Review for PERFECT TOGETHER by Carly Phillips

PERFECT TOGETHER

Carly Phillips

Release Date: September 29, 2023

Blurb

   This big-city girl is ready for Serendipity. But is Serendipity ready for her? No sane woman breaks off an engagement to an extremely handsome, rich man, right? But Nicole Farnsworth is tired of being the good daughter, and she’s sick of being her fiancé’s arm candy. So she flees to Serendipity. She can’t think of a better place to find some peace and figure out what comes next. “Next” shouldn’t include falling for the man who once slapped handcuffs on her wrists—and unwittingly changed her life. But in this small town, fate and fortune make the decisions. Sam Marsden trusts his instincts as a cop, but when it comes to love? Not so much. Back when he’d mistakenly arrested Nicole, she’d made his jaded heart beat faster and he thought she’d reciprocated. But she returned to her high-society life in NYC and slipped through his fingers. Since then, he’s tried and failed to stop dreaming about the beautiful woman. Now Nicole is back and it isn’t long before they give in to the attraction that never stopped burning. But when the reason Nicole ran away from home catches up with her, it’ll take every ounce of Sam’s protective instincts to keep her safe. 

Review of Sam & Nicole's Story: A Heartfelt Journey of Love and Resilience

Sam & Nicole's story captivates with its rich emotional depth and compelling character dynamics, making it a memorable read in the romance genre. What sets this book apart is its authentic portrayal of flawed yet endearing characters navigating the complexities of love, friendship, and personal growth amidst emotional turmoil. The plot balances heartfelt moments with suspense, creating a layered experience that resonates deeply.

The characters are the true heartbeat of the story. Nicole emerges as a standout—her transformation from a vulnerable, callously raised young woman into a strong, self-assured individual is both inspiring and believable. She embodies compassion and resilience, making her instantly relatable and admirable. Sam, on the other hand, is portrayed with a protective allure shadowed by his struggles with past betrayals. His internal conflict adds nuance, enriching the narrative with a sense of realism that keeps readers invested in his journey.

The chemistry between Nicole and Sam is electric and palpable, driving much of the emotional intensity. Their relationship is far from perfect, marked by ups and downs that reflect real-life challenges rather than idealized romance. This tension, combined with a shared need to overcome their pasts, creates a narrative push and pull that keeps the pages turning. The story wisely explores how lingering shadows from earlier experiences can hamper growth and happiness, urging the characters—and readers—to consider the importance of self-awareness and healing.

Beyond the main couple, the story benefits from a diverse cast of side characters who enrich the world and add depth. The infusion of mystery and suspense elements introduces an unexpected twist that enhances the plot without overshadowing the emotional core. This blend of genres keeps the pacing engaging and adds layers to what might otherwise be a straightforward romance.

Overall, this book is a compelling exploration of love’s complexities, the strength found in friendship, and the courage it takes to stand firm in one's convictions. It offers a satisfying mix of emotional resonance and narrative intrigue, making it a rewarding read for fans of character-driven romance with a hint of suspense. Those who appreciate stories about personal transformation and imperfect relationships will find much to enjoy here.

 Sam & Nicole's story is a testament to the power of connection and the human spirit’s capacity to grow beyond adversity. It's a pleasure to follow their journey, and it leaves you eager for what comes next in this promising series.

Grab Your Copy! 

 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBZJ15H6 

 Apple: https://apple.co/3L17BeX 

 Nook: https://bit.ly/3t5bnhc 

 Google Play: https://bit.ly/45MYYg1

 Kobo: https://bit.ly/3qP2xne  

 Print: Amz Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1685592813 

 BN Print: https://bit.ly/3q0DLjJ 

                   

Meet Carly Phillips:

Carly Phillips is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over eighty sexy contemporary romances featuring hot men, strong women, and emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. She is happily married to her college sweetheart and lives in Westchester County, NY. She is the mother of two adult daughters and three crazy dogs who star on her Facebook and Instagram pages. She loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. Way back in 2002, Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa and was the first romance on a nationally televised book club. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. 

 

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Audiobook Review Hail Mary by Lani Lynn Vale

 

 

Hail Mary: Hail Raisers Series, Book 6  Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Mason Lloyd (Narrator), Kendall Taylor (Narrator), Lani Lynn Vale (Author), Tantor Audio (Publisher)

 

Audiobook -https://amzn.to/3P0KOlG

Universal Store Link- https://books2read.com/u/mdYRGO

 

Persephone - destruction.

Hail - well that speaks for itself.

Her name is painful to think about. Mary, his newfound daughter, isn't a wished-for child. Persephone, though? Yeah, destruction is a fitting description. And Hail? Yeah, that's just the final f-you.

The moment that her mother drops her off on his doorstep, Dante's hell becomes complete. Or so he thinks. What can make life worse after losing one's wife and kids, you ask? Here's what: being given a baby that depends on him for her survival. Finding out that the baby's mother is dying of brain cancer and has a husband that he never knew about. A husband that Dante knows in the marrow of his bones is trying to kill her just as surely as the cancer eating her brain.

Dante's a bad person. He's done some not so nice things, and now he's being punished for his misdeeds. Karma is finally catching up to him. This child that he's been stuck with is of his flesh and bone. This child is his salvation. This child is the final nail in the coffin of his wife and daughters' too short lives. He doesn't want this child. But this child will save him whether he wants her to or not. 

With the help of a friend- yes, a woman friend - Dante finds his way back to life. But what he finds when he gets back isn't the same life that he left behind. Turns out, he has to start living a new one. One where he's suddenly having feelings for a friend that helped him get through some tough times, and loving a daughter who won't let him quit.

Contains mature themes.

Hail Mary by Lani Lynn Vale is a deeply emotional and compelling addition to her repertoire of contemporary romance, blending heartfelt drama with her signature humor and steamy moments. This book, centered on the character Dante, delivers a story that is as devastating as it is captivating, making it a standout in Vale’s already impressive body of work.

From the outset, Hail Mary grips you with its intensity. Dante’s story is heartbreakingly real, layered with complexity and raw emotion that feels both inevitable and profoundly moving. The plot does not shy away from pain or vulnerability, which makes the eventual moments of swoon and hope all the more powerful. Vale’s writing shines in balancing these extremes; she masterfully weaves humor into the fabric of the story, providing relief without undercutting the emotional weight.

What elevates this novel beyond a standard romance is the character of Cobie. She is a revelation, unexpected and thoroughly captivating. Cobie offers the perfect counterpart to Dante, embodying strength, warmth, and a surprising depth that enriches the relationship dynamic. Their connection feels authentic and layered, making the romance feel earned rather than rushed.

Readers should prepare for

an emotional journey that demands tissues but rewards with moments of genuine joy and laughter. Vale’s ability to blend shock, tenderness, and heat creates a plot that stays with you long after the last page. The book’s pacing and structure keep you engaged throughout, with enough twists and heartfelt revelations to maintain suspense and investment.

Overall, Hail Mary is arguably one of Lani Lynn Vale’s finest works, showcasing her growth as a storyteller and her talent for crafting characters who resonate deeply. Fans of emotional, character-driven romance will find this book especially rewarding. It’s a story about love, healing, and unexpected connections that lingers in the heart.

If you appreciate romance that marries emotional depth with humor and passion, Hail Mary is a must-read. It challenges the reader to feel deeply and reminds us all why we turn to love stories for comfort and catharsis. How do you top a book like this? That’s the very question that makes the experience unforgettable.

 

About the Author

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

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Cover Reveal for Haunted Holiday by Lindsey Gray

Haunted Holiday

Lindsey Gray

(The Holiday Chronicles, #3)

Publication date: September 29th 2026

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance, Supernatural

Everyone in Clarkstown believes they know who killed firefighter Zane Gravenhurst.

His girlfriend, Jillian, sits behind bars, accused of leaving him to die after a rainy night ended in tragedy. The case is all but closed.

Only Zane’s younger sister, Molly, knows the truth isn’t buried because she can communicate with his ghost.

Molly needs help to get justice for her brother.

Her shy neighbor, whom she’s crushed on since high school, Duncan, comes to her aid.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

The Holiday Chronicles Paperback is out NOW!

Author Bio:

 Lindsey Gray spends her days and most of her nights creating characters, over thinking everything, and trying to remember all the things on her massive to-do list. One thing that is always at the top of her list is writing something she hopes others will enjoy. Her journey into authordom began when her first novel was published in 2010. Through trials, tribulations, and learning how to work well with others in the author sandbox, she has found a joy she never thought she would know.

Her many lists also include mothering her two children, devoting time to her handsome hubby, formatting novels for other authors, and hosting her weekly radio show, Gray Matters, on TMV Cafe Internet Radio.

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Review for Catcher by Sandy Alvarez and Crystal Daniels

Purchase- https://amzn.to/4cu4VV9

Also available in KU

Paperback- https://amzn.to/4ysGX5f

Publisher Description

As a patched member of the Kings of Retribution MC, Catcher has spent years existing in the shadows of a life he no longer recognizes. The ghosts of his past ride beside him everywhere he goes, reminding him exactly why men like him don’t deserve second chances.

Then Ruby crashes into his life.

Sweet. Stubborn. Completely off-limits.

She deserves a man with a future. Not a man haunted by memories he can’t outrun.

When her troubled brother drags dangerous enemies straight to her doorstep, staying away stops being an option.

The deeper Ruby gets under his skin, the higher the stakes become. Because for the first time in years, he wants something more than survival.

He wants her.

He wants the future he convinced himself he’d never have.

In his world, blood pays debts.

The question is whose blood will it be?

He spent years wishing death would’ve finished what it started.

Now he has a reason to keep breathing.

He’ll paint the bayou red before he lets anyone take it from him.

Catcher, the latest installment in the Kings of Retribution Louisiana series, invites us into the rugged world of biker culture intertwined with raw emotional scars. Penned by authors who clearly understand the allure of complex, gritty romance, this plot explores themes of loss, healing, and the redemptive power of unexpected love. What makes Catcher especially compelling—and why I found it worth reviewing—is its brave dive into deep emotional trauma and sudden lightness brought by a new connection. The protagonist, Catcher, is a classic figure of broken strength. After losing the people dearest to him, he drifts through life as a hollow shell—detached and guarded. The plot takes a hopeful turn when Catcher meets Ruby, who is described as “sunshine and rainbows,” a refreshing burst of life in his otherwise dim world. Their night together, charged with unspoken emotions, unravels Catcher’s impenetrable exterior, though his initial retreat afterward adds a realistic tension to their burgeoning relationship. Ruby’s dilemma—whether to reveal a “new surprise” or not—adds an intriguing layer of suspense and authenticity to her character. Her vulnerability becomes palpable when she gets hurt, and it’s in this crisis that Catcher confronts the void in his life anew. This moment is the emotional part of the plot, driving home how precariously thin the line is between loss and love, despair and hope. The plot has enough suspense and enough softness to make the romance bloom without feeling forced. Still, the chemistry between Catcher and Ruby, coupled with the emotional stakes, lends the story a sincere and heartfelt energy. Catcher offers a stirring exploration of grief and redemption wrapped in a passionate romance set against a vibrant biker backdrop. It’s a plot for readers who appreciate emotionally driven stories with flawed but fiercely human characters. Fans of motorcycle club romances and heartfelt dramas will find much to admire here, while those hoping for something radically fresh might wish for bolder twists. Personally, I was left reflecting on how sometimes the brightest light appears when we least expect it—and how love can impose itself gently yet irrevocably, even on the most guarded souls.

Crystal Daniels

About the author

Hi, Crystal is a bestselling Author and the other half of the powerhouse writing duo behind several suspense-filled, steamy romances and the popular MC series Kings of Retribution MC.

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About the Author

Sandy Alvarez is a USA TODAY Bestselling Romance Author who co/writes with her sister, Crystal Daniels. She loves writing about sexy alpha men and the women who love them.

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