Review - Bridal Shower Murder

Title:   Bridal Shower Murder

Author:  Leslie Meier 

Series:  Lucy Stone Mystery #31

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Publisher:  Kensington Books

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of pages:  320

Published:  March 25, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

When her daughter gets engaged in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, reporter Lucy Stone finds herself feeling like a steamed lobster while dealing with her future son-in-law’s family—and a summer bridal shower that leads to murder . . .

Lucy Stone is thrilled about her youngest daughter Zoe's engagement to Chad, a rising minor league baseball player with dreamy eyes and plenty of Southern charm. Yet there’s no denying the whirlwind romance has turned Lucy’s life upside down in more ways than one—especially when she learns about Chad’s complicated background and close ties to Tinker’s Cove. The secrets and rumors are enough to send her investigative reporting instincts into overdrive . . .

Trouble really crashes in the moment Lucy meets her in-laws-to-be, Penny and Nate Nettleton. Persuasive Penny proves to be intent on taking over wedding preparations, even arranging a Tuscan-themed bridal shower before Zoe publicly announces her engagement. It’s a shock when the event goes off without a hitch. But the real shock comes when prominent guest Hetty Furness, the head of the Tinker’s Cove Historical Society, goes missing—only to be found dead, the victim of a brutal murder . . .

Lucy is determined to reveal who committed the vicious crime as she navigates her new reality with the Nettletons. Racing to determine if Hetty’s extensive knowledge of local history—and hidden scandals—led to her demise, Lucy soon realizes she’ll need to put her sleuthing talents to work like never before to guarantee wedding bells to ring for Zoe and Chad . . . and that she survives to see her daughter walk down the aisle!

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Overwhelmed with surprise, Lucy Stone receives a phone call from her daughter Zoe, informing her that Zoe will be bringing a friend named Chad home. However, Zoe fails to provide Lucy with any details about this young man. As a reporter, Lucy finds it relatively straightforward to conduct some research on Chad. The revelation that Chad is a minor league baseball player does not provide Lucy with sufficient information to form an opinion about him. Additionally, as Zoe is Lucy’s youngest daughter, her husband Bill also harbors significant reservations. 

What else is Lucy to do? Think about planning the wedding and bridal shower of course. However, her pushy friend Janice, best friend Sue and the to-be groom’s mother are all vying to throw the bridal shower. This definitely creates tension. This situation is further complicated by Zoe and Chad’s desire to maintain the secrecy of their engagement.

As Lucy Stone’s mind drifted from wedding shower thoughts, a chilling murder shook the town. Overwhelmed by grief and empathy for the victim, Lucy’s unwavering determination to uncover Hettie’s killer remains unshaken. Amidst the pursuit of justice, Lucy is acutely aware that the wedding day promises to be fraught with challenges, particularly due to the impending arrival of in-laws.

I have loved this series from the very start, having read all the previous books as well as the novellas. It has been enjoyable watching Lucy go from being a young mother who now has four adult children, as well as a grandson. Having been a reporter for years, looking for that next byline sometimes came with its own problems. And, don’t think that Tinker’s Cove is a sleepy little town. Murder after murder has taken place over the years, as this is usually the case with cozy mysteries. Factor in the deeper issues touched on in this latest entry, Bridal Shower Murder was an excellent read.

Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I started writing in the late ‘80s when I was attending graduate classes at Bridgewater State College. I wanted to become certified to teach high school English and one of the required courses was Writing and the Teaching of Writing. My professor suggested that one of the papers I wrote for that course was good enough to be published and I sent it off to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine’s Department of First Stories. I got $100 for the story and I’ve been writing ever since. The teaching, however, didn’t work out.

My books draw heavily on my experience as a mother of three and my work as a reporter for various weekly newspapers on Cape  . My heroine, Lucy Stone, is a reporter in the fictional town of Tinker’s Cove, Maine, where she lives in an old farmhouse (quite similar to mine on Cape Cod!) with her restoration carpenter husband Bill and four children. As the series has progressed the kids have grown older, roughly paralleling my own family. We seem to have reached a point beyond which Lucy cannot age–my editor seems to want her to remain forty-something forever, though I have to admit I personally am dying to write “Menopause is Murder!”

I usually write one Lucy Stone mystery every year and as you can tell, my editor likes me to feature the holidays in my books. Of course Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and my newest mystery “Eggnog Murder,” is included in an anthology with two other Christmas novellas by Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis. I’ve long been a fan of the classic English country house mystery, and was a faithful watcher of “Downton Abbey,” so I couldn’t resist trying to write one. I think I succeeded rather well, if I do say so myself, with “British Manor Murder,” which came out in October, 2016.

My books are classified as “cozies” but a good friend insists they are really “comedies of manners” and I do enjoy expressing my view of contemporary American life.

Now that the kids are grown — we have five fabulous grandchildren — my husband and I are enjoying dividing our time between Braintree and Cape Cod, along with our cat, Sylvester.

Find Her:  Goodreads / Twitter / Web 

Review - The Two of Us

Title:  The Two of Us

Author:  Lori Foster; Maisey Yates

Publisher:  Kensington

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   256

Date of Publication:   March 25, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

There’s nothing like the unconditional love of a rescue dog and their ability to bring people together as these meant-to-be-couples are about to find out in these brand-new sweet and romantic tales from bestselling authors Lori Foster and Maisey Yates.

The Odd Couple * LORI FOSTER

Ford Caruso agrees to an unusual favor—playing the part of new boyfriend for his adamantly single, irresistibly sexy neighbor Skye Fairchild, whose clueless ex refuses to accept his fate. But as Skye starts dropping by to use Ford’s pool, and even plan dates, the charade begins to feel satisfyingly real, complete with choosing rescue dogs together—a giant mutt and a fierce little chihuahua who adore each other. From one odd couple to another, some things are destine . . .

  Who is the odd couple in this delightful novella by Lori Foster?

Force of Nature * MAISEY YATES

Rescuing animals is in Lydia Clay’s blood, so when a mournful old cattle dog named Hank shows up at the shelter, she knows exactly where to take to cattle rancher Remington Lane, her brother’s hot, and usually grumpy, best friend. Hank belonged to Remy’s estranged father, which is one strike against him, but when Lydia offers to help the man ease into dog ownership, he can’t say no. And as he and Lydia work together, it looks like an old dog can actually teach this brooding cattleman some heart-warming new tricks . . .

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

THE ODD COUPLE

Ford Caruso, a pharmaceutical representative, can’t help but be captivated by his neighbor Skye Fairchild’s stunning beauty. Despite having close friends, Ford yearns for a special someone in his life. When he agrees to a favor for the charming and gorgeous Skye, an undeniable spark ignites between them. As their relationship blossoms, I found myself deeply rooting for both Skye and Ford. Additionally, the two dogs they both chose added a touch of warmth and heart to the story. 

FORCE OF NATURE

Remington Lane, a broken man, struggles to trust love. He adores Lydia Clay’s family, who rescued him. But Lydia Clay herself? Can he envision a future with her? On the other hand, Lydia Clay is a compassionate soul, and her love for animals is truly commendable. Seeking love of her own, she can’t help but wonder if Remington Lane could be the one. This novella skillfully weaves a blend of seriousness and steaminess, making it an excellent read.

Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori Foster is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author with over 10 million books sold. She received the Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews and her books have been chosen as editors picks by Amazon multiple times. Foster is actively involved in charity work, and all of the author proceeds from her anthologies have gone to various organizations, such as the Animal Adoption Foundation, the Conductive Learning Center, and One Way Farm. She lives in Ohio with her high school sweetheart.

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BLOG TOUR - The Wartime Chocolate Maker

DESCRIPTION:

Poland, 1943. I inhale the rich caramel scent as I carefully tuck a folded slip of paper under the delicate chocolates. My heart races as the door opens, and I lock eyes with my childhood sweetheart. If he found one of the secret messages hidden in every box of my creations, my life and my family would be in terrible danger…

Working in her father’s chocolate factory, Kasia risks her life every day hiding notes vital to the Polish resistance in the carefully packaged boxes. The information tucked beneath the truffles is crucial to freeing her country and her family from the Nazis. But each of her recipes is sent out under the watchful eyes of her boss, Sebastian—the man who broke her heart.

She has never been able to reconcile the kind, sweet boy she once adored with the man now allied with the Germans. Yet the more time she spends around him, the more he seems to hint at sympathizing with the resistance. And the risk of revealing everything to him seems to shrink day by day.

Until one coded message hidden among the rich chocolate makes her fear for her mother and brother’s lives. And though she’s on the factory floor with a group of fellow resistance women, she can’t let on what she knows. Because her network has been betrayed.

As she searches the faces of those closest to her for any sign of guilt, her eyes meet Sebastian’s, full of care and concern. With time running out, Kasia wonders if she can trust him with this deadly secret? Or are the soldiers already on their way to arrest her?

This sweeping World War 2 historical novel will have you utterly gripped and on the edge of your seat. Fans of The Nightingale, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and Kelly Rimmer will love this completely addictive and emotional read.

BUY LINK: 

https://geni.us/B0DQXLJ55Ksocial

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   The Wartime Chocolate Maker

Author:  Gosia Nealon

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  312

Date of Publication:   March 21, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

It has been quite some time since I read a WWII historical fiction novel, due to the devastating feelings I experienced while watching the movie Schindler‘s List, but The Wartime Chocolate Maker was the perfect book to bring me back to the genre. This sensitive read highlights the well-known fact that during World War II, Jews were taken to camps either for imprisonment or extermination. So reading this latest book by Gosia Nealon had an impact on me from the very beginning.

Kasia was from two worlds, born to both Polish and Jewish parents. For her protection, she was sent to live with her aunt. But now, Kasia is forced to work at her own father‘s chocolate factory ostensibly to portray her support for the Third Reich. As difficult as this is for Kasia, being in her father‘s factory, with him now deceased, has her torn when it comes to how she felt about him.

Kasia is not just going along with her forced employment, she is also involved with the Polish Resistance and is helping as many Jews as possible. One strong feeling that came from reading this book was how many dealt with the difficulties of having the will to live due to the brutal treatment they endured. All the while, Kasia struggles to protect her younger brother and her mother, even though it seems that someone is using her brother to get information to her. Walking on a tight rope has become Kasia’s life. She continues to struggle for optimism and deals with confusing emotional feelings. This touching story was a very good read and will be with me for a long time. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here. 

Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, which won a gold medal in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY).

 

Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.

 

When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and two young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.

 

Author social media

Website: https://www.gosianealon.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GosiaNealon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GosiaNealonHistoricalFiction

Email sign up: http://www.thread-books.com/sign-up/?source=endmatter&author=gosia-nealon-384

 

SERIES REVIEW - The Widows’ Detective Club

Link to shop the series

Title:  The Widows’ Guide to Murder

Author:  Amanda Ashby

Series:   The Windows’ Detective Club #1

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   264

Date of Publication:   March 3, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…

So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.

It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…

If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Robert Thorogood and The Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll adore this charming cozy mystery full of page-turning twists and endearing characters.

MY THOUGHTS:

Ginny Cole, initially seeking a part-time job at the small library in Little Shaw, found herself entangled in a web of intrigue upon her arrival. When she discovers the dead body of her unlikeable boss, she is determined to discover what happened to him. 

Ginny is not alone in this. In fact, she soon meets some other ladies her age, and she becomes fast friends with them. They are JM, Hen and Tuppence, all widows like Ginny, who possessed a quirky charm that Ginny couldn’t resist. The group is eager to form a club, one that would find the four of them solving crimes together. 

However, as with any case involving a civilian, the police were not amused. Detective Inspector Wallace, the assigned investigator, was determined to have Ginny leave the crime-solving to him. Despite the tension, Ginny remained steadfast in her commitment to solve the crime with her little group. .

This delightful first book in a cozy mystery series has left me eagerly anticipating the subsequent installments. In fact, I couldn’t resist reading The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing immediately, the second book in the series, which was an equally enjoyable adventure. 

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

- - - - -

Title:  The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing

Author:  Amanda Ashby

Series:   The Windows’ Detective Club #2

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   270

Date of Publication:   March 10, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars   

MY THOUGHTS:

Well, Ginny and her small group of friends, JM, Hen and Tuppence, have become a neat little group of amateur detectives. In one of the town’s shops, a gruesome discovery was made—a body. Remarkably, Ginny was the one who stumbled upon the scene. When the police arrested a young man named Milo, who seems their most likely prime suspect, Ginny decided to step in on his behalf.

Just like before, these older widows power on, much to the consternation of DI Wallace. He doesn’t want any of them involving themselves in this case, finding them to be an annoyance. The victim’s daughter appeals to the little group that the police have the wrong suspect, just as Ginny herself believes. Interestingly, not only had Ginny become the owner of a black cat she named Edgar (after much deliberation), but he keeps bringing home little gifts for her. One of these gifts is undoubtedly connected to the murder, much to Ginny’s surprise, so she stays firm in her resolve to solve the crime. 

The Widows’ Detective Club series made a strong debut with the first book, The Widows’ Guide to Murder, and this second book in the series was just as delightful as the first book. I very much look forward to continuing the series with The Widows’ Guide to Skullduggery, set to be released this June.  

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.

She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Libraryʼs Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.

She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.

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BLOG TOUR - Husband Missing

DESCRIPTION:

Fear prickles her skin. “Noah?” Photos and trinkets from their simple but perfect life together litter the carpet. The coffee table is cracked, blood along its edges. She should be taking in details, but her heart is racing too fast. A strangled cry works its way from Josie’s chest. Where is her husband?

Detective Josie Quinn’s world shatters when she returns home to find her house ransacked, and her husband, Noah, missing. When she kissed him goodbye hours earlier, called to the discovery of a woman’s body at a protest, they were putting the finishing touches to a nursery for their first adopted child. But now the house is empty, Noah’s bloodied handprints trailing the walls.

Every fiber of Josie’s being screams to investigate. But her team warn her to keep her distance as they follow a connection to a recent robbery in Denton. But Josie can’t quiet the voice telling her the handprints Noah left are leading her somewhere, and the trail ends at an upturned box of her long-dead abusive mother’s possessions: faded photos, jewelry, a lock of hair, and a few old newspaper clippings.

Beside herself with worry for Noah, and unexpectedly confronted by the trauma of her past, Josie throws herself into work. The woman’s body found during a demonstration outside a children’s hospital belongs to Gina Phelan, daughter of the powerful and influential Phelan family. Trawling the CCTV is a welcome distraction, but everything changes the moment fingerprints from the knife that wounded Gina match to prints found in Josie’s own home.

Her head spinning as the two cases collide, Josie’s only option is to delve into the life of the monster who terrorized her as a child. The key to everything is hidden in the box of her mother’s mementoes. But is Josie strong enough and fast enough to find it in time? And at what devastating cost to those she loves most?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0DSGGDWGSsocial 

Apple: https://ow.ly/MTIY50UBFvw 

Kobo: https://ow.ly/8EOO50UBFwP 

Google: https://ow.ly/GF0950UBFxA

Title:  Husband Missing

Author:  Lisa Regan

Series:  Detective Josie Quinn Book 22
Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  469

Date of Publication:  March 19, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

Right in the midst of what would have been a life-changing event for Detective Josie Quinn and her husband Noah, he goes missing. Clearly, something sinister has occurred, leaving behind some ambiguous clues. Josie is consumed by grief and desperation, determined to find Noah alive.

Josie, under orders to stay away from a recent crime under investigation, remains determined to find Noah. Her unwavering resolve shines through as she diligently searches for any clues. Meanwhile, her tragic past resurfaces, bringing her and her twin sister Trinity even closer together as they work together to find Noah. 

This 22nd book in the Detective Josie Quinn series hits with a profound emotional impact, evoking a range of feelings, including a lump in my throat and tears to my eyes, both more than once. Despite knowing that her involvement would require a dispassionate approach, Josie’s inner turmoil is palpable. She fears a personal disappointment might be facing them once Noah is found. This underlying factor intensifies the emotional impact of the book. And then, the ending! Oh my goodness! I can’t wait to discover what the next book in the series has in store for us. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Regan is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series. Lisa is a member of Sisters In Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S. with her husband, daughter, and Boston Terrier named Mr. Phillip. Find out more at her website: www.lisaregan.com

 

Author Social Media Links:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa-Regan-189735444395923/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan

WEBSITE: www.lisaregan.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/lisa-regan 

What Really is a Blog Tour?

If you follow this blog you will most likely noted that hundreds of my posts are blog tours. What are blog tours? How are they done? When are they done?

Those are the most expected questions, but we might even discuss why they are done as well as how.

What are they? They are specified blog posts that will usually include a book review, additional graphics, buy links, book description, sale links, author information and their contact data, excerpts, Q & As and often giveaways.

Why arrange for blog tours? Blog tours are arranged to allow bloggers to assist authors to get books noticed by a larger audience. Say for example, ten bloggers host the tours. That is ten specific blog tour posts targeted towards one book. If the bloggers then cross-post these blog tour posts, then the reach is larger for that particular book and author.

How are they arranged? This happens when a publicist (sometimes the author themselves) contacts a group of bloggers to host a blog tour for a book that is being published. This is arranged by dates. The dates usually run close to release date for said book.

How do you agree, or what do you do after you are contacted? In most cases a Google form will be attached to the invitation email. You fill that form out in order to agree to a specified date. In other case, you simply reply to the email with the date that will work for you. You should get a widget (usually sent to NetGalley at the time of the invitation, or sometime after via email).

How do you prepare your blog post? You will receive an email package close to your scheduled date with all the materials you will need. It comes in a couple of ways, depending on publisher. You might get an asset package that will contain all of the graphics, book blurb, author information, excerpt, etc. Or you might receive an HTML document, formatted in both Blogger and Wordpress format depending on what you use for your blog.

Who participates in hosting blog tours? In most cases the host must have a blog or a Bookstagram to participate. 

When? As mentioned, the dates are prearranged by the contact person (publicist, author, etc.). The host then agrees to publish their blog tour on said date.

Where are the posts published? Quite naturally, on the host blog, also some Bookstagrammers do blog tours.  However, bloggers generally cross post across social media. Examples are Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Companies who might be looking for hosts for upcoming tours. Harlequin, St. Martin's, Berkley, Bookouture, Rachel’s Random Resources, for example, always have quite a few listings every single month.

Questions: 

• What if I don't like the book that I am agreeing to host the tour for? In that case, you contact the publisher and let them know. If it is too late to have the blog tour graphics change, they often will be pleased for the host to simply run a promo for the book on scheduled date.
• How many tours should I do? That depends on your regular reading schedule.  One person may choose to do one per month, the next ten, and the next person even more. 
• I love the idea but I don't have the time, so how can I help? Featured posts with everything except the actual book review, therefore you do not have to read the book, are just fine. This still helps with the publicity for that particular book.

Review - The Love Simulation

 

Title:  The Love Simulation 

Author:  Etta Easton

Publisher:  Berkley

Genre:   Multicultural Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   March 4, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A passionate vice principal and a guarded science teacher compete for a grand prize, only to realize their budding relationship might be the real jackpot.

Brianna Rogers has been told a time (or six) she needs to stop jumping into things head first. But when the principal rescinds his approval for a library upgrade, deciding to spend the money on a football field instead, she sees red. Literally. Brianna throws her hat in the ring and joins a team of teachers who will spend their summer in a Mars simulation. As the sister of an astronaut, this should be easy, right? What she didn’t count on was the last-minute addition to the team—Roman science teacher, son of the principal, and too handsome for his own good.

Roman and Brianna have been hot and cold all year, and living in close quarters intensifies their animosity and attraction. Brianna is sure he’s been sent by his father to sabotage them, foiling their chance at prize money that will cover all of the school’s actual needs. But each day, Roman proves himself to be a dedicated teammate—and Brianna finds herself falling harder and harder. While it’s clear the feeling is mutual, she can’t shake the sense that he’s hiding something. As the simulation nears its end, Brianna realizes she may have to make an impossible choice, between the school she’s dedicated herself to, and the man who has won his way into her heart.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Summer break from school brings Brianna, a vice principal, and Roman, a science teacher, together in a friendly competition. Sparks fly between them, but Brianna’s determination to win casts a shadow over their budding romance. If she succeeds, she’ll secure a much-needed library upgrade for their school. However, Roman has his own plans for the school’s future. As the competition unfolds, an enemies-to-lovers dynamic emerges, testing their resolve and challenging their perceptions of each other.

This entertaining story is filled with delightful protagonists, engaging banter, and just the right amount of humor. The attraction between Brianna and Roman is undeniable, and the story unfolds as a slow-burn romance. But the contest itself—a Mars Simulation—adds an element of intrigue and keeps things interesting. The school environment serves as a captivating backdrop for their journey. In all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end. 

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Etta Easton’s journey into romance began in middle school. Her best friend pulled a tupperware bin full of Harlequin paperbacks from her mom’s closet, and Etta has never looked back. She is a certified hopeless romantic who now writes contemporary romance. Her stories are full of humor, relatable heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and Black joy.

She lives in Central Texas with her husband and two young kids who get all of their sweetness and attitude from their momma. When not reading or writing, Etta indulges in her s’mores obsession and searches for her next favorite love song.

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