Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score

As a literary agent, Zoey Mood's career relied on her last client, her romance writing best friend, Hazel Hart.  Zoey had been relieved of her New York office and apartment while banned to Pennsylvania in a rural town where everyone knows everyone and everything about each other.

  

Her new landlord, Gage Bishop who's also an attorney and construction worker, made his upper apartment available for the attractive, yet entirely obnoxious newcomer.

Zoey had a mental list of things she needed to take care of including make enough money to survive, publicize Hazel's new book successfully, and not date any men.  Her taste in boyfriends always backfired.

Quite the opposite for Gage.  He has solid work and wants to settle down with the right type of woman.  

The best relationships can happen as a surprise, when you don't expect it.  All you need is two single people who don't really realize what is good for them.  

This is where Zoey's spontaneous and goofy nature collides with Gage's orderly and carefully planned life through funny and ridiculous events, which allow them to get to know each other.  They attempt to fight off the growing feelings because neither believes they are compatible.  But maybe the differences are more attractive and sustainable than they previously thought.

Many laughs will bring the results!

Happy reading,

Dawn    

 

A Copenhagen Snowmance by Pernille Hughes

 Always check the weather before traveling, especially if your destination is undesirable during December.

A short flight from London to Copenhagen shouldn't be a problem.  Anna Lundhom figures a couple hours to pick up an eighteen month delayed project in Copenhagen is a doable plan.  The snowstorm chasing her plane into the airport proves otherwise.  All flights are cancelled.

Sure that the airport will be functioning in a few hours, Anna sets out to accomplish her mission.  

Hour after hour, the airport reports no progress on opening.  Hotels are already full.  She has friends, she has an apartment, and she has a former fiancé.  Although, she hasn't contacted her friends in the eighteen months, her apartment is rented to a man, and her fiancé is getting married to a former best friend.  

Jamie is wary when she knocks on his door.  He never met his landlord, and he wasn't looking for a roommate even for a short time.  With an uncomfortable beginning, Anna and Jamie spend time together during the storm along with repeated delays of planes.

In payment, Anna shows Jamie highlights of Copenhagen during this snowy and festive season.  She gives the reader a grand tour, also, of the customs, food and drink, and activities.  It's a magical arena, and the goodwill gets absorbed in romantic ways.

Happy reading,

Dawn

Good Elf Gone Wrong by Alina Jacobs

 The perfect story to start off the holiday season!  Atrociously funny and smirk-worthy retribution from the people-pleasing and loveable sister to the opposite sister.

Grace plans everything with an enviable skill, which includes her whole family, her friends', and her work cohorts' events.  She never says no and never fails to perfect all details involved.

Her favorite holiday is Christmas, so it's not a surprise that she plans her wedding for this special and glittery day.  The decorations, food, lighting, music, drinks will all engage the wonderful season, and there will never be too much sparkle.

 That's until Grace finds her sister panting under the Christmas tree with Grace's fiancé.  

Of course, it's Grace's fault.  Everything is her fault because she's the one setting up all activities and gatherings.  It' even her fault when her fiancé proposes to her sister.   

That's the final pinecone from the pine tree.  

Grace is excellent at planning, and the plan is now revenge.

She meets Hudson, the bad boy and not her type, on the bus.  How she got so lucky to hatch a revenge plan with him, she'll regretfully learn much later.  Right now, he's the perfect explosion for her sister, former fiancé, and even her love life.

With all the attributes of the boy who shouldn't meet your mom, Hudson plays the part all too well.  He arrives at Grace's family home dressed in black, uncouth actions, bad language, and cozying up to the sister.  It's all part of the plan.

What isn't part of the plan, is that Hudson likes Grace, yet he has a ghastly second mission that she won't like.  It wouldn't matter, but her heart and mind betray the plan by falling for the bad boy-man.

Now it's time to find out if Grace can get her revenge and if Hudson can fulfill his secondary mission without breaking too many hearts.  Including the melded hearts of the two schemers.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

Fake Around and Find Out by S.M. Shade

 Fake Around and Find Out is an extremely hot and sizzling contemporary romcom to start your summer.

At least Cara still has her rented trailer and roommate.  She considers this after being fired from her factory job along with her car's final demise.  Not to mention the dog poop she stepped in, barefoot of course, on her porch.  

The guilty dog belongs to her irritating, yet good looking neighbor, Monroe.  With Cara's fiery temper ignited, revenge on Monroe is her natural response.  

Monroe has his own situation going on next door.  With an unruly, yet sweet, adopted dog, cooking at a burger joint, and an altruistic purpose to make more money, he created an account with the Lonely Hands app.  Yes, Monroe makes himself happy with his hands by video that people pay to watch.  

You have to love Twist, the dog, because without him Cara wouldn't find out about Monroe's side gig, and he discovers her need for a job.

After several rounds of convincing, Cara agrees to create videos with Monroe solely to make an income.  Along with this deal, she needs to pretend he's her boyfriend to cover for all the time they spend together.  

Spending time together, the irritation between them rises and falls.  Admittedly, the sex is outstanding.  Attending festivals and events with friends forms a basis to learn that their personalities have a lot in common.  Beginning to enjoy their outings is an unexpected bonus.

Granted, Monroe has a secret about his past and Cara isn't interested in long-term.  They may need help from friends and family to get over this hurdle and realize love doesn't follow any rules.

Happy reading,

Dawn

For the Love of Friends by Sara Goodman Confino

 I feel sorry for Lily.  From beginning to nearly the end.

I don't know if I could do what she did:  accept being a bridesmaid for five friends and relatives in a span of six weeks.  Crazy!

Lily is single, thirty-two, full-time writer for a science magazine, and without a boyfriend.  She should have plenty of time to organize and attend all the functions, destroy her checking account, and let's not forget the demands of the bride.

A big time saver happened immediately at her BFF's engagement party.  Lily partied, slept over, and borrowed a shirt from the mysterious guy she woke up with.  Ashamed and afraid to know who he was, she snuck out in the morning.  Not seeing his face would help her behave at the rest of the events.

Alex, fellow groomsman, is what every woman wants. Lily allows small advances in a coffee-cup-note-passing relationship, but she dares not go any further.  Besides, whenever she turns around a new engagement, purchase, outing, or meeting is taking place for the brides.  

The commitments and requests rain down with outrageous demands.  Lily has no other way to vent the expectations except start an anonymous blog.  The blog is hilarious!  With the truth coming out, Lily finds a way to remain diligent in her duties, including keeping Alex at arm's length.

And it all hurts.  When she sits down and takes a breath, the whole gamut of friendships, relatives, and one man in particular (Alex again) leaves her wondering how she will make it.  Her bride-friends are turning on her because of her excessive effort to make them happy doesn't match their plans exactly.  

What is wrong with this picture?  I'm probably not as good of a person as Lily because I would never put up with what she does.  She won't know if any of the brides forgive her delinquencies until after all the weddings.  Will Alex allow her one mistake to end the possibility of a good thing? 

I want to make it right for Lily, she deserves it, but I'm not in charge of her story!

Happy reading,

Dawn  

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

 Whenever you have a nemesis, you want to be as far away as possible.  As a responsible adult.  Avoid conflict.

As a second-grade teacher in Rome, Kentucky, Emily Walker pretends to be in control of her animosity to another teacher, Jack Bennett.  They sparred with words since college, right into teaching at the same school. It was a lot easier when he moves away to get married.

A short year later, he appears nearly on her doorstep.  I say nearly because he moves back to town, purchases her neighboring house, and reclaims his teaching job.  And he's alone.  No marriage certificate or wife in hand.

Emily likes to keep her life very controlled and in line with her objectives.  

Jack's arrival throws everything out of whack, which deems her the authority to put it back at her free will.  

And the sparring begins.  

The funny thing is, for some reason, The intensity of their rivalry includes a crumb of humanity.  They begin to notice good qualities in each other, insecurities, and a few humorous scenes.  Granted, the good points are hard to acknowledge.

And that's the problem.  Quit covering emotions and pretending to not need a shoulder for laughs and sorrow.  If Emily and Jack can figure this out, they have a good chance!

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Christmas Breakup Club by Luci Beach

 Anyone with the name of "Holly" cannot have a bad holiday.  I just made up that rule.  That's the only rule I have to make up because the story takes care of itself from here.

Newly dumped by her boyfriend, Holly agrees to cat-sit for her boss over Christmas.  Holly's mom is in Scotland and her father in Tasmania, which are both too far from England.  She'd be an inconvenience in their style.  A cozy apartment above a department store all rigged up for an English Christmas with a fury friend will do her just fine.  

The posh apartment is under remodeling, but at least there's a microwave for her Christmas TV dinner.  The one thing Holly needs to look into is the drip from the ceiling otherwise she'd not leave the couch.

Upstairs is another apartment with Joe as the tenant.  He's also the handyman for the whole building and seems to be slacking on his duties.  Holly will make sure he changes his work commitment.

Fixing the leak leads to many strange adventures, riding a sleigh in the department store underneath them, strolling the Christmas lit streets, and microwaving dinner together.  

Until Eleanor invades.  She's Joe's (ex?) girlfriend.  Handling a perfect cat, a leaky ceiling, and mischief in a closed department store is one thing, but dealing with a possible girlfriend leaves Holly wondering if she's wrong about liking the man upstairs too much.  

If only she knew what Joe was thinking.  Maybe he can change Holly's rules for the Christmas Breakup Club.

Happy reading,

Dawn 

Confessions of a Christmasholic by Joss Wood

What's the best way to find your holiday romance??  

Sutton hates Christmas and shows it by falling down drunk after tripping the electric to the hundreds of lighted decorations on Gus Langston's, AKA Mr. Christmas's, lawn and breaking the reindeer, snowmen, and elves.  This all happens in concert while Gus beats the "effing shite" out of the blow-up Santa with shouts of hatred for Christmas.  

The charming Lake District of England is covered in glistening snow, holiday decorations, and mostly good cheer.

The morning after Sutton and Gus had equally vented their frustrations of the season on his lawn, a massive, out-of-character hangover and embarrassment are partially explained.  

Sutton is out of money and needs a place to stay for a few weeks until she moves on with her OT carrier in London.  Gus is strapped with being the number one "Mr. Christmas" as a widower with four-year old twins and a dog named Pig.  He also owns two businesses, one being the year-round Christmas store.  

Both needing some good cheer, they make a deal to help each other out for the few weeks prior to Christmas.  

With an ear to listen and sort out misgivings, Sutton and Gus do their best to remain solely friends.  The more time they spend together, the closer they become.  A quick fling with no strings attached might just release more tension, so why not try it?

Some unintentional flings turn into love.  Can Sutton and Gus allow this or even admit it?  Can they mesh their lives, or should they simply enjoy the couple of weeks?  I have a vote for this one and hope you enjoy the read to find out the answer!

Happy reading,

Dawn 

 

Pumpkin Spice and Not So Nice by Becky Monson

 Lighten up a little and enjoy this romcom with more pumpkin than spice!  All the scents, flavors, tastes, and energy of fall bringing us to a plentiful Thanksgiving.

Jenna loves her family, and the pumpkin patch attached to it.  This includes a lot of work and little time for substantial relationships.  When autumn comes it's everything pumpkin, which includes pumpkin pies, drinks, painting, games, rides, clothing, and a field of pumpkins to sell.  Besides, her relationships with men are one sided.

Her side of the deal is as follows:  He's all perfect except he has communication problems with feelings.  Once Jenna shows her date how to be more open, communicative, and confident, he thanks her by finding a new girlfriend and inviting Jenna to their wedding.

She ponders giving up on men.  She must concentrate on helping to save the pumpkin farm from foreclosure.

That's when she finds a fifty-dollar bill in the tip pumpkin.  Wonderful!  Except the personal message written on it clues her in that someone may have deposited the bill on accident.

Aiden believes in being generous.  Jenna locates him and returns the money.  That should be the end of their communication and nearly is because he is at a loss for a meaningful discussion.  

As usual.  A good-looking man who can't open up.

For some reason, they keep being pushed together, that's called fake dating, and he advances from the two-word (noun and verb) sentences.  Maybe there's hope, but he also has to stick around after he can speak a whole paragraph.  

There's hope for the pumpkin patch and there's hope for Aiden and Jenna!  The farm flourished in its fall festivities, and after Aiden opens up, he is still at her side.  Does Jenna decide that her counseling is done or is she willing to spice up her season?

Happy reading,

Dawn

Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson

 Yes, this is my salute to Halloween! 

I love the characters; they are quirky, fun, and have such real emotions and habits.  The atmosphere, or setting as you may call it, is divine.  A village called Goodwinter in Essex oozes funny, witchy, creepiness.  

It all starts with Essie Winterscale and her love of doing magic and living however she wants.  She shares her house with a goofy group of other witches, all having their own specialties in magic.

The coven of witches has an enemy- no surprise, I'm sure.  Essie is the one who keeps the enemy at bay because she can freeze him at every start to winter.  Granted this story is in the autumn coming up on Halloween.  Winter is right around the corner and Essie needs to practice her talent.

In comes Josh, the new owner of her Victorian and ever changing and growing house.  Apparently, he inherited nearly the whole village and needs to collect back rent from the last couple hundred years.  

Essie's home is impossible to find without help.  Maybe because Josh is so sweet and handsome, she allows him a visit.  She does not trust herself to have a boyfriend.  Had to state that fact.  But she really likes him.

Josh could easily spend many hours with Essie, if she allows him.  

When the coven enemy rallies to take over the house and the land, Essie confides in Josh.  As long as he can handle that her and her coven are witches for real, he has an in.  He also has to help destroy the enemy to open the door to her heart.

The amount of trust and magic used to free the heart is grander than a magic carpet ride, and I hope you're all aboard for a fantastic trip!

Happy reading,

Dawn

Boss Witch by Ann Aguirre

 Clementine Waterhouse.  What a perfect witch's name.  The name of her local business, Fix-It Witches, is perfect, too.  

Or is the name a dead ringer for the best place to locate a witch? 

Gavin Rhys, a traveling witch hunter, wonders if the names are obvious clues.  Gavin hates his job and his father who forces it on him.  He wants nothing more than a place to call home versus constant traveling.

When Clem realizes Gavin is looking for her and her fellow witches, the only way to keep him away is to get close to him. 

The covey of witches cast spells to disguise the magic streaming around their homes and facilities.  

Clem treats Gavin to creative outings.  He can't detect any witch waves, yet he does like hanging out with Clem.  The feeling is mutual, and neither wants to admit or fall for the other.  It's against both their interests.  

Although, Clem notices the loneliness surrounding Gavin.  A pet mouse can be his new BFF.  Along with a pet, their outings are getting closer and closer to being called dating.

Let's remember the secret each has...Clem is a witch and Gavin is a witch hunter.

How do you propose they get over this problem?  It's tricky, or maybe a little magical!

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Witch is Back by Sophie Morgan

 I had to dive into a witchy book before the season because I love them!  I'm sure I'll have more for you this fall.

Emmaline Bluewater has left her witch family of her own accords.  Chicago offers her a new family of friends, including her mixed mutt familiar, a suave bar named Toil and Trouble, and purposefully not using magic- most of the time. 

Contracted to marry Bastian Truenote in order to bring hierarchy to her family, Emma wanted OUT after he left without a word, note, or any explanation.  That's when she found her new and very pleasing lifestyle owning a bar and running her own life without her meddling mother.

Always the cavalier and carefree warlock, Bastian left for Egypt and any other location he fancied immediately before the marriage was to take place to Emma, his BFF in childhood.

They both didn't know why he left, avoiding the nuptials.  

Curses and hexes played a part in both their naivete of the sudden change in course, but Bastian came back.  He had to marry Emma to save his mother.

And the story gets more tangled on who threw the last spell, how to undo them, and who's to really blame in the game of love and marriage.  

Choose this romcom as your start to the witchy season only a few short weeks away!  

Spooky reading,

Dawn