Review Catch Up

It's that time again... I am catching up on review copies that didn't already have a blog post scheduled. 

ARC READS

Playmaker by L.P. Dover

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

The books in the Breakaway series are all interconnected stand-alones and this one focuses on Maddox and Lacey. When we met then in the previous book, we discovered that they had a past and here we get to explore just what that history entails.
This is an entertaining and interesting second chance story. Emotional issues are hinted at, but there isn't a deep dive into them. Maddox and Lacey are both characters that are fairly easy to like, but I have to admit that for me, Maddox was the more appealing character. In almost all of the drama between the couple, Lacey was the factor that either created or accelerated the tension. While this didn't stop me from liking her, it left me a little frustrated that someone with her education and skill set wouldn't be more mature.
Since this is part of a series, the secondary cast plays significant roles in the story. The couples from books one and two in the series are present, especially Callie and Dallas from book two since they are related (Brother and Cousin) to Lacey and Maddox. This means there are potential spoilers if you aren't reading in order. We also see characters that will most likely feature in future stories.
This was a fun book and has me interested to see what might be in store for Justin and Braeden.

Amazon

Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery

My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Author

In Sister’s Like Us, Ms Mallery tackles the complex emotions that come as we move through life.
Harper is a recent divorcee learning how to make her life work for her today. Her sister, Stacey, is struggling with becoming a mother later in life. Becca, is Harper’s daughter, and dealing with being 16.
I enjoyed watching the journey all 3 women took both individually and together. They all grew so much as they tackled their challenges. I found myself relating to both Harper and Stacey - part of that is age, but also the struggle of work/life balance.
The secondary cast is small, but a couple of the secondary characters make a big impact. Lucas appeared is a previous Mischief Bay Books and it was interestingly get to know him better here.
This was a great read and one that I think almost anyone - no matter what stage of life- can relate to.

Amazon

The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March

3.5 Stars 🌟 - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

This is a solid entry into the Eternity Springs series. This time the focus is on Caitlin (part of the second generation for the series) and Josh. If you have followed the series, Caitlin is a character that you’ve met several times in the books for her parents and brother. Josh is newer to town, but was a secondary character in his foster brother, Brick’s, story.
The First KISS of Spring follows the established pattern for books in the series. But, while there are no surprises in the real flow of the book, our characters have a few things up their sleeves. The dynamic and likeable characters are what keep this series fresh as it continues with book 14.
The fact that Ms March focus of a smaller group of towns folk for the secondary cast helps as well, it keeps the secondary characters impactful without letting them overwhelm the core couple.
Well written, this continues the theme for the series. That love, family, and friends can help heal the worst of our wounds - when we give things a chance.

Amazon

Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin

3.5 Stars - Worth a Reader's Time

Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley

Ms. McLaughlin is a newer author to me and I am so glad I discovered her.
Maybe This Time is unique in that our hero is incredibly likeable and an overall good guy, but our heroine is prickly and needs a little bit of redemption. Jen and TJ have known each other since high school and given that they have crushed on each other ever since, this is almost a second chance romance.
This well written and I enjoyed getting to know Jen and TJ and watching them figure out how to be together. It was nice to see them both figure out how to talk to each other and in Jen's case that it was okay to lean on someone.
Maybe this time was definitely entertaining and has me curious about the first book in the series and books that will be coming in the future.

Amazon

TBR READS

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

3.5 stars - Worth a Reader's Time

This is a book that has been on my TBR for a while and now that I've read it, my only regret is not reading it sooner. One of the things I found intriguing about the book is that it started going in one direction and ended up being something completely different than I anticipated.
We first meet Hannah and Garrett (both juniors) in the middle of the fall semester. She aces the one class he is struggling with, she has a crush on someone else, and he has no idea she exists until they bump into each other and he fixates on her being his tutor.
It was fun watching this unlikely pair go from a grudging partnership to friends to more. Both are characters that are easy to like and I appreciated the emotional growth they both displayed. There are several times when the fact that these characters are 20 is obvious in how they handle situations, but I do appreciate the fact that the author has them behave in a more mature fashion and doesn't blow small things up into something huge. I also enjoyed that the primary conflict between our characters was external and that the author didn't fall into the trap of "make the hero be a bad guy."
Garrett's hidden tender side is what made this book really work for me. It was sweet to see him falling for Hannah before he even knew what was happening. Ms. Kennedy is an author I have read before and I am looking forward to more!

Amazon

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