Category: Low Language

Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Beautifully Broken

Our Book Confessions

Sometimes when I read an absolutely amazing book, I have a hard time loving what comes next just as much. Book Hangover, it’s a really thing. Quite a few weeks ago I had just finished an amazing book, but was so excited to read Anneka Walker‘s Bargaining for the Barrister, I couldn’t wait. So I picked it up next, desperately hoping my book hangover wouldn’t affect my enjoyment.

I was blown away. It was so well done I couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about it.

Purchase Here

“Louisa Cox is tired of fortune hunters pursuing her dowry. So when Lady Kellen offers to help her find an eligible suitor, Louisa eagerly accepts and makes a list of what she wants in a husband. The man selected is barrister Paul Sheldon. He may be a complete stranger, but he has one thing in his favor: he is unaware of her fortune. What Louisa did not anticipate was his curious behavior—or being so attracted to him.

When Paul catches wind of the matchmaking organization his mother and her friends are establishing, he pities the fellow who will be caught in their scheme—until he realizes he is to be their first victim. Horrified, Paul determines to thwart his mother’s plans by whatever means necessary. After meeting his intended, however, his increasing desire to be near her threatens to disrupt his convictions. Louisa is everything he could want in a wife, and when an unexpected adventure sets in motion the very plan he had determined to halt, he almost wishes his mother’s plot could succeed. But Paul harbors a secret and a past that make it impossible for him to give Louisa the life she deserves.“

I did feel like it was a little bit of a slow start, but that meet cute was so fun it pulled me right in. I loved that she had the woman doing the chasing. It felt fresh and unique without feeling pushy.

I really adored the characters. Neither of them had particularly big flaws, but they were just quirky enough to lead to some great story telling. I was impressed with the attentive way she built her characters. They were consistent, yet complex. Louisa’s open manner and the personality she created for Paul melded the two of them so well. They were both broken and blessed in different ways and she made them whole together. It was a stunning and genuine love story.

I am completely and one hundred percent on board with this series and can’t wait to see who we get to read about next!

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

Four Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Regency Tag

Our Book Confessions
Purchase Here

Jentry Flint had really great character development. I was fascinated by every one of her characters, primary or secondary. Whether you are loving them, hating them, curious about them or driven crazy by them, you can’t wait to read more.

Though she did deal with some heavier topics, the uniqueness of her plot and the clever way she tied in a game of tag kept things fun and the pace moving.

Jentry’s intellect was seen not just in her one-of-kind story, but in her use of Shakespeare and her clever play on words.

I must admit, I could tell it was a debut novel, there were one or two plot things that weren’t entirely clear and a time or two where the scenes didn’t seem entirely natural. But I was wholly intrigued enough to not care and am anxiously waiting her next story.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Five Stars, Giveaway, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence
Our Book Confessions

“At eleven years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the future Duke of Kelbrook, was the most odious young man she’d ever met. And ten years later, after having had no contact with the nobleman in the intervening time, her opinion of him has not changed. Unfortunately, neither has the marriage contract their fathers signed soon after her birth.

As Rosalind’s twenty-first birthday and the appointed wedding day approaches, Sebastian makes a rare appearance in London. His first meeting with Rosalind since childhood goes less than perfectly, but Sebastian has a compelling reason for honoring their marriage contract—a reason outlined in a document kept behind his workshop’s locked door.

After a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But when Sebastian’s secretive work threatens their fledgling relationship and Rosalind’s life is placed in jeopardy, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has pledged to help and the woman he has come to love.“

Arranged marriages were not uncommon during the Georgian Era, in fact they were the norm. Not all arranged marriages were unhappy, and many were very successful. But there aren’t many stories about those. I loved the mature and natural way Sian Ann Bessey presented it. It felt real for the time period, and was also infused with goodness and hope. Her plot felt both genuine and historically accurate.

I’ve mentioned before how much I love her ability to write tension. Both in the suspense and in the romance. This book had both of those. The romance was built slowly, but beautifully. And the mystery gives us little mentions that leave delicious breadcrumbs without ruining the suspense.

Her characters have quirks that are endearing and back stories that create depth. I immediately connected with both main characters and loved every moment of their adventure together.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Purchase Here
4 1/2 stars, Contemporary Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Moderate Romance

It’s Complicated

Our Book Confessions

“Tiny Little Lie #1: I want the new resort in Turks and Caicos to open on schedule.

Tiny Little Lie #2:I’m not falling for Luke McKenna.

Unfortunately, those tiny little lies snowballed into something bigger. Much bigger. Now I’m stuck.

It sounds bad. But I’m not a bad person. I’m doing the right thing…I think. I’m telling myself I’m a superhero in heels, saving people I care about.

But the grumpy onsite contractor isn’t making things easy. The more I lie and try to stall the hotel opening, the harder he works to complete the project.

Did I mention he’s handsome?

And moody?

And brooding?

And my complete opposite in every way?

If the truth about what I’ve done comes out, Luke will never forgive me. Then I’ll have to face another truth: my attraction to him might actually be something more—something worth fighting for.”

I love Kortney’s writing, have loved this whole series to be honest. I wasn’t even hesitant about the trigger warning. Going into the book knowing it discussed infertility actually made me want to read it more.

For those of you who might not have been around for awhile. My four sisters and I all have uteran difficulties. My oldest sister has something other than MRKH, but she wont ever be able to have her own children. My youngest sister has had to do IVF to get both of her kids. I was incredibly lucky to have the three kids that I do, but I no longer have a uterus, it was doing more harm than good. It’s a topic very close to our hearts and I think Kortney handled it beautifully. It was definitely more of a subplot, but an emotional one so heads up.

I must admit that I didn’t immediately connect with Tessa. I couldn’t sympathize with her decisions. I felt like they were inconsistent with the business savvy character Kortney wrote her has. But I take it all back. The last quarter of the book Kortney addressed everyone of my concerns about Tessa in clever and sometimes witty ways. I ended up loving how Kortney handled Tessa’s choices and the internal dialogue Tessa went through to acknowledge her own ridiculousness.

Both Tessa and Luke grew in ways that were both satisfying to the reader and naturally genuine. They were flawed, but willing to change. Incomplete, but totally adorable. Just the characters a reader loves to get to know in a story.

The book has connection, and heart, and witty one liners. Comedic timing and pop culture references that just make you smile. It contained all the things we love about Kortney’s writing, plus an emotional depth that resonates with the reader.

**** Low Language, Moderate Romance (there are a few innuendos, but very mild ones), Low Violence

Five Stars, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

More than Romance

Our Book Confessions
Purchase Here

“Amateur inventor Kester Barrington prefers the peace and quiet of his estate to the bustle of Society. But when his tight-knit group of friends, the Gents, descends on Livingsley Hall for their annual gathering, he stoically joins in their activities. It all seems exhausting—until an unexpected addition to the party catches his eye: his new neighbor, the lovely Violet.

Violet Ridley longs to make friends in this new corner of the country, but her family’s fortune was made through investments rather than inheritance, and Society can be fickle. So when tragedy forces her family to shelter at neighboring Livingsley Hall, Violet is delighted to receive a warm welcome from the Gents. In particular, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kester. The pair is a study in contrasts: Violet, with her sunny disposition, and Kester, with his prickly facade. Their connection is impossible to deny, but both Kester and Violet harbor heavy constraints. As their association becomes increasingly tangled and confused, their only hope of pursuing a life together is to trust one another with the very truths that could tear them apart.”

I’ve frequently commented on Sarah Eden‘s ability to connect readers to characters in a deep and meaningful way. A way that leaves a lasting impression. Violet and Kes were no exception. Violet in particular spoke to my heart, I saw so much of myself in her.

Sarah’s stories are about so much more than Romance. They’re about real relationships in various forms: friendships, romances, familial connections and how we navigate them.

Her writings encourage me to be a better friend, a better, sister and daughter, a better wife, a better me.

Despite her disinterest in kissing scenes, her  books will make you swoon too, but they also connect, uplift and inspire.

This book addressed grief, disability, and mental health awareness in a beautiful story about learning to trust yourself and others with such heavy things. I loved it.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

High Romance, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Violence

Freedom to Be

Our Book Confessions

“Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager’s unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:

Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances–most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.

Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she’s been working to support the family following her husband’s breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.

Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she’s working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future.

As they interact with various literary figures of the time–Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others–these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.”

Purchase Here

This is a fantastically emotional book that makes you feel empowered, regardless of gender. It’s a book on societal structures and preconceived judgements. A critique on human nature and a champion for women without being degrading on the male sex. It was more a commentary on time period and history than anything else. And a discourse on writing itself.

You would think with all of that in one book, the read may feel sluggish and heavy.

I read it in two days, regretfully putting it down each time life called me away. I turned each page anxiously, thoroughly enthralled with the fabulously written characters on the page and the determination they showed.

The literary references are intellectually brilliant. They’re like little nuggets of happiness for every reading addict.

I would recommend this to readers of any gender, any genre and any time period.

***** Low Language, High Romance (there’s no sex on the page, but it is referred to. For as prudish as I can be, I was never uncomfortable with the language- but I wouldn’t give it a teenager to read either), Low Violence, Low Religion

Contemporary Romance, Four Stars, Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Just Enough

Our Book Confessions

Just Enough Luck by Aspen Hadley

“Lucy Moore never lost faith in her fairy godmother, and when she lands an unbelievable dream job working for Drake Enterprises, she knows exactly who to thank for the opportunity. That dream job, however, comes with a twist that has her heading to northern Montana for the month long annual family retreat at The Lucky Wolf ranch. She packs a suitcase of warm clothes and a fake it ’til you make it attitude, prepared to do all she can to win the family over. Once there she comes face to face with the Drake brothers.

Alexander, Lucy’s new boss, is literally a magazine cover model. He’s also a numbers geek like her, which makes him dreamy beyond belief, and Lucy can’t stop staring. He’s too perfect to be real. Daniel is the first person Lucy meets when she arrives at the ranch in the most humiliating way possible. His warmth and humor quickly put her at ease, and she’s grateful to have a friend in this unknown, way off the beaten path, frozen part of the country.

In one short month Lucy contends with animal attacks, a temporary roommate who’s more robot than human, some ranch-hand flirting sessions, and a little eavesdropping, all while attempting to show her new boss that she can do the job.

When the month ends, and it’s time to return home, her story is far from over. Now her heart belongs to the one man who seems perfect for her. Can they overcome all the obstacles in their way?”

I adored this book. Though at first I had a hard time with her infatuation with her boss, I really liked how well Aspen morphed and changed her view of him and of Daniel, it was very well done.

I loved their meet cute, I loved his nicknames for her. I loved how they were both a little quirky. Mostly I loved how Aspen wrote them as real people, who had real arguments, but dealt with them like real adults. This book made me smile from cover to cover.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence,

Just Enough Magic

The first time I saw Alexander Drake, I was looking at his picture on the cover of a Financial Life magazine. I’d have to have been blind not to notice what a total catch he was. Rich, handsome, and completely make believe. Only, he wasn’t some fake cover model. He was a real person, soon-to-be brother-in-law of my best friend Lucy, and when she introduced us for the first time, I swooned. Hard. Me. Kayla Benson. Master of male-female relationships, strong, independent, and the one usually being swooned over. The worst part? While I was busy catching my breath – my eyes so dazed they might as well have been crossed – he hadn’t even bothered to look my way. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to ruffle his feathers and see what could happen if I became a force in his life’s bubble. So . . . I did.

After finishing the first I immediately wanted the second. I was more than looking forward to this story. I was anticipating all the fun directions the author could go with Alex and Kayla.

I was a little hesitant when Kayla started working for Alex. I didn’t want a repeat of the first book. Luckily I didn’t have to worry about that, this story was so uniquely its own. With its own set of unique and fun characters while still giving you glimpses of the characters you fell in love with in the first book.

I loved watching Alex’s walls come down. I loved how Kayla worms her way into his life. I loved how well Aspen wrote the foundation of friendship with the slow burning chemistry in the background. So we’ll done!

I felt a little bit of a double standard at the beginning of the book. With the struggles Kayla experienced in the work place, for her to turn around and try and throw herself at her boss left me feeling a little uncomfortable. I think it was more of a personal thing, than how Aspen wrote it. I may or may not have a little bit of a soap box when it comes to those kinds of things. I feel like there should be respect going both ways regardless of gender.

I loved how Aspen had Kayla recognize her own ridiculousness and apologize. I love the honesty between them and the barefoot scene and the conversations about flirting. I really loved so much about this book.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Five Stars, Historical Fiction, Jane Austen Re-telling, Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Religion, Moderate Violence

The Murder of Mr. Wickham Book Tour

Our Book Confessions

“The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party at their country estate, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.

Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. In this tantalizing fusion of Austen and Christie, from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray, the unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.”

Purchase Here

Have you ever thought, if Jane Austen held a house party and invited all her character, how would that go? Who would be friends?

As a Jane Austen fan I was delighted to be asked to be a part of this book launch. Who wouldn’t want a little more from this world. My one concern was if I would really feel as if I was back in Jane Austen’s world again. And Oh did I.

Claudia Gray did an amazing job of showing us what might have happened after happily ever after. Each character had a completely believable background since we last met them, a distinct voice and intriguing emotions.

Have you ever thought to yourself, why in the world did Wickham marry Lydia? Claudia portrays in her book, one of the best explanation I’ve ever heard. And if that’s not enough to get you to read it, the mystery alone would be.

How could any of our beloved characters be a murderer? You can’t turn pages fast enough. The author is really good at pointing the finger at everyone. Claudia’s mystery is woven wonderfully, giving you morsels of clues without any idea of who it really is.

There was one little moment that felt a bit like a soap box that seemed unnecessary. Until I kept reading. I was pleasantly surprised at how she encouraged a deeper thinking, and granted me a much needed dose of compassion for the era and what others may have struggled with. I came away impressed with how she handled all the complicated relationships on the page. Including the dimension she gave characters we thought we knew so well, and the new ones we are introduced to.

I would recommend this to not just fans of Jane Austen, but fans of historical fiction, romance, mystery, or just a good intelligent, entertaining read.

***** Low Language, Moderate Romance (the reason for this label is a spoiler alert, if you want details please don’t hesitate to message us here or on social media), Moderate Violence (the murder does not happen on page, but seen after the fact. The descriptions aren’t gory, but this is a murder mystery so it is referenced occasionally. There is also a moment of sexual assault told in flashback, but it is not detailed.), Moderate Religion (because two of the character’s professions have to do with the church, there is some intense discussions about morality and religious law. I felt however that these discussions only added to the depth of the characters and the intrigue of the story.)

Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Suspense, Four Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Religion, Moderate Violence

Facing the Enemy Blog Tour

Our Book Confessions

“Lady Elise Henderson lives two separate lives. At home in Scotland, she’s the titled daughter of the Marquess of Roxbury, an heiress in her own right. In London, however, she’s Elise Taylor, a top MI6 operative for the “home office.” But when a devastating accident threatens to end her career, Elise is left with far too much time for self-reflection and the regret of a decision made long ago that features one man: fellow MI6 agent Harry Benson.

Harry Benson, the son of servants, has loved Elise for the better part of a decade. But life took them on separate journeys until their worlds converged once more. An immediate assignment to the Scottish Borders leaves Harry little time to make provisions for his small, rambunctious son, Sammy. Harry knows only one person he can rely on for the boy’s care—Elise. When Elise brings Sammy to her ancestral estate, she never imagines that a nemesis from her past looms in the shadows, hungry for revenge. Stalked at every turn, Elise and Harry discover that fighting their feelings for one another is futile, but can they survive long enough to get another shot at true love?“

Paige Edwards sets the stage for the suspense really well. So much, that I realized I’m still a wuss. Her villain had wonderfully fleshed out background and motive. Not the kind that makes you empathize with him, but the kind that ups the creep factor, in the best way possible.

I would have loved that much depth in the backstory of Harry and Elise. I felt like their romance was a little hot and cold at times and their relationship backstory skimmed the surface of what I hoped to know. We did get cute glimpses into the past and plenty of swoony moments in the present. I was hoping for just a little bit more meat.

One of the relationships I did love was between Sammy and Elise. In a single dad romance, the relationship between child and significant other is almost as important and Paige did a fabulous job with them. It wasn’t instant connection and understanding. It was something Paige built slowly overtime in a beautiful way. Their relationship was genuine and definitely upped the suspense factor by the end. I loved how she wove that together.

She also built the relationship between Elise’s family really well too. Their complex family dynamics held all the hooks and I’m completely attached to all the siblings, I’ll need to read every single one of their stories!

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence (this is a suspense novel so their is a moderate amount of violence, some of the passing comments of the villain bordered on super creepy/violent for me, but it was never graphic), Moderate Religion (a relationship with God is discussed a time or two in a natural and plot enhancing way, but no specific religion is ever discussed.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Purchase Here
3 1/2 Stars, Contemporary Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Moderate Romance

Just Pretend

Our Book Confessions
Purchase Here

“A random run-in at a restaurant brings high school friends April and Jackson back together. A not so random run-in with April’s new stalker starts a VERY short charade of Jackson pretending to be April’s boyfriend. That is, until he needs a date to a destination wedding. And who can say no to a free Hawaiian vacation? But when feelings beyond friendship start to develop, can these two separate the fake from the real? And if they can… Is it worth the risk?“

This story was darling and witty. I really enjoyed Karen’s humor. The romance was sweet with just the right amount of drama.

I did feel like April’s clumsiness was less of a quirky personality trait and more like an unnatural plot device. But it didn’t make me like her any less, the characters were really fun.

There were a few too many blatant innuendos for my taste, but overall it was a charming friends to lovers romance.

***1/2 Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence

Purchase Here

Newly un-engaged, I’ve returned to Sugar Creek to the welcoming arms of my family to make a fresh start. While I have a reputation for being unlucky in love, I’ve just scored the career coup of a lifetime—to work at Hope Farms, a therapy ranch for military veterans. The problem? The owner is the arrogantly handsome Miller James.

He might be an old friend, but Miller’s all grown up now and made it clear I’m not welcome. I’ve got six months to make my program a success, but it’s hard to help others heal with Miller’s interference—and the return of someone from my past. Miller’s got some secrets of his own. After a family tragedy rocked his world, the entrepreneurial genius left his first class life behind to open Hope Farms.

And maybe everything Miller touches does turn to gold, but when my sisters recruit him in their pursuit of my next Mr. Right , Miller gets a little too involved. The lines are blurring between work and romance, and my boss has ideas that make me question his strategies—and his heart. Can two broken people mend enough to heal together? Nothing’s fair in love and farming, but can Miller James and I harvest our own happily ever after?

Jenny writes with fabulous emotions. The Story was insightful, with real and gritty moments.

The character growth was done really well, but there were a few inconsistency with character development that pulled me out. There was also a bit too much push and pull, hot/cold that it lost my interest a time or two. But she did have a lot of fun moments. And I ultimately closed the book impressed with the pain and heart it was told with.

***1/2 Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence

Purchase Here

“For serial dater Mia, life is all about fun, and love is nothing but a game. If she doesn’t put her heart on the line, she doesn’t get hurt.
For overachiever math whiz Josh, life is all about meeting his goals and preparing for Stanford University. He doesn’t have time for fun.
When Mia’s busy social life takes a toll on her academic future, she begs Josh to tutor her before her grades affect her college applications.
Josh agrees to help Mia, on one condition: She promises to play by his rules.
No problem at all…
Until the rule book requires her to ignore her heart.”

I loved the opposites attract chemistry in Mylissa’s story. She did a great job with the tension, but most of all I loved how she wrote their opposites to complement each other.

There was beautiful character growth that Mylissa had come naturally as a result of their interactions with each other.

This book was a little heavy on the innuendos too, but they felt like clever banter more than pointed and awkward. Though a shorter story, I was impressed with how much depth the story and the people in it were given. There was so much heart. From the backgrounds to the potential Mylissa gave them you really fall in love with these two.

**** Low Language, Moderate Romance, Low Violence