Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: After We Fall (Shelter & Sky #2) by Deborah Clack

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Deborah Clack
Publisher: Haven
Release Date: October 6th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Self-sufficient Penelope Reid has her life completely mapped out—a necessity after surviving foster care. Now she’s on a mission to prove that she’s capable of managing a halfway house at Twelve Bluebells Ranch. The last thing she needs is hindrance from the charming Luke Granger, who asked her to dance three years ago, then disappeared before the music began.

Luke lives a nomadic lifestyle as a security specialist. He’s never found a reason to put down roots until he’s reunited with the bossy brunette and her generous heart. When vandalism strikes the ranch neighboring Twelve Bluebells, securing the area is just another gig for him before he hits the road. But as Luke and Penelope work alongside each other and care for the ranch’s halfway house residents, his restless heart finds reasons to stay, and her careful walls begin to crack.

When crisis threatens everything Penelope has built and tragedy pulls at Luke’s wandering heart, they must decide if it’s worth the risk to lower their guards for a love that could give them the home they’ve always longed for.

Deborah Clack crafts a story with poignant emotions and witty banter in this no-spice romance about taking risks and finding belonging in unexpected places.

Thank you to Haven Books for a gifted copy.

I’D READ ANOTHER.

This is my first book from Deborah Clack and I liked it enough that I would read another. Maybe I’ll go back and read the first book in this series??

I felt the chemistry between Penelope and Luke. I liked their interactions and the way Luke took care of Penelope and his overall protective nature. I thought the medical/brain trauma aspects were well written and brought a lot of good themes to the forefront.

I struggled with the FMC at times because she kept knowingly overstepping? I understood she cared but I thought it caused the focus of the plot to be turned away from Pen & Luke and what Pen needed to work through. I desperately wish we had Luke’s POV because I think the cowboy vibes would have been stronger and I would have understood the third act more (which I also was annoyed about).

There’s good found family moments and Pen does start to work through much of her trauma. I liked that she gave therapy a chance and found somewhere to genuinely belong. I thought that everything came together well and the necessary plot points were tied off.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was okay. I think she hindered the characterization for Penelope though (she came off more whiney).

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: physical assault, traumatic brain injury, child abuse, domestic abuse, gun violence

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Book Review: Falling for Keeps (Falling for Autumn) by Kasey Stockton

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 314 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Golden Owl Press
Release Date: September 2nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He was supposed to be one kiss…not the neighbor across the street.

As the children’s librarian in Autumn Ridge, Emma spends her days surrounded by happy endings. But between restoring her old farmhouse, keeping her family together, and searching for a decent man in a very small town, her own romance feels permanently shelved.

Then one impulsive night at a bar, she kisses Carson Price—the popular guy she crushed on in high school.

For Emma, it’s a reckless little dream come true.

For Carson, it’s a fun night with a beautiful woman he never expects to see again.

Until the next morning… when he moves in across the street.

Newly divorced, cynical, and focused on raising his daughter while rebuilding the dental practice he just bought, Carson has no interest in love. Marriage? Never again. Romance? Absolutely not.

Friendship with his warm, bookish, unexpectedly tempting neighbor? That might be safe enough.

Except Emma has never been good at doing anything halfway. And the more he lets her into his life, the harder it is for either of them to pretend friendship is all this is.

She’s ready to fall. He’s determined not to. But in a small town, staying just friends might be the hardest thing of all.

WORTH THE READ.

I am not reading this entire series this go around because [time], but I’ve always enjoy Kasey’s books and wanted to give hers a go. And now it’s my current second favorite of the four I’ve read! I was locked in from the beginning and liked the re-meet-cute opening.

The only thing that bugged me was the not quite a love triangle nonsense. It didn’t feel necessary too me and Seth kept just popping up at the wrong times.

I did feel the intense chemistry between Emma and Carson. They had some genuine fireworks and I loved all the ways this small town brought them together. Seeing Carson get a wee bit jealous here and there was stellar and I loved the way he took care of his daughter and Emma. There’s a lot of really sweet blended family moments that I adored too.

Bursting with fall vibes and small town shenanigans I would definitely recommend this book if you’re wondering which ones are worth it.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), divorce (recounted), absent parent

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ARC Book Review: The Land That Binds Us (Marien Vineyard #1) by K. Sinko

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Rating: ★★★.75
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 232 pages
Author: K. Sinko
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 15th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The prodigal daughter returns to the land and the magic that betrayed her.

After her mother said goodbye on her death bed, Alana Marien fled New York and her family’s vineyard. Three years later, without a penny left to her name, she finds herself back at Seneca Lake, tending her family’s vines and attempting to make peace with her father and two sisters after everything fell apart. In her absence, without her and her mother’s guidance, the family hired Leo Calliet, a winemaker from France looking to escape a past of his own. He lives in the guest shed across the field, and is growing suspicious of the land and its secrets.

Her father has made it clear that he wants Leo around, but Alana is wary. The last time an outsider learned the truth, it ended in tragedy, and it was all her fault. She attempts to keep her distance, but when outside forces threaten the vineyard and the Marien family’s legacy, they need to work side by side to save the land that has evidently bound them together.

As their lives tangle together like grapes on a vine, Alana must decide if she trusts the magic to finally take care of her, or if she should give it all up one last time and run.

The Land That Binds Us is a retelling of The Prodigal Son meets Practical Magic, set on a magical vineyard in New York’s wine country.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

GOOD START.

I have been a fan of K. Sinko’s books since the beginning and even though I struggled with this one a touch I’m still looking forward to the other books following two more sisters (especially the next one !! ).

As someone who’s never had a drop of alcohol I think a lot of the wine conversations went over my head. It was interesting to learn some of the processes towards creating it, but was a hard connection for me to find.

This book does have a touch of magical realism and while usually I don’t love the addition, I thought it worked great here. I think it worked beautifully with the plot and really brought those autumn vibes. This book is perfect for that season.

What it comes down to is that this book is only 233 pages and I feel like a lot was left out. I wanted a stronger understanding of the background with Alana’s family. I wanted a longer, slower burn for the romance and just more. I felt tossed into a story without quite knowing where I was supposed to be looking most of the time.

Also I’m really obsessed with this cover.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance + magical realism
  • Language: mild+
  • Romance: 1 brief open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), loss of a friend (recounted)

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Book Review: The Embers That Remain (Flint Hills #2) by Jordan Abitz

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 410 pages
Author: Jordan Abitz
Publisher: CJ Walker Publishing
Release Date: October 15th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What if the love of your life never betrayed you?

Cali Walton never expected the town she left behind to become her only option. But when her grandfather’s failing health calls her home, the nurse practitioner puts her career on hold and returns with her teenage son in tow. Nothing prepares her for coming face-to-face with Lane Massey, her first love, her son’s new football coach, and the man she believes betrayed her fifteen years ago.

Lane Massey walked away from the spotlight and pressure of professional sports to return home, where he now coaches young athletes and gives back to the community that raised him. But Cali’s return rekindles a longing he thought he’d buried long ago. Caught between old wounds, hidden truths, and a father determined to maintain control, Lane must confront the past and decide what—and who—he is willing to fight for.

Fifteen years ago, they lost each other. Now they must decide if the embers of their first love are strong enough to burn again—and whether they’re brave enough to stay.

The Embers That Remain is a small-town romance about forgiveness, second chances, and the selfless love that reminds us where we truly belong.

Thank you to Love Notes PR and the author for an eARC.

LOOOOOOVED.

Oh this book had me in the FEEEEELS.

I love the way Abitz crafts her stories. There’s trauma and deep cuts that don’t feel like they overwhelm the story. It’s a part of these characters lives and are spoken about with care and consideration and the raw nature of having to move through the world with these weights on your shoulders. I got misty eyed a few times reading about the way Lane would take care of Cali. To carry the burden for just a bit. It’s love on another level.

There’s so many pieces in here I want to touch on and I know I’m going to accidentally forget too many. I loved Cali’s relationship with her son. I loved the way they took care of her grandfather and the care and compassion that went into many of those moments. And I’m in love with Cali and Lane on their own. I love when characters are solid as standalones and together. The tension and yearning for Lane was coming off of him in ways and I am always here for that vibe.

Being back in this small town was wonderful. I love this found family and the hints towards future books has me so excited to read those stories too. BUT GIVE ME MORE KISSING OKAY?

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild+
  • Content warnings: a grandparent with Alzheimer’s, physical assault, domestic abuse, financial abuse

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