amber kelly – GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 224 pages
Author: Amber Kelly
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Life in the fast lane is what I’ve been working toward for the last six years. My career was all planned out running one of the hottest hotels in Miami’s South Beach. That was until our playboy owner broke a few rules, and my perfect opportunity crumbled underneath my feet.

So here I am, headed to Lake Mistletoe, a quaint little valley town in Idaho of all places. My grandmother, and namesake, left her Inn to me, and I am now sentenced to the task of getting it prepared to sell at the end of this year’s holiday season. My memories of this Christmas oasis have long since faded, but I’m determined to use this experience to further my career and get back into the hospitality game.

When Keller Harris, Lake Mistletoe’s resident craftsman, and unofficial handyman, offers to help me with the neverending list of repairs and upgrades, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to get hands-on experience. He’s talented, driven, and sexy as sin, but he’s also a know-it-all and completely unimpressed by my business sense. I can learn a lot from him but his stubborn self can also learn a lot from me.

As walls start to fall, literally and figuratively, I begin to realize that success comes in many forms and passion can be found in unexpected places. Will I be able to turn this season into a stepping stone to an exciting new career in Belize?

Or will I discover that everything I ever wanted was tucked away in the Rocky Mountains?

IT WAS OKAY.

This didn’t really do anything for me. I struggle with holiday reads having a balance between steamy and hallmark. Why can’t I have something in the middle, ya know? This felt like it was trying to push more steam than the actual romance itself and left a lot to be desired for me.

There was too much focus on very random details of Willa’s day to day. Really small details that I was tired of reading about. I didn’t need to know such breakdowns that caused me to start skimming faster and faster to get to actual dialogue and momentum. Steam was thrown in without much lead-up and that felt off/random to me. I wasn’t connected to either of them by the time things started happening.

Christmas/Holiday-wise, this is alive and well in that department. I do love a small town romance and this provided well in that regard. I loved the names for the town’s hotels and all the fun things that were part of the spirit there.

I wish this was a better balance of the two sides. Oh well, another holiday romance that leaves me wanting.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Holiday Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: multiple open door scenes
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one

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Book Review: Knitted Hearts (Poplar Falls #6) by Amber Kelly

May 6, 2022July 1, 2021 GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 234 pages
Author: Amber Kelly
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: June 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An emotional, passionate second-chance romance in the Poplar Falls series from Amber Kelly

Sometimes you have to lose control to have it all…

I’ve always longed to start a family of my own. I throw everything I have into every relationship. Too bad I seem to attract the fixer-uppers. You know the type—the boys with all the potential but none of the drive. I thought Ricky was different, the one who would finally step up and be the man I’d been dreaming about all these years—ever since I lost my father when I was a little girl. I didn’t realize the dream would turn out to be a nightmare.

So here I am. Twenty-four years old, on the verge of divorce, and trying not to think about what my daddy would say while I hold on to the last threads of my life to keep it all from unraveling.

It’s all going fine until Foster Tomlin swaggers into my life. The sexy-as-sin former soldier works on my best friend’s family ranch, and there’s no getting around him or what I’m feeling. He doesn’t need fixing up. He’s perfect the way he is. The way he looks at and treats me makes me feel things I’ve sworn off for good. And when he wraps his arms around me, I find myself letting go of all the things I thought I wanted and needed.

The question is…can I take a risk and put my heart on the line again?

POPLAR FALLS FOREVER.

I can’t believe I finished this series! Or maybe I can because I loved it that much. A small town romance series you need in your life y’all!!

Getting Sonia’s story last was the best. I loved her romance with Foster and the second chance love between them was perfect. Sonia and Foster both had pasts that they needed to repair in their hearts as they also learned to lean on their new love and each other. It was all sorts of sweet and a little spicy.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the relationship conflict because it’s usually not a trope I love, but the more I sat on it the more I liked it in the end. It worked for this story and I’m fine with that!

Sometimes the plot focused too much on the previous couples in the series when I just wanted more Sonia and Foster. That was my only complaint. Otherwise all of the dates and romancing under the moonlight was fantastic.

Another quick read I flew through in one morning because I needed to know how everything worked out. It was emotional and tender and I can’t wait to see what Kelly writes next.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: some strong
Romance: kisses to open door scenes (2-3)
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (on page), divorce and separation

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Book Review

Book Review: Crazy Hearts (Poplar Falls #5) by Amber Kelly

March 28, 2022June 3, 2021 GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 234 pages
Author: Amber Kelly
Publisher: Amber Kelly, LLC
Release Date: March 26th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“Who says you can’t wear boots with pearls?”

I’ve always loved my life and career. That was until my boss, best friend, and partner in crime, fell in love during a trip to her hometown and made me become a bougie cowgirl. It only took a few visits to the sleepy town of Poplar Falls for me to understand the draw.

So here I am, fighting the two girls that live inside of me. One who loves the glitz and glamour of NYC and thrives in the fast-paced world of the Upper East Side. Then the other who longs to be wild and free in the laid back mountains of Colorado with the people who have become like family. One in particular.

Payne Henderson was only supposed to be a fun fling, a hot man to scratch my cowboy itch. I didn’t realize I was falling so hard for him until it was too late to stop the ride and get off unscathed.

Now I have a decision to make. Do I confess my love and reveal the stripped-down version of me, scars and all? Or do I let him go and head back to the comfort of my big city life?

SO SWEET.

This was one of the stories I’ve been waiting for. I straight binge read this series in 4 days and I have NO REGRETS. I have loved it so dang much.

Charlotte is an incredibly fun and light person. I’m so glad to have finally gotten her story and everything she holds dear to her. Payne is a sweet-heart and I had so many heart eyes for every interaction he had with Charlotte. I love that their relationship started as a fling, but grew to so much more.

I was surprised by the conflict, and not sure if it totally fit in (because it felt random and used just to create the conflict), BUT I did like how it was resolved. The conversation they had together was compassionate and melted my soul with the love clearly felt between them. Payne was so dang cinnamon roll sweet I couldn’t handle it. That ending was *chef’s kiss* and once again I am smitten with all things Poplar Falls. This was definitely one of my favorite stories (I feel like I keep saying that….another sign you should read them!!).

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: some
Romance: kisses to open door scenes
Trigger/Content Warnings: infertility

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Book Review

Book Review: Fragile Hearts (Poplar Falls #4) by Amber Kelly

March 25, 2022June 3, 2021 GoodeyReads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 246 pages
Author: Amber Kelly
Publisher: Amber Kelly, LLC
Release Date: September 8th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?

I had my life and career all planned out. That was until I was betrayed by someone I trusted and my perfect opportunity was stolen from underneath my nose.

So here I am, back on Stoneyridge Ranch in Poplar Falls licking my wounds. I love being home with my family and friends, but I am determined to move past my anger and build my career. I have goals and plans too big for my hometown.

When Brandt Haralson, the new Vet in town, offered me a job, it was the perfect opportunity for me to plan my next move and get some experience. He’s brilliant, driven and sexy as sin, but he is also not interested in getting involved with anyone. I can learn a lot from him and I don’t have to worry about any romantic engagement.

You know what they say about the best laid plans. When an attraction builds to the point of boiling and walls start to come tumbling down, can I stick to my plan or will I discover that everything I ever wanted was right here after all?

ANOTHER FAV.

This is probably sitting in spot No.2 for my favorite book in this standalone series. I loved Brandt and Bellamy so much!!!

Brandt had to work through a lot in this book. I LOVE that the town of Poplar Falls really took him (and his Mom) under their wings. He needed an extra push or two to move forward after something traumatic and the love that was shown to him made my heart melt.

Bellamy was such a force and I loved her feisty nature. She’s incredibly kind and I couldn’t get enough of her taking charge of situations and really showing Brandt just how incredible Brandt it. Put them together and once again, I adored this match. All of these pairings have worked so well together.

The story here was great. I loved seeing the vet clinic, remodeling (someone get me a sledgehammer), and even a few tense moments. Add in that essential sugary sweet ending and this became another fantastic romance.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: some
Romance: kisses to open door scenes
Violence: fire, physical altercations
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse by violent theft, [side character] recounting a drunk driving accident where they lost their parents, survivor guilt