King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt (Power of the Matchmaker)

King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt (Power of the Matchmaker)

Summary from Goodreads:
From the Power of the Matchmaker series:

Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem. 

The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.

Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.

The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.

When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.

They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.

Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?

4 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
When I read the summary I thought, "Oh it's My Best Friend's Wedding" in a book! Well, the concept is a story that has been told. However, I found that I couldn't put this book down once I got in to it. I was so engrossed in these characters' stories that I wanted to know how everything resolved.

These 2 main characters were definitely likable. However, they made stupid choices. We all make stupid choices. I get that. But their choices were really what drove the conflict in this story. Sometimes I wanted to reach through the ereader and strangle them. 

Luckily, these 2 decide to be honest...with themselves and with each other. Once the honesty comes in to play, these characters face even more challenges. Again, I was very interested in seeing how these characters resolved their feelings and came to a happy ending. And with the Power of the Matchmaker series, you know there will be a happy ending.

This book, being part of the Power of the Matchmaker series, had Miss Pearl, the Matchmaker, helping Esme and Hunter through their unresolved feelings. I loved reading about Miss Pearl being a cookie seller. The concept of the cookie (you'll have to read to find out!) was so fun to read. Miss Pearl has "played" many roles in the different books and this one was one of my favorites.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

You can purchase this book:
Amazon

The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

Summary from Goodreads:
Who is he really? A high and mighty lord or a lowly servant?

When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?

Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact. 

And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

5 Stars

Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
This was an unexpected read. When I read the summary I immediately thought I knew where the story was going to go. Thank you, Rachael Anderson, for writing something different than expected.

In this story, Lucy put Lord Drayson in the position of being her servant after he lost his memory. There were many funny scenes as Lord Drayson tried to do tasks that he was unfamiliar with. And the banter that ensued between Lord Drayson and Lucy was great to read.

There were times I was frustrated with Lucy. We, as readers, have a broader vision and I so wished she would make different choices. However, in life, one doesn't have the broader vision and these two characters made mistakes like we all do.

Lord Drayson began the book as one person. During his memory loss, he evolved. It was pleasant to read his thoughts and watch his discoveries about himself.

The development of the relationship of these 2 main characters was lovely. It was slow and friendly to start and then there were times of great passion as well.

I appreciated the way this story resolved. Again, the story took unexpected turns and I liked that the ending wasn't completely predictable. The one thing you could count on though was a happy ending.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

You can purchase this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Blind Date Collection by Annette Lyon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Victorine E. Lieske, Rachel Branton, and Sariah Wilson

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Blind Date Collection by Annette Lyon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Victorine E. Lieske, Rachel Branton, and Sariah Wilson

Summary from Goodreads:
Three Historical Romance Novellas:

THE PROMISE THAT KATY DID, by Annette Lyon: After the death of Sue Ellen, the closest thing she has to family, Katy knows it’s time to leave the house she’s lived in as a guest and start over in the city. She quickly secures a job, but before leaving, she must honor the unusual promise she made to Sue Ellen on her deathbed: meet with Mr. Balmer. The elderly gentleman arranges for his grandson Barrett to escort her to a town dance. That evening, shy Katy quickly feels at ease with her partner. If her new position weren’t taking her from town morning after next, perhaps something could develop between them. But Barrett may not feel the same about her, and besides, they don't have enough time to find out.

A LADY OF SENSE, by Sarah M. Eden: Eleanor Sherwood has lived her entire life under her parents’ thumb with little hope of escape. When they choose the unbearable Mr. Broadstead to be her future husband, she begs her father for another option. He arranges for her to meet Peter Havensham, who quickly proves himself a good and kindhearted gentleman, completely different from Mr. Broadstead, and utterly undeserving of a forced engagement. Eleanor cannot bring herself to prey upon Peter’s honor, but neither can she imagine a life with Mr. Broadstead. What is a lady to do when faced with such an impossible choice?

A SECOND CHANCE, by Heather B. Moore: Virginia needs a new start in order to recover from her broken marriage and vicious gossips of her neighborhood in Boston, so when her best friend Millie invites Virginia to Chicago, she goes to live with her friend’s family. But when Millie asks Virginia to participate in a double-date, Virginia knows she’s not ready to start dating again. Reluctantly she agrees, only to find out that Max might just be the man who can repair the cracks in her heart.

Three Contemporary Romance Novellas:

BRAELYNN’S BLIND DATE, by Victorine E. Lieske. When Braelynn agrees to go on a blind date, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. Tyler is gorgeous and the perfect gentleman. Of course she should have known it was too good to be true. It turns out that Tyler really wasn’t Tyler, but a random stranger who went along with Braelynn’s mistaken assumption. So, she chalks it up to a dumb mistake until she gets to work Monday morning and discovers that her gorgeous blind date is now her new boss.

BIANCA’S HOPE, by Rachel Branton: A blind-date-gone-wrong is not the way Bianca would have chosen to celebrate the news that she might be losing her business, but saying no to the sister who took care of her after their mother’s death proves impossible. So for one date, one torturous evening, she’ll endure the company of an infuriating, heartless man she has no intention of ever seeing again. She doesn’t expect her heart to have other plans. Bianca soon learns that sometimes the unexpected is not only what you need, it’s exactly what you’ve been waiting for all along.

BLIND SPOT, by Sariah Wilson: Ria has prepared most of her life to meet her prince, trouble is, her mother keeps yanking her back to reality. So when Ria reads about a country teeming with princes, she drops everything and applies to grad school. But every blind date goes wrong, and while Ria commiserates with her roommate Tessa and Tessa’s totally un-prince-like brother Paolo, Ria discovers that all the things she thought she wanted in a man are far from what she really needs.

4.5 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
I hear the words "Blind Date" and I cringe a bit. In general, we all have bad associations with blind dates. That is part of what makes this collection so fun.

I admit, I prefer the historical stories in this collection. But that is mostly because I prefer historical stories in general. They carry me to another time and place. In the historical stories, the blind dates are not what we think of as blind dates today. Yes, they are dates with someone the character doesn't know. However, the dates seem to be set up from a more simple and innocent place than we think of blind dates today.

In the contemporary stories, we read about more typical blind dates...one friend sets up another friend with someone they think will get along well. They actual call them "blind dates" in the contemporary stories. 

With all 6 of these stories, I'm glad that the characters didn't have a blind date, fall in love instantly, and live happily ever after. Each story has some conflict, some small, some big. It gives the stories more interest. At the same time, we know going in to these stories that they will have a happy ending of some sort. I personally like that. It is part of the reason I love the A Timeless Romance Anthology collections. I look forward to reading stories that have clean and happy romance.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this collection.

You can purchase this collection:
Amazon
Kobo
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Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes (Power of the Matchmaker series)

Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes

Summary from Goodreads:
Cassandra Webb’s every waking minute is devoted to being a great mother and wife. She takes five-year-old Noah to the library each week, volunteers in his kindergarten class, and even coaches his soccer team. She makes sure her husband’s uniforms are always laundered—even though he hasn’t worn them the last six years—always has his game day snacks on hand, and meets him for date night every Friday—which consists of one sided conversations at his bedside and watching his favorite take out remain untouched. 

Pearl, a mysterious visitor at the care center, suggests that it is only Cassie’s love still tying Devon to Earth when he has been ready to move on to Heaven for quite some time. If Cassie will but open her eyes and heart, she will discover the path she should travel, one that will bring relief to Devon and much joy to her own life. But Cassie vowed never to give up on him. She never has and she can’t now, even after meeting hapless, single soccer-dad Matt.

5 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
I find it interesting to read books about issues I have never thought of. This book brings up a situation that I think most of us never think about or at least never think will happen to us. I asked myself repeatedly while I read this book, "What would I do?" I asked my husband, "What would you do?" The story brings up questions of commitment, fidelity, joy, stagnancy, and hope.

I consider this a love story, but not a typical one. There are multiple loves in this story. The main character loves her husband, she loves her son, and, in the course of the book, falls in love with another man. Cassie loves others so much that she loses herself. I appreciate the reminder in this book that we each need to love ourselves to be able to love others. That means taking time to build ourselves up, taking time to find our own joy. It doesn't mean being selfish and thinking only of ourselves. But it does mean that we can give so much more when we are in an emotional place to do so. It does mean being self aware and knowing what we can do to be in that emotional place to love others and serve others.

This book got me thinking, a lot. I was glad to be able to have a conversation with my husband about some of the issues brought up in the book. I was happy to see Cassie work through her "rut" and find more joy, find more hope, and find more love.

Warnings: Death, loved one in permanent vegetative state

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

You can buy this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Timeless Regency Collection: Summer House Party by Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, and Sarah M. Eden

Timeless Regency Collection: Summer House Party by Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, and Sarah M. Eden

Summary from Goodreads:
A ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE by Regina Scott: Kitty Chapworth is nearly a spinster, and an orphan living on the charity of her uncle, with nothing to recommend her for the marriage mart. Her primary purpose is relegated to acting chaperone for her cousins until she can see them successfully married. Kitty remains focused on her duty even though she knows her future is bleak. When Quentin Adair returns from a long ten years working in Jamaica and proposes a wild charade to Kitty, she agrees, although the plan might reawaken her old feelings for Quentin. Can a reformed rake convince the perfect chaperone to overlook propriety for love?

A PERFECT MATCH by Donna Hatch: Genevieve attends a summer house party hosted by her best friend who can't wait to introduce her to a gentleman she wants to marry, Christian Amesbury. After meeting him, Genevieve determines Christian is perfect . . . for her. Torn between loyalty to her best friend and the yearnings of her heart, Genevieve must first escape the attention of a powerful lord who's obsessed with her and who tries to rob her of any hope for a happily ever after.

THE PAUPERS’ HOUSE PARTY by Sarah M. Eden: It’s a rare event that Edward Downy and his brother are invited to a house party by a member of the ton. But when they arrive, Edward quickly realizes this house party is different than any other. All invited guests are quite destitute, fallen members of Society barely hanging onto their homes. The hosts of the house party, the Warricks, then make a stunning announcement—they intend to gift all their properties to one fortunate guest. As the guests race to impress the Warricks, Edward finds a fast friend in Agatha Holmwood, who shares his same aversion to the horrible expectations. But their growing fondness for each other only makes the game more painful.

4 Stars

Received an ebook from publisher in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
It is fun for me to go back in time to Regency England and all its rules and nuances. House parties are full of witty banter, stolen glances, and definitely rules of etiquette. These 3 stories put the reader right in the middle of all this fun. However, the stories are not typical or mundane. I am surprised by the different take each story brings to the House Party theme. I especially like Sarah M. Eden's The Paupers' House Party. 

I have preferred other collections, but this one is still enjoyable. AND, it is on SALE for $0.99 on AMAZON and Barnes and Noble and KOBO right now.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean (The Power of the Matchmaker)

Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean

Summary from Goodreads:
My sisters think I’m crazy.
But, I’ve never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love. 
She told me to search far and wide for him. 
I haven’t stopped looking ever since.
When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I’m intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it’s not a coincidence.
It’s destiny.
My sisters say I’m chasing a dream.
Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp. Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?
My sisters tell me it’s a fool’s errand.
Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.
The memory silences them.
The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable—and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.
I will find Paul . . . I will.

5 Stars

I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
I have been reading The Power of the Matchmaker books each month. If you've been reading this blog, you have seen the reviews. I have liked each of the books, some more than others, and some I connect with more than others. This one I really connect with. 

Within the first 2 chapters of this book, I get a pretty good feel of who Savannah Tate is. I don't know everything about her, I don't know all of her secrets, but I know her. Taylor Dean does an excellent job of introducing the reader to this character and creating interest in her and her life.  I definitely want to know more. I want to know what the "Red Bird Incident" is. I want to know what happened to her engagement to Paul Ellis. And, as I read portions of Chapter 2, Taylor Dean writes words that describe how I sometimes feel about social situations. Wow! She totally gets the shy/introverted mind process, at least mine. She writes:

"Social situations sometimes exhaust me. Not that I don't enjoy them. I do. Absolutely. But afterwards I need space, time to regroup and recover from the effort. For some reason, social situations take a lot out of me and I can only handle them in small doses. But it doesn't mean I don't enjoy them or need them."

"I don't enjoy situations where I feel at a loss for words. Every once in a while, I find myself searching for words and not finding them. That's when things get awkward."

"I hate the disconnect between my brain and my tongue. It's an innate part of me that I can't seem to fight, no matter how hard I try. The words stick in my throat.."

From the very beginning of this book, I'm hooked. Again, I want to know more. I want to know Savannah's past, but I also want to know what happens to her. Does she find happiness? Does she find Paul?  

The story follows Savannah to China where she teaches English. Savannah meets new friends, finds joy in teaching, and tries to push herself out of her comfort zone. There are successes and failures as she pushes herself, but that is what life is right? Savannah meets more than one Paul. I find her journey in finding "her Paul" interesting. I like seeing her look beyond her preconceived notions of what or who Paul is. We do find out what the "Red Bird Incident" is. And we do learn some of Savannah's other secrets. 

The story is written with months written at the Chapter headings. This helps the reader understand the time frame as Taylor Dean writes many flashbacks. I like that she did it this way. Miss Pearl, The Matchmaker, shows up in the flashbacks. And, through her miraculous power, she also shows up in the present. Miss Pearl continues to amaze me with her compassion and insight. She does have The Power of the Matchmaker.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

You can purchase this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble 

Willowkeep by Julie Daines

Willowkeep by Julie Daines

Summary from Goodreads:
Charlotte Darby’s ship is sinking. Penniless and alone, she is struggling to care for herself and her young sister in the harsh seaport town of Kingston upon Hull. When a solicitor from London brings news that she is the heir to a vast estate in Kent, it seems her days of rough seas are over. Willowkeep is prosperous and grand, far too much for a shipping merchant’s daughter to manage, and she quickly comes to rely on the help of Henry Morland, the estate’s kind and handsome steward.

Henry has worked hard his entire life, but all the money he’s saved won’t be enough to get his father out of debtor’s prison. Henry’s fondness for Charlotte and her sister is only another reminder of his low status and lack of money. Though he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Charlotte happy and looked after, as the county’s wealthiest lady, she can never be his.

Courted by a charming man of the ton, threatened by those desperate to get their hands on her money, and determined to keep her sister safe from the same fate that cost her the rest of her family, Charlotte turns to the ghost of the beheaded queen, Anne Boleyn, for help. But no matter the size of the fortune, life—and love—are never smooth sailing. 

5 Stars

Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
This is the first book I've read by Julie Daines. I will definitely be checking out her other works. 

I have read historical fiction where the wealthy gentleman sweeps the pretty girl off her feet. Her life is changed, her problems are solved. Think Cinderella. One of the things I love about this story is that it mixes all of those typical stories up.

Here we have a woman who has nothing. She is literally living day to day on what she can scrap together. She is lifted up from this situation not by the love of her life, but by inheriting a fortune from an unknown-to-her relative. This throws her into a new world, one that is difficult in its own way. Charlotte, our heroine, is smart and resourceful. But in this new situation she needs help. She finds that help in Henry.

From the moment Charlotte meets Henry she has a friend and confidant. Henry helps Charlotte through her transition and at the same time faces his own problems. He doesn't want to burden her when she is going through so much herself. I love that these two characters both have trials in their lives and find relief from those difficulties with each other. 

An added layer to this story is Charlotte's sister. We learn through Charlotte's relationship with her sister some of the horrific history of this family. Charlotte's difficulties are not just learning how to live in a different economic circumstance. 

Some of this story is told through Charlotte's letters to Anne Boleyn. It is interesting to read how Charlotte sees Anne and uses this relationship. I love when a book gets me interested in history. This one does just that. 

This story is not a Cinderella story. The heroine is truly our heroine. In some ways, she is the one to "save the day". With both characters in need, they find peace with each other. They lift each other up to a better place. 

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

You can purchase this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Deseret Book
Seagull Book