Hearts and Hidden Secrets (1001 Dark Nights) by Devney Perry, Helena Hunting, Lauren Blakely, and Tijan

 

 

Available now!
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Review

Dandelion Diary (A Maysen Jar novella) by Devney Perry

4.5 stars!

This is a beautiful short story that is sweet and sexy with a gorgeous love story, all the chemistry and all the feels.

This novella loosely forms part of the Maysen Jar series – Jeff briefly appeared in Letters to Molly, working with Finn at his landscaping company. We also get to visit the Maysen Jar café, and see Poppy from The Birthday List. But the crossover is minimal, and this book can absolutely stand alone.

Jeff is now running Finn’s old landscaping company, and he is a single father who is devoted to his 12 year old daughter, Katy, who he calls “Dandelion” (see what Devney did there?). And it’s Katy who gets things happening in the story when she decides to set her Dad up with her beloved teacher, Miss Adler. She’s a perceptive little thing, because from the first moment they come face to face, I was feeling it.

The attraction is there from the moment that Jeff and Della meet, but given the parent/teacher relationship, they just ignore it. But they can’t stop thinking about each other, and when keeping their distance proves to be too much a challenge, they decide to push the boundaries just a little bit. It’s tentative and careful, but with hopeful and open hearts, they let it happen.

Being such a short story, there’s little time for games or drama, which I loved, and we get two people who are attracted, who want to explore what’s between them, and who don’t hold anything back, and it’s so, so good!

“What’s the situation with the school? How big of a deal is this?”
“There are no rules against a friendship.”
“And what if I wanted more than friendship?”

The forbidden element brings an extra thrill and intensity to each of their encounters, but it also shapes their relationship, and I loved the way this one played out!

“You said I had to tell you want I want,” I said. “And that’s you. Kiss me again. Take me inside to your bedroom … I’ll take whatever I can get. We don’t even know each other but the idea of me leaving right now…” I shook my head. “I don’t want to leave.”

Even in such a short story, Devney still manages to bring the feels. I felt the chemistry, I was revelling in the build-up, and I loved watching them come together and fall so completely. And we get a full and complete story for them – complete with an epilogue which provides wonderful closure, and I loved every moment of this little read.

Review by AJ – originally reviewed 11 July 2023

 

Where It Begins (A Pucked Novella) by Helena Hunting

5 stars!!

I absolutely loved being back in the Pucked world and seeing where it all begins with Violet’s mom, Skye, and Miller’s dad, Sidney.  These two share a sweet meet cute when Skye takes the wrong drink at a coffee shop. Sidney follows Skye to mention the mistake and what follows is a sweet, funny love story that gave me something I didn’t know I needed from this series.

Skye and Sidney are so cute together. From their first interaction I could tell there was a connection and Skye and her word vomit made me laugh so hard. I loved how Sidney kept pursuing her even when life and kids got in the way. Their relationship forms organically and I loved watching them get to know each other, and the sexual tension is off the charts because they just can’t find time to seal the deal. With all the hilarious interruptions, I enjoyed the buildup to when they finally get to the physical stuff.

I love Skye and Sidney’s relationships with their kids and their honest and open conversations. They both are able to parent in ways that let Miller and Violet know that they are loved but also give them wonderful role models.  I loved the way they handle situations with the kids and how real they are with them. I also loved that they took into consideration how the kids felt about their relationship.

Overall, I loved it. I love all the humor laced throughout and the sweet moments between not only Skye and Sidney but with their children. I adored seeing Violet and Miller as teens and how their friendship began, and we even got to see teen Randy, too.

Review by Mel – originally reviewed 5 Dec 2023

 

Stud Finder (A Big Rock Novella) by Lauren Blakely

4 “I want you to match me with you” stars!

I can always count on Lauren Blakely to make me smile with a sweet, sexy, swoony read that will have me laughing-out-loud and falling in love. Stud Finder was so much fun and just what I was in the mood for to recuperate from the emotionally draining, yet wonderful, books I have read lately. This one was lighthearted and entertaining with little angst, and I loved it.

Dylan is a hot nerd who is socially clueless when it comes to finding a good woman. Ready to settle down and deciding that online dating is the way to find his perfect match, he creates an ad that’s sure to be a winner…or so he thought. After submitting the ad, his optimism wavers when his inbox is clogged with responses from the types of women he isn’t looking for.

Evie is friends with Dylan’s sister, Olivia, and when she hears that Dylan put an ad on a matchmaking site, she knows she needs to step in. Evie is known for helping woman find their ideal man using her matchmaking expertise. Just because she hasn’t really worked with a man before doesn’t mean she can’t help Dylan find his perfect woman, right?

The Stud Finder will become a Studette Searcher.

Dylan takes Evie up on her skills and the hunt for his perfect match begins. However, for the first time ever Evie is attracted to a client, and it turns out that Dylan is out of his element, too, crushing on the person he shouldn’t want.

My brain is trying to trick me, and I need it on my side. I need it to stop undressing Evie, because she isn’t the endgame. She’s the means to the end.

Stud Finder has heart, humor, and heat. The storyline is charming and the characters are loveable. Evie is hilarious. Everything that runs through her mind and comes out of her mouth was entertaining. She is a good friend and has a huge heart, and I really enjoyed her character. She has an awesome work ethic and is committed to her job, and I loved that she is mature and truthful, facing challenges head-on.

Somehow, some way, this handsome pain-in-the-butt man has worked his way into my heart.
And that means I have to deal with the consequences.

Dylan was too funny. All of his techy comments had me giggling and the fact that he sometimes doesn’t think before he talks makes for hilariously awkward comments, and I loved them all. Stuck in the world of electronics, it was enjoyable watching him interact with the real world and seeing things in new ways. Easygoing, a gentleman, and so endearing, I couldn’t help but adore him. I also loved that he was honest with himself about his feelings.

A strange spate of nerves crawls up my throat. But I dismiss them. There are nerves and there are decisions. I’ve made mine, and I know what I want.
Her.

I loved that though Dylan and Evie have known each other for a year, there was a connection the first time they actually paid attention to who was in front of them. They were so cute together and I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. Their easy relationship wasn’t forced even though they were so different, and since Evie was never a possible match, there were no expectations, giving them the opportunity to really get to know each other.

Dylan and Evie end up really liking one another and it’s amusing to watch them try to deny it; however, there is no way all of the sexual tension and fantasies aren’t going to lead to something hot, and when they give in to their desires, it is an explosion. Dirty minds and dirty mouths turn up the heat and their chemistry is sizzling.

It’s refreshing that Dylan and Evie are honest with each other and didn’t hide behind their nerves. I enjoyed watching them realize what they truly wanted and going after it. There was no stupid between Dylan and Evie and they were mature about the decisions they had to make. I loved the way the story played out and it showed us how good it can be when someone finds their perfect match.

Stud Finder is a feel good read that will leave you giddy. It’s also a fantastic lead into Hard Wood, featuring Mia and Evie’s brother, Patrick, and I cannot wait for their story!

Review by Mel – originally reviewed 2 Oct 2017

 

Jonah Bennett (A Bennett Mafia Novella) by Tijan

3.5 stars!

Jonah Bennett’s family is part of the Bennett Mafia but he has tried to distance himself from the family business.  He has worked hard to become a doctor and live a normal life. When his fiancé is murdered in front of his eyes, he knows it has something to do with his last name. He tries to move on from his heartache and when he least expects it, love comes back into his life.

Carson is the forensic technician who ends up running the test on Jonah’s deceased fiancé. When he comes to view the body, there is something that draws her to him. Months pass but still she cant get him out of her mind.  When they end up at the same bar, a bar owned by the Bennett family, she is thrown into Jonah’s world, the one he is trying to stay away from. Carson has no idea what is going on when she find herself with the Bennett’s and what follows is a quick, intense read. Jonah and Carson meet in a tragic situation but there is connection between them. It isn’t necessarily insta-love but when they end up spending time together, they fall fast.  Jonah may have just found his forever, if he can keep her safe.

Though this is a quick read, it’s packed with a lot of questions. We don’t know why Jonah’s fiancé was targeted, who is out to get him, and what is going to happen. There is mystery and danger, and some heightened emotions but overall, it felt a bit rushed. I have not read the other books in the Bennett Mafia books and I think if I had I would have connected to the characters more. However, you do not need to read them to enjoy the story. I just wanted more. I wanted to background on the other Bennett’s. They are all so different but no less intriguing. I’ll definitely look into this series.

 

*ARC generously provided by the author*