Book Review: Clandestine (House of Oak #3) by Nichole Van

June 16, 2025May 4, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Time Travel Romance
Length: 330 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Release Date: May 26th, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Fate will draw two people together, traveling centuries if necessary. But even so, predestined lovers still have the choice to walk away . . .

In 2014, Marc Wilde–martial artist and actor–finds his life a mess. His latest film, Croc-nami, is being trashed on social media, sending his acting career into a tailspin (crocodile pun . . . nice). His dating history isn’t much better. Romantic love? Not so much. And then there is the tiny matter of blackmail. Someone knows about the time portal in the cellar of Duir Cottage and is threatening to tell the world unless Marc pays up. So yeah . . . life not going so well.

In 1814, Kit Ashton has problems of her own. Her brother has disappeared (again), leaving Kit penniless and forcing her to take up employment as a lady’s companion (sigh). Worse, there are French spies in the area, and Kit finds herself pulled into the conspiracy. Add in the sudden appearance of a wind-swept, silver-tongued rogue who makes Kit want to flirt, flirt, flirt . . . it all leaves her one misstep from disaster. Kit is determined to find her brother and return home, all while guarding her heart and (most importantly) keeping her secrets . . . well . . . secret.

This hilarious, quick-paced installment in the Amazon bestselling House of Oak series can easily be read as a stand-alone book.

HMM.

I liked this one, but it also isn’t a favorite of the series. The audiobook is great, I loved that. And I’m intrigued by the complexities of the time travel.

I did struggle with the FMC though. She was so adamant about one plot point and refused to see any other side to the story or believe the person directly telling her how they wanted to handle things.

The romance brought some good enemies to lovers swoon and lots of flirting. I liked the interactions between them and progressively enjoyed the moments they had together. I’m curious where this larger plot line will go next!

Overall audience notes:

Time travel romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: low-moderate

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Book Review: Beautifully Broken Life (Sutter Lake #2) by Catherine Cowles

June 13, 2025April 28, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 322 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: June 25th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s on the run…

Tessa has finally found a safe haven in Sutter Lake, hiding in plain sight—just as long as no one asks too many questions.

He can’t escape…

Liam knows better than anyone how one wrong word, a single whisper can ruin a life. After seeing the darker side of fame, he’s desperate to retreat and find his voice again.

Two people from opposite worlds, brought together by a connection neither expected.

But the forces they’re both running from still lurk in the shadows…

And you never know when they might strike.

ADORED.

I am on a mission to work through Catherine Cowles back list and I have found myself back in Sutter Lake, and I am loving being here.

I loved the patience Liam showcased in getting to know Tessa. There were many walls to breakdown and I loved seeing them work together to get there. It was swoony and sweet and full of that slow burn passion as Tessa found a safe place to be in Liam.

Fantastic suspense as always, while this one had more of a clear indicator on where the action was going to come from but that didn’t take away from the intensity. I loved it all, and a great audiobook too!

Overall audience notes:

Romantic Suspense
Language: moderate
Romance: 3ish open door
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, partner abuse (primarily physical), a stalker with mental health issues

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Book Review: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

June 12, 2025May 9, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Dani Francis
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

The world is divided. On the Continent, you’re either a Prime—immune to the biotoxin that nearly wiped out the Earth’s population 150 years ago—or a Modified, one who was enhanced by the toxin, developing powerful psychic gifts.

As conflict rages between the two sides, Wren Darlington lives in hiding. Occasionally running the odd op for the rebel Uprising against the Primes’ oppressive rule, she must keep a low profile. After all, if the enemy finds out that she is a Mod with a staggering four psychic abilities, she won’t just be sent to the labor camps. She’ll be executed—immediately and without trial.

When a careless mistake puts Wren in the crosshairs of the Continent’s military, she is taken captive and forced to join their most elite Silver Block. Unwittingly, they’ve handed her the perfect opportunity for the Uprising to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. That is, if she can keep her powers hidden, survive training, and prove herself to Cross Redden, her maddeningly cocky commanding officer.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Cross doesn’t trust her—even as he seems determined to destroy the remaining shreds of Wren’s self-control. Yet as the war between Primes and Mods escalates, and as Wren and Cross find themselves unable to stay away from each other, they must decide how far they’re willing to go for their secrets—and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

WHOA.

This honestly wasn’t on my radar until release day and I feel very fortunately Libby delivered a copy so quickly because OH MY GOSH WHERE HAVE I BEEN. This was like adult Divergent (but I swear if it ends the same you will feel my wrath across the globe) but add in more romance and I was SO HERE FOR IT ALL.

I can’t even go over everything I want to because there’s so much to unpack. The action was INTENSE and I loved the hidden identities and crossing loyalties and how the magic aspects worked into this dystopian-esque world.

I loved Wren, the FMC. She was wild and tenacious while battling grief and taking what she hoped would be the next best step. I loved that both sides have some twisted backgrounds because I think the exploration of that in the next book will be amazing. I want all of the history between these warring groups.

And the romance was heated. Such an amazing slow burn that was filled with that I hate you but I love you banter that sends me every time. There were a few key moments that my feet kicking and my voice squealing. The audiobook was incredible at bringing this book to life. Good heavens I need book two YESTERDAY.

Overall audience notes:

Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 4-5+ open door
Violence: high

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Book Review: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

June 11, 2025April 28, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Mystery + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Kate Clayborn
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: March 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the acclaimed author of Georgie, All Along and Love Lettering, a pitch-perfect, radiantly transporting love story about an unexpected road trip, true crime obsessions, and hard won vulnerability…

Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade raising her younger half-sister, Tegan—and keeping a shocking secret. Ever since their reckless mother ran off with a boyfriend she’d known only a few months, Jess has been aware that he’s the same accomplished con man who was the subject of a wildly popular podcast, The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.

Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared—leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother—and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.

Together, the four make their way across the country, unraveling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .

NOT A BAD LISTEN.

I enjoyed this one but also don’t feel wholly connected to it? It was an interesting premise and I liked the characters well enough.

The romance had a lot of subtle and sweet moments. There was some good chemistry between Jess and Adam. I do think it leaned into the physicality of their relationship more than it needed (or made sense) for this kind of story line. The third act made me cranky, but I did like the couple in the end.

I wasn’t all that surprised by where the missing mother ended up and those scenes. It was much more on the predictable side. I do think the audio production was well done and that made for a good listen.

Overall audience notes: