Review: Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard

About the Book

He swore never to fall for a city girl again. She's on a mission to charm his small town.

MATT BECKER is stretched thin. Running his flower shop solo is a full-time job, but now he’s also tasked with caring for his teenage sister while their parents are away. With her expensive new school draining his savings, Matt’s barely keeping his head above water. He needs money—and fast.

Groomed to inherit her father’s hotel empire, ZOEY DELACROIX is finally poised to take the reins. But first, she must convince shareholders she’s got what it takes and silence her own doubts. Her plan? Secure a piece of land in the town where her father once failed. Falling for a local? Definitely not part of it.

When a crucial town vote spirals into disaster and her reputation takes a hit, Zoey finds an unexpected lifeline: Matt. He suggests a fake relationship to win back the town’s favor in exchange for a spot in her small business investment program. It’s strictly business… until it isn’t. Matt never expected the spoiled city girl to fit so easily into his world. And Zoey never questioned the future set for her until she began picturing a life that looked a lot more like his.

As lines blur and real feelings get tangled in their fake romance, Matt and Zoey must find the nerve to rewrite their future or risk losing the one thing they never saw coming: a shot at love.

In this cozy small-town romance where The Holiday meets Gilmore Girls, HOAX AND KISSES explores the path to self-discovery and the unexpected connections that bloom along the way. Steamy and soul-stirring, this story is a tribute to the kind of love that sneaks up on you and never lets go.

Review

I severely enjoyed Hoax and Kisses. A fake dating romance that feels charming, heartwarming, and cozy. Colliard’s writing was beautiful, and I had to stop often to admire what I had read. It was clean and flowery in the right places. This book has easily been engraved in my heart and is by far one of my favorite contemporary romances this year.

Matt and Zoey were perfect in every way. From getting off on a rocky foot to becoming each other’s everything, I enjoyed every moment of their story. Zoey, a character who has been conditioned to please her father and hide her true self, and Matt, a character who loves his sweet sister with all his heart and has been living in the dark, have so much depth. Zoey, especially. She’s such a complex character, with a beautiful transformation in the book. A character-defining moment for her was her final interaction with her father. It was such a full-circle moment when she confronted him.

At first, I was skeptical of Matt. His behavior was questionable, especially at the first town hall meeting. It was rude of him to call her out in front of everyone. Yes, he had a bad interaction with her dad, but he did not know her. He was unfairly judging her from the jump. Matt did eventually redeem himself by being sweet, protective, and there for Zoey.

One of my favorite moments between them was when Matt told Zoey he’d be her support system. I found that incredibly sweet, and I swear I had to wipe a few tears. For years, Zoey only had her cold father. I also loved how great Zoey was with Daphne, Matt’s sister. Daphne was another great character. A subplot in the book was about Matt and Daphne’s mom's incompetence in handling Daphne’s autism. Daphne had support from her father and her older brother; however, her mom didn’t know how to handle it. Daphne deserved better, and the side plot is wrapped up with their mom trying.  

The one tiny complaint I have is that I didn’t love the book ending. It felt a little too perfect and convenient, very Hallmark movie about a small town. Don’t get me wrong, I loved what became of the land, but I didn’t love how it was obtained. With a few more town interactions, the end gesture would have packed a stronger punch.

Final Thoughts

Although Hoax and Kisses has some flaws, it was, for the most part, an enjoyable read, a charming fake dating romance set in a small, cozy town. Zoey’s the standout in this one, with her self-discovery journey feeling beautiful and authentic. I'm excited to dive into Elodie Colliard's catalogue to discover more gems.

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Review: Blue Willow by Ki Stephens

About the Book

Coming home was never part of the plan. Leaving again might be even harder.

When Elsie Hart returns to Blue Willow for the first time in eight years, it's only to settle her grandmother’s estate—not to rekindle old memories or untangle the magic she’s worked hard to forget. But the inn she once loved is more stubborn than it looks. So is the man who’s been keeping it alive.

Wells Rourke never wants to leave. He’s spent the last few years patching the inn back together with his own two hands and the quiet certainty that Elspeth Hart didn’t just pour her heart into the walls; she left something behind. Something that’s worth keeping alive.

Elsie wants a clean break and a fast sale. Wells wants her gone before she can rip apart what’s left. But the house has other plans. As winter deepens and long-dormant feelings surface, the two of them are drawn into a tug-of-war not just over the keys to the inn, but over the pieces of themselves they thought they’d long buried.

In a town where quiet magic lingers, some people—and some places—will never stop waiting for you to come home.

Review

Blue Willow feels different than anything that Ki Stephens has done. From the writing to the plot to the characters—it’s all unique, and if someone had told me Ki Stephens wrote this, I would not have believed them. She completely transformed herself, and I must give kudos. Not only is Blue Willow cozy, but it also has a lot of heart.

Years ago, Elsie left the inn—a place where the Hart woman before her poured their heart into. When she returns, it is not in the best shape. And she’s lost, grieving, and desperately wanting to sell the special place. However, the longer she stays, the tighter her roots knot, making her want to stay. I really enjoyed Elsie and her character arc. Her feelings and beliefs were described so well in Blue Willow. I loved seeing her rediscover the town and make new friendships.

Wells' relationship with his family was complicated. His family was too focused on appearing perfect, and eventually he learned to be the photo before departing. Elsie had long gone when Wells settled at the inn. He developed a special relationship with Elspeth and became the person who fixes what is broken and protects what doesn’t need fixing. He’s grumpy and skeptical of Elsie because the inn has meant so much to him, and he was there with Elspeth during her last days. The gradual lead-up to Elsie and Wells’ relationship is good stuff. It has the definitive soft and emotional connection romance that Stephens is known for. Though it seemed much more mature, and the intimacy felt deeper, which I think is a testament to Wells and Elsie’s personalities and development.

Blue Willow Inn felt like a character unto itself. Wells described it as a place that listened when people spoke, learned footsteps, and traced them with lamplight. It lived and breathed. The magic was beautifully woven in and did not rely on characters talking about it; readers experienced it as they reacted. The thing that stood out most to me was Elsie’s relationship with her grandmother. Although Elspeth has passed during the book's timeline, Stephens does a great job of capturing the grief, the love they had for each other, and who Elspeth was as a person. Elspeth left letters, but another significant part of that was the house. It was a tear-jerking moment when Elsie finally realized how important the house was to her. It’s by far one of my favorite moments. Correction: That is by far my favorite chapter in the book. I challenge anyone to try to read Chapter 27 without crying.

Final Thoughts

Blue Willow is a new direction for Ki Stephens. The story is cozy, heartwarming, and perfect for the holiday season. Through words, Stephens sets the scene and provides rich descriptions. I could hear the creaks of the stairs, the cracking of the fireplace, the smell of the cinnamon, and the taste of jam. There is a lot of rich goodness in here, and I’m overwhelmed with how much I’ve loved this story and how perfect the magically inn was. Thank you to Ki Stephens for providing this arc! Blue Willow releases on December 5, 2025. 

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Review: The Blockchain Syndicate by Robbie Bach

About the Book

A dead man blackmails a United States senator.

A Russian assassin leaves a trail of bodies.

A cryptic criminal syndicate unleashes financial chaos.

A courageous war hero races to save her family—and her country.

Set amid the turbulence of today’s headlines, this gripping techno-thriller—the second in Bach’s series to feature Tamika Smith—pulses with high-stakes intrigue and razor-edged political drama.

Senator Tamika Smith’s new year begins in shambles. First she receives an email threatening to expose her past—a threat from someone she knows is dead. Then her boyfriend, Johnny Humboldt, is kidnapped in broad daylight after his daughter is wounded in a California school shooting. Someone is desperate to take Tamika down and damage the country she loves. The attacks are professional, the delivery is flawless, and the message unmistakable: America is broken, and someone is determined to fix it their way.

Standing in the eye of the storm, Tamika must navigate a political landscape riddled with betrayal, misinformation, and moral decay to rescue Johnny and uncover the group behind the web of conspiracy. As the country spirals toward financial Armageddon and democracy itself begins to unravel, Tamika must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to save her family and pull the nation back from the brink. With its sharp blend of shadowy villains and morally torn heroes, The Blockchain Syndicate dares you to question everything—right up to the final, breathless moment.

Review

The Blockchain Syndicate is a techno thriller that feels like you are reading something taken straight from one of today’s headlines. Bach features Senator Tamika Smith in his latest installment and as a reader be prepared for an intense, gripping experience that will make you not want to put this book down.

The novel grips you from the start with an opening that just doesn’t allow you to want to put the book down. Bach lays down the framework well with establishing the danger everywhere. He brings Senator Smith right there is the center of it. We are thrust into the action of the kidnapping of her boyfriend and wounding of his daughter while she is pushed in an entanglement of misinformation, betrayal and political corruption. Someone has it out for her. Not only wanting to take her down but the country. There begins a race of time for her to decide what she is willing to give up to save her family and democracy. 

The plot of this book was just so brilliant. The attention to detail and the work to support creating a plausible experience was seamless. The way he blends the action, intelligence, political drama and tech elements into a fast paced novel without compromising the character depth made a great read. The tension building towards that unexpected ending really makes you think about a lot of things, especially how far people will go when the lines between truth, power and technology begin to blur.

I’m not sure how much relevance to tell you to read the first book prior because this could be read as a standalone and get the overall picture. Considering what I read and references and understanding of her and things that happened before, I think you might want to read the first installment, The Wilkes Insurrection. If it’s anything like this one then you will not want to miss out. 

I thought this book was amazing. You don’t get many amazing heroine protagonists in this type of genre so this was a welcomed and appreciated surpise. If you love thrillers with a great protagonist with an intelligent plot blending tech and politics, this might be one I’d recommend putting on your reading list.

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Review: Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon

About the Book

In a universe full of heartless aliens, an abandoned human and a vampire clone discover an unexpected connection in this delightfully bite-size short story by New York Times bestselling author Ruby Dixon.

Dana, the overlooked human pet of an alien scientist, and Vlad, a genetically engineered vampire with a taste for more than just blood, find themselves unexpectedly alone on a deserted space station. As they plot their escape, they’ll have to navigate cramped quarters, steamy encounters, and the growing realization that they might be each other’s perfect match. But with their captors in hot pursuit, will their budding romance survive the vast emptiness of space?

Ruby Dixon’s Space Vampire is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

Review

Space Vampire is the fourth installment in the Scared Sexy Collection. After not immensely enjoying Spicy Little Curses, I decided to continue this series; however, I gave it another go. Space Vampires was definitely a step in the right direction. It was a nice palette cleanser. Very short and fun. The author didn’t take herself too seriously. Not sure if it was intentional, but I saw some Frankenstein comparisons while reading.

The main characters tend to be forgettable a few hours after reading; however, I did appreciate that their romance had some build-up. I saw the connection between them and genuinely liked them together.

Final Thoughts

Space Vampires was an entertaining and silly read to me. This is the type of story I expected within this collection. 

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Review: Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger

About the Book

A reporter’s disbelief in the supernatural is tested when she uncovers a tattoo artist’s sinister family secrets in an enthralling short story by New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger.

Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.

J.T. Geissinger’s Spicy Little Curses is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

Review

Spicy Little Curses is a disappointing installment in the Scared Sexy collection. Including this one, I’ve only read three out of six, and so far, this one falls in the bottom tier. Not only did it feel over-the-top, but Geissinger also created two of the less interesting characters. Neither Petra nor Dax’s characters or romance added anything to this story. There’s no connection with them, which makes their insta-love romance feel dull. Not to mention the forced “Notebook” nickname Dax gives Perta. I specifically want to point out their first kiss, which had little to no buildup. The most interesting part of Spicy Little Curses is the backstory with Dax’s family. That seemed fun.

Final Thoughts

"Spicy Little Curses" is a bottom-tier installment in the “Scared Sexy” collection. The main characters are uninteresting, and their insta-love romance felt dull due to a lack of connection and a poor build-up to key moments, like their first kiss. The only redeemable aspect of the book was the fun backstory involving Dax's family.

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Review: Bottom of the Breath by Jayne Mills

In her debut novel, Bottom of the Breath was a quiet exploration that mirrored the transformation of a woman through the depths of a reflective journey.

Cyd’s life is upended by the discovery of infidelity, an unexpected inheritance from an estranged aunt and family secrets that challenges her past and present. As the novel takes readers on a journey across the country that balances a literal and emotional landscape, mirroring the storm she is dealing with internally, she pushes finding the courage to seek the answers she so desperately is searching for.

What started off as a journey with her husband, agreeing to the terms contingent on them trying to salvage the wreckage of the broken pieces while experiencing this trip of a lifetime, they are met with brewing tensions climaxing to the decision of Cyd deciding to continue this journey alone. While the state of her marriage is left to be determined, what she is sure of is the determination to find the strength within to keep going.

With vivid imagery from the heart of the storm, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, we experience her exploratory, intimate journey of courage and resilience one moment at a time. It’s not just about the secrets that came out of her intentional journey to claim her inheritance but her finding her own voice and being able to face an uncertain but determined future. Finding her inner peace, after receiving answers to her new truths, she is forced to mend her past in order to receive her uncertain future. With moments of heartache, self reflection and wit, this novel blends together love, loss and carpe diem.

If you love a contemporary fiction novel with a strong character driven female protagonist that is supported by friendship, mystery, romance, self discovery and healing then add this one to your reading list.

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