Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift

Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift is dreamy romance !  Emmy Ellison has written a book on about her celebrity crush, but without his name.  She gets to meet him, help him with some PR, and try not fall in love.  

This was a delightful book for me.  Emmy is a wonderful character that I enjoyed getting to know.  Her life has had some twists and turns, but she is positive and trying to make the best of it.  It was fun to visit the world of Hollywood, and travel there with an author.  The story had great humor, banter, and a happily ever after that made me smile.  It was fun to think about what would happen if you met your celebrity crush and were immersed in their world.   The author does a good job of helping you to feel like you are attending those interesting Hollywood parties.  

I enjoyed the humor, setting, and romance.  I appreciated that the story was closed door, full of chemistry and great romance.   A great read that you will enjoy.  I highly recommend Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Christy Swift writes smexy romcoms and is a sci-fi fangirl who loves it all, from Star Trek to Firefly to the MCU. She daylights as an award-winning freelance writer, editor, and social media content provider with a focus on medical writing and conservation. Christy has lived in many places including Spain, Mexico, Canada, and all over Florida. In her free time, you can find her on or near the ocean, in front of the TV, or playing the nerdiest board game you've ever heard of with her husband, kids, and friends. To learn more, visit ChristySwift.com.

When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor

 When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor is a fantastic clean hockey romance. This is part of the Appies Series, but you do not need to have read the other books to enjoy the story. Evie is moving to North Carolina with her four-month-old daughter as a single mom.  Her best friend connects her with her older brother, Alec, in case she needs anything. Evie had a crush on Alec back in the day. What does today hold? 

I adored this story! Alec and Evie had great chemistry, a sweet friendship, and were so likeable.  What a joy to read about two people working hard to make a relationship work. The story wonderfully wove together both of their lives and the secondary characters added greatly to the story.  The setting of North Carolina, hanging out with the Appies Hockey team, and sweet baby Juno contributed to making this a story that will stay with me. I may have to buy a Appies hockey jersey soon.

This is a well written hockey romance with characters that I loved and engaged with! I highly recommend When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor.

PS I feel like I have been missing out since this is my first book by Jenny Proctor. I will remedy that.  

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

.Jenny Proctor is an award-winning author of more than twenty romantic comedies and an Amazon bestseller.

She began her career in publishing in 2013; her writing has been a constant since then and is now her full-time focus, but in the past, she spent several years as the owner and managing editor of Midnight Owl Editors and as the chair of the Storymakers Conference.

Wired for relationships, Jenny loves public speaking, teaching, and building lasting connections. Jenny was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she considers one of the loveliest on earth. She loves to hike with her family and spend time outdoors, but she also adores lounging around her home, reading great books or watching great movies and, when she’s lucky, eating delicious food she doesn’t have to prepare herself.

The Rival by Emma Lord

 The Rival by Emma Lord is a delightful young adult romantic comedy.  Sadie and Sebastian have grown up next door to each other, with parents who are good friends, and who compete with each other on everything.  They graduate and end up at the same college, and competing again for a space on the school newspaper.  Together they uncover flaws with the school, get to know each other better, and begin to wonder if they are truly  on the same page. 

I really enjoyed this one.  The banter, chemistry, and friendship between Sadie and Seb was magnificent.  Both characters grow, become better humans, and change in this coming-of-age story.  I felt caught up in the world of Maple Ridge University and was glad I could visit.  The story will make you want pancakes and wonder why you have not been eating them regularly.   The author did a good job capturing the transition to college, leaving your family, and individuating that happens post high school. 

This book is a wonderful treat filled with sweet romance, good banter, and story that will make you smile.  I highly recommend you read The Rival by EmmaLord with a plate of pancakes.    

I read a traveling ARC and was not required to write a positive review. 

My name’s Emma Lord, and I’m all three Powerpuff Girls in a trench coat, but also an author based in New York City. When I’m not writing, I’m either running, belting show tunes in community theater, or mildly alarming bakery staff with my enthusiasm for cake. My novels include TWEET CUTE (2020), Reese’s YA Book Club pick YOU HAVE A MATCH (2021), WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE (2022), BEGIN AGAIN (2023), and THE GETAWAY LIST (2024), with upcoming novels THE BREAK-UP PACT (2024) and THE RIVAL (2025). You can find me posting way too much about dessert and books @dilemmalord on Twitter and Instagram.

Set Your Eyes Higher by Whitney Lowe

Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God by Whitney Lowe  published by Zondervan is a 40 day devotional book to work on anxiety. The book has a great format of with a 2-3 page devotional, followed by suggested scripture readings, and a prayer for you that relates to the day's topic. This beautiful hardback book is a friendly size filled with photos, wisdom and is aesthetically pleasing.

The book is divided into four themes. I am enjoying reading through each day and appreciate the themes presented. The style of the book is open and inviting. It will help anyone grow in their faith and make progress with anxiety. I highly recommend Set your Eyes Higher by Whitney Lowe. A great addition to your 2025.

I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Blurb: Find peace and rest for your spirit when you fix your eyes on God.
Life feeling out of control? Overwhelmed and need a break? You’re invited to a 40-day reset that will help you let go of what’s not serving you, honor your limitations, and turn your gaze toward a God who loves you. Set Your Eyes Higher is a life-changing devotional journey from anxiety to peace.


We spend a lot of time looking down. Mostly at our phones. Sometimes at ourselves. The artificial blue light in our eyes makes us anxious about the world. It makes us chase trends that have nothing to do with who we want to be. It causes us to put time, energy, and brain space into what won’t last.
It’s time to look up.

Whitney Lowe is a Christian influencer who wants to see young women excited about God’s work: in the Bible, in history, in the world, and in them. She writes and creates on Instagram @ScribbleDevos, a project born from the realization that young women simply do not interact with the Bible enough to be changed by its truth. Whitney is passionate about disrupting the toxic scroll of social media with hope, peace, and light straight from Scripture.

She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two young children.

Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson

 I have been enjoying reading Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson. 

Kaitlyn Armstrong is still mad at Micah Croft because he made her break her nose, broke her heart, and broke her perfect academic record.  He is a part of her past until her sister introduces him as the architect, she is to work with for the New Year’s gala she will be working on.  Things are not going as planned and she does not know how this will ever come together.

This was the perfect book to end my 2024 with. The character development was fabulous!  I loved that this dual POV story moved seamless from high school to present day letting us get to know Kaitlyn and Micah!  I enjoyed getting to know them beyond the surface!  They had great banter, chemistry, and developed a strong friendship.  I appreciated the themes of second chances, forgiveness, and remembering we do not really know someone’s story or all they walk through.  

This story drew me in with the incredible characters, banter, and redeeming themes.  I highly recommend Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review is not required

Happy New Year!  

Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She lives in Southern California with her husband and children, a series of doomed houseplants, and a naughty miniature schnauzer. She holds a Masters in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a USA Today bestseller and a four-time Whitney Award winner for contemporary romance

Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune

Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune is the second book in the Moose Falls, Alaska series. It continues where the first book left off, but I feel it could be read as a standalone. Caleb Stone is still recovering from his disastrous appearance on a reality show. He feels he will never work again and his player status will live in infamy. Sophia Brand is a single mom trying hard to make a better life for her daughter, Lily. She is not really impressed with Caleb when they meet, but wonders if she has it all wrong.

I am so invested in this series. It was fantastic to get to know Caleb and revisit the other Stone brothers. Caleb and Sophia had good chemistry, a sweet friendship, and I enjoyed how they both matured in the story. The setting is fascinating and me considering travel to Alaska. I love the strong independent female characters who believe in loving their families well. I appreciate the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and family.

This is a delightful clean romance with interesting characters, sweet romance, and a fascinating setting. I look forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Publisher's Weekly Best Selling Author Belle Calhoune was born and raised in Massachusetts, one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library fed her hunger for books, particularly romance novels and mysteries.

A member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) Honor Roll, Belle has written over 40 books.

Her novel, An Alaskan Christmas, has been made into a television movie by Brain Power Studios, featured on UPtv in October of 2019.

Yes, I'm Tall by Robyn Aimee

Yes, I am Tall by Robyn Aimee is a sweet romantic comedy that I really enjoyed. Abby Knots is a piano teacher who is excited to start her new job. One of her students is an adult, Thomas Johnston, who wants to learn to play to impress a women. They hit it off, connect, and Abby agrees to teach him to flirt. But what happens when you start liking the person you are flirting with?

This was a delight! I enjoyed getting lost in this sweet holiday story. Abby is an engaging female main character who was kind, relatable, and fun to be around. Thomas was a thoughtful hero who I was rooting for. Together they had great banter, chemistry, and a sweet friendship. The secondary characters added humor and depth to the story. I found myself hoping that I would learn more about them in future books. (I am hopeful)

This was a festive Christmas read that sparkled and is perfect for the holiday or really any time of year. The engaging characters, humor and chemistry kept me engaged to the happily ever after. I highly recommend Yes, I 'm Tall by Robyn Aimee

This is on Kindle Unlimited 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review