Short Take Reviews: Small Town Romance Edition

 

Fall With Me

by Brooke Montgomery

Series: Sugarland Creek #3

Published: 5/29/2024

Goodreads

4.25 stars

✔ Grumpy x Sunshine (she's the grump)

✔ Frenemies to Lovers

✔ Six Year Age Gap

✔ She Can't Stand Him (but he's Obsessed)

✔ Family Saga Series

I've been loving the Sugarland Creek series since its prequel (Come With Me) and each book has focused on one of the close-knit Hollis siblings. In this instance, it was Landen and did he have a time with Ellie. Her outright hostility did nothing to diminish his feelings for her. When a barrel racing accident left her with some short term memory loss, and she showed interest in Landen, he was torn but ultimately saw his chance - and hoped that if/when her memory returned, her new feelings for him would override whatever animosity she once had. If you love a guy who falls first, you'll love Landen and his unwavering feelings (and patience!) for Ellie. It's worth mentioning that, as with the previous books in the series, the prologue is truly heartbreaking as it sets up a significant event in Landen's past. Montgomery provides trigger warnings and also notes that the prologue can be skipped. 

The One I Left Behind

by Piper Rayne

Series: Plain Daisy Ranch #1

Published: 5/14/2024

Goodreads

4 stars

✔ Second Chance Romance

✔ Single Mom

✔ Retired Football Player

✔ Return to Hometown

✔ Former High School Sweethearts

Ben and Gillian had plans for their future. Ben was headed to college on a football scholarship and once he was drafted by the NFL they would marry and start their life together. Instead, their relationship foundered under the strain of separation and the break-up had a lasting impact on them both. Gillian is now a single mother and Ben has returned to his small Nebraska hometown to help on the family ranch. It was obvious there was unfinished business between these two characters and Gillian was understandably hesitant to revisit the past and go down that road again. Even so, these two seemed to rekindle their relationship awfully fast for two people who had been apart for fourteen years. That could have been a stumbling block, but I found the characters to be so likable that I was willing to go with the flow and just enjoy the ride. A highlight for me was the side story with Gillian's son and his relationship with Ben. There was some animosity there (on the boy's side) and I appreciated the way Ben didn't push and eventually earned his respect. The great cast of secondary characters and a set-up for the second book has me more than ready to continue the series.

Do you enjoy small town romance?

Short Take Reviews: Tempting Promises | Stay With Me | Last Call at the Local

 

Tempting Promises

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Whitlock Family #3

Pub: 2/22/2024

4 stars

Rowan and Charlotte were neighbors with adjacent farms. Rowan also happened to be Charlotte's sister's ex so Charlotte was duty-bound to loathe him. A series of events threw the two of them together and, naturally, the sparks flew. And when Charlotte was in danger of losing her farm, it was Rowan who stepped in to help. Charlotte was left to wonder if Rowan was the unfeeling player her sister claimed, or if there was more to Rowan that good looks and snarky comebacks.

I'll admit that enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope, but I do trust Corinne Michaels to deliver a good story - and that she did. Rowan's reputation in their small town took a hit when Charlotte's sister dragged his name through the mud. People like a juicy story better than the truth, so he gave up trying to set the record straight. In additional to rising above petty gossip, Rowan also had a huge heart and I loved the bond he had with his niece, and his love for his family. It took Charlotte longer to come around than I would have liked - Rowan came to her rescue both literally and figuratively more than once, proving he was a good guy - and I wanted to shake her for blindly believing her sister when all the evidence showed that her story was faulty. As always, Corinne Michaels excelled at creating a believable family dynamic with strong ties. I liked how Charlotte's issues at the farm were resolved and getting more time with the rest of the Whitlock family was a bonus.

Stay With Me

by Brooke Montgomery

Series: Sugarland Creek #2

Pub: 2/7/2024

4.25 stars

Magnolia spent years in an on again-off again relationship with a total loser. She'd been crushing on her best friend's brother for years but he never showed any interest. Tripp pined for Magnolia but wouldn't interfere in her relationship and had long accepted his place in the friend zone. When Magnolia is finally single, she and Tripp can (finally!) act on their mutual feelings. When Magnolia learns she's pregnant from a drunken night with her ex (pre-Tripp), she worries that things might be over before they've even really began.

The prologue (which had me teary-eyed) really set up Tripp's background and explained the issues with guilt and anxiety that plagued him. He was an absolute sweetheart and I liked seeing him open up to Magnolia about his mental health, knowing that she provided a safe space for him. Magnolia was a wild one, and her decision-making skills (or lack thereof) sometimes made her seem immature for her age. But there was no denying their chemistry and their feelings for one another. I did feel this one lagged a bit and got bogged down in details that just weren't necessary (like lengthy descriptions of the 90's movies that they watched). At 400+ pages, it felt overly long, but even so I was invested in their story and loved the inclusion of the rest of the Hollis clan. The minor suspense plot was a nice touch but it was Tripp who was the shining star here. His devotion to Magnolia gave all the swoony feelings. 

Last Call at the Local

by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Series: Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3

Pub: 1/2/2024

4.5 stars

Raine walked away from medical school and a life she did not want to become a traveling musician, busking her way across Europe. When stranded in a small town in Ireland, she accepts a temporary job from pub owner Jack. Free-spirited Raine makes friends, revitalizes the pub, and in Jack she finds someone who accepts and appreciates her just as she is. 

I find it impossible not to gush over this charming tale. Raine and Jack were such perfectly crafted characters, and while they each had their struggles (Raine had ADHD and Jack had OCD), they were so much more than those labels. Where others struggled to understand, Jack and Raine simply accepted each other's foibles and quirks. I adored their banter, their inside jokes, and their easy and honest way of communicating (so refreshing!). Beyond Raine and Jack, the entire cast of secondary characters were an absolute delight, right down to Sebastian the cat (aka Princess Ugly). I listened to this one on audio and the narrators were sheer perfection. Karissa Vacker and Gary Furlong brought the story to life in a way that had me seeing every scene, laughing out loud, and feeling every heartfelt moment.

Have you read any of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Pittsburgh Titans series | Hendrix, Bain, Van2

 

Hendrix

by Sawyer Bennett

Series: Pittsburg Titans #7

Pub: 6/6/2023

4 stars

Hendrix Bateman was considered one of The Lucky Three, among the trio of players that were not with the team when the plane crashed. Hendrix was possibly the most well-adjusted of the three and was grateful for his good fortune and second chance. After ending a bad relationship that had run its course, an encounter with a feisty bartender had Hendrix ready to take a chance again.
 
Bar-owner Stevie was tough as nails and could handle her own with her sometimes raucous clientele, but being abandoned by her mother as a child had left its mark. Desperate for a connection with her mother, Stevie allowed herself to be manipulated by her time and time again.
 
Hendrix was an absolute sweetheart and so supportive of Stevie. Unfortunately, Stevie’s continued need to forge a relationship with her mother created a lot of drama and came close to ruining her relationship with Hendrix. As usual with this series, the camaraderie among the teammates is always a highlight for me, and it was great to see Stevie pulled into the fold of the Titans family.

Bain

by Sawyer Bennett

Series: Pittsburg Titans #8

Pub: 11/3/2023

4.25 stars

Bain was recently traded to the Titans and was excited to be a part of the team that had overcome such adversity. Meeting the goalie’s sister at a team event set off instant sparks and, since neither was interested in a relationship, they embarked on a no-strings-attached fling. Naturally, both refused to admit they were catching real feelings so when faced with a serious situation they pulled apart instead of pulling together.
 
This entry in the series packed an emotional punch and it was hard to see both characters suffer. Despite all their protests it was obvious that they had something real and their mutual denial that it was anything other than physical was pretty funny. I especially appreciated the way Bain’s teammates rallied around him when he was struggling. 

Van2

by Sawyer Bennett

Series: Pittsburg Titans #10

Pub: 11/30/2023

3.5 stars

Retired from his hockey career, Van had settled in Vermont for a quiet life with his wife Simone, hoping to start a family. When a book was published based on the diaries of his serial-killer father, filled with salacious lies meant to hurt Van, he reacted by pushing Simone away. Convinced that the stigma would damage not only Simone but their future children, Van quickly signed a new contract with the Titans and left Simone. Unwilling to let Van’s emotional reaction to the book derail their future, Simone followed Van to Pittsburgh, determined to save their marriage.
 
As much as I love this series, I’m sad to say that I struggled with this one. I understood Van's fears and his (misguided) reasoning, but the way he was intentionally cruel to Simone was hard to get past. I admired Simone’s tenacity and her desire to make Van see reason, but his cutting remarks, meant to hurt her and drive her away were hard to take. There is no good reason to inflict such pain on someone you love. My disappointment in Van’s actions meant this was a low point in the series for me. 

Do you read hockey/sports romance?

Short Take Reviews: Three Piper Rayne Titles

 

The Problem with Second Chances

by Piper Rayne

Series: Lake Starlight #1

Pub: 5/16/2023

Format: Audio

4 stars

Rylan and Calista had been in each other's lives since they were six years old: as rivals, teammates, friends, and lovers. Everyone knew they belonged together. Both professional soccer players, things changed dramatically when Calista's career ended due to an injury. She returned to her small hometown of Lake Starlight, Alaska to lick her wounds and start over. Three years later, Rylan is back in Lake Starlight for their friend's wedding and he makes it known that Calista is still his one and only. He has just three weeks to get Calista to open up, to give them a second chance, and make her believe they belong together forever. Having read Piper Rayne's Greene Family series, I already knew and loved Rylan and Calista. I was happy to return to Lake Starlight (and nearby Sunrise Bay) and so many characters who were familiar to me. While I love a second chance romance, I did find myself frustrated with Calista at times because there was truly nothing keeping she and Rylan apart - other than her own issues and insecurities. Love was not the problem, but it was a case of sometimes love not being enough. Despite wishing that Calista would have been more forthcoming with Rylan from the start, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them find their way back to one another.

The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates

by Piper Rayne

Series: Lake Starlight #2

Pub: 6/27/2023

Format: Audio

4.25 stars

Widowed at 21, after just one year of marriage, Brinley knows that it's time to move on. It's been four years, but family and friends still treat her with kid gloves. Enter Van Adler, who answers her ad for a roommate. Forced by his Coast Guard Commanding Officer to take eight weeks of leave, Van arrives in Lake Starlight, secures a bartending job, and a place to stay. Van's background was heartbreaking and while his appearance (tattooed and muscled) might have screamed bad boy, he was anything but. Kind, compassionate, and patient, Van was the stuff of book boyfriend dreams. While they initially both withheld information - Brinley let Van assume she was divorced; Van did not share that he was there temporarily - I loved how over time they did share the truth, without there being third act bombshells. I enjoyed seeing Van encourage Brinley to follow her passion without guilt over family expectations, and Brinley slowly moving past her grief and embracing life again made me want to cheer for her. Van's background had him feeling so unworthy, as if he had no value and nothing to offer, so I appreciated that Brinley took steps to fight for him and their HEA. This felt like a stronger and emotional story than the first book in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Over My Brother's Dead Body, Chase Andrews

by Piper Rayne

Series: Kingsmen Football Stars #3

Pub: 3/24/2023

Format: Kindle

4 stars

Twyla has been dumped by her cheating fiancé and relocates from Connecticut to California for a break from all the pitying stares. Taking a job to house/pet-sit, she finds herself living across the hall from none other than Chase Andrews, her professional football player brother's teammate. Reticent and anti-social, Chase was the grumpiest of grumps. When Twyla convinced him to take in a stray kitten, it kicked off a friendship of sorts and the two began spending time together. Their mutual attraction led to a friends with benefits arrangement which (obviously) led to some very real feelings - although neither was brave enough to admit their hearts were now involved. What I loved about Chase was that, despite that grumpy exterior, he had the softest of hearts. His actions always belied his words and while he would grumble and complain, the big bear of a man would do absolutely anything for Twyla. He loved her sunny disposition and these two opposites definitely attracted. If you enjoy a grumpy-sunshine romance on the lighter side, You'll love Twyla and Chase.

Have you read any of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Further to Fall (Catherine Cowles ) and Kiss of Snow (Nalini Singh)

 

Further to Fall

by Catherine Cowles

Pub: 10/24/2018

Format: Kindle

4 stars

An MMA fighter trying to take on the world. A teacher trying to make the world a better place. A friendship neither expected.

Until one night, one mistake tore them apart.

Losing her almost broke him. But he climbed his way out of the darkness and now he’s back and determined to battle for his girl.

But, from the sidelines, someone watches. Someone who’ll do just about anything to keep them apart. Their second chance might be over before it even begins.

  

What worked for me: Having read and loved so many from Catherine Cowles (a dozen or more), I decided to do a deep dive into her backlist. Further to Fall is her first published novel and while it won't go down as a favorite, I still enjoyed it. Carter was a sweetheart and I loved how dedicated she was to her job and her students. Her pining for Austin felt genuine and my heart hurt for her, wanting what she was sure would never be. The banter between the friend group was a lot of fun and a real highlight. But what really got me, was when the lightbulb went on above my head and I realized most of these characters were either featured or appeared in Cowles' Sutter Lake series. Getting a glimpse of them in the past so to speak, while knowing their future stories, put a big smile on my face.

But not so much: Austin had serious commitment issues after being burned in the past, so when he learned the depth of Carter's feelings for him he handled it in the worst way possible. He was intentionally cruel and hurtful and I seriously disliked him for that. Carter forgave him way too easily and I needed a lot more groveling from him to really redeem himself.

Kiss of Snow

by Nalini Singh

Pub: 5/1/2011

Format: Kindle

4.25 stars

Since her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness: "Hawke." Alpha and dangerous, he lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. Now he walks alone. But Sienna stirs his primal heart, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets, a deadly enemy is striking at everything the pack holds dear...but Sienna's darkest secret may savage the pack that is her home-and the alpha who is its heartbeat.

  

What worked for me: I'd been waiting for Hawke and Sienna's story for a long time and Kiss of Snow delivered that and more. These two characters have been dancing around each other, and clashing, for a long time. And while it took a while (a long while!) for Hawke to finally come to his senses, once he did the results were epic. I loved their dynamic and they way Sienna held her own against the alpha of the SnowDancer pack, letting him know in no uncertain terms that when it was just the two of them he was never to "pull rank" on her. The addition of the secondary romance between Walker and Lara was an unexpected surprise, and one that I was totally there for. The plot showcased the escalating friction between the Psy and the Changelings, and the growing threat of all-out war really amped up the tension. All in all, one of my favorite entries in the series so far.

But not so much: Sienna's Psy abilities, and her efforts to control them, were a large part of the story. There was a pivotal action scene where Sienna put her abilities to use and, unfortunately, it didn't make a lot of sense to me. The aftermath conflicted with the way the scene was described and what little explanation was provided afterward didn't really shed any light. I had to decide to just go with it. While confusing, it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story.

Have you read either of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Too Late (Colleen Hoover) and The Next Best Day (Sharon Sala)

 

Too Late

by Colleen Hoover

Content warning (highlight to view): sexual assault, abusive relationship, drug use, violence, mental illness

4.5 stars

Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves. And she does so, every single day. Caught up with the alluring Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker, Sloan has finally found a lifeline to cling to, even if it’s meant compromising her morals. She was in dire straits trying to pay for her brother’s care until she met Asa. But as Sloan became emotionally and economically reliant on him, he in turn developed a disturbing obsession with her—one that becomes increasingly dangerous every day.

When undercover DEA agent Carter enters the picture, Sloan’s surprised to feel an immediate attraction between them, despite knowing that if Asa finds out, he will kill him. And Asa has always been a step ahead of everyone in his life, including Sloan. No one has ever gotten in his way.

No one except Carter. Together, Sloan and Carter must find a way out before it’s too late.

What worked for me: This 2016 release from CoHo managed to sit on my shelf for almost 7 years before I picked it up. When I finally did, I could not put it down again. This is not swoony romance Colleen Hoover. This is dark and twisted Colleen Hoover. Told from three different points of view - Sloan, Carter, and Asa - and each one had me flipping pages as fast as I could. Asa was a villain you love to hate and while he may have been psychotic, he was also diabolical and freaking brilliant. His twisted games were so warped. The fast pace kept the tension high and even though this whole thing was over the top and veered into crazy town, I was 100% there for it. Colleen has her fans (raises my hand) and her detractors, but there's no denying she can write a story that feels unputdownable. 

But not so much: I suppose an argument could be made that Sloan was a weak heroine who went from using/depending on one man to latching on to another. And yes, there was some serious insta-connection/insta-love happening with Carter, but I was willing to go with it. I was so completely invested in this wild ride that my mantra was "bring on more crazy!"

The Next Best Day

by Sharon Sala

Content warning (highlight to view): school shooting, PTSD, death of a spouse (not on page)

3.75 stars

A fresh start for a young teacher to build the life she's dreamt of.
A second chance at romance for a single dad.
The warm and uplifting small-town community cheering them on.

After two back-to-back life-changing events, first grade teacher Katie McGrath left Albuquerque for a fresh start in Borden's Gap, Tennessee. She is finally back in the classroom where she belongs, but it will take a little while for her to heal and feel truly like herself. She'll need to dig deep to find the courage it takes to try again—in life and in love—but with some help from her neighbor Sam Youngblood and his adorable daughters who bring her out of her shell, her future is looking brighter than she dared imagine.

What worked for me: The first chapter was truly overwhelming, with both a left-at-the-altar moment and a school shooting at the elementary school where main character Katie was a first grade teacher. It was harrowing, intense, and hard to read. The second chapter, which dealt with the immediate aftermath, was just as heartbreaking. Things lightened up considerably when Katie moved to a small town in Tennessee for a fresh start. Her neighbor Sam, the chief of police, and his twin six-year-old daughters were taken with Katie from the start, and various members of the small community welcomed Katie with open arms. The relationship with Sam developed without a single hitch and twins Evie and Beth were adorable. Yeah, Sam fell into the too-good-to-be-true realm, but I didn't even care. He was thoughtful, compassionate, and just what Katie needed. 

But not so much: Two things. One, the overall feeling (and a lot of the dialogue) was way too saccharine for me. Sometimes it felt like these characters were straight out of the 1950's with the way they spoke. There were some serious issues addressed (like child abuse) and it was an odd juxtaposition to the otherwise super sweet tone. Secondly, the chapters from Katie's ex's point of view felt so out of place and unnecessary. They spanned almost the entire book and then stopped abruptly with no real resolution. Each chapter from the ex's POV pulled me out of Katie's story and left me wondering why they had been included.

Have you read either of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Fireball | River's Guilt

 

Fireball

by Abbi Glines

Series: Smoke #2

Tropes: age gap, alpha male, mafia/organized crime, TSTL heroine

Buckle up, buttercups, because we’re back for another ranty review. Fireball is the sequel to Smokeshow and you can read my reviewfor that craziness here.

When we last saw our dimwitted heroine, she had learned some shocking/disturbing news about her a-hole boyfriend, Blaise, and taken off on her own. A few weeks have now passed and Maddie (aka our dimwit heroine) returns to Blaise. Of course she does. Because Maddie has no backbone, zero agency, and just passively does whatever she is told what to do. Everyone around her is shady AF and she is consistently kept in the dark. Then Dimwit manages to get kidnapped… again. That’s right, folks, she gets kidnapped in both books. I swear, I don’t know how this girl gets through the day without walking into walls. But okay, I’m hanging in there… until the train really jumps the track. Because Dimwit wants to stay with her kidnapper. YOLO, right? There are Reasons, but whatever, I’m so over her at this point. Dimwit is rescued/sent back home and then makes excuses for the person who betrayed her and helped her abductor. I’m sorry, what? *shakes head trying to comprehend* Then Blaise builds Dimwit a big house so she can decorate it. The end.

There you have it, friends, that’s Fireball in a nutshell. Now you don’t have to read it. You’re welcome.  2.5 stars

River's Guilt

by Monique Orgeron

Tropes: motorcycle club, enemies to lovers, single parent

Based on the reviews and average rating (4.47) at Goodreads, this is obviously a case of it’s-not-you-it’s-me. The synopsis made it sound like this would be right up my alley. I mean, I seriously love a pining hero. Unfortunately, I was left wanting.

Regina’s husband Aiden, a member of the Crescent Kings MC, was killed six years ago, leaving her to raise their young son. Aiden’s father, the president of the MC, has been there for them, as has Aiden’s best friend, River. After six years Regina is desperate to move on but the one man she wants is River, the man who is there for her son but clashes with Regina constantly. Meanwhile, River is tormented by his love for Regina, but will not betray his fallen friend. This means both of them are (outwardly) denying their feelings and continuously lash out at each other. That’s well and good… up to a point. But this went on for 300+ pages and felt so repetitive. The payoff happened way too late in the story – as in the last 5% of the book. They bickered, said horrible things, and hurt one another over and over. Rinse and repeat. And then, in the last chapter, River comes to his senses, and all is well. Sure, I love pining, and I love a good slow burn, but there had better be a big payoff at the end. And this one just didn’t deliver. 3 stars 

Have you read either of these books?