Blue Moon Mystery Saloon

The Perfect Man

The Perfect Man Series, Book 1, by Lynn Dare, July 2021.

** An e-ARC was provided by Booksprout and the author for an honest review.

The Perfect Man by Lynn Dare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

THE PERFECT MAN by Lynn Dare is a cute, lighthearted romance and a great start to a new series. Ellie Amore is a 30-year-old author of romances living over a bookstore with a taco stand instead of a coffee shop. She’s kind of a loner and only claims two friends: the book shop owner and the taco stand owner (who’s also her brother’s best friend). Cruz Cabot, the taco cook, has had feelings for Ellie since the day she moved to her apartment. He’s been quietly loving her while providing her with food and friendship.

Ellie’s writing a romance where the heroine tries to find the perfect man. As she continues her story, Ellie includes the guys she dreams about, interspersed with a bit of the real men she knows. Even she hasn’t decided who her story’s heroine will choose for her happily ever after.

PROS:
1. Very unique plot idea — exploring romance tropes/cliches to find the perfect man.
2. Likeable main and side characters with interesting quirks.
3. A pet that isn’t totally lovable.
4. Cruz’s friendly family and their picnic antics.

CONS:
1. Too many “C” names, and not just from one family.
2. Not enough scene time with the enjoyable side characters.

SUMMARY:
THE PERFECT MAN is a delightful, quick read that is perfect for the beach. The main and side characters are well written and likeable, the main characters grow throughout the book, and the story idea is unique. If you like lighthearted and character-driven stories, then you should definitely buy this book.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Upcoming books THE PERFECT BOYFRIEND, THE PERFECT HUSBAND, and THE PERFECT BACHELOR by Lynn Dare, LOVE CLICHES SERIES by Emma St. Clair, ST. HELENA VINEYARD and THE EASTONS series by Marina Adair, APPLE VALLEY LOVE STORIES series by Julie Christianson, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN MOTHERS series by Whitney Dineen

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Second Chance Summer

A Novel by Poppy St. James, Published July 2021

* An e-ARC was provided by Booksprout and the author for an honest review.

Second Chance Summer by Poppy St. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SECOND CHANCE SUMMER by Poppy St. James is a warm, engaging story about a girl from New York trying to escape an unwanted marriage and a boy from Shady Grove TX needing a fresh chance at love. Charlotte Freemont runs away from her wedding right before going down the aisle. She's heading to L.A. to live with her best friend Valentina, but her Audi breaks down in Shady Grove TX on a Sunday, meaning no mechanic’s on the job. Luke Wilder's been left before, first by his mom when he was little, and then by his last girlfriend, so he's not too interested in getting involved with the woman whose busted car dropped her in his hometown. She's just going to leave when her car gets fixed anyway. Besides he thinks she's a snob and she things he's arrogant, so why bother?

PROS:
1. The main characters are interesting and likeable, and they each work through problems, such as trusting in others, believing in yourself, and making your own choices, and grow throughout the story.
2. The supporting cast is fairly unique and fun, particularly the petite and goth-like stylist Audrey, who gives Charlotte a more positive view of Luke, making Charlotte reconsider her initial opinion of him.
3. The book moves along at a good pace. A lot happens within a couple of weeks, but it’s enough time for Charlotte and Luke to develop trust and enjoy being with each other.
4. The story’s told in first person, past tense, and the chapters alternate between Luke’s POV and Charlotte’s POV.
5. The wonderful cover reflects the tone of the story and pulled me in right away.
6. The author’s name. Seriously, it’s awesome! That alone made me want to check the book out. And her style of writing ensures I’ll want to read her future stories.

CONS:
1. A lot happens within a couple of weeks. I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love or quick love, but I can suspend belief for a good, fun story (like I think this is).
2. The ending (before the Epilogue) seems a little rushed. A meatier ending would have been more satisfying to me.

SUMMARY:
SECOND CHANCE SUMMER is a lighthearted, quick story and perfect as a beach read. The main characters and supporting cast are well-written and likeable, and they tackle themes of trust in others, self-confidence, and freedom to make your own decisions. I would definitely recommend this story to others, particularly those who like character-driven stories, and look forward to reading more books by Poppy St. James.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Upcoming books BEAUTY AND THE BRIT and ROMANCING HIS RIVAL by Poppy St. James, the MAGNOLIA SOUND and the SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS series by Samantha Chase, the BLUE MOON and the RILEY THORN series by Lucy Score, the ST. HELENA VINEYARD and the EASTONS series by Marina Adair

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Decidedly With Wishes

By the Bay #7, by Stina Lindenblatt, published June 2021

* An e-ARC was provided by Booksprout and the author for an honest review.

 

Decidedly with Wishes by Stina Lindenblatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

DECIDEDLY WITH WISHES, by Stina Lindenblatt, is the 7th book in the steamy BY THE BAY SERIES. The story follows the fake relationship of Elias Lawson, blond, blue-eyed hockey player for the San Francisco Rock team, and Nala Johnson, beautiful, golden-skin, brown-eyed dress designer and future heiress of her grandmother's high-end fashion house. They meet when she bumps into him before a wheelchair hockey game at the local children's hospital. Nala's godchild, six-year-old Sarina, is getting ready to play in the game, and Eli is there with three teammates to join in. Eli and Nala get together when a date with Eli is auctioned off at a charity event and Nala's three best friends go together and make the winning bid in Nala's name. He needs a week-long date to his cousin's wedding in Montana, and she needs to check off items from the bucket list she made in college--which just happens to include a date with a hot hockey player. So they agree to help each other.

REALLY ENJOYED:
1. Both of the main characters have interesting and unique backstories. Eli has trouble reading and was bullied because of undiagnosed dyslexia when he was younger and only agrees to be in the auction because it benefits a literacy program for foster kids. He also has a niece with Downs Syndrome who brightens his world. Nala has designed clothes since she was young and wants to make clothes for disabled children to get on and off easily, so every child can feel special. They are both workaholics without much social lives.
2. The story highlights several disabilities in a positive way and shows how Eli and Nala are compassionate and committed to helping others.
3. Nala's pet is a hedgehog named Thistle. I love this! Very unusual and, according to Nala, perfect for her lifestyle.
4. The storyline is fun with trying to fool Eli's family into thinking Nala is his girlfriend and named Edith (Eddie for short) and with Nala getting Eli's help in setting up ways to tackle her bucket list.
5. Nala is extremely proud of how her grandmother, Bibi, overcame prejudices against a woman, especially a Black woman, to achieve her dreams in the highly competitive fashion industry.
6. Supporting characters are quite cute and have backstories a little different from usual romance stories.

SUMMARY:
I enjoyed DECIDEDLY WITH WISHES for its interesting characters, unique storyline, and fun situations. (The cover's not so bad either.) Its lightheartedness makes it perfect for a vacation read, and the whole book is a good addition to the author's BY THE BAY SERIES. It's a must-read for those who like character-driven stories, and I totally recommend it.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Other books in the BY THE BAY SERIES by Stina Lindenblatt, the CHICAGO REBELS SERIES and REBELS ROOKIES SERIES by Kate Meader, the SLAYERS HOCKEY SERIES by Mira Lyn Kelly, the SCORING SERIES by Jami Davenport, the NASHVILLE ASSASSINS and NASHVILLE ASSASSINS: NEXT GENERATION SERIES by Toni Aleo, the ARIZONA VENGEANCE SERIES by Sawyer Bennett


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