Rustler Mountain by Maisey Yates

3 Stars

Tourists may flock to Rustler Mountain, Oregon for its Wild West reenactments, but for locals, the feuds between the outlaws and the lawmen are still very much alive in this new series from New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates - ideal for fans of Lyla Sage, Elsie Silver, Jennifer Ryan and Robyn Carr.

 

Every year, thousands of people come through Rustler for the rodeo, historic home tours, old-fashioned candy making demonstrations, sharpshooter shows—and to see the site of the 1800s shootout in which notorious outlaw Austin Wilder was killed by Sheriff Lee Talbot. Now Millie Talbot, the sheriff’s descendant, wants to bring back the town’s Gold Rush Days. But she needs the current Austin Wilder’s support to make her dream a reality. . .

 

The Wilders are rumored to be as true to their last name as their ancestors. Nonetheless, Austin is agreeable to helping Millie. But he wants something in return. Austin is working to clear his family name by writing the true history of his outlaw ancestors and Millie might just hold the key.

 

When Millie wrangles Austin into helping plan Gold Rush Days, he figures it’s a chance to get to the truth of the past. . . . But when sparks start to fly between this bad boy and good girl, will either of them come out of it unscathed?

 

Who doesn’t love a librarian with a cowboy. I loved these two finding their HEA and getting the town to get over their prejudice. The world and characters are well developed. I am invested in reading more from the Wilders.

Book 1 Rustler Mountain

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Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

4 Stars

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

This book took the miscommunication trope to the nth degree. They both wanted the fake relationship to be real but thought the other didn’t. Jacob didn’t feel like he could ask cause of his anxiety. While Briana thought he was still in love with his ex. It didn’t help that they both had crappy ex partners and that played into the miscommunication. This is the biggest drama in the book and once they figure it all out they were just so cute.

Book 2 Part of Your World

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Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

3 Stars

Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

 

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

 

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.

Writing was fine and so was the story. The secret dragged on way too long and it irritated me. I wanted more back story for both Lach and Key. There is so much left out that I wanted to know more about.

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Always the one for me by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

It took two days for me to know Kendall was the one for me.

And it took two years for me to realize I had to leave in order to protect her.

When I walked away, I told myself it was for the best. But now we work together, and every time we’re in the same room, we end up fighting. If we didn’t, we’d end up naked. Or worse–spilling heartbreaking secrets.

If she knew the truth, she’d either walk away for good or convince me to take a second chance. The first thing would break me, and the second would break her. I can’t let either of those things happen…

This book frustrated me from beginning to end. Should Evan have been more open with Kendall…yes but how does she not get the trauma when she knew he lost his two best friends. The arguing just frustrated me. I did love the narrators. They did an excellent job bringing the characters to life.

Book 2 The Wilder Brothers

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Loaded Laces by Elise Faber

4 Stars

A decade ago she broke me.

Now she’s back…with a kid in tow.

Belle Harrison dumped me right before I got my first big contract, breaking my heart and sending me straight into a life of singlehood.

Once bitten and twice shy, and all that.

Of course that was before she showed up after a decade, asking questions in the locker room after a game.

Questions that make me rethink everything I thought I knew.

And remind me why I never wanted to let her go in the first place.

And why I won’t ever let her go ever again.

I loved seeing this second chance romance between Belle and West. Seeing them come together was so sweet and amazing. They both needed time to grow and change before coming back together.

Book 3 Eagles Hockey

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Duke’s Inconvenient Bride by Jayne Rivers

3 Stars

A jilted duke. A shy wallflower. A marriage of convenience that neither of them wants.

 

When Lady Emma Carlisle’s twin sister jilts the wealthy and influential Duke of Ashford, their distraught parents pressure shy Lady Emma to marry the duke in her sister’s place, dashing her hopes of a love match.

 

Lady Emma is determined to make the best of the situation, but her new husband is cold, aloof, and wants nothing to do with her. In his quieter moments, she catches glimpses of a thoughtful and intelligent man she’d like to know better, if only he weren’t determined to keep her at a distance.

 

Lady Emma is willing to offer the duke her heart, but she knows there’s every chance he’ll break it. After all, why would the handsomest man in the ton fall for his second best bride?

 

If you love the glamor of Bridgerton or the drama of Downton Abbey, then The Duke's Inconvenient Bride is your next must-read book.

This was an ok historical romance. It wasn’t the best or the worst. The drama with the sister irritated me. Add in the duke being an idiot. It was just an ok read.

Book 1 Unconventional Brides

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Safe Haven by Jarica James

3 Stars

Who knew that two words could shatter every hope and dream Briar had for her future.

You’re pregnant.

Most omegas dream of this, but the only thing Briar can think about is that awful night. While she suffers alone, her attacker gets to flaunt his perfect life in her face.

Until his assistant finds out her secret.

Now she finds herself being exiled from not only her dream job, but her home and city. The betrayal cuts so much deeper when her family is the one to put the final nail in the coffin that was her life.

Her brother, and only ally left, calls on his best friend. She knows no pack will want her, she’s carrying another alpha’s baby, she’s damaged goods. To her relief, the pack agrees.

But when she tries to get them to drop her off at the omega shelter, they refuse. Instead they offer her a temporary place to stay while she decides what to do next. The problem is that with each passing day she spends with the pack, she gets more attached.

When she agrees to be their date to a charity event, she didn’t expect it to change their lives. Secrets are revealed and when her attacker crosses her path again, she quickly realizes that her happy ending may be ripped away for good.

Will her new pack claim her as their own, or will she be forced to live a life she never wanted?

This was a hard book to read just because Briar got put through the ringer. I loved the pack with her so much. They were so sweet and wanted her to be happy and healthy. They bend over backwards to keep her safe when the laws are against her. Her brother was also awesome who was willing to go to bat for her and keep her safe.

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