Review - - What They Don't Know

What They Don't Know

by Susan Sands

Moonshine - Book 3

Publisher: Tule

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

When the past comes to call…

Following the death of her mother and the breakup with her cheating fiancé, clinical therapist, Bree Hawthorne, has built a new life for herself and her pup, Tiny, in the mountains of Moonshine, Georgia. Her practice is thriving, and occasionally, she consults with law enforcement, calling on her insights into human behavior to profile and catch criminals. She finally feels happy, and then the body of a former patient is discovered.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s agent, Mitch Calloway, is investigating the death of a woman who disappeared two years ago. When he meets Bree, Mitch inadvertently offends the blonde bombshell therapist. Though a skilled investigator, his social skills are beyond rusty, but Bree can forgive much if pie is involved.

Through her experience with cults and unfortunate family ties, Bree is dragged into the investigation, and soon she and the handsome, though seriously awkward GBI officer go undercover as man and wife at a suspicious nature retreat where several women have gone missing. For Bree, it’s a chance for closure on her unconventional past—if she and Mitch can survive the investigation.

PJ's Thoughts:

Susan Sands takes readers back to the small town of Moonshine, Georgia for another chaste romance brimming with emotion. This time, it's clinical therapist, Bree Hawthorne in the spotlight. Bree has been instrumental in offering both therapy and friendship to other characters in this series but now she's the one in the crosshairs of a murder investigation and the handsome agent leading the charge. 

I enjoy Sands' stories, her well-developed characters and the communities with which she surrounds them. In this book, that community includes characters from the first two books of the series. Fans of the series should enjoy catching up with them while readers new to the series should have no trouble reading this book first. 

The romance in this book unfolds alongside the suspense but in a gradual, more gentle fashion. Mitch's neurodivergence contributes to that. I found Sands' handling of his character respectful, caring, and realistic for someone on the Spectrum. Bree is also an intriguing character with hidden layers that slowly reveal themselves as she and Mitch dig deeper into the murder mystery that brings them together. I liked and admired them both and rooted hard for their happy ending.

Other books by Sands have had elements of mystery/suspense but it's stronger in this book and more central to the core of the story. I was drawn into the suspense facet of the book almost immediately and held captive as the author skillfully dropped clues even as she ramped up the tension, including a number of twists along the way. Some I figured out quickly while others were a complete surprise. I love when that happens. 

If you enjoy small-town romance with a healthy dollop of mystery/suspense, intriguing well-developed characters, a strong sense of community, and happy endings, I recommend adding What They Don't Know by Susan Sands to your reading list. I'm glad I did.

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 & Giveaway - - The Chocolate Shop on Amelia Island

The Chocolate Shop on Amelia Island

by Hope Holloway

Seven Sisters - Book 5

Publisher: Hope Holloway

Release Date: March 1, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

The saga continues with secrets, surprises, and sweet temptations…

Sadie Wingate has been keeping secrets...from her family and from her brand new husband. But once the truth is revealed, her whole world melts like a truffle in the sunshine. Can Sadie finally settle for a sweet life on Amelia Island…or will stability send her searching for the next adventure?

Raina nears her delivery date and signs the papers ending her marriage, but there’s one thing missing in her life. Despite being the fixer in her family, the only solution to heart’s dilemma seems all wrong for this newly-divorced mother of infant twins. But how can she say no?

Madeline's one and only love reappears, and this enigmatic man turns her well-ordered life upside down, while Susannah orchestrates major changes on Wingate Way.

When the winds of change blow over the candy store on Amelia Island, the Wingate women learn over and over again that the bond between the seven sisters is as strong as steel, as soothing as a seaside breeze, and as lasting as their family legacy.

PJ's Thoughts:

This is my favorite book of the series so far. I know. I know. I say that with each new Seven Sisters book that's published. Is it my fault that the author keeps one upping herself? 

As with the first four books, the primary focus of this one is on three of the sisters though all of them, and the rest of the family, are present with storyline threads that weave in and out as the book progresses. It's enjoyable to see the characters - and their relationships, both familiar and romantic - continue to evolve even in the books where their role is a secondary one. Truthfully, with this family, there's no such thing as secondary. There may only be three in the primary focus but all of them have important roles to fulfill, as is true in many real life families. 

Holloway brings the emotion once again in this book along with a few surprises. After meeting Sadie in book four and the twist at the end of that book, I felt sure I knew how her story would continue. Wow, was I wrong! I really like the direction she seems to be heading and applaud the author for taking an endearing, unexpected route. 

I'm also enjoying the fleshing out of Madeline's character. I love a second-chance romance, especially between more seasoned characters (late 40's/early 50's). I'm eager to discover what happens with this pair in book six. 

Raina's journey also continues with the legal dissolution of her marriage, birth of her twins, and the possibility of a new relationship on the horizon. I don't think she's reached smooth sailing yet but I like the direction she's heading.

Holloway keeps me entertained with these stories and more in this fifth book. There's possible ghosts, an engagement, a contest, a new project for the sisters' mom and good health news for their dad. There's humor, poignant moments, betrayals, new beginnings, and the strength, love, and unflagging spirit that bonds this special family together. There are only two more books in the series and I am nowhere ready to say goodbye. 

This is a series that I strongly encourage readers to read in order. 

Have you read Hope Holloway yet?

Do you enjoy closed-door books that are limited to kissing but rich in emotion?

There's some drool-worthy chocolates and cookies in this book. What's your go-to decadent treat?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 3 will receive a print copy of The Bookstore on Amelia Island (book 3).

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Meet Me in River's Edge

Meet Me in River's Edge

by Nan Reinhardt

The Weaver Sisters - - Book 2

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Release Date: August 17, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

He ticks every one of her “never again” boxes…

Jo Weaver loves her job as a boat mechanic for her family’s marina in River’s Edge, Indiana. But when she’s pulled away from her high school reunion with her sisters to fix a stranded yacht, she can’t restrain her irritation. Jo doesn’t like wealthy men who think they can have whatever they want, and she has no intention of falling for rich and charming again.

Born into the international Briggs Hotels empire, Alex Briggs has never felt comfortable with his life of privilege. Abandoning his family’s business to pursue medical research, he’s far more at home in his lab. When the yacht he restored himself breaks down on the way to an important conference, Alex begrudgingly goes in search of a boat mechanic and falls, literally, into Jo Weaver’s arms. The fireworks he feels are impossible to ignore.

Jo does her best to keep Alex in the business zone, but he keeps slipping into something more. Can she trust her fragile heart, especially when Alex and his life-altering research are so far from River’s Edge?

PJ's Thoughts:

If you're a regular here you already know how much I've been enjoying the books set in Nan Reinhardt's River's Edge. I love this town and the people who live there. Each one of their stories has touched my heart but this one, Meet Me in River's Edge, didn't just touch my heart, it out and out stole it. Jo and Alex are my favorite River's Edge couple. I've read their book twice. Pretty sure I'll be revisiting them again...and again...and again. 

There's so much to love about this couple and their up and down journey to a happy ending, all of which Reinhardt executes flawlessly. We have triplet sisters dynamics, a relationship-averse heroine, smitten hero, snappy banter, mountains of emotional baggage, swoony romance, complicated family (hero), perfectly placed humor, drool-worthy food, delicious chemistry (kissing only), life-threatening obstacles, and a grand gesture that I read while sobbing happy tears. Sobbing.

I love the time the author takes with Jo and Alex, not only developing their relationship gradually but also their individual characters as well as relationships with those surrounding them. Jo's father and Rich, the man who is more father to Alex than his actual father are particular favorites. I like how she weaves mistaken assumptions into the story, as is often the case in real life, as a way of growing both Jo's and Alex's characters and showing that first impressions are not always correct. I also appreciate the communication between Jo and Alex and the way they slowly open themselves emotionally to one another, though that is significantly tested during a particular crisis. Again, a turn in the story that is realistic and relatable, leading to the forgiveness, understanding, and healing which is necessary to move forward and claim that happily ever after. 

Meet Me in River's Edge is book two in Nan Reinhardt's Weaver Sisters trilogy set within the author's River's Edge world. Characters from earlier books pop in and out of the story but it's written in such a way that readers new to River's Edge should not be confused or feel as if they are missing something. Jump in here and enjoy the ride. 

Review - - The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn

The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn

by Leigh Duncan

Sugar Sand Beach - Book 4

Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing

Release Date: October 15, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Escape to Sugar Sand Beach with Erin Bradshaw and her best friends for a second chance at all life has to offer.

Forty-five year old Erin has grown restless with her life. Which is odd because she’s spent the past twenty years roaming the globe. Between summers in Alaska and winters in the Florida keys, she’s climbed the steps of Machu Picchu, hiked long sections of the Great Wall of China, and kayaked down the Amazon. Lately, though, Erin has felt the urge to put down roots, strengthen her neglected relationship with her sister, Reggie, and reconnect with her two best friends, Michelle and Nina.

When Michelle inherits a run-down beach house in sleepy Sugar Sand Beach and invites her friends to help convert it into an inn, Erin jumps at the chance to settle down with the best friends a girl could ever hope to have.

But now that Reggie’s garden is flourishing, customers crowd the tables in the Cafe, and the first of the Inn’s guests are due any day, a figure from Erin’s past makes a surprising appearance. When he threatens the bonds of friendship that have deepened over the summer, Erin must choose. Will she return to her nomadic way of life? Or will she put down forever roots in Sugar Sand Beach?

Join Michelle, Reggie, Nina and Erin as they build new lives in Sugar Sand Beach, where fresh opportunities for life, love and happiness are as limitless as the blue Florida skies.

PJ's Thoughts:

Leigh Duncan continues her Sugar Sand Inn saga with book four, The Reunion at Sugar Sand Inn. Our intrepid friends are in for some major events as they inch closer to opening the doors of their inn. There's the finalization of their partnership agreement (are they all ready for this?), the senior citizen takeover (they never expected that many!), the reappearance of Erin's ex-husband (after twenty years, no less), and, oh yes, let's not forget a major hurricane on the horizon. Yikes!

At this point of the series, I am thoroughly invested in these characters, in their lives, loves, and challenges. While Erin's personal story takes the lead in this book, there's still plenty of page time for the continuation of Michelle's, Nina's, and Reggie's journeys and I am here for all of them. I appreciate the time and care Duncan is taking with these relationships. They feel natural and realistic to me. Which leads me to a slight issue I had with Erin's romance in this book. It's very fast. I had no problem with the attraction but after twenty years of no contact, I had some trouble buying into the rest (trying to avoid spoilers here). I'm hoping the next book will tie things up for me and give me confidence in their relationship. 

The final book in the series, Christmas at Sugar Sand Inn, is scheduled to be released November 19. While I am eager to read it, I'm not ready to say good-bye to Michelle, Reggie, Nina, and Erin. They've become more to me than characters in a book. They've become friends and it has been pure pleasure to watch them soar. I guess I'll just have to set this series to the side where I can revisit it whenever I need a reminder that we're never too old to start over, to find a new passion, to open ourselves to love, and that we should always treasure and nurture the unconditional support and love among our best friends. 

If you enjoy women's fiction with mature characters, female friendships, starting over, and hard-earned happy endings, give this series a try. For maximum enjoyment, I recommend beginning with book one, The Gift at Sugar Sand Inn, and reading the rest of the books in order.