Review: For Better or Hearse by Ava Hunter

Book Summary

Ash Keller prefers to keep her heart colder than the morgue. Having sworn off love after a disastrous breakup, she’s learned to thrive in her new career as a death doula. When her millionaire client, Augustus Fox, asks her to accompany him on an all-expenses paid trip to mend family ties and fulfill last wishes, she agrees.

There’s just one nail in her coffin.

Nathaniel Whitford—her client’s absurdly gorgeous, grumpy doctor of a grandson—is along for the trip. A man who has hated her guts since she crashed his wedding years ago. It’ll be a miracle if she survives this vacation without being tossed into a volcano.

Still, Ash refuses to let Nathaniel’s smug smirk and rippling pectorals take her focus away from her death doula-ing duties. She can survive two weeks in paradise with his offensively handsome face. But when falling coconuts and family drama threaten to derail the vacation, Ash and Nathaniel strike a deal: Bury their animosity and make the vacation perfect for Augustus.

Soon, a tentative bond—and mutual attraction—forms between the unlikely pair. With every tropical misadventure and steamy late-night hookup, Ash realizes there’s more to Nathaniel than his barbed banter and uptight façade. Suddenly love seems more complicated than death. And as the trip comes to an end, Ash must decide whether she’ll keep her heart six feet under or risk it all…for better or hearse.

Review

Amongst Ava Hunter’s catalog, this may be her best. Correction, it is best to me. I have yet to read every book by her; however, I doubt it would top For Better or Hearse. This is a favorite of mine this year, and I would have been so disappointed if I had waited months to read this one finally.

Ash and Nathaniel start as enemies. Five years prior, she ruined his wedding day, and now they are forced to deal with each other for around two weeks. Neither is happy about it. They throw some great jabs at each other and have petty moments. Not only is this book hilarious, but it’s also very swoon-worthy and emotional.

Death is a major theme in this story. Ash is a death doula and is working for Nathaniel’s grandpa –Augustus— who has forced his family to spend time together before his death. His family is difficult and don’t get along. They spend a lot of time-fighting each other.

Augustus and Ash have such an amazing relationship and he truly adopts her as his own. While reading I had to mentally prepare myself for his death. I went back in forth on whether I thought the author would follow through with it or would a cure magically happen. Slight spoiler, there is no cure. His death isn't as emotionally brutal as I thought it would be. I’m grateful that both Ash and Nathaniel had beautiful moments with him before it happened. Augustus is highly crucial to both their arcs.

I found it quite interesting that Nathaniel’s profession contrasts with Ash’s. He’s an ER doctor and has distanced himself away from his family for personal reasons. I would even say that his distance causes him to go to dangerous places.

As for Ash, she’s someone who has been considered “different” her entire life; considered “too much”. She has tough skin, but words hurt, especially words from her ex-fiancé. I loved reading about her embracing herself and getting what she deserved at the end. I loved seeing Nathaniel and Ash put down their barriers and show their softer sides to each other.

Final Thoughts

For Better or Hearse gets a big A plus from me. I adored this story and the characters. The only issue is had was Nathaniel’s father. I felt like his personality shift felt a little underdeveloped. However, I can look past that. Ash and Nathaniel were outstanding, and I loved their personalities and how well the two of them came together and really took care of each other.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: All Our Tomorrows by Catherine Bybee

In All Our Tomorrows, Catherine Bybee gives us a captivating story of family, power, and unexpected romance. The book centers on Chase Stone, a self-made man who suddenly inherits his estranged father's multibillion-dollar business, along with some dark family secrets. Paired with Piper Maddox, his father’s assistant, Chase faces not only the challenge of navigating his father’s business but also his growing feelings for Piper.

Chase, having put some distance between himself and his father, is thrown into a corporate world he never wanted to enter. The twist of finding a half-brother adds another layer of complexity, pushing Chase and his sister Alex into a time crunch before anyone with poor intentions makes them known. 

Piper, smart, fierce and independent, brings a captivating charm to the story. Her tough exterior and reluctance to be involved with another Stone family member, create interesting tension with Chase. The way their relationship develops in the book just has you hooked. As we get to know them, between their witty banter, letting their guards down and the many secrets that keep unraveling, they become more engaging to not want to keep reading.

The mystery of the third sibling, Max, creates a curiosity within its own storyline. I will say that leading up to his introduction, I feel a little robbed because the anticipation leading up to that moment had me on the edge needing to find out but I’m patient and will wait to see what’s to come in the next book. 

This book had me hooked and I didn’t want to stop reading. As a huge fan of Catheine Bybee, this was something different that I hadn’t experienced before and I love it. Her other books have a subtle, sweep you away feeling but this series has you engaged in a way that you want to keep reading and don’t stop. I feel like the characters in this book are bolder, fierce and grab your attention in a way that is different from the others. The plot twists and unravels will keep you invested until the end turning those pages. 

I’m excited to see where this series goes. The next book, The Forgotten One should ease on into our curiosity about Max. Look out for that book in November. I will say this was longer than I expected but definitely worth the read. If you haven’t read yet, add this to your list. If you are new to Catherine Bybee, make sure you check this out as well as her other books. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: Bloom by EJ Blaise

Book Summary

Caroline Brennan just wants to be good.

A good daughter, a good friend, a good person.

It shouldn't be that hard, right?

Hunter Whitlock doesn't care about being good.

He just wants to be left alone.

Turns out, that's not so easy.

Turns out, when it comes to the pretty girl in the flowery dresses, that's not what he wants at all.

Bloom is a single POV, small town romance following a shy florist and her grumpy cowboy love interest. The Serenity Ranch Series is a spin-off series of The Sun Valley Series. It is not required to read Sun Valley, but it is recommended.

Review

Through the years, I’ve seen readers championing for Blaise to release Bloom, and I am so grateful that she finally did. All in all, I can’t recommend Bloomenough. This is my favorite book by the author.

The story centers on Caroline, a shy florist in a small town, whose life hasn’t been kind to them. She lost her mother at a young age and is constantly being emotionally degraded by her alcoholic father. And not to mention, the place that seems welcoming to her is run by her ex-boyfriend and his family and some of them aren’t exactly welcoming. She meets Hunter, who works at the ranch, and he doesn’t hide his annoyance with her.

I thought maybe the title was referring to the floral shop that Caroline works at; however, looking back, it’s clear that it is a reference to Caroline and her development throughout this story. In the beginning, she’s a pushover and a people pleaser; however, she refuses to stay that way. And watching her become who she is at the end, made me emotional. I really loved her story.

As did I love her relationship with Hunter. It was so sweet and swoony-worthy. Yes, it is a slow burn, though, I didn’t mind because I felt that it works for their dynamic, especially when we learn more about Hunter’s past. It’s safe to say that I have no criticisms of Hunter. Like with Caroline, I loved him. He’s one of the best types of male love interest. The grumpy cowboy who becomes obsessed with his girl.

I just want to quickly shout out her friendship with Lux. I adored their friendship and everything about it. Despite Caroline being her brother’s ex, Lux welcomed Caroline into her life. She was a true friend and supported her, and of course, had a few story beats herself. I’m going to need Lux’s book next. I am going to completely devour that book when it eventually comes out. I’ve only read one book within The Sun Valley Series; however, I don’t quite remember Lux. Now, I’m willing to check the rest out for a glimpse of Lux and Blaise’s other characters.

Final Thoughts

Bloom had so many layers and depth that really made this story shine and made it feel special.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Review: Off Camera by Chelsea Curto

About the Book

Avery Sinclair is good at her job as the social media manager for the Baltimore Thunderhawks. She’s one of the best in the NFL, in fact. The only thing stopping her from being the account of the year? The DC Titans, run by the mystery man she’s been feuding with for years.

Reid Duncan isn’t the world’s biggest sports fan, but he loves his job. Working for the DC Titans means working on the same team as his best friend… and being constantly annoyed by the woman who works for the rival team up the road.

But when a night with a woman he can’t get out of his head turns out to be the woman who won’t leave him alone on social media, Reid isn’t sure what to do. The only solution? A casual arrangement that goes perfectly with the bet they’ve enacted for the football season.

Online, they exchange sarcasm and snark like it’s their job. In the bedroom, though, it’s a different story. What’s supposed to be one time turns into something more.

Avery and Reid know they aren’t supposed to fall for each other. Feelings aren’t part of their agreement, but neither one of them can stay away.

Can what happens off camera and away from their phones really work in real life? Or are they destined to never get along?

Review

Fifteen pages in, I immediately knew that I was going to love this book. Reid and Avery meet early on in this book, and as I read their first interaction I was immediately hooked. The two of them bounced off each other well and instantly connected. They had such strong chemistry, and I felt Curto did them justice with their romance. I particularly loved the hidden identity aspect of their romance.

For years, the two of them have had a rivalry; however, they only knew each other by their screen names and would aggravate each other. I loved how Curto continued to weave social media into the story even after they discovered each other’s identities. I also loved how the rivalry continued and how playful they were. For example, neither party got upset when they played pranks on each other.

As much as I loved Reid, at times I found his internal monologue to be repetitive. It was mentioned several times how he couldn’t believe that Avery would be interested in a guy like him and how “unattractive” he was compared to his friends. That wasn’t true, and Avery often told him why she was interested in him.

Final Thoughts

Off Camera was a great read. Reid and Avery were adorable and delightful. If someone asked me to pick a favorite moment, I would have trouble. There were a lot of moments that stood out to me. I loved watching them try to stay away, and quickly realize that they couldn't.

Reid is a refreshing MMC in a world of alpha men. He was kind and supportive. I do wish that we would have gotten more regarding his and his father’s relationship. It was troubling, and it impacted him negatively. However, I loved his relationship with his friends. They felt like his family, and I think this might be my favorite depiction of male friendships in a book. As for Avery, I loved her just as much. I loved how she wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted. Within her career, she faced challenges and revealed her raw and honest feelings. I thought Curto did her character and her struggles justice. I didn’t quite love her friendships as much as I did with Reid. First, I had gotten the vibes that she wasn’t as close to them; however, that was incorrect. I wish Curto had spent more time building and showing her friendship with them.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Review: The Widow’s Husband Secret Lie by Freida McFadden

About the Book

My husband is dead.

I attended his funeral. I watched his casket be lowered six feet into the ground. (Actually, it may have been only five feet, but that still seems like more than enough.) And then we ate an array of finger sandwiches and deviled eggs and miniature beef wellingtons that cost more than my first car.

My point is, Grant is gone. And so are all his many, many deep, dark secrets which I never really ever bothered to ask him about. He is never coming back.

So why do I still see his face everywhere I go?

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie is an utterly addictive, unputdownable, nail-biting, absolutely gripping psychological thriller novella with a shocking, breathtaking, heartstopping, spine-chilling twist that you won't see coming, will leave you stunned, and will literally have you picking your jaw up off the floor and bringing it to the nearest hospital for major facial reconstructive surgery.

Review

I had so much fun with The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie. I hope the author had a blast writing, it because I was thoroughly entertained. This is my first satirical novella, and I’m kind of disappointed that the author had written more. I know her niche is thrillers; however, I think she should do more of these.

The novella does an outstanding job of poking fun at overly dramatic and predicted thriller novels. And I would include Lifetime movies in the mix too. Every twist and turn is so predicted that when it happened, I commented “Of course that’s happening next” before being sent into a fit of laughter. It was deeply unserious, and I had a marvelous time.

Final Thoughts

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie should not be taken seriously at all. It’s unhinged and entertaining. I appreciated that the author fully leaned into the absurdity of everything. If anyone is looking for a fun, lighthearted, short thriller, this is for them. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback

Review: Bringing Back Yesterday by L.S. Case

In the beautiful novel, Bringing Back Yesterday, we are introduced to the lovely Calli Everett. Navigating through the uncertainty of her life after losing her marriage and the career that she loved, we experience her introspective journey that parallels her quest for finding the purpose of reinventing her midlife transition and the treasures that occupy her at her volunteer position at the appropriately named, Second Chances.

Second Chances is more than a thrift shop. Not only does it give new life to treasured items, you never know who or what might change your life. When a mysterious man named “Sir” comes in one day and only seems to visit Calli, she finds herself intrigued by his visits. Often bringing unsolicited advice, wisdom that seems to come at the right time, she finds his presence comforting with helping her move forward. His lessons on life and love encourage the appreciation of the treasures of the past and blessings of the present. When a box of items come in that includes a sailboat and a picture by the lake that piques her curiosity, the mystery of it’s origin inspires her journey to Longacre Pines. What she quickly learns is how people are placed in your life for a reason and how the best lessons in life are unexpected.

Longacre Pines is more than just a small beautiful town. As we get swept away in in it’s simple beauty, going there searching for something, Calli finds herself enamored by the people and it’s charm, quenching a void that desperately needed to be filled. The transition from her life in the city to this beautiful small town, not only brings a welcome peace into her life but shifts the tone inviting the reader in more intimately. When an opportunity to fill in for a local doctor ignites a spark to do the thing she loves the most, she finds herself surrounded by the opportunity of hope of a new start, a renewed sense of self and the possibility of a second chance at life and love. 

Bringing Back Yesterday is a wonderful story that will resonate with anyone who finds themselves struggling to start over. What I love about Callie is her vulnerability and determination to be open to love and live life again. Her journey of finding her voice, receiving love and healing makes it one of the joyful takeaways of the book. This is a wonderful novel that not only swoons us with the idyllic charm of the small town romance but offers characters that will you will fall in love with. Character driven, moments that will make you laugh and feel good, look inward will remind you that no matter what obstacles you may have gone through, it’s never too late to start again. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback