Contemporary Romance Reviews

A Touch of Spring Magic

Southern Love Spells #2

Sinclair Jayne

Reviewed by Helen

Romance is magical, and when the Maye daughters have in their hands a book of Southern love spells that could or could not be a family heirloom, how will it work, we saw Chloe find love in the first book but will Jessica find love in this time, Jessica is very different from Chloe but when she loses her CPA job this is maybe a time to change her life and make dreams come true but that does include love?

Jessica is shocked when she is dismissed from the job but could this be her chance to do what she has always wanted to do and that is start a nursey, get her hands dirty and now that she will have the time on the project that she has already started while living on the family’s farm, then the pressure is on when she agrees to host Chloe and Rustin’s bridal shower, will she and her sisters get it done in time?

Brent ‘Storm’ Stevens has moved back to town to help with his grandparents he is a landscape architect and he needs a job and when the girl who he has always held a spot in his heart needs help even if she says she doesn’t her sisters and Grandma Millie hire him to help her, she is not happy about it and tells Storm just that, could this work out?

Jessica is one stubborn woman and then that silly book of Southern Love Spells keeps finding it’s way back into Jessica’s home no matter how many time she sends it somewhere and then it pops out of draws and Jessica is not going to give into it, no way but Strom is very interested in this book and the more time they spend working on the garden the more time their hearts get to open up to love.

This is a lovely romance, a lovely setting and wonderful characters, filled with emotion it is witty and fun and this is one that I do highly recommend, I am really looking forward to Meghan’s story, I am sure that any romance reader will love this one.

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

4 stars

March 25, 2025 by Tule Publishing

The Venice Reunion Arrangement

Michelle Douglas

Reviewed by Helen

What a story, what a romance, what a trip to Venice, Michelle Douglas has again taken me on a beautiful, emotional and absolutely fabulous trip, I loved Hallie and Lucas, come along and meet them, make sure you have nothing else planned because you won’t want to put this one down once you pick it up.

Hallie has been back in Sydney for the last seven years and has quite a reputation for the wonderful artist she is, but when her ex-fiancé bids on her services as an artist at a charity auction she is going to make this all business and not personal at all, or that is what she was hoping but when Lucas also requests that she become his fake fiancé to make is beloved grandfather’s last wishes come true Hallie cannot refuse and so is whisked off to Venice and the beautiful palazzo with her own studio.

Lucas once loved Hallie but all of that changed seven years ago, so he thought but the more time they spend together with his grandfather Enrico matchmaking the more Lucas is seeing that maybe he never stopped loving her and that he was part of the past problems, but is there a chance that they can find the love they had, when Hallie is called back to Sydney urgently he goes with her and here the pull and chemistry ignites.

Hallie had her list to keep her reminded why she should not fall in love with Lucas again, but time together changed all of that, maybe she never stopped loving him and the road to true happiness does not always run smoothly will they get their HEA now after all of these years, are second chances better than the first?

I loved this one from start to finish, there were so many emotional moments that brought tears to my eyes and fabulous characters, and I loved Enrico, and of course I can’t forget the gorgeous setting of Venice, this is one that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a gorgeous romance, it left me smiling.

Many thanks Michelle Douglas for another keeper.

5 stars

March 19, 2025 by Mills & Boon Forever

The Wedding Twist

The McCarthy Sisters #2

Elle Douglas

Reviewed by Helen

Book two in this lovely series about a gorgeous lodge in the Rocky Mountains of Canada and stories of the McCarthy sisters in the first book we learnt a lot about the lodge and now starts the daughter’s stories the eldest is Celeste and she loves the lodge, come and meet her and the other fabulous characters, will Celeste find the man of her dreams?

Celeste has lived and worked at the lodge since forever and she adores it and she is very good at what she does so when her parents tell them they are going to sell it this turns Celeste’s world upside down, she will need another job first she needs to book an accountancy course, her sister Ava books it but when Celeste arrives she finds out she has been booked into a fly fishing course on making flies, oh but the teacher is quite a dish.

Jack Wallace loves the outdoors and lives for it he runs a fly fishing business but needs to boost his income and takes on teaching students to make their own flies, it is a small class but he is quite impressed when one of his students is the intriguing Celeste and Jack is soon finding himself captured by her in so many ways, could there be a chance for him to improve his business and find love?

When Celeste needs Jack’s help with a wedding at the lodge this time together brings them even closer but will they be able overcome the hurdles that are put in place to find the love and happiness that they both deserve because the sparks fly between them.

I loved this one it is a beautifully told romance in a gorgeous setting with fabulous characters it is sure to entrance any romance reader and is one that I highly recommend.

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

4 stars

March 18, 2025 by Tule Pubslihing

The Cowboy's Undoing

Grit and Grace #3

Leah Vale

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series, five young woman who start Grit and Grace Rodeo Roughstock Company they lease a ranch to bread and raise stock that is used in Rodeos, this is Beth Dawson’s story, Beth is the animal wrangler and has a heart of gold and has a special way with animals and humans so when it appears that there is a feral dog hanging around the pregnant heifers on the ranch Beth is determined to save the dog but will she lose her heart to the ranch manager in doing so?

Ranch manger Justin Chadwick loves his job and the Halliday family and gladly takes on the new role he is offered at the A Bar H Ranch, getting to know the woman who run it has been good they are strong and determined woman but then there is Beth, she is beautiful and so positive about everything and when he needs to keep the ranch’s livestock safe he will do what he has to even if it is the last thing he wants to do.

Beth ensures that she and Justin are together while minding the heifers and here they open up a bit about their past lives on the long cold night in the paddock and they also over the few days of protecting stock and organizing a bridal arch for Sammie and Alec’s wedding realise that maybe the dog is not feral after all.

This is a beautiful romance I loved seeing the interaction between the pair and seeing Beth break down some walls that Justin had built around his heart, they have such a sensual chemistry and yes I think they were meant to be together and I would highly recommend this to any romance reader who loves a moving and heartfelt romance, thank you for another fabulous installment in this series, I am looking forward to the next one.

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

4 stars

March 11, 2025 by Tule Publishing

Beached Wedding by Dani Collins

Reviewed by Nas Dean

I recently read Beached Wedding by Dani Collins, and it was such a delightful read! The storyline is charming and full of heart, with great chemistry between the characters.

The setting adds a perfect backdrop for the romance, making it a relaxing yet engaging book.

Dani Collins has a way of creating relatable characters and emotions, making it easy to get lost in the story. Overall, a fun and enjoyable romance that I highly recommend!

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Helen's Review

This is a fun, witty, sensual and slow burn romance when Ashley Barnes finds herself eagerly awaiting her soon to be husband, Shane at the airport in Hawaii but instead of Shane, his best friend and best man Fox arrives with a message that Shane no longer wants to get married, Ashley is devastated and so is Fox, how on earth is this all going to work out with both families here for the wedding Shane’s from Australia and Ashley’s from Canada, let the drama begin.

Fox feels very responsible for this disaster but he is a true friend to both Shane and Ashley and truly thought he was doing what was right and Ashley is so very mad at him, but he is determined to support Ashley because she truly is his friend but the more time they spend together doing the things that Shane and her would have been doing, sunset cruising, partner massages the more both are realising that maybe there is something between them and maybe Shane not coming was for the best, but is it, can they go there, off-limits relationship this will be if it goes anywhere?

I did thoroughly enjoy this one, so many smiles and dramas with Ashley’s family but the sensual romance that builds between Ashley and Felix is beautiful, steamy and wonderful this is one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good romance and I loved my trip to Hawaii, MS Collins made me feel like I was there.

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

4 stars

January 25, 2025 by Dani Collins

A Miracle on Chance Avenue

Love on Chance Avenue #2

Jane Porter

Reviewed by Helen

I do love a Christmas story even if it is March and this one is beautiful, snow, mountains and Marietta, fabulous characters who could want more? Yes I have had it on my TBR pile for a long time and I have to read book one yet but I loved it.

Sadie Mann has loved extreme bull rider Rory Douglas since she was thirteen and as she has grown up she spent a lot of time following him around the circuit when she could and always watching from the stands she had a wish but sadly never built up the courage to actually meet him, the last time was beside his hospital bed when he had been badly injured and she decided that it was time to change her wishes and think about her future.

Rory Douglas left Marietta many years ago after a family tragedy and has stayed away but he has come home not necessarily for Christmas but for another reason and he finally meets the woman who has been in his dreams for many years although he never met her personally he knew she was watching form the stands and he decides that it is time to get to know her but will this change his life?

This is a beautifully written and very emotional story as Rory and Sadie get to know each other and open up about their lives and I loved it, I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series and I do highly recommend it, Jane Porter writes stories filled with heart and love and this one is sure to leave you smiling.

5 stars

December 8, 2017 by Tule Publishing

A Snowy River Summer

Stella Quinn

Reviewed by Helen

Stella Quinn has taken her readers on the best trip back to the small Snowy Mountain town of Hanrahan, we have met Kylie before she is Hannah Cody’s best friend and Kylie is a real country girl and mechanic and is determined to find a farmer to love and marry and give little kids in gum boots, but finding that man is decidedly hard there are not many eligible men in Hanrahan, so Kylie joins RuRo romance dating site with the heading “Lady Mechanic seeks love in the Country” will she find the one?

Damon Johns is a very arrogant Sydney Barrister, he works hard and never loses a case he just keeps going but is it time that he slows down before his body tells him too, when he is pulled over by a RBT cop and loses his licence his best friends step in and demand that he has a time out before it is too late, he is not a happy man at all how dare they but he takes off in a taxi and finds himself at a lonely motel with Dr. Gloom talking to him when his mother of all people rings and ask him to go to the Snowy mountain town and check out a small property that has been left to her and get it ready to sell, could this be the thing that changes his life?

What Damon finds when he arrives at Snowy River Vineyard is not what he expected besides the beautiful property there is a dog, Alfie who needs lots of love and care there is so much to take in before he gets it ready for sale and then he meets the beautiful mechanic, who would have thought that him, Damon would feel this way about a woman in overalls.

When Kylie arrives at the vineyard and finds tall dark and handsome severing scones and tea in an apron her heart jumps there is an instant attraction but she feels he is not the one, he could never stay in the country and become her farmer but as they get closer Kylie cannot deny what her heart wants even if Damon is determined to get back to the city, and as for Damon this lifestyle seems to be making him see what life is all about and Kylie plays a big part in that could he find a way to make it work because he is feeling that leaving Kylie, Alfie and Hanrahan might be a big mistake.

I loved this one it is witty, fun and romantic I loved Kylie and Damon so very much truly I laughed , I cried happy tears and found it very hard to put this one down, I loved Alfie and catching up with the awesome characters who live in Hanrahan and I do hope that we can visit again.

I highly recommend this one, it is a must read and absolutely awesome story.

My thanks to Harlequin AU and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

March 1, 2025 by HQ Fiction

How to Lose a Cowboy in Ten Days

The Halligans of Montana #3

Kaz Delaney

Reviewed by Helen

Will another Halligan brother find the love of his life? Jack Halligan knows that there is something missing in his life he has stopped dating as much as he used to, is he thinking about settling down like two of his brothers have already, maybe not but that just might change when Hollywood actress Liberty Fox arrives in Marietta, Liberty arrives to be ambassador the Halligan Nash charity but she has a secret agenda and that is to find her birth mother, meeting the handsome cowboy Jack Halligan just might break down some walls but trust does not come easy for Liberty.

Jack and Liberty hit it off straight away and the witty banter between them adds to them both opening up and soon they are getting on really well but neither are looking for a relationship but when there is a threat made on Liberty Jack steps in to ensure that she is protected and soon they are residing together at Jack’s gorgeous home on the family ranch and here they open up to each other and you can feel the walls around their hearts breaking down, they can feel the pull but should they follow that pull or run in the opposite direction.

This is another absolutely gorgeous romance in this series, Jack and Liberty are just the best couple it is witty, fun, emotional and I was cheering them on while turning the pages, but will Liberty find her mother? I loved seeing the walls break down around both of these strong and beautiful people and the ending is just so good there were lots of happy tears from me, of course catching up with the other Halligans was awesome and now I can’t wait to read Leo’s story. I loved this one so much and highly recommend to any lover of a good romance.

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

5 stars

March 4, 2025 by Tule Publishing

The Cowboy's Secret Babies

The Careys of Cowboy Ponit #3

Megan Crane

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series and I think this one is my favourite so far, two people have known each other all of their lives they had one magical night in Texas but the next morning it was made clear that that was it, Rosie Stark soon found out she was pregnant and made her way home to Cowboy Point there she became a mother to twin boys and never told anyone who the father was, she never told Ryder Carey he was a father either although she always knew that one day it would happen and has wondered why it has taken too long and now the time has come.

Ryder Carey left Cowboy Point many years ago to make his life on the rodeo circuit and becoming a champion bull rider, but with news from home that his father is not well he is finally coming home to family, two of his brothers including his twin have now married, that is not in his plans but then he decides to visit Rosie who has stayed entrenched in his heart since that night, when he arrives and sees that she has twin boys who have identical eyes to his then he knows he is a father and nothing is going to stop him from being a proper father.

The more time they spend together the more the sparks fly between them and it is not long before their time together is spent more passionately the boys love their father but is there a future for them all as a proper family, when Ryder asks her to marry him could they make it happen when love seems to be one sided or does Ryder love Rosie?

I did love this one the ending is so beautiful, I loved Rosie, Ryder and Levi and Eli and all of the wonderful Carey family characters, will Zeke Carey’s plan to have all of his boys married work? I do highly recommend this one and the series and I look forward to the next one.

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

5 stars

February 25, 2025 by Tule Publishing

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