Here is my running list of 5 star (or close to it) reads for 2021. Most of them will be 2021 publications, but there may be a few older books that I have just discovered. Everything is listed in the order that I have read it - with newer reads/releases at the top.
You never forget your first love, even when they become just a memory.
There was before. When we were together, when we were happy. When we had nothing but dreams. When not a single bad thing could ever happen because we were young and in love.
And there was after. When the unthinkable occurs, how do you count time, knowing how precious it is? When dreams turn to nightmares, how do you wake up every day and choose to go on? When you have a chance to save another, how can you not?
Even if it changes everything. Even if it destroys you.
A harrowing, heartbreaking dark contemporary romance from USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann, the third installment in the Moments in Boston series of stand-alones that explores the darkest nights and brightest dawns of the heart. A book that will leave you aching ... and looking over your shoulder.
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USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts unique stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their yellow Lab. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.
When it comes to twists, turns, and the unexpected- Ms Mann is the master with her Moments in Boston series. When Darkness Ends continues that strong tradition.
Ashe and Pearl are characters that are easy to like and root for. I appreciated seeing their college romance unfold and hoped for them to find happiness, even given the obvious obstacles they faced. In parallel to their college romance, we saw bits and pieces of the future. I’m not going to say too much because this is really a book that needs to be experienced without preconceived ideas.
I will say that the writing here is excellent and Ms Mann does a splendid job of blending the various aspects (timeline and POV) together. There were multiple times in this story where the emotions of the characters just radiated off the page. It really felt like we were experiencing the whole human experience (love, friendship, worry, grief) with these characters and I would love to see where they are in another five years just to see if certain dreams come true.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend
Review Copy Provided by Publisher via Net Galley
This was a net galley read that I picked up strictly based on the blurb and have found a new author that I want to read more from!
People we Meet on Vacation is told strictly from Poppy’s point of view, but Author Henry does an excellent job of pulling us into Alex’s head as well. We see these two unlikely friends over a period of 12 years, alternating between current event and previous summers that they have spent together.
This was a well written and emotional story. Both Poppy and Alex have things they have struggled with and the bond they have in their friendship is one that definitely gives the warm and fuzzies. These are characters that I truly enjoyed and found myself rooting for them to figure out what they need from each other and life.
I appreciated that Ms Henry allowed both Alex and Poppy to be vulnerable as they experienced their growing friendship and then the ups and downs as they navigate relationships, distance, honesty, and more. I will definitely be looking to read more from this author.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would recommend to a friend
Review copy provided by Net Galley
The duo behind the Christina Lauren pen name is one I consistently enjoy, so when the chance to read The Soul Mate equation came up, I couldn’t resist. This is a read that definitely did not disappoint!
Our characters of Jess and River (along with the small secondary cast) are interesting and fun to get to know. Not only are they entertaining on their own, but they are a couple that gets more interesting as the layers are peeled back and their dynamic evolves.
The premise behind The Soulmate Equation is unique and I appreciated how it played into the emotional background of the characters. The conflict in the story came from a direction I didn’t anticipate, and it was fun to see what I thought was the more obvious route avoided. But, that more obvious item is actually the reason that this doesn’t have a higher rating - I felt like it was a large question that went unanswered. To see what that is - you get to enjoy the book!
Sometimes, it takes becoming a monster in order to kill one.
The Silencer by RC Boldt is now live!
USA Today bestselling author RC Boldt brings us an unforgettable tale of betrayal, vengeance, and redemption in her new romantic thriller, THE SILENCER...
No one wants to admit that sometimes only evil can extinguish other evil. Each time I drain the life from their bodies, I inch closer to purging my past. Then a by-the-book FBI agent--one as astute as he is handsome--threatens my plans...and what's left of my heart. He doesn't believe there are exceptions to breaking the law. That's where we differ. They once silenced me and countless others, but now I've reversed our roles. Because, this time, it's my turn to be the silencer.
**The Silencer is a dark and gritty romantic suspense that deals with sensitive topics which may not be suitable for all readers.
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If you enjoyed Ms Boldt's Hell Hath No Fury, then you are in for an edge of your seat read in the same vein. Just like Hell Hath No Fury, this is a hard review to write because while I loved the book, I don't want to give anything away that would spoil the reading experience for someone else.
The cast of characters in The Silencer is small, but boy do they pack a punch. Our main characters are so well crafted that it is easy to become invested in them and the journeys that they are taking. Both lead characters exerience evolutions that tug at the heart strings, especially as they struggle to get to the other side.
In terms of the plot/story of The Silencer - it's a pretty tough one. Ms Boldt tackles aspects of society that most of us hope don't exist. While some pieces of the story are told are straight forward, but there are other pieces that are peeled back slowly. This is a book that reaches out and grabs you, I strongly suggest not starting this unless you have time to devote to reading. Once you get started, you won't want to stop until the very end.
Meet RC Boldt
RC Boldt enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.
Leo Winter loves his life. He works when he needs money. He rides when he craves freedom. He frequents the local bar when he wants a good time. The Tin Gypsies might be a memory, but the bachelor life he lived with his motorcycle club still suits him fine. So when a one-night stand surprises him at a family barbecue and claims she's pregnant with his child, he's certain he's died and gone to hell.
Cassandra Cline took one night off from her structured life. One. And now her wild fling with the local bad boy has turned her life sideways. Her dreams and academic career are circling the drain, and none of it would have happened if she'd stayed far, far away from Leo.
Except avoiding him is impossible, especially when she's forced to move home to Clifton Forge, Montana. And he refuses to leave her side when a series of strange accidents put her and their baby at risk. But are they accidents? Or is she standing in the middle of a battlefield she doesn't understand?
Her only allies are people she barely knows. And a man who has the potential to steal her heart.
If only he'd stop playing the fool.
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Devney is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she's discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars - Would Recommend to a Friend
Review Copy Provided by Author
Before meeting the Tin Gypsies, I would have said that I wasn't a fan of MC books. But, the more I get to know the men of this reformed group, the more I enjoy spending time in Clifton Forge. In this installment of the series, we get to spend time with the bad boy of the Tin Gypsies, Leo as he gets his life up ended in the most unexpected way.
Leo is paired with Cass and to say they are an unlikely match is an understatement. It was interesting to see these two, the bad boy biker and the history major, deal with the unexpected. Ms Perry does an excellent job of creating dynamic characters that pulled me in, made me want to see the layers behind the facades, and root for them to find happiness.
Fallen Jester has multiple layers. There is the complicated and evolving relationship between Cass and Leo, old wounds that have to be dealt with, the idea that dreams can change, and a mystery that continues to weave it's way through the Tin Gypsy series. All of these threads are pulled together in a story that I didn't want to put down!
From his smoldering guitar licks to his dangerous good looks, he’s been on the top of the world and experienced the lowest of lows—including a stint in prison. With his new band he has a second chance at life—and fame. All he has to do is keep his head down and avoid emotional entanglements.
Law student Lindsay Sager is all work and no play. Her only connection to the music world is playing supportive bestie to the lead singer of a new band. Lindsay’s focus is on passing the bar exam so she can’t afford any distractions... not even a sexy Scottish guitarist who rocks her world.
Stu and Lindsay’s sexual chemistry is combustible and their desire to keep things simple turns very complicated. She’s the first woman he can’t seem to stay away from, but when his past comes roaring into the future, can they find a way to move forward together?
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she's called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She's never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she'd probably choose the west coast.
A typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat can usually be found scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) - traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible.
Kat's been a working freelance writer for nearly 30 years. She sold her first article--a review of a rock concert--for $10 in 1985. Since then she's been an entertainment journalist, waitress, bartender, legal assistant, food critic, magazine editor, substitute teacher, and sports writer. She also spent some time working at A & M Records in Los Angeles.
As you can guess from her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat loves hockey and occasionally writes articles about her favorite team, the Florida Panthers. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There's something enticing about hockey players and romance...
Are you ready to rejoin the crew of Nobody's Fool? In this installment, we are spending time with Stuart. He is paired with Lindsay (best friend of band lead singer, Lexi).
I loved how these two connected and seeing how their relationship developed. From book 1 of this series (Play) we know going in that Stuart is carrying a lot of baggage/emotional wounds. In Pause, we learn more about what that really means and it made me root for him to figure things out and possibly find a happy ending. Lindsay is a good match for Stu. She has a good sense of herself and her friendship with Lexi means that she already fits in well with the band. Both of the main and secondary characters are well written and a pleasure to spend time with.
There are moments in Pause where the story stretches reality a bit, especially in terms of Lindsay's career choices. The emotional impact of Stu and Lindsay's growing relationship makes it easy to set those things aside for the most part.
As the 2nd book in the series, this story picks up almost immediately after the end of Play. Stu and Lindsay's story is a stand alone, but we get to see a lot of the rest of the band as well. If you enjoyed book one, then you will be glad to see Tyler & Airel and what they are up to now. The secondary cast also is fleshed out a bit more for the future books in the series. I am definetly looking forward to what may be in store for Ford and Bash!
