’ll admit I’m intrigued- and you know I love a good historical novel!

Synopsis:

September 1896: An aspiring archaeologist, Smith College graduate Betsy Hayes travels to Athens, desperate to break into the male-dominated field of excavation. In the midst of the heat and dust of Greece she finds an unlikely ally in Charles, Baron de Robecourt, one of the few men who takes her academic passion seriously. But when a simmering conflict between Greece and Turkey erupts into open warfare, Betsy throws herself into the conflict as a nurse, not knowing that the decision will change her life forever—and cause a deep and painful rift with her oldest friend, Ava.

June 1898: Betsy has sworn off war nursing—but when she gets the word that her estranged friend Ava is headed to Cuba with Clara Barton and the Red Cross to patch up the wounded in the Spanish-American War, Betsy determines to stop her the only way she knows how: by joining in her place. Battling heat, disease, and her own demons, Betsy follows Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders straight to the heart of the fighting, where she is forced to confront her greatest fears to save both old friends and new….

Set during an electrifying era of nation-building, idealism, and upheaval, Two Wars and a Wedding is the tale of two remarkable women striving to make their place in a man’s world—an unforgettable saga of friendship, love, and fighting for what is right.  

Click this link to purchase this book!* Two Wars and a Wedding

#4 BOOK RELEASE

Marie Lu writes some amazing young adult novels and her characters always seem to connect with her audience. I didn’t realize she had a new book coming out, but after reading the synopsis, I’m totally looking forward to reading it!

Synopsis:

Meet Winter Young – International pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him – just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette – Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She’s fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance – especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter’s lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter’s bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter’s charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there’s more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .

Click this link to purchase this book!* Stars and Smoke

#3 BOOK RELEASE

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of this novel and LOVED it! It’s a really sweet and quirky contemporary romance that has hints of rom-com. You guys, it’s sooo good! You must read this one.

Synopsis: One small town, one big prize, one handsome stranger…

Nothing ever changes in Redford, Georgia. That’s what freelance editor Jess Reid loves about her hometown—and part of what keeps her from leaving. Content taking care of her father, a car mechanic who singlehandedly raised her after her mom skipped out, Jess is resigned to a safe, unremarkable existence…until Jasper Wilhelm, the town’s eccentric benefactor, dies suddenly and leaves behind the opportunity of a lifetime.

Financial advisor Carter Barclay has been too busy to visit his grandfather in Redford, but he’s heard countless stories about the town and its zany residents from Jasper. A small, insular town in Georgia is the last place Carter expects to be spending his summer—but it seems his grandfather had one final trick up his sleeve. 

At the funeral, it’s revealed that Jasper has devised a massive, high-stakes game for the people of Redford, with the winning duo taking home his entire fortune. The catch? He’s already taken the liberty of pairing them up. As tensions of all kinds rise between Jess and Carter, and the life-changing prize looms closer, the two must decide what they’re willing to risk to change their lives. A love story full of spirit and hijinks, The Only Game in Town is a funny, quirky homage to the people we get to call home.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Only Game in Town

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase any of these books through the above links, I’ll receive a small stipend.

#2 BOOK RELEASE

This is book #8 in the series featuring Veronica and her companion Stoker. I have loved how their relationship has evolved into romantic partners while still keeping true to their own interests and sleuthing. This is a fun story! (yes, I’ve read this one too)

Synopsis: Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.
 
Tiberius has received a cryptic message—along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners—that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.
 
As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Sinister Revenge

MY MOST ANTICIPATED MARCH’23 BOOK RELEASE

Lynn Painter is such a talented writer. The Love Wager is the second book in the series and these characters were adorable! Another must read novel on my list!

Synopsis: Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult. She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs onto the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she snuck out of. 

After agreeing they are absolutely not interested in each other, Jack and Hallie realize they’re each other’s perfect wing-person in their searches for The One. They text each other about their dates, often scheduling them at the same restaurant so that if things don’t go well, the two of them can get tacos afterward. 

Spoiler: they get a lot of tacos together. 

Discouraged by the lack of prospects, Jack and Hallie make a wager to see who can find true love first, but when they agree to be fake dates for a weekend wedding, all bets are off. As they pretend to be a couple, lines become blurred and they both struggle to remember why the other was a bad idea to begin with.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Love Wager

Isn’t this a great list of book releases? I’ve read a few and am looking forward to finishing out my top 5.

Happy Reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads4 Comments

This Chick Read: End of Story by Kylie Scott

Inheriting a cute fixer upper from her aunt means a fresh start for Susie Bowen, but when her contractor shows up it’s none other than her ex’s best friend Lars. Wanting to avoid him yet also wanting to use the most trusted contractor’s in town means she needs to suck it up and play nice. When he finds someone’s divorce paperwork in the wall of a room he’s renovating and the people listed on the document are none other than she and Lars things become kind of weird. It also opens both of their eyes to an attraction that is too powerful to ignore. Is fate playing with them? Is this paperwork for real? Does it even matter?

I have loved Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series, her Dive Bar series and pretty much any one-off novel that she’s written. So, when I saw this cute cover and read the synopsis I knew I wanted to get my hands on a copy of this novel.

I immediately connected with Susie. After a disastrous previous relationship, she isn’t very trusting, but Lars easy-going personality and eye-candy good looks go a long way towards convincing herself to not give up on love. Being together is more difficult than being apart yet they are determined to be friends if not anything else and it’s through that friendship that Susie starts to trust in Lars. He’s solid and steady, which is just what her more high-strung self needs. Opposites attract, and they are definitely opposites. Yet, there’s something that I loved about watching them move towards each other and building that bond.

Kylie Scott knows how to build great characters so I wasn’t surprised that I loved both Susie and Lars. What I was surprised about was the more mystical side of this plot that centered around a document from the future. It was a sweet note to a rather hearty romance. I liked that the story circled back around to it, keeping it involved in the plot.

If you’re like me and love Kylie Scott’s writing, it’s not going to take much from me to get you to pick up this book and read it. If you have never read one of her novels, I think this is a really sweet entrance into her writing. Enjoy! I know I did. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* End of Story

Copyright 2023 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’s Audio Review: Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan

Successful audiobook narrator Sewanee Chester once had dreams outside the sound booth but has been happy with her career. Spending a quick weekend filling in for a friend on a romance audiobook convention Sewanee does something out of character and has a wonderful, romantic one night stand with a handsome stranger. Once back home she gets word that one of her author’s who is now dead wants her to narrate a serial that she wrote pairing her voice up with one of the most popular male narrators in the business. Although she no longer narrates romance novels she does this for an old friend and ends up re-discovering her love for romance, builds a connection with Brock McNight, and learns that being fulfilled means taking chances in both love and life.

I am so glad that I listened to this novel iinstead of reading it, although I’m sure that would’ve been wonderful as well. However, Julia Whelan has voiced over 500 novels and now has written two books, doing her own narration. I immediately recognized her voice and looked at her backlist and saw some of my favorite novels listed. This is one multi-talented lady! Thank You For Listening, about two audio narrators who find love was fabulous and I’m sure even though it’s the beginning of the year will be on my top 10 list for 2023. It was soooo good!

What did I like? The characters were fabulous. Swan and Brock had an easy chemistry that had you chuckling but also wanting them to go that next step. Swan’s best friend and famous actress was the perfect foil for Sewanee’s long-lost dreams. Her grandmother Blah Blah’s story was both sweet and sad. There were too many great characters and moments that kept me enthralled and wanting more. Most of all though there was Brock. Julia Whelan voiced his character and built his back story so well that he just seemed so real. I listen to a ton of audio books, including narrations by some great male narrators and will admit to having a crush on one or two as they read my favorite books and could totally understand his need for anonymity. Some female readers are crazy women and his anonymity made complete sense to me!

I could go on about the different aspects of this book but won’t spoil it for the rest of you who haven’t read this one yet. Just know that it’s a complete novel with drama, romance, giggles, and tears. It was the perfect book to listen to while on a journey (which is what I did) but I can also see spending time with these characters at the gym or on my drive to work. I think my day wouldn’t have been very proactive but I’d have enjoyed a hell of a book! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Thank You For Listening

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (2/5/23)

This post is all about sharing what I’ve been reading and starting a conversation about all of the great books that are out there and how little time we have to actually read them. I love it when I get a comment from one of you where my post has reminded you of a favorite authors most recent book, or even an old book that I’ve just gotten around to reading or re-reading. I have even gotten recommendations from you all about what books are on your radar, what’s worth your time, or what to skip. So, please keep the comments coming!

JUST FINISHED

This novel was a departure from my normal reading and I really enjoyed it! Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 50’s and strives towards equality in the laboratory despite men treating women like all they are good for is popping out babies and keeping their home clean. I’ll admit that at times I found her trials frustrating, but I admired her fortitude, friendships, and her little girl Mad. This was an interesting piece of fiction!

JUST STARTED

I listened to Julia Whelan’s most recent novel ‘Thank You for Listening’ while on vacation and was blown away by her writing and narration. This novel is actually the first she’s written, but not the first she’s narrated. She has around 400 books in her narration backlist. So far, I’m again, impressed by her writing and really enjoying the story. I can’t wait for the journey!

Have you read any great books lately? I’d love to hear about them. Please feel free to share in the comments.

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chick Read: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Driving home from a funeral through the countryside, ER Doctor Alexis Montgomery avoids a deer and ends up in a ditch. Luckily for her super cute and ten years younger Daniel Grant drives by and stops to help pull her out. Later that night when she walks into the dive bar where he and his friends are sitting he has a chance to make an impression. She accepts his offer of a grilled cheese sandwich and ends up spending the night. What was meant to be a one night stand turns into her weekend escape and carpenter/B&B host Daniel starts finding his way into her heart.

Part of Your World was a breath of fresh air. A younger man-older woman romance that didn’t feel at all forced, I loved Daniel’s small town and quirky nature. Alexis obviously did too since she snuck away from her fast paced life, pushy family, and super annoying ex-fiancé in order to breathe a little easier. She never intends for her two lives to cross but their feelings for each other override her cautious nature and make her take risks in order to find her own happiness.

I was so surprised by this novel. I mean, I’m not sure why I was because I love this author and have yet to be disappointed by one of her novels yet the quirky setting and characters made me fall in love. Not just with our two main characters but for the whole town, pigs, goats and all. Alexis was a woman who needed saving from herself. Coming from a well-known family of doctors she feels the pressure of falling in line and doing as her parents want- becoming uber successful and continuing the good family name. She doesn’t want the same things they want but it’s not until she ends up in the ditch and meets Daniel that the direction of what she wants out of her life really changes.

There were many magical moments in this novel and all of those happened in the small town of Wakan. There seemed to be some sort of “true love” mystical bond between Alexis, the town, and Daniel. While slightly silly, it did give a “it was meant to be” vibe to an already sweet story which I’ll admit I fell for – no problem. It helped that Daniel was charming, funny, and just absolutely adored Alexis- I can buy into the magic of the moment if it means these two would get together. After all, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be!

If you love small town romances with a hint of magic and a whole lot of charm, you will love Part of Your World. Pick up this book and give it a read! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Part of Your World

Copyright 2023 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 Reads3 Comments

This Chick Read: Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy is out of a job and had moved back in to her parents home while she tries to figure out what to do with her life. Her parents are supposed to be traveling the country in their RV and the house empty but they have double booked house sitters and she finds herself sharing the house with Levi Fanning, ex-bad boy and brother to the guy she had a crush on when she was a kid. When she comes across a diary she wrote about what she needs to do to prepare for high school, she realizes that the girl she used to be got lost, so she decides to do some of the things she wrote, with Levi’s help. As they make their way through her wishlist they learn a lot about themselves and each other.

Georgie, All Along was such a fantastic feel-good novel. I think every reader can identify with Georgie’s situation. Losing their job and finding themselves floundering of life’s choices. Also, finding a connection with a grumpy but sexy man. Well, I did the first, but not the second but her journey of finding herself, with Levi’s help was emotional, personal, and oh so fun to read.

Like I said above, Georgie was so easy to like. She may have been a little lost but her heart was in the right place and her method of finding her way entertaining. Levi was also that grump you always secretly crushed on. A troubled past combined with his taciturn nature made him slightly mysterious but also his story pulled at your heart. I knew immediately that I was going to root for these two to find their way to each other. Georgie never had that feeling of completeness, and Levi never had his own person to belong to. They were perfect for each other!

Most of my favorite romance authors include great groups of friendships in their novels and Georgie was a girl that collected friends. I loved how each of them wanted the best for her and supported her in finding her way, but also delivered the truths that she needed to hear. Levi didn’t have that gang, but that made his need for Georgie resonate even more and their union supreme.

If you are in the mood for an emotional journey that hits those storytelling high notes, this is the book you need to pick up. I enjoyed this one a LOT and this author is now on my must read list.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Georgie, All Along

Copyright 2023 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

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (1/23/23)

What happened to the last week? Time flew by and despite all of the things on my calendar I still managed to have a little down time and complete a book. I look forward to that hour of reading every night. It helps my mind relax and release the stresses of the day. Here are the books on my virtual nightstand.

JUST FINISHED

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and I have to say that it really surprised me. I am not familiar with this author and didn’t really know what to expect but the characters were well developed and the plot was absolutely fun. Truly this one was a great weekend read.

JUST STARTED

This is book eight in the series so if you haven’t read the other novels, run out and borrow, buy, or well, borrow or buy these books! A Sinister Revenge picks up in the middle of Veronica and Stoker’s separation, but when his brother asks for their help they jump at the chance to investigate together again. I love these books and this one is especially well written.

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Folk Around and Find Out (Good Folk #2) by Penny Reid

Charlotte Mitchell, recently divorced mother of four, needs to get hired as a stripper at the Pink Pony. Hank Weller, owner of said nightclub, has not interest in hiring Charlotte after he got the blame for her husband leaving her for one of his dancers. Charlotte is interesting, beautiful, and too smart for his own good and he needs her to keep some distance. Unfortunately, he ends up hiring her- but as his bookkeeper. He quickly finds out that she’s not only beautiful, but she’s bright, sassy, and again very, very interesting. Despite his best intentions of staying away, he can’t help but to keep her close.

Charlotte has an ulterior motive for finding a job at the Pink Pony, and it’s not to change careers. She wants to find her cousin who may have gotten into trouble. What she finds is that the staff at the Pink Pony are like a family and Hank Weller is not at all who she thought he was. Instead he’s reliable, kind, and oh so handsome. But- she’s not interested in dating. She’s way too busy raising her four kids.

As with all Penny Reid novels, her characters are charming, quirky, and fun to read about. Folk Around and Find Out was no different. We’ve gotten to know these characters on the periphery of other novels but in this novel they shine on their own. Hank was always a mystery but as Beau’s best friend you knew that there was more to his character than “rich guy who owns a strip club”. This is of course true- and we really get to know his good character in this novel. Charlotte was also in the peripheral in other novels and I never really thought much about her before but now I wonder how I could’ve overlooked her. She is so interesting! BUT she and Hank together are much more than they are apart. I love how she is everything to him and he is a wonderful miracle to her. This was such a sweet story.

As with a lot of Penny Reid’s books that have kids in them, I fell in love with those little monsters. What a great little family of individual personalities. I love how Hank is charmed by them and falls immediately in love. You can’t help but like a man who is not put off by four kids! Charlotte and Hank are perfect for each other and their story was full of surprises, laughs, and love. This one is a completer charmer!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Folk Around and Find Out

Copyright 2023 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: The Backup Plan (Sunrise Cove #3) by Jill Shalvis

Alice, Lauren, and Knox are childhood friends who all inherit an old Wild West B&B owned by Lauren’s great-aunt Eleanor, a woman who had a hand in raising both Alice and Knox, but who never chose to get to know her great-niece Lauren. Alice and Lauren used to be BFF’s until Alice’s brother died in a car wreck when she was a teenager, and Lauren seemed to blame her for his death. Knox’s mom used to work for Eleanor and he did odd jobs around her house learning bits of a trade that he would later turn into a career. When all three of them need to work together to fix up the old B&B they also have to face their pasts and learn how to make their futures.

I love a great Jill Shalvis novel and The Backup Plan has all of the fixin’s for a true heartbreaker of a novel. Alice has been on her own since she was 18 never settling down in one place and afraid to make a commitment in a job or relationship. When she sees Knox again she’s reminded of the huge crush she had on him in her youth. She is also reminded of her great love for her old friend Lauren and how it all went wrong. Alice has a tough time facing her past, especially when it counts.

Lauren has buried the secret of the night Will died and let her relationship with Alice falter in order to keep her secret, but she’s out of a job and the B&B can make all of her dreams come true and help her connect with her great-aunt whom she now realizes she may have always misunderstood.

Knox has avoided his hometown and gone on to build a successful eco-friendly construction business, won awards and done all of the big things he always wanted to do. When he sees Alice again and gets to know her sassy self, he calmly decides that he would like to stay and build a future. Will Alice buy into that same vision?

The Backup Plan has all of the emotional depth we look for in Women’s Fiction, and the great characters we expect from a Jill Shalvis novel. I loved reading about these characters and cared how they connected with each other again, rebuilding and falling in love. The best kinds of novels have a future written for their characters and in this novel that future is stamped in the lifeblood of each movement and word. I relished reading this novel and enjoyed the message and love found on every page. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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 Backup Plan

Copyright 2023 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: Smoke and Steel (Wild West MC #2) by Kristen Ashley

Hellen Moynihan has goals. She’s strong, independent, and when her boyfriend isn’t showing her the respect she deserves she cuts him loose. Respect is of utmost importance and when she see’s a friend of hers being taking advantage by a man, she speaks up trying to get her friend to respect herself. Dustin “Hardcore” Cutler is a man who has dished out vengeance and in the past to one person who didn’t deserve the treatment. He and his MC brothers are on the path of redemption trying to make up for this past act. When he is put on Hellen’s detail, watching over her as a favor to her brother-in-law, he knows she is exactly the type of woman he’s attracted to, but because of his past acts he thinks he doesn’t deserve happiness. Yet, he somehow allows Hellen into his life and fells the warmth of that redemption soothe his soul.

I don’t typically read MC novels and in fact probably only read them when written by Kristen Ashley. I prefer hero’s to be “good” men, but I’ll admit there is something about a bad man who makes good that is appealing in a fantasy read. Core was just such a man. He and his brothers portrayed a horrible act, one that as a woman is not easily redeemed in a novel, but the fact that he beat himself up so much about what he did shows that he has that kernel of goodness inside his heart. Of course in real life I wouldn’t be so forgiving but since this is a novel I wanted to see where this story would lead. I really kind of liked it.

Core had that mix of gruff and surly mixed with an old world charm. Right from the start he treated Hellen with the respect that she was looking for, opening doors, holding her hand, helping her put on her coat, etc. He was also looking out for her safety. At times that could be difficult because Hellen was determined to help her friend with a man who was stealing from her. She and her girl gang came up with a scheme that would put her in harms way and Core would magically appear to remove them from harm. Classic KA storytelling a la Rock Chicks, which I do like a lot.

The heat level on this romance is sizzling hot, so if you are looking for a tamer storyline between the sheets this may not be the novel you’re looking for. I’ll admit to skimming the romance time to get back to the story, but luckily there were only a couple of more detailed scenes, so easy to avoid if you’re comfort level needs that.

I enjoyed this second novel in the series. Core and Hellen were opposites who when together made a great couple and their story was fun to read. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Smoke and Steel

Copyright 2023 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