Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles Publisher: PageSmith LLC Pub Date: 10/23/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aspen moves to a small town with Cady to escape a dangerous past and never expected to find protection and comfort in Roan, a gruff but kind-hearted man. As their bond deepens, the threats from her past resurface which forces Roan to risk everything to keep them safe.
Shadows of You is the fourth book in the Lost & Found series featuring Aspen and Roan. I’ve been curious about Aspen since we first met her in Echoes of You. Roan has been a background character from the beginning so I was excited to finally learn more about him. I ended up finishing this book in a day! Shadows of You deserves all the stars! I loved uncovering Aspen’s past which had twists I didn’t see coming. Also I loved getting to know Roan on a much deeper level. The blend of mystery and suspense kept me hooked. While I had an inkling about the culprit, there were still a few surprises that made this such a fun and engaging read. Shadows of You is definitely my favorite book in the Lost & Found series and is my favorite Catherine Cowles book so far!
The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman Publisher: Amazon Pub Date: 12/1/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lucas enjoys his quiet and solitary life, but everything changes when his apartment board insists on investigating a misplaced frying pan. Their relentless meddling turns his peaceful existence upside down in this witty, laugh-out-loud short story.
Overall, I really liked The Answer Is No! It’s a bit silly, but I love how Backman weaves heartfelt and resonant quotes about finding happiness, the importance of community, and protecting your inner peace. I truly felt for Lucas as he was dragged into a situation he never asked for and that had nothing to do with him. That said, I loved his interactions with everyone. I was amazed at how Backman managed to infuse so much depth into his characters in such a short story.
Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage Publisher: Dial Press Pub Date: 4/15/2025
Thank you PRH Audio for the free advanced copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After being left at the altar, Camille Ashwood moves into her dream house only to discover her next-door neighbor is her first love, Dusty Tucker. As old feelings resurface, the two must confront their past and decide if love deserves a second chance.
Wild and Wrangled is the final book in the Rebel Blue series. This has been one of my most anticipated April reads! I found it to be a solid book to the series ending. I loved Cam’s character so much and my heart went out to her. I appreciated the dual timeline with her past and present POVs which helped explain her history with Dusty and gave us a glimpse on how she met Gus. I really loved how Lyla was able to incorporate the other couples from the series and showed where they are now. While I enjoyed getting glimpses of Dusty’s perspective, I was yearning for more character growth from him. Overall, it was a sweet ending to the series. I’m looking forward to what Lyla writes next!
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Pub Date: 4/8/2025
Thank you Amazon Publishing & Brilliance Publishing for the free copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Denny Voss, living a quiet life in rural Minnesota, finds himself unexpectedly charged with murder after a series of well-meaning but chaotic misadventures. As he awaits trial, he unravels painful family secrets and learns what it means to take control of his future.
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss is the first book I’ve read by Holly Kennedy. This gave me strong Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Maid vibes. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I devoured it. I ended up finishing it in a single day and absolutely loved it! Andrew Eiden did a fantastic job narrating. He truly brought the story to life! Holly Kennedy did an exceptional job capturing Denny’s perspective. I felt so much empathy for him. I loved how certain characters showed their love for him in quiet but powerful ways. I also really enjoyed the multiple subplots and how well-developed each of the supporting characters were. I didn’t anticipate any of the twists and I had no idea how the story would turn out which made the reading experience even more engaging. There was one chapter near the end that made me cry which is something that rarely happens when I read so be prepared with tissues and maybe give your fur baby an extra cuddle. Overall, this was a 5-star read for me and I highly recommend it!
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 4/1/2025
Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH audio for the free copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zeke and Lexi wake up lost at sea after their houseboat drifts away. As they work together to get home, their unexpected time together sparks a deeper connection that neither of them saw coming.
I’ve read all of Beth O’Leary’s books so I was really looking forward to Swept Away. I enjoyed it and ended up finishing it in a day because it had the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and a touch of mystery. I loved how the author built a genuine connection between Lexi and Zeke even though their relationship started as a one-night stand. While their physical attraction to each other is undeniable, it was great to see their deeper layers unfold as they worked together to survive. The forced proximity of being stranded at sea added tension and excitement which kept the story engaging. There’s a surprising twist at the end that completely caught me off guard and the author kept me on my toes the entire time. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!
Count My Lies by Sophie Stava Publisher: Gallery Pub Date: 3/4/2025
Thank you Simon Audio and Libro.FM for the free audiobook copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Sloane Caraway, a habitual liar, lands a nanny job with a wealthy New York family after a small deception. But as she gets closer to them, she realizes she’s not the only one keeping dangerous secrets.
Count My Lies is GMA’s March pick. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The premise sounded promising, but the execution fell flat. The writing felt more like telling than showing which lacked depth though it was slightly entertaining. This book was essentially a bland mix of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Housemaid, but without the intrigue that made those stand out. The characters were one-dimensional and the Taylor Swift references felt overused. I found the twists along with the ending to be predictable and underwhelming. The ending was especially unrealistic. Overall, it left me surprised that this was chosen as a book club pick. I would not recommend picking this up.
Wild Side by Elsie Silver Publisher: Bloom Books Pub Date: 3/4/2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Wild Side by Elsie Silver, Tabitha marries Rhys, the man she swore to hate, to keep custody of her nephew, Milo. But as they live together, Tabitha sees a different side in Rhys which she can’t resist.
Wild Side is the third book in the Rose Hill series which features Rhys and Tabitha. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the previous books first for the best experience. I’ve noticed a pattern in Elsie Silver’s books where the third book in a series becomes my favorite like Powerless in the Chestnut Springs series and The Front Runner in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Wild Side deserves all the stars! This is my favorite in the Rose Hill series so far. I loved how Elsie built up Tabitha and Rhys’s backstories, allowing us to see their individual healing journeys as well as their growth together. She also seamlessly integrated Milo, Tabitha’s parents, and other Rose Hill characters while keeping the story moving. The slow burn in this book was chef’s kiss! The epilogue was beautifully written. Now I can’t wait for the final book in the Rose Hill series, Wild Card!
Story of My Life by Lucy Score Publisher: Bloom Pub Date: 3/11/2025
Thank you Bloom Books for the free advanced copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Hazel impulsively buys a house in rural Pennsylvania to break through writer’s block, she discovers inspiration in the town’s rugged charm and her grumpy yet attractive contractor, Cam. But immersing herself in small-town drama might complicate more than just her next novel.
Story of My Life is the first book in the Story Lake series. I had mixed feelings about it. I liked the plot which felt like a mix between Things We Never Got Over and Maggie Moves On. Hazel was sweet and I loved learning about her writing process. However, I wasn’t a fan of Campbell’s character. He was immature, ran hot and cold, threw temper tantrums, and needed to communicate like an adult. The romance between Hazel and Cam felt abrupt and awkward which shifted strangely from grumpy interactions to friends with benefits. On a positive note, the quirky supporting characters and charming small-town setting were highlights. Overall, the story’s pace was too slow and uneven for me. I missed the usual element of mystery that Lucy Score typically includes. Even though this book wasn’t my favorite, I’m still looking forward to reading Zoey and Gage’s story next.
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez Publisher: Amazon Pub Date: 3/1/2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Fall Risk was my February Amazon First Reads pick.
Charlotte, wary from a past stalker, and Seth, freshly divorced, have no interest in romance this Valentine’s Day. But when they get trapped together, their guarded hearts start to soften, leading to an unexpected and humorous connection.
The Fall Risk was such a cute and sweet romance short story. I was amazed at how Abby managed to pack so much depth into a short format while keeping it light and heartwarming even while tackling serious topics. Charlotte and Seth’s backstories were a bit wild, but they made for an entertaining read. I also loved how she tied in John and Holly from The Worst Wingman Ever which was a fun touch. The found family/friend group was endearing. The banter between Charlotte and Seth was a highlight. The ending felt a little too neatly wrapped up and sappy for my taste. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read!
Merry Christmas Eve! Here are two Christmas books I enjoyed this month:
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey Publisher: Avon Pub Date: 10/1/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a Christmas romance about Stella, a woman with a tough past, who gets a chance to design window displays for a department store. As she works with Aiden, the cheerful owner, their growing connection turns into a sweet and steamy love story about second chances.
I found a signed copy of Window Shopping at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn last month so it already felt special even before I started reading. Overall, I really enjoyed this short holiday romance! The grumpy vs. sunshine, opposites attract, and forced proximity tropes were all wonderfully done. Aiden is a bit corny and dorky, but he’s such a sweetheart. Stella’s troubled past makes her guarded, but I love how Aiden brings out the best in her. While insta-love doesn’t usually work for me, it fit the story perfectly here. There are a couple of spicy scenes sprinkled throughout, adding just the right amount of heat. If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming holiday read set in New York City during Christmas, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter Publisher: Avon Pub Date: 9/24/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter, cozy mystery author Maggie Chase and thriller writer Ethan Wyatt must put aside their rivalry to solve the disappearance of a famous author from a locked room during a snowbound Christmas party. As they unravel the mystery, they uncover unexpected truths—and possibly love—while navigating twists, turns, and each other’s sharp edges.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was on sale on LibroFM so I decided to purchase the audiobook. This was my first book by Ally Carter and I enjoyed it! The story is written in third person, primarily from Maggie’s perspective, with occasional police recordings and a few chapters told through Ethan’s POV. There’s a great balance between the slow-burn romance and the locked-room mystery, both of which were well-written and fast-paced. The author did an excellent job building the chemistry between Maggie and Ethan evolving their relationship from enemies-to-lovers as they worked together to uncover Eleanor’s disappearance. I highly recommend picking up this holiday read!
Asha Reads 