Calling It by Jen Doyle

When she was younger, Dorie Donelli had a fairly large crush on baseball player Nate Hawkins. It was part of the reason she moved to his hometown. But she's over it. Well, until he shows up in her apartment. While she's in the shower. And without her glasses. So, not knowing who he is or why he's in her place, she tries to bean him with a handy baseball bat. 

Nate is back in town recovering from the fact that his (former) fiancee  is pregnant by his (former) best friend. He has three weeks before spring training and is trying to get his head on straight. It's just going to be a fling. They both know that. Except... that they both might be falling harder than they think...

A nice world-building start to the series.

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 11, 2016

Followed by Called Up

Ebook I own

Opinions are my own

How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James

Cleopatra Lewis might be the granddaughter of a viscount but she had a very unusual upbringing. She's also been lucky enough to have inherited a fortune, one that she is using to help others in need (while also growing it larger). The book opens with Cleo buying a costume company out from underneath the nose of Jacob Astor Addison, an American. He wants to move the company to America and the current owner, Martha, really prefers that not to happen. 
Jake is fairly incensed that the company was stolen out from under him so he devises a plan to put it out of business. He denies an interest in Cleo; he wants a restful wife. Someone like practically-his-fiancee Frederica. So what if she seems overly interested in cows? 

Cleo isn't interested in being presented but her grandfather would like to acknowledge her. She does have fun with Lady Yasmin, another woman on the fringes of society but that doesn't mean that she wants to be a success. She strikes a bargain with Jake that they will order each other's wardrobes. She will get half-mourning and he will get outlandish colors. It's too bad that they are so attracted to each other otherwise this might be a great friendship.

This was an okay story but didn't feel like it had the depth that a James story usually has.

Three stars

This book comes out March 29, 2022

Followed by The Reluctant Countess

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Ghost of Marlow House by Bobbi Holmes

Danielle Boatman's husband died 6 months ago so the inheritance from her great-aunt comes as a pleasant surprise. She decides to convert the old Marlow House into a bed and breakfast. She is pleasantly surprised to discover that it is in good condition with furniture that is surprisingly well-kept for a house that has been vacant for 90 years. But, she learns that the house has secrets, including the ghost of Walter Marlow who died in the house 90 years ago. There may also be a hidden treasure that people today are still searching for and may even be willing to kill for.

A nice start to a new series that managed to create a world with some rules without any info dumps.\

Three and a half stars

This book came out August 30, 2014

Followed by The Ghost who loved Diamonds

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

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