Category: Forever

Marry Me by Midnight (Once Upon the East End: Book 1) by Felicia Grossman

~ Jolie ~ Leave a comment

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever

Date of publication: August 8th, 2023

Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Fiction, Adult, MF Romance, Adult Fiction, Victorian

Series: Once Upon the East End

Marry Me by Midnight—Book 1

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Every love story begins with once upon a time .
 
London, 1832 : Isabelle Lira may be in distress, but she’s no damsel. Since her father’s death, his former partners have sought to oust her from their joint equity business. Her only choice is to marry—and  fast —to a powerful ally outside the respected Berab family’s sphere of influence. Only finding the right spouse will require casting a wide net. So she’ll host a series of festivals, to which  every  eligible Jewish man is invited.
 
Once, Aaron Ellenberg longed to have a family of his own. But as the synagogue custodian, he is too poor for wishes and not foolish enough for dreams. Until the bold, beautiful Isabelle Lira presents him with an irresistible offer . . . if he ensures her favored suitors have no hidden loyalties to the Berabs, she will provide him with money for a new life.
 
Yet the transaction provides surprising temptation, as Aaron and Isabelle find caring and passion in the last person they each expected. Only a future for them is impossible—for heiresses don’t marry orphans, and love only conquers in children’s tales. But if Isabelle can find the courage to trust her heart, she’ll discover anything is possible, if only she says yes. 

First Line:

If one wanted to hide, the front row of the women’s balcony in the Great Synagogue at Duke’s Place was not where to do so.

Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman

Isabelle is in a bind. Since her father’s death, her father’s partner, the Berabs, has been slowly freezing her out of the business. And he now has given her an ultimatum: Marry or he will take the company over wholly. Backed into a corner, Isabelle decides to throw three festivals. There, she hopes to find a husband who will be more ruthless than her late father’s business partner. When Isabelle meets Aaron, the temple’s handsome custodian, she makes him an offer: Spy on her suitors and let her know where their loyalties lie. If her chosen suitor is not loyal to the Berabs, then she will give him enough money so he can start a new life. But Isabelle and Aaron were not expecting the attraction that they felt towards each other. Isabelle and Aaron must push their feelings aside if Isabelle is to marry. Will Isabelle marry for all the wrong reasons? Will Aaron be able to do what Isabelle wants without his feelings getting in the way?

When I read the blurb for Marry Me by Midnight, I was instantly intrigued. This book is the first Jewish reverse Cinderella Victorian romance I have ever read. I was intrigued enough to download this book from Forever. I am glad that I did because this was a great read!

Marry Me by Midnight is the first book in the Once Upon the East End series. Since this is the first book in the series, you don’t need to do anything I usually tell you to do in this section.

Marry Me by Midnight is a fast-paced book set in the East End of London during the Victorian Era. The pacing for this book did suit the storyline. There was a little lag in the middle (while Aaron gathered intel) and toward the end. But it did not affect how I liked the book.

The main storyline in Marry Me by Midnight centers around Aaron, Isabelle, her need to get married, their bargain, and their falling in love. I found this storyline to be fascinating. As I mentioned above, I haven’t read many books centered around the Jewish religion/community in the Victorian era. So, I was very interested and excited to read it. I found the storyline well-written (a little unbelievable in places, though) and was completely engrossed by it.

Several more minor secondary storylines helped flesh out the main storyline and characters. They were also well-written.

I liked Isabelle, even if I found her slightly too modern for the Victorian era. Victorian England was not woman-centric (women were still considered property at this point), and what Isabelle was trying to do (have a say in the business) was unheard of. Now, saying this, I don’t know if the Jewish community in that era did things differently, so I gave Isabelle a lot of leeway. Regardless, I liked her and was rooting for her character to overcome her obstacles.

I liked Aaron, but I needed help connecting with him. The author mentioned that he left the Jewish community to live among the Gentiles and returned injured and shamed. The author said nothing more on that matter. I would have loved to know what happened to him. I also found him bumbling and rather clueless when getting information for Isabelle. I mean, everyone was onto him. Still, it didn’t affect how much I liked him.

I liked that the author took the Cinderella fairytale and flipped it. I loved who his fairy godmother turned out to be. I did not see that coming at all.

The storyline with Isabelle, the Berabs, the business, and Isabelle needing to marry was interesting and annoying. It was a situation where everything could have been solved by talking instead of people going to the nuclear option.

The storyline with Isabelle, Aaron, and his spying was amusing. As I mentioned above, Aaron wasn’t a good spy. He bumbled his way through everything, and I was surprised that he even got the information that he got (if that makes sense).

The storyline with Isabelle, Aaron, and their romance was sweet. I liked how Aaron tried to hold Isabelle off as long as he could until he gave in. Also, the sex scenes were wild.

I wish the author had gone into more detail about the Jewish community in London. She did an afterward explaining the basis for the fictional community and its history. I wish more details were given about the temple and what happened there.

The end of Marry Me by Midnight was your typical HEA. I liked that the author wrapped everything up and left everything happy. I am also looking forward to book 2.

I would recommend Marry Me by Midnight to anyone over 21. There is sex, violence but no language.

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley, and Felicia Grossman for allowing me to read and review Marry Me by Midnight. All opinions stated in this book are mine.

If you enjoy reading books similar to Marry Me by Midnight, then check these out:

Other books by Felicia Grossman:

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek (Sweetwater Springs: Book 4) by Annie Rains

~ Jolie ~ 4 Comments
Starting Over at Blueberry Creek: Includes a bonus novella (Sweetwater Springs Book 4) by [Rains, Annie]

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever

Date of publication: February 25th, 2020

Genre: Romance

Series: Sweetwater Springs

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane—Book 1 (Review Here)

A Wedding on Lavender Hill—Book 1.5

Springtime at Hope Cottage—Book 2 (Review Here)

Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs—Book 2.5

Snowfall on Cedar Trail—Book 3 (Review Here)

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek—Book 4

Where you can find Starting Over at Blueberry Creek: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains welcomes you back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina, with a charming friends-to-lovers story between a sexy fireman and the beautiful woman who mends his heart.
Should they fan the flames or douse this fire before someone gets seriously burned?

Firefighter Luke Marini moved to the small town of Sweetwater Springs with the highest of hopes – new town, new job, and new neighbors who know nothing of his past. And that’s just how he wants to keep it. But it’s nearly impossible when the gorgeous brunette next door decides to be the neighborhood welcome wagon. She’s sugar, spice, and everything nice – but getting close to someone again is playing with fire.

Brenna McConnell put college on hold to raise her little sister. Now that Eve is grown, Brenna is ready to leave Blueberry Creek and finish what she started. Moving on isn’t easy, however, when her gruff new neighbor gives Eve a dangerous firefighting job. And yet, even as Brenna is telling him off for putting her sister in harm’s way, she can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between them. She put her dreams on hold once. Is she willing to make that sacrifice again for a chance at forever?

First Line:

The aroma of sugar, spice, and butter filled Brenna McConnell’s kitchen.

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek by Annie Rains

My Review:

I was curious about who the romance would be centered around in Starting Over at Blueberry Creek. So, I was excited when I saw that it was going to be Brenna’s romance. I had been curious about her backstory, and of course, I wanted to see who her true love would be.

Now, I did like Starting Over at Blueberry Creek. I loved Brenna and Luke’s romance. I loved how they interacted. Heck, I even loved the dog. But, it was Eve and Ryan that almost killed the book for me. Let me explain why.

Eve was a brat. I get that she was a teenager, but she acted like she was a child for most of the book. Eve had zero sympathy for Brenna. She also acted like a child on the job. She wants to be a firefighter, yet on her first call, she runs into a burning building to save kittens. And after Luke told her not to? Oh, and let’s not forget that she was caught drinking underage by her boss. If you couldn’t tell, I didn’t like her.

Ryan is the other one who scenes almost killed the book. He had appeared in previous books, and I know his backstory. I felt terrible for him, and I was thrilled that he got a job. Ryan was one of the most immature, insubordinate secondary characters I have ever read (well, next to Eve). The things he did in this book would have gotten him fired in real life. I knew quite a few firefighters, and I can confidently say that the stuff Ryan pulled would have gotten him fired.

I did like Brenna, and I thought that her character did a lot of growth throughout the book. She was a good person, and it showed. Not a lot of college-aged girls would willingly drop out of college to raise their pre-teen sisters. She dealt with Eve’s crap well, even though she wondered where she went wrong. By the end of the book, she was a better person for her experiences.

I liked Luke. His backstory was so tragic. I knew something was up when he glossed over the fire. But I wasn’t expecting what he revealed. I loved how close he was to his family too. I thought he was a great acting fire chief. I did think he was a little too lenient with Ryan and Eve. While I didn’t like his insecurities, I did like that the author chose to have him realistically handle them.

Luke and Brenna’s relationship was perfect. I liked that they were open and honest with each other from the beginning. I also liked that they both wanted to bring it to the next step. What I liked the most is that they talked through their issues like adults instead of acting like children. The only time they did that was when Eve was hurt, and even then, Brenna’s emotions were all over the place.

The sex scenes in Starting Over at Blueberry Creek were discreetly written. I liked that. Instead of getting graphic, the author let me imagine what was going on in bed. That didn’t take away from the story at all. Instead, it allowed me to focus on Brenna and Luke’s relationship.

I did figure that Brenna was going to go down the path she did with her job. I called it from the beginning. Not that it was a bad thing, I liked seeing her seesaw back and forth before doing what was right for her. Of course, what happened towards the end of that storyline was a given.

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek is the 4th book in the Sweetwater Springs series. You can read this as a stand-alone. But, I would read the previous three books. That way, you can understand the different friendships and everything else.

The end of Starting Over at Blueberry Creek was your typical HEA. I loved it. What I liked, even more, was that epilogue. Talk about making me cry!!! I also like that I think I know who the next book will feature.

I would give Starting Over at Blueberry Creek an Adult rating. There is non-graphic sex. There is mild language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Starting Over at Blueberry Creek. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Snowfall of Cedar Trail (Sweetwater Springs: Book 3) by Annie Rains

~ Jolie ~ 2 Comments
Snowfall on Cedar Trail: Two full books for the price of one (Sweetwater Springs Book 3) by [Rains, Annie]

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever

Date of publication: September 24th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Sweetwater Springs

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane—Book 1 (review here)

A Wedding on Lavender Hill—Book 1.5

Springtime at Hope Cottage—Book 2 (review here)

Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs—Book 2.5

Snowfall on Cedar Trail—Book 3

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek—Book 4 (expected publication date February 2020)

Where you can find Snowfall on Cedar Trail: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a heartwarming holiday romance between the a small-town florist and the handsome chief of police. Includes a bonus novel by Miranda Liasson!

Last Christmas was tough for Halona Locklear and her seven-year-old son Theo, who hasn’t spoken a word since his father’s death. This year, Halona wants nothing more than to give him a good holiday and to hear his sweet voice again. Enrolling him in the Mentor Match program might help, but when Theo gets matched with Sweetwater Springs Chief of Police, Alex Baker, Halona realizes that the handsome hero might know secrets about her past that she is determined to keep buried.

Chief of Police, Alex Baker, re-opens his father’s hit-and-run cold case every December, hoping to finally solve it. This year, his plate is full with being a Mentor Match to a young seven-year-old boy as well. His biggest obstacle, however, is fighting his attraction to the boy’s mother, Halona. As Alex gets close to solving his father’s cold case, he learns that those closest to him may be in danger — including Halona. Alex has already lost one of the most important people in his life; he isn’t about to lose her too, even if it means walking away to keep her safe.

First Line:

Something crashed in the kitchen

Snowfall on Cedar Trails by Annie Rains

My Review:

I love romance novels set around Thanksgiving/Christmas. I always get in the holiday mood while reading them. So, when I saw the Annie Rains had another book set around Thanksgiving/Christmas, I knew that I had to read it. I am glad that I did!! Because of this book, I was in the holiday mood for days.

The plotline for Snowfall on Cedar Trail was medium paced. The medium pace of the plotline worked for me. If the book had been faster-paced, an essential part of the plotline would have been glossed over.

I liked Halona. She was doing everything she could to run her business and get her son the help he needed. There was no place in her life for romance, which I understand. I thought her crush on Alex was cute. But she was wary of getting involved with him. I thought it was because of Theo’s issues, but then there was another reason why. That reason broke my heart when it was revealed. It also reinforced, in my eyes, how strong she was and had to be.

I loved Alex. He took his job as police chief seriously. When the book started, he was trying to help a battered woman leave her husband. He had also reopened his father’s cold case, trying to see if there were any new clues about his death. Then, while checking on the battered woman, he takes an abused puppy from her husband. On top of that, he had agreed to become a mentor to a child in need. It was a lot. His interactions with Halona, Theo, the town folk, and Officer Chew (the puppy and I LOVED the name!!) made the book.

Halona and Alex’s romance was a slow burn. I loved that they had been crushing on each other since, well, forever. They did have their ups and down, though. A significant down with their relationship was Halona’s ex-husband and how he treated her. But, they did get past it. When they did, their romance went into high gear.

Theo’s selective mutism was a significant part of the storyline. It was the reason that Theo was placed in the mentor program and in turn, got paired with Alex. I did feel bad for Theo. He saw his father doing something horrible to his mother. It affected him so much that he stopped talking. It broke my heart. But, I was glad to see that Alex was able to help Theo. But, I didn’t buy the end of that storyline. It seemed to me almost too perfect.

Another storyline that ended almost too perfectly was Alex’s father’s cold case and the battered woman’s storyline. I wasn’t a fan of Halona giving Tony advice about how to win his wife BACK. I mean, he beat his wife and a puppy. I also didn’t like how the cold case ended up. It left me with more questions, which drove me nuts.

The end of Snowfall of Cedar Trail was cute but seemed a little rushed. I couldn’t figure out who the next book will be about.

I would give Snowfall on Cedar Trail an Adult rating. There is sex. There is mild language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Snowfall on Cedar Trail. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Christmas in Harmony Harbor (Harmony Harbor: Book 9) by Debbie Mason

~ Jolie ~ 3 Comments
Christmas in Harmony Harbor: Includes a bonus story by [Mason, Debbie]

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever

Date of publication: October 1st 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Harmony Harbor

Mistletoe Cottage—Book 1

Christmas with an Angel—Book 1.5

Starlight Bridge-–Book 2

Primrose Lane—Book 3

Sugarplum Way—Book 4

Driftwood Cove—Book 5

Sandpiper Shore—Book 6

The Corner of Holly and Ivy-–Book 7 (review here)

Barefoot Beach—Book 8

Christmas in Harmony Harbor—Book 9

Where you can find Christmas in Harmony Harbor: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | BookBub

Book Synopsis:

Evangeline Christmas will do anything to save her year-round Christmas store, Holiday House, when high-powered real-estate developer Caine Elliot uses his money and influence to push through his competing property next door. When her last desperate attempt to stop him fails, she gambles everything on a proposition she prays the handsome, blue-eyed player can’t refuse.

Caine agrees to Evie’s bargain because how hard can it be to fulfill three wishes on the Angel Tree at Holiday House? The wishes have him reliving the Christmases of his past and taking part in the holiday festivities of Christmas present. But just when he begins to believe Evie might be his Christmas future, dark secrets from his past are revealed.

Will the last wish on the Angel Tree be enough to give Caine and Evie the happy ending they deserve?

First Line:

A power outage on Black Friday was the last thing Evangeline Christmas needed.

Christmas in Harmony Harbor by Debbie Mason

My Review:

I haven’t read a Christmas based romance that I didn’t like. Reading about two people falling in love during the most magical time of the year always gets me misty-eyed. So, when I saw that Debbie Mason had written another book in her Harmony Harbor series, I couldn’t wait to read it!!

I loved the plotline of Christmas in Harmony Harbor. It was fast-paced and well written. There was a spot in the book where it lagged. But the author was able to get the book back on track.

The storyline of Christmas in Harmony Harbor was interesting. It was a mixture of A Christmas Carol and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It reminded me of A Christmas Carol because of the journey that Caine took during the time he was with Evie. Each task he had to complete had him reflecting on his past, present, and future. It reminded me of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas because Caine’s heart grew three sizes too large towards the end of the book.

I was surprised to find out that Christmas in Harmony Harbor was going to be the last book in the Harmony Harbor series. That upset me because I didn’t want the series to end. Hopefully, the author will start a new series that features a least some of the unattached characters (thinking Clio here). That way, I can catch up on what the characters in this series have been doing.

Christmas in Harmony Harbor can be read as a standalone book. But, considering the intertwining storylines, I would read the previous books. I wish I did because some plotlines were mentioned that had me going, “Huh?”

I loved Evie, but she was a hot mess. She was trying to save her family business and disrupt Caine’s plans for her house. But, she did make me laugh during the book. I thought her idea to win Caine over by using the Angel Tree was perfect. I also liked how she saw the best in everyone/thing. Like her shop. It was a rat, and mice-infested mess, yet she loved it.

I didn’t like Caine for the first half of the book. He was hellbent on getting revenge on the Gallaghers on behalf of his grandmother. But then he met Evie, and he started to thaw. He agreed to 3 wishes from the Angel Tree. It was after that scene that I began to like him. But, I wish that he stood up to his grandmother sooner.

Caine and Evie’s romance was cute. They weren’t expecting to develop feelings for each other. Caine viewed Evie as a PITA, and Evie thought Caine was the second coming of Satan. But I saw that spark. The minute that Caine went into the basement and faced down rats, I knew it. I loved it, even though it was Instalove.

I thought that the secondary characters made this book. Caine’s grandmother, GG, Seamus, Evie’s mother, and all of the characters from the previous book added depth to the story. My favorite was Seamus. I had this mental picture of this barrel-chested, handsome Irishman helping his nephew. My least favorite was Caine’s grandmother. Up until the end, she insisted on doing things that harmed everyone. I also couldn’t get past what she told and do to Caine. I did a mental “WTF” when that came out.

The end of Christmas in Harmony Harbor was bittersweet. I liked it because I got to see Caine and Evie’s HEA. But I was sad because the author is ending the series.

I would give Christmas in Harmony Harbor an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is very mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Christmas in Harmony Harbor. I would recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

Springtime at Hope Cottage (Sweetwater Springs: Book 2) by Annie Rains

~ Jolie ~ 4 Comments
Springtime at Hope Cottage: Includes a bonus short story (Sweetwater Springs Book 2) by [Rains, Annie]

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Date of publication: March 5th, 2019

Genre: Romance

Series: Sweetwater Springs

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane—book 1 (review here)

Springtime at Hope Cottage—book 2

A Wedding on Lavender Hill—book 2.5

Meet Me at Sweetwater Springs—book 2.75 (expected publication date August 6th, 2019

Snowfall on Cedar Trail—book 3 (expected publication date October 8th, 2019)

Where you can find Springtime at Hope Cottage: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub

Synopsis:

Fans of RaeAnne Thayne and Debbie Mason will want to cozy up with this small-town series from USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains.

When opposites attract…

As an editor at a major New York City magazine, Josie Kellum is always on the go…until an injury sidelines her in the small town of Sweetwater Springs. Luckily, her new physical therapist is easy going and easy on the eyes. When their sessions start to heat up, in more ways than one, Josie is intrigued. But she has a city and career she loves waiting for her. So why does the thought of leaving him suddenly feel a lot like leaving home? 

Tucker Locklear is just starting to move on after his wife’s death. While he can’t deny his attraction to the gorgeous, vivacious Josie, he won’t risk the pain of losing someone again. The sooner he gets Josie back on her feet and back to her real life, the safer he’ll be. But in Sweetwater Springs, love has a way of mending even the most damaged heart.

Includes the bonus short story “Last Chance Bride” from Hope Ramsay.

My review:

Josie needed a vacation. Sweetwater Springs is the obvious choice. Since her best friend runs a successful B&B. Josie meets Tucker when he picks her up at the airport. Her relationship with him continues after she falls and injures her knee. Tucker, a physical therapist, offers his services. The Josie receives a call. Her apartment was involved in a fire. Which means she can’t go home. Stuck, she agrees to live in an apartment above Tucker’s garage. What could go wrong?

Tucker has decided to move on after his wife’s death, 2 years ago. While he was attracted to Josie, he knows that having a relationship with her wouldn’t happen. But, the more they get thrown together, the more Tucker realizes that he needs Josie in his life. Can he convince her to stay in Sweetwater Springs?

Josie: I liked Josie’s character. I liked that she was real and that she was easy to relate to. She was a spitfire. She didn’t hold back her opinions on things. But she also had a soft side. She didn’t throw temper tantrums when her love interest had different views than her. Instead, she talked about it with him. I loved it.

Tucker: I liked him. He was the perfect foil for Josie’s character. Where she was always on the go, he was more laid back. I did like that he was a physical therapist. It was interesting to read about the different ways that he helped people heal. As for his relationship with Josie, he eased into it. There was no Instalove. No jumping into bed the first hour they met. Instead, he formed a relationship with her. It was refreshing to read.

Springtime at Hope Cottage was a great romance to read. The plot was easy to follow. The romance between Tucker and Josie was realistic and believable.

The plotlines of Springtime at Hope Cottage were well written. There was zero unnecessary drama in the book. Y’all know what I mean. A character comes out of nowhere to throw a wrench in the relationship of the main characters. Not here. The only surprise wasn’t a surprise. I figured it out early in the book. But, I still liked how that storyline played out

My only complaint with Springtime at Hope Cottage was that I didn’t get a feel for Tucker and Josie sexually. There was sexual tension but those scenes were far between. By the time they did have sex, I couldn’t get into it.

The end of Springtime at Hope Cottage was sweet. The author did a fantastic job of wrapping up all the storylines. Nothing was left hanging. There were no sudden twists in the plot. It was a sweet ending to a sweet story.

I would give Springtime at Hope Cottage an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Springtime at Hope Cottage. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Springtime at Hope Cottage.

All opinions stated in this review of Springtime at Hope Cottage are mine.

Have you read Springtime at Hope Cottage?

What are your thoughts on it?

Do opposites really attract?

Let me know!!

The Corner of Holly and Ivy by Debbie Mason

~ Jolie ~ 4 Comments

The Corner of Holly and Ivy: A feel-good Christmas romance

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever, Grand Central Publishing

Date of publication: October 30th, 2018

Genre: Romance

Where you can find The Corner of Holly and Ivy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads synopsis:

Sometimes love is just around the corner . . .

With her dreams of being a wedding dress designer suddenly over, Arianna Bell isn’t expecting a holly jolly Christmas. Instead, her heart feels about three sizes too small. That is until her high school sweetheart Connor Gallagher returns to town and she finds his mere presence still makes her pulse race. But just when she starts dreaming of kissing under the mistletoe, he announces that he will be her opponent in the upcoming mayoral race…

Hot-shot attorney Connor Gallagher has something to prove. He’s tired of playing runner-up to his high-achieving brothers. So when the opportunity to enter the campaign comes up, he takes it. Even if it means running against the only woman he’s ever loved. But with a little help from Harmony Harbor’s local matchmakers and a lot of holiday cheer, Connor and Arianna may just get the happy ever after they both deserve.

My review:

I have read a lot of Christmas themed romances lately. I love reading these types of books. They get me in the mood for Christmas. Plus, they’re romances. And everyone knows how much I love romances. So when the publisher approached me to review The Corner of Holly and Ivy, I jumped at it. I was also excited to read a book by Debbie Mason. I have seen her books around the blogosphere but I never have had the chance to review one.

The Corner of Holly and Ivy is Arianna and Connor’s romance. Arianna was injured in a fire that destroyed half the businesses on Main Street, including her business. Harboring guilt over surviving the fire, she has sequestered herself in her house with her grandmother. Connor is an attorney who is back in Harmony Harbor after being blackballed by his ex-employer. Sparks fly when Arianna and Connor, who dated as teenagers, are forced to run opposite of each other in a mayoral race. Old feelings come back as they run against each other. But, Arianna has a secret. A secret that can threaten her and Connor’s love. Can they survive it?

I liked and pitied Arianna. She had been through so much before the book even started. The fire did a number not only on her body but on her self-confidence. She wasn’t able to do what she loved, designing wedding dresses. She was living in a state of depression until her grandmother forced her out of it by deciding to run for mayor. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. It was sweet and pure (as weird as that sounds). She would do anything for her Glamma. That includes stepping in for her when Glamma asked her. I also liked how she dealt with Connor and his being around more often. She didn’t want to fall back in love with him. She fought it. Her secret was heartbreaking too!!

I liked Connor. He was upfront with his feelings for Arianna right from the beginning. His distress at seeing her die and being brought back to life came off the pages. I also liked how loyal he was to his family. When Daniel had a “heart attack“, Connor was there to take over his mayoral campaign. I did think it was great that he was able to keep a sense of humor while running against Arianna. And he was in tune with his feelings for her.

I have to mention Glamma. I loved her. She was outspoken and she supported her granddaughter no matter what she did. I felt awful with what she was going through but I liked that she got a diagnosis. She was one of my favorite characters in the book. Her and Colleen. Colleen’s anger at Daniel and what she did to get back at him was hilarious. It was even funnier because she was a ghost and he had no flipping clue what was going on. Only Jasper and the cat.

I do have to mention Daniel. I didn’t like him. I thought he was a manipulator. What he did to his brother and his wife was unforgivable. But, he did get what was coming to him. I laughed that entire scene in the book. I might or might not have said: “You go Colleen“.

The secondary character in the book fleshed it out. They all had individual personality and quirks. I loved that these characters were so relatable (both secondary and main).

There were 3 major plotlines in The Corner of Holly and Ivy. What I enjoyed about the plotlines is that they went seamlessly from one to another. There is usually some choppiness when transitioning from plotline to plotline. Not here.

The first plotline was Arianna and Connor’s relationship, both past and present. I liked that while acknowledged, Arianna and Connor’s past relationship was kept in the past. I liked that the author had Connor work to be with Arianna. He had to show her that he wasn’t the jerk she remembered from her divorce. Just reading his escapades trying to win her over. I’ve gotta say that the puppy was perfect!!

The second plotline was Arianna’s relationship with her Glamma. I liked that Glamma was there for Arianna. She loved her unconditionally. She stepped up when Arianna’s mother didn’t. I sympathized with Arianna with Glamma’s issues with memory. I did laugh when Glamma asked Arianna to take over her campaign and her “help“. I loved it.

The third plotline was Arianna and Connor’s run for mayor. I wasn’t too sure how it was going to work out with them running against each other. I also wasn’t sure how much Daniel was going to be involved in Connor’s campaign. I thought the result of the election was hilarious and loved what the old mayor came up with. Then it was watching Arianna and Connor trying to one-up each other. I was a little surprised by the result.

The secondary storylines brought extra depth to the book. I loved the secret admirer one. I figured out who it was before it was revealed in the book. Arianna’s secret was another memorable one. I do wish that it had been introduced earlier in the book. I also didn’t like how her secret came out. It was heartbreaking and I don’t blame Connor for reacting the way he did. But still. She should have told him on her own terms.

There is no Instalove in The Corner of Holly and Ivy. While the main part of the story took place over a couple of months, Arianna and Connor’s relationship began when they were teenagers. I had no issue believing that they could fall back in love within a couple of months.

The romance in The Corner of Holly and Ivy was great. I liked seeing Connor work to win Arianna over. I liked seeing him admit that he screwed up. It made the romance so much sweeter.

There was chemistry between Connor and Arianna was there. I liked that it didn’t overwhelm the book. I understood that they wanted each other. Instead of being in your face, it was subtle. Sometimes you need subtle. Which brings me to the sex scenes. They were not graphic. Actually, I didn’t quite grasp that Arianna and Connor had sex until the end of the book. Then I was like “WHEN. When did you have sex?”

The end of The Corner of Holly and Ivy seemed rushed. I was confused at how certain events went down and certain characters reactions. But, I did like it. The author did a great job of wrapping everything up. She did leave a couple of storylines unended. I am hoping that will be a sequel to this book.

I gave The Corner of Holly and Ivy a 4-star rating. This was a cute read that got me into the Christmas spirit. I was a little confused at the ending. I felt that it was rushed. But overall, it was a great book that I enjoyed reading.

I would give The Corner of Holly and Ivy an Adult rating. There is sex but it is not graphic. There is mild violence. There is language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread The Corner of Holly and Ivy. I would also recommend to family and friends.

I would like to thank Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Corner of Holly and Ivy.

All opinions stated in this review of The Corner of Holly and Ivy are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Have you read The Corner of Holly and Ivy?

Love it? 

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Let me know!!!

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by Annie Rains

~ Jolie ~ 8 Comments

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane

4 Stars

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Date of publication: September 25th, 2018

Genre: Romance

Where you can find Christmas on Mistletoe Lane: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads synopsis:

This USA Today bestselling author invites you to the delightful small town of Sweetwater Springs where the magic of Christmas brings to strangers together in this “story you won’t forget” (RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author).

Christmas is coming to the North Carolina mountains, and the air is fresh and crisp and filled with promise. After the devastating loss of her job in the big city, the small town of Sweetwater Springs feels like heaven to Kaitlyn Russo. She’s inherited her grandparents’ charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast, and it’s just the new lease on life she needs. Only “heaven” comes with a catch-and a handsome and completely infuriating one at that. 

After what he hopes will be a quick trip, Mitch Hargrove wants nothing more than to put his hometown in the rearview mirror. But his plans get derailed when he learns he’s now half-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The fact that he’s given only two months to make the inn a success is a huge problem, but it’s his pretty-and incredibly headstrong-partner who’s the real challenge. With the holiday fast approaching and a grand re-opening looming, will Mitch keep running from the ghosts of Christmas past . . . or will he realize the true gift he’s been given? 

My review:

When I saw that Annie Rains was coming out with a new book, I knew that I had to read it. But I wasn’t expecting to get approved for the review. So, when I saw the email from NetGalley stating that I got approved, I was happy and excited to read this book.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane is one of those books that will make you smile while reading it. Kaitlyn’s enthusiasm for running her late grandmother’s bed and breakfast was catching. I found myself getting excited with her when Mitch said he would stick around for the terms of the will. I laughed when she was coming up with names for each room. It was a happy book.

There were some sad parts. There were also parts that made me mad. The reason Kaitlyn lost her job made me furious. I wanted to go smack that guy so bad. I kept thinking to myself “The Me Too movement would have a field day with that guy AND her ex-employer.” I also wanted to shake her mother when Kaitlyn finally told her what was going on. I did say out loud “Are you freaking serious!!!” The other sad part was the reason Mitch didn’t want to be anywhere near Sweetwater. When he explained to Kaitlyn what happened, I felt awful for him. But, when everything came out, I got mad. Talk about abuse of power.

The romance between Mitch and Kaitlyn was cute. I like how it played out as it would in real life. I have read too many romances where the problems of the main character went away as soon as they hooked up. Kaitlyn and Mitch had very real problems. It made the book so much more enjoyable to read for me.

Mitch and Kaitlyn had some serious sexual chemistry going on between them. Even the other characters noticed it. Which made for some pretty interesting conversations…lol. What I liked about this book is that while they had sex, it wasn’t the main focus of the book. The author didn’t waste any time on it. They went to bed at the end of one chapter and woke up rumpled the beginning of the other one. That meant I had to use my imagination for the sex scenes.

I had a connection to both Kaitlyn and Mitch. I understood why they acted the way they did. I understood why Kaitlyn needed to make this bed and breakfast work. I also understood why Mitch didn’t want to be in Sweetwater any longer than he had to be.

The secondary characters made this book shine. Each character had their own personality and brought a bit of oomph to the plotline. I enjoyed the antics of the first guests at the bed and breakfast. I liked Paris (and hope that he has a book soon!!). I also liked Chris and Nate. What Kaitlyn did for them was amazing. If only more people did that.

The end of the book is a tear-jerker. I will admit that I cried during it. Let’s say that everything was wrapped up in a way that I loved. And the epilogue. It was everything that I hoped for and more.

What I liked about Christmas on Mistletoe Lane:

A) Book made me smile

B) Kaitlyn and Mitch’s romance

C) The secondary characters

What I disliked about Christmas on Mistletoe Lane:

A) What happened to Kaitlyn

B) What happened to Mitch

C) How Kaitlyn’s mother responded to what Kaitlyn told her

I gave Christmas on Mistletoe Lane a 4-star rating. This was a well written, cute romance. I had a smile the entire time I read the book. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book that would affect my rating.

I would give Christmas on Mistletoe Lane an Adult rating. There is sex, not explicit. There is some mild violence. There is mild language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Christmas on Mistletoe Lane. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Christmas on Mistletoe Lane.

All opinions stated in this review of Christmas on Mistletoe Lane are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**