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Book Review: Love on Deck (Arcadia Creek #1) by Kasey Stockton

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 314 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 15th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He calls it fake dating, but she calls it being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Lauren Foley and Jack Fletcher already tried to be amicable once—on a blind date that ended in complete disaster. Now, years later, they have to put up with each other for the sake of her sister and his best friend, who are eloping on a cruise to the Bahamas. But that’s not the worst of it. No, Lauren’s in even deeper water when she finds herself agreeing to play Jack’s fake girlfriend for the duration of the cruise. Now the only thing on her mind is trying not to strangle him when he dials up the charm, but it becomes harder to remember exactly why she ever hated him in the first place. Jack, on the other hand, is enjoying the perks. Until the cruise lands on American soil again and real life hits them square in the face. Lauren is up for a promotion at work, and Jack promised her something that would secure it. But promises are easily broken, vacation life doesn’t always translate to the real world, and sometimes enemies start that way for a reason. Book one in the Arcadia Creek romance series, Love on Deck is a fake dating enemies-to-lovers story with forced proximity and a happily ever after. This modern romance will also introduce you to small town Texas and show you just how cozy it can be.

THIS WAS FUN.

Kasey Stockton absolutely nailed all of the banter in this book. I was laughing and smiling and loving the intensity between Lauren and Jack. It was fun having the cruise ship setting and all of the antics that went along with that.

I loved the general plot between the main characters and how they had to work through some of their differences and work obligations to find that compatible ground between them. I loooved seeing all of Jack’s family and the small town goodness that came from going home.

Lauren’s sister did sideline some of the story for me. Her sub-plot felt very main plot in the second half and I was missing the conversations between Jack and Lauren. A sweet book overall though and I’m excited to see who’s story is next in the series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Playing it Safe (Electra McDonnell #3) by Ashley Weaver

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery
Length: 272 pages
Author: Ashley Weaver
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

As the Blitz continues to ravage London, Ellie McDonnell—formerly a safecracking thief, but currently determined to stay on the straight and narrow to help her country—is approached by British Intelligence officer Major Ramsey with a new assignment. She is to travel under an assumed identity to the port city of Sunderland and there await further instructions. In his usual infuriating way, the Major has left her task as vague and mysterious as possible.

Ellie, ever-ready to aid her country, heads north, her safecracking tools in tow. But before she can rendezvous with the major, she witnesses an unnatural death. A man falls dead in the street in front of her, with a note clutched in his hand. Ellie’s instincts tell her that the man’s death is connected in some way to her mission.

Soon, Ellie and the major are locked in a battle of wits and a race against time with an unknown and deadly adversary, and a case that leads them to a possible Nazi counterfeiting operation. With bombs dropping on the city and a would-be assassin shadowing their every move, it will take all of Ellie’s resourcefulness and Major Ramsey’s fortitude to unmask the spymaster and avert disastrous consequences—for England and for their own lives.

THE GASP I GUSPED.

Trying to run and listen to this audiobook during the action filled ending made it HARD TO BREATHE. These books are insanely well balanced. I love getting all the aspects, the romance, the mystery, the war, the family and friends. It’s all there and I continually feel like I get enough of it all to complete each book (though I wouldn’t mind more kissing!!).

I loved the new setting and how each time I feel intensely attached to Electra and her journey. The mystery always leaves me guessing and wondering what those final reveals will hold. I am not even a little bit tired of these stories and already have the next one downloaded. This series is criminally underrated.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: war themes (WW2), gun violence, loss of life, murder

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Book Review: A Modest Independence (Parish Orphans of Devon #2) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: April 23rd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He Needed Peace…

Solicitor Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure…

Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…

SWOONY READ.

I enjoyed so much of this book. I liked all of the traveling aspects and seeing Jenny find her own sort of path in the world. Tom was GONE for her from the get-go and the way he looked after her made me weak.

The banter and soft teasing between them really lit their chemistry on fire. I loved their interactions and how much forced proximity was squeezed out of this adventure.

I struggled a bit with Jenny’s hard headedness during the third act, but I found the final moments super sweet and romantic. Another great read from Mimi Matthews. She is a wonderful comfort author for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historial Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: colonialism, mentions of war, loss of loved ones, mentions of child abuse (recounted)

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Book Review: All Out of Love (Boys of Riverside #3) by Gracie Graham

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 548 pages
Author: Gracie Graham
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Book three in the Boys of Riverside series takes off where book two leaves off, bringing you an epic love story for the boy Mackenzie Hart did not choose.

A GOOD CONTINUATION.

I’ve been wanting to see where this character’s story was going to go and I liked seeing his development! I also am purposely not naming him because he’s a part of the love triangle from the previous two books and the suspense is key!

I liked the romance. It had a lot of good swoon and conversations. I loved seeing both of the main characters grow and change and grasp what they wanted to do with life. It’s perfectly heated and I loved the tension.

I did struggle with suspending some belief about one of the main plot lines. It seemed a little farfetched in the end. And I don’t love a third act martyr situation.

OTHERWISE. I am still very much loving this series and can’t wait to continue.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: physical altercations, child abuse, mentions of infidelity (side characters)

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