You best walk her way and watch it shine: PLAYING FOR KEEPS.

Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one - a fun, escapist love story (x2)!

We have Poppy, publicist to football player Cash. Cash sends a tweet to mega popstar Poppy, asking for a date. Said date is managed by Lyric's well-known, longtime publicist, Rosaline. Poppy has a history of making bad decisions, causing her to second guess her career choices, and often feels tossed aside by her family--her friendship with Cash is paramount in her life. Rosaline, meanwhile, feels incredibly protective of Lyric, who has a history of tumultuous relationships.

Lyric and Cash give off a smoldering Taylor/Travis vibe, but the true stars are Rosaline and Poppy, who start off as friends with benefits, but slowly build up trust as they work through their clients' own very public relationship.

There's not always a ton of in-depth character development, but we get plenty of laughs and lots of sexual tension. The story is LGBTQIA positive and makes it easy to root for all the characters. Poppy and Rosaline's story (and Cash and Lyric's) is interspersed with social media snippets to move the tale along and keep everything light. This is a fun, sexy romance with a celebrity twist!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in return for an unbiased review. Look for PLAYING FOR KEEPS on 01/06/2026!


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There's a road that I remember leading to a special place: I'LL BE GONE FOR CHRISTMAS.

I'll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was cute!

I'LL BE GONE FOR CHRISTMAS is basically the movie The Holiday, but diverse and gay.

Bee and Clover switch houses via an app. Bee heads to Clover's farmhouse, where she meets Clover's ex, Knox, and gets to know Bee's dad, Jimmy. While there, she works on the issues she has of being in business with her sister and feeling inadequate in her family.

Clover, meanwhile, heads to Bee's city apartment. There, our country mouse meets Bee's twin sister, Beth, with a stop along the way for a high school crush. Clover works through a belated coming out, of sorts, and getting past people's expectations of her.

This is simply a pleasant read. The characters are easy to like and relate to. They're well-drawn, with realistic issues and things to work through. Even though the story digs into serious topics like grief and coming out, it has plenty of light and humorous moments to balance everything out. There's a holiday flavor, but Christmas is not the main focus of the story. Boone captures lesbian friendships and relationships extremely well. Also, Clover's dad Jimmy is adorable and steals many a scene.

GONE has a fun concept. I've discovered that I like holiday reads that feel Christmas-y without going overboard. It's emotional but fun and while a little simplistic at times, this diverse romance is a winner overall. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in return for an unbiased review.

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We're already lit, so who needs a match: THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So this is a fun one, truly! I'm not always a Christmas book fan, but when it's a holiday romantic comedy combined with a locked room mystery (and written by Ally Carter)... THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR does an amazing job of just running with the cheesy over-the-top romance and mystery tropes, acknowledging them straight out (there's only one bed!) and laughing along with them.

We're introduced to our rival mystery writers, Maggie Chase, known for her cozy mysteries and recent divorce, where her entitled husband left her for her best friend, and Ethan Wyatt, a handsome and popular thriller writer. The two have a history together, with Ethan consistently calling her Marcie and Maggie consistently hating Ethan. But now they've been mysteriously invited to the English home of Eleanor Ashley, the most popular crime writer ever, and Maggie's writing idol.

But before you know it: Eleanor's disappeared from a locked room, someone's been poisoned, gunshots have been fired, and what looked like an amazing opportunity to meet Eleanor has turned into a desperate attempt to just stay alive. Or, is it a test concocted by crafty Eleanor herself? Carter gives us a wickedly fun locked room mystery with a twist: it's being solved by rival mystery writers who just might be going from rivals to lovers.

Because it seems like Ethan's been crushing on Maggie for a while. (We had to wait a while to figure out why he loved her from first sight. His obsession seems a little over the top for a bit.) Maggie, meanwhile, is reeling from her divorce and has little reason to believe in Ethan, or anything, especially herself. But she knows Eleanor Ashley. She grew up on her books. As Maggie grows in confidence, the two run through a series of wild and outlandish scenarios (gunshots! fires! secret chambers!) while exchanging quips, witty banter, and smoldering glances.

At times, it felt like my rhythm with CRIME was a little off. I wanted it to move a bit faster than it did. Ethan and Maggie's memories of their various earlier meetings provided justification for their characters' current actions, but as those trickled in slowly, sometimes the two seemed a bit frustrating. But, overall, this was really a fun read, leaning into both the romance and mystery angles, working the English manor in a snowstorm atmosphere, and giving us an enjoyable read while still highlighting the importance of believing in women--and yourself. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in return for an unbiased review.

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I'm the secret ingredient you're missing: TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY.

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always enjoy a good Alexandria Bellefleur book and picked this up for my "June Pride Reads." There's not as much bisexual content as I'd hoped for, though there's a wonderful speech about bisexuality and the idea that society often demands someone be "queer enough" that I loved. That really hit home.

Most of our story is focused on Truly and Colin. Truly, a romance author, is ironically scared of romantic commitment after a brutal breakup and watching her parents--her idols--separate. Colin, a family law (or divorce, per Truly) attorney, seems to have no real flaws and comes across as pretty much perfect in all ways, except to his family, who resent both his bisexuality and the fact that he didn't join the family business (I can't remember, but it's construction or something related... I mean, the guy is a freaking lawyer!). The two meet when Truly comes on Colin's sister's podcast and immediately get off on the wrong foot, yet can't deny that they have instant attraction and chemistry too.

In fact, DEEPLY crackles with chemistry. Colin and Truly's banter flies across the pages, whether it's in person or via their shared texts. The result is a funny and often crazily sexy tale. Truly is certainly... a lot. Her focus on her parents and their love life is overwhelming at times. I could have done with less of that, because the plot related to her romance with Colin is excellent. Colin truly (haha - see what I did there?) is a nearly perfect guy, and I loved how fiercely he loved and felt.

This is a sexy book with a wonderful cast -- quite enjoyable! 4 stars.

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It's a big sea, but it can't touch you and me: THE FIANCEE FARCE.

The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exhausted with her stepmother's constant questions about her love life, Tansy Adams invents a fake girlfriend. So imagine her surprise when said girlfriend shows up at a relative's wedding and not only agrees that she's Tansy's girlfriend, but announces that they are engaged as well. Not only that, but this girlfriend is Gemma West, aka Gemma van Dalen, a gorgeous model and member of the wealthy van Dalen family. Turns out Gemma needs Tansy too: in order to satisfy the requirements of her grandfather's will and inherit Van Dalen Publishing, she must be married. Tansy and Gemma strike a deal: Tansy will marry Gemma to help her earn her inheritance and Gemma will help Tansy buy her family's struggling bookstore.

But their business proposition turns complicated--with van Dalens challenging them at every turn and Gemma and Tansy starting to fall for one another--can they make it through the engagement to the altar?

This was just a really fun book. It sets up "good versus evil" right away, with Tansy and Gemma fighting against the evil van Dalens and overall corporate greed and just runs with it in yes, a somewhat cheesy, but an enjoyable, way. I couldn't help but root for Tansy and Gemma, and I feel like this story would make a good movie. The two have a bit of instalove going on (they are practically head over heels by the end of their first meeting), but they are infectious and have some great banter and chemistry.

The result is a book that you can't help but smile while reading. Tansy is quiet and anxious, but she's also brave--the perfect antidote for Gemma, who has never had an advocate in her life. Gemma has something to prove to the van Dalens and perhaps to herself. They're a good pair.

FARCE makes some great points in its support for publishing and newspapers, and I love how both Tansy and Gemma are bisexual. Gemma has a great gaggle of queer friends (yay found family). I would have liked a few more surprises (the villains are pretty clear here). Still this is a really fun and romantic read. 4+ stars.




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All my heart my soul my wishes: THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sewanee Chester is a well-known, award-winning audiobook narrator. But in "another life," Sewanee was an actress. An accident changed things and while she's content enough with her new life, she often feels something is missing. Even more, her best friend, Adaku has the life Sewanee has always wanted and is on her way to stardom. Sewanee is also concerned about her beloved grandmother, Blah, whom she's losing to dementia. Sewanee no longer narrates romance books--she doesn't believe in the happily ever after story, after all--but when she's offered the chance to do a web series with renowned romance narrator Brock McNight, she agrees. As Sewanee and Brock begin to work together, they grow close over text. Can Sewanee let down her walls and let Brock in?

Oh goodness, this was really delightful! LISTENING is such a fun and charming book. Brock and Sewanee are both damaged but lovable characters, and Sewanee is dealing with how her accident affected not only her acting career but also her trust levels. Watching her figure out her life and grapple with not only what she wants but what she feels she deserves is a truly worthwhile and enjoyable journey.

Whelan brings so much knowledge about romance and audiobooks (of course). What I loved is the amazing witty and sexy banter in the book, often in email and texts between our characters. It lovingly embraces its tropes and is such a lovely and engaging romance. It's impossible not to root for our pair. There's also some fun and interesting side characters, including Sewanee's grandmother, her mother and her mom's boyfriend (Stu-such a cutie!). There were pieces of this book that made me laugh out loud.

Overall, this is such a fun and romantic read. It was just a tiny bit too long for me, but otherwise, it was a wonderful romance. 4+ stars.

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I know why we had to say goodbye like the back of my hand: HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hannah Bellinger is back in Westport, Washington, thanks to her brilliant idea to have her boss, Sergei, film his latest project there. She's had a crush on the director for ages and a desire to move up the ranks from assistant to music producer as well. Giving her romantic advice is Fox Thornton, Hannah's friend and Westport King crab fisherman. Fox is well-known in Westport for being a ladies man, but secretly he's been in love with Hannah since they met. As for Hannah, even though she's been pining after Sergei, the more time she spends with Fox, the more she falls for him. They both care about each other, but each has their own hang ups. Can Hannah and Fox get past them to find long-lasting love?

"What was that like? To be the star in the movie of your life?"

"He had never been jealous over a girl in his life. Except for this one."

This is a fairly cute story, but I never found myself wanting to pick it up, because it's fairly repetitious. We hear over and over about how Fox is a player, but cannot commit and people only think of him one way. He's the only one standing in his own way. Hannah, meanwhile, is stuck on the idea that she's the supporting player in her own life, not the leading lady. As they fight their own issues, they are constantly jumping to conclusions about the other, or immediately misunderstanding an action the other person took. Ugh! The plot, therefore, cannot move forward because we are constantly rehashing emotions or going over the same thing over and over.

It's sad, because when the story moves, it's quite enjoyable. When Fox or Hannah have breakthroughs or act like reasonable people, I like them a lot. They are cute together, amusing, and a powerful force. And there are certainly a lot of sexy times in the book, for sure. There's also a really cute and fun epilogue that offers some great insight into Hannah and her sister, Piper, from the first book.

Overall, this book is romantic and funny, but also slow-moving and often frustrating. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Avon and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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I'll follow you into the dark: COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS.

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Margot Cooper isn't much for relationships anymore. But with her friends rapidly pairing off around her, she's beginning to feel like a fifth wheel. Then she learns that her friend Brendon's wedding planner is her long ago best friend, Olivia Grant. Margo and Olivia were inseparable as kids, but when they crossed over into a teen romance that ended badly, they lost touch. It's been ten years since Margot's seen Olivia, but she's still as lovely and wonderful as Margot remembers. As for Olivia, she's divorced and finally pursuing her own dreams. When an unwelcome flood means Olivia and Margot wind up roommates, they are forced to confront what happened all those years ago--and if it still means anything to them now.

This is an excellent entry in the Written in the Stars series--a fun and sexy read filled with wanting and sexual tension. I've always loved Margot, a character we've known since the first book, when we met Margot's best friend, Elle, with whom she runs a business. (This book can stand-alone quite easily, but the entire series is certainly worth a read.) At this point, Margot feels like an outsider in her friend group, with everyone else quite paired off. She's okay being single and does not feel like you necessarily need someone to be complete, but there's only so many times she can not be invited to couples yoga.

Seeing Olivia again feels like fate... but what exactly does it mean? There's clearly some sort of misunderstanding that happened between Olivia and Margot in high school. And of course, Margot very stubbornly and annoyingly wont talk about her feelings. A very common thread in this series is the lack of communication and a willingness to jump to conclusions--this is certainly a pet peeve of mine in books, and while I wanted to shake Margot and Olivia at times, it didn't drive me as crazy as it did in the first two books.

This was probably because it's impossible not to like Margot. and Olivia is easy to care for too. Plus, the book is just so fun and filled with innuendo and banter and lots of hot scenes. There is no lack of lesbian love here. It's funny and touching and quite enjoyable. 4+ stars.


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And wonders of his love: IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After a break-up, socialite Piper Bellinger holds a wild party that ends with her in jail. Fed up, her wealthy stepfather cuts her off and sends Piper and her sister Hannah to Washington state (aka purgatory) to run her late father's dive bar. Piper is appalled by the state of their accommodations (bunk beds!) and the hideous bar they need to fix up. But she's determined to show her stepfather that she can cut it. In Westport, she meets Brendan, a local sea captain, who shares her stepfather's idea that Piper stands no chance at survival in his town. Piper and Brendan are total opposites, but they certainly seem to share chemistry. Piper needs to focus if she's going to survive in Westport, but as she starts to learn about her family's past here, she begins to wonder if LA is where she really belongs... and if Brendan--and Westport--are truly that terrible.

"If she didn't have her social status, what did she have?"

This is a fun read, with Piper inspired by the character of Alexis in Schitt's Creek. I enjoyed imagining Piper as Alexis. While this may be a somewhat predictable story, it's also really funny, and very steamy and sexy. Piper is quite vapid at first, but offers us some surprising depth as she finds her way in Westport. She becomes an engaging character and her relationship with Brendan is one that's easy to get behind.

Overall, this story is just easy to like. It's nice to have an enjoyable story that makes you smile once in a while. This was my first book by Tessa Bailey, but I'll definitely be reading others. 4 stars.

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She's nothing like the things you said: ALL THE FEELS

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex Woodroe plays Cupid on the popular show God of the Gates. But he hates what the showrunners have done with his character. When he gets into a bar fight--just the latest in a series of escapades--said showrunners hire someone to keep watch over him and his public behavior. One more misstep, after all, and Alex's career is basically over. Lauren Clegg is cousin to one of the showrunners, a former ER therapist whose experience in stressful situations makes her well-situated to deal with the impetuous Alex. However, the more time she spends with him, the more she realizes his behavior may be misunderstood--and have some actual reasons behind it. And the more Alex gets to know Lauren, who is often mocked for her short height and appearance, the more he can't help but feel something for her. As the two face scandals and a road trip together, they'll have to choose what is really important, for themselves and for one another.

"His new nanny looked like a bird."

This is a fun romance and a good companion to SPOILER ALERT. You can read them as stand-alones, but they are intertwined and FEELS runs somewhat concurrently in plot to ALERT. I didn't think this one was quite as good as ALERT, but still really enjoyed it. Full-time Alex could be a little grating and there was sometimes too much focus on Lauren's appearance--her height and constant references to looking like a bird, etc. But I enjoyed learning Alex's backstory, and Lauren was another strong, tough protagonist.

This is a very good and funny story, with excellent banter and overall focus on body positivity. It encompasses other important issues (ADHD, domestic abuse) too while still being a sweet romance. Alex can drive you a bit crazy (which is often the point) but he's still so humorous and kind, and Lauren is a good foil for him.

I felt Lauren and Alex fell in love a bit more quickly than our SPOILER ALERT duo. Each could be very black and white in the way they dealt with their issues. However, Alex's approach to calling out tropes ("there's only one bed!") was absolutely hilarious.

Overall, this is an amusing and delightful romance, even with its little quirks. Dade writes an excellent romance. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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Always falling down without a place to land: HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS.

How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A repetitive and lackluster romance

Makeda Hicks loses her job and her girlfriend in the same day. Reeling, she's forced to move back with her grandmother and help out at her bed and breakfast. Being back with Grandmore means hearing more about when Grandmore supposedly had a passionate affair with the Prince of Ibarania--leading to Makeda's mother. Makeda has no patience for this story, as her mother's obsession with being a Princess dominated Makeda's entire childhood. When it never panned out, she disconnected from life (and Makeda), receding into alcoholism and forcing Makeda to grow up fast. When Beznaria Chetchevaliere, an investigator for the World Federation of Monarchies shows up at the B&B, claiming to be looking for Ibarania's missing heir, Makeda wants nothing to do with it. But the beautiful and chaotic investigator is surprisingly persuasive. Can she convince Makeda to go with her--and is Makeda indeed the heir to Ibarania?

"No adventures, no drama, and always there to lend a helping hand, even when her hands were full, that was Makeda."

This was one of my #Pride reads for June, and it sounded so cute. There were definitely funny and enjoyable moments, and I'm always glad to see queer romances in the world, but overall, this one didn't really work for me. I am a sucker for a good Hallmark movie, but even I couldn't get into this crazy idea--an unhinged royal investigator, a reluctant heir... and eventually a lot of fakedating and a cargo ship. It was all too much.

It's hard to believe the instachemistry between Bez and Makeda, especially as we do not get a lot of backstory on the two women. Makeda's "will I go with Bez or won't I" takes an inordinately long time--it was incredibly frustrating. Just decide already! Things are repeated over and over, making the story feel inordinately long. Being unable to get into the characters or their romance, it was just hard to really love this one. The pacing and timing always seemed off. I wound up skimming the last half just to find out what would happen, otherwise it would have been a DNF. 2 stars.

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Be of good heart evermore: HANG THE MOON

Hang the Moon: A Novel by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

A hopeful and winning romance

This companion to WRITTEN IN THE STARS focuses on Darcy's brother Brendon, creator of the dating app OTP and a hopeless romantic. Brendon feels stressed out when the latest research numbers show that perhaps not everyone using dating apps believes as deeply in true love as he does. This includes, Annie, Darcy's best friend and Brendon's long ago crush. Annie arrives in Seattle to surprise Darcy, who just happens to be on a little getaway with her girlfriend, Elle. So Brendon steps up, delivering the keys to Darcy's place and... a series of dates designed to show Annie romance still exists. As for Annie, well she doesn't protest too much. After all, despite swearing off love, she discovers that Darcy's brother has grown up into a pretty handsome and funny guy. She's enjoying their time together. But she's only in Seattle for a few weeks, so Brendon has his work cut out for him.

"You couldn't be disappointed when someone stopped caring if you never expected them to in the first place."

I really enjoyed WRITTEN IN THE STARS and Darcy and Elle's story, so I was excited to read the next book in the series. I liked Brendon's tale, but not quite as much as Darcy and Elle's, mostly because I'm from the LGBTQIA community, and it was so refreshing to have a f/f story in Darcy and Elle. Still, Brendon is such a cutie, and his unyielding faith in love is pretty sweet.

Annie is a good addition to the group--she shows up a bit in book one. She is, of course, the complete opposite of Brendon: completely apathetic about love. But when she arrives in Seattle for a two-week vacation, with some life-changing news for Darcy, and her best friend isn't there, she can't help but enjoy her time with Brendon. Brendon resolves to use his favorite romantic films as a blueprint to woo Annie, but it turns into a comedy of errors, with nothing really turning out the way he planned.

"'Let's say that I needed to prove to someone that romance isn't dead.'"

Many of their interactions are humorous and the banter witty and funny, though I felt the "optimist" versus "pessimist," "will she stay or will she go" storyline was rehashed a bit much, as the plot gets hung up and stagnates for a bit until things pick up again. But, Brendon's sweet personality and Annie's willingness to give new things a try carry the book, along with its overall humor. It's nice to get some appearances from Darcy and Elle, though it severely lacks enough Margo (thank goodness she's the focus of book three).

Overall, this is a cute romance featuring winning leads. It's repetitive in places, but also flirty and fun. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.

I received a copy of this book from Avon / Harper Voyager and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for HANG THE MOON on 5/25/2021!

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