Out Now! Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid

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If you’re in the need of a pick-me-up (to be honest, who isn’t right now?), then Engagement and Espionage is just the ticket! Especially and particularly if you are a fan of Jenn and Cletus from Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series!

While it’s not 100% necessary to read their book (Beard Science) prior to this one, I HIGHLY recommend and encourage you do. It’ll help bring the full scope of the story into focus and I think you’ll more thoroughly enjoy the antics, oddness, and loveliness of Cletus and Jenn.

Keep reading for a synopsis of Engagement and Espionage and links to buy a copy for yourself (because you know you want to!). My review will be up here on the blog and Goodreads soon.

Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid
Cipher-Naught / July 14, 2020
Contemporary, Fiction, Cozy Mystery
Series: Solving For Pie #1
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Buy it:
Amazon US Kindle
Amazon US Paperback

SYNOPSIS: 

Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil . . . and now they’re engaged!

But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most “fowl” need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.

Sabotage!

Will an undercover mission unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?

‘Engagement and Espionage’ is the first book in the Solving for Pie: Cletus and Jenn Mysteries series, is a full-length cozy mystery, and is a spin-off of Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series. This novel is best read after ‘Beard Science,’ Winston Brothers #3. Read my review of Beard Science here.

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Meet the Author: Penny Reid
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny:
Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Website – Goodreads – Amazon – Newsletter – Pinterest

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This commission helps to maintain this blog.

Amazon Affiliate: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez – Review

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The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
Forever / April 14, 2020
Fiction, Romance
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Buy it on Bookshop

Synopsis:

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can’t seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a “take me home” look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker’s owner reaches out. He’s a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan’s not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There’s no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

MY REVIEW

I laughed. I cried. I loved.

Long story short, I loved it. I tried my best to make it last, but I read it in less than 2 days. As y’all know, I am not a fast reader, so that says a lot I think.

I was a huge fan of Brandon in THE FRIEND ZONE, so I wasn’t sure how Sloan’s new guy in THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST would live up to expectations. Jason is *very* flirty right off the bat, which to be honest had me going ‘woah boy slow it down’ but I think it fits his personality well. And it didn’t take me long to fall for him and Sloan together. He also has some devastatingly romantic lines that legit had me swooning.

I loved that Tucker the dog was the catalyst for shaking Sloan out of her prolonged grief. I loved her in TFZ and was so happy to get to know her better in HEAP. She and Kristen’s dialogue is just as hilarious in this book and I loved Kristen and Josh’s antics too.

I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a great escape read! I think reading THE FRIEND ZONE first will make this story even more well-rounded for you, but it’s a great read regardless.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR: Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez is a Food Network winner and USA Today best selling author with her hit debut novel The Friend Zone. She founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and has amassed an international cult following. Abby’s wry literary wit was spotlighted as the admin behind the hilarious viral comments on the now famous Nadia Cakes Vageode ® cake.

Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This commission helps to maintain this blog.

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams – Review

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Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Berkley / March 10, 2020
Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Series: Bromance Book Club #2
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Buy it: IndieBound – Kindle – Amazon

Synopsis:

Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction.

Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a sous chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.

Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He’ll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assist Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart… even while she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.

MY REVIEW

I loved this one even more than the first in the series and I didn’t think that would be possible. I absolutely loved Mack and Liv’s story. It was surprising, funny, emotional, and an all-around joy to read. I know this technically isn’t Adams’ second book, but as it’s the second book in this series and (I think) her second full-length novel, I’ll happily say: No sophomore slump here. Adams really knocked it out of the park with this one.

In UNDERCOVER BROMANCE, the book club guys are reading a romantic suspense novel. Unlike the first book in the series, their pick doesn’t play as big a role in this one. Instead, the story itself mirrors the romantic suspense genre.

Mack is the founder of the book club and I loved learning how he came to read romance books. Even though his backstory is pretty heartbreaking, it made it easier to understand why he is the way he is. His character’s journey from start to finish was compelling and kept me reading. I loved how the guys supported him and his emotional growth. In 2020, there is still a lot of stigma around men being emotional and in touch with their feelings. Mack’s story is an important one and I think a lot of guys could learn and benefit from reading this story.

We know a little about Liv’s past due to the first book, but there were still new layers to discover and learn about her. Her strength is one thing that stood out in particular to me. The Royce storyline is extra infuriating because I know it happens in real life. But I liked how it made Liz learn more about herself, even if those things weren’t always flattering.

I loved Mack and Liv’s journey together, particularly how Mack learned to listen and trust Liv, and how he doesn’t try to overrule and take the lead from her. Not everything went according to plan in the book. There were mishaps and mistakes and it made it feel a bit more realistic.

Another easy 5 stars from me for Adams. I loved this one and cannot wait to read more from her!

[Read my review of book 1, The Bromance Book Club, here.]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR: LYSSA KAY ADAMS

Lyssa Kay Adams is the pen name of an award-winning journalist who gave up the world of telling true stories to pen emotional romances. She’s also a diehard Detroit Tigers fan who will occasionally cheer for the Red Sox because her husband is from Boston.

Lyssa lives in Michigan with her family and an anxiety-ridden Maltese who steals food and buries it around the house and who will undoubtedly be a character in a future book.

Things Lyssa loves: Baseball pants, mashed potatoes, and that little clicking sound that scissors make on the cutting table at fabric stores.

Things she doesn’t love: Mean people, melting ice cream cones, and finding food in her underwear drawer.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This commission helps to maintain this blog.

Amazon Affiliate: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Out Now! Wild at Heart by K.A. Tucker

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Happy pub day to WILD AT HEART by K.A. Tucker! I was so excited when she announced she’d be writing and releasing a sequel to THE SIMPLE WILD (one of my favorite favorite books). I needed more Jonah and Calla in my life and this sequel brought just what I needed! I’ll be sharing my review tomorrow for the blog tour, but in the meantime, check out the synopsis below, and you can read my review of THE SIMPLE WILD here. If you have not read THE SIMPLE WILD, be sure to read that first before jumping into this one! WILD AT HEART is a true sequel. Continue reading →

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid – Review

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I’m so happy to be sharing my review of Beard Necessities by Penny Reid today for the blog tour! It’s been 5 years since we were first introduced to the Winston brothers in Ashley’s book. 6 Winston books later plus a handful of short stories and sneak peeks, the conclusion of Scarlet and Billy’s story is finally out in the world. This story was a joy to read and my heart is so full of happiness even though I’m so sad it’s the end of this series. Continue reading →

Two more new Smartypants Romance Releases!

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I’m excited to share two new releases in the Smartypants Romance line which are out today! They both take place in Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers universe in Green Valley, TN. NO WHISK NO REWARD by Ellie Kay is the third book in the Donner Bakery series, and MY BARE LADY by Piper Sheldon is book one in the Scorned Women’s Society series. Keep reading for more information on each book. Continue reading →