Blurb:My name is Carter Sheppard and I actually like Christmas and my Christmas-themed hometown of Reindeer Falls. In fact, when I learn I have to return home in order to collect an inheritance—my uncle’s dog—it puts life into perspective for me. Sure, playing professional baseball is great. But it won’t last forever and every player needs a long-term game plan. And I just found mine. Wrapped up in the feisty, bespectacled package of the town librarian. Unfortunately, she thinks I’m a player in all aspects of the word, but I’ve got a plan to win her over. Starting with a fake engagement…
3.5 Stars
Review by Lisa Kane
This is the last installment of the Holiday Reindeer Falls collection. Lexi Foster is the town's librarian and Carter is a home town boy who made good with his baseball career. Lexi loves Rudy, a dog that was owned by her late next door neighbor Joe. When he died, Lexi took Rudy in and thinks of this furbaby as her own. But Carter Sheppard is the actual owner, having inherited Rudy from Joe. It breaks Lexi's heart to give him up, but what can she do?
When Lexi drops off Rudy, Carter answers the door while on the phone with some business matter. Apparently, the conversation is not going well and Carter is angry that some scandal concerning an almost naked woman is brewing. Lexi has disdain for Carter as his womanizing is almost as famous as his baseball skills. Carter can barely be bothered to acknowledge Lexi and calls Rudy a "used dog". Yeah, he's not winning me over.
But it turns out Carter needs Lexi's wholesome image to make his tarnished appearance look better. He proposes that if she can help him turn around an endorsement from Nike that is in the balance right now, she can have Rudy back. Enter the fake relationship card!
Once Carter's guard is down he's not such a bad guy. He does hold an affection for the town he grew up in and has some long term plans to enrich it. Lexi comes out of her shell under his attentions and both are surprised by their response to each other. (I would have liked Carter's POV-it would have added to the story)
There's a little bit of angst, some light, funny moments and a cute wrap up of the collection's three couples. If you've read any of the three, you might want to make sure you check this one out, as it has an epilogue containing all the characters from the three books.
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From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes a second chance romance.
From the moment I laid eyes on her, Kinley was mine.
At fifteen years old I was determined to make it happen, but we were on and off for years until I got it right between us and finally made her my wife.
We were supposed to be forever.
So in love.
So devoted.
So consumed with each other.
But somewhere along the way we lost sight of that love.
Ten years later and that love became anger. That devotion began to crumble, and we were consumed with resentment of life not working out the way we had planned.
We meant it when we vowed for better or for worse...
So why the hell were we signing divorce papers?
4 stars
Review by Lis Kane
Kinley and Christian have been together for 20 years. They were high school sweethearts, and eventually married. But their marriage is imploding and Kinley is buckling under the pressure. She wants a divorce so she can stop feeling the weight of the guilt on her shoulders that she is the reason their marriage is broken.
Christian is a successful (judging by the way he spends money, "successful" is a huge understatement) OB/GYN. He's the antithesis of the typical doctor-he's got tons of tattoos and he's quite the crude talker. Now I can understand the tats, but the way he speaks-I just can't picture that guy being successful in med school yet alone heading his own practice. But....that's what he does. Plastic surgeons, infertility docs, those physicians are usually bleeding money, but Christian somehow is able to buy a mansion, his wife a six figure car, and at one point, a yacht. Really? That seemed a bit extreme.
Let me get back to the story. Kinley is an English professor who had a horrible upbringing with her alcoholic mother. Her back story rips out the reader's heart as she was disappointed, humiliated and hungry for most of her childhood due to her mother's selfish addictions. But she rose above that, mostly with the help of her best friend Jax and when Christian entered her life at 15, he became her rock.
These two weathered multiple storms and in spite of all they have, they are missing an important piece that they both long for but lack. Now many couples have the same problem, I'm not sure why they didn't explore other options as they obviously have the means to afford alternatives that most couples can not afford. Kinley wants Christian's life to be complete and she thinks she is the roadblock to his happiness.
Christian has let his work and career take over his life and Kinley and his marriage have suffered for it, but he wants to change that. The question is-is it too late?
I didn't read the first book in this series, but I didn't feel lost as to the characters' histories. I have read some call this a heartbreaking book, but I think it was mildly angsty. Kinley created most of the drama herself instead of focusing on ways for them to have what they both wanted. Christian is a bit hard headed but he has good intentions. Jax story is next and I have to admit, he intrigues me.
M. Robinson is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author crowned as the "Queen of Angst" by readers around the world.
Dive into her visionary world that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leave you wanting more.
She writes everything from contemporary to suspense romance and is best known for her novel, El Diablo.
When M isn't in the cave writing her next epic love story, you will find her shopping and living on a boat in Florida with her real life pirate, her lobster, her husband Bossman. Sipping on Starbucks and hanging out with their two dogs, a German shepherd mix and a gordito Wheaten Terrier reading a good book. Or spending time with her family, who she is extremely close with.
Above all, M loves her readers more than anything and loves to connect with them! She is on all social media platforms but you will find her in her happy place the most. Her VIP Reader Group on Facebook or her second favorite happy place, Instagram.
Blurb:My name is Jake Sheppard and I’m ambivalent about Christmas and the Christmas-themed town I grew up in. But when I find out my late uncle left me an old barn and acres of land, the decision to return home to build my dream golf course is an easy one. Imagine my surprise when I arrive and find out I have a squatter. An incredibly sexy squatter, with wavy blonde hair, green eyes, a free spirit… and a herd of goats. Lexi hates my guts. Apparently evicting a non-paying non-tenant and her goats weeks before Christmas is grounds for war. Except Lexi’s version of war includes flinging her clothing at me and, as it turns out, I might be in way over my head with this girl…
4 Stars
4 stars
Review by Lisa Kane
I wasn't a fan of the first one in this new series- Elves with Benefits, but I really enjoyed this one!
While Maggie from the first book was flighty and compulsively annoying, Sutton is grounded, driven, intelligent and best of all-she loves goats. After having rescued a baby goat from the side of the road, she found a purpose for her life. Newly graduated from college, she knew she couldn't stay living with her parents if she wanted to keep her new buddy, Linus. She bought an RV, parked it on a plot land long abandoned and put all her energy into making goat milk soap. Her soap is treasured in Reindeer Falls and she's made a living doing it.
Sutton has plans to improve the barn and the surrounding buildings of the land, but she doesn't have quite enough money for any major repairs yet. She's slowly added to her goat herd, rescuing at risk goats that would otherwise not find a home. She loves her furbabies and they are so much more than the animals that allow her to make a living.
All this good can't last right? Enter Jake Sheppard, the actual owner of the abandoned farm. He just inherited it and he has plans to turn it into a golf course. There's only one person standing in his way- Sutton. She thinks she has squatter rights-he's a lawyer and calls it as he sees it. Who's going to win? Sutton wants to keep on housing her goats and making a living, Jake wants to dump this place and make some money from it. But neither one can ignore that there's a little something something going on between them.
It's game on for these two. There's tons of humor, sweet moments, a little angst and lots of steam!
Bad Cruz, an all-new romantic comedy with off the charts chemistry and sure to make you fall in love and LOL from Wall Street Journal bestselling author L.J. Shen is available now!
I would say Dr. Cruz Costello is my archenemy. But that would require acknowledging one another, which we haven’t done in over a decade.
He’s the town’s golden child. The beloved quarterback-turned-physician. I’m the girl who got knocked up at sixteen and now works at a diner.
He is Fairhope royalty. I get my monarch dose from tabloid gossip.
He’s well-off. I’m…well, off.
When our siblings get engaged, Cruz’s parents invite both families to a pre-wedding cruise. Except Cruz and I find ourselves stuck on a different ship from everyone else. Cue ten horrible, insufferable days at sea with a man I cannot stand. (My fault, of course.) But when the alcohol pours in, the secrets spill out, and I’m left with one question: Can I take another chance on love?
4 stars
Review by Lisa Kane
I've become so used to LJ Shen breaking my heart with her angsty romances that this was such a pleasant surprise. It's much lighter and funnier than most of her other books.
Tennessee "Nessy" Turner has had a rough life. She got pregnant in high school and has raised her thirteen year old son, Bear on her own. Her parents are not the most supportive pair and her sister is truly a diva. The town treats her like dirt (I'm not sure why-she's worked hard, supported her son and minds her own business) and she's in a dead end job as a waitress in a dive diner. Two regulars that get on her nerves- Cruz Costello the town's golden boy and his ditzy girl friend, Gabriella Holland. He's the successful doctor, son of the successful family and everything he does seems to delight the town. Unfortunately for Tennessee, her sister is about to marry Cruz's brother.
When the pre-wedding cruise plans go awry that's when both Tennessee and Cruz are thrown together in an unexpected way. That's when slowly the reader learns that they crossed paths quite a bit when they were younger. Cruz has a lot of layers to him, he's held some secret thoughts for a while regarding Tennessee. Is this a fling because they spend so much time together or is it possible for the town's bad girl to end up with the town's favorite son?
Thoughts- Tennessee is a push over. She spends way too much time deflecting the towns' ridicule. (again, not sure why they harbor such bad feelings towards her!) Her family walk all over her, but she needs them to help her with Bear, although she thinks about fighting back, she just can't let herself. That drove me crazy!
Cruz is a good guy. He knows what is expected of him, but he wants who he wants and has no problem taking it and the hell with everyone else. Tennessee does not make things easy for him-her reluctance to stand up to everyone makes it so difficult for them to find the happiness they both deserve.
Bad Cruz is a great read- there's some mild heartbreak and lots of frustration over the heroine's inability to tell people to shove it and stand up for herself, but the two main characters deserve to get their happily ever after. Sometimes, it just takes a little bit longer for them to get there. I love a good epilogue but I did think this one was a little rushed. Would like to read a little longer one. (maybe a bonus for the newsletter?)
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Excerpt
This whole day made me feel super prickly, but I still went with it. Unfortunately, I had no say in this, since I had lost a bet.
Then there was Trinity and my parents’ wrath to think about. And the fact Bear deserved a mother who didn’t look like she practiced the most ancient profession in the world.
Also, privately, I could admit I really, really liked the Anthropologie dresses.
“I think I’m starting to get a feel of what you’re into,” Cruz said when we got out of the store, which by the way, smelled like a new car and someone’s upscale bathroom.
I ignored his observation. I already felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman without being told I was on the cusp of self-discovery and inner transformation.
Next, we went to Free People, where I grabbed a few pairs of pants and some casual shirts and jackets. Then we went to a bohemian boutique, something small and not too pricey, and Cruz splurged on two pairs of sandals for me—both orthopedic but surprisingly not hideous—and a little purse that didn’t look like a tie-dyed squirrel.
I didn’t thank him one time during the entire shopping trip, careful to remind him that it was his idea, not mine.
Finally, around two in the afternoon, when I was ready for my lunch (more like in danger of eating my own arm), he stopped in front of Prada.
He jerked his chin inside. “Ladies first.”
“Are you crazy?” I glared at him. “I’m not really going to let you buy me anything from there.”
I knew I’d joked about it the other day, but I also joked about having Benicio del Toro’s babies, and I sure as heck was closed for business.
“It’s an outlet.”
“It’s outrageous,” I countered. “I don’t care how much money someone has, a five hundred dollar scarf is excessive.”
“Quality costs.”
“Say that to my Kmart shoes. They’ve been servin’ me well for three years and counting. Even when I work double shifts.” I was surprised my feet didn’t slap my face for lying.
“I try not to converse with inanimate objects as a general rule. Why do you even care? It’s my money. I get to decide what I want to spend it on.”
“Why would you want to spend it on a semi-stranger you don’t even like?”
“This semi-stranger I don’t even like is about to become my family. Besides, I’m a shitty tipper.”
We were blocking the entrance to Prada, but that was all right, because no one but us seemed irrational enough to wander in.
There was also a guard at the entrance. A flipping guard. It made me want to throw up. I would never, ever walk into a store where some people might not feel welcome.
People like my mom.
Or like me, for that matter.
“Ugh, don’t remind me.” I thumbed my nose at him, adamant to put up a fight. “I’d hate to be associated with you. You may ruin my reputation.”
“Your reputation’s in the shitter,” he reminded me kindly.
“Yeah, well, maybe it’ll find your kissing technique there, since it seems to be in the same destination. What the hell was that about yesterday?”
Classic aversion.
I was a master of misdirection.
“You enjoyed it,” he said calmly.
“Did not.”
“Did, too.”
Lord, I had.
And not only had I enjoyed it, but the fact that it had been sweet and intimate and not filthy and carnal had completely disarmed me. I still felt my pulse against my lips. Both pairs.
Mental note number one hundred and sixty: Charge. That. Vibrator.
About LJ Shen L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to nineteen different countries.
She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.
Connect with L.J. Shen Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OhSvp1 Twitter: http://bit.ly/36ELHZc Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2oMbFsu Instagram: http://bit.ly/2AIOiTo Stay up to date with L.J. Shen by signing up for her mailing list: http://bit.ly/36MnmAQ Website: http://www.authorljshen.com/
Blurb:My name is Ryan Sheppard and I don’t care about Christmas. I’m only returning to my over-the-top Christmas-themed hometown to sell the house I inherited from my late uncle so I can get back to the city and the promotion I’m chasing at work. Unfortunately, there’s a flaw in my plan. Because according to the town Christmas cop, there’s a moratorium on selling houses during December. She says it’s bad for the aesthetic. She’s also slapping an alarming number of tickets on my front door. For being in violation of holiday décor. And I swear on Rudolph himself, one is for ‘unsportsmanlike Christmassing.’To top it all off, this Christmas cop looks like a red-headed elf. A sexy red-headed elf…
3 1/2 stars
Review by Lisa Kane
This is part one of a new 3 part continuation about Reindeer Falls. The town that adores Christmas. All things Christmas. Maggie is the ginger haired heroine in this story. She's a realtor by trade but around the holidays it's her job to police houses for decorations. I kid you not. She gives out violations when the houses aren't decorated.
Ryan and his two brother have come back to Reindeer Falls following the death of his uncle. Each brother has inherited something and Ryan has inherited his uncle's historical house. Being an architect, his inheritance makes sense as he watched his uncle create beautiful wooden projects while growing up. This is where he got his love for building. He is up for a promotion back in Chicago where he lives. He's worked his butt off and knows he's the right person for the job.
Ryan's only interest in his uncle's house is to sell it. It needs tons of updating, and he's only sticking around long enough for the Sold sign to be placed on the lawn. So when he keeps getting violations for his lack of Christmas spirit due to his lack of any holiday decorating, he thinks it's a joke. That is up until he meets Maggie face to face.
Ryan is a wise ass and Maggie is serious about taking him to task over the sad state of holiday cheer on his house. Now that's when I found myself losing interest in the heroine, enough already about how much she loves the town and how her childhood lacked Christmas cheer. You are a grown woman who goes on and on about how important the decorations are and how these violations must be paid. If I owned a home in this town, the town better be paying part of my taxes if it has so much say over how my house looks. Jeez....
There is an attraction between them and they have multiple run ins, but Ryan is just so unlikable. The guy can be a real jerk and Maggie seems to get dreamy eyed about him even in the face of his worst behavior. Novellas do not have the luxury of building a romance slowly and organically, but this one- they finally enjoy a little naughty time and Maggie is thinking of love and long term. I think she ran a bit with the few crumbs Ryan gave her. When he does somewhat redeem himself, I kept thinking that's it, it's all good now?
The other two stories in this series still interest me. The characters are a bit more grounded and not as flighty and I think that will hold more appeal. I actually have read all of this author's works, and loved most of them. This one just wasn't my cup of tea, but that's not going to hold me back from her future works.
I broke the cardinal rule and slept with my sister’s best friend.
Granted, I’d just found out that I was now a single father to a three-year-old little girl and was low on willpower.
It should also be noted that there’s been sexual tension between us for years. There’s no way it would be a surprise if anyone in our small town found out. That is if we were telling people, which we’re not.
We’re in agreement to keep our affair a secret, especially since neither one of us do relationships.
You’ve probably figured it out already, but things didn’t go as planned.
4 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes
Another fantastic book by my favorite writing duo. I was so excited to read Jed and Molly's story. We've seen in the other books in this series that these two have a thing for each other, whether they want to admit it or not. Jed is her boss, and Molly is his sister's best friend. Making anything between them completely off limits. But that does not mean the flirting between them will stop. the chemistry between them is palpable. But the question is how far will the flirting go before they give in to what they both want?
Jed just found out news that will completely change his life. He has a 3 year old fighter the he never knew about and not he is her guardian. He has no idea what to do and the news has certainly shaken him up. Molly happens to be there after he was given the news and she gives him the comfort that he needs, or maybe the distraction. Whatever it is they both agree that this is a no strings agreement that no one is to find out about, especially Nikki.
Jed and Molly have more in common that I think anyone realizes. Jed is still dealing with his feelings towards his father and how much he is truly affected by his father's actions and mistakes. Molly's father left when she was younger, leaving her to basically raise herself because her mother was too busy to take care of her. They both have major commitment issues, and avoid relationships at all costs. Love is the one thing they both know how to avoid, until it's too late and they realize that their feelings for each other are much deeper than they thought, leaving them both afraid to admit how they feel.
I loved these two together. The flirty banter between the two of them was fun. They both had this wall up but seeing how they learned to open up to each other, how they broke those walls down. Jed is hot and sexy and a good guy regardless of his reputation. Molly is this strong and independent woman who was dealt a crap hand when it came to her mother. I loved seeing her stand up for herself. I loved watching these two characters grow and realize that they do deserve love and are both lovable.
While I loved Jed and Molly. there is one person who stile the show for me. And that was Emilia, who is Jed's daughter. She was so cute and my heart broke for her and what she was going through. But seeing her slowly open up to Jed and the rest of the family just melted my heart.
It is always great to se the other members of the Greene family and see how they all rally together. And of course, no book in this series would be complete without the antics of Ethel and Dori!!! Another great one in this series. Looking forward to Fisher's book.