Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery

In earlier Happily Inc. books, we met Ronan Mitchell and his brothers. They were a holdover from the Fool's Gold series where we learned that Ronan and his twin... weren't... twins that is. Ronan was, in fact, the offspring of his father's affair with another woman. Since he found out, he's been drawing more and more within himself.
Natlie Kaleta isn't too impressed with his brooding artistic nature. She'd revel in a life where she'd be able to just do her art rather than having to cobble together jobs so that she can do a bit here and there. When she's trapped at his house after a mudslide, she's surprised by his welcoming nature and the time they spend together lets them work to know each other a little more...
Another fine book in the Happily Inc. series. I didn't totally buy Natalie and Ronan's romance but overall a very nice addition to the series.

Three stars
This book comes out September 18
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Josh and Hazel knew each other in college. Well, sort of. She puked on his shoes and he TA'd her anatomy class. She decides that they will be BFFs. But then they lost touch for seven years.

Hazel is trying to stay cool at a party full of teachers that she wants to work with when she announces that Josh has seen her boobs. To the entire party. Luckily, he rolls with it. And so do the teachers (though it doesn't hurt that her best friend (Josh's sister) is one of them and that the sister's husband is the principal).  

Told in alternating first person, this book walks us through the summer and to the end of the year as Josh and Hazel go from friends, to dating buddies, to dating, to love.

It was an okay book. I didn't love the ending and Hazel was a little too "too" for me but I think regular Lauren readers will not be too upset. And on a reread, I really liked this book. Yes, Hazel was still a manic-pixie-dream-girl but she is also really aware of herself and how she moves through life which was really refreshing. 

Three stars (bumped to three and a half on re-read)
This book came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Impostor's Lure by Carla Neggers

Tamara McDermott is supposed to meet her daughter for her 21st birthday. When Tamara doesn't show, her daughter isn't worried (as a federal prosecutor, she is often absent from family dinners), but Yank, Colin, and Emma are. Trying to find her leads to an increasingly odd puzzle as someone connected to her is found near death and another man has disappeared. Personal bonds are tested beyond all belief in this addition to Sharpe and Donovan.

A sad book (which marks it down for me at this point in my life) but most readers of the series will enjoy it.

Three stars
This book came out August 21
Followed by Rival's Break
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Big Nate Goes Bananas! by Lincoln Peirce

This summer, a question for the ages is answered, when is the best time to eat a banana? Nate certainly has an opinion in this book. He also interacts with many of our favorite characters; Kim, Chester, School Picture Guy, and Artur. One person who is out for a bit is social studies teacher Mrs. Godfrey. Nate is delighted until he finds out who the substitute teacher is...

This book comes out September 18
Four and a half stars
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Impertinent Miss Templeton by Lynn Messina

It's 3 o'clock in the morning. Tuppence Templeton is bemused to find the Harlow Hoyden and her twin sister in Tuppence's bedroom. It seems that they need her help. It's a little far-fetched but leads to a delightful story of the very plain Tuppence finding her way back into the realm of the Earl of Gage. Although, it's not as if he even remembers her from their first meeting.
Nicholas Perceval doesn't remember her. He knows that someone interfered with his sister and a fortune hunger but he straightened out that miss in no time. He knows what he knows and what he knows is always, always correct. Yet, dealing with Tuppence Templeton is teaching him exactly how wrong he can be; about the way that inventions work, what women can do, how well he can run off a fortune hunter, and exactly how plain Tuppence is.
The story was a little thin but the writing is as entertaining as always. Ms. Messina writes the type of romance novel that helped me get nearly perfect on my SAT reading scores.

Four stars
This book came out August 30
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

How (Not) to Marry a Duke by Felicia Kingsley

Jemma Pears doesn't want to marry a duke, not even to inherit her grandmother's fortune... how much is that fortune... er, maybe she'll think about it.
Ashford is new to being the Duke of Burlingham. Too bad his title came with such crippling debts. Luckily, his lawyer and Jemma's are the same person and he sees a way for both Ashford and Jemma to get what they want. And maybe even what they need.
Told in alternating first person, this was a fast read and the perfect fluff to help me get through a rather difficult time. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Kingsley.

Four stars
This book came out August 21
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon

Jill Gardner and her friends are spending Halloween in the local haunted house. Four couples, all ready to see a ghost. But, why is there a ghost there and could this be a mystery too old for Jill to solve?

I usually like this series (or any series by Lynn Cahoon) but this one just didn't come together for me. Too much plot packed into a short story made it hard to understand.

Two stars
This came out September 4
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley