Review: Ladies of the House: A Modern Retelling of Sense and Sensibility

Ladies of the House: A Modern Retelling of Sense and Sensibility by Lauren Edmondson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Daisy Richardson barely have time to properly grieve her father's unexpected death, when his scandalous secrets are revealed. Secrets that shake up the lives of not just Daisy but her sister, Wallis and her mother, Cricket. The Richardsons are forced to sell their home and have to adjust to their new norm - one without the respect of society and the income they once enjoyed.
Each of the women cope with the situation in different ways, but Daisy knows she can always rely on her best friend Atlas. He is not just her confidante but she suspects her one true love. Daisy moves forward, trying to juggle her job and overcome the public controversy even if that means keeping another secret about her father to herself.
The question as you read: Is whether or not each of these women will find the power within themselves to overcome their situation.
A question that the author answers in full by the end of the story.
I enjoyed the story although at times it did feel dragged out. I also didn't feel a strong love connection but the emotional connection between the best friends spoke to my heart. However, I am glad I persisted. This is a good debut and also a good twist on a well-known and well-loved tale. I do think book clubs will enjoy this modern day retelling because there is plenty to discuss.

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Review: Mrs. Wiggins

Mrs. Wiggins by Mary Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie Franklin grew up in the kind of home where her father was an alcoholic and her mother a reformed prostitute. Her only way out was to marry her best friend and son of the town preacher, Hubert Wiggins. She knows Hubert's deepest, darkest secret and is willing to keep it when she agrees to be his wife.
Soon the Wiggins becomes the town's "perfect" couple, and their world is complete when they welcome a son, Claude. However, soon her perfect life begins to unravel and Maggie will do whatever it takes to preserve not just her lifestyle but also of those she loves and holds dear.
Whew! I finished this read in one day. Mary Monroe has done it again! She took me back in time to 1917. I was transported to a time of racism, stereotypes - that sadly are still relevant today. But, in addition to feeling like I was in 1917, Ms. Monroe created a complex character that was so diabolical...so twisted that I had to keep reading. Maggie went through some trauma that was depicted in a way that made you understand her plight and I could see the "why' behind her actions even if I wouldn't agree. Even as I loved how we were able to see how Maggie got to where she did,I found myself wondering how this was all going to end. The more disruptive her world and the more Maggie tried to fix it, was the more convoluted things become but I knew I had to keep going to see the conclusion of it all.
I loved the build-up and I thought this was some real good storytelling.
On another note, I absolutely loved the strong, beautiful woman on the cover.
#Netgalley

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Review: Jackson

Jackson by LaQuette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aja Everett seeks to transform her family ranch into an oasis for those needing recuperation. She loves taking care of others but who is going to take care of her when her life is in danger? Ranger Jackson Dean is not looking for love or entanglement but when he is hired to watch out for Aja, he finds himself battling an intense physical attraction that could lead to much more.
This is my first read by this author. First, LaQuette is a strong writer. Her skills are evident in her masterful storytelling and how she sets up the scenes. I enjoyed reading about a strong, plus-sized heroine. I loved Aja's willingness to stand up for others. Jackson was also a well-written hero.
I also loved second chance stories and I would love to read more about her secondary characters. The author also laid the stage for some sizzling love scenes. I find this author incredibly talented and can't wait to read more!
Memorable quote.
"Thinking you could save people from themselves was the quick road to despair she knew."
Thank you #netgalley

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Review: A Lowcountry Bride

A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Maya Jackson is a junior bridal designer for Laura Whitcomb who yearns to become a head designer. She seeks the opportunity to showcase her talents and her designs inspired by her ancestry. But when her father injures himself, Maya has to return to her hometown of Charleston, DC to help him recuperate. While she is home, Maya decides to work at the local boutique. Derek Sullivan has taken over the struggling Always a Bride and is trying to do all he can to preserve his mother's legacy. He also seeks to build a relationship with his twelve=year-old daughter. He welcomes Maya's help and while doing so, finds himself open to more.

First of all, I absolutely love love the cover. Seeing the picture of the bride running made me want to discover what was inside the pages. What I found was a cute love story. A heartwarming read that had gave me a fuzzy feeling. I think the author wrote a sweet tale and I loved how she gave both characters well-developed lives because life does not stop even when you're falling in love. Both Maya and Derek had their personal and professional struggles that they each have to resolve. And, it was nice to see how they helped and encouraged each other.

I loved reading about Maya's family history and how she was able to incorporate that history in her gowns. I believe the author did a great job with describing the town and realistically captured small town life. I think this author will only get better with each book.

Thank you, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for this ARC.

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Review: Little Pieces of Me

Little Pieces of Me by Alison Hammer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Paige Miller receives an email that shakes her world. She has learned through DNA testing that her biological father is alive. Problem is, Paige is grieving for the man she thought was her father for most of her life. Stunned, Paige begins to search for answers, digging into memories of her childhood, which made her question her mother's love.
It's 1975 and Betsy Kaplan is in her second year at the University of Kansas., A fight with her boyfriend causes Betsy to seek consolation in the arms of another man, Andy Abrams. But when she learns that her one night stand has lasting consequences, Betsy has to create a stable life for her unborn child. Her past is not something she wants to talk about with her daughter.
Her mother's refusal to revisit the past leads Paige on a quest to talk to the only other person would would know the truth. This dual timeline gives us a compelling story from each character's perspective and we are given front-row seats behind each of the decisions made.
I absolutely loved the dual timeline. I think the author handled this feature well. There was a great balance between the two timelines -- Now and Then -- which really showed how decisions of the past affect the future. But I did enjoy the Then narrative better. Paige was troubled about so many things and it was great to see her not only love herself but gain a better understanding of her mother. I was so glad that the author showed us Betsy's POV as well because that kept her likable and relatable. The secondary characters were also well-developed although I would have to loved to see more of Paige's relationship with her sister explored. The title was apt and the cover design is really pretty. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you @Netgalley
Thank you @williammorrowbooks

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Review: The Winter Baby

The Winter Baby by Rhonda McKnight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Clyde Stowe has changed his ways and is devoted to his girlfriend, Kim Haynes. But, their relationship ends when she refuses to sleep with him and jeopardize her faith. Then the couple is reunited during a road trip and their close proximity forces them to confront issues from their past.
I really enjoyed reading about the characters in this story. They had a huge difficulty to overcome and had to rely on their faith. There were strong faith elements that made this story a beautiful story of second chances and divine miracles. Moments within the story had my heart pounding and had be sliding the kindle page to see what would happen next.
There were some spiritual nuggets that you can take away with you as a reader.
Sharing a couple:
"...making confession to God can be as public or personal as you want. Getting to know him isn't a moment, it's a journey."
"Often the path back to a relationship with God is a winding one that includes little prayers and conversations and even disagreements with him...God knows when a heart is turned toward him, even when we don't know it ourselves."


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Review: The Way You Love Me

The Way You Love Me by Elle Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Paige Mills is a renowned actress who has ended a nasty divorce and is ready to move on with the rest of her life. She takes a self-imposed break at her family's lake house in Michigan. But this choice could ruin her career. Andrew Weathers has been Paige's agent for over a decade and the two have shared a great working relationship. However, Andrew is the first to admit that he has always handled this professional relationship with a bit more personal care. He arrives at the lake house to do a wellness check but instead a fire sparks, leaving them wondering if what they have is worth exploring.
Let me begin by saying that this book, especially the first half, has some of the strongest writing I have seen from author Elle Wright of her books I have read. From the first page, I was caught up in Paige and Andrew's story. I had been introduced them in her prior work so I was ready for them to get the spotlight. The author's use of setting and description gave me a front seat view to the tiny flicker of passion to an explosion of their desire. Their chemistry for each other was apparent...and hot.
And, even though I believed the conflict was relatively mild, I think many will enjoy their journey to happy-ever-after. I love reading about friends-to-lovers and I think many will enjoy this read. My heart smiled a lot. Solid writing from this author.
4.5 stars
Thank you #Netgalley and #Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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