Love in Bloom by Lisa Swinton

Get Book

Synopsis:

Following a collapse at Lakr, her makeup company, workaholic Camille is sent to the French Riviera to reshape her health habits. The beach is beautiful, but boring, until Camille reunites with university chum Tristan. He does things to her heart her doctor wouldn't approve of.
When he offers her the chance to attend the exclusive French Royal Chateau and Garden Tour, Camille jumps at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However they'll have to enter into a fake marriage to go on the tour.
On holiday from his research lab in India, Tristan is delighted to be reunited with Camille, his university crush. With each passing day, his feelings for her grow. Self doubt convinces him that he's unworthy of her love. Tristan must protect her from the secrets of his past, even if it means breaking both of their hearts.

Review:

I am loving this series because I love to travel and Lisa puts such great details in to her books that you feel like you are there experiencing what the characters are experiencing. I loved this one because I have been to Paris and Versailles so I loved knowing some of what they were experiencing in France. This is about two people who's lives needed a vacation even though they didn't really want it. I loved Camille's character and Tristan's character and I was cheering them on from the start. They had great chemistry and a lot in common. Mrs. Chan though... Lisa did a great job of making me not like her. This was a great book about being honest with each other and not letting gossip change the way you think of someone. This was a very sweet and clean contemporary romance book. Loved it!

Stars: 5

Kiss & Makeup by Lisa Swinton

Get Book

Synopsis:

One kiss is all they need to go from friends to lovers. Who will cross the line first?
Maddie regrets putting Connor in the friendzone by kissing another man. Her chance at redemption comes when she's hired as a makeup artist on a film in London, Connor's city. All she needs to do is apologize, and coax him across the friendship line--if Connor still wants her.
Connor should've moved on from Maddie when she made it clear she wasn't interested in a relationship with a stuffy British banker. With her arrival in London, Connor plans to make the most of his second chance. But his secrets will either win her heart or drive her back across the Atlantic for good.

Review:

First off I love the cover and the clever title. So cute! I have never been to London and with the amazing descriptions it felt like you were exploring London too. It is a standalone novel but you have met Maddie and Connor before if you've read 12 Days to Love and I love that their story continued. Maddie got a job on a movie in London and was excited to spend time with her friend Connor. I love Connor! Everything he did and planned for Maddie was so sweet. I loved the characters, the writing was fabulous and the chemistry was oooo la la! I was so bummed towards the end but I am so happy about how it ended. I know I've said it before but I love books about friends becoming lovers. Such a cute book!

Stars: 5

The ABC's of Dating by Brenna Jacobs

Get Book

Synopsis:

Can he persuade her to see him as something more than just her best friend?
Allie Carmichael is dating the wrong kind of man. To help Allie out of her dating rut, Allie's sister, Cassie, challenges her to date 26 new men, all that have 26 different careers- one for every letter of the alphabet.
When Eric's neighbor, Allie,  asks him for help with her new dating challenge, he's reluctant to get involved. Mostly because he'd really like Allie to fall in love with him. She's determined to finish out her dating challenge, but he's a veterinarian. And V is at the end of the alphabet.
Can Eric persuade Allie to abandon the list and see him as something more than just her best friend?

Review:

This was such a sweet novella. Allie is challenged to spice up her dating life by dating guys with 26  different careers. I loved the idea of that but man that would be tough to accomplish. Allie's friend/ neighbor helps her find dates for the first few but, oh boy, they were gems... all because his feelings for her was more than friends. I love stories about friends becoming lovers! Their story was so cute and I loved how they treated each other. It was very well written and made me excited for more books by this new author.

Stars: 5

The No Regrets Groom by Taylor Hart

Get Book

Synopsis:

A hot football player and a bet- what more could you want for Valentine's day?
Ziggy Brady, center for the Denver Storm, doesn't expect to dance with the woman who broke his heart ten years ago. But a bet issued by the owner of the Storm, is the catalyst for asking her. He certainly can't believe she slaps him, and he really doesn't know what to do when she throws in his face the fact her boyfriend is proposing later that night. The truth, is that Sophia Charles will always be his biggest regret.
Sophia Charles doesn't want to dance with Ziggy Brady at a fundraiser, but his brother has ALS and she actually likes Ty. Ziggy, on the other hand, has serious ego issues and the media doesn't help them by calling him Aquaman. When Ziggy shows up at her office asking her to go on a 'bucket list' trip for Ty to help create awareness and raise money to find a cure for ALS, she reluctantly agrees.
The No Regrets Tour consists of: driving cross country in a Retro RV, visiting an old Prison, staying at a Haunted Mansion, rafting the Snake River, and putting Graffiti Art on Devil's Tower- which will most-likely land them in jail.
Sophia and Ziggy find themselves unable to stay away from one another. When Ty confesses to writing a bogus break up letter from Ziggy to Sophia ten years ago, all the reasons they should stay away from one another melt away. And they find themselves, laughing and talking and kissing and catching up for all the time they missed out on.
When Ty has a break down and the tour comes to a halt, they must make a choice--walk away from it all or forgive and have No Regrets!

Review:

I am loving these books about the Brady Brother's. I love how they come off as such strong-willed and kind of full of themselves yet deep down there is a softer side of them. They are trying to raise money for ASL and to help their brother Ty so they are setting out on a "no regrets tour." This is Ty's idea and there are some crazy things he would like to do. Ziggy goes along with Ty along with a long time friend Sophia and when some truth comes out things get turned upside down. I loved this book and the twists and turns that happen. It was a great book about love, family and forgiveness. The chemistry between Ziggy and Sophia is magical and the love between the family members is heartwarming. It was well written and I loved the characters. It draws you in to the end and leaves you smiling! I'm excited to read about the next brother and his crazy life.

Stars: 4.5

Goodnight Kiss by Ranee' S. Clark

Get Book

Synopsis:

When Chase sees Clare during her brief Christmas visit to their hometown, he knows it's his chance to make things right between them. Considering he all but ignored her while on his mission, it's a tough task.

After having her heart broken by him before, Clare is wary of a holiday romance. But a long-awaited goodnight kiss might change her mind. 

Review:

I sure love me a sweet holiday romance story and this one was just that! This is a cute quick read, filled with descriptions and info to help you know exactly what you needed to. Chase and Clare haven't seen each other for years and thought any kind of relationship was lost. When they happen to see each other while Clare was home for Christmas the sparks were still there. This short story was well written and I definitely enjoyed!

Stars: 4

The Refugee's Billionaire by Rachelle J. Christensen

Get Book

Synopsis:

Shawn Halstrom has an assignment: travel to Atlanta, Georgia to investigate the Heart of Atlanta refugee center so that Burke Enterprises can make a donation. The job should take two weeks tops, but he wasn't planning on falling for a Cuban refugee named Carolina Diaz. She's a single mother who isn't interested in dating, even if the guy might be a billionaire.

When work pairs the unlikely duo together, Shawn and Carolina see a different side to each other and the world. Carolina's son, Daniel, captures Shawn's heart and the possibilities for a different future unfold. But when the refugee center where Carolina works faces closure, the two must decide if they are strong enough to work through the difficulties ahead and if love is a risk they're willing to take.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book because it had a different storyline than I had read before. Carolina is a single Mom who moved here from Cuba as a refugee and has now tried so hard to make a good life for she and her son. Shawn works for Burke Enterprises and came to Atlanta to do research of the refugee center so they can make a donation. As Carolina and Shawn work together the unlikely couple have a strong connection and the chemistry is undeniable. This was well written and kept me interested in what was going to happen with their relationship and the center. It was a quick read filled with hope, love, and swoony romance. I enjoyed how they worked together so that they could help others too. It was a heartwarming contemporary romance novella. 

Stars: 4

The Good Groom by Taylor Hart

Get Book

Synopsis:

Dax Brady, quarterback for the Texas Titans, only wants to be left alone after losing the championship game to go on his annual fishing trip. He doesn't want to attend a Bachelor Auction, he doesn't want to deal with his family issues, and he really doesn't want to be forced into working with some woman who clearly doesn't know how to help him.

Sky Brooks only came back to Dallas to collect the money her father left for her after he passed a year ago. Too bad the man in charge of the trust won't let her have it--unless she agreed to take on one last patient--Dax Brady. Pfft! What is she supposed to do with a cocky football player who keeps telling her to take her he doesn't need help?

When Dax and Sky end up in Puerto Rico doing 'untraditional' therapy in the form of building houses for Hurricane victims, Dax is surprised that Sky isn't like any other woman he's ever known. When finds himself pouring out his heart to her, he's even more surprised, when she shares some of her own secrets. 

When the past comes back to haunt them, they are left with a choice--give up on forgiveness or let love conquer all.

Review:

You get pulled right into this sweet romance from the first meeting in the office. Dax is the quarterback of the Texas Titans who has a lot going on in his life and to stay the quarterback the coach would like him to see a therapist. Sky is the therapist that is given the job to try and help Dax. It is pretty hopeless and Dax doesn't want her trying her "voodoo" on him so instead of giving up Sky takes him to Puerto Rico to help rebuild after the hurricane. They end up being exactly what the other needs to help them though their life trials. I love each of these characters and their strong personalities. The chemistry between the two was so strong that even though they were not going to cave you could feel how caring each of them were. Dax comes from a family with lots of brothers and he is a twin. I love reading stories about twins since I have twin boys and I hope my boys never go through a situation like Dax and his twin because it will make my momma heart sad. I loved this story of forgiveness and healing and being there for your family and those around you. 

Stars: 4.5