Playing Nice

Two families, two little boys, two years old and born prematurely on the same day at a private hospital in London. Theo and David have little more in common. One day Miles Lambert, a wealthy and handsome man knocks on the door of Pete Riley, stay-at-home dad. Accompanied by a private detective, Miles proceeds to inform Pete that little Theo is not his biological child. Naturally, the first thought Pete entertains is that Miles is insinuating his wife had an affair. It’s turns out much worse than that. Miles describes how the children were wrongfully switched at birth and the lawsuit he is pursuing against the hospital, hoping Pete and Maddie will join in. Displaying all good intentions and calm demeanor Pete, in complete and utter shock, has no reason to disbelieve this man. Their lives slowly become deeply entangled and it is no longer clear what intentions the Lambert’s have at all. Hanging onto Theo and their sanity by a thread Pete and Maddie are racing along a rollercoaster of emotions and deception they could have never imagined. Highly recommend this heart stopping, unputdownable page turner that will keep you on the very edge of your seat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Christmas Swap

Emma is a young teacher living in Arizona. Her parents are off in Uganda making the world a better place. Finding herself alone for the holidays, her fancy friend Gillian invites her to spend a week in Colorado for a traditional white Christmas. Gillian and her family arranged a house swap and Emma has no doubt it will be a beautiful home in the perfect ski location. Having never seen snow Emma is thrilled to join them. There is a little hitch to the swap plans as they arrive; the owner Tyler decides to stay in the guest house posing as the caretaker. Tyler Prescott keeps his actual identity hidden. This handsome hunk does not want any additional attention for his songwriting fame. When Gillian discovers the truth a tug of hearts war ensues. Mishaps occur at every turn on the slopes as Emma and Tyler face their undeniable chemistry. Highly recommend this perfect holiday romance! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Sight of You

Joel was born with a gift that has been nothing but a curse. He has dreams about people he loves and can see their future. It may be something good or something horrible. It may happen tomorrow or in ten years time. As he gets older he becomes a recluse. It has become impossible for him to be close with people and the thought of falling in love - out of the question. One day Joel meets his new neighbor Callie. Their chemistry is unmistakable. Their attraction is powerful. As their relationship deepens Joel must make a decision. Can he live knowing the inevitable? He truly wants Callie to live her very best life, he just doesn’t know if he can be a part of it. This beautiful story is told by both Callie and Joel. As you fall in love with their love it is impossible to know how the final chapter will end. Absolutely unputdownable, I highly recommend this romance with a twist. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Happy Ever After Palylist

It’s been two years and Sloan is just barely getting by. After losing her fiancé in a horrible accident she hasn’t taken care of herself at all, home alone most of the time, eating little and barely painting. One day the strangest thing happens. A dog jumps in her car and she literally cannot get rid of him. Tucker is the name on the tag but after two weeks of leaving messages for the owner Sloan claims him as her own. He may just be the company she desperately needed. Eventually the owner calls, a musician named Jason. When Sloan agrees to care for Tucker until his return it is the beginning of her brand new life. With Jason on the cusp of fame and fortune and Sloan’s heart on lockdown, it is unclear if either of them can survive this unexpected romance. Great characters. Great music vibe. Highly recommend this FIVE STAR laugh out loud, enchanting love story.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heart Bones

Beyah Grim is hanging on by a thread when she discovers her drug addict mother dead in their trailer. Beyah has kept her head down, worked hard after school and excelled at volleyball all with one goal in mind - get the heck out of the rinky dink town she grew up in! She plans to move far away from the harrowing memories of her mother’s mistakes and poverty that has controlled them. With a few months left before college begins and nowhere to live she is forced to spend the summer with a father she barely knows and his “new family.” Arriving at their beach house in Texas her father has no idea what Beyah has had to overcome to simply survive. Her new stepsister thinks a bad day has to do with hair. Nevertheless she quickly takes Beyah under her wing and a surprising friendship takes hold. Beyah is thrust into a novel world of beach parties and bbq’s. When she meet Samson, the very hot rich boy next door they are both lost in false first impressions but their chemistry is unmistakable. Slowly coming out of her shell Beyah must protect her future plans and most importantly, her heart. I couldn’t put down this fast paced story filled with romance, friendship, and family drama - another must read by author Colleen Hoover. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Flatshare

L. Twomey placed an ad looking for a flatshare mate. It was his latest idea to raise the funds needed to fight his dear brother’s unjust sentence. Since Leon worked nights as a hospice nurse and spent weekends at his girlfriend Kay’s, it only made sense that someone could be using his flat when he wasn’t there. Tiffany’s days stretched out long and hard as she returned to Justin’s place after work each day. He generously let her stay on after their dramatic break up but Tiffy knew (and her besties insisted) that it was finally time she must move on. Having never met in person, Leon and Tiffy begin to communicate through post it notes. In a world of instant messaging, these seemingly old fashioned notes have both Leon and Tiffy opening up to each other in ways they never imagined. This thoughtful communication in the age of swiping brings unexpected intimacy and eventually feelings that can no longer be ignored. With a cast of quirky, wonderful friends The Flatshare is an absolutely enjoyable read that will have you smiling from beginning to end. (And possibly wanting to crochet a scarf!) Highly recommend!  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why I Held Your Hand

North Powell is a small town in the mountains. It is as quaint as it is beautiful. Laura has a small knitting business and has just volunteered to commandeer the towns future marketing plan. The surrounding areas tend to draw larger crowds and more tourism than North Powell but Laura is determined to make it the destination she believes it could be. They hire an esteemed firm to represent them and Laura is shocked to find the team leader includes a very handsome charming young man named David. Their instant chemistry and common goals make for the perfect match, she is smitten. Along comes Spencer Markham who is sent on behalf of the firm to assist Laura with launching the new and creative campaigns. Although awkward at first, it doesn’t take long for Spence and Laura to find themselves on exactly the same page. She must now quickly figure out how far she is willing to go to save the town and her own heart as well. Just as I devoured Gilmore Girls, Sweet Magnolia, Virgin River and Hart of Dixie (you get the picture!) I fell in love with North Powell and this wonderfully sappy, slightly steamy romance that should not be missed! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shipped

 

Henley Evans has been marketing manager for a cruise line offering exciting sea expeditions around the globe. No-one in the office exerts more energy or puts in longer hours. Her nemesis Graeme works remotely, replies to her emails in obnoxious one-word responses and has recently become a little too friendly with her male chauvinist boss James. While Henley and Graeme battle for the latest director position, their boss decides to send the duo on the Galapagos cruise to brainstorm a genius campaign and winner takes all. Henley is out for blood, prepared to take her competitor down but when she lays eyes on this gorgeous hunk in person for the first time all her resolve melts away. As hard as Henley tries she cannot resist this charming foe. Through a series of laugh out loud mishaps and loads of steamy chemistry, the young marketing gurus make the most of this very cool adventure and unexpectedly learn the truth of their own desires. Pack your bags and set sail with this delightful romcom! Releases January 2021. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

White Ivy

 

Ivy Lin grew up in Boston on the wrong side of the tracks. Her Chinese immigrant parents barely made ends meet and Ivy yearned for more. More clothes, more friends, more money. More everything. Impatiently waiting for her real life to begin, Ivy’s grandmother teaches her the subtle art of shoplifting. Sometimes to acquire an item she truly wants and often just for the thrill. An opportunity to attend the very posh private school where her father worked, Ivy’s desires dive even deeper. These beautiful children of rich and important people mirror her deepest desires. Over the years, Ivy becomes a master manipulator. After college she unexpectedly bumps into her childhood crush, Gideon. He and his family represent everything she has ever wanted. Ivy will stop at nothing to become part of their world. Filled with suspense and shocking acts of deception, I could not put White Ivy down! The cultural differences are so accurately portrayed that in the end it’s not clear who the imposters really are. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Children's Blizzard

 

In 1888 the immigrant homesteaders faced brutal winters in the Dakota Territories. Lured off the ships of New York, these families were promised land and future prosperity if they could survive the unimaginable snow and ice, spring floods and blazingly hot prairie fires. Farming in these lands tested every bit of strength these families could muster. One particular January day seemed rather mild and the children were thrilled to venture outside for recess. When the sky suddenly darkened no-one could understand how this storm moved in so quickly. Raina, a young teacher, barely more than a child herself, braves the storm with the young ones tied together using apron strings, her sister Gerda dismisses the students to their homes, a decision that will haunt her the rest of her life. Annette Pedersen - in fear of the family that took her in - grabs her only friend to try and make it the short distance to their farm. As all these lives unfold on this treacherous day, we watch in awe the bravery and determination of the young. Newspaperman Gavin Woodson later interviews those involved to share these harrowing stories of both victims and heroes with the world. Based on true events The Children’s Blizzard is a chilling recount of this fateful catastrophe. Releases January 2021.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐