Review: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter

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There isn’t a book that I’ve read by Denise Hunter that I haven’t loved. I hadn’t gotten a chance to read this series before this book but will back read to get a better picture of everything that led until this moment. Autumn Skies can be read alone and get a could grasp of what is happening but I recommend reading the preceding novels to appreciate more of the progression of the events in the series.

In the conclusion of her series, Autumn Skies brings us to the Bluebell Inn. Secret Service Agent Wyatt Jennings after an incident has been off his game and was told he had to take a mandatory leave of absence from his job. Triggering a childhood trauma, he has been unable to maintain focus on his critical job. Trying to cope and amend his past, Wyatt finds himself at the Bluebell Inn, a place where his past and present collide.

Grace Bennett, one of the siblings who own the inn, has a lot going on in her life. She has her own business as well as running the inn. When Wyatt Jennings comes strolling in looking for refuge all handsome and reserved, Grace finds herself taken back by his presence. Upon hearing of his interest in hiking, Grace decides to offer her services both helping her business and him do something fun. As the two get to know each other, a secret from her past collides with Wyatt unexpectedly that changes their lives forever.

Overall, despite not knowing their backstory, I feel based on what I read in this book, this was a great ending to what seems like a wonderful series. The Bennett family seems like one that you will fall in love with. I love their relationship as siblings and reading glimpse of their past make me anticipate what I need to catch up on. Like I said before, I think you should start from the beginning because it sounds like each book is going to be one that you will dive right into because there has been so much that has happened to them. She always has such lovable characters that you want to root for because she bring so much into them that you just can’t help to keep turning.

Review: Kill Chain by Dominic Martell

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To be honest, this one is not one that I would’ve chosen to read on my own. I’ve shied away from books in this genre but have found recently opening up more and more finding them on a case by case basis better than I thought. I’m not familiar with the preceding book featuring this character but I’m very glad that I took a chance on this book.

Pascale Rose was a former terrorist who has been under the radar for the past twenty years. One day he received a text that drew him back into a life he’d long abandoned. Not given an option with the stakes of harm to his wife and son, he reluctantly complied giving readers an exciting plot twist novel that was filled with action, suspense and just a thrilling experience.

Overall, I found the intricate plot interesting and the decision to bring back this character was a great one. I’m not familiar with his past, so I can’t recommend the sequence to your reading. Just based on curiosity, I will back read to familiarize myself with his backstory. Good plot, just the right pace and just simply a good read.

Review: The Prince’s Bride by J.J. McAvoy

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This was my most anticipated book of the latter half of the year. And I’m pleased to say I was not disappointed.

In order to receive her inheritance, Odette must marry someone who is worthy and of status. And who is both of those things? Prince Gale, whose family is in desperate need of money. Both Gale and Odette are hesitant to marry, as their families continuously pressure them.

I was completely engaged in this book. Arranged marriages are a hit or miss with me. But I enjoyed this. The plot was entertaining and addicting. I struggled with putting this book down. And luckily, this book is part of a duology. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment. Because again, I’m highly interested in how this story is going to play out.

Both Gale and Odette were great characters. I didn’t prefer one POV more than the other. Both were equally great. And it was interesting to see them change through this conflict in their life.

It was very romantic. Gale is a prince and also a poet. I thoroughly enjoyed the bit where him and Odette were writing letters to each other back and forth. I thought that was a nice touch, and it warmed my heart.

In addition, to this book having a great romance – the family aspect of it is great too. Odette has a complicated family history. And both hers and Gale’s families are nicely woven into the book. It doesn’t lack nor is it not interested. I was highly invested in the family aspect as well.

Final Thoughts

The Prince’s Bride is an addicting story of two people forced to marry to save their family. 

Review: The Widow Spy by Martha Peterson

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I remember learning about the Cold War in school; but I’ve never read it from the perspective of a CIA operating during that time. During quarantine, I recently binged the FX show The Americans. It’s about two KGB agents who were sent to the United States during the 1980s. After finishing the show, I hopped on YouTube and started watching a couple of interviews of the lead actors. On a panel with them, there were a couple of former CIA agents. Martha Peterson was one of them. She was asked about her time operating in Moscow and she explained a story where she was captured by the KGB after a mission was compromised. After hearing that story, I was intrigued and immediately got her book.

The Widow Spy is an enlightening and intriguing read. It was hard to put the book down. As the story progresses so do readers' heartbeats because it’s clear where this is going. With Martha being arrested. Martha goes from being a young woman, who just lost her husband in a tragic accident, to an important asset to the CIA in Moscow. 

I do wish that the author included much more of an epilogue. The book begins with her revealing to her teenage children that she had been a spy and had been married before. I wish that it circled back to that. And as intriguing as this book was, I also wanted to know more about her time as a CIA agent throughout her long career.

Final Thoughts

The Widow Spy is an interesting story of how someone joined the CIA and became a part of history. 

Review: All About Us by Tom Ellen

I’m not the only one who thinks from time to time, if I made a different decision with someone else, could life have been different? All About Us, takes love on the what if and shows the potential of the temptation when life gets tough, what could be.

Ben and Daphne have been together for awhile, just like many couples, they have been going though some obstacles in their marriage that had left them feeling disconnected. When an old friend appears, Ben wonders if life would’ve been different had he gotten with Alice instead of Daphne.

One night while hanging out with a friend at a local bar, Ben comes in contact with a man who gives him a chance to test fate. Instead of wandering, the man gives him a watch that takes him back to the beginning where his choice began between the two. While getting the chance to do over again, it’s up to him to make the decisions to lead to what his true heart was or is meant to go.

I loved the book. I had no idea that this was written by a guy until I finished the book. I say that because I couldn’t put my finger on what made Ben’s character so special as the book progressed. It had a different vibe that captured a sensitive, vulnerable depth that I really appreciated. It’s sort of interesting because when I first started reading, I’d thought I made up my mind about what I knew was right for Ben. What a complete twist in thought by the end. The plot twist with the going back in time had me wanting to grab some tissues because some of those moments were so heart breaking and memorable. Your heart just aches with Ben.

Overall, it was beautiful and engaging, sprinkles with moments that will make you laugh, cry and make your heart smile. By the way, the picture under the umbrella, just beautiful. Make sure you add this one to your TBR.

Review: Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend by Lucy Eden

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Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend was adorable and entertaining.

The story centers around Jordyn. She has arrived in Culver City, CA to interview for the job of her dreams. While browsing at a bookstore, she meets Mike. He’s irresistible and she agrees to spend the day with him.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were extremely likable and charming. Their chemistry was off the chart. The teasing and flirting were honestly top tier. And despite these characters knowing each other for a short amount of time, their development never felt rushed. It felt natural.

This is a book that could be turned into a very good romantic comedy. It has the sworn worthy guy, a great main character, and an entertaining plot that is surprisingly a little unpredictable. Bonus points for it being funny.

I think one small issue I had with the book was the ending. Jordyn had a big decision to make and the way the book ends, readers are left hanging. There is an epilogue that I was extremely thankful for because it did provide details of her decision. However, it was one year later.

Final Thoughts

Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend is a feel-good entertaining book with a great romance.