Review - - Second Chance Romance

Second Chance Romance

by Olivia Dade

Harlot's Bay - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: November 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Karl and Molly were never together. There was a time, right after high school, where it seemed like they might finally cross the line from friends to lovers…but instead, a foolish misunderstanding meant they never spoke again. Molly went to LA and got married. Karl stayed in Harlot’s Bay and bought a bakery.

The only connection the pair has shared over the years is painfully one-sided: Now divorced, Molly narrates monster romance audiobooks, and Karl is an ever-diligent listener, clinging to his only piece of the one that got away.

Still, Molly hasn’t totally left Harlot’s Bay behind. When she hears that Karl’s obituary has run in the local paper, unexpected grief prompts her to hop on the next flight to Maryland…where she finds Karl very much alive, the victim of nothing but an accidental obituary.

As the pair reunite, they finally hash out their missed connection. True, Molly isn’t quite ready to trust again, but Karl is determined to prove himself worthy of her faith and devotion. And as her remaining time in Harlot’s Bay ticks down, Molly, the habitual cynic, just might find that Karl, the cranky town curmudgeon, is impossible to leave behind a second time.

PJ's Thoughts:

If you've read my Top Dish review of last year's At First Spite (Harlot's Bay - Book 1), you know that I fell hard for this historic coastal town and her citizens. Book two, Second Chance Romance, has only reinforced those feelings. I first read an ARC of Second Chance Romance four months ago after which I posted the following: "Snort laughs, ugly tears, and swoony romance. This one's going straight to my list of 2025 favorites." I read the book again this week and those feelings have not changed. Olivia Dade has tapped a gold mine with these characters and I am here for every single word and emotion. 

Karl is everything I could have hoped for...and more. With his crusty exterior, marshmallow center, aversion to using his words (who needs to when actions work just as well?), baking expertise (A man who bakes? Yes, please!), creative murder mind (not that he'd hurt a fly but whoa, that's one creative imagination), kindness, salty mutter yells (the man has no volume control), and nurturing soul, he's not your typical romance hero but he's one of my all-time favorites...and he's absolutely perfect for Molly. 

Molly? OMG, I love every bit of her nerdy, fact-spouting, wary-heart self. If anyone deserves a happy ending after being betrayed, first by her father then her jerk of an ex-husband, it's Molly. No wonder she doesn't trust easily. Watching her gradually open herself not only to Karl but to others in Harlot's Bay was a delight. Watching her regain her confidence and stand up to those trying to run roughshod over her was even better. Watching her open her heart and claim her happiness? Cue happy tears and swoony delight. 

If you enjoy second chances, banter for days, emotional depth, laugh-out-loud humor, body positivity, slow-burn romance, a terrific supporting cast, and a lead couple who will steal your heart and have you cheering them on every step of the way, pick up a copy of Olivia Dade's Second Chance Romance. It's a funny, endearing, warm hug of a book that kept me engaged and entertained from beginning to end. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you read any of Olivia Dade's books? Do you have a favorite?

Karl's a master at creating mouth-watering treats at his bakery. What's your go-to order when you visit a bakery or donut shop?

Molly narrates monster romance books. Do you listen to audiobooks? What's your favorite format for reading: print, e-book, or audio?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 30 will receive a print copy of Second Chance Romance. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Pitcher Perfect

Pitcher Perfect

by Tessa Bailey

Big Shots - Book 4

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.

When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?

Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.

But it’s all just pretend…right?

PJ's Thoughts:

Full disclosure: I've read three Tessa Bailey books. The first two were a struggle. I didn't connect with the characters or their journeys and was at the point where I was ready to admit I just wasn't the right demographic for her writing. I mean, thousands of readers love her so it had to be me, right? But, then along came Pitcher Perfect and a heroine Bailey said was partially inspired by (U.S. Rugby player) Ilona Maher. Once I read that, I had to give her one more try. Holy wow, am I glad I did!

Pitcher Perfect is one of those unicorn books that flowed like hot maple syrup over a stack of yummy pancake perfection. It grabbed my attention from the first page, never lagged, never wavered, and kept me happily flipping pages until the final word. There's enemies-to-lovers romance, fake dating, forced proximity, unexpected vulnerability, family wilderness games (with accompanying snort laughter and tears), banter for days, thought-provoking family dysfunction (but also love and humor), self discovery, surprising twists, and sigh-worthy words - and actions - of respect, admiration, and love. Basically, everything that makes my reader's heart happy. 

I couldn't read this book fast enough while also wanting it to never end. Robbie and Skylar are one of my favorite couples I've read in a long time. Pitcher Perfect is my favorite romcom of 2025. It's a book, and a couple, I want to revisit time and time again. Pitcher Perfect has my highest, Top Dish, do not miss this book, recommendation. Seriously, buy it now. It's that good. 

Note: For those of you who say you don't read "sports" romance, know that while hockey and softball are integral facets of Robbie's and Skylar's lives, the main focus of this book is the personal relationships that bring challenges, growth, self-realization, and love to the characters within. 

Have you read Tessa Bailey?

Does knowing the identity of real people who inspire characters impact how you view the fictional characters while reading?

I love the fake dating trope (especially as it plays out in this book). How about you?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 14 will receive a print copy of Pitcher Perfect. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Cruel Summer

Cruel Summer

by Maisey Yates

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

There are no rules this cruel summer…

“I think we should see other people…” That one sentence unravels Samantha Parker’s perfect life. She has a loving husband, three wonderful kids and a comfortable suburban lifestyle. But on the brink of their long-awaited empty-nest chapter, Will asks Samantha for something she never dreamed of: an open marriage.

Desperate to keep her husband happy, Samantha proposes a summerlong separation with no contact. She knows she has to use the opportunity to find herself, but she also has no interest in being with anyone but Will. She’s confident when the season is over, they’ll get back together like this time never happened. 

Then Sam gets an offer of adventure from an unlikely source: Logan Martin, a classic-car restorer who happens to be Will’s best friend, asks Sam to help him drive across the country to make deliveries. Logan and Sam have never had an easy relationship. He’s prickly, aloof and a little too handsome. And as they traverse the winding roads and breathtaking backdrops of North America, her changing connection with Logan challenges everything she believed she wanted in life, love and passion. When her summer with Logan is up, will she go home to the familiar stability of her past…or choose the thrilling uncertainty of her future?

PJ's Thoughts:

Raw. Real. Heartbreaking. Healing. Empowering. Romantic. Unforgettable. Those are but a few of the many words that flowed through my mind while on the emotional journey that is Maisey Yates' Cruel Summer. 

Rarely do coming-of-age stories feature 40-year-old protagonists but that's exactly what happens to Sam in this book. She's settled in a comfortable, predictable marriage. She's happy - or thinks she is - but to be honest, she's never known anything else...until her husband blows it all to bits. Thus begins a summer unlike any she's previously lived. Crisscrossing the U.S. and Canada with Logan opens her eyes to places she's never seen and her heart to feelings and realizations she never considered. Realizations such as maybe her marriage was never perfect and maybe she's spent the past twenty-two years molding herself into what others expected her to be rather than fulfilling her own wants and needs. Realizations such as maybe what she wants for her future is something completely different.

I've been reading Maisey Yates for a long time. Cruel Summer, in my opinion, is one of the best books she's written. The lead characters are so vividly depicted, I forgot they were fictional and became wholly invested in them, their journeys, and their happiness. I appreciated their complexities, their emotional layers that were gradually revealed, and shared past experiences that took on new meaning as perspectives changed. And I cheered enthusiastically for the ending my heart was begging to see.

This is an immersive story of heartbreak, growth, healing, and forgiveness. It's also a heart-tugging journey of learning to value your needs, your worth, and your right to love and be loved for your complete, authentic self. I couldn't put it down. 

Review - - Along Came Amor

Along Came Amor

by Alexis Daria

Primas of Power - Book 3

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

No strings

After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand.

No feelings 

Roman Vázquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.

No falling in love

Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide their relationship from her family, but Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.

PJ's Thoughts:

This one was worth the wait. Not only is Along Came Amor my favorite book of Alexis Daria's exceptional Primas of Power trilogy, it's also one of my favorite books I've read this year and Roman and Ava, one of my favorite couples.

Once again, Daria's big, loving, but wholly dysfunctional, Latinx family took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. My heart broke for Ava. I just want to wrap her up in a big hug and tell her she is absolutely worthy of love just as she is without having to be the perfect "good girl" to earn it. I loved watching her slow evolution even if, at times, I wanted to move it along. Daria knew what she was doing though. The indoctrination of Ava to always put everyone else before herself had taken years to accomplish. To feel authentic, changing that mindset would have to take time as well.

And that's where Roman comes in. I love this character! Is he perfect? No, he isn't. He's a workaholic, tends to be a fixer, and has some emotional baggage to work through himself. But, he is perfect for Ava. His respect, his understanding of her and her needs, his willingness to give her the time and space she needs, all while falling hard (and first) and wanting more proved to me just how right he is for a woman who has never, in her entire life, been put first by anyone. I also love how he opens himself, how he also grows, and the changes in his life he's willing to make to prove the commitment he's promised. He's such a swoon-worthy hero. 

One of my favorite facets of this book, as well as the two preceding, is the cultural representation. I love the food, history, and traditions that are intertwined throughout this story, the little insights into life in a large, meddling, Puerto Rican family. I especially enjoyed the parts of the story set in Puerto Rico - some funny, some steamy, some poignant, and some deeply emotional. 

I've read Along Came Amor twice. Pretty sure I'll be reading it again. It checks all my happy reader boxes and then some. Each of the books in this trilogy can be enjoyed on its own, however, it's my opinion that reading them in order will deepen your understanding of this family and your enjoyment of each couple's journey. I highly recommend them all. 

Review & Giveaway - - One Golden Summer

One Golden Summer

by Carley Fortune

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

I never anticipated Charlie Florek.

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

PJ's Thoughts:

Just like Alice never anticipated Charlie Florek, I never anticipated One Golden Summer. You know those special books that transport you to a specific time and place, speak to all your emotions, evoke memories of times gone by, and hold you spellbound from start to finish? One Golden Summer, for me, is that book. I read it in one day and once I finished all I wanted to do was go back to page one and read it again, only slowly this time, savoring every perfectly placed word designed to elicit laughter, tears, and swoony sighs. 

Before we get to the story, let's talk setting. Carley Fortune does a superb job of immersing the reader into the unique beauty of Barry's Bay. And well she should, as it's her hometown! Her love of this Ontario lake community shines through loud and clear and made me love it too. I could smell the pine-scented air, hear the loons cry under a star-studded sky, feel the wind in my face as she and Charlie raced across the lake in his yellow boat, and feel the cool water sluice over my body every time Alice dove off the dock or inelegantly fell off her Pegasus-Unicorn floatie (which would so be me).

The story itself is poignant, funny, endearing, frustrating, and romantic, centering on a variety of relationships including friendship, family, and romance. I loved Alice's bucket list and how Charlie jumped right in to help her check off items. I loved the friendship that grew between them, the flirty banter, the respect and understanding, before the deepening of feelings. The relationship between Alice and her grandmother brought so many wonderful memories and feelings to the surface. I liked that each of them grew during their summer at the lake. The family relationships for both Charlie and Alice are complicated but in each circumstance there is love at the center that helps them resolve their differences.

Note: I should point out that Charlie's (now settled) differences with his family are explored in Fortune's debut book, Every Summer After along with one major spoiler that's referenced in One Golden Summer. I haven't read Every Summer After yet (though I have bought and will be reading it soon) so I can't say if reading it first would have enhanced my love of One Golden Summer (I can't imagine loving it more) but I'm guessing it may have deepened my understanding of Charlie's character. 

One Golden Summer is beautifully paced, poignantly nostalgic, deeply emotional, fun, humorous, endearing, and all the other adjectives I can think of to describe a golden summer of friendship, family, and romance at the lake. It's a summer of growth, of challenge, of discovering who you are as a person, of opening yourself to vulnerability, to love, of discovering your personal path forward, and perhaps, finding that one special person to walk that path with you. 

One Golden Summer has my highest recommendation. It is my book of the summer. 

Do you have memories of a specific time or place you would like to see brought to life in a book?

Have you ever spent a summer or a summer vacation on a lake?

Have you read Carley Fortune yet?

Who's up for a ride in a vintage yellow speedboat? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 25 will receive a print copy of One Golden Summer.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Can't Get Enough

Can't Get Enough

by Kennedy Ryan

Skyland - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Hendrix Barry lives a fabulous life. She has phenomenal friends, a loving family, and a thriving business that places her in the entertainment industry's rarefied air. Your vision board? She’s probably living it.

She’s a woman with goals, dreams, ambitions—always striving upward. And in the midst of everything, she's facing her toughest challenge yet: caring for an aging parent. Who has time for romance? From her experience, there's a low ROI on relationships. Anyway, she hasn't met the man who can keep up with her. Until...him.

Tech mogul Maverick Bell is a dilemma wrapped in an exquisitely tailored suit and knee-melting charm. From their first charged glance at the summer's hottest party, Hendrix feels like she’s met her match. Only he can’t be. Mav may be the first to make her feel this seen and desired, but he’s the last one she can have. Forbidden fruit is the juiciest, and this man is off limits if she plans to stay the course she’s set for herself.

But when Maverick gives chase—pursuing her, spoiling her, understanding her—is it time to let herself have something more?

PJ's Thoughts:

Kennedy Ryan is a force. While a book written by her is always a reading adventure, it is also an emotional, all-consuming, visceral experience. I don't just read about these complex characters, I live their journeys with them. They fill me with hope, anguish, accomplishment, fear, solid supportive friendship, chosen family, and soul-deep, enduring, hard-won love. 

I'm not overly eager to read billionaire heroes at the moment but I'll make an exception for Maverick. Ryan has crafted a self-made business mogul, ruthless when necessary and not hesitant to go after what he wants but with a tender side as well. I loved the relationship he has with his dad, the gentle care he uses with Hendrix's mother, and, hello, Black surfer? Yes, please. I love that he is not out of touch with his roots and is willing to put himself forward to offer a hand up to others as well as fight injustice. I appreciated the respect between him and Hendrix, as well as the red-hot chemistry and deepening affection. I especially enjoyed how open they were with one another. Open and honest communication and trusting enough to be vulnerable with one another can be very sexy. 

Speaking of vulnerable, Ryan digs deep with strong-willed, motivated, successful businesswoman, Hendrix. I love that she knows who she is - personally, professionally, sexually - and goes after what she wants, that she also gives of herself to help others in her community, and that she refuses to bend to societal pressure by compromising what she knows is best for her. But I also was happy to see her become open to growth and compromise in those personal relationships. Being confronted not only with a heartbreaking family situation (handled by Ryan with great writing skill and emotional care) but also an unexpected romantic one which leads to a messy business one causes Hendrix to step into uncharted waters and make difficult decisions. It's a thought-provoking process of an independent woman weighing the wants and needs of both her head and her heart. I was with her, cheering her on every step of the way. 

Can't Get Enough is the third book in Ryan's Skyland trilogy. While I'm a stickler for reading a series in order and the primary characters from books one and two feature prominently in this third one, readers new to Skyland should be able to fully enjoy Hendrix's story should you decide to read it first. Whatever order you choose, all three books have my highest recommendation. 

Content warning: Alzheimer's

Review & Giveaway - - Summer in the City

Summer in the City

by Alex Aster

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter Elle has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She’s had writer’s block for months, and her screenplay is due at the end of the summer. 

In a desperate attempt at inspiration, Elle ends up back in the city she swore she would never return to, in an apartment she could never afford (floor-to-ceiling windows, skyline views, and a new coffee shop to haunt included). It’s the perfect place to write her screenplay…until she realizes her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her stairwell hookup from two years ago. It’s been a lovers-to-enemies situation ever since. 

When seeing him again turns into a full night of hate-fueled writing, Elle realizes her enemy/twisted muse might just be the key to finishing her screenplay... if she can stand being around her polar opposite. She writes anonymously, and he’s on the cover of every business magazine. He frequents fancy red carpeted events, and she doesn’t like leaving her emotional support five block radius. 

One summer. One wall apart. He needs to fake a buzzy relationship during his company’s precarious acquisition. She needs to write a movie around a list of NYC locations. Both need a break from their unrelenting schedules, and a chance to rediscover the skyscraper glimmering, pizza crusted, sunlit charms of the city.  

Summers always end, and so will this agreement. It’s all pretend. Promise. 

Until it isn’t.

PJ's Thoughts:

This book. What an absolute delight. Aster takes her characters on a lovers (Okay, not really lovers. More of an instant connection make-out session with the lovers potential that goes south when he says something incredibly insulting) - to enemies - to forced proximity - to fake relationship - to (actual) lovers journey that dialed me in and kept me engaged every step of the way.  

I couldn't put this book down. No, really. I read it in one day with a smile on my face the entire time. It's incredibly immersive. The chemistry, the sparkling banter, the swoony, slow-burn romance. How could I not root for these two? I was with Elle and Parker every step of the way. These two complex, fully-dimensional characters had me experiencing all the emotions. I don't want to give away spoilers because this journey deserves to be experienced as it unfolds across the pages so I'll just say that I love Elle's layers and the emotional evolution she undergoes, how she finds her voice and the courage to use it. Parker's evolution is equally enjoyable. I love how he nudges - okay, drags - Elle out of her comfort corner, his unexpected confession, and the decisions he makes when he finally begins to understand what really matters. And I love, love, love that the author took her time with them, gifting readers with this gem of a story that is one of my favorites this year.

While Elle and Parker are the lead characters of this book, there's another one that is just as important: New York City. In many ways, Aster has not only written a romance between Parker and Elle but also a love letter to this vividly and vibrantly depicted city that brings them together. It even made me, a person who craves wide open spaces, want to buy an airline ticket, rent an apartment, and experience all the pleasures of summer in the city. Except running. I draw the line at running. 

If you're looking for a fun, steamy, can't-put-it-down story that keeps you flipping pages late into the night while dreaming of New York City pizza, champagne galas, early mornings in Central Park, found friendships, heroes who cook (yay!), cozy coffee shops, and hard-won happy endings, go no further than Alex Aster's Summer in the City. It has my highest, joyful recommendation. 

Have you visited New York City?

If money were no object, where would you choose to spend a summer in the city?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 3 will receive a beautiful hardcover copy of Alex Aster's Summer in the City. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - There's Something About Mira

There's Something About Mira

by Sonali Dev

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: February 1, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Mira Salvi has the perfect life—a job she loves, a fiancé everyone adores, and the secure future she’s always imagined for herself. Really, she hasn’t a thing to complain about, not even when she has to go on her engagement trip to New York alone.

While playing tourist in the city, Mira chances upon a lost ring, and her social media post to locate its owner goes viral. With everyone trying to claim the ring, only one person seems to want to find its owner as badly as Mira does: journalist Krish Hale. Brooding and arrogant, he will do anything to get to write this story.

As Krish and Mira reluctantly join forces and jump into the adventure of tracing the ring back to where it belongs, Mira begins to wonder if she is in the right place in her own life. She had to have found this ring for a reason…right? Maybe, like the owner of the lost ring, her happy ending hasn’t been written yet either.

PJ's Thoughts:

There's something special about There's Something About Mira. It's my favorite of all the books Sonali Dev has written. I usually enjoy her stories but this is the first one that has kept me reading until 3:00 in the morning and still thinking about the characters many days later.

Mira is so intriguing. I thought I knew everything about her in the first chapter of the book but, no, there are many, many layers to be discovered about this character. Layers of which even Mira is unaware. I love the moment of fate that projects Mira's life in a different direction from the one that has been directed by her parents since birth, leading to new friendships, unexpected adventures, healed relationships, opportunities to carve her own path in life, and a deep, enduring love. 

The journey Mira embarks upon is eye-opening, emotional, heart-wrenching at times, joyful at others, but ultimately empowering, uplifting, and so very, very good. Dev brought these characters to life in such a way that I never once felt like I was reading about them. I was with them, all of them (primary and secondary), every step of the way experiencing the highs and lows of the obstacles life - and the people in their lives - placed in their way. 

If you enjoy a beautifully nuanced story about parental expectations, social issues, fate, finding yourself, and opening your heart to both love for yourself and the love others choose for themselves, pick up a copy of There's Something About Mira. It's one of the best books I've read in a while.