Reviewed by Ammaarah Seboa for Readers' Favorite

Kathleen Stone’s Hey Jude centers on love, loss, and forgiveness. Having been a disappointment from childhood, Jude is used to her parents’ contempt and expectations of failure. When given the chance to help a little boy and turn her life around, she takes it. It wasn’t an easy decision though and mostly fueled by the fact that she wanted to avoid rehab. But after meeting Shea, it seemed that Jude’s life had a new meaning. Shea’s father, Ziggy, certainly doesn’t make her job any easier when he seems to have the same disposition as her parents. But like every hard-working girl, Jude proves him wrong and establishes such a connection with Shea that even strangers would question his parentage.

While Hey Jude is a beautifully written novel, I can’t help but feel that a lot went unsaid. With the novel’s abrupt ending and lack of an epilogue, it feels as if the characters weren’t able to get any sort of closure, which seemed a little unrealistic to me. A few of my favorite scenes in the novel center on the slice of life moments with Shea, Jude, and Ziggy. Although it doesn’t seem that way in the beginning, these three are exactly what they all needed. Kathleen Stone provided a well-paced plot that gave us insight into each character, their traumas, and how they overcame them. From Jude’s black sheep of the family situation to Shea’s similar position, because he was deaf, it was a touching story that focused on romance, comedy, and unconventional family dynamics.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Andrew is a work of fiction in the steamy romance subgenre and forms part of the Sinful Seduction series. It is best suited to the mature reading audience owing to scenes of a sexual nature and explicit language and was penned by author Dania Voss. The novel follows the exploits of pastor’s daughter Charmeine Baker and the dastardly nightclub mogul Andrew Knight on a passionate journey from enemies to lovers. When Andrew‘s latest business ploy threatens Charmeine’s local church, she reluctantly agrees to marry him to save it. But once she’s in his clutches, the chemistry between them is undeniable, and soon they’ll have to find a way to live with one another that will either be the making of them, or total destruction.

I am so pleased to have found author Dania Voss as it’s rare to see a writer who can really deliver on the fast-paced world of romantic thrills that so many novels of this kind promise. Voss writes with a razor-sharp sense of timing in her dialogue and action descriptions, which builds the tension between Andrew and Charmeine gorgeously as we watch their inevitable collisions turn into furious sparks. I also really enjoyed Charmeine’s determined spirit, and it was nice to see a female lead in this subgenre that wasn’t ever a pushover and more than a match for Andrew. Overall, I’d definitely recommend Andrew as a satisfying read for fans of steamy romance and enemies to lovers storylines and I cannot wait to see what more comes of the Sinful Seduction series in the future.

Reviewed by Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite

Time is Eternity by Annette G. Anders is the third book in the Full Circle romance series. Luca Harrison and Josephine ‘Jo’ Alberts have close family ties and a friendship spanning over two decades. Luca has gotten the promotion he always wanted but that means moving away from New York. And moving away from Jo. Though they have been friends for a long time, it is only now they realize that what they feel might just be a little more. For Jo, transitioning from friends to lovers may just be a little too awkward especially when she isn’t sure if her long-time crush feels the same. With the dark cloud of Covid 19 looming over the world, her work at the gym comes to an end. Can she ever recover her lost money and realize her dream of opening a yoga studio? As for Luca, bringing a little New York magic to Washington DC may be what he needs to be happy if only he’s brave enough.

Annette G. Anders is a great storyteller who knows how to portray a heartwarming friendship. Luca and Jo were just so good together. They were like an old married couple without the label. I liked that these characters brought out the importance of friendship in a good long-lasting marriage. Yes, sex is great and wonderful but it takes more to build something that lasts. It was refreshing to read a true romance without people ripping their clothes off every five minutes. The secondary characters were also great and made me want to read their stories too. Time Is Eternity is named after a poem by Henry Van Dyke. I found it profound and a great theme for Luca and Jo’s journey to love. For those looking for slow-burn clean romance, this one is for you. ‘But for those who love, time is eternity.’

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Fiona: Book Two of the Viking Treasure Huntress Series by Ann Boelter is the continuation of the stories of the creator and the captains of the remarkable Viking vessel, the Treasure Huntress. Originally built by Sigurd as a tribute to his dying wife, for Jarl, the Treasure Huntress was the most magnificent of Viking vessels that would form the basis for Jarl’s future raids on all the nations that now make up the British Isles and Northern Ireland. As part of Jarl’s agreement with Sigurd, the Treasure Huntress could never be sold; she could only be gifted to the next deserving captain. When Jarl falls madly in love and marries, he retires and gifts Treasure Huntress to his first mate and lifelong friend, Gunnar. Whilst raiding in Ireland, Gunnar’s small party collecting slaves for resale is set upon by a group determined to free the slaves from the Vikings' clutches. The attackers are led by a woman, but not just any woman; a beautiful, Irish, high-born lady, Lady Fiona. Obsessed with Fiona, Gunnar determines that somehow, on this trip to Ireland, he will meet and spend time with the woman who has captured his imagination and exact his revenge for the theft of his slaves. But deep down, Gunnar knows this remarkable woman will play an enormous part in his future.

Although Fiona is the second book in the series, you absolutely do not have to read the first book to understand and enjoy this one. My question, though, would be that given the quality and depth of this story, why wouldn’t you want to read the first one? Author Ann Boelter does an exceptional job of priming readers for this story, with a brief summary at the beginning of the circumstances leading to the building of Treasure Huntress. Each of these books is a complete story in itself and stands alone as a fantastic read. The author’s ability to transport the reader to 10th-century Ireland is exceptional and her lyrical descriptions of the locality, customs, and life in this country, torn asunder not only by Viking domination but also by internecine fighting between the dominant clans of Ireland, are simply breathtaking and an absolute joy to read. The romantic scenes were as good as any I have read and never crossed the thin line between eroticism and crudity. They were simply as breathtaking and as exciting as all of this amazing story. I particularly enjoyed the character of the cunning and clever Eamon, the boy who had worked his way up from nothing to now be Gunnar’s right-hand man. I can easily picture Eamon as the principal character in one of these stories, perhaps two books from now? A good solid length for a novel, this truly was a joy to read and I can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Cayla-Paige Nortje for Readers' Favorite

In Romancing the Cowboy: An Instalove Age-Gap Romance by Nichole Rose, Cassia Murphy is a renowned romance author who has kept her ever-increasing readership enraptured with her sexy cowboy's looks, personality, and all-round crazy sex appeal. It’s the stuff of her wildest dreams, but that’s where they’ve seemed to stay. Not only does Cassia Murphy have an incredible imagination but she also has a closely guarded secret. Introducing Cord Decker, the bane of her existence and the irritant that she just can’t seem to shake off. It started with an email questioning her character's authenticity. Her unintentionally sassy reply quickly became an infuriating spiral of inquisitiveness that has Cassia running for her life and into the arms of the very man she can’t stand, or at least so she thinks.

Nichole Rose has delivered a jam-packed instalove story with a lovely depiction of the well-known phrase that 'age is but a number.' Cord is a definite heartthrob on the page with his rugged looks and rough-around-the-edges approach that would make any woman swoon. I enjoyed the voluptuousness of Cassia’s character and the reference to her curves as I felt it was very inclusive. The emails exchanged between Cassia and Cord had to be one of my favorite parts of the book, due to both Cassia’s level of brazenness and the unashamed, not-so-bashful comebacks from Cord. The two characters had great chemistry which was carried through to the steamy love scenes between the two. Romancing the Cowboy is a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Emma (aka Emily) is the heroine but also the victim of False Front by Debbie Baldwin. Nathan is the hero and romantic interest. The two were close childhood friends that haven’t seen each other for many years. When they do meet again the magic is still there and it is obvious that love will soon blossom. Emily was kidnapped as a young child. When she returned home unharmed, her rich father did all he can to protect her including giving her a new identity. She lives afraid of many things from the traumatic events of her childhood but takes a chance to go to New York and become a reporter. Nathan is now an important man with a wild reputation and unaware of what had happened to little Emily. When he requests that she is the only one who he will allow to interview him, the story really begins. There are twists, turns, danger, and suspense around every corner, and Nathan and his many friends do everything they can to fight the bad guys and protect Emily.

False Front by Debbie Baldwin is exactly what it says it is – a suspenseful romantic story. I stayed up way past my bedtime not wanting to put down False Front. I loved the intrigue, thrills, and chills and found myself holding my breath several times in anticipation of what would happen next. This is the first book that Debbie Baldwin has written, which is a pleasant surprise to me because it has all the makings of a great romantic suspense novel and none of the mistakes of a new writer. I am anxiously awaiting the next book to find out where and what Nathan and Emily encounter next.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Madison has just escaped an abusive relationship and moved back in with her parents. With a failed marriage behind her and no job prospects, she finds it easy to connect with the animals she looks after as a volunteer at the local shelter. But her hometown is a small town in so many ways and it’s not surprising that Madison should run into her high school sweetheart, the one she’d once thought was her forever love before he all but vanished when he went away to college. She’s not planning on entering a new relationship so soon after exiting an abusive one and she’s certainly not interested in reigniting an old romance. Or is she?

Jessica Anne Renwick’s romance novel, Harvest Wishes: A Sweet Small Town Romance (Starlight Inn), is a comfort read that has all the happily-ever-after scenarios one would expect in a good romance. There’s the inevitable conflict with the unresolved old romance and the violent more recent relationship. And then there’s the two families and small town gossips who feel free to voice their own opinions on the sparkling new/old romance. The tension builds as Madison faces her nemesis (her ex-husband) as well as her past and tries to piece it all together and make sense of what had happened to her life. Compelling dialogue, thorough descriptive narrative, and a driven plot push the reader to follow the protagonist to the very end. Like the subtitle suggests, it’s “a sweet small town” story, clean and wholesome, a real feel-good type of story.

Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

Wannabe in Wyoming is book one of the Antelope Rock series by two great storytellers, Samantha A. Cole and J. B. Havens, a compelling contemporary romance with unforgettable characters. Willow Crawford is a divorced woman who never knew her father. When her father’s lawyer contacts her to tell her of his death, she also learns that she is the only heir to his ranch in Wyoming. She is excited to start a new life, but she knows little about ranching. When she sends out the letter addressed to Any Soldier from Wannabe Rancher, she is unaware of what she is getting herself into because she quickly catches the attention of Nathan Casey, a man who has suffered a great loss. They engage in phone calls and an exchange of letters, and with them, is a strong attraction. But will it be the same when they finally meet each other in person?

This is a well-crafted and engaging story with characters that are elaborate and genuinely flawed. Both Willow and Nathan must face a painful past; they both have inner wounds they struggle with, and this makes them relatable characters. The story is suspenseful and the authors keep readers guessing as they race through the pages in anticipation of what happens next. The richness in character stands out in this delightful first entry in a series that promises a great adventure for readers; the elegant prose combines with the authors’ ability to bring strong emotions to life to create a reading experience that is unique. Wannabe in Wyoming by Samantha A. Cole and J. B. Havens plunges the reader into the inner worlds of real characters that are easy to love. I can wager that any fan of contemporary romance with a rural setting will devour this book in one sitting.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Emily Bunney's All Or Nothing is a story about recovering from toxic relationships and being able to move forward by living in the moment. Mila is moving to Seattle after procuring a job as an assistant to Coach Casey. That evening, Mila and her best friend are celebrating at the hotel bar and Mila notices a man that seems to be watching her. After Beth leaves the bar, Mila approaches the man and impulsively has a one-night stand. She leaves his room before he wakes up, which leaves Matt daydreaming about the encounter. He signs the contract to play hockey for the Seattle Whalers and, on the first day of practice, he discovers that his one-night stand is now his coach's assistant. Matt is determined to try a relationship with Mila, but she has just left behind a serious relationship and is terrified of being hurt again. There is also another barrier: No dating any of the team players.

All Or Nothing has an engaging cast of characters that complement the romantic plot. Emily Bunney's story didn't primarily focus on sex, which I found to be refreshing for a romance novel. The narrative is told from Mila's and Matt's points of view and easily transitions between them. I could connect with Mila's aversion to being in a relationship, and I admired Matt's persistence in proving he was interested in more than sex. The Whalers traveled around the country, and it was fun reading how Mila had to deal with any setbacks that occurred. A memorable scene in New Orleans had me picturing how distraught Mila was when she discovered she didn't book a room for herself. I know I would be turning red and arguing with the hotel owner as well. It would be equally embarrassing that the team could witness the entire mistake. This is a 5-star book with an engaging story filled with well-developed characters that had me hooked from start to finish. I would recommend fans of slow-burn romance novels to pick up a copy of All Or Nothing. This isn't love at first sight, but the perfect balance of a suspenseful romance story with a realistic edge of charm.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Linzi Baxter creates an action-filled romance novel aptly named Dangerous Rescue. Siena's love life is the polar opposite of her supermodel career. She fell in love with Hudson Smith, a Navy SEAL. The day she discovers that she is pregnant, she finds that Hudson has disappeared. Another failed relationship ensues after she discovers Kyle is a drug dealer. She obtains work at a private school, only to finds herself face to face with Hudson Smith again. Siena accepts a dinner date with him and plans to tell Hudson about their daughter. Unfortunately, for Siena, Kyle has made bail and assaults her in the parking lot. Hudson witnesses the ordeal and immediately has some of his team attempt to find out what danger she is in. Suddenly, Hudson is called into a dangerous mission after finding a notorious cartel has a $500,000 bounty on her.

Dangerous Rescue is more than the average romance novel. Linzi Baxter adds in plenty of danger and suspense with a colorful cast of characters with unique personalities. I was able to connect with Siena's distrust of Hudson, especially with him just up and leaving her without a call or explanation. I also understood why Hudson moved too since his sister's death left his nephew without a parent. Likewise, I think that Siena made a stellar mother figure by raising her daughter not to think poorly of her father. The sudden separation just as Hudson and Siena reconnect adds to the suspense as it is unknown if Hudson will return within days, weeks, months, or even at all. The end fits well and predicts a sequel with other members of the Navy SEAL team as well as CIA members that were revealed throughout the book. This is a book that I would recommend to adults who enjoy a more active plot with only a few intense romance scenes.