Review - - Made to Love You

Made to Love You

by Nan Reinhardt

The Walkers of River's Edge - Book 4

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: January 23, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

She’s not looking for love, but a handsome veterinarian and a lost puppy have other plans…

Gorgeous and gifted,Annabelle Walkeris a force of nature. A talented architect who has brought new designs and concepts to her family’s construction firm, Anna’s happy and doesn’t feel anything’s missing from her life, even as her siblings have all fallen in love this year. And then she finds an injured puppy on a bike ride.

Veterinarian Sawyer Braxton is lost while driving to his first day at Price Veterinary Clinic. He stops to ask directions of a bicyclist on the side of the road, and discovers three things: She’s beautiful, stranded with a flat tire, and holding an injured puppy. Sawyer’s fascinated, and it feels like fate as he offers the intriguing and vibrant woman a ride to the vet clinic.

It’s a meet-cute, and Annabelle’s definitely attracted, but she’s determined that this time, she really will take a break from men. Sawyer’s as stubborn as he is sexy, and he hits on a plan for a date—they’ll both foster the pup while it heals.

PJ's Thoughts:

Made to Love You brings readers another heart-tugging visit to River's Edge. At this point, each new book in Nan Reinhardt's long-running series feels like a visit to my hometown where good friends - and a few new friends - await. As a fan of the series, it's fun to catch up with favorite characters while at the same time, Reinhardt has written each of these books in such a way that new readers can jump in at any point without missing a beat.

I enjoyed Anna's and Sawyer's story very much. Reinhardt takes them on a realistically gradual journey of growth, self-discovery, and love. It was especially satisfying to watch Sawyer - and Trixie, the abandoned puppy - help Anna slowly lower the walls around her heart that had been solidified by heartbreak and betrayal and even more so, to watch Anna confront those emotional obstacles in person and hold her own. Yes, I may have been enthusiastically, and vocally, cheering her on. 

Sawyer is such a sweetheart - kind, caring, a bit of a cinnamon roll, and the perfect counterpart for take charge Anna. I really loved these two together and am hopeful that we'll see more of Anna, Sawyer, Trixie, and Sawyer's dog, Otis in upcoming River's Edge books.

If you enjoy feel-good stories with humor, emotional depth, relatable characters, and happy endings, give this one a try. 

Review - - She Doesn't Have a Clue

She Doesn't Have a Clue

by Jenny Elder Moke

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Release Date: January 21, 2025

Reviewed by Santa

A high-end wedding on a private island off the coast of Seattle sounds like something out of a magazine. But for bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine, it’s more like a nightmare.

Why Kate agreed to attend her ex-fiancé’s wedding is its own enigma, but she’ll plaster on a fake smile for two nights, with the aid of free champagne, naturally. And because the groom happens to be her editor, she’ll try to finish a draft of her latest Loretta Starling mystery as a wedding gift.

When the bride is poisoned and Kate stumbles across a dead body, she finds herself in a real-life mystery that eerily echoes the plot of her latest novel. And the only person who seems willing to help Kate catch the killer is Jake Hawkins, aka: the Hostralian; aka: Kate’s biggest romantic regret.

As the wine flows and the weather threatens to hold every guest hostage, bitter resentments and long-held grudges surface amongst the colorful crowd. Anyone could be capable of murder, it seems. What would Loretta do? Unfortunately, Kate doesn’t have a clue.

Santa Says:

She Doesn’t Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke is a madcap murder mystery rom com because who doesn’t want a little murder intrigue dropped in the middle of a romance? I would give it four out of five stars. Our main female character, Kate Valentine, is a successful writer of Loretta Starling mysteries. Kate is surprised to have been invited to her ex-fiance’s wedding. He also happens to be her editor which has got to be awkward. But Kate shut down after their break up six months ago and has not been able to write a word and so she’s behind in getting her chapters to him. 

The surprises keep on coming as she races to make the boat that will take her to his bride-to-be’s family compound on a private island off the coast of Seattle. She crash lands on the boat knocking the wind out of the one man she never thought she would see again - Jake Hawkins. Jake is the one that ran away on trans-global adventures. He also mysteriously received an invite and they find themselves having to share a room in a huge mansion, an oddly crowded mansion. 

The mayhem ensues when Kate accidentally crashes into the gift table and the bride-to-be. Flustered, Kate settles in to hear the groom’s speech which sounds just like a speech from one of her books. She runs out of the room and proceeds to get drunk. Some time later Jake finds her in the wine cellar over the body of the bride, Kennedy,  who they discover has been poisoned. Again, life imitates art as this scenario is also from one of her books. This does not look good for Kate who some see as a jealous ex out to get revenge. 

Kate and Jake must weed out who is friend or foe. The guest list spans friends, relatives, fellow authors and business associates. They all seem a bit shady. Kate takes some notes from her heroine Loretta and sets out to find out the truth because now the hostess of the whole weekend Rebecca Hempstead has been poisoned to death. There are quite a few people who may have wanted her dead because she held tightly to the purse strings of the family. The island and expansive manor house become smaller as a whole cavalcade of characters come into play.

I found this book to be full of humor. Amid all this chaos Jake and Kate work through their attractions and feelings. It was a bit hard to follow at times when Loretta’s perspective and parts of her books popped into the story. This may have been in part due to the fact that I was reading an uncorrected digital galley and all the fonts separating the texts from the books were not consistent. 

This is also Ms. Moke’s first adult novel. She has several YA books out there. I will be keeping my eye out for more books from her in the future.

Review - - Better Than Friends

Better Than Friends

by Jill Shalvis

The Sunrise Cove Series - Book 7

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: January 21. 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Old flames reignite in Sunrise Cove in this charming enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, small-town, forced-proximity love story about family, friendships, and true love from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

PJ's Thoughts:

In my opinion, the books in the Sunrise Cove series are some of the best Jill Shalvis has written. They're a blend of women's fiction and romance with a touch of mystery in some, combining the author's quirky humor with heart-tugging emotion. Better Than Friends, the newest addition to the series, is one of my favorites. 

There are three main threads in this book: friendship, family, and romance. Let's tackle friendship first. I loved the relationship between Olive and Katie, two very different people whose bonds have stood the test of time, distance, and near tragedy. The respect, understanding, and support between these two is unbreakable, as evidenced by the fact that Olive drops everything in a heartbeat to fly across the ocean when Katie's husband is injured. I love how these women love, support, respect, and challenge one another; how they bring out the best in one another while at the same time not trying to change who they are at their core. On the flip side of their friendship is the one between Noah (Katie's brother) and Katie's husband, Joe (Noah's best friend). Shalvis captures a strong, loving, supportive friendship between two men that touched my emotions with both its strength and its vulnerability. 

Families are another important facet of this book. We have your mildly dysfunctional, extremely dysfunctional, and lovingly supportive family members, all of whom play critical roles in the evolution of the main characters and all of whom are realistically depicted by the author.

And then there's the romance between Noah and Olive, a childhood friends-to enemies-to lovers journey that is humorous, heartfelt, emotional, and helped along by matchmaking friends and one adorable little boy. I really pulled hard for these two. 

If you're looking for a book to pull you out of the mid-January doldrums, pick up a copy of Better Than Friends. The spice is light, the emotion is deep, the humor is classic Shalvis, and the ending is happy and hopeful. What more could I ask for? 

Winner - - When We Had Forever

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

When We Had Forever is:

Patricia Bennett Barber

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Dr. Alaska

Dr. Alaska

by Jillian David

Yukon Valley, Alaska - Book 1

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: January 14, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Grey’s Anatomy, meet Northern Exposure…

Lee Tipton, MD, takes running from her past to an extreme, hotfooting it from Georgia to a temporary position at Yukon Valley Hospital in chilly Alaska. Her newly purchased winter gear may protect her from the elements, but no amount of insulation can protect her from her deep-seated fear that a romantic partner will once again use her for personal gains. Despite the hospital staff’s matchmaking efforts, Lee swears she has no interest in the town’s cocky lead paramedic, even if his sexy smile sets off palpitations.

Maverick Steen learned his one simple rule of romance the hard way: no dating outsiders. That includes the hospital’s newest fish-out-of-water doctor, whom he finds himself paired with as they navigate critical care cases and snowmobile accidents. Yet when Lee embraces the beauty in the Alaskan interior and cottons to his sled dog team of misfits, suddenly, Maverick’s heart—and his bed—feel a whole lot warmer.

But can they say yes to love before Lee’s assignment ends?

PJ's Thoughts:

They had me at "Grey's Anatomy, meet Northern Exposure." As a huge fan of both shows (though I finally tossed in the Grey's towel a few years ago), I was already predisposed to enjoy this book before turning the first page. Happily, the story itself kept me entertained and left me eager for book two. 

I love a fish out of water story and from the first pages we are made delightfully aware that Georgia-born Lee is exactly that. Then, of course, one of the first people she encounters before even arriving in Yukon Valley is a paramedic who, well, let's just say, doesn't make the best first impression. But, dear readers, there be sparks between these two! Adversaries to lovers, anyone?

What follows is a fun, somewhat emotional, and a bit suspenseful journey that had me happily immersing myself in dogsled rides, hospital emergencies, newfound friendships, slowly rebuilt trust, complicated family dynamics, quirky matchmaking locals, and a heart-tugging romance. 

Bring on book two, please. I'm ready for a return visit to Yukon Valley, Alaska. 

Winner - - Remember When

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a hardcover copy of

Remember When by Mary Balogh is:

Mary @Bookfan

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Tour Review - - Dashiki

Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery

by Florence Wetzel

Publisher: Florence Wetzel

Release Date: January 5, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

A cozy mystery with a dash of romance set in the vibrant world of jazz.

During an interview with reclusive jazz singer Betty Brown, journalist Virginia Farrell is shown priceless tapes from the iconic 1957 Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane gig at the Five Spot. When Betty is found murdered, Virginia is determined to recover the tapes and uncover the truth behind Betty’s death.

In the spirit of Nancy Drew, Virginia teams up with her six-foot blonde roommate to investigate the various suspects. Detective Robert Smith from the Hoboken Police Department joins the case, quickly becoming absorbed by an unsolved murder possibly linked to Betty Brown’s death, as well as an undeniable attraction to Virginia.

Dashiki is a cozy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.

PJ's Thoughts:

Set (primarily) in Hoboken, NJ, this story follows a music journalist with a love of jazz and a police detective with little knowledge of jazz who find themselves at the center of a murder, the disappearance of a musical treasure, and an unanticipated attraction.

I really enjoyed the vibe of this story. Though set in the early two thousands, it has a distinct 1950's vibe (at least it did to me) that meshes seamlessly with the jazz influences, including real and fictional characters, who were at the height of their popularity in that time frame. 

The mystery was well crafted and though I was pretty sure I had the culprit figured out about midway through, I was still surprised by some twists the story took in reaching its conclusion. 

But what really stood out for me in this book were the characters, the music, and the atmospheric resonance of the small jazz clubs tucked into out of the way corners of Manhattan and other cities. The author brought all of them to life on the pages of this novel, immersing me in their love - some might say obsession - of jazz legends and the genius of their musical creations. The characters, primary and secondary, were unique, richly textured, and each one important to the trajectory of the story as it unfolded. 

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, jazz, or just a well-told story with a little danger, a few surprises, and a bit of mild romance, give this one a try. I'm glad I did. 

Review & Giveaway - - When We Had Forever

When We Had Forever

by Shaylin Gandhi

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Six months after her husband died in a car crash, Mina Drake is still mired in a haze of grief. Reminders of her years with Michael are everywhere, but beneath her heartache lies an even more painful emotion. It’s a guilty suspicion she can hardly admit to anyone, even herself—that her marriage was over long before Michael’s accident.

They were good together once, she’s sure of it, sharing a connection so deep that Mina can’t understand how it unraveled. That is, until a chance discovery in her husband’s office—and the reappearance of Michael’s estranged brother, Grayson, a notorious bad-boy photographer—awakens her to possible answers.

More shocking still is the pull Mina feels to tattooed, scarred Grayson, who’s nothing at all like the man she married. But as feelings stir to life again, so do secrets, changing everything she thought she knew about her marriage, and about the risks and rewards of loving with no limits…

PJ's Thoughts:

I read this book three weeks ago. In one day. Turned the last page around 1:00 AM then was awake at least another hour thinking about these characters, their journey, the unexpected revelations. Fell asleep and dreamed about them. Woke up thinking about them. Six days later, was still so immersed in their story I hadn't been able to start reading a new book. That is the impact of Shaylin Gandhi's writing. 

I'm not going to say too much about this book because it deserves to unfurl for each reader at their own pace with no spoilers. I will say that it was one of my favorite reads of 2024 and I plan to read it again (more slowly) in 2025 just to appreciate all of the intricate nuances to be found within the pages. 

When We Had Forever is part women's fiction, part contemporary romance, part psychological thriller. It has placed Shaylin Gandhi firmly on my must-buy author list.

Do yourself a favor and buy this deeply emotional, beautifully written novel but be prepared to not be able to put it down. It's just that good.

Have you read Shaylin Gandhi or When We Had Forever?

Tell me about a new author you discovered last year who blew your reading socks off.

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, January 16 will receive a print copy of When We Had Forever.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Winner - - Shattering Dawn

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a hardcover copy of

Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz is:

Annette N

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Into the Woods

Into the Woods

by Jenny Holiday

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Gretchen Miller is a bit of a badass. But even badasses get the blues when it comes to romance, and Gretchen could use a break from dating. So, when she gets the offer to be the summer dance instructor at Camp Wild Arts, she leaps at the chance to embrace clean air, nature, and her inner crone. But every forest has pests—and the biggest one at Wild Arts is none other than Tennyson “Teddy” Knight, the A) arrogant, B) infuriating, C) kinda hot if it weren’t for A & B rockstar who happens to be Gretchen’s fellow artist-in-residence.

Fresh off his band's epic and ultra-public breakup, Teddy's grouchier than a black bear in spring, and Gretchen is happy to ignore the unexpected heat she feels around him. Yet a wary friendship blooms, and before she knows it, Gretchen finds herself sneaking around to have one last summer fling with the broody musician before she swears off men for good. But as they grow closer, Gretchen has to figure out if she's ready to take this summer camp romance out of the woods and into real life. 

PJ's Thoughts:

I don't know who started this trend of adult summer camp romances but they have my thanks because I am loving these stories. And, Into the Woods, in Jenny Holiday's capable hands, has me ready to grab a backpack and head for the woods myself. 

I love Jenny Holiday's characters. They are beautifully developed, complex, and intriguing. Also relatable. I feel like I know them, understand them, flaws and all, and appreciate their emotional challenges. The banter between Teddy and Gretchen is impeccable, as is the friction. I love a good adversaries-to-lovers journey. Even better, there's all that delicious but unwelcome (at least at first) heat simmering beneath the surface.

Teddy and Gretchen have some life experience in their rearview (they're in their 30's/40's) and are each at a professional crossroads. Their growth, both professional and personal (each has emotional baggage to confront), adds additional depth to their journeys and made this book even more enjoyable for me. I loved their snark, loved their spark, and finished their book with heartfelt satisfaction. Also, don't discount the importance of the richly depicted secondary cast in this book. They add humor, heart, conflict, and unexpected wisdom. It's always fun when we learn life lessons from the ones we're supposed to be teaching.  

If you read last year's Canadian Boyfriend (And if you haven't, you should. Just sayin'), you may recognize Gretchen as main female character Rory's (Aurora) boss and best friend. While Rory makes appearances in Into the Woods, don't worry if you're beginning here. Each book stands well on its own and I enthusiastically recommend both. Read my review of Canadian Boyfriend here. 

Review & Giveaway - - Remember When

Remember When

by Mary Balogh

A Ravenswood Novel - Book 4

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

The Dowager Countess of Stratton, Clarissa Ware, née Greenfield, has just presented her younger daughter to the ton, and the rest of her life belongs only to herself. She returns to Ravenswood, intending to spend the summer alone there. But the summer has other plans for her.

Born a gentleman, Matthew Taylor has chosen to spend his life as the village carpenter. Growing up, he and Clarissa were close—dangerously so, considering his family’s modest fortune. As a young man, he never would have been a suitable match for the daughter of the wealthy Greenfields. Clarissa married Caleb Ware, the Earl of Stratton, so Matthew married another, though he was widowed soon after.

Now everything is different—Clarissa has already lived the life expected of her by society. And Matthew is as attractive and intriguing as he was when they were young. As their summer friendship deepens into romance, they stand together on the precipice of change—essentially the same man and woman they remember being back then, but with renewed passion and the potential to take their lives in an entirely new direction.

PJ's Thoughts:

If you've been reading this series, you already know the details of Clarissa's marriage and subsequent widowhood. If you haven't, Balogh weaves them into this book in a such a way that you won't be lost or confused if this is your first foray to Ravenswood. 

I love second chance, reunion romances, especially those between childhood friends who reconnect later in life. But this one has an added layer of challenge. Matthew and Clarissa are from different stations in life, even more significant now that she is a dowager duchess and he is town's carpenter/wood carver. The difference was enough to not cross the line between friendship and love in their youth and is now sure to set tongues wagging when they're observed holding hands on long walks through the park. But they are no longer 17 and 18. They're a mature couple on the cusp of fifty and they know what they want although they are not unaware of the challenges that will need to be conquered to achieve it. 

This is such a lovely, endearing novel. I really enjoyed watching Matthew and Clarissa rediscover their friendship and in doing so, rediscover themselves. Clarissa, especially, learns who she is and what she wants - and deserves - outside of being a mother. I love how she begins to take control of her life and how much she - and her relationships with her children - grow as a result. Matthew has no surfeit of growth himself. I enjoyed watching the positive evolution of his relationship with his family, due in no small part to Clarissa's encouragement and support. These two are so good for each other. I loved the caring, joy, fun, and eventually, deep, lasting love that developed between them. I laughed, I cried, and I turned the final page of their novel with a deep, happy, heartfelt sigh. 

How do you feel about older characters who get a second chance at love?

Have you read any of the Ravenswood novels?

Do you enjoy cross-class romances?

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, January 12 will receive a hardcover copy of Remember When. 

*U.S. Only

*Must be 18