Title: Reunited by the Greek’s Baby
Author: Annie West
Published: February 2023
Genre: Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern, Unexpected Pregnancy, Second-Chance at Love

Blurb:

Torn apart...until they’re bound together by their baby! Drama and emotion collide in this pregnancy romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Annie West.

He pushed her away to protect her

Now he’ll finally claim her!

When Theo Karalis was wrongly imprisoned, ending his affair with Isla Jacobs was vital for her safety. Proven innocent at last, he discovers she’s pregnant!

Nothing will stop Theo from giving his child everything his own father denied him.

Isla tried to move on after Theo refused all contact. Yet, seeing his commitment to their baby, his offer of a Greek getaway is tempting...and so is rekindling their simmering chemistry! But will that be enough to convince Isla he wants her, not just his heir?

My Review:

I have always loved Annie West’s books and this one has been added to my most favourite book list. Not only did the cover mesmerize me but also the story held me until the last page!

Isla had a fling with Theo before he was arrested for the crime he didn’t commit. When he was imprisoned, he asked his lawyer to make her go and never visit him again in quite devastating way. However after being released from the prison, he couldn’t forget Isla, the woman whom had captivated him during the archaeological dig in Greece therefore despite his mistreatment, he has the audacity to turn up on her workplace in England. Discovering Isla’s pregnancy, he is resolutely determined to care and claim the baby and Isla.

I couldn’t tell how much I adored this couple; Isla and Theo. Isla is innocent, naive, smart, honest and compassionate yet after what she has been through, she carefully guards herself from Theo. Meanwhile Theo is the typical Greek hero I always adore. He is charismatic, patient, protective and caring. Both experienced difficult childhoods but Theo never knows that Isla is all alone. I felt lured into some emotional and dramatic plots. The connection between Isla and Theo is so intense and romantic. I loved every step of it.

Annie West’s incredible talented writing kept me glued between the pages, especially when she outlined Theo’s rolled sleeves, it etched within my imagination. I loved and totally savoured every page of this story. The epilogue utterly warmed my heart. Additionally, the cover represents how I pictured Theo and Isla. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Annie West, for the ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Annie West loves writing passionate, intense love stories. She has devoted her life to and in depth study of tall, dark charismatic heroes who cause the best kind of trouble in the lives of their heroines who are a perfect match for those strong stubborn men is one of her all time favorite things. As a sideline she’s also researched dreamy locations for romance, from vibrant cities to desert encampments and fairytale castles.

Annie won the Romantic Rimes Reviewers’ Choice Award for ‘Protected by the Prince’ and the Australian Romance Writers’ Romantic Book of the Year Award for ‘Damaso Claims His Hair’. Romantic Times said in its review of The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride ‘This is what a love story could be’.

As well as writing for Harlequin/Mills and Boon, Annie also publishes shorter contemporary romances like her Hot Italian Nights e-novella series.

She lives with her family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east coast of Australia, situated neatly between spectacular sandy beaches and gorgeous wine country. She loves reading, good company, good food, long walks and travel.

You can catch Annie’s news at her website www.annie-west.com or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.author . She loves to hear from readers and you can contact her at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com. To sign up for her email newsletter with behind the scenes information and updates, go to https://madmimi.com/signups/109660/join

 

 

Title: The Boss’s Stolen Bride
Author: Natalie Anderson
Published: February 2023
Genre: Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern, Marriage of Convenience, Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

She needs a groom now and there’s only one choice: her boss! Step into the drama of this marriage of convenience romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson.

“You need to get married today?

Then you can marry me...”

Today is not only Darcie Milne’s last day working for her insufferable yet infuriatingly handsome boss, billionaire Elias Greyson...it’s also her wedding day! She must marry to take custody of her orphaned goddaughter but, after arriving at the registry office, Darcie finds herself without her convenient groom.

Renowned businessman Elias’s solution: he’ll wed his irreplaceable assistant – immediately! After all, taking a bride will help him secure an important contract. But then their first eye-opening kiss as man and wife suggests this marriage arrangement may not stay strictly professional...

My Review:

I must admit that Natalie Anderson has never disappointed me with her books, including this. Furthermore I have always been fond of her writing and tropes. This marriage of convenience with a boss and a secretary brought me into wonderful and powerful drama.

Darcie Milne works for Elias Grayson as his practical, efficient and multitalented secretary but when Darcie doesn’t turn up for important business deal, Elias, who could control his emotion in perfect ways, is mad at his secretary. Therefore when Darcie appears in his office not wearing her usual attire, he is stunned and even more shocked when she informs him that she quits. Darcie has tried to be professional when she works with Elias, she never puts any emotional attachment, and neither does Elias. Yet when possessive and jealous Elias hears that Darcie is going to marry, he is provoked then he marries her.

Their past has made who they are now. Darcie has always been alone thus when she has the slightest chance of adopting her goddaughter, she would do anything including marry the demanding ex-boss. Meanwhile Elias, he is afraid of becoming controlling and demanding. Through their marriage journey, I absorbed very different characters compared to what Darcie and Elias claimed. I loved when Elias couldn’t control his desire towards Darcie and he demands her to let him kiss her, it was so romantically compelling.

If you are in need of marriage of convenient trope, it is absolutely for you. It is filled with truly compelling characters, fiery moments, sexual tension and intense drama. Thank you, Natalie Anderson for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson writes emotional contemporary romance full of sparkling banter, sizzling heat and uplifting endings – perfect for readers who love to escape with empowered heroines and arrogant alphas who are too sexy for their own good. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Natalie wrangling her four children, three cats, two goldfish and one dog ... and snuggled in heap on the sofa with her husband at the end of the day. Follow her at https://natalie-anderson.com/ or her Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/authornatalieanderson/

 

Title: His Maddening Matchmaker
(The Very Village Scandal Book 2)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: February 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Regency Romance, Mills & Boon Historical, Friends-to-Lovers

Blurb:

Sparks fly in this witty Regency romance

They say opposites attract...

But do they wed?

Ned Parker has spent years restoring his family’s fortunes, leaving no time for courting. Now childhood friend and self-appointed matchmaker Isobel has decided to transform this “scruffy brute” into an eligible gentleman. Though he has no interest in rejoining society, Ned senses Izzy needs the distraction and reluctantly goes along with her plan. Despite their differing views, a surprising new attraction grows...but Ned’s doing his best to avoid it!

My Review:

Finally the second book of The Very Village Scandal is here. The Whittleston-on-the-Water is incredibly interesting village and its residents are the best!

Isobel or Izzy is resolutely determined to become a matchmaker for Ned Parker after she partially succeeded in pairing off her friend, Sophie, with Rafe. However Ned, the gruff, surly, unapproachable and scruffy hero, is enraged by the idea, because he has secluded himself after the flood attack on his father farm and preferred to work. Despite her cheery characters, Isobel feels the void within her that she thinks no one knows. Her father is a bully whom always throws accusations and makes her life miserable. She is so inclined to set up a new life far from the village and buries her horrid past behind yet no man has taken interest in her therefore she is determined to preoccupy herself by making her childhood friend happy through reforming him.

Ah I immensely enjoyed the life in Whittleston-on-the-Water. Despite its location, the village is far from the fancy life and ball of London even though the gossip is still there. I loved how technically enlightening it is about the farming and the beauty of the sunset and sunrise near the River Thames. The scene when Isobel tries to avoid her father and runs to see sunrise, tilting her face and immersing herself in the yellow shining sun captivated me a lot.

Virginia Heath’s wonderful writing is always entertaining and full of wonderful characters. Ned, the gruff and scruffy farmer who works hard in the farmer but has soft heart for animals and Isobel, an optimist who has shining and pleasant, albeit irritating character, both Ned and Isobel are stubborn but I loved them. At times I just wanted to put some sense to make them realize that they deserve one another and thanks to the kind neighbours for their considerate action. The story is so splendidly immersive and entertaining. The ending is so twisted and dramatic but I even loved it more. Thank you, Virginia Heath, for the ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated – sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. One day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep. Follow her at https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/ or her facebook page Virginia Heath.