Bold Moves by Emma BarryContemporary Romance April 22, 2025, by Montlake Review by Melanie There are second chance romances and then there’s Bold Moves, Emma Barry’s latest book, which takes the second chance romance trope and injects it with so much angst and heartache that at a certain point, I was concerned just how the two MCs would make their way back to each other. But fear not, dear readers, this is after all a romance novel and one of the best parts of our much beloved genre Continue Reading
Review: Scorched Skies by E.J. Mellow
Scorched Skies by E.J. MellowWay of Wings #1Fantasy RomanceApril 15, 2025- Montlake Review by Angela The cover for Scorched Skies caught my eye first, and since I've been reading A LOT of romantic fantasy lately, I decided to add it to my reading list. I've never read E.J. Mellow before, but I have seen other books by this author while searching and doing deals and new release posts, so I was excited to dive in. This is one of those books that I really, really wanted to like it more Continue Reading
Review: Bad Reputation by Emma Barry
Bad Reputation Contemporary RomanceOctober 1, 2024, by Montlake Review by Melanie One of the reasons I’ve taken to gorging on historical romances lately is that it’s giving me something I’ve been finding lacking in contemporaries. The pining, the longing, the actual romance, the tenderness and yes, the steam, it all seems to have dissipated to some degree in contemporaries with a few notable exceptions. One such exception is Emma Barry’s latest, Bad Reputation, which has all Continue Reading
Review: Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
Role Playing by Cathy YardleyContemporary RomanceJuly 1, 2023 by Montlake Review by Melanie This is now the second Cathy Yardley book I’ve read and I really have to make time in my reading schedule to dive into her backlist. Her voice is sharp and funny and I love how she writes her MCs and the way her characters communicate like adults, no game playing. Well, no mind games, at the very least. Her author’s voice really works for me and this book just hits perfectly on every Continue Reading
Release Blitz- 10 Signs You Need to Grovel by Kelly Siskind
Title: 10 Signs You Need to GrovelSeries: Bower Boys #2Author: Kelly SiskindPublisher: MontlakeGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: January 31, 2023BLURBA grumpy bartender learns he’s a dad in Kelly Siskind’s latest Bower Boys romance full of second chances, small-town charm, and steamy, slow-burn heat.For the last ten years, I’ve been living a lie in witness protection. But the drug cartel that put me there isn’t a threat anymore, so I can have my life back. I should be thrilled, Continue Reading
Review: Chick Magnet by Emma Barry
Chick Magnet by Emma BarryContemporary RomanceJanuary 24, 2023, by MontlakeARC Review by Angela So, this was different from any book I've read recently. I picked it up because of this line in the blurb: From Emma Barry comes a clever romance about a hot veterinarian and a chicken-loving influencer who can’t help but ruffle each other’s feathers. Did I know what a chicken influencer was before I started to read? No. Do I know now? Why, yes. I also know more about chickens Continue Reading
Review: Rich in Your Love by Pippa Grant
Rich in Your Love by Pippa GrantTickled Pink #2Contemporary RomancePublished 12/13/22 by MontlakeARC Review by Angela I enjoyed the first book in this series, The One Who Loves You, so much that I snatched up this follow-up when it was offered for review and immediately opened my Kindle to read. Yes, we are back in Tickled Pink with the Lightly family as they work to save their souls and get back their trust funds. Tavi Lightly is a social media influencer and the secret owner of Continue Reading
Review: The One Who Loves You by Pippa Grant
The One Who Loves You by Pippa GrantTickled Pink #1Contemporary Romance/Romantic ComedyJuly 12, 2022, by MontlakeARC Review by Angela Y'all I NEEDED a romantic comedy in my life when I snatched this book up for review. Anyone who's read a Pippa Grant book knows she has a zany, sometimes outrageous brand of humor and some really unique characters. This book is no different. I know with all the cutesy covers floating around Romancelandia nowadays anything labeled as a romantic comedy is Continue Reading
Review: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Reminders of Him by Colleen HooverNew Adult RomanceJanuary 18, 2022 Review by Jen I am once again asking you to read Colleen Hoover. Reminders of Him was soooo good! I used my KU membership and clicked it as one of my 20 books each month. Then, bought the audible, for I think $1.99. Well worth it! This was a heartbreaker!!! It’s hard not to read a book like this and imagine the situation happening in your own life. Kenna is the FMC, she was found responsible for the death of Continue Reading
Review: Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley
Gouda Friends by Cathy YardleyContemporary Romance March 22, 2022, by Montlake ARC Review by Melanie This was one of the CUTEST contemporary romances I’ve read in a long time. Cathy Yardley is a new to me author but I will most definitely be checking out her backlist because based on this novel, her voice just really worked for me. This is the second book I’m reviewing for Smexy that has identical themes in that the book focuses quite a bit on FMCs personal journey as a Continue Reading