ARC Book Review: Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls #1) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 366 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC
Release Date: May 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The scowl should’ve been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he’s the new contractor working on my house.

He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack.

Until he sees me shatter.

Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it’s Anson who steps in to keep me safe.

As he does, I can’t help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both.

But Anson’s a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they’re revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed…

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for my ARC!!

MY NEW OBSESSION.

I love the start of something new and this was an amazing starting point for the Sparrow Falls series. I was in love with Rhodes and Anson from the get-go and especially the way Anson used Rhodes nickname. I LOVE NICKNAMES.

And the plot was an enigma. I kept looking one way then the other trying to solve the case. Then I found myself up way too late because I NEEDED answers and the answers blind sided me in all the best ways. I love the way Cowles crafts the suspense aspects. It gives that look over your shoulder atmosphere, but mixed with all the heat of a couple falling in love.

I loved watching Rhodes and Anson break down walls and let each other in. The way they connected over the big and small things and every time Anson brought out his protective side. I was a swoony, puddle, tabbing all the moments kind of feral devouring this book.

I LOVE this family and am beyond excited to see the future stories in this small town.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: serial k!ller, gun violence, near death experiences, car accident, loss of family, arson

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Book Review: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons #4) by Julia Quinn

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 472 pages
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: July 1st, 2002
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On the sixth of April, in the year 1812 – precisely two days before her sixteenth birthday – Penelope Featherington fell in love. But Colin Bridgerton certainly didn’t fall in love with her in 1812 (and not in 1813, 1814, 1815, or – oh blast, not in all the years 1816-1822, either, and certainly not in 1823, when he was out of the country the whole time, anyway). Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?

I LOVED THIS?

I didn’t know what to expect going in (other than the trailers for S3), lo and behold, I found this friends to lovers fantastic. It had a sweet and swoony vibe and I love how the unrequited love became an all consuming romance.

I loved the care that Colin gave to Penelope over man facets of the plot and how Penelope learned to truly shine as herself. I loved seeing the whole Bridgerton family again and all the moments between just the family members.

It’s a great audiobook, and I loved the way Colin hadn’t even realized just how deep in love he was. It has the great slow quality and then BAM, Colin is head over heels just as we know Penelope always has been.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Veronica must find and stop a devious killer when a group of old friends is targeted for death in this new adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.

Tiberius has received a cryptic message-along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners-that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.

As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

A GOOD FAREWELL.

At least that’s the vibe I got from this one and I was happy with how things wrapped up. After struggling through books six and seven I felt like this really returned to some of my favorite aspects that I’ve enjoyed over the past 8 books.

I liked this mystery and that we got to see a lot of Stoker’s brother, Tiberius. I love the banter between the group and how intriguing this mystery was. The one set location was great and I had a good time listening to the story unfold.

The romance getting some more spotlight was nice too. I needed to see some good development and it was a good turn back to the original vibes I loved between Veronica and Stoker.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Mystery + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, poisoning, near death experiences

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Book Review: Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Naina Kumar
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: January 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this utterly charming debut romance, a teacher with big dreams joins forces with a no-nonsense engineer to survive an ex’s wedding and escape matchmaking pressure from their Indian families. Their plan? Faking an engagement, of course.

Meghna Raman’s parents wanted her to be an engineer, but instead she’s followed her passion, becoming a theater teacher and aspiring playwright. But when she discovers that her beloved writing partner, best friend, and secret crush, Seth, is suddenly engaged—and not to her—she realizes he’s about to become the one-that-got-away. Even worse, he’s asked her to be his best man. And worse than that, she’s agreed. Determined to try and move on and relieve a bit of the pressure she feels, Meghna agrees to let her parents introduce her to a potential match. Maybe she’ll even find the engineer her family wishes she became. . . .

Grumpy, handsome engineer Karthik Murthy has seen enough of his parents’ marriage to know that it isn’t for him. He only agreed to his mother’s matchmaking attempts to make her happy, never dreaming he would meet someone as vibrant as Meghna. Though he can’t offer her a real marriage, a fake engagement could help Meghna soothe the sting of planning Seth’s wedding festivities and Karthik avoid the absurd number of set-ups his mother has planned for the next year.

But as they find common ground, grow protective of one another’s hearts, and learn to fall for the flaws they thought they hated, an undeniable chemistry takes shape. Soon, Meghna and Karthik’s expectations and insecurities threaten to risk something that’s become a lot more real than they hoped.

Say You’ll Be Mine is a delightful trip back to the heyday of swoony romantic comedies from the nineties, but with a deep and poignant look at the effects of culture and family in our most intimate relationships.

WHAT A GEM.

I took a random chance on this one and it was a HIT y’all. I really adored this whole story. Fake dating/engagement has kind of burnt me out lately, and I can happily say this broke that streak for me. I loved the way this was approached and handled.

If I was being a bit nitpicky the FMC, Meghna frustrated me a bit with the red flags here ex boyfriend/current best friend was clearly exhibiting from the get-go. Gratefully, the way it was delt with helped me kind of roll with it all and just let it be.

The romance was the sweetest and best kind of slow burn!! I loved that this wasn’t high unnecessary heat. There was great relationship development and some absolute heart squeezing moments that made me want to hug Karthik myself. I loved this entire progression of the story. I loved the families and friends and how there was just enough side plot without being a distraction from the main couple. Oh, and it’s dual POV! Also recommend the audio. Loved that format.

A fantastic debut, I am a fan and can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 1-2 open; low explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a Dad accused of workplace harassment, cheating (side characters)

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