STARS SHINE IN YOUR EYES (LONDON SULLIVANS #2)

According to the British gossip columns, billionaire Malcolm Sullivan is one of the most eligible bachelors in England. His siblings love to tease him about that, and since he also thinks the whole thing is ridiculous, he takes no offense. The irony is that while he is great at his job, he's terrible at dating...let alone falling in love. In fact, he's been told during nearly every single break-up that as long as he stays wed to his high-powered job, he will never find true love.

Josie is thrilled about her new contract job working with bookstore owner Mari Everett to set up a reading retreat on Elderflower Island. She still can hardly believe that for the past two years she's had the privilege of setting up reading retreats throughout the U.S. It's a dream job and every day she has to pinch herself to make sure it isn't just a dream. Thrilled to be setting up her first international retreat in England, she's shocked to realize that she will not only be working closely with Malcolm Sullivan on the project, but that she'll also be staying in his houseboat on the Thames.

For more than a decade, she's worked to forget about Malcolm, who had been an exchange student at her high school in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Like everyone else, she'd had a secret crush on him the whole school year. Unlike everyone else, however, it was only her heart that he'd crushed.

Now that they're unexpectedly reunited, can Malcolm find a way to convince Josie that he's changed and to forgive him for what happened in high school? And, even more importantly, as they spend more and more time together, and the sizzling heat between becomes hotter than anything either of them have felt with anyone else, does he have any chance at all at getting her to love him? Because for the first time ever, Malcolm is ready for forever. But is Josie willing to risk her heart on the man who smashed it into a million pieces? Can she trust him to get it right this time? Or should she walk out of his life, the same way he once walked out of hers?

Release Date: July 18, 2024

Carmel Oak Press

London Sullivans #2, The Sullivans #24

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Stars Shine In Your Eyes is the newest installation in the London Sullivan series from Bella Andre. It has been forever since we had a London Sullivans book, and I literally devoured this story over a couple of reading sessions. I am absolutely in love with Josie and Malcom as a couple!!!

Josie Hartwell arrives in London to help bookstore owner Mari Everett set up her first ever reading retreat on Elderflower Island. Josie is shocked to see Malcom Sullivan is at the airport to pick her up, as she hasn't seen him since he was an exchange student when they were both in high school. As Malcom was an absolute tool to her in high school, as only teenagers can be, and then really moody when he picked Josie up from the airport, I knew we were in for a bit of a wild ride with Malcom and Josie.

I adored everything about Stars Shine In Your Eyes! The romance between Josie and Malcom was absolutely beautiful, and perfect. There was major chemistry between the two of them from the moment they laid eyes on each other again. I love me a grumpy billionaire for some reason, and Malcom was the perfect grumpy billionaire when this story started. His grumpiness was so cute next to Josie seeing the good in everything. Their path to their very own happily ever after was perfect for me, even as they both stumbled along the way a bit. 

I have to say I fell in love with Elderflower Island every bit as much as Josie did. I could see everything about the island as I was reading, and I so wanted to travel there to attend one of Mari's reading retreats, it seemed so real!  I love with any book in the Sullivans series, you always have so much time with the family. I love this family, and how they are always there for one another at the drop of a hat. I also love that they pick on each other just like siblings do in real life. 

Stars Shine In Your Eyes was another winner in the amazing Sullivan series! I honestly can't wait to spend more time with these characters, and hope we don't have as long a wait for our next visit with the London side of the Sullivan clan. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a beautifully written romance filled with lots of laughter and all the happy feels!

Rating: 5 Stars (B+) 

NOT YOUR CRUSH'S CAULDRON (SUPERNATURAL SINGLES #3)

In April Asher's new Supernatural Singles novel, a witch takes a stroll on the wild-ish side, sparking an alert that saddles her with her very own Guardian Angel…who happens to be her secret crush―and new roommate.

Olive Maxwell much prefers teaching about the supernatural world to taking part in it and leaves the magical shenanigans to her two sisters―the Prima-Apparent and Bounty Hunter-In-Training. But after assigning her college students a project designed to nudge them outside their comfort zones, Olive realizes that she’s never once stepped a toe over her own…and it’s about time that changed. Her first
trip into the unknown? Moving in with her long-time crush―and friend…tattooed, motorcycle-riding, and pleasantly pierced, Baxter Donovan.

Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel not-so-extraordinaire, has acquired so many black marks on his record it looked like a scantron sheet. He’s given one last chance to keep his Guardian wings intact, a high-profile Assignment he knows all too well. Olive is usually as low-risk as it got. Hell, she wrote the safety manual. But something landed her on the Guardian Affairs radar and his guess was it had something to do with the heart-pounding stunts she’s determined to check off her Dare I Docket list.

Keeping Olive out of trouble is about to be his toughest assignment yet, and not because he’s forced to shake the dust off his feathers and embrace his inner aerialist. He’s at real risk of shattering the only Guardian Angel Code of Conduct Rule he’s yet to Don’t fall in love with your Assignment. And he isn’t so sure that’s a bad thing.

If love didn’t play by the rules, why should they?

Release Date: February 13, 2024

St. Martin's Griffin

Supernatural Singles #3

Paranormal Romance/RomCom

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Not Your Crush's Cauldron is the 3^rd book in the Supernatural Singles series by April Asher, and it's Olive Maxwell's turn to get her happily ever after.

I loved the first two books in the series, and was so ready to finally get Olive's book, and the fact that her crush is Guardian Angel Bax Donovan, only made me more excited for this book. I enjoyed this story so much. I loved that Olive decided she needed to step outside her comfort zone along with her students and try a list of new things. As Bax has just been assigned as her Guardian Angel, he steps up and offers to help her check off all the items on her list.

I really enjoyed Not Your Crush's Cauldron. Olive has always been the sister to stand back and weight the pros and cons of every situation before jumping in. I felt like the more time she spent with Bax pushing her comfort zone, the more Olive became the woman she was meant to be. She was always such a strong woman, but seemed to be a bit in the shadow of her other two sisters. I also liked that to watch over and protect Olive, Bax also had to step outside his comfort zone. 

I loved Olive and Bax together as a couple. I've always sensed their attraction to one another from the very first book. I loved their chemistry, and just found them to be the sweetest couple. I really did feel like they each became the best version of themselves the more time they were together.

I've adored each of the books in the Supernatural Singles series, and really hope we will get one more story to get Harper's book. The Maxwell triplets are characters I've come to love along with all their friends, and I know I'll be re-reading these books again and again. 

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

Just a Little Promise (A Dare Crossover series #3)

He’s the one she’s never forgotten.

She’s the one he regrets letting go.

Now they have a second chance to get it right.

When Skye Abbott runsi nto her sexy former flame, Tripp Daniels, she’s reminded of the baby pact they’d made years ago… If she was single and childless by the age of thirty, he’d step in and be her baby daddy and fulfill her dream of having a child.

Now, after a bitter divorce that has left her guarding her heart, and wanting only one thing, Skye is ready to take Tripp up on his promise. When he’s one of the bachelors up for bid at a charity auction, it’s the perfect opportunity to have him all to herself for a weekend of baby making fun, as long as he agrees to her terms.

Tripp is on board to fulfill the promise he made to Skye. If he’s going to have a baby with anyone, it’s going to be the one woman he’d foolishly let slip through his fingers. But not this time because he’s all in. Skye is even more beautiful than he remembers, and the chemistry between them is hotter than ever, but while she gives him free rein with her body, she’s made it clear her heart is off limits.

Now, with a second chance within his grasp, Tripp is prepared to do whatever it takes to win the woman he loves and give them both the family they’ve always craved.

Release Date: January 23, 2024

CP Publishing

A Dare Crossover series #3

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Just a Little Promise is the 3^rd book in the Dare Crossover series by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde. I loved Just a Little Promise from page one. Skye Abbott and Tripp Daniels dated briefly when he was in medical school but broke up because he wasn't ready to make a commitment. When they run into one another after Skye's bitter divorce, Tripp lets her know he is willing to be her baby daddy like he promised years ago.

I loved that Skye and Tripp connected again from the moment they met each other again. They had the most amazing chemistry, and I totally fell in love with them as a couple. Tripp was super protective of Skye from the beginning, yet also let her set boundaries she needed along the way. Skye had the worst experience with her ex-husband, and it could have stopped her from ever having another relationship in the future. I loved the romance of this story with the hint of suspense with who might be sending pictures to Skye and following Tripp. Skye was such a strong woman, who had taken her life back following the breakup with her ex. 

I've loved each of the books in the series so far, but have to say Skye's and Tripp's story was pretty much perfection for me. The second chance romance is one of my favorite troupes, and it was done so well. Just a Little Promise gave me all the happy feels. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

RESONANCE SURGE (PSY-CHANGELING TRINITY #7)

 About RESONANCE SURGE:

Twins Pavel and Yakov Stepyrev of the StoneWater bear changeling clan have been an inseparable unit since birth, but now their lives are moving in different directions.

 

Pavel is in the mating dance with Arwen Mercant, the only man to ever bring him to his knees. A Psy empath, Arwen is free to feel emotion now that Silence has fallen. While he is free to love in the open now, it doesn’t come easy. Pavel walks a fine line in loving Arwen, careful not to push him too far, too fast.

 

Another pair of twins, Pax and Theodora Marshall, have a bond with a far darker history. A low-Gradient Psy, Theo is considered worthless by everyone but her violently powerful and loyal brother, Pax. She is the only person he trusts to investigate a hidden and terrible part of their family history—an unregistered rehabilitation Center established by their grandfather.

 

The Centers, places of unimaginable pain designed to psychically wipe minds, are an ugly remnant of the Psy race’s Silent past.  And now Theo must uncover the awful truth of this secret Center alongside Yakov, who certainly doesn’t trust her. Especially considering that Theo has been haunting his dreams since he was sixteen…

 

Yakov is the great-grandson of a foreseer and he’s already seen Theo’s death. The question is how can he stop it?

Release Date: July 18, 2023

Berkley Publishing

Psy-Changeling Trinity #7, Psy-Changeling #22

Paranormal Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Resonance Surge is the latest release in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series by Nalini Singh. This series remains one of my favorites ever, and I loved we got more than one romance in Resonance Surge. As the parings in this story are between Psys and shifters, it was total catnip for me, since those are my favorite pairings in the series. Add in we are back with the bears, and I was totally in my happy place.

Pavel and Arwen have been in a mating dance for some time, and I've loved watching them find their way in their own time as a couple. Pavel's twin Yakov has been seeing the same woman in his dream since he was sixteen. Enter Theo Marshall, twin to Pax Marshall who is sent to discover what went on at The Centers, places that were established by their grandfather. Yakov is the one to help Theo learn more about The Centers, and about her past while working together. I liked the slow burn of their relationship. Theo had really only ever had the connection with her twin Pax for most of her life, and even that was somewhat a secret between them, so I loved seeing her come into her own the longer she was with Yakov (Yasha),

I had all the happy feels watching the 2 couples find their happily ever afters. My heart broke the more we learned about Theo's past with her grandfather, and while I liked we weren't beaten over the head with the Scarab issues, I do see Pax Marshall and his neurological issues being at the forefront of what happens next with the Scarab Queen. Resonance Surge was a really great addition to the Psy-Changeling Trinity series, and I can't wait for the next installment next year.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

JUST A LITTLE SECRET (DARE CROSSOVER #2)

 

He’s not just a bachelor up for auction …

He’s her sexy birthday gift for the weekend.

But will she be able to forgive him when she finds out he’s hiding more than a little secret?

Georgia Brooks had no intention of bidding on a bachelor at the charity auction, but her sister has other ideas and gifts her with a man for her birthday weekend. But not just any man . . . Drew Daniels. A hot, gorgeous lawyer who makes her want to shed her good-girl image and learn all sorts of new and risqué things.

Attorney Drew Daniels is more than willing to introduce the beautiful Georgia to her naughtier side. Their weekend together is steamy and romantic . . . and it doesn’t hurt that a rival of Drew’s has his eye on Georgia, too. Stirring the other man’s jealousy is a fun side benefit.

Their tryst should have been just about pleasure, but Drew finds he’s attracted to more than Georgia’s outer beauty and he wants to keep her as his own. When Drew suggests they continue their affair, Georgia is too smitten to say no. Even if her parents expect her to marry her lawyer father’s right-hand man.

Georgia finds herself falling for Drew harder and faster than she could have imagined. Until she discovers he's keeping a secret that has the potential to break her heart.

Release Date: July 25, 2023

Dare Crossover Series #2

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Just a Little Secret is the second book in the Dare Crossover series from Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde. This author team has once again given their readers a fantastic and super sexy romance.

Georgia Brooks is the good daughter who doesn't really rock the boat when it comes to her parent's wishes, whereas her sister is the wild child of the family. Georgia's one rebellion was going to work for a non-profit rather than joining her father's law firm. When her sister Courtney buys her a date for her birthday at the bachelor auction fund raiser, Georgia is happy to see Drew Daniels will be her birthday date.

Drew Daniels is attracted to Georgia from the moment he first sees her, but has been burned before in relationships, but is all in for a sexy weekend get away with Georgia for her birthday. They had the absolute best chemistry, and the sexy times were smoking hot! I loved Georgia and Drew shared so much of themselves with one another, and really loved them as a couple.

Just a Little Secret is such an amazing story. I loved the romance between Georgia and Drew, and really loved seeing each of the main characters grow so much over the course of the story. Fans of contemporary romance will adore the newest installment in the Dare Crossover series, and be counting down the days for the next release.

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)