bellesmoma2021's reviews
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But He’s My Roommate by Annah Conwell is my favorite story in the But He’s a Carter Brother series. I have genuinely loved and enjoyed each story in this series, but I connected with But He’s My Roommate the most. Conwell’s characters in this story are truly heartfelt, endearing, and realistic, and they wheedled their way into my reader’s heart BIG time. I love Evie and fully understand her drive to isolate herself and her child from the mean ol’ world. I totally get why she wants to build ironclad walls around her poor, battered, broken heart. If I were in her place, I would do the exact same thing. Evie is strong, though, and she won’t stay down long. She just needs to regroup. Her newborn son, Beckham, needs her to be strong, and that is what she will be. At this point, Maverick bursts onto the scene and breathes new life back into Evie. She fights it hard, but Maverick is one of the most patient, kind, marshmallow-y heroes ever. He is the best! I love how immediately protective he is of Evie and Beckham. He is so cute with Beckham. I also really like how he gives Evie a sense of actual power by training her in boxing. Yes, it’s a way for Maverick and Evie to grow closer as a couple, and it does allow for some fun, flirty moments, but it mostly empowers Evie to feel more in control both mentally and physically. I loved it! This is one of those stories where I was cheering for the hero and heroine the entire time. I’m leaving this story, and this series, smiling big time.

But He’s My Roommate is a wonderful conclusion to what has been a superb Contemporary Romance series. If you’re a fan of highly engaging, totally endearing, joy-filled stories that will make your reader heart happy, then you’ve got to read any and all of the books in the But He’s a Carter Brother series. You won’t be disappointed you did!

There is so much to love about But He’s My Fake Fiancé by Annah Conwell. I have anticipated Grayson’s story since But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor, book 1 in this fantastic But He’s a Carter Brother series. I fell for Grayson’s easy-going, flirty, help-everyone-who-needs-it, Mr. Fix-It personality very early on in this series, but I sensed there were deep layers to his character I couldn’t wait to explore. Conwell does a great job showcasing all of Grayson’s characteristics from the light, happy side of him to his real and serious struggle with anxiety. I love many things about Grayson’s character, but I would have to say his attention to detail, his genuineness, and his protective streak are the three things I love the most about him. I really love how he pays attention to Sloane. He sees her as she truly is — a strong, independent, hugely creative woman, but a woman who has been beat down and cowed by family. I love how protective he is of her, but I love more how he helps Sloane break free from her shell. Grayson is a genuinely good man. He loves and cares with his whole being. I wish more people were like Grayson — our world would be a much better place. Sloane is a wonderful heroine. I enjoyed getting to see a romance novelist and her author besties in action. Simone and Myla are a great support system for Sloane in that they are clearly there for her no matter what and aren’t afraid to tell Sloane truth when she needs to hear it. I laughed out loud — as do Simone and Myla — when Sloane discovers that sometimes real life imitates art, specifically scenes from Sloane’s own novels. That was great fun! While I loved Grayson and Sloane as individual characters, I really enjoyed them best as partners. Their relationship journey from strangers to fake fiancées to friends to more had me smiling and cheering the whole time. This story is great fun, and I truly am sad my time with these two characters is over.

But He’s My Fake Fiancé is another excellent Contemporary Romance by Annah Conwell that I highly, highly recommend. If you’re a fan of well-written stories filled with delightfully endearing characters, relatable conflict, and real-life themes, then this is definitely the book for you!

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is fantastic. I’m not a fan of horror stories at all because I’m SO sensitive. They typically give me nightmares. I got so caught up in this story that I could not help myself, I had to keep reading. But I admit I had to do it in small doses over many days. The Premonition at Withers Farm creeped me out. Serial killers, ghosts, seances, and a farmhouse foundation constructed out of old graveyard markers…yeah, totally creepy. But I really had a ton of fun reading this book. The characters are my most favorite aspect to this story. Each one is so human. Their pain, their sufferings, their griefs, their joys — all so, so relatable. Of the many, many characters, my favorite is Molly. I don’t think I’ve related to a character more than I have with her. And I mean that on an emotional, mental level. This woman has been put through the ringer. She has endured so much grief and sadness that it has completely overwhelmed her. She wants to be better, to do better, but her grief and sadness have become heavy, lead weights she can’t get out from under. I appreciate how Wright illustrates Molly’s internal conflict. She mentally knows that her life is a blessing, her husband is amazing, her best friend is the actual best, and she should be grateful for all of it, but she’s so heartbroken she’s paralyzed. Boy, have I been there and it stinks. When you’re paralyzed in grief like Molly is the world sees you as selfish, as a jerk, as a bit narcissistic, but that is so far from the truth. It’s that life has metaphorically blown you up and now you’re missing limbs and hemorrhaging, and you have to all of a sudden figure out how to live life with all these missing parts and you can barely breathe. It’s a truly awful feeling. I LOVE how I got to journey with Molly as she works through her grief and sadness. And I love that chickens, in a small part, help Molly out of her sadness. The chickens brought me as much joy as they brought Molly. It made my reader’s heart happy to see Molly perk up and come back to life because of the joy her chickens brought her. It is reality that it doesn’t take much to bring a person back to life from utter grief and sadness. It just takes a small sense of purpose to get us back on our feet. And I was so, so happy to see Molly get back on her feet. It filled me with a sense of hope. This is my true favorite aspect to this story. I am leaving one of the creepiest stories I’ve ever read in my life with such a huge sense of thankfulness and hope. That’s truly amazing to me.

Jaime Jo Wright is an absolutely superb storyteller. The Premonition at Withers Farm is wonderful. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you’re in the mood for a good, creepy Halloween read, this is the book for you. If you’re in the mood for a thoughtful, poignant read that will leave you hopeful and smiling, well, then this is also the book for you. In The Premonition at Withers Farm there is something for everyone!

But He’s My One Regret by Annah Conwell is another outstanding Contemporary Romance. I loved, and devoured, every second of this fantastic story. This one really hit home for me. It’s all about grief, dealing (or not dealing) with it, and the expectations put upon us around this topic. Both Levi and Dahlia suffer from the loss of parents. Grief is awful and frustrating. It’s awful because it never, ever goes away. It’s like a cloak you can’t ever take off. Grief is frustrating because the world — and even those closest to you who should know better — demand and expect you to get on with life. At one point, Dahlia states to Levi in a struggle moment, “Grief isn’t linear. It’s okay if it hurts more now than it did when [your mother] passed” (97). Grief isn’t linear…truer words have never been spoken (I mean written, LOL!). Grief strikes when it wants, usually violently and seemingly out of nowhere, and typically when you’re totally not in an appropriate place to melt down. I love, love, love how Levi and Dahlia work together through grief, but not in a clinical way. Rather, they deal with it in a very real, tears-streaming-down-your-face-at-midnight, I-just-need-a-friend kind of way. It was refreshing as the reader, and as someone who deals with the effects of grief daily, to see it dealt with in such a compassionate and realistic manner.

As far as the characters go, the entire cast is just wonderful. I wish they were all real people so I could befriend them. The whole Carter family is absolutely wonderful. I cannot wait to get to Grayson’s story next. He has been a hoot since book 1. I love how the Carters are so open and friendly, but also super protective of their tribe. The way everyone takes in Dahlia and her sister, Jasmine, and accepts them as they are is just perfect. I also really love Levi and Dahlia’s rocky journey to love. Dahlia comes with a lot of baggage — a lot of it self-imposed — and because of this baggage she feels she has to keep Levi at arm’s length. Levi also comes with baggage, but unlike Dahlia’s, his was put upon him by his late mother. Unlike Dahlia, Levi is ready for a relationship right this second. My favorite thing about Levi is how respectful of Dahlia he is. He gets where she is coming from and understands why she has her boundaries in place. I love how he treats Dahlia like a queen whether he benefits or not. Levi genuinely loves Dahlia and truly wants the best for her and her sister. It takes a long while, but Dahlia comes around and recognizes Levi’s treatment of her for what it is — love. Their journey had a lot of hoops to get through, but it was one journey I wholeheartedly loved taking with them.

But He’s My One Regret is a delightfully fun and highly endearing Contemporary Romance that I highly recommend. If you’re a fan of well-written, highly engaging romances filled with charm and chuckles and depth, then this is the book for you!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on September 8, 2024. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

One of my book blogger friends, Cindy Davis at Cindy’s Book Corner, recently recommended Annah Conwell’s novels to me. I actually had But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor in my Kindle, and I was looking for a good Contemporary Romance to disappear into, so I started reading this book. OH. MY. GOODNESS…But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor is the best! I devoured this delightfully endearing novel in less than one day. This was definitely another story I read well past my bedtime. I loved everything about it. Conwell’s storytelling style is one of my favorites — smooth prose, witty and flirty banter, and deep emotions. I felt all sorts of feelings with this read: I laughed out loud, I totally teared up, I felt warm and cozy and happy, and I genuinely smiled! It was wonderful. The characters are the absolute best. Juliette is our heroine and she is hilarious. I love her friendliness, her kindness, her loyalty, and her vivaciousness. I appreciate how she is able to pull Adrian out of his shell, so to speak. Adrian is a very closed-off guy, but it’s not without reason. He is the ultimate kind of hero — the protector hero. There is nothing more swoony than a man who lives to protect, and I enjoyed every moment Adrian swept in and saved the day. Juliette needed a hero, and Adrian is exactly the right man for the job. I love how over the course of the story Juliette becomes stronger in who she is because she feels so safe with Adrian. When you are with the right person, you truly are free to become the best possible version of yourself. I had so much fun watching these characters learn how to trust again, learn how to be good friends, and then, finally, fall for one another. It was one of the sweetest, most realistic, most relatable romances I’ve ever read.

But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor is a fantastic Contemporary Romance that I highly, highly recommend. I adored every minute of this story and cannot wait to get to book 2. If you’re a fan of excellent storytelling, wonderfully endearing characters, and running the gamut of emotions while reading, then this is definitely the book for you!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on August 5, 2024. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

There is much to love about The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews. The attention to historical detail in this novel is perfection. I love feeling like I’m transported back in time to the historical period I’m reading, and Matthews does a superb job in this. The sights, the smells, the clothes, the busyness of London, the Social trappings of the time…I was truly carried away to England circa 1863 and I loved it so much! I also really, really enjoyed being immersed in the art scene of the 1860s. The Pre-Raphaelites and the Impressionists are some of my most favorite artists ever. It was fun to participate a little in this world via Teddy and his amazing artistic talents and friendships. In addition to the historical detail, I very much enjoyed all the cameos we get in this book. The characters from the Parish Orphans of Devon series make appearances in this book, as do all the Belles and their husbands from this series. So much fun to see all these great characters interact. I love getting the extra insight into who’s pregnant or who has children now, and who is doing what and where. I also love the connections between series. I think that is so much fun! As far as this story goes, Stella is the star of this romance. Her character is absolutely wonderful. She is a heroine in every sense of the word. My heart hurt so badly for her as she is forced to deal with her horrid brother. I wanted very much to reach into the confines of this story so I could smack Daniel and hug Stella. In this, I am so glad she has Evie, Julia, and Anne. Their strong bond as best friends illustrates just how important it is for people to have real, true friendships. They are so essential to a good, contented life! My favorite aspect of this story is getting to watch Stella discover her fierceness and strength. I love that she breaks out of her shell and becomes the woman she was always meant to be. Teddy is not my favorite hero — in fact, I found him to be quite an anti-hero — but I did love how he helps Stella in her process to becoming strong in who she is and to go after what she wants. There is a lot of good girl-power in this novel and I rather enjoyed every minute of it!

As with the previous novels in this series, The Muse of Maiden Lane is an excellent Historical Romance that I highly recommend. I am sad that my time with these characters has come to an end, but I do look forward to what Ms. Matthews has in store for us readers next.

Return to Mistletoe by Kathleen Fuller — This is a sweet story. I enjoyed Kieran and Emmy’s love story. They’ve known each other since they were kids, so there is no insta-love here. In fact, quite the opposite. This is a love story decades in the making. I appreciate that both the hero and heroine of this endearing tale are in their early 40s. As a woman in her early 40s, I appreciate seeing characters I could actually relate to. I love how Emmy is a grounded, stable, big-hearted heroine. She is the perfect person for the ever-wandering, runs-away-when-life-gets-too-tough hero. I like how Emmy and Kiran balance each other out. Together, they make a great team!

The Mistletoe Prince by Pepper Basham — Oh my goodness, is this one of the best stories ever! I absolutely love Basham’s Skymar series, so when I heard that this novella was Charlie’s love story I was all in! There is so much to love about The Mistletoe Prince. I love that readers get a complete story. Sometimes novellas feel uber fast and super rushed. But not when Basham writes them. In The Mistletoe Prince, we get a proper beginning, middle, and end. And so much realistic depth. Both Charlie and Arran carry heavy emotional burdens. They are broken people — people who definitely need to work out some heavy baggage — but they’re also really good people with big, kind, loving, compassionate hearts. Both Charlie and Arran have hearts for service. They genuinely enjoy helping others. It’s what motivates and energizes them. It is through this shared love of service that Charlie and Arran are able to move past presupposed notions about one another into actual, endearing friendship. I really appreciate how they bonded over their similarities. Yeah, he’s a royal prince and she works construction getting her hands dirty every day, but they both have deep hurts that need overcoming and a true love for helping people. There’s a lot there for them to establish a good friendship foundation. I love how they become the sort of friends who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is because it is their candidness that allows them to overcome their pasts and their pain. I genuinely loved journeying with Charlie and Arran as they moved from friendship to more. It was a sweet journey. I chuckled a ton and teared up a couple of times. All in all, The Mistletoe Prince was another home run by Pepper Basham!

Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts — Hailey is a successful romance writer back home for the holidays. She is forced to confront her high school nemesis because her older brother is now dating her. Hailey also has to confront her long-standing crush on her brother’s best friend, Carwyn (not a fan of that name). I’m going to be honest, I struggled with the characters. They all feel incredibly flat to me, except for Hailey. She is pretty fleshed out, but she frustrates me with her selfishness. As far as the love story goes, I would have really liked to get Carwyn’s side of things. I think that would have helped me buy into his and Hailey’s journey to love. As is, it moves SO fast and happens so suddenly that it’s not very believable. This story has the bones of a good contemporary romance, it just needs reworking. Of the three stories in this collection, I struggled to connect with this one.

Overall, I do highly recommend Mistletoe Season. It absolutely got me in the mood for cooler weather, family, and Christmas celebrations.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel in eBook from Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to leave a review of any kind. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

For a novella, Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer packs a wallop. I devoured this highly-engaging story in a single day. As with all Meyer novels, I did not want to put this book down. Virginia Company Bride is a great blend of historical fact and fictional romance. I was delighted to discover at the end of the story that the protagonists — Anne and John — were real people. How cool is that? I don’t know why, but it always makes me enjoy a Historical Romance all the more when it is based off of humans who actually lived and loved and journeyed through life. Anne’s story is harsh. I won’t spoil anything, but her life leads to her being the sole English woman abandoned in America in 1608 at the tender age of 17. Terrifying! I really appreciate how strong Anne is. 100% she is scared and unsure and frightened of everything, but she accepts that this is where God has her, so she pulls herself up by her bootstraps and gets to work. Anne is awesome! John is the hero readers of historical romance love — he is super hardworking, has a strong moral compass, and pays attention to all the details. John is put off by Anne at first, but quickly changes his mind once he sees how good her heart is and how dedicated and hard working she can be. For a novella, I found the pacing of Anne and John’s relationship from acquaintances to friends to lovers to be quite realistic, especially given the nature of their meeting and their time period. I so enjoyed everything about Meyer’s characters, but I also appreciated her attention to historical detail and the timely themes discussed. Overall, this novella is a home run!

Virginia Company Bride is a stellar Historical Romance. I highly recommend this book, and I very much look forward to reading book 2 in the collection. If you’re in the mood for a well-written, fast-paced Historical Romance that will teach you a bit and leave you smiling, then this is the novella for you!

Highcliffe House by Megan Walker is a good Regency Romance. I very much enjoyed my time with this story, and I really loved Graham and Anna. This story is an enemies-to-lovers story, and I have found that lately I really dislike these types of stories. It seems like the #1 goal of enemies-to-lovers characters is to hate each other for about 65-75% of the story, fight on almost every page, randomly change heart late into the story (where it almost feels unbelievable), and then get married. I get whiplash from these stories. BUT that is not what I got from Highcliffe House. Walker did an excellent job crafting a realistic enemies-to-lovers story, and it happens because of her believable and relatable characters. Graham is such a good man. He is dedicated, loyal, and so hard working. But he is also so kind. He would give the shirt off his back if he saw someone in need. Even though Anna drives him crazy, Graham pays attention to everything about her — her likes, dislikes, and everything she thinks she’s hiding from the world. The best part about Graham is he just lets Anna be herself. And Anna grows to see that Graham is not the man she originally believed him to be. It is when Anna gives up her old assumptions and judgements, and allows Graham to open up a bit, that she is able to be vulnerable for minute and grow into the woman she was always meant to be. It was so much fun getting to watch these two characters stop distrusting one another, become friends, and then naturally become more.

Highcliffe House is a great Regency Romance that I highly recommend. This is a well-written story with excellently crafted and endearing characters. If you’re in the mood for an engaging Regency Romance, you’ll definitely want to check this book out!

I’m totally enjoying the Love in Charlotte Oaks series by Jess Mastorakos. As the Crow Flies is, at this point, my favorite novel in this series and that is 100% because of Riley. I have loved Riley since book 1 and have been dying to get to his story. Riley’s a total sweetheart — this is the first thing all readers realize from the very first second we meet him in book 1. In this book, his sweetness is unparalleled! There is so much to love about Riley, but my two favorite characteristics are his attention to detail and his patience. I love how he pays very close attention to Aubree. He reads her like book. He anticipates her every thought and need. I love that Riley sees when he should prod Aubree to talk and when he should back off and give her some space. I really appreciated how he uses his guitar, which he is never, ever without, as a divider between him and Aubree when he realizes she needs a little bit of space. Riley is incredibly patient with Aubree’s introverted proclivities. It’s not that Aubree is high maintenance or anything like that. It’s just that she is seriously introverted and she has been really hurt in the past. Aubree is a true wallflower, she is often invisible, and she always has her head in a good book. She’s introverted both because that is who she is, but also because she has put her vulnerable heart out there, and it’s mostly been stomped all over. So, she is hesitant to accept that a world-renowned, uber popular, exceptionally handsome country music singer would be in to her. It honestly does not compute. I really enjoyed how over the course of this story, Aubree lets her guard down and learns to trust Riley’s words and actions. It was fun to see her thaw out a bit. And it was so much fun watching Riley get his much-deserved happily ever after.

As the Crow Flies is a really excellent Contemporary Romance that I just cannot recommend enough. If you’re a fan of super engaging plotlines, relatable and endearing characters, and sweet romances that will leave you smiling, then you definitely need to check this book out!