I didn’t have a lot of time to read during July, summer is distracting for me! But, here’s what I did read!
I wrote a previous blog post on the wonderful Mistaken for Love by Delancey Stewart, and I enjoyed the fanciful fairytale quality to the story.
Save the Last Text by Delancey Stewart and Marika Ray
Delancey Stewart had a busy month with two back to back releases, brand new covers on her backlist books and series, plus posting TikTok dance offs with Pippa Grant and Marika Ray! (Seriously, her dance moves are not to be missed! Follow her on TikTok here: https://bit.ly/3jcQ7Og)
Save the Last Text is Book 3 of the Digital Dating Series and can be read as a stand alone, but, for maximum fun and enjoyment I recommend reading the series; they are all KU and the Cunningham brothers are dreamy! This entire series is what’s considered “sweet” romances because there isn’t written out sex scenes, but do not let that cheat you out of this great series! This series is romantic and these Cunningham men know how to bring the big romantic gestures! This was a 5 out of 5 star read for me. Grab the series in KU right here: https://amzn.to/2WCjmSL
Find Delancey here: https://bit.ly/2Viy5lF and Marika Ray here: https://bit.ly/3fnk1hF
Hero by Samantha Young
my very first book by this author, I started this book with high hopes and I enjoyed it at the very beginning, but, then a lot of problems emerged for me while I was reading this novel. Lexi, our heroine, hasn’t had a good life. She craves love and acceptance, she’s got a trauma history related to her Mom, Dad and Grandfather who have either discarded Lexi or compartmentalized Lexi in their lives. Lexi’s father did something horrible and Lexi carries some guilt for that. Lexi has a run in with a billionaire businessman, Cain, who was directly affected by Lexi’s father’s bad decision. She loses her job because of this run in as well and down the hill the storyline goes.
This book has a lot of the following issues: emotional abuse, coercion, office power play, office sex: from Cain, the CEO and her direct boss. They agree to a sex only relationship, but Lexi continues to want and hope for more from Cain. Cain has his own baggage and it’s a bit of a doozy. In the end these two get an HEA, with Cain finally waking up and sweeping in when Lexi most needs him. This book gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me. The writing and character development is amazing and I would certainly read this author again. I borrowed Hero from the library! Author’s website: https://bit.ly/3ltRaMx
Riley Thorne and the Corpse in the Closet by Lucy Score
Summer has come around again and so has book 2 in Lucy Score’s Riley Thorne Series! If you aren’t familiar with the Riley Thorn character, she’s a reluctant medium from a family of gifted women; her Grandmom being famous for her abilities. This book brings back all the hijinks, madcap adventures and colorful cast of characters you can handle and Burt, the cutest puppers, with an adorable, standout puppy personality. There is a lot of summer fun to be had in this book and a case to be solved. I almost forgot to mention Nick Santiago, Riley’s boyfriend and also a PI, so there a whole lot of sex scenes in this book, sometimes they make sense, sometimes not so much, but it’s like a make your own adventure, you can chose to read it or skim it! 5 out of 5 stars because: what a fun read! Lucy Score website: https://bit.ly/3ihQ9VC Riley Thorne series available in KU: https://amzn.to/3lnFt9T
Dear Mr. Brody by AM Johnson
Well, AM Johnson brings up the loveliest writing for Book 3 in the For Him Series. This author has a gift for words and I honestly just revel in their gorgeousness. The characters are most times flawed and imperct; they make mistakes, doubt themselves and ultimately forgive themselves. I love Dear Mr. Brody because it’s about new beginnings and discovering parts of yourself that you may have, knowingly or unknowingly, suppressed. The love and care between Van and Parker, well, it’s magical. Parker is about 10 years younger than Van and is Van’s student at university, so you can see the possible issues they could experience. What I love most about this book is Van’s understanding of himself, his seized opportunity to change what his life looks like and his acceptance of who his is, however hard fought his internal struggle is. This books garner 5 out of 5 stars; it’s a lovely read. Find AM Johnson here: https://bit.ly/3jhkdQE For Him Series available in KU: https://amzn.to/3fkDmzJ
Cocky Marquess by Annabelle Anders
Oh, what a fun book! This is book 6 of this author’s Regency Cocky Gents Series. Our Marquess of Greystone (Greys) is quite proper and dresses quite dandy, but he’s QUITE man enough. Lol. I had so much fun reading this book and how protective he is of Miss Diana Jones, the illegitimate daughter of Greys close friend, Chase, Baron of Chaswick (Cocky Baron by Annabelle Anders). Chase is hellbent that his sisters have coming outside in society, but it’s not going well at all for Diana. A gifted dancer, Diana wanted to be a professional but agrees to enter society and find a husband under her brother’s sponsorship. Greys and Diana enter into an agreement so that Diana appears more attractive to suitors with Greys taking her out for carriage rides and boating on the lake. Greys is a bit stuffy and superfluous for Diana but he helps her understand society, protects her from jerks and, eventually, loves her. Great HEA and wonderful writing and characters. 5 out of 5 stars! Find Annabelle Anders here: https://bit.ly/3A2X6A6 The Cocky Series on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3zZV03O and available on various platforms.
Coffee Shop Girl by Katie Cross
I purchased this entire series as an impulse purchase and what a great impulse on my part! Katie Cross in a new to me author and I’m pretty hooked on this series right now. This is considered a “sweet” romance because it has no written out sex scenes. This is a medium sized series with 6 released books and, so far, two books posted that haven’t been released yet.
This is small town in the mountains and revolves around a family that’s got a spotted history. These siblings share the same Mom, but have different fathers, but we’re raised by Bethany’s Dad. The Mother in this story has passed out n, but her awful legacy lives on in her children. This book is about Bethany and Maverick. Bethany has recently taken over ownership of Frolicking Moose, a coffee shop after Bethany’s father passed away and leaves the shop to her. The shop is failing and Maverick enters the picture to help Bethany turn the business around. These characters aren’t perfect and there are real life issues in this book. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars! I wanted to also let you know, Katie Cross has several YA Fantasy book series that are great, check them out too! Katie Cross chick lit website: https://bit.ly/3ljoHJ8 Katie Cross YA fantasy website: https://bit.ly/3CaNtRN
And, that’s a wrap for me! Enjoy the rest of your summer! 🍍☕️
Pineapples and Coffee Book Reviews 