Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

The last of a group of friends to find her forever after, Iris Kelly is actually very sure that she doesn't want a forever after. That doesn't mean she doesn't feel a bit lonely. So she goes out to enjoy herself with a one night stand. But... it doesn't go well. 

Stefania (IRL "Stevie") is beyond embarrassed that she ruins an evening with the gorgeous Iris Kelly. She's not sure how this is ever going to work. At least she has her ex-girlfriend's gender-bending "Much Ado About Nothing" to look forward to. But who is the Benedick to her Beatrice? Somehow it's Iris. 

Suddenly the two are agreeing to a fake relationship. Stevie because it means her ex is going to get off her back; for Iris... well, her friends mostly know about it but her family might finally look at her like she's accomplished something. 

A highly enjoyable book and an amazing addition to this series. 

Four stars
This book comes out October 24, 2023

Follows Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail 

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

Astrid Parker is freaking out. Her life is slowing down. Except for when she crashes into that woman. And spills coffee all down her dress. The dress that makes her ass look fantastic. And on the day that she's supposed be filming for a TV series that will help her decorating business get out of it's slump. Her mother is already on her back, her business is doing horribly, and this is just the straw that breaks the camel's back. She goes off on the woman. Too bad this is the granddaughter of the hotel owner and the leader carpenter.

Jordan Everwood hasn't exactly had an easy time of it lately. Her former wife was dealing with cancer which meant that Jordan was going through it as well. Now her family home (sure she only spent summers there but that is where she felt loved) is being turned into something she doesn't even recognize.

The two are slow to come to some sort of middle ground and I'm not entirely certain of the HEA but it was still a fun read.

Four stars

This book comes out November 22, 2022

Follows by Delilah Green Doesn't Care

Followed by Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Hold On to Me by Jules Bennett

Jade Mackenzie doesn't particularly like Cash Miller. So when he ends up being the pilot taking her to her cousin's wedding, she's really not thrilled. Especially when they end up making a crash landing and getting to the wedding late. But when Cash steps up as Jade's "date,", she's confused. They don't do nice things for each other. But somehow, making him her fake boyfriend makes it easier to imagine all the things they could do with each other if they were in a real relationship. And then they start doing them... even after they get home. Neither is very interested in telling their friends (at least at first) because what is the point? They're just going to break up eventually. But then fate steps in and forces Jade and Cash to face the fact that they are going to be tied together one way or another for the rest of their lives.

I don't particularly love the game-changing trope in this book but I do like friends-to-lovers and Ms. Bennett in general. I think the regular Return to Haven readers won't be disappointed and new poeple won't have had to read the other books in the series to like this one.

Three stars

This book comes out August 27th

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own