Christmas at the Castle by Melissa McClone

Katrina is BFF’s with Prince Gil’s little sister. Prince Gil and his mother are so anti-Katrina because all they think is “she's a bad influence”. 

They don't think she's good enough because they think that she's like some sort of Golddigger. Especially Gil’s mom, towards the end she kind of makes up for it, but in the middle she's a major B. 

So, as a Gil gets to know Katrina he realizes that she's actually a really good person and she always has her BF’s best interest at heart. She's always trying to do what's best for her friend and not for herself or for anyone else. It was super adorable to see how both of these characters come together; they go from kind of friends to “I love you”. This book was like major hearts.


Rating 4 out of 5 
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Never Resist a Sheikh by Jackie Ashenden

Mistakenly kidnapped in a country where women are considered second class citizens, smart and in-charge Felicity Cartwright is surprised.

Zakir ibn Rashiq Al-Nazari can’t believe he kidnapped the wrong person. But, what started out as a case of mistaken identity turns out to be the unlikeliest of loves.

The story was entertaining, this whole American meets Middle East culture difference added this interesting chemistry between the characters.

Rating 4 out of 5 

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Taken by the Raider by Dani Collins

I had a mixed feeling about this story; we pick up sometime after Aubrey and Griffen ended their relationship in less than friendly terms.

Now Griffen has decided he wants Aubrey back but because he had a super messed up childhood he has a ton of issues and can’t be like a normal person and say “I made a mistake, please forgive me”. He decides to try and destroy the company she has built with her brother.

My issue with this story was that there really isn’t any character growth and Griffen never really shows a likable side of himself.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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The Valentine Gamble (Whiskey River Series Book 6) by Katherine Garbera, Eve Gaddy

This was a short novella to tidy up all the characters from the law firm that let Kelly brothers that they have two half-brothers.

You don’t have to read the other five books in the series, though you should; the stories are great and the covers are drool worthy.

In this story Johnny Gamble and Fiona Lannigan get their happily ever-after. All Johnny has to do is convince Fiona that he’s not a jerk and that when it comes to her, well, he’s ready for forever.

I was entertained with the story. Although, I sometimes (or often) hated Fiona. Fiona kept making references to why she didn’t do love, but we got no real detail, so we have poor Johnny fighting an uphill battle.

Although, Fiona’s “I’m sorry / grand gesture” was sweet.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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Daring the Bad Boy by Heidi Rice

This was a Valentine’s Day – love at first lay kind of story. 

Cal and Rosie meet at a bar, both are going through their own inner drama. 

Between meeting and the declaration of love the story takes place in the span of one week.

I would have rated the story higher if it had had more meat. Although, the epilogue did round it up nicely. 

Rating 3 out of 5 
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Project Virgin by Megan Crane

This story had steamy scenes, but I really didn't feel the love between the main characters Damon Patrick and Scottie Grey. There was really no relationship development and then it ends with it's love. 

In addition what really annoyed me is that Scottie never really tells her fiancé off, like really that douche was stringing her along for so long and she was completely oblivious to what a jerk he was. 

I think I would have like the story more if it had maybe a chapter or two more that really showed the characters connecting in more ways than just physical.

Rating 3 out of 5 

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Last Chance Christmas by Joanne Rock

This was a second chance romance at Christmas time.

Shea Walker and J.C. Royce parted under less than happy circumstances in their youth. Since then Shea has rarely been back to her hometown since; and no it wasn't just her bad breakup with J.C., but her father's inability to understand that she didn't have the love for hockey that he did.

I couldn't really feel the romance between these two; in all honesty the story read like a "hey, I'm still attracted to my ex ... so lets bang". The story and characters did have some redeeming qualities but not enough to score a higher rating from me.

Rating 3 out of 5 

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Falling for Christmas by Kate Hewitt

This was a second chance at love and life romance story.

Hannah Ford and Sam Taylor are about as opposite as two people can possibly be and they both have some issues.

But a blizzard, a car crash and a chance meeting lead to a sweet love story.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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The Cowboy Next Door by Roxanne Snopek

Leda Plett has been burned by love so when Eric Anders walks into her life, he's the last thing she wants.

Along the way Eric makes a mistake or two because he wants to barge in and be the knight in shinning armor to a woman that knows her mistakes and how to handle them. At the end these Eric learns to listen and Leda learns to love again.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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The Tycoon's Forced Bride by Jane Porter

When I read this title I thought "Oh, rich guy forces pretty girl to marry him" kind of story, I could not be more wrong.

The story follows Malcolm McKenzie (aka Colm) who is married to Ava Galvan, only problem is that after a horrible accident she suffers from memory problems and she doesn't remember saying "I do" to Malcolm. 

What made the story really sad was that Malcolm and Ava had a son, little Jack and because Ava had a lot of health problem she really couldn't really be with her son.

The story was a really sweet second chance romance and the things Malcolm does to get Ava to fall in love with him again, so sweet.

The only problem with the story for me was that we see very little interaction between Ava and little Jack and a big part of the story was Malcolm trying to bring his wife home and reunite the family.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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Choose Me, Cowboy (2015 Montana Born Rodeo, #4) by Barbara Ankrum

I had mixed feelings about this one, for all Finn Scott claims to love Kate Canaday I honestly think that had he not run into her at the school when his son fell, he never would have sought her out.

Finn knew when he moved to Marietta this is where Kate was from and ultimately throughout the story I felt like she did all the work in their relationship.

The only happy thing in this story was that Kate gets the guy she loves at the end

Rating 3 out of 5 
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Taming the Italian Bad Boy by Joanne Walsh

Shy sweet girl with an overbearing, crazy mother, meets sexy Italian stallion.

When Lucy Luxton's pet runs Danilo Spinozzi off the road it's attraction at first sight.

Danilo sees this Lucy and is struck by her quiet beauty, he makes an overture of friendship in the hopes of seeing her again when she moves to the same town in Italy where he lives.

Lucy is hesitant to contact Danilo, but a road encounter with Danilo's dog brings these two back together.

The story was sweet, they date, they get to know each other and the town's bad boy goes from being a commitment-phobe to the most devoted guy ever.

We do have a little drama when Danilo's ex tries to come between him and Lucy but Danilo stands strong and makes it very clear Lucy is the one for him.

I would have loved to see Lucy stand up to Danilo's ex or her ex for that matter, but over all this story just has you going awww. 

Rating 4 out of 5 
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A Cowgirl's Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C #5) by C.J. Carmichael

Okay so we finally get a real story for Callan Carrigan and it was OMG.

By now many of us have read all the other books in the Carrigans of the Circle C and know that some things were somewhat off in the familial relationship, mainly with the father.

Hawksley, the father has passed away and to the shock of his youngest daughter Callan, has left everything to this nephew Court McAllister, the girls knew nothing about.

Soon many secrets are revealed and believe they are just too juicy. The romance was a little crazy, but it worked in a weird way.

Rating 4 out of 5 

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One Night with the Playboy (Whiskey River #5) by Katherine Garbera

This is the fifth and final book in the Whiskey River series and it follows the last brother. We've read about Trey, Wyatt and Xander all finding love in Whiskey River, well now it's Nick's turn.

It's been a year since Nicholas "Nick" Blue has seen Reba Duvall and he's about to get a big surprise.

Now Reba and Nick must decide if they have what it takes to be a real couple and whether or not Nick will be able to overcome his fears.

The story was okay, but I honestly didn't think Nick really worked for Reba. From the very beginning, he hasn't seen her in a year and his first though is "hey, we should jump into bed". Worse he goes on about how he really cares for her, but you don't really get that impression from him.

Reba was too blah. The moment she see's Nick, she forgets he's a bit of jerk and just fawns over his stay/run attitude.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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One Night with the Bad Boy (Whiskey River #4) by Eve Gaddy

So, we've pretty much been hooked on this series since we first read about the crazy will that brought together four bothers in Where There's a Will. 

In this book we follow Xander Blue and Bailey Richmond as they conquer some personal obstacles to find their happily ever after with each other.

While this book can be read on its own, I very strongly recommend reading the books in order. In this one we have drama and whole lot of love. The characters were really enjoyable; Xander and Bailey really get you hooked.

Katherine Garbera and Eve Gaddy have really delivered with this great, must read series.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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Seduced by the Baron (Fairy Tales of New York #4) by Amy Andrews

In the final book of the series we follow Faith Sullivan and her journey to happily ever after. While her friends moved on to do great things and live their lives after boarding school, Faith stayed behind in the family bar, forgoing Columbia to take care of her father. As her friends and brothers find happiness she is left to feel like she's missing out on life. Enter super great friend Mercy, who points ex-surfer, turned beer baron Rafael Quartermaine in her direction.

Rafael and Faith have instant attraction but Faith is a little slow to really give into it because she's allowed her whole life to revolved around the bar and her father.

The story was engaging and super sweet; the ball scene was just aww. Dawn, Zelda and Mercy (Fairy Tales of New York #1-3) team up to play fairy god-mothers and get Faith to the "ball" where Prince Charming, I mean Rafael waits. 

They have their ups and downs, but in the end Faith is able to find her voice and her true love. Rafael was just swoon worthy and the way he goes after Faith, just love. This story was a perfect ending to the series.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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Taming the Beast (Fairy Tales of New York #3) by Lucy King

Book three of the Fairy Tales of New York follows Mercedes "Mercy" Hernandez and Sebastian "Seb" Madison (Zelda's jerk of an older brother) as they find their happily ever after and work through their issues.

I really liked the story but I wanted to read about Seb's reconciliation with Zelda. That was a pivotal point for his character and we only get the implication that he fixed things with his sister.

Mercy I absolutely loved, not that right there is a true friend. I was also very happy for her when she went back to South America after Seb pushed her away; she made him have to work a little to get to her, except she should have made him grovel a bit more.

Overall loved the continuation of the series and how these four friends stories interrelate.
Rating 3.5 out of 5 
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Tempting the Knight (Fairy Tales of New York #2) by Heidi Rice

Zelda Madison wanted someone to love her; following the death of her parents and the subsequent abandonment by her brother, the pre-teen learned that being a tough as nails bad girl was way better.

Ten years after getting kicked out of convent school and having one too many downs, with the help of her friend, she's worked hard to turn her life around. But one impromptu swim on Manhattan Beach and she's in need of rescuing.

Tyrone "Ty" Sullivan is the last guy she should call; Ty really does not like Zelda, following and event involving communion wine and his little sister Faith ten years ago. 

Soon the bad girl and the golden boy are coming together in many ways, finding that opposites do attract and that love is worth fighting for.

The way they come together and tear away their preconceived notions of each other had you flipping the pages like there is no tomorrow. Zelda's story is so heart wrenching, despite growing up in luxury, there was one thing she couldn't buy. Romance lovers will really enjoy book two in the Fairy Tales of New York and will fall in love with these characters.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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Pursued by the Rogue (Fairy Tales of New York #1) by Kelly Hunter

This was such a sweet and sad story; Dawn Turner hasn't had an easy life growing up, after being sent away by her parents and then being sent to a boarding school by her aunt and uncle, she's always felt unwanted. The only person she ever felt wanted with was her friend's brother, Finbar Sullivan. Years later Dawn knows why her parents sent her away, but it's never made the pain any easier; after a reunion with her old friends from high school she re-encounters her teenage crush and first love.

Finbar "Fin" Sullivan grew up to be a famous musician and have a great life, but there is one girl he never forgot. Years later they are brought together again and this time he's not letting go. There is just one problem, while Fin is thinking of forever, Dawn is only thinking of right now.

The whole story, you want them to come together, but with Dawn knowing certain things about her family and what it might entail for her future she becomes the biggest obstacle for their happily ever after. Fin I loved, he was such a caring guy; and everything he does to show Dawn he'll stand by her no matter what.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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One Night with the Tycoon (Whiskey River Book 3) by Katherine Garbera

Even though you don't have to read each book in order, it does help because we see the reappearance of previous characters. 

In this story we follow Wyatt Kelly and Juliette Rossi. Wyatt has a very weird and warped view on relationships, which can you blame the guy given who his father was. Juliette was sweet, very strong female lead. The way both characters played off each other kept you hooked on the story, plus the drama and Wyatt realizing he's wrong really helps. I can't wait for the remaining two books.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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