Contemporary Romance Archives

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

March 15, 2018 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

The Heart Between Us: Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks. When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship. As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

Bubby:

I do love books about sisters. I do! I guess it’s because I have an amazing sister of my own and I want everyone to see how awesome that can be. Unfortunately Megan and Crystal have drifted apart during the years that Megan has been sick. Megan is afraid to live a full life even though she has a new healthy heart and Crystal prioritizes her career above anything else. So not the relationship that Sissy and I have!

Sissy:

What a lovely thing to say. Even if you weren’t my only sister, you’d be my favorite!

Bubby:

I know.

Sissy:

I adored this story. The premise is different and refreshing and I couldn’t get enough of it. The main story of Megan and Crystal’s bucket list journey was a great adventure in and of itself, but the side stories of the heart donor and her family, Crystal’s husband and job, and long-lost Caleb added such warmth and depth to The Heart Between Us.

Bubby:

I think I have a bucket list somewhere that I wrote when I was a teenager. I should go find it. Now, I had no life-threatening issues, so it’s probably a pretty tame (yet insipid) list. Might be fun to see how I’ve done with it though. I feel that if I had a daughter whose heart I had donated, it would be such a fulfilling experience to have my daughter’s life goals accomplished. It must have brought such closure to Amanda’s parents.

Sissy:

The relationship Megan established with Amanda’s parents grew into something beautiful for sure. But please no having our daughters have to donate their hearts! From my lips to God’s ears!

Bubby:

I couldn’t agree more with you. The Heart Between Us was far more than what I was expecting. I got the happy ending and the romance that I was looking for, but I also got a deep satisfaction from reading a story with such a finely woven plot. I am thrilled that Lindsay Harrel has a previous stand alone novel out (One More Song to Sing) and I intend to read it this very evening! Can’t wait for more from this accomplished writer.

Sissy:

Heartwarming and captivating, The Heart Between Us delivered everything I desire in a novel, and did it in an original way. Now that Bubby and I don’t have to fight over hard covers, I’m going to read One More Song to Sing immediately as well. Hooray for Kindle Unlimited!

Click HERE to buy The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage by Linn B. Halton

November 8, 2017 by bubblebathbooks 2 Comments

The countdown to Christmas is usually a magical time, but Elana James is fed up with living on a building site! The renovations on her beautiful cottage – like her heart – have been frozen in limbo ever since she was unexpectedly widowed. Elana calls in a professional, Luke Stevenson, to help finish the cottage, so her little girl can send letters to Santa up the newly-repaired chimney. Luke’s kind, capable and sexy – but he’s
also ten years younger than Elana. So why has her heart decided it’s finally time for a thaw?

Bubby:

My initial take away from Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage is that I am spoiled. I live in a completely finished, warm, cozy house and I take it for granted. Poor Elana has been living in a half-finished cottage for quite some time and, at least in the beginning of the story, there is no end to the renovations in sight. I have lived through 3 basement finishings, a kitchen remodel and lots of little home renovation projects and there is NO WAY I would choose to live in a house during a whole-home renovation. Nope. I’d go insane and my family would throw me out into the street. I’d have to go live with Sissy.

Sissy:

Yay! Free chef for me! The upside of the renovation is, of course, Luke the handyman, who after a nice loan from Elana’s parents is hired to do some jobs. Both Elana and Luke have gone through hard situations and Luke seems like an old soul. I kind of like the idea of their age difference, because Elana is no cougar, but rather a beautiful woman who can say, “Hey, girl! Still got it!” Kinda like me.

Bubby:

We won’t discuss the age difference between you and Elana, Sissy. Except to say that it’s larger than that of Elana and Luke… I loved the paranormal aspect of Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage. You see, Elana’s little girl Maya still sees and talks to her deceased father. No one believes her, but it’s real. He helps her heal from his death and be ready to move on. I wish that Linn Halton had included a bit more of this ghostly side story, but I loved what we got.

Sissy:

And there is a twist that you do not expect! A sad one. Not a death one, just a relationship thing. Maya has some specific Christmas wishes that she writes in letters and sticks in the chimney. These wishes seem unattainable and maybe they are and maybe they are not. You’ll have to read it to see. And things aren’t wrapped up in a nice fluffy bow like a lot of Christmas romances. Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage makes its characters work for their happily ever after.

Bubby:

But there is one, never fear. A happily ever after, I mean. We forgot to mention that Luke has a child too – an adorable little boy named Joe. The situation between Luke and Joe’s mother is a tricky one but there’s an HEA there, too. I mostly read this book whilst tucked up in my warm cozy bed, pretending that there was a raging snowstorm outside. It’s a perfect get-you-in-the-Christmas-mood novel.

Sissy:

You will want to put Luke’s ex, Anita, on a fast train to somewhere far away. She’s that annoying. But Luke and Elana are delightful, both in their own right and as a potential couple. In fact, the whole of Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage is a lovely, satisfying holiday read. Guaranteed to fill your heart with Christmas cheer.

Click HERE to buy Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage by Linn B. Halton

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A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt

October 18, 2017 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

Welcome to Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District… where homecomings happen and surprises are in store for the four Holley sisters. Anna Holley, the third of four sisters, has always felt a little bit forgotten. A family tragedy when she was a child had her retreating deep into shyness, and social anxiety kept her on the fringes of the cozy chaos of the busy vicarage. After several years away from home, Anna returns for Christmas… and an important announcement from her father. As much as she once loved the village, coming back is hard and puts Anna’s social capabilities to the test.

Sissy:

Imagine my joy when I began reading A Vicarage Christmas and discovered that it was set in the Lake District in England, where Bubby and I spent a few idyllic days last year. We loved it so much there that we could pick up and move right now, if that were a possibility.

Bubby:

We went to many fabulous places on our UK adventure, but the Lake District was a highlight for me too. I could totally picture the village of Thornthwaite and I wish I could be there! In fact, I think we might have driven through it…

Sissy:

Something wholly unexpected happened when I read A Vicarage Christmas. I don’t know if I was hormonal or it was just because I had a cold, but I loved Anna’s story and even cried.

Bubby:

What? YOU cried? I’m supposed to be the Weepy Wendy around here. I didn’t cry when I read A Vicarage Christmas, although I really loved the story too.

Sissy:

I also cried watching Dancing With the Stars that day, so there was possibly something going on. But regardless, I finished the book thinking it was utterly delightful.

Bubby:

I felt so bad for Anna that she felt unnoticed in her family and carried blame for a tragedy that totally wasn’t her fault. I wanted to give her a big hug and a cookie and tell her everything would be fine. And everything IS fine, eventually. Really, families need to talk more, don’t you think, Sissy?

Sissy:

Yes! Even the best of families have issues that need to be regularly addressed. Everyone needs to sit down and have a great chat and let all the stuff out in a secure environment. In Anna’s case, that turned out to be a real possibility. I know that in other families, unfortunately, that might not be a safe thing to do.

Bubby:

I’m glad that you and I can talk about all the things. Anna and her family, with a little help from a new friend, end up working through most things, but I’m really interested for the rest of the books in the series. They will focus on Anna’s other sisters, two older and one younger. Their troubles are alluded to in A Vicarage Christmas, but I want to know more!

Sissy:

The love story was yummy and the setting of an English village at Christmas, with all the various vicarage activities, made me want to hop on a plane and spend the hols in the Lake District. Maybe next year…

Bubby:

We’ve not read anything by Kate Hewitt before, but we will now! A Vicarage Christmas has excellent characters that feel like your own friends, great story with realistic family highs and lows and a setting that can’t be beat. Christmas has come early this year! Let’s rejoice! And don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter contest HERE for a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

Click HERE to buy A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt

Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg and Courteney Walsh

August 30, 2017 by bubblebathbooks 1 Comment

Whether in a quaint home bakery in Langhorne, Missouri, a cozy boho coffee shop in Maple Valley, Iowa, or a charming lakeside cottage in Sweethaven, Michigan, love grows best in small towns just like this!

In Deborah Raney’s A Langhorne Romance: Lily O’Neal’s thriving at-home bakery means working alone in her state-of-the-art kitchen, so how’s she ever supposed to meet the man of her dreams? But when delivery truck driver, Gage Simmons, shows up at her door—crooked grin and all—she can’t help making sure he has a reason to return…even if it means ordering her supplies one at a time.

In Melissa Tagg’s A Maple Valley Romance: After years of mistakes and regret, coffee shop owner Megan Harrow has finally built a new life for herself and her daughter in quirky, but charming Maple Valley. But she’s not ready for the sparks that fly when she meets local nonprofit owner Eric Hampton . . . or for the sudden reappearance of an unwelcome face from her past.

In Courtney Walsh’s A Sweethaven Romance: Eleanor Waverly is practically Sweethaven royalty, but her comfortable, cushy world is turned upside-down when she discovers an old map hidden in the bottom of a 125-year-old time capsule. Her only hope of uncovering the truth lies with local firefighter (and Waverly rival) Jason Holloway, and with his piercing eyes and troubled past, it’s clear from the start it’s not only her way of life that’s on the line, it’s her heart.

Bubby:

Now as much as Sissy and I were ready to spread our wings and leave our little hometown, sometimes there really is no place like home, the place where you grew up, the place where your memories are, and the place your family calls home too. All three of these books take place in hometowns just like that.

Sissy:

I like my little hometown now way better than the little hometown I had in high school. Is that bad?

Bubby:

Nope. I feel the same, although my little hometown now isn’t so little. I think that once Mom and Dad moved away, it was hard to have ties in California anymore. Besides, we’ve lived here longer than we lived in California at this point!

Sissy:

The essence is, we totally get the small town vibe of Right Where We Belong; the good and bad parts. Like everyone knows your business, but also everyone is willing to help you when needed. Aside from the small town element and love stories, A Langhorne Romance, A Maple Valley Romance and A Sweethaven Romance all bring different components to the collection. There is some mystery and danger, some deep issues are addressed, and there is also some cute, quirky fun (like me).

Bubby:

I’d say you’re short and quirky. Cute only when you’ve been fed. All the Right Where We Belong tales have a satisfying happy ending. That makes me happy! I thought that I’d be less busy once school started but man was I wrong! These three stories are the perfect length to fit in my super crazy schedule. We can all use a little more happiness and love in our day, right?

Sissy:

Right. That’s why I come to visit Bubby all the time. I’m like a ray of sunshine in her pocket! Speaking of a ray of sunshine, Right Where We Belong, with its relatable, loveable characters, is a totally gratifying, “happy making” read!

Click HERE to buy Right Where We Belong

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Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones (Plus a Giveaway!)

July 12, 2017 by bubblebathbooks 12 Comments

Paisley Sutton shot to stardom as a teenage rock sensation, but ten years later that star has fizzled out, just like her bank account. When she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s wedding planning business, Paisley leaves the glamour of Los Angeles for a charming small town in Arkansas. Thinking she’ll arrive in Sugar Creek and liquidate the property, Paisley’s shocked to find Enchanted Events has experienced a major makeover and is now the place for brides. She’s got two months to keep Enchanted Events afloat if she wants to sell and rekindle her music career with the profits.

Paisley’s tossed into a world of vows and venues, but her most difficult challenge comes in the form of one demanding bride. When this Bridezilla’s found facedown in her cake, all fingers point to Paisley as the prime murder suspect. This former pop princess will need the help of her gun-toting, ex-CIA grandmother and her handsome neighbor, Beau Hudson, to unravel the mystery and clear her good name. The closer Paisley gets to the truth, the more her own life is in danger. Love is in the air this wedding season, but before Paisley can help the ladies of Sugar Creek say, “I do,” she’s got to unveil a killer. Or find herself the next target.

Don’t miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!

Bubby:

Engaged in Trouble is the first book in the Enchanted Events cozy mystery series. You readers already know that we LOVE ourselves some Jenny B. Jones – (In Between, On the Loose, The Big Picture, Can’t Let You Go) and we loved this one too. It’s a departure from her other novels in that it’s a cozy mystery instead of a sweet romance, but never fear! There was still enough romance to make us happy.

Sissy:

We do very few cozy mystery reviews these days because they tend to feel all the same to us after a while. But because Jenny B. Jones’ hilarious, sarcastic, sassy humor is the light of my life whenever I read her, I had to give this cozy a try. She did not disappoint. Just the arrival of the two unpredictably crazy ex-CIA grannies Sylvie and Frannie was like freakin’ Christmas morning!

Bubby:

Oh my gosh I loved them so much! Sylvie and Frannie might be two of my favorite characters ever. The best aspect of Engaged in Trouble for me was the slow, simmering undercurrent of romantic tension between our heroine Paisley and her hunky neighbor Beau. I’m so interested to see where their relationship goes in the next book.

Sissy:

Paisley, though she’s a self-described “disaster magnet”, is surprisingly endearing, with her troubled back story and determination for the future. She’s a good match for Beau, with his demons from his military service. Hopefully they can figure it all out and have another smoldering kiss for us to drool over.

Bubby:

I’m a sucker for all things bridal (we binge watch Say Yes to the Dress around here) and the descriptions of the gowns, cakes, venues, and even the interior of Enchanted Events made me so happy. I briefly worked at a bridal salon once and I really loved it. Maybe we should open up our own salon and event planning service, Sissy? Could be fun…

Sissy:

Not. Fun. Do you really want to be around psychotic brides/bride’s families all the time? I want to throw my shoe at the TV when I watch Say Yes to the Dress, because some of the brides are so spoiled and ridiculous! So I could perfectly picture Sasha, the bridezilla (and subsequent murder victim) in Engaged in Trouble.

Bubby:

Yeah, Sasha was a piece of work. I’m not surprised someone killed her.

Sissy:

That’s a horrible thing to say! I sort of agree… But that’s a horrible thing to say!

Bubby:

You were thinking the same thing. Horrible thoughts! Engaged in Trouble is another stellar piece of entertainment from Jenny B. Jones. Great plot, great characters, great ending.

Sissy:

I gotta admit, I did not know whodunnit until the end, and what a wild ending it was! But the best thing about this book is the sharp witted, side-splitting dialogue. Especially when Sylvie or Frannie open their mouths or do practically anything. I’ll go out on a limb here and say the Enchanted Events series may just be my favorite cozy mystery outing ever. While you’re wondering (with us) when the next book in the series will come out, don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win a copy of your own!

Click HERE to buy Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

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