Review & Giveaway - - Inventing Mr. Darcy

Inventing Mr. Darcy

by Susanna Craig

Publisher: Severn House Romance and Saga

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

A truth universally acknowledged: enemies attract!

Grad student Elle Bradshaw is on the cusp of completing her literature PhD. And while life beyond college is terrifying, spending her evening fixing a database malfunction with gorgeous yet grumpy tech geek Fisher Davis is worse. He infuriates her while making her heart race—it’s a distraction she doesn't need!

When a fluke geomagnetic storm leaves them trapped together during a blackout, the fiery kiss that follows is unexpected—and explosive. But catastrophically, the storm also wiped Jane Austen from existence! Now, Elle’s the only person to remember Pride and Prejudice and, it seems, romance itself.

As Elle navigates a world so familiar, yet not her own, she realizes she might just need to put her pride to one side and ask Fisher for help. Could the guy who was once her enemy turn out to be her very own Mr. Darcy . . . ?

PJ's Thoughts:

Whether you've read Jane Austen or not, those of us who read modern-day romance owe a debt of gratitude to the author whose works have inspired multiple generations of readers and writers who love happy endings. Now, imagine what would happen if, without warning, Austen disappeared from our collective memories, leaving only one lone grad student from Minnesota with the memory of Austen and her books. How far would the ripples of that lost literary - and real life - happiness extend? That's the premise of Susanna Craig's Inventing Mr. Darcy. 

As a long-time fan of Craig's historical romances, I was curious to discover what she had in store for readers with this new contemporary romcom. It started out a bit slow for me. Others may have a different experience but for the first third of the book, while I found the characters interesting, I struggled to connect with them. That all began to change the closer the story got to the halfway point. 

The book really hit its stride for me by the 50% mark. The pace picked up and I found that emotional connection I had been looking for, surprising myself with which character touched my heart the most. Spoiler: It was not the one I thought it would be.

Peeling away the underlying layers of Elle and Fisher brought forth the dreams, challenges, and emotional depth of both characters. Their growing feelings, vulnerabilities, intriguing layers, and personal growth brought them to life. I became totally invested in them, their personal relationship, their professional dreams, and in the Austen dilemma, eagerly turning pages to discover what would happen next.

I truly did not know how Craig would resolve the issues facing our lead couple, especially the "disappearing Jane" angle, but am happy to report that everything was wrapped up with a lovely, satisfying, believable bow in the end. 

I don't know if this book was a one-off or if Craig has more contemporary stories in her pocket but whichever direction she takes with upcoming books, I do know that I'll be buying them. 

If you're looking for a contemporary romcom with an original plot, snappy banter, enemies-to-lovers romance, a touch of spice, and a feel-good happy ending, I recommend giving Inventing Mr. Darcy a try. 

Have you read Susanna Craig yet?

What's your favorite contemporary romance trope?

Have you read Jane Austen? What's your favorite Austen novel?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 21 will receive a print copy of Inventing Mr. Darcy. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

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!

Tour Review - - Keeping Score

Keeping Score

by Brittany Kelley

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Reviewed by Santa

Michelle Oxford lives and breathes soccer. After an injury that ended her dreams of going pro, she snagged the next best thing: a position as the director of operations for the LA Aces. And even if it’s not quite what she imagined it would be, it’s still better than cutting out soccer altogether.

The only problem? Carefree, wonder boy goalie, Tristan Gold.

Tristan has wanted more than just friendship with Michelle since the moment he laid eyes on her, but nothing would kill her career faster. When she loses a bet, the team gleefully insists she has to take lessons on “being chill” from Tristan himself.

They couldn’t be more different, but Tristan’s always met her perfectionist tendencies with good-natured goofiness, so she reluctantly agrees. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes what she sees . . . and Michelle starts to think that with him by her side, she could do just about anything—even saying goodbye to the future she thought she always wanted.

Santa Says:

Keeping Score by Brittany Kelley was a delightful read for me. It is the second book in a series that centers around a professional soccer team called the LA Aces. I am fast becoming a fan of sports romances. This book was a solid five stars for me. It features a whole cast of characters who work within the LA Aces both on the pitch and in the back offices, as well.

That is where we meet Michelle Oxford, Operations Manager for the LA Aces. She came to them when after a career ending injury in college benched her dreams of being a soccer star in her own right. But she’s smart, talented and more than up to the task. That’s a good thing because her baptism by fire would have  knocked down anyone else. The old owners of the team were shrouded in scandal. The new owner was exacting in what he wanted for the team. Employees were jumping ship in epic numbers. Everything fell to Michelle to not only keep things going but to implement new procedures. She took to sleeping on the couch in the office and was very close to existing on a caffeine only diet. The sour cherry on top was the vultures of the press who were ravenous for one more scandal or for one more brick to be pulled out before the whole organization would tumble.

Tristian Gold was the team’s goalie. He is tall, blond haired and criminally good looking. He was a man well liked both on the pitch and off. He had an easy going manner about him that somehow rubbed off on everyone around him. He cared about his team. He cared about their image in the eye of the public. But what he most cared about was Michelle. He fell in love with her at first sight but never pursued it or admitted it out loud. He kept his distance as a professional.

That all changed when he and Maddie, who worked with the PR department, convinced a normally business-only Michelle to come out for drinks with the team. Something she never did and wasn’t even aware happened on a regular basis. Everyone was there including people from the back office. The night turns out to be a rousing success when Michelle pitched the idea to have the team out in public interacting with charitable events. This led to a good natured shuffleboard bet that pitted Michelle and Tristan against one another. If Michelle lost at shuffleboard Michelle would have to take lessons from Tristian on how to “chill out” a little bit.

Perfect! I love close proximity tropes! As Tristian and Michelle spend more and more time together, Tristian struggles with not letting what he feels for Michelle be known. He doesn’t want to cross any lines but, beneath his bravado, he doesn’t feel worthy of her. This insecurity stems from negative messages from, of all people, his mother. Michelle also struggles, at first, to control her own attraction to him. I had a huge grin on my face when they finally do come together. Just a wonderful HEA for these two.

As always with books that I love - run, don’t walk, to get your hands on this book! The interactions are wonderful. The dialog and banter are equally as terrific! Enjoy! Now I have to go and grab the first book!

Review & Giveaway - - A Hard Habit to Break

A Hard Habit to Break

by Siera London

The Calvary Brothers - Book 2

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Release: August 11, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

At age eighteen, Rachel Johnson left Service, West Virginia with a college acceptance letter, a broken heart, and a blueprint for a new life. Now the star architect is back, for two weeks, and not a second more, for her dad’s wedding—and zero intention of rekindling old flames. But when she’s roped into the town’s redevelopment committee to bring much needed resources for the community, she finds herself face-to-face with the committee chair ... her ex, Noah Calvary.

Firefighter Noah volunteered for this assignment to further his career, not to work with Rachel. A born competitor, Noah isn't thrilled to share the spotlight with the woman who once left him in the dust, but to help the town, he figures he can play nice. And his success could clinch the promotion he’s been angling for.

Rachel’s got vision and a partnership at her firm on the line. Noah’s got a promotion to protect. And every decision is a battle of wills. Their history is messy, but their chemistry is explosive. Between small-town politics, big-time rivalries, and sizzling glances, Noah and Rachel must decide if they’re laying the foundation for professional disaster or finally building something real.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been looking forward to book two of the Calvary Brothers series since reading Fake It Till You make It (Amarie and Eli - click to read review). This time around it's Noah's turn and this former childhood friends, teenage sweethearts, second-chance romance brings all the feelings. 

I enjoy the second-chance trope, especially when the author takes her time with the couple as London does. She allows Rachel and Noah the time to sort the issues that led to their breakup after high school. They are also given time necessary for individual growth as well as growth as a couple. It may feel like a slow progression to some but, for me, it felt organic and realistic. 

The characters, both primary and secondary are well developed and relatable. I was in Rachel's corner from the get-go. I understood her reasons for leaving Service when she did, her reasons for returning (albeit temporarily), and I appreciated the life she had built for herself in the interim. Noah took me longer to warm up to. In fact, for the first part of the book I didn't like him all. But I think those negative feelings were essential to allow him the time to reflect and mature. By the end of the book I was firmly in his and Rachel's camp and fully supportive of the decisions they made. 

There are many relationships threaded throughout the book - family, friendship, and romantic. I loved the relationship between Rachel and her dad and I found new the relationship between Rachel and her future stepmom very heartwarming. Noah's family was also a favorite, as they were in book one. The sibling dynamic among Noah and his brothers is spot on and their mom, as in the first book, was also a favorite in book two. I love how they call him out on his behavior. 

Rachel's bestie, who accompanies her back to Service, is a hoot. He flat out steals every scene he's in. I do hope we'll see more of him in future books. 

There's one more brother who needs to find his happy ending. I don't know what London has planned for him or when his book will be published but I'll for sure be picking up a copy when it is. 

For readers new to this series, while there are continuing characters from book one, you should be able to start with A Hard Habit to Break without feeling confused or lost. Though I do recommend both.

Have you read Siera London yet?

Do you enjoy a book series that features connected characters, such as siblings, friend groups, etc.?

What are you reading now?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 22 will receive a print copy of A Hard Habit to Break.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

  

 

Review - - Bottled Up

Bottled Up

by Liberty Stowe

Vogel Springs Collection - Book 2

Publisher: RubertBossier

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

One canceled pastry chef.

One rising wine maker.

One savory scandal!

Just in time for summer—Steady Now author Liberty Stowe, brings you Bottled Up—an interconnected standalone and book two of the Vogel Springs Collection.

A slow-burn, high-heat, small-town romance where an infamous pastry chef and an international winemaker find themselves bound by one contract and the press they can’t avoid.

It’s been over nine months. I thought they were done with photos of me, at the very least. There’s got to be a more tragic story to print than mine.

I’m not hiding. I’m rebuilding. On my terms.

The headlines scream, World-Renowned Pastry Chef Delilah Mueller Flees Manhattan… but I’ve got one hell of a secret that won’t make it to print.

I’m going back home. To my roots. And they don’t know where home is - until the quiet reset awaiting me in Vogel Springs is interrupted by a swarm of media and everything I’ve been avoiding. Courtesy of world-renowned winemaker, August Montenegro.

What are the odds two planes from different continents would land in the same airport. Seeking the same Texas town. It’s not even on a proper map, and yet they’ve found me… and so has he.

A stranger with crystal pools for eyes that sparkle like the Caribbean under the sun when they meet mine. A man who is standing in the middle of a crowd of press I would do anything to avoid.

If I don’t keep my distance from August Montenegro, I’ll hurt everyone I love… him. I’ll hurt him, too.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've fallen hard for this small Texas town and its residents. With strong elements of community, friendship, complicated family dynamics, snappy banter, and unexpected romance, I was drawn into the lives of August and Delilah, eagerly turning pages from start to finish. 

The mystery of why Delilah returned home unfolds organically throughout the story, as does her relationship with August and her eventual healing. Both lead characters have emotional trauma to deal with which provides depth to their characters as well as the journeys they travel. 

The secondary characters give additional texture to the overall story, helping to move the plot forward while also injecting humor along with business conflict that morphs into solid friendship. I really enjoyed those friendships, both the ones that originated in childhood along with those that formed during the story. I especially liked the way they all came together to support August, Delilah, and Anderson (a key secondary character) working to outsmart the devious obstacles standing in the way of their business success and personal happy endings. 

The details about vineyards and winemaking were especially interesting to me. Stowe did a great job of offering the information naturally through August's actions without making it seem like a lecture or information dump. I felt like I was out there in the vineyard with him, learning the ins and outs right along with the other characters. 

Bottled Up is the second book in Liberty Stowe's Vogel Springs Collection. It stands well on its own but for readers who have already read book one, Steady Now (like me), it's also a fun reunion with several characters who featured in the earlier book and have significant roles in book two. It's always enjoyable to catch up with couples a few years down the road from their own happily ever after.

I'm already looking forward to the next Vogel Springs book. I have my eye on two particular secondary characters and have my fingers crossed that it will be their story. 

 

Review - - Formula Zero

Formula Zero

by Meredith Lanzen

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: July 7, 2026

Reviewed by Nancy

  

Madeline Clarke didn't think her life would be all fun and trophies after earning her spot in the solar system's most elite zero-gravity racing circuit, but she definitely thought it'd be better than this. Aside from being a female pilot in a male-dominated sport, her boss is a controlling jerk, her estranged father is a beloved figure from her team's past glory days (and an absolute ass), and she's performing so poorly she risks losing her contract. And worst of all, there's Julian Casperi.

Julian was Clarke's childhood best friend and is a rising star in the league. The dance between them has always been complicated, but when Clarke walked away from her feelings years ago and Julian didn’t stop her they became nothing more than competitors—until Clarke gets into a near-fatal accident on the track and Julian comes to her rescue.

Now back in each other’s orbits, the tension between them is at an all-time high. But navigating their relationship might be the least of Clarke’s problems. Things keep going wrong on the track, and she suspects there's something shady at play. If she wants to come out on top, she needs to move fast and make bold choices—about her team, her future, and her heart.

 

Nancy’s Thoughts: 

Formula Zero is a fun friends-to-lovers romance set in a future that has space travel, people living on parts of the solar system other than Earth, and high-speed racing on planets and in space. The characters are likeable, the romance is mostly handled well, and the worldbuilding is generally detailed and interesting. 

I’m not a fan of Formula One racing, which appears to have inspired the racing aspects of this book, but the race scenes are interesting without delving so deeply into the process as to take over the story. The descriptions of the race courses, including obstacles and changes, are clever and intriguing. 

Clarke races to win. Her ship isn’t in good shape, though, so her successes come despite her equipment and the lack of support from team management. The problem never get  fixed. She shrugs it off and tries not to let it bother her. It does, however. Now designs for next year’s ships for the team are under discussion, and no one consults her. Things don’t look good for her future. 

On top of that, her friendship with Julian is becoming increasingly strained. The attraction between them has always been strong, but they agreed to set it aside rather than have it offer a publicity distraction while they’re racing. Unfortunately, ignoring it is becoming increasingly difficult. My one problem with the way this is handled arose when Julian tentatively reached out, only to have Clarke lash out at him in a way that seemed immature. I was glad to see that this was an isolated reaction. From that point on, the relationship push-pull was both believable and sympathetic. The emotional tension was extremely well done. 

Julian also wants to win, but he keeps an eye out for Clarke. He knows she isn’t getting the support she should, but even he doesn’t realize quite how bad her situation is. As the story progresses, he plays an important role in resolving her problem. 

When Julian was just getting into racing, he lived with Clarke’s family. His own family lives on a colony near Jupiter, and traveling from there to Earth isn’t easy. Lanzen says navigating through the asteroid belt is what makes the trip so difficult. This reference stopped me because the asteroid belt is in the plane of the ecliptic. It isn’t a sphere encasing the inner worlds. A ship could chart a course over or under it, relative to the plane of the ecliptic, and not go through it There may be reasons not to do that, but those reasons aren’t shared with the reader. 

The interaction between Clarke’s family and friends, including Julian, is lovely. The wider family grouping includes Julian’s mom when she can make it to Earth and the moms of a friend of Clarke and Julian who died in a race. The three started in racing together, so his memory is a silent presence with Clarke or Julian when they race. 

I was puzzled that Clarke is the only main character consistently referred to by her last name. Julian is always Julian, not Casperi. 

I enjoyed Formula Zero a lot even though it’s written in present tense, which is not my favorite. But I’m rating the book as four stars, not five, mostly because of the problems I had at the end. The worldbuilding, as I said, is generally good, but it falls down when it comes to the actual ships the characters race. They are never described. My mental image, which may be different from that of other readers, is based on a Formula One car with a rocket pack and an enclosed cockpit. At the end of the story, Clarke has to catch something important on the front of Julian’s ship. There’s nothing to stop it sliding off the front, which actually tips when the object’s weight lands on it. And if it’s no wider than a Formula One car, and has a smooth surface, how does anything not fall off immediately? I just did not believe that scene because I didn’t have an image of the ship that would make it believable. 

In this scene, Clarke also breaks a bone in one foot operating the ship but has no trouble continuing to operate it. Nothing explained how she was able to do that. When a character suffers a broken bone, I expect difficulties to flow from that, but none did here. She later comments that her foot hurts, but she didn’t seem to notice than when applying pressure to it immediately after the injury. I liked the action and choreography, but these problems kept me from fully buying into it. 

Overall, story is a lot of fun and moves at a good pace. The characters are well drawn and engaging.  I recommend this book. 

Nancy

 

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 - - The Paris Match

The Paris Match

by Kate Clayborn

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she's moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be her worst enemy…especially since her ex isn’t attending alone.

The only thing that could make the week more difficult is getting through it without the distraction of the wedding.... But when what Layla thought was a harmless conversation about the choices of her younger self leads to the bride getting cold feet, Layla finds herself facing down the groom’s mysterious, taciturn best man, Griffin, who will do anything to make sure this wedding happens.

Since she broke it, Griff demands she help him fix it. Going along with his plan to alleviate the engaged couple's doubts seems like Layla’s best chance at maintaining a good relationship with a family she once called her own. But as she learns more about the past heartbreak that’s driving Griff to help his friend, she gets closer and closer to confronting the true depth of her own pain…while finding herself more and more willing to risk it all again for Griff.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've decided that when Kate Clayborn publishes a new book I may as well go ahead and block out the entire release day - and night - because I'm not going to get anything done - and certainly, no sleep - until I turn the final page and am assured of another couple's happy ending. 

I found myself completely immersed in The Paris Match from the beginning and, if anything, became even more invested as the story progressed. First, there's the setting. I don't know if Clayborn has wandered through the streets of Paris in real life but it absolutely felt like that's what I was doing as I tagged along with Layla and Griff. Hot chocolate and croissants at charming sidewalk cafes on quiet streets, history-drenched art and statues in museums, high fashion, long walks along tree-lined avenues, soft jazz floating on night air and sparkling lights outlining the Eiffel Tower. It all created an atmosphere of romance and self-reflection which, in Layla's case, was both pleasurable and painfully poignant. 

The characters were skillfully depicted with messy relationship ties, complicated back stories, and, in Griffin's case, both physical and emotional wounds at play. I appreciated that the author took the time to slowly build trust between Layla and Griff, leading to a gradual unveiling of the events and decisions that had brought both to this place and time in their lives. Nothing was quick or easy about their journey which made the ultimate outcome all the more satisfying and realistic. I loved the growth of both characters. It was only in discovering their own strengths, acknowledging their weaknesses, and taking long-overdue steps to address them that these two were able to take that step into a solid and lasting relationship. I was right there with them every step of the way.

If you enjoy contemporary stories with charming settings (I mean, come on, we're talking Paris), adversaries-to-lovers romance, awkward (ex) family relationships, humor, heart, and emotionally satisfying happy endings, I highly recommend Kate Clayborn's The Paris Match. I turned the final page at 1:30 am and do not regret one single minute of lost sleep.