A WEDDING IN DECEMBER by Sarah Morgan

Harlequin Books

September 24^th, 2019

978-1-335-14727-1

Contemporary Holiday Romance

Trade Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self Purchase

3.5 Hearts

 

In Aspen, Colorado, Rosie is eager for her upcoming Christmas wedding, but family troubles loom as her parents arrive from the United Kingdom with a huge secret- they are getting a divorced and have been separated for months. The last thing either parent wants is to be trapped in a winter wonderland that is so romantic this time of year. Then Rosie’s older sister, Kate, arrives determined to stop Rosie from making a huge mistake. She is so sure Rosie is making mistake, Kate is ready to stop the wedding before it even begins. But Kate is being stopped by the best man, Jordan. With her whole family there, Rosie is having doubts for the first time and even as she loves her fiancé to pieces, she can’t seem to stop herself from questioning if she is doing the right thing or not especially as she hears Kate’s questions about the timing and everything. For Rosie White and her family, this Christmas is sure to be one they will never forget again.

I really enjoy Sarah Morgan’s women’s fiction books and this one was charming even if it took me awhile to get into the story and characters. At first, I found the main characters were trying too hard but once we get into the story, they seem to smooth out and you can’t help but enjoy the different people that make up the White’s. The story is very well written and flows smoothly as the story heats up. I kept laughing quietly as Kate finds her plan of breaking up the wedding before it begins humorous as she butts heads with the best man, Jordan and man do sparks fly there. Rosie’s parents are a delight as well as they work through things even as they find themselves falling in love all over again under the Colorado Snow and I really got to enjoy Rosie and her upbeat and positive attitude was like a balm of fresh air after reading books with negative main characters and whatnot. All the characters were enjoyable as well as relatable.

The author does an amazing job capturing the different personalities between Rosie and her family and her fiancé’s family. It was fun to see the growth of the characters as well as meet the core of the group who made up A WEDDING IN DECEMBER. I really liked this was a holiday novel with a happy ending that you can’t help but falling love with. If you are looking for a holiday romance that is sweet and entertaining, then this book might just be perfect for you. I look forward to seeing where else this author goes next for her readers to enjoy.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

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The CLIFF HOUSE by RaeAnne Thayne

 

Harlequin Books

March 26^th, 2019

ISBN: 9781335004901

Women’s Fiction, Contemporary

Paperback ARC

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

3.5 Hearts

 

Two sisters and their aunt find their lives are in flux as they reveal secrets that have been hidden for years. When their mother died, Daisy and Beatriz Davenport moved in with their aunt Stella in Cape Sanctuary. They never realized Stella put her dreams on hold to be the parent they needed and as now the girls are grown and gone, Stella realizes its time to focus on her dreams, but she has a secret that will rock their little family.

Bea got pregnant too young and her marriage was rocky. As Bea finds love with an old friend and raises her daughter, Marisol, her ex returns to cause havoc in their lives once again.

Daisy always played it safe and when she meets a man who makes her risk so much, Daisy is blindsided by her feelings for him and makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and relationships.

Three women are at the crossroads and as true happiness waits for them, it will take the strength of all three to get their hearts desire filled with love and happiness.

I really enjoyed THE CLIFF HOUSE by one of my go to favorite authors, RaeAnne Thayne. This is her first women’s fiction book and I must admit; it took me awhile to get into the book as the main characters didn’t quite connect with me right away. Once I finally got into the characters journey, I fell in love with Bea, Daisy and Stella. The story flows smoothly and the characters are just enjoyable as well as highly relatable. This is an author who can capture her readers hearts with her amazing complex characters and deliver a heartfelt story filled with a few twists and turns you definitely don’t see coming.

THE CLIFF HOUSE centers on Daisy, Bea and Stella. Stella raised the girls after their mother died, putting her dreams off to the side as she cared for the sisters and loved them. But its time for Stella and the girls to figure out where they want to go in life and to realize that love and dreams can happen at any age and at any time. With her trademark writing style, the author delivers a story that steals the heart and never let’s go. The characters are complex, relatable and highly enjoyable to boot. I love the interactions between the sisters and aunt as well as meeting many other characters in Cape Sanctuary. If you haven’t read one of this author’s books before, this is a perfect introduction to her work though I highly recommend her Haven Point series as well. I can’t wait to see where the author goes next in the women’s fiction genre and what else she has up her sleeve for the readers to enjoy.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement


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ONE SUMMER IN PARIS by Sarah Morgan

Harlequin Books (HQN)

April 9^th, 2019

978-1335507549

Contemporary, Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Romance

Trade Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by self-purchase

3.5 Hearts

Grace has a delicious surprise for her husband, a romantic summer away in Paris. But what Grace doesn’t anticipate is her husband, on their anniversary no less, telling her he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock, she decides to go to Paris by herself and enjoy herself even as her heart breaks with each new revelation of her husband’s affair.

Audrey is determined to be on her own and not have to worry about anyone else for a change. With no money and unable to understand the language, Audrey is looking at life on the streets and just about given up hope her job at the bookshop is still available. But when these two very different women meet, both their lives change in an instant. Audrey can’t believe how cautious Grace ius while Grace is shocked at how bold Audrey can be. Living above the bookstore, these two very different people find a healing friendship bloom between them. Both came to Paris for different reasons and as Paris works her magic upon them, Audrey and Grace will find the strength to move onto a life that they made for themselves.

I really enjoyed this author’s last book, How to Keep a Secret, and was tickled to read ONE SUMMER IN PARIS next by this new to me author. I found the story flowed seamlessly and kept my attention till the very end. A few plot twists I figured out beforehand, but it didn’t take away from the story set around Paris and the two women who run to its waiting arms, with broken hearts and lives. The author does a marvelous job in capturing the appeal of Paris perfectly within t he pages. It made me want to walk down the streets, looking for a café to sit by and people watch as I drank coffee and had pastries. The story flows smoothly, seamlessly switching from Grace then Audrey’s storyline until both get entwined together about halfway through the book. I loved Grace and Audrey a lot. They are two very different people, one cautious and careful to a fault; the other bold and brash, determined to live her life on her own terms. Both are perfect separately but when these two meets and start to meld together story wise, its pure magic.

Sarah Morgan is a talented storyteller who creates such wonderful stories that will leave the reader breathless. Her prose flows seamlessly and I fell for both Grace and Audrey as they navigate their new lives separately and together. If you enjoy author Jill Shalvis or Robyn Carr’s women fiction stories, you will enjoy ONE SUMMER IN PARIS.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

SNOWFALL ON LIGHTHOUSE LANE by JoAnn Ross

A Honeymoon Harbor Novel, Book 2

Harlequin Books

October 30^th, 2018

978-1-335-55678-3

Contemporary, Small Town Romance

Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

4 Hearts

Jolene Wells knows what its like to grow up without all the cool things in life. Being on the wrong side of the tracks has that effect on people but with a hard-working mom encouraging her to reach for her dreams, Jolene left Honeymoon Harbor and made her way to the bright lights of Los Angeles. She hasn’t really been back to her hometown in years, preferring her mom come visit her in LA. But when her mom faces a cancer scare, there is nothing Jolene will do than run back home and help her in any way she can. But that means running into Aiden Mannion, the one guy she fell in love with as a teenager and never really forgot.

Aiden was the black sheep as a kid. Getting into trouble, doing stupid teenager stuff that had him join the marines. But with everything he has endured while serving in the military has left their mark on him and he is back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal and see where he should go next now that he is done with the military. Running into Jolene was a surprise, but the sparks fly between these two and as they grow close once again, can the past be put to bed for the future to open for them? Can Jolene and Aiden give their romance one more chance this time?

I just loved the first book, Home to Honeymoon Harbor, when I read it and this second book in the series, SNOWFALL ON LIGHTHOUSE LANE, is just as good. I loved meeting some new faces as well as some old friends from book one. Ms. Ross delivers another heartfelt and at times, emotional story that will leave you spellbound and flipping the pages on a cold snowy night while rooting for these two people to find their own happy ever after. The story is full of amazing well written characters that are vibrant, diverse and just down right enjoyable to read about. I really enjoyed meeting some new faces in the Mannion family as well as catching up with other residents of this wonderful town. I love small town stories, and this is by far becoming one of my favorites to read now.

Ms. Ross does a great job in capturing the heart of Honeymoon Harbor as well as the residents there. The story flows smoothly, keeps the reader glued to the pages and leaves you with a smile on your face when the last page is read. This is a story of second chances, of forgiveness, of secrets coming out and being upfront with someone. Its also about love in all its forms-from parental to friendship to romance. Ms. Ross delivers a story that readers will enjoy for the ages and one I couldn’t put down. If you enjoy small town stories with engaging characters and storylines that will just grab your heart and not let go, then grab this series and get ready for the feels when you read the Honeymoon Harbor books. I can’t wait to see who is next to find their own happy ever after in this unique and romantic town in book three.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

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