One Last First Date

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Book Summary:

I’ve made a pact with my friends to marry the next guy I date. What could possibly go wrong?

After too many failed romances and one close brush with joining a convent (kidding… mostly), I’m ready to believe in love again. That’s why I said yes to the One Last First Datepact with my best friends: the next man I go out with? He’s The One.

Enter Parker Hamilton. Smart, handsome, thoughtful—and a doctor, no less. I’ve vetted him like a pro, and everything checks out. He’s perfect on paper… and soon, perfect in person too.

Then there’s Will Jordan. My annoying, effortlessly charming coworker who seems to be everywhere I turn—taking credit for my ideas, flashing that irresistible grin, and showing up in my daydreams even though he absolutely shouldn’t.

Will’s not part of the plan. Parker is.

But the more I get to know Will, the harder it is to ignore the way he makes me laugh, challenges me, and sees me in a way no one else does.

Now I have to figure out if I’m following the plan… or following my heart.

One Last First Date is a clean, fun, heart-warming friends to lovers rom com for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, and TV shows like Jane the Virgin. It's a light-hearted, humorous, and fun full-length novel that can be read as a standalone title or as the first book in the Flirting with Forever series.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Super fun book!  Great chemistry between the characters.  One Last First Date is a stand-alone book, but if you are like me, I must read book 2!  

Kate O’Keeffe is a USA Today bestselling author known for her fun, feel-good romantic comedies brimming with humor, heart, and happily ever afters. A native of New Zealand, Kate has crafted numerous popular series, garnering a devoted international readership.

With a flair for witty banter and irresistible heroines navigating the ups and downs of modern dating, Kate’s novels showcase strong friendships, comedic entanglements, and the of course sometimes bumpy but always hopeful road to love.

When she’s not writing, Kate can often be found reading romcoms, binging her favourite shows, or spending time with her friends and family in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand.

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Before Dorothy

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Book Summary:  Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own unforgettable adventure...

Chicago, 1924: Emily and her new husband, Henry, yearn to leave the bustle of Chicago for the promise of their own American dream among the harsh beauty of the prairie. But leaving the city means leaving Emily’s beloved sister, Annie, who was once closer to her than anyone in the world.

Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have established their new home among the warmth of the farming community in Kansas. Aligned to the fickle fortunes of nature, their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose, until tragedy strikes and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep.

The wide-eyed child isn’t the only thing to disrupt Emily’s world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everything, and her much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposed, Emily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of all: Dorothy.

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Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Irish Times, and internationally bestselling author known for her deeply moving historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. Her most recent novel, The Last Lifeboat, was a Times historical novel of the month, an Audie award winner, and was short-listed for the Irish Book Awards. Her work is published in twenty-seven territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.

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Battle of the Bookstores

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The Story:

Rivalry and romance spark when two bookstore managers who are opposites in every way find themselves competing for the same promotion.

 

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.

 

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.

 

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I am a huge fan of Ali Brady having just finished some other books (The Comeback Summer and The Beach Trap - loved them both).  Absolutely love Jose and Ryan's battle of bookstores. You can't help but fall in love with both of them and cheer for them throughout the story.

I liked how both Jose's and Ryan's families were weaved into the story and it allowed us to get them even better. It also helps the readers understand their hesitation to get to know each other. I also loved that there were online friends without knowing who they really were, it just added a wonderful depth to the book. 

Quick read, wonderful characters you will love, laugh-out-loud scenes, and a great read.

I wish I had bookstores near me like the two in the story. How fun would it be! The duo writers Ali and Brady make reading so much fun! Looking forward to their next book!

Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. The Beach Trap is their first book together. Alison lives in Chicago and works as a VP and creative director at an advertising agency. She’s the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives with her family in Utah, where she works as a physician. She’s the author of the psychological thrillerImposter.

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Just Beachy

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About:  A former actress in need of a reset reunites with her grandmother, her first crush, and the ladies of Ten Beach Road in this escapist novel from USA Today bestselling author Wendy Wax.

After losing her longtime acting gig on the hit show Murder 101, Sydney Ryan decides she needs a break from Hollywood politics. She heads to Treasure Island, Florida, where her grandmother has been visiting and now refuses to leave. Sydney’s plan to lie low for a bit quickly goes awry, though, as she is swept up in her grandmother’s now-flourishing social life—Grand not only bought a new house in Casas de Flores, she’s also helping her neighbor Myra open a bookstore in Pass-a-Grille. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house repeatedly, Sydney realizes her grandmother is keeping something from her.

 Determined to ferret out the truth and protect her grandmother, Sydney enlists the help of the Ten Beach Road ladies and Luke, a local police officer who was once her high school crush. While Sydney puts her television crime-solving skills to the test, she decides to act on the sizzling chemistry between herself and Luke. And as Sydney spends more sunsets toasting to true friends and new romance, she begins to wonder if the sun is setting on her time in Hollywood and if this town could be the dawn of a new chapter.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Just Beachy is my favorite of the "Ten Beach Road" books. Absolutely loved it and Sydney's journey.  So many laugh-out-loud moments when people can't separate Sydney the person and Cassie the actress! I want to shop at Sandcastle Books and Arts, which added a really nice touch to the book!

Great new characters, with a great weave-in of the "Ten Beach Road" characters.

Just Beachy is a must-read this beach season! 

Wendy Wax, a former broadcaster, is the USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels and two novellas, including the popular Ten Beach Road series. After over thirty years in Atlanta, she once again lives on the water on the west coast of Florida near the home she grew up in and Ten Beach Road’s fictional Bella Flora.

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Busyboy Book Club

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Synopsis (from Amazon):  They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play. 

While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: A small-town close book club group solves a murder and recovers the stolen money from the town center makes for a good read! My favorite characters were Arthur and Ash. They were to two most unlikely to become such close friends through the whole process, but it was beautiful to see it unfold. 

In the end, the book club misfits crack the case open and help Michael put together some puzzle pieces that fit beautifully into Phyllis' life.  Nova evolves into a strong individual and is even able to stand up to her finance and his family and do what is right herself.  Each individual grows during the story and ends up in a better place due to the group working together and supporting each other.

Freya Sampson is the USA Today bestselling author of The Last Chance Library and The Lost Ticket/The Girl on the 88 Bus. She studied history at Cambridge University and worked in television as an executive producer, making documentaries about everything from the British royal family to neighbours from hell. She lives in London with her husband, children and cats. Nosy Neighbours is her third novel.

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Someone to Tempt

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Book Blurb:  I’ve spent my whole life playing by the rules. It’s time to break a few…

Work hard. Do the right thing. Be a good girl. That’s how I survived growing up with a scandal-magnet mother and a brother who treated troublemaker like a part-time job. I thought if I followed the rules, I could outrun the chaos.

For the most part, I have. Being mayor of Skylark is everything to me, and I want to belong here. But competence and responsibility aren’t thecrowd-pleasing campaign qualities that will get me re-elected in this small town.

So I sign up for a ballroom dance class, determined to show everyone this good girl knows how to have fun. Then he walks in.

Jake Byrne. The reckless rule-breaker who ruined my family’s reputation and broke my heart.

I hate him. Obviously.

But hating is a lot harder with his body pressed against mine, moving like we’re made for each other. Turns out, Jake isn’t just gorgeous. He’s charming, perceptive, and what’s worse? He makes me feel. Everything.

And when he kisses me, I shatter right along with the rules.

Just when I start to believe in second chances, a scandal from my past threatens our future. Jake swears he’s in this for real—but I’ve been burned before. Trusting him might be the biggest temptation of all.

A small-town, enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance from USA Today and Top 5 Amazon bestseller Michelle Major. A HEA is guaranteed! If you like your happily-ever-afters swoony, steamy, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments, one click now to fall in love with The Skylark Series.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Ever since I read the first book in the Skylark Series (Someone to Love), I have been a fan of Michelle Major!  The second book in the series, Someone to Tempt,  didn't let me down.  I am a big Jake fan and was so happy that Iris was able to work through her past and realize all that she wants out of life.  Jake had his own past to reconcile as well.  It was a perfect story with a great plot with a happy outcome.  Can't wait for book 3 in the Skylark Series.

BTW- May I join the BOOK CLUB? Please Michelle????

Oh, PS! There is just the right amount of spice.....!

PSS: You don't need to read the first one in the series, Someone to Love, but I would recommend it!  I loved it!

USA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.

Connect with her at her website or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.

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Goalie Interrupted

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Summary:  Coaching him was never part of the plan. Falling for her should NOT happen. But in hockey—and love—sometimes the best plays come when you break the rules.

Elle: Coaching the River City Renegades is exactly where I want to be—hockey, small-town charm, and zero drama…but there’s him.

Dixon Andrews. The team’s broody, infuriating, gorgeous goalie. He’s got a jawline that could cut glass and a grudge he’s pinned on me for something I didn’t even do. Now, he’s making my life turbulent one smoldering glare at a time.

I’ve coached at the highest level and handled more egos than I can count, but Dixon? He’s in a league of his own. The worst part? Beneath all that attitude is a man I can’t stop thinking about.

Dixon: Elle Carter is the one woman I swore I’d never forgive, but she just walked back into my life. As my coach.

She’s as bossy and infuriating as ever, and every time she’s near, I can feel my blood pressure spike. She’s also breathtaking. Sharp, beautiful, and still capable of turning my world upside down.

I’ve spent years convincing myself she didn’t matter. But now? Game after game, practice after practice, she’s breaking down my defenses—and if I’m not careful, I’ll break the biggest rule of all: to never fall for her. Not again.

Goalie Interrupted is a closed door hockey romcom that includes tropes like enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, and found family. This is the second book in a series, and it’s filled with sizzling chemistry and swoony kisses.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  I LOVED Goalie Interrupted! Honestly, my favorite part was a perfect female main character in a male-dominated environment.  A female professional hockey coach who is a legend in the hockey world. 

Coach Elle's prior history with the goalie, Dixon, didn't end well the last time their paths crossed.  However, once they clear the air it becomes steaming between the two (clean steamy). Great story that unfolds naturally. 

Another favorite character is Nan, Dixon's grandmother.  She was hilarious and continued to keep me laughing throughout the book. 

A fun and quick read with characters you will love. I highly recommend it!

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she does it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you.

www.annekemp.com

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp

On TikTok: @annekempauthor

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