Book Review: A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #2) by Kath Richards

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Mafia Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Kath Richards
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since she was a girl, Vanessa Morelli has trained for two titles: CEO of Morelli Construction, and more importantly, head of the Morelli Crime Family. So far, it’s going well; business is booming, and the city’s criminals fear and respect her. Or at least she thought they did, before shipments start disappearing, construction sites blow up, and—most annoying of all—the older women lay on the pressure for her to marry and make an heir.

When an ill-advised date with her Godson’s math teacher goes horribly wrong, she brings him under her protection while she figures out who’s sabotaging her operation.

Nate, the goofy, dog-owning teacher, wants nothing to do with her after learning that she’s the queen of organized crime in the city. But when the choice is life or death, he chooses to accept her help and move in for the summer. Bored out of his mind, though, Nate offers his services on the hunt for a suitable husband, interviewing every eligible mafioso in Massachusetts.

But when more sparks begin to fly between her and Nate instead of her and her suitors… she starts to wonder. Can they work and live together, without falling for each other along the way?

WHAT FUN.

I have always wanted to be a mafia romance girlie but I have a hard time finding ones that aren’t too dark (or way too spicy) and I feel like this was a good balance! The spice was still a bit much for me but overall I had an incredibly fun time with the “rom-com” vibes of this book.

I loved that Vanessa was the head of the crime family and her tenacity towards keeping herself at the top and protecting her family too. And I kind of absolutely loved that Nate was the one on the outside who had to learn all of the workings of Vanessa’s life and slowly leaned in and worked to be in Vanessa’s life.

It’s flirty and feels a little forbidden. There’s great family dynamics and relationships too. I LOVED that the audiobook was dual narration and will be back for book two!

Overall audience notes:

  • Mafia Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, weapons violence, physical violence

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: A Lass Beloved (The Earls of Cairnfell #2) by Nichole Van

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 310 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Florenza Publishing
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lord Matthias Kinsey lives under an unlucky star. Born without a right hand, he once spent a Season in London and vowed never to endure such humiliation again. But after years of living as a semi-recluse, Lord Matthias has grown tired of merely enduring life. In a bid for change, he lets a castle deep in the Highlands.

Cecily Armstrong once had everything a young lady could desire—social position, wealth, . . . a husband. But life hasn’t gone as she expected. Widowed and penniless, she now must work for her bread.

When Lord Matthias arrives at his new home, he instantly recognizes his new housekeeper as Miss Cecily Moulton, the reigning beauty from his brief time in London. Didn’t she marry some English lord years ago? What has happened to exile her to poverty and a life in service?

As Mathias takes tentative steps to build a life for himself, Cecily must decide if she has the courage to reclaim her own. Perhaps, together, they can even help each other find happiness. The one thing they can’t do is fall in love. Because a gentleman does not—under any circumstances—court his housekeeper.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

HOW DO I CONVEY.

Oh my love for Nichole Van and her romance stories. Every one is a delectable, swoony journey. I adored both of these characters so much and I looove getting dual POV in romances. It really can bring a story to the next level.

I loved the intimacy between Matthias and Cecily. That man is SO DOWN BAD. And it is the sweetest kind of protective love. They banter and push each other outside of comfort zones and watching the walls crumble is EVERYTHING. I’m just obsessed with the personal character grown for both Cecily and Matthias.

Add on top some well placed danger/suspenseful moments and this one was easy to eat up. They had that genuine chemistry from the get go. And I ended up really loving how the ending all came together. Goodness gracious Van’s books NEVER GET OLD.

Also, as a side note, I am already chomping at the bit to get my hands on the next two stories.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild-moderate
  • Content warnings: spousal abuse (recounted, moments of PTSD), ableism, stalking

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Danica Nava
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, author of The Truth According to Ember.

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.

Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.

It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

I was a wee bit hesitant to pick this one up but Y’ALL. REDEMPTION. I will absolutely be continuing to read Danica Nava books. I loved the fish out of water trope in this one. And celebrity?? Who am I reading so many celebrity romances recently??

I loved seeing Avery discover herself and her roots and all the things in between. She genuinely wanted to learn and I felt all the emotions on her journey. The impact of our own mistakes and how we can progress after those.

And the romance was good! I think I would have liked a little more *something* from them, but the heat and true slow burn nature was so nice to read (and he’s a cowboy so…..). The chemistry and tension between them was just right.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: one open door; 1-2 almost scenes
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: toxic parents, racism, addiction, loss of family members

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Chelsea Curto
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: July 14th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From USA Today bestselling indie author Chelsea Curto comes an academic rivals-to-lovers romance about storm-chasing meteorologists during hurricane season in Florida—perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and B.K. Borison.

Nothing can rain on Quincy Monroe’s parade. She’s a woman-in-STEM with a PhD in atmospheric sciences, the host of a successful online weather show, and has one million followers on her meteorology Instagram.

Quincy has spent endless hours forging her path in this male-dominated field, becoming one of the best in the industry. And with a new job opportunity, nothing can derail her success. Except for the ill-timed arrival of Sebastian Dunn.

Sebastian is her best friend’s brother, her long-suffering academic and professional rival, and a flashy TV weatherman from New York City that everyone swoons over. Everyone but Quincy.

Over a scorching Florida summer and record-breaking hurricane season, Sebastian and Quincy are forced into close proximity. Setting aside their grudges to chase storms and stay alive is one thing, but can they weather the inevitable collision of their hearts?

WELL WELL WELL.

Not too shabby for my first Chelsea Curto book. I’ve had some reservations in regards to the spice but it was alright! Definitely spicy (why did each scene need multiple chapters???) but the innuendo was low which made glossing over them easier.

I think a small downfall was that I read Chase Me If You Can days before and I LOVED that book. This one, with a similar theme and tropes, didn’t hit the same high marks I already fell in love with. Though I do feel it was well researched and the meteorology aspects served the romance and the larger plot. I love a well balanced story.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a good time and I liked the hurricane focus in this book. And the highs and lows of being a woman in a male dominated field. I thought Quincy and Sebastian had good chemistry and I loved the way Sebastian doted on her. The man yearned, and he yearned well. I also really liked his character arc too. I flew through this audiobook and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: sexism, misogyny, severe weather scenes (tornados and hurricanes)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph