Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite

In her novella Life After Love, Lorraine Cover looks at themes of second chances, healing from lost loves, and self-discovery. The story revolves around aspiring author Kate Covington, who wants to write about passion but lacks it in her life after her husband’s death. Although she has G Amici and Claudia as friends who help her fulfill her social needs, they cannot fill the emotional void left by her husband. In a quest to find this missing element, Kate and her friend Claudia book themselves on a cruise. Along the way, their paths cross with Luca Bell’Angelo who opens Kate to new experiences and helps her look at love and relationships in a different light. Will the end of the cruise mean the end of this budding relationship?

Life After Love is a contemporary romance novel that makes readers contemplate love, loss, and the transformative power of unexpected connections. Lorraine Cover has breathed life into her characters and made them more relatable. Kate’s vulnerability to find new love while still trying to process the loss of her husband Peter and Luca’s enigmatic charm create a chemistry that sizzles off the pages. This, along with their dance moves, made me want to experience the magic they found between the moves. The main part of the story unfolds during a cruise, a setting that could symbolize both physical and emotional journeys. The story is narrated at an engaging pace, allowing me as a reader to understand Kate’s emotional state, her need for change, and how new experiences help transform her into the person she wants to be. Life After Love is a wonderful read on letting go and finding yourself amid waves of change.

Reviewed by Garmon Eugene for Readers' Favorite

Cold As Ice: Playing for Keeps by Nichole Rose tells the story of Kristján Jónsson (Kris), the captain of the hockey team in the NHL, and Kelsey, the publicist for the team. Kris had been in love with Kelsey ever since she started working for the team two years ago and had been chasing for them to be together, but Kelsey was unyielding. She was sick with leukemia, and while it wasn't terminal, she felt being with Kris would only tie him down and prevent him from having a successful career as a hockey player, so she kept it from him. Kris just couldn't understand what Kelsey was hiding, which made her keep running away from him. This is a story of love, challenges, and happy endings.

What I liked about Cold As Ice by Nichole Rose was how unrelenting Kris was in fighting for Kelsey. Despite her numerous refusals, for no apparent reason, and brushing him off many times, he didn't give up. He was also sensitive in noticing that there was a reason why she was holding back. When he found out what it was, he didn't leave her side and was even willing to leave hockey just to be at her side. I also liked how the other team members were so protective of Kelsey and were willing to do all they could to help her when they found out about her illness. I recommend the book to all fans of romance novels; however, patients and people with serious illnesses might find some parts of this book triggering.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

The Location Shoot, by award-winning author Patricia Leavy, takes us on a captivating journey through the lives of a group of filmmakers shooting a movie in Sweden. The story follows the controversial filmmaker, Jean Mercier, and his cast, which includes the legendary Hollywood movie star Finn Forrester, and the American philosopher Ella Sinclair. As the film shoot progresses, the characters reflect on their lives and experiences, leading to unexpected relationships and self-discovery. Finn and Ella's love story is a central theme, as Ella struggles with committing to a serious relationship. After filming, the characters' views on life and love have been irrevocably changed, and their reunion at the Cannes Film Festival promises to be unforgettable.

Patricia Leavy's The Location Shoot is hard to put down. Leavy's literary style is engaging and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the Swedish location and the characters' emotions. It explores themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery in thought-provoking ways, encouraging us to reflect on our path in life. The characters grapple with questions many of us face, making the story relatable and enjoyable. Leavy is a master storyteller, skillfully weaving together a narrative that keeps us engaged from start to finish. The pacing is well-balanced, ensuring the story moves forward while allowing for meaningful reflection on the characters' experiences. Ultimately, it's a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of love, relationships, and self-discovery. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts’ Rendezvous (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 20) by Tamara Ferguson is her latest iteration of this wonderfully sweet and romantic series. Zane, Lex, and little six-year-old Caleb have been on the run since they escaped from the sex traffickers who kidnapped them years earlier. Raiding a wine-storage facility on the vineyard of Gabe Giordano and his family, the trio is spotted by twelve-year-old Izzy Giordano. With a brother and younger sister who were also trafficked as part of the family, Izzy knows what the trio is going through and introduces them to her father and Jake Loughlin, both semi-retired FBI agents. Zane and Izzy’s instant connection and friendship will be rekindled later in life as friendship turns to romance but given Zane’s horrific past can he truly open up and let Izzy into every part of his life?

Two Hearts’ Rendezvous is a typically soulful and romantic tale that we have come to expect from this author. I have been an immense fan of author Tamara Ferguson for some years now and her latest offering is as enjoyable as her previous ones. What I particularly like so much about her work is that many of the characters are flawed in some way, either emotionally, spiritually, or physically. Using the idea of ex-military personnel who have been wounded in combat provides readers with insight into the difficulties many combat veterans find fitting back into the society they have been so bravely protecting. The trauma experienced by those children who are taken and trafficked for sex is deeply ingrained and, like Zane and Lex, many will struggle to open up to the ones they love for fear of rejection. This is adult romance. Although there are loving sexual scenes, these are always written beautifully and sensually without crossing the line. Because of her conversational, flowing writing style plus engaging characters, it is easy to read this book in one satisfying session, as I did. I am fascinated by Lex and his history so I was excited to read that he will be the principal character in the next work. Ferguson is truly a master in this genre and I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Meat Cute: A Post-Apocalyptic Slice-Of-Life Romance Story by Brandon McCormick is a survival novelette that follows a young woman named Ellie and her counterpart, Desmond, as they navigate the end of the world, as we know it. Bunkered down alone in a nondescript cabin, Ellie follows a routine established in the aftermath of a power-grid-style failure that killed modern conveniences and any shred of moral compass that humanity had left. She is a sharpshooter, a gamer, and pretty darn sexy. Caught in her trap, literally, Ellie meets and treats Desmond, and the pair learns to survive with one another. Ellie learns to trust and share. Desmond learns to live a new life where his foot is replaced with a bathtub adornment and where truffle pigs are not valued for what they dig up. When their world is upended once again, settling down with each other somehow feels less comfortable than settling down with others.

Meat Cute is wonderfully witty and guarantees a smile from a reader the entire way through. Brandon McCormick writes with a strong blend of intelligent humor and a believable survivalist plot that packs a bigger punch than one would expect from a story this moderate in size. I liked Ellie but liked Desmond more. Ellie views the world through the scope of a gun and I totally get that as a young woman on her own in a place where people really only fall into the categories of desperate and/or dangerous, the half-full cup prospect doesn't come easily. She's pragmatic and has a shoot first, figure it out later approach. Desmond is fortunate to have been found when Ellie was displaying a rare flicker of caring. I like that Desmond is more open but equally dorky. Overall this is a fantastic story with an excellent message: The couple that raids together, stays together. Or something like that. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Noble Satyr: Roxton Foundation Series Book 1 by Lucinda Brant is an 18th-century twisted tale of aristocracy, manners, love, and family conniving in the very best grand style of Georgian and Regency romances. Antonia is a young woman in peril. Despite being brought up by her father, against the prevailing customs and traditions, to be forthright, educated, and progressive, she is stuck in the court of Versailles, where her future is at the political whims of aristocratic men. Determined she will marry only for love and certainly not the son of the Comte de Salvan, who has been chosen for her, she seeks an escape, a way out of this predetermined fate. Hatching an escape plan, she traps the notorious but incredibly powerful Duke of Roxton, a believed relative, into assisting her to escape from the palace of Versailles. Roxton is a known womanizer, who is rumored to have bedded most of the women at court. Despite his arrogant, promiscuous, and fearsome reputation, Antonia is convinced her cousin will prove to be her savior from the disgusting, lascivious, and conniving Comte de Salvan and his opium-addicted and mind-addled son.

Noble Satyr is an absolute joy to read. Author Lucinda Brant’s fulsome and incredibly descriptive prose is musical in its pace and poetic in its style. What the author does beautifully, in my opinion, is contrast the foppery and utter frivolousness of the Georgian era and their aristocratic courts, with the cutting, dark, English humor and common sense portrayed perfectly by the character of Lord Vallentine, the Duke of Roxton’s best friend and suitor of his sister. For me, Vallentine was the absolute star of the narrative, as he beautifully countered Roxton’s arrogance, Antonia’s naivete, and Estée’s proper decorum with his sardonic wit and straightforwardness at a time when that was anything but the norm. The passion and love between Roxton and Antonia are evident from the instant they connect and I must commend the author for her sympathetic and elegant writing when it came to the love scenes, which were beautifully composed and incredibly sensual. The story is extremely well plotted and includes unexpected twists and turns, plus the odd red herring thrown in for good measure that will keep readers wondering and interested right to the end. I love a story where the bad boy is tamed by love and this novel is high up among the best I have read. I can highly recommend this read.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In Past Purgatory by Debbie Baldwin, Finn McIntyre is grappling with inner turmoil and painful scars, both physical and emotional, from a life marked by trauma and clandestine Navy SEAL and CIA operations. Leaving behind a strained relationship with Bishop Security expert Charlotte 'Twitch' Devlin, Finn ends up in the community of Purgatory, West Virginia. There he takes up a home renovation project that unexpectedly begins his journey toward healing. Meanwhile, Twitch faces her own personal and professional obstacles; a series of crimes related to a past hacker competition she won, the unsettling belief she's being stalked, and a deep maternal instinct to safeguard Finn's child. As these issues mount there is a very real possibility that she will need to seek Finn's help and risk further heartbreak. Then there is Detective Aiden McIntyre in Philadelphia probing a peculiar murder that hitches itself to another case in Florida.

Debbie Baldwin's fourth installment in the Bishop Security series, Past Purgatory, is a really well-written read that weaves together elements of suspense, mystery, and romance. Baldwin's characterization of Finn as a complex and layered character haunted by his past and struggling with his inner demons feels authentic. I do think that the whole 'protagonist is/was a Navy SEAL' has been recycled so many times it's become a trope, but I was able to look beyond it because of Twitch. I love a good, strong, resilient personality and she does complement Finn's character. Her intelligence and street smarts in terrifying circumstances make her an exceptional female lead. And can we talk about Purgatory and how badly I want to be there? Small-town quirks and supportive community vibes galore! The whole place adds layer upon layer of warmth and charm. Past Purgatory reads perfectly well as a stand-alone but for me, it definitely served as an enticement to go back for the entire series. Recommended.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Zane by Kat Baxter is the first book in The Bad Boys of Saddle Creek series. Emmy is a socially awkward, nerdy girl who is best friends with Zane Baxter. Zane personifies the bad boy persona with his tattoos and piercings. He has a reputation for being wild, ranging from his high school fights to a lack of commitment to any woman. One afternoon, Emmy is at lunch when her coworker Daniel Clute enters the diner. Zane notices her sudden shift in behavior. She lists several reasons why Daniel is compatible with her. Zane mentions the physical aspects of relationships. Since Emmy has never dated, she asks Zane if he will teach her "sex things." Zane stands up and leaves the diner. At his tattoo shop, his apprentice Harper questions him about why he is in a foul mood. Harper advises him not only to show Emmy about sex but to teach her about love.

Zane by Kat Baxter provided an effective description of Emmy as a person on the spectrum. Every detail about her personality is precise, ranging from her dislike of noise to the way she tries to analyze people the way she does data. That she could not see Zane's physical reaction, which most people would recognize in facial expressions, confirms that impression. I understood why Emmy thought Daniel would be a suitable partner. The exceptional detail in Zane's character proves he was in tune with his feelings despite his tough exterior. His inner turmoil was easy to envision since it felt as if he was thinking out loud. The foundation of the friendship between Zane and Emmy was realistic, and their dialogue flowed well. I recommend this novella to romance fans that enjoy a short, easy-to-read story featuring a bad boy who loves a socially awkward woman.

Reviewed by Ammaarah Seboa for Readers' Favorite

Wrecked by Nichole Rose focuses on notorious mob boss Rafe Valentino and his lovely captive Amalia Santiago. When Amalia is kidnapped as a ploy to lure out her foster brother, the last thing Rafe expects is to fall for her. While she wants to protect her brother, she can’t walk away from the man who has her heart, and she finds herself torn between love and family. Amalia presents a challenge that Rafe is ready to win, but all is not as it seems when their past secrets come to light.

Wrecked is part of Nichole Rose’s The Ruined Trilogy and the perfect book to get you out of that reading slump. With its moderate pace, this book leaves no room for confusion and enables the reader to dive in without difficulty. For book fans who love a mafia romance with an age gap and a breeding kink, this is the one for you! It’s spicy and sizzling in all the right places; you will not regret it. Told from a dual point of view, we see first-hand the raw emotions, conflict, fear, and dread each character experiences. The dark themes and Rafe’s obsessive nature with Amalia pulled me in, and I enjoyed every second. I love that Rose also included an epilogue set a few years after the events that transpired in the book and the connection we discover between the main characters. I am keeping an eye out for more of Rose’s work!

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.