Kiss Me At Midnight by Lucinda Whitney

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Synopsis:

When Filipe Romano arrives at the SoliMar beach resort, his newest acquisition, he plans to complete renovations quickly before moving on to his next property. But a stumbling block arises when he discovers Celeste, the sister of his deceased best friend, is an employee at the resort's aquarium, which he intends to sell. To complicate matters more, he has unresolved feelings for Celeste and blames himself for the accident that killed her brother.
Celeste Ferreira, a stressed single mom, needs a miracle. Without any means to start over,  she clings to the job she loves as aquarist at the SoliMar Aquarium. After she discovers the new owner is Filipe, an old family friend, their history makes it hard for Celeste to trust him, especially with her position in peril. Though closing down the aquarium makes good financial sense, Filipe finds himself reluctant to disappoint Celeste and decides to help her with the repairs for the upcoming inspection. But is working side by side enough to forget the past and build a new future, or is the pain between them too deep to move on?

Review:

I love the Romano Family and all their stories so this one was no exception! I loved this story of second chance love for Filipe Romano and didn't want to put it down. Filipe is getting ready to open his beach resort and wants to finalize the selling of the aquarium when... there she was Celeste the girl he walked away from years ago. Celeste and Filipe run into each other occasionally and easily fell back into a friendship thanks to her son Lucas. Filipe is just what Lucas needs and I love their connection. The relationship that develops was a connection that was lost many years ago but the love never was. Oooo lala there were some butterflies in your stomach kisses. This was such a sweet story of hope, forgiveness and love. I loved the book and I loved how it ended!

Stars: 5

Serving the Prince by Lucinda Whitney

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Synopsis:

Julie Winters' life is simple: work and college. Her five-year plan doesn't allow for detours of any kind, and that includes no dating. With her family counting on the money she makes from her tips at the lodge, Julie is  serious about her responsibilities. She definitely won't let a man distract her, even when he looks like Max, a guest from Europe.
But when Julie's old car breaks down, the mysterious Max is the one to rescue her. And when she needs and archery tutor, Max volunteers for the job. Soon, they're spending time together, and Julie likes it. Maybe a little too much.
Prince Maximilian Wolfe is in the U.S. to look for investors, not to find a girlfriend. His friend Prince Henry likes to go clubbing, but Max prefers the simple things. When he meets Julie at the restaurant where she works, he's immediately intrigued by her beautiful brown eyes. Julie is different and genuine, and Max looks for ways to spend more time together.
There's only one problem-Julie doesn't know Max is a prince.

Review:

Who doesn't love a story with a Handsome Prince involved... ooo la la I sure do! Julie is a very hard working and responsible woman who is working as a waitress while she is going to college. One day she meets a very handsome gentleman at work. Max is in the U.S. looking for investors and is strictly their on business and not to find a girlfriend. When he meets Julie at the lodge where she works he is drawn to her and their paths cross. Max is such a gentleman and helps Julie in many ways and she begins to really like him until his little- I mean BIG secret is revealed. This was very well written. I enjoyed the characters and their interaction and chemistry that oozed off the pages. It is a very short read and I look forward to reading more by Sophia. This is a sweet clean and swoon worthy romance. And I love the cover!! The only complaint I have is that it was too short.

Stars: 4.5

Keep Me At Christmas by Lucinda Whitney

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Synopsis:

When Luciana Romano arrives in Hudson Springs, New York, her plan is to complete her restoration job at the museum so she can return home to her family right after Christmas. But a blizzard grounds all flights, and she finds herself stranded. The DiLorenzo family offers her a place to stay, and she accepts their hospitality. But the unexpected attraction between her and the quiet, good-looking son makes it hard to want to leave.
Jack DiLorenzo is stuck, Managing the family's Italian café is not what he'd planned to do with his life, but his sense of duty won't let him quit. When his grandmother invites a Portuguese woman to stay with them, Jack feels something he hasn't felt for a long time: hope. He knows he shouldn't get close to Luciana since she's leaving as soon as the airport opens, but he can't help himself.
Yet as the magic of the season begins to work on them, he wonders how he can let go of the woman who's awakened his heart.

Review:

Oh how I love Christmas time and who doesn't love a little Christmas romance?! I loved reading all about the cold, snowy Christmas season while I am enjoying a nice toasty Summer. This was a very cute story about Luciana who travels to New York for a job and she meets the DiLorenzo family at a small café not realizing her world and plan for New York was going to be turned upside down. I love the friendship and connection that developed between Luciana and Jack. Jack was so sweet and showed Luciana how to enjoy the winter and experience the best Christmas festival. There may have been a mishap or two but I love that hope was restored in their hearts. I loved the characters and it was very well written. The end made my heart happy! I love the Romano family and each of their stories and this was a fabulous addition to the series.

Stars: 5

One Small Chance by Lucinda Whitney

Synopsis:

Isabel Antunes is content with her life as director of the British Academy in Lisbon. Then she's hit by a man on a bike--a man her boss just hired to be her assistant. Despite Simon Ackerley's repeated assurances to the contrary, Isabel believes he's after her  position, but she won't hand it over without a fight. As if dealing with him all week is not enough, he shows up at church as well. Her only solace is in writing to the pen pal she knows as "Elliott."
Simon Ackerley told his father he was moving to Lisbon for the job. But that isn't the only reason. Simon is looking for Amelie, the pen pal he's written for fifteen years. A woman he knows everything about- except her real name and address. When the accident reveals that Simon's prickly co-worker Isabel is the elusive Amelie, he knows he has to win her trust before he can confess his true identity. If only he could tell her the actual reason why he's come, he's sure Isabel would treat him differently. But she's not ready for the truth.

Review:

I LOVE Lisbon, Portugal and reading this cute book took me right back there. The world is small and there is always that possible chance encounter. Isabel has a long time pen pal that she has written for years but knows little about his personal life like his real name. Little does she know that the new guy at work is her longtime pen pal. I love how Simon was so nice and patient. He worked on getting Isabel to trust him before saying much. I loved this cute novella. The characters had great chemistry and the descriptive details and setting were very well written. It is a clean, LDS romance novella. It is short, sweet, and an easy read!

Stars: 4.5

Love Me At Sunset by Lucinda Whitney

Synopsis:

Catarina Romano has lost everything: her husband, her house, her lifestyle. She flees to her cousin’s empty manor in the heart of Portugal, trying to find peace and to hide from the scandal spun by the media, only to discover she is pregnant.

 Afonso Cortez is done with all the lies. Fresh out of prison for trusting the wrong person, he’s ready to leave the past behind and look ahead to new opportunities. The remote Sunset Manor, in need of a groundskeeper, is the perfect solution, promising to provide Afonso with the solitude he craves while he restores the grounds to their former glory.

 Catarina avoids Afonso at first, not wanting to further complicate her life. But Afonso is intriguing, and she feels drawn to him. If only she didn’t feel guilty for all the secrets she’s keeping from him.

 When suspicious accidents start occurring at the property, Afonso believes his past is catching up with him. Will he be able to protect Catarina or will he lose the woman who might restore his belief in love?

Review:

A little suspense mixed with great chemistry between Catarina and Afonso made for an exciting read. Afonso was able to get a job being the groundskeeper at Sunset Manor and was hoping to put his life back together and move on but sometimes there is a different plan for you. Catarina's cousin and owner of the mansion found her and offered for her stay at the mansion. She was hoping to hideout until she could figure out what was next for her and her soon to be child. Afonso and Catarina meet and build a friendship. I was sad that Catarina hid so much from Afonso yet I understand why but I loved how caring he was towards her and let her have her space but was there for her when she needed him. I loved this clean romantic read. This book can be a stand alone but I love how it is part of two other series... Destined For Love: Mansions and the Romano Family series. This was a great book about taking a chance because you never know where you might find love.

Stars: 4.5

Meet Me At Sunrise by Lucinda Whitney

Synopsis:

Finding love in eight days was not on the itinerary...
Between a bad breakup and a rocky relationship with her overbearing father, twenty-three-year-old Vanessa Clark has a history of being disappointed by the men in her life. So when her long-lost grandfather reenters the scene and persuades her to tour northern Portugal on one of his cruise ships, Vanessa boards the vessel looking for answers about her estranged family, not looking for love.
Captain Matias Romano has enough to worry about without having to babysit his boss's spoiled American granddaughter, no matter how good-looking she is. First the issue with the refrigerators, and now the ship's computers and malfunctioning-he'll be relieved when this trip is over and he can get back to business as usual.
But as Matias plays tour guide on Vanessa's excursions and they work together to investigate a series of suspicious accidents aboard, they both realize there's more to the other than first impressions. Can Vanessa work through her complicated past to make room for Matias in her future, or will they pass like ships in the night?

Review:

This is the second book in the Destined For Love Series and I am loving these books! This was set in Portugal and I would love to go back someday and visit the places in this book. Romance, Cruise Ship, and Portugal... it was pretty Dreamy! I liked this book a lot not only was it full of amazing chemistry between the 2 main characters but it was suspenseful as well. Matias is the Captain of a river cruise ship that travels in Portugal to some beautiful places. He's been the Captain for years and the owner of the company sent his granddaughter Vanessa on this trip so she could experience the amazing river cruise. The two meet and first impressions weren't so great. As the story goes on and they get to know each other they don't think they should get involved for various reasons but they couldn't deny the connection they felt. While on the 8 day cruise many things are happening on the cruise that are very unusual to Matias and he can't figure out what is going on. He feels like he is being sabotaged.  I loved their sweet romance, loved the storyline, loved that they were on a cruise ship and loved Portugal!
This book is not only in the Destined For Love series but Lucinda Whitney is also writing a Romano Family series and this is the second book. I am excited to read more in this series and hope that we will hear more of Matias and Vanessa's story and the suspects on the ship.

Stars: 4.5

Hold Me At Twilight by Lucinda Whitney

Synopsis:

When Knox Campbell goes to Portugal for a short business trip, he never planned on losing his documents. Now he's stranded in Porto, his passport lost, and his credit cards canceled. Unable to return to the US and without a place to stay, Knox turns to the travel agent who suggested the local day attractions for assistance.
Jacinta Romano loves helping her clients set up their dream trips, although she doesn't usually meet the ones visiting from abroad. But all that changes when a client shows up at the agency while her meddling family are still there. They latch on to him immediately, insisting Jacinta bring him home while he's stranded. Thankfully, he's only staying until his new passport arrives and after two weeks of playing hostess, she'll be glad to send him on his way.
Or will she?

The Romano Family series follows the stories of the Romano cousins of northern Portugal as they find love and their Happily-Ever-Afters.

Review:

Lucinda sucks you in with this cute, sweet and very quick read. It is a well written but too short novella that leaves you wanting to know more details but excited to read the other books coming out in the Romano Family series. It is set in Portugal like her other books and it made me miss traveling and Portugal.
Jacinta is a travel agent and Knox is visiting Portugal on a short business trip when his important information is stolen leaving him stranded. He decided to stop by the travel agency that had helped him with some touring info and there he sees Jacinta. When they meet her family is there and encourages him to come to dinner and the whirlwind adventure of waiting for his passport continues. Their story is very sweet and yes it is short but for the length of the novella the characters are well developed and the end leaves you with a smile and satisfied.
This gives you a glimpse into what the Destined For Love: Europe series will be like. I love Europe so I am looking forward to this new series by different authors to come out so I can dream of being back there.

Stars: 4