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.

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.