Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Sunday, April 12, 2026

My Review for The Lily Garden by Barbara Josselsohn

April 12, 2026  , , ,  No comments



“Inside was a message in her dad's handwriting.” 💌

The Lily Garden was April's read for #kindlecrushchallenge 📚 and a book that had been sitting on my Kindle for almost five years! This was the first Barbara Josselsohn novel I’ve read, and I loved it from beginning to end. ❤️

We spend the majority of the book in the small town of Lake Summers—a place where, almost thirty years ago, Caroline lost her parents. 💔 She left a few years later and never returned… until now. ✨ The story had everything I adore in a book: a close-knit community, 🏡 cosy spots to grab a coffee, ☕ a great food place serving delicious, mouthwatering dishes, 🍽️ and of course, a cute love interest. 💕 Throw a garden into the mix 🌸 and I’m all in!

I really liked how Caroline’s daughter, Lee, consistently knew what she wanted throughout the book and stuck to her guns. 💪 Yes, other people tried to force their opinions on her, but in the end, her dreams shone through. ✨ Maxine and Gull are great characters too—full of wit and warmth. 🫶 They seemingly hold the town together, and I’d love to visit their grill and try their chicken riggies. 🍝 I have no idea what they are, but they sound amazing! 😄

I’ve added the other books in this series to my TBR, 📖 and although this is the third one, I don’t think it matters. I’ll definitely be checking out the others at some point. 👀

A very belated thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review The Lily Garden by Barbara Josselsohn. 🙏

About the Book

She held the letter that she had found in the garden, and noticed the distinctive curls of her father’s handwriting etched on the worn paper. Her life had already been turned upside down by one family secret, would his last words force her to leave her childhood home forever?

When Caroline left Lake Summers thirty years ago, she thought she’d never go back to the place where she lost her parents. But when she finds out that the town’s lily garden lovingly built by her mother is going to be destroyed, she knows fate is calling. Dropping everything at her office in Chicago, she knows she is the only person who can save the garden.

Caroline and her daughter Lee are welcomed home by the warm smile of her mother’s best friend Maxine, and piles of pancakes at her cozy little restaurant in town. And Caroline soon learns that she isn’t the only person invested in saving her mother’s legacy, when she meets handsome historian Aaron . As she gets to know him, strolling along the sparkling lakeshore, she can’t imagine anywhere else she’d rather be.

But then Caroline learns a terrible secret about the day her mother died. And soon the real reason Aaron is in Lake Summers comes to light. Will the truth about the people she loves force her to give up a future with Aaron, and the beautiful town that has always been in her heart?



About Barbara

Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling author known for her captivating contemporary and historical novels, including her latest, The Forgotten Italian Island. This sweeping, multigenerational story delves into the lives of two women bound by a fateful mistake made one night during the Nazi occupation of northern and central Italy. It is a follow-up to her two previous World War II novels, Secrets of the Italian Island and The Lost Gift to the Italian Island. Barbara’s work is marked by richly developed characters, intricate emotional landscapes, and immersive settings that transport readers to the heart of each story.


With a talent for blending history and human drama, Barbara’s novels explore complex themes of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of secrets. Her storytelling often spans generations, drawing readers into a tapestry of personal and historical struggles. Known for her lush descriptions and evocative prose, Barbara has garnered praise for her ability to bring history to life while crafting deeply emotional, character-driven narratives.

Her books resonate with readers who appreciate stories that combine rich details with powerful personal journeys. Currently, Barbara is working on a new World War II novel set in the mountains of southern France.

In addition to her writing career, Barbara teaches novel writing at Sarah Lawrence College and other prestigious venues. When not writing, Barbara enjoys ballet, yoga, reading, and relaxing on the beach. She loves spending time with her family, which includes her beloved rescue pup, Albie.



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Monday, April 6, 2026

My Review for Falling for Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton

April 06, 2026  , , ,  No comments



“...this place has a way of encircling your heart, cocooning you in its warm embrace so that you never want to let go. Of it, or the way it makes you feel.”

Falling for Polkerran Point was published in October 2025, and I’ve been putting off reading it. Why? Because it’s the final book in the series. I wasn’t (and I’m still not) ready to say goodbye to Cleggie and old Mrs Lovelace. I adore Mrs Lovelace’s mispronunciations—they’re hilarious, and I always enjoy the chuckles she brings as the story goes on.

This book follows Ellie and Will in a second-chance romance, full of friendship, community spirit, and oodles of love. The lovely Anna is still there too, making everyone feel welcome around her kitchen table every single morning with coffee and homemade cakes—far too sociable for me, though maybe I could manage it occasionally!

I’ve loved all the books in this series, and it’s definitely one I’d read again—high praise indeed. Please, Cass, I hope you have another equally unforgettable series waiting in the wings, because I’ll be right here ready to read it!

About the Book

Will she get a new start with an old love?
Ellie Arbon thought she left Polkerran Point behind her, for good. But when her cousin Nicki needs her help, Ellie has no choice but to return.

The cove stirs up memories Ellie would rather forget. Will Farmer left her years ago to pursue an acting career, and now he's back.

Handsome and famous, Ellie is sure he's all but forgotten her. Every encounter they have suggests otherwise there's an undeniable spark between them and old feelings return once more.

Ellie must decide whether she wants to fight for a future together, or whether Will is - and will always be - the one who got away.


About Cass - by Cass

I began my writing life in Regency England, enlisted Jane Austen's help to timetravel between then and the present day and am now happily ensconced in 21st century Cornwall.

Well, in my imagination and soul; my heart and physical presence reside in northern England with my ever-patient husband and Tig and Tag, our cute but exceptionally demanding moggies.

A bit of a nomad, I’ve called three countries home, as well as six different English counties, but my aspiration is to one day reunite with my beloved West Country.

In the meantime, I write feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and, in doing so, manage to live there vicariously through my characters and settings.




























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Thursday, March 19, 2026

My Review for Shaedes of War by Jenny Grimes

March 19, 2026  , , , ,  No comments



“You turned a dark magic spell into a field full of flowers?” 🌸✨

Shaedes of War is the fourth book in the series and such a fun read! It starts a little slow, but the intensity really builds as you go. 🔥 The trials gave me Hunger Games meets Triwizard Tournament vibes, and I loved them—especially the last one. 👀💥

Edmyn and Markis bring such a great contrast to the purity of the Shaedes, and their love for their mates is intense .❤️‍🔥 And wow… the spice in this one 🌶️🔥 let’s just say… toe-curling and mind-spinning. 😮‍💨

Oh—and Collin.🥹 You will fall in love with him. Such a sweet kid who just wants to protect the realm and become fae… but will they let him? 👀✨

As with the other books, I loved discovering the different Shaedes and their powers. Honestly, I’d take a bit of each… plus a dragon 🐉 (her name would be Cora. 💁‍♀️)

Thank you so much to Jenny Grimes for including me on her ARC team. 💖📚

About the Book

With everything to gain and even more to lose, will their love survive?

An ancient prophecy threatens everything Opal and the others believe about the future of the Seam, while new adversaries sow fresh hate in a court susceptible to unrest. To prevent bloodshed and a war built on terror, Dru sacrifices herself as the prize in a set of harrowing marriage trials, jeopardizing her chance to find happiness in the arms of a certain handsome dark lord.

When the pressure is on, the battle lines are drawn, and new faces at court bring more questions than answers, Opal and her friends won’t stop fighting for what is right—even if the result is a terminally broken heart.

The stakes are at their highest and so is the heat between characters who are living each day as if it is their last. Join the Shaedes on this final epic adventure full of spice, magic, longing—and hope. True colors will shine, and all truths will eventually be brought into the light.


About Jenny

Jenny Grimes writes fantasy romance novels that focus on the blurred lines between worlds, the darkness you’ll find in all of them, and the love that resides there too. She creates her characters and spins her stories from her home in the human realm, where she raises her three little book dragons with her husband, and spends a healthy amount of time reading, travelling, and creating art.


















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Sunday, March 1, 2026

My Review for The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin

March 01, 2026  , , , ,  No comments



“It's accepting the value of things – an old pot, an old person – and understanding that those things have wisdom, that they have seen things. They have value in being.”

The Little Teashop in Tokyo has been on my shelf for a couple of years after I found it in a charity shop one day. It was February’s choice for #thatbonkersbookclub, so I finally had the opportunity to dust it off (literally) and dive into cherry blossom season in Japan.

It was a quick, cute read, and I loved hanging out with Fiona as she enjoyed her prize-winning trip to Japan. The family she stays with are instantly loveable characters, and I found it fascinating to discover their way of life — the simplicity of their home and the warm welcome Fiona receives the moment she steps over the threshold.

I was intrigued by the many tourist spots that Fiona and her mentor, Gabe, visited. I’m not sure whether I’ll ever visit Japan, but if I do, I’d definitely want to go during cherry blossom season!

About the Book

Grab your passport and escape to the land of dazzling skycrapers, steaming bowls of comforting noodles, and a page-turning love story that will make you swoon!

For travel blogger Fiona, Japan has always been top of her bucket list so when she wins an all-expenses paid trip, it looks like her dreams of the Far East are coming true.

Until she arrives in vibrant, neon-drenched Tokyo and comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart ten years ago, gorgeous photographer Gabe.

Fiona can’t help but remember the heartache of their last meeting but it’s not long before the Japanese art of contentment and a special, traditional tea ceremony work their magic…

Amidst the temples and clouds of soft pink cherry blossoms, Fiona and Gabe start to see life – and each other – differently.

About Julie

Julie Caplin also writes contemporary romance as Jules Wake. 

Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. She’s on a constant hunt for the perfect gin and is obsessively picky about glasses, tonic and garnishes. Between regular gin tastings, she’s been writing her debut novel which is set in just one of the many cities she’s explored over the years.

Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the trilogy, The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, The Little Brooklyn Bakery and the The Little Paris Patisserie.




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Friday, February 27, 2026

My Review for There's Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson, read by Eric Lockley and Khaya Fraites

February 27, 2026  , , ,  No comments



“I swear this airline reminds me of The Flintstones. I'm surprised the floor doesn't open up and we land the plane using our feet.” 😂✈️

Told over the space of twenty-four hours, There’s Always Next Year was a fun listen, alternating between Dominique and his cousin Andy, who, although from the same small town in Indiana, have been living very different lives for the past two years. The story was engaging, with multiple plot threads culminating in a finale in the town square on New Year’s Day, when everything comes together. 🎆

I enjoyed the focus on the attempted redevelopment of the town, alongside Dominique and Andy’s relationship mishaps, as they navigated a chaotic New Year’s Day with some wonderfully crazy characters thrown into the mix. 🤪🏙️

Eric Lockley and Khaya Fraites, as Dominique and Andy respectively, were excellent narrators, drawing me into the manic, rushing-around-town madness that provides the backdrop for most of the story. 🎧✨ Although a Young Adult novel, this could easily be enjoyed by adults and teens alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review There’s Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson.

About the Book

Andy was supposed to shed her too-serious student journalist persona and reinvent herself on New Year's Eve. Instead, she puked on her crush, dropped her phone in a fish tank, and managed to get her car stolen. Now, she only has the first day of the year to stop the gentrification that’s threatening her family’s business right her wrongs from the night before, and figure out why she feels so drawn to the electric new-girl-next-door. . How can Andy find her voice when everything’s being turned upside down?

Dominique is an influencer on the verge of securing a major brand deal that will ensure his future and family legacy. But when he runs into his former best friend, unresolved feelings emerge -- and in a small town, there's nowhere to hide. Not from his cousin, Andy, who has always seen him for his true self, not from his busybody manager, Kim, whose favorite color is money green, and certainly not from himself. When all the world’s a stage, can Dominique rise to superstardom without leaving the ones he loves behind?

There’s Always Next Year is a dual POV, double love story about what it means to nearly blow your life up, and race to put it back together before your time runs out. And if they fail? Well, there’s always next year.


About George

George M Johnson is an Award-Winning Black Non-Binary Writer, Author, and Executive Producer located in the LA area. They are the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Young Adult memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue discussing their adolescence growing up as a young Black Queer boy in New Jersey through a series of powerful essays. The book was optioned for Television by Gabrielle Union in 2020, and as of 2024 is the #1 most banned and challenged book in the United States.

In 2018, George served as a NY State Spokesperson for the HIV stops with me Campaign. George was listed on The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020. The Out 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People in 2021. And in 2022 was honored as one of the TIME100 Next Most Influential People in the World for their fight against censorship in the United States.

In 2021 they wrote and Executive Produced the Dramatic Reading of All Boys Aren’t Blue starring Jenifer Lewis and Dyllon Burnside which received a 2022 Special Recognition Award from GLAAD, and a 2023 Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Daytime Special. 

As a former journalist, George has written for over 50 major outlets including Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, and Buzzfeed and Huffpost. In 2019 George was awarded the Salute to Excellence Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for their article “When Racism Anchors your Health” in Vice Magazine.

Their second memoir WE ARE NOT BROKEN was released in September of 2021. It received the Carter G. Woodson Award which recognizes books that “accurately and sensitively depict the experience of one or more historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States”. The book also received the Nonfiction Honor Book in the YA category from the International Literacy Association.

Their third book Flamboyants the Queer Harlem Renaissance I wish I’d Known was released in September of 2024. It was an instant Indie Bestseller, receiving 5 starred reviews and an Audie Award Nomination for best Audiobook for Young Adults.

Their first fiction book co-written with bestselling author Leah Johnson, THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR was released December 2025, receiving a Starred Review from Booklist and is a Good Morning America Young Adult Book Club pick.

George is also a proud HBCU alum twice over, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.




About Leah

Leah Johnson (she/her) is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults. Her bestselling debut YA novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, was a Stonewall Honor Book, the inaugural Reese's Book Club YA pick, and named one of TIME magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. She is also the author of the Lambda Literary Award finalist, Ellie Engle Saves Herself, the editor of the USA Today bestselling middle grade anthology, Black Girl Power, and the co-author of the Good Morning America YA Book Club pick, There’s Always Next Year with George M. Johnson. When she’s not writing, you can find her at Loudmouth Books, her Indianapolis-based independent bookstore that specializes in highlighting the work of marginalized authors and uplifting banned or challenged books.



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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

My Review for This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page

February 11, 2026  , , , ,  No comments



"Sometimes life calls for a pillow fort. And sometimes you just have to build that fort yourself." 🏰✨

Libby! Why am I only now just discovering you?! 📚💛 It's only February, and I think I've already found the book that is going to be in my Top Ten for 2026. This book is incredible — it made me cry proper tears 😭 (and books rarely do that to me). It's so sad, but so heartfelt, and most of all it's full of hope and promise. Hope that there will be happiness following grief, and the promise that you just need to give yourself time and allow other people to care for you. 🤍

I adored reading about Tilly and how she fell in love with reading again 📖, something she hadn't been able to do since before her beloved husband Joe passed away. It was such a gorgeous memory to have — a book from Joe for every month of a whole year 🗓️💌. Oh, and some of those books took her out of her comfort zone and pushed her to do things she would never have dreamed of doing before. 🌊✨

I will definitely be reading Libby's previous books (watch this space!) 👀📚, and I'm putting them on my wishlist (I hope my Mum is reading this!) 🎁😉

Thank you to Penguin UK and Viking Books for the gifted copy of This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page. 🤍

About the Book

Twelve stories. Twelve months. Once chance to heal her heart...

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her fiancé waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly because Joe died five months ago…

The gift is simple – twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

Tilly sets out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to vlog her journey, her story becomes more than her own. With help from Alfie, the bookshop owner, her budding new following and her friends and family, can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again?



About Libby

Libby Page is the Sunday Times bestselling author of six novels: The Lido, The 24-Hour Café, The Island Home, The Vintage Shop, The Lifeline and This Book Made Me Think of You.

She is also a writing coach at The Novelry, where she mentors writers through the process of writing their own novels.

Before writing The Lido she worked as a journalist and in marketing. She lives in Somerset with her husband and young son.





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Tuesday, January 27, 2026

My Review for Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London

January 27, 2026  , , , ,  No comments


"...family isn't just blood, it's the people you choose to bring into your life."

I’ve joined a few challenges this year, and one of them is the #kindlecrushchallenge which is being run by @hook.me.a.book 📖✨ The aim of this challenge is to finally read some of those books that have been sitting on your Kindle forever.

So, I started off with Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London 💕, which has been on my Kindle since 2021—and I’m ashamed to say it was also an ARC. 😬 I really have no excuse other than life getting in the way and new books constantly being added to the pile. 📚

Anyway, I’m here now and I’ve finally read it… and I really enjoyed it 🥰. We’re in the small town of Forever Falls 🏡, where Monroe is stuck in a rut and Ethan drops into town in an attempt to discover the truth about his father. In doing so, he also drops straight into Monroe’s life. 💫

The story is full of friendship, romance, family, and self-discovery 💖—everything that small-town life brings, including nosy residents who seem to know things before they even happen! 👀😂 It’s very much a feel-good story, and I can promise it will leave you feeling warm and happy by the end. ☕✨

A very belated thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing 🙏 for the opportunity to read and review Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London. 📘💕

About the Book

What happens when two people who’ve given up on forever find it in each other…?

Single men are as scarce in Forever Falls as a vegetarian at a barbecue. That is, until Ethan Hammersmith moves in. After his fiancée gave him an ultimatum, he left Australia and never looked back. He isn’t in America to find a new girlfriend, though. He’s searching for the father he never knew. But now it’s like he has a flashing sign above his head that says “available.” Thankfully, the manager of the local diner is willing to give him cover—if only she weren’t so distractingly adorable.

Monroe Roberts, town misanthrope and divorcée, knocked “forever” permanently off her wish list ever since the love of her life skipped town with the cliché yoga instructor. And good riddance. She’s got this struggling diner to keep her busy, trying anything to boost sales…until a hot Australian strolls in and changes everything. Monroe’s restaurant is packed full of women who aren’t there to order food, unless Ethan is on the menu. This could sink her business faster than ever. So—light bulb—what if they pretend to be together?

It sounds like the perfect plan. Until they realize there is some very real chemistry in this fake relationship. But is it enough to heal two hearts that have been so deeply wounded?


About Stefanie

Stefanie London is a multi-award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedies, cozy mysteries and pulse-pounding thrillers.

Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.

Originally from Australia, Stefanie lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.



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Wednesday, January 21, 2026

My Review for Tomorrow Starts Today by Jessica Redland

January 21, 2026  , , ,  No comments



‘I want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of.’ ✨

I don’t know what it says about me, but when I read a book like this—filled with village life, crafting clubs, 🧶 eating cake,  and drinking tea ☕ —I want to be right there in the heart of it all  This is despite the fact that I don’t particularly like “real people” and very much enjoy my own company!

Jessica has the knack of enveloping you in whatever world she’s writing about, and Tomorrow Starts Today is no exception. 💛 I totally wanted to join Yvonne’s crafting club, chat to Trevor the parrot 🦜, and go for long walks around the Lakes, 🚶‍♀️🌿 what an idyllic part of England to live in!

I loved the second-chance romance 💕, the friendships, 🤝 and the new challenges this book brought. It’s full of hope and optimism, and the reassurance that there is a brighter future out there for all of us. 🌈

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Tomorrow Starts Today by Jessica Redland. 📚

About the Book

It's never too late to find yourself... 💫

When she unexpectedly loses her husband, Yvonne Kellerman's world turns quiet and grey. Five years on, her days are filled with the gentle chatter of her loyal parrot, Trevor, and the comfort of her crafting table—but she can’t shake the feeling that life is slipping her by and Yvonne feels lost and lonelier than ever.

When she joins the local crafting club at Willowdale Village Hall, Yvonne expects nothing more than a few afternoons of sewing. Instead, amongst the other local crafters, she discovers friendship, laughter and a renewed appreciation for her gorgeous Lake District home. It’s a reminder that she isn’t alone and, with each new stitch, her confidence returns, and so does her belief that it's never too late for fresh starts and new beginnings.

When a familiar face from her past reappears, Yvonne finds herself standing at a will she protect her heart, or embrace the chance to love—and truly live—again?


About Jessica - by Jessica

I write uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in stunning Yorkshire. My Whitsborough Bay books take readers/listeners to the North Yorkshire Coast and my Hedgehog Hollow books transport them deep into the countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

My books are about real people living real lives. You'll find plenty of warm and fuzzy moments between the pages but you may occasionally find yourself tearing up and reaching for the tissues. I love my characters so, no matter how tough the going gets, I make sure they get their happy ending. Of course, with a series, it may take a few books to fully get there!

My favourite subject at school was English and I always loved the aspects of my day job in HR which involved writing but I never considered writing a novel until my manager told me that my business reports read more like stories and joked that I should write a book. As soon as a plot idea presented itself, that’s exactly what I did.

















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Sunday, December 14, 2025

My Review for Fake It 'Til You Sleigh It by MeLisa Ryun, read by Luke Persiani and Audrey Obeyn

December 14, 2025  , , , ,  No comments



"Say the lines as written or I swear I will write your character as a dickless mute monk."

This book has a pet alligator called Bubbles, so honestly, I was already in! Add Ethan with his awesome, loving Floridian family and Chase, who’s all attitude with some very real confidence issues underneath, and I was hooked.

Fake It ’Til You Sleigh It is hot, spicy, and funny, with a fake dating set-up that works really well. I will say, Christmas in the sun just doesn’t feel right to me — I want to be wrapped in a million layers on Christmas Day, not wearing a bikini on the beach — but I still had a great time with this one.

I really enjoyed watching Chase and Ethan take on their challenge to gain new subscribers for the TV channel they both work for, especially the clever (and sometimes ridiculous) ideas they come up with. It was a great listen overall, and the narrators did an excellent job bringing both characters to life.

Thank you to MeLisa Ryun and Literary Media Tours for the opportunity to listen to and review Fake It 'Til You Sleigh It.

About the Book

Rule #1 of Never fall for your lead actor.

Rule #2: See rule #1.

I’m Chase, director of Christmas movies and master of self-control… until now. My latest film is about to flop hard. With my career hanging by a thread, I’m forced to fake-date my lead actor Ethan “Walking Temptation” Barrett.

Cue a Florida holiday “vacation” with his oddball family — complete with a pet alligator. Between Ethan’s perpetual shirtlessness and us sharing one bed, my ice-queen reputation is melting faster than a frozen margarita on the beach.

His touch sets me on fire and suddenly, I'm forgetting all my rules.

I'm Ethan, rom-com heartthrob with a reputation. Fake-dating my uptight director? Not exactly on my Christmas list. But if this doesn’t work, my holiday acting career is over. If we fail, I lose everything. If we succeed… I might lose even more.


About MeLisa by MeLisa

MéLisa Ryun is our pen name, and we’re a husband-wife duo who’ve been finishing each other’s sentences (and steamy scenes) for nearly 30 years. We left the glitz of Hollywood for the glitter of Vegas. Despite calling Sin City home, we say what happens in Vegas should definitely not stay in Vegas—not when it comes to our scorching hot romcoms.

We spend our days in a death match of yoga and joke-writing. It’s like we’re competing in a bizarre reality show where the winner gets to avoid stepping outside into Satan’s armpit. We used to write for Hollywood and YouTube. Now we write books and social media posts. It’s basically the same thing, except now our audience can read 😂 Maybe we’ll trauma dump about our life in LA in a book someday. Or maybe we’ll just keep writing about fictional people with better lives than ours.

We write steamy open-door romcoms that’ll make your grandma blush and your girlfriends wink knowingly. Our characters? So real you’ll swear they’ve been eavesdropping on your life, with banter as finely honed as a cover model’s abs and sparks that’ll melt your e-reader. Our mission? To write sizzling chemistry, door-kicking-open steam, and enough beloved tropes to complete a Pinterest board. And the best part? Guaranteed satisfying happily ever after, every time.




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My Review for Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, read by Karissa Vacker and Will Watt

December 14, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


“Sometimes bridges aren’t meant to be rebuilt.”

Good Spirits was December's pick for #thatindiebookclub, and since I already had it on my Libro FM shelf, I decided to listen 🎧.

I loved it! Going in with zero expectations, I was completely blown away 😍. It's cute, ghostly 👻, magical ✨, and fun 🎄. I was so proud of Harriet as she finally stands up to her family. Nolan gives her the confidence to do so, and in return, she has a huge, positive effect on him 💛.

The narrators were fantastic—especially Nolan! I’m a sucker for an Irish accent 🇮🇪, and it made his character even more charming and enjoyable to listen to.

December seems to be my month for reading books featuring the undead 🧟‍♂️—but in a cutesy, romantic way 💕. Listening to Good Spirits gave me cosy, “relaxing by the fire under a warm blanket” vibes 🔥🛋️, especially with the rain 🌧️ (yes, more likely in the UK than snow ❄️) falling outside.

If you’re into fun, romantic Christmas stories with lots of ghostly magic ✨👻, join the party and grab a copy!

Thank you to Avon Books and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review Good Spirits by B.K. Borison.

About the Book

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

Filled with magic, mayhem, and cozy holiday charm


About B.K. Borison

New York Times, Sunday Times, and USA Today Bestselling author B.K. Borison is the author of cozy, contemporary romances featuring emotionally vulnerable characters and swoon-worthy settings. When she’s not daydreaming about fictional characters doing fictional things, she’s at home with her family, more than likely buying books she doesn’t have room for.




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Monday, December 8, 2025

My Review for A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

December 08, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


“I have tickets to the Nutcracker. Expensive tickets.” 

A Ferry Merry Christmas was my first venture into Debbie Macomber’s books, and off we trotted to Seattle for a ferry ride across the Puget Sound. The entire story unfolds over just a few hours, as we follow the passengers aboard a rather dodgy ferry ⛴️ that decides to break down mid-journey. 😬

Avery, Harrison, Virginia, James, Beth, Logan, and Olivia are our main characters, all stranded together. And in just a short space of time, each of their lives is going to change—naturally, for the better. 💛

I love how their stories intertwine, how Debbie weaves her Christmas 🎅🏼magic throughout the ferry, and how joy, forgiveness, understanding, and love ripple through every chapter. 💫

If you’re after a cute, Christmassy 🎁 read that will leave you smiling, definitely pick up a copy of this one. 😊

Thank you to Sphere, Little, Brown Book Group, and Hachette UK for the gifted copy of A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber. 📚✨🎀

About the Book

When the holidays don't go to plan, can love chart a new course?

Avery and Reed Bond might drive each other up the wall, but as siblings, they've always had each other's backs - through every triumph, every heartache, and every ill-advised attempt at matchmaking.

This Christmas is their first without their beloved Gram, the woman who raised them and made the season magical. Determined to honour her memory, they plan a holiday escape together. But when their ferry breaks down mid-journey, the festive spirit is in short supply.

Then Avery strikes up an unexpected connection with a dashing sailor who reminds her what magic really feels like. And Reed finds himself seeing his workmate in a whole new - and very unexpected - way.

As the snow falls and the Christmas lights twinkle, the Bond siblings discover that life has a funny way of surprising you. So, could a holiday hiccup turn into the season that changes everything?


About Debbie

Debbie Macomber is a renowned #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most cherished writers, with over 200 million copies of her books sold globally. Her novels beautifully depict meaningful relationships, celebrating family bonds and enduring friendships, and inspire readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s works have collectively remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 1,000 weeks, with fifteen titles reaching the top spot.

In addition to her captivating fiction, Macomber has authored bestselling cookbooks, adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction titles, and beloved children’s books. Known as “the official storyteller of Christmas,” her annual holiday tales are adored by fans, many of which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove series which was adapted into the Hallmark Channel’s first dramatic scripted television series, enjoying a popular three-season run.

Debbie and her husband Wayne are dedicated parents, grandparents, and recently great-grandparents. They reside in the Pacific Northwest—the charming area that inspired many of her books.



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