workplace 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 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 The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore

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Synopsis:
As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.

Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction.

Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless… Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?

Review:
“I’m pretty sure half of dealing with kids is just tricking them into doing stuff.” (Page 81)

I absolutely loved this book. A quick, simple, fun read I found that this was the first in the series that had the perfect spice as well. There was a great message of what life can be like when you try to be perfect versus when you’re trying to find something sustainable/some balance. Iris and Archer were absolutely perfect together. It’s fun, flirty, and honestly one of the best single dad books I’ve read. Usually single dad isn’t really my style, but this book hit in all the right places: both in finding one’s self, and letting yourself become part of a community.

The only complaint have is the name at the very end… so many options that could have kept with the tradition.

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: ✯✯✯✯