Tag: Contemporary Romance (Page 1 of 98)

BOOK REVIEW: Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

June 29, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
After a painfully public discovery shatters her marriage, along with her picture-perfect, country club life, Claire finds herself suddenly single and faced with a blank page for a future. On that page she writes a simple list that reads like equal parts dare and daydream--Move to a new city. Make a real friend. Get a job I love--and she vows to accomplish every single one.

Before she can talk herself out of it, she takes a step of faith, puts her old life in the rearview mirror, and leases an apartment in Chicago, the city that has always had her heart. This one step sends Claire on a journey of self-discovery, giving her the courage to conquer her fears, one checklist item at a time, and showing her that life can be a whole lot brighter than she imagined.

She rediscovers a love for baking, stumbles into new friendships, and even allows her daughter, Minnie, to create a dating profile and choose her dates for her. Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is Miles, the charming, off-limits neighbor whose kindness makes it hard to remember why he's off-limits at all.

Between late-night journaling, disastrous first dates, great big lessons and priceless small victories, Claire learns to quiet the voice telling her she wasn't enough and listens to the one that asks the harder question . . .

What do I really want?

As old expectations loosen their grip, Claire discovers that belonging isn't a place you're invited to--it's a life you build one brave choice at a time. And the sweetest things often show up when you finally get out of your own way.

Review:

Brighter than Before was a beautiful journey about discovering yourself and creating your own happily ever after. With a found family that was everything, a journey that will tug at your heart, and a romance that will make you smile and cry, this story had the perfect amount of joy and heartache. If you’re looking for a contemporary romance with older adult characters, I can’t recommend this one enough!

Claire was so flawed and relatable. She definitely made decisions that had me wanting to shake her or talk some sense into her in the beginning lol, but as we got to know her…..oh my heart did it all make sense. Her whole world exploded. She was on a new path to finding herself and her happiness. I loved her adventurous heart and I loved how brave and filled with hope she was. I was cheering her on every step of the way.

With her move to Chicago, there were so many changes surrounding Claire’s life. Her neighbors, new friends, and her daughter played such a prominent role in her life. And then there was Miles. His sarcastic humor and kind heart had me falling for him hard. He will always be one of my top favorite book boyfriends and I loved watching his friendship with Claire bloom. But I kept my fingers crossed for more!

The ending for Brighter than Before was so beautiful and seeing things come together for Claire made me cry all the happy tears. This was such a heartwarming and uplifting story! Even though it was filled with a fair share of struggle, all the hope was there. I loved watching Claire build her new family and work towards her happily ever after! This was such a huge win!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Out of Her League by Ava Rani

June 29, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

Out of Her League by Ava Rani
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Don't get mad. Date his favorite athlete.

To make her ex jealous, an ambitious young surgeon recruits a charming star soccer player to be her date to a lavish Parisian wedding—but love might have a game plan of its own, in this stand-alone romance from the USA Today bestselling author of the Biotech Billionaires series.

Dr. Isabelle Mercado is this close to having it all. Top of her class at the country’s most competitive orthopedic surgery residency, a dream career within reach, and a golden ticket to the wedding of the year in Paris.

There’s just one problem: her ex—the one who got away—is going to be there… with his perfect new fiancée.

Desperate to save face (and maybe spark a little jealousy), Isa enlists soccer legend and global heartthrob Austin Cade to be her fake date. It’s the perfect match: after an injury and some unfortunate encounters with the press, he needs good PR and the kind of elite connections this wedding will attract. Plus, her ex just so happens to be his #1 fan. Win-win.

But between champagne toasts, macaron baking classes, and stolen glances under the Parisian stars, pretending starts to feel a lot like the real thing. Isa’s always been all-in on her career—love was never the goal.

But maybe, just maybe… this time, the heart has its own agenda.

Review:

Out of Her League was a fun, fake dating romance that I devoured. The audiobook was effortless to listen to and kept me easily entertained. The characters had me not only invested, but I felt like I knew them. And I loved the whole premise of this story. This was my first story by Ava Rani and this book has me wanting to devour her whole backlist!

Cade was Isabelle’s ex-boyfriend’s favorite athlete. And when she found out that her ex was going to be at a destination wedding she was attending with his new fiancé, the plan for Cade to fake date her had me cackling! Ava was completely diabolical, and Austin was more reserved, I couldn’t wait to watch them interact more! What unfolded was definitely smile and laugh inducing!

Cade will make you swoon without even trying. And laugh out loud too, four kids, I’m still dying over here! But the more we got to know Cade, we saw that he was sweet, kind, and so thoughtful. I loved his go with the flow personality; he was so easy to like. Whereas Isabelle wanted to have everything in control for her life, and she knew what her path looked like. But as she spent more time around Cade, I loved how she started to question what she truly wanted. And where her passions in medicine lay.

This was such a beautiful story of two people bringing out the best in each other and watching where life leads them. With laughter along the way. With steamy kisses, thoughtful meals, and a wonderful happily ever after, Out of Her League was a charming fake dating story. I definitely adored this one!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEWS: The Match (It Happened in Charleston #1) & The Enemy (It Happened in Charleston #2) by Sarah Adams

May 28, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Match (It Happened in Charleston #1)
by Sarah Adams
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it.

Evie Jones has dedicated her life and very limited funds working for Southern Service Paws, the company that matched her with the love of her life: Charlie, a service dog trained to assist with her epilepsy. But it’s no secret that the company has been struggling to make ends meet. It’s up to her and her longtime mentor and boss to throw the fundraiser of the century to keep the doors open.

Then Evie meets Jacob Broaden at a client consultation meeting. There are instant sparks—but not the good kind, because Jacob’s daughter set up the meeting without his knowledge. Ten-year-old Sam has been recently diagnosed with epilepsy, and has wanted a service animal ever since. While he had hesitations at first, it doesn’t take long for Jacob to be convinced that a service dog, and possibly Evie, with her magical, woodland-green eyes, might just be the best thing for him and his daughter.

As Evie spends more time with Jacob and helps Sam find her perfect match with a lovable golden retriever named Daisy, she starts longing for something she’s never had before: a loving family. For Jacob, falling in love with Evie is the last thing he should be doing, but love has a way of finding those who need it most.

Review:

The Match was a feel good, swoon worthy, sweet romance that I absolutely loved! With a single dad that was impossible not to fall for, a little girl that you just wanted to hug, dogs that will warm your heart, and a woman whose journey you’ll easily be invested in, this book was a huge hit! I loved watching Jake try and keep his walls up, and for Evie to discover a found family. Plus Evie’s love for Jake’s daughter was everything! With two epilogues at the end, my heart soared! I listened to this closed door romance on audiobook, and it was fabulously done. Definitely recommend!

The Enemy (It Happened in Charleston #2)
by Sarah Adams
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Enemies should never get a second chance. But this one might.

It’s been twelve years since June Broaden has seen her high school enemy (and secret crush), Ryan Henderson. That’s a long time to hold a grudge over some petty feud, but the sharp memory of him dangling a kiss at graduation, then pulling away at the last second, has fueled many angry fantasies since. Now it’s her chance to get even.

Ryan, along with most of her high school class, is back in town for her best friend’s wedding, and June is eager to show the former bully exactly what he’s missed out on. A lot has changed since their teenage days; June is now the Southern queen of gourmet donuts, not to mention one of the most desired bachelorettes in her small town.

What’s she’s not expecting, though, is for Ryan to show up looking like Adonis and touting his own career success as the youngest chef to ever win three Michelin stars. How dare he try to one-up her revenge plot? Luckily, June never backs down from a challenge.

Review:

The Enemy started out with the most awful meet cute lol! He wanted her. She hated him. And they’re rivals. This book was so much fun! But it did take me a while to warm up to June, since she rubbed me the wrong way at times. Yet I loved the push and pull between them. And I was obsessed with Ryan! This was another fun and easy audiobook to listen to! Plus we’re given another epilogue at the end that will leave readers oh so happy! I’m having so much fun bingeing all of Sarah’s books. If you’re looking for something heartfelt but also with a lighter feeling, I definitely recommend this series!

BOOK REVIEW: Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner

May 27, 2026 / Jen / 0 Comments

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Ember Reed is finally living her dream: chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her.

Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not.

Even on a superyacht, there's nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiralling into disaster.

They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good?

Review:

Where has Kandi Steiner been my whole life?! This was my first book by her and I am obsessed! Love Overboard was a second chance, forced proximity romance that was filled with all the angst. I listened to the audiobook, and the duet narration was incredible! It felt like a movie was playing in my head! The reality show vibes gave all the drama, and I always felt like I had to know what happened next. Or listen in on the confessionals! This story was fun, steamy, and the perfect book to take to the pool or beach!

I swallowed, looking up even when it took all my effort to do so, my heart kicking back to life from where it had halted in my chest.
And there he was.
Finn Fucking Pearson.
“Hello, Firefly.”

Ember and Finn landed on the same boat together, being filmed for a reality tv show. To say they were surprised to see the other was an understatement! Years ago they fell hard and fast. And there was so much left to be said. Being stuck on the yacht together made for all the drama. Especially with producers who liked to stir the pot. And other members who caused me to gasp and scream. So hold on, it’s a stormy voyage!

“Some loves are inevitable — meant to be. And when you stumble upon that kind of love, it becomes an impenetrable force. Nothing can break it — not trial or time or distance. It just… survives.”

Ember was someone I absolutely loved. Her voice. Her thoughts. I loved her drive and how hard she worked. And I’m so grateful we got to alternate between her and Finn, because Finn. Ugh. How I wanted to hate him. Or at least not like him. But as the story unfolded, he was impossible not to love. His actions, his words, even sacrificing himself. He held me in the palm of his hand. I was obsessed.

PRODUCER
Would you say you quite literally use food to declare your love, then?

FINN
One hundred percent.

Finn pauses, frowning.

FINN
What episode did you say this was for again?

With flashbacks from their past seamlessly laced throughout the story, and the post-season talks scattered too, I loved the format of this book! Especially when they would film a confessional, and then jump into that next scene and I was just waiting to see what happened. This book dangled moments in front of us, just begging us to keep reading, making it impossible to put this story down!

PRODUCER
We don’t spin a narrative. We just capture what happens.

Finn laughs, stands to leave.

FINN
Right. We’ll go with that.

Jealousy, hurt, kisses, dancing on the beach, banana pancakes, and steamy seductive moments filled this story with so much life! Love Overboard made me cry. Multiple times. And it made me so angry too. My heart got ripped in two and all of the emotions kept clogging my throat. But it was such a beautiful and messy story. The angst, the unknown, I loved having my emotions pulled in every direction. I was beyond addicted. And the epilogue was everything. While this is my first book by Steiner, I can’t wait to go binge her whole backlist!

“Just let me have you again and I swear I’ll do anything it takes to keep you.”

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: More than Friends by Denise Hunter

April 21, 2026 / Jen / 1 Comment

More than Friends by Denise Hunter
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Jenna Greene just ended things with her boyfriend . . . which also ended her career. (That's the risk a girl takes when her boyfriend doubles as her boss.) With no income and no job prospects in sight, Jenna is forced to return to her mother's house on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to figure out what's next. And the timing couldn't be more perfect. Jenna's widowed mother has just returned from a cruise--with a brand-new boyfriend in tow. But there's something off about the guy. His story doesn't quite add up, and he keeps sneaking off to make suspicious phone calls and borrowing money from her too-trusting mother.

In search of some investigative help, Jenna turns to her childhood BFF, Tyson Parker, who lives and works in town. Still reeling from his wife's infidelity, Tyson is doing his best to heal from the pain of divorce. He's made a name for himself on the island as a volunteer firefighter and one of the much-admired saltwater cowboys who looks after Chincoteague's wild ponies. Oh, and he turned out to be more than a tiny bit attractive--besides being almost-too-good-to-be-true sweet and caring.

Growing up, the uber-competitive Jenna was always accepted as one of the guys. But things have changed between her and Tyson, and he's now looking at her through new eyes. Jenna suddenly feels like a leading lady on a movie set--only with way less composure.

But Jenna also has old wounds that make these new feelings seem fraught with peril. Is she willing to open her heart and see where love might lead? Or will she let her hesitant heart hold her back?

More Than Friends is a charming, can't-put-it-down romance, full of laugh-out-loud moments, tender emotion, and the kind of small-town warmth Denise Hunter does best. With its beloved friends-to-more arc, swoony yet grounded hero, and gentle thread of healing and hope, this story will have readers rooting for love on every page. If you're longing for a feel-good romance that blends heart, humor, and just enough mystery to keep you reading past your bedtime, More Than Friends is the perfect escape to Chincoteague Island.

Review:

More than Friends was a friends to lovers romance that will tug at your heart. With wild ponies, a coastal breeze, and stores I’d love to visit, I adored the small town this story took place in. The characters popped from the pages, and the audiobook was so effortless to listen to! This uplifting story was exactly what I needed in my life!

Jenna and Ty grew up across the street from each other, and I loved their friendship. They cared deeply for one another, but now tension and longing seemed to simmer between them. Along with the nervousness of ruining a great friendship. But they both had their own personal struggles too. Jenna had a lot of soul searching to do. To figure out where she belonged, and what career would bring her joy. And Ty was dealing with some heavy stuff that was haunting him from one of his calls as a firefighter and first responder. Their journey wasn’t always easy, but I was all for it!

This is my second book by Hunter and I am hooked! The characters she creates are easy to connect with, I love the setting, and each story is fun to listen to. I can’t wait to go binge all her other books!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*