If Love was Fair , a great story
345543
If Love Was Fair by Savannah Stewart is a standalone romance novel.
Meet Arbor Kenton, her number one goal is to flee her hometown. The night before leaving she meets her fate in form of a up and coming musician. They spend the night together and this night changes everything.
While Arbor moves away, has a new job, a new life - she can't really move away from Colin.
Years later she's back and they meet again. But they aren't the same people anymore. But they still have this crazy chemistry.
If Love Was Fair is a sweet romance with the right amount of drama and twists and turns.
There is a strong heroine, a sassy best friend, a great story and a beautiful HEA.
I give 4 stars and say thank you, Savannah Stewart !
4432255
Blackberry Winter is a beautiful story of love and loss, hope and redemption. The past is intricately woven with the present to discover the mystery of the missing boy, Daniel Ray, from 1933's blackberry winter. I think the book description provides a great synopsis so I will not go too in-depth describing the story and just start with my experience...

I really enjoyed Jio's writing style and her ability to create a connection with the characters. Not to mention, I absolutely love Seattle and enjoy reading stories set in the area. Some of the Amazon reviewers claim that the story is too predictable, which I somewhat disagree. I felt as though many of the aspects of the story that came to light were easily predicted because I speculate the author wanted the reader to know. Also, some reviewers claim it was too easy for Claire to find all the clues to the mystery. I agree with their criticism of this aspect of the book and felt the author could have made it more believable to the reader (maybe by having one of the main characters secretly give Claire the story initially). I realize that my review may seem a little vague but I do not want to provide too much detail that would spoil the story for others. Overall I felt it was a lovely story and very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more of Jio's books, potentially Violets of March next.
507711
Love in the Ashes is a great love story, but it's more than that. It's about tolerance, intolerance, the labels we mistakenly put on others without really knowing them and how even in the worst - or oddest ever background for a love story - there's love, redemption, some appropriate steamy scenes, (among the steam), and just a lot of fun as all of Chris Forman's books are. Loved this one!
1288111
This is the kind of story that will seem superficial to those who are used to reading literary novels. To those who habitually read simple love stories,  it can come off as complicated because it's two love stories from two different times and not told in a single linear timeline. To me, it hit the perfect pitch between the two genres.

If at times Caroline's modern day story line borderlines on the simplistic, Maria's gives you a glimpse into England's changing social structures from the early to mid 1900's. I found that part to be marvelous. It makes your heart constrict to think of how Maria's story (and too many like her) was so dictated by those in social power.

Is her story fantastically impossible? Maybe yes, maybe no. But for many like her, it's a documented fact that lower class women impregnated by aristocracy were often shuffled away to the shadows of institutions with the personnel paid off in the name of secrecy. The author fictionalized the dynamic with aplomb.

If you want to be inspired by an indomitable spirit, then Maria's story is for you.

If you like Upstairs/Downstairs dynamics of titled aristocracy and their serving staffs, you'll enjoy this.

If you like formulaic love stories, this may or may not be the read for you.
1797957
Love So Tempting reads like an old time love story. Presented with ever obstacle a relationship can face Tristan and Lemon have to decide if they can make it work. Marquita Valentine has written a well crafted love story as a testament to two people who never expected to fall for each other. With everything against them including rivalries, town gossip, family and the ravages of war it's easy to see that the stars were not in their favor. Yet Tristan and Lemon bucked everything including tradition to make a life together. Doing something as simple as writing a letter to offer encouragement and hear a friendly voice changed the course of their lives. I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review. Love So Tempting is a story of passion, despair,love and the resilience of the human spirit. With this series, I am finding it hard to decide on a favorite because each is better than the one before.
4010801
"Love or something like it" is sometimes funny, sometimes sad -- and usually has a tone where it is both sad and funny at the same time.

Narrator Lacey Brennan moves to L.A. with her fianc Toby, a comedy writer. Lacey and Toby share a sense of humor and the same sensibility about many things. They go to Hollywood parties where they meet wanna-be's and has-beens. They find their niche when they meet Merv Griffin and are befriended by a rock star couple.

Lacey has the kind of reactions I imagine I would have in meeting these people. The people in "Love or something like it" form an interesting mix, but they are never caricatures. Shaw's description of interactions rings true.

I believe a book is good when the writing feels real and I find myself gobbling the story until the book is finished. This book had great momentum. There is a love story that becomes a story about things going awry. Even when Lacey's life is at a low-point, she finds a wry way to go on. For romance readers who like reality in their love stories. This book ends in a much more uplifting way than most fantasies. It feels believable and promising.
1462681
I loved the story. It is truly a classic. The story focuses around 2 lovers, Heathcote, a gypsy orphan who is mysterious and Catherine who is bubbly, bratty, spoiled, pretty, and rich. They make a true odd  couple.
However things don't always turn out as planned. Hearts are  broken, hope goes, and mystery surrounds. Read this book and prepare to go  into a world of deceit, love, joy, hope, and mystery.
4754037
As much as I enjoyed Forman's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/IF-I-STAY/dp/014241543X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">IF I STAY</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/WHERE-SHE-WENT/dp/0142420891/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">WHERE SHE WENT</a>, both were only 4-star stories for me. They were enjoyable, emotional, and extremely intense - but something kept me from loving them. Whatever I was missing from those two novels, JUST ONE DAY has it. Allyson Healey's journey begins after a chance encounter with Willem, who offers to take her Paris for an incredible, chaotic day of adventure. But the next day, he's gone, she's alone, and so begins the next adventure as Allyson attends college, takes a Shakespeare class, figures out who she is and where she's going next in this bittersweet coming of age story.

It may be a story you've heard before: Girl meets boy, instant and intense connection, one memorable and romantic adventure that ends far too quickly and messily. But, Forman knows her characters intricately, and it shows because the characters - with their quirky and endearing qualities - are the ones who lift the story up and make it fly. JUST ONE DAY is the most perfectly imperfect story of love, loss, friendship, chance, change, random acts of kindness*, independence, misunderstandings, and bravery. I wish I could do this novel some justice by giving it a remarkable review that inspires someone to pick this book up, but I guess I'll have to settle for simply saying this: do not let this story pass you by.

HIGHLIGHTS: Forman features imperfect characters and situations. Allyson isn't perfect or a cookie-cutter heroine, but flawed and evolving. Forman expertly writes emotion, making you grin at the flirty banter, blush at the more romantic moments, and even stirs sympathy deep within your core as Allyson finds herself in her lowest moment. The characters** and locations*** are wonderfully written. I especially love the helpfulness and kindness of the some of the side characters. Life and friendships are not easy and don't always work out as you reach adulthood, so I appreciate Forman for portraying Allyson's life (every up and down) as realistically as possible.

LOWLIGHTS: Waiting for the sequel? Yes, that's a definite lowlight. I need JUST ONE YEAR and I need it now. *glares at calendar*

* Seriously, there were some moments where I felt all warm and fuzzy inside, just because of the kindness random characters showed to Allyson and other characters. I like to hope that there are plenty of people like that in the world.
** Dee! I adore Dee. And Willem, too.
*** Paris! I want to go there so badly. It sounds lovely.
**** Received an unsolicited ARC of the novel from publisher, and purchased a paperback copy at a later date.
4558097
This was a fantastic romp through a well-known story.  I love that Ella was a strong female lead encouraged in her swordsmanship as well as her mother's ambitions that she have training in being ladylike.  She had a strong mother role model and her father wasn't just an afterthought, but a great man who was involved in his childrens' upbringing.  The setting was fantastic--somewhere around the middle of development of the countries in Europe.  It was just vague enough that my imagination could be as wild as it wanted to be.

I couldn't help but imagine the movie "A Knight's Tale" as a backdrop when I read about the tournaments that Ella was involved in.  Sparing with swords, jousting, the melee.  I was glad I had a point of reference to draw from.

I also really appreciate the development of a friendship between Ella and Prince Henry that grows into a relationship of mutual interest, rather than the "10 minutes ago" love story that is common in fairy tales.  It's more realistic to watch two people fall for each other slowly, than think love at first sight would end in a health marriage.

My only complaint is the storyteller.  Fairy Godmother is slightly annoying in her narrative.  She is a necessary character, but not a necessary narrator.  This would've been just as good a story told in 3rd person omni.

Overall, a great little read.
2789738
What a fun story. After the first chapter I was hooked. The characters are fun and easy to love. The storyline is fantastic as it's a twist on My Fair Lady. I admit I was skeptical at first but Nancy pulled it off. There were twisted I didn't see coming this time around. I couldn't put the book down. It's fun to watch the growth of Jack and Ivy. It's a wonderful, clean story that I would recommend to any and everyone with love for a good romance.

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
3604959
This is a story about the nature of love--how, when free of stereotype and presumed appropriate roles, love will emerge and expand and include. The plot is set in a walled-in mansion where guests have gathered to celebrate a birthday. The guests include the vice-president of the country Ruben Iglesias, as well as a translator Gen, who speaks many languages, and Mr. Hosokawa, the guest of honor from Japan who loves opera. The famous soprano, Roxanna Cross, had been invited to sing. The elegant evening is shockingly interrupted by rebels who take over the mansion, presumably to capture the president of the country, who is not thereonly the vice-president. A stalemate begins as to what the rebels can do, thwarted from their plan.
The rest of the novel is about the developing relationships of these trapped people, both enemy and friend, since neither group can leave. The result is the beauty of the bookwithout social stigmas and ordained roles, both  enemy and friend are forced together. These relationships shift and developthe end result is love and appreciation for each person; and romantic love for many. Incongruent couples emerge: military guards become caring, a young soldier become a singing protg, another becomes a lovely woman. This blossoming world of love and sensitivity takes its course throughout the book in a background of music. The end is quick and violenta reminder that the real world runs from a different source than acceptance and love.
The writing is excellent; the message brave.
3036050
The best thing about this story for the US readers is that it is told from a British standpoint. The wonderful view allows us to see how England was struggling by the time we entered WWII. Not only that it gives a wonderful perspective of how some British viewed the Yanks who were suddenly filling up every nook and cranny before D-Day. Not in a bad way, just one more overwhelming part of a desperate situation.

But it is also a remarkable love story in that the characters are so fresh and realistic. Its not a romance that must focus only on the big buff fellow and his sexual prowess. It's about relationships, family, dedication, and mainly love. That truly made it a great read because it allows the reader to feel good and recall the happiness of true love being able to overcome obstacles and hardships. And it covers nicely the way the world changed so greatly after the second world war. Ms Anderson did a great job of giving the story a feel good message but still keeping it realistic enough that its almost a bit of history lesson too. Its just a really nice way to spend and afternoon if you want to enjoy good writing.
330688
Deborah Ann Davis' "Fairly Safe" is the second tale in the Love of Fairs series, but you can read it as a standalone. I loved the idea behind the story. The Kissing Booth could easily have been like a light-hearted X-Files episode. Just a great little story. Sweet love at its best! Loved how the story connected and reconnected over the years.
57818
Great story of what might have been and then of what yet could be.  Makes you wonder about love's lost opportunities.
2546806
I enjoyed A Second Chance at Life, so it was a no-brainer to read A Second Chance at Love. I wondered how the author would keep the story fresh, without it just being a rehash of the first book. Im happy to say that this was accomplished by great storytelling, and as the description on Amazon says, you can read either book first.

An unlikable protagonist is often a cause for alarm in a story, but Ms. Lynn pulls it off nicely. A spoiled Empress is betrayed by who she thinks is the love of her life only to wake before the events of her death. She has a chance to correct everything. And shes a spoiled brat, just like Elaina from the previous story. But it seems to work. By the end I was rooting for Ursila, and was glad to have read the book.

Like the previous book, the time period is not specified, but this one feels like ancient Asia. The writing flowed smoothly  more so than the last book. The characters are interesting, and none of them feel like clichs.

In the end, A Second Chance at Love is a fun love story, and like its predecessor, is a four-star read. Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this one for free.
360836
While the story's plot did a fine job of holding my interest, it was the main characters, Owen and Evie, that engaged my heart.  The author does a fantastic job establishing their personalities through a variety of situations.  Their hopes, their fears, their loyalties - it's all there, and it makes this story shine.  The minor characters are believable, too, if (understandably) not as thoroughly fleshed out, and add further richness to the story.  I also want to note that I appreciated the ending.  Without divulging the details, I will simply say that hope and happiness were present there, and I'm glad.  I don't like stories that end without those.  Thanks, Mr. Wheeler, for this well-crafted and entertaining tale.
862992
The story of The Lady of Willow Grove Hall is enchanting, and a story of loss. Oddly enough, the losses are not overwhelmingly sad, perhaps because you rush through them so quickly to get to the real meat of the story. It takes a few chapters to figure out how Willow Grove Hall comes into play, but I got there in less than a couple hours. Barely wanted to sleep or put this book down. Ms. Ladd, the author, paints a vivid picture of a beautiful young woman who is a twin. The main character is born into a middle class life style with an over-protective seemingly uncaring drunk for a father. Due to some poorly laid decisions, she loses everything she once knew and is thrown into another world. A slightly higher class lifestyle that offers her a chance at something more. Something she'd originally wanted but gave up on, but not in the way you might initially have thought.

The book twists and turns to land the young Miss Faire, now in her twenties, at Willowgrove Hall. This is where the meat of the story really begins. Don't worry other than laying out a few simple details I have not ruined anything for you. There is a rivalry to come, a handsome gentleman with his own secrets (who has his own tale throughout the book), and Miss Faire's family to get to know and answer multiple questions (that I will not answer for you, you must read the book).

Book Reactions

I've thoroughly enjoyed the story of the Lady of Willowgrove Hall by Sara E. Ladd. I recommend it with 5 stars for the story. I can't tell you about the audio performance because I read a free BookLook Blogger e-book advanced copy of the book. However, this is only one book in a series by Ms. Ladd so expect more reviews on this series very soon. I love historical romance novels and this one has an innocent quality to it. Lately, many of the stories I've read or listened to from this genre have been very predictable. Most stories I've read have been only about woman and men who where born as aristocrats, this story gives you a picture of another viewpoint. A viewpoint, in my opinion, of a woman who keeps one too many secrets.

I write a lot of *honest* book reviews on my blog desaraeveit dot com and audible, goodreads, and shelfari.