Reviewed by Tracy Young for Readers' Favorite

September 9, 1989 in Cedarwood saw a remarkable event in the natal department of the General Hospital. Two sets of twins were born to the McCallister family and the Pascucci family respectively. Ian and Evan McCallister and Rainne and Rio Pascucci were destined to be a part of each other's lives due to the circumstances of their births, and so it seemed to be for the first nineteen years of their adolescence. Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Kathryn R. Biel is the story of what happens to them when a terrible secret rips their lives apart. Ten years after the events that destroyed their friendship, Ian and Rio meet up in Boston and discover they have a connection that is hard to ignore. Despite their sizzling chemistry, there is still a deep dark secret that threatens to keep them from fulfilling their destiny to be together despite the obstacles in their paths. Can their past be overcome, or will they face the future without each other?

This is a great read, a love story that will have you hooked until the very last page. Kathryn R. Biel has created characters that are complex, passionate and stubborn, and they will make you want to bang their heads together! They face the sort of obstacles that we have all encountered in our relationships, and she has also explored family issues that impact on the main characters. Paradise by the Dashboard Light is an emotionally charged story of love and passion, with a healthy dollop of lust thrown in for good measure! It is also a chance to examine the relationships between twin siblings and the connection they share. Rio and Ian have a rocky road to travel if they want to be together and the journey is a thrilling one. I recommend you take it with them!

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

A young woman takes a chance on love by beta-testing a cutting edge dating app in the sweet romance, Counting on You (Amarillo Sour Book 1) by Laura Chapman. Shy, quiet, high-school math teacher Haleigh Parde has a problem. An anxiety-inducing, nightmare-causing problem. In as little as one month, she will have to face her ex and his perfect wife at their ten-year high school reunion. Everyone on the reunion forum has taken bets that Haleigh won't even show. With rumors flying that she hasn't gotten over her old high school sweetheart, Greg, Haleigh decides to reclaim her life by forcing herself back into the dating world. With the help of a friend, she agrees to go out on a blind date, hoping to prepare for the reunion. When her first date in ten years goes horribly wrong, she is approached by a sympathetic onlooker, Ian. Or so she thinks. Ian Henning, an up and coming app developer for a romantic connections company, offers his dating app in exchange for an honest review. Desperate for a date for her reunion and confident that she won't be able to find one on her own, Haleigh agrees to try the app, with a few conditions. Will Ian agree to her terms? Can Haleigh find a date before the reunion?

Counting on You by Laura Chapman is the first in the Amarillo Sour Series. A sweet, heartwarming romantic story of two unlikely individuals not looking for love, this book is inspiring to the socially awkward and single. The characters are engaging and the plot conflicts charmingly, creating the perfect light read. Haleigh's insecurities play nicely against Ian's feigned confidence. I appreciated how both characters clearly had their flaws, but their kindness and compassion overshadowed those traits. Although the story slows a bit in the middle, it quickly picks up pace to a touching ending reminiscent of a high school rom-com. I recommend this book to readers of all ages who enjoy romantic themes such as second chances, love at first sight, and high school retribution. While initially they may not be searching for romance, Haleigh and Ian find something so much more valuable; companionship and trust.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Shammed is a contemporary romantic comedy novel written by Bernadette Franklin. Working as a legal secretary at R.K. Legal & Associates was not at all what Alice had envisioned it would be. The last attorney she had worked for was a bully and a cheat, and she was still undergoing surgeries to correct the damage done to her face when he attacked her. Alice’s friend, Chloe, had set the job search in motion, and Alice’s new boss, Mr. Kenton, was a dream of a boss. She had been there only a month before the latest prank, the festooning of his office with voice-activated spider toys, had him shrieking like a little girl. Alice, who absolutely adored spiders and had a few feisty tarantulas of her own, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of those spiders and Mr. Kenton’s reaction. Pranks were a part of everyday life at R.K. Legal. Lance McCarthy was the opposing attorney in the Randell Case, a divorce action, and he was a veteran prankster. Alice’s new status with the firm would make her the least likely suspect for the series of pranks Kenton had in mind, and Alice was more than game to get involved.

Shammed is a hilarious look at the lengths to which some attorneys and their associates will go to to bring a little comic relief to what is a highly stressful and not terribly well compensated profession. And while Franklin describes R.K. Legal’s operating hours as between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., anyone familiar with that demanding profession knows that associates are expected to put in 60-80 hour workweeks to even begin to be considered for partner. Legal matters aside, I loved how this book ties in with Franklin’s preceding romantic comedy, Claustrophobic. The pranks are marvelous, and learning about Alice’s favorite pets, tarantulas, kept me taking side trips to google each new tarantula she considers buying and wistfully considering how to get one for myself. Franklin’s characters are credible and finely crafted and her plot is grand fun. Seeing how Alice learns to trust again and gains her self-confidence back is marvelous. Shammed reads like a breeze and kept me smiling throughout my reading experience. Shammed is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Emma Loveless was convinced her last name embodied the status of her love life – she would remain “loveless” forever. Working as a metallurgist at a local steel plant and living on a constant diet of Dr. Pepper and other sugar-filled items, Emma was not a petite young woman. When her well-meaning, matchmaking mother sets her up with her new optometrist, Dr. Sawyer King, Emma’s life takes unexpected twists and turns. In My Not So Wicked Stepbrother (My Not So Wicked Series Book 1), written by Jennifer Peel, there is a wonderful combination of humor, intrigue and numerous heartrending and heartwarming moments. Emma’s family, including her younger twin sisters Marcy and Marlowe, and her circle of friends, are supportive at times and seemingly unhelpful at others. Although Emma and Sawyer seem to be destined for each other, many other forces make the outcome unpredictable.

There is a complicated history among the family members, adding some unforeseen aspects to the interesting plot. The author skillfully adds new facts along the way, creating a depth to this romantic comedy story. There are many characters – from family members, to Emma’s coworkers, to her father’s employees – and each one is aptly described. The book is engaging from the first page to the last, and it is easy and fun to read. Author Jennifer Peel has written an entertaining romantic comedy in My Not So Wicked Stepbrother (My Not So Wicked Series Book 1). The title indicates it is the beginning of a series, and readers will look forward to seeing what happens next!

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Mona Lisa by Robyn Sheridan is just an out and out fun chick-lit story. Mona Lisa, a good Jersey girl from a strong Catholic Italian background, has been jilted at the aisle by her high school sweetheart and is feeling the intense pressure from her parents to get married and have children. Unable to face the whispers and pity of small town Jersey any longer, Mona Lisa decides she needs to get away from the family she loves and adores, but struggles to come to terms with, and seek a new beginning in far off Atlanta, Georgia. Between a father that still treats all his “girls” like they are still babies, a mother that wants to know everything she is up to, and four sisters who just want to help Mona Lisa, she is feeling penned in and unable to cope. Perhaps a new start will allow her to finally meet someone worthy of her love and attention – “Mr. Right”.

I have no doubt I am not Robyn Sheridan’s defined demographic with Mona Lisa, but I don’t care. I’m happy to proclaim that I absolutely loved this story and the smart, sassy humour that came with it. I particularly loved Mona Lisa as a character, who came across as the typical, ballsy, brassy Jersey girl, but who deep down just wanted to be normal and in a relationship, like everyone else. The whole Catholic/Italian/Jewish vibe that permeated the book was a pleasure to read and just added to the enjoyment. Noni, Mon Lisa’s feisty and frank grandmother, was such an endearing character and it was clear Mona Lisa relied so heavily on her advice and guidance. Yes, the father and mother were a little like caricatures but nonetheless, I am sure the story would resonate with many women from that background. I loved this book and found it a fun diversion from everyday events. An excellent read that I can highly recommend.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Double Trouble is the perfect summertime read while relaxing on the beach or lounging on your front porch. Clare, her younger half-sister, Megan, and Will are the energizing main characters of this cheerful, 'get revenge' romantic comedy. Clare has been watching over Megan since their parents died and has strong protective feelings. Megan is a college student, in love with Will’s brother, Chris. The Carrington brothers are all rich, eligible bachelors and well aware that women are often interested in them only for their money.

When Megan is called a gold-digger, Clare, a top home designer, thinks she has found a way to get even by taking a job to remodel Will’s penthouse; a job where she can charge him outrageous fees and maybe not do her best work. Emotions run high for all involved as getting even becomes the main objective and both Clare and Will are soon plotting against each other. Will, Clare and Megan all have secrets that will turn the tables once they are revealed. Since we, the audience, know all of the secrets, it makes Double Trouble even more entertaining to read.

I enjoyed this lighthearted, carefree, humorous romantic romp very much. Double Trouble is well written by Darcy Flynn, having all of the elements for a refreshing, fun loving story. There is no age limit on this book; it can be enjoyed by young and old. It is impossible not to like Clare and Will, and their siblings. Double Trouble is a sure-fire winner.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

One Chance, One Moment is a stunning opening entry in The Mandy Story series by Judith Ann Kohnen, a riveting contemporary romance with believable characters and a gripping plot. A series of unfortunate events has led the renowned singer, Garry Danzlo, to the point of wanting nothing but to live a life of solitude. Grief stricken by his father’s suicide and broken by an accident, he has no passion for life anymore. When his sister hires Amanda Fields to nurse him back to health, he is resolved to send her away as soon as he gets the chance. Amanda might just be seeing an opportunity to raise funds to adopt eight-year-old, wheelchair-bound Robbie, but she is catapulted onto a path she never could have envisioned, linked to Garry in a way she’d never experienced before, not even in her failed marriage.

I fell in love with Judith Ann Kohnen’s writing and her characters. Hardly ever does one find an author with the ability to recreate the sensations of the human heart with such clarity. The prose is crisp and the author writes with confidence, creating a powerful dramatic effect with the unique sentence structure, the perfect paragraph breaks, and the impeccable punctuation. Readers will immediately take a liking to the key characters in this story and will learn to enjoy the quirky moments and feel the exacting emotions. One Chance, One Moment had me gripped from the very first page and there wasn’t a moment it never had me absorbed. The story is well-fleshed out, and the author explores themes of love, passion, family, and work with great mastery. This is a page-turner in its genre.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Relationship Resuscitation: The Juniper Court Series is a sizzling contemporary romantic comedy written by Jennifer Theriot. Phillip and Jayne Miller seemed like they had it all. His law career was a successful one, and her blog was wildly popular and personally fulfilling. As the first ones to move in, they lucked into the best lot on Juniper Court, and their home had become the place to go for parties, especially because of their pool. But something was missing from their lives. Their careers and raising their twin daughters had kept them extraordinarily busy, making leisurely romantic interludes a thing of the past. Could they reignite their original heady passion now that they were nearly fifty? Jayne’s best friend, Nina, had been wondering the same thing about her own relationship with her husband, though her ideas were just a bit more adventurous than what Jayne might go for. Would they succeed?

Jennifer Theriot’s sizzling contemporary romantic comedy, Relationship Resuscitation: The Juniper Court Series, is a humorous and entertaining look at life and romance -- after the kids have fled the nest. Jayne Miller is a marvelous character, and one can only wonder just what she’ll dream up to spice up her marriage and how her attorney husband will respond. Theriot’s story also addresses the challenges women in particular face when trying to make career and family work, with the all-too-common outcome of women trying to be super-moms. As someone who’s well aware of the time sacrifices lawyers in the best firms have to make, I could feel the tension rising between Phillip and Jayne until they finally decide to get domestic help. Theriot’s story is fast-paced, edgy and a lot of fun, and her characters are well-defined and authentic. Relationship Resuscitation: The Juniper Court Series is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite

We all know that work place romances have a tendency to end badly more often than not, and when Lost on the Road to Love hit my e-reader, I knew this was going to be a story full of feels. Chelsea Morrison, of the I Want Morrison series, works on a well known travel show behind the scenes in the hectic world of production. But then he walks in. Henry Rushton, star of her teenage dreams and fantasies, walks onto set and he is larger than life, better than she ever could have anticipated. For his part, Henry is immediately interested. Maybe not romantically interested, but author Kay Harris makes it clear that he is definitely interested, much to the chagrin of the catty socialite co-starring on the show.

Somewhere between San Francisco and New Orleans, Chelsea and Henry form a friendship that’s both fun to watch and kind of frustrating because they are so clearly into one another and you just want to say, “get on with it!” But that would be rude, so I quietly read and waited for the moment I knew where Lost on the Road to Love was leading. The feels. Kay Harris does a great job of portraying the emotions, particularly jealousy. It’s palpable and at times I even felt anxious reading because of all the tension, and I mean that in the best way possible. This story was well written, engaging, and even when I was angry or frustrated with a character or a circumstance, I still wanted to read more and know more. That, to me, is a mark of a very good author.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

More Trouble in Loveland: Timeless Romance Single, Book 6 is a holiday-themed contemporary romantic comedy novel written by Jennifer Peel. Charlee’s life was chaotic at best. Her dad was getting married to Felicity on Christmas Eve, and Charlee still had her finals to face before coming to grips with the craziness of Christmas. She and her new husband, Ryan, would be getting away for a seven-day holiday vacation in Beaver Creek, and, best of all, they’d be able to take Josh, Ryan’s young son, along with them as his ex-wife was going to Europe with her current beau. The only real problem was that Charlee seemed to be coming down with something. She figured that it was some virus that Josh, whom she adored and who was starting to call her ‘mom’, had brought home from school, but one of her classmates, an older woman named Penny, declared that she was pregnant. Charlee knew she and Ryan had been very careful about family planning and were waiting until after her practicum was completed, so it couldn’t be that, could it?

Jennifer Peel’s holiday-themed contemporary romantic comedy novel, More Trouble in Loveland, is a humorous and enjoyable tale about a dream vacation that goes hilariously south after Ryan and Charlee finds themselves sharing their suite with mothers-in-law and a host of unexpected guests with enough issues to keep the two of them at their wits’ end. I especially appreciated the author’s development of Charlee and her relationship with her father, whose shared enjoyment of an impromptu pickup game of basketball is a joy to behold. Peel also addresses relevant issues such as shared parenting and mothers-in-law in this comedy which proves that Murphy’s Law is real and apt to strike when one least expects it. More Trouble in Loveland: Timeless Romance Single, Book 6 is most highly recommended.