This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Jove
Released on July 7, 2015
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
How happy was I to receive this lovely, summery anthology featuring a few of my favorite authors! I’ve decided to do little mini-reviews on each story since there are four of them.
Midnight Bet by Jodi Thomas 4 Stars
Harmony series
This novella tackled the love interests of two cousins who get shot at and both are convinced that they are the target. Rick Mattheson is a small town lawyer who helps put criminals away and makes enemies. He fell in love with a US Marshall who left him behind. This is his chance to get her back. Lizzie Mattheson is the eccentric cousin of the family, but all say there is no harm in their bumbling relation. Who could possibly want to killer? Yet, someone is sending threats in the mail and even Lizzy isn’t this accident-prone. Lizzie finds that for all this, she is the happiest she has ever been because reclusive and quiet Dr. McCall seems keen to protect her.
Things get a little choppy especially when it comes to Rick and Trace’s story. Maybe it was introduced in an earlier book in the series? I enjoyed this shorter piece and would love to read more of the Harmony series. Humor, light tones, and small town romance were a hit.
You’ll Be Mine by Marie Force 3.5 stars
#4.5 Green Mountain series
A wedding, a wedding! For fans of Will and Cam, this front row seat to their wedding festivities would be a really, delicious follow-up treat. Welcoming the bride’s dad, rehearsal night and late night antics, nostalgia, family togetherness, tender love, moose sighting, sultry honeymooners, and an adventure for another couple. This was my first intro to the couple, the Abbotts and the whole Green Mountain series. I’ve definitely been missing out.
Wrapped Around Your Finger by Shirley Jump 4 stars
Southern Belle Book Club series
Sweetheart Sisters series
A tomboy who’s afraid of love and something permanent accepts her best friend’s dare to bring her co-worker to the wedding. Nick plays his role only too well leaving Maggie confused about what she thought she always wanted.
This sweet and sweltering Southern small town romance hit the spot. I enjoyed the tie-in to both series and both these characters. Nick was quite the charmer and I loved the way he worked past Maggie’s strong, stubborn heart.
Carolina Heart by Virginia Kantra 4.5 Stars
Dare Island series
Saved the best for last, I guess, when it came to my favorite story of the anthology. The poignant and touching story of a one time wild girl and the high school geek who both grow up and fall in love with the weary, lonely people yet still hopeful that they have become. Max was the perfect hero as he patiently waited for Cynthie, gave her the emotional strength she needed, and adored her girls. He shored up all the cracks with love and respect and in return, he got the woman he had dreamed of for so long. This was part of a series, but would standalone just fine.
In summary, this was a fantastic line-up of stories and hit the spot for a lazy, hot summer day. I was mostly familiar with these authors and enjoyed their storytelling, but it was nice to try one new to me and add her to the list of enjoyable writers. Each story was from a series, but only You’ll Be Mine was strongly attached with the rest doing fine as standalones. I would definitely recommend this anthology to Contemporary Romance fans who like a variety of plots and some sugar and spice blended nicely in their romances.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Romance Roundabout #272
Cliché Klatch #159 ‘friends with benefits’
New to Me #135 author/series
Books N Tunes #42 LeAnne Rimes ‘Good Hearted Woman’
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I’m not the hugest fan of anthologies, but this sounds like one I would pick up during winter when I want a little summer fun hehe
I do the same thing, Sarah. I read a winter story just for a cool down last week.
I like anthologies when I can find a new to me author to like and enjoy the stories in the book.
Me too, Mary. This was actually more of a reunion with three of the four authors for me. Just Marie Force was new to me. I liked that this one had stories from favorite series, but the reader has the choice whether they want to grab this for the series or pass it.
Oh yep. I agree on most of that 🙂 The last was my favorite as well. I love that series so was nice to visit it again. I hadn’t read any of the other authors. I’m curious about the first one too and if it had others to go with it. I totally forgot to look that up back when I read it.
The first one is part of the Harmony series, but I’m not sure which book it follows up on b/c I didn’t look closely at the blurbs for the back books in the series.
The first one is part of the Harmony series, but I’m not sure which book it follows up on b/c I didn’t look closely at the blurbs for the back books in the series.
I’m not the hugest fan of anthologies, but this sounds like one I would pick up during winter when I want a little summer fun hehe
I do the same thing, Sarah. I read a winter story just for a cool down last week.