Contemporary Romance Reviews

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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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

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

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

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

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