Tag Archives: Romantic Comedy

The Love Scam by MaryJanice Davidson – a Review

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The Love Scam by MaryJanice Davidson – a Review

 

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Description:
Rake Tarbell is in trouble. When the fabulously wealthy and carefree bachelor wakes up horribly hungover in Venice, it’s not something that would normally be a problem…except he has no idea how he got there from California. Or who stole his wallet. Or who emptied his bank account of millions. Or who in the world is Lillith, the charming little girl claiming to be his long lost daughter. For the first time in his life, Rake is on his own and throwing Benjamins around aren’t going to solve his problem. Now if only the gorgeous, fun, and free-spirited woman who brought Lillith into his life was willing to help the situation…

Claire Delaney finds Rake’s problems hilarious and is not in the least bit sorry of adding to them by bringing Lillith into the mix. A pretty Midwestern girl with a streak for mischief, Rake is not the kind of man Claire hangs around with. Even if he is drop-dead handsome and charming as all get-out. Even if he needs help and she has all the answers. But if this helps Lillith, she will go out of her way. And with a guy like Rake, she’s willing to bend her rules a bit for some fun. But when adventure-filled days turn to romantic nights as they search for answers, and someone starts following them through the streets of Venice, Claire realizes she’s playing more than just a game. And maybe, just maybe, she isn’t willing to let go of Rake or Lillith just yet.

 

 

Review:

The Love Scam by MaryJanice Davidson is the 2nd book in her Danger series.  I did not know there was a first book in this series, and after having completed this book, it could have made a difference, though I doubt it.  I have read a couple of other series by Davidson and enjoyed her humor, even in serious situations.  However, in The Love Scam, I did have mixed feelings, which I will explain a bit later in this review.

Rake Tarbell, our playboy hero, wakes up with a hangover, in a strange room; not knowing where he was, he walks out and ends up falling into the water.  He is in Venice, Italy, and has no idea how he got there from California; to make matters worse, Rake has no money, and in his hangover state, throws his wallet into the water (never to be seen again), and when he tries to check his account, all the money is gone.

Claire Delaney, our heroine, comes across a dripping wet Rake and offers to help him.   She introduces him to a young girl, who she claims is his daughter.  She tries to explain that her deceased friend told her to bring the girl to her father (Rake?).  She knows more than she is letting on, and manages to take Rake to get his clothes and go to a hotel, where they can try to resolve everything.  What follows is an adventure that took them on a wild goose chase through Venice, with Delaney slowly beginning to fall for someone she never imagined she could, as Rake has a terrible reputation with the ladies.  I did like the young girl, Lilith, who was not only cute, but very smart.  This was a wild crazy story that was funny at times, but also very confusing.  I thought the first half of the book a bit too crazy, not really liking either Rake or Delaney; as I had to put the book down a number of times after losing interest. However, the last ½ of the book, the story line did get better.  

We learn that Delaney has unique skills, and Lilith is hiding some secrets, which does change the game.  Rake, Delaney, Lilith find themselves in danger, as people are looking for them.  We ask ourselves why??

The Love Scam was a plot filled with shenanigans, as well as a bit zany and at times funny.  I did struggle with the scattered story line, but as I said the story does calm down and get better towards the end.   The romance between Rake and Delaney got hotter towards the end, but again I was not vested into this couple.  There were a number of surprises, twists and a little excitement; and the fun begins when the truths are revealed.  I have enjoyed Davidson’s snarky and fun dialogue in the previous books, but I did find this book to be a bit confusing.   If you enjoy a zany comedic story line, you should try The Love Scam.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend by Kerri Carpenter – a Review

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Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend by Kerri Carpenter – a Review

 

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Description:
It wasn’t shy librarian Lola McBride’s idea to crash someone else’s high school reunion. Her best friend made her do it, insisting that having a little fun with a super-hot rebound would make her forget about her recent breakup. That’s when she meets the hottest guy she’s ever seen.

Architect Luke Erickson had no idea attending his ten-year reunion would turn out to be so fun. He catches the sexy brunette in a lie, and he counters with a proposal—He’ll keep her secret if she helps get his family off his back by pretending to be his girlfriend at an upcoming family reunion.

From one reunion to another, Lola and Luke are suddenly spending a lot of time together. Good thing they’re only pretending, or this super-secret relationship could get really complicated.

 

 

Review:

Her Super-Secret Rebound Boyfriend by Kerri Carpenter is a sweet cute romantic story of a fake romance that turns into the real thing.

Lola McBride, our heroine, is a shy librarian, who is coming off a break up and her roommate, Frankie convinces her that she needs to get out and have some fun.  After much convincing, they end up at a high school reunion (not their school) using names of those not attending.  Lola spots a hot looking guy, who approaches her. 

Luke Erickson, our hero, attends the reunion only because his friends put him on the spot.  When he spies a beautiful girl, Luke decides to introduce himself and in a short time, Lola’s gig is up, as Luke used to date the girl’s name she took.  However, Luke thinks it’s funny, and says he will keep her secret, if she will do a favor for him.

Luke wants no permanent relationships in his life, as he is haunted by his father leaving him and his family years before; he never wants to allow himself feel the hurt again.  His family (mother & 3 sisters), are very close and loyal, but they drive him crazy, pressuring him to find a girl to marry.   Luke tells Lola he would like her to be his pretend girlfriend at his upcoming family’s reunion.  Lola though not liking to lie agrees to help Luke.

What follows is a cute, fun story, as Luke and Lola begin to spend time going out to dinner, so they learn more about each of their lives for their pretend romance; which includes about Luke’s father & Lola having no family left.  When they attend the reunion, Lola finds herself loving being around Luke’s family, who welcome her with open arms.  When the reunion is over, instead of ending things, Luke and Lola find they are both attracted to each other.  Soon another visit to Luke’s house has Lola feeling like part of the family, and Luke feeling things he refused to acknowledge.  But his relationship fears are deep rooted.  Will Lola and Luke find a way to stay together?

As I said above, this story was a cute, fun and a fast read.  I thoroughly enjoyed Lola and Luke, as well as his family. Frankie, her best friend, was a fanatic of the Golden Girls television show, and used many things from that show throughout the story.  Her Super- Secret Rebound Boyfriend was a refreshing and charming read.  This is my first book by Kerri Carpenter, and I will be looking out for more books from her.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Three Day Fiancee by Marissa Clarke – a Review

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Three Day Fiancee by Marissa Clarke – a Review

 

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Description:
Helicopter pilot Taylor Blankenship’s time schedule is maxed out. Between his job, his one-hundred and fifty pound slobbering mess of a dog, and his matchmaking grandmother, he has no time for anyone or anything-especially a woman. If only there were a way to get Grams to back down.

The job of New York City dog walker suits Caitlin Ramos perfectly while she preps for her CPA exam—steady, scheduled, and requiring very little human interaction; a huge seller since she’s still on the mend from a toxic relationship. Men suck. Especially her bossy hot client with the Saint Bernard that thinks it’s a lap dog. No way will she go for his plan to pretend they’re engaged to get his grandmother off his case. Down, boy.

Offered a bargain she can’t refuse, Caitlin finds herself playing the part of fiancée to Taylor. Fortunately, it’s only for three days. All she has to do is fake a relationship with Mr. Bossy Pants in front of his entire family, survive a fierce game of truth or dare with an unscrupulous pair of octogenarians, endure a one-on-one round of Twister with Taylor, and not lose her heart to a guy who turns out to be a lot more than she’d bargained for.

 

 

 

Review:

“I need you to pretend to be my fiancee.” When she scowled, he spoke faster. “Just for Gram’s party.” The scowl was softened by a questioning arch of her eyebrow. “She’s been at me forever to find a girl and settle down and this will get her off my back. And it’ll make her happy,” he added. “She could use a little happiness.”
 
 Seems simple enough, right? Not when all cylinders of attraction are firing and you’re shutting down your desires – the ones that want exactly what you’re not supposed to have! :D. Three Day Fiancee by Marissa Clarke is a sweet love story that blooms from innocent deceit to promises of forever.

Caitlin and Taylor have never had the pleasure — he’s an “on demand” helicopter pilot who only uses Caitlin’s dog walker services to keep his best friend entertained while he’s off. When Caitlin and Taylor collide, and it’s a sexy tumble!, his idea takes root and he convinces Caitlin to aid in his abetting. It’s three days of harmless duplicity, fake it till you make it stuff, but neither expected something momentous to overtake their plan. Something special that is worthy of exploration, preconceived limits aside.

Life has a way of thwarting progress for a myriad of reasons. Caitlin and Taylor are undeniably in like with each other, but their futures are at odds. Throw in respective romantic backstories, a few pertinent reveals, and our couple is baffled as to why they ever considered deviating from the original arrangement.

 I enjoy Marissa Clarke very much — she is a solid storyteller of HEA. Three Day Fiancee takes the kindness of strangers to the next level!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

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By The Book by Julia Sonneborn – a Review

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By The Book by Julia Sonneborn – a Review

 

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Description:
An English professor struggling for tenure discovers that her ex-fiancé has just become the president of her college—and her new boss—in this whip-smart modern retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Persuasion.

Anne Corey is about to get schooled.

An English professor in California, she’s determined to score a position on the coveted tenure track at her college. All she’s got to do is get a book deal, snag a promotion, and boom! She’s in. But then Adam Martinez—her first love and ex-fiancé—shows up as the college’s new president.

Anne should be able to keep herself distracted. After all, she’s got a book to write, an aging father to take care of, and a new romance developing with the college’s insanely hot writer-in-residence. But no matter where she turns, there’s Adam, as smart and sexy as ever. As the school year advances and her long-buried feelings begin to resurface, Anne begins to wonder whether she just might get a second chance at love.

Funny, smart, and full of heart, this modern ode to Jane Austen’s classic explores what happens when we run into the demons of our past…and when they turn out not to be so bad, after all.

 

 

Review:

By the Book by Julia Sonneborn is a standalone novel that is a modern day retelling on Jane Austin’s ‘Persuasion’.  Anne Corey, our heroine, is a 32 year old English professor at Fairfax liberal arts college; who is also in the midst of writing a book.  During the storyline, we get to see many of the reject letters Anne receives from publishers, and it is important for her to sell her book to gain a permanent tenure with the school.    

Anne is shocked to learn that her ex-fiancé, Adam Martinez is now coming on board to the college as the new President.  She hasn’t seen Adam in 13 years, and it is at the reception for the new president that they come face to face.  Adam is very pleasant to Anne, but she does her best to welcome him to Fairfax, and keep her distance.  Anne meets Rick, a famous novelist, who has become a resident in the college in between his books.  Rick and Anne become friends, and eventually lovers.  Rick does not like Adam, having had a bad experience with him at another school.  He tells Anne all about the things Adam did, and Anne faithfully believes him.  But things are not as they seem.

When Anne’s father gets ill, it is Adam who will be around to help her, and a friendship resumes, though neither want anything more.  But when Rick is never around when she needs hi m, and Adam is, Anne will begin to open her eyes.  Rick turned out not to be what she thought, and his career takes a dive when truths are revealed about him.  

I thought all the characters in this book were all fun and relatable.  Anne was very well written by Sonneborn, and you couldn’t help but like her.  Her best friend at the college, Larry was a riot; and a good loyal friend to Anne.  Adam proved to be the right man for Anne, but it took almost to the end for both of them to reveal their true feelings. 

By the Book was a sweet story, based on similarities of Austen’s Persuasion.   I enjoyed the book, though it was a bit slow early on.   I would have liked to see more of Anne and Adam, as not much in the romantic sense was done.  Though I did love the ending, which  was very sweet. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis – Review & Giveaway

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About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis – Review & Giveaway

 

About That Kiss
Heartbreaker Bay series
by Jill Shalvis
Release Date” January 23, 2017

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Description:
When love drives you crazy . . .

When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with unique finder-and-fixer skills that can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him.

the best thing to do . . .

No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo.

… is enjoy the ride.

As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more.

 

Review:

About that Kiss by Jill Shalvis is the 5th book in her wonderful Heartbreaker Bay series. Having read all the books in this series, I looked forward to reading this one, and once again Jill Shalvis gives us another winner.

Kylie, our heroine, is a woodworker, having been trained by her now deceased grandfather to create beautiful wood work designs.  While working in the store, she sees Joe (our hero) come in; Joe is another member of Archer’s Security firm, and they all share the same friends, though Joe and Kylie really do not get along.  During an engagement party not too long ago, Joe and Kylie had a bit too much to drink, and they had a powerful sizzling kiss.  But since then, she has not heard from him, until he came to the store.  Joe wants to buy a mirror that Kylie created for his sister’s birthday, but it was already promised to someone else and Kylie, giving him the cold shoulder, tells him that she does not have time to do another. 

When Kylie goes home that night, she finds an envelope under her door; with a picture of a treasured wood penguin that her grandfather had given her. Kylie knows that someone has stolen this from her, but she has no idea why, only that she wants it back desperately, as it is the only thing she has of her grandfather.   She decides to go to Joe, to help her find it, and promises payment in the form a new mirror for Molly, his sister.  Joe reluctantly accepts, but is surprised when Kylie insists to go with him as they investigate the possible culprits.

Kylie and Joe both have their own issues, with neither wanting to become involved. Both of them blame themselves for putting loved ones in danger; Kylie for her grandfather, who died in a fire; Joe, saving his sister from a gang he was involved with when he was younger. They are both scorching together, as their romance does heat up, as they spend more time together.  But they are also both stubborn and independent. 

What follows is a sweet romance, as well as a very good mystery as to who is threatening Kylie.  There are some twists and surprises along the way that will change things for both of them.  What makes this even better, are their friends, whom we have come to love over the previous 4 books.  I also adored Kylie’s dog .  Cute.

Joe and Kylie were a great couple, very hot together; lots of fun to watch them falling hard for each other.  As I have said before, Heartbreaker Bay is a great series to enjoy, and I suggest you start with the first book.  About That Kiss was a fun, at times exciting, sexy, enjoyable read  with an outstanding cast of characters, cute dog, and a bit of mystery. If you love romance, and are not reading Jill Shalvis, it is time for you to do so.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

Author Links:

Website:  http://jillshalvis.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JillShalvis/
GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis
Newsletter: http://jillshalvis.com/faq/newsletter/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jill-shalvis

 

 

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The Attraction Equation by Kadie Scott – a Review

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The Attraction Equation by Kadie Scott – a Review

 

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Description:
FBI agent Max Carter lives his life by a strict set of rules—rules that don’t allow for distraction, deviation…or a relationship. But tell that to his matchmaking mama. To avoid yet another set-up, he announces he has a girlfriend. And now has to produce said girlfriend at Christmas dinner. Maybe Santa has a suitable actress in that red bag of his…

Gina Castillo is about to break her building’s iron-clad “no pets” policy to give her little brother the perfect Christmas gift—a dog. Too bad Max, the most inconveniently sexy tenant in the building, catches her red handed. Gina expects to be evicted, but instead finds herself blackmailed into playing the role of his girlfriend.

Two lies plus one dog should equal a hot mess of a holiday, but attraction and Christmas magic might just defy the rules…

Review:

I’ve read Kadie Scott before ( The Wrong kind of Compatible book 1 in this series), so jumped at the chance to read The Attraction Equation, and I wasn’t disappointed. The sarcasm is there, the witty one liners are there, and the well written characters are there too. 

Max is a neat freak, in fact, if it’s not tidy he doesn’t cope well. I hate to use labels (OCD) and he always has a plan and a back up plan. But he’s dropped himself right in it with his family, he’s told them he had a girlfriend, and they in turn want to meet her (oooops) he’s sick of being the butt of the family jokes. And when he meets Gina, his mind works overtime and comes up with a plan. 

Gina thinks it’s blackmail ?she only wants to hide a present for her brother, but after getting caught, she has no alternative but to say yes to the “fake relationship”. Gina is a free spirit….. goes with the flow, jumps in with both feet first. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. People only see the flighty silly female, but she wants to create beautiful stage sets, maybe a little organisation is what she needs. 

The time they spend together is hilarious. Each learning about each other and themselves, yes we know the outcome, buts it’s a romance story, so it’s a forgone conclusion. 

But the journey there was half the fun, punchy one liners and pages that made you smile. 

The series is loosely connected, so you can read it on it’s own. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

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Trouble Next Door by Stefanie London – a Review

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Trouble Next Door by Stefanie London – a Review

 

Trouble Next DoorAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
McKenna Prescott is the queen of picking the wrong men. When her latest boyfriend dumps her, she decides to devote her time to “exploring herself” (read: drinking wine and ordering sex toys online) and starting her freelance makeup business. That is, until an embarrassing delivery mix-up puts her sexy, gruff neighbor in her path… Beckett Walsh is married to his job…which is a deal-breaker for the woman he’s supposed to be marrying. Even worse, his would-be father-in-law has pulled support from Beckett’s startup and now Beckett stands to lose everything. But the gorgeous, crazy makeup artist from down the hall has an equally crazy but mutually beneficial idea: if he convinces his sister to hire McKenna for her high-society wedding, McKenna will teach him about what women want so he can get his fiancée back. All he has to do is make sure he doesn’t fall for the wrong girl.

 

Review: 

What a laugh. Trouble Next Door by Stefanie London was a fun read from start to finish. 

McKenna is bright, sparkly, and a personality to match. (Considering the constant put downs from family and ex boyfriends).  But she’s not happy. She’s stuck working in a dead end job until her blog is a success (she wants to teach make up on line),  but after the last boyfriend, McKenna decides enough is enough.  When a drunken evening’s internet ordering lands her order on her neighbor’s door, it gives McKenna an opportunity to redirect her focus. 

Beckett is the total opposite, very serious, very work orientated, but there is a reason; he wants a safe and secure home (we find out why in the book).  The app he has designed will ensure that,  but the backing from his future father-in-law is in jeopardy (his fiancée says he’s married to his job),  When an opportunity to win his future wife back, he grabs it with both hands. McKenna might just be his ticket to a secure future. When he spends time with McKenna, he has to decide what he wants. 

There were a few moments that had me cringing and laughing. The characters were very likeable and well written.  Trouble Next Door was a fun afternoon read. 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Trying It All by Christi Barth – a Review

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Trying It All by Christi Barth – a Review

 

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Description:
Order. Attention to detail. Never leaving anything to chance. These are the qualities that make Riley Ness such a terrific federal agent . . . and a pain in the ass to everyone else. The only time Riley lets loose is when he’s hanging out with his closest pals. So when he’s thrown together with gorgeous, flighty Summer Sheridan, Riley’s brain tells him she’s a ticking time bomb—but his body doesn’t want to play by the rules.

Riley has to be the most irritating man Summer has ever met. The brooding hunk thinks he needs to teach her a few lessons about real life, while she’d rather show him how to enjoy it. But her BFF’s all but engaged to Riley’s best friend, and besides, their intense physical chemistry is all too real. Summer just needs Riley to try to meet her halfway and take a chance with the one thing that matters: his heart

 

 

Review:

Trying It All by Christi Barth is the 4th book in her Naked Men series.   I have read most of Christi’s books, but for some reason I had not read this series.  But Trying it All read very well as a standalone, and I loved the book; which makes me try to find time to go back and read the first three books.  The Naked Men series  revolves around a group of friends who have stood together from high school, death defying situations and to their current day successful careers ; the title is from their blog which they display their honest opinions.

It was a great beginning, 10 years before, where their bus crashed over the mountains leaving them with no hope of rescue.  Riley Ness is our hero in this book, and he blames himself for the accident.  Knowing what happened made it so much easier to understand the men, what they went through, and their loyalty to each other.  Since I had not read the first three, it was a godsend.  Thank you, Christi.

Now in the present, Riley is a federal agent for the NTSB, who is hell bent to always plan ahead for work and for play.  Riley is intense and sometimes annoying with his persistence to make sure everyone is protected and plans for every eventuality in whatever or wherever. Summer Sheridan, our heroine, has also had a terrible tragedy as a teenager, having been shot while In high school, and actually died for over a minute.  But Summer is the complete opposite of Riley.  She refuses to plan; she wants to live for the moment, even if she is reckless.  Of course, Summer and Riley hang around the same friends, but they hate each other, and do everything in their power to avoid one another.  Best laid plans do not always work out. 

One day, when passing each other and making their normal sarcastic comments, Summer accidentally slips off the sidewalk into oncoming traffic.  Riley acted quickly and lifted Summer to safety, and in that moment with him holding her so close, the chemistry between them burst into a flame of fire.  Riley kisses Summer and nothing will ever be the same for both of them.

What follows is a wonderful, fun and at times exasperating story , as we watched two people who are opposites fall in love.  It was such a great romance with hot sexual chemistry, and they were both so good together.  The fact that they were likeable made the story fun to read.  Yes, sometimes you wanted to smack one of them occasionally, but as their love becomes real, slowly they realize that they also complement each other, helping the other get past their anxiety.  Christi Barth does such a fantastic job writing their romance, and blending in the friends surrounding them. This was such an enjoyable read.

Besides Summer and Riley, I loved all the other characters, such as Chloe, Griff, Logan, just to name a few.  Just when they begin to know that their love is real, the past has a way of coming back to haunt them.  Summer is spontaneous and reckless, and a scared Riley will run; determined to live and not let things go, will keep Summer at a standstill.  Will they find a way to compromise and make their relationship work?

Trying it All is another fabulous romance by Christi Barth, who never fails to give us a wonderful story and couple.  I loved this book.  I suggest you start with the first book in this series, as I will plan to go back to read the earlier books. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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