ARC Book Review: The Bodyguard’s Fall (Falling for Autumn) by Cindy Steel

August 12, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Rmance
Length: 354 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: August 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Her stalker is getting closer. So is her bodyguard.

I know how to write murder mysteries.
Dead bodies? Great. Blood and gore? Even better.

Romance? Absolutely not.

Unfortunately for me, my production company disagrees. After years of writing cozy crime dramas, I’m suddenly being forced to write a flannel and cider romantic screenplay filled with pumpkin patches, maple festivals, and happily-ever-afters I don’t actually believe in.

Especially not after months of terrifying messages from a stalker who seems to know way too much about me.

Which is how I end up back in my hometown of Autumn Ridge, under the protection of Tate Walker—my older brother’s best friend, a cop, and the same overprotective pain in my neck who spent most of my teenage years telling me what I could and couldn’t do.

Tate is temporarily off-duty and back home recovering from a dangerous undercover operation that left him injured and drowning in guilt. And somehow protecting me has become his newest assignment.

Now I’m living on his family’s hay farm while police attempt to catch my stalker. Between boxing lessons, tractor rides, and cozy autumn outings that feel suspiciously like dates, I start finding inspiration for my romantic screenplay in the one place I never expected:

My bodyguard.

But as the threats escalate and my stalker gets closer, so do Tate and I. And falling for the man assigned to protect me might be the most dangerous plot twist of all.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

THIS BOOK Y’ALL.

Cindy Steel does not miss. I was in love with this book from the opening chapter and that obsession only grew. I loved the banter and tension between Tate and Liv. It was sexy and swoony and every touch and glance had me kicking my feet and grinning. They were a couple that was an obvious match from the get go and I loved seeing Tate fall HARD. I love a well used brother best friend’s trope.

This book had allll of the autumn vibes. The setting was magical and made me crave all things pumpkin and cozy. I loved the ranch setting (hello tractor) and the small town fall moments too. I also loved the family and friend relationships too. I really like having a family on page that looks after and teases each other all in the same moment.

The suspense elements were woven in perfectly and only added to the book. I liked feeling slightly on edge wondering when Liv’s stalker was going to pop up again. I liked that it didn’t overwhelm the love story and ended in a satisfying way too.

This book is everything fall and romantic and all things Cindy Steel wrapped in a new book to love.

AND PLEASE JUST TRUST ME YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO PICK IT UP OKAY???

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: mild
Content warnings: stalker (main plot point), mentions of gun violence (recounted)

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Book Review: A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #2) by Kath Richards

August 12, 2026September 1, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Mafia Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Kath Richards
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 26th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Since she was a girl, Vanessa Morelli has trained for two titles: CEO of Morelli Construction, and more importantly, head of the Morelli Crime Family. So far, it’s going well; business is booming, and the city’s criminals fear and respect her. Or at least she thought they did, before shipments start disappearing, construction sites blow up, and—most annoying of all—the older women lay on the pressure for her to marry and make an heir.

When an ill-advised date with her Godson’s math teacher goes horribly wrong, she brings him under her protection while she figures out who’s sabotaging her operation.

Nate, the goofy, dog-owning teacher, wants nothing to do with her after learning that she’s the queen of organized crime in the city. But when the choice is life or death, he chooses to accept her help and move in for the summer. Bored out of his mind, though, Nate offers his services on the hunt for a suitable husband, interviewing every eligible mafioso in Massachusetts.

But when more sparks begin to fly between her and Nate instead of her and her suitors… she starts to wonder. Can they work and live together, without falling for each other along the way?

WHAT FUN.

I have always wanted to be a mafia romance girlie but I have a hard time finding ones that aren’t too dark (or way too spicy) and I feel like this was a good balance! The spice was still a bit much for me but overall I had an incredibly fun time with the “rom-com” vibes of this book.

I loved that Vanessa was the head of the crime family and her tenacity towards keeping herself at the top and protecting her family too. And I kind of absolutely loved that Nate was the one on the outside who had to learn all of the workings of Vanessa’s life and slowly leaned in and worked to be in Vanessa’s life.

It’s flirty and feels a little forbidden. There’s great family dynamics and relationships too. I LOVED that the audiobook was dual narration and will be back for book two!

Overall audience notes:

Mafia Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 4+ open door
Violence: high
Content warnings: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, weapons violence, physical violence

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ARC Book Review: A Lass Beloved (The Earls of Cairnfell #2) by Nichole Van

August 11, 2026July 18, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 310 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Florenza Publishing
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lord Matthias Kinsey lives under an unlucky star. Born without a right hand, he once spent a Season in London and vowed never to endure such humiliation again. But after years of living as a semi-recluse, Lord Matthias has grown tired of merely enduring life. In a bid for change, he lets a castle deep in the Highlands.

Cecily Armstrong once had everything a young lady could desire—social position, wealth, . . . a husband. But life hasn’t gone as she expected. Widowed and penniless, she now must work for her bread.

When Lord Matthias arrives at his new home, he instantly recognizes his new housekeeper as Miss Cecily Moulton, the reigning beauty from his brief time in London. Didn’t she marry some English lord years ago? What has happened to exile her to poverty and a life in service?

As Mathias takes tentative steps to build a life for himself, Cecily must decide if she has the courage to reclaim her own. Perhaps, together, they can even help each other find happiness. The one thing they can’t do is fall in love. Because a gentleman does not—under any circumstances—court his housekeeper.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

HOW DO I CONVEY.

Oh my love for Nichole Van and her romance stories. Every one is a delectable, swoony journey. I adored both of these characters so much and I looove getting dual POV in romances. It really can bring a story to the next level.

I loved the intimacy between Matthias and Cecily. That man is SO DOWN BAD. And it is the sweetest kind of protective love. They banter and push each other outside of comfort zones and watching the walls crumble is EVERYTHING. I’m just obsessed with the personal character grown for both Cecily and Matthias.

Add on top some well placed danger/suspenseful moments and this one was easy to eat up. They had that genuine chemistry from the get go. And I ended up really loving how the ending all came together. Goodness gracious Van’s books NEVER GET OLD.

Also, as a side note, I am already chomping at the bit to get my hands on the next two stories.

Overall audience notes:

Historical romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: mild-moderate
Content warnings: spousal abuse (recounted, moments of PTSD), ableism, stalking

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Book Review: A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1) by Audra Wells

August 5, 2026August 22, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 316 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hannah Gibbons is no stranger to being seen as little more than her dowry—a prize to be claimed by eager suitors for their own gain and a tool to be used by her parents to elevate their social status. So whenever Hannah’s impetuous nature strikes, her parents assume their name sullied, and pack up and move away to start fresh. But now Hannah has more at stake—friendships, and even love, are on the table, and she is determined not to lose it this time.

Lord Noah Bradley, a man of kindness and quiet integrity, has long dreamed of marrying, but when his heartfelt proposal to Miss Margaret Lewiston is rejected, his spirit is shattered. Left to face the sting of heartbreak, he struggles to regain his footing as life’s unexpected challenges—both in his relationships and his work—threaten to overwhelm him. But his new friendship with Miss Hannah Gibbons begins to help him find comfort and solace.

Will Noah’s heart find new hope in the woman who has become his greatest ally? Or will he remain too lost in the shadows of his past to recognize the love right in front of him?

THIS WAS SWEET.

Audra Wells is easily one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her books hit so well every time and I adored the soft and gentle nature in Noah. And I loved his mindset about being who he wanted to be and figuring things out on his own. Noah had this endearing quality that was easy to love. I wish he was a bit less oblivious to Hannah (and a little less of his ex) though.

Hannah was easy to love. I loved her quirky nature and relatable characteristics. There was a genuine nature to the friends to lovers trope that I did like a lot.

Truly though it was a charming read with many memorable moments. It was swoony and fast paced and so much ground was covered. I loved the hints towards future books and I am just happy to be here with another Audra Wells series.

Overall audience notes: