March 2020 Review

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Military Romance, New To Me Author, Single Mom, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Tear Jerker

R E V I E W ➠ Cherish Her by Andrea Johnston

April 2, 2020April 11, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

My life was perfect . . .
Until fate took it all away.
Heartache and broken bones left me searching for solace in the darkest of places.
It wasn’t pretty, but with the support of my family, I persevered and I’m stronger for it. My daughters deserve nothing less.
Things were finally back on track, until I met Grant Ellison. Tall, dark, and handsome he sets my heart racing. If only the fear of loving again didn’t paralyze me.
Nobody was as surprised as me when I left a long military career for a slower pace in life. After all, I’ve never been one to make decisions lightly or without a plan.
A new town means a fresh start. Although it’s a lonely existence, I don’t regret my decision. Especially when a beautiful woman catches my eye.
Dakota Jennings’ strength and ambition are for all to see but her heat is protected by the strongest of walls. My new mission is to show her how precious she is and how great we can be together.

RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2020

One…
Two…
Breathe…
I can do this. I’m a strong independent woman raising two smart kind, and loving little ladies. One how is probably at daycare eating glue and the other who is giving speeches on mortality. You can’t win them all, I suppose.
-Dakota

Not my first read by the author but my first official review. The blurb is what caught my eye and of course the beautiful cover! The first book in this series was a must read so I was looking forward to this one!

This is a VERY SWEET single-mom friends-to romance. It started off a little slow for me but once it picked up, I enjoyed it very much. The characters were on point and wonderful, the heroine is a widow single mom to two beautiful little girls, she is beautiful without trying, funny, very sweet and the biggest heart. The hero is a SEXY HANDSOME early 40s man who is ex military and doesn’t have much. Grant moves to the same town and Dakota helps him find a home. They strike a friendship only to not be able to ignore the chemistry and pull. Dakota struggles with moving on while Grant struggles with the fact that he is alone. They navigate through ups and downs, in the end the big question is will love win?

Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #2 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Saddler’s Scandal by Nicole Rodrigues

April 1, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Andre Demarco.
Franklin High’s newest Biology teacher. Good news; he’s beautiful to look at. Bad news; he’s my new co-teacher. Try talking about the birds and the bees to a class full of fifteen year olds without picturing your co-teacher giving you that chat with a little less clothing and a lot more demonstration. Really bad news; he’s the “Andrea” that has answered my seeking roommate ad. Avoiding him in school was impossible, but avoiding him when he walks down the hall to his room in only a towel? Not happening. Really, really bad news; he was my one night stand last month. Not thinking about his anatomy after having it in mine–Hopeless.
Dakota Saddler.
Also known as Dax. Apparently, that’s a woman’s name because when I walk into the apartment I’m renting a room in, she’s there–in her bra and panties–causing a familiar tug at my southern region. Icing on the cake; I get to teach alongside her all day long at work. Piss on my Cheerios; there’s a no fraternization policy at Franklin High. When the woman says the word “penis” in front of our class, I’m done for. When the fog clears, I realize I’ve heard that word drip from her lips before; begging for mine from underneath me last month. Shit. I need a lesson on following the rules, but I can tell from the moment I laid eyes on her, in spite of her good girl facade, Dakota Saddler was always meant to break them with me.

RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2020

Not my first read by the author, she is my #bookwifey and I have read and beta read every single one of her books, okay I think 3 of them I haven’t hehe but in all I know this author’s writing style and have kicked her butt many times in beta reading BUT the best part about Nicole is that she takes constructive criticism well and turns it into WIN! That said this book KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK for me, a favorite in this series! Everything about is this time, the characters [especially the heroine] were perfect and for one another, they complimented each other, it’s fun, sexy, romantic and swoony! Really liked the combo of it all!

I don’t want to spoil it even a little because this is really something to dive into, be prepared for the usual Nikki style but with a twist. The heroine Dakota is strong but still vulnerable, beautiful, smart and sassy while the hero Andre is something NEW, yes he was sexy, handsome, strong and knew how to handle Dakota but there was something about him that drew me to him…his big heart mixed with the genuinosity. Really beautiful and as always love the endings but especially this one! Great freaking job WIFEY, we may not see eye to eye when it comes to me reading your books but it’s like you wrote this one JUST HOW I LOVE IT and for me. Always your #1 Fan

TOP 2020 MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #5 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Amico by Evelyn Montgomery

April 1, 2020April 1, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Mia
I wanted to be alone. I didn’t need anyone. Never have, never will. Or so I thought.
Until an Italian God shows up, sweeps me off my feet, introduces me to his power. His control. His dominance.
He warned me about him. He told me to run.
But how do you leave someone who completes you? Who captivates you. Who makes you feel full when all you’ve ever felt is empty.
I wanted to be alone. But that was he took what he wanted, gave me what I craved and left me knowing I would never feel the same again. Not without him.
Leonardo
I’m used to keeping secrets. Used to not trusting anyone.
My day job keeps me hidden. My life a mystery most will never know.
But she bewitches me with her charm. She fascinates me with the way she shines so bright.
A light in a world full of darkness.
I seduce her for my pleasure. I want her only for one night.
But once you experience heaven, how can you ever come back to earth.
I’m used to keeping secrets. And now that she’s mine, I plan to enjoy her always and never let her go.

RELEASE DATE: April 3, 2020

Not my first by the author & I happily designed this cover for Evelyn. This is a Dark Romance with a lot of twists and turns right from the start.

When the hero meets the heroine is him coming to her rescue, when the heroine realized that the most gorgeous man is talking to her but not taking her “home” something doesn’t add up. From then on there is a lot of twists that I was not prepared for or expected, maybe a little a lot of twists but this author is known for her suspense and action.
It does contain dark romance and BDSM.

Rating: ★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Standalone
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Tear Jerker, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Bayside Fantasies by Melissa Foster

April 1, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Tegan Fine has never had a plan—life, business, or otherwise. But she’s always had goals—to laugh daily and to pay it forward as often as she is able, just like her favorite uncle always did. After inheriting her great-uncle’s amphitheater, Tegan makes a risky move to a charming small town on Cape Cod to carry on her uncle’s legacy and hopefully expand the business with her new friend, Harper. Unfortunately, those goals aren’t doing much to help her plan a business strategy for her new endeavor. With Harper counting on her and her uncle’s legacy at stake, she swears off all distractions, determined to succeed. If only she could stop bumping into a certain arrogant, witty, and excruciatingly hot businessman who tweaks her nerves and invades her every thought. Including her late-night fantasies.
Self-professed workaholic Jett Masters never slows down. He lives life with no attachments—except to his clients, to whom he gives his all. A reluctant trip to his hometown has him itching to shake the ghosts of his past and get back to spinning deals and adding to his investments. But when he comes face-to-face with a gorgeous, handsy woman who is quite possibly the snarkiest and most disorganized person he’s ever met, sparks fly, and his sharp mind stumbles. He doesn’t even know her name, but he can’t get her out of his mind.
A chance encounter turns into a wild, sexy night, and their chemistry is off the charts—even if their ideals, and their lives, are worlds apart. Neither Jett nor Tegan is looking for more. Becoming friends with benefits seems like the perfect solution. But when they are trapped together in torrential weather, they work side by side in the aftermath, and every passionate kiss deepens their connection. Secrets are shared, trust is built, and no promises dare be made. As their lives move on, lines begin to blur, hearts get hurt, and their true selves come into focus. Tegan and Jett are left wondering if they make the perfect storm, or if they’ve reached the end of their bayside fantasy.

RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2020

Not my first read by the author, she is one of my top favorites and also an author I first read many moons ago. That said YES I have read almost every single of her books! This series is one to definitely dive into!!

First off this book made me fall in love again with the series, something about it aside from it being the longest & I never wanted it to end. The words, if you’ve never read MF she is a treat in the romance world. All of her books are. The characters, the flow, the story line…addicting!

Our hero Jett is something else, he works really hard but also is humble and helping, always looking for the next thing..when that comes..his ‘i don’t get attached or give out feelings’ feelings are going to be on the line. Our heroine Teagan will give Jett a run for his money, literally in some ways because she is equally hardworking and driven. You can’t not love her because she brings out the best in everything she touches. These two navigating through life and “fate” that may have played a part…it’s incredible, romantic, swooning, sexy and fun! You will get sucked in and never want to get out! *sigh* I want to re-read it just to re-live it again! I want NO need more in this series, can we just have it never end Melissa?!

TOP 2020 MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #6 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY! ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Biker Romance, Enemy-To-Lovers, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Mysery, Sizzling, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Code Name: Hacker by Sawyer Bennett

March 27, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

I’m not the same Bebe Grimshaw I was years ago. The woman I was spent years behind the bars of the highest security women’s prison in the nation, my punishment for hacking nuclear codes as part of a crime syndicate I’d gotten in way too deep with. The woman I am today doesn’t regret what I did, or the fact that I got caught, but I am remorseful for the years I lost with my son, Aaron. Released from my sentence early thanks to Kynan McGrath, I joined his team at Jameson Force Security and now put my skills to use helping people.
I’m just trying to get back a piece of what I lost, focusing solely on raising Aaron and my work at Jameson. As long as I have my son and my career, I’m content. But life has a funny way of letting you know exactly what you need, and when a devastatingly handsome stranger named Griffin befriends Aaron at the park, I have to consider I might be missing something. A part of me that was locked away long ago reawakens, and I find myself looking at Griff in a way I’ve not looked at a man in more than a decade.
Just when I think things are starting to look up, my world is turned upside down. Turns out that meeting wasn’t an accident, and things aren’t going my way at all.
Griffin Moore is the man sent here to kill me.

RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2020

“And I really missed you. I was so worried, but here you are.” “Here I am,” he replies SOFTLY, his smile indicative of just how he likes my words. “And I missed you, too.”

Not my first read by the author, she actually is one of my very firsts many moons ago…so safe to say I am familiar with her writing style, characters and have rea dmany of her books. In this series I have read the previous 1 through 3 books, so something about this one when I realized Griffin and Bebe were getting a story, I was excited for it.

See Bebe spend 7 years in prison for a crime and came out a different woman, she now is only a mother and her number 1 priority at any point, her kid. But her past comes biting her in the ass, the previous Bebe the hacker who could have run the world…she is creeping back up. Her past now comes in the form of Griffin, a man hired by her past to take care of ‘the problem’ but who he meets is a whole different woman.

You won’t be able to NOT fall in love with Bebe, the way she is with her son, her honesty is what I love about her…brutal but honest and to the core. Biggest heart and determination. Eeverything about this, suspense, laughter, sexy and just plain beautiful! Looking forward to more in the series!

Griff continues to kiss his way down my neck with no hesitation whatsoever. His confidence is a complete turn on to me, knowing he wants this and hes taking it without asking.
-Bebe

Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #4 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Cowboy Romance, Enemy-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Second Chance Romance, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Chute Yeah by Lani Lynn Vale

March 26, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Candy Ray Sunshine—Yes, that is my real name, thank you very much, Mom and Dad—knew two things.
One, she was going to work her butt off and open her very own coffee shop, even if she had to die doing it.
Two, Banks Valentine was the world’s worst ex-boyfriend in the history of ex-boyfriends. Even if they were only boyfriend and girlfriend for one evening. She wouldn’t sneeze on him even if he was on fire.
***
Banks Valentine also knew two things.
One, he was an immature jerk when he was in high school, and Candy Ray Sunshine probably could open a coffee shop if she put her mind to it. But he still thinks that she should shoot a little higher, anything that gets her the heck out of Kilgore, Texas.
Two, he likes riding bulls. It’s a dangerous job, and when he gets on the back of one of those thousand-pound death machines, he can finally feel his head clear enough that he can think.
***
Candy and Banks would never get along. Not after what he said, and definitely not after what she did.
Then again, neither one of them expected that night to end the way it did, either—the night that both of them refused to talk about the next morning.

RELEASE DATE: March 24, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read the previous books as well. I will have to say I liked the first two a little better, there wasn’t anything wrong with this aside from maybe just not my taste fully. It was fun and young with a lot of heart just not my cup of tea, story wise. I did connect with the characters easily but again, because I wasn’t feeling the story all the way, just…it happens to the best of us. And I am still very much looking forward to more in the series! That said here is a little about the story:

A beautiful second chance romance…over something that occurred back in high school…both hero and heroine hold it against each other. Candy the heroine I will have to say my heart goes out to her, and Banks as much as I wanted to hate him I loved him equally. This was a misunderstanding that lasted way too long, and now that they both can’t ingnore one another they face having to FACE EACH OTHER!

Rating: 4.5★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #3 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, March 2020 Review, MUST READS!, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Small Town Romance, Suspense Romance, Tear Jerker, Uniform Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Southern Chance by Natasha Madison

March 26, 2020March 26, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Buried secrets never stay hidden in the South.
Kallie
I fell in love with him when I was seven. I scraped my knee, and he helped carry me inside.
Our love story was the talk of the town until a woman told everyone she was pregnant with his baby. The only rational solution was to high tail it out of town and never come back.
My best friend needed a place to hide, and you can’t get much more covert than my family farm, so I came back. For her. It was supposed to be temporary, and I wasn’t supposed to see him, but that’s what happens when you live in a small town where everyone knows each other.
Jacob
Being the sheriff in a small town was never my dream. My father died and my older brother took off, so I had to be the one to look after my mother. I stayed. I fulfilled my duties as a son and I protected my hometown.
My life wasn’t perfect, but I was content. Until I locked eyes with a ghost from my past, Kallie. I thought it was my imagination, it couldn’t be. I loved her most of my life, but now I hated her.
The town gossip mill was going into overdrive. I kept my head down and my mind off of the woman who shattered my heart when she ran away. She didn’t give me a chance to explain, it didn’t matter to her then. I didn’t matter.
A second chance is never promised, but now that mine is right under my nose, I’m not sure I can take it.

RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2020

“I feel like I’m dreaming,” I say, “and I’m afraid I’m going to wake.”
-kALLIE

Not my firs read by the author, she is one of my favorites & I was excited for this new series! And boy was I excited…I wasn’t sure what to expect going in and Natasha does not disappoint!

This is a story of a second-chance romance that is do in depth, you’re not going to be able to figure out which emotion to have first. The hero is a boy turned man that only wanted to do the right thing, the selfless thing…to which he did, only at what price! The heroine is a girl turned woman that knows not to be close but also fearing that if she doesn’t lay it to rest, she will never be able to be free. It’s a beautiful and fast pace at times love story that will pull at your heartstrings! I am looking forward to more in this series so much!!

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

SOUTHERN COMFORT
Buried secrets never stay hidden in the South.

Olivia
When you find out that your fiancé is arrested for swindling over ten million dollars from his clients, you do what any sane woman would do. You escape reality and go undercover, trading in your city-girl Louboutins for country-pumpkin cowboy boots.

It wasn’t a forever change—it was temporary. I only had to stay here until things back home got straightened out, or so I thought.

Casey

I was riding horses before I was walking, or at least that was what they told me. I always knew I would take over the family farm. It’s in my blood.

Country boy at heart, the minute I saw her dragging her luggage up the gravel driveway I knew she was out of my league.

I shouldn’t have started anything with her, because I knew she was just passing through.

COMING APRIL 14, 2020

2020 ARCs, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, Second Chance Romance, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Tear Jerker, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ All I Ask by Corinne Michaels

March 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Teagan Berkley is trying her best. A single mom raising a precocious teen, she may have given up on her dreams, but she’s accepted her life in her small beachside hometown. Now the one person who abandoned her when she needed him the most has returned, bringing back memories of what might have been.
Derek Hartz arrives in town with a teenage daughter – and he’s full of guilt over his failed marriage and the way he ended his friendship with Teagan. He’s determined to set things right with her, but first he needs to gain her trust. Something he’s not convinced he deserves.
As Teagan and Derek open up to each other-and confess their deepest secrets-it’s impossible for them to deny what’s always been between them. But just when their happily ever after is within reach, their complicated history surfaces again and threatens to keep them apart. Forever.

RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2020

Not my first read by the author, she happens to be one of my favorites!! That said I was super excited to read this book, from the BLURB alone!! Glad I had the chance to! Corinne writes beautiful words!

This broke my heart and slowly mended it together. Second-Chance Tear Jerkers are one of my favorites and this one was on point! Talk about feeling and emotions! Teagan and Derek are two souls that through they had time, until that time turned into 13 years later. When they are both back in the small town after many years…seems that old feelings brew up but run a lot hotter than they remember. How do they tell one another what they both know needed to be said? How does Teagan remain the best mother and hold it together when internally her heart is shattering, the memories the emotions…GAH, seriously will not be able to put this down! Be prepared to go for a ride, one you will not see coming filled with angst in the best ways, romance, sweetness, sexy handsome Derek and an adorable little girl. JUST PLAIN BEAUTIFUL!!!!

TOP 2020 MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Standalone
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Enemy-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, MUST READS!, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Own The Eights by Krista Sandor

March 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Bookshop owner, Georgie Jensen, is done with shallow jerks. Her Own the Eights blog dishes out advice on how to steer clear of egotistical creeps only concerned with looks and status. Her focus is finding one’s true soulmate—not the superficial ten but the solid, reliable eight.
Jordan Marks is the city’s top fitness trainer who won’t settle for anything less than the best. His blog promotes working hard, playing harder, and striving to always be—you guessed it—a ten.
When these two opposites are forced to team-up for an online competition, opinions clash and mouse pads fly.
The twist: there can only be one winner, and if Georgie wants to keep her shop open, that winner needs to be her.
But the more time this eight and this ten spend together, the more they learn that, when it comes to love, a number might not be what matters the most.

Own the Eights is a steamy rom-com full of heart, heat, and oodles of laugh out loud moments!

RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2020

Not my first read by the author and she is one of my new/favorites! I have read every single book by Krista from the beginning and it only gets better and better. She can write HEART and now she can also write rom-com’s in the sweetest ways! This author is and will always be a one-click for me!

Rom-Com with SO MUCH HEART! You throw in enemy-to and a sassy but beautiful heroine, not to mention the sexiest hero ever…you got yourself a GAME ON who’s going to win! Jordan was so much fun, I fell in love with him right away, he thinks of himself as a ten and vows to help people reach their max potential to also become ten’s. Throw in Georgie who has had a little bit of a bad luck streak with dating and men, who states firmly an 8 is perfect as well. How she ended up with Jordan a “ten” having to not only work together but compete…she will show him that a eight outshines a ten!

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, MUST READS!, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Surprise Baby, Tear Jerker

R E V I E W ➠ Unexpected Odds by Kaylee Ryan

March 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

They say the mistakes of our past shape our future. That we’re molded from experience, from heartache, and from pain.
What happens when your past is riddled with regrets?
How do you see through the fog, to navigate the path to your future?
One breath.
One second.
One minute.
One hour.
One day at a time, you learn to live with your unexpected odds.

RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2020

Not my first read by the author and not my last! I absolutely love this author and this series! From book one I was hooked and here we are at #5 and I don’t ever want them to end I gotta say. This one was a twist and played out so beautifully! Second-chance/ small town romances are my top favorites!

I don’t want to give out too much for this book because once you get the TWIST you will be even more hooked as to find out which way it’s going to go. The hero and heroine in here have known each other from before and when they meet again, nothing was as it seems, aside from their time together. Two souls that were too young to know better to speak up, but when fate steps in…there is not stopping her. Watch there two maneuver through life near one another again, maybe again but nothing is the same and everything seems like the old/new world.

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #5 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦