Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Make Out Artist by Sara Ney
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Make Out Artist by Sara Ney

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HOT NEW RELEASE
THE MAKE OUT ARTIST by Sara Ney is LIVE!
#1ClickHere
https://books2read.com/TheMakeOutArtist

From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Sara Ney comes a new series about strong, single girls falling in love: accidentally.

Love finds you when you least expect it. That’s what my nan always said. 

Love? I wasn’t looking for it so how will I know when I’ve found it? I’m not romantic like she was—I’m realistic and practical. Quick with my wits and hilarious when I’m in the mood, it’ll take more than a handsome face to win my affection. Speaking of handsome faces—Elias Cohen is nothing special (no offense); smug, arrogant. Too flirtatious for his own good.

He won’t charm me with that crooked smile and dimple in his chin. When Elias comes knocking on my office door during a house party after I play wingman for a friend, I’m tempted to slam the door in his face. But I don’t.

Because If there’s one thing I am, it’s curious.

And wouldn’t you know it—Elias needs a favor. Begs for one, actually.He might not be able to make me swoon, but he does need a wingwoman.



Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
The Make Out Artist was such a fun story. Molly and Eli definitely get off on the wrong foot, and he just continues to make a bigger mess out of things when they first meet. But once she agrees to go on a few fake dates with him, these two slowly realize that they are actually pretty perfect for one another!

It’s a slow burn between these two before their fake dates turn into a bona fide real date — and Eli really goes all out to make it as romantic as possible for Molly! Everything comes so naturally and so easily for these characters, both of whom have been burned by past relationships. When a situation arises with Eli’s gold-digging ex-girlfriend, their little bubble of happiness bursts and both Eli and Molly have to figure out if their new relationship is worth fighting for.

It took me a while to realize that Molly is the grown-up version of Tripp’s sassy 13-year-old neighbor from Hard Love!

The Make Out Artist is a low-drama, sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will leave you smiling at the end!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Mine To Hold by Natasha Madison
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Mine To Hold by Natasha Madison

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Release Date: August 2

From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a small town, best friends to lovers romance.

Are you ready for The Southern Wedding Series?
Things are supposed to go smoothly on your wedding day.
Aren’t they?

Shelby
I got a love letter the night before I was supposed to marry the love of my life.
Except the letter wasn’t for me.
My future husband had written it to someone else.

Weston (Ace)
Standing at the altar to watch my best friend get married was an honor.
Finding out that he was sleeping with my girlfriend was a nightmare.
Everything I knew was a lie.
When the opportunity came to get out of town and leave my ex behind, I took it.
Umbrella drinks and broken hearts don’t mix well.
I shouldn’t want Shelby for myself – but I do.
I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

Maybe, she was just mine to hold.

Grab Your Copy Here!
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars
Oh this book was perfection! I absolutely adored Ace and Shelby’s story, from start to finish!

There was just the right amount of “forbidden” between these two best friends as they cross the line to something more after Shelby learns her fiancé had been cheating on her with Ace’s girlfriend and dumps him at the altar. Nursing their broken hearts, Ace and Shelby spend her honeymoon at a couples resort, and all kinds of hilarity ensues as they are mistaken for newlyweds— with simmering sexual tension brewing!

Natasha Madison has a way of brilliantly creating rich, wonderful characters, and these two are among my favorites of hers. When Ace and Shelby finally admit that they’ve always been attracted To one another, it’s a wonderful scene and sets them off on a vacation fling. But when they arrive back home, will they truly be able to leave their feelings on the island?

Mine To Hold is a wonderful story in the Southern Weddings series not to be missed!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Natasha Madison


When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…



 
Connect with Natasha Madison


 
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: They Call Her Dirty Sally by Amy Matayo
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: They Call Her Dirty Sally by Amy Matayo

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Release Date: August 2

“For years, the town of Silver Bell, Arkansas has quietly mourned the hospital fire that claimed the lives of nine of its residents—the town doctor, a young expectant mother, and seven infants. So, when journalist Finn Hardwick is assigned the story as part of a national thirtieth anniversary

memorial service, he arrives at the town ready to interview its residents, thinking they’ll be willing and eager to make headlines.

 He isn’t prepared for the resistance. Or for what appears to be a collective unwillingness to answer questions. 

 Faced with one roadblock after another, Finn enlists the help of Billi Ellis, the young motel receptionist that everyone in the town seems to like. Maybe she can get them to open up to him. Maybe she can help him make sense of everything he keeps uncovering. Especially the unexpected tie this tragedy appears to have to his own life.

 A tie that leads him directly to the old woman who seems to hold the key to everything. The woman everyone avoids…the woman they call “dirty”…the woman who hasn’t spoken a word to anyone since the day the hospital burned.”

 

Buy Your Copy Here

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

They Call Her Dirty Sally blew me away! I usually stick to contemporary romance, but I took a chance on this book and I am so glad I did because it was phenomenal! Amy Matayo is a new-to-me author, and she had such a magical way with her words as she wove together this small-town mystery.

This book is chock-full of secrets, lies, and years of betrayal. As it all unravels, the lives of Sally — who was at the heart of the accident decades ago — Billi, and town outsider Finn will forever be changed. This book will really make you think about your actions and how the way you treat people can have long-lasting consequences.

Get ready to experience a rollercoaster of emotions with this gut-wrenching, inspirational, phenomenal story.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Amy Matayo

Amy Matayo is an award winning author of  The Wedding Game, Love Gone Wild, Sway, In Tune with Love, A Painted Summer, The End of the World, The Thirteenth Chance, The Whys Have It, Christmas at Gate 18, and the upcoming Lies We Tell Ourselves.

She graduated with barely passing grades from John Brown University with a degree in Journalism. But don’t feel sorry for her–she’s super proud of that degree and all the ways she hasn’t put it to good use.

She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is always working on her next novel, whichever one that may be.

 
Connect with Amy Matayo
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Amazon
 
 
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Ask Me To Stay by H. D’Agostino
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Ask Me To Stay by H. D’Agostino

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Title: Ask Me To Stay
Author: H. D’Agostino
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: August 2, 2022
BLURB
The Bradshaws have owned a beach house down the coast from ours for as long as I can remember. Every summer since I was six, we’ve vacationed there.
Russell, their youngest son, was my best friend growing up. He taught me how to spit and punch like a boy. He gave me my first beer and first kiss, which was terrible by the way. We spent many days and nights commiserating together about how our parents knew nothing and were so uncool.
Casey Bradshaw, Russ’s older brother, was everything I thought I wanted in a boyfriend. He was cool, mature, and very hot. Each summer I tried and failed, to get him to notice me as more than Russ’s friend and the girl from down the beach. The last summer I was there, he broke my heart.
It’s been six years, and my best friend Aimee has decided we need a vacation. The last thing I expected was to be back at the beach. Sometimes we don’t realize what we need has been right under our nose all along, and sometimes it takes a little push and some alcohol to admit we were wrong.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3.5 Stars
Ask Me to Stay had me hooked from the blurb, but I felt that it was just kind of an okay story overall.

This book goes back and forth between a past summer in 1995, and present-day 2001, exploring Russ and Willow’s friendship as teenagers (where she had a crush on his older brother) and then them reconnecting 6 years later. We hardly got to see them out in the real world, and I needed to see that to really buy them as a couple outside of the beach community where they spent the summer. If the epilogue tells us that they are madly in love and have made a long-distance relationship work all year, I wanted to *see* that. I also felt that some of If dialogue was forced, and didn’t flow naturally, which is a pet peeve of mine.

That said, Ask Me to Stay is a good beach read — light, minimal drama, set in the summer with a HEA.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

AUTHOR BIO
Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
 
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
 
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the track, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’
AUTHOR LINKS
Sunny Shelly’s Review: More Than a Memory by Molly McClain
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: More Than a Memory by Molly McClain

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Title: More Than a Memory
Series: Cole Creek #2
Author: Molly McLain
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2022
BLURB
We were more than we pretended to be. Or maybe we were nothing at all.
-Olivia-
I loved him when I shouldn’t have. And I left him to save us both. Now my life is in danger and he’s the only one who can offer the protection I need.
I hate being so vulnerable, so weak… But if I’m going to bare my secrets to anyone, it’s him.
Even if he hates me for them.
-Aiden-
I would have risked it all for her, but she quit before she ever gave us a chance. She chose another man and another life, instead. And now his choices might cost her hers.
I don’t hate her like she thinks I do, but this is more than a job for me. This is my chance to prove that Olivia and I…
We’re more than a memory.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
UNIVERSAL
Free in Kindle Unlimited
For a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars
More Than a Memory is a wonderful second-chance romance between two people who never stopped loving one another. With a traumatic past, a dead husband, a heroine in danger, and the brother’s best friend trope added in.

Aiden and Olivia are remarkable characters. She’s been through so much but she is such a strong heroine. And even though Aiden *wants* to hate her for ghosting him without a trace all those years ago, he knows the second he sees her again that she still owns his heart. Now, Olivia needs protection and Aiden is the only one who can keep her safe. Will their love be more than just a memory?

This book is part of the Cole Creek series but is a standalone story. This story had the right blend of romance, heat, suspense, angst, and sizzling chemistry between the H and h. There are some difficult scenes to read in regards to some trauma in Liv’s past, but I thought that Molly McClain handled that very nicely and it helped propel this couple forward as they dealt with Aiden’s guilt in the matter and where they go in the future.

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

ALSO AVAILABLE
99c for TODAY only!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
UNIVERSAL
Free in Kindle Unlimited
AUTHOR BIO
Molly McLain lives in a tiny Wisconsin town with her husband, three kiddos, and two adorable German Shorthaired Pointers. She’s addicted to 80’s ballads, 90’s rock, cheesecake, and office supplies, and she’s been scribbling down love stories in spiral notebooks since she was old enough to daydream about hunky boys and happily-ever-afters. Now, she turns those daydreams into steamy, small town romance novels.
Sunny Shelly’s Review: Unfinished Ex by Samantha Christie
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Unfinished Ex by Samantha Christie

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Seeing him again has her second guessing everything.

Unfinished Ex, an all-new steamy romance with a surprise twist from bestselling author Samantha Christy, is out now!

He wanted everything I couldn’t give him. A doting wife, a perfect family, a white picket fence, and game nights.

It’s not that I didn’t want to be his wife anymore. I just wanted something more—a career. So when an opportunity came up two years ago, it was easier to make him hate me than have him think he wasn’t enough.

Now, a day after our divorce is final, I find myself thrust back in the town we grew up in, down the street from the house we once owned together.

Seeing him again has me second-guessing everything. My priorities. My reason for leaving. My secrets.
When we cave, and have one explosive night of ex sex, everything changes.
Or nothing has.

And I have to decide if history is about to be repeated.

Download your copy today or grab it FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
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Keep reading for a look inside Unfinished Ex!

“Aren’t you popular?” a familiar voice spews behind me.
I stiffen, then turn. “Jaxon.” I spin back and motion for the bartender.
My hair gets moved aside, and strong fingers come around the side of my throat. For a second, I think he might strangle me. Then his grip relaxes, and his thumb brushes against the hollow of my neck. Tingles shoot through my body. It’s the first time I’ve felt his touch in years.
“As if being all over television isn’t enough,” he says. “You have to come here and rub it in my face? What the hell, Nic? Is there any guy here you haven’t come on to?”
“Give me a break.” I shrug his hand off me and huff. “It’s my reunion too. And if you don’t want to see me on TV, change the channel. Anyway, don’t you have a girlfriend you should be dancing with?”
The disdain in our voices is surprising. We never spoke like this to each other when we were married. And I’m not sure why I’m speaking to him this way now. He doesn’t deserve it. But seeing him on the arm of another woman all night has been… devastating, to say the least. And my defenses are up.
He takes my arm and leads me to the dance floor.
I know I should resist, but I don’t. Not much anyway. “What are you doing?”
“Talking with my ex-wife. And showing everyone here that we can be civil.”
I glance around. Everyone is staring. And guffawing. And videoing. I suppose they either think I’m going to punch him or fuck him.
“Can we be civil?” I ask. “Because based on the two times we’ve seen each other, we’re either glaring at or ignoring one another.”
“I think we should try to be. How else are we going to survive two months of you being here?”
“Avoidance,” I say, trying to ignore the warmth of his hands. The solidness of his body. The familiarity of his scent.
Every synapse in my brain is firing, telling me to pull away. But my heart strings—apparently they think we’re still tethered together, and I find myself swaying to the music.
He moves with me. “How’s that working for you? Apparently not well since you decided to show up at the one place you knew I’d be. Not to mention my friends.”
“Oh, your friends.”
“Yeah, my friends. You left them too. Or have you forgotten?”
“I remember perfectly well. More than you could ever know.” I break away from him because being in his arms is suffocating. “I have to go. I need to be up early.”
“Then why did you even come?”
Why did I? “It was obviously a mistake.” I go back to the bar and Paige, who is holding up a shot. I’ve never needed one more. “Thanks. And now I’m leaving.”
She checks the time. “You almost made it an hour. That’s longer than I thought you’d last.” She glances behind me. “Oh shit.”
I turn to see Calista standing in the hallway, the sadness of her stare burning through my skin from twenty feet away. She saw us dancing.
Not bothering to say goodbye to anyone, I hightail it to the back door. I’m barely to the back gate when I hear, “Why can’t you leave well enough alone?”
Slowly, I rotate and face Calista. She walks toward me in what seems like slow motion. Is she going to call me names? Pull my hair? Tackle me to the ground? Behind her, people pour out from inside.
“Calista, now is not the time. We’ve both been drinking.”
“You think I’m going to cause a scene?”
“No, because I’m walking away.”
I get another thirty feet when I hear her heels on the pavement behind me. She runs ahead and stops my progress. Not with her fists or her body, but with her eyes. Her sorrowful, poignant stare that makes me feel even more guilty about being here.
“Calista, I don’t have time for this.”
“You left. You chose your career over him. You were selfish, uncaring, and insensitive. Not to mention you broke him. Do you know how long it took him to even ask someone out?”
“Cal—”
“It’s my turn. You had your turn. You had your chance with him. You don’t get to waltz back into town and pretend like everything is normal when you’re the reason he can’t be. He was just starting to heal. And tonight, I had a feeling he might even commit to this relationship. Then you show up and all anyone can do is look at you, and then look at him to see if he’s looking at you, and then look at me to see if I’m bothered by any of it. Why are you here? You made your choice. You don’t even want him, so why don’t you stay away and give him room to breathe? Please, Nicky. I’m begging you.”
I’m stunned by the lack of anger in her confrontation. But I shouldn’t be. Even when we butted heads back in high school, she was still nice about it. She didn’t get to be head cheerleader, class president, and prom queen by intimidation. She did it because she was delightful, caring, and perky. The kind of person who’s perfect for Jaxon.
Jaxon comes out of the pub and sees us.
Calista glances between him and me. “Unless you still want him.” Her eyes become glassy. “Do you?”
“I…” I clutch my pendant. “I have to go.”
I run through the parking lot. Then I run down the street. Then I take my shoes off and run barefoot until I get inside the house and up to my room. Then I collapse on my bed, knowing everything she said was one hundred percent true.
Especially the part about me wanting him. Because I was lying to myself. Being in his arms wasn’t suffocating. It was like going home.

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 3 Stars

I really liked parts of this book, and really disliked other parts of it. I have such conflicted feelings! While I loved the second-chance romance between a divorced couple who so clearly still was madly in love with one another, there were so many plot points in this story that I kept rolling my eyes over.

The good: There is a lot of growth on the parts of both Nicky and Jaxon in this book when it comes to their relationship and how they drifted apart in the past because of her career aspirations. Unfortunately, I felt that was overshadowed by the lie that Nicky told Jax in the first place and… the ickiness… of the surprise pregnancies in this book.

So Nicky lied about having cheated on Jaxon so he wouldn’t come after her because she felt like she wasn’t enough for him anymore since she had dreams of being a broadcast meteorologist. Except that she lied about it. And then his indiscretion was brushed under the rug by them both on their way to reconciliation. Okay, I can suspend belief for that. But Jaxon getting his ex-girlfriend and Nicky pregnant within weeks of each other was a bit too much. Calista was just a wretched woman who kept coming up with excuse after excuse to spend time with Jax because she was jealous he and Nicky were seeing each other again. I will admit that Jax and Nicky handled Calista’s pregnancy like champs, and came out the other side rock solid as a result. In the end, everything got tied up in a neat little bow and they make it work for all parties involved, including Calista, so this story does have a HEA for everyone.

I wish this book would have come with a trigger warning for miscarriage because that is a sensitive subject for me that I need to know about going into a story.

If I could pluck out certain parts of this story, I would give this book a higher rating. Because I really enjoyed how Nicky and Jaxon found their way back to each other. But I felt that the outside drama was unnecessary since they had enough to work with between the distance, their breakup, their loss, and where they go in the future.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

About Samantha Christy
Samantha Christy’s passion for writing started long before her first novel was published. Graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Criminal Justice, she held the title of Computer Systems Analyst for The Supreme Court of Wisconsin and several major universities around the United States. Raised mainly in Indianapolis, but also living in Lincoln, NE for a time, she decided to devote herself to family upon the birth of her third child and became a stay-at-home mom. It was then when the writing bug really took hold as she was a voracious reader. Being a stay-at-home mom facilitated her ability to follow her dream of becoming an author.
When she is not writing, she keeps busy cruising to every Caribbean island ships sail to. Samantha Christy currently resides near St. Augustine, Florida with her husband and the two of her four children who haven’t flown the nest. Oh, and her dog, Ozzy, who she worships and thinks is the most adorable Whoodle on the planet.

Connect with Samantha
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3vyOXEf
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Website: https://samanthachristy.com/

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Boyfriend Material by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Boyfriend Material by Ilsa Madden-Mills

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Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.
I’m talking about Eric Hansen.

Boyfriend Material, an all-new enemies-to-lovers sports romance full of heat and chemistry from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is available now!

#1 Amazon Bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers an all-new, enemies-to-lovers sports romance, a breathtaking tale of passion, heartbreak, and love…

Skyscraper cheekbones, lush lips, and magnetic topaz eyes.

I’m talking about Eric Hansen.

Rich prick.

Glorified hockey star.

Thinks he’s amazing.

The Golden Boy and I are well acquainted. In prep school he trampled on my heart then kept right on going.

Now, he’s living the high life with frat parties and puck bunnies at Hawthorne University. On the other hand, people barely notice me—unless I’m on stage taking my clothes off. I’m the nobody, surviving in the seedy part of town as I fight to keep my head above treacherous waters.

I’ve snubbed him for three years.

The avoidance game we’ve been playing was working—until he rescues me from a bad guy and claims he wants to help me more.

Hello. I don’t need a knight in shining armor. This girl saves herself.

Yet, I’m not sure how long I can ignore the undeniable spark between us. (It’s not even a spark; it’s a full-fledged, blazing fire.)

Can this hockey player prove he’s boyfriend material, or will our past get in the way?

This steamy romance is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers or second-chances. Boyfriend Material is a new adult college romance.

Grab your copy today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mD2FjK
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Keep reading for a look inside Boyfriend Material!

Eric’s large frame and rugged handsomeness takes the air from my lungs. His hair is pulled back in a man-bun, my fav look on him.
No. I do not have a favorite look for him, but it does show off his ridiculous cheekbones and aristocratic, slightly bent nose.
He’s wearing jeans, gold Converse, and a HU shirt. The lion on the front seems to glare at me—much like he is now.
I lean against the doorjamb. Be cool, be cool. “Howdy, partner.”
He doesn’t smile. “That guy at the laundromat is scary. Stay away from him. I mean it.”
I huff. The nerve of him to tell me what to do.
“That’s what I told you. I repeat, you could have been hurt. Let me handle Connor.”
His arms cross. “How did you get involved with him? Are you on drugs?”
I tuck my hands in my pockets and dip my head so he can’t see how much his words hurt. I know I strip, no one has to remind me, but in prep school, I was the goody-two shoes who never wavered. I had to keep my grades up to keep my scholarship—not that I was ever invited to parties. I wrote poetry. I drew. I daydreamed about him. “Do I look like an addict?”
His golden eyes roam over me. Assessing. “Maybe.”
My throat tingles with words I want to say but know I shouldn’t.
The less he knows, the better.
His nose flares. “I’m trying to help you and you’re giving me the cold shoulder. What’s wrong with you?”
I swallow thickly as I gaze at him. “Eric. Please. Being around me will only smear your good name—”
“Stop,” he calls out, then rubs his face, his anger seeming to deflate like a popped tire. “Don’t put yourself down like that. You’re a person, Julia. One that people care about.”
And I want to protect those people.
I chew on my bottom lip. “You shouldn’t have interfered.”
He lets out a long sigh, gives me a searching look, goes to leave, then stops. He reaches into his pocket and holds something up. “This is yours, I assume.”
I stare at the ring, my lips parting. “How did you . . .?”
But he’s already out the door.

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/38ddqFU

Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars

Back in prep school, scholarship kid Julia and rich boy Eric briefly dated, but he tossed her to the side as soon as they slept together, like he tended to do with all the girls he dated. Now, a few years later, they cross paths again at college, where he is the golden boy of the hockey team and she’s stripping at night to pay the bills while trying to balance school, her addict mother, and keeping a loan shark off her back. One night, Eric plays knight in shining armor, and a tentative friendship is rekindled between these two that slowly turns into more.

Who Julia and Eric are now are totally different people than they were as teenagers. And as it turns out, Eric’s life isn’t all that it seems. He’s carrying around some serious family baggage and nothing he does is good enough for his father. But Julia makes him feel balanced and grounded. Will these two be able to overcome their past and forge a future together?

This slow-burn story hits on a lot of sensitive topics: SA, fraternity hazing, prescription addiction, mental illness, and more. I thought that Ilsa Madden-Mills handled that all nicely. Eric and Julia’s journey to a HEA is rough and full of roadblocks, but the sweet epilogue makes it all worthwhile. And there is a nice revisit with his best friend and her best friend, Z and Sugar, from Boyfriend Bargain.

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.

Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.

A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

Connect with Ilsa
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3trVP4K
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Never With Me by Kaylee Ryan
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Never With Me by Kaylee Ryan

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Title: Never With Me
Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 26, 2022
BLURB
Ramsey
I’m out of my depth participating in a blind-date photo shoot. Not only am I meant to act like I’m open for dating, but I’m meant to be sexy and get up close and personal with a complete stranger.
None of the above is me. But I’m a sucker, and my best friend can talk me into anything.
Deacon is the kind of guy my heart could be safe with. But I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, and I’m not sure I’m ready to rely on anyone else. Not even the handsome, successful older brother of my best friend.
Deacon
I never saw her coming. One date with a beautiful stranger and I’m hooked.
Technically, Ramsey isn’t a stranger. She’s my little sister’s best friend, the same sister who volunteered me because she claims “I’m a workaholic in desperate need of love.”
All I know is I can’t stop thinking about Ramsey and the way her lips felt against mine. I have to see her again. Good thing I’m an attorney, because convincing her to take a chance on me is going to be the hardest case I’ve ever pleaded. She’s worried about the past repeating itself. What she’s yet to figure out is that her fear is unnecessary… never with me.
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SUNNY SHELLY’s REVIEW: 5 STARS

It’s been a year or two since I’ve read a book by Kaylee Ryan and I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed her writing style! Deacon and Ramsey’s story was absolutely charming, with the right amounts of sexy simmer and sweet affection!

I adored the meet-cute with these two on a strangers photoshoot! Sure, it was a total set-up by Ramsey’s best friend/Deacon’s little sister, Palmer, but every time I see one of those strangers photoshoots on social media, I always think that would be such an awesome “how we met” story. Deacon is a workaholic who barely leaves the office and Ramsey is a former pampered princess who refuses to be dependent on anyone again, so she works three jobs herself. Sparks fly immediately once they meet, and neither notices the ten-year age gap between them.

I thought that KR really handled the trauma of Ramsey’s emotionally and physically abusive past well. Deacon is so patient and gentle with her, and the way he always, always asked for her opinion and wants — knowing that she had so few choices over her own life previously — was swoon-worthy. She didn’t have to be afraid or be worried about speaking her mind with Deacon. AKA “Never with me.”

These two characters really brought out the best in one another, and I was kind of sad to see their story come to an end, even though it ended with a wonderfully happy epilogue. I will definitely be checking out the next series by Kaylee Ryan because I am dying to spend more time with Ramsey’s nine cousins and Deacon’s sisters!

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

AUTHOR BIO
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has been crowned the Queen of Swoon by her readers. With nearly fifty romance books under her belt, she’s known for penning happily ever afters with heart. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand or hanging out with her family where she resides in her home state of Ohio.
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Crush by Karla Sorensen
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Sunny Shelly’s Review: The Crush by Karla Sorensen

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Release Date: July 21 

You know that girl from your past that you can’t quite stop thinking about? The one that you pushed away because you had a goal that seemed so much bigger, so much more important than any crush you might have had?
That’s Adaline Wilder for me.
Nothing came before football. Not in college, and not in my five years in the pros. All I wanted was to win games, win a championship, carve my own path out of the illustrious Ward family football legacy. And I’ve done all that. But something is missing.
I’ve never been wrong about what I want. Except with her.
She moved on to someone else, but that baseball playing moron just broke her heart. I don’t blame her for not trusting me, but even Adaline can’t deny the heat when we’re together.
I have one shot at winning her back. And I intend to take it.

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: 5 Stars

I wish I could give Emmett and Adaline more than 5 stars! I think The Crush is one of Karla’s best books, and Emmett had A LOT to live up to as Logan Ward’s son!

The long-distance yearning and missed connections and wrong timing of Emmett and Adaline’s relationship was written so beautifully. I just wanted them to be together!! I love how once Emmett realized that Adaline was the one he is meant to be with, he moved mountains to be with her.

I really feel like I’ve gotten to know the Ward family over the last few years thanks to the original Wolves books and now the next-Gen spinoff. And since Adaline is a character who has been around a bit in previous books, I was already shopping these two as soon as I read the blurb. I cried for the Wilder family as well, and I loved reading Karla’s note at the end, because I am not ready to say goodbye to this universe.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Meet Karla Sorensen

Well, let’s see … I’m a wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone’s face, then I’ve done my job.

 

I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will never consider me a literary snob. 

 

If I could meet one historical figure, it would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in health care marketing before I had my babies. 

 

I hate Twitter. I do it, but I hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I’ll love you forever. 

 

Connect with Karla Sorensen

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | BookBub    Reader Group

 

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Sunny Shelly’s Review: Love You Again by Julia Kent
Book Review

Sunny Shelly’s Review: Love You Again by Julia Kent

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Title: Love You Again
Series: Love You, Maine #2
Author: Julia Kent
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Release Date: July 19, 2022
BLURB
An unexpected rescue rekindles an old romance between a single dad widower and a woman caught in a small town scandal that made her flee the one place where she belongs. Can a second chance at first love end in a happily ever after?
Luke Luview has given up on love. Finally ready to let go of his late wife’s clothes, the grieving small-town police officer and single dad thinks he’s hearing things when he opens the charity box door. Who knocks from the inside of a donation bin?
The raccoon he assumes is in there turns out to be way prettier – and very familiar. Rescuing the first girl he ever kissed means life has dealt him a wild card with Kylie Hood, his late wife’s best friend who left town suddenly fifteen years ago under a cloud of scandal.
Kylie Hood will never depend on a man again. Dumped by her boyfriend and fired by his parents from her children’s programming job at their ski resort in rural Maine, she hits rock bottom while throwing out her ex’s clothes — along with her phone and car keys.
Being rescued by Luke Luview, of all people, is a gift and a curse. The boy she once loved is now all grown up, everything her ex wasn’t – and absolutely off limits.
Accepting his offer to be his temporary nanny while she job searches in New York City, Kylie falls hard for his sweet daughter, and even harder for Luke. A clause in her employment contract means they can’t fraternize, but fate has other plans, and forbidden fruit is twice as sweet.
As the town she reluctantly left years ago accepts her more and more, and Luke makes it clear he wants ta second chance with her in their close-knit community, Kylie has to decide: an exciting new career in Manhattan on her own, or an instant family and a sense of belonging in her small hometown?
And as Luke wrestles with the pain of being left behind by his wife’s accidental death, he has to balance his responsibilities to his daughter with his own needs. Needs he’s ignored for far too long.
Needs only Kylie can meet.
But not if she leaves.
Can Luke and Kylie rekindle their first love and find a new future together in a place where love conquers all?
If you’re looking for a fun read about first kisses and second chances, featuring a hot single-dad police officer and his accidental nanny, set in a small town in New England, with a golden retriever named Jester, a heroine whose dream in life is to run a fairy camp, and a hero who wants to build a place where everyone belongs–then this is your book.
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and maybe some edible glitter, and get your happy meter ready as you read the second book in the Love You, Maine, series–where love isn’t just a feeling… it’s a way of life.
✓Standalone
✓Slow burn
✓Single dad widower
✓Nanny/police officer
✓Second chance
… and a golden retriever named Jester
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By the time he walked back into the living room, Kylie was petting a very happy Jester, Harriet was munching on a small plate of cheese and apple slices, and the first girl he’d ever kissed gave him an evaluative look that made him do a double take.
“I’ll stay with her,” Kylie chirped. Yeah, chirped. She sounded like a freaking bluebird of happiness.
He stared at her. “You’ll what?”
“I’ll stay with her.”
“No. Thanks, but no way. You’re a stranger.”
“I’m Red Cross certified in CPR and first aid. I have a master’s degree in education and am a licensed teacher. And I’m not a stranger.” A blush formed on the tips of her ears as she looked up at him in a way that made Luke remember the past, a pier, a pretty girl, and a perfect moon.
He recalled that blushing-ear quirk from years ago. Kylie hadn’t changed one bit. The taste of her cinnamon gum from that kiss on the pier at camp made his mouth water.
“No. You’re not a stranger. But…Harriet doesn’t know you. And you’re not exactly trustworthy.”
“Excuse me?”
“You got stuck in a charity donation box on Thanksgiving night, Kylie. I have a right to question the executive functioning skills of someone who does that.”
“It was an accident! And you’ve got it all backwards, Luke. The fact that you found me in that donation box is a testament to my resourcefulness! Not a reason to question my abilities.”
Sunny Shelly’s Review: 4 Stars
Love You, Again is an adorable second-chance romance set in Julia Kent’s Love You, Maine series. A rekindled connection between Kylie and Luke, who is Luview’s police chief starts off in a clothing donation bin of all places, and the quirky meet-cute (or is that a remeet-cute?) ends up setting the stage for a wonderful love story.

Both of these characters are carrying around some baggage — she left town amid family drama and he’s still mourning the tragic death of his wife — and she should be off-limits as the nanny for his daughter, Harriet. But the chemistry between Luke and Kylie is crazy and they can only fight it for so long. But will the demons of their pasts (or a potential big-city job for Kylie) put an end to this second-chance romance?

I thought that Julia Kent wrote a charming, sweet, and swoony love affair in Love You Again, and it was a perfect follow-up to Love You Right. I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily left a review.

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AUTHOR BIO
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.
 
From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men’s room toilet (and he isn’t a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).
 
She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.
 
She loves to hear from her readers by email at julia@jkentauthor.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, on Facebook at @jkentauthor, and on Instagram @jkentauthor. Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com
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