Healing Magic and Playboys (Casual Magic #3) by Lauren Connolly

Ava Bellerose may use men to charge up her healing magic, but that doesn’t mean she wants to date one. She’s fine living life as a single witch working a day job as a college librarian and spending nights as the masked performer Pearl at The Jewelry Box. Every routine on the stage means more magic power in the bank, courtesy of the customers craving her body. One man in particular can’t seem to get enough. Ava finds perverse pleasure in ignoring his money and denying him anything more than a distant dance with zero eye contact. His admiration is intoxicating and the magical boost is all she needs from him. But the guy becomes impossible to ignore when he shows up outside of her apartment.

Their meeting must be fate…

Sammy Reyes can’t believe his luck. While visiting a new build site for work, he spots a heart-shaped behind and a pouty set of lips he’d recognize anywhere. Unfortunately, Pearl–or Ava–seems less than enthused to have her secret identity revealed, even if he promises to take her secret to a watery grave. From her hostile greeting, the gorgeous witch might be the one to bury him at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. But Sammy has spent his whole life charming people, and he’s determined to prove himself as more than a faceless fuel tank of lust. Especially when Ava makes it abundantly clear his money has no sway on her affections.

To woo the librarian, the water elemental will have to dive deeper than his normal surface-level charisma. But just as Sammy starts to show the vulnerable heart behind his confident mask, Ava’s two lives collide in the worst way. Can she risk stepping out from behind her own protective walls, or will she leave him wanting?

Buy Links

Author Website: https://www.laurenconnollyromance.com/

Publisher website: https://www.cityowlpress.com

Dirty Laundry by Jennifer Ryder

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Neighbours/Tattooed Bartender/Hollywood Alpha
Release Date: June 20, 2024

Celebrity dog trainer Prudence Cassidy never imagined her life would be like this. Filming in Hollywood went haywire when she caught the charismatic Mr Hollywood’s eye—but Prue doesn’t have room in her life for complications. She’s still recovering from retrograde amnesia so she flees to Robertson, home of the ‘Big Potato’ in country Australia, determined to start anew.
 
For Darius Dalton, family comes first. Always. His architectural dreams can wait while he tends bar in the family restaurant in Robertson, dazzling patrons with his cocktails whilst maintaining the complex he built with his late father. Day in, day out, work is all he sees—until Prue.
 
When she moves into his apartment building, Darius falls head over paw for the animal-loving brunette—and it seems she feels the same way. Their chemistry is undeniable. The more time they spend together, the more Darius questions if he can have it all: a life outside of work, and love.
 
When Mr Hollywood himself comes to town, intent on winning her back and casting her simple life in the spotlight, who will Prue choose?
 
That’s the thing about the past—your dirty laundry will always find you.
 
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209489190-dirty-laundry
 
PURCHASE LINKS 
US: https://amzn.to/45kuTFP
UK: https://amzn.to/3VqDPVo
CA: https://amzn.to/45qOtzZ
AU: https://amzn.to/3yZfkqN
B&N: https://bit.ly/4bYSI8r
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3VmtcD8
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3Vm09iT
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/bp1BZW

AUTHOR BIO

Jennifer Ryder is a bestselling romance author who loves to write about small towns, swoony heroes and strong females who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want.
 
A born and bred Canberra girl, now living on a rural property in New South Wales, Australia, she enjoys the best of city and country. Her loving husband is ever willing to provide inspiration, and her two young cherubs, Jack Russell named Buddy and sheep that don’t see fences as barriers, keep life more than interesting.

AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://www.jenniferryder.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferryder01
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jenniferryderauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jenniferryder01
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hkT4Sr

One Fine Night by Kait Nolan

As a Royal Marine, I’ve taken on countless missions, but navigating life as a civilian might be the biggest
challenge of all. I need to stay focused and figure out what the hell I’m doing with this early retirement. Then she crosses my path. A stranger on a train, she instantly captures my imagination. A beautiful, vibrant distraction I didn’t know I needed. And maybe something more…

When my charming companion faces unwanted advances, I step in, pretending to be her boyfriend. But the
connection between us is too real to be an act.

What might have been only a brief encounter turns into an unforgettable night as we both find far more than we were looking for, if only we both have the courage to hold on.

Grab Your Copy!
https://kaitnolan.com/one-fine-night/

Meet Kait Nolan:
Kait Nolan is a USA Today best selling, RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin’, and can wield a ‘Bless your heart’ like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world’s most perfect food. When she’s not writing, reading, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off. 

Keep up with Kait Nolan and subscribe to her newsletter: https://kaitnolan.com/newsletter/

Connect with Kait Nolan:
https://kaitnolan.com/contact/

My Review:

Meet-cute on a train, instant chemistry and a ONS that grew from a fake relationship. Alex may have left the Royal Marines but he’s still a super protective male. Ciara is on her way back to Edinburgh for Uni.

With them both needing a bit of direction in their lives, they find a common ground and before they know it they are chatting like old friends. The chatting leads to more… but they’re not about to get a HEA right now – their full story isn’t out until October!

I cannot wait to read the rest of Alex and Ciara’s story! Less of a HEA and more of a HFN with more to come!

The Greek Villa by Sue Roberts

Is this villa in Greece a disastrous fixer-upper… or a dream come true for Claudia?

After receiving a life-changing inheritance from a beloved, quirky older relative, thirty-two-year-old Claudia has done something wild they would approve of – she’s bought a run-down villa in Greece! Though she’s never seen it in person, she’s sure that with a lick of paint, it will be everything she’s ever dreamed of…

But, arriving at her new home on the gorgeous Greek island of Corfu, Claudia is met with a shock. The cracks look more like chasms, plants are growing through the tiled floor, and the view of the sparkling blue sea would be perfect – if there was a window instead of a hole in the wall.

With the local villagers thinking she’s mad to take on the villa, Claudia panics she’s made the biggest mistake of her life. Until local builder Dimitri comes to her rescue… Between his caring nature, his rippling muscles and deep brown eyes, Claudia can’t believe she’s found her knight in shining armour. And they grow close over glasses of Greek wine beneath the stars, after long, hot days working on the villa.

But just when Claudia begins to see a future with Dimitri, his ex-girlfriend throws a spanner in the works. Though he reassures her that it’s over between them, Claudia starts to feel like he’s keeping secrets. Then a pipe bursts, flooding the villa, and all Claudia’s hopes are dashed at once…

Should Claudia call it quits and head back to her old life? Or is Dimitri hiding the perfect surprise, one that could help Claudia finally build her dream life in Greece?

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-greek-villa-sue-roberts/1145589362?

Author Bio:

Sue Roberts lives in Lancashire with her long term partner Derek and has had a lifelong love of writing, encouraged by winning a school writing competition at the age of 11.

She always assumed that ‘one day’ she would write a book, always having a busy household and a job, the idea remained firmly on the back burner but never forgotten.

The inspiration for her first novel came to her on a holiday to a Greek village. Her daughters had left home and suddenly the time had come to write that book!
https://www.instagram.com/suerobertsauthor/
https://twitter.com/suerobertsautho

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Sue Roberts here: https://www.bookouture.com/sue-roberts

If you want a lighter, low angst romance to get you in the mood for summer you cannot go wrong with something from Sue Roberts! These romances set in Greece always put me in a holiday mood no matter when I read them but when I only have 4 weeks until I go to Greece, I’m totally in holiday mode now!

Claudia decides to use an inheritance to do something very unClaudialike and buys a property to renovate. But buying sight unseen is maybe not the best way to buy!

Hiring Dimitri, the local builder, should make things go a bit easier but the Grumpy, annoyingly handsome Greek male gets under her skin every time they bump into each other. Claudia is great at dishing out advice to everyone else about their lives and relationships but sadly doesn’t heed her own advice! She could also be a bit of a snob and very opinionated – I think that’s why I struggled with this one a bit.

There wasn’t a lot of commonality between Dimitri and Claudia and I did have to just go with the story sometimes and found I wasn’t rooting for them as I usually would with my MC’s. However, I still really enjoyed the story and was happy with the ending. I really enjoyed watching as Claudia finally settled down a bit and became friends with the locals and a lot less stand-offish and aloof.

Show Off (Juniper Ridge #6) by Tawna Fenske

I wish I didn’t know how one heartbreak can smash your world to bits.
And really I wish I didn’t suspect it’s why there’s an edge to Lana’s sunshine smile.
Hell, I wish I didn’t think of Lana at all.
I’m busy busting ass to be the best—and yeah, grumpiest—chef around.
There’s a reason I keep people at a distance.
My evenings blur with butter and basil and helping my brother.
Trying to forget how he wound up in a wheelchair.
We’ve got our routine, and there’s no room for sweet smiles or blue eyes or…why is it so damn hot in here?
The thing is, Lana spins stories as a PR goddess.
I’m all for icing cookies, but sugarcoating the truth? Never.
Directness is best, even if it means awkward dessert dates that are definitely not dates, and embarrassing chats with my dog.
But one truth I’m terrified to face?
I’m nuts for Lana.
And the fallout could blow up our lives like a mug cake microwaved in a tin cup.

https://www.bookbub.com/books/show-off-a-grumpy-sunshine-opposites-attract-romantic-comedy-juniper-ridge-romantic-comedies-book-6-by-tawna-fenske

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/show-off-tawna-fenske/1144763772

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/show-off-13

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Tawna_Fenske_Show_Off?id=qMHxEAAAQBAJ&gl=GB

What a fitting finale for a fabulously funny but also sweetly smexy series!  Juniper Ridge was always going to be a winner for me – I mean it’s a small town reality experiment based on a former cult compound!  It couldn’t not be funny!

Lana and Dal seem to be complete opposites.  She is sunshine personified and he’s the broody, grumpy but ever so talented chef.  I loved the way that his brother was not above using his disability to make Dal do what he wants!  There was no depicting the disabled community (of which I am a member)as being angelic – we have a$$holes & manipulators just like every other minority.  Thankfully Dal’s brother uses his powers for good!

Dal and Lana are flawed whilst still trying to be the best they can be.  Dal uses his food to bring light to his customers, Lana tries to make everyone around her happy – to her own detriment most of the time. There were parts of the story that were really emotional for me and I loved that the characters went through the wringer, there was no sailing into a HEA – they had to work for it.

Whilst I’m not a huge fan of reality TV IRL – I’d defo watch Juniper Ridge!  Some of my favourite scenes are the little confessional diary room scenes.  A beautiful mix of sweet, smexy and sarcastically funny.

I really hope we get to meet the Judson’s and co in other stories ‘cos they are just too funny not to crop up and cause mayhem for others!

Copper Valley Fireballs (complete series) by Pippa Grant

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: May 30, 2024

Meet the Copper Valley Fireballs, baseball’s lovable losers whose hot heroes are determined to turn this team around and resisting finding love along the way! This box set includes four full-length romantic comedies and a bonus novella.

About the books:

Jock Blocked is a home run of a feel-good romantic comedy featuring the world’s most superstitious sports fan, baseball’s oldest virgin hero, a rogue meatball, an adorable puppy with a cussing problem, and a happily ever after more satisfying than a game-winning grand slam.

Real Fake Love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.

The Grumpy Player Next Door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete who’s only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat who’s not nearly as wise as his name suggests, and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.

Irresistible Trouble is a hilarious grand slam of a romcom about a baseball player whose ego is catching up to him, a pop star who’s a bit of a hot mess when the cameras aren’t looking (and sometimes when they are), and the kind of family and teammates that everyone deserves… in small doses.

Have Yourself a Grumpy Little Christmas is a hit of holiday sweetness featuring a grumpy retired baseball pitcher who hates the holidays, his best friend’s little sister, and a Christmas tree mishap.
 
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213480104-the-copper-valley-fireballs-complete-series
 
BOOKBUB LINK: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-copper-valley-fireballs-complete-series-a-baseball-romcom-box-set-by-pippa-grant

PURCHASE LINKS
 
US: https://amzn.to/4axfYZB
UK: https://amzn.to/3UMbGHW
CA: https://amzn.to/3KgM29q
AU: https://amzn.to/3KzaD9X
Universal: https://readerlinks.com/l/4128085

Free in Kindle Unlimited
 
Also available in audio:
 
Amazon Audio: https://readerlinks.com/l/4128088
Audible: https://readerlinks.com/l/4128096
 
 
AUTHOR BIO
 
Pippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did. Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine written as Jamie Farrell. When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes trying to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
 
 
AUTHOR LINKS
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pippagrantromance
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThePipsquad
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/pippagrant
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pippa-grant
Website: http://www.pippagrant.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/pippa.grant
Verve Romance: https://ververomance.com/app/PippaGrant
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pippagrant

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

Ready or Scot…

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm.

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself.

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

https://www.bookbub.com/books/kilt-trip-by-alexandra-kiley

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kilt-trip-alexandra-kiley/1143441391

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/kilt-trip-5

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alexandra_Kiley_Kilt_Trip?id=2mTzEAAAQBAJ&gl=GB

When you’re Scottish, you always give Scottish set romances a weary eye.  Sometimes you wonder if the author has ever read anything about Scotland, never mind researched it or even visited it.  However this has been added to my “acceptable list” lol

I loved the enthusiasm for the history and scenery of Scotland. Sadly not all my countrymen look like Logan or even know how to tune a kilt.  But the story more than makes up for any wee blips.  The story also appealed to me as I once was a travel agent so all that work dealing with passengers, providers, etc brought back some memories!

Addie has a major case of wanderlust brought on by the death of her mum. Logan loves showing off the less well travelled areas of Scotland but the family company is still struggling.

Addie and Logan may be opposites in personality but they have a lot of commonalities, loneliness, family resentments and both are very determined to live life their way. They also hide a soft centre that they don’t often let others see.

There are smexy scenes but they are not graphic or particularly spicy.  The banter is great and the dialogue almost sounds right in my head (but Scotland has a lot of accents so that can be forgiven) but very few men, especially younger ones will ever call you lass.

The Pucker Next Door by Sara Ney

THE PUCKER NEXT DOOR by #SaraNey is LIVE!
AVAILABLE IN KINDLEUNLIMITED

#1ClickHere #ThePuckerNextDoor
https://books2read.com/ThePuckerNextDoorKU

 When a squirrel chews its way through my bedroom wall, I do the first thing any single girl like me would do: run screaming out of the house to the neighbors, begging for help.

I should mention that the house next door is full of hockey players. And when I lock eyes on rough and rugged Brodie Stockhausen—who happens to be outside brooding on the porch—I’m not exactly impressed.

But I’m desperate, in a bathrobe, and need a bit of rescuing.

Soon I’m begging for his help with more than just squirrel duty and DIY projects. I want his attention and his touch—not just his friendship! I want what every girl wants: him lying in his bed at night, so desperate for me that he’s willing to scale two stories to sneak into my window. Hey, a girl can dream…

But Brodie has a secret; one that leaves me wanting more every time we’re together but has him pulling away…

#NewRelease #FriendsToLover #PenPalsNextdoor #VirginHero #SportsRomance #RomCom #KindleUnlimited

Here for the Cake by Jennifer Millikin

A spicy, sassy, and swoony fake dating romantic comedy

A week on an island sounds like the stuff of beach dreams, but for Paisley Royce, it’s a nightmare. Her little sister is marrying her ex-college sweetheart, and Paisley is serving as maid of honor. To add insult to injury, nobody will let Paisley forget she’s single.

Bachelorette weekend changes everything when she runs into her old college frenemy, Klein Madigan.

Klein is still intelligent and funny, and somehow time has only made him more attractive.

Paisley is Klein’s ‘one that got away’, not that he’d ever admit it to her. A colossal misstep (and one terrible kiss) in college sealed their fate.

Or so they thought.

Klein’s an aspiring author allergic to social media. Paisley owns a digital marketing agency.

A brilliant plan is hatched: A trip across the country for a week of faking out her family in exchange for her firm marketing his work.

One hastily scrawled and signed contract on a bar napkin later, Paisley and Klein embark on a journey of tension, only one bed, and fake dating shenanigans.

Paisley’s goal is to survive the week.

Klein’s plan is to enjoy the sun, sand, and wedding cake.

But then there’s a scorching kiss to make up for that bad one in college.

And another kiss in a lighthouse during a thunderstorm. A gentle palm on Paisley’s lower back, and a reassuring hand squeeze under the table.

Everyone is convinced Klein and Paisley are the real deal, but as the week wears on, they begin to wonder if the only people they’re kidding are themselves.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SBFVS4

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/HereForTheCake

Audible: https://adbl.co/3JCn1VY
Audio Narrated by: Hanna Chiclana & Aaron Donahue

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48S9Rzc

Klein & Paisley get a 2nd chance at a HEA. After that disastrous start in college, Paisley manages to ensnare him in her madcap plan to survive her sister’s wedding to HER ex-boyfriend!

Klein is the ultimate cheerleader. He helps Paisley to see just how talented and accomplished she is. He’s like this smexy, sturdy, solid being. Paisley got the worst sister in the world as far as I’m concerned and the rest of the family ain’t that much better!

They may go into this relationship with an expiration date and mutual benefits but that quickly goes out the window when that chemistry hits high gear. The banter is great and the humour is strong – especially their text exchanges and the nicknames. That reminded me of my husband and I, lol. There are some generally sweet moments and I finished the book with a smile on my face.