Review - - The Sea Witch

The Sea Witch

by Eva Leigh

Salt & Sorcery - Book 1

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: August 26, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Condemned as a witch, sentenced to die, Alys Tanner uses her innate magical power to flee Puritanical New England. Stealing a ship, Alys becomes captain of The Sea Witch, leading its all-female, sorcery-wielding pirate crew. But the colonial British navy is in hot pursuit. The navy fights for a choke hold on the Caribbean and will destroy anything they cannot control, especially witches.

When Ben Priestley, a headstrong naval navigator, is inadvertently captured by the lady pirates, dangerous truths are revealed. A quest that could turn the tides against the navy’s might ignites a reluctant partnership between the by-the-books prisoner and the fierce witch pirate captain. While they brave backstabbing pirates, perilous tropical islands and monster-filled seas, Alys and Ben’s mistrust grows into unexpected desire as they battle an enemy that will stop at nothing to rule the waves.

PJ's Thoughts:

Lady pirates sailing the Caribbean? Yes, please. Lady pirates who are also witches? Oh, heck yes! 

This book was everything I didn't know I needed: lady witch pirates, high-seas adventure, magical realism, forced proximity, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, and twists I never saw coming. The characters drew me in from the get-go, immersing me in their cut-throat world of piracy. If that wasn't enough, Leigh also added in witches, mages, and super-powered sea creatures bound to England's naval ships and bent on destruction. Fantastical? Yes. And yet, Leigh makes it all seem plausible and real. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough while at the same time wanting to slow down and absorb every minute detail. I read the entire book in one day, staying awake way past my bedtime and relishing every impeccably presented detail. 

The characters were multi-layered, nuanced, and fully developed. I loved the evolution of Alys and Ben, both individually and as an eventual couple. But I also enjoyed the relationships among the all-women crew on Alys's ship. While not the lead couple, they are intrinsically important to the overall story and I appreciated the time and care devoted to their individual characters and stories. I'm hopeful that we will continue to learn more about them as the series continues. 

The relationship between Alys and Ben was not easy, as one would expect between a pirate witch captain and her upright British naval navigator captive. I loved that she held the power but also appreciated the eventual ebb and flow of that dynamic as their characters and relationship grew. Their interactions felt authentic and their slowly changing opinions, organic. I was fully immersed in their quest, in their relationship, in their chaotic world. I was pulling so hard for their improbable happy ending. And, yes, I actually gasped when I reached the end of the book. Cliffhanger!

I don't know when book two of this trilogy is scheduled to be released but what I do know is that I'll be hitting that preorder button the second it becomes available. I am fully involved in these characters now and I cannot wait to discover what Eva Leigh has planned for the next phase of their journey. In the meantime, I'll be rereading The Sea Witch, probably more than once. It's just that immersive. It's just that good. 

Review - - A Promise of Forever

A Promise of Forever

by Sheryl Lister

Firefly Lake - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 19, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Terri Rhodes loves her husband—when he’s actually present. Their whirlwind marriage was a steamy fairy tale for about a year. They moved to Firefly Lake, made amazing friends . . . but over time, Jon’s legal practice and Terri’s work as an ER nurse have turned them into ships passing in the night. What she wouldn’t give to connect with Jon the way they used to before the long hours and unexpected tragedy broke both their hearts.

Jon can’t stand to see his beautiful wife in pain—or talk about his own. He couldn’t admit there was a problem until Terri got his attention in the worst way: by walking out. Jon will do anything to get her back, like leaning on their new friends in the Supper Club and taking her on dates that prove their chemistry is as hot as ever. He has to believe it’s not too late to prove to the woman he loves that his heart and ears are open. And that no matter what, he’s not giving up.

PJ's Thoughts:

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy. Book three, A Promise of Forever wraps things up with a story that was both charming and deeply emotional. Expect to laugh, cry, and sigh with heartfelt delight.

The four women at the heart of Serenity's Supper Club are friendship goals. I love how they rally for one another, offering support when needed and straight talk when appropriate. They are one another's biggest cheerleaders and Terri needs all of them when her marriage hits the rocks. 

I've also enjoyed how the new husbands from books one and two have formed their own bonds, pulling Jon into their circle in this book. As much as Terri needs her girls, Jon needs the brothers even more. The life-long toxic influence of Jon's father has Jon's marriage teetering on the brink. I love that the author uses strong, confident, happily married Black men to show Jon that being vulnerable,  sharing your feelings, and asking for help doesn't make you weak but, in fact, makes you stronger. 

The progression of Jon's and Terri's marriage from tension to separation to reunion unfolds in a thoughtful, organic, and authentic manner that kept me engaged and involved from beginning to end. The stakes of their actions are realistic and relatable, their love for one another palpable, but the issues between them not easily mended. The hard work they put in - especially Jon - had me celebrating their HEA with smiles and tears. 

If you enjoy charming, heartfelt, small-town romance with relatable, fully-dimensional characters, strong friendships, supportive community, drool-worthy food, emotional heft, and swoon-worthy happy endings, give A Promise of Forever a try. It has my enthusiastic recommendation, as do books one and two, A Table for Two and A Perfect Pairing. 

Review - - My Best Friend's Earl

My Best Friend's Earl

by Bethany Bennett

Bluestocking Booksellers - Book 2

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 12, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

A bold bookseller tries to matchbreak her friend’s engagement to an earl . . . until she finds herself falling for him instead.

The one thing Constance Martin wants most to avoid is a boring life. She walks her cat with a leash in Hyde Park and even called off her wedding at the altar to stop what would have been a monotonous marriage. So when an aristocratic friend comes into the store asking for help throwing over her fiancé, Constance is both sympathetic and eager for the excitement to come. What could be more fun than plotting ways to get a stuffy—but very handsome—earl to break an engagement?

    Oliver Vincent, Earl of Southwyn, likes his orderly life of duty and logic. Everything’s falling into place; all that’s left is marrying the girl next door. Except the girl next door is increasingly reluctant. But marriage is a business deal, after all, and Oliver is determined to keep moving forward with the plan. If only he wasn’t so distracted by her friend—a stunning woman best described as chaos incarnate. She thinks marriage should be an adventure, and he views it as a transaction. But Oliver can’t seem to remember the downsides of falling when Constance is near. . .

PJ's Thoughts:

The first time Constance and Oliver hit the page together in Good Duke Gone Wild (book one), I knew they were meant for one another. Yes, they were both betrothed at the time (to other people) so I had no idea how Bennett would bring it about but I was confident it would happen. And, if it didn't I was going to be very disappointed. Fortunately, my hopes and Ms. Bennett's plans were on the same track. 

I couldn't wait to get my hands on My Best Friend's Earl. I love cross-class romance. I love opposites attract. And, I especially love the concept of a matchbreaker with deliciously devious ideas (feral cats, anyone?) for helping her friend break an unwanted betrothal, never expecting to fall for the uptight (but is he, really?) man herself. 

I loved watching Oliver unravel from a starchy, honor-bound man, resigned to marrying a young woman he doesn't love (who considers him a brother) to a salty, secret cat-loving man enthralled with a woman who crashes into his life with adventure, laughter, and chaos. He's one of the good guys, as illustrated by how he handles the dismantling of the unwanted betrothal and the wellbeing of his betrothed.

Constance is a complex character with what today would be termed ADHD who Bennett (also with ADHD) brings to life with authenticity and care, showing the numerous ways in which her daily life is impacted by it. The details make her a relatable character with whom it is easy to relate, even if the reader has no personal experience with the disorder. I adored her, her family relationships, and, especially, her evolving relationship with Oliver. 

These two had me cheering them on the entire way - even as I had no idea how they would end up together - but Bennett had one more ingenious idea up her sleeve that brought about two happy endings and one totally outsmarted villain. I do so love it when a plan comes together. 

My Best Friend's Earl can be read as a standalone but I enjoyed it much more for having read Good Duke Gone Wild first. I think reading the books in order gives readers a deeper look into Constance, in particular, and a better understanding of her character. Both books have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review - - Bad Luck Bride

Bad Luck Bride

by Laura Lee Guhrke

Scandal at the Savoy - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: July 29, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Third time’s a charm? For Lady Kay Matheson, it had better be. Her first engagement was a failed elopement; the second ruined by gossip about the first. Resigned to be a disgraced spinster, no one is more surprised than Kay when an American millionaire offers for her hand. Just when she’s convinced she will finally make it down the aisle, the scoundrel who broke her heart arrives with his own fiancée.

Devlin Sharpe has finally become a success. He has wealth, connections, and a lovely bride-to-be—and he won’t let an old flame derail all his hard work. But it turns out time has not dampened his grudge toward Kay—or the desire sparking between them. And one searing kiss threatens to ruin their wedding plans and their futures, and make Kay the bad-luck bride all over again.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been eagerly anticipating this third book in Laura Lee Guhrke's Scandal at the Savoy series and am happy to say it was worth the wait. Filled with betrayal, second chances, family dynamics, and a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance, it's a story that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I love the Victorian setting of this series with its more modern sensibilities and characters - heroines in particular - with more independence and opportunity. However, society still holds sway in London and sometimes women, for the sake of family, are forced to follow their heads rather than their hearts. I really enjoyed watching Kay and Devlin work through the many emotions that rise to the fore when Devlin's return to London brings them face to face at the Savoy. The sparks between these are strong enough to set fire to the place. But, wow, there's a whole boatload of messiness to wade through. Speaking of messy, did I mention their respective fiancés?

These characters kept me engaged from start to a very surprising finish. I have to admit, I had no idea how Guhrke was going to pull off a happy ending for Devlin and Kay with everything that was at stake but she did. In the process, she gave me a story with sparkling dialogue, snappy banter, emotional depth, a few twists, a terrific supporting cast, and a hard-won, happy ending. 

While characters from the first two books in this series appear in Bad Luck Bride, you can easily begin with book three without missing a beat. I do, however, enthusiastically recommend all three books in the series. 

Review - - Don't You Forget About Me

Don't You Forget About Me

by Shana Galen

Publisher: Shana Galen

Release Date: July 15, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

 

A woman who’s forgotten who she is…

When Marjorie regains consciousness in a cold, sea-drenched cave with no memory of who she is or how she got there, panic sets in. She barely escapes the rising water and stumbles onto a beach—deserted except for one man who calls out to her. He says he’s her husband. That her name is Marjorie. That they’re honeymooning in Cornwall.

At first, she has no reason to doubt the handsome stranger. In fact, she’s thrilled to be married to a man she desires and who seems kind and caring. But as the days unfold, cracks in his story begin to show and Marjorie fears her husband may not be at all who he claims. In fact, she suspects he is her enemy and a traitor to England.

A man who desperately needs her to remember.

The last thing Simon Burrows expected was for Marjorie to go missing. When he finds her wet and shivering on the beach at dawn, she remembers absolutely nothing—not who she is, not who he is, and, most importantly, not the vital information only she possesses.

Simon hopes her memory will come back to her with a bit of rest and care, but as the hours and days tick by, he’s running out of time. Added to his dilemma, Marjorie seems to want him as much as he’s always wanted her. It hasn’t been easy keeping his hands to himself. And when she reaches for him with raw passion, he finds himself caught between duty and desire. Because if Marjorie ever remembers the truth, he may lose the one woman he's never stopped wanting…forever.

PJ's Thoughts:

I would never wish amnesia on someone in real life but in fiction? Yes, please! I love the idea of fictional characters having a blank slate upon which to build, a fresh perspective that allows them to view people and circumstances through a new lens. That's exactly what happens in Shana Galen's new novella, Don't You Forget About Me.

Galen pulled me into this story from the initial scenes and held my attention right up until the end. It's a journey brimming with mystery, chemistry, lively banter, and an unexpected opportunity to start over. 

If you enjoy historical romance with a gothic vibe, a colleagues-to-lovers romance, suspense, and emotional depth, all leading to a heart-tugging HEA, I enthusiastically recommend Don't You Forget About Me. It's a quick read (novella) with the emotional punch and satisfaction of a full-length book - something Shana Galen does very well. 

Review - - Pugs & Kisses

Pugs & Kisses

by Farrah Rochon

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: July 15, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

From the outside, veterinarian Evie Williams appears to have the perfect but boring life. She is desperate to figure out a way to shake it up, but gets more than she bargained for when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, Evie is without a fiancé or a job, and isn’t sure what her next steps should be. That is, until her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, returns to town.  

Now, a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon, Bryson is stunned when he encounters Evie Williams for the first time in half a decade. When they learn the animal shelter where they used to volunteer is in danger of closing, the two must work together to save it. It has Bryson wondering, can he and Evie also save the friendship they once shared and finally bring it to the next level? 

PJ's Thoughts:

Pugs & Kisses is a heart-warming story set in New Orleans (a location the author knows well) that gave me everything I could have asked for. Second chances? Yes, please, especially in the hands of an author who uses that second chance to full effect. Strong friendships? Evie, Ridley, and Ashanti are friendship goals, the ride-or-die kind who are there for one another, always. Dogs? I mean, c'mon. Look at that cover. You know there are going to be adorable (rescue) dogs!

These characters - both two and four legged - pulled me in from the get-go. I love when couples who crashed and burned earlier in life are given a new opportunity to get it right. Rochon takes her time with Bryson and Evie, not rushing them into romance but allowing them the space to get to know one another again and avoid the issues that derailed them in college. I loved watching them find their way back to one another. Bryson is a total sweetheart and Evie more than deserves her happy ending after finally tossing her horrible ex. Their warm hug of a journey is spicy, hopeful, humorous, and endearing in all the right places. 

Toxic family? We have that too. I enjoyed watching Evie evolve to the point where she's ready to tackle the issues with her family head-on. Bryson grows too, especially in regards to the social class difference that caused him to make assumptions and poor decisions during his and Evie's first go around. It all leads to a more solid foundation upon which to build their second chance at love and I am here for it. 

While Pugs & Kisses can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone, readers who like this book will not want to miss book one, Pardon My Frenchie (Ashanti and Thad - read my review).  

 

Review & Giveaway - - That Cowboy Charm

That Cowboy Charm

by Pam Mantovani

Cowboys of Burton Springs - Book 8

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Release Date: April 30, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Best-selling author Londyn Fitzgerald has a career to die for—until she learns she's acquired a stalker. After months of terrifying emails, she decides to get out of NY and a trip to Burton Springs, Montana, sounds like just what she needs. She can visit her best friend, do a bit of research, and work on her newest book. The gorgeous setting is sure to distract her from what’s going on at home. And talk about a distraction…

Cowboy Jacob Reece can't help but be intrigued by the newcomer in town. She's adorable; she's feisty, and being around her makes him remember how much he loved being a rancher, back before family responsibility weighed him down. But with her at his side, everything seems easier. Until…

When Londyn's stalker makes a reappearance, suddenly, she's not the only one at risk. Jacob's vowing to keep her safe, but at what cost? Should she leave before someone gets hurt? Or could she stay under Jacob's protection, knowing that there's so much more to him than just his cowboy charm…

PJ's Thoughts:

I haven't read this entire series yet but I have enjoyed each visit that I've made to Pam Mantovani's Burton Springs, Montana. In That Cowboy Charm, we're treated to a page-turner of a story featuring emotional depth, a bit of spice, some humor, and a suspense thread that kept me guessing right up until the reveal. 

I enjoyed Jacob and Londyn's romantic journey. They seem an unlikely pairing on paper: he's country/she's city, she's fiercely independent/he's overly protective. As their story plays out, however, we soon see how well they complement one another. Now if only they are able clue into that.

The balance of suspense and romance in the story is good, offering opportunities for Londyn and Jacob to spend time together as their relationship evolves. It also results in growth and compromise on both sides. I appreciated that Londyn's internal strength did not diminish in the face of Jacob's protectiveness while also learning that it's okay to accept help as well as Jacob's evolution as he realized the importance of standing beside her and supporting her but not calling the shots for her. 

Mantovani has populated Burton Springs with intriguing characters who add humor and heart to the stories without detracting from each book's lead characters. Fans of the series will no doubt enjoy catching up with some couples from earlier books while reading That Cowboy Charm while those new to this series should have no worries about jumping in at any point.

Do you enjoy western-set romances?

Have you read Pam Mantovani yet? 

Have you ever lived on or visited a ranch?

What are you reading this week?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 11 will receive a signed print copy of That Cowboy Charm.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Writing Mr. Wrong

Writing Mr. Wrong

by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Debut author Gemma Stanton knows romance readers love a bad boy—and she has the perfect prototype for her novel: Mason Moretti. High school hockey god-turned-pro player, Mason was Gemma's first crush, but she couldn't forget the sting of his very public rejection. So, she casts him as a hot-headed Highlander in her spicy new historical romance. She never expected readers would find out on live TV when a morning show host invites Mason for a surprise on-air reunion...

As an aging hockey player with a rep for being ruthless on the ice—and roguish off of it—Mason has an image problem. So, when his meet-cute with Gemma goes viral, Mason proposes they build on the momentum with a few fake dates to boost her book sales...and his sagging profile. But when the fictional flirting gets a little too real, Mason realizes Gemma actually makes him want to become a better man—someone worthy of her trust and her love. 

Will Gemma give him a second chance? Mason knows it's a long shot, but taking shots is sorta his thing, and besides, who loves a redemption arc more than a romance author?

PJ's Thoughts:

If you're a regular around here you know how much I enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's first romcom, Finding Mr. Write (click to read my review), one of my favorite books last year. I've been itching to get my hands on book two, Writing Mr. Wrong ever since. I'm happy to say it did not disappoint.

Writing Mr. Wrong hit all of my happy, romance reading notes. I love a second-chance romance, especially if it involves lots of delicious tension. Armstrong not only nails several layers of tension in this book, she also bathes this couple's journey with humor, chemistry, and emotional depth. Gemma is frustrated with the direction her writing career is taking. Mason is on the home stretch of his hockey career and not dealing with it well. There's also emotional baggage from their past to be dealt with as well as career challenges (for both) in the present. I appreciate how Armstrong balances the humor with the emotional depth. Rest assured, there is plenty of both. 

I love how the initial perceptions Gemma and Mason have when they reconnect are turned on their heads. Gemma based her alpha-hole book hero on her experiences with high school Mason. Mason thinks he's the inspiration for a truly heroic character (he hasn't read the book yet). When he does read it, he realizes just how awful he was to her back in high school (though he didn't mean to be) and how shallow he's become as an adult (exhibition A: their cringe, first fake date). 

His realizations are a self-awakening plays out in public fake-dating (social media loves them) and private lessons (from Gemma) in how not to be a jerk. Okay, Mason is kind of a jerk but mostly because he's doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But feelings are something he's going to have to face if he wants more with Gemma. I love how Gemma calls him out on his BS but also how he wants to be better and how she helps him get there. 

With alternating points of view, we're privy to the inner thoughts of both Gemma and Mason. Knowing Mason's inner thoughts gives us a clearer view of his vulnerabilities and sweetness, especially when it comes to Gemma, and made me like him even more. I love the slow-burn attraction between them but especially how they gradually open up and communicate, how they talk through the issues of their past (finally), and work together toward the future. They're kind of each other's "the one who got away" and watching them find their way back to one another as adults is a delight.  

Review & Giveaway - - The Love Fix

The Love Fix

by Jill Shalvis

Sunrise Cove - Book 8

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.

Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged.  So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to. 

Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for Lexi: for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.

PJ's Thoughts:

By the time I finished this book I felt like I had spent several hours with good friends. Such is the magic of Jill Shalvis' storytelling and character development. The Love Fix (wonderful title and very appropriate for this book) centers on found family, forgiveness, growth, healing, and love (both romantic and familial). It takes the three main characters on a journey of self discovery that strengthens bonds and offers new perspectives about each other as well as the person (now deceased) who ties them all together. 

As is usually the case with a Shalvis book, I laughed, shed a few tears, and turned the final page with a deep, heartfelt sigh of satisfaction. She does it to me every time.

This book brings Shalvis' Sunrise Cove series to an end. As with the other seven books in the series, The Love Fix is a standalone story with the Sunrise Cove location being the only element binding the eight books together. If you're looking for stories that will touch your heart and tickle your funny bone, check them out. I enthusiastically recommend the entire series. 

Have you been reading the Sunrise Cove series? Do you have a favorite?

I love that I can read the books in this series in any order. Have you read any other series that are comprised of standalone stories? 

What's on your reading agenda for this weekend? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (EDT), June 28 will receive a print copy of The Love Fix. 

U.S. only

Must be 18