Always On My Mind – Jill Shalvis

***Disclaimer: I got an e-copy of this book for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion. So here it is!***

Summary:

Leah Sullivan and Jack Harper have been friends since they were kids, growing up next door to each other. Jack was always Leah’s refuge from her less-than-perfect home life. Now, after participating in a reality baking competition, Leah’s back in town to run her grandma’s bakery. Hoping to lift the spirits of Jack’s mother, Leah tells her that she and Jack are dating! But what starts out as acting, soon becomes an attraction that neither can resist!

Review:

You have no idea how excited I was to get approved for this title! Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors OF ALL TIME! And this book did not disappoint! It was fun to watch the characters come together and break each and every one of their own rules. With so much history between the characters, you really feel like they’re made for each other. And there’s a subplot where an arsonist is setting fires to different buildings throughout the town, which heightens the pace, and keeps the story moving. And after reading the excerpt for the next book, I’m even more excited for “Once in a Lifetime” which conveniently comes out just before Valentine’s Day! I’ll have to make sure to drop hints to the husband!

Rating:

Fully Engaged – Eve Gaddy

***Disclaimer: I got an e-copy of this book for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion.***

Summary:

9 years ago, Rick Montana broke his engagement with Callie Kilpatrick with a phone call and no explanation. But Rick never stopped loving Callie, and when he realizes that he’s been played the fool by his scheming father, he seeks her out to explain why he left her all those years ago. After seeing her picture in the paper and realizing that they are both working to fight forest fires with hotshot crews, he pulls all the strings he can to land a transfer. But after all Cal has lost, she’s slow to forgive and forget. Now they must work together to catch a serial arsonist and a murderer, before it’s too late.

Review:

Finally! A good contemporary romance featuring a strong female in a difficult job! Sure, owning a bookstore/cafe/B&B/other girly small business can be tough, but it’s rare that you find a book with the female lead doing something in a male dominated field (fantastic exception to the rule: stock car driver Kendall Holbrook in The Chase by Erin McCarthy) Gaddy also does an amazing job keeping everyone true to character. The dynamics between Cal and Rick, Cal and Sean, and Rick and Sean are spot on. The arson plot line really keeps you guessing. I didn’t figure it out until just before the characters did! Sometimes you just get frustrated with the characters for not telling each other important information, but it’s not because they are afraid, it’s just because the other characters aren’t ready to hear/believe it yet. It really shows how well the author understands human interaction. Altogether a terrific read, I could barely put it down!

Rating: