ljamison01's reviews
1104 reviews

Lucky Shot by K. Bromberg

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Whitney grew up in numerous foster homes until she found a home near a soccer academy. The owner at that time offered her time to practice and learn from others but she had to be willing to help coach. As a teenager she felt unloved and unwanted. This man gave her something to hold onto and believe in. Hardy also had a terrible childhood except he had a mother and stepfather. But, his stepfather really didnt want him and his mother was willing to send him to boarding school so that her husband would be happy. So we have two people who have been disappointed and let down. Years later Whitney has taken over the soccer academy and she is a person lots of children look up to and admire. Now Hardy who is a British star player in the United States, but a P.R. nightmare, with one disaster after another. So to repair his reputation he must spend time at the academy. Now Whitney at first is very attracted to Hardy but after their very first encounter she’s annoyed by him. So this grumpy- sunshine relationship is a definite slow burn. The story is slow in some parts. But I did enjoy the banter between the two characters. The road to love is never easy and these two took the long hard road to their HEA. 

Captivating by Bella Matthews

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the fourth book in the Red Lips &White Lies series. I have read three of the books and really enjoyed them. This book features Lilah who is a famous singer who needs to halt her tour because of a stalker. So she returns to her home to be safe. Her brother convinces Killian her ex boyfriend a MMA champion to be her bodyguard and keep her safe. Now these two were together a long time and everyone thought they would marry but miscommunication caused these two to separate. So as they pretend they are involved feelings redevelop or return and they of course have this very tense and kinda sexy push-pull relationship. This is a great story with two really interesting characters. Lilah is strong and sassy and Killian is very confident, strong and protective especially toward Lilah. 

The Broker by Nikki Sloane

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is the sixth book in the Nashville Neighborhood.  I have read every book and loved them all this book is no exception. This book focuses on Charlotte and Noah (wow this is like the 4th book this month with the MMC’s name is Noah). They meet at a restaurant/bar when she is sitting at the bar and being harassed my another man and he comes over to rescue her. They leave together and have a very hot night except they don’t really seal the deal. Charlotte doesn’t want to be completely intimate unless she is in love. Charlotte is a bit of a mess. She’s back home living with her parents and working for them to earn money. She’s had a bit of bad luck. Now Noah is new in town, he’s an older man who is established and has a promising new job. The boss of his new job is Charlotte’s father. Yikes. So we now have these two fighting their attraction, giving in and then saying it can’t happen again. Noah doesn’t want to lose his new job and Charlotte’s parents are already disappointed in her. Great story with some very spicy scenes. No one write spice quite like Nikki Sloane. If you haven’t read any of the other books in this series please read them you will enjoy them all. This little town has a lot going on. 

Just One More Temptation by Carly Phillips

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the fourth book in the Sterling Family series. It’s the first book in the series I have read. Noah is a divorced father of twin girls. His ex wife is in Egypt on an archeological dig. His girls were being watched by a nanny. A nanny they aren’t overly fond of, so they ran off and ventured toward the gallery where Fallon worked. When the girls saw her they assumed that she was their mother. When Noah gets to the gallery he is immediately attracted to her as she is to him. But, his pressing issue is his daughters. His daughters (Dylan and Dakota) also are intrigued by her and her art work. Noah finds a reason to stop at the gallery at the attraction heats up. Now neither one is looking for a long term romance. Noah has his hands full and Fallon had a relationship with an older, successful man that didn’t end well before. This age gap romance also had a bit of a mystery in it. Great story of two people not looking for love but find it. Great extended family interactions. 

Single Mom's Guide to Love: A billionaire, marriage of convenience romance by Chelle Sloan

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. Maeve is our uptight a single mother. She is an interior designer and she is a little bored of always doing the same type of design. But in walks Logan, he is a nerdy gamer, wealthy and British. Logan shakes up Maeve’s world in a good way. Logan is absolutely adorable with Maeve’s son and is really able to connect with him. This was a sweet he falls first book and then rescues her when Jayce (her son’s) father comes into her life trying to cause a big upheaval. Very cute story with a little marriage of convenience thrown in. 

Hudson by Samantha Skye

emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the second book in the Billionaires of Whisper. In this small town romance we have Hudson a very wealthy single dad who wife died from cancer. He made a lot of money and now he wants a slower pace of life for him and his son. Although they believe he will bring technology to the hospital and upgrade it. He made it his mission to go see Lacy upon his return to town although he hid it behind a wellness visit for her mother who is sick. Lacy used to work at the bar and one night she had a terrible thing happen to her and luckily Hudson rescued her. Lacy and Hudson have a flirtatious relationship before the incident and since then she has refused to respond to his texts. Although she was  in counseling she is still really floundering. She having nightmares and has some serious trust issues. Hudson is such a great guy in his pursuit of her he tries to be mindful of her issues and his own. This was a really great story. I would encourage you to read the first book Tanner before reading this book. 

Between Dusk and Dawn by Vee Taylor

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is a standalone but it connected to two previous books (University of Isles). The author recommends that you read the other two books first and I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately I hadn’t read the first two books and there was one chapter where I was completely lost and had to reread it, to realize this book was discussing incidents that had occurred in the other books. After that wrap up chapter the book was so good. It was an interesting book about a young man named Walsh who wants to be the head of his mafia organization, his father is the current boss but he wants to take over. Now, Madison was the college roommate of his girlfriend and Walsh was obsessed with her. See both of them are wearing masks. Walsh knows and accepts that Madison will be his queen, she has darkness inside of her, although her mask shows this happy girl who just wants to fit it she is in fact not happy.  Madison’s hands and arms are scarred and she had an awful childhood and she desperately wants to be loved and cared for but, she goes about it the wrong way. Walsh was possessive, controlling and dominant he wants Madison but only on his terms. This book was angsty because I felt that Madison really wanted Walsh to love her while they were in college but he refused telling her he would find her when she was ready. Enjoyed the plot (definitely should have read the first 2 books first), enjoyed the author’s writing, and loved her complex characters. 

This Wild Heart by Karla Sorensen

emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This is the fifth book in the Wilder Family series. I don’t know why I didn’t read the first three books because Karla Sorensen is a favorite of mine. I loved her football series the Washington Wolves and the Ward sisters. However, this last book of the series she decided to bring back lots of previous characters from other books which is always nice. I felt a little lost about the first three couples but I will rectify when I read those first three books. This book focuses on Parker and Anya who get drunk in Vegas and get married. Instead of rushing for a divorce these two decide to just stay together. Parker plays in the NFL and he has a huge meddling family of sisters, sisters in laws and others. Now these two had met each other previously and Parker had been attracted to her but she was engaged. This story had a lot of twists and turns and some interesting moments. I enjoyed this story and I liked the characters and how they were able to help and support each other. 

Sin City Lights by Leigh Iversen

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I believe this is my very first book about a pilot and aviation (there may be a MMC who will be able to fly).  I learned a lot and it was very interesting. This book is about Adam and Eve. Eve is an escort a very expensive and in demand escort. Adam requests her on his birthday but they have a rather unusual experience because the room is dark and she was unable to see him. So when he requests her for several dates she refuses. Now Adam refuses to commit and instead indulges in using escorts to meet his needs. So he is annoyed that Eve won’t meet up with him again. Eve is working as an escort so that she can for fill her own dreams. So imagine her surprise when she goes out with a regular client and she meets Adam a billionaire owner and CEO of his own company. Adam continues to pursue Eve and she continues to retreat from him. Finally as these two connect they both realize this is more than just a transactional relationship. I really enjoyed this story and loved watching these two strong willed people realize that love is important and worth fighting for. 

Ice Contact by Ellie K. Drake

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I really enjoyed this hockey romance. Olivia works in an advertising company in the day but she’s a singer at night. One night while working at her usual bar for happy hour Hayes walks in. Hayes is a hockey star who was just transferred to Milwaukee. He’s wearing a baseball cap and he is unrecognizable to her and the bar patrons. He is mesmerized by her voice and enjoying her music. Later these two interact and he offers to help load her equipment into her car. After the set is over he helps her and she hugs him and just as they are about to kiss they are interrupted. Good thing because Olivia has a boyfriend. Three weeks later and they see each other again at the stadium, he’s playing for the Riders Hickey team and she sings the anthem before the game. Suddenly, sparks are flying, her relationship is over and her and Hayes are getting to know each other. I truly liked this story of a really nice guy, who wanted a relationship with a good woman. Hayes is sweet, thoughtful, and encouraging. Olivia is a little self conscious about certain things and has a hard time taking compliments. Hayes tries to support her and get her to know her own worth. Great story with great characters.