Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Ella was fresh out of a disastrous relationship and she was ready to take a break from all the heartache. So she decided to pay attention to her profession and promoting the image of a NASCAR Champion seemed an easy job. However, she was not expecting AJ Ryan to be this handsome and this considerate. He pushes all the right buttons for her and she cannot help falling for him. She did not expect to like him this much and what else she did not expect was becoming the guardian of three children because she and AJ were mistaken to be a couple. To sink her even more, AJ had a complete 360 turn and helped her take care of the children. Now, what is Ella going to do to? Can she keep her personal and professional lives separate when she just seems to be falling for her client?

The Perfect Lap: A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance by Sedona Hutton is the perfect example of a novel with a “bad boy with a heart of gold” as stated by the author. Fast-paced, the perfect timing and some brilliant writing made this romance an absolute hit with me. There were steamy moments, moments where I got emotional, and then there were some sappy moments with the whole family that just pushed the right buttons for me. While Ella is a levelheaded character, AJ was her complete opposite. He was spontaneous, he lived in the moment and tried his best to work hard and play hard. Together, they made the perfect couple. They made a great team, even though they had a rocky start. AJ changed with time, but he didn’t just change for Ella. He changed for himself and his personal growth was simply wonderful. I love that man; I am not ashamed to say it! I loved this adorable romance!

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Oh, Baby! A Prescription: Romance! Book by Jill Blake is a contemporary romance that follows Lena Shapiro, a very skilled surgeon who sacrificed her personal life to build her career. Now at thirty-nine, she is still single while her friends are building their families. When Adam Sterling turns up in her life, it is only supposed to be all professional. She is expected to mentor him, but her attraction to this young and arrogant guy gets the better of her. Logically, he is the wrong guy. Lena has very little time to decide whether to try her chance with Adam or to see him slip through her fingers forever. Does she have the courage to step into the unknown, following a man who is about to leave for L.A.?

Jill Blake has crafted an interesting romance with a strong protagonist. Lena is an accomplished professional and a good daughter, but one important piece is missing from her life: romance. I love the fact that Lena and Adam don’t look compatible. The author captures their first encounter brilliantly and gives a strong image of Adam: ‘Lena sucked in a breath. He was big. A good ten inches taller than her own five foot five. And it wasn’t just his height—it was everything. Neck, shoulders, biceps that strained the sleeves of his button-down shirt. And those hands! Did hemostats even come with holes large enough to fit his fingers?” The plot is simple and somewhat straightforward, but this simplicity in plot is complemented by the realism infused in the writing and the depth of character handling. Oh, Baby! A Prescription: Romance! Book is deftly written, emotionally strong and filled with the romance and drama that readers will be thrilled to read in this genre.

Reviewed By Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Nora’s Promise by Sedona Hutton is a gripping contemporary romance with an intriguing twist, a love story explored between two completely incompatible characters, and it is here that the tension and the steam gets even more irresistible. Nora has just lost her sister, Lynn, and feels that her life has no meaning, a feeling she shared with her sister. Now she is left with her orphaned nephew. Apart from the loss of her sister, there is the breakup with her boyfriend. When Davey Johnson, the handsome NASCAR driver who never wanted his life interrupted by a child, discovers that he has a nine-year-old son, he commits to becoming a good father. But he knows very little about parenting so he asks Nora for help, not knowing that an attraction is about to develop between them that is more irresistible than he never imagined. Two characters with very little or nothing in common. Can they allow the wave of love to carry them off on an adventure or will their differences stand in the way?

Sedona Hutton creates very interesting and elaborately developed characters in Nora and Davey. They are characters with different personalities, a vegan and a spirited young man who wants nothing but his freedom. There is already a complex situation that is deftly explored in the narrative. The story begins with a strong premise. Lynn, Nora’s sister, hasn’t just died, but has also left behind a son. And that is the beginning of Nora's troubles, but things just get worse for her because a boyfriend dumps her. Nora’s Promise is emotionally intense, heartwarming, and crafted to arouse powerful emotions in readers. Your heartbeat will quicken as you explore the hearts of these characters. Nora’s Promise is fast paced and utterly delightful.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Rue Toulouse by Debby Grahl is a wonderful mix of contemporary romance and sleuth, featuring very complex characters. Caterine Doucette is a fashion designer who meets ex-cop Remi Michaud at a masquerade ball. They come together for one night of passion that changes everything. Caterine inherits the exclusive family boutique, Ma Chérie, but someone in the Doucette household is determined to take her out and she doesn’t know who. Remi works for a private security company, and he comes in to help unmask the person who wants Caterine dead. The attraction between Caterine and Remi grows stronger, but each is held back by a painful past and betrayal. Can they learn to trust each other in a world filled with betrayal, family secrets, and painful revenge?

The characters are very remarkable and the author does a wonderful job of putting obstacles in the way of their romance in the form of past experiences. From the very beginning, the reader gets a glimpse of Caterine’s loss and the sense of rejection when she overheard a conversation that was unsettling and filled with hate. For a six-year-old little girl who’d just lost her parents, it was a devastating blow. The author makes sure that incidents from the characters' pasts, woven into the backstory, enrich their personalities and help in building the conflict that sets the emotional and psychological tone of the narrative. Debby Grahl’s prose is atmospheric and filled with wonderful and insightful descriptions, dialogues that help to move the story forward, and strong plot points. Rue Toulouse is hugely entertaining and filled with memorable characters.

Reviewed By Tracy Young for Readers' Favorite

Kayla is a hardworking single mom to four beautiful children, or as she calls them “little shitheads.” When she found out her husband had been cheating on her with a stripper, she did what any sane woman would do and tried to drown him! This led to her being handcuffed by the hottest police officer in town. Luckily the judge sympathized with her and she got community service for her misdemeanor. Fast forward a brief time and Kayla and Sage, her BFF, are having a rare night on the town and spot the hottie and his equally good-looking friends. Marc is the officer in question; he is happily single and has no idea what is about to happen to him. Cuffed by You by Nikki Mays is a modern-day love story that will warm your cockles and some other bodily parts!

This is a funny, sexy, rollicking read. Marc and his buddies are great characters and his interaction with his family is amusing and heartwarming. Kayla and her friends and family are also a fun bunch. I love her ex-mother-in-law, Dee. Craig, the ex-husband, is an absolute shithead and you wonder what Kayla ever saw in him. However, the real story is all about Marc, Kayla, and her adorable kids. Cuffed by You by Nikki Mays is a beautifully told story of how love can develop on different levels and can creep up on you in the most unlikely circumstances. The dramatic finale will have you on the edge of your seat and is a thrilling end to a great story. Loved this book!

Reviewed By Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Love Over Lattes (Desert Monsoon Series, Book 1) by Diana Hicks is a contemporary romance novel. Love Over Lattes is one of those quintessential romance novels with plenty of chemistry, mutual attraction, and push and pull between the characters. In this book, we meet Valentina who is a single parent, finishing up college and trying to find a house to rent for her small family. Due to financial troubles, she is unable to find a place, and this is where Derek Cole, a highly attractive man, steps in and offers her a place to live. Derek and Valentina had been eyeing each other in the coffee shop for six months before they finally talked. Derek is also fighting through his own problems with his ex-wife and his company. Although Valentina strictly enforces a no-sex rule, the mutual attraction is undeniable and their romance is what forms the plot of this novel.

Love Over Lattes is a good read for anyone who enjoys love stories. Set in Arizona, the story has all the makings of a good romance novel. I liked the portrayal of both of these protagonists and I also liked the fact that Valentina is shown to be a single mother, willing to do anything for her child, as it provides a realistic and hopeful glimpse into modern life where, in the end, true love is what matters. Cole is, of course, dashing and handsome, and the fact that this novel is written in these characters’ voices provides a glimpse into his male mind, emotions, and motivations. This is certainly a fun and entertaining read for romance fans.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Evie Taylor is obsessed about her work, with decidedly no time for men and she loves her life that way, but she has a secret liking for Michael Marsh, the Diamond Superstar. Michael has been widowed for two years and the young woman who helped close the case on his wife’s murder still haunts his thoughts. Circumstances bring them together and this time their hearts are lit with a powerful flame of desire. And it’s not long before they find themselves poised for an ultimate union. But there is someone who is out to destroy their marriage before it is even consummated, a spy who does not seem to particularly like the Marsh family, a journalist who is about to prove that Michael has an incestuous relationship with his own daughter, Lisette. Will Evie’s investigative skills be enough to stop an enemy hell-bent on destroying the man who’s turned her life upside-down?

Sweet Temptation is another compelling, sizzling romance spiced with detective work from an author that has created her unique signature for the genre with her exciting characters and strong plot lines. Sarah Stuart creates worlds that feel so real and gets her readers into them. I was hooked from the very start of the story, thanks to the tight and exquisite writing. The reader is greeted with action as they start the story and the intensity doesn’t slow a bit. Abduction is introduced at the beginning in a very clever manner, and the reader immediately notices one of the key characters, Evie. I fell in love with her and was keen to see how she develops. The themes of romance, family, and intrigue are so masterfully crafted into the strong plot and readers will want to discover the part each character plays. Sweet Temptation is a well-crafted story that will delight fans of contemporary romance; it is well-plotted and the characters will stay with readers for a long time. I particularly loved the age gap between Michael and Evie. Sarah Stuart successfully establishes herself as a mistress of the romance genre.

Reviewed By Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Escape by Cybill Cain is a novella that is a cross between a steamy romance and erotica. When Max Alexander, silver screen superstar, finishes his latest movie he needs a break and his old friend offers him exactly that with a month at an isolated beach B&B on the North Carolina coast, all to himself. An opportunity to be pampered is not one Max is going to turn up his nose at, but little did he suspect that this vacation would mark a turning point in his life. Annie Clemons, the woman who runs Escape is a self-contained artist who has spent virtually all her life at the boarding house that has been in the family for generations. She also has an undying movie crush on the gorgeous Max Alexander. When Max first arrives, sparks fly between the pair and so develops an adventure.

It is obvious that Escape is part of a larger series of books grouped together as Chimera Club stories. Although only a novella, I found the story packed full of intrigue and adventure, not to mention the sex, which was hot, steamy and well written by the author. I do enjoy a good, old-fashioned romance from time to time and this is exactly what Escape is – an escape into fantasy and desire. We all dream of the perfect relationship with the perfect man/woman and Cybill Cain brings us that in Escape. Perhaps Max is too perfect physically, but then again, he is an actor so what can you expect. As pure escapism, it is as good as anything I’ve read lately. If you like your romances with some sexual bite, then I’m sure this will prove a winner for you. A good solid five stars for this effort.

Reviewed By Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite

Camden is the story of two brothers, Cam (Camden) and his twin brother Pierce, who couldn’t be more different on the outside. Cam rocked the bad boy look while Pierce was pure Brooks Brothers, but still they became partners at a firm called The Skin Agency, which was created to keep the rich, famous and infamous free from kidnappers, blackmailers and extortionists. Mostly. But one night things go wrong when a burgeoning pop star, Yara Bujold, goes missing. It changes everything for Cam and Xio Axelrod did a fantastic job of showing just how much he was affected by that night. He was tortured and guilty before leaving the agency to work at a bar he owned, and then…in walks the dead pop star he’d helped destroy.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure about Camden at first. Even though his guilt was palpable almost from his first appearance on the page, in my view he was still a pretty bad guy and the more I learned about what happened to Yara, the more that belief stuck. Yara was strong and tough and vulnerable at the same time, so basically she was the kind of heroine you have a really good time rooting for. When Yara and Cam first shared a page, the chemistry was so hot and sizzling, it leapt off the page. Xio Axelrod did a really good job illustrating the inevitable tension between them as the chemistry turned to more. The best thing about this story in my opinion is Yara. She wasn’t a dumb heroine who constantly put herself in danger to find the truth. She was smart, calculating, and cleverly stayed out of sight while she set her plans in motion. Xio Axelrod is a new author to me but Camden is a good, fast read that held my attention from beginning to end.

Reviewed By Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Lily Reid, the only daughter of an eminent physician, had dropped out of medicine during her residency and had instead focused her life and career on helping medical professionals deal with the overwhelming stress, depression and incredibly high suicide rate that so often is the bane of the medical profession. In The Burnout Cure by Jill Blake, Lily believes vehemently in her advocacy and is a determined, strong and independent woman who has no desire or plans for a long-term relationship or a family. Her work and her passion to help medical professionals is her life. Wolf, a doctor, had it all - drop-dead gorgeous, he lived his life according to his own dictates. He loved women, but he didn't want a relationship. Sex was fantastic, but who wanted to over-complicate it all with feelings? Wolf was of the old school of thought. "If you can't hack the pace of medicine, then look for another job." He looked at medicine like a soldier looks at Special Forces. It takes a special breed of man or woman to be a medical professional. "Suck it up!" was his opinion. When Lily and Wolf meet, the physical attraction is undeniable, but they are so far apart in their views, can anything ever develop?

The Burnout Cure by Jill Blake has absolutely no pretensions. It is pure, light-hearted romance (chick-lit, if you like), but what I loved and what lifted it above your normal hospital, steamy romance story was the seriousness and importance of the backstory to the two characters. Clearly depression, stress and suicide is a major problem within the medical profession and Blake has cleverly used the romance between Lily and Wolf to highlight something she feels strongly about. This is still a story about two disparate people, with virtually nothing in common, who find themselves deeply physically attracted to each other, but the subtext gives it so much more depth. There is the full requisite of hot and steamy love scenes, which are totally necessary and, I might add, extremely well written by Blake so as not to be over-emphasised or incredibly crude as can often be the case. I'm probably not the target market for this kind of steamy romance, but I was certainly glued to the pages and dying to know where it led us next. This is an excellent read and well above the usual hospital romance pap that can be so repetitive and boring. An excellent read from Jill Blake.