Review of: Say It Out Loud A Novel by Ashley Schumacher (4.5 stars/5)

4.5/5 stars

Tropes: missed-connection, reconciliation, magic, regrets, life-in-a-decade, humor, celebrity, stage, acting, voice-actors, narration, twilight, twilight-is-feminist

BLURB:

"Juniper Green doesn’t believe in magic anymore. Not since her mom died, her dreams of a publishing career fizzled, and her podcast—the one bright spot in her life—was stolen out from under her. Now, at thirty-two, she’s living in her dad’s spare room and wondering if life peaked when she was a teenager with a stack of vampire books and an unhealthy obsession with enigmatic immortals.

Then comes the email: an invitation to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow, the wildly popular vampire romance series that defined her teenage years. It’s a dream opportunity—until she learns her co-star is James Neely, the brooding, talented actor who played Romeo to her Juliet in a one-night-only college show before breaking her heart and disappearing from the stage and her life . . . right along with the magic.

To save the project (and her career), Juniper and James must revive their onstage chemistry, playing The Meadow’s star-crossed lovers for the microphones and social media alike. But as the lines between performance and reality blur, Juniper is left wondering: Can you rewrite the ending of a story you thought was over? Because love, like magic, is a fragile thing to lose . . . and to find again."

Review

Unlike other rom-coms or chick lits, this book portrays MFC in a much more realistic light and you are much more sympathetic to her plight. Usually the formula goes that the MFC is stupid and nothing has gone well her way. In this story, you can see how hard MFC has worked and she has been (somewhat) rewarded for it. She made a mistake and lost the brand she worked so hard for (unfortunate, but happens pretty frequently).

Also deals with the more realistic scenario of doing someone a solid favor and them completely dumping you when they get their chance. That's what MMC does to MFC who helps him be discovered by a talent agent during Romeo and Juliet performance. You'd think that the MFC is bitter and hates him, but she's pragmatic about it and has somewhat moved away, although she can't stop the what-ifs, especially after losing her podcast.

This book was sweet and nostalgic, not in a cloying way, but in a rather hazy summer's day way, where as a millenial, I was in sync with what the MFC felt. I feel like the pacing could have been better, especially when the two MCs meet up again ( hence the 4 stars), but perhaps the pacing is something the editor is responsible for, and not the author? As an intro to this author, this was a wonderful story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own

Lessons in Faking - Selina Mae (Rating: 4.5/5)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Tropes: Semi-enemies-to-lovers, trauma, daddy-issues, brothers-enemy, sweet, men-who-cook, girl-needed-a-confidence-booster

This is my first book by this author, and I was hooked from the first page. This is because I have around 100+ books on my TBR list, and unless something has a strong start, I'm not invested. I read the story as a stand-alone, and only got to know about the history of the author once I finished it. Now, let's be real. Are there things out of the realm of belief in this work? Absolutely. Realistically, there are a lot of things I object to. E.g. why did the MFC start dating her brother's supposed arch-nemesis to get her BROTHER'S ATTENTION? Or why the MMC had to have beef with his dad, because that aspect was literally unexplored and unnecessary. Or that the MMC was supposedly so in love with the MFC from the start that NO ONE SUSPECTED?

However, despite these gripes, the story worked well. It did. And the reason is for that is that it is really sweet without being cloyingly so. It's just sweet enough. The chemistry between the main characters is really strong. Read this as a floating leaf in the wind, without a final destination and without too many expectations, and you will love it, especially if enemies-to-lovers is your trope of choice.(Thanks to Netgalley and LYX publishers for providing the ARC. Views are my own)

The Weekend Crashers: A Novel Jamie Brenner (3.75 stars)

3.75 rounded to 4

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me the e-ARC. Views are my own.

Tropes: Multiple story lines, knitting retreat, sweet, older MMC, older MFC, mother-daughter-bond.

BLURB:
Maggie Hodges and her daughter Piper are looking forward to a restful knitting retreat in the picturesque village of New Hope, Pennsylvania. But instead, they are surprised to find themselves sharing their charming riverside inn with a rowdy bushcraft bachelor party. Undaunted by the clash of interests and personalities, Maggie suggests a lighthearted competition—a battle of crafts—that sparks a rivalry between the two groups, and perhaps something more. But as the weekend unfolds, old mistakes and buried resentments begin to surface, threatening to destroy Maggie and Piper’s cherished connection.

Review:
This is a sweet women's fic type novel with a romantic element. And I say element because it's all closed-door and even the outcome (when it happens), is left open ended. The mother-daughter bond is very clearly outlined so if you love this trope, go in and have fun.
The older MMC is a sweet dude who's lost his wife and is ready now to move on. Overall this book wasn't high angst or suspense. It was a sweet telling of people moving on and finding love. There's technically three parallel stories running around (Trigger warning, one of them had cheating involved and that left the most bitter taste in my mouth for the remainder of the story!)

Over & Out - Claire Wilder ( 5 stars!)

5 stars!

Views are my own. Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me the e-ARC

Part of a series but works absolutely as a stand-alone!

Tropes: independent-mfc, celebrity-hero, dual-pov, banter, battle of wills, traumatized-mfc, traumatized mmc, funny

This was a funny/sweet book. I really, really, really liked it. The banter was natural, not forced and I am a fan. My first book from this author, won’t be the last. The book has dual POV and it gives tons of soul to the story. You can feel the angst through the different perspectives and truly root for the leads. The side characters have their own stories, but it can be read a stand-alone.

The ending was a little corny ( in my opinion), I don’t personally like public declaration of love, but that may be a me thing.

Absolutely one of the best reads this year.

Thirty, Flirty, and FOREVER ALONE - Christine Riccio (3.5 rounded to 4 stars)

Many thanks to Netgalley and Montlake publishers for providing the e-ARC of this book. Views are my own.

Tropes: chance-meeting, coming-of-age-at-30, writer-MMC, writer MFC.

I give it 3.5 rounded up to 4.  This book is for idealists, those who want things to be perfect because honestly, the dialog read one sided, like the response is what the MFC wants to hear instead of what the MMC actually says. I'm not even sure if I'm making sense, but there's something about the flow of the delivery that feels unnatural. The friends not knowing how triggered the MFC would be also irked me. She's single and she doesn't want to be a spectacle, but her BF who's getting married parades her around at her wedding as the ONLY single girl? 

I mean, come on. That's disrespectful. I'm surprised no one spoke up... It's a quick read. Not the most original premise and my heartstrings were not touched extensively (no, that's not a euphemism). 

The Girlfriend Agreement (3.5 stars) - Rowan Croft

Thanks to Netgalley and Shire-Hill Publications for the e-ARC. The review is my own.

3.5 stars

Tropes: enemies-to-lover, multicultural, genius-lead, misunderstood hero


OK. I love stories where the lead come from 2 different perspectives, hate each other, then understand each other, and then fall in love. And this book introduces a new way to write about 'fuckboy' Damien.

The issue is that the transition between fuckboy Damian and hurt Damian is realllly abrupt. Almost to the point where it gave me a whiplash. The fact that he is so nonchalant about treating women like a commodity ( has a very, 'oh, well...' attitude about it) to being contrite doesn't feel organic.

Also...craigslist ad to advertise for a fake girlfriend? Who even goes on craigslist these days with the advent of facebook marketplace or nextdoor or whatever.

The FMC also fell victim to stereotypes: Kind, poor, genius, with a good head on her shoulders ecept when it comes to the MMC.

I wish the author had started the story from the middle half so we weren't superbly/intimately familiar with the MMC's attitude in the first half. In the 2nd half, he's perfectly fine. Pretty cool, in fact. There's a reason he's as antipathetic as he his, but I wish it had been hinted at earlier when he meets his folks for the first time ( in the book). I loved his relationship with his granma. The sense of community that he feels for his heritage.

Overall a good read.

Let's Make a Scene - Laura Wood ( 5 stars!)

 

(Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me an e-ARC. The review is my own.)

Tropes: m-f, second-chance, long-term-love, slow-burn, humor, fiery-love, funny, friends-are-family, he-falls-hard, alpha-to-beta, beta-hero, independent-heroine.

Ok. Here it is. THIS IS A 5 STAR READ!
OMG. OMG. OMG.

From the first paragraph, I was hooked. The way Laura wrote the scenes made me feel like I was there. I have read over 150 romance books this year (to date). This book has become my favorite find yet!

Favorite things:
- The writing is impeccable. The description is so vivid that you feel it's happening right in front of you.

- The character arc of the MMC is STUNNING. Jack's growth from an asshole to a mature and understanding man is realistic. I have had so many encounters with former asshole classmates/collegues who have changed (for the better) as they have matured.

- The way this book is written, the movie, that MMC and MFC have been a part of, is a character and it acts beautifully to support the growth of our characters.

-I literally imagined Penelope Cruz and Javier because, why not? It's hard to maintain relationships in the entertainment industry and these two have ALSO worked on a movie a long time ago and reconnected and now they have a couple of kids, right? It made Jack and Cynthie's story plausible to me.

- The side characters were really well-written. I loved them all.

-No third act break up ( thank the good lord!)

- Funny, in an understated, every day. Not a deliberate, "I have to put in a joke here" way, but just naturally... pleasant.

- SLOW BURN! but not boring or draggy in ANY WAY. Everything was just sooooooo! Ooooph!


AAAAAH I love this book!!!!!

The way that the MMC and MFC looked back at their behavior was so... natural yet full of angst, that it really hits hard. It could be that I'm an older millenial but that the MFC and MMC both did therapy and destigmatized it really plays a big role. Bring in a diverse supporting characters in a very natural way ( sort of like the cast of Brooklyn 99) and you have a hit on your hands.

Going in my re-read pile.

Seven Days in June - Tia Williams 3.5 stars

3.5 stars

Tropes: Second-chance, reunion, chance meeting, young love, Millenial, person of color. 

While I loved the premise and also the discussion on what the literature at wide needs (or doesn't need) in terms of different voices, the romance aspect of this book (which is why it was recommended to me) didn't exactly wow me. It reads more like women's literature. I am glad I read it though because it still taught me stuff that I needed to know, specially the overwhelming misrepresentation of POC in genre-related literature. I hadn't thought about that ( being a POC myself) and it did make me think.

However, and I am sorry for stating this, this book will not age well. Not because of the content, but because it is choke-full of cultural references that will date badly. Add to it a 12 year old sounding like a 20 year old and I was taken out of the fantasy of writing and that was uncomfortable for me.

 

Review: Caught Out - Ann Butler (4/5)

 From the Blurb

"Bad Press is her middle name

What does a socially awkward introvert do when she's trolled for not measuring up to her super model mum and gorgeous media personality sister?
If she's Amara Allen, she keeps her armour polished and her punch bag handy. After all, she'll need some way to cope when the trolling becomes too much.
Things start to look up when the man she's been watching for months and has pegged as one of the good guys asks her on a date. Maybe with him she can let her guard down.

As for Nicholas, the man in question, dating a social misfit who struggles to make conversation is not his idea of a good time. But what can he do when her mum is pulling his strings?"

Review

(eARC provided via Netgalley, 2025)

The story's about Amara and her crush on/interest in Nicholas Lewis, a furniture brand mogul. It's not explicitly stated in the book that she is ND so as a reader, you're wondering it, without any confirmation. I wish the author had explicitly stated it so everything fir in better.

Trinity, Amara's mother, gets Nicholas/Lewis (I wish the author had decided what to call him and then stuck with it) to date Amara for 6 months in exchange for a social media campaign. This means the story is a blackmail/extortion trope.

The problem is that you get the clash first. The book starts with Amara finding out so it colors all their interactions negatively (for me). The lack of verbal communication (makes sense in the instance of MFC being ND) makes this an awkward read for at least the first half of the book. The story could have had more visual cues to make up for it, but that's neither here nor there.

Now, a lot of people may have issues with Trinity (the mom) interfering with her child's love life, but it is pretty cultural, I think. SE Asians have their parents arrange their marriages so for us, meh, it's ok.

It's not explicitly stated how old Amara and Nicholas are (as far as I remember) so that aspect would have helped contextualize their interactions as well.

Open door explicit.

Fantasy Girl by Carole Mortimer

Synopisis

"I always get what I want."

Adam Thornton's words struck fear into Natalie's heart. For the survival of her modeling agency depended on keeping him and his company happy. Her own sister--Thornton's Cosmetics' Dream Girl--had put her firm in jeopardy.

And Adam Thornton, her irate client, was not a man to be trifled with.

Ruthless in business, he was also dangerous to love, as Natalie discovered. For what he wanted most of all was Natalie--as his mistress!

Review

Rating: 2.5-3 stars

And I get duped by goodreads ratings - AGAIN!. I'll list things I learnt from this book:

1. BEWARE of this in the synopsis: "I always get what I want."

2. Two sisters may have the same upbringing and still have completely different morals (TRUE).

3. Apparently the culture in London is like Asia where elder sister takes care of the younger one, no matter what...It wouldn't have grated on me if I hadn't watched a Tabatha takes over episode where  sisters operated Mia Bella salon. Talk about dysfunctional.

4. Women dig passive aggressive men (apparently true in lala land).

5. A man can "brutally kiss" a woman for having a genuine friendship with another guy but never tell her clearly that he's not sleeping with his 'mistress' anymore while getting it on with her.

6. Outbursts like "You sold yourself to me", "I don't trust love", " I never want to see your beautiful face AGAIN" and "I don't trust you" from a man may be totally forgotten when he says he does love you (without trusting that feeling) and wants to marry you.

7. After reading Walk by my side by Sandra Field (Review Pending), I have a need to read about unconventional heroines. who're not all gorgeous and dependent on the hero to give them an identity.

(Sigh).

If you want to add this book on goodreads: Click: HERE . You can rate my review there as well!]

The Dark Side of Desire (Paperback) by Michelle Reid

Synopsis:
She could run . . . but she couldn't hide.

No longer the shattered teenager who had left Thornley vowing never to return, Rebecca Shaw had come to terms with the legacy of Jay Lorence's betrayal and had built a new life on HER terms. But her mother needed her now--and nothing could keep Rebecca from going home.

Ten years melted in Jay's embrace; his kiss reopened old wounds and ignited forgotten temptations. Every instinct warned her to run before her hard-worked-for peace and stability came crashing down.

Rebecca had a new life--one she had no intention of letting Jay invade. But keeping a man like Jay at arm's length was next to impossible--especially when it wasn't what she really wanted to do.


Review: 
Rating: 5 stars
I usually hate abandoned-baby-shocked-father stories but this one works on so many different levels - First of all, its an honest book - The real issue b/w the H/H is the social classification of the society and then the story is very mature ( but not boring) - You can pretty much tell how the hero is feeling right from the start (and no he's not giving mixed signals and he doesn't rip the heroine apart like nobody's business) - not that he's not angry at her but its an anger that I can understand (as does the heroine, I might add) - the dialog from their child is well placed and very apt

The last recommendation I can give it is this: I read this book 10 years ago and reading it now, I still feel the gut-wrenching ache that I did initially....


Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Goodreads link if you want to add it to your shelf: Dark Side of Desire

Sweet Vixen by Susan Napier

Synopsis:

Life without him had been dull--but safe. Max Wilde had taken over as executive editor of New Zealand's leading fashion magazine just to create havoc, Sarah thought bitterly.

He wasn't content with changing the magazine's format, however. Now he was focusing his attention on Sarah herself, taunting and challenging, forcing her to admit that her desires as a woman hadn't died with her husband. She hadn't felt so alive in years--and she resented it!

Review:

Rating: Initially 4 stars, 3.5 stars on reread

I don't know why I liked this book so much a long time ago. Is it glamorous? Yes. Does it have awakening-of-heroine's-senses? Yes. Is the hero equal-opportunity employer? Yes. The problem, I think, is the fact that I saw him forcing the heroine needlessly and yes, I know most hqns have that but in most of them you expect the hero to be macho and an ass-hat. In this one, the hero was comfortable with women and judged them on their own merit and so it's a surprise that he let himself fall so low. Some might say it's a sign of his passion that he was able to forget himself when he dealt with the heroine but I think it's a sign that the author wanted the passion but couldn't connect his two side properly. Another thing which I found during the reread is that the H/h didn't spend too much time together getting to know each other. The H's mommy issues were never fully discussed and the way he called the h 'a dumb cow' felt like a personal attack on me.

Overall, it's a good book; you might want to read it and compare notes with me :)

If you want to add this book to your goodreads feed, here's the link: SWEET VIXEN

Her Best Friend (More Than Friends #1) by Sarah Mayberry

Synopsis:

What's a girl to do when she's secretly in love with a friend and he's married to someone else? She gets over it. That's what Amy Parker has done. Rather than lose her best bud Quinn Whitfield with an ill-timed, crazy confession of affection, she's taken the smart route. She's eased away from him. Just enough to get past the unrequited bits. And you know, it's working. 

Until the day Quinn announces he's now single. That's right. He's single. And he wants to hang out. With her. Get reconnected the way they used to be. 

Oh, this is so not good for Amy's equilibrium. Daily doses of Quinn remind her of everything she loves about him. But if he's free...and she's free...well, maybe the time has come for one of those crazy confessions. 

Review:

Rating: 3 stars

Okay so here's the beef:

I keep complaining about how the HQN books are not 'real' enough. Well, I've been pwned cuz they don't get any more real than this. And that's a problem.

BECAUSE:

1- When things get too real in books, you feel like it's happening to you.

2- Any woman who has ever been in a relationship, even one-sided one, will be upset when her guy has been/is involved with someone else.

3- I didn't feel any chemistry between the H/h...And I'm a great appreciator of friends-to-lovers but because it dragged so long, I still kept thinking of them as  friends more than lovers.

4- These books have (sort of) the same theme but here's why I love them more:

a) Crazy for you (Jennifer Crusie): The H married the h's sister but the icky and jealousy factors are much-reduced by the time-lapse: It's been 16(if I rem correctly) years since the hero was last married so you don't feel like the old relationship's that heavy, involved and emotional. Plus, the hero realized right after he got back from the honey moon that he'd made a mistake but kept quiet about it to preserve the friendship. That's the guy feeling something. We women don't get that emotionally attached to the story when that happens apart from saying: 

The heroine felt something too but she just didn't pay attention to why she felt happier with the hero until the story starts.

b) Waking Up (Amanda Carpenter): Again, a story with unrequited love but no third friend to interrupt the flow. 

I think generally (for me, at least), friends to lovers stories work only if it's initiated by the guy....if its from the girl, it hits too close to home. I don't wanna get upset over some non-existent person... 

One more thing, I kept wanting to remember, why I don't usually like Super-romances and Silhouette and it's because: they're too long! It starts to grate on me :(

If you want to add it on goodreads, here's the link: Her Best Friend

Taken on Trust (Paperback) by Sally Wentworth - Harlequin Presents

Synopsis:

Lyn couldn't tell what he was thinking

That was the trouble. Despite their initial conflict, it hadn't taken Lyn long to realize that Morgan French was the only man in the world for her.
What Lyn wanted she usually got and this time was no exception. But Morgan was infuriatingly enigmatic about his feelings for her. And his question--"We'd better get married then, hadn't we?"--was disappointingly casual.
Was he only marrying her because of her wealthy background, Lyn wondered. Or did he really love her?

Review:
Rating: 4.75
 Well...any book of HQN that I've read with a groom and a bride on the cover has been a high-drama one and as far as I remember , they've all been very good. This one was no exception. 

When I started reading it, I was like "Oh, no! not another crappy book about a hero collecting the heroine and all that" but I actually felt exactly like the heroine in her reaction to her parents' marriage breakup. I know she acted like a spoiled brat and she lashed out but I loved that because it's human to react badly to a bad situation. I hate it when most authors make the heroines out to be a martyr and self-sacrificing type. I'd want blood as did the heroine. She finds out the H was somehow involved in the scheme and turns on him and I love her sharp retorts. Plus you can feel her pain quite visually so that was great

I usually don't like melo-dramatic books cuz it's easy to go OTT (this one did, too, slightly and I started thinking she was acting badly [which was the whole point of the story...she was!]) but this one worked quite well and I'll defo be reading it again..

The Brazilian's Blackmail Bargain by Abby Green

Synopsis:
Six months ago Brazilian tycoon Caleb Cameron thought he'd uncovered Maggie Holland's plot to ruin him--using seduction But Maggie was being manipulated by her stepfather. She'd fallen in love with Caleb--but he vowed never to see her again. After her stepfather dies, Maggie is left with nothing. Now, to complete his revenge, Caleb makes an offer Maggie can't refuse: but she must become his mistress for two months

Review: 
Rating 1 star
Totally hated it.
1) blackmail ain't my cuppa AT ALL cuz they're just not real - or not all that real...
2)No humor - whatsoever
3)Usually no compatibility between the H/h (although at least here the author tried -unsuccessfully...)
4)Plus, like I said in another review: I hate martyr heroines and here's the reason why:
I'm intrigued every time I read a book like this - Do people in the west want the women to be quiet, accommodating and self-sacrifising? Cuz they keep wanting to read about it....and if, God forbid, an Asian woman actually puts her family first, they literally question her to death about how she could let herself get used that way - totally confusing!

I know I'm gonna get shot down for saying this but why doesn't HQN move on?!?! There are so many wonderful ways people meet and end up together - please leave Blackmailed/compromised heroines where they belong-  in the past!!!!!!

Secret Admirer by Susan Napier

Synopsis:
Grace under pressureRunning into a potential business partner late at night in a broken elevator - when one was wearing a glamorous fur with nothing on underneath - was awkward, but Grace Blair was cool enough to handle a hot situation.

Her poised, controlled demeanor belied the insecurity she felt taking over her late husband's business empire, but Scott Gregory was able with one caressing glance to strip away all her pretenses. Especially since the handsome New Zealander had made it clear from their first inauspicious meeting that in business, knowledge was power - and that he knew exactly what he wanted.

A YEAR DOWN UNDER

Review:

Rating: 5 stars
This is another master piece from Susan Napier. Personally, after having read 1000s of HQN books, I've started feeling they all read the same way. Not this one. 
1- It has humor
2- It has a surprising connection between the hero and heroine
3- Although the hero pursues the heroine, its a gentle flirtatious form and not forced seduction one (that really irritates me)
4- The hero has a secret too
Highly recommended!
Link to the Goodreads page for the book: Secret Admirer

Impulsive Gamble by Lynn Turner

Synopsis:
Abbie knew that she was taking a risk, but it seemed to be a gamble that might pay off. Malachi Garrett, brilliant engineer-inventor, was so reclusive that hardly anything was known about him. Now here he was, in a bar in Oklahoma, looking for someone to drive his Shelby Cobra car in a race to Washington DC. As a freelance journalist, Abbie couldn't pass up the chance.

Pretending to be a medical secretary urgently needing to read Washington, Abbie talked her way into being the driver. She found out too late that living a lie made her feel very uncomfortable and that she and Malachi Garrett made an explosive combination...


Rating: 5+ stars!!!
[Genre: Sweet/Fun/Old-B&W-Movie-Like]
A)Better than One More Time by Karen Van Der Zee...
B)Hero on par with Peter (Unpred Man, Emma Darcy) and Nick( Pulse of the Heartland, Melinda Cross)I mean, really!!!! AMAZING book. Here's how it starts:

[The heroine overhears two guys talking in a bar - one of them's the hero]

1st guy: 'You know what I'm wonderin'?'
2nd guy: 'No, and to tell the truth, I don't care'
1st guy: 'I'm wonderin' how you've managed to live to the ripe old age of 36, when it's a known fact that you've been brain-dead since birth'
'Strength of will', was the flat reply

a) try guessing which of them's our hero?
b)This is just the BEGINNING. It gets SO much better than this!!!!!
c)If you dig beta heroes who are super smexy (ala Peter in an Unpredictable Man - Emma Darcy...you'll LOVE Malachi - The guy cooks for cryin' out loud!)
d) The more I think about this book,, the more convinced I am that if a person were to read just one HQN, this is it.

SONG FOR THE STORY: HERE

Dark Fire (Too Hot to Handle, #4) (Harlequin Presents, #1735) by Robyn Donald

Synopsis:

Dancing with the devil...

"You're certainly not in love with Paul. Because you want to go to bed with me." Devilish words indeed. But what made Flint Jansen so arrogantly assume that Aura would choose him over Paul--his friend and Aura's warm and loyal fiance? From the moment they met, he had shattered Aura's world. It was true, she found him undeniably attractive, overwhelmingly charismatic. So much so that she now faced a battle with her conscience and with Flint; both demanded that she abandon security and her fiance. She had to cancel the wedding--but could she entrust herself to Flint's dark seduction...?

Rating: 3 stars
First things first: Please keep in mind that I’m a lil dazed and confused from reading too many HQNs (either that or I’m high on tea/caffeine which is plausible) and that my review is totally biased. Ready? Here we go:
1-"You're certainly not in love with Paul. Because you want to go to bed with me." Okay Mr. Wise-guy: I got three words for ya: WHAT THE F***???? HOW DARE YOU? (ok, so that’s 6 words, I don’t care!)
2- Ohlala the heroine is so beautiful, birds chirp when they see her, people tumble over when they gaze at her, yadda yadda…um, cliché much?
3- H is a jack-ass (also known as an alpha-male in some circles).
4- ‘Oh, you feel that? Feel how you burn for me…you biotch, you who**, you…..!’ Um…dude’s got serious anger management/control issues.
5…..you know what? I’m exhausted (both by reading this book and writing these angest filled-thoughts) – Add to that the fact that the temperature was 45+ degrees today so my brain’s just about fried and I’m about ready to charge at someone (preferably the h)[ Edit: The Ending chapter is quite off-the-charts (in a good way) and the ending was mature but I hate it that the authors have to conform to the typical, blackmail/pregnancy/martyr guidelines  to make the stories work :(]
Can’t believe 2 of my fave HQNs (a willing surrender and I-can’t-remember-the-name-of-the-other-one-for-the-life-of-me-right-now) were written by RD

Stranger At Winterfloods - Mary Lyons

Synopsis:
What else could she do but take the man home?
Surely when a handsome stranger manipulates you into giving him a lift and promptly faints with fever in the front seat of your car, the term "mannapping" hardly applies. Not knowing where he belonged, Polly Preston had simply taken him home.
Granted, "home"--Winterfloods Farm--was two hundred miles from the London hotel lobby where they'd met. But Polly's involuntary houseguest adjusted easily to his whereabouts.
In fact, James Linklater seemed to be adjusting rather too well. Polly soon wondered just how long she could tend to his needs without giving in to his charms!

Review: 

5+++stars!

What a lovely story!!!!  I loved that the hero and heroine truly became friends, laughed together and flirted with each other (which is a very important stage in a relationship). Their love seems genuine and yet when they do get married (half way through the story) they realize that marriage is quite different than love. Wonderful story about compromising and understanding the point of view of your partner. The humor's like Emma Goldrick + Leigh Michaels but with none of EG's heroine's musings. 

TOTALLY recommended.

Song for the book.

Pagan Encounter by Charlotte Lamb

Synopsis: When Leigh accepted the job of secretary to Matt Hume, it was with the idea of punishing him for his selfishness to her young cousin - and to all the other girls he had so callously encouraged and then tossed aside. 

But Matt turned the tables on her by declaring that he intended to make her his property - and skilfully wearing down her resistance. Would she be able to get out of the situation before it was too late?

Review: 3 stars

(Rating 3.75) A commentary by Barney Stinson via Emi

-A hot girl: Score!

- Hitting on an engaged woman? You’re a brave soldier, my friend, in the pursuit of bliss on a quest of ‘I SCORED THAT CHICK!’

-And you hit that? I gotta know how you did it. No, I’m serious, tell how me how you did it…

-did you use the classic line ‘You icy bitch!’? (I think it’s a versatile line, which can provide cover for when it doesn’t work and there’s a dog nearby)

-Or ‘You’re my property?’ (always reminded me of Penthouse apartments for some reason which is interesting cuz the view ‘up top’ is always a sight for the sore eyes. ‘Up-Top-Five!’)

-Or ‘If you even think about hitting me I’ll dock you one, real bad’. Yeah, that’s always been my favorite. It tells the chick that her man is powerful enough to protect her… from herself.

-Dude, you totally need a slap-commissioner. Some one who shall remain unbiased and uphold the rules of slap-fest. I would have recommended Lily but currently she's supervising Marshall and I. How about Phil?

-What do mean you just ‘made love to her’? Oh you mean you just ‘kissed’ her? That’s it and you scored? What sort of gullible fool is she and where can I find more like her?

-Bro!!! I salute you for retreat in the face of danger, you backed off whilst ‘making love’. Haha! Oh, you mean you really were making love this time round and backed off? Well the award for the most gullible fool now goes to you.

Your chick on the Hot/Crazy scale:

She is slim and shiny: HOT

She captures a bro and gets engaged: CRAZY (not-so-crazy for her)

She lets you make love (can’t get round this…hahahaha!): HOT

She knows who’s the boss: HOT

She captures another bro: CRAZY

As much I respect you for your achievements, I have to say you have failed all of bro-therhood: You got married. And hence forth you shall be remembered for your elevator tactics and your knowledge of faulty electronics. Rest in Peace. Or marriage, whatever, same difference.