Tag: indie author

ARC Book Review: To Have and To Fold (Love Stories in Sheet Cake, Texas #5) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 3rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Single dad and former football star Tank Graham has watched his children find love in the town of Sheet Cake, Texas. Now, it’s his turn.

Theodore “Tank” Graham has spent the years since his wife died investing fully in raising his children and helping them find their happiness. And, more recently, buying and revitalizing the town of Sheet Cake, Texas.

Now, it’s time to find his own happiness.

But turning his focus to himself is easier said than done when he’s spent so long putting others first.

That is until a building issue leaves Rose Roberts, the newest baker in Sheet Cake, without a kitchen or a place to sleep.

Tank steps in to help–but only because as the owner of the building where she lives and works, it’s his duty.

But duty isn’t why he finds himself giving up his own loft for her or buying every baking supply Rose could possibly need while her commercial kitchen is out of commission.

Tank finds himself lingering in her presence, prolonging conversations, and thinking about her far more often than he should. Especially when he has a new grandbaby to fuss over, a collapsing house to renovate, and Wolf Waters to support in his mayoral race.

Still–the pull toward Rose becomes hard to resist. And why should he? For the first time since he lost his wife, Tank is feeling something big.

It’s been literal decades since he’s been in a relationship, but Tank has always lived by a go big or don’t even think about going home philosophy.

And now … the idea of home doesn’t sound complete. Not without Rose.

To Have and To Fold is a later in life love story that concludes the Love Stories in Sheet Cake series. You’ll get strong family vibes, all the charm and quirk of a small town, laugh out loud humor, and tender moments with plenty of sizzle but no spice. It is a closed door romance with kissing only and no explicit language.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

DARLIN’.

I am going to miss the Graham family y’all! I had the best time with this book. It’s soft, there’s not really any tension and there doesn’t need to be. Emma mentioned this kind of feeling like an extended epilogue and that is the vibe (complimentary). I didn’t know how I felt about Tank getting a romantic story line but never fear, I quickly fell in love with him and Rose.

I thought the quick pacing was just right. I liked all of the moments they got together. I’m obsessed with this entire family and their dynamics. I loved the swoony and sweet moments. And there were some pull on your heartstrings tender moments too.

Not to mention Wolf??? I could have 1000% read a full novel about that guy. I loved that he was included and got his own little sub story too. This town is full of all the small town charm and shenanigans you can ask for.

Loved the themes and sentiments and the way everything was approached and communicated. A beautiful book from start to finish.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: arson, discussions surrounding grief & loss of a spouse

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Book Review: The Enemy of the Book Keeper (The Secret of the Book Keeper #2) by J.A. Hemingway

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Urban Fantasy
Length: 410 pages
Author: J.A. Hemingway
Publisher: Glenthorne Press, LLC
Release Date: June 9th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Stories are disappearing… and Theo may be the only one who can stop it.

After his fantastical and dangerous encounter with the magical town of Bridgingdale, Theo is left reeling from all he has learned about Leyna, the Book Keeper, and her ancient calling to mend tears between the literary world and reality.

When characters begin to fade from the pages of beloved classics, Theo knows something is terribly wrong. Desperate to warn Leyna, he must find his way back to her one more time. However, the only person who can help him is the one person he swore never to trust.

As the line between fiction and reality begins to unravel, even the most treasured books hold secrets. And when worlds collide, the damage may just be irreparable…

The Much-Anticipated Sequel to The Secret of the Book Keeper brings a fresh mystery in the magical world of the Book Keeper!

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.

GOOD FINALE.

J.A. Hemingway genuinely writes incredibly well. It’s a well crafted story that does a good job of providing a tale to get lost in. I love that it’s a true young adult novel and one that can easily be handed to a teen. Theo is an endearing MMC who you want to cheer for and is a relatable 20ish year old. While the characters are college aged I think this can be enjoyed by younger and older audiences.

I liked the way this book developed. There’s good themes of forgiveness and acknowledging mistakes. The character development was top notch. The books within books was a fun plot device that added a magical element. I thought the reveals were good and the magic system made sense with realistic boundaries. There’s a soft background romance that’s heartfelt too. I just loved all of these characters.

The ending brought everything together beautifully and wrapped up the story in a very satisfying way. I loved where everyone ended up and I think there’s potential to follow a character on another adventure!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Urban Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: physical altercations, loss of loved ones (recounted)

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Book Review: Pros Don’t (Fall in Love #4) by Leah Dobrinska

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 327 pages
Author: Leah Dobrinska
Publisher: Self Publishing
Release Date: April 8th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Who says reality TV romance isn’t real?

Holland Bradley is the golf world’s golden boy. Confident and charismatic, when his agent lands him the starring role on Most Eligible Mister, the nation’s longest running reality TV dating show, he doesn’t hesitate. A chance to find love by dating twenty beautiful women and bringing more attention to the sport he loves, while also curing him of the tiny crush he has on his coach? Sounds like a hole in one.

A woman in a male-dominated field, golf coach Mallory Walsh doesn’t have the luxury of sharing Holland’s cavalier attitude. But she’s a pro, so she can set her personal disdain for him aside and keep coaching Holland to tournament victories. The more he wins, the more she’s paid, and the more she can help her parents with their mounting medical bills. Holland’s role on Most Eligible Mister is a distraction he—and she—can’t afford…until one of the show’s producers offers Mallory good money to sign on as a contestant.

Holland and Mallory are whisked away to Cashmere Cove, where a scheming, hometown community is intent on “helping” them fall in love and fame-hungry contestants are determined to keep them apart. The player and coach pair make a pact to keep things professional, but soon the pressure cooker situation has them teaming up to survive. As Holland relies on Mallory for support in dealing with past trauma, and Mallory discovers a good listener and fierce advocate beneath Holland’s flashy façade, everything changes. Can the pair come out on top, or is any real relationship between them as unlikely as an albatross?

Because pros don’t fall in love…do they?

THIS WAS SWEET.

Y’all have heard it before. One of my favorite tropes/situations is a man down BAD. There’s something about Holland pining after Mallory that just hits every time. I loved all of the little sweet moments they got to be together without the crowds and how hard Holland worked to show Mallory he’s different from the first time they met.

The only thing I wasn’t totally into was the bachelor-esque plot line. I have never watched the show for a reason and fought the catty drama to be a bit eye rolling. I wish that Mallory and Holland had a different chance to come together rather than the show being at the fore front. It was a big suspension of reality that he would do that as a pro golfer.

But I will admit that I loved the grand gesture at the end. That’s the kind of sporty ending that makes me loooove sport romances. And this is my second golf romance that overall has been a hit. It’s sweet and heated and swoony. I have loved this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: bullying (recounted, for a stutter and weight as a child), a parent with a debilitating disease

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Book Review: Driving Maisie Crazy (Men of the Isles #2) by Deborah M. Hathaway

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 362 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Draft House Publishing
Release Date: March 17th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What happens on an Irish bus tour stays on an Irish bus tour…”

This is the second book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this clean, road trip, forbidden romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

TAKE ME TO IRELAND.

This was such a sweet read. The instant connection played out super well and I didn’t even notice how short the time frame was until it was mentioned in the book.

I adored allllll of the food and traveling content. I felt whisked away to Ireland and was totally immersed in the setting. It’s clearly well researched and a well loved area for the author.

Alongside the setting I loved the tight friendships showcased with Finn and the guys. I don’t think close relationships between men is in enough romance books and I loved getting all of the text sequences and moments with them.

I really felt the chemistry between Maisie and Finn and hot dang appreciated a realistic third act. I thought things went the way they had to and rolled around to the best kind of ending. I’m going to need all the book recs involving a guy who chases (in a romantic cute way y’all) because it is suddenly a new favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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