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HAPPY TUESDAY EVERYONE!!! 61 new books on today’s list and definite blurb jolts for me, so I will be posting my mini blurb jolt list! 😀 Also… I’m going to do another 2 things before we start out day with awesome book releases (and I. Mean. AWESOME!) I forgot one important thing yesterday, and so while I talk about it, I thought I’d bring you a mini “meal subscription” review. 😉
BUT FIRST… my blurb jolts:No Rep (by Lani Lynn Vale!!! A cop and a reclusive heroine that he once saved are at the same CrossFit gym!! YAY!! I love cop romances and reclusive characters), For Your Own Good(psych-thriller!! Teacher of the year that has a side of vindictiveness… “…His main focus is pushing these kids to their full academic potential. All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way. If not, well, they’ll get what they deserve…”) EEEEEEP!!! The Daredevil (her fake relationship with him… even though he has a disinterested exterior – love those aloof heroes!!), Southern Secrets (he’s everywhere she turns, and now he’s her new roommate!!), The Perfect Ruin (Shanora Williams’ latest!! Psych-thriller, and she wants to take her perfect life away from her!!! Ohhh revenge-stalker alert!!), oh and last but NOT least!!! Just One Look (Tasha J – my book twin – LOVED IT!!! And it’s another stalker psych-thriller, but in his office… Why are female stalkers so much fun? LOL!! In books! ALWAYS AND ONLY IN BOOKS!! “…A few clicks of her mouse and she can see every adoring word they write to each other. By peeking into their apparently perfect life, Cassie finds renewed purpose and happiness...” <— Again. EEEEEEEP!! 😱
And now… two more things:
1.) One of my new all-time favorite movies that I can’t believe I haven’t watched before, or even heard of (especially since I love Will Smith) was “Seven Pounds“. I watched it on Saturday and it rocked my world. OMG YOU GUYS. This movie had my heart, and I was hooked and so intrigued right from the start. It has SO MUCH DEPTH. And Will Smith rocked it.
My “taco” Hello Fresh meal. This is everything that it came with. 🙂
And there are twists and turns and reveals that will take your breath away (and it ALL makes sense in its own special way). I was pretty excited that I guessed and important reveal correctly. Fair warning. Tissues ON HAND!! I cried.
2.) I wish I had actually videoed this and maybe TikTok’d it (hilarious missed opportunity because I love to shirk directions and boy did I with this!! All of my own personal side-talk while I was “trying” to follow directions and saying to myself… yeah… NO. Here’s how I’m going to actually do it…) I think that would have been so fun had I actually captured it.
So here’s my quick-comment mini review of my first “Hello Fresh” meal:
Maryse: Quick update!! I made the “one pan saucy beef and charred pepper tacos” and it was fabulous!!!
I was MUCH lazier than their instructions… this whole… fry the veggies… then wipe out the pan… and then fry the meat, then mix both back together and add the…
All done and delicious!!
Get out of here! 😂 I have no time for that. You said “one pan” and I mean “one pan”
bell pepper slices and onion slices and meat and spices (and beef stock) alllll mixed at the same time in the pan… and guess what? Maybe not “charred” veggies but definitely perfectly delicious and cooked. Everything turned out perfect.
I kind of wish everything was prechopped since I have to cook it myself but it’s true that pre-chopped veggies are not great at staying fresh, so I get that.
Flavors… perfect!!! Very happy with this Hello Fresh meal. 😀
Oh and I threw their soft shelled tacos in my freezer and used my own super-low carb version (2 carbs). I love them just as much.
P.S. I nearly fainted when I realized each serving is 810 calories. OMG NO. Hopefully the majority of the calories are in their soft shell wraps that I decided NOT to use. 😉 Wishful thinking…
Mony: Sounds delish!
bev: That sounds delicious. I am not a good cook at all, just don’t have the patience for it, so usually follow recipes to the letter. But the last few weeks not so much when it comes to the measuring. The important parts like liquids sure, but half a cup of sliced Olives? Eh, just throw some in. Also not caring as much about if I don’t have a spice I thought I did. Salt and parm cover a lot.
Theresa: I love Hello Fresh and Home Chef…..I alternate between the 2. Just be sure to keep up with your weekly order. I have had weeks where I forgot to look at the menu and received too much or something nobody in my house will eat!
Jody: I did the Hello Fresh deliveries for awhile last year. I only ordered veggie meals. I stopped because it was expensive (for me), the quality was starting to get iffy and the choices were repetitive/ similar. But it did get me to stop being lazy. And try new things. One of my fave recipes to make is the Greek Goddess chickpea bowl.
R. Renee: I loved Home Chef, but after a while the meals began tasting the same. This is likely because I was sticking to low carb/low cal so my options were limited. I assume you’ll run into this too, so switching between companies is a good idea. The other issue we had was being tied to our meals so we didn’t lose them. Some nights we just wanted to go out or order in and we couldn’t do that if we had a fridge full of food. Also when the hubs took a spur of the moment trip, I was stuck eating double. We resolved this by cutting it down to a few times per week, but in the end decided to take a break. I definitely miss it though.
Now we’re doing eMeals, which fits us much better but has its own set of issues.
READER RECOMMENDATIONS & BARGAIN FINDS:
Skyscraper Cinderella by K Webster <— MODERN CINDERELLA TRILOGY BUNDLE!! “...The fairy tale you know and love… With a scorching hot twist! This is the complete modern Cinderella trilogy in one collection. Winston Constantine isn’t a lover, he’s a business venture. A way for me to pay for college. A ticket out. He’s never pretended to be anything other than that. I can’t blame him for making me fall in love...”
Dangerous Beauty by J.T. Geissinger <— J.T. GEISSINGER SUPER-BARGAIN ALERT!! And we LOVE this author! SHE ESCAPES & IS IN HIDING… “...Evalina escaped to the island getaway to live an untraceable life—as far away from the past as she can get. But Eva can’t ignore the dark, muscled stud who rescues her from a drug gang. He says he’s an ex-cop on vacation. When providence throws them together time and again, Eva thinks it’s all a beautiful coincidence. Now she’s giving in to a strange new sensation: trust. But Naz has a mission to accomplish and a secret to keep…”
Sweetbitter: A novel by Stephanie Danler <— INSTANT BESTSELLER SUPER-BARGAIN!! This reviews on this are either love or hate (and Michele G and Amy were 2 that DID NOT love it). LOL! But that cover intrigues me and the blurb, even more.
Michele G: as a sidenote – I absolutely and completely disliked Sweetbitter….you know I don’t say that often.
Amy: I figure with the reviews, it can go either way for me. Hausfrau has a lot of 1-star reviews yet I freaking loved it, but then Sweetbitter had a lot of 1-star reviews and I would agree with them…I just felt cruddy and disappointed after reading it.
Tasha J: We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker is on sale on kindle today… I got it. I remember Michele really loving it and have heard great things.
Michele G: We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker yesterday. Absolutely amazing! Gave me serious Where the Crawdads Sing vibes. It wasn’t set near the coast and wasn’t the same time period…it was all in the character development. I really loved it. …I had to pop in and let you know.
MichelleS: I just got in line at the library for We Begin at the End. I am number five! Woo hoo. You had me at “it has that Where the Crawdad’s Sing vibe”. I loved that book.
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten <— TASHA J ALSO FOUND US THIS DEAL!
Tasha J: And then The Lost Village by Camilla Sten… I bought on paperback a little while ago and am tempted to get on kindle too. Just for convenience. 😂
Maryse: I’m that way too!!! I have a print copy of “The Last One Home” by Victoria Helen Stone ( I love her!!) and now the ebook is super-bargain priced… thinking of getting it too. For the same reasons. 😂
PARANORMAL/FANTASY/SCI-FI/DYSTOPIAN NEW RELEASES:
Claimed (Lair of the Wolven, The Book 1) by J.R. Ward <— J.R. WARD ALERT!! “…One night, a shadowy figure threatens Lydia’s life in the forest, and a new hire at the Wolf Study Project comes from out of nowhere to save her. Daniel Joseph is both mysterious, and someone she intrinsically wants to trust. But is he hiding something? As the stakes get higher, and one of Lydia’s colleagues is murdered, she must decide how far she will go to protect the wolves. Then a shocking revelation about Daniel challenges Lydia’s reality in ways she could never have predicted...”
Revealing the Monster: Playing with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins <— AMELIA HUTCHINS LATEST MONSTER ALERT!! MUST BE READ IN ORDER! “…I ended my life to protect Lucian from his enemies. It should have been the hardest decision to make, but it wasn’t. Now I find that Lucian kept even more secrets, deadly ones that threaten to destroy me. I thought I won the game that he and Katarina played, but he’s never stopped shuffling the pieces on the board. Even so, I’ve found peace in his violence and learned to accept my fate within his embrace.As our enemies are revealed, and worlds crashed down into ours, everything is on the line again. Could we survive his latest betrayal, or would it destroy us all?“
Small Favors by Erin A. Craig <— FANTASY!! “…From the New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows comes a mesmerizing and chilling fairy-talesque novel about Ellerie Downing, a young woman in a small town with monsters lurking in the trees and dark desires hidden in the shadows—in Amity Falls, nothing is more dangerous than a wish come true…”
No Rep (Madd CrossFit Book 1) by Lani Lynn Vale <— LANI LYNN VALE!!! SHE’S RECLUSIVE & HE’S THE COP THAT ONCE SAVED HER… “…Fran has experienced more than her fair share of crap. After an attack that nearly took her life, she stays hidden in her house, fearful that stepping out of her comfort zone will be the final nail in her coffin. Then her sister forces her to face her fears, and she joins Madd CrossFit. There, she meets the man that saved her life a year ago, and realizes rather quickly that he doesn’t even realize who he is to her. He’s everything she ever thought a man should be and wants nothing to do with her...”
For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing <— PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! TEACHER OF THE YEAR (and his wife is missing)… “...Teddy really can’t be bothered with a few mysterious deaths on campus that’re looking more and more like murder or the student digging a little too deep into Teddy’s personal life. His main focus is pushing these kids to their full academic potential. All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way. If not, well, they’ll get what they deserve. It’s really too bad that sometimes excellence can come at such a high cost...”
The Daredevil: A Rivers Wilde Novella by Dylan Allen <— FAKE RELATIONSHIP ALERT!! “...It doesn’t matter that Tyson Wilde has got a killer smile, wears a suit like it’s his job, and oozes spine-tingling sex appeal. I should say no. Because beneath the surface of that cool, disinterested exterior, lies passion hot enough to burn. I danced too close to it once and have the scars to prove it. So, on any other night, in any other city, and if he’d been even a fraction less mouthwatering, I would have been able to resist. But it’s my birthday, we’re in Paris, and it’s him. I can’t say no...”
Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas <— LISA KLEYPAS HISTORICAL ROMANCE!! “…Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible...”
A Good Day for Chardonnay: A Novel (Sunshine Vicram Series Book 2) by Darynda Jones <— DARYNDA JONES ALERT! SHE’S THE FULL TIME SHERIFF! “…Sunny’s got a bar fight gone bad, a teenage daughter hunting a serial killer and, oh yes, the still unresolved mystery of her own abduction years prior. All evidence points to a local distiller, a dangerous bad boy named Levi Ravinder, but Sun knows he’s not the villain of her story. Still, perhaps beneath it all, he possesses the keys to her disappearance. At the very least, beneath it all, he possesses a serious set of abs. She’s seen it. Once. Accidentally…”
Southern Secrets (Southern Book 7) (The Southern Series) by Natasha Madison <— NATASHA MADISON ALERT!! HE’S HER NEW ROOMMATE! “…After being left in the dust of an old pickup truck, I promised that I would take care of myselfand never trust another man with a sexy smirk and cowboy boots. Then he showed up, and he’s everywhere I turn. He’s at the barn, he’s at the bar, and now, he’s my roommate. He makes me want things I shouldn’t…”
Love Next Door (Lakeside Book 1) by Helena Hunting <— HELENA HUNTING ALERT!! HER NEW NEIGHBOR!! “...Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back-and-forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated...”
Heartbreak for Hire: A Novel by Sonia Hartl <— OFFICE ROMANCE!! “...In reality, Brinkley works at Heartbreak for Hire, a secret service that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering coworkers with a little cash to spare and a man who needs to be taken down a notch. It might not be as prestigious as academia, but it helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening an art gallery and lets her exorcise a few demons, all while helping to empower women. But when her boss announces she’s hiring male heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley’s no longer so sure she’s doing the right thing—especially when her new coworker turns out to be a target she was paid to take down...”
My Always One (Lighter Ones) by Aleatha Romig <— ALEATHA ROMIG!! BEST FRIENDS… “…We will not cross that line. After all, I’m not a forever kind of guy. Then that line blurs. We amend our agreement. Best friends become friends with benefits…”
Open Your Heart (Richardson Sisters Book 3) by Cheris Hodges <— HER BODYGUARD!! “…For fashion boutique owner Yolanda Richardson, coming home is a matter of life and death. Witness to a brutal crime, she’s terrified to put her family’s B&B in the crosshairs after she starts receiving death threats. Her only refuge is the protection of her reserved hired bodyguard, Charles Morris. But Charles is anything but safe. His icy cool-under-fire—and hidden intensity—is too explosive for Yolanda to resist...”
The Perfect Ruin: A Riveting New Psychological Thriller by Shanora Williams <— SHANORA WILLIAMS PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! Ohhhh sounds SO GOOD!! “…A brutal tragedy ended Ivy Hill’s happy family and childhood. Now in her twenties and severely troubled, she barely has a life—or much to live for. Until the day she discovers the name of the woman who destroyed her world: Lola Maxwell—the mega-wealthy socialite with a heart, Miami’s beloved “first lady” of charity. Accomplished, gorgeous, and oh-so-caring, Lola has the best of everything—and doesn’t deserve any of it. So it’s only right that Ivy take it all away . . . Little by little, Ivy infiltrates Lola’s elite circle, becomes her new best friend...”
Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron <— OFFICE STALKER PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!!! SHE’S OBSESSED WITH HIM!! “…While sorting through a relentless deluge of emails, something catches her eye: the tender (and totally private) exchanges between a partner at the firm, Forest Watts, and his enchanting wife, Annabelle. Cassie knows she shouldn’t read them. But it’s just one look. And once that door opens, she finds she can’t look away. Every day, twenty floors below Forest’s corner office, Cassie dissects their emails from her dingy workstation. A few clicks of her mouse and she can see every adoring word they write to each other. By peeking into their apparently perfect life, Cassie finds renewed purpose and happiness...”
Tasha J: Oh, hey! I finished an arc recently that releases this Tuesday that I think is right up your alley! Definitely a read if you like “You”. It’s called Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron.
Maryse: OH YESSSSS PLEASE!!!! I LOVED You and love crazy stalker reads!! Thank you Tasha!! 😀
AUDIOBOOK LVERS!
➔➔ Not a member of Audible yet? Get a free 30 day audible trial(which includes one title from their premium selection of best sellers and listen all you want to thousands of titles in their growing Audible Plus Catalog.)
➔➔ AND! Audiobook Matchmaker!! <— Find out which of YOUR Kindle books are available as audiobooks at a BARGAIN-PRICE! This is how it works. Click on that link & Amazon will show you all of your Kindle books that are also available as an audiobook at a seriously discounted price. This way, you can switch back and forth, seamlessly between your ebooks and your audiobooks. VERY COOL!
Haley thought this one sounded interesting, but she forgot the title.
Theme/trope-wise (I love it!! Post apocalyptic or dystopian). It almost sounds like The Handmaid’s Tale or even a book I just one-clicked “Vox” that I haven’t read yet (where women are only allowed to say a limited number of words a day). Eeeeep!
Or even Folsom (The End of Men Book 1 by Tarryn Fisher and Willow Aster (though that one, it’s the women that have survived and taken over… and the men that are scarce). P.S. Here’s my my review.
She asks:
Hi Maryse!
I was wondering if I could get some help trying to find a book I found somewhere on your website. The blurb sounded interesting so I downloaded the book but then it got deleted and now I can’t for the life of me find it anywhere.
It was set in a world where society collapsed and men had all the power.
The heroine and her family get kidnapped by a group of men. One of the men in the group however, hero, doesn’t agree with how all the men are acting and tries to help the heroine.
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
The heroine’s family ends up dying and together hero and heroine escape and go on the run.
Trying to find this book has been driving me crazy so any help is appreciated!
Jennifer is looking for this one! AND!!! I think I already know it. IT WAS GREAT and so many here devoured this book! P.S. I LOVE “stranded/survival” books, especially between strangers, and everything that develops as they try and survive.
She asks:
Need help remembering title of a book
It been a few years since I read this book but it starts off as a plane ride. There is bad weather but a man woman and a family decide to take a smaller plane into a island I believe they are visiting.
They plane crashes and the parents of the brother and sister don’t survive and they make a home on the island for many years.
Sue needs our book help! This one sounds post apocalyptic or the potential to become that, and I LOVE THOSE!! Especially when they stay in the realm of reality (you know… zombie-less). 😉
She asks:
Maryse,
Help! I read a book about six or seven years ago and I can’t remember it. Gah!!
The H/h were college kids (but I don’t remember their relation to each other.) Something is happening in the world that requires people to take cover and get somewhere safe. The H heads home, because his family has a stockpile of sorts.
Somehow the h ends up going with him.
I think her father was nearby and she had to check on him. He may have agoraphobia , but I’m not sure. In any case, they make it to the H’s house where the journey just begins.
<— FAKE RELATIONSHIP ALERT!! The Daredevil: A Rivers Wilde Novella by Dylan Allen IS LIVE!!! And… he has a disinterested exterior – I love those aloof heroes!!
And to celebrate this release, Dylan Allen (as well as her publisher, 1,001 Dark Nights Press) are sponsoring today’s newsletter! We have a fun tidbit about Dylan (below) & we’re also having a giveaway!
❤️ “Romance, love, relationships — they are my axis of evil.” ❤️
Too bad for him…because all three are coming…☺️
Who’s ready to meet The Daredevil and his Hunter? Love them! ❤️❤️•
Awww, Tyson!
I’ve been dreaming of his story since he was just on the cusp of manhood and now his book is almost here. He’s grown up very nicely.
So what’s it about?
“I dare you to let me watch…”
It was the wickedest of propositions, made by the most devilish of men.
It doesn’t matter that Tyson Wilde has got a killer smile, wears a suit like it’s his job,
and oozes spine-tingling sex appeal. I should say no.
Because beneath the surface of that cool, disinterested exterior,
lies passion hot enough to burn. I danced too close to it once and have the scars to prove it.
So, on any other night, in any other city, and if he’d been even a fraction less mouthwatering,
I would have been able to resist.
But it’s my birthday, we’re in Paris, and it’s him.
I can’t say no. I don’t want to say no.
And this time, no matter how right we feel together, I won’t let myself forget that when this weekend is over, we will be, too.
We’re only pretending to be lovers to land a deal.
Success will mean a promotion—one I want more than anything.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Falling in love was a danger neither Tyson or I saw coming.
And it will cost one of us everything.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
And here’s a fun “personal” tidbit about the author, herself:
Q: Do you do anything special to celebrate when you have a book release?
A: I usually buy myself a really nice lunch on release day and toast to dreams coming true with my family in the evening. But just the act of hitting publish after all the hard work it takes to get there feels like a reward.
I LOVE IT!!! Nothing better than rewarding oneself especially after such an amazing accomplishment! It must feel INCREDIBLE to publish a book (and nerve-racking but the exciting kind!!) 😀
Now for the giveaway!
We’re giving away a Dark Nights swag pack (which includes a 1001 Dark Nights limited edition coloring book, colored pencils, and promo booklet & bookmark).
How to enter for a chance to win it?
Just leave a comment below (and better yet – let me know your favorite “fake relationship” romance), and by 10pm EST, Sunday August 1st, 2021, I will randomly select one lucky commenter as the winner.
The winner will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond confirming their mailing address, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. The Dark Nights swag pack will be sent to one winner by the publisher.
US ONLY for now on this one (but all are welcome to comment).
Skyscraper Cinderella by K Webster <— MODERN CINDERELLA TRILOGY BUNDLE!! “...The fairy tale you know and love… With a scorching hot twist! This is the complete modern Cinderella trilogy in one collection. Winston Constantine isn’t a lover, he’s a business venture. A way for me to pay for college. A ticket out. He’s never pretended to be anything other than that. I can’t blame him for making me fall in love...”
Sweetbitter: A novel by Stephanie Danler <— INSTANT BESTSELLER SUPER-BARGAIN!! This reviews on this are either love or hate (and Michele G and Amy were 2 that DID NOT love it). LOL! But that cover intrigues me and the blurb, even more.
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker <— TASHA J FOUND US THIS SALE!!
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten <— TASHA J ALSO FOUND US THIS DEAL!
Claimed (Lair of the Wolven, The Book 1) by J.R. Ward <— J.R. WARD ALERT!! “…One night, a shadowy figure threatens Lydia’s life in the forest, and a new hire at the Wolf Study Project comes from out of nowhere to save her. Daniel Joseph is both mysterious, and someone she intrinsically wants to trust. But is he hiding something? As the stakes get higher, and one of Lydia’s colleagues is murdered, she must decide how far she will go to protect the wolves. Then a shocking revelation about Daniel challenges Lydia’s reality in ways she could never have predicted...”
Revealing the Monster: Playing with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins <— AMELIA HUTCHINS LATEST MONSTER ALERT!! MUST BE READ IN ORDER! “…I ended my life to protect Lucian from his enemies. It should have been the hardest decision to make, but it wasn’t. Now I find that Lucian kept even more secrets, deadly ones that threaten to destroy me. I thought I won the game that he and Katarina played, but he’s never stopped shuffling the pieces on the board. Even so, I’ve found peace in his violence and learned to accept my fate within his embrace. As our enemies are revealed, and worlds crashed down into ours, everything is on the line again. Could we survive his latest betrayal, or would it destroy us all?“
Small Favors by Erin A. Craig <— FANTASY!! “…From the New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows comes a mesmerizing and chilling fairy-talesque novel about Ellerie Downing, a young woman in a small town with monsters lurking in the trees and dark desires hidden in the shadows—in Amity Falls, nothing is more dangerous than a wish come true…”
No Rep (Madd CrossFit Book 1) by Lani Lynn Vale <— LANI LYNN VALE!!! SHE’S RECLUSIVE & HE’S THE COP THAT ONCE SAVED HER… “…Fran has experienced more than her fair share of crap. After an attack that nearly took her life, she stays hidden in her house, fearful that stepping out of her comfort zone will be the final nail in her coffin. Then her sister forces her to face her fears, and she joins Madd CrossFit. There, she meets the man that saved her life a year ago, and realizes rather quickly that he doesn’t even realize who he is to her. He’s everything she ever thought a man should be and wants nothing to do with her...”
For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing <— PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! TEACHER OF THE YEAR (and his wife is missing)… “...Teddy really can’t be bothered with a few mysterious deaths on campus that’re looking more and more like murder or the student digging a little too deep into Teddy’s personal life. His main focus is pushing these kids to their full academic potential. All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way. If not, well, they’ll get what they deserve. It’s really too bad that sometimes excellence can come at such a high cost...”
The Daredevil: A Rivers Wilde Novella by Dylan Allen <— FAKE RELATIONSHIP ALERT!! “...It doesn’t matter that Tyson Wilde has got a killer smile, wears a suit like it’s his job, and oozes spine-tingling sex appeal. I should say no. Because beneath the surface of that cool, disinterested exterior, lies passion hot enough to burn. I danced too close to it once and have the scars to prove it. So, on any other night, in any other city, and if he’d been even a fraction less mouthwatering, I would have been able to resist. But it’s my birthday, we’re in Paris, and it’s him. I can’t say no...”
Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas <— LISA KLEYPAS HISTORICAL ROMANCE!! “…Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible...”
A Good Day for Chardonnay: A Novel (Sunshine Vicram Series Book 2) by Darynda Jones <— DARYNDA JONES ALERT! SHE’S THE FULL TIME SHERIFF! “…Sunny’s got a bar fight gone bad, a teenage daughter hunting a serial killer and, oh yes, the still unresolved mystery of her own abduction years prior. All evidence points to a local distiller, a dangerous bad boy named Levi Ravinder, but Sun knows he’s not the villain of her story. Still, perhaps beneath it all, he possesses the keys to her disappearance. At the very least, beneath it all, he possesses a serious set of abs. She’s seen it. Once. Accidentally…”
Southern Secrets (Southern Book 7) (The Southern Series) by Natasha Madison <— NATASHA MADISON ALERT!! HE’S HER NEW ROOMMATE! “…After being left in the dust of an old pickup truck, I promised that I would take care of myself and never trust another man with a sexy smirk and cowboy boots. Then he showed up, and he’s everywhere I turn. He’s at the barn, he’s at the bar, and now, he’s my roommate. He makes me want things I shouldn’t…”
Love Next Door (Lakeside Book 1) by Helena Hunting <— HELENA HUNTING ALERT!! HER NEW NEIGHBOR!! “...Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back-and-forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated...”
Heartbreak for Hire: A Novel by Sonia Hartl <— OFFICE ROMANCE!! “...In reality, Brinkley works at Heartbreak for Hire, a secret service that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering coworkers with a little cash to spare and a man who needs to be taken down a notch. It might not be as prestigious as academia, but it helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening an art gallery and lets her exorcise a few demons, all while helping to empower women. But when her boss announces she’s hiring male heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley’s no longer so sure she’s doing the right thing—especially when her new coworker turns out to be a target she was paid to take down...”
My Always One (Lighter Ones) by Aleatha Romig <— ALEATHA ROMIG!! BEST FRIENDS… “…We will not cross that line. After all, I’m not a forever kind of guy. Then that line blurs. We amend our agreement. Best friends become friends with benefits…”
Open Your Heart (Richardson Sisters Book 3) by Cheris Hodges <— HER BODYGUARD!! “…For fashion boutique owner Yolanda Richardson, coming home is a matter of life and death. Witness to a brutal crime, she’s terrified to put her family’s B&B in the crosshairs after she starts receiving death threats. Her only refuge is the protection of her reserved hired bodyguard, Charles Morris. But Charles is anything but safe. His icy cool-under-fire—and hidden intensity—is too explosive for Yolanda to resist...”
The Perfect Ruin: A Riveting New Psychological Thriller by Shanora Williams <— SHANORA WILLIAMS PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! Ohhhh sounds SO GOOD!! “…A brutal tragedy ended Ivy Hill’s happy family and childhood. Now in her twenties and severely troubled, she barely has a life—or much to live for. Until the day she discovers the name of the woman who destroyed her world: Lola Maxwell—the mega-wealthy socialite with a heart, Miami’s beloved “first lady” of charity. Accomplished, gorgeous, and oh-so-caring, Lola has the best of everything—and doesn’t deserve any of it. So it’s only right that Ivy take it all away . . . Little by little, Ivy infiltrates Lola’s elite circle, becomes her new best friend...”
Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron <— OFFICE STALKER PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!!! SHE’S OBSESSED WITH HIM!! “…While sorting through a relentless deluge of emails, something catches her eye: the tender (and totally private) exchanges between a partner at the firm, Forest Watts, and his enchanting wife, Annabelle. Cassie knows she shouldn’t read them. But it’s just one look. And once that door opens, she finds she can’t look away. Every day, twenty floors below Forest’s corner office, Cassie dissects their emails from her dingy workstation. A few clicks of her mouse and she can see every adoring word they write to each other. By peeking into their apparently perfect life, Cassie finds renewed purpose and happiness...”
VERS!Small Favors by Erin A. Craig
The Man Ban by Nicola Marsh
The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins – August 3rd 2021
Haley thought this one sounded interesting, but she forgot the title.
<— FAKE RELATIONSHIP ALERT!! 
