Category / Review

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Sicilian’s Stolen Son by Lynne Graham

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harlequin
Hero: Luciano Vitale
Heroine: Jemima Barber
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: April 01, 2016
Started On: September 08, 2024
Finished On: September 11, 2024

He knew he wasn’t fully in control and it made him feel outrageously free of his rigid rules to do as he liked. She would be his for as long as he wanted her and that was all that currently mattered to him.

The Sicilian’s Stolen Son by Lynne Graham delivers all the passion, tension, and emotional depth you would expect from one of her signature Mediterranean romances. Jemima Barber’s life is turned upside down when Luciano Vitale storms in to her life to reclaim his young son, the child carried by Jemima’s late twin sister as part of a surrogacy arrangement gone terribly wrong. In a bid to protect her nephew, Jemima allows Luciano to believe she is her sister, a deception that immediately puts her in the crosshairs of a man known for his ruthless control and scorching intensity.

Luciano is every inch the classic alpha hero; smouldering, sexy, and devastatingly commanding. A widower still haunted by his past, his marriage to a beautiful but faithless woman has left him jaded and mistrustful. Yet, even when he believes Jemima to be the unscrupulous woman who withheld his child, his attraction to her is undeniable. Beneath the arrogance and edge lies a man who is fiercely protective of his son and, as the story unfolds, surprisingly vulnerable when it comes to love.

Jemima was an absolute delight as a heroine. At twenty-four, she is curvy, down-to-earth, and refreshingly warm, a stark contrast to the sophisticated, manipulative sister whose identity she is temporarily forced to assume. Her genuine care for her nephew and her quiet strength make her deeply relatable, and her helpless attraction to Luciano only complicates the precarious situation she is in. Watching her navigate the minefield of his mistrust while trying to hold her own in their increasingly combustible relationship is a large part of the book’s appeal.

The dynamic between them is electric from the start, fueled by a combustible mix of mistrust, desire, and emotional wounds. The turning point, when Luciano discovers the truth about Jemima’s innocence, does not dim the intensity, but rather shifts it into a marriage of convenience that brims with sexual tension and emotional push and pull. Their journey to trust and love is laced with tender moments, sharp exchanges, and just enough vulnerability from Luciano to make his eventual surrender to his feelings truly satisfying.

What I loved most was how Graham managed to make Luciano’s moments of openness enhance rather than weaken his potent, alpha nature. He remains smouldering and authoritative, but with flashes of raw honesty that deepen the romance. The epilogue is especially rewarding, offering a warm, joyful glimpse of their life together that ties the story together beautifully.

Recommended for: fans of marriage of convenience romances, tortured widower heroes, and curvy, relatable heroines who can hold their own against a powerful alpha male.

Final Verdict: Smouldering, heartfelt, and irresistibly romantic, The Sicilian’s Stolen Son delivers in every way you would expect a Graham novel to.

Favorite Quotes

‘If we’d had more time together, things would have turned out very differently,’ Jemima declared with a bitterness that she struggled to hide.
‘She ripped off your parents, stole your identity and your boyfriend and landed you with a baby,’ Ellie reminded her drily. ‘What could she have done as an encore? Murdered you all in your beds?’

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | HQ | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: A Little Less Conversation by Rhyannon Byrd

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novella
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Elloras Cave
Hero: Mark Logan
Heroine: EMelanie Green
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Published On: January 01, 2006
Started On: September 07, 2024
Finished On: September 08, 2024

A Little Less Conversation by Rhyannon Byrd is an erotic novella set in the small seaside town of Foggy Bottom Beach, delivering exactly what its title promises; a sizzling push-and-pull between two people who have been eyeing each other from across the street for months.

Travel agent Melanie Green has always been the “good friend” type to men, someone to confide in, not someone to burn the sheets with. But when it comes to local bar owner Mark Logan, she wants far more than casual conversation. She wants the full force of the man every woman in town seems to lust after.

Mark is thirty-six, brooding, sexy, and unapologetically direct about his desires. He is not the commitment type, preferring mutually satisfying encounters with no strings attached. But Melanie is not like the women he usually dates. Her shy smile, warm eyes, and quiet determination stirs something deeper in him, even if he tries to keep his distance. For six months he has been fighting the pull, until one day he crosses the street into her office and changes everything.

What starts as mutual flirting quickly becomes a dangerous game of assumptions and misinterpretations. Mark believes Melanie wants nothing more than to test his notorious reputation in bed, while she fears she will forever be relegated to his “friendly companion” category. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their inability to communicate what they really want leads to explosive clashes that are just as intense as their physical encounters.

This is erotica, and Byrd does not hold back on the steam. Mark is a dirty-talking hero through and through, and the sex scenes are explicit, raw, and frequent. That said, the story side is lighter; while there is emotional conflict and character backstory, it takes a backseat to the erotic tension driving the novella.

For readers like myself who wants deep emotional development or a balance of the eroticism and story development, you might not find what you seek. Still, the sexual chemistry between Mark and Melanie is scorching, and Byrd’s talent for writing heat is undeniable.

What I liked most was the sheer intensity of their attraction and the unapologetic way Byrd leans into erotic fantasy. Mark’s possessiveness, the edge of roughness to his passion, and Melanie’s determination to step out of her comfort zone make for combustible scenes. On the downside, the conflict resolution feels rushed, and I personally would have enjoyed more layers to the relationship beyond the bedroom.

Recommended for: readers who want hot small-town romance with a confident, dirty-talking hero and plenty of eroticism to scorch the pages.

Final Verdict: Steamy, intense, and pure escapism. Short on story depth, but scorching in all the right places.

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Historical Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Wallflowers, #3
Publisher: HarperCollins
Hero: Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent
Heroine: Evangeline Jenner
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: February 28, 2006
Started On: August 22, 2024
Finished On: September 01, 2024

“Rest, my love. I’m watching over you.”

Lisa Kleypas’s The Devil in Winter is one of those romances that lives up to its reputation. Part of the much-beloved Wallflowers series, this book pairs the most unlikely of couples: Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, the notorious rake of London society and Evangeline Jenner, the shy, stammering wallflower who finds her voice when it matters most. What begins as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into a deeply emotional journey of trust, desire, and unexpected love.

Sebastian is, at first glance, everything a heroine should avoid; beautiful, charming, dangerously rakish, and almost entirely amoral. He has no illusions about himself, fully embracing his reputation as a seducer and opportunist. Yet beneath that polished veneer is a man weighed down by loss, loneliness, and a desperate need for survival.

Evie, on the other hand, seems meek; timid in society, often overlooked, and emotionally bruised by years of abuse from her family. But she possesses a quiet steel, one that allows her to bargain with the devil himself in order to save her own life and protect her dying father. Together, they make an unexpectedly perfect match: her courage challenges his cynicism, while his charm and intensity bring her out of her shell.

Evie insists on terms of her own when they bargain, most notably, a bold wager of celibacy that forces Sebastian to confront both his appetites and his capacity for commitment. It is here that Kleypas shines; rather than relying solely on Sebastian’s seductive prowess, she gives us a heroine who demands respect, setting boundaries in a way that feels both daring and empowering. The tension between them is electric, their arguments sharp, and their intimacy slow-burning yet deeply passionate.

What I loved most is how Kleypas peels back Sebastian’s layers. He begins as a man who sees women as diversions, yet with Evie, every touch, every exchange, becomes something transformative. Evie, in turn, grows from the overlooked wallflower into a heroine who takes control of her life, her marriage, and her heart. Their dynamic is tender, witty, and full of the kind of emotional vulnerability that makes the story unique.

On one aspect, I can see why Devil in Winter is a novel that many romance readers talk about, Sebastian being a hero that most tend to fall in love with and gush over. While a lot of readers classify him as a villainous hero, for me he was not so much that. I have come across villainous heroes and Sebastian is a tame pussy in comparison. He was of course, a forceful hero in his own way, a man used to leisure and wasting his life, when dire straits forces him to marry for money and in turn finds himself saddled with a wife who demands more than his half-hearted attempt at life.

The Devil in Winter is also often shelved under “reformed rake” romance, and it delivers that trope with intensity and heart. Sebastian’s journey from notorious libertine to devoted husband feels believable because Kleypas does not erase his flaws. She simply shows how love and trust reshape him. Evie’s strength and determination makes her one of Kleypas’s most memorable heroines, a woman who demands not just passion, but respect and equal partnership with the man who owns her heart.

Recommended for: fans of reformed rakes, strong heroines with hidden depths, and historical romances that balance sensuality with genuine emotional growth.

Final Verdict: In Sebastian and Evie’s story, Kleypas delivers a seductive and beautifully crafted tale of a notorious rake transformed into a devoted husband—a romance that both stirs the senses and warms the heart.

Favorite Quotes

“Have you ever considered going into a profession?”
He gave her a blank look. “What for?”
“To earn money.”
“Lord, no, child. Work would be an inconvenient distraction from my personal life. And I’m seldom disposed to rise before noon.”
“My father is not going to like you.”
“If my ambition in life were to earn other peoples’ liking, I would be most distressed to hear that. Fortunately it’s not.”

“I like the conventions,” she said after a moment. “There is nothing wrong with being an ordinary person, is there?”
“No. But you’re not ordinary—or you never would have come to me instead of marrying cousin Eustace.”
“I was desperate.”
“That wasn’t the entire reason.” His low voice sounded like a purr. “You also had a taste for the devil.”

“It’s impossible,” he snapped.
“Why?”
“Because I’m Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. I can’t be celibate. Everyone knows that.”

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | eBooks | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: A Proper Wife by Sandra Marton

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: From Here to Paternity, #1
Publisher: Harlequin
Hero: Ryan Kincaid
Heroine: Devon Franklin
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: August 01, 1996
Started On: August 17, 2024
Finished On: August 22, 2024

Sandra Marton’s A Proper Wife is a heady mix of passion, pride, and the irresistible pull of two people who, on paper, should never have worked. As the opening novel of the From Here to Paternity series, it sweeps readers into a tale of family meddling, reluctant vows, and a relationship that begins in sparks and keeps burning right through.

Ryan Kincaid, a man Time magazine dubbed “The Lone Raider,” is wealthy, commanding, and absolutely unwilling to be dictated to, especially by his grandfather. Devon Franklin, on the other hand, is fiery, independent, and saddled with a mother whose ambitions extend far beyond her own. Their paths collide in the most unexpected (and explosive) of ways, and what begins as a clash of wills evolves into a marriage neither truly wanted, but both can’t walk away from.

Ryan is very much the quintessential alpha hero: virile, confident, with a streak of arrogance that makes him fascinating. However, there is a vulnerability that he hides beneath that confident façade stemming from his deep-seated issues with abandonment.

Devon, at only twenty-three, is no meek heroine. She has strength, courage, and a sharp tongue, and while she initially appears overwhelmed by the larger-than-life Ryan, she proves more than capable of holding her ground. Together, their chemistry is combustible, with every encounter threatening to set off fireworks.

The heart of the novel lies in the conflict that stems from their forced marriage, a union orchestrated by Ryan’s grandfather and Devon’s mother, each with very different motivations. Both Ryan and Devon enter this marriage unwillingly, determined not to bend to the will of meddling family members.

Yet the irony lies in how deeply they affect each other, even as they try to maintain distance. The push and pull between them and their reluctance to admit what they truly feel fuels the narrative, making their separation and misunderstandings as compelling as their moments of intimacy.

What I particularly enjoyed was the earthy, raw quality of Ryan as a hero. Sandra Marton has always excelled at creating men who are magnetic and unapologetically masculine, and Ryan is no exception. His refusal to fall into the cliché of a lovesick husband was as fascinating as it was believable.

Devon’s strength was equally appealing; she is no doormat, and her fire balances Ryan’s dominance beautifully. That said, I did miss some of the banter I had hoped for as the couple spend a surprising amount of their marriage leading separate lives, and while their union is fiery, more moments of verbal sparring would have elevated the connection even further.

Still, Marton knows how to deliver intensity. The sensuality here is high, with scenes that simmer with desire and crackle with tension. And woven throughout is the poignant reality that both characters, scarred by imperfect childhoods, don’t quite know how to accept love when it is on the table.

Recommended for: Readers who love classic Harlequin Presents-style romances filled with fiery chemistry, reluctant vulnerability, and a marriage-of-convenience trope that turns deliciously real.

Final Verdict: A Proper Wife delivers passion, sizzling tension, and a hero and heroine who do not want to be married, as they fight against the very love that could heal them both.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | eBooks | HQ | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Unworthy by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Unperfect, #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Heath Markham
Heroine: Yazmin Hardcastle
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 05, 2022
Started On: August 10, 2024
Finished On: August 17, 2024

Unworthy by Susie Tate is an emotional and heartfelt brother’s best friend romance, full of slow-burn tension, complicated family ties, and years of unrequited love finally reaching its breaking point. Yazmin Hardcastle has loved Heath Markham for as long as she can remember.

Once her childhood hero who defended her quirks, he is now the man who seems to find fault with everything she does, her passions, her choices, and even the way she lives her life. For Yaz, the sting is sharper because she still feels that same pull toward him. For Heath, his rigid walls of control and stability have always been easier to cling to than the chaos that Yaz represents.

Yaz is a heroine who refuses to be boxed in. Seen by her family as unreliable and flighty, she pours her soul into the sea, her well-being centre, and her windsurfing. She is unconventional and vibrant, but also vulnerable, carrying years of being dismissed by those who should have believed in her. Heath, meanwhile, is the classic gruff doctor hero; disciplined, brilliant, and scarred by a difficult childhood. With his carefully ordered life, Yaz’s unpredictability is both irresistible and terrifying to him.

Their relationship is one that simmers with attraction and unresolved history. Yaz’s teenage crush and Heath’s long-suppressed desire collide in heated confrontations and stolen moments, with misunderstandings and pride pulling them apart as often as they draw closer. When Heath finally lets himself face the truth, it is almost too lat; Yaz has learned to stop waiting for him. Watching him fight for her, while Yaz steps into her own power, is what makde this romance work.

That said, I found myself wishing for more angst. The setup of unrequited love, brother’s best friend, an age gap, family conflict is one ripe for explosive tension, but at times the execution felt softer than expected. There were plenty of emotional beats, but not always the gut-punch intensity that would have made their journey truly unforgettable. Still, the growth arcs and the eventual conclusion kept me invested until the end.

What I loved most was Yaz’s transformation. She goes from being dismissed as the family’s black sheep to proving her worth on her own terms. Heath’s redemption, his groveling, and his struggle with abandonment issues also hit the right notes, even if I sometimes wanted him pushed harder. They are messy and imperfect, but in the end, just the perfect fit together.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy brother’s best friend and age-gap romances with strong heroines, family drama, and heroes who take their time figuring out what really matters.

Final Verdict: Sweet, emotional, and satisfying, though not as angsty as I expected—Unworthy is still a rewarding slow-burn romance.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Unperfect by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Unperfect, #1
Publisher: Sett Publishing
Hero: Max Hardcastle
Heroine: Amelia Banks
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: October 05, 2021
Started On: August 06, 2024
Finished On: August 10, 2024

I loved that this big, abrasive, gruff man cared about me so much that he tried to contain all that fierceness so as not to scare me or push me too far. But at the same time I hated that he felt he had to do that. That he thought I was so fragile. I wanted unedited, disinhibited Max. The rough, unapologetic Max.

Unperfect by Susie Tate is a deeply emotional, gritty, yet heartwarming contemporary romance that takes readers into the shadows of domestic violence and the difficult path towards healing and trust. It begins with Amelia Banks who hides under the alias “Mia Lantum” and arrives for a job interview at an architecture firm with nothing but a jar of peanut butter and a desperate determination to survive.

Having escaped an abusive marriage, Mia is wary of men, particularly the kind who embody strength and authority. Unfortunately for her, the firm’s owner is Max Hardcastle, the grumpy, brusque architect made famous for his bluntness on TV. To Mia, Max’s sheer size and intimidating presence are terrifying, but she has no choice but to take the job if she wants a chance at rebuilding her life.

Max is the kind of hero who sneaks up on you. Rough-edged and intimidating to most, he is also a man scarred by his past and burdened with responsibilities, including his troubled stepson. Though he initially regards Mia as a nuisance, he slowly begins to notice the fragility beneath her guarded exterior.

Mia, on the other hand, is a survivor who has endured unimaginable cruelty, and her wariness of intimacy makes her flinch at even the gentlest of touches. Watching these two navigate a relationship is as much about tenderness as it is about fire. Max may look like a grizzly bear, but he is exactly the kind of quiet strength Mia needs; a man whose protectiveness is matched only by his patience.

Mia’s past does not stay neatly behind her, and the added complication of her abusive husband being professionally linked to Max brings another layer of angst to their already fragile relationship. It is a conflict that heightens the stakes and underscores just how much Mia has to lose, while also giving Max a chance to prove his worth as more than just a protector.

What I loved most was Susie Tate’s ability to juggle heavy subject matter with humor and heart. She does not sugarcoat the devastation of domestic abuse, yet she writes characters so vividly that they leap off the pages. Max’s grumpy-sweet nature, Mia’s resilience, the banter with side characters like Yaz and Verity, and even the hilariously unexpected cameo from the Prime Minister and his wife; all of it added richness to a story that could have otherwise been unbearably heavy. The romance itself is beautifully balanced: tender, slow-burning, and ultimately very satisfying.

For me, this has been the best book I have read thus far in my Susie Tate binge following my discovery of her books. The sheer realism of the take on domestic abuse and Mia’s journey made this book worth every palpitation I suffered during the most difficult places. Max, in turn, was her perfect counterpart, steady and kind, just what the doctor ordered.

Recommended for: Readers who love romances with heavier themes, strong heroines who grow into their strength, and gruff heroes with a marshmallow core.

Final Verdict: Raw, heartfelt, and utterly unputdownable—Unperfect is Susie Tate at her best.

Favorite Quotes

“You’re right pretty, mind,” he whispered, then blinked as if he hadn’t meant to speak out loud. He cleared his throat, two flags of colour appearing high on his cheekbones. I was frozen in place, staring up at his beautiful face. The air around us crackled with that tension and energy from before. I was both equal parts terrified and exhilarated. His hand reached up to brush a lock of my hair behind my ear with a feather-light touch. A trail of fire was left in its wake as though he’d left a mark there.

“That’s your big secret, isn’t it?” she said.
“What’s that?”
“You – you’re kind. You’re a good man. You would never hurt me.”
“No, love,” I said softly, searching her face and pushing her fringe back from her forehead. “Not ever.”
“I really, really like you,” she said, giving me so much direct eye contact it was like a punch to the gut.
“I like you too, Mia,” I told her, my voice rougher than normal and my chest feeling tight.
“’s not real,” she whispered, as her eyelids fluttered closed.
“What?’
“’s not for me,” she said, her voice so faint it was a struggle to hear it. Her body went completely lax then and her eyes drifted shut.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Sticks and Stones by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Broken Heart, #2
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Hero: Dylan Griffiths
Heroine: Lou
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 24, 2014
Started On: August 01, 2024
Finished On: August 03, 2024

Sticks and Stones by Susie Tate is a friends-to-lovers medical romance that packs in angst, humor, and a whole lot of emotional intensity. The story follows Lou, the vivacious and outspoken heroine who has been in love with Dylan Griffiths since medical school.

From the very first time she laid eyes on Dylan across a cadaver table, Lou was a goner. The problem? Dylan only ever seemed to have eyes for her best friend Frankie, dismissing Lou as too brash, too high maintenance, and not his type. For over a decade Lou hides her feelings, masking her pain behind banter and smiles, while Dylan obliviously continues on his man-whoring ways, regarding her as nothing more than a friend.

Lou is a heroine who immediately stands out. She is bold, extroverted, the life of any gathering, and yet beneath the surface she carries deep scars from an abusive childhood. That trauma shapes so much of her character, making her both fiercely independent and deeply vulnerable. I loved how she was never afraid to speak her mind to fight for her patients, or to throw down when the moment called for it. At the same time, her hidden insecurities and her unrequited love for Dylan gave her a poignancy that made me ache for her.

Dylan, on the other hand, is the quintessential self-entitled prick at the start; gorgeous, arrogant, a womanizer through and through, with more charm than discipline. As a surgeon he lives for his power tools, and he resents the stint he is forced to do in Elderly Care where Lou also works.

For years he convinces himself that Lou is not for him, clinging instead to the fantasy of Frankie. But the more time he spends with Lou, the harder it becomes to ignore the pull he feels toward her. Watching him slowly realize the depth of his feelings, even as he repeatedly hurts Lou with careless words and actions, was equal parts maddening and compelling.

Their relationship is an absolute rollercoaster of unrequited love, betrayal, misunderstandings, and simmering attraction. Lou’s decade-long pining and Dylan’s blindness to her worth made for a tension-filled dynamic that had me alternately wanting to shake him and hug her. The turning point in their story, where Dylan’s words cut Lou to the bone and she finally walks away, was gutting but so necessary. What followed; his groveling, his jealousy, his slow fight to win her back, gave the story its raw edge. Add to that the interference of toxic colleagues, family trauma, and an unexpected danger that puts Lou in real jeopardy, and you have a romance that keeps you glued to the pages.

What I loved most was Susie Tate’s ability to balance humor and heartbreak. Lou’s outrageous banter and the camaraderie of the group of friends, all of it added warmth and lightness to an otherwise heavy story. The plotting was brilliantly done, weaving past and present seamlessly, and the characterization was top-notch.

My only gripe is that this was very much once again a closed-door romance. After so much buildup and sexual tension, it felt like a missed opportunity not to see more of Lou and Dylan on the page once they finally came together. And while I adored Lou, I sometimes found myself frustrated at how quickly she forgave Dylan despite the depth of his cruelty. But perhaps years of pining would do that to any of us.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy angsty, friends-to-lovers romances, medical settings with plenty of humor and drama, and strong heroines who overcome childhood trauma.

Final Verdict: A smart, emotional, and fiery romance with brilliant characterization. Despite its closed-door intimacy, Sticks and Stones delivers on angst, banter, and heart.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Broken Heart Syndrome by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, MFC; Third Person, MMC
Series: Broken Heart, #1
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Hero: Reverend Thomas G. Longley
Heroine: Frankie
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: April 04, 2014
Started On: July 29, 2024
Finished On: August 01, 2024

Broken Heart Syndrome by Susie Tate is one of those books that blends humor, angst, and a heartfelt romance against the backdrop of a medical setting. The story features Frankie as the main female lead, a shy, reclusive heroine who has carried the scars of a painful past and the humiliating nickname “Frigid Frankie” since her university days. Back then, she and her best friend were quietly infatuated with Reverend Thomas G. Longley, Tom, the charismatic, seemingly easygoing golden boy of medical school. But when he publicly embarrassed her, that crush turned into a wound she carried for years. Ten years later, fate throws them back together when Frankie ends up working under Tom in Cardiology, only to discover that he has become her critical, domineering boss.

Frankie is a heroine who carries so much weight on her shoulders. With a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and the grief of losing her mother, it is little wonder she struggles with self-esteem. She is self-deprecating, a master at fading into the background, and often doubts her worth in both her personal and professional life. Yet, beneath all that fragility, she is compassionate, fiercely loyal to her patients, and far stronger than she realizes.

Tom, on the other hand, is not the easygoing charmer Frankie once admired. Now, he is sharp, critical, and difficult to please, hiding behind a harsh persona born from his own hurt pride and unresolved feelings. While he initially comes across as a bully, it soon becomes clear that his cruelty is a misguided defense mechanism. Watching him wrestle with his growing feelings for Frankie, while also realizing just how deeply he had misjudged her, was one of the most compelling aspects of the book. His determination to break through Frankie’s defenses, despite her mistrust, made him both frustrating and endearing in equal measure.

Their relationship is marked by misunderstandings, pride, and the ghosts of their past. Frankie struggles to believe that a man like Tom could ever want someone like her, and Tom’s earlier actions, coupled with the meddling of Dylan, who harbored his own unspoken feelings for Frankie, only drive a deeper wedge between them. Add to this Frankie’s history of abuse and the emotional baggage she carries, and what unfolds is a slow, tentative journey toward trust and healing. But the push and pull between them, along with their undeniable chemistry, makes every small victory feel that much more satisfying.

What I loved most about this book was the humor sprinkled in amid the heaviness. Ash and his eccentric habit of quoting proverbs, Lou’s no-nonsense friendship, and even the chaos of hospital life added moments of levity that balanced the emotional intensity. Frankie’s vulnerability was beautifully written, and Tom’s groveling, though subtle compared to more dramatic romances, still managed to deliver.

What disappointed me, however, was the closed-door approach to intimacy. After such a long buildup, I had hoped for more on-page. Frankie’s tendency to push Tom away because of her insecurities also veered into frustrating at times, though it fit her character arc.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy medical romances with emotionally scarred heroines, alpha heroes who have to work hard to redeem themselves, and stories that blend humor, heartache, and hope.

Final Verdict: A poignant and witty romance low on the steam factor but delivers a heartfelt journey of healing, forgiveness, and love.

Favorite Quotes

‘You smell amazing,’ she said, her voice aching with longing. Tom froze and looked up at her face.
‘What?’ he whispered.
‘But then I shouldn’t be surprised,’ she went on, ignoring him. ‘Everything about you is lush, lush, lush.’

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Daydreamer by Susie Tate

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Daydreamer, #1
Publisher: Sett Publishing
Hero: Felix Moretti
Heroine: Lucy Prudence Mayweather
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: June 27, 2024
Started On: July 21, 2024
Finished On: July 26, 2024

Plunging into my first Susie Tate book turned out to be the best thing ever! Susie Tate’s Daydreamer is the kind of book that takes on a familiar trope, childhood friends turned into boss-subordinate relationship, and breathes into it a heartfelt, addictive energy.

From the very first page, the story pulled me into Lucy Mayweather’s messy, colourful world as she tries to navigate the cut-throat environment of Felix Moretti’s high-powered London office. What starts off as a desperate attempt by Lucy to find her footing outside her small village life, while hopelessly nursing a crush she has carried for years, unfolds into a romance that is both intense and painfully emotional.

Lucy is a heroine I could not help but bring out my pompoms for. She is the bookworm in all of us; whimsical, shy, forever daydreaming, and clearly out of place in Felix’s ruthless corporate jungle. She wears her battered jumpers and carries pens in her hair, and yet beneath all that awkwardness is a creative, brilliant author with stories that have the power to captivate. Her struggles with loneliness and vulnerability make her deeply relatable, but what stood out for me most was her quiet form of strength, how she still carries that spark despite the constant dismissals and the cruelty she faces from those around her.

Felix, by contrast, is all sharp edges and control. At thirty-three, he is a successful, commitment-phobic billionaire with a reputation as a playboy. He is emotionally scarred by his father’s cruelty, and that pain drives much of his cynicism and obsession with success. To Lucy, though, he is also the boy who once listened to her stories, the one who never made her feel odd for dreaming.

Watching him battle with his possessiveness, his jealousy, and ultimately his own vulnerability, made him both infuriating and enticing on so many levels. There were times I wanted to shake him for being so blind and emotionally stunted, but that only made his groveling later all the more satisfying.

The central conflict between them hits hard; Felix’s inability to trust, his constant prioritization of work and control, and Lucy’s hidden truths. There were moments where I questioned what Felix even wanted from her, moments where his actions nearly broke her beyond repair. But what followed was a redemption arc packed with raw emotion, grand gestures, and groveling that truly delivered. The tension between them, from their first kiss to their explosive confrontations, kept me on edge, and the eventual conclusion was absolutely worth it.

What I loved most about the story was how much it felt like an extended, modern Lynne Graham novel; rich with angst, a ruthless hero, and a heroine who transforms from a pushover into a stronger version of herself. The writing had me smiling at Lucy’s quirks one moment, clutching my chest at Felix’s harshness the next, and then sighing happily at the tenderness buried beneath all that ruthlessness. The epilogue, with its warm glimpse into their happily-ever-after, tied it all together in the most heart-melting way.

Recommended for: readers who love brother’s best friend romances, ruthless billionaire heroes, groveling done to a fine art, and quirky heroines who surprise you with their strength.

Final Verdict: A wonderful, emotional romance that had me hooked from the start. With top-notch groveling and a beautiful end, Daydreamer is a gem.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Bridal Suite by Sandra Marton

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Hero: Griffin McKenna
Heroine: Dana Anderson
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: August 01, 1998
Started On: July 18, 2024
Finished On: July 19, 2024

If you were a man, the sky was the limit. But if you were a woman, there was a glass ceiling. And she had reached it.

Sandra Marton’s The Bridal Suite is one of those romances that manages to be equal parts sexy, funny, and emotionally charged. The premise itself sets the stage for sparks to fly; Dana Anderson, a brilliant programmer battling the constant underestimation of women in a male-dominated workplace, suddenly finds herself trapped in a situation with Griffin McKenna, the financial genius with a pirate’s reputation for taking whatever he wants. When business forces them to share a room at a conference and of all places, the bridal suit, the inevitability of their simmering attraction becomes impossible to deny.

Griffin is the quintessential alpha hero: hot-blooded, smug, and unapologetically arrogant at the start. His reputation as a womanizer precedes him, and his take-no-prisoners attitude in business leaves Dana bristling at every turn. Yet beneath that exterior lies a man who is all passion, intensity, and just enough vulnerability to keep readers hooked. Dana, on the other hand, is his match in every way. Smart, independent, and unafraid to stand her ground, she is not dazzled by Griffin’s charm or cowed by his authority, if anything, she delights in throwing his arrogance back at him.

What makes their dynamic so delicious is the constant push-and-pull between them. The misunderstandings, jealousy, and denial fuel the sexual tension that is already sizzling from the very start. Griffin may be used to being in control, but Dana keeps him perpetually off-balance, while she herself struggles to reconcile her attraction to a man she insists she wants nothing to do with. It is opposites attract at its finest, where both are forced to confront truths about themselves in order to see the other clearly.

What I loved most about this story is how unashamedly emotional and irrational both characters can be when it comes to love. The angst is sweetly realistic, because honestly, who remains calm and rational when every touch and kiss threatens to consume you? I feel sad sometimes when I read books of today where everyone is calm and rational about their feelings. No, life does not work like that, especially when you are in the throes of passion and uncertain of your place with the one you want to be. The humor threaded through their interactions lightens the narrative, balancing the tension with laugh-out-loud moments that makes the ride even more entertaining. The ending, tender and satisfying, ties everything together beautifully.

Recommended for: readers who love boss-employee dynamics, opposites attract, and sizzling banter that will keep you grinning as much as it makes you swoon.

Final Verdict: A witty, passionate romance with a hero to make you melt and a heroine who refuses to bow to him; The Bridal Suite is Sandra Marton at her sparkling best.

Favorite Quotes

If he hadn’t been linked with every beautiful female on the planet, it was only because, at thirty-five, he hadn’t yet had the time to get around to them all.

His kiss was hungry, hot and urgent. There was no tenderness to it, but tenderness wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him, had wanted him for days. For all the years of her life, and when he caught her up in his arms and took her to the bed, she sighed and sank down with him into the softness of the silk, her hands already under his shirt, her fingers hot against his hard, muscled flesh, her mouth open to his.
“Dana,” he whispered, as if her name were all he could manage.

His hand closed on her blouse, tore it, ripped it from her, exposing her flesh to his mouth, his hungry, eager mouth…
Somewhere in the distance, bells began to ring, chiming out the opening notes of Here Comes the Bride.
It was the doorbell.
They went rigid in each other’s arms. The bells rang again. Griffin cursed, rolled off the bed, and headed for the front door.
Dana sat up. She was trembling. What had she done?

“Sweetheart?”
Dana closed her eyes at the sound of Griffin’s voice. She heard the terrace doors slide open, then felt his body brush lightly against her.
His arms went around her, and he drew her back against him.
Don’t, she told herself. Oh, don’t. This is wrong. It’s wrong…
“Dana.”
He put his mouth to her throat, and her breath caught I love you, she thought, oh, Griffin, I love you. What was the sense in trying to deny it?

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