Review: Juniper Hill by Devney Perry

From USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry comes a small town, neighbors to lovers romance.

Memphis Ward arrives in Quincy, Montana, on the fifth worst day of her life. She needs a shower. She needs a snack. She needs some sanity. Because moving across the country with her newborn baby is by far the craziest thing she’s ever done.

But maybe it takes a little crazy to build a good life. If putting the past behind her requires a thousand miles and a new town, she’ll do it if it means a better future for her son. Even if it requires setting aside the glamour of her former life. Even if it requires working as a housekeeper at The Eloise Inn and living in an apartment above a garage.

t’s there, on the fifth worst day of her life, that she meets the handsomest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Knox Eden is a beautiful, sinful dream, a chef and her temporary landlord. With his sharp, stubbled jaw and tattooed arms, he’s raw and rugged and everything she’s never had—and never will. Because after the first worst day of her life, Memphis learned a good life requires giving up on her dreams too. And a man like Knox Eden will only ever be a dream.

Review

I enjoyed Juniper Hill. I found it to be extremely heartfelt and passionate. It’s a story about healing, growth, and falling in love. It had all the juicy tropes:

Small Town Romance

Single Mom

Forced Proximity

And so many other ones. It was not to be sucked into this world. It’s a fast-paced narrative with likable main characters and a swoony man lead. Honestly, Knox is top book boyfriend material. Bonus points because he can cook!

I think one of my favorite things about this book was once Memphis and Knox were together, they were together. He had already started developing a relationship with her son, which was the purest thing. And he gained her trust. There was no third act break up or any miscommunication. They were a team and supported each other.

I was a little shocked in terms of the reveal of Memphis’ background and the events of the final act, but I rolled with it. And once it was all resolved it made the ending much more sweet and precious.

Final Thoughts

Juniper Hill was a sweet and angsty romance about someone running from their past and finding their future in a small town. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: Secrets From the Heart by Sean D. Young

Secrets from the Heart is a small town romance that will warm your heart. This is the second book in the Clover Creek series by Sean D. Young. If you haven’t read the first book, no worries because this can be read as a standalone. Even though this is such a sweet series, I think you should read the first so you don’t miss out.

Kira Davis, not from Clover Creek, got the keys to her family’s inn, Red Rose. Charming and full of history, this is everything that she could've dreamed of in spite of any doubts as to whether she could make it successful. In need of a manager, the only candidate that applies, Franklin Bennett, eager and willing happens to come from a family that currently isn’t welcomed by hers. True to her instincts, she decides to give him a chance against her family’s wishes hoping she isn’t making a mistake.

Despite their families long time feud, working together seems to unravel mixed feelings and doubt. As they bring the Inn to success, they find themselves developing a growing bond that puts them in an uncertain future. With the past looming over their relationship and secrets revealing themselves, they find the key to their future is mending the past.

Overall, this was a nice read. The storyline of what happened with both families and how they played out really was interesting. Their influence on the relationship between Kira and Franklin was strong and engaging. The relationship between Kira and Franklin was interesting but I felt like there was a point in the book where it felt uncertain in their transition from friendship to being in love, then rushed. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the journey of how they fell in love with each other but I wish we saw a little bit more of them being in love. 

I’m not sure if there are any upcoming books to be in the series. I’m hoping to revisit Clover Creek. If you get a chance and check out this series, make sure you back read to check out book one.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

Review: Claiming the Doctor's Heart by Sean D. Young

Claiming the Doctor’s Heart is the first book in the Clover Creek series by Sean D. Young. It’s a beautiful clean romance with a southern small town setting that will warm your heart and make you want to embrace this loving community as if it were your own. 

When his father took ill, Dr. Eric Bradley came back to Clover Creek temporarily to help with his practice. Like a fish out of water, he feels completely out of his element stepping into this new role as small town doctor. Since his field is in research, not being familiar with the nuisances of everyday patients, his bedside manner seems as if it needs a bit of refining. 

Lucky for him, the key to his success was right in front of him, Holly Ransom. She is such a sweet lady who works hard and is determined to be the best she can be to help him make things better. Not only does she work at the office but helps her parents with their bakery that is currently having hard times. With all that on her plate, she still keeps a smile on her face and is quickly becoming someone that he can depend on and rely on.

When an unexpected visit puts a time limit on his trip, he is forced to decide whether to give up the chance to fulfill his dreams or take a chance on a love and continue what his family created?

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s always refreshing when you come across small town romance books that are clean and you really can embrace the characters. I loved the familial influence of the book. Every family has their own ups and downs but it’s their love and support of one another that supports its foundation. The build of the relationship between Eric and Holly was so sweet and charming. I enjoyed the authenticity of their friendship blossoming into what it became. It made their hea all the sweeter. 

This was such a wonderful start to the series that I’m looking forward to what’s to come. The second book in the series is called Secrets from the Heart. From what I see, this can be read as a standalone but I recommend starting with the first so you can enjoy the series.  

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: April May Fall by Christina Hovland

Coming in new to the series, April May Fall by Christina Hovland really caught my attention. The third book in the Mommy Wars series, from what I have read, can be read as a standalone as well as the others. This was fun and relatable for those moms out there who work and truly have tried it all.

April Davis, like so many women out there, got shafted when it came to her love life. Here story like so many others where the husband leaves one day to run off while his wife is left behind with the children. For many it’s hard to rebuild but we love seeing people like April. Getting a chance to find her way through an opportunity to become a social influencer has really given her a purpose through all the imperfections.

Rising up and cheering her on from the sidelines, she’s been dubbed the Calm Mom. She shows mom how to stay calm through yoga. Despite the brand mantra she is trying to help with other women, her life sort of tells a different story. All changes when a live stream goes viral for just the opposite and she finds herself and her brand under a microscope. To help revitalize her downward spiral, media consultant to her brand, Jack Gibson, comes to town bringing more than just his ideas. As he spends more time with her and rebuilding her brand, they find themselves exploring more than just the job. 

Overall, I loved the book and look forward to back reading to catch up and see what’s to come. April was one of the characters that you can see yourself in and for those moms out there who can relate, can breathe a sigh of relief that you are not alone. One of the highlights in the book was the support of her friends that brought some memorable laugh out loud moments which made you want to be a part of their group. The book blended their friendship, divorce and learning how to embrace second chances. If you are looking for a fun new series, you should check this out.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming...

Nora Stephens' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.-

Review 

I think this might be one of my favorite books of the year. It’s definitely my favorite book like Emily Henry. There was something raw, romantic, and emotional about Book Lovers. I had planned to space this read out; however, I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

Nora Stephens described herself as the woman who the male lead in a book leaves in favor of the small town girl they met while away on business. She’s the hard-working woman in the city. The “shark”. The person who succeeds at getting her authors the best. One day, her exhausted younger sister suggests a girl trips to a small town in North Carolina, and they create a checklist to complete. While there Nora runs into Charlie, an editor who rudely passed on a book she had pitched two years earlier.

This story felt oddly familiar. It’s set in a small town. With sort of a dislike to lover’s vibes. There’s hilarious moments and witty banter, and small town antics. But it’s so different. It’s not a Hallmark movie. This story is about Nora’s journey. Her journey as she navigates through the different roles, she believes that she plays within the lives of people who are in her life and who were in her life. The romantic aspect of the story just so happens to be a part of Nora’s arc—weaved along as she discovers who she is.

Charlie is perfect. He might have seemed like a jerk at first; however, as Nora spends more time with him and finds out who he really is. She learns that he’s witty, and caring. And the perfect match for Nora. In a way, they both are so similar. Both are ambitious and competitive, and harness such a believable love story.  

I really enjoyed her relationship with Libby and Nora. They lost their mother at such a young age, and that caused Nora to step up and be the mother figure in her life. There was a moment at the end of the book, and I couldn’t help but sob. The conversation with Nora and Libby and the feelings between their upbringing was just so emotional. I think it’s something relatable to so many older siblings, especially older sisters, in the world.

Final Thoughts

Book Lovers was an incredible story about Nora Stephens as she discovers self-acceptance, finds love, bonds with her sister, and comes to terms with what she wants. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover

Review: Meet Me Halfway by Lilian James

Summary

Madison gave her heart to a boy at the age of sixteen, but all she got in return was a broken heart and a swollen belly.

Alone with a baby and desperate for the love she hadn’t found, she turned to a man who sealed his claim of devotion with a diamond ring.

He promised her a family. A life. A future. But his lies had only been a cover for the personal hell he introduced her to daily.

Now, at twenty-five, Madison has long since stopped believing in love. Balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses, she doesn’t have the time anyway.

So when the broody neighbor living in the other side of her duplex leaves a rude note on her door, she’s not interested.

Not in his dark hair, not in his physique, and definitely not in the dimples she’s only seen a hint of. She’s one hundred percent, absolutely, not interested.

Not even a little.

Review

I really enjoyed Meet Me Halfway.  It was a vulnerable, beautiful story of a mother doing the best she could. Madison had a difficult past, and would stop at nothing to give her son a great life.

This is told in the sole POV of Madison. She was an outstanding main character. She was vulnerable, honest, and brave. I admired her drive. And my heart broke for her each time she cried. Because truly, she was doing the best she could.

I would have loved to have the pov of Garrett. There's one chapter of his at the end, and that wasn’t enough. I would have loved to have his POV for when he was falling for Madison.  

Madison and Garrett were amazing. They had such a strong dislike for each other. Due to them both making assumptions about each other. And once they finally saw who they were, the build up to their eventual romantic relationship was everything. He fit so well. And I think what helped with his relationship was Jamie. Jamie was very protective of his mother, and he made sure to take time to bond with him. I don’t know a better man.

I think one of my favorite things about this book was the delicate relationship. James and Madison had a wonderful relationship. I loved the friendship between Layla and Madison. Layla literally dropped everything to move across the country to be with her friend. And helped her with James. And in addition to that, she had a wonderful relationship with James. Literally best friend goals.

Final Thoughts

Meet Me Halfway was an emotional story of a single mother who is doing her best. She's working three jobs, going to school and trying to be there for her son. And when she least expects it she meets someone who is willing to meet her halfway and take her as she is.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org