Sap and Secrets blends grumpy–sunshine romance, small-town charm, and a quietly simmering murder mystery into a story that feels both cozy and compulsively readable. It sounds like a lot on paper, but Daphne Elliott balances every element beautifully. The opening immediately pulls you in with a surprise baby reveal at the Maple Festival — a…
Contemporary Romance
A Shore Thing by Portia MacIntosh | Book Review
Cleo and Lockie’s love story is wildly unconventional, and that’s exactly what makes it so enjoyable. Think Survivor meets Love Island at its most chaotic — but with a softer, sweeter emotional core than you might expect. While the story took a little time to find its footing before the show truly began, once the island setting came…
He’s a Mean One by Lani Lynn Vale | Book Review
Calliope is Searcy’s sister from Look at Her and Die and I will say that she was a bit of a brat in that book. I wasn’t crazy about her. However, she was young then and has since grownup. Life has been unfair and hard for her however, I think she has come out stronger…
Through the Ashes by Emmie Elms | Book Review
Through the Ashes is a heartfelt, emotional journey about grief, renewal, and rediscovering the possibility of love after devastating loss. Andie begins this story believing she has everything she ever wanted—until her world collapses with the sudden death of her firefighter husband. The author manages to capture that moment of life-shattering grief with compassion and…
Until Nalia by Aurora Rose Reynolds | Book Review
After more than a decade of following the Mayson family, Until Nalia feels like both a love letter and a homecoming. From the very first boom with November and Asher to this final, beautiful story with Nalia and Logan, Aurora Rose Reynolds has given readers one of the most heartfelt, romantic, and enduring family sagas…
Holiday Unscripted by Natasha Madison | Book Review
I had the best time with this book! It’s everything I want in a cozy, feel-good holiday romance—sharp banter, emotional depth, and chemistry that practically jumps off the page. From the very first chapter, I was smiling like an idiot and didn’t stop until I reached the last page. Elizabeth returns home for her brother’s…
The Lost Promise of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary | Book Review
This is the third book in Susanne O’Leary’s Starlight Cottages series, and although it’s the first one I’ve read by her, it absolutely won me over. It works beautifully as a standalone, but it’s clear that the world she’s built across this series is filled with charm, heart, and strong, relatable characters. I can easily…
The Midwife’s Miracle Twins by Caroline Anderson | Book Review
This was my first book in the Yoxburgh Park Hospital series, and I absolutely adored it! From the very beginning, I was drawn to the warmth and humanity of the story. The characters were beautifully written, their struggles and triumphs so real that I couldn’t help but become emotionally invested in every moment. Set in…
A Scottish Lighthouse Escape by Julie Shackman | Book Review
Julie Shackman delivers an emotionally rich, atmospheric gem in A Scottish Lighthouse Escape—one that’s as heartwarming as it is poignant. Though this is my first read in the Scottish Escape series, I felt immediately immersed in Rosie Winters’ world of heartbreak, healing, and rediscovered purpose. When her life is shattered by personal tragedy and betrayal,…
Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter | Book Review
Catch a Falling Star is a warm, witty second-chance romance that had me smiling, swooning, and occasionally laughing out loud. With its blend of playful banter, simmering chemistry, and emotional heart, it hits all the right notes for a feel-good romantic read. Guy and Lyra make a magnetic pair—he’s charming with that irresistible rugged edge,…
