February 2024 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Bright Spot
Jill Shalvis
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063235762, $30.00, HC, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Spot-Novel-Sunrise-Cove/dp/0063235757

Synopsis: Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting isn't on t=
he list. However, she's a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Ad=
opted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, she's create=
d her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to =
help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm.

With a farm-to-table cafe as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (comple=
te with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stas=
h of decidedly not organic potato chips), it's the best home she's ever kno=
wn. But when the owner Silas, who they secretly call The Grinch, passes awa=
y, Luna discovers the farm is now under control of his investment manager, =
the enigmatic Jameson Hayes... and her. And that Silas had many, many secre=
ts.

Now Luna's carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and she (=
along with some help from her friends) has to dig deep to find true strengt=
h and the real meaning of love and family.

Critique: A riveting great read from start to finish, "The Bright Star" by =
talented novelist Jill Shalvis is as original as it is fun and especially r=
ecommended for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in the=
 kind of rom-coms that Hallmark Channel movies are made. Laced with humor a=
nd memorable characters, "The Bright Star" will prove a welcome and popular=
 pick for community library Contemporary Romance & Women's Fiction collecti=
ons. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Bright Star" i=
s also available in a paperback edition (9780063235755, $18.99) and in a di=
gital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Jill Shalvis (www.jillshalvis.com) lives in a small town in=
 the Sierras full of quirky characters. She claims that any resemblance to =
the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental!

It Takes a Rake
Anna Bennett
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250793959, $8.99, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Rake-Rogues-Lovers/dp/1250793955

Synopsis: Since she was a girl, Miss Kitty Beckett has been adept at findin=
g trouble: sneaking brandy, running away, and getting under the skin of the=
 boy who, like her, was an apprentice to an architect. Now Kitty's a talent=
ed heiress who can take a dry building plan and breathe life into it with h=
er pencils and paints. Also? She can spot a rake at a hundred yards - and s=
he won't be tricked or charmed into marriage. Certainly not by a man who mi=
ght interfere with her dreams. When Bellehaven Bay announces its first ever=
 architectural design contest, she vows to win -- with a little help from h=
er childhood rival.

Leo Lockland, a hardworking architect with a gift for numbers, has returned=
 home after a few years in London, and he has secrets. The biggest? He's be=
en in love with Kitty since they were both apprentices. She refuses to give=
 her heart to any man, but Leo's determined to beat the odds - even if it m=
eans learning how to be a rake. Fortunately, Kitty's willing to tutor him i=
n the nuances of fashion, flirtation, and seduction in exchange for his hel=
p with the contest. But the whole plan would fall apart if she knew how he =
felt, so he'll have to be very convincing.

Leo proves to be a surprisingly quick study in the ballroom, on the beach, =
and in the bedchamber. Before long, he's softening Kitty's hard edges with =
his wicked words and kissing his way past all her defenses. Perhaps she's a=
 bit too skilled at teaching, because her lessons are threatening to backfi=
re, putting her closely guarded heart in grave danger!

Critique: A fun read from start to finish, and of special and particular in=
terest to dedicated fans of Regency Romance novels, "It Takes a Rake" is th=
e third title in author Anna Bennett's 'Rogues to Lovers' series. While esp=
ecially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and communi=
ty library Historical Romance collections, it should be noted that "It Take=
s a Rake" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99=
).

Editorial Note: Anna Bennett (https://annabennettauthor.com) is the award-w=
inning author of the Debutante Diaries and Wayward Wallflowers series. Her =
dream of writing romance began during a semester in London, where she fell =
in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. Now Anna's living happily=
-ever-after in Maryland with her family, who try valiantly not to roll thei=
r eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen.

Calling on the Matchmaker
Jody Hedlund
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764242236, $29.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Calling-Matchmaker-Shanahan-Match-Book/dp/B0CP4JBLNS

Synopsis: Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved =
that she's not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her da=
ys caring for immigrants in the slums. Unwilling to consider marriage, Fino=
la has perfected the ability to sabotage the relationships her parents arra=
nge for her. At wit's end, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker=
, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. After her usual =
tricks fail, Finola quickly realizes she can't outsmart or outwit the dashi=
ng, determined, and daring man.

A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union w=
ith the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning--=
and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a =
cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a bu=
rgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and=
 sacrifice.

Critique: Escape to 1849 St. Louis in author Jody Hedlund's "Calling on the=
 Matchmaker", an original, deftly crafted, rather daring and intensely roma=
ntic tale. Especially recommended to the attention of readers with an inter=
est in Christian and History Romance novels, as well as community library H=
istorical Romance collections, it should be noted that "Calling on the Matc=
hmaker is also available from Bethany House Publishers in a paperback editi=
on (9780764241963, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note: Jody Hedlund (www.JodyHedlund.com) is the author of more th=
an fifty novels and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet hist=
orical romances with plenty of sizzle.

Piqued and Repiqued
Judith Hale Everett
Evershire Publishing
https://evershirepublishing.com
9781958720011, $15.99, HC, 350pp

https://www.amazon.com/Piqued-Repiqued-traditional-Branwell-Chronicles/dp/1=
958720011

Synopsis: Jonathan Blysdale has risen from wealthy tradesman's son to gentl=
eman in the highest circles of Society through sheer determination. When he=
 catches sight of Lady Athena Dibbington, he knows he has found the jewel t=
o crown his achievement. But Lady Athena was bred to marry no less than a m=
arquess, and she has no patience with the attentions of one so far beneath =
her as Blysdale.

Yet it is not beneath Lady Athena to sustain her lifelong friendship with t=
he awkward and outspoken Iris Slougham, whose family's wealth also originat=
ed in trade. This very peculiarity inspires Iris to further Blysdale's suit=
, for she is convinced there is more to him than ambition. But will her unc=
onventional efforts to help secure her friend's happiness do more harm than=
 good?

Critique: An original and thoroughly fun read from start to finish, "Piqued=
 and Repiqued" deftly showcases author Judith Hale Everett's complete maste=
ry of the Regency Romance genre, as well as her impressive and effective sk=
ills as a novelist in creating the kind of narrative driven storytelling st=
yle that will keep the reader's total attention from first page to last. Wh=
ile also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kin=
dle, $4.99), "Piqued and Repiqued" is especially and unreservedly recommend=
ed community library Regency Romance collections.

Editorial Note: Judith Hale Everett (www. judithhaleeverett.com.) is an awa=
rd-winning author who writes tongue-in-cheek traditional Regency romance in=
 an immersive style perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, wi=
th emphasis on delightful language and historical accuracy (no forays into =
the bedroom). As one of seven sisters, Judith grew up surrounded by romance=
 novels. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen were staples, and formed the groun=
dwork for her lifelong love affair with the Regency. Add to that her obsess=
ion with the English language and you've got one hopelessly literate romant=
ic. She was a finalist in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for her third =
book, Forlorn Hope.

The Space Between
Sarah Ready
https://sarahready.com
W. W. Crown
https://wwcrown.com
9781954007550, $29.99, HC, 474pp

https://www.amazon.com/Space-Between-Sarah-Ready/dp/1954007558

Synopsis: The love we choose can change everything. A fateful night in Cent=
ral Park leads Andrea Leighton-Hughes and Jace Morgan to one life-changing =
conclusion -- that they are meant to be.

Andrea is no stranger to wealth. She is the daughter of one of the richest =
men in Manhattan and has been used as a chess piece in her family's busines=
s empire since she was born.

Jace Morgan is no stranger to hardship. He lost his parents at a young age,=
 and he and his brothers struggle every day to get by. Now they're risking =
it all in a gamble to hit it big and rise to the top of the music industry.

Andrea defies her family and promises Jace forever. Jace defies his brother=
s and promises Andrea always. But sometimes always doesn't mean forever, an=
d forever doesn't mean always.

After years apart, Jace barges in on Andrea's wedding and says just one wor=
d-don't. Now Andrea must decide, does she take Jace's hand and find always =
and forever, or does she fulfill another promise and marry the one man she =
always swore she'd never love.

Critique: "The Space Between" by Sarah Ready spans nearly two decades and i=
s a compelling novel of longing, betrayal, friendship, as well as the undyi=
ng belief that love and music can heal the world. An original and deftly cr=
afted novel that will be of special interest to fans of contemporary romanc=
e laced with humor, "The Space Between" is especially and unreservedly reco=
mmended for community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should b=
e noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated Rom-Com fans tht "The S=
pace Between" is also readily available in a paperback edition (97819540075=
36, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

Editorial Note: Sarah Ready (www.sarahready.com) writes contemporary romanc=
e and romantic comedy. Her books have been described as "euphoric", "heartw=
arming" and "laugh out loud". Her works include Josh and Gemma Make a Baby,=
 Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around, French Holiday, The Space Between, =
and romcoms in the Soul Mates in Romeo series. Her debut novel The Fall in =
Love Checklist was hailed as "the unicorn read of 2020".

Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny
Nina Purtee
https://ninapurtee.com
Newman Springs Publishing
https://www.newmansprings.com
9798887632650, $17.95, PB, 360pp

https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Paths-Destiny-Romantic-Journey/dp/B0C4K5S28=
W

Synopsis: Annie's destiny awaits. Will it be smooth sailing or turbulent se=
as as she tries to navigate this new positive romance?

After a life-changing journey, Annie's decision to accept a proposal from R=
amone, a dashing Spanish matador who defies his own father to keep Annie an=
d her father safe, opens the next chapter in their destiny book.

During the politically-fraught British turnover of Hong Kong to Beijing, th=
e happy couple's charted path appears to be on course. However, politics an=
d romantic suspense intervene, causing lives to be changed or lost.

The island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain offers the perfect refuge fro=
m the conflict. In the midst of the King's Cup Regatta and the Night of the=
 Pilgrims Pilgrimage, a wedding is planned.
Annie's journey has produced the man of her dreams and the happy couple wel=
come familiar faces from their different worlds to celebrate their union.

Friends and family gather; hidden facts are revealed. Alliances are broken =
or formed, culminating in a series of crossroads leading to choices to be m=
ade and destiny's potential.

Crossing Paths continues the story begun in Beyond the Sea: Annie's Journey=
 into the Extraordinary combining our favorite characters with colorful new=
 ones creating a combustion of interactions and a mystery to be solved!

The end of one journey is sometimes the start of new beginnings!

Critique: A novel of romance and adventure, "Crossing Paths: The Road to De=
stiny" by Nina Purtee is an inherently compelling read from start to finish=
. The sequel to Purtee's first novel, "Beyond the Sea: Annie's Journey Into=
 the Extraordinary", the author once again showcases an impressive narrativ=
e driven storytelling style that the reader will find to be simply riveting=
 from beginning to end. While especially and unreservedly recommended for c=
ommunity library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists=
 that "Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny" is also readily available in a =
digital book format (Kindle, $7.49).

Editorial Note: Nina Purtee (https://ninapurtee.com) is a gifted writer of =
Romance & Adventure novels that typically feature intrigue in exotic places=
. Purtee has a knack for weaving experiences from her own voyages with stor=
ies of family relationships fiction, youthful awakening, adventure, cultura=
l diversity, & romance!

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo=
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 (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal=
muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review