Review - - The Maui Effect

The Maui Effect

by Sara Ackerman

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

They say opposites attract, but are they meant to last?

‘Iwa Young’s life is high in the Maui rainforest. As a field biologist, she’s happiest in the company of trees and birds and waterfalls. When a developer arrives with plans for a so-called eco resort in the middle of a forest full of endangered species, ‘Iwa puts all her energy into the fight to protect it. But a chance encounter threatens to distract her. His name is Dane Parsons, a big-wave surfer from California. ‘Iwa has a few unbreakable rules, and at the top of her list: never date a surfer.

Dane is part of an underground group of big-wave riders, and his connection to the ocean runs deep. When he meets ‘Iwa, he can’t get her out of his mind. But ‘Iwa wants nothing to do with Dane until he offers to help protect her beloved forest and waterfall. Always on the hunt for the ultimate ride, Dane suddenly glimpses something even greater.

In this thunderous love story, we travel deep into the Maui rainforest and hop across the globe from Hawai'i to California to Portugal, chasing waves the size of nine-story buildings—where the unthinkable is always just one breath away. 

Hellie’s Heeds

Much like extreme sport surfing, this story is intense, fast-paced, and makes your heart drop into your stomach at least once a chapter. The level of detail made me feel as if I could understand surfing (have I touched a board? No) and made me respect the work the author clearly put into the story to make the characters authentic and relatable. Iwa, the heroine, is an eco-activist–and the detail there with her story in trying to protect one of the rainforests in Hawaii also felt very well researched yet approachable. The secondary characters were all very individualized, as if you met them at a party, you’d know who they were and what their quirks were. (Also I’d really like to meet Winston–I am not into surfers and would have totally thrown Dane over for him–and he can sing.) 

Dane is a flawed but very lovable hero. He grew up without a father; and he has a very complicated relationship with his mother. His character arc in this story was as big a wave as the kind he seeks out for the best surf of his life–and about as dangerous. The story should maybe have a trigger warning or two since drug addiction, depression, death (or near death), and mental health plays a big role in his heroic development. Iwa is a lovable but stubborn (slight flaw) heroine who has been once bitten, twice shy where surfers are concerned. While Dane definitely shows her he is not like the other surfers she has dealt with, it becomes clear that Dane’s need for extreme surfing as a way to get ‘high’ and not have to deal with his issues (both mommy and daddy ones) and Iwa has to rightfully draw some boundaries. As Luke tells her, you can’t save him; you can only love him. And sometimes love isn’t enough. (Iwa also has some undealt with emotions and grief where her mother is concerned. Honestly the grief and emotions that have to be dealt with where mothers are concerned should have been a specific trigger warning for me…)

I loved the love scenes–they did not feel gratuitous or rushed, but the sort of modern blend of consent and passion I have come to appreciate in my romances. And that scene at the waterfall–ooof. They were definitely ones that developed the relationship between the characters–but the story itself was so meaty with all the other plot and conflict that the sex scenes definitely took second fiddle. (At least for me–it’s not the love scenes I remember–it’s the intense conversations and scenes where they bond in other ways.) 

If you want to escape to Hawaii…or learn more about big wave surfing, this is the book. I need to go find more books by Sara Ackerman now because I can’t believe I haven’t read her books before. And with the cold settling in where I live, the escape to Hawaii was perfect–though I’m going to stay on the beach. This story did not lure me to want to learn to surf. Just a beach and a 5 star book for me.

Review & Giveaway - - Her Knight at the Museum

Her Knight at the Museum

by Bryn Donovan

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: November 12, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

 

Forgotten by time and abandoned by hope, Sir Griffin de Beauford’s existence stretches out before him. Cursed by a ruthless enchanter to see, hear, and think, but never to move or speak, Griffin suffers the long, lonely centuries trapped in stone…until an unexpected kiss from a fair maiden breathes new life into his soul—and his body.

Emily Porter, a recently divorced conservator at the Art Institute of Chicago, is charged with the restoration of a statue of a medieval English knight. Breaking curses was not part of the job description. And yet, here he is, the man of her dreams come to life, resplendent in shining armor as he joyously barrels into priceless antiquities...and goes on to dismantle her defenses, wreak havoc on her senses, and tempt her to believe once more in happy-ever-afters.

But the modern age tries Griffin’s patience and pride, and Emily is a prime suspect in the investigation of the missing sculpture. In a complicated world, can they find their way to a fairy-tale ending?

Hellie’s Heeds

A true romantasy rom-com, Her Knight at the Museum will tick your boxes if you’re in the mood for a swoonworthy hero (who talks in complete sentences), comical hijinks, and sexy love scenes that you may want to dogear for later. The last time a knight statue came to life and stole my heart, it was A Knight in Shining Armor, which also featured a swoonworthy hero and comical hijicks–but I do have to say, I do prefer this ending to the more realistic ending that Deveraux gave us. After all, if I found a guy like Sir Griffin, I would want to keep him. 

For me, while the story was very lovely, I did have a habit of putting it down and being distracted by other things. While I have longed for a pure rom-com for ages–and I’m so grateful for Ms. Donovan’s book–at the same time, it can be a little difficult to just lose myself in the fantasy when I’m also thinking, “Aren’t they rushing into bed together? In this era? I mean, you don’t even know if he’s lactose intolerant.” Obviously these were my issues. Never mind that the premise that he is a cursed medieval man who wakes up from stone, like some sort of Snow White, and doesn’t immediately die from the flu due to his naked immune system struck me as far-fetched. Yep, his immune system was the far-fetched part for me. These occasional thoughts would distract me from the book and I would just watch episodes of murder mysteries for the satisfaction of a solved case in 42 minutes. I don’t think this is the fault of the writer or the story–I just think sometimes stories resonate with us more during different seasons of our lives. There have been books I’ve read decades ago I didn’t care for, but read again later and was blown away–and vice versa. 

The first hasty love scene aside, the later scenes were very hot and steamy…and distracting. So if you like your sex scenes more steamy–I would say this is moderately spicy. Rom-com spicy. I also loved when they toured the art museum together and she showed him some Andy Warhol paintings (which is the inspiration of her dog’s name) and I had to laugh when Sir Griffin immediately announced the pieces were hideous. Right there with you, big guy. I do not appreciate modern contemporary art. The chemistry between Emily and Griffin felt real and sweet–I was rooting for them the whole time. Even while I was wishing she would hold back a little until she made sure he wasn’t allergic to cheese. Or vegan. (I mean those are the things that can break a relationship. I mean, too late for me–my knight in shining armor hates peanut butter, though it does benefit me in that I get all the peanut butter cups to myself. Hmm, maybe it’s not so bad.) 

I love the job that Griffin ends up getting in the 21st century–and the scene for his job interview was particularly diverting. I’m also curious about Emily’s boss, Jason, and wondering if he is featured in other books or if there will be more connected books–which I think would be very fascinating. All in all, I recommend this book for a frothy, fun rom-com with a dashing hero, a relatable heroine, and secondary characters (shout out to you, Rose!) that steal every scene they are in. Romance authors are the true heroes out there–I’m grateful for all of them. Sign me up for the next Donovan rom-com–I hope it’s just as magical.

~~~~~~~~~

Have you read Bryn Donovan yet?

How do you feel about statues coming to life in your romances? Yay? Nay?

If you could conjure a real-life hero from a trip to the museum, from which era would he hail?

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, November 20 will receive a print copy of Her Knight at the Museum.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels

Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels

by Jennifer Wilck 

Holidays, Heart and Chutzpah - Book 3

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

Journalist Jessica Sacks’s career is on the line if she doesn’t ace this next assignment. She must interview firefighter Thomas Carville, Browerville’s celebrated hero—and her forever crush since childhood. When Jessica returns home for Hanukkah, handsome Thomas takes her breath away. And rudely shuts her down when she asks for an interview.

Thomas knows he and the man he saved are both lucky to be alive, regardless of his actions. And now Jessica is poking into his business. Thomas would rather kiss her under the mistletoe than answer her questions. But his priority is protecting his sobriety and his secret. They’re as far apart as Christmas and Hanukkah, but even their differences can’t trump the power of love.

Hellie’s Heeds

I got to read the other two books in this series–and I think that made the reading of this book even more joyful as we got to visit with other beloved characters and continue to see them in the small town setting that Wilck created. Special Edition Harlequin books are known to really tug at heartstrings, and this one is no exception as Thomas is a hero who is seeking redemption. (Okay, maybe not seeking–because he doesn’t think he’s worthy of it–but that’s the trope nonetheless. He needs it.) Thomas as a hero is very complicated–since when you find out his secret–it makes him a real and flawed person, but as such, he is also in need of real world consequences for what has happened. Wilck doesn’t shy away from the real world consequences, but still is able to provide a satisfying and hopeful ending that brings two people together who need and deserve love. 

This is not to suggest that Jessica the heroine is not without flaws–she has her own issues. Due to the shame of being fired from her job, she is not honest or forthcoming with Thomas or her parents–and for a bit, even her friends. I had some issues with Jessica and her job–being that the reason she was fired, I thought that for someone who had worked 10 years at this position (which seemed stretching it because she was only 28 in the book and she was a journalist–and I believe she was also a college graduate)--and with the experience, I thought the mistake she made was something only a real rookie would have done. Then again, it is entirely possible to have led a rather charmed work life–and it was just a doozy of a mistake you made. Still. The doozy of a mistake it was–I did find it rather far-fetched she was upset that they wouldn’t give her a second chance. But…I also recognize we needed to get the heroine back home and interact with the hero, and this was a very clear way to do it. 

That aside, the chemistry between the characters and the scenes that built up their romance–as well as additional conflict of coming from different religions, also added to the atmosphere of how will this have a happy ending? I also enjoyed learning more about the traditions of Hanukkah and experiencing a blending of Christmas and Hanukkah traditions and celebrations where everyone was curious, respectful, and accepting. Which is definitely what the season is all about, in my book. 

Review - - The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love

by India Holton

Love's Academic - Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

Beth Pickering is on the verge of finally capturing the rare deathwhistler bird when Professor Devon Lockley swoops in, stealing both her bird and her imagination like a villain. Albeit a handsome and charming villain, but that's beside the point. As someone highly educated in the ruthless discipline of ornithology, Beth knows trouble when she sees it, and she is determined to keep her distance from Devon. 

For his part, Devon has never been more smitten than when he first set eyes on Professor Beth Pickering. She's so pretty, so polite, so capable of bringing down a fiery, deadly bird using only her wits. In other words, an angel. Devon understands he must not get close to her, however, since they're professional rivals. 

When a competition to become Birder of the Year by capturing an endangered caladrius bird is announced, Beth and Devon are forced to team up to have any chance of winning. Now keeping their distance becomes a question of one bed or two. But they must take the risk, because fowl play is afoot, and they can't trust anyone else—for all may be fair in love and war, but this is ornithology.

Hellie’s Heeds

Amazon has a quote from NPR, which summarizes what I thought much more elegantly: "So riotously clever it almost defies description...an alchemy of romantic elements held in perfect harmony." It is. On nearly every page, there is a tongue-in-cheek, riotously clever one-liner or several, which will have you in stitches as you marvel at India Holton’s writing style and obvious firsthand experience with all things academia. 

Some of the more notable gems I found particularly hysterical were:

“Don’t try that charm on me, if you please. I will not succumb like some–some–liberal arts undergraduate.” 

[Hellie aside: as a former liberal arts undergraduate–I can say I definitely fell for some charm in my time. And I fell for the charms of Devon Lockley in this romp.]

Gladstone’s summer residence…reflected his academic character–and the fact that he’d inherited a large income, since no science teacher could afford such an estate.

This morning he [Gladstone] was outdoors, endeavoring to capture a leechsparrow. Which is to say, he sat on a mahogany sofa in the meadow behind the house, gesturing with his rosewood pipe to several graduate students who traipsed through the grass, bedecked with protective goggles and earmuffs, wielding  heavy-duty nets, as they did the actual work of capturing a leechsparrow. 

And so many more that if I continue, I might as well just quote the entire book. Being I work in Academia with many faculty who are not that different than the ones described in this story, it was a marvel to enjoy and I wished I could sit with India and just exchange academia stories. [Note: I obviously don’t think this was taken from real life–there are no magical birds to my knowledge nor Oxford women professors in 1890, during a time when India did not yet exist–but it was very adjacent to life in academia, let me just say.]

The chemistry sizzled between the two characters; the pacing was fast and constantly moving–they were on the run for their lives a good majority of the time. I do hope they had a restful break after they found their happily ever after because the pacing did get occasionally exhausting. All the characters were larger than life; and OMG, the IOS “press” agents were a riot. I loved the writing style–as a liberal arts undergraduate, I majored in English, so it tracks–it’s colorful, witty, and very British in humor a la Oscar Wilde. 

I’m delighted that another character featured in this book looks to be the hero of the follow up book in this series: a grumpy geographer named Gabriel. I cannot wait. 

Chef’s kiss. 5 stars. (I recommend this book while eating a bag of chocolates. You don’t really need it to finish the book…but I recommend it just the same.)

Review - - Jewel Me Twice

Jewel Me Twice

by Charish Reid

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

Love can catch you red-handed.

He was her partner—both in crime and between the sheets. It’s been five years since professional thief Celeste St. Pierre laid eyes on Magnus Larsson. These days, she runs a Manhattan antique store, but her talent for stealing beautiful, shiny things hasn’t faded. And as a chance reunion over a locked safe proves, neither has the heat between her and the gorgeous, ice-cool Magnus.

For Magnus, only one thing beats the thrill of getting away with robbery—and that’s the woman he’s tried hard to forget. Their last job together ended in disaster. But if they’re going to honor their mentor’s last wishes to pull off the theft of the century, they’ll have to temporarily put their grudges behind them.

Crisscrossing Europe on a real-life treasure hunt, Celeste and Magnus quickly rediscover how well they work together. The higher the stakes, the hotter the sexual tension. But one slipup and it won’t be only jewels on the line, but a future that, just maybe, has been the ultimate prize all along…

Hellie’s Heeds

I had an advance reading copy (bound) and the pages kept falling out–which I could only surmise was from the level of steam and spice from the two main characters. This book is both emotionally introspective (and occasionally avoidant, at least at the beginning) while also being straightforward and frank (these two pull no punches when it comes to them on the mattress.) It’s a delicious mix of Ocean’s Eleven and Mr. & Mrs. Smith in its jewel-heist shenanigans and second chance lovers premise, but also very much its own story. 

The characters are brought back together when a beloved mentor dies–and they reunite for what is essentially her memorial–and then are reunited for one last heist at the clever afterworld hands of said mentor. (Admittedly I kept hoping the mentor wasn’t actually dead, but she really is dead.) It was interesting to have two very different characters who got into stealing for very different reasons. Magnus comes from wealth–and doesn’t need the money. He simply does it for the thrill. Celeste, like her mentor, comes from more humble origins and has had to scrap for every bit of wealth she has. I was much more willing to root for Celeste–I could understand the motive–but it was very well-played how the author was able to get me to root for the privileged Magnus and why he was into stealing. 

Rooting for thieves felt at times a bit weird–but Charish was able to make her characters flawed but very sympathetic. And of course there were lines (honor among thieves) that were not crossed. After all, stealing from rich people is one thing; killing people to do it is completely another. Despite my misgivings about a wholly satisfying happily-ever-after, I thought Charish did a fabulous job of making me believe these two would continue to be a couple much in love–and maybe, just maybe a bit reformed as well. In the meantime, Charish also set me up to fall in love with two of the secondary characters, Bea and Santi, and if they get a book where they go around stealing all sorts of things, I would read it in a heartbeat, but I was also happy with their little will-they-won’t-they side story they played in the book. 

It’s a fun romp, sweetly emotional, and hot enough to take to the beach and enjoy the scorching love scenes.

Review - - One Star Romance

One-Star Romance

by Laura Hankin

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

Natalie and Rob couldn’t have less in common. Nat’s a messy artist, and Rob’s a rigid academic. The only thing they share is their devotion to their respective best friends—who just got engaged. Still, unexpected chemistry has Natalie cautiously optimistic about being maid of honor to Rob’s best man. 

Until, minutes before the ceremony, Nat learns that Rob wrote a one-star review of her new novel, which has them both reeling: Nat from imposter syndrome, and Rob over the reason he needed to write it. 

When the reception ends, these two opposites hope they’ll never meet again. But, as they slip from their twenties into their thirties, they’re forced together whenever their fast-track best friends celebrate another milestone. Through housewarmings and christenings, life-changing triumphs and failures, Natalie and Rob grapple with their own choices—and how your harshest critic can become your perfectly imperfect match. 

After all, even the truest love stories sometimes need a bit of rewriting.

Hellie’s Heeds: 

I wasn’t sure how to rate this book. On the basis of a “romantic-COMEDY”--I wouldn’t put this in that category. But honestly I’m so confused by the rom-com category nowadays. I suppose if this book were set next to Bridget Jones’ Diary–which was more painful to read than laugh-out-loud funny, perhaps this fits the category. But I thought Bridget Jones fit the category because in essence, the story-line was a bit fluffy. The stakes were lower–the most Bridget had to lose in most of the episodes was her dignity, of which she had very little. But this story–oh, so many stakes. I decided to rank the book by how I felt at the end–as just a story, neither particularly romantic or comedic, and decided it was worth 5 stars because this book made me FEEL ALL THE FEELINGS. I admit, I hated feeling most of them.  

If a book could be a soulmate, this was my soulmate. I could identify with Natalie hard–the artist writer girl who spends the whole of her 20s flailing around, failing left, right, and center, making incredibly bad decisions and/or not dealing with her issues (mainly because she doesn’t make enough money to get the therapist she so desperately needs.) I shared scenes from the book and tried to explain the heroine to my husband–he hated her. *LOL* And I admit the first third of the book, I didn’t like her a lot either (even if the heroine was me in fiction form.) The hero, Rob, was much more likable, but he had his quirks. There was a point in the book where Rob meets a lovely woman who you think he’ll marry–and you think he should because Natalie is definitely not emotionally mature or available to date him–and for reasons I can only think of as “Hermione-Ron Wish Fulfillment”, they don’t end up together and Rob and Natalie finally work it out…but it felt like a stretch at some points. 

Where this book shines though is Angus. Angus the unlikely hero. I could write odes to Angus, the bumbling goofy guy who somehow ended up marrying way out of his league, but ultimately proves he is more than worthy of her and she is worthy of him. The places I laughed the hardest…and cried the hardest featured him. May we all be worthy of our own Angus one day. (I’m glad to say I found mine.)  

The “romance” between Natalie and Rob is a distant third…or dead-last compared to the relationship between Natalie and Gabby. From the first page, Natalie would be content to keep the Clubhouse girls only. Gabby is her best friend–and she can’t imagine anyone or anything coming between them. But then there was Angus. It was like being stabbed through the heart because Natalie’s insecurities and hurt that her friend had replaced her with “some guy” was something I could relate to. (My husband could not relate to it, but my husband has always been too old for friends, I think. Or maybe it’s a girl thing.) Reading this book healed a lot of hurts I still had; and in a romance sort of way, there is a happily ever after for all involved. No animals or beloved characters were killed in the writing of this book.  

If you are wanting a romance that primarily focuses on the hero and heroine–this is not really the book. Sure 99% of the scenes are either in the hero or heroine’s POV, but the story itself revolves around Gabby and Natalie, or Angus and Gabby, most of the time. It’s how I fell so in love with Angus actually–the real hero.  

If you are wanting a comedy, aside from the fabulous wedding scene, prepare instead to bawl a lot. (Or if you didn’t have a bestie who gave you abandonment issues and you think your girlfriends should automatically understand that they’re just friends while a husband is family, well, you may want to set the book on fire in several spots–I’m not sure you’ll ever like Natalie.)  

But if you want to read about Angus, a hero for the ages, I think you’ll agree he’s definitely worth all the stars. I’m not sure if I want to thank Laura Hankin for this story–or yell at her, “How dare you!” while sobbing into some tissues. I’ll have to check out her other books–I have a feeling they’re all of the complicated variety.

 

Review - - The Catch

The Catch

by Amy Lea

The Influencer Series - Book 3

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

 

 

In a last-ditch effort to rescue her brand from the brink of irrelevance, Boston fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen finds herself in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada. The only thing scarier than nature itself? The burly and bearded bed-and-breakfast owner and fisherman, Evan Whaler—who single-handedly disproves the theory that Canadians are “nice.”

After a boating accident lands Evan unconscious in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée by his welcoming yet quirky family, who are embroiled in a long-standing feud over the B&B. In a bold attempt to mend family fences, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content.

Amid long hikes and campfire chats, reeling in their budding feelings for each other proves more difficult by the day. But is Mel willing to sacrifice her picture-perfect life in the city for a chance at a true, unfiltered love in the wild?

Hellie’s Heeds:

I’ll be honest–I read this for the fisherman. Mel’s profession is such that I was like, “Ugh, so she’s basically a Kardashian?” and I almost passed up this gem. However, I have to commend Amy Lea for creating a character so likable and even relatable that I was on Team Amy by the end of the third chapter. Evan is a delightfully grumpy fisherman–but oh, so much more. It could be that I too adore a great plaid flannel shirt and that I don’t understand the allure of multiple steps for makeup and serums to create the “perfect flawless look.” I mean, sure, yes, people who do all those steps do have a very flawless pretty look–but at what cost? 

This premise was basically a premise of the famous rom-coms, While You Were Sleeping and The Proposal–taking the best of both worlds (i.e. Sandra Bullock, most beloved heroine of all time; and Betty White, most beloved mamaw of all time) and adding laugh-out-loud scenarios like The Time Evan Took Mel on a Boat and She Nearly Drowned Him and also, What Not to Do When Peeing in the Woods. There is lots of laughter and also lots of poignant and thoughtful moments that really humanize both Evan and Mel–they feel like your besties that you hope will work out in the end. 

I also live for a heart-tugging Black Moment for our characters–and it was there in spades–but also, oh, the Make Up (Grovel) scene! This was just a very satisfying story that hit all its beats that felt true to the characters and the stories. Please add it to your reading list–I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.