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February 2024 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

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Midwest Book Review

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Feb 21, 2024, 2:04:11 PMFeb 21
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The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Bright Spot
Jill Shalvis
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063235762, $30.00, HC, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Spot-Novel-Sunrise-Cove/dp/0063235757

Synopsis: Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting isn't on the list. However, she's a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Adopted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, she's created her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm.

With a farm-to-table cafe as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (complete with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stash of decidedly not organic potato chips), it's the best home she's ever known. But when the owner Silas, who they secretly call The Grinch, passes away, Luna discovers the farm is now under control of his investment manager, the enigmatic Jameson Hayes... and her. And that Silas had many, many secrets.

Now Luna's carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and she (along with some help from her friends) has to dig deep to find true strength and the real meaning of love and family.

Critique: A riveting great read from start to finish, "The Bright Spot" by talented novelist Jill Shalvis is as original as it is fun and especially recommended for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in the kind of rom-coms that Hallmark Channel movies are made. Laced with humor and memorable characters, "The Bright Spot" will prove a welcome and popular pick for community library Contemporary Romance & Women's Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Bright Spot" is also available in a paperback edition (9780063235755, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Jill Shalvis (www.jillshalvis.com) lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. She claims that any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental!

It Takes a Rake
Anna Bennett
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250793959, $8.99, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Rake-Rogues-Lovers/dp/1250793955

Synopsis: Since she was a girl, Miss Kitty Beckett has been adept at finding trouble: sneaking brandy, running away, and getting under the skin of the boy who, like her, was an apprentice to an architect. Now Kitty's a talented heiress who can take a dry building plan and breathe life into it with her pencils and paints. Also? She can spot a rake at a hundred yards - and she won't be tricked or charmed into marriage. Certainly not by a man who might interfere with her dreams. When Bellehaven Bay announces its first ever architectural design contest, she vows to win -- with a little help from her childhood rival.

Leo Lockland, a hardworking architect with a gift for numbers, has returned home after a few years in London, and he has secrets. The biggest? He's been in love with Kitty since they were both apprentices. She refuses to give her heart to any man, but Leo's determined to beat the odds - even if it means learning how to be a rake. Fortunately, Kitty's willing to tutor him in the nuances of fashion, flirtation, and seduction in exchange for his help with the contest. But the whole plan would fall apart if she knew how he felt, so he'll have to be very convincing.

Leo proves to be a surprisingly quick study in the ballroom, on the beach, and in the bedchamber. Before long, he's softening Kitty's hard edges with his wicked words and kissing his way past all her defenses. Perhaps she's a bit too skilled at teaching, because her lessons are threatening to backfire, putting her closely guarded heart in grave danger!

Critique: A fun read from start to finish, and of special and particular interest to dedicated fans of Regency Romance novels, "It Takes a Rake" is the third title in author Anna Bennett's 'Rogues to Lovers' series. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Historical Romance collections, it should be noted that "It Takes a Rake" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).

Editorial Note: Anna Bennett (https://annabennettauthor.com) is the award-winning author of the Debutante Diaries and Wayward Wallflowers series. Her dream of writing romance began during a semester in London, where she fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. Now Anna's living happily-ever-after in Maryland with her family, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen.

Calling on the Matchmaker
Jody Hedlund
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764242236, $29.99, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Calling-Matchmaker-Shanahan-Match-Book/dp/B0CP4JBLNS

Synopsis: Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she's not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums. Unwilling to consider marriage, Finola has perfected the ability to sabotage the relationships her parents arrange for her. At wit's end, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. After her usual tricks fail, Finola quickly realizes she can't outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.

A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning--and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and sacrifice.

Critique: Escape to 1849 St. Louis in author Jody Hedlund's "Calling on the Matchmaker", an original, deftly crafted, rather daring and intensely romantic tale. Especially recommended to the attention of readers with an interest in Christian and History Romance novels, as well as community library Historical Romance collections, it should be noted that "Calling on the Matchmaker is also available from Bethany House Publishers in a paperback edition (9780764241963, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note: Jody Hedlund (www.JodyHedlund.com) is the author of more than fifty novels and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

Piqued and Repiqued
Judith Hale Everett
Evershire Publishing
https://evershirepublishing.com
9781958720011, $15.99, HC, 350pp

https://www.amazon.com/Piqued-Repiqued-traditional-Branwell-Chronicles/dp/1958720011

Synopsis: Jonathan Blysdale has risen from wealthy tradesman's son to gentleman in the highest circles of Society through sheer determination. When he catches sight of Lady Athena Dibbington, he knows he has found the jewel to crown his achievement. But Lady Athena was bred to marry no less than a marquess, and she has no patience with the attentions of one so far beneath her as Blysdale.

Yet it is not beneath Lady Athena to sustain her lifelong friendship with the awkward and outspoken Iris Slougham, whose family's wealth also originated in trade. This very peculiarity inspires Iris to further Blysdale's suit, for she is convinced there is more to him than ambition. But will her unconventional efforts to help secure her friend's happiness do more harm than good?

Critique: An original and thoroughly fun read from start to finish, "Piqued and Repiqued" deftly showcases author Judith Hale Everett's complete mastery of the Regency Romance genre, as well as her impressive and effective skills as a novelist in creating the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will keep the reader's total attention from first page to last. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), "Piqued and Repiqued" is especially and unreservedly recommended community library Regency Romance collections.

Editorial Note: Judith Hale Everett (www. judithhaleeverett.com.) is an award-winning author who writes tongue-in-cheek traditional Regency romance in an immersive style perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, with emphasis on delightful language and historical accuracy (no forays into the bedroom). As one of seven sisters, Judith grew up surrounded by romance novels. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen were staples, and formed the groundwork for her lifelong love affair with the Regency. Add to that her obsession with the English language and you've got one hopelessly literate romantic. She was a finalist in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for her third book, Forlorn Hope.

The Space Between
Sarah Ready
https://sarahready.com
W. W. Crown
https://wwcrown.com
9781954007550, $29.99, HC, 474pp

https://www.amazon.com/Space-Between-Sarah-Ready/dp/1954007558

Synopsis: The love we choose can change everything. A fateful night in Central Park leads Andrea Leighton-Hughes and Jace Morgan to one life-changing conclusion -- that they are meant to be.

Andrea is no stranger to wealth. She is the daughter of one of the richest men in Manhattan and has been used as a chess piece in her family's business empire since she was born.

Jace Morgan is no stranger to hardship. He lost his parents at a young age, and he and his brothers struggle every day to get by. Now they're risking it all in a gamble to hit it big and rise to the top of the music industry.

Andrea defies her family and promises Jace forever. Jace defies his brothers and promises Andrea always. But sometimes always doesn't mean forever, and forever doesn't mean always.

After years apart, Jace barges in on Andrea's wedding and says just one word-don't. Now Andrea must decide, does she take Jace's hand and find always and forever, or does she fulfill another promise and marry the one man she always swore she'd never love.

Critique: "The Space Between" by Sarah Ready spans nearly two decades and is a compelling novel of longing, betrayal, friendship, as well as the undying belief that love and music can heal the world. An original and deftly crafted novel that will be of special interest to fans of contemporary romance laced with humor, "The Space Between" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated Rom-Com fans tht "The Space Between" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781954007536, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

Editorial Note: Sarah Ready (www.sarahready.com) writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her books have been described as "euphoric", "heartwarming" and "laugh out loud". Her works include Josh and Gemma Make a Baby, Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around, French Holiday, The Space Between, and romcoms in the Soul Mates in Romeo series. Her debut novel The Fall in Love Checklist was hailed as "the unicorn read of 2020".

Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny
Nina Purtee
https://ninapurtee.com
Newman Springs Publishing
https://www.newmansprings.com
9798887632650, $17.95, PB, 360pp

https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Paths-Destiny-Romantic-Journey/dp/B0C4K5S28W

Synopsis: Annie's destiny awaits. Will it be smooth sailing or turbulent seas as she tries to navigate this new positive romance?

After a life-changing journey, Annie's decision to accept a proposal from Ramone, a dashing Spanish matador who defies his own father to keep Annie and her father safe, opens the next chapter in their destiny book.

During the politically-fraught British turnover of Hong Kong to Beijing, the happy couple's charted path appears to be on course. However, politics and romantic suspense intervene, causing lives to be changed or lost.

The island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain offers the perfect refuge from the conflict. In the midst of the King's Cup Regatta and the Night of the Pilgrims Pilgrimage, a wedding is planned.
Annie's journey has produced the man of her dreams and the happy couple welcome familiar faces from their different worlds to celebrate their union.

Friends and family gather; hidden facts are revealed. Alliances are broken or formed, culminating in a series of crossroads leading to choices to be made and destiny's potential.

Crossing Paths continues the story begun in Beyond the Sea: Annie's Journey into the Extraordinary combining our favorite characters with colorful new ones creating a combustion of interactions and a mystery to be solved!

The end of one journey is sometimes the start of new beginnings!

Critique: A novel of romance and adventure, "Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny" by Nina Purtee is an inherently compelling read from start to finish. The sequel to Purtee's first novel, "Beyond the Sea: Annie's Journey Into the Extraordinary", the author once again showcases an impressive narrative driven storytelling style that the reader will find to be simply riveting from beginning to end. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.49).

Editorial Note: Nina Purtee (https://ninapurtee.com) is a gifted writer of Romance & Adventure novels that typically feature intrigue in exotic places. Purtee has a knack for weaving experiences from her own voyages with stories of family relationships fiction, youthful awakening, adventure, cultural diversity, & romance!

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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