Sweet, Soft, Gentle Romance
347754
This novel was a bit too much for me. The characters evidently knew each other, and the some readers would know them from a previous book. I did not read the previous book, perhaps that back story would have made the lead couple more compelling for me.  The book was very sweet, the love story very predictable, and the lead couple lacked a bit of chemistry for me. I was looking for some angst, some problem for them, but it was a pretty smooth trip to happily ever after. There wasn't much in the way of love scenes either for my taste.  I would put it in the category of a gentle read. The pacing was even, the settings beautifully drawn, the ease of immersion good, and the story well plotted; I gave it 4 stars because it wasn't badly written, just not my favorite read.  Based on other reader's recommendations I would read other Olivia Gates books, however.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
2977868
A sweet love story about looking beyond physical scars to what's in the heart. Then, there's also the scars that you can't see, but also require some TLC (tender loving care).  Will they be right for each other, or will they be too self-conscious or self-protective to grasp the answer to their pains?  I did enjoy this story, especially about former military men and the emotional and physical battles they faced and continues to face once they're home.  I also like a good family story. Lakeside Hero has all the elements for a nice easy read that appeals to me. The only misgiving that I find is that I wish there were more interactions between Alec and Gabby to see how these two can grow to love each other. Gabby's fears and experience is an important component to Marla's hesitation and protectiveness, but how that's resolved felt a little rushed. Plus, the cover gave me the impression that Gabby plays a bigger role in the story.  Anyhow, it's still a lovely read that makes a nice afternoon read with a cup of tea and cookies, snuggled under a blanket.

NOTE:  I won a copy of this book from a giveaway hosted by Soul Inspirationz and I was NOT required to submit a review.
3201686
This was a sweet, "clean" romance. It was nice to get away from the sex that's so prevalent in most novels today. When I see "clean" as the description in books, I automatically think that it has no physical touching, but this had kissing and it was written in a way that it was very sensual. I enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Cassidy and Shane. The author took her time and their feelings were believable.
3057729
This was a very sweet story to while away a few hours with. Nothing earth-shattering, just a pleasant story with good relationships, interesting characters and decent writing. I gather it is part of, or somehow related to a series, which I haven't read. This is a stand-alone story, and I didn't feel that I was missing anything by not having read the others.
754580
Smooth Sailing indeed. This is a sweet and at the same time thoughtful romance by Susan which reminded me a lot of my fav books by Susan, i.e. Cheery Grove. The writing is smooth, but serious topics as immigration laws and gay marriage, work-life-balance are addressed as well. I enjoyed the book a lot and recommend it for the wonderful romance it is.
679100
Very sweet story. This is my third Helen Brooks, and her plots and characters are on the slow burn: no OTT behavior, cruelty, or gross stupidity. Her heroes are alpha without being, and her heroines know what they want out of a man and life and aren't afraid to take a stand. All this good behavior has one downside, a seriously diminished angst level. The romance is more of intense and soulful rather than explicit. Nice little starter romance.

Here we have the h leaving for big, bad London as she realizes that her crush on the uber attractive, uber alpha son of the boss will go nowhere. He has a rep with the tall, blonde stick figures, and like an invalid starving a cold, she feels she needs to starve her love. Her emotions are much more than a crush as she has worked closely with the H over the past year, and has a friendly relation with him. She is quite proud that no one suspects her feelings.

The H is rather disgruntled that the h is leaving especially when she tells him she's leaving to get over a man. He abuses the stupidity of any man that wouldn't snatch her up. Oh, the irony! The h keeps up the pretense perhaps a little too long, but it is nice seeing a heroine that actually understands the concept of self-respect and standards. Despite a few passionate kisses and his suggestion that they possibly starting something up, the h is smart enough to know she's an all or nothing kind of girl. She plays with the possibility of letting herself be another notch on the bedpost, but knows in the long run it would break her. Along the way, they find four abandoned half Jack Russell terrier puppies. In an attempt to jump from a frivolous, semi-love rat lifestyle to one of grown up permanence, the H adopts all four terrors. Having raised ONE mixed Jack Russell terrier, I'm laughing at the H as he is going to need an h for more than just a love fix. Good luck Mister H! They're smarter than you. Canines side note: our Casey had a vocabulary of about 100 words. We had to spell out words like "walk", "bath", "Milk Bone" or there was heck to pay.

The h leaves for London with her pride and virginity intact. SPOILER: not knowing that the H is head over heels for her. His desire to try out a relationship is just a sop since he thinks she's pining over a rake of the worst order. She is, he just has no idea that he is the bad boy.

Nice resolution with HEA and a quickie marriage.

Helen Brooks writes a kinder, gentler romance. The heroines are virgins and remain so until marriage, but they are pretty spunky and fun.

More of a 3.5 than a 3 star
4392387
This book is a sweet paranormal romance, easy to read and fast-paced. Although the good girl falling for the bad boy was an inevitable outcome from the start, it was described very nicely from the alternating first person narratives of the two protagonists, Tessa and Hayden.
Both characters are well drawn, and the similarities in their lives - their problems with their parents, their need to escape and find someone who cares - make the romance believable.
The language is simple and clear, the dialogues natural, the secondary characters well depicted. In all, it was an enjoyable, fun read.

However, about halfway through the story I started having some problems with the plot and plausibility. I accepted readily enough that Tessa is a witch and that she herself accepts this news so easily. But there was a series of coincidences that were a bit too much for me to accept - perhaps because Tessa and Hayden were so easily convinced of their normalcy.

I don't want to give away the plot, because I do think the book is a fun read and because Hayden is very drool-worthy material (there, I've admitted it!), but the coincidences of Hayden's gift and Tessa's family's secret, of the dead coming back to life (or never dying, as it turns out) because of their witchiness were too easy. In a novel anything is possible, and that is the beauty of it all, but up to a point and after tribulations and worrying and fighting the odds.

Let me hurry to say that I don't mean by this that Tessa and Hayden aren't dynamic characters. They are, and that makes them very relatable and endearing - although I feel that both their pasts, and especially Hayden's, could have been exploited much more in the character-building.

These characters are the reason this novel works and that I can recommend it for a light, romantic read.

(3.5 stars for Good Book Alert reviews)
3214918
This was a short, well-written, and sweet romance.

Rachel and Steven, two old and sick lovers, one suffering from Alzheimer disease, and the other from pneumonia, but both still very much in love. The love is so strong that Rachel could still in a flash, remember not only Nancy, her daughter but also Steven her husband. The joy they share is limitless.
403505
Three stories with many characters in common. These are gentle love stories...sweet and at times sad, but the endings all left me with a smile. The characters are deep and endearing, and the stories have a depth not often found. Thank you, Aiden, for this wonderful read. I will certainly look for more!
2804384
Amelia C Adams writes a sweet, clean romance about Harriet Martin and Tom White. Harriet has baggage from her past to deal with as she searches for the mother of her lost love. Tom has feelings for Harriet but protects her as a gentleman should. An unforeseen event occurs, drawing Harriet and Tom together. This is a wonderful read that made my heart warm.
4718166
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved the writing style. Easy to read flowing between the main characters. A delightfully soft romance between Nora and Jacques, would love to hear more of their story.
3508710
This was a sweet read, a simple romance that made you feel there is true love out there.  I liked how it showed the different perspectives of the characters.  I enjoyed this series.
2269523
Second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance that is both sweet and smoldering.

This book was so different from the first one, which I loved, and it was a wonderfully delicate story about love and moving on. The first book, Regret, had a higher dramatic narrative, emotions were strong and sometimes volatile. Here Tristan and 'West' form a tentative friendship that morphs into the sweetest romance. It was so heartbreaking at times, but again- not high drama so the narrative flowed beautifully throughout the book. I liked how both of them have been stuck in a sort of limbo and they choose to get themselves out of it and help each other. V, as they call him, was a bit of a character that had the potential to be very 'soap opera' kind of villain, but Christina made sure to keep him (and all the other characters) down to earth and very human.
There was so much gentleness, and it was not only fitting for the story but for the series. After Regret, this is a much smoother ride, and it creates a very divers set of characters and world. I find that this is a great edition to the series and am looking for the next book anxiously.

The narration was great! Iggy Toma is not my go-to narrator but the last few book I listend to by his narration were surprisingly good so I guess he kind of grew on me. He was very gentle and his voice fit the story very well
1610255
I enjoyed the sweet story. I appreciated the romance without the smut that is so common. My teen daughters could read this.
77250
Back to us is a very sweet romance. The author doesnt rush things, and the story flows organically. As I made my way through the book, I got to know Jessica and Justin, their past, their present and their aspirations. I could easily relate to these young people and to their growing feelings for each other. Unlike so many stories in which the main characters fall madly in love overnight, for no obvious reason, the protagonists of Back to US do it slowly, naturally--and take the reader along on their journey.
1697935
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Learning-to-Lean/dp/B004WKUUIQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Learning to Lean</a>
Abandoned Hearts is a touching, sweet romance. Sparks fly between Ann and Jacob from their first encounter when she insists on taking care of herself and he steps back to give her just enough leeway to get in trouble before he rescues her. Her independence gets Ann stranded on the Durham farm with Jacob, his father, and Jacob's two children. Ann loves the kids right off, thinks their grandfather is a wonderful man, but she's far too attracted to their father than she wants to be.

After that, a mountain lion, as well as an unusual neighboring family with a rebellious older son, keep Ann and Jacob busy sorting out the affairs of their hearts. Have they been abandoned one time too many to come together and beat as one?

I enjoyed this full-length book very much and would recommend it to anyone looking for a clean, well-written story. The characters will touch your heart with emotions you'll recognize.
3026411
Well written, sweet story appropriate for anyone