Loverboy by Sarina Bowen

Posy and Gunnar knew each other once upon a time. They were both bartenders vying for the manager's position at Paxton's, a bar owned by Posy's father. Now, years later, the roles are reversed. Gunnar is a wealthy man while Posy is struggling to hold on to the last building her grandmother left her. She's opened a pie shop and needs a barista.

Gunnar needs access to Posy's shop because there are some posts coming from the dark web that are being posted from her pie shop. These posts contain information relating to a series of murders of various hackers. Also, there are a number of bad guys in town and Gunnar's company is dedicated to taking them down.

A little too much crazy in this book and it's all grouped at the end but it's not going to make me give up reading Bowen.

Three stars

This book came out December 1st, 2020

Follows Moonlighter

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopla
Opinions are my own

The Love List by Naima Simone

I hadn't read the other books in this series and felt like I missed a little bit. Especially since there seemed to be so much back story to Korrie's fiance leaving her basically at the altar. Which isn't a good look for a wedding planner. Now her ex is back in town trying to get her forgiveness. But there is another man holding her interest...

Israel is the town bad boy and he knows that hooking up with the pastor's daughter probably isn't going to be a long-term romance. But that doesn't mean a boy can't dream. Especially a boy who writes (or used to write) best-selling romance books.

I wish this book had been a longer book. Korrie and Israel needed more time. And Israel's back story as a romance writer? Please. Could we have explored that more?

Three stars

This novella came out March 1, 2002

Follows Christmas in Rose Bend

Followed by With Love from Rose Bend

Opinions are my own

Bringing Down the House by A.R. Casella

We've seen Nicole and gotten glimpses of Damien in earlier books in the series. This fits in the series chronologically, at least I think, a bit before the previously released book because Damien and Nicole were already married and this is the story of them meeting.

Nicole is in HR but she's just a little... off-beat, which can be detrimental in her line of work. But she just accept a new job in a little theater. And the main male actor is HAWT. There is an immediate attraction but the two also cross over when a man Nicole is trailing to prove that he is cheating is also being tailed by Damien. 

As usual in a Casella book, it all goes a little crazy from there but it is a fun ride (as along as you are willing to wildly suspend your disbelief.)

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 10, 2022

Follows Matchmaking Mischief

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

My Not So Wicked Ex-Fiance by Jennifer Peel

I tried reading the first three books in this series and this was the only one I made it completely through. I think I liked it because there was a relationship that was built on since Ryder and Shelby had known each other before. But it was also sort of annoying the whole time I was reading it because so much could have been solved had they just talked to each other. Good Lord.

Shelby and Ryland used to know each other. In fact, they used to be engaged. Until a series of unfortunate events broke them up. 

Now they are living in the same town again and it is possible that they could get back together. If they'd only talk to each other. But they don't. So we get a whole book of misunderstandings and people hiding feelings and thinking they know what the other person wants.

Two and a half stars

This book came out April 12, 2019

Folllows My Not So Wicked Step-Brother

Followed by My Not So Wicked Boss

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Kissing Games by Stefanie London

I hadn't read the first book in this series but I didn't really feel like I needed to. The characters were developed fairly well but I didn't especially love the Big Misunderstanding at the end. I have a feeling it won't bother most romance readers though.

Ryan Bower is back in Kissing Creek in his parents house. Yes, it sucks that he's out with an injury while his MLB team is on their way to winning it all. Yes, it also sucks that he's aging out of this career and a young phenom has stepped into his place. What really sucks at the moment though is listening to his parents... having sex. Just... ew. And their love life has picked up because of a book they're reading in the local library book club. And that's not okay. So he decides to confront the local librarian.

Sloan Rickman has picked Kissing  Creek as a place to finally grow roots. Growing up, her parents moved her all over the world so she never really had a chance to make friends. But she's been in one little town, helping to run the library, and getting to wear all of her nerdy, dinosaur-themed clothes. It's not in her plan to meet someone whose career would take precedence over hers just like her mother's did over her father's. And that just didn't end well, did it? So why even bother? Especially when he's standing in her library blaming her for his parents enjoying a book a little too much. But then they start working together on a float for the local parade and it seems they might have a spark of something that isn't exactly disgust...

Three and a half stars

This book comes out March 21, 2022

Follows Kissing Lessons

ARC kindly provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian

Five years ago, Tempest's mother disappeared during a magical illusion involving water. Their family's magic tricks usually involve water and it has been true that, for the last five generations, the oldest child has died under mysterious circumstances. It is known as the Raj family curse. Lately her life hasn't been so good because her last magic trick went wrong and now life is even worse because her body double (don't call her an assistant), Cassidy, has been found dead, hidden behind a wall in the house her father's construction crew is managing. 

There is a lot going on this story and I really liked the writing but the mystery just got a little too convoluted for me. 

Three and a half stars

This book come out March 22nd, 2022

Follows the The Raven Thief

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Joy in the Morning by P.G. Wodehouse

Edwin, the less-than-helpful Boy Scout, makes another appearance in this book as Bertie and Jeeves are in Steeple Bumpleigh. Jeeves has finally won his bid to be able to go fishing on his break. Bertie is supposed to stay in a separate home but it is burned down on his first day there through Edwin's actions. This is not great as Lord Worplesdon (Edwin's father, also father to the fearsome Florence Craye who once tried to marry and "improve" Bertie) needed that cottage to make some super secret side deal that he doesn't want anyone, ANYONE, to know about. 

More engagement confusion as Florence is affianced to the local police constable who definitely does not look kindly on her former fiance. Also, there is also Xenobia "Nobby" Hopwood who wants to marry a friend of Bertie's before he goes off to write scripts for Hollywood but her uncle (Lord Worpledon) doesn't trust writers.

A mass of confusing stories as usual but still a fun read.

Three stars

This book came out in 1947

Follows The Code of the Woosters

Followed by Jeeves and the Mating Season

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible

Opinion are my own