~ REVIEW: Where Their Hearts Collide by Zoe York ~

 

 

Karen’s finally decided what she wants to do when she grows up. Too bad it’ll mean leaving behind her new neighbour, who’s stirred up a different kind of grown up feelings. But when he rebuffs her attempt to have a fling before she leaves Wardham, Karen knows it’s for the best. A clean break, no messy emotional entanglements.

Intense and private, Paul has recently moved to Wardham for a more family friendly job, leaving behind a career as a homicide detective in the city. He only has his ten year old daughter a few nights a week, and he doesn’t want any distractions or drama while he tries to repair their relationship.

But Karen is right next door, and everywhere he goes. His resolve to keep his distance only lasts until she needs a true friend in her corner, and he realizes he can’t imagine life without her.

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Paul, hot and single police officer, is trying to be a good father to his 10-year-old daughter and doesn’t think that includes getting involved with a woman.  Karen’s managing her parent’s grocery store while they follow her brother, a pro hockey player, around the country.  She’s trying to figure out what to do with her life and what she wants to be when she “grows up” even though she’s 34 years old.  She loves books and wants to be a Librarian in her town but never finished her degree, and then Paul moves into the house next door.  They share a driveway and begin to have thoughts of sharing other things.  Paul’s daughter, Megan, loves to read and forms a pretty quick bond with Karen, but Paul is reluctant to act on the attraction he feels for Karen.  Paul becomes a the best friend that Karen needs, helping her decide what she wants for her future.  Will part of that future include Paul? Will Paul be able to move beyond his self-imposed celibacy that he thinks is necessary to be a good dad and be open to being with Karen?  Read this book and find out!

~ REVIEW: Love, Chocolate and Beer by Violet Duke ~

Romance has met its most unlikely match-up…

Luke Bradford is a chocolatier on a mission. After moving his chocolate shop, and newly single life, to the quirky town of Cactus Creek, Luke wants nothing more than to devote all his energy into making his business a success—by taking the romance market by storm. But his grand plans get thrown for a loop when he locks horns with the feisty beer-brewing beauty next door who calls his ‘romantic idealism’ a load of fairytale bull. Soon, driving the woman sparking nuts becomes another wickedly fun priority he simply can’t get enough of.

In his defense, she’s addictively easy to incite…and plain impossible to resist.

Beloved local brewmaster Dani Dobson is beyond riled up. It’s bad enough the new shop owner in town comes locked and loaded with both a distractingly rugged charm and sexy flashing dimples, but the whole only-in-the-movies variety of romance he’s selling—the kind her world has been crushed by before—is really doing a number on her allergy to unrealistic clichés. What’s worse, he’s created an annoyingly clever ad campaign that dubs ‘beer joints’ like hers as the “cave where romance goes to hibernate.” The nerve of that man.

Combustible chemistry or not, damn it, this means war. The stakes…very likely, her heart.

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***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

 Luke has moved to the small town of Cactus Creek with his best friend and business partner, Quinn, to set up a chocolate shop. Everything seems to be going as planned until Quinn accidentally steps on the toes of a neighboring bar owner, Dani, when she interviews some of the customers in the bar. Dani sees red because she thinks the questions asked will harm her business, so she declares the new owners of the chocolate shop her enemies. Little does she know, she has already met the chocolate shop owner earlier when the two had a hot hook up one of the bar’s back rooms.  When she and Luke realize the identity of each other, instead of cooling their relationship, it heats it up especially when they issue a romantic challenge to each other. Will their romantic relationship be able to move forward when their working relationship keeps throwing obstacles in their paths?

Love, Chocolate, and Beer was a cute, quirky romance. To me, it wasn’t your typical romance. The writer took her time with the relationship between Dani and Luke. It was very realistic. The two did have an intense hook-up session the first time they met, but they didn’t automatically fall into bed together. I enjoyed the banter and competition between the two, and it added sex appeal to the story. The characterization was a bit different too. They both were very strong, independent people who both brought something to the relationship. I also liked that he was the chocolate maker, and she was the bar owner/brew maker. That seemed like a little role reversal to me which I found refreshing. And, who knew chocolate making could be so sensual? The author went into detail about the creations of specialty chocolate. Just wait until you see how Luke determines the potential success of his creations…sexy and funny!!! The secondary characters had a big part in the story too. There was an additional romance in this story too between Quinn and Rylan. I wasn’t sure how that would affect the story, but it worked. I thought the prequel included in this edition set up the actual novel nicely.

How can a writer go wrong when the story involves romance, sex, chocolate, and beer? I saw that she is planning another book in the series. I, for one, can’t wait to return to Cactus Creek! This is my first time reading Violet Duke, but it certainly won’t be my last!

~ REVIEW: The Promise by Kate Benson ~

Devastated by circumstances beyond her control, Sophie Ryan’s life rips her from the arms of her first love, Jack. With only memories of their lost love, she’s forced to start over in a new town; surviving on her own for the first time since he left. Trying to begin her new life, fate decides a different direction for her, causing her to make a choice she never thought she’d have to.

Unsure of commitment after his failed engagement, Chase Mitchell finds himself stuck on a path of failed conquests and late nights at the bar. That is until he finds a pair of mesmerizing green eyes sitting in his usual spot. Something about this quiet girl forces him to question everything he has ever thought about love.

As Sophie looks down at the fork that’s presented in her path, will she choose the right direction? Will she be able to move towards the arms of the man who stands in front of her? Or will she choose to keep her promise to the one life forced her to leave behind?

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***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

WOW!!! What an amazing emotional rollercoaster ride of a book this is! Sophie and Ana are leaving their small town after the death of Jack, Sophie’s love and Ana’s brother. They made a promise to him before he went to Afghanistan that they would take care of each other if something happened to him. Sophie has barely been living life for the past year. She is plagued by horrible, vivid nightmares about Jack. They believe leaving town and starting fresh will help mend their broken hearts. As she and Ana adjust to their new lives, Sophie meets Chase who has a painful past as well. When the two meet, they actually begin to feel again. As the two grow closer, their pasts continue to affect their future. Can Sophie let go of her pain and share her heart with Chase? Can Chase let go of his trust issues long enough to give a chance at “real love” a try?

There are so many things I LOVED about this book and things that set it apart from other romances for me. It is told in four POVs, Sophie, Ana, Chase, and Drake (Chase’s cousin). You might think this would really make it confusing, but it really helps move the book along. It provided a more in-depth look at the characters and their inner most feelings which helped me connect better with each character. Kate Benson’s writing style is nothing short of beautiful. Her flashbacks of Sophie and Jack were so vivid. I felt like I was there and felt everything Sophie did. There were many times I cried my eyes out, especially the airport scene when Sophie and Jack are saying goodbye to each other. Even the flashbacks Ana has of her brother are bittersweet. It allows you to see the different ways each women grieved for Jack. Her descriptive detail to each scene was fantastic too. The title for the book was perfect! The characters in this book make promises to the people they love. But as we know in life, promises can be easily broken. This book deals with the consequences of when those promises are broken either intentionally or unintentionally. I loved every character in this book, but of course, Sophie, Jack, and Chase stand out for me. The way Kate writes about Sophie’s grief is so raw and real. My heart broke for her as it did for Chase. Even though Jack is no longer physically “in the picture”, he is very much a main character that I loved.

Warning: this book will literally tear your heart out! Poor Sophie…I kept wondering how much more pain could this poor girl take. It is an emotionally, gut-wrenching book that will have you crying, laughing, and crying again. The end of the book will leave you somewhat speechless but wanting more. In fact, Kate, you need to have the sequel done like yesterday! FANTASTIC READ!!!!