The French Perfumer

 The French Perfumer

European Tycoons #2

Leanne Lovegrove

Reviewed by Helen

Kitty Landers is a romantic at heart and has always been that way, even when her mother said there is no such thing, when she starts a job in a perfume shop working for the owners of a perfume manufacturer in Brisbane she soon finds the love for perfume and does everything to learn what she can, she also falls in love with Stuart the owner’s son and she shares her hopes of becoming a perfumer but after many promises Kitty is still working in the shop.

Her wedding day has arrived she is thrilled when she receives a text message, she has just been jilted. with her heart broken she leaves on a plane to Paris for the honeymoon that she was supposed to have, yes in her dress but she cannot stay in Paris and soon departs for Grasse the home of perfume in France and she is one determined woman to become a perfumer and be trained by the best.

Kitty is not looking for love after everything she has been through maybe there really isn’t a HEA but then she meets not one but two very handsome Frenchmen, Henri Beaumont and Pierre Joubert both belong to famous perfume houses. Henri becomes her teacher and Pierre is he becoming her friend one thing is for sure Pierre does believe in her feelings about perfume and her want to become a perfumer where many do not.

Kitty has decided that her ambition to become a perfume maker will take preference over love but Henri wants her and Pierre with his past is a different kettle of fish all together, will one of them win Kitty’s heart, will she become the perfumer she so badly wants to be and will she find love and happiness and believe in that elusive HEA again?

I did love this one so much and my trip to France, another fabulously written story from MS Lovegrove, fabulous characters, emotionally filled story and one that I would highly recommend, I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

February 21, 2025

A Family With the Cowboy

 A Family With the Cowboy

The Westons of Montana #1

Elas Winckler

Reviewed by Helen

First book in a new series what is there not to love when widowed rancher Hayden Weston sets eyes on a beautiful woman in Grey’s Saloon, he has not felt this way since he met his wife, is there change coming in his life? Laura Anderson has just moved to Marietta to take on the role of school teacher, she is thrilled to be in this small town and happy to put all energy into that, she has no thoughts about a man in her life they are always filled with past baggage.

Laura has always encouraged her students to read but when she has a grumpy parent arrive to talk to her about that saying that his child Luke needs to do chores because that is what running a ranch is all about not reading she is shocked and even more so to realise that he is the man who was checking her out the other evening and what’s more her tummy has just filled with butterflies, what is happening?

As their paths cross more and more the sparks and electricity keep ramping up, but Hayden comes across as one very grumpy man and that is because of the loss he has had in his past and as for Laura she has been led to believe that she is not meant to be in a permanent relationship but soon they cannot deny the passion that lurks between them and trying to find time to be together and keep it secret in this town is too hard, will they both realise that love is what they both want and need, will they become a family with young Luke, who I might add loves his new teacher.

I did love this one it is moving and emotional with awesome characters and one that I highly recommend, I am looking forward to the next Weston sibling’s story.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

February 18, 2025 by Tule Publishing

The Secret Reader

 The Secret Reader

Barrington Series #9

Susan Mackie

Reviewed by Helen

When I open up a new Barrington book, it feels like walking into a big family hug, Susan Mackie has created this awesome small town and the “family” who live there with love and so many emotions and as I read the story, I feel every one of those emotions, and I love this series so much, this one sees the book club girls look into a new business one that I am sure will create more memories and wonderful things for the town, there is love in the air and new residents, this is a must read.

Millie is settling into the café really well and her relationship with Finn is growing stronger everyday but her daughter, pastry chef Hannelore (Hanna) is coming to visit they have had an estranged relationship for the last year and Millie is concerned on how things will turn out.

Rachael looks forward to the book club every month being with her friends helps with the grief of losing her daughter, Debbie and now that she and Steve have decided to renovate the apartment upstairs there is also the issue of a vacant shop next to the café, what can they do with that?

Harry Stewart has arrived home after being away for a year, what will his future hold will there be a romance in his life and who will it be, Freddie Campbell, sister to his best friends seems to be flirting but Harry has spotted new girl in town Hanna and there is a spark there will she return it?

Book club isn’t all about the books, it is a bonding of friends and one of their meetings throws around the idea of a book shop in the vacant store and soon it is all systems go in the planning, for the big opening.

This is another beautifully emotional story from one of my favourite authors, I loved the romance between Harry and Hanna and getting the book shop going and all that entails, lives are woven together there are ups and downs along the way but how will everything turn out?

This one left me smiling so very much and truly I can’t wait for my next visit to Barrington, thank you MS Mackie for another brilliant and fabulous story that pulled at my emotions and had me cheering them on, it was a wonderful catch up and the big question who is the secret reader?

My thanks to the author for my ARC to read and review.

5 stars

January 8, 2025 by Small Town Publishing

Falling For The Single Mum Next Door

 Falling For The Single Mum Next Door

Fiona McArthur

Reviewed by Helen

Another beautiful story from Fiona McArthur, filled with emotion and wonderful characters, we are back in Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast and catching up with friends, Paediatrician Henry Oliver has returned after being in England for five years and he is thrilled that the one person he has never forgotten is actually working in the same hospital not only that but they are going to be neighbours.

The last time he saw Nadia was when she had just lost her husband been through a birth that nearly took her life and was caring for her premature baby girl Katie, he was one of the doctors looking after Katie at the time and they formed a friendship, she was beautiful then and still is now and her daughter has grown into a beautiful little girl, but can he convince her that they would be fabulous together?

Nadia has become a very independent person after all she has been through and is determined to never rely on a man, she has built walls around her heart because she must keep Katie safe and happy, but when Dr. Henry Oliver walks back into her world the walls start to crumble with the more time that they spend together and he is one determined man and resisting him is getting very hard, could her life be better with Henry in it?

I loved this story how can anyone not love Henry and Nadia has been hurt in the past and learning to trust and let her fear go is not easy but together the passion ignites can he break those walls down see them to a beautiful HEA? I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good medical romance and of course catching up with friends from the past is always good and babies, I do hope that perhaps Marco may get his own story.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 Stars

January 16, 2025 by Mills & Boon Medical

Royal Fiancée Required

 Royal Fiancée Required

Kali Anthony

Reviewed by Helen

The sensuality and emotions ooze from the pages of this story as written by one of my favourite authors, I loved Ana and Aston so much, could they have a marriage of convenience or will time spent together open up their hearts and their minds to a beautiful future?

Billionaire and heir to the Girard Champagne company, Aston Lane has been told by his parents to marry or lose his birthright and there is only one woman that he has felt a pull to, a Princess no less, one he met at her kingdom’s spring ball will she become his bride?

Princess Anastacia Montroy is a true princess, she is beautiful and was so full of confidence that is until an accident changed her life she is such a caring and loving person but her home life is not what it used to be when after not becoming engaged to the first person her parents chose, they have now chosen another, and this man, Aston Lane is one that she has danced with before and there was chemistry then but that was six months ago before the accident, could there be now with all of her scars.

When he proposed a paper marriage and promises to keep her safe on his yacht in the Mediterranean the passion and chemistry builds, neither can deny the spark and are soon in a very sensual and passionate relationship working towards marriage but will Aston see that loving Ana is what will make him happy can Ana convince him of the life he should be leading?

This is truly a beautiful story that had me turning the pages as it is moving, emotional and just gorgeous, I would highly recommend this on to anyone who lives a fabulous romance. Thank you Kali Anthony for another keeper.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

Expected publication February 12, 2025

The Way to a Cowboy's Heart

 The Way to a Cowboy's Heart

The Hardestys of Montana #4

Barbara Ankrum

Reviewed by Helen

The final book in this fabulous series and I loved it, this family has become friends reading the series and they show how much family means to everyone, Liam is the last sibling not partnered, will a trip to New York see that change will fate step in and see that he too has a HEA?

Emily Quinn is British and has lived in New York for six years and she loves her job on Wall Street as a financial analyst but this day has just turned her life upside down, she is now out of a job, it is raining, she has broken a heel on her shoe and is standing on a the crowded subway with a box of her belongings, when a handsome cowboy steps up to help, the pull is instant, she has never felt this way before, but it is Valentine’s Day, he gets off before her and she does not know his name.

Liam Hardesty is in New York for a christening when he finds himself conversing with a beautiful woman on the subway but sadly he gets off before he has her name he has never felt this way before about a woman especially on their first meeting, is there a chance they will ever meet again?

Emily is having her Valentine’s Day dinner party who should turn up but the cowboy she met today fate really was playing a hand, they spend a few days together and then Liam has to return to Montana, but he invites her to visit. With her visa running out she wants to see Liam to see if things are the way she feels and makes that visit and soon a beautiful sensual relationship is growing but is there an end date, could she stay here with Liam and his family?

I loved this one it really is a beautiful story, fabulous characters and setting, I was cheering them on and the food that Emily makes yum, I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good romance.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

February 6, 2025 by Tule Publishing

After-Hours Proposal

 After-Hours Proposal

Trish Morey

Reviewed by Helen

Second chance romance twenty years apart and I loved it, I loved Mari and Dom so much, can they get over the past and re-kindle the love that has been buried in their hearts for all of these years?

When billionaire Dominico Estefan arrives in Melbourne to take-over a business marrying is not on his mind but when he wants to make sure his mother gets her dying wish and that is that he marry he will go to any lengths to make it happen and when he runs into the woman he loved twenty years ago and she really does not have any feelings for him anymore then MS Mari Peterson is the perfect person.

Mari is devastated that she will be out of a job now that the one person she never thought to see again has taken over the company she works for, but when he makes her an offer that she cannot refuse, this will help her care for her sister she accepts, she is sure that she can keep the wall she has built around her heart up during their marriage.

The more time they spend together the more they both realise that the spark is still there and soon neither can deny it is there and the passion is heating up but they must open up about the past to overcome it, but too soon the marriage must end and Mari moves back to Melbourne against Dom’s wishes. Both of them are suffering will one of them give in and go find the other so as they can have the love and happiness they both deserve so much?

I loved this one so much, it is moving, filled with emotion and so very sensual, Trish Morey has bought her characters to life on the pages made them friends and I was cheering them on throughout this story, it is one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good romance, fabulous story it left me smiling.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

February 12, 2025 by Mills & Boon Modern

What Happens At The Beach

 What Happens At The Beach

Rachael Stewart

Reviewed by Helen

This story is beautiful, just beautiful, filled with romance, emotion, awesome characters a couple of fabulous dogs, the setting is so good, it is, witty, sensual and so very moving come along and meet, Fae, Rick, Precious and Ralph this one is sure to leave any romance lover smiling.

Fae has just lost her home and job, life is changing and she is not sure where she is going to end up but her wealthy step-sister is going on her honeymoon and has asked Fae to dog and house sit in Bondi Beach when she arrives she is stunned to say the least to see the gorgeous house that she will be living in for six weeks, meeting the dog, poodle Precious is fun, but running into the posh neighbor that her sister has told her to be wary off is another thing.

Rick has left England and moved to Australia to get a life as his PA has told in too, get a dog and find some happiness as he continues his philanthropic company here in Australia, things are pretty quiet for him and his Great Dane Ralph that is until he meets his neighbor, pink haired pixie that he first meets on the street, could this be the change he is looking for although nothing permanent that is not for him.

Soon the dogs are bringing Rick and Fae together and the chemistry and sparks fly both have trust issues and a lot from their pasts but talking is easy for them and opening up is good and soon the sensual desire cannot be ignored but this has got to be temporary or will it?

I do highly recommend this one it is truly a gorgeous story, fun and a page turner, you must read this one Rick and Fae are the best and the dogs just gorgeous and they add so much to the story, I loved this one, thank you Rachael Stewart.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

January 15, 2025 by Mills & Boon Forever

The Bad Bridesmaid

 The Bad Bridesmaid

Rachael Johns

Reviewed by Helen

We met Winifred Darling, Fred in The Other Bridget Jones, which I loved and now Fred who does not believe in love at all and who is writing a book called 21 Rules For Not Catching Feelings has just been asked to be maid of honour at her mother’s sixth wedding to say she is not happy is beyond belief but when an all expenses trip to Norfolk Island is offered by her soon to be new step father and her mother so badly wants her there she decides that it will be a good break to write over the week, we will see.

Always on the lookout for good looking men Fred spies a very handsome one at the airport and nick names him hot-muso and is shocked to find out when they arrive at the resort that he is going to be her new step-brother, Leo but getting to know him they realise that neither of them are keen on this marriage and set a up “operation Break-up” to stop the wedding at least for the time being, will they succeed?

The only problem is that the more time they spend together creating plans the more time that the feelings neither were looking for grow and OMG is Fred starting to break her 21 rules of catching feelings? Leo and Fred live on opposite sides of the world and both have very different thoughts on love and what it brings could there be a chance that together they can work through Fred’s rules?

I did love this one and Leo he is the best and of course Fred how can you not love Fred, this one made me laugh, smile and sigh as the things that happen on Norfolk Island cause dramas throughout the two families the setting is beautiful and the many characters from each family are wonderful, this is one that I highly recommend, make time for reading because you will not want to put it down after you pick it up.

Thank you Rachael Johns for another brilliant story you never fail to make me smile.

My thanks to Penguin Random House AU and Netgalley for my ARC to read and review.

5 stars

January 28, 2025 by Penguin eBooks

Destined for the Cowboy

 Destined for the Cowboy

Home at Last Texas #2

Justine Davis

Reviewed by Helen

We met Trista, in the first book in this series and I really liked her and wanted to see her find love again after losing her husband seven years before and when she literally runs into Logan Fox in a barn, will this be the start of something new?

Logan Fox is blacksmith and horse whisperer and a very well respected man in Last Stand, he is quiet and likes his privacy, his childhood has shaped him this way and finding love is not something that he feels he deserves but when he meets Trista Thorpe Carhart he feels at ease with her like with no one else.

Both Logan and Trista are very interested in history and while on outings to the local historical sites they run into each other and soon they realise that there is bond growing between them, they are so in tune with each other, will Trista be able to break down the walls that Logan has built around his heart and show him that they can love, will Trista be able to finally say goodbye to her late husband and look to the future?

This is a lovely, lovely romance, emotional, moving and heart-warming as Logan and Trista find their way to love and along the way the author has taken me on a magical tour of Texas, I loved the setting and the characters and it is one that I highly recommend to any reader of a good romance.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

January 28, 2025 by Tule Publishing