Ava MacAdams Saving Her Marriage to the Duke

Book 2 in the Brides of Convenience series:  started this in 2024 and finished in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124950908-saving-her-marriage-to-the-duke

I did read the first in this series last year but this second book is a complete stand alone, all new characters and the stories don't connect. 

The Duchess of Lancaster (Arabella) has been married to the Duke for 5 years but it's really in name only as they have been living separate lives.  Shortly after getting married The Duke left for one of his country estates he never touched her prior to leaving town and she has remained a virgin.  

Unfortunately for Arabella the gossip columns are going wild making  claims that she is letting everyone into her bed, she doesn't attempt to change anyone's mind as she thinks this might be a way to get her absent husband back to her and maybe they could actually try having a real marriage.  This news does reach Evan (the Duke) who makes his way back to town with plans to teach his wife about proper behavior for a Duchess... more importantly how she should behave as "HIS" Duchess.  

Arabella left on her own as spent her time planning parties with her brother, sister in law and her husband's cousin who she has grown close to in his absence.  She has also collected several animals (like Monkeys).  

Evan attempts to continue to keep his distance from her but he is drawn to her (naturally) and a lot of spicy times happen (open door so if you like closed door stuff this one isn't going to be for you).

It comes out over the course of the story that Evan has tragically lost his first wife and their unborn child and because of this he doesn't want to get close to his new wife.  He doesn't want to chance her getting pregnant... yet they do nothing to prevent a pregnancy during their intimate moments.

Drama occurs with a wayward cousin with secrets of his own and a super mean Grandmother (the dowager duchess) who is up to shady shenanigans.  

Can the Duke get over his past heartache and give this new love a chance?  

Have you read anything by Ava MacAdams?  Which book do you recommend?  what did you think of this book.

*Duke  *scandal  *historical romance  *spice (open door and a lot of it)  *2nd chance for romance  *happy ending 

*miscommunication/no communication

Trigger warnings: Mentions of death (first wife and child)  

While I don't necessarily think the book was "bad" it was just an ok historical romance novel for me. It had a lot of extra drama:

•  I got irritated with both male and female leads for their lack of communication and the running away that Evan did, both were a bit immature at times. 
• I also was irritated with Arabella's sister-in-law for seeming to just want to spend all of Arabella's money on parties with little care to how she is feeling about anything Arabella basically tells her that she is sad and not in the party mood and the sister is like "So what lets party" (not in those words but you get the idea).  
• Then the Duke's cousin is supposed to be Arabella's really good friend but places her in a bad situation because it will hurt the other person that he was actually with... well it hurt Arabella at the time friends don't do that to friends. 
• I picked up this book and set it down multiple times before finally finishing this and I'll probably read the rest of the series I think I just need a break from it for now.  

Morgan Leigh: Latte Love

Cherry Falls Series Book 1 read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224074509-latte-love

I found this book through the author in one of the book groups I'm in on Facebook.  It's a sweet cozy read that's under 300 pages.  I loved the small town vibes and the FMC's family is really close helping each other out (and often getting in the way).

Gabriel (our MMC) is a gruff police officer he's a newly single dad and looking for a Nanny to watch over his daughter Aura at night while he works.  Gabriel's mom has been helping out a lot but her life is back in Italy, not Cherry Falls and while she's been wonderful she needs to get back to her own life.

Millie (our FMC) is a hard worker who has always dreamed of owning her own café and her dream is coming to life soon she has a soft opening of her business when she runs into Gabriel (this causes him to give her the nickname "Bumper" which he uses frequently throughout the rest of the book).  

Millie overhears Gabriel interviewing the wrong person for the role of Nanny and decides to intervene, she offers herself to be his new nanny, he doesn't know if he should take this help from her as they didn't start off on the right foot but he needs someone and soon.

Millie and Gabriel both have been burned by past relationships.  Gabriel's ex decided she couldn't handle being a mother and left without much notice and hasn't really bothered to reach out since.  Millie had a overbearing ex that used to put her down and she really doesn't want to end up in that kind of relationship again.

Even though they both have walls up for various reasons they can't help growing closer together as they spend more time with each other and their shared love for Gabriel's daughter Aura.  Can they find a way to open up and let each other in?  Or will they miss out on what they could have together due to not being able to get over past hurts?

Some drama later in the book with Aura's birth mother and wanting to regain custody.  

Have you read this book?  What is your favorite "cafe" inspired romance novel?  

*what I liked about this book:

• Small town hallmark movie kind of vibes
• likeable side characters (Millie's large family, Gabriel's mom and his work partner Josh)
• Cute baby 
• MMC was broody (at first) but then more cuddly towards the FMC
• MMC --> sweet, handsome man in uniform 
• Indie author --> first book  

*some things that missed the mark for me with this book

• Repeat sentences (could use some better editing, not hard to overlook and I know that it's harder as an Indie author to get editing help)
• Frequent and confusing time jumps, the soft opening of the shop was coming up soon... then it was still days away, later in the book several months get jumped and maybe the story didn't flow as well as it could have because of a bunch of bigger time jumps?
• If the FMC is starting a new business I didn't understand how she had the time to be a Nanny and try to run her shop... maybe just a bit too many things going on at once 
• Millie is running a new business but has time to go with Gabriel and Aura to a water park (last minute), to Italy for a family vacation and later on to Costa Rica... when is she making her pastries for this shop?  does she ever sleep?
• The 3rd act break up was a bit sudden they were just discussing the "L" word and he brings up a topic that Millie is flustered with then she just bolts and doesn't let him even finish talking to her about it when he tries to talk to her a few times later she ignores him and bolts again... how is he supposed to explain himself or how he feels if Millie won't let him speak at that point I felt she was the broody and unreasonable one and he was the sunshine.

I think overall the book was cute and there were a lot of good ideas there, the author could probably use some editing help to narrow down the focus so there isn't "so much extra" going on that takes away from the story.  I hope to read the second in the series when it comes out.  

*Enemies (sort of) --> More  *Broody (MMC) *police officer (MMC) *sunshine (FMC)  *some spice *Some adult language *single dad  *dual POV  *nanny  *FMC business owner 

*age gap  *He falls first  *forced proximity

  *small town romance  *Indie author  *First book for this author 

*Happy Ending 

*miscommunication/no communication  *frequent time jumps  

Lauren Landish: Rule #1 Never Marry your Brother's Best Friend

 Never Say Never Book 1 read in 2024

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75419854-never-marry-your-brother-s-best-friend

Carter Harrington is a wealthy businessman in a line of wealthy businessmen, his family is super rich and he grew up with his father having high expectations on him to join the family business and help it thrive.  While trying to land a new client his friend (and business partner) Zack has a good idea this client (Elena) that they want to win over is a wealthy widow with a large estate that needs to be managed (her current manager is set to retire soon) and her husband was an art lover and word has it that he had quite the collection no one has seen it in ages as it's been a closed to the public collection at Elena's estate but this could be an in if he knows more about art... lucky for Carter --> Zack knows just the person who can teach him, his younger sister Luna is an artist and while she works at a local museum she could probably use the extra money so he could potentially talk her into being his tutor... Great idea!

Luna agrees to tutor Carter with flash cards to learn more about artists/artwork,  and gives him a tour of the museum she works at like she would any other guests of the museum... only Carter has something else entirely planned while she shows him her favorite painting in the museum and discusses why she loves it Carter proposes totally caught off guard since they are not even friends let alone dating she doesn't say anything Carter kisses her in front of everyone around her (including her co-workers) and her brother is there filming the entire "event."  

Carter realizing that he will never learn enough about art in time to win over Elena decides to go all in on this plan he convinces Luna to go along with this wild plan by bribing her with the opportunity to see the art collection that is at Elena's estate.  Luna is a terrible liar and is not even sure how she will be convincing as Carter's fiance she's a lot younger and feels that he is way out of her league and they have nothing in common but her brother Zach.  Carter is a tall, handsome, rich businessman who commands a room Luna is a socially awkward, curvy, short and shy and she likes that no one notices her when she walks into a room.  

Luna does have an inner fierceness which she writes into her comic book that she has been working on (but has been too nervous to share with anyone).  

Luna doesn't like Carter due to a misunderstanding from years ago (it is explained later in the book)

The couple ends up at Elena's estate where they have to stay over and pretend to be an actual couple in a room with one bed... somewhere along the line while spending more time together feelings grow and the "fake" part of their relationship doesn't feel so fake anymore.

Elena's niece comes into play and adds additional drama because she wants more say into how things are controlled at the estate, but thankfully Elena is a sharp lady and knows when someone is up to no good.  Carter and Luna also have to continue their "fake" relationship as he continues to try to work to win over Elena.  

Carter has a large (sometimes overwhelming) family and they make appearances throughout the book, he has an adorable niece and his brother's dog gets into some shenanigans.  Luna's best friend Samantha comes in to offer "words of wisdom." 

Likeable side characters and some funny moments 

Overall I enjoyed the book it was on the high end of ridiculous at times but it was funny and sweet with a happy ending.  

Have you read this book or any from this series?  How did you feel about it?  What is your favorite Lauren Landish book?  

*Brother's Best friend *Dual POV  * (surprise) Virgin FMC  *Age Gap (older male)  *Artsy FMC  *FMC with self esteem issues

*Millionaire MMC  *Fake dating/engagement --> More  *Spice  *Enemies --> Lovers 

*some possessiveness/jealousy  *dirty talk  *third act break up

*Forced Proximity *one bed *drama  *Opposites Attract *happy ending  *The first in a series 

Some negatives for the book:

*probably wasn't necessary for them to be more than "fake dating" for the client, it's not like she was over the top about needing her new estate manager to be married to get the job, she seemed to be pretty easy going considering her large fortune.  

*Zack (the brother) goes along with a "surprise" proposal when he knows his sister doesn't like to be the center of attention but then goes all "if you hurt her I will hurt you" on his friend... maybe you could have at least told your sister the plan in advance

*some parts of the story seem to be forced in (the engagement, the break up, the brother acting protective when he feels like it, trying to show the FMC as extra quirky)

*MMC seems to be a bit overbearing and manipulative at times it might be part of his upbringing as a super wealthy guy that always gets his way (even if he feels like he's always competing with his family)

*not sure why our couple have to have loud fake sex to be "believable" as a couple when trying to convince an older wealthy woman to do business with Carter...  seems more believable that they would be on their best behavior not doing anything in the room... but maybe that's just me (?) 

Lore Olesya: Glass Hearts

 Read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223915382-glass-hearts

Princess Maralena (The Glass Princess) and her family are still grieving the loss of her mother she passed away several years prior but the King has since forbidden mirrors and the ones that are around are either broken or covered.  There is magic in the world but seems to be less magic in the Glass kingdom since losing the Queen, later we also find that the gods for the different kingdoms have left the realm and that's one reason for decreased magic in the world.  While usually noble females are married off as a teenager Mara remains unmarried but the King has decided this needs to change she is turning 21 after all... good news for her is that at least she is getting the opportunity to choose her own husband.  

The Sun Prince is handsome and determined to have Princess Mara as his wife even though word has gotten out that the Glass Kingdom's magic is dwindling he knows that the princess is bound to have hidden power and he wants to be able to get his hands on her magic... Yes our handsome Sun Prince is up to shady shenanigans!  

The Glass King has invited many eligible men from all over the different kingdoms to come to compete in a tournament for his daughter's hand.  While many of the men are way older Mara still believes that she will be able to choose her own match.  Mara's older brother is also unwed but she envies him at least he won't have to leave the only home he's ever known and become a pawn in the royal game to build alliances.  

Mara meets Evrardin while he's at the castle for the tournament with the Sun Prince (Evrardin is the captain of the guard for the sun kingdom) he exchanges some flirtations with Mara and then he makes her a bet that she will end up engaged to the Sun Prince by the end of the tournament, she takes the bet knowing that she has been given the approval from her father to select her own husband... only at the start of the tournament her father makes some jabs towards one of the other kingdoms and in the same speech announces that the winner of the jousting tournament will also win his daughter's hand.  This is a huge blow for Mara her life is being decided for her and she now lost the last choice she had left.  

Evrardin has taken to following Mara and she is irritated by Evrardin's presence she doesn't need him around she has her own guards... he has the pleasure of telling her that the Sun Prince has given him the task of being her personal protector once they are back in the Sun kingdom... leaving them a lot of time to get to know each other better.   

The Sun Prince makes unreasonable demands on Mara once she returns with him to his kingdom and while she is working hard to figure out how to accomplish what the prince wants, she desperately wants to be anywhere else, how is she going to get out of this?  

While Mara works towards the princes goals she stumbles upon secrets that the Sun Kingdom wants hidden and more than just her own life may be at stake.  

Evrardin's life has not been his own for quite some time will he be able to shake the Prince's demands and go after what he really wants?  

Over all I really enjoyed this book, did feel that some of the story dragged in the middle but I would read more from this author and if you like fantasy/romantasy you will like the twists, turns and drama!  

Hoping for more stories in this same world!  

*ARC read  *Romance  *Fantasy  *magical world  *Forbidden romance  *fairy tale  *450 pages 

*multi POV --> dual POV with occasional POV from side characters *drama  *slow burn (very slow) *some spice  *banter  *Enemies --> More 

 *adult situations/themes  

Lola Glass: Never Feed a Dragon

 Read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214388228-never-feed-a-dragon

This is the third book in the Mate Mountain series this book focuses on August and Jasper's other brother Eli (all 3 have made appearances in the previous two books of the series) from the moment Eli meets Vi there is something brewing... for him he had known the instant he saw her that she was going to be his mate... she was on the other end of the spectrum as they continued their verbal sparring every time they got together.

Feeling lonely and wanting someone to go home with after her sister's wedding Vi enlists Eli to help her find a guy to take home for a "one night stand"... he already has the perfect guy in mind, himself no one else is going to go home with her when he knows she should be his.

Vi knows that she is now going to have Eli in her life whether she wants him there or not since her new brother in law is his brother she decides on the day of her sisters wedding to make him spaghetti as a peace offering... little did she know this would be the start of a series of events that would change her life forever.  

While Vi doesn't know this Eli has been trying to set off a mate bond with her ever since he first saw her... he has tried drinking from her drink (which is what worked for Jasper when drank from Randa's drink in the second book), he has flirted with Vi, flirted with other women in front of Vi, verbally sparred with Vi at every opportunity so when she agrees to take him back to her place he is a little surprised that what actually starts their magical mate bond known as heat is during the actual deed... but now it's too late because that is what seals their bond.  

Unlike the first two books in the series where the couple basically locks themselves in a cabin/ or mountain home they go on vacation... which I felt was an expensive way to just stay in a room mostly since they were still in the middle of their "heat" and uncomfortable so they couldn't go out much doing tourists stuff.  

Vi is very hung up on an old relationship where she was treated poorly and the guy ended up cheating on her, because of this she never wants to try having another relationship again... I felt this got a bit old since Eli was going out of his way to prove that he wasn't like that and wanted to be with her he was very open with his love and support.  A lot of discussions about how their relationship is going to go and deciding it doesn't all need to be decided immediately... I began to wonder if Vi was ever going to come around to realize she is with this guy forever and should make some kind of an effort.     

If you are looking for series that has a well thought out plot and world building this is not that type of book series, if you are looking for a fun light read that's entertaining with a bunch of spice... this has a hot dragon shifter + magical heat process started with the woman he has been dreaming of for years = fireworks (basically spicy hot dragon shifter romance with many happy endings).

Have you read anything by this author?  Which series is your favorite?

*Romantasy  *Shifter romance (Dragon)  *virgin MMC  *fated mates  *enemies --> lovers  

*possessive MMC  *golden retriever MMC  *MMC gave FMC nickname "Spaghetti"

*lots of spice  *fluffy light read  *paranormal romance  *Happy ending  

Wendy Vella: Sensing Danger

The Sinclair & Raven book 1  (read in 2024)

The Sinclair family have been given heightened senses (Smell, taste, hearing, seeing) so this part of the story leaves a bit of the unknown supposedly several hundred years prior a Sinclair saved the Duke of Raven (who was the King's good friend) after this a pact was signed and ever since a Sinclair should protect and save (when necessary) a member of the Raven family and because they have been trusted to be protectors they were somehow granted these extra special powers.  

Due to the most recent Duke of Raven being a pompous jerk the Sinclair family who lives down hill from the Duke's home has not had many interactions with him but they have learned that this Duke has passed away and there is a new Duke in Residence. 

While on her way home one night Eden with her heightened hearing hears a plot to throw someone into the ocean... this would surely lead to death for this person as it's freezing out, seeing these men get on with their plan and toss a tied up man into the water she risks her own life getting in the water to save him, it turns out this is James (the new Duke of Raven).  Following with her lengthy family history of a Sinclair saving a Raven.

James has returned to his home after a lengthy absence (as his father had kicked him out when he was a boy) he finds that he has a younger half sister Samantha that he needs to care for, she is frightened of him because their father was cruel to her as well and he feels that his focus should be on caring for this child now that he is her guardian but now there are obviously other issues... mainly the fact that someone just tried (and almost succeeded to kill him) and they will probably be back soon to finish the job.

Eden and all of her siblings (there are a bunch of them which are in the rest of the series so if you decide to read this book you will get to know them all) decide they need to go to London with the Duke to keep watch over him it is their job as Sinclair's to protect the Raven's after all.  The Duke doesn't want to make it easy for the Sinclair family to protect him though and he is a bit of a hot head giving Eden mixed signals and throwing out the "I'm a Duke, listen to me" card when he feels like it.    

I read this awhile ago and I remember enjoying the book and the series overall... the villain in the book popped up quickly and the situation was dealt with quickly but I didn't feel it took away from the story.  

I loved the Sinclair family and enjoyed seeing James come out of his icy shell once he realized that he could have a loving family life.  

Have you read anything by Wendy Vella?  Have you read this series?  Which book is your favorite in the series?  

some negatives: 

Lots of bickering between the Lead male and female got a bit old at times gah!  just get together already stop pushing each other away and not communicating. 

The Duke at times kind of forces kisses on Eden (even though she's asking him to stop) she is drawn to him too but still if she is saying no he shouldn't keep pushing.  

*Historical romance *Spice  * Brooding Duke with mood swings (who can't love anyone... naturally)

  *paranormal elements  *enemies to lovers  (pushing each other away) 

*brave female lead who rescues our male lead  *happy ending  *drama

Elle Kennedy: The Play

 Briar U Book 3  --> whole review might be spoilers but it's a pretty popular series so you might already know this stuff.  

Hunter Davenport is from a wealthy family, he is a hot hockey player and he's now the captain of the team. This year is going to be different since he made himself a promise that he is going to put hockey and his team first this year, last season ended badly when he unknowingly slept with a rival players girlfriend (this rival player broke his arm during a crucial game at the end of the season).  What's going to be different this year is he is going to be celibate... no women, no drama, just focus on the game... he can do this right? 

Demi Davis is a hard working student she has a long term boyfriend of 8 years they have been together since they were 13 but she was smitten long before that when he moved in next door to her when she was 8 and they lived in Miami.  Demi's dad is a surgeon and wants her to follow his medical footsteps, she is far more interested in psychology just hasn't found a way to tell him she doesn't want to be a doctor she knows that he has been pushing her towards it and she doesn't want to disappoint him.  Her mother is supportive but seems to follow along with whatever her dad wants to do when it comes to certain things and that seems to include what Demi should study in school.

Hunter and Demi end up thrown together on a project for a psychology class where one student is to play the therapist and figure out the diagnosis of the other student (playing the patient) they get to know each other as friends through these sessions, Hunter feels his role as a patient is made easier since he just channels his dad (a narcissist).  Demi has several guy friends and begins to consider Hunter as another one of those friends.  

There is one guy (TJ) that everyone else can see has a bit of a crush on Demi, but she sees him as a good friend and nothing more he is seen throughout the book wanting to spend time with her but Demi double plans and frequently has to put off their plans for doing things with Hunter or other friends.  

Demi feels like Nico (her boyfriend has been pulling away from her he has made some shady excuses lately for why he can't come over and Hunter (who was introduced to him) sees him at a frat party coming out of a bedroom with a girl (who isn't Demi) and zipping up his pants.  Hunter struggles with whether he should tell Demi or not but after speaking with some friends decides to just tell her what he saw.   Initially Demi doesn't believe that Nico could be cheating but it comes out later that he has been cheating on her (and with multiple girls). 

Hunter and Demi continue to build a friendship and Hunter even helps Demi look for her rebound, Demi just wishes Hunter would agree to be her rebound already... 

Demi's parents are not very accepting of the fact that Nico is no longer in her life and instead of respecting her wishes to not see him they make her go with them to have dinner with his family for Christmas... drama!  

Demi continues to get closer to Hunter and Hunter really doesn't know how much longer he can continue to resist her, he is drawn to her and he knows there would be fireworks if he let himself go there with her.  But he wants to prove to himself that he can reach the goals he set and have Hockey as a top priority.  Hunter also struggles with the worry he is going to follow his father's footsteps (his dad has cheated on his mom on multiple occasions) and he is trying so hard not to be like him that he is putting off his possible dreams of being in the NHL because he doesn't know if he could handle that lifestyle.  

Eventually they can't fight their feelings anymore and end up together, Demi's parents continue to struggle that Nico is no longer in the picture and didn't even want to give Hunter a chance (I found this tough... they should have been more supportive towards their daughter and her feelings after her ex was found to be a cheater).  

There is also a side story where Hunter's team mates want a mascot and their coach gives them a hard boiled egg to watch over... if they can take care of this he will consider going to the Dean to see if they could potentially get a pig.  Their egg of course ends up going on adventures, being used as an excuse to irritate their team mates and gets a bunch of followers on it's Instagram... it's a good team building exercise for responsibility.  

Some negative things about the book:

Hunter seemed to be a side character in his own story for a good portion of the book

Demi decides that she wants a rebound but Hunter continues to say he is off the market he wants to remain in the sex-free zone, this part I felt was wrong on Demi's part she kept teasing him about his "monk" status and pushing for him to give in already and break his dry spell since it really wouldn't hurt his hockey games, if the roles were reversed everyone would be upset.  

There is a scene where Demi and Hunter end up taken to the local jail and he takes a selfie of himself with Demi being behind bars, this probably just bothered me because I was a prison nurse for over 10 years... cell phones are contraband and the officers wouldn't have let him keep it with him.  

I won't go too much into this but there is multicultural representation but it doesn't seem to be well done, seems to be more stereotypes of different cultures that are seen on TV/movies or something.  Same with some characters and their sexual orientation.

A friend of Demi's at the very end of the book ends up having suicidal ideations with an active plan in place, I felt the author should have spent more time with this if they were going to add it to the story not just throw it in at the very end to have the LFC save the day.   

*College romance *Dual POV  *some spice  *Hockey Romance *sports romance *YA  *happy ending 

*slow burn

Trigger Warnings:  suicide attempt (not main character), cheating