New To Me Author – REVIEW'S

2020 ARCs, Friends-To-Lovers, May 2020 Reviews, New To Me Author, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Mother Clucker by Cat Johnson

May 11, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

They say opposites attract, but in this case, they might just combust . . .
HEATHER
Hermosa Beach seems to be the place for throwing together unlikely opposites.
My rooster Rowdy and his new crush, Pixy the goat.
Me and the obnoxiously cocky cowboy from Texas . . .
But unlike Rowdy and Pixy, there’s no way I’m going to fall for David Strickland.
Nope. Not gonna happen. I could never be with a man so completely opposed to everything I believe . . . no matter how hot he is.
DAVID
There couldn’t be two people more different than the beautiful little tree hugger and rooster rescuer Heather and me.
We can’t agree on anything, except that we disagree on everything—at some times more heatedly than other times. And believe me, things are starting to heat up between us, in more ways than one.
She’s the last thing I expected to find at an animal shelter in California. But now I found her, I have no intention of letting her go.
I just have to get her on board with that plan.

RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2020

‘A man and a cock walk into a shelter…’

NEW TO ME AUTHOR & BOOKS! I was not sure what to expect going on since I’ve never read the author but I was glad I gave it a chance, it was a very fun read!

Heather and David really go at it from the get go, it was really enjoyable reading their banters and getting sucked in. And to this that a rooster is what made this all happen. I laughed and swooned in this one. If you’re looking for great chemistry, banter, fun and sweetness..this is for you!

Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: N/A
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: ☑

2020 ARCs, Angsty, April 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, New To Me Author, Second Chance Romance, Slow Burn, Sport Romance, Sports Romance, YA Romance

R E V I E W ➠ The Ninth Inning by J. Sterling

April 3, 2020April 12, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Cole Anders is in his last season at Fullton State. If he doesn’t get drafted this year, he’ll be forced to hang up his cleats for good. It’s not something he’s ready to do.
To prove he’s serious about his final season, he’s given up girls. No more casual hookups, dates or one-night stands. But there’s one girl who has always refused to give up on him. One girl who has been there since the start of Freshman year. One girl he stupidly assumed would always be waiting for him when he got off the field, no matter how long it took.
Christina’s had enough of Cole pushing her aside for baseball. She’s grown tired of waiting for him to see what she’s known since they were freshmen… that they are good together. She’s finally moved on- for good this time.
Cole has other ideas, but she refuses to cave. It’s not her problem if he wants her now. Too little too late.
There comes a point in your life when you have to stop the incessant merry-go-round and just get off the ride, right? Try telling that to Cole.

RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2020

NEW to me author & books. I have heard of this author & even promoted a lot about the books but haven’t had a chance to actually read & review one. Glad I got the chance on this one, I absolutely love Sports-Romance!

I will just come out and say it that, it was not my style of tone. The characters were in the early college days and the immaturity level that comes with that, is just not my style of tone to read. I can relate to the characters as well as at certain points enjoyed them, but I couldn’t fully get into it. That comes with not liking a certain style/tone, so for me not my style for someone else, could be their best read. This is a cute love story of a cat-and-mouse chase between the hero and heroine, friends always and even when the hero decided he want’s to be with the heroine, she doesn’t believe him…and he doesn’t really give her a strong argument TO believe it. Hero is handsome, young and a rising-star, someone a little indecisive and even though he chose baseball over the heroine, he can’t help but rethink his choice. After a little time, when they are back around one another, the story is reversed…and the hero will do anything to have her, to right his wrongs with her.

Rating: 4.5★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

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, Enemy-To-Lovers, February 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, New To Me Author, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Words Of Love by Nina Lindsey

February 28, 2020by The Guide To Romance Novels2 Comments

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

As the new year approaches, journalist Brooke Castle escapes to a remote mountain cabin for a self-improvement retreat – even though she has no idea where to start. But her plans of quiet solitude are shattered when a booking error forces her to share the cabin with sexy bookstore owner Sam Donovan.
Though Sam makes Brooke tingle all over, he’s bad-tempered and has a past shrouded in mystery. When a sudden snowstorm prevents them from leaving, the cabin quickly proves to be too small for both them and their undeniably hot attraction.
Sam has spent the past year fighting his attraction to the perky, inquisitive Brooke. With his need for privacy, the last thing he wants is a relationship with a reporter. But when Brooke discovers his closely guarded secret, he has no choice but to surrender to her demands.
Despite their game of cat-and-mouse, Brooke and Sam embark on a sizzling affair…but neither of them expects to follow a lead straight to love.

RELEASE DATE: February 28, 2020

New to me author and books! What caught my eye was the blurb, sounded really good and I gave it a go. I have to say, I am glad I did.

The hero and heroine in here were relatable, sweet, their chemistry was beautiful, together: perfect. I fell in love with the broody hero Sam and couldn’t help but love and smile with the heroine Brooke! Sam is a bookstore owner and Brooke is a reporter. They both were looking for something different, quiet…to go through what they were going through separately, except they didn’t expect that together, it would be much sweeter!

Even though I read this backwards, as I usually do #noshame but I think I will be reading 1-3 books as well. This one blew me away for being a NEW TO ME author that I definitely want more.

Rating: 4.5★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #4 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, February 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, MUST READS!, New To Me Author, Second Chance Romance, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Tear Jerker, Triggers

R E V I E W ➠ Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros

February 23, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

How do you define yourself when others have already decided who you are?
Six years ago, when Camden Daniels came back from war without his younger brother, no one in the small town of Alba, Colorado, would forgive him—especially his father. He left, swearing never to return.
But a desperate message from his father brings it all back. The betrayal. The pain. And the need to go home again. But home is where the one person he still loves is waiting. Willow. The one woman he can never have. Because there are secrets buried in Alba that are best left in the dark.
If only he could tell his heart to stay locked away when she whispers she’s always loved him, and always will…
Great and Precious Things is a heart-wrenching story about family, betrayal, and ultimately how far we’re willing to go on behalf of those who need us most.

RELEASE DATE: February 25, 2020

NEW TO ME AUTHOR & BOOKS, I have been wanting to read a book by this author but have not had the chance yet. I received the sweetest and most amazing package that not only contained a signed paperback of this beautiful cover but also personalized gifts. After reading the blurb and getting a little info from my #bookbestie Amy, I can’t wait to dive in.

First of I’d like to say that I though I might be okay without tissues, but fair warning, have tissues handy! This book broke me, then put me together and then romanced me!! I felt so part of the story, when I stopped reading I had to blink once or twice to bring myself back. I was blown away by her writing, the hero and heroine are unconventional, therefore a slow-burn but what a burn…the reasons of why, who and when took me back, I was right there with every memory from the characters. Truly amazed.

Now I know this writers words and will definitely be reading more, even if this one slowly dissected me before it put me back as a whole. MUST READ!

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

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, February 2020 Review, New To Me Author, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Surrendering To Him by Hope Jones

February 21, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

She’s an investigative journalist with a heartbreaking past. He’s the badass PI who has her in his sights.
When Phoebe Danvers’s job lands her in danger, local badass and ex-FBI agent turned PI Huxley Carson steps in to save her. The only problem with that is she doesn’t want to be saved. She wants to be left alone to focus on work. Unfortunately, Huxley is determined to help, so she settles on keeping him at arm’s length—something he’s determined not to let her do.
What Phoebe doesn’t know is Huxley has been interested in her for years but never had a way in until now. With the push and pull of their new relationship and danger drawing closer, Phoebe begins to wonder if it’s time to surrender to the man consuming her soul.
Or is it already too late?

RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2020

NEW TO ME AUTHOR and I fell in love with the blurb and the sweet cover, I was not ready for this since it is a new author, do I don’t know their writing style very well. So this is how I felt:

The hero Hux is a big, handsome, alpha, sexy and sweet man…he works a dangerous job but is his own boss and knows how to handle himself. The heroine Phoebe is a sweet, sassy, active (don’t want to use the word hyper) beautiful woman that is a investigative journalist, so it can somewhat be dangerous. After two years of being around one another, Hux and Phoebe essentially first made contact if that makes sense. He pulls her out of a dangerous situation and she is livid pissed at him. This is where they start..and I’ll stop here because I want to explain my feelings towards the heroine…the hero seems calm, alpha, love the way he talks to her or in general and is towards the heroine, she on the other hand kind of grew on me the wrong way: She seems very ping-pong hyper at times and I am left with not knowing that I jumped from one rock to another. There were times I just, it felt off…like one where she was pissed at him for something that I don’t know didn’t seem right to be THAT overly-pissed off about since the hero explained to her from the beginning regarding the item and what he did…so that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. But in the end you do understand that she is a girl that lost everything, and it isn’t easy for her to open up to be hurt again. Aside from that I enjoyed their banter, Hux really is the sweetest and swooniest man especially towards our heroine who is a spit-fire and he tames her. There is quiet angst in here, but the sexy scenes definitely do not disappoint. To me, this was a great potential and enough for me to read more by this new author I discovered, for sure!!

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

2020 ARCs, February 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, New To Me Author, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowles

February 13, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

A woman trying to rebuild her life.
Kennedy is doing all she can to escape, to prove that she’s not the monster her father was. A simple life of peace and service is all she needs.
A man haunted by a past he can’t forget.
Cain has buried his demons under layers of control and success. The only thing he needs is his company and his solitude. Certainly not a woman with captivating green eyes filled with ghosts so similar to his own.
He’s a reminder of the life she’s left behind. And she’s a threat to his tightly guarded control. As sparks fly between them, they discover that what they might need most is each other.
But with pasts like theirs…you never know when darkness might descend.

RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2020

NEW to me author! I have been wanting to read this author’s books but always have enough or too much on my plate at all given time. Therefore, I am starting with book #4 because I like to be a rebel and will most likely read backwards, but eh, I don’t mind at all. I was lucky enough to have received the sweetest book mail that included this gorgeous paperback signed & was very careful not to bend it too much. I am SO GLAD I read this, so glad because not only did I fall in love with the story but also the author’s writing style and the characters.

Now since I have not read the previous books, I was also going in a little blind and I gotta say that enough info was there for me to read it on it’s own. I absolutely fell in love with both the hero and heroine! Their connection and just the way they are around one another…it’s so sweet with a hint of fun and sizzling. I think for a first time reader I will be most definitely reading more and of course the previous books as well.

A heartbreaking story of two lost souls trying to navigate through life, and dear old fate is right there to help. Very beautiful, romantic, heartfelt, sweet, swoony and sizzling!! Highly recommended!

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

2020 ARCs, February 2020 Review, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, New To Me Author, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Sport Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Playing To Win by Stacey Lynn

February 9, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

It was a three-week fling. Nothing more than a couple of college kids having some fun, but then I did the stupid thing and fell for Jude Taylor quicker than he can score a goal on the ice. And after one beautiful night together, he left for the pros before I could make my first cup of coffee.
I thought I’d put him behind me. I thought I’d moved on. Then he hobbles into my physical therapy office and I realize how absolutely wrong I’ve been—there’s no getting over Jude Taylor.
But now things are complicated. Jude lives half a country away and his career is in direct opposition to my need for stability. Most of all, getting involved with him could mean losing my job and everything I’ve worked so hard for.
Jude doesn’t seem to mind one bit and he’s all in. He might be a patient in my office, but he’s no longer the patient guy I remember.
This time, he’s playing to win, and the prize he’s looking to score is me.

RELEASE DATE: February 10, 2020

She wiggles her fingers in a gimme gimme gesture. “Give me all the meat.” As soon as she says it her cheeks match her hot pink scarf and matching hat. I open my mouth, but she waves her hand. “Don’…don’t say it. I walked right into that. Made it easy.” “Sweetie, you can walk right into my meat any day. I’m always that easy.”

New to me author & books! I originally wanted to sign up for this but got busy and forgot then I heard so much good about it, I knew I had to give it a try to get an ARC either way I was going to read this beauty because that’s what it is, I fell in love with it from the first pages. Something about it captivated me and held that through the whole book.

This is a sweet sports romance. We have the heroine Katie who is a sweetheart, sassy, beautiful and smart. And the hero Jude who is the bad-ass professional hockey player and a big one at that, handsome, rugged and has a huge heart. I loved them both together. These two met 5 years ago and spend a little time together before they were separated by time…forward to when Katie runs into Jude almost literary, their spark has never died. But Katie doesn’t know if she can trust him again only to break her heart. This is a story of two people who met and are meant to be but time is a tricky thing but fate is an even trickier…so which way will they go again?

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

2020 ARCs, February 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, Marriage Romance, New To Me Author, Second Chance Romance, Slow Burn, Sport Romance

R E V I E W ➠ The Perfect Pitch by Samantha Lind

February 6, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Derek
The sound of the gavel crashing down,
Has my life flashing before my eyes.
Learning to play ball.
Falling in love,
Marrying an incredible woman and starting a family
Becoming a starting pitcher for the Indianapolis Lightning.
Everything I ever wanted… Until I struck out.
The same success that gave me the life I dreamed of,
Took it all away.
I’d do anything for a second chance,
Even throw the perfect pitch.
Jillian
A signature on a piece of paper…
It binds you to someone, or it can tear them away.
It broke my heart to file the papers.
Gutted me to sign them.
But this isn’t the life I envisioned.
Tired of competing to be his number one priority,
I had to walk away from the man I loved.
I needed to be strong for our girls, for me.
Life goes on.
People can change.
Now he wants a second chance.
But can I forgive the man who threw it all away, and trust that he won’t do it again?

RELEASE DATE: February 20, 2020

NEW to me author & books! I honestly received the Givemebooks emails about the cover reveal of this beauty and read the blurb and had to read it, it really caught my eye! Also the cover might have helped a little too!

So going into this I knew from the blurb that this will be starting off with the hero and heroine getting a divorce due to reasons. It started off good for me, until closer to the 50%, this is a VERY family based book and as much as I love those very much, to me it felt a little too much. The events that occur up until 50% are all just the family based…after-all this is a sports-romance so I was also expecting some interaction, which you do get around 60%. I guess it just went a little slow for me, there were times I thought something was going to happen but luckily they didn’t do that way. It’s about two people who know one another and are learning everything about each other all over again. It’s really BEAUTIFUL, the dedication, the sweetness of it all.

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

2020 ARCs, Angsty, February 2020 Review, Friends-To-Lovers, Mysery, New To Me Author, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Breathless by Lexi Martin

February 6, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

The boy next door has always made her breathless.

Joey… I wouldn’t say I ran away exactly—twenty-two is too old for that. I’d call it self-preservation.
I have one objective: protect my heart from the boy next door who has no clue I’ve loved him my whole life, even with a front row seat to his revolving bedroom door.
My escape plan almost worked. Except I left one thing behind.
Logan Carter hijacked my heart, and now it’s time to get it back. This time for good.
Logan…I wouldn’t say I’ve been lying this whole time—not about everything. Not about how much I miss my best friend, and definitely not about how pissed I am that she left with hardly a goodbye.
She’s the last person I ever expected to ghost me, and her absence left a gaping hole in my chest.
When Joey Grayson steps off that bus, I know I’ll do anything to keep her home, and that means finding out the truth. But I’m not sure how to tell her my truths when I’m living so many lies.

RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2020

“Your pretty little smile won’t work on me, Logan Carter.”
-Joey

Not my first read by the author but my first official REVIEW of her books. I signed up for this one because the blurb caught my eye and the cover was gorgeous. I had a feeling this would be very angsty but I agve it a try anyways.

This is a friends-to meaning the hero Logan and heroine Joey are best friends since forever and the Joey has always been in the ‘friends-zone’. After finally realizing that she may not be anything more to him, she does a drastic change and moves away. Now she is back for the hero’s brother’s wedding and she isn’t sure how to act around Logan anymore.

Logan is a complex hero. He has been friends with Joey since he can remember and always did his hardest to stay away, be the good guy…not go there. He didn’t know that in that process he would hurt her, more than he can imagine. With everything that has happened in his life and the secrets not only this town holds….but himself too, it’s hard to know which way to go. When he blurs the lines and realizes that there might be something…well that’s when secrets like to come out of the dark.

This is quiet a read, and I must say that the angst was high, the heroine was a in between line of being too young for my reading likes and enough mature to be okay. The more I read the more I liked and was glued to the book. Lot’s happening to keep you engaged and I really enjoyed it to the end. I also have not read the other 2 books in the series, of course I will have to just to know their story too, and will be reading more for sure.

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