Romance

Review of The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

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Synopsis:
Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor trying to take a break from both his life and his constant desire to fix things.

But somehow fate finds Ben trapped by a blanket of snow at Kira’s farm, and, despite her Grinchiest first impressions, with the glow of the fairy lights twinkling in the trees, and the promise of a warming hot chocolate, maybe, just maybe, these two lost souls will have a Christmas they’ll remember forever…

The Christmas Tree Farm is a spicy romantic mystery with a HEA guaranteed, perfect to curl up with this winter!

Review:
“That she had lived her entire life in an absurd sheltered reality, where anything broken was fixed for her.” (Page 172)

“It was nice to be around people. God, why the hell had she been living like Quasimodo in his bell tower for the last four months?” (Page 281)

Kira and Bennett are two very different people. One considers herself useless, and the other is a fixer who always wants to make everything better for those he cares about. I loved getting to see Kira and learn why she is so stand offish and wants things to be just so, and Bennett–I’ve been waiting for him to get his own happily ever after since the first book! I did read this series out of order, but I am so glad that I finally got to this book!! I absolutely loved the difference in Kira seeing animals versus people; I think many of us can relate to that! Decent spice, and they both have such different pasts they are trying to get away from. Towards the end I was so worried–I was guaranteed a happily ever after, damn it!!

The ending of this book had such an unexpected find that I couldn’t help but be pleased that Kira has her man, and will hopefully have the future of her dreams– after all, she lives in Dream Harbor.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey

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Synopsis:
‘Tis the season to get even…

When Maddie Grainger’s longtime boyfriend dumps her on TV for the entire world to see, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom.

Until her parents announce that they’re spending the holidays with her ex’s family… And he’ll be bringing the woman he left her for.

All Maddie wants for Christmas is to stick it to her cheating ex. But how?

Enter Sebastian Slater, the NHL’s most infamous player.

On a drunken night out in Vegas, Maddie asks the superstar athlete to pose as her new boyfriend. She’s kidding, mostly. But Seb shocks her by making a counter offer: he doesn’t want to date Maddie for the holidays… he wants to marry her.

Show up at her ex’s cabin alone, or with a surprise new hockey-playing husband? Maddie opts for the ultimate level up.

Because maybe, just maybe, revenge is a dish best served betrothed.

Sparks fly and Christmas cheer is abundant in this festive marriage of convenience rom com. Season’s Schemings is a closed door/fade to black romance that includes mild language, innuendo, and tons of sizzle without the spice.

Review:
“You deserve to be celebrated, Maddie. Deserve to be praised. Deserve to have all of those people look at you and talk to you with way more respect. And I’m pulling double duty as your husband to help you get everything you deserve.” (Page 159)

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about a hockey romance but Katie Bailey scored a goal with this one. Poor Maddie; all she wants is to both work on her career, and not have to deal with her ex who broke up with her on national television. I absolutely loved the tension and camaraderie between Maddie and Seb, despite their very unique first meeting. Both seem set on their careers and making this their best year yet, so when they decide to work together who can help but hope that this becomes more than just a short convenience thing?

Seeing the two go through all they did in Aspen to Seb’s huge surprise at the end, this book gave me all the feels. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a book they can’t put down, and characters that make you want to be sure that they get their happily ever after.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Read Between the Lines by Emily Kerr

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Synopsis:
Romance might be closer than she thinks…

Kat Fisher wishes her parents had thought harder before they chose her name. A self-confessed romantic, she dreams of finding a guy who can live up to her book boyfriends.

Former police officer Leo Taylor is trying to decide his next step following his departure from the force. His habit of spreading his belongings around the library where she works has been niggling at Kat for days, and his joke about her name is the final straw.

Kat and Leo might not seem like the perfect match, but romance might be closer than they think. If only they could read between the lines…

Review:
“What many didn’t appreciate was that librarians are social workers, counsellors, and problem-solvers, all tied up in one. Where else could people come and sit in the warm for hours for free, borrow books and access the internet without charge, or even just use the loo without having to buy something?” (Page 7)

“How other people viewed me was up to them, but I should probably try to be kinder to myself in the future.” (Page 203)

I absolutely loved Kat and it would be so hard not to. She’s kind, considerate, helpful, and wants to make things accessible for everyone. Leo is gruff and it’s hard to be sure of his thoughts or feelings at first, though it seems pretty clear that he doesn’t want Kat hurt. Given the description, I never would have expected the premise of this book. I had considered that perhaps they both liked the same books, always wanted the same, or loaned them to each other, etc. Nothing would have prepared me for Kat’s experiences in online dating, and what she was willing to do to get back at/stop a guy who both cat fished her and tried to convince her to send away large sums of money. The rest… I’ll let you read the book to figure out.

I really liked how natural the chemistry was between Leo and Kat, even when she thought they were merely acting. I also liked that while protective, he is also proactive and wants to be sure that Kat can be safe whether or not he’s around. I really enjoyed that Kat was always herself and that no drastic makeover was needed to change who she was to make her suitable/appealing to the right guy. This book is very British with slang, etc, set in Oxford, so be aware of that before starting.

I recommend this to anyone who loves reading/libraries, former cops, undercover operations, and dislikes online dating in general for all of the catfishing/scum that sometimes appears.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

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Synopsis:
In this steamy cowboy romance, a woman returns to her family’s ranch after a broken engagement and finds herself falling for her brother’s best friend—the first novel in the Silver Pines Ranch series.

Take a deep breath and let go of the reins.

Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life. She’s returning to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky, and to her family’s equestrian ranch, unsure of what the future holds. 

Nash Carter, the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, is Laurel Creek’s hometown hero, local business owner, and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan. It’s been years since his days of tormenting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole. So, when CeCe needs a job, he feels drawn to help her.

Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend’s sister, and it seems she’s been staring right back, not without animosity left over from his childish teasing back in the day. Despite their initial reluctance, the fire between them ignites and it isn’t long before they jump into the flames.

Review:
“Your future is yours and you can direct that horse any way you choose.” (Page 175)

This was more a hockey romance than a cowboy romance, which is apparently more of a genre than I ever would have considered before the books I read this past year (2025). The brief mentions of horses or related thereof didn’t read as authentic, some lingo being incorrect (hoof nipper when picking feet, should be hoof pick). Sayings and such of riding by CeCe’s father certainly range true; hence the name of the book. The mention of clothing was fairly authentic, though even in horrible heat most horse people still wear full jeans because you never know what you may end up doing/against.

The tension between Nash and CeCe was palpable, and their shared past and connections made their time together interesting. A lot of introspection had to happen before either could truly understand why, or what, exactly was going on between them. This book was heavy; the family is going through loss and it echoes throughout the lives of all the Ashby’s, by blood or unofficial connection and it wasn’t something I was prepared for. Hope did very well in her depictions of grief and how the simplest of things can remind one of something small that they always took for granted.

There was some spice, a hint of enemies-to-lovers, touch her and you’ll die, all while making sure careers are on track and no one is giving up everything for the other. I really liked how well CeCe’s past integrated with the present, and how Nash’s misgivings on relationships and futures had to be worked through. Things were not instantly perfect, and while communication was spotty, why they held back and didn’t speak sooner was important to opening up and willing themselves to truly connect. I thought perhaps there was too much smut, and I wasn’t expecting as much as there was in this novel. I certainly skimmed a bunch of it.

This is the first book in a series, and while I don’t intend to continue reading it, perhaps it’s exactly your cup of tea.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of Flirting with Disaster by Hailey Shore

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Synopsis:
There are two things you need to know about me:

First, I am not cool. No, no, don’t let my tuxedo shirt and anklet socks fool you. I’m 26-year-old virgin not cool. I’m carry my cat around in a special backpack not cool.

Second, I’m cursed. Every Piedmont woman is. We are doomed to fall in love with men who will break our hearts. So, I’m never going to fall in love.

But I wouldn’t mind a little flirting. To do it, I need someone to teach me how.

Levi O’Rourke lives above my bookstore. He’s sexy, mysterious stranger with a dangerous past cool. He has mostly been a thorn in my side all year, but he is also a world-class flirt. Which makes him perfect for my plan.

Normally, a guy like him wouldn’t look twice at a woman like me, but he’s surprisingly enthusiastic when I ask him for flirting lessons.

Except after one fake date the flirting lessons turn into kissing lessons which turn into…well, you get the idea.

The chemistry between us is dangerous. I might be catching feelings. Real feelings for Levi, that I don’t think are going away. The kind of feelings that can get a cursed woman’s heart broken.

Am I flirting with disaster?

Author’s Note: This is a fake dating, flirting lessons, steamy standalone romance. There’s a quirky cat, a heroine desperate to lose her v-card and a gin-drinking grandmother who can’t keep her hands to herself.

Review:
Annie has an interesting life–in some ways, she has everything she’s wanted career wise, and yet, she’s uncertain about the ways of love since she’s never really managed anything in that regard. Enter her starlit sister, a movie, and the desire to get closer to one of her sister’s co-stars. While Levi may be frustrated at first, with how his lease is going and all of the repairs that need doing, and that he is “grounded”, it’s great to see him become part of the community. I loved getting to know Levi and his past, as well as see why Annie seems so stuck where she is–regardless of her own desires to move forward. Levi was great; sarcastic, dark, mysterious, and far more capable of feeling and help than anyone might have thought.

There were some definite moments where even without having been in a relationship it seemed so clear that Annie just needed to talk to Levi which were so frustrating! Everything turned out well in the end, and I quite enjoyed this book.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of My Feral Romance by Tessonja Odette

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Synopsis:
A painter in need of a model.
A matchmaker seeking a subject.
An arrangement that will tangle their hearts.

Fae shifter Daphne has landed the opportunity of a lifetime: illustrating her favorite author’s steamy romance novels. If only she could master male physiques…and other essential anatomy. What she needs is a model. Yet how does the socially awkward fae with a tendency to bite find a man she can comfortably paint in the nude?

Self-proclaimed matchmaker Monty Phillips is a hopeless romantic…but only when it comes to others. Meddling in the love lives of strangers via his popular advice column keeps romance a safe distance away. Yet when he’s tasked with demonstrating his tips on modern courtship, he’ll need to step out from behind the pen and into someone’s love life.

And he knows just the perfect plaything.

The last time Daphne saw Monty, he broke her heart and discarded their friendship. Now he wants to drag her into one of his idiotic matchmaking games—where she’s the subject! But when he promises to pose as her model in exchange, she can’t refuse. At least it’s only temporary. If he’s the expert he claims to be, she can replace him with a lover in no time.

Painting sessions and flirting lessons commence, rekindling their friendship. But when instructional seduction turns their platonic spark into burning desire, will either have the courage to fan the flames?

Bridgerton meets My Fair Lady and He’s Just Not That Into You in My Feral Romance, a spicy standalone fantasy romcom in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. Every book in this interconnected series is a complete story and ends with a HEA. If you like fae bargains, friends-to-lovers romance, and cozy fantasy worlds, you’ll love this sizzling tale.

Review:
“… you don’t have to pretend to be anyone you’re not. You deserve to be loved for exactly who you are.” (Chapter 33)

I have loved all of Tessonja Odette’s books, and this is no exception. I did prefer the first book in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. I really liked that we saw Daphne and Monty thrown together and how their dynamic changed and yet stayed the same from when she was working as his assistant. I liked getting to know more of both of their pasts, and it was really interesting to see how Daphne grew up, and how that type of life might have shaped someone. There was so much more angst and turmoil in Monty’s past than could possibly be guessed (and I really hadn’t remembered him from the first book I had seen him in when I started this series). The romance was decent, and the way they had to work around fae bargains was *chef’s kiss*.

Another stellar book by Tessonja Odette. If you’re looking for something fairy tale esque, magical, with some spice, this will be a great fit for you!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

P. S. I don’t like Monty’s dad, and you likely won’t either!

Review of Angel’s Fall by Jessica Mason

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Synopsis:
There are too many secrets in the Paris Opera House and Christine Daaé knows them all, for her lover, Erik, the infamous Phantom of the Opera, is at their center. To protect Erik from the cruel world above, Christine must deceive her childhood friend and first love, Raoul, a man committed to destroying Erik. But will the lies and darkness claim Christine’s soul before she can save anyone?

Faced with the ghosts of the past and the demons of doubt, Erik and Christine must navigate a world intent on tearing them apart. Will their love be enough to overcome their pain? Will those seeking revenge against Erik rip the lovers asunder? Who will live and who will die when all the consequences come crashing down?

The third installment in The Phantom Saga brings this classic tale to a heartbreaking conclusion that turns the story beloved by generations on its head. Filled with lush romance, shocking twists, and haunting prose, Angel’s Fall gives the iconic story of The Phantom of the Opera a new ending that is both satisfying and shattering.

Review:
Unconditional Love meets horrible tragedy in this novel. Raoul has fallen under a despicable spell, and one can only hope that he will snap out of it before all is lost. There were some serious moments of worry that there was no happy ending, and that being forced to live a façade was the only future that Christine could look forward to. This trilogy was gripping, striking, and I found it difficult to put down.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️ 🌶️ 

Review of Angel’s Kiss by Jessica Mason

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Synopsis:
The Phantom Saga continues…

Christine Daaé ventures into the underground world of The Phantom of the Opera, a mysterious man named Erik who brought her fame and ecstasy as The Angel of Music. Now she must learn to trust her teacher as a man if she is to survive the cutthroat intrigues of the opera above. Despite the horror of Erik’s face and the darkness of his past, Christine is drawn to the man who awakens her soul with his music…as well as her desire.

As Christine discovers the truth beneath the Opera, danger grows above as her first love, Raoul, remains intent on winning Christine for himself. Can he save Christine from the darkness that seeks to consume her? Or will he find that Christine has already given in to the temptations of her strange angel? For it is Erik that knows Christine’s heart and will do anything to keep her.

The second novel in The Phantom Saga continues the journey that began with Angel’s Mask in a story full of darkness, lust, and hope. Erik’s past is revealed as Christine fights for her career along with her soul. Brimming with romance and twists, Angel’s Kiss tells the iconic love story of Erik and Christine with passion that leaves the reader no choice but surrender.

Review:
“We all take whatever advantage we can to get where we want to be.” (Page 223)

While continuing in the lush and inviting descriptive world from the first book, Raoul has much more presence with Christine in this novel. Raoul is, plain and simply, in this reiteration, a hypocrite. As someone who was always a Phantom fan in the Phantom versus Raoul debate, this novel gave even more depth to my dislike of the Vicounte. Furthermore, there is more understanding of Raoul’s family that make it clear that appearances matter more than almost anything else. I absolutely adore the depth and characterization as well as storylines of the “side characters” Mason seamlessly weaved throughout the novel.

Every book in this series leaves you begging for more, and buying the next book to continue, no matter how late you stayed up reading to finish the one before.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️ 🌶️ 

Review of Angel’s Mask by Jessica Mason

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Synopsis:
The timeless tale of The Phantom of the Opera brought to life as never before…

Christine Daaé arrives penniless and hopeless at the steps of the great Paris Opera House, in search of an angel. What finds her instead is a man in a mask named Erik, a tortured soul masquerading as a ghost. Fascinated by Christine, Erik dons a new mask to be close to her: that of the Angel of Music. This strange patron awakens Christine’s voice and soul…as well as desires she cannot understand. Their adoration growing, Erik and Christine remain separated by deception and darkness, tangled in a web of lust and lies. How far will Erik go to be close to his eager student? And will Christine be able to forgive her angel when she finally sees past his mask to the monster beneath?

The first novel in The Phantom Saga takes readers on a lush, erotic journey from the depths of Paris’s catacombs to the glittering, ruthless world of the Opera’s stage. Full of diverse characters, rich detail, and intoxicating romance, Angel’s Mask reinvents the legend of the Phantom and Christine with passion and twists that will leave readers breathless.

For content/trigger warnings, please visit the author’s website.

Review:
“Singing is breathing. And breathing is life, the conscious act of living. Somewhere deep within when you choose to breath, you choose to live. Some un-surrendering part of you chooses to continue.” (Page 73)

Firstly, this book gives more depth to the characters in Phantom of the Opera than I’ve seen in any other retelling. There were always some questions in the Andrew Lloyd Webber version of why someone who had only ever trained vocally was a ballet dancer (especially on pointe!). I loved that Mason’s Christine’s only dream was to sing on the stage of the opera, and that she knew she would have to work her way up to having any sort of job at all since she had missed the opportunity to audition for the chorus. I was truly enamoured with the depth of understanding and knowledge imbued in the vocal training, and was graced enough to hear from Jessica Mason herself that she has a degree in opera. This knowledge can be seen in such easy descriptions as, “Christine’s voice sparkled, pure and dark at the same time, like moonlight on a mountain stream, sweeping away any remaining doubt that she was an artist of the highest caliber.” (Page 184) For a real life reference to someone who has a pure and dark vocal tone at the same time, you can listen to Floor Jansen singing Élan.

Something I quite enjoyed about Mason’s version was the rich descriptions of the behind the scenes of the opera–the twists and turns, the tunnels, the roof. Everything was so well thought out and given intricate details so that the rooms can be thoroughly rendered in the mind, without the overwriting that leads to lack of interest/mind wandering. Other locations were also explained so well that it made layouts and wealth/lack thereof easy to see in the mind’s eye, such as Adele’s apartment, making this read a visual treat.

The romance within these books is so unbelievably well written that I cannot recommend this trilogy enough. There are definitely some trigger warnings, but overall, this book is a masterpiece and I am so glad I found out about it on Jessica Mason’s TikTok, and would highly recommend it to all who love Phantom of the Opera, and specifically Erik.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of Royal Wedding: A Princess Diaries Novel by Meg Cabot

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Synopsis:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding—but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia’s gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn’t need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother’s leaked “fake” wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia’s father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone—especially herself—that she’s not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?

Review:
This book was in many ways vastly different from the original series, mostly because of all of the twists and turns, and most notably that it is NOT a Young Adult novel. Throughout the later books in the series Cabot contended with their being movies made of Mia’s life that were “inaccurate” so it was an interesting twist to bring in oh so many paparazzi for this one. There were some very interesting developments in this book, and I loved how true to herself and her ideals Mia stayed, no matter what the circumstance was.

All in all, this book was alright, and was more of a set up for future books. I was glad there was a happy ending, but there was plenty that left me wanting more/something different.

Star rating: ✯✯✯