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ARC Book Review: To Have and To Fold (Love Stories in Sheet Cake, Texas #5) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Single dad and former football star Tank Graham has watched his children find love in the town of Sheet Cake, Texas. Now, it’s his turn.

Theodore “Tank” Graham has spent the years since his wife died investing fully in raising his children and helping them find their happiness. And, more recently, buying and revitalizing the town of Sheet Cake, Texas.

Now, it’s time to find his own happiness.

But turning his focus to himself is easier said than done when he’s spent so long putting others first.

That is until a building issue leaves Rose Roberts, the newest baker in Sheet Cake, without a kitchen or a place to sleep.

Tank steps in to help–but only because as the owner of the building where she lives and works, it’s his duty.

But duty isn’t why he finds himself giving up his own loft for her or buying every baking supply Rose could possibly need while her commercial kitchen is out of commission.

Tank finds himself lingering in her presence, prolonging conversations, and thinking about her far more often than he should. Especially when he has a new grandbaby to fuss over, a collapsing house to renovate, and Wolf Waters to support in his mayoral race.

Still–the pull toward Rose becomes hard to resist. And why should he? For the first time since he lost his wife, Tank is feeling something big.

It’s been literal decades since he’s been in a relationship, but Tank has always lived by a go big or don’t even think about going home philosophy.

And now … the idea of home doesn’t sound complete. Not without Rose.

To Have and To Fold is a later in life love story that concludes the Love Stories in Sheet Cake series. You’ll get strong family vibes, all the charm and quirk of a small town, laugh out loud humor, and tender moments with plenty of sizzle but no spice. It is a closed door romance with kissing only and no explicit language.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

DARLIN’.

I am going to miss the Graham family y’all! I had the best time with this book. It’s soft, there’s not really any tension and there doesn’t need to be. Emma mentioned this kind of feeling like an extended epilogue and that is the vibe (complimentary). I didn’t know how I felt about Tank getting a romantic story line but never fear, I quickly fell in love with him and Rose.

I thought the quick pacing was just right. I liked all of the moments they got together. I’m obsessed with this entire family and their dynamics. I loved the swoony and sweet moments. And there were some pull on your heartstrings tender moments too.

Not to mention Wolf??? I could have 1000% read a full novel about that guy. I loved that he was included and got his own little sub story too. This town is full of all the small town charm and shenanigans you can ask for.

Loved the themes and sentiments and the way everything was approached and communicated. A beautiful book from start to finish.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: arson, discussions surrounding grief & loss of a spouse

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Book Review: His & Hers by Alice Feeney

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Thriller
Length: 304 pages
Author: Alice Feeney
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release Date: July 28th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There are two sides to every story: yours and mine, ours and theirs, His & Hers. Which means someone is always lying.

When a woman is murdered in Blackdown, a quintessentially British village, newsreader Anna Andrews is reluctant to cover the case. Detective Jack Harper is suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation. Someone isn’t telling the truth, and some secrets are worth killing to keep.

His & Hers is a twisty, smart, psychological thriller. A gripping tale of suspense, told by expertly-drawn narrators that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

GOOD HEAVENS.

Since I’m on a thriller journey in 2026 I am back for another review and y’all, this was another win for me. I do think it’s *very* dark and you definitely should check out all content warnings before proceeding (I did not, I was okay, but also, it was a lot).

I did love how twisty this was. I truly could not figure out what was happening. My thoughts kept moving to different suspects and gasping at every reveal as the conclusion came rolling in. There’s great misdirection and unreliable narrators and complex situations that I understand why they made a TV adaptation.

Color me SHOCKED when I got to the end. I do love a wild (but still somewhat believable) ending to thrillers and that hit the spot for me. Go in blind on this one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Thriller
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: r**e scene, dementia, alcoholism, infidelity, animal abuse, bullying, su!cide, sexual assault, grooming, loss of a child from SIDS

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Book Review: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Sangu Mandanna
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A whimsical and heartwarming novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track, from the national bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

Sera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps her aunt run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests’ shenanigans, tries to keep said talking fox in check, and longs for the future that seems lost to her. But then she finds out about an old spell that could hold the key to restoring her power…

Enter Luke Larsen, handsome and icy magical historian, who arrives on a dark winter evening and might just know how to unlock the spell’s secrets. Luke has absolutely no interest in getting involved in the madcap goings-on of the inn and is definitely not about to let a certain bewitching innkeeper past his walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he agrees to help Sera with her spell. Worse, he might actually be thawing.

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera Swan is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone…and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.

A SOFT, ENJOYABLE READ.

I just like the way these books make me feel. There’s a cozy quality that makes me yearn for all things fall and warm and homey. The aura of this book was magical and lovely and I adored the inn and all of the characters beneath its roof. This crew is chaotic and kind and full of diverse personalities that made that found family note sing strong.

And I did like the romance (I would have loved even more). Sera and Luke are seriously the sweetest and I loved the push and pull that brought them together. There were many standout (and important) themes throughout that I thought were written well and made me adore the book all the more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Cozy Paranormal Romance
  • Langauge: mild
  • Romance: heated makeouts/fade to black
  • Violence: mild
  • Content notes; parental abandonment, depression, parental abandonment of a child with autism

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Into the Fading Twilight (Starlight Grove #2) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 472 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: July 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s known nothing but darkness for 413 days…but he’ll burn down the world to save her.

After a year in captivity, Nova Monroe is back in Starlight Grove—but she’s not the same woman who vanished. She lives on the edge, chases adrenaline, and refuses to be caged again. Cliff diving. Mountain biking. Anything to feel alive and outrun the memories clawing at her.

But the single dad with shadows of his own won’t let her face it alone. Especially when she finds herself needing a place to stay.

Kol Archer has made it his mission to protect her. As a Forest Service investigator, he’s no stranger to rugged terrain or battling for control. But nothing prepared him for Nova—her fire, her fight, the way she makes him feel something he thought was lost.

The closer they get, the more dangerous things become. Someone doesn’t want Nova to move on. And Kol is determined to stop them—no matter the cost.

Because for the first time in forever, Nova’s not just surviving. She’s learning how to live, how to trust, and reminding Kol he can, too. But as darkness looms, the truth could destroy them both…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for a gifted ALC/eARC.

LOVED.

I just love the way Catherine Cowles combines swoony romance with a suspenseful plot I can never put my finger on. I loved the slow burn between Kol and Nova!!! It’s a journey. Of love and healing and finding a new starting path in life. I loved Nova’s resilience and her courage. She made decisions that were best for her while creating boundaries and strengthening the relationships in her life. I loved that Kol met her where she was and didn’t push. I adore grumpy protective heroes. The soft banter and the way Kol finds ways to take care of Nova were incredibly romantic.

And the mystery plot?? I swore it was at least three other people before the reveal and was still shocked!! I’m in awe every time at how Catherine Cowles continues to deliver new and creative ways of incorporating the whodunnit. This one was delightfully unhinged and actually made me very curious for some future plot points too!!

The audiobook is a STUNNER. CC has gone to a multi-narrator format (each of the main characters has a separate narrator) and I’m OBSESSED. It brings incredible quality to the story. I did about half on audio half eyeball and you can’t go wrong either way.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: serial killer, attempted murder, murder, weapons violence, physical violence, mentions of child abuse

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