1genesisdiem
:Goals for 2024:
* The week of Feb 18, I will reach my goal of reading on Kindle at least once a week for 5 years straight. Not difficult to achieve since there are only a few weeks left.
* Try to read the 6 Emma Fielding books and compare them to the movies. And I should do this with at least 1 Marple and 1 Poirot.
* Get through the stack of paperbacks on the bookshelf tbr pile: nonfic and fic.
* I still have about 100 magazines to get through and a stack of items to catalog. I don't know if I will ever get around to adding all of my Amazon to LT though. But I should also be able to clear about my newsletter email box.
* Overall, add more mystery and nonfic to my reading.
So, Here's a great year of reading for all of us!
* The week of Feb 18, I will reach my goal of reading on Kindle at least once a week for 5 years straight. Not difficult to achieve since there are only a few weeks left.
* Try to read the 6 Emma Fielding books and compare them to the movies. And I should do this with at least 1 Marple and 1 Poirot.
* Get through the stack of paperbacks on the bookshelf tbr pile: nonfic and fic.
* I still have about 100 magazines to get through and a stack of items to catalog. I don't know if I will ever get around to adding all of my Amazon to LT though. But I should also be able to clear about my newsletter email box.
* Overall, add more mystery and nonfic to my reading.
So, Here's a great year of reading for all of us!
2Sergeirocks
Good Luck, gd. Happy Reading, ☺️.
3genesisdiem
Fiction 1
Mystery Romance
The Secret of Shutter Lake, Amanda Stevens, 2023 (not in LT yet)
Girl goes back to the hometown she left after her mother went missing because her stepfather is ill and needs help with the business. Her old boyfriend is there investigating a case about a missing boat when he finds a car deep in the lake. They start asking questions about the missing woman and someone makes attempts on their lives. All is resolved in the end.
Overall, not a bad story. It was well written but there wasn't much romance at all and the investigating was left up to the authorities for the most part. It was just an ok afternoon read.
Mystery Romance
The Secret of Shutter Lake, Amanda Stevens, 2023 (not in LT yet)
Girl goes back to the hometown she left after her mother went missing because her stepfather is ill and needs help with the business. Her old boyfriend is there investigating a case about a missing boat when he finds a car deep in the lake. They start asking questions about the missing woman and someone makes attempts on their lives. All is resolved in the end.
Overall, not a bad story. It was well written but there wasn't much romance at all and the investigating was left up to the authorities for the most part. It was just an ok afternoon read.
4threadnsong
Hello genesisdiem, and much success with your 2024 reading. And congrats on your achievement with your Kindle reading!
5genesisdiem
>4 threadnsong: Thank you!
6genesisdiem
Fiction 2
General Romance
Fake Engagement with the Billionaire, Ally Blake, 2023
Girl goes back home in Australia to help her parents save a failing art gallery. There she runs into her late brother's best friend, an ex-sports star and now philanthropist. Paparazzi catch them in a misleading photo, so to avoid scandal they pretend to be engaged. Then they fall in love.
I didn't realize this was book 2 of a trilogy but it can stand alone. I will probably read book 3. The conflict was a misunderstanding that was easily resolved. It was well written and easy to follow the plot.
General Romance
Fake Engagement with the Billionaire, Ally Blake, 2023
Girl goes back home in Australia to help her parents save a failing art gallery. There she runs into her late brother's best friend, an ex-sports star and now philanthropist. Paparazzi catch them in a misleading photo, so to avoid scandal they pretend to be engaged. Then they fall in love.
I didn't realize this was book 2 of a trilogy but it can stand alone. I will probably read book 3. The conflict was a misunderstanding that was easily resolved. It was well written and easy to follow the plot.
7genesisdiem
Fiction 3
General Romance
Cinderella Assistant to Boss's Bride, Ally Blake, 2023
Guy doesn't realize that he's in love with his secretary until she quits. So he tries to figure out why and she is patient with him. All is worked out in the end.
This was book 3 and I felt like it was very rushed, given all of the typos. The story didn't flow as well and there were some inconsistencies as well. The epilogue was a good wrap-up for the series though.
General Romance
Cinderella Assistant to Boss's Bride, Ally Blake, 2023
Guy doesn't realize that he's in love with his secretary until she quits. So he tries to figure out why and she is patient with him. All is worked out in the end.
This was book 3 and I felt like it was very rushed, given all of the typos. The story didn't flow as well and there were some inconsistencies as well. The epilogue was a good wrap-up for the series though.
8genesisdiem
Fiction 4
Suspense Romance
Beauty and the Badge, Julie Miller, 2009
Girl arrives home from work and gets attacked by a burglar in her home. She escapes to her new neighbor's house and is lucky to find out that he's a cop. He watches out for her as the attacks continue and realizes the attacks might be related to a case he's working on. Everything is worked out in the end.
This book was ok but I did figure it out early on. The sex was mostly behind closed doors and not used as filler. I was put off a bit by the insta-love and the age difference but it wasn't a hinderance to the plot. I would probably read more by the author. Overall, it was a decent afternoon read.
Suspense Romance
Beauty and the Badge, Julie Miller, 2009
Girl arrives home from work and gets attacked by a burglar in her home. She escapes to her new neighbor's house and is lucky to find out that he's a cop. He watches out for her as the attacks continue and realizes the attacks might be related to a case he's working on. Everything is worked out in the end.
This book was ok but I did figure it out early on. The sex was mostly behind closed doors and not used as filler. I was put off a bit by the insta-love and the age difference but it wasn't a hinderance to the plot. I would probably read more by the author. Overall, it was a decent afternoon read.
9genesisdiem
Fiction 5
General Romance
Married by Arrangement, Lynne Graham, 2005
Poor Girl has to share custody of her niece with her BIL. BIL is, of course, billionaire royalty. He demands marriage, she falls for him, he finds out the niece is not DNA related, but he has fallen for her. The end.
The writing was good, the plot just ok. Typical harlequin.
General Romance
Married by Arrangement, Lynne Graham, 2005
Poor Girl has to share custody of her niece with her BIL. BIL is, of course, billionaire royalty. He demands marriage, she falls for him, he finds out the niece is not DNA related, but he has fallen for her. The end.
The writing was good, the plot just ok. Typical harlequin.
10genesisdiem
Fiction 6
Mystery Romance
Return to Stony Ridge, 2005, Dani Sinclair
Book 4. Girl goes undercover trying to find her nephew and tracks him to a women's shelter in an old house with lots of secret passages. A local handyman agrees to help her so that he can figure out who she really is. The house isn't as secure as everyone thinks and everything goes crazy when someone is discovered breaking in. Everything is worked out in the end.
This had me hooked just trying to sort out the secret passages. The romance was just so-so and the ending was rushed. I think it might have been part of a series because there were references to other characters, events that weren't explained but it mostly worked as a stand alone. Overall it was well written and a good read.
Mystery Romance
Return to Stony Ridge, 2005, Dani Sinclair
Book 4. Girl goes undercover trying to find her nephew and tracks him to a women's shelter in an old house with lots of secret passages. A local handyman agrees to help her so that he can figure out who she really is. The house isn't as secure as everyone thinks and everything goes crazy when someone is discovered breaking in. Everything is worked out in the end.
This had me hooked just trying to sort out the secret passages. The romance was just so-so and the ending was rushed. I think it might have been part of a series because there were references to other characters, events that weren't explained but it mostly worked as a stand alone. Overall it was well written and a good read.
11genesisdiem
Fiction 7
Mystery Romance
The Firstborn, Dani Sinclair, 2003
Book 1. Girl returns home to claim her inheritance and finds everything in disarray. She gets help from the blacksmith doing repairs on the property. Someone is out to kill her but is it her family or the help.... All is worked out in the end.
This book fell flat for me. It did include a schematic for the house I mentioned in >10 genesisdiem: but it didn't mentioned any secret passageways. Also, the girl is "firstborn" of a set of triplets, so does that really apply? The romance was weak and the mystery was solvable in the early chapters. I am going to read book 2 and 3 just so I can figure out more about the house though.
Mystery Romance
The Firstborn, Dani Sinclair, 2003
Book 1. Girl returns home to claim her inheritance and finds everything in disarray. She gets help from the blacksmith doing repairs on the property. Someone is out to kill her but is it her family or the help.... All is worked out in the end.
This book fell flat for me. It did include a schematic for the house I mentioned in >10 genesisdiem: but it didn't mentioned any secret passageways. Also, the girl is "firstborn" of a set of triplets, so does that really apply? The romance was weak and the mystery was solvable in the early chapters. I am going to read book 2 and 3 just so I can figure out more about the house though.
12genesisdiem
Fiction 8
Mystery Romance
The Second Sister, Dani Sinclair, 2003
Book 2. So twin one decides she doesn't want the house and gives it to twin two. The lawyer handling the paperwork is a bad boy from twin 2's teen years that she still has feelings for. The remodelers (guy from book 4) find a secret room and the girls start to find hidden stairways around the house when their "evil" stepmother is caught trying to steal things. Then the threats start. Is it the evil stepmother or someone from the bad boy's past?... Both sort of. The evil stepmother is clearly up to something but the threats come from an old rival that thinks twin 2 saw him commit a murder. Turns out it was the secret "twin" 3... so now book three is likely resolving the mother's murder, introducing the third sister, and who knows what else. But at least the house stuff was more interesting this time. Really this whole series could have been one book instead.
Mystery Romance
The Second Sister, Dani Sinclair, 2003
Book 2. So twin one decides she doesn't want the house and gives it to twin two. The lawyer handling the paperwork is a bad boy from twin 2's teen years that she still has feelings for. The remodelers (guy from book 4) find a secret room and the girls start to find hidden stairways around the house when their "evil" stepmother is caught trying to steal things. Then the threats start. Is it the evil stepmother or someone from the bad boy's past?... Both sort of. The evil stepmother is clearly up to something but the threats come from an old rival that thinks twin 2 saw him commit a murder. Turns out it was the secret "twin" 3... so now book three is likely resolving the mother's murder, introducing the third sister, and who knows what else. But at least the house stuff was more interesting this time. Really this whole series could have been one book instead.
13genesisdiem
Fiction 9
Mystery Romance
The Third Twin, Dani Sinclair, 2003
Book 3. This one was probably the worst of the lot. Over half of it was the girl lying about who she was, the answers to the mystery were just thrown together, and there wasn't a whole lot about the house. But I did see why book 4 was written as sort of an epilogue.
If I understood it all: the mom had an affair with the neighbor and married the "dad" in haste. The "dad" was selling babies out of his MD practice, and sold one of the triplets. The FIL found out and was killed. The mom found out and was killed. The mom who bought the baby found out and was killed. The "dad" who sold the babies was killed by the evil stepmother to hide their crimes. The housekeeper who tried blackmail to protect the missing baby was killed. Dad who bought the baby found the blackmail money and was killed. The evil stepmother who was the nurse helping to sell the babies was killed. Other people involved were killed. But it's all wrapped up in the end, because the girls all have a wedding together and the neighbor claims them so they have a family and the house gets turned into a women's shelter... This really read more like a bad 80s saga.
Mystery Romance
The Third Twin, Dani Sinclair, 2003
Book 3. This one was probably the worst of the lot. Over half of it was the girl lying about who she was, the answers to the mystery were just thrown together, and there wasn't a whole lot about the house. But I did see why book 4 was written as sort of an epilogue.
If I understood it all: the mom had an affair with the neighbor and married the "dad" in haste. The "dad" was selling babies out of his MD practice, and sold one of the triplets. The FIL found out and was killed. The mom found out and was killed. The mom who bought the baby found out and was killed. The "dad" who sold the babies was killed by the evil stepmother to hide their crimes. The housekeeper who tried blackmail to protect the missing baby was killed. Dad who bought the baby found the blackmail money and was killed. The evil stepmother who was the nurse helping to sell the babies was killed. Other people involved were killed. But it's all wrapped up in the end, because the girls all have a wedding together and the neighbor claims them so they have a family and the house gets turned into a women's shelter... This really read more like a bad 80s saga.
14genesisdiem
Fiction 10
General Romance
Claiming his Convenient Fiancée, Natalie Anderson, 2017
Girl's family home gets sold before she can collect her things. So since she still has a key, she goes back to get them and gets caught. The new owner lets her off the hook if she agrees to pose as his fiancee. She falls in love and gets pregnant but he isn't interested so she leaves. But then he misses her and they work it out.
This book was about half sex, which is unusual for a Harlequin Presents. It was like the author started off with a good plot and then ran out of steam and started writing filler. I finished it because it had a neat house with hidden areas but that plotline also fizzled out. Overall, a blah book.
General Romance
Claiming his Convenient Fiancée, Natalie Anderson, 2017
Girl's family home gets sold before she can collect her things. So since she still has a key, she goes back to get them and gets caught. The new owner lets her off the hook if she agrees to pose as his fiancee. She falls in love and gets pregnant but he isn't interested so she leaves. But then he misses her and they work it out.
This book was about half sex, which is unusual for a Harlequin Presents. It was like the author started off with a good plot and then ran out of steam and started writing filler. I finished it because it had a neat house with hidden areas but that plotline also fizzled out. Overall, a blah book.
15genesisdiem
Fiction 11
General Romance
Lifelong Affair, Carole Mortimer, 1983
Girl and guy are named as guardians to their nephew and get married despite his family absolutely hating her. He stands up for her and she stands up for herself (mostly) and it's HEA.
*sigh* This book was just very much of its time: Submissive, whimpering virgin. rape and domestic violence jokes. over the top family drama from the 80s. etc etc. I usually like this author but this one was a fail.
General Romance
Lifelong Affair, Carole Mortimer, 1983
Girl and guy are named as guardians to their nephew and get married despite his family absolutely hating her. He stands up for her and she stands up for herself (mostly) and it's HEA.
*sigh* This book was just very much of its time: Submissive, whimpering virgin. rape and domestic violence jokes. over the top family drama from the 80s. etc etc. I usually like this author but this one was a fail.
16genesisdiem
Fiction 12
Mystery Romance
Cold Case Sheriff, 2023, Tara Quinn
Girl's guardian dies and she finds an address in a safety deposit box. So she goes to find out what it means and someone tries to kill her. The sheriff protects her whilst trying to solve the mystery. All is worked out in the end.
This book dragged on and on and on.... It was also pretty easy to solve early on. But it was a decent plotline. The romance was pretty non-existent; just kind of behind closed doors instalove that seemed added after the fact. Not sure if I would read more by this author.
Mystery Romance
Cold Case Sheriff, 2023, Tara Quinn
Girl's guardian dies and she finds an address in a safety deposit box. So she goes to find out what it means and someone tries to kill her. The sheriff protects her whilst trying to solve the mystery. All is worked out in the end.
This book dragged on and on and on.... It was also pretty easy to solve early on. But it was a decent plotline. The romance was pretty non-existent; just kind of behind closed doors instalove that seemed added after the fact. Not sure if I would read more by this author.
17genesisdiem
Fiction 13
General Romance
The Dimitrakos Proposition, 2014, Lynne Graham
Poor girl marries rich guy to gain custody of her friend's baby (he gets full ownership of his company). They fight, have a lot of sex, an ex tries to stab her, and then they declare their love.
This book just dragged on and on. Also, it was creepy how he just loved that she was so tiny and feminine. Overall, probably a wasted read.
General Romance
The Dimitrakos Proposition, 2014, Lynne Graham
Poor girl marries rich guy to gain custody of her friend's baby (he gets full ownership of his company). They fight, have a lot of sex, an ex tries to stab her, and then they declare their love.
This book just dragged on and on. Also, it was creepy how he just loved that she was so tiny and feminine. Overall, probably a wasted read.
18genesisdiem
Fiction 14
"Historical" Romance (written in a very contemporary style)
Lady Ludmilla's Accidental Letter, 2022, Sofi Laporte
Spinster sends a letter to an old friend in London. But friend has moved and Guy at the house responds. They keep up their letters for three years when Girl goes to London to chaperone her sister's Season. Then antics ensue with revealing their identities. All is worked out in the end.
This was a very contemporary Regency but it was cute and funny. The "mystery" of the identities did drag on for a little bit. But overall a decent afternoon read.
"Historical" Romance (written in a very contemporary style)
Lady Ludmilla's Accidental Letter, 2022, Sofi Laporte
Spinster sends a letter to an old friend in London. But friend has moved and Guy at the house responds. They keep up their letters for three years when Girl goes to London to chaperone her sister's Season. Then antics ensue with revealing their identities. All is worked out in the end.
This was a very contemporary Regency but it was cute and funny. The "mystery" of the identities did drag on for a little bit. But overall a decent afternoon read.
19genesisdiem
Fiction 15
General Romance
Trial By Marriage, 1994, Lindsay Armstrong
Girl is a school teacher on an Australian ranch. Guy buys the ranch. They circle each other, he seduces her, marries her, then she decides to leave him until she sees he's been in an accident. They sort of work it out and HEA.
I'm not into insta-lust. And the story was just ok. The writing was decent though.
General Romance
Trial By Marriage, 1994, Lindsay Armstrong
Girl is a school teacher on an Australian ranch. Guy buys the ranch. They circle each other, he seduces her, marries her, then she decides to leave him until she sees he's been in an accident. They sort of work it out and HEA.
I'm not into insta-lust. And the story was just ok. The writing was decent though.
20genesisdiem
Fiction 16
Mystery Romance
Sharp Evidence, 2023, Julie Miller
Girl is a theater professor being stalked, who finds a bloody knife in a prop box. Guy is a crime lab technician who's trying to solve his parents' cold case. She takes him the knife, he ties the two cases together and tries to act as her bodyguard until the case is solved. She falls for him and he for her. The case is solved.
This was book 4 in a series but it worked as a stand-alone. Good plot and good writing. Overall good afternoon read. (I don't understand the girl's hair on the book cover though bc it doesn't match the description in the book)
Mystery Romance
Sharp Evidence, 2023, Julie Miller
Girl is a theater professor being stalked, who finds a bloody knife in a prop box. Guy is a crime lab technician who's trying to solve his parents' cold case. She takes him the knife, he ties the two cases together and tries to act as her bodyguard until the case is solved. She falls for him and he for her. The case is solved.
This was book 4 in a series but it worked as a stand-alone. Good plot and good writing. Overall good afternoon read. (I don't understand the girl's hair on the book cover though bc it doesn't match the description in the book)
21genesisdiem
Fiction 17
General Romance
Blackmailed by Diamonds, Bound by Marriage, 2006, Sarah Morgan
Girl's sister dies tragically after seducing a married older man and stealing a priceless necklace. Guy is man's son and he wants the necklace back. The girl misunderstands the situation and tells him she'll only return the necklace if he marries her. He does. They fall in love, she learns the truth and sets him free, he comes for her.
This story was a mess. The girl thinks the guy had been her sister's lover and still she sleeps with him. Repeatedly, like half of the book was just sex. I'm not certain when they were supposed to have fallen in love. This is usually a good author but her books are really hit or miss sometimes.
General Romance
Blackmailed by Diamonds, Bound by Marriage, 2006, Sarah Morgan
Girl's sister dies tragically after seducing a married older man and stealing a priceless necklace. Guy is man's son and he wants the necklace back. The girl misunderstands the situation and tells him she'll only return the necklace if he marries her. He does. They fall in love, she learns the truth and sets him free, he comes for her.
This story was a mess. The girl thinks the guy had been her sister's lover and still she sleeps with him. Repeatedly, like half of the book was just sex. I'm not certain when they were supposed to have fallen in love. This is usually a good author but her books are really hit or miss sometimes.
22genesisdiem
Fiction 18
Modern Romance
Love on the Brain, 2022, Ali Hazelwood
Girl has to work with her nemesis and they fall in love.
I felt like this book was trying too hard to be hip & modern but maybe I am just too old. There was a girl scientist, a lot of complaining about being such, multiple people sabotaging her work, her unusual appearance and background, her lesbian friend, cats, social media, a guy who's mad about her with an unsupportive family and a widow friend with a kid. It was like the author just tried to check a lot of boxes. I found the characters really immature and the plot choppy. Not worth the price.
Modern Romance
Love on the Brain, 2022, Ali Hazelwood
Girl has to work with her nemesis and they fall in love.
I felt like this book was trying too hard to be hip & modern but maybe I am just too old. There was a girl scientist, a lot of complaining about being such, multiple people sabotaging her work, her unusual appearance and background, her lesbian friend, cats, social media, a guy who's mad about her with an unsupportive family and a widow friend with a kid. It was like the author just tried to check a lot of boxes. I found the characters really immature and the plot choppy. Not worth the price.
23genesisdiem
Fiction 19
Mystery Romance
Without a Trace, 2020, Amanda Stevens
Girl's niece goes missing and she has to pair up with the local sheriff to find her.
So this is part one of three. The niece goes missing in the old asylum ruins where her other aunt also went missing decades earlier. They do find the niece and then the main character gets kidnapped and rescued. But the author never actually tells you who kidnapped the niece nor solves the cold case. It was mostly just world building and filler. I'm going to attempt the second book but not sure if I'll make it all the way to the third.
I feel like the whole trilogy could have probably been condensed into one book but Harlequin Intrigue is really bad about making continuation series these days to sell more books. There aren't many stand-alones anymore.
Mystery Romance
Without a Trace, 2020, Amanda Stevens
Girl's niece goes missing and she has to pair up with the local sheriff to find her.
So this is part one of three. The niece goes missing in the old asylum ruins where her other aunt also went missing decades earlier. They do find the niece and then the main character gets kidnapped and rescued. But the author never actually tells you who kidnapped the niece nor solves the cold case. It was mostly just world building and filler. I'm going to attempt the second book but not sure if I'll make it all the way to the third.
I feel like the whole trilogy could have probably been condensed into one book but Harlequin Intrigue is really bad about making continuation series these days to sell more books. There aren't many stand-alones anymore.
24genesisdiem
Fiction 20
Mystery Romance
A Desperate Search, 2020, Amanda Stevens
Girl is a coroner investigating the death of her mentor, guy is a cop the mentor contacted for help.
This was book 2/3. There was minimal romance and the plot in general dragged on and on and on. The tie-in to book one was that this girl had seen the missing girl before she disappeared but they still didn't solve that case. This case was all about who murdered the old town doctor and why. There were red herrings galore but it was wrapped up in the end. Even the little clues in the books was kind of lame.
I'm going to hate read the last book but then I'll probably nix this author from my to read list.
Mystery Romance
A Desperate Search, 2020, Amanda Stevens
Girl is a coroner investigating the death of her mentor, guy is a cop the mentor contacted for help.
This was book 2/3. There was minimal romance and the plot in general dragged on and on and on. The tie-in to book one was that this girl had seen the missing girl before she disappeared but they still didn't solve that case. This case was all about who murdered the old town doctor and why. There were red herrings galore but it was wrapped up in the end. Even the little clues in the books was kind of lame.
I'm going to hate read the last book but then I'll probably nix this author from my to read list.
25genesisdiem
Fiction 21
Mystery Romance
Someone is Watching, 2020, Amanda Stevens
Girl is a late night radio host with a stalker. Guy is an FBI agent trying to solve a cold case.
Book 3/3. 0 romance. And the plot was so all over the place, it seemed like nothing connected or flowed very well. Almost like major pieces of the story were missing or random parts of different stories were just cobbled together.
The tie-in to the first two books was that this girl got away when her two friends were taken. The one of the two who got away from the kidnapper was in an asylum but she gets away and comes to the radio girl for help because the kidnapper is back. There's a crazy asylum roommate and an intrepid reporter as red herrings. Everything is solved in the end by basically the FBI agent saying "we caught the guy and he confessed" which is a lame wrap-up by an author rushing a deadline.
I'm definitely not interested in anything else by this author. This could have been so much better.
Mystery Romance
Someone is Watching, 2020, Amanda Stevens
Girl is a late night radio host with a stalker. Guy is an FBI agent trying to solve a cold case.
Book 3/3. 0 romance. And the plot was so all over the place, it seemed like nothing connected or flowed very well. Almost like major pieces of the story were missing or random parts of different stories were just cobbled together.
The tie-in to the first two books was that this girl got away when her two friends were taken. The one of the two who got away from the kidnapper was in an asylum but she gets away and comes to the radio girl for help because the kidnapper is back. There's a crazy asylum roommate and an intrepid reporter as red herrings. Everything is solved in the end by basically the FBI agent saying "we caught the guy and he confessed" which is a lame wrap-up by an author rushing a deadline.
I'm definitely not interested in anything else by this author. This could have been so much better.
26genesisdiem
Fiction 22
Mystery
The Tuesday Night Club, 1927, Agatha Christie
A series of short stories featuring Miss Marple and a group of friends talking about local true crime.
I was familiar with most of these from various BBC shows. It was a good reread.
Mystery
The Tuesday Night Club, 1927, Agatha Christie
A series of short stories featuring Miss Marple and a group of friends talking about local true crime.
I was familiar with most of these from various BBC shows. It was a good reread.
27genesisdiem
Fiction 23
General Romance
Doukakis's Apprentice, 2011, Sarah Morgan
Girl's dad elopes with Guy's sister so Guy takes over Girl's company. They both realize there's more to each other as they work together on the merger. Then they end up together which makes for an awkward family dynamic...
I couldn't decide if I had read this one before or not. Either way, the author writes well and the story flows, but yuck at the dad and the sister.
General Romance
Doukakis's Apprentice, 2011, Sarah Morgan
Girl's dad elopes with Guy's sister so Guy takes over Girl's company. They both realize there's more to each other as they work together on the merger. Then they end up together which makes for an awkward family dynamic...
I couldn't decide if I had read this one before or not. Either way, the author writes well and the story flows, but yuck at the dad and the sister.
28genesisdiem
Fiction 24
General Romance
Wedding Deal with her Rival, 2023, Kate Hardy
Girl offers to step out of the competition for law partnership if her rival agrees to marry her in name only so that she can secure her family's estate. As they work together to sort things, they fall in love. Opposites attract and not quite insta-love.
Good writing and story flow. Funny in parts but repetitive in others. Not a bad afternoon read.
General Romance
Wedding Deal with her Rival, 2023, Kate Hardy
Girl offers to step out of the competition for law partnership if her rival agrees to marry her in name only so that she can secure her family's estate. As they work together to sort things, they fall in love. Opposites attract and not quite insta-love.
Good writing and story flow. Funny in parts but repetitive in others. Not a bad afternoon read.
29genesisdiem
Fiction 25
Historical Romance
The Earl's Mysterious Lady, 2022, Louise Allen
Girl leaves guy at the alter because it was an arranged marriage. Years later, they meet again but she is using a different name. They fall in love, he figures out who she is, they get over it.
This book was boring and took me forever to finish.
Historical Romance
The Earl's Mysterious Lady, 2022, Louise Allen
Girl leaves guy at the alter because it was an arranged marriage. Years later, they meet again but she is using a different name. They fall in love, he figures out who she is, they get over it.
This book was boring and took me forever to finish.
30genesisdiem
Fiction 26
Suspense Romance
Smoky Mountains Graveyard, 2024, Lena Diaz (not in LT yet)
Girl and Guy work for a private firm solving cold cases. They discover a serial killer's dumping ground and the killer retaliates. Both lead characters get hurt at one time or another in the fight until they win at the end. They also manage to fall in love.
So this was book 5 in a series but it mostly worked as a stand alone. The romance was a bit immature and the action scenes were a bit over the top. But it was a decent afternoon read.
Suspense Romance
Smoky Mountains Graveyard, 2024, Lena Diaz (not in LT yet)
Girl and Guy work for a private firm solving cold cases. They discover a serial killer's dumping ground and the killer retaliates. Both lead characters get hurt at one time or another in the fight until they win at the end. They also manage to fall in love.
So this was book 5 in a series but it mostly worked as a stand alone. The romance was a bit immature and the action scenes were a bit over the top. But it was a decent afternoon read.
31genesisdiem
Fiction 27
Historical Romance
To Wed a Wallflower, 2021, Carol Arens
Girl and guy share a crush as teens. Then years later, she is presented as a possible marriage match to his brother. They fight their love for one another and in the end, it's his brother who helps them get together.
This book was a little too cheesy (and a little too preachy) for me but it was a quick and decent afternoon read. Very Hallmark.
Historical Romance
To Wed a Wallflower, 2021, Carol Arens
Girl and guy share a crush as teens. Then years later, she is presented as a possible marriage match to his brother. They fight their love for one another and in the end, it's his brother who helps them get together.
This book was a little too cheesy (and a little too preachy) for me but it was a quick and decent afternoon read. Very Hallmark.
32genesisdiem
Fiction 28
Suspense Romance
C. J.'s Defense, 1994, Carolyn Andrews
Girl is a criminal lawyer, working with her father, defending a teenager. Guy is the DA working against her and good friends with her father. Guy tries to protect her from someone who doesn't want her on the case while not compromising the case. They fight their feelings but everything is worked out in the end.
I liked this one. It had a good story, flowed well, good writing. Had a little too much sex though. I would probably read more by this author.
Suspense Romance
C. J.'s Defense, 1994, Carolyn Andrews
Girl is a criminal lawyer, working with her father, defending a teenager. Guy is the DA working against her and good friends with her father. Guy tries to protect her from someone who doesn't want her on the case while not compromising the case. They fight their feelings but everything is worked out in the end.
I liked this one. It had a good story, flowed well, good writing. Had a little too much sex though. I would probably read more by this author.
33genesisdiem
Fiction 29
Contemporary Romance
My Darling Bride, 2023, Ilsa Madden-Mills
Girl works at a bookstore and escapes an abusive boyfriend by stealing a sports car belonging to an NFL player. It gets stolen and he demands she marry him temporarily to gain an inheritance that will offset the costs. They fall in love and he buys the bookstore for her.
While the blurb sounded good on this one, it was not good. The story was all over the place and the book could have used a good editor. Also, the characters weren't very likable - the girl was too preachy and the guy was too much like the ex. It was just too contemporary for me; especially with the way the sex was written. Overall, not a good enough book for me to read the second in the series.
Contemporary Romance
My Darling Bride, 2023, Ilsa Madden-Mills
Girl works at a bookstore and escapes an abusive boyfriend by stealing a sports car belonging to an NFL player. It gets stolen and he demands she marry him temporarily to gain an inheritance that will offset the costs. They fall in love and he buys the bookstore for her.
While the blurb sounded good on this one, it was not good. The story was all over the place and the book could have used a good editor. Also, the characters weren't very likable - the girl was too preachy and the guy was too much like the ex. It was just too contemporary for me; especially with the way the sex was written. Overall, not a good enough book for me to read the second in the series.
34genesisdiem
Fiction 30
General Romance
An Invitation to Sin, 2013, Sarah Morgan
An actress struggling for a comeback and an Italian playboy form a fake romance to save each other's reputation. Then they fall in love.
Good writing and plot flow. Story was just ok. Might have been better as a short story because there was a lot of filler. Will keep reading this author.
General Romance
An Invitation to Sin, 2013, Sarah Morgan
An actress struggling for a comeback and an Italian playboy form a fake romance to save each other's reputation. Then they fall in love.
Good writing and plot flow. Story was just ok. Might have been better as a short story because there was a lot of filler. Will keep reading this author.
35genesisdiem
Fiction 31
General Romance
The Virgin's Secret Marriage, 2003, Cathy Gillen Thacker
Girl and guy eloped as teens but her father separated them. Seven years later, guy is back to play hockey on the girl's dad's team with the understanding that they stay away from each other. That does not work, their elopement is revealed by a jealous reporter who tries repeatedly to seduce the guy, and the girl is juggling all of that with wedding client who is stealing from people with sports memorabilia (including the guy)... All is worked out in the end (decent marriage advice included).
Overall not a bad afternoon read. There was certainly enough going on to never get boring. Writing and story flow was good. Probably won't read all of the series but I will try one more.
General Romance
The Virgin's Secret Marriage, 2003, Cathy Gillen Thacker
Girl and guy eloped as teens but her father separated them. Seven years later, guy is back to play hockey on the girl's dad's team with the understanding that they stay away from each other. That does not work, their elopement is revealed by a jealous reporter who tries repeatedly to seduce the guy, and the girl is juggling all of that with wedding client who is stealing from people with sports memorabilia (including the guy)... All is worked out in the end (decent marriage advice included).
Overall not a bad afternoon read. There was certainly enough going on to never get boring. Writing and story flow was good. Probably won't read all of the series but I will try one more.
36genesisdiem
Fiction 32
Medical Romance
A Bride for Glenmore, 2007, Sarah Morgan
Girl is a nurse on a Scottish island, guy is a visiting doctor with a secret (that was pretty obvious). They work together and island life grows on him until the girl discovers his secret. They work it out and get together in the end.
Eh, I felt like this was instalove/ rushing things. Also, the girl overreacted to the guy's secret and the author was really building it up given that it was kind of nothing. And the castle rescue scene seemed farfetched and out of place in the story. But the author is usually a good read, with good story flow and writing, so I'll probably read more of her works later.
Medical Romance
A Bride for Glenmore, 2007, Sarah Morgan
Girl is a nurse on a Scottish island, guy is a visiting doctor with a secret (that was pretty obvious). They work together and island life grows on him until the girl discovers his secret. They work it out and get together in the end.
Eh, I felt like this was instalove/ rushing things. Also, the girl overreacted to the guy's secret and the author was really building it up given that it was kind of nothing. And the castle rescue scene seemed farfetched and out of place in the story. But the author is usually a good read, with good story flow and writing, so I'll probably read more of her works later.
37genesisdiem
Mid-year totals:
Read - 32 fiction, 0 non-fiction
Goal summary:
Completed 1, halfway through 2, haven't done 2
Overall, not bad.
Read - 32 fiction, 0 non-fiction
Goal summary:
Completed 1, halfway through 2, haven't done 2
Overall, not bad.
38genesisdiem
Fiction 33
Medical Romance
The English Doctor's Baby, 2004. Sarah Morgan
Nurse demands doctor claim his child by her deceased sister. He claims he didn't know her but agrees to find out who the child's father is. During this time, the two fall in love.
A little repetitive and I kept thinking I had already read it but couldn't find it if I did. It was weird the doctor didn't demand a dna test and just let the nurse move in with him while they sorted it out. But it passed the afternoon as an ok read.
Medical Romance
The English Doctor's Baby, 2004. Sarah Morgan
Nurse demands doctor claim his child by her deceased sister. He claims he didn't know her but agrees to find out who the child's father is. During this time, the two fall in love.
A little repetitive and I kept thinking I had already read it but couldn't find it if I did. It was weird the doctor didn't demand a dna test and just let the nurse move in with him while they sorted it out. But it passed the afternoon as an ok read.
39genesisdiem
So many dnf lately...
Fiction 34
General Romance
Best Man's Conquest, 2007, Michelle Celmer
Guy and Girl eloped in college, only to divorce a year later. Flash forward a decade and they meet at friends' wedding where they are the best man and maid of honor. A week together at a destination wedding gives them time talk out the past and to show each other they've both matured. They go their separate ways after the wedding but weeks later realize they'd like to give it a second chance and try again.
Not a bad afternoon read. The ebook formatting was weird but not enough to stop reading. The story flowed well and the writing was good. Would probably read another book by this author.
Fiction 34
General Romance
Best Man's Conquest, 2007, Michelle Celmer
Guy and Girl eloped in college, only to divorce a year later. Flash forward a decade and they meet at friends' wedding where they are the best man and maid of honor. A week together at a destination wedding gives them time talk out the past and to show each other they've both matured. They go their separate ways after the wedding but weeks later realize they'd like to give it a second chance and try again.
Not a bad afternoon read. The ebook formatting was weird but not enough to stop reading. The story flowed well and the writing was good. Would probably read another book by this author.
40genesisdiem
Fiction 35
Medical Romance
House Calls, 2006, Michelle Celmer
Guy is an ER doc who was shot on duty (and lost his working partner). Girl is the physio who has been privately contracted to help him recover (who is recovering from an eating disorder). They spend a summer together in a somewhat isolated cottage, working to overcome their issues, and end up together.
Not terrible. There wasn't really any preachy stuff about either of them getting better, just slow and steady. It did get a bit old when the girl kept going on and on about how them being together was unprofessional. There could have been more plot but overall a good afternoon read.
Medical Romance
House Calls, 2006, Michelle Celmer
Guy is an ER doc who was shot on duty (and lost his working partner). Girl is the physio who has been privately contracted to help him recover (who is recovering from an eating disorder). They spend a summer together in a somewhat isolated cottage, working to overcome their issues, and end up together.
Not terrible. There wasn't really any preachy stuff about either of them getting better, just slow and steady. It did get a bit old when the girl kept going on and on about how them being together was unprofessional. There could have been more plot but overall a good afternoon read.
41genesisdiem
Fiction 36
Medical Romance
More than a Convenient Bride, 2015, Michelle Celmer
Guy and girl are best friends, so when she needs a green card, he agrees to marry her. They start out as pretend but slowly realize that they love each other.
This one was slow going. The ex, the mother, and the kitten seemed clunky as add-ins. It was written ok but overall the plot was just meh.
Medical Romance
More than a Convenient Bride, 2015, Michelle Celmer
Guy and girl are best friends, so when she needs a green card, he agrees to marry her. They start out as pretend but slowly realize that they love each other.
This one was slow going. The ex, the mother, and the kitten seemed clunky as add-ins. It was written ok but overall the plot was just meh.
42genesisdiem
Fiction 37
Contemporary Romance
Fighting Words, 2024, RS Grey
Girl is sent to a guy with writer's block to help him finish his book. They fall in love.
There was way too much sex in this book. There was a decent plot and plenty of areas that could have been padded out to help the story but instead it was just filled with nonsense. I usually like this author because the writing is good and the story flows well but skipping over large sections seems like a waste.
Contemporary Romance
Fighting Words, 2024, RS Grey
Girl is sent to a guy with writer's block to help him finish his book. They fall in love.
There was way too much sex in this book. There was a decent plot and plenty of areas that could have been padded out to help the story but instead it was just filled with nonsense. I usually like this author because the writing is good and the story flows well but skipping over large sections seems like a waste.
43genesisdiem
Fiction 38
Contemporary Romance
Their Last Resort, 2024, RS Grey
Girl and guy work at a beach resort and are frenemies. Then guy is tasked with firing girl by his embezzling boss. So he sets out to catch the boss, get promoted, and save the girl. They fall in love.
Again, less sex, more plot and it would have been better. But it was written well and the story was ok.
Contemporary Romance
Their Last Resort, 2024, RS Grey
Girl and guy work at a beach resort and are frenemies. Then guy is tasked with firing girl by his embezzling boss. So he sets out to catch the boss, get promoted, and save the girl. They fall in love.
Again, less sex, more plot and it would have been better. But it was written well and the story was ok.
44genesisdiem
Fiction 39
Contemporary Romance
Hate Mail, 2024, Donna Marchetti
Girl and guy have been penpals since middle school and they finally meet as adults. Only there are some misunderstandings, some soul searching, and some funny moments along the way. Everything is worked out in the end.
This was an ok afternoon read. There were some funny parts and some cute parts with the animals. The story moved along well and the writing was good. The plot was a little juvenile but overall the book was a decent read. I would probably read something else by this author.
Contemporary Romance
Hate Mail, 2024, Donna Marchetti
Girl and guy have been penpals since middle school and they finally meet as adults. Only there are some misunderstandings, some soul searching, and some funny moments along the way. Everything is worked out in the end.
This was an ok afternoon read. There were some funny parts and some cute parts with the animals. The story moved along well and the writing was good. The plot was a little juvenile but overall the book was a decent read. I would probably read something else by this author.
45genesisdiem
Fiction 40
Medical Romance
The Doctor's Rescue, 2004, Kate Hardy
Girl is a traveling doctor who happens to be on scene when guy, who is also a doctor, gets hit by a car when rescuing a small child. Girl agrees to cover the guy's practice and look after him while he heals. They each have past issues they work through and then end up together.
The writing was ok, the plot was mediocre, and romance seemed rushed. Every medical case was described in detail as filler and I started skimming those parts. Easy afternoon read but just meh.
Medical Romance
The Doctor's Rescue, 2004, Kate Hardy
Girl is a traveling doctor who happens to be on scene when guy, who is also a doctor, gets hit by a car when rescuing a small child. Girl agrees to cover the guy's practice and look after him while he heals. They each have past issues they work through and then end up together.
The writing was ok, the plot was mediocre, and romance seemed rushed. Every medical case was described in detail as filler and I started skimming those parts. Easy afternoon read but just meh.
46genesisdiem
Fiction 41
General Romance
Playing by the Baby Rules, 2004, Michelle Celmer
Girl and guy are best friends and decide to have a baby. Despite baggage on both sides, they manage to fall in love.
This read like an early 90s book instead of later. There was more sex than needed and the side stories just seemed like more filler. Overall just so-so.
General Romance
Playing by the Baby Rules, 2004, Michelle Celmer
Girl and guy are best friends and decide to have a baby. Despite baggage on both sides, they manage to fall in love.
This read like an early 90s book instead of later. There was more sex than needed and the side stories just seemed like more filler. Overall just so-so.
47genesisdiem
Fiction 42 - two novellas in one book, neither worth mentioning
Fiction 43
General Romance
The Marriage Solution, 1995, Helen Brooks
Girl marries guy to help pay off her father's debts. Guy loves her and she takes a while to realise that. Everything works out in the end.
Decent plot but the girl was so naïve and whiny that it got old really fast. Typical for this time period of romance. Will probably read more by this author.
Fiction 43
General Romance
The Marriage Solution, 1995, Helen Brooks
Girl marries guy to help pay off her father's debts. Guy loves her and she takes a while to realise that. Everything works out in the end.
Decent plot but the girl was so naïve and whiny that it got old really fast. Typical for this time period of romance. Will probably read more by this author.
48genesisdiem
Fiction 44
Contemporary Romance
Greek Tycoon's Mistletoe Proposal, 2016, Kandy Shepard
Girl is a runaway bride working as a maid when she falls for a billionaire she cleans house for. They pretend to date for business reasons and then fall in love.
This book kind of fell flat. It started out ok, but then fizzled when it became unrealistic and repetitive. It would have been better as a HFN, instead of a HEA, and there really wasn't a lot of plot. But it was well written and an easy afternoon read.
Contemporary Romance
Greek Tycoon's Mistletoe Proposal, 2016, Kandy Shepard
Girl is a runaway bride working as a maid when she falls for a billionaire she cleans house for. They pretend to date for business reasons and then fall in love.
This book kind of fell flat. It started out ok, but then fizzled when it became unrealistic and repetitive. It would have been better as a HFN, instead of a HEA, and there really wasn't a lot of plot. But it was well written and an easy afternoon read.
49genesisdiem
Fiction 45
Contemporary Romance
An Ideal Marriage, 1997, Helen Bianchin
Girl and Guy married for a business merger but girl's stepsister is trying to cause a divorce. Guy has no intention of divorcing.
This book was so very thin on plot. They 'made love' every few pages and the girl took this to mean that the guy loved her. The author was either incredibly lazy or very naïve. This book wasn't even good for the '90s era.
Contemporary Romance
An Ideal Marriage, 1997, Helen Bianchin
Girl and Guy married for a business merger but girl's stepsister is trying to cause a divorce. Guy has no intention of divorcing.
This book was so very thin on plot. They 'made love' every few pages and the girl took this to mean that the guy loved her. The author was either incredibly lazy or very naïve. This book wasn't even good for the '90s era.
50genesisdiem
Fiction 46
Contemporary Romance
A Christmas Affair, 1990, Carole Mortimer
Guy is girl's boss. She's quitting because she's in love with him and he doesn't want her to quit because he's in love with her. They go home to her family for Christmas and work things out. HEA.
This author is a good writer with good plot flow. Did get a little repetitive but not enough to bog things down. There were parts though that made me think there may have been a previous book for her BIL. Overall, a good afternoon read.
Contemporary Romance
A Christmas Affair, 1990, Carole Mortimer
Guy is girl's boss. She's quitting because she's in love with him and he doesn't want her to quit because he's in love with her. They go home to her family for Christmas and work things out. HEA.
This author is a good writer with good plot flow. Did get a little repetitive but not enough to bog things down. There were parts though that made me think there may have been a previous book for her BIL. Overall, a good afternoon read.
51genesisdiem
Fiction 47
Contemporary Romance
Bidding on her Boss, 2015, Rachel Bailey
Girl works in Guy's floral company and bids on him at a charity auction so that he will listen to her ideas about new designs. They can't be together romantically because of company policy but that doesn't stop them falling in love. They work through it and other issues for a HEA.
Good writing with a good plot flow. Easy afternoon read. I'm not one for insta-love but this worked it out over a few months at least. Not interested in the other two books of the series but would probably read more by this author.
Contemporary Romance
Bidding on her Boss, 2015, Rachel Bailey
Girl works in Guy's floral company and bids on him at a charity auction so that he will listen to her ideas about new designs. They can't be together romantically because of company policy but that doesn't stop them falling in love. They work through it and other issues for a HEA.
Good writing with a good plot flow. Easy afternoon read. I'm not one for insta-love but this worked it out over a few months at least. Not interested in the other two books of the series but would probably read more by this author.
52genesisdiem
Fiction 48
Medical Romance
A Baby to Change their Lives, 2024, Rachel Dove
Guy and Girl raise their niece after the death of their siblings and fall in love.
Written well, slightly repetitive, terribly depressing plotline. Will probably read more by this author.
Medical Romance
A Baby to Change their Lives, 2024, Rachel Dove
Guy and Girl raise their niece after the death of their siblings and fall in love.
Written well, slightly repetitive, terribly depressing plotline. Will probably read more by this author.
53genesisdiem
Fiction 49
General Romance
Christmas with the Prince, 2009, Michelle Celmer
Girl is a scientist hired to help a kingdom with an agriculture problem, Guy is the prince. He sets out to seduce her, she falls in love, he rejects her, she leaves, he misses her and goes to bring her back, they get married...
This was obviously part of a series and not a stand-alone, even though that's not stated anywhere. It felt like I was only reading half a story. There weren't enough details or action or background or anything. This had a lot of potential but it fell flat.
General Romance
Christmas with the Prince, 2009, Michelle Celmer
Girl is a scientist hired to help a kingdom with an agriculture problem, Guy is the prince. He sets out to seduce her, she falls in love, he rejects her, she leaves, he misses her and goes to bring her back, they get married...
This was obviously part of a series and not a stand-alone, even though that's not stated anywhere. It felt like I was only reading half a story. There weren't enough details or action or background or anything. This had a lot of potential but it fell flat.
54genesisdiem
Fiction 50
Contemporary Romance
The Roommate Pact, 2023, Allison Ashley
Guy and Girl are roommates who decide to add benefits, even though they each have baggage. They work it out in the end.
Writing and flow was good. Story was just ok, little repetitive. Might read another by the author.
Contemporary Romance
The Roommate Pact, 2023, Allison Ashley
Guy and Girl are roommates who decide to add benefits, even though they each have baggage. They work it out in the end.
Writing and flow was good. Story was just ok, little repetitive. Might read another by the author.
55genesisdiem
Fiction 51
General Romance
The Society Groom, 1999, Mary Lyons
Girl and Guy were teenage lovers until they were separated by their parents. Then they meet again years later at a wedding and fall back in love. HEA.
It took me forever to get through this book because it was a boring ramble where nothing really happened. Not sure if I would read another by this author.
General Romance
The Society Groom, 1999, Mary Lyons
Girl and Guy were teenage lovers until they were separated by their parents. Then they meet again years later at a wedding and fall back in love. HEA.
It took me forever to get through this book because it was a boring ramble where nothing really happened. Not sure if I would read another by this author.
56genesisdiem
Fiction 52
Mystery Romance
Heartwishes, 2011, Jude Deveraux
Girl is hired to sort a prominent family's historical papers and falls in love with the son. She discovers in the papers a reference to a "magic" jewel that grants wishes and an international thief with ties to the area tries to steal it. All is worked in the end.
This was apparently book 6 of a series of 10 but it mostly worked as a stand-alone. I found the book 4 in already in my library and might get book 5 since they both seem to be mysteries as well. It's nice to read a book with more plot than just romance.
Mystery Romance
Heartwishes, 2011, Jude Deveraux
Girl is hired to sort a prominent family's historical papers and falls in love with the son. She discovers in the papers a reference to a "magic" jewel that grants wishes and an international thief with ties to the area tries to steal it. All is worked in the end.
This was apparently book 6 of a series of 10 but it mostly worked as a stand-alone. I found the book 4 in already in my library and might get book 5 since they both seem to be mysteries as well. It's nice to read a book with more plot than just romance.
57genesisdiem
Fiction 53
Mystery Romance
Lavender Morning, 2009, Jude Deveraux
Book 4. Girl is bequeathed an old house by an elderly woman that took her in as a child. Guy is the gardener for the old house. They get through a bunch of drama together while sorting out the history of the elderly woman and the house. But they end up together in the end.
This was a story within a story and honestly, the ending made me tear up (happily) a little. {Though it did seem the ending was a rushed infodump to meet a deadline instead of being the few more chapters it really needed.} The plot did have the typical soap opera drama with: the other woman, a love triangle, evil stepsiblings, small town culture, etc etc etc. And then the mystery of the elderly woman and her exciting past and how it all affected the present. I had trouble putting it down because the author is a good writer. Classic 80s/90s style Harlequin.
There could have been more than a dozen books with all of the characters that she created in this series but I'll probably read book 5 and be finished with it. I don't think she's adding any more and the other books don't really interest me.
Mystery Romance
Lavender Morning, 2009, Jude Deveraux
Book 4. Girl is bequeathed an old house by an elderly woman that took her in as a child. Guy is the gardener for the old house. They get through a bunch of drama together while sorting out the history of the elderly woman and the house. But they end up together in the end.
This was a story within a story and honestly, the ending made me tear up (happily) a little. {Though it did seem the ending was a rushed infodump to meet a deadline instead of being the few more chapters it really needed.} The plot did have the typical soap opera drama with: the other woman, a love triangle, evil stepsiblings, small town culture, etc etc etc. And then the mystery of the elderly woman and her exciting past and how it all affected the present. I had trouble putting it down because the author is a good writer. Classic 80s/90s style Harlequin.
There could have been more than a dozen books with all of the characters that she created in this series but I'll probably read book 5 and be finished with it. I don't think she's adding any more and the other books don't really interest me.
58genesisdiem
Fiction 54
Mystery Romance
Scarlet Nights, 2010, Jude Deveraux
Book 5. Small town girl being wooed by a career criminal is saved by an (FBI?) agent. Their fake marriage turns into real love and the bad guys are caught.
This one had characters from the other two. It was written well and the plot flow was good. It did get a bit preachy about environmental and church stuff at times but not over the top. The mystery was less whodunnit and more about just putting pieces together. I did like that the girls weren't complete doormats. If I had to guess, this may have been a story written in the 80s and modified to "modern".
I'm probably not going to read the rest of the series but I would probably read more by this author.
Mystery Romance
Scarlet Nights, 2010, Jude Deveraux
Book 5. Small town girl being wooed by a career criminal is saved by an (FBI?) agent. Their fake marriage turns into real love and the bad guys are caught.
This one had characters from the other two. It was written well and the plot flow was good. It did get a bit preachy about environmental and church stuff at times but not over the top. The mystery was less whodunnit and more about just putting pieces together. I did like that the girls weren't complete doormats. If I had to guess, this may have been a story written in the 80s and modified to "modern".
I'm probably not going to read the rest of the series but I would probably read more by this author.
59genesisdiem
Fiction 55
Paranormal Romance (for the spooky season)
Fated to the Wolf Prince, 2024, April Moon
All single wolves are called to a meeting. Sickly girl finds out her mate is the high prince. His father is killed. Other wolves don't want them to be together. Everything is left in a cliffhanger...
There was an interesting premise and world building but entirely too much smut and no closure. I probably won't read the other two books. Not poorly written, just not my thing.
Paranormal Romance (for the spooky season)
Fated to the Wolf Prince, 2024, April Moon
All single wolves are called to a meeting. Sickly girl finds out her mate is the high prince. His father is killed. Other wolves don't want them to be together. Everything is left in a cliffhanger...
There was an interesting premise and world building but entirely too much smut and no closure. I probably won't read the other two books. Not poorly written, just not my thing.
60genesisdiem
Fiction 56
Paranormal Romance
Secret of the Wolf, 1995, Rebecca Flanders
Book 1 of 3
Girl is a newspaper reporter who hits a guy with her car on a foggy rural road late one night. Guy has amnesia and she nurses him back to health, except he has some traits that aren't quite human. They fall in love and all is worked out in the end.
Except there were some questions left unanswered that will maybe be addressed in the later books? This one was slow and uninteresting and the ending was unsatisfying really. But this author is a good writer and the plot flows well. It's somewhat dated but, to me at least, that means it's more relatable.
Paranormal Romance
Secret of the Wolf, 1995, Rebecca Flanders
Book 1 of 3
Girl is a newspaper reporter who hits a guy with her car on a foggy rural road late one night. Guy has amnesia and she nurses him back to health, except he has some traits that aren't quite human. They fall in love and all is worked out in the end.
Except there were some questions left unanswered that will maybe be addressed in the later books? This one was slow and uninteresting and the ending was unsatisfying really. But this author is a good writer and the plot flows well. It's somewhat dated but, to me at least, that means it's more relatable.
61genesisdiem
Fiction 57
Paranormal Romance
Wolf in Waiting, 1995, Rebecca Flanders
Book 2 of 3
Girl is an account executive and disregarded for being unable to change. Guy is the heir apparent who's out to prove himself in the company. They fall in love, she manages to change, and they prove themselves as the rightful heirs.
This one also dragged a little but it was an ok read. Characters from the previous book had a scene. I thought the neighbor friend and the cat were good add-ins. Like the last book, though, there were some parts of the plot not wrapped up.
Paranormal Romance
Wolf in Waiting, 1995, Rebecca Flanders
Book 2 of 3
Girl is an account executive and disregarded for being unable to change. Guy is the heir apparent who's out to prove himself in the company. They fall in love, she manages to change, and they prove themselves as the rightful heirs.
This one also dragged a little but it was an ok read. Characters from the previous book had a scene. I thought the neighbor friend and the cat were good add-ins. Like the last book, though, there were some parts of the plot not wrapped up.
62genesisdiem
Fiction 58
Paranormal Romance
Shadow of the Wolf, 1995, Rebecca Flanders
Book 3 of 3
Girl is an investigative reporter after a serial killer. Guy is an ex-cop hiding from his past. He acts as her bodyguard, admits both he and the killer are werewolves, gets help from the people in the previous two books, and learns that he has a family. They live HEA.
This book also had a non-ending with so many loose ends. The writing was good and the story had decent pacing. It just felt incomplete. I would have liked to have seen a wrap up of the series in an epilogue or something.
Paranormal Romance
Shadow of the Wolf, 1995, Rebecca Flanders
Book 3 of 3
Girl is an investigative reporter after a serial killer. Guy is an ex-cop hiding from his past. He acts as her bodyguard, admits both he and the killer are werewolves, gets help from the people in the previous two books, and learns that he has a family. They live HEA.
This book also had a non-ending with so many loose ends. The writing was good and the story had decent pacing. It just felt incomplete. I would have liked to have seen a wrap up of the series in an epilogue or something.
63genesisdiem
Fiction 59
Paranormal Romance
Be My Boo, 2024, Misha Crews
Guy gets trapped in a haunted house, discovers girl trapped also. They overcome their baggage and work together to escape. There's also a cute dog.
This was sweet but a little rushed and the ending was more of a HFN instead of HEA. It had decent writing and story flow. A good afternoon read.
Paranormal Romance
Be My Boo, 2024, Misha Crews
Guy gets trapped in a haunted house, discovers girl trapped also. They overcome their baggage and work together to escape. There's also a cute dog.
This was sweet but a little rushed and the ending was more of a HFN instead of HEA. It had decent writing and story flow. A good afternoon read.
64genesisdiem
Fiction 60
Historical Romance
Bella and the Beast, 2015, Olivia Drake
Obviously a Beauty and the Beast retelling. The two leads (an English Duke and a "lady" who's lived abroad her whole life, not sure which was truly the "beast") knew each other as children when their fathers worked together as archaeologists. Then something bad happened and it wasn't until years later that they reconnected. But someone is out to find the treasure map before they do and willing to murder for it. Everything works out in the end.
This could have been so much better. It was readable but I had to sludge through it. Entirely too much sex and a bit of a convoluted plot line. I think it's also part of a series but I have no intention of reading the rest.
I had so many DNF these past couple of weeks and I am hoping with the holiday releases there will be some decent ones.
Historical Romance
Bella and the Beast, 2015, Olivia Drake
Obviously a Beauty and the Beast retelling. The two leads (an English Duke and a "lady" who's lived abroad her whole life, not sure which was truly the "beast") knew each other as children when their fathers worked together as archaeologists. Then something bad happened and it wasn't until years later that they reconnected. But someone is out to find the treasure map before they do and willing to murder for it. Everything works out in the end.
This could have been so much better. It was readable but I had to sludge through it. Entirely too much sex and a bit of a convoluted plot line. I think it's also part of a series but I have no intention of reading the rest.
I had so many DNF these past couple of weeks and I am hoping with the holiday releases there will be some decent ones.
65genesisdiem
Fiction 61
Contemporary Romance
All He Ever Dreamed, 2013, Shannon Stacey
Guy and girl grow up together, start to move from friends to lovers when he flakes, all is worked out in the end
This book was soo boring. The characters were lackluster, the story was uninteresting. Nothing really happened. I had to force myself to finish it.
Contemporary Romance
All He Ever Dreamed, 2013, Shannon Stacey
Guy and girl grow up together, start to move from friends to lovers when he flakes, all is worked out in the end
This book was soo boring. The characters were lackluster, the story was uninteresting. Nothing really happened. I had to force myself to finish it.
66genesisdiem
Fiction 62
Contemporary Romance
Desire or Defense, Leah Brunner, 2023
Guy is hockey player who gets suspended and must work off the hours as a juniors coach. Girl is guardian to her brother who is on the junior team. They spar, they work together to help her brother, they fall in love.
This book was ok. It went way into mental health and away from the romance plot, though. A decent read but I probably won't read the rest of the series.
Contemporary Romance
Desire or Defense, Leah Brunner, 2023
Guy is hockey player who gets suspended and must work off the hours as a juniors coach. Girl is guardian to her brother who is on the junior team. They spar, they work together to help her brother, they fall in love.
This book was ok. It went way into mental health and away from the romance plot, though. A decent read but I probably won't read the rest of the series.
67genesisdiem
Fiction 63
Contemporary Romance
Faking Under the Mistletoe, 2019, Ashley Shepherd
Girl is a PR intern, guy is her boss. She pretends to be his girlfriend to help him get over an ex, but turns out the ex wants to be her friend. Also there is work drama about sexual harassment with a client and another boss. And there are family and friends to round out the story.
Not a bad story and not bad writing but it does get bogged down and/or repetitive in parts. Decent afternoon read. Would probably read more by this author.
Contemporary Romance
Faking Under the Mistletoe, 2019, Ashley Shepherd
Girl is a PR intern, guy is her boss. She pretends to be his girlfriend to help him get over an ex, but turns out the ex wants to be her friend. Also there is work drama about sexual harassment with a client and another boss. And there are family and friends to round out the story.
Not a bad story and not bad writing but it does get bogged down and/or repetitive in parts. Decent afternoon read. Would probably read more by this author.
68genesisdiem
Fiction 64
Contemporary Romance
Lovelight Farms, 2021, BK Borison
Girl owns a Christmas tree farm and asks best friend to pose as her boyfriend to win an online contest. They realise they're in love and work through those issues whilst trying to have a great selling season. HEA.
This one was a little too contemporary for me. It was written ok but there was too much sex and the extended plot seemed a little 2-d. There are more books in the series but I'm not interested enough to read them.
Contemporary Romance
Lovelight Farms, 2021, BK Borison
Girl owns a Christmas tree farm and asks best friend to pose as her boyfriend to win an online contest. They realise they're in love and work through those issues whilst trying to have a great selling season. HEA.
This one was a little too contemporary for me. It was written ok but there was too much sex and the extended plot seemed a little 2-d. There are more books in the series but I'm not interested enough to read them.
69genesisdiem
Fiction 65
Contemporary Romance
The Christmas Book Hunt, 2024, Jenny Colgan
Girl is sent by her aunt to find a book she lost in childhood. Along the way she meets a guy who helps her on her search but doesn't let on that he wants to find the book for his uncle to sell. They fall for each other on their adventure but she figures out what he's up to and they part. She finds the book and her aunt's childhood friend and then reconnects with the guy, who has changed his ways. HFN.
This was a nice story but it dragged on and on. I might consider reading more by this author though.
Contemporary Romance
The Christmas Book Hunt, 2024, Jenny Colgan
Girl is sent by her aunt to find a book she lost in childhood. Along the way she meets a guy who helps her on her search but doesn't let on that he wants to find the book for his uncle to sell. They fall for each other on their adventure but she figures out what he's up to and they part. She finds the book and her aunt's childhood friend and then reconnects with the guy, who has changed his ways. HFN.
This was a nice story but it dragged on and on. I might consider reading more by this author though.
70genesisdiem
Fiction 66
Romantic Intrigue
Military Grade Mistletoe, Julie Miller, 2017
Guy is a marine who gets injured and goes home for recovery, where he meets his pen-pal (and sister's friend). She has a stalker and is looking for a roommate, so they move in together. Things escalate with the stalker and he saves her and they live HEA.
The plot was kind of slow, the romance rushed. The dogs almost seemed to interfere with the plot rather than help it. But the writing was good and I have a few books by this author.
Romantic Intrigue
Military Grade Mistletoe, Julie Miller, 2017
Guy is a marine who gets injured and goes home for recovery, where he meets his pen-pal (and sister's friend). She has a stalker and is looking for a roommate, so they move in together. Things escalate with the stalker and he saves her and they live HEA.
The plot was kind of slow, the romance rushed. The dogs almost seemed to interfere with the plot rather than help it. But the writing was good and I have a few books by this author.
71genesisdiem
Fiction 67
Contemporary Romance
The Christmas he claimed the secretary, 2022, Caitlin Crews
Guy is a CEO who escapes an arranged marriage by claiming the secretary is his mistress. Then he falls in love with her. HEA.
A little slow and the last chapter was the epilogue but the writing was good and the plot flowed. I will probably read the second book to see about the brother and the rejected bride (whose feelings were totally unhurt).
Contemporary Romance
The Christmas he claimed the secretary, 2022, Caitlin Crews
Guy is a CEO who escapes an arranged marriage by claiming the secretary is his mistress. Then he falls in love with her. HEA.
A little slow and the last chapter was the epilogue but the writing was good and the plot flowed. I will probably read the second book to see about the brother and the rejected bride (whose feelings were totally unhurt).
