Author: Jen (Page 22 of 204)

I ♥ Paranormal, Dystopian, Romance, YA, NA & some Fantasy and Science Fiction. I ♥ not being able to knock that darn smirk off my face, crying my eyes out or feeling every emotion under the sun with characters. I ♥ cheesecake, wakeboarding, snowboarding, being a mommy & wife, dancing, singing and being a beach bum addict!
Find me on: Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW: Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne & Anthony Ledonne

October 23, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne, Anthony Ledonne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne -- and her real life husband and high school sweetheart, Anthony LeDonne -- comes a new holiday romcom that is sure to warm even the coldest heart.

Katherine, an ambitious NYC attorney, gets diagnosed with a concussion and must be monitored for 48 hours to make sure it doesn't get worse. Unfortunately, she forgot to updated her emergency contact so the person they call is her ex-husband, Tom. Unable to be left alone, Katherine reluctantly agrees to travel to Chicago with Tom for the holidays. But thanks to a blizzard, what should have been a quick plane ride turns into an antagonistic overnight misadventure that stirs up old feelings even as Tom prepares to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve.

A delightful meet-cute between The Proposal and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Emergency Contact is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.

Review:

I’m just going to come right out and say it:
The Grinch was misunderstood.

Emergency Contact was an emotional forced proximity, second chance, adult romance that will easily steal your heart. With Christmas in the air and ordeals at every turn, this book was so easy to read in one sitting! So grab a box of tissues and a warm festive drink to enjoy this story. It brimmed with emotions that were raw and real, was filled with characters who were flawed and relatable, and Emergency Contact easily became one of my favorite holiday books!

I would never admit it to a single soul. I can barely admit it to myself. But . . .
I’ve thought about this moment.
Thought about the next time I’d see her.

When Katherine was in a car accident, her ex-husband Tom was notified since he was her emergency contact. Katherine needed to be monitored because of her concussion and taken care of because of the stitches on her back, so she found herself joining Tom on his way home during the holidays. Yet little did Katherine know that Tom was planning to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve. From the moment they started their adventure, no part of it was easy from New York to Chicago. Physically and emotionally. Yet with old feelings resurfacing, second chances may just be what Santa was bringing them for Christmas!

I swallow.
I should not be here.
Doing this.
With her.
But right now I don’t want to be anywhere else, doing anything else, with anyone else.

Katherine was fierce, independent, quick witted and had dubbed herself as the Grinch. She was utterly alone, didn’t mince words, and hated Christmas. And as we got to know Katherine, it’s understandable why she hated the holidays and was also driven to make partner. We also got to see how that latter aspect ultimately destroyed her marriage to Tom. But do you know that feeling in the back of your throat where you’re two seconds away from crying and desperately trying not to?! That was what Katherine’s thoughts kept doing to me. Understanding Katherine broke my heart. So I was cheering her on every step of the way as she showed us her heart. It was there. Hidden underneath so much pain. So Katherine could say she was the Grinch all she wanted, and even act like him, yet those Cindy Lou Who moments were there. And those moments were directed at Tom.

The rumble of the approaching train captures his attention, and I exhale in relief that my darkest secret remains safely hidden:
That I want a place on his spreadsheet. I always did.

Tom was a planner with a capital P! He was focused on his timeline for being engaged and having kids, and it seemed like he found a woman who would help him achieve his spreadsheet filled with his personal life goals. Even if he was second guessing being with that woman. So while Katherine’s desire to become partner broke them apart, Tom’s checklist is what ultimately separated them. Yet when he saw the situation Katherine was in, he couldn’t leave her. Tom had the hugest heart ever and always tried to give everyone his best side. He tried to be cheer, hope, happiness and love all rolled into one beautiful man. Yet on that journey home, Tom was still hurting form the past and could be provoking to Katherine. Not to mention he was keeping the hugest secret of all from her, that he was going to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve.

Every last drop of horrible that’s happened today? All on me.
I glance down at the phone in my hand, and for the first time in my life, really truly ask myself:
Is it worth it?
This obsessive fixation on making partner . . . where has it gotten me, exactly?

As the story alternated between Katherine and Tom, I was shocked at how bitter they were towards one another. Their banter was filled with barbs. Their hurt and pain ran so deep. And it almost felt like hatred simmered between them. So they both had huge journeys of growth from that first page to the last. And I was grateful that as we got further into the story, there were moments of laughter. Also times that will make you smile and melt your heart. Plus those scenes where we got to see both Katherine and Tom realize all of the reasons they fell in love with one another to begin with. And through it all, their trip was one misadventure after another. It truly was a crazy ride! Yet they did it all together. Also, while there was no steam in this story, and I love her books that have steam!, I felt like that aspect worked perfectly with Emergency Contact. So good luck not crying, because their story was an emotional one I’ll always remember.

“Come on. It’ll be an adventure,” Katherine says over her shoulder.
“I think I’ve had enough adventure,” I call after her, even as I start to follow.
I’m a little surprised to find I’m actually smiling. Even more surprised to realize . . . there’s nobody I’d rather be on this adventure with.

While Emergency Contact took us on a spellbinding adventure, it also took us on a heartbreaking one that had me sobbing in public. And for Lauren Layne fans, it had so much of what we love and resonate with in her previous books. The characters we fall for, the story that’s so easy to devour, and an ending that leaves us oh so happy. Yet there was another level to this book. There was a hurt that festered throughout that then turned to hope and love. So while I have definitely cried reading LL’s other books, this pain seemed to cut so much deeper. It was impossible not to sob, even when they were happy tears too. Ohhhh and that epilogue?! It was absolutory perfect and everything I could have wished for and more!

“Cuz, I gotta say ,” he continues when neither of us reply. “The two of you together. You’ve got a real . . . what’s the word I’m lookin’ for?”
“Hostility? Animosity? Mutual-loathing?” Katherine provides.
“Energy!” Gorby proclaims. “That’s the word I was thinkin.’ Or was it synergy? You two kind of crackle? You know?”
I do know. I know all too well.

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Love Rematch (The Love Match #1) by Kay Marie

October 18, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

The Love Rematch (The Love Match #1)
by Kay Marie
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She's the new lead of a hit dating show.

He's the producer.

And seven years ago, they were in love.

Let the games begin...

Emily Peters spends her days working at her mother's flower shop and her nights working on her startup jewelry business. She has no time for romance, and she's happy that way. Until one morning she wakes up to find her mother on national television practically begging America to find her a boyfriend.

When the clip goes viral, Emily is swept away in a Hollywood dream, set to become the new lead of the hit dating show, The Love Match. But it all turns to a nightmare when she arrives on set and comes face-to-face with Jake, the man who broke her heart seven years ago-and her new producer.

She's hellbent on revenge. He's determined to secure a promotion. But the more they face-off behind the scenes, the harder it becomes to deny their attraction and ignore the secrets of their past. Jake will soon realize the only thing worse than abandoning the love of his life is finding her a new fiancé.

Love and Other Words meets The Hating Game in this Bachelor-inspired romantic comedy perfect for fans of forced proximity, second chance romance, reality television, revenge, working with an ex, emotional scars, and dual POV!

Review:

The Love Rematch was a second chance romance that was filled with reality tv show fun! This story started off absolutely hilarious and as the pages flew by, we got to see the emotional side too. With a little bit of spice and a lot of heart, this story had the perfect amount of angst.

“Revenge,” Sam repeats. The word emerges like the sun bursting over the horizon of a brand-new day. “Do it, Em. Make him hurt.”

The first chapter pulled me right in and I couldn’t stop laughing. When Emily’s twin called her, and said their mother was on TV with a sign to get Emily a date I was glued to the pages. Her mortification became my own! And she went viral. When she was offered the lead on The Love Match, similar to the Bachelorette, Emily couldn’t say no. It was the publicity she needed for her business to go to the next step. Yet she had no clue that her ex, Jake, worked on the show. Seven years ago Jake left her in the middle of the night. The story unfolded in both Jake and Emily’s POVs, making it so easy to fall in love with their story.

The undercurrent in the air clicks into place.
He finally understands her hidden message.
Game on.

Emily worked at her mom’s flower shop and did her jewelry business on the side. She had hoped that her jewelry business would become her full time job someday. So while she was hesitant about being the lead on The Love Match, her twin sister gave her the nudge she needed. To grow her business. And when she realized that Jake was on the shower, her sister nudged her again. Revenge was what was going to get her through this experience. She got to flirt with 30 different men as her ex-boyfriend watched it all. Emily was strong, witty, quiet and so easy to adore.

“America will love you, if you give them the chance.”
The floorboards creak as he climbs onto the sill.
“Give them that chance, Em. Let them in, and they’ll fall. Trust me. It’s impossible not to.”

Jake’s reaction to Emily being the new lead on the show he was producing was priceless! And as he watched her interact, flirt and even kiss the men, I loved seeing how jealous he was! I wanted him to feel all the pain! Yet as the story unfolded, we got moments into their past when they were younger. Those peaks showed how beautiful their young love was, and it was so easy to fall in love with younger Jake. Then as we got to see what his life was like, my heart towards him continued to soften. Especially when he was kind to Emily in the present. I literally wrote in my notes ‘I don’t want to like him, but he is making it impossible’. If you love tortured heroes, Jake is for you. I understood him inside and out, and even why he did what he did in their past.

She stops and spins on her heels to face him, wrath personified. “My name is Emily. And you know what? You’re right. I didn’t cheer in high school. I wasn’t the type. I couldn’t have cared less about football . My first boyfriend was the school loner. He wanted to be a director, a bit like you actually. And you know what he taught me? Even the nerdy boys can break your heart, so you might as well date the ones with muscles and enjoy yourself.”
He should admit defeat.
He should apologize.
He should relent.
Instead, he puffs up his chest.

The fire and anger between Jake and Emily felt so real. Neither of them seemed to hold back, except when it came to talking about their past. It felt like that was the line that couldn’t be crossed. So as Jake offered Emily peace offerings, helped her out at times, or was thoughtful, she too found herself softening towards him. It didn’t help that she was still attracted to him and that their past love was so beautiful. I was nervous for her and her heart. All the while, we got to see the behind the scenes of the show and it was fascinating! As Emily kissed some of the men, I was smiling while also gasping out loud. Somewhere along the way I was head over heels in love with Jake. And I wanted them together. But there was so much healing that they both needed to do. And they desperately needed to talk about their past too.

A lump forms in the back of her throat. It’s full of the what-ifs— questions she’s never been able to get rid of, even after seven years of wondering, because deep down she wants the other life, the one she thought they were going to have until it all fell apart.
Does he feel the same?

I would love to see The Love Rematch turn into a movie! The writing was so easy to read, the storyline was smile inducing and the characters were multifaceted. When you add to that two plot twists that I didn’t see happening, this book made for a fabulous second chance romance. Now I’ll be patiently waiting for the next book…. by Chapter 16 I was begging for someone to get their own story and I can’t wait to see how that story plays out!

“You were everything, Em,”Jake whispers. The soft confession hits her with the force of a tsunami. She can’t move, can’t run. She’s caught in the wave with no control over her sense.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Better Hate than Never (The Wilmot Sisters #2) by Chloe Liese

October 15, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

Better Hate than Never (The Wilmot Sisters #2)
by Chloe Liese
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Childhood enemies discover the fine line between love and loathing in this heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno.

Despite their friends’ and families' pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act.

When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned kiss, they realize “peace” is the last thing that will ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.

Review:

Better Hate than Never was an opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance. I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Two Wrongs Make a Right, and couldn’t wait to dive into this one. Yet from those first few pages, I was never able to connect to any of the characters. There was fabulous banter. There was representation for mental health and chronic illness. Christopher’s thoughts could be so hilarious whereas Kate’s will tug on your heart. Yet from that first page to the last, I just couldn’t click. And for me to fully love and invest myself emotionally in a book, I have to make that connection. So while this one didn’t work for me, I have a feeling so many others will fall in love with this story!

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

BOOK REVIEW: A Cowboy Country Christmas (Creedence Horse Rescue #6) by Jennie Marts

October 12, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

A Cowboy Country Christmas (Creedence Horse Rescue #6)
by Jennie Marts
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
There's no better time than Christmas to open your heart

Holt Callahan used to love the holidays, but getting dumped on Christmas Eve would turn anyone into a Grinch. Now he hates Christmas and all the holly jolly shenanigans that go with it. When he moves back to his cousin's ranch in Creedence, Colorado, the last thing he expects is to come face to face with the one who got away and all of her holiday cheer.

Lainey McBride is all about Christmas. Now she's running her family's ranch festivities while her grandfather is in rehab, and no matter how many things don't go according to plan, she's determined to bring her holiday spirit. But the holidays have their own way of healing, and a Christmas in Creedence just might be the merry magic that brings these two broken hearts back together again.

Review:

A Cowboy Country Christmas was a heartwarming, second chance romance. With characters that will find their way into your heart and a cast of animals that will make you laugh and smile, I can’t recommend this book enough. With sleigh rides, hot cocoa, snow, mistletoe and so much more, this festive heartfelt book is exactly what you need around the holidays!

Holt snapped the reins and gave Merry a cluck, and the sleigh burst forward, the runners gliding easily along the freshly fallen snow. Lainey laughed with delight, and he knew he would do just about anything, even wear a stupid jingling Santa hat, to hear her laugh like that again.

Holt Callahan hated Christmas after having his heart ripped out on Christmas Eve. He currently found himself living on his cousin’s ranch, in the adorable small town of Creedence, Colorado. Yet one day on the ranch, Holt came face to face with the woman from his past. Her name was Lainey McBride and her grandparents owned the ranch next to his cousin’s. Colt had been in love with Lainey since he was 10 years old. He thought she had left for good when they were teenagers. So he was shocked to see her back, and dressed as one of Santa’s elves. When Lainey asked Colt to help her out with some Christmas festivities, he couldn’t say no to her. It had felt like no time had passed since he had been around the woman he loved. And from that one moment, it led them on a path to a beautiful second chance!

She’d shredded his emotions and pretty much wrecked him for years. Maybe still. But she was here now, smiling up at him, and that was all that mattered.

I adored Holt! He was a grumpy, sexy, cowboy who was such a good man and had the biggest heart. He worked around his cousin’s ranch and loved the animals he spent his time with. So I couldn’t understand what happened to make Lainey stand him up at the dance when they were younger. She had shattered his heart. But even with his heart hurt, and with questions about the past, Holt found himself smiling more when he was around Lainey. I loved that he messed with her. His banter and teasing was smile inducing and made me laugh. And I loved even more that he helped Lainey out every time she needed it.

A little flicker of something that felt like hope bloomed in her chest, and she couldn’t keep the smile from broadening across her face. It had been a lot of years since she’d flirted with Holt Callahan, but it still felt as easy as falling into a mountain lake on a hot summer day.

Lainey found herself back in Creedence at her Grandparents ranch. Every year they put on Christmas celebrations that countless people came to and helped fund their ranch for half of the year. Yet with her Grandma’s passing and her Grandpa’s broken hip, Lainey stepped up to pull off the Christmas magic! I liked Lainey right away, yet I paused when we got to listen to her thoughts too. I didn’t understand why she thought Holt had abandoned her. So as I was waiting for the past to meet the present, I loved how strong and brave Lainey was. How she had the biggest heart too. And that Lainey seemed to be falling back in love with Holt all over again, while also helping him fall in love with Christmas.

He let go of her hair, and his fingers trailed softly over her neck and along her jawline. Her lips parted, and she sucked in a quick breath as his thumb grazed across her bottom lip.

It was beautiful to watch how Lainey and Holt’s friendship rekindle so quickly. It was like they never were apart. Except for the fact that there was a huge elephant in the room about why they parted ways to begin with. But with touches, glances and kisses under the mistletoe, I loved watching their love for one another come back and continue to grow. On top of Lainey and Holt we also got to see so many characters from the previous book and even the other series too. Do you need to read the previous books in this series or the one before it? Nope! But I can’t recommend them enough! Aunt Sassy was hilarious as ever! I loved seeing someone all the way back from Caught Up in a Cowboy! And getting to see HEA’s for characters in the Creedence Horse Rescue previous books was so beautiful! I had happy tears over getting to see how their stories played out! But there was also moments of laughter with the animal antics. With a dog rescue, a fainting goat and even a camel, along with our favorite tiny horse, pig and goat this book had it all! Ohhhh and my favorite moment was the nativity scene. I was laughing so hard that I had tears pouring down my face.

He closed his eyes and dropped his chin as if her touch caused him physical pain. She started to pull her hand away, but he caught it in his and held her fingers to his lips, pressing a hard kiss against them. “I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered against her palm, his voice husky and raw with emotion.

A Cowboy Country Christmas ended with the most wonderful happily ever after! And with baking cookies, ugly Christmas sweaters and trees, this book was filled with all the Christmas cheer! Plus a Christmas miracle that will bring tears to your eyes! I absolutely adored this story and I love that whenever I pick up a book by Jennie Marts, it is always filled with so much heart and love! I can’t wait to read whatever she releases next!

PS They talked about hot cocoa with crushed-up candy canes stirred in and then sprinkled on top of the marshmallows and OH MY GOSH! This sounds amazing! Why I’ve never had that before is beyond me but I’m making this for me and my little boys ♥!

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

GIVEAWAY: A Cowboy Country Christmas by Jennie Marts

October 11, 2023 / Jen / 0 Comments

My raving review for this book is coming soon! I LOVED it so much! Until then, check out what this beautiful, heartfelt story is about. And you can enter into a fabulous giveaway. Enjoy ♥.

A Cowboy Country Christmas
Jennie Marts
(Creedence Horse Rescue, #6)
Publication date: October 10th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

There’s no better time than Christmas to open your heart

Holt Callahan used to love the holidays, but getting dumped on Christmas Eve would turn anyone into a Grinch. Now he hates Christmas and all the holly jolly shenanigans that go with it. When he moves back to his cousin’s ranch in Creedence, Colorado, the last thing he expects is to come face to face with the one who got away and all her holiday cheer.

Lainey McBride is all about Christmas, and despite running her family’s ranch festivities while her grandfather is in rehab, she hasn’t lost her holiday spirit, no matter how many things don’t go according to plan. But the holidays have their own way of healing, and a Christmas in Creedence just might be the merry magic that brings these two broken hearts back together again.

“This feel-good fare is guaranteed to get romance fans in the holiday mood.” –Publishers Weekly for A Cowboy Country Christmas

Praise for Jennie Marts’s cowboy romances:

“Full of hope, humor, and undeniable swoon.”—A.J. Pine, USA Today bestselling author, for How to Cowboy

“Funny, complicated, and irresistible. Sometimes a cowboy isn’t perfect but you got to love him anyway.”—Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author, for Caught Up in a Cowboy

“Deliciously steamy but still sweet, with a secret at its heart.”—Joanne Kennedy for Wish Upon a Cowboy

“The definition of a swoon-worthy, must-read romance.”—Sara Richardson for Never Enough Cowboy

Goodreads / Amazon

Excerpt:

Lainey sucked in a breath as she reached to pet the dog’s side. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t you keep her? She’s obviously already attached to you.”

“She just likes me because I feed her. But look at her. She’s too friendly not to be someone’s pet.” After getting over her initial skittishness of the night before, the dog had been cuddly and affectionate, either following after them if they walked around the bunkhouse or rolling over for belly rubs if she was sitting next to them. “Some family is probably missing her.”

“Maybe.”

“I need to at least call the Humane Society and the sheriff’s office to see if someone’s looking for her.”

“Okay, but if no one claims her, then she’s for sure your dog. And you should totally name her something Christmas-themed, since this is the time of year when you found her. How about Holly? Or Mistletoe? Or how about Carol?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “What a great idea. Then I can always be reminded of this holiday I’m such a huge fan of. And also, if I were keeping her, there’s no way in hell I’d name my dog Carol. Or Mistletoe. Unless you want me to just turn in my man card right now.”

Her eyes went dreamy as she stroked a finger along his sizable bicep. “As if. And no, I’m quite partial to your man parts. I mean your manly parts. Wait, I mean your manliness.” She dropped her head into her hands. “Pretend I did not say that.”

“Too late. You already said you loved my man parts.”

“I said partial to…and anyway, we were talking about the dog. And thinking of ideas of what to name her.”

“You were thinking of what to name her. But I’d rather go back to talking about what you love about my—”

She held up her hand to cut him off. “What about Jingle or Snickerdoodle for a name?”

“For my man parts? I don’t think they’d take too kindly to being called Snickerdoodle, but Jingle Balls does have a certain holiday ring to it.”

She let out one of her hearty laughs, the kind that came from her belly and snuck out as a surprise. The kind that made his manly heart melt like butter on a hot biscuit. “We are not going to start talking about your Christmas balls again,” she said, still laughing. “How about Eggnog or Snowy? For the dog.”

He grimaced. “How about not?”

He was acting grumpy, but he was really having fun with her. Too much fun. She was so easy to be with, and not just to be with, but to be himself with. He was only this comfortable with a few select people. Although his comfortableness with her was also interspersed with moments of fluttering heartbeats and a racing pulse whenever their hands touched, or her shoulder brushed his, or if he caught a whiff of her delicious scent. Her nearness could send jittery nerves spiraling through his stomach that made him feel like a love-crazed teenager, which probably shaved several points off that man card they were just discussing.

She tapped her fingers to her lips. “Okay, I’ll stop with the too cutesy. But I really still like the idea of a Christmas name. Just give me a second. I know I can think of a good one. Hmm. I suppose Cindy Lou Who is out?”

He shrugged. “Not if I can shorten it and just call her Lou.”

About Jennie Marts:

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”

She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.

Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

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