Review: Half-Light Harbor by Samantha Young

HALF-LIGHT HARBOR
Series: Scottish Isles #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young 
Release Date:
October 23, 2025

I went to Scotland looking for answers about my past. The last thing I expected was getting trapped on a private island with my stoic, brooding, gorgeous contractor.

Ramsay McRae is a man with secrets. He prefers the company of his dog to people and silence to any semblance of politeness. He says I’m too young, too sweet, too innocent.

Only he doesn’t know the truth. That I’m haunted by a crime that tore my life apart two years ago. I’ve come to Half-Light Harbor not just to start over, but to bring the monster who killed my parents to justice.

The last thing I need is a tortured Scot distracting me from my mission. But when his restraint snaps and my walls crumble, the results are explosive.

We say it’s only a no-strings-attached affair. A temporary moment to burn out this fire between us.

However, when my search for the truth brings danger to my door, it’s Ramsay stepping in to protect me. But it might be the secrets from his past that tear us apart forever…

AMAZON

“You don’t have a ‘me problem.’ You just want a domineering bastard in your bed.” He took a step toward me. “Domineering bastard at your service and happy to oblige. Now take off the bra.”

A brand new series from one of my favorite authors? YES please and thank you. And make it a romantic suspense, with a broody, reclusive, and mysterious alpha male with a dirty mouth and a past shrouded in dark secrets? *kicks feet giddily*

You, sir, have a very dirty mouth.”
His eyes roamed my face. “You liked it.”
“I did.” I blushed inwardly. “To my surprise.”
“I liked how much you liked it.”

Tierney is a woman who grew up not wanting for much, with successful parents and the life of a socialite. But they also raised her to appreciate everything that she has, so this is not your spoiled society princess. When the tragic death of her parents turns out to be something more than it seems, Tierney is determined to get to the bottom of it. She moves to Half-Light Harbor not only to escape but also to continue to work to bring those responsible for tearing her world apart to justice.

Tierney was impossible not to love. There was such a fierceness to her. This woman is loyal to her friends and loved her parents. She’s not afraid of doing the right thing, even when it costs her everything.

Ramsay is the island recluse. No one knows much about this man and his past is shrouded in mystery. He won’t ever let anyone close enough to know what still haunts him, aside from his best friend Quinn. When Tierney hires Ramsay as the contractor for her in, the sparks between them is immediate. And while the attraction definitely goes both ways, Ramsay is determined to fight it. He thinks Tierney is too good for him, too young for him, and just too close for comfort. So what’s a man to do? Agree to a no strings hookup situationship, that definitely is going to have strings that are going to come out in the best of ways.

Her gaze dropped to my crotch where my c*ck proudly tented my joggers. “Well, you certainly have a lot of stamina for a man of your advanced years.”
Little brat. I curbed my smile, covering it with a glower. “In ten seconds, I’m going to take care of my situation myself and leave you to deal with your own. Unless you bend the f*ck over.”
“You know you should really psychoanalyze why you are able to string together so many fully formed sentences when it comes to sex but not when it comes to normal, everyday conversation.”

We also get to meet secondary characters, like Ramsay’s best friend Quinn, his sister, and Tierney’s best friend, London. And while I’m excited for all of their books, I’m especially excited for Quinn and his second chance romance because you just know that the grovel should be epic. But I digress.

There is a strong suspense element that runs flawlessly in parallel with the romance. And I absolutely loved the way it all came together. Would I have loved a bit of a longer grovel from Ramsay? Sure. But he also did make up for everything in a way that only he was capable, so I couldn’t stay mad at him.

I’m also a sucker for dogs in books, and I loved Ramsay’s adorable alaskan malamute pup who also fell for Tierney as hard as he did. 

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

 

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Review: Secret Haven by Catherine Cowles

SECRET HAVEN
Series:
Sparrow Falls #6
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date:
October 21, 2025

The first time I met Kyler Blackwood, he was a bruised and battered boy with fire in his eyes and nowhere safe to land.

Since the first time he kissed me, he was my best-kept secret, my quiet rebellion, my haven in the storm.

But fate forced us apart, making us pretend to be strangers because it hurt too much to be anything else.

Years later, time hasn’t dulled what we felt, has never erased the way we fit. And when Kye’s past collides with my present, everything shifts.

It’s a choice neither of us expected.
A bond that never really broke.
A line we were never meant to cross.

We tell ourselves it’s only temporary, that the arrangement is just a means to an end. But with each passing day, the lie feels more like the truth. And with each stolen touch, Kye feels more like mine. Because some things were never meant to be pretend.

And some dangers are closer than we ever imagined…

AMAZON 

I’ve been dreaming of you since I was sixteen. You’ve been my one spark of light in the hellish dark. The only good thing in my life.”

Oh the way I love this series. And I was beyond excited to learn this would be Kye and Fallon. Now if you’re looking at my rating and judging already, don’t be. I think most would absolutely adore this book. And don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this story. But this was also a bit of my own personal tastes that entered the chat and I just couldn’t silence. But I digress.

It’s always been you, and it’ll always be you.”

These two give new meaning to the It’s Always Been You trope, because my whole heart. And while you may think, but they’re foster siblings, how can they? Well silence your non believing ways! Because trust me when I tell you that the second you learn their history, you will whole heartedly understand that they were always meant to be. Their connection started way before they ended up foster siblings and when Kye’s tragic circumstance lands him on the doorstep of Fallon’s loving foster family.

And while years may have passed, their connection never lessened. Fallon has given up hoping that the boy that she never stopped loving would see her the same way. And Kye still feels like he’ll never be good enough for Fallon because his history will always be the barrier between them that he can’t escape. But when Kye’s past comes back in the most unexpected way, Fallon may just be the solution and a marriage of convenience may be the answer. But is it really a convenience only when they both still have feelings?

I know most readers would absolutely love the way that both Fallon and Kye chose to spend their years apart. But I found it to be a bit of a stretch for my personal tastes. I struggle with this, especially on Fallon’s side. But ultimately I did also understand it.

The twist at the end definitely caught me off guard and it’s not often a twist catches me by surprise. I did not see that coming and I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It felt both like connecting a puzzle but also, almost out of left field. I can’t really explain it, but I didn’t fully love it.

Did I enjoy this book? Absolutely! I love Catherine’s blend of small town romance and suspense. And I do love me the pining of the it’s always been you trope. Were there parts of this book that didn’t fully work for me? Yes, but the romance stole the show and it helped smooth the edges of the parts that didn’t quite click for me.

Would I recommend this book? Without a doubt. Fans of this series will adore this story. And if you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend that you do yourself a favor and start from the begging. While each book is a standalone, you’d enjoy the connections so much more if you’ve met the other side characters already.

Review: Beyond The Blue Horizon by A.L. Jackson

BEYOND THE BLUE HORIZON
Series:
Moonlit Ridge #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: October 7, 2025

I should have known I’d break the promise I made when I found her stranded in a blizzard…

Feisty as hell and the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
With the cutest kid and her grandmother in tow, she’s completely off limits.
I don’t get involved with women like that.
I learned long ago I don’t have the ability to love.
My life is sordid and danger is always hiding in the shadows.
Only I can’t turn my back on them when I realize she’s in trouble, and I insist on them staying in a cabin at the motel I own.
As penance for my sins, I promised my life to protecting others.
Except she becomes so much more.
A need I don’t recognize. A desperation that burns beneath my flesh.
One kiss, and I’m falling for her.
One touch, and I’m at her feet.
But when my dark past comes back to haunt me, I’m in a race against time to save the only woman I’ve ever loved. Only it may be the demons that have been chasing her that destroy what we built…

AMAZON

I told you I had nothing left to give, so why do I want to give you everything?”

Oh Theo Mallin, the man you are.

I have been obsessed with the Moonlit Ridge world since book one, and the chokehold it now has on me is beyond words. Ever since the small preview in the previous book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Theo’s book. And don’t you just love when a book you’re eagerly anticipating not only meets your expectations but blows them away.

Now if you’re like me and love the heroine in trouble trope, you’ll love this series but especially this book. Piper is clearly running from something when she comes crashing into Theo’s life. And I mean that literally. He rescues her when her car loses control on a snowy road and crashes with her adorable son and sassy grandmother. Luckily they’re all unharmed, but her car is totaled, and leaves her stranded. But of course, not on Theo’s watch, who immediately steps into rescue mode. Now while this had the insta attraction/connection vibes, which aren’t usually my cuppa, it simply worked here.

Theo is a protector through and through. He will stop at nothing to help Piper, even if she pushes him away at every turn.

I shouldn’t be thinking of you every second of the day and every long moment of the night. But there you always are, in the periphery of my sight.”

Piper is clearly running and her secrets run deep, but we don’t know the full extent of them. And I love the way that AL Jackson feeds you snippets of it, morsel by morsel, through flashbacks and revelations. The puzzle pieces slowly connect and the twists were absolutely jaw dropping. Though, I did put the pieces together pretty quickly, it was still a non stop action packed ride that I enjoyed thoroughly.

The chemistry between Theo and Piper was absolutely incendiary. It was a slow burn full of chemistry and angst.

Fine.”
“That seems to be your favorite word when it comes to me.” His mouth was suddenly back to my ear. “And I can promise if I had you, it wouldn’t just be fine.”

If you love heroines in trouble with an absolutely SWOONY protector MMC who will spare nothing to protect the woman he cares about, you need this book in your life. I adored Piper’s little boy. He was one of the best secondary characters and the connection with him and Theo was everything. And I also loved her sassy grandmother who doesn’t mince words.

The romance was epic and the action was non stop. I simply can’t get enough of this series and I’m already dying for the next book.

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB  or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB

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Review: Wild Card by Elsie Silver

WILD CARD
Series:
Rose Hill #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Elsie Silver
Release Date:
September 9, 2025

Sebastian Rousseau is a grumpy, hot as hell fire pilot who is too damn good with his hands.

It’s the perfect combination. But unfortunately for me, he’s also my ex-boyfriend’s dad.

A chance meeting brought us together and a missed connection has kept us apart.

One year later, a stroke of fate has us living under the same roof—which makes everything between us downright messy.

Because even after all this time, he’s still the man I think about when I fall asleep. The one I can’t get over no matter how hard I try.

He’s working on mending a fragile relationship with his son and we both know acting on these urges would be the ultimate betrayal.

But I see the heat in his eyes. That look of need that never fails to send a shiver down my spine.

The mutual longing is borderline unbearable and the simmering heat between us is downright palpable.

We both know there are rules when it comes to situations like this.

But then again…following the rules never has been my strong suit.

AMAZON 

You’re a fucking wild card. Unpredictable and never what I expect.

Elsie definitely saved the best for last with Bash, because I can say with my whole chest that this was my absolute favorite MMC in this series. The way I loved him!!

Soon, all I can hear is her breathing, and it makes me realize I’m not breathing at all. After all the time I’ve spent dreaming of this moment, I need someone to pinch me so I know it’s real.

Now the ex boyfriend’s dad trope can be a hit or miss for me, depending on how it plays out. And it hit so good in this book. While it didn’t have that taboo feeling to it, it had the forbidden and angst vibes which I gobbled right up. Especially since the age gap wasn’t that wide with Bash being 40 and Gwen is 27 (Bash’s son is 20).

A chance meeting at an airport initially brings Gwen and Bash together, but fate is not in their corner. Then when they run into each other by chance a year later, they both receive the shock of a lifetime to realize their new connection.

Gwen was impossible not to love. She was this perfect combination of fierce and vulnerable. She’s not had an easy life but she didn’t let that beat her down. I loved the way that she stands firm for who she is and what she wants. I loved the way that she doesn’t easily cave but isn’t brash or impulsive about it either.

Bash’s son, Tripp, took me a minute to warm up to. Frankly put, I mildly tolerated him, until I hated him for a minute, and then ultimately he grew on me a bit too. Clyde, was easily my favorite side character ever. I loved the way he filled that fatherly missing piece for Gwen and I absolutely adored his connection with Bash.

The romance was very much a slow burn, which made it all the more delicious when it finally happened. The tension between these two was so palpable that it almost hurt. I loved the emotion and tension of it all. I would have loved to spend more time seeing Bash in his element as a firefighting pilot, but at least we got a good dose of that towards the end.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and fell hard for Bash and Gwen. The epilogue was absolute perfection too!

Review: Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles

CHASING SHELTER
Series:
Sparrow Falls #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date:
July 22, 2025

I came here seeking sanctuary, I never meant to fall for the broody single dad next door.

I’ve spent my life hiding in plain sight, burying my past beneath layers of carefully constructed lies. Moving to Sparrow Falls was supposed to be a fresh start. A place to lay low. But when I end up living next door to the single dad who just happens to be one of my brother’s best friends, everything changes.

Trace Colson sees too much, asks too many questions, and his protectiveness is as infuriating as it is alluring.

And when danger comes calling, it’s Trace who stands between me and the darkness.

But being close to him is its own kind of risk. Because with every heated glance and every stolen touch, Trace tempts me to open my heart, to dream of a life I’d long since given up on. The only problem? Trace has his own demons, and when they collide with mine, the fallout could destroy us both.

Forever.

AMAZON 

You breaking the rules for me, Chief?”
“I knew you were going to be a bad influence.”

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Catherine Cowles books are my happy place. PERIOD. And her MMCs are the blueprint. Because every time I think I meet my favorite, she goes ahead and introduces the next one and I’m swooning head over heels. And Trace? Oh the swoon was so real.

I lifted a hand to her face, my thumb tracking under her eye, the same one that had been bruised yet hidden beneath coats of makeup. “Who hurt you?”

After the events of Beautiful Exile, I was so excited for Linc’s sister to get her story. Her character growth and journey to finding herself and her strength was one of my favorite things about this book. Right after her sassy mouth and immediate connection with Trace’s adorable daughter, Keely.

Don’t worry, Chief, I won’t tell.”
“It’s Sheriff,” I ground out.

Is it really frenemies to lovers when the attraction is there but the stubborn man just refuses to admit it?

Trace is determined to avoid the much too tempting Ellie. Not only does he not have time for women when he’s busy with his job as sheriff and raising his daughter, but she’s also Linc’s sister. But then as fate would have it, Ellie becomes his neighbor and bis impossible to resist.

Can I tell you something?” I asked.
“Anything.”
“I like when you say fuck.”
A low chuckle sounded over the speaker. “Fuck, baby.”

Ellie is determined to find herself outside of her despicable father’s influence and her abusive ex fiancé’s hold. She wants to make a life for herself around what she wants, not what she’s told. But while the small town is a perfect place to start, not every person is welcoming her into the fold. Her father’s legacy is not a pretty one. And when danger starts to nip at her heels, Trace is determined to protect her. And oh Trace, the man you are.

You deserve to be in your power.” His mouth trailed lower, featherlight touches until he reached my lips. And there he stayed, speaking against them. “You deserve someone on their knees for you, not someone forcing you to yours.”

The romance was a delicious slow burn that I loved oh so much. Although there was a point where I thought that if they were going to be interrupted one more time, I may riot. But the burn was so worth it because when they do finally get together, it was deliciously satisfying.

As always, the suspense was a gripping layer that built on top of the romance and made this one unputdownable read. The ending did catch me a bit by surprise and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it for a minute there. But then I love when something manages to surprise me, so can’t complain there.

And did I mention Loli? Because this hilarious grandma is one of my all time favorite secondary characters, EVER.

Hey, what’s wrong with my place?” Cope pouted.
Sutton patted his chest. “You built that monster mansion in the middle of nowhere, Hotshot. It would take twenty officers to surround it.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean you’re insecure because you’re lacking in other departments,” Lolli said, arching a brow.
Cope’s jaw went slack and then his face screwed up like he was a little sick to his stomach. “Did my grandma just insult my dick size?”

I gobbled it up and can’t wait for more. If you haven’t read this series yet, you’re seriously missing out!

Review: At the Edge of Surrender by A.L. Jackson

AT THE EDGE OF SURRENDER
Series:
Moonlit Ridge #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: June 16, ,2025

A surprise single dad, small town romantic suspense…

I’m the last guy on the planet who should be a dad. My life is chaos. My sins written dark and deep.
So, imagine my surprise when my doorbell rings and I open it to find the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen standing on the other side.
And she’s holding the hand of a little girl who looks just like me.

Emery tells me her sister, the child’s mother, is dead.
I feel like dirt since she’s a woman I can hardly remember, and it’s no wonder Emery doesn’t trust that I’m worthy of caring for her niece.
But I can’t turn my back, and I insist on raising Maci.
So, we strike a deal—she’ll stay with me for one month to ensure the little girl is safe.

Emery tries to hate me for who I am, but neither of us can resist the attraction that blazes between us.
One brush of her hand, and she has me on my knees.
One kiss, and I’m falling fast.
Soon, we find ourselves tangled in my sheets.

But when it’s discovered her sister’s death wasn’t accidental, the secret life I’ve been living collides with the past Emery has tried to keep hidden.
And when the fiends come back to finish the job they started, I’m in a race against time to save the two people who I’ve come to love most…

AMAZON

You shouldn’t look at me that way, Emery.”
“What way am I looking at you?”
“Like you want to surrender.”

Swoon. When I tell you that AL Jackson can write one hell of an MMC, this is what I mean. Kane Asher is the epitome of a tortured character. I loved him so much.

Now do I love a surprise pregnancy trope? No. Do I like it even less when it’s not the FMC’s baby? Yes. But if anyone can make me love it, it’s this author. And I was honestly blown away at just how well it worked in this story. Kane is a lone wolf and doesn’t spend more than a night with a woman. So imagine his surprise when he learns he has a daughter he knew nothing about and the woman to deliver the news is the sister of the mother who tragically passed away.

Now Emory took me a minute to warm up to. She was so hard on Kane and judged him so much that it was frustrating at parts. I understand her rationale but it was just too much of it also.

The story itself was gripping and Jackson writes a suspense like no other. It had twists and turns, it had chemistry galore, and it was another fantastic installment in one of my favorite series. 

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB  or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB

Facebook: https://geni.us/ALJacksonFBB 

Reader Group: https://geni.us/AmysAngelsB 

Amazon: https://geni.us/ALJacksonAmznB 

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Twitter: @aljacksonauthor 

Instagram: @aljacksonauthor

TikTok: @aljacksonauthor

 

Review: Just Say Yes by Lena Hendrix

JUST SAY YES
Series:
The Kings #5
Author:
Lena Hendrix
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
Release Date: April 25, 2025

Getting tangled up with an Olympic rugby player seems like the perfect way to forget about how my life is falling apart. Until I discover he’s my ex-boyfriend’s best friend.

Logan Brown walked into my small town with a charming grin and mischief in his eyes. He’s a world-class flirt and his confident masculinity is almost as distracting as those rugby thighs.

Given my inexperienced history, I’m no match for our undeniable chemistry. I vow to keep him at arm’s length. But with Logan, every lingering stare—every forbidden touch—awakens something inside of me I thought I had buried for good.

We both know we shouldn’t cross that line, but I have spent my entire life being a good girl, and suddenly I’m tempted to be very, very bad.

Especially when Logan tells me to just say yes.

AMAZON

It hit me like a punch to the gut that I wanted to be the only one who ever got to see her like this.

Save a horse, ride a mustached professional rugby player. Or, you know, however that saying goes. Just be prepared to fall and fall hard for the greenest flag that is Logan Brown. And I couldn’t imagine a better match for MJ. Oh the swoon of it all.

You can take from me whatever you want.” My cock. My heart. Fuck, I would have given MJ anything she asked for in that moment.

I have been waiting for MJ’s story and while my expectations were already high, her story still blew them away. I loved the journey to her HEA and it honestly couldn’t have been with a better man than Logan.

When I tell you that this had the cutest and funniest meet cute, I mean it was EVERYTHING. The sparks were instant and Logan definitely manages to step into it with MJ when they first meet. Nothing better than a man who can easily admit when he’s wrong and not afraid to apologize. And I loved the way that Logan pursued her.

MJ is still working through the broken pieces left behind the damage of her ex. But man oh man did I love how Logan showed her what a real man is supposed to treat a woman like. He’s a gentleman in the streets and a beast in the sheets, and I loved him HARD. I also loved the way he handled every challenge, including the surprising connection they find of Logan being the best friend of the ex that put MJ through the wringer.

The book deals with some heavy themes and I loved the way that Lena wrote it with her signature humor without taking away from the darker themes. I loved the growth that both of the characters go through and I loved their journey to a much deserved HEA. A big rec to all my small town romance lovers out there!

Review: The Woman Left Behind by Kristen Ashley

THE WOMAN LEFT BEHIND
Series: Misted Pines #4
Genre: Thriller Romance
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date:
April 15, 2025

The Woman Left Behind, an all-new, beautifully-crafted, compelling second-chance, thriller romance and the fourth book in the Misted Pines Series from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley is live now!

There are two dead bodies in Idaho, and the gun used to kill them has been traced back to a sixteen-year-old robbery in Misted Pines.

Sheriff Harry Moran has a broken heart and a stack of case files on his desk that the corrupt sheriff who came before him might have bungled.

Or he may have framed innocent people.

The first case Harry dives into, the woman left behind lives just a block away from his office.

When Lillian Rainier opens the door to the sheriff, Harry, who’s been a dead man walking since his wife died, comes back to life.

As for Lillian, she’s had a crush on Harry for forever, Harry showing at her door, and how he is when he does only makes her fall deeper.

As Harry and his team dive into these suspicious cases, Harry and Lillian have to figure out what to do with all they feel for each other, how hard it hits them, and how deep it goes.

But as a voice from the past becomes a witness in the present, and Harry and his crew dig deeper, they sense something sinister happened years ago. As they weave together the threads of a cold case, they realize how messy it is.

Worse, the man behind the mess is desperately cleaning it up …

And no one in Misted Pines is safe.

AMAZON

I would love this man until my dying breath.

Prepare to judge me when I tell you that this was my first book in this series. I’m a die hard KA fan, so how this series skated under my radar is beyond me and I will rectifying it immediately by going back and reading the first three. However, I can also confirm that this book can be easily enjoyed as a standalone.

I’m so sorry you have to go through this with me.”
“Lilly,” he said sharply. At his tone, he felt her head move and her gaze on him through the dark. When he got the last, he stated, “I feel like the luckiest man on the planet that I get to be here for you while you go through this.”

This is a small town romantic suspense and while the romance was wonderful, it was secondary to the suspense plot of the cold case Harry is working on. I loved the way that the author effortlessly wove the romance into the plot without it overwhelming or taking away from the suspense. The connection between Harry and Lilly felt organic and developed realistically over time, considering that Harry is investigating a cold case that is so connected to Lilly.

Another thing I have to call out is how well Kristen handled Harry being a widower. So often you read characters who lost a spouse and villainizes them to make it easier for the character to move on. Not Harry. Harry loved his wife and he mourned her for years. He doesn’t discount what she gave him for the short time they were together but most importantly, Lilly doesn’t feel like a fill in or secondary prize. He fell hard for her but it took time and he didn’t rush it. I loved his maturity and sweet and protective nature.

I loved her. I married her. I was destroyed when I lost her. But that was years ago and something you need to know. I’m stubborn.”
Her eyes got big at this admission, and she mumbled, “Um… okay.”
“Being stubborn,” he went on, “I held on to her loss longer than I should.” He gave her a squeeze and warned, “I’m not over her, Lillian. I’ll never be over her. She’ll always be in my heart. But, not so recently, a friend told me Winnie would be pissed as shit I stopped living when she did. He was right. It took me until meeting you to understand how right he was.”

Harry has taken over as Sheriff and the legacy of the previous sheriff’s corruption still follows him, particularly with the recent cold case of a robbery and the finding of two dead bodies which seems to be linked. And they also seem to be linked to a woman who the entire town seems to know but has flown under his radar. But the minute he meets Lilly, he knows that she is so much more than just a victim of a crime. She’s a woman he wants in his life and who deserves answers which he will do everything in his power to get her.

I do wish that I knew the themes this book deals with because parental loss is a trigger for me having lost my dad a few months ago this was particularly difficult for me to read. I enjoyed it but it was an emotional read for me and took me a bit longer to finish because I had to pace myself. The pacing, the development, the secondary characters were all fantastic. While I didn’t expect a cold case to be wrapped up with a perfect bow at the end, I do wish we got a bit more answers, but it was still highly satisfying so I can’t complain.

If you’re looking for a small town suspense with a beautiful romance and the most swoon sheriff hero, look no further. Prepare to fall and fall hard for the sheriff.

For more information on Kristen Ashley, visit: https://www.kristenashley.net/

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Review: Beautiful Exile by Catherine Cowles

BEAUTIFUL EXILE
Series:
Sparrow Falls #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date:
March 18, 2025

I should’ve known Lincoln Pierce was trouble from the moment I held my knife to his throat.

I’ve been running for most of my life, hiding away in a small town and hoping no one discovers who I truly am. The only problem is that I can never let anyone know the real me. Or at least that was true until my brother moved his best friend onto our shared property.

Now, I’m stuck trying to avoid the nosy billionaire’s probing questions and piercing stares. And it doesn’t help that I almost killed him the first time we met.

Oops.

But when all my carefully crafted lies come crashing down around me, it’s Linc stepping in to shield me. And when it looks like the person hunting me for all those years is back, Linc will do anything to keep me safe.

Only it’s not just my safety at risk. It’s my heart. Because when Linc touches me, I lose all sense. And when I truly get to know the broken billionaire, he’s so much more than a ruthless business tycoon. He’s the man showing me that it’s time to really live.

But I’m not the only one with secrets. Linc has them, too. And when the forces from our pasts emerge from the shadows, it’s with only one goal: to end the new life we’re building together. For good.

AMAZON 

Lincoln Pierce was a good man. The best kind. And it scared the hell out of me.

It’s official; Catherine Cowles books are my happy place. Full stop.

Now first I have to tell you that she calls him “Cowboy” and he calls her “Vicious” and I was kicking my feet and giggling like a school girl each time I read it. But on to the review, shall we?

I hope you don’t mind a clingy boyfriend.”
My mouth quirked. “Boyfriend, huh?”
Linc chuckled, the sound skating over me. “Ridiculous term. But it’ll have to do until you let me have husband.”

I swear, there is just something about a Catherine MMC that just hits in all the best ways. She writes some of the most amazing, fiercely protective, and make you swoon until you’re a puddle on the floor sort of men. And man oh man did I fall hard and fast for Lincoln. The man was perfection and I could’t get enough of him.

Arden was a survivor through and through and I loved her fierceness wrapped in vulnerability. This is a woman who took charge of her safety and I love the way she was. As a cane corso owner, I love seeing this breed featured in books and I absolutely loved the bond between her and her pup.

Can I pet him, or will he rip off my hand?”
I looked down at my dog. “He’ll only do that if I tell him to.”
Linc’s dark brows lifted at that. “And are you going to tell him to, Vicious?”

For those of you who loved it when the man falls first and HARD, like me, then you’re definitely going to love Linc. He didn’t fight his connection to Arden for even a second. Even while she fought it at first and even with him being her brother’s best friend, he didn’t let it distract him from his path. I absolutely loved the way he fought for her in the same way he fought WITH her. And man oh man but did I love them together. Their chemistry was absolute perfection.

The suspense had me turning the pages well into the night and I finished this book in one riveting, pulse pounding, edge of my seat, reading. Catherine has quickly become an auto buy author for me and this book is a perfect example why. I can’t recommend it enough for all my fellow spicy romantic suspense loving readers out there!

Review: Wild Side by Elsie Silver

WILD SIDE
Series:
Rose Hill #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Elsie Silver
Release Date:
March 4, 2025

I’d always dreamed of my wedding day. But not like this. Not looking into the eyes of the man who betrayed me.

But when my nephew’s guardianship is contested, I decide I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him in Rose Hill. Even if it means marrying the enemy.  

Rhys Dupris 

A man who is secretive, broody, and completely infuriating. A man whose work takes him away for weeks on end and brings him back covered in mysterious bruises—ones he won’t talk about. In fact, we barely talk at all. 

Which would be fine, except when he’s not talking, he’s staring. And the way he looks at me is borderline indecent. 

The tension between us has always been palpable. But living under the same roof is a dangerous temptation. 

I swore I would never forgive him. But that was before I knew the man behind the mask. The one who’s fierce and protective. The one who’s gentle and patient. The one who shows up for us when we need him most. 

He’s not at all who I thought he was.

And that makes hating my husband so much harder… and loving him just a little too easy.

AMAZON 

How fucked up do I have to be to get all horny over a man who is here to make my life miserable and looks at me like he wants to kill me?

I don’t know what sort of crack Elsie sprinkles into her books but I hope she never stops. Because I liked Wild Love, I loved Wild Eyes, but I fell head over heels for Wild Side.

I was already intrigued by Rhys as a secondary character in the previous books. The quiet and mysterious stranger who just has an electric presence. We know next to nothing about him and I for one was rabid for every morsel. And after the tease in Wild Eyes? I was feral for this book. FERAL.

Tabitha is an FMC that I was immediately connected with. There’s just something so raw and so real about her. After the tragic loss of her sister, he beloved nephew is all she has left of her memory. She loves the boy beyond reason and would do anything for him. And when she finds out that her sister left the guardianship of her nephew to her grumpy neighbor, she realizes that anything would also be a marriage in name only to ensure her nephew gets everything he needs. She knows next to nothing about Rhys, except that he broke his promise to her, he’s grumpy, and he has a mysterious job that no one knows about.

And Rhys? The level of obsession that I have with this man knows no bounds. The more you find out about him, the harder you fall. And when you realize the lengths he goes to in order to protect Tabby’s memory of her sister, I fell that much harder. He’s selfless and beneath that grumpy exterior is the mushy sweet center that you can’t get enough of.

I lived for their banter. Tabitha was such a ballbuster with Rhys, but he didn’t take any of it lying down. Their banter was full of tension and so much chemistry that I thought my kindly would combust.

I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with me being a porn star. If you want to see me fuck someone, the bathroom is right there. Drag me in there right now, and you can watch in the mirror while I bend you over.”

And did I mention their chemistry? Because OHMYGAWD

Rhys has always given off big dick energy. But I know now it’s not so much energy as big dick knowledge. Big dick surety? Big dick guarantee.

There was a delicious slow burn romance that was full of tension and so much emotion. When I tell you that I loved Rhys and Tabitha together, I mean I never wanted this book to end.

And when you find out what it is that Rhys does for a living? PERFECTION.

If you’re looking for an MMC that you will fall head over heels for, look no further. Because Rhys was everything and I mean EVERYTHING.

I wish you weren’t seeing me like this.”
My brow furrows. “Like what?”
“At my worst.”
I tip my head toward her. “Then it’s all uphill from here, baby. It’s going to make seeing you at your best so damn special.”

This series just continues to get better with each book and I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment.

If you’re looking for a small town romance with all the feels, plenty of spice, and characters that you simply won’t stop thinking about then look no further. This book was simply perfection.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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