Romance ( & Rom-Com)

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

It’s unique when a literature professor finds herself caught in a story. This story is heartwarming and takes romance from a different perspective.

Elsy gets left at the altar and desperately needs the pick-me-up of her annual book club retreat. She’s looking forward to it and even goes when no one else can.

Life smacks her when her car breaks down and she is stranded int the middle of her favorite romance series, Eloraton. In this place, everything is just as it was written, perfect except, it’s frozen right where the author left off.

There’s one character out of place, the charming yet grumpy bookstore owner. As she gets intertwined in the town. Elsy wonders if her happy-ever-after is tied to the town, can she stay? Does she really want to?

I loved how this novel took the romance trope to another level. It’s clean, refreshing and unexpected. 4/5⭐

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Katie is between a rock and a hard place. Her career is teetering as her company downsizes. Her co-worker Cole offers her a project that could save her job and get him out of interacting with his brother Hutch. It's a promotional video about the Coast Guard and his brother is front and center. The catch, it requires swimming skills, which Katie doesn't have, so she fakes it.
When Katie gets to Key West, she finds a bright welcoming community and Aunt Rue. Rue runs everything in town including building a family with her friends and community. She is as colorful as the clothes she wears and she warms everyone's heart with her personality. Sparks fly when Katie meets Hutch and she literally flies when she meets his giant dog, George Bailey.
I loved this story! It has self reflection and teaches some lessons on perspective and self appreciation. Katherine Center amazes me every time! She is truly a gifted storyteller and will always be "must-read" author. I will read everything she writes! This is a beautiful creative love story that will stay with me, it made me laugh and I was with the characters, in the story. The writing is just that good, like you walk right in and just become part of the story - the best kind of book! Of course it has a brilliant dog at the center, I love George Bailey!
To quote Katherine Center, " In the best stories, you're in it. It's happening all around you - and to you." That's exactly how i feel about books. That's why Katherine Center is an excellent author. Read this one and don't skip the author's note, it's phenomenal too!
I would like to thank NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to review an ARC of this book. 5+/5⭐

yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Briana Ortiz has a lot on her plate, a divorce in progress, a brother that is running out of time, and a big promotion hanging in the air. Jacob Maddox arrived on the scene and quickly became a thorn in Briana's side with a misunderstanding and a bad first impression.
Determined to right a wrong, Jacob writes a letter that changes everything. It was a great letter, one that made a lasting impression and demanded a response in gesture alone. The letter took Briana's breath away. Suddenly the two were ER pen pals. Sparks fly and Jacob becomes a hero when he calls in a favor.
This was a warm and funny story with compelling elements of loss and joy. It was just comforting to be in the story as I was reading it. The humor was wonderful and I just loved the characters. I cried, I laughed and that made the experience of this book wonderful. I love a book that makes me feel and laugh. Excellent book! 4/5⭐

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
This was a good one, my first book by this author.
After Daniel Grant rescues Alexis’ car from a ditch, they meet again at the local VFW. In jest, Alexis joins a wild bet and goes home with Daniel. She is charmed with a baby goat in pajamas, the best gourmet grilled cheese sandwich she’s ever had and some alluring chemistry.
The chemistry is explosive and they find themselves in a long distance relationship. The problem, their worlds are so different they can’t fit in either. She comes from a world of wealthy doctors and parents that live in their own world with ridiculous expectations. He lives in a small town that needs him to exist. Their worlds are set on a collision course. Alexis is wrecked because she can’t deny the joy she is filled with by Daniel, something she has never experienced.
Once their worlds collided, she has to decide if she can walk away from one or the other.
Although there was some spice in this one, I found myself experiencing everything with Alexis and Daniel. I laughed out loud and got frustrated with some situations right along with the characters. The story was heart wrenching and joyful at the same time. I loved Hunter, Daniel’s rescue dog, he stole the show on more than one occasion causing me to laugh out loud! I really enjoyed this book! 4/5⭐️

Beach Read by Emily Henry
This is a fun romance full of wonderful characters and an interesting plot.
January Andrews, a best selling romance writer has hit rock bottom with writing and finance. She has landed at her father’s beach house for the summer, next door to an acclaimed literary fiction author, Augustus Everett.
They don’t hit it off right away as neighbors, but eventually they strike a deal for inspiration. They concoct a writing challenge where they essentially switch genres to end their writing slump.
The two proceed to teach their trade secrets with weekend outings worthy of any Rom-com or a death cult novel. The deal is that they will both complete a novel and no one will fall in love.
In their adventure they learn a lot about one another and who they are, this was a cute romance with lots of feelings and very saucy. 4/5⭐️

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

This was a beautiful whimsy story. If you love cozy fantasy books, this is for you!

Kiela loves books way more than people. She spent the last decade sequestered in the stacks of the Great Library of Alyssum with a magical spider plant named Caz.
A revolution, a fire, and a great desire to save the books sends Kiela and Caz on a grand adventure.
She ends up on the little remote island where she was born. With a handsome neighbor, forbidden magic, and the love of the town, this cozy fantasy will take you away.
Beautiful magical characters and places with a sweet hint of adventure and love will make this a favorite. 4/5⭐s