Small Town 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 The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

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Synopsis:
When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out.

Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!

Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…

Review:
I wasn’t sure I’d like Hazel because she is very standoffish and, honestly, because she comes across as the stereotypical book nerd but since the first book, I’d hoped Noah would pluck up the courage and see what might happen between them. It was great to see Hazel come out of her shell, though I thought there were times that the intimate scenes were just a bit too long/overdrawn for me. All in all, a quick, cozy read if you like romance.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Forked by Melanie Harlow

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
I have trouble saying no.

To shoes, handbags, the dessert tray… you name it.

But when I agreed to plan a last-minute engagement bash for a spoiled Mafia princess, I had no idea she’d demand that my sexy ex, Nick Lupo, cater it. Sure, he’s now a famous celebrity chef, but to me he’s just the boy who broke my heart.

Still, I need the money for a down payment on my dream house, so I summon all my strength and approach him. I should have known Nick would turn the situation to his advantage.

He’ll agree to work for me, but only if I agree to spend a weekend with him.

Hear him out. Give him a second chance.

Did I mention my weakness for dark eyes and tattoos?

I’m completely and totally forked.

Review:
I absolutely loved both Coco and Nick. Seeing their interactions, and how he clearly still is head over heels for her, made me team Nick from the beginning. I love how supportive Nick is, how he tries so hard to do and be everything Coco needs and wanted him to. There were times when they obviously needed to communicate a little better, and one in particular made NO SENSE AT ALL. No one goes that long without a phone in today’s day and age. Yet, in the end, this was an absolutely beautiful story and I am so glad I read it; even if it was so long after I read Frenched that I was reading about completely new people I didn’t really remember.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯