REVIEW: "Twice Shy" by Sarah Hogle (Contemporary Romance)

TWICE SHY by Sarah Hogle
	Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: April 6th, 2021 Standalone: Yes
Description from Publisher:
Can you find real love when you've always got your head in the clouds? Maybell Parish has always been a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. But living in her own world has long been preferable to dealing with the disappointments of real life. So when Maybell inherits a charming house in the Smokies from her Great-Aunt Violet, she seizes the opportunity to make a fresh start. Yet when she arrives, it seems her troubles have only just begun. Not only is the house falling apart around her, but she isn't the only inheritor: she has to share everything with Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper who's as grouchy as he is gorgeous—and it turns out he has very different vision for the property's future. Convincing the taciturn Wesley to stop avoiding her and compromise is a task more formidable than the other dying wishes Great-Aunt Violet left behind. But when Maybell uncovers something unexpectedly sweet beneath Wesley's scowls, and as the two slowly begin to let their guard down, they might learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one's comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
Are there words for the wonderfulness of Wesley?? I wasn't entirely sure what to think of him for awhile, but then about 30% in, he came out of his shell and showed that he is sweet, funny, considerate, and charming. His awkwardness and honesty are incredibly endearing, and refreshing even, in a world where too often the alpha male is worshipped. Maybell was quite likeable, too. I had to actually laugh at how she left things with her employer, as I actually left an equally awful job in an eerily similar way (right down to the "friend" assuming I was leaving on a break!). She was a dreamer, with quite the active imagination, and I could also understand her escapism quite well. This is a slow burn, sweet romance with a bit of spice (just enough to showcase their chemistry without pulling you out of the story). Maybell and Wesley are stuck together, as co-inheritors of a large, run-down estate in the middle of nowhere. For awhile, they don't appear to get along especially well, until they start to open up and get to know one another. I adore more realistic (and awkward) romances. Nice guys are my kryptonite. If both are true of you, as well, you will love this one!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author:
Sarah Hogle is a mom of three who enjoys trashy TV and provoking her husband for attention. Her dream is to live in a falling-apart castle in a forest that is probably cursed. Her novels are You Deserve Each Other, Twice Shy, Just Like Magic, and Old Flames and New Fortunes.

REVIEW: "The Accidental Text" by Becky Monson (Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy)

THE ACCIDENTAL TEXT by Becky Monson
	Genre: Rom Com/Contemporary Romance Publication Date: January 6th 2021 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
All the Feels, Sports (leisure adventure sports), Nice Guy
Other Books by Becky Monson
Description from Publisher:
Wrong number. Right guy? Once upon a time, Maggie Cooper lived for adventure. Jumping out of planes was child’s play. Now she can’t even work up the nerve to ask out her coworker. For a bit of self-therapy, she begins to text her recently deceased mother’s phone—the only problem is that the number has been reassigned and for weeks she’s been unknowingly texting a stranger her deepest thoughts and feelings. There have also been some not-so-deep texts, like the ones about her appreciation for her coworker’s butt. When Chase Beckett, the unsuspecting stranger who has more in common with Maggie than he’d like to admit, texts back, Maggie is beyond mortified. But message after message and night after night, Maggie realizes that Chase’s wit, charm, and advice are exactly what the doctor ordered. Is it enough, though, to get her back up in the sky? And what about her heart? Can she risk taking a leap of faith for the man on the other end of her accidental texts?
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
This made me cry!! This is a story about Maggie, who lost her mom, who was also one of her best friends, and is trying to keep herself from falling apart. One of her main coping mechanisms is texting her feelings to her mom's phone. Which is working okay until she realizes that her texts are actually going to a live person who is a complete stranger... A complete stranger who happens to be a guy, who loses his own mother not long after he reveals that Maggie has been texting HIM. They rely on one another for comfort and solidarity, as well as advice and eventually companionship. The way that grief was handled was really, absolutely wonderful. The emotions of every character, even the supporting characters, felt so genuine. It also made me laugh and smile, a lot. The dynamics between Maggie and her siblings, and with Chase and Hannah, also felt very real, and the humor was a nice balance to the heavier emotions. The chemistry between Chase and Maggie was also palpable. I loved them together! They were there in support, as well as to push each other to do what they needed to do. They were just so darn cute! The only thing that I wanted that this didn't have was a bit more sexy times between these two, but, alas, it's a sweet romance. ;)
My Source: I borrowed this using Kindle Unlimited to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and 100% my own.

About the Author: Becky Monson
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.

REVIEW: "A Long Walk Home" by Piper Landen (Romantic Comedy)

A LONG WALK HOME by Piper Landen
	Publisher: Patchwork Press Genre: Romantic Comedy, Chick Lit Publication Date: December 27th 2016 Series: Happawly Ever After Romance, #1 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Closed door romance, Animals (Dogs), Nice Guy
Description from Publisher:
It’s going to take more than a little luck and a lost dog to bring two lost souls together. When a crooked-eared dog with a big heart and no owner to be found sprinted across Casey’s path, she had no way of knowing just how much her life would change. After agreeing to temporarily foster the lost mutt, she finds a new purpose in working with a local rescue—despite having no idea how to take care of a dog. She can barely take care of herself. A lost dog isn't the only chance encounter Casey will have at her local park. Charlie may have known a lot more about dogs than Casey, but it was his green eyes and relentless smile that first drew her to him. But, as the two of them connect and sparks fly, Charlie’s past comes back for him. They will both have to decide whether to face their secrets or let their pasts hold them back from finding happiness together.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This was sweet. I really identified with Casey from thr beginning wigh her social awkwardness and introversion. And then came Baloo, who pretty much stole the show. I also really liked Charlie and what a nice guy he was, especially how unassuming he was (I am all about the beta guys *sigh*). This was a fun and thoughtful rom-com that was definitely for dog lovers. The real romance here was Baloo and his new owners. Which was very sweet. I liked all of the details about dog rescues and how much character growth Baloo brought on, as well as how he warmed up. Could have possibly used more development on the human relationship side, though it was a pleasant read. It reminded me of one of those Hallmark movies that gives you the warm fuzzies.
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my own.

About the Author: Piper Landen
Piper Landen is an author of adult and new adult contemporary titles focused on romance and friendship. She hails from somewhere that’s always either way too hot or way too cold so spends most of her time inside reading and writing, while cuddling her dogs.

💑REVIEW: "Love's in the Cards" by Becky Lower (Contemporary Romance)

LOVE'S IN THE CARDS by Becky Lower
	Publisher: Wild Rose Press Genre: Romance Publication Date: December 7th 2016
Description from Publisher:
Penny Beedle’s outlook on Christmas, as her favorite holiday, was destroyed by a messy breakup years earlier and a botched wedding last year—both on Christmas Eve. But since she and her sister now own a greeting card store, and the holidays are their crazy selling season, she has to put on a happy face. Del Madison has loved Penny since kindergarten. Commissioned by a big greeting card company for a line of Christmas and Valentine’s cards, he has to emerge from behind his alter ego and unveil himself to the public. He chooses Penny Beedle’s shop for the big reveal. If he plays his cards right, he just might gain Penny as part of his life.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
This is cute and the premise is fun. I like the development of Penny and Del's relationship, but am not a big fan of all the drama. These people are old enough that high school exes should be behind them (and the blatant stereotypes are off-putting). This was a lot like a Hallmark movie - quaint characters who are incredibly wholesome, light and trite story (I feel like kindergarten through 3rd grade is a bit too young for any "romance" foundation, but I guess that's me), evil & shallow villains, suspension of belief left & right... I couldn't help but feel that this was very old-fashioned as well. The characters and the word choices, the dialogue... It had a bit of a politeness to it that felt like it should have been set in the 40s or 50s. Not really my cup of tea, but it is a quick, short read.
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Becky Lower
I have been fascinated by the development of the United States my entire life, so it’s only natural that I write historical and contemporary romances set in America. I use my writing as an excuse to tour the country as much as possible. I now live in an eclectic college town in Ohio with my puppy-mill rescue dog, Mary.