Jan 25, 2024

Lucky Strike by Janine Amesta


   
 Description:

Is finding an unexpected gem a lucky strike?

After getting a late jumpstart in life, Luna Lanza isn’t afraid to get what she wants, including the place of her dreams. When she loses out on the perfect duplex and settles for a standard apartment, she’s disappointed. But Luna remains determined to make it work, even if it sparks a contentious relationship with her new landlord– the same guy she accidentally kissed in an impromptu photo shoot.

Still grieving the sudden death of his brother, reformed bad boy Sam Sunderland feels trapped managing his father’s rundown apartment building. When the spunky beauty, who unexpectedly kissed him, moves in full of ideas, he can’t help being intrigued– that is until she starts changing things behind his back, endangering his position and the relationship with his father.

Sam and Luna wrangle over rules and misunderstandings while fighting against the undeniable attraction between them. It’s a hard lesson to learn that ‘perfect’ can take many different forms. But will the renovations they do together lay a foundation to something more?


My Review:
This story was cute. I had not read anything else in this series but feel like it could be one of those stand alone books as well. I really found that Luna came off as a snob and a Miss no it all who could do no wrong. I found that she really just was so mean to those in her life and chalked it up to be "brutally Honest" person. I really liked Mia and Ross they were so sweet and had such and loving kindness to those in there lives. Sam was one of this don't judge a book by the cover because what you see is not what they are. He was a bit mysterious at first but as the book went on his true colors came out. I felt that he put up with a lot from Luna and his parents but he also loved deeply and only wanted the best for those in his life. There is sexual content in the book so it may not be suitable for all. overall it was an ok read. 

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Jan 17, 2024

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unlikely Match Jennifer Beckstrand


   
 Description:
Filled with her trademark humor and relatable characters, award-winning author Jennifer Beckstrand's blends quilting, matchmaking, and a close-knit Colorado community in her newest Amish Quiltmaker novel, as independent-minded quilter Esther Kiem sets her sights on an unusual match between the shyest Yoder sister and a professional baseball player…

Perfect for fans of Charlotte Hubbard, Wanda Brunstetter, and Linda Byler.


Though Mary Yoder longs to marry someday, she finds caring for her community’s injured and sick is much easier than courting. But when Englischer Clay Markham crashes his car nearby, Mary’s nursing shows her his hidden wounds are more painful than his injuries. Though she’s irresistibly drawn to his kind nature, can she risk letting him into her heart?

On the run from his troubled past, ex-pro baseball player Clay can’t believe the quiet sanctuary he’s found under Mary’s care. Her gentle faith and knowledge are somehow giving him hope he can change his life—and offer her the love she truly deserves. But when his secrets catch up with him, can he and Mary find the courage to face the truth, set things to rights . . . and make way for a future together?

My Review:
I really liked Mary she was this spit fire and she really was reserved but had an amazing group of friends and family that had her back and would help her with anything. She also knew when to fight for what was right. I was not a real big fan of Clay I felt he tried to be the martyr the whole story and after a while he just became annoying. I LOVED Cathy she hands down made this book, she had me laughing and also gasping at things that was coming out of her mouth, you defiantly knew where you stood with her for sure. I also loved Mary's sister's they were so fun. Overall this was a fun read and a clean read, however there are some very tough topics discussed so may not be suitable for all readers. 

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Jan 10, 2024

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble



   Description:

There’s only one thing more dangerous than family secrets.

Since her police-officer husband Eric’s mysterious murder, Carly Harris has been struggling to support herself and their infant son. Her career as an antique dealer isn’t sustainable, nor is her dream of becoming a novelist. So when her grandmother proposes she and her two sisters restore the family’s large Beaufort home and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she immediately gets to work clearing out the house. In the process, she uncovers a family secret that Eric kept hidden. And an heirloom that the wrong person wouldn’t hesitate to kill for.

Homicide detective Lucas Bennett isn’t his neighbor’s biggest fan, not since she broke his brother’s heart years ago. But when Carly turns to Lucas for help, believing she’s found a lost FabergĂ© egg that would be worth millions and that could put her family’s lives in danger, he can’t help but get involved. Soon, they’re entangled in a mystery with threads that lead all the way to the Russian mafia. Lucas has gotten in deep, and while he trusts his ability to keep Carly and her family safe, he begins to realize he’s vulnerable to an unexpected kind of danger. And he’s helpless to stop the freefall. As they continue working closely together, Carly and Lucas realize they may have found something more precious than gold. Yet it’s only a matter of time before Carly—or, worse, someone she loves—gets hurt.


My Review:
I could not put this book down, it was so good and literally had me on the edge waiting to see what was going to happen next. There was one person in the end that I so wanted to know what happened with her, so to be honest it left me wanting so much more from this family. I loved Mary and Carly they had the biggest hearts and really wanted what was best for everyone. This family was small but very mighty. Lucas was so judgey at the beginning however you can see throughout the book what he was that way and how he works through it and you really get to see a side of a character truly grow. His relationship with his brother was so close and they really were there for each other no matter what. The mystery behind the story was so fun and will keep you guessing from the very start. Overall this book was well worth the read and I could not put it down. 

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Jan 4, 2024

Love, Just In Natalie Murray


    
 Description:
Sydney TV news reporter Josie Larsen is approaching thirty and coming dangerously close to failing at life. Lost in a vortex of other people's career milestones, engagement parties and baby showers, Josie is perennially single, abandoned by her globetrotting family, and invisible to her boss - except for the one time he tuned in while she was mid-panic-attack on live TV. As punishment, Josie is shipped off to cover another reporter's six-month leave at a regional bureau in Newcastle. 

But Josie has more waiting for her in Newcastle than yawn-inducing stories about bicycle lane protests. The city is also the domain of Zac Jameson – her best friend since high school. This should be a happy turn of events, but Zac has barely spoken to Josie for the past two years. Not since a tragic event caused him to leave Sydney to try and cope with his grief. 

Now thrown back into each other's lives, Josie and Zac have to navigate their neglected friendship and secret attraction to each other while struggling with their careers and mental health. 

My Review:
This book was not for me. I will start off saying I have never read anything by this author so I was excited to check this book out. However the way the story was told was just to much, There are 44 chapters and and Epilogue in the book every other chapter is in the past it jumps around I found this to be distracting not always easy to keep up with, and yes the chapters are labeled but still found this too be annoying. I wish the author would have either picked the past or the present but not try and squeeze both into the story this way. For grown adult I found Josie acting like a young girl in high school or early college years. I found Zac standoffish and just overall annoyed at Josie no matter what she did for most of the story. The story is told from Josie's point of view. Overall like I stated this book was not for me and I really struggled with even finishing it. 

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Double Take Lynette Eason


    
 Description:
Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason will leave you breathless with this fast-paced first book in a brand-new series.

My Review:
I could not put this book down there where so many twist and turns I wasn't sure what was going to happen next. While some of the story was calm/slow pace even in this moments made you wonder who was after Lainie. I liked Lainie even though with her family she was a "push over", I feel like we all have those moment so it made her very relatable. James was very reserved but the author made who so relatable as well. I will say I want to know more about Cole he was so active in this book it leaves you wanting more from him. Overall this book was a great read and the author kept it clean so suitable for all those suspense readers out there. 

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While at your favorite bookstore/website check out Lynette's other books, You will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.