Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

On the Road to Love: A Love in the City Romantic Comedy is a contemporary romance novel written by Melissa Baldwin. Stacy’s life was just about as perfect as it could get, that is, if she discounted the grueling commute from their suburban New Jersey home to New York City where she and her husband, Greg, worked at two of the city’s more prestigious accounting firms. Thursday evening’s commute was no different from most of them. Sometimes she and Greg travelled together, which was a real bonus in added together time, but this afternoon she was alone. She spent that hour-plus trip considering just how fortunate they were. They had great jobs, a supportive and caring group of friends and, who knows?, maybe sometime in the future they’d begin thinking about starting a family. When she opened the front door, Stacy blissfully breathed in the fragrant fumes of Chinese take-away and decided to indulge without even shrugging off her work clothes beforehand. She was surprised to see Greg working at the dinner table, something they had both agreed never to do, but Greg had even more on his mind than work. As she stared stunned at the divorce papers he had in his folder, she wondered how he could do this without saying a word. Suddenly, her nearly perfect illusion of a life was shattered.

On the Road to Love: A Love in the City Romantic Comedy is a fresh and breezy story about life after divorce, and how even the worst situation can suddenly transform itself into something much better with just a change of perspective or environment. Stacy’s decision to go home to Florida for some comfort and time spent with her parents morphs into a fabulous road trip with the two friends from home that she’d lost track of. Baldwin’s story is upbeat and fun as the three friends travel south, making endless pit stops and reconnecting along the way. Her characters are well defined and credible, and their road trip is great fun, even if vicariously, to experience. Baldwin’s story is a sweet romance, making this novel a suitable choice for young and new adults as well. On the Road to Love: A Love in the City Romantic Comedy is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Runaways by Rachel Sawden is a wonderful story of romance, travel, and adventure. Harper Rodrigues has her life planned. Well, the next five years anyway. The darkness is behind her as she is learning to accept her sister’s death and then it all falls apart. She loses her job, her apartment and her boyfriend in one day. Her best friends are off on a five-month trip across Asia and Oceania and Harper makes a spur-of-the-minute decision to join them. She always dreamed of being a professional photographer; this trip could be the chance of a lifetime. With her boyfriend having a change of heart, Harper sets off on her travels, not expecting to meet the real man of her dreams in Goa. Can she stay true to Adam or is she about to fling caution and sense to the wind and follow her heart?

What a lovely story Runaways by Rachel Sawden is. It’s a real voyage of discovery story, one that will pull at your heartstrings, leave you gasping for breath and laughing out loud. I was caught on page one and didn’t put the book down until I was done traveling with the girls. This is a fabulous story of travel, romance, and true friendship, touching on the subject of how to cope after the loss of a friend or loved one. It’s well written and runs smoothly in a steady plot with fantastic characters that you end up feeling like you know personally. It will definitely make you want to travel and experience the world but, if that’s not possible, then join Harper and her friends on their travels. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Highly recommended for anyone who loves feel-good stories with plenty of oomph!

Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite

Before I read Just a Name, I had never heard of author Becky Monson. However, after reading this cute, fun and witty novel, I don't think I will ever forget her or the novel's protagonist. The story follows Holly Murphy, a straight up sort of woman who has always had her life planned out, but when her wedding is canceled and her career is suddenly on thin ice, Holly must learn to deal with everything on her plate. Serendipity eventually takes over and Holly finds herself in the middle of a bit of a wacky situation.

There are many appealing things about chick lit, and the first one is that the female leads are always relatable and humorous. Holly's character is no exception. Second, the plots are always so colorful and creative they just make the characters come to life. Becky Monson's plot for Just a Name is something that struck me as unique and fresh. Just a Name is a great novel to cozy up to after a long day. It is precisely the kind of story that won't just leave a smile on your face, but it will also leave your cheeks hurting from how funny it can be at times.

I felt so lucky to have had the opportunity to discover Monson's gem of a story. I can't wait to read more of her work! I would urge fans of romantic comedies to grab a copy of Just a Name; it has the perfect balance between sweet and sassy. This is a story about a woman who has all the odds thrown at her and yet she not only prevails to get through it, but she takes charge. I loved it!

Reviewed by Tracy Young for Readers' Favorite

Good-Bye Def Leppard: I'll Miss Those Jeans by Stef Kramer is the story of Amy Gaer, a small-town girl with big dreams. She is at a crossroads in her life and decides that returning to her home town to work is the perfect way to decide what happens next in her life. Music and literature are her passions, but she finds her new job in a bank is also fulfilling and could influence her future plans. A run-in with her ex-boyfriend convinces her that Fox Plains is not the place to seek a romantic attachment, at least that is until she meets Nick. His baseball uniform only highlights his classic good looks and Amy is definitely interested, especially when she finds out he works for her dad. What could be better than a family connection? However, as with all classic love stories, there are obstacles to overcome. Will love conquer all or will Amy follow her career path that leads away from Nick?

I loved this book! Amy is the epitome of a modern woman who must decide the path her life takes while considering all her options. Her mother shamelessly pushes her to pursue a law degree, while her best friend Jean wants her to move to Chicago and join her there. Nick, however, refuses to influence her decisions and says she must decide her future without considering him. Good-Bye Def Leppard is beautifully written and describes the early nineties culture perfectly. Stef Kramer writes her characters so they jump off the page and into your mind. Amy’s gran was a particular favorite of mine with her tattoos and her trailer in the woods. A great read and I look forward to discovering more works by the same author.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Whisked Away is the second book in A Paradise Bay Romantic Comedy series by Melanie Summers and it is packed with fun and humor. After completing her studies at the reputable Culinary Institute of America, Emma Banks is ready to work as a chef in one of the resort restaurants belonging to the family. Instead, she is whisked off to a solitary island getaway belonging to the resort to cater for a difficult client, one who doesn’t even seem to appreciate her work. Pierce Davenport is a successful writer whose fantasy series, Clash of Crowns, has been made into an exciting television series. But he has not been able to deliver on the ending of the epic fantasy and fans and his publisher are putting pressure on him. If he can’t deliver quickly, then his publisher might be looking for scriptwriters to finish the work for him. Now, he has two months to himself to do the impossible — write the conclusion to the series.

The conflict between Emma and Pierce and how an opportunity arises for them to work together is interesting. But can these two characters ever succeed in working on a project and what role can Emma play in Pierce’s work? Whisked Away is one of the best romance books I’ve read in a very long time, with characters that are the complete opposite of each other. The author keeps the reader guessing, wanting to see how the burgeoning relationship between Emma and Pierce plays out. The writing is gorgeous, injected with huge doses of humor and suspense which make the reading experience a very enjoyable one. Whisked Away is ingeniously plotted and the characters are richly developed. It is fast-paced, featuring strong emotional conflict and characters that are fun to follow.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Turn the Paige by Roseanne Beck is an interesting first entry in the Love Hurts Series, a very engaging read filled with drama and hilarity. Meet Paige, a workaholic who spends the whole day in the office and, by the time she's done seeing her patients, wants only to get back to her condo. She has no plans to add any extracurricular activities in her down time, until she returns home to fulfill her Nana's last request and meets Nick Collins, someone from her past. It turns out Nick knows just how to awaken a fire she's kept hidden inside her. Does she have the strength to resist him or will she listen to the voice of her Nana and give love a chance — even create that time for extracurricular activities?

This is a sweet story with interesting characters. I loved the title as much as the characters. The story is told in the first person narrative and in a voice that is arresting. The point of view of the protagonist — Paige — comes out clearly and beautifully and I enjoyed how she appears as the epitome of the contemporary conundrum of all work and no play. The plot is well structured and I also enjoyed that the conflict is introduced right off the bat. Roseanne Beck is a skilled writer and she knows how to explore the hearts of her characters.

There is some part of Paige in all of us, the part that hides behind what we do. She may love her work, but her job seems to be a front, a means of refusing to become like others. But then Nick appears and he seems to understand the vulnerabilities in Paige's protective walls. The writing is strong, the voice is warm, and the characters are so real it feels like they live next door to the reader. Turn the Paige is a warm and entertaining love story filled with drama.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Relatively Sane: Relativity Series, Book 2 is a contemporary humorous women’s fiction novel written by Whitney Dineen. While this is the second book in Dineen’s series, she provides sufficient background information for it to be enjoyed as a standalone novel. Cat Masterton grew up wishing she had a normal life, complete with normal parents -- preferably well-to-do ones who rode in a Lincoln Town Car. But no, she lived in a ramshackle farmhouse with a dad who had a penchant for mounted animal heads and preserved mice, and wore his kilt to her school functions with depressing regularity.

Cat had left her Illinois roots and fled to the glitter and urbanity of Manhattan’s canyons as a new adult, but found herself suddenly inexplicably, back at home and with her high school sweetheart once again. And, she was actually getting ready to buy that old farmhouse from her parents. They would be moving to a smaller place in town, which suited Cat quite well, if only she could get them to take all their belongings with them, including the pet cemetery of preserved animals she was stunned to hear were silently moldering away up in the attic. Nan would be staying with Cat in the farmhouse. Cat figured Nan would be moving down into the lower floor digs Cat was currently inhabiting. But one never knew what Nan had in mind, and basically anything she did have in mind was more than likely to happen.

Having read the first book in Whitney Dineen’s hilarious Relativity Series, Relatively Normal, I was looking forward to reading this second offering in the series, Relatively Sane. My expectations for more fun times with Cat Masterton and her quirky family were not at all disappointed. Dineen hits the ground running with this follow-up book. Watching the family as they work through the housing transfers, and seeing how Nan’s suggestion that Cat contact a TV renovation show yields some surprising results, is grand entertainment. The author’s plot is satisfyingly rich and sumptuous, and her characters just keep getting more complex and fun to be around. Being a part of the Masterton clan, albeit vicariously, is just one of the reasons this well-written and enjoyable book should be on everyone’s reading list. Relatively Sane: Relativity Series, Book 2 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

A Year of Extraordinary Moments by Bette Lee Crosby is a beautiful tale of romance and difficult choices. All that matters to Tracy Briggs now is taking care of her son with a hearing problem and guiding him to talk while taking care of her family's magazine business. A new romance is beginning to bloom with her son's teacher and Tracy is sure her life is getting back on the right track. Then her son's father resurfaces and wants a second chance, and he won't take no for an answer. Torn between her past and a future she can't tell, Tracy has to make a choice and this becomes even more complicated when an elderly woman comes into the equation.

In the tradition of Nicholas Sparks, this author weaves a tale that explores the choices of the heart. I enjoyed the complexity in the relationships between the characters. It is no wonder that character is one of Bette Lee Crosby's fortes. For instance, the protagonist has had many hurdles to overcome in the past and she has two challenging things to handle - a child with a hearing impediment and a business to run - and coupled with these is her need for love. The relationships are complex and that is why the art of making a choice becomes the focus of the conflict. A Year of Extraordinary Moments is ingeniously plotted and cleverly written, with enough suspense and emotional intensity to leave the reader with only one option: keep turning the pages.

Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

This captivating novel, Grannie Panties Are UnderRated by Gayle Erickson, begins with the prologue taking place in Tokyo in 1994. The main character, 24-year-old Elle, has been living in Tokyo for two years. She has a boyfriend, Tak, and she knows she is in big trouble. Move forward to 2017, describing 47-year-old Elle’s life as the perfect suburban housewife. She is married to Winston Ford Martin III, a very successful and wealthy businessman, and they have two adolescent children, Brynnie and Four. Elle spends her time living the upper-class lifestyle, managing the housekeeper and her large house, and keeping up appearances with the other mothers whose children attend the exclusive Country Day School.

There are many flashback chapters, describing Elle’s life in Tokyo, from her arrival in 1992 through 1994. From meeting her best friend, Mitch, at Tokyo’s Narita airport in August 1992, to her work teaching English to Japanese students, to her next job in a nightclub, to her involvement with the hot and shady Tak, her life in Japan took some unexpected turns. She never shared most of these experiences with her husband or her children, but focused on creating a new life.

One of the most interesting aspects of this novel is the rich character development of Elle over the decades of her life. By going back and forth between different time periods, the reader understands the motivations and emotions of this fascinating character. Author Gayle Erickson is a wonderful storyteller as she weaves in various scenes and intriguing characters over the years in Grannie Panties Are UnderRated. This is a real page-turner, and the ending is fantastic!

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In One Last First Date by Kate O’Keeffe, Cassie Dunhill’s love life is going nowhere. She has been single for too long and decides it is time to meet The One. She and her friends, Marissa and Paige, make a pact with one another that the next man they date will be the one they marry. The One Last First Date plan is set in motion and Cassie sets her sights on Parker, a successful and handsome young doctor who ticks every box. Cassie is on a mission to make Parker fall in love with her and pop the question. Everything seems to be going to plan until the wind blows in Will Jordan, a smooth-talking, charismatic Adonis. He takes the promotion she was promised and insists on calling her Dunny. Cassie doesn’t need the complication of being attracted to Will and she certainly doesn’t need Parker's perfect ex-girlfriend to make a reappearance.

One Last First Date by Kate O’Keeffe is a hysterically funny and well-written romance story. Cassie is a great protagonist, relatable and realistic; I have friends exactly like her. The love/hate relationship between Will and Cassie is funny and heartwarming. Will is the type of character you always want around to lift your spirits; his insults and nicknames for everyone made me gasp. The chemistry is built gradually and the way Will speaks to Cassie in a cheeky, self-assured manner made me laugh out loud. Every character's dialogue is unique and shows off their personalities perfectly. The conflict throughout the story kept me engrossed. You really want Cassie to choose the path of excitement and passion and not a steady, boring future with Parker. The question of who Cassie is going to choose kept my attention right up until the end. This is a brilliantly written comedy romance and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.