2/6/2020 0 Comments My Reading - May 2020
Reading Goals MetTotal Books: 19 New Authors I Read: Rebecca Winters, Donna Alward, Michelle Smart, Rachel Givney, Michelle Smart, Sophie Pembroke, Therese Baharrie, Olivia Heyfield, and Ella Hayes. Books I Read in MayFalling For Her French Tycoon by Rebecca Winters
Why I Read it: I read most of my Mills and Boons on the treadmill because I can't fit a bigger book on it. This was my first Rebecca Winters novel and I loved it. What I Liked: This was a 'secret baby' story that I could get on board with. Nathalie goes to work undercover on a gorgeous French vineyard to find the father of her nephew. At first, she thinks it's Dominic, so she's conflicted when she starts to develop feelings for him. This was beautifully romantic and tension filled as we realised far earlier than the characters that Dominic's cousin Raoul was Alain's father. I was so happy to see them united and couldn't wait to pick up Raoul's story, which was sitting patiently in my to be read pile. What I Didn't Like: The end seemed to drag, but that's okay. It did finally end! Beauty and the Brooding Billionaire by Donna Alward Why I Read it: This followed from Falling for the French Tycoon. It was my first book by Donna. I fell for it straight away because it was an 'artist/writer who've lost their muse' story, which is something I experienced last year. What I Liked: The gorgeous Nova Scotia setting and a fling romance! I also loved the artistic characters - a writer and a painter! What I Didn't Like: That I hadn't read book one of the South Shore Billionaires, but as luck would have it, I found it on the shelves in one of my local Big W's even though it was released last year! Talk of the Town by Rachael Johns Why I Read it: I wanted to buy Rachael's new release Something to Talk About but told myself I couldn't until I read this one, which has been sitting unread on my shelf for years. I can't believe how lazy I've been because this was a fantastic story! What I Liked: The characters, the ghost town of Rose Hill, and the puppy that Lawson buys Meg! What I Didn't Like: I don't like endings and black moments that are all 'why didn't you tell me'. Yeah, there was an opportunity for Meg to tell Lawson about her time in prison and past addiction to drugs, but she didn't. Whatever. She did when she did. But it's a romance so Lawson realised what a jerk he'd been and it all ended happily ever after. Something to Talk About by Rachael Johns Why I Read it: I bought this the day I finished Talk of the Town. I was very keen to read about Tabitha and her journey to love with Fergus. What I Liked: The fling relationship, Tabitha's choice to have a baby on her own, and how she manages with one arm. I also loved her interesting ice cream flavours and how she was developing her ice cream business. What I Didn't Like: The misunderstanding ending - Fergus sees Tabitha with her ex-boyfriend and jumps to stupid conclusions rather than just TALKING to her! Thankfully, it didn't drag. Falling For His Unlikely Cinderella by Rebecca Winters Why I Read it: A new release this month and book two of Escape to Provence series. What I Liked: The French setting and the characters. I have a new love for characters with health conditions and enjoyed Cami's inner conflict as she prepares for her heart operation. It's a romance so we know she'll survive, but she doesn't know that. This had a big 'awww' moment ending. Raoul is a very patient and understanding hero. What I Didn't Like: I didn't enjoy the writing as much as I did in Falling for her French Tycoon. Second Chance for the Single Mum by Sophie Pembroke Why I Read it: Printed with Falling for his Unlikely Cinderella and another read to enjoy on the treadmill. This was my first Sophie Pembroke and now I'm a massive fan. What I Liked: Well structured! I enjoyed the conflict and it was handled very well. I loved the rugby and the little trip over to France. This was a perfectly structured book. What I Didn't Like: Nothing much. Gwen's desire to keep her dead husband George's hero image in tact is understandable, but she knows he wasn't a hero, so I did feel like she could have let this go a little sooner. In the end, she sort of did. Billionaire's Bride for Revenge by Michelle Smart Why I Read it: A while ago, I managed to get a bunch of free Michelle Smart books on Kindle and downloaded about half a dozen. I picked up this one based on the title when I needed to kill time and turned to my Kindle. It's the first of the Rings of Vengeance series. What I Liked: I absolutely loved this book! This book has all the workings of the alpha hero - Benjamin kidnapping his nemesis's - who was his best friend - fiance for revenge. He literally kidnaps Freya. But he is so casual and kind about it. He is a gorgeous alpha hero and my favourite kind. I also loved Freya, and not just because she's a ballerina. The moment Benjamin builds Freya her own dance studio inside his French chateau, I fell in love with him. And I think Freya did too! Sure, Ben has his dark moment, but no one is perfect and that's when she realises she loves him too. I completely and utterly loved this story. I'm so glad I have a bunch of other Michelle's to keep me occupied for a while! What I Didn't Like: Nothing. It was awesome. Marriage Made in Blackmail by Michelle Smart Why I Read it: It was book two of the Rings of Vengeance series and I had it on my Kindle ready to go. What I Liked: Luis was a more demanding captor than Benjamin had been, but the brewing romance between he and Chloe made this all okay. This was a lovely story about overcoming pas hurts. There is a happy ending for Chloe and Luis, as well as for Luis's friendship with Benjamin. It also had a beautiful Caribbean setting. What I Didn't Like: It dragged more than the first book. I also don't know why it should be surprising when virgins are on the pill. Jane in Love by Rachel Givney Why I Read it: I was intrigued and read the first chapter in Big W. I wanted something a little different and was curious how this book would turn out. So I bought it and read it. What I Liked: Jane Austen is transported from 1803 to 2020 and her thoughts on our modern technology is truly amusing - magic candle and self inking quills! This is a quirky romantic comedy and a fun read. What I Didn't Like: Nearly all the dialogue was tagged and once I noticed that, I couldn't not notice it! But there wasn't a lot I didn't like. It was an interesting read. Cowboy with a Cause by Carla Cassidy Why I Read it: Had this on my kindle and it's book 3 of the Cowboy Cafe series, so it sucks that I know what happens in Book 1, which I happen to have on my shelf. But oh well. What I Liked: The suspense, the injured dancer heroine, and the protective cowboy hero. Melanie had a fall as a result of a nerve injury and can no longer use one of her legs well, meaning she's now in a wheelchair. It was great to read about a character like this, and added to the suspense. After all, a woman who cannot use one of her legs cannot run away. But that doesn't stop Melanie from saving herself. I loved it. What I Didn't Like: ... Italian Summer with the Single Dad by Ella Hayes Why I Read it: I needed another treadmill read. I chose this one because I wanted a single dad story and it was also another new author for me. What I Liked: The conflict was deep and real. I loved the coastal Italian setting and the cute little girl. What I Didn't Like: The epilogue was so long and dragged. Her Twin Baby Secret by Therese Baharrie Why I Read it: Was printed with Italian Summer for the Single Dad. What I Liked: It was set in South Africa and was about South African's written by a South African! Alexa and Benjamin have quirky quips and are entertaining characters. They enter a fake relationship even though they're rival head chefs and don't get along. I also liked that Alexa had deep emotional conflict with her other family members that needed to be resolved. What I Didn't Like: I wouldn't call it an easy read. The writing and conflict was complex. Protecting his Defiant Innocent by Michelle Smart Why I Read it: Needed another Kindle read to pass the time by sneakily reading. This is the first of the Bound to the Billionaire series I have on my kindle. What I Liked: The sense of danger and adventure. Francesca falls for the man her brother hired to protect her as she ventures to a corrupt Caribbean island to build a hospital. There was good romantic tension. What I Didn't Like: The external conflict did draw away from the internal conflict just a little. I was convinced she'd be kidnapped...but she wasn't. That was okay...but it still would have been cool. Claiming his One-Night Baby by Michelle Smart Why I Read it: The second of the Bound to the Billionaire series. What I Liked: The history between Natasha and Matteo. They deserved their second chance. What I Didn't Like: Matteo was a little mean, not forgiving or believing Natasha and holding so much against her. But it all ended okay. Rescued by the Single Dad Doc by Marion Lennox Why I Read it: I picked up a few older Mills and Boon stories at Target real cheap, and this was one of them. I thought it was time for some more Marion and I'm into single dad's this month with my current work in progress. I also love books with characters named Rachel. What I Liked: This was a lovely story of two doctors in an isolated coastal town finding their way to love. Tom is a rescuer and Rachel needs rescuing, even though she doesn't realise it. Add in three active boys and a gorgeous little dog, it's a recipe for a great story. It had a great ending. What I Didn't Like: Nothing! It was great. Buying his Bride of Convenience by Michelle Smart Why I Read it: Book three of the Bound to the Billionaire series! What I Liked: I enjoyed the slow burn romance between these characters. It was nice to finally see two grown adults manage to share a bed for a few nights without having sex. It always seems the characters turn away from sharing a bed. But Eva and Daniele managed to curl up together for a few nights before finally giving into their growing desire. This story had such a beautiful ending. What I Didn't Like: Not sure...even knowing the secret about Daniele's brother didn't really ruin the story. It was fun to wonder how Daniele was going to react. The Baby they Longed For by Marion Lennox Why I Read it: Wanted to read more Marion. What I Liked: The beginning with the ectopic pregnancy. I also liked that Addie involved Noah in the decision to whether or not to take the morning after pill. She acknowledged that her falling pregnant would be just as life changing to him as it was to herself. What I Didn't Like: Cremating a ten week old embryo as a little over the top. It's sad, yes, but it was an nonviable pregnancy. Thankfully Addie moved on from this quickly. A Secret Shared... by Marion Lennox Why I Read it: It was a tossup between what to read next on the treadmill. I had a whole bunch of Forever Romances and some Meredith Webbers. But I wanted more Marion and this was in a 'best of...' print on my shelf. What I Liked: The dolphins! This healing sanctuary is a completely awesome concept, working with dolphins to help children heal both physically and emotionally. It was a very different medical romance. There was also a very lovable dog named Maisie. What I Didn't Like: Not much. All the conflict was interesting and handled well. Wife After Wife by Olivia Heyfield Why I Read it: I'was drawn to this book, a modern day story inspired by Henry VIII and his six wives, the moment I saw it on the shelf earlier this year, but I resisted because of my book buying ban. But Big W had it for sale at half price, so I bought it and made sure I read it straight away. What I Liked: The tension was amazing. Even though we knew who was going to die and get divorced, it was interesting to learn how it was going to happen. Would Harry actually have Ana killed? Or Caitlyn? How would these things happen? This was very cleverly written and fitted perfectly into a modern society. I look forward to the sequel, which will be about two women, Maria and Elizabeth, running a media empire in the modern world. What I Didn't Like: The character Harry, of course. He was a sleazy playboy and just kept cheating on the adorable Katie and made some big plays for Ana. How many women did he need to be satisfied? Ergh. But that's what the book is about, I suppose. Caitlyn's death (the Catherine Howard character) also didn't really ring true and seemed a little sudden...but I suppose she had to die somehow! Harry couldn't exactly execute his wives in the twenty-first century.
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