Review: Still on Fire by Renee Linnell

To my disappointment that I hadn't discovered The Burn Zone before, Still On Fire showed up right on time. This page turning exploration of her unapologetically choosing and listening to herself had me so invested. We live vicariously through her adventures gaining insight from living her best life. Let me tell you, if I ever get the courage to finally not be afraid to live my own life, she is the person that I would want to go on a road trip with.

Still on Fire, is the anticipated sequel to her previous book, The Burn Zone. Due to my conservative prudeness, she did raise a few eyebrows for me but I found myself internally overjoyed with her journey. Her life hasn't been easy and the she's gone through some things and has experienced loss and devastation. I wholeheartedly admire her courage to throw herself out there, exposed and uninhabited to try and get to the life she wanted. At times feeling ashamed, she found a way to shut down that negativity and live life.

Her stories will resonate. Her advice will have you shaking your head in agreement. She brings such a light that just reminds us to love ourselves and to shine brightly. Her tidbits of wisdom were appreciated and the validation of life not be perfect but if you don't succeed to try again hit home. All is good and to ignore that voice that tries to prevent us from being the best versions of ourselves.

Overall, I thought this was a good read. You will laugh, reflect and hopefully takeaway some moments that will inspire you to listen to your own voice and find the life you're meant to have.

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Review: The Wishing Quilt (The Secret Wish) by Jodi Thomas

The Wishing Quilt is a contemporary romance anthology featuring three wonderful novellas. We see the inspiration behind the love of a quilt that takes these three women down a road that leads their hearts to be fulfilled and loved.

With that beautiful cover that invites you in, Jodi Thomas brings us to While A Way, TX. This town might not seem much on the outside but the people give it all that it needs that it draws it's strength from.

In the Secret Wish, we are introduced Avery Cleveland. She finds her way to this town after a career ending injury. Feeling hopeless with no other options, coming to this town was the fresh start that she desperately needed. With a renewed drive to build back up her late great grandmother's quilt shop, it ignited something within her that turned that hopelessness into hope. After a chance encounter with the local sheriff, Daniel Solis, she soon comes to realize that he might be the missing patch that will make her quilt complete.

I really enjoyed this novella. Avery is the type of character that will pull at your heart. She is lost, waiting to be found. She doesn't have family in her corner. You want her to feel love and be loved. You want to see her get her hea. Daniel is awkwardly charming. He is mesmerized by her and she is is everything that he needs but doesn't know how to translate his affection that doesn't transition awkwardly. Their buildup is beautiful. There is a subplot to the story that adds some suspense to the mix that brings everything together strengthening their characters to where they are meant to be.

I truly hope in the future that we get a chance to revisit this town. This would be a great start to a wonderful series. Only time will tell. I really enjoyed this and despite being a quick read, it was definitely a fulfilling one. With the fall coming up, this would be one that you can cozy up and enjoy. If you are a fan of anyone of these lovely ladies, make sure you add this to your TBR list.

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Review: When Sparks Fly by Jo McNally

When Sparks Fly by Jo McNally is the fifth and concluding book in A Rendezvous Falls series. Being this was my introduction to the series, I wish I had stumbled upon it earlier to follow through all the books. Based on what I read, this could be read as a standalone but I recommend reading through it's entirety for continuity of the people in this town. The ones is this book were so much fun that it has piqued my curiosity to what I have missed so far.

Zoey Hartford has so much on her plate right now. She has a business, just got divorced and has a teenager daughter who is trying to find her place in the world. She is a likable character that you really want to see get her hea. She couldn't do it without her best friend Mike McKinnon, who by the way, every gal should have. He is loyal, funny and is always there when she needs him. They've known each other forever and never would let anything happen to each other.

In a moment of impulse and subconscious desire, their friendship goes to the point of no return and it leaves them with a dilemma. This undeniable spark that is shining brightly in their hearts is being dimmed by the fear of a mother's protection. If Zoey can get past these obstacles, she could see that the one thing that was meant to be in her life is right in front of her.

The book overall I found to be a nice read. I love the best friends to lovers trope because you know you are going to get a story that goes deep and makes you feel something as we do for Zoey and Mike. Just as enjoyable were the family and friends that brought many laugh out loud moments. One of my favorite moments is getting to see characters of a mature love. You are never too old to be in love. Vicki and Gordon made me laugh with their exploration of their blooming relationship.

There is an added bonus to the book, a novella Lost In Love. If you have followed the series then you will enjoy this one. If you haven't, you should dive into this cute town and experience Rendezvous Falls.

Review: I Temporarily Do: A Romantic Comedy (Cordially Invited Series) by Ellie Cahill

A little white lie. A little white wedding. A pair of roommates in over their heads.

Days before she's set to move across the country and start a prestigious graduate program, a con artist leaves Emmy with no where to live and less than zero dollars in her bank account. But her day doesn't seem quite so bad compared to Beckett's--his fiancée called off their wedding just days before they tie the knot. Now he's single and ineligible for his place in married student housing.

So what are a girl without a home and a guy without a wife supposed to do? A quickie wedding in Vegas will solve both their problems. It's a business arrangement, and no one even needs to know. They'll just get an annulment in a few months. What could go wrong?

Only Beckett forgot to mention his new apartment is a one-bedroom. And neither of them counted on their new friends at Middlesex University thinking they're a great couple.

The platonic newlywed game might be harder to play than Emmy thought. Especially when it starts to feel less than platonic.

I Temporarily Do is a Stand-Alone Romantic Comedy

 Review

I Temporarily Do was a fun and short marriage of convenience story. Truthfully, I was expecting something else when I started to read. But I quickly shred my expectations and went along for the ride. And ultimately had a great time.

Beckett and Emmy had been friends for a long time, and at times it did feel awkward, and the chemistry wasn’t off the charts. It does progressively get better once they are focused to share a tiny space. And they start to have these romantic moments. One of my favorite moments was when they first moved into the apartment and discovered that there was no furniture. So, they had to go shopping together at Wal-Mart to get what they need. That is one of the few moments that stayed with me days after reading this book, and I vividly remember thinking—I think all marriage of convenience books need a scene of that nature.

Final Thoughts

I Temporarily Do is a story for those who enjoy friends to lovers and marriage of convenience books. At time, the characters don’t shine nor does the chemistry, but it does have its fun memorable moments. 

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Review: First Impressions: Off Screen Conversations with a Bachelor on Race, Family, and Forgiveness by Matt James with Cole Brown

As a former viewer of the Bachelor/Bachelorette series, I almost passed this book up because my love/hate relationship with that show. I'm glad I didn't because something was drawing me to open the pages and I'm glad I did. I remember the season that Matt James was to be featured and had many conflicting thoughts about the decision for him as the bachelor. Much of that was shared in the book as I breathe a sigh of relief that I wasn't alone in my thoughts. After reading the book, I'm glad that I didn't watch because it gave me an opportunity to get to know who is really is.

If you are looking for a “bachelor” book, despite mentioning and attribution to his experience on the show, this book isn't about that. I'm glad that I had an opportunity to get to know him without the influence of the show.

His background is one many can relate too. Not just because of his mixed heritage and that experience alone but the commentary shared about race, his family and his personal journey. Judging from what I read about his experience on the show and the opinions formed, this book was an opportunity for you to get to know the real person, not the edited television one. He shares the fundamentals that influenced and shaped the trajectory that led to where he is now and the people in his life that gave love, support and guidance.

Overall, this was a good read. Not to sound cliché but he left a good “First Impression” on me. It was an interesting read learning about his life and the obstacles he worked through getting to where he is now. If you were a fan of his during the show, you will get a good takeaway and hopefully see him through a fresh perspective.

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Review: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Don't miss this New York Times bestselling "impossible to put down" (Buzzfeed) novel with deadly stakes, thrilling twists, and juicy secrets--perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is.

To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

Review 

For the first couple of pages, I was hooked. It was such an interesting story with riddles and a strong mystery. The first mystery is presented fairly early in the book as the readers and the characters try to figure out why Tobias Hawthorne left almost all his money to a seventeen-year-old that he had never met before. and instead of outrightly telling his family why, Avery along with his grandsons (Nash, Grayson, Jameson, and Xander) are basically sent on a mystery mission to find out why. Again, it was an interesting story and the mystery isn’t solved within the first book. Instead, there was another mystery presented, and just like the first it’s just as captivating. And I can’t wait to read the next one to see where this one goes.

I really enjoyed all the characters, and Avery was a strong main character. And she interacted with each of the four Hawthorne grandsons differently and developed separate relationships with them. There is a little bit of a love triangle brewing. I see the potential of Avery and Jameson. However, if Grayson steps up to the plate, I think I could be swayed. Maybe. Okay, probably not. Avery and Jameson had me at their first interaction, and I’m hoping for their endgame.

Final Thoughts

The Inheritance Games was entertaining and thrilling with a great group of characters. 

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