Book Review: Hold Back the River by Ashley Dill

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 385 pages
Author: Ashley Dill
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three lives shattered by trauma. Two fatal decisions. One new beginning.

Returning to his empty childhood home by the river is harder than Patrick Moore expected. His memories of the riverbank were tainted the night he was arrested and his high school sweetheart went missing. After a fourteen year prison sentence, he searches for her, hoping to find companionship and a normal life.

Julia Collins is an adrenaline-junkie with one mission: outrun grief or die trying. After being furloughed for her mental health, she’s forced into sobriety and must navigate life without her poisons of choice — tequila and her job. That’s when she hits it off with the mysterious Patrick at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Fresh hope dawns in her heart, and she wonders if she can thrive despite her secrets and enjoy life again.

But it isn’t long before currents of regret rip them apart.

Can Patrick and Julia outlive the past? Or will they succumb to the river’s fury?

Hold Back the River, a contemporary romance set in Middle Tennessee, is a heart-rending story about how a lonely soul, a guilty conscience, and a broken heart find healing together at the river.

WELL.

I think, unfortunately, this was a little over hyped for me. I very much enjoyed it, but there were some issues too. In the end I do think this was a solid debut and I would absolutely read another book by this author.

I ADORED Patrick. I loved his soft and resilient nature and when offered a second chance, gave it the best chance he could. I loved watching him fall in love, get to connect with those around him and bury the trauma of his past.

Jules, I struggled a little more with. I understood the pain she was going through and I only wish that there had been more focus on her getting the help she needed. It’s a lot more glossed over and I was missing that bit to connect with her arc.

I enjoyed the multiple POV and the heartfelt nature of the story. At times, I didn’t know where the focus was supposed to be, there was a LOT thrown in and some small plot holes popped up as a result, but its a pull at your heartstrings story at its core that I did like.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: drug use, loss of a loved one, giving up a baby for adoption, false imprisonment, child abuse, suicide attempt and ideation

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Book Review: Fates Illuminated (Call of the Norns #1) by Aimee Vance

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Time Travel Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Aimee Vance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 26th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The dawn of Shelbie’s 31st birthday found her melancholy, adrift in a world where she felt bound to be always a side character, never the star of her own story.

All of that changed when she spontaneously booked a trip to Sweden with an itinerary full of hiking and horseback riding – two things that weren’t exactly in her comfort zone.

She expected to see the Northern Lights, nurse sore muscles, and, heaven forbid, pee in the woods. Those things she had time to prepare for, even if none of her preparations went as she had planned.

What she didn’t expect, though, was for her Fate to be tied to a much larger story, one that had unfolded long ago, and would immerse her in a world of people and things she’d only ever read about in novels.

BUT, VIKINGS?

When you think of a Viking book, what comes to mind? I’d say something with intensity, action and passion. I got maybe some passion here and I am missing out on the rest.

There was no conflict? Shelbie shows up at a different time, and every single person she meets is nice. Everyone is ready to help and she frolics around making birthday cakes and watching friendly competitions.

I DID love most of the side characters though. And would love to see more of them. A unique group of people who all were bringing something for the story. Even it wasn’t wholly moving the plot forward.

Romance wise, it’s a bit instant. I wanted more lead-up. Domari and Shelbie did grow on me but I think I’m supposed to feel more invested at this point. The ending left a lot for me to consider and enough so that I do want to give book two a chance. I’m curious how it’s going to go, hopefully well, and I’ll probably be back with another review soon.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open; low-med explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: small physical altercations

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Book Review: The Memory of Glass by Brenna Lauren

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Brenna Lauren
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sensual gothic romance meets “are you afraid of the dark?” in this decadent story about a cursed Savannah glass heiress, her southern mansion haunted by vengeful ghosts, and her marriage of convenience to the broody, mysterious man standing between her and ruin.

“Break the curse, Whitney Darling, before it breaks you.”

If I return to Savannah, to Darling House – I’ll die there. Either the curse I accidentally unleashed on my family will catch up with me, or I’ll flatline at the sight of the man I left behind – Ephraim Callaghan.

But when my grandfather’s cryptic will leads to an arranged marriage, Ephraim and I are trapped together in Darling House, my ancestral haunted mansion by the sea. As our passion rekindles, we must overcome the past and decode a dark family secret surrounding the glass, a century-old murder mystery, and the restless ghosts that remain. To put their souls to rest will not only save our lives, but the Darling’s legacy – and grant me and Ephraim a second chance at the love we thought we’d lost forever.

The Memory of Glass is a stand alone, slow burn, sensual romance set against the backdrop of a fast-paced ghost story adventure in a Lowcountry haunted mansion. It’s ideal for gothic romance readers who loved Karen White’s The House on Tradd Street series, BELLADONNA, and Grove Hollow. Readers who enjoyed Evie and O-Connell’s dynamic from the film, The Mummy, will also enjoy this gothic adventure.

HAUNTING DEBUT.

When a book has less than 20 reviews on Goodreads (at the time of me writing this), I feel like it’s a big leap to the bookish world to give it a go, but lo and behold, this one absolutely held up. I will, without a doubt, be reading the next book (note: this is a standalone with more books in this world).

MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE. That’s probably the only line you need here.

I loved the dynamic between Ephraim and Whitney. It was intense and heated and had that all consuming, I’ve never forgotten you, kind of vibe. It really fit the atmosphere of the whole novel and I grew to love what they had going.

This book had that creepy factor that made it difficult for me to read in the dark (and this is a compliment, though also, I’m easily spooked). I loooved the intrigue and mystery and the whole whodunnit. I liked having the historical flashback chapters that added to the puzzle. I desperately wanted to put all the pieces together to see wrongs righted and the curse lifted. There’s just the right amount of paranormal aspects that just made this book sing.

I had some small balance issues in regards to the plot and where time was spent. And that was really my only main complaint. I thought this was an amazing debut and I look forward to reading more books in the future.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense / Gothic Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: vague open/fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, attempted murder, multiple murders, miscarriage

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Book Review: Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Victoria Schade
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When an old rival reappears right before the holidays, a professional dog trainer must decide if the melting frost between them can make up for their ruff past, from the USA Today bestselling author of Dog Friendly .

Chelsea Higgins is doing just fine. She’s heading into the holidays at the helm of a thriving dog training business, and she’s got a mellow senior dog at home to keep her warm at the end of the day. What more could she need? Enter certified gym bro Andrew Chelsea’s former nemesis, and now the newest neighbor in her business complex, who also wants to expand into the vacant space Chelsea’s been eyeing for months. Who cares if it’s the season of joy? Let the turf war begin.

When an unfortunate (and literal) run-in with Andrew’s lawless dog leaves Chelsea with a bum wrist, the two strike a Andrew will help Chelsea rehab the injury if she’ll work with him to train his adorably uncivilized boxer.

Their typical bickering soon turns to bantering, and Chelsea finds herself inexplicably drawn to the man she thought she had nothing in common with. As she gets to know Andrew and his parents, she realizes she needs to refocus on her own family, especially with a milestone Christmas speeding toward them. But Chelsea can’t help wondering if she and Andrew are training for keeps, or if this unexpected Christmas gift is just too good to be true.

ALL THE DOGS.

It’s been a low state of affairs for trying to find some 2023 holiday romance releases, but this was a good one!!! I thought it was really charming, had a little bit of spice, all of the dog content and some good holiday cheer.

I liked the journey that Chelsea went on. She was holding on to a lot of pent up emotions surrounding her father and a lot of misconceptions about Andrew. I loved Andrew’s views on his career and thank heavens Chelsea started to realize how much she had missed. There’s some good second chance romance vibes too. The only thing I couldn’t quite understand was the text situation?? That seemed far fetched.

The dogs (and goats) were super cute. I liked the holiday aspects and it’s a quick audiobook. I’d recommend this for the holidays if you need something great to read by the fire.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (cancer, recounted)

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