Review: Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young

About the Book

When a mysterious time capsule leads a Toronto teacher to England, she discovers some loves are worth crossing oceans—and decades—to find, from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Bonam-Young.

When a history teacher receives a letter from her deceased grandmother revealing a secret love affair in the 1950s, it leads her to a time capsule hidden decades ago. But it’s the charming grandson of her grandmother’s lost love who changes everything, proving that sometimes the heart knows exactly where—and when—it belongs.

Hannah Bonam-Young’s Time Will Tell is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Review

Time Will Tell’s premise is the strongest part. It centers on Georgia’s hunt for her grandmother’s long-lost love, and in that journey, she meets the grandson of that love—Callum. Through mostly emails, they connect. Their meet-cute was cute.

Unfortunately, I found myself not enjoying this story as much as I wished. For a short book, I spent the majority of the time bored. And I never felt strong romantic chemistry between Callum and Georgie. Because of that, the buildup to their eventual meeting felt underwhelming instead of exciting or emotional.

Final Thoughts

Time Will Tell lacked tension and never fully delivered on the anticipation or emotional payoff I had hoped for. The concept was nice, and although there might be some sweeter moments, this story didn’t leave a lasting impression for me.

Buy on Amazon | Audible

Review: Cinder by Hailey Rogers

About the Book

A single dad x nanny, small town firefighter romance

I’m exhausted by all the different versions of myself I’ve spent years trying to be.

Dutiful stepdaughter, polished girlfriend. The woman who keeps smiling through dinner parties and business meetings while feeling absolutely nothing underneath.

So I sell my share of my late father’s business, and leave Toronto for Maplewood. All I bring with me is a bag of clothes, my mother's sparkly heels, and the blue-tipped hair I only dyed because my stepmother hated it.

Maplewood is supposed to be my fresh start. A quiet little town where nobody expects me to be anyone but myself.

Then I meet Evan Prince, a grumpy firefighter who definitely isn't charming—though his five-year-old daughter Elle certainly is.

Soon I'm falling into their mornings filled with penguin-shaped pancakes, their quiet afternoons beside the lake, and a midnight date that has Maplewood feeling less like a place I escaped to, and more like somewhere I belong.

Somewhere I want to stay.

But when one terrible night leaves our lives tangled in grief, every fear of being unlucky for the people I love comes rushing back.

The problem is, a cinder still glows after everything else turns to ash.

And firefighters run toward things worth saving.

Review

Cinder was a great start for the Maplewood Fire series. I’m ready and so very excited to see what comes next in this series. Roger has done such a great job introducing and developing these characters. I feel that this will be one of my favorite series as I continue to read.

From the beginning, I was sucked into the narrative by Penny’s words and personality. Despite how unfairly she was treated in the past, she remained calm and kind. She also had such a determination to live her life how she wanted to. I do wish we had gotten to see her discover a passion or hobby that was entirely her own. I kept waiting for that full circle moment of self-discovery. Also, I would have loved a little more exploration of her family dynamics. They had heavily impacted her life, and that storyline felt a little incomplete.

Evan was a great MMC. He’s grumpy but in a protective way. It made so much sense for him as a character given what him and Elle (his daughter, who was super adorable. Extra stars for her and Penny’s sweet relationship) have gone through. One thing I loved about him is that his priorities always centered around his daughter and eventually Penny.  He was supportive, dependable, and gave everything his full effort. He is THE #1 Dad. I also really enjoyed his relationship with the other firefighters. It felt like a true family that had experienced laughter, joy, and heartache together. And that makes the last act of this story so heartbreaking.

I hadn’t seen that last act coming. I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath in, and trying not to cry as the suspense ramped up. I will say that the darker moments were handled well, and I hope the next books continue to explore the emotional impact of what happened.

As for the romance—no complaints. It was beautifully paced. Evan and Penny’s relationship developed naturally. I loved watching them gradually trust one another before falling in love. They had so many sweet domestic moments that I ate up. Their romance felt so genuine, and Penny fit so perfectly into Evan and Elle’s lives.

Final Thoughts

Cinder was great. The only real criticism I have is that I wish Penny's personal journey had explored more of her passions beyond the romance. Other than that, I loved this story. It’s a beautiful story with lovable characters. The found family aspect is strong, and the romance felt earned. I loved the subtle references to Cinderella, especially the shoes and how in one scene, Elle even wore them. It showcased the family that Penny had stumbled upon and the life she and Evan were building. Thank you, Luna Literary and Hailey Rogers for providing this ARC. Cinder releases on July 9! Run, don’t walk to grab your copy. You won’t regret it.

Buy on Amazon

Review: Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy by Jessica Peterson/Staycation by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

About the Book: Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy (Summer Lovin' collection) by Jessica Peterson

New York Times bestselling author Jessica Peterson’s short story of a ride through first love into forever follows a country music star who returns home for a family affair—and faces the cowboy who once watched her walk away.

Josie Reid abandoned her Texas hometown six years ago, when Weston Jessup chose his family’s ranch over her. Now a country music sensation, she’s back where it all started to officiate her brother’s wedding. Wes is the best man, and he’s determined to make things right. But can he convince Josie to give him another shot, or is their love song played out?

Jessica Peterson’s Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

About the Book: Summer Staycation (Summer Lovin' collection) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

In Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s sweet summer fling of a short story, a neurodivergent heroine meets a kind out-of-towner who’s just what she needs to shake up her life—and makes her feel like she’s finally on solid ground.

If you ask Beck Penrose, Florida summers aren’t relaxing so much as roller coasters of sensory overload. But her nervous system settles down with Lucas Holiday, a travel blogger who gets her like no one else does. It’s easy to say yes to living like tourists for a weekend. But it’s harder to say goodbye when that weekend comes to an end.

Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s Summer Staycation is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Review

So far, I have read two installments of the Summer Lovin’ Collection, and while my feelings are mixed, I don’t particularly dislike this collection.

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy was the weakest of the two for me. I found Weston’s effort to win Josie back sweet; however, I never fully connected to their romance. The story lacked the depth and substance needed to make their relationship truly resonate with me. There needed to be a few more pages to flesh out the story. I will admit that it definitely had summer vibes and was an easy and quick read.

Of the two stories, Summer Staycation was easily my favorite. Beck and Lucas were absolutely adorable together, and it's honestly a crime that this wasn't expanded into a full-length novel. I would gladly read an entire book dedicated to their relationship. I loved Beck as a lead and how much she knew what she liked. While Lucas wasn't quite as fully developed as Beck, he was incredibly sweet, patient, and understanding of her needs. Had this story been given the space to fully explore their relationship, it could have been something truly special.

Final Thoughts

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy was an easygoing summer read; however, it wasn’t exactly memorable. Whereas, in addition to feeling like summer, Summer Staycation completely stole my heart and left me wanting more. I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the collection has to offer.

Buy on Amazon

Review: Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen

About the Author

Roses are red, violets are blue, Emma’s not dead, and her gravedigger’s hot too. This Valentine’s Day, love claws its way out of the grave in #1 New York Times bestselling author Navessa Allen’s steamy and hilariously dark rom-com.

Louisiana gravedigger Noah Evans’s Valentine’s night shift takes an unexpected turn when his high school crush starts screaming from her freshly dug grave. Whoever tried to bury Emma six feet under is in for a nasty surprise—they should have checked for a pulse because she’s got unfinished business, starting with the hot gravedigger who just saved her life. As they unearth a deadly family conspiracy, Noah and Emma discover that old flames burn even hotter the second time around—especially when someone’s trying to kill them.

Navessa Allen’s Valentine’s Slay is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Review

I was thoroughly entertained by Valentine’s Slay. It felt like a well-rounded story with a satisfying ending that tied everything together nicely. I got what I expected from this novella. I will say the romance moved a little fast. However, it still worked within the story. Emma and Noah were great. The story is told almost entirely from Noah’s POV, with a singular chapter from Emma at the end. Noah was an absolute sweetheart, and it was easy to root for him and them throughout the book.

The story grabbed my attention immediately with an intriguing opening. I went into his story pretty blind and didn’t know if it would have a paranormal element. The blend of suspense, humor, and romance was well-balanced.

Final Thoughts

Valentine’s Slay was a fun, fast-paced read that kept me entertained throughout.

Buy on Amazon | Audible

Review: Drifting Into You by Andre'a Delaney

About the Book

A cruise, a wedding party, and seven days to get the guy.

Gina has always been second to her brother. Second child, second to graduate, and second at every major milestone that her parents have already celebrated. And now that he's getting married, she fears she'll always loom in his shadow.

Cruising the Mediterranean alongside the bridal party isn't exactly Gina's idea of a relaxing time. But with her longtime crush on board, it may not be so bad. That is until her brother's best friend, Leo, boards the ship and the wind sways Gina in an unusual direction.

Review

I understand what the author was trying to accomplish with Drifting Into You, however, I do not think it was executed particularly well. The strongest component of the book was Gina’s struggle with her family. She had always felt second to her brother. That feeling felt genuine, and the payoff was lovely and satisfying. Unfortunately, much of the rest of the strong could have benefited from additional development.

I struggled to buy into Gina and Leo’s romance. Their connection developed too quickly, and there was little reason for me to be invested in them as a couple. Too much time was spent focusing on Gina’s crush on Justin. That time could have been spent developing the romance between Gina and Leo, so that there was a stronger foundation. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if Gina ended the book single.

Final Thoughts

Drifting Into You may have featured a lovely journey regarding Gina’s confidence, but it fails to develop a compelling love story between Gina and Leo.

Buy on Amazon

Review: The Ledger by Steven Manchester

About the Book

Set in a medium-security penitentiary in the mid-1990s, The Ledger is a faith-based story that pulls back the curtain on prison life, allowing the reader a safe peek behind the wall.

Although told from three alternating perspectives—officer, inmate, and sergeant—many of the same questions are asked: Can light be found in the deepest darkness? What about forgiveness, redemption, and grace? And if the code is clear, “loyalty above all things except honor,” when should an officer cross the blue line to police one of his own?

The Ledger is the long-awaited companion novel to The Menu.

Review

The Ledger is the kind of novel that doesn’t simply tell a story, it takes readers beyond the walls of a prison and into the complicated morally gray area that exists on both sides of the bars. It opens a door to a world that people turn a blind eye to, invites you to an uncomfortable reality, incongruity and the humanity of those who represent the system and the imprisoned.

Told through the alternating perspectives of an officer, an inmate, and a sergeant, the novel explores the questions that simply can’t be answered as black or white, creating a story about the possibility of redemption, loyalty and justice. Each perspective reminds us that justice is never easy nor the simplicity of punishment. Each perfectly woven together revealing a deeply human story. The officer who wants to do the right thing but is scared that he would betray his own. The inmate who holds onto any slither of hope but carries the weight of their guilt. A sergeant who knows that the system he serves is met with concession.

What makes this novel thought provoking is that it forces you to acknowledge the gray areas. The characters are flawed, conflicted, and forced to confront choices that challenge their beliefs about right and wrong. As each perspective unfolds, the novel asks whether people can truly change, whether forgiveness is earned or given, and whether grace can exist in places defined by punishment and regret. The tension between protecting fellow officers and upholding what is right creates some of the story's most powerful moments. The question isn't simply whether someone should cross the blue line, but what the cost of staying silent might be.

At its heart, The Ledger challenges readers to consider where hope comes from when circumstances seem beyond repair and whether redemption remains possible for those society has already decided who you are. It wonders whether forgiveness is something earned through action or granted through grace. The novel invites reflection long after the final page. It is a gripping, heartfelt, and moving exploration of honor, forgiveness, and the search for humanity in unlikely places.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback