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Like is short, buy the book! Or the bookish goodies.
I treated myself to a special addition book box bundle that had some adorable things in it, and I just wanted to share. As we say life is short by the book or the cute stuff to go with the book.
About a year ago on Facebook, I was scrolling and came across a reel of an author packing mystery book boxes. I thought to myself this is an awesome way to be able to gain new readers and to introduce them to several of your works.
That Author was Willow Winters. I quickly purchased one of her mystery boxes and I was not disappointed. I have purchased several of them and have a nice collection of not only her books, but useful and cute bookish items. I always say I am a sucker for pretty package and Willow definitely has a pretty package on her brand.
Pictured above is the latest box I have received. I love that they even wrap the books, even though I know what was included. It’s all the makings for a cozy night of reading. Willow and her team do an amazing job with all these boxes.
Review: Built to Last by Lexi Blake
Built to Last
Lexi Blake
Park Avenue Promise, Book 3
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 27, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, discover The Park Avenue Promise Series…
Three young women make a pact in high school—
to always be friends and to one day make it big in Manhattan
Built to Last
Harper Ross has always dreamed of working on one of the magnificent brownstones of Park Avenue. Now one of her closest friends has bought the house of her dreams and hired Harper to do the construction work. She wants to showcase the renovation on a television show for her brand-new production company. It’s the same grand home she and her friends promised themselves they would be able to afford one day. Working on it isn’t the same as living in it, but it’s all a part of Harper’s grand plan to grow her father’s construction business into one of the biggest in the city. The only obstacle—the designer on the project.
Reid Dorsey believes in the balance between beauty and functionality. As one of Manhattan’s new voices in design, he’s excited to get to work on a true Gilded Age property. If only the owner had selected a contractor he enjoyed working with. Oh, Harper was brilliant and her work was excellent, but she has an opinion on everything—and it’s usually the opposite of his.
Over the course of the job, these enemies start to see different sides of each other, and suddenly their fights don’t seem so bad. But when the project is threatened, they might have to choose between their jobs and the beautifully designed future they could share.
4 Stars
Built to Last is the third book of Lexi Blakes Park Avenue promise series and follows Harper Ross and Reid Dorsey. An enemies to lovers romance that gives total romcom vibes. Lexi Blake is a master of mixing spice, banter, and characters that you can’t help but to fall in love with.
Harper is a CEO of her family’s construction company and has the weight of her entire family and their backwards way of thinking upon her shoulders. Read is an interior designer who used to have a design show with his brother. We have heard of grumpy crossed with sunshine or what about grumpy crossed with grumpy. That’s what Harper and Reid are to one another but yet there is an indescribable and unmistaken attraction that the two share. However, both of them are hardheaded and want to have their way. Harper feels that her dream of her storing this brownstone is falling through the cracka. Harper believes that reads designs take away from the historic value of the home while Reid is doing and continuing changing and adapting to what the owner of the home wants. They have two completely different styles and you could see how they would naturally butt heads.
.
Lexi Blake delivers a lighthearted and snarky banter, romance that we can all sync our teeth into.
Audio Review: Accidentally Forever by Carrie Ann Ryan
Accidentally Forever
Carrie Ann Ryan
Montgomery Ink Legacy Series, Book 8
Narrators: Oscar Reyes and Lucy Rivers
406 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2025
In the world of romance, Aria Montgomery knows two things for sure:
She’s not in love with the man everyone thinks she is.
And she refuses to let herself love Crew McTavish.
Her former best friend is spiraling, and her photography career seems to be standing in her father’s shadow. Aria knows she needs to find her way out of the darkness. Yet she’s afraid if she allows Crew inside, he’ll not only take over—but he’ll get hurt in the process.
Crew McTavish enjoys being the mysterious friend of the Montgomerys. They may joke that he’s dating his way into their family one-by-one, but in the end, it’s only one Montgomery he wants: Aria.
Their pull to one another is inevitable and once a line is crossed, the heat between them ignites.
Only his family’s dark secrets threaten to pull him down and when Aria is threatened, Crew will stop at nothing to protect her.
Even if it means watching the world he’s built burn.
**Accidentally Forever is a next generation, protector, enemies to lovers, best friend’s ex romance in the Montgomery Ink Legacy series featuring Aria and Crew. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!**
Aria Montgomery is Alex and Tabby’s daughter from Ink Exposed.
4 Stars
Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to deliver an emotional story. Accidentally Forever was emotionally intense in all the ways I didn’t realize I needed. Crew and Aria overcome many challenges to get to their happily ever after.
Crew McTavish i’ve been a friend of Montgomery for years. One of his very dear friends is Montgomery and there’s a random joke among them he is trying to marry his way into the family. Crew personnel story is not an easy one, but the Montgomery’s accepted him when he needed a place and a family. Most of the Montgomery clan believe that Crew and Aira couldn’t stand one another, forever what he feels is very, very much the opposite of disliking someone.
Aria Montgomery is a brilliant photographer. She is so strong and has the biggest heart. She cares on a level that is soul deep. She has a best friend that is in a very rough spot in our lives yet she just won’t turn them away. She won’t help enable, but friendship means a lot to her. When that person hurt her physically, Crew was in the right place at the right time. It started a team reaction that maybe two finally can hunt their feelings and not just stolen nights of promises that it was never gonna happen again.
I have been reading Carrie Ann Ryan for well over a decade now. I can vividly remember when she announced the Montgomery Ink series. Ten years later the Montgomery family is still growing and I am falling in love with the next generation. Accidentally Forever gives us the emotional, enemies to lovers story of Crew and Aira. These two have been dancing around one another for far too long. A few stolen moments here and there left them running more even though they said they didn’t. Carrie Ann Ryan very eloquently talks about sensitive topics that need to be talked about. Aria and Crew will take you on an emotional journey, but a little bit of going down the path because you definitely worth it.
On the Wild Side by Kristen Proby
On the Wild Side
Kristen Proby
The Wilds of Montana Series, Book 4
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 3, 2024
From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes On the Wild Side, a sizzling single mom, cowboy, small town romance in the beloved Wilds of Montana Series!
Brady Wild has focused on one thing this entire adult life: riding bulls. A three-time world champion, Brady’s body has taken a beating over the years and he knows he’s nearing the end of his impressive career. He’s had no time for relationships with his dangerous career but the minute he sees sexy single mom, Abbi Kastella, he knows it’s game over for his resolve to be single.
Abbi is a mom, first and foremost, and she’ll do whatever needs to be done to keep her daughter safe from the danger that’s chased them for half a dozen years. She’s finally been able to set down roots in Bitterroot Valley for herself and Daisy. She adores this community that has welcomed them with open arms, her new business is thriving, and she has a circle of friends that she loves and trusts. And don’t even get her started on the hazel-eyed, muscled up cowboy that makes her whole-body tremble with need. Life is good in this little Montana town and Brady is showing her and her little girl what real love is supposed to be.
Despite Brady’s best intentions he can’t resist his blue-eyed siren, or the sweet little girl that has him wrapped around her little finger. But when Abbi’s past catches up with them, Brady quickly realizes that the secrets that Abbi’s been keeping from him are far worse than any damage his career could do to them. Will they lose everything before it even really begins? Or will love prevail so they can get started on their forever On the Wild Side?
4.5 Stars
Talk about saving the best for last. She’s a Wild One delivers an explosive conclusion to the Wilds of Montana series with Millie and Holden‘s story.
Almost a decade ago, Millie and Holden shared a secret romance. As each of them was on the opposite side of feuding families, their relationship is forbidden. Their bond is deeper than they could’ve imagined, and after sharing the most intimate of intimacies with one another, both worlds crack apart. Fast forward to present Millie is the proud owner of the Bitterroot Valley coffee and Holden is running his ranch. To stay when the two are in close proximity to one another you can still see their attraction, chemistry, and tension that is just waiting to explode. When Holden‘s father passes away, he finds one more way to mess with Holden by stipulating in his wheel. He can’t inherit anything unless he’s married for a year. Holden comes up with a way to adhere to his dad stipulations while throwing one of the things he hated most right back in his face. Millie Wilde works very hard to be mad at Holden. When he approaches her to ask her to marry him, to help him be able to make it right for his sisters. Mill agrees with a list of conditions. Hoping that she could possibly get herself over this man.
It’s no secret that I have fallen in love with the Wilds of Montana series. Kristin Proby outdid herself with She’s a Wild One. I have been waiting for Millie and Holden story ever since we first met them. You could feel the attention between them and other books that were not even theirs. Holden has got to be the most swoon worthy male lead character that I have read in a long time. He takes off every box that you could possibly want. He is beyond loyal and protective to those he cares about. Millie is strong, independent and an all-around amazing person. She agrees to help hoping that she is going to be able to shake off the feelings that she’s carried for years but very quickly got the more she’s around Holden the more they intensify. The chemistry between these two is absolutely amazing. Millie and Holden have a bond that was deeper than either one of them realized. Their marriage begins on an emotional roller coaster ride. Millie‘s family is not happy with her, Holden reveals several secrets from his past, and their bond just gets deeper and deeper. Holden and Millie are so honest with each other. It takes their intimacy to a whole new level. I loved watching them come together.
She’s a Wild is such a wonderful read. You get a small town throw in a dream come true and a story that gives you all the emotions and a nice bit of heat. Millie and Holden story is definitely my favorite of the series and one that I will definitely go revisit from time to time
Review: Lonely for You Only by Monica Murphy
Lonely for You Only
Monica Murphy
A Lancaster Prep Novel
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 6, 2024
From New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Monica Murphy comes a swoon-worthy new adult romance full of love songs. Young heiress Scarlett Lancaster is delighted when her father tells her he hired a famous pop star and former boy band member to play at her eighteenth birthday. But delight becomes utter disappointment when it turns out he wasn’t talking about Harry Styles. No, Scarlett’s dad hired Tate Ramsey, former lead singer of the band Five Car Pileup, who hasn’t been popular for years. Tate, after years of alcohol- and drug-fueled partying, is sober and ready for a comeback. He is in top form at Scarlett’s party and blows the audience away with his performance—though Scarlett herself still isn’t impressed. But when they talk after he leaves the stage, their encounter ends in a kiss that surprises them both—and immediately goes viral. The viral kiss and the video of Tate singing at the party do wonders for both of their burgeoning careers. So after some careful negotiation, the two of them agree to start a fake relationship. But before long they discover their feelings might not be fake after all …
3 Stars
Scarlet Lancaster is beyond excited for her 18th birthday. Her father is surprising her by hiring a famous popstar to perform at her birthday. Having just finished high school and about to take a fantastic European vacation for her gap year things couldn’t be much better. Until the surprise musical entertainment is not quite who Scarlet thought it would be. Scarlet is thrown for a bit of a loop. When the guys she wants the attention of doesn’t seem to want her attention and someone that she thought was a husband gets her attention in more ways than one.
Tate Ramsey has lived a life. He’s performed for thousands and thousands of people, and gave himself a bit of a reputation as a Bad Boy. Falling into the Rockstar life of partying, his days in Five Car Pileup came to an end. Tate has spent some time getting his life back together, getting healthy and he’s trying to make a comeback. He is approached with an opportunity of a lifetime to play the birthday party of an 18-year-old girl. Hesitant at first, he’s decided that the payday is definitely worth it. However, what he didn’t expect was to have an heiress hit him hard in the heart.
Lonely For You Only is a coming of age, find yourself, light hearted, fake romance romance. I have to be honest I found myself putting this book down quite a bit through the first 2/3 of the story. I have to say it’s not that it was a bad story. It just didn’t have anything that kept me turning most pages. I am a big believer in giving every page a chance. Once I hit the last third of the book, I found that I was able to get into it a little bit more. I absolutely love the ending and I loved that Scarlet and Tate found a way to make them work.
Review: Happily Ever Maybe by Carrie Ann Ryan
Happily Ever Maybe
Carrie Ann Ryan
Montgomery Ink Legacy #4.5
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 13, 2024 by 1001 Dark Nights Press
NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Montgomery Ink Legacy continues with a workplace romance that started with a fling and ends with something more.
It was only supposed to be one job.
I know the rules.
Get in. Get out.
Protect the girl, then move on.
Only it never works out the way it should.
Now Jennifer and I work with each other and there’s no going back to normal.
Then it turned into something more.
Gus isn’t for me. I know that.
Only the chemistry that burns between us won’t fade away.
We promise it will only be one night.
Then another.
But when our actions have consequences that could mean the end of our future, we’ll have to figure out exactly what we want.
Even if it means walking away broken before it begins.
* *Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.* *
4 Stars
Hang on my reading friends, this one is fast and full throttle. Carrie Ann Ryan gives us a quick and hot read to warm us up on a winter day with Happily Ever Maybe.
Gus and Jennifer work for Montgomery security and have been partners for about a year. There’s no denying that they both are attracted to one another but with a job like theirs you have to put your feelings to the side. Or can they? Finally, they decide to put it all on the line for one night. But life steps in and handy them something else. We see a lot of things happen very quickly, but most of all we see two people stop, denying something that they will truly want and seeing how much their friends back them up in the process. This may be a quick read, but it packs the punch of a full novel and gives everything we love from a romance read.
Review: The Friendship Club by Robin Carr
The Friendship Club
Robin Carr
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
Four women come together at a tumultuous time in their lives, forging an unbreakable bond that will leave them all forever changed.
Celebrity cooking show host Marni McGuire has seen it all. She’s been married—twice—and widowed and divorced. Now in her midfifties, she’s single. Happily so. She just needs to convince her pregnant daughter, Bella, of this fact. And maybe convince herself, too. Especially after Marni’s efforts to humor her determined daughter result in a series of disastrous dates that somehow prompt Marni to wonder if maybe the right man for her is still out there after all.
Similarly single, Marni’s best friend and colleague is confident she’s content without a man, but both older women soon find themselves leading by example as the young intern on their show appears caught in a toxic relationship—and Bella reveals her own marriage maybe isn’t built to withstand the stresses of the baby on the way.
Suddenly, all four women find themselves at a crossroads, each navigating the challenges of dating, marriage, loneliness and love. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on. The realities of modern love are far from easy, but there’s no better group to have in your corner than friends who will lift you up, no matter what, and hold fast in the face of any storm.
4 Stars
Four women from four different walks of life come together in a unique friendship that has the bonds of a lifetime.
Marni is a Famous cooking show host who has been married twice, lost a husband to death and one to divorce. Now in her 50s, she is happily single and living her best life. And excited to become a grandma. Ellen, who is Marni’s friend, and production person on her show. She spent years taking care of her husband, who is now no longer with her. Ellen two is happy to be living the single life. Bella is about to embark on a new phase of womanhood by becoming a mother. And Sophia, an intern, at the cooking show who quickly becomes a friend. It’s just learning the ways of life and love.
Robyn Carr beautifully blended some romance, some suspense, and some women’s fiction into a fantastic story. It shows the bonds and strength of friendship. Coming together when needed. Finding strength through someone that you care about. Building each other up in the best possible way. And being there just being there. Robin touches on subjects that can be strenuous and triggering for some people. She does it with class and style. She is able to take these harsh subjects and show what friendship is really like amongst women who care about each other. This story was more than I expected it to be.
Review: Cherry Lane by Kristen Proby
Cherry Lane
Kristen Proby
Huckleberry Bay Series, Book 3.5
1001 Dark Nights
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 22, 2023
Sometimes, love is waiting in the most unexpected of places.
Zeke Cross is a big city guy who finds himself living in the smallest town on the face of the earth, running an auto repair shop with his best friend. Not just running, but owning. He’s not used to sleepy little towns. He craves noise, excitement, and people. And yet, he’s grown to love the town of Huckleberry Bay, and the people who have welcomed him into the fold. Almost everyone has been kind and accepting of the outsider.
Everyone except Cherry Dubois.
Cherry is a small town girl, and she misses the sleepy community from her childhood. Now, her home is overrun by move-ins, who seem hell-bent on bringing big city ideals to her little town, and ruining what she’s always had. Her neighbor, Zeke, is the most annoying of all, with his loud music and arrogant attitude. How is she supposed to think when he’s around? Sure, he’s handsome, but that almost makes it worse.
Then Cherry needs Zeke’s help, and she finds out that the big city guy isn’t all that bad, especially when he has his hands on her and makes her forget all the reasons why she doesn’t like him. But at the end of the day, will she be able to trust this man to stay for good, or will her worst fears come true?
** Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do. **
4 Stars
What an amazing short story. I love the town of Huckleberry Bay, and all the wonderful people who called at home. Cherry Lane is a quick read with all the feels.
Zeke has been a big city guy for all of his life. Now living in the small quiet town of Huckleberry, Bay, life is really slow down for him. He misses the noise and action of the city but yet he’s beginning to realize that this is his new home.
Cherry is a small town girl. She loves the cozy community in which she has grown up in. Until a city guy moved in next-door bringing his city ideas. Disrupting her peace with loud music and his fast paced way.
These two have so much chemistry. It is flowing out of them. Jerry and Zeke are amazing together. Their back-and-forth banter is humorous and entertaining. They obviously have an attraction for one another, but both being the stubborn people that they are, don’t see it until they do. Sherry kept herself extremely guarded. Zeke found away through her walls, and with a little bit of work, they found their way to one another. These two will have you laughing and make your heart very warm. A very sweet happily ever after.
Review: One Way Back to Me by Carrie Ann Ryan
One Way Back to Me
Carrie Ann Ryan
The Wilder Brothers Series, Book 1
One dance at a stranger’s wedding. That’s all it took for me to fall for Alexis.
And then? Disaster. Another man—her boyfriend—gets down on one knee and proposes to her.
I never thought I’d see her again.
Years later, I’m in desperate need of a wedding planner—not for myself, but for my company.
My five brothers and I need to get our new Wilder Resort off the ground, and Alexis is the only one savvy enough to help us.
But there’s the little matter that I still have it bad for her. Alexis has changed since the night we met. She’s gun shy. But there’s a spark between us that will not die. We both fight it, until we don’t.
Until history repeats itself. The same guy who took her away from me is back to do more damage. But this time he’ll have to go through me to get her.
Talk about chemistry and attraction making not one but two people stop in their tracks. A simple dance was all Eli needed to know that this beautiful stranger was the one for him. Life cut him hard with that his stranger was proposed to only minutes later.
Fast forward two years and things have changed a bit. Eli and his brothers are holding down their Resort. A band of military brothers running a resort may seem comical to some but The way I read it it was like therapy with alpha therapy to them. All recently leaving their respective services for one reason or another each one is on a very different path and finding his own way. Eli is constantly worrying as to whether he talked to his brothers into making the right choice for their futures. Finding themselves in need of a wedding planner for their resort, a blast from the past walks into Eli’s life, rekindling that spark all over again.
Alexis has been burned. Newly divorced and having her life taken from under her she is starting over. Trying to re-establish her name and reputation as a wedding planner, A friend sent her to a new resort looking for someone with her talent.
Walking into her interview at Wilder resort she lays her eyes on someone she didn’t think she’d say again. That spark of passion and chemistry once again ignites feelings all within her. Alexis sees this as a new beginning as long as the pass stays in the past.
I really enjoyed the introduction to the Wilder Brothers in One Way Back to Me. Eli and Alexis complement each other so well. They both had some baggage but I loved how they were able to work through their issues and come together as one. Eli is a workaholic but yet loyal and dedicated. Alexis is extremely sweet and amazingly talented. The two of them together are a force to be reckoned with. We meet each of the five brothers and learn that they have issues as well. With each of them just getting out of the service they are in a very different place mentally. Their actions prove that they are devoted and loyal to their family however each is holding something to themselves that we will have to wait and see unfold in future books. Carrie Ann Ryan gives us another group of brothers to get all swoony over.
Review: Brazen by Jayne Rylon
Brazen
Jayne Rylon
Powertools: The Shields Series, Book 3
Sola doubted her instincts after her best friend and partner on the Shields security team, Aarav, acted for months like the attraction between them didn’t exist. One wild night on their boss’s private jet proves she was spot on even if she has no idea where their relationship will go from there.
When they’re sent to assassinate the head of a money laundering operation at a brand new casino, Sola looks into the eyes of their target and her gut screams he’s not the source of the evil they’re hunting. Risking everything, Sola steps in between the man she loves and the one they’ve been sent to kill.
Sola’s instant and undeniable attraction to their unintended captive forces them to investigate him further and decide—will they eliminate him, protect him, or entice him to join their intimate partnership?
Brazen is a bisexual multipartner romance in NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jayne Rylon’s fan-favorite Powertools Universe. Visit your favorite characters or meet new ones in this interconnected, why choose standalone in the Powertools: The Shields MMF ménage series.
Sola and Aarav are on a mission unlike any that they have been before. Their friendship is something they both treasure yet they both want more and taking that next step has been a difficult one for them both. The mission at hand has all the cards on the table and everyone is seeing clearly. Yet when the target gives you such strong feelings and doubt of what you’re doing sometimes you have to take A step back and look at things for what they are. Cash was the target, not someone that they should’ve cared about or get an instant reaction from. The game is dangerous, once all the facts are no the way it’s played just may be life-changing.
Jayne Rylon combined an emotional journey, a dangerous mission and a love story all in one. Sola and Aarav danced around their chemistry for far too long. They wholeheartedly embraced their passion. Just as they are discovering themselves together, they realized they need something more than they knew. Cash was in a messed situation and two people saw something more inside he didn’t even know he had or wanted or needed. Together Sola, Cash and Aarav worked hard to find that together their world is right as rain and apart it is no way near the same. Brazen is sexy and emotional. There is nothing like a visit in the Powertools world.
Coffee Books Life 