Southern Bombshell (North Carolina Highlands #5) by Jessica Peterson

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The Wedding Planner’s Rulebook:
Keep the bride happy.
Keep the wedding party out of trouble.
Never let anyone know you’ve been in love with the groom for years.

I lived by these rules. Until Nate Kingsley.

The Capulets and Montagues have nothing on the Beauregards and Kingsleys. Our families have feuded for centuries, and Nate was always forbidden—which made fooling around with him that much more delicious. But then I fell for him, and he fell off the face of the earth, ghosting me without so much as a goodbye.

Fast-forward two years: as an expert in romance, I’m a wedding planner to the rich and famous. I never expected Nate to show up at my office, least of all with a shiny new fiancée on his arm. She’s got money to burn, and she wants me to plan the most extravagant wedding of my career.

It’s a make-or-break moment for my business. I convince myself I can do Nate’s wedding and keep my feelings for him in check, even if he does look good.

Really, really good.

But when the secrets we buried years ago come to light, what kept us apart suddenly binds us together. Even if my heart belongs to Nate, and his belongs to me, he belongs to someone else. And that’s a rule we absolutely cannot break.

Source: ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Now that all those pesky older brothers are out of the way, it's Milly's time to shine! She's always just been kind of on the periphery, quietly doing her own thing while her brothers have been getting all the attention. So no one would know that Milly was quietly in love with Nate Kingsley, quietly had a steamy fling with him, and then quietly got her heart broken into a million pieces when Nate broke up with her. Milly quietly nursed her broken heart and threw herself into her work as a wedding planner, putting Nate firmly in the rear view mirror. That is until he walks into her office with his fiancée, ready to hire her as their wedding planner. Awkward doesn't even cut it. Milly, who's meticulously cultivated a poised, organized professional persona over the years is slightly thrown off her game. However, she'll set aside her personal feelings and do the job.

Nate still feels bad about walking out on Milly two years ago. Worse because he never revealed the reason why. He'll always regret how he did it but not why he did it. But they've since moved on and by all accounts, they both seem happy. Sure, having her plan his wedding to Reece will be weird as all get out but they can both be adults about this. 

It's apparent that though Reece and Nate love each other, they're missing the sizzling chemistry that Nate and Milly had. And as I worried about the potential of the story moving towards a cheating storyline, Nate and Reece simply drift apart leaving Milly and Nate to pick up from where they left off, like none of the preceding two years ever happened. They still need to address the circumstances of their breakup but they can put that off while they ... reconnect.

Nate and Milly create a lot of heat and intensity which is great when you're expecting that kind of drama in a romance. I liked that they're both a few years older, also wiser as they've had time to grow up. While Milly's been thriving at work with her borthers at the family's resort, Nate's been doing the same albeit without the supportive atmosphere that Milly's privileged to have. Nate's dad is a gambler and a walking nightmare. Everything he touches turns to trash and Nate does what he can to keep him away from the business aspect of their whiskey distillery. He also gets protective of Milly, not wanting her to be in the cross hairs of his ongoing fight with his father. Milly has enough to deal with what with her brothers' overprotectiveness and her own troubles with finding joy in her work again - something we all experience at some point or other - and it takes rekindling things with Nate again and honest conversations with him to reconsider what brings her joy. I liked this second chance love story. It's obvious these two were made for each other and I loved their moments together. Nate's pretty much the whole package and Milly is pretty terrific herself. 

I do have to address a couple of details. One of them is during Nate's point of view when he's recalling his family dynamics and he mentions that his mother passed away, and in parentheses it's mentioned from what disease she died of. Honestly, it was jarring and caught me off guard and was incredibly triggering. It took me out of the moment and I was upset to come across it, even more so when that specific detail ended up not having any bearing on the rest of the story. If it had nothing to do with the plotline as a whole then I don't understand why it had to be included. Then this "feud" between the Beauregards and the Kingsleys. The blurb compares it to Romeo and Juliet levels of rivalry but there wasn't enough in there to give said feud any weight or presence in the story. All I could get was Nate's dad's jealousy of the Beauregards' success, and that the feud started decades back, and I wish there'd been something more tangible and recent perhaps to make the feud seem insurmountable, therefore making Nate and Milly's reunion scandalous. 

I liked Southern Bombshell even if those couple of details bothered me. There's a lovely epilogue at the end from another family member we haven't heard from before and it's actually a fitting end to the series on the Beauregards, filled with all the happily ever afters for everyone in this big, loud, protective, unconditional loving family.

~ Bel

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Edit 1/27/21  -- CW for mention of brain cancer (Nate's mom); also mention of CTE (Beauregards' dad who was a NFL player; Beau has also been diagnosed with it and this was first mentioned in Southern Southern Seducer book 1 of the series); gambling problems (Nate's dad, and Nate's brother but his brother has recovered)

The Dating Plan by Sara Desai

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Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no interest in love, the one thing she can't give her family is the marriage they expect. Left with few options, she asks her childhood crush to be her decoy fiance.

Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist with something to prove. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, he realizes his best friend's little sister has the perfect solution to his problem. A marriage of convenience will get Daisy's matchmaking relatives off her back and fulfill the terms of his late grandfather's will. If only he hadn't broken her tender teenage heart nine years ago...

Sparks fly when Daisy and Liam go on a series of dates to legitimize their fake relationship. Too late, they realize that very little is convenient about their arrangement. History and chemistry aren't about to follow the rules of this engagement.

Source: NetGalley; ARC generoulsy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Dating Plan presents a slightly different take on the fake relationship with Daisy and Liam already having some history and them being somewhat familiar with each other's families. 

Daisy just wants her family to back off and stop all attempts to marry her off. She's content with her life at the moment and has no interest in shaking things up. At one of her conferences, she runs in to Liam and it goes off with a bang! Liam, the teenage heartbreaker and enemy number one since he was a no-show as her prom date years ago. Seeing him again at that very moment is seriously awkward on so many levels but also good timing. Their fortuitous encounter not only reunites them but also allows them to call in a favor: appear to be in a serious relationship with each other in order to appease their families. It's so wacky and honestly, there's no way it's going to work out as easily as they think. But it's fun them reconnect and handle Daisy's overbearing but well-meaning extensive family network. His family is just as wild, too.

Daisy is such a lively personality. She's a nerd, a stickler for organization and a MCU fanatic, and it all translates in to her own cute aesthetic that she owns completely and effortlessly. I liked that she broke some stereotypes. As for Liam? I dug him from the beginning. Sure, he has a bit of attitude but there's a super nice guy that comes forth and he's just so freaking charming. While the two have concocted this crazy idea to throw their families of their scent, so to speak, Daisy does have some reservations. Liam's unexplained absence from her life makes her explore her own issues with abandonment and how it affects her views of relationships and being reliant on someone else. Liam's own negative experiences have also colored his perspective though it's not so clear cut around Daisy. Having known her family from before and feeling the nostalgia of their closeness and hospitality, he falls back into her world so easily. Her family was his safe haven from his messed up one and Daisy was always so kind and accepting of him. Then he screwed it up and now he's working hard to earn her forgiveness. Let me tell you, he's hard to say no to, though Daisy does make him work to earn her trust again. 

As with most contemporary Desi romances I've been reading, family plays a hugely important part in everyday life. Daisy's is no exception. I will say for me, it tends to be a bit overwhelming as I didn't have a large family surrounding me when I was growing up, so to me all of Daisy's uncles and aunties coming at her from all directions was intense. But at the heart of it is love and togetherness, and some of the aunties, even with their melodramatic tendencies, are entertaining. 

I quite enjoyed reading The Dating Plan. I laughed out loud when Daisy and Liam had their run in - that was only the first chapter - and the amusement continued on from there. This second chance romance will sprinkle joy and laughter in your little reading corner so definitely check it out!

~ Bel

Content warning/triggers:

- mention of alcoholism and physical abuse (Liam's memory of his father towards him and his mother)

- abandonment issue (Daisy's memory of her mother who left their family when she was younger; she and her dad discuss it briefly later in the book)

Recipe for Persuasion (The Rajes #2) by Sonali Dev

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From the author of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors comes another, clever, deeply layered, and heartwarming romantic comedy that follows in the Jane Austen tradition—this time, with a twist on Persuasion.

Chef Ashna Raje desperately needs a new strategy. How else can she save her beloved restaurant and prove to her estranged, overachieving mother that she isn’t a complete screw up? When she’s asked to join the cast of Cooking with the Stars, the latest hit reality show teaming chefs with celebrities, it seems like just the leap of faith she needs to put her restaurant back on the map. She’s a chef, what’s the worst that could happen? 

Rico Silva, that’s what.  

Being paired with a celebrity who was her first love, the man who ghosted her at the worst possible time in her life, only proves what Ashna has always believed: leaps of faith are a recipe for disaster. 

FIFA winning soccer star Rico Silva isn't too happy to be paired up with Ashna either. Losing Ashna years ago almost destroyed him. The only silver lining to this bizarre situation is that he can finally prove to Ashna that he's definitely over her. 

But when their catastrophic first meeting goes viral, social media becomes obsessed with their chemistry. The competition on the show is fierce…and so is the simmering desire between Ashna and Rico.  Every minute they spend together rekindles feelings that pull them toward their disastrous past. Will letting go again be another recipe for heartbreak—or a recipe for persuasion…? 

In Recipe for Persuasion, Sonali Dev once again takes readers on an unforgettable adventure in this fresh, fun, and enchanting romantic comedy.

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


In this retelling of Persuasion, former couple Ashna, a chef and Rico, a retired elite footballer are reunited on a reality cooking show where she's forced to confront all the insecurities plaguing her.

I've never read Persuasion so I don't know how closely Dev's version follows it but on its own it's a turbulent family drama filled with heightened emotions and sad backstories. Ashna's father died years ago saddling her with the responsibility of running his restaurant, Curried Dreams. She never aspired to owning or running a restaurant but does it for the sake of her father's legacy, much to the detriment of her own health and happiness. Rico for all his success on the pitch is now searching for his next career move off of it so when he discovers that Ashna is doing the reality cooking show he gets the idea that he should go on it as well. He could then revisit their relationship and get the answers he needs about their breakup. Once he arrives, he realizes that he's not even sure what he wants out of this awkward reunion.

Dev's writing is, as ever, phenomenal. There's so much life in her descriptions that it's as if she's inserted you into those scenes. You can sense everything and it's a talent that's so magical, so hers. Perhaps it's because of that I had a difficult time with parts of the story, especially concerning Ashna's complicated relationship with her father and estranged mother. Ashna's pain touched me on such a personal level that I'd have to stop and take a few breaths before continuing. As if her story wasn't convoluted enough, her mother, Shobi's sudden appearance makes Ashna feel as if she's been ambushed. For reasons that are completely my own, I didn't like Shobi at first but as she got to tell her story in fragments, I gradually felt more empathy towards her, and it was all I could do not to holler at her and Ashna to just speak and listen to each other.

Rico's story isn't all sunshine and roses either but he seems to have found some measure of peace in the years gone by. To be honest, I was super grateful that Rico was more put together than Ashna and Shobi. He was a good counterbalance to their combined grief. Any more and it would've been too overwhelming for me. The moments when Rico and Ashna shine are during the cooking competition when they manage to set aside their awkwardness to create amazing, mouthwatering recipes. Those moments become a sweet respite from the heaviness permeating the rest of the story. I was curious about some of the recipes they concocted and even looked up a few that I might try on my own.

Recipe for Persuasion evoked many feelings in me and that is certainly what I expect from an incredible story - something that makes me react, feel and question. As I said at the beginning, I've never read Persuasion so I don't know how it compares. To me it's about healing as all the characters in Dev's retelling are confronting their feelings, as distressing as they are, opening up to their vulnerabilities as they've never done before. It's frightening and risky but they all come through. To that effect, I also think that what romance there is between Rico and Ashna is overshadowed by Ashna's longstanding pain, and Shobi's story arc. I didn't take it as a romantic comedy in the way of whimsy but rather as an intense and earnest story, written from the heart, that will affect each reader differently.

~ Bel 

⚠️ Recipe for Persuasion contains sensitive themes; content warnings are listed below. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, highlight to see them. ⚠️

alcoholism (memory - Ashna of her father, Shobi of her husband) , suicide (memory -Ashna's father), finding a parent dead (memory - Ashna finding her father after his suicide), parental estrangement (Ashna's mother who was away for most of her childhood), rape (memory - Shobi's), parents' accidental death (memory - Rico's parents),  forced marriage (Shobi and Ashna's father), panic attacks (Ashna), a visit to an abortion clinic (memory - Shobi's), mention of family's death in a plane crash (relative of Ashna, a side character's backstory)

Sure Shot Review Tour

* * * 3/4

A new stand-alone hockey romance from USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen.

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…


Source: advance e-galled provided in exchange for an honest review


Tank and Bess are at two drastically different stages in their lives. Tank's coming off a divorce, relocated to Brooklyn after being traded from Dallas, and dodging all the rumors surrounding his failed marriage and clashes with former teammates. Bess is just turning 30 and is a successful sports agent who has now branched out to start up her own agency. After years of putting her career first, she's ready for the next phase - meet a great guy with whom she can have a future. Tank is not that guy right now. Right now what they have is great spine-tingling, rock-their-worlds chemistry in the sheets and that's as far as it'll go. That's all Tank can offer and Bess knows there's no future there. Even though they know this they still keep circling back to each other. Years might have passed since their original interlude and brief hookup but there still remains this effortless companionship and ease when they're together. It's like they understand what they need in that moment, and that's comfort and the need to feel wanted. 

They really do have great chemistry and Tank's maturity since they first met when he was 23 shows. Bess has also grown from that starry-eyed youngster she was to become a determined, successful woman in a male-dominant industry. As older and wiser versions of themselves, they bring more to the relationship that they appreciate about each other. I was with the story up until it kind of veered off in a different direction for me. I'll have to delve into a bit of spoilery in order to explain ...

Like I said, the story worked for me when Tank and Bess hit it off again. He was getting used to his new life and she was kicking butt at her job. What threw me off was that all of a sudden Bess wanted kids when they'd only just reached the decision to become official. It was mentioned at the beginning of the story that she had put a plan together for her life but - and herein lies my problem - there was absolutely no inkling about this particular detail until she dropped that bombshell on Tank. I can't help wondering if I missed something earlier because apparently it was something she had wanted for a while but I don't think I came across a hint of it in her POV prior to that revelation. When they realized that their individual goals for their future didn't mesh, it made sense that they'd part ways. The the next thing you know, they got back together a month later with that "having children" elephant still in the room (and she had been researching her options while they'd been apart). Tank explained what he was feeling emotionally and Bess finally understood where he was coming from, and it seemed like they were going to take their time. Instead, things seemed to move even faster. 

I guess I felt I was suddenly reading a different book with completely different priorities that sprung up overnight. Maybe if there was a physical section break with a "Part 2" that happened a few months (or even a year) later that would've allowed for more time and introspection rather than just the one month pause, then I would've felt it a more organic progression in their relationship. Tank's emotional baggage about children seemed to be glossed over too easily by Bess' idea of a compromise. I'm all for happily ever afters but the second half of the book fell into place way too suddenly for me. 

My reservations aside, I was still won over by the tight-knit Bruisers hockey family that provided laughs and what felt like a massive group hug. There's always joy and guaranteed ridiculousness when they're around, so you're hard pressed to not love them. Although aspects of the story confused me, I still liked Bess and Tank, and had fun reading Sure Shot. I know that a lot of fans will be excited for this!

Bel

Then, Now, Always by Mona Shroff

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She needs him. But does he want her?

Maya Rao has made her own dreams come true: she’s the owner of a bustling café and bakery in New York and the mother of a beautiful teenage daughter, Samantha. But when Samantha lands in legal trouble over a misdemeanor she didn’t commit, Maya is desperate. Desperate enough to call Samantha’s dad, Sam Hutcherson, whom Maya left abruptly many years ago, and who is now a successful lawyer. The problem? Sam doesn’t know he has a daughter.

Sam has put Maya firmly in his past, despite how shattered he was when she broke his heart. So he’s both dumbfounded and furious to find Maya outside his office asking for his help—with a picture of a girl who looks just like him. But as Sam reconnects with Maya, those old sparks begin to fly. Can he even picture a future with the woman who wrecked his past?

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Told from two different viewpoints in the past and present, this sweet and charming second chance romance is a heartwarming treat. 

Maya and Sam met at a poignant time in their young lives. Sam had been a kinda-sorta player, hardly serious about any of the girls he dated until Maya showed up one summer as a babysitter for his cousins and he was knocked off his feet. Maya didn't exactly lead a sheltered life but she had always been cautioned by her skeptical mother that men were not to be trusted. She felt Sam was different though and defied her mother by secretly dating him. Sam's mother viewed their relationship as a temporary distraction from his academic and professional ambitions and so tolerated their time together. Reality crashed their bubble when Maya found out she was pregnant. When forced to contemplate what this would mean to their respective futures she decided to keep the pregnancy a secret and bow out of Sam's life without explanation. Years later, single mother Maya is desperate enough for Sam's help when their daughter is in trouble. It's not ever how she wanted Sam to find out but she has no choice, consequences be damned.

Then, Now, Always explores the joys and excitement of young love and what it feels like when you know you've found "the one". Back then Maya's innocence and idealism drew out a different side of Sam, a side that felt more like the real him. They were ridiculously cute together. Fast forward a few years and the sudden reunion is surreal. All the questions, the hurt, confusion and bitterness come rushing to the surface. Sam has a hard time keeping his thoughts together as he helps Maya with their daughter, Samantha. It's clear they still care deeply for each other but it's not something either can declare out loud especially when there are so many complications. I liked that Sam and Maya reunite at a later point in life. Being older and having gone through considerable personal development makes a huge difference in how they handle things now. I also appreciated that Shroff didn't just thrust the two of them back together to pick up from where they left off. They had the time to get work through all the unresolved issues and make peace with the past and what transpired. 

I enjoyed my time reading this book and frankly was rather surprised by how much Maya's mom reminded me of my own. Suffice it to say that it led me to feel a little bit of kinship with Maya. The story also touches on a significant reality for children of immigrants - living up to parents' hopes and dreams. Both Sam and Maya's mothers had specific ideas in mind for their children's futures and being respectful, Sam and Maya accepted what was expected of them. But Maya's reemergence in his life forces Sam to examine his life's work and makes him wistful for the idealistic ambitions he had as a young lad. 

Then, Now, Always is the kind of second chance novel you want in your life - a second chance at love, at family, at a career. It's a second chance at fulfilling lifelong dreams and that is just the sweetest feeling.

~ Bel

Southern Heartbreaker Release Blitz & Review

He was the bad boy I fell for in college. Now he’s a sexy single dad and Charleston’s most successful venture capitalist. Dominant and decisive, Ford Montgomery is used to getting what he wants. And he just set his sights on me...

Southern Heartbreaker, an all-new standalone contemporary romance in the Charleston Heat series by Jessica Peterson, is LIVE!

Ford Montgomery was my first everything.

First love.

First guy I slept with.

First heartbreak when he dumped me without explanation.

A decade later, it’s just my luck he’s the first guy I run into after moving back to my hometown of Charleston. Three piece suit, tie, and a watch worth more than my car--being a mogul looks good on Ford. So does being a doting dad to his adorable four-year-old daughter.

I tell myself I can resist him. But one impulsive, ill-advised kiss later, and Ford is in hot pursuit. He’s determined to make up for his past mistakes, and convinces me to give him a second chance.

What started out as fun between the sheets gets really serious, really fast. Problem is, I swore I’d never give up the dreams I worked so hard for to settle down and do the family thing.

But seeing Ford light up around his daughter--seeing how he’s chasing his ambitions while rocking fatherhood--is making me rethink what I want out of life.

It doesn’t help that behind his corporate veneer is the bad boy I fell in love with. And bad boys aren’t afraid to play dirty...or break hearts.

Southern Heartbreaker is part of the Charleston Heat Series, which is a series of interconnected standalone novels set in the steamy southern town of Charleston, South Carolina.

Download your copy today or read free in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US     I     Amazon Worldwide     I     Add to GoodReads 

About Jessica:

Jessica Peterson writes smart, sexy romance set in her favorite cities around the world. She grew up on a steady diet of Mr. Darcy, Jamie Frasier, and Edward Cullen, and it wasn’t long before she started creating irresistible heroes of her own. She loves strong coffee, stronger heroines, and heroes with hot accents.

She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband Ben and her smelly Goldendoodle Martha Bean.

Connect with Jessica:

Website     I     The City Girls, Jessica’s Facebook Reader Group 

Author Page     I     Instagram     I     Email 

Review:

* * * *

Southern Heartbreaker is a second-chance romance for Ford and Eva who we were introduced to us in book 3 (Southern Gentleman). These two college sweethearts who went heavy and strong throughout those years broke up when Ford decided to break things off upon their graduation. Eva always felt slighted by the breakup and how he did it. He said some condescending and hurtful things about how her dreams not aligning or being ambitious enough and went on his way. Ford admits that he was stupid and didn't know what he was doing back then. Who hasn't done stupid things in their youth? Now he's older, wiser, a widow and a dad. Life has taught him a lot since then. Eva in the meantime pursued her own dreams despite what Ford said and achieved success as a food blogger and then with her first cook book. Feeling the pressure of writing her second book and afflicted with the lack of inspiration, she hopes a return visit home will spark something in her. Turns out Ford is that spark. They reconnect and relive the better moments from their high school years while also dealing with the reality of what they have going on now. They both have full plates but rekindling their previous magic seems to jump-start their creative juices and shift their perspectives on life.

What can I say? It's another hit for Peterson!  Each book has featured a special set of circumstances and in Southern Heartbreaker it's about two people trying to bend and mold their passions to fit nicely side by side with their responsibilities. Their reunion does come with complications. Ford, who has never before prioritized personal time over his devotion to his kid or his career has to learn that it's okay to take a break every once in a while. Eva has to accept that Ford and his daughter, Bryce are a package, and it's an overwhelming commitment for someone who's never considered having children. I did think she overreacted under stress at times but then, who doesn't? Ford and Eva get their sexy on quite a bit and these are the scenes we've come to expect from Peterson. There's one moment that I absolutely adored and it's when Eva remarks about how his tattoos are perfectly covered up by his name brand shirts but she knows what's under there. I just liked that bit of info because it felt so personal and intimate. Ford is so professional and put together for so much of his adult life these days and then he's with Eva and all of a sudden they're the naughtiest, kinkiest couple around. It's just good to see them happy.

Jessica Peterson's Charleston Heat series is borne out of love for the city and its culture, and is enticing comfort food for the romance reader's soul. Southern Heartbreaker shows that Peterson always delivers heart and passion in her stories and is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience that sizzle and sweetness!

~ Bel

* Source: advance egalley provided in exchange for an honest review

Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker

* * * *

Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway.

On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus, she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day.

Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group Industries, and coincidentally the first love of her life.

The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counsellors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name.

Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is not only alive but stronger than ever, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences. 

Source: advance galley provided in exchange for an honest review


Say You Still Love Me is an irresistible read that's told through Piper's POV - her 16 year-old self and her current adult self. I genuinely like the format for this story because one, it shows any differences between younger Piper and the older version, and two, I like to see not only what the parallels are between the two time lines but how they eventually converge.

Piper is a hardworking and enterprising woman who's being groomed to take over her father's real estate development company once he retires. Her father has high expectations of her and she plans to prove that she can lead the company and its people. She's completely blindsided by Kyle showing up out of he blue after disappearing from her life all those years ago. They had met as counselors at summer camp where their attraction was instant. He was her first love which made it hurt even worse when he cut off all contact with her after that summer was over. Seeing him ushers back a rush of feelings. She still loves him and never stopped loving him, that she is certain of. Despite his cool demeanor toward her she's determined that they will finally resolve their unfinished business because she deserves answers and she'll get them.

I'd say that this was a slow buildup as the answers she's seeking lie in the past which is rehashed in increments. Tucker captures beautifully the wide-eyed and innocent crush that Piper felt for Kyle back then. I could feel her excitement at crushing on the seemingly bad boy and knowing that he's also checking her out. She also explores that tricky age of developing friendships and wanting to fit into a group as evidenced as here when she meets two other young counselors who will eventually become her best friends in the future. It's interesting to see how those bonds started - because it wasn't easy - and evolved into what they have today. In the present, they allude to an incident that occurred during that summer but the reveal doesn't come until almost the end of the novel. It's shocking in both the past and present. 

I liked this second-chance romance that also puts a significant focus on Piper's career and the various hurdles she faces. One of them being a misogynistic long-term employee who seeks to undermine her any chance he gets. We get to see how Piper problem solves and navigates her way through the office politics. The other problem is her ex-fiancé who holds out hope for a reconciliation. He starts off a bit of a douchebag but does become slightly palatable in the pages ahead. Much later ahead. The standoff she faces with the one troubling employee is part of the subplot that brings Piper and Kyle working together. It's not exactly a mystery but there is some sleuthing involved. 

K.A. Tucker is a good storyteller of first loves, heartbreaks and atonement. She's excellent at capturing the initial spark that sets off everything and taking you on that journey from the teenager years through adulthood. Say You Still Love Me is a splendid journey! 

~ Bel

Then Came You (Laws of Attraction #3) by Kate Meader

* * * * 

Content warning listed at bottom of review

In the courtroom, they’re rivals. In the bedroom, they’re . . . divorced. But could the road trip from hell lead to a second chance at love?

Aubrey Gates is the hottest divorce lawyer in Chicago, a barb-tongued stiletto with legs that go on for miles. When her cool gray eyes meet mine across the battlefield, I want her like I’ve never wanted anyone or anything. Then I remember who she is: the woman who brought me to my knees. The woman who destroyed my faith in relationships.

The woman I used to call . . . wife.

And she needs a favor from me, Grant Lincoln.

It seems my ex forgot to mention the demise of our marriage to her dear old grammie, and now we’re both expected to attend her ninetieth birthday party. In Boston. And because it isn’t already awkward enough, Aubrey and I are driving there together from Chicago. That’s more than a thousand miles of tension, heartbreak, and barely concealed lust.

A little piece of paper might say we’re over, but this road trip is the true test. I intend to get my wife back . . . and I won’t stop until “I do.”

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review



Aubrey and Grant have been divorced for some time and they're still not used to it. There's familiarity that always seems to pull them together but stops just short of reconciliation. With so much unresolved anger and hurt they'd have to sort through before they can even move forward again and possibly have a genuine friendship much less a second crack at marriage. All this matters because they seriously do still love each other. They're also both divorce lawyers who work in close proximity, and they have mutual friends so there's no avoiding each other physically as they have avoided each other emotionally during their failed marriage. In the previous books, their friends speculated about the pair's breakup but no one knew what truly transpired because Aubrey and Grant chose to keep that to themselves. The reason for their separation is heartbreaking and what happened surrounding it is just as sad. It's not exactly a twist that Meader introduces but rather she took whatever assumptions we were going with and gave us something else instead. 

The drive to Aubrey's parents' on the East Coast gives them ample time in the car to talk. Their easy banter, nostalgia and jokes would make you think all was right with the world. Yes, things get physical because lust was never really lacking between them. The emotional intimacy is trickier and that's what needs to be addressed. Meader turned things around by having Aubrey be tight-lipped, steadfastly against confiding in anyone and refusing to discuss her feelings, whereas Grant is the one who's desperate to seek advice and to hash things out. When they do finally unleash on each other, reopening those wounds that are still raw, it gets ugly before any healing or forgiveness can begin.

This is a far more sensitive read that unfortunately, a lot of people are familiar with, and Meader, I think, handled it delicately by offering a reminder that everyone processes their sorrow in their own way and time. You know, I liked both Down with Love and Illegally Yours but Then Came You got me right in the gut. As my heart sank and was wrung out through the shocking truths and brutal pain, I held on to the thought that things would right themselves. The bright spot is that this is a second chance romance with an eventual happily ever after.

~ Bel




Content Warning: divorce, miscarriage, dysfunctional family, pregnancy, marriage counseling

Fumbled (Playbook #2) by Alexa Martin

* * * *

A second chance doesn't guarantee a touchdown in this new contemporary romance from the author of Intercepted.

Single-mother Poppy Patterson moved across the country when she was sixteen and pregnant to find a new normal. After years of hard work, she's built a life she loves. It may include a job at a nightclub, weekend soccer games, and more stretch marks than she anticipated, but it's all hers, and nobody can take that away. Well, except for one person.

TK Moore, the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs, dreamt his entire life about being in the NFL. His world is football, parties, and women. Maybe at one point he thought his future would play out with his high school sweetheart by his side, but Poppy is long gone and he's moved on.  

When Poppy and TK cross paths in the most unlikely of places, emotions they've suppressed for years come rushing back. But with all the secrets they never told each other lying between them, they'll need more than a dating playbook to help them navigate their relationship.

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


Who can resist a second chance romance? Certainly not me. Poppy gets the shock of her life when she unexpectedly sees TK, her very former high school boyfriend, at her place of work. She's successfully maintained a low key existence with just herself and her son and then suddenly her past crashes into her. TK can't believe that the girl he was in love with in high school and who disappeared without a notice is now standing in front of him. It's almost surreal. The crazy thing is that they've been living in the same city for a few years now and have never run into each other. It's amazing that Poppy has managed not to freak out about that since TK is one of the most popular athletes in Denver. Now that TK knows that she's okay, he's not willing to lose her again and slowly begins to insinuate himself into her life.

This is going to be so awkward for Poppy when she finally confesses to him the real reason why she left without a word years ago. Psst...he's her baby daddy. It's not a huge secret in the story. Poppy is completely aware that she owes TK the truth so it's a matter of when and ... you can imagine how that goes. Shock. Disbelief. TK feels betrayed at first but then comes around. The rest of the story is about him and Poppy getting reacquainted with each other, getting to know his son, and settling into some kind of a routine as an instant family of three. There's a lot of baggage to unpack between them from what pushed Poppy to leave, to boundaries for TK as a sudden dad, to her unease over the risks of TK's livelihood. The last one becoming more critical as she and her son get closer to him.

Poppy was utterly enjoyable. Despite all her struggles, she has a sunny disposition though she does let the sarcasm drip quite often. She's carved out a comfortable and content life that suits her just fine. She's also resilient and it shows. TK might be a giant on the football field but off of it he's more subdued. He doesn't have an ego or an overtly macho thing going on. He's obviously still in love with Poppy and wants to convince her to give them another chance. I simply liked the two of them together. Admittedly, their reunion does have a few hiccups but it's still seems smooth overall, perhaps a little too smoothly for anyone skeptical. But Poppy is most certainly not about drama so the progression of their relationship made sense to me. I question the angelicness of the kid. Maybe it's an odd thing to remark on and don't get me wrong, sweet, angelic kids exist but it cracks me up that whether it's on tv or in books, single parents almost always seem to have amazing non-back talking, rule-following kids. Yes, I'm a mom of three and that's where I get skeptical. LOL.

The first book in the Playbook series, Intercepted was loads of fun and Fumbled is just as enjoyable and satisfying. I appreciate the interracial romance though that's not even addressed as a "thing" in the story. And talk about things working out in the end -- if ever a heroine deserved to have everything, it's our girl Poppy here.

~ Bel

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals #2.5) by Alyssa Cole

* * * * *

Alyssa Cole returns with a fun, sexy romance novella in the Reluctant Royals series!

While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy—so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.

When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Alyssa Cole's delightful Reluctant Royals series has introduced amazing women and dashing men whose lives intersect unexpectedly. It's been great to read a romance about royalty that features people of colour who are creators of opportunity in their own lives.

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy - seriously cute title, by the way - brings back Likotsi, Prince Thabiso's most valued, most trusted advisor who has been by his side for what seems like forever. When she's not busy keeping the future king in line she manages to carve out a bit of time for herself to find love as well. Thanks to a dating app, she meets Fabiola who instantly knocks her off her feet. Likotsi has no intention of seeking anything long term and Fab seems like she's up for some fun, too. She even helps Likotsi loosen up a bit but then just as quickly as they hook up it's all over, and Fab simply disappears from her life. Until one day when she reappears out of nowhere and all the passion, the bitterness, the hurt is reignited. As they spend the day together wandering around New York and tip-toeing around each other they fall into a familiar pattern. But there's no way to move forward until they address the cause of their breakup. 

Even though it's a novella it doesn't deprive Litkosi and Fab of the time to tell their story. It's a delightful read from beginning to end and Cole invokes some gorgeous imagery that just makes the two of them come alive. It also made me want to visit New York again. And did you know that the book's cover features a real-life couple? I found that out before I started it and it made me feel even more gushy about Likotsi and Fab as I was reading it. Once Ghosted, Twice Shy was the something "sweet and fun" I wanted to read about genuinely good people deserving the good things coming their way.

~ Bel

Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers #3) by Sarina Bowen

* * * 1/2

A goalie has to trust his instincts, even when taking a shot to the heart…

Mike Beacon is a champion at defending the net, but off the ice, he’s not so lucky. A widower and a single father, he’s never forgotten Lauren Williams, the ex who gave him the best year of his life. When Lauren reappears in the Bruisers office during the playoffs, Beacon sees his chance to make things right.

Lauren hates that she’s forced to travel with the team she used to work for and the man who broke her heart. There’s still undeniable sexual tension running between her and Mike, but she won’t go down that road again. She’s focused on her plans for the future—she doesn’t need a man to make her dreams of motherhood come true.

Lauren plays her best defensive game, but she’s no match for the dark-eyed goalie. When the field of play moves to Florida, things heat up on the beach.

One of Mike’s biggest fans doesn’t approve—his teenage daughter. But a true competitor knows not to waste the perfect shot at love.

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


I seriously do not know how Sarina Bowen has the time to write so many books but I'm glad she does. She's one of a few of my must-read authors; I'm so there whenever they have a new release out. 

So here I am talking about Pipe Dreams, book 3 in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. I'm predicting some burst ovaries with this one because it's a second-chance romance featuring a single dad and the woman he had to give up in order to take care of his family. There's some heartache from the past mixed in with deep desires that never went away. Give those ingredients a good shake and you have some major sexual tension vibes flowing through the pages.

Mike and Lauren are both extraordinary people for all their strength and weaknesses having been through a disastrous breakup that saw both of them come away with broken hearts and dreams. So one can understand why Lauren wants to stay the hell away from hockey, the Brooklyn office and most of all Mike, Mr. Heartbreak himself. But she's forced to be there and even the most strong-willed person in the world would have trouble facing off with him. Mike is naturally ecstatic to see her again though cautious about how the interaction will go between them. He knows he left her in pieces but he doesn't get the full picture until now when she finally throws it all at him. Yikes!

I think one of the positives of their story is that it's about perspective, the kind that you gain with distance and time apart. Having been through the worst both Lauren and Mike can look back and say what they did and didn't handle well. And this go round nothing is left unsaid. Once they get through that awkward and painful ceremony of asking for and receiving forgiveness, they can start over though with some changes.

I thought Pipe Dreams was a good read even if I was iffy about how badly Mike wanted to accelerate things with Lauren. For example, I was a bit surprised that he insinuated himself into a major decision in her life and that she initially went along with it without either of them discussing the impact of that decision on some important people in their lives. That's solely my hang up and how I read that particular situation, and to be honest I liked that it had me thinking about how I might respond in such a scenario.

There is no shortage of love for Sarina Bowen here at Bibliojunkies. We adore her and everything she does. I believe there's a fourth book in the works and frankly, I'm hoping that's Nate and Becca's story. They've been in the background this entire time and we've caught glimpses of Nate's distant pining and Becca's adorable obliviousness. I want more, and I have to know, please! Anyway, Pipe Dreams, read it and enjoy yourself!

~ Bel