Review Quickies

I haven't been the best lately at writing reviews of all the books I've read/listened to still, so I decided to do another quick review. I swear at some point I really will get better about doing full reviews. For now, here are some thoughts on recent books. 

I have read every single book that Abby has written and let me tell you, her books really don't disappoint. I loved the aspect of the "magic" of being the one before the "one". For this to happen to both Emma and Justin and then for them to find each other, has to mean something right? Abby always has serious subjects woven into her stories and Just for the Summer isn't without those and other hurdles. 

First of all, how many names does Catherine McKenzie write under? I had no clue this was her until other bloggers starting saying it. I mean maybe author picture could have given me an idea?!! I love all these romance novels that are fun but have serious issues or backgrounds that characters have to deal with before they can be in that relationship or at least work on it before proceeding. I loved the premise of this book and how it's a little bit messy between Chloe and "Jack". Plus her best friend is great! 

This writing duo's last few books have been fantastic and The Paradise Problem was a knock out punch. I loved this book and the characters so much! Anna is a great heroine who adapts to the awkward situation she's put into and is gracious. Liam is a mess but a very hot, sexy mess. His family is so very toxic as in they could be a case study for toxic families. I'm not sure how Anna survived it. Well I do and they were very spicy scenes. 😉 I love the faking dating trope but this might be my favorite fake marriage trope novel. 

Julie’s Review: Meet Me In London

Author: Georgia Toffolo
Series: Meet Me #1
Publication Date:  September 28, 2021
Publisher: HQN Books
Pages: 328
Obtained: Publisher Book Tour
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5/5
Bottom Line: Lovely romance set during the Holidays in Christmas
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Summary: Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea and her evenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming. Oliver Russell’s Christmas is not looking very festive right now. His family’s new London department store opening is behind schedule, and on top of that his interfering, if well-meaning, mother is pressing him to introduce his girlfriend to her over the holidays—a girlfriend who does not exist. He needs a diversion…something to keep his mother from meddling while he focuses on the business. When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed, will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for…? ~amazon.com

Review: I love novels where the 2 main characters start off in a fake relationship and then deny they are falling for each other and then finally admit it. This is exactly what Meet Me in London is all about. It does have a bit of You've Got Mail vibe with the big department store vs the little local shops but that's where it ends. Victoria is a bartender to make ends meet while she teaches underprivileged kids to create their own designs and while also pursuing her dream of having her own fashion collection. Oliver has been sent into the new store to clean up his cousins mess, which he has done countless times before. 

Neither one is looking for romance when they collide on the street outside the department store but maybe it's fates way of saying wake up! In order for their relationship to seem real, Oliver and V need to spend time together to ensure they know each other in ways couples would but both of them are holding back issues from each other. Both of them have things in the past that are holding them back from others and from being themselves. They can't be honest with each other because they aren't even honest with themselves. 

This book was so lovely and exactly what I needed at the time. I can't wait for the next book in the series and what Ms. Toffolo does next. If you are looking for a wonderful romance set during the holidays, Meet Me in London is the perfect escape. 

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Julie’s Review: The Southern Side of Paradise

Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Series: Peachtree Bluff #3
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Publisher: Gallery
Pages: 400
Obtained: author
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: A great ending to one of my favorite series;
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Summary: With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true. Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare. When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family. ~amazon.com 

Review: I devoured this book when I was on a work trip and my flight got delayed (shocker!). Not that I wouldn't have anyway but traveling allowed me some me time without a kid asking me 100 questions. I'm always sad to see a series end but I will miss this family something fierce. Each of the books in the series has focused on one of the Murphy sister's plus their mom, Ansley. This time it's Emerson's turn as the baby of the family. It's also about long buried secrets that have a way of coming to light when you aren't exactly prepared. 

Emerson is her own person and she's fighting to be independent while living up to her fiance's expectation of their roles in their upcoming marriage. She wants to continue her acting career more than anything but her fiance has a business to run in Georgia and well there aren't a lot of acting gigs in their neck of the woods these days. She believes that it will all work out on it's own. 

As she starts to look to herself and the life she wants to live, she starts to question if she's doing the right thing. As secrets long held by her mother start to come to light, she wonders where she really does fit in.  

I loved how Ms. Harvey finished up the series but kind of did leave the door open for possible future books. With the Murphy girls there's always some sort of drama going on but they always resolve it even if it takes awhile.

If you have never read this series, then you should start. They are the perfect summer read. 



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