Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews

 

Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews and is the fourth in the Somerset Stories. I feel like it can be read as a stand-alone, but for more enjoyment read the whole series. Meg Burton-Smythe meets Ivor Beresford one day when she falls from her horse. They become friends. The only issue is that their families are sworn enemies.

I was reminded of Romeo and Juliet while reading the story, but thankful the story did not end the same as Shakespeare’s famous play. The characters growth throughout the story was beautiful to watch, and the author has an amazing way of sharing the thoughts and feelings of the characters as you walk with them. This closed door romance was delightful and the romance expressed expertly through dialogue, thoughts and beautifully crafted scenes.

This story had amazing romance, beautiful characters, and wonderful themes of forgiveness and redemption. I lost track of time and was immersed in Appointment in Bath. I highly recommend!

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

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at mimimatthews.com

Sign Me Up by Dulcie Dameron

Sign Me Up by Dulcie Dameron is a sweet friends to more romantic comedy. Jamie and Parker work together at the Gazette in a small town in Ohio. Their boss decides that they need to improve the office moral and that is when things get interesting!

I enjoyed the excellent banter between the Jamie and Parker. The author did an amazing job with Parker and giving you a glimpse into the deaf world. Their were so many laugh out loud scenes as the team building events were hysterical. I may never participate in a trust fall again. I loved how the author graciously dealt with anxiety and grief from losing a loved one. The wit and depth made this a great read.

Sign Me Up checked all the boxes for me. It was filled with humor, interesting characters, and sweet romance. I am excited there is another one in the series and look forward to Daria’s story. I recommend!

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

I'm a wife and mama enjoying life in the Midwest with my husband, kiddos, and dogs! I've always loved to write, going back to seventh grade when I started writing poems. Now, I'm a member of the ACFW, the Christian Mommy Writers Community, and enjoy writing stories that are full of charm and grace.

And Then There Was You

And Then There Was You by Nancy Naigle is the first in her Chestnut Ridge Series. Natalie Maynard lost her first husband and thought she had found love in someone else who turns out to be a con-artist. Randy Fellowes is the detective assigned to Natalie’s case to bring justice. The two become friends. Natalie decides to reinvent herself by moving to her husband’s old fishing cabin.

“Being emotional, even vulnerable means the past meant so much to you. But we can’t stay there. Can we?”

I thoroughly enjoyed Then There Was You and appreciated this gentle romance. The main characters were very relatable, experienced growth and were interesting. The setting of Chestnut Ridge was delightful and the people there were charming. The story had some complex family issues giving the story nice depth. I was very invested. I loved learning about fairy stones.

“Legends tell of fairies weeping when they heard of the the crucifixion of Jesus, and their tears crystallized into tiny cross-shaped stones.”

Then There Was You has charm, beautifully flawed characters, and a wonderful setting in the mountains of Chestnut Ridge. Nancy Naigle is quickly becoming one of my favorite new to me authors. I highly recommend Then There Was You and look forward to revisiting Chestnut Ridge in the future.

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

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of whose many contemporary romance novels include The Shell Collector and the Adams Grove, Boot Creek, and Christmas in Evergreen series. Several of her novels have been adapted to the television screen, airing on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, including the popular Christmas Joy and The Secret Ingredient. Nancy makes her home in Virginia

 

 

Love Somebody Like You by Carolyn Miller

Love Somebody Like You by Carolyn Miller is fifth in the Trinity Lake Series, but is a stand alone novel. Lexi Franklin has come back to Trinity Lake from Australia to stay with her parents and figure things out. Jackson Reilly is having a hard time between caring for his ranch and his mom. They are very different people.

This is a sweet opposites attract kind of love story. Lexi and Franklin have wonderful chemistry, are extremely authentic, and have a depth in their faith that I appreciated. The folks in Trinity Lake were fun to get to know, and I loved all of their charming and quirky characteristics. The beautiful setting of Trinity Lake, learning about ranch life, and the depth of the characters made for a delightful read.

This was the perfect book for me. I loved the interactions between the characters, the real life issues they were working through, and the sweet love story. I highly recommend Somebody Like Me!

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

Carolyn Miller is an Australian author of inspirational historical romance, particularly that of the Regency era, and loves creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love

Ciao For Now by Kate Bromley

 

Ciao for Now by Kate Bromley is a delightful romantic comedy set in Italy. Violet Luciano is interning at a Fashion design house in Italy, and on her first day in Italy literally runs into someone at an Italian café. Matteo is the son of the professor that Violet and the other interns are living with. Violet has to see Matteo again, every day.

The characters were so engaging in Ciao for Now. I loved the banter, friendship, and chemistry between Violet and Matteo. They both grew and changed in the story and were delightful to root for. The secondary characters were fantastic and gave the story depth. When I finished this story I wondered if it was too late for me to change my major to fashion design and travel to Italy. I was intrigued by the Italian culture in the story, the amazing food, and the sites of Italy. I have decided I need to start saving for travel to Italy.

I laughed out loud, was drawn into the amazing setting, and loved the characters in Ciao for Now by Kate Bromley. It was fun to engage with such a great story and I highly recommend it!

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

Kate is a writer of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. She lives on the east coast with her husband, sons, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels. (It's not hoarding if it's books, right?) She was a preschool teacher for almost seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions — writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh.

Happy Place by Emily Henry read by Julia Whelan

Thank you to @PRHAudio for the #complimentary audiobook. All thoughts are my own.  

Do you have a happy place?  A place you visit everyday or place in the world?  

My happy place is my covered back porch. I love being there, and it brings me joy. 

I enjoyed listening to Happy Place by Emily Henry and read Julia Whelan. This book is such a delight.  The writing is rich, the characters are so interesting and the dual time line was fabulous.  Julia Whelan does an amazing job with the narration.  Her characterization is incredible. I found the  book to be a slow build that made the ending more intense.   

The  themes of friendship, not caring about what others think and finding yourself resonated with me.  I highly recommend listening to the audio version.  

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan is a thoughtful beach read. Samantha has a predictable life in NYC, and he is engaged to a very predictable man. Her parents want her to come visit their summer home on Long Island, the one she visited every summer growing up with memories of her next door neighbor Wyatt all around her.

“There's something about the beach that changes the chemical component of everything around it.“

This second chance, summer, beach romance book was just the thing for me. The story moves between the present and past seamlessly. Samantha is the kind of character that you see a little of yourself in. She is desperately trying to keep all her plates spinning and wondering where the person she used to be has gone. I loved walking with her as she discovered who she was, and made peace with her past.

“Putting a person back together isn’t easy, but if you're smart about it you can reassemble yourself in a totally different, better way. Turn carefree into careful; bandage up your heart and double-check the adhesive. Bit by bit, I have left my childhood behind, replacing my impulsiveness with deliberate decisions and plans “

I loved the thoughtfulness of this story. The themes of second chances, family and becoming who you were meant to resonated with me. The story had some surprises and delivered a great ending. I am moving author Annabel Monaghan to auto buy as I also loved Nora Goes Off Script. I highly recommend it.

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

My debut adult novel, Nora Goes Off Script, came out in June 2022 from G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and my second comes out in June 2023. It’s called Same Time Next Summer, and, believe it or not, today is the perfect day to preorder your signed copy! Writing these love stories has probably been the most fun I’ve ever had. Pre-Nora, I wrote fiction for young adults and a column for not-so-young adults. Since you’ve gotten this far into my website, you probably knew that already.

I grew up in Los Angeles, and nearly every one of my relatives still lives in Southern California. I attended Duke University where I studied English. I have an MBA from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania and a brief history as an investment banker. I also used to teach novel writing at the The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. I now live in the suburbs of New York City with my family, including a little dog who sheds.

     

Crazy Bao You by Lyn Liao

Crazy Bao You by Lynn Liao is a great romantic comedy that had me laughing out loud. Kimmie Park has her own Etsy shop and is laying low after a video of her has gone viral. Matt West is a FDNY firefighter who is trying to break away from the family business and be his own person. Kimmie lives in Oklahoma and Matt lives in NYC and their story is filled with laughter, twists, and heart.

Kimmie and Matt are wonderful characters that I enjoyed rooting for. It was a pleasure getting to know everyone in Kimmie’s and Matt’s families and I appreciated that they had supportive friends. The author weaves in the weightier topics of birth moms, fears, and grief in such a beautiful way within the context of a very funny story.

I enjoyed Crazy Bao You with its themes of making peace with your past, family and identity. I enjoyed laughing out loud and meeting a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of the story from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.

Lyn Liao Butler, author of upmarket fiction, thrillers, and romcoms, was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.

When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds (Lokie, Mochi, Cash, and Pinot in heaven), sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.