Review & Giveaway - - When We Had Forever

When We Had Forever

by Shaylin Gandhi

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Six months after her husband died in a car crash, Mina Drake is still mired in a haze of grief. Reminders of her years with Michael are everywhere, but beneath her heartache lies an even more painful emotion. It’s a guilty suspicion she can hardly admit to anyone, even herself—that her marriage was over long before Michael’s accident.

They were good together once, she’s sure of it, sharing a connection so deep that Mina can’t understand how it unraveled. That is, until a chance discovery in her husband’s office—and the reappearance of Michael’s estranged brother, Grayson, a notorious bad-boy photographer—awakens her to possible answers.

More shocking still is the pull Mina feels to tattooed, scarred Grayson, who’s nothing at all like the man she married. But as feelings stir to life again, so do secrets, changing everything she thought she knew about her marriage, and about the risks and rewards of loving with no limits…

PJ's Thoughts:

I read this book three weeks ago. In one day. Turned the last page around 1:00 AM then was awake at least another hour thinking about these characters, their journey, the unexpected revelations. Fell asleep and dreamed about them. Woke up thinking about them. Six days later, was still so immersed in their story I hadn't been able to start reading a new book. That is the impact of Shaylin Gandhi's writing. 

I'm not going to say too much about this book because it deserves to unfurl for each reader at their own pace with no spoilers. I will say that it was one of my favorite reads of 2024 and I plan to read it again (more slowly) in 2025 just to appreciate all of the intricate nuances to be found within the pages. 

When We Had Forever is part women's fiction, part contemporary romance, part psychological thriller. It has placed Shaylin Gandhi firmly on my must-buy author list.

Do yourself a favor and buy this deeply emotional, beautifully written novel but be prepared to not be able to put it down. It's just that good.

Have you read Shaylin Gandhi or When We Had Forever?

Tell me about a new author you discovered last year who blew your reading socks off.

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, January 16 will receive a print copy of When We Had Forever.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Winner - - Shattering Dawn

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a hardcover copy of

Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz is:

Annette N

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Into the Woods

Into the Woods

by Jenny Holiday

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Gretchen Miller is a bit of a badass. But even badasses get the blues when it comes to romance, and Gretchen could use a break from dating. So, when she gets the offer to be the summer dance instructor at Camp Wild Arts, she leaps at the chance to embrace clean air, nature, and her inner crone. But every forest has pests—and the biggest one at Wild Arts is none other than Tennyson “Teddy” Knight, the A) arrogant, B) infuriating, C) kinda hot if it weren’t for A & B rockstar who happens to be Gretchen’s fellow artist-in-residence.

Fresh off his band's epic and ultra-public breakup, Teddy's grouchier than a black bear in spring, and Gretchen is happy to ignore the unexpected heat she feels around him. Yet a wary friendship blooms, and before she knows it, Gretchen finds herself sneaking around to have one last summer fling with the broody musician before she swears off men for good. But as they grow closer, Gretchen has to figure out if she's ready to take this summer camp romance out of the woods and into real life. 

PJ's Thoughts:

I don't know who started this trend of adult summer camp romances but they have my thanks because I am loving these stories. And, Into the Woods, in Jenny Holiday's capable hands, has me ready to grab a backpack and head for the woods myself. 

I love Jenny Holiday's characters. They are beautifully developed, complex, and intriguing. Also relatable. I feel like I know them, understand them, flaws and all, and appreciate their emotional challenges. The banter between Teddy and Gretchen is impeccable, as is the friction. I love a good adversaries-to-lovers journey. Even better, there's all that delicious but unwelcome (at least at first) heat simmering beneath the surface.

Teddy and Gretchen have some life experience in their rearview (they're in their 30's/40's) and are each at a professional crossroads. Their growth, both professional and personal (each has emotional baggage to confront), adds additional depth to their journeys and made this book even more enjoyable for me. I loved their snark, loved their spark, and finished their book with heartfelt satisfaction. Also, don't discount the importance of the richly depicted secondary cast in this book. They add humor, heart, conflict, and unexpected wisdom. It's always fun when we learn life lessons from the ones we're supposed to be teaching.  

If you read last year's Canadian Boyfriend (And if you haven't, you should. Just sayin'), you may recognize Gretchen as main female character Rory's (Aurora) boss and best friend. While Rory makes appearances in Into the Woods, don't worry if you're beginning here. Each book stands well on its own and I enthusiastically recommend both. Read my review of Canadian Boyfriend here. 

Review & Giveaway - - Remember When

Remember When

by Mary Balogh

A Ravenswood Novel - Book 4

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

The Dowager Countess of Stratton, Clarissa Ware, née Greenfield, has just presented her younger daughter to the ton, and the rest of her life belongs only to herself. She returns to Ravenswood, intending to spend the summer alone there. But the summer has other plans for her.

Born a gentleman, Matthew Taylor has chosen to spend his life as the village carpenter. Growing up, he and Clarissa were close—dangerously so, considering his family’s modest fortune. As a young man, he never would have been a suitable match for the daughter of the wealthy Greenfields. Clarissa married Caleb Ware, the Earl of Stratton, so Matthew married another, though he was widowed soon after.

Now everything is different—Clarissa has already lived the life expected of her by society. And Matthew is as attractive and intriguing as he was when they were young. As their summer friendship deepens into romance, they stand together on the precipice of change—essentially the same man and woman they remember being back then, but with renewed passion and the potential to take their lives in an entirely new direction.

PJ's Thoughts:

If you've been reading this series, you already know the details of Clarissa's marriage and subsequent widowhood. If you haven't, Balogh weaves them into this book in a such a way that you won't be lost or confused if this is your first foray to Ravenswood. 

I love second chance, reunion romances, especially those between childhood friends who reconnect later in life. But this one has an added layer of challenge. Matthew and Clarissa are from different stations in life, even more significant now that she is a dowager duchess and he is town's carpenter/wood carver. The difference was enough to not cross the line between friendship and love in their youth and is now sure to set tongues wagging when they're observed holding hands on long walks through the park. But they are no longer 17 and 18. They're a mature couple on the cusp of fifty and they know what they want although they are not unaware of the challenges that will need to be conquered to achieve it. 

This is such a lovely, endearing novel. I really enjoyed watching Matthew and Clarissa rediscover their friendship and in doing so, rediscover themselves. Clarissa, especially, learns who she is and what she wants - and deserves - outside of being a mother. I love how she begins to take control of her life and how much she - and her relationships with her children - grow as a result. Matthew has no surfeit of growth himself. I enjoyed watching the positive evolution of his relationship with his family, due in no small part to Clarissa's encouragement and support. These two are so good for each other. I loved the caring, joy, fun, and eventually, deep, lasting love that developed between them. I laughed, I cried, and I turned the final page of their novel with a deep, happy, heartfelt sigh. 

How do you feel about older characters who get a second chance at love?

Have you read any of the Ravenswood novels?

Do you enjoy cross-class romances?

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, January 12 will receive a hardcover copy of Remember When. 

*U.S. Only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Shattering Dawn

Shattering Dawn

by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Lost Night Files - Book 3

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Amelia Rivers, a member of the Lost Night Files podcast team, hires private investigator Gideon Sweetwater to catch the stalker who has been watching her. Amelia suspects the stalker may be connected to the shadowy organization responsible for the night that she and her two friends lost to amnesia—a night that upended their lives and left them with paranormal talents.

Gideon suspects that Amelia is either paranoid or an outright con artist, but he can’t resist the chemistry between them. He takes the case despite his skepticism. For her part, Amelia has second thoughts about the wisdom of employing the mysterious Mr. Sweetwater. She is wary of the powerful attraction between them, and deeply uneasy about the nightmarish paintings on the walls of his home. She senses they were inspired by his own dreamscapes.

Amelia knows she doesn’t have time to find another investigator, and Gideon is forced to reckon with the truth when he disrupts what was intended to be Amelia’s kidnapping. Now the pair is on the run, with no choice but to return to the haunting ruins of the old hotel where Amelia’s lost night occurred. They are desperate to stop a killer and the people who are conducting illegal experiments with a dangerous drug that is designed to enhance psychic abilities. If they are to survive, they will have to trust each other and the passion that bonds them.

PJ's Thoughts:

The conclusion to Krentz's Lost Night Files trilogy is another high-intensity story brimming with danger, action, edge-of-the-seat suspense, and plenty of twists, psychic and otherwise. 

This book pulled me into the story from the opening pages and held my interest right through to the end. I love Krentz's psychic world. While logically I can tell myself that many of the events and abilities that inhabit her fictional world are just that - fiction - I still find myself wondering, what if? She immerses me in her imagination and makes it all seem so real.

Her characters have depths that make them relatable and layers that slowly reveal themselves throughout the story, both to the reader as well as one another. I was fascinated by both Amelia and Gideon, especially as those layers fell away and I learned more about who they were at their core. The romance is not the heart of the book but it definitely is a facet. 

You could enjoy Gideon and Amelia's story as a standalone but I'm happy I read the three books in order. There is an overarching mystery that runs through the trilogy, as well as twists in Shattering Dawn that had a greater impact because of things that happened in the first two books. 

I don't know what Jayne Ann Krentz has planned for her next book but I'm already looking forward to it. 

Have you read any of the books in The Lost Night Files trilogy?

Do you enjoy psychic elements in novels, suspense or otherwise?

Do you remember your dreams?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, January 10 will receive a hardcover copy of Shattering Dawn. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Winner - - Whisk-y Business

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a Kindle copy of

Whisk-y Business by Tere Michaels is:

Santa

Congratulations!

Please send your email address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - A New Year in the Keys

A New Year in the Keys

by Hope Holloway

Coconut Key - Book 8

Publisher: Hope Holloway

Release Date: December 27, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

For Beck and her mother, Lovely, the serene island life they’ve carefully built is about to be upended. Plans for a quiet holiday with no guests at their popular Coquina House Bed & Breakfast are disrupted when they agree to host a trio of last-minute guests. These unexpected arrivals stir up more than just the peaceful waters of Coconut Key, leading to revelations that will transform the family forever.

At seventy-five, Lovely is thriving—healthy, happy, and finally spending her life with Beck, the daughter she never had a chance to raise. But when a figure from the past steps into her home—and heart—in a way she never dreamed possible, Lovely faces the daunting task of reimagining her entire life.

Meanwhile, Beck is standing at her own crossroads. Her newfound love, Oliver, is torn between his native Australia and their idyllic life in Coconut Key. When an opportunity arises that could give Oliver everything he wants, Beck must make a difficult choice: pursue her own dreams of happiness or sacrifice everything for the man she loves.

As a new year dawns on Coconut Key, there's a wedding on the horizon and babies on the way, so celebration should be in the air. But will the changes, choices, and challenges ahead bring an end to this family’s hard-won happiness?

PJ's Thoughts:

My heart. This book. I thought we were finished with this series but Hope Holloway had one more wonderful story in her pocket and it just may be my favorite of all the books she's written.

I have so much love for these characters, for this family. I sighed, I cried, I cheered. I don't think it's possible for Hope Holloway to write a book that does not touch me emotionally but even among the many heart-tugging stories from her various book series, A New Year in the Keys stands out. It celebrates life, love, and multiple generations of family. It's achingly romantic. And, I have no doubt, to the delight of hordes of readers (like me) who rarely see themselves depicted in this manner, it features soul-stirring romance for a vibrant character in her seventies. 

It is never too late to fall in love just as it's never too late to fall in love with Hope Holloway's beautiful stories.

I strongly recommend reading the books in this series in order. They are: 

A Secret in the Keys

A Reunion in the Keys

A Season in the Keys

A Haven in the Keys

A Return to the Keys

A Wedding in the Keys

A Promise in the Keys

A New Year in the Keys

Coming Attractions - - January 2025

 

Welcome to 2025! 

Wow, did 2024 go fast or what? I had some wonderful adventures last year, both in real life and through the pages of the books I read. I hope you did too. We're kicking off the new year with some new-to-me authors and a few long-time favorites. Here's what's happening this month at The Romance Dish.

We start things off on Friday, January 3 with a review of A New Year in the Keys by Hope Holloway. This surprise bonus book takes readers back to Holloway's debut Coconut Key series with an achingly romantic reunion story, proving that you're never too old to find love. 

Tuesday, January 7 brings a review and giveaway of Shattering Dawn by Jayne Ann Krentz. This compelling, suspenseful thriller wraps up Krentz's The Lost Night Files trilogy.

Stop by Wednesday, January 8 for a review and giveaway of Mary Balogh's Remember When. This fourth book in Balogh's Ravenswood series is a lovely, cross-class, reunion romance featuring a dowager countess and her childhood friend.

Friday, January 10 brings a review of Into the Woods by Jenny Holiday, a story about two people at professional and emotional crossroads in their lives. If you haven't read Holiday yet, this book is a great place to start. 

Monday, January 13 brings a review and giveaway of When We Had Forever by Shaylin Gandhi. This compelling, twisty romance drew me in and refused to let go, landing in my top three books of 2024. 

Join me on Tuesday, January 14 for a tour review of Dashiki by Florence Wetzel, a cozy mystery set within the fascinating world of jazz.

We're heading north on Wednesday, January 15 with a review of Dr. Alaska by Jillian David. This heartwarming contemporary romance launches David's Yukon Valley, Alaska Hospital series.

On Monday, January 20, we're heading back to Lake Tahoe for Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis. This 7th standalone book in Shalvis's Sunrise Cove series is a women's fiction/contemporary romance second-chance story.

Santa joins us on Tuesday, January 21 with a review of She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke. This one features mystery, murder, and a second chance at love.

Join me on Thursday, January 23 for a review of Made to Love You by Nan Reinhardt. It's another heartwarming visit to Reinhardt's popular River's Edge contemporary romance series. 

Wrapping up the month on Monday, January 27 will be a review and giveaway of The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren. This biographical historical fiction novel tells the story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a brilliant Black woman born a slave whose voice captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic before and during the Civil War. 

What books are you looking forward to reading this month?

Review - - The Highlander Burns for Vengeance

The Highlander Burns for Vengeance

by Julie Johnstone

Return of the Highlanders - Book 3

Publisher: Darbyshire Publishing, LLC

Release Date: December 30, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

  

Divided by treachery, bound by an edict, they must decide their fate: to love or to hate.

After years of captivity, Graeme Stewart has returned home with a burning desire for vengeance, and it’s all directed at the Campbell clan. They attacked his home, killed his parents, and imprisoned him for eighteen long years. So when the king demands Graeme handfast with his enemy’s sister to end the warring of their clans, he intends to use her to get the revenge he yearns for. But Maisie’s courage and character surprise him at every turn, conjuring admiration and stirring desire. Now, with revenge within his grasp, he must make a choice before it’s too late: either cling to the malice that kept him alive or release it for the chance at love.

The vengeful and unreasonable Highlander intends to destroy her family, and Maisie Campbell is bound to him for a year and a day. She hates everything about Graeme, except the way he kisses, which is a force that nearly brings her to her knees. But lust does not a marriage make, and the man is hell-bent on proving her brother a traitor and herself treacherous, so she sets out to prove otherwise. Yet, as questions of her brother’s character arise in her own mind and Graeme displays an honorable, fiercely protective nature, Maisie faces a decision: seek a truth that will doom the brother she adores or remain blindly loyal to those she’s always held dear and lose the man she has come to love with all her heart.

PJ's Thoughts:

This book exemplifies all the reasons that when I want a fast-paced, emotional, Medieval romance that I can't put down, the author I first turn to is Julie Johnstone. Her characters are complex and fully developed. Her grasp of time and place is vividly and authentically depicted. Her books never leave me feeling as though I've read a modern book set hundreds of years ago. From the first page to the last, I was fully immersed in 15th Century Scotland, these characters, their triumphs, travails, passion, and the danger that stalks them.

While this is book three in Johnstone's Return of the Highlanders trilogy and the couples from books one and two are featured, The Highlander Burns for Vengeance stands well on its own. You can easily jump in with any book. I recommend all three.