Tag / Zannie Adams

by mvbookreviewer

Review: A Christmas Road Trip by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novella
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Green Valley, #3
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Chase Park
Heroine: Paige
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 17, 2023
Started On: May 03, 2024
Finished On: May 04, 2024

A Christmas Road Trip by Noelle Adams, is a novella set in the Green Valley series, which can be read as a standalone. The setting is as cozy and charming as its title suggests, and is a friends-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of festive small-town North Carolina.

27 year old Paige is a planner with to-do lists. It is only fitting that when it comes to her Christmas road trip with her boyfriend, she has carefully planned it out. The only contingency she does not plan for is to have her boyfriend back out at the last minute. Determined not to let her plans fall apart, she invites Chase Park, her childhood friend who is always around but never taken too seriously. What begins as a last-minute substitution turns into a journey of laughter, banter, and a shift in feelings, especially for Paige.

Paige and Chase are two characters who are very different from each other. While Paige likes control, lists, and knowing where she stands, Chase, in contrast, is laid-back to a fault, a man who has been labeled a slacker by others but who has a way of seeing truths Paige often overlooks. He infuriates Paige to no end in his refusal to take life seriously, but his humor and warmth also makes him impossible to ignore. Together, they balance one another in ways that have always been obvious to everyone but themselves.

As they travel from one stop to another, it is then Paige starts to see Chase differently. The easy companionship they have always shared takes on a spark, and she begins to realize that the man she has leaned on as a friend might be capable of giving her much more. The challenge lies in trusting what she feels, because Chase does not seem like the sort who can commit from her perspective. For Paige, it is a leap into uncertainty that she never planned for, something extremely hard to do for someone like herself.

What I loved most about this novella was its simplicity and charm. It is low angst (just like Chase himself) and filled with holiday atmosphere. The romance develops gradually through shared moments, laughter, and small shifts in perspective. Paige’s realization that Chase has been right there all along is satisfying, while Chase’s quiet depth adds a surprising layer to a character who might otherwise be overlooked.

If there is any drawback, it is simply that I wished it had been longer. At novella length, the story moves quickly, and I wouldn’t have minded more time with Paige and Chase as they navigate this new stage of their relationship. Furthermore, given that the story is told entirely from Paige’s perspective, a lengthier story would have given the reader more insight into what Chase feels throughout. Still, the ending delivers exactly the kind of feel-good conclusion as expected of a Christmas romance.

Recommended for: Readers who enjoy cozy, holiday-set romances, friends-to-lovers tropes, and low-angst stories that delivers warmth and charm.

Final Verdict: Festive, charming, and sweetly romantic—A Christmas Road Trip is a cozy holiday friends-to-lovers romance, with just the right touch of heat.

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

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Replacement by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Worthings,#2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: William Worthing
Heroine: Jade Delacourte
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: October 13, 2023
Started On: April 25, 2024
Finished On: May 03, 2024

Replacement, the second installment in the Worthings series by Claire Kent, is a novel that can be read as a standalone. Featuring themes such as identity swap and an arrangement of convenience, Replacement is a novel that has a lot going for it.

The story begins when 27 year old Jade Delacourte agrees to the unthinkable; to switch places with her identical twin. It is not a choice made lightly; her twin wants out, and Jade is desperate enough to step into a world that does not feel like hers. Suddenly, she finds herself thrust into the luxurious but complicated life that her sister was leading, including a relationship with William Worthing, the enigmatic man her sister always kept at arm’s length. What starts as deception becomes something much more difficult when Jade begins to see, and fall for, the man behind the reputation.

William is not the sort of hero who reveals himself easily. He is brilliant, wealthy, controlled, and intimidating on the surface. Yet much like a rose, as Jade slowly peels back his layers, the vulnerable beauty hidden begins to show. His intensity is magnetic, but it is the quiet, surprising tenderness that makes him an unforgettable hero.

Jade, however, is the heart of this story—and her contrast with her twin is exactly what makes her stand out. Where her sister lived on the surface, driven by appearances and avoidance, Jade is grounded, thoughtful, and quietly wounded. She may not shine in glitter and glamour, but she does in a way William needed far more: in substance, in compassion, and in the way she listens and truly sees who he is.

Unlike her twin, when it comes to William, Jade instinctively leans closer, her empathy drawing out parts of him even he had buried. It becomes clear that what seemed like chance—the switch, the deception, was in fact the only way these two could ever find each other. She was always the better fit, the one who could balance his intensity with steadiness and warmth.

The pull between them is fueled by more than physical attraction. Every moment Jade spends in William’s world deepens her risk: the closer they get, the more dangerous the lie becomes. Their relationship is built on a fragile foundation, but the emotional honesty Jade brings into every interaction is what slowly transforms this fragility into something lasting. It is not her perfection that wins William, but rather her authenticity, the very thing her twin could never give him.

What I loved here was the sheer intensity of the romance. William is a hero who feels alive on the page; stern yet vulnerable, restrained yet achingly passionate once his walls begin to crumble. But it’s Jade who makes the story work, with her flaws, her choices, and her love. Together, they just feel right.

The story is taut, emotional, and sensual, with sex scenes that are not just hot but impactful, layered with the vulnerability and hunger that defines their relationship. By the end, William emerges as a memorable hero, and Jade cements herself as the heroine who was always meant for him, even if it took deception to bring them together. Arthur’s book, teased at the edges here, feels like it will be equally compelling.

Recommended for: Readers who enjoy identity-swap romances, intense heroes, and heroines who prove themselves not through perfection but through authenticity, strength, and heart.

Final Verdict: Intense, sensual, and beautifully authentic, Replacement proves Jade was always the better fit for William, the heroine who could finally make him unravel.

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

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Sanctuary by Claire Kent

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Kindled, #6
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Aidan
Heroine: Breanna
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: December 29, 2023
Started On: March 09, 2024
Finished On: March 18, 2024

With Sanctuary, the seventh book in the Kindled series, Claire Kent perhaps takes on the most challenging of tropes thus far in this series—writing about a female protagonist who has undergone unimaginable horror and trauma in her bid for survival in the new world order that emerges from the ashes of the asteroid that hit the Earth.

How does such a character find strength to go on? How do they move past the shame and guilt that must be a continuous loop in their minds? How do you put them in a situation where they are able to find love and experience physical intimacy that actually acts as a healing balm in the face of their nightmares? All this and more, Ms. Kent takes on as she writes about 25 year old Breanna, the elder sister that we come across in Citadel, the sixth book in the series.

Breanna as one can imagine, is a woman hardened by survival in a brutal world shaped by those that survived the aftermath of the Impact. Since then, for the first time, Breanna is no longer bound to protect her sister Del, who has found love, security, and a future with the man who loves her to distraction. For the first time in years, Breanna is free to make her own choices, to live for herself. But freedom in this new world does not come without danger, and her job as a courier pits her against another lone operative—Aidan—who threatens not only her livelihood but her careful emotional distance. What starts off as a clash of wills slowly reveals an intimacy neither of them expected.

Breanna is a fierce character. She has to be in order to survive the ordeals she has been put through. She is the woman who has endured every kind of pain, degradation, and dehumanization the world can dish out and emerged standing—if not whole, then unbroken. Her body was the currency she used to buy safety for herself and her younger sister, and though she has long since escaped that life, the shadows linger. She is determined to remain independent, never to depend on a man again, and never to relinquish the control she clawed back from a world that took so much from her. As a a result, I admired her strength, even when I couldn’t always feel her. Her trauma was heavy and deeply personal, and though I understood her, I failed to fully connect with her on an emotional level.

Aidan, by contrast, is a slow burn of a hero. Less overtly intense than others in the series, his strength is quieter, wrapped in dry wit and carefully concealed wounds. He is a widower, a father who lost everything, and a man who lives by his own moral code—even if that means taking on jobs others won’t. He is frustrating, charming, a bit cocky, and ultimately more tender than I anticipated, and what Breanna exactly needed. While I did not end up falling headlong for Aidan the way I did with Cole or Travis, I appreciated how well-matched he was to Breanna. A hero with too much intensity might have broken her spirit further, but Aidan—with his patience and understanding, gave her the space to heal on her own terms.

Their relationship is not a sweeping romance but a gradual, sometimes stumbling, reconciliation with their pasts and their own worth. The emotional intimacy builds slowly, cracking open Breanna’s defenses, allowing her to confront the shame and grief that she has buried for years. Ms. Kent writes trauma with unflinching clarity; never sensationalized and grounded in a way that makes it all too real. The conversations between Breanna and Aidan, especially about consent, submission, and power, are some of the most emotionally naked scenes in the book.

And yet, Sanctuary didn’t hit quite as hard as others in the series. While I respected Breanna’s journey and empathized with her pain, I found myself detached from most of the story. It was not just Breanna, it was Aidan as well. The pacing felt more muted, and the romantic connection, though believable, lacked the raw magnetism that defined Last Light or Citadel. It is not that the story lacked heart; it just did not punch me in the gut the way I had hoped.

That said, Ms. Kent remains unmatched in the world of romance writers. Her ability to create varied, distinctive characters across a shared world, each marked by different losses, hopes, and shades of resilience is what keeps me coming back. Sanctuary may not be my favorite in the series, but it is perhaps a necessary one.

Even though Sanctuary can be read as a standalone, I would advise reading Citadel first as they are loosely connected.

Recommended for: Readers who appreciate trauma-informed storytelling, fierce heroines who you can only admire, and romances built on earned trust with slow burn heroes!

Final Verdict: Sanctuary is a quiet, difficult, and necessary journey through trauma and healing. Breanna’s story deserved to be told—and more importantly, to be heard.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Citadel by Claire Kent

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Kindled, #5
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Cole
Heroine: Delaney Elizabeth Rogers
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: June 28, 2023
Started On: March 01, 2024
Finished On: March 08, 2024

Set in the brutal, crumbling remains of a world transformed by cataclysm, the fifth book in the Kindled series by Claire Kent brings to us Citadel, a story of survival, sacrifice, and the kind of fierce, all-consuming love that burns even in the coldest ruins. Ms. Kent continues to deliver emotionally rich, raw, and atmospheric post-apocalyptic romances—and this one is right up there with Princess, my favorite from the series yet.

Delaney Elizabeth Rogers is just eighteen years old when she meets the man who would upend life as she knew it, a life that had been of quiet devastation since an asteroid hit the European continent when Del was just fifteen years old. Since then, she has only ever trusted one person in this brutal new world: her sister Breanna.

Since losing their parents and baby sister, the two have endured hunger, fear, and violence side by side, with Del consistently shielded from the worst of it by Breanna’s sacrifices. They have survived flooded cities, raiders, and years of uncertainty. So when Del comes across a grim, lone man with a gun, her natural distrust is temporarily overcome by the instinctive sense that he would not hurt her. That man is Cole.

Cole is everything I crave in a hero: big, brooding, intensely capable, and haunted. He has been on a lonely mission to find the younger brother he lost when the world collapsed, and he has never stayed in one place long enough to consider what he might need. He rescues Del and her sister from imminent danger and guides them to safety, but he never intends to stay—because men like Cole, shaped by loss and guilt, believe they are not allowed to want more. And yet, something about Del softens him, tempts him, and threatens to tether him, which scares him more than anything else.

What unfolds is slow, beautiful, and haunting. First in the aftermath of shared danger, and then again—two years later—when Del’s sister is taken, and it is Cole once again who guides them to find her. Their chemistry is explosive (which Breanna sees from the onset), but it is the emotional weight underneath that makes this story shine.

Cole is a man who does not believe that he deserves to be cared for, and Del is the first person who has ever made him question that belief. Del is one of my favorite Kent heroines—strong, pragmatic, quietly brave, and so perceptive. She understands that love in a world like the one that they live is not easy. It has to be chosen—over and over again. And Del is not going to let Cole make her feel like the second option in his life, for him to come back to her when he sees fit, and leave her just like that.

As always, there is something deeply compelling about the way Ms. Kent writes about intimacy. Every touch, every single look, carries weight that is at times inexplicable. The sex is hot, yes—but it is also layered with vulnerability, longing, and the ache of what’s unspoken. There was a scene out in the wilderness that takes place between Cole and Del, which truly depicts the kind of passion that exists between them, which will live rent free in my head. Watching Cole and Del slowly come together was gratifying as it was emotional.

Needless to say, I loved Citade; every minute of the story as it unfolded, from the bleak, gritty setting to the aching sweetness buried beneath Cole’s rough exterior. His savior complex, his reluctance to hope, his quiet desperation to protect—he made my chest ache in all the right ways. And Del’s growth—from someone shielded, to someone willing to fight for what she wants—was beautifully done. Ms. Kent once again proves how she can write heroes that rattle your cages, and Cole is right up there with her very best.

Recommended for: Fans of emotionally intense, survival-focused post-apocalyptic romance; gruff, protective heroes with a soft center; heroines who love and protect fiercely; and slow-burn angst.

Final Verdict: Citadel is raw, emotional, and unforgettable—a must-read for fans of gruff and fierce heroes and their heroines who love just as fiercely!

Favorite Quotes

When I reach him, I can barely stop my momentum. I fling myself at him, wrapping both arms around him in a tight hug.
I don’t think he expects such a greeting. He braced himself before I reached him so he doesn’t flinch or step backward at the force of my impact. But he just stands there as I hug him. Hard. Tense. Frozen for a few moments like he’s stunned. Like he has no idea how to respond.
Then suddenly his arms go around me in a crushing embrace. For a few seconds I can barely breathe, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There’s your young man.”
I gasp and turn around to look before I can stop myself. Sure enough, Cole has just entered. His gaze finds me unerringly. He watches me soberly for several seconds before he walks over to the short food line.
“He’s not my young man.”
Theresa gives a shrug. “If you say so.”
“I haven’t even seen him in two years.”
“I know. But he still looks at you like a blessing come to life. He always did.”

I close my eyes, exhausted and worn and confused and scared and totally wired. The world feels like it’s whirling behind my eyelids.
“Just so you know,” I say into the silence. Even the fire isn’t crackling much anymore. “I am still into you.”
“I know you are, baby,” he murmurs. “But I get why you don’t trust me. Maybe you will again one day.”
“I… don’t know. I’d… I’d like to, but I don’t know if I can.”
“We’ll see. Don’t worry about it for now. I’m not going anywhere.”
For some reason, the low, gruff murmur of his voice settles me. I close my eyes again, and this time the world doesn’t spin.
I’m asleep in just a few minutes.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Princess by Claire Kent

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Kindled, #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Grant
Heroine: Olivia Vincent
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: July 12, 2022
Started On: January 04, 2023
Restarted On: February 17, 2024
Finished On: February 23, 2024

He feels like mine—in all his tightly held angst, his guilt, his nearly impenetrable walls.

I don’t particularly recall as to why I started reading this in early 2023 and stopped. Perhaps I was not in the mood to receive the glory this book was in every sense. Either way, I am so very glad that, for whatever reason, I decided to pick this up again and restart from page one. If not, I would have ended up missing out on the installment that is by far my most favorite from the series!

In the second book in the Kindled series, Claire Kent returns to her quietly gripping post-apocalyptic world with Princess, a story that is as beautifully restrained as it is deeply emotional, and stands out for its nuance, longing, and the way it so effortlessly shows the soft center of a man who is seemingly made of stone.

The story follows Olivia Vincent, who was just seventeen when the world as she knew it ended. The daughter of a tech billionaire, she turns out to be among the lucky few who survived in an underground luxury bunker built and prepared for the imminent collapse of the world. But safety comes at a price; isolation, loss, and uncertainty become constant companions over the years.

The story picks up when Olivia is twenty-two, and is no longer the sheltered rich girl she once was. Her days are marked by routine, emotional numbness, and the lingering grief of losing her father. But the one steady presence in her life is Grant—the stoic, unreadable, maddeningly aloof head of security who has been watching out for her over the years.

Grant is everything I love in a hero; strong, silent, protective to a fault, and utterly devastating once the layers start to shed off. His sense of duty is absolute, often to the detriment of his own happiness. He sees Olivia as something to be protected, even from himself. It is this internal conflict; his deeply ingrained protector instinct versus the forbidden yearning he tries so hard to suppress, that becomes the emotional heart of the story. And when his restraint finally snaps, the result is as raw and powerful as one would expect.

Olivia is equally compelling. She may have been born into privilege, but in this new world, that means nothing. Her resilience, maturity, and capacity to love are what make her so well-matched with Grant. She wants more from him—from their connection—and she is not afraid to ask for it. What I loved most was how she continued to push forward, even when Grant pulled back, not in a naive way but with emotional clarity and strength. She is also the one who makes the first move, and even the second move, because with a man like Grant who sees Olivia is someone who is way above his pay grade, that makes every sense, especially in the context of their relationship,

The romance that unfolds is one that seeps through the pages, which starts off in the heated moments of passion that ignites a storm between the two, in the quiet moments, in withheld confessions, and especially in the ache and angst of what is not being said. When the payoff comes, it’s not just physical; though those scenes are explosive in the best possible way—it’s deeply emotional. Soul-deep and satisfying in a way that lingers long after you turn that last page.

Princess is easily my favorite in this series. Not only because of the slow burn and the masterfully written sexual tension, but because of Grant. His quiet devotion, the weight he carries, and the way he loves; makes him truly an unforgettable hero. Claire Kent writes alpha males with such authenticity; just strong men with soft hearts and a deep, primal need to protect what’s theirs. And Olivia? She has always been his.

Recommended for: Fans of age-gap romance, post-apocalyptic settings, strong silent heroes, heroines who come into their own, and slow-burns with explosive emotional (and physical) payoff.

Final Verdict: Grant is the gold standard of strong, silent heroes. Princess is a quietly stunning romance—intimate, powerful, and unforgettable. An absolute standout.

Favorite Quotes

“Are you okay?” he asks, falling down onto the bed beside me like he suddenly went boneless.
“Yeah. I… think so.” I check his face. I desperately need to know how he’s feeling right now, and it’s always so difficult to read him.
His body is limp. Tired like mine is. He reaches out and pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around me in a loose embrace.
I sigh and settle there. It feels better when he holds me. It feels like he needs me.
As much as I need him.

“Oh, princess, you don’t seem to understand that I’ve had years—years and years—of practice at holding myself back. Pretending I don’t want what I want.”
“W-what?”
He’s not flirting or trying to seduce me or teasing me out of my bad mood. He looks dead serious, so I have to believe he means what he says. “I spent years wanting you, knowing I could never have you. A week should be nothing compared to that.[..]”

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Last Light by Claire Kent

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Travis Farrell
Heroine: Layne Patterson
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 13, 2019
Started On: February 08, 2024
Finished On: February 17, 2024

Claire Kent delivers another deeply human and achingly intimate post-apocalyptic romance with Last Light, a story that does not seek to rush nor dramatize what it truly means to end up in a world that is full of chaos. The setup is stark as it is for her books in this setting: the world as we know it ended years ago when an asteroid struck Europe, sending global civilization into freefall. Governments collapsed, infrastructures failed, and what is left now is survival in its rawest form—hunger, danger, and a constant threat from those preying on the weak.

Layne Patterson, just twenty, is one of the rare ones left trying to hold on to her humanity. When her grandmother—the last of her family—passes away, Layne makes the impossible decision to travel across what is left of three states to find the only people she might have left in the world. She has no vehicle, no protection, and few supplies. However, what she does come across is a man that her grandfather trusted in—Travis Farrell. A man who was the town’s mechanic. A man who like her is headed to Fort Knox to find family.

Travis is a revelation. A quietly gruff, emotionally guarded older man, he is at first glance the stoic survivalist archetype—but it quickly becomes clear that there is far more beneath the surface. He does not talk much, nor does he smile much, and he certainly is not equipped with flirting skills. But his actions always speak volumes. He offers Layne safety without strings, companionship without pressure, and a fierce kind of loyalty that is all the more moving for how understated it is.

What I adored about this story was how slowly and naturally their bond built—layered with silence, trust, vulnerability, and finally, need. Layne may be young, but she is grounded. She has lived through enough loss to know what matters. And despite the horrors of their world, she is still tender, curious, and emotionally brave. Watching her open up to Travis—and seeing him quietly unravel from the inside—was a slow-burn of the best kind. The heat between them is subtle at first, buried under caution and circumstance, but when it ignites, it is undeniably powerful.

Then comes the emotional gut-punch. The angst, when it arrives later in the story, doesn’t feel manufactured or forced—it is honest, raw, and so very human and moved me to tears. Not because it was dramatic, but like the rest of the story, the understated nature of it all just had me wanting to bawl my eyes out. That fear of loving someone in a world where everything is already lost. The fear of being left again. The fear of not being enough.

But again, it is Travis who makes everything alright. His love is quiet, constant, and devastatingly beautiful all because of the fact that he does not go around showing the world what his love is like, but rather proves it in every other way possible. The epilogue—set a year later was everything in the end. I totally loved it!

If there is one thing that Claire Kent does better than most, it is writing men like Travis. Men who aren’t perfect, but who love in that deep, undramatic, grounding way that makes them unforgettable. You won’t find grand declarations or sweeping gestures with them. Instead, these are men with whom you feel safe, desired, treasured, and protected at any and all costs.

Recommended for: Readers who love post-apocalyptic survival romances, May-December tropes, quiet heroes who love hard, and stories that make your chest ache in the best way possible.

Final Verdict: Last Light is aching, tender, quietly devastating—and Travis is the kind of hero that I would exactly hope for if and when the world ends.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Older Man Plan by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Coble Coffee, #1
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Rick Grant
Heroine: Vivian Carmichael
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: March 15, 2022
Started On: January 19, 2024
Finished On: January 20, 2024

In The Older Man Plan, the debut novel of the Coble Coffee series by Noelle Adams, 25 year old Vivian Carmichael is determined to turn around her streak of bad dates. In order to do so, she comes up with a plan that seems foolproof: date older men. In her perspective, they are more stable, confident, and settled—everything she thinks she needs to turn her disastrous dating life around.

But the truth is, Vivian’s so-called “plan” is less about a new dating pool and more about getting over one man in particular—Rick Grant, the grumpy, unkempt, quietly sexy science fiction writer who practically lives at her favorite coffee shop. 38 of age and emotionally unavailable, he has shown that he is clearly not interested. Or so she thinks.

Rick knows Vivian’s been into him. It is hard not to notice the vibrant, too-pretty, too-smart, and too-young woman who keeps talking to him, smiling at him, making him feel far more alive than he would like to admit. He keeps telling himself that it is a bad idea, that he has been around the block, and that he does not want marriage, and that Vivian deserves more. But watching her try to date other men in his age group? That turns out to be something else entirely—perhaps the one thing that breaks his tenuous self-control.

While this novella had all the hallmarks of Ms. Adams’ work—low-key angst, internal conflict, and a slow tipping-over from resistance into desire, it somehow failed to give me the feels that I was looking for when I picked this up. I liked the characters well enough. Vivian is the what-you-see-is-what-you-get kinda girl, someone who knows what she wants and is not afraid to admit to the fact. Rick is the direct opposite in many ways—reserved, emotionally guarded, and trying very hard not to let himself fall for the woman who seems to be tailor-made to challenge his every instinct.

It is Rick’s deep resistance to vulnerability that serves to be the main conflict in the novella. While he is not pining for Vivian at the start; he does actively avoid her because of how much in fact, he does notice her. For her part, Vivian is convinced Rick is not interested and does what many women would—tries to reason herself out of her crush, only to find that logic is no match for genuine chemistry.

Perhaps it was the constraint of the novella format, but I found myself wishing there had been more time to explore Rick’s internal struggle, or to build up the quiet moments of tension that often elevate a romance of this kind. The pacing was brisk, but at the cost of richer development. I loved the concept, I liked the characters well enough, but I wanted just a little more than what I got. Still, there is an enjoyable, mature undercurrent to this romance. Rick’s attraction to Vivian and his resistance—and the way he finally succumbs made for memorable moments.

Recommended for: Readers who enjoy May-December romance and reluctant heroes.

Final Verdict: The Older Man Plan had the workings for an age-gap romance that would have delivered. Charming as some of it was, the story left me wanting more.

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

by mvbookreviewer

Review: If I Loved You Less by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Pemberley House, #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Ward Knightley
Heroine: Em Woodson
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: April 30, 2019
Started On: January 18, 2024
Finished On: January 19, 2024

A modern twist on Emma by Jane Austen, If I Loved You Less brings together two people who have always been in each other’s orbit but never imagined the quiet, familiar thread between them could ignite into something far more intense.

26 year old Em Woodson, is a vibrant, compassionate, and fiercely loyal daughter to her dependent father, and quite used to managing everyone’s lives—except her own. In contrast, 39 year old Ward Knightley, her longtime neighbor and her father’s close friend, has always been the calm in the storm—blunt, steady, and somewhat aloof and a rather critical presence in her life at times. But everything shifts when the low thrum of awareness between them begins to rise into something neither can ignore.

Neither Em no Ward start off pining for each other—this is no case of unrequited love on either side. Rather, it is a slow build-up of awareness between the two that seemingly springs out of nowhere, forcing them to confront their burgeoning feelings for one another. Em, who has sworn off marriage because it is not for the likes of her, but still hangs a wedding dress in her room, and Ward who has never thought beyond his failed marriage to moving onto greener pastures—neither is ready for the avalanche of feelings that catches them unawares.

While Ward is older, controlled, and more mature when it comes to Em, who at certain times comes off as rather bratty in my opinion—beneath that restraint is a man who has been waiting, even if he did not know it. He does not fall in love with Em because she has been in his life since childhood, but rather because of the woman she became: generous and thoughtful—even though at times, her meddling nature does more harm than good. Even if Em feels as if he does nothing but criticize her for her life choices, in truth, Ward has admired her long before desire entered the equation.

Em, for her part, is one of those heroines who gets under your skin without even trying. She’s loving but not naïve, self-aware but not jaded. Though she tells herself that she is not spoiled, there is a part of her that is, and seeks to get away with what she wants—the way she wants it. She may have never broken free of her family’s grasp, but she has carved out a life full of purpose for herself as much as she can under the circumstances. Her relationship with Ward feels like a natural extension of who she is—it grows organically from admiration, banter, comfort… and then something hotter and far more dangerous.

The real tension when it comes to how Em and Ward’s relationship evolves lies in the emotional shift—the moment they start to see each other differently for the first time. Neither of them pursues the other outright; instead, the tension builds through shared moments, moments in which they are caught unawares, which blooms slowly and then there is no forcing back the tidal wave that hits. It’s restrained, but thrilling—and somehow more electrifying for that matter.

I enjoyed the second installment in the Pemberly House series on so many levels. I loved both Em and Ward individually and together — how they both just fit right in with each other as if they had been waiting to call each other their home. I loved that both Em and Ward got the emotional space and attention they deserved. Their connection wasn’t a lightning bolt—it was the kind of slow ignition that feels inevitable and completely right.

Ward was definitely the highlight of the story. He was a man who had put his romantic life to sleep and suddenly found it stirred awake by a woman who had always been there. I loved that Ms. Adams did not try to fix Em’s family situation to make her more “available.” Instead, Ward fit himself into her world, accepting and embracing what mattered to her, and offering his love without conditions.

And the heat? Subtle, steady, and so well-done. That quiet, simmering sexual tension was better than many full-blown steamy scenes—it pulsed under every conversation, every look. And when it finally boiled over? Perfection.

Recommended for: Readers who love slow-burns that truly burn, age-gap romance done with emotional depth and maturity, and heroes who fall in love with the woman as she is, not as he wants her to be.

Final Verdict: Simmering tension, emotional richness, and a quietly magnetic hero who didn’t know what he was missing until she lit the spark. Ward makes this one unforgettable.

Favorite Quotes

He dropped his hand. “Why do you try to lie to me? I’ve known you since you were in diapers.”
She scowled since she hated being reminded of that fact. “Your being thirteen years more ancient than me doesn’t mean you can read my mind. There are things about me that you’ll never know.”
He stared at her, and there was something full and deep and slightly conflicted in the gaze.
Something that left her breathless.
“What don’t I know?” he asked in a low, rough voice.

Instead of turning the knob, he stood like a statue for several seconds.
“Ward?” Em prompted, confused by his behavior.
“I don’t always find fault with you,” he said, not turning around. “I think you’re amazing. The most amazing person I’ve ever known. And nothing is ever going to make me feel differently.”
Em’s mouth dropped open, and she stared at his stiff back. She couldn’t make her voice work, and she had no idea what to say anyway.
After another moment, Ward opened the door, stepped into the hall, and closed it behind him—leaving Em alone with a flurry of emotions that weren’t anything like she used to feel for Ward.
At all.

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

by mvbookreviewer

Review: In Want of a Wife by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Pemberley House, #1
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Vince Darcy
Heroine: Liz Berkley
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: March 26, 2019
Started On: January 13, 2024
Finished On: January 18, 2024

In Want of a Wife pairs two rival antique buyers in a slow-burn romance where business, family legacy, and unexpected emotional baggage complicate what should havebeen a straightforward competition.

25 year old Liz Berkley is determined to save her family’s struggling antique business. Meanwhile, 29 year old Vince Darcy, recently returned home after the death of his father, is equally determined to honor his own family’s legacy by stepping up for their antique shop. Their shared passion for the trade ignites sparks of both rivalry and attraction—and when a steamy fling starts to feel like something more, neither is quite prepared for what follows.

Liz is the type of character who is sharp, observant, and quietly anxious, always carrying the weight of responsibility for her family’s store. I think we can all relate to how that can be. She thrives in the world of estate sales and flea market deals, driven by both passion and necessity.

Vince, on the other hand, is the more stoic of the two. With a finance background and an analytical mind, he left a promising corporate job to help his mother and take care of the store in the wake of his father’s death. Beneath the surface, he grapples with grief—which also harbors a deeper pain, a shadow that lingers over much of his emotional journey.

While Liz and Vince begin with mutual attraction and business tension (as do most protagonists), their attempt to keep things physical and casual quickly falls apart as real feelings surface. Vince’s reticence—rooted in past trauma and a naturally reserved personality—clashes with Liz’s expectations and emotional needs, creating a rift that requires honesty and courage. Their professional rivalry and tangled family connections (including a complicated link through Liz’s sister) makes things messier.

I really enjoyed the setting—antique sales and estate auctions added a fresh flavor to the usual small-town romance backdrop. Liz was easy to root for, and Vince’s brooding, wounded energy made him a compelling, if not always easy, hero. Their chemistry was believable, especially once they dropped the pretense of it being “just sex.”

That said, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped to. The dual POV, while offering insights into both characters, seemed to drain some of the emotional punch. I found myself less invested than I usually am with heroes as crafted by Ms. Adams. Vince’s introspection was necessary for his arc, but it made the pacing feel uneven at times. Also, I remember picking this up before and abandoning it partway, which tells me it did not hook me as strongly as her best work does.

That said, Ward and Em’s story teased in the background seems like one I would really enjoy!

Recommended for: Readers who enjoy rivals-to-lovers, quiet heroes with emotional depth, family business dynamics, and stories where casual flings turn into something deeply meaningful.

Final Verdict: From antiques to affection, this is a warm, slow-burn romance between two guarded hearts who weren’t looking for love; but then again, isn’t that the best kind?

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: An Accidental Fling by Noelle Adams

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Single
Series: Green Valley #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Carlton Hill
Heroine: Josephine Katarina Pendleton
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: March 14, 2023
Started On: January 11, 2024
Finished On: January 12, 2024

Noelle Adams (aka Zannie Adams, aka Claire Kent) delivers a sweet and emotionally engaging vacation romance with An Accidental Fling, the second installment in her Green Valley series. The story follows Josephine Katarina Pendleton—Jo to those who know her—on her first real vacation since college, a much-needed break from her demanding job at a local family law firm. Jo’s plans for a relaxing solo trip at a resort just outside Asheville takes a sharp turn when she finds herself rooming with none other than Carlton Hill—her best friend’s older brother and the man she’s known, and maybe wanted, for most of her life.

Carlton Hill—tall, broad-shouldered, with a moody scowl and those chocolate-brown eyes—is the gruff, emotionally bruised hero who once used to be the sweet boy next door. His past, particularly his broken engagement to the too-perfect Morgan, has left him guarded and a little hardened. But beneath that grumpy exterior still lies a man capable of deep love—if only he’d allow himself to hope again.

Jo, on the other hand, is practical and emotionally independent. She has built a fulfilling career, made peace with her aversion to romantic entanglements, and never imagined herself falling into something as messy and unpredictable as love. And yet, Carlton’s presence forces her to confront just how much she has been holding herself back from living fully and loving freely.

What starts as a temporary arrangement, with a defined end date and no emotional strings attached, is the perfect solution for two people like Jo and Carlton—she’s allergic to commitment, and he is emotionally gun-shy. But as the days go by, the rules they have set begin to crumble under the weight of real connection, intense chemistry, and growing feelings they never intended to explore.

Their fling is supposed to be simple, easy, and temporary. But the more time they spend together, the more difficult it becomes to keep feelings out of the equation. The slow crumble of the walls between them, the way they begin to want more even when they promised not to, provides the emotional depth that makes this story so compelling.

I loved this book. Ms. Adams has a way of writing heroes that just works for me, and this particular mix—grumpy, tender beneath the surface, emotionally scarred but ultimately brave in love just pushed all the right buttons. Carlton was all of that and more. His progression—from closed-off to vulnerable—was so satisfying to witness. And Jo, with her wit, resolve, and relatable fear of getting hurt, felt very grounded and real.

Their chemistry was palpable, and the casual-to-serious progression felt natural and I loved every minute of their journey—both messy and real as it gets, to their happily ever after. I especially enjoyed the setting—a cozy, low-key resort nestled in the mountains, which added a quiet intimacy to their evolving relationship.

If I had one complaint, it would be that I wish we had seen a bit more of Carlton’s perspective. Being fully in Jo’s head meant some of his emotional growth happened just out of sight—but even so, the emotional payoff was in the end, worth it.

Recommended for: Fans of grumpy/sunshine dynamics, best friend’s brother tropes, emotionally scarred heroes, low-angst contemporary romance, and Ms. Adams’ uniquely charming romances.

Final Verdict: A quietly intense, emotionally layered vacation fling that turns into so much more. Carlton is peak grumpy hero purrfection.

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