vicki_williams's reviews
2716 reviews

Saving Mr. Bell by H.L Day

funny inspiring relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

After a brief encounter 6 years earlier circumstances have Arlo jumping into action to help Rudolf through the fallout of a bad performance. By help I mean Arlo “borrowing” Rudolph and taking him to a secluded cabin to stop him spiralling further. As there is only one bed and a blizzard to keep them snowed in for days, it’s not long before the sweet and acerbic Rudolph doesn’t really mind the situation he has found himself in as the chemistry intensifies between him and Arlo. Leading to some steamy moments balanced with some sweet tender times. The real world soon intrudes before too long but once Rudolph gets some work related issues sorted he’s soon back in the cabin with Arlo moving towards their HEA. 

This is a wonderful Christmas story filled with all the trope goodness and two wonderfully likeable main characters who banter with and snark at each other. It felt like I never stopped smiling whilst I was reading this throughly enjoyable and entertaining book. Highly recommended! 

Ghost of Retribution by Alice Winters

funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0

This is book 4 in the Medium Trouble series and once again Hiro and Maddox find themselves running into trouble with some chaos on the side. It all starts in the plane on the way to Japan and it’s pretty much full on and non stop until the very end. Of course Reggie, Natalie and Keaton are included in the mayhem as well as some new and very interesting side characters. I was hooked from the very beginning as this intriguing storyline wound its way through some twists and turns until Hiro, Maddox (and their human and ghostly helpers) bested the baddies. Of course there’s the signature hilarity, sass and banter this author is well known known for, some steam, some sweet, a very satisfying conclusion to the chaos and one very swoon worthy “oh my heart” moment that left me a touch giddy and with a huge smile 😊. 

No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock, Lisa Henry

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Harvey is the sweetest most adorkable Festival Museum employee with a love of Trixie Belden, random facts and Christmas trivia. Circumstances bring Sterling from New York and into the orbit of Harvey. He also happens to bring a mystery in need of solving which means he and Harvey form the “Fans of Teenage Girl Amateur Detective Club.” With help from some of the quirky residents the mystery is solved and the less than cheerful family backstory turns out to be one of happiness. Along the way Sterling re-evaluates what is important in his life and it turns out to be Harvey and Christmas Falls. 

I found this to be a very enjoyable read with wonderful characters, a story line that kept me fully engaged and a heartwarming HEA that left me smiling. 

Say Their Names: A World AIDS Day Charity Anthology by Evie McGlynn, Breanna Rae, A.M. Arthur, Courtney W. Dixon, Shane K. Morton, AE Lister, Ana Ashley, Aries France, L.C. Chase, Marie Sinclair, J.L. Gribble, Essie Sloane

inspiring relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

So happy to be back in Stillwater. 

As part of the World AIDS Day Anthology: Say Their Names, Ana Ashley takes us back to Stillwater for a quick visit and we get to see Julius from the popular Bittersweet Coffee Shop find love. He unfortunately has no end of bad luck when it comes to keeping staff and not having his kitchen catch fire. That all changes when pastry chef Constantine and his teenaged brother Leo unexpectedly arrive after Julius’s latest kitchen disaster. The connection between Constantine and Julius is pretty much instant and it’s not long before the chemistry between them ignites even though they both tried to fight it. 

There’s some mild angst in regard to Leo and his circumstances but only one very minor frustration relationship wise for Julius and Constantine on the road to their HEA. I loved every moment of this enjoyable , quick read with it’s wonderful characters and small town vibes and an ending that left me smiling 😊 

(This is the only story from the anthology that I’ve read so far) 

Edited to add : I have now completed the remaining stories in the anthology and I have just have say that each one was wonderful. All different from each other but all written with compassion and sensitivity towards the topic of HIV/AIDS. A truly beautiful anthology. 

Yes Guy by Barbara Elsborg, Barbara Elsborg

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Circumstances throw Heath and Tristan together with a rather unique first meet cute. They are both having a less than festive time in their life, basically they’re both in a bit of mess after unexpected breakups. These two very likeable men quickly take advantage of the situation and give in to the chemistry that sparks between them. There’s plenty of laughs and banter as they discover who they really are and what they mean to each other. 

This is very easy and enjoyable read which had me giggling in places and feeling a bit heart sore for Heath’s backstory in others. With a little dash of Christmas magic and saying yes to opportunities instead of no, Tristan and Heath get a well deserved HEA with the person truly meant for them. I also enjoyed their non traditional Christmas tree decorations! 

Once Upon A Second Chance by Davidson King

inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

A heart warming holiday romance 

Daniel and Aaron are just perfect for each other. They may have an age difference as well as being from different socioeconomic groups but they just click. These two wonderful men find themselves brought together due to a snow storm and before long Aaron finds that he may possibly enjoy what Everlasting Springs has to offer. Of course Daniel plays a huge part in that. They take their time getting to know each other better whilst working to get the towns Christmas Festival back on track. 

I loved seeing nomadic Aaron find a safe place to call home, that place being Daniel. Daniel is a genuinely nice guy who just adores the town and its residents and Aaron. There’s is a beautiful  story that is filled with hope, happiness and love. It’s a low angst story that ends with a heart warming HEA which left me smiling.  

The Rivals of Copper County by May Archer

funny relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adored Watt and Jasper. The way they bantered and teased each other, challenged each other  and the constant bets being made. They have a history dating back to their teenage years but didn’t reconnect until 20 years later. That history left some very complicated feelings between them leading to some minor misunderstandings and frustrations in the here and now. Their rivalry from the past is known by the all the town residents and Watt and Jasper have no inclination to stop it. As these two wonderful men start to build a new foundation to their friendship, based on more than teenage rivalry and misunderstandings, their feelings develop and go through stages until ultimately they accept their love for each other unconditionally and get their longed for HEA. 

I loved how they support and challenge each other to be the best versions of themselves and recognise each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Their love story had me invested from the very beginning and kept me engaged to the very end. An ending that left me with the biggest smile and happiest heart as I finished the final page. If you enjoy a small town romance with lots of baking, steamy and sweet moments, high school hockey coaching when the new coach can’t skate and knows nothing about hockey and a superb cast of secondary characters to keep things interesting then this book is for you. 

Tastes Like Sugar by Becca Seymour

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

A super “sweet” age gap romance 🥰 

Sully makes his way to Colliers Creek to escape the drama of city life and to have a fresh start. He and Hayes, the sweetest man with a love of sugar, have an encounter together without knowing each other’s background or employment. Of course they are both surprised but calm and confident Sully can’t help himself when it comes to easygoing and carefree Hayes whilst Hayes is absolutely smitten by Sully. 

There’s plenty of chemistry between them leading to steamy times mixed with adorably sweet moments. 

 I loved everything about this enjoyable and engaging low angst romance. The wonderful main and secondary characters, the small town holiday feels, Hayes and his devotion to all things sugar and of course the heartwarming HEA that had me smiling.

Zephyr by Louisa Masters

relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Loved Zephyr and Storm 😍

Until Storm entered his life Zephyr was constantly distracted by the avalanche of whispers that the air would send his way. He literally was unable to focus enough to pay attention. The moment he meets Storm, the voices are not as intrusive. Theirs is very much an Insta love situation - I loved how Storm couldn’t stop his babbling at the first meeting and how he felt like the breeze was flirting with him. There’s a bit of a time jump between this and the last novella and the Conservation Kings are gaining traction and their message is spreading wider as the overall story arc continues. 

Flame by Louisa Masters

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Loved it 😍 

Another quick and enjoyable read in the series. Flame knows of firefighter Bran as they often see each other at fires. Enough times that Bran did once accuse Flame of being the arsonist. It does take Bran a bit of time to accept the concept of the Elemental Men whereas his younger teenage brother Cody is all over it and soon becomes an integral part of their operations. He also pushes Bran to see what’s right in front of him when it comes Flame - his fated mate.