Review - - Yes, Chef

Yes, Chef

by Grace Reilly

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: July 21, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

If you can’t take the heat…get out of the kitchen.

After a public meltdown in the dining room of one of Manhattan’s most elite restaurants, Chef Jack Hartman is back in his South Florida hometown. Angry, grieving, and saddled with the unwanted storefront his late mentor left him, his life is spinning out of control. And that’s before Poppy Winfield—the bubbly, infuriating daughter of his former boss—shows up at his dock.

Poppy needs to escape. From her family, her ex-boyfriend, and her reputation as someone who has never taken anything seriously. But more than that, she wants to prove herself—and she has just the plan to do it. Unfortunately, that plan involves Jack Hartman, the most arrogant, intimidating man she’s ever had the pleasure of throwing a shrimp at.

Poppy proposes a deal: they work together to open a revamped version of his mentor’s restaurant. Jack will handle the menu, and she’ll use her social media influence to sell the hell out of its grand opening. If she and Jack can make it a success, it’ll be a ticket for them both to return to New York.

Jack is intrigued, but only on his terms: If Poppy’s going to do this, she must learn the ropes of the business. From him.

As sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen, Poppy and Jack are left wondering, could they be a perfect pairing? Or is this whole experiment a recipe for disaster?

PJ's Thoughts:

Yes, Chef was my first Grace Reilly book but it sure won't be my last. Once I started reading, these characters and their journey refused to be set aside. 

This book included some delicious tropes including grumpy - sunshine. It is one of my favorites and, boy howdy, do Jack and Poppy deliver. I'll take Jack's grumpy, "I'm in control" chef vibes every day and gladly ask for more. It's like book catnip but Reilly pairing it with emotional wounds, ADHD challenges (for both Jack and Poppy), and organic character growth take it up another level. I'm not especially fond of influencer characters but, again, Reilly gives Poppy emotional complexity, complicated family dynamics, and a genuinely good heart that make her an intriguing character, one with whom I felt an emotional attachment and could happily cheer for. 

In addition to the grumpy-sunshine trope, there's also forced proximity (kitchen lessons and a houseboat), enemies-to-lovers, beach town vibes, and found family (both two and four legged).

Reilly nailed the beach town setting. I live just north of where this book is set and everything in the book felt authentic and familiar. 

And then there was the food. I felt like I was right there in the kitchen with them, drooling over the fresh seafood, beautifully described entrees, and delicious desserts. 

If you enjoy steamy romance with humor, heart, emotional depth, drool-worthy food, found family, and a hard-won happy ending, I happily recommend Grace Reilly's Yes, Chef. It's a fun, smile-inducing book I didn't want to put down. 

I can't wait to see what Reilly brings readers next!

Review & Giveaway - - Love on the Shelf

Love on the Shelf

by Sheila Roberts

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: May 26, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

The battle lines are drawn—between a romance-loving bookseller and the shock jock determined to tear happily-ever-afters apart.

Alice Willoughby and her mom run HEA Books, a cozy shop devoted to love stories and the people who crave them. Alice is great at matching customers with their perfect happily-ever-after…she just can’t seem to find her own.
Enter Parker Black, a disillusioned radio host who’s reinvented himself as a romance-bashing shock jock. Bitter from his breakup with a romance author who turned love into a four-letter word, Parker takes aim at the entire genre—and his on-air rants start stirring up trouble for Alice’s loyal customers and their partners. He’s arrogant, aggravating, and absolutely not book-boyfriend material.
Parker’s crusade leads to spirited debates and bookstore protests, but when unexpected sparks fly between the two of them Alice begins to wonder if her favorite trope—enemies to lovers—might actually be playing out in real life. Parker may claim romance is a lie…but is he protesting a little too much?
With sharp wit and plenty of charm, USA Today bestselling author Sheila Roberts delivers a modern battle of the sexes where the biggest question is simple:
Are romance novels ruining love—or rewriting it?

PJ's Thoughts:

One of the things I most enjoy about Sheila Roberts' books is the community of characters she creates. They are well developed and almost always include characters who elicit my compassion as well as those I'd happily toss off a cliff (not literally, but definitely in my thoughts). In Love on the Shelf, Roberts once again gives readers a good blend of both.

Humor is central to this battle of the sexes but so is emotion and a storyline that I can easily see playing out in real life. I enjoyed watching Parker and Alice evolve throughout the book, especially Parker. He has many lessons to learn and, boy howdy, do certain characters enjoy delivering them.

This book feels like a women's fiction-romcom blend with multiple relationships, snappy banter, some sweet, Hallmark-style romance, and a hopeful ending. I could definitely envision it playing out on my TV as I read it. 

If you're looking for a fun, feel-good story with laughter and heart, I suggest putting Love on the Shelf on your summer reading list. 

Have you read any of Sheila Roberts' books?

Have you watched any of the Hallmark movies based on her books?

What are you reading this summer?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 26 will receive a print copy of Love on the Shelf.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - The Cherry Blossom Boathouse

The Cherry Blossom Boathouse

by Laura Bloom

Solace Springs - Book 1

Publisher: Dell

Release Date: May 26, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

When Sophie Bennet gets fired from her high-profile marketing job and dumped by her boyfriend for being "too boring," she decides to take a risk–fueled by wine–and launches a crowdfunding campaign called "Help a Boring Girl Buy a Bookshop." To her shock, what started as a joke goes viral, raising enough money for her to leave London and buy a rundown boathouse in the sleepy small town of Solace Springs, Washington, marking the start of her new chapter.

Local boatbuilder and professional grump Luke Rhodes has had it with outsiders coming to Solace Springs and disturbing his carefully cultivated quiet life. So when Sophie, his annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor, moves in with her endless optimism, relentless determination, and distracting curves, he wants nothing to do with her renovation project. Too bad fate—and the town residents—have other plans. As Luke gets roped into working with Sophie, he starts to find that the cherry blossoms aren’t the only thing blooming in town.

In the midst of clashing over paint samples and arguing over structural integrity, things start to heat up between the town local and the new resident. But just as Luke’s carefully constructed walls begin to crack, Sophie’s sudden viral fame threatens the tranquility of Solace Springs. They’ll have to decide if their unexpected connection will wilt away or bloom into something more.

PJ's Thoughts:

London meets small-town Washington State in this charming, quirky, emotionally-charged story that I couldn't put down. 

This was my first book by Laura Bloom. I wasn't sure what to expect but the premise sounded intriguing so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so happy that I did! I was plunged straight into the story - much like Sophie's plunge into the lake - and didn't look up again until I turned the final page. 

I lost count of the happy reader boxes this book checked for me, there were so many. A whole boatload! First off, I love the grumpy-sunshine trope and, boy howdy, do Luke and Sophie exemplify this vibe. So much delicious banter and tension. Then there's the small-town setting. I want to visit Solace Springs, attend their festivals, spend time on the lake, visit with the locals. And speaking of locals, there are more than a few begging for stories of their own.  

The journey Luke and Sophie travel is filled with charm, growth, emotional healing, some steam, a few surprises, non-stop banter, and, how could I forget, a crowd-funded bookshop that beckons readers in and encourages them to stay for hours. Count me in!

The next book in Laura Bloom's Solace Springs series, The Sugar Maple Inn, is scheduled for release on September 15, 2026. I already have in on preorder.

 

Review - - Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret

by Tracy Solheim

Milwaukee Mayhem - Book 2

Publisher: Sun Home Productions

Release Date: June 8, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

He inherited a hockey empire from a father he never knew.
Now he’s risking it all for the one woman he shouldn’t touch.

When Max Kellogg unexpectedly inherits the Milwaukee Mayhem after the death of the man who refused to acknowledge him, the league expects the brash Hollywood nepo baby to crash and burn. Not wanting to give them—or his late father—the satisfaction of being right, Max steps into the spotlight—rewriting contracts, rebuilding the roster, and signing the most electrifying teenage talent professional hockey has ever seen.

Eighteen-year-old phenom Parker Dern is a virtuoso on the ice—and a tabloid sensation off it. The only person who can steady him is his fiercely devoted older sister, Olivia Dern. When Olivia suddenly finds herself unemployed and on the brink of losing the stability she’s fought so hard to build, Max makes her an offer she can’t refuse: travel with the team. Keep her brother focused. Be his handler. Shield him from the glare of the spotlight.

It’s supposed to be temporary. Strictly professional.

Until late-night flights, luxury hotel rooms, and private skating sessions begin to blur the lines.

Making his late father pay for a lifetime of neglect has always been Max’s driving obsession. But when Olivia walks into his carefully calculated world, revenge is no longer the only thing on his mind. And for the first time, Max must decide if payback is worth losing the one person who makes him want something more…

PJ's Thoughts:

Hockey. Family. Romance. Tracy Solheim beautifully blends the three in this second book of her Milwaukee Mayhem series. These characters quickly drew me into their lives and held my attention right up until the end. There's intrigue, steam, villainous family members, surprise revelations, character growth, and a hard-won happy ending. 

If you're looking for multi-layered contemporary romance with messy family relationships, characters who feel like real people, high emotional stakes, a few surprises, and a heartfelt happy ending, all set within the world of professional sports, an arena this author knows well, pick up a copy of Dirty Little Secret and prepare to be swept away.  

Do you enjoy sports romance? If so, all sports or just particular ones?

Have you read any books by Tracy Solheim yet? (She's also written romantic suspense and straight contemporary romance).

Review - - How Simi Got Her Groom Back

How Simi Got Her Groom Back

by Sonali Dev

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: March 3, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

Two sisters. One fake marriage. Zero chance of keeping the truth hidden.

The Naik sisters escaped their traumatic past in Mumbai to come to the States, but their journeys have been vastly different. Simi is working toward a bright future as a pediatric nurse in a small town in Kentucky when Rupi shows up at her door in distress, on the run, and as always, dragging trouble in her wake.

With Rupi’s safety in jeopardy, the sisters hatch a desperate plan to keep her in the country: Rupi must get married—and fast—even if it means Simi recruiting the man she’s been secretly dating as her sister’s groom. A perfect plan? Not quite. But there aren’t many alternatives.

As the big day inches closer, Simi and Rupi face a storm of wedding shenanigans and romantic surprises, not to mention sisterly jealousies. As the stakes and tensions rise, will their secrets tear them apart or will they find a way to risk everything for love?

PJ's Thoughts:

Sonali Dev took me on quite the emotional roller coaster with this book. It starts slow, from Rupi's point of view, a character I initially had trouble connecting with. I really didn't like her. At all. But that's part of Dev's skill in character building. I don't think I was supposed to. Not liking - or trusting - her gave her character the opportunity to grow, and me to change my mind, over the course of the book. 

Simi was the sister I favored at the beginning of the book but, again, my feelings about her also changed over the course of the book.  That's one of the things I enjoy about this author's writing. I never know what kind of journey she's going to take me - or her characters - on. I only know it's going to be one that will be thought-provoking, emotional, and heart-wrenching at times while also sprinkled with humor and human connection. Simi and Rupi are multi-layered, flawed, and carrying an immense amount of emotional trauma that impacts their decisions and actions in present time. They both have a significant growth arc that needs to be traveled before true happiness is in reach. 

The story is told from the point of view of each sister, in alternating chapters. Viewing everything unfolding from their individual perspectives really gives it all an added punch. I vacillated back and forth among stomach-clenching heartache, pure rage, and endearing hope, never knowing until the final pages which way this story was going to go regarding either the romantic relationships or the immigration dilemma. Kudos to Dev for bringing this story to life in such a realistic, relatable way that it elicited so many visceral emotions in me. 

The comedic relief in the book comes from Prem's family, a meddling, boisterous, welcoming group of people who, through their actions, show Rupi and Simi what a loving, supportive family looks like. Of course, that also heightens the angst when the recipient of all that love and support is the sister Prem is set to marry but not the sister Prem loves. It's a tangled mess that I, again, had no clue how Dev would unravel until the very end. 

Review & Giveaway - - Take Me Home to You

Take Me Home to You

by Miranda Liasson

The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff - Book 3

Publisher: Miranda Liasson LLC

Release Date: February 27, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

A grumpy ER boss and a sunshine doctor think they’ve sworn off romance—until one tiny baby decides to play matchmaker.

When Dr. Ani Green drags herself onto the plane after her wedding-that-never-was, she’s a self-described mess who has sworn off all relationships for good. But her "honeymoon for one" has a silver lining: Adam. He’s the kind, charming stranger who takes her trip from unbearable to almost fun.

What happens in Turks and Caicos stays there.

She left the island thinking she’d never see him again—only to walk into her new ER shift and realize that her vacation fling is her new boss. And he’s not the man she remembers.

Dr. Adam Lowenstein doesn’t do "fun." He does rules, schedules, and whatever it takes to shield his heart from any more grief. His time in Turks and Caicos was a temporary lapse in judgment. Now that he’s the Head of Emergency Medicine, he needs to be the stoic leader—not the man who fell for a whirlwind of a woman under a tropical sun. If that means denying his connection with Ani, so be it.

Until a patient surrenders a baby with a desperate plea for help.

As their professional boundaries crumble, Adam and Ani are forced to bridge the gap between who they were on the island and who they are now. Now, they must work together to protect a tiny life—and find out if the family they never thought they’d have is the one they can’t live without.

PJ's Thoughts:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series from Miranda Liasson, with each new book feeling like a visit with good friends. I'm invested in their personal lives, in their careers, in their ride-or-die friendships, and in their sometimes tumultuous journeys to finding the right person to trust with their hearts. 

Adam and Ani certainly haven't had an easy path to travel. She's just called off her wedding at the last minute (in book two, Take Me to the Wedding) while he's still mired in grief following the death of his wife two years earlier but there's an inexplicable connection when they end up seated together on a flight neither is excited to be on. I love the ease between them when they decide to spend the week together exploring the island. The friendship they form feels organic, as does the slow building attraction, but neither is ready for a new relationship. I appreciate the author not forcing it at that point. Bringing them back together months later feels more authentic to the emotional upheaval both are dealing with when they first meet and incorporates the "real life" challenges that add humor, chaos, and emotional complexity to their journey. 

This is another heart-tugging, hopeful, and ultimately healing journey from Liasson, something at which she excels. While deeply emotional topics are tackled, there's also no lack of humor and joy along the way, keeping the tone of the book from becoming too heavy. There's also substantial growth on the parts of both Ani and Adam, leading to compromise, understanding, and, finally, a deep, enduring love. I do love happy endings. 

If you enjoy heartwarming, small-town, grumpy-sunshine romance with humor, character growth, emotional healing, an adorable baby, a dog who steals every scene he's in, friends and co-workers who add texture to the story, a few surprising twists, and a hard-won, heartfelt happily ever after, I recommend picking up a copy of Take Me Home to You. It, along with books one and two of this series, Take Me Home for Christmas and Take Me to the Wedding, have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Take Me Home to You can be enjoyed as a standalone but if you enjoy knowing the backstory of a character's journey, you might want to read Take Me to the Wedding first. 

Have you read any of Miranda Liasson's books yet?

Are you reading The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff series?

What's the last book that made you both laugh out loud and shed a few tears?

One randomly chosen reader who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 14 will receive a paperback copy of Take Me Home to You. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Lonesome Ridge

Lonesome Ridge

by Maisey Yates

Rustler Mountain - Book 3

Publisher: Kensington Books

Release Date: February 24, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

Good guys and bad guys . . . myth and legend . . . gold and ranching. That’s what historic Rustler Mountain, Oregon, is made of, complete with feuding families descended from outlaws and lawmen. A century later, their grudges still hold—but for a new generation, when opposites attract, it might be time to surrender . . .

From killers to courtesans, the Hancock family has what might be called an eclectic history. But they’ve managed to leverage it into something respectable, creating the popular Hancock Wild West Show. The event features reenactments and trick riding—the latter performed by clever, charismatic Jessie Jane Hancock.

Jessie is usually unflappable, but lately something’s needling her—and it’s not just her annoying attraction to exasperatingly sexy Flynn Wilder—whose great, great, great, great, great grandfather was betrayed by Jessie’s just-as-many-times-great grandfather. It’s the upcoming mayoral election. Specifically, the unopposed candidate: Danielle LeFevre, mean girl, all-around awful person, and Flynn’s not-so-beloved half-sister. Jessie wants to keep Danielle from winning . . . and the only person who bothers Flynn more than she does is Danielle.

“I want you to be my first man.” Jessie Jane is hot enough to make him hallucinate, but her request is very real. Jessie wants to run for mayor, and she wants him by her side, as her fake boyfriend. A Hancock dating a Wilder. An outsider against the status quo. A drama their town will devour. Flynn always knew Jessie was a wild card, but bringing down his corrupt stepfamily is a temptation he can’t resist. Just like the vexing spark between him and Jessie. And once that fire catches, the real showdown begins . . .

PJ's Thoughts:

Rustler Mountain is turning out to be one of my favorite Maisey Yates settings. I love the outlaw vs lawmen vibe and the way it frequently gets turned on its head. These characters are much more than the label they've been given by the townspeople...and by history. 

I wouldn't say Jessie and Flynn are enemies, exactly, but they sure aren't besties either. Their families have done their best to maintain the status quo of the multi-generation feud between them. While Flynn and Jessie have never done anything to disrupt that or get to know one another - until now - the fact remains that these two have been aware of each other since high school. 

I love the complexity of the characters in this series and, in particular, this book. There are so many layers - something Yates does well - revealing more and more of the true nature of the main characters as the story progresses. I enjoy being surprised by characters and both Flynn and Jessie surprised me as their story unfolded. I felt my understanding of and empathy for each of them deepening as they learned more about each other and I learned more about both of them. 

The humor and chemistry in the book is well balanced by the emotional depth, especially as related to complicated family dynamics. I found myself laughing in places, tearing up in others, and fully rooting for Jessie and Flynn, both individually and as a couple. I appreciated the evolution each of them underwent, bringing them to a point where they were unapologetically their true selves and at peace with their places in their families, each other, and life.

This is the third book in the Rustler Mountain series. It certainly can be enjoyed as a standalone though I'm glad I read the books in order as there are several characters whose relationships, and personal growth, evolve throughout the series. Wherever you decide to jump in, all three books have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review - - Free Falling

Free Falling

by Jill Shalvis

Colburn Brothers - Book 2

Publisher: That's What She Said Publishing, Inc.

Release Date: February 3, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

These rivals are stuck with each other…

Retired hockey player Caleb Colburn needs this new construction project to go smoothly to prove he’s earned his place in the family business. There’s only one problem. The architect liaison assigned to the project is Emma Sumner. As in, the woman who made his life a living hell in college. Now, she’s back in town and already breathing down his neck on the job. Worse? She’s only gotten more beautiful.

Emma’s in love with the beautiful historic building they’re renovating. But her feelings toward project manager Caleb definitely lean more toward hate. Not only is the man making her job harder than it needs to be, he’s the one who took everything from her when she was at her most desperate. Not that she’d ever admit it out loud, but she’s never recovered.

Neither is willing to forgive and forget. But forced proximity and surprising common ground have these enemies starting to wonder just how fine the line between love and hate is. A burning mutual attraction adds complications for them both. Will anything be left standing when their secrets are finally revealed?

PJ's Thoughts:

Free Falling is the second book in the Colburn Brothers series by Jill Shalvis. That's all the time it's taken for me to become fully invested in this family. And not only the three brothers but their sister too. Shalvis tells their stories with an abundance of charm and humor but also adds layers of emotional depth, evolution, forgiveness, and healing. It all creates an emotionally moving experience for the reader that brings joy, love, and satisfying happy endings, broaching difficult topics but never losing hope.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance. Caleb and Emma may have been adversaries in college but their memories of those days are skewed by what they thought to be true at the time. As we all know, what we perceive to be truth isn't always the actual truth. I love how actual facts are slowly revealed in present day as Caleb and Emma slowly begin to know and understand one another as they are forced to work together. It feels very organic and realistic, with growth on both of their parts. I was cheering them on the entire way.

The dynamic among the Colburn siblings is spot on. The push and pull, teasing, and bossiness, all underpinned by love, loyalty, and support are realistic and relatable. They are survivors of traumatic childhoods who are now in a difficult situation where previously unimaginable choices must be made. I appreciate that Shalvis chose to include this situation in this series. It's handled with humor, grace, and forgiveness, but without minimizing the pain once inflicted. 

Shalvis' trademark dialog and banter shine in this book, among the siblings, between Emma and Caleb, and even with the construction crew. There's a scene with Emma and the crew that tells the reader everything we need to know about the hearts of these characters. I loved it. 

And then there are Caleb's two rescue dogs. These goofballs steal every single scene they're in. I couldn't love them more. 

If you're looking for humor, charm, second chances, complicated family dynamics, a touch of mystery, loveable dogs, and hard won happy endings, pick up a copy of Free Falling by Jill Shalvis. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.